Chapter 27: Film: Z!

◇Kuzan vs Borsalino◇

*Pew* *Pew*

*Crack*

The Ice wall was smashed by the light beam.

"Kuzan! Have you come here as a hunter?" (Borsalino)

"Wrong! I am here as a student! I can't let you kill Sensei." (Kuzan)

*Clank*

The light sword and Ice saber are clashing.

"Sheesh, All I want is to retrieve the Dyna stones. The higher-up is demanding for it. Zephyr-sensei has those things." (Borsalino)

"Ararara, You didn't believe him? Then why are we still fighting. Z-sensei doesn't have those things." (Kuzan)

After Kizaru heard his former colleague, He teleported backward and paused their battle. He needed to investigate this.

Kuzan withdraws his DF ability. He knew that Borsalino isn't one to be forgiving and has his own pace. Kuzan also removed the large Ice wall separating the bay.

And he was reunited with the hunters who came with him. Kuzan saw the hot babe Lily and the meh former CP9 agent. They both defeated the students of Zephyr-sensei.

Kizaru took this chance to interrogate the students. Starting from the blue-haired girl. After a few minutes passed, Borsalino knew the fact that the Neo-Navy doesn't have a single Dyna stone in their possession.

"Dear me, It looks like we can't arrest him for the crime of stealing those weapons." (Borsalino)

"Didn't I told you. Ugh... It's too tiring to hold you and your damn speed." (Kuzan)

Kuzan and the others turn their attention to the main battle. They can see the fighters bruised up.

"Still, I didn't think that the Kid back at the war would grow to this extent. How dangerous~" (Borsalino)

"Yeah, You said it right. Maybe it's a good thing that he isn't a pirate." (Kuzan)

Both of these admirals have respected the strength that the young man with blue eyes has shown. Meanwhile, the students of Z were watching and worried for their sensei.

◇Shikage's POV, Shikage vs Z◇

*Smash* *Pow*

An exchange of blows begins in the fight. The fistfight between the two of us was so brutal that I even have bruises on my face. Well, I'm still in better shape than this old man in front of me.

He took an inhaler and used it.

"What's that? Old man. Isn't it a bit old for you to do this? I think it's better for you to sip tea while relaxing in a vacation house!" (Shikage)

"Shut up, brat. I prefer the drink called Jerez more than the tea." (Zephyr)

*Bang* 10x

I was swarmed with bullets from the Battle Smasher. I really need to destroy that arm! I activated my observation Haki to dodge them all and rush at him to engage in a fistfight again.

Seeing 5 seconds in the future is easy for me now. I've finally felt how Katakuri saw the world. Although, I'm not planning on abusing this unlike him. I want to be surprised!

And then we continue to punch each other before taking a distance away.

Z is building up momentum. I am also doing the same thing.

"I am... Z!!" (Zephyr)

A massive metal arm descends at me.

I intend to take this head-on!

"Wrong! You are ZEPHYR-SENSEI!!" (Shikage)

*Thud*

*Crack*

"Argh!!" (Zephyr)

The time when our fist connected, I have smashed and devastated the metal arm!

"Hah... Hah... Old man. You're a pain in the ass you know!" (Shikage)

Zephyr took a look at his destroyed mechanical arm. He discarded it and only a prosthetic arm is left.

He activated his armament, making his arm black. Instead of charging at me, he tried to talk to me.

"Kid. Why are you doing this? You are a pirate, No one will acknowledge you by stopping me."

"Hold on... You still think I am a pirate after learning my title? I guess you didn't know about the only bounty hunter in the warlords?" (Shikage)

"..." (Zephyr)

"Also, I am here to save you. I'll be responsible for your crime of assaulting this Navy base. So, you don't have to die here!" (Shikage)

I didn't know if my words would get into that thick skull of him but I do hope he would consider my offer.

"Laughable, To think that I, Z, would be saved by this kid. Fine! Let's see if you have the skills to back it up!" (Zephyr)

And so, the final battle begins.

Z started the battle with a punch to my face, I blocked it and tried to kick him in his side.

It didn't deal damage since Z shrugs it off and continued pummeling my face.

Geez, I finally have some confidence in my face and now you're trying to destroy it.

I got tired of blocking it and started to dodge it by a hair's-breathe.

And then I am going on the offense!

I threw some punches at Z. But because of his old age, He's having trouble fighting for a long duration. Which I was confident that I have a lot of stamina to fight. And so, I ended up overwhelming him with my attacks.

"You!" (Shikage)

*Pow*

A punch to the abdomen!

"Need!" (Shikage)

*Pow*

Then to his chest!

"To!" (Shikage)

*Smack*

And last, a strong punch to the face! Smashing him to the ground!

"Calm down!.. Hah... haa..." (Shikage)

Zephyr's at the ground, breathing hard to regulate his tired body.

I won. While using only my physical prowess. Although this guy is old, He's still a former admiral of the Navy.

"Hah... Haa... I really hate getting old. I can't move. Haa.. how can you beat an old man like me thoroughly... What a scary young man." (Zephyr)

"Zephyr-jisan. You're not alone in this world. You have a lot of students you trained to become heroes! All your deeds aren't vain! So don't risk your life, Old man!" (Shikage)

I know he can hear me, He's still on the ground. I guess I pummeled him so much.

Sorry~

""Z-sensei!!"" (Ain & Binz)

Finally, Zephyr looked at his proteges. The only recruits that survived in the attack.

"Ain... Binz... I put you through so much trouble. Forgive me." (Zephyr)

"I... As long you're safe, I..." (Ain)

A teary young lady was beginning to broke down.

Even the hardened Old man doesn't know what to do to a crying lady.

"Oi Oi, Z-sensei, You're now making a woman cry now?" (Kuzan)

"!!!" (Zephyr)

"It seems that the battle is over." (Borsalino)

"Borsalino! I see you have brought a battalion with you!" (Zephyr)

The Navy Admiral arrived at our area, There's also a lot of marines a few distances away from us.

Then my team also arrived.

"What now, Leader?" (Lily)

Lily is a member of Shadow Gear, so it's only natural for her to call me a leader.

"Guildmaster! It's good your safe!" (Kaku)

"Safe my ass, Do you know how hard it is to fight that Old man?! He's a master of Haki you know!" (Shikage)

Speaking of the old man, He's being arrested by the Navy Admiral and it looks like Zephyr would do his best to hold off them to the bitter end. I can't let it happen. I already promised Kuzan to protect his mentor.

"Hey! Wait for a minute, Everyone!" (Shikage)

◇A few moments later◇

We are currently aboard the Black Pearl.

Starting from Kuzan, an A-rank in the Guild. Initially a solo hunter but with Zephyr's request, He will now babysit two new hunters. It is Ain and Binz. I hope that lazy guy would come up with a good name.

Yes, The Neo-Navy is disbanded. I took a deal with Kizaru. The core member's of Neo-Navy would join us as a prisoner while the rest of the soldiers would join the Navy to boost up their numbers.

It was agreed by Kizaru who knew that the Fleet Admiral would want to take these soldiers since the World Military Draft isn't up to their liking.

And that was the end of the military organization called Neo-Navy.

Its supreme commander is drinking his favorite drink, Jerez. It was given to him by his student, Kuzan. Right now, The two of them are reminiscing their old days while singing some depressing song. It's okay for me if they're enjoying it but I can't take it when this old man is pushing me to join him!

Damn it, Arent you a bit friendly after what happened back then? This hot-headed, musclehead old man!

"C'mon young Shikage~! Join us! Let me tell you a story about Blah Blah..." (Zephyr)

(Argh! I should've kept my mouth close when I said that I am also a victim of a pirate and that pirate is one of the Warlords.) (Shikage)

Me and my big mouth!

It seems that my story has some similarities with him. But I am glad that I manage to convince him to stay with us. You see, he plans to exterminate the pirates. But what if we hunt them into extinction?

Ooh~ What a scary thing to do!

"Still, Zephyr-sensei... What are you going to do now?" (Kuzan)

"That's right, Gramps. I am also curious about it." (Shikage)

We watched him drink a glass of Jerez. After a bit of pause, He started to talk to us.

Zephyr will retire. He had already entrusted his mission to the team called 'Z' in the Guild. It's Kuzan's team.

And he will try to train heroes/hunters in Thriller Bark.

This is the best outcome for the Guild. I quickly accepted the old man and drink the drinks.

Oh, About that Dyna Stone. These weapons are also beneficial to the Guild. I want to recruit a scientist who can duplicate the Dyna Stones and use them as our weapon.

I can already imagine Lily being a terror with these weapons. The idea in my head is to use this lower version as an arrow for Lily.

Still, to think that the Endpoint is real. Obviously, the WG wouldn't publish any news about what happened at Firs Island.

"Now then, I'm gonna have to leave you guys here, I'll be going to the deck for some fresh air." (Shikage)

I got up on my feet and left the Captain's quarters. The room is big enough to hold a meeting and a dining table.

I didn't notice the look of the two old men and went my way upstairs.

◇◇

"Oh Kuzan. If he join you guys back then, I am sure that there will be four admirals instead. How come he only showed up now?"

"That's what i want to know. He just appeared after Moria's death and continued to get stronger. I have seen him at the war and he's not worth an attention that time." (Kuzan)

The two old men didn't know that Shikage's secret in getting strong have many ways.

1. Using [Spectral Theif]

2. Shikadiary

3. Hunting pirates

4. Unlimited practice of ability

5. Creating zombies, draugr, and [Shadow warriors]

6. Battling top-tier fighters

As for military power, Shikage has his Hunter's Guild.

Zephyr could no longer look down on the young brat. He was totally defeated by Shikage in a fair fight.

"It's been a while since i had a fun battle." (Zephyr)

"Right, You even used your trademark. Zephyr the black fist. And yet you still lose. Fighting is no longer good for you sensei." (Kuzan)

"Shut up, Kuzan. I decide what I want to do and I think that i want to see where that kid would reach." (Zephyr)

The two men continues to drink and engages in some deep and serious topic.

Kuzan and Zephyr have respected the 19 year old kid as a man and fighter.

Zephyr was even mad at Shikage for not showing him all his power. Imagine his suprised when he heard Kuzan complimenting the Kid's DF ability.

Kuzan is rarely amused and interested in things.

"Wait, Kuzan... Tell me about your fight with Sakazuki. What made you, a lazy fellow, deny him?" (Zephyr)

"Well well, Sensei, I didn't expect you to be insensitive. About that, No comment... For now. I'll someday tell you to our home." (Kuzan)

"Our home? What do you mean?" (Zephyr)

"I have bought a large house in Thriller Bark, That's where we will be living from now on." (Kuzan)

If Shikage could hear this statement, He would've jump happily. He's fight with Zephyr is worth it! Kuzan finally felt attached to the Guild and the Island.

◇Shikage's POV◇

I created a small opening in my shadow and pulled a Dyna stone from it.

I slowly analyzed it carefully since this weapon is said to be a rival to the ancient weapons.

It is quite amusing to know that the WG is keeping these stones as their trump card for the intruders at the endpoints.

Like Zephyr-jisan said, the Navy is pathetic. Kuzan should've become the Fleet Admiral instead of that magma dog.

Anyways, Enough ranting, I'll be busy in the next 2 months. It's time for the reunion of the Straw hats. I can't wait for the Chaos that they would bring to the world.

And I plan to use this to hunt the big names of the world!

Also, It's coming soon, the Abolishment of the Warlords!

Don't worry~

I already am prepared for it. That's why I went to recruit those strong guys!

(I'll be mastering the Advance Conquerors Haki this time! I need to have a rematch against Portgaz.) (Shikage)

It took only a fight for Luffy to notice it during their fight at Onigashima.

Should I visit the Wano country?

I better get some good kimono.

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