Chapter 315: Esdeath vs. Zephyr  

"John, the great pirate of the New World, has been captured!" 

"A pirate is nothing more than a thief. Once the World Government takes action, escape is impossible!" 

"This world remains under the rule of the World Government. Pirates will eventually be eradicated!" 

After capturing John, Sengoku and Garp wasted no time. The World Government immediately released a news report, proclaiming their accomplishment to the world. 

The World Government intended to use this news to suppress the arrogance of pirates worldwide and remind them that the World Government was still in control. 

At the same time, it served as a message to the affiliated nations. After eliminating Walde and now capturing John, the World Government had invested significant effort. Naturally, this would justify raising the "Heavenly Tribute" payments. 

"What? John, a great pirate of the New World, has been captured? Impossible! He's a New World legend!" 

"John? The one rumored to have the most treasure among pirates? If he's been caught, who knows where all his treasure is hidden?" 

"Hahaha! John's been captured! That means there's now a vacant territory in the New World, and it's mine!" 

Despite the shocking news of John's capture, it didn't deter the lawless pirates. 

The great pirates of the New World controlled 90% of its territory, leaving little for newer pirates. With John captured, many pirates became even more eager to claim his territory. 

Pirates who had been vying for Walde's territory now shifted their focus to John's vacant lands. 

"Gyahaha! That fool John dared to go looting in the East Blue alone and ended up captured. What a greedy idiot!" 

Golden Lion Shiki sneered at the news, though his expression carried a trace of disdain and regret. 

After defeating John in the past, Shiki had spared him, leaving John indebted to him. He had planned to use that favor in the future. Now that John was captured, that favor was worthless, and Shiki regretted the lost opportunity. 

"What a fool, daring to raid the Four Seas alone," Wang Zhi said dismissively upon hearing the news. 

In the past, they had allied against the oppressive forces of Li Yuan, Whitebeard, and the Rocks Pirates. Together, they raided the Four Seas, not only to loot but also to guard against the World Government ambushing them. 

With their combined strength, even if the Marines deployed all their top forces, they were confident they could return safely to the New World. 

Repeated successful raids had caused John to grow arrogant. He had forgotten their original alliance's purpose, underestimated the World Government's strength, and overestimated his own abilities. 

Esdeath, having just ridden her custom silver-white motorcycle off the island, unexpectedly encountered a massive warship. Even more surprising was the powerful presence aboard it. 

Zephyr, aboard the warship, had originally intended to capture Doflamingo, who had been inciting wars and selling weapons. He hadn't expected to encounter Esdeath, the daughter of Li Yuan. 

"Admiral Zephyr!" 

Recognizing the figure on the warship, Esdeath didn't detour. She stopped her motorcycle directly in front of the warship and stored it in her spatial scroll. 

As icy energy emanated from her, the surrounding sea froze solid, encasing the warship in ice. 

From her uncle Ashura Doji, Esdeath had heard of Zephyr's declining strength. She believed this was her chance to prove herself. 

Excitement and madness filled her eyes. As the eldest daughter of the Infinite Pirates and a recently revealed figure, Esdeath was eager to establish a noteworthy achievement. 

Facing a former admiral like Zephyr presented the perfect opportunity to make her mark. 

"Esdeath, daughter of Li Yuan and princess of the Infinite Pirates. Meeting me today is your misfortune. If I capture you, let's see if Li Yuan dares to come for you!" 

Zephyr sneered, throwing off his Justice cloak and leaping from the warship. 

"Zephyr, if you think you can capture me, try it. Let's see if you still have what it takes!" 

Without hesitation, Esdeath shifted into her hybrid beast form, releasing an intense wave of icy energy. Her imposing aura radiated as she prepared to battle. 

"Conqueror's Haki? So what? Even a king's potential is meaningless without growth. You're just an insect before me!" 

"Black Arm: Six King Gun!" 

Zephyr unleashed a devastating attack, his Armament Haki surging in full force. He held nothing back, delivering a strike with the might of his peak years. 

Esdeath, determined not to hide her strength, channeled her Ice Slaughter Sword Intent, Flowing Sakura Haki, and freezing power into her Shura sword. 

"Ice Slaughter: Frozen Blood Sea!" 

Her sword unleashed an overwhelming wave of icy mountains and blood-like streams, forming a deadly tide. 

"Boom!" 

Despite Esdeath's full-strength attack, Zephyr's punch shattered her sword intent and freezing power in an instant. The shockwave from his fist bypassed her Shura sword and struck her directly. 

Esdeath was flung backward like a broken kite, crashing onto the frozen sea. Before she could hit the water, her freezing power spread, forming an icy platform beneath her. 

"I underestimated him. Even in decline, this old man is terrifyingly strong!" 

Wiping the blood from her lips, Esdeath stood up and gazed at Zephyr with newfound respect. 

She had thought that sparring evenly with Ashura Doji meant she could hold her own against Zephyr. Now she realized how wrong she had been. 

Her uncle must have held back during their matches, leading her to mistakenly believe she could face Zephyr on equal footing. 

At sixteen, her father Li Yuan had fought Admiral Kong. Now, at seventeen, she had been injured by Zephyr in a single blow. The comparison stung her pride. 

"A freezing power like Aokiji's, combined with a Zoan hybrid form—she must have a Mythical Zoan capable of controlling ice," Zephyr observed. 

With a surge of Haki, he shattered the ice encasing his arm. 

"Even with a Mythical Zoan, you're nothing before me. Prepare to die!" 

Seeing Esdeath still standing, Zephyr charged toward her without hesitation. 

"Nyeh-nyeh-nyeh! What's going on? How did she freeze such a large area of the sea?" 

Feeling the cold wind from the distance, Trebol shivered and asked. 

"This is bad, Young Master! Admiral Zephyr is here! Esdeath is fighting him!" 

Lao G, looking through binoculars, was visibly shaken. 

"Admiral Zephyr? What's he doing here? Never mind, we need to leave immediately!" 

Realizing the severity of the situation, Doflamingo, still injured, decided fleeing was their only option. 

"Young Master, shouldn't we help Esdeath?" Trebol asked. 

"We're on the brink of death ourselves! Let her deal with it. She's stalling Zephyr for us, giving us time to escape!" 

"Fufufufu! She's Li Yuan's daughter. If the Navy captures her, the chaos that will follow is unimaginable!" 

Doflamingo laughed maniacally as they fled. 

"Let's see if this works!" 

"Life Return: Extreme Strengthening!" 

Seeing Zephyr closing in, Esdeath activated Life Return, her body emitting steam as her blood boiled and muscles tensed. 

Knowing the gap in their strength, Esdeath held nothing back, fully embracing her desperate stance. 

"In the face of absolute power, no amount of Life Return can bridge the gap!" 

As a master of martial arts, Zephyr immediately recognized her technique. Life Return was a rare ability, used only in dire circumstances due to its strain on the body. 

While Zephyr didn't use it himself, he wouldn't underestimate Esdeath. After all, Li Yuan had once used Life Return to slay multiple top-tier opponents. 

(End of Chapter)