Chapter 317: Li Yuan vs. Zephyr  

"Esdeath, the princess of the Infinite Pirates, battled Admiral Zephyr but ultimately retreated after sustaining injuries!" 

"A new Mythical Zoan Devil Fruit has emerged, and its wielder is her!" 

"Shocking! A seventeen-year-old female Grandmaster Swordsman! She has inherited the swordsmanship talent of the world's strongest swordsman, Li Yuan!" 

The next day, the *World Economic News* published a report detailing Esdeath's fight with Zephyr, spreading the news across the world. 

As the daughter of Li Yuan and the princess of the Infinite Pirates, Esdeath attracted global attention. The publication of the report instantly sparked widespread discussion. 

"My god, a seventeen-year-old Grandmaster Swordsman? I remember Li Yuan broke the record as the youngest Grandmaster Swordsman at sixteen. His daughter's swordsmanship talent is just as incredible!" 

"Hahaha! The Navy must feel humiliated now. Didn't Zephyr try to capture Li Yuan when he was sixteen, only for Li Yuan to escape and rise to power? Now Zephyr failed to capture Li Yuan's seventeen-year-old daughter. I bet Esdeath will rise just as strongly as her father!" 

"Place your bets! How many years will it take for Esdeath to defeat Admiral Zephyr?" 

"Esdeath embarrassed the Infinite Pirates! How could she lose and flee from a mere admiral?" 

"She's just a blown-up figure, overrated as the 'princess' of the Infinite Pirates." 

The report ignited both praise and criticism from across the seas. 

"Gurararara! Li Yuan has raised an exceptional daughter. At her age, escaping from Zephyr and already being a Grandmaster Swordsman is no small feat!" 

Whitebeard chuckled as he read the news, clearly impressed by Esdeath's accomplishments. 

"Come on, Pops! Esdeath isn't all that great. If I ever meet her, I'll beat her easily!" 

Marco grumbled, jealous of Whitebeard's praise for Li Yuan's daughter. To him, escaping Zephyr was hardly worth celebrating. 

"Gurararara! I once told Li Yuan that if our kids ever met, they'd better make each other cry. So don't let me down, Marco. Make her cry, or else!" 

Whitebeard's hearty laugh filled the room, teasing Marco, who felt even more determined to prove himself. 

"Don't worry, Pops. I won't lose to her!" Marco declared confidently. 

"Gyahahahaha! Li Yuan's daughter is making waves. I wonder if my two brats will live up to my name someday," Golden Lion Shiki mused as he read the report. 

The news reminded him of a conversation from their days in the Rocks Pirates, when he, Whitebeard, and Li Yuan had boasted about their children. Back then, Shiki had been inspired to have two sons of his own, whom he had secretly raised and trained. It wouldn't be long before they carried his legacy across the seas. 

"Gai Nie, whose swordsmanship is better: yours or your sister's?" 

Hawkeye Mihawk asked with interest, his eyes gleaming as he read about Esdeath. Female Grandmaster Swordsmen were exceedingly rare, and Esdeath might be the only one he had ever heard of. 

"Hard to say. I left the Infinite Sea before I became a Grandmaster Swordsman, so I haven't sparred with her in years. What I can tell you is that I inherited my father's Infinite Swordsmanship, while my sister inherited his Blood Slaughter Swordsmanship," Gai Nie replied. 

"When I meet her, I'll challenge her!" Mihawk declared firmly. 

"Suit yourself, but don't blame me if you regret it later. If you do challenge her, make sure I'm there to watch. At least with me around, she'll spare you out of respect," Gai Nie said, recalling his sister's fierce temperament and feeling the need to warn Mihawk. 

---

**Kamisin Island** 

The next afternoon, as Shakky predicted, Zephyr arrived at Kamisin Island to resupply. 

As the admiral oversaw operations at the Marine base, his instincts suddenly screamed danger. His brow furrowed as he rushed outside, scanning the horizon. 

"Why is he here?" 

Zephyr's heart sank as he spotted a familiar figure approaching—Li Yuan. 

It was unimaginable that Li Yuan had appeared in the North Blue, let alone that he had found him so quickly. Could he be here to avenge his daughter? 

But how had Li Yuan discovered his location? And how could he have traveled to the North Blue so fast? 

"All personnel, evacuate the island immediately!" 

Zephyr shouted to the Marines, his voice filled with urgency. 

The killing intent radiating from Li Yuan was suffocating. Zephyr knew the Marines stationed here, most of whom were far from admiral-level strength, would be slaughtered if they stayed. 

"There's no point in shouting. From the moment I arrived, their lives were no longer their own." 

Li Yuan's icy voice echoed as his blood-red Conqueror's Haki erupted, flooding the island with a storm of crimson lightning. 

Under the overwhelming pressure of his Haki, every Marine, civilian, and even the news birds circling above lost consciousness instantly. 

"Li Yuan, how did you know I was here?" Zephyr asked, forcing himself to remain calm despite the chilling sense of dread. 

"Does it matter?" 

"Zephyr, the moment you dared to lay a hand on my daughter, your fate was sealed. You'll die under my blade." 

Li Yuan's words were cold and resolute as he stepped forward, his presence growing more menacing with each step. 

The Seven-Star Sword gleamed as he drew it, compressing his immense Conqueror's Haki into its blade. Blood-red lightning crackled around the sword, surging toward Zephyr like a storm. 

For most top-tier warriors, Conqueror's Haki alone would have little effect, but Zephyr felt an intense pressure as if invisible spikes were pressing into his body. Only by reinforcing himself with Armament Haki could he lessen the pain, though it didn't completely dissipate. 

"How can Conqueror's Haki be this powerful?" 

Zephyr was shocked. This level of Haki surpassed anything he had ever encountered. It was beyond his comprehension. 

"He ate a Devil Fruit?!" 

Zephyr's shock deepened as Li Yuan transformed, taking on a hybrid beast form. 

Even before consuming a Devil Fruit, Li Yuan possessed the power to single-handedly defeat top-tier opponents. Now, with the addition of a Devil Fruit—likely a Mythical Zoan—their power gap had grown insurmountable. 

As Li Yuan's transformation completed, waves of ultrasonic energy combined with his Haki to form an invisible storm. 

Buildings crumbled, the earth split apart, and deep chasms formed as the shockwaves ravaged the island. 

Though these effects were merely a byproduct of Li Yuan's power, the true force was concentrated on Zephyr. The ultrasonic waves targeted his ears, eyes, nose, and even more sensitive areas, bypassing his Armament Haki to inflict excruciating pain. 

Zephyr gritted his teeth, his body trembling under the relentless assault. He knew he couldn't afford to remain passive. If he didn't act, he'd be crushed by Li Yuan's overwhelming power. 

"Die!" 

With a roar, Zephyr launched himself at Li Yuan like a rocket, the ground beneath him shattering as he leaped. 

"Life Return: Extreme Limb Reinforcement!" 

"Boiling Blood!" 

Zephyr activated his most extreme techniques, pushing his body to its limits as he charged at his opponent. 

"Blood Shadow Step." 

In an instant, Li Yuan vanished, his speed leaving even Zephyr's eyes unable to track him. 

Zephyr came to an abrupt halt, scanning his surroundings with heightened awareness. His Conqueror's Haki picked up faint traces of blood-red energy circling him. 

"There!" 

He finally spotted a blur of crimson light approaching from behind. 

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