Chapter 419: Commander Z
Boom… Boom…
"Run for it…"
"Everyone pull out!"
"Damn it— it's the Pirate Guerrilla Force!"
"Damned Black-Arm Zephyr…"
"You left the Navy, and you still come after us?!"
"Crap, our ship's been sunk!"
"Aah… aah…"
It's midday under the blazing sun in the first half of the Grand Line, on Cerix Island. A fleet of several warships plus over a dozen submarines bombards the harbor, sinking all the pirate vessels anchored there. One pirate, panic-stricken, bolts off desperately.
Surprisingly, these ships all bear a flag showing a sword piercing through a seagull-and-skull emblem.
"Frozen Time Capsule!"
A figure rushes out from the warship formation. An intense frost surges forth like a tidal wave, racing across the ground. In the blink of an eye, dozens of pirates who were fleeing at top speed get frozen solid.
"No—!" The pirate captain shouts in horror, struggling mightily.
But he can only watch helplessly as he's gradually encased in ice, treasure chest still clutched in his hands.
"Huff…"
Wearing sunglasses and sporting short purple hair, a bare-chested Zephyr with a large cloak—now more rugged and mature than in his Navy Admiral days—lets out a frosty breath.
"Wipe them out. Don't let any of these pirates escape!"
On one of the warships that's just pulled up to the shore, a tall, muscular young commander wearing the Pirate Guerrilla Force insignia gazes coldly at those pirates who managed to scramble away. He gives the order:
"Yes!"
Members of the Guerrilla Force disembark and give chase to the handful of pirates who fled into the forest.
Bang… Bang…
"Aaaaah!"
Gunfire cracks in the distance, and every so often a fleeing pirate collapses screaming.
Another officer wearing the Guerrilla Force uniform steps up to the still-frozen pirate captain at the front, grabs the chest he's clutching, and smashes the ice around it. Opening the chest reveals a purple, pineapple-like Devil Fruit with a swirling motif, quietly sitting inside.
The officer takes a deep breath and reports to Black-Arm Zephyr:
"Admiral Zephyr— ah, I mean Commander Z— The intel was correct. It's the Logia Dark-Dark Fruit!"
In the black market, something like this could fetch an astronomical price. Whether they want to train someone in its powers or put it up for auction, it's got huge value.
"So it really is…"
Zephyr, who serves as the Pirate Guerrilla Force's supreme commander, nods.
"I figure other parties have also caught wind of this. We need to pull out of here, fast."
He's well aware just how powerful the Dark-Dark Fruit can be. He can't let it fall into the hands of the depraved Navy or any other pirate.
"Yes, sir!"
But they have barely fired their signal flare when the Guerrilla Force's lookout cries out in alarm:
"Commander Z, we've got trouble…"
"It's the Navy fleet— looks like Marine HQ Admiral 'Buddha' Sengoku is with them!"
"What?!"
Zephyr's face hardens.
Following the lookout's direction, he peers out over the sea. Sure enough, a column of warships is approaching. The lead battleship is very familiar, once a vessel he'd sailed on alongside his old comrade—Buddha Sengoku. And it's making rapid headway, showing no mercy.
They haven't managed to withdraw yet, and within moments, ten or so Navy warships are opening fire. Boom… Boom… A pair of cannon rounds splash near Zephyr's flagship, apparently a warning shot.
"Zephyr, a friend is a friend, but you will hand over that Dark-Dark Fruit!"
On the lead battleship stands Sengoku in full regalia. His face is grim as he gazes at the familiar yet distant figure on the island. His expression is complicated but swiftly steels itself. Grasping a loudspeaker Den Den Mushi, he booms:
"If you don't want to be wiped out by the Navy, you'd better turn it over!"
"Sengoku, keep dreaming!"
Facing his former companion, Zephyr's voice is cold and unyielding:
"I'm never letting the Navy have this Fruit!"
"Ice Age!!!"
Before Sengoku can reply, Zephyr leaps high into the air, dashes above the ocean's surface, and thrusts both frost-laced hands—extended into two icy spears—into the water beneath him.
Crack… Craaack…
Almost instantly, the ocean ahead freezes up, forming a massive sheet of ice. Sengoku's fleet ends up locked in place, the warships unable to sail any further. Men on the decks look shaken and furious.
"Boom… Boom…"
After halting the Navy's advance, Zephyr springs back onto his own warship, planning to lead his Guerrilla Force out to sea. Just then, more gunfire erupts from the other side. Shells arc overhead and explode near the water. Yet another formidable group approaches.
"Commander Z, it's the government's ships…"
"They're CP0!"
One of his subordinates pales at the new arrivals, flags bearing the World Government's crest. They look hostile indeed.
"Don't waste time engaging them!"
Zephyr jumps right off the ship, landing square on the water's surface— but once more unleashes his chilling powers to freeze the sea below him, forming a thick layer of ice, so he doesn't sink.
Crack… Crrrack…
In a flash, the watery path to the World Government ships ices up, locking them as well.
"You treacherous cur!" roars a CP0 official aboard the government vessel. "How dare you use the Devil Fruit we bestowed upon you against us!"
He glowers at Black-Arm Zephyr, body brimming with murderous intent:
"Do you seriously think you can escape?"
Though Zephyr's Pirate Guerrilla Force only targets pirates, they still need funds for weapons, gear, salaries, and families' pensions. Over time, they've carried out discreet raids against government transports, even plundering Heavenly Tribute. The CP has traced hints, and the order has long since been given: If you get the chance, destroy the Pirate Guerrilla Force.
Hence, they've also summoned some of the Shichibukai and assembled pirate factions that bear grudges against Zephyr's force.
Sure enough, before the Guerrilla Force can fully retreat, dozens of large and small pirate ships emerge from different directions.
"Look— it's the Shichibukai!"
"And even more pirates…"
"Damn it— They've all come for us!"
"Those bastards…"