When Zephyr's fist smashed solidly into Hanevza's face, the dilated pupils of the Tyrannosaurus captain seemed to grasp a brutal truth—
A veteran may grow old.
But he does not die so easily.
When their stamina is intact, men like Zephyr remain nightmares to anyone who faces them.
Hanevza had always taken pride in his thick, iron-like Tyrannosaurus body.
Yet that pride offered no relief.
The punch left a deep imprint across his face.
He could even feel his teeth loosening.
It was insane.
His nine-meter-tall body rolled across the deck several times before he managed to steady himself. Around them, the battlefield roared with blood and steel.
In this crimson storm—
The ancient predator seemed less like a king—
And more like prey.
"Impressive, Zephyr. Even aged fists still carry that kind of power… Hunting someone like you—that's what excites me!"
As he spoke, Hanevza's aura rose again.
The deep mark on his face visibly faded as he stood upright.
"Oh? That kind of recovery?"
Zephyr's eyes narrowed slightly.
From every angle, Hanevza resembled a lesser version of Kaido.
A physical monster.
Even Zephyr's Armament Haki struggled to deal decisive damage in a short exchange.
"What a troublesome hide…"
He cursed inwardly—
But did not slow down.
His defined fists clenched tightly.
Jet-black Armament Haki coated both arms.
With a flash, he vanished.
Shave (Six Powers).
Executed nearly perfectly.
Even Observation Haki struggled to track him.
Before Hanevza could react—
A punch buried itself in his abdomen.
The Tyrannosaurus body folded like a shrimp, saliva spraying from his mouth.
And that—
Was only the beginning.
Punch after punch.
Each like artillery fire.
Hanevza's body twisted midair, dent after dent forming across his scales.
An ordinary man would have been reduced to mist.
Yet the tactile feedback from Zephyr's fists was disturbingly familiar—
Like striking Kaido himself.
Not quite as monstrous—
But close.
Hanevza had overestimated himself.
When he truly clashed with Zephyr, he realized—
He had no room to fight back.
Even the future Emperor Kaido, at this point in time, would be battered badly by Zephyr.
Meanwhile, his crew was steadily losing ground under the enraged Marines.
This so-called slaughter had turned into a joke.
But—
Hanevza still had a trump card.
Zephyr's fist struck Hanevza's jaw.
His eyes rolled back, consciousness nearly slipping away.
His monstrous physique dragged him back from unconsciousness.
Zephyr's breathing had grown heavier.
Such relentless offense took a toll.
Years of battle had left his body riddled with hidden injuries.
Age had crept upon him faster than most.
And worst of all—
Asthma.
Yes.
That was the key.
A ruthless gleam flashed in Hanevza's eyes.
When Zephyr struck again, he opened his jaws wide.
Every ounce of Armament Haki concentrated into his teeth.
He bit down on Zephyr's fist.
Dinosaur fangs were already terrifying—
Enhanced by Haki, they were monstrous.
He actually halted the blow.
His immense bite force clamped Zephyr in place.
For a veteran like Zephyr, this was manageable.
He clenched his other fist and smashed it toward the massive fang restraining him.
Crack!
The tooth fractured slightly.
Hanevza groaned in pain—
But refused to release his bite.
A premonition stirred in Zephyr's chest.
And Hanevza did not keep him waiting.
From his coat, he produced a capsule roughly the size of a man's palm.
Without hesitation—
He crushed it.
A pale red mist burst forth.
It filled the air instantly.
Both men inhaled it.
Zephyr's face changed.
A sickly flush spread across his features.
Seeing success, Hanevza released him and retreated.
"What… is this…"
Zephyr muttered.
Then—
It hit him.
An unbearable irritation erupted in his lungs.
It felt as though feathers were scratching inside his chest.
He coughed.
Once.
Twice.
Then violently.
As though he might cough his lungs out.
The gas had triggered his old condition.
His throat constricted.
Breathing became torture.
He tried to draw in air—
But it felt impossibly distant.
His asthma had flared.
Strength drained from his limbs.
His students noticed immediately.
Hanevza seized the opportunity.
He rushed forward.
A punch.
Then his thick tail slammed into Zephyr's body.
The strikes were not especially fast—
But Zephyr could only watch.
Powerless.
He was sent flying.
"Zephyr-sensei!!!"
A commander falling in battle crushed morale.
Hanevza laughed triumphantly.
Bruised and battered—
But victorious.
Then—
He saw her.
A female Marine rushing toward Zephyr.
He remembered.
Zephyr's ship carried two Devil Fruit users.
One of them—
A woman with the power of "Reversion."
"Ain…"
"Trying to help? Not happening!"
The chained sickle shot out.
Without mercy—
He struck her into the sea.
She sank instantly.
"AIN!!!"
"Damn it… Is there really nothing we can do?!"
The recruits stood shoulder to shoulder before Zephyr.
Grief filled their voices.
But stronger still—
Resolve.
This time—
They would protect their teacher.
Hanevza smiled cruelly.
His sickle flew again.
A Marine lost an arm instantly.
"No!"
Zephyr's eyes turned bloodshot.
But under the drug's assault, he could barely stand.
This substance—
It had been tailored precisely for his illness.
But how could a pirate obtain such a thing?
A dreadful answer surfaced in his mind.
Students fell one after another.
Zephyr's heart bled.
Then—
From the sky—
A roar thundered across the battlefield like a crashing storm.
"HANEVZA!!! YOU'VE GOT SOME NERVE!!!"
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