The previously sunny skies that had been shining over water 7 began to become darkened by black clouds. As if the weather itself could sense the impending conflict, the sounds of distant thunderstorms and increasingly violent waves echoed around the battlefield that the town had become.
Rocks gripped his sword tightly as the rain began to lightly fall, and he focused as much as he could on his Observation Haki. While Whang Zhi and Ganzui were no speed demons, the tales he had heard about Bogart from Roger were enough to immediately put him on high alert. While he did vaguely recognize the 4th member of the approaching group as the Navy's newest admiral, he had to admit that it was only because of his ridiculous purple hairstyle more than anything that he had achieved in battle.
"Everyone, listen closely!" Rocks shouted to the crew that had gathered around him, his sudden shout so forceful that even the approaching World Government members were caught off guard. "All of you know what to do, we've gone over these types of situations countless times over the past few months. Is Mayando fit enough to get the ship going, Kureha?" Rocks asked as he looked over toward the doctor who gave him a quick nod.
"The kid's gotten a lot stronger since I first met him," Zeff said with a proud smile as he crossed his arms. "He may be just as whiny, but at least he gets the job done now."
"Good, then I see no reason to worry," Rocks said with a confident smile. "The number one priority is for us to get out of here! We already got what we came for, so whether you kill these guys or knock them out, it doesn't matter! Just make it back to ship quickly, because the New Rocks Pirates have a lot of work to do!" Xebec shouted as the metallic sheen of Haki coated his arms, legs, and blade before he dashed toward Bogart.
"Pandemonium!" He shouted as the resounding blast of his strike clashing against Bogart's sword sent out a shockwave that blew all the other fighters off of their feet.
While the massive blade of Eclipse dwarfed Bogart's razor thin blade, the lack of shaking behind the arm that held it indicated how tough of an opponent Rocks was up against.
"I never knew that Garp's sidekick was so strong. You could probably make a name for yourself if you stopped clinging to him like a frightened puppy," Rocks taunted while he attempted to increase the output of his Haki.
His muscles had already been put under more strain than either he or Kureha had wanted them to before he had fully recovered, but the dire circumstances left him with no other choice. Despite his best efforts, the most he could do was clash evenly against the Navy swordsman, and his silence after Xebec's taunt made him even more concerned
***
The pressure of Rocks and Bogart's clash knocked Zeff off his feet, causing him to plummet over the bridge's guard rail. The quick conjuring of a platform made of ice prevented any potential damage from the fall, but he made a mental note to scold his captain later. However, before he could even gather his thoughts, a massive form dropped down toward him. The man looked massive amongst the small raindrops, and he cracked his massive fists together, unleashing a crackle of Haki as he looked down toward his target.
"Red Leg Zeff! By the order of the World Government, you are-" he began to say before a volleyball shaped sphere of ice flew just past his ear.
"Shut the hell up, that shiny kid from earlier was annoying enough," Zeff said as he held his hand out with the palm facing the sky. "If all the admirals are as preachy as you, it's no wonder kids would rather be pirates instead!" He shouted as a trio of smaller spheres formed above his open hand before shooting toward Zephyr like bullets.
Though the random projectiles startled him, the new admiral was just able to bring his Haki coated arms to defend his face as the rounds shattered upon impact. He sneered as the confidence from easily shaking off the first attack took root in his mind, but as he lowered his arms, the expression changed to one of surprise as the shin of the Rocks Pirates chef was inches away from colliding with his jaw.
"Blue Leg Style: Flash Freeze Fillet!" He shouted as the thick coating of ice around his leg shattered upon impacting with Zephyr's jaw, sending the admiral rocketing toward the ground and burying his head into the dirt outside of Tom's workshop.