Aokiji, as Zephyr's favorite disciple, had been brutally killed by Elior — something Zephyr had never been able to let go of.
Zephyr had sworn countless times that he would kill Elior.
So now, Zephyr had arrived.
However… was killing Elior even possible?
Even Zephyr, with his greatly declined strength, couldn't do it — not even Garp could kill Elior.Even if both of them joined forces, the result would be the same.
Unless Elior simply stood still.
A horrifying explosion shot up into the sky as a massive portion of the ice collapsed.The ice layer — hundreds of meters thick — cracked apart, seawater rushing in from below.
At this moment, Elior was using his left and right hands to block Zephyr and Garp's fists respectively.
This was already their third direct clash.
Yet even with the two joining forces, they still couldn't put Elior at a disadvantage.
For Elior, handling Zephyr and Garp together wasn't troublesome. After all, neither of them were Devil Fruit users, nor swordsmen — they were purely physical fighters.
That made them easier for Elior to handle; at least he didn't need to deal with any Devil Fruit abilities.
Elior held back their fists with both hands — and then unleashed massive bolts of lightning from each palm.
Boom!
Torn blue lightning exploded outward with terrifying repulsive force, shaking both Garp and Zephyr backward and forcing them to retreat more than ten meters.
Zephyr was knocked several meters farther than Garp.
That was the difference in strength.
"He's got an ability! Be careful!"Zephyr warned.
Garp looked grim. "His physical power and his Devil Fruit ability… both are on an unbelievable level!"
Inside, Garp's anger could only be extinguished by killing Elior with his own hands — or witnessing Elior die right here.
Garp was willing to do whatever it took.
The two old veterans rushed forward again in perfect sync, stepping on shattered ice and closing in with incredible speed.
Elior also charged in at that moment.
He swept his hands backward and then forward — two massive ice spears materialized beside him, shooting toward Garp and Zephyr with deadly momentum. Even more shocking, they were coated in Armament Haki the moment they were launched.
Boom!
Two deafening blasts rang out as Garp and Zephyr collided head-on with the ice spears — dodging was impossible.
Garp's Armament-coated fists and Zephyr's Seastone mechanical fist met the ice spears head-on. In an instant, violet lightning exploded as if space itself were cracking.
Shards of ice burst outward like a storm, and beneath them, seawater surged in.
The entire ice field was collapsing.
Elior leapt into the air and stomped down hard behind the two spears Garp and Zephyr had halted momentarily.
His monstrous strength surged, amplifying the power of the ice spears to terrifying levels.
Garp and Zephyr could no longer resist — both were blasted dozens of meters away and hurled into the rubble of shattered ice.
As the weaker of the two, Zephyr was sent more than twenty meters farther than Garp.
Already in frail condition, Zephyr let out a harsh cough, dragging across the ground and turning pale.
"Vice Admiral Garp!"
"A monster!"
"And Instructor Zephyr!"
The surrounding Marines were horrified.
"Even the combined might of two legends from the old era can't shake that monster?"
"Impossible! That's a Marine Hero and Instructor Zephyr, who trained the former Admirals and countless officers!"
Seeing Elior's power, many Marines trembled in fear.
In Marine history, Garp and Zephyr were living legends — one who chased the Pirate King Roger to the brink many times, and the other who taught generations of Admirals and officers.
Yet together, they still couldn't shake Yonko Elior.
"H-Husband…"
In the distance, Gion — who had been "fighting" Reiju and Bonney but was actually holding back — looked toward Elior with anxious eyes. That same worry had filled her expression ever since Elior first clashed with Garp and Zephyr.
After all, in her heart, Elior was her beloved.
As Elior battled the two veterans, Gion couldn't stop worrying. Even though Elior hadn't been pushed back even once, the fear still lingered.
Besides — hadn't Elior just killed the red-haired Yonko moments ago? Now he was facing the combined might of two legendary Marines…
"My husband will be fine!"
Reiju reassured her — though she too was worried.
After all, Elior was their man. How could they not worry?
"Sister Gion, be careful — don't let the Marines hear you and blow your cover."
Bonney warned her.
"Fine… I know."
Gion felt helpless. She wanted to run back to Elior's side.
But she also understood: Elior's conquest wasn't complete yet. She had to continue her infiltration.
When Elior assaults Mary Geoise one day, perhaps she would be the one to open its defenses from the inside.
On the battlefield, just as Elior was about to finish off Zephyr, an angry, sharp voice came from above.
A woman's voice.
"A villain like you — don't even think about harming my teacher!"
The newcomer was none other than Ain — Zephyr's proudest disciple and most loyal follower.
She knew Zephyr's physical health was declining; severe asthma, old wounds, and constant strain had taken their toll.
Just now, after witnessing Zephyr being blasted away and coughing blood, Ain couldn't endure it anymore and rushed in.
"Fall back!"
Ain launched her ability at Elior with a furious swing of her hand.
"Ain?! Leave now!"
"He… he's not… cough—!"
Zephyr tried to stand up, but a burning surge rose in his throat.
He coughed up blood again, turning even paler.
"Damn it… not now!"
He punched the ice and forced himself forward.
Facing Ain's ability, Elior merely snorted. He waved his left hand, activating the power of the Imagine Breaker , instantly nullifying her ability. Then he grabbed Ain by her uniform and pulled her toward him.
"Did you really think your ability would work on me?"
"When this war is over… you'll become my forbidden love."
Elior smiled cruelly.
Ain struggled desperately.
"Let her go, bastard!"
Zephyr roared and charged.
Boom!
But Elior caught Zephyr's punch effortlessly.
"Weaker than before, Zephyr. Can you feel it?"
Elior sneered. "Zephyr, this woman will be mine. As for you — I'll kill you."
Lightning erupted from Elior's fist — nearly 400 million volts.
Zephyr's mechanical arm sparked violently before he was blown away again.
"Teacher Zephyr!"
Ain cried out desperately — only to receive a punch to the stomach from Elior. It wasn't a lethal blow, but the pain was overwhelming. She too was sent flying.
Elior didn't pause — he immediately rushed toward Zephyr to finish him off.
At the same time, Garp charged in again.