Sora's eyes widened in surprise. "Is this the power ranking system His Highness came up with?"
She quickly shook it off—Ross was never one for convention. Of course he'd invent something like this.
"Saint Ross breaks strength down into SG ranks, eight levels total," Zephyr explained, his focus split between the distant clash and the beasts lunging at them. He swatted one aside without breaking stride. "G-rank's your average civilian. F covers basic Marines or run-of-the-mill pirates. E's where lieutenant-level officers at HQ start picking up real combat skills."
He paused to dodge a snapping jaw, then continued. "D-rank lines up with HQ officers—swordsmen dipping into Rokushiki basics or just scratching the surface of cutting steel. C-rank's Rear Admirals: Rokushiki pros, master swordsmen, maybe touching Haki for the first time."
"B-rank hits Vice Admiral territory," Zephyr went on, his voice steady amid the chaos. "They've got a polished style, bodies pushed to human limits, and usually Armament or Observation Haki—or both. An ordinary grunt, no matter how many scrapes they survive, tops out at B if they're lucky."
Sora tilted her head, curious. "B-rank's the human ceiling, right? But there aren't that many big shots at that level."
Zephyr let out a dry chuckle. "Limits are one thing—reaching 'em's another. Most folks don't survive the grind. Those who do? They're not ordinary anymore. They're the elite of the elite."
"Makes sense," Sora murmured, nodding. Humans were tricky like that—full of potential, but quick to fold when the path got rough. Plenty bailed early, and even more never made it.
Her gaze drifted to the battlefield. "Looks like one of the giants is on the ropes."
Brogy staggered back from Ross's onslaught, the ground trembling under his massive feet. Ross clearly had the edge in their brutal exchange.
Sora knew Ross's Devil Fruit was his ace—she'd seen him drill it in countless spars. Still, watching him toy with a giant sent a thrill through her.
"Giants start strong," Zephyr said. "Adults hit B-rank easily. The top ones, like these two? Saint Ross pegs 'em at least A-rank—maybe peak A."
Sora's lips curved. She wasn't shocked Ross was dominating. In her eyes, he'd always be the strongest. Sure, he was green now, but one day, he'd tower over the world.
Zephyr's grin widened. "A-rank? That's monster territory. Talents who bend the seas to their will. Numbers don't matter—one A-rank can shift the tide of any fight. In a weak Navy era, they'd snag an Admiral seat easily."
This was the pirates' golden age, though—and the Marines' too. A-ranks were everywhere.
"World-famous names, but not full legends," Sora guessed. "Like Gion."
"Spot on," Zephyr agreed. "B's the grind for normals; A's the cap for most talents. S-rank? That's for true freaks."
He stared out at Ross, a mix of awe and envy in his eyes. Zephyr had clawed his way up through sheer grit, but Ross? The kid had rocketed from C to S in a single year. Lack of experience held him back now, but give it time...
Sora caught the undertone, her smile blooming. "His Highness is one of those S-rank monsters, huh?"
Zephyr nodded firmly. "Flawless. Even Kaido or Big Mom don't measure up."
"Why those two?" Sora asked. "Whitebeard and Roger were beasts."
"I've tangled with the old legends," Zephyr replied, shaking his head. "Strength's more than raw power—it's skill. Whitebeard fused his Tremor-Tremor Fruit with Conqueror's Haki. That's why he was the world's strongest."
"Kaido and Big Mom, though? Pure physical freaks. Big Mom popped out S-rank strong. Kaido? A-rank from the cradle."
Sora blinked. "Born that way? That's insane."
Even in a world crawling with powerhouses, starting at the top felt like cheating.
"Then how come Big Mom isn't queen of everything?" Sora pressed. She was a New World near-emperor now, but not the emperor.
Zephyr smirked. "Instinct only gets you so far—no technique. Physically, she's a nightmare, but I'd outclass her in a real scrap."
Deep down, he knew it'd be a stalemate at best. He could pin her down, maybe trap her with the environment, but killing? Unlikely.
"Instinct that sharp makes her a monster all the same," Sora said, her eyes sparkling with something sharper than admiration.
Ross had drilled research habits into her—ideas bubbled up unbidden. If they could snag Big Mom's bloodline factor, isolate the physique genes... apply it to Ross or Gion? Their power could skyrocket.
Kaido and Big Mom. She filed the names away.
Ross was bound for Wano soon, gunning straight for Kaido. This trip might just hand her the samples she needed.
—