Zephyr was forcefully sent flying. His body smashed through a sailboat and glided swiftly over the sea, stirring up a massive wake. With a violent bang, he crashed into the main mast of a Marine ship two nautical miles away. Cracks spiderwebbed up the wood, and the entire vessel shook from the impact.
Zephyr slumped onto the deck, kicking up a cloud of dust.
"Vice Admiral Zephyr!?" Rear Admiral Lily stood frozen, unable to believe her eyes.
Zephyr was covered in blood and panting heavily. After recognizing Lily, his head tilted back, and he fell unconscious. Seeing him in such a state, she didn't need to think twice—the encirclement campaign had failed. Lily felt a wave of unease and was about to order the sailors to turn the rudder and retreat when a dazzling pillar of fire suddenly erupted before her eyes!
Boom!!
The Heat Breath engulfed the Marine ship, creating brilliant, deadly fireworks upon the sea. Back at the Winter Island dock, Kaido grinned, the scent of smoke still lingering on his breath.
The next day at dawn, as the sunlight tore through the sky and illuminated the horizon, Kaido met Wald in the palace. Wald was in high spirits as he recounted how he had sunk a Marine ship and engaged in a fierce battle with Vice Admiral Kerber on Tracros Island.
Wald had proven to be the stronger of the two, defeating Kerber and using 50-times power cannons to blast the Marine ship into smithereens.
"This Marine campaign failed," Kaido said. "Even if the higher-ups are furious, they won't dare to send troops again for a while."
Kaido was very familiar with Marine tactics. Once they encountered an enemy this difficult, they usually stayed low and sent observers to monitor movements rather than attacking head-on.
"With no Marine interference, we can rebuild the town and grow our forces in peace." Kaido mused that this entire mess was likely caused by the Oren Kingdom. Winter Island's town was in ruins and had suffered heavy losses—the Oren Kingdom would have to pay.
"Wald, go to the Oren Kingdom tomorrow. All losses from this incident will be covered by them. Also, to make sure they don't stir up trouble behind our backs again, kill half of the nobles."
A ruthless glint flashed in Kaido's eyes. Wald, who detested traitors above all else, gnashed his teeth in agreement. Nearly half of their base had been destroyed, and he blamed the royals.
After Wald left, Kaido sat on his stone throne, caressing his rough kanabo. He thought about his attacks; most were inspired by the Five Wisdom Kings, the guardian deities of esoteric Buddhism: Fudo Myoo, Gundari Myoo, Gozanze Myoo, Kongo-Yasha Myoo, and Daiitoku Myoo. This was deeply rooted in the culture of Wano Country, where shrines and temples held the highest significance.
Defeating a quasi-Admiral like Zephyr was a major statement. It would make the Marines realize that the former Rocks Pirates apprentice was no longer just a kid. Now, Kaido was free to embark on long voyages, recruit a crew, and compete with the strongest men in the world.
Two weeks later, at Marineford Hospital.
Zephyr lay in a hospital bed, his body wrapped in bandages and his left leg suspended in a cast. Despite his condition, he wore his sunglasses and calmly puffed on a cigar. Suddenly, noisy shouting echoed from the corridor. Zephyr frowned, looking displeased.
Swish!
The door was rudely pushed open. Sengoku and Garp, dressed in dark suits, walked in while bickering.
"Osu! Zephyr, Sengoku and I are here to see you!" Garp greeted him with a smirk that looked incredibly punchable.
Sengoku looked serious behind his round-rimmed glasses. "We heard about the Winter Island campaign," he said gently. "How's the recovery coming along?"
Garp sat casually on the adjacent hospital bed. He tore open a bag of rice crackers from Zephyr's bedside cabinet and began feeding himself, chewing loudly.
"As you can see, I should be fully recovered in about three weeks," Zephyr said sullenly.
"To be able to beat you like this... has Kaido grown that much?" Sengoku asked, his concern growing. The sea was in total chaos lately, keeping them all exhausted. The only consolation was that these pirates all had their own schemes; if they ever united, it would be an irreversible disaster for the world.
Zephyr nodded heavily. "Kaido is a monster. His Haki—whether it's Observation, Armament, or Conqueror's—is far beyond what a twenty-year-old should be capable of."
He took a puff of his cigar and continued. "His Observation Haki covered the entire island. Every move I made seemed predicted. It's very likely he's reached the realm of Future Vision. His Armament is just as terrifying; my hands still ache. Plus, he's a Mythical Zoan user. I had my adjutant check the encyclopedia—he's likely eaten the Azure Dragon fruit."
Zephyr shared everything he had gathered. His heart was still heavy; every time he closed his eyes, he saw Vice Admiral Wellen desperately clinging to Kaido's arm. Wellen was gone, buried on Winter Island.
"A Mythical Zoan... a rare power indeed," Sengoku muttered. He patted Zephyr's shoulder. "Heal up. We'll have plenty of time to deal with Kaido later."
Zephyr nodded, then looked at his two friends. "How are things with Whitebeard and Roger?"
Sengoku glared at Garp. Garp's eyes widened like brass bells as he argued, "Why are you looking at me? I didn't let Roger escape on purpose! It's normal for ships to get damaged in a fight!"
Sengoku looked like he wanted to devour Garp alive. "Every time you go on a mission, a ship ends up at the bottom of the ocean! You've destroyed nearly twenty Marine ships yourself, Garp! Do you know how many millions of Berries those cost?!"
"You can't blame me!" Garp shouted, his face turning red. "This time, Sea Kings actually attacked us! I told you, Roger has some weird affinity with them. He probably made them do it!"
"Garp, do you even hear yourself?!" Sengoku snatched the food bag from Garp's hand, tilted his head back, and poured the remaining crackers into his own mouth.
"Ah! Sengoku, you bastard!" Garp yelled.
Seeing them about to start a full-blown brawl in his room, Zephyr cut in. "Please consider the patient's feelings before you start fighting."
When the two showed no signs of stopping—their Haki even beginning to leak out—Zephyr sighed and pressed the call bell. A moment later, a burly female nurse marched in. She grabbed Garp and Sengoku by their collars, hoisting them up like naughty puppies. They immediately went quiet.