Chapter 26: Film: Z!

◇1 year and 10 months passed since the Summit war◇

◆New World, Firs Island◆

Remember how I talked about getting my protectors to feel attached to the Guild. Now, I have a way for the former Admiral to like the Guild.

We are currently on an Island that has a large marine base. This is the place that stores a mass-destruction weapon called Dyna stones.

Our group is waiting for someone who will charge at that base. We are having a tea break from observing the base.

"My my my, I have info that Zephyr-sensei would come here, It's tiring to wait here." (Kuzan)

"Hey, Kuzan, Is Dyna stones real? Can I have it?" (Shikage)

"Guys, don't forget to attach yourself to the ropes okay? I'll use my ability soon." (Lily)

"Guildmaster, What are we doing here?" (Kaku)

For now, That's all of our group. We are a group of four. Me, Kuzan, Lily and Kaku.

But don't underestimate us, We have a strength of a hundred thousand together.

Uh, maybe I'm exaggerating there, but we are strong.

"Kuzan, Tell me again what's Z is planning?" (Shikage)

"Well, If I wasn't mistaken, Then he will try to burn all the people living in the New World by destroying these endpoints." (Kuzan)

"How horrible!!" (Lily)

"Z huh... We kinda heard his name when we are under the Government. They said that he is a former admiral like you Kuzan-san." (Kaku)

I can see Kaku's stern face, Looks like we're up against someone strong. I was kinda curious about this Z guy because I didn't write anything about him in my Shikadiary. It means that he wasn't at the Divine Book.

"You're right, Square nose. In any case, It won't be long until this island would be raided." (Kuzan)

"Excuse me, Kuzan-san. But I have a name, Call me Kaku, please." (Kaku)

"Sure sure, Square nose." (Kuzan)

I turn a deaf ear to those two who are quarreling with each other.

I went to the side of Lily and observe the marine base.

And the words of Kuzan came true.

*Boom*

A great explosion came from the Navy base and the battle between the Navy and the Neo-Navy began.

"They're here, let's start." (Shikage)

We quickly wrap our arms with the ropes from Lily.

"Here it goes, [Skating]" (Lily)

Lily started to turn her entire body invisible and it even included the ropes attached to herself.

Making us all invisible without even touching her, We instantly sneak into the Navy base and head to the place where they store the Dyna stones.

As we were traveling inside the base, the battle outside is raging on. The Navy has deployed its best marines to hold off the Neo-Navy invaders.

It didn't take long until we reach the room. But the entrance to that room is secured, It is a large door.

"Ararara, What a good sneaking ability you have there, Babe." (Kuzan)

"Shut up..." (Lily)

"Hey, Stop it... Let's wait here, Go inside [Doppelman]." (Shikage)

『Got it, Shikage』

My shadow clone appeared and quickly goes inside by moving in the shadows at the ground and slips inside.

I [Substitute] my left eye with my shadow clone and saw the weapons that are said to rival the ancient weapons. I immediately stored it in my [Shadow bag] by using my shadow clone to absorb all of it.

"Shika~. He's here!" (Kuzan)

"Hmm? Ah, So that's Zephyr? He really does look strong." (Shikage)

"Who's the other two?" (Lily)

"What do we do now, Guildmaster?" (Kaku)

A little bit far from us, We saw the core members of the Neo-Navy. They are heading right towards the room.

Sadly for them, I already emptied that room and stops their plan of using the Dyna stones. We quickly left the place using the other path and were back outside of the Navy base.

"We need to stop them. I'll let you two handle the ones besides Z." (Shikage)

""Okay.""

"Kuzan, Can I let you convince that old man to join us?" (Shikage)

"No way, It is too tiring to convince someone... I'll be the one to hold off Borsalino. So, You do it. Shika." (Kuzan)

Damn it, I'm also bad with words. I don't know if I can convince that angry old man.

Never mind, Let's do this. I'll just see if I can do this.

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"[Smash Buster]!"

*Boom*

The door was blasted by the large mechanical arm of Zephyr.

They went inside the room and found the empty shelves of the Dyna Stones.

"Impossible! Who has disrupted my plan?! Ain! Binz! Let's go back! We'll interrogate those marines for the location of the stones." (Zephyr)

""Yes, Z-sensei""

They left the room and went outside. The battle still rages on.

And then the Navy's greatest weapon has come to arrest them.

A Navy Admiral is destroying their military organization.

*Pew* *Pew*

"Borsalinooo~!!" (Zephyr)

"Zephyr-sensei! Long time no see~!"

The two fought and didn't expect that there's some group that's stalking them.

*Clank* *Clank*

The two kept fighting. A sword made of light and a mechanical arm made of sea stones continues to clash.

"Zephyr-sensei, How can you keep up with my speed with that heavy thing in your arm... What are you going to use the Dyna stones for anyway?"

"Heh... There's no Dyna stones in the base! What're you playing at?! Isn't this part of the Navy's plan?!" (Zephyr)

It seems that there's a misunderstanding between the two of them.

The soldiers of the Neo-Navy are already retreating from the marines.

It's only a matter of time until they would be surrounded by the Navy.

"[Ice Wall]!"

*Thud*

Suddenly, A large wall made of Ice separated the charging marines and the soldiers of the Neo-Navy.

It also separated the two fighters from the other people. Two new individuals were walking towards them.

It's a tall man with an afro and a young man with his purple hunter outfit.

A different organization has joined the field.

"Z-sensei!!" (Ain)

A woman with blue hair kept banging the wall of Ice. She didn't know that there's another blue-haired in her side that's watching her.

"Mosa Mosa Mosa~"

"[Rankyaku]! Otto... I can't let you disrupt their fight. Ninja-boy!"

A man with a ninja outfit started to dance and many vines came out of the ground. The vines continue to grow and soon they would reach over the Ice wall. But it was cut off by a wind blade from the legs of a man with a square nose.

If it wasn't for a man with a square nose, It would surely go past the wall.

As for the other side of the wall, the individuals have come to face each other. The Navy Admiral faced the tall man while the man with a mechanical arm is facing a young man with blue eyes.

"Kuzan... Why are you here?" (Zephyr)

"Oooh... Shadow hunter, What is the meaning of this?" (Borsalino)

"Hey, Z-sensei. Fancy meeting you here~" (Kuzan)

"We're here to stop that old man from dying. So, can you let us deal with this Kizaru?" (Shikage)

This is my goal. Kuzan had requested me to save his teacher. I have the means and determination to save that old man.

"You know, that there's no way it would happen, Right?" (Borsalino)

"That's why I'm here. [Ice Saber]" (Kuzan)

Kuzan declared as he scratch the back of his head and acts like this is troublesome for him.

"What are you here for, Kuzan?" (Borsalino)

"Am I still an ally of justice? That's the question in my mind in these years. Now, I am starting to know what Z-sensei felt." (Kuzan)

*Clank*

A flash ignited and the two former colleagues were in a stalemate.

Both swords made out of their abilities have finally clashed!

◇Shikage's POV◇

"Kid... Why are you standing up on me?" (Zephyr)

"Z-jiisan. I am here to snap you in reality! Clearly, you're not thinking right! How can you sacrifice all the innocent civilians just to exterminate the pirates in the New World?! You are Insane." (Shikage)

"That's right! I am Insane! But the one who made me Insane is this world! There's no Justice anywhere in the world! You are just a hindrance to the Grand Reboot!"

Whoa~ Grand Reboot? This old man is cool.

"What is that? That sounds hella cool!" (Shikage)

"Name yourself. I should know your name first before crushing you to smithereens." (Zephyr)

"I'm Shikage. One of the 8 warlords!" (Shikage)

"I see, So you're a warlord huh?! You just added a reason for me to crush you more! Prepare yourself young Shikage... I am Z, the supreme commander of the Neo-Navy! Z will exterminate every last pirate in the world!" (Zephyr)

*Dash*

I can see him charging at me. He's fast even with his mechanical arm!

I prepared to meet the old man's weapon with my own charged fist. I [Harden] it and my skin become purple.

"KID~!" (Zephyr)

"OLD MAN~!" (Shikage)

*Crash*

My fist was embedded in the mechanical arm! It even leaves an imprint in that giant metal fist!

While the ground around was wrecked by the shockwave when our fist connected!

Fortunately, I wasn't sent flying or even moved a step back.

"Urgh... Seastone!" (Shikage)

I am already feeling weak because of it.

"... I am surprised. For a pirate, you have some backbone in you. I thought you're just an arrogant young man. I suppose you can talk big with that strength! BUT! You won't beat me!" (Zephyr)

Z used his other arm to try and punch me. I narrowingly managed to dodge it and counterattack by body blowing him with a punch. I am sure that I dealt a good amount of damage in that punch!

The old man even puked a little.

He looks like he got hit by a truck! That's how confident I am at my physical prowess.

"Old man, You better treat me like your students over there. I am in a different class than you think." (Shikage)

Zephyr turned his head to the place where I pointed, We both can see how those two become the top leaders in the Navy. The surroundings around them have already been upturned! A lot of craters and ices have changed the ground. They are fighting fiercely!

"I see. Sorry for not taking you seriously. I guess I should've taken you as a threat when you showed that you are not scared of this smasher. Very well. Take this, [Smash tornado]!" (Zephyr)

Zephyr strikes his battle smasher to the ground to make a powerful blast!

This time, I took a step back before getting hailed by the bullets of Zephyr. I deflected those bullets I can't dodge. Armament is really strong against these types of attacks.

I used [ Geppou] and [Soru] to close the distance between us. I already have decided to only use my physical strength in this fight. I don't have to use my shadows.

Again, Our fists met with each other and sending shockwaves to the surrounding. Using [Hardening] can protect my fist from being damaged and at the same time, make my attacks strong!

Zephyr took a step away from me and prepares his gun. He shot at me and I finally draw my weapon, Shadowfall to deflect the sea stone bullet.

"As I expected, You're clearly not an ordinary pirate. You are not even depending too much on your Devil Fruit ability. Well done." (Zephyr)

Oh, Old man, If you only know how much I used it. I really depend on all my strength to the Kage Kage no Mi.

"But It's useless! You cannot crush my Justice!" (Zephyr)

"I'm tired of listening to your grumbling! I am gonna crush that weapon of yours!" (Shikage)

I sheathed my dagger and activated my Armament Haki. I [Harden] my upper body including my face! My naturally blue eyes become purple because of Haki.

"Come~! KID!!" (Zephyr)

This old man, how come you are smiling! What's so funny huh~?!

*Smash* *Smack*

And so, We engaged in a brutal fistfight. I must say that I am in an unnatural field of my expertise. But I wanted this to know how much I've gotten strong without my DF.

◇At the other side of the bay, Lily vs Ain◇

Two ladies are battling. A Kuja warrior vs a former marine. Both are Devil Fruit users.

Both of them are duking out. But there's a clear dominance in the fight. The Kuja warrior is dominating the other one with her invisible attacks.

And Ain has to be on guard against the invisible snake that's trying to harass her. If only she could touch Lily, then she would've turned her into a kid.

"Modo Modo!" (Ain)

She could only try to return the cold lava around them into its previous state of hot lava. Hoping for Lily to fall into the trap.

But Lily appears behind her and puts her into submission. It is difficult for Ain to use her ability.

"You... You're mind isn't here. You are clearly more worried for that old man than your well being. Tell me why and I'll spare you." (Lily)

"Shut up, Pirate! I won't talk!" (Ain)

"Ah. I see, It seems that there's a misunderstanding. We are not pirates. We're hunters! Soon, you'll be one too." (Lily)

Ain felt her world crash, what's with this group. Lily saw the confusion on Ain's face. She let out an amused smirk and finally told her why they are here.

"Listen, Shika is saving that old man from certain death. That old man has resolved his life in doing this plan of yours and that lazy tall guy knows what his master is doing... That's why we are saving him. Shika's planning on recruiting that old man. Since you'll be following him, I guess you'll also be one of us." (Lily)

Ain doubted her ears when she heard this. She kinda felt that Z-sensei is heading to his death. She struggled at Lily's hold but she can't get out. Lily has adapted to the ability of Ain so she didn't let Ain get comfortable at using her ability.

"Stop! Let's wait for Shika. Even if he's a bit off, He's our Leader. The Guildmaster of the Hunters Guild. Trust him." (Lily)

Lily could felt that the resistance of Ain is getting weaker, She is beginning to accept the situation.

◇Kaku vs Binz◇

This battle is different from the two ladies. This is the battle of speed. Both of them knew how to use [Soru]. The ordinary soldiers of Neo-Navy couldn't even see them fighting.

But the evidence of the growing vines and getting cut is proof that those two men are still fighting.

Kaku is a swordsman that is using two swords and his legs. Adding the Zoan DF ability he had, It is natural for him to be strong.

Right now, He's in his [Pasta machine] form. A human-beast hybrid form.

"Mosa Mosa Mosa!" (Binz)

Binz is still doing the Mosa dancing.

"Hey, Ninja. Did you know? That Giraffe's an herbivore? That means that your ability is my FOOD!" (Kaku)

And so, their battle is being dominated by the Giraffe!

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