Chapter 69: Infiltration
"You… you are Zephyr? Even you have appeared here?"
Looking at Zephyr who appeared next to the Golden Great Buddha, Big Mom was also taken aback. Within the Navy, Sengoku, Zephyr, and Garp, although they still hold the rank of Vice Admiral, those familiar with them know that these three, who have already earned their titles, are practically guaranteed to be the next Admirals of Marine Headquarters.
And most importantly, their current Strength is genuinely Admiral-level Combat Power.
Although Big Mom was a little surprised that Sengoku and Zephyr would appear at the same time, she wasn't afraid.
After all, compared to the pressure from that monster who crushed her prideful Body with a pair of Iron Fists, these two, while troublesome, at least don't have such a vast difference in power.
They are all top-tier figures on this Grand Line. Except for certain Monsters, none of these people truly fear each other.
Zephyr's mindset wasn't as relaxed as Big Mom's. After all, these Great Pirates rarely care about the lives of their Cannon Fodder, but Zephyr couldn't ignore the casualties of the Navy under his command.
In a one-on-one fight, whether against Golden Lion or Big Mom, he was confident in a fifty-fifty chance. However, with the Battlefield within the Navy Fleet, he'd inevitably be restricted, while Shiki and the others wouldn't have such concerns.
After Zephyr exchanged a glance with Sengoku, who had transformed into a Giant Buddha, he directly used Moon Walk to rush towards Big Mom in the air. For Monsters at their level, even the aftershocks of their battle are too much for these warships to handle!
(Just like "King of the Ship" Jack back then, in terms of Strength, the Navy at that time had the semi-retired Grand Inspector of the Navy Sengoku, the current Admiral Fujitora Issho, and Staff Officer Tsuru. Jack, on the other hand, only had one Ship and some Cannon Fodder subordinates. Even so, the Navy still lost two warships. This shows the immense impact a clash between Powerful Figures can have on their surroundings.)
"Are you a World Government lackey? It's quite an Insult to the title 'wise general'."
Just as Zephyr moved his fight with Big Mom away, the reinforcements Rocks brought flapped massive Wings and looked at Sengoku.
"Judging by your expression, you seem familiar with me. It seems you're also aware of the dirty History the World Government inflicted on our Race?" Lunaria Alberts said with a smile, though her tone was laced with mockery.
"Lunaria Alberts, having chosen to live in hiding, why reappear now? You should know very well how the World Government will react. Aren't you afraid of dragging your Race into the Abyss completely?"
Sengoku said, looking at Alberts. He had heard of the misfortunes of her Race, but felt somewhat helpless to intervene.
"Drag our Race into the Abyss? Do you know? The ones who came to fight alongside me are the last remaining Warriors of the Lunarian Race! We once hoped to live peacefully, but the World Government doesn't seem to intend to leave us alone. As long as one Lunarian Race member remains alive, they can't rest easy.
A mere News about a Lunarian Race member is worth 100 million Beli. Quite generous of them."
"No way, are these masked guys really that Race the World Government is hunting?"
Some Pirates who overheard the News couldn't help but mutter to themselves.
"Hey, what are you mumbling about?"
The Pirate beside him asked, puzzled.
"Exactly, no wonder these guys never show their real faces! Just a piece of News about them is worth 100 million Beli! Catch a live one and deliver it to Mary Geoise, and you not only get a huge Reward, but you can even have a wish granted within the World Government's Power!"
"Huh?!"
Hearing this News, all the Pirates were in disbelief. A single piece of News is worth 100 million Beli! A Secret Treasure Devil Fruit on the Grand Line is only worth around 100 million Beli.
Suddenly, many Pirates' eyes fixed on the Lunarian Race members. Though they were troublesome, the Pirates had the advantage in numbers.
As for these Lunarian Race members being Companions of Rocks, for Pirates, isn't that what Companions are for – Betrayal? Besides, they are 'Rare Beasts' whose News alone is worth 100 million Beli!
Seemingly noticing those malicious gazes, Alberts snorted coldly and looked at Sengoku.
"See that? There's no place on this Grand Line where we can settle down peacefully. In everyone's eyes, we're walking Treasure Troves!"
"Alberts, if you leave now, I can pretend nothing happened. Otherwise, don't blame me!"
Sengoku said sternly.
"Relying on you, who can barely protect yourself right now? I'd like to see how you escape this predicament!"
Alberts looked at Sengoku dismissively. In a one-on-one fight, he wouldn't be Sengoku's match, but he wasn't alone. Golden Lion was right beside him!
Then, with an explosive burst of Speed, he charged towards the Navy Fleet. To the Weakest, these Giant Battleships and Cannons are terrifying War Machines. To a Powerful Figure, these clumsy warships are mere toys to be destroyed at will.
Soon, Alberts began wreaking havoc in the Fleet like a tiger among sheep. With each attack, a warship was cleaved in two.
It wasn't that the Navy didn't counterattack, but for Alberts, those clumsy Shells and Bullets couldn't even graze his clothes.
Amidst the hail of Bullets and Shells, another warship was cleaved in two, accompanied by burning Gunpowder and the explosion of the Ammunition Depot, slowly sinking to the Seabed.
In just a blink of an eye, the Navy had already suffered heavy casualties.
"Hold your positions! We can win!"
Many Navy Soldiers on the warships watched the surrounding warships explode and burst into flames, sweat beading on their brows. How could they fight an enemy this fast?
However, when they saw figures leaping from the warships, many Navy Soldiers calmed down. Such a Powerful Figure enemy would naturally be handled by their superiors. Their job was to hold their positions.
"Mama, mama, mama, Zephyr, you're Strong, but you're still far less impressive than Garp's Fist. But I'm curious, Garp is just an Ordinary People, right? How can he be as Strong as a Monster?!"
Big Mom asked, watching Zephyr block Napoleon with his Arm.
After Zephyr exchanged a punch with Big Mom and backed off, he spat lightly and said, "Who knows? But I agree on one thing: compared to you Monsters, that guy is definitely Human."
Thinking of Garp, whom he and Sengoku could barely suppress even when working together, Zephyr was quite moved. After all, Talent is often predetermined. When they first joined the Navy, he, Garp, Sengoku, and Tsuru were arguably the most outstanding of their generation.
However, after Sengoku ate the Human-Human Fruit Mythical Zoan, Great Buddha form, he shifted towards a commanding role. That left him and Garp. He could feel his Strength reaching its peak, but Garp seemed to have no limits and continued to grow stronger.
But he wasn't jealous. After all, the stronger Garp became, the stronger the Power of Justice.
Besides, the Enemy Garp was facing was far more troublesome than his own. All he could do was block the Monster before him!
Watching Big Mom charge again on Zeus, Zephyr felt his Blood surge. He felt in a better State than ever.
"Nicholas, kid, is this the Secret you were talking about?"
In front of a magnificent Building exuding an ancient aura, Whitebeard asked Nicholas. Behind them lay a field of Corpses. Wasn't the best infiltration eliminating all Eyewitnesses?
"Of course, or would the Celestial Dragons send so many guards? If Captain Rocks hadn't drawn away so much Firepower, we wouldn't have gotten this far so easily."
"Oh? You still think of Rocks as Captain?"
Whitebeard asked curiously.
"Of course. That guy, Strong as a Monster, isn't dead yet. Besides, calling him Captain doesn't hurt."
Nicholas said while searching for the Entrance.
"Aha! Found it!"
Nicholas quickly found a hidden Entrance and shouted happily.
(End of Chapter)