Bang! Bang! Bang!
Luffy kept getting knocked down by Zephyr's fists, yet kept rising and charging back in. His sheer tenacity and willpower stirred something in every Marine watching from the sidelines.
But to Luo Ye and the others observing closely, they knew Luffy wasn't doing this out of deep strategy or higher purpose—he just wanted out of Marineford.
That's all his mind could hold. What came afterward, he hadn't even considered.
Zephyr sighed, masking his worry with sarcasm.
"Why are you in such a rush to leave Marineford? With your current level, you couldn't even stand up to a pirate like Daz Bones, let alone one of the Yonko."
"No! I don't want to be stuck in this training camp forever!" Luffy yelled back, panting.
Zephyr wasn't trying to put him down.
He hadn't even used Haki yet. His blows were intentionally restrained. And still, Luffy couldn't land a proper hit.
If this reckless boy left now and charged into the New World, what would happen?
A Garp-like temperament, no discipline, and a tendency to run headfirst into chaos—he'd likely try to challenge the Four Emperors straight away.
And those monsters—Kaido, Big Mom, Blackbeard—were nothing like Zephyr.
They wouldn't pull punches. They'd kill him.
So if Zephyr had to play the villain to stop that fate, he would.
"If you insist on being stubborn, then let this old man knock some sense into you!"
His fist turned black with Busoshoku Haki. He drove it toward the worn-out Luffy, who was barely able to stay conscious in his Gear Second form.
Just before the punch landed, a blur of silver swept onto the battlefield—Luo Ye.
He intercepted Zephyr's strike in mid-air.
The resulting air pressure sent Luffy flying backward, the momentum too much for his weakened state. Gear Second flickered out.
He gasped for air, his stamina depleted.
Luo Ye turned to Zephyr, speaking with a calm exasperation.
"Mr. Zephyr, that wasn't necessary."
Zephyr glanced at the boy and saw he wasn't injured. Then he chuckled at Luo Ye.
"If you weren't here, I wouldn't be holding back. But now that you are, I'll give him a pass—this time."
Just before his fist connected, Zephyr had locked eyes with Luo Ye, silently telling him to step in.
If Luo Ye hadn't intervened, Zephyr might not have stopped. This lesson was about more than just strength—it was about understanding consequences.
Luo Ye had no choice but to play along.
If Luffy couldn't learn restraint and how to bear the pressure of real combat, then when Luo Ye wasn't there, who would protect him?
The crowd of recruits erupted.
"Oh! Silver Eagle Admiral!"
"He blocked Zephyr-sensei!"
Zephyr glanced at the cheering trainees and smirked.
"You see? I'm letting you steal the spotlight again. Playing the villain just so you can be their hero."
Luo Ye rolled his eyes.
"I don't want to be a hero. Heroes have too many expectations—and I don't do expectations."
Zephyr didn't argue. He walked up to Luffy, now collapsed on one knee, and looked him in the eye.
"You lost, kid. If you want to leave Marineford, beat me first."
Luffy was breathing heavily. He glared at Zephyr with frustration, but couldn't respond.
Zephyr turned to Luo Ye, nodded, and walked off the field. The crowd quickly dispersed under his command.
Luffy looked up at Luo Ye, his voice trembling.
"Luo Ye… I'm so weak right now."
To his surprise, Luo Ye didn't comfort him.
"You are weak," he said bluntly. "You've always been weak."
Luffy blinked, stunned. He wasn't expecting that. He wanted encouragement—just a few kind words.
Instead, he got the truth.
Luo Ye continued, his tone flat.
"You've fallen far behind Ace and Sabo. And Zephyr gave you a clear condition: beat him, and you can leave. You couldn't do it. So what now? Blame someone else?"
"You think Zephyr's the problem? Then beat him."
Luffy clenched his fists, silent.
Luo Ye never coddled them. Even as children, whenever they failed and ran to him, he beat the lesson into them instead.
They understood why.
They didn't hate him for it. They hated their own weakness.
But Luffy had forgotten that during his time in training.
Now, hearing it again, something clicked.
He stood up and declared with renewed resolve,
"I will defeat Zephyr! I'll make him let me go of his own will!"
Luo Ye gave a slight nod, satisfied.
Ace and Sabo approached from the sidelines, grinning.
They knew Zephyr's methods well. They didn't resent him—they respected him.
Ace teased, "Damn, Luffy. We saw how you got smacked around back there."
Luffy collapsed again, groaning.
Luo Ye barely reacted. He never coddled pain. But Ace and Sabo? They lived for teasing him.
Sabo smirked. "Still lying down? Need a nap, little brother?"
Luffy shut his eyes, pretending they didn't exist.
Luo Ye finally spoke up.
"Alright. Time to go. Let Luffy stay here and get beaten until he's strong enough to leave."
Ace and Sabo snickered, turning to go.
But just before leaving, Ace glanced back.
"We're off to the New World with Luo Ye. Going after Kaido next."
Luffy's eyes widened.
"If you don't get out soon," Ace added, "we'll have taken care of all the big names before you even get there."
Without waiting for a reply, they walked away.
Luffy was left alone, sore and defeated.
They were going after one of the Four Emperors—Kaido of the Beasts.
And he was still stuck in training camp.
If he didn't break free soon, the New World would already be cleaned up.
By the time he made it out, what would even be the point?