One Piece - Heaven Defying Comprehension!

Zephyr chuckled at Ace, clearly amused. "I never expected the Flame Emperor to extend an offer to an old man like me," he said, his voice carrying a hint of irony. "Offering the legendary Turtle Fruit—Mythical Beast Species, Genbu Form—rumored to rejuvenate the elderly, as a bargaining chip is quite the generous move. But…"

He trailed off, studying Ace intently. 

"Did you make a mistake?" Zephyr continued, his tone sharper now. "I didn't leave the Marines to exact revenge on the World Government, even though they pushed me to the point of despising the Shichibukai. I left to build a new Marine force, one that would use dyna stones to rid the seas of pirates and end this era of piracy."

He paused, a flicker of disappointment in his gaze. "I don't know where you got your information, but didn't I already explain this in my last phone call with that kid Kuzan? What makes you so naive to think that inviting me would be enough? Do you really believe that your charm alone could sway someone like me so easily?"

Zephyr's voice dropped, his expression stern as he continued, "I may be here in your hands now, but that's nothing more than fate… and the will of heaven."

In all the vast sea, few would dare call Kuzan "a kid," but Zephyr was certainly qualified. While Kuzan's own path, influenced greatly by Garp, ultimately took him to the heights of the sea, Zephyr had been his first guide on the path of justice. Garp's "Iron Fist" may have shaped Kuzan's mastery of Armament Haki and the use of the Frozen Fruit, renowned for its immense field control even if not granting great direct combat power against elite foes. Together, these had given Kuzan the power to face off with even the strongest Four Emperors. But it was Zephyr who had set Kuzan on his course as a true Marine.

Yet, despite Zephyr's best efforts, Kuzan's journey had deviated sharply from his expectations. The Buster Call on Ohara had fractured Kuzan's sense of justice, transforming it into his now famous "Lazy Justice." Later, Kuzan left the Marines altogether, joining the ranks of Emperor Entei, leader of the strongest pirate crew on the seas.

And yet here was Ace, thinking he could recruit him with a few words and the fabled Devil Fruit. Did this young man truly think he could manipulate him, or was it arrogance bred from too many victories—victories like the great Flame Emperor incident? Has his recent successes, along with allies like Kuzan and Gion, shifted his perspective so much?

'Hump.' Zephyr thought, a slight smirk forming, 'let me be the one to show you that not everything bends to your will in this world.'

Watching Ace's impassive expression, Zephyr raised an eyebrow, the faintest hint of mockery dancing in his eyes. 

'How does it feel,' he wondered, 'to be openly mocked, to be looked down on by an old man even when you stand as one of the most formidable figures on the sea?'

Beside him, Ain wore a tense expression, feigning a calm readiness to face death.

"Is that so… Then it's time to get ready for the banquet!" Ace announced, smiling as he glanced at Raki and the others, much to Zephyr's astonishment.

With a wide grin, Ace raised his hand and said, "Let's welcome Gion to the crew. We're really making a strong team here!"

"Cheers!" The girls raised their hands, flashing bright smiles in response.

Raki immediately set off to gather ingredients and wine, with Kaya joining her to help, while the rest of the women tidied the area in preparation for the festivities.

Ace laughed heartily, clinking glasses with Rayleigh. "Hey, Z! Let's drink together—banquets are meant for good company, right? Hahaha! Here, try the wine brewed by the greatest chef in my world."

Ace raised his glass toward Zephyr, still chuckling, as he extended the invitation.

Zephyr's face twitched involuntarily. What on earth was going on here?

Here he was, having rebuffed and even mocked this young pirate just a moment ago, yet now he was receiving a friendly invitation from the same man. Though Ace was branded a pirate, Zephyr was fully aware of the legend he was rapidly becoming—undefeated since first setting sail.

And yet, here he was, inviting him to a party, treating the whole affair as if nothing had happened.

Was the world turning upside down?

Rayleigh, noticing the incredulity in Zephyr's expression, laughed. "So, Z, where exactly did you get your ideas about Ace's character? Marine and World Government news, maybe?"

Rayleigh's gaze held a teasing glint. "Besides, you may be overestimating yourself. Ace has no less than nine crew members at or above Admiral rank. Do you really think he offered the rare Mythical Beast Fruit—to you just for your combat ability?"

After a few glasses of wine, Rayleigh chuckled and laid out the brutal truth for Zephyr.

"Rayleigh…!" Zephyr's face turned a shade of green. This old rascal was practically spelling out his unworthiness right to his face!

To make things worse, as Zephyr activated his Observation Haki, his complexion darkened further. His suspicions were confirmed—each of the Entei Pirates' officers, except the musician who stayed out of combat and the mascot, the floating gothic little girl, all the cadre seemed to have surpassed him in strength!

But how could it happen?? During the Flame Emperor incident, these officers weren't nearly this powerful. Has the crew's combat power surged even further since then?!

Then it struck him.

Zephyr and Ain exchanged a look, cold sweat forming on their foreheads. Could it really be that the Flame Emperor now commanded nine subordinates with Admiral-level strength or higher?!

Seeing Zephyr's curiosity, Rayleigh chuckled, "Since you're so interested, let me fill you in. Vivi, Raki, Hancock, and Kaya have all reached Admiral-level combat power. And, right now, Nami's power surpasses that of Kuzan, me, and even Issho. She's the strongest combatant under Ace."

Rayleigh couldn't help but relish the look of shock and dismay on Zephyr's face, his old rival looking as if he'd been struck by lightning.

"What?!" Zephyr's pupils contracted as his face registered pure disbelief.

As someone who knew Rayleigh well, Zephyr understood that Rayleigh would never resort to bluffing over something like this—especially not to him, a retired Marine. But to think that the power of a 'little girl' could now surpass even his and Kuzan's… Was she really on par with the mightiest of the Four Emperors?

"Stronger than Ao… Kuzan? You're lying!" Ain exclaimed, her gaze snapping to Nami, who was calmly preparing for the banquet. Though Kuzan was now a pirate and had joined the ranks of the Flame Emperor, Ain, a former Marine, still held him in high regard. It was hard to believe that this petite young woman, younger than her, empowered by Thunder Fruit, had somehow reached this incredible strength, now even surpassing Admiral-level power!

"Hm? Do you have something to say?" Nami turned, her eyes sparking with violent, dark-purple lightning.

At her gaze, a turbulent aura of black-purple lightning surrounded her, causing both Zephyr and Ain to stiffen, their pupils contracting in shock. Ain, visibly shaken, fell to her knees under the intensity of Nami's Conqueror's Haki.

"Conqueror's Haki…" Zephyr muttered, cold sweat streaming down his face as he struggled to absorb what he was seeing.

"Exactly," Rayleigh said, laughing heartily. "The combination of the Thunder Fruit, the most aggressive of Devil Fruits, with Conqueror's Haki—truly the most domineering force on these seas. It's terrifying!"

Zephyr sank to the ground, his expression grave. The Entei Pirates' sheer power was truly staggering. If the Naval Headquarters faced off against the Entei Pirates' fleet as it was now, it would be torn apart with ease. The two sides weren't even close in strength.

His earlier bravado left him feeling faintly embarrassed. From this perspective, it was clear the Flame Emperor had no need for an old, one-armed Marine like him. Why, then, would he go so far as to offer him the invaluable Mythical Zoan Fruit?

"It's because you're Kuzan's teacher."

The words jolted Zephyr out of his daze.

"How—No, it's impossible?!" he demanded.

Ace looked at him with a smile. "Sure, Kuzan would follow my order to kill you and your former colleagues. But that doesn't mean he's devoid of emotions or that it wouldn't affect him."

Zephyr's forehead creased, veins bulging as he gritted his teeth, "Just because of that…?"

"That alone is reason enough." Ace cut him off, leaving Zephyr stunned.

"What…?"

"Kuzan would obey because I ordered it, but that doesn't mean he's emotionless," Ace explained. "Killing you would still impact him—it would weigh on him, shape his outlook. And because he's my subordinate, I care about that."

Ace's lips curled into a slight smile as he let out a laugh, leaving Zephyr speechless.

Zephyr remained silent, his expression unreadable.

"But letting you go is out of the question," Ace said calmly. "You're determined to find dyna stones and bring ruin to the New World. Letting you roam free would be… inconvenient." He glanced at Zephyr with a faint smile. "Why not join my ranks? Of course, if you're unwilling, then I'll simply have my Ghost Princess use her power to keep you detained."

Ace pulled Perona to his side, gently pinching her doll-like cheeks.

"Who… who's your Ghost Princess?!" Perona blushed furiously, squirming as Ace teased her.

Gion, observing Ace, bit her lip. Although she had grown used to Ace's eccentricities in the days she'd spent with the Entei Pirates, each time she witnessed his charisma, she couldn't help but feel awestruck.

Rayleigh's smile grew wider. 'Ace's charm seems even greater than yours was, Roger.'

Zephyr's expression shifted between respect and bitterness. To think that this man, who could command even the top echelon with ease, would consider Kuzan's well-being and use a top-tier Devil Fruit solely for his benefit. Zephyr knew firsthand the depth of Kuzan's loyalty; even if Ace commanded him to lay siege to Naval Headquarters, Kuzan would do so without a moment's hesitation. Yet, Ace treated Kuzan not as a weapon of power but as a valued subordinate.

On the other hand, the World Government—how had they treated Zephyr after decades of loyal service and training the next generation of Marines? They'd enlisted the very pirates who had killed his students as allies, aligning them with the Marines in the form of the Seven Warlords of the Sea. The irony of it bit deeply.

Zephyr's head lowered, concealing his face. After a moment, he rose and approached Ace without a word.

Ain, noticing, watched him with concern.

Zephyr raised his glass and downed its contents in one gulp, laughing heartily. "Good wine!"

"Exactly!" Ace chuckled, clapping Zephyr on the shoulder. "Whether you join my crew or not, it doesn't matter right now. Because it's time to enjoy a banquet at the moment and that's what matters!"

Ace turned to Ain, reaching out with his Conqueror's Haki as if it were a tangible force, gently pulling her toward him. "Come on, Ain, have a drink too!" With a laugh, he poured a glass for her.

Startled, Ain managed to gulp it down, though the strong drink quickly had her swaying—her tolerance was admittedly low.

"What incredible control over Conqueror's Haki," Zephyr muttered in his heart with admiration, "No wonder he's the most formidable man on the seas."

Zephyr laughed again and tossed back glass after glass. The warmth of Ace's camaraderie, so different from the cold dismissal he'd known from the World Government, tugged at something deep inside him.

"Hahaha, to Gion joining us!" Ace raised his glass high.

"To Gion!" came the joyful reply.

Gion smile and lifted her glass, warmth spreading through her at the genuine welcome.

The cheer echoed all around as everyone raised their glasses, the festive atmosphere growing more lively with each toast. The banquet lasted for days as they celebrated Gion's welcome into their ranks.

Meanwhile, at Dressrosa…

"Let this old man give these young ones a greeting," Issho said with a faint smile.

"ZIIIII!!" His sword rang as it left its sheath, and a wave of gravity pulsed from him, surging high into the sky.

Moments later—

'Boom!'

A massive meteorite crashed down from above.

"Guess it's time to close the harbor," Kuzan murmured, exhaling a breath of icy air.

"Buzzzz!" The sea around Dressrosa froze instantly, the icy aura spreading from Kuzan like a storm.

"No one leaves now," he muttered.

"Ice Age!"

The Entei Pirates' fleet's might, its strongest fighters, had taken action. There would be no escape.