MTLNOVEL Chapter 25: CHAPTER 25
Brad stood at the bow, watching the battle unfold.
Caesar Clown was in full swing, completely overwhelming the Marines.
Brad exhaled sharply, gritting his teeth. His eyes suddenly filled with determination.
"He's right. If I stay here, I'll only be a burden."
Clenching his fists, he adjusted the sail, grabbed the paddle, and rowed vigorously. The boat shot forward like a cannonball, carving a long wake across the sea.
On the battlefield, former Admiral "Black Arm" Zephyr clicked his tongue.
"Are you using Haki to protect your ally?" he muttered. "How arrogant."
Caesar sneered but said nothing.
The battle raged on.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The sounds of clashing Haki-infused attacks echoed across the ship. Their figures blurred as they clashed again and again.
"Black Arm Smash!"
Zephyr roared, launching a devastating punch coated in powerful Armament Haki (Busoshoku Haki).
Boom!
Caesar didn't dodge. Instead, he met the attack head-on, reinforcing his fists with Haki.
The sheer force compressed the air, creating a shockwave that crackled with energy.
Zephyr's brows furrowed.
"This brat... He's stronger than I expected for his age."
Suddenly, Caesar's figure flickered.
Zephyr's expression darkened.
"Black Arm—Heavy Punch!"
Boom!
Caesar barely managed to evade, crouching on the deck.
"You're fast," Zephyr admitted. "But let's see you handle this!"
Whoosh!
Zephyr appeared behind him in an instant, his right fist turning jet black.
Caesar's pupils shrank.
Bang!
Two Haki-coated fists collided, sending out a powerful shockwave. Sweat trickled down Caesar's face as he gritted his teeth, his arms trembling slightly from the sheer force.
Zephyr's power was immense. The legend of "Black Arm" Zephyr was well-earned.
Without a blade at his side, Caesar found himself at a disadvantage, relying purely on hand-to-hand combat.
Clang!
He staggered back but quickly re-engaged.
Boom!
Thud!
Zephyr's punch connected, slamming into Caesar's abdomen before he could fully block.
Spurt!
Blood sprayed from his mouth.
Crash!
His body flew like a broken kite, crashing into the sea below.
Zephyr stood on the deck, watching the waves. His sharp gaze lingered on the cracked railing.
"It couldn't have been that easy..." he muttered, waiting for Caesar to resurface.
Thirty minutes passed.
Zephyr frowned. Stepping to the edge, he scanned the eerily calm waters.
His Observation Haki (Kenbunshoku Haki) spread across the area, but no trace of Caesar remained.
"Did he escape...?"
[35]Successful Escape—Reunite with Brad!
---
Dozens of miles offshore...
The vast blue sea stretched endlessly.
The breeze stirred gentle ripples, and the sun cast shimmering waves across the surface.
Suddenly, a black-haired head emerged.
"Cough…"
Caesar spat out seawater, wiping his face.
His eyes darted around as his Observation Haki flared. No sign of the Marines.
"Zephyr was tougher than I expected," he muttered, feeling the dull ache in his abdomen.
If he hadn't reinforced himself with Haki, that punch could have been fatal.
He sighed, shaking his head.
"First, I was spotted in the North Blue. Now, the East Blue throws me straight into Zephyr's hands. Just my luck."
His stomach throbbed. He winced but was grateful.
"Good thing I didn't eat a Devil Fruit. Otherwise, I'd be sinking like a rock right now."
On the shimmering water, a figure skimmed just above the surface, cutting a long wake in the sea.
---
Back at the Marine fleet...
The stunned Marines were regaining consciousness, and the wounded were being treated.
The search teams scoured the waters.
"Damn it! Did we really let him escape?"
"That bastard's slippery."
Frustration spread among the ranks.
Zephyr emerged onto the deck, his expression unreadable.
"Return to the branch base."
The Marines exchanged uneasy glances. One officer hesitated before stepping forward.
"But, sir—"
Zephyr shot him a sharp look.
"He's gone. We don't know where. The East Blue is vast, even larger than the Grand Line."
Silence fell.
"Yes, sir!"
The fleet turned course, heading back.
---
At the East Blue Marine Base...
Excitement buzzed through the station.
"Is it true?! A high-ranking officer is coming?"
A Marine swallowed nervously, his eyes wide.
"I heard he was in the New World before. Why would he come here...?"
"Shut up."
A superior officer snapped, silencing the chatter.
The soldier stiffened and saluted.
"Don't ask unnecessary questions."
"Yes, sir!"
As the Marine left, the officer frowned, his mind racing.
"So even Vice Admiral Zephyr failed to capture that man..."
His grip tightened.
"A rising rookie from the Rocks Pirates... Why has he come to the East Blue?"
He exhaled slowly.
"The world is already chaotic enough..."
---
Somewhere in the East Blue...
A small ship drifted on the ocean.
Brad leaned over the railing, scanning the distance.
No sign of Caesar.
His grip tightened.
"He's not here yet?"
Anxiously, he pressed his palm against the deck.
"What if he didn't make it…?"
After a long pause, he exhaled.
"If he used that technique, he should have escaped."
Lowering his head, his fists clenched.
"I'm still too weak."
Suddenly, a voice called out.
Brad's head snapped up.
His pupils shrank.
Then—his face lit up.
A grin spread across his face as he waved vigorously.
"Here! Over here!"