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Smoker, fully transformed into smoke, sped through the air like a nimble white snake, landing on the Endless Dream first.
Without much small talk, he delivered a piece of news that moved Zyhark.
"As the new Warlord of the Sea, the Five Elders of the world government want to meet you!"
Zyhark finally understood why the Five Elders couldn't wait any longer.
He lowered his head in thought, unsurprised by the world government's summons.
In fact, receiving the message only now was slightly later than expected.
Sending Smoker, who had had several interactions with them, to deliver the news showed the importance the Five Elders placed on this meeting.
It seemed they really wanted something from him...
"No problem, Smoker. I'll go with you to Mary Geoise." Zyhark nodded.
This was a necessary step to gain more time to develop under the guise of being a Warlord of the Sea.
Moreover, there was information he wanted from the Five Elders, and this was a good opportunity to probe the world government.
Most importantly, he needed to reassure the Five Elders, didn't he?
"Thanks." Smoker said, puffing on his cigar.
Zyhark's quick agreement saved him from a lot of persuasive work.
In the month since they last met, Smoker's aura had become more stable and restrained, a sign of growth from training under Garp at Navy Headquarters.
"It's surprising, Smoker. You seem to have gotten much stronger." Zyhark said with a smile.
With the official business done, it was time for a leisurely chat.
"Yeah, and there's another cigar in his mouth, no wonder his hair turned white early." Aqua, lounging on the sofa and eating chips, chimed in.
"My hair is naturally white!"
Smoker's voice grew louder, irritated by the blue-haired woman who always managed to get on his nerves.
After a sip of his tea, Smoker regained his serious demeanor and looked at Zyhark.
"Compared to you, my progress is negligible..."
Reflecting on the various major incidents Zyhark had caused recently, Smoker sighed heavily.
He recalled their first meeting, when Zyhark's opponent was Creek, a pirate with a bounty of less than thirty million.
Now, the Sea Restaurant crew members all possessed terrifying power exceeding that of an average Navy Headquarters Vice Admiral!
"Hahaha, I found very reliable and powerful companions." Zyhark laughed.
The crew's spirits soared at the praise.
"Damn it! Even if you praise us like that, we won't be happy about it (meow)!!!"
"Except for you, Aqua," Zyhark added.
Aqua froze, her expression turning to anger. "What do you mean by that? How dare you underestimate the role and contribution of this goddess! I'll fight you!"
Aqua jumped up, ready to challenge Zyhark.
Zyhark calmly sipped his tea and looked at her seriously. "Aqua, you are unique (an idiot)."
"Aha, really, Zyhark, I've told you many times not to take big breaths when you speak."
Thinking it was high praise, Aqua quickly switched to a cheerful demeanor and took Zyhark's empty cup to refill it. "Here, let this goddess get you more tea~"
Under Smoker's puzzled gaze, Aqua skipped away to make tea.
At the main hall entrance, the gathered navy personnel watched this scene in astonishment.
"Rear Admiral Smoker is truly amazing, getting along so well with that infamous Warlord of the Sea."
"These incredibly fierce guys even dared to kill a Celestial Dragon!"
These were the new generation of navy under Garp and Sengoku, mostly holding junior officer ranks with significant strength.
This precaution was to avoid the worst-case scenario in this encounter with Zyhark's crew.
As for the ordinary sailors left on the warship, they weren't qualified to board the Endless Dream!
"Here, this is for you guys."
Aqua, in a good mood, poured tea for Zyhark and handed the navy pure water.
"We also get some?" The navy officers were surprised and flattered.
This arrogant woman hadn't even glanced at them before now!
"Though this might be presumptuous..."
Smoker, exhaling a ring of smoke, eyes burning with fighting spirit, said, "Zyhark, as a personal request, would you spar with me?"
Fighting strong opponents was the best way to enhance his Haki and overall strength.
Remembering Garp's teachings, he wanted to see the gap between him and this old acquaintance.
"It's rare for you to make such a request."
Zyhark put down his purified tea cup and smiled. "Alright, I accept."
"However," Zyhark interrupted Smoker's rising excitement, "someone else will fight you."
He pointed past Aqua, Meowth, Kanna, and Brook, directly at a golden-haired, muscular man with crossed arms.
"King, please entertain our long-lost friend."
King, sitting in a corner, was taken aback. "??"
Me? Fight this terrifying Logia user?!
Buzzing noises filled the air as King's internal engine revved up.
"Such a terrifying aura, just as the rumors say. This man is stronger than a monster!"
The navy officers at the door, already on edge, were further frightened by the intense atmosphere.
"Zyhark, do you really need to escalate things so much? We don't want to cause major problems if King accidentally kills him!" Aqua said, looking at Smoker with pity.
Meowth added, "Yeah, it'd be troublesome if King accidentally kills him, meow!"
Kanna and Brook also looked worried, knowing firsthand how fearsome King's prowess was.
"King, huh? Alright."
Smoker's fearless smile returned. "Don't worry, I'm not that easy to take down."
Zyhark refused Smoker's challenge initially, fearing he was being underestimated. But if his opponent was King, feared even by the world government, it made sense.
"In that case, let's move outside. Our ship can't handle this battle."
With that, Zyhark led the way out.
Smoker and the others followed, while the navy officers, sweating profusely, made way, trying to avoid any provocation.
King, feeling immense pressure, reluctantly followed, his imposing presence intimidating the navy even more.
Why does nobody ask for my opinion? Deciding my fate without consultation—is that really okay?! The engine noises grew louder, marking King's steps toward the deck.
Outside, Smoker's face turned sour.
"Don't underestimate me, Zyhark! Do you think King is just a chauffeur, using this machine to fight me?"
Before them stood a large cat-faced machine.
"It's not just any machine, Smoker. Soon, you'll understand the level of war machine you're facing."
Zyhark smiled beside the machine.
With preparations complete, Meowth quickly assembled the second-generation machine using Wapol alloy, performing basic data tests.
Using Smoker, a Logia user, to test its final combat capability was perfect.
Hearing this, the crew felt relieved, shifting their concern to excitement for the second-generation machine's debut.
Especially Meowth.
Though it stung as the creator, Meowth acknowledged that King was the only one on board who could fully utilize the machine's potential.
King, learning the situation, sighed in relief, his engine noises subsiding.
Misinterpreting this as King retracting his fighting spirit, Smoker's cape flapped with white smoke as he gathered energy.
"If that's the case, I'll dismantle it first!"
Zyhark didn't respond, signaling King to start.
King walked to the machine, pressing the central "R" button.
In an instant, the steel cat face opened, revealing the nearly three-meter-tall second-generation machine.
Its trapezoidal electronic eyes glowed red.
The streamlined body, with red and silver clashing colors, exuded a commanding presence.
Made from Wapol alloy, the steel parts, wrists, ankles, and back were integrated with improved dials, merging with the red-silver body.
The most notable feature was the blue-glowing core on its chest.
This was the machine's energy source and its most durable part!
Smoker's pupils shrank.
Compared to the cat-headed cover, the machine's true form was awe-inspiring.
As a Navy Rear Admiral, he had some access to the government's scientific weapon projects led by Vegapunk.
However, those projects seemed far less advanced than this machine!
"No wonder your ship can fly and dive..."
Smoker eyed Meowth warily.
While the navy officers were dumbfounded by the machine, King calmly approached it, touching the energy core.
The machine's eyes scanned King entirely.
"Identity verification in progress... Verification complete. King, friendly unit, authorization granted, preparing for manual operation." With a mechanical voice confirming the user, the machine's components detached, flying to King.
Arms, legs, and torso pieces rapidly assembled, covering King's muscular body with the machine.
Buzzing noises filled the air as King, now encased in red-silver alloy, took a heavy step forward.
Steel King made a dramatic entrance!
The nearly three-meter-tall steel body cast a shadow, pressuring Smoker.
"Come! Let's see if this machine is tougher than naval shipwrecks!"
Smoker, fists covered in black Armament Haki, charged at the machine.
"Steel Fist White Snake!"
Using the smoke to propel himself, Smoker's blackened fist aimed for the machine's head.
Inside, King, in game mode, saw danger indicators and quickly analyzed the attack trajectory.
With a subtle head movement, the machine dodged the fist.
White smoke barely missed the machine's head as King swiftly retaliated.
Boom! With fire from the back thrusters, King closed the distance, raising an alloy fist crackling with lightning.
"Elementalization!"
Seeing the danger, Smoker turned his body into smoke.
However, the alloy fist struck, sending Smoker crashing through the railings into the warship's hull.
"Ugh, ugh."
Among the shattered wood, Smoker stood up, blood trickling from his mouth.
"Even in elemental form, how did that fist hit me?"
He stared at the machine's blackened right fist.
Was that...
Made from Seastone, just like his Jitte?!
Buzzing noises signaled King raising the machine's left palm.
The core emitted powerful energy, concentrating into a compressed electric current.
ZAP! With electric sparks, an electromagnetic cannon shot towards Smoker!
Smoker, not daring to be careless, drew his Jitte, fully covered in Haki, and slashed at the electric cannon.
BOOM!
The double-enhanced attack worked, splitting the energy into two smaller bolts, causing massive water splashes on both sides of the warship.
"White Rush!"
Fearing the warship's destruction, Smoker turned into a smoke rush, soaring high to devise a strategy.
But King wouldn't give him time, launching mini-rockets from shoulder-mounted platforms.
Sensing danger, Smoker dodged, but the rockets, trailing smoke, circled back!
"They can track?!" Smoker's pupils shrank.
This was beyond his understanding of this world's weaponry! BOOM BOOM BOOM! Caught off guard, the rockets hit, engulfing him in flames.
"Rear Admiral Smoker!!"
The navy crew, frightened, shouted.
"Don't worry, this won't kill me."
Smoke billowed, revealing Smoker's serious face.
He barely escaped the explosion with elementalization.
Buzzing noises marked the engine's return as King closed the gap again.
With fire from the back thrusters, King closed the distance, raising an alloy fist crackling with lightning.
"Not only Seastone fists, electromagnetic cannons, and tracking rockets, but even mobility is incredible?"
Smoker's heart raced, activating Haki on both arms to block the incoming alloy fist.
BOOM! The black fists clashed, creating shockwaves.
Red light and white smoke intertwined, with the two engaged in rapid close combat.
Using the Smoke-Screen Fruit and Navy Six Styles, Smoker gained a slight advantage, landing solid hits on the machine.
However, the hits only dented the surface, quickly restoring, far surpassing regular steel.
After a fierce battle, Smoker concluded:
With his current Haki, not yet capable of internal destruction, he couldn't deal fatal damage to the machine!
Thick smoke covered King's view, allowing Smoker to ascend and gather compressed smoke.
Under Garp's guidance, he developed the Smoke Fruit further, not just for support.
"Double Jet White Snake!"
With Haki-enhanced fists, two white snakes intertwined mid-flight, forming a powerful attack.
"Alloy Shield."
King, aided by the machine, raised the alloy right arm, forming a shield.
BOOM!
The Haki-infused attack hit the shield, unable to shatter the alloy but pushing King into the sea.
SPLASH!
The machine, submerged, sent waves rippling.
Before the water calmed, the right fist, energized, launched at Smoker.
Smoker, surprised, blocked with Haki-covered arms.
THUD! Sent flying, he barely stabilized using smoke.
Below, the machine resurfaced, its surface undamaged.
Seeing King raise the electrified left palm again, Smoker's battle spirit waned.
"I lost," he sighed.
Continuing might reveal weaknesses, but thinking of King, who hadn't fully fought, he felt intense defeat.
More training awaited him at Marineford.
Understanding the decision, King retracted his arm, returning to the Endless Dream.
The physical and mental strain of controlling the machine was immense.
Luckily, he'd been training constantly. If it were his initial self, he'd have reached his limit in a minute.
On the warship, the navy officers were silent.
The machine's performance exceeded their understanding of "weapons," its impact greater than Smoker's defeat.
Some officers realized the future would see technological power rivaling Devil Fruits and Haki.
With mechanical movements, the machine returned to Meowth's storage for recharging.
King, expressionless, exited, greeted by the crew's proud cheers.
In reality, he was exhausted...
"Well done."
Zyhark patted King's shoulder, satisfied with the debut.
Ignoring outliers, King piloting the machine had the power to rival a Vice Admiral.
"You've created something remarkable."
Smoker, puffing on his cigar, approached. "I retract my earlier words. Even if not King, others piloting this machine would be tough opponents."
He accepted his defeat with grace.
This was too humble. Others couldn't fully utilize the machine.
Zyhark thought.
"Let's end this reunion activity, Smoker. How about a meal before heading to Mary Geoise?"
Smoker intended to refuse but, recalling the Sea Restaurant's delicious food, nodded.
Completing the Five Elders' task could wait until he was full!
After an enjoyable lunch, Zyhark took his Kitetsu and Yubashiri, boarding the navy warship with Smoker.
He wouldn't risk taking the entire crew to Mary Geoise, fearing a possible ambush.
In case of trouble, his speed with the Rumble-Rumble Fruit increased his chances of escape.
The worst case was dying at Mary Geoise and having Aqua revive him.
However, considering the Five Elders' interest in him, that was unlikely.
Before leaving, Zyhark gave his Vivre Card to Meowth and King, instructing them to dive deep and wait if it started burning.
With preparations complete, the warship and the Endless Dream parted ways:
Zyhark and Smoker headed to Mary Geoise, while Aqua and the others continued to Twin Capes.
With official routes, the warship reached the Red Line in two days.
After presenting the documents, the heavy warship was hoisted to Mary Geoise.
This was the navy's primary means of traversing the Grand Line, while pirates and merchants without such privileges had to pass through Fish-Man Island.
In Mary Geoise, under Smoker and CP agents' escort, Zyhark walked through luxurious residential areas to the heavily guarded Holy Land castle.
In the opulent hall, the Five Elders awaited, having received advance notice.
Seeing Zyhark, they showed varied expressions.
"Finally, we meet, Lightning of Extreme Evil, Zyhark."
(End of Chapter)