บท 32: vs Straw Hats (III)
Vivi POV:
Vivi's impression of Zephyr was, to be honest, mixed. When she first saw him, he looked like someone who'd been living in a cave—which was somewhat accurate, given he had lived on this island alone for three years. When asked how he got here, he simply mentioned getting separated from his crew and being carried to the island by the sea.
The Straw Hats didn't question his explanation, but Vivi knew that it wasn't that simple. She has been a diplomat all her life, and she could simply tell by his expression that it wasn't a pleasant one. Not that she would press him, especially when he held the object that could mean life or death for her homeland.
She was relieved when he agreed to part with the log pose in exchange for a ride to Alabasta. But, true to pirate fashion, he then suggested a fight.
What is it with pirates and fighting? She thought with a sigh. Can't they ever act normal?
So, as promised, they started their fight at sunrise. Vivi knew very well that she was hopeless in a direct confrontation. So, she supported the Straw Hats as much as she could.
But ever since the first sword strike Zephyr made, Vivi knew instinctively that he's just playing around. He wasn't fighting seriously. He was just having some fun. And from the expressions of Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji, it was clear that they also knew that. Which made them all the angrier. To be underestimated was an affront to their pride as pirates.
When they finally found an opening in his defense, everyone lunged at the chance. Seeing this, Zephyr just took a simple stance, smirked, and said something about a second lesson or something. Vivi was too immersed in the battle to actually hear what he said.
But that was a mistake.
'Swordsmanship of the Giants, Only Form: Titan's Impact.'
Time slowed down as she saw Zephyr slash his sword at nothing but air. The arc was not yet finished. Yet Vivi knew what would happen if the arc finished; she knew it in her bones.
Death.
That sword meant death.
And that is when she realized how powerless she was in front of that sword. The simple slim katana somehow had the weight of an island.
In the midst of this hallowing experience, she did not even hear the giant footsteps behind her.
She just saw two giant weapons clash with that slender Katana. The ground shattered beneath them, sending a shockwave so powerful that it flung Vivi, Nami, and Karoo twenty meters back. Usopp clung desperately to a tree, and Luffy, thinking quickly, yanked Zoro and Sanji to safety with his stretchy arms.
As the three weapons clashed, Vivi saw their weapons turn black for a second. Maybe something red too? She didn't know. But she knew one thing and one thing only as enormous trees on this island started shaking violently.
'This is what true overwhelming power is.'
In the midst of chaos, she remembered Zephyr's earlier words, "RUN."
'What can I even do when facing this level of power? I can do nothing but run.'
As the clash subsided, Dorry barked at Zephyr, "When did you learn this technique, you brat?"
Zephyr didn't answer, but instead asked a question of his own.
"How accurate was it?"
The giants let out hearty laughs. "Two-thirds accurate. You're still far off from full power," they chuckled.
Zephyr clicked his tongue, clearly unsatisfied.
"I guess I can't use it to its full mastery without a giant's physique."
"You're still as interesting as ever!"
Out of nowhere, Luffy burst out, "We never really had a chance, did we? If you knew you'd win, then why did you even propose this fight? Do you just want to mock us?"
Vivi has never seen Luffy this pissed off before. Everyone was surprised by his outburst. But the most surprised was Zephyr himself.
He looked at Luffy seriously.
"You misunderstand my intentions. Thinking about it now, I can see how it might seem like mockery," he admitted, "but that wasn't my intention at all. You're strong—all of you. But you must understand that this world is vast. I can see it in the swordsman's eye. He has seen true overwhelming strength before. Tell me, Zoro, What did you do after seeing it?"
Zoro was the most composed among all of them: "I vowed to one day surpass that strength."
"Exactly," Zephyr replied, hand on his chest. "If you're not strong enough today, that doesn't mean you won't be tomorrow." He paused, the weight of his own memories flickering across his face. "I carry these scars from a single opponent. He was the first person who made me feel utterly powerless, and he had no intention of letting me live. My heart was pierced in that one-sided beatdown… yet somehow, I survived."
The hate simmering in his eyes was palpable, but he quickly restrained it. "Sorry. I got lost in my own thoughts. The truth is, I like you all. You remind me of my own crew." A softer expression crossed his face. "That's why I wanted to teach you something important. That there is always someone who is more powerful than you. But if you think I was mocking you, then I can't change your mind. Know, however, that you've earned my respect."
Nami immediately jumped the gun. That girl seriously only has eyes for money.
"That means you'll wave the fee, right?"
"Yes! Now you only have to pay 150,000 berries."
"What?! How is that any better?" She shrieked, and before long, it turned into a bickering match that shifted the tense mood.
Vivi exhaled in relief. Luffy was still a bit tense, but at least he didn't consider Zephyr an enemy anymore.
Later, as they prepared to sail, Vivi noticed Zephyr had cleaned up, borrowing some clothes from Zoro and Sanji. Without the rough appearance, he didn't look half-bad. But she quickly pushed the thought aside. She had her entire kingdom's future to think about.
As the crew finished loading the ship, Nami managed to haggle the fee down to 75,000 berries, and with that, they were finally ready to set sail for Alabasta. Unbeknownst to Zephyr, the three strongest Straw Hats had, indeed, gotten the 'reality check' he intended for them—but they also started seeing him as something of a bully.
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