Chapter 63 Kizaru: Zephyr, What Kind of Pirate Are You Playing?! You Must Collect

Driven by his "burning fury" and explosive speed, the distance between Grove 44 and Grove 13 shrank rapidly.

In mere minutes, Zephyr crossed a vast portion of the Sabaody Archipelago and arrived at the vicinity of Grove 13.

Right at that moment, the standard Den Den Mushi in his pocket emitted a sudden "blu-blu" ring tone.

It rang twice before hanging up abruptly.

Zephyr knew this was the signal provided by Marine Headquarters—the signal indicating that "the target has entered the lawless zone"!

Recalling the detailed "extraction plan" previously prepared by Vice Admiral Tsuru, Zephyr slightly adjusted his trajectory.

Ultimately, at the edge of Grove 13, he successfully intercepted the group from the Bourbonia Kingdom marching toward this area.

At the head of the procession was a middle-aged man with fancy attire and golden curly hair.

It was none other than Henry Cavendish!

"You usurped the territory of the Tobias Kingdom! Go to hell and repent for your ambitions!"

Shouting incoherent slogans at the top of his lungs, Zephyr charged straight toward the Bourbonia delegation.

"An assassin! There's an assassin!"

"Protect the King! Do not let His Majesty come to harm!"

"Alert the nearby Marines immediately!"

"This is the remnant of the Tobias Kingdom—"

Bang!

Retrieving [The Black Lead Hand of Death], Zephyr fired directly at the guard who had spoken last.

If you don't know how to speak, stay silent forever!

The pitch-black bullet, engraved with the words [bad luck], shot forth from the barrel of the [Noble Phantasm: Revolver], accurately striking the guard right between the eyebrows.

As a royal guard of a World Government-affiliated nation, his strength was naturally far beyond that of ordinary thugs.

The guard whipped his head to the side at blinding speed, attempting to dodge the incoming projectile.

To his utter astonishment, however, the bullet's flight trajectory was erratic, suddenly vanishing mid-air.

"Nani?"

The guard widened his eyes, and in the next instant, the phantom images of two playing cards materialized before his vision:

The Eight and Ace of Clubs.

Dripping with fresh blood and cloudy brain matter, the pitch-black bullet burst forth from the guard's glabella, instantly ending his life.

[The Black Lead Hand of Death]

[Even a bullet fired from the front will inevitably circle around to the target's back and pierce straight through the head.]

[You have slain a royal guard with a comprehensive evaluation of D!]

The instant demise of their companion plunged the remaining guards into mortal terror, sweat streaming down their foreheads in frantic torrents.

Following the initial panic and casualties, the men of the Bourbonia Kingdom finally grasped the true identity of this "assassin."

People of the Tobias Kingdom!

"It's the young prince of the Tobias Kingdom... There's no doubt about it!"

The chief guard hurried to King Cavendish's side, whispering in a low, urgent tone.

At the same time, his immensely vigilant gaze locked onto Zephyr, his white-gloved right hand resting on the hilt of the rapier at his waist.

The distance between them closed rapidly.

Right then, the chief guard drew his sword in a flash.

"Aesthetic Sword: Bluebird!"

The rapier's blade whistled, tearing through the air. A shimmering blue aura emanated from the shining steel, faintly taking the ethereal shape of a bluebird.

Zephyr narrowed his eyes. His [Super Olfactory Sense] warned him that this chief guard's threat level wasn't particularly high, but he still raised his right fist, coating it instantly in Busoshoku Haki!

The pitch-black Haki, flashing with a chilling luster, instantly enveloped Zephyr's right forearm. Utilizing the techniques of [Ape Martial Arts], he channeled his entire body's strength into a single concentrated surge, gathering it in his fist as he smashed directly toward the sharp beak of the "bluebird"!

Boom!!

The two forces violently collided, immediately erupting into a deafening shockwave.

A ring of turbulent air expanded outward in all directions, originating from the point of impact between the pitch-black Haki and the azure sword Qi, flattening the bubble-covered grass completely flat.

The two forces stalemated for a brief moment.

Zephyr stood steadfastly in place, his posture unwavering like an eternal reef.

In stark contrast, the chief guard's forearm began to tremble slightly, and even the azure sword-Qi bluebird atop his blade grew unstable.

'I cannot match this young prince in raw power!'

Decisive as ever, the chief guard terminated the meaningless deadlock, leaping backward into the air. Flipping upside down, he landed directly above Zephyr's head and executed a completely different technique.

"Aesthetic Sword: Swan Lake!"

The rapier traced a rotating arc through the air, its razor-sharp edge aiming straight for Zephyr's neck.

"What a flashy, juggling swordsmanship!"

Zephyr stomped his feet repeatedly against the ground, unleashing unimaginable explosive power.

The impact-dispelling technique of [Ape Martial Arts], combined with the explosive thrust of [Geppo], propelled Zephyr like a rocket soaring into the heavens, crashing straight toward the chief guard.

The rule-defying [Iron Head] of [Savage Physique] served as Zephyr's primary weapon at this moment!

Thud!

Moving with the speed of thunder, Zephyr delivered a direct "headbutt" straight into the abdomen of the unprepared chief guard.

The latter spat out a bloody mist, resembling a swan struck mid-flight by a heavy crossbow, flying high into the air before plunging wing-broken onto the ground.

Plop!

The Bourbonia Kingdom's chief guard was down for the count.

[You have defeated a royal guard with a comprehensive evaluation of C!]

With the kingdom's chief guard easily dispatched, the remaining men lost almost all will to resist.

Zephyr walked unimpeded right up to the panic-stricken Henry Cavendish, looking down from above at the middle-aged, yet still charismatic golden-haired monarch.

"Prince Fith!"

Cavendish felt his legs turn to jelly. Were it not for his lingering sense of "royal pride" propping him up, he likely would have collapsed onto the ground right then and there.

"The Bourbonia Kingdom is willing to return all territories of the Tobias Kingdom! Furthermore, we will fully support Prince Fith in reclaiming his throne!"

Stimulated by the threat of death, Henry Cavendish concocted this desperate proposal on the spot and shouted it out at the top of his lungs.

Zephyr's hand paused mid-motion.

Me, crowned as king?

This was a completely unexpected development!

Unfortunately...

Zephyr was not the genuine young prince of the Tobias Kingdom.

Compared to reigning as a precarious king of a tiny, vulnerable nation, Zephyr much preferred roaming the seas, hunting for treasures, and continuously augmenting his own strength!

Shing—

The [Mother Deconstructive - Imitation] slipped into his hand, driving straight into Henry Cavendish's shoulder like a spike.

Blade pierced flesh, and blood bloomed.

Accustomed to a life of pampered luxury, the allied nation's king let out a muffled groan of agony, yet gritted his teeth to suppress any outright screams.

"King Cavendish, I can feel your goodwill.

"This is good.

"Very good."

Pressing down on the [Mother Deconstructive - Imitation] to drive it deeper into Henry Cavendish's shoulder, Zephyr whispered softly right beside his ear.

"However, I am a man who repays kindness in full.

"The Tobias Kingdom raised and nurtured me, and not a moment passes without me yearning for her.

"If in the future,

"the Tobias Kingdom should ever suffer another unfortunate attack,

"whether its borders are invaded by pirates, its people oppressed by corrupt officials, or its lands submerged by tsunamis,

"then I will hold every single person in the Bourbonia Kingdom accountable.

"From high-ranking nobles down to common peasants.

"When that day comes, I will use this surgical scalpel stained with royal blood to slice open your abdomen, excise your liver, carve it into thin slices, mix it with sweet rum, and shove it right back down your own throat."

Kizaru, who had "arrived fashionably late," happened to overhear Zephyr's final remarks and nearly lost his grip on his sunglasses.

Zephyr!!

How on earth are you playing the role of an undercover pirate?!

Exercise some restraint, for goodness' sake!!!