The Marines were rattled.
More than a few wondered if their earlier volley of bullets and shells had strayed too close to the young man standing on that Sea King's back.
If it had, they would all be in trouble.
One strike. Total annihilation.
A person with that kind of power did not simply exist. He ruled. The Marines stared at the figure on the Sea King as if they were seeing a ghost in broad daylight, their throats tight, their bodies frozen.
Moments ago they had been locked in a bitter exchange with the pirates. In the next instant the entire crew had been wiped out by a single hand reaching through the air.
Those pirates caught in the pull were hurled into the sea. The slower ones were shredded by an invisible force before they could even scream.
The battle ended in a blink.
The sea, moments earlier alive with fire and thunder, went eerily quiet. Broken masts and planks bobbed on the surface, the foam hissing softly around them.
On the warship's deck, Zephyr stood stunned. His eyes never left the harmless-looking youth, though his heart was anything but calm.
"A Devil Fruit ability," he murmured. "I misjudged him."
"Hey. I just took care of your pirate problem," Rakuya said lazily, meeting Zephyr's gaze. "How about giving us a ride."
Only then did the Marines shake themselves from shock. They looked out at the floating wreckage, at the pirates coughing seawater and clinging to boards, and the reality of what had happened finally sank in.
No one spoke. They just stared at Rakuya.
"Zephyr-sensei, do we really let him board?"
"Yes, sir, his strength is terrifying. If he comes aboard and decides to take revenge on us, what then?"
The officer who had been shouting orders moments ago now had sweat running down his face.
"If we refuse him, will he sink the warship in anger? He certainly has the power."
Another Marine spoke more coolly, but his expression was grim.
Watching them fuss, Rakuya sighed and shook his head. "Oi. Yes or no. Quit farting around."
On deck, the purple-haired instructor finally moved. Zephyr weighed the risks, then nodded to the youth.
"Rok, drop the rope ladder. Let him aboard."
"The rest of you, round up the surviving pirates."
"Yes, sir!"
The crew sprang into motion. A rope ladder flopped down over the side, swaying above the waves, while squads in shackles and lifelines moved to secure prisoners from the floating debris.
Rakuya gave a small nod and climbed up. Sea spray beaded in his hair. Boots thumped onto Marine planks.
Zephyr strode forward, posture straight, presence steady. He extended a hand. "Zephyr, Marine Headquarters. Thank you for your assistance."
Rakuya looked at the familiar face and smiled. "Nothing much. Just a casual move."
Before Zephyr could reply, Rakuya glanced back toward the placid giant that still waited at the surface.
"You can go."
The Sea King hesitated, then slipped into the deep like a shadow, the water closing over it with a quiet swell.
The deck exploded with whispers.
"He was giving orders to a Sea King?"
"He can command them…"
"What did I just witness? Has the world gone mad?"
The nervous officer from before turned the color of old liver, shrinking into the crowd as if that would make him safer.
Rakuya turned back to Zephyr, calm again.
This Zephyr was younger than the one in his memory, probably just past forty. No sunglasses. No seastone prosthetic. Both arms intact, the power in them obvious even at rest.
"Once again, my thanks," Zephyr said, voice low. "If you had not intervened, I do not know how long this chase would have dragged on."
Ordinary pirates were nothing to a man like Zephyr, but this was the Calm Belt. Pirate vessels of light wood could skim along and vanish with the slightest current, while Marine warships were heavy and slow. Even Zephyr had been forced to bombard from afar, unable to close the distance.
Then Rakuya had acted, and the stalemate shattered in a heartbeat.
For someone of Zephyr's caliber, that single technique had been a shock.
"Young man," Zephyr said at last, "where do you wish to go. We will see you delivered safely."
The Lion Pirates were finished. The survivors were already being hauled from the water in shackles. At last, the Marines could breathe.
"Anywhere is fine," Rakuya said with a shrug. "As long as it is not the Calm Belt."
Zephyr studied him for a long, silent moment. The wind tugged at the white sails. Powder smoke thinned and drifted away.
"Very well," he said. "We will clear this sea first."
He turned and began barking crisp orders. "Reset the guns. Heave to port. Secure prisoners. Damage report, now. Helm, prepare to exit the Belt at best speed."
"Aye, sir!"
Sailcloth snapped. Lines creaked taut. The warship's bow swung, cutting across the swells as Marines moved with efficient purpose, stealing glances at the quiet youth on their deck.
Some saw a savior. Others saw a storm.
Rakuya leaned on the rail, eyes on the horizon. The Calm Belt stretched behind them like a sleeping beast. Ahead lay currents, wind, islands, names that would become stories.
His stomach rumbled softly. Right. Food.
He glanced at the Marines bustling on deck and considered asking about the galley, then smiled to himself. One thing at a time.
Somewhere out there, rumors would already be forming. A youth who stood on a Sea King. A hand that crushed a ship.
Let them talk.
He only needed a ride. The rest would come to him.