One Piece: Holy Light Swordmaster

"Just a few years… even with a Devil Fruit ability, how could he develop it to this extent?"

Zypher still had confidence in taking down the opponent before him, but avoiding lethal force would undoubtedly take more time and effort.

Boom!

With a single punch, Zypher smashed Weevil—blade and all—into the deck. Catching his breath, he watched as the deck split apart, and Weevil leaped out, naginata in hand.

"You jerk! That hurt!"

"Not even Mom hit me like that!"

Zypher's face grew grim. Without saying a word, he used Soru to close the gap between himself and Weevil. The wide reach of Weevil's naginata posed a significant challenge—after all, the saying goes, "The longer the weapon, the stronger the advantage." Zypher, relying on his fists, was at a considerable disadvantage.

Fortunately, Weevil's naginata fighting style bore some similarities to that of an old adversary—Edward Newgate, the infamous Whitebeard. Zypher's past duels with him had provided valuable experience in dealing with such weapons.

As the battle progressed, Zypher's experience gradually tipped the scales in his favor. Meanwhile, Weevil, relying solely on brute strength, used his formidable physique and impressive regenerative ability to stubbornly withstand Zypher's relentless attacks.

However, no defense is unbreakable—especially against the blows of Black Arm Zypher.

Weevil began to suffer serious injuries, his body repeatedly sent flying by Zypher's punches. His spindly legs were visibly trembling.

"You idiot son!" Miss Buckin screeched, hopping with rage. "Didn't I tell you? Kill everyone on that ship!"

"Save Zypher for last!"

"Y-yes, Mom!"

Weevil, once again knocked down by Zypher, stood up and charged toward the wary cadets.

"You bastard!"

Zypher gritted his teeth. Weevil, capable of holding his own against a former Admiral like himself, would massacre the cadets with ease!

"Stop right there!"

Using Soru, Zypher intercepted Weevil's path and sent him flying with another punch.

"All cadets, form a defensive formation!"

Zypher knew that fleeing from an opponent like Weevil would only lead to faster deaths. And with the warship already out at sea, there was no place to hide on board.

Even jumping overboard was futile—Weevil's flying slashes would make survival on the open ocean impossible. The only way to minimize losses was through coordinated defense under Zypher's protection.

"Teacher Zypher! Let us help you!"

The two cadets with Devil Fruit abilities, Ain and Binz, attempted to assist, but the sheer intensity of the fight left them unable to intervene.

"Fall back! Protect the others!"

Clenching their teeth, Ain and Binz retreated. Binz summoned massive vines to shield the cadets, while Ain drew her twin blades and stood ready.

"Idiot son! Can't you use your powers? Kill them all already!"

Miss Buckin's shrill command made Zypher's pupils contract. "So, he's a Devil Fruit user!"

Obeying his mother, Weevil roared, a fiery glow emanating from his body. The faint sound of a beast's roar echoed, and his hands transformed into crimson claws.

Weevil's thick arms grew increasingly red and menacing. His head elongated slightly, though it didn't fully transform into that of a beast.

"A Zoan? An Ancient-type? Or perhaps…"

The partial transformation was a clear sign of a high-level Zoan user. The enhanced beast-like features drastically amplified his strength!

Boom!

With a single slash, Weevil's naginata, now infused with terrifying power, sent Zypher flying!

"Damn it!"

Zypher scrambled to regain his footing, desperately trying to lock onto Weevil's position. However—

"Teacher Zypher!"

"Ahhh!"

Amid the screams of the cadets, Weevil took advantage of Zypher's momentary loss of balance. His slash tore through Binz's vine shield and scattered the cadets' defensive formation!

"You bastard!!"

Zypher's eyes burned with fury. In just a few seconds, his cherished students had already suffered casualties!

"Ain!"

Binz desperately used his vines to entangle and restrain Weevil, while Ain seized the opportunity. Her peach-colored flames ignited as she attempted to touch Weevil and reverse his age.

It was a bold idea. But in his current state, Weevil—who could even send Zypher flying—was far beyond their ability to handle.

By the time Zypher steadied himself and rushed forward, Ain and Binz had been struck down, spitting blood as they flew through the air.

Weevil roared and prepared to deliver a final, devastating slash. This strike would wipe out the already-injured cadets!

"STOP!"

Zypher dashed forward, his right arm covered in Armament Haki as he blocked Weevil's naginata.

Under normal circumstances, Zypher's Haki would have been enough to parry the blade.

If he had even one extra second to gather strength, it might have been enough.

But there were no "ifs."

Empowered by his Devil Fruit ability, Weevil unleashed a slash far stronger than usual, at a moment when Zypher couldn't fully reinforce his Haki.

Slash!

"Teacher Zypher!"

"Chief Instructor!"

In the cadets' cries of disbelief and despair, Weevil's slash severed the right arm of Black Arm Zeffar.

"..."

One arm was a heavy price to pay, but it had saved the cadets.

And yet, Weevil's naginata rose once more. Even if Zypher could muster Haki, how much longer could he hold off Weevil with one arm?

At that moment, in what should have been despair, Zypher found a strange calm within himself.

"Teacher, this ship is under my protection."

"Just crush this crystal…"

A faint smile crossed Zypher's lips. He summoned all his remaining Haki and delivered a powerful punch, sending Weevil flying.

"Hahaha! Zypher!" Miss Buckin cackled. "You've lost an arm—what can you protect now?"

"Today, this ship will be drenched in blood!"

Ignoring her taunts, Zypher reached into his coat and retrieved a golden crystal, crushing it in his remaining hand.

Golden light radiated from the crystal, swiftly stopping the bleeding at Zypher's wound and restoring a fraction of his strength.

"Looks like I'll need that brat to handle this arm later…" Zypher muttered, picking up his severed limb.

As Ain, Binz, and the cadets despaired, a golden light flickered from the ship's interior.

A youthful voice rang out.

"Teacher Zypher, I just cured Magellan's stomach issues—he's probably still dumbfounded that I vanished on him!"

"Vice Admiral Wright!"

"No way…"

"We're saved…"

The cadets, teetering on the edge of despair, were overwhelmed with relief and joy.

Dressed in a pristine white Marine coat of justice, a black suit, a white shirt, and an orange tie, Wright approached, wielding his blade, Ashes.

"Teacher Zypher," Wright said, his voice steady.

"The holy light is always with you."

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