The ocean roared as if sensing the blood that would soon be spilled.
In the heart of the Rekkai Archipelago—one of the most hotly contested territories of the New World—a fearsome ship appeared on the horizon. Its prow was decorated with dragon heads, and its black sails bore the symbol of a red skull biting a sword. It belonged to Kragg the Crusher, a former Revolutionary Army officer turned pirate. His bounty stood at 330 million berries, and his brutality was feared from the North Blue to the deepest waters of the New World.
But today, Kragg was about to make his final mistake: invading a territory under Whitebeard's flag.
In the distance, the new warship of the 17th Division glided across the sea with grace. On its mast flew the flag of the world's strongest man, and at the prow, standing tall with the wind whipping his black cloak with golden trim, was Zed.
—There you are... Kragg the Crusher, —he muttered with a calm smile—. Is your head worth that much? It'll make a good warning.
The enemy lookouts barely had time to sound the alarm before Zed's ship rammed directly into Kragg's, like a beast lunging to devour its prey.
Before the impact had even cleared, Zed soared forward in a burst of crimson flames and glowing feathers—he had activated the power of his Phoenix Fruit. In midair, his hybrid form was imposing: his torso covered in gleaming diamond, sapphire claws on his hands, wings wrapped in blazing orange-red fire.
Kragg's men opened fire. Bullets and cannons rained down on him... and bounced harmlessly off his armored body.
—What the hell is that monster?! —shouted one of the officers.
Zed landed with crushing force, sending out a shockwave that split the enemy deck and hurled several pirates into the sea. His eyes glowed with activated Observation Haki.
—Kragg, —he said coldly—. Come down and fight. I don't have time for small fry.
The enormous captain leapt down from the command tower. He stood nearly three meters tall, covered in armor made from the bones of sea beasts. In his hands, a black steel mace.
—You arrogant brat! I was a vice admiral before I became a legend! I'll tear you apart and mount your head on my prow!
Zed didn't respond. He simply vanished.
—Where the hell is he!?
A kick, coated in diamond and flames, struck Kragg in the face, shattering his metal fangs and slamming him into his own mast.
Zed hovered beside him, wings unfurled.
—You're no vice admiral. You're a walking corpse waiting for the fire.
Kragg roared and countered with a furious strike, releasing a dark wave of Armament Haki. His blows were devastating—each impact cracked the ship's hull—but Zed dodged with surgical precision, guided by his mid-level Observation Haki.
Finally, Zed blocked one of the mighty blows with a single hand clad in diamond and fire.
—I'm bored now.
—FINAL TECHNIQUE! Crimson Phoenix Sky Slash!
Zed drew his sword, now glowing with a fusion of fire, diamond, and Haki. A blazing arc of searing energy tore through the air. Kragg raised his mace—but it was useless.
The slash cut through him from side to side.
The ship split in two. Kragg, still standing, fell to his knees as cracks spread across his torso. Then, his body crumbled to ash in the Phoenix's flames.
Seeing their captain defeated so easily, Kragg's men dropped their weapons.
Zed descended gently, and with the same calm he'd shown against a 330-million bounty threat, gave his next order:
—Search the ship. Take everything: maps, gold, weapons... If it's worth anything, I want it.
One of his officers approached him.
—Commander Zed, what should we do with the prisoners?
Zed turned slowly, his eyes still glowing with his fiery aura.
—Those who surrender live. Anyone who lifts a weapon again... dies.
And so, the name Zed, the Crimson Phoenix, became a legend across the seas. When the World Government heard what had happened, they raised his bounty to 410 million berries.
The sea trembled. A new monster had been born.
"Heir of the Moby Dick"
Hours after the battle, the sea still smelled of gunpowder and fire. Zed's ship, the Red Nova, sailed toward the Moby Dick, carrying as trophies the shattered masts and enemy flags captured from Kragg's vessel.
The Whitebeard Pirates, gathered on the Moby Dick, applauded as they saw their young commander return victorious and without serious wounds. From the main deck, Vista and Marco exchanged satisfied glances. Even Jozu gave a brief smile upon seeing that Zed had made good use of his diamond technique.
—Oy, oy, oy... Great job, son! —boomed Whitebeard's laughter as he drank sake—. That bastard dared touch territory under my protection! And you crushed him without hesitation! That's what a true son of mine does!
Zed gave a brief bow to his captain, with a reserved smile.
—I only did my duty... Old man.
The laughter of the commanders echoed throughout the Moby Dick.
—Zed, the Crimson Phoenix! The kid who crushed a rogue vice admiral before turning seventeen!
From that day on, the name Zed was no longer just that of a gifted rookie. He had become a recognized figure among the divisions—and his crew kept growing stronger.