Marineford, Navy Headquarters.
Boom!
Two fists collided with tremendous force.
Immediately, the ground split with web-like cracks.
In the center of the battlefield, Garp grinned brightly, "Stupid son, long time no see."
Dragon's expression remained unchanged, "You're as lively as ever, old man."
While speaking, the two exchanged dozens of blows.
Shockwaves rippled, dust clouds swirled!
At first glance, the battle seemed intense.
But in reality—
"Dragon, Luffy has already been rescued."
"I know."
"You know?!"
"I know."
"...You brat, are you purposely going against me?"
"No, I'm just covering Luffy's escape."
"So that's it."
"Yes, that's it."
Father and son chatted while fighting.
Sengoku's forehead bulged with veins.
Could they be any more obvious?
They're acting like I, the Fleet Admiral, don't exist!
Despite this, Sengoku had no intention of intervening.
There can be villains.
But the villain can't be me...
Scanning the battlefield, Sengoku in his Buddha form boomed, "Warlords, what are you waiting for?"
Without the 'Four Emperors' and with the 'Admirals' gone, the 'Seven Warlords of the Sea' became crucial in the war's balance.
The World Government granted you privileges, not for you to slack off.
Enough talk, get to work!
Hearing Sengoku, the expressions of Doflamingo and the others varied.
Some were expressionless, others smirked silently.
But no one moved.
Sengoku cursed inwardly, but couldn't show it on his face, urging again, "Warlords, it's time to show your strength!"
Hearing this, 'Hawk-Eyes' Mihawk stepped forward, drawing his black blade, Yoru.
Sengoku's face finally showed some relief.
With the 'World's Greatest Swordsman' in action, the Revolutionary Army's advance could be halted.
Mihawk, without unnecessary words, chose a direction and unleashed a sword slash.
The sword aura roared like a dragon, splitting mountains and lands!
The Marines and Revolutionary Army soldiers in battle were horrified, hastily dodging.
The plaza suddenly quieted.
Mihawk sheathed his sword silently.
Without a word, he turned and walked away.
Sengoku was stunned.
Wait, that's it?
I asked you to act.
And you just gave a basic attack?
This is outrageous!
Sengoku gritted his teeth.
Damn it, another slacker!
Wait...
Why did I say 'another'?
"Fufufu, well played, Dracule Mihawk." Doflamingo laughed wickedly, "Aren't you afraid the World Government will trouble you later?"
Mihawk, with a cold expression, walked past 'Heavenly Yaksha' without a word.
Doflamingo didn't mind, his eyes rolling with mischief, he mimicked manipulating invisible strings with his fingers.
I've never been one to be outdone.
Slacking off?
Who can't do that!
Indeed, the power of example is infinite.
With Mihawk leading, the remaining Warlords followed suit.
Moria: Casually cutting shadows, easy and free.
Boa Hancock: A few seductive glances, who cares if it works.
Kuma: Must find a way to help the Revolutionary Army...
Blackbeard: With Whitebeard gone, should I stay here? Maybe I should find a chance to slip away.
'Seven Warlords of the Sea' (×)
'Seven Slacking Warlords' (√)
They slack off one after another and laugh their way to victory, everyone has a bright future!
Sengoku was so angry he was shaking.
These pirates, taking benefits and doing nothing, are utterly unreliable!
Forget it, I'll do it myself!
Sengoku roared.
The Buddha's fist pounded downward.
The Buddha's wrath is unstoppable!
Boom!
Marineford shook violently.
Garp and Dragon exchanged glances and tactically separated.
At this moment, Sabo, wearing a top hat, ran over, "Chief, the Admirals are back!"
Dragon turned and saw.
Indeed.
The dark mass of the Navy fleet was sailing full speed ahead, estimated to reach the port in seven or eight minutes.
Dragon frowned, "Have the 'Supernovas' been rescued?"
"Only a few, the Fleet Admiral was too close to the execution platform, we didn't dare act rashly," Sabo reported truthfully.
Hearing this, Dragon didn't hesitate, ordering decisively, "In that case, we retreat!"
Of all strategies, retreat is the best.
The goal was achieved, staying longer would be disadvantageous for the Revolutionary Army.
Sabo nodded, lifting his wristwatch to reveal a hidden mini transponder snail, "Betty, this is Sabo. The Chief orders, full retreat!"
Belo Betty, the Eastern Army Commander of the Revolutionary Army, a Paramecia-type 'Inspire Fruit' user.
Receiving the order, she adjusted her sunglasses, raising the military flag, "Warriors! We have achieved complete victory! It's time to go home!"
Belo Betty took a deep breath.
"For a brighter tomorrow, charge!"
A full set of group buffs.
Strength doubled!
Endurance doubled!
Morale doubled!
The Revolutionary Army soldiers felt reinvigorated.
The Marines fighting them were dumbfounded.
Sengoku was burning with anxiety.
The Whitebeard Pirates were like this.
Now the Revolutionary Army too.
What is Marineford?
A public restroom?!
The dignified Navy Headquarters, where people come and go as they please!
Seeing the Revolutionary Army retreat to their ships, Sengoku clapped his hands fiercely.
Buzz
An indiscriminate shockwave swept across the entire battlefield!
Hit by the shockwave, Marines and Revolutionary Army soldiers alike fell.
Dragon's eyes sharpened.
Garp dug his nose, muttering, "That old guy is really pissed off."
Turning, he waved to Dragon, "That's it for today, bye~"
Dragon nodded slightly to his old man.
Then, he raised his hand to the sky, as if trying to pull down the heavens.
Whoosh!
Immediately, a storm erupted.
Along with the storm came lightning and torrential rain.
Man-made disasters can be reversed, but natural disasters are unstoppable!
The abnormal weather not only affected the Marineford battlefield.
Even the Navy fleet several miles away couldn't advance!
Akainu clenched his fists.
His chest heaved violently, like a burning volcano inside.
"We can't stay on the ships..."
Akainu's face was grim.
After a moment's thought, he shouted, "Kuzan, use your power to create an ice path!"
Hearing this, Aokiji clicked his tongue, showing an impatient look.
Sensing the tense atmosphere, Kizaru, who avoids conflicts, quickly mediated, "Sakazuki, Kuzan's rank is the same as ours."
Subtext: We're equals, stop acting like the boss.
Akainu's jaw clenched in anger.
Do you think I want to act like the boss?
If you guys weren't taking salaries without doing work, would I be this anxious?
Better not let me become Fleet Admiral.
Or else, you'll all get what's coming!
Seeing Akainu genuinely angry, Kizaru chuckled.
He was about to say something.
Unexpectedly, Aokiji stood up from his lounge chair first.
Kizaru quickly stepped back a few paces.
Akainu stared at Aokiji, magma bubbles rising on his body.
Aokiji glanced at Akainu, yawning as he jumped off the warship.
The moment his white shoes touched the water, the sea froze.
'Ice Age' descended!
"This is the first and last time, Sakazuki." On the ice, Aokiji spoke coolly, "Don't order me around again."
Akainu's face darkened, silent.
Kizaru stroked his stubbly chin, feeling a headache, "These two clearly don't get along, in the future..."
Pausing, he suddenly remembered something.
Wait, is this my concern?
I'm just a public servant who clocks in and out on time, so why worry about this.
With clear thoughts, his mood improved.
Kizaru smiled brightly, "Alright, alright, now's not the time to argue."
Pointing towards Marineford, he added, "If we delay any longer, the enemies will all escape."
Akainu snorted, ordering the gangplank to be lowered, and charged towards the headquarters.
Aokiji walked leisurely on the ice, not in a hurry at all.
On the ship's railing, Kizaru scratched his face.
Having such distinctive colleagues is really troublesome.
Thankfully.
I'm a slacker~
The story diverges.
Without Kaido's disturbance and the Navy's pursuit, Jon and his group's retreat was unusually smooth.
As the renowned flagship of the 'Whitebeard Pirates,' the Moby Dick's performance was exceptional.
Led by Ace, the Straw Hat crew explored the ship with curiosity.
Jon, exhausted, lay on the deck of the Moby Dick, taking deep breaths of salty air.
Tired.
So tired.
Even with little D repeatedly boosting him.
Tiredness persisted.
However, the gains were immense!
The 'Buddha Form' and 'Azure Dragon Form,' both transformations not only provided various special abilities but greatly enhanced his physical prowess.
I'm no longer human, JOJO (referring to himself)!
Of course, compared to the transformations, Jon's biggest gain was the crack that had appeared on the Stand cocoon at some point.
Inside the crack, a round eye kept turning...
It is well known that men reward themselves.
Consider the author's indirect use of worn-out memes as 'self-rewarding.'
However,
since it's been called out, it won't happen again.
Today's word count has been compensated (kneeling and apologizing).