"Marshal Sengoku!!!!"
"Damn it!!!"
"Lucifer, that bastard!"
In the distance, Admirals Aokiji, Kizaru, and Fujitora watched helplessly as Sengoku was slain by Lucifer.
Anger and grief surged within them, but there was nothing they could do.
They could only do their best to hold back the pursuing enemies and ensure the remaining Marines could escape.
"Damn it… Sengoku is dead?"
On the other side, when the CP agent codenamed "Phantom" saw Sengoku being killed, he was overwhelmed with terror. Without hesitation, he activated his ability, attempting to create a black hole space to escape.
However, in the next instant, a sharp slash tore through the black hole, shattering it apart.
"If you want to escape, you have to ask this old man first."
A tall figure appeared before Phantom, his eyes filled with murderous intent—it was the Red Earl, Patrick Redfield.
"Red Earl! Are you really going to side with Lucifer and aid a madman?" Phantom roared in desperation.
"As a pirate from the previous era, you should know better than anyone how terrifying the World Government's power is!"
"It's not too late to leave now! The World Government is willing to overlook your past crimes!"
Phantom's voice was laced with urgency, but it was clear he was trying to suppress his own fear.
Even though his face was hidden behind a mask, Redfield could already imagine his expression—distorted by sheer panic.
"You're not leaving."
Redfield remained expressionless and spoke coldly.
"On this battlefield, none of you are making it out alive."
Without another word, he swung his sword, unleashing multiple slashes that cut through the air like a torrential storm.
Although his Phantom-Vampire Fruit granted him immense strength, speed, and vitality, Redfield's true killing power had always been his swordsmanship.
The Devil Fruit only helped restore his youth—what he truly relied on was his unparalleled sword skills.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Blade lights filled the air.
Phantom was forced into a desperate defense, unable to use his space ability to escape, let alone teleport Marines away.
Ever since Phantom's last successful rescue, the top brass of the Nether Pirates had been prepared.
The same trick would not work twice.
Meanwhile, Lucifer turned his gaze toward Whitebeard and Shanks, his lips curling into a cold smile.
"Next, it's your turn."
"Conqueror's Field!"
With a burst of willpower, Lucifer once again unleashed his Conqueror's Haki, engulfing Whitebeard and Shanks in its oppressive force.
In an instant, Lucifer moved before Whitebeard, his blackened right hand piercing straight into the old pirate's chest like a sharp blade.
Pfft!
Whitebeard coughed up blood, staggering backward, yet he refused to fall.
His cold gaze locked onto Lucifer as he clenched his fist and swung with earth-shattering force.
The air trembled, space cracked, and the atmosphere seemed to shatter under the sheer impact of Whitebeard's punch.
Yet, before the shockwave could spread, a black hole formed in Lucifer's palm, absorbing the seismic force into nothingness.
"Rest in peace, Whitebeard."
Lucifer thrust his hand forward once more, crushing Whitebeard's heart. His hand burst out from the other side of his body.
The legendary pirate—Edward Newgate, Whitebeard—had finally fallen.
"Ding! Host has killed pirate Edward Newgate. Gained 500,000 kill points."
Lucifer pulled his hand away, and in his palm, a Devil Fruit materialized.
It was the Tremor-Tremor Fruit—a power feared for its ability to shatter the world.
Whitebeard stood there, unmoving, like an indomitable mountain. Even in death, he did not fall.
"Whitebeard!!!"
Shanks clenched his teeth, his face dark with rage.
Of the three legendary figures who had joined forces against Lucifer, he was now the only one left standing.
Seeing Whitebeard's lifeless body, the members of the Whitebeard Pirates were overcome with grief and fury.
"DAD!!!!"
A heart-wrenching cry echoed from the sky. It was Marco.
The Phoenix soared toward Whitebeard's body, but before he could reach, a blast of energy sent him crashing down—Weevil had struck.
The self-proclaimed "son of Whitebeard" unleashed his monstrous power, sending Marco plummeting from the sky.
Marco smashed into the iceberg Aokiji had created. Flames burst forth as he struggled to rise from the pool of his own blood.
His Phoenix Flames flickered, desperately repairing his broken body.
Yet, despite the pain, Marco's gaze remained locked on Whitebeard, his eyes filled with sorrow.
"DAD!!!"
"Impossible!!!"
"Dad!!!"
The members of the Whitebeard Pirates wept in grief.
At this moment, they had lost everything.
"Retreat!!!"
Diamond Joz parried an incoming attack before roaring at his comrades.
"Father sacrificed himself for us!"
"If you don't want his sacrifice to be in vain, pull yourselves together and get out of here!"
"As long as we live, the Whitebeard Pirates will never fall!"
Hearing Joz's words, Vista immediately echoed his call.
"Joz is right! Everyone, retreat!"
"If we escape today, one day, we will avenge our father!"
The division commanders quickly regained their composure and took charge of the battle.
Their efforts had an immediate effect.
The once-scattered crew was now retreating in an organized formation, no longer a disorderly mob but a force with purpose—like an army of ants following a single command.
But—
"Oh? That won't do."
"If I let you all escape, won't our Nether Pirates lose face?"
A voice filled with amusement echoed from the sky.
Hovering above them was Cavendish, his expression twisted into a sinister smile.
Raising his arm, he tore off a massive chunk of the ice mountain created by Aokiji and hurled it onto the Whitebeard Pirates' escape route.
Boom!
The island trembled, and just like that, their path was blocked.
"Damn it! The way out is gone!"
"Bastard, move aside!"
"Blow up the iceberg!"
The Whitebeard Pirates immediately opened fire, unleashing a storm of bullets and cannon fire in an attempt to clear a path.
Unfortunately, the iceberg was formed by Aokiji using absolute zero temperatures, making it incredibly solid.
Previously, Aokiji had created these ice mountains to block the Nether Pirates' pursuit.
Since they were meant to hinder them, he had made sure they were nearly indestructible.
No matter how much firepower the Whitebeard Pirates unleashed, even after seven days and seven nights, they wouldn't be able to blast their way through.
"Damn it! Why are you just standing there blocking the way?!"
"Move aside! Let me handle this!"
Vista stepped forward, both of his swords flashing as he unleashed a powerful cross slash.
The blade lights cut deep into the iceberg, but after traveling only a hundred meters, the attack dissipated, failing to split it completely.
Boom!
Diamond Joz charged at full speed, slamming his diamond-coated body into the iceberg, shattering a portion of it.
However, only a small chunk broke off—not nearly enough to create a path.
"We can't break through… should we take a detour?"
Looking at the massive iceberg in front of them, many hesitated.
But if they detoured, the Nether Pirates would catch up and slaughter them all—that was not an option.
Just as despair began creeping in—
Whoosh!
A massive black sword slash tore through the air.
In an instant, the enormous iceberg was sliced in half.
The Whitebeard Pirates turned in shock—
The one who had attacked was Hawkeye Mihawk.
"Hawkeye?! He saved us?!"
"But why? Isn't he a lackey of the World Government?"
"Who cares?! As long as there's a way out!"
"Move! Let's go!"
With an escape route opened, the Whitebeard Pirates immediately seized the opportunity and rushed through.
In the distance, Shiryu of the Rain took a slow drag of his cigar, watching the scene unfold.
He exhaled a cloud of smoke and sneered.
"Hawkeye… since when did you become so sentimental?"
Mihawk was notorious for his ruthlessness.
Every year, countless pirates fell to his blade—not out of duty, but simply because he was bored.
It was hard to believe that he would go out of his way to save anyone.
Mihawk, however, simply sheathed his Black Blade, Yoru, and replied indifferently—
"It was nothing… just a whim."
As soon as he finished speaking, he turned and left.
Shiryu narrowed his eyes but didn't pursue him.
The two had fought before, and even after a brutal battle, Shiryu knew—there was still a gap between himself and the world's greatest swordsman.
If they fought to the death, he wasn't confident he could win.
And even if they managed to capture Mihawk, it would take too much effort.
Rather than wasting time fighting him, it was better to hunt down the escaping pirates and Marines.
After all—Mihawk was a lone wolf.
Even if they let him go today, he would never pose a threat to the Nether Pirates.
When the war ended—Mihawk wouldn't escape them anyway.
From afar, Lucifer watched Mihawk walk away, a smirk playing on his lips.
"Red-Haired… looks like your friend isn't planning on saving you."
Shanks wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and grinned.
"Everyone has their own stance, Lucifer."
"I never expected him to save me."
His gaze sharpened, and he slowly raised Gryphon, his sword.
"Lucifer, it's just the two of us now."
"Let's end this!"
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