"Do you want me to go and check the situation, Marshal?"
Aokiji pondered for a moment and asked.
"You just escorted a group of prisoners and are still at Impel Down, right? Even if you travel day and night, it'll take three or four days—too far."
Sengoku shook his head and looked at Tsuru: "Where's Borsalino?"
"Still at the 8th Research Institute," Tsuru replied thoughtfully. "If he sets off now, it'll still take at least two days to arrive. I'm afraid it'll be too late."
"Sakazuki!"
Sengoku held his forehead, unable to hide the growing headache.
It had already been five or six hours since the battle with Shano began. Sengoku didn't believe Sakazuki would lose, but the stalemate was clear.
The real worry was—could the vice admirals from the branches really hold off the rest of the End Pirates?
Unlikely.
Once monsters like Kuina and Jack were free to move, they could gang up on Akainu. If luck held, Sakazuki might escape.
If not... he might become the first admiral captured in decades!
What a disgrace that would be for the Navy!
Sengoku and Tsuru exchanged looks.
The three admirals weren't at HQ and couldn't provide timely support. Garp, that unreliable old man, had just taken leave to the East Blue.
In this situation...
"We'll have to ask that organization for help," Sengoku finally said with a grim face, waving his hand to dismiss the adjutants.
"They'll mock me again for this."
Tsuru sighed softly. "But there's no other way. We can't afford to lose an admiral. Even the Holy Land wouldn't sit idly by."
"I'll make the call."
Sengoku took a deep breath and picked up a Den Den Mushi, dialing a number he usually dared not disturb...
...
Swish!
In the night sky, Kuina descended, stepping onto the bow of a warship.
All around, the G-1 branch fleet was in ruins.
Some ships desperately fled, while others—having had their masts cut off—had to be abandoned. Marines dove into the sea, paddling furiously.
Kuina watched indifferently.
Grassroots marines who posed no threat were always ignored by the Fallers.
But the leaders? No such mercy.
Before her lay the corpses of Vice Admirals Red King and Stirles.
The three had worked together initially, but eventually, Kuina found their flaws and defeated them one by one.
Only Flying Squirrel, with his exceptional Moon Step, narrowly escaped—though minus one arm.
As for the others...
Kuina ignored Red King's body, but sliced off Stirles' head and placed it in a cloth bag.
Then she stepped onto the Moon Step, crossed the sea, and returned to the End.
...
Onboard the End, the crew had mostly regrouped.
The fleets from all three branches had been repelled.
At G-14, Vice Admiral Dor was easily defeated by Jack and fled into the sea.
At G-5, Vergo had fought Smoker to a draw—until Nojiko and Ain arrived to finish the job.
Vergo was severely beaten, lost too much blood, and fainted.
Smoker was annoyed that they'd interfered in his duel. He insisted he could've won with more time and demanded a rematch.
With things under control, the crew spared Vergo's life, tied him up, and brought him aboard as a sparring partner.
So, the tally:
2 vice admirals dead
1 disabled
1 fled
1 captured
Only the battle between Shano and Akainu remained unresolved.
The crew stood quietly at the railing, watching the clash far off in the sea.
"I'm just saying..." Smoker muttered. "You guys know not to intervene in the captain's fight, but you still interrupted mine?"
Everyone rolled their eyes.
"You're welcome to go help," Kuina said coldly. "You and Sakazuki go way back, right? I'm sure he'd love the reunion."
"Uh..."
Smoker glanced at the raging battle and went quiet, lighting two cigars.
They weren't that close, actually.
But Sakazuki would probably want to be closer—just for the pleasure of punching him.
...
Boom!
With a deafening shockwave, the clouds tore apart, and two figures crashed into the lava sea.
Akainu slowly stood amid molten rock, panting heavily. His right arm hung limp—clearly broken.
Across from him, Shano stood, breathing hard, his left arm twisted unnaturally.
"It's been twelve hours!" Shano grinned. "We've fought since yesterday evening—almost dawn now! At this rate, this duel could last days! I'm fine with it, but can you keep up?"
"..."
Akainu didn't reply. His expression darkened.
He had noticed the outcomes of the other battles, and it frustrated him deeply.
He had underestimated the Fallers.
And Shano... His strength was no longer something Akainu could overwhelm.
"Enough!" Akainu roared, magma enveloping his arm again. "This may be a loss, but if I take your head, it'll all be worth it!"
"So cold-blooded," Shano chuckled.
Before he finished speaking, he vanished.
Akainu, caught off-guard, barely reacted in time.
Swish!
A punch coated in Haki slammed into his shoulder. Akainu groaned and crashed into the sea, coughing blood.
"Still distracted, old dog."
Shano's voice carried a mocking edge. "Are you already planning your grand retreat?"
"Don't judge me with a pirate's mind!"
Akainu shouted, launching another lava punch.
Had he been seen through?
At fifty, he wasn't a hot-blooded youth anymore. The Fallers' cadres had finished their own battles—how long before they stepped in?
Even if they posed no direct threat, any distraction could be fatal.
He had to escape.
But retreating directly? Too disgraceful.
He needed a cover—
Hmm?
Akainu's eyes narrowed. He looked to the sky.
Almost at the same time, Shano also stopped, looking up.
"This feeling..." Shano muttered.
The air felt wrong. Cold. Twisted. A creeping, unnatural malice.
Crack!
A massive black lightning bolt struck the sea. Black patterns rippled briefly across the water—then vanished.
An illusion?
No.
Three cloaked figures were now approaching, walking across the sea.
Their presence confirmed it was real.
A sinister aura still lingered around them.
Akainu snorted coldly. "What, the higher-ups think I can't handle this? They sent them?"
"Be respectful, Sakazuki."
The lead figure pulled down his hood—revealing a face Shano recognized instantly.
"Red Hair?"
Shano blinked—then narrowed his eyes.
No. Not Red Hair.
He knew some spoilers before he crossed over.
This was the other one.
Fergalando Shamrock, twin brother of Shanks.
Son of the ancient Celestial Dragon, Green. Vice-leader of the Knights of God.
The same face as Shanks—but colder, more arrogant.
With Green still alive, Shamrock should still be second-in-command.
"A great man like you came in person?" Akainu was a little surprised. "Should I be honored?"
"I owe Sengoku a favor. He asked me to come."
Shamrock's eyes lingered briefly on Shano, then returned to Akainu. "You may retreat now. We'll handle this."
"Retreat?" Akainu's face twisted. "Why not work together to kill him?"
"That benefits you, not me," Shamrock said indifferently. "Orders are orders. Leave now. You have no say here."
Akainu clenched his fists—but finally turned and left using Moon Step.
Before vanishing, he gave Shano one last look—filled with resentment.
Shano met his gaze coldly but didn't stop him.
These three... he couldn't handle all of them at once.
"Now that the nuisance is gone..."
Shamrock turned to Shano, resting a hand on the hilt at his waist. "You're Shano? The kid who made all that noise in just half a year?"
"That's me."
Shano flexed his recovered left arm. "Here to avenge Akainu?"
"I'm not interested."
Shamrock shook his head. "Don't get ahead of yourself. I didn't come just for Sengoku's favor."
"Then what?"
"To invite you."
Shamrock said calmly, "We are the Knights of God. We want you to join."
"To be precise," a cold, charming voice added, "you'll become a Celestial Dragon."
The voice belonged to a small figure in a black robe. Though her face was hidden, she sounded like a young girl.
"I see."
Shano grinned. "This little girl explains it well. So, what's in it for me?"
"You really don't get it?"
The girl lifted her head in disbelief. "The benefit is—you get to become a Celestial Dragon!"
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