Dealing with the remaining Emperors and other major pirates wouldn't be as difficult anymore—without the fear of uniting them under a common cause, the Navy could strike with full force.
Meanwhile, far away in the New World, aboard the flagship of the Beast Pirates' massive fleet, Kaido and his men were watching the battle unfold via live broadcast.
Though the Navy and pirates were sworn enemies, Kaido—who controlled the seastone trade—had a complicated relationship with the World Government. Thanks to those ties, he had managed to get the live war footage transmitted directly to his ship.
"Gahahaha! So the Whitebeard Pirates finally get what they deserve!"
"Hell yeah! Wipe out both the Whitebeard and Red-Haired Pirates!"
"Hope the Navy loses a few more guys too while they're at it!"
The onlookers sneered and jeered as chaos engulfed Marineford.
The Beasts Pirates were feasting and drinking as they watched the broadcast of the war. These reckless brutes had no concern for the consequences—why worry about the lips perishing and the teeth growing cold when they believed Kaido was invincible?
Even those who had considered the implications of the Whitebeard and Red-Haired Pirates' downfall knew better than to voice it now.
"Boohoohoo… so Red-Hair's gonna die just like Whitebeard… glug, glug, glug… That monster Kizaru… he's even stronger than before…"
Kaido sat on his skull throne, chugging sake and crying openly. Not long ago, he had clashed with Shanks' crew—but now, he wept as if mourning him.
Of course, none of the Beasts Pirates found this strange. Their boss was unpredictable. If Shanks suddenly walked through the door, Kaido might just grab his kanabo and start swinging.
World Economy News Headquarters
At the World Economy News offices, "Big News" Morgans was in the main hall, personally reviewing the flood of articles being rushed in by his reporters and editors.
Every few seconds, another explosive revelation appeared on the war broadcast, leaving him in a state of thrilled agony.
"BIG NEWS! SO MUCH BIG NEWS! The secret of eternal youth—Pure Gold! The death of Whitebeard! The return of the Pirate King's right hand! Proof that the One Piece is real! The Red-Haired Pirates in ruins! AAAAAAH! IT'S TOO MUCH! WHY IS IT ALL HAPPENING AT ONCE?!"
Morgans was on the verge of losing his mind from excitement.
But his staff had no time to care about their boss' theatrics.
They were furiously hammering away at their stories. This war had produced at least a dozen headlines worthy of front-page news, and hundreds more major stories.
If they didn't get the articles out before their competitors, it would be a disgrace to journalism itself!
Mary Geoise - Holy Land
Meanwhile, in the Holy Land of Mary Geoise, the Five Elders had no choice but to watch the war through the hijacked Revolutionary Army broadcast—thanks to Kizaru having hung up on them.
"That damned Kizaru! If we lose the Pure Gold because of him, I swear I won't let this go!"
Mars Saint, the eldest of the Five Elders, was trembling with fury.
Even the sight of Whitebeard dying at Kizaru's hands did nothing to lessen his rage.
The opportunity to extend his own life mattered far more to him than the deaths of two Pirate Emperors combined.
"Kizaru is still powerful," the youngest Elder, Peter Saint, said calmly. "Right now, the pirates don't seem to be a threat to him. If the Navy wipes out more of them, it only eases our burden."
Pure Gold had already surfaced. With the power and influence they commanded, even if it was lost, they could still track it down.
Of course, the best outcome was having it delivered safely to his hands—with zero risk.
"…Do you not find Kizaru's strength a little excessive?"
The bald, kimono-clad Elder spoke in a low voice. Even through a mere broadcast, Kizaru's overwhelming dominance was palpable.
He imagined himself in Kizaru's place—facing that monster—and came to a troubling conclusion.
As the strongest among the Five Elders, this realization unsettled him deeply.
Kizaru had always been the most rebellious of the Navy's top brass. Worse still, the CP intelligence reports suggested he had… complicated ties to the Revolutionary Army.
And even now, the suspicion that he had assassinated a Celestial Dragon had never been fully cleared.
If not for his illustrious record—no, more importantly, if not for his sheer power—the Celestial Dragons would have demanded his execution.
"Too strong? I don't think so," the bearded Elder said easily. "Kizaru was a prodigy from the start. He still holds the record for the fastest promotion to Admiral in Navy history."
He was perfectly fine with Kizaru being as strong as possible.
The stronger Kizaru was, the better his own chances of getting his hands on Pure Gold.
The thought of eternal youth made Vauchouli Saint itch with impatience—he couldn't wait to see it before him.
"True… Looking back, it's actually astonishing how far he's come. It's been years since then—perhaps it's only natural that he's grown even stronger."
Mars Saint nodded.
Even across his long lifetime, Kizaru was one of the most gifted warriors he had ever seen.
"…Do you think he's still holding back?"
The white-haired Elder leaned on his cane, his voice grave.
A heavy silence fell over the room.
Even the usually relaxed Vauchouli Saint unconsciously straightened his posture.
As it stood, Kizaru's power already surpassed the typical Admiral by a clear margin.
That was still within their tolerance.
But if he was still hiding his full strength… that would be a problem.
An Admiral who was an entire tier above the rest was unheard of.
It sounded impossible—but the Elders had seen things far beyond common sense.
If Kizaru was that strong… he might even pose a threat to Him.
And that… was unacceptable.
"I don't think so," Mars Saint finally said.
"Since the fall of Joy B—cough—since that man eight hundred years ago, no one has reached that level.
No matter how strong Kizaru is… he cannot break that limit."
The eldest of the Five Elders, Mars Saint, clearly knew more than the others. But that was only because their areas of responsibility differed.
After hearing his explanation, the remaining four nodded slightly, relieved.
"When this war is over, have Borsalino deliver the Pure Gold to Mary Geoise," the bald Elder finally ordered.
Regardless of whether Borsalino had truly broken past the known limits, securing the Pure Gold was their top priority.
None of the others objected.
Even the youngest among them was far from young—there was no reason to delay something so crucial.
While the Five Elders were discussing his power level, Borsalino himself was dealing with a different headache.
"My dear! That was my prey!"
Esdeath pouted as she watched Ben Beckman collapse from Borsalino's blade.
She had been looking forward to studying how the strongest warriors of this world fought.
Although Ben Beckman wasn't quite on the level of Delocass, he was still a worthy opponent. Even with her high standards, she had to admit he was an excellent prey.
"Ahhh, my bad~ I'll find you an even stronger one next time."
Borsalino scratched his head. He'd cut Beckman down without thinking—it had been too effortless.
He wasn't the kind of guy to steal kills on purpose.
"That's a promise!"
Esdeath didn't press the issue.
With one arm gone, Ben Beckman was useless to her now.
Trading him for a favor from Borsalino was well worth it.
"Captain! Are you alright?!"
"Shanks, hang in there!"
"Captain!"
The surviving members of the Red-Haired Pirates rushed over—some trying to shield Shanks, others ready to die fighting Borsalino.
Even Ben Beckman, missing an arm, ignored his agony. He didn't even bother picking up his severed limb as his crewmates dragged him back to Shanks' side.
"Cough… cough… Beckman, are you alright?"
Shanks barely managed to wake from his daze.
His chest was still bleeding, but he was far more concerned about Beckman's condition.
"I'll live… Looks like I'll have to fight one-handed, just like you."
Beckman clenched his remaining fist, while the crew's doctor, Doc Q, worked frantically to stop the bleeding.
"Good… I'll teach you how to fight like this later."
Shanks exhaled, forcing himself to calm down.
No matter how much rage he felt, he had to stay rational.
Borsalino… truly deserved the title of the "Navy Monster" who ruled an era.
Shanks had pushed himself beyond his limits.
He had fought with everything he had.
And yet—he had still lost.
Even more terrifying—at the peak of his desperation, when he had squeezed out every ounce of strength he had left…
…he had felt it.
Borsalino wasn't even going all out.
Shanks would never have believed such an absurd truth—if he hadn't experienced it firsthand.
"We can't keep fighting, Shanks!"
Ben Beckman clutched Shanks' arm tightly.
He wanted revenge.
But if they kept fighting—
The Red-Haired Pirates would be wiped out.
Shanks was the captain. He made the final call.
But as vice-captain, Beckman could not stand by and watch Shanks throw his life away.
"…I understand."
Shanks took a deep breath.
"Don't worry—I'll get all of you out of here. And one day… I will avenge everyone."
That was his oath.
Even if it cost him his life—
He would see it through.
The remnants of the Red-Haired Pirates roared in unison, swearing eternal vengeance against Borsalino.
From the moment Shanks fell—
To Beckman losing his arm—
To Shanks swearing revenge—
Only a few minutes had passed.
Borsalino, having appeased Esdeath, turned his attention back to Shanks.
It was time.
Marineford would be the grave of the youngest Emperor.
"Captain, you go! I'll hold him off!"
"No, let me do it! He won't get past me!"
"You guys leave! I'll buy you time!"
One after another, Red-Haired Pirates stepped forward.
Their crew was small, but every member was exceptional.
Even the lowest-ranking ones would be officers in other pirate crews.
If this were anyone else, they could have held the line.
But their enemy was Borsalino—
A man whose power defied reason.
"You're all going to die here."
Borsalino's voice was calm, but his words were absolute.
"Mmm~ unless you surrender. Then I could arrange for permanent accommodations in Impel Down…"
He couldn't care less about their resolve.
This was a historic moment.
The Red-Haired Pirates would be his first great achievement as Fleet Admiral.
"Save it for yourself, Borsalino!"
Shanks snapped.
"Doc Q! Take Beckman and the others—get out of here!"
Even knowing he stood no chance—
He would carve a path for his crew.
"Oh? Ignoring me?"
Borsalino sighed.
He was not letting them go.
"Light Blade—Arclight Slash."
With a flicker of golden light, he moved to end it.
°°°
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