The death of one of the Marine Headquarters' greatest powers caused a massive uproar.
In just a few hours, the news spread across the entire New World. Even within the Holy Land, the Five Elders convened to discuss how this would affect the balance of the war.
* * *
Late at night.
New World, Whole Cake Island front.
The Marines had already advanced to the point where they could see Whole Cake Island across the sea. But with Kaido joining the battlefield, even though Garp could hold him back, facing two opponents at once was still too much.
Fortunately, Zephyr had arrived.
The former Admiral, who had once fought Roger to madness during the Battle of Sgri, had been forced into the rear lines due to severe injuries.
Though his body had weakened and his strength had declined, his battle experience and hardened Haki still placed him far above ordinary Vice Admirals. He could briefly hold back either Big Mom or Kaido.
With his support, Garp managed to stabilize the front, preventing a complete collapse as they fought while retreating.
* * *
Inside the marine base that night, the entire place was brightly lit.
All the high-ranking officers stationed on the Whole Cake front had gathered, waiting for news from headquarters.
At the head of the room, both Garp and Zephyr wore grim expressions. To them, Kuzan was both a student and a comrade.
His death felt wrong. Too sudden. Far too sudden.
As the only one capable of countering Knox's steam annihilation, Kuzan's fall meant the rear supply lines were now completely exposed. For Knox, it would be like moving through an empty field.
Even sending another Admiral wouldn't help. No one else could truly counter steam. Even if attacks destroyed the steam at a distance, the resulting explosions and waves would still overwhelm ordinary soldiers.
At this point, the rear supply lines were effectively useless. The impact on the war was impossible to predict.
Tap, tap, tap…
Rapid footsteps echoed from outside. Everyone immediately turned toward the entrance.
A sweating intelligence officer rushed in, clutching a stack of reports. "We've figured it out!"
Garp's eyes snapped open, fury blazing within them.
"How did Kuzan die?!"
Zephyr also fixed his gaze sharply on the officer.
The officer didn't even have time to wipe his sweat as he began reading, "At noon today, Pirate Knox led a large fleet to attack Paris Port. Admiral Aokiji engaged him in battle. The process showed no major differences from previous encounters. Due to the intensity, full details are unclear.
"At 2:17 PM, Admiral Aokiji's Vivre Card suddenly burned away completely. Paris Port lost all contact.
"At 5:43 PM, the nearest base dispatched forces to investigate. Everything on the island had vanished. The stationed Marines, the buildings… it was as if they had never existed.
"Admiral Aokiji's body has not been found.
"Based on all available intelligence, including black market information, we believe Admiral Aokiji's death is likely related to a newly promoted commander under Knox."
He lifted the next page.
"Name: Ram Leonard. A rising pirate known for his swordsmanship, previously active in the New World.
"Recently, he was suddenly elevated to a commander under Knox. All records about him have since been erased.
"According to undercover agents within Knox's forces, he participated in this operation. From interrogations of pirates who returned from the battle, his ability is suspected to be one of the most dangerous Devil Fruits.
"A Logia-type, the Dark-Dark Fruit. It allows him to devour everything and nullify the abilities of any Devil Fruit user he touches. Admiral Aokiji likely…"
He didn't need to finish. Everyone already understood.
This wasn't a small-scale clash. This was a battle between an Emperor and an Admiral. In such a fight, even the slightest opening could decide everything.
If Kuzan had been ambushed by that Dark-Dark Fruit user, even a moment of ability nullification… then everything would collapse.
His ice could normally counter steam. But without his Devil Fruit, even the strongest Haki was still bound to the physical body. And in pure physical form, facing Knox's overwhelming steam power, his chances of survival were almost none.
Boom!!!
The table in front of Garp exploded into splinters.
Garp's expression twisted between rage and disbelief as he stood up and strode toward the door. "Damn it… I'm going to kill him!!!"
If Kuzan had fallen in a fair fight, he could have accepted it. But being ambushed and killed like that…
Zephyr shot up as well and rushed forward, grabbing Garp. "Stop right there, Garp!!! Now is not the time to act on impulse!"
His face contorted as he roared.
"This is war!!!"
For a moment, everything froze. No one moved. The room fell into complete silence.
Only the heavy, furious sound of breathing echoed in the air.
* * *
Late at night.
Holy Land of Mariejois.
Inside a pristine white hall, the Five Elders sat around a table, their expressions unusually relaxed.
Warcury glanced at the report and spoke with a faint smile. "These people are still somewhat useful. They've done something that's shaken the entire world."
To anyone who understood the situation, Kuzan's death would drastically alter the balance of the New World. With Knox's ability now unchecked, there was nothing left to restrain him.
Unless he was crushed outright with overwhelming force, Marine bases across the New World would be wiped out one after another. Steam annihilation was not something easily defended against.
However, Nusjuro remained serious. "Let's wait and observe. When have you ever seen that man suffer a loss? I have a bad feeling about this…"
Just the Four Emperors interfering in lower-level battles had already provoked Sakazuki into personally stepping in and crushing both Kaido and Shanks. Now, with one of his top forces dead, this was nothing short of crossing a line in the elder's eyes.
If Sakazuki truly lost control and abandoned his encirclement plan, the New World could be pacified in a very short time. And that would be disastrous for the World Government.
They didn't have the capacity to deal with the Marines right now. The Four Blues had already fallen into the hands of the Revolutionary Army, and those "commoners" were dreaming of pushing into the Grand Line. If the Marines turned its attention back at this moment, the World Government would be in serious trouble.
Nusjuro's intuition, in a sense, was correct.
Because Sakazuki's retaliation came fast. Brutal. And without even waiting for the next day.
* * *
Late at night.
New World, New Marineford.
At the railing outside the Fleet Admiral's office, Sakazuki stood silently, gazing into the endless darkness as if waiting.
Whoosh!
Carlo appeared.
There was a hint of fatigue on his face, but also a satisfied smile.
"Mission accomplished."
He placed two Devil Fruit recovery devices onto the railing. Under the light spilling from the office behind them, the fruits inside the transparent containers glowed with an enticing, almost ominous brilliance.
Sakazuki glanced at them and nodded. "And Enel?"
Carlo's expression turned serious. "He's fine. Bullet stayed behind for now. The Red Hair Pirates making a move was expected, but Kaido appearing there too wasn't. If Enel hadn't immediately retreated instead of fighting… there might have been an accident."
It had been dangerously close. Two Emperors targeting a single Admiral candidate. If not for Enel's wide-range Observation Haki and incredible speed, if he had been delayed for even a second, he would have been dragged into a fight to the death.
Sakazuki frowned slightly but said nothing, only nodding. He looked out into the endless darkness once more.
At some point, a crimson glow ignited on the distant horizon. It spread across the sky like wildfire, as if a massive blaze had begun to engulf the entire New World.
* * *
Late at night.
Across the New World, the Four Emperors connected through a video call.
As soon as everyone joined, Kaido was the first to speak, his booming laughter echoing. "Wororororo! Not bad, Knox! You actually took down an Admiral."
The others turned their attention toward Knox.
But on the screen, his expression was dark and uncertain. His gaze swept across them as his low voice sounded.
"…I wasn't the one who killed him."
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