Chapter 376: The World in Shock
Marineford fell silent.
The entire world followed suit.
At this very moment, everyone across the globe was watching the outcome of the battle at Marineford.
After the Navy Headquarters' three strongest forces launched their relentless assault—continuous bombardment that lasted for over half an hour—the battlefield was now shrouded in thick smoke.
Billowing dust rose skyward, staining the skies above the sea a hazy shade of gray.
Seconds ticked by.
Everyone waited for the result.
Gradually, the smoke began to clear.
A faint silhouette appeared on the battlefield.
From atop the execution platform, Sengoku, Vice Admiral Tsuru, and the others were the first to see that figure. Instantly, their hearts clenched.
"That guy…"
Sengoku swallowed unconsciously.
"Is he… still alive?"
Vice Admiral Tsuru's pupils constricted sharply.
As the smoke dispersed further, more and more people caught sight of the figure.
In an instant, everyone's hearts leapt into their throats.
"Im… impossible… That was the Navy Headquarters' three greatest forces!"
"You've got to be kidding me!"
"He's still standing? That shouldn't be possible! Is this guy made of steel or something?"
"He's so strong… just who is this man?"
"…"
The murmurs swelled, spreading rapidly through the air above Marineford.
The growing uproar scattered the last traces of smoke, clearing the view completely and revealing Uchiha Dali's clone.
Everyone could now see him clearly.
Uchiha Dali's clone was completely unharmed.
A strange energy shield shimmered faintly across his body, giving off an eerie light.
The sight left everyone on the scene stunned once again.
"Is he some kind of Devil Fruit user? I heard there's one called the Barrier-Barrier Fruit—when its barrier is up, the person inside is nearly invincible!"
"I've never heard of that one, but he's definitely a Devil Fruit user, no doubt about it!"
"I've never seen such a powerful ability before. That was the Navy's three greatest forces! Each one of them alone could shake the world!"
"Terrifying…"
"…"
On the Navy's side, discussions erupted everywhere.
The Whitebeard Pirates, already battered by the Navy's schemes and barely surviving the Pacifista onslaught, finally caught a breath and found a brief moment to recover.
Whitebeard immediately gave the order for everyone to retreat.
Their movement didn't escape Sengoku's sharp eyes.
"All Navy forces, ignore that man! Our only target is the Whitebeard Pirates! Exterminate every last one of them—do not stop!"
Sengoku quickly relayed the command through the Den Den Mushi.
At his order, tens of thousands of marines snapped back to attention and rejoined the battle.
But this time, their attacks lacked the drive they'd shown before.
Uchiha Dali's clone had shaken them too deeply.
Now, that man's figure haunted every marine's mind—they couldn't shake it off.
Some soldiers even whispered quietly among themselves.
"Hey, don't go all out. Our real enemy isn't Whitebeard!"
"Didn't you see? That guy's practically invincible! If you don't wanna die later, listen to me—we should conserve our strength. The real enemy is that monster over there!"
"I was thinking the same. He's the real threat. Even the three Admirals couldn't scratch him—if it were anyone else, they'd have been vaporized already!"
"…"
Conversations like these echoed across the entire plaza of Marineford. In every corner of the battlefield, the same sentiment spread.
Whether out of fear or self-preservation, the effect was the same.
Once that mindset took hold, the outcome was obvious.
The Whitebeard Pirates, who had been on the brink of annihilation, suddenly found a new chance at survival.
Their biggest obstacles now were only the meddling Warlords of the Sea and the horde of Pacifistas that had appeared out of nowhere.
Dracule Mihawk lunged toward Whitebeard, attempting to test his strength—only to be intercepted by Marco and the others.
Meanwhile, Doflamingo clashed fiercely with Diamond Jozu, their battle locked in a stalemate.
The greatest threat came from the Pacifistas.
Each laser blast they fired injured or killed multiple pirates, wreaking havoc across the battlefield.
Yet for Marineford, those fights were mere side notes.
Almost everyone's attention remained fixed on Uchiha Dali's clone.
The Navy's three greatest powers—Borsalino, Kuzan, and Sakazuki—now all glared at him with deadly intensity.
They could hardly believe this man was still alive after withstanding their combined bombardment.
Now, all three hesitated, uncertain of what to do.
Should they continue attacking? Or… what?
This man's strength had exceeded all expectations.
"Oh my, how terrifying… I've never encountered an opponent like this before," Borsalino murmured, his usual lazy tone faltering. Behind his sunglasses, his eyes shone with disbelief.
Kuzan frowned deeply, his expression grim and solemn.
Gone was the calm composure he had shown at the start.
But the most shaken of all was Sakazuki.
He had been the first to clash directly with Uchiha Dali's clone—launching attack after attack, yet failing to land even a single scratch.
Now, doubt gnawed at him.
Was his opponent too strong… or was he too weak?
Uchiha Dali's clone watched them with a faint, mocking smile.
"What's wrong?"
"Weren't you just so eager to kill me? Have you given up already?"
"You still have twenty-three hours left—come on, show me what you've really got."
He spread his arms wide, taunting them once more.
He had said earlier that he would stand still and let the three of them—and anyone else—attack him however they wished.
Just now, the combined bombardment from Borsalino, Sakazuki, and Kuzan had brought him immense growth.
His strength had increased by at least double.
Every ability he possessed had been enhanced.
How could he possibly pass up such a golden opportunity to evolve?