Unstoppable, the strike tore forward and cleaved directly into the incoming Conqueror's Haki, severing it completely. The will-infused pressure shattered, disintegrated, and vanished without resistance.
"This strike…"
Across the grotesque forms of the Gorosei, their inhumanly cold eyes flickered with shock and fear for the first time.
Dodge.
There was no time.
Puff!!!!
Within the violently vibrating slash, the colossal sand worm was the first to collapse. Its massive body shattered layer by layer as destructive tremors traveled through it relentlessly.
Even coated in Conqueror's Haki, it could not withstand the annihilating vibrations.
Buzz!!!
The tremors erased its form entirely, leaving nothing behind.
Next was the wart hog, second only to the sand worm in size. Its hardened hide, tough enough to repel even Luffy's blows and reinforced with Haki, cracked violently under the tremors.
Puff!
The instant the fractures spread, its entire upper body was obliterated. Its massive tusks disintegrated at a visible speed, breaking apart into drifting fragments.
In a blink, the monstrous beast was reduced to only its lower half.
"An insect can actually…"
"Damn you, Whitebeard…"
The remaining Gorosei muttered in disbelief, only to be engulfed by the crimson strike moments later.
Blood flooded the battlefield.
Four of the Gorosei were completely erased, reduced to nothing but dust and history.
…
Only Saint Mars, the Environment Military God, escaped the catastrophe. Hovering above Whitebeard, his eyes were icy as he slashed downward with talons hardened by Haki.
"Gurararara! It's your turn now!!!"
Whitebeard sensed the attack instantly. The moment his feet touched the ground, he surged upward and swung Murakumogiri, its blade still blazing with blood-red Haki, straight into the descending claw.
"Insect, do you really believe you have won?"
Saint Mars snarled coldly, his beak clicking with malice.
Crack!!!!!
Blade and claw collided, Haki detonating violently between them.
Boom!
A massive explosion swallowed the plaza, dust and debris obscuring everything.
…
Whoosh!!!!!!
Crimson Haki flooded the world.
The sea turned blood-red as vibrating force rippled outward. The ice covering the ocean shattered instantly, cracking apart like fish scales under relentless tremors.
!!!!
In an instant, the land, sea, and sky vibrated together, blood-red fractures spreading endlessly.
…
Bodies twisted and convulsed under the vibrations.
…
Marines opened their mouths in terror, screaming silently.
No sound came out.
Only then did they realize, in sheer horror, that all sound had vanished from Marineford.
…
Silence.
The battlefield was utterly soundless.
It was as if the world itself had been muted.
…
Crack! Crack! Crack!
Far beyond Marineford, tens of thousands of meters away, a massive transparent sphere fractured.
Crackle, crackle…
"It would be troublesome if this shattered."
A slender hand appeared. Ripples spread outward, reinforcing the structure and sealing it.
"How dangerous."
Shirogai Yamikuro stood calmly in mid-air, gazing at the blood-red fruit in his hand as its cracks slowly healed. A faint smile curved his lips.
"Whitebeard truly deserves his reputation. A pirate who once stood beside the Pirate King is no ordinary man.
That strike, combined with vibration, nearly shattered the ROOM. If it had collapsed completely, my preparations would have been ruined."
Whoosh!
"Let me return the pain I temporarily sealed away. Even without amplification, it should still be… enjoyable."
Shirogai gently tossed the restored fruit into his palm, eyes fixed on Marineford in the distance.
"Now then, everyone, please enjoy the final climax of this grand performance before the curtain falls."
…
…
Buzz…
As the crimson light faded completely, sound returned all at once.
Boom!!!!!!!!
The sudden explosion of noise shattered eardrums. Blood spilled from countless ears.
"Ahhhh!!!"
Almost half the battlefield screamed in agony.
"It hurts! It's killing me!"
"My leg! My leg!!!"
"Please, someone end it!"
Pirates and Marines alike collapsed, clutching their wounds as unbearable pain tore through them.
Screams drowned out everything.
"Old Man! Are you alright?!"
"Old Man!!!"
Despite the agony, the Whitebeard Pirates forced themselves to look toward the plaza.
Their father was still there.
…
The plaza remained silent.
Dust billowed everywhere, blocking all sight.
"Old Man!"
"Old Man!!!"
Then, through the haze, a towering figure emerged.
Edward Newgate.
Whitebeard.
"Gurarararara… my sons…"
He stepped forward slowly, leaning heavily on Murakumogiri. His eyes were tired, yet warm as he gazed across the ruined battlefield.
"Everyone dies eventually. Death itself is not frightening. What is frightening is refusing to move forward because of it…"
Cough. Cough.
Dark red blood spilled from his mouth, yet his voice did not waver.
"My journey ends here. Yours has only just begun.
Go back. Do not remain trapped in sorrow. Walk toward a better future."
The Whitebeard Pirates stared at him in disbelief.
"What's wrong with Old Man?!"
"Didn't you win?!"
"Come back!"
Ace, holding the unconscious Luffy, stared blankly.
"Old Man…"
…
Whitebeard turned away without hesitation, his torn white cloak fluttering.
"Old Man, you…"
"Look! Look over there!"
From the thick fog before him, five massive, grotesque figures slowly rose once more, flesh writhing as they regenerated.
"Insect. Did you truly believe you killed us?"
Cold eyes opened one by one.
"An insect dares attempt to slaughter gods?"
"Filthy ignorance."
"Edward Newgate. The World Government sentences you to death."
The Whitebeard Pirates froze in despair.
"They're standing again…"
"How can anything survive that?!"
At that moment, despair crushed them completely.
There truly were beings in this world that could not be killed.
---