Originally, the combination technique of Kaido and Big Mom was called Ocean Sovereignty.
But after fusing together, the power of that technique increased several times over.
The new attack was called—
Supreme Conquest · Ocean Overlord!
Just as its name implied, it was an invincible strike capable of dominating both the heavens and the seas.
Facing such a terrifying attack, even fighters as powerful as Red-Haired Shanks and Benn Beckman could not remain calm.
Cold sweat poured from Shanks' body.
At that moment, he felt an overwhelming sense of regret.
Why hadn't he listened to Lucky Roux earlier and chosen to retreat?
Now, facing the boundless terror of Supreme Conquest · Ocean Overlord, how could he possibly block it?
It was impossible.
Certain death.
Yes—
Shanks' Observation Haki had already shown him the outcome.
If he tried to withstand this attack head-on—
He would die.
There was no possibility of survival.
"Damn it!!"
This was the greatest life-and-death crisis Shanks had ever faced.
For the first time in his life—
He panicked.
For a brief moment, he didn't know what to do.
At that critical moment—
His most trusted right-hand man, Benn Beckman, finally spoke calmly.
"Shanks… take the others and leave. I'll stop this attack."
The words were spoken plainly.
Yet they struck the Red Hair Pirates like thunder.
Yasopp shouted loudly:
"You'll die, Vice Captain Beckman!"
As one of the greatest snipers on the seas, Yasopp's Observation Haki was among the very best in the world.
He could clearly see it.
Whether it was Captain Shanks or Vice Captain Beckman—
Anyone who tried to block the fused Kaido–Big Mom's attack would meet only one fate.
Death.
Beckman replied calmly:
"If one death can save everyone else, then that's the best outcome."
"Shanks, don't hesitate."
Known for his wisdom, Benn Beckman could often see things even Shanks could not.
Just like now.
While Shanks was momentarily shaken and lost—
Beckman clearly saw the only path forward.
Only his sacrifice could give the crew a chance to escape.
Otherwise—
They would all die here.
Shanks' eyes immediately turned red.
Tears streamed down his face as he looked at Beckman.
"I'm sorry… this happened because of me."
Beckman sighed softly.
"The one who should apologize… is me."
"I won't be able to keep the promise we made—to witness the final throne together."
"Shanks, you sacrificed your left arm and placed your bet on the new era… on Luffy."
"And today…"
"I'll sacrifice my life and place my bet on you."
"Live long enough to witness the day this world is completely changed."
These were Benn Beckman's final words.
Then—
His entire body became coated in powerful advanced Armament Haki.
Without hesitation, he rushed toward the massive incoming shockwave.
The Red Hair Pirates screamed in grief:
"Vice Captain Beckman!!"
Some of them tried to rush forward and stop him—
But Shanks blocked them.
Wiping away his tears, Shanks spoke with heavy determination.
"Go. Now."
"We can't let Beckman's sacrifice be meaningless."
Grinding their teeth, the Red Hair Pirates turned and fled.
As they glanced back one final time—
They saw their respected vice captain gradually torn apart by the terrifying shockwave.
Blood filled the air.
His body was completely destroyed.
Not even bones remained.
Shanks' eyes nearly burst from his skull.
His fists clenched so tightly that his nails pierced his palms and drew blood.
He was in unbearable agony.
Part of him wished to die alongside Beckman.
But he could not betray Beckman's final wish.
He had to live.
He had to live long enough to see the day the world changed.
To see Luffy become Joy Boy.
To see Kaido, Big Mom, and that damned Beasts Pirates' son-in-law Luo Xing finally face their retribution.
Like a pack of defeated strays—
The Red Hair Pirates fled in disgrace.
"Wororororo!"
Kaido burst into triumphant laughter.
His muscles trembled with excitement.
He was ready to chase them down and wipe out the Red Hair Pirates completely.
If that happened—
Shanks' territory would also become his.
The entire New World would fall under the rule of the Beasts Pirates and the Big Mom Pirates.
And since the Beasts Pirates were far stronger—
It meant the New World would ultimately belong to Kaido.
He would be only one step away from the throne of Pirate King.
Unfortunately—
Just as Kaido prepared to pursue them using Zeus the thundercloud, an uncomfortable sensation spread through his body.
It felt as if he were being torn apart.
The sensation intensified rapidly.
The fusion giant split back into two figures—
Kaido and Big Mom.
By the time the fusion ended, the Red Hair Pirates had already disappeared from sight.
Kaido roared furiously:
"Linlin! What the hell did you do?! Why couldn't you maintain the fusion?!"
Big Mom jumped in anger and shrieked:
"Kaido! It was clearly your fault, yet you're blaming me?!"
From start to finish—
Their fusion had lasted only ten seconds.
In truth, neither Kaido nor Big Mom was solely responsible.
Both of them were.
The duration of the Fusion Earrings depended on the synchronization between the two users.
After long practice, Queen and Jack could maintain fusion for over ten minutes.
Meanwhile, Luo Xing and Yamato could maintain it for more than half an hour.
Kaido and Big Mom glared at each other fiercely.
Neither was willing to back down.
Yet only moments later—
They suddenly slung their arms around each other and burst into loud laughter.
Big Mom clapped happily.
"That old geezer Whitebeard's territory belongs to us now! The biggest territory in the New World!"
Meanwhile…
Marine Headquarters — Marineford
Whitebeard, who was locked in a fierce battle with Akainu, had no idea that his territories had already fallen into the hands of the Beasts Pirates.
Nor did he know that Shanks had paid a terrible price to try to defend them—
The life of his vice captain.
Although Whitebeard had eaten a Senzu Bean and recovered much of his strength—
His deeply rooted heart disease was beginning to take its toll during the battle.
Akainu immediately noticed the change.
His eyes lit up with excitement.
Throughout their fight, Akainu had been at a disadvantage and had already suffered considerable injuries.
But he was in his prime—
While Whitebeard was old and weakening.
If the fight dragged on long enough—
Akainu would soon have an opportunity to turn the tide.
As the doctor of the Whitebeard Pirates, Marco knew his father's condition couldn't last much longer.
Ace had to be rescued quickly.
Marco kicked Kizaru away with all his strength.
Then he spread the flaming wings of the Phoenix and flew straight toward the execution platform.
Kizaru didn't chase him.
After steadying himself, he simply put his hands in his pockets and watched.
Nearby, Admiral Aokiji was still fighting Diamond Jozu, but he spared a glance toward Marco.
"Ara ara… heading straight for the target, huh? That won't be good."
Ignoring the Marines' gunfire and cannon blasts, Marco soared forward.
Under the excited gaze of the Whitebeard Pirates, he quickly approached the execution platform.
Just as Marco believed he was about to rescue Ace—
A massive figure suddenly appeared above him.
A powerful fist crashed down toward Marco's head.
Marco's Phoenix body could ignore gunfire—
But it could not ignore this punch.
He was blasted downward and slammed violently into the ground.
After knocking Marco away with a single punch—
The muscular figure landed on the Admiral's platform and sat down in the central chair with his arms crossed.
All one hundred thousand Marines stared in excitement.
"That's Vice Admiral Garp!"
"The strongest Marine in history!"
"With him guarding the platform, the Whitebeard Pirates will never rescue Fire Fist Ace!"
Garp's appearance instantly boosted the Marines' morale.
Fleet Admiral Sengoku, however, frowned in surprise.
Looking at Garp, he said:
"Garp… no one forced you to fight."
Sengoku had long guessed the relationship between Garp and Ace, but he had never spoken of it.
During the entire war, he had assigned Garp no tasks.
Yet unexpectedly—
Garp had chosen to act on his own.
Inside, Garp's heart was filled with pain and struggle.
But outwardly he shouted loudly:
"I am a Marine!"
"And Marines and pirates are mortal enemies!"
"Anyone who tries to rescue Fire Fist Ace… must first step over my corpse!"
The pirates were immediately stunned.
They swallowed nervously.
After all—
Garp's reputation was terrifying.
He had pushed the Pirate King Gol D. Roger into desperate situations countless times.
He had destroyed the Rocks Pirates alongside Roger at God Valley.
Just like Whitebeard—
Garp was a living legend.
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