[The Moby Dick]'s departure left the Marine camp in a slight state of confusion. Tsuru calmly glanced at Aokiji but didn't give the order to fire.
She turned her head to look at [The Red Force], where her gaze stopped on "Red Hair" Shanks.
"Well, don't look at me like that, Granny Tsuru…" Shanks chuckled with no dignity, wiping his forehead nervously under Tsuru's stern gaze.
His appearance, regardless of his status, was no different from the scruffy middle-aged uncle you could find on any island.
With Tsuru's extremely unfriendly look, one could easily mistake this scene for a family drama where the diligent aunt was scolding her unmotivated nephew!
"Whitebeard has already left. Aren't you going to make a move?" That was the meaning behind Tsuru's gaze.
Shanks himself had no intention of getting involved in the war between the Marines and the Hundred Beasts Pirates. He shrugged, preparing to depart.
However, the moment he said this, Tsuru's eyebrows furrowed, and a dark aura emanated from behind her.
"Granny? Do I look that old, Red Hair Brat?!"
Yasopp paused in the midst of wiping his sniper rifles and raised an eyebrow. He whispered to Lucky Roo next to him, "Now I understand why the Captain is still single!"
To think he dared to utter such words to a lady? Didn't he know that women loathed nothing more than "telling the truth"?
At least when it came to age, no woman was an exception…
Shanks: "…"
Blinking dazedly, he considered his options for a moment and then raised his hand.
"Alright! Little ones, the show's over. Let's go!"
He chose not to engage! Yasopp gave him a thumbs up. Wise choice!
After "escorting" Whitebeard away, Aokiji used Geppo to reach Tsuru's side. He glanced at [The Red Force], which was gradually moving away, and chuckled, "Aren't you going to keep him here, Tsuru San?"
With Jack dead and Whitebeard choosing to leave, Red Hair's potential involvement or lack thereof wouldn't have much impact on the outcome of the battle between them and the Red Hair Pirates.
This time, the Marines had dispatched such a large fleet with the preparation to fight the Yonko!
"There's no need. We won't be able to end the battle in a short time. Engaging two Yonko at once is not wise. Even if we win, we'll suffer heavy losses."
Tsuru declined the tempting suggestion and turned her gaze.
"Bring Akainu back. Prepare for battle!"
"Yes, ma'am!"
Aokiji scratched his afro, then suddenly noticed Rowen floating on the water's surface. He grinned.
"Regardless of the outcome, we've already won half this battle!"
"The rest, let us old folks handle it!"
Veins popped on Tsuru's forehead. "You're the old one here!"
Aokiji: "…"
Did I say something wrong?
Unending waves rolled into the ruins, completely submerging the G-5 base, which was already below sea level. Jack's body bobbed in the calm sea, and soon, it would be devoured by fish and shrimp.
"He was really a tough enemy… Zoan Devil Fruit Users!"
The consecutive outbursts of power had left Rowen exhausted. He panted heavily, feeling his muscles ache, and couldn't help but wear a bitter smile.
Whether it was the Deep Gate Combo or the final Thunder God Heavenly Punishment, these were finishing moves that had pushed his physical limits.
To deal with someone as tenacious as Jack, who had honed his body to the pinnacle of Zoan's abilities, Rowen couldn't afford to give his opponent any breathing room. Otherwise, he would be the one to lose!
Fortunately, the Goro Goro no Mi (Thunder Thunder Fruit) didn't disappoint Rowen. As the so-called "strongest Logia," it not only granted him speed comparable to Kizaru's but its destructive power was truly unmatched in the world.
Without an Ability user actively enhancing his defenses, even Jack's extraordinarily resilient body couldn't survive the annihilation of the lightning attacks.
If Jack had somehow survived despite losing his head… Rowen had no idea what he would have done!
"Let's go back and rest for a bit, Rowen. The real battle has just begun!"
At this moment, Aokiji landed beside Rowen using Geppo, his eyes filled with astonishment and satisfaction.
Aokiji's sentiments weren't in vain; in this world, Devil Fruit's abilities determined everything.
Jack, as a peak-level Zoan user, possessed monstrous defense and restoration power. This was an innate advantage of Zoan types, which was almost impossible to negate. Even as Admirals, they could, at most, beat Jack half to death.
After all, the inherent destructive power of a Devil Fruit was determined by its abilities. Even Akainu's magma, as powerful as it was, couldn't guarantee taking Jack's life.
However, facing Rowen, not only did Jack lose, he also lost his life…
This was something that no one had anticipated before their arrival!
After this battle, the destructive power of the Goro Goro no Mi (Thunder Thunder Fruit) would firmly establish its place as the "Strongest."
Now, as Rowen basked in the limelight, winning the first battle for the Marines, they couldn't simply stand by and watch.
"I would like to rest… but it seems we don't have that luxury," Rowen sighed suddenly, snapping Aokiji back to attention. His previously lazy expression instantly sparkled with brilliance, his eyes radiating enthusiasm.
He raised his hands, interlocking them, and aimed indifferently at the sky.
"Raving Pheasant Beak!"
Chirp!
A piercing, resonant cry echoed across the sea. A gigantic, pure-white icebird with a wingspan exceeding a hundred meters shot out from his palms. Like an iceberg, it shattered into countless fragments as it flew.
Crackle, Crackle…
As the icebird soared, it created a path on the sea, whipping up a fierce wind that instantly froze the rolling waves into solid, white, crystalline sprays.
"Jack…!"
From the sky, a dark figure plummeted and collided with the icebird.
Bang!
Even Rowen couldn't afford to ignore the frigid aura contained within this icebird. Logia users, unless their powers countered it, typically didn't have to worry about getting hurt. However, this icy aura was enough to instantly freeze all of his vital signs, causing him to lose consciousness.
The strength of an Admiral was evident!
"The gap is still significant!" Rowen sighed. Suddenly, he took a half-step backward, and the strong wind caused his tattered clothing to flutter wildly. Electric currents entwined around his arms as he launched a punch.
"Thunderlight Penetration Cannon!"
Bang… Huā Lā La!
Sure enough, even when confronted by the formidable Admiral Aokiji, the figure continued to plow through the icebird, then charged straight toward them.
A dazzling electric dragon roared upwards, and Rowen's punch struck at the right moment, sending his opponent flying high into the air.
Swoosh… Thud!
The fallen figure crashed onto a pirate ship, smashing it to pieces instantly. The explosion's fiery light filled the sky, revealing numerous massive pirate ships emerging from the smoke.
Black flags, skull motifs, crescent shapes, and the number "eight" in white patterns!
This fleet unmistakably belonged to one of the Yonko of the New World, the Hundred Beasts Pirates!
And the person sent flying was none other than Yonko, "Hundred Beasts" Kaido!
"As expected, they've appeared! The Hundred Beasts Pirates!"
The elderly man who had been so sure that Kaido would show up couldn't help but squeeze his staff, and cold sweat dripped from his forehead.
Did Kaido appear to save Jack and King?
Ridiculous!
To that madman, failed subordinates held no value! Even if all three Disasters were defeated, he wouldn't think of rescuing them.
The only reason he came was that the Marines had sent two Admirals!
He came here to fight, nothing more!
"Wh-what should we do?" A trembling subordinate approached and whispered, his legs shaking. If he had the authority, he would have fled long ago.
Everyone knew of Kaido's madness!
This battle was no longer a stage for them to watch in peace. If they made even a slight mistake and got involved in the battle, they would be torn to shreds within minutes!
Escape, they had to escape!
"Run… run quickly!"
The elderly man dared not linger either. After saying this, he rushed into the cabin, urging the navigator to set sail swiftly.
Various factions secretly observing this situation were filled with trepidation. Submarines and small boats emerged from their hiding places, quickly fleeing into the distance.
Admirals versus Yonko!
The most terrifying battle in the world was about to unfold, and they had no qualifications to linger here!
(End of this chapter)
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