The black hole vortex continued emitting black lightning bolts around it as it started shrinking second by second.
Katahara: That shit is going to collapse soon.
Ryu: At least that bastard won't be here anymore.
Katahara: Dying is not in my plans... Bring the others quickly, we don't have time.
As he activated Susano, the top part of Susano, which started as mere bones, began showing tissues, then muscles and skin, and finally a pure black armor.
Susano covered the four challengers of Im Sama.
Ryu: You're at your limit... if you keep pushing like this.
Katahara: No...
As Katahara started bleeding from both eyes.
Ryu: Damn it, you're crying blood... no, you'll die from hemorrhage if you keep going like this.
But before he could say anything else.
The black hole vortex turned into a small black dot for a few seconds and then expanded immensely, unleashing an explosion that destroyed a large part of Mary Geose.
The shockwave reached even Red Port, where the allied armies were.
Ryuma: Everyone, protect the artifact.
Laffitte: We have to go up... I have a bad feeling...
Shiryu: You're not the only one with that thought, look at the commanders of the other factions...
Aslaug: We have to be the first ones to reach the top... and prevent those bastards from trying anything...
The expansive wave finally stopped, and all the commanders wasted no time and headed towards what remained of Mary Geose.
Meanwhile, at the top of Mary Geose.
Two people were emerging from the midst of the ground, moving rocks and debris.
These two individuals were the only surviving members of the Gorosei.
It's all over... everything.
We can still put an end to those who caused this... before their reinforcements arrive.
As they began to search for Ryu and Katahara,
They weren't the only survivors.
The commanders of the Black Crow were still alive, thanks to Laxus, who maximized his Dragon Slayer magic, and Dabi, who awakened his Devil Fruit, creating a sphere that protected them as much as possible from all the explosions.
Van Augur: Those bastards from the Gorosei are still alive.
Laxus: We need to find our captain.
Dabi: If another battle breaks out, only Augur is in a condition to fight.
Laxus: Use your ring to communicate with the others, inform them of our situation.
Meanwhile, elsewhere,
Saint Mohanda Marts: I found the traitor...
Saint William Venus: He's with Monkey D. Dragon...
Saint Mohanda Marts: The others must be close... King Crow...
Katahara was lying face down on a rock, covered in wounds, especially on his body.
Saint Mohanda Marts: An incredible sword... there is no greater shame than dying by your own sword.
As he held the Shodai Kitetsu, aiming at Katahara's neck,
Saint William Venus dragged Dragon and Akagami's bodies to place them near Katahara.
Saint Mohanda Marts: Die by your own sword, you damn...
But before the Shodai Kitetsu could reach Katahara's neck.
BAM
Saint Mohanda Marts took a shot to the chest.
Van Augur: I didn't let you do it.
Saint William Venus: So, you survived...
As Van Augur began shooting at point-blank range,
Saint Mohanda Marts deflected all the shots with his sword.
Laxus: Damn it, just die already!
As he started releasing lightning bolts from his hands.
Meanwhile, Dabi was trying to reach Katahara, but was stopped by Saint William Venus.
To Saint William Venus' surprise, a sword made of light pierced through his chest.
Kizaru: Returning the favor.
Dabi: Die.
As he unleashed a burst of blue fire.
Ending Saint William Venus' life.
Kizaru: Kuzan, he survived.
While that was happening, Ryu managed to stand up while trying to help Katahara.
When Ryu turned to see where Kuzan was, he could see Luffy crying over someone, while nearby, the others were facing the last member of the Gorosei.
Ryu: Damn it... this isn't over yet... wake up, you bastard...
Delivering a strong punch to Katahara's face.
Saint Mohanda Marts: Shit, you damn...
Being shot in the chest and hit by dark rays from behind.
Only for Kuzan to appear on top of him, freezing him.
At that exact moment, Katahara opened his eyes, bloodshot.
Laxus: Augur, riddle that bastard with bullets now.
Augur didn't miss the opportunity and started shooting at point-blank range.
To everyone's surprise, the last member of the Gorosei survived all the shots.
The member of the Gorosei knelt, plunging his sword into the ground as he raised his gaze to the sky.
Ryu and Katahara managed to stand up, thanks to their superhuman effort.
Ryu: It's the end... you're the last remnant of that old government...
Katahara separated from Ryu to retrieve his sword.
Ryu: You know it... Look at the sky one last time, old man.
At that moment, the Gorosei's sword flew through the air, straight into Katahara's hands.
Augur: Sir, you should rest... try not to move.
Katahara ignored him and headed towards Dragon and Akagami.
Ryu: I will erase your existence. There won't even be a record of your existence.
As he decapitated the head of the last member of the Gorosei.
Kuzan: In the end, this old man died...
Kizaru: This war claimed more lives than we expected... Garp-san.
As he turned to look at Garp.
Ryu: What the hell are you doing, Katahara?
Katahara took the Gorosei's sword and pierced it through the heart of Akagami no Shanks.
Katahara: The end justifies the means...
Ryu: This wasn't part of the plan, do you understand? Another war will be unleashed the moment the Red-Haired Pirates arrive...
Katahara: What my men witnessed was the last member of the Gorosei cold-bloodedly killing one of their own kind... Figarland Akagami, a celestial dragon traitor.
Ryu: Celestial Dragon...
Katahara: One less threat to your perfect world... but as a bonus, I'll give you the poison that ended the lives of Dracule Mihawk, the world's greatest swordsman, and Sengoku the Buddha... not a bad plan, right?
Ryu: You're despicable... Akagami deserved a better death, not to die like a mere dog...
As Katahara held Gryphon, Akagami's sword.
(Maybe many won't like the way Shanks died, but human history has shown us that not all great characters can die in a glorious manner.)