Akainu's unease deepened as Imai's ominous declaration filled the air. If she truly intended to unleash her full power, he needed every ounce of support available. Fortunately, a familiar figure flickered into place beside him.
"Kizaru, you're here," Akainu said, his voice tight with urgency.
"Yes, Fleet Admiral," Kizaru replied with his characteristic aloofness. "Shall we put an end to this? Together, we can take her down."
Akainu nodded. "No mistakes this time. Attack at once!"
Before either could act, Imai's voice cut through the chaos, chillingly close. "Can you two really afford to chat in the middle of battle?"
Akainu's instincts screamed danger. He spun just in time to coat his arm in Armament Haki, barely blocking Imai's blade as it came hurtling toward him.
Kizaru wasted no time, firing a concentrated light beam at Imai, but she dispelled it with a surge of lightning, sending a shockwave back that rattled even him. Staggering backward, Kizaru stared at the sparks still crackling in the air.
Imai examined her electrified palm with satisfaction. "You haven't seen anything yet," she said, her grin widening. "Allow me to demonstrate what full power truly means."
Akainu, recognizing the escalation, shouted, "Everyone, retreat! Now!"
But his warning came too late. The battlefield transformed into a hellscape as streaks of purple lightning slashed through the night, exploding with deafening booms. Marines screamed as bolts pierced their ranks, reducing entire squads to charred remnants.
Above the carnage, Imai floated, surrounded by an aura of lightning so dense that neither Akainu nor Kizaru could approach. The sheer intensity of her power dwarfed even the legendary capabilities of Enel.
"How does it feel, admirals?" Imai taunted, her voice echoing like thunder. "To watch your soldiers fall, powerless to stop it? Frustrating, isn't it?"
"Shut your mouth!" Akainu roared, forcing himself through the storm of lightning despite the burns searing his skin.
His determination, however, proved his undoing. In his recklessness, he failed to notice Imai's blade until it was too late. A sharp pain tore through his abdomen, and he froze in disbelief.
Imai stood before him, her dull red eyes gleaming with contempt. "Fleet Admiral Sakazuki, the mighty figurehead of justice," she mocked, withdrawing her blade. "You let your emotions blind you. How… disappointing."
Akainu collapsed to his knees, blood pooling beneath him.
Kizaru hesitated, torn between loyalty and survival. He looked at Akainu, then at the unstoppable force before him. Imai's gaze met his, a small smile playing on her lips.
"Well?" she asked, lowering her blade. "Do you want to continue this charade, or will you surrender like the rest?"
Kizaru said nothing. He watched as Imai turned her back on him, stepping onto the battlefield where the marines' will had already shattered.
Time seemed to blur as the pirates regrouped, the marines' forces decimated. Shanks stood over a retreating Fujitora, who had chosen to prioritize Akainu's survival.
In the center of the blood-soaked battlefield, Imai stood, her two swords drenched in crimson. She gazed at the night sky, her expression unreadable. Around her, the remaining marines trembled, paralyzed by fear.
"You… you're a monster!" one of them stammered.
"A devil!"
Imai chuckled softly, turning to face them. "If you can still talk, you can still run. Go. This battle is over."
The marines hesitated, then fled, leaving their fallen comrades behind. Imai's voice rose, addressing everyone still conscious.
"Listen closely!" she declared, her words commanding absolute attention. "This marks the end of this conflict, but also the beginning of something greater. From this moment on, I declare the formation of my pirate crew!"
She raised her blade high, electricity crackling around her. "We will be called The Seven Apostles. I am the captain, and Uta will be my vice-captain! The remaining positions will be filled by the strongest who prove themselves worthy. If you seek power, follow me to the New World!"
The proclamation sent shockwaves through the battlefield. Among the stunned listeners was Shanks, who turned to Uta.
"Did she tell you about this?" he asked.
Uta shook her head, her surprise giving way to a small smile. "No, but… I think this is what she meant by taking responsibility. I'll follow her."
Shanks sighed, his gaze softening. "Then I won't stop you."
As dawn broke, Elegia stood in ruins. Onboard their newly acquired ship, Imai and Uta leaned against the railing, their matching hoodies fluttering in the morning breeze.
"So," Uta asked, her voice light despite the weight of the battle behind them, "where to now, Captain?"
Imai smirked. "Wherever fate takes us."
The two laughed, their voices carrying over the sea, heralding the rise of a new era.