Regarding the appearance of Red-Haired Shanks, many viewers tuning into the live broadcast found themselves utterly astonished.
They hadn't anticipated that the Summit War was not just a clash between Whitebeard, one of the Four Emperors, and the Navy.
There was yet another Yonko involved?
The fact that a single contingent of the Whitebeard Pirates could throw the Navy Headquarters into such disarray was staggering.
Despite the Whitebeard Pirates being suppressed and beginning to retreat in humiliation!
Nevertheless, there was no denying that at this juncture, after the Whitebeard Pirates had sustained severe damage from the Navy Headquarters... the Navy's own vigor had been severely compromised, far from its peak.
If the Red-Haired Pirates were to intervene at this critical moment, would Marine Headquarters be able to withstand it?
One must understand that the Four Emperors are all formidable in their own right, and the might of any one of them cannot be underestimated!
Shanks, in particular, has garnered much attention as a newly arisen force on the seas in recent years!
Yet, no one has truly witnessed his full power.
Could it be that in this conflict, people will finally witness the fearsome might of the Red-Haired Pirates?
Shanks's presence was imposing, with many crew members of the Red-Haired Pirates standing in a formidable line behind him.
His stance was clear. Should the Navy refuse to accept his proposition and would persist in hunting down not only the Whitebeard Pirates but even Luffy.
In such an eventuality, the entire Red-Haired Pirate crew would not hesitate to join the fray and fight with the Navy!
Despite the pirates' brazen threat, countless hearts within the Navy brimmed with indignation.
Yet, at this moment, the Navy's Fleet Admiral, Sengoku, remained silent...
For he knew all too well that Shanks's words were not a direct challenge to the Navy's authority.
On the contrary, they offered a potential compromise to the Navy.
Despite appearances of the Whitebeard Pirates being pursued by the Navy, it was because they knew they still had a chance to escape and were shielding Luffy.
"If Luffy is killed and the remaining division captains of the Whitebeard Pirates retaliate, it will deal a severe blow to the Navy."
"Moreover, if Luffy dies, the legendary Marine hero Garp will lose his restraint!"
"If he were to lose control, his formidable power would not only wreak havoc on the navy, but also tarnish the honor of Marine heroes across the headquarters and around the world."
"Perhaps, as Shanks suggested, it's time for this war to end."
"After all, the Navy has achieved its objective, not only by executing Ace, the son of Roger, the former Pirate King."
"It even led to the demise of Whitebeard, one of the Four Emperors and renowned as the strongest man in the world."
"The Navy's objectives have been fulfilled!"
"At the same time, Blackbeard, the greatest beneficiary of the war, caught sight of Shanks."
"He was left dumbfounded."
"Outsiders are unaware of the history between him and Shanks."
"Even as Shanks laid eyes on him, a trace of unmasked hostility flickered in his gaze."
" 'Blackbeard, one day the debt between us will be settled,' " Shanks declared with a fierce expression, sending shivers down Blackbeard's spine.
"He knew all too well that his victory over Whitebeard came when the latter was gravely weakened."
"But facing a fully empowered Red-Haired Shanks was a different story altogether!"
"He had no desire to meet the same fate as Whitebeard, perishing in battle shortly after acquiring the powers of the Gura Gura no Mi."
" 'Now is not the time to provoke the Red-Haired Pirates. Everyone, retreat!' "
"At Blackbeard's command, the entire crew of the Blackbeard Pirates made a hasty departure."
"Neither the Navy nor the other pirates could impede their escape."
[Among the chaos of the Whitebeard Pirates's retreat, Luffy and the others slipped onto Law's pirate ship from the depths of the sea, making a smooth escape.]
[At this critical moment, Fleet Admiral Sengoku rose to his feet.]
["Shanks, I accept your proposal. Let this war come to an end."]
...
And thus, as Sengoku, the Navy's Fleet Admiral, acquiesced to Shanks' truce.
So much had been sacrificed in this war.
Both Whitebeard pirates and Marines had suffered countless losses because of it!
Continuing down this path would only lead to more casualties...
With this the Summit War has ended.
Even just to quell the fury of the entire Whitebeard Pirates.
The Navy Headquarters agreed to entrust the bodies of Whitebeard and Ace to Shanks for proper disposal.
It was a final gesture of respect to these two titans of the sea!
As the curtains fell on the scene, viewers worldwide remained deeply engrossed in the events unfolding above, unable to break free from the grip of the war.
There were too many revelations stemming from this conflict!
Too many moments of shock...
Not only had it been revealed that Ace, the second division captain of the Whitebeard Pirates, was the biological son of the late Pirate King, Gol D. Roger.
Witnessing the fall of Whitebeard, one of the Four Emperors renowned as the strongest beings in the world, only added to the shock.
And the betrayal of Blackbeard, once a member of the Whitebeard Pirates, was laid bare for all to see!
Of all the individuals involved in this conflict, Luffy and Blackbeard left the most indelible impressions.
The former endured unimaginable suffering...
To rescue his brother, he unhesitatingly journeyed to Marineford alone, ready to engage in the war without his crew by his side.
He proved himself the most dedicated in the fight to save Ace, tirelessly striving amidst the chaos.
Though Ace was ultimately rescued through perilous means, Luffy had to endure the harrowing sight of his brother's demise.
The weight of his anguish overwhelmed him, causing Luffy to collapse in unconsciousness.
The onlookers couldn't fathom the extent of suffering his young frame had endured.
Throughout countless battles, Luffy had always stood unwaveringly, resilient against even the fiercest enemies.
Yet, witnessing his brother's death brought him to his knees in a state of coma.
Tears flowed from countless eyes, moved by his plight.
The Straw Hat Pirates, too, were gripped by a somber silence, questioning why they weren't by Luffy's side in such a crucial moment.
Had Luffy been the deceased, they would have wept and sympathized with him.
Blackbeard, however, as the latter, stirred anger in the hearts of many for his actions.
Yet, to some, they epitomized true pirates!
Emerging as the greatest victor of the war, Blackbeard emerged unscathed and claimed the life of his former captain, Whitebeard.
Moreover, he seized Whitebeard's prized Devil Fruit ability for himself!
Exploiting the chaos between the Navy and pirates, he liberated countless criminals from Impel Down, forming his own Blackbeard Pirates.
Wasn't he the ultimate winner?
The Whitebeard Pirates seethed with fury at Blackbeard's audacity.
Now they understood why Ace would meet his fate in the future.
And why Fishman Island, once under Whitebeard's protection, fell under the dominion of Big Mom.
The root of it all lay here...
All the righteous souls vowed to hunt down Blackbeard and bring him to justice!
Put an end to this tragedy!
Among them were the Straw Hat Pirates, with Luffy harboring a deep-seated memory of Blackbeard's face.
Should the day come when they cross paths at sea... Luffy swore to defeat him without a moment's hesitation!
He then relayed this resolve to his brother, entrusting Ace with the task personally!
"I promise, I'll make sure of it. I won't stand by and watch Ace perish before my eyes. I'll keep him safe!
...
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