Max's power was undeniable, and as he hovered above them, he realized that they were just two pieces in the grand scheme of his plans. "This world… will bow before me," Max muttered, eyes narrowing with cold light.
As Akoiji narrowed his eyes hearing him, Akainu gritted his teeth as he looked at his hands which is not now lost as he gritted his teeth in anger.
The Marines, witnessing the overwhelming display of power, began to realize they were outmatched. Despite their best efforts, they couldn't seem to break through Max's defense. The battle was far from over, but it was clear that Max was not only a formidable enemy, but an unstoppable force.
"Now, surrender, and I'll use you only as hostages. Resist, and I will kill you all," Max declared, his voice resonating with authority as he looked down at the Marines. He added, "I'm showing mercy because, no matter how corrupt the Marine organization may be, its presence is still necessary on the seas."
Aokiji sighed, lowering his head slightly as he raised his hands in surrender. 'At least he's not the type to cause chaos just for pleasure,' Aokiji thought. Any further fighting would only lead to needless death, and he knew this was the best option.
Akainu, however, seethed with fury. "What are you doing, Aokiji?" he barked, glaring at his fellow admiral. "How can you call yourself a Marine if you're surrendering to a pirate?! Fight him to the end!"
Aokiji's gaze hardened, and in an uncharacteristic move, he swiftly punched Akainu across the face with a powerful Soru-enhanced strike. "Shut up, Akainu! Stop letting your twisted pride blind you!" Aokiji shouted angrily. "This whole mess was because of you—this unnecessary show of force that led to three Vice Admirals dead and countless Marines lost. And now we're outmatched because you refused a simple exchange."
He gestured to the defeated bodies of other Marines and the destruction around them, the cost of Akainu's reckless approach evident.
Max watched the exchange between Aokiji and Akainu with a cold smirk, observing as Aokiji firmly rebuked his colleague. Aokiji's frustration was evident; he wasn't blind to the cost of the Marines' ruthlessness. Akainu's anger, meanwhile, simmered as he glared at Aokiji, barely containing his outrage.
"You don't understand, Aokiji," Akainu snarled, clenching his fist. "Our duty is absolute. We can't let pirates like him dictate terms. Strength is the only way to bring order!"
Aokiji met Akainu's gaze evenly. "And look where that's gotten us," he replied quietly. "Marines innocents, sacrificed… and now? Three Vice Admirals gone because of your unwillingness to compromise. This path leads only to more casualties—needless, senseless casualties."
Max let out a low chuckle, his eyes glinting with dark amusement. "It seems even within the Marines, not all of you are as cold-hearted as others," he said, watching Akainu's expression darken further. "But let me be clear: if you refuse my offer, I'll leave none alive to continue this flawed 'justice' you cling to. Your power is nothing compared to what I wield now. Do you really want to risk everything for pride?"
A tense silence hung in the air as Aokiji sighed and lowered his hands in a sign of submission, finally recognizing that they had no real choice. His gaze turned toward Max, showing a sliver of understanding.
"For now, we'll do as you say," Aokiji said, ignoring Akainu's look of disgust. "But know that the Marines won't stand by forever."
Max's smile was cold as he regarded his prisoners, snapping his fingers to summon dark, pulsing chains that wrapped around Akainu and Aokiji, binding them securely. Akainu's usual defiance was absent, his gaze wary as he realized the stakes. Even he knew that any resistance now could mean death. Max's eyes lingered on Aokiji, evaluating him.
'Aokiji… he's close. Just one more push, and he might become the Marine he should be,' Max mused to himself.
Turning to the Marines left standing on the shore, he called out, "Go and tell your Dog King: if he wants his three Admirals back, he'll need to offer three Logia or Mythical Zoan fruits in exchange." With that, Max took to the air, his captives in tow, and returned to his ship.
Onboard, Kizaru greeted them with his usual nonchalance, a faint grin on his face. "Yo~," he drawled, despite his own restraints. Akainu glared at him, and Aokiji simply sighed, adjusting his blindfold, resigned to the situation.
"Tsk, tsk~," Kizaru clicked his tongue, a mocking smile on his lips. "I can't tell if I should feel honored that you're trading us like commodities… or insulted that you don't even consider us a threat."
Max's gaze turned sharp as he looked down at his captive. "Would you like to be dead instead?" he asked, his tone leaving no room for humor. Kizaru's teasing demeanor faltered, and he let out a nervous chuckle.
"So scary…," Kizaru muttered.
Max snapped his fingers again, and the dark chains coiled around Kizaru's mouth, silencing him.
Satisfied, Max surveyed his captured Admirals. This exchange wasn't just a victory; it was a message. The world would soon know that even the Marine Admirals weren't beyond his reach. And if the Marines wanted them back, they'd have to bow to his terms.
"Though I doubt they'll take this lightly," Max mused, a sharp gleam in his eyes. "Capturing their three peak combat powers means I'm now a threat they can't ignore. The World Government will make their move soon enough."
The others exchanged glances, smirking at the thought. "Haha, let them come," Leon laughed. "I was getting bored anyway."
Bullet cracked his neck with a grin. "I'd like to see how far I've come."
Necxt added, "I want to crush them myself, to destroy their hold over everything."
Patrick, lounging nearby, sighed. "Ahh, I was thinking of just laying around… but I guess you won't let me," he said, rolling his eyes, though a hint of excitement betrayed him.
Max shrugged, smirking. "Either way, let's head to the real stage. Enough wandering through the New World. It's time to send the message."
"So… Sabaody Archipelago then?" Bullet asked.
Max nodded, his gaze piercing into the horizon. Sabaody would be the perfect place to start making the world understand his power.
***
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