[OP Marine Officer Luffy] Chapter 511 - 515

Chapter 511: Life Card Burns, Three People in Doubt

"EMPEROR SWORD: PROMETHEUS CASCADE!"

Big Mom's thunderous voice echoed across the battlefield as she brought Napoleon down in a devastating arc, flames and soul energy swirling around the massive blade.

Faced with the Emperor's overwhelming attack, Kizaru considered attempting to parry—for approximately half a second. His realistic assessment of the situation quickly overrode any notion of standing his ground.

"If I take even one direct hit from that," he thought, "I'll definitely be sent flying farther than Sakazuki was. No, better to get out of the way."

In the fraction of a moment before Big Mom's attack could connect, Kizaru dissolved into particles of light, his Logia abilities allowing him to evade the giant sword completely. Big Mom's blade carved through empty air where he had stood just milliseconds earlier.

This tactical retreat granted Kizaru a perfect vantage point to witness the terrifying destructive power of the Emperor's strike. Though her sword had touched nothing but air, the sheer force of the swing created a pressure wave that sliced through the sea itself, carving a trench several hundred meters long in the water's surface.

Kizaru's eyebrows rose above his tinted glasses as he observed the aftermath. This wasn't even a flying slash technique—the damage had been caused solely by the air pressure generated by her sword's movement.

If the mere wind from her sword can cause such devastation, he thought with a rare moment of genuine concern, I don't even want to imagine what would happen if that blade actually landed on me.

Regret began to settle in. Why had he thought challenging an Emperor to a sword duel was a good idea? So what if Sakazuki had been knocked away? He wasn't dead—in fact, the magma-man was already visible in the distance, using Moon Walk to make his way back to the battlefield.

There's no need for me to risk my life out of some misplaced sense of guilt, Kizaru reasoned. Besides, the government never explicitly ordered us to kill Big Mom. I could just fire lasers from a safe distance until Garp arrives with reinforcements, then call it a day.

In typical fashion, Kizaru's mind rapidly generated excuses to justify a strategic withdrawal. He had already begun contemplating how to frame his retreat as "providing tactical support to other Marine units" when Sakazuki finally returned, landing on a nearby piece of floating wreckage.

The lava Admiral had initially intended to confront Kizaru about the earlier "accident" that had sent him flying into danger. However, having witnessed the exchange of blows between his colleague and Big Mom, Sakazuki's anger was temporarily replaced by strategic calculation.

Despite Kizaru's notorious laziness, the effort he'd displayed in facing Big Mom suggested he was genuinely committed to the fight. This realization delighted Sakazuki, who quickly set aside his grievances in favor of seizing the tactical advantage.

"Borsalino!" he called out, his deep voice carrying across the water. "I'll help you—let's take her down together!"

As he spoke, Sakazuki thrust both fists forward, magma bubbling around his forearms as he prepared to launch a barrage of lava projectiles.

Kizaru's internal reaction was one of stunned disbelief.

Wait, what? You want ME to be the primary attacker while YOU provide support? he thought incredulously. Shouldn't YOU be on the front lines trading blows with this monster? Why am I the one who has to face her directly while you attack from a distance?

Please—I don't have your resilience or raw power!

Despite these internal protests, Kizaru maintained his usual neutral expression, making no move to follow Sakazuki's implied battle plan.

Noticing his colleague's hesitation, Sakazuki frowned and opened his mouth to press the issue.

Before he could speak, however, something unexpected happened. Big Mom, who had been keeping a wary eye on both Admirals, suddenly froze in place. Her expression shifted from battle-ready to shocked as she reached into the folds of her dress, withdrawing a small piece of paper that was rapidly burning away before their eyes.

The paper had already diminished to half its original size, blackened edges crumbling to ash that scattered in the wind.

The Emperor's face contorted with disbelief as she stared at the disintegrating object.

"Kaido? How is this possible?!" she exclaimed, her voice a mixture of shock and denial.

Her outcry immediately captured the attention of both Admirals.

Sakazuki instantly recognized what she held—a Vivre Card, created through a special technique using a portion of the owner's fingernail. These magical papers represented the life force of their owners and could guide the bearer toward whoever the card was linked to.

Seeing the Vivre Card burning almost completely away, and hearing Big Mom's words, Sakazuki arrived at an unthinkable conclusion. His body tensed involuntarily as his face mirrored the Emperor's expression of shock.

Kizaru reached the same realization simultaneously. The implications were staggering. After his initial surprise, he turned to Sakazuki, seeking confirmation of what seemed impossible.

"Hey, Sakazuki," he drawled, though there was an uncharacteristic edge to his normally lazy tone. "Are you absolutely sure that the only ones facing Kaido were Luffy and his ragtag group of women?"

He paused, then offered an alternative explanation—one that even he didn't find convincing.

"Perhaps Garp was more concerned than we thought and headed there alone? If it was him, it wouldn't be entirely impossible for him to reach Wano using Moon Walk, right?"

Sakazuki finally snapped out of his stunned silence at Kizaru's words. He frowned deeply, shaking his head in firm denial.

"Impossible," he muttered. "Even for that old monster, reaching Wano so quickly would be beyond his capabilities."

His scowl deepened as he considered other possibilities.

"What's really going on here? Could Fleet Admiral Sengoku have withheld information from us? He wouldn't have secretly deployed Kuzan to Wano, would he?"

Kizaru continued searching for any reasonable explanation that might make sense of what they were witnessing.

Neither Admiral considered for a moment that Luffy might be responsible for what had happened to Kaido. It wasn't that they underestimated the young pirate's abilities—both had personally witnessed his formidable strength and acknowledged his potential.

But to their minds, regardless of talent or power, he was still essentially a teenager.

Chapter 512: Kizaru: Wuhu~ I'm on Sick Leave Again~

The two Admirals could readily accept that Luffy might have been capable of injuring Kaido enough to cause his Vivre Card to begin burning. After all, they had both witnessed the young marine remarkable growth and potential firsthand.

But to believe that Luffy could defeat Kaido so thoroughly that his Vivre Card would nearly burn away entirely? That possibility had never even crossed their minds.

While Sakazuki and Borsalino were still wrestling with this confounding situation, another anguished cry escaped from Big Mom. The sound jolted them from their deliberations, drawing their attention back to the Emperor.

What they saw left them stunned—the remnants of Kaido's Vivre Card disintegrating completely in Big Mom's trembling hand. The last blackened fragments crumbled to ash, carried away by the sea breeze without a trace.

The two Admirals were completely dumbfounded.

A partially burned Vivre Card would have indicated that Kaido was gravely injured—which would have been shocking enough. The Beast Emperor possessed such legendary durability that even serious wounds would be little more than temporary setbacks, requiring minimal treatment before he returned to full strength.

But this—the complete incineration of the Vivre Card—could mean only one thing: Kaido, the owner of the card, was dead.

Kaido. The "World's Strongest Creature." One of the Four Emperors who had dominated the New World for decades. The pirate who had survived countless execution attempts, , who had made defeating the undefeatable his life's pursuit.

They could comprehend the possibility of him being wounded, but the reality before them suggested something incomprehensible—the most indestructible of the Four Emperors had actually perished.

Who could have accomplished such a feat? they wondered. Admiral Kuzan? Fleet Admiral Sengoku? Or had "Fist" Garp added yet another impossible victory to his already legendary career?

Both Admirals were utterly bewildered. No one had informed them of the specifics unfolding on the other battlefield. No Den Den Mushi call had arrived with updates, no messenger had brought news of such a monumental development.

Yet one fact seemed undeniable: one of the Four Emperors who had ruled the New World with an iron fist was dead. And the most likely explanation was that he had fallen to the Marines' forces.

If true, this marked an unprecedented triumph for the World Government. The balance of power in the New World was about to undergo a seismic shift, all thanks to the efforts of their organization!

Looking up at Big Mom, they observed her frozen in shock—eyes wide with disbelief, body rigid, completely unresponsive to the frantic calls of her three main Homies: Zeus, Prometheus, and Napoleon.

A gleam of triumph flashed in Sakazuki's eyes. Setting aside all his earlier doubts, he shouted to his fellow Admiral:

"Borsalino! Now's our chance! Let's deliver a perfect ending to this war!"

Without waiting for a response, Akainu launched himself forward, eagerly moving to engage the distracted Emperor while she was vulnerable.

Kizaru, true to form, hesitated a beat longer, weighing the potential outcomes of various courses of action.

Now that she's learned of Kaido's death, he reasoned, Big Mom surely won't risk her life for a fallen ally. The logical next step for her would be retreat.

And once she began to withdraw, their mission would effectively be complete. He could clock out early and avoid unnecessary danger.

The thought brought a rare gleam of genuine enthusiasm to Kizaru's eyes.

While he lacked the motivation to face an Emperor at full strength, he had no reservations about pursuing one in retreat. In fact, the idea of being perceived as a diligent Marine heroically chasing down a fleeing Emperor held considerable appeal.

"BREAKING NEWS: Emperor Charlotte Linlin Defeated and Flees! Admiral Borsalino Pursues Relentlessly, Fighting for Justice Until the End!"

Kizaru could already envision tomorrow's newspaper headlines. It wasn't fame he coveted—rather, he saw an opportunity to leverage such positive press to negotiate additional vacation days from Fleet Admiral Sengoku.

The mere thought of lounging on his sofa at home, sipping tea while contemplating the profound mysteries of life, filled Borsalino with such excitement that his body instinctively transformed into streaming light.

In the blink of an eye, he surged past Akainu, arriving alone before the still-stunned Emperor.

"Sorry," he muttered with uncharacteristic focus, "but for the sake of my vacation... you'll have to go down!"

As he spoke, Kizaru raised his right leg high, gathering concentrated light at the sole of his foot. His target: the back of Big Mom's head.

No matter how formidable her defenses might be, he calculated, a direct hit to the cranium from my light kick would cause internal damage from the shockwave alone.

Just as Kizaru prepared to unleash his attack, the dazed Emperor spoke in a barely audible murmur:

"How shameful, Kaido... to be defeated just like that."

Staring at her empty palms with hollow eyes, Big Mom continued her solemn monologue:

"We've known each other for more than forty years. Since Rocks' death and the disbanding of his crew, we've faced countless challenges together. We persevered through everything this world threw at us."

Her voice grew heavier with each word.

"Why did you have to die now, of all times? Without a fearsome presence like yours, this new era will be meaningless!"

The final words transformed into a roar of grief and rage. In that instant, the full force of her Conqueror's Haki exploded outward like an invisible tsunami.

Borsalino, caught at point-blank range, felt his consciousness flicker momentarily under the extraordinary pressure. Though he recovered within seconds, that brief lapse proved catastrophic.

When his awareness fully returned, he found Big Mom directly before him—eyes bloodshot with fury, face contorted in a mask of primal rage. Napoleon, her sentient sword, blazed in her grip, simultaneously wreathed in flames, crackling with lightning, and coated in the black sheen of Armament Haki, all further amplified by the crimson aura of her Conqueror's Haki.

Pinned by the overwhelming pressure of her Haki, even Kizaru's legendary speed failed him. As the great sword began its descent, a resigned sigh escaped his lips:

"Well, that's just great. I don't know if I'll get my regular vacation time... but I'll definitely have plenty of sick leave..."

Chapter 513: Big Mom's Retreat, Victory News

Big Mom's sudden outburst of grief-fueled rage caught both Admirals completely off guard.

Akainu watched helplessly as Kizaru took a direct hit from Napoleon. The blade, enhanced with multiple forms of Haki and elemental power, cut through the Light-Man's defenses. Blood sprayed into the air before falling in crimson droplets upon the churning sea below.

After just a moment of hesitation—weighing the opportunity to strike at Big Mom against the life of a fellow Admiral—Akainu made his decision. He abandoned any thought of pursuing the Emperor and instead launched himself into the air with Moon Walk, racing to catch Kizaru's plummeting form.

Big Mom stood panting heavily, her massive chest heaving with exertion and emotion. She watched the two Marines with a mixture of rage and sorrow in her eyes, then raised her head to survey the battlefield around her.

Although Kaido's death had delivered a devastating emotional blow, the veteran pirate maintained enough rationality to assess her tactical situation. She wasn't the only one who possessed a Vivre Card linked to Kaido—other Beast Pirates commanders would have felt it burn away as well.

Indeed, looking across the battlefield, she could see the Beast Pirates' formations already falling into disarray. Someone had clearly discovered their captain's death and spread the news, causing ripples of panic throughout their ranks.

In these circumstances, continuing the battle offered no strategic advantage.

Big Mom cast one final contemptuous glance toward Akainu and the wounded Kizaru, then quickly issued an order to Prometheus, who hovered at her feet in the form of a flaming cloud:

"Retreat! Return to Whole Cake Island!"

The sentient flame could sense the dangerous mix of emotions boiling within his creator's heart. Without the slightest hesitation, Prometheus responded obediently:

"Yes, Mama."

Immediately, the living fire expanded beneath Big Mom's feet, preparing to transport her away from the battlefield. As they turned to depart, Big Mom didn't waste time—she projected her voice across the battlefield, simultaneously relaying retreat orders to her Sweet Commanders Katakuri and Perospero, as well as other key family members leading different sections of her forces.

Within minutes, the combined pirate alliance began a large-scale withdrawal. However, due to the chaotic disintegration of the Beast Pirates' command structure, what began as an organized retreat quickly deteriorated into a disorderly rout.

After successfully reaching Kizaru and bringing his bleeding form to safety aboard one of the few Marine warships still in serviceable condition, Akainu wasted no time. His eyes gleamed with the opportunity before him—a retreating Emperor, her forces in disarray, and the potential for a historic victory within his grasp.

The Magma-Man immediately issued commands to all available Marine vessels, organizing a massive pursuit operation against the fleeing pirates.

Akainu and his fleet gave chase relentlessly, pursuing the enemy all the way to the outer reaches of Wano Country's territorial waters. It was only when Big Mom began launching indiscriminate, wide-scale attacks—endangering her own retreating forces as much as the pursuing Marines—that Akainu finally gave the order to halt their advance.

After patrolling the outer seas for several more hours, observing Big Mom personally gathering her scattered forces and establishing a defensive line, Akainu reluctantly ordered the fleet to return. Despite his bloodthirsty nature and desire to press the advantage, even he recognized the diminishing returns of further pursuit.

The Marines sailed back toward their established positions, carrying news of their significant victory.

Meanwhile, at Marine Headquarters, the central conference room—typically reserved for only the most critical strategic meetings—was filled to capacity. Senior Marine officers wearing the white cloaks of justice sat in tense silence, waiting for updates from the battlefield.

At the head of the room sat the three most senior figures in the organization: Fleet Admiral Sengoku, Chief of Staff Tsuru, and Chief Instructor Zephyr.

A heavy atmosphere permeated the chamber. Since receiving reports that Admiral Akainu was engaging Charlotte Linlin while Luffy had somehow ended up facing Kaido alone with only the G-66 branch for support, every high-ranking officer at headquarters had been summoned to this emergency session.

Hours had passed without updates from either front. The silence was becoming increasingly ominous.

One group had expected Luffy to report back immediately after the battle—win or lose—given his typically straightforward nature. The other group, led by Akainu, was likely too consumed with pursuit operations to provide timely status reports.

In the conference room, the tension had built to such a degree that no one dared speak above a whisper. They all understood the gravity of the situation—this was a coordinated attack involving two of the Four Emperors. The danger was so extreme that the loss of even a Vice Admiral or higher wouldn't be surprising.

The continued absence of news seemed to confirm their worst fears: the battles had gone even more poorly than anticipated.

Just as the anxiety in the room approached an unbearable peak, the sudden ringing of a Den Den Mushi shattered the silence. Every head snapped toward the sound, all eyes focusing on Sengoku seated at the head of the table.

The transponder snail's mouth began moving animatedly, indicating an incoming transmission.

Sengoku, despite his own intense concern, maintained the composed demeanor expected of a Fleet Admiral. Looking at the loudly ringing Den Den Mushi, he gathered his resolve before calmly lifting the receiver.

"This is Sengoku speaking."

Before any coherent response came through, the snail transmitted sounds of celebration—cheers and jubilant voices erupting in the background.

Hearing these unmistakable sounds of victory, everyone in the conference room immediately straightened in their seats. Even the typically stoic Sengoku couldn't contain a flash of excitement as he pressed for details:

"What's happening? Is the battle concluded? Have we prevailed? Report immediately!"

"EVERYONE, QUIET DOWN!"

Admiral Akainu's authoritative voice cut through the background noise. The cheering diminished in volume but didn't disappear entirely—the excitement was too great to be completely silenced.

Once the noise had subsided to an acceptable level, Akainu continued, his tone formal but unable to fully conceal the satisfaction underlying his words:

"Fleet Admiral, I'm pleased to report that we have successfully completed our mission. Our forces have defeated Charlotte Linlin and her pirate alliance. We're still assessing the exact outcomes and casualties, but there is no question that the Marines have achieved a decisive victory!"

"EXCELLENT!"

"I knew the Beasts and Big Mom Pirates would be no match for our forces!"

"As expected of Admiral Akainu—even the Four Emperors pale in comparison to the World Government's ultimate fighting force!"

Cheers erupted throughout the conference room as the Marine officers reacted to the news. The oppressive atmosphere that had dominated the meeting instantly evaporated, replaced by an air of triumph and relief.

Chapter 514: The Marines: You've Got to Be Kidding Us!

Though the three senior officers—Sengoku, Tsuru, and Zephyr—shared in the collective joy that filled the conference room, they maintained their composure as befitted their rank. The celebration couldn't overshadow their responsibility to assess the full situation.

Vice Admiral Tsuru was the first to focus on practical matters, her voice cutting through the cheers.

"What about casualties? What losses have we sustained?"

Akainu, recognizing her voice through the Den Den Mushi, responded with appropriate gravity:

"Initially, our forces suffered significant damage because we engaged before all personnel had arrived at their positions. However, we received timely support from Admiral Borsalino and then several branch commanders."

He paused briefly before continuing.

"Overall, casualties remained within anticipated parameters. The most serious injury was sustained by Admiral Borsalino toward the end of the conflict. The full casualty report is still being compiled."

"Borsalino is injured?" Sengoku immediately leaned forward, his momentary jubilation replaced by concern. "Is his life in danger?"

Fortunately, Akainu had better news on that front. Kizaru had sustained a deep cut across his chest, but the wound had already been treated by the fleet's medical staff. Though serious, it wasn't life-threatening.

What surprised everyone at headquarters, however, was Akainu's subsequent praise for his fellow Admiral.

"Borsalino performed admirably during the battle," he reported, an unusual note of respect in his typically harsh voice. "His engagement with Big Mom was critical to our success."

"Are we talking about the same Kizaru?" Sengoku couldn't hide his astonishment. "The man actually put forth genuine effort for once? The sun truly is rising from the west."

Because the praise came from Akainu—famously stringent in his assessments—no one questioned its validity.

Only Zephyr muttered something under his breath, his expression suggesting deep skepticism. Everyone knew the friction that existed between him and Kizaru over their wildly different approaches to duty.

After reporting the general situation, Akainu raised the question that had been puzzling him since witnessing Big Mom's Vivre Card burn away.

"Fleet Admiral, did you dispatch Admiral Kuzan to help Vice Admiral Luffy without informing us? Or perhaps Vice Admiral Garp decided to change course and help his grandson? Advance notice would have allowed us to coordinate our efforts more effectively."

"What?" Sengoku's confusion was evident even through the Den Den Mushi.

He turned to look at the front row of the conference room, where Admiral Aokiji sat with his sleep mask pushed up onto his forehead, looking equally bewildered.

"Aokiji, did you receive any special orders regarding Wano?"

Kuzan, who had been peacefully napping until the commotion began, shook his head slowly.

"Arara~ I've been right here at headquarters," he drawled, stretching his long limbs. "No special missions for me."

He glanced at Sengoku with raised eyebrows, clearly hoping for an explanation himself.

But Sengoku was just as perplexed. He hadn't issued any special directives concerning Wano beyond the containment operation assigned to Akainu and Kizaru.

"Sakazuki, explain precisely what you're referring to," Sengoku demanded.

Akainu frowned at the other end of the connection. If this wasn't arranged by Fleet Admiral Sengoku, what exactly was happening?

Without holding anything back, he described how Big Mom had revealed Kaido's burning Vivre Card—and how that card had completely disintegrated, indicating the Emperor's death.

"WHAT?! KAIDO IS DEAD?!"

Sengoku could no longer maintain his composure. He shot to his feet, his glasses nearly falling from his face in shock.

Beside him, both Tsuru and Zephyr widened their eyes in disbelief. Even the perpetually calm Tsuru couldn't conceal her astonishment.

Aokiji's jaw dropped open, any trace of sleepiness vanishing instantly.

The reaction spread like wildfire through the assembly of senior officers. The conference room erupted into chaos, voices rising in a cacophony of shock, disbelief, and excited speculation.

Some officers whispered to each other in hushed, incredulous tones. Others loudly proclaimed this as the Marine's greatest victory in decades. A few even exchanged suspicious glances, convinced there must be some mistake.

Sengoku, still gripping the Den Den Mushi receiver, struggled to process this information.

What in the world is happening? he thought frantically. How could Kaido suddenly be dead?

The operation he had authorized was purely defensive—meant only to prevent the Emperor Alliance from interfering with Wano Country's internal affairs. At no point had he anticipated, much less ordered, a direct confrontation that could lead to an Emperor's death.

Something had gone terribly wrong—or perhaps terribly right, depending on one's perspective.

As the conference room buzzed with speculation, another Den Den Mushi began ringing. Vice Admiral Tsuru frowned as she reached into her pocket and withdrew a small personal transponder snail.

Given the timing, this could only be an urgent matter. Without hesitation, she answered the call.

The moment the connection established, a familiar voice came through—sounding distinctly annoyed.

"Hey, Granny Tsuru! Where is everyone? I've been trying the office line forever, and everyone's personal snails are busy. How am I supposed to report in when nobody answers?"

"Luffy!" Sengoku practically lunged across the table, snatching the Den Den Mushi from Tsuru's hand before she could even respond. "This is Sengoku. Cut the nonsense and report immediately! What happened with Kaido? Why did his Vivre Card burn completely?"

There was a brief pause on the other end, followed by the sound of confused head-scratching.

"Huh? You guys already know about that?" Luffy sounded genuinely surprised. "Wow, you Marines really do have good intelligence. I was hoping to surprise you."

He continued casually, as if discussing something as mundane as the weather:

"Well, it happened like this—I confronted him on Onigashima, we had a major battle, and he was no match for my powers. So I killed him with my own hands. I had Viola record the whole thing with a Visual Den Den Mushi. We're preparing to send the footage to headquarters now."

As Luffy's matter-of-fact description came through the transponder snail, a profound silence descended upon the conference room. Every Marine officer froze in place, eyes wide with disbelief.

Akainu, listening through his own Den Den Mushi connection, was equally stunned.

It was as if someone had pressed a universal pause button on the entire gathering. For several long seconds, no one moved or spoke. The only sound was the faint static from the Den Den Mushi connection.

In that moment, every person present shared a single incredulous thought: "YOU killed Kaido? You've got to be kidding us!"

The silence stretched uncomfortably long until Luffy's puzzled voice broke through again:

"Hello? Why isn't anyone saying anything? Did the connection drop?"

Still, no one could find words to respond.

Chapter 515: Reactions of the World's Powers

The death of Kaido, one of the Four Emperors, was something no one in the world had anticipated.

Unsurprisingly, the explosive news spread rapidly through various channels across the Grand Line. At first, many dismissed it as baseless rumor or Marine propaganda—until Big News Morgans' World Economic Journal confirmed it with front-page coverage. Only then did the world begin to accept the reality of a fallen Emperor.

But with Kaido's death, another name was etched into the world's consciousness—that of the man who had accomplished the impossible.

In the temporary base of the Donquixote Family in North Blue since their retreat from the New World, Doflamingo stared at the day's newspaper with a steadily twisting expression.

"FAKE NEWS!" he roared, hurling the paper across the room with such force that it embedded into the wall. "It must be fabricated! How could Kaido—who could kill me with a single blow—possibly be defeated by that brat?! Morgans must have been bribed by the Marines to publish this propaganda!"

The Donquixote Family executives exchanged nervous glances, none daring to contradict their increasingly agitated young master.

Eventually, Trebol—who had followed Doflamingo longer than anyone—gathered the courage to speak up.

"Ne, ne, ne... Young Master," he began cautiously, his voice nasally as ever. "It appears to be legitimate. Along with the newspaper report, they've released footage of Monkey D. Luffy's battle with Kaido. Would you... like to see it?"

Doflamingo had been stubbornly refusing to believe the reports. At Trebol's words, his face darkened further, veins pulsing visibly at his temples.

If it had been just newspaper articles, he could have dismissed them as fabrications. But video evidence from a Visual Den Den Mushi? That was much harder to deny.

After watching the edited footage of the confrontation between Luffy and Kaido, Doflamingo had no choice but to accept the truth. The annoying kid who had once crossed his path had grown into something beyond his comprehension—beyond his reach.

Without hesitation, he issued orders to all Donquixote Family members: they would abandon their temporary base immediately. It was time to find some forgotten corner of the world and disappear until the storm passed—or until everyone forgot about Doflamingo altogether.

In the first half of the Grand Line, aboard a massive, ominous ship shrouded in perpetual mist, an atmosphere of unexpected celebration had taken hold.

"KISHISHISHI!" The distinctive laugh echoed through the halls. "FINALLY! HE'S FINALLY DEAD!"

Gecko Moria danced around his grand chamber, tears of vindictive joy streaming down his pallid face. "Kaido, you bastard! After you slaughtered so many of my comrades... someone finally put you in the ground! Do you see this, everyone? That monster is finally gone!"

Watching her master's unrestrained celebration, Perona—one of Thriller Bark's top officers—felt the weight of years lifting. She dabbed at tears of her own.

"Horohorohoro~ This is wonderful, Master Moria! All our fallen comrades must be rejoicing wherever they are."

The other Mysterious Four members shared in the sentiment, genuinely happy to see Moria experiencing some closure after decades of harboring his grudge against Kaido.

After dancing himself to exhaustion, Moria raised his hands high and declared:

"My faithful servants! Today we FEAST! This is truly a historic occasion!"

"HOORAY!" The cheer echoed throughout the massive ship as zombies began preparing for an impromptu banquet.

In the New World, aboard the Moby Dick, Edward Newgate—"Whitebeard"—examined today's newspaper and the accompanying battle footage. Unlike Doflamingo's fear or Moria's vengeful glee, the world's strongest man threw back his head in hearty laughter.

"GURARARARA!" His booming laugh caused the ship to vibrate slightly. "So Kaido failed even with Linlin's cooperation! Well, that saves me the trouble of hunting him down."

On the massive deck of the Moby Dick, only Whitebeard's laughter broke the silence. His division commanders remained pensive, each processing the implications of this seismic shift in the balance of power.

Among them, Marshall D. Teach—the future "Blackbeard"—studied Luffy's photo in the newspaper with a complex mixture of envy and frustration in his eyes. If he had managed to obtain the Devil Fruit he'd sought for so many years, perhaps it would be his image captivating the world instead.

But after decades of waiting, there had been no sign of his coveted prize. Was he destined to remain hidden aboard Whitebeard's ship forever, his ambitions slowly withering?

As Teach questioned his path, Marco the Phoenix replayed the battle footage once more. He watched intently as Luffy masterfully controlled his awakened powers, combining them with advanced Conqueror's Haki to match Kaido blow for blow. The video culminated with the young Vice Admiral's lightning-wrapped hand piercing straight through the Emperor's heart.

When the footage ended, Marco couldn't suppress a concerned sigh.

"That kid is simply unbelievable," he muttered, drawing the attention of nearby commanders. "The last report we had of him, he'd teamed up with Aokiji, Kizaru, and Garp just to drive Kaido away. Even then, they barely managed to injure him."

Marco shook his head in disbelief. "Now, merely half a year later, he's grown powerful enough to defeat an Emperor single-handedly. Looking at his age..." He paused, the implication hanging heavy in the air. "Could the coming era belong to the Marines?"

His words cast a shadow over the gathering. While Whitebeard's crew had never directly conflicted with Luffy, their fundamental positions—pirates versus Marine—meant they were natural adversaries.

Now a monster had emerged within Marine ranks, while pirates had lost one of their greatest symbols of power. If given enough time, how much stronger would this young Marine become? Would there still be a place for pirates upon the vast blue seas?