A trace of anger appeared on Sengoku's face as he said, "No matter what, this is no excuse to degrade yourself and associate with infamous pirates." As he spoke, his towering body expanded once more, floating in the air like an imposing, glaring Buddha. Blinding golden light radiated an awe-inspiring pressure.
However, in Kaguya's eyes, he was nothing more than an oversized lightbulb.
"Prepare yourself."
With a thunderous shout, Sengoku clenched his fist. His muscular arm bulged again, then shot forward like a bolt of lightning.
"The decaying World Government and Navy—do they really represent justice, old man? That's just your self-righteous belief." Kaguya sneered. "Since you love Buddhas so much, I'll show you what a real great Buddha looks like."
As soon as her voice fell, Kaguya extended her finger and gave a crisp snap.
"Sage Art: Wood Release—True Several Thousand Hands."
The earth suddenly began to quake violently. The sky seemed to fall, the ground cracked open with deep chasms, and from the ruptured terrain, an enormous figure slowly began to rise.
"What is that?!"
Sengoku's body came to a sudden halt. Raising his head, his eyes widened dramatically, his pupils trembling in disbelief.
This couldn't be real.
Not only was Sengoku shaken to his core, but everyone else on the battlefield—whether Marine or pirate—was left dumbfounded, their bodies frozen in place, mouths agape in shock.
Before their eyes stood a colossal Thousand-Armed Buddha, so massive it defied belief. It blotted out the sky, filling their entire field of vision. Compared to it, the once-lofty Marine Headquarters, Marineford, looked like nothing more than a small mound of earth—completely incomparable.
Akainu crawled out from the rubble, but when he saw the sight before him, his eyes contracted sharply. He didn't even bother wiping the blood from his lips.
Even Whitebeard revealed a rare expression of shock. The corners of his mouth curled as he said quietly, "This little girl… still loves to cause trouble like she used to."
And standing atop the Thousand-Armed Buddha's head was none other than the slender figure of Kaguya.
"A decayed Navy has no place in this world anymore," Kaguya said from above, her cold gaze sweeping over them. "I'll be the one to end it." As her words dropped, the arms of the Thousand-Armed Buddha suddenly moved, transforming into a rain of fists that came crashing down like a storm.
"Supreme Bead Transformation Buddha."
This is bad!
Sengoku's eyes shrank sharply.
But at this point, there was no retreat. If those fists landed, not only would Marine Headquarters be leveled, the entire island might be annihilated.
Clenching his teeth, Sengoku stomped down and launched upward like an arrow released from a bow. He swung his arm, golden shockwaves rippling from his fists, firing off like a machine gun.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
A deafening barrage resounded across the sky. Countless fists collided with Sengoku's shockwave-infused punches. Wood splinters flew, shockwaves surged, and numerous wooden fists were shattered into pieces. But before he had a chance to catch his breath, another wave of fists came crashing down.
"Hrah!"
Sengoku's neck flushed red, veins bulging on his forehead as his entire body swelled again. His punches sped up, smashing wooden fists into pulp.
But this kind of outburst was nothing more than drinking poison to quench thirst—it could temporarily boost his power, but it wouldn't last long.
Sure enough, after a while, Sengoku began to lose stamina. Drenched in sweat and gasping for breath, he struggled to fend off the barrage of fists, barely holding on.
Suddenly, a fist broke through his defense and came crashing down toward his chest.
Sengoku's pupils contracted sharply. This was bad!
At that critical moment, a figure suddenly appeared and threw a punch, shattering the fist aimed at Sengoku.
"Garp!"
Following closely behind him were the three Navy Admirals—Aokiji, Kizaru, and Akainu—charging into the fray.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
With the arrival of the Navy's elite, Sengoku's pressure was instantly reduced, and he finally let out a sigh of relief. Yet his mood grew heavier.
Even a seemingly casual move from the other side had pushed the Navy to the brink of disaster. It was clear—after all these years, the girl's strength had become even more terrifying.
With the Navy working together, the sky-filled barrage of fists was finally shattered into fragments. The Thousand-Armed Buddha also sustained multiple injuries—its massive body began to wobble, clearly on the verge of collapse.
Boom!
At last, after swaying a few times, the Thousand-Armed Buddha came crashing down with a sound that made everyone's teeth ache. The ground caved in, rubble flew everywhere, and a massive cloud of dust filled the air.
The Navy forces landed, all drenched in sweat. The Thousand-Armed Buddha's material was unexpectedly tough—comparable to steel. Even for Navy Admirals, it took everything they had to break it. That brief battle felt like a full-scale war.
But before they could rest, a familiar voice suddenly rang out.
"You really think this is over? How naive."
Everyone looked up—pupils constricting sharply.
At some point, another Thousand-Armed Buddha had appeared, towering into the clouds. This time, it was covered in a faint blue glow—clearly, it was armored with Susanoo.
"Armored True Several Thousand Hands."
Kaguya's lips curled into a breathtaking smile. "Now what are you going to do?"
Everyone looked like they had swallowed poison. Their expressions turned grim.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
A downpour of fists rained from the sky, smashing violently into the ground. The earth trembled wildly, rocks shattered into fragments, and shockwaves swept across the battlefield, reducing everything in sight to ruin.
Several figures were blasted away from the smoke and dust. After crashing through multiple buildings, they finally came to a stop, landing amidst rubble—battered and beaten. It was Sengoku, Garp, and the three Navy Admirals.
Now, not only the Navy but even the pirates stood dumbfounded. Was this what a clash at the peak looked like? It was unbelievable.
Looking at Marineford, now reduced to rubble, everyone was left speechless.
"It collapsed just like that. What a shoddy construction. Come on, old man—honesty is the best policy," Kaguya said as she walked over the rubble toward Sengoku, disdainfully adding, "Did you embezzle again?"
Sengoku's face turned livid. He shouted in fury, "You brat! I told you I didn't!"
The sky was overcast, clouds heavy with sorrow. After the intense battle, the once-grand Marine Headquarters, Marineford, had been reduced to rubble by the flames of war. As far as the eye could see, the land was devastated. Thick smoke blanketed the sky, and all that remained were broken walls and scattered debris.
Corpses, mangled and incomplete, lay strewn across the scarred earth. Crimson blood soaked the ground, and many severely wounded individuals groaned in pain. The scorched banners fluttered in the wind, painting a picture of utter devastation.
Kaguya strolled forward gracefully and came to a halt. "Old man, I think it's time for you to retire," she said. "You should stop meddling in the affairs of the World Government and the Navy. Things aren't as simple as you think. Justice isn't just a matter of right or wrong."
"I don't need a brat like you lecturing me," Sengoku said in a deep voice. "As a Marine, it's my duty to protect Marineford. If anyone tries to destroy it, I will never forgive them."
Garp also stepped forward, clenching his iron fists. His tiger-like eyes shone with determination. "If you want to pass through here, you'll have to go through me first."
"Stop being so deluded. Do you really think the justice behind you is the true justice?" Kaguya snorted coldly, her voice full of contempt. "It's nothing more than a fairy tale for children. You're both old men, and you still believe in such childish nonsense."
At that moment, Akainu strode over from the distance, face grim and eyes full of malice. "As a Navy Admiral, to betray the Navy and associate with filthy, lowly pirates—it's disgraceful."
Kaguya glanced at him coldly. "What, didn't I beat you enough before? Want to get beaten again?"
Akainu's face darkened, veins bulging on his forehead. He clenched his fists tightly, but he didn't act. He knew full well he was no match for Kaguya. Forcing a fight would only bring more humiliation.
Kaguya snorted. At least the guy knew his limits. If he dared to make a move, she'd beat him until even his own mother couldn't recognize him.
"But this ends now," Aokiji stepped forward, frost forming on his face, cold air radiating from his body. "No matter how strong you are, I doubt you can take on this many people."
At some point, Kaguya had been surrounded by the Navy. Not only were Sengoku, Garp, and the three Admirals present, but Momousagi, Fujitora, and Ryokugyu had also arrived. Each of them was a renowned powerhouse. Even when facing Whitebeard, such a lineup had never been assembled.
"This is bad."
Marco stared at the encircled Kaguya, his expression grave. He had fought her before and knew well how terrifying her strength was.
But even someone known as the world's strongest would struggle to escape unscathed against such an unprecedentedly powerful force. Not even Dad, in his prime, could manage that.
Just then, Whitebeard walked past Marco and strode toward Kaguya.
Marco was alarmed and quickly asked, "Dad, what are you doing? In your condition—"
Whitebeard grinned boldly. "I don't have the habit of hiding behind others. If I just sit back and watch now, even I won't be able to respect myself."
"But Dad—"
"No need to say more," Whitebeard said, waving his massive hand. "Right now, there's something I want to say to all of you."
The members of the Whitebeard Pirates froze. They had never seen their father this serious before, and they instinctively stopped.
Whitebeard took a deep breath and shouted, "Listen well! Whitebeard Pirates—this is my final order as your captain!"
Everyone froze, then immediately began to panic.
"Last...? Wait, Dad, don't say things like that—it's bad luck!"
"We're not going to follow that kind of order!"
"Weren't we supposed to go back to the New World together, Dad?!"
Whitebeard stood on the ruins of Marineford, gripping his massive blade. He shouted, "I'm saying goodbye here. All of you must live and return safely to the New World!"
Everyone stared in shock at that towering figure, a growing sense of dread building in their hearts.
"No way…" Division Commander Curiel suddenly realized something. His eyes widened as he shouted in panic, "Dad, are you planning to die here?!"
"I am a remnant of the old era," Whitebeard said, a glint in his eye. He raised his fist high. "There's no ship in the new era that can carry me. Go now, my sons!" As he spoke, he swung his fist forward.
Crack!
A crisp explosion echoed out as a shockwave roared like a tsunami. The ground cracked and shattered, rocks burst apart inch by inch, and the remaining ruins of Marineford trembled. The earth split with deep chasms, and the walls blocking the Whitebeard Pirates collapsed with a thunderous crash.
Kaguya glanced at Whitebeard, who had appeared beside her. "You're not leaving? If you go now, you still have time."
"It's time to settle things with the Navy," Whitebeard replied after a pause. "As for Ace… thank you."
Kaguya replied, "No need to thank me. This is just a matter of mutual benefit. As long as you can pay the price, anything can be done."
Whitebeard looked at the Navy forces arrayed before him and said, "At this point, I want to ask a question."
Kaguya blinked in surprise and nodded.
Whitebeard was silent for a moment before asking, "Was I… a good father?"
If anyone else had said it, it might have sounded odd. But coming from Whitebeard, it carried a unique weight.
Kaguya answered without hesitation, "No."
Whitebeard froze for a second, then burst out laughing. "Still the same as always. You really are an unlikeable girl."
Sengoku stepped forward, raising his arm and shouting, "This ends here! Whitebeard, Kaguya—surrender now. You have no chance of winning!"
"You sent this many Admiral-level forces—quite the honor," Kaguya said, glancing at the Navy that had surrounded her. "But don't you think you're celebrating a little too early?"
Sengoku's eyes narrowed. "What?"
For some reason, an ominous feeling crept into his heart. What had seemed like a sure thing now suddenly felt uncertain.
"You think you're the only ones with numbers?" A strange light flickered in Kaguya's calm, autumn-water-like eyes. Her soft pink lips parted as she said, "Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu."
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