Crane turned toward Zephyr and Sengoku, her voice trembling—but firm.
"You should already understand what I mean."
"We can't keep fighting like this."
"Give the Op-Op Fruit to Ayr… We have to throw in the towel!"
Her words echoed like a cannon blast.
For a moment, time froze.
Sengoku's and Zephyr's eyes widened in shock, disbelief carved into every line of their faces.
"Impossible!"
Before Sengoku could speak, Zephyr had already erupted in a roar.
"You're telling us to surrender to Ayr?!" His voice thundered across the battlefield.
"I'd rather die than do something so disgraceful!"
"This is my dignity as a Marine! I'll never throw that away!"
Zephyr's words were razor-sharp, absolute in conviction.
He had always been the embodiment of justice—unyielding, proud, and pure.
The idea of surrendering to a pirate, especially one like Ayr, was a direct insult to his beliefs.
Even entertaining that thought was like spitting on everything he had fought for.
Sengoku, still in shock, stepped forward.
"Crane, do you even hear what you're saying?"
His voice was hoarse.
"We are Admirals. We represent the face of the Marines. You're asking us to bow to a pirate?! To hand over one of the most dangerous fruits in history?!"
What stung Sengoku even more was that this idea had come from Crane—the calm, rational tactician he had trusted for decades.
She had always stood as the moral compass of their group.
Why now?
Why was she the one saying this?
He remembered how she had insisted earlier on facing Ayr head-on, even alone if necessary.
What changed?
"Crane... Never speak those words again," Sengoku growled.
"I will never surrender to a pirate!"
But Crane's eyes burned with fury of her own.
"Do you think I want to do this?!"
She stepped forward, fists clenched.
"But if we don't surrender, all four of us die here—for nothing!"
Zephyr barked back:
"So what if we die?! Are you scared of death now?!"
Sengoku joined in.
"You think fear is what's stopping us?! That's not it!"
But Crane shook her head slowly.
"I'm not afraid of dying."
Her voice was quiet, but unwavering.
"But if we must die, our deaths have to mean something."
She turned toward them, eyes hard.
"Look at the gap between us and Ayr. Be honest."
"Even if we die here, will it make any difference? Will it so much as scratch him?"
"He'll still get the Op-Op Fruit."
Her words struck Sengoku and Zephyr like a thunderclap.
For a moment, they stood still.
It was the cruel truth neither wanted to accept—but both knew deep down was real.
They had come here willing to die.
But what if their deaths meant nothing?
What if the only result was Ayr gaining the fruit and killing four of the Marine's greatest legends?
That would be a total loss.
Sengoku gritted his teeth.
If they fell here, it wouldn't just be a tactical loss.
It would be a legacy-ending disaster.
He looked down at Garp, unconscious and barely breathing.
"Old friend… If only you were awake. You'd know what to do."
Garp had always been the most decisive, the one who moved with instinct. If he were standing now, he would've either punched Ayr in the face or told Sengoku the bitter truth.
But now, Sengoku was alone in the role of leader. He had to choose.
He looked at Zephyr and Crane, both waiting.
His mind was spinning.
The weight of the decision was crushing.
In the distance, Ayr stood calmly, his aura swirling like a black storm.
He took a step forward—and the ground cracked beneath him.
His voice came like a blade of ice:
"Sengoku. Zephyr. Crane."
"Are you three... ready to die?"
The words weren't loud—but they echoed with the weight of finality.
And the pressure that accompanied them felt otherworldly—like standing before death itself.
{🥳 The Fanfic is now fully completed! 🎉
You can access 300+ advance chapters right now on Patreon—available for subscription or purchase! ✨
👉 patreon.com/Oreski
🥰 Your support keeps me motivated and eager to create even more amazing stories!}