The simultaneous detonation of the ammunition depot destroyed every room inside the body-castle. If Bege hadn't managed to throw most of the people out in time, it's likely no one would have survived.
Even though he had done his best to contain the blast, the shockwave had still leveled the castle within him. Bege took the brunt of the impact. His mind and will nearly shattered, and most of his internal organs were destroyed. They were absolutely fatal injuries.
But the physical pain was secondary. The most devastating blow was to his spirit. Betrayed by the woman he loved, Bege's already fractured will began to rapidly disintegrate.
Taylor climbed up from the broken ground and began to run slowly toward Bege. When she saw his twisted, agonized form and heard the deep, profound despair in his heart—like the falling of an endless night—she collapsed, unable to hold back her sobs any longer.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry..." Taylor whispered over and over, tears streaming down her face.
Bege coughed up blood continuously. His aura grew weaker and weaker, his life force fading rapidly.
Garp appeared at Taylor's side, his face impassive.
"You did well."
As an executor and someone privy to the Dragon Extermination Plan, Garp naturally knew the full details. Taylor was an agent of a CP organization, sent to get close to Bege, seduce him, and gather intelligence on the Fire Tank Pirates.
When Taylor truly gained Bege's trust, her mission changed: kill him at the critical moment. That was what had just transpired.
Taylor didn't seem to hear him, her cries only growing more tragic.
A streak of light shot through the air toward Bege. It was Kabu, carrying Mansherry. Mansherry jumped onto Bege's body and placed her hands on him. When she felt the extent of his unsalvageable injuries, she broke down and cried.
"Godfather, I won't let you die!" Mansherry said, her small face filled with determination. A strong, gentle light emanated from her hands, enveloping Bege.
Garp's eyes narrowed. He strode down into the crater, heading for Bege.
"Since you're already down, don't bother getting back up."
Suddenly, men rushed in from both sides, blocking Garp's path. They were Bege's crew, armed with swords and guns, their faces resolute as they aimed at Garp.
"No one hurts the Godfather!"
"Get out of my way." Garp took a step and, with a single punch, sent all the men blocking his path flying. He moved even faster toward Bege.
"Ultimate Healing: Life Dandelion," Mansherry whispered. A white dandelion, shining with a brilliant yet gentle light, flew out from her body.
As the dandelion formed, a few wrinkles appeared on Mansherry's face, making her look much older.
This was the ultimate power of the Heal-Heal Fruit, capable of restoring anything to its original state at the cost of the user's own lifespan. As long as there was a single breath left, the Life Dandelion could bring someone back from the brink of death.
However, the Life Dandelion was not only limited by lifespan but also by the number of uses. This was the first time Mansherry had ever used it.
The dandelion slowly descended onto Bege, sinking into his body. He was immediately enveloped in a strong, gentle light. Under its glow, all his injuries began to heal.
His shattered organs and bones slowly began to regrow.
But Garp was already upon them.
"This is the end."
"Garp, as long as I'm here, you won't kill him!" Suddenly, a world-shattering, destructive force fell from the sky like a meteor, crashing down on Garp.
Garp's expression changed. He threw a punch into the air, blowing the destructive force apart.
At the same time, a tall, sturdy figure descended from the sky. As the dust settled, Whitebeard walked out, laughing heartily.
"Gurararara... Garp, it's been a long time."
"Newgate, what are you doing here?" Garp snorted, his face a cold mask.
"Here to stop you, of course. This kid, Demon Dragon, can't die just yet," Whitebeard said with a grin.
He tilted his head and sneered at Garp. "Garp, you've really fallen. Taking advantage of a junior when he's down. I'm truly disappointed in you."
Garp's face darkened, turning ashen.
"This is none of your business. Get lost, or I'll arrest you too."
"Gurararara... Don't bluff, Garp. Now that I'm here, you won't be taking Demon Dragon anywhere." Whitebeard slammed the butt of his giant naginata on the ground. A terrifying tremor instantly swept across a hundred-meter area, shaking the very earth.
Garp walked toward Whitebeard, his expression unchanged. He knew that if he didn't defeat Whitebeard, he would never be able to capture Bege.
One tall, one short, the two figures stood opposite each other. Garp was nowhere near as tall as Whitebeard, but as they stood together, no one paid any mind to the difference in height. The terrifying aura erupting from Garp made him seem not small, but incredibly imposing and tall.
Their auras clashed violently, the heavy pressure making everyone subconsciously slow their breathing.
Just then, the effect of the healing dandelion wore off. Instantly, the original injuries of Bege's crew reappeared, and they all collapsed.
Little Oars Jr. crashed down from the sky, unable to get up. Modi, who had been moving at high speed, suddenly stumbled and slid for several meters.
Moria also faltered and fell to his knees. With his old and new injuries combined, he no longer had the strength to stand.
Akainu was panting heavily, magma roiling over his body. Seeing the two of them down, he immediately charged, a torrent of magma rushing from his right arm toward Moria.
"Moria, it's time for you to die."
Suddenly, a stunning slash flew from a hundred meters away, slicing off Akainu's right arm. The severed limb fell to the ground and dissolved into magma.
At the same time, a brilliant, crystalline figure came running from the distance, shattering the ground with each step. He moved like a high-speed train, crashing into Akainu with unstoppable force. Akainu's body exploded, sending magma flying everywhere.
The magma rolled off the crystalline man, unable to harm him in the slightest.
This was "Diamond" Jozu. At the same time, another figure rushed over. He had a distinctive curved mustache, wore a top hat and white gloves, and had a blue cape draped over his shoulders. He held two longswords in his hands.
This was "Flower Sword" Vista, the Fifth Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates and an extremely skilled swordsman.
Akainu's body reformed from the scattered magma. He stared grimly at Jozu and Vista, his expression extremely ugly.
"Are the Whitebeard Pirates looking to die?"
"Hohoho, what big words. The Whitebeard Pirates aren't afraid of you Marines," Vista chuckled. He took a step forward and slashed at Akainu with both swords. Red rose petals appeared in the air, filling it with a fragrant aroma.
Each of those rose petals was a razor-sharp slash of sword energy.
With a single slash, the rose petals converged into a stream of light, rushing toward Akainu like a blade.
Akainu threw a giant magma fist, but the stream of rose petals sliced right through it and struck his body, tearing it apart.
_______
+90 chapters on: patreon.com/Shinobi_Scrolls