"Whatever you say, Shanks."
Saint Jaygarcia Saturn didn't care about Red-Hair denying his identity.
On the contrary, Shanks' response was exactly what he wanted.
As long as Shanks admitted he had Celestial Dragon blood, it proved the nobility of the World Nobles. This would only help further spread the majesty of the World Government.
"Whether you fight or flee is your choice." Saint Nusjuro held the First Generation Kitetsu and said coldly, "If you want to stay, we don't mind killing you before killing Caelan."
"…"
Shanks looked out over the devastated battlefield.
The Whitebeard Pirates had been completely wiped out. Except for a few captains who were taken alive, the rest of the 50,000 men had all died in battle.
The bodies of Ace and Whitebeard were already growing cold.
There was no point in continuing to fight, other than venting anger.
"Shanks, don't worry about us. If you want to fight, go for it."
Beckman smoked his pipe calmly.
"That's right, Boss. If you want to fight, bring it on!" Lucky Roux, Yasopp, and the others laughed wildly. "They're just Marines. No match for us at all!"
They and Shanks were brothers in life and death. If Shanks gave the word, they would charge, no matter who stood in the way.
"This war is meaningless. Continuing it will only waste lives."
Shanks shook his head and sighed.
His brothers, Yasopp and Beckman, would absolutely obey his orders. They wouldn't mind dying in battle together.
But he couldn't allow them to fight a hopeless, meaningless war just to vent his own rage.
"Shanks, you made a wise choice."
Saint Jaygarcia Saturn said with approval.
If possible, he didn't want to fight a Celestial Dragon. It would only cause unnecessary complications.
"Listen, Saturn." Shanks drew the famous sword Griffin with his right hand and said coldly, "Give us the bodies of Whitebeard and Ace. Otherwise, we fight."
He hadn't come all this way just to take a look and leave. Even if he couldn't save the son of his captain, he would at least give Ace a proper burial.
"That's no problem. Consider it our coming-of-age gift to Saint Figarland Shanks." Saint Saturn smiled gently.
"Even among the Celestial Dragons, your accomplishments are extraordinary."
Saint Mars followed up, further attributing Shanks' strength to his Celestial Dragon bloodline.
He knew it wasn't true. Shanks' achievements came largely from his own efforts.
But if they could make the world believe it, it would further elevate the Celestial Dragons' sanctity.
"I told you not to lump me in with those bastards!"
Shanks suddenly swung Griffin at the Five Elders.
A crescent-shaped slash tore through the air.
The blood-stained battlefield was instantly split apart.
In a flash, the attack reached the Five Elders.
"Too impulsive, Shanks."
Saint Nusjuro pulled out the First Generation Kitetsu.
An eerie black aura covered the blade.
He raised his sword and met Shanks' slash, shattering it before it could reach them.
The other Five Elders didn't react with anger to Shanks' strike. Instead, they ordered, "Send those two bodies to Saint Shanks."
Sengoku and Aokiji were just about to respond when Akainu stepped forward first.
"I'll do it."
Akainu lifted the two bodies and began walking toward Shanks.
This was a big moment. He was already in the spotlight, but he didn't mind shining a bit more.
"Good."
The Five Elders nodded in satisfaction at Akainu's actions.
They appreciated Akainu's obedient, efficient style—far better than Sengoku's more cautious approach.
Akainu walked forward with a proud and confident look, not as someone making a compromise, but as if demonstrating power to Shanks.
He had personally killed both Whitebeard and Ace. Now, this act was also a form of provocation.
The Marine officers, who had been stunned by Shanks' presence, had now recovered. They silently watched Akainu walking toward Shanks with a bold stride.
This was their admiral, who had just slain one Yonko and now stood face to face with another.
One Yonko had died at Marineford, and another had bowed his head here.
This was an unprecedented, glorious victory.
Words couldn't express the Navy's pride.
"Those who joined the Neo Navy should take note. They'll never have a day like this."
The Marines thought to themselves.
They used to envy their colleagues who joined the Neo Navy, thinking they had chosen a better path.
But after witnessing this overwhelming victory, they no longer felt envy.
The Neo Navy had taken down one Yonko. The official Navy had not only killed one, but also subdued another.
With three admirals in the Navy, and the World Government behind them with the Five Elders, they were backed by overwhelming power.
They were the true justice, the real victors.
"Go back, Saint Shanks. Thank you for helping us with the corpses."
Akainu placed the bodies of Ace and Whitebeard in front of Shanks and sneered coldly.
He was seriously injured and absolutely could not beat Shanks right now.
But behind him stood Kizaru, Aokiji, and the Five Elders. That was his confidence.
"It's no trouble. One day, I'll help clean up your corpse too."
Shanks looked at Akainu coldly.
Facing the man who killed Ace without hesitation, he truly wanted to strike him down here.
But behind Akainu stood Kizaru, Aokiji, and the Five Elders. Before he could kill Akainu, he would have to face a siege from all sides.
"I look forward to that day."
Akainu wiped the blood off his scarred face and gave a smug smile.
Then, he turned and walked away, his back exposed in Shanks' attack range.
He headed straight toward the execution platform.
"Admiral Akainu is mighty!"
"Long live the World Government!"
"The Navy will win every battle!"
The Marines erupted in cheers.
On the execution platform, the Five Elders stood in suits and leather shoes, faces full of smug satisfaction.
This great victory was being broadcast live to the world.
All those who opposed the World Government were now filled with helplessness. Compared to the Navy and the World Government, their strength meant nothing.
They silently watched the World Government's moment of glory, drowning in despair at its unstoppable dominance.
"Mission accomplished." The Five Elders scanned the crowd, including Shanks, who was silently preparing to leave, and laughed heartily. "It went even better than we planned."
"Roar!"
A furious dragon's roar echoed from the sky.
A majestic, six-hundred-meter-long green dragon came swooping down, aiming straight for the execution platform where the Five Elders stood.
The Five Elders looked up and saw a tall figure standing proudly atop the dragon's head.
Saint Saturn's pupils shrank, and the calm in his heart was instantly broken.
"He's here!"
(To be continued.)
◇◇◇
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 200 Power Stones.
◇ You can read the ahead chapter on Pat if you're interested: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves (Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)