Sabaody Archipelago, broadcast screen.
"Whitebeard's been stabbed!"
"So many Kumas!"
"Admiral Akainu has made his move!"
As the annoying clown Buggy disappeared from view, the battlefield footage returned to the screen—especially the scene of Whitebeard being stabbed by one of his own crew.
Immediately afterward, Whitebeard shattered the icebergs on both sides of the island, clearing an escape route for his crew while charging into the fray himself!
The Marines launched their counterattack!
"Meteor Volcano!"
Countless giant fists of molten rock rained from the sky, dealing devastating blows to the Pirate forces—even the Moby Dick was destroyed.
And then came the Pacifistas emerging from the rear of the battlefield!
The scales of victory were tipping decisively!
Groudon Ship.
"The Whitebeard Pirates are finished."
Gurd surveyed the battlefield.
As Whitebeard sustained more injuries, the Pirates' defeat became inevitable. Even with the prisoners from Impel Down joining their ranks, they couldn't reverse the tide of battle.
The Marines' morale soared.
Akainu, in particular, fought Whitebeard like a demon, holding his ground without faltering—even landing heavy blows on the Emperor himself.
Meanwhile, the rescue mission for Ace remained hopelessly stalled. Without intervention, Ace would undoubtedly die on the Execution Platform.
"Without the Straw Hat, it's just not possible, huh?"
Gurd frowned deeply.
Given his stance, he had no intention of aiding the Whitebeard Pirates. More Pirate deaths benefited him—he only needed the elite commanders.
Suddenly, his crew gasped in shock.
"Lord Gurd, look at the Execution Platform!"
"Hmm?!"
Gurd grabbed his binoculars.
On the platform, flames erupted.
It was Ace!
His Seastone handcuffs had been removed!
"Who did that?!"
Someone had freed Ace right under Sengoku's nose. Even with the Fleet Admiral's attention fixed on the battlefield below, this was an earth-shattering turn of events.
Gurd was stunned, but soon spotted the insignificant-looking executioner standing beside Fire Fist Ace.
Mr.3!
Gurd didn't recognize Mr.3, but he could guess his identity—he was the only Pirate with lock-picking skills.
Sengoku would never have anticipated this, nor could he spare attention for his own personnel. He simply didn't have the bandwidth.
"This guy... impressive!"
Gurd couldn't help but laugh.
Though a minor character, he'd played a pivotal role.
Undoubtedly, the MVP of the entire battle!
"Ace is saved!"
The Pirates' morale skyrocketed!
Freed from the Seastone restraints, Ace spat blood as he endured Sengoku's furious punch before leaping off the platform with Mr.3.
"Flame Pillar!"
A surge of fire instantly cleared a massive swath of the battlefield.
With his greatest concern resolved, Whitebeard unleashed his full power.
"Whitebeard Pirates! This is my final [Captain's Order]!"
"I bid you farewell here. All of you must retreat immediately—survive and return safely to the New World!"
"I am a relic of the old era. There are no ships in this new age that can carry me!"
A glimmer of tears welled in Whitebeard's eyes as he stretched his left arm behind him, muscles bulging with veins like serpents.
The world's strongest man was going all out.
"CRACK!"
His fist struck the air before him, sending a web of fissures sprawling as a terrifying shockwave engulfed the entire Marine Fortress!
"BOOOOM!!!"
The fortress crumbled, massive cracks spiderwebbing across its walls.
"WAAAHHH—!!!"
"Whitebeard has gone berserk!"
"Don't back down, take out Whitebeard!"
"He's already at death's door!"
The officers roared, charging fearlessly at Whitebeard as cannonballs, bullets, and blades relentlessly pounded his body.
The Three Admirals didn't attack Whitebeard, instead turning their focus to the fleeing pirates—especially Akainu, who had his sights set on Ace.
When Ace, unable to bear Whitebeard's humiliation, turned back to face Akainu head-on...
The outcome was already decided.
In a direct confrontation, Ace was effortlessly crushed by Akainu, with most of his body consumed by magma. Though he didn't die immediately, such severe injuries meant he wouldn't last long.
This war had ultimately ended in bitter failure.
Gurd's expression remained cold, devoid of sympathy.
If Ace hadn't turned back, he could have survived. But there were no "ifs"—everyone had to pay for their choices.
Meanwhile, behind the Marine fortress, an enormous giant lay hidden, its size rivaling the fortress itself.
The Blackbeard Pirates had made their move!
"Let's go!"
"Mind your manners—we're representing Groudon Company's reputation now. Don't let anyone mistake us for thugs!"
"Yes, Chairman!"
The Hoenn fleet raised their sails, swiftly closing in on Marine Headquarters.
At the center of the battlefield, Whitebeard, driven to the brink of fury, clashed with Akainu. After having half his head blown off, he dealt Akainu a devastating blow, sending the Admiral crashing into the ground.
The shockwaves of their battle split the entire island in two, completely dividing the battlefield and cutting off the Marines' pursuit.
At last, the Blackbeard Pirates revealed themselves, appearing atop the execution platform to survey the carnage below.
"Zehahaha!!!"
Blackbeard laughed maniacally.
"Pops! So good to see you before you die!"
"Teach!"
Whitebeard glared at Teach. Even with half his head gone, his presence hadn't diminished—if anything, it burned fiercer.
This man... had to die.
"Hey, look at the harbor!"
A Marine suddenly shouted.
From the direction of the harbor, a red fleet appeared!
"It's the Beasts Pirates!"
"No, they're not flying the Beasts Pirates' flag!"
"That's Groudon Company's emblem!"
Every ship's sail bore a simplified Groudon insignia—a small red beast standing atop magma.
Groudon Real Estate Company!
The war ground to a halt.
Gurd, dressed in a black suit with a white Marine-style coat adorned with flame patterns and the characters "Hoenn" emblazoned on the back, led his men. His subordinates, all in sharp business attire with the company logo on their chests, looked more like corporate elites than ruthless pirates.
"Finally showing yourself, Blackbeard!"
Gurd strode onto the battlefield, passing through the Whitebeard Pirates without so much as a glance at Marco or the others. There'd be time for reunions after business was settled.
The earth shifted, forming a bridge across the Great Rift.
Gurd arrived at Whitebeard's side.
"Gurd, the [Earth Calamity]!"
Sengoku's veins bulged as he glared at Gurd.
"What are you doing here?!"
"Stay out of this, Marines!" Gurd snapped coldly.
"I'm here to collect a debt!"
"All you need to do is shut up and watch. But if you want a fight with us, we're happy to oblige!"
"Also, the identity I represent now is the chairman of Groudon Company. Please address me as Chairman Gurd!"
Sengoku's face turned ashen.
The other party had openly invaded Marine Headquarters—already a grave crime!
Gurd looked up at Blackbeard.
"Blackbeard, in the Fortuna Community established by our company on Hachinosu Island, you killed resident Doma, correct?!"
"Zehahaha, so what?!"
Blackbeard's laughter was low, his eyes filled with gloom.
The most troublesome guy had arrived!
He knew Gurd had long arrived at Sabaody Archipelago, but he assumed it was for the war, not to hunt him down.
Let alone pursue him all the way to Marine Headquarters!
It was just killing one person, and this incident benefited the Beasts as well. Without this war, the Whitebeard Pirates would still be the Beasts' greatest obstacle.
Earth Calamity should be grateful to him.
"Very well!"
Gurd picked up a document and read aloud before the three factions: "According to the resident clauses of Fortuna Community under our Groudon Company, Chapter One, Article One: Those who commit murder within Fortuna Community shall be sentenced to death!"
"Blackbeard, do you understand?"
Gurd tore off his coat, his entire body erupting with astonishing Conqueror's Haki, his blazing killing intent enveloping the Blackbeard Pirates like blades!
"You've been sentenced to death!"
(End of Chapter)