The vast battlefield fell into utter silence.
Everyone stared at Whitebeard with stunned disbelief.
He was dead.
Edward Newgate—Whitebeard, the man hailed as the strongest of the Four Emperors and the symbol of the old era—was dead.
To everyone present, it was like a bolt from the blue.
If they hadn't seen it with their own eyes, they wouldn't have believed it.
Some even slapped themselves across the face, hoping to wake from a nightmare.
But the sting on their cheeks told them this was no dream.
It was real.
Whitebeard, the strongest of the Four Emperors, had truly fallen.
A legend had come to an end.
Whether they accepted it or not, the truth was undeniable.
"He's dead… Whitebeard Edward Newgate is dead! This is it—this is the biggest news of the era! Extra! Extra! Get this out now! The world is about to change!"
From the sky, Big News Morgans screamed, his face flushed with disbelief and exhilaration.
In all his years of journalism, he had never seen a scoop like this.
Kaido's defeat had been earth-shattering, sure—but compared to Whitebeard, the symbol of an entire era, Kaido was a tier below.
This was the age of Whitebeard, after all.
What shocked them most was that just moments ago, Whitebeard had been rampaging like a demon.
And yet, in the end, he had opened his arms and welcomed death.
Had he truly chosen to become the stepping stone for the new era?
"Pops!"
Ace screamed, struggling against his restraints.
"Marco, let me go! Pops isn't dead—we can still save him!"
"Please, Marco! Let me go! I should be the one who died… I dragged everyone into this… At least let me bring him home!"
His cries turned into helpless sobs.
He looked at the towering figure still standing before the lighthouse, naginata in hand, unmoving.
Ace collapsed to his knees, wailing.
On the deck, captains, commanders, and pirates alike covered their faces, tears streaming through their fingers.
But even as they wept, they raised their weapons.
They couldn't accept Whitebeard's death.
But even more unacceptable was leaving his body behind.
"Marco! Let's bring Pops home! Even if we die, we can't let him be left here!"
Diamond Jozu, clutching his severed arm, roared.
The others shouted in agreement.
All eyes turned to Marco.
Whitebeard had never named a successor.
But now, with his death, Marco—First Division Commander—was the natural leader.
Ace had the spirit of a king, yes, but he was still too young.
Marco was the one they trusted to lead.
Feeling the weight of their expectations, Marco clenched his fists, then calmly put on his glasses.
"Pops once said this battle wouldn't end until someone died."
"Rather than let us all fall, he chose to end the old era himself—and told me not to retrieve his body."
"But I can't obey that last order. He protected us all his life. Now it's our turn to bring him home."
"Even if we die—we'll bring Pops back!"
"CHARGE!"
The war cry shook the heavens.
Everyone knew this was a death march.
But between life and honor—they chose honor.
Far away, aboard the hidden Reverso, Shanks exhaled in relief as he watched the Whitebeard Pirates rise again.
"I thought Whitebeard's final rampage would ruin my plans and steal my moment. But I never expected Marco to lose himself to emotion. This is perfect."
"Ben Beckman, get everyone ready. It's our turn to take the stage."
"Understood, Captain."
Beckman bit down on his cigar, eyes fixed on the ruined battlefield.
As the final act approached, they would make their entrance in style.
After all, what's a climax without a grand arrival?
"You damn pirates!"
Akainu's face was dark as he roared.
"Whitebeard is dead, and you still dare act so arrogantly? Do you think Marineford is defenseless?"
"And when did I say you could leave?"
"Aokiji! Freeze the sea!"
"Luo Yu—lend me a hand!"
Akainu was furious.
Whitebeard had died—but not by his hand.
Luo Yu had stolen the kill. And Whitebeard had willingly offered his life.
Akainu couldn't accept it.
Now Marco and the others were charging again, driven by grief.
This was the perfect outlet for his rage.
But before he could act, Luo Yu took a swig from another gourd and said:
"Sorry, Admiral Sakazuki. It's noon. I'm off the clock."
"And if you think stopping them will be easy—think again. There's a pack of lunatics still hiding in the shadows."
"Hey, you've been watching long enough. Isn't it time you came out?"
A pack of lunatics?
Everyone's expression changed.
Blackbeard's ambush had already caught them off guard.
If others were still lurking…
Who were they?
Anyone that Admiral Luo Yu would call "lunatics" had to be terrifying.
Tension spiked again.
Even Akainu looked toward the sea.
Aboard the hidden ship, Shanks and his crew were stunned.
His Conqueror's Haki had long reached perfection—strong enough to block even future sight and mask his presence.
Yet Luo Yu had seen through it instantly.
That was beyond anything they expected.
"Heh… I didn't think that brat would be this sharp."
"No wonder he can wield Conqueror's Haki like that."
"Since he's exposed us, I suppose it's time we stepped in and claimed our due."