The long-dormant pirate flag fluttered in the sea breeze, snapping sharply in the wind.
As everyone stared at the symbol of the Pirate King's legacy—and the aged faces that should have long faded into history—shock rippled through both Marines and pirates alike.
Even Sengoku and Shanks were visibly stunned.
No one had expected the disbanded Roger Pirates to reappear at such a critical moment.
From the beginning, Shanks' plan had been clear:
Board Whitebeard's ship, push Ace further down the path of vengeance against Blackbeard, and trigger the Summit War to shatter the old world order.
To prevent interference from Roger's former crew, he had even used the excuse of blocking Kaido to keep them occupied.
But Luo Yu's unexpected arrival had thrown everything into chaos.
Kaido's involvement had cost Shanks his ability to contain the Roger remnants.
Still, Shanks believed that if Kaido won and appeared at Marineford, he would have won regardless.
But one misstep led to another.
Kaido's defeat, Whitebeard's suicidal stand—Shanks' entire plan unraveled.
He had waited all day for the perfect moment to demand a favor.
Only for the remnants of the Roger Pirates to crash the stage.
If it had been just Rayleigh, Shanks could've held his ground as a Yonko.
But with the entire Roger crew present—he was just a junior.
Unless he denied his past as a mere apprentice, he had no choice but to yield.
"Captain, what do we do?"
Lucky Roo's voice was low, his face grim.
They had poured everything into this plan—only to watch the prize slip away.
He couldn't accept it.
Shanks' expression stiffened for a moment.
But as a seasoned tactician, he quickly recovered.
He sheathed Gryphon and smiled.
"Relax. Things didn't go as planned, but it's not a total loss."
"Besides, I've already thought of a way to minimize the damage."
With that, Shanks stepped forward, vanishing like a ghost.
He reappeared aboard the Roger Pirates' ship.
Looking at the familiar faces, he smiled:
"Rayleigh, Scopper, everyone—it's been a long time."
"I even saw Buggy earlier. Aside from Captain Roger, this is a rare reunion."
"Rayleigh was right. No matter how reckless Ace is, he's still Roger's son."
"I may be the captain of the Red-Haired Pirates now, but I was once just an apprentice on the Oro Jackson."
"So let me help. Let the Navy give us this one favor."
"I'm sure Fleet Admiral Sengoku and the others will oblige."
"Oh, and Buggy—come join us!"
Everyone was stunned.
No one expected a Yonko like Shanks to humble himself, openly acknowledging his past as an apprentice.
Nor did they expect one of the fugitives to be a former Roger Pirate.
But while others were shocked, Buggy looked like he wanted to vanish.
He had only come to livestream the chaos and ride the wave of fame.
Now Shanks had dragged him into the spotlight.
"Join you? I don't believe you for a second!"
Buggy shouted, glaring.
"You're still as annoying as ever! You want to 'reunite'? I remember you still owe me a treasure map! Get lost!"
Shanks just laughed.
Luo Yu was surprised too—he hadn't expected Buggy to show up.
But Shanks siding with the Roger Pirates didn't surprise him.
If you can't beat them—join them.
It was the smart move.
As a Yonko and a former Roger apprentice, Shanks could still ride the coattails of that legacy.
"Heh… Shanks, Buggy—it's good to see you both," Rayleigh said, taking a swig of liquor and patting Shanks on the shoulder.
"Sengoku, we go way back. Protecting Ace should've been our job. But Whitebeard refused our help."
"Now that he's gone, and the Navy's had its moment—let us leave."
"Of course, you can refuse. But if you do, it won't just be Whitebeard who dies today—it'll be all of us old men too."
"So… do you still want to fight?"
His quiet words sent a chill through the battlefield.
No one doubted Rayleigh—the Dark King, Roger's right hand.
As the Roger Pirates' flag flew once more, everyone knew:
They were ready to die.
If the battle continued, the Navy would face not just Whitebeard's remnants—
But also the full might of the Red-Haired Pirates and the surviving Roger Pirates.
It would be like fighting three Yonko crews at once.
All eyes turned to Sengoku, waiting.
What would the strategist decide?
Sengoku's face darkened.
Shanks and the Roger remnants had caught him off guard.
But he knew: the moment Whitebeard died, the war should have ended.
If they pushed further, even a victory would be pyrrhic.
The cost to the Navy would be catastrophic.
Just as Sengoku prepared to speak—
A new figure appeared on the battlefield, shocking everyone.
"Well, since everyone's here… let's wipe them all out."
"Sengoku, I'll help reinforce Marineford."
Sengoku's pupils shrank.
A new player had entered the game.