Flaming fragments of the shattered meteor rained from the sky.
But none of them could pierce the Birdcage. Inside, the Whitebeard Pirates, Red-Hair Pirates, and Revolutionary Army members trembled with both fear and relief.
The contrast between inside and outside could not be starker. And all of it was thanks to Good.
After smashing one meteor, Good soared toward the second. Every eye on the battlefield widened in awe.
Whitebeard's gaze gleamed, filled with both longing and respect.
"Good has reached a height we cannot even hope to touch… He is becoming a living myth."
Shanks, Rayleigh, and Dragon — each nodded in silent agreement.
"One man sweeping aside over ten Emperor-level powers and more than a hundred thousand troops… the first in history!"
This was myth in the making. Like Joy Boy. Like Nika.
Outside, Sengoku, the Admirals, Fujitora, and Aramaki struggled to intercept the meteor fragments. But there were too many.
Explosions tore through the ranks. Screams filled the air. Casualties mounted endlessly.
Sengoku's heart tightened as he watched. Then he looked up — at Good.
There he was, hurling himself headlong against the descending meteor.
Against its enormity, Good was but an ant.
Yet his strike made it halt.
A heavy boom echoed through the heavens, shockwaves tearing the sky. And then — the impossible.
The meteor cracked. Shattered.
On the ground, countless strong men stared, faces pale with disbelief.
"This… this monster… can't be defeated."
Sengoku clenched his teeth, making his choice.
"All forces, retreat!!"
The order rang out across the battlefield, shocking many.
Akainu's eyes darkened. Retreat? After mobilizing such overwhelming power, only to leave in disgrace?
But Aokiji and Kizaru exchanged different looks.
Aokiji wasted no time. His ice spread out, forming escape routes for the battered troops.
The Gorosei, however, erupted in fury.
The Second Elder roared, "Sengoku, how dare you order retreat!? The Grand Elder and the Third Elder are dead!"
The loss of two Gorosei — it was unprecedented. If Good was not slain, how could the World Government keep its hold?
But Sengoku's resolve was firm.
"Good has already surpassed what we can face. If we continue, the losses will only grow. As Fleet Admiral, I must protect my men from pointless death!"
He ignored the elders' wrath.
With the falling meteors creating chaos, the moment was perfect for escape.
And the navy began to flee.
The Second, Fourth, and Fifth Elders ground their teeth, helpless rage boiling. But they too knew the truth. Good could not be stopped.
"We can only retreat… and beg Lord Imu to intervene," the Second Elder growled.
So the retreat began in earnest. Soldiers scattered in panic, desperate to live, more afraid of Good than the flaming stones raining down.
Even Kaido, who had been feigning unconsciousness, finally opened his eyes for the tenth time. He fled in terror, abandoning all pride.
Never again would he face Good. Next time might be his last.
From above, Good saw them running. His face darkened.
"I haven't even warmed up… and you're already running?"
His fused Kenbunshoku Haki (Observation Haki) swept the battlefield. Then he dove — straight at the Second Elder.
The Elder's pupils shrank. "Damn it!"
Good was going to annihilate the Gorosei, one by one.
But the Elder had no will to fight. His eyes darted to Barrett.
With his Chi Chi no Mi (Blood-Blood Fruit), he seized control of the blood around Barrett, yanking him off his feet and hurling him toward Good.
Barrett, caught off guard, was sent flying, rage boiling at the Elder's treachery — but also despair. His chance to escape was gone.
Good swatted him aside like an insect, slamming him into the Birdcage.
And with that, the Birdcage unraveled.
"Charge!!" Whitebeard roared.
"Take as many as we can!!" Shanks shouted.
The pirates' morale surged. They rushed out, chasing the fleeing navy.
The navy scrambled for their ships. Many vessels had been sunk, but there were enough warships left for escape. Sengoku's foresight, as always, showed its value.
The meteors' debris hindered both Good's pursuit and the pirates' chase.
In the end, only Fujitora, Shiki, Bullet, Teach, and a handful of CP agents and navy troops remained trapped.
The rest escaped aboard their ships, fleeing the island in disgrace.
(End of Chapter)
[Check Out My P@treon For 20+ Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!]
[[email protected]/Draumel]
[Thank You For Your Support!]