Seeing Sengoku and Kong finally comply, Ashveil gave a faint, approving nod.
"Hmph. At least you two still have some sense left."
He folded his arms, his sharp gaze cutting through the chaos around Marineford. "Alright, let's talk this through properly. First, tell your men to stand down. I'll speak with you Marines alone."
Sengoku hesitated for only a second — then obeyed.
He picked up the Den Den Mushi, his voice carrying across the entire battlefield.
"Cease all attacks! I repeat, stop this war immediately! Marineford… can no longer endure such losses!"
His next words came with a heavy, almost trembling breath.
"I hereby announce… the Marines… surrender!"
The words echoed across the devastated plaza like a thunderclap.
For a heartbeat, silence consumed Marineford — then chaos erupted.
"The Marines… surrendered?!"
"No way! The world's strongest military force actually surrendered?!"
"The Whitebeard Pirates… we won! We actually won!"
The pirates roared in disbelief and triumph, their cheers shaking the ruins of the island. For many, it felt like the end of an era.
Douglas Bullet clenched his fists, his blood still boiling for battle.
"Tch… you took all the glory this time, Ashveil! Next time, I'm the one who'll stand at the top!"
Shiryu of the Rain sheathed his sword with a cold snort.
Since the Marines had surrendered, his debt was paid — and he vanished from the battlefield without a word.
Donquixote Doflamingo, his smile bloodstained and wild, burst into laughter even as the remnants of the Marine technological troops smoked around him.
"Heheheh… The great Marines, symbols of 'justice,' brought to their knees. What a sight!"
"This time, I gambled right." His grin widened, eyes glimmering with greed.
"A new era has arrived…!"
The thought of his promised reward — the tax rights to two entire nations — only made his mood brighter. For a man who treated chaos as business, this was profit beyond measure.
From the center of the plaza, Whitebeard's booming laugh shook the air.
"Gurararara! Gurararara! We won!"
He pointed his massive bisento toward the trembling Marines.
"Sengoku! Who would've thought the day would come when you'd bow your head to us? You dared to harm my sons — and now you pay the price!"
Sengoku's face twisted in pain, while Garp stood silently beside him, arms crossed, expression heavy.
"…Sengoku."
It was all Garp could say. Both men knew — this was more than a military defeat. The justice they'd fought for all their lives had crumbled before their eyes.
Ashveil extended his hand and used his Haoshoku Haki to seize control of the Den Den Mushi. His voice spread across Marineford, firm and commanding.
"I declare that the Whitebeard Pirates have achieved total victory. Pirates, withdraw. The rest is between me and the Marines."
The silence that followed broke into an explosion of cheers.
To the pirates, Ashveil was now a legend. Half of this victory was his doing.
At his command, the Whitebeard Pirates and their allies began retreating in an orderly formation.
Whitebeard stepped up beside him, his deep voice rumbling like thunder.
"Kid, you really pulled it off… but don't let your guard down. Marines are snakes — they could strike again."
He rested a massive hand on Ashveil's shoulder.
"We'll wait for you on the coast. If things turn ugly, give us the signal. We'll come crashin' right back in."
Ashveil smirked. "Don't worry, old man. Look around — do you really think they still dare to resist?"
He swept his gaze across the broken plaza.
Most Marines were wounded and exhausted. Even Sengoku and Kong looked ready to collapse. Garp and Tsuru still stood, but their strength was nearly spent.
They might've had a chance at their peak — but now? Challenging him again would be suicide.
Whitebeard laughed heartily and turned to leave. "Gurarara! I'll hold you to that, brat."
One by one, the pirate crews withdrew — even reluctant monsters like Bullet and World followed, their lust for battle tempered by the moment's gravity.
Above Marineford, the massive Tremor-Tremor Giant Hammer still hovered ominously, shimmering with destructive energy, a silent reminder of who held power now.
The negotiations began.
Ashveil leaned casually against a shattered pillar, his voice calm but absolute.
"Let's start simple. Compensation — 200 billion Berries."
Sengoku nearly coughed up blood. "Two hundred…?! The Marine annual budget barely reaches a hundred billion!"
Beside him, Kong's jaw tightened, his expression grim.
Sengoku tried to reason, voice weary. "One hundred billion Berries. That's the limit of my authority."
Ashveil tilted his head slightly. "Too little. Two hundred billion. Not one Berry less."
He smiled faintly — not in arrogance, but in certainty.
"If you don't have the power to decide, call your superiors. The Gorosei."
Sengoku's eyes narrowed. So the boy knew of them — meaning Whitebeard must've told him.
Ashveil's gaze turned cold. "If the Gorosei refuse, tell them Marineford will be buried with you. Their pride can burn along with it."
Kong placed a hand on Sengoku's shoulder. "Enough. We've already lost the right to argue. Do as he says."
Sengoku clenched his fists, veins bulging in frustration, then reluctantly dialed the number.
Deep within the Holy Land of Mary Geoise, the Den Den Mushi rang through the chamber of power.
The five old men — the Gorosei — listened to Sengoku's report in silence before the room erupted in fury.
"You useless fools!" barked Saint Nusjuro, slamming his hand against the table. "You Marines are nothing more than the World Government's facade — and now you've humiliated us completely!"
Saint Warcury growled, "Roger's bloodline escaped, Impel Down's prisoners are loose, and even with Vegapunk's technology, CP support, and Kong's command — you failed!"
Saint Jaygarcia Saturn barked "And now you have the audacity to demand money?! Pathetic!"
Sengoku closed his eyes, shoulders trembling with quiet shame. "With all due respect, if we deny him, Marineford will fall… and the world's faith in us will collapse with it."
The chamber fell silent. The truth was bitter, but undeniable.
At
last, Saint Nusjuro exhaled through his nose, eyes sharp as blades.
"…Agree to his terms. Pay him. For now."
_____
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