"Ku la la la la! It's far too late to regret it now, Sengoku! You've completely angered that man!"
The booming voice of the Whitebeard of the Four Emperors rang out across the battlefield, mocking the shaken Marshal Sengoku with a cruel smile.
"Hahaha!"
"That's right! That's right!"
"Too late for regret now!"
"Fairy Tail are the true heroes of the sea!"
"They are the real justice!"
Whitebeard's commanders joined in one after another, their jeers cutting through the air like blades.
"As long as the World Government and those damned Celestial Dragons exist, your so-called Marine justice will always be a joke!"
"If you Marines truly believe in justice, then start by punishing those parasites—the Celestial Dragons themselves!"
"If I were you, I'd cast away the darkness right now and turn toward the light—kneel beneath Fairy Tail's banner!"
The Whitebeard Pirates' voices rose in cruel laughter, each word hammering away at the Marines' morale.
If this had been in the past, the men of the Navy would have shouted back without hesitation—denying, roaring, fighting back.
But now…
The elites of Naval Headquarters stood silent, their hearts heavy. Not one of them could refute the words hurled at them.
Because deep down—they agreed.
Even they couldn't deny it anymore.
While the Marines struggled with their shaken resolve, something else was happening on the other side of the battlefield.
From the glowing summoning circle, a towering figure slowly opened his eyes—
Kozuki Oden, the corpse warrior from history, had fully regained his memories.
His gaze turned first toward the giant man standing in the distance—Whitebeard.
"...I'm sorry, Whitebeard," Oden said quietly, his voice tinged with regret.
Whitebeard had once tolerated all of his recklessness, treated him like a brother—no, like family.
And yet, Oden had left him halfway, abandoning the Whitebeard Pirates to join Roger's ship out of selfish ambition.
He'd never made it back.
Never even had the chance to say goodbye.
That regret had lingered even in death.
"You fool! Why are you bringing that up now?!"
Whitebeard barked, though there was laughter behind the scolding.
"Yeah, yeah, forget about that!"
"It's enough that we can see you again!"
"Master Oden, welcome back!"
Marco, Jozu, Vista, and Izou—veterans of the Whitebeard Pirates—all smiled warmly through the chaos, their eyes glistening with emotion.
"Everyone…"
Tears welled in Oden's eyes, his voice trembling.
He was overwhelmed by their acceptance, their unchanging loyalty—even after everything.
"Ahahaha! Oden! If you really want to apologize, we can do it later—after this battle's done!"
Laughed the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger.
"He's right, Oden!"
Added Rayleigh, his grin as carefree as ever.
"After all, it was our captain who insisted on taking you away!"
"Roger… Rayleigh…"
The corners of Oden's eyes flushed red with emotion.
"Father!"
A sudden cry came from above.
Oden froze, his head snapping up toward the voice.
High above, standing on the deck of Fairy Tail's ship, was a young woman with flowing green hair.
Her tear-streaked face made his heart lurch.
"Hiyori…!"
With a single glance, he recognized her—his daughter, Kozuki Hiyori.
"Father!"
She broke down, sobbing uncontrollably.
"This is wonderful…! Truly wonderful, Hiyori-chan!"
"To finally say goodbye to your father!"
"It's so moving~!"
Robin, Nami, Vivi, and the other Fairy Tail women cheered, their eyes brimming with joy for the girl.
But beneath their smiles, a quiet hope flickered in their hearts.
If Oden could be brought back to life… then perhaps their lost loved ones could too.
Still… now wasn't the time for that.
"Ku la la la la! Crying on such a happy day—it doesn't suit you, Oden!"
Whitebeard laughed, shaking his head.
"I-I wasn't crying!"
Oden quickly wiped his eyes, forcing his expression to harden again.
Then he turned—his gaze cold, sharp as steel—
not toward Kaido of the Beasts,
but toward Blackbeard Teach.
Because it was Blackbeard who had started this war.
Blackbeard who had murdered his crewmates.
Blackbeard who had killed the Fourth Division Commander—the Saint of the Sea.
And most of all…
Blackbeard, who had once sailed beneath his very flag.
"Teach," Oden's voice cut through the noise, filled with quiet fury.
"You dare commit such betrayal? Do you even feel the weight of what you've done?"
The battlefield fell silent for a breath—
before the next wave of chaos crashed forward.