Several hours later, the Golden Lion Pirates' ship descended beneath the surface of the sea.
The transparent coating surrounding the vessel stretched slightly under the immense pressure, carrying the ship safely between the enormous mangrove roots extending beneath Sabaody Archipelago.
Nami stood behind the wheel, carefully guiding the ship along the descending current while Vivi and Robin remained nearby.
Beyond the coating, schools of colorful fish swam past the vessel. Several enormous sea creatures watched them from the darkness, their glowing eyes following the ship for a few moments before they lost interest and disappeared into the depths.
However, something was different this time.
Shiki was not aboard the ship.
After the incident on Sabaody, he had ordered them to continue toward Fish-Man Island without him. He intended to travel to Marineford alone and take part in the coming war.
Although Shiki had not revealed exactly what he planned to do there, the three women understood that it was important.
Naturally, all of them had wanted to accompany him.
However, after what Shiki had done on Sabaody, the situation was no longer so simple. He had killed three Celestial Dragons in front of an Admiral and defeated Kizaru so severely that the man had been unable to continue fighting.
By now, the entire World Government would know the identities of Nami, Vivi, and Robin.
If they appeared beside Shiki at Marineford, there was a good chance the Marines would target them in an attempt to restrict his movements.
They were strong, but Marineford would be filled with the greatest forces the Marines could gather.
Accompanying him would only provide the enemy with another way to interfere with him.
Nami kept her eyes fixed on the current ahead.
"Even though I know Shiki made the right decision… it's still frustrating."
Vivi nodded in understanding.
"I feel the same. We've become much stronger, but at Marineford, our presence could still give the enemy a way to interfere with Shiki-san."
Robin gazed through the coating at the dark sea surrounding them.
"Without us there, Captain will be able to fight however he wishes."
None of them were worried about whether Shiki possessed enough strength to survive.
They had already witnessed what he could do.
Even an Admiral had been unable to stop him.
Vivi's expression softened into a small smile.
"Besides, Shiki-san promised that he would meet us after the war."
Robin's lips curved into her usual calm smile.
"Ara. Then all we need to do is reach Fish-Man Island and wait for him."
Nami adjusted the wheel as the ship entered another descending current.
"All right! Hold on tight! I'll get us to Fish-Man Island before either of you even has time to start worrying!"
Nami's sudden enthusiasm caused Vivi and Robin to exchange a wary glance, matching drops of sweat appearing on their faces as the ship abruptly began descending even faster.
…
At Marine Headquarters, the atmosphere was nothing like the peaceful depths surrounding the Golden Lion Pirates' ship.
Inside the highest-security intensive-care ward of Marineford's hospital, several doctors and nurses hurried between rows of medical equipment.
Admiral Kizaru lay motionless upon the bed at the center of the room.
Most of his torso was hidden beneath thick layers of bandages. A machine beside the bed assisted his breathing, while numerous tubes extended from his arms into the equipment surrounding him.
The yellow-striped suit he normally wore was gone.
So was the relaxed expression that rarely left his face.
His eyes remained closed, and no matter how many times the doctors examined him, there had been no indication that he was close to waking.
Outside the room, Sengoku and Garp stood beside the doctor overseeing his treatment.
Sengoku stared through the glass at the unconscious Kizaru.
"How is he?"
The doctor adjusted his glasses before answering.
"He is still unconscious."
Sengoku's expression hardened.
"When will he wake up?"
"We cannot say for certain."
The doctor lowered his gaze toward the medical report in his hands.
"Several of his ribs were shattered, his internal organs suffered severe damage, and the slash across his chest resulted in extensive blood loss."
Garp remained silent, his arms folded across his chest.
The doctor hesitated briefly before continuing.
"The damage caused by the pirate's Haki is especially serious. Even with the best treatment available, Admiral Kizaru will require several months before he can return to active duty."
Sengoku closed his eyes, his fists clenching so tightly that thick veins bulged along the backs of his hands.
Several months.
The war against Whitebeard had not even begun, yet one of the Marines' three Admirals had already been taken out of action.
Even Garp understood the full implications of what had happened. He stared through the glass at Kizaru, his expression unusually solemn.
No one had expected this.
Kizaru had been dispatched to Sabaody to rescue the Celestial Dragons and deal with the pirates gathered across the archipelago.
Instead, all three Celestial Dragons had been killed, several Pacifistas had been destroyed, and Kizaru had returned in a condition severe enough to leave him unconscious.
All because of a single pirate.
A rookie pirate.
Sengoku slowly opened his eyes.
No.
Calling Shiki a rookie after what he had done would be ridiculous.
The situation had only worsened after Morgans learned what had happened.
Newspapers were already being distributed across the world.
One photograph showed Saint Charlos's severed head lying upon the ground.
Another captured the bodies of Saint Rosward and Saint Shalria disappearing into clouds of black smoke.
The final photograph showed Kizaru sprawled across the shattered earth, his body battered and blood pouring from the deep wound across his chest.
Above the photographs, a headline had been printed in enormous letters.
THE GOLDEN LION SHIKI DECLARES WAR ON THE GODS!
Sengoku crumpled the newspaper in his hand.
"That damned bird…"
Garp glanced at the paper before casually placing a finger inside his nose. He squinted at the photograph of the dead Celestial Dragons.
"At least he chose a good picture."
"THIS ISN'T FUNNY, GARP!"
"Bwahahaha! I wasn't laughing, Sengoku. Don't worry."
"…"
News of Kizaru's defeat had already spread throughout Marine Headquarters.
The soldiers knew that an Admiral had been defeated and that the man responsible for it was still free.
All of this had happened only days before the public execution of Portgas D. Ace.
They were preparing to face Whitebeard, yet they had already lost one of their strongest fighters before the war had even begun.
For once, Garp's voice became completely serious.
"Borsalino isn't someone who can be defeated by accident. That brat is already strong enough to fight the Marines' best, and we underestimated him. Now we're paying for it."
He looked toward Sengoku.
"But this isn't the time to dwell on what happened. We need to focus on the coming war and find a way to restore the soldiers' morale."
Sengoku remained silent for a moment before releasing a long breath through his nose, the vein on his forehead still throbbing.
"For once, you've said something useful."
Garp's eyebrow twitched.
What did he mean, "for once"?
Did this bastard truly believe he never said anything meaningful?
"What do you mean, 'for once'?"
Sengoku ignored him and turned his attention back toward Kizaru.
"We cannot undo what happened on Sabaody, and we do not have time to mourn the loss of an Admiral before the battle has even begun. I'll issue a strict order throughout Headquarters. There will be no more careless discussion of Kizaru's defeat."
His gaze hardened.
"The Marines will enter this war with their heads held high. Whitebeard cannot be allowed to sense weakness before he even arrives."
With nothing more to say, Sengoku turned and began walking down the corridor. Garp followed beside him with both hands buried in his pockets, glancing toward the Fleet Admiral with open curiosity.
"By the way, how did the Government react to what happened on Sabaody? I bet they were furious. Bwahahaha!"
Sengoku released a weary sigh and smacked Garp across the back of the head, though a serious light flashed in his eyes.
"They told us not to concern ourselves with Shiki. The Five Elders said the Knights of God would be responsible for dealing with him. We are to focus entirely on the coming war."
The moment Garp heard that name, his laughter disappeared.
His expression twisted with disgust, becoming noticeably grumpier as unpleasant memories from many years ago surfaced in his mind.
"Tch. What a bunch of bastards."
"Hey! Watch your mouth, you idiot!"
…
However, while the Marines desperately tried to conceal their humiliation, the rest of the world was already boiling over.
The news soon reached the Moby Dick.
Marco held the newspaper open before him, his eyes lingering on the photographs of the three dead Celestial Dragons before shifting toward Kizaru's battered body.
"He killed three Celestial Dragons right in front of an Admiral… and then defeated the Admiral sent to protect them, yoi."
Even Marco could not completely hide his disbelief.
"That Shiki didn't just provoke the World Government. He declared war on them for the entire world to see… What a monster."
His gaze settled on the photograph of Kizaru once more.
"Still, with Kizaru out of action, that's one less obstacle standing between us and Ace."
Jozu folded his massive arms, his expression grim.
"Defeating Kizaru like that proves just how dangerous he is. If he decides to come to Marineford, someone with that kind of strength could change the course of the entire battle."
Vista stroked his mustache, studying the headline.
"After openly killing three Celestial Dragons, I doubt he would stand beside the Marines if he really does come."
Several nearby pirates erupted into cheers, raising their mugs as they celebrated the fall of one of Marine Headquarters' greatest powers.
"An Admiral's already down!"
"That means rescuing Ace just got easier!"
"Don't get careless!"
Marco's sharp voice immediately silenced them.
"Kizaru may be out, but Sengoku, Garp, the other Admirals, and every force the Marines can gather will still be waiting for us. Nothing about this war will be easy, yoi."
Whitebeard remained seated in silence, his enormous hand gripping the newspaper.
His eyes lingered upon Kizaru's battered figure before moving toward the report concerning Ace's approaching execution.
The loss of an Admiral was undoubtedly good news for them, but it did not erase the danger awaiting his son.
Nor did Whitebeard believe the Marines would simply accept such humiliation without changing their plans.
"Don't start celebrating before we've brought Ace home."
His deep voice rolled across the deck, silencing every man aboard the ship.
"The Marines have lost one of their strongest fighters, but a wounded beast is often the most dangerous."
Whitebeard crushed the newspaper in his fist.
"If that brat Shiki really intends to appear at Marineford, what he chooses to do there is his business."
His gaze hardened as he looked toward the sea ahead.
"Our purpose hasn't changed."
"We're bringing Ace back."
...
The same newspaper eventually reached Amazon Lily.
Outside the imperial chambers of Kuja Castle, Boa Sandersonia and Boa Marigold stood on either side of the enormous doors, preventing anyone from entering.
Neither sister appeared particularly comfortable with the task.
They had been standing there for some time when the sharp tapping of a cane echoed along the corridor.
Elder Nyon approached them with hurried steps, leaning upon her snake-shaped staff as she looked between the two sisters.
"I need to speak with Hancock."
Sandersonia immediately lowered one hand in front of the door.
"I'm afraid you can't go inside right now, Elder Nyon."
Marigold nodded helplessly.
"Onee-sama ordered us not to allow anyone to disturb her."
Elder Nyon's eyes narrowed.
"What is that girl doing now? The Marines are still waiting for an answer regarding their summons."
She struck the floor with her staff.
"This is no time for her usual stubbornness! As one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, she must agree to participate in the coming war!"
The two sisters exchanged uneasy glances.
Sandersonia hesitated before answering.
"We don't really know what she's doing."
"She's been acting strangely ever since today's newspaper arrived," Marigold added. "She suddenly locked herself inside and refused to see anyone."
Elder Nyon frowned.
"The newspaper?"
Sandersonia nodded.
"Perhaps she isn't feeling well."
"Not feeling well?"
Elder Nyon's expression immediately changed.
Before either sister could stop her, she raised her staff and began hammering against the door.
"Hancock! Open this door! You cannot hide yourself away at a time like this!"
Inside the chamber, Hancock sat alone upon an elegant couch.
The newspaper rested open across her lap.
Her gaze had remained fixed upon it for quite some time.
She had barely looked at the article describing Admiral Kizaru's defeat.
Nor had she paid much attention to the enormous headline declaring that Shiki had challenged the gods themselves.
Instead, her eyes remained upon the photographs beneath it.
Saint Charlos's severed head.
The bodies of Saint Rosward and Saint Shalria vanishing into black smoke.
And, farther behind them, the dark silhouette of the man responsible.
Hancock stared silently at Shiki's figure, one fingertip resting between her lips.
Outside, Elder Nyon continued pounding upon the door.
"Hancock! The Marines will not wait forever! If you continue ignoring their summons, they may revoke your position as a Warlord!"
The chamber remained silent.
Elder Nyon struck the door again.
"At least give them an answer!"
At last, the enormous doors swung open.
Elder Nyon barely had enough time to raise her head before a long, graceful leg struck her squarely in the face.
"Geh!"
The old woman flew across the corridor and crashed into the wall.
Sandersonia and Marigold watched with matching drops of sweat upon their temples.
Hancock stepped from her chamber with her chin raised, her long black hair flowing behind her as though nothing unusual had happened.
The newspaper remained held loosely in one hand.
Elder Nyon peeled herself from the wall and fell to the floor.
"What was that for?!"
Hancock did not spare her a glance.
She walked past her sisters, her expression proud and unreadable.
"Tell the Marines… I will participate in this war."
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