As that fearsome, demonic figure vanished into the distant sea of clouds, every Marine present finally exhaled in relief.

Some collapsed to the ground, as if their strength had drained away entirely, panting heavily in the aftermath. The usual discipline and dignity of a Marine were nowhere to be seen.

Their pale faces turned toward the devastated landscape before them—nothing but wreckage and ruin in sight.

Within several kilometers, every street and building had been obliterated. The ground had caved in, smoke and dust swirling in every direction.

And then there was that massive, seemingly bottomless chasm—lava and flames still bursting and sputtering from within—enough to make anyone's heart race with dread.

"So this is the power of Vice Admiral Daren... no, Rogers Daren..."

"Not even the three 'monsters' of Marine Headquarters, who stand shoulder-to-shoulder with him, could stop him!"

"It's terrifying..."

"If he hadn't been holding back, he could've easily leveled all of Marineford in that one battle..."

"..."

The Marines murmured among themselves, still shaken. As their eyes met, they all wore the same bitter, speechless expression.

Back on Philseque Island, when they had witnessed the earth-shattering clash between Daren and the Five Elders, their focus had mostly been on the strangeness of the Five Elders and Daren's madness and overwhelming strength...

But this time, the brutal battle in the heart of Marineford made the Navy's core elite experience, for the first time, a suffocating sense of true oppression.

The despair of standing face-to-face with Rogers Daren!

The same man they once admired, respected, and worshipped—the Vice Admiral who had achieved countless glorious feats for the Navy and for justice—had now become their enemy.

The comrade and general who used to bring them a sense of absolute safety, the one they believed could turn the tide of any crisis just by showing up... had now become a nightmare.

And this was with Daren clearly holding back.

If he had really intended to destroy Marine Headquarters without restraint, then Marineford would already have been reduced to ashes by that cursed blade, Enma.

He had shown restraint this time.

But next time?

This war won't end just because of today's clash.

As long as the World Government—or more precisely, the Five Elders—refuse to issue a ceasefire order, the war will continue.

So the next time they meet... will it come down to close-quarters combat? To fighting like mortal enemies until the last drop of blood is spilled?

If it really comes to that, will Vice Admiral Daren still hold back?

Or will he embrace the same ruthless methods he once used against his enemies and unleash a strike so devastating it crushes all hope?

If that happens...

It would mean Marine Headquarters will be facing a threat unlike any before.

Someone with the monstrous physique and defense of Kaidou of the Beasts, hailed as the strongest creature on land, sea, and air...

The brutal strength and savage might of Charlotte Linlin, Big Mom, the Evil Spirit...

The strategic mobility and ferocity of Shiki, the Flying Pirate...

And commanding the most powerful airborne fleet the seas have ever seen...

An unprecedented enemy!

When that man once again casts his gaze down upon this Holy Land of Justice...

When that peerless flying fleet, the one that tore through most of Mary Geoise, emerges from the clouds above Marine Headquarters...

When the thunder crashes and thousands of cannons fire in unison...

What kind of despair will the Marines face?

Just imagining the scene sent chills down the spines of every Marine present, plunging them into a long, stunned silence.

...

Sengoku stood still, wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth. His expression shifted uncertainly as he stared in the direction where Daren had vanished, fists clenched tight.

"Shall I go after him, Admiral Sengoku?"

Golden photons flickered rapidly at his side, gathering into a tall figure who asked with a lazy smile.

Sengoku shot an annoyed glance at Borsalino, whose uniform was only slightly rumpled, and whose demeanor remained annoyingly relaxed. The corner of Sengoku's mouth twitched as he let out a deep breath and shook his head.

"Forget it. Even if you catch up to him, it won't change a thing."

Borsalino was powerful—Sengoku would be the first to admit that even he couldn't fully grasp the extent of his adjutant's strength.

But no matter how strong this brat was, could he really take on Daren?

"You sure? Daren's seriously wounded. If I go now, I could probably finish him off, Admiral Sengoku..."

Borsalino stroked the stubble on his chin, smirking slightly as he looked at the admiral. Behind his sunglasses, a strange gleam flashed.

Sengoku was silent for a moment. Then his tone dropped, cold and sharp.

"Borsalino, don't test me. My patience has limits."

"Of course, of course. I'll follow orders,"

Borsalino said with a mock-surrender, raising his hands. But behind the sunglasses, his grin only deepened.

Sengoku gave him a sideways glance.

"Don't overthink it. Daren is now a world-class criminal, wanted by both the World Government and the Marines. There's no chance I'd ever cover for him."

"It's just... that kid always has more tricks than you expect. If you go alone, I'm worried something might happen."

Borsalino nodded repeatedly.

"Yes, yes... I hear you."

His tone was teasing.

Sengoku ignored the shameless man and turned his head, suddenly sensing something.

From the massive rift in the earth nearby, a scorched figure slowly dragged itself out of the splattering magma, staggering, panting.

Sakazuki's injuries were horrific. His entire face was streaked with blood, his upper body torn and raw, skin peeling in large patches.

The sight of him in such a state only made him look more terrifying than ever.

"Vice Admiral Sakazuki!"

A few Marines saw the state he was in and rushed forward to support him, trying to help with treatment.

Sakazuki waved them off and stumbled out of the boiling magma. Blood streamed from his mouth and nose, hissing into vapor the moment it hit the searing ground, leaving only dark red stains behind.

"I'm fine," he rasped, then turned his gaze toward Sengoku.

Sengoku gave a small shake of his head.

Meanwhile...

Kuzan lay amidst a field of frozen wreckage, face bruised and swollen, staring dazedly up at the gray sky.

The ice slowly evaporated, black smoke rolling upward.

Silence fell over the battlefield.

The world felt deathly still.

Until suddenly—

"Huh? Is that... a News Coo?"

A Marine seemed to notice something and called out softly.

Everyone froze, as if remembering something terrible. Their expressions shifted in unison.

They all looked up at the gloomy sky.

Flocks of News Coos swooped down from above, like a sweeping curtain of white, dropping rolled-up newspapers by the dozens.

Newspapers scattered like snow, filling the sky and blanketing the ground.

They fluttered down like white feathers—eerie, beautiful, dreamlike.

Plap.

The papers hit the earth one after another.

A strong hand reached out and picked one up.

Sengoku stared at the fresh-off-the-press newspaper in his hands, his fingers trembling uncontrollably.

He stood in silence for a long moment.

Under the cautious gazes of the surrounding Marines, he slowly unfolded the paper.

The headline splashed across the front page made him freeze in place.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.