Bepo's shout immediately drew the attention of Law and Sugar behind him. Dozens of warships began to fill the horizon. At the very front stood two familiar figures side by side. Vice Admiral Tsuru And Admiral Candidate Gion. Behind them, more than a dozen Marine warships continued advancing, gradually forming an encirclement. Sakazuki glanced over his shoulder without fully turning around.
Arthur also noticed the approaching fleet and let out a quiet sigh. Arthur lowered both of his swords to his sides, his expression remaining calm. On the other hand, Sakazuki pressed a hand against the long wound stretching from the left side of his neck down across his chest. Blood continued to flow. The gash remained wide open. For the first time in many years, A Marine Admiral had suffered an injury that could not immediately heal. Yet instead of retreating, The heat surrounding Sakazuki intensified. Magma once again enveloped both of his arms and The sea beneath his feet began to boil.
Robin: "...He still wants to fight?" Watching from afar, Robin frowned slightly.
Hancock: "That's Akainu." Hancock smiled faintly despite clutching the wound on the left side of her chest.
Sakazuki: "Justice... never retreats because of a single wound. [Dai Funka]." Sakazuki slowly raised his head. The killing intent in his eyes had not faded in the slightest.
Arthur: "You're unbelievably stubborn." Arthur let out another quiet sigh.
CLANG!!
His twin swords collided once more with Akainu's magma fist. The resulting shockwave was far greater than before, sweeping across the ocean. The sea split apart. Dozens of warships in the distance rocked violently from the impact. Aboard the Athena, everyone instinctively turned to look back. The horizon was now filled with even more Marine warships. Justice flags fluttered everywhere. The encirclement formation was gradually taking shape.
Hancock: "...They're here." Hancock narrowed her eyes.
Robin: "Raise the sails. Move away from here immediately." Robin immediately gave the order.
On the leading warship, Tsuru stood with her arms folded. Beside her, Gion rested one hand on the hilt of her sword, silently observing the battlefield. The Athena slowly began to turn, Its engines and Jet Dials worked together as the massive ship steadily sailed away from the center of the battle.
Arthoria: "Papa..." Arthoria hugged Monet tightly while continued staring toward her father.
On the Marine warship that had already begun falling apar, Akainu continued throwing punch after punch. There wasn't the slightest sign that he intended to stop fighting. Despite the blood continuously flowing from the wound across his neck and chest, He kept advancing.
Arthur: "You truly deserve to be called an Admiral." Arthur let out another quiet breath.
Akainu offered no reply, Only another magma fist came flying toward Arthur and Arthur finally stepped forward. He assumed a true offensive stance, Jet-black Busoshoku Haki completely coated both of his swords, Black lightning danced along their edges.
Sakazuki: "Dai Funka!!" Akainu likewise unleashed every ounce of his power.
Arthur answered by swinging both swords simultaneously. The two slashes crossed into the shape of an "X."
BOOOOOOOMMMMM!!
The explosion seemed to split the heavens apart. Several clouds vanished instantly under the overwhelming pressure. A moment later, As the smoke and dust disperse, Akainu's body was sent flying. He slammed into the ocean's surface, skipped across the water several times, before finally crashing into the bow of the very warship carrying Tsuru and Gion. The entire ship shook violently. Marines rushed forward to catch their Admiral.
DOOOOM!!
Marine A: "Admiral Sakazuki!"
Marine B: "Admiral!"
Akainu still tried to stand, His fists remained clenched, magma continuing to pour from them. The moment he regained his footing, he prepared to charge once more. However, Arthur had already lowered his swords. His gaze shifted toward the fleet that was now only a few dozen meters away. Standing on the very deck where Akainu had landed, Were Tsuru and Gion. They had finally arrived make Arthur smiled faintly.
Arthur: "It's been a long time, Grandma Tsuru... Big Sister Gion." As he spoke, he calmly sheathed both of his swords.
Tsuru: "It certainly has been a long time, Arthur. At least you still remember the proper manners of greeting your elders first." Standing at the bow of her warship, Tsuru's Justice coat fluttered in the sea breeze as she looked directly at Arthur.
Arthur: "If this fight continues, Akainu's ship will be completely destroyed... and the Marines thrown into the sea won't survive."
Gion: "You really do know how to make a mess." Gion smiled faintly.
Arthur: "Doesn't the Navy always blame pirates for things like this?" Arthur chuckled make Gion couldn't help smiling and Tsuru merely sighed.
Tsuru: "If we'd arrived a little later... one of you might have died."
Arthur: "Perhaps." Arthur shrugged.
Sakazuki: "Justice... never retreats because of a single wound."
Behind Tsuru, Dozens of Marine warships continued moving into a complete encirclement. Their cannons slowly turned toward the Athena as it sailed farther into the distance. The atmosphere became tense, Yet neither side made the first move. Then, Footsteps echoed softly across the deck and Arthur didn't even need to turn around. He already knew, The Athena and his crew was ready.
Arthur: "Until next time." Arthur looked at Tsuru one last time.
Gion: "...Next time, we won't let you escape." Gion answered briefly and Tsuru simply smiled.
Arthur: "I'll be looking forward to it." Arthur smiled back.
Monet: "[Swap]." At that exact moment, Monet appeared beside him and placed one hand on Arthur's shoulder.
SWISH!
In an instant, Arthur and Monet vanished before the eyes of the entire Marine force. The only thing left behind, Was a small blank sheet of paper bearing a [Mark], gently fluttering in the wind, while the sea continued rolling from the aftermath of their battle. Akainu clenched his fist so tightly that blood began flowing from the wound on his neck once again. His gaze never left the Athena as it gradually disappeared beyond the horizon.
That day, Neither side could truly claim victory. Yet every Marine present had witnessed it with their own eyes. A pirate named Arthur had fought Admiral Sakazuki to a standstill. And had even left behind a scar the Admiral would likely carry for the rest of his life.
Tsuru narrowed her eyes, still trying to make out Arthur's figure standing atop the distant Athena, waving both hands toward them.
Tsuru: "Put out the fires immediately and rescue every Marine still in the water."
Marine A: "Yes, Great Staff Officer!"
Gion: "Arthur has grown stronger... perhaps even stronger than I am." Gion stepped closer to Tsuru and spoke quietly, concern evident in her voice.
Tsuru: "Take away the word 'perhaps'. He has already surpassed all of us. And after what he accomplished today...We won't be able to protect him anymore. I'm afraid... those at the top are going to make their move. " Tsuru slowly shook her head.
Arthur returned to the Athena alongside Monet. Looking back, he could still see Tsuru standing in the distance. He raised one hand and waved at her. Hancock crossed her arms the moment Arthoria jumped into Arthur's embrace.
Hancock: "Finished exchanging pleasantries?"
Arthur: "More or less." Arthur laughed softly.
Robin: "They let us leave on purpose." Robin looked toward the retreating Marine fleet.
Arthur: "Yes. The next time we meet...She may no longer be able to." Arthur nodde and turned to look at his crew.
Arthur: "Starting today, We're putting all major operations on hold for a while. It's time to search for the greatest prize of all." The smiles on his face faded into a serious expression and Every member of the crew looked at him attentively.
Arthur: "Devil Fruits." Arthur smiled look The compass in his hand slowly began to spin, Before finally stopping in a single direction.