With Sengoku joining the battlefield, the tide of war finally began to shift.
Kaido, who had previously overwhelmed Fujitora and Aramaki through sheer strength alone, was now gradually being pushed back under the combined assault of the three Marines.
On another part of the battlefield, Jack slowly stood up again despite his devastating injuries.
His appearance was miserable. Both tusks had been shattered, and countless wounds covered his body. Blood soaked his massive frame, yet he still forced himself upright through pure endurance.
"This monster..." Momousagi muttered, unable to hide her shock.
She knew Ancient Zoan users possessed terrifying vitality, but Jack's toughness was absurd even by those standards. She had already slashed him hundreds of times, yet he still refused to fall.
After getting back to his feet, Jack charged toward Momousagi once again without hesitation.
Momousagi's expression hardened.
Originally, she intended to capture him alive if possible. But after witnessing his monstrous resilience, she abandoned that thought completely. Someone like Jack was simply too dangerous to leave breathing.
This time, she would kill him without mercy.
Elsewhere on the battlefield, King the Conflagration and former Admiral Zephyr continued their fierce battle in the sky.
Although Zephyr's Observation Haki and Armament Haki were superior to King's, age had weakened him greatly. King possessed the natural advantages of the Lunarian race along with aerial mobility, making it impossible for Zephyr to gain a decisive advantage.
"Cough... cough... cough..."
Suddenly, Zephyr began coughing violently in the middle of combat. Blood spilled from his mouth as his body staggered before dropping to one knee.
"Admiral Zephyr!"
"Zephyr-sensei!"
Numerous Marines shouted anxiously after seeing the scene unfold.
"Oh? Looks like time catches up to everyone eventually," King said coldly while staring at the kneeling Zephyr. "Even a former Admiral cannot escape old age and illness."
King was far from an ordinary pirate.
Not only was he an awakened Ancient Zoan user, but he was also a Lunarian, blessed with extraordinary defense and the power of flight.
Even Zephyr's heavy punches had failed to inflict serious damage on him.
At that moment, Zephyr struggled to breathe while desperately searching his body for medicine. His health had already deteriorated long ago, and the intense battle had worsened his condition even further.
"A perfect opportunity."
King's eyes sharpened instantly.
As a ruthless killing machine, there was no way he would let such a chance slip away.
The flames burning behind his back disappeared immediately.
During the fight, King had mostly remained defensive because he understood clearly that if Zephyr landed a clean hit while his flames were extinguished, the damage would be devastating.
Even while maintaining his Lunarian defense, Zephyr's attacks had already caused him internal injuries.
But now, Zephyr was vulnerable.
"Damn it..." Sengoku's expression changed drastically.
"Imperial Deep Pride Stake!"
King transformed into a high speed blur and launched himself toward Zephyr.
Because of his worsening illness, Zephyr reacted too slowly.
Boom!
The devastating attack slammed directly into Zephyr's abdomen. Blood burst from his mouth as his body flew backward violently.
"Zephyr!"
Sengoku's face filled with alarm.
"Zephyr-sensei!"
The surrounding Marines cried out in panic.
Not far away, the Seven Warlords of the Sea watched the battle like spectators.
Although they were supposed to be one of the main military forces of the World Government, most of them were barely contributing.
Seeing this, Sengoku's expression darkened.
If not for the overwhelming threat posed by the Yonko alliance, he would have already dealt with the Warlords himself. They enjoyed the privileges granted by the World Government while refusing to properly fulfill their responsibilities.
It was disgusting.
Unfortunately, no matter how dissatisfied Sengoku felt, he could only endure it for now.
As long as the Yonko alliance continued to exist, the Seven Warlords system remained necessary.
The alliance between the Emperors had already shattered the balance of the world. Only through the combined power of Marine Headquarters and the World Government could they hope to suppress them.
If the Warlords ever sided with the Yonko as well, the situation would become even worse.
"What are you staring at, Sengoku?!"
Kaido roared as he unleashed a massive stream of flames toward him.
Admiral Aramaki immediately stepped forward. A massive forest erupted from the ground, blocking Kaido's attack.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku!" Aramaki shouted. "This isn't the time to lose focus. That monster won't go down easily!"
Sengoku quickly turned his attention back to Kaido, though his gaze still occasionally drifted toward Zephyr.
After all, Zephyr was his longtime comrade.
How could he not worry?
Meanwhile, King prepared to finish Zephyr off completely.
But just as he moved, his instincts screamed danger.
Without hesitation, King immediately abandoned the attack and switched to full defense.
"Secret Technique, Six King Gun!"
Boom!
Zephyr suddenly exploded forward with monstrous force.
His fist smashed directly into King's body, followed by a terrifying shockwave that erupted outward violently.
Even with his Lunarian physique, King could not fully withstand the impact.
Blood sprayed from his mouth as he was blasted backward and slammed heavily into a distant rock wall.
However, after delivering that attack, Zephyr's own injuries worsened significantly.
Blood continued pouring from his mouth as he dropped to one knee once again.
Seeing this, Sengoku immediately shouted:
"Blueno! Take Zephyr away for treatment immediately!"
"Understood, Fleet Admiral Sengoku."
Blueno instantly used the Door-Door Fruit to appear beside Zephyr.
At that moment, Zephyr looked pale as blood dripped from the corner of his mouth.
"I'm sorry... Sengoku..." he said weakly.
Sengoku clenched his fists tightly.
"No," he replied in a heavy voice. "I should be the one apologizing. You already retired long ago, yet I dragged you back into battle again. You've already done more than enough."
Zephyr remained silent.
Deep down, he understood his body better than anyone else.
His severed arm, old age, and worsening illness had long since pushed him past his limits. Fighting someone with King's level of strength was already far beyond what his body could endure.
Not long afterward, King slowly climbed out from the rubble.
He wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth while his wounds rapidly regenerated.
As an awakened Ancient Zoan user, his recovery speed was monstrous.
The injuries Zephyr inflicted were already healing at a visible rate.
The moment King stood back up, several Marine Vice Admirals immediately rushed forward and surrounded him from all directions.
===
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