"Damn it…!"
Levi slammed his fist against the deck in frustration.
Thud.
The impact barely produced a sound.
His entire body felt numb beneath the overwhelming pressure.
It was exactly like before.
Powerless.
Utterly powerless.
Once again…
He could only watch as someone else fought alone.
Just like Colonel Corvis had once stood alone against the Fish-Man while he remained tied up, unable even to break free of the ropes.
Nothing had changed.
He still lacked the strength to help.
He was still…
A burden.
Every battle ended the same way.
Rear Admiral Saint Roselith Seraphina fought on the front lines.
Everyone else merely cleaned up afterward.
How could that be called fighting beside her?
How could they call themselves her subordinates?
Without them…
Wouldn't Seraphina be able to fight more freely?
Then what value did they even have?
His fists clenched tightly.
"So…"
"Without strength…"
"We can do absolutely nothing."
Bruce quietly looked at the kneeling Marine.
His expression softened slightly.
"Not necessarily."
"You're still conscious."
"That alone is enough."
Levi slowly raised his head.
Bruce continued calmly.
"Since you've already resolved yourself to die…"
"Then stay alive."
"Support the Rear Admiral when she needs you."
Bruce's eyes showed genuine appreciation.
Originally…
He had believed only Seraphina and himself could withstand the overwhelming pressure of two clashing Conquerors' Haki (Haoshoku Haki).
Yet Levi had remained conscious.
Although forced to his knees…
His spirit had not broken.
That alone proved exceptional potential.
"With proper training…"
Bruce muttered quietly.
"You may one day become the Rear Admiral's right hand."
"Your talent is real."
"You simply lack experience."
"And your resolve still needs tempering."
Boom!!
A deafening explosion interrupted them.
Both Bruce and Levi instinctively looked toward the distant battlefield.
A colossal pillar of blue light pierced the heavens.
Even from dozens of kilometers away…
Its brilliance illuminated the sky.
Bruce's pupils contracted.
"So…"
"She's using everything she has."
"The battle is reaching its conclusion."
He immediately stood.
"Prepare yourselves."
"This is our only chance."
"If we must move…"
"It'll be now."
Levi forced himself back onto his feet.
His eyes burned with renewed determination.
"So…"
"I can still help."
"That's enough."
Just then
A deep voice echoed across the warship.
"I never imagined…"
"That I'd witness a battle like this in my lifetime."
Bruce and Levi froze.
They turned simultaneously.
Standing quietly beside the helm…
With his familiar dog-headed cap…
Was an elderly Marine whose presence alone inspired confidence.
"Vice Admiral Garp!"
Bruce's eyes widened.
Neither of them had noticed when he boarded.
Garp folded his arms.
A broad grin spread across his face.
"The Marines have plenty of discipline."
"But what we've always lacked…"
"Are soldiers with hearts like yours."
He looked directly at Levi.
"You did disobey orders."
"But…"
"This old man will take responsibility."
"Just this once."
"Don't make it a habit."
Levi immediately saluted.
"Yes, Vice Admiral!"
Garp waved his hand dismissively.
"Enough."
"I'll go greet Whitebeard first."
He had already been aboard the ship for some time.
From the moment he arrived…
He had silently observed the battle between Seraphina and Whitebeard.
Truthfully…
He had been astonished.
The little girl he had once watched grow within Marine Headquarters…
Now possessed the strength to contend against the World's Strongest Man.
Even Garp had to admit it.
He was getting old.
He had wanted to see just how far Seraphina had progressed.
What he witnessed…
Exceeded every expectation.
Bruce and Levi exchanged glances.
Hope returned to their eyes.
…
Steam filled the battlefield.
The glacier had been completely transformed.
Towering icebergs leaned in every direction.
Gigantic fissures split the frozen sea.
The surrounding landscape had become almost unrecognizable.
Seraphina stood silently.
Her breathing had become heavy.
Her stamina was nearly exhausted.
After sustaining the black armor for so long…
Even using Observation Haki (Kenbunshoku Haki) had become difficult.
She could no longer clearly perceive Whitebeard's location.
Still…
She believed no one could survive that final slash.
Then
A deep voice emerged from the mist.
"Marine…"
"I have to admit…"
"You truly startled this old man."
The thick steam slowly parted.
A gigantic silhouette appeared.
Whitebeard.
Edward Newgate.
He was still standing.
His clothes had been torn in several places.
Blood stained portions of his body.
Even so…
His overwhelming presence remained unchanged.
"This old man…"
"Won in the end."
The Whitebeard Pirates finally released the breaths they had been holding.
Even they…
Had not been confident Whitebeard could completely withstand Seraphina's final attack.
That slash had been unimaginably terrifying.
Whitebeard slowly lifted Murakumogiri once more.
His eyes remained fixed upon Seraphina.
"Such talent…"
"At your age…"
"If I allow you to return to the Marines…"
"You may someday become the one who ends the Great Pirate Era."
He stepped forward.
Each footstep shook the frozen sea.
Whitebeard no longer intended to kill her.
Instead…
He wanted to capture her.
Such a terrifying Marine could never be allowed to continue growing freely.
Not even Roger…
Had possessed this level of strength at her age.
Before Whitebeard could move again
A familiar voice echoed across the battlefield.
"Hey, Whitebeard!"
"Bullying a young girl isn't something a legendary pirate should be proud of!"
Whitebeard immediately stopped.
His expression became serious once more.
He already knew who had arrived.
"Garp…"
The Hero of the Marines slowly walked across the shattered glacier.
Even after all these years…
His broad shoulders remained as imposing as ever.
Only the gray in his hair betrayed the passage of time.
Whitebeard laughed.
"How many years has it been since we last fought?"
Garp scratched his head.
"Who knows?"
"Long enough."
Then his expression became stern.
Without another word
He threw a punch.
Boom!!
There was no need for lengthy conversation.
He was a Marine.
Whitebeard was a pirate.
That alone was reason enough to fight.
Besides…
If an opportunity existed to capture Whitebeard…
Garp would never ignore it.
Just then
The Whitebeard Pirates' Division Commanders rushed forward together.
Marco.
Vista.
Jozu.
Izo.
Several commanders immediately formed a protective wall around Whitebeard.
Garp merely glanced toward them.
He had already sensed their approach with Observation Haki.
He was preparing to strike
When suddenly
The black armor covering Seraphina's body began to crumble.
Crack…
Crack…
Fragments of ancient armor dissolved into countless particles before disappearing into the air.
Seraphina staggered.
Her complexion had become deathly pale.
Supporting the mysterious armor had pushed her body beyond its limits.
Without sufficient stamina…
She could no longer maintain it.
Seeing her condition…
Garp's expression changed immediately.
Whitebeard also stopped moving.
Garp sighed.
"Well…"
"There's no point continuing this fight."
"How about this?"
"You take your sons…"
"I'll take my Marines…"
"And everyone goes home."
In truth…
Garp had arrived alone.
His fleet still trailed far behind.
Even sailing at full speed…
It would take nearly another hour before reinforcements arrived.
Right now…
Capturing Whitebeard was no longer his priority.
Protecting Seraphina was.
Whitebeard looked at him and laughed loudly.
"When did you become so considerate?"
Garp scratched his head again.
"Sengoku threw me out of his office before I even finished eating my senbei."
"So I'm in a surprisingly good mood."
Whitebeard burst into laughter.
He knew Garp was joking.
Even while speaking casually…
Garp's body remained perfectly balanced.
The slightest movement from Whitebeard…
And he would immediately pull Seraphina to safety.
In Garp's eyes…
The future of the Marines now rested upon this young Rear Admiral.
No matter what…
She could not be allowed to fall here.
Whitebeard stared silently for several moments.
Then
He slowly lowered Murakumogiri.
"Whitebeard Pirates."
"Retreat."
The Division Commanders immediately obeyed.
No one questioned his decision.
Watching the pirates withdraw…
Garp finally relaxed.
He walked over to Seraphina.
Looking at her exhausted condition…
He could only shake his head helplessly.
"This troublesome little girl…"
"She really knows how to make an old man worry."