Leno's punch sent Marine Admiral Aokiji flying.
It was practically taking a dump on the Marines' heads.
The Marines were furious.
But the pirates?
They were ecstatic.
Especially the remnants of the Whitebeard Pirates. Having witnessed the scene with their own eyes, they erupted into thunderous cheers.
"Woooooo—!!!"
They had just been forced to accept becoming part of Leno's fleet.
Deep down, many of them were still lost and uncertain.
But at this moment—
All hesitation was blown away by that cathartic sight.
Their comrades had been slaughtered throughout the war.
They had been suppressed by the Marines from start to finish.
All that pent-up rage—
Finally released.
Watching Leno dominate so tyrannically felt like chugging an ice-cold cola on a scorching summer day.
Pure bliss.
"LENO!!!"
"Boss Leno!!!"
"Captain Leno!!!!"
The surviving Whitebeard Pirates raised their weapons and shouted his name with fervor.
Their cries reached Whitebeard's ears amidst the battlefield.
Murakumogiri paused slightly in his grip.
Something got in his eye.
It felt wet.
There was reluctance.
But also relief.
"They've accepted him…"
That was enough.
Even if Leno wouldn't trust them immediately—
He wouldn't mistreat his sons.
That was sufficient.
"Gurarararara!"
Whitebeard burst into laughter.
He planted Murakumogiri at his side.
Both fists clenched.
Bulging muscles pumped violently as he smashed his quake-coated fists into the space on either side of him.
"Sons—let your old man send you off one last time!!!"
Crack! Crack!
The air shattered like fragile glass.
The Tremor-Tremor Fruit's power transmitted into the sea—
And a massive tidal wave surged.
Whitebeard might not control all currents—
But one?
More than enough.
RUMBLE—!!!
The Fallen One and several of the Whitebeard commanders' ships—
Were instantly propelled out of Marineford's harbor, racing toward open sea.
Whitebeard's men wept openly.
"OLD MAN!!!"
"Gurarara! Brats—your old man can't stay with you forever! Live well!!!"
"OLD MAN!!!"
Even Ace seemed affected.
His face twisted violently in struggle.
"Newgate!!!"
—
On the other side—
Fleet Admiral Sengoku's face turned livid.
Like he had swallowed a live fly—
And it was still buzzing inside his mouth.
"Whitebeard! You want to die? Then stay here forever!!!"
Akainu's fury burned hotter still.
Magma churned violently around him.
Leno had escaped.
They no longer needed to divide their attention.
Sengoku and Akainu unleashed everything on Whitebeard.
No restraint.
—
Shanks watched it all and sighed softly.
He waved for his crew to prepare to withdraw.
The most he could do—
Was take the now mentally scrambled Ace with him.
"This… may be the last thing I can do for you."
Saving Whitebeard from Sengoku and Akainu at full power?
Impossible.
Even if he wanted to—
The Marines wouldn't allow it.
The World Government might even intervene.
—
Elsewhere—
Shiki the Golden Lion, who had been clashing with Dragon, burst into laughter.
"Shihahahahaha! Marine scum!"
After blasting Dragon back, he floated upward using the Float-Float Fruit.
Leaving one final declaration:
"Driving Leno away will be the greatest mistake of your lives!!"
Then he vanished into the sky atop floating debris.
Dragon's expression darkened.
He cast one final look at Whitebeard—
Then turned and left.
Scooping up the unconscious Sabo.
After retrieving Luffy—
He too disappeared.
One by one—
They left.
Leaving only Whitebeard.
Surrounded by the Marines.
And…
Hidden in the shadows—
Blackbeard.
He had not left.
"Zehahaha… Old man, give it your all."
Mutual destruction—
That was the outcome he craved.
Most of his crew had withdrawn or gone into hiding.
Whitebeard didn't know he was still there.
He was locked in brutal combat.
Sengoku, in golden Buddha form, hammered down shockwave-laced strikes.
Akainu's fists exploded like volcanic eruptions, smashing into Whitebeard relentlessly.
Vice Admirals circled, waiting for opportunities.
"Gurarara! Come!"
Whitebeard was drenched in blood.
Each swing of Murakumogiri forced wide-area devastation.
The Marines hesitated to approach—
But wounds continued accumulating.
His aura was weakening.
Not immediately fatal—
But over time?
Death was inevitable.
—
Meanwhile—
Far from Marineford—
Leno had led a mass of pirates to a remote, uninhabited island.
They docked temporarily.
On the beach—
The atmosphere was tense.
Leno's crew and the remnants of the Whitebeard Pirates eyed one another cautiously.
Marco.
Jozu.
Vista.
And the remaining survivors—
All focused on Leno.
Leno studied them in return.
"Didn't expect Marco and the others would end up under me…"
He cleared his throat.
Breaking the silence.
"No need to be stiff."
"The Whitebeard Pirates will operate as a Grand Fleet under me."
"You continue as you were."
Then his tone sharpened.
"But remember one thing."
"Don't use my name to commit atrocities."
"Don't tarnish my reputation."
"Otherwise…"
Conqueror's Haki erupted suddenly.
The air grew heavy.
Marco and the others felt the pressure.
It vanished just as quickly.
"Other than that—you're free."
They hadn't expected such leniency.
Shock showed on their faces.
Marco recovered first.
His voice was low.
"I understand… Thank you, Leno."
"But after the old man… passes…"
"I want to protect his hometown. Sphinx Island."
"Same here," Jozu rumbled.
"We're not in the mood to roam anymore."
Vista stroked his mustache.
"I'll go with Marco."
With them leading, the others spoke up.
"We want to protect the old man's homeland too…"
"It needs people…"
Marco looked embarrassed.
"Captain Leno—please rest assured. Since we're under your banner, we won't do nothing."
"If you ever call—we'll come immediately."
"I, Marco, swear it with my life."
"Same!"
The commanders echoed.
Leno nodded.
This was ideal.
He had no interest in babysitting.
No need to maintain them daily.
Call when needed.
That was enough.
What more could he want?
Just then—
Laughter echoed from the sky.
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