208 With the Justice System

"The Marines... will end the Pirate Era with this battle!"

From the other end of the Den Den Mushi came Sakazuki's voice — resolute and domineering.

"..."

"Good!"

Sengoku listened silently, then slowly nodded.

Indeed, this would be the final battle between the Marines and the pirates.

If they won, the last two Yonko who ruled the New World would be completely eradicated.

The Great Pirate Era would truly come to an end.

As for the remaining Supernova Alliance... that would be easy to deal with.

"Sakazuki."

"The three of us old men will also get moving — to the G-5 Branch."

"Good!"

Clack—

Sengoku hung up the Den Den Mushi.

He turned around and looked at the man behind him. "Law."

"The intelligence you brought is worth more than gold."

"It not only prevented the Marines from being caught off guard but also gave us a chance to capture Kaido and Big Mom in one strike!"

"..."

Law's eyes flickered slightly, but he said nothing.

"However," Sengoku's tone shifted, "your enlistment into the Marines will have to be postponed for now."

"I want you to return to the Supernova Alliance first."

"When Kaido and Big Mom's main forces are pinned down at the G-5 Branch..."

"Entice those brats in the Supernova Alliance to fight over the two Yonko crews' territories and their remaining forces — to the death."

"When both sides are exhausted, the Marines will take care of the aftermath."

"..."

Law's pupils tightened ever so slightly.

Given Kid's arrogance and megalomania...

The temptation of becoming a new Yonko would easily drive him mad.

It was indeed a brilliant plan — a strategy to let wolves devour tigers.

Without any cost, the Marines would dissolve the last pirate force with potential.

"Understood, Sengoku-san."

Law nodded solemnly. "Bepo, Penguin, Shachi!"

"We're leaving!"

"Yes, Captain!"

Splash—

The yellow submarine once again broke through the surface, silently dove into the deep sea, and vanished from sight.

Only three old men remained on the beach.

Sengoku exchanged a glance with Garp and Zephyr.

In their eyes, long-suppressed flames of battle once again burned bright.

"Let's go!"

"To witness the end of the Pirate Era!"

...

Marine Headquarters, Marineford.

"Yo~"

In the Admiral's office, Kizaru was idly polishing his nails.

Sunlight filtered through the blinds, casting mottled patterns of light and shadow across his lazy form.

Click—

The door to the office opened. Sakazuki walked in, holding a folder stamped with top-secret clearance.

"Borsalino."

"There's a new support mission."

"Fuu~"

Kizaru didn't even raise his head, lazily blowing away the nail dust. "Aiya~"

"Another business trip already?"

He stretched his tone, sounding thoroughly uninterested.

"My old friend, you know lately I've been—"

"It's about Hawke."

With just those four words, Sakazuki shattered all of Kizaru's excuses.

"!!!"

Kizaru froze mid-motion, the nail file stopping abruptly.

"Hawke-kun's situation?!"

All trace of laziness disappeared from his face.

The next moment, his figure blurred into golden light, snatching the intel straight from Sakazuki's hands.

"..."

Scanning the contents, Kizaru's eyes narrowed slightly behind his lenses.

"Yo... the two Yonko formed an alliance? How terrifying~"

Though his tone was playful, there wasn't a shred of fear in it — only a cold killing intent.

"Then I'll be off, old friend!"

A flash of gold — and Kizaru vanished from the office.

"..."

Sakazuki stared at the now-empty sofa, the corner of his mouth twitching.

"Hah—"

...

G-3 Branch.

Inside the Marine's secret laboratory.

Click—

The robotic arm slowly retracted, and the harsh surgical light softened.

The man lying on the operating table slowly opened his eyes.

"..."

"How do you feel, Kuma?"

Vegapunk's voice came from the side. Removing his goggles, his face was a mix of exhaustion and excitement.

"Better than ever."

Kuma sat up slowly, moving his neck as a series of crisp cracks echoed.

He could feel the blood surging once again through his veins — and his heart beating once more.

He... had become human again!

"Excellent!"

Vegapunk clenched his fists in excitement, circling the table twice.

"Success! The reverse transformation is a complete success!"

"From today onward, you are no longer PX-0 — you are Bartholomew Kuma!"

Taking a deep breath, Vegapunk forced himself to calm down.

He stepped forward, his expression growing serious.

"By the way, Kuma."

"The Marines require assistance."

"Kaido and Big Mom have formed an alliance, and their target is Admiral Hawke."

"You need to take the 'new toys' I've prepared and go to the New World to support him."

"..."

Kuma stood up and nodded. "No problem."

His eyes — now full of life — shone with resolve.

"Follow me!"

Vegapunk led Kuma through a series of secret alloy passageways, finally reaching the deep underground dock beneath the G-3 Branch.

Under the cold white light, everything gleamed with a metallic sheen.

Three formations — ninety figures — stood motionless like statues.

Vegapunk's latest masterpieces — the next-generation Pacifistas that would redefine the new era.

The first formation consisted of thirty streamlined combat units.

Their frames were the sleekest, their golden shells shining faintly. The joints were designed with absolute precision, as if they could burst into extreme speed at any second.

These were modeled after Admiral Kizaru's Glint-Glint Fruit — the precision-strike model: PX-Light.

The second formation was the bulkiest and most heavily armored.

Their dark-blue alloy shells were covered with visible frost patterns. Their massive limbs and bodies radiated overwhelming pressure.

Modeled after Admiral Aokiji's Ice-Ice Fruit — the control-and-defense model: PX-Ice.

The third formation exuded a violent aura.

Their armor resembled solidified volcanic rock, black with glowing red fissures that pulsed like molten magma.

Modeled after Fleet Admiral Sakazuki's Magma-Magma Fruit — the large-scale destruction model: PX-Magma.

Buzz—

As Vegapunk pressed the controller in his hand, all Pacifistas' eyes lit up in synchronized crimson light — activation complete.

Thud, thud, thud—

They marched forward in perfect formation, shaking the dock as they boarded a massive specialized transport ship.

"..."

Kuma turned back for one last look.

Everything from the past was already behind him.

Now, he had a mission to fulfill —

To protect the man who had given him new life, and saved his daughter — Hawke!

Turning back, he followed at the rear of the formation and stepped onto the transport ship's deck.

Vrrr—

The engines roared deeply as the massive ship pulled away from the dock, cutting through the waves toward the New World.