179 With the Justice System

Shards of ice scattered in every direction, dazzling and brilliant.

But this crystalline spectacle… left everyone watching frozen in stunned silence.

Is this… what the Marines have become?!

Powerful. Cold. Terrifying.

One of the mighty Shichibukai, known across the seas, was just "removed" on the spot…

And the one who did it was Admiral Aokiji, who hadn't even been the most dazzling performer in this entire war!

The Marines now…

Are far too frightening!!!

"Jinbe..."

The light in Whitebeard's eyes dimmed completely.

The last hope of the Whitebeard Pirates' retreat shattered along with the ice crystals dancing in the air.

The Marines… were too resolute!

In all his years sailing across the seas, he had never seen such ruthless, iron-blooded determination from the Navy!

Today… the Whitebeard Pirates would truly be annihilated here.

"..."

Whitebeard slowly turned his head toward the man before him—Akainu.

"Magma brat!"

His voice was hoarse, filled with the madness of a man burning away the last of his life.

"Gurararara—"

"My counterattack before death… will be terrifying!"

"Are you… afraid of dying?!"

"Heh—"

Akainu grinned, that molten smile blazing with heat and resolve.

"Hellhound!"

His magma fist shot forth once more!

"BOOM—!"

The war raged on, merciless and crushing.

The remaining pirates, after witnessing Jinbe's fate, completely lost their will to fight.

Death spread faster and faster across the battlefield.

...

On the other side—

"CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!"

The sharp clash of blades rang out, dense as a torrential storm.

"Haa—haa—"

Vista panted heavily, his twin swords flashing as he parried the relentless strikes from a green-haired figure moving like a phantom.

This young Marine with the green hair—his swordsmanship was fierce, every attack aimed to kill!

But what unsettled Vista even more was the aura of bloodlust pouring off him—it sent a chill down his spine.

And, truthfully, he hadn't been fully focused...

Father... Ace...

Damn it!

How could he afford to be distracted in the middle of a battlefield?!

"Shh—"

A slash grazed past his neck, drawing a thin line of blood.

Vista broke out in a cold sweat, quickly retreating to widen the distance.

"Tap—"

Zoro halted in the midst of flashing blades, Wado Ichimonji glowing dark with Armament Haki and blood-red flames of aura intertwining, radiating an ominous energy.

He looked calmly at the man before him.

"Your swordsmanship is strong."

"But I can feel… your conviction isn't here."

"..."

Vista's grip on his swords tightened.

Zoro's gaze sharpened,

"I'll use my strongest strike to send you off. That's the respect due to a swordsman!"

He slowly raised Wado Ichimonji across his chest.

In that instant, an indescribable stench of blood erupted from him, spreading outward like a shockwave!

Zoro closed his eyes.

When he opened them again—his black pupils had turned into scarlet vertical slits. No longer human.

From deep within his soul, a violent, bloodthirsty aura burst free.

"SWISH—"

A single slash—swift as lightning.

Fast.

Blindingly fast!

So fast that even Vista's dynamic vision could only catch a flickering blur.

In that frozen moment—

The world turned to black and white.

The only color left… was the blood-red arc cleaving the heavens.

When the slash vanished, sound and color slowly returned.

"CRACK—!"

A crisp shatter echoed.

Vista lowered his gaze.

The two treasured blades in his hands fell to the ground.

A thin red line appeared across his chest, rapidly spreading to split through his entire body.

"PUFF—"

Blood gushed from his mouth like a fountain.

His life force faded away at frightening speed.

So… fast...

Such speed...

This… is the Road to the Underworld?

So this… is the new generation of Marine swordsmen...

Strong...

"THUD—"

Vista's body fell backward, hitting the icy ground with a heavy thump—lifeless.

"CLANG—"

Zoro sheathed his sword, turning toward the distance.

Sanji's fight was over too.

He elegantly lit a cigarette, took a long drag, and exhaled slowly.

At his feet lay a gunman in a twisted position, every bone shattered by his kicks—utterly motionless.

"..."

Their gazes met midair.

No words were exchanged.

Zoro gave a slight nod.

Sanji blew out a smoke ring in response.

Everything was understood—without speech.

Together, they both looked toward the figure slowly lighting a cigar.

Hawke… was finally about to move.

"..."

Shanks watched the war still raging on, silent.

Seriously? Not even a shred of courtesy, huh?!

He weighed his options quickly in his mind...

Whitebeard was still alive, but clearly at his limit.

The Marines had all but secured victory—their morale soaring.

Should he retreat... or stay?

Just as Shanks hesitated—

"SWISH—"

Hawke's figure vanished.

In the next instant, he reappeared at the very front of the plaza.

A faint, eager smile played on his face.

After commanding this entire war and watching his monstrous subordinates grow stronger one by one... yeah, it felt pretty damn good.

But now that the outcome was decided—

It was finally his turn to stretch his muscles a bit!

"Red-Hair—!"

Hawke grinned at the Red-Haired Pirates and threw a punch!

A wave of black energy surged toward the Red Force!

"!!!"

Shanks' pupils contracted sharply.

Without a thought, Gryphon flashed from his waist, intercepting the blow before him!

"BOOM—!!!"

Fist and blade collided—

A shockwave visible to the naked eye rippled outward like waves!

"!!!"

Shanks' arm trembled, going slightly numb.

He stared in disbelief.

"Blood Hawk"—Rear Admiral Rayne Hawke!

So strong!

He was absolutely Admiral-level in power!

The Marines… had been hiding an Admiral-level powerhouse all along—one who had even mastered Top-Tier Conqueror's Haki!

Cold sweat ran down Shanks' back.

He suddenly realized—the situation was far worse than he thought!

If Akainu finished off Whitebeard, and the three Admirals joined forces afterward...

Then today—the Red-Haired Pirates might...

"Boss!"

Ben Beckman, the Red-Haired Pirates' first mate, reacted instantly.

He raised his rifle, ready to provide covering fire for Shanks.

"SWISH—"

A golden light suddenly gathered before his eyes.

A lazy voice echoed beside his ear.

"Yo~"

Kizaru appeared out of nowhere at Beckman's side, his right index finger glowing as he pointed it at the man's temple.

"Don't move now, Ben Beckman~"