177 With the Justice System

"You're a bastard!!!"

Jack was completely enraged. His massive body shuddered, and within seconds it transformed into an ancient mammoth!

Ancient Zoan · Mammoth Form!

"Roar—!!!"

He let out a bellow, drove all four limbs powerfully, and charged at the recently rising Luffy with brutal force!

The deck screamed; the air ripped apart!

"Bang—!!!"

Luffy was knocked flying, tracing a parabolic arc through the air.

"Thud—!"

He slammed heavily into the ship's hold.

"Come on! Try getting up again!"

Jack panted, his trunk raised high, his eyes full of cruel delight.

...

A moment later.

"Crash—"

A figure leapt out of the hold.

Luffy was covered in dirt and blood, but he forced his spine straight.

"Again!"

"!!!"

Jack's elephant eyes bulged wide.

How is this possible?!

What kind of monster is this kid?!

Are you a Fish-Man, or am I the Fish-Man?!

High above.

"Gurororororo—!"

Kaido's enormous dragon body rolled within the clouds; he had naturally noticed the strange scene below.

But he had no time to pay it much mind.

A scorching dragon-breath, like the sun's fury, blasted downward at the figures below!

"Puhahahaha!"

Garp made no move to dodge.

Crimson Conqueror's Haki crackled wildly along his fist!

He roared and slammed a punch into that dragon-breath!

"Boom—!!!"

The black punch force collided with the red dragon flame in midair.

A terrifying storm of energy shredded the clouds apart!

The two separated again.

"This little Marine kid..."

Kaido looked down at Luffy, who had risen once more, and grinned,

"Interesting..."

"Hahaha, Luffy's been baptized since childhood by my fist of love..."

Garp's laughter was full of pride. "His constitution is already beyond that of a normal man!"

On the sea.

...

King hovered in midair, the black wings on his back slowly flapping; the mask on his face hid all expression.

'Flame Calamity' King.

His gaze was fixed, locked onto the deck of that dog-headed warship below.

There, Tsuru stood with her hands clasped behind her back, calmly looking up at him.

"Leader of the three top posters of the Beasts Pirates, 'Flame Calamity' King!"

Tsuru's voice floated out; her eyes landed on King's jet-black wings.

"Are you one of the remnants of the Lunarian race?"

King's body stiffened slightly.

The name Lunarian hadn't been spoken aloud in a long time.

He did not like others discussing his race, but facing this old woman, he dared not act rashly.

Marine Headquarters' Vice Admiral Tsuru!

A woman whose strength and wisdom had made countless great pirates tremble with fear since the era of Roger!

"Vice Admiral Tsuru."

King's voice came through his mask with a metallic edge.

"You don't seem the least bit anxious?"

"Heh heh..."

Tsuru smiled, her wrinkled face betraying no emotion.

"Young man, don't be so restless."

"Watch carefully."

"Watch how the emperors of the sea fall."

"And watch how a whole new era begins!"

"Hmm..."

King's pupils narrowed.

He squinted, quickly scanning the whole battlefield.

Jack, while overwhelmingly stronger than that Straw Hat Marine, found his opponent getting up like an indestructible cockroach, repeatedly; it was draining Jack's strength and patience.

Queen, that fat one, remained on Onigashima.

And Kaido was being held by the Marine hero — Vice Admiral Garp, and for now the outcome was indecisive!

The Beasts Pirates had been completely checked!

...

Marine Headquarters.

"Whoosh—"

The Red Force cut through like a streak of red lightning.

On the bow, Shanks pressed one hand to the Gryphon at his waist; his hair whipped wildly in the sea wind.

His Observation Haki already covered the entire battlefield.

That icefield soaked in blood and corpses, those pirate figures collapsing in despair, and that huge body — battered and scarred yet still standing tall.

Whitebeard... is still alive!

"Phew—"

The huge stone weighing on Shanks' heart finally dropped.

Great! I'm not too late!

The Marines had achieved an overwhelming victory; the Whitebeard Pirates were in ruins — continuing the fight made no sense.

If I step in now, as a Yonko, and mediate, the Marines will save reputation.

After all, it benefits them not at all to keep fighting a largely intact Yonko crew.

If Whitebeard and the remnants of his crew can be spared, the balance of this sea won't be completely shattered.

That's what matters most!

"Everyone—"

Shanks drew in a deep breath. His voice, combined with his unrivaled Conqueror's Haki, crashed down toward the center of the battlefield!

"Can you give me a favor?"

"Boom—!"

The invisible will, like a dam-burst tsunami, swept through Marineford instantly!

The weaker Marine soldiers saw blackness and collapsed in great numbers.

Even veteran officers felt a palpitation in their chests; their legs went weak and they nearly kneeled!

This was the Yonko — Shanks' Conqueror's Haki!

"The war is over!"

Shanks' voice rang out again. "Stop this war!"

"Keep fighting and you will only increase needless casualties!"

"The Whitebeard Pirates have been defeated; the Marines have already proven their strength!"

"Isn't it time to cease?"

"Glururururu—"

Whitebeard, suppressed by Akainu, heard the familiar voice.

He raised his head and glanced toward the dragon-headed pirate ship in the distance; a faint glimmer of hope flickered in his cloudy eyes.

Red-Haired... you're here!

Good timing!

With things in chaos... Jinbei will have a chance to take the surviving youngsters away!

"Hmph, the Red-Haired, huh — perfect!"

Akainu's assault intensified, magma fists descending like raindrops.

A second Yonko crew had arrived!

He needed to finish Whitebeard quickly!

"Yo~"

"Looks like the one who sent them over is the Red-Hair!"

Kizaru stretched and readied himself to act.

"No matter..."

Aokiji's gaze on the frozen bay flicked toward the Red-Hair.

If Garp sent them over, that's fine.

They're here — none of you shall leave!

"Shanks—!!!"

Beneath the execution platform, Sengoku gave a roar, a golden buddha-light surging around him.

He was about to release his Conqueror's Haki to counter Shanks' will.

Just then, "Fleet Admiral, don't be so worked up~"

"Look..."

"Hawke seems to have something to say~"

Kizaru pointed to the other side.

"Hmm...?"

Sengoku was momentarily stunned and reflexively followed Kizaru's finger.

There, the young figure who had controlled the rhythm of the whole battlefield from the start was calmly watching the distant Red-Hair.

The next moment.

"Boom—!!!"

A Conqueror's Haki no less fierce than Shanks' erupted skyward from Hawke!

"Roar—!!!"

Crimson lightning, like countless bloodthirsty demon-drakes, crackled wildly around him!

"Thud—!!!"

Two world-class Conqueror's Haki clashed fiercely above Marineford!

No sound.

No light.

But everyone saw a scene that would be forever seared into their memories.

The sky above Marineford was torn apart down the middle!

The heavens were split in two!

"!!!"

Shanks' pupils constricted sharply.

How is this possible?!

Hawke met Shanks' stunned gaze and slowly curled the corner of his mouth.

He stepped forward.

"Emperor — Red-Hair, Shanks!"

"Give you a favor?"

He paused. "Fine."

"Then you give me a favor too."

Hawke's voice suddenly went cold.

"Leave your head behind!!"