Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
Fleet Admiral's Office.
"Brrruu... Brrruu..."
The incessant ringing of the military Den Den Mushi made the already tense atmosphere in the office even heavier.
Sengoku paced back and forth with his hands clasped behind his back, his expression full of anxiety.
Everyone in the room wore grim faces, eyes fixed on the Den Den Mushi that refused to stop ringing.
"Click."
The call failed to connect. The Den Den Mushi went silent again.
"Damn it!!"
Sengoku ground his teeth and cursed.
Even with all his discipline, he couldn't hold back anymore.
This was already their twelfth attempt to contact Daren and Momonga, and every time the signal failed.
All they knew was that Daren had entered the North Blue with Shiki.
But then what?
What was Daren's plan after that?
Shiki wasn't someone you could just deal with easily.
That man had one of the most terrifying combat powers in all the seas, and who knew what kind of retaliation he'd unleash if cornered?
After careful deliberation, Marine HQ had concluded that Daren's value to the overall strategic future of the Marines far exceeded that of eliminating Shiki.
In short, if it came down to sacrificing Daren just to take out Shiki, Sengoku would rather let Shiki live.
The future of the Marines could not afford to lose Daren.
With no way to get through to the North Blue, the anxiety in the room only deepened.
What troubled Sengoku most was that, no matter how hard he thought about it, he couldn't figure out what gave Daren the confidence to face Shiki head-on.
"Try again, Sengoku."
At that moment, Kong, who had been silently smoking a cigar, finally spoke in a hoarse voice.
His bloodshot eyes and deeply lined face showed just how exhausted he was.
As Fleet Admiral, he had to remain stationed at Marine HQ.
But the truth was, from the eve of the Edd War, Kong had been buried in military preparations, working nonstop for days and nights without rest.
"Yes, Fleet Admiral Kong."
Sengoku nodded and tried calling again—this time, dialing the Den Den Mushi for North Blue Admiral Momonga.
"Brr... brr..."
The call rang out once more, but by now, no one held much hope.
If it were going to connect, it would've connected long ago.
And yet, right then—
"Brr!"
The call connected.
"This is Momonga."
A low voice came through, clearly trembling.
Whoosh!
Every Marine officer in the room shot to their feet, eyes locked on the Den Den Mushi.
Sengoku leapt forward, snatching it up with urgency, his bloodshot eyes wide.
"Momonga!! What's happening with Daren!?"
"Listen—no matter what it takes, even if it costs lives, bring Daren back alive!"
"We can't let Daren die at the hands of Shiki—"
"Daren won, Admiral Sengoku."
Momonga cut him off.
W-what?
Daren... won?
Sengoku froze, like he'd been struck by lightning.
Gasps echoed around the room. The other officers looked stunned, expressions full of disbelief.
Sakazuki exhaled a long breath, slumped back into his chair, and pulled out a cigar.
"I told you not to worry too much... Our Vice Admiral Daren is the one they call the 'Legend Slayer'..."
Next to him, Borsalino smiled like he'd known it all along.
"How did Daren win?"
Sengoku didn't even realize his voice was shaking.
Daren actually won?
That kid really took down Shiki?
Impossible…
If he hadn't heard it directly from Momonga, he wouldn't have believed it.
"See for yourself, Admiral Sengoku..."
Momonga's voice came through, and the Den Den Mushi in front of them slowly began to glow with a faint white light.
A projection... gradually took form before their eyes.
Everyone's gaze froze in place.
Their mouths hung open.
Eyes widened.
...
North Blue.
The white Torikago had long since disappeared.
Momonga stood on the pit-covered ground, holding a military Den Den Mushi in his hand.
He had already ordered the North Blue fleet to return, and it had vanished into the distance.
He stared blankly at the charred crater in the distance, unable to calm himself for a long time.
The thick smoke gradually dispersed.
The heavy, dark clouds also began to recede, and the rays of the setting sun pierced through the sea of clouds like red swords, casting their light onto the scarred, desolate island.
The setting sun glowed like blood. The entire world was steeped in a majestic, tragic beauty.
Two blood-covered figures stood on the barren land, and in the distance, the mountains had been flattened by some overwhelming force.
The light of dusk bathed their battered bodies in crimson.
The two stood face to face, motionless, like statues made of blood.
Drip, drip...
The sound of blood hitting the ground shattered the silence of the world.
A steady stream of blood dripped from the tips of the two Meito swords—"Oto" and "Kogarashi"—and pooled at Daren's feet.
Shiki's twin blades had pierced straight through his abdomen and out his back.
"So, you look down on me?"
Shiki struggled to lift his bloody, disfigured face, his expression twisted with fury beneath the dried blood.
"With your Observation Haki, you could have easily dodged my sword!"
"Yes," Daren replied hoarsely, thick blood seeping from the corner of his mouth.
Shiki's final attack had seemed overwhelming, his Armament Haki and Conqueror's Haki unleashed to their absolute limits.
But his injuries were too severe. Without his Observation Haki, he could no longer sense Daren's presence.
Which meant that strike... could have been avoided.
"Then why didn't you dodge?"
"I simply believe that the strongest dual swordsman of our time, the legendary Great Pirate's final performance, shouldn't be left unanswered. Don't you think?"
Shiki was stunned.
He stared deeply at the Vice Admiral before him—then suddenly burst out laughing.
"Jihahahaha!! You've got guts!!"
He laughed wildly, freely, with abandon!
"This is your resolve!! Jihahahaha!!"
He laughed until he coughed up blood, until tears spilled from his eyes.
"This is good... To die at your hands... is worth it..."
Daren pressed his lips together but said nothing. He didn't have the strength to speak anymore.
Shiki slowly lifted his head. His fading gaze turned toward the distant setting sun. And in that moment... it was as if a thousand memories returned.
Countless images flashed through his mind—fighting. War. Ambition. Blood... Setting sail. Killing. Rocks. Whitebeard. Linlin. Kaidou... The defeat at God Valley. Garp's figure... Freedom. Sailing the seas. Charging across the world. His invincible fleet... Dominating the seas. Ruling the world...
His life's gains and losses, triumphs and failures played out like a slideshow, until everything froze on a single figure.
Roger...
"Roger... In the end, I'm still not your equal..."
My journey ends here. Your voyage still goes on.
He slowly closed his eyes, as if savoring the final dusk of his life, and a faint, serene smile crept across his lips.
"Marine brat... promise me one thing. Let's call it... a loser's request."
Shiki's voice broke the silence.
"Say it. I might not be able to do it," Daren said coolly.
Shiki lowered his head, staring at the twin swords still run through Daren's body. He exhaled slowly, trembling... then released his grip. It was full of reluctance.
"Your half-baked swordsmanship is lousy, but you do have the will to wield these blades. Promise me... let them taste the blood of even more powerful foes."
Daren replied without hesitation.
"No problem. Their names will echo with me across this world."
Shiki smiled in satisfaction. He laughed freely.
Daren spoke calmly.
"Then... what are your last words?"
"Last words?"
Shiki scoffed.
"I'm Shiki! I've lived with no regrets—what need have I for last words!?"
He spread his arms wide, blood pouring out beneath him, yet he raised his head and roared with laughter. His long, tattered golden hair whipped madly in the wind. His life was ending, but he stood tall, his presence still overwhelming, still wild. Like a lion atop a mountain, roaring one final time.
"Kill me, Marine brat!! Then... reach the height of your ambition!!"
With that final act, Sengoku and the others on the other end of the Den Den Mushi finally saw clearly... The Great Pirate most feared by the Marines—a hand was buried deep in his chest.
It was Daren's hand.
"As you wish."
The Vice Admiral's voice was calm.
Shhhk!!! The sound of a heart shattering tore through the silence. A brilliant spray of blood burst from Shiki's back and soared into the sky. The proud lion's body trembled—then slowly collapsed.
In the scarred, desolate ruins, only one man remained standing. The scene froze.
...
On this day, the legendary Great Pirate, the "Flying Pirate" Shiki the Golden Lion... was annihilated!
...
(40 Chapters Ahead)
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