At last, the chaos settled.
Only three figures remained standing in the arena. Clemons, Kaguya, and Kreeler faced one another across the battered battlefield, the echoes of the earlier melee still lingering in the air.
Clemons exhaled slowly and allowed his body to return to its normal state. The monstrous tension in his muscles receded, the demonic outline on his back fading as he relaxed. Without a word, he stepped aside, crossed his arms, and chose to watch.
There was no need for him to interfere any further.
No matter how the final exchange played out, the Nightfall Pirates had already secured the top positions. First place would inevitably be his. Even if Kreeler managed to defeat Kaguya, he would have neither the stamina nor the strength left to challenge him afterward.
With that certainty in mind, Clemons remained still, his gaze fixed on the final battle.
All attention in the arena converged on the clash between Kaguya and Kreeler.
Their fight had reached its peak.
Blow for blow, they exchanged attacks without pause. Their movements were sharp, precise, and relentless, each strike carrying killing intent. Neither yielded an inch, yet both were clearly approaching their limits. Their breathing had grown heavy, their bodies beginning to show signs of fatigue.
Despite that, the battle only intensified.
In terms of pure combat ability, Kaguya held a slight edge. His instincts, techniques, and offensive pressure were sharper, forcing Kreeler onto the defensive more often than not.
However, stamina told a different story.
Kreeler's Mythical Zoan form granted him extraordinary vitality. His endurance far surpassed Kaguya's, allowing him to sustain damage and continue fighting with minimal decline. Even when injured, his combat effectiveness barely wavered.
Kaguya, on the other hand, was beginning to slow.
"It's over. Kaguya has lost," Slada said quietly from the stands.
"He's already done more than enough," Wallace replied with a nod. Both could clearly see the shift in momentum.
Kaguya had already begun conserving energy, reducing the use of his more taxing abilities. Every movement now was calculated, every action measured.
Kreeler noticed it immediately.
Recognizing his advantage, he deliberately increased the pressure, accelerating the pace of the battle to drain what remained of Kaguya's stamina. Each exchange became heavier, each clash more demanding.
The gap, though small, was decisive.
"Extreme Cold Wind!"
Kreeler finally unleashed his finishing move.
His nine tails spread wide, sweeping through the air as frost gathered rapidly around him. The temperature plummeted, layers of ice forming as a frigid gale erupted outward, engulfing the battlefield.
It was an unavoidable attack.
Kaguya had no room to dodge.
White bone armor surged across his body, encasing him completely in a defensive shell. The freezing wind struck him head-on, coating him in ice within seconds until he stood motionless, frozen solid like a statue.
A brief silence followed.
Then, a sharp cracking sound rang out.
Bone spikes burst outward, shattering the ice encasing him. Fragments scattered as Kaguya broke free, his figure reemerging from the frost.
Kreeler prepared to continue.
Before he could act, Kaguya spoke.
"I lost."
His voice was calm, steady, and without hesitation.
There was no denial, no frustration. He had already reached his limit. Even if he forced himself to continue, the outcome would not change.
Kreeler paused, then slowly exhaled.
Relief flickered across his face. With that declaration, his second-place position was secured, fulfilling the expectations placed upon him.
Even so, the battle had left a deep impression on him.
Smoothie's sudden surge of power, Clemons' overwhelming dominance, and Kaguya's relentless combat ability had all exceeded his expectations.
As for Yamato, her performance had earned her sixth place. It was respectable, though not enough to guarantee a top reward. Her final outcome would depend on the choices of those ranked above her.
Kreeler turned his head toward Clemons.
His own stamina was nearly depleted. There was no point in continuing.
"I surrender."
With that, the melee came to its conclusion.
The final rankings were established.
First place, Clemons.
Second place, Kreeler.
Third place, Kaguya.
Fourth place, Smoothie.
Fifth place, Izo.
Sixth place, Yamato.
Seventh and eighth, the Wolf-Tiger Brothers.
Ninth, Haruta.
Tenth, Highfat.
Yet the event was not quite over.
The ten glass cases were brought forward once more, each containing the promised Devil Fruits. The participants stepped forward in order of their rankings to claim their rewards.
Highfat was absent, his injuries leaving him unable to stand. Smoothie stepped forward in his place without hesitation.
Clemons chose first.
Without any deliberation, he took the Plasma-Plasma Fruit.
Kreeler followed.
His decision had clearly been made long ago. He selected the Ancient Zoan Dragon-Dragon Fruit, Model: Thunder Dragon, prioritizing raw power and potential.
Kaguya stepped forward next.
To the surprise of many, he ignored the rare and powerful fruits. Instead, he selected the seven Devil Fruits offered by the Big Mom Pirates.
The intention was obvious to those paying attention. The Nightfall Pirates were leaving room for the others.
Smoothie then claimed the Devil Fruits her mother desired, including the Pulp-Pulp Fruit and the Bean-Bean Fruit. While not the most famous abilities, they held considerable potential if developed properly.
Izo selected the Wave-Wave Fruit, a lesser counterpart to the Tremor-Tremor Fruit. Even as a lower-tier variant, its destructive potential remained formidable.
Yamato hesitated briefly between her options. Under Kreeler's guidance, she ultimately chose the Ancient Zoan Centipede Fruit, judged to offer greater combat versatility.
The Wolf-Tiger Brothers selected the remaining options, including the Ancient Zoan Pig-Gator Fruit and the Paralyze-Paralyze Fruit, ensuring that the Flying Pirates did not leave empty-handed.
The remaining sets of standard Devil Fruits were distributed accordingly.
In the end, no crew suffered a true loss. The Beast Pirates gained the most, while the Big Mom Pirates secured exactly what they wanted.
The arena gradually emptied, but the discussion only grew louder.
Four names echoed across the crowd.
Clemons. Kaguya. Smoothie. Kreeler.
Their performances had left a deep impression on everyone present. Even veteran pirates, men who had ruled the seas for years, found themselves genuinely astonished by the strength displayed by these young fighters.
More than their power, it was their age that made it remarkable.
When compared to their younger selves, the gap was undeniable.
"They're monsters," Borsalino remarked as he walked alongside Garp and Kuzan. "I was nowhere near that level at their age."
"Admiral-level potential isn't just a phrase," Kuzan added quietly, his expression serious.
The Marines felt the pressure.
The rise of powerful pirates, combined with the emergence of extraordinary talents, highlighted a troubling reality. While the Marines remained strong, their rate of growth felt slower in comparison.
The current generation of trainees lacked individuals who could truly stand at the top.
Even the Marine Elite Training Camp, once a point of pride, now seemed insufficient.
Garp laughed, waving the concern away for the moment. "That's Sengoku's headache. Let's go eat something good."
Borsalino nodded immediately, already thinking about the leisure facilities. Kuzan followed without complaint.
Far away at Marine Headquarters, Sengoku sat in silence, pen in hand.
He understood the problem clearly.
The Marines were not lacking in resources, nor in Devil Fruits. What they lacked were individuals capable of reaching the highest level.
After a moment of thought, he began writing.
An idea had formed.
The expansion of the Marine training system.
If more recruits could be gathered from across the seas, if more opportunities were provided, then perhaps more talents would emerge. The limitation of slots had restricted potential candidates for too long.
The plan was far from simple. It would require resources, support from the World Government, and careful organization.
Still, it was a start.
He finished writing and placed the document aside.
Meanwhile, for Teach and the others, the melee was nothing more than a brief diversion.
Their real interest lay ahead.
The Sword Tournament.
That was where the true spectacle would begin.
As the day approached, the atmosphere grew increasingly tense. Swordsmen who had once sparred freely now conserved their strength, preparing themselves for the battles to come.
Even the invited figures made their preparations.
Kozuki Oden sat in quiet focus, no longer indulging in drink or leisure. Redfield sharpened his mind, fully aware of the challenge ahead. And the mysterious final participant remained composed, waiting.
Their clash would serve as the opening.
Three top-tier swordsmen.
One battlefield.
A confrontation destined to draw the eyes of the entire world.
And beyond them, tens of thousands of swordsmen awaited their turn, each seeking growth, recognition, or glory.
The stage was set.
The real show was about to begin.