"Mr. Shanks, this old man offers his thanks on behalf of Peach Garden."
Issho floated calmly in the air while bowing toward Shanks from his cushion.
If Shanks had not arrived when he did, even if they had managed to force Kaido and Big Mom to retreat, Peach Garden would have suffered devastating losses. The island might still have survived, but Shirahoshi and Vivi would most likely have fallen into the hands of those two Emperors.
From Kaido and Big Mom's earlier conversation, Issho had already realized something crucial. Shirahoshi and Vivi were connected to one of the Three Ancient Weapons, Poseidon, the power of the Sea Kings.
If such power were obtained by Kaido or Big Mom, it would spell disaster, not only for Peach Garden but for the entire world.
Shanks waved his hand casually and laughed.
"Hahaha, we are allies anyway. Helping each other is only natural. If you really want to thank me, just tell Rolan to prepare some of his good wine."
"Shanks-sama, thank you very much," Shirahoshi said softly.
She had already returned to her normal human size and now rested weakly in Vivi's arms. Her face looked pale after exhausting her strength.
Shanks looked at her with clear astonishment in his eyes. During her first awakening, she had summoned Sea Kings of terrifying size and number.
That level of power was frightening even to him.
"Princess Shirahoshi, you should focus on resting," Shanks said gently.
At that moment, Wyper stepped forward.
"Mr. Shanks, please return to Peach Garden with me. Allow us to properly host you."
The tension of battle slowly faded as the battlefield finally calmed.
Far away, another war continued to rage.
Marineford.
"Stop him!"
"Fire! Open fire!"
"Straw Hat Luffy is flying toward the execution platform!"
The Marines fell into chaos as Luffy rushed forward through the sky.
Bang!
Bang!
Bang!
Gunfire and cannon blasts filled the battlefield as countless bullets and shells shot toward him.
Yet the moment they struck Luffy's body, the results shocked everyone.
The bullets bounced away as if they had struck solid steel.
Cannonballs dented on impact before ricocheting harmlessly off him.
None of the attacks caused any damage.
"What?! It's useless!"
"What kind of body is that? It's black and hardened!"
"He's getting closer!"
"You can't hurt him without Haki!"
"Where are the Vice Admirals?"
"They're busy fighting pirates!"
"What about the Admirals?"
"They all have opponents!"
"Then what are we supposed to do?!"
Panic spread rapidly through the Marine ranks.
Nearby, Emporio Ivankov unleashed another attack.
"Hell Wink!"
Boom!
A powerful shockwave blasted away a large group of Marines. Ivankov watched Luffy advance with excitement.
"Straw Hat boy, keep going!"
Before he could continue, a massive figure suddenly appeared in front of him.
Ivankov froze.
He slowly looked up, recognition filling his eyes.
"Kuma? Is that you? It's me, Ivankov. We haven't seen each other in years. Did you miss me?"
More than ten years had passed since they last met, ever since Ivankov was imprisoned in Impel Down. His voice carried genuine joy at seeing an old comrade again.
What answered him, however, was a laser beam fired directly from Bartholomew Kuma's mouth.
Ivankov barely avoided the attack with several quick flips.
"Hey! What's wrong with you? Don't you recognize me?"
He clearly felt killing intent behind the attack.
That made no sense.
Kuma had always been gentle despite his cold appearance, and their relationship had been close.
They should never have met like enemies.
"Is this really how you greet an old friend after ten years?"
Kuma showed no reaction.
His expression remained blank as mechanical sounds echoed from his body.
Beep. Beep.
"Ivankov. Revolutionary Army commander. Enemy confirmed. Eliminate immediately."
The cold mechanical voice stunned Ivankov.
It sounded exactly like the Pacifistas he had fought earlier.
Another laser instantly fired toward him.
Ivankov dodged while shouting desperately.
"Kuma! It's me! We were comrades! You're Bartholomew Kuma!"
No response came.
Only attacks.
A laugh suddenly echoed nearby.
"Hehehehehe, stop trying. The Kuma you knew is already gone."
Ivankov turned sharply and saw Donquixote Doflamingo approaching with a grin.
"That's impossible! He's clearly Kuma! The Paw-Paw Fruit, the paw pads on his hands, they prove it!"
Doflamingo spread his arms casually.
"Hahaha. Let me explain it simply. The consciousness of the Kuma you knew no longer exists."
Ivankov's expression darkened.
"What do you mean?"
"Not long ago, he fully accepted the World Government's final modification. His self-awareness has been permanently erased. He is now nothing more than a human weapon serving the Government."
Doflamingo adjusted his sunglasses.
"And he agreed to it himself."
"What?!"
Shock flooded Ivankov's face.
He quickly examined Kuma's body and noticed the marking on his shoulder.
PX-0.
The same designation carried by the Pacifistas.
Doflamingo was telling the truth.
"Kuma… did you really allow the World Government to turn you into this?"
The only reply was another flashing laser beam.
Rage surged within Ivankov.
"As your former comrade, being forgotten like this is unforgivable!"
He dodged again and launched a counterattack.
"Face Growth!"
Dozens of enlarged Ivankov faces appeared instantly.
"So you forgot how terrifying I am? Galaxy Wink!"
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The powerful shockwaves slammed into Kuma, sending even his reinforced cyborg body sliding backward across the battlefield.
Ivankov's voice trembled with disbelief.
"You hated the World Government more than anyone. How could you willingly become this… this empty weapon?"
He, Dragon, and Kuma had once founded the Revolutionary Army together. Among them, Kuma's hatred toward the World Government had run the deepest.
Based on Ivankov's understanding, if Kuma truly resisted, even someone like Rolan would have struggled to capture him.
Which meant only one thing.
Kuma had chosen this fate himself.
But why?
Ivankov could not accept that his comrade had willingly sacrificed his own consciousness.
There had to be another reason hidden behind the truth.
The war at Marineford continued to spiral deeper into chaos.