As the battle dragged on, Nika Luffy's attacks gradually began to lose their edge. Even with the power of the Drums of Liberation, his recovery was no longer instantaneous after being knocked down. Unlike before, he now needed brief moments to heal his injuries.
Saint Garling stared at the Sun God standing across from them and said coldly, "How many times has this been? Even the Sun God is starting to tire."
Through Observation Haki, all the Gorosei could clearly sense Luffy's aura weakening. This realization brought them a sense of relief. If his revival had truly been endless, even they would have been forced into a difficult situation. But now, it was clear that even the so called most reckless power in the world had its limits.
"My fellow saints, do not give him any chance to recover. Continue the assault."
Luffy was still laughing.
"Hahahahaha…"
But his laughter was no longer as strong as before. It carried fatigue, pain, and a faint trace of desperation. Even so, the Sun God form forced laughter from him regardless of his condition.
"You guys are really persistent… hahahaha…"
The Gorosei ignored his words entirely and continued their relentless offensive, each strike landing with devastating force.
---
On the Marine side, the battle at Amazon Lily had already concluded in their favor. The Kuja Pirates had been completely subdued and the island's warriors captured.
However, with the Gorosei still engaged in combat with Nika Luffy, the Marines remained on standby, waiting for the final outcome. Once the battle ended, they intended to proceed into the island and fully seize Amazon Lily.
Time passed.
The fight stretched on for twelve hours, from daylight into night.
Luffy kept falling.
And getting back up.
Again and again.
The repetition pushed even the Gorosei closer to exhaustion, and despite their Immortal bodies, minor injuries had begun to accumulate across them.
Eventually, Luffy fell once more.
This time, he did not rise.
Silence followed.
His once vibrant hair had mostly fallen out. What remained had turned completely white, not the glowing white of the Sun God form, but the pale white of extreme old age.
His body had shrunk drastically, now appearing like that of a frail man in his eighties or nineties. Age spots covered his skin, and his frame had withered to less than a meter tall.
His heartbeat was faint.
Very faint.
It was clear that the prolonged use of the Nika Fruit had drained his lifespan to its absolute limit.
The Drums of Liberation no longer sounded.
The Gorosei stared down at the motionless figure.
Saint Nusjuro spoke first, his voice cautious. "This time… has he truly fallen?"
Earlier, they had thought the same thing more than once. Each time, they approached for a finishing blow, only for Luffy to rise again through the Drums of Liberation.
That memory made them wary.
They advanced slowly.
Carefully.
Only when they reached his side and confirmed there was no reaction did Saint Garling speak with a cold voice.
"It appears this time, he has truly reached his limit."
Luffy lay there in silence.
His consciousness was fading. His mind drifted through fragments of his life.
His crew.
Zoro.
Nami.
Sanji.
His brother Ace.
His grandfather Garp.
Dadan.
Shanks.
In his final thoughts, a faint regret surfaced.
So I won't be able to wait for Ace to save me after all.
Sorry, everyone.
I broke my promise.
Sorry, Shanks.
I broke my promise to you too.
---
Saint Nusjuro slowly raised his blade, his tone turning final.
"In that case, I will end this now. You will not return this time."
Just as he was about to strike, a powerful burst of Conqueror's Haki erupted from the distance, rushing toward them like a storm.
The air itself seemed to freeze.
Even the Gorosei's movements stiffened for a brief moment.
"What is this Haki?" Saint Nusjuro muttered sharply.
Their eyes immediately shifted toward the source.
In the sky, a massive black phoenix was approaching at high speed.
Saint Nusjuro's expression changed.
"That is… Marco."
At the same time, another figure appeared behind him.
"Fire Fist…"
Ace unleashed a blazing attack from a distance.
"Fire Fist!"
The flames surged forward, only for Saint Garling to cut through them effortlessly with a single slash.
The Marines reacted instantly.
"It's Phoenix Marco and Fire Fist Ace!"
Saint Shamrock's expression darkened.
"Hmph, so Straw Hat Luffy's desperation actually brought them here. But there are only two of them."
Ace shouted from afar, his voice filled with urgency.
"You are not touching my brother!"
Saint Nusjuro narrowed his eyes, clearly surprised.
"I did not expect them to actually come."
Saint V. Nusjuro spoke next, calm but cautious.
"Do we eliminate Marco here?"
Saint Peter answered seriously.
"I recommend we finish Straw Hat Luffy first, then withdraw. We did not bring the Four Soul Divine Blood. Engaging Marco in our current state is unwise."
Saint Nusjuro agreed.
"That is correct. Our Immortality alone will not hold if we clash directly with him. We also expended significant stamina against the Sun God. Our objective was only Joy Boy's reincarnation."
Saint Garling nodded.
"Agreed."
He turned toward Saint Shamrock.
"Shamrock, mission accomplished. Order the Marines to retreat."
"Yes, Father."
Saint Shamrock immediately issued commands.
"Withdraw. Bring the slaves and fall back."
"Yes, Elders!"
The Marines began organizing the retreat, forcing the captured Kuja warriors toward the warships.
Chains rattled across the ground.
Among them was Boa Hancock.
Her neck was bound by a collar connected to a chain held by Marines who wore lewd grins.
"Hurry up, Empress. Your new life as a slave is about to begin."
Hancock struggled as she was dragged forward, her expression filled with fear and despair.
The sight of the warships waiting ahead filled her with dread.
Tears streamed down her face.
Her eyes turned desperately toward the approaching figures in the sky.
Marco.
Ace.
As if grasping her last hope, she cried out.
"No… please… someone help me… I beg you… save me…"