Unable to elementalize in time, Akainu's right arm was directly severed by Shanks. The severed arm turned to ash in mid-air, and blood flowed from the stump.
Kizaru, who had transformed into light intending to rescue Akainu, heard a familiar voice say "Don't move" and halted his movement, raising his hands.
Beckman, biting a cigar, aimed the flintlock in his hand directly at Kizaru's figure.
The Red Hair Pirates led by Shanks had finally arrived. This time, he wasn't late; he had caught the final act.
Shanks breathed a sigh of relief seeing Ace had been rescued. This time, he had finally not been too late.
Enraged, Akainu ignored his severed arm, elementalized his body, and still wanted to continue fighting.
At this moment, his mind was filled only with the conviction to annihilate the pirates. However, after a series of battles, especially the blows from Whitebeard and Shanks, his body could no longer hold up.
Hera stepped in front of Akainu, blocking Shanks's imposing advance. At that moment, she noticed Shanks's right arm, enveloped in Conqueror's Haki, and felt a flicker of curiosity.
But what was more urgent now wasn't the right arm; it was stopping this battle from continuing.
Hera said to Akainu, "The war is already over. The World's Strongest Man has fallen here. Our objective has been achieved."
Akainu's gaze remained icy. Unwilling, he said, "Are we just going to let Ace and Luffy leave? If we leave those two unchecked, they will become a major threat to the Marines."
Hera thought to herself: 'Don't worry, they'll definitely be a major threat to the World Government. Whether they're a threat to the Marines is another matter.'
But what she said aloud was: "Look around. The Marines can no longer afford to wage war against another Emperor's crew."
Although, under Hera's protection, not a single Marine had died, the successive eruptions of Conqueror's Haki had even caused the Pacifistas to collapse unconscious, let alone the ordinary Marines.
Even among the elite Vice Admirals, only a handful remained conscious. The members of the New Navy were busy tending to the unconscious Marines.
Sengoku shook his head at Akainu. The battle had reached a point where it was a great victory for the Marines. There was no need to invite further trouble by confronting the Red Hair Pirates now.
Furthermore, while the Red Hair Pirates were known as the most balanced Pirate Crew, their Captain Shanks's strength was unfathomable, and he was said to have some other connections as well.
Although Akainu was unwilling, he could only accept this outcome.
Nearby, Buggy had been petrified by Akainu's attack. Coming to his senses, he found Shanks standing in front of him, and Akainu had been driven back.
Others might fear Shanks, but Buggy, who grew up with him, did not. Regaining his composure, he slapped Shanks on the back.
"What are you doing here, Shanks?"
Shanks scratched his head and said, "I came to stop this war. So you're here too, Buggy. Want to join my crew?"
Buggy, still angry at Shanks for causing him to eat the Devil Fruit, was about to refuse when he felt a chill. Hera was looking at him with a faint, knowing smile.
Shanks also noticed Hera's gaze and joked, "Hey, don't go threatening my brother."
People watching the broadcast were shocked to see Buggy standing alongside Red Hair, facing Akainu's attack without flinching.
Feeling threatened, Buggy said, "Since you keep inviting me, I'll join for now. Let's be clear, it's only temporary. I'll leave once I find my own crew."
Shanks smiled and nodded. "Alright, you can leave whenever you want."
The Image Den Den Mushi recorded Buggy's words, letting everyone in the world following the war hear Buggy speaking to Shanks without any deference.
Hera then proposed, "Since you're here, I'll give you this face. Let's end today's war here. This is for you."
Then, 'Murakumogiri,' which had been standing before Marineford, sank into the ground and rose in front of Shanks. The weapon left by Whitebeard had been teleported over by Hera.
Hera picked up 'Murakumogiri' from the ground and handed it over, saying, "Take good care of it. Someone might need to use it again someday."
Shanks nodded, took 'Murakumogiri,' and prepared to return it to the new Whitebeard Pirates later.
Then, Hera lightly tapped 'Murakumogiri' three times before letting go.
Thus, witnessed by the entire world, the Marineford War came to a close with the result of the Marines killing Whitebeard but failing to execute Ace.
Those with ambition, seeing even one of the Four Emperors, the Whitebeard Pirates, fall to the Marines, all reined in their ambitions.
People with aspirations turned their attention to the Revolutionary Army and the New Navy, who had shone brightly in this battle. Those wanting to overthrow oppression began searching for information on the Revolutionary Army.
Those wanting to protect their families and fight against pirates flocked to join the Marines and the New Navy. For a time, the Marines were caught in a frenzy of recruitment.
In this war, through her performance, Hera showed the entire world her immense strength. Without a doubt, this era belonged to the Marines, and even more so, to Hera.
The other Crew members of the Argo also performed remarkably. The three, including Nami, who hadn't mastered Armament Haki before, managed to comprehend Two-Color Haki thanks to their training on Amazon Lily and the pressure of the Marineford War.
Kuina even managed to use her previously unskilled Conqueror's Haki a bit more proficiently, at least achieving conscious outward release.
In the early morning after the war ended, Hera's figure quietly appeared on the ship of the Red Hair Pirates. Shanks was on board and sensed her arrival.
Shanks said curiously, "What brings you to my ship so late? Is there something?"
Hearing Shanks's words, Hera was somewhat puzzled. "Didn't I give you the signal? I tapped 'Murakumogiri' three times, indicating I would come at this time."
Only then did Shanks realize, rubbing his head. "So that's why Beckman told me to keep watch tonight. So, what brings you to my ship?"
Hera complained, "What an idiot. Is everyone who sailed with Roger like this?"
Then, turning serious, she said, "Is your arm like that to suppress the mark of that 'Great One'?"
Hearing Hera had serious business, Shanks's expression also turned solemn. "That's right. How do you know about this mark and the matter of that 'Great One'?"
Hera said, "Of course I know. Don't forget my ability."
Then, after observing Shanks's mark, her hand shimmering with the dark shadow of the City of Devouring Time, she grasped Shanks's arm.
------------------------
I've posted 70+ chapters in advance on Patreon.
Webnovel updates will still be daily, as usual.
It might not seem tempting right now but who knows what the future holds?
[email protected]/SolyuraMT
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"