Shiki was now cornered and being beaten by a multitude of opponents. Yet, even so, he refused to surrender easily.
His massive, dozens-of-meters-tall lion's head clashed with Kong's fists, Kizaru's light, Aokiji's ice, Akainu's magma, and Momousagi's sword.
Rayleigh watched, perplexed. If Shiki wanted to escape, he could, even if it took some effort. The battle was clearly lost, but Shiki showed no intention of retreating, even if it meant his death in the next second.
"What exactly are you trying to do, Shiki…?" Rayleigh murmured to himself, his brow furrowed.
---
Sengoku had withdrawn from his fight with Shiki to command the entire battle. The Scarlet Crusade had also pulled back, with Whitemane citing "excessive energy consumption."
After approving the retreat, Sengoku glanced at Tsuru. "What's the situation with the Government?"
Tsuru's expression was grim. "Two Admiral-level fighters are dead. Grimm's subordinate, Kel'Thuzad, was responsible. He's likely Grimm's second-in-command. As for the palace, the western section suffered extensive damage. The foundation isn't destroyed, but Grimm and his subordinate are gone. They've most likely escaped."
"How… how could this happen?!"
Sengoku gritted his teeth in frustration. Tsuru forced herself to remain calm. "Focus on Shiki now!"
---
On the battlefield, Kizaru zipped between the enormous lion heads with incredible speed, getting dangerously close to Shiki. When there was no longer any way to dodge, he unleashed his ultimate attack. In an instant, the sky glowed with golden light!
"Yasakani no Magatama!"
It was rare to see Kizaru truly serious, but it was a moment for everyone to shine. He was a Marine, after all!
Shiki's blood-streaked face twisted into a maniacal grin. He directed his last lion head to intercept. "You punk!"
Even that final lion possessed incredible power, managing to block Borsalino's ultimate attack.
"Oh, how scary Golden Lion" Kizaru drawled, a genuine sigh of relief this time.
"What are you waiting for?! MOVE IT!" a furious roar erupted from beneath Shiki, accompanied by an explosion of molten magma!
Meanwhile, Aokiji, unnoticed, had created an ice pillar to elevate himself to Shiki's height, and ice spears now filled the sky!
"So fiery, Sakazuki!"
Aokiji's eyes sharpened, his lazy demeanor vanishing completely. "Ice Age! Glacier!"
Caught between the two powerful attacks, Shiki desperately manipulated the surrounding earth and debris to form a barrier.
From the third direction, directly in front, Kong, who had shattered the lion head that forced Kizaru back, burst forth, roaring, "It's over, Golden Lion!"
Shiki saw Kong's Haki-infused fist, capable of splitting mountains, rocketing toward him.
Instead of retreating, he charged forward, straight into the combined attacks of Akainu and Aokiji. In that split second, countless images flashed through his mind!
The young Rocks, the greatest pirate of his era.
His battles with Roger and Whitebeard.
The Battle of Edd War.
Cutting off his own legs to escape Impel Down. And this war, meticulously planned with Grimm, whom he believed to be his successor.
At the same time, one of the two screens in Sabaody Archipelago flickered, then went blank. It had been destroyed.
Only one screen remained, and it captured Shiki's final cry.
"One Piece…"
"IS REAL!!!"
These were the words Whitebeard had uttered before his death at Marineford. Now, they came from another legendary pirate, one on par with Roger himself. The impact it had on the Marines and pirates, and on the world, was unimaginable!
---
Meanwhile, Mary Geoise.
"Saint Garbatia, there's something I need your help with," Grimm said suddenly, still in the guise of Epthelm.
"What is it, my friend?" Garbatia asked, then added with a bored sigh, "Oh, by the way, let's go to Sabaody later and buy some slaves. Mermaids and fishmen would be ideal!"
"Hehehehe… let's settle this matter first," Grimm replied with a smile. Now, only the final step of his plan remained… Shiki's head.
Therefore, Shiki could not die.
Truthfully, with the forces Grimm had deployed, he could have completely obliterated Marineford.
But he chose not to. Even if Marineford fell, the World Government wouldn't be easily overthrown; the Navy Headquarters could simply be rebuilt elsewhere.
Besides, the Navy was already being subtly infiltrated by Grimm. Soon enough, controlling half of it would be no problem.
Moreover, if he truly overthrew the World Government now, the world would descend into utter chaos, far worse than it already was.
Grimm didn't believe he was ready to control such a situation.
He lacked the foundation to completely control the world. Building an empire was easy; securing it was hard.
And with the World Government's hidden power, Grimm knew he wasn't strong enough yet.
From Roger, he had learned that the World Government possessed something that surpassed any power in the world…
He refused to follow the same path as Rocks.
---
The dark clouds dispersed. After more than a dozen hours of fighting, a single ray of sunlight pierced through the shattered Marineford.
Every Marine on the battlefield wore a faint smile. Kong stood over Shiki, who lay in a cross shape, his body battered and bloody. Yet, Shiki's lips curved into a grin. He roared with laughter.
"Gyahahahaha! How could I lose to Roger?! Didn't you see, Kong?! I did it this time! I'm not inferior to Roger, am I?! Gyahahahaha…!"
"You bastard!" Kong cursed.
"Roger opened an era, and I… I brought it to a climax! Gyahahahaha!"
Kong wiped the blood from his fist, then picked up a broken sword that lay conveniently near his feet. "I won't make the same mistake twice…"
He moved to plunge the broken sword into Shiki's neck!
"Come on, Kong! End my journey! Put a perfect end to everything I've lived for!" Shiki's laughter never ceased.
Just as Kong's blade was about to pierce Shiki's throat, a sharp voice suddenly echoed from the edge of the plaza, "STOP, Fleet Admiral Kong!"
The previously silent Marines all turned in unison. Kong, Sengoku, Tsuru, and the others exchanged glances. A single word escaped their lips: "Government agents?"
A group of over a dozen figures, all clad in dark blue suits, stood there. They were undoubtedly Government agents.
Shiki, who had been resigned to his fate, turned his head at the sound. The suited men walked swiftly toward Kong and Shiki.
The last Den Den Mushi broadcast had been destroyed by the collision between Shiki and Kong, so the outside world had no idea what was happening now.
"Is the World Government interfering with my execution of a criminal?" Kong said, his face darkening.
"This is a Celestial Dragon's Order issued jointly by Saint Garbatia and Saint Epthelm!"
__________________
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