...
The scene plunged back into utter chaos.
Pirates charged; Marines met them head-on. Cannon fire and battle cries shook the heavens.
At that moment, Admiral Kizaru Borsalino—who was overseeing the encirclement—spotted the area where the Straw Hats had gathered. A cold glint flashed in his eyes.
"About time… to wrap this up. Can't let you troublesome brats escape again~"
His figure turned into dazzling golden light and instantly appeared in midair, arms crossed: "Yasakani no Magatama!"
Countless blinding laser beams poured down like a torrential rain toward the Straw Hats below!
The range was vast, the speed blinding, the power devastating!
Many pirates trying to approach the area were scared out of their wits and scattered in panic.
"Not good!!"
"It's Kizaru!"
Zoro and Sanji's expressions changed drastically. Luffy struggled to stand, but they were all exhausted. Facing this Admiral's full-powered area attack, it seemed impossible to evade!
At this life-or-death moment…
"Fire Fist!"
"Fire Fist!"
Two nearly overlapping yet equally blazing roars exploded across the battlefield like thunder!
Immediately after, two massive, scorching flame fists—one from the left, one from the right—like twin burning shields—crossed and slammed forward with precision, meeting the sky-full of light bullets head-on!
"BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM!!!"
A violent clash of light and fire! Explosive radiance and heat waves swept in all directions!
Kizaru's "Yasakani no Magatama" was completely blocked and neutralized by these two sudden flame fists!
"What?!" A trace of surprise flashed across Kizaru's face.
Everyone was stunned by this sudden reinforcement and frantically searched for the source.
Luffy seemed to sense something; he whipped his head around toward the direction the flames had come from.
His eyes widened instantly, then flooded with unbelievable joy and excitement!
In the direction of the Revolutionary Army fleet, Sabo was retracting his smoking fist, a warm yet resolute smile on his face as he nodded toward Luffy.
Beside Sabo stood a projection created at full power by the Mira Mira no Mi user—Anne!
When Luffy saw the man's appearance, he nearly burst into tears. A young man wearing an orange cowboy hat, freckles on his face, and a bright, unrestrained smile…
was holding a punching stance, his gaze fixed on Luffy's voyage!
The flames slowly extinguished on his fist!
This was none other than Luffy's late sworn brother—"Fire Fist" Portgas D. Ace!
Though only a phantom, that familiar face, that familiar technique, and that protective heart that seemed to transcend life and death nearly brought tears to Franky—who was at the helm!
This was the two older brothers—crossing the boundaries of life, death, and allegiance—delivering the most synchronized and warmest cover for their little brother in his most perilous moment!
Sabo looked at the tear-streaked yet beaming Luffy, then at Ace's phantom beside him. Tears welled in his own eyes too, but he knew this was no time for emotion.
He took a deep breath, waved forcefully toward Luffy, and silently shouted: "See you again, Luffy!"
In God Valley, many viewers witnessing this deeply moving yet powerful scene felt their noses sting and goosebumps rise across their skin.
That brotherhood transcending death, that burst of protective light in the moment of greatest despair—it shook every heart profoundly.
Taking advantage of the opening, the Straw Hats followed the flame corridor and escaped.
Kizaru watched their retreating figures. He was about to pursue, but received a call from Smoker.
Smoker recounted everything that had happened on the island from beginning to end. Since there were still Marines on the island and Straw Hat Luffy had already destroyed the treasure, he pleaded to halt the Buster Call!
Faced with the request, Kizaru scratched his head and finally ordered the bombardment to stop. Since the Pirate King's treasure had been destroyed by the Straw Hat kid, he saw no point in needless casualties…
Because of the flame corridor blocking the attacks, the Navy could only watch helplessly as Luffy and the others escaped!
As the group departed, the chapter of "Operation Madness" finally drew to a close amid this chaotic blend of battle, choices, destruction, and warmth.
The Straw Hats had once again narrowly escaped death, and the true meaning of "ONE PIECE," of comrades, of dreams and adventure, had been given a deeper interpretation in this grand spectacle!
The viewers in God Valley remained unable to calm their emotions for a long time, as if their hearts had sailed away with that departing ship—toward an unknown yet exhilarating future.
And at that very moment, without any warning, the light screen dimmed at an unprecedented speed—faster than any previous fade!
Almost all the powerhouses in God Valley were still immersed in the shock of Ace's phantom and Sabo's combined move, and the lingering thrill of the Straw Hats' desperate escape.
This sudden "screen interruption" caused the vast majority to experience an extremely brief—less than half a second—moment of daze.
However, the Five Elders had clearly been prepared—or rather, their killing intent and vigilance had never relaxed in the slightest because of the light screen's content!
"Act!"
A low yet thunderous command exploded from Saint Warcury's mouth! Almost at the exact instant the light screen vanished!
His originally human form suddenly swelled and twisted, transforming into the grotesque, terrifying giant boar form—"Feng Xi"!
Savage dark energy covered him like tangible armor. Without any probing, his target clear, he charged like a moving mountain—carrying the crushing might to pulverize everything—straight toward Rocks and the core area of pirates around him!
His task: pin down the strongest points and create openings for his comrades!
"God's Knights! Execute the order! Even if it costs your lives, entangle them!!"
Saint Garling's roar followed immediately. He drew his blade and charged toward Roger. The remaining God's Knights members—like killing machines suddenly activated—eyes burning with fanaticism and resolve, threw themselves without hesitation at the Roger Pirates, Whitebeard, Golden Lion Shiki, and other top-tier combatants!
They did not seek victory—only delay!
The remaining four Elders—Saint Saturn (Gyuki), Saint Mars (Itsumade), Saint Nusjuro (Horse Bones), Saint Peter (Sandworm)—hesitated not at all, nor did they pick "suitable" opponents!
Following the prearranged plan perfectly, they rushed straight toward Roger, Rocks, and the others in front—locking all their killing intent and presence tightly onto the heavily protected target!
The gravely injured, nearly defenseless Monkey D. Dragon!
The four transformed into four streaks of differently colored yet equally ominous and destructive light—like four unsheathed daggers—striking toward Dragon's position from different angles!
Their speed, angles, and coordination were flawless—as if rehearsed countless times!
"Bastards!!"
Garp's eyes nearly split with fury. He was relatively close to Dragon's position; seeing this, he charged forward without a second thought to intercept.
Any Marine stance, any loyalty to the World Government—at this moment—could not outweigh a father's instinct to protect his son!
Yet the instant his body moved, several razor-sharp thorns suddenly appeared before him, forcing him to halt and block!
"Clang!!"
The thorns stabbed toward Garp but were met with Armament Haki—sparks flying!
The one blocking Garp was Saint Sommers of the God's Knights!
"Mind your position… Marine!"