Doflamingo couldn't understand it.
They had hidden themselves so far away. No sounds, no movements—yet Ayr still found them.
His very perception felt monstrous, beyond the scope of common sense.
Even at that distance, without making a single noise, they were detected.
Everyone around him was shaken to the core.
The former Shichibukai narrowed his eyes.
"When we get back... I'm done being Admiral," said Zephyr suddenly, his voice low.
"I'll resign. I'll go back to being just a Marine Instructor."
There was regret in his voice—a bitter sense of unfinished duty.
It hurt to give up like this.
After a while, Garp, still severely injured, slowly regained consciousness.
His eyes fluttered open. He saw the sky first—vast, blue, and indifferent. Then, he felt the familiar scent of sea salt.
Confused, he sat up weakly.
"How... how did Ayr find you?" he asked, his voice rasping.
None of them answered immediately.
They all sat in silence.
A few feet away, Sengoku, Crane, and Zephyr stood together, not saying a word.
Their presence alone should have been enough to topple even a Yonko.
That lineup—three Admirals and a Vice Admiral—was powerful enough to wage war against a Four Emperors crew.
But still… they lost.
Meanwhile, far away, Doflamingo and his crew finally stopped running.
Even now, they didn't dare speak loudly.
They had barely escaped.
They huddled behind a jagged ridge, hidden from sight.
Doflamingo clenched his fists.
"Zephyr!"
One of his men whispered, watching the Marine warship vanish into the mist.
Even from a distance, they could see Zephyr's missing arm.
"I can't believe it…" another said.
Garp, back on the warship, gritted his teeth and grabbed Sengoku's shoulder, ignoring his injuries.
"You… gave up?!" he roared.
He blamed himself—his weakness, his collapse.
The four greatest Marines—three Admirals and a Vice Admiral—had conceded defeat to one man.
And handed over the Op-Op Fruit, one of the most valuable treasures in the world!
But as Garp trembled with frustration… his fists loosened.
"…No. I understand."
He exhaled heavily and slumped down.
"Then… Ayr is going to become immortal…"
The realization hit him hard.
The Op-Op Fruit, in the hands of someone like Ayr, was not just dangerous—it was world-breaking.
His fist trembled.
If he had remained conscious, maybe—just maybe—things could've turned out differently.
But life doesn't pause at the edge of death.
In battle, decisions are made in seconds.
And sometimes, survival is the only choice.
Suddenly, Garp sat up straighter, eyes wide.
"This is my fault…" he said hoarsely. "I was the one who collapsed first…"
"I think… if they had a choice, they'd have rather died than give Ayr what he wanted."
The air around them seemed to grow heavier.
He spoke with solemnity.
"I'm not in a position to judge their decision."
He knew.
They didn't do it out of weakness—they did it to save each other.
They did it to protect the last shreds of Marine strength, to live another day.
On the warship, Sengoku, Zephyr, and Crane looked completely worn out.
Their uniforms were torn. Blood crusted their faces. Dignity—cracked, but not gone.
When Garp heard the full story—how they surrendered to Ayr—rage burned through his chest.
His hands clenched into fists.
But what else could they have done?
From the hiding ridge, Doflamingo whispered.
"For my crew… I had no choice but to run."
He glanced at his comrades—Diamante, Pica, and Trebol—all still shaken.
Diamante let out a long breath and muttered, "Boss… we weren't wrong."
"Four top-tier Marines surrendered to one man..."
"And not just anyone—Vice Admiral Garp was there. He's stronger than most Admirals!"
"If even they can't stop Ayr... then we never stood a chance."
Doflamingo said nothing.
His pride was in pieces.
This… was a level they had never faced before.
The Op-Op Fruit was now in Ayr's possession.
That fact alone… could change the balance of the world.
Back on the warship, Zephyr stared at his severed arm.
His mind was quiet.
Even in pain, he remained composed.
Despite the loss, despite the humiliation—his will had not broken.
He had always believed in building the next generation.
And now… he was more certain than ever.
"Even if I get used to fighting with one arm," Zephyr said softly, "this era isn't mine anymore."
Garp looked over, suddenly sensing something ominous.
"…Zephyr?"
Zephyr didn't respond immediately.
Instead, he looked toward the sea—toward the horizon.
"What about Ayr?" Garp asked hoarsely. "What about the fruit?"
Sengoku turned to him and shook his head.
There was nothing more to say.
Garp's shoulders slumped.
Everything they had feared had come true.
The world had shifted.
At last, Zephyr, who had remained silent for most of the voyage, finally spoke:
"Maybe the next generation… will have a shot."
"We… failed, didn't we?"
Sengoku said nothing.
He lowered his head in shame.
{🥳 The Fanfic is now fully completed! 🎉
You can access 300+ advance chapters right now on Patreon—available for subscription or purchase! ✨
👉 patreon.com/Oreski
🥰 Your support keeps me motivated and eager to create even more amazing stories!}