Their plan is to eliminate Whitebeard, reducing one Pirate Emperor from the seas, not to smoothly usher in the new era...
"I understand, old man." Garp clenched his fist, his body slightly bent down, "Though I am also part of the Navy, I won't let dangerous guys just enter the New World, even if it's..."
Thud!
A sudden sound of vibration was emitted, Garp's figure moved like a tiger, pouncing before the Sage with two streaks of black lightning flashing from his fist, punching straight out.
"You, my foolish disciple, whom I've acknowledged!"
Bang!
The fist struck the air, creating a resounding sonic boom, but missed its target.
The Sage's figure flashed up to the remnants of the shattered execution platform, looking down at Garp below, he grinned maliciously: "To be my mentor, it's still too early, I've given you a little favor, that's all. In this state, you aren't qualified to fight me!"
He became even more confused...
Even that punch just now wasn't as powerful as the ones at Water Seven.
The Sage was too lazy to deal with such a guy, moreover, he was a man who valued grace.
In the events at Water Seven, the old guy had clearly held back, he wouldn't take advantage of someone in a vulnerable moment.
"Bwahahaha, don't speak too soon, Sage! This old man is still vigorous!" Garp bent his arm, laughing heartily.
Boom!
Right then, a wave of tremor spread around, shaking the ground fiercely.
Whitebeard's fist was enveloped in a hazy halo, punching out and creating several cracks in the air, the strong vibration and impact from it sent a multitude of Navy personnel flying, causing the island of Navy Headquarters to shudder for a moment.
"Take down Whitebeard!"
More members of the Navy were also uninterested in the matter of the Heavenly Celestial Dragons, focusing solely on their original target, Whitebeard.
At this moment, Whitebeard was fighting to buy time for his subordinates to escape, blocking wave after wave of Navy attackers.
After launching a punch, Whitebeard wielded his naginata with both hands, a halo appearing on the blade which sliced downward, seemingly cleaving even the air, causing already tilted and collapsing structures to split open another large crack, sending the Navy personnel ahead soaring with the impact.
"Gurara lala la!"
Whitebeard laughed aloud: "Don't underestimate me, you brats!"
"Tsk, the power's still this great even when about to die, truly worthy of a Pirate Emperor."
The Sage sneered: "Dying on the battlefield is a rather good option, but shouldn't you consider your influence as well? It's more appropriate for old people to find a place to enjoy their twilight years. Being a pirate for life, even getting on the field when about to die, isn't too dignified!"
"Gurara lala la, why, white-haired kid, do you also want my head?"
Whitebeard thrust the naginata into the ground, laughing: "If you have the skills, come and take it yourself!"
"I have little interest in dying men, even if I kill you, no one will acknowledge me as the new Emperor."
The Sage shook his head with a smile, glancing at Whitebeard again.
Anyone with keen eyes could see that this guy was already dying, it's just his will keeping him going.
He was already old and plagued with ailments, and now heavily injured; when he arrived, he'd seen that this guy had half of his face gone, with two holes in his torso. The fact that he could still stand and fight was surprising, but that's all.
After being worn down a bit more, he was bound to die.
Besides...
"Are people old? Or just relaxed..."
The Sage glanced toward Sengoku and Garp at the side, laughing: "Unable to sense things even when they come close?"
"Ze hahaha..."
Behind him, a rough laugh rang out.
"There's... there's something!"
The other Navy personnel felt as if a giant shadow was enveloping them. Looking up, they saw a huge figure emerging beside the massive Headquarters building.
That thing was a giant!
No!
It was something more colossal than a giant!
It was an immense, shaggy-headed creature clad in a prison uniform, its coarse long hair parted on top, dusty and disheveled, currently covering its mouth, releasing a guileless yet heavy voice.
"Ah... discovered."
Above the Sage, a group of gigantic men descended from the sky, standing alongside the Sage.
"Ze hahaha! Sage, did you purposely wait for me?!" Teach laughed heartily.
The leader was none other than Marshall D. Teach!
"Cut the act..."
The Sage smirked, looking beside at another person, "Oh? You came out with Teach?"
The man, wearing an Impel Down uniform, with a cape draped and military cap on, biting a cigar with a stern face.
A swordsman who was opposite to the Sage during the Impel Down incursion.
"Indeed, I chose him." The man chuckled in a low voice.
"Shiryu!"
Sengoku gritted his teeth: "What's happening! Why are you here! What happened to Magellan!"
It was known that Blackbeard had infiltrated Impel Down, but Sengoku thought that with Magellan there, a Blackbeard wouldn't be much, yet now with Shiryu here, it was a problem!
Shiryu spat out a smoke cloud, looking down at Sengoku, spoke solemnly: "Our presence here explains it all, if disasters can escape, why can't we? As for that inflexible fellow, you can check on him later. Besides..."
He lifted his head proudly and smiled: "I'll be joining forces with these individuals, please show us guidance."
"Damn fellow!" Sengoku clenched his fists, glaring at Teach, "Is this your intention, Teach?"
"Of course, ze hahaha, becoming one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea was about gathering these comrades!"
Teach took a step forward, spreading his arms with laughter: "These are the foundation for my future conquests!"
In addition to Teach's partners, that massive figure resembling an island was 'Colossal Battleship' Saint Juan Wolf!
The blue-haired, horned character was 'Evil King' Avalo Pizarro!
The long-nosed woman was 'Crescent Moon Hunter' Catarina Devon!
And with a similarly but more coarse long-nosed figure, tongue out in a drunken stupor was 'Big Wine' Vasco Shot!
All were heinous villains incarcerated on the sixth layer, their records expunged!
And...
"Natural disaster, you too!" Sengoku yelled.
"No joke, it's obvious our styles don't match."
The Sage slightly distanced himself from Teach's position, brushing his white hair, and laughing: "I'm someone who appreciates elegance and dignity, clearly we're not a team. Vulgarity can only pair with vulgarity, no comparison to me."
"Hey, Sage, those words are hurtful!"
Teach chuckled loudly: "What's wrong with a bit of coarseness in a partner, powerful enough is all that matters, and aren't we collaborators? I bet right, Sage!"
"Mururu huu hu..."
Devon glanced at Sage, chuckling lightly: "So, not a comrade, eh? A fine lad, too bad he's a man. Otherwise, I'd fancy your face."
As a blood relative of Robin, Sage's appearance wouldn't have been lacking, though his nouveau-riche demeanor masked it.
Such trivial things Eden doesn't mind, her interest lies in aesthetics and youth, as her title implies.
Crescent Moon Hunter, where 'Crescent' signifies youth, and 'Moon' means beauty.
She fancies young, vibrant, and beautiful women, often admiring their beautiful face...
"Hmm?"
The Sage glared past, smirking, "Teach, manage your subordinate's mouth, or you may need to find another crude individual."
"Ze ahaha, cooperation partners should maintain peace. Hey, Devon, hush now, this guy's not easy to deal with, if he kills you, I won't care!"
Teach wiped a bead of sweat from his temple, laughing again.
At this crucial moment, Sage was the last one they should provoke.
"Hey, Sage, our agreed cooperation, you wouldn't obstruct me!" Teach looked toward Whitebeard, tangled with the Navy on the front lines.
"I despise reneging on my word, not some low-level pirate. If you have what it takes, just go ahead yourself." The Sage smiled.
"Teach!!"
A shout echoed from ahead, Whitebeard tightly clenched his fist, smashing it heavily forward. The vibrating halo swiftly spread out with his punch, dispersing all nearby obstructions. That Power of Vibration shattered, scattering pieces of the high platform carrying the execution remains, all collapsing.
Amidst the ruin, Teach descended from above, advancing alongside his newly recruited comrades.
"Pops, it's been a while, ze hahaha!"