Unbeknownst to them, Kaido had already shifted into his human-beast form.
His full beast form was ill-suited for close combat. It was this hybrid state where Kaido was at his strongest.
Blue-green scales covered his body, and a massive spiked club rested in his grip. Flame Clouds supported him in the air as he descended with terrifying momentum.
"Thunder Bagua!"
"Repulsion!"
Freda's expression changed instantly.
Kaido's Thunder Bagua was simply too fast. Freda had only just begun gathering repulsive force when the spiked club was already upon him.
In his stunned gaze, the blow landed.
Crack.
The sound of bones shattering echoed through the air.
Kaido's Thunder Bagua, infused with overwhelming Haki, smashed through Freda's defense. His arms crossed instinctively in front of his chest, but it was useless.
One of Freda's arms broke on impact.
His body was blasted backward like a cannonball, tearing through the air with a series of booming shockwaves.
Even as he was sent flying, Freda instinctively activated his ability, using repulsion to reduce the force and stabilize himself.
He grabbed his broken arm with his intact hand.
Crack.
With a violent squeeze, the dislocated bones were forcibly reset. Freda flexed his arm, testing it, then swung it a few times as muscle and bone realigned.
Fighters who reached this level all possessed terrifying willpower. Monsters did not become monsters without relentless training.
Freda was no exception.
Having come from CP0, the hellish training he endured far surpassed that of ordinary Marines.
Using Life Return, he suppressed the injury and surged forward again, rejoining the battle.
Borsalino's laser struck Kaido's body, leaving only a faint red dot on his scales. The attack had worked, technically.
Moments later, the mark vanished.
Borsalino's expression remained unchanged. His attacks were effective, but insignificant.
He and Freda were supporting players in this battle. The true damage dealers were still Garp and Zephyr. Only their fists could break through Kaido's monstrous defense.
They had no illusions about capturing Kaido.
The man was known as the "Strongest Creature." If Kaido did not flee, subduing him would require days of nonstop combat.
Their mission was simple.
Stall.
As long as Kaido was contained until the press conference ended, it would be enough.
The press conference itself did not need to be long, but because it was short, every moment mattered.
As Freda was knocked away, Garp appeared beside Kaido in an instant. A heavy punch smashed into Kaido's face, sending him flying.
Zephyr appeared directly in Kaido's path and followed up with another punch.
Their movements were crisp, efficient, and relentless. Together, they formed a visible suppression over Kaido.
Kaido roared and swung his club again.
"Thunder Bagua!"
As Kaido was driven farther from Marineford and fully surrounded by Garp and Zephyr, order was restored below.
Sengoku continued his speech.
The violent tremors from the distant sky could be felt, but they no longer disrupted the proceedings.
The battle was being recorded. What mattered now was the message the Marines were delivering to the world.
A public apology.
Most people had already seen Kaizer's footage, yet a formal apology from the Marines was still difficult. Pride was not something easily discarded.
Executing Vice Admiral Makudi alone would never have been enough.
There were countless alternative options. Quietly disposing of him. Making him a scapegoat. Protecting him through connections.
After all, executing a Marine, especially a Vice Admiral, was a humiliating act for the organization itself.
Yet the Marines had done it.
Coupled with a public apology and the announcement of reform, this was enough to show sincerity.
As for the newly established Inspection Department, its framework was still incomplete. Construction had not begun. Regulations were not finalized.
Whether the Marine leadership truly had the resolve to carry it through remained to be seen.
But for now, they appeared determined.
Some citizens began to regain trust in the Marines. Others no longer felt outright disgust.
Human emotions were fickle.
Hatred could burn one day and fade the next.
As long as people calmed down, reason returned.
After all, the majority of Marines still upheld justice. The truly corrupt were a minority.
Most soldiers were simply people earning a living. The Marines were a profession, with salaries to be paid.
"Finally," Sengoku said solemnly, "if any Marine commits illegal acts, the public may report them."
"The Inspection Department will intervene. Other Marines must cooperate and may not interfere."
"Marines may also report one another internally. A special reward system will be established."
"The Inspection Department will officially begin operations in half a month. Its internal regulations will be announced publicly."
"We ask you to trust the Marines. To trust justice. The Marines are changing. Past mistakes will not be repeated."
"Please give us a chance."
With that, Sengoku bowed deeply.
Nightfall Pirates.
"It seems Sengoku still has some skill," Redyat said, sighing softly. "They stabilized the situation."
"Heh," Teach chuckled, shaking his head. "Only on the surface. This kind of reform takes people, money, and time. The department exists in name, but to truly function will take years."
"The best method," Teach continued, "is to catch a few high-ranking Marines committing serious crimes and make examples of them. Publicly."
"But wouldn't that strengthen the Marines instead?" Redyat frowned.
Teach smiled. "And what if it does? Pirates are growing stronger too."
"Balance creates stability. Stability creates development. By the time that balance settles, our empire will already be established."
Redyat nodded slowly. "A balance within chaos."
"Exactly," Teach said. "True balance never exists. Remove one fulcrum, and everything collapses. That era is coming, just not yet."
Redyat's eyes narrowed. "Marines. Warlords. Sea Emperors."
Teach nodded.
The Warlords were no longer a secret. Plans were already in motion. With pressure mounting on the World Government, their creation was inevitable.
"Pirates cannot unite," Redyat said. "That's why this fragile balance works."
Teach smiled faintly. "Transactions based on利益 are what they trust."
Their discussion ended as the broadcast concluded.
Or rather, it almost did.
The battle had not ended.
Kaido was still fighting.
Facing Garp and Zephyr, he was suppressed, but far from defeated.
Using Flame Clouds as footholds, Kaido swung his spiked club again and again. Thunder Bagua had become his default attack.
Borsalino and Freda withdrew.
Their attacks were meaningless now. It was not that they lacked stronger techniques. There was simply no need.
Garp and Zephyr dominated the battlefield.
Freda's repulsion shattered instantly under Thunder Bagua. Borsalino's attacks barely scratched Kaido's scales.
As for Borsalino, he did not mind.
Less work was better.
His only regret was the absence of tea.
In raw strength, Kaido was superior. But every punch from Garp hurt.
Iron Fist Garp's blows were destructive in a way that made even Kaido grimace.
"Enough," Garp said, breathing steadily. "The press conference is over. You can leave now, Kaido."
Kaido laughed wildly. "Kill me then, Garp!"
The spiked club descended again.
Garp answered with his fist.
They could not kill Kaido. They could not imprison him.
Several prison ships had already been destroyed.
Even if Kaido ate another Devil Fruit, it would not kill him. The power would simply be expelled and reincarnated elsewhere.
And the world was watching.
Garp glanced at Zephyr.
The former Admiral looked older now. Wrinkles marked his face, remnants of a life-burning past.
Yet Zephyr had done nothing wrong.
Among the recruits he saved at Sabaody, two exceptional students were already rising rapidly.
The future of the Marines.
Garp and Zephyr exchanged a glance and nodded.
They charged together.
For two days and two nights, they fought.
Together, they suppressed Kaido.
Just as Kaido's stamina finally began to wane, a fiery aerial slash tore through the battlefield, forcing Garp and Zephyr back.
The next moment, a massive Pteranodon descended from the sky.
It seized Kaido and flew away at full speed.
The battle ended.