Kizaru appeared behind Marco in a flash of golden light. His Ama no Murakumo Sword rose high as he said calmly, "I cannot allow you to take Whitebeard's body, Marco san."
He swung downward with lethal precision. He did not expect the strike to kill Marco, but it was more than enough to split Whitebeard's remains in two.
At that exact moment, a terrifying surge of Conqueror's Haki swept across the battlefield.
Kizaru's body stiffened for a fraction of a second as the overwhelming pressure crashed into him. The Haki was perfectly controlled, bypassing Marco entirely and striking Kizaru directly.
"Phoenix Seal!" Marco roared.
His flaming kick landed cleanly against Kizaru's chest, sending the Admiral flying backward through the air in a streak of broken light.
"Red Haired Shanks…" Marco narrowed his eyes and turned toward the distant sea. A massive pirate ship was approaching the edge of the ice, and that terrifying Conqueror's Haki could only belong to one man.
Marco did not hesitate any longer. His wings flared as he turned and flew straight back toward Moby Dick 5.
Kizaru steadied himself in midair, a rare bead of sweat sliding down his face. "So Red Hair has really arrived…"
Moments later, Marco returned safely to the ship with Whitebeard's remains in his arms. The moment he landed on deck, voices erupted around him.
"Marco, you are safe!"
"Thank goodness!"
The massive body wrapped in the Marine justice flag was immediately recognizable. The outline of Whitebeard's frame and the enormous Murakumogiri made it unmistakable.
Marco's expression hardened. "Take Father to the ice cellar immediately. His body must not suffer any further damage. Once we return to the New World, we will give him a proper burial."
"Leave it to me!" Blenheim said firmly as he lifted Whitebeard's remains and rushed toward the hold.
Marco turned back toward the sky where Kizaru hovered. His voice was steady and cold. "This is not over yet. But with Red Hair here, our retreat is secured."
"Red Hair?" Luffy's eyes widened. "You mean Shanks?"
Marco nodded. "He is already here."
As the paddle steamer continued forward, the edge of Aokiji's frozen sea finally came into view.
"We can see the ocean!"
"We are leaving the ice!"
"Once we hit the sea, we are really escaping!"
Some of the pirates suddenly noticed several Marine warships stationed near the ice edge.
"There are Marine warships ahead!"
"So what if there are only five of them!"
"We broke through Marineford. Five ships won't stop us!"
Far in the distance, aboard the Red Force, Shanks stood at the bow and smiled faintly. "Looks like the Whitebeard Pirates made it out."
Benn Beckman adjusted his rifle. "Even without us, they probably would have escaped. Ace survived, that is what matters."
Lucky Roux laughed while chewing on a chicken leg. "Boss, little Luffy is on that ship too. I want to see him!"
Shanks shook his head. "Not now. Move the ship. Block Kizaru. That will be enough."
On the Marine side, panic spread as the Red Hair Pirates approached.
"It is the Red Hair Pirates!"
"Didn't they clash with Kaido in the New World yesterday?"
A Rear Admiral shouted, "Do not fire on the Red Hair Pirates. Focus all cannons on the Whitebeard Pirates!"
With the Whitebeard Pirates ahead and the Red Hair Pirates behind, the Marine warships were trapped between two Four Emperors forces. No one dared to move recklessly.
Moby Dick 5 surged forward with full power.
With a massive crash, the ship finally broke free from the ice and plunged into the sea. Cheers exploded across the deck.
"We made it to the ocean!"
"Set sail, return to the New World!"
The Marines shouted in frustration, "Do not let them escape, pursue!"
The Red Force accelerated as well. Shanks watched Luffy from afar, and Luffy saw him too. Neither spoke. Then Shanks' gaze shifted, and his eyes softened.
"Buggy…"
Benn Beckman raised a brow. "The same Buggy from the Roger Pirates?"
Shanks nodded. "It has been over twenty years."
Shanks stepped forward and dropped directly onto the ice, landing between Kizaru and Zephyr.
The pursuit stopped instantly.
Kizaru looked at him through half-lidded eyes. "Red Haired Shanks, what brings you here?"
Shanks' voice was calm but unyielding. "I came to end this war."
Kizaru's expression darkened slightly. "You mean you came to stop us."
"Enough blood has been spilled," Shanks said. "The transponder snails recorded everything. The world will know. Ace survived, and both sides have paid heavily. This war should end now."
Kizaru sighed. "That decision is not mine to make. If you intend to stop me, I will not hold back."
Light gathered in his hand. "Ama no Murakumo Sword…"
Shanks drew Gryphon without hesitation. His eyes were sharp.
"Then we will settle it here."
The Marineford War came to an end.