Kizaru materialized behind Marco in a flash of golden light. Raising his Ama no Murakumo sword high, he said lazily,
"I'm afraid I can't let you take Whitebeard's body, Marco-san~"
He brought the blade down.
Kizaru didn't expect the strike to kill Marco—but splitting Whitebeard's body in two would be more than enough.
At that exact moment—
A terrifying wave of Conqueror's Haki surged across the battlefield.
Kizaru's body stiffened, his attack freezing for a mere one-tenth of a second.
Marco felt the overwhelming pressure as well—but the Haki was eerily precise, brushing past him as if guided by an unseen hand, striking Kizaru alone.
"Phoenix Seal!"
Marco roared, twisting midair and unleashing a full-powered kick. The blow sent Kizaru flying backward like a meteor, light scattering wildly through the sky.
"Red-Haired Shanks…?"
Marco immediately turned toward the source of the Haki.
In the distance, a pirate ship was cutting through the sea. Though far away, the presence was unmistakable—the Conqueror's Haki rolling from it like a king's proclamation.
Marco didn't dwell on it.
Clutching Whitebeard's remains, he turned and flew straight toward the paddle steamer.
"…Has Red Hair arrived?"
For the first time, a bead of cold sweat slid down Kizaru's usually carefree face.
Moments later, Marco descended onto the deck with Whitebeard's body.
"Marco!"
"It's great you're safe!"
"You made it back!"
Though Whitebeard's remains were wrapped in a Marine justice flag, his towering silhouette was unmistakable—especially the massive Murakumogiri clenched in his grasp.
Marco wasted no time.
"Listen carefully," he ordered. "Take Pops' remains to the ice cellar and place them in cold storage. They must not suffer any further damage. Once we return to the New World… we'll bury him properly."
"Leave it to me!"
Blenheim, captain of the Ninth Division, immediately hoisted the body and hurried toward the hold.
Marco then turned his gaze back toward the distant sky, his expression solemn.
"The fighting here isn't over yet," he said quietly. "But since Red Hair has arrived, our retreat should be secure."
"Red Hair?!"
Luffy's eyes lit up. "You mean Shanks?!"
Marco nodded.
"Mm. He should be here very soon."
As the paddle steamer continued forward, the endless ice finally began to thin. Soon—
"The sea!"
"I can see the sea!"
"Are we finally off Aokiji's ice continent?!"
"Once we hit open water, we're really free!"
"Idiot, we left Marineford ages ago—it's just the ice making it feel close!"
"Hah! Doesn't matter. We're going back to the New World!"
Cheers erupted across the deck.
But then—
"Wait!"
"Look over there—Marine warships!"
"So they really sent reinforcements!"
"Relax! There are only five of them!"
"We smashed through Marineford itself—what are five ships going to do?"
Far away, atop a ship flying a pirate flag—
Red-Haired Shanks stood at the bow, gazing toward the distant figures of the Whitebeard Pirates and the Marines. A relaxed smile curved his lips.
"Looks like the Whitebeard Pirates made it out," he said.
Beside him, Benn Beckman adjusted his rifle and smiled faintly.
"Yeah. Didn't expect it to end quite like this. The losses were heavy… but Ace was rescued. Even without us, they probably would've escaped."
Shanks chuckled softly.
"Mm. I originally came here to stop the war…"
He looked out over the sea once more.
"But it seems there's no need. Their war is already ending."
Lucky Roux gnawed enthusiastically on a chicken leg, his eyes lighting up as he spoke.
"Boss! Luffy's on the Whitebeard Pirates' ship too! It's been ten years since I last saw him. Let's go say hello!"
Shanks shook his head, his expression calm but firm.
"No. Now's not the time." He turned toward the helm. "Steer the ship over there. We'll help block Kizaru. Once we do, the Whitebeard Pirates should be able to escape safely."
"Alright, Boss…"
"That's the red force…"
"It's the Red Hair Pirates!"
"Didn't reports say they clashed with Kaido in the New World just yesterday? How are they here already?!"
The Marines stationed near the edge of the ice broke into panic as the Red Hair Pirates approached. They were already stretched thin dealing with the Whitebeard Pirates alone—if another Yonko crew joined the fray, how could they possibly cope?
"Don't fire on the Red Hair Pirates!" a rear admiral shouted. "Observe for now! Aim all cannons at the Whitebeard Pirates!"
Caught between the Whitebeard Pirates ahead and the Red Hair Pirates closing in behind, the five Marine warships were effectively trapped between two legendary pirate crews. The Rear Admiral could only pray—however futilely—that the Red Hair Pirates were merely passing by.
It was a fragile hope, bordering on self-deception. After all, for a mere Rear Admiral to face two Yonko crews at once was nothing short of suicide.
On the Whitebeard Pirates' side, seeing the Marines hesitate, they didn't slow down for even a moment.
"Charge straight through!"
Boom!
The Moby Dick lookalike finally broke free of the ice and plunged into open water. Cheers erupted instantly across the deck.
"We're in the sea!"
"We made it!"
"Set sail—return to the New World immediately!"
"Damn it!" the Marines shouted. "Don't let them escape—pursue them!"
At the same time, the Red Force accelerated.
As the Whitebeard Pirates' ship burst into the sea, Shanks caught sight of Luffy standing on deck—and Luffy saw him too. Their eyes met across the distance. Neither waved. Neither spoke.
But the understanding between them needed no words.
What surprised Shanks, however, was another familiar face.
"…Buggy."
Seeing Buggy still alive brought Shanks a quiet sense of relief. Though they hadn't met in over twenty years, the bond they shared from their days aboard Roger's ship hadn't faded in the slightest.
Beside him, Benn Beckman raised an eyebrow.
"That's Buggy the Clown, isn't it? Your old crewmate from the Roger Pirates."
Shanks smiled faintly, nostalgia flickering in his eyes.
"Yeah… brings back memories. Never thought I'd see him here."
His gaze sharpened.
"But it's time to put an end to this war."
With that, Shanks leapt from his ship, landing squarely on the ice—placing himself directly in the path of Kizaru and Zephyr.
By the time the Red Hair Pirates arrived, the Marines had already abandoned their pursuit of the Whitebeard Pirates. The moment Shanks appeared, they knew it clearly—
The Marines had lost this war.
Kizaru looked at Shanks, his usual lazy expression intact.
"Well now~ Yonko Red-Haired Shanks… what brings you here?"
Shanks met his gaze steadily.
"I came to stop this war."
A sharp glint flashed in Kizaru's eyes as he replied,
"Stop the war? Sounds more like you're here to stop us."
Shanks spoke earnestly, his voice calm but resolute.
"Too many have already died. Every part of this war has been recorded by Den Den Mushi. No matter how much the World Government tries to cover it up, the truth will come out."
He continued,
"Let it end here. Ace has already lost an arm. Both the Whitebeard Pirates and the Marines have suffered enough casualties. There's no need to spill any more blood."
Kizaru sighed inwardly. He didn't want to shoulder responsibility for such a decision—but he also knew the reality. The Whitebeard Pirates had already escaped to sea, and with the Red Hair Pirates blocking the way, further pursuit was impossible.
Still, protocol demanded resistance.
"I can't agree to that," Kizaru said lightly. "Even as an Admiral, that's not a responsibility I can take alone. If you insist on stopping me… then I won't hold back."
"Ama no Murakumo…"
Golden light gathered as Kizaru summoned his weapon.
Shanks responded in kind, drawing Gryphon, his blade humming with intent.
"If that's how it has to be," he said calmly, "then let's fight."
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Next Chapter 51 - War Concludes and An Era ENDS!
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