Chương 62: Surprise Reveals (II)
Sengoku POV:
Things were spiraling out of control, and Fleet Admiral Sengoku could feel the pressure mounting with every passing second.
Every contingency he had meticulously planned was being thwarted. The giant squad—meant to slow Whitebeard's advance—was now nothing more than target practice for the strongest man alive. The Warlords weren't providing much support either.
Doflamingo seemed to be enjoying himself, treating the battlefield like his personal playground. Sengoku knew better than to trust him; the man was just waiting to exploit whatever chaos he could. Boa Hancock was practically useless—after dealing with a few pirates, she had taken a break to admire some piece of paper handed to her by a couple of female pirates. From a distance, it looked like... someone's framed signature?
Pirates. So unreliable.
Sengoku had always disapproved of the Warlord system, but it was a necessary evil to maintain the balance of power. Yet here they were, proving his worst fears true.
The Pacifistas weren't faring much better. Against weaker pirates, they were devastating. But against the heavy hitters of Whitebeard's crew and the Supernovas, they were practically cannon fodder.
Sengoku's sharp eyes scanned the battlefield. Among the chaos, his gaze settled on a particular figure standing beside Whitebeard—a young swordsman with piercing green eyes that darted across the battlefield like a predator. Sengoku had never heard of him before today, and yet here he was, orchestrating countermeasures against every single one of Sengoku's plans.
It was as though he could see the future.
Whitebeard was still the greatest threat, of course, but this strategist—this Zephyr—was a close second. The battlefield had become a chaotic mess: pirates, prisoners, and Supernovas thrown together like a volatile cocktail. No one should've been able to manage so many variables at once.
And yet, everything pointed to one conclusion—this chaos was intentional. Sengoku couldn't shake the feeling that this was all part of some grand design.
Drake has informed him about the arrival of the Supernovas. But Sengoku didn't think that they'd be able to pass through 'Gates of Justice'. But here they are. What the hell are the marines doing in the gate? Sengoku quickly called his personal assistant,
"Why are ships passing through the Gates of Justice? What the fuck are they doing?"
"We've lost contact with the Gates of Justice, sir."
"Then send reinforcements, damn it!"
"Yes sir!"
Frustrated, Sengoku returned his attention to the battlefield. He needed a new plan. The Admirals hadn't fully engaged yet, which gave him some room to maneuver.
"Aokiji," Sengoku ordered, "engage Whitebeard. Just hold him off—don't get yourself killed. Kizaru, deal with that swordsman."
"And the walls, Akainu?" Sengoku demanded.
"They're not up yet," Akainu growled. "Aokiji's ice is blocking the mechanisms."
"Take power from the city grid if you have to. Just get it done!"
Akainu hesitated. "And if Whitebeard attacks the platform again?"
"I'll handle it personally," Sengoku replied sharply. "Now move!"
The Admirals sprang into action. Aokiji unleashed waves of ice toward Whitebeard, who countered with devastating quakes that sent tremors rippling across the battlefield. Sengoku knew Aokiji couldn't win, but if he could stall Whitebeard long enough for the barricades to rise, they could regain control.
Kizaru darted toward the swordsman, but Marco intercepted him, forcing Kizaru into a mid-air duel.
Sengoku clicked his tongue in irritation. The commanders were protecting Zephyr as if they knew his value. Of course, they did.
Realizing the battlefield was slipping further from his control, Sengoku gave a nod to the executioners. It was time to end Ace's life and crush the pirates' morale.
"Cut the broadcast," Sengoku ordered. "There are some things the public doesn't need to see."
"Sir, we can't locate the other transponder snail," his assistant reported.
"What? Where is it?"
"The prisoners from Impel Down must have taken it during the chaos."
Sengoku clenched his fists. Things were deteriorating far too quickly. His attention shifted back to Aokiji, who was now trading blows with Whitebeard. The Admiral was holding his ground better than expected, but fresh wounds were already visible on his body. Sengoku knew Aokiji wouldn't last much longer at this rate.
"Aokiji," Sengoku called, "stop that clown and get rid of the transmission!"
Within moments, Buggy and his entourage were frozen solid, their theatrics silenced. Good. At least that nuisance was handled.
With his signal, the executioners started to pull their sword down. Sengoku knew that Whitebeard might unleash his Conqueror's Haki. So, he remained prepared to use his own Haki any second.
BANG!
BANG!
The sound of two gunshots rang throughout the battlefield.
The executioners crumpled to the ground, their heads blown clean off.
Who?
Sengoku's head snapped toward the source of the shots. Izo, the 16th Division Commander, stood on the deck of the Moby Dick, a sniper rifle in hand.
When did he get there? Sengoku thought.
He scanned the battlefield for Doflamingo, who had been fighting Izo earlier. To his shock, Doflamingo was now engaged with the swordsman. Zephyr's smug grin told Sengoku everything he needed to know—this was another move he had anticipated.
The realization made Sengoku's blood boil.
That brat. He's orchestrating all of this.
Sengoku felt himself losing his composure. He promised himself that he's going to kill that brat the moment he gets the chance. He was just so infuriating. Forcing himself to remain calm, Sengoku ordered,
"Akainu, box them in!"
"But some of their allies are still outside the perimeter," Akainu protested.
"Do it anyway," Sengoku snapped. "We'll kill as many of them as we can." Turning to his assistant, he barked, "Get two proxy executioners immediately!"
He took out his Den Den Mushi and called every navy line. "Execute B-56."
As Sengoku's orders spread across the battlefield, marines began retreating toward the inner plaza. The pirates, confused by the sudden shift, began regrouping near the Moby Dick on the orders of their commanders.
Perfect. Sengoku smirked. The closer they clustered together, the easier it would be to wipe them out in one decisive strike.
By the time the last marine had entered the inner gate, all the pirates and prisoners were on the Moby Dick. It looked like an overcrowded bomb shelter.
"Box them up!" Sengoku commanded.
Rows of steel-reinforced walls rose from the sea and circled around the whole bay. These walls were designed so that even Whitebeard's quakes could not break them. It was a foolproof plan.
Yet, as Sengoku's gaze returned to Zephyr, the man's infuriating grin remained.
Why is he smiling?
Then Zephyr reached into his pocket and pulled out a small controller. With the press of a button, the three small ships that they brought with them exploded, their blasts destroying the ice Aokiji had spread across the bay.
At that very moment, Sengoku felt the premonition of something ominous. Confirming his suspicion, a shadow rose from beneath Moby Dick. The loud voice of a monster rang out, a voice so powerful that even guards in the 'Gates of Justice' might hear it.
"ACEEE-KUN! I'M HERE TO SAVE YOU!"
A towering figure, easily twice the size of the giants, emerged. Brimming with rage, it lifted the Moby Dick as if it were a toy and hurled it over the barricades into the inner plaza.
At the ship's helm stood Whitebeard, his naginata gleaming, and beside him was that damn strategist, grinning like he had already won.
Sengoku's heart sank as he realized his fatal mistake. In the midst of chaos, he had overlooked one crucial piece in this game, and now he would pay dearly for it.
Little Oars Jr.
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