"Is he truly the strongest in the world?" Kaito murmured, expression flat. "Sengoku has already given his answer. What about you?"
Gurararara! Whitebeard chuckled heartily, his sharp eyes scrutinizing Kaito as if trying to see through him. "Now that Sengoku has ceased fighting, of course this old man will do the same. And thank you for saving my disobedient son."
"No need. It was entrusted to me, and loyalty guides my actions. If thanks are due, thank your son for having such a remarkable sister," Kaito replied coolly.
With this, both sides agreed to a truce, rendering the battle meaningless.
"I declare this battle over! Both sides will return to their homes and leave the battlefield!"
Kaito's voice resonated faintly across Marineford, broadcasting worldwide through videophones. His grand show before the world left an indelible mark.
Cheers erupted from both Marines and pirates alike, some even shedding tears of relief and joy. The desire to fight had vanished.
But the celebrations were interrupted by piercing laughter echoing across the battlefield. The crowd paused, looking up toward the source.
Blackbeard appeared, grim-faced, dragging a younger subordinate freshly captured from Impel Down.
"Zehahaha! Marshal Sengoku! Apologies for being late!" Blackbeard strode forward, his gaze falling on Kaito and Whitebeard. Whitebeard responded with a rough smile, a gesture that made Kaito flinch in silent disgust.
Blackbeard was infamous in the pirate world: cunning, ruthless, and patient. For decades, he had infiltrated the Whitebeard Pirates for the power of a Devil Fruit, even killing Saatchi, captain of the Fourth Division, without hesitation. Ambition, strength, and ruthless cunning defined him.
Ace, covered in flames, glared at Blackbeard with pure hatred. This battle may have been to save him, but the root cause remained: Blackbeard. If not for his treachery, countless brothers would still be alive.
"You were rescued? How surprising," Blackbeard muttered, clearly unsettled.
Ace clenched his fists, burning with the desire to attack. Yet experience had tempered him; he would no longer act recklessly.
Whitebeard placed a hand on Ace's shoulder, his face stern. "This man judged our Whitebeard Pirates. As captain, I will settle this myself."
"Pops!" Ace started.
"Sengoku! The world knows Blackbeard betrayed our crew. He caused this battle. Now I, as captain, will punish him. You have no objections."
Whitebeard's eyes, sharp as swords, locked on Blackbeard. The pirate trembled, cold sweat forming on his brow.
"Sengoku, remember I am one of the Shichibukai. If you hand me over to Whitebeard, what will the distant Marines see? What will the world see? What will the other Shichibukai think?" Blackbeard's words were precise, cutting into Sengoku's mind.
The Marines' reputation would plummet if the Shichibukai were surrendered. Though disliked, these pirates were part of the system; handing them over would provoke outrage. Could Whitebeard still fight without consequence?
Sengoku's eyes flickered, and Kaito immediately came to mind. A plan formed instantly.
He glanced at Kaito and said solemnly to Whitebeard, "Blackbeard is a newly recognized Shichibukai. The Marines cannot hand him over to your crew."
"What? You would break the truce we just made to start a war?" Whitebeard sneered.
Choosing war would anger both the Marines and Kaito's forces. The truce had been guaranteed by Kaito himself; to break it risked immediate retaliation. Kaito observed silently, inwardly amused that even Sengoku had involved him in the plan. Blackbeard, however, looked confused, unsure of Sengoku's intentions.
Whitebeard, a man of immense strength and intellect, did not usually rely on strategy over sheer power. Yet even he quickly grasped Sengoku's plan. Still, he could not let Blackbeard go unpunished.
"Little brother Kaito, if our crew battles the Marines, will you intervene?" Whitebeard's voice boomed.
Kaito frowned. "Are you certain? I have rescued Ace, fulfilling my purpose here. Fighting the Marines for Blackbeard seems unnecessary."
Goo la la la! Whitebeard's booming laugh carried across the battlefield. "Some things cannot be ignored. Blackbeard killed Saatchi, nearly killed Ace, and betrayed us. This man must die, and I, as captain, will deliver justice."
"Go on, and you will die," Kaito said solemnly.
"I am old, yes, and death approaches," Whitebeard replied with a faint smile. "But if I can kill this traitor before I die, I will be content."
Kaito sighed inwardly. The outcome of this battle could not be changed. Whitebeard's resolve was absolute; his intent to face the Marines, and punish Blackbeard, radiated with deadly certainty. Any hope Kaito had of reshaping the Battle of the Top seemed to vanish.
It appeared that after today, Whitebeard and Red-Haired Pirates would dominate the territories they sought to control.
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