The Marine Headquarters had mostly sunk, with only the main fortress structure remaining above the water. Crowded Marines packed the area, and people occasionally fell into the sea.
At the center of the battlefield, Gurd, transformed into his Groudon Form, stood waist-deep in seawater, laughing maniacally as he faced the onslaught of numerous powerful foes.
He knew exactly how desperately the World Government and the Marines wanted to capture him. With Whitebeard dead, he was the next target.
That was why he had prepared a backup plan long ago.
"Spineless Marines, choose!"
"End this war now, or keep fighting me to the death!"
"Gyahahaha!!!"
Sengoku's face twisted with fury.
"Kaido!"
The main forces of the Beasts had already boarded large Bubble Elevators and were heading toward the headquarters. Even if the Holy Land severed the cables, Kaido could still use his Flame Clouds to lift the elevators and reach the Holy Land.
Sengoku understood that Kaido's assault was merely a feint—but even so, the safety of the Holy Land took precedence over everything else.
A feint could easily turn into a full-scale war.
If Kaido breached the Holy Land, the consequences would be unimaginable!
The Marines had no choice.
Clenching his fists, Sengoku roared in anger.
"Cease all attacks!"
"The war... is over!!!"
With Sengoku's declaration, the war officially came to an end.
The conflict between the Marine Headquarters and the Whitebeard Pirates was declared a victory, but their clash with the Groudon Company ended in bitter defeat.
Most of the Marine Headquarters had sunk beneath the waves.
Across the seas, people celebrated the Marines' victory—but deep unease lingered.
The Groudon Company!
This mysterious organization, which had suddenly joined the war midway, had displayed terrifying power—especially its chairman, Gurd!
Despite being surrounded by numerous formidable opponents, he had held his ground without faltering and inflicted irreversible damage on the Marine Headquarters.
Days later, in the New World...
On Sphinx Island, Whitebeard's homeland.
After days of treatment, Ace ultimately couldn't hold on. Surrounded by his fellow division commanders, he passed away with a smile and was buried alongside Whitebeard on the cliffs.
Gurd placed flowers before the gravestone.
Marco was despondent.
"Gurd... if it weren't for you, we probably would've all died at Marine Headquarters. We wouldn't have been able to retrieve Oyaji's body, either. And with everything involving Blackbeard... I don't even know how to thank you."
"No need for thanks."
Gurd turned his gaze downward.
The pirates were all wounded, their eyes dull with despair. With morale this low, they wouldn't last much longer.
"Marco, you should think about the future of the Whitebeard Pirates."
"..."
Marco remained silent.
He knew better than anyone that without Oyaji, their territories would soon be engulfed in bloodshed.
Even if they survived, they could no longer deter the ravenous pirates.
The Whitebeard Pirates existed in name only.
Looking at his disheartened comrades, Marco didn't know what to do. Captains like Whitey Bay could manage—they had their own lives.
But what about the rest of them?
Should he take up the mantle of captain?
Marco sighed. He had no desire for it, nor did he believe he could lead the Whitebeard Pirates well.
More than anything, he felt exhausted.
Right now, all he wanted was to return home to his wife and child.
"Marco."
Gurd gazed at the village below the mountain and asked calmly, "I plan to raise the Beasts' flag on this island. Is that alright?"
"Gurd, you—"
Marco's heart stirred.
Sphinx Island was just a poor island with little benefit in occupying it. Now that Whitebeard's flag had lost its deterrent power, Gurd clearly wanted to lend them his own flag to protect the homeland of their father.
Marco was deeply grateful.
"Thank you, Gurd!"
"I'll gladly accept your gratitude this time."
Gurd nodded with a smile.
"With Whitebeard gone, the New World will soon descend into chaos. Whether it's you or the other captains, everyone is in an extremely dangerous position."
"To be honest, I can see the future of the Whitebeard Pirates. I think you must be aware of it too."
"Yeah."
Marco sighed inwardly.
Of course, he knew.
They had gathered together because of their father, and they would scatter because of his passing—it was only a matter of time.
Gurd smiled and said,
"Marco, I have a proposal!"
"Gurd..."
Marco gave a bitter laugh.
"If you're going to ask me to join your crew, forget it. I'm already exhausted."
"Haha, it's not that."
Gurd shook his head with a chuckle.
"I want you to be the regional manager of our Groudon Company in the Hachinosu Island area, overseeing the Fengyuan Community for me."
"Huh?"
Marco was stunned.
He never expected Gurd's proposal to be this.
Gurd spoke sincerely, "Not just you—if the other division commanders are willing, they can also take positions in my company. Consider it a backup plan."
"If you ever stop being Pirates, you'll still need to return to normal life. Right now, in the New World, my Fengyuan Community is the safest place to settle down."
"That's true."
Marco was tempted.
He wasn't alone anymore—he had a wife and child at home. Once he stopped being a Pirate, he would need a job to support his family.
After careful consideration, there was no better choice than staying in the Fortuna Community . Sasha would undoubtedly support it wholeheartedly.
The same went for the other commanders.
After decades of drifting at sea, they were all tired of wandering. This had been evident when they first moved into the Fortuna Community on Hachinosu Island.
Now, with their father gone, they were in their most difficult period. Gurd's proposal was undoubtedly timely assistance.
At least in Marco's eyes, there was no better arrangement. He also wished to live a stable life with his family in the years to come.
Marco quickly made up his mind.
"Gurd, I'll talk to them."
"Good, but don't force them. Just let me know once they've decided."
Gurd's smile widened.
"I have other matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave now."
"Alright, goodbye!"
Soon, the Groudon fleet departed from the port.
In the strategy meeting room, all the executives had gathered.
Gurd glanced around.
"Everything arranged?"
"Yes!"
They nodded in unison.
Next, Whitebeard's territories would undergo a major reshuffle, and the Beasts would naturally take their share—especially the strategically important islands.
Such as Hachinosu Island and Fish-Man Island!
They would seize the resource-rich islands and leave the poorer ones for other factions to fight over.
The construction of the Fortuna Community couldn't stop either. Once all of Whitebeard's territories had a Fortuna Community built, his Concession plan would be complete.
By then, apart from a few special islands like Egghead, there would be Beasts and Groudon Company outposts everywhere in the New World. No movement would escape his notice.
Gyahahaha~~~
"Then let's move out!"
"Yes, Lord Gurd!"
The fleet dispersed into action.
The Groudon Ship changed course and headed towards Fish-Man Island. There was still much to be dealt with in Paradise.
The effects of the war had only just begun!
(End of Chapter)