The Navy's late-night report did not mention anything about Good.
Naturally, the World Government would not announce to the world that they had made a move against Good.
After all, if such news were made public, they would face the doubts of the vast majority of people.
Good's performance in this war was far too dazzling, far too famous — at this moment, almost the entire world's eyes were on him.
The Five Elders would never choose to provoke the fury of the people at such a time.
Whole Cake Island, inside the castle.
Big Mom read the Navy's official announcement, her heart shaken to the core.
"The Navy, facing four top-tier forces, only lost a little more than 20,000 men, while the other side lost nearly 60,000..."
"The Reckless Maniac Admiral… no! Good is truly strong."
But at this moment, Big Mom's heart was not as tense as before.
"The Five Elders actually came in person, and even did something so outrageous — to make a move against Good."
Her eyes gleamed darkly, the corners of her mouth curling.
As the queen of the seas, she naturally had channels to obtain information unknown to others.
"Good isn't dead. If he recovers his peak, then the Five Elders' actions today are nothing but self-destruction…"
"They're digging their own graves!"
Saying so, Big Mom burst out laughing.
This time, the four great powers had suffered devastating losses, and the World Government and Navy, by turning Good into their enemy, had made things worse for themselves.
Thus, she, as an outsider, had become the biggest winner.
The great war had ended.
It was the largest battle since the start of the Great Pirate Era, with the highest death toll.
Sengoku looked at the battlefield covered in smoke and ruins, at the countless captured pirates, and felt no joy, only desolation.
At his side, the Five Elders and Kong were receiving treatment.
While being healed, the Five Elders berated the Navy and scolded Sengoku.
They insisted that if the Navy had struck when Good collapsed, he would have been killed without doubt.
Sengoku ignored their shouting and said calmly:
"The Reckless Maniac Admiral is already dead."
That's right. From today onward, the title of Reckless Maniac Admiral no longer existed.
This world now had only Good, Nicholas Good.
Sengoku stood in place, watching in the direction where Good had left.
After a long while, he asked in a low voice, "Garp, tell me, what is justice?"
This sudden betrayal shook Sengoku's heart as Fleet Admiral.
The most glorious admiral, with the most radiant achievements, was being discarded simply because he was too free, too uncontrollable.
At his side, Garp did not answer at first.
After a pause, he finally said, "For the people, for peace, for our true hearts?"
"If that's so, then didn't Good achieve it? Why is he still being branded as unjust?" Sengoku countered.
The last light of the setting sun shone on the backs of Sengoku and Garp, their expressions hidden in the shadows.
Garp gave no reply.
Sengoku continued on his own:
"Perhaps… your choice was the right one."
"How I wish I weren't Fleet Admiral at that time. Then I could have done as Momousagi and Tokikake did…"
But as Fleet Admiral, his responsibilities would never allow it.
If he had acted, the Navy would have collapsed. Who then would hold back the pirates of the world?
To sit in a high seat meant to be bound by countless restraints.
"I only hope Good will choose seclusion from now on, and live a peaceful life. If so…" Sengoku whispered.
As long as Good did not choose revenge, they would not become enemies.
The western sky darkened fully, swallowed by the boundless night.
The next day, a world-shaking news was released:
[The Navy's Fourth Admiral, the Reckless Maniac Admiral, has stepped down for personal reasons!!]
This announcement was like a bomb, shocking everyone around the world into stunned silence.
"What? What's going on?"
"Why would the Reckless Maniac Admiral resign?"
"We were counting on him to change the world, to bring peace!"
"Exactly! We don't understand!"
"With just one sentence, it ends?!"
"We demand the reason for his resignation!!"
All around the world, voices of dissatisfaction rose up.
In this war, Good's name had shaken the entire world, giving people a glimpse of hope, the dawn of a new age.
And now, it had suddenly been extinguished.
Of course, the Navy and World Government gave no explanation, no further announcements.
This became the world's greatest regret, and its deepest wound.
A blazing star had been extinguished far too quickly.
The true reason was unknown to the public.
Only those who had survived — Whitebeard's pirates, Red-Haired's crew, the Beast Pirates, the Revolutionary Army, and the Seven Warlords — knew what had really happened.
As for the Navy's announcement, these participants scoffed.
They were long accustomed to the World Government's tricks.
New World, second half — on an island once used by Red-Haired's crew for celebrations, now serving as a recovery site for the three great crews and the Revolutionary Army.
The wounded filled the island, with Marco leading the ship's doctors, all busy treating the survivors.
Everyone was injured, some lightly, some gravely.
Around the bonfires by the shore, many powerful figures sat.
No one bore their usual arrogance.
This war had brought devastating losses to the four great powers. Many officers had been captured, and most importantly, Ace and Luffy had not been rescued.
Although Kaido had been freed, that was never their goal — it had been pure coincidence.
Soon, the Beast Pirates left for Onigashima to regroup.
By the fire, only Whitebeard, Shanks, and Dragon remained.
Rayleigh, badly injured, had returned to Sabaody to recover.
The night crackled with the sound of burning logs.
The three sat in silence.
At length, Whitebeard spoke heavily:
"I believe… if we want to rescue Ace and Luffy, we must start another war."
"This time, not just for Ace and Luffy, but for all my sons."
Whitebeard was ready to strike at the Navy again.
(End of Chapter)
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