Raleigh sensed something amiss.
He knew Sengoku well—unless it involved the World Government or those close to him, he wouldn't be so foolish as to act this way.
Even the Navy's operational plans and results from recent days were reported daily to headquarters.
Sengoku's earlier silence clearly indicated a default stance.
As for those who could make Sengoku change his mind, the only ones left in this world were the Five Elders.
Only they had the power to make the Navy take such action.
The Five Elders hadn't suddenly shifted their stance—someone must've been involved behind the scenes.
In fact, Raleigh's intuition was correct.
Just as the Navy advanced toward Wano Country, Shanks made a mysterious call to someone he theoretically shouldn't have been able to contact—the rulers of the World Government, the Five Elders.
Shanks exchanged something with the Five Elders, and it was his persuasion that led them to change their minds, issuing a special order to Fleet Admiral Sengoku.
They dispatched CP0 members as overseers, watching as Sengoku made that call.
"But, Fleet Admiral, we're on the path to attacking Wano Country. We've sacrificed greatly, and we're on the verge of achieving our final objective." Raleigh's face showed a troubled expression.
In the Fleet Admiral's office, if not for the presence of the CP0 members, Sengoku would've been grinning from ear to ear.
After exchanging glances, one of the CP0 members spoke directly.
"Sengoku, don't forget the foundation upon which the Navy exists. How can the Three Emperors of the Pirates be more important than the orders of the Five Elders? Call off the attack on Wano Country immediately and return to Marineford."
Boom!
Sengoku's Conqueror's Haki erupted and a powerful pressure bearing down on the CP0 members.
Crack.
The sound of clashing energies echoed through the air.
Even facing the Fleet Admiral of the Navy, their expressions remained cold and indifferent.
"Sengoku, are you defying the orders of the Five Elders?!"
The argument was naturally audible to Raleigh.
But he said nothing.
At this moment, the choice lay in Sengoku's hands.
Whether on the main battlefield of Wano Country or in the Fleet Admiral's office at Marineford, the atmosphere was tense.
After what felt like an eternity, Sengoku finally spoke with difficulty.
"Raleigh, Sakazuki. By the order of the Fleet Admiral, I command you to abandon the military operation against Wano Country and return to Marineford for rest and reorganization."
After uttering these words, Sengoku seemed to age seven years in an instant.
The once-overwhelming Conqueror's Haki weakened.
Sengoku's convictions were shattered by the World Government's orders, making him question why he'd even become Fleet Admiral all these years.
"Fleet Admiral, this will demoralize the troops." Raleigh held back an enraged Sakazuki beside him and shouted into the Den Den Mushi.
Sengoku, having nothing left to lose, replied indifferently, "This is an order from the World Government and a military command from the Fleet Admiral. Will you obey or not?"
Raleigh's face darkened, his voice filled with grievance as he spoke.
"Yes, Fleet Admiral."
After hanging up the Den Den Mushi, a trace of excitement curled at the corner of Raleigh's lips.
Sengoku's prestige would take another significant hit after this incident.
It reached the point where the Fleet Admiral could be replaced.
The Navy soldiers wouldn't believe a weakling could serve as their Fleet Admiral, and the other officers wouldn't accept a leader who stabbed them in the back.
"Raleigh—we—"
Sakazuki began urgently, but Raleigh raised a hand, signaling him to listen first.
"Sakazuki-senpai, Fleet Admiral Sengoku ordered us to return to Marineford as quickly as possible. So, we need to swiftly deal with these troublesome individuals in front of us." Raleigh said with a serious expression.
Now, after his explanation, everyone understood what needed to be done.
The flames of Justice were rekindled.
"Wrong! Your Fleet Admiral clearly ordered you to abandon the plan to attack Wano Country and return to Marineford! You should leave now. We won't take any further action."
"That's right. If you keep fighting us, you'll be disobeying orders."
Thud.
A pirate's head exploded like a watermelon, splattering blood on the pirates nearby.
Smoke still rose from Raleigh's finger.
He tilted his head and said, "I've disobeyed orders now. Who among you will go to Headquarters to report me?"
The remaining pirates exchanged glances, none daring to be the first to speak up.
Raleigh turned to the officers and Navy soldiers who had just landed on Onigashima.
"No survivors! Finish the battle in half an hour and withdraw from Wano Country! Kill them all!"
"Yes, sir!"
Upon hearing Raleigh's words, the Navy soldiers charged forward bravely.
With an Admiral giving the order, they naturally chose to follow Raleigh's command, especially since they found Sengoku's orders incomprehensible.
Kaido was now completely desperate.
Even the Fleet Admiral's orders couldn't change Raleigh's determination to kill him.
Today was destined to be his downfall!
Sakazuki and Raleigh simultaneously launched their attacks toward Kaido.
Enel, Momonga, Cleveland, Yamakaji, Doberman, and others could only target King and the few Tobiroppo members behind him.
The slower Vice Admirals had to focus on the remaining Tobiroppo-level officers of the Beasts Pirates.
A massacre began.
...
Ten minutes later, the flames on King's body were completely extinguished.
Even as a descendant of the so-called God Tribe, he couldn't change the outcome.
The Pteranodon's wings were pinned to the ground by Enel's trident and Cleveland's saber.
Immediately after, the sabers of Momonga, Yamakaji, Doberman, and others pierced King's body.
In his final moment, this descendant of the Lunarian Tribe and leader of the Lead Performers murmured to himself.
"Kaido... san... you must escape..."
Even Doberman and Yamakaji couldn't help but feel regret for King's loyalty.
"No time for sentiment. Cut off his head to make sure he's truly dead. Admiral Raleigh said that a good enemy should be thoroughly dead."
Although Doberman and Yamakaji admired King's sense of loyalty, they didn't stop Enel's actions.
They, too, believed it was best for an enemy to be completely dead.
As for respect in the future—that was a matter for another time.
After dealing with King, they joined the Navy soldiers in their battle against the Pirate members.
The addition of the Vice Admirals caused the leader-deficient Pirates to crumble upon contact.
Soon, a large number of Pirate members fell at the hands of the Navy.
Soldiers still capable of fighting went through the bodies one by one, delivering a couple more strikes to any Pirates who weren't completely dead.
Injured Navy soldiers were sent back to the Battleship for treatment, while the bodies of those who died in battle were gathered and sent back to Marineford for a unified funeral.
King's death dealt the final blow to Kaido.
Even with his immense will to survive, he was ultimately no match for the combined efforts of Raleigh and Sakazuki.
With one last desolate dragon roar, Kaido, one of the Three Emperors, officially fell at the hands of the Navy.
---------
Read 40 chapters ahead and support me on patreon.
patreon (.)com/Newbietranslator