So here is the end of the Marineford Arc, after too long of a time (sorry)
I hope you all will like it and leave a comment/review underneath once finished.
Enjoy.
After landing on the ground, the form of Uzumaki Naruto rose again as he began walking again.
Tired, but not exhausted, the blood-dripping form of Naruto walking up the body of Akainu was what nobody expected to see, with the reactions first coming from the Navy, first by the other two standing Admirals themselves.
"Huh. I expected this to last longer…" Kizaru was the first to say, not looking much shocked but still surprised, he commented, "I guess talking bad to the kid didn't help. Wouldn't you agree?"
Aokiji didn't answer as he was worried and said:
"Damn it, shouldn't say much…"
Garp was standing there with his eyes widened, having watched the blond take out one of the strongest Marines, he silently couldn't help but feel grateful, given what the magma bastard almost had done to his grandson.
Sengoku however was grinding his teeth in stress, the situation had become untenable with what just happened.
Whitebeard grinned at what he saw, one less Admiral to worry about, but he could see the blond grandson of his was close to a breaking point.
The blond, however, was far from done despite his state, with the front of his shirt covered in blood, a mixture of both his own and that splattered from his opponent, he walked to the man lying on the floor, the fact he had still enough power to defeat an Admiral with just one arm was enough to scare many of those who stood opposite of him.
A scared marine stated it best.
"That's a Demon…an actual demon."
"He's supposed to be dead. He's not human."
"A monster - a total damn monster."
Grabbing his Tantō from the ground, Naruto pulled it out and walked up to the body of the man he had just defeated, sharing the same amount of spilled blood across his uniform that stained it without a spot spared. He inspected the large man
"Is he…dead?"
Naruto decided to check by kicking the man's side-
"Ugh…"
A faint groan escaped from the lips of the Magma Admiral, enough sign to show he was still among the living. This drove Naruto to say.
"Fucking loudmouth…"
Naruto spits blood at the man's face, holding back much anger. With Akainu not responding, Naruto was about to raise his blade, right in front of the transponder snail was streaming the whole ordeal, prompting action.
Naruto then struck down his blade and went straight for the neck-
*CLASH!*
Only inches away from Akainu's neck would've ended his life there, another blade blocked the blonde's attempt to kill him.
The identity of the person who stopped this slaying was unrecognizable due to the smoke still lingering, but it was a breathing but also a tense sight to see, including Smoker himself who was watching from a distance with Tashigi, whom he noticed had a concerned look on her face.
"Tashigi?"
The sword expert stuttered once seeing the sword.
"I know that sword…"
Once the smoke cleared, standing there was one person in his traditional warrior's clothing from his homeland who resembled that of an isolated country under the control of a pirate. Two large slash marks formed a cross on his chest plate, several faulds, and one shoulder guard. The man who had just stopped the attempted slaying of an Admiral was none other than one of Naruto's men:
"That's Tatewaki! A samurai from the Shinobi Lands!"
The seasoned warrior who had just prevented his commander from giving the final blow, looked up to the blond with both his good eye and the one with the scar, as he faced him.
"The transponder snail is watching…"
The one that was left broadcasting nearby, was indeed watching Naruto's movements over the Admiral, and it would've seen the final blow given on live feed if done so. Preventing a live execution that wasn't intended.
"You would not only embarrass the memory of our fallen comrades by making this monster into a hero—something he hasn't earned and never should be given—but you would also give the World Government more justification against us." With such reverence and determination, Tatewaki said, "Do not do anything to sully their memory."
…
Once finished hearing that, Naruto lowered his Tantō, and ordered.
"Keep this bastard as leverage…"
Hearing that caused the Samurai to nod and acknowledge his orders as the blond captain walked off, leaving him to guard the unconscious Magma Admiral by himself with then soon to be joined by other Legionnaires who joined him.
Naruto kept on walking through the battlefield, with the dust as his cover, he managed to reach where Whitebeard stood, who had already begun ordering him.
"I told you, brat, to go away."
"Not going anywhere, Grandpa." Naruto replied, stopping next to Whitebeard, exhausted he continued, "Not until my men have covered the full retreat of your crew, Straw Hat, and my lieutenant."
Whitebeard just then observed Naruto and saw the state he was in, battered up and lost an arm, the boy still stood on his two feet but was bleeding from all the encounters and fights he had with multiple high-ranking marines and even a few Warlords from this damned war.
"Let me do the heavy lifting, brat." Whitebeard began raising his blade and stepping up, despite being badly injured. "So let me!"
"They're both weakened! Get them!"
Marines in the droves began to then go on the assault, with them jumping up in the air in the hundreds, they dove in waves at Whitebeard and Naruto.
"You fools will DIE!"
While the fighting continued, in the bay, those who were trying to reach the ships were not getting it easy either. The Marines used their cannons to fire at the docked ships, with them now back on the assault.
One group of Marines even began rolling out a cannon through, and aiming for the retreating Whitebeard Pirates.
"Shoot them in the back! FIRE!"
*BANG!*
Firing a cannonball, it flew across the air and hit a ship's deck that belonged to one of the Allied Pirates, with a fire breaking out, a successful hit.
"Load another one-"
*Click!*
The officer heard that noise and looked down to see a projectile just landed on his feet-
*BOOM!*
The projectile exploded and took out the cannon and its crew entirely. Ending their nuisance on their sides for a short time now.
The person who fired that projectile was one of the Damned who happened to use his grenade launcher, having used it to neutralize the threat, he went back to close ranks and was handed back his rifle.
"Close ranks, lads. And protect the Lieutenant."
The order was given to the large contingency of Legionnaires who managed to reach the bay, with many of the wounded being put in the center of a giant circle that was made of armed men defending their comrades; they were also being supported by some of the pirates and their captains. The remaining armored tanks and trucks also helped in building a perimeter.
Inside the perimeter ran Jimbei, helping out by escorting some of the wounded who were brought in, like two of the Raiders who brought in a comrade who got cuts across his chest by swords and gunshot wounds, while another carried another comrade on his back, losing a limb from the impact of a cannonball. With many of the Legionnaire medics and pirate doctors already treating them for their wounds. But some of the best doctors were now working on two of the patients.
"Jimbei!"
The Fishman turned around, to see Haku calling him, having just finished up bandaging the first patient of the two who was taken care of for now, the bandaged up and exhausted Straw Hat Luffy who was still exhausted.
"He is stabilized for now but he needs to leave. Escort him away from here."
"Right!" Jimbei walked up and handed over Luffy, holding him carefully as he happened to see the other one:
Ace was immediately placed under anesthesia; numerous nurses and Haku surrounded the young man as his open wound was being treated temporarily, discarding spent medical supplies. Ace's health was grave, having been struck by Akainu's attack but managing to survive it. All of those who were stabilizing him were trying to keep the young man alive despite the odds being against them.
"What you waiting for Jimbei, go!" Haku shouted.
Doing so, Jimbei began making a run, with Ivankov's people covering him, and Ivankov himself leading the Fishman. This left Haku back to work.
"Haku, come back!"
"Out of my way," The former Kiri-Nin came back into action, holding out both hands with chakra to resume the operation, "I need blood, S!"
"Only got one batch left."
"Use it!" Haku ordered while working on the hip, not minding the blood, "Luckily the abdomen wasn't hit, or else he'd be dead by now."
"Should be lucky his testicles haven't evaporated."
"Don't remind me. Was just a few inches too close."
The sight alone was harrowing to watch, especially those from the Whitebeard Commanders, including Vista and one man in makeup named Izo.
"Fight, Ace, fight!"
"He's fighting alright." One of the medics commented, shredding open another box of bandages before using them. "Keep your distance."
"What a minuscule amount of magma can do to the human body, it's by sheer luck that Ace didn't get a full fist punched into him. Or else he'd be bleeding out in seconds." Haku said from what could be seen, the damage was great but not nearly fatal, "but if he is not getting operated fast enough, the spinal cord might get damaged. So stabilize him and then get him on a ship so we can work properly!"
"His heart's going through cardiac arrest!"
Ace's heart gave up again and prompted someone to grab some defibrillators and ready them for Haku to use.
"Back!"
The instant shock got Ace's body to jump up for a moment, first results got nowhere causing Haku to yell.
"Again in 3, 2, 1….clear!"
Another shock on Ace's chest was performed, and it got the results. With Ace's life back on the line, the medic keeping tabs on his heart confirmed.
"It's back to normal again!"
Another explosion occurred closer to their position, with chaos erupting.
"They've broken through!" One pirate shouted whilst running away. "Run!"
"That's all I can do." Haku said, finished up, and ordered the staff, "Get him up the stretcher!"
The medics did so and grabbed Ace and put him on the stretcher, with them trying to get to safer grounds with the patient. To find a ship that hadn't sunk yet and keep their distance from the Marines who were hellbent on revenge.
Revenge that almost looked like bloodlust…
Back at the front, the small detachment of Legionnaires who were with their captain and Whitebeard were still guarding the now guarding the unconscious body of Akainu who now was their prisoner.
"ATTACK!"
A command was given to a wave of Marines who were charging forward, with their swords and guns, roaring their lungs out.
"Open fire!"
Gunfire erupted from one of the few MG positions, with bolt action rifle fire joined in, many of the Damned opened fire on the human wave attack of Marines who just ran into the line of fire.
Not stopping, the Marines ran over those who had been mowed down in previous attempts, with many of them trampling over the corpses of their comrades who were either dead or dying by their carelessness, shocking the defenders.
"Have they gone mad?" One machine gunner exclaimed in surprise, "Their attacks are too exposed, no smoke, no additional support, nothing!"
Tatewaki stood there and watched the wave after wave of failed attacks that the Marines were throwing now, seeing this caused him to be disgusted by what the officers were ordering or allowing them to do, even hearing them encourage these men with these speeches they were giving. The fact they disregarded their own lives and that of the wounded, showed they weren't in their sanest state anymore.
"Get him!"
Three Marines with swords got the jump on Tatewaki and tried to lay a hit on him.
However, making a move on a Ronin was a mistake…
…
As was it a mistake by those who tried to face Whitebeard, who took out hundreds if not thousands now by single blows he had unleashed on them, with the bodies scattered across the battlefield?
Watching this amount of power, Naruto was surprised the dying old man still had enough punch left in him that take on entire forces that were the sizes of what he fought over the years.
'The fact this bastard is your grandfather, only makes me wonder what life would be for you if you grew up under him.'
'I can only imagine…'
"Hey look! What the hell is that? Behind the building!"
Whoever shouted got enough attention for everyone to turn to the main building of the island - where a giant figure stood behind Marineford, who was the size of a giant, he simply said.
"Oops, they found me."
"Look, over there! a whole group is standing there."
Emerging from the scaffold where the execution platform previously stood, was a group with the one leading laughing at them being discovered.
"You guys aren't very observant, are you? I'd say you guys were kinda busy handling a mess like this."
Upon recognizing this voice, Naruto and Whitebeard both turned their attention closer and saw who it was.
"Teach…"
"So he managed to get out of Impel Down…"
Appearing from the smoke, stood Blackbeard with his crew, and having a few new ones to add to his small crew, many of whom were recognized by the Marines as dangerous figures.
"They were supposed to be erased from history! Even death was a too great of mercy!"
"The largest living creature of the world; 'the Great Battleship' San Juan Wolf!"
"Wow, they even know my name," The giant creature responded to that with amazement, "We'll I'll be."
"'The Corrupt King' Avalo Pizzaro!"
The guy with the long blue hair, horns, and a long mustache smiled.
"Meow I'm back! meow, you die!"
"Heavy drinker; Vasco Shot!"
The guy with his tongue out and piercings in his neck was drinking a giant bottle of sake, he began rambling like a drunk.
"I'm gonna go ahead and kill 'em all okay?"
"Crescent Moon Hunter; Catarina Devon!"
The only woman, who had a long nose laughed, "You boys want this?… try me."
"And that's the old jail manager of Impel Down! Shiryu of the Rain!"
Shiryu, the one in the uniform smiled with the cigar in his mouth, having just decided to change careers.
"Looks like Teach got himself some new crewmates," Naruto said as he observed the crew. "Honestly, I'm not surprised he'd pick these guys to be part of his crew, they're nasty."
"Hey there pops!" Teach smiled his teeth, speaking directly to his old captain, even joking, "I'm glad I could make it to your funeral. You missed me?"
At the sight of the one person he'd now regretted ever calling his son, Whitebeard simply responded.
"You fat bastard…"
Sengoku demanded what happened and how he got here, with Shiryu responded mockingly and explaining how he needed to see it for himself. Then one of the other pirates explained how he hypnotized some of the marines into opening the gates.
"That explains how we managed to get into Marineford." Naruto figured it out now how easy they got through the gate.
"Short story; being a warlord made this operation so much easier, but right now I'm through with you!"
Blackbeard laughed, revealing the whole plan to everyone and how he tricked the system, to Sengoku's dismay.
"So you used us, to bolster the ranks of your crew."
Teach laughed, "The old soldier finally figured it out! My plan is almost complete now! You'll see soon enough."
Naruto wanted to intervene but then got a foot set up in front of him, that of Whitebeard.
"Let me do this…"
"Old man-"
"Let's finish this! You damn traitor!" Whitebeard yelled as he swung his arm and summoned the powers of his Devil Fruit, resulting in another crack burst in the air as it became a large orb that raced across the battlefield.
"TEACH!"
The Marines who were unfortunate to stand in the way fell victim to Whitebeard's fury, as it left a path of destruction and the orb went direct for the sweating Blackbeard Pirates. This impact caused more ground to be ripped apart and the scaffold to collapse, with the Blackbeard crew on it.
The damage alone was enough to kill hundreds of people underneath the rubble, but it didn't…
"That was close! Good that we still have our reflexes."
Coming out like it was nothing, the Blackbeard Pirates walked out and looked unbothered by having just been hit. With Teach himself to come out from underneath a bolder and push it aside.
"So much for old times, guess I can't blame you." Teach commented with a grin.
Naruto looked down at his feet and noticed blood was flowing, with some of it being his own, the vast majority came from Whitebeard who was leaking a dangerous amount of it out like a leaking fountain, something the old man seemed to ignore now given he had already made his point on dying here protecting his family
But if he wanted to take out Teach now…that would be problematic.
"Of all the pirates who have called the Moby Dick their home, you're the only one I refuse to call my son, Teach." Whitebeard began, pointing his blade at him, "There is only one rule I have on my ship and you dare to break it. You betrayed our trust by killing your fellow mate!"
Blackbeard only grinned at hearing that, the shame was not to be read on his face, having no regrets of having committed a crime like that at all.
"And don't even make me mention what antics you've been up to in the Shinobi Lands, for those people had gone through already much, your actions are too much to list!" Whitebeard said, glaring, gripping his weapon, his anger yelling against his former son. "You will pay for not only 4th division commander Thatch's death but for all the people you wronged!"
Hearing this outburst, he wasn't finished.
"Mark my words they will be avenged!"
Naruto just watched, and he could see Whitebeard was coughing blood, already weakening, he then happened to yell out.
"MARCO! Stay out of this!"
Marco the Phoenix stopped in front of the rest of the pirates, having tried to reach his captain.
"But pops-"
"I say stay out!" Whitebeard yelled again, before he faced off, "Let's get this over with, Teach!"
After laughing and glancing at Naruto, Blackbeard turned to face Whitebeard.
"What do you think I'm here for?"
Teach began to be enveloped by darkness as it began to seep to the ground, enveloping every available inch without bounds.
"Enjoy this Black Hole!"
Aq the darkness engulfed him like liquid fire, the power was something different of itself as it fits perfectly with Teach who gave a wicked smile.
"Dark-Dark Fruit is tasty; that's why I killed Thatch—this devil fruit power. Would either of you like a taste?"
Surrounding the ground, it nearly touched Naruto before he was suddenly pulled up from the ground.
"What the-"
Placed on Whitebeard's shoulder, Naruto was now out of reach of the black mist.
"Just sit tight and don't do anything, only when I am in trouble." Whitebeard instructed him, then asked, "Is this that power you've seen Teach use?"
Naruto nodded and said. "that black darkness is as dangerous as magma but more mysterious. Be careful, that's all I can say."
With Whitebeard slowly sinking into the black power, Blackbeard's power kept seething out, like the words were coming out from his mouth provocative talk, like how Whitebeard grew old, Thatch, one of the Commanders died and how very close Ace was to getting killed, nothing that bothered Whitebeard too much given he knew this was to get under his skin.
"Oh, and Naruto, no hard feelings for you or your people - you are an excellent leader and killer, having won victories from across that continent, I'd almost wished to have recruited you early on. But knowing you and the old man here are related and that Ace was a comrade of yours, I'd suspected you wouldn't want to join my crew."
Vista growled upon hearing this "I will not stand for this!" he had to be held back by his men.
Whitebeard started throwing his arm back again while Blackbeard extended his right out and stretched it forward. The old man's attack was stopped by the dark substance.
"This darkness comes in handy! I can nullify every devil fruit power; including yours!"
With his right hand wrapped in darkness, Blackbeard gave Whitebeard an uppercut while holding Whitebeard's arm. causing him to rise a few feet.
Whitebeard attempted to use his powers a few more times, but Blackbeard's darkness once more absorbed them. Blackbeard then pushed Whitebeard to approach and delivered another blow, which momentarily incapacitated Whitebeard and caused him to drop his sword.
"That's enough!" Naruto ascended from above and gave Blackbeard a sucker punch to the face, giving Whitebeard just enough time to grab his weapon.
"Agh, you bastard!-"
"Out of the way Naruto!" Whitebeard yelled.
Doing so in time, Naruto jumped out of the way as Whitebeard swung his weapon around and then slashed Blackbeard in the chest, close to the arm. With blood gushing out.
"Argh! My arm!" Blackbeard fell to the ground and rolled back and forth in pain, "My arm!"
Whitebeard blocked both Blackbeard's hands, one with the bottom of his weapon and the other with his boot while he grabbed Blackbeard by the neck with his free hand,
"You're arrogant, a fool. You were never fit to be in my crew."
Squeezing Blackbeard's neck, he was about to finish him off. With an orb emerged from Whitebeard's hand.
"Hey hold on! Pops please don't! I'm your son pops! Stop it!"
Blackbeard's pleas fell on deaf ears as Whitebeard unleashed his attack that caused another major destructive wave that hit Marineford.
Like the impact of a dozen artillery shells, the ground cracked and caved in with concrete flying around and the earth turned inside out, the impact alone caused those who were unprepared to lose their balance to Whitebeard's power.
Naruto was one of them as he even struggled, landing back on the ground, he managed to keep himself from falling through the cracks, but he then was forced to go back on his knees. Holding onto his shoulder that missed his arm.
"Ugh…too much."
'You're reaching your limit, kid.'
'How much?'
'You'll be out any minute, that Whitebeard geezer managed to win us some time…'
As Naruto was recovering barely, Whitebeard began to approach the brave but injured Blackbeard, attempting to complete the task despite his injuries. With his pupils becoming white, Blackbeard crawled back.
"Grab it. You beast, get away from me!"
Just as he was ready to strike again, Whitebeard lifted his arm to complete the task. Despite being covered in his blood and holes leaking, he still had some power left in him to strike this excuse of a man down.
"I said get away from me!"
Whitebeard went in for the kill.
"Damn it!"
Blackbeard reached for his belt and pointed his gun out
"WILL YOU JUST DIE ALREADY!"
*PANG!*
Whitebeard's fist stopped just inches from Teach's face, with the shot ranging throughout the battlefield, it was hollow to hear.
Naruto saw this and tried to stand up but the stinging pain in his stomach prevented him from standing up and was forced to watch this happen.
"GRAMPS!"
"FINISH HIM OFF!" Blackbeard yelled, ordering his crew. "HURRY!"
Ganging up from multiple sides, all members of Teach's crew began firing their pistols at Whitebeard, with those with swords or spears stabbing him over and over again.
All while Whitebeard was too weak to even react properly to it, as he had now reached the limit, the only thing he was able to do was to remember something: Some memories that were appearing in his mind…
One of them was of him and Gold Roger, but then the other was that of an old respectable adversary.
Flashback
Underneath the cherry tree that they were sitting at, with a couple of sake bottles and cups, Whitebeard and his rival and friend who became King of the Pirates, Gold Roger. Were now having a drink.
"What do you mean, Roger? You're going to die?"
That was the question a younger Whitebeard asked, with visible blond hair he sat across from Roger who told him about a fatal illness he had.
"Yeah…but it's a matter of when." The black mustache man said with an ever-staying smile on his face, not seeming to be bothered by it, he kept talking to his friend and even offered. "You wanna know how to get to Raftel, Whitebeard?"
Raftel was the last island on the end of the Grand Line, to where only Roger had now reached and properly sailed the entirety of the Line, earning him the title King of the Pirates. That place in itself was a must-go for any pirate who wished to be on the same level as this man.
"Doesn't matter to me since I don't plan on going there," Whitebeard declined the offer before taking another swig.
Roger did the same and took another swig of sake, turning his cheeks pink from the alcohol, he then spoke. "Those World Government clowns don't know what they are doing. Do you know what they've been calling me these days? - They call me Gold Roger."
"Hmm?" Whitebeard looked confused and asked, "So what? I thought that was your name."
"No, no, no." Roger corrected, "My real name is Gol D Roger."
"Now and then I come across someone with a D in their name," Whitebeard said, reminding himself of some while pouring himself some more sake before drinking it. "Like my crew member, Marshall D Teach."
Now that it spiked his curiosity, Whitebeard decided to ask. "So, what does the D stand for?"
"That you wanna know, huh?" Roger asked.
Whitebeard narrowed his eyes, confirming he wanted to know.
"Fine, fine, I will tell you. It's a story from a long time ago…"
Different flashback
On an island somewhere in the New World, most likely in his territory, Two cups of sake clicked before both men drank from it. One of whom was an older Whitebeard himself, with the drinking companion on the other side was the small, but still respectable man and former adversary, Frederick Bishop.
"This Expeditionary Force, you're thrown in, aren't you?" Whitebeard asked his old friend, "Going to the Elemental Continent…"
"For three months, peacekeeping, yes," Bishop said while drinking the cup of sake dry, then pulling out a flask from his pocket he proceeded to open, "But I think we'll be staying there longer…"
"You mean war."
Bishop took a swig from the flask, for whatever he drank, it helped him as he then answered. "Yes, most likely."
"You will not come out alive there, Bishop." Whitebeard spared no words from where he saw it, "That place is chaos, it will only be a matter of time before you'll be pulled into that warzone."
"I know, and I believe those cunts in Mariejois know that too…" Bishop agreed while knowing better, that the people he previously served under as a Marine, were hellbent on having control of that region, "And I'd figured my alternative force would be called up in it."
"Your Foreign Legion boys? I heard about them." Whitebeard smiled, mentioning, "I've seen what you have been pulling together with that old bastard Whitehall. Impressive, I'll give you that."
Bishop cracked a smile, "Appreciate the compliments."
"No doubt Kaido and that old hag would think the same," Whitebeard said, reminding himself of the other two old fossils, smiling, "I heard they had put bets against you."
"That I can see, but I got this kid from the Fishman Kingdom who's got a good streak who might win against them."
"You mean that Uzumaki Naruto brat?" Whitebeard questioned, having brought him up, he then asked, "Heard about him."
"And?"
"Brat's got some history, that's all I can say…" Whitebeard replied, raising his cup of sake to drink, "Would like to meet him…"
Bishop chuckled at that, causing Whitebeard to raise an eyebrow at that before the man then spoke.
"Why not meet him now?" Bishop asked and revealed, "He's waiting on the other side of the island, waiting for my orders."
Whitebeard widened his eyes out of surprise.
"After all, it's time you should meet your supposed grandson of yours…" Bishop said while also adding, "I don't know why, but I think he'll be causing a lot of trouble in the future."
Whitebeard guessed, "Like what? Finding that damned treasure Roger talked about?"
"More like…he'll be ready an ally for a certain war in the future…"
Flashback Ends
Whitebeard's mind kept thinking about those memories while he was getting attacked, not minding until they happened to stop.
*Click!* Click!*
Stopped because they ran out of bullets, Blackbeard threw his empty one and demanded.
"Hey, I'm out of bullets. Someone give me another gun!"
"That won't be necessary. Whitebeard is unconscious. Tha man's done for" Shiryu the former jailer spoke turning to his captain, "You can nudge him over with your pinky and he'll topple over like a domino."
"It's not you Teach…"
The entire Blackbeard crew raised their guard once again, hearing Whitebeard speak was a surprise to them, especially Blackbeard himself.
"No way! He's still alive!"
The bloodied form of Whitebeard didn't move a muscle, but he had some words to say.
"The man Gol D Roger was waiting for… it's not you Teach, not a damn chance."
"Huh?" Blackbeard dumbly reacted, not knowing what he was talking about.
"Like there are people who shall carry on Roger's will, there are those who will pick up Bishop's in the future! Even if you may break them, you'll never be able to extinguish their flames - That's how it managed to slip through untouched throughout the ages!" Whitebeard continued to speak out loud for everyone to hear. "And in the future…one day…carrying hundreds of years of history on his shoulders, one man will throw down his gauntlet in front of the entire world! Sengoku, you and the rest of the world government are afraid…of the gigantic war that will overrun the entire world on that day!"
Sengoku stood there and listened to his adversary's words, not knowing where he was going with that. He could only listen.
"It doesn't matter to me…" Whitebeard became clearer when he then said, "But once someone finds that treasure, the entire world will go through unprecedented change!"
The mere mention of it got Whitebeard's expression to turn hollow, was he going to…
"And I guarantee you that someone will find it!" Whitebeard assured with a cheeky smile, "Whatever you like it or not…."
Sengoku's eyes widened, turning his gaze slowly to the one person he wanted to see one more time:
Naruto was now accompanied by his friends and comrades, all of whom had expressions of surprise, with him included while trying to stay awake from the pain he was feeling in his stomach.
With a smile given to his blood relative, Whitebeard turned back and took a deep breath, remembering all those who had gone before him, he would do one last act of defiance:
"THE ONE PIECE…"
Sengoku's eyes widened…
"THE ONE PIECE IS REAL!"
The words Whitebeard shouted out loud for everyone to hear, caused a noticeable silence that was present across the battlefield…
But also across the world…
"YOU BASTARD!" Sengoku cursed.
Whole Cake Island
Stopped eating her sweets, Charlotte Linlin couldn't help but laugh at what she just witnessed.
"Mama-hahaha!" Big Mom laughed and held her stomach, "Ah, Whitebeard, you sure know how to make an impact."
Katakuri watched in silence and had his arms crossed, he was as impressed as his mother, but couldn't help but look into the future, and saw something.
"Uzumaki…your next move will be interesting…"
Wano
The Beast Pirates were collectively in massive joy with all the crew members laughing and cheering for what just happened.
"THE BASTARD SAID IT!"
"HAHAHA! TAKE THAT YOU GOVERNMENT BASTARDS!"
Watching from his seat, Kaido just stared at the screen, fixated on the man who once was a member of the same crew he once sailed with.
"This is the end…"
"Zehahaha! Now that is a touching conclusion!" Blackbeard laughed at this.
The Whitebeard Pirates however were in a state of pain, tears were coming out as they started crying and begging again for their pops.
'Forgive me, my sons, I've raised a fool and I couldn't take responsibility., but you boys gave me everything I ever wanted out of life. I've reached the end of my voyage. It's been a long… and fulfilling journey.'
"I couldn't have asked for more… I am deeply grateful… goodbye, my sons…"
By then, the man said something…
"Release…"
In the silence that was there, a seagull happened over as a feather fell from it, landing nearby, a realization was just made, one that Blackbeard then yelled out.
"He's dead!… I can't believe that bastard. He just died on his feet!"
Then a light suddenly brightened out of the body of Whitebeard, surprising everyone.
"What the hell?"
Naruto happened to be the closest one to the bright light as it consumed him, just as he fell to unconsciousness.
…
'Naruto, Naruto, WAKE UP!'
"Wake up!"
Water got thrown on Naruto's face as he did, finding himself surrounded by Shikamaru, Chōji, Haku, Foster, Reiser, and Tatewaki. All of his best lieutenants.
"Guys…How long was I out?"
"For nearly thirty minutes, sir." Foster said, "You've been out since that weird light, so we decided to retreat."
Getting helped up, with the help of both Chōji and Shikamaru, Naruto was handed over his Tantō by Tatewaki who held it for him. He looked around and saw he was still in the plaza, however it was quiet.
"Status report?"
"Blackbeard and the Marines got into a fight the moment we left, with Garp and Sengoku fighting him head-on." Shikamaru told him, rubbing his neck, "Luckily, because Blackbeard had his eyes on you and Whitebeard's body after you passed out."
"Okay, what else?" Naruto turned to Haku and asked, "Where are Ace and his little brother?"
"They're in stable condition but need to be operated on," Haku briefed him, "Luckily they've been evacuated out by Law."
"Law?" Naruto questioned, "Like in Trafalgar Law?"
"Yes, as much of a surprise to us, he arrived here with his submarine and took both of them, but under heavy fire of course." Shikamaru told him, "Both Admirals tried to take out his sub but he got out fine, just when the fighting turned vicious."
"Vicious as in?"
"The Vice-Admirals ordered their troops to leave the wounded and kill any retreating pirate. They're…until…"
"Until what?"
"Red Haired Shanks arrived…"
"What?"
Pointing out, there stood the Red Hair Pirates, with Shanks in the lead, Having their weapons drawn, they were all prepared to battle Blackbeard and his group. Their presence alone was enough to put the fight to a pause, as all eyes were focused on the one-armed pirate, who took notice of Naruto's awakening and said only.
"You've done enough, now let us handle it."
Naruto heard it and nodded, "Alright."
Shanks turned back to Blackbeard and glared at him before asking, "Well Teach wanna try? Sorry, Blackbeard?"
Blackbeard face was bloodied but that didn't stop him from laughing, "Pretty as a picture aren't you? Red Hair. Those scars are a nice touch."
Both their respected snipers were the first to pick their targets as they all started to stand in a standoff, ready to fight each other on the battered Marineford.
….
Blackbeard however laughed, breaking the tension,
"You know what? Fine." Blackbeard argued, "I got what I came for after all, and I am not looking for a fight with you guys, well, not yet at least. Come on, fellas, let's pack it up!"
Upon being given their orders, the Blackbeard Pirates left first, with the confrontation being avoided, this now left Shanks to deal with the Marines.
"Accept your losses, honor the fallen. Withdraw from your battle with your dignity intact."
With Whitebeard dead, an Admiral nearly beaten to death, Marineford torn apart and thousands of others put into early graves, little room was left for joy as those who had gone through this hell of a day were only able to tear up and mourn the losses.
The endless count of bodies alone was mesmerizing to see, with those who've witnessed this before, having grown numb to it.
"As for Whitebeard, I'm sure you won't object to their friends taking care of the burial. The battle has already been broadcasted all around the world, I won't stand there seeing you use his corpse as a trophy."
Already protests could be heard from the likes of Doberman and other hardline Marine higher-ups who demanded to put his body up for victory in front of the entire world.
But their protests were shut down by Sengoku who gave this concession, allowing Shanks to take Whitebeard's body, he would take full responsibility for the entire mess that was this war.
Shanks responded, "Thank you."
Sengoku then turned to where the other party was, looking directly at Naruto who stood up tall, having recouped a bit, he asked without even a second thought or care what the others would think.
"Captain Uzumaki Naruto, what is your say in this?"
…
*TCHK!*
Instead of a straight response, Naruto had pulled out his smoking pipe and ignited it with his lone arm, he had needed this and decided to answer it then with a question of his own.
"Am I allowed to collect the bodies of my fallen men?"
Sengoku nodded, seeing no problem with that. "Can I be given back Admiral Sakazuki?"
Naruto glanced over to the unconscious body of Akainu who was still held under shot, but then glanced over to Shanks who nodded to him. He then gave his response.
"You can have him."
"Now go treat the injured before it's too late!" Sengoku turned to his men, and announced to the world; "This war is…OVER!"
And so the war on Marineford ended.
And here it ends! The Marineford Arc is finally over and boy am I glad. The next chapter will be post-war and afterwards the next arc.
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Peace!