(T/N: There is now a p.atreon for this work, and any new work I add will be dropped there first. check it out for an early release of up to 30 chapters edited smoothly. https://www.p.atreon.com/INeedRest)
(13 chapters of the new book are already released in p.atreon)
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When an Admiral gets serious, things can turn dire rather quickly.
The reason the Marines were able to dominate the seas for so long was that they always had at least three Admiral-level and Emperor-level powerhouses at any given time.
The sudden onslaught of Aokiji and Kizaru severely wounded two of the strongest warriors from the Whitebeard Pirates and the Straw Hat Crew, instantly shifting the battlefield's balance.
The Marine soldiers, emboldened by the Admirals' power, fought with renewed determination, blocking the advance of Whitebeard's forces.
"Fight with everything you've got! With four Admirals and Vice Admiral Garp on our side, victory is ours!"
"Stay strong! Aokiji and Kizaru are free to act—Whitebeard's forces will crumble soon!"
Their battle cries rang out, proving just how unfavorable the situation had become for the pirates.
But then—
BOOM!
A figure descended from the sky, crashing into the ground with a thunderous impact, leaving a massive crater and sending dust and debris flying.
"Cough... cough!"
Akainu struggled to climb out of the pit, his suit in tatters.
Blood mixed with molten magma coated his body, making it impossible to tell where his injuries ended and where his power began.
"Admiral Akainu!"
Nearby Marines gasped in disbelief.
They had never seen Akainu in such a wretched state.
Two more figures descended from above—Sasuke and Naruto.
Their clothing was torn, their breaths ragged.
A trail of blood ran from the corner of Sasuke's eye.
"I told you, you can't stop me. Not before, not now."
Sasuke's voice was cold and unwavering, proof that he had the upper hand in their battle.
"That doesn't count! You cheated! That wasn't a fair fight!"
Naruto shouted angrily.
Earlier, Sasuke had used a power that was not his—unleashing a scroll imbued with a slash from Colt.
Though not as devastating as the one Kisame used, it had still caught Naruto off guard, dealing significant damage.
"You have merit points, don't you? Why don't you exchange them for something useful?"
Sasuke replied flatly.
"You lost this time. Don't interfere anymore—you've already done enough."
Naruto hesitated before backing off, shifting his focus toward the lower-ranking pirates.
He and Sasuke weren't true enemies, after all.
If the fight continued, nothing would change except Sasuke's patience running thin.
With Naruto stepping aside, Sasuke let out a breath of relief.
If not for Colt's scroll, their battle could have dragged on for days without a decisive victor.
Now, at least, that issue was settled.
He shifted his gaze across the battlefield, taking in the chaos.
Marineford was a warzone, danger blooming in every direction.
Whitebeard and Sengoku had clashed.
Their battle was nothing short of titanic, shaking the very foundation of the battlefield.
Every Marine and pirate had instinctively backed away, knowing better than to stand within range of their fight.
Sengoku's shockwave ability slightly countered Whitebeard's, making them somewhat of a matched pair of warriors.
Elsewhere, Marco had been rescued by Luffy, who quickly rushed him to Chopper for emergency treatment before racing toward the execution platform—only to be stopped by Kizaru.
"Get out of the way, Kizaru!"
Luffy's arm swelled, twisting unnaturally as his Haki surged, wrapped in a strange glow. Then, with explosive force, he struck.
The impact sent a deafening sonic boom through the air.
Kizaru's usual smug expression faltered for a split second.
The light from [Ama no Murakumo] grew dazzling, and his blade expanded rapidly, forming a barrier between himself and the incoming attack.
BOOM!
The collision sent Kizaru hurtling backward, his body fragmenting into countless photons. But just as quickly, he reformed in front of Luffy, completely unharmed.
When it came to mastering [Elementalization], Kizaru stood above all other Admirals.
Luffy's full-powered strike hadn't even scratched him.
"You've gotten much stronger, Luffy-kun," Kizaru mused, rubbing his chin with an exaggerated grin.
"But it's not enough. You're still a few million points away from actually hurting me!"
His words were laced with mockery, his expression infuriatingly smug.
Even someone as headstrong as Luffy could feel the blood rushing to his head.
His [Conqueror's Haki] exploded outward, and red lightning crackled around his fist as he launched another attack.
Meanwhile, on the execution platform, Ace and Sabo watched in stunned silence.
Their younger brother—the same kid they had once protected—was now fighting on a level they could hardly comprehend.
"Luffy… is that really you?"
Ace muttered in disbelief.
A bitter smile crept onto his face. He had always been confident in his strength.
With his [Haki] and [Mera Mera no Mi], he feared no one short of the Four Emperors.
But looking at Luffy now…
His little brother's flames burned hotter.
His mastery of Haki surpassed his own.
"Who's the real user of the [Mera Mera no Mi] here?"
For the first time, Ace understood.
Whitebeard's protection had given him a false sense of security. He had spent too long relying on the strength of others.
Garp, watching from a distance, shared the same realization.
Pride and sorrow mixed in his heart.
Luffy had suffered—there was no way he could have grown this strong otherwise.
But then—
His sharp eyes locked onto a Marine captain moving toward the execution platform.
Unlike the others, this Marine wasn't fighting.
Instead, he moved with purpose, weaving through the battlefield, ignoring everything else.
Suspicion flared within Garp.
"Hey! Brat! What are you doing?!"
He barked at the captain.
The figure didn't respond.
Instead, he quickened his pace.
Then, two hundred meters from the execution platform—
POOF!
A burst of smoke erupted around the Marine, and in his place stood Sasuke.
"Sasuke!"
Ace's eyes widened.
Sasuke smirked, his expression laced with amusement and mischief.
"You idiot. You caused this whole mess, and now I have to clean it up."
His [Six-Tomoe Rinnegan] gleamed with a brilliant purple light.