(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)
(17 chapters of the new book are already released in p.atreon)
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"Although I didn't want to come, our idiot captain just had to meddle in other people's business," Beckman said, a cigar between his lips.
His gun, still smoking from its last shot, was casually aimed at Doflamingo—whether as a warning or a threat, it was unclear.
Doflamingo's voice was eerie as he turned to glare at the gun-wielding man who had suddenly appeared on the wall.
"Are you provoking me, Beckman? Others may fear the Red Hair Pirates, but not me!"
Doflamingo's gaze was filled with murderous intent.
The silk threads in his hands quietly formed a defensive net in front of him.
The battlefield momentarily froze.
Kisame, Crocodile, and Sasori all shifted their attention to Beckman, their expressions dark.
No matter how they looked at it, Doflamingo was one of their own—how dare Beckman make such an arrogant threat?
In an instant, four powerful auras locked onto Beckman.
He remained calm, but if one looked closely, fine beads of sweat had begun to form on his forehead.
Since when did these guys get along so well? All I did was stop this guy for a moment, and now I have all of them against me.
'Shanks, you set me up!'
"Are we going to kill him?" Crocodile asked, the golden hook on his hand gleaming with cold light.
"No, he can be considered a notable figure. He might still be useful," Kisame replied, shaking his head.
He glanced at the man with a strange expression.
Oddly enough, the group seemed to be following Kisame's lead.
As for Whitebeard Jr., at some point, his mother had discreetly taken him away.
At the same time, members of the Red Hair Pirates had spread across the battlefield, blocking fights on all sides.
Whether it was the Marines or the Whitebeard Pirates, they were intercepted.
Then, Shanks himself appeared next to Whitebeard, Kong, and the others.
His presence alone was enough to make both sides momentarily halt their battle.
Whitebeard gripped his massive naginata. His body bore multiple wounds.
Kong and Sengoku weren't in great shape either.
Kong, having acted as a human shield, had a severely dented chest and a broken arm.
Whitebeard's strength was far beyond their expectations—a true monster in combat.
Even in his seventies, his power was nothing to scoff at.
The sheer force behind his [Gura Gura no Mi]–infused fists made even Garp struggle to endure.
Despite Garp's peak combat ability, age had taken its toll on his resilience and stamina.
"Gurarara! Red-haired brat! What the hell are you doing here?!"
Whitebeard's question was what everyone wanted to know.
Shanks nodded at him, then scanned the battlefield.
A sudden burst of Conqueror's Haki erupted from him.
"I'm here to stop this war!"
A wave of red Haki swept through Marineford, casting shadows across the battlefield.
Countless warriors clutched their chests as an overwhelming pressure crashed down on them.
Even weapons raised mid-swing were momentarily frozen in place.
The entire battlefield came to a standstill as all eyes turned toward him.
Even more than that—
The Den Den Mushi that had been jamming the live broadcast was knocked out by Shanks' Haki.
Suddenly, the transmission resumed.
"Look! The broadcast is back!"
"Finally! What's happening now?!"
"Wait… that's Shanks! Why is he at Marineford? Is he siding with Whitebeard?!"
The situation at Marineford was utterly disastrous.
The ground was littered with unconscious fighters, and now, Shanks stood beside Whitebeard.
Many watching the broadcast immediately panicked.
Are the Red Hair Pirates and Whitebeard Pirates joining forces against the Marines?
If so, the consequences would be unimaginable.
Meanwhile, amidst the chaos, a joyful voice cut through.
"Shanks!"
Luffy dashed toward him, laughing as he tackled him in a hug.
"Shanks! Long time no see! Hahaha, I've gotten really strong!"
Shanks chuckled, ruffling Luffy's hair.
"I see that, Luffy. You've grown a lot."
"Hehehe."
Luffy grinned, but Shanks gently pushed him aside.
"Now's not the right time Luffy…"
He then turned back to Kong, his voice turning serious.
"This war has lost its meaning. End it now."
Kong's expression hardened.
"Are you ordering the Marines, Shanks? You have no authority here. Get out of Marineford!"
At this point, the war had gone too far.
If the Whitebeard Pirates simply walked away now, how would the Marines maintain their dominance over the world?
"Chief Kong! Fleet Admiral! We cannot allow this!"
Akainu stepped forward, his eyes burning with rage as he glared at Whitebeard.
"Even if I die here today, I won't let the Whitebeard Pirates go unpunished!"
CRACK!
Whitebeard slammed his naginata into the ground, splitting the stone beneath him.
His aura surged, his gaze fierce.
"Bring it on! You think I'm afraid of you Marine dogs?!"
Just when the tension had started to ease, it shot back up to the boiling point.
Shanks sighed in frustration.
He couldn't let this war continue.
The world needed balance. Now was not the time for chaos.
CLANG!
Shanks unsheathed his sword and stepped between Whitebeard and Akainu.
"If you want to fight, then fight me instead!"
"Whoever makes a move, I will stand against them!"
His words stunned the entire battlefield.
The implications were clear—no matter which side attacked, the Red Hair Pirates would oppose them.
This was a masterstroke.
If Shanks and his crew sided with the Marines, Whitebeard would be crushed.
If they helped Whitebeard, Marineford would fall.
It was the final straw that could break either side.
Seeing everyone hesitate, Shanks pressed on.
"Sengoku, you can't execute Ace now. Even if the Marines win this war, it will be a useless victory."
"Think about it—after suffering such heavy losses, can the Marines still maintain order in the seas?"
"And you, Whitebeard. Your only goal was to rescue Ace. Now that he's safe, why keep fighting?"
The battlefield fell into an eerie silence.
For the first time since the war began, everyone was forced to consider the cost.