The seashell Karp presented stored images of Zephyr during and after his transformation.
The entire process was extremely bloody. Though silent, the visuals clearly depicted Zephyr's agonizing ordeal. They even saw Zephyr's limbs being grotesquely mutated into something neither human nor ghost.
Beside Sengoku and Karp, many admirals were students personally trained by Zephyr. Witnessing this scene, they clenched their fists in rage, their anger palpable.
The World Government treated Fleet Admiral Zephyr in such a manner.
"The facts are laid bare before us," Karp's calm voice resonated. "Zephyr, a man of such merit, was captured for experimentation instead of treatment and repatriation to headquarters. If they would do this to him, what wouldn't they do? If this can happen to Zephyr, could it not happen to us as well?"
Sengoku's inner turmoil was immense as he released Karp. In truth, Sengoku was all too aware of the World Government's attitude towards them. However, the justice they upheld always required someone to defend it.
Had the Xuanwu Navy not emerged, the current battlefield would never have transpired. The Navy, to which they had dedicated nearly their entire lives, would have continued to exist in its current, almost pathological state, even if it meant being lapdogs of the World Government, cleaning up after the Celestial Dragons and committing heinous acts. Yet, at least within their ranks, there were those who held firm to justice and strove for it. Thus, they believed it was enough to maintain peace for the world.
But then, the Xuanwu Navy appeared. It arrived with a reputation of being an even more just force, and the justice it executed was purer.
"All artillery prepare for fire," Benedict's voice boomed across the battlefield. The cannons of the warships and the muzzles of the bombers all turned towards Sengoku and his allies.
"Benedict," Sengoku called out loudly. Benedict naturally noticed the commotion involving Sengoku and Karp, as well as the projected image. However, from their vantage point, Benedict could not see clearly.
"Let's fight one on one," Sengoku declared again, his expression resolute. "If I lose, all of them will surrender."
Upon hearing Sengoku's words, both Karp and figures like Sakazuki and Borsalino were stunned. Sengoku, already severely wounded and greatly depleted of stamina, challenging Benedict, who had sustained virtually no damage, was akin to walking into his own death.
Benedict frowned slightly, understanding Sengoku's intent. "What an arrogant man," he mused. "He refuses to surrender and doesn't wish to drag others down with him. Thus, he'd rather die alone."
"The Human-Human Fruit, Mythical Zoan: Daibutsu Model," Benedict's eyes gleamed. "Truly desirable. Your challenge is accepted."
For Sengoku, who was willing to die rather than surrender, Benedict felt no compunction. Especially since Sengoku's Human-Human Fruit alone could yield a drop of the five-colored awakening potion.
As Benedict spoke, Sengoku once again activated his Devil Fruit ability, transforming into a golden Great Buddha. Seeing this, Benedict immediately entered his combat state. He opened the Eight Inner Gates all the way to the seventh gate.
Terrifying shockwaves swept across the entire battlefield. The immense power exerted made it difficult for everyone to breathe.
"Hirudora!" Sengoku's eyes widened as he stared at Benedict, launching his attack.
"Giant Impact Cannon!" Placing his hands on his right abdomen, he semi-crouched, gathering energy. The posture was strikingly similar to the Kamehameha wave from Dragon Ball. The powerful shockwave pushed forward by Sengoku collided with Benedict's punch.
In an instant, both forces were locked in a two-second stalemate. Then, before the eyes of everyone present, Benedict shattered the Impact Cannon's power with a single punch that landed heavily on Sengoku's face. The colossal body was instantly driven into the ice mountain.
With a thunderous roar, an ice cavern spanning a kilometer in diameter appeared, sending seawater splashing upwards. Benedict looked down into the ice cavern and then used "Universal Pull."
Seawater surged skyward. Sengoku, who had reverted to his human form and was rapidly falling, found his stamina rapidly draining. Under the suction, he was lifted into the air. Within moments, Sengoku was pulled up, encased within the seawater.
Witnessing Sengoku's defeat, everyone fell silent. Had it truly ended with just one move? Sengoku endured both physical and mental pain and torment. Encased in the seawater, he lacked the strength or the will to resist. This was Sengoku's choice. To live meant facing greater, more arduous decisions that involved the lives of tens of thousands of soldiers.
Karp, looking at the trapped Sengoku, wore a complex expression on his face. "Benedict," he finally moved, unable to bear seeing his old friend meet such a tragic end. He appeared with extreme speed and delivered a powerful blow. The water sphere shattered, and Karp carried Sengoku away.
Benedict looked at Karp and said sternly, "Karp, I respect your principles and the justice you uphold. However, you should not have intervened."
Karp smiled upon hearing this, then said with a sigh, "There's no helping it. Who can blame me for having such an old friend?" He continued, "But without your Xuanwu Navy, Sengoku's efforts, though containing many imperfections, were not entirely in vain. At the very least, we protected and adhered to justice."
Rescued by Karp, Sengoku, with a hunched back, weakly looked at Karp, speechless for a long moment. Vice Admiral Tsuru also looked at Karp with helplessness. However, as a strategist, Tsuru saw things more clearly. She stepped forward and stood beside Karp, saying, "Although some words should not be spoken, we have ultimately lost. Perhaps the justice of the Xuanwu Navy can truly overthrow the Celestial Dragons' rule."
Momousagi looked at her elder sister in disbelief, her usually rational sister uttering such words. Karp was also somewhat shocked, but facing Tsuru's gaze and her words, he felt deeply moved.
"I will say what you cannot," Tsuru smiled slightly, then turned to Benedict. "Fleet Admiral Benedict, on behalf of the Marines, I am willing to surrender."
"Tsuru!" Sengoku and Karp exclaimed in shock, staring at Vice Admiral Tsuru. Momousagi, Sakazuki, Borsalino, and others were all horrified by her words. They had not expected Tsuru to rashly speak for them at this moment and announce their surrender publicly.
However, just then, a terrifying aura descended from the sky, targeting Vice Admiral Tsuru.
"Insolence!" Sengoku and Karp cried out in alarm, both moving at that instant.
"Tsuru!"