After Sengoku was restrained, the remaining two were easy to deal with.
When Garp saw the massive vines surging toward him, he did not resist. Instead, he stopped moving and allowed the thick roots to wrap around his body.
"Gramps!" Ace shouted anxiously.
"Relax," Kaito said calmly as he stepped forward. "These vines only drain physical strength. They will prevent him from fighting, nothing more."
"Hahaha!" Garp laughed loudly, completely unconcerned despite being bound. "You brat, I knew you still cared about this old man."
On the other side, Akainu fared far worse.
He had never been Whitebeard's equal in this battle. After their brief clash, his body was already riddled with injuries. Once the vines coiled around him, he did not even have the strength to struggle.
In a matter of moments, Sengoku, Garp, and Akainu were all captured.
With a casual motion of Kaito's hand, the living vines dragged the three of them forward until they were positioned directly before him.
"I wanted to stall until the World Government's reinforcements arrived," Sengoku said weakly, his face pale. "But it seems this is the end."
"Yes," Kaito replied evenly. "There will only be one power left in this world."
He raised his index finger.
A spatial vortex formed instantly.
Without resistance, the three were pulled inside and sealed away. It was the safest prison Kaito could offer.
When it was over, Kaito turned his gaze toward Kizaru.
Kizaru gave a bitter smile. "I didn't even participate earlier, so you are not planning to throw me in as well, are you?"
"What do you think?" Kaito asked calmly.
"I could run," Kizaru admitted. "But Marine Headquarters is where I grew up. Standing aside is one thing. Running away would make me unworthy of the title of Admiral."
Light flickered.
Kizaru appeared before the vortex.
"Add me too."
Kaito nodded slightly. "At least you still have pride."
The vines surged once more, binding Kizaru before dragging him into Kamui.
All of this happened in less than a minute.
Kaito exhaled softly and turned toward the horizon.
"The World Government's reinforcements," he said. "They are finally here."
"Marshal," one of the cadres asked, smiling. "Should we seal the Vice Admirals as well?"
"Yes," Kaito replied. "Spare them the trouble."
Spatial vortexes opened again as unconscious and wounded Vice Admirals were wrapped and removed.
"Order all ordinary personnel to retreat immediately," Kaito continued. "They cannot remain here."
"Yes."
Warships bearing Kaito's banner departed Marineford's harbor one by one.
"Let the remaining Marines leave as well."
When the order spread, the Marines looked at Kaito with gratitude before withdrawing.
Soon, Marineford stood silent.
Only Kaito and his cadres remained.
A low hum filled the air.
A massive spatial distortion appeared above the battlefield.
"So they have arrived," Kaito said quietly.
"This is it," Redfield said excitedly. "The decisive battle."
If they won here, the seas would belong to them. It would be nothing less than the end of an era.
A figure stepped out first.
Kong.
Behind him emerged five familiar silhouettes.
The Five Elders.
Following them were rows of men dressed in black. Their oppressive presence made Bullet and the others tense instinctively.
More figures appeared.
Pacifista.
Elite combatants.
"This should be the World Government's true strength," King said gravely.
"There may be more," Redfield replied lightly. "But it doesn't matter. Once these fall, any remaining forces will collapse."
"The weakest among them rivals a Marine Vice Admiral," King added.
Saint Saturn's expression darkened. "Where are Akainu and the others? I can't sense them."
"They've already lost," Saint Peter said coldly. "Marineford is empty of meaningful resistance."
"Useless," Saint Peter continued. "I regret ever approving Akainu as Fleet Admiral."
Before the conversation could continue, a slender leg stepped out from the air itself.
A woman descended slowly.
Amber eyes as deep as stars.
Long purple hair flowing in the wind.
A violet mask concealed her face, yet her exposed skin and flawless figure rivaled even Boa Hancock.
She wore a golden dress and white heels, her presence noble, cold, mysterious, and overwhelming.
Kaito narrowed his eyes.
Im.
She landed gently.
The Five Elders bowed deeply. "Your Majesty Im."
Im ignored them.
Her gaze rested on Kaito.
"You are Kaito," she said coolly.
"Yes."
"So you are the one challenging the World Government."
"I suppose you are its true ruler."
"That is correct," Im replied. "Surprised?"
"A little," Kaito admitted. "I did not expect the ruler of the world to be a woman, A sexy one at that."
"And I did not expect a troublemaker from East Blue to grow this far."
Their voices were calm.
Yet the air between them was sharp.
"She's dangerous," Redfield muttered. "Can you feel it?"
"I can," Whitebeard replied. "This woman is no ordinary opponent."
"She might force him to show everything," Kaido said seriously.
"You've gathered quite a crew," Im remarked. "Whitebeard, Kaido, Redfield. Almost like Rocks reborn."
"If you came here to talk," Kaito said calmly, "you can leave. If you came to fight, I will see it through."
The Five Elders stiffened instinctively.
Im's presence exploded outward.
A terrifying wave of Conqueror's Haki swept across Marineford.
The temperature plummeted.
Frost crept across the ground.
"You are the first person in this sea," Im said coldly, "who dares speak to me like that."
The world trembled.
This was the power of the true ruler of the seas.