The sky above Dawn Island was ablaze.
Each strike from Garp cracked the very air, but Exodus did not fall. The forest burned around them. Trees centuries old collapsed like paper. Villagers fled to shelters. Mountains trembled.
This was not a battle.
It was the clash of legacy and annihilation.
Dawn Island — Battlefield
Garp's fists, still wrapped in blackened Armament Haki, slammed into Exodus's torso. The impact sent shockwaves through the hills, cratering the earth.
Exodus stumbled back.
For the first time since his release… he bled.
Garp coughed. Blood trickled from his mouth.
"Come on then," he growled, raising his fists. "One last fight for the old dog."
Exodus's runes pulsed.
From his chest, a beam of pure void-energy erupted.
It struck Garp full-force.
Silence.
Then dust.
Marineford — Emergency Command
"Signal lost from Dawn Island!"
Ryokugyu's eyes narrowed. "We're losing control of the situation."
Sengoku entered the room, grim and silent.
"We need to call him."
Ryokugyu blinked. "Who?"
Sengoku looked out the window. "Dragon."
Thousand Sunny — Mid-Sea
Luffy collapsed to his knees as if stabbed in the heart.
"Garp…" he whispered.
Arkan caught him before he fell. He didn't speak.
Robin looked up from her scroll. "A light… just vanished. I felt it."
Franky's fists clenched. "Did we lose him?"
Arkan stood slowly. "Not yet. Not if we move."
Zoro placed a hand on Luffy's shoulder. "We fight for him now."
Luffy stood. His eyes were steel.
"We end this."
The Ruins of Garp's Home
Smoke coiled around what remained of the old house. Rubble scattered. Fires flickered.
From beneath the debris… a groan.
A bloody fist broke through.
Garp pulled himself up.
Barely breathing. Bones shattered. Body broken.
But alive.
He looked to the sky and whispered:
"Still not done yet."
The Serpent's Domain
Veyron watched the footage in silence.
"He survived."
A subordinate stammered. "Should we send Exodus back?"
Veyron turned slowly. "No. Let the fire spread. They need to feel the fear."
He looked to the map where ships, kings, and pirates moved.
"Let the world burn itself before we lift a finger."
Somewhere Above the Sea — Revolutionary Airship
Dragon read the report.
"Garp… still breathing."
He closed the file.
"Mobilize. We're not just watching anymore."
Ivankov beamed. "About time, darling."
Thousand Sunny — Final Scene
Night fell. The stars were quiet.
Arkan and Luffy stood alone at the bow.
"The next island is the Serpent's Gate," Arkan said. "It's where their reach begins."
Luffy nodded. "Then that's where it ends."
As the ship sliced through moonlit waters, the shadows ahead promised blood, fire… and judgment.