Under the pursuit of Admiral Aokiji's Ice Age and the attack of Kizaru's Yasakani no Magatama, Trafalgar D. Water Law, one of the Twelve Supernovas, successfully rescued Straw Hat Luffy and Sea Knight Jinbe!
The Marines of Marineford fell into unprecedented panic!
They were already at a disadvantage just fighting against the Whitebeard Pirates—and now, another of the Four Emperors had arrived!
The Red-Haired Pirates!
How could they fight this battle now?!
"Red-Hair… the man who led Luffy to the path of pirate!"
Hero of the Marines, Iron Fist Garp, appeared from nowhere and looked at Red-Haired Shanks with a sharp, unfriendly gaze.
The appearance of Red-Haired Shanks, one of the Four Emperors of the New World, brought a turning point to this unprecedented war.
Whether it was the Whitebeard Pirates, the Marines, or the Blackbeard Pirates, everyone fell silent because of Shanks and his crew.
"Hawkeye, where are you going?"
A Marine colonel spotted Dracule Mihawk, the world's greatest swordsman and one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, sheathing his black blade, Yoru, and turning away.
"Red-Hair has arrived. The battle is about to end. I only promised to fight Whitebeard—Red-Hair is not part of that deal. My work here is done."
Without another word, Mihawk turned his back and left.
The Four Emperors' captain, Red-Haired Shanks, walked toward the core battlefield where Victor, Whitebeard, and the others stood.
At the same time, top Marine forces—Fleet Admiral Sengoku and the three Admirals—gathered as well.
"Whitebeard! Seems my worries were unnecessary."
Shanks had assumed this war would end with Whitebeard's death.
Yet the old man not only survived—he had also saved Fire Fist Ace. But that no longer mattered. Shanks was here for one purpose: to end the war.
"Gurarara! No, Red-Hair, if it weren't for this brat Victor, I would've died in Marineford today! He's a terrifying little imp!"
Whitebeard, though in pain, forced himself to laugh. He was in terrible condition, but to intimidate the Marines and Blackbeard, he couldn't afford to collapse.
"Oh? Victor? I've never heard that name before. But if you're praised by Whitebeard himself, then you must be remarkable indeed."
Shanks' eyes fixed on Victor. To receive such words from Edward Newgate was proof enough of his strength.
In fact, Shanks could see something familiar in the way Whitebeard looked at Victor—much like how Shanks himself looked at Luffy.
"Red-Haired Shanks, Emperor of the Sea. I'm Victor. Nice to meet you."
"Nice to meet you as well."
Their brief exchange carried no arrogance, no hesitation—Victor's calm confidence left an impression on Shanks.
"If this war drags on, the casualties will only continue to climb. If anyone still hasn't had enough, then come—let us fight it out to the very end!"
Shanks' words echoed through the battlefield. Even the Marines, who prided themselves on absolute justice, felt their hearts tighten in fear.
For although Shanks didn't bring a massive army, every single one of his crewmates was a renowned powerhouse. No faction wanted to provoke such a force.
"How about it, Teach? Or should I say… Blackbeard."
"Zehahahaha! Red-Hair, you've grown bolder. Those scars look good on you! But we're done here. I'm not interested in this boring war any longer."
Blackbeard's face twisted with malice—not at Shanks, but at Victor. That man had ruined the most crucial part of his plan!
Still, even Teach knew when to retreat. If Whitebeard regained even a fraction of his strength, escaping Marineford would be nearly impossible.
"Victor, I'll never forget this grudge. One day, I'll make you pay back everything—tenfold!"
Teach's furious roar echoed, but Victor only smirked coldly.
"I'll be waiting, Blackbeard." He wasn't afraid in the slightest. If not for waiting on his newest reward, Victor would've taught Teach a lesson right here and now.
"Dad! I'm leaving for now, but I believe we'll meet again!"
With a final sinister glare, Blackbeard called for his crew to retreat. Ace nearly charged after him, but both Whitebeard and Victor held him back.
Meanwhile, Admiral Akainu still had his eyes locked firmly on Fire Fist Ace.
Now, only three factions remained on the battlefield: the Whitebeard Pirates, the Red-Haired Pirates, and the Marines.
"Whitebeard. Sengoku. This war must end here.
I hope you can give me that much face."
Shanks' voice was steady, his presence overwhelming.
Even before the strongest pirate alive and the Fleet Admiral of the Marines, the Emperor of the Sea stood unshaken.
For a moment, both Whitebeard and Sengoku remained silent.
Victor, however, felt a rush of excitement. As expected of Red-Hair. Even I want to give him face.
"Gurarara! Ace is safe. There's no reason for more blood to be spilled. As much as it pains me, Red-Haired brat… I'll give you this favor."
Whitebeard's decision was expected, but it still stunned the battlefield.
Sengoku's face, however, was stormy. The Navy hadn't been utterly crushed, but this war was still a failure. With the arrival of Red-Hair, victory was impossible.
"This situation… is far beyond my authority."
He clenched his fists in frustration. The war had spiraled out of his control.
Just then, a Marine officer rushed up and whispered two orders from the World Government.
Sengoku's veins bulged with rage.
First order: End all hostilities and stop the war immediately to prevent further losses.
Second order: Attempt to recruit Victor, whose allegiances were unclear, to prevent him from becoming an enemy of the World Government.
Sengoku had no issue with the first. But the second—why Victor, of all people?!
He was one of the main reasons this war had turned into a disaster!
Yet, as Fleet Admiral, Sengoku had no choice but to follow orders.
"Red-Hair! The Marines will give you face!"
His voice rang out, but the Marines stood in shock, hollow-eyed. Has justice… truly been defeated?
Even Admiral Akainu, the embodiment of Absolute Justice, ground his teeth and held back his fury. He wanted to keep fighting, but even he knew the battle was over.
Just when everyone believed the war had finally come to an end—
Victor stepped forward from Whitebeard's side.
Instantly, all eyes locked on him.
What is this man planning? Could it be… he refuses to give face even to Red-Hair?!