Previously, Admiral Sengoku hadn't wanted to enter the Edd War Sea because he didn't want to incur unnecessary losses.
But it turned out the Marines' warships were quite formidable, moving steadily through the storm.
Simultaneously, after entering the Edd Sea, Admiral Sengoku and the others discovered something: the storm was rapidly dissipating.
Judging from common sense, Admiral Sengoku became even more certain Shiki wasn't in this sea area.
After all, the storm was subsiding now, which might mean it had lasted several days and was finally ending.
In the command room, Admiral Sengoku sipped tea from his cup, already contemplating how to handle the increasingly chaotic New World situation after returning.
Looking at the intelligence documents on the table, Admiral Sengoku felt Shiki couldn't possibly lose.
"It seems the Roger Pirates may become history. This is beneficial for our Marines, but we can't be complacent... Under such circumstances, Shiki must have deep reasons for besieging Roger," Admiral Sengoku speculated privately.
After a moment, he seemed to recall something and murmured softly, "Shiki has invited Roger many times before, but this time... he acted with absolute determination. Why? Has his patience finally run out?"
Slowly, Admiral Sengoku's expression grew grave. He stroked his beard thoughtfully, frowning as he considered, "Ancient Weapons?"
One had to admit, Admiral Sengoku was truly brilliant.
The reason Shiki sought alliance with Roger this time was indeed largely because he wanted to obtain Ancient Weapons and conquer the world.
"If that's truly the case, then this becomes significantly more troublesome. Shiki is even more threatening..." Admiral Sengoku muttered with a troubled expression.
Before he could formulate any viable strategy, the door suddenly burst open as a Marine Captain rushed in.
Admiral Sengoku's train of thought was instantly interrupted. He looked toward the door with displeasure. What was this? They hadn't even knocked? Where were their manners?!
"Admiral!!! The situation outside has changed!" the Marine Colonel said excitedly.
Admiral Sengoku was momentarily stunned, then asked, "What happened? Has the storm stopped?"
"The storm has nearly ended, but we seem to have actually found Shiki's massive fleet..." the Colonel responded rapidly.
Admiral Sengoku's eyes widened in shock.
"Impossible!!!" he said in complete confusion.
As soon as he finished speaking, excitement overtook him. He stood quickly, ignored the Marine Captain entirely, rushed through the door and headed toward the deck.
Upon emerging, he truly felt the previously raging storm had almost subsided. Even the thick dark clouds overhead had dispersed considerably.
On the sea not far away, wreckage from ships destroyed by the storm littered the waters. Large numbers of pirate corpses floated on the surface. Of course, there were also lucky survivors struggling desperately in the waves.
Judging from the scale, it appeared a fleet of dozens of ships had been annihilated by the storm.
That wasn't all. What surprised Admiral Sengoku and the other Marines even more was that, though these vessels had been destroyed, their identities could still be vaguely determined from their markings and sails...
"Is this really the Flying Pirates' grand fleet?!" Admiral Sengoku said in disbelief.
Sakazuki, Borsalino and others were equally baffled. On the other warship, Kuzan, Gion, Garp, and Chief of Staff Tsuru were similarly mystified.
What was wrong with Shiki? In such a storm, he—a Float-Float Fruit user—had led his entire fleet into it?
What kind of behavior was this?
Suicidal behavior!
Was he seeking death?
Admiral Sengoku was first to recover, shouting excitedly, "Quickly! Find Shiki's flagship, the Apollo Lion!!!"
Opportunity! What an enormous opportunity!
If the Marines could truly locate Shiki's storm-damaged flagship here, or even capture Shiki himself, the Marines would strike gold this time!
Wasn't this handing the Marines a victory for nothing?
After speaking, Admiral Sengoku excitedly patted Finn's shoulder. "Well done, Finn! Your persistence was correct!"
Finn also responded excitedly, "Yes, Admiral!"
Simultaneously, on a dilapidated pirate ship, Shiki slowly regained consciousness.
He opened his eyes and surveyed his surroundings. His expression turned extremely gloomy.
How could this be?
This wasn't his plan or script at all!
Initially, everything had proceeded smoothly. When the Battle of Edd War erupted, Shiki, with superior numbers and artillery density, had severely suppressed the Oro Jackson.
Just as they were about to systematically annihilate the Roger Pirates, a massive storm suddenly formed behind them. The storm materialized impossibly fast.
In all his years, Shiki had never witnessed a storm form so rapidly. It took shape in mere moments.
Then, what made Shiki even more desperate was that this damned storm seemed to have locked onto their position specifically and crashed directly into his flying fleet.
In just minutes, his fleet was torn apart.
In this situation, Shiki's Float-Float Fruit was severely restricted. Due to the Devil Fruit's weakness to turbulent weather, he could barely stabilize his own body. When the storm destroyed his fleet, he was also grievously injured.
Thinking this, he touched his head. There was a ship's rudder embedded in his skull. He recognized this rudder very well. It was from his own flagship, the Apollo Lion...
Simultaneously, he recalled the final scene before losing consciousness: the Oro Jackson of the Roger Pirates, taking advantage of the gap torn by the storm... and escaping.
He'd failed. Not to anyone. Not to Roger. But to this changeable, indifferent, and ruthless sea.
"Destiny...?" Shiki's eyes flashed with cruelty as he murmured viciously.
However, he didn't remain depressed. Shiki understood very well that the Flying Pirates' core was himself.
As long as Shiki wasn't dead, he could easily rebuild a fleet like this. It would simply require more time.
Therefore, one failure couldn't defeat the Golden Lion who roared proudly across the world!
However, at that moment, Dr. Indigo, also injured, rushed over and shouted in panic, "Admiral! The Marines! It's the Marines! Those bastards from Sengoku's fleet are here!"
Shiki was stunned momentarily, then quickly rushed from the dilapidated cabin. Looking at the two massive warships approaching across the sea, his eyes turned extremely dark...
He was in terrible condition now. After all, there was a ship's rudder embedded in his skull, and he'd just fought a major battle with the Roger Pirates.
Simultaneously, though the storm had mostly subsided, the current environment still greatly affected him.
Unleashing his full strength here was impossible.
On the Marines' side, two warships had arrived, and his old rival Sengoku was confirmed aboard one of them.
This situation was extremely unfavorable. In his current state, he couldn't even defeat Sengoku in single combat, much less consider the other masters certainly present among the Marines.
At the same moment Shiki discovered the Marines, Admiral Sengoku also spotted Shiki's damaged Apollo Lion!
Simultaneously, he saw Shiki's figure.
Though somewhat puzzled why Shiki had a rudder protruding from his head, he had no time for excessive contemplation. With excitement blazing in his eyes, he shouted, "Shiki, it's over!"
As the words fell, Admiral Sengoku pushed off explosively. His figure launched like a cannonball, heading straight for Shiki.
Generally speaking, regardless of circumstances, Shiki would engage Sengoku for at least a few exchanges.
But at this moment, Shiki's ruthless pragmatism revealed itself fully. He glanced at his subordinates still struggling in the sea. A cruel light flashed in his eyes. He raised his hand, grabbed Dr. Indigo beside him, pushed off with his feet, turned and fled without even uttering a threatening parting shot.
Honestly, if Indigo wasn't so useful to him, Shiki probably wouldn't have brought him either.
The sea environment was very unfavorable currently, but at least the storm wasn't as strong as before. Shiki maintained low-altitude flight and escaped without looking back.
"Don't even think about running!!!" Admiral Sengoku roared, pursuing Shiki without pause.
Simultaneously, the Marines' other officers sprang into action.
Shiki could flee, but the numerous pirates in distress from his fleet couldn't.
Though Shiki never regarded them as true confidants, the pirates Shiki recruited possessed genuine abilities. Otherwise, Shiki couldn't have suppressed most New World pirate crews with such a fleet.
Kuzan, Borsalino, Sakazuki, Gion, and Garp all took action. Only Chief of Staff Tsuru remained in command on the warship.
Borsalino and the others began arresting officers under Shiki's command, while Garp frantically searched for something.
Finn had some suspicions. He thought Garp was searching for Roger's ship. Perhaps Garp believed the Roger Pirates had also been wrecked here?
But unfortunately, unlike the unlucky Shiki, the Roger Pirates... had already escaped.
There was no significant danger at this point. Numerous small boats deployed from the warships. The Marines entered the "battlefield cleanup" phase in orderly fashion, as if they were the victors of this war.
But judging by results, it seemed accurate.
Finn didn't remain on the warship any longer. He went directly to board the dilapidated Apollo Lion.
"Rear Admiral Kuzan," Finn called when he arrived via small boat. Kuzan had also boarded.
Kuzan seemed in excellent spirits currently. After seeing Finn, he smiled. "It's really thanks to you this time, Finn. We'll have a tremendous harvest!"
Kuzan meant this sincerely. They'd originally been preparing to leave the Edd Sea, but had insisted on accompanying Finn's persistence. Now, they'd actually discovered Shiki's massive fleet, completely at their mercy...
The Marines hadn't fired a single shot and received an enormous windfall for free!
"I'm somewhat surprised too..." Finn said with a smile, walking toward Kuzan.
However, after only two steps, his footing suddenly gave way. One foot punched through the deck. Half his leg stuck through the boards. He looked quite comical.
"With this kind of quality, no wonder Roger escaped but you, Shiki, couldn't. You deserve it!" Finn cursed internally.
After all, it was a flagship. Look at Roger, who'd used precious Treasure Tree Adam to construct his Oro Jackson.
Look at you, Shiki. What kind of quality was this?
Cursing while smiling awkwardly at Kuzan, Finn extracted his leg from the broken deck.
But at that moment, he suddenly discovered something beneath the deck he'd broken through.
A small treasure chest.
This should be a cabin, but substantial seawater had seeped inside. It was turbid and chaotic, looking quite terrible.
"What's wrong?" Kuzan asked curiously, seeing Finn standing frozen.
"There seems to be a treasure chest..." Finn said directly without hiding anything.
"Hahaha! Maybe it's Shiki's collection? If you're interested, just take it out and examine it, right?" Kuzan said with amusement.
"Of course I'm interested. Could you help me freeze the seawater below..." Finn requested with a smile.
Kuzan shrugged casually and walked over.