When true top-tier combatants clash, the sheer destructive force of the ensuing shockwaves is an apocalyptic disaster for ordinary people. If commanders aren't incredibly careful, they can easily end up accidentally slaughtering more of their own subordinates in the crossfire than the enemy does.
The environmental devastation caused by such battles is akin to a natural disaster. Fortunately, their current battlefield was the abandoned, desolate White City. No matter how violently they shattered the earth or leveled the architecture, there was absolutely nothing left to ruin.
In an instant, the hauntingly silent, dead nation of Flevance erupted into a chaotic, deafening symphony of war. The relentless, earth-shattering booms of thunder, colliding Haki, and shattering steel echoed so violently across the borders that the neighboring nations could hear the destruction clearly.
The military guards stationed along the quarantine perimeters trembled in absolute terror, too afraid to abandon their posts but desperately praying for the nightmare next door to end as quickly as possible.
Having successfully separated from the main vanguard, Vice Admiral Tsuru and Bardock stood facing each other in a secluded sector of the ruins. However, they didn't immediately cross blows.
With the explosive roars of lightning and the sharp screeching of crossing blades serving as their background music, neither commander was in a rush to make the first move.
"Bardock," Tsuru spoke calmly, her sharp eyes analyzing the young pirate. "I have thoroughly studied your crew's operational patterns. You actively hunt and dismantle pirate crews, and whenever you make landfall on an island, you have never once committed any atrocities or harmed the civilian populace. Why are you so fiercely unwilling to join the Navy? Is it purely because you are harboring Nico Robin?"
Bardock took a deep breath, letting out a mocking, cynical sigh. "How strange. Don't tell me you don't know exactly where we are standing right now, Vice Admiral Tsuru."
He gestured to the pristine white ruins around them. "The absolute annihilation of Flevance? Amber Lead Syndrome? Don't make me laugh. The Navy constantly flaunts its 'Absolute Justice' across the globe. Yet, where was that so-called righteous Navy when the people of Flevance were screaming for salvation?"
Tsuru's expression tightened, but she didn't interrupt.
"I spent some time on the Sabaody Archipelago," Bardock continued, his golden eyes burning with cold disgust. "Before I went there, I genuinely never realized that such a sickening, profound darkness could operate so openly, right on the doorstep of Marine Headquarters! Isn't the slave trade explicitly outlawed by the World Government? Yet the Navy deliberately turns a blind eye while humans are auctioned off like cattle!
"Whatever brand of 'Justice' you people are carrying on your backs... it's far too filthy for me to bear."
Tsuru remained silent. The accusations Bardock hurled at her were undeniably, painfully true.
Regarding the Flevance tragedy, the Marine rank-and-file were completely kept in the dark by the World Government. By the time the Navy finally realized the truth of the massacre, the situation had already spiraled beyond all salvation. Furthermore, as the military arm of the Government, they possessed absolutely zero legal or political authority to hold the Five Elders or the fleeing Flevance Royalty accountable.
As for the human auction houses on Sabaody... that was an even more helpless, infuriating reality. It all boiled down to one simple, absolute truth: The Celestial Dragons demanded it.
The Navy was an organization strictly bound to obey the World Government, and the Celestial Dragons were the absolute masters of that government. How could a mere military branch possibly possess the power to actively interfere with the twisted hobbies of the 'Gods' of this world?
After a long pause, Tsuru finally spoke, her voice heavy but resolute. "The Navy undeniably has systemic flaws. I won't deny that. However, there is no shortage of individuals who possess genuine, unwavering Justice within our ranks. We are actively, desperately fighting to change this system from the inside—"
"Save your breath," Bardock ruthlessly cut her off. "Even the son of your legendary 'Marine Hero' Garp couldn't stomach your system and left to found the Revolutionary Army! If he couldn't change it, why the hell would I ever become a Marine?"
Bardock smirked, casually raising his golden staff. "Oh, and let's not forget Garp's grandson, who is currently running around the East Blue screaming at the top of his lungs that he's going to become the Pirate King! That's enough idle chatter. I'm coming for you!"
Without another word, Bardock kicked off the ground, violently swinging his Ruyi Jingu Bang directly at the Great Staff Officer's head.
"Garp..." Tsuru groaned internally.
That specific family tree was an absolute, migraine-inducing nightmare for the Navy, but she didn't have the luxury of stressing over Garp's terrible parenting right now.
Despite looking like a frail, kind, and grandmotherly old woman, Tsuru's physical combat strength was utterly terrifying. Coating her arms in a suffocating layer of Armament Haki, she didn't dodge. She met the devastating swing of Bardock's heavy staff head-on, her bare hands blocking the golden metal without yielding a single inch of ground.
In truth, the reason the two commanders had engaged in idle conversation wasn't purely philosophical. Both had been secretly utilizing their Advanced Observation Haki to carefully monitor the surrounding battlefields, ensuring that none of their respective subordinates were instantly overwhelmed and that the enemy didn't rapidly snowball an early advantage.
Based on their tactical assessments, the war was perfectly stabilized.
Whether it was Enel clashing violently against Tokikake, Daz Bonez trading lethal blows with Gion, or the White Dragon vanguard fighting a brutal war of attrition against the hundreds of Marine Headquarters elites—every single battlefield was locked in a fierce, grueling stalemate. Neither side possessed the ability to secure a rapid, decisive victory.
Tsuru was a master of the Paramecia-type Wash-Wash Fruit, and her Taijutsu and Haki had been honed over decades of warfare alongside legends like Sengoku and Garp. Even against Bardock's terrifying physical specs and Conqueror's Haki, she held her ground flawlessly, pulling the Pirate Captain into an intense, high-speed deadlock.
In an instant, the entirety of Flevance was completely engulfed in a massive, chaotic melee.
The white dust rose high into the sky, mixing with blood, lightning, and the deafening roar of cannons. At this moment, absolutely no one could predict which side would ultimately emerge victorious.