Naval Headquarters.
The Summit War reignites.
The first clash had been chaos; this time, both sides were battle-hardened.
Having already endured the nightmare of Uta's "Singing World," the combatants no longer hesitated or tested each other with half-hearted maneuvers.
From the very start, the Four Emperors' Whitebeard Pirates launched an all-out offensive, their legendary leader charging straight into the fray.
The Marines, likewise, wasted no time. The encirclement wall operation was deployed immediately.
Even though the Whitebeard Pirates had anticipated this move, the tactic still proved devastating.
And without Little Oars Jr. to disrupt the machinery this time, the massive steel walls rose unhindered, completely sealing off the bay.
The Whitebeard Pirates' main forces and the Straw Hat brothers were instantly cut off from each other.
Above the wall, Admiral Akainu and the Pacifista corps unleashed torrents of molten magma and blinding laser beams, raining down in fiery waves.
Cannon fire roared alongside them, suppressing even Whitebeard's front line beneath a storm of destruction.
Across the battlefield, the situation for the Straw Hat brothers was even worse.
Surrounded by tens of thousands of Marine elites led by Admiral Kizaru and Admiral Aokiji, their odds were grim.
Their lineup consisted of only six — Pluton Rayleigh, Sabo of the Revolutionary Army, Luffy the Straw Hat Kid, and their companions.
Though each was formidable, even a legend like Rayleigh couldn't tip the balance against two Admirals and the Marine army.
Marshal Sengoku's strategy had worked flawlessly — dividing the Whitebeard Pirates from the Straw Hats, isolating and crushing them one by one.
At this rate, victory on both fronts was only a matter of time.
Of course… that was assuming no unexpected forces intervened.
"It's a rare pleasure to kill a Four Emperor twice in a single day," Akainu sneered, his face twisted in pride. "Now die, old man!"
From his raised right hand, countless volcanic bombs erupted skyward, falling like flaming meteors.
The attack made no distinction between friend or foe — even Marines still trapped inside the surrounding wall were caught in the inferno.
Among those within the barrier stood Sugisawa Yuuto and his companions.
"President, he's doing this on purpose!"
Brandish's eyes narrowed in anger as she waved a hand, shrinking the descending magma bombs into harmless dust.
She could feel the malicious intent behind Akainu's strike. Those bombs hadn't fallen by accident — the Admiral had deliberately targeted them.
Yuuto's tone remained calm.
"Since they're the ones who started it… we might as well get rid of these annoying walls."
"Yes, sir!"
Brandish raised her slender hand, focusing her power on every direction at once.
For a heartbeat, the air itself trembled.
Then — something incredible happened.
Before the eyes of both Marine and pirate alike, the colossal alloy walls that enclosed the bay began to shrink.
The reduction was visible to the naked eye — massive fortifications condensed smaller and smaller until, within seconds, they vanished entirely.
Gasps erupted across the battlefield.
The Marines and pirates stood frozen in shock.
Then—
"Whoaaaahhh!"
"The walls are gone!"
"Finally! The surrounding walls disappeared!"
"I don't know what happened, but this is our chance — fight back!"
"Wake up, Marines! The real battle's just beginning!"
Whitebeard's men roared, their despair transformed into explosive energy.
Across from them, the Marine soldiers panicked.
"What the hell just happened?!"
"Why are the walls gone?!"
"No — not gone, they… they shrank!"
"Some kind of power did this!"
"The Whitebeard Pirates are breaking through!"
Even Akainu was left dumbstruck.
He had always despised the so-called Fairy Tail guild and had crossed paths with them repeatedly.
Ever since the events of the Singing World — where he had been humiliated — Akainu's hatred had only deepened.
In his mind, that defeat had been due solely to the dreamlike world's distortions.
If it had been the real world, he believed, the outcome would have been different.
So, during this battle, his attack had been more than strategy — it had been a personal challenge aimed squarely at Yuuto.
But Sugisawa Yuuto hadn't played by his rules.
Rather than fight him directly, Yuuto had dismantled the Marine's entire battlefield advantage in a single move.
That humiliation stung worse than a beating.
"Gurararara! Seems I owe another unbelievable debt!"
Whitebeard Edward Newgate bellowed with laughter, his booming voice echoing across the bay.
"Thank you, Sugisawa Yuuto!"
"Your kindness — your power — we'll never forget it!"
"We won't waste this chance!"
Marco, Joz, Vista, and the other captains roared as one, surging forward with unstoppable momentum.
Under their charge, the once-impenetrable Marine defense line in the plaza shattered.
"Ace!"
"Captain Ace!"
"Brothers of Ace — we're coming!"
Marco led the vanguard, breaking through to reach the battered Sabo and his group.
"Thanks," Sabo panted, relief flickering in his eyes. "That was a huge help!"
"No, we should be the ones thanking you," Marco grinned. "Now — let's break through together!"
"Yeah!!!" Luffy shouted, his spirit blazing anew.
From a corner of the square, Blackbeard Teach shouted mockingly, "Oi, Marshal Sengoku! What are you Marines doing? Why did the Whitebeard Pirates break in so easily?! If this keeps up, Ace will be freed! Don't you care?!"
"Shut your mouth, Blackbeard! This has nothing to do with you!"
On the execution platform, Sengoku barked furiously.
"It's all because of that man…"
Gion's sharp eyes locked onto Sugisawa Yuuto.
"I told you before — that guy's nothing but trouble," muttered Vice Admiral Tokikake, his voice bitter.
He still hadn't gotten over the humiliation of watching Yuuto steal the first kiss of the woman he'd pursued for years.
"Marshal Sengoku," Gion said firmly, stepping forward. "Allow me to speak with him."