Although the battle at Mary Geoise had already come to an end—
the fighting at Marine Headquarters was still ongoing.
Of course, the signal to retreat had already been given.
So the Rocks Pirates were now withdrawing while continuing to engage in combat.
Unlike the situation at Mary Geoise, even though the Rocks Pirates had already sailed some distance away from Marine Headquarters—
the current Fleet Admiral continued to lead the pursuit, showing no intention of letting them escape.
The course of events had completely exceeded Rocks' expectations.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
Countless cannonballs fired from the barrels, filling the sky in dense waves.
After tracing blazing arcs through the air—
a rain of artillery descended toward the ships on the sea.
"Edward!"
Standing at a high point, Rocks shouted loudly.
"Thud! Thud! Thud!"
At his command, Whitebeard, gripping his naginata Murakumogiri, charged from the bow to the stern like a raging beast.
His movements were smooth and powerful. Beneath his nose hung a crescent-shaped white mustache.
Midair, he swung his free arm.
"Crack!"
The air itself fractured at his fist.
Immediately afterward, the sea churned violently—
massive waves surged skyward like a gaping maw, as if ready to swallow everything in their path.
The Fleet Admiral stood firm at the front of the ship.
Even in the face of such monstrous waves, his expression remained calm and composed.
"Full speed ahead—break through!"
The Fleet Admiral gave the order.
"Yes, sir!"
"ROAR—!"
The towering wave swallowed the Marine ships behind the Rocks Pirates in an instant.
"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!"
But only seconds later, most of the ships burst through the wave—
though some were inevitably dragged under and sunk to the depths.
"Rocks! Don't think you can escape!"
The Fleet Admiral roared angrily.
"Hahahahaha! You think you can end my voyage here? Impossible!"
"Stop running! Turn around and face me in a battle to the death!" the Fleet Admiral challenged.
Rocks sneered.
"We'll have that battle… but not today."
His raid on Marine Headquarters had never been meant to escalate into a prolonged confrontation.
It was merely retaliation—
and a warning to the World Government.
The Rocks Pirates were not like other pirate crews.
So naturally, he had no intention of accepting such a reckless demand.
The Fleet Admiral frowned.
In truth, he was somewhat frustrated—
long-range attacks were ineffective against the Rocks Pirates.
No matter how many cannonballs they fired, they were all being intercepted.
"Let me try."
At that moment, Garp stepped forward.
The Fleet Admiral glanced at him.
"And what exactly do you plan to do?"
"The simplest and most direct way."
Garp grinned.
"Throw me over there."
The Fleet Admiral's physique was significantly larger than Garp's, and as Fleet Admiral, his strength was naturally immense.
"Heh."
He let out a low chuckle.
He had always admired Garp—his talent was exceptional.
Though only a Vice Admiral, his strength had long surpassed that rank.
"Very well."
Without hesitation, the Fleet Admiral grabbed Garp by the legs, Armament Haki coating his hands.
Then—
he began spinning at high speed.
A powerful current formed around them.
"Whoosh!"
At peak velocity, the Fleet Admiral released his grip.
Garp shot forward like a cannonball.
"Fwoosh—!"
The speed distorted his face from the rushing air.
But using that momentum, he coated both fists in Armament Haki.
Seeing Garp charging toward them at terrifying speed—
Whitebeard stepped forward.
"Captain Rocks, leave this to me."
He set Murakumogiri aside and leapt into the air, his fists also clad in Armament Haki.
"Boom!"
Their fists collided.
Black lightning-like arcs crackled through the air.
The immense shockwave churned the sea violently.
The ships rocked under the force.
"RAAAH!"
Both men roared, continuously pouring more strength into their blows.
After about thirty seconds of stalemate—
they were both blasted backward.
"Scrrraaaape—!"
Whitebeard landed back on his ship, his feet dragging across the deck, carving two deep trenches.
The sheer force of the impact was evident.
Garp, too, landed on his own ship, leaving behind equally long gouges.
"…Even that wasn't enough to reach them."
The Fleet Admiral sighed.
Meanwhile, on Is's side—
he had already moved into a new castle.
Acnologia, Tatsumaki, and Madara Uchiha had all gone to rest.
As for Is—
he was in the backyard, doing push-ups and sit-ups to activate the system's "Advanced Physical Arts."
Ten thousand repetitions of each might have been difficult in his previous world—
but in this one, it wasn't much of a challenge.
Although the others had gone to sleep—
Roz Minean and the maids remained by his side, quietly waiting.
"Master, it's already very late. You should rest," Roz Minean said gently.
"If you're tired, go back and sleep. There's no need to stay here with me," Is replied.
"We're not tired, Master."
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