Marineford, the battlefield.
With Zephyr's arrival, the Marine side actually began to weaken.
Those Marine Vice Admirals and Rear Admirals who had once trained under Zephyr, facing their former teacher and former comrades, let their blades go askew and their bullets fly wide.
Shamrock's expression was very grim.
"Utterly foolish."
Sommers, beside him, tilted his head slightly and asked in a low voice, "Why doesn't Imu-sama simply completely control them?"
Domi Reversi could not only enhance the strength of the controlled individuals but could even completely control their minds.
In Sommers's view, Imu could have fully dominated the minds of these Marine soldiers, making them strike to kill.
Shamrock shook his head.
"Doing that would make the Marine dissatisfied with Imu-sama."
Although Imu could indeed fully control their minds, doing so would later cause these Marine soldiers to feel resentment toward Imu.
Though Imu's intelligence wasn't the best, he still understood the principle that 'if people's hearts are scattered, leading the group becomes difficult'.
Therefore, unless the battle situation truly spiraled out of control to an irreversible degree, Imu probably wouldn't fully dominate the minds of these Marine soldiers.
Hearing Shamrock's explanation, the others in the God's Knights nodded in understanding.
Gunko looked at the blood-soaked battlefield, then at his pocket watch showing less than ten minutes until the execution, and said calmly, "The outcome of this war is already decided."
After Sabo's failure, he still tried for a forceful breakthrough.
He got up from the ground, wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, and charged toward the execution platform.
But standing in his way was one of the God's Knights members… Rimoshifu Killingham.
A user of the Mythical Zoan - Kirin Fruit.
Killingham transformed into his hybrid beast form, brandished his long spear, and used the Kirin Fruit's ability to manifest a huge flying dragon that blocked Sabo's path.
That dragon was wreathed in lightning, its four hooves treading on air, and it let out a deafening roar.
"What is this...?" Sabo's pupils contracted.
The monster opened its mouth and spat out a bolt of lightning.
Sabo was forced back step by step by the lightning, unable to advance an inch.
With the God's Knights making their move, it became even harder for the Revolutionary Army and Red Hair Pirates to get near the execution platform.
Less than five minutes remained.
Sengoku, having reverted from his Giant Buddha form, stood on the execution platform, took a deep breath, and shouted, "Prepare for the execution!"
Instantly, two executioners holding long spears walked up the platform and stood on either side of Luffy.
This scene strongly resembled Roger's execution in Loguetown back in the day.
"Luffy!!"
Seeing this, many in the Revolutionary Army and the Red Hair Pirates panicked.
Sabo charged forward desperately, but was completely blocked by the monster Killingham had created.
And both Dragon and Shanks were too far away, also blocked by the demonified Aokiji and Weevil.
Time was up!
But just then—
Boom!!!
Suddenly, a fist slammed into the base of the execution platform.
The entire platform collapsed.
It was far too sudden.
The God's Knights standing directly below were startled and, by conditioned reflex, leaped up to avoid the falling platform.
Wood splinters flew, rubble tumbled, smoke and dust billowed.
Sengoku also leaped into the air, landing in mid-air, looking down at Garp with his fist still raised after the punch, grinding his teeth in fury.
"You... you actually did it after all!"
Garp withdrew his fist, expressionless.
The whole world was stunned.
The billions of people watching the live broadcast through the Visual Den Den Mushi now stared wide-eyed, their mouths forming perfect O's.
The Marine Hero, Monkey D. Garp, had actually switched sides at the critical moment?
"How... how can that be?"
"Isn't he a Marine Hero?"
"It's not that strange. After all, that's his own grandson!"
"But isn't that kid a pirate?!"
Voices buzzed in discussion.
As for Makoto, he wasn't surprised at all.
After all, Garp had always been that kind of person.
After smashing the execution platform with his fist, Garp reached out and caught the falling Luffy, then with a strong throw, sent him flying toward his son Dragon.
Luffy's body arced through the air.
Dragon leaped up and caught his son.
He didn't hesitate for a moment as he shouted, "Retreat! Retreat!"
As long as he could save his son, the goal of this war had been achieved.
There was no need to stay any longer.
Although before the war began, Dragon had considered using this battle to defeat the Marine in one fell swoop, now it was clear that opportunity was completely gone.
Yukino, watching from the side, felt a complex mix of emotions.
'So all this fuss, and it really was just to save your son?'
Although if the war ended like this, they could still return to the real world…
But this 'anticlimactic' feeling left Yukino deeply dissatisfied.
Shamrock and the other members of the God's Knights were furious.
"Garp! How dare you betray us!"
Shamrock drew the long sword from his waist and charged at Garp.
The other God's Knights followed close behind.
Garp clenched his fists, coating them in Armament Haki, and met them head-on.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Fists and sword blades collided, producing a screeching metallic sound.
Garp fought multiple enemies at once. Though he was exceptionally strong, facing the siege of the God's Knights, his body soon acquired several wounds.
Blood seeped from his arms, shoulders, and back, staining his white uniform.
Far away in Mary Geoise, within the Chamber of Flowers.
Imu sat on the empty throne, watching the battle situation at Marineford through shared vision.
"Garp... you dare..."
If Garp had also signed the Deep Sea Contract, Imu would have used his power to execute him on the spot.
But just then—
Bang bang bang!
The Five Elders rushed to the door, frantically knocking.
"Imu-sama! An urgent report!"
Imu was furious and roared, "Whatever it is, wait until the war is over!"
"It's... it's about Nishikawa Makoto!"
Imu's expression instantly changed.
"...Come in."
The door opened.
The Five Elders filed in, their faces pale, their foreheads covered in cold sweat.
"What is it?" Imu's voice was cold.
Garling took a deep breath and spoke: "Imu-sama, the mole we planted beside Makoto has sent words… Nishikawa Makoto is preparing to intervene in this war."
Imu's pupils contracted sharply.
"But the good news in this misfortune," Garling continued, "is that the mole has successfully stolen our hearts back from Four Gay Bros's hands."
Imu's eyes lit up. Even he could hardly believe it. "She actually managed to succeed?"
"Yes," Garling nodded. "She is currently on her way to Marineford."
…
On the scene.
The battle situation grew even more chaotic.
The God's Knights began to siege Garp, while the Revolutionary Army, Red Hair Pirates, and Neo Marine began their retreat with Luffy.
Seeing Dragon carrying his son and fleeing, Zephyr couldn't help asking, "Your father is still back there. Aren't you worried?"
Dragon didn't look back as he said, "He's a Marine Hero. The World Government won't do anything to him."
Hearing this, Zephyr was full of question marks.
He looked at Garp, under siege by the God's Knights and already sustaining considerable injuries—
He found that somewhat hard to believe.
"Full pursuit!" Akainu shouted, leading the charge, cutting down several Revolutionary Army soldiers bringing up the rear in one go, charging straight into the enemy camp. "We absolutely cannot let Straw Hat escape!"
His sword was drenched in blood, his eyes full of killing intent.