Extra ①
Marinford, the iron fortress that symbolizes absolute justice, is now being submerged by an unprecedented tsunami and has become a desolate sight.
Admiral Zhan Guo stood on the ruined platform, looking disheveled. He overlooked the harbor and saw countless sailors struggling to save each other in the waves.
The people with special abilities who were usually so powerful had all become landlubbers at this moment and could only be saved by ordinary soldiers.
In the midst of chaos, the Red Hair Pirates joined the battlefield with their fleet.
The sea surface of Marinford was filled with densely packed giant sea kings, staring at the square with eager eyes.
Zhan Guo looked around and found that the current battle situation was far beyond his expectations.
Even if he was as smart as he was and had been strategizing all his life, he could never have calculated why so many sea kings appeared here, and for some reason, those sea kings all stood on the side of the pirates.
Not far away, Akainu was standing on the tilted wreckage of a warship, blocked by Shanks, unable to move forward even a single step.
Shanks said calmly, "Let's stop here. You can't beat us."
The navy first experienced a difficult battle with the Whitebeard Pirates, and then encountered a massive tsunami, which greatly reduced their combat effectiveness.
Although Whitebeard on the field was covered in wounds and was at the end of his strength, his combat power should not be underestimated. Coupled with the Red Hair Pirates in their prime and these huge sea kings.
For the first time in his life, Zhan Guo felt powerless and had to rethink his mind. The navy was doomed, and if they continued fighting, Marinford might be completely wiped out.
In order to avoid greater sacrifices and more terrible consequences, Zhan Guo weighed the pros and cons again and again, and finally slowly raised the Den Den Mushi and said in a hoarse voice: "All troops... cease fire!"
After this order was given, the entire battlefield fell into eerie silence.
The soldiers looked up one after another, confusion written all over their faces. Akainu's eyes were burning with a fire that refused to go out, and he didn't want to give up, but was stopped by Shanks.
This peak showdown finally ended, and the crew of the Whitebeard Pirates were able to escape from Marineford unscathed.
And Zhan Guo could only stand on the high platform and watch them go away.
The justice he upheld and the dignity of the navy were completely destroyed...
Cough... A rusty taste rose in my throat, and blood flowed down the corners of my mouth, lingering for a long time.
......
All the ships slowly left Marinford under the escort of the sea kings.
Newgate was seriously injured, but he still insisted on standing at the bow, like a tower that would never fall, with the flag still fluttering and the flames lit...
Even when they were far away from the naval fortress, Newgate still stood, his breathing gradually becoming rapid: "Red-haired brat... I owe you one today."
Shanks jumped over, stepping on the waves between the two ships. "If it weren't for Merry's help, we wouldn't have made it to this battle."
"This time, it's all thanks to that little girl," Newgate said in a hoarse voice, unable to hide his fatigue, "It's a pity that Ace..."
"Don't worry, Merry contacted us with a Den Den Mushi. Ace is not dead. You should treat your wounds first."
"What?" Newgate, who was always calm, suddenly widened his eyes. "How is that possible?"
"Merry didn't have to lie to us."
After a moment, Newgate threw his head back and laughed, "Gulala... I told you long ago, that little girl, cough cough..."
The resounding laughter caused the wound to split open, and fresh blood beads rolled down the abdominal muscles into the waistband of the pants.
"Dad!" Marco flew over, igniting a blue flame that covered Newgate. "We can't delay any longer!"
Shanks consoled him, "I heard Ace was also seriously injured and needs to recuperate quietly. The same goes for your injuries. Let Marco treat them first."
"Gulala, it's just a few minor injuries. I can still hold on. However, there are still many troubles to come."
"As long as you are still alive, the troubles that come later will not be a big deal."
......
Two weeks later.
In the medical bay of the Polaris, Luffy's eyes were spinning wildly under his eyelids.
"Ai, Si..." A hoarse call came out.
The next second, Luffy suddenly opened his eyes, and Ace's empty chest flashed in his dark pupils, and his eyes instantly turned red.
"Ace!!!"
The needles on Luffy's body were ripped away, the sensors fell off, and the figure rushed out the door.
Bepo and the other crew members stepped forward to stop them, but were beaten away one by one by Luffy.
"Ace! Where's Ace!"
The boy's voice was desperate and sorrowful, and he was shouting with blood foam, venting his pain madly.
"Ahhh! Ace!!! Give Ace... back to me!!!"
Law's figure appeared at the end, and his voice was calm: "Straw Hat boss, Ace is not dead."
Luffy's roar stopped abruptly. He was stunned for two seconds, then suddenly jumped up, rushed in front of Law, and grabbed his collar tightly: "Are you telling the truth?"
"It's true," Jinbei rushed over after hearing the voice, "Brother Luffy, Ace is still alive."
Luffy slowly let go of Law: "Where's Ace!?"
"Come with me."
Jinbei turned around and took Luffy back to the cabin.
Ace was lying on the hospital bed, his face pale, his body wrapped in bandages, electrodes on his chest, and the electrocardiogram monitor next to him was making a monotonous beeping sound.
Luffy couldn't help but show surprise on his face. He knelt beside the bed, his hands shaking constantly, hanging in the air and not daring to let go.
"Ace! He...why doesn't he move?" Luffy suddenly raised his hand and punched himself hard.
Bang—blood splattered from his nose. The pain made his vision go black, but the corners of his mouth stretched into a bloodstained smile, and tears rolled down his face. “It hurts, this is not a dream!”
"His entire heart was burned through by the lava. He was almost certain to die." Luo leaned against the door, his hands in his pockets. His voice was calm but respectful. "I gave him a new heart, which barely saved his life. It will take some time for him to wake up."
"A new heart?" Luffy turned to look at Law blankly.
"That's right. It's Merry's heart that's beating inside Ace."
"Merry?! Then...Merry's heart..." Luffy muttered repeatedly, his pupils suddenly shrinking, "Where's Merry! What if she has no heart!?"
"Don't worry, the octopus mermaid's body structure is different from that of humans. Her life is not in danger now, but she still needs to recuperate."
"Ouch..." Luffy squatted down with his head in his hands, pulling his hair into a mess, "Damn it! It's all my fault for being too weak! If I were stronger, Ace wouldn't have been injured so badly! Merry wouldn't have to... Damn it, damn it..." He banged his forehead against the floor desperately.
Jinbei strode forward, put his arm through Luffy's armpit, and forcibly lifted him up: "Luffy, listen to me, regret can't protect anyone. What you should do now is to cherish the present and the future."
"Jinbe..." Luffy wiped the tears from his face, "I understand. I must become stronger! To protect my friends!"
"Get well soon and come for special training."
——————
Late at night, Kuzan suddenly opened his eyes and the moonlight from outside the window poured in.
Thinking of the dream he just had, he was a little dazed.
Unexpectedly, after so many years, he would dream of the scenes of his youth again.
Since the O'Hara incident twenty years ago, Kuzan has been thinking more about the justice he upholds and has hardly remembered the excitement of his youth.
Compared with the passion and grand ideals of world justice, that encounter in youth is extremely insignificant.
However, the fading memory suddenly became clear when he saw that familiar face again, and it occupied a place in his mind arrogantly.
Kuzan felt a little irritable, so he got up, put on a coat casually, and decided to go out for a drink.
There were few people on the street outside, only the lights in the pub at the end were still on.
"Ding Ding--" Kuzan lowered his head and walked in, and the pirates who were talking and laughing loudly inside stopped abruptly.
There was only a moment of silence, and everyone continued drinking as if nothing had happened.
After Kuzan and Sakaski failed in their bid for marshal, they retired from the navy and traveled around the world on their own.
The pirates naturally no longer have to worry about Kuzan coming to capture them.
Kuzan sat alone in the corner, drinking.
The spicy wine explodes on the tip of the tongue, flows down the throat, and leaves a sweet aftertaste.
It’s really strange, why do I keep thinking about that person recently?
“Ding Ding——”
The wind chimes at the door rang again, and the noise in the tavern suddenly became quieter.
"Don't worry, just keep drinking."
This sound is... Kuzan tightened his fingertips and slowly turned around.
A man with empty sleeves walked in laughing. It was Red-Haired Shanks.
Following Shanks were Beckman, Uta... and the person who was causing Kuzan's insomnia.
Gulishati's figure came into view, and the corners of her eyes still had the charming smile of her youth, sharp and attractive.
She was talking to Uta with her head tilted to one side, the corners of her lips slightly raised, when she suddenly noticed the gazes and looked over.
The two pairs of eyes collided in the noisy air.
Kuzan's eyes were so blazing and hot that even Gulishati was stunned.
However, Gulishati quickly realized that Kuzan had now resigned from the Navy and they were no longer hostile to each other.
Thinking of this, Gulishati smiled as if to say, "So you are here too."
Kuzan's heart trembled, and a thin layer of ice suddenly appeared on the wine in his hand.
Shanks didn't notice Kuzan in the corner at all, nor did he notice the interaction between the two. He walked straight to the bar: "Boss, please move all the drinks out."
Beckman slowed down his pace, his narrow eyes narrowed slightly behind the smoke, and he raised his hand and waved naturally in Kuzan's direction: "Hi, what a coincidence."
Shanks turned around belatedly and said, "Huh? Aokiji... No, I should call you Kuzan now."
Kuzan raised the glass in his hand and saluted the group from a distance.
"Hahaha, it's a rare chance to meet you. Please give me a favor. Let's have a drink together. It's my treat." Shanks grinned and sat down opposite Kuzan without any hesitation.
Uta skipped after him and sat next to Shanks.
Gulishati had coveted Kuzan's body before, but had to run away because of his navy status. Now that he is a free man, she has no scruples.
She thought for a moment and sat down next to Kuzan. She chuckled softly, her voice soft and lazy: "That's right, Mr. Kuzan, drinking alone is so boring, let's drink together."
Kuzan didn't move, his eyes fell on the figure next to him, and he stroked the wall of the cup again and again.
His tone didn't reveal any fluctuations: "Thank you for your kindness in advance."
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