He had never expected this mission to be so disastrous.
Two taishō-level (admiral-level) marines.
One—critically wounded, maybe dying.
Kong roared, forcing Magnus back as he rushed toward the scorched battlefield. His own wounds weren't light, but Magnus didn't try to stop him.
While Kong went to aid Sebas, Magnus hurried to Roya's side.
The old pirate lay on the ground, having reverted to his human form. Blood filled his mouth, but he grinned.
His arm had been broken by Sebas earlier, and that final blow had drained everything he had. He couldn't move a finger now.
"Captain... we won, right?"
Struck by a Conqueror's Haki-infused blade, then smashed by Roya, and finally hit with a bullet packed with Explosive Rock—
Even if Sebas didn't die, he'd be crippled.
For Sebas, worse than death was losing his power and watching Magnus rise in rank.
"Did you run into Kureha when you got back? Bring me two 'Secret Pills'. Don't forget we still have to deal with the admiral candidate."
"You think you can handle that in your state?"
"Even without the pills, I could still fight Kong until tomorrow!"
The 'Secret Pill' was a special stimulant developed by their doctor. It enhanced a user's physical condition across the board.
But Magnus had only taken it before age sixty. The strain on the heart was too great, especially for someone who already used many high-burden techniques.
Once, at sixty, he took one and ended up bedridden for half a month. Kureha had nearly failed to save him.
Since then, she forbade him from using it again.
But now—Magnus believed he could handle it!
"I did run into Kureha, but she only gave me one. You sure you want to use it now?"
Magnus looked toward the scorched ground, where the explosion had just faded. Two figures stood faintly in the smoke.
His goal had never been to defeat Kū and Sebas.
That would've been easy—just drag the fight out. The losses on the Navy's side would force Kong to retreat, even if Sebas opposed it.
Magnus knew Kong was more pragmatic.
But the White Wolf Pirates' return changed everything.
What had been planned as a retreat became a full-on assault.
Sebas lay collapsed, fate unknown. Without two taishō-level fighters, the Navy's forces suffered devastating losses on Sphinx Island.
This operation had failed.
The only way to turn things around—was to defeat Magnus!
Which meant Kong couldn't retreat.
If he did, the mission was over.
He had to carry all the Navy's hopes.
'But I have a reason I can't lose either!'
Magnus looked at his old crew.
Roya couldn't fight anymore.
Lili had used up all her ammo. Her strength was gone.
They could've chosen to retire in peace—
Yet they returned to Sphinx for him.
If Kong bore the Navy's hopes—
Then Magnus bore the hopes of every White Wolf Pirate.
And those who didn't.
He would move forward—and declare to the world:
Navy Admirals—are no longer obstacles!
For the first time, he felt just how weak his body had become.
But the pain in his body couldn't compare to the defeat in his heart.
Lost to White Wolf Magnus.
A man he always hated.
Because he was handsome? More popular? A pirate?
He hated Magnus because he was a pirate.
A pirate who meddled in the world's affairs. Who disrupted the World Government's actions. Who stood up for the weak.
Wasn't that the Navy's job?
What right did a pirate have to do those things?
What the Navy should've done—Magnus did.
And when Sebas tried to reclaim that justice—
He found the World Government forbade it.
Freeing slaves. Driving out pirates from non-member nations. Protecting those nations. All things the White Wolf Pirates had done.
But the Navy couldn't.
Because it wasn't allowed.
If they freed slaves—where would the Tenryūbito buy more?
If they protected non-member nations—why would countries pay the Heavenly Tribute?
So it wasn't his fault.
It was Magnus's fault!
A pirate acting like a hero.
Every time he acted, it stained the word "justice" on Sebas's cloak.
Kong's voice came closer.
Seeing his anxious, young face—Sebas remembered himself.
Why had he joined the Navy?
Sebas placed his hand on Kū's chest.
As his memories faded, in death's final moment—Sebas forgot Magnus. Forgot the White Wolf Pirates.
"Tell Aina and Alia... I'm sorry."
His two slave girls aboard his ship.
Magnus had every reason to hate him.
Sebas's life slipped away before Kong's eyes.
For the first time since becoming a marine, Kong felt helpless.
Sebas was not well-liked in the Navy.
His corrupt personal life had long been criticized.
But one thing was true:
In battle—he always led the charge.
He became an admiral not just through strength—but by capturing countless infamous pirates.
His name would forever stain Navy history.
But it didn't matter.
Jōma Admiral was dead.
And White Wolf Magnus still lived.
Kong could only do one thing now—
"MAAAAAAGNUSSSSS!!!!"
A monstrous aura swept away the smoke.
Kong and Magnus saw each other.
One carrying all the Navy's hopes—
The other, those of the White Wolf Pirates—
Their fists flew across the distance—
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