One Piece : Kaido Brother

The atmosphere in the hall was heavy and oppressive.

Vice Admiral Onigumo, his face covered in scars, stood up and asked in a deep voice.

"A force capable of defeating Former Fleet Admiral Sengoku, Vice Admiral Garp, Admiral Kizaru, along with five battleships—such a power is unheard of on the seas. What exactly happened to them? Just because of that so-called Caesar? Even if he's Kaido's older brother, at best, he'd be on par with Kaido, if not weaker. I can't even begin to imagine what kind of scene that must have been!"

Akainu expression darkened as he shook his head.

"It's worse than that. Just two days ago, I received a call from Sengoku via Den Den Mushi. He said that as soon as the five battleships reached the waters outside Wano, three were instantly destroyed by a sudden tsunami! Moreover, according to Kizaru reconnaissance, they discovered a terrifying truth—within Wano, not only is there Caesar, but also Kaido and Charlotte Linlin."

"What?! Kaido and Big Mom? How is that possible? Just days ago, it was confirmed that they were defeated by the Straw Hat and his allies, and their whereabouts—even their survival—were unknown!"

The officers in the hall stared at Akainu in disbelief.

Akainu continued gravely "Not only that. Caesar has formed the Beast God Pirates, absorbing both Kaido Beasts Pirates and the Big Mom Pirates under his command. He has become the captain of both Kaido and Linlin. And according to Kizaru intel, this man strength may even surpass Kaido. He can transform into a massive fish or bird spanning dozens of kilometers. The thousand-year-old giant elephant Zunesha, which roams the seas, was devoured whole by Caesar."

Silence.

The hall plunged into a dreadful, soundless void.

The faces of everyone present were etched with shock and horror.

Fujitora tightened his grip on his cane-sword, his voice hoarse.

"It seems another terrifying force has emerged on the seas, Fleet Admiral Akainu. How should we deal with them? On the surface, they appear even more fearsome than the typical Yonko."

"The Rocks Pirates" Tsuru suddenly interjected.

All eyes turned to her as she continued:

"Caesar the Demon is as ambitious as Rocks was in his day. Now that he's returned with such overwhelming force, his goal must be to rebuild the Rocks Pirates. His ambitions are vast, but at its peak, Rocks' power dwarfed what Caesar commands now. And what was Rocks' ultimate fate? He was crushed. So there's no need for excessive worry. Let the pirates of the New World tear each other apart over this new predator's arrival."

***

That night, in the infirmary of Marine Headquarters, Tsuru sat alone beside the unconscious Garp.

She gazed at the bloodstains on his cheeks—stains that refused to fade no matter how much she wiped, as if seared into his flesh, or perhaps his very soul.

Just as Tsuru eyes grew distant and lost in thought, the comatose Garp suddenly shuddered violently.

His body jerked upright, his eyes snapping open—bloodshot and wild.

A guttural roar tore from his throat, like a wounded beast.

Tsuru gasped in relief and rushed forward, grasping Garp arm.

"Garp! You're awake? You're finally awake—thank goodness!" Her voice trembled, her eyes reddening as her nose stung with emotion.

Garp's chest heaved violently as if he had just woken from a nightmare.

His unfocused eyes darted around the medical room, searching desperately for someone's figure.

After what felt like an eternity, Tsuru finally shook his arm repeatedly until his gaze slowly focused and settled on her.

"Tsuru..." Garp turned to look at Vice Admiral Tsuru, his eyes gradually reddening as two streams of hot tears flowed uncontrollably down his face.

He gripped Tsuru shoulders with such force that it hurt her, his voice choked with sobs.

"Tsuru... Sengoku... he..."

Tsuru face was deathly pale, her body swaying slightly.

Seeing Garp expression of utter anguish, her aged features too became etched with sorrow.

"Sengoku sacrificed himself. To cover our escape... he burned through all his life force. Damn it! It should have been me! I should have been the one to do this! Aaaaah! Why? Why did it have to be this way?"

Garp closed his eyes in pain, but the tears wouldn't stop, falling like rain.

The iron-willed man now showed his tender side - the legendary Garp who had rarely cried in his lifetime now wept like a child.

When Roger died, Garp had cried - for a worthy rival he'd fought his entire life.

When Ace died, Garp had cried - for a promise unfulfilled, for familial love lost.

Now with Sengoku death, Garp cried again - for a comrade who'd entrusted him with life and death, for a brother closer than blood!

Tsuru embraced Garp, patting his back even as her own face became streaked with continuous tears.

Forty, fifty years - what an immeasurably long time.

She, Garp and Sengoku had formed an unshakable trio since joining the Marines.

They fought together, played pranks, worked side by side, undertook missions, sailed the seas, faced adventures, trained recruits...

This genuine friendship, tempered by decades, had surpassed all other bonds in the world.

This friendship would be eternally engraved in their hearts.

Two years ago, during the incident with Ace, Tsuru had witnessed Garp torment as he was torn between duty and family.

During that period, Garp had been consumed by rage, grief and despair - emotions he'd never experienced so intensely in all his life.

Similarly, Sengoku too had been burdened with guilt toward his old friend and comrade, wavering in his duties.

He'd even considered risking everything to free Ace, just to ease Garp's pain.

These two men of shared convictions had seen cracks form in their decades-long friendship over this matter.

***

At five o'clock the next morning, when dawn had yet to break, the great bell of Marine Headquarters began tolling.

One after another, the sounds continued endlessly, like furious ocean waves crashing without cease.

The hoarse, deep bell tones struck everyone's hearts like solemn drumbeats.

Civilians, soldiers and officers all raised their heads, looking toward the direction of the tolling bell.

Every face bore profound sorrow as they silently raised their hands in salute.

"Salute! Farewell to the great pioneer of justice, the beacon of the Marine, the Resourceful General and the Former Fleet Admiral—Sengoku the Buddha!"

"Justice will prevail!"

In the Fleet Admiral's office, Akainu gritted his teeth and slowly raised his hand.

On his cheeks, clear traces of moisture appeared.

His gaze pierced through the walls, fixed upon the continuously tolling Bell of Justice.

An unprecedented determination once again surfaced on Akainu face.

"Justice will prevail!!"

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