Chapter 278

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In the New World, at the New Marineford Fleet Admiral's office.

"They act so fast, Zyhark. We just held a meeting, and they're already attacking Impel Down!"

Listening to the urgent report over the transponder snail, Fleet Admiral Sengoku's face was grave as he hung up the call.

With this, the plan to publicly execute Boa Hancock in three days was essentially doomed.

He knew Zyhark's crew's strength, and Magellan and Shiryū wouldn't be able to hold them off.

Nevertheless…

"Akainu, Kizaru, Aokiji, you are to lead a team and take the newest model of the naval warships to support Impel Down!"

Without hesitation, Sengoku ordered the three Admirals who sat in front of him.

Even if saving Hancock was inevitable, Impel Down, as the Navy's most vital core prison, must not be destroyed.

Such a loss would deal a severe blow to the morale and prestige of the newly rebuilt Navy.

Sengoku didn't expect to capture Zyhark's group, but at the very least, he needed to stabilize the situation before the prisoners could use the chaos to escape.

With the speed of the new Navy airships, it would take about an hour to reach Impel Down from the New Marineford headquarters.

All Sengoku could do now was pray that Magellan and his team could hold out until the Admirals arrived.

Receiving their orders, the three Admirals rose from their seats, their Justice cloaks fluttering as they strode out of the office to rally the troops.

"Garp! You and Smoker are to join them as well!"

Sengoku turned to yell at Garp, who was lounging on the couch, leisurely snacking on senbei.

Although sending the three Admirals alone would be enough to sweep through any force on the seas, Zyhark's crew was not within that realm.

Their power was simply terrifying. To avoid any surprises, it was best to send Garp and Smoker, who shared a close relationship with Zyhark's group.

Sengoku couldn't risk what might happen if Zyhark found Hancock imprisoned and came face-to-face with the Admirals.

But with Garp there, Kizaru and the others would be in less danger.

Zyhark might still show some restraint and wouldn't go as far as burying the entire prison in rubble.

"Huh? You want me to go too?" Garp blinked, pointing to himself in slight confusion.

"Of course! Are you unaware of just how dangerous Zyhark and his crew are?"

Sengoku sighed, ready to explain further, "Impel Down is under attack; if we don't respond, the world will think we're afraid—"

"Hey! Garp, are you even listening to me?!"

Garp stopped at the door, turning his face with a grin. "I heard you, Sengoku, even if you didn't finish."

Bang!

The office door slammed shut with force.

"That damned old man!" Sengoku fumed, slamming his desk in frustration.

In the headquarters hallway, Smoker watched the charismatic Garp, taking a deep drag on his cigar, and couldn't help but admire him. "Truly impressive, Garp-sensei."

"Hahaha! I've heard that compliment before," Garp laughed heartily.

"So, are we heading out too?"

Smoker glanced at the quickly assembling troops in the plaza outside.

"Yes, of course. I'm just irritated with Sengoku, that's all."

Garp's expression grew serious, the smile lines on his face fading into a focused look.

Although he often acted recklessly after Sengoku became Fleet Admiral, he understood the gravity of this moment.

Akainu, Kizaru, and Aokiji were essential to the Navy's strength, and Aokiji was his prized student. There was no way he would sit back and watch them march to their deaths.

And that was why Sengoku hadn't chased after him after his outburst.

These two old friends understood each other too well; they didn't need to rely on formal chains of command.

"Time flies. Hard to believe it's been three years since the War of the Gods…" Garp mused as they headed out. "This return of Zyhark's group is certainly a declaration of war against the World Government."

Turning to Smoker, who was silently puffing his cigar, he added in a serious tone, "If Zyhark really ends up fighting those Celestial Dragon bastards, who would you side with?"

The sudden question made Smoker pause.

The breeze stirred, making his Justice cloak sway.

Taking a long draw from his cigar, he exhaled a thick cloud of smoke. "Garp-sensei, we're not supposed to talk about that."

Smoker was sharp enough to understand that Garp's question was also a reflection of his own inner conflict.

The War of the Gods had proven that Zyhark's crew had the strength to stand against the World Government.

However, it was only a qualification.

With his promotion and access to higher security clearance, Smoker had learned more about the World Government's secrets.

Zyhark and his companions, while powerful, couldn't challenge the Celestial Dragons at their core.

Unless they rallied more powerful allies and forces.

Based on this, Smoker figured that if Zyhark declared war, he likely wouldn't lend his support.

Because even with his help, the outcome wouldn't change.

The power gap was simply too vast.

"Puhahaha! Fair enough; just forget I asked."

Garp scratched his head, reverting to his usual carefree demeanor.

Thus, Garp, Smoker, the three Admirals, and a team of Vice Admirals boarded the super battleship and set sail toward Impel Down.

Unfortunately, by the time they arrived at the prison…

The supposedly impenetrable underwater stronghold was already engulfed in flames.

The surviving guards, led by a bloodied Magellan, were hurriedly dousing the flames and suppressing the fleeing prisoners.

With Garp's arrival, the riot was swiftly brought under control.

The injured prison officers finally breathed a sigh of relief and received urgent medical attention.

In the end, Zyhark had held back, not going for a total massacre.

As he had said, he didn't despise the men who dutifully maintained order, except for the bloodthirsty Shiryū.

Had there been even a glimmer of hope, would men like Magellan and Hannyabal have tolerated the World Government's oppressive rule?

Akainu, Kizaru, Kuzan, Sengoku, Garp, and Zephyr—if one were to define the justice they embodied, it wouldn't be the brutal, indifferent, or ambiguous kind.

It was… a justice shackled by the Celestial Dragons' control.

A helpless justice.

After checking on Magellan, Garp and his team descended to the sixth level, where Hancock had been held.

Even these battle-hardened veterans were left in shock by the sight.

All around them lay statues of petrified pirates.

Their faces, frozen in expressions of twisted terror, spoke to the unimaginable horrors they had faced before their "deaths."

…

In the skies above the New World, the Endless Dream was cruising leisurely back to Shadow Island.

On deck, everyone gathered to celebrate Hancock's return.

"Zyhark-sama, I knew it! I knew you'd come for me! You're nothing like those vile creatures who claimed you had perished!"

Fresh from a sacred water bath, Hancock had donned a light red qipao, reverting to her Pirate Empress persona.

Tears glistened in her eyes, her beautiful face flushed with joy.

Only in the presence of Zyhark and her comrades would the ruthless Pirate Empress reveal such a tender, almost demure side.

"These past three years must have been hard on you, Hancock."

Zyhark stepped forward and embraced her, gently patting her back in comfort.

He could only imagine the mental torment she'd endured, returning to a prison reminiscent of the one she had once been confined to by the Celestial Dragons.

The fact that she hadn't lost her mind was already a remarkable feat.

Before leaving for Impel Down, Zyhark had even prepared for Aqua to heal Hancock's mental state if needed.

As it turned out, Hancock had overcome her trauma and rediscovered herself.

This was a good sign, especially as they prepared for an all-out assault on the World Government.

"What? Zyhark-sama, did you say you want to marry me? T-Then I agree!"

"As for children, let's have ten—no, twenty!"

Snuggled in Zyhark's embrace, Hancock blushed deeply, lost in her romantic fantasies.

The crew: "..."

Still the same Hancock, still the same enthusiasm.

"What a… what a twisted woman!" Darkness exclaimed in surprise.

Even she, a masochist herself, found Hancock's obsessive love rather intense.

"Ugh, filthy men."

In a corner of the deck, Aqua lay sprawled on a sofa, pouting as she watched the couple embrace.

It seemed the Goddess of Water was starting to develop some traits of the Goddess of Jealousy!

…

Since they hadn't hurried, by the time the Endless Dream reached Shadow Island, it was already night with the full moon high in the sky.

There was something magical about these "the moon is full tonight" moments, as if a story was destined to unfold.

After a refreshing bath, Zyhark decided…

It was time to summon a new companion!

Having completed a special quest in the Wonderful World, he had earned an extra summon from the Wishing Pool.

Due to the urgency of rescuing Hancock, he hadn't used it immediately upon returning to the pirate world.

He was also concerned that his new companion might turn out to be problematic, potentially disrupting their mission in Impel Down.

To be honest, Zyhark was a bit apprehensive because whenever he thought about summoning, his right eyelid wouldn't stop twitching.

His instincts told him that the debut of the Wishing Pool's upgraded 3.0 version would likely summon a troublemaker.

Even with this sense of foreboding, he needed to follow through.

This was his most effective method of gaining strength. The more abilities he acquired, the better his chances against the World Government.

As for whether his new companion would be a blessing or a curse?

He'd figure it out once he saw who they were. If things went south, he could always throw them overboard as fish bait.

In the spacious hall of the Dark Castle, the crew gathered to welcome their new companion.

Only now did Hancock, Moriah, and Uta—locals of the pirate world—learn about Zyhark's greatest secret.

They finally understood why the powerful individuals like Aqua and King had never been heard of in the sea.

For Hancock, who already saw herself as Zyhark's wife, and Uta, an adventurous spirit, this revelation wasn't much of a shock.

But Moriah, the burly fighter, was moved to tears.

Knowing the Sea Restaurant's biggest secret meant he was no longer just a follower but a true member of the crew.

For Moriah, who had once seen his entire crew wiped out, this was something he had never dared to dream of.

Although he didn't know it, Zyhark had considered him part of the team ever since they fought side by side in the War of the Gods.

At that time, they hadn't had the luxury of sharing such things.

As everyone waited expectantly, Zyhark willed it to happen, and dazzling lights flared, forming the ethereal Wishing Pool.

—After the upgrade, the Wishing Pool no longer had a physical form, capable of freely changing appearance.

[Sensing the master's wish, initiating an advanced! optimal! companion search based on current conditions.]

[Search complete, initiating contract binding, contract confirmed, initiating summon.]

Buzz!

The pool's surface shimmered with light, and a figure began to emerge, seated on a throne shaped like a longbow.

A delicate hand brushed aside a lock of black hair, revealing ruby-red eyes.

The aura of divinity filled the dark castle.

"Answering the summon. So, mortal, are you the one to form a contract with this goddess?"

"Then, with reverence and devotion, bow down and kiss the foot of this goddess Ishtar~"

A slender foot extended toward Zyhark.

Everyone else: …

After a brief moment of shock, Zyhark turned back to Escanor and King with a deadpan look and made a throat-cutting motion.

I knew it! The Wishing Pool was up to no good.

One Aqua was already troublesome enough, and now they had summoned the arrogant, narcissistic, and troublesome Ishtar. It was going to be hell!

Zyhark didn't even want to imagine what would happen with Ishtar and Aqua together.

One thing was clear—if he didn't throw Ishtar into the sea as fish food immediately, their lives would never be peaceful again!

(End of Chapter)

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