Duty

The explosion from Sengoku's fall triggered a new wave of devastation in Marineford. The island, already on the brink of collapse, began to gradually crumble, generating a series of giant waves that threatened to engulf everything in their path.

Faced with such a terrifying sight, the surviving marines and remaining civilians on the Marine warship fell into absolute silence. No one spoke, plunged into terrible despair at the sight of their leader's fall.

Though Sengoku was old and his strength had waned over the years, no one at sea dared to underestimate his power. However, before this man, Sengoku seemed like a helpless child.

"Boring...", murmured King, observing the scene with disdain. While Sengoku's initial fall had impressed him, the second he saw as an act of desperation and futility.

"Mr. Sengoku...", Drake lay on the warship's deck, crying desperately, unable to continue witnessing this massacre.

But at that moment, a bored-looking marine seemed to notice something and shouted excitedly: "Wait... Look! Mr. Sengoku has risen again!".

The marine's words echoed through the warship, and in an instant, hope returned to the hearts of the marines and civilians who had already despaired. Everyone turned to look, and indeed, there was Sengoku, emerging once more from the ruins of Marineford.

"Excellent!", "Come on, Inspector Sengoku! Defeat the pirates and uphold the justice and dignity of our Marine!", shouted the marines, encouraging their leader fervently.

Perhaps a miracle was still possible.

Over the ruins of Marineford, Sengoku wondered if he truly did not fear death. Emerging shakily from the hole with his head held high, despite the pain and the blood gushing from his nonexistent arms, he stood up.

Looking around, he saw Marineford completely destroyed, replaced by lush vegetation.

"No...", he murmured sadly.

At that moment, he spat out streams of blood from his mouth, but with a smile on his face.

He had lost. Lost miserably, horribly.

He knew the future was dark, but he would never give in, not even in such a moment, even if it cost him his life.

"Alive." Hashirama looked at the armless Sengoku with a slight smile and said: "As expected of you, Sengoku...".

Sengoku, despite his body on the brink of collapse, stood with unyielding determination. Taking a combat stance with his feet and torso, he let out a shout that resonated across the battlefield: "Justice will never be destroyed! A Marine never yields to evil!".

"Hashirama, someday...", began Sengoku, his voice laden with a mix of anger and resignation.

Bang! But before he could finish his sentence, a brutal blow interrupted him. An explosion of energy sent him flying through the air, his chest caved in by the impact. Sengoku crashed to the ground hundreds of meters away, his body bruised and lifeless.

"You talk too much for a dead man," said Hashirama in a cold, contemptuous voice, shaking his bloodied fist.

"No...", murmured Sengoku, spitting blood and struggling to stand once more. A groan of pain escaped his lips as he staggered to his feet, defying death with an iron will.

"Inspector Sengoku, surrender!", shouted the marines from the warship, their voices filled with desperation and pleading.

"Stop standing up, that person will kill you," implored the civilians, their faces drenched in tears.

But Sengoku did not listen to them. His gaze was fixed on Hashirama, a mix of fury and sadness reflected in his eyes.

"Hashirama, are you watching...", he began to say with a hoarse voice, a final breath of defiance resonating in his words.

Suddenly, a red glow clouded his vision. A beam of incandescent energy was heading toward him, a deadly threat he could not avoid.

"Oh," whispered Sengoku, his pupils contracting in a futile attempt to use his Haki. But he was already exhausted, his body at the limit of his strength. A bitter smile appeared on his lips as he accepted his fate.

Is he going to die? He sighed, resigned. The only thing he regretted was not having done his job correctly and not having protected Marineford.

"Garp, old friend... see you later," he murmured in a final breath.

Buzz! A hum resonated, followed by a sepulchral silence.

Sengoku's head was completely disintegrated. Not even the blood was spared, evaporated by the high temperature of the attack. Only a golden giant remained, a torso with bloody legs, a monument to the bravery and determination of the former Fleet Admiral.

"I told you that you talk too much," said Hashirama with a disdainful smile, watching the remains of his former rival.

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