Influencing the Queen Anne's Revenge

Teach's face broke into a smile, and Barton felt a sense of foreboding, but it was too late.

Anthony's voice rang out, "Rokushiki Secret Art: Rokuogan: Exploding Bear!" This powerful blow was driven directly into Barton's heart, delivering the final, fatal strike.

"This!" Barton couldn't believe it. He lowered his head to look at his chest, blood flowing out. Barton's Blood Scythe domain was gradually disappearing, unable to hold on any longer. He closed his eyes. The Great Pirate Barton was dead, slain on the battlefield.

He died at the hands of Anthony and Teach working together.

Teach stretched his body and looked at Anthony, who had exhausted his strength and collapsed on the ground, gasping for air after delivering his final blow.

"Vice Admiral Anthony," Teach said, looking at him. "What is it?" Anthony asked.

"The New World hasn't reached its peak of chaos yet. When that time comes, there won't be any soil for the Marines to survive in the New World. You've been in the New World for so long; you should know the immense power of pirates," Teach said slowly, turning and walking away. "Besides, what is most precious to you now? Think about them."

"Them." Teach left, and Anthony fell silent, their images flashing in his mind.

Then, Anthony watched Teach's retreating back. The last two moves Teach had used kept replaying in his vision. Such techniques were terrifying. "What a scary kid." Young people nowadays, he couldn't compare to them when he was young. Even compared to Garp and Sengoku from his memory, Teach surpassed them at the same age.

"Am I getting old?" Looking at his still vigorous self, then at Teach, Anthony felt a sense of aging.

Meanwhile, seeing the commotion of the battle subside, Anne knew the fight was over, but the more it was like this, the more tense they felt.

A familiar figure gradually appeared in the distance. "It's Boss Teach! He won! Boss Teach can definitely do it!" Mobius, with his sharp eyes, recognized Teach immediately.

"Fufufu, my Queen, I have not failed you!" Teach laughed heartily.

"Teach, what about my father?" Anne asked worriedly. "Don't worry, his injuries are quite severe, but they aren't life-threatening," Teach smiled.

The war ended, with Vice Admiral Anthony killing Blood Scythe Barton as the final outcome.

As the news spread, the island was filled with an atmosphere of joy and sorrow. There was the victory of the war, but also the immense casualties and fear brought about by the pirate invasion.

The remaining Blood Scythe Pirates, upon hearing the news, either fled or were eliminated by the remaining Marines, the enraged islanders, and even some pirates. After all, the Blood Scythe Pirates had destroyed the port upon arrival, offending countless people.

However, the Marines also suffered heavy casualties, losing half of their elite forces. Although it was much better than expected, it was still a significant loss for the Marine branch on Sess Island. This was the first time Vice Admiral Anthony had led his subordinates deep into the New World to establish a Marine branch and suffered such a major loss.

A somber atmosphere permeated the entire branch, with no trace of the joy of victory. So many comrades and friends had died.

"Well done, Anthony! This is a great victory, annihilating the entire Blood Scythe Pirates!" On the other end of the Den Den Mushi, Marine Fleet Admiral Kong's voice was filled with joy. This greatly boosted the Marines' morale.

"However, Anthony, you should return. It's too dangerous for you to be deep in the New World, and the Marines cannot provide you with support," Fleet Admiral Kong said.

Anthony remained silent, unmoved. Fleet Admiral Kong, Sengoku, Garp, and Tsuru, the high-ranking officials, were all present through the Den Den Mushi. A sense of foreboding suddenly struck them.

Anthony looked at the silent Marine officers before him. Some positions were now empty. The outcome could be guessed. He then looked outside; the residents of Sess Island were all mourning. It was late at night, and people were gathered outside, holding candles. Even the pirates were silent at this time, not daring to cause trouble. All the shops were closed.

"I apologize, Fleet Admiral Kong," Anthony said slowly. "I've decided to retire." "What? How can that be? Anthony, you're still young!" Sengoku couldn't stay still and shouted into the Den Den Mushi. The others also looked anxious. The Marines couldn't afford to lose such a high-level combatant, a top-tier Vice Admiral at that. The previous two Vice Admirals had failed to encircle and kill Blood Scythe Barton, while Anthony had succeeded and killed him. The difference was stark.

What was expected to be good news turned out to be bad news.

The officers in front of Anthony were also surprised by his words. They had followed him for over a decade. Anthony was powerful, kind to his subordinates, and generous with his good fortune, sharing it with others. He was their pillar of strength.

"I've made up my mind, Sengoku," Anthony sighed, but his tone was firm. He thought of Teach, of Teach's words, and of his beloved wife and daughter.

"I joined the Marines at thirteen and have served for thirty-two years. Half my life has been dedicated to justice; I'm tired. I've guarded Sess Island for thirteen years; it's like my second home. After retiring, I will continue to protect Sess Island with the rest of my life."

Anthony spoke slowly. Sengoku was speechless, wanting to say something but unable to. Should he tell him to return to Marine Headquarters? But that was impossible. They knew very well why Anthony had stayed outside for thirteen years and refused to return.

"Sengoku, believe in your own justice. From now on, I am no longer a Marine." With that, Anthony hung up the Den Den Mushi.

Anthony looked at the subordinates he had known for ten years. He bowed to each of them. "Please forgive me for making this decision on my own."

"No, Vice Admiral Anthony, I will protect Sess Island with you!" one of the officers stood up.

"Well, haha, my son is already seven years old, living on West Street. Where else can I go? I can only follow Vice Admiral Anthony, no, I should call you, Lord Anthony now," another Marine officer chuckled.

Without exception, all the remaining Marine officers were willing to continue following Anthony.

"You guys!" Anthony was deeply moved, tears welling up in his eyes.

The news of Anthony's retirement and resignation from the Marines, and his decision to stay on Sess Island, quickly spread. It was a morale boost for Sess Island after the war.

The Marine comrades were also willing to stay. Many had already settled down and started families here, while others were soldiers recruited from the New World.

"That's great! Lord Anthony has resigned from the Marines and plans to settle on Sess Island," someone shouted excitedly.

"No, we should call him Mayor, haha, Mayor Anthony!" someone else shouted, and everyone quickly agreed.

"It's over!" Sengoku slammed his fist on the table.

"Hmph, Anthony is a sinner. He's too selfish, completely disregarding the Marines' position," a Vice Admiral beside him sneered. He had always been at odds with Anthony.

"I suggest we immediately send troops to eliminate Anthony," another Marine Vice Admiral chimed in.

Sengoku was furious, angry for the first time. He smashed the table before him, glaring at the two Vice Admirals. "Who made Anthony like this? It's all because of you! You two useless fools! In my eyes, ten of you aren't worth one Anthony. You lack strength, lack merit, and only resort to petty tricks behind the scenes. Say one more word, and I'll slap you to death."

Golden light flashed around Sengoku, and his powerful aura erupted, directed at the two Vice Admirals, radiating immense killing intent.

"Sengoku, calm down," Kong said, urging Sengoku to calm down. At this moment, Sengoku's terrifying power was pressing down on everyone. He was indeed a monster capable of clashing with Whitebeard.

The golden light around Sengoku gradually dissipated, and his body returned to normal. He had a good relationship with Anthony, who was slightly younger than him and highly regarded for his strength and character. Yet, because of a few petty individuals, he was driven out of headquarters. He had been suppressing his anger for a long time, and the words of the two Vice Admirals had finally provoked him.

The two old Vice Admirals were already so terrified they couldn't stand.

Kong glanced at them. He had long disliked them, considering them maggots within the Marines, but they were too secretive, making it difficult for him to act. He then looked at Sengoku, Tsuru, and the others, feeling a sense of relief. The future of the Marines lay with them.

"You have slandered a colleague. I believe you need two years of training in the New World. Is that acceptable?" Kong asked.

"Yes!" They dared not refuse. They knew how dangerous the New World was. They had previously joined forces to encircle and kill Blood Scythe Barton but had suffered heavy losses and retreated shamefully from the New World. Their wounds hadn't even healed, and they had to go back, but they couldn't refuse. Sengoku was still staring at them, and the previous Sengoku was too terrifying; they feared he would actually slap them to death.

Sengoku and Tsuru, among others, couldn't help but admire Kong's actions. Indeed, the old ones are the wisest. Sending them to the New World meant they wouldn't be an eyesore anymore and couldn't cause trouble. It was a form of recycling, really. Both were over sixty, and to become Vice Admirals, they must have had some skill. If they died, it would be for the best; they were occupying Vice Admiral positions that could be given to younger people.

Sengoku couldn't help but sigh. "We've lost more than just Anthony. With his influence, the remaining Marine elites and officers will also stay on Sess Island. They won't be Marines anymore." The others couldn't help but sigh as well.

This had no effect on Teach. Anthony was now in what used to be the Marine branch headquarters, now the Mayor's building, commanding the entire island. He was overseeing the reconstruction of the damaged port and ruins, along with other issues big and small. Anthony's reputation on Sess Island had reached its peak. He was not only the hero who saved Sess Island and defeated the notorious Blood Scythe Barton single-handedly, but also the widely recognized Mayor of Sess Island.

The battlefield, still amidst the ruins, clearly showed the severity of the battle that had taken place.

Exhausted, after a major battle and so many tasks, Anthony had only received rudimentary treatment for his wounds. He had been busy until late into the night while everyone else had already rested. Anthony quietly made his way alone to a familiar, warm place.

The dessert shop. The lights were still on. Anthony instinctively scanned his surroundings, releasing his Observation Haki. Seeing no one, he quietly entered through the back door alone.

They hadn't slept. Anthony knew this, as if they were waiting for his arrival. "Daddy!" Anne and Fanny, sitting on the sofa, had been waiting for Anthony's return. Hearing his familiar footsteps, Anne excitedly jumped up.

As soon as Anthony entered, he saw Anne happily running towards him. He was overjoyed as well, opening his arms to embrace her.

"Anthony!" His wife, Fanny, also rushed over excitedly, tears of joy streaming down her face. "It's so good that you're alright." She opened her arms wide, hugging him and Anne, and caressed Anthony's bandaged chest.

"You too! I won't leave you ever again," Anthony said with a smile, stroking his wife's long hair.

The family, reunited after surviving disaster, was filled with warmth. This had nothing to do with Teach.

In the night, Teach continued his training alone. The entire city was in mourning; it was destined to be a sleepless night. Elsewhere, a pair of eyes was secretly watching Teach train. Enduring the pain, he began doing push-ups, mimicking Teach's actions. This was Mobius.

The next morning, at the original port, a small part of the new port had already been established. Teach's small boat had been destroyed by cannon fire during Barton's invasion. To reach the next island, Teach needed to board a merchant ship heading to the same destination.

Teach had no intention of staying. If not for yesterday's unexpected events, he would have already left yesterday afternoon.

Anne and the others were at the newly formed port, bidding farewell to Teach. "Teach, you must come back!" Anne waved goodbye reluctantly, wiping away tears that threatened to fall.

"Shishishishi! Of course, by then, I'll be a Great Pirate renowned throughout the seas!" Teach said with a confident smile and walked towards the merchant ship.

Suddenly, Teach stopped and turned to look at Anne. "Anne, remember the name you gave my future pirate ship yesterday?"

"Huh?" Anne blinked.

"It's called Queen Anne's Revenge. I've decided. Isn't it incredibly awesome? She'll echo throughout the seas with me, shishishishi!" Teach roared with laughter and departed.

"Queen Anne's Revenge? My name?" Anne mused, a smile forming on her lips.

In a corner, in the shadow of the ruins, Anthony leaned against the wall, smoke rising from his mouth as he watched Anne and Teach bid farewell.

"Queen Anne's Revenge, I'm really looking forward to it."