The battlefield fell deathly silent.
Every Marine battle cry lost its meaning for a moment before the shocking sight of the red Susanoo tearing Akainu apart with its four hands.
The hiss of molten magma and chunks of flesh striking the charred ice became the clearest sound on the battlefield.
Then the Visual Den Den Mushi broadcast the suffocating scene to screens across the world.
After a brief delay...
"A-Admiral Akainu... he's been..."
"That red giant... it tore the Admiral..."
"A Marine Admiral... died in battle?!"
"Oh God... the world is going to change..."
"Is that the head of the Uchiha Family? He killed a Marine Admiral!!!"
Cries of disbelief erupted from taverns across countless islands.
Akainu Sakazuki, the Navy's strongest fighter in the public eye and the nightmare of countless pirates, had died right before them!
On the nearby Sabaody Archipelago, reporters watching the broadcast recorded everything frantically, their fingers trembling.
Tomorrow's world-shaking front-page headline had already taken shape in their minds.
"The Navy Myth Shattered! Admiral Akainu Falls at Marineford! Uchiha Demon God Descends!"
At Navy Headquarters, on Marineford's plaza...
"Sakazuki!!!"
Fleet Admiral Sengoku finally roared, his voice torn from his throat by anguish and towering rage.
He stared at the scattered remains, then at the purple demon god standing tall, and his vision darkened.
The Summit War he had meticulously planned to restore the Navy's absolute authority had failed to execute Ace or destroy Whitebeard. Instead, it had cost the Navy one of its strongest fighters—an Admiral!
This was more than a loss of strength. It was a devastating blow to Marine morale and the World Government's authority!
Fury swept through Sengoku's mind.
But within a few breaths, what remained of his reason dragged him back to reality.
The battle was out of control. The plan had