The Conqueror's Haki lingering over Starting Island gradually subsided.
Warm sunlight poured down from the sky, dispelling the chill from everyone's bodies.
Marine Fleet Admiral Sengoku stood in an open area, gazing up at the distant sky. When he sensed the auras of the Gorosei, Kong, and the others vanish from the island, his expression darkened, and he let out a heavy sigh.
"Is this the end?"
"Which direction will the world ultimately head in?"
"Is there truly no way to avoid this disaster?"
News of Vice Admiral Garp and Major General Rocca's deaths had reached Kong long ago. Sengoku had spent more than half his life alongside those old comrades. It was impossible for him to feel no grief at their deaths.
But Sengoku was a rational man. As the Fleet Admiral of the Marines, he clearly understood that more important matters still awaited him.
"Fleet Admiral, the battle over there has ended."
"The Gorosei's auras vanished from the island one after another. Could Tsugikuni Yoriichi have killed them?"
"What do we do next?"
"Do we order the troops to attack with everything we have?"
The two Marine Admirals, Borsalino and Sakazuki, stood behind Sengoku on either side. When the New Marines clashed with the Gorosei and their forces, these high-ranking Marine officers had chosen to hold their positions rather than reinforce the Gorosei.
Clearly, each of them had their own thoughts and had not firmly aligned themselves with the World Government.
If Sengoku and the others had entered the battlefield, the New Marines would likely have had a much harder time.
Then, the Gorosei would have been able to commit more of their strength against Tsugikuni Yoriichi. The outcome of the battle would have been uncertain.
From another perspective, Sengoku and the others' inaction had been a tremendous