Sentry Stone Island war zone.
The fierce battle had continued for two full days.
By the time the last Cake pirate ship retreated from the waters trailing black smoke, the entire harbor was almost unrecognizable.
Several stretches of coastline had been crushed by gravity.
The waters outside the harbor were littered with shattered Biscuit Soldier remains.
Several Big Mom Pirates warships had been grazed by meteors, their hulls half-submerged as smoke continued to rise from them.
The Marine fleet had suffered heavy losses as well.
The sides of several escort ships had split open, and their decks were covered in trenches carved by Smoothie's sword slashes.
The Adventure Group had suffered considerable casualties too.
But the hospital ships remained, and so did the supply ships.
That was enough.
Kaji stood on the shattered bow of a warship, watching the retreating Cake fleet as he let out a long breath.
Half of his Marine coat had been torn away, and a bloody cut from a sword slash marked his face.
Yet his eyes, usually narrowed into slits, remained bright.
"What a bunch of monsters."
He rubbed his chin, then suddenly chuckled.
"Luckily, we've got monsters on our side too."
Not far away.
Fujitora stood atop the harbor ruins, lightly tapping the ground with his cane sword.
His pale purple kimono was covered in soot, and one corner of his sleeve had been scorched by flames.
Several Adventure Group captains stood behind him. Watching the enemy ships retreat into the distance, they could not help but grin.
"Mr. Issho!"
"That meteor of yours nearly scared us to death too!"
Fujitora tilted his head slightly, revealing a trace of apology.
"Heh heh, I'll try to hit more accurately next time."
Everyone froze for a moment before bursting into laughter.
Over these two days,