Never before had laughter and weeping rung out together over the skies of Holy Land Mary Geoise.
As though pouring every last ounce of strength into their legs, they ran step by step up the stairs connecting earth and sky, toward the pirate ship above that promised freedom.
Even those covered in wounds, their bodies maimed, ran with tears streaming down their faces, giving it everything they had.
Even if they died, they would die free, not as slaves.
Across Holy Land Mary Geoise, countless slaves were released from the Celestial Dragons' residences. Once their initial shock passed, hope lit their eyes. With nothing else in sight, they kept running.
They feared that if they were even a second too late, it would all vanish like a beautiful dream, leaving them once more in that darkness where not a glimmer of light could be seen.
At that moment, even some of the Fifty Kingdoms' royals, who had spent their lives in idle luxury, were moved by the slaves' humble joy. The Marines were more visibly affected still as they watched.
This was what the Marines, who supposedly stood for justice, should have done!
Yet it was pirates who had done it...
Only beyond the Celestial Dragon Gate, in the Celestial Dragons' homes, did families watch their slaves go free through gritted teeth, furious.
Standing behind Sengoku, Borsalino seemed to think of something. In his usual offhand tone, he ventured a question.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku, should we..."
Before Borsalino could finish, Sengoku shook his head.
"No. Let this be a kind of redemption for us Marines, too."
Even Garp, usually so irreverent, and Sakazuki, who despised evil, looked solemn. For the first time, Admiral Zephyr felt no hatred toward a pirate.
Borsalino gave an obedient reply.
"Understood!"
Kuzan, meanwhile, watched the