Cries of battle shook the heavens. The war at Marineford raged on.
Gales howled, whipping the four men's clothes and stirring the dust before them. Even the air seemed to twist.
Four pairs of eyes met, each grave and solemn.
"We once fought shoulder to shoulder, and now we're fighting each other to the death. River, is this really what you want?"
Garp roared.
His feelings were the most complicated of all. Today had brought the most violent upheavals of his life. His grandson had nearly been executed, and though he was out of danger for the moment, Garp now had to face the fiercest of battles.
"Garp, you should understand me better than anyone, shouldn't you?"
"There's only one choice if I want to save Ace."
After a pause, River smiled.
"I'm sorry, but I don't share your deep attachment to the Marines or your sense of responsibility toward them."
"I value my family more."
Garp froze at his words, clenching his fists. "I thought you'd find another way!"
"Stop being so naive!"
River suddenly roared.
"This world doesn't offer so many perfect solutions, and those big shots sitting above us won't give you endless chances!"
He drew a breath and stepped forward.
"Rather than cling to your rigid thinking and refuse to take this step, I much prefer the choice I've made!"
"If war is inevitable, then bring it on!"
"Two against two is the only fair way!"
River's words made both Sengoku and Garp turn solemn.
"Jahahahaha!"
"That's right! Two against two is fair!"
"Twenty years ago, I fought you both alone. Only a battle like this can truly settle the score from twenty years ago!"
Golden Lion Shiki laughed as well.
Then the four fell silent. No one spoke again, but the atmosphere between them grew