"Whoooosh!"
The wind howled. Marineford's temperature seemed unable to fall any further. White snowflakes drifted down thick and fast.
On the ice in the plaza, burning magma refused to subside. Elsewhere, the ground trembled faintly, and roars rose as though savage beasts had been buried beneath it.
"What did we actually gain from this war? And what did we lose?"
Looking down at the silent, grief-stricken Marines clearing the battlefield ahead, Garp sighed softly, his feelings deeply conflicted.
Ace had been rescued, and Luffy was safe. That should have been good news for him, yet Garp could not bring himself to feel happy.
"History will judge this war, Garp."
"There were successes and failures. Nothing in this world ever turns out perfectly."
Sengoku spoke softly.
He was the Marines' Fleet Admiral, and he had personally planned and taken part in this war.
"Assess the losses from this war."
"And investigate what happened at Impel Down as quickly as possible."
Sengoku's voice was grave.
At the mention of Impel Down, his expression grew solemn. It was easy to imagine that while the Paramount War raged, Impel Down had been turned upside down.
The criminals imprisoned there were every bit as important.
"Yes, Fleet Admiral Sengoku!"
The Captain standing before him answered immediately.
"As for the battle between River and Shanks..."
Sengoku spoke again, looking thoughtful.
"I've already sent people after them."
Vice Admiral Tsuru spoke up.
"We no longer have the time to concern ourselves with someone else's war. This ravaged battlefield is where our attention belongs right now!"
Sengoku sighed.
Indeed, cries and groans rang out constantly across the chaotic battlefield. Once the bloodshed and fighting were over, sorrow filled the air.
Beneath the Ice Abyss, frigid blocks of ice lay piled like mountains. This place was already close to