The newspapers bearing the storm streaked across the sky in the faint light of dawn, like black feathers scattering across the world.
They flew over the ravaged Marine Headquarters, past the countless gazes of Marines filled with awe, hatred, or bewilderment, before finally vanishing beyond the horizon.
Rumble-
The Fearless's enormous anchor was slowly hauled up by the winch, leaving the bay covered in blood and ice. Before the ruins of Marine Headquarters, the pitch-black warship began turning its bow like a silent victor.
Its enormous shadow slowly swept over the tens of thousands of Marine soldiers on shore.
There were no orders, no shouts.
Yet every Marine soldier, regardless of rank, instinctively stepped back, clearing an invisible passage for this "ship of evil" about to leave port.
They watched Lorne's statue-like figure at the ship's bow, his black coat billowing in the morning breeze. He did not look back, merely gazing calmly toward the new route he was about to take.
This was the man who had single-handedly trampled the Marines' dignity, the Four Emperors' prestige, and the Celestial Dragons' sanctity beneath his feet.
"He... he's just leaving?" a young Marine murmured, his voice filled with disbelief.
"What else?" The veteran beside him gave a bitter laugh and set down his stretcher. "Are you going to stop him?"
The young Marine was instantly speechless. Looking at that retreating figure, he felt a chill shoot from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head.
Akainu Sakazuki stood atop the ruins of the temporary command post, his fists clenched. The magma on his arms churned violently with his extreme fury, almost setting the air alight. He stared fixedly at the Fearless, the murderous intent in his eyes enough to pierce steel.
"Sakazuki." Kuzan's voice came from beside him,