ONE PIECE: THE GREAT VOYAGE

The War of Titans

This was a cruel war where only the strong dictated the battlefield.

For seven days and seven nights, the three forces clashed, their battles shaking the very seas. Blood painted the ocean red, and exhaustion clung to every warrior like an unshakable curse.

At last, Fleet Admiral Steel Bone Kong made a decisive choice—retreat. Prolonging the fight any further was meaningless. The matter of dealing with Caesar and his puppet army could be addressed another day.

Continuing in a disadvantaged state would only lead to needless sacrifices.

The elite Vice Admirals and Rear Admirals he had brought with him could not be recklessly lost; their annihilation would cripple the Marines beyond recovery. Without them, containing Caesar's growing influence would become impossible.

Steeling himself, Kong evaded another of Caesar's fierce strikes, using the opening to leap back swiftly. His voice thundered across the battlefield, filled with unshakable authority:

"All Marines, prepare to retreat!"

The moment the order was given, the exhausted Marines sprang into action, withdrawing towards their fleet. Even though they were among the Navy's finest, far superior to common soldiers, they were still only human.

After days of relentless combat, fatigue weighed heavily upon them.

Even with their unwavering resolve, a battlefield collapse under the watchful eyes of the world would be an irreparable humiliation to the Navy's prestige.

On the other side, the powerhouses aligned with Caesar saw the retreat but did not pursue. Instead, they gradually slowed their attacks, their intent clear.

The war had reached its end.

However, one man did not accept this reality—Kaido.

As he watched Steel Bone Kong and his forces withdraw, as he saw both sides disengaging, his fury erupted like a raging storm.

When he had entered this war, he had sought the ultimate battle—a clash of legends. But he had yet to be satisfied! How could such a monumental war simply end without a decisive victor?

Like a child throwing a tantrum, Kaido lunged at Kong, attempting to drag him back into the fray.

But Steel Bone Kong ignored him entirely.

Frustrated, Kaido turned on Caesar, hoping for a fight.

Yet Caesar merely scoffed—he had fought enough. He had no interest in continuing.

Kaido, for all his strength, was not Caesar's equal at this moment. Within a few exchanges, Caesar's patience snapped.

With a devastating blow, Caesar sent Kaido plummeting into the ocean, his monstrous defenses having been weakened after days of battle.

Even Kaido, the so-called "Strongest Creature," could not endure the war's toll any longer.

So fell the final warrior on the battlefield.

Thus, after nearly eight days of ceaseless carnage, a war even greater than the legendary God Valley Incident came to its close.

As both sides retreated to their respective fleets, they stared across the waves—silent.

Steel Bone Kong, alongside Sengoku, who had already been recognized as the next Fleet Admiral, gazed at Caesar and his forces with expressions mixed with frustration and anger.

They knew they had gained nothing from this war.

Worse yet, they had failed to neutralize Caesar, who had proven himself to be a force beyond their initial calculations.

There was still a mysterious swordsman among Caesar's ranks who had yet to even unsheathe his blade—a warrior said to wield power on par with an Admiral.

The Navy had spent years gathering intelligence on Caesar, never once underestimating him. Every move, every recruit, and even every child he bore was monitored.

Yet, despite all their efforts, the power exhibited by the Caesar Pirates in this war far exceeded expectations.

Even more concerning—Caesar's children.

His three eldest offspring had already consumed some of the most powerful Devil Fruits, including Logia and Mythical Zoan types.

If Caesar's bloodline inherited even a fraction of his talent, the world would soon see the rise of another generation of monsters.

When this intelligence reached Marine Headquarters, the entire upper echelon was shaken.

Most factions spent years, even decades, searching for a single rare Devil Fruit.

Yet, Caesar had casually given them to his children as if they were mere toys.

Even the Gorosei in Pangaea Castle had been left speechless.

At this moment, Steel Bone Kong's fury surged within him.

As Fleet Admiral, it was the first time he had felt so utterly powerless against a pirate.

His injuries throbbed with pain, his fists clenched in frustration.

His voice thundered across the sea:

"Caesar! This time, we were unprepared. We came at you hastily—

but don't get complacent!

Next time, I will personally drag you to the depths of Impel Down!"

On the deck of the Caesar Pirates' flagship, Caesar stood tall, his gaze indifferent.

At Kong's declaration, he let out a low, mocking chuckle.

"Hmph."

His voice was calm, laced with amusement.

"Then try it."

"I'll be waiting, Marshal Steel Bone Kong."

For Caesar, these were nothing more than empty threats.

Anyone could talk tough.

But reality?

Reality was plain for the entire world to see.

The truth had been broadcast live for seven full days.

Did Kong really think the world was blind?

With an air of finality, Caesar folded his arms, his smirk never fading.

"The whole world has seen the truth. Do you think they are fools?"

Kong's expression darkened, his fists trembling.

The Marine fleet fell into silence.

This was humiliating—an utter disgrace.

They had come to capture Caesar. Instead, they had merely delivered themselves to his doorstep, only to be repelled and mocked before the entire world.

Kong had no more words to give.

"Hmph. Retreat."

With that, he turned and strode into his warship's cabin, unwilling to give Caesar any more satisfaction.

This war had revealed a terrifying truth—Caesar's forces were far stronger than expected.

Even the World Government, despite years of surveillance, had underestimated the hidden strength of the Caesar Pirates and the Central Navy.

In Pangaea Castle, the Gorosei convened in silence.

The war's outcome was unacceptable.

Destroying Caesar now would require a full-scale global campaign, demanding a massive cost in lives and resources.

But doing so would shatter the world's balance—a balance they could not afford to break.

The Navy existed not just for justice, but to preserve order, to keep the seas in check, and to prevent chaos from consuming the world.

If the Navy suffered a massive loss in combat power, darkness would erupt from the shadows, and the world would descend into anarchy.

And if they mobilized the full might of the World Government?

Even then, they could not guarantee Caesar's fall.

He had already become a force beyond their control.

For the first time in their long rule, the Five Elders felt true helplessness against a single pirate.

The blond Gorosei, dressed in a dark red suit, exhaled deeply, his voice heavy.

"…That man… Caesar… He is a problem unlike any we have faced before."

The other Elders nodded grimly.

They had no choice but to wait—to watch and prepare for the inevitable future clash.

But one thing was certain—

The world's balance had been shaken.

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