In the midst of it all...
The war raged on, the stench of blood filling the air once more, death's shadow looming large.
It was a slaughter, a frenzy of killing.
Eyes bloodshot, people relentlessly attacked the enemies before them.
Across the island, fierce battles erupted anew.
Konan fought calmly against Garp and Whitebeard, but her situation was precarious.
Completely suppressed by the two, she was forced into a defensive position.
Against either Whitebeard or Garp alone, Konan would have been fine.
As a Fifth-Tier Sage, her strength was undoubtedly among the strongest of the Super Kage, no weaker than either of them.
But she faced them both.
These two were undeniably among the strongest individuals in the world.
Their combined power was truly terrifying.
Pfft!
Blood spurted from Konan's mouth as she was sent flying by Garp's punch while blocking Whitebeard's attack. She struggled to her feet, wiping the blood from her lips.
She was finally injured, and not lightly.
The combined might of these two was simply too overwhelming for Konan to withstand.
"This time, it's my turn to say it, it's over."
Whitebeard spoke, the anxiety he felt earlier now calmed. The "God" hadn't appeared.
"It seems you have no connection to God at all. You've deceived the whole world. But, it ends here. Today, we'll send you to hell."
Garp added coldly.
This woman was someone who had killed 40,000 Marines in cold blood. No matter how beautiful she was, no matter how pitiful she seemed, he wouldn't show any mercy.
Showing mercy to this woman would be the greatest insult to the 40,000 Marines who had died!
"Send me to hell? You really think you're worthy, don't you?"
Konan retorted sarcastically.
She floated back into the air, her gaze sweeping across the battlefield.
The battlefield was now even more gruesome.
Corpses lay everywhere, mangled in every imaginable way. Blood made the ground sticky, and the air reeked of a nauseating stench.
But no one paid attention.
Everyone's focus was on the battle—the killing.
"Not just you. Today, the entire Sage Shinobi Nation will be destroyed. Not a single one of you will escape the slaughter."
A pirate from the Avengers Alliance, having finished off his opponent, joined the fight against Konan.
With the turning of the tides, more and more powerful pirates from the Avengers Alliance would be able to defeat their enemies with the help of others.
Then, they would go on to assist other strong pirates, creating a virtuous cycle.
Conversely, for the Sage Shinobi Nation, this was a vicious cycle.
Konan remained silent, her heart heavy.
Her eyes burned with fury, her fists clenched tight.
But she didn't say a word.
Konan knew that everything would be reversed later.
This war was ultimately a trial; it was impossible for all of them to die.
Madara would definitely appear at the most critical moment.
Then, everything would turn around.
With the addition of this pirate joining in the fighting, Konan's situation became even more dire.
She sustained more and more injuries, her escape routes completely sealed off.
Even fleeing through the sky was no longer possible.
Not only Konan, but everyone from the Sage Shinobi Nation was in dire straits. The death toll began to rise rapidly.
In the eyes of many, the Sage Shinobi Nation was about to lose this war.
This sent shockwaves across the world.
"Unexpectedly, it would end like this. The Sage Shinobi Nation is actually losing."
"There's nothing that can be done. Garp's participation, along with the veteran marines he brought, completely reversed the situation."
"After all, even few of such top-tier combat power has the ability to change the direction of a war."
"It's just a pity for these people who fought for peace and freedom."
Some sighed endlessly. Was the hope brought by the Sage Shinobi Nation about to be extinguished?
"There's nothing to pity. This is the sea. No matter how powerful a force, no matter how strong a pirate, they will eventually decline and fade into the annals of history. Except... for the one who has reigned over the world for 800 years."
"The Sage Shinobi Nation having no connection to God is the most fatal factor. Otherwise, if God were to intervene, who in the world could stand against him? Whether it's Whitebeard or Garp, they might be just a punch or a slap away from being defeated by God."
"The Marines must be relieved. They don't have to worry about being purged by God."
"The Avengers Alliance will win! I knew it all along. This war will ultimately be won by the Avengers Alliance, because that's Whitebeard after all!"
People discussed amongst themselves.
Even at Marine Headquarters, Sengoku and Tsuru couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief upon hearing the news.
As long as the Sage Shinobi Nation had no connection to God, it was the best news for them.
And on the battlefield of Post Island, the Sage Shinobi Nation's disadvantage grew increasingly apparent.
Their numbers, once over 150,000, had dwindled to less than 80,000.
Of those, 40,000 surrendered and 30,000 died in battle.
Meanwhile, the Avengers Alliance now boasted 140,000 members, even more than they had at the start.
More and more powerful pirates surrounded Konan.
She was in a sorry state, her pristine white wings stained with blood.
Blood also smeared her lips as she was hemmed in, her life hanging by a thread.
Elsewhere, Ranzuki was covered in wounds, and Kei was deathly pale.
Even Kakashi had a long gash across his chest.
And if Kisame hadn't blocked a blow for him at the critical moment, that attack might have taken his life.
The remaining members of the Sage Shinobi Nation had huddled together.
To split up and fight again would only lead to one outcome: death.
"A cornered beast will still fight, but it's death is inevitable. Today, let us personally kill you, the fallen angel."
A pirate sneered, his voice brimming with arrogance.
He had every reason to be arrogant. Winning this war meant vast wealth, territory, and... fame!
With the spoils of war within reach, who wouldn't be filled with pride?
Konan wiped the blood from her lips.
Her gaze swept across her surroundings, and her heart ached.
She saw many familiar faces from the Sage Shinobi Nation, outstanding youths, all brimming with potential, the future powerhouses of the Sage Shinobi Nation.
Yet now, they were dead.
Dead in a war that she had initiated.
"I see pain in your eyes. So, even someone as ruthless as you can feel pain?!"
Whitebeard's voice was cold, a hint of satisfaction in his eyes.
His revenge was about to be fulfilled.
"Don't waste your breath on her. Let's attack together and end her life. This war should end with this."
One pirate spoke impatiently.
Once this war ended, he would possess many things he had long coveted.
"Alright, let's end it."
The others nodded in agreement and prepared to attack.
Konan was completely surrounded, with no way to escape or evade the incoming assault.
Her fate seemed sealed.
A barrage of attacks, all ranged, converged on Konan.
At this moment, many watched Konan, their eyes wide with horror.
"No!!!"
Someone screamed, trying to intervene, but it was futile.
Boom!!!
A terrifying explosion erupted, the combined forces creating a blinding light. The blast of earth and dust engulfed Konan.
"It's over... wait, what?!"
Someone spoke, then gasped in terror.
Puchi!!!
A fearsome energy blade pierced through his chest.
His eyes widened in disbelief as he stared at the spot where the dust was settling. There, a blue, skeletal-like structure had materialized.
Finally, everyone saw it clearly.
It resembled two rib cages connected to a bony arm.
Behind the rib cages were two figures.
One was Konan, and the other was a man in white clothing, with a strange appearance.
"Who are you?"
Garp asked, his heart sinking.
"Uchiha Madara!"
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