362 Another Admiral falls

There was no emotion on Smoker’s face. He just stared into the distance, silent. No one knew what the man the world called “White Hunter” was thinking at this moment.

Just as everyone strained to see through the haze, a lazy voice drifted out from the depths of the smoke.

“Tch… what a pain. My clothes are ruined. Do you know how rare this outfit is? One of my favorite leisure suits… and now it’s torn to shreds. I wonder if it can even be repaired. Shame—this was comfortable.”

A moment later, a familiar figure emerged from the clearing mist—one no one present would ever forget, even in death.

The moment his face was revealed, Garp and the others stiffened, unease gnawing at their hearts.

That man was no ordinary pirate. To them, he was like a devil.

The captain of the Kamui Pirates.
The Fifth Emperor of the Sea.
The pirate closest to the title of One Piece.

Kronos.

When Kronos appeared unharmed, the Kamui Pirates erupted into cheers as if they had already won the war.

But for the Marines—who had been praying that Kronos was finally finished—there was no joy. Not even relief. Only despair. Some of them even felt like crying.

Because Kronos’ survival could mean only one thing: Zephyr had failed.

Not only failed—after struggling so hard, perhaps Zephyr hadn’t even scratched Kronos, and might have destroyed himself in the process.

“How… how could this be?!”

Hina fell to the ground in disbelief, her face pale.

“Did he… lose?” Smoker muttered under his breath, almost unwilling to accept the words leaving his mouth.

Garp, who had already suspected things would end this way, said nothing. His silence was heavier than any words. Though he had given up smoking years ago, at that moment he longed desperately for a cigarette.

Elsewhere on the battlefield, the two Marine Admirals locked in combat with other powerful enemies faltered for a brief second, both taking a deep breath.

Because they knew. Their worst fear had come true.

“It’s really like this…”

Kizaru’s expression, usually so carefree, darkened as his thoughts churned. “I didn’t expect… not even that suicidal strike could hurt him. Kronos isn’t human. He’s a monster.”

Though he didn’t speak it aloud, Kizaru’s heart trembled. He had seen countless strange powers and terrifying fighters over the course of his life, but none compared to this man. Kronos stood beyond them all.

Even among the Four Emperors who ruled the seas, not one of them could stand at his level. Compared to Kronos, the Yonko seemed like they were barely qualified to carry his shoes.

Aokiji’s mood was equally heavy. His chest tightened with helplessness. His teacher had fallen before his eyes, and yet… he could do nothing.

No matter how much he wanted to rush to Zephyr’s aid, he couldn’t. He was already trapped in this battlefield quagmire. Whether he could even protect his own life was uncertain—let alone saving his teacher.

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