When the Celestial Dragons appeared at the harbor, their clothes stained with blood and the grotesque heads of prisoners hanging from their waists, everyone fell silent.

The ordinary soldiers couldn't see this scene, and those who could were well aware of the underlying truth.

Thus, they all maintained a tacit silence—this was the best outcome.

Garling had changed into a pristine white outfit once more—he didn't need bloodstains to prove himself.

He glanced at the high-ranking Marines awaiting his arrival with a cold smirk tugging at his lips.

"Sometimes, I still find myself impressed by you Marines. Especially in matters like this."

Zephyr met Garling gaze and spoke with a calm voice.

"It will always be like this from now on. We'll make sure you're impressed every time."

"Always like this? Do you really think you'll get another chance?"

Garling sneered at Zephyr, who seemed entirely unfazed by the contempt in his eyes.

He merely smiled faintly and replied.

"It will absolutely be like this. You have my word."

"You'd better make sure of it!"

With that, Garling strode past the assembled crowd without another glance.

...

Half an hour later, Jake stared at the two Den Den Mushi before him and slowly dialed Whitebeard.

"Brrr brrr— Old man Whitebeard, it's time. They've reached the designated location."

"Gurararara! I've been waiting forever. This time, I'll hit them with the biggest tsunami the world's ever seen!"

"Hold back a little. Don't sink us along with them."

"Wouldn't that be better for pirates like me? But hey Jake, how many Celestial Dragons do you think we can wipe out in one go this time?"

The two joked casually while discussing a plan that would send the entire world into chaos.

"They've brought about eighty this time. My estimate is that the tsunami will take out around fifty. I'll protect ten, and the other high-ranking Marines will shield a few more. It's unavoidable—we still have to put on a show."

"Understood. Otherwise, those bastards would never let it go. Things can't escalate to that point yet, not until you're strong enough. So be careful, Jake. This tsunami's gonna be worse than any natural disaster you've ever seen!"

"Gurararara! You damn Celestial Dragons, enjoy the wrath of this old man!"

The next moment, the Den Den Mushi transmitted a sound like shattering glass.

The instant Jake heard it, his mind conjured an image of the very atmosphere cracking apart.

"Brrr brrr— Jake! The icebergs are breaking way faster than we expected! Good thing Admiral Kuzan froze a much larger area than planned, or the tsunami would've spiraled completely out of control!"

"Even so, this tsunami might still cause some damage to the Marines. Be careful!"

"Don't worry, Tsuru-san. We've got four Admirals here—nothing's could go wrong. You all stay safe too. Old man Whitebeard's attacks have a vibration effect that bypasses Armament Haki's defenses."

"No need to worry about that. Vegapunk already prepared protective suits for us."

By the time everything was in place, Jake's Observation Haki sensed the towering wave surging toward them from the distance.

It was a tsunami meant to purge the sins of the world, carrying the fury of the King of the Seas as it swallowed everything in its path with wild, unrestrained force.

This was akin to the apocalyptic flood from legendary myths, with hundred-meter waves blotting out the sky, even obscuring the sun itself.

The sea churned as if boiling, the howling winds wailed like lamentations.

The Celestial Dragons' ship was now at the epicenter of the tsunami's assault.

Saint Garling stared at the scene, feeling as though his luck had truly hit rock bottom today.

He never should have come out for this hunting festival.

He could have just left these matters to his subordinates—why did he have to get himself tangled up in this mess?!

He could naturally escape this tsunami, but what about the other Celestial Dragons behind him?

They were nothing more than useless fools, no different from ordinary people!

Against such monstrous waves, they stood absolutely no chance of survival.

Even if he made it out alive, a catastrophe of this scale would surely draw the wrath of Im-sama!

He had to save as many Celestial Dragons as possible here—enough that no one could hold him accountable!

In that fleeting moment, Saint Garling made his choice.

He exhaled deeply, then drew the rapier at his waist and swung it down at the towering wave.

"Divine Slash!"

A terrifying sword beam, hundreds of meters long, erupted from the rapier in an instant.

The crimson slash illuminated the dim world with a fleeting glow.

However, against a tsunami, a mere sword slash was the least effective countermeasure.

The relentless tide could never be halted by a single strike!

As expected, the tsunami's momentum only paused for a brief moment before surging once more toward the Celestial Dragons' ship, its terrifying force seemingly even greater than before!

But at that moment, four voices rang out simultaneously.

"Meteor Volcano!"

"Yasakani no Magatama!"

"Meteor Fist!"

"Black Arm—Impact Fist!"

The four attacks blazed across the sky like meteors, shattering the colossal wave before them.

Saint Garling watched the attack as relief washing over him.

Though these Marines had clashed with him earlier, at least in such dire times, they could still distinguish priorities and act for the greater good!

With five Admiral-level combatants, he refused to believe they couldn't handle these waves!

But soon, Saint Garling's hope turned to despair.

Though these men fought valiantly and their attacks did have an effect—

Each strike was still far too insignificant against the might of the sea.

Fists, lasers, fireballs… none could decisively halt the waves!

If this continued, disaster was inevitable.

Yet Saint Garling couldn't even blame them.

'Damn it all! Where did such a monstrous wave even come from?!'

Just as he thought all hope was lost, a voice suddenly resounded, carrying salvation like a divine decree.

"Divine Guidance—Holy Light Protection!"

A sacred sun rose from the Marines's warship, filling Saint Garling with an indescribable surge of hope!