027 The End of All Things: Xuan Ye Versus Red Dog

The sun and moon chased each other, light and darkness shifting in turn. On this day, the Navy once again welcomed a momentous event—the beginning of the most crucial and spectacular match of the Grand Naval Tournament.

As dawn slowly broke and the first light of morning unfurled, a new day commenced. As always, the battered island served as the battleground, but now, apart from a handful of elite officers, the crowds from the previous rounds had vanished. The Navy’s high command foresaw an earth-shattering contest; thus, only those of vice admiral rank and above were permitted to set foot on the island.

Surrounding the island, both on land and in the sky, a keen eye would spot strange transponder snails capturing every detail.

With resolute steps, a tall yet slender figure, clad in a white shirt and dark gold trousers, advanced steadily—Xuan Ye now stood upright at the heart of the arena. There was no designated field this time, only one rule: victory went to the one whose opponent surrendered or lost consciousness.

On the other side, Akainu stared at Xuan Ye, his expression clouded and murderous, for today, only one of them would leave alive.

A suffocating, ominous tension hung in the air—a clear sign of the titanic clash to come.

At Marineford, the plaza brimmed with people, giant screens displaying the proceedings for all to see. The crowds surged like waves, voices clamoring; nearly every available resident had gathered, and even a makeshift casino on the outskirts took bets on the match’s outcome.

Debate ran fierce—some argued hotly, faces flushed, while others wore looks of disdain. The full spectrum of human nature was on display.

“Mama, will Brother Xuan win?” From the throng, a childish voice rang out. A boy of about three, nestled in his mother’s arms, watched the screen anxiously, eyes fixed on the figure who once played with him.

“Don’t worry. Your Brother Xuan is very strong—even your father says so. We must believe in him,” his mother replied with a gentle smile, though her gaze soon turned worried, lingering on the frail figure, and she silently prayed, “Win or lose, may you return safely.”

“Mm! Brother Xuan is the best. I believe in him. He promised me that when I grow up, we’ll set sail together to chase down the great pirates. That’s our promise.” The little boy’s voice was innocent yet filled with unwavering conviction.

“Then let’s cheer for your Brother Xuan in our hearts.”

“Mm!”

On the high platform above the arena, Kong sat with a grave expression, accompanied by Sengoku, Garp, and the others. Watching the two blazing with fighting spirit, Kong sighed, “If only these two could coexist in peace… With Kizaru and Aokiji as well, the Navy’s future would be secure.”

“Alas. Perhaps it’s for the best—some people will never allow the Navy to grow too strong,” Tsuru said, glancing toward the distant horizon where the Red Line lay.

“Tsuru…” Kong interrupted, his face impassive as he shook his head, then turned to Garp and Sengoku. “This time, we act according to the situation.”

“Fleet Admiral Kong, what do you mean by that?” Zephyr frowned, his tone dark and edged with anger.

“I’m sorry, Zephyr, but this is beyond our power to oppose. They believe the Navy is growing overconfident,” Kong sighed. For now, he was not yet Supreme Commander, so his thoughts were for the Navy alone. Despite Zephyr’s rebuke and Tsuru’s words, he took no offense.

“Fleet Admiral Kong, isn’t this wrong?” Garp picked his nose, clearly displeased—it was hardly a noble way to handle matters.

“Indeed, we’ve already intervened twice in their personal feud. A third time… it’s too much,” Sengoku added, brows furrowed. “And knowing Xuan Ye’s temperament, he might do something irreversible.”

“Fleet Admiral, are those above us planning to abandon Xuan Ye in favor of Akainu?” Tsuru voiced her suspicion.

“Impossible! Why? Is Xuan Ye inferior to Akainu?” Zephyr leapt to his feet, visibly angry, clearly dissatisfied with the Five Elders’ approach.

“Enough, enough—stop arguing. Zephyr, sit down,” Kong said, rubbing his forehead and gesturing for silence. “Akainu’s abilities are impressive. That’s why the Five Elders want us to intervene at the critical moment…”

“No! That’s unfair to Xuan Ye,” Zephyr cut him off, his rage palpable.

“Let me finish,” Kong said with a glare. “All we must do is prevent any deaths at the end. Whether Xuan Ye or Akainu wins, no one is to die. The rest, the Five Elders will discuss with the victor themselves.”

“Hmph…” Zephyr snorted, still clearly displeased.

“Is that understood?” Kong glanced at Zephyr, then shook his head, unconcerned, and addressed Sengoku and Garp instead.

“With Sengoku there, that’s enough. I’ll pass,” Garp said, flicking away whatever he’d picked from his nose and shooting Sengoku a sidelong look.

“Do as you please. Just promise me there will be no deaths,” Kong replied helplessly.

The scorching sun hung high, a breeze kicked up dust, and at last, the match that captivated ten thousand hearts was about to begin.

A low rumble, mist swirling—the crimson magma burned the ground, radiating unbearable heat that swept across the arena.

Akainu’s lower body transformed into dark red magma, his face twisted as he growled, “For absolute justice, Xuan Ye, you must die today.”

“Overestimating yourself.” Xuan Ye’s hatred for Akainu ran deep—perhaps a legacy from his past life, or simply a reaction to Akainu’s nature. Whatever the reason, Xuan Ye’s anger now burned fiercely.

Normally, Xuan Ye never provoked others, but trouble always seemed to seek him out. His code was simple: if others left him alone, he left them alone; but if attacked, he retaliated without mercy.

That was his way. But now, looking at Akainu, a wild beast stirred within him—a realization that perhaps his old rule needed to change.

Even the mildest person will grow angry if bullied enough. How much more so for Xuan Ye?

Clenching his fists, Xuan Ye raised his head coldly, his voice chilling as he enunciated each word, “You cur, your chances are over. Perhaps I’ve been too patient—there’s always some trash seeking to provoke me. Sometimes, that gets old. So, I think it’s time for a change.”

A twisted smile played on Xuan Ye’s lips, sending a chill through all who saw him.

On the high platform, Zephyr’s heart ached. He knew Xuan Ye was changing. Perhaps it wasn’t obvious before, but Zephyr could sense that Xuan Ye was no longer the gentle, training-obsessed youth he once was.

Sighing, Zephyr could only let things take their course. People are shaped by what they endure.

“Hmph. We’ll see who falls today, Xuan Ye Tang. Aren’t you a bit too arrogant?” Akainu sneered, convinced that his training had closed the gap between them—or even surpassed it.

From the very first meeting, Akainu had found Xuan Ye intolerable, for no clear reason—perhaps a clash of natures, or simply that they were born rivals. Now, Akainu wanted nothing more than to kill Xuan Ye, and Xuan Ye, given the chance, would show no mercy in erasing Akainu.

It was strange and yet perfectly clear—their enmity had escalated inexplicably to a duel to the death.

“Akainu, you truly are insufferable.” Xuan Ye’s eyes burned gold and red, flames erupting to the sky. In an instant, a world of fire had emerged.

Amidst the searing blaze, Xuan Ye stood as if he were an emperor, and behind him loomed an enormous beast, wings unfurled in a savage cry, exuding an aura of untamed ferocity.

“So then, Akainu, are you ready to become a dead dog?”

Stretching his limbs, Xuan Ye’s wicked grin was as chilling as that of a vengeful ghost, sending a shiver through all who witnessed it.

…