Water 7 War V

Remember each WAR chapter at 2500+ words: So, 4 new chapters means about 10 average chapters for a normal chapter. 

***

At Marineford Headquarters, a haunting stillness lingered over the sprawling compound. It was a peculiar silence, the kind that didn't signal peace but rather a void left behind by the departure of its strongest protectors.

Most high-ranking officers were deployed to the battlefield, leaving the HQ seemingly abandoned. Yet, faint whispers and the shuffle of personnel could still be heard, betraying the presence of life.

Behind the grand structure of Marine HQ, away from the bustling docks and operational chaos, there lay an open garden turned into a makeshift relaxation area. Two figures occupied the space, stark contrasts to the turmoil unfolding in the icy war zone.

One lounged on a chair, soaking in the sun, his muscular frame glistening with a faint sheen of oil. His casual demeanor was an odd sight for a marine, especially given the crisis. Beside him, a woman reclined under the shade of a wide umbrella, her posture more composed yet tinged with an undercurrent of unease.

"Adam," the woman spoke, her voice sharp but with a lilt of curiosity, "Why didn't you participate in the war? They could probably use you out there."

The man, Adam, stretched lazily, his movements accompanied by the popping sounds of his joints. "Crack... Crackle..." He yawned, running a hand through his short-cropped, slightly blonde hair.

"Because it's not necessary," he replied flatly, his tone dripping with indifference. Adjusting his sunglasses, Adam added, "Listen, Luna... The only reason I haven't gone after the Admiral position is exactly because of situations like this."

"It's way too troublesome. Besides..." He waved a dismissive hand. "They already have Garp out there. Why would they need little old me?"

Luna sighed softly, twirling her paper toothpick parasol on her drink with a small frown. "Garp, huh? Always Garp with you," she muttered, her voice barely audible. Then, louder, she said, "Didn't you almost beat him a few years ago? What if you guys fought now? No holding ba~"

Before Luna could finish, the atmosphere shifted dramatically. The air grew thick and oppressive, pressing down on her chest like a lead weight.

Cracks spiderwebbed outward from Adam's chair, creeping across the surrounding ground as if reality itself was fracturing. The light of the sun seemed to distort, bending around his presence.

"Luna," Adam interrupted, his voice deeper now, laced with a seriousness that cut through the air like a blade. He lowered his sunglasses, revealing piercing, steel-gray eyes that glinted with restrained power. "Garp-san isn't that weak. I've never seen him go all out. And trust me, I don't ever want to."

The cracks dissipated as quickly as they'd formed, leaving behind an eerie stillness. Luna shuddered slightly, not from the cold but from the overwhelming aura that had emanated from Adam. She knew better than to push further.

"Alright," Luna replied, her tone cautious. "You sure respect Garp."

Adam's expression softened, and a faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips. "Of course! That man is the reason I became a marine in the first place!" He stood abruptly, his towering frame blotting out the sun momentarily. His movement shifted the large umbrella, leaving Luna to squint up at him in irritation.

"CRAKAHAHAH! CRAKAHAHAH!" Adam's booming laughter echoed through the garden as he threw his head back, arms akimbo in a display of unrestrained glee.

Luna, already accustomed to his antics, sighed and rummaged through her bag, pulling out a pair of noise plugs. With practiced efficiency, she inserted them into her ears and leaned back in her chair, attempting to tune out his laughter.

The marines at the top of HQ building froze in place, their conversations halted as they exchanged nervous glances. They knew that laugh all too well, it was Adam.

"He's laughing again..." one marine muttered, his voice barely audible.

Another marine, younger and visibly anxious, whispered back. "Why's he even here? Shouldn't he be at Water 7 with everyone else?"

A grizzled veteran standing nearby let out a low scoff. "Of course, he didn't go to the war, you idiot. That bastard doesn't lift a finger unless it suits him."

"But why?!" the younger marine pressed, still struggling to grasp the reasoning. "This is the biggest battle in years! Even Fleet Admiral Kong is fighting!"

The veteran shook his head with a weary sigh. "You don't get it. Adam doesn't care about orders, or justice, or any of that stuff. He's the kind of guy who acts only when he decides to. If you think you can make someone like him do anything, you're dumber than you look."

A third marine leaned in, his voice trembling slightly. "He's still the second strongest, right? I mean, after Garp-san?"

"Second strongest?" a fourth marine, lanky and sharp-eyed, scoffed. "No way. Kong would crush him in a straight fight."

"Kong?" another marine chimed in, incredulous. "Don't be ridiculous. Adam would throw Kong around like a ragdoll!"

"I disagree!" the sharp-eyed marine countered, leaning closer as if to emphasize his point. "Aokiji-san would freeze him solid in seconds!"

"Freeze Adam?" the veteran cut in, his tone filled with derision. "That guy's practically made of willpower. He'd melt the ice with sheer force if it came to that."

The younger marine looked back and forth between the group, his voice dropping even lower. "Still... don't you think it's weird he's just lounging around while everyone else is fighting? I mean, the other Admiral candidates are out there, Garp-san's out there, even Kong!"

The veteran glared at him, his voice filled with a quiet urgency. "That's the thing about Adam. He doesn't just 'join the fight.' If he's not out there, it's because he doesn't need to be. And if he does decide to act..." He trailed off, shaking his head. "...you'd better hope you're not in his way when it happens."

As if to punctuate his words, Adam's laughter echoed again through the halls.

"CRAKAHAHAH! CRAKAHAHAH!"

The marines immediately fell silent, their hushed whispers replaced by the sound of their own nervous breathing. Each of them glanced around, half-expecting Adam to appear behind them at any moment.

"Y-You don't think he can hear us, do you?" the youngest marine whispered, his face pale.

"Shut up," the veteran hissed, glaring daggers at him. "Do you want him to hear you?!"

The group quickly dispersed; their conversation left unfinished as they melted into the shadows of Marine ford's corridors.

But as they walked away, one thought lingered in all their minds: 'What would happen if Adam decided to act... and who could possibly stand against him?'

[At The War]

The battlefield of Water 7's Dock 5 had become a graveyard of shattered ice and sinking ships, an arena unfit for mere mortals. The ferocious clash between Monkey D. Garp and Gol D. Roger was the epicenter, their confrontation both awe-inspiring and apocalyptic.

Explosions rippled through the icy terrain with each strike, shaking the battlefield and sending shockwaves that could be felt even miles away. Marines and pirates alike were forced to keep their distance, knowing full well that getting too close to these powerhouses was a death sentence.

Garp's ragged breath and tattered shirt betrayed the relentless energy he had spent so far. Yet, despite the deep bruises marking his muscular frame, his expression was one of excitement. He wiped the blood trickling from the corner of his mouth and laughed. "Roger, you bastard! You're enjoying this too much!"

Roger, equally battered but radiating his characteristic confidence, stood amidst the broken ice with his blade, Ace, resting against his shoulder. His devilish grin stretched wider. "And you're not, Garp? Don't lie to me! I can see it in your eyes!"

They both knew it: this was one of the best fights they had as of yet. This wasn't a skirmish between rivals. This was a test of will, power, and pride. And at this moment, they weren't friends~they were enemies.

With a booming roar, both combatants unleashed their Advanced Conqueror's Haki, the invisible clash of their auras sending spiraling ripples of black lightning across the battlefield.

The air grew dense, the pressure making even seasoned warriors collapse to their knees. The frozen terrain began to splinter under the sheer weight of their unleashed power.

For the first time in their decades-long rivalry, Roger adjusted his stance. Garp immediately noticed. Roger bent his knees, widening his stance as he gripped Ace with both hands, the blade resting low near his waist.

It was an unfamiliar sight, Roger rarely committed to a sword style, relying instead on his raw, overwhelming strength.

"What's this...?" Garp muttered, wary. His instincts screamed danger.

Before he could react, Roger vanished.

SWISH!

Roger blitzed forward with incomprehensible speed, his figure flickering like a mirage before reappearing directly in front of Garp. The pirate swung Ace down with devastating force.

{Gods Demise: Ragnarok!}

Roger's blade became an extension of his overwhelming willpower, crackling with red lightning and condensed destructive energy. The strike came down like the wrath of a god, and though Garp managed to cross his arms to block, the sheer force of the blow was cataclysmic.

BOOOOOOOM!

The ice beneath them shattered like glass, splitting the battlefield in two. The ocean itself roared as the shockwave carved a massive chasm into the frozen landscape, revealing the dark waters beneath. Garp stood his ground, his crossed arms trembling as blood trickled from his lips.

Roger grinned wickedly. "Still standing, eh?"

Garp spat blood onto the ground but laughed through gritted teeth. "You call that an attack, Roger? Let me show you why they call me the Hero of the Marines!"

He unleashed his own Advanced Conqueror's Haki, the black and red lightning of his aura forcing Roger back several meters. The very ground cracked beneath his feet as Garp took a step forward, his presence alone radiating dominance.

With each exchange, the frozen battlefield became more unrecognizable. Garp's punches, enhanced by both Busoshoku Haki and his monstrous physical strength, sent shockwaves that reshaped the terrain. Roger's blade, meanwhile, carved through the ice and air with ease, each slash leaving devastation in its wake.

CLANG! Roger's blade was deflected.

BOOM! Garp's fist sent Roger flying into an iceberg.

WHOOSH! Roger countered, leaping from the shattered ice and charging straight back at Garp.

{Gods Demise: World's End!}

Roger unleashed a devastating slash, a fusion of Busoshoku and Conqueror's Haki, creating a blade of pure destructive energy. The attack tore through the air, its sheer power distorting reality itself.

Garp shielded himself with both arms, his powerful Haki absorbing most of the blow, but the marines behind him weren't as lucky. The devastating slash tore through the ranks of marines stationed in the distance, cleaving several in half and splitting the battlefield even further.

[P/R: RIP]

The frozen terrain could no longer contain the raw power of their fight. As chunks of ice broke away and fell into the sea, the battlefield shrank, forcing the remaining combatants to battle on precarious frozen platforms.

Nearby, Kizaru, locked in battle with one of Roger's commanders, momentarily paused to glance toward the titanic clash. Even the ever-relaxed admiral couldn't hide his unease.

"Yare yare... those two really are monsters," Kizaru muttered, his voice lacking its usual playful tone. His opponent, Doringo, tried to take advantage of the distraction, only for Kizaru to effortlessly dodge at light-speed, delivering a devastating counterattack.

"They truly are what humans would call the peak of strength," Kizaru continued, his gaze lingering on the clashing titans.

Roger stood tall, his sword crackling with residual energy. His breaths were heavy, but his grin was unwavering. Across from him, Garp rose from the rubble, his arms bloody but still steady. 

[Draco's Fight]

The frozen battlefield continued to quake, reshaped by the unrelenting fury of Roger and Garp's clash in the distance. But here, amidst shattered ice and frozen debris, Fleet Admiral Kong stood in his Kong Kong Full Zoan Form.

His massive frame radiates ferocity despite his injuries. Blood dripped from the stump where his arm had once been, yet his rage only seemed to grow.

Nearby, Draco, calm and composed, weaved through the hail of Kong's improvised projectiles, massive blocks and shards of ice hurled with immense strength. Each impact left craters in the battlefield, sending shockwaves across the frozen ground.

"Your aim's as wild as your temper," Draco muttered, effortlessly evading the incoming attacks with swift, quick movements. His figure flickered like a ghost, dodging every strike as if it were child's play.

With a mocking smirk, Draco flicked his finger in Kong's direction.

"Let's see how tough you really are, old man."

The flick unleashed a devastating air blast, a concentrated shockwave that tore through the air with blistering speed. Kong roared in defiance, throwing another massive block of ice in an attempt to counter the attack. But Draco's projectile smashed through the ice with ease, its contorted force barreling toward Kong.

BOOOOM!

The impact sent Kong skidding across the battlefield, his massive zoan-enhanced frame carving a trench into the ice.

"UGH!" Kong bellowed in pain, doubling over as blood gushed from a gaping wound in his abdomen. The attack had left a hole several meters deep in his stomach, a gruesome testament to Draco's power.

Kong staggered, his vision swimming as he fought to keep his composure. He glanced down at the wound, his breath ragged and his body trembling.

"This brat…!" Kong growled, gritting his teeth as he scanned the battlefield, trying to locate Draco.

Before he could act, Draco appeared out of nowhere, materializing midair directly in front of him.

"Big targets are easier to hit," Draco said coldly, reeling back his fist for a decisive blow.

But before Draco could strike, a massive force collided with him, sending him flying across the battlefield like a ragdoll.

BOOOOM!

Draco crashed into the icy terrain, his momentum halted only when he slammed his fist into the ground, carving a deep trench and coming to a stop.

Standing in the air above was none other than Zephyr, his hulking frame brimming with raw power. His hardened expression radiated authority, his eyes locked on Draco.

"Zephyr…?" Draco muttered; his tone tinged with irritation. He straightened, dusting himself off and cracking his neck. "Troublesome..."

Zephyr descended from the air, landing beside the now-weakened Kong. Despite the chaos surrounding them, his movements were careful. He knelt and slung Kong's arm over his shoulder, lifting the battered Fleet Admiral with ease.

"Kong, you're in no condition to keep fighting," Zephyr said, his voice firm. Blood trickled from Kong's mouth as he groaned in response, his body barely able to stay upright.

"That brat… Draco…" Kong growled, though his words were weak.

"I'll handle him," Zephyr assured, glancing at Draco with a measured gaze. "You're not dying here today."

Draco watched the interaction, his annoyance palpable.

"You're really going to babysit him, Zephyr?" Draco called out, a smirk tugging at his lips. "I thought marines were supposed to be tougher than this."

Zephyr didn't respond immediately. Instead, he adjusted Kong on his shoulder and began walking away, his every step calculated to keep Kong stable.

"Stay back, Kong," Zephyr finally said, his voice low and steady. "You've done enough."

Kong coughed, blood splattering onto the ice. "Be careful... that brat's dangerous."

"I know," Zephyr replied, his tone unwavering.

Draco sighed, running a hand through his curly hair before cracking his knuckles. "Kong has plot armor now huh?"

Zephyr set Kong down a safe distance away, then turned to face Draco fully. The air grew heavy as Zephyr's aura flared, a potent mix of disciplined precision and raw strength.

"You've caused enough chaos, Draco," Zephyr said, his voice like steel. "It's time for this to end."

Draco tilted his head, his smirk lowering. "I apologize, but this isn't an anime..."

"Any-may.. what?" Zephyr says confusedly, before readying his stance

Then, with a sudden burst of speed, both combatants launched themselves at each other.