NOVEL NEXT Chapter 594: Different concepts!!!
"Damn it!"
Realizing that the formation was being attacked by Judge's Germa synthetic warriors, Decius, who was in combat with Fujitora, couldn't help but curse under his breath.
His strength was directly linked to the army formation, and if too many soldiers were lost, it would significantly weaken him. In this situation, there was no way he could find soldiers to replenish the ranks.
"Decius, it's not too late to surrender."
Sensing the change on the battlefield, Fujitora gripped his staff-sword and slashed rapidly toward Decius while continuing to offer him a chance to surrender.
Decius shifted his gaze, looking at Borsalino (Kizaru), who was now barely holding back the black dragon, Zogg. As long as Fujitora and Kizaru were still present, the power the World Government relied on—the admiral-level forces—would be tied up by them and unable to exert their full strength.
Although the allied forces had also lost Fujitora and Kizaru in terms of combat power, they were still dominating the battlefield with Judge's modified army and Vegapunk's intervention. After all, the Peacekeepers, the World Government's main strength, were originally designed by Vegapunk. Even though the World Government had modified them after Vegapunk left, they still couldn't withstand Vegapunk's command. Under Vegapunk's control, Nicholas could easily take them down.
"I have no way out!"
Decius sighed, his clenched right fist glowing with a red energy. Fujitora glanced at the energy radiating from Decius's hand and calmly said:
"People bound by orders often find that once they break free of those chains, the world opens up to them."
He was well aware that both the army and air forces had received the World Government's strict orders. If Decius chose to surrender, the allied forces wouldn't pursue total annihilation. Their main enemy was the World Government and the Celestial Dragons, not the soldiers themselves.
Decius didn't respond to Fujitora's words. Instead, the energy emanating from his right fist intensified.
It wasn't time to talk about victory or defeat just yet.
As his power accumulated, Decius raised his head and seriously said, "Fujitora, I understand what you're trying to achieve, and to some extent, I've had similar thoughts. After all, the World Government and the Celestial Dragons have done some truly egregious things…"
Fujitora remained silent, sensing that Decius wasn't finished speaking.
"But you must realize that if the World Government collapses, the seas will descend into unimaginable chaos. How many people will die in that turmoil? How many families will be destroyed, and how many children will be orphaned? Do you even know how a government running nearly the entire world operates? How will you build a new one?
"And beyond that, do you think they'll just let us go if we surrender? No matter what, there will always be grudges between people. The World Government's legacy will become a mark on us, and there's no guarantee we won't be persecuted later."
Decius believed that the allied forces aimed to overthrow the World Government and establish a new regime over the seas. In his view, this new government, built on the ruins of the old one, might be even stronger. Some things were already so deeply ingrained in the world that they couldn't be changed by a new regime.
Fujitora had also once held similar thoughts. In the minds of most people, the new power replacing the old was irrelevant to them—whether it was the old regime or the new one, they would still be oppressed. But after meeting Nicholas, Fujitora had found a new path.
"Decius," Fujitora began, as the gravity energy building around his staff-sword intensified, "Sometimes, change can be a good thing. As long as there's a glimmer of hope for reaching a 'better' world, I will not stop."
"A glimmer of hope..."
Decius shook his head slightly and calmly said:
"Would you really throw your life away for a mere hope? You and I have already reached the pinnacle of power in this world. We can even say 'no' to the Celestial Dragons. Now that we've come this far, why risk our lives for something so uncertain?"
"We have different paths, then. No more words. Let our strength decide."
Knowing Decius's thoughts, Fujitora was no longer willing to waste time. Almost as soon as the words left his mouth, Fujitora reversed his grip on his sword and slashed.
The gravity he'd gathered fused with his slash, creating a wave of force so powerful it distorted the air as it surged toward Decius. Decius, too, unleashed the punch he'd been preparing, aiming it at Fujitora.
The terrifying power of his attack collided with Fujitora's Gravity Tiger Slash in mid-air.
As a monster among the Marines, Fujitora's strength was undeniable. And now that Decius's 200,000-strong army was in disarray, the gap in power between them became clear.
Decius's expression grew heavy. Even at full strength, he hadn't been able to suppress Fujitora. Now, with his forces dwindling, victory was slipping away.
But even so, Decius refused to give up.
Red energy rippled outward from him in waves, expanding across the battlefield.
"A futile struggle."
Fujitora remained calm.
"Gravity Hell!"
Suddenly, Fujitora's closed eyes shot open, veins bulging on his forehead. With a deafening roar, an overwhelming force of gravity descended upon Decius, as if a massive, invisible hand was crushing him.
"What a monster…"
In that moment, the gravity seemed almost visible. In an instant, the ground around Decius for hundreds of meters cracked under the pressure, massive chunks of rock shattering.
Decius himself was forcibly driven into the ground by the crushing force.
The outcome of the battle was clear.