Meanwhile, on a ship suspended in the air thanks to Issho's gravitational ability...
"Aren't you guys going to fight? "Sanji asked some Fairy Tail members who had stayed aboard to keep watch, just in case.
"Nah, with Laxus there, the matter's already settled "Bickslow replied with a confident grin.
"Settled, settled! "repeated the little floating dolls surrounding him.
"What's he doing? "Nami asked as she saw Freed running across the deck with a magic camera in hand, snapping photos in the direction where Laxus was fighting King.
"He's just an idiot with a camera. Ignore him "said Evergreen with her arms crossed, adjusting her glasses before glancing at Luffy, who was chained to the ship's mast.
"By the way… why is your captain like that? "she asked with genuine curiosity.
"He's just a bonehead who loves fighting. Ignore him "Nami said, waving her hand dismissively.
"Come on, Nami! I want to fight alongside Ace and Kara! They're like my big brother and sister! "Luffy shouted, struggling against the chains.
"No. We promised Ace and Issho-san that you'd just watch. "Nami smacked him on the head.
"Kara's brother? Hmm… knowing Gildarts, it wouldn't be surprising if he had kids in other worlds "Bickslow laughed mockingly, sticking out his tongue with the Fairy Tail symbol tattooed on it.
"Who's Gildarts? "Luffy asked, eyes sparkling with curiosity.
"Kara's father… and the guy who just destroyed a massive gate "Evergreen said, stunned as she pointed toward the Gate of Justice… or what remained of it.
The upper part of the colossal structure was disintegrating into glowing cubes, falling into the sea in pieces.
All of Marineford"both allies and enemies"froze for a moment.
Even Whitebeard, whose power could shatter continents, wouldn't have done that so easily.
"… "Sengoku stood frozen, staring at the gate's destruction.
"Hahahahaha! "Kara burst into laughter, holding her stomach. "Even I couldn't break it when I tried! My grandpa almost killed me for that attempt.
"Incredible… "Koki whispered, using the distraction to distance herself from Hancock, who had also stopped her offensive upon witnessing the spectacle.
"… "The marines remained completely silent.
Cana facepalmed, embarrassed by her father's feat.
Beside her, Makarov trembled with the same thought.
"That must've cost… a fortune…
"Don't worry, Master. When we get back, let's just say we don't know him "Kara said with a serene smile.
"Didn't you just say he's your father? "Garp asked with a mocking laugh.
"What are you talking about, old man? You're my grandfather, so my dad should obviously be your son "Kara replied, shamelessly denying her relationship with Gildarts.
Miles away, Gildarts and Kaido were fighting atop a sea frozen by Aokiji, who had done it to keep them far from Marineford. Now, however, he regretted it.
If he had known Gildarts was just as destructive"or more"than Kara, he would've sent him to the South Pole.
Aokiji turned to Whitebeard. He had to follow Kara's plan to earn the title of Fleet Admiral. With Akainu out of commission, only Kizaru remained as competition… and knowing Borsalino, he'd probably run off before accepting that promotion.
Still, Aokiji knew he had to stop Whitebeard, end the war, and drive Kaido out once and for all.
Because the fight between Gildarts and Kaido… hadn't even gotten serious yet.
And if it did, the entire island would vanish from the map.
...
"It's time for the angel of love… Koki, to make her entrance with extreme violence! "Koki shouted enthusiastically, crossing her arms in a dramatic pose.
Her pink dress disintegrated into particles of light, revealing a silver armor with golden accents. Two radiant white wings emerged from her back, and a glowing halo floated above her head.
Her eyes turned golden, with a luminous cross in the center.
In her hands appeared a celestial sword and a shield as bright as the sun.
She no longer looked like an angel of love. She was an angel of war.
Rising into the sky like a mythical figure, her presence illuminated the battlefield.
"Execute judgment "she declared, raising her sword to the sky.
Above everyone's heads, a floating sword appeared"white for some, gray for others… and black as the abyss for the rest.
"What is this? "Wendy asked, looking up at the pure sword above her head.
"It's her special technique "Kara explained. "The darker the soul, the darker the sword. It doesn't judge intentions, only actions.
Wendy looked around. Most pirates had black swords. Some marines too… especially Akainu's followers.
Even Kara had a gray sword.
No one had a white one… except Wendy.
"Death, slavery, massacres… it all gets marked "Kara added solemnly.
"Judgment! "Koki shouted.
The black swords began to vibrate. A huge golden circle formed in the sky, and from it rained down beams of light striking the marked individuals.
Many shut their eyes, expecting death… but when they opened them, they were still alive. Until they noticed something strange…
The darkest ones dropped to their knees. Their strength left them as if the weight of their sins were crushing them.
Koki's technique didn't deal direct damage. It weakened.
The true culprits were left defenseless, delivered to the edge of her golden sword.
Those with gray swords felt no effect.
But Wendy, with her white sword, felt a warm energy surge through her body.
"I can use healing magic again! "she exclaimed, casting a spell toward Kara.
Kara smiled tenderly at her and silently thanked her.
The battlefield had changed.
The pirates were now at a disadvantage.
The Marines and Fairy Tail were regaining control, and bounty hunters had started capturing those trying to flee.
Koki descended to Kara, lowering her head as if asking for a pat. Kara quickly obliged.
Hancock approached with a mix of anger and frustration. A black sword glowed above her head.
Now she understood why she had never been able to defeat Koki…
who also bore a white sword, just like Wendy.
Of course, there was more than one person with a white sword floating over their head.
For example, a certain deer was running in panic across the battlefield with a singer clinging to its back"both bearing the same glowing sword.
A pirate was tied to a mast, screaming about meat while flapping like a flag in the wind.
A blue cat flew in circles yelling "Aye!" while chasing another idiot who had confused a bomb for a Devil Fruit and hurled it far away.
Still... in that whole chaotic field filled with hundreds of fighters, only they carried those swords.
......
Meanwhile…
Amid the uproar of screams, explosions, and magical attacks, Mirajane walked forward with an almost insultingly calm demeanor… heading straight toward Queen.
Above her head shone a white sword, speckled with soft touches of gray. Even so, the sheer pressure of power it radiated could be felt clearly.
"How curious… to receive the approval of an angel," Mirajane whispered, her sweet smile capable of melting the coldest heart… before turning into a nightmare.
"Take Over: Satan Soul," she announced in a melodic voice.
A magic circle appeared beneath her feet"bright and celestial at first, then dark and ominous. Her body changed instantly: black bat wings, sharp claws, a demonic tail, and a face that still smiled… but now with eyes that said, "I'm going to break you emotionally before I hit you."
"WHAT THE HELL?!" King shouted with a kabuki-theater-worthy reaction. "First an angel and now a demon?! What is this, mystical transformation on discount week?!"
......
A bit further away…
Erza walked with a fixed gaze, serious, unstoppable.
Every mutant pirate or strange beast that jumped at her was tossed aside like badly-packed sacks of potatoes.
"So, you're my opponent," said Jack, pulling out two curved swords shaped like mammoth tusks, just like the ones hanging from his neck. Without wasting time, he launched the first strike.
"Re-equip: Adamantine Armor," proclaimed Erza.
Her armor immediately changed into a white and blue defensive one, with two massive shields that closed like heavenly gates… blocking the attack as if it were a caress.
Even though the blow was so brutal it cracked the ground beneath her, Erza didn't even blink.
Annoyed"more at the wasted time than the actual hit"she muttered:
"I have more important things to do. Like beating the crap out of Kara."
"Re-equip: Black Wing Armor."
Her dark wings spread out, two swords materialized, and with a speed that made Jack look like a freeze-frame sketch, she attacked without mercy. Jack barely had time to raise his blades in defense.
......
In another corner of the battlefield…
Laxus and King clashed again and again. Thunder against fire. Raw power versus Lunarian resilience.
King's fire was annoying"even for Laxus. And that was saying something.
But then, Laxus turned his head. He saw Natsu laughing like an idiot while competing with Gray to see who could launch more pirates into the air.
With a movement faster than Happy's dignity plummeting after a bad joke, Laxus appeared next to Natsu, grabbed him by the neck, and dragged him off without a word.
"Wha"? What's going on?!" Natsu yelled.
King saw his chance and fired his most powerful flame attack directly at Laxus.
"Fire Dragon Defense," said Laxus… while putting Natsu in front of him as a shield.
"WHAT?!!" Natsu screeched.
The fire hit directly… or so it seemed.
The members of Fairy Tail who saw the scene just looked away like it was business as usual.
"Hey! That's my move with slave number 3!" Kara shouted from the distance.
Makarov simply covered his face. Second-hand embarrassment at Fairy Tail guild level.
The fire engulfed the area… until it began to swirl, then get absorbed.
There was Natsu, still in Laxus's grip, eating the fire like a living vacuum cleaner.
"Hey, that tasted awesome!" said Natsu, chewing on the flames.
"Alright, you're useless now." Laxus tossed him into the air like garbage.
He turned back to face King, who now moved faster. The fire on his back had decreased.
"So, faster but less durable… interesting," Laxus muttered, grinning like someone who just found a worthy opponent.
In an instant, he appeared in front of King with a halberd made of pure lightning, launching it point-blank.
King barely dodged it, but the edge grazed his face"leaving the first visible wound.
Laxus's grin widened.
......
"Hey, Ace!" Kara shouted while watching the battle from afar.
"What do you want?! I'm fighting a freaking phoenix!" Ace shouted, blocking one of Marco's attacks.
"Leave him to Kizaru! That guy's just pretending to fight," she said, pointing at Kizaru, who was tossing light beams like he was playing a game.
"I heard that…" said Kizaru, in his usual bored-hurt tone.
"I know. I said it loud enough. Now move or I'll burn all your nail clippers."
Kizaru, offended, vanished instantly. He reappeared next to Marco and kicked him in the chest, launching him like a kite.
Ace, now in blue lightning form, appeared beside Kara.
"Now what?"
"Launch your best lightning attack at those two," Kara said, pointing at the sky where Laxus and King were exchanging blows at absurd speed.
"Isn't he your ally?"
"Do it. It won't hurt him. Trust me."
"Well… it's your idea."
Ace began to gather lightning in his hand until it formed a blue electric dragon roaring with energy.
"Thunder Dragon!" Ace yelled, launching it into the sky.
Laxus saw the attack. Then looked at Kara, who merely raised an eyebrow. Clearly an experiment.
As the lightning dragon reached him, Laxus opened his mouth and devoured it in one gulp.
"Looks like it works… Alright, you're useless now," Kara said, turning on her heel.
"HEY!!!" Ace shouted.
......
The marines were on the verge of a breakdown.
"One eats fire, the other eats lightning… What kind of guild is this?!" Tokikake screamed.
He turned around… and saw Gajeel. Eating the swords of fallen pirates.
"There's also the little one who eats air," Gajeel commented casually, as if he was the most normal one of them all.