Li Chungang was fortunate.
Because he did not encounter the nemesis demon king.
Therefore, the demon with the rust ability died in Benedict's hands.
Everyone had injuries of varying degrees.
However, with the exception of Kenshiro, Saitama, Li Chungang, and Da Tian Gou Qing Feng, the others, including Garp, had solemn expressions.
The demon's immense power was not something they could contend with individually.
This was only the first day of the demon's arrival in this world, and its power had not been fully unleashed.
Today's battle had been a bit of a gamble for them.
"Marshal."
Garp and Sengoku, along with the Navy's few remaining elites, approached Benedict, their expressions complex.
However, due to their previous agreement, they still addressed him as Marshal upon seeing Benedict.
This also signified that the Navy was officially breaking away from the World Government and joining the Xuanwu Navy.
Benedict looked at Sengoku, Garp, and the others, his expression equally complex.
The casualties in this battle were too high.
Even though the surging seawater had washed away countless bodies and blood, the water in the Return Dragon Gorge remained a dark crimson.
And among the deceased, while many were deserving of death, there were also many who had yearned for justice and strived for it.
"A pity,"
Benedict said softly.
Gintoki Sakata and the others were slightly taken aback by Benedict's words, then turned to look at Sengoku, Garp, and the others with a hint of wariness.
Momousagi and the others, noticing the abnormality in Gintoki Sakata's group, also became alert, ready to resist at any moment.
However, Garp and Sengoku remained silent.
Both of them understood Benedict's meaning.
Because from the very beginning, Benedict's target had been the World Government, the Celestial Dragons.
Yet, they had fought against the Xuanwu Navy under the orders of the World Government and the Five Elders.
If they had been resolute from the start and led their troops to break away from the World Government and the Five Elders, then many would not have sacrificed their lives in vain.
"However, since you have found new resolve,"
"Then the Xuanwu Navy will accept your joining."
"But, there is one thing you must understand."
"Everything we do is solely for the liberation of humanity, for freedom, for the protection of peace, and for the eradication of the Celestial Dragons."
Benedict's gaze swept over Sengoku, Garp, and the others, his voice grave.
Sengoku and Garp were silent for a moment, then nodded.
Ultimately, they were the defeated.
Even though Benedict accepted them now, it did not change this fact.
Momousagi and the others, having received Benedict's answer, were able to relax their guard.
Each person had their own sense of justice. Even though they had faced life and death and drawn their swords against each other, their dissatisfaction with the World Government had been simmering for a long time.
"Marshal, Marineford is no more."
"Shall we disperse to hunt pirates, or return to the East Blue?"
Bai Qi stepped forward to inquire, seeing that Benedict was willing to accept Sengoku and the others.
Benedict pondered for a moment and said, "We will withdraw to Whiskey Peak near Reverse Mountain. There, it will serve as our Xuanwu Navy's branch in the Grand Line."
"After recuperating, we will sweep through and take control of the Grand Line."
"Yes, Marshal." Bai Qi heard this and immediately departed to issue orders.
After the great battle, with countless casualties, the strategic objective had been achieved.
The remaining surviving Marines all breathed a sigh of relief.
At the same time, they were incredibly excited.
As participants in such a great battle, and as survivors, they possessed the capital to boast about their experiences.
Therefore, once they relaxed, they began to recount their harrowing experiences to each other.
Benedict instructed the various high-ranking officers to comfort their troops and collect casualty information. Afterward, he returned to his warship.
The Xuanwu Navy needed its own headquarters in the Grand Line.
This was because it would help the Xuanwu Navy in clearing out pirates in the Grand Line and proceeding with a gradual approach.
The reason for this was that Benedict knew that with the destruction of Marineford, and the absence of the Navy as a double-edged sword, the World Government would soon reveal its fangs.
It would appear with even greater power before everyone and launch a counterattack against the Xuanwu Navy.
Benedict still held high hopes for the soldiers who had survived the fierce battle.
However, continuous combat was still too harsh for these soldiers.
Sustained fighting might lead to victory, but it would come at the cost of greater casualties.
Benedict did not desire such an outcome.
The island where Whiskey Peak was located was chosen as the headquarters for the Xuanwu Navy because it was one of the closest islands to Reverse Mountain, and after careful consideration, the local environment was suitable for constructing a Xuanwu Navy branch.
With such a branch, it would not only prevent pirates from entering the Four Seas but also stop people from the Four Seas from entering the Grand Line.
Furthermore, it would serve as a good rendezvous point for the Xuanwu Navy forces from the Four Seas when they gathered in the Grand Line, and also act as a defensive line against the World Government's counterattack.
Whiskey Peak.
Benedict, through the system, spent Justice Points to redeem a Navy branch and equipped it with various functions.
As a result, buildings rose from beneath the mist, complete with all the necessary configurations.
Benedict was not short of Justice Points at this moment.
The establishment of this branch alone cost Benedict over three hundred thousand Justice Points, and he still had more than two million eight hundred thousand Justice Points remaining to spend.
Therefore, when Benedict and his fleet arrived at Whiskey Peak after three days of sailing, Sengoku and the others were stunned.
When had a Xuanwu Navy branch appeared here?
Compared to the shock of Sengoku and the others, Kenshiro and the rest remained much calmer.
After all, those associated with Benedict were unfathomable.
Sengoku, Garp, Borsalino, Dragon, Bai Qi, Da Tian Gou Qing Feng, Kenshiro, and Gintoki Sakata, eight in total, were now seated on either side of Benedict.
Saitama, Li Chungang, Yujiro Hanma, and others were outside.
They were not very interested in the discussions inside.
They could take action in battle.
However, when it came to strategic discussions, they were less inclined.
"Green Bull is a menace."
"His ability to plunder the energy of others provides immense power for the arrival of demons in this world."
"If we cannot kill him, we may face a terrifying demon army."
Sengoku broke the silence of the conference room first, speaking with a grave expression.
Green Bull's sudden betrayal had dealt them a significant blow, and it was the last straw that broke their suppressed dissatisfaction with the World Government.
Of course, the most crucial factor was that Vice Admiral Tsuru had died.
This was the greatest blow to Momousagi, Sengoku, and Garp.
Therefore, they were filled with rage towards Green Bull.
If not for the immense threat posed by the demons, Sengoku and Garp would not have let Green Bull go on the battlefield and would have fought to the death to eliminate him.