Krieg's screams echoed through the Tsukuyomi space as his mind hovered on the brink of collapse.
Every stab of the katana brought unbearable agony, and every healing of his wounds served as a reminder that this was only the beginning of an endless torment. Itachi's voice was like a cold, merciless whisper from the depths of hell:
"In this infinite loop, your pain is also infinite. Your mind will shatter until you submit."
Krieg's consciousness began to blur, but the power of the Genjutsu prevented him from truly passing out. Countless versions of Itachi appeared before his eyes, each wielding a katana, every flash of the blade accompanied by his own shrieks. Time lost all meaning within the Tsukuyomi space; there was only unending pain, repeating over and over again.
"Please... stop... I'll do anything..."
Krieg's voice was hoarse, tears and blood streaking across his face. Yet Itachi's Genjutsu showed no mercy. Every thrust was ruthlessly precise, and every recovery forced Krieg to endure a torment worse than death. In this realm controlled by Itachi, Krieg's suffering was amplified infinitely, while his resistance seemed utterly insignificant.
The scenery around them began to twist, a sea of blood churning as Krieg felt as though he were bound to the wheel of time, crushed over and over again. His will was breaking down, his spirit disintegrating, while Itachi's Genjutsu remained cold and steadfast, like an insurmountable wall. Within this illusory world created by Itachi, Krieg's pain became his only reality, leaving him with nothing but endless despair and inescapable torture.
"Have you truly surrendered? You can't deceive me... Seventy-one hours, fifty-nine minutes, and fifty-ine seconds remain until the seventy-two hours are up."
Itachi's emotionless voice rang out across the blood-red expanse.
Hearing this, Krieg—crucified upon the cross—saw his pupils violently dilate!
He had experienced so much, yet only a single second had passed in the outside world!
"Aaaaaahhhhh!!!"
A miserable shriek echoed once more.
***
Meanwhile, in the outside world, the remaining nine Uchiha had successfully secured the situation. Using the Body Flicker Technique, Shisui began moving across the other pirate ships, subduing the pirates with Genjutsu and Earth Release ninjutsu.
Suddenly, Fugaku saw thirty Uchiha clansmen walking across the ocean waves toward them.
"Why are you here?"
One of the Uchiha Jonin replied, "His Majesty was worried, so he sent us to reinforce you. After all, there are far too many pirates. Besides, the Kingdom Army is already waiting in the town to take custody of the prisoners."
Fugaku nodded in understanding.
Before long, the farcical attack on the port by the five-thousand-strong pirate crew came to an end. Fifty pirate ships pulled up alongside the harbor. Tens of thousands of Kingdom Army soldiers were left utterly awestruck at the sight of the bedrock encrusting the vessels and the motionless pirates aboard.
Shortly after, the five thousand pirates were disarmed by the Kingdom Army and escorted under the watch of the Uchiha Clan to Duan Town for labor reform.
The surviving residents of the port emerged from their hiding places. They looked at the ninja of the Uchiha Clan with eyes filled with awe and gratitude. Before long, order was restored to the port, and the people set to work clearing the battlefield and repairing the damaged facilities.
***
In the distance, atop the peak of Foosha Village, Garp returned to the group, the expression on his face laced with shock.
"Such astonishing operational efficiency! I still underestimated this Imperial Guard," Garp muttered to himself.
With a force like this, the Sypher Kingdom had no need to fear losing its status as a World Government Affiliated Nation; it was even strong enough to dominate the East Blue.
"Grandpa! Are the king's Imperial Guards ninjas? They're so cool!" Luffy exclaimed, bubbling with excitement.
"The Imperial Guards are so strong! I actually thought we were going to be slaughtered by pirates. Turns out the new king is pretty capable after all!"
"They subdued this bunch of pirates in no time at all! They're definitely reliable! Long live the new king!"
The surrounding villagers were all buzzing with excitement.
Watching his excited grandson and the villagers, Garp furrowed his brow. He swept his gaze across the gathering of Foosha Village residents and Dadan's crew, then said in a deep voice:
"Listen up, everyone. I received word this morning that Marine Headquarters has designated the Sypher Kingdom as a force backed by the Revolutionary Army. They've already dispatched a headquarters fleet, and it's expected to arrive here within a month to launch an attack on the Sypher Kingdom and restore the Goa Kingdom's regime."
Garp's voice echoed across the mountaintop, every word as heavy as iron.
"We must take action immediately. Everyone needs to stockpile food as fast as possible to get through the coming period of chaos. I suggest you all escape to Dadan's mountain hideout; it's relatively safe there and you can temporarily avoid the flames of war."
Garp's words betrayed his deep concern for the impending conflict.
The crowd was struck dumb with shock. They had never imagined that their peaceful life would suddenly be overshadowed by the dark clouds of war.
"Why?! The new king abolished the nobles and canceled the taxes! I even heard the new king is going to vigorously develop infrastructure, provide free healthcare, fair trade, and free elder care! The new king is so good, why on earth are the Marines starting a war?!"
The old village chief questioned Garp with righteous indignation. Deeply trusted by the villagers, his speech resonated deeply with Makino, Luffy, and the rest of the villagers, even drawing the wholehearted agreement of the mountain bandit Dadan.
"That's right, old man! What was so great about the old Goa Kingdom anyway? You Marines never do anything good! My brother Sabo here was a noble, and he ran away precisely because he couldn't stand how arrogant the nobles were!" Ace blurted out furiously.
"That's right! I think the new king is doing a great job, too!" Sabo chimed in, nodding with an air of precocious maturity.
Garp was intensely annoyed by the three brats cutting in. He rolled up his sleeves as if intending to beat some sense into them, frightening the trio into scrambling behind Makino for cover.
"What do you three little runts know?! That's politics, and you wouldn't understand a word of it even if I explained! Get lost, get lost, get lost! Dadan, take the three of them back to the mountain hideout. And you, Village Chief, stop being so stubborn. Go mobilize everyone and get ready to hide from the war!"
***
Down at the Foosha Village port, the Red Hair Pirates were in a stir.
"Well, now—that was fast work," Yasopp said, leaping down from the mast onto the deck with a look of amazement. "Not only can those Imperial Guards sprint across the ocean surface, but they can manipulate ocean currents just like the Fish-men, and control rock and earth as well! Tsk tsk! I've never seen so many Devil Fruit users with the exact same abilities!"
"They use Genjutsu, too!" Lucky Roux, the large man standing nearby, added with lingering apprehension.
Ben Beckman maintained an indifferent expression as he looked toward the captain, Shanks, who had his back to them at the bow. Beckman said in a low voice:
"Shanks, let's skip tonight's banquet. I have a feeling the East Blue will soon be flooded with a massive number of Marines. We should head back to the New World as soon as possible."
"Yeah, Captain. It's no big deal if I have to swallow my pride a bit; there's no need to invite unnecessary trouble," Lucky Roux said earnestly.
Shanks remained silent, and no one could guess what was running through his mind. The crew stared at his back.
Suddenly, Shanks leapt back onto the deck, breaking into a bright, cheerful grin.
"Go fetch my treasured old liquor. I'm going to the banquet alone tonight—you guys wait here on the ship for me."