Twilight's End A New Dawn

Chapter 20: The World Reacts - A Fracture Exposed

The events of the War of Marineford rippled across the world, and the tense clash between Akainu and Selene was broadcast live for all to see. Pirates, kingdoms, revolutionaries, and civilians alike witnessed something unthinkable: two of the Navy's strongest forces—one a raging fire, the other a silent shadow—at odds with each other on the battlefield.

The world had long believed that the Navy stood united, unbreakable in its pursuit of justice. But the cracks were now visible for all to see.

The Pirates' Response: A Beacon of Hope in Chaos

Across the Grand Line, pirates cheered. They saw in the rift between Selene and Akainu an opportunity—a sign that the Navy was not the perfect machine it pretended to be.

On Blackbeard's ship, Teach leaned back with a wicked grin. "Looks like things are fallin' apart, huh? Ohoho! That Moonblade might just be our ticket to turnin' this whole world upside down."The remnants of Whitebeard's forces whispered among themselves, wondering what the clash between Selene and Akainu might mean for the future. "If even their leaders can't agree," one pirate muttered, "how much longer can the Marines hold together?"The Supernovas, scattered across the seas, took note. "The Navy's falling apart," said Eustass Kid with a sneer. "If they're fighting each other, they won't be able to stop us."

The legend of Selene 'The Moonblade' grew among the pirates—not as a villain or enemy, but as a wildcard in a system that was crumbling. Some whispered that if Selene ever turned her back on the Navy, the seas would be hers to command.

The Revolutionary Army: A Shift in the Tide

In the shadows, the Revolutionary Army watched closely.

Dragon, the enigmatic leader of the revolutionaries, sat in silence as the reports came in. "Selene... A shadow among the flames."
He knew that if Selene ever left the Navy, the balance of power would tip in their favor. "Watch her carefully," Dragon ordered. "If the Navy loses her, the world will change."

Sabo, watching the broadcast with clenched fists, felt a flicker of hope. "If even the admirals are fighting each other..." he whispered, "maybe the cracks we need are already there."

The revolutionaries knew that the war wasn't just against pirates—it was against the entire system of control the World Government had built. And the clash between Akainu and Selene was a sign that the system was starting to unravel from within.

The Marines: Unease Spreads Through the Ranks

Within the Navy, the clash between Akainu and Selene caused more damage than any external enemy ever could. Soldiers and officers whispered behind closed doors, wondering what the future held.

"If the admirals are fighting each other, how can we follow orders?" one Marine whispered nervously to another."What happens if Selene decides she's had enough?""If Akainu keeps pushing her, she might leave. And if she leaves... half of us will follow her."

The split within the Navy was no longer just a rumor—it was a real possibility. Many Marines, disillusioned by Akainu's brutal vision of Absolute Justice, found themselves secretly loyal to Selene's calm, measured leadership.

The commanders exchanged uneasy glances, knowing that if Selene were ever forced out, the Navy would fracture. The whispers grew louder: "What if Selene were the Fleet Admiral instead of Akainu?"

The Five Elders: A Dangerous Balance

In Mariejois, the Five Elders sat in silent frustration, their minds racing as they watched the clash between Akainu and Selene unfold on live broadcast.

"We warned this would happen," one Elder muttered bitterly. "They are fire and shadow—too different to coexist for long."

"If we lose Selene, the Navy will split," another warned. "Her presence is the only thing keeping the disillusioned officers from leaving."

"And if we remove Akainu?" a third Elder mused grimly. "The factions loyal to Absolute Justice will revolt. Either way, we lose."

The Elders knew they were walking a dangerous line. Selene was a force they could not control, but she was also the only thing keeping the fragile balance within the Navy. If Akainu's fire consumed her, the Navy—and perhaps the entire World Government—would fall apart.

The Civilian Response: Fear and Doubt

Even among ordinary civilians, the broadcast of the Marineford War caused a shift. For decades, they had believed in the strength and unity of the Navy. But now they saw what many had whispered about in secret—the Navy's unity was an illusion.

"They can't even control their own admirals!" one man exclaimed in disbelief."If the Navy falls apart, who will protect us?" another woman whispered anxiously.

In the allied kingdoms, leaders who had once placed their trust in the Navy began to reconsider their loyalties. If the Navy couldn't even keep its leaders in line, how could they protect the seas from pirates?

Akainu's Fury Burns Brighter

Back at Marineford, Akainu seethed. Though the battle continued, he knew the damage had already been done—the world had seen his failure. His hatred for Selene only deepened, knowing that her calm defiance and refusal to fall in line were now public knowledge.

"She will regret this," Akainu muttered under his breath, his molten fists clenched in frustration. "One day, I will burn away that shadow of hers."

But deep down, even Akainu knew that Selene was beyond his reach. No matter how hot his fire burned, shadows always survived.

Selene's Quiet Reflection

As the battle raged on, Selene stood calmly amid the chaos, her expression unreadable. The world had seen Akainu's hatred toward her, but she wasn't concerned with appearances. What mattered was the fracture exposed beneath the surface.

"The fire is already burning itself out," Selene thought, her gaze drifting over the battlefield. "And when it does, only the shadows will remain."

She knew that this was only the beginning. The War of Marineford would end, but the cracks it revealed would spread across the world. And when the time came, Selene would be ready.

Because shadows didn't need to fight—they waited. And Selene 'The Moonblade' always waited with precision.

End of Chapter 20: A World on the Edge

The clash between Akainu and Selene echoed across the seas, leaving the world shaken and uncertain. The pirates saw opportunity, the revolutionaries saw hope, the Marines saw division, and the World Government saw a dangerous game slipping from their control.

But Selene remained as calm as ever—a shadow among giants, watching and waiting. Her time would come. And when it did, she would strike exactly where it mattered most.

Because shadows are patient. And Selene 'The Moonblade' knew the value of waiting for the perfect moment.