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Crack! Crack!
Whitebeard swung his fist, and the air itself fractured with a cobweb-like crack spreading instantly.
The ground shattered violently, sending chunks of stone flying. The shockwave surged toward the execution platform with terrifying, unstoppable force, scattering Marines like leaves in a storm.
If not for Ace's precarious situation, Whitebeard's attack would have been far more devastating.
"Is that all you've got, Whitebeard?!" Sengoku roared.
Golden light erupted as Sengoku transformed into his Golden Buddha form. With both hands, he caught the shockwave and countered it with his own power, the vibrations clashing violently.
BOOM!!
The impact sounded like a colossal bell ringing through a deep mountain, shaking the very air and space around them. The execution platform began to crack under the strain.
Sengoku's eyes narrowed, and just as the platform was about to collapse, he hoisted the unconscious Ace into the air, holding him aloft as a warning.
In that instant, every eye on the battlefield locked onto the scene above.
BOOM—BOOM!
The execution platform crumbled further, but Sengoku's expression remained cold and resolute. Armament Haki coated his palms as he launched two golden shockwaves directly at Ace, who was plummeting under the pull of gravity.
"Damn it—Ace!!"
Marco's eyes blazed with fury. Pushing himself to his limit, he spread his phoenix wings wide and shot toward the sky, his blue flames burning as though fueled by his very life force.
"I won't let you get through that easily!"
A mocking voice cut through the chaos as Kizaru, with his usual nonchalance, appeared in a flash of golden light directly in Marco's path. With a precise and devastating kick, he sent Marco hurtling back to the ground.
Kizaru landed smoothly, turning his attention to the unfolding drama in the air. "Looks like this war will soon be over," he said casually.
If Fire Fist Ace was executed, the Marines would achieve their goal of eliminating the so-called "evil bloodline." It would also ensure their victory without suffering further losses to figures like Kaido or others. The World Government's image would remain intact.
"SENGOKU!!!"
Whitebeard's furious roar echoed across the battlefield as he charged forward. His veins bulged as he smashed his right hand into the ground, causing an explosion that sent shockwaves rippling across a 100-meter radius, directly toward Sengoku.
"I can't let you interfere with the execution," came Aokiji's calm voice. In a flash, he appeared at Whitebeard's side, his hands outstretched. Icy cold surged forward, aiming to freeze the Yonko in his tracks.
"Don't act like I'm not here, Kuzan! You think you can ignore me?!"
Kaido's thunderous roar followed as his colossal form leaped into the fray. Swinging his Hassaikai, coated in Conqueror's Haki, Kaido struck Aokiji with a devastating blow, sending the Admiral crashing into a shattered building.
Aokiji reformed from shards of ice, brushing blood from the corner of his mouth. "So, you're leaving Whitebeard to me, Kaido?" he asked coldly.
"Who do you think I am?!" Kaido roared in response, immediately resuming his assault on Aokiji.
Meanwhile, Whitebeard's shockwave surged toward Sengoku's golden shockwave.
Under the gaze of every fighter on the battlefield, the two titanic forces collided and exploded with a deafening roar, shaking the very heavens.
A massive burst of air erupted above the execution platform, sweeping away Marines within tens of meters. Even Sengoku staggered backward, forced off the collapsing platform and landing near the rear of the Justice Building.
The vibrations from the clash might have caused damage to Ace's body, but they had ultimately saved his life.
"Ace——!"
Jozu's eyes burned with determination as he watched Ace plummeting toward the ground. Rage and desperation surged through him, and his body gleamed with the power of his Twinkle-Twinkle Fruit. Combined with his Armament Haki, his body became an indomitable force. With unstoppable momentum, he tore through the debris and vegetation that had obstructed his path, charging straight toward the square beneath the execution platform.
The battlefield had shifted. Many Vice Admirals were occupied holding back the Big Mom legions' assault, leaving the central square unexpectedly exposed. This gave Jozu an opening, and he charged through like a battering ram.
Seeing Jozu close in on Ace, the pirates of the Whitebeard Pirates erupted in cheers, their voices carrying across the battlefield.
"Go, Jozu! Save Ace!"
But hope was fleeting.
"I am still here! I won't let you pass!"
A towering figure appeared before Jozu, his fist wrapped in a terrifying aura of Armament Haki. With one devastating punch, Vice Admiral Garp intercepted Jozu, shattering the Whitebeard Pirates' hopes in an instant.
As the tides shifted, the Marines rallied, their cheers echoing in response:
"Vice Admiral Garp!!"
Meanwhile, Whitebeard himself continued his relentless advance, drawing closer to the square. With his signature quake-forged white halo in hand, he unleashed a massive punch aimed directly at Garp.
But Garp, unable to look at Ace for fear of his wavering resolve, turned his grief into strength. Gritting his teeth, he retaliated with a punch fueled by the might of the legendary Marine hero.
The sheer power of their clash shook the battlefield, creating a zone so fierce that neither pirate nor Marine dared to step into the square.
Amid the chaos, Ace, who had been unconscious, stirred and opened his eyes after landing hard on the ground. Pain shot through his body, but when he glanced ahead, his vision locked onto the two titans clashing before him.
"Grandpa... Daddy..."
Ace's voice, faint yet unmistakable, carried through the battlefield and reached the ears of both Garp and Whitebeard. The sound momentarily caused both warriors to falter, their attacks slowing as conflicting emotions weighed heavily on them.
Then, the ground beneath Ace cracked violently.
The battlefield trembled as molten lava burst skyward, engulfing the space behind Ace. The intense heat and glowing magma disrupted the fierce battle between Garp and Whitebeard.
Emerging from the fiery chaos was Sakazuki, his body radiating deadly heat, the power of the Magma-Magma Fruit coursing through him. His killing intent was palpable, his eyes locked on Ace like a predator stalking its prey.
Without hesitation, Sakazuki raised a lava-clad fist, his body seething with murderous intent. He lunged at Ace, aiming to deliver a fatal blow.
"Die, Fire Fist!"
The molten fist, capable of burning through even flames, bore down on Ace, whose weakened body was no match for such an attack.
It all happened in less than half a minute.
The change was so sudden and devastating that Garp, who had turned in shock, could only watch as the scene unfolded. His gaze fell to the shattered Buddhist prayer beads, scattered like broken chains across the ground, reflecting the chaos and tragedy of the battlefield.