Chapter 151 Whitebeard: It seems I can't take another punch...cough cough cough!
All members of the Beasts Pirates swiftly disengaged from combat, retreating in an orderly tide toward their ships before immediately setting sail!
"But, Lord Kaido!" Queen the Plague couldn't help shouting, "That flame is extraordinary! If we could acquire it..."
"Silence!" Kaido, having shifted back to his human form, landed heavily on the deck. As Queen approached, his expression full of reluctance, Kaido snorted, "Do you truly believe we can capture Ace now?"
"...." Queen glanced at their surroundings. The Marines and the Whitebeard Pirates both seemed aligned with Ace. "Indeed... it's impossible."
"We retreat now. There will be other opportunities!"
Kaido cast one last deep look in Ace's direction. "Orororo... Whitebeard, Red-Hair... Next time we meet, I hope you've unraveled the secret of those flames..."
"KAIIDOOO!!!"
Big Mom Charlotte Linlin stood upon Zeus, her body trembling with rage, her hair writhing like infuriated serpents. The flames of Prometheus surrounding Napoleon surged uncontrollably.
"Mamamama!! You treacherous bastard! Running off on your own! This old lady hasn't even had her children yet!"
She suddenly turned her head, her gaze piercing as it fixed on Ace upon the execution platform. "You wretched brat! This old lady remembers you now!"
Then she bared her teeth in a ferocious grin. "Isn't your fire something special? If you get the chance, you should visit Totto Land! I'll show you what true 'hospitality' really means!"
The weariness on Ace's face instantly vanished, replaced by an uncontrollable flash of excitement. He had just been worrying about finding a suitable pretext to go to Totto Land to complete his system's check-in mission, and never expected Big Mom to offer the opportunity herself!
"Such a good thing?" he muttered to himself, the corners of his mouth curling upward irrepressibly. This was a public invitation broadcast to the entire world; he wasn't worried about Big Mom reneging. It was a heaven-sent opportunity!
"Don't you worry, Big Mom! I will definitely come to your Totto Land for a proper 'visit'!"
His words drew sharp intakes of breath from all present. Sengoku's eye twitched. This kid truly courted trouble; wasn't this just walking straight into the lion's den?
Whitebeard frowned slightly but ultimately allowed Ace his choice. If anything happened, he, as his father, would back him up regardless!
"Mamamama!! Excellent!" Big Mom laughed instead of growing angry. Zeus slowly carried her higher into the sky. "When that time comes, I shall prepare the most special 'welcoming ceremony' for you! Remember your words today!"
She shot Ace one final, vicious glare, then Napoleon swept downward, cleaving the sea itself as the Big Mom Pirates made their dramatic exit. Yet her threatening laughter still echoed over the waters, sending shivers down spines.
Ace watched the direction of her departure, the pale flame in his palm slowly dying out. He rubbed his chin thoughtfully, already calculating his route to Totto Land—after all, the system's check-in rewards were quite tempting...
Who knew what incredible rewards awaited!
Red-Haired Shanks had retreated to the bow of the Red Force, the scar over his left eye looking particularly sinister under the gloomy sky. His black and red Conqueror's Haki leaked out uncontrollably.
"Another... variable of this era..." His voice was low as distant thunder, complex and unreadable emotions churning in his eyes.
Whitebeard Edward Newgate hefted Murakumogiri onto his shoulder and let out a booming laugh. "Gurararara! Red-Hair brat, what are you planning now? Ace killed Teach. Do you still intend to move against Ace?"
"Do you dare?!"
Shanks's pupils constricted sharply, the blade of Gryphon trembling faintly in his grip. As he gazed at the tall figure on the execution platform, for a fleeting moment, he seemed to see a familiar silhouette wearing a straw hat—
Gol D. Roger!
At the final moment of his life, he too had stood upon an execution platform, heralding the dawn of the Great Pirate Era.
"I..." Shanks's throat felt dry.
Yes, Ace had killed Teach. He couldn't possibly attack Ace now. Others might not know, but he did, and so did Whitebeard—Ace was Captain Roger's son. How could he raise a hand against his Captain's son?
The man who had once placed the straw hat upon his head, entrusting him with the new era, seemed to be watching him now through Ace's eyes.
Shanks took a deep breath, his Conqueror's Haki gradually receding. The sea grew calm once more. He gave Ace one last, profound look.
"Withdraw."
Gryphon slid back into its scabbard with a heavy click.
Beckman silently holstered his flintlock rifle and signaled to the crew.
The Red Force slowly turned its bow, sails rising in silence. The members of the Red Hair Pirates asked no questions, simply following their captain's lead.
"This choice..." Shanks stood with his back to the gradually receding Marineford, his voice so soft only he could hear it, "...is it right, or is it wrong..."
Whitebeard watched the Red Hair Pirates depart, hefting Murakumogiri back onto his shoulder. "Gurararara! At least you still have some conscience, you brat!"
Beside him,
Akainu's eyes narrowed thoughtfully, his gaze fixed on Whitebeard. He keenly noted the latter's labored breathing and the slight tremor in his arm.
He quietly approached Fleet Admiral Sengoku.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku," he urged in a low voice, "Whitebeard is exhausted from his fight with Red-Hair, and his old injuries are flaring up. Now is the perfect time to finish him!"
His gaze swept over Whitebeard—the disordered breathing, the heaving chest. Then he looked at the hand gripping Murakumogiri; the tremor was subtle, but discernible—a clear sign the old pirate was pushing himself beyond his limits.
"We cannot hesitate any longer!" Akainu stepped forward, his expression severe. "If we let him recover, we'll have wasted this golden opportunity! I request permission to eliminate Whitebeard!"
Sengoku's eyes flickered, his gaze shifting between Akainu and Whitebeard. How could he not know this was a rare chance? But... just as Sengoku hesitated, Akainu, impatient, took action on his own!
"Great Eruption!"
A massive fist of magma hurtled toward Whitebeard without waiting for any order.
Whitebeard's eyes flared with fury. Murakumogiri, sheathed in the white glow of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit, swept out to meet Akainu's magma fist head-on!
BOOM—!!!
The terrifying shockwave instantly vaporized the surrounding seawater. Akainu was sent flying backward, fine cracks even appearing on his magma-formed arm!
But Whitebeard also staggered back two steps, driving Murakumogiri into the ground to steady himself. He clutched at his heaving chest, then glared at Akainu, forcing out a few ragged coughs.
"Guah... Cough cough!" He spat out a mouthful of blood, his voice turning hoarse and weak. "You candle-lighting brat... you might just be right..."
He panted with difficulty, bloody foam speckling his lips with every word. "This old man... is indeed at his limit... It seems one more blow... and I won't be able to stand... Cough cough cough!!!"
....
The journey continues right now for our Jade Dragons! 🐉
For just $6/month, you can step into the advanced chapters and never face a cliffhanger again. Gain instant access to 50+ chapters immediately, support the story you love, and help decide its course.
🔗 Become a Jade Dragon:https://patreon.com/J_Dragon