A wild, triumphant gleam flashed in Akainu's eyes as his magma fist reformed. "Then just die obediently, old man!"
He shot forward like a crimson meteor, seawater boiling and ice melting in his wake. But just as his molten fist was about to strike Whitebeard's chest, the situation shifted dramatically!
Whitebeard's previously stooped form suddenly straightened. The dullness in his eyes vanished, replaced by a terrifying, piercing brilliance!
The white glow of vibrations around Murakumogiri instantly intensified to an unprecedented level, the very air cracking under the strain!
"You took the bait, you brat!" Whitebeard's heaven-shaking roar accompanied a swing of his naginata, the blade moving faster than the eye could follow!
Akainu had no time to react. He could only watch as the bisento, wreathed in destructive energy, slammed squarely into his face!
CRACK—!!!
The sickening sound of shattering bone echoed horribly.
Akainu's magma form instantly destabilized, and he was violently hurled backward. His cheekbone was visibly crushed, his nose broken, blood and shattered teeth gushing from his mouth.
Most terrifyingly, the power of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit penetrated directly into his skull. His head rang, his vision blurred, his ears roared, and his very thoughts stuttered to a halt.
"Admiral Akainu!" surrounding Marines cried out in horror.
Akainu crashed into the sea in a wretched state, sending up a huge geyser of water before being hastily fished out by nearby Marines.
Now, his left eye was swollen shut, his face a bloody mask. The eyes that usually blazed with killing intent were filled with sheer disbelief.
He had been tricked... by an old man he thought was on his last legs!
Whitebeard leaned on Murakumogiri, breathing heavily, but a triumphant, cunning grin spread across his lips. "Gurararara... Combat isn't just about brute force... kid..."
"You should go home and light birthday candles instead!"
His eyes shone with a fearsome light, as if he had returned to his prime!
Everyone who witnessed this felt a chill run down their spines. Was this the power of the World's Strongest Man?
Even after continuous battle, he could still inflict such damage on an Admiral!
Akainu coughed violently in the water, spitting out a mouthful of bloody saliva. He stared fixedly at the seemingly frail old man, feeling an emotion he'd rarely known: fear...
This battle was far more perilous than he had anticipated!
The older the ginger, the hotter the spice!
Akainu's gaze shifted to the execution platform. "Fire Fist Ace! As a new Warlord, it's time you contributed to the World Government!"
He pointed a trembling, magma-dripping finger at the panting Whitebeard. "Go and finish that old man! That will confirm your true loyalty to the World Government!"
Ace was utterly stunned, pointing at his own nose. "Me?"
He couldn't believe his ears. Was Akainu really ordering him to kill his own father?
"Yes, you!" Akainu's roar carried an undeniable pressure. "This is your best chance to prove yourself! Or did you join the Warlords... with ulterior motives?"
Ace instinctively looked toward Whitebeard, finding his father's gaze already upon him. It held understanding, and a hint of imperceptible encouragement.
"I..." Ace began, hesitation coloring his voice for a split second—
Buzz!
A sharp sword slash suddenly cut across the battlefield!
Dracule Mihawk had, at some point, leaped into the air, his black blade, Yoru, gleaming coldly under the sun.
"Whitebeard of the Four Emperors..." the voice of the World's Greatest Swordsman was calm, yet brimming with formidable fighting spirit. He slowly raised Yoru, a chilling sword energy condensing along its edge. "World's Strongest Man... I've long wished to test your power."
Mihawk didn't wait for a response. Yoru descended!
A gigantic, emerald-green slash tore through the sky, severing even the light in its path as it hurtled toward Whitebeard!
"Gurararara! Bring it on!" Whitebeard laughed, swinging Murakumogiri to meet it!
BOOM!!
Mihawk's Yoru and Whitebeard's Murakumogiri collided with a deafening crash. The emerald slash and the white vibrational light clashed violently, erupting into a suffocating storm of energy!
The ground beneath their feet shattered inch by inch, the seawater forced back by the terrifying force, forming a massive vacuum zone.
When the light subsided, both men stood their ground.
Mihawk's Yoru trembled slightly. The veins on Whitebeard's arm bulged. The exchange had ended in a stalemate!
"As expected of the World's Strongest Man," Mihawk's voice held a rare note of respect. He raised Yoru once more, sword energy gathering again. "This next move—"
"Wait!"
Ace's figure transformed into a streak of pale fire, inserting itself between the two titans. He spread his arms, pale flames forming a barrier that cleanly separated them.
"Mr. Mihawk," Ace's voice was clear and firm, ensuring every Transponder Snail captured it, "Please, leave this battle to me."
He slowly turned, facing Whitebeard directly!
Every onlooker held their breath. The Marine Admirals exchanged glances of confusion, while the Whitebeard Pirates stared in disbelief.
Ace took a deep breath, his voice suddenly rising to a shout: "This is the perfect chance to let the entire world know! From today onward, I, Portgas D. Ace, officially withdraw from the Whitebeard Pirates!"
Pale flames, soaring skyward, ignited in his palm. They burned more intensely than ever, radiating a chilling heat.
His words exploded like thunder. The entire battlefield erupted into an uproar, every Marine staring in stunned silence.
"Interesting... far too interesting!" Onigumo licked his lips, excited. "A son turning on his father... this spectacle is better than any pirate execution!"
Doberman's scarred face twisted with grim satisfaction. "This is how it should be! Let the pirates tear each other apart!"
The rank-and-file soldiers buzzed with chatter: "I never thought Ace would be this ruthless!"
"To raise a hand against his own father... he's a fitting Warlord!"
At the edge of the platform, Garp's dog-head cap was pulled low, his bushy eyebrows tightly knit.
He stared silently at Ace's back, his fists unconsciously clenching. "You brat... would you truly go that far?" he muttered, his voice so low only he could hear it, thick with disbelief. As the one who had watched Ace grow up, he knew better than anyone how deeply this boy felt things.
Sengoku's gaze shifted between Ace and Whitebeard. He adjusted his glasses. "It is suspicious..." he murmured, but then nodded slowly. "However, if it is genuine, it would be a tremendous boon for the Marines."
His mind flashed to Ace's astonishing performance during his training at Marineford—mastering the Six Styles after a single demonstration, grasping the intricacies of Life Return with ease. Such talent seemed born for the Marines!
"Even if it is a trick..." Sengoku whispered to himself, a shrewd curve forming on his lips, "We must first secure his allegiance to the Marines."
He spoke into his Transponder Snail. "All units, clear the battlefield! Give Ace room to operate!"
....
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