Because of Sengoku's furious roar, the entire battlefield turned its attention toward the execution platform.
When they saw Gecko Moria restraining Sengoku with his shadow, manipulating the two executioners to unlock Fire Fist Ace's Seastone cuffs—
Everyone was stunned.
The Marines were thrown into panic.
"Isn't Gecko Moria one of the Seven Warlords? That bastard actually betrayed us mid-battle!"
"Damn it! He's trying to rescue Fire Fist Ace!"
"But how is he controlling Fleet Admiral Sengoku with his strength?"
"No idea—must be some special ability of the Shadow-Shadow Fruit. I've never heard of anything like this!"
"Someone stop Gecko Moria!"
With Sengoku restrained, the only ones on the Marine side who could stop Moria were the three Admirals and Garp.
But Kizaru was still slacking off, hands in his pockets, lips crooked in his usual lazy expression.
"How scary~ the Shadow-Shadow Fruit. Even I, as light, have a shadow. If I go up there, I might get controlled too, you know."
Aokiji was still trading blows with Diamond Jozu.
Truthfully, Aokiji's stance had always been somewhat ambiguous.
He had never truly treated the Marines as his sole allegiance.
In the original timeline, after losing to Akainu in the battle for Fleet Admiral, he left the Marines—and even seemed to have dealings with Blackbeard.
So at this moment, he chose to observe.
He had no intention of forcing back Jozu and rushing to the execution platform.
As for Akainu—the only one among the Admirals with a firm stance—
He was tied down.
His earlier Meigō strike had pierced Whitebeard's chest, dealing a heavy blow.
Now, having withdrawn his arm, he was preparing to press the advantage and finish Whitebeard off completely.
Behind him—
Garp clenched his fists, yet remained where he stood.
In the end—
His sense of justice was wavering.
Faced with the possibility of his grandson Ace escaping danger, how could he bear to extinguish that hope?
Just as Luo Xing had thought—
Garp, with both his son and grandson opposing the World Government, yet still clinging to his Marine position while unable to fully uphold his justice…
Was only tormenting himself.
Unlike the Marines' shock—
The Whitebeard Pirates erupted in joy.
"Gecko Moria is actually on our side?!"
"When did old man invite him to join us?"
"Hahaha! Such great news, and old man never told us!"
The ordinary pirates didn't know the truth—
But the core members of the Whitebeard crew did.
Whitebeard had never invited Moria.
There had been no contact at all.
Marco, who had just gotten back on his feet after being punched away by Garp, was filled with confusion.
Why was Gecko Moria helping them?
Whitebeard himself had the same question.
Clutching the massive wound in his chest inflicted by Akainu, Whitebeard cast a glance toward the execution platform.
When he saw Moria truly unlocking Ace's Seastone cuffs, he thought:
"Gecko Moria… no matter whose orders you're following, I owe you a favor this time."
Taking a deep breath—
Suppressing both his heart pain and internal injuries—
Whitebeard roared:
"Brats! Ace has been freed! Protect him and retreat back to the New World!!"
Then, disregarding the toll on his life—
He unleashed the full power of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit.
In an instant—
The earth and sea split apart once more, tilting violently.
The entire battlefield shook.
No one could stand steady.
Even Akainu, who was about to pursue and kill Whitebeard, staggered slightly.
On the execution platform—
Having completed Luo Xing's task, Moria wasted no time.
With a few swift leaps, he vanished behind the Marineford headquarters.
Finally freed from the control—
Sengoku was furious, his hair and beard bristling.
"Gecko Moria, you bastard! I will settle this with you sooner or later!"
But he had no time to chase Moria.
He absolutely could not allow Fire Fist Ace to escape.
Otherwise—
This war would end in total Marine defeat!
Blinding golden light erupted from Sengoku's body.
In an instant—
He transformed into a colossal golden Buddha.
Human-Human Fruit, Mythical Zoan—Daibutsu Form!
The Human-Human Fruit itself was already a special category.
For example, the ordinary version eaten by Chopper only granted human traits.
But Mythical Zoans—
Were entirely different.
Among the known ones—
The Sun God Nika, and the Golden Buddha—
Both were world-shaking powers.
"Fire Fist Ace! Since others cannot stop you, then I will personally carry out your execution!"
Sengoku's voice boomed like a temple bell.
He raised his massive golden fist and smashed it down toward Ace.
At this moment, Ace was still somewhat dazed.
He had never expected to be freed by a Warlord like Moria.
But before he could process it—
Sengoku's golden fist was already descending.
Ace had no time to think.
He instantly transformed his entire body into flames.
The golden fist struck—
BOOM!
The execution platform was completely destroyed.
Using the force of the impact, Ace was blown down onto Marineford's plaza, where he reformed into his human body.
Joy surged through him.
He could finally use his Flame-Flame Fruit again.
He was finally free!
The Whitebeard Pirates erupted into cheers.
"Ace!!"
Commanders and captains shouted his name excitedly.
On the other side—
Whitebeard, pushing his power to the limit, was overjoyed.
"Take Ace and retreat to the New World! I will hold off the Marines!!"
Marco shouted anxiously:
"Old man, come with us! Your body needs immediate treatment!"
Whitebeard laughed boldly.
"You foolish son… I know my own body better than anyone."
"That Senzu Bean you brought back only healed my injuries."
"My life was already nearing its end."
"To die on the battlefield for my beloved sons—"
"That is the best ending I could ask for!"
"Do you understand, Marco?!"
Hearing this—
Tears streamed down the faces of the Whitebeard Pirates.
Ace himself dropped to his knees, crying out:
"Old man!!"
Whitebeard forced his power again, worsening his condition, coughing up blood—
Yet he didn't care.
He looked at Ace and smiled.
"Don't cry, Ace."
"At this final moment, I only want to ask you one question."
"Have I been a worthy father?"
Ace's throat tightened.
Tears blurred his vision.
He bowed deeply and shouted with all his strength:
"Of course you have, old man!!"
Whitebeard smiled silently.
"Gurararara…"
It was a deeply moving scene—
But this was still a battlefield.
A life-and-death war.
As Whitebeard's power subsided—
As Ace and the others began to retreat—
Akainu immediately gave chase.
But Akainu was no mindless brute.
On the contrary—
He was highly strategic.
From manipulating Squard to wound Whitebeard—
To seizing every opportunity in battle—
Even his rise to Fleet Admiral wasn't due to strength alone, but also his cunning.
So—
His pursuit wasn't reckless.
It was targeted.
Directly at Ace's weakness.
From behind, Akainu called out:
"What a touching father-son bond… but in the end, Whitebeard is nothing more than a loser of this era!"
"Fire Fist Ace, your real father is the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger—that man was a true hero."
"To acknowledge a loser like Whitebeard as your father… you and your entire crew are nothing but trash!"
The insult toward Whitebeard enraged the Whitebeard Pirates.
But they still kept their composure.
They knew—
This was a provocation.
A trap.
But Ace—
Impulsive as ever—
Stopped.
He turned, glaring at Akainu.
"What did you just say? Whitebeard is a loser?!"
"You bastard! Don't you dare insult the man who saved my life!"
"This era… belongs to Whitebeard!!"
A flash of satisfaction crossed Akainu's eyes.
The fool had taken the bait.
Akainu removed his cap, brushing his head as he sneered:
"Oh? This era belongs to Whitebeard?"
"But this Great Pirate Era was started by your father—Roger."
"As Roger's son, how can you worship a failure like Whitebeard?"
Ace's eyes turned blood-red.
His chest burned with rage.
He hated his bloodline.
He hated the Pirate King.
Whitebeard—
Was his true father.
The one who mattered most.
"Shut up! Shut up!!"
Ace roared—
And charged at Akainu.
"Fire Fist!!"
Akainu's killing intent surged.
He placed his cap back on—
And threw his own punch.
"Meigō!!"
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