Facing his two old rivals, Whitebeard didn't dare to be careless in the slightest. He abandoned his continued power buildup and simultaneously parried their attacks from left and right.
The shockwaves from the three combatants' techniques spread outwards. Fortunately, the ice layers created by Hera's clone and Aokiji blocked the impact waves generated by their clash.
Seeing Whitebeard's wide-open defense, Hera found her opportunity. Activating the Warp-Warp Fruit, 'saikū', wrapped in Haki, pierced into Whitebeard's chest from behind, the shadows clinging to her body swiftly entering Whitebeard's frame.
The Dark-Dark Fruit and the City of Devouring Time worked in tandem, severing the connection between the Tremor-Tremor Fruit and Whitebeard, while time power was poured into Whitebeard's body as if it cost nothing.
The power of the 'Third Bullet' poured into Whitebeard's body through the wound, accelerating his aging.
The surrounding Marines began shouting Hera's name, as if victory was already secured.
Using the last of his strength, Whitebeard tried to blast his two old rivals away, then raised Murakumogiri to slash at Hera behind him.
Kuina, holding the transformed greatsword 'wado ichimonji', blocked Whitebeard's attack, allowing Hera to continue infusing power into Whitebeard's body.
Even at his peak, facing this lineup, Whitebeard would have been no match for their combined strength, let alone now in his final, fleeting resurgence. Three moves at his peak power was the absolute limit of his remaining life.
Whitebeard decided to ignore Hera at his back. Using his last ounce of strength, he looked towards the crew piloting the 'Moby Dick', wanting to cause one last headache for the Marines.
Hera discerned Whitebeard's intent and quickened her movements. Disregarding 'saikū' still lodged in Whitebeard's back, she wrapped her fist in Haoshoku and struck at Whitebeard.
"We can't let the seas, which have just begun to quiet down, be stirred up again, Whitebeard. For now, the sea has enough players as it is."
Whitebeard laughed. "Is that so? Are you that afraid of my last words, Hera?"
Hera warped into the air, stomped fiercely on the atmosphere, and using the momentum of her descent, drove her fist straight towards Whitebeard's head.
Garp wanted to assist Hera, but Sengoku stopped him: "Hold on. We're still broadcasting live. Hera's defensive capabilities aren't that fragile."
Sengoku had already begun calculating matters for after this battle. The Marines needed a new hero, a young hero.
Even while attacking, Hera didn't forget to speak: "I'm not afraid, naturally. But the people of these seas can't withstand too many storms. The era of pirates will end by my hand."
Then, in a voice only Whitebeard could hear, Hera added: "From now on, those who set out on journeys in pursuit of their dreams will be called travelers."
Whitebeard no longer had the strength to use the Tremor-Tremor Fruit. Wrapping his right fist in Haki, he swung it to meet Hera's punch. Hera's 'Fist Bone: Impact' collided with Whitebeard's fist.
A hint of release appeared in Whitebeard's expression. It was as if he saw a vision from many years ago, on Rocks' ship, when he, Big Mom, and Kaido were gathered together.
"How could a pirate not be interested in treasure? Isn't that right, Linlin?"
The young Whitebeard, his golden hair flowing in the wind, took a swig of liquor and said, "What I want isn't treasure. It's something more important than treasure... a family."
The young Big Mom beside him said, "Well then, if you crave family so much, how about becoming my next husband? A child born from a man like you and me would surely be strong."
Whitebeard laughed and replied, "I have no interest in being your tool, Linlin. You'd better find someone else."
As their fists collided, Whitebeard lost all ability to resist the City of Devouring Time. The 'Seventh Bullet', activated after his Haki was fully expended, took effect, and Whitebeard's time began to freeze from the wound.
"Up until now... it's been a really long journey."
Whitebeard's figure gradually withered, his form slowly sinking into the City of Devouring Time. The Emperor of the Sea, one of the three legendary pirates, Whitebeard, before the eyes of the world, met his end at Marineford.
Deep within the City of Devouring Time, the Tremor-Tremor Fruit was gradually stripped away by Zafkiel. The ability eagerly began absorbing the power of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit.
However, Whitebeard's body did not disintegrate further. Within the City of Devouring Time, Little Hera sent a bullet emitting white light into Whitebeard's body.
Black streaks connected one end to Whitebeard's body and the other to the food storage area of the City of Devouring Time. The life force contained within the food was gradually transferred into Whitebeard's body.
Whitebeard's shattered body gradually healed. The illness that had plagued him for so long was extracted by the City of Devouring Time. Color seemed to return to his pale face.
The spirit crystal hidden within Hera expanded by a circle. Feeling the power within her, she now had a sense that space itself would shutter at her touch.
The power of the spirit neared completion within Hera. Now, she could even summon the descent of a spatial quake to directly destroy a small island.
The swelling power flowed within her. This feeling of omnipotence even made her want to vent it all out violently.
Kuina sensed the change in Hera and grasped her slightly trembling hand that held 'saikū', her eyes filled with concern.
Hera let out a long breath, snapping out of the sensation of her power's explosive surge. The Tremor-Tremor Fruit truly lived up to being the strongest Paramecia; the feedback it gave nearly caused her to lose control.
Just as everyone believed the war was over, Akainu moved.
In his elementalized form, he charged straight towards the not-too-distant 'Moby Dick', determined to leave all these pirates here.
The expressions of both Sengoku and Garp changed. The Marines had already achieved their primary objective of suppressing the pirates' momentum before the world. Coupled with the Revolutionary Army not yet far away, they no longer wished to prolong the war.
The first to face Akainu was Buggy, who had been broadcasting from the sidelines. Looking at the magma hurtling towards him, Buggy closed his eyes in despair.
Just as Buggy felt certain of his demise, a familiar voice came from behind him: "Long time no see, Buggy. How did you get so pathetic?"
Shanks, arriving just in time from the depths of the New World, intercepted Akainu's magma: "Give me some face. Let's end it here for today."
Akainu did not halt his attack. His arm transformed into magma - 'Great Eruption: Hound'. The magma took the form of a vicious hound, pouncing towards Shanks.
Seeing the continued attack, Shanks didn't hold back either. An astonishing aura erupted from him. Red and black lightning coiled around his prized sword, 'Divine Departure'. An extremely swift slash aimed directly at Akainu's attacking right arm.
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