Noticed? Kaguya's lips curled slightly. As expected of the man called Mihawk, he possessed an insight far beyond that of ordinary people.
Kaguya stopped and asked with interest, "Why would you have such a strange idea?"
"Don't try to hide it. You said yourself you can't deceive me," Mihawk stared intently at Kaguya and said, "Only that person would possess such swordsmanship. And your swordsmanship is exactly the same as hers."
As soon as Mihawk said this, it was like a thunderclap in a calm lake, stirring up monstrous waves.
Not only were Sengoku, Garp, and the three Admirals shaken, even Whitebeard turned his head in surprise.
Although Kaguya had disappeared for many years, they still remembered the fear of once being dominated by darkness—the terrifying power that made their hearts race just thinking about it.
Those familiar with the truth in the upper ranks of the Navy knew that the previous news of Kaguya's capture by the Navy was a completely fabricated rumor, just a tactic by the World Government to suppress Kaguya's reputation.
After all, Kaguya's prestige was simply too high. With her immense strength, her identity as a Celestial Dragon, and her connections that extended through the entire Navy, she had already faintly threatened the authority of the World Government.
It was well known that half of the Navy's new generation were Kaguya's disciples. These individuals would become the Navy's core and even upper ranks in the future. By then, the entire Navy would be under her command.
Moreover, Kaguya was different from Zephyr. Zephyr, no matter what, still held a shred of hope for the Navy and never tore things apart publicly. Even if he defected later, he never had a large-scale conflict with the Navy.
But Kaguya was different. She never regarded the Navy as anything, nor would she ever bow to the World Government. Naturally, loyalty was out of the question.
To put it harshly, if Kaguya were willing—if she publicly rebelled—she would be another Revolutionary Army, even more fearsome than Dragon's Revolutionary Army, because no one in the world could match her strength.
Some speculated that even the entire Navy combined might not be her opponent. This was the reason why the World Government had tolerated her for so long.
The World Government could never allow such an individual to exist, even if she was no longer around.
Kaguya said playfully, "So what if I am, so what if I'm not."
"I lost this time, but next time I won't fail again," Mihawk sheathed his black blade and said, "If you know her, tell her this: One day, I will surpass her."
With that, he turned around and walked away without looking back.
Monet walked over, gazing at Mihawk's gradually retreating figure, and said softly, "Why did he suddenly admit defeat? With his personality, it doesn't seem like him to give up voluntarily."
"That's where he's smart," Kaguya said. "Rather than continue a meaningless struggle, it's better to admit defeat straightforwardly. That's clearly the better choice."
Monet adjusted her glasses and smiled slightly. "Who would have thought this cold guy could be so tactful at a crucial moment."
Just then, a loud explosion suddenly rang out in the distance.
Kaguya turned her head and saw Luffy engaged in fierce combat with his grandfather. Fists flew back and forth, each blow heavy with force. Under the violent impact, surrounding buildings shattered and collapsed, rocks scattered everywhere, and the area had basically turned into ruins.
"Who is he?" Hancock asked curiously.
"His name is Luffy, a newly debuted rookie," Monet said. "But this rookie does have some strength. To be able to fight evenly with Hero Garp is already quite impressive."
"That's where you're wrong," Kaguya said. "Do you really think a kid not even twenty years old could fight evenly with a battle-hardened veteran?"
Monet seemed to realize something and said, "Could it be..."
"That's right," Kaguya said. "Garp is just putting on a show for others."
"Putting on a show?" Hancock asked curiously.
"Luffy is his grandson. Ace is also his grandson, though not by blood," Kaguya said. "But he's the son of the Pirate King Roger, entrusted to Garp before Roger's execution. Don't be fooled into thinking he's just upholding justice over family. In truth, he just doesn't want to give others an excuse."
"Then why didn't he just save Ace directly? As a Navy Vice Admiral, he should've had many chances," Monet asked curiously.
"Precisely because he's in the Navy—he won't make a move," Kaguya said.
Not only was Monet puzzled, even Hancock widened her eyes, waiting for Kaguya's explanation.
"As an old Navy veteran, he wouldn't easily betray his beliefs. But at the same time, he couldn't just watch Ace die. However, there is another way," Kaguya said. "Someone else defeats him. That way, he wouldn't be betraying the Navy, and Ace could still be saved. In the end, he just wanted to use someone else's hand to save Ace."
At this point, Kaguya revealed a mocking expression and said coldly, "But he seems to have forgotten one thing: with Whitebeard's current state, it's absolutely impossible to save Ace."
As if to prove Kaguya's words, Luffy finally "defeated" his grandfather Garp at the last moment and rushed toward the execution platform where Ace was held. But unfortunately, he was stopped by Sengoku.
Sengoku was not his grandfather, and naturally wouldn't go easy on him. Luffy, having endured battle after battle, was covered in wounds and completely exhausted—he was on the verge of collapse.
After a fierce struggle, with the help of his Straw Hat crewmates, Luffy finally managed to rescue Ace from the execution platform. But just then, Akainu, who had been waiting and watching all along, suddenly struck like thunder.
"You trash, scum of humanity—you have no right to exist in this world. Go to hell!"
As he spoke, Akainu's arm suddenly swelled and transformed into scorching magma, blasting straight at Luffy's back.
"Hellhound!"
"Luffy, watch out!"
Everyone was shocked, but Akainu's speed was simply too fast. Before they could react, he was already within striking range.
Seeing Akainu charging in aggressively, Luffy instinctively tried to dodge, but as soon as he moved, excruciating pain tore through his body. His muscles felt as if they were being ripped apart. Luffy staggered and collapsed onto the ground. At this point, he was covered in wounds, completely exhausted—dodging was no longer an option.
A look of despair appeared in Luffy's eyes. His mind went blank, and he subconsciously shielded his head. After all, he was still just a boy, not even of age.
But after a moment, the expected agony didn't come.
At the same time, gasps of shock suddenly erupted around them.
"Ace!"
Luffy suddenly felt something warm land on his face. He wiped it away and saw crimson red on his hand. He quickly looked up, and his pupils shrank.
What came into view was a familiar figure shielding him. A burning magma arm had pierced through that figure's chest.
Luffy's eyes widened in disbelief, his voice trembling. "Ace... Ace..."
Just now, Ace had blocked Akainu's fatal blow.
"Cough, cough..."
Ace coughed violently, blood dripping from the corner of his mouth. He forced a smile onto his face and said, "Luffy..."
Everyone present was stunned, their mouths agape.
A white sheet of paper fluttered to the ground, catching fire without wind. In no time, it was reduced to ash.
"Still breathing, huh, Fire Fist Ace," Akainu said coldly, his eyes filled with menace. He raised his molten fist again. "Let me send you both to hell."
With that, he suddenly lunged toward them.
"Stop!" Luffy screamed at the top of his lungs, his voice hoarse. "Stop!"
"Ace!"
A roar of fury echoed through the sky, shaking everyone's eardrums.
Veins bulged on Whitebeard's forehead as he raised his bulging arms, muscles surging with power. Just as he was about to strike, a blinding flash of light shot through and pierced his arm.
Whitebeard grunted, forced to take several steps back.
"Dad!"
The pirates cried out in alarm, trying to rush to his aid. But before they could take a few steps, they were surrounded by Navy troops.
"To think you'd take a direct hit from me, Whitebeard," Kizaru emerged from the dust, clicking his tongue. "With me here, don't think about causing any trouble."
Whitebeard was furious, roaring, "Brat!" He lunged forward in a flash, raising a fist glowing with shockwaves and slammed it forward.
"Hah!"
But at that moment, several figures suddenly appeared around Whitebeard. Their hands gripped sword hilts, and with gleaming blades unsheathed, they stabbed at him like lightning.
"Dad!"
The pirates were horrified, unable to suppress a cry.
Pfft!
Pfft!
Pfft!
Sharp blades pierced deeply into Whitebeard's body, stabbing through his massive frame. Crimson blood sprayed from the wounds like a fountain.
Whitebeard groaned, his movements halting. His half-raised fist froze in place, his throat bobbed, and he opened his mouth to spit out a mouthful of blood.
The ones who attacked Whitebeard were Fujitora, Momousagi, Chaton, and Ryokugyu—candidates for Admiral, known as the next generation of top Navy power.
The three Admirals were key to resisting the Whitebeard Pirates. These four, however, were Sengoku's ultimate trump card prepared specifically for Whitebeard.
"Dad!"
After the initial shock, the pirates on the battlefield launched into a frenzy, charging toward Whitebeard. For a moment, even the Navy's elite units couldn't hold them back.
The four Vice Admiral candidates struck once and immediately retreated, withdrawing swiftly. One must never underestimate an opponent, even if severely wounded. That was a hard-earned lesson forged through countless battles.
"Ugh..."
Whitebeard let out a muffled groan, half-kneeling on the ground, drenched in sweat. He raised his head and looked at the nearby figure, his lips moving weakly. "Ace..."
*Boom!*
A deafening explosion rang out. Molten magma sprayed in all directions, fierce flames shot into the air, and thick, ink-black smoke billowed. Three figures were blown from the smoke, slamming hard into the ground.
It was Luffy, Ace, and Jinbe. At the critical moment, it had been Jinbe who shielded them from Akainu's attack. But with his strength, he was no match for Akainu and was blasted away.
"Pathetic," Akainu stepped out of the smoke, his voice cold. "The remnants of Pirate King Roger—nothing but worthless trash. Seems Roger himself wasn't anything special either."
Meanwhile, on the other side—
Garp's face was ashen. Gritting his teeth, fists clenched, he strode in Akainu's direction.
"Vice Admiral Garp, what are you doing?!"
Sengoku shouted in alarm. "Garp, what are you thinking?! Are you insane?!" He rushed over and slammed Garp's head to the ground with a loud *boom*.
"Keep holding me down, Sengoku—otherwise..." Garp gritted his teeth, his voice squeezed out from between them. "I won't be able to stop myself from killing Sakazuki."
Sengoku roared, "You fool!"
Staring at Jinbe standing in his way, Akainu's face darkened. "Jinbe, stand aside. As one of the Seven Warlords, do you really want to side with these scum?"
Jinbe clenched his teeth. "I won't move. Unless you walk over my corpse."
"Fine," a trace of anger appeared on Akainu's face. "Since you're looking to die, don't blame me for being ruthless." His arm, melting into burning magma, swung forward with searing heat.
"Great Eruption: Red Lotus!"
Faced with the oncoming fiery attack, Jinbe felt a heaviness in his heart.
Is this the end?
Even so—even if I die—I won't let you harm Luffy and Ace again.
Jinbe gritted his teeth, took a battle stance, shouted loudly, fists clenched, muscles tensed, and threw a punch.
"Fish-Man Karate: Five Thousand Tile True Fist!"
*Boom!*
An earth-shaking explosion erupted as the shockwave clashed with the incoming magma.
The magma fist struck Jinbe directly. It was like being hit by a train—he was sent flying and crashed heavily into a wall, coughing up a mouthful of blood.
But the force of the magma punch wasn't spent. It surged on toward the defenseless Luffy and Ace lying on the ground.
Jinbe's pupils shrank in horror.
No!
Just then, an invisible force tore through the air, shattering the oncoming magma attack into fragments.
Akainu's eyes narrowed. He abruptly turned and shouted, "Who's there?!"
A familiar voice, melodious like a song, suddenly rang out—stunning everyone on the battlefield into frozen silence, as if turned to stone.
"Who tore up my vacation beach at Marineford?"
A silver-haired girl with an extraordinarily beautiful face slowly walked out of the dust, her lips curled in a breathtaking smile.
"Want to die?"
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