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At this time, a sound came from the Moby Dick.
Clang.
Clang.
...
The sound of the sword handle hitting the deck grew sharper and more distinct.
At the same time, an aura like that of a wild beast emerged, pressing down so intensely that the Marines held their breath, stifled by its weight.
Before the figure even appeared, the sheer force of his presence dominated the scene.
A burly figure appeared, holding Murakumagari in his hand. He walked slowly to the front of the Moby Dick and stood, still and resolute.
The broad cloak behind him fluttered in the wind.
The blade of Murakumagari gleamed with a cold, merciless light.
Every movement was deliberate, calm, without a hint of haste, as though he were returning to his own home.
The Four Emperors, Whitebeard—
—had arrived!
"Gurarara ~~"
Whitebeard laughed, his aged form still towering.
"We haven't seen each other for more than ten years, Sengoku."
His opening words sounded less like an enemy's challenge and more like an old friend dropping by.
In stark contrast, Sengoku was anything but relaxed. His brows furrowed, and he grit his teeth, saying:
"Whitebeard!"
Whitebeard's arrival with the Pirates disrupted Sengoku's carefully laid plans, leaving him visibly frustrated.
In the next moment, Whitebeard's power exploded outward like a force of nature.
The seawater roared and the clouds swirled in turmoil.
All of Marineford echoed with his thunderous question:
"Is my beloved son all right?"
As he spoke, though Whitebeard smiled, a quiet intensity simmered beneath that smile.
It felt as if… he could go berserk at any moment!
Even Akainu, Aokiji, and the Marine Admirals felt a chill from his sheer presence.
"What a terrifying aura~" Kizaru muttered lazily.
"You old bastard!" Akainu spat coldly, glaring from beneath the brim of his hat, his eyes filled with murderous intent.
Aokiji remained silent, though the temperature around him seemed to drop further.
...
"Pops…"
The familiar voice echoed in his ears, and Ace murmured the title unconsciously.
Stunned for just a second, he quickly shouted in response:
"Pops—"
"I'm fine. It's just that Marine food sucks—"
At that moment, Ace's heart swelled with warmth.
To think that someone would risk everything for him.
It was a rare feeling.
And a profoundly happy one.
"Gurarara ~~"
Hearing Ace's response, Whitebeard laughed openly, his happiness evident.
That response filled him with pride.
As expected of his son!
Even with execution imminent, he showed no fear.
Or perhaps it was his trust in the Whitebeard Pirates and his unwavering faith that Whitebeard would come to save him.
Why rescue him?
Of course, it was for dinner.
Because Marine food is terrible.
In the next moment, his powerful and boisterous laughter stopped suddenly.
Whitebeard was on the move!
He turned abruptly, fists clenched tightly, a destructive aura radiating from the light waves that enveloped his fists.
The strongest Paramecia, the power of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit!
"Then come back and eat!"
Whitebeard roared, his muscular arms swinging forward.
This was his answer to Ace.
And his declaration to the Marines.
His son—he would take him back!
No question!
No contest!
A single word in response: Irrefutable!
Click—
In the space before Whitebeard, a sharp sound, like glass shattering, resounded as fractures spread outward in all directions.
Immediately, everyone felt a powerful tremor from beneath their feet.
The once-calm sea began to surge.
It was as if Whitebeard's Murakumagari had stirred the ocean itself, summoning colossal waves.
On the execution platform, Ace's eyes sparkled with joy.
In this moment, he felt genuine happiness.
The oppressive feeling that had weighed on him…
Was completely lifted!
"Pops is so powerful!"
Even Ace, standing before the immense power of Whitebeard, couldn't help but exclaim in awe.
Yet, as he gazed upon the countless scars across Whitebeard's body, a heaviness settled in his heart, something inexplicably painful and unshakeable.
If all went as expected, this battle would be the ultimate for this man—a peerless clash!
He would become a legend!
But he would not leave this fight alive.
Sengoku alone narrowed his eyes and shouted out:
"Be careful! It's the Sea Quake!"
As an old rival, he recognized Whitebeard's technique instantly.
However, his warning came too late.
The sea roiled, suddenly defying gravity.
First, it surged outward, but upon reaching a critical threshold, it reversed, gathering towards Marineford.
A pirate ship surged forward on the current, driven toward Marineford.
Huge waves rose skyward, crashing together with a deafening roar.
Two colossal waves converged, blotting out the sun and casting all of Marineford into shadow.
If these massive waves descended, they would obliterate most of Marineford in an instant!
"It's… it's a tsunami!!"
The Marines looked up helplessly at the seemingly superhuman attack, brimming with destructive energy and instilling utter despair.
How much raw power would it take to unleash waves that could engulf an entire island?
"What kind of force is this! As expected of a legendary monster, fuhfuhfuhfuh~~" Doflamingo smirked arrogantly, both terrified and exhilarated.
His wild posture suggested he eagerly awaited the clash to come.
Nearby, Hawkeye's sharp gaze gleamed, and a brilliant sword light flashed.
Standing before the world's strongest man, the world's greatest swordsman, Hawkeye, was poised, ready to act.
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If you enjoy please support me on my patreon Future 80+ chapters at patreon.com/Phoenizbeelze
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