The next moment, Shirahoshi and Ace attacked almost simultaneously.
One wielded an iron fist, while the other held a Sea King Trident. Their figures crossed, and they charged straight at Whitebeard in close combat.
Facing the combined assault of two experts who both stood at the peak of S-rank, Whitebeard's expression remained completely unchanged, calm as still water.
One punch, one blade, striking back at the same time.
BOOM!
Heaven and earth changed color as terrifying shockwaves violently spread in all directions.
After the dust slowly dispersed, Ace and Shirahoshi simultaneously retreated several steps. Neither of them had suffered any injuries; they were completely unharmed.
Whitebeard, on the other hand, had not retreated even half a step and remained firmly planted where he stood. Yet two savage bloody marks had appeared out of nowhere on his two thick arms, with fresh blood gushing from them.
"POPS!"
Seeing the wounds appear on Whitebeard, Juste was already crying uncontrollably on the execution platform. He shouted at the top of his lungs as though he had gone mad, "Leave! You all leave! Don't worry about me anymore!"
One against three.
This was an almost impossible task.
At the very least, not to mention the Whitebeard who had already grown old, even Whitebeard at his peak back then could not have done it.
If this stalemate continued, no matter how formidable Whitebeard was, he would eventually be worn to death by the three of them.
"Gurararara! Juste, what nonsense are you talking about over there! Stay there properly and keep your eyes wide open and watch!"
Whitebeard's laughter remained just as bold and hearty, as if the injuries on his body did not exist at all.
He stepped forward and continued moving forward, one step at a time, with unwavering determination.
Sakazuki on the second level merely frowned slightly, but ultimately did not choose to enter the battle himself.
Instead, the magma constantly squeezing toward Whitebeard from both sides became even more turbulent.
Ace and Shirahoshi once again charged toward Whitebeard in perfect understanding.
Neither of them felt anything unusual about joining forces against an old man, nor did they feel that winning this way was dishonorable or beneath their dignity.
Because they and Whitebeard were separated by two entire eras.
Even if either one of them fought Whitebeard alone, they might not actually be weaker than the Whitebeard of today.
But both of them understood that the reason they could possess such formidable strength now was entirely due to Rosse's wholehearted training and instruction.
Since that was the case, how could they possibly hold any kind of contempt toward Whitebeard, who had relied entirely on his own efforts to cut through every obstacle and reach this point?
On the contrary, they were more willing to use this solemn manner of joining forces to offer this legend of the old era a perfect and dignified funeral.
A former Marine admiral, a current Marine Admiral, and the most outstanding child of the ruler of the world.
The three of them joined forces and would ultimately solemnly send off Whitebeard, who had rampaged across the seas for half a century.
For Whitebeard, what could such a curtain-call script be if not a sufficiently complete and perfect ending?
It was precisely because he had clearly seen through this point that Whitebeard charged forward without hesitation.
Deep within his eyes, there was no longer any unwillingness or attachment, only a relieved smile.
The Whitebeard of today had long since stopped fantasizing about standing on equal footing with Rosse.
The other was a god born to rule over everything, while he was merely an ordinary man who would eventually grow old.
To have the now-mighty World Government still willing to show such solemn respect to an old remnant of the previous era like himself.
This battle was already enough.
BOOM!
At the very center of the battlefield, the violent rumbling sounded like the furious roar of thunder, continuing for a full ten minutes.
During those long ten minutes, the gazes of the full one hundred thousand Marine elites toward the battlefield underwent a complete transformation.
From initially thinking that Whitebeard was overestimating himself and trying to stop a cart with a mantis's arms, they gradually, without realizing it, turned into genuine admiration and respect.
Facing the frenzied assault of three experts standing at the peak of the world, Whitebeard had still continued moving forward, never retreating even one step, and had forcibly held out for this long.
This indomitable will and formidable strength alone were already enough to make everyone present feel deep respect.
At this moment, Whitebeard's entire body was already drenched in blood.
His originally imposing white coat had long since been torn into tatters, hanging from his body like pieces of blood-red rags.
His chest, arms, and back were covered in savage wounds.
There were penetrating wounds from the Sea King Trident, flesh torn open by the force of punches, and large areas of charred black marks burned by magma, with his flesh turned outward in a shocking sight.
Blood continuously poured from those wounds, flowing onto the ground and gathering beneath his feet into a small, shocking pool of blood.
Every step he took required a price beyond what ordinary people could imagine.
His legs, originally as thick as giant pillars, were now trembling slightly, almost unable to bear the weight of his body.
His breathing had become extremely heavy, his chest rising and falling violently. Every breath seemed to force a bloody breath out from his throat.
In contrast, the other three:
Shirahoshi was still standing perfectly straight. Not even a trace of dust had touched her gorgeous clothes.
The Sea King Trident in her hand was spotless, her expression composed and her breathing steady, as if what she had just done had merely been a warm-up.
Although a little sweat had appeared on Ace's forehead, he likewise had no substantial injuries, with only the corners of his clothes slightly disordered.
As for Sakazuki, he had not even changed his stance. He still stood upright on the second level of the execution platform, looking down from above at everything, as if he had not participated in the battle at all.
This was the brutal result of the three joining forces against Whitebeard alone.
It was not that Whitebeard was not strong. Rather, when facing the combined forces of the three, anyone other than the World Government would have ended up with the same result.
And at this moment, Whitebeard hardly had a single intact patch of skin left on his body. Standing there, he seemed to have only his final breath left to forcibly support his body.
Only a few more moves.
Everyone knew it clearly. Just a few more attacks, and this former strongest man in the world would completely fall and never be able to stand again.
Yet even when facing such a desperate situation now...
"WAHAHAHAHA! What a thrill! What a thrill! Come again!"
Whitebeard still threw his head back and laughed loudly, his laughter filled with exhilarating boldness, as though the wounds covering his body did not exist at all.
More than ten years.
Ever since the last time Golden Lion died fighting from the rear to cover his retreat, he had never again experienced such a thoroughly exhilarating battle.
Back then, he had not stayed behind to die alongside Golden Lion.
But even if all of them had joined forces back then, they still could not have overcome Rosse's overwhelming strength.
And now, to be able to accomplish this much.
He was already satisfied in his heart.
He knew that in his current broken state, he absolutely could not last another two minutes.
But he was Whitebeard.
After more than ten years, it was finally his turn.
"GRAAAH!"
Facing the three mountains before him that were as difficult to cross as natural barriers, Whitebeard, standing battered and exhausted beneath the execution platform, gritted his teeth and once again slowly and firmly stood up, preparing to launch the final charge of his life.
"Whitebeard."
Shirahoshi's voice rang out, carrying a trace of sincere admiration, "Today, we have gathered here precisely to offer you, a king who once stood above the entire era of pirates, the grandest and most dignified funeral. After you die in battle, we will let Juste leave safely. Are you ready?"
Respect for Whitebeard showed in her eyes as the Sea King Trident in her hand slowly moved forward, pointing straight at Whitebeard.
A trace of joy flashed through Whitebeard's cloudy eyes.
He still believed in the World Government's credibility.
After all, the new World Government created single-handedly by Rosse was no longer the rotten old government from before.
To exchange the life of a son he genuinely acknowledged for these old bones of his that should have died long ago.
He had profited.
This deal was worth it.
"Gurararara, then just come—"
But this time, before Whitebeard could finish his sentence, Rosse, seated upon the throne at the highest point, suddenly raised his head with interest and casually looked toward the sky.
Almost at the same time, a huge black shadow descended from the sky.
The black shadow rapidly grew larger in everyone's field of vision. It was unmistakably a huge pirate ship.
The Red Force!
The ship that the Red-Haired Pirates treasured as their most precious vessel.
Yet at this moment, this ship that should have been cherished beyond measure had instead transformed into a sharp sword charging straight down toward the execution platform.
Seeing this sudden scene, Whitebeard's body, which had just risen and was preparing to charge, abruptly stopped.
A trace of surprise, as well as a trace of bitterness, flashed through his blood-soaked eyes.
At the life-or-death moment just now, in his nearly exhausted state, he had long since been unable to use Observation Haki to sense the movements around him.
But he absolutely did not believe that with the strength of Rosse and the others, they could fail to notice the arrival of the Red-Haired Pirates.
'Then, was this a deliberately timed moment...'
Whitebeard thought of Shirahoshi's solemn promise just now, then looked at his current appearance, with nearly half of his imposing aura already gone. A deep bitterness could not help but rise at the corner of his mouth.
As expected of Rosse's biological daughter. Even her malicious sense of humor was exactly the same as his.
There was no need to think about it. That solemn promise just now would obviously no longer be honored at this moment unless Luffy and Shanks did nothing and obediently turned around and left.
Otherwise, the other side would definitely not honor it anymore.
A deep melancholy spread through Whitebeard's heart.
But even so, at this moment, he was still deeply grateful for the arrival of the Red-Haired Pirates and Luffy.
At least, they had genuinely come to save someone. That intention was real.
"Juste! I'm here to save you!"
BOOM!
As the Red Force slammed into the ground and came to a stop, kicking up clouds of dust, Luffy's high-pitched voice rang across the entire battlefield.
His young face was filled with unwavering determination as he charged toward the execution platform without regard for anything else.
Ace and Shirahoshi paid no attention to him, simply allowing this reckless brat to continue charging upward.
But Shanks, who jumped down from the ship immediately afterward, was directly intercepted halfway by Ace, whose figure flashed.
The other people aboard the ship also leaped down one after another and rushed toward the execution platform.
Ace and Shirahoshi still paid no attention to these people, not even bothering to spare them a glance.
Their task today was simply to stop Shanks and Whitebeard, the two experts of the same level.
As for those above, Sakazuki alone was enough.
"LUFFY!"
Seeing Luffy's weak appearance, yet watching him still charge forward without hesitation to save him, Juste could no longer hold back. Tears poured out like a burst dam, impossible to stop.
He was clearly nothing more than a complete fake.
His existence was originally false, unreal.
Why?
Why go to such lengths for someone as false as him, expend so much effort, and make so many completely unnecessary sacrifices?
"Tch!"
Sakazuki's cold snort suddenly sounded beside Juste, cold and completely devoid of emotion.
Hearing that voice, as well as sensing the terrifying heat and sound of approaching footsteps beside him, Juste's expression instantly changed drastically. He shouted at the top of his lungs, "Luffy! Leave! You are no match for them! Get out of here!"
He was moved, truly moved that Luffy was willing to risk his life to come and save him.
But Luffy simply should not have appeared on a battlefield of this level.
Luffy's current strength was at most B-rank.
And against a Marine Fleet Admiral, it would simply be a matter of one punch. He would definitely die.
This was not saving him at all. This was clearly sending himself to his death.
"Too late."
Sakazuki spoke indifferently, his tone cold.
His movements were not fast. He merely walked forward with steady, powerful steps, his hands slowly transforming into boiling magma. The crimson light illuminated his expressionless face.
Luffy's arrival was within all of their expectations.
If he had not come, Shirahoshi would not have said those unnecessary words.
Of course, if Luffy and Shanks were willing not to be so hasty, they would also keep their promise.
After all, today's occasion was originally Whitebeard's funeral. Whether the others died today or not was not important.
But since Luffy had come, and had become so eager that he did not even want to observe the situation on the battlefield, then he should pay the corresponding price.
Sakazuki made no unnecessary movements. He simply raised his right fist, which had transformed into magma, and fiercely punched the charging Luffy.
"Gum-Gum!"
Luffy's arm instantly expanded, his rubber fist smashing toward Sakazuki's magma iron fist, with not the slightest trace of fear or retreat on his face.
Below, Shanks's heart had already risen to his throat.
He admitted that there was indeed an element of gambling in his actions this time.
He was gambling.
Gambling that the World Government, gambling that Rosse, did not actually want to kill Luffy.
And as long as the final result was not Luffy's death, even if he were merely severely injured and sent flying, that momentary opening would already be enough.
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