Some people even began to suspect that Uchiha Madara had come here, just like the Marines—ready to kick a drowning dog.
After all, they had always been enemies, never drinking companions or friends.
"Uchiha Madara? What are you doing here!"
The moment Marco saw him, he instinctively felt malice.
After all, Marco had fought Uchiha Madara before, and naturally held deep resentment toward him.
The Marines also assumed that, as one of the strongest figures of the Kamui Pirates, Madara had come to exploit the weakened state of the Whitebeard Pirates and deliver a fatal blow.
But Akainu didn't see it that way.
"That guy Kronos must be scheming something sinister in the shadows!" Akainu muttered.
"Why would he send Uchiha Madara at a time like this? And what is Kronos himself doing right now?"
Though he said little, Akainu felt a deep unease—and even jealousy—toward Kronos.
Uchiha Madara cast Marco and the others a strange, unreadable look, then said coldly:
"Enough. You can leave. My opponent this time isn't you—it's the Marines."
The words stunned Marco and the others. None of them expected that when their old enemy appeared before them, he wasn't here to settle scores.
Instead, Uchiha Madara's real target was the Marines who were fighting against them?
Unbelievable.
But the ones most shocked were the Marines themselves.
"What?! Uchiha Madara wants to fight us? Just what is Kronos planning?!"
"No matter what Kronos is after, he never plays by the usual rules. I truly don't understand why he would send his men against us at a time like this."
"Exactly! By all logic, shouldn't he be siding with us to destroy the Whitebeard Pirates? Why is he helping them escape instead?"
The Vice Admirals couldn't hold back their confusion, whispering among themselves in disbelief.
Even if they cracked their heads open, they still couldn't figure out Kronos' intention.
Akainu stepped forward, his face a blank mask, and glared straight up at Madara in the sky.
"Is this your decision, or your captain's?"
Madara met his gaze without a flicker of emotion.
"This is my captain's will. I'm here under his orders—to take action against you Marines."
His voice was like ice.
"So, Marines… have you decided what your last words will be? You should know—I never hold back. I won't show mercy."
After confirming Madara's resolve again and again, the Marines still couldn't understand the exact reason behind this move. But one thing was certain—they were furious.
What was this supposed to mean?
Did Kronos see them as easier prey than the Whitebeard Pirates?
"It's outrageous!"
"Meteor Volcano!"
Enraged, Akainu leapt into the air, roaring as he unleashed one of his deadliest techniques.
His magma-clad fist blazed like a cannonball, hurtling forward with overwhelming power.
But its target wasn't Uchiha Madara—it was the remnants of the Whitebeard Pirates, who were trying to use the chaos to flee!
This strike carried pure killing intent.
Akainu thought coldly: I'll deal with Madara later. For now, I'll wipe out Whitebeard's remnants.
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