As for Marco and the others—
Of course, the Marines had to take this chance to capture as many of them as possible!
They couldn't just watch this "big fish" slip back into the sea.
Akainu understood clearly: even if today's battle left the Whitebeard Pirates devastated and unable to reemerge for a long time…
As long as Whitebeard himself still lived, this powerful crew would always have the chance to make a comeback.
No one could guarantee that one day Whitebeard wouldn't rise again, leading his "sons" to dominate the seas once more.
Who knew what the future might bring?
That's why—
Whitebeard had to be eliminated quickly.
The rest of the crew didn't matter.
In Akainu's eyes, there was only one man who mattered.
The world's strongest man—Whitebeard!
But then—
At this critical moment—
A purple phantom suddenly descended from the sky, like an invincible god of war.
It intercepted Akainu's devastating blow, giving the Whitebeard Pirates the opening they needed to escape.
When everyone saw who it was, they doubted their own eyes. No one had ever imagined that he would choose to help the Whitebeard Pirates—their sworn enemies—at such a moment.
"Uchiha Madara?! Why is he helping us?"
Joz was completely stunned. He had been ready to sacrifice himself to block the blow, but Uchiha Madara had moved faster—shielding them first.
"I don't get it. We're supposed to be enemies. Why would he help us now?"
Even Bista's heart felt conflicted. On one hand, he was grateful to Madara for stepping in at their most dangerous moment. On the other, it didn't make sense.
Marco's feelings were the most tangled of all. He had always regarded Uchiha Madara as a sworn enemy, a foe of life and death.
But now…
That mortal enemy had suddenly become their savior?
An enemy turned into an ally?
It was only thanks to Uchiha Madara's sudden intervention that the Whitebeard Pirates managed to retreat a great distance, putting space between themselves and the Marine fleet.
From this point on, it would be extremely difficult for the Marines to catch up.
Akainu was livid.
He couldn't understand it.
And he certainly couldn't forgive it.
"Uchiha… Madara!"
Akainu growled the name, each syllable dripping with rage, his eyes locked onto Madara with the intent to burn him to ashes.
But Madara only shrugged, unfazed by the admiral's fury, and said coolly:
"Don't blame me for ruining your plans. I'm simply following my captain's orders. My captain made it clear—no matter what happens today, Whitebeard and his crew must escape."
Akainu froze for a moment, then his face twisted with fury.
Kronos… you're insane. Completely insane!
Whitebeard was his enemy—yet Kronos was still helping him?
Akainu never imagined that, at such a critical juncture, it would be Kronos and the Kamui Pirates who rescued Marco and his crew from certain death.
"Kamui Pirates!"
The other Vice Admirals ground their teeth in hatred. Their fury at Kronos was boundless.
Even now, none of them could comprehend what Kronos was truly thinking.
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