The combined force of the azure sword aura and the all-crushing shockwave was nothing close to a simple addition of power. The moment they fused, their destructive potential multiplied beyond measure. Akainu's magma fist surged downward at the same time, roaring like a falling star.
The instant the two forces collided, light exploded across the sky. The blue sword aura clashed violently with the white shockwave, releasing a shrill chorus of sparks as if countless blades scraped against steel. The sky flickered like a festival of fireworks scattered across the night.
Akainu sneered inwardly, rage burning hot enough to melt the ice beneath his feet. The massive magma fist grew even more intense, swelling with murderous intent as he forced it downward.
"This time… I'm not letting you knock me away twice! I won't lose to you again!"
A sudden flash of white erupted, the shockwave bursting outward with crushing force. Akainu felt as if a colossal hammer weighing ten thousand pounds slammed into his chest. Blood sprayed from his mouth for the second time, and his body crashed back down toward the battlefield.
Above him, the magma fist lost its owner's control. The blue sword aura cleaved through it cleanly, scattering molten fragments that splashed harmlessly across the ice.
On the opposite side of the battlefield, Whitebeard's rolling shockwave collided with Sengoku's radiant golden blast. The clash resembled a meteor striking the surface of Earth. A deafening roar swept across Marineford as ripples of force shot outward like expanding waves.
Everything in the shockwave's path shattered instantly. Flat sheets of ice fractured into patterns like broken mirrors. Howling winds tore across the battlefield, dropping the temperature even further. Pirates wearing thin clothes were thrown into the air, trembling as blasts of cold cut into their skin.
At the center of the impact, the two opposing forces surged upward together like clashing tides. The collision reached toward the heavens, a towering eruption of power that made even seasoned fighters tremble.
Golden light and white force split the battlefield into two clashing worlds.
After several breathless moments, both lights receded. The remnants left two massive scars carved deep into the frozen ground, marking the devastation left behind.
Whitebeard laughed boldly. "Gurararara! Sengoku, decades have passed and you're still the same. Same attitude, same strength!"
"Hmph. You're no better," Sengoku growled, face dark with frustration. He and Akainu had combined their strength, yet Whitebeard had shattered their attacks as if brushing aside a breeze. It was humiliating.
"All your strength? From you?" Whitebeard scoffed, eyes filled with disdain as his Haki flared.
Sengoku's expression turned even stormier. He remembered clearly that in the old days, he had never managed to overpower Whitebeard—not even once. And now, with age weighing on both of them, he couldn't be sure how much power the old pirate could still draw out.
Across the Grand Line, in the Sabaody Archipelago, spectators watching through projection bubbles gasped loudly.
"This is Whitebeard's strength?"
"No way. That can't be real! Admiral Akainu and Fleet Admiral Sengoku's joint attack was broken just like that?"
"Is Marine going to lose…?"
Whispers turned into shouts of disbelief. Whitebeard had once again proven why he was called the world's strongest man.
Far away in Windmill Village, everyone crowded inside Makino's bar, eyes fixed on the projection bubble showing Marineford. Even Garp had arranged for the villagers to see the war unfold.
"That's the man Ace calls his father? He's… unbelievably strong!"
"With someone like him standing there, Ace still has hope!"
"I just pray Garp doesn't get involved… If he does, Whitebeard…"
Inside the bar, the anxiety grew thicker by the second. Makino's expression tightened as she clasped her sleeves, her eyes full of worry.
Beside her, Risa gently tugged at Makino's sleeve. "Makino-nee, don't worry. Ace will be alright."
Makino forced a small smile and stroked Risa's cheek. "Yes… Ace will overcome this."
"If only Kaito-san was there," Risa whispered sadly. "If he went, Ace would definitely be saved."
"Kaito…" Makino murmured. Memories of the night he left flickered across her mind—his quiet steps, and the massive bounty now attached to his name. "If he were here… maybe…"
Even though she wasn't a fighter, she understood the terrifying unpredictability of space-capable individuals. Even if someone lacked pure strength, a spatial ability could still shatter a battlefield or whisk someone away in an instant.
She silently clasped her hands and prayed.
Back at Marineford, the battlefield fell into an eerie silence as the massive attacks faded. Aside from a few commanders still clashing across the ice, most soldiers on both sides stopped fighting instinctively, stunned by the destructive spectacle.
The sudden pause gave Luffy the opening he needed. Without hesitation, he sprinted toward Ace, dodging the Seven Warlords and racing across the scarred ground.
"Stop the Straw Hat! Don't let him reach Fire Fist Ace!" a Marine commander shouted.
His roar snapped the surrounding soldiers back to reality. Marines hurried to intercept Luffy, while pirates risked their lives to block them, clearing a path for him.
Sengoku's expression twisted as he sensed danger. His voice boomed across Marineford.
"Executioners! Carry out the sentence now! Execute Fire Fist Ace!"
Beside Ace, Garp stood motionless. He knew himself too well, and Sengoku knew him even better. With Luffy running toward them, Garp's fists would not stop his own grandson.
And he didn't.
Luffy crashed straight through him. Garp roared, then fell backward dramatically, choosing to be defeated. The legendary hero of the Marines collapsed, his image cracking before the world.
Luffy lost a few precious seconds, but the delay gave the executioners time to raise their blades.
Luffy's eyes widened in terror as he desperately sprinted forward, heart pounding.
Then a sharp crack echoed through the air.
A bullet-sized hole appeared in the forehead of one executioner. The man collapsed instantly.
Not far away, Crocodile lowered the sand swirling around his hand. "Straw Hat kid, consider this repayment for saving my life."
"Crocodile…" Sengoku's voice trembled with anger. He glared at the former Warlord, jaw clenched hard enough to crack.
"Thanks, Crocodile!" Luffy shouted, showing a flash of teeth as he burst forward again, reaching Ace's side.
"Ace! I'm here!" Luffy smiled through the chaos.
But before relief could settle, a sharp sound sliced through the air. A dark, whip-like kick struck Luffy's back with tremendous force, folding his body into a crescent shape before launching him across the ground.
A masked figure in a white shirt landed silently.
Whitebeard's expression darkened. "CP agents… Looks like the World Government is taking Ace very seriously if they're sending them."
Sengoku exhaled slowly, calm returning. "A precaution. I didn't expect to use them, but now they'll serve their purpose."
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