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The ground split apart under the colossal blow, smoke and rubble flying everywhere.
But Doflamingo had already leapt into the air, dodging with a mocking grin. His fingers twitched, threads tightening.
"My foot—!" Oars roared as one of his massive legs was severed clean off.
"OARS!!!"
He crashed forward, coughing blood, yet still stretched out his massive hand toward Ace's execution platform. "Just a little farther…!"
Moria sneered from the shadows. "Damn Doflamingo—this corpse is mine!"
"Shadow Mage!"
"Shadow Asgard Spear!"
A lance of writhing black shadows pierced straight through Oars' chest.
Blood poured out, but even then he tried to drag himself closer, gasping, "Ace… just one more step… I'll save you!"
But before he could reach, his body gave way and collapsed with a thunderous crash.
Tears streamed down Ace's face. "OARS!!!"
The giant lay in a pool of blood, his body staining the execution platform red.
Whitebeard's entire frame shook. "OARS!!!"
"Now you've left an opening, Whitebeard!" A giant Marine vice admiral swung down a massive axe.
Whitebeard didn't even glance at him. His fist cracked through the air, shattering space itself. Web-like fissures split the sky, and the axe exploded into shards.
Rage burning in his eyes, Whitebeard seized the giant's head. A surge of quake-force burst from his hand, smashing the man into the deck. The helmet splintered, blood spilling everywhere. With a flick, Whitebeard hurled the lifeless body from his ship.
The vice admiral was dead before he hit the sea. Whitebeard's fury was unstoppable, his might undeniable.
"Vice Admiral Ronze!!!"
In the World of One Piece
"Well struck, Pops! The Navy dares kill Little Oars? Unforgivable!" Diamond Joz clenched his teeth in rage.
Ace trembled beside him. "In the future… Oars dies because of me. Damn it! Why did I let them capture me—why did they call me the Pirate King's son?!"
Blue flames licked around Marco's body. "The Warlords, huh? I'll remember this debt."
Whitebeard narrowed his eyes. "Whoever dares harm my sons… will pay with their life."
"Let the world know the power of the Whitebeard Pirates!"
The crew erupted in a thunderous cheer.
In the World of Saint Seiya
"What terrifying power… that Whitebeard isn't even human," Seiya whispered.
Shun nodded. "To shatter such a weapon with a single punch—and kill in the next. Even my Nebula Chains might not withstand blows like that."
Hyoga's eyes shone with awe. "He sent flying a warrior whose ice outstripped even mine. Then ended him with one strike… terrifying."
"My Rozan Shoryu Ha… could it even last one round against him?" Shiryu muttered.
"Th-the giant Marine vice admiral… taken down in one hit."
The battlefield fell silent, all eyes locked on Whitebeard.
Then, under his command, pirates surged like a tide into the bay.
The Navy and pirates clashed savagely, neither side holding back.
"Granny Tsuru is moving!" Sengoku barked into his Den Den Mushi.
Vice Admiral Tsuru lifted her own receiver. "Notify all units—prepare for early execution."
All across the bay, Marines picked up their transceivers, tension mounting.
Whitebeard glared at Sengoku. "What scheme are you cooking up now, 'Buddha' Sengoku?"
Garp slowly walked up onto the platform, standing beside Ace and Sengoku.
Sengoku frowned. "What are you doing here? Do you object to the operation?"
"…No. Pirates don't deserve sympathy," Garp muttered.
"Then—"
"Shut it. Can't I sit here if I want?" Garp dropped into a seat beside Ace.
"Old man!" Ace growled.
Sengoku, as Garp's longtime friend, knew the old hero's heart was heavy. Ace, too, felt a pang as he looked at his grandfather's weathered face.
Memories flashed in Garp's mind—Ace and Luffy as children.
"You said you wanted to go to sea. I forbid it!" Garp had once snapped.
"You're not my parent! Stop acting like you are—you don't get to lecture me!" Ace had shouted back.
"Not even calling me Grandpa?!"
"Old man!"
"You want another taste of my Fist of Love?!"
The memories flooded in, and tears slid down Garp's cheeks.
"Pirates don't deserve sympathy…" he choked. "But family… that's different."
"What the hell am I supposed to do…?!" His teeth clenched, but his eyes blurred with grief.
"Ace, you damn brat… why couldn't you just live the way I told you to?!"
Ace could only stare helplessly at his grandfather, heart twisting with pain. "Old man…"
Sengoku's voice cut sharp. "Garp, if you try anything foolish, I won't forgive you."
Garp's tone was low, heavy. "If I wanted to, I'd have acted already."
In the World of One Piece
Tears streamed down Luffy's face. "Gramps…!!!"
"Ace did nothing wrong—the Navy's the one at fault!"
"I'm gonna save Ace!!!"
"Luffy!!!"
Nami and Usopp watched their captain, both aching for him.
"His brother gets captured in the future… Of course Luffy's heart is breaking."
"Then we'll help him save Ace. No matter what."
"Yeah!"
The crew stood behind Luffy, united. "The Straw Hats face everything together!"
In the World of Naruto
"Whitebeard's crazy strong!" Naruto shouted, stars in his eyes. "No wonder Ace calls him Pops—go save him already!"
But Sasuke trembled. "Family…? No. That man doesn't deserve the word. He's a demon."
"Sasuke!" Sakura cried, seeing his face twist with pain.
The Third Hokage, pipe in hand, sat in the Chunin Exam arena, worry heavy in his gaze. So many terrifying names appear on that heavenly list. Could disaster come even here…?
Suddenly, a roar split the skies. Marines and pirates alike froze, looking upward.
A warship came plummeting from the heavens.
"ACE!!!" voices cried out.
From above came a long, wild shout. Ace's eyes went wide.
"LUFFY!!!"
Straw Hat Luffy—the captain of the Straw Hat Pirates—
along with 241 escaped prisoners from Impel Down—
came crashing down into the only patch of sea not frozen over.
BOOOOM!
Water exploded, and silhouettes burst forth onto the battlefield.
"Straw Hat Luffy!!!"
"..."
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