"Oars… perhaps this is the last chance heaven has granted you."
With a faint smile, Jiang Lin slipped past the Empress, transforming into an undying phoenix as he swept forward to confront Little Oars Jr.
"Hellhound!"
The phoenix wings melted away, turning into a mass of searing magma. Jiang Lin reached out, grasped the air shield before him, and clenched his right hand with abrupt strength, shattering the compressed air in his grip.
Boom!
An explosion erupted, accompanied by shockwaves visible to the naked eye. The blast slammed into countless fighters within the bay, sending their bodies flying backward uncontrollably.
"You have attacked Bartholomew Kuma, wielder of the Paw-Paw Fruit. The system is duplicating the target's Devil Fruit. The host must endure for one minute."
The system's message rang inside Jiang Lin's mind, interwoven with the thunderous sonic booms.
"D!"
At that moment, as Jiang Lin blocked the way, a crimson figure shot toward him from afar—it was none other than Akainu, the man he had just battled moments ago.
"You never give up… Oars, this is as far as I can take you. From here on, you'll have to walk your own path."
Without glancing back, Jiang Lin addressed Little Oars Jr. behind him, then shifted forms again and lunged at the Warlords of the Sea before him!
"Great Eruption!"
Molten magma cascaded like blazing meteors from the heavens, crashing toward the Seven Warlords and the Marines below.
"Hahahaha… D! Sooner or later, you'll belong to me!"
Doflamingo crossed his arms before his chest, effortlessly slicing apart a falling chunk of magma, then looked skyward with a mocking grin.
"Kyahahaha! Such a flawless body… if I could take it for my experiments, it would surpass every specimen I've ever collected."
Gecko Moria unleashed a swarm of bats, effortlessly smashing apart the incoming magma shards. His eyes gleamed with greed and obsession as he stared at Jiang Lin above.
Following Doflamingo and Moria, Bartholomew Kuma, Hawkeye Mihawk, and the Empress also unleashed their abilities, extinguishing the fiery projectiles aimed their way.
"You have attacked Gecko Moria, wielder of the Shadow-Shadow Fruit. The system is duplicating the target's Devil Fruit. The host must endure for one minute."
As the system voice echoed again, Jiang Lin wasted no time. He transformed into a phoenix and shot forward, Akainu following close behind.
"Quickly, stop him!"
Because of Jiang Lin's interference, Little Oars Jr. had nearly reached the plaza.
"Stop him at once!"
Sengoku's command came through the Transponder Snail. The Warlords, having just fended off Jiang Lin's assault, immediately shifted their attention to Little Oars Jr.
Shhk!
A sharp, slicing sound rang out as Doflamingo leapt high over Oars Jr., and upon descending, effortlessly severed his right leg.
"How amusing… gyahahahaha!"
His maniacal laughter echoed across the battlefield.
"Ursus Shock!"
As Oars Jr.'s massive frame began to topple, Kuma's emotionless voice rang out repeatedly. From his palm, an air bubble the same size as before launched forward, drifting inexorably toward Oars Jr.
The first time, Jiang Lin had stepped in to shield him. But now, there was no one left to stand in his defense. This time, there would be no miracle.
Boom!
The compressed air struck Oars Jr.'s body, twisting and detonating into a concussive shockwave that ripped through him. His body, pushed past its limits, finally collapsed. His eyes rolled back as he fell heavily into the bay.
"Oars!"
Ace's anguished cry pierced the skies above the plaza.
"A… a monster!"
Marines stared in terror at Little Oars Jr.—mangled, bloodied, yet still dragging himself forward with desperate resolve. Their faces blanched with fear.
"He's in the plaza!"
The shout from a Marine snapped Jiang Lin's gaze back toward Oars Jr.
There lay Oars, collapsed on the plaza floor, his massive arm reaching desperately forward, as though trying to touch Ace in the distance.
"Just a little more… just a little more and I can reach you, Ace!"
His voice was stubborn and unyielding. His outstretched fingers were so close, yet so far. Their hands would never meet.
"Shadow Asgard: Shadow Lance!"
Beneath him, Moria launched his decisive attack—a towering spear of darkness that drove itself through Oars Jr.'s form.
"Ace!"
With defiance still etched across his face, Little Oars Jr. finally fell, his giant frame collapsing onto the plaza. His body smashed through the walls dividing the bay and plaza, merging the battlefield into one.
"Oars! Advance over Oars's body!"
With a mighty blow, Whitebeard sent a Vice Admiral flying and roared his order to the pirates.
In that instant, the war shifted fully from the bay to the plaza.
"Vice Admiral Tsuru, it's time to act."
Maintaining a calm expression, Sengoku lifted the Transponder Snail. On the other end, Vice Admiral Tsuru immediately began issuing commands.
"Relay this to every fleet and soldier…"
As Tsuru's orders spread, the den den mushi across Marineford rang out in a storm of transmissions.
"What scheme are you plotting, strategist? Buddha Sengoku!"
From atop the Moby Dick, Whitebeard gazed across the battlefield at Sengoku on the execution platform, his expression heavy with doubt.
Meanwhile, as the tides of battle shifted, Vice Admiral Garp slowly ascended the steps to the execution platform. His footsteps were unbearably heavy, weighed down by countless emotions within.
"Gramps!"
When Ace saw Garp appear at his side, his face filled with shock and dread.
"What are you doing here? Do you object to this battle?"
Sengoku's voice resounded from the platform. The two stood opposite one another at the front of the execution stage, overlooking the inferno below as they spoke.
"No! They are pirates—there is no room for sympathy!"
Garp's voice was firm and unwavering, without hesitation.
"Then…"
"Shut it! It doesn't matter. I just want to sit here."
Cutting Sengoku off, Garp bent down and lowered himself beside Ace.
"Evil has no right to pity… but family is different."
His words, soft and weary, lacked the iron firmness of moments before. Yet they carried a weight that pierced Ace's heart, bringing tears streaming down his face.