The plaza of Marineford had become a living hell, where cannon fire and blood intertwined. The deafening explosions pounded eardrums, while battle cries pierced through the smoke, echoing madly amidst the ruins.
The clash between the Whitebeard Pirates and the Marines had reached its peak. Broken wooden planks and churning blood floated on the sea, staining the azure waters a murky crimson.
Edward Newgate, revered as the "Strongest Man in the World," stood at the heart of the battlefield.
His mountainous frame remained upright, though now riddled with wounds—a horrifying hole gaped in his chest, fresh blood streaming down the grooves of his muscles, pooling at his feet.
Yet, Whitebeard's glaive still swung with terrifying force. Each slash unleashed gales that mercilessly swept away the swarming Marines, sending broken weapons and screaming soldiers flying in all directions.
But the Marines kept coming, wave after wave, relying on sheer numbers like starving wolves trying to drown the aging lion.
In the midst of the fierce battle, Whitebeard suddenly felt a sharp pain in his chest—old wounds and new ones combined into an excruciating agony, causing his swing to falter for just an instant.
Three agile Marine officers seized the fleeting opening, lunging forward like leopards. Their blades gleamed coldly in the sunlight, their eyes filled with the madness and resolve to take him down at any cost.
At that critical moment, a silver arc suddenly flashed across the sky. The slash came without warning, tearing through the smoke above the battlefield with a piercing shriek.
It carried no flashy spectacle, only a terrifying purity—as if it could cleave everything in its path in two.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Three muffled impacts merged into one. The three attackers were split apart before they could even scream, their hot blood splattering across the stone pavement.
The slash didn't stop. When it struck the center of the plaza, it exploded.
An airwave surged outward like a tsunami, sending Marines flying as if struck by an invisible giant. The sound of bodies crashing into rubble echoed endlessly.
The hard stone was gouged open—a trench several meters deep and dozens of meters long, its edges still crumbling, revealing the dark earth beneath.
The sudden turn of events brought the entire battlefield to a standstill.
Both the Whitebeard Pirates and the Marines were stunned into silence, the clamor of battle eerily halting for a brief moment.
On the execution platform, Sengoku clenched his fists so tightly his knuckles turned white. His graying beard trembled with fury as he roared, "Who dares interfere?!"
Before his voice faded, a mocking tone cut through the smoke, clear as a blade to every ear: "Tsk tsk, is this the pride of Marineford? Ganging up on an old man—how impressive."
Eyes instinctively turned toward the voice.
A figure stood in midair, clad in a black shirt with sleeves casually rolled up to reveal scarred forearms. His dark pants clung to lean legs as he balanced effortlessly in the void.
Most striking was the sword resting on his shoulder—a broad, black-and-purple blade, none other than the Black Sword Autumn Water. Its hilt-wrapping swayed slightly in the wind, its cold glare piercing.
"It's you!" Sengoku's pupils shrank, veins bulging at his temples as he ground out the name: "The 'Blasphemer'—Bahr!"
The words struck the battlefield like a boulder, sending ripples through the chaos.
To the east, Hancock had just kicked away two Marines when she heard the voice. Her sharp eyes instantly softened as she caught sight of the figure in the sky. Unconsciously, she pressed her hands to her cheeks, a faint blush coloring her face as she whispered, "Lord Bahr... You're safe..."
Nearby, Jimbei had been about to rush to Whitebeard's aid when the slash interrupted him. Now, he frowned slightly, murmuring, "So it's him... His power is even more terrifying than the rumors."
At the edge of the battlefield, Doflamingo had been using his String-String Fruit powers to make Marines kill each other. Hearing Sengoku's words, he paused, turning his gaze upward. A smirk curled his lips as he let out a low, excited chuckle. "Fufufufu... So this is the man who dared challenge a 'god'? The 'Blasphemer' Bahr... How interesting." His tongue flicked over his lips, eyes gleaming like a hunter spotting fresh prey.
Mihawk had just cut down a charging pirate when his gaze locked onto the Black Sword Autumn Water. His sharp eyes narrowed slightly before curving into a faint, approving smile. "A black blade... worthy of that slash." Though he said little, it was clear Bahr had earned his recognition.
Among the Marine ranks, Aokiji had just frozen a group of pirates in ice. He pushed up his cap, his tone calm but grave. "Ara ara... A troublesome one has arrived."
Kizaru raised an eyebrow at the sight of Bahr, fingers tapping lazily on his sword hilt. "My, my... We meet again so soon."
Just then, a Marine suddenly pointed skyward, his voice cracking with shock. "L-Look! What is that?!"
All eyes followed his finger. The air above the battlefield rippled like water disturbed by a stone, waves spreading outward until—
A massive ark materialized at the center.
Its hull was colossal, its mechanical design cold and imposing. Bronze plating gleamed with ancient authority under the sun—the Ark Maxim.
The behemoth hovered, its shadow swallowing half the plaza. The low hum of machinery and faint crackles of lightning filled the eerie silence, suffocating the battlefield with oppressive weight.
Marines and pirates alike froze, many lowering their weapons in stunned disbelief. What was this monstrous ship doing here?
The Ark Maxim descended, landing heavily on the ice Aokiji had created. The frozen surface groaned under its weight, cracks spiderwebbing outward as the ground trembled violently. Soldiers near the edges scrambled back in fear.
At the ship's bow stood Enel, golden rod in hand, lightning crackling around him. Arcs of electricity danced at his feet, trailing down the hull as he gazed down at the battlefield with divine arrogance. "How lively these mortals are."
Behind him, Mr. 1 scanned the surroundings coldly, blades glinting on his arms. Mr. 5 clenched his fists nervously, while Miss. Valentine gripped her lemon umbrella, pale but standing firm. Paula leaned against the railing, calmly assessing the battlefield, while Porche twirled her baton, eyes darting curiously. Perona clutched her ghost plush, stealing glances at the war with poorly hidden tension.
Four God Enforcers stood in formation, clad in white robes like solemn statues. Behind them, rows of God Attendants stood at attention, spears ready, their white garments fluttering in the wind.
Bahr, still floating in midair, smirked down at Sengoku on the execution platform. His voice carried across the battlefield, dripping with provocation:
"Seems I arrived just in time. Let's make this war a little more... entertaining."
Silence fell once more.
Everyone realized—this already chaotic war had just become even more unpredictable.
A "Blasphemer" who dared defy the Celestial Dragons, leading a crew of bizarre allies...
What storm would they unleash upon Marineford?
--Support me in Patreon for more chapters 35+ chapters in there
patreon.com/LegendaryTL
Thanks!