One piece of bad news after another arrived, making the Whitebeard Pirates and the tens of thousands of pirates under their command feel a chill in their hearts.
Their strongest Pops was sneak-attacked and severely injured by one of his own.
Their powerful reinforcement, Luo Chen, was also about to be defeated and killed.
Once these two powerhouses were lost, the remaining people would be completely powerless against the three Marine Admirals.
Not to mention Garp, the "Hero" who had defeated the Pirate King.
And Fleet Admiral Sengoku.
The commanders of Whitebeard's main crew all had extremely grim expressions.
But Pops had not given the order to retreat, so they would fight to the death to save Ace.
On the execution platform, Sengoku's emotions had clearly calmed, and he had regained his composure and rationality.
His gaze was fixed on Luo Chen.
Defeat and death were only a matter of moments.
Ace watched the impending collapse of their forces, his heart filled with agony.
Pops was injured.
Many of his friends had already died at the hands of the Marines.
Luo Chen was also about to be killed by the Marine Admirals and his grandfather, Garp.
'There is absolutely no hope left.'
'None of them can save me.'
'They shouldn't be trying to save me.'
'A scumbag like me, who possesses the sinful blood of the Pirate King, should be the one to die!'
Ace's eyes were filled with tears as he cried out hoarsely in extreme anguish, "Go away! It's enough! Stop trying to save me!"
"Go away!!!"
He screamed with all his might, over and over.
He just wanted Luffy, Luo Chen, and Pops to leave safely.
So many people dying just to save him... Ace was filled with immense hatred and regret.
'Why was I even born into this world!'
'Why am I the Pirate King's son!'
'Why didn't I listen to Pops's warning and stop chasing Blackbeard!'
He forcefully smashed his head against the execution platform, until his head was bloody, and his tears mixed with the blood that stained the platform.
On the battlefield, Luffy and the members of the Whitebeard crew gritted their teeth and fought on.
Even if they died here, they would not retreat.
They had to find a way to save Ace!
Nami and Robin's minds were entirely focused on Luo Chen.
Although they knew he was a clone, they were still worried.
'Did Luo Chen's main body succeed in breaking out?'
'Will the clone being killed affect the breakout plan?'
'Even if Luo Chen comes, can he really face such a formidable Marine lineup?'
Countless worries swirled in Robin's and Nami's minds.
The two of them stayed near the Going Merry, not rashly participating in this great war.
The reason they had come to Marineford was to wait for Luo Chen's return, not to help Luffy save anyone.
"All of you, get out of my way!"
Not far from Luo Chen's clone's battle, a large group of Marines and pirates screamed as they were sent flying.
A tall, slender figure, her aura fierce and violent, swept her long legs, kicking away everyone blocking her path.
Whether Marines or pirates, no one could stop themselves from looking.
Because that person was the Pirate Empress, the world's most beautiful woman, Boa Hancock.
Under everyone's astonished gazes, she charged straight into Luo Chen's battlefield, kicking at Marine Admiral Aokiji.
"Perfume Femur!"
A full-power blow. The air rippled, and a shockwave blasted out in all directions.
Aokiji, holding an ice saber, was just about to deliver the final blow to Luo Chen.
Sensing the Empress's attack, his expression changed, and he turned to block.
The two clashed. Aokiji's ice saber shattered, and the Empress flipped backward in mid-air, landing not far away.
Her expression was one of extreme anger. She charged out again, heading straight for Kizaru, Aokiji, and Garp.
On the execution platform, Sengoku saw this and couldn't help but roar, "Boa Hancock, what are you doing? Stop at once!"
The whole world, the entire Marine force, was watching.
Boa Hancock, a Warlord of the Sea, was actually helping the enemy attack the Marines.
And she was helping Luo Chen, of all people.
Luo Chen, who had killed a Celestial Dragon and must be sentenced to death.
'Has she gone mad?'
This was the shocked question in everyone's mind.
'What is going on with Boa Hancock?'
Luo Chen's clone saw her charge in recklessly, and his expression changed slightly.
'Just because I killed a Celestial Dragon last time, she's willing to sacrifice this much?'
'Helping me at the Summit War, attacking Marine Admirals.'
'She will definitely be stripped of her Warlord title and be targeted by the Marines.'
'In the original story, the reason Luffy was able to win over the Empress wasn't just because he punched a Celestial Dragon.'
'Luffy's almost foolish simplicity and kindness, his pure nature, was completely different from the men the Empress loathed. That was also a major reason.'
'My relationship with the Empress before was just a transaction.'
'For her to sacrifice this much... it's a bit shocking,' Luo Chen's clone thought.
"Fist Bone: Impact!" Garp's fist, coated in Conqueror's Haki, blasted toward the Empress.
Boa Hancock kicked out again, but she was clearly no match and was sent flying backward.
Kizaru's whole body turned into golden light particles, streaked through the air, and reformed beside the flying Empress.
He held a golden light sword and slashed down viciously, a smile on his lips. "Pirate Empress, so scary."
Hancock's expression was ugly. The impact from Garp's punch was too strong.
She hadn't yet dispersed the force, making it impossible to launch an attack. She could only barely adjust her body to prevent Kizaru's sword from striking a vital spot.
Aokiji didn't deal with the Pirate Empress, but instead focused on attacking Luo Chen.
'Right now, Luo Chen is heavily injured, both arms broken. He alone is enough.'
Although Aokiji was confused why Luo Chen hadn't used his high-powered moves like the Thousand-Armed Guanyin or the Martial God Giant in this battle.
But with the kill imminent, he didn't bother to think about it.
Swoosh—
The Luo Chen in front of him raised a hand and shot out a wooden spike, which instantly flew over ten meters to the Empress's side.
Aokiji's ice saber hit empty air.
He understood. Luo Chen had teleported again.
And the location was definitely where that wooden spike was.
...
Hancock prepared to take Kizaru's sword strike head-on.
But at that moment, a figure suddenly appeared before her.
Luo Chen appeared in front of her, his back to Kizaru's golden light sword, a smile on his face.
"Thank you, Hancock. Leave the rest to me."
Hancock's beautiful eyes widened, her deep blue pupils reflecting only Luo Chen's smile.
Her heart throbbed wildly, blood rushed to her head, her breathing quickened, and her face grew hot.
However, Hancock's first thought was still Luo Chen's safety.
'Luo Chen... to save me, he's using his body to block Kizaru's sword.'
'This is a complete sacrifice of his life.'
A trace of panic she had never felt before appeared in Hancock's eyes.
Kizaru's smile faltered slightly, but the light sword didn't stop, slashing down.
'It's perfect that Luo Chen is blocking.'
'Kill him, and this war can basically be declared a victory.'
'Today's work is almost done.'
'After all, Whitebeard is already a spent force.'
Countless people watched this scene, their breathing stopped.
'Is Luo Chen about to be slain by Admiral Kizaru?'
The Marines, led by Sengoku, had expressions of wild joy.
The pirate side fell into a desperate silence.
In the clouds above, a giant black shadow was vaguely visible.
Enel stood on the bow of the giant ship, the Ark Maxim, holding his golden staff, looking down on the battlefield.
He watched Luo Chen about to die, a disappointed smile on his lips.
"Dying so easily... what a disappointment for this God."
"It seems your main body isn't very strong either."
"This God will make himself king."
But immediately, the smile on Enel's face froze.
Because after Kizaru's sword struck Luo Chen's back, no blood spurted out. Instead, a thick plume of white smoke appeared.
This reminded him of the scene from not long ago on Skypiea, when that Luo Chen clone dissipated.
'The Luo Chen down there... is still a clone?!'
[Reviews - Power St0nes - Comments are highly appreciated to keep me going.....(+50 chapters) patre0n.c0m/talecrafter]