On the square of Marineford, the battle situation had completely lost its balance.
The nine members of the God's Knights were scattered across the battlefield, each demonstrating combat power far exceeding that of a Marine Headquarters Vice Admiral.
Third Division Commander Diamond Jozu was about to rush toward Whitebeard when he was blocked by a member of the God's Knights.
"Your opponent is me."
That member of the knights took off his mask, revealing a cold face. He raised his hand with a wave, and pitch-black Armament Haki instantly covered his entire body.
Jozu clenched his teeth as his body transformed into a brilliant diamond and he charged forward fiercely.
The Fifth Division Commander was also stopped by a member of the God's Knights; the dual-sword swordsmanship he took pride in could not be fully utilized before his opponent, as every attack was easily neutralized.
The situation for the other division commanders was much the same.
Except for First Division Commander Marco, who could barely manage to contend with Kizaru, almost all the other commanders were suppressed by the members of the God's Knights.
Seeing this scene, the morale of the pirates on the square instantly plummeted to rock bottom.
"Even the commanders..."
"We're finished..."
"Run, quickly!"
Some began to retreat, some wanted to flee, and even more just stood there blankly, having lost all will to fight.
The Marine Soldiers took the opportunity to counterattack, their battle cries shaking the heavens.
"Charge!"
"Exterminate the pirates!"
"For justice!"
The scales of the battlefield had completely tilted.
Whitebeard looked at this scene, his face ashen.
He wanted to go rescue his sons, but Akainu held him back firmly.
"Whitebeard, your opponent is me!"
Sakazuki's fists turned into lava, blasting toward Whitebeard one after another.
"Great Eruption!"
"Hellhound!"
Akainu's attacks were like a violent storm, giving Whitebeard no chance to catch his breath.
Whitebeard swung Murakumogiri, the power of tremors constantly erupting, barely blocking Akainu's offensive.
But he could feel that his body had reached its limit.
His aging body, the torment of old wounds, plus the burden of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit, meant that every one of his attacks was overdrawing his life.
"Gurararara..."
Whitebeard suddenly burst into laughter, though there was a hint of bitterness in it.
He turned to look at Ace on the Execution Platform, a flash of guilt in his eyes.
"Ace... I'm sorry... Pops came too late..."
On the Execution Platform, Ace knelt there, tears flowing uncontrollably.
"Pops..."
"Pops!"
"Stop fighting!"
"I beg you all, please stop!"
Ace shouted at the top of his lungs, his voice turning hoarse.
However, no one paid him any mind.
Sengoku stood on the Execution Platform, looking down at the battlefield below with an expressionless face.
He picked up a den den mushi, his voice cold: "Everyone, listen to my orders, speed up the pace of the attack, and end the battle as quickly as possible!"
"Yes, sir!"
The Marine Soldiers let out a roar, their offensive becoming even more ferocious.
The ordinary pirates of the Whitebeard Pirates couldn't hold them back at all, falling in swaths.
Blood stained the entire square red.
Screams, wails, and the clashing of weapons mixed together, like hell on earth.
In the sky, Marco transformed into a Phoenix, desperately trying to rush toward the Execution Platform.
But Kizaru blocked him firmly.
"Oh, Marco, where are you going in such a hurry?"
Borsalino turned into golden light, instantly appearing in front of Marco.
"Yata no Kagami!"
A mirror of light manifested out of thin air, completely blocking Marco's path.
Marco bit his lip, the blue flames on his body burning even more intensely.
"Get out of the way!"
He lunged at Kizaru, his wings transforming into sharp blades and slashing down fiercely.
However, Kizaru just flickered his body and dodged the attack.
"How scary, Phoenix."
Kizaru raised his hand, a dazzling light gathering at his fingertips.
"But if you keep this up, you're really going to die."
"Laser!"
A golden beam of light shot out instantly, aimed straight for Marco's heart!
Marco tried to dodge, but his body had reached its limit.
Just as the beam was about to hit—
"Marco!"
A figure suddenly rushed over, blocking the blow for him.
*Puchi!*
The light beam pierced through the person's chest, and blood gushed out.
Marco's eyes widened: "Jozu!"
Diamond Jozu was panting heavily, the diamonds on his body already covered in cracks.
He grinned: "Marco... go quickly... save Ace..."
Before he could finish speaking, his whole person fell from mid-air.
"Jozu!"
Marco let out a sorrowful roar, wanting to catch him.
But how could Kizaru give him that chance?
"Yata no Kagami!"
Countless light bullets poured down, completely enveloping Marco!
*Boom boom boom!*
The sound of explosions merged into one.
Marco tumbled and fell amidst the explosions, crashing heavily onto the ground.
He struggled to stand up, but his body no longer obeyed him.
Blue flames burned on his body, healing his wounds.
But the speed of healing could no longer keep up with the speed of injury.
"Damn it..."
Marco clenched his teeth, tears flowing uncontrollably.
"I'm sorry... Pops..."
"I'm sorry... Ace..."
"I... am useless..."
On the square, the division commanders of the Whitebeard Pirates fell one after another.
The ordinary pirates suffered even more devastating casualties.
In just over ten minutes, the Whitebeard Pirates' defeat was like a collapsing mountain.
Sabaody Archipelago.
The crowd in front of the screens fell into an eerie silence.
People who were just cheering for Whitebeard were now all speechless.
"Is Whitebeard... going to lose?"
"No way... it can't be..."
"That's the strongest man in the world..."
However, reality was right before their eyes.
The Whitebeard Pirates were collapsing at a rate visible to the naked eye.
Mock Town.
The people let out thunderous cheers.
"We won!"
"The Marines are going to win!"
"Long live Lord Saint Ian!"
Everyone was so excited that their eyes filled with tears.
Marineford, Square.
Whitebeard looked at his fallen sons, a flash of sorrow in his eyes.
But he had no time for grief.
Because Akainu's attack was coming again.
"Whitebeard, you're finished!"
Sakazuki's fists turned into massive lava fists, slamming fiercely toward Whitebeard!
"Hellhound!"
Whitebeard swung Murakumogiri, and the power of tremors erupted!
*Boom!*
The attacks of the two collided, erupting in a deafening roar!
The shockwave spread out, and the surrounding ground instantly cracked!
Whitebeard spat out a mouthful of blood, his body staggering back a few steps.
He could feel his life slipping away.
But he couldn't fall yet.
At least... before rescuing Ace... He looked up at the sky.
There, Kaido was coiled in the clouds, overlooking the entire battlefield.
"Kaido..."
Whitebeard clenched his teeth, "How much longer are you going to keep watching?"
In the sky, Kaido remained silent for a few seconds.
His crimson dragon pupils swept across the entire battlefield, taking in the tragic sight of the Whitebeard Pirates' total collapse.
Suddenly, he let out a low Dragon Roar.
"Whitebeard..."
Kaido's voice echoed through the clouds, "It seems... I'll have to take action..."
As soon as he finished speaking, he opened his massive maw.
Terrifying energy condensed in his mouth, and the air began to distort.