Luffy, carrying both Buggy and Mr. 3, didn't even think before tossing Buggy away.
And the spot he chose to throw him was very deliberate—right in Kizaru's path.
Buggy instantly unleashed a torrent of curses, thoroughly insulting Luffy's entire family tree.
At the same time, a massive figure was descending from the sky at terrifying speed!
"Quick! Mr. 3! Unlock the cuffs!"
After throwing Buggy, Luffy immediately stretched out his arm and pulled Ace into his embrace.
Mr. 3 didn't hesitate either—he reached out, touched the cuffs, and the key began forming rapidly.
After all, it was thanks to Luffy that he'd escaped prison. This much, he had to help with.
(Even though it was also Luffy who got him locked up in the first place...)
Ace, seeing his little brother covered in wounds yet still so fiercely determined, felt an ache in his chest.
This idiot...
Never listens to him...
"Go! Now!"
"Kill Fire Fist Ace! Move!"
"While he's still locked in seastone! Don't let him escape!"
The Marines had already surrounded the area beneath them, waiting for the moment they'd land.
The moment they did, a barrage of attacks would rain down.
But just then—
A faint glow flickered in the sky above.
Everyone's eyes instinctively snapped toward it.
Yet, in the next instant, all they saw was blinding flame.
A colossal pillar of fire erupted in the air.
And before their stunned gazes could fully process it—
*BOOM!*
The fire pillar crashed down onto the ground!
Every Marine waiting below was instantly swallowed by the inferno.
A raging sea of flames erupted, turning the execution platform's surroundings into a blazing hellscape.
And within that hellfire—
Ace, finally freed, grabbed Luffy's hand with a wry smile.
"You never change, do you, Luffy? Always charging in headfirst!"
"Ace!!"
For the first time in what felt like forever, Luffy's face broke into a wide, joyous grin.
And with his shout—
The rampaging flames instantly vanished.
The two brothers stood at the center of the scorched earth, revealed to the world once more.
And this—
Marked the undeniable truth.
Ace had been saved!
"OOOOOH—!!"
"Straw Hat! Hell yeah!"
"Damn right! Clear a path for Ace! Time to bring him home!"
"DIAMOND IMPACT!!"
The sight injected the Whitebeard Pirates with an overwhelming surge of morale!
Their anxious hearts now burned with fighting spirit!
Every single one of them fought like men possessed, charging forward without fear!
"Everyone! Cover Ace's retreat! Once we get him, we win!"
Whitebeard swung his bisento with overwhelming force, forcing the three Admirals back.
Seizing the opening, he quickly issued the final phase of their mission.
As he did, his gaze flickered toward Robin.
If circumstances allowed, he would've thanked her outright.
But doing so now—
Would only paint a target on her back.
Had she not acted just then, Vir might've been forced to reveal himself to save Ace.
Robin returned Whitebeard's glance with a faint smile.
But her hands trembled slightly.
Vir noticed her condition at a glance.
Her hands were injured.
From that distance, she'd managed to sprout hands on Ace's back.
And she'd even succeeded in coating them with Armament Haki.
Though she was still hurt, her Armament Haki was definitely stronger than Chopper's.
Having just awakened her Armament Haki, there was no way she could've applied it to hands that far away.
Robin... you've been holding back, huh?
Now, the situation was back on track.
If Ace escaped, this battle would be theirs.
But the Marines wouldn't let him go so easily.
The giant Vice Admirals charging in, along with Kong coming from the rear, would be the main obstacles to his escape.
No good. He needed to heal Marco fast.
Not because the battlefield needed him—
But because in this chaos, anyone could fall next.
If Vir didn't hurry, he might not make it in time for the next emergency.
Just as he was about to pull Marco out of the pot—
A familiar voice rang out.
"You've left yourself open, Whitebeard!"
The moment Whitebeard finished speaking, the voice came from right behind him.
A massive battle-axe swung straight at the Whitebeard's head!
The sight—
Left the two veterans and the Admiral who'd just been pushed back utterly baffled.
Huh?
Open?
Where?
We didn't see any opening!
This man was a fortress—flawless in every stance.
They had to force openings through sheer aggression.
Yet right now, he was just standing there—completely unassailable.
How was this an opening?!
As the three questioned their own judgment—
Even Whitebeard seemed puzzled.
'I left an opening?'
'Did I?'
'Pretty sure I didn't.'
'And you're just... swinging an axe at me like this?'
'Buddy, maybe check how many openings you have first.'
'This is just disrespectful...'
The axe descended—
And a fist wreathed in a white glow lashed out.
Whitebeard didn't even move from his spot.
His body barely shifted.
Just a single punch.
And then—
*BOOM!!*
The giant Vice Admiral in steel armor was sent flying at supersonic speed!
After soaring hundreds of meters—
*SPLAT!*
He exploded into a fine red mist.
His remains rained evenly across the battlefield, drenching several unlucky souls from head to toe.
The spectators could only stare in shock.
Huh?
That's it?
One punch... and he just died?
A Giant Vice Admiral?
Just like that?
This... this is a Yonko?
No, this is beyond Yonko level!
While the crowd was stunned, the three who'd been fighting Whitebeard weren't surprised at all.
You just charged at Whitebeard?
With that level of strength?
We couldn't even save you, man...
That was just... too hard to judge.
Nearby, Vir could only facepalm.
Where the hell did this guy get the confidence?
"Mr. Opening" lived up to his name—instantly turned into paste.
Some fates just can't be avoided.
After witnessing Whitebeard's world-shattering power firsthand—
He still went for it.
Vir had honestly thought this timeline might skip the "opening" meme.
But the man proved that some legends are never late.
Respect.
All Vir could do was tip his imaginary hat.
*BOOM!*
Another explosion rocked the battlefield.
This time, it was Little Oars Jr.—he'd arrived.
"Ace~! I'm here to save you~!"
His booming voice was deafening even from afar.
Vir glanced over, then turned back to his task.
Lifting the giant pot, he channeled his power—
A ghostly voice echoed in Marco's half-conscious mind.
"Rise and shine, Mr. Marco~"
"Rise and shine~"