Crack… crack… crack…
Before the eyes of countless marines and pirates, the towering tsunamis that blotted out the sky were frozen solid—transformed into colossal walls of ice that reached from sea to heavens.
The once-roaring waves stood still like crystalline mountains.
And the frost spread downward, racing across the sea surface itself, freezing the ocean into solid ice.
Ships that had burst up from the depths were caught instantly, trapped within the frozen mass.
The chill spread up onto Marineford's platform itself, the very air biting cold, making soldiers shiver uncontrollably.
"This… this is the power of a Marine Admiral!?"
Marines who had been quaking in fear suddenly found their courage again, staring fanatically at Aokiji's form.
"Does this mean the real battle's about to begin?"
Kizaru muttered as he gazed over the frozen battlefield.
Aokiji had stopped the tsunami—but in doing so, he had also created solid ground for the pirates to charge across.
Still, the oppressive weight of Whitebeard's earlier strike lingered in the air.
Kizaru stretched lazily, then turned his eyes toward the Whitebeard Pirates' shining blue phoenix.
"Well then… I suppose this old man should lend a hand too. Can't have the navy being frightened by one monster."
In the blink of an eye, his body turned into golden light, streaking across the sky and appearing above Marco.
His hands formed a circle, golden radiance swelling between them.
"Yasakani no Magatama!!!"
A storm of thousands of golden beams rained down like a downpour toward the phoenix.
Marco blinked, then smirked as blue flames of the phoenix ignited across his body.
"So you're coming after me, huh?"
Wings of azure fire unfurled from his back as he prepared to take flight. But then he paused—his eyes drawn to the giant in front of him.
Whitebeard squinted at the dazzling golden light overhead, his voice rumbling like thunder.
"Borsalino, huh? That firefly glow of yours is irritating. Get down from there!"
CRAAACK!!!
His fist shattered the air itself.
This time the quake was aimed skyward—an eruption of power like a volcanic blast tearing through the heavens.
Even the clouds themselves ripped apart. From afar, it looked like Whitebeard had punched a hole in the sky.
Even Kizaru, the man of light, couldn't react in time. The quake smashed into him, sending him flying like a ragdoll.
A streak of gold arced through the sky before crashing down into Marineford's platform, flattening one of its cannons in a thunderous impact.
Marines flinched, staring wide-eyed at the wreckage.
"…Unbelievable…"
Marco shook his head with a bitter smile.
"Father's too hot-blooded. It's just one Admiral—does he really need to personally step in?"
Nearby, Joz sighed. "What choice do we have? Ever since Father's body was treated, it's like he's ten years younger again. All he wants to do is fight. I've been his sparring partner these days… feels like even diamonds can't take it anymore."
The two exchanged glances—helpless, yet filled with joy.
Marco couldn't help but murmur: "That woman Naruto brought us… she's something else. To restore Father like this…"
Joz nodded firmly, eyes flashing.
"Cough… cough… cough… this old monster… is he insane!?"
Kizaru crawled out of the rubble, face dark, coughing heavily.
"He thinks he's young again? Didn't even test the waters, just came at me with full power? Doesn't he care about his body!?"
The reason the marines had dared to target Whitebeard was because they knew his condition.
Yes, he had once been the strongest man alive. But time was the one enemy none could escape.
His body was failing. He carried hidden injuries. He needed daily IV drips to endure.
Yet here, at Marineford, he looked like a man reborn—striking down Admirals with his fists, not even waiting for his men to act.
Had he really been given… a second spring?
Aokiji landed beside him, his expression tense.
"…Could he actually have regained his youth?"
The possibility was slim, but the Grand Line was full of strange Devil Fruits. Nothing was impossible.
"I don't know," Kizaru admitted, sweat beading at his temple. "But I do know one thing… we're in big trouble."
Aokiji's eyelid twitched. He too felt the unease clawing at his chest.
Whitebeard wasn't just fighting like the old days—he was worse. A storm incarnate, throwing himself into battle without restraint.
Even if he hadn't turned back time, Marineford was still going to suffer catastrophic damage against such a monster.
And that wasn't all.
Ace of the Spade Pirates, Rayleigh—their whereabouts had been unknown for half a month. Who knew when they might appear.
And the Revolutionary Army—quiet for now, but surely watching.
As for the Red-Haired Pirates… last reported in the New World, but who knew where they were now.
"…This is bad," Aokiji muttered.
The thought was cut short by the thunder of war erupting across the ice.
Tens of thousands of Whitebeard's pirates roared with fervor, weapons raised as they surged toward Marineford.
The marines bellowed back, their own blades and guns ready, charging to meet them.
"…It's begun."
With grim faces, Aokiji and Kizaru sprinted for the heart of the battlefield.
But before they reached it—
A towering figure leapt down from the Moby Dick, bisento in hand, charging directly toward the execution platform.
And in his path—Moria, holding his massive scissors, happily harvesting shadows of Whitebeard's men.
Then a shadow loomed over him.
He looked up—and nearly wet himself.
"Wh-Whitebeard!?"
Terror flooded him as his mind screamed.
Why the hell was this monster stepping onto the field already!?
Top powers weren't supposed to fight first!
But that thought lasted only a heartbeat—before the flash of a blade sent him flying like garbage.
(End of Chapter)
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