On the other side of the battlefield, the fierce clash between Whitebeard and Akainu raged on.
The ground was in ruins, shattered rocks and pools of lava scattered everywhere.
Aokiji had intervened multiple times, even threatening Whitebeard's life at one point.
But in the end, he was sent flying by Jozu.
The battle returned to a one-on-one standoff between Whitebeard and Akainu.
Whitebeard, a towering figure, gripped his Supreme Grade blade, Murakumogiri, which was even taller than himself.
The two men stood locked in a stare, the sheer pressure they emitted akin to that of entire armies facing off.
Akainu wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth with his sleeve, his expression ice-cold.
He hadn't expected a man so far past his prime to still possess such terrifying combat strength.
Just two punches from Whitebeard made him feel as if his body were about to split apart.
Fortunately, he had managed to magma-fuse his body in time, melting the ground and slipping beneath the earth to avoid a fatal blow.
Otherwise, he'd be done for.
Suddenly.
Whitebeard's eyes widened in shock, pain twisting across his face.
He was in immense agony.
The constant use of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit had triggered his old injuries.
Vincent Fox noticed Whitebeard's condition and immediately rushed over.
"Dad's collapsing!"
As he ran, he activated the Den Den Mushi communicator Marco had given him earlier.
"Don't think for a second I've forgiven you!" Marco snarled at the massive spider, Squard, before igniting in blue flames and flying toward Whitebeard.
Squard's face was filled with shame. Now clear-headed, he realized he had fallen right into Akainu's trap.
He had foolishly stabbed his own father.
"Akainu… I'll kill you!"
With a grunt, Squard leapt off the ship and charged in Whitebeard's direction with everything he had.
With a dull thud, Whitebeard fell to his knees.
His condition had deteriorated to its limit. Agonizing pain tore through his organs, leaving him with no strength at all.
Spurt!
He coughed up a large mouthful of blood, his vision beginning to blur.
Akainu immediately noticed something was wrong.
Without hesitation, he seized the opportunity and launched a full-force assault.
This was his one chance to kill Whitebeard!
His right arm transformed into molten lava and swelled rapidly.
"Hellhound!"
With a thunderous roar, Akainu launched his most devastating move, aiming to obliterate Whitebeard's head in a single blow.
This attack had the power to smash even a mountain to rubble, and Akainu was certain it would crush Whitebeard's skull with ease.
But in that moment, Whitebeard was still dazed and unresponsive, unaware of the danger fast approaching.
"Dad!"
Marco shouted, flying with all his might toward Whitebeard, but it was too late. He couldn't reach in time.
"Akainu!"
A familiar voice rang out behind him.
Akainu's expression twisted in horror as his Observation Haki flared he sensed death closing in fast!
He twisted his body at the last second and caught sight of a familiar weapon thrusting toward his throat at blinding speed.
A Seastone-tipped truncheon!
"Damn it!"
He realized instantly that by twisting to avoid the sneak attack, his own punch his Hellhound would miss its original target!
Sure enough, his fiery fist barely grazed Whitebeard's face, leaving behind a ghastly burn.
Akainu roared in rage, eyes locking on the approaching group especially the ordinary-looking young man at the front.
"You dare ruin my moment?!"
He hurled a massive blast of magma, completely engulfing the Seastone truncheon and slamming it into the ground.
The weapon disintegrated in the lava, leaving only the charred handle behind.
"Now what'll you use to stop me?" Akainu sneered, preparing to strike again.
"Hellhound!"
His arm extended rapidly, aiming once more at Whitebeard.
"Dad!"
Marco shouted in panic and rushed to shield Whitebeard.
"Stand back!"
Whitebeard had snapped back to his senses.
Realizing he had no time to activate his Devil Fruit ability, he reached out a massive hand and pulled Marco behind him.
"Dad!"
Marco struggled fiercely, but Whitebeard's strength was overwhelming. He couldn't break free.
Just as Akainu's punch was about to connect.
A figure suddenly rushed in front of Whitebeard.
No one had time to react.
That person took the blow head-on. The magma punch pierced straight through his chest.
"You damn fool!"
Whitebeard's eyes widened in fury as he recognized the man before him.
Never in his life had he been so enraged.
He took a step forward, his massive fist wrapped in blinding white energy, and slammed it down toward Akainu.
Boom!
Akainu felt like he was being crushed beneath a mountain.
He couldn't dodge.
He couldn't fight back.
He was slammed into the ground with terrifying force.
"Rahhh!"
Whitebeard roared, coughing up blood as he unleashed the full power of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit.
The quake force surged through Akainu, nearly flattening him.
"Damn it…"
Realizing the dire situation, Akainu desperately magma-fused his body once again.
The scorching lava melted the ground, and he slipped through to escape.
Rapidly retreating.
"D… Dad… Squard…"
Marco stammered, unable to find the words as he stared at the gaping hole in Squard's chest.
Whitebeard ran over and caught Squard in his arms.
"You damn brat… Why didn't you listen to me?!"
He glared down like an angry father scolding a disobedient child.
But everyone around could see the pain in his eyes.
His massive frame trembled uncontrollably.
"…D-Dad…"
Squard opened his mouth with great difficulty, looking up at Whitebeard.
"As long… as you're okay… I'll be fine…"
"Dad… I have a request…"
"Say it," Whitebeard said hurriedly, seeing the life fading from Squard's eyes.
"Can you… forgive me, Dad?"
"You foolish son of mine!"
Whitebeard growled, but his voice softened. He looked him in the eyes and said sincerely, "I never blamed you. Not once."
"Then… I can rest easy… Please save Ace…"
With those final words, Squard's arm went limp.
Akainu's Hellhound had destroyed his internal organs.
The fact that he'd even survived this long was a miracle.
Whitebeard gently handed Squard's body to Marco.
"Take him back."
"Yes, Dad!"
Marco spread his wings, bursting into the sky in a streak of blue flame, flying toward the Moby Dick.
Boom!
Whitebeard slammed Murakumogiri into the ground, sending debris flying.
"Marines… It's time you paid with your lives!"
----------------------------------------------------
The deeper he goes, the more the truth unravels. Don't wait read ahead and witness Vincent's rise before the world catches up!
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