"What a brutal battle this has become…"
Ace let out a breath, though his face burned with excitement as he charged forward.
Behind him, the pirates bellowed, weapons raised, throwing themselves into the fray without a shred of fear. Death was nothing to them only the thought of fighting alone terrified them.
Even those who had earlier retreated to the ships now defied orders and rushed back into the fight.
No matter their personal grudges, at this moment they stood shoulder to shoulder, unleashing the last of their strength against the Marines.
The pirates' morale surged, their roars splitting the heavens.
"So this is the Blackbeard Pirates…"
Sengoku's eyes narrowed, beads of sweat forming at his temple.
He glanced behind him.
Kizaru's face was pale, his injuries clearly severe. If he returned to battle, there was no doubt he'd fall.
Akainu, beaten down earlier, was still missing.
As for Aokiji…
With the pressure from the other two admirals gone, the commanders of Whitebeard's crew had surrounded him completely. They fought in shifts, retreating and advancing, protecting one another in a grinding war of attrition.
After such a long battle, Aokiji had failed to deal any decisive damage to the pirates.
"At this rate… the Marines will lose."
Then there was Garp.
Sengoku's eyes shifted toward his lifelong comrade. Garp's expression twisted with conflict as his gaze kept falling on Luffy and Ace.
"…Hah."
Sengoku let out a sigh, then his eyes hardened with resolve.
"Garp. I have never asked you for anything in all my life. But today, I must."
"…What is it?"
Garp's voice was solemn. He had already sensed it. The tide of battle had shifted too far. Again and again, the pirates tore through the Marines' defenses.
Even he, careless as he often seemed, could guess what Sengoku was about to say.
Staring forward, Sengoku muttered, "I hope you can uphold the justice you carry on your back. If I raise my hand against your two grandsons… what will you do?"
Garp's pupils widened, his eyes locking onto Sengoku.
For a long time, silence hung between them.
Then Garp sighed. "…Old men get tired so easily. I think I'll take a rest. The rest… I'll leave to you."
He turned, fists clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white, and walked away slowly. Each step crushed the stone beneath his feet into powder, his immense strength betraying the agony he was swallowing inside.
He wanted nothing more than to save his grandsons. But in his ears were the screams of his comrades Marines who had fought beside him all his life. And behind his back, the word "Justice" weighed heavier than ever.
As Garp departed, Sengoku exhaled softly, relief flooding him.
He had feared Garp might stand in his way for family's sake. If that happened, the Marines' defeat would be certain.
"Forgive me, Garp…"
With another sigh, Sengoku's face hardened.
He leapt high, soaring across the battlefield like a cannon shot, landing in the center.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku!"
"He's finally moved! Hahaha, you filthy pirates are finished now! There's nowhere left to run!"
"That decrepit old man won't last a second against him!"
"The pirates are doomed! Blow up their ships!"
The Marines roared with renewed hope, their morale reignited by the sight of Sengoku taking the field.
"Long time no see, Sengoku."
Whitebeard grinned as though greeting an old friend.
"Hmph. After all these years, you've certainly given me quite the surprise."
Sengoku snorted, his expression cold, killing intent radiating from him.
"Haha! So many years have passed, and you're still as sour as ever."
"Enough talk. Today, I'll see for myself whether the 'Strongest Man in the World' still lives up to his name!"
With a roar, Sengoku's body erupted in golden light. His form swelled, wrapped in divine radiance until he towered like a colossal Buddha, awe-inspiring and merciless.
"The Golden Buddha… Sengoku has entered the fray!"
"He's going after Pops!"
The Whitebeard commanders froze as they saw the giant golden figure facing their captain. Many wanted to rush in.
"Stand down!"
Whitebeard's voice boomed across the field.
"This fight is between the two of us. No one interferes!"
Throwing his head back, Whitebeard laughed and stood unshaken, waiting calmly as Sengoku's Buddha form took shape.
"Don't worry. All of you just keep Aokiji tied up."
Vincent Fox called out to Ace and the others, before vanishing in a blur, searching for Akainu's trail.
Kizaru was crippled, out of the fight. Akainu was wounded as badly, but Vincent knew better than to underestimate him. After all, in the true course of events, Sengoku had stepped down and Akainu had risen to Fleet Admiral, even defeating Aokiji. His strength was unquestionable.
BOOM!
Not far away, Sengoku, now a golden Buddha, clashed fists with Whitebeard.
Golden shockwaves smashed against Whitebeard's quakes, exploding in blinding force.
Vincent glanced once, then pressed forward, focused on his hunt.
His speed was terrifying. Wherever he passed, Marines fell. Ordinary soldiers, even vice admirals, were crushed with a single punch.
In moments, a swathe of the battlefield was cleared by his fists alone.
"Run! The Reaper is here!"
"Don't fight him! His defense is monstrous even cannon fire can't harm him!"
Panic rippled through the Marines as they fled in all directions.
Vincent sighed, no longer wasting time on them.
Through the chaos, he strode unhindered. A few vice admirals leapt out to face him, but his fists ended them in an instant.
At last, he stopped. His gaze fixed on the earth below, where molten scars marred the ground. A deep pit gaped at his feet.
So this is where he is.
Akainu.
Vincent's eyes narrowed.
Instead of jumping down, he drove his fist into the earth.
The fractured ground shattered completely, collapsing into a massive crater.
Again and again his fists struck, rubble exploding, fissures spreading like roots from each impact.
At last, the hidden cavern came into view.
"Akainu. Come out."
Vincent's voice was low as he hurled a serious punch into the pit.
BOOM!
The cavern crumbled, stones blasting outward.
As the dust cleared, he saw him crouched at the bottom, breathing raggedly, struggling to mend his wounds.
Akainu.
Vincent's eyes hardened. There would be no chance given.
"Akainu! Your life ends here!"
His fist crashed down with all the fury of his resolve.
----------------------------------------------------
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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