Of course, Whitebeard's act wasn't the only one who saw through Garp's performance.
Sengoku and the others noticed it too, but there was nothing to be said. As long as it looked convincing on the surface, that was enough.
Luffy had already reached Ace, and just as his hands were about to touch him, Sengoku acted.
"Human-Human Fruit, Mythical Beast: Daibutsu Form!"
A low hum filled the air.
Sengoku's body suddenly transformed into a gigantic golden Buddha.
A tremendous shockwave slammed into Luffy!
Cough!
Though Sengoku spared a measure of mercy, Luffy was still a pirate.
The force, at nearly eighty percent of full strength, sent Luffy flying back to his starting point!
And Luffy's body was pushed to its limit.
Coughing up blood, he lay on the ground.
Sengoku reverted from his Devil Fruit form, his gaze sweeping over Morgan, ordering him to shut down the broadcast.
"Has Sentomaru arrived yet?" Sengoku asked Kizaru.
"Just about," Kizaru replied.
At that moment, Sentomaru led PX-1 onto the battlefield.
"PX-1! Eliminate the pirates!"
With Sentomaru's command, several PX-1 units strode toward the pirates.
"Admiral Sengoku, sir, sorry for the delay," Sentomaru reported.
Sengoku waved his hand.
"It's fine, you've arrived."
His eyes then turned toward Whitebeard in the distance.
"Now, what can you do?"
The PX-1 units were relentless and emotionless, their attacks guaranteed to kill.
Pirates fell in heavy numbers.
Whitebeard snorted and glanced back at the frozen sea.
Boom!
He lifted his bisento high. The blade shone with a dazzling white light.
He slashed at the ice.
Several massive cracks split the frozen water, shattering it instantly.
Whitebeard roared:
"My sons! This is our last escape route! Move now if you want to live!
And those who will follow me must abandon their lives and follow!"
With that, he leapt from the Moby Dick!
Since Akainu hadn't deceived him, Squardo did not ambush Whitebeard.
Although older now, Whitebeard remained unscathed.
He landed heavily on the ground, and the pirates around him erupted in excitement.
"Father! We will never abandon you!"
"We are the Whitebeard Pirates!"
"Follow Father's lead! Charge!"
Whitebeard's participation seemed to give everyone a boost a buff called courage.
Boom!
He planted his bisento at his side, crossing his arms in front of him. Two orbs of white light flickered around his fists.
On the high platform, Sengoku's pupils constricted.
"No! Stop him!"
Kizaru and Akainu rushed toward Whitebeard.
"Hmph! Quake!"
Whitebeard completed the wind-up for his technique, smashing his fists down to either side.
Crack! Crack!
The air shattered like glass. A tremendous tremor rippled outward.
Kizaru and Akainu were caught off guard.
"Meteor Volcano!"
"Yasakani no Magatama!"
The three forces collided in a massive explosion.
A glint of determination appeared in Whitebeard's eyes.
"Yah!"
He pushed harder, generating an even stronger tremor that sent Kizaru and Akainu reeling.
"Men! Forward!"
Whitebeard seized the moment, directing his men to charge the platform, clashing with Akainu.
Meanwhile, Kizaru continued clearing the advancing pirates.
Marco's eyes gleamed with determination.
His hands transformed into wings, propelling him toward the platform once more.
Aokiji observed carefully.
"Brat!"
His right arm froze into an ice bird, flying toward Marco.
"Damn you, Aokiji!"
Marco cursed silently and had no choice but to stop.
On the high platform, Sengoku breathed slightly easier, seeing Marco halted.
At this moment, the battlefield was still within Sengoku's estimations.
All Whitebeard Pirates were fully deployed the captains of each squad, the crews under them, even Whitebeard himself had entered the fray.
Two of the three Marine Admirals were already in battle.
Elite Marines, vice admirals, and other high-ranking personnel were all engaged.
Yet Sengoku had one last card.
His gaze fell on Ezra, still sitting casually on the high platform, chin resting on his hand, observing the chaos below like a king surveying his subjects.
"Akainu is about to lose," he murmured.
Sengoku turned his eyes to the battlefield.
Indeed, Akainu was already panting heavily. His battle with Whitebeard was exhausting him.
Yet the aged Whitebeard seemed unaffected by fatigue.
His right fist glowed with the color of his Devil Fruit.
He slammed it down toward Akainu.
"Quake!"
Boom!
The impact shattered the ground where Akainu tried to defend himself, the lava dissipating instantly.
"What?!"
Akainu's eyes widened. Before he could react, Whitebeard's fist crashed into his abdomen with tremendous force, sending him flying.
Whitebeard snorted, gripping his bisento again.
He advanced toward the high platform.
Garp, who had been acting earlier, rose once more.
"Whitebeard!"
"Garp! Let's fight!"
Garp appeared before him instantly, his right fist wrapped in Armament Haki, smashing toward Whitebeard's head.
Whitebeard raised his bisento, blocking the blow.
He countered swiftly with a strike of his own.
"Fist of Limit Rock!"
Whoosh!
Garp swung his right fist with incredible speed.
Whitebeard's eyes darkened with focus.
"Quake!"
His enormous left fist glowed with the color of his Devil Fruit.
The two fists collided violently!
Both staggered back several steps before regaining balance.
"Again!"
Whitebeard bellowed, rushing forward with his bisento.
Garp would not be outdone.
Back and forth, their blows thundered across the battlefield.
Everyone watching found themselves captivated by the titanic clash.