Watching the relentless clash between the two titans, Sengoku's face darkened with concern.
"How can this man be so strong at his age?!"
He was, of course, speaking of Whitebeard. Despite dragging an aged, weakened body, the sheer power he displayed was incomprehensible.
As the fight reached a fever pitch, an unexpected turn occurred.
Ivankov suddenly shouted Luffy's name, immediately catching Garp's attention.
Whitebeard's eyes glinted sharply. He seized the opportunity and launched a punch aimed at Garp's midsection.
Of course, Ivankov had no intention of shouting; he only reacted because Luffy was insisting on being injected with the "adrenaline hormone."
"Luffy! You might die if you do this!"
Listening to Ivankov, Luffy could only plead desperately. He couldn't lose Ace.
With a resolute heart, Ivankov injected Luffy with the hormone labeled "580."
"Ahhh!!"
Luffy was fully revived, blood and vitality restored!
The effect, however, was limited in duration.
His gaze fixed on the high platform. With renewed determination, he charged forward once more.
"Ace! Wait for me!"
Whitebeard roared in unison:
"Cover the Straw Hat kid!"
"Yes, Father!"
Pirates leapt into action, blocking the Marines and creating, almost miraculously, a direct path to the high platform for Luffy.
There, Sengoku still stood firm, a golden Buddha ready to strike.
He launched a punch at Luffy. Using his rubber powers, Luffy absorbed the shockwave.
Still, his body took fresh damage.
"Straw Hat! Give up! You cannot save Ace!"
Sengoku attacked relentlessly, his voice echoing with authority.
Hearing this, Luffy's fury boiled over.
"Impossible!" he shouted.
Boom!
A surge of Haki burst from Luffy, enveloping every Marine and pirate nearby. In an instant, the weakest soldiers fell to the ground, and the battlefield cleared momentarily.
Sengoku halted his fist, eyes narrowing.
"You… Straw Hat, you possess Conqueror's Haki!"
Unaware of its true nature, Luffy seized the moment Sengoku hesitated. He activated Gear Second.
A fist struck out.
"Jet Rocket Fist!"
Caught off guard, Sengoku was hit during a brief opening.
Boom!
The massive body of Sengoku was sent flying!
Meanwhile, a shadow moved stealthily toward Ace.
Mr. 3!
Seeing Ace's handcuffs made of Seastone, Mr. 3 quickly crafted a wax key to unlock them.
But before he could free Ace, a cold voice rang behind him.
"Hey, do I not exist?"
Mr. 3 shivered, glancing back. Ezra stood atop the high platform, expressionless.
Gritting his teeth, Mr. 3 pressed the key into the lock under Ezra's oppressive gaze.
Ezra raised an eyebrow and released a burst of spiritual pressure.
Cough!
Mr. 3 was blasted off the platform, yet the key remained in place.
Click!
The Seastone cuffs fell away.
Ace felt the power of his Devil Fruit return to his body.
He turned to glance at Ezra atop the platform.
"Uncle…"
Ezra's expression remained calm and detached. Without another word, Ace leapt from the platform toward Luffy.
"Ace!"
"Luffy!"
Tears of joy streamed down Luffy's face. Ace had finally been rescued.
The Whitebeard Pirates erupted in cheers.
Sengoku's face froze, eyes narrowing at Ezra.
Ezra merely nodded slightly, pressing a hand downward, signaling Sengoku there was no need to worry.
Seizing the opening, Luffy and Ace ran toward the small plaza.
"Portgas D. Ace!"
"Dead Dog!"
They turned to see Akainu already before them!
"No good!"
"Damn it!"
Both trembled at the sight of his massive lava fists.
Ace's right hand ignited in flames.
"Fire Fist!"
Boom!
The clash of fists resounded violently! Ace, though just recovered, could not match Akainu.
His body was sent flying like a kite with its strings cut, crashing heavily to the ground.
"Ace! Damn these Marines!"
Luffy roared, throwing himself into battle with Akainu.
But how could Luffy, at his level, contend with an Admiral? After only two exchanges, he was already on the verge of defeat.
"Die, Straw Hat! Dead Dog!"
Akainu's eyes glinted with killing intent.
His right arm transformed into molten lava, striking toward Luffy.
Suddenly, Ace appeared in front of Luffy, hands ablaze.
"Fire Fist!"
Boom!
Both were sent flying again.
As Akainu prepared to continue, a calm voice cut through his rage.
"Leave him to me."
Akainu froze, glancing toward the source. Ezra had descended beside him.
Akainu nodded and retreated.
Now, Luffy and Ace's enemy had changed the Marines' strongest operative: Ezra D. Xiu.
The Whitebeard Pirates watched, alarmed at the new threat, Ace's life hanging in the balance.
"My men! Rescue Ace!"
Whitebeard bellowed, forcing Garp back as he charged toward Ace.
Ezra's red eyes scanned the two, resting on Ace.
"Portgas D. Ace, I promised your mother that if you took the path of piracy, I would kill you myself.
Now, the time has come to keep that promise."
He beckoned Ace forward with a hand.
"Come. Let me see how much you've grown since you set sail."
As for Luffy, Ezra's annoyance at him was palpable. The boy had caused too much chaos without realizing it.
"Ace, you " Luffy began.
Ace placed a hand on Luffy's shoulder, shaking his head.
"Luffy, Uncle Ezra is already showing mercy by coming after me this late. Leave this to me."
With that, Ace rose, flames igniting in his hands, eyes locked on Ezra.
"Come, Uncle Ezra!"