Marco's shout ignited the spirit of the pirates.
"That's right!"
"He's right!"
"We are the Whitebeard Pirates!"
"Charge!"
"Kill!"
Whitebeard, locked in battle, suddenly heard the roaring cries behind him. He glanced back and saw countless pirates rushing forward.
The corners of his eyes grew wet.
"You idiots…"
"Pops! We're here to help you!"
"There are so many of us. Are we supposed to lose to one Marine?!"
"Exactly!"
Whitebeard wiped the tears from his eyes and turned back to Ezra, his killing intent surging.
"Good! Whitebeard Pirates, hear my order!"
"Attack!"
A thunderous roar erupted from the crew. Fear of death vanished from their hearts.
A faint smile touched Ezra's lips.
"Perfect."
Flash step.
His figure vanished.
"Where did he go?!"
"Watch out!"
He reappeared in front of Vista, the Flower Sword.
"The world's greatest swordsman? Let me test that title."
Vista thrust instantly.
Ezra deflected the blade with a twist of his wrist, knocking Vista's sword aside in a single motion.
Ryujin Jakka swept down without mercy.
Blood sprayed into the air.
Ezra did not stop moving. He turned and appeared before Jozu.
"Come. Let's see if your body is harder than diamond."
Jozu slammed his fists together and his body transformed into solid diamond.
Ezra thrust forward.
Ryujin Jakka pierced straight through him.
Jozu's eyes widened in disbelief.
"How is that possible?!"
Ezra pulled his blade free while cutting down the pirates swarming him. His gaze shifted toward the other division commanders.
"Stop right there, Scorched Flame!"
A shout rang out as Marco descended from the sky, blue flames burning around him.
"Phoenix Fist!"
The immortal blue fire gathered in Marco's hand as he smashed toward Ezra.
Ezra raised his blade to block and kicked Marco square in the chest.
The force sent Marco flying back several meters.
Ezra had expected the display to intimidate them.
Instead, more pirates charged in without hesitation.
He flicked the flames from his blade, frowning slightly.
"There are way too many."
His senses stretched toward Sengoku's direction. Dozens of warships had already left Marineford, but it was not enough.
Nearly forty thousand people still remained.
Ezra clicked his tongue.
"Fine. I will play with you a little longer."
Several flaming slashes burst out.
At least two thousand pirates fell instantly.
This was true large scale devastation.
Whitebeard, after a brief rest, felt some of his strength return.
He glanced at Ezra, who was too occupied to notice the rear, then turned toward the devastated Luffy and the others.
"Get to a ship now. I will send you out!"
Ivankov froze.
"But Whitebeard… can we really escape in this situation?"
Whitebeard nodded and pointed beneath the ice.
"There is a backup submarine down there. Take Ace's body, Straw Hat, and the others. Leave this place."
Ivankov stared in shock. He had not expected Whitebeard to have prepared such a contingency.
"That ship was meant for Ace."
Whitebeard's voice carried quiet sorrow. He had promised Roger he would protect Ace.
He pushed the thought away.
"I will cover you. Move quickly."
Ivankov stayed silent for a moment, then injected his final dose of Tension Hormones into Whitebeard.
"Whitebeard, hang in there!"
Whitebeard clenched his fists, feeling strength like his prime flood back into his body. A grin spread across his face.
"It is only temporary, but I have not felt this power in years."
He charged toward Ezra once more.
Ivankov and the others quietly retreated, waiting for Whitebeard's signal.
Ezra was deep in battle, his perception split. Part of his focus remained on Sengoku's evacuation, while the rest locked onto the tens of thousands of pirates before him.
He did not notice the group withdrawing in the rear.
Whitebeard intended to use sheer numbers as a distraction. Even if only a fraction escaped, that would be victory enough.
"Scorched Flame! Let's go again!"
Whitebeard's roar reached Ezra's ears.
Ezra halted and raised Ryujin Jakka above his head just as Murakumogiri crashed down.
The impact was heavier than before.
Ezra's brow lifted.
"This feels different."
He knocked Whitebeard's weapon aside and studied him.
Whitebeard still looked old, but his strength and presence had risen dramatically.
Ezra quickly understood.
"So that is the effect of the hormones."
A smile appeared.
"Good. Whitebeard, let us continue the battle from years ago."
For once, excitement stirred in Ezra's voice.
Whitebeard laughed loudly.
"Gurararara! Scorched Flame, show me how much you have grown!"
They charged at each other again.
Far away, Sengoku and the others were overwhelmed with evacuation efforts.
"How many are left?!"
"Fleet Admiral, only the last ten thousand!"
Sengoku nodded. Hundreds of ships had already departed. Akainu and the other top officers had left Marineford's range.
Aside from the remaining soldiers, the only high ranking Marine still on the island was Garp.
But Garp stood staring at the distant battlefield, motionless.
Sengoku sighed. He had known Ace's death would hit Garp hard. He just had not realized how deeply.
He walked over and saw tears streaming down the old man's face.
For a moment, Sengoku could not find any words. He simply placed a heavy hand on Garp's shoulder.
"After this mission… let's retire together."
Garp gave a silent nod.
He was tired of it all.
Hero of the Marines? In the end, he could not even protect his own grandson.
An officer rushed up.
"Fleet Admiral! All personnel are aboard!"
Sengoku nodded.
"Garp, let's go. Marineford is about to be destroyed by that kid."