"Ace—!"
Black lightning arcs surged in the air, relentlessly charging towards the execution platform.
Ace's eyes widened as Luffy's figure drew closer and closer..."This is troublesome! These newcomers, each one is as strong as a monster!"
Kizaru pouted, pulling his hands apart, and Murakumogiri trailed out, slashing Marco away...then he turned into a golden light and shot towards the execution platform.
Closer...Luffy stretched out his hand, hope in his eyes.
But...a dazzling golden light appeared before him, that lecherous face revealed a playful smile, and a long leg, trailing golden light, kicked directly at Luffy!
In a panic, Luffy could only cross his arms over his chest, covered by powerful Armament Haki.
"Boom!!"
Luffy's figure flew backward like a cannonball,...plowing a hundred-meter-long mark on the ice!
At the same time,
"—Ah!"
Suddenly, a loud bang echoed in the sky,
A Marine ship, along with hundreds of prisoners, fell from the sky.
"Splash!"
Buggy, Ivankov, along with the new Okama and other prisoners, fell into the icy cold seawater.
"Zzzzz!"
Powerful currents surged through the water, and in an instant, those in the sea were shocked numb.
Jinbe quickly dived into the sea to rescue people, while Crocodile and Sabo stood beside Luffy.
Within a thousand-meter radius around Luffy, not a single person dared to step foot.
"Seven Warlords of the Sea Crocodile, Jinbe!"
"And...and...the 'Fifth Emperor' Straw Hat!"
The Marines' faces were filled with terror. They had thought Whitebeard was already terrifying, but they never expected another...Emperor to appear!
"Garp, look at the mess you scoundrel made!"
Sengoku completely lost his composure. The unexpected had still happened. Magellan...couldn't stop them after all?
"Oh my, Monkey, you've really become much stronger!"
Not far away, Aokiji's figure appeared. His blue and white Marine uniform was soaked, and blood continuously streamed down his forehead...Even though he looked a bit disheveled, his demeanor remained calm.
"Admiral...he's fine!"
"I knew it, the Admiral couldn't be defeated so easily!"
The Marine Soldiers discussed amongst themselves, but dared not get too close.
Smoker, not far away, propped himself up, looking at the man surrounded by people, a look of unwillingness in his eyes,
"Seven Warlords of the Sea, Revolutionary Army, Impel Down prisoners...are all willing to risk their lives for you, Straw Hat!"
"F-F-!"
On the port, Doflamingo's smile was a bit stiff. He thought of his disdain for this so-called 'Fifth Emperor' a few days ago, and now...it was a real slap in the face!
'It seems I need to get on good terms with him!'
As a businessman, Doffy clearly knew the terrifying potential of Straw Hat. If such a person couldn't be killed, the only way was to win him over.
At the same time, Whitebeard stared intently at the straw hat on Luffy's head, his thoughts racing.
[—What kind of enemy did you bet your left arm on?]
[—I bet it on the new era!]
Perhaps, the turning point had arrived!
"Gurararara, kid, that straw hat...it's just like the one Red Hair used to wear!" Whitebeard suddenly laughed.
"Haha!"
Luffy stroked the straw hat on his head, a smile on his lips, "Shanks entrusted it to me!"
"Gurararara, you're here to save Ace, right! Let's...form an alliance!" Whitebeard let out a hearty laugh.
Normally, he wouldn't even think about such a thing, but now...he was old! For his family, bowing his head once was not out of the question.
"Yeah, there's no other way, I agree!"
Luffy and Whitebeard exchanged glances, both seeing the determination in the other's eyes.
[Ding, scene triggered: Marineford War!]
[Ding, side quests issued:]
[1. Save Ace, Reward: Mera Mera no Mi (System Version)]
[2. Save Whitebeard, Reward: Tremor-Tremor Fruit (System Version)]
[3. Display Imperial Might, Reward: Wish Points]
At the same time, Marineford, Sabaody Archipelago, Alabasta...the whole world was stunned by this news!
"The Two Emperors...have allied!"
"Baka, how could something like this happen?"
"The Marine, they won't lose, will they?"
Countless civilians desperately covered their ears, trying to escape. They couldn't even imagine what the world would become if the Marine were defeated.
Nuns knelt on the ground, praying devoutly!
Some civilians even started planning to become pirates!
...Sabaody Archipelago,
Around the large screen, a motley crowd gathered.
There were pirates who wanted to go to the New World, civilians who had migrated from Marineford, reporters who wanted to record big news...but at this moment, everyone was stunned...In the depths of the crowd, a man wearing a spotted hat gazed deeply at the screen, then shouldered his sword and slowly walked away..."Whitebeard-ossan, cover me!"
Luffy transformed into black lightning and charged straight towards the execution platform, completely ignoring Kizaru beside him.
"Honestly!"
Kizaru's entire body emitted golden light.
"Marco!"
Whitebeard fiercely swung Murakumogiri, and a transparent blade of light slashed towards Kizaru.
"—Crack!"
Cracks appeared in space, cutting off Kizaru's light path.
"Hey, hey, hey, that's a bit much!"
Kizaru was forced out of his elemental form, looking at Marco who was rushing towards him.
Meanwhile, Aokiji confronted Diamond Jozu and Flower Sword Vista!
"Charge! Rescue Ace!"
The pirates, their expressions excited, charged forward.
"Every single one of you, abandoning your posts! If you leave, who will guard the execution platform!"
Akainu, in his blood-red Marine uniform, stood up, and rolling magma erupted from his arm.
A terrifying high temperature instantly rose, making the surrounding air distort.
[Dog Biting Red Lotus]
A crimson magma giant dog opened its terrifying maw and charged straight at Luffy!
Facing this unstoppable attack, Luffy advanced instead of retreating!
Armament Haki flared outwards, destructive lightning coiled around him, and he punched out!
Scalding magma splattered, and destructive lightning raged.
At the same time, on the execution platform, a golden light shone!
A golden battle buddha rose, accompanied by a terrifying aura.
Surging golden light, mixed with black and red Haoshoku lightning, punched out!
[Buddha's Impact]
Boom!
A powerful shockwave shattered the air, and Luffy flew backward like a broken kite, blood splattering!
"Sengoku!!"
Garp looked at his old friend using Haoshoku Coating to hit his grandson, his expression complex!
"Bang!"
Luffy landed heavily on the ground, black lightning raged, and a huge explosion occurred.
"Zzzzz!"
Luffy teleported next to Whitebeard, lightly wiping blood from the back of his hand.
Whitebeard squinted at him, chuckling, "Gurarara, Sengoku's attack...it wasn't pleasant, was it!"
"It's fine!"
Luffy looked at Sengoku with ambition. He had always been interested in Haoshoku Coating, but unfortunately, he hadn't encountered an opponent who could use it. Now, this was a truly good opportunity!
"Gurararara," Whitebeard saw through Luffy's thoughts at a glance and laughed loudly, "Since that's the case, then this old man will help you!"
Whitebeard held his sword in his right hand, his arm bulging with immense power, and a milky-white orb of light enveloped Murakumogiri.
With one swing of his blade, space shattered!
Powerful spatial energy brutally tore through the bodies of many Marines, blood splattering!
He leaped high from the ship's bow, Murakumogiri trailing dark red lightning, and brought it down fiercely!
Crack—
A sudden sound of the ground tearing apart echoed.
The ground before them suddenly ripped open, and a crimson color, symbolizing hell and destruction, rapidly magnified in Whitebeard's pupils.
Splashing magma rose in large patches from the cracks in the earth, and a figure, like a rampaging magma beast, leaped out, a magma fist imbued with terrifying high temperature erupting with fierce glares.
"Whitebeard, you mere remnant of the old era, meet your doomsday!"
"Gurararara, Magma Brat, you're still far too early!"
The bisento collided with the magma giant fist,
White and red impacts dominated the entire inner bay. Countless Marines and pirates were scalded, blasted away, charred, and torn apart!
The "Strongest Man in the World," Whitebeard, had made his move!