Their Devil Fruits were of the same category.
But Akainu's Magma-Magma Fruit held superiority over Ace's Flame-Flame Fruit!
In a direct confrontation, Ace was completely countered and overwhelmed!
"AGHH!!"
Ace let out a terrible scream.
His entire body was sent flying backward.
He clutched his arm, writhing in agony.
Seeing this, Akainu immediately charged toward Luffy.
Both brothers must die!
Not a single one of these pirates will be allowed to leave here alive.
Akainu's massive magma fist, carrying devastating power, surged straight at Luffy!
"LUFFY!!"
Ace roared and instantly positioned himself in front of Luffy to shield him!
THUD!!!!
Akainu's magma, infused with Armament Haki, struck Ace hard in the back, blasting a huge hole right through his body!
Not even the powers of a Logia-type fruit were of any use here!
The combination of Haki and the natural superiority of the fruit meant that even while intangible, Ace had suffered massive, critical damage.
Ace collapsed to his knees, powerless.
Luffy's eyes widened in pure horror.
"A... ACE!!!!"
Luffy screamed at the top of his lungs.
At the same time, countless pirates, witnessing this shocking scene...
Also cried out in disbelief and horror.
"ACE!!"
For a split second, it felt as if the whole world had fallen into total silence.
The pirates had charged here with the sole purpose of saving Ace.
But if Ace died... what meaning was left in all their struggles?
Akainu sneered coldly.
With Ace dead, the Summit War was effectively over.
No matter what the pirates did from this point onward...
They had already lost!
Suddenly... Ace's body, which had seemed lifeless, moved slightly.
He lifted his head in a daze, confused.
"Huh?"
"I... I'm not hurt?"
The massive hole in his back was slowly closing up, healed by the regenerative properties of his Logia body...
Until he looked completely normal again.
The triumphant expression on Akainu's face instantly froze!
"What?!" Luffy cried out in joy and surprise, hugging Ace tightly.
The pirates also shouted out in overwhelming relief and excitement.
"What just happened?!"
"Ace is unharmed! Thank goodness!"
"It was Lord El! Look over there!"
From Ace's body, a small black sphere floated out from behind him...
Drifted gently through the air... and returned to El.
El knew that on the battlefield, situations changed in an instant and danger lurked everywhere.
From the very moment he arrived, he had attached one of his Truth-Seeking Orbs to Ace's body...
Specifically to block and absorb one fatal attack on his behalf!
"Long live Lord El!"
"Truly worthy of being Lord El!"
The pirates cheered wildly.
Since the war began, El had only taken two major actions!
Yet both times, he had effortlessly reversed the entire course of the battle.
The first was upon his arrival, where he directly caused the execution of Ace to fail.
The second was just now, completely thwarting Akainu's plot to kill Ace.
In the distance, Whitebeard watched the scene and smiled with deep relief.
"El... I owe you more than I can ever repay."
He silently acknowledged in his heart.
Akainu's expression turned dark and grim.
If one attack didn't work... he would just continue attacking!
Molten magma swirled and flowed endlessly in his hands.
"DIE!"
Akainu roared and launched another attack toward Ace and Luffy!
The surging crimson magma radiated extreme heat reaching thousands of degrees, capable of melting almost anything in this world.
It was coated in dense Armament Haki, ensuring that Ace could not escape or phase through it this time!
Just at this moment!
El's figure instantly appeared right in front of the two brothers.
With a single palm, he casually caught Akainu's lethal strike as if it were nothing.
"Lord El!"
Ace and Luffy, having narrowly escaped death once again, cried out in shock and joy.
They stared in disbelief at what El had just done.
Akainu's attack was terrifyingly destructive...
Yet El stood there completely unharmed, having blocked it effortlessly.
Just how powerful was he really?
"El... do not stand in my way!"
Akainu glared at him, speaking with cold hostility.
Hearing this, El suddenly burst into laughter.
"Do not stand in your way?"
He looked straight at Akainu. "Who gave you the courage to speak to me like that, you young brat?"
There were very few people in this world who would dare or be able to address a Marine Admiral — a man in his forties — as a "brat."
El was one of them.
Akainu tried to speak, but El cut him off directly.
"Very well then. I shall teach you a lesson... so you understand that showing respect to others is extremely important!"
As he spoke...
El drew the blade at his waist.
A Supreme Grade Sword — Slayer of Gods.
The instant the blade left its sheath...
Dark clouds suddenly gathered across the entire sky above Marine Headquarters!
Violent winds began to howl and tear through the air!
Endless, terrifying killing intent erupted from El!
At that moment, his immense aura became almost tangible, with black flames swirling and coiling around his body.
He looked just like a demon god, inspiring fear in everyone who saw him!
This overwhelming sense of power left everyone staring in awe and shock.
"This is the legendary... El!"
Countless thoughts of awe ran through people's minds.
Many of the younger generation had never seen El actually fight before!
Witnessing it for the first time, they were utterly overwhelmed.
The sheer murderous pressure radiating from El made every single person on the battlefield feel a chill run down their spine.
"Now... are you ready?"
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