"The Whitebeard Pirates have successfully landed, but the wound on his chest seems to be having a significant impact."
On the high walls of Marineford, Hancock sat elegantly, reporting into the den den mushi in her hand.
"Truly unexpected. That Newgate... Is he playing a turn-based game with all these one-on-one attacks?"
Above the Sky City, the golden palace shone brighter than the sun. Nero sat cross-legged on the city's peak, complaining about the war.
"Whitebeard is that strong now?" Hancock asked again, somewhat incredulously.
"An old man who gets winded after two steps, how strong can he be?"
"An old man...?" Hancock looked at Whitebeard, who had just punched Kuzan away, still unsure if she and Nero were talking about the same person.
This uncertain remark, however, was misunderstood by Nero on the other end. Nero, who had just been complaining, immediately became excited.
"Mmm, so Hancock, you feel the same way?"
"This kind of battle is too boring. I came to see the curtain fall on Whitebeard, Edward Newgate, not a bunch of youngsters beating up an old man."
"Want to see something interesting?" Nero transformed into her Little Dragon Person form, her tail flicking restlessly, her tone full of temptation.
Hancock was a bit unsure how to answer this question. She glanced around, trying to find Nero's figure.
"Nero-sama, are you coming over?"
"Mwahahaha! I'm still in Nicuss right now, too lazy to fly over just for this." Nero waved her hand with a smile, regardless of whether Hancock could see her.
"Just a little something to liven things up. Anyway, Newgate is going to die soon, so it's fine if I mess around a bit, right?"
"Is... Is it a drug?" Hancock asked with difficulty.
"No, no! I would never use something so tasteless." Nero said, annoyed, a little speechless at Hancock's imagination.
"A new type of 'old man's fun,' it can temporarily restore one to their prime."
"Do I need to do anything?" Hearing this, Hancock also became interested. Whitebeard in his prime, ah.
Ever since Nero withdrew from the pirate ranks, her past news had been completely suppressed by the World Government.
The pirate known as Whitebeard became the strongest symbol above all pirates.
As someone who came to watch the excitement, how could she not be interested?
"Send the den den mushi to Newgate. Mmm, just throw it over. Be careful not to get hurt."
"I understand, my lady... Will we get married when I return?" Nero's concern made Hancock cover her flushed face, squirming in place.
"moshi moshi? Miss Hancock... Are you listening to me?"
"I understand, my lady. I will deliver the den den mushi to Whitebeard no matter what." Hancock stood up, holding the den den mushi with both hands, her eyes as firm as if she were joining a party.
"Mmm, it's not that important... You can just throw it... You don't have to throw it, actually."
"Then, Nero-sama, I'm going!"
"Throw it, throw it!" On the other side, Nero was a bit flustered. Why did that tone sound like she was going to her death?
After a lot of coaxing, Hancock finally reluctantly agreed to throw the den den mushi.
While the two were talking, Sakazuki's magma-fisted punches landed on Whitebeard's chest, successfully dealing two more high-damage critical hits.
"3... 2... 1!"
As Nero finished counting down, the den den mushi was accurately thrown by Hancock towards Whitebeard.
To prevent it from being shot down as a projectile, while the den den mushi was still in mid-air, Nero's voice, like a succubus, rang out.
"Newgate!"
The not-so-loud voice was like a meteor falling, causing the pupils of all the experts who heard it to shrink sharply.
"Destroy the den den mushi!!!"
His heart filled with an ominous premonition, Sengoku immediately roared: "Borsalino!"
"Oh my!" Borsalino crossed his arms, and golden flashes quickly gathered.
[Laser...]
Azure flames ignited, and Marco kicked, interrupting Kizaru's attack.
[Phoenix Brand!]
"Pops!" Diamond Jozu shouted, pushing Aokiji aside.
"Tch, Sakazuki!" Sengoku transformed into his golden Great Buddha form and shouted at Sakazuki: "You understand, right!"
Although no one had yet realized what this den den mushi meant, a glimmer of hope to turn the tide of the battle had appeared.
Nero, with enough weight in her words, even without being present, could turn this war into a joke with just one command.
The Marine had paid too much to kill Whitebeard here; the sunk costs were unacceptable to everyone.
[Dog Biting Crimson Lotus!]
Sakazuki did not reply, silently putting all his strength into attacking the den den mushi.
"Gurararara! Magma brat, this is a call for me." Whitebeard laughed, swinging Murakumogiri and sending Sakazuki flying.
But on the other side, Sengoku was already approaching the den den mushi. It looked like the den den mushi was about to be destroyed.
[Great Buddha Impact...]
[16 Holy Bullets!]
"Nani?" Sengoku was in mid-air, unable to change his posture, and he hadn't expected Doflamingo to be the one to stop him in the end.
"Fufufu, my apologies... It seems my Empress still has something to say to Whitebeard."
Doflamingo's cold sweat poured down as he forced a smile.
Many people here had some connection with Nero, but he was different; his position had always been that of a lackey.
Such a matter, which could be big or small, made it easiest for Nero to feel he was impertinent and casually kill him. The eye beneath his red sunglasses was still missing one to this day.
The den den mushi successfully landed in Whitebeard's hand. Nero on the other end first praised Doflamingo.
"Well done, Rosinante, I didn't expect it to be you in the end..."
"My honor, Empress!"
Doflamingo bowed with his hand on his chest. One of the reasons he remained humble was that after ten years, Nero still hadn't remembered his name.
"Gurararara! Nero, I didn't expect to be outsmarted by you in the end."
The conversation had successfully begun, and no one around dared to continue attacking at this moment.
Whitebeard also leaned on his bisento, taking the opportunity to recover his stamina.
"Mmm, you noticed?"
"Ah, Nero, the necklace you gave me was fake, wasn't it?" Newgate looked at the pure gold on his wrist.
"Mwahahaha, you know your own body. Even pure gold would only prolong your suffering, making you die miserably in a sickbed."
"A smooth-talking fellow!" Whitebeard laughed, coughing up another mouthful of blood.
"Well~ don't worry too much about the details. I still have Plan B here. Do you dare to try it?"
"I am Whitebeard!"
"Mmm, good!"
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