Under the radiant light, Conqueror's Haki suddenly enveloped the entire execution platform.
A deep, authoritative roar thundered down from above:
"Damn it! Don't think you can leave so easily!"
Amidst the gathering golden light, Marine Fleet Admiral Sengoku transformed into the Golden Buddha, descending from the sky. His entire body was covered in immensely thick Armament Haki as he launched an attack toward Luffy and the others.
His massive fist rose high, gathering power to its limit before smashing downward with devastating force.
"Straw Hat, you too are an unforgivable, irredeemable villain!
Today, I will personally carry out your execution!
Great Buddha Crushing Fist!"
The golden fist tore through the air, the pressure of its force causing the atmosphere to roar violently. A destructive wind pressure pressed down, as if intending to instantly crush the entire execution platform into dust.
Sensing the attack crashing down from above, Luffy immediately abandoned unlocking the shackles.
He understood the weight of this strike—if it landed directly, Ace would undoubtedly die.
Without a second thought, Luffy focused and shouted:
"Rubber White Balloon!"
His body instantly swelled and expanded, transforming into an enormous white rubber balloon. With its extreme elasticity and defensive power, he directly confronted Sengoku's Great Buddha Crushing Fist.
Boom!
The golden fist slammed fiercely into the white rubber balloon, unleashing a torrent of power. Shockwaves spread wildly in all directions.
Relying on the extreme elasticity of the rubber balloon, Luffy managed to absorb most of the impact, shielding Ace behind him. Ace suffered only minor injuries, avoiding a fatal blow.
However, the execution platform beneath them couldn't withstand the aftermath of the clash between two top-tier powerhouses.
Cracks instantly spread across the entire platform, which immediately crumbled into dust. Even the ground below sank layer by layer.
With a deafening roar, rubble and dust billowed into the air, instantly swallowing Luffy and Ace's figures.
Amidst the swirling dust, their forms were completely obscured, making their condition unclear.
In the Marine ranks below, a Marine Vice Admiral saw this opportunity, his eyes sharp and ruthless. He immediately seized the moment and ordered:
"All troops, aim at the center of the ruins and fire! I want them buried completely in this rubble!"
The surrounding Marines shouldered grenade launchers, their barrels aimed uniformly at the ruins of the collapsed execution platform. The shells loaded in the chambers were specially crafted, mixed with Seastone fragments, designed specifically to counter Ability Users.
If hit, the target would either have their abilities sealed or die on the spot.
"Yes!" came the unified response.
The next moment, a dense barrage of artillery fire erupted simultaneously. Countless shells whistled through the air, pouring down and blanketing the entire ruins.
Explosions rang out one after another, thickening the smoke and sending rubble flying, completely submerging the ruins in a torrent of artillery fire.
The eyes of everyone on the battlefield were fixed intently on the ruins of the execution platform, their expressions varied.
Some wore grave looks, murmuring in doubt:
"Covered from all sides by so many Seastone-infused artillery shells, trapped in the ruins with no way out… Could it be that Straw Hat and Ace really can't hold on?"
"They were already in a desperate situation, and now they've suffered the Fleet Admiral's heavy blow. It's likely they have little chance of survival."
Another person gazed at the lingering smoke filling the sky and sighed softly, his tone tinged with a hint of melancholy. "Could it be... that this war will end like this?"
Whitebeard gripped Murakumogiri tightly, his body tense, his eyes fixed intently on the direction of the ruins.
Garp also stood in place, fists clenched, his expression grim to the extreme, silently awaiting the outcome.
Just as the atmosphere reached its most oppressive point, a torrent of crimson flames suddenly erupted from within the thick smoke.
The flames burst through the dust, tearing through the haze, surging skyward with immense fiery force.
"Fire Fist!"
As the flames dispersed the smoke, two figures rushed out side by side from the ruins.
Ace, his body wreathed in flames, firmly held onto Luffy beside him, leaping into the air to break through and escape the central area covered by artillery fire.
Ace looked at Luffy, who was unharmed beside him, his eyes filled with complex warmth, and said helplessly:
"You're always like this, acting recklessly and never listening to my advice.
But today, I really thank you, Luffy.
If it weren't for you and everyone else, I surely would have died here today."
Luffy scratched his head, still wearing a bright smile, and replied sincerely:
"Hahaha, Ace, we're sworn brothers!
How could I just stand by and watch you be executed and lose your life here without doing anything?"
Just as the two had escaped the artillery encirclement and before they could steady themselves, a terrifying, scorching heat suddenly swept toward them from the side.
Akainu, having somehow broken free from Buggy and disregarding his own injuries, formed a giant magma fist and hurled it toward the two of them.
"You two worthless criminals, don't even think about escaping! Die!"
Seeing the massive magma fist bearing down on them, Ace's eyes sharpened, and without hesitation, he stepped forward to block it.
He intended to use his flames to shield Luffy behind him.
But the moment he made contact with the magma fist, the magma seared his body, and an excruciating pain instantly spread throughout him.
Even as he barely managed to hold back the magma with his flames, Ace himself was severely injured, and a trace of blood appeared at the corner of his mouth.
Akainu took in the scene with cold eyes, a sneer curling at the corner of his mouth:
"Do you think your flames can stop me?
Do you understand what true magma is? It is a natural force that can completely incinerate and consume even fire itself!
Petty flames are not even worthy of being compared to magma. It's nothing more than a futile attempt."
As he spoke, Akainu raised his arm high, and in the next moment, magma surged into the sky, transforming into countless burning magma fists that rained down toward Luffy and Ace.
"Meteor Volcano!"
The sky filled with a downpour of magma fists, covering the entire airspace and sealing off all avenues of escape. The scorching heat distorted the air, and the Shadow of death once again enveloped the two.
Gritting his teeth, Ace prepared to force himself to withstand it once more.
Even gravely wounded, he was determined to protect his younger brother at all costs!
At that moment, an arm suddenly pulled him behind—a gentle yet unyielding force.
Ace was taken aback for a moment, looking at Luffy standing before him.
The young man still wore a smile, white flame-like clouds slowly swirling around him. His tone was resolute as he declared:
"Ace, ever since we were kids, you've always been the one protecting me.
Always standing up for me, shielding me from the wind and rain. Now, it's my turn to protect you.
I'm really strong now, Ace. Just leave it to me."
As his words fell, Luffy's expression sharpened, his fists coated in dense Armament Color.
In the next instant, countless fist shadows emerged, densely filling the sky.
"Rubber White Gatling!"
Howling gusts of wind tore through the air, meeting the falling molten rock fists one after another.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Endless explosions echoed one after another, each rubber fist precisely striking a molten rock fist, shattering them one by one on the spot!
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