Ron's calm voice came through the Den Den Mushi, as if the chaos of Impel Down had nothing to do with him.
Ace's voice was urgent and frantic.
"Ron, I'm sorry, but I need to abort the mission in Dressrosa! I have to go to Impel Down to save someone! My brother Luffy has been captured!"
There was a brief silence on the other end before Ron spoke again, his tone still even, betraying no emotion, even carrying a hint of amusement.
"Dressrosa is so far from Impel Down, with the Red Line in between. Even if you flew, it would take days—how could you make it in time? Plus, I heard Big Mom is there too, and it's chaotic right now."
Ace's fists clenched tightly, his nails nearly digging into his palms, his voice filled with anger and determination.
"I can't wait! Even if it means crossing mountains of blades and seas of fire, even if I die, I'm going to save him!"
After a brief silence, Ace spoke again, his voice low and measured.
"Ron, I can't lose another brother..."
Ace's voice was saturated with sorrow and despair, pouring out the agony in his heart.
A soft sigh came through the Den Den Mushi, and Ron's tone carried a hint of helplessness.
"That's just like you..."
"But you don't need to come. I'm already at Impel Down, and I've rescued Luffy's companions. You should stay in Dressrosa. It's total chaos here—even if you came, you wouldn't be able to help. It's all gods fighting among themselves."
Upon hearing Ron's words, Ace's eyes instantly lit up with a dazzling brilliance!
His eyes brimmed with surprise and hope, as if spotting a glimmer of light in the darkness.
The anxiety on his face instantly transformed into ecstasy!
He then urgently pleaded, "Ron, you must save Luffy!"
He trusted Ron completely, placing all his hopes on him.
Ron: "Don't worry, with Garp as his grandfather, Luffy will be fine."
Hearing this, the heavy stone in Ace's heart finally lifted.
His body relaxed slightly, and a relieved smile appeared on his face.
The corner of his mouth curled into a bitter smile as he murmured softly.
"Yeah... Grandpa may be violent with us usually, but he truly cares about us. If I were ever captured by the Marines someday, he'd definitely come to save me too..."
Ron on the other end of the Den Den Mushi fell silent for a moment upon hearing Ace's murmur.
His throat moved as if he wanted to say something, but ultimately, he remained silent.
He knew—if Ace learned the truth, if Garp didn't save him but allowed his execution, what would happen?
The outcome certainly wouldn't be good.
"Alright, Ace, focus on your mission with peace of mind," Ron's voice remained calm.
Ace nodded, a trace of gratitude in his tone. "Thank you, Ron. I'm counting on you to take care of Luffy!"
After hanging up, Ace let out a long sigh of relief, the tension on his face finally fading.
He looked up at Jozu and Shiki, his tone carrying a hint of apology.
"Sorry, I lost my composure earlier."
Jozu patted Ace's shoulder and grinned. "No problem, that's how brothers should be. Let's hurry and finish this mission—maybe we can still go back and help Ron."
Jozu understood how important Luffy was to Ace, and in such a situation, he might have been even more anxious himself.
Shiki blew out a smoke ring, his tone laced with disdain.
"Hmph, youngsters these days have no patience."
Then he sounded somewhat puzzled. "But did that kid Ron really go to Impel Down just to rescue someone?"
Ace smiled; he didn't know either.
But he was glad Ron had gone to the Impel Down—otherwise, he'd never forgive himself for missing this chance.
His gaze swept over the illustration in the newspaper again, and he silently prayed.
"Luffy, you must be safe..."
...
Outside the Impel Down.
The battlefield was engulfed in flames, smoke hanging like a black curtain between the sky and the sea.
The sky was stained blood-red, with dark clouds churning violently.
Lightning bolts, like silver serpents, darted through the clouds, accompanied by deafening roars.
Waves surged incessantly, rising several meters high like roaring Dragons, as if intent on devouring the entire world—a scene akin to doomsday!
Big Mom, Garp, Magellan, and Akainu fought with all their might, their figures standing out starkly in the chaotic battlefield!
The intense battle made them all realize that besides Haki, endurance was also a crucial factor!
Although Big Mom possessed a monstrous physique and the formidable boost of three Devil Fruit abilities, making her nearly unstoppable in combat, Garp, Magellan, and Akainu knew their advantage lay in numbers.
They planned to employ a strategy of attrition, aiming to exhaust Big Mom's stamina and capture her in one fell swoop!
Big Mom, sharp as ever, detected their intention, a flicker of anger and contempt flashing in her eyes.
The attacks grew even more ferocious, practically chasing Garp down.
In her view, Garp was currently dealing the most damage to her, causing her the greatest pain!
Moreover, this old man had killed so many of her children—this blood debt she was determined to repay!
Under Big Mom's relentless onslaught, Garp's arms ached unbearably, swollen like inflated balloons.
The numbness gave him the illusion that his arms were wrapped in cotton, and he began to feel somewhat drained of strength.
Yet he showed no signs of retreat, and his offensive showed no weakening at all!
"Old hag, just let me lock you up quietly, and you'll take a couple fewer punches," Garp roared loudly.
"Hmph!" Big Mom snorted coldly, not bothering to respond as she continued her assault!
Just as the two were locked in fierce combat, a light curious sound drifted down from mid-air, carrying a tone of leisure and ease that seemed utterly out of place in the intense battlefield,
"My, my, what a lively scene~ Looks like I arrived just in time."
Kizaru's figure shot through the sky like a golden lightning bolt, instantly appearing at the center of the battlefield.
His speed was simply unimaginable, so fast that the air emitted piercing sonic booms, and even space itself seemed torn by the extreme velocity, creating distorted ripples.
He stood with his hands in his pockets, smiling lazily.
"Kizaru..."
Big Mom stood at the center of the battlefield, her eyes now crimson red, like two blazing flames dancing in their sockets.
Her hair whipped through the air like wild flames, flowing unrestrained, while her Napoleon Great Sword crackled with lightning.
She resembled a war goddess, emanating a terrifying aura,
"MAMAMAMA! Perfect timing! All of you, die!"
As she finished speaking, black scales once again emerged across Big Mom's body, covering her entire form like sturdy armor.
The power of the Buddha Fruit and the Azure Dragon erupted simultaneously, and dragon horns gradually sprouted from her head, shimmering with an eerie golden light.
Golden arcs of electricity crackled between the two horns, the current surging through the air.
Golden patterns lit up across the black scales, enhanced by the Buddha Buddha Fruit, making Big Mom appear even more formidable.
Everyone's hearts skipped a beat.
They had seen Big Mom use this move before, but this time was clearly different—it seemed she had pushed this power to its absolute limit.
"Be careful, this old hag is probably going all out!"
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