1 chapters will be uploaded on daily basis i.e. 7 Chapters will be uploaded every week apart from the bonus chapters.
1 Bonus Chapter will be uploaded for every 100 Power Stones or 1000 Collections.
All interested readers can read advanced chapters on: Free Members of Patreon can read 10 Chapters ahead of Webnovel for FREE.
[email protected]/Heroicverse
×××××××××××××××
The three figures in front of him were none other than Auguro, Yoruichi, and Soi Fon!
"Why did I come?" Auguro adopted a thoughtful expression, then smiled lightly.
"Probably because I find you irritating!"
At these words, Akainu's face instantly darkened like the bottom of a pot. Of course, this was just Auguro's joke, but it served well to annoy Akainu!
Auguro ignored the grim-faced Akainu and turned to look at Ace, who was knocked down on the ground. The magma burns on him were still smoldering with black smoke, refusing to go out.
Auguro drew his Zanpakutō. Jozu and the others were shocked and immediately blocked him.
"What are you doing!"
Auguro stated calmly, "If you want to save him, then move out of the way, quickly!"
Jozu hesitated for a moment. He glanced at Akainu, who was being held back by Soi Fon, gritted his teeth, and moved aside.
Auguro murmured, "Dance, Sode no Shirayuki!" The Zanpakutō instantly transformed into a pure white, crystalline state, dumbfounding the Whitebeard Pirates.
Auguro didn't stop, pointing the tip of the blade at Ace.
"Tsugi no Mai: Hakuren!" (Next Dance: White Ripple)
A cold current surged from the blade's tip. Under Auguro's control, the scale of the cold was very small, only enough to freeze the still-burning magma on Ace. Feeling the coolness spread across his body, Ace's struggling subsided.
"Hana-tarō, treat him!"
As Auguro's voice rang out, Yamada Hana-tarō's figure descended from the sky. The light of a Healing Technique (Kaido) shone from his hands, resting on Ace.
A Healing Devil Fruit user? Everyone was stunned. Such an ability was extremely precious on the sea!
Fortunately, Ace was a Logia user, and his injury wasn't critical. He quickly regained the ability to move.
"Thank you for the help!" Ace sincerely thanked Auguro.
Auguro waved his hand, pointing his thumb at Akainu behind him.
"Oh, and that guy just claimed his Devil Fruit was the superior version of yours. Don't you dare believe that nonsense!"
Akainu had retreated a short distance, watching the suddenly appearing Auguro and his group with extreme vigilance.
Hearing Auguro's words, Akainu scoffed, "Magu Magu no Mi is indeed the superior version of the Mera Mera no Mi! Otherwise, why would he have been burned by me?"
Auguro rolled his eyes. "That's just because he took the wrong path for now! Otherwise, who burns whom is still up for debate!"
Seeing that not only Akainu but even Ace looked doubtful, Auguro said resignedly, "I ask you this! When forging steel, do they use fire or magma in the steel mill?"
"The specialized steel used on those warships won't melt even if thrown into magma! What is used to shape it?"
At these words, everyone froze. Ace was especially struck, wondering if it were really true that, as Auguro said, he had taken the wrong path!
Auguro pouted.
"Go back and practice properly! Fire at a mere few hundred degrees—you have the nerve to show it off! You should know that, theoretically, the temperature of a flame has no upper limit!"
"I'm not saying you need to reach ten thousand degrees, but at least three thousand degrees, right? Then go and clash with Akainu again and see who burns whom!"
Auguro's words sounded casual, but they stirred a monstrous wave in Ace's heart. If he succeeded, perhaps he truly could take up Whitebeard's mantle and keep the Whitebeard Pirates standing at the peak of the sea!
Thinking of this, Ace's heart skipped a beat. He looked at Auguro with earnest hope, his tone sincere.
"Mr. Auguro, could I please ask you to save Pops!"
Jozu and the others' eyes immediately lit up. The strength of the Holy Spiritual Empire was known to all the top powers on the sea. If they were willing to intervene, they might genuinely be able to save Whitebeard!
Akainu's heart sank. He had personally clashed with the two women flanking Auguro; their strength was absolutely no less than any Admiral! If they intervened, the Marines' last shred of advantage would completely vanish!
At this moment, all eyes in the entire venue were fixed on Auguro. Even Bullet, who was preparing to rescue Ace from a distance, stopped.
He looked at Auguro with great interest. After all, his purpose for coming was to save Ace. Whether Whitebeard lived or died was not his concern. Back when Roger was alive, the two crews had fought countless times.
Although not mortal enemies, their relationship was far from friendly. He was more interested in Auguro. Just how powerful was this mysterious junior on the sea?
He didn't know yet that the young man before him was the direct superior of his former captain, Aizen Sousuke!
Auguro pondered for a moment. The atmosphere instantly became tense. Akainu even prepared for a fight to the death. After all, in his view, Auguro's sudden intrusion and interference could only spell trouble for the Marines!
Finally, Auguro sighed lightly.
"I can save him, but are you sure you want me to do that?"
Ace and the others froze, momentarily not understanding Auguro's meaning.
Auguro pointed at Whitebeard's proud, standing figure.
"I shouldn't have to tell you how old your father is, right?"
"His physical condition is already dire, and now he's severely wounded in battle."
"Even if he's saved, he will only lie in bed waiting for the end of his life!"
"For a hero of the sea, which would he choose: waiting for death in bed, or dying heroically on an unprecedented battlefield?"
Ace and the others fell silent instantly. They knew full well that forcing a man of Whitebeard's character to lie in bed doing nothing would be worse than killing him!
"Gurararara... Auguro brat! I never thought the person who understood this old man the most here would be you, someone I've never met!" Whitebeard threw his head back and laughed heartily, without turning around.
"Foolish sons! Didn't I tell you? I am a vestige of the old era! There is no ship that can carry me into the New World!"
"What you should do is leave quickly and go forge your own era!"
At this point, everyone was certain: Whitebeard had long given up all hope of survival!
"Alright! You guys leave quickly! Don't let Whitebeard's goodwill go to waste!" Auguro waved his hand, urging Ace and the others to retreat.
He then took a few steps forward. Akainu immediately became highly alert, shouting, "Sith Auguro! Trespassing on Marine Headquarters, what is your intention?"
Auguro gave him a cold look, his voice chilling.
"Akainu, get out of my way! I'm here to punish a traitor; I don't have time to argue with you!"
A traitor? Akainu was bewildered. What does your traitor have to do with the Marine Headquarters?
Auguro ignored him, fixing his gaze on someone in the Marine ranks. He sneered, "What's wrong? Still afraid to step out, even now?"
"Former Captain of the Gotei 13 Fifth Division, Aizen Sousuke?"