Seizing the moment, Marco quickly allocated his attribute points.
Haki Upgrade: Conqueror's Haki (Entry) → Conqueror's Haki (Elementary)
Without hesitation, he spent 100 attribute points to advance his Conqueror's Haki from Entry to Elementary. Attempting to upgrade further, he realized that Conqueror's Haki (Intermediate) required 500 points, far more than he had. Accepting this, Marco redirected all remaining points into Strength, bringing it to an impressive 7322, more than double his original 3500.
Meanwhile, Sengoku had ordered Marineford's electricity reserves to be diverted to the encirclement wall system. Under the sudden influx of energy, the previously solid ice trembled with deep rumblings, and slowly, thick encirclement walls began rising from beneath the frozen surface.
Whitebeard's voice cut through the chaos. "Now, Little Oars! Full speed ahead! Push down the encirclement walls!"
"Yes, Pops!" Little Oars roared, his immense frame charging like a living mountain, radiating oppressive force as he surged toward the walls.
Whitebeard bellowed again. "All members of the Whitebeard Pirates, listen! This is our chance! Follow my lead, break through the encirclement walls, and advance to the plaza!"
Sengoku's face went pale as Whitebeard named the encirclement walls openly. In that instant, the true scope of Whitebeard's awareness became clear. Their entire plan had been anticipated.
A thought struck Sengoku and the high-ranking officers simultaneously: There's a mole. But it was too late. As the walls slowly rose, the Marines' artillery advantage was rendered useless, blocked by the very ice they sought to wield.
With a deafening boom, the encirclement walls finally settled at fifty meters. Whitebeard's Captains leaped onto Little Oars' massive shoulders, while Marco seized the opportunity to grab Straw Hat Luffy and Jinbe, setting them safely atop Little Oars' broad back.
Luffy, slightly confused, looked up at Marco. "Huh? How did you know? And… who are you?"
"You have Ace's handcuff key, right?" Marco asked with urgency.
"Yeah, I do," Luffy nodded, still puzzled but understanding the gravity in Marco's tone.
Jozu, witnessing the exchange, cheered in relief.
Marco pressed the matter. "I'm Ace's comrade. I've discussed a plan with Pops. This is our one chance to save Ace. Give me the key, quickly."
Luffy handed it over without hesitation, muttering, "Then I'll leave it to you, Pineapple Head."
Marco ignored the nickname and turned to Whitebeard. "Pops, I'll take Luffy and Jinbe to the execution platform. You'll need to help block the Admirals, especially Kizaru—his speed is terrifying."
Whitebeard nodded.
Marco continued, assigning tasks. "Luffy, you handle Garp. Only you can stop him. Jinbe, you'll help me hold off Sengoku just long enough to unlock Ace."
Both nodded seriously. "Leave it to me," Jinbe confirmed.
As Little Oars closed in on the encirclement walls, Kizaru appeared, leaping effortlessly into the air. Observing Little Oars' advance, he activated his powers. "I won't let you reach the execution platform," he warned, golden light forming at his fingers. "Yata no Kagami…"
"Don't even think about stopping us!" Marco roared, blue Undying flames erupting from his body. "Undying Thistle!" His massive flame barrier intercepted Kizaru's light-based attacks, protecting Little Oars and the others.
"Damn it! Sakazuki, melt the ice!" Sengoku shouted furiously, realizing the situation was slipping out of control.
Akainu's fists turned molten as he unleashed Meteor Volcano, molten rock blasting into the sky. Yet Little Oars pressed on, undeterred.
The Whitebeard Pirates shouted encouragement, the air vibrating with excitement. "Go, Little Oars! Smash it!"
With an earth-shattering boom, Little Oars' unstoppable force shattered the fifty-meter-high encirclement walls. Debris rained down, crushing Marines in its path and scattering their formations. Little Oars stumbled slightly under the impact but remained standing, his momentum unbroken.
"Run! That demon is falling!" "Get out of the way or be crushed!" terrified Marines shouted, fleeing in disarray.
Sengoku's face turned grim. His meticulously calculated strategy had been rendered meaningless by Whitebeard's foresight and sheer force. It was a crushing humiliation for the brilliant strategist.
Ace, witnessing the chaos, felt his hope ignite. Though prepared to accept death, seeing Whitebeard and the pirates fight so desperately strengthened his will to survive.
From the collapsing Little Oars, Whitebeard and the others leaped into the air, voices booming: "My sons, charge with me! Save Ace, destroy the Marines!"
The Whitebeard Pirates surged forward, overwhelming the disrupted Marine formation, charging like a tidal wave toward the execution platform.