"Biu, biu, biu…"
Countless beams of light streaked across the sky, raining down toward the fleeing Whitebeard Pirates with the clear intent of destroying their ship.
Jozu's expression hardened. "Block the attacks! Do not let him sink our ship!"
"Sand Shield!"
"Fire Fist!"
"Rose Rondo!"
"Fishman Karate, Arabesque Tile True Punch!"
One expert after another stepped forward. Abilities erupted in rapid succession as the Whitebeard Pirates worked together to intercept Kizaru's Yasakani no Magatama. Explosions rang out across the frozen battlefield as attack met defense in a violent clash of power.
With a thunderous boom, the beams were successfully blocked, but the sheer scale of Kizaru's attack shattered the ice surrounding the paddle steamer. The ship lost its footing and crashed down from the ice into the sea below, swaying violently from the impact.
"So troublesome," Kizaru muttered as he watched. "They actually blocked everything."
Even he was forced to admit that facing so many powerful fighters at once left him with few clean options.
"Everyone, hold on tight," Vista shouted. "Do not slow down, keep pushing forward!"
With another heavy boom, the paddle steamer smashed back into the ice. Aokiji's frozen sea was far too thick to break through directly, so the outer wheels ground against the surface, slowly dragging the massive ship back onto the ice before surging forward again.
Kizaru watched their escape with clear frustration. Then his gaze shifted to the distance.
"Oh?" he murmured. "Looks like we have company."
The lookout on the ship narrowed his eyes and shouted in shock, "There are people ahead! That is former Admiral Black Arm Zephyr! And Admiral candidates Momousagi and Tokikake! Why are they here?"
Kizaru let out a lazy chuckle. "Reinforcements, I suppose. But only Teacher Zephyr, Gion, and Tokikake made it through. That ice really caused trouble for everyone."
Zephyr and the others had led Marine forces in an attempt to intercept the Whitebeard Pirates, but Aokiji's frozen sea had blocked their warships several kilometers away. Forced to abandon their vessels, they advanced on foot and happened to cross paths with the retreating pirates.
"They have already fled this far," Zephyr said with a fierce grin as he stared at the massive paddle steamer.
Momousagi, also known as Gion, frowned. "I never imagined the battle would reach this stage. This war has exceeded all expectations."
Tokikake's expression was grim. "If we do not stop that ship here, they will escape for good."
"Then I will cut it in half," Momousagi declared.
In a flash, she accelerated, surging forward faster than both Tokikake and Zephyr. Her renowned sword, Konpira, left its sheath as a sharp white slash tore through the air toward the hull of Moby Dick 5.
Just before the strike could land, Vista intercepted. His twin blades crossed neatly, blocking the slash and diverting it harmlessly into the sky. He smiled coldly.
"You will not damage our ship, Vice Admiral Momousagi."
"I will not let you escape," Momousagi replied without hesitation.
Meanwhile, as the paddle steamer continued to close the distance, Zephyr stepped forward and spread his arms wide, standing directly in its path.
Tokikake's eyes widened. "Teacher Zephyr, what are you doing?"
"Stopping it," Zephyr answered calmly, his gaze locked on the charging vessel without the slightest trace of fear.
The Whitebeard Pirates saw his stance and shouted at once.
"Do not slow down!"
"Speed up and run him over!"
"I know," the helmsman roared. "Full power!"
With a deafening crash, the paddle steamer slammed directly into Zephyr. The ship shuddered violently as its speed began to drop. Beneath the bow, Zephyr braced himself and took the full force head on, his body resisting the overwhelming momentum.
"AAAAAAAH!"
With a thunderous roar, the power in his arms surged. The paddle steamer slowed even further.
Jozu's face changed. "This is bad! He is stopping the ship!"
"Damn it, increase output!"
"Crush him!"
Before the situation could worsen, Crocodile acted. His body dissolved into sand as he shot beneath the ship, his voice cold and sharp.
"In that case, I will remove him. Desert Spada."
Faced with the incoming sand blade, Zephyr was forced to abandon his grip. He dodged instantly, and the moment his resistance vanished, the paddle steamer surged forward again at full power.
"Damn it," Zephyr cursed as the ship roared past him.
Behind Kizaru, only a handful of Vice Admirals were still able to keep up. Under the relentless bombardment from the Whitebeard Pirates, Marines below Rear Admiral rank were left far behind.
Just then, a streak of blue fire descended rapidly from the clouds.
Jozu's eyes lit up. "That is Marco!"
Cheers erupted instantly across the deck.
"Captain Marco is back!"
"He is carrying Father's body!"
"Slow down, he is about to reach us!"
The paddle steamer's speed eased slightly, making space as Marco closed in. Kizaru, watching from afar, also caught sight of the descending phoenix flames. A glint flashed across his glasses.
"Oh, it is Marco." His tone curved into a sly drawl. "So he managed to catch up after all."
His gaze fixed on the justice flag wrapped tightly around the body in Marco's arms. A chill entered his eyes.
"Whitebeard's body is the most important trophy of this war. I cannot let you take it away so easily."
In the next instant, Kizaru transformed into a ray of light and shot toward Marco in the sky.
Marco's eyes sharpened immediately as he sensed the incoming threat.
On the deck below, the pirates shouted in unison, their voices filled with urgency.
"Marco, be careful!"
_____
Atp, you guys should drop reviews so this fanfiction can reach more people
Whether good or bad, I'll take it, but please don't be too harsh
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