Seeing Garp descend toward him with a light moonwalk, Marco made his decision instantly. He hurled Luffy forward like a cannonball and shouted at the top of his lungs,
"Straw Hat—whether Ace lives or dies depends on you!"
Only Luffy could resolve this clash. Only Luffy could face Garp here.
Soaring through the air, Luffy locked eyes with Garp before him and shouted back with unwavering resolve,
"Grandpa! Move aside! Don't stop me—I have to save Ace!"
"Don't be ridiculous," Garp replied, clenching his fists. "As a Marine, how could I ever let you pass so easily? If you want to save Ace, then defeat me first!"
"I will save Ace!" Luffy roared.
Grandfather and grandson closed the distance in an instant. Garp's massive fist swung toward Luffy—but just before it connected, his expression twisted. His eyes shut tight. His arm slackened.
Luffy's punch landed softly against Garp's cheek.
"Vice Admiral Garp…?!"
The Marines stared in disbelief. The Hero of the Marines—struck down by a single punch?
Only Sengoku understood. His face darkened as he muttered under his breath.
"You fool, Garp… In the end, you still couldn't sever your family ties."
Luffy didn't hesitate. Knowing how terrifying his grandpa truly was, he immediately stretched his rubber arms around Garp's body, binding him tightly. Gravity took over, and the two began to plummet toward the battlefield below.
As they fell, Luffy shouted with all his strength,
"Pineapple Head! Jinbe! You have to save Ace!"
Watching them drop away, Marco seized Jinbe and surged forward once more, blazing toward the execution platform.
At that moment, Sengoku's body erupted in golden light. His Devil Fruit power activated fully as he transformed into a colossal Golden Buddha, his voice booming across Marineford like a divine decree.
"Pirates—do not be arrogant. This is the fortress of justice. I will never allow you to rescue that criminal!"
He turned sharply to the executioners.
"Execute him. Immediately. Kill Fire Fist Ace."
"Yes!"
The two executioners raised their massive blades.
"Don't even think about it!" Marco roared.
His Haoshoku Haki exploded outward in a violent surge.
The executioners froze mid-motion, their eyes rolling back as the overwhelming pressure crushed their consciousness.
The battlefield fell into stunned silence.
"S-So this means…"
"Marco has Conqueror's Haki?!"
Even Sengoku and the Admirals were shaken. Marco had been a pirate for decades—yet no one had ever known he possessed Haoshoku Haki. A late awakening… or something far more terrifying?
Before Sengoku could process it, Marco flung Jinbe skyward and accelerated again, streaking straight toward the execution platform.
Sengoku's gaze flicked between Marco and Jinbe, his mind racing. He saw through the plan immediately—simple and effective.
Two rescuers. Two directions.
He could only stop one.
Marco was a Devil Fruit user. Ace's cuffs and chains were forged from Sea Stone—Marco couldn't break them even if he reached Ace.
But Jinbe was different.
A Fishman. No Devil Fruit. Immense physical strength.
If Jinbe reached Ace, those Sea Stone chains would shatter.
Gritting his teeth, Sengoku made his choice.
I'll stop Jinbe first.
"Buddha's Shockwave!"
Midair, Jinbe recalled Marco's words. He had already made his resolve. Even if it cost him his life, he would buy those precious seconds.
"Fishman Karate—Eight Thousand Tile True Punch!" Jinbe roared.
Two overwhelming shockwaves collided head-on, detonating with a thunderous boom.
At the same time, Marco seized the opening, surging toward Sengoku.
"Phoenix Seal!"
Sengoku raised his other palm to block—but Marco's kick still slammed into him with tremendous force.
BOOM!
Sengoku was forced back several steps, and the execution platform beneath them groaned violently. Cracks spread across its surface as it began to tilt, no longer able to withstand the pressure.
"This is bad…" Sengoku's expression darkened. "The platform is about to collapse."
Marco landed cleanly atop the execution platform.
Ace stared at him in disbelief, his eyes blazing with hope.
"Marco…!"
With another heavy crash, Jinbe descended as well, landing on the platform beside them.
Sengoku's gaze locked onto Jinbe—his face turning ashen. Just two days ago, this man had stood here as a Shichibukai.
Now, he stood as an enemy.
"…Damn you, Jinbe."
Jinbe stepped forward, his arms coated in hardened Armament Haki. His voice was steady, resolute.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku, I owe a great debt to Whitebeard. Even if it costs me my life, I will stop you."
"Hmph. Stop me?" Sengoku snarled. "Who do you think you are?!"
He swung his massive fist down.
Jinbe met it head-on with both hands.
BOOM!
The execution platform shuddered violently. It creaked, tilted, and swayed, teetering on the brink of collapse.
"Jinbe, hold him!" Marco shouted as he rushed to Ace's side.
"Ace, don't move—I'll unlock you right now!"
Marco reached into his pocket and pulled out a key.
The moment Sengoku saw it, his expression twisted sharply.
'So that's it…'
They hadn't just seen through the encirclement plan—they'd obtained the key as well. That could only mean one thing.
'There's a mole within Marine HQ…'
Cursing his own oversight, Sengoku felt the platform tremble once more. He knew it wouldn't hold much longer.
With a powerful stomp, he leapt backward and barked orders to the Marines below.
"Open fire! Target the execution platform! Execute Fire Fist Ace!"
The Marines had been waiting for this command.
"Fire!"
BOOM—BOOM—BOOM!
Cannonballs screamed through the air toward the platform.
"Phoenix Flame!"
Marco spread his wings wide. Blue flames surged outward, forming massive, hand-like arcs that wrapped around the execution platform, sealing it within a blazing cocoon.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Explosions engulfed the area. Smoke billowed skyward. The platform collapsed piece by piece—
—but within Marco's sphere of blue flames, the protected section remained untouched.
Then, from within the azure fire, a new flame ignited.
Orange.
Brilliant.
A clenched fist of fire took shape.
"Fire Fist…"