On the other side, the Impel Down escapees under Buggy's command watched Ace display his formidable combat prowess and couldn't help but exclaim in awe:
"So strong! Fire Fist Ace is truly incredible!"
"Indeed, Straw Hat Luffy is equally unfathomable. Both brothers possess top-tier strength—truly remarkable!"
Buggy, standing nearby, grew increasingly impatient as his subordinates showered the brothers with praise. His temper flaring, he glared fiercely at his crew and snapped:
"Is this the time for admiration and compliments? You useless fools!"
He looked down at the Image Transmitting Snail in his hand, which had been scorched by the residual heat of Akainu's magma, his face etched with urgency as he urged:
"Stop standing around in a daze! Hurry up and find a way to repair the Den Den Mushi and restore the signal!
The whole world is still waiting for me. I have a whole list of declarations I haven't had the chance to announce to the world. We absolutely cannot let the broadcast end like this!"
"Yes, Captain Buggy!"
The crew didn't dare delay, quickly gathering around to carefully inspect and repair the Den Den Mushi.
On the ruins of the execution platform, Sengoku stared intently at the retreating figures of Luffy and Ace, his fists clenched tightly.
He had painstakingly orchestrated this war, sparing no effort in mobilizing the full might of the Marine Headquarters. If Ace were to escape unscathed in the end, the Marines' prestige would plummet.
Gritting his teeth, he growled:
"Damn it! We can't let them escape so easily!"
Among the crowd, only Akainu had shown no pretense from start to finish—he was the only one genuinely intent on killing Ace and Luffy.
Seeing the two rapidly distancing themselves, he turned without hesitation and charged in the direction of their escape, roaring furiously:
"I won't let them escape Marineford! Today, I will claim both their lives!"
After Ace was successfully rescued, the pirates of the Whitebeard Pirates had lost the will to continue fighting.
Their original desperate struggle had been to save Ace. Now that their goal was achieved, they no longer actively attacked the Marines. Instead, they began an orderly retreat, covering Luffy and Ace as they made their way toward the port.
Everyone was retreating in an organized manner, except for one person who stood motionless in place.
One of the division commanders glanced back and noticed Whitebeard still standing alone in the center of the battlefield, gripping Murakumogiri tightly, with no intention of retreating. His heart tightened, and he anxiously urged:
"Old Man, it's time for us to retreat. Ace has been successfully rescued. There's no need to keep fighting the Marines to the death. Come with us!"
As he spoke, a deep sense of fear and unease flickered in the commander's eyes.
He knew Whitebeard's nature all too well. At the end of every major battle, the Old Man would always choose to stay behind alone, holding off the pursuing forces with his own strength, using his body to carve a path of escape for all his sons.
Standing there unmoving now clearly meant he intended to stay behind as a rearguard, shielding the entire crew's retreat with his own life.
Just as the commander was about to continue pleading, Marco reached out and gently pulled him back, shaking his head to signal that further words were unnecessary.
Marco gazed at that towering figure, his voice steady and filled with unwavering trust:
"Don't worry. There's no need to be anxious.
The Old Man will be fine. He is Whitebeard, the ruler of the seas. He never falls easily."
Whitebeard's hearing was exceptionally sharp, naturally catching every word of their conversation. Hearing this, the corner of his mouth curled into a faint smile as he murmured softly:
"Marco, you truly see through my thoughts."
He had his own considerations. In the past, plagued by severe illness, he might indeed have chosen to end his life in this war with the dignity of a king, drawing a close to his career.
But now it was different. His ailments were completely gone, his physique restored to its peak condition. His strength, Haki, and Devil Fruit ability had all returned to their zenith. He had long abandoned any intention of meeting his end here.
He still had a family of sons to protect, countless bonds yet to be severed, and he wished to spend many more years with these loved ones. How could he be willing to bow out here?
Watching the high-ranking Marine officers like Sengoku and Akainu charging toward him, Whitebeard tightened his grip on Murakumogiri. Tremor Power surged violently around him, causing faint ripples of spatial quakes to tremble through the world.
His eyes narrowed as he uttered a low, resolute shout:
"Quake: Great Slash Wave!"
The massive blade, wrapped in Tremor Power, cleaved downward fiercely. A visible spatial fissure tore through the air, carrying a terrifying force capable of rending heaven and earth as it crushed toward the oncoming Marines.
A torrential wave of Vibration Power swept across the battlefield. The air roared violently, the ground cracked layer by layer, and a powerful shockwave surged forth.
Seeing this, Sengoku instantly transformed into the Golden Buddha. Together with Akainu, who had caught up at full speed, they simultaneously unleashed their Haki, bracing themselves to withstand the slash head-on.
A deafening boom shook the surroundings!
Even with two top-tier powerhouses joining forces to block it, they were still forced back several steps by the terrifying force contained within the shockwave. Their bodies grew slightly heavy, and their breaths fluctuated.
After steadying themselves, Akainu glared at Whitebeard, his eyes a mix of fury and wariness. Unable to contain himself, he growled angrily:
"Damn it!"
He turned to Sengoku beside him, his tone decisive:
"Fleet Admiral, you stay and hold off Whitebeard. I'll continue the pursuit. We absolutely cannot allow Fire Fist Ace to escape unharmed!"
Sengoku's expression was grave as he nodded slightly in agreement. "Very well, go."
He had long seen through the situation. Akainu, stubborn and adhering to Absolute Justice, was willing to play the role of the relentless pursuer. Naturally, Sengoku would not stop him.
It was just as well for him to hold back Whitebeard, trapping this king of the old era, while letting Akainu give chase. Whatever the outcome, it would no longer concern him.
Garp, this is the greatest concession I can make for you!
With his mind set, Sengoku's golden Buddha form blazed with radiant light. The colossal Buddha body strode forward steadily, positioning itself squarely in front of Whitebeard as the flames of battle reignited.
At that moment, another figure stepped forward, standing shoulder to shoulder with the Buddha-formed Sengoku—the Marine Hero, Garp.
His expression was stern, his gaze fixed intently on Whitebeard. With a tone laced with anger, he spoke gravely:
"You bastard, Whitebeard!
It's all because you indulged and incited him that Ace turned out this way!
Today, I will make you pay for this!"
Hearing this, Whitebeard took a deep look at Garp, understanding dawning in his heart. He let out a helpless, soft chuckle.
How could he not see it? Garp was unwilling to lay hands on his own grandson, unable to vent his pent-up fury, so he could only use this pretext to direct all his rage onto Whitebeard.
What a stubborn old man.
Whitebeard did not offer any rebuttal, merely standing silently with Murakumogiri in hand, ready to face the combined assault of the two.
Meanwhile, Akainu bid farewell to Sengoku and raced after Luffy and Ace.
But by now, the pirates of the Whitebeard Pirates had already formed a defensive formation, desperately blocking the pursuers. No matter how fiercely Akainu charged and broke through, he could not penetrate their defense to catch up with the retreating pair.
After several failed attempts, Akainu was forced to halt, watching their figures grow increasingly distant, his eyes filled with malice.
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