The next instant, Shirahoshi and Ace struck almost simultaneously.
One wielding iron fists and the other the Sea King Halberd, they crossed paths and rushed Whitebeard at close range.
Facing a joint assault from two fighters at the pinnacle of S-class, Whitebeard's expression remained utterly unchanged, as still as an ancient well.
A fist and a blade counterattacked at once!
Rumble!!!
The sky and earth seemed to change color as terrifying shock waves rippled violently in every direction.
When the dust slowly cleared, Ace and Shirahoshi both retreated several steps, neither bearing so much as a scratch.
Whitebeard, by contrast, had not retreated half a step, standing firmly rooted in place. Yet two savage gashes had appeared on his thick arms, blood pouring from them.
"Pops!!!"
Seeing Whitebeard wounded, Jace broke down in tears on the Execution Platform. Like a madman, he screamed himself hoarse:
"Run! All of you, run! Forget about me!!!"
One against three.
It was an almost impossible task.
Not even Whitebeard in his prime could have managed it, let alone the old man he had become.
If this stalemate continued, however powerful Whitebeard was, those three would eventually wear him down and kill him.
"Gurararara! Jace, what nonsense are you spouting up there? Stay put and keep your eyes wide open!"
Whitebeard's laughter remained hearty and unrestrained, as though his wounds did not exist.
He moved his feet, continuing forward one firm step at a time.
On the second level, Sakazuki merely frowned slightly, ultimately choosing not to enter the fray himself.
But the magma pressing toward Whitebeard from both sides surged even more fiercely.
Ace and Shirahoshi once again rushed straight at Whitebeard in perfect coordination.
Neither felt any unease about joining forces against an old man, nor thought winning this way dishonorable or shameful.