Human Meteor Hammer

Akainu froze.

His Great Eruption had actually been blocked by Ace's body—even though Ace's power had been sealed by Sea Stone, leaving him practically defenseless?

Ace froze as well.

He had already steeled himself to sacrifice his life for even the slightest chance of survival for Luffy.

But now, aside from a tiny bit of pain, he felt nothing else.

Luffy was dumbfounded too. Looking at the strange membrane of light over Ace's back and the lava embers gradually fading away, his mind could barely process what had happened.

Akainu's shock lasted less than half a second.

His gaze instantly became even more sinister.

Scenes from not long ago flashed through his mind.

On the execution platform, the executioner's blade had been blocked by an invisible barrier at the very last moment.

And that teasing voice which had come from the sky.

He abruptly raised his head and roared at the heavens.

"Brook Lott—!!!"

"Oh my, Admiral Akainu, what did you call me for?"

Brook Lott's leisurely voice drifted down from the sky.

Akainu forced the words out through clenched teeth. "You want to protect him?"

He pointed at Ace.

"Protect him? No."

Brook Lott's tone sounded utterly innocent. "Didn't I make it very clear to Fleet Admiral Sengoku earlier? I'm just a 'spectator.' I won't interfere in your fight. I keep my word."

"Then what are you doing right now?"

Akainu stared at the silver-white membrane that had lit up again.

This was called not interfering?

Brook Lott answered righteously, "Admiral Akainu, can you please be reasonable? I came here to 'watch the show.' How can you end it early before the time is up? Besides, hadn't it already been agreed with Sengoku that the execution would happen at the scheduled time? You're the one breaking the rules."

Akainu: