The raging flames devoured everything without mercy. Once the explosion subsided, the bright firelight gradually dimmed, and the land had been reduced to scorched earth.
The buildings within a hundred meters stood in ruins, on the verge of collapse, as if the slightest touch would turn them to ashes.
A figure was sent flying, crashed to the ground, and rolled several times before coming to a stop.
Akainu braced himself with one hand and slowly raised his battered body. His eyes burned with hatred as he glared at Ace.
With Roger's blood in his veins, Ace had displayed astonishing talent as soon as he entered the Grand Line. By the time he came to the Navy's attention, he was already a supernova who had challenged and defeated a Shichibukai.
The Navy had realized then that if they didn't eliminate him, Ace's talent would one day make him a man standing atop the seas. That was what had lit the fuse for the Summit War.
To the Navy, Ace's life was every bit as important as Whitebeard's.
And Straw Hat Kid, too.
Akainu gritted his teeth as he thought. Failing to kill the two brothers at Marineford had been the Navy's greatest mistake.
"Dark Water—"
"Hm?!"
A sudden force of attraction made Akainu's expression darken. His fierce face snapped toward its source.
Below a building, Lina had her arm outstretched toward him. Black mist swirled in her palm like a vortex, and the force of attraction came from within it.
Not far from where she stood, two Seraphim lay on the ground, sparking and spitting electricity. They were clearly on the verge of breaking down.
Bang!
Akainu gritted his teeth and tried to thrust his arm into the ground, but the paving stones soon shattered beneath him. His body still rose