Just as Akainu shot forward and swung his fist at Ace,
a sudden shout rang out, filled with urgency!
"Ace!"
A figure as soft and pliable as noodles descended from the sky, landing in front of Ace.
"I won't let you hurt Ace!"
Luffy gritted his teeth. Heat instantly began pouring from his body as he entered Gear Second.
He showed no fear whatsoever in the face of Marine Admiral Akainu!
"Luffy?!"
"Straw Hat?!"
Red-Haired Shanks's expression changed. He truly hadn't expected Luffy to show up at a time like this!
Wasn't Luffy in Impel Down?!
How had he gotten out?!
Red-Haired Shanks had arrived late and still didn't know that Impel Down had already been completely destroyed by Sarutobi Hiruzen.
"Interesting.."
"Looks like Luffy escaped disaster after all.."
"But.."
Seeing this, Sarutobi Hiruzen withdrew the blue-white radiance that had lit up around him.
He had originally planned to save Ace. After all, Ace was a walking source of Space-Time Source Energy. As long as Ace stayed alive, a steady stream of Source Energy would flow into Sarutobi Hiruzen's pocket.
"Looks like I don't need to act now."
"This is even more interesting."
Sarutobi Hiruzen showed a hint of interest as he watched Luffy face the scorching magma.
Could it be—
"What the hell?!"
"Anyone who stands in the way of justice must die!"
Akainu was slightly taken aback, but soon stopped caring.
He could kill the brat in front of him first, then kill Ace afterward. It wasn't as if that was impossible.
"Hellhound!"
The Marine Admiral's all-out attack, wrapped in intense Armament Haki, shot toward Luffy.
"Gum-Gum.."
Luffy raised his fist as well, gritting his teeth with an utterly fearless expression.
But facing a Marine Admiral required more than courage. What it demanded was unparalleled strength.
And clearly,