The Death of Whitebeard

Marineford Square is separated by a formidable barrier on the other side.

"My Pops's injuries are too severe... there's... there's no cure..." the ship's doctor said timidly.

"Take another look! Don't jump to conclusions so easily!!" Marco roared involuntarily, tears streaming down his face.

"Don't make things difficult for him, Marco. I know my own body best... Even the best medicine in the world can't prolong my life..." Whitebeard pushed the ship's doctor aside. "But I'm content..."

He straightened his back, slightly raised his head, and gazed at the sky, seemingly lost in thought. He slowly began, "Teach, Roger wasn't waiting for you. Since ancient times, will has been passed down through generations. And then... one day, a person burdened by [history] will challenge this world. Sengoku ... your [World Government] will be terrified by this [Great War] that will inevitably come and sweep across the world. Although I have no interest... when that treasure is discovered, the world will be turned upside down. It will definitely be discovered; that day will surely come... The [One Piece] exists!!"

Whitebeard's voice echoed throughout the entire square and was broadcast live to all corners of the world!

"Kuralalalala--" He laughed again, but the laughter gradually subsided, and he slowly closed his eyes, exhausted. "Roger spent his entire life searching for his [treasure], while I possessed infinite [wealth] from the very beginning—that is you... my sons. Thank you... for accompanying me through such a long time. Goodbye..."

His voice grew softer and softer until it could no longer be heard or understood. At that moment, Whitebeard died!

Despite his death, his body remained upright. His heroic figure in fighting the enemy was nothing short of monstrous. In this battle, he suffered 231 knife wounds, 126 bullet wounds, and 34 artillery shell wounds, including 31 fatal wounds... but there were no signs of him fleeing.

Newgate, the captain of the Whitebeard Pirates and a great pirate known as "Pirate King," died at the age of Whitebeard during the war between the Whitebeard Pirates, the Marine Headquarters, and the Shichibukai at Marineford.

This war, known as the "Marineford War," became the starting point for a new era of upheaval!

All the division commanders and pirates under Whitebeard Pirates wept uncontrollably, gazing at Whitebeard's body and crying out in grief, "Pops... Pops..."

The Marines were stunned by Whitebeard's death and his last words, and their movements became somewhat stiff.

"Wailing and whining, it's really unsightly. Is this your true nature...? Even without your [wicked leader] to protect you, you're worried about your future. Pirates, in the end... are nothing but a bunch of cowardly and evil scum, wandering outside the cracks of [justice], thinking they can live a carefree life... That kind of thing doesn't exist!!"

Akainu suddenly appeared before the Whitebeard Pirates, his right arm transforming into a molten lava fist billowing with smoke. His blood-soaked face wore a grim expression. "Calling me 'Pops' all the time, if you scum enjoy playing such childish games... [Hellhound]!!"

Before he could finish speaking, Akainu unleashed a magma fist, carrying terrifying heat, at the standing corpse of Whitebeard!

Blue flames erupted, swirling and intertwining, unfurling two wings that formed a solid wall before Akainu's fist. Marco, sweat pouring from his brow, roared, "Ace! Bring Pops's body safely back to the ship!!"

It was precisely because Ace was young and impetuous and couldn't handle being provoked that Marco specifically asked him to do this, to keep him as far away from the battlefield as possible. If even Ace were to meet with misfortune... then his Pops's last expectations would be in vain!

Ace glanced at Marco's retreating figure, then, suppressing his grief, he and several pirates carried Whitebeard's body toward the Black Whale.

"Stop getting in my way, Marco..." Akainu's lava erupted even more violently, "Whether it's Whitebeard's body... or [the most evil bloodline], leave it all here!!"

Akainu's terrifying magma power erupted once more, instantly breaking through Marco's blue flames and sending the latter flying, scorched to the ground!

"Don't think about the past. We will protect Ace. This is Pops's last wish!!"

The Whitebeard Pirates' sixth division commander, Blamenco, seventh division commander Rakuyo, and tenth division commander Curiel, stood in front of Akainu and slashed at him.

"Haki... what a nuisance..."

Akainu's body was riddled with cuts and stabs from various weapons. He swiftly retaliated, unleashing several punches that felled the captains one by one. He coldly stared at Ace ahead and charged forward again, saying, "It's nothing but pity between scum... Don't be ridiculous!"

"Fish-Man Karate: Shark Brick Fist!!"

At that moment, Jinbe, who was covering the rear, turned around and blocked Akainu's path, throwing a powerful punch at the latter.

Akainu snorted coldly, and his Lava Fist roared as it clashed with Jinbe's straight punch. Jinbe was immediately sent rolling backward, but he managed to push himself up with his right hand on the ground.

"Don't waste your time. As a former Shichibukai, you should know my strength..." Akainu looked at Jinbe with Jinbe expression.

"It's Pops's wish for Ace to live safely... so I'm risking my life..." Jinbe, "If it can buy me time, then so be it! I never intended to die anyway!!"

"It seems necessary to punish [the traitor]!!"

Akainu unleashed his terrifying Lava Fist once more, while Jinbe groaned as he struggled to parry the attack, unable to move an inch to buy Ace even a second more time to escape.

The Whitebeard Pirates' division commanders once again surrounded and attacked Akainu, blocking his advance.

"Whitebeard is dead! Don't let the remnants of the Whitebeard Pirates escape! Attack with all your might!" Vice Admiral Doberman shouted the order, taking the lead in the attack.

The marines, their eyes bloodshot with rage, pursued the retreating Whitebeard Pirates under the command of their officers.

"Let's go too! We can't let that [monster's] body be taken away!" Blackbeard stared ahead with a grim expression. "If we don't go soon, it'll be too late!!"

"The navy isn't focusing on us right now, this is a great opportunity to make our move, let's have a good massacre..." Shiryu drew his sword from his waist.

"These little cuties will soon be captivated by my beauty..." Katarina Tippo, her face contorted with malice, revealed a terrifying smile. "I really don't want them to die."

"Sniper in position." Van Oka expressionlessly placed his rifle in front of him.

"They've been deployed..."

Lafitte raised his cane and followed Blackbeard.