"Fall back! Take Straw Hat with you!"
"Protect him! Don't let the Marines catch up!"
Everyone retreated toward the harbor, shielding Luffy as they ran.
Akainu had no intention of letting them go.
Just as he started to pursue them, an enormous figure appeared behind him.
Whitebeard.
Akainu shuddered.
He turned around and saw Whitebeard's face looming over him.
Then a fist wreathed in Tremor-Tremor shock waves came crashing down.
White shock waves wrapped around the fist, tearing apart the air itself.
Akainu had no time to dodge. The blow drove his entire body into the ground.
The ground cracked, rubble flew, and Akainu sank into the crater, coughing up a mouthful of blood.
Whitebeard stood at the edge of the crater, leaning on his Naginata and breathing heavily.
His body had already reached its limit.
Naruto watched the scene.
He spread his senses across all of Marineford.
Soon, he detected a presence lurking in the shadows.
The corners of his mouth lifted slightly.
On the battlefield, Whitebeard and Akainu clashed.
The collision of tremors and magma caused Marineford's ground to collapse once more.
Akainu climbed out of the crater, covered in blood.
Naruto watched Akainu dish out damage, then glanced at Kizaru and Aokiji.
Kizaru fired light projectiles from a distance while Aokiji released ice. Both seemed to be fighting, but neither was putting his life on the line like Akainu.
"No wonder he's the one who becomes Fleet Admiral later."
"Of the Three Admirals, only Akainu has been dealing damage the whole time."
While Akainu fought Whitebeard, Jinbe carried Luffy into the sea.
Holding Luffy, Jinbe swam into the distance.
Just then, a submarine rose from beneath the surface.
The Heart Pirates.
Luo stood at the bow and glanced at Luffy in Jinbe's arms. "I'm here to pick