Were Those Two Finally Going to Make Their Move?

Someone whose name even Dracule Mihawk, the World's Greatest Swordsman, knew...

That alone said plenty.

Flower Sword Vista clearly had considerable strength.

Otherwise,

Dracule Mihawk would never have bothered remembering the name of someone insignificant.

"Whitebeard!"

"Leave this to me!"

"Go save Ace!"

Flower Sword Vista called out to Whitebeard.

He knew he was no match for Dracule Mihawk, but he had no intention of fighting him to the death to settle who was stronger.

He only needed to buy Whitebeard and their comrades more time.

At least in that,

Flower Sword Vista was fairly confident!

"Good!" Whitebeard nodded, showing his confidence in Flower Sword Vista.

And so,

Dracule Mihawk found himself facing Flower Sword Vista's relentless assault.

Even as the World's Greatest Swordsman, Dracule Mihawk could not easily fend off the opening attacks of a Whitebeard Pirates division commander.

"Good!"

"Flower Sword Vista!"

"Then show me what you can do!"

Dracule Mihawk had grown interested in Flower Sword Vista.

Meanwhile,

With no one left to stop him, Whitebeard drew steadily closer to the Execution Platform.

"Whitebeard!"

Ace had watched it all. He could not help calling out, tears glimmering in his eyes. Whether they came from joy or something else, even he could not have said.

"Damn it!"

"Big Mom!"

"Get out of my way!"

"I can't let Whitebeard and his men reach the platform!"

Seeing how badly things were going, Sakazuki snarled at Big Mom.

"Mamamamama!"

"Akainu, you think I'll move just because you tell me to?"

"I don't care what that old Whitebeard is up to, but you dared attack the man I've set my sights on. There's no way I'm letting you off!"

Big Mom pressed him relentlessly.

Sakazuki desperately wanted to stop Whitebeard, but with Big Mom in his way, he could do nothing.

It