"The war from here on out belongs to the three of us!"
At the breach in the wall, Shanks swayed, blood covering his head, then abruptly straightened. His voice was low, his expression icy.
His eyes, too, were fixed on Xia Le.
"You both surprise me!"
Xia Le sighed softly.
"What else can I say? You truly deserve to be called Four Emperors."
Extraordinary stamina, world-class hand-to-hand combat, Haki, swordsmanship, Devil Fruit powers, and the will to withstand countless blows without falling—only these could forge an Emperor.
Then, in the very next instant—
"Vmmm!"
Three violent currents of air slammed into one another.
Ripples spread through the air over Marineford.
Their auras intertwined, each locking onto the others, turning the entire sky dark. Storm clouds gathered, lightning flashing among them.
After a glance, Luffy promptly turned and sprinted toward the Execution Platform.
"Go and save Ace without holding back!"
"The hope of this war may well rest on your shoulders!"
"Straw Hat!"
Whitebeard's voice was low as he withdrew his gaze from Luffy.
Then he tightened his grip on his Naginata, pushed off with both feet, and leaped forward.
Shanks likewise tightened his grip on his Cane Sword, his figure shooting forward like lightning.
Xia Le, meanwhile, grinned and laughed wildly. His body shuddered as he slammed his fists together.
"Come on!!!"
This was a battle that filled the world with fear, even made it tremble.
The fighting that followed between the three surpassed every battle they had ever witnessed in sheer brutality and ruthlessness.
"Boom!"
A deafening collision rang out, and all of Marineford shook.
Taking on two Emperors alone, Xia Le reached out with his thick arms, one to either side, and caught Shanks's Cane Sword and Whitebeard's Naginata in a firm grip.
His fingers were like steel