Power-power that made even the air tremble.
An aura-an oppressive aura that felt like a mountain weighing on every heart.
Crimson blood mist swirled around him, shrouding his entire body and obscuring the figure standing at the edge of the icy chasm.
Yet everyone instinctively reached the same conclusion.
"River!"
"It's Admiral River!!"
"He's still alive, and that terrifying aura!"
Across the battlefield, countless cries of shock and excitement rang out.
Whitebeard abruptly turned, his eyes fixed on the figure wreathed in red mist, his gaze growing deadly serious.
"Whew!"
After drawing a small breath, his eyes sharpened, though a trace of regret lingered in them.
Glancing at Ace on the Execution Platform out of the corner of his eye, he sighed softly.
"I still didn't have enough time!"
But a moment later, he shouted to Marco beside him.
"I'll hold River off!"
"You lot get Ace out!"
Marco's expression changed. He stared at the figure wreathed in red mist, his heart trembling, and could only nod heavily.
"I will, Pops!"
Whitebeard grinned, then swept his gaze over the sons gathered around him. "Relax. He and I are old rivals!"
"Just do what you need to do!"
"Your Pops isn't going down!"
Only then did Marco and the others begin to relax. They nodded firmly.
"We can't let Pops down!!"
"Keep doing what we came here to do!"
"Charge! Follow me and save Ace!"
A moment later, Marco and the others turned sharply and charged toward Marineford once more.
Whitebeard tightened his grip on the Naginata Murakumogiri, his eyes more solemn than ever before.
He drew a deep breath and charged toward the figure in the red mist with heavy strides.
"Until Ace is saved!"
"I will not fall!"
"I cannot fall!"
A fierce light blazed in his eyes.
**Thud,