"Ace! Let's go!"
Luffy pulled Ace, who had just broken free, along with him. Like two blazing flames, they leaped side by side from the Execution Platform, ready to fight their way out of the chaotic battlefield!
Yet just when everyone thought they could successfully retreat, a voice filled with Absolute Justice, yet chilling to the bone, suddenly rang out across the battlefield.
"What a bunch of... worthless pirates who don't know their place."
Admiral Akainu had blocked their path at some point. He did not even look at Luffy and Ace, instead turning his gaze toward Whitebeard, who was fighting a bloody battle in the distance, his tone filled with disdain and mockery.
"Whitebeard... is nothing but a loser. To think he'd sacrifice his entire Pirate Crew here for a mere son."
"Ace!"
Seeing this, Luffy immediately grabbed Ace and shouted anxiously:
"Don't listen to him! Let's go!"
Yet Akainu's words were like the sharpest knife, stabbing viciously into the softest part of Ace's heart!
He abruptly stopped and turned around, his flame-filled eyes fixed fiercely on Akainu!
"Take back what you just said!!"
Ace roared:
"Pops... is the man who gave me a new life, who saved me from hell!"
"He's the greatest pirate of this era! I won't let someone like you insult him!"
"Fire Fist!"
Ace's arms instantly turned into two surging torrents of flame and blasted toward Akainu!
Watching the flames rushing toward him, Akainu revealed a cruel smile.
"Flames?"
"Before my magma, they're nothing but... insignificant little sparks."
His arm instantly turned into scorching magma, easily swallowing Ace's flames before he threw a punch!
Squelch!
Ace flew backward like a kite with its string cut, blood spraying wildly from his mouth!
"Ace!" Luffy cried out.
At that moment, Akainu's gaze fell on Luffy, who