Just as Vic thought something had gone wrong and was about to make a move, two sand blades rushed towards the Execution Platform, knocking down two execution soldiers who were about to slash Ace's neck.
Crocodile was the one who made the move. You have to admit, this guy is smart. He learned a lot of information after the Straw Hat Boy entered Impel Down. For example, the Straw Hat Boy's grandfather is the Marine Garp the Hero, his father is the Revolutionary Army leader Dragon, and he has an elder named Vic who takes special care of him. These are all people that he can't afford to offend!
With such strong connections, doing him a favor at this crucial moment is just a small favor for him, but the rewards are immense. This deal is incredibly worthwhile. Can't you see Vic over there getting restless? If he doesn't seize the opportunity now, he'll really miss out!
So Crocodile didn't hesitate to attack the execution soldiers. After all, he had been targeting Whitebeard since he arrived, and no strong members of the Navy were paying attention to him. Besides, he was a pirate, and the Navy was naturally opposed to him. So what if he offended the Navy?
Do you think they won't arrest you if you don't offend them? He just Impel Down, so do you think he needs to think twice about what to do?
"Who are you? You are... We thought you, with your long-standing feud with Whitebeard, would be an asset to us! But I never expected... Crocodile!"
Sengoku was shocked and furious. Everything had been expected, so how could an attack have landed on the Execution Platform? But when he looked at Crocodile, who was surrounded by the navy, he instantly understood.
Because Crocodile had been targeting Whitebeard, they had been ignoring him. Now, however, they were being bitten in return. They didn't know why Crocodile was helping Whitebeard, and they had no idea what Crocodile was up to!
"That guy..."
Luffy was frantic when he saw two swords aimed at Ace's neck. He wanted to save him but was too far away and was blocked by the Three Admirals. He finally breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Ace being saved. However, he did not expect that it was Crocodile who made the move, and he couldn't help but feel a little goodwill towards this guy.
"What?! It's not my turn to perform?!"
Marco landed on the ground in a panic. He had been preparing to attack in the air, but he had been watched the whole time. Now that Ace had been rescued, he felt much more at ease, but his legs were still a little weak. So close! So close, Ace would have been gone!
"Tch! Next time, strike earlier!"
Vic tucked his hands back into his chest, looking down at Crocodile with a displeased expression. He had originally planned to control the two execution soldiers to fight each other, and then pin the blame on Doflamingo, since everyone knew that Doflamingo could control other people's bodies.
The two execution soldiers had already had bioelectricity implanted in their bodies by Vic, so it would be easy for it to activate and difficult for anyone to discover that it was Vic who did it. Vic rarely showed this trick in public.
Everyone was surprised, wondering what had gotten into Crocodile. He had been trying to kill Whitebeard since arriving here, but now he had suddenly turned around and saved Ace.
Sengoku suspected that this was a premeditated act, and that what he had done before was merely a performance to lower the navy's guard against him.
The pirates were genuinely puzzled, but only Vic vaguely knew something. He had helped Luffy in Alabasta before, and there was also an earlier agreement. Crocodile knew that his relationship with Luffy was special.
Furthermore, Ivankov must have revealed Luffy's secrets in Impel Down, Luffy also exposed his relationship with the Marine Garp the Hero, which led to Crocodile's intervention this time.
Even if Luffy's true nature wasn't revealed, knowing the past relationship between Vic and Garp, plus the fact that Luffy and Garp share the same surname, a smart person like Crocodile wouldn't be unable to guess it.
Anyway, his intervention wasn't for the sake of Luffy's brotherhood, but simply out of a sense of obligation. He even considered Ace to be Garp's grandson, just with his mother's surname, so he felt even more obligated to save him, making the favor even greater.
"I'll take care of that old man who's not far from death later! Until then, I don't want to see you all looking happy..."
Crocodile also noticed Whitebeard's state, but instead of revealing his true purpose, he uttered some high-sounding words.
However, no one could refute it. He was captured by the Navy and forced to Impel Down, so he still harbored resentment towards the Navy. Of course, he also hated Vic, but since he couldn't afford to offend Vic, he decided to transfer all his hatred to the Navy.
Even though he didn't say it aloud, he still owed them a favor. Didn't you see the gratitude in Straw Hat Boy's eyes when he looked at him? If he were to face Garp and Vic in the future, wouldn't those two spare his life in the end?
However, before Crocodile could finish speaking, a transparent thread severed his neck, and his head fell to the ground, turning into a pile of yellow sand. Then, the sand floated back to his neck and slowly condensed back into a head.
"Hey! Hey! You shark bastard! You dumped me to team up with Whitebeard? I'm so jealous!"
It was Doflamingo who attacked Crocodile, but when Vic listened to Doflamingo's words, he sensed a hint of jealousy, like a neglected wife. His attack also seemed to stem from love turned to hate!
Doflamingo was not far from Crocodile and soon arrived in front of Crocodile.
"I will not join forces with anyone."
"Isn't that still the same—ignoring me completely?"
"More or less!"
The two exchanged a few words, but they just couldn't see eye to eye, and then they started fighting. Golden Hook hook collided with a loafer, sending a nearby sailor flying.
The two retreated immediately after their attack, without lingering. Seeing that everyone else's attention was on the two, Luffy quickly rushed towards the Execution Platform. However, some Marines were watching him closely and immediately stepped forward to intercept him.
While the battle was raging in the plaza, Mr. 3 had already broken free from Aokiji's ice seal, leaving behind a frozen wax figure before entering the rear of Marine Headquarters.
Just then, two more execution soldiers received orders to march to the Execution Platform. As they passed Mr. 3, he replaced one of them, who was about the same size as him. It's unclear what this guy was thinking; he finally escaped the battlefield, and now he's back at the Execution Platform as a Marine. Does he really intend to save Ace?
Execution Platform, Luffy knocked down a Marine who was trying to stop him and continued charging forward. Akainu saw this and took two steps forward, preparing to attack the Straw Hat Boy Luffy, but Aokiji beat him to it.
Aokiji directly conjured an Ice Sword and shot it into Luffy's arm. Aokiji's Luffy was aimed directly at Luffy, so it should have been a pinpoint attack. However, the fact that it only hit Luffy's arm speaks volumes. This must be a fixed match. Aokiji is really worried about Luffy. Seeing that Akainu was about to kill him, he immediately stepped in.
Luffy in the arm by Ice Sword and rolled around on the ground in pain, yelling and screaming. Akainu saw this and didn't come over. He thought to himself that Aokiji should know his limits and wouldn't play games with him when it came to matters of principle!
"Although your grandfather was my benefactor, there was nothing I could do! A man who chooses the path of death must be allowed to die!"
Aokiji strolled over, grabbed the Ice Sword, drew it, and stood there saying something that made his meaning clear: someone stop me!
"Damn it! You're not allowed to Luffy on Luffy!"
It seems that Aokiji's inner thoughts were actually heard, or perhaps Luffy's shouts attracted someone's attention. Hancock saw this and ran over, but someone was faster than her. Marco flew over and kicked Aokiji, sending him flying.
"Thank you! I'm saved!"
"You're welcome!"
Luffy has faced countless difficulties and suffered numerous injuries along the way, but he has never given up. Marco has a special fondness Luffy this fool Luffy and treats him like his own younger brother, with a touch of doting affection.
Marco arrived quickly and left quickly. He still had to deal with Kizaru. Kizaru's abilities were very advantageous in wide-range attacks. If no one stopped them, many of their people would die!
When Whitebeard saw two more execution soldiers arrive at the Execution Platform, he immediately became anxious. Crocodile had already attracted attention, and it would be difficult for him to steal the chicken again.
So Whitebeard immediately charged forward, sending the marines flying along the way. Whitebeard's advance was rapid, but his objective was so obvious that the marines could also see it.
Aokiji immediately rushed over, conjuring several ice spears in front of him and shooting them at Whitebeard. Whitebeard swung his arm and smashed the space with a punch, shattering the incoming ice spears, and then thrust his sword at Aokiji's body.
Although Whitebeard's sword was wrapped in Armament Haki, Aokiji had already transformed into his elemental form using Observation Haki. Even though the Aokiji pierced through Aokiji, he was not injured. Instead, he gripped the hilt of the naginata with both hands and released freezing air.
The tip of the naginata instantly froze and quickly spread towards Whitebeard's hands. Whitebeard saw it too, but he didn't throw away his weapon. Then, he was frozen into a block of ice by Aokiji.
Just then, Jozu, who had been staring at Aokiji, rushed over. The impact, imbued with Haki, sent Aokiji flying. This time, Aokiji didn't have time to transform into his elemental form and suffered some minor injuries. However, Aokiji didn't underestimate Jozu. He stood up, abandoned Whitebeard, and began to take him seriously.
Meanwhile, Whitebeard, facing only ice created by his powers, was no less Haki. He quickly shattered the ice encasing him. Seeing that Aokiji had been stopped by Jozu, Whitebeard continued his attack, swinging his greatsword to carve a bloody path through the enemy lines!