"You're still the same as ever, Luffy!"
"Hey-hey!"
"They always ignore what I say and just act recklessly!"
" Ace...!"
Ace removed his Seastone Handcuffs and instantly transformed into flames, burning away all the incoming cannonballs. The Fire Fist Ace who refused to Shichibukai and dared to challenge Whitebeard was back!
"Gurararararar! Ace! You are free!"
" Ace!"
"Mr. Ace! Okay!"
"Captain Ace! That's great!"
"Well done, Straw Hat Boy!"
"We got Ace back!"
"Roar!"*n
Seeing Ace finally freed from the Seastone Handcuffs, Whitebeard laughed heartily, and the other pirates were also thrilled. Today's efforts had not been in vain, and the ultimate goal had finally been achieved. Although the losses were great and the journey was difficult, Ace's regained freedom had also boosted morale!
"Great! You've finally achieved your wish, Luffy- kun!"
" Straw Hat Boy! Your abilities are truly terrifying! Vic! Your appearance in the East Blue was indeed for another purpose!..."
"Fufufufufu! Justice is written by the victors, Sengoku! You didn't expect that man to make a move, did you!"
"Going with the flow and following the trend is indeed much simpler. All we need to do now is defend against that Sakazuki guy."
Each of the Shichibukai had their own agenda, but Moria, who came to lend a hand, disappeared from the battlefield.
Ace's current Haki is enough to defend against Akainu's magma. The only concern is that Akainu might launch a surprise attack, using an attack on Luffy as bait to lure Ace into a hasty rescue. In that case, it would be too late to use Armament Haki to defend himself. This is what Vic is worried about.
The battlefield is ever-changing, and even with Vic's near-teleportation speed, he might not be able to keep up. The Marine Admiral are also quite strong; they have almost no weaknesses, and they can easily launch a surprise attack when Vic is not paying attention.
Aokiji: " Mr. Sengoku! You've been far too careless!"
Kizaru: "Not only has the enemy gained another Logia powerhouse, but Vic's stance is also highly questionable! This is terrifying!"
Akainu: "Even if the enemy is Thunder God Vic, he won't dare trample on my justice! Fire Fist must die!"
Smoker: " Vic! Hasn't your sense of justice remained the same? Why are you helping the Straw Hat Boy? And what about the Loguetown incident? Were you really not behind it?"
"Look! Koby! Straw Hat Boy Luffy finally did it!"
"Mr. Luffy! You're really amazing!"
A Navy officer. " Fire Fist Ace... has been... rescued!"
A Rear Admiral shouted, "Don't panic! Give chase immediately! Aim and fire at where they land!"
Ace escaped, much to the disbelief of the Marines. They hadn't expected him to survive even with the handcuff key broken; they'd really squandered a winning hand!
Now they have to guard against Thunder God Vic, and there's another Logia enemy to contend with. This war is truly too difficult. Sengoku cursed the Five Elders in Sengoku Vice Admiral. After this war, he was determined to resign and retire to live the life of Garp.
"Don't let your guard down, Luffy! Let's spread out for now!"
"Oh!"
" Flame Commandment! Fire Pillar!"
As soon as Ace, Luffy, and the others landed, a group of marines surrounded them. Ace immediately transformed into a fire-man and unleashed a Flame Commandment, engulfing the surrounding marines in flames and sending them flying.
Once the flames subsided, a large number of Marines rushed up again. However, facing Ace, who possessed Logia power, and Luffy Gear Second, it was futile for Vice Admiral and below to rush up; they couldn't even touch the hem of his clothes.
Even Vice Admiral couldn't Haki and Logia abilities; Vice Admiral were easily outmaneuvered. Ace and Luffy quickly defeated all the marines who rushed at them.
" Luffy! You've gotten stronger!"
" Ace! One day I will surpass you!"
"You won't even see tomorrow, so what do you mean by 'one day'? Don't even think about escaping from here!"
" Admiral Kuzan!"
Just as Ace and Luffy were clearing out the surrounding Marines and preparing to break through, Aokiji blocked their way, giving the Marines who were blocking them absolute confidence and putting considerable pressure on Ace and Luffy.
Especially Luffy, he currently has no resistance to Logia Fruit users. The only Logia user he can completely defeat is Crocodile. Of course, this is Luffy's opinion, and that's because of Vic. Crocodile doesn't dare to use Haki, otherwise you can try it.
Ace is in a better position. He also has Logia ability, which is complementary to and counters Aokiji's. Even if they fight with Haki, they can fight for a long time. Ace's strength is not far from that of Marine Admiral, so he is not afraid of Aokiji. He is just worried about Luffy beside him.
"Ice cubes!"
"Get out of the way, Luffy!"
Aokiji struck first, turning his entire arm into ice. Ace followed suit, Luffy flames around himself after getting Luffy away from him.
Aokiji released a giant ice sculpture that flew towards Ace. Upon seeing the ice sculpture, Ace unleashed Fire Pillar to meet it. The ice sculpture and the Fire Pillar collided in mid-air, neither giving way to the other.
Aokiji didn't want to use his full strength, but he quickly discovered that Ace's flames were extremely hot and were rapidly melting his ice sculpture. In the end, he had no choice but to unleash his Devil Fruit power at full strength to outlast Ace.
The two exchanged blows, ending in a draw. Aokiji didn't stop them further, knowing that Ace's strength was insufficient to defeat him quickly unless some underhanded methods were used, which Aokiji disdained.
"We've achieved our goal here, there's no need for us to stay any longer, listen carefully!"
Whitebeard Pirates, this is my final captain's order. I must bid you farewell here. Everyone must survive! Return safely to the New World. I am a remnant of the old era; there is no ship in the new era that can carry me! Set sail, my men!
" Pops!"
"Finally? Wait! Pops! That's very bad luck!"
"We don't want to listen to those orders!"
"Aren't we going back to the New World together?"
" Pops!"
" Pops! Are you planning to die here?"
"Don't do this, Pops!"
"Uncle!"
Aokiji stopped intercepting Ace and Luffy, Akainu, seeing this, stopped attacking Whitebeard with Kizaru. Whitebeard also ignored where Akainu went. Now that Ace had been rescued, the next step was for everyone to retreat.
Knowing his days were numbered, Whitebeard decided to stay behind to cover their retreat. After shouting these words, he punched the air, and the entire Marine Headquarters trembled at his blow!
The Marine Headquarters building was also riddled with cracks and in danger of collapsing at any moment. The ground was also cracked and broken into pieces. The waves at sea were surging. Whitebeard wanted to create chaos in the last moments of his life to cover his sons' safe escape from here!
Whitebeard had made his decision, but many of his sons could not accept it and felt somewhat lost. Some even decided to die with their Pops, and a great deal of weeping and farewell echoed across the arena!
However, the chaos created by Whitebeard was just the right time for them to retreat. The rational pirates quickly reminded their still-dazed companions to leave. Whitebeard stood there, like a giant supporting the entire sky, or like a high wall separating the two camps!
"No need to look back, times are changing!"
Whitebeard noticed his bewildered sons, shouted, and then fell into his own memories. He recalled many people and events, and his final memories settled on his family, his life's pursuit. Now he had many family members, and he was content with his life!
"What a long journey! Let's bring this to a close, Navy!"
Pulling himself out of his thoughts, Whitebeard sighed, his gaze turning resolute as he looked ahead at Sengoku. He would use his last remaining strength to help the children hold off the enemy and escape from here!
Sengoku: "We don't have time to deal with Fire Fist Ace now. That guy really wants to sink Marineford to the bottom of the sea! With his own life!"
Navy A: " Fleet Admiral Sengoku!"
Garp: "To put an end to an era! The timing is perfect!"
Navy B: " Vice Admiral Garp!"
"You only have me as your opponent, Navy!"
Whitebeard, imbued with his power, swung his sword repeatedly, blocking the pursuing Marines. Although he was nearing his limit, his sons were still alive; how could he possibly fall?
" Ace! Let's go, or this old man's resolve will be..."
"I know! I won't waste this opportunity!"
"Get out of the way, all of you! Marines!"
Everyone else was retreating, leaving only Ace and Luffy standing not far from Whitebeard, along with Ivankov who had been protecting Luffy.
Ace watched Whitebeard's retreating figure, his steps heavy. The Whitebeard Pirates were here because of him, and now that his Pops was about to die, his guilt was overwhelming!
Seeing his Pops sacrifice himself to save him, Ace was truly heartbroken and distressed. Luffy noticed Ace's struggle and offered some words of comfort. Ace knew that his Pops had made a great sacrifice to save him, and now that he had been rescued, it would be a waste of his Pops's painstaking efforts if he didn't leave!
So Ace threw a ball of fire at Whitebeard, sending the Marines who were attacking Whitebeard flying. The fire spread rapidly after landing, forming a ring of fire around Whitebeard and Ace, enveloping them both.
After doing all this, Ace knelt heavily in front of Whitebeard's back. Although Ace did not speak, this kneeling carried too much weight and emotion!
"No need for further explanation, I'll just ask you one question, Ace! Am I a good father?"
Whitebeard turned around with difficulty, looked at Ace kneeling on the ground, and asked Ace a question, slightly out of breath: Whitebeard's obsession with his family was too deep! What he pursued his whole life, he was still upholding even in his dying moments!
"Certainly!"
Ace kowtowed, his eyes filled with tears, as he was lost in memories. Although he had only lived with Whitebeard for two or three years, he felt the deep bond between father and son. Whitebeard truly treated them like his own sons!
"Gulalalalalala!"