Bullett's expression shifted, disbelief flashing in his eyes.
He felt a wave of weakness—years of malnutrition had caused his stamina to plummet, and his movements grew sluggish.
If not for the large chicken leg Ron had treated him to before his release from prison, he would have exhausted his strength long ago.
Ron's face also changed.
'Damn, it really happened as i said—years of imprisonment, combined with the intense battle, had pushed Bullett to the brink of exhaustion!'
Seizing the opportunity—
Akainu struck with a Hell Hound punch, slamming it into Bullett's chest.
"BOOM!"
Bullett's body was sent flying like a kite with its string cut, crashing heavily onto the ground.
He spat out a mouthful of blood, his chest charred black by Akainu's magma fist.
The excruciating pain made it almost impossible for him to stand.
Akainu looked coldly at Bullett with a hint of mockery in his tone.
"Fusion brat, even if you've broken free, so what? You still a weakling to me."
Bullett raised his head with difficulty, his eyes still burning with unyielding flames.
He gritted his teeth, enduring the intense pain as he stood up, but his body's weakness caused him to stagger a few times before steadying himself.
His fists were clenched tightly, knuckles turning white from the strain, his heart filled with resentment and fury.
Akainu did not press the attack, merely casting a cold glance at Bullett before turning to face Ron.
"Next, it's your turn."
Ron remained standing in place, his gaze as calm as still water, as if the surrounding chaos had nothing to do with him.
He didn't look at Akainu but instead turned his attention to Bullett and began teasing him.
"I told you not to fight on an empty stomach. Eat more, and you wouldn't have been suppressed. Have a meal first, then fight."
Upon hearing this, a flicker of indignation flashed in Bullett's eyes.
His fists clenched, veins bulging.
He let out a low growl, wanting to charge at Akainu again to settle the score, but at that moment, Redfield's figure appeared like a ghost, blocking his path.
Redfield's hand rested lightly on Bullett's shoulder, saying nothing, as if every word he spoke was exceedingly precious.
Seeing Redfield, the legendary "Lone Red," Akainu's expression shifted slightly.
Unlike Bullett, this was a true legend!
'However, after being imprisoned in the Impel Down for so many years, his strength must have dwindled to less than a tenth.'
'Perhaps now was the perfect opportunity to strike!'
His gaze then shifted to Aokiji, who also wore a grave expression.
These monsters of the sea had all escaped, making the situation truly troublesome.
Just as Akainu turned his attention to Kizaru, Kizaru promptly averted his gaze, clearly unwilling to risk his life.
He was nearing retirement age and didn't want any mishaps along the way.
Bullett shot Redfield a dissatisfied glare, but before he could voice his protest, Redfield's gaze had already turned skyward as a look of surprise flashing in his eyes.
"An old acquaintance has arrived."
Hearing this, Ron raised an eyebrow slightly, a trace of doubt stirring in his heart.
"An old acquaintance? Redfield's acquaintance... Could it be Kong?"
His eyes followed Redfield's gaze toward the sky, a hint of tension creeping into his heart.
If it really was Kong, leaving today might not be so easy.
At that moment,
A low rumble of thunder echoed from the sky, as if the very heavens were trembling!
Dozens of dazzling bolts of lightning suddenly streaked down, dancing wildly like silver serpents across the sky.
The lightning rapidly converged mid-air, forming a tall figure that gradually sharpened into a familiar face.
"Gurarararara!"
A hearty laugh erupted like thunder, deafening everyone and freezing the atmosphere of the entire battlefield.
"Whitebeard!" someone exclaimed, their voice tinged with undeniable shock.
Whitebeard landed firmly on the ground, his body wreathed in countless arcs of lightning, like the Thunder God descending!
His eyes swept across the surroundings, his expression indifferent, as if everything was under his control.
All fighting on the scene came to an abrupt halt.
Crocodile quickly distanced himself from S-Croc, his gaze complex as he stared at Whitebeard, his brow furrowed in confusion and astonishment.
"Why is he here? And... isn't Whitebeard a Tremor-Tremor Fruit user? How can his body transform into a lightning? What in the world is going on?" Crocodile slowly approached Ron, his footsteps light yet tinged with caution.
His gaze remained fixed on Whitebeard as he lowered his voice to warn Ron.
"Ron, be careful. That old man is the Yonko Whitebeard. His sudden appearance here is suspicious. If a fight breaks out, you must prioritize your safety."
Hearing this, Ron wore a strange expression, casting a surprised glance at Crocodile.
He hadn't expected the other to say such a thing—it seemed he was truly immersing himself in the role of a bodyguard.
Moreover, it showed Crocodile genuinely intended to follow him.
It looked like he could be groomed as a key subordinate in the future—bestowing him with all sorts of abilities, enchanting him with an epic power-up!
Meanwhile, Bullett stared wide-eyed at Whitebeard, his face full of shock and disbelief.
"Whitebeard, you monster! What are you doing here?"
Hearing Bullett's voice, Whitebeard turned his head and let out his bold, hearty laugh once more.
"Gurarararara! So the talented brat from Roger's crew was captured and thrown into Impel Down? No wonder I haven't heard anything about you for so long."
Bullett's expression instantly turned awkward, leaving him momentarily at a loss for words.
But his mind was flooded with confusion—Whitebeard's transformation was simply too drastic!
What was with those crackling lightning bolts enveloping him? Had he eaten an electric eel or something?
Or perhaps… he had obtained some new power?
But eating two Devil Fruits would make one explode—yet Whitebeard…
Whitebeard didn't press Bullett further.
Instead, he shifted his gaze to Ron, giving him a reassuring look, though a hint of reproach flickered in his eyes, as if saying: 'You damn brat, keeping such a big secret from me? We'll settle this later!'
Then, Whitebeard's eyes abruptly turned cold, sharp as blades sweeping across the surroundings, his voice booming in everyone's ears.
"Anyone who wants to fight, I'll gladly oblige! Let's see who dares lay a hand on anyone under Whitebeard's protection!"
Before his words faded, an overwhelming surge of Conqueror's Haki erupted from him, sweeping across the area like a violent gale!
The pressure of the Conqueror's Haki made the very air feel heavy, the ground trembling faintly.
Even the Marine Vice Admirals stationed farther away, whose strength was comparatively weaker, felt suffocated and dizzy, forced to retreat.
Everyone stared at Whitebeard in shock, awed by his monstrous power.
The recently escaped prisoners didn't know the extent of Whitebeard's strength, but the others were all too aware—this was the man who had demolished Marine Headquarters!
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