The battlefield situation was constantly changing. Just as everyone's attention was focused on the sudden appearance of Luffy and his group, Fleet Admiral Sengoku's voice suddenly thundered across the entire plaza like a clap of thunder.
"Execute the execution! Immediately!"
Fleet Admiral Sengoku's command was decisive, allowing no room for doubt.
A resolute glint flashed in his eyes; to avoid further complications, he planned to end Ace's life prematurely amidst the chaos.
Two burly executioners immediately raised their long blades, their edges gleaming with a cold light in the sunlight.
"How foolish."
Crocodile sneered, and the sand in his hand transformed into a sharp blade, instantly killing the executioners on the execution platform.
Doflamingo descended from the sky, landing in front of Crocodile, a characteristic sinister grin on his face: "Fufufu… Crocodile, how about we team up?"
"Get lost, Doflamingo, I don't cooperate with anyone."
Crocodile dismissed him with disdain, turning to face Dracule Mihawk, who was brutally beating Luffy.
His Supreme Grade Golden Hook clashed with Dracule Mihawk's Supreme Grade Black Blade, sending sparks flying.
Crocodile actually took a direct hit from the World's Greatest Swordsman!
Hawkeye, great acting!
The legendary five-five split at Marineford is true to its name!
Fast forward x 10!
… …
Subsequently, Jinbe and Vista, among others, helped Luffy escape from Hawkeye's slash and continue forward!
On the other side, Ivankov stood in front of Tyrant Kuma: "Kuma! You bastard, you even hit me, your former comrade, so hard!"
Kuma didn't respond, only mechanically launching attacks.
Ivankov nimbly dodged, engaging Kuma with his unique Okama Kenpo.
Seeing the execution fail, Fleet Admiral Sengoku immediately ordered two other Marine soldiers to step forward and continue the execution.
"Ace!!!"
"Stop!!!"
Luffy's roar was filled with despair and rage!
Just as the long blade was about to fall, an unprecedented sense of pressure erupted from Luffy, spreading outwards like tangible ripples.
On the execution platform, the two executioners' eyes rolled back, their long blades clanging to the ground, and their bodies fell like broken puppets.
The surrounding Marine soldiers also fainted one after another, collapsing to the ground, unable to move.
"This kid actually awakened Conqueror's Haki."
Seeing this, Whitebeard's eyes flashed with a hint of appreciation, then he let out a thunderous roar: "My sons! Give Straw Hat your full cover to break through!"
Following Whitebeard's command, Marco, Jozu, and over a dozen other commanders simultaneously charged, clearing a path for Luffy to advance.
Everyone saw hope in Luffy!
Fast forward >>>>>>>>>>
Luffy was blasted into the sea by intense cannon fire and rescued by Jinbe!
Then, Jinbe's Sea Current Shoulder Throw sent Luffy directly over the wall!
He was thrown right in front of the three Admirals of the Marine…
[If they weren't going easy, he would have died countless times already!]
Fast forward >>>>>>>>>>
After injecting Ivankov's hormones, Luffy's stamina and speed were pushed to their limits as he frantically sprinted towards the execution platform.
However, this boost came at the cost of his lifespan.
Just as Luffy was about to reach him, Kizaru leisurely said: "How could he be our opponent~"
He then kicked Luffy away, but it conveniently sent him away from Akainu.
Kizaru, the veteran actor!
But soon Luffy got up again, like an unkillable cockroach, running at full speed towards the execution platform!
"Grandpa! Get out of the way!"
Luffy rushed towards Garp, who was standing on the staircase created by Scissors Guy.
[Damn, he could have just punched and shattered this staircase!]
Garp stood there, his expression complex, his heart struggling.
He was a Marine hero, but also Ace and Luffy's grandfather!
Ultimately, he chose to—
Go easy.
"Luffy… this old man won't hold back!"
Garp shouted loudly.
Then he closed his eyes and was hit by Luffy's punch, falling heavily from the stairs.
Saying one thing, doing another!
Garp, truly terrible acting!
Luffy finally rushed to the execution platform, pulled out the key, and prepared to unlock Ace's Sea Stone handcuffs.
However, Kizaru's light flashed, and the key snapped in two.
"Oh dear~ How regrettable~"
Kizaru said leisurely, his laser preferring to hit the key rather than Luffy.
When it comes to acting, Kizaru is the best!
Luffy looked at the broken key, then suddenly remembered something and pulled another set of spare keys from his pocket.
"I still have more!"
"I have to say, Xiao San is really mature in his dealings."
Seeing this, Cheng Xiaoyu also chuckled softly.
Fleet Admiral Sengoku stood not far away, his eyes fixed on the spare keys in Luffy's hand, his face terribly grim.
His fists clenched, making cracking sounds, yet he hesitated to intervene.
This was giving them a chance! Even Sengoku, as the Fleet Admiral, was acting!
In the nick of time, his body instantly expanded, transforming into a giant, golden Buddha statue.
The Golden Great Buddha slammed its palm down, compressing the air into a tangible shockwave that headed straight for Luffy and Ace.
"Gomu Gomu—Rubber Balloon!"
Luffy took a deep breath, his entire body instantly inflating into a giant balloon, blocking in front of Ace, taking Fleet Admiral Sengoku's shockwave head-on!
The massive shockwave directly caused the execution platform to collapse!
In mid-air, with a "click," Ace's Sea Stone handcuffs finally fell off his wrists.
"Flame Commandment, Great Flame Pillar!"
At this moment, Ace had fully recovered his abilities, and scorching flames enveloped him, repelling all approaching Marine soldiers.
He and Luffy stood back-to-back beneath the execution platform, facing enemies surging from all directions.
"Luffy, thank you for coming to save me." Ace said softly.
"Hahaha!" Luffy grinned, adopting a fighting stance.
Fast forward >>>>>>>>>>
"All forces, retreat!" Whitebeard's furious roar echoed across the battlefield.
Cheng Xiaoyu stood in the distance, narrowing his eyes as he observed the battlefield situation.
He could feel Whitebeard's powerful Haki gradually weakening; clearly, this battle had consumed too much of the "World's Strongest Man's" stamina.
He had numerous shocking wounds on his body; an ordinary person would have collapsed long ago.
"It seems this drama is about to reach its climax." Cheng Xiaoyu murmured to himself.
On the battlefield, Ace and Luffy were retreating according to Whitebeard's command.
However, just then, Akainu's voice suddenly rang out: "Running away? Just as expected of the Whitebeard Pirates… a collection of cowards!"
Ace's steps abruptly halted.
"What did you say?" Ace turned around, glaring at Akainu.
Akainu's lips curled into a cold sneer: "That old man Whitebeard, in the end, he's just a useless old man who can't even protect his own son."
"Shut up!" Ace clenched his fists, his entire body engulfed in raging flames, "Don't you dare insult Pops!"
Ace had already charged forward, his scorching flames transforming into a giant fiery fist, blasting towards Akainu.
"Foolish." Akainu snorted coldly, his right arm turning into scorching magma, "Great Eruption!"
The collision of flames and magma produced a violent explosion, but the result was Ace being sent flying.
His flames simply couldn't contend with Akainu's magma.
"Ace!" Luffy wanted to rush forward, but his stamina was depleted, making it difficult even to stand.
Akainu's gaze shifted to the weakened Luffy, "Son of Dragon, you too should die."
A searing magma fist shot straight towards Luffy.
In a flash, Ace blocked in front of Luffy.
"Pfft—"
Akainu's fist directly pierced through Ace's chest, the scorching magma instantly burning his internal organs.
"Ace…!" Luffy's eyes widened, unable to believe what was happening before him.
Cheng Xiaoyu watched this scene, a complex expression flashing in his eyes.
He knew all of this was fated, but witnessing it firsthand still brought a hint of sorrow.
Ace's body began to grow cold. He leaned on Luffy's shoulder, using his last bit of strength to say a few words.
As his Vivre Card completely burned to ash, he closed his eyes with a smile…
Actually, Cheng Xiaoyu felt that Ace didn't need to say those words so early.
What's there to be sad about…
Once Ace becomes a shadow…
The two brothers can chat all night if they want!