Chapter 220: The Final Captain's Order
BOOM!
The explosion shook heaven and earth, and the invisible shockwave sent surrounding steel debris flying in all directions.
To everyone's disbelief, a punch from the dignified Fleet Admiral had been blocked head-on!
"Dark King... Rayleigh!"
Sengoku was shocked, never expecting this legendary pirate to appear here.
He couldn't help but take a step back—not out of fear, but because a flood of thoughts rushed through his mind.
If Rayleigh was here, where were the other members of the Roger Pirates?
Sengoku couldn't even imagine the dire situation the Navy would face if the remaining Roger Pirates were present.
It would be an unbearable catastrophe for the Navy.
"Long time no see, Sengoku."
Taking advantage of this opportunity, Rayleigh smiled slightly, wielding his sword. With a few swift strokes, he severed Ace's seastone handcuffs and shackles without harming Ace in the slightest.
The skill of a top-tier swordsman was on full display.
"Rayleigh, the Dark King..."
"That man's right hand..."
Ace, now free, clenched his fists. The long-dormant power of fire naturally emanated from him, but his emotions were incredibly complex.
He had never expected this outcome.
At the final moment, it was that man's former subordinate who came to his rescue.
However, after the baptism of the Marineford War, Ace's mind had been transformed—he was no longer the impulsive and reckless fool he once was. He quickly suppressed his complex emotions.
The most urgent matter wasn't Rayleigh's appearance, but ensuring the Whitebeard Pirates' evacuation now that he was free.
Meanwhile, the outside world was in an uproar.
The Fleet Admiral, whose strength was undoubtedly among the world's top echelon—terrifying beyond measure—was now being blocked by a white-haired old man with a sword.
This was astonishing, shocking, and at the same time, perplexing and puzzling.
"Who is this person? He actually blocked Fleet Admiral Sengoku's attack!"
"I don't recognize him."
"He seems to be a powerful figure from the previous era. Fleet Admiral Sengoku called him Dark King Rayleigh."
Rayleigh was a powerful figure from the previous era, and few younger pirates and Marines knew of him.
But this was one of the world's top battlefields, filled with many powerful figures from bygone days. Soon, someone revealed Dark King Rayleigh's true identity.
Instantly, the entire battlefield erupted in uproar.
Everyone looked at the aged figure facing Fleet Admiral Sengoku beneath the ruins of the execution platform with eyes full of horror and disbelief.
The name of the Pirate King, even after more than twenty years, was still legendary—enough to strike fear into the hearts of ordinary Marines.
This could be seen from how the world reacted in terror when Ace's identity as Roger's son was revealed.
And this old man before them was actually Roger's right-hand man, whose importance was definitely no less than Ace's—perhaps even greater!
"My God."
"It's over."
Some Marines with weak wills couldn't even hold their weapons, which clattered to the ground.
"This old man really knows how to make a grand entrance." Rhodes chuckled.
Even Garp, who was pretending to be unconscious with his head buried in the ground, trembled slightly, seemingly hesitant to emerge.
"Ace..."
At this moment, Sabo rushed out from behind and arrived before Ace and Rayleigh.
The three exchanged glances, smiled, and then joined forces to break through.
Enjomo!
Gomu Gomu no...
Ryusoken!
The three coordinated perfectly, and their advance was unstoppable.
Sengoku wanted to pursue, but he was wary of Rayleigh—or rather, the possibility of other Roger Pirates crew members appearing.
After Ace was rescued, the members of the Whitebeard Pirates began to retreat.
They had achieved their goal, and continuing to fight the Marines was pointless.
"I should slip away too."
Rayleigh caught a glimpse of Ace and the others returning to the pirate forces out of the corner of his eye, chuckled, and used the shockwave from Sengoku's attack to retreat swiftly.
Sengoku did not pursue.
He had already discerned Rayleigh's intentions: he was merely there to rescue Ace and had no intention of joining forces with Whitebeard against the Marines. Therefore, he didn't intend to create a new enemy at this crucial moment.
"Pursue!"
"Destroy the pirates!"
Sengoku transformed into a giant Buddha, his booming voice instantly echoing throughout the plaza, simultaneously unleashing shockwaves to relentlessly pursue the pirates.
Under Sengoku's leadership, the Marines' morale soared, and they inflicted heavy casualties on the retreating pirates.
Seeing this, Whitebeard slowly suppressed the complex emotions that had arisen in his eyes due to Rayleigh's appearance, and made a decision in his heart.
He decided to stay and cover his sons' retreat. Having been repeatedly wounded by Rhodes, Akainu, and Aokiji, along with numerous internal injuries, Whitebeard knew his time was running out.
He figured it was better to personally send his sons into the future.
So he took a deep breath and shouted to everyone in the plaza:
"Listen up, everyone in the Whitebeard Pirates! I am now issuing my final captain's order!"
Before Whitebeard could finish speaking, a series of cries came from behind:
"Wait, wait, Pops! Don't say such ominous things!"
"We want to go back to the New World together!"
"We don't want to hear this order at all!"
But Whitebeard ignored them, taking a deep breath and continuing:
"You part ways with me here. Everyone must survive and return safely to the New World!"
Perhaps sensing Whitebeard's resolve, the members of the Whitebeard Pirates stopped in their tracks.
"Pops, are you planning to die here?"
Whitebeard stepped forward, clenching his fist, his muscles bulging as he struck his signature pose.
"I am a remnant of the old era! The new era has no ship to carry me!"
With that, Whitebeard slammed his fist heavily into the ground behind him.
A deafening roar echoed as a massive rift opened in the plaza of Marineford.
He remained alone on the side closest to the Marines, while all his pirate crews remained on the opposite side.
"Go forth, my sons!"
Whitebeard said, his back to his family.
"No, Pops!"
"This is the captain's order—Pops' order! Do you want his sacrifice to be in vain?"
The members of the Whitebeard Pirates sensed Whitebeard's resolve, and though their faces were filled with sorrow, they began to retreat.
Standing alone against the Marines, Whitebeard reflected on his life—his dreams when he first set sail, his adventures in the New World with Marco, Jozu, and the others... everything.
Perhaps his only regret was not seeing his sons have children of their own?
"What a long journey. Let's end it here, Marines."
Whitebeard smiled, for this was his final battle.
"What a perfect farewell and funeral," Rhodes murmured softly.
The members of the Whitebeard Pirates began to retreat, but one person remained standing.
It was Ace.
He unleashed a ball of fire, blasting away the Marines around Whitebeard.
When the flames between them subsided, Whitebeard saw Ace kneeling in the scorched ground. He knew Ace was saying goodbye.
A slight smile played on Whitebeard's lips as he planted his bisento on the ground and said,
"No need for further words, Ace. Let me ask you one last question."
"Was I a good father to you?"
Ace could no longer hold back—large tears fell to the ground.
"Of course! It's truly wonderful to have been your son!"
"Gurararara..."
Whitebeard laughed heartily, his laughter filled with joy and without a trace of regret.
It was as if this one sentence was enough for his entire life.
"Go, my son. Live on, carrying my share as well!"
With that, Whitebeard turned away from Ace, his tall, imposing figure like a mountain—unwavering—blocking all the incoming Marines.
Ace said no more. He remained silent for a moment before turning and leaving. His father had risked his life to create a future for them; it couldn't be wasted.
Seeing this, Rhodes stretched his limbs.
Blackbeard should be appearing soon.
Who should he kill?
Shiryu of the Rain, or that incredibly ugly Catarina Devon... or perhaps strike Blackbeard himself?
Wait, I think I still have that female hormone from Ivankov...
Rhodes' thoughts wandered.
With his current strength, killing Blackbeard was almost impossible.
While the Yami Yami no Mi couldn't transform him into an elemental being, it possessed the ability to absorb damage; with Rhodes' current Haki level, it would be difficult to kill him.
Just then, a group of Whitebeard Pirates members suddenly ran from nearby.
They seemed to want to leave the harbor from Rhodes' direction.
Rhodes hadn't intended to intervene, but suddenly noticed someone had broken away from the group and rushed toward him.
"You guys go first! I'll hold off this Dragon Slayer Swordsman!"
(End of Chapter)
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