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•———•———•———•———•
Chapter's Events:
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"I owe your grandfather… but I've got no choice. You chose the path to your own death."
The icy sword in Aokiji's hand was already dripping with Luffy's blood, creating a chilling scene that froze the air around them.
"Oww!!! Damn it!!"
Luffy's voice echoed with pain, his face contorted from the agony inflicted by Aokiji's relentless assault. Aokiji, with his cold and calculating demeanor, seemed poised to deliver the final blow.
"Why, you!!!"
Like a lioness whose cubs were threatened, Hancock felt a surge of intense anger boil within her. Her eyes locked onto Luffy's plight, fury burning in her gaze.
"Don't lay a hand on Luffy…!!"
Hancock was already sprinting toward Aokiji, her determination evident in every step, but before she could reach him, someone else intervened.
With a powerful kick, Aokiji was sent flying away from Luffy like a cannonball, crashing into the ground with a resounding thud.
"Ahh…!! Admiral!!"
Marine soldiers couldn't believe their eyes as they saw their formidable Admiral being struck down so easily.
"That's… First Squad leader, Marco!!!"
It became clear that Marco was firmly resolved to protect Ace's brother, standing as a fierce guardian in the face of overwhelming odds.
•———•———•———•———•
At Marineford, Kuzan's eyebrow remained furrowed in continuous tension as he observed the unfolding scene.
"Sigh… it's like that dragonfly trying to stop a cart." He said, his voice carrying an air of enigma as he exhaled deeply.
"You mean Luffy, right? Well, we all understand why he's overcoming all these obstacles to get here, despite his apparent weakness."
Sengoku spoke calmly, analyzing the previous events with a composed demeanor.
"That's right, his bond with his foster brother must be incredibly deep. Perhaps there will be a flashback later showing this in more detail." Zephyr added, providing further insight.
"But what I don't understand is this…" Sakazuki pointed to the manga page where Marco had sent Aokiji flying with a single kick.
"First Borsalino, and now your counterpart… are Admirals truly this weak?"
The cold look on Sakazuki's face was enough to instill fear in some Vice Admirals, who nervously swallowed and attempted to hide their unease.
"Why can this boy named Marco so easily counter an Admiral? What will you do when faced with Whitebeard?"
"Oh… I forgot, since my counterpart is also here, you don't need to worry about Whitebeard. Surely my counterpart will handle him for you."
Eventually, the cold look on Sakazuki's face morphed into a mocking smile, his confidence evident.
Borsalino and Kuzan exchanged glances, both engulfed in complete confusion, and eventually shook their heads in resignation.
"Ahem…"
Sengoku cleared his throat, breaking Sakazuki's moment of megalomania and drawing attention back to himself.
"Here… we have been deceived by Whitebeard, what a disgrace." Sengoku stated, a tone of disappointment in his voice.
Finally, the atmosphere calmed entirely as they witnessed the next sequence of events in the manga.
"Well, who would think they have more than three ships…?"
"Is this his trump card?"
"I thought he would reveal a legendary weapon…"
"Try to be a bit more rational, Sakazuki…"
"I don't rule out the idea of someone like Whitebeard possessing a legendary weapon, or at the very least knowing the location of one."
Hearing these words, those present were lost in deep thought, pondering the implications.
…
•———•———•———•———•
"Three men slipped through!!!"
"Some devil fruit users have crossed the wall!!!"
"Fleet Admiral!! The pirates in the bay are doing something strange!!!"
Marine soldiers, standing vigilantly on top of the fortified wall, reported their observations to the Fleet Admiral.
…
"Cross the waters toward Oars!!!"
"We've got to get to the platform no matter what!!!"
Meanwhile, the pirates were swimming with all their might, striving to reach Oars with a sense of urgency.
"The pirates are getting desperate!! Protect the hole in the wall!!!"
Marine soldiers were frantically trying to prevent the pirates from advancing.
"They've gone into a frenzy after losing their ship and their ground!! What idiotic pirates!!!"
"Pick your targets and fire!!!"
"Hm?"
After giving the order, the Vice Admiral noticed a shadow moving on the water's surface.
"EH!!?"
A massive ship covered in resin emerged from beneath the water, with pirates clinging to it desperately.
"Hang on!!!"
"Everyone get on the ship!!!"
The pirates climbed aboard the ship, which resembled the Moby Dick, with frantic energy.
"It can't be!! A ship!!!"
"Another coated ship has appeared!!!"
"Crap!! It was hiding on the sea floor the entire time!!!"
"…!! What…!!?"
Sengoku was shocked, his composure momentarily lost.
"I don't remember saying those were all of our ships…!!!" Whitebeard declared with a confident grin.
"It's a paddle ship!!! It's charging at us!!!"
"Sink it! Like the Moby Dick!!!"
At this crucial moment, the ancient giant Oars turned his attention towards the ship.
"No!!! Not the ship!!"
"Shoot Oars!!!"
The Marines tried to respond quickly, but they were undoubtedly too late.
"It's too late!!!" exclaimed Whitebeard, his voice filled with conviction.
Oars effortlessly grabbed the ship and lifted it out of the sea, his strength undeniable.
"Here we go, guys!!!"
"He lifted the ship up!!!"
•———•———•———•———•
Back at Sphinx Island, the atmosphere inside the art store was more festive than usual, with a sense of excitement filling the air.
"Well done, Oars!" Marco clapped enthusiastically, giving a thumbs-up to Oars, who was also enjoying the scene with a satisfied grin.
"Gurarara! I bet Sengoku didn't see that coming."
Whitebeard enjoyed his wine, laughing heartily, while Stussy gently wiped the sides of his mouth with her handkerchief, her smile radiant and mature.
"Now that we all have solid ground beneath our feet, let's see how it plays out."
"Let the real war begin, Sengoku, Gurarara!"
…
Ohara:
"Oh! This ship that resembles Laboon has fully entered the battlefield! Yohohoho!"
"Resembles Laboon? How so? This is a completely different type of whale, you fool."
"Huh? Really? I didn't notice that… Yohohoho!"
"The important thing is this! The war has intensified! My God! Whitebeard has gone berserk!"
In the art store, Professor Clover had his hands on his head in shock, unable to believe the events unfolding in the next chapter.
He wasn't the only one; whether it was Brook, Vegapunk, Saul, or other archaeologists like Homing, they were all completely stunned by the escalating war.
"Surely there's no turning back from here…"
"That's right, someone will definitely die…"
"By saying that, do you mean one side will suffer a heavy loss in this war, right?"
"I suppose I'm also involved in this war since my latest inventions are being used here, correct?"
Hearing Vegapunk's question, Clover and the others nodded in agreement.
"Well then, this war is already decided in favor of the Marines." Vegapunk declared with a confident tone, his eyes gleaming with sadness.
"Yes, with the technological advancements at their disposal, the Marines hold a significant advantage." Clover added, his voice filled with certainty.
"But we mustn't underestimate Whitebeard's resolve and the strength of his crew," Saul cautioned, his expression serious.
"That's true," Homing agreed. "Whitebeard is a formidable opponent, and his men are fiercely loyal. This battle will be fierce."
The group continued to discuss the potential outcomes and strategies, the tension palpable as they contemplated the war's direction.
"Let's just hope the cost isn't too high," Brook said quietly, his usual jovial demeanor replaced with a rare moment of solemnity.
"The fate of many rests on the outcome of this conflict."
As the conversation continued, the atmosphere remained charged with anticipation and concern, each member of the group deeply invested in the unfolding events.
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Upcoming chapter titles (spoilers):
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Chapter 732: Whitebeard VS. Marine HQ!
Chapter 733: Whatever the End, We Must Accept It.
Chapter 734: Should I Have Been Born?
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