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Ace's death caused great sorrow that swept through the world of seas. After all, Ace was not just an insignificant or transient character.
Even if he wasn't Luffy's brother, he was still a beloved character… especially to Whitebeard's pirates, who were currently gathered on Sphinx Island.
Edward Newgate, with his long blond hair, gazed at the scene of Ace's death in the manga with very complex emotions.
"Is death really the end… Ace passed on his will to Luffy before he died." He didn't realize it until one tear fell.
Just like his sons, who were crying like kids here and there…
Seeing Ace's vivre card completely burn and disappear, Whitebeard's heart broke.
Even as a mere reader, he felt it. What if he were in his counterpart's place? How would he feel?
"No doubt he will go berserk in a moment… someone will have to pay the price."
In the following scenes, some moments from Ace and Luffy's childhood appeared in Luffy's memories, as if his spirit had been shattered.
It was about Ace's promise that he would not die and leave behind a weakling and little brother like Luffy.
"Unfortunately, life and death are not things we can control with promises and words…"
Whitebeard's tears intensified at this moment; it was no longer just one tear.
Seeing this scene, Stussy, who was also crying, felt her heartbreak.
Whitebeard's pirates felt as if something was stuck in their throats; they couldn't get past the scene of Ace falling dead while Luffy began to scream with a broken spirit.
"What will crying do now, old man?"
Whitebeard looked at the final scene in the chapter where Garp's tears were falling endlessly.
("If it's a boy… Ace.")
("His name is Gol D. Ace.")
This small scene from Garp's memories, where Portgas D. Rouge announced Ace's full and true name, struck deeply.
"Nothing… tears won't bring back anything."
Whitebeard stopped crying and turned to the next chapter; he wanted to see Akainu's head crushed badly.
Whitebeard's pirates felt their blood run cold at this moment… they had one thought in their minds.
Their father was angrier than ever before… if Akainu didn't die in the manga, he might die in reality.
It would be better for him to die in the next chapter and accompany Ace in the afterlife.
The next chapter was titled "Rage without Words," as expected.
...
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Chapter's Events:
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"You're next, Strawhat!!!" Akainu turned into a stream of hot magma and lunged at Luffy, who was already unconscious.
"I won't let you take his life!!!" Blue flames intercepted Akainu's magma in a breathtaking scene.
"Squad leader Marco!!"
"Take Ace's brother and go, Jimbei!!" exclaimed Marco.
"Got it!!!" Jimbei nodded and carried the unconscious Luffy.
"His life… is Ace's living will!!"
"We'll protect him in Ace's place!!!"
"If we let him die, it'll be a disgrace to the Whitebeard Pirates!!!"
"Uwooohhh!!!" Marco's words spurred the rest of Whitebeard's pirates, who charged at Akainu while Jimbei continued to run away with Luffy.
"Luffy, get a grip!!!"
…
"I said those two brothers won't escape!!!" Akainu seemed determined not to let any of them get away.
Suddenly, he felt a crushing pressure behind him.
"Akainu!!! Look out!!!"
Whitebeard's gaze fell on Ace's corpse for a brief moment, but it was enough to ignite an unimaginable rage in his heart.
Whitebeard gathered the power of the destructive quake and haki in his fist and, without warning, smashed Akainu's head into the ground.
"Guuuh!!!" Akainu felt a severe concussion as his head was pressed with enormous force.
"Th-the boss is mad!!"
"Everyone, get away!!!" Whitebeard's pirates quickly retreated at this moment.
But Akainu attacked the moment he freed himself slightly from the pressure, "Meigou."
With his deadly magma fist, he almost obliterated half of Whitebeard's face.
"Hiis!!! Boss!!!" Seeing this, the pirates were terrified.
But Whitebeard didn't react as if he weren't made of flesh and blood. Without the slightest hesitation, he shattered Akainu's ribs with a quake punch.
Akainu vomited blood from the severe injury, being the center of a destructive earthquake that completely wrecked Marineford's fortress.
"It's coming down!!! The Marine HQ Building is… COLLAPSING!!!"
•———•———•———•———•
Marineford:
Not long ago, Sakazuki was pleased and energized by Ace's death at the hands of his manga counterpart.
This was exactly what he predicted and told his colleagues would happen… Ace's execution would only be achieved by his hand.
And indeed, it happened as he foresaw, and he even managed to outshine his boss, known as Odatchi in the global forum, a person with many theories that came true, Fleet Admiral Sengoku.
After all, Sengoku did not anticipate Ace's death… just like no one else did except Sakazuki… this was a big shock to Sengoku himself.
But after reading the events of the next chapter, Sakazuki's expression turned grim as he saw how Whitebeard's rage led to the destruction of Marineford.
"This…"
"Even after I destroyed half of his face, he still has this power? Impossible!"
Seeing Marineford's building collapse, Sakazuki felt intense anger.
"What a loss…"
Sengoku and the others in the hall looked at Sakazuki.
"Do you still consider this a loss? Your counterpart killed Ace, the person this war revolves around saving… Marineford can be rebuilt, but Ace cannot be revived."
"Whitebeard is so furious, your counterpart might die with him… I wouldn't be surprised if that happens," said Sengoku calmly.
He also felt deep sorrow for Garp in the manga, but what could he do? Absolutely nothing.
"Impossible…"
Sakazuki felt threatened; if his counterpart died, it would mean the end for him, and he wouldn't see more of his future achievements in this great manga again.
"That would be extremely bad, and a dangerous omen."
"Look, he has split the plaza in half… on one side are his remaining sons, and he stands on the side where the marines are, meaning he has decided to die with you."
"Arara- Sakazuki-san, your counterpart has become the main villain of the story because of this… so don't worry, you won't die by Whitebeard's hand but by Luffy's," said Kuzan expressionlessly.
"Scary… very scary, Sakazuki… I didn't expect your counterpart to be this tyrannical," added Borsalino cheerfully.
"Sakazuki… your counterpart killed a good character, Ace did not deserve to die… at least not in this way… He's not the type of pirate who deserves to die… Didn't you see this in the manga?"
Zephyr felt deeply saddened, to the point where he wanted to reprimand Sakazuki.
"Heh~ Did you hit your head, teacher? Ace is Roger's son, his blood carries the sins of the Pirate King… He didn't do much in his youth, but who guarantees he wouldn't do crazy things when he grew up like his father?" replied Sakazuki sarcastically.
"That's not a justification for the brutal killing your counterpart did…"
"Stop it, both of you… the execution was decided beforehand and is now complete… Admiral Akainu did nothing wrong."
Sengoku halted the argument.
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Upcoming chapter titles (spoilers):
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Chapter 750: Arrival of the Blackbeard Pirates!
Chapter 751: The Early Appearance of the Blackbeard Pirates!
Chapter 752: Whitebeard Vs. Blackbeard!
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