The lava barrier finally began to melt rapidly!
Although the reason was unclear, that no longer mattered.
The most urgent task was to see the situation of the battle!
Admiral Akainu was engaged in a fierce battle with Shiro, the naval rebel. Who would gain the upper hand?
At this moment, the Whitebeard Pirates naturally hoped that Shiro would have the advantage. After all, this man had demanded half of their territory in the New World, including Fish-Man Island, which connected the first half of the Grand Line to the New World.
If Shiro could gain the upper hand against Admiral Akainu, it would naturally boost the morale of the Whitebeard Fleet!
But that was just a hopeful thought for the Whitebeard Pirates. Shiro had indeed demonstrated considerable strength. Upon his arrival, he defeated Vice Admiral Momonga of Marine Headquarters in mere seconds.
Later, he fought against the world's greatest swordsman, Hawkeye Mihawk, and even clashed with their captain, the Emperor Whitebeard, without showing the slightest sign of weakness.
However, the encounters with Mihawk and Whitebeard were more of a test. Especially for Whitebeard, who was gauging whether Shiro was worthy of cooperating with the Whitebeard Pirates. There was no real battle.
Now, Shiro faced Akainu, the most destructive and relentless of the three Admirals. Trapped within the magma barrier, Shiro's speed advantage couldn't be fully utilized. Therefore, it was unlikely that Shiro could win a head-on battle with Akainu or gain an advantage.
The Navy had a similar view. Some of Shiro's former subordinates, or those who admired his philosophy, held faint hopes for him. But that was just hope—Admiral Akainu was a terrifying existence!
Soon, the towering lava barrier began to melt away. As the steam and heat dissipated, the battlefield was revealed, shocking everyone present—both sailors and pirates. Even Whitebeard and Sengoku the Buddha, who were locked in fierce combat, were drawn to the scene, their eyes widening in disbelief.
There, amidst solidified lava turned to rock, Akainu was trapped, imprisoned by countless vines burning with purple flames, hanging like a mummy in the middle of a rocky mountain. On the other hand, Shiro hovered in the air, his eyes steady. The Sword Destiny was sheathed, and he stood proudly, hand on the hilt.
The contrast between the two was stark!
At that moment, even Admiral Aokiji and Admiral Borsalino were filled with disbelief, with Borsalino mumbling, "It's terrifying."
[Ding! Congratulations to the host for completing the task and receiving the reward: The Voice of God!]
"Shiro, go ahead, kill the Admiral in one fell swoop!" roared one of the Whitebeard Pirates, urging Shiro to continue the assault.
But Shiro remained unmoved. The pirate who had spoken out was swiftly cut down by Vice Admiral Momousagi. Shiro nodded slightly at her. Though he had shocked the audience and completed his task, things weren't that simple.
In the crucial moment, Shiro had utilized five elemental abilities, three forms of Haki, and his advanced Observation Haki to trap Akainu. But he knew Akainu wasn't severely affected. The Admiral could break free and strike at any time.
Shiro had considered using his wood-based powers to absorb some of Akainu's life force through the vines, but he hadn't developed the wood element enough. The vines couldn't penetrate the defenses of a top powerhouse like Akainu, let alone absorb his life force.
However, Shiro had a better idea. Akainu couldn't bear it? Let's see how long he could last!
"All sailors, I am Shiro," he began, his voice calm but resonant. "What does this battle mean to you? Is it to consolidate the rule of the World Government? Or is it for the justice that is shackled within the Navy?"
"Half a month ago, I betrayed the Navy—you all know this. But you don't know the true reason."
As Shiro spoke, his Observation Haki spread out, and his voice resonated in the hearts of countless sailors. All eyes turned to him, shocked at what they were witnessing.
This was...a miracle!
The senior officers like Sengoku noticed something was wrong, but with Whitebeard pinning them down, they couldn't act effectively.
"A month ago, I rescued a group of refugees from pirates in the New World. Among them was a kind little girl. Her father, an ordinary sailor, had died in battle."
"On that day, I was in special training at Headquarter when I heard the tragic news."
"The daughter of that fallen sailor—an innocent, poor girl—escaped the pirates' clutches only to fall into the hands of the Celestial Dragons!"
"I received a report that the girl was brutally murdered by a Celestial Dragon, her head severed while she was still alive."
"Driven by fury, I took up the Sword Destiny and executed the Celestial Dragon, beheading him!"
"From that moment, I became a traitor to the Navy."
Through the Voice of God, Shiro's words pierced the hearts of the Marines. The truth behind the covered-up incident had finally surfaced, and the sailors were deeply moved—anger, joy, and pain mixed in their expressions.
Especially the mention of the "daughter of the dead sailor," which resonated with countless sailors who imagined their own daughters in her place.
"Marines of Marineford, the justice of the Navy is compromised at every turn. We are nothing more than slaves to the World Government. So, what is true justice?"
"I, Shiro, declare today at the summit that I will oppose the World Government and the Navy Headquarter. I will dominate the seas, become an Emperor, and establish a new order!"
"To those who wish to stand with me—welcome!"
Shiro's every word struck deep into the hearts of the Marines. For a moment, chaos erupted among the ranks.
At this moment, Sengoku the Buddha finally realized what was happening. At the same time, Akainu broke free from his confinement, rushing toward Shiro!
--------------------
+30 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg
Looking for a way to get early access to new chapters of my fanfics before their official release on Webnovel? Become my patron on Patreon and gain early access to all new chapters, as well as exclusive content that is not available anywhere else! Your support will help me continue creating your favorite stories and making them even better