Chapter 82: The Battle of Fate, The Duel Between the Strongest Marine and the Strongest Man at Sea
The pacifists locked onto the pirates one by one. Majestic energy gathered in their mouths and palms, unleashing golden beams upon the pirates on the battlefield.
Boom boom boom!
The energy exploded, instantly killing hundreds of pirates. The Marines were shocked, but quickly erupted into loud cheers. Meanwhile, fear gripped the pirates, their eyes reflecting the terror of the pacifists' relentless attacks. In a short time, nearly a thousand pirates had fallen.
If this continued, the tens of thousands of pirates from the Whitebeard Pirates would be annihilated. The pirates' morale crumbled as they realized there was no escape, trapped by the encircling steel walls.
Whitebeard fixed a cold stare on Sengoku atop the high platform. "Sengoku, are you planning to wipe us out entirely?"
Sengoku, eyes cold and determined, had orchestrated this grand trap to eliminate the pirate threat once and for all. Killing Whitebeard and decimating his crew would herald a new era of peace on the seas.
Meanwhile, Akainu, having been rescued from the water, regained his strength. His eyes locked onto Whitebeard and Ace, recalling Ace's formidable strike. He clenched his fists, vowing not to let either escape. Ace, in particular, was a threat with his youth and potential—a future Whitebeard if left unchecked.
For the sake of absolute justice, Akainu was prepared to do whatever it took.
Sakazuki turned his gaze to the large whirlpool spider, Skuyard, and sneered. "Foolish pirates, do you see your situation now?"
"Whitebeard plans to trade your lives for Ace's. You're nothing but pawns to him. If I were him, I'd do the same—sacrifice worthless pawns for someone with Ace's potential."
Skuyard, incensed, drew his sword and shouted, "Sakazuki, do you think we'll fall for your lies?"
"What is Sakazuki doing?" Rayleigh asked. "Trying to provoke a mutiny among Whitebeard's crew?"
Chiba replied, "Don't underestimate him."
True to Chiba's words, Skuyard suddenly lunged at Whitebeard, sword aimed for his chest. But Whitebeard, no longer weakened by illness, was prepared. Armament Haki enveloped his chest, stopping the blade.
Ace sprang into action, kicking Skuyard away and surrounding him with flames. "Skuyard, what are you doing?" he demanded.
The pirates were stunned, unable to believe what they had witnessed. Even Sengoku was taken aback by the unexpected betrayal.
Akainu was disappointed; despite crafting an ideal scenario, Skuyard had failed to harm Whitebeard.
Rayleigh marveled, "Did you know this would happen, Chiba?"
"Akainu's been whispering in Skuyard's ear, thinking he's gone unnoticed. But I've been aware of everything," Chiba replied, watching intently.
Whitebeard, standing tall amidst the tension, laughed heartily. "Hula la, my foolish son, you've been deceived."
Withdrawing his Haki, Whitebeard took Skuyard's sword, placing the blade at his heart and the hilt in Skuyard's trembling hand.
"If you trust Marine's lies over your father, take my life," Whitebeard offered.
The pirates held their breath, watching Skuyard grip the sword. Marco, Ace, and the others were aghast. Could Skuyard truly strike down their father?
"Skuyard, don't!" Marco shouted, as Ace tried to intervene, only for Whitebeard to hold him back.
"Ace, stay back," Whitebeard ordered. "Skuyard, my good son, each of you is precious to me. If any of you were captured, I'd come to save you."
Skuyard hesitated, doubts creeping in. Was Akainu's tale a lie after all?
Whitebeard declared, "I won't let any of you die here."
With those words, Whitebeard turned away, handing his back to Skuyard. "I've made a path for you. The hidden team will cover your escape."
Raising his mighty blade, Whitebeard called upon the power of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit. A white energy orb formed at the blade's tip.
"Ha!" Whitebeard roared, shattering the space before him. The shockwave obliterated the steel walls, creating a passageway for escape.
As Whitebeard focused on creating an exit, Akainu seized the moment, charging in with a magma fist.
"Dark Hound!" Akainu shouted, his fiery punch aimed at Whitebeard.
Skuyard, in a moment of redemption, intercepted Akainu's attack, but his sword melted, and his arm was burned away.
Whitebeard turned, shattering Akainu's attack with a single punch. The force continued, distorting Akainu's form. Akainu narrowly escaped by shifting to elemental form, only to charge back with renewed fury.
Whitebeard knocked Skuyard aside, urging, "Run, my son. I've cleared the way."
With tears in his eyes, Skuyard cried, "Father, forgive me. I won't doubt you again. I'll fight with you."
Skuyard grabbed another sword and joined the battle. The pirates, hearts renewed, rallied around Whitebeard.
"Father, we knew you'd never betray us!"
Whitebeard, facing Akainu once more, punched the space before him. Akainu prepared to counter, but Whitebeard feinted, swinging his Haki-infused blade instead.
Akainu dodged but was still cut, the blade breaking his elemental form and leaving a deep wound.
Grimacing, Akainu countered with a swift punch. "Dark Hound!" he yelled, striking Whitebeard's chest.
Whitebeard staggered back, magma burning his skin and leaving a deep mark.
"Impressive," Chiba mused, acknowledging Akainu's strength, bolstered by Chiba's resources.
Akainu consumed a potion, healing his wounds, and unleashed another barrage, fighting with relentless ferocity.
Whitebeard narrowly avoided a fatal blow, countering with a powerful punch that sent Akainu flying.
Akainu crashed to the ground but quickly rose, only to face Whitebeard's Tremor-Tremor-powered fist. Akainu's body buckled under the pressure, but he managed to slip into the sea, evading further damage.
Whitebeard, poised for another attack, was intercepted by Marine Vice Admirals.
A giant Vice Admiral swung his Haki-coated blade at Whitebeard, only to have his weapon shattered by Whitebeard's punch. The Vice Admiral fell, bloodied and defeated.
Lasers from pacifists struck Whitebeard, but he stood firm.
"Dad!" Ace shouted, firing flaming bullets from his fingers, destroying two pacifists.
But more pacifists advanced, their beams claiming pirate lives with each shot.
"Go, my children," Whitebeard urged, emerging from the smoke. "Retreat while you can."
Marco echoed the order, urging the pirates to escape.
"Shichibukai, stop them!" Sengoku commanded, as Doflamingo, Kuma, and Moria moved to block the exit.
"Heh heh ha ha," Doflamingo laughed, slicing through pirates with ease. "Is that all Whitebeard's crew has to offer?"
Doflamingo, confident in his strength, challenged the captains. "Marco, Jozu, Vista—face me!"
But before Doflamingo could react, a fiery figure charged at him—Ace.
Doflamingo's smirk faltered. "What does this brat want?"
[•———•——•———•]
𝙥𝗮𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙤𝙣(.)𝙘𝙤𝙢/𝙂𝙤𝙙𝙊𝙛𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙧
✨ • 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀: 𝙂𝙚𝙩 𝟲𝟬+ 𝙖𝙙𝙫𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙙 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙖𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙤𝙛 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙚𝙡𝙨𝙚.