Under the blue sky, the ice surface gradually stained red with blood as groups of pirates retreated to the vicinity of the Moby Dick.
The pirates, almost on the brink of collapse from fighting against the endlessly resurrecting navy soldiers, couldn't help but look up. Above them, Whitebeard stood resolutely at the whale-shaped bow of the ship, holding his weapon, Cong Yunqie. Behind him, the division captains closely followed their leader.
"Kurararara!!"
Standing tall on the massive ship's bow, Whitebeard laughed heartily. He glanced at Aqua, then shifted his gaze to Sengoku, who had already risen to his feet.
"Sengoku, I don't know what schemes you're plotting or where you found these formidable warriors and this terrifying doctor."
"But today, you're still going to give Ace back to me! Otherwise, even if it costs my life, I'll tear down your entire Marine Headquarters!"
Looking down at the navy soldiers advancing below, Whitebeard slowly bent forward. A white glow emanated from Cong Yunqie as he raised it and swung it forcefully towards the navy phalanx. Waves of shattered space surged toward the navy.
"Oh my~!"
A golden flash gleamed from the high platform. With sunglasses and a slightly aged face, Kizaru's body shimmered with light.
Buzz!
A deep, muffled sound reverberated through the air as Kizaru's figure appeared in front of the navy's phalanx, accompanied by a flash of light.
Hands previously tucked in his pockets emerged as Kizaru, with a solemn expression, raised his right leg. The condensed light transformed his right leg into a crystal-like limb made of pure radiance.
Boom!!!
Kizaru's glowing right leg clashed with the fragmented space infused with white light. His face turned serious as golden ripples emanated from his leg.
"Ha!"
A voice filled with powerful energy echoed from Kizaru's slightly aged figure. The golden ripples illuminated the entire battlefield.
The collision of the two attacks generated intense shockwaves, sending nearby pirates and navy soldiers flying hundreds of meters before embedding them into the surrounding walls and ice.
Amid the massive cloud of smoke, golden light and white fragmented space bounced into the sky, forming a circular energy sphere. As the attacks intertwined, the sphere grew larger and larger until it collapsed inward at its peak expansion.
Looking up, Kizaru dusted off his unscathed pants and nonchalantly remarked, "How terrifying."
"Kizaru, let me take you on!"
Suddenly, azure flames burst out from the smoke. Marco, engulfed in regenerative flames and bearing wings on his back, appeared before Kizaru. His flame-covered right leg struck Kizaru's body with force, the attack imbued with Armament Haki, sending Kizaru flying.
With a roaring sound, Kizaru flew across the battlefield and embedded himself into a wall.
"Admiral Kizaru!!"
Amid the shocked cries of navy soldiers, golden light once again emerged from the smoke.
Buzz.
A flash of light dispersed the smoke, revealing Kizaru casually sitting in the broken wall. He looked up at the advancing Whitebeard Pirates' commanders descending from the Moby Dick and Marco, now fully transformed into his mythical phoenix form.
Clicking his tongue, Kizaru sighed, "Scary. Attacking an old man like me so dishonorably."
"But aren't you worried about falling from such a height?"
As his words fell, a deathly aura swept across the battlefield. A black orb, now compressed to its limit, gave birth to a white light. All sound ceased as the navy's golden barrier shielded its forces. Meanwhile, the pirates, sensing the deadly aura with their Haki, displayed despair in their eyes.
Buzz!
A sound broke the silence as a towering figure stood on the ship's bow. Following him was a single pirate with a long blade. Whitebeard raised his fist.
Boom!!!
With the sound of shattering, the white sky fragmented, turning into light particles falling toward the distant sea. Amid the distant roars, Whitebeard lowered his fist, his breathing steady. He cast a deep look at Kizaru, still sitting in the debris.
"Men! This level of attack is nothing!"
Taking a step forward, Whitebeard pointed Cong Yunqie toward Ace's location.
"The Whitebeard Pirates and I will clear the way! Follow me, and we'll bring Ace back!"
As Whitebeard's voice fell, a giant suddenly appeared at the rear of the pirate ranks. Towering even higher than the Marine Headquarters, his demonic appearance belied his genuine cry:
"Ace, I'm here to save you!"
With a thunderous roar, Little Oars Jr. drew a blade resembling a ship and prepared to charge forward.
"Stop, Oars! Wait and coordinate with everyone!"
Amid warnings from several voices, the sound of a drawn blade stood out.
Blood dripped steadily as Whitebeard glanced at the long blade piercing his chest. Turning to look behind him, his eyes held no hatred or malice—only sadness as he watched the retreating man.
Shaking uncontrollably, Skuyard stared at his bloodied hands.
"It's not my fault! It's because you're too biased, old man! You colluded with the navy to kill us all and save Ace!"
Screaming in despair, Skuyard pointed toward the icy blockade behind him.
"It's not my fault! Old man Whitebeard and the navy cooperated to trap us all, using our deaths to exchange for Ace!"
"Ace is Gol D. Roger's son! He's sacrificing us for Ace!"
As distrust spread among the allied pirates, the navy's Sakazuki smirked on the platform.
"As expected of sea trash. A little provocation, and half the problem solves itself."
Clinging to Zhongli, Liyue's frightened girl nestled deeper into his embrace. Hiroshi's companion Klee glanced at Whitebeard's wound, her wide eyes filled with concern as she looked at Hiroshi. Below, Whitebeard blocked Marco's charge and pulled the blade from his chest. Blood sprayed, but his muscular frame stopped the bleeding. Stepping forward, Whitebeard scolded:
"Skuyard, you fool!"