Chapter 243
Chapter 243
After reaching the execution platform, Luffy casually started talking to Ace as if no one else existed, and even pulled out a key from somewhere.
Sengoku’s brows were so tightly furrowed they could’ve crushed Garp between them.
This is all because of that idiot Garp letting things spiral out of control.
With no other choice, the Fleet Admiral decided to take matters into his own hands.
Golden light erupted from Sengoku’s body as he transformed into a massive golden Buddha. With one powerful punch, he destroyed the execution platform. The Marines also contributed by firing cannons, completely shattering what remained and covering the area in smoke.
Mr. 3 (Gal Dino), whom Rorschach had ignored back in Alabasta, finally proved useful. Flames shot through the smoke, creating a path of fire.
The three of them jumped out through the opening.
"What a disgrace... and right in front of me, no less..."
Sengoku landed with a dark expression.
Killing one man and it turns into this much of a mess. No wonder he got rescued.
Rorschach couldn’t help but complain from above.
Following the original events, Whitebeard chose to stay behind alone.
Ace and Luffy finally reunited with Sabo. The three brothers hugged each other joyfully.
However, this brief moment of peace was shattered by Akainu, who had been pursuing them.
Just like in the original story, Akainu’s magma fist pierced through Ace’s chest.
Whitebeard’s eyes widened in fury when he saw it. He was about to unleash his power when Kizaru, who had been waiting for this exact moment, made his move.
After Marco broke free from him, Kizaru had been looking for an opportunity to contribute. Now he finally had one.
"How careless~~ Whitebeard."
Kizaru pouted in his usual sleazy manner as he fired a laser that pierced through Whitebeard’s arm just as he was about to attack.
"What a magnificent funeral, Whitebeard."
Suddenly, a voice echoed from the sky.
Whitebeard and the top Marine fighters all turned their gazes upward.
A red streak of light, like a falling meteor, rapidly descended toward the center of the battlefield.
"What is that...?"
Both pirates and Marines stopped fighting at the same time. Those who had been running and those who had been chasing all froze, staring at the sky in shock.
Before anyone could get a clear look, the meteor crashed directly into the middle of the battlefield.
Boom!
A massive explosion erupted at the point of impact.
"Who the hell is that?! The one who’s been watching from the sky this whole time!"
Sengoku roared in anger. Even Garp, who was being held down by him, turned to look.
Smoke filled the area. Everyone only heard the sound of footsteps landing, but couldn’t see who it was.
Whoosh.
With a wave of his hand, Rorschach dispersed the smoke with a gust of wind, revealing his figure.
His face was filled with excitement, fighting spirit, and thrill.
"’Golden Lion II’ Rorschach!!"
Sengoku gritted his teeth and spat out the name one word at a time.
"You bastard!! This war has nothing to do with you! Why are you here?!"
Sengoku’s roar echoed across the entire battlefield.
"Rorschach?!"
Marco turned around and looked toward the center of the battlefield, his eyes filled with confusion.
"What a flashy entrance."
"Rorschach brat, why did you come down? If you were just watching, there was no need to get involved, right?"
Whitebeard glanced at him sideways, his tone heavy.
"If I had to give a reason... it’s because I felt like it."
Rorschach shrugged casually.
"Arrogant brat. Just because you felt like it, you decided to treat this battlefield as your personal playground?"
Whitebeard frowned. Being treated like a piece on someone else’s chessboard was extremely unpleasant.
This battlefield felt like it was under Rorschach’s control — like he had been watching everything from above and interfering at key moments.
Squard’s assassination attempt had been stopped by one of Rorschach’s lightning bullets. He had probably seen Akainu turn Squard from the sky and prepared to intervene.
However, since he still owed Rorschach a favor, and because he had already decided this battlefield would be his final resting place, Whitebeard didn’t press the issue.
Still, Rorschach’s sudden appearance reminded him of something.
That bean... if it really works the way he claimed... then there might still be hope for Ace!
Whitebeard needed to reach Ace as soon as possible.
"Tch. So the one causing trouble from the sky finally showed up? What a troublesome person to deal with."
Akainu’s expression was extremely irritated.
"Forget it. I’ll deal with Dragon’s son first, then take care of that guy as well."
With that, Akainu raised his fist and swung it down toward Luffy and the barely-alive Ace without giving them any time to talk.
This time, he wasn’t planning to give them another chance.
Once again, it was Jinbe who stepped in front of them, blocking Akainu’s magma fist with his palm.
The intense heat burned his hand, but Jinbe showed no fear or pain.
Both of them used Armament Haki, and the clash forced them to pause.
Marco, Vista, and Sabo quickly rushed over to support them.
However, under Akainu’s powerful Observation Haki, their Armament Haki-enhanced attacks had little effect.
Akainu transformed into magma, preparing to deliver the final blow to Luffy and Ace.
He was stopped by Marco, but Marco couldn’t hold him off for long and was eventually sent flying after Akainu went all out.
Just as Akainu was about to continue his pursuit, he suddenly stopped.
His previously furious expression changed in an instant. He stood frozen in place like a startled husky.
Akainu felt a chill run down his spine and slowly turned his head.
What he saw was Whitebeard’s extremely dark expression and an overwhelming wave of Conqueror’s Haki directed solely at him.
Even someone like Akainu was affected by the intense pressure at such close range.
In that split second of distraction, Whitebeard’s quake-infused fist — covered in Armament Haki — was already flying toward his face. The air itself seemed to distort.
The overwhelming force felt like it was trying to shatter his body. His head was nearly knocked unconscious.
Because the attack contained Armament Haki, Akainu couldn’t elementalize in time.
Still, he managed to endure it.
After dodging Whitebeard’s follow-up slash, he tried to counterattack, but Whitebeard grabbed his head and smashed a powerful quake directly into his waist.
Starting from Akainu’s waist, the entire Marine Headquarters was torn apart by the quake. A massive crevice split the battlefield, separating Marines from one another.
Akainu collapsed weakly to the ground. Before falling into the crevice, he still managed to spit out some harsh words with his face dragging across the ground.
Whitebeard let out a breath and ignored the large hole still burning in his stomach. He walked straight over to Ace’s side.
"Pops!"
Marco rushed over anxiously, staring at the wound on Whitebeard’s stomach with trembling hands.
He immediately covered it with his blue flames.
As the ship’s doctor, Marco’s phoenix flames weren’t just for combat — they could also be used to treat allies. While the healing wasn’t as fast as his own regeneration, it was still highly effective.
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