Aokiji found himself kneeling on the ground, clutching his side as he coughed violently, blood staining his lips. Despite dodging Rayleigh's slash, he still suffered an injury, the red mark on his waist steadily expanding.
"Invisible Slash," Aokiji murmured, acknowledging the unseen attack that had wounded him.
Rayleigh remained silent, his form fading into an afterimage and disappearing in an instant.
As Aokiji rose to his feet, the injury slowed his movements, a critical moment that tipped the scales of battle.
Meanwhile, Garp's attention wavered as he watched Ace and Luffy, torn between family and duty. The conflict within him reflected in his sharp eyes, a rare display of confusion.
Whitebeard seized the opportunity, striking Garp back before striding towards Luffy.
"Leave it to me, Straw Hat boy!" Sengoku's thunderous voice boomed as he descended from the sky, crushing the ground beneath him. The Whitebeard Pirates, bloodied but resolute, cowered in fear at the sight of the formidable Marine commander.
Facing Sengoku's overwhelming presence, even the bravest among them trembled, their will to fight extinguished.
Sengoku wasted no time, unleashing a powerful shockwave with his golden palm aimed directly at Luffy.
But before the attack could connect, a defiant voice rang out.
"Stand down, my body. Protect me!"
Luffy, weakened and desperate, gazed at the blinding golden light above him, roaring in frustration. His exhausted body refused to obey even the simplest commands, rendered as immobile as a statue.
In his moment of despair, a gentle voice pierced through the chaos, offering solace. A powerful figure descended, shielding Luffy from harm.
"Ace!" Luffy cried out in anguish, fearing that his efforts had been in vain.
Whitebeard, witnessing the scene unfold, felt a surge of determination, his eyes shimmering with intensity. Despite his proximity, he was powerless to intervene, a small oversight threatening to derail their plans.
But in a split second, salvation arrived from an unexpected source. An explosion rocked the battlefield as a powerful attack, akin to that of a Shichibukai, struck Sengoku's golden Buddha form, causing him to falter.
Amidst the chaos, Sengoku unleashed a devastating shockwave, wreaking havoc upon the surroundings. Luffy and Ace, both weakened and bound, were left defenceless against the onslaught, the flying debris piercing their bodies like bullets.
Yet, despite their vulnerability, this was still the best outcome they could hope for.
The impact was imminent, a collision that could have spelt the end for both Whitebeard and Luffy. Yet, they remained alive, swept into the air by the force of the aftermath, their robust physical resilience allowing them to endure.
"Ace!" Luffy's voice rang out, even as he soared through the air.
"I'm here," Ace responded; their survival was the only silver lining amidst the chaos.
On the Moby Dick, Usopp grinned proudly, reminding everyone of his prowess as the sniper of the Straw Hat Pirates.
Meanwhile, Sengoku seethed with fury, realizing his opportunity had been squandered. With a twist of his body, he aimed his golden palm at Ace and Luffy, intent on finishing them off.
But before he could strike, three overwhelming forces surged behind him, suffocating him with their murderous intent. Sengoku felt like he was being watched by the spirits of hell, the shadows behind him emanating a sinister aura.
"Sengoku," three voices thundered, demanding Ace and Luffy's safety.
Reluctantly, Sengoku turned to face Whitebeard, whose eyes gleamed with determination. Alongside him stood an apparition resembling the legendary conqueror of the Grand Line.
In a flurry of motion, three distinct attacks struck Sengoku, sending shockwaves rippling through the air. The colossal force launched Sengoku thousands of meters away, his fate unknown.
Witnessing the spectacle, onlookers marvelled at the clash between old legends and new heroes, with Luffy at the centre.
"Dad is incredible," exclaimed one.
"So cool, Zoro!" cheered another.
"Hurry, ship doctor, release Ace from his chains!" urged a member of the Whitebeard Pirates.
Amidst the jubilant cheers, the pirates rushed to free Luffy and Ace, the heavy chains falling to the ground with a satisfying click.
With the expertise of the Whitebeard Pirates' unlocking specialists, the seastone handcuffs were swiftly removed, freeing Ace from their constraints. As the flames of his Logia ability ignited around him, Ace extended a hand to Luffy, his smile warm and brotherly.
"Luffy, you silly fool," Ace chuckled, his flames harmless to his friend.
Amidst Whitebeard's command to evacuate, Ace expressed his gratitude and affection for the fatherly figure he looked up to. Whitebeard's simple yet heartfelt words moved Ace to tears, a testament to the bond they shared.
As the Whitebeard Pirates hurried back to their ship, Garp observed the chaos with conflicted emotions. Though aware of the need to act against the pirates, he found himself unable to oppose Ace's rescue. The thought of betraying the son he had raised was too much to bear.
Despite the temporary relief of Ace's rescue, the danger was far from over. The first half of the Grand Line remained a treacherous territory, with the constant threat of World Government and Marine intervention. Only in the safety of the New World could they truly find sanctuary.
Meanwhile, Sengoku's fate remained uncertain, and his clash with Whitebeard left him incapacitated and vulnerable. Garp's inner turmoil mirrored the uncertainty of the situation, torn between his duty as a Marine and his love for his family.
Caught in a daze, Garp struggled to find his footing amidst the chaos. Eventually, he resorted to his fists, knocking out a few pirates around him in a futile attempt to regain control.
Ace's escape sent shockwaves through the Marine ranks, causing morale to plummet. Even Kizaru, renowned for his nonchalant demeanour, couldn't hide his frustration. His once pristine attire was now torn and bloodied, a testament to the fierce battle he had endured.
Sanji, equally worse for wear, panted heavily as he hovered in the air. Despite their formidable strength, the Straw Hat Pirates' Three Powers were not immune to fatigue. Their physical limits, though enhanced, still fell short of the veteran Admirals they faced.
However, it was their unwavering will and evolved fighting skills that set them apart. Zoro's mastery of the sword and Sanji's powerful kicks surpassed even the Admirals' techniques. This combination of skill and determination made them formidable opponents.
As Sanji locked eyes with Kizaru, a sense of determination emanated from his gaze. It was a reminder to Kizaru of the youthful vigour that drove the Straw Hat Pirates forward.
In that moment, Kizaru couldn't help but reflect on Whitebeard's words. The passing of time was inevitable, and perhaps their era had come to an end. As the young Straw Hat Pirates continued to defy expectations, Kizaru couldn't help but wonder if their time had truly passed.
As the chaos of battle subsided, Tsuru couldn't help but sigh at the miscalculations that led to their defeat. Despite their meticulous planning and overwhelming power, they had underestimated the Straw Hat Pirates.
Surrounded by allies and legends of old, the straw hat boy stood as a symbol of the new era, his strength surpassing all expectations. Tsuru recognized that their downfall came from overlooking this crucial fact.
In the midst of Marine's despair, a soldier's desperate cry for a doctor echoed through the battlefield. The defeat of Zephyr, a former Admiral, at the hands of a mere pet with a 50 Baileys bounty seemed absurd and demoralizing.
Zephyr's own discomfort was exacerbated by the incredulous voices around him. He struggled with an asthma attack, bewildered by the notion that he had been defeated by such a seemingly insignificant opponent.
The Marine's confusion only deepened as they faced adversaries with abilities rivalling those of monsters. These were no mere pirates with modest bounties but formidable opponents capable of challenging even an Admiral.
In the face of such unexpected strength, Crane and her allies could only reflect on their miscalculations and regroup for the challenges that lay ahead. The new era had arrived, and they would need to adapt to survive in this ever-changing world.
----------
You can read advanced chapters here: patreon.com/GregariousLion