章 80: Chapter 80: Kicking Marco Away with One Punch, Akainu: Everyone Plays Me, Right?

Chapter 80: Kicking Marco Away with One Punch, Akainu: Everyone Plays Me, Right?

Marco, having defeated Kizaru, transformed into a giant blue phoenix and flew towards Ace. "Ace, I'm coming to save you!" he shouted, closing the distance to the execution platform in mere moments.

Just as Marco was about to rescue Ace, a figure appeared before him. A pitch-black fist collided with Marco's face, sending him hurtling into the execution platform wall, leaving a trail of blood.

Stunned, Marco looked up to see a man with a solemn expression, deep eyes, and long black hair fluttering in the wind—the justice cloak of Marine Legend, Chiba.

"It's Chiba-sama, the Marine Legend who knocked away the Whitebeard Pirates' first division commander with one punch!" the Marines exclaimed.

"Marco has the Phoenix Zoan fruit, rendering him virtually immortal, yet Chiba-sama injured him with a single strike. It must be Armament Haki at its peak to bypass Marco's defenses," another Marine commented.

Sengoku nodded in satisfaction, "Chiba performed admirably, and with this global broadcast, his prestige will soar. I can recommend him to the World Government for higher positions."

"But Kizaru's laxity is troubling; he's even holding back now," Sengoku noted.

For the Whitebeard Pirates, Marco was the strongest after Whitebeard himself, boasting Admiral-level strength. It was astounding that Chiba, a substitute Admiral, could knock him away with one punch.

Vista rushed to Marco's side, asking, "Marco, what happened? Why couldn't you stop him?"

Marco grimaced, "I used my phoenix abilities, but his punch shattered them. If he hadn't held back, I might have lost my head. This man could rival our father."

"Impossible," Vista gasped. Whitebeard was the strongest man at sea; matching him was unthinkable.

"Be cautious of this guy," Marco warned solemnly.

With Chiba guarding the execution platform, Vista despaired, "No one but Whitebeard can save Ace now."

Whitebeard, observing Chiba, felt a rare sense of apprehension. "An extraordinary Marine has emerged."

Chiba, having fulfilled his duty by repelling Marco, thought, "Now Akainu can handle Whitebeard. Whoever dies provides excellent experimental material."

He sat beside Ace, saying lightly, "Marco tried to save you, but I stopped him. You must resent me."

Ace shook his head, "Someone else would have stopped him if you hadn't."

Chiba changed the subject, "Can this seastone hold you?"

"I've been drugged; I can't muster any strength."

"Drugged?" Chiba frowned. This wasn't part of the original plot. Could his presence have altered events? "What kind of drug?"

"I don't know. I can't move my true energy."

"Not even your true energy?" Chiba was surprised. Placing a hand on Ace's shoulder, he channeled spiritual power into Ace, detecting special energy blocking his meridians and corroding his flesh. Even if Ace were rescued, he'd die soon after. The World Government left no chance for Whitebeard.

However, Chiba's spiritual power quickly dissolved this energy. Within moments, Ace's body recovered, his strength returning, and his true energy flowing again. He could break free from the seastone shackles but chose not to, not wanting to implicate Chiba.

"Chiba, what are you doing?" Sengoku demanded, noticing Chiba's actions.

"I merely patted his shoulder, Marshal. Do you suspect me of freeing Ace? I just punched Marco, remember? I'm loyal to the Marines."

"Good, as long as you understand," Sengoku replied, relieved. He valued Chiba highly and had recommended him as a future Marine Admiral.

Meanwhile, Mihawk seized a moment of Whitebeard's distraction to strike with a powerful sword slash. Diamond Jozu intervened, catching the sword energy and hurling it skyward, scattering the clouds.

Mihawk, having fulfilled his duty, stepped back.

Jozu hefted a massive ice chunk, hurling it at the platform. Sakazuki remained still, allowing the ice to fly past him toward Chiba instead.

"Why isn't Akainu acting?" Chiba thought, the plot deviating unexpectedly. With no choice, he shattered the ice with a punch, sending shards cascading down.

Simultaneously, Jozu charged, diamond-clad fists aimed at Chiba's head.

"Why is everything coming my way? You should be targeting Akainu!" Chiba dodged Jozu's attack and struck him in the face, sending him sprawling across the ice.

"Even Jozu's diamond can't withstand his punch?" Vista was dismayed. "Chiba's fists are unstoppable."

Marco, somber, remarked, "With him guarding Ace, only Whitebeard can save him."

The Marines, witnessing Chiba's prowess, erupted in cheers.

"The three Whitebeard captains, each as strong as an Admiral, can't withstand a single punch from Chiba-sama!"

"What are these captains compared to Chiba? Even Whitebeard is no match for him."

"Whitebeard, try fighting Chiba-sama!"

Initially flattered by the Marines' praise, Chiba grew uneasy. "These fools are trying to pit me against Whitebeard!"

Chiba locked eyes with Whitebeard, who had already targeted him with his formidable presence. "Your opponent is Akainu, not me," Chiba silently fumed.

A loud cry interrupted his thoughts: "Ace!"

Chiba looked up to see a ship falling from the iceberg, carrying Luffy, Buggy, Crocodile, Rayleigh, Ivankov, and a cadre of powerful pirates.

"Luffy!" Ace cried out, stunned.

Sengoku, recognizing the newcomers, was alarmed. "How did these criminals get here? What is Magellan doing?"

Luffy, undeterred, charged towards Ace, shouting, "I'm here to save you, Ace!"

"Perfect timing," Chiba said, looking at Ace before addressing the pirates below. "Dream on if you think you can save Ace from me."

Chiba leapt from the platform, unexpectedly giving Marco and Vista a chance to rescue Ace. They seized the opportunity, ecstatic.

Hina and Peacock also left their positions, pursuing the advancing prisoners.

Chiba intercepted Luffy, who yelled, "Chiba, move! I'm saving Ace!"

"You won't save anyone with me here," Chiba replied, knocking Luffy back with a punch.

As Chiba and Luffy clashed, Chiba taunted, "Luffy, as long as I'm here, you won't reach Ace."

Rayleigh intervened, blocking Chiba's strike. "Luffy, go save Ace," Rayleigh urged, engaging Chiba in battle.

"Pluton Rayleigh? No wonder you blocked my kick. Roger's first mate truly has strength," Chiba acknowledged as they fought.

Meanwhile, Hina and Peacock tried to halt Luffy's progress. Hina entangled Luffy with her Cage-Cage Fruit, but he broke free and continued forward.

"Hina, don't let him escape!" Peacock shouted, feigning urgency as she dispatched minor threats.

Luffy bypassed Chiba and the Admirals, stunning Marco and Vista.

"Luffy's strong, but not that strong. How did he get past them?" Vista wondered.

They realized Luffy's connections: his father was the Revolutionary Army leader, Chiba was his brother, Hina and Peacock were his sisters-in-law, Garp his grandfather, and Aokiji his uncle. The Marines wouldn't truly harm Luffy.

Whitebeard, seeing through the ruse, ordered, "Clear a path for Luffy."

Marco, Vista, and Jozu moved to escort Luffy, while Kizaru, Aokiji, and other Marine forces were kept occupied by Crocodile, Ivankov, and others.

The revolutionary Scissors Fruit user tore open the ground, creating a path to the execution platform.

"Luffy, keep going!" they urged.

"Thanks!" Luffy replied, pressing on.

Garp, standing on the platform, was a formidable barrier. The pirates worried; Garp had cornered Roger multiple times. Could Luffy overcome him?

Sakazuki, Sengoku, Whitebeard, Marco, Vista, Kizaru, and Aokiji watched the confrontation intently.

"Luffy," Garp called, throwing a punch.

"Move, Gramps!" Luffy shouted, countering with his own punch, sending Garp flying.

Ivankov's eyes bulged. "Luffy knocked Garp away?"

Vista grinned. "I knew it. Letting Luffy through was smart. No one else could do this, not even Whitebeard."

Others would have been dispatched by Garp's fist.

"Garp!" Sengoku yelled, as Garp lay back, staring at the sky in silent conflict over his actions.

Luffy reached Ace, overjoyed. "Ace, I'm here!"

"Luffy!" Ace wept, overwhelmed.

"Charge, save Ace!" Whitebeard commanded, rallying the pirates.

"Stop them!" Sengoku, transformed into a golden giant, slammed a massive fist down on Luffy.

Luffy inflated himself like a balloon, absorbing the blow that shattered the platform.

Luffy spat blood, and Sengoku declared, "You'll never take Ace with me here."

However, the executioner, unnoticed, unlocked Ace's cuffs as Sengoku focused on Luffy. Flames engulfed Ace as he embraced Luffy, escaping Sengoku's reach.

Akainu, watching from the platform, seethed. "Where's Marine's justice in all this?"

[•———•——•———•]

𝙥𝗮𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙤𝙣(.)𝙘𝙤𝙢/𝙂𝙤𝙙𝙊𝙛𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙧

✨ • 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀: 𝙂𝙚𝙩 𝟲𝟬+ 𝙖𝙙𝙫𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙙 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙖𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙤𝙛 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙚𝙡𝙨𝙚.