章 220: Chapter 220: United We Stand, Flames Burning.

The ground trembled, magma surged;

Frost chilled, diamonds shone;

Beams crisscrossed, blue flames filled the sky;

Sword auras flew everywhere, bullets wrapped in Haki, the entire battlefield boiled like a pot of porridge, and Roman... could only lean back in his chair, recovering his energy while watching the battlefield below:

Although it was only a few hundred meters away, for Luffy, it should have been just a 'Gomu Gomu no-Rocket' thing, but:

"Gomu Gomu no Jet Whip!"

Luffy swept out a leg, as fast as lightning! But besides hitting two afterimages:

"Soru!" x2

In a flash, Vice Admiral Doberman, wielding a long sword, appeared behind Luffy, causing a spray of blood.

Slash!

"Shigan!"

In his half-beast form, Dalmatian, who had the 'Dog-Dog Fruit - Spotted Dog Form,' pointed a finger at Luffy.

Puff!

Attacked from both sides, Luffy instantly fell to his knees.

"Give up. Without that paper boy's support, you can't break through to the execution platform."

Luffy's frontal combat ability was indeed good, but he was no match for the serious elite Vice Admirals, and without Roman's strange fruit abilities, a frontal assault...

The young master is in trouble—

"Courage alone isn't enough, Straw Hat Luffy."

"Without strength, you can't save anyone."

In a moment of crisis, Kizaru flashed and kicked Luffy to:

Whitebeard's hand.

Roman breathed a sigh of relief; in critical moments, the old ape was still reliable.

"Huff~ Huff~ Huff~~"

"Ace..."

"Treat him."

Whitebeard casually tossed Luffy to the medical personnel at the rear, and a few emerald green papers fell with him.

"Huh? Isn't this Roman's..."

Roman closed his eyes, I didn't see anything, it has nothing to do with me~~

"Reckless, youthful arrogance, clumsy and rash..."

"I like idiots like this!"

Whitebeard moved his shoulders, admitting to himself that he was truly old. If it weren't for absorbing the life force from that green paper, he might not have lasted this long.

But even with this old body, he had to hold on to create a path for his sons:

"I am—"

As Whitebeard raised his naginata 'Murakumogiri,' his voice, filled with the overwhelming aura of a king and murderous Haki, seemed to come from the heavens, enough to make ordinary experts tremble in fear.

"Whitebeard!!!"

"Quake!"

The fierce blade, imbued with vibrations, swept across the battlefield! The layers of shockwaves, like a storm or tidal wave, instantly sent thousands of elite Marines, officers, and Rear Admirals flying through the air! It was like a rain of people.

The tall Marine Headquarters at the back of Marineford was also split by a deep, unmeasurable cut, completely dividing the fortress in two! This fully demonstrated the terrifying power of the 'world's strongest man.'

In the midst of chaos, heroes emerge!

Only the Vice Admirals, Shichibukai, and Admirals remained standing on the battlefield. The Whitebeard Pirates, standing behind Whitebeard, were barely affected.

"Charge! Rescue Ace—"

With a large number of Marines temporarily cleared out, the Whitebeard Pirates surged forward. The few remaining Marines scratched their chins.

"Oh dear, it seems..."

They had to get serious.

"Meteor Volcano!"

Akainu's fists turned into magma, creating massive magma fists that shot into the sky, raining down like a meteor shower, turning the battlefield into a sea of lava.

"Yasakani no Magatama!"

Kizaru flew into the air, firing countless dazzling light bullets from his hands, dense as a sudden downpour, swift as meteors, thundering like a thousand troops charging, covering the Whitebeard Pirates.

"Quake!"

Whitebeard's naginata, capable of shattering everything, swung upward, deflecting the magma and light beams to the sides. The battle resumed in full force! The key was:

"Cover Ace's brother!"

All the experts were locked in combat, and under their cover, Luffy dashed towards the execution platform.

"Inazuma!"

"Leave it to me, Ivankov."

Leaping out from Ivankov's massive hair, Inazuma, with the power of the 'Scissors Fruit,' cut a long 'floor' from the ground like a carpet. With a flick, Inazuma laid it on the execution platform.

"Luffy, go!"

"Thanks, crab brother!"

While the Marines were fighting, Luffy sprinted across the 'bridge' towards the execution platform! All the enemies were temporarily held back, and victory seemed within reach!

"Go, Straw Hat—"

"Ace's brother, save Ace!!"

"Captain Buggy, Straw Hat is at the execution platform..."

"Ahhh, that show-off, let's charge too!!"

"Ace—"

After numerous battles and overcoming countless strong enemies, Luffy finally reached the execution platform, almost able to:

"Stop!!"

A tall figure in a Marine coat blocked the bridge, his silver hair standing straight like steel needles, just like his fists that possessed unmatched strength.

"Move, Grandpa!"

Facing Luffy's words, the imposing old man took a step forward.

"Impossible! Luffy, I am a Marine Vice Admiral!!"

"If you want to pass, you'll have to kill me!"

"'Straw Hat' Luffy!"

This is the path you chose, you must bear all the consequences...

"I can't do it, Grandpa!"

Why didn't you listen to me and become a Marine? Do you think Grandpa doesn't know the filth of the Celestial Dragons? But in front of those eyes...

"If you can't do it, Ace will die!"

"We are already enemies!!"

One above, one below, one old, one young, one Marine, one pirate, both clenched their fists, pulled back to their shoulders, and swung at each other with the same posture.

"Grandpa—"

Grandpa... huh...

In an instant, the fist that could split mountains and seas weakened, the indomitable Haki disappeared, leaving only an old man closing his eyes and sighing.

Boom!!

The tall figure let the punch land on his face, his whole body flying to the side.

This obstacle, only Luffy could overcome, and only Luffy could pass!

"Vice Admiral Garp!?"

In an instant, countless Marine officers looked in disbelief as the figure they revered more than the Admirals collapsed! He was the symbol of the Marines for decades—

"You couldn't escape familial bonds either, Garp..."

Facing Garp, who was punched away by his own grandson, Fleet Admiral Sengoku sighed.

"Ace! I'll save you right now—"

Finally, Luffy reached the execution platform, just as he took out the key given by the Empress:

"Don't think I'll let you go!"

In a burst of golden light, Sengoku's figure suddenly grew taller! His afro transformed into a meat bun-like shape—due to the raised flesh and bones, it was called a meat bun, a symbol of nobility, and also:

The form of Buddha!

Mythical Zoan-type Human-Human Fruit, Model: Daibutsu.

At the same time, Kizaru, who had been playing with 'edge beams,' immediately transformed into a double eagle, a beam of light shot precisely, instantly breaking the key in Luffy's hand!

As Sengoku raised his palm, a massive radiant hand, with a huge "*" mark, appeared and then transformed into a devastating flood of light, crashing down on Luffy and Ace with overwhelming force, intending to engulf them both in the light.

"I will personally end you—?!"

"Help! Help—"

In the chaos, Roman, who had been sitting nearby, stumbled towards Luffy and Ace like a 'normal' Celestial Dragon, seemingly scared out of his wits, entering Sengoku's 'Buddha Palm' range.

Oh no!!

In an instant, Sengoku, who cursed inwardly, had to forcibly retract most of his power! Otherwise, if he killed a Celestial Dragon in front of everyone, even as the Marine Fleet Admiral, he couldn't justify it...

"Gomu Gomu no Balloon!"

Luffy immediately inflated to block Sengoku's attack. Although he was sent flying along with the execution platform, at least he saved his life and Ace's life!

Unfortunately, the key—

"Hahaha, Straw Hat, did you miss me?"

???

In mid-air, Luffy barely turned his head to look beside him: one of the two executioners raised his head and wiped his face with his left hand.

"Bon-chan!?"

"Straw Hat, leave it to me—"

In mid-air, Bon Clay pulled out a white key, and then:

Boom!!!

A blazing flame erupted out of nowhere! The flames then condensed into a giant fist, carrying the power of the scorching sun, and surged towards Sengoku's descending palm.

"Fire Fist!"