บท 224: Chapter 224: Underwater Escape, The End of an Era.

As everyone turned their heads,

A Marine soldier immediately called out the newcomer's name.

"That's 'Colossal Battleship' Sanjuan Wolf!"

A giant wearing prisoner clothes, as tall as the Marine Headquarters fortress, scratched his head sheepishly.

"Ah, not only discovered but recognized too..."

How did you fit into Impel Down with such a huge body?

"And 'Corrupt King' Avalo Pizarro!"

A man wearing a long white and dark brown fur coat, with white horns attached to his head through black metal plates, chuckled.

"I missed the human world! Meow~~"

A tough guy like you shouldn't use a girly catchphrase!

"That's 'Big Drinker' Vasco Shot!"

Wearing a clown hat, with a drunken face and a prominent sausage nose, the tall clown wiped his chin after taking a big swig from a large jug.

"Can I kill all these people?"

Tsk tsk tsk, you're really brave... Come on, Garp Vice Admiral is right next to you, why don't you spar with him?

"And there's 'Crescent Moon Hunter' Catarina Devon..."

With heavy makeup and a high nose, the female pirate, who wore her prison uniform in a unique witch-like style, blew a kiss to everyone present with her distinctive 'muhaha' laugh.

"I love you all~~~"

This person is actually a Zoan-type Mythical Beast user, with the Dog-Dog Fruit, Model: Nine-Tailed Fox...

Probably the most unattractive Nine-Tails in the multiverse!

Roman, standing next to the execution platform, glanced at these show-offs and remained calm. Because:

Blackbeard didn't dare recruit truly powerful people like Red Count, Barrett, or Bundy Waldo, so these people, despite their loud names, were at most second-tier powerhouses. While Roman himself couldn't handle them, Garp next to him—

Well, although Garp was shocked and saddened by Ace's death, fighting these guys:

He could take them down with one punch each! Maybe even kill them in his grief and rage...

Let's check on Luffy's situation first:

————

"Son of the 'Revolutionary' Dragon, don't think you can escape!"

Facing the murderous Akainu, The White Knight, holding Luffy, rolled his eyes. Are you seeing red? You want to kill both of Garp Vice Admiral's grandsons on the same day? Aren't you afraid Garp will turn on you and fight to the death?

Time to run~~

"If you want to kill Ace's brother, you'll have to get past me first!"

With Jinbe blocking Akainu, The White Knight leaped towards the sea with Luffy. The entire bay was not only chaotic but had also been turned into a solid battlefield by Aokiji's ice.

"Blood of the 'Revolutionary' Dragon, stay here."

"It's Admiral Aokiji!"

Hey, aren't you guys going to deal with Blackbeard?

Holding Luffy, The White Knight leaped towards the sea outside Marineford. With a rustling sound, sheets of white paper flew and formed the shape of a submarine—

Whoosh—!

A tall figure was sent flying back at the same time, with smoke still rising from his chest. It was Jinbe! Although he was a fish-man, he looked like he was about to pass out. If he fell into the sea like this, even a fish-man would become a dead fish...

Well, saving one is saving, saving two is also saving.

Swish,

The flying paper wrapped around the bloodied Jinbe and pulled him in, then plunged into the sea!

Splash,

After a splash, the sea returned to calm. But:

"Ice Age!"

Aokiji, leaping through the air, grabbed the sea, instantly freezing it! The waves turned into layers of sharp, flame-like ice, creating a beautiful, undulating scene. Even as the 'white submarine' carrying Luffy and Jinbe descended rapidly, the ice above continued to spread downward, about to catch up with the submarine!

The young master is in trouble—

"Yasakani no Magatama!"

Kizaru, who had been idling, suddenly flashed over, and countless beams of light rained down from his hands! They shattered Aokiji's ice and swept around the submarine!

What a display of precision shooting.

Thanks to Brother Kizaru for the 666 beams!!

"If they can survive this, they must be incredibly lucky—"

Kizaru calmly turned to look at Aokiji and Akainu.

"Let's give up..."

...

"No, Luffy must still be alive!"

Leaping onto a warship, the Empress Boa Hancock struck a classic disdainful pose and pointed at the Marines beside her.

"Report this: as a member of the 'Seven Warlords of the Sea,' I vow to capture Straw Hat Luffy!"

"Y-yes, ma'am~~"

"But where should we chase him?"

Facing the Marines with heart-shaped eyes, the Empress pointed forward.

"Head that way!"

"Yes, ma'am—though it's reckless, it's so beautiful~~"

In the direction the Empress pointed, deep underwater:

A real submarine was approaching Marine Headquarters, Marineford. Suddenly, there was a strange knocking on their hatch.

"Hello, can you open the door? I have two severely injured people here."

This is the deep sea!

Facing the bewildered crew, Trafalgar Law, carrying the cursed sword 'Kikoku,' calmly nodded.

"Open the door."

—————

Meanwhile,

Relying on the Dark-Dark Fruit to challenge Whitebeard, Blackbeard Teach was slashed on the shoulder by the experienced Whitebeard, who abandoned his Devil Fruit ability and counterattacked! Grabbing Teach and slamming him to the ground, Whitebeard's blow made Teach scream for 'Daddy.' Taking advantage of Whitebeard's weakened state, Teach broke free and then:

"Kill him!"

Failing to duel, the Blackbeard Pirates swarmed, their weapons striking Whitebeard!—In reality, even without them, Whitebeard wouldn't have survived for more than a few minutes.

'Roger,'

In his final moments, Whitebeard recalled drinking with Roger under the cherry blossoms. The Will of D, the Great Treasure, Joy Boy...

"It's not you!"

Facing the bewildered Teach, Whitebeard shook his head.

Although Blackbeard's full name was 'Marshall D. Teach,' and he bore the 'D' name:

"The one Roger was waiting for... is not you, Teach!"

"Still alive, huh? Let us—"

"Soon, the true inheritor will find that treasure and overthrow the World Government's centuries-old rule..."

"Listen well!!"

Covered in wounds, Whitebeard used his last bit of strength to shout, his voice echoing throughout Marine Headquarters! It was also transmitted through the Den Den Mushi to Sabaody, where countless reporters and people waiting for the outcome had gathered.

"The One Piece... is real!!!"

One of the Four Emperors, Whitebeard, personally confirmed it at the last moment, undoubtedly shocking the world. —It also made many ambitious people reveal sinister smiles!

After shouting these words, Whitebeard lowered his eyelids:

My life ends here, my sons. Forgive me for leaving such a disaster for you...

You gave me everything I wanted, thank you!

Goodbye, my sons...

The world's strongest man slowly closed his eyes.

After suffering 267 sword wounds, 152 gunshots, and 46 cannon blasts, Whitebeard died!!

But even in death, his body did not bend. Despite not having a single piece of intact skin, his heroic figure that swept through enemies was monstrous! And in that proud silhouette, or rather in his pirate career, there was not a single wound from retreat.

An era has ended,

And a new era begins to rampage!