A vast curtain of darkness stretched across the plaza, obscuring the view of the front half of the battlefield.
Despite this, Akainu could still track Ace and the others' movements using Observation Haki.
Through his perception, he noted that Ace and his group were converging with the remaining members of the Whitebeard Pirates beyond the shadowy veil.
"No matter what prestigious title they may adopt, a pirate is still a pirate. Their corrupt nature will never change."
Having locked onto Ace's position, Akainu cast a cold glare at Maude, who stood defiantly before the shadowed barrier.
The fury burning in his heart was reflected in the icy expression on his face.
Gurgle... gurgle...
Scalding magma coursed down his body, dripping onto the ground with a sizzling hiss, filling the air with a pungent stench.
"Heh."
Meeting Akainu's menacing gaze, Maude let out a chuckle and extended his left hand.
"Shadow Flow—Curtain Blade."
The fluid, rippling shadows behind him abruptly solidified into an iron-like rigidity.
With a downward motion of his hand, the once-fluid curtain obeyed Maude's command, transforming into a massive guillotine blade that plunged into the earth.
BOOM!
With a deafening roar and tremors shaking the battlefield, the shadow blade carved a massive chasm across the entire plaza.
The sheer magnitude of the spectacle drew countless eyes.
Sabo and his allies, sprinting desperately, instinctively turned back.
From their position, they could clearly see the massive fissure and Maude's resolute figure.
"Maude..."
Clenching his teeth, Sabo silently prayed for his survival.
As the tremors subsided, the shadows that formed the Curtain Blade slithered like streams in midair, retracting back to Maude's body.
In an instant, the flowing darkness merged into him, and shadowy markings emerged subtly along his cheeks, neck, collarbones, and arms.
"Now, here's the real question."
Having bisected the battlefield and activated Twin Fish Circulation, Maude smirked at Akainu.
"Can you take me down before they escape?"
"Bacardi Maude... Do you have a death wish?"
Akainu furrowed his brows.
Without waiting for a response, the magma coursing through his right arm surged violently.
"Inugami Guren!"
His magma-coated arm extended forward, morphing into a snarling lava hound that lunged for Maude's throat.
CLANG!
Maude swiftly raised his sword to block, meeting the flaming beast with the black blade Shusui.
A searing shockwave exploded outward, sending a ring of flames in all directions.
The fiery fangs of the molten hound clashed against Shusui, scattering blazing magma across the battlefield.
With his right hand, Maude swiftly drew his second sword, White Weasel.
A flash of steel lunged straight for Akainu's chest.
Akainu's eyes remained cold as he swiftly retreated several paces, avoiding Maude's piercing strike.
Without pause, he clenched his fist and launched a flurry of smaller magma fists toward Maude at high speed.
Hakoku!
Maude shifted his stance, resting Shusui against his shoulder. As the fiery projectiles reflected in his eyes, he unleashed a powerful, radiant slash.
The cylindrical shockwave obliterated the incoming magma fists and surged toward Akainu.
Dai Funka!
Rather than evade the attack through Logia intangibility, Akainu chose to meet it head-on.
With volcanic force, he hurled a colossal magma fist to intercept Maude's Hakoku.
BOOM!
The two devastating forces collided, sending a scorching shockwave across the battlefield.
"Uwaaah!"
The advancing Marines instinctively shielded their faces, bracing against the searing heat.
"Such terrifying power..."
The Marines closest to the impact site trembled.
"Don't stop pursuing them!"
Sengoku's authoritative voice rang from the rear.
Upon hearing their commander's order, the Marines turned to see Sengoku himself striding forward.
"Yes, sir!"
Without hesitation, the Marines responded in unison, dashing at full speed toward the chasm separating the plaza.
Sengoku watched as his forces pursued Ace before turning his gaze toward the fierce clash between Maude and Akainu.
"Akainu, go after Fire Fist."
"Hmm?"
Akainu was slightly taken aback but did not hesitate. He launched a magma fist to force Maude back before retreating to Sengoku's side.
As he looked at the Fleet Admiral, a golden radiance filled his vision.
BZZT—
A deep hum resonated through the air.
Sengoku's body shone brilliantly, rapidly transforming into his Daibutsu form.
"I'll handle him."
In his massive Buddha form, Sengoku glowered down at Maude.
Seeing Akainu ascend into the sky in pursuit of Ace, Maude narrowed his eyes and moved to intercept—only for Sengoku's colossal, gleaming fist to come crashing down.
Forced to shift focus, Maude swung his sword.
CLANG!
Shusui struck Sengoku's golden fist, echoing like a temple bell.
A fraction of a second later, an immense shockwave burst from Sengoku's fist.
The true devastation lay within this shockwave.
However—
Maude's strike contained his own Hakoku shockwave.
Blade and fist collided, two shockwaves intertwining in a violent clash.
The resulting force hurled both warriors backward.
Above them, Akainu soared without looking back, determined to cut off Ace's escape.
The Marines, following orders, employed various means to leap across the chasm, relentlessly pursuing Ace and Sabo's group.
Maude, now locked in battle with Sengoku, could do nothing to stop them.
"We leave it to fate."
Steadying himself, Maude exhaled softly.
Sengoku also regained his stance, his gaze briefly flicking to Law before settling back on Maude.
"Maude, you chose to stay behind. Your only fate is death or an eternity in Impel Down."
"Spare me your concern," Maude replied calmly, sword raised. "I will neither die here nor be imprisoned."
His eyes burned with resolve. "As long as they escape danger, I can leave at any time."
"Foolish delusions."
Sengoku scoffed as golden light once again surged around his fists.
Once Ace was executed, no matter the casualties, the Marines would unleash their full might to annihilate every last pirate.
This was justice.
The world must see that justice prevails.
No matter the cost.
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