A violent gust of wind swept down from the sky, lifting the beleaguered Whitebeard Pirates, the Straw Hat Pirates, Sabo, and the others high into the air.
They should have plummeted to the ground within seconds, but instead, like drifting leaves, they were carried by the gale towards the sea on the right side of the plaza.
There, just like the left side of the plaza, several Marine warships were anchored.
The sudden and inexplicable change in the battlefield left everyone in shock.
The strange wind appeared to be divided into two distinct forces.
While it lifted Sabo and the others into the sky, it pressed the Marines firmly against the ground.
Even considering the unpredictable climate of the Grand Line, this phenomenon was far beyond the Marines' understanding.
Akainu's expression darkened. He wouldn't allow the gale to carry away his targets without resistance. Without hesitation, he launched an attack at full speed.
"Great Eruption!"
A massive fist of molten magma, slightly solidified at its surface, roared through the sky against the wind, hurtling toward Ace.
The attack's area of effect also encompassed Sabo, Luffy, and the others.
At that moment—
A faintly visible, pale-green cylindrical whirlwind descended from above like a celestial lance, slamming into the blazing magma fist.
Whoosh!
Amidst the howling winds, the magma fist, which had just taken flight, was effortlessly suppressed by the whirlwind and forced downward.
The raging flames were instantly extinguished, and the fist of lava was shattered into countless charred fragments.
After crushing Akainu's attack, the wind pillar dispersed upon impact with the ground, sending a forceful gale sweeping across the Marines in all directions.
The Marines were thrown off their feet, tumbling chaotically under the storm's onslaught.
Amidst the tempest, Akainu remained standing firm.
His furious gaze lifted to the sky, locking onto the swirling black clouds that churned like a colossal, roiling tide. Within the storm, he seemed to catch a vague glimpse of a green figure.
This sudden and overwhelming hurricane was not a natural occurrence—it was the work of an individual.
Aside from Sabo, Morley, and a few others who knew the source of this tempest, the members of the Whitebeard Pirates and the Straw Hat Pirates, who were being swept away, were momentarily flustered.
They instinctively tried to stabilize themselves and reach solid ground.
However, they quickly realized that this wind wasn't trying to hurl them to the ground—it was guiding them toward the Marine warships, away from Akainu.
"What's going on?!"
Astonishment was evident on their faces as they grasped the situation.
"Dragon is here…"
Sabo's eyes gleamed with excitement before he relaxed his body, surrendering to the wind's embrace.
He glanced at Morley, who was also being carried by the wind. Internally, he marveled at how Dragon's power had grown—strong enough to even lift someone of Morley's size with ease.
Then, he turned his gaze towards the dense thunderclouds gathering in the sky, silently offering gratitude for Dragon's arrival and intervention.
Noticing Sabo's odd glance, Morley, aware that the roaring winds drowned out all sound, playfully glared at him.
At the rear of the plaza, the golden radiance emanating from Sengoku's Buddha form reflected off Maude's composed face.
As the one who had drawn the Revolutionary Army into this battle, Maude felt a strange sense of satisfaction as he watched Sabo and the others being rescued by the wind.
At this moment, the only one capable of stopping Sabo's escape was Fujitora.
However…
Fujitora was currently engaged with the Blackbeard Pirates. Moreover, the distance between them was too great for him to intervene in time.
This outcome was orchestrated by Maude himself, just as he had maneuvered events to bring the Straw Hats and Sabo's group closer to the Whitebeard Pirates.
Initially, Maude had drawn Law into the war with the intent of using his abilities to claim Whitebeard's Tremor-Tremor Fruit.
But due to the Blackbeard Pirates' interference, Law's power had been rendered ineffective in that endeavor.
Instead, under Maude's guidance, the abilities meant for Whitebeard had, by sheer coincidence, dealt a significant blow to the Blackbeard Pirates—granting Ace a glimmer of survival.
It was as if fate itself had a predetermined course.
And Dragon had seized the opportunity created by Maude's intervention. With a single move, he had extinguished the last hope the Marines had left.
Ace, who was supposed to meet his end in this war, now had a chance to live.
What would the future hold?
Maude withdrew his gaze.
Whatever the future might bring, as long as he and those close to him could live on their own terms, that was enough.
While Maude remained composed, Sengoku, still in his Buddha form, was far from calm.
"The Revolutionary Army's leader… Dragon…"
Sengoku's anger was unmistakable.
Though Dragon himself was nowhere to be seen, the unmistakable manipulation of the wind left no doubt—this was his doing.
Victory had been within reach, only to be torn away by Dragon's intervention.
Sengoku's mood mirrored the darkening storm above.
"This war… is coming to an end."
Maude observed Sengoku's grim expression.
"..."
Sengoku remained silent, his cold gaze fixed on Maude.
Maude smiled. "Well then, I suppose it's time for me to leave."
Before his words had fully settled, Maude's figure vanished without a sound.
In the next instant, he reappeared beside Law.
"Law, how's your stamina?"
"A few more uses of 'Room' within a limited range won't be an issue."
Law took a deep breath.
"That's good enough."
Maude nodded before shifting his focus to Sengoku, who was already charging toward them.
"It's time for us to go."
Saying this, Maude reached out and grabbed Law by the collar.
"Huh?"
The familiar sensation made Law's expression shift slightly.
"Hey, wait—"
"Swish!"
Without hesitation, Maude lifted Law and utilized Stealth Walk, fearlessly dashing toward the Marines surrounding the Blackbeard Pirates.
Seeing the direction Maude chose for his escape, Sengoku furrowed his brows, unable to discern his intentions.
From his position, he was unable to aid Akainu.
If Fire Fist Ace couldn't be eliminated here, then at the very least, Maude and the Blackbeard Pirates had to be dealt with.
Especially the prisoners from Impel Down's Level 6—they could not be allowed to return to the seas!
Entrusting his last hope to Akainu, Sengoku resolutely pursued Maude.
Meanwhile—
The Blackbeard Pirates and the Marines were locked in a fierce battle.
Despite their formidable individual strength, the presence of Aokiji and Fujitora made it difficult for the Blackbeard Pirates to break through the encirclement in a short time.
Scanning the battlefield, Maude quickly spotted Kuma engaged in close combat with Burgess.
With his consciousness erased, Kuma's strength had diminished significantly.
Even so, he still managed to overpower Burgess.
"Now then…"
Maude's thoughts shifted.
Just then—
Sensing something, Maude swiftly retreated with Law in tow.
Boom!
A golden figure plummeted from the sky, crashing violently into the spot where Maude had just been standing.
"Golden Lion?"
Recognizing the figure, Maude raised an eyebrow in surprise.
Whoosh—
A beam of light swiftly followed, striking the ground before gradually forming into the shape of Kizaru.
"Mm~"
Kizaru glanced at the quickly dissipating dust cloud out of the corner of his eye. Stroking his chin, he mused in his usual languid tone, "That gust of wind came at a rather inconvenient time, wouldn't you say, Golden Lion~~?"
"Clang, clang—"
Climbing out of the crater, Golden Lion planted his twin blades firmly on the ground beneath his feet.
Blood and dust smeared his face and body, leaving him looking utterly disheveled.
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