"Is this the power of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit? It looks rather intriguing!" Orochimaru, still concealed within one of the Navy's warships, couldn't hide his fascination as he watched Whitebeard unleash his might. His eyes gleamed with curiosity as he continued to observe the spectacle.
Lin Xuan and his crew, meanwhile, lounged about with the air of spectators at a grand show.
Sengoku, however, was far from relaxed. His gaze was locked on Whitebeard, his voice a low mutter. "Whitebeard... his strength is still as terrifying as ever."
As a colossal tsunami loomed, threatening to crash over Marineford, a figure stirred on the high platform. Kuzan, the Admiral known as Aokiji, sprang into action.
"Ice Age!"
Two spears of ice shot from Aokiji's hands, piercing the towering waves. In an instant, the sea began to freeze, the waves solidifying into jagged ice, until even the bay's surface was locked in a frozen grip.
"Little Kuzan!" Whitebeard grinned, eyeing Aokiji with amusement.
His gaze then shifted to Akainu, a cold smirk spreading across his face. "Lava brat, can't keep your cool, can you? The war at Sabaody Archipelago really got under your skin, didn't it?"
At the mention of "Sabaody Archipelago," Akainu's face darkened. The last war had been a humiliation for the World Government, and for Akainu, it was personal. Under Lin Xuan's schemes, he had unwittingly killed three Celestial Dragons—a stain on his pride that still burned. The mere mention of it ignited a firestorm of rage within him.
"Die!" Akainu roared.
His arm morphed into a massive fist of molten lava, hurtling toward Whitebeard with devastating force.
"You think that's enough to challenge me? You're only fit to light candles at a birthday party, lava brat!" Whitebeard's grin didn't falter. His blade, Cong Yunqie, shimmered with a translucent dome of quaking energy, and with a single swing, he shattered the lava assault.
In a flash, Whitebeard surged forward, his body a blur as he closed the distance to Akainu.
"So fast!"
The onlookers barely registered his movement before Whitebeard was upon Akainu. "Lava brat, eat the dirt!"
His hand, cloaked in Armament Haki, seized Akainu's head and slammed it into the icy ground with a thunderous crash. The impact carved a crater into the ice, leaving everyone stunned.
Gasps rippled through the crowd. Was this the true might of Whitebeard, capable of overpowering an Admiral like Akainu in an instant?
"That's our Captain!" The Whitebeard Pirates erupted in cheers, especially Marco and the others, who were overjoyed. Could it be? Was the old man's health truly restored?
Sengoku's expression shifted, his mind racing. "Wasn't Whitebeard supposed to be ailing? How is he unleashing this kind of power?" But he quickly pushed the thought aside. Now wasn't the time for speculation.
It was clear—Akainu was no match for Whitebeard.
"Kuzan, Borsalino, together—now!" Sengoku barked the order.
Aokiji and Kizaru nodded, moving in unison toward Whitebeard. At the same time, Akainu, still pinned by Whitebeard's grip, transformed his hands into molten lava.
"Red Dog!"
"Ice Lance!"
"Light Speed Kick!"
The three Admirals attacked in concert, their combined assault a terrifying display of power. The Whitebeard Pirates tensed, worry creeping into their hearts.
"Gu ra ra ra! Three brats at once? It won't make a difference!" Whitebeard's laughter boomed across the battlefield.
With a single swing of Cong Yunqie, the air itself trembled violently. A shockwave erupted, shattering the Admirals' attacks before they could even reach him. But Whitebeard wasn't done. His blade, wreathed in quaking energy, lashed out, sending all three Admirals flying.
The Whitebeard Pirates roared in triumph, their cheers shaking the heavens. The Navy, on the other hand, stood dumbfounded. The three Admirals, defeated together—again? The memory of their previous loss still lingered, so this defeat, while staggering, wasn't entirely shocking.
From the ruins, Akainu, Aokiji, and Kizaru emerged, battered and bruised, their uniforms dirtied.
"Gu ra ra ra! You three brats think you can take me? Go back and train for a few more years!" Whitebeard slung his blade over his shoulder, standing tall as he laughed heartily.
Watching from the shadows, Gol D. Roger, alongside Lin Xuan, remarked in surprise, "Edward Newgate... his strength seems even greater than before."
Rayleigh nodded in agreement. This Whitebeard felt different—more vibrant, more alive than ever. He couldn't quite place why, but the man's vigor was undeniable.
Only Lin Xuan knew the truth, a smile tugging at his lips. "Orochimaru, you mad genius from the ninja world. You really did restore Whitebeard's body to its peak."
Orochimaru himself remained unfazed, his expression calm as if this outcome was only natural. To him, the Tremor-Tremor Fruit's power was far more captivating than the victory itself.
Sengoku's face, however, was grim. Rumors had painted Whitebeard as a fading giant, reliant on IV drips and oxygen tanks, his strength a shadow of its former glory. The World Government had targeted him believing those rumors. But now? It was clear those reports were nothing but lies.
If Whitebeard's health was failing, how could he dominate the three Admirals with such ease?
Sengoku knew the Admirals' strength well. Few in the world could stand against them, let alone overpower them. Whitebeard's performance was unexpected, but it hadn't entirely derailed his plans.
The Navy had prepared for more than just this.
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T/N:
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