"Those guys... just like that brat said, they coated their ship to get in?!" Although Sengoku was slightly surprised, he wasn't completely unprepared.
At the harbour, the massive Moby Dick was surrounded by dozens of smaller ships. On the spacious deck, a giant figure stood at the bow.
An indescribable pressure bore down on the front of the harbour. Many Marines had already started to feel dizzy and short of breath.
The World's Strongest Man—Whitebeard! "Since he's appeared, then as Fleet Admiral ordered..."
Issho, standing at the front of the harbour, sensed the soaring life aura not far away. His blind eyes suddenly snapped open.
The cane-sword he had been leaning on was now held in front of him, purple gravity energy flowing along the half-drawn blade.
"Let's send Sir Whitebeard a big gift!!"
Shing—!
The blade returned to its sheath with a crisp click. Nothing happened. This left the surrounding Warlords and Marines speechless.
So... he was posing?
"Hey, hey, hey! Look at the sky! What the hell is that? That thing... is it a meteorite?"
"This is too exaggerated! Even for a Devil Fruit ability, this is going too far, isn't it?"
Prompted by others, the surrounding Marines looked up at the sky, following the sound. A sight that made them doubt their lives suddenly intruded into their vision.
As the meteorite approached, explosions rang out in the sky. Countless fireballs fell continuously, and a massive shadow instantly covered the entire crescent harbour.
"Meteorites are impressive, but against Pops's ability, they're nothing!!"
"Pops, shatter that eyesore!!"
"Yeah! You're Whitebeard, the World's Strongest Man!"
The Whitebeard Pirates were fearless. Although the meteorite was visually impactful...
Their Pops' Tremor-Tremor Fruit... Had the power to shatter space itself!
"Gurarara! Just right to weigh down your coffin lid, Sengoku!"
His laughter reached the ears of every Marine and pirate present, and the air itself seemed to vibrate violently. Whitebeard glanced at the rapidly falling meteorite.
Unhurriedly, he thrust his Murakumogiri into the deck to secure it, clenched both fists, white tremor energy rising from his hands, and smashed his muscular arms to the sides!
Vwoom—!!
A violent tremor sounded. Time and space seemed to freeze into a smooth mirror, then shattered under the bombardment of Whitebeard's fists!
Terrifying power spread through the air, climbing upward to bite at the meteorite and stirring the sea below.
A massive wave hundreds of feet high rose abruptly, instantly towering over the harbour!
Under this power, the giant meteorite shattered, vibrating continuously until it turned into sparse powder, drifting down to be swallowed by the sea.
"Gulp—! Is this... the power of the World's Strongest Man?"
"It's the power of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit. That guy Whitebeard... is a Tremor Human who ate the Tremor-Tremor Fruit!"
"Is that the legendary strongest Paramecia Devil Fruit?!"
A Marine swallowed nervously, feeling the intense tremors from the ground beneath his feet.
His heart, which had settled slightly due to the three figures in the Admiral seats, leapt into his throat again.
"Hehe! As expected of Whitebeard, the World's Strongest Man. This move really couldn't do anything to you." Issho sheathed his cane-sword, shaking his head with a sigh.
"The attack of the World's Strongest Man? It seems the distance between me and the world..."
Mihawk shook his head slightly. The [Black Blade Yoru] on his back remained sheathed.
"Don't let your guard down! Don't think our numbers guarantee victory!!"
Seeing the Marines wavering, Sengoku shouted sternly from the execution platform, "You've seen it! That man possesses the power to destroy the world! And..."
"He is still in his prime!!!"
The war... had begun!
"Arara~ Honestly..."
Watching the approaching tidal wave, Aokiji slowly stood up from his chair, his expression turning serious.
"I'll handle this."
"Hm?!"
Before Aokiji could act, Atlas waved his hand in front of him, clenched his fist, and invisible telekinetic power surged out.
If the Sheep Talisman enhanced the essence of the soul, and the Rooster Talisman utilised telekinesis, the two complemented each other.
It was like equipping an automatic rifle with an extended magazine; more bullets could be loaded, and more damage could be dealt to the enemy.
Splash—!!
Before the giant wave could crash down, the menacing wall of water instantly became docile.
Then, it turned abruptly, sweeping back toward the Whitebeard Pirates.
"Gurarara! Not bad, brat! Did you get Shiki's ability too?"
Whitebeard laughed heartily, his fighting spirit surging. He pulled Murakumogiri from the deck, coated the blade in tremor energy, and swung it forward!!
Vwoom—!
The slash, carrying the power of tremors, met the wave head-on. The massive slash shattered space, creating a dense net of cracks that enveloped the towering wave.
Rumble—!
The giant wave froze in an instant, then turned into a sky full of water droplets falling into the sea.
"Ice... Age!!"
Giving the Whitebeard Pirates no chance to breathe, a soft shout was heard. Cold air rose instantly, and white mist rushed across the sea like a plague!!
The turbulent sea froze at a speed visible to the naked eye, transitioning from extreme motion to extreme stillness in an instant.
Terrifying cold air climbed along the mist and the broad sea toward the Whitebeard Pirates' ships.
Splash—!
The sea surface broke, and a lean figure shot out from the depths, landing beside Whitebeard.
A western-style longsword hung at his waist, and his half-gold, half-white hair hung wet on his shoulders. A light laugh escaped his lips:
"Glad I made it in time. Looks like my coating skills haven't gotten rusty!"
Shing—!!
As soon as he spoke, the longsword at his waist was unsheathed. Armament Haki and Conqueror's Haki surged together, unleashing a peerless blade light!
Swish! Swish! Swish!
His arm waved, sending countless slashes toward the sea below. The encroaching ice instantly shattered, sending beautiful ice crystals flying.
"A swordsman?!"
Not far away, Mihawk narrowed his eyes. The [Black Blade Yoru] on his back vibrated slightly, as if cheering.
—He seemed to have found a target for a duel. "By the way—are you sure you're not sabotaging us?"
Atlas looked speechlessly at Aokiji beside him.
Logically, the Marines had the high ground and the harbour as a foothold, giving them an inherent advantage.
But then Aokiji suddenly froze the sea, not only giving the pirates a foothold but also allowing them to charge the harbour directly across the ice!
Of course, it wasn't without benefits for the Marines.
At least the weaker ones could go down to the ice and engage the pirates in close combat.
"Arara! I originally intended to freeze the Moby Dick and cut off their retreat."
Aokiji waved his hand helplessly, pleading innocence. On the other side, at the execution platform.
"That guy..." Sengoku's pupils contracted slightly, his face changing. "Rayleigh?! Are the Roger Pirates getting involved in this war, too?"
"I represent only myself. I can't control the other crew members!" Rayleigh, standing beside Whitebeard, sheathed his sword and answered loudly.
"Some things aren't up to you. Since you've made your choice, you must be prepared to bear all the consequences!"
Sengoku lowered his eyes, half his face hidden in shadow, his expression unreadable.
"..."
Rayleigh didn't reply, but a trace of guilt flashed in his eyes. Sorry, old friends! That kid, Shanks, is the heir to Roger's will. I can't let his journey end here!
"What? Rayleigh? Is that the legendary right hand of the Pirate King? Aren't the Roger Pirates and the Whitebeard Pirates mortal enemies?"
"Is this... an alliance between the two great pirate crews of the old era? Pirates really are evil!!"
The conversation between Rayleigh and Sengoku echoed clearly across the harbour. Uninformed Marines began to panic.
The captain of the Roger Pirates, the man who started the Great Pirate Era. The captain of the Whitebeard Pirates is currently the World's Strongest Man.
If these two world-class pirate crews united... could the Marines really defeat such an enemy?
Many Marines began to doubt themselves. After all, the reputation of these two pirate crews was too resounding!
"The World's Strongest Man... I'll handle him!!" Seeing the giant wave completely defeated, Atlas spoke slowly.
His voice wasn't loud, but, with a technique using Conqueror's Haki, it instantly filled everyone's ears. The Marines' somewhat low morale was instantly lifted.
"Challenging Whitebeard? What a courageous young man!" Even Aokiji couldn't help but look sideways.
Does this guy have some confidence?
"Hmph! This era belongs to the young. Old men like Whitebeard should have retired from the stage of history long ago!"
Akainu snorted coldly, looking at Atlas with increasing appreciation. Ignoring the voices around him, Atlas stepped forward, standing in the air.
As if walking on invisible stairs, he slowly walked to the centre of the inner harbour, looking down at the Whitebeard allied fleet below.
"It's Vice Admiral White Tiger!!" A Marine who had been feeling apprehensive suddenly opened his eyes wide in astonishment.
"Idiot! Call him Admiral White Tiger!" A colleague interrupted him with extreme dissatisfaction.
"But... the World Government hasn't—?"
"It's only a matter of time. With Sir White Tiger's strength, it would be unreasonable not to be an Admiral!"
"That's true! But even if Vice Admiral... Admiral White Tiger captured Shiki, arrested Kaido, and repelled Big Mom..."
"He's facing... the World's Strongest Man!!"
"Bastard, have you ever seen Sir White Tiger lose since he set sail?"
The colleague looked at Atlas in mid-air with adoration, acting like a complete fanboy.
"It seems... not?!"
"Hm—?!"
Sengoku's eyes widened, staring in surprise at Atlas, who had gathered the attention of the entire field.
This brat! Why isn't he following the plan?
During the strategy meeting, he had already finalised a plan for Sakazuki and Atlas to team up and take down Whitebeard, aiming to end the battle as quickly as possible.
He didn't expect this guy to change the plan without telling him!
Although he hadn't seen this brat fight for a year, the opponent was Whitebeard! Sengoku wouldn't let his guard down, nor could he!
"However, since the brat took the initiative to take on Whitebeard, I trust he has some confidence." Seeing this, Sengoku could only dismiss the idea of calling Atlas back.
"Gurarara!! Challenging me? You're still a bit naive! Marine brat!!" Whitebeard laughed loudly, then swung Murakumogiri, slashing at Atlas!
"Pops made a move! Charge!! Beat these bastard Marines senseless!!"
Seeing Whitebeard attack, the subordinate captains and division commanders led their troops, jumping off the ships and charging toward the Marine side.
Although Rayleigh blocked Aokiji's final freeze and didn't trap the Moby Dick, most of the sea surface was covered in thick ice, providing enough foothold for these pirates.
"Looks like we have to get serious today, or we might really be left at Marineford."
Rayleigh stood at the bow, a smile on his lips. He stretched his muscles a bit and shouted to the Red Force ahead:
"Gaban, time to work!!"
"Alright! Hahahaha!"
A strong figure soared into the sky, wielding two great axes. Flanking Rayleigh left and right, they charged toward the Marines.
Their goal wasn't to cause casualties, but to stall for time.
Although the difference in top-level combat power between the enemy and themselves was vast, battles between strong fighters could last for days.
It would be more than enough time for Beckman's side to carry out the rescue.
"Clang—!!!"
Before Rayleigh could get close, a ghost-like figure appeared with a sword.
A black longsword as tall as a person blocked upward, and the crisp sound of metal clashing rang out.
"A Warlord?"
Rayleigh's gaze focused. Looking at the young man who had suddenly appeared, he chuckled:
"Nice eyes, but too little strength."
Glancing at Akainu and Aokiji, who were already rushing over, Rayleigh shook his head. He had no intention of educating the younger generation at the moment.
Making a prompt decision, the muscles in his arm bulged, veins popping, and he slashed down!
Vwoom—!
Conqueror's Haki coated the narrow blade. Black-and-red arcs leapt wildly. Wherever the blade passed, space trembled, and thick black lightning raged.
Boom—!
The dazzling blade light instantly engulfed Mihawk, and a large splash of blood shot out.