"Hell Hound!!!"
Akainu spun around, releasing a volcanic, explosive magma fist.
"Devil Form: Steel Fist!"
Boom!
The crimson, Haki-infused lava collided with a dark blue, custom-forged steel fist, also coated in Haki.
Bang!
A massive tremor rolled across Marineford plaza, sending nearby Marines tumbling from the shockwave.
Boom!
Lava and steel met in a brilliant clash, crackling and sizzing as energy tore through the plaza.
Crack!
"Haaah!"
"Hmph!"
Crimson and dark iron intertwined, chipping and scorching each other.
"This punch packs power, but the heat barely reaches bathwater temperature," the steel-wielding figure muttered, voice calm amidst the chaos.
"Hmph, you pirate scum from Pirate King Roger's crew! Today, you burn!"
On one side, Akainu's resolute, lava-wreathed figure radiated scorching fury, magma splashing across the ground and setting it aflame. On the other, the arrogant, steel-armored warrior glowed with Haki, his aura shimmering like a rainbow. Neither would yield.
Sizzle, sizzle, sizzle!
At last, black-red lightning arced between them, crackling violently.
"Run!"
The overwhelming energy alarmed surrounding Marines and pirates alike.
"Quick! Evacuate! Get down!"
Rear Admiral T-Bone, the "Ship Cutter," recognized the threat and, though still in danger himself, roared:
"Danger! Everyone, get out of here! Down!!!"
He instinctively measured the destructive power erupting from the colliding forces. Ordinary Marines could not withstand this energy.
"Huh? Yes! Down!"
Though many had not yet sensed the danger, duty demanded obedience. They scattered at T-Bone's command, trusting the fearsome Admiral who had never failed those who followed him.
Whoosh!
In an instant, Marines around Bullet and Akainu spread into a protective circle.
Sizzle…
Only five seconds after T-Bone's warning, dazzling Haki lightning flashed across the plaza's edge.
Boom!
The intertwined Haki masses twisted and exploded with a force more violent than concentrated dynamite.
Bang!
"Wuwuwu…"
Thanks to T-Bone's timely warning, the Marines were blown aside by the shockwave, not shredded by the explosion.
"Damn… can I withstand this?"
Rear Admiral T-Bone, however, had no such luck. To save a Marine unable to dodge due to an injured leg, he rushed forward.
"Marine! Take cover behind me! Don't look up!"
Fearless, T-Bone placed his not-so-strong Haki and body between the young Marine and the devastating collision.
"Haaah!"
He became the single hope for survival, shielding the injured Marine from the world-class powers clashing above.
Boom!
The Haki explosion reached them.
Creak!
T-Bone thrust his broad, door-sized longsword into the ground.
"Right-Angle Justice: Bone Moth!"
Even a fragile candle can contest the sun and moon. A humble body can resist a violent storm.
Crack!
Yet in less than two seconds, his sword, weakened by the force and Haki, broke.
Oh no…
Pfft!
Blood surged into his mouth, but he swallowed, forcing himself onward.
Pfft, pfft…
His armor and body were battered, yet he stood unwavering.
Wuwuwu…
The violent energy mocked the selfless knight, who tried to protect others while dwarfed by power. Laughable yet noble.
"Aaaah…"
T-Bone's roar cut through, resolute amidst torn uniform and wounds. He stood firm, shielding the Marine behind him. He belonged there—a knight of justice, dedicating every ounce to his country and comrades.
"Justice of Self-Sacrifice!"
Though the world glorified strength and betrayal, his path was righteous, tragic perhaps, but noble.
True strength, T-Bone knew, bears no regrets, whether leading to heaven or hell.
…
"Has that energy finally stopped…?"
After a tense pause, Marines peered up, sensing danger had passed.
"Magma: Scorched Earth!"
"Heavy Cannonball!"
The two titans clashed once more, dazzling the Marines with their skill and power.
"Rear Admiral T-Bone!"
Attention turned not to the dueling titans, but to the seemingly ordinary Marine General standing amidst the devastation.
Amid smoke and rubble, T-Bone held a broken sword, uniform shredded yet resolute, swaying but standing in front of the Marine he protected.
"Cough… cough… thank you for your concern. I'm fine," he rasped, forcing a smile through his battered face.
"Everyone, protect the plaza! We cannot let the Whitebeard Pirates break through!"
"Rear Admiral T-Bone, I…"
The Marine behind him, tears streaming, expressed his gratitude:
"I'm sorry! My failure endangered you!"
"No! You are not incompetent!"
T-Bone gently approached, noting the Marine's injured Achilles tendon.
"Your tendon is broken, yet you fight. Is that incompetence?"
Pain could not slow Marines here. Only injury, like a ruptured tendon, impeded them. The Marine, eyes red, did not expect T-Bone to notice.
"For justice! I will not hesitate to die ten thousand deaths!"
Inspired by T-Bone's example, the surrounding Marines' eyes glimmered red with pride.
"Alright! Everyone, charge! Stop the Whitebeard Pirates from taking the plaza!"
T-Bone's grotesque but determined face grinned as Marines surged forward, halting the Pirates' advance.
Pfft…
Only once attention waned did T-Bone spit blood onto the ground. His organs were likely damaged. Today might be his final battle. Retreat was impossible.
Discarding his broken sword, he seized a fallen Marine saber and murmured:
"Sword, lend me your strength. I will not disgrace your might."
With that, Rear Admiral T-Bone strode forward, joining Marines to fight at the breach.
There, Pirates had solidified magma, many charging the plaza. The battlefield became a second meat grinder.
"Kill! Let all these hypocritical Marines die! Save Captain Ace!"
"We cannot let the Whitebeard Pirates break through! This insults justice!"
…
"Ace!"
Luffy rushed into the plaza, smiling broadly.
"Ace! I'm here!"
"Luffy!"
Ace, on the execution platform, groaned seeing his reckless younger brother.
"Don't come alone…"
If not for boosting Marine morale, he might have smacked him. One person versus the execution site? Too reckless!
Yet Luffy, ever impulsive, pressed on. Few in the Monkey D. family were thoughtful planners—Dragon aside. Garp had beaten Dragon with a slipper since childhood, leaving marks. Action before thought ran in the bloodline.
"I'm coming!"
Luffy grabbed two nearby cannons, dodged multiple attacks, and propelled himself forward.
"Ace! I'm coming to save you!"
"Garp!"
Fleet Admiral Sengoku, sleeves rolled, glared coldly at Luffy's airborne approach.
"I'll end your grandson's life!"
Garp and Ace turned pale. Luffy, don't come here!