Sengoku stood far behind the chaos of the battlefield, his sharp eyes narrowing as a chill ran down his spine.
"What is that bastard Thorne Ashveil trying to do?!" he roared, fury and disbelief twisting his expression.
A suffocating pressure swept through Marineford as Sengoku's Observation Haki spread outward. His frown deepened.
"He's closing in fast… and his attack— it gives off a dreadful feeling.… such a terrifying technique."
Garp, standing beside him, clenched his fists, his usually easygoing face hardening. "Only Rocks and that kid can use that technique . Back in the day, Rocks' version of that move caused me all kinds of trouble." His voice carried a rare solemn weight.
Sengoku's jaw tightened. "But this boy… he's not above twenty."
"To reach such heights at that age," Tsuru muttered grimly, "is beyond frightening. If he's not stopped today, he'll become an even greater threat— one who might overturn the entire world."
The giant fist of black-and-red energy forming above Marineford pulsed with violent power. It was pure, unrestrained Haki, crackling like thunder as the air itself trembled. Sengoku could feel the weight of it pressing against his chest.
He remembered all too well the last time Thorne Ashveil had used this move— the day he'd shattered Marineford's gate with a single blow. The memory still stung.
"Admirals, move out!" Sengoku barked, voice booming across the Den Den Mushi network. "Stop Thorne Ashveil. If necessary— eliminate him on the spot!"
His tone left no room for hesitation. This was no longer the time for capture or study. The Marines were on the brink, and against a monster like Ashveil, a single moment of carelessness meant destruction.
The Admirals exchanged grim looks before launching into the air. Using Moonwalk, they streaked across the sky like comets, feet pounding the air and leaving rippling shockwaves in their wake.
High above, Morgans flapped his wings anxiously, his Den Den Mushi camera whirring as it recorded every instant.
"Two Admirals dispatched at once…" he muttered, feathers ruffling. "Ashveil's pushed the Marines to the edge. He's in real danger now."
Despite being a neutral journalist, Morgans couldn't help but root for the man who had single-handedly rewritten the headlines of the world. "Come on, Ashveil… don't go down like last time."
On the battlefield below, a burst of golden light erupted as Kizaru appeared two hundred meters from Ashveil, his lazy smile gone.
"What a terrifying monster," he said coolly, raising a glowing hand. "This time, I won't hold back. Yasakani no Magatama!"
Thousands of golden light bullets materialized in the air and curved through the sky like a storm of meteors, shrieking toward Ashveil.
At the same time, Aokiji's breath misted in the air as frost gathered around him. "Don't forget me," he murmured. Ice surged outward, forming four massive spears that shot forward with bone-freezing speed. Each one left a trail of frozen air that solidified behind it.
On the other side, Tokikake's blade gleamed crimson. He raised his sword high, channeling his full strength. "Konpira Slash!"
The red arc blazed across the battlefield, merging with the light and ice. The three forces combined into a single overwhelming strike— a testament to their perfect coordination.
Ashveil didn't flinch. His Haki surged outward, forming a colossal black-and-scarlet fist that tore through the sky. The air howled as it collided with the incoming attacks.
BOOM!
The heavens split apart. A colossal explosion of energy erupted, shaking Marineford to its core. The shockwave flattened everything in a five-kilometer radius. Marines were hurled into the air like leaves in a storm, their screams drowned out by the roaring wind.
Even seasoned veterans could only stare, speechless. The sky above the island looked as though it had cracked open, spilling light and darkness in chaotic streams.
On a nearby platform, Douglas Bullet licked his lips, his coat flapping wildly. "Heh. What an arrogant bastard," he said with a grin. "Taking on the Admirals again? I like his spirit." His eyes gleamed with something between admiration and bloodlust.
Not far away, Shiryu of the Rain wiped his sword clean, blood dripping from the edge of his blade. His sharp gaze flicked toward the distant explosion.
"Heh heh… Thorne Ashveil, you've gone too far in. Facing two Admirals at once— you'll probably end up the same as last time, huh?"
He chuckled darkly. "But it doesn't matter. I never followed you out of loyalty. You saved me, sure, but I don't owe you a damn thing. Whether you live or die… that's none of my concern."
On the opposite side of the battlefield, Fire Fist Ace was locked in combat with Yamakaji. His flame-wreathed fists froze mid-swing as he turned toward the explosion. "Captain Ashveil!" he shouted, worry breaking through his battle focus. "Be careful!"
Even Whitebeard himself had quickened his pace, his massive bisento cutting through the air as he advanced toward the center of the war. The old man's eyes burned with fierce determination. The chaos of the Underwater Great Prison escapees and the Marine forces clashed all around, but Whitebeard's gaze never left the heart of the battlefield— where Thorne Ashveil stood, defying the world itself.
The sky thundered again as another explosion echoed across the bay, shaking the very foundations of Marineford.
And there, amidst the dust and chaos, Thorne Ashveil's silhouette stood tall— his aura surging higher, his Conqueror's Haki blazing like fire across the heavens.
The world watched in awe and fear, for in that moment, a single man was standing against the full might of the Marines.
___
Happy New month