The golden longsword streaked across the heavens like lightning. Infused with the brilliance of Conqueror's Haki and the power of light, it tore through the clouds in an instant, racing toward Kizaru with blinding speed.
Kizaru's eyes widened, disbelief flashing across his face. "Such speed…!"
It was the first time in years he had seen an attack faster than his own light-speed movement.
Golden radiance burst from his body as he transformed into light, desperately dodging the incoming strike. Yet even as he moved at light speed, he could feel the weapon pursuing him. The yellow blade wasn't just fast—it carried a terrifying, willful intent, chasing him like a living predator.
Across the sky, two beams of golden light illuminated the battlefield. The one fleeing ahead was Kizaru himself, evading through pure photon speed; the one trailing close behind was the light-forged sword, moving under the will of Thorne Ashveil.
While Kizaru struggled to keep ahead, a second sword—white as glacial frost—descended toward Aokiji. It radiated icy power so intense that the air itself froze solid wherever it passed.
Aokiji reacted instantly, summoning four massive spears of ice and launching them toward the approaching blade. The spears met the sword head-on, only to be devoured the moment they made contact, their frozen mass absorbed by an unfamiliar force.
The Admiral's face twisted in shock. The cold emanating from that blade… it was his own Devil Fruit ability—but stronger. Far stronger.
"This… this has to be a joke," Aokiji muttered, eyes wide as the chilling truth sank in. His attacks had no effect. Against Ashveil's power, even his Ice-Ice Fruit felt insignificant.
Meanwhile, Tokikake, the newly appointed Admiral, faced the blood-red sword above him. Its searing energy radiated pure destruction. Gathering all the Flowing Armament Haki within his body, Tokikake infused it into his blade, Konpira, and slashed upward to meet the attack.
The two forces collided, exploding midair with a thunderous roar. A blast of scorching heat washed over him, burning the air and scorching the very clouds.
But Ashveil's flame-forged Conqueror's Haki did not relent. The crimson blade cleaved through the explosion and continued downward, filling Tokikake's entire vision with a torrent of fire.
The temperature spiked. The air shimmered. His skin felt like it was about to melt.
Tokikake gritted his teeth, his usually calm expression cracking under the sheer pressure. "It's over… this attack will kill me!"
High above, Morgans circled on his news airship, wings spread wide as he shouted into his recording device with wild excitement.
"Unbelievable! Terrifying Thorne Ashveil! This is his true power! Even Marineford—home of the greatest Admirals—cannot withstand him, even when the Admirals fight together!"
Behind Morgans, Airi trembled as she watched the unfolding chaos. Her fingers clenched tightly, her breath caught in her throat.
Below, Garp narrowed his eyes. The pressure emanating from Ashveil's three swords made even him uneasy.
"Sengoku," he said grimly, "if we don't act now, the Admirals will be finished. Even if reinforcements arrive later, it might be too late."
Then, without waiting for a reply, Garp bellowed—"Soru!"—and vanished from sight, his figure blurring as he leapt toward the battle.
Sengoku exhaled sharply, face tightening. "That old fool's charging in…"
Moments later, his own form expanded, turning into the massive golden Buddha. With one thunderous step, Sengoku vanished as well, heading straight into the heart of the chaos.
In the center of the battlefield, Tokikake stared up helplessly as the blazing sword bore down on him. The heat singed his uniform, the overwhelming force crushing his will.
His hands trembled around his sword hilt, and for a moment, he felt the sting of bitter realization—he wasn't strong enough. Not yet. Not compared to this man.
His mind echoed with the same thought over and over: I just became an Admiral… and already, I've met a monster who makes me question everything.
Just as the burning sword was about to engulf him, a deep, booming voice roared from above.
"Iron Fist!"
A massive, darkened fist—coated entirely in Armament Haki—crashed through the air, smashing directly into the descending flame sword.
Boom!
The impact ripped through the atmosphere like a cannon of the gods. The sky split open. The ground quaked. The clash of power sent shockwaves tearing through Marineford.
Heat and force erupted outward, and even Tokikake had to activate full-body Armament Haki just to stay standing. The flames scattered, raining down in crimson fragments, each piece carrying immense destructive energy.
Everywhere they landed, explosions burst open across the base, gouging deep craters into the earth. Marines scrambled for cover as the ground shook violently beneath their feet.
At the heart of it all stood Monkey D. Garp, arm raised high, the smoke of the impact curling around his hardened fist. His arrival had halted the sword—but the air still burned with the lingering aura of Thorne Ashveil.
And everyone watching could feel it.
This was no ordinary battle.
This was a clash between legends—and Marineford itself was the battlefield that might not survive it.
_____
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