Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
In this unprecedented war, the Marines had mobilized nearly all of their forces, including the large-scale appearance of Pacifistas for the first time.
These humanoid weapons, resembling Bartholomew Kuma of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, posed a massive threat to pirates.
Ordinary crews were helpless before them—a single Pacifista could wipe out dozens of pirates at once.
At this time, under the advance orders of Fleet Admiral Sengoku, Victor, who was carrying Luffy, found himself surrounded by a group of Pacifistas.
These machines fired devastating laser beams from their mouths. Even with Moonwalk, Victor couldn't completely evade the dozen deadly beams aimed at him while carrying Luffy.
Normally, with the speed Victor had gained from his Thunder Fruit powers, the Pacifistas wouldn't have been able to even glimpse his shadow. But holding Luffy slowed him down, and he couldn't push his speed to the limit.
It was also because Victor hadn't fully developed the Thunder Fruit's potential.
If he had, like Enel, he could have used Observation Haki in combination with a massive electromagnetic field.
Within such a field, Victor's power would increase dramatically, unlocking devastating techniques—such as "Divine Punishment," a strike resembling the wrath of the heavens themselves.
"Ah! Victor, be careful! These robots are insanely strong!!"
Luffy's face froze in shock. Back on Sabaody Archipelago, the entire Straw Hat crew had nearly exhausted themselves just to take down a single Pacifista, and even then, they were left battered and embarrassed.
And now, more than one of those machines stood in front of them!
Rumble!
Thirty Million Volt Thunder Beast!
Before Luffy could even finish his words, a massive wolf made of lightning erupted forth. With a deafening roar of thunder, the Pacifista that had once cornered the Straw Hats was instantly ripped apart!
Victor's lightning beast surged forward and destroyed four Pacifistas at once!
"So strong!!"
Luffy gasped in awe. This was the clearest he had ever felt Victor's terrifying power.
"But… why does that move feel so familiar to me…? Ugh, I can't remember…"
Victor tore through the blockade and continued pushing forward with Luffy.
Meanwhile, the battlefield raged on. Whitebeard, still unweakened by illness, was unstoppable once he joined the fight.
Forced into desperation, Admirals Akainu and Aokiji joined forces against him, and only then did they manage to hold the old Emperor back.
To restore Marine morale, Akainu ordered the activation of the siege walls surrounding the harbor.
Then he unleashed Meteor Volcano, a bombardment like a natural disaster, which boosted Marine confidence once more.
Elsewhere, Whitebeard's division captains clashed with Marine vice admirals and the Seven Warlords. The war had reached its tensest moment.
But now, the turning point centered on Victor and Luffy—especially Victor. His strength had reached a level the Marines could no longer ignore.
Even Sengoku had never anticipated a wild card like Victor showing up in this war.
"Garp! Stop them!"
"Got it, Sengoku!"
The eyes of Marine hero Garp were filled with conflict. If he had a choice, he wouldn't want to be here.
But… he was a Marine.
"Old man!!"
Ace's voice trembled as he roared. He understood Garp's pain.
Everyone had their own beliefs—even Garp. So Ace wouldn't blame him. But deep down, he still feared Garp might actually strike at Luffy.
"..."
Garp didn't answer. He turned his back to Ace, fists clenched tightly.
Victor brought Luffy all the way to the execution platform's base, giving him a direct path toward rescuing Ace. But after that, Victor stopped.
The next moment was between Luffy and his grandfather Garp. Victor had no place interfering—it would only taint their inevitable clash.
"Victor, are you sure Garp won't attack Luffy?"
Whitebeard sighed heavily at the sight. Even he had to admit—Victor was unlike any other kid he had seen in all his years.
His strength was terrifying, but more than that, Victor seemed to possess foresight about things that hadn't even happened yet.
"Hellhound! Whitebeard, fight me! Don't get distracted!"
Akainu roared, his magma arm erupting forward at lightning speed.
Whitebeard raised his arm to block, but the attack tore open his already injured limb, worsening the wound.
"Kuzan, stop Whitebeard!"
Taking advantage of the strike, Akainu withdrew, leaving Aokiji to face Whitebeard alone.
"Ah la la… damn you, Sakazuki!"
Aokiji cursed, but before he could prepare, Whitebeard's fist came crashing down.
The Admiral was shattered into ice shards yet again, only barely reforming to continue the fight.
On the execution platform, Luffy began his final charge to save Ace.
"Ace! I'm coming!!"
Luffy's voice thundered with determination. To him, Ace's freedom was only one step away. But suddenly, a massive figure blocked his path.
His grandfather—Vice Admiral Monkey D. Garp!
"Grandpa, move out of the way!!"
"How could I possibly move? I am the Vice Admiral of Marine Headquarters. I've fought pirates long before you were born. If you want to pass, you'll have to step over my body!"
Garp stood firm, emotions raging in his eyes. He roared:
"Straw Hat Luffy! This is the path you and Ace chose!"
"Grandpa, please! Let me through! I can't fight you, Grandpa—I can't!!"
But Luffy didn't stop running. He couldn't lift his hand against the grandfather who loved him.
"If you can't fight me, then Ace will die! Life is full of things you don't want to do! I will show no mercy, Luffy—I'll treat you as an enemy!!"
With a final roar, Garp threw his iron fist, duty outweighing his heart.
Luffy clenched his teeth. A showdown with his grandfather was unavoidable. He activated Gear Second!
Grandfather and grandson clashed in a heartbreaking duel!
At that moment, Victor could have rushed to help Luffy rescue Ace. But instead, he sprinted away—his instincts screaming danger.
Because in the rear of the battlefield…
Boa Hancock was under attack!
Admiral Akainu, driven by his twisted sense of "absolute justice," had set his sights on Hancock!!