Patrick Redfield's sudden entry plunged the Marines into a awkward dilemma...
Originally, targeting Redfield was one of the primary objectives for Fleet Admiral Kong and Zephyr. But under the current chaotic circumstances, launching an assault against Redfield had lost all immediate purpose.
With a swift wave of his staff blade, Uchiha Madara cast a dazzling arc of lightning that instantly severed the necks of two Marine Captains attempting to sneak up behind him.
In the same fluid motion, his hands expertly grabbed both of their heads, instantly crushing their skulls with sheer physical power.
Born from the brutal battlefields of the Warring States period, Madara's group-combat methods were raw, barbaric, and soaked in blood. The sight pushed Sengoku into a deeper rage, causing him to charge forward in fury.
Loguetown had already been reduced to absolute ruin. Even if it raised suspicions of temporarily siding with a pirate like Redfield, Sengoku didn't care anymore—he brought a massive Golden Buddha palm crashing down.
Madara turned, bringing his staff blade around as a surging blue arc of electricity cut through the air. Simultaneously, Redfield brought his blood-red blades sweeping down with crackling intensity.
Even while being pressed under their joint offensive, Madara showed no signs of fatigue; on the contrary, the battle only fueled his savage momentum.
Though multiple wounds lined his body, he remained locked in a ruthless deadlock against Sengoku and Redfield.
Taking in Madara's situation, Shiraishi knew that if the battle dragged on, the numerically disadvantaged Sunagakure Pirates would eventually be wiped out. He dispersed Nihilego's neurotoxin into the surrounding air, numbing the bodies of numerous Marines as he launched himself toward Garp once more.
"Hey! What are you doing?!"
"I... I can't control my body...!"
"Dammit, it must be that kid's trick!"
Madara took several quick steps back. Just as Sengoku's domineering palm wind and Redfield's crimson sword energy swept in, a massive tear suddenly split open the sky!
A terrifying storm of localized shockwaves abruptly halted Sengoku's incoming blast. At the same time, Shiraishi held up his silver blade, blocking a direct strike from Redfield.
This is...
Sengoku turned toward the horizon, his gaze fixing on a towering, majestic figure: "I didn't expect you to show up here as well... Whitebeard!"
"Gurararara... Sengoku, why don't I keep you company for a while?"
The Whitebeard Pirates had arrived at the outer waters of Loguetown, instantly driving the tension on the field to an absolute climax. Even Ace, who was locked in combat with Sakazuki nearby, felt tears welling up in his eyes under his mask.
Pops...
Unlike Roger or Shiki, Whitebeard had no interest in treasure during his youth. He had once declared that his greatest dream was simply to have a family, which was why he gathered so many crews under his grand banner.
Whitebeard possessed a vast heart. Because most of his crew members were castaways rejected by society, they looked up to him with boundless reverence and gratitude for treating them as his own sons and family—affectionately calling him "Pops."
Though aging required him to undergo medical drips, his sheer courage and absolute power remained undiminished. Fearless to his core, he met every incoming threat head-on with brutal determination.
He would never permit anyone to harm his comrades, nor would he tolerate schemes or betrayals between companions. His crew, genuinely captivated by his charismatic leadership, were willing to toss their lives aside for their captain.
In Shiraishi's eyes, Whitebeard's title as the "Strongest" among the Four Emperors didn't just stem from pure combat strength. It was because he stood tall upon these vast seas with such rare, unshakeable principles that he was revered as the Strongest Man in the World.
For an ambitious pirate who valued family and affection above all else to reign supreme over a world defined by deceit and betrayal was a feat worthy of the title "Strongest."
Ace had been with Shiraishi for over a decade, yet he still held fond memories of Pops after spending only a few years aboard his ship—a testament to Whitebeard's unique charisma.
"I didn't expect Whitebeard to join the party as well."
"Gurararara... Who told you kids to cause such a grand ruckus?"
Just as Shiraishi was about to reply, Garp caught up out of nowhere: "Kid, take my Fist of Love!"
Garp's fist slammed forward, instantly raising a massive bump on Shiraishi's forehead. In response, Shiraishi blasted a wave of arctic wind, once again encasing Garp inside an icy coffin!
Glancing over at Shiraishi's chaotic exchange with Garp, Whitebeard burst out laughing: "Gurararara... Garp, you've really gone soft in your old age!"
Sengoku's facial muscles twitched violently. Leaving Madara aside for the moment, he glared at Whitebeard: "Why are you appearing here of all places?!"
"I respect Roger's last words, but..."
Swinging his bisento with force, a blast of conqueror's pressure swept across the entire island, causing countless Marines and pirates alike to go limp and collapse into unconsciousness.
"...I can't let a brat steal all the spotlight. He managed to drag all of us into his little game."
With the Great Pirate Era dawning, no major player wanted to be left behind. Even Whitebeard, who lacked political ambition or grand conquest goals, had no intention of being completely outshined by a rookie.
"Childish..."
Shiraishi's dismissive expression made Ace grit his teeth in frustration. That bastard captain—how dare he call Pops childish!
Noticing Shiraishi's reaction, Whitebeard turned with a hearty laugh: "Gurararara! You look pretty annoyed, kid. For some reason, seeing that look on your face puts me in a great mood."
Shiraishi's irritation was strictly directed at Ace's emotional attachment to Whitebeard, though he quickly reined his composure back in.
"Quitting while we're ahead—our objective has already been achieved."
Faced with the increasingly chaotic battlefield, Shiraishi nodded and ordered a full retreat.
Yachiru Unohana, still in her sword-demon state, leaped into the air. Gripping her Zanpakuto, she executed a massive slash that shattered the frozen landscape ahead, clearing an open path for the Shukaku. Amidst the astonished stares of the crowd, Unohana landed smoothly back onto the deck.
Kikyo executed an elegant spatial teleportation, reappearing on the ship as well. Her battle with Borsalino had drawn to a draw, and seeing her retreat, Borsalino showed no intention of pursuing further.
Although Ace wanted to continue his fierce bout with Sakazuki, the stamina drain from Fire Fist · Second Gear was significantly higher than standard flames. As the battle dragged on, Ace began to feel the heavy onset of fatigue.
As for Sakazuki, despite taking a beating throughout the fight, bringing him down completely was an exceedingly difficult task. Ace realized that if he wanted to defeat this relentless hound, he would have to keep pushing his training even further.
The elemental hierarchy between Devil Fruits was never absolute. As long as he kept striving, he would eventually rewrite those future outcomes.
"Masked warrior... next time, I will kill you with my own hands."
Sakazuki was far more enraged than Ace. Possessing the natural superior element, he had still been suppressed throughout the fight, instilling a deep sense of crisis within him.
I am still not strong enough...
To carry out Absolute Justice, I must possess far greater power. I must train even harder.
Thick, dark smoke billowed ominously from Sakazuki's body as he glared toward the distant Shukaku.
Sunagakure Pirates... I will be the one to personally bring your end in the future!