A crimson-black Conqueror's Haki descended from the sky; this was a wisp of Haoshoku released by Nero from above Nicuss Sky City.
It was swift as lightning, yet not meant for attack, and initially, there was no change when it landed on Whitebeard.
"What's happening... uh..." Just as Whitebeard was puzzled, the pure gold necklace on his wrist suddenly reacted.
It expanded... expanded... The necklace transformed into an unknown black substance, like mud, emitting an ominous aura identical to Nero's.
"What is this, Nero!"
The black sludge quickly covered half of Whitebeard's arm, breathing as if alive and full of malice.
"This is the first time I've discovered... created? Hmm, anyway, it's a strange substance!"
Nero's voice on the other end became cheerful: "Although it will cause a tiny bit of erosion to one's consciousness, Conqueror's Haki can effectively resist it!"
"If you fail, you'll turn into a beast. If you succeed, due to immature technology, it will also collapse after about half an hour."
A sharp pain shot through his brain, as if thousands of people were whispering in his mind. Whitebeard realized something was wrong with this thing.
This is bad, very bad!
It wasn't as Nero said, that he could resist it just by using Haoshoku; even with his Haoshoku, he could barely remain conscious.
Undisguised malice was eroding his brain. Whitebeard used his last bit of strength to give orders to the others.
"Everyone... retreat! Get away from me!!!"
The Four Emperors-level Conqueror's Haki erupted, and no one below the rank of Vice Admiral could remain standing.
The once crowded plaza instantly became much emptier, and Whitebeard was completely engulfed by the black mud.
"Pops... Nero! What exactly is this thing?" Marco roared into the den den mushi.
"I came to witness Edward Newgate's curtain call, not an old man's funeral."
Nero, on the other end of the den den mushi, said with an indifferent voice, "The game has begun, good luck!"
"Nani? Nero! Hey... Nero!"
Marco roared, but Nero had already hung up the den den mushi.
"Damn it! Pops, I'm coming to save you!" Blue flames reignited around Marco as he charged towards the black mud that had swallowed Whitebeard.
No one stopped him; no one could understand Nero's methods. If Marco could succeed, both sides would be happy to see it.
However, Marco, who had just touched the black mud, instantly screamed, clutching his head as if a thousand needles had pierced his brain; he almost felt assimilated by the black mud.
"Marco!" Jozu immediately stepped forward to support Marco. He also noticed that Marco's hand was burned.
But how was that possible? Marco was a Phoenix Fruit user!
"Quick... quickly find a way to save Pops, that thing shouldn't exist in this world at all!" Marco endured the headache and roared desperately.
"I'll just..." Upon hearing this, Jozu immediately prepared to launch a reckless attack.
"Wait, don't directly touch that black mud!" Marco quickly reached out to stop him.
"Then what should we do?" Jozu was stumped. This meant the tank couldn't engage in close combat.
Just as Jozu was struggling, the black mud underwent a new change, the sludge, which still showed Whitebeard's outline, expanded again.
It surged outwards, indiscriminately engulfing fallen pirates and Marines alike.
"Ice Ball!"
In the end, Kuzan intervened in time, freezing all the black mud.
"Did it work?"
At this moment, no one even cared about Ace, the protagonist of this execution.
Everyone stared unblinkingly at the unknown sludge.
"Just in case, Kuzan, freeze this thing even more solidly." Sengoku swallowed hard and ordered Aokiji.
"Ah, I was thinking the same thing. This thing always gives me an ominous feeling." Kuzan extended his palm, and ice spread from his hand.
And just then, the ice-sealed black sludge underwent a new change... "Hmm, what a pity! If there were enough sacrifices, Newgate might actually have lived another lifetime."
Nero paced on the golden zenith, her ruby beast eyes reflecting captivating light, her tone filled with regret.
"But as a final funeral, it's enough."
...This time, the black mud didn't expand again. Instead, it pulsed with a dark red glow like a heartbeat.
The black mud seemed to possess intelligence. After realizing it could no longer absorb other food, it began to contract inwards until it reformed into a six-meter-tall humanoid figure.
The soft sludge became hard, like a blurry stone statue.
Crack... crack... It was the sound of glaciers or stones shattering, a low, crackling sound exploding from within.
First, it was the arm holding Murakumogiri, veins bulging as it slammed onto the ground, causing fragments to peel off Whitebeard's body layer by layer.
"Gurararara! My head feels heavy, that kid Nero..."
Golden hair cascaded over his shoulders, Whitebeard's expression was like a demon from hell, followed by an overwhelming, ferocious Haoshoku.
The heavy dark clouds in the sky vanished without a trace, the sea churned with towering waves, and even Vice Admiral-level combatants could only maintain a shred of consciousness.
"But this body is really good! Gurararararara..."
The Murakumogiri slammed heavily onto the ground, and Whitebeard laughed uproariously.
"Pops...?"
Marco, Jozu, and the others stared blankly at Whitebeard. They hadn't seen him like this in so long, this youthful and vibrant appearance.
Meanwhile, the Marine side gritted their teeth: "Whitebeard, has he returned to his prime?"
And veterans like Sengoku and Garp had even more serious expressions.
This Conqueror's Haki was not right; it seemed even stronger than in his prime...
"If I had recovered my youth earlier, the Moby Dick wouldn't have... Tsk!"
Whitebeard looked back at the wreckage of the Moby Dick, then turned to face the Marine. Saving Ace was just a small matter.
Now it was time for him to settle old scores with the Marine. Whitebeard, holding Murakumogiri, narrowed his eyes; that spirited man had returned.
"Marine! Now, let's test the power of the strongest man in the world in his prime—Edward Newgate!!!"
"...Alert! All forces, be on alert! Garp! Akainu! Kizaru! Aokiji! Stop Whitebeard with me!"
Sengoku's eye twitched. This was big trouble. A young Whitebeard was apparently an enhanced version, and if things really escalated, no one could stop him alone except Nero.
And Nero wouldn't possibly stand with the Marine at this time.
Moreover, it was clear that Nero didn't care how many people died; she just wanted to watch the show...
---------------------------------
If you'd like to read the next 70 chapters in advance, you can support me on Patreon.
I regularly post chapter previews there, so you'll always be up-to-date and won't have to wait too long.
patreon.com/SolyuraMT
And if you enjoy the story, don't forget to give me a Power Stone. Your support really motivates me to continue translating!