As Ace's Fire Fist came crashing in, Akainu remained completely unfazed, meeting it head-on with his magma power.
"Shut up! You have no right to speak about my old man!"
Hearing Akainu continue his mockery, the last trace of rationality in Ace's mind was swallowed by rage. The flames in his attack surged even more violently.
Marco and the others, unable to tolerate it any longer, were about to intervene when Kizaru suddenly appeared in a flash of golden light, instantly blocking their path.
Ace didn't stop after his first strike failed. Instead, he raised his arm high, gathering all his flames above his head. Slowly, a massive, blazing fireball began to take shape.
Everyone watching the video gasped in shock.
This was his strongest move—Flame Emperor!
He intended to use this meteor-like inferno to completely annihilate Akainu in one strike.
"Great Flame Commandment: Flame Emperor!"
With a furious roar, Ace hurled the massive fireball forward with all his strength.
In an instant, an ocean of flames descended upon Akainu, like a blazing sun falling from the sky.
Anyone else would have been terrified out of their wits at such a sight.
But Akainu was different.
As one of the Navy's top combat forces, he had seen countless battles. More importantly, behind him stood the Marines.
Whether out of pride or his sense of justice, he had to destroy this attack.
His expression darkened as magma surged along his arm. Then he slammed his fist into the ground.
At once, torrents of magma erupted, scorching everything within several meters and turning the battlefield into a hellish volcanic zone.
"All evil must be eradicated—including you!"
With a furious shout, dozens of magma pillars burst from the ground like erupting volcanoes, clashing against the descending Flame Emperor and consuming much of its power.
Even weakened, the remaining flames still engulfed Akainu. Unable to fully transform into magma in time, he was swallowed by the fire, letting out a pained roar.
"Even if you kill me, it won't change the fact that Whitebeard is a failure of the old era! Hahaha!"
Hearing both the screams and the mocking laughter, Ace's fury exploded completely. Without hesitation, he charged forward, intent on finishing Akainu off.
But he had already fallen into a trap.
Akainu's eyes gleamed with killing intent. Enduring the burning flames, he fully transformed into magma and charged straight at Ace instead of retreating.
The moment Luffy, Marco, and the others saw this, their expressions changed. They rushed forward desperately, shouting for Ace to stop.
But how could Ace remain calm when the man he respected most was being insulted again and again?
In the blink of an eye, Akainu closed the distance.
A cruel smile twisted across his face as he threw a punch.
His magma-covered fist pierced straight through Ace's body as easily as slicing through butter.
No matter how fierce flames were, they could never overpower magma.
A dull sound echoed.
Ace's chest bulged outward for a moment before collapsing inward.
His internal organs were completely destroyed by the magma.
Life faded from him instantly.
As Akainu's fist pierced through Ace, time itself seemed to freeze. The entire battlefield fell silent.
Even those watching the video who knew Ace were left stunned.
Luffy's mind went blank. His legs gave out, and he nearly collapsed.
He couldn't believe what he was seeing. It felt as if his heart had been struck violently, a searing pain spreading through his chest.
"Ahhh! My son!"
A thunderous roar suddenly swept across the battlefield, carrying overwhelming fury.
Everyone turned toward the source.
Whitebeard.
He had regained a sliver of consciousness.
But the moment he opened his eyes, this was the scene he witnessed.
In an instant, the dying old man rose once more, his body erupting with terrifying power.
Dragging his battered, bloodied body, Whitebeard began to walk forward, step by step.
He said nothing.
No one dared approach him.
Wherever he passed, people instinctively moved aside, overwhelmed by his presence.
"Old man, look! My bounty went up again!"
"Gurarara! That little increase isn't worth bragging about in front of me."
"One day, my bounty will surpass yours!"
"Gurarara! Big talk for a brat. You've got a long way to go."
"Old man, what was your dream when you were young? To become Pirate King?"
"Dream? Gurarara… I just wanted a family, sailing freely across the sea together. As for Pirate King… that's for you to achieve."
"Hey, I don't want to be Pirate King! I'll help you become one!"
"You brat… I don't have much time left. This era will eventually—"
"Stop it! You'll live a long life!"
Memories flashed through Whitebeard's mind—moments with Ace, from their first meeting to drinking and feasting together.
By the time he came back to his senses, he was already standing before Akainu.
He stopped.
Silent.
He slowly raised his fist, pale shockwaves gathering once more.
One punch.
Two punches.
Three.
His eyes burned like those of a demon from hell—ferocious, merciless.
Read 200+ Advance Chapters on My Patreon
patreon.com/voidverse1