Chapter 21:MarineFort(II) Ace...NO.!

Author's Note:

Hello everyone, I'm back with a new chapter! I will continue with the canon storyline. I don't own Naruto or One Piece, so enjoy the chapter, and don't forget to leave reviews if there's anything you liked or if you have any feedback. Enjoy, like, and follow!

Until the next chapter! Bye.

As Akainu, Aokiji, and Kizaru closed in on him, Itachi was surprised to see Marco and Jozu appear beside him. Marco smiled, "I think you could use some help, Itachi, yoi!"

Itachi nodded, "It's really helpful. Thank you."

Jozu grinned, "So, are you both ready?"

Marco and Jozu nodded in agreement as they looked at each other and then at Itachi. Itachi said, "I have a technique in mind." Marco and Jozu nodded again and said, "Just tell us what to do."

Kizaru, overhearing this, began to sweat with fear. He muttered to the other Admirals, "Something isn't right..."

Akainu, full of anger, shouted, "It doesn't matter! I will kill him!" He was the first to rush forward, his fists covered in molten lava. Itachi immediately activated his Susanoo to protect Marco and Jozu.

Mockingly, Akainu said, "Is this the only thing you can do?"

Itachi, keeping his calm expression, used his Totsuka Blade to try and stab Akainu. However, Akainu dodged just in time. But below them stood a giant Marine, smirking as he tried to block the attack. In an instant, the Marine was absorbed and sealed away infinitely.

All the Admirals widened their eyes in shock, as did the pirates and other Marines.

Marco, who was beside Itachi, asked, "What happened?"

Itachi deactivated the Susanoo and replied, "That was the Sword of Totsuka."

Aokiji, puzzled, said, "It looked like a liquid form."

Itachi explained, "I can change its form however I want." Then, he suddenly felt a sharp pain in his eyes.

Marco and Jozu stepped forward, saying, "We will cover you!"

Itachi, with pain in his eyes, thought, I've used a lot of chakra, but I can still continue to fight. He drew his sword and infused it with chakra and Amaterasu. "I'm ready," he said, and the battle began anew.

Luffy was moving forward toward Ace when he came across Smoker. Smoker, spotting him, shouted, "Strawhat!" and rushed toward him, swinging his staff. The staff hit Luffy square in the face, knocking him to the ground. Luffy stumbled back but quickly got up, recognizing his opponent. "Smoker…! Move aside!" he shouted, launching himself at Smoker with a Gum-Gum Gatling, but the punches went right through him, doing no damage.

Smoker smirked, explaining, "A Logia Devil Fruit user like me can't be hit by normal attacks." As he covered himself in smoke, he rushed toward Luffy. Luffy tried to punch him again, but his fist passed through the smoke. Realizing he needed more speed, Luffy activated his Second Gear. "Second Gear!" he shouted, and as Smoker was about to strike him again, Luffy vanished at full speed.

Smoker's eyes widened in surprise. "Where did he go?" he muttered, looking around. Suddenly, Luffy appeared above him, attempting another punch, but it still passed right through Smoker. To gain momentum, Smoker started to move around swiftly. Luffy, frustrated, shouted, "Gum-Gum Gatling!" once more, unleashing a flurry of punches. Despite his efforts, Smoker remained unaffected, and he countered by hitting Luffy with his staff, knocking him to the ground. Smoker pinned him down with his staff pressed against Luffy's face. "It's over," Smoker declared.

But before Smoker could do anything more, Hancock suddenly appeared, kicking Smoker square in the face. "Leave him alone!" she shouted angrily. Smoker managed to block just in time, but the force of her kick still pushed him back. Regaining his balance, Smoker yelled, "What are you doing, Hancock? You're a Warlord! Do you want to resign from that too?"

Hancock, her eyes blazing with fury, retorted, "Shut up! I'm deafened by my own anger! How dare you hit and pin down my beloved! I won't let you survive. I've never felt such anger before! I'll cut you up and feed you to beasts!" Smoker broke into a sweat, realizing, That's the Haki of a Kuja! The other Marines were shocked, wondering why Hancock would save Strawhat.

Hancock then turned to Luffy and said, "I always believed you'd make it here alive." She glanced over at Itachi, who was fighting nearby, and smiled. She then pulled out a key from her chest. "Take it. It's your brother's handcuff key," she said, handing it to Luffy.

Luffy looked at her gratefully, saying, "Hancock…" Hearing him say her name, Hancock blushed. As Luffy took the keys from her hand, she blushed even more. Luffy's hand touched mine… she thought to herself.

Overjoyed, Luffy jumped up and hugged her. "Yeah! Thank you so much, Hancock, I mean it!"

Blushing furiously, Hancock stuttered, "N-no… no problem… N-never mind me… Y-you have to… get going, Luffy."

Luffy broke the hug and began to run towards Ace. "Thank you, Hancock!" he shouted over his shoulder.

Hancock knelt down, clutching her heart. I wasn't expecting him to hold me so tightly… she thought, her cheeks still flushed. I can still feel Luffy's body in my arms and on my chest… Is this… marriage? She began daydreaming about her wedding with Luffy, but her thoughts were interrupted when she heard Smoker shouting, "I won't let you get away, Strawhat!"

Snapping back to reality, Hancock shouted, "Perfume Femur!" She kicked Smoker's staff, turning it to stone and shattering it. Pointing at Smoker, she bent backward, asserting, "You outrageous fool! Stand back! I won't let you pass through here!"

The other Marines were stunned, one whispering, "She's really looking down on us…" Smoker, now enraged, snapped, "Do you know what's going to happen to you after you mess with the Navy?"

Hancock, brimming with confidence, replied, "I can do whatever I want because I am beautiful!" Many of the Marines, captivated by her beauty, had hearts in their eyes and exclaimed, "So beautiful!"

Itachi was locked in fierce combat with Akainu, his Sharingan spinning as he analyzed every move. He swung his sword toward Akainu, but it passed right through the molten lava that formed the Admiral's body. As the sword got too close, it heated up rapidly, causing Itachi's hand to burn. Wincing in pain, Itachi jumped back, trying to avoid further injury. Akainu smirked arrogantly, taunting him, "You're pathetic."

Itachi took a moment to regain his composure, carefully dodging Akainu's relentless attacks. Each punch and swipe from Akainu sent molten lava splashing around, and Itachi was keenly aware that even a single drop could cause serious damage. As he moved back, he noticed a small puddle of water nearby. Seizing the opportunity, Itachi quickly formed a series of hand seals, calling upon his water style technique. A wall of water surged up between him and Akainu, momentarily solidifying and surprising Akainu, whose body turned to stone as he tried to move through it.

Taking advantage of the momentary opening, Itachi swiftly kicked Akainu in the gut, sending him crashing into a nearby wall. He quickly removed his shoes, tossing them away as the intense heat had made them unbearably hot. As he did, Itachi thought to himself, Amaterasu is not as hot as this molten lava… He glanced over at Marco and Jozu, noticing they were holding their own against the other Admirals.

Akainu, however, quickly recovered. More molten lava began to condense around his body, and he looked directly into Itachi's eyes with a fierce glare. Itachi smirked back, staying calm and collected. Akainu launched himself forward, his fist blazing with lava. As his punch made contact, Itachi's form dissipated into a flock of crows, some of which immediately melted in the intense heat. The real Itachi reappeared behind Akainu, his foot coated in chakra, and delivered a swift kick to the back of Akainu's head. Akainu attempted to counter with a punch, but Itachi's form shattered again into a swarm of crows.

Itachi landed a few feet away, watching Akainu closely. He has a deep hatred for pirates, and he's not paying attention to what Kizaru warned him about. Itachi remained calm, contemplating his next move. I could cast a genjutsu, but it would consume a lot of chakra. My reserves are getting low. If I keep fighting like this, it will never end. Based on his movements, he can use Haki…

While Itachi was deep in thought, Akainu smirked, noticing Itachi's momentary distraction. "You should stay awake, brat!" Akainu roared, rushing toward Itachi with full speed, his fists ready to strike.

But Itachi met his charge with a calm smile. "I've made my decision," he murmured, activating his Sharingan once more. As Akainu closed the distance, Itachi cast a powerful genjutsu.

Itachi stood there, maintaining the genjutsu with his Sharingan, knowing that this would be his best chance to end the battle swiftly. Now, let's see how much you can endure, Akainu…

The battlefield of Marineford fades away, replaced by an eerie silence and a stark, desolate landscape. Akainu looked around to find himself shackled to a massive execution cross, his arms and legs bound tightly with heavy iron chains. He struggles to move, but the chains are unyielding, biting into his flesh with every attempt. The air is thick with the smell of sulfur, and he feels a sudden, unnerving chill.

Akainu gritting his teeth, struggling against the chains, "What the hell is this?! Where am I?! is this so-called illusion"

From the shadows, Itachi Uchiha steps forward, his Sharingan glowing a menacing crimson. His expression is calm, almost detached, as he approaches the bound Admiral.

Itachi softly, with an eerie calm, "This is my world, Akainu. Here, your power is nothing. Here, I control everything. You will suffer as Kizuru did or I must say worst..!"

Akainu glares at Itachi, his eyes filled with defiance. He tries to summon his magma powers, but nothing happens. Panic flashes in his eyes as he realizes he can't access his Devil Fruit abilities.

Akainu growled wide his eyes, "What have you done to me?! Why can't I use my powers?!"

Itachi said coldly, "In this realm, I have stripped you of your strength, your abilities. You are powerless. Here, you will experience the agony of those you've condemned, the suffering you've inflicted."

Suddenly, the ground beneath Akainu begins to tremble and crack open. Molten lava bubbles up from the fissures, slowly creeping towards the base of the cross. Akainu feels the intense heat rising, his skin beginning to blister from the proximity of the molten rock.

Akainu said with snarling, trying to pull free, "You think you can break me with this?! I am Admiral Akainu! I fear nothing! I am justice! You all dame pirates will die…!"

Itachi said calmly, "Die you say…But now I will show you hell…!"

The lava reaches the base of the cross and begins to rise, engulfing Akainu's ! and legs. He screams in agony as the molten rock burns through his skin, his flesh sizzling and melting away. The pain is excruciating, unlike anything he has ever felt before. As the lava continues to rise, consuming him inch by inch, his screams fill the air.

Akainu began to scream, his voice filled with pain, and said, "Aaaaargh! Damn you, evil bastard!"

The lava reaches his torso, then his chest, burning him alive from the bottom up. His body writhes against the chains, but there is no escape. As the molten lava reaches his neck, then his face, he lets out a final, blood-curdling scream before being completely incinerated.

For a moment, there is silence. Then, Akainu suddenly finds himself whole again, back on the cross, fully healed. The scene resets, and the lava begins to rise once more.

Akainu now panting, eyes wide with horror said, "No… no, not again…!"

The lava reaches him once more, burning him alive all over again. His screams of agony echo in the vast emptiness, but there is no one to hear him, no one to save him. This time, he feels every nerve in his body searing with pain, his skin melting, his bones turning to ash, but he remains painfully conscious.

As soon as he is completely incinerated, he is restored again, back on the cross, the pain still fresh in his mind. The lava begins to rise for a third time, and he realizes with dawning horror that this cycle is never going to end.

Akainu his voice breaking, filled with desperation begging, "Stop… please… stop this…!"

Itachi said coldly, "This is only the beginning. You will burn a thousand times, and each time, the pain will be worse than the last."

And so it continues, over and over again. Each time, the lava rises, burning him alive, reducing him to nothing but ash. Each time, he is restored, whole again, only to feel the pain anew. The cycle repeats endlessly, with no respite, no relief. The pain becomes his reality, his world—a never-ending nightmare.

The scene shifts slightly, and Akainu is forced to watch as the lava consumes him from above as well, molten rock dripping down from a burning sky, searing his flesh and bones from head to toe. He screams in a mixture of rage and despair, his defiance slowly breaking under the relentless torment.

Akainu now pleading, his voice hoarse and broken said, "Please… make it stop… make it stop…!"

Itachi said firmly, "You will suffer, Akainu. You will endure the pain of every soul you've taken, every life you've ruined. Only then will you understand the true weight of your actions."

Akainu's screams continue, his mind breaking under the weight of the endless torment. Each death, each rebirth is a fresh agony, an unending cycle of suffering.

On the battlefield, everyone could hear Akainu's screams of horror. The sound sent chills down the spines of both Marines and pirates alike. Kizaru, who was fighting Marco, glanced over at Akainu and muttered, "He must have seen his illusions." Marco, who had noticed Kizaru's earlier scream, responded, "You screamed as well, but..." He looked over at Akainu, his face showing concern. "Not like this..."

Kizaru smirked and said, "Now I understand why they call him 'Demon Eyes.'"

After some time, Akainu collapsed, unconscious from the intense mental torture of Itachi's genjutsu. Itachi, now exhausted, dropped to his knees, breathing heavily and clutching his eyes. His thoughts raced: I've used too much chakra. I didn't intend to push him this far, but his hatred for pirates is immense. Even after experiencing this, I'm sure he'll fight me again once he regains consciousness. Itachi sat down, his energy nearly depleted.

Seeing him vulnerable, a few Marines took advantage of the situation and rushed toward Itachi, swords raised. Just as they were about to strike, Hancock appeared, kicking them all in the head with swift, precise movements, knocking them to the ground.

All around, Marines and pirates, including the Admirals and Whitebeard's crew, widened their eyes in shock. Why is she saving him? they wondered. Itachi, still holding his injured eyes, looked up at Hancock, equally surprised. "Hancock... why did you come here? It's dangerous," he said, his voice strained.

Hancock shouted back, "Shut up!" She turned to face him, her expression intense. "Just stay still, you virgin..."

Hearing this, everyone—pirates and Marines alike—gaped in shock. Then, the battlefield erupted in laughter. Some of the Warlords, taken aback, exchanged glances. Jinbei, observing from a distance, thought, I thought she hated men... but couldn't help but chuckle.

Embarrassed by the laughter, Hancock turned to the crowd and shouted, "Shut up, all of you!" The laughter died down quickly, and the area fell silent once more. She then looked at Itachi's hands, noticing they were burned. Concern filled her eyes as she knelt beside him. "You need to rest," she said softly, her voice filled with worry.

Itachi looked at Hancock and said, "I'm fine. You shouldn't fight for me. You're a Warlord, here to fight Whitebeard, right? Don't do it—it might cost you your Warlord status."

Hancock replied defiantly, "Do you think I care about that? I am an Empress."

As Itachi tried to stand up, Hancock extended her hand to him, saying, "Just take it, you virgin." Reluctantly, Itachi took her hand and stood up. She leaned in close and whispered in his ear, "I've given Luffy the key for Ace's handcuffs."

Itachi nodded, "Thank you." Hancock, slightly irritated, remarked, "Your face is like cement."

Itachi looked at her with a slight chuckle, a rare show of emotion. Hancock noticed and gave him a small smile. Around them, both Marines and pirates widened their eyes in surprise. She helped Luffy earlier, and now Itachi... they all thought in confusion.

Hancock exclaimed, "You should show some emotion to me! You could learn from my honey." Itachi sweatdropped and replied, "Honey…?" With a blush, Hancock proudly declared, "Luffy and I are going to get married!"

Itachi sighed and said, "I hate to break it to you, but now's not the time for this." Hearing this, Hancock became irritated and snapped, "You virgins… you don't understand what love is."

Itachi, rolling his eyes, replied, "Yeah, yeah, you know everything…." Hancock grew even more upset and shouted, "You—!"

But before she could continue, Itachi spoke softly, "Thank you." Hancock, hearing his sincere tone, calmed down and, with a proud smile, said, "You're welcome, virgin."

Itachi glanced over at Marco and Jozu, who were still locked in battle with Kizaru and Aokiji. Seeing Itachi's signal, Whitebeard shouted, "Boy, come here and take some rest!"

Hancock heard Whitebeard and snapped at Itachi, "I heard him. Come on," and dragged Itachi over to Whitebeard. She then glared at Itachi and commanded, "Take a rest, you virgin, and then move. Do you understand?"

Itachi nodded. As Hancock left, Whitebeard observed the exchange and then turned to Itachi.

"she really cared for you…" itachi gave a small smile nodded said yeah and white beard continued "You used that creature back there," Whitebeard commented.

"Susanoo," Itachi clarified.

Whitebeard nodded, impressed. "That's some interesting power you have."

"Thank you," Itachi replied. "But when I use the Susanoo, it feels like every cell in my body is in pain."

Whitebeard gave him an approving nod. "You did well, boy. Fighting three Admirals at the same time is no easy "

Itachi bowed his head slightly. "Thank you, Whitebeard-sama."

Whitebeard looked at Itachi and asked, "Why are you doing so much?"

Itachi glanced back at him, puzzled, and asked, "What do you mean?"

Whitebeard replied, "That scrawny brat is Ace's brother, so it's natural for him to want to save him. But you don't even know Ace."

Itachi interrupted, "If my captain goes, I go as well. Even though I'm not much help right now—"

Whitebeard cut him off, "You've done plenty to help Straw Hat. If it weren't for you, he might not have even gotten this far. You're a kind boy."

Itachi shook his head, a sad expression crossing his face. "I'm not... kind. I'm not a good person."

Whitebeard looked at him for a moment and said nothing.

Whitebeard was about to continue speaking, but then he noticed Itachi closing his eyes and sitting cross-legged on the ground. Meditation... Whitebeard thought, understanding the need for Itachi to regain his strength.

As Luffy continues to make his way towards the gallows where Ace is held, the intensity of the battlefield grows with each step he takes. Suddenly, a new opponent blocks his path — none other than Dracule Mihawk, the world's greatest swordsman. Mihawk, with his calm and composed demeanor, draws his black blade, Yoru, and steps forward, exuding an aura of menace that causes even the fiercest warriors to pause.

"I apologize, Shanks," Mihawk murmurs to himself, as if speaking to his old rival, "but I will not hold back."

Luffy, recognizing Mihawk from their previous encounters, narrows his eyes. He knows the gravity of the situation — Mihawk is not someone to be taken lightly. Mihawk's sharp gaze pierces through the chaos, focusing solely on Luffy. "So," Mihawk speaks, his voice carrying a cold, almost curious tone, "the Next Generation's Golden Child... Are you finished here, or will you manage to escape my black blade?"

Undeterred by the threat, Luffy clenches his fists, his determination unshaken. "I don't have time for this!" he shouts, thinking only of his brother Ace. Without hesitation, he activates his Gear Second, steam rising from his body as he prepares for a high-speed battle against one of the most formidable swordsmen in the world.

Mihawk raises Yoru, its dark blade gleaming ominously. "Very well," he says, almost to himself. "Let us see if your resolve is as sharp as your ambition."

With the execution platform in sight and Ace's life hanging in the balance, Luffy knows he can't afford to be delayed. He locks eyes with Mihawk, the greatest swordsman in the world, who stands firmly in his path. Realizing he doesn't have time for a drawn-out fight, Luffy pushes off the ground with his superhuman speed, bursting past Mihawk in a blur.

Mihawk, however, isn't one to let his prey escape so easily. His keen eyes track Luffy through the chaos, and with a swift motion, he swings his black blade, Yoru. The strike is so precise and powerful that it cuts through everyone in its path, sending Luffy flying back into a nearby wall.

Dazed but not defeated, Luffy quickly scrambles to his feet, only to see Mihawk advancing, his blade aimed to impale him. Before Mihawk can strike, two brave Newkama soldiers leap in, trying to shield Luffy from the attack. Mihawk dismisses them effortlessly, knocking them aside without breaking his stride.

Luffy springs forward, ready to launch another attack, but as he closes in, he sees the deadly calm in Mihawk's eyes. He realizes that if he goes through with this, Mihawk could easily slice his arm clean off. At the last moment, Luffy pulls back, opting to dodge and weave instead of engaging directly.

Mihawk raises an eyebrow, impressed by Luffy's quick decision-making. "You're unusually calm for someone in your position," he remarks, swinging his sword horizontally with incredible force. Luffy barely manages to dodge, and the blade's energy slices a massive frozen wave in two, sending its upper half crashing down onto Marineford, causing chaos and panic all around.

Mihawk, the swordsman notices Luffy veering away from the execution platform. Desperate to gain an advantage, Luffy spots Buggy swirling in the storm. Without hesitation, he grabs Buggy, using him as a human shield. Buggy flails and yells in anger, "What the hell are you doing, Straw Hat?!"

"Sorry, Buggy, I need to get through this!" Luffy shouts, using Buggy to block Mihawk's blade as he continues his advance. Buggy, clearly not thrilled, shouts back, "Use someone else for your crazy plan!"

Frustrated, Buggy decides to take action. He pulls out a Special Muggy Ball and hurls it at Mihawk. The warlord doesn't even blink, casually deflecting the explosive with his sword, sending it flying back into Buggy's face. The resulting explosion throws Buggy into a fit of rage.

Taking advantage of the distraction, Luffy sprints forward, putting all his focus on the execution platform ahead. "I'm coming, Ace!" he yells, his determination blazing as he races back towards the platform, knowing he's running out of time.

As Mihawk prepares to strike again, his eyes fixed on Luffy with a deadly intent, Marco knows they need to buy Luffy more time. He quickly calls over Vista, Whitebeard's Fifth Division Commander, renowned for his swordsmanship. "Vista!" Marco shouts, "We need you to hold back Mihawk!"

Vista, with a confident grin, steps forward, his dual swords gleaming in the chaotic light of the battlefield. As he approaches Mihawk, he calls out, "Ah, Mihawk! I see you've heard of me."

Mihawk's cold, calculating gaze meets Vista's. "Only a fool would not have heard of you, Vista," he replies with a slight nod of acknowledgment, recognizing the skill of his opponent. With that, the two swordsmen clash, steel meeting steel in a dazzling display of skill, sparks flying with each contact.

Meanwhile, Luffy continues to charge toward the execution platform, his determination unwavering. Mihawk, while dueling Vista, can't help but observe Luffy from the corner of his eye. He mutters to himself, "He has a strange ability... the ability to turn everyone around him into an ally. That's the most dangerous power in the world."

Suddenly, the tense atmosphere of the battlefield intensifies as more battleships appear on the horizon. The pirates and Marines alike turn to see the new arrivals. The realization hits hard—these aren't reinforcements for Whitebeard's crew. Both Whitebeard and Luffy recognize the flags on the ships, and Ivankov's eyes widen in shock. "No way… it's Sentomaru and the Pacifistas!" he exclaims.

Sentomaru, standing confidently at the helm of the lead ship, commands an army of Pacifistas—at least twenty, their imposing forms gleaming in the sunlight. The battle has been raging for an hour and a half, and now, with the arrival of these deadly reinforcements, it is about to enter its final phase.

The sight of the Pacifistas sends a wave of dread through the pirates and civilians. Rumors had circulated about Vegapunk's experiments, but seeing them in the flesh is another thing entirely. They're all identical to Bartholomew Kuma, which only adds to the confusion and fear. "Why are they all Kuma?" some pirates mutter, disbelief in their voices.

Sentomaru, with a calm but commanding presence, orders the Pacifistas to attack. One pirate, desperate to protect his comrades, swings an enormous club at a Pacifista, only for the weapon to shatter into pieces against its metallic body. In response, the Pacifista opens its mouth and fires a devastating laser beam, obliterating the pirate in an instant. The rest of the Pacifistas join the assault, firing lasers from their mouths and hands, causing explosions all over the battlefield.

Whitebeard, watching the chaos unfold and seeing his men fall under the relentless assault, grits his teeth in frustration. "Those damn Marines," he growls, disgusted by their willingness to sacrifice their own ships to deploy these weapons. "Ignore the attacks from behind! Keep moving forward to the execution platform!" he roars, rallying his crew.

On the other side, Sengoku, watching from above, is determined to keep the pirates away from the platform at all costs. "Marines, draw back from the ice! Do not let the pirates near the platform!" he commands, his voice booming over the battlefield. The onlookers at Sabaody Archipelago, watching through the remaining video feed, are awestruck by the invincibility of the Pacifistas. But soon, the video feeds are cut, leaving only one. Sengoku, his expression grim, orders, "As soon as Ace is executed, wipe out every last one of the pirates!"

Itachi opened one eye and saw multiple Kuma Pacifistas in the distance. He stood up as Whitebeard smirked and asked, "So, are you ready?"

Itachi nodded and jumped down from the deck of the Moby Dick, landing in front of the Kuma units. He thought to himself, I've had enough of these games. As he faced the army of Pacifistas, Itachi decided to summon his Susanoo. A full Susanoo warrior appeared, wielding the Sword of Totsuka. I'll seal every one of them, Itachi thought as his Susanoo moved forward.

The Pacifistas charged up their laser beams and began firing at him, but Itachi raised the Yata Mirror shield to the ground. The blasts were deflected, creating massive explosions around them. Narrowing his eyes, Itachi observed as the Pacifistas continued to march forward despite the explosions. He swung the Totsuka Blade, and with each strike, he slice the Pacifistas one by one…!

One by one, the Kuma units were sliced by the Totsuka Blade, sword disappearing in blinding flashes of light until all the kuma are slice in half. Itachi then looked into the distance and spotted Ace on the execution platform. Seeing two executioners with huge spears ready to execute Ace, Itachi summoned a massive red shuriken with his Susanoo. Without hesitation, he threw it toward the platform.

The shuriken glowed a fiery red as it soared through the air, causing everyone to stare in shock. Sengoku and the executioners widened their eyes in fear and attempted to flee. The shuriken cut through the platform, causing it to collapse. Luffy, seeing the platform crumble, shouted in panic, "Ace!"

As the smoke cleared, Ace was still sitting on the damaged platform, unharmed. He looked towards the Susanoo, realizing that Itachi had helped him. He saved me..., Ace thought. Furious, Sengoku glared at Itachi and shouted, "He's ruined all of our plans!"

As the chaos on the battlefield rages on, Sengoku surveys the scene. He turns to one of his subordinates and asks, "Have we stopped broadcasting yet?"

The Marine hesitates before replying, "Almost all feeds are down, sir... but there's still one camera running."

Sengoku's eyes narrow. "One camera? From where?"

The Marine checks the monitors frantically. "It's... it's been hijacked, sir! By the Impel Down prisoners!"

Sengoku's expression darkens. "What? Those damned prisoners..."

On the big screen, the scene cuts to Buggy, who's awkwardly trying to pose in front of the camera, striking dramatic stances. The Impel Down prisoners behind the camera cheer him on. "Come on, Buggy, this is your chance to shine! Become famous!"

Buggy, a bit flustered, tries again. "Alright, alright, just let me do this right!" He clears his throat, puffing out his chest and shouting, "People of the world, bear witness to the great Buggy—"

The civilians at Sabaody Archipelago watching the feed remain unimpressed. One mutters, "Who's this clown? Show us the real battle!"

Another grumbles, "Yeah, what's this guy doing? We want to see Whitebeard and the Admirals fight!"

Meanwhile, back on the Moby Dick, Whitebeard spots a familiar figure approaching. "Squard?" he calls out, his deep voice rumbling with concern. "Are you unharmed? I haven't been able to contact you."

Squard, his expression filled with guilt, bows his head. "I'm sorry, Pops. The pirates in the rear... they've been hit hard. The Marines... they tricked us."

Whitebeard, reassures him. "It's all right. We have the Marines where we want them. I'll fight alongside you all."

Squard's voice trembles with emotion. "We owe you so much, Pops. Every one of us would gladly give our lives for you and the crew."

Marco, noticing the tense exchange, casually turns to face Squard. His eyes widen as he sees Squard's hand shaking, gripping a blade. "Squard, what are you—"

Before Marco can react, Squard thrusts his sword forward, impaling Whitebeard through the chest. The shockwave of the betrayal ripples across the battlefield.

Ace, who had been watching from his damaged execution platform, screams, "No! Pops!"

Luffy, Jinbe, Ivankov, Itachi, and all the Division Commanders are stunned, their faces frozen in horror. The onlookers at Sabaody Archipelago gasp, their eyes wide with disbelief.

Mihawk, Sentomaru, and the Admirals remain calm and expressionless, but Doflamingo bursts into laughter, his twisted grin spreading across his face. "What a show! I didn't see that coming, but it's certainly entertaining!"

Moria snickers beside him, "This is getting interesting. The mighty Whitebeard, betrayed by one of his own... delicious irony."

As the chaos of the moment continues, Whitebeard, despite the blade in his chest, doesn't flinch. He looks down at Squard, his expression still calm but filled with a mix of pain and understanding. "Squard... why?" he asks softly, his voice filled with a father's disappointment rather than anger.

Enraged, Marco lunges at Squard, pinning him to the deck of the Moby Dick with a furious glare. "How could you, Squard? How could you betray Pops like this?" Marco shouts, his grip tightening around Squard's shoulders.

Squard, his face twisted with a mixture of anger and guilt, knocks Marco aside with a shove. "Don't act like you don't know! This is all your fault!" Squard retorts, his voice cracking with emotion.

"What are you talking about?" Marco demands, getting back to his feet.

Squard's eyes burn with resentment. "I knew about Whitebeard's 'deal with the Marines.' He didn't tell us anything about it, did he? Or that Ace was the son of Gol D. Roger—the man I hated more than anything for what he did to my crew. And now, Whitebeard's plan was to sell us all out, to save himself, his crew, and Ace. All of us other captains were just pawns, meant to die while he and his real crew got away scot-free!"

Marco's eyes widen in realization. "Squard, no... You've been tricked! You should've trusted Pops! He'd never do that to his family!"

Whitebeard, still steady despite the sword in his chest, steps forward, his presence commanding. "Marco is right," Whitebeard says calmly, his deep voice cutting through the tension. "The Marines played you, Squard. They used your hatred for Roger against you. They knew exactly how to manipulate you."

Squard's eyes are filled with confusion and hurt. "What... What are you saying?"

"They fed you lies," Whitebeard continues. "They were one step ahead, using the truth about Ace's parentage and your hatred for Roger to cloud your judgment."

Before Squard can respond, Sengoku, watching them, realizes the impact of these revelations on the ongoing broadcast. "Aokiji!" he commands sharply. "Cut the feed!"

Aokiji nods and swiftly freezes Buggy and the Impel Down escapees who were broadcasting the betrayal, silencing the final video feed that had been transmitting the events to the public.

On the battlefield, Crocodile, who had been watching from a distance, sneers, unable to hide his shock. "So easily fooled... The Whitebeard I knew would never have been caught off guard like this. Has he really grown that weak?"

Marco, hearing Crocodile's words, clenches his fists, struggling to understand how Whitebeard could have let his guard down so easily. "Pops... What's going on?" he thinks, realizing that Whitebeard's declining health might be the reason.

Whitebeard looks down at Squard, who is trembling, eyes wide with fear and regret. With a deep, resonant voice, Whitebeard asks, "Squard... How could you raise your sword against your own father?"

Squard expects punishment, but instead, he feels the strong, warm embrace of Whitebeard as the old man wraps his arms around him. Squard's eyes well up with tears as Whitebeard, with a forgiving smile, says, "Even if you're a fool... you're still my son."

Squard, overwhelmed by emotion, chokes out, "Pops... I—"

"Who put these thoughts in your head?" Whitebeard asks softly.

Squard hesitates before whispering, "It was Akainu... He told me he was against the operation. He said they only wanted to kill you, and the rest of us would be spared. He... he told me if I had the chance, I should kill you, for the sake of the crew."

Whitebeard sighs deeply, still holding Squard tightly. "Akainu... That man knows how to strike where it hurts most." He looks down at Squard and continues, "I understand your hatred for Roger, but it's foolish to hold children accountable for the sins of their fathers. Ace didn't choose his bloodline, and neither did you choose yours. As my sons, you should support each other, not fight amongst yourselves."

Squard breaks down, tears streaming down his face. "I'm so sorry, Pops... I didn't know... I didn't want to betray you, but I—"

Whitebeard pats Squard's head gently. "It's alright, Squard. The Marines may have tricked you, but you're still my son. We stand together, as family. That's what matters most now."

With a newfound determination, Squard nods, understanding the depth of Whitebeard's forgiveness and the true meaning of being part of Whitebeard's family.

At that very moment, Akainu regained consciousness. He stood up, holding his head in anger as he looked at the Whitebeard, Squard and Marco was there, and he smirked. 'I think he did his work just as I expected. People are very easy to manipulate...'

Whitebeard faces John Giant, his expression fierce and unwavering. With a swift motion, he slams his bisento into the ground, channeling his Devil Fruit powers. A massive earthquake ripples outward from the impact, causing the entire island to tilt dangerously to one side. The Marines scramble to maintain their footing, a look of panic spreading among their ranks.

"He's tilting the whole island!" one Marine shouts, struggling to stand upright as the ground shifts beneath him.

Doflamingo, watching from his perch, throws his head back and laughs maniacally. "He's completely insane! This is what makes the world go round—chaos and power!"

Meanwhile, Hancock's focus is on Luffy. "Luffy, please be safe," she murmurs to herself, her concern for him eclipsing all else. And then she turn to itachi murmur you as well….

Amidst the chaos, Whitebeard lunges forward, delivering a quake-imbued punch directly to John Giant's chest. The force of the blow sends shockwaves through the air, and John Giant staggers backward, his enormous frame crashing to the ground in defeat.

All the admirals now stood together, realizing it was time to join forces against Whitebeard. They tried to attack him, but Whitebeard used his Quake-Quake Fruit power, punching the air and creating a massive crack that sent them flying back. Itachi watched Whitebeard battling the three admirals and decided to join the fray. He struck with his sword from behind, aiming at Aokiji. However, Aokiji dodged just in time, thinking, If I get too close to that sword, he might seal me in that bottle. Akainu glanced at Itachi with a mix of anger and fear and declared, "I will kill you." Itachi looked back at him calmly and replied, "Just try." At that moment, Kizaru leapt up and tried to kick Itachi, but Itachi quickly raised a shield, reflecting the impact back at Kizaru and sending him flying.

As the pirates push forward, finally reaching the city, the ground beneath them rumbles once more. Suddenly, dozens of massive steel walls shoot up from the ground, creating an impenetrable barrier around the pirates and blocking their path to the execution platform. The pirates immediately begin to attack the walls, their swords and weapons clashing against the steel, but the walls remain unmoved.

From the other side, cannons emerge from the walls, their barrels aimed directly at the pirates. The tension builds as everyone braces for the inevitable onslaught. But then, a single gap in the wall catches everyone's attention. The massive body of Oars Jr., still bleeding heavily from his previous wounds, lies across the gap, blocking the wall from closing completely.

"Oars Jr.!" one of the pirates shouts, realizing that the giant's body is the only reason the wall has a weak point.

Despite this, Sengoku stands firm, his eyes narrowed in determination. "Akainu, fire anyway!" he commands, unwilling to let this opportunity slip away.

Akainu, always eager for battle, raises his molten fists toward the sky. "Ryusei Kazan!" he roars, unleashing a devastating attack. A storm of flaming magma fists rains down upon the pirates, each one exploding on impact, engulfing the area in fire and destruction.

The pirates scramble to avoid the falling magma fists, but the sheer number and intensity of the attack leave them with little room to maneuver. Screams fill the air as the pirates try to dodge the deadly projectiles, but many are caught in the blast, their cries of pain echoing throughout the battlefield.

Whitebeard, standing amidst the chaos, clenches his fists, his expression filled with resolve. "Stay strong, everyone!" he shouts, rallying his crew. "We're not done yet! Push forward and fight!"

Itachi shielded himself again, protecting some of the pirates and Whitebeard. Akainu then tried to punch through the shield, using all of his molten lava power, but the shield remained unaffected. His eyes widened in shock as he asked, "Why isn't it melting?" Itachi smirked and reflected the attack back toward the Marines. The admirals managed to dodge, but some of the Marines were hit and got partially incinerated.

Whitebeard, standing nearby, remarked, "Boy, you should be with that squid." Itachi looked at him, and Whitebeard continued, "Don't worry about things here. Just go and help your captain." Itachi nodded, deactivating his Sharingan. He then created three shadow clones, thinking to himself, If I had chakra like Naruto, this might have ended very quickly...

He instructed his clones, "Protect the others," to which they replied, "Okay!" Itachi then vanished at lightning speed. Meanwhile, Luffy was running ahead with Jinbe, and Itachi caught up from behind. Jinbe commented, "Because of Itachi, the admirals are occupied, making it easier for us to get here." Luffy nodded and added, "Yeah, I need to thank him afterward. I haven't asked him what he's doing right now."

Suddenly, they heard a voice saying, "You don't need to." While running, Luffy turned around with a wide grin. "Itachi! What are you doing here?" Itachi replied, "Whitebeard said I should go after my captain, so I came here." Luffy's smile widened. "Thank you!"

Jinbe then noticed, "You're bleeding quite a lot from your eyes." Itachi responded, "I'm okay. I've recovered a little." Jinbe nodded, and they continued to run together.

The pirates in the bay are desperately trying to make their way past the towering iron wall, all aiming to swim through the narrow gateway created by Oars Jr. The Marines, sensing an opportunity, quickly prepare their cannons and rifles to fire on the vulnerable pirates in the water.

However, just as the Marines are about to unleash their attack, a coated ship suddenly bursts from beneath the sea, sending a wave of shock through the battlefield. Pirates in the water cheer and scramble to climb aboard, the ship providing them with a lifeline and a means to continue their assault.

Whitebeard, standing tall on the Moby Dick, smirks confidently. "I never said all of my ships had surfaced," he declares, his voice booming over the chaos. His words send a shiver down the spines of the Marines, realizing that Whitebeard had anticipated this very scenario.

The Marine gunners, caught in a moment of hesitation, argue amongst themselves about whether to aim for Oars Jr. or the newly emerged ship. This confusion gives Oars Jr. just enough time to make his move. With a grunt of effort, he lifts the massive coated ship into the air with his colossal hands, pulling it through the gap in the wall that he himself had created. The pirates onboard brace themselves as the ship lurches through the hole, emerging on the other side and giving them a direct path to the execution platform.

Seeing this bold move, the Marines quickly adjust their aim and fire their cannons at Oars Jr. and the ship. The blasts land hard against Oars Jr., causing him to grunt in pain. Despite his wounds, he stubbornly holds his ground, giving the pirates on the ship time to disembark and prepare to storm the platform.

As the pirates rally and charge forward, Whitebeard leaps from the Moby Dick into the plaza. "Stay back!" he roars at his "children," swinging his massive naginata in a wide arc. The sheer force of his swing creates a shockwave that sends Marines flying, clearing a wide path for his crew.

In the aftermath of Whitebeard's powerful strike, the only Marines still standing are the Admirals, a few Vice Admirals, and those guarding the execution podium. The battlefield has been reduced to a tense standoff, with the Whitebeard Pirates preparing for their final push to save Ace.

From his position, Sengoku turns to Garp, his expression serious. "Garp, it's time. We have to join the battle," he commands, understanding the dire situation unfolding before them.

Whitebeard, meanwhile, orders his men to clear a path. He raises his naginata once more, summoning his Devil Fruit powers. With a mighty swing, he generates another earthquake, the ground trembling violently under his immense power.

Aokiji, realizing the imminent threat, rushes forward to intercept Whitebeard. "Ice Ball!" he shouts, unleashing a wave of ice towards the pirate emperor. But with a single, devastating quake-infused swipe of his naginata, Whitebeard effortlessly slices through the ice, shattering it into countless pieces.

In a swift follow-up, Whitebeard impales Aokiji with his naginata. However, the attack has no effect; Aokiji's body transforms into ice, creating a hole in his chest to allow the weapon to pass harmlessly through him. Aokiji smirks, preparing to counterattack.

Before he can make his move, Jozu, the Whitebeard Pirates' Third Division Commander, charges in with incredible speed and force. "You were fighting with me remember!" Jozu yells, slamming into Aokiji with his diamond-hard, sending the Admiral flying back. Aokiji re-forms his icy body in mid-air, readying himself for another round against Jozu.

The battlefield of Marineford remains a chaotic sea of clashing forces, with Whitebeard cutting through any Marine who dares to stand in his path. His immense power shakes the very foundation of Marineford, sending shockwaves rippling through the ground. Marines are flung aside like ragdolls, unable to withstand the might of the "Strongest Man in the World." However, just as Whitebeard is about to advance further, he is confronted by Akainu, who stands defiantly in his way.

"You're not getting past me, old man!" Akainu growls, his fists glowing with intense heat as magma begins to drip from his hands.

Whitebeard glares at Akainu, his expression steely and determined. "I'll take on any Marine who dares to challenge me!" he roars, swinging his naginata with tremendous force. The blade slices through the air, but Akainu meets it head-on with a punch, creating a powerful explosion as magma and steel collide. The ground beneath them trembles as the two titans engage in a fierce battle of strength and willpower.

Nearby, Jinbe and Itachi watched the intense clash between Whitebeard and Akainu. Determined to fight alongside his ally, Jinbe stepped forward with resolve. "If this is where I must meet my end, then so be it," Jinbe declared. He then turned to Itachi and said, "You should help Luffy get to Ace."

Itachi nodded and replied, "Don't die." Jinbe smiled, then dove into the fray to assist Whitebeard in his battle against the Marine Admiral.

As the fierce fighting continues all around the plaza, pirates and Marines clash with relentless fury, neither side willing to yield. In the midst of the chaos, Marco takes to the air, his phoenix form blazing with blue flames, as he makes a desperate attempt to reach Ace, who remains shackled on the execution platform. However, just as Marco is about to get closer, a powerful force strikes him from above, sending him crashing to the ground.

Garp stands tall, his eyes filled with sorrow and determination. "If you want to get past me," Garp announces loudly, "it will have to be over my dead body!"

Whitebeard, still locked in combat with Akainu, glances over at Garp. "Don't let that old man intimidate you!" Whitebeard shouts to his subordinate crews. "He's just another relic of the past!"

Akainu smirks, his fists continuing to spew molten lava. "And you're any different?" he retorts. "We're both from the same generation!" With a swift motion, he unleashes his powerful attack, "Ryusei Kazan," firing a massive magma hound at Whitebeard. Whitebeard deflects the attack with a powerful quake-infused punch, causing further destruction to Marineford.

Amidst the chaos, Ace's eyes begin to water as he recalls the harsh memories of his childhood. He remembers how everyone he spoke to about his father, Gol D. Roger, despised him, often leading Ace to retaliate in anger. He had once asked Garp if he should have been born, to which Garp had solemnly replied that it was a question that could only be answered by living.

As the battle rages on around him, Ace reflects on the sacrifices being made to save him. Tears stream down his face, mixing with the dirt and blood. "They're all fighting so hard... just to save me," Ace mutters to himself, overwhelmed with emotion. "I never thought... I never thought I'd have so many people who cared enough to spill their blood for me." His voice trembles with newfound resolve. "I... I want to live!"

Meanwhile, on the icy outskirts of the encircling walls, Buggy and the Impel Down escapees find themselves stranded on a floating block of ice. One of the pirates informs Buggy that he was thawed out by the intense heat from Akainu's magma attack. Buggy grumbles under his breath, "Damn Marines... I'll get my revenge on them for this!" He looks towards the battlefield with a mix of fear and determination.

Suddenly, the ground quakes once more, but this time it is not from Whitebeard's power. The mighty pirate captain stumbles, his body finally succumbing to the combined effects of age, battle fatigue, and his severe injuries. "Pops!" Marco yells, his voice filled with concern as he rushes to Whitebeard's side.

But in his frantic attempt to protect his captain, Marco fails to notice Kizaru's sudden movement. "Yasakani no Magatama!" Kizaru shouts, unleashing a barrage of light beams that pierce through Marco's phoenix form, causing him to fall to the ground, his flames flickering weakly.

Jozu, the Whitebeard Pirates' loyal Third Division Commander, sees Marco's plight and momentarily turns his attention away from his battle with Aokiji. This split-second distraction proves costly as Aokiji seizes the opportunity, launching a freezing attack that encases Jozu's arm in solid ice. Unable to move, Jozu struggles to free himself, but the ice only spreads further, immobilizing him.

Amidst the chaos, Akainu sees his chance to strike a decisive blow. "Great Eruption!" he bellows, his fist transforming into a massive, molten fist of magma. With all his might, Akainu drives his magma-powered attack directly into Whitebeard's chest, the intense heat burning through flesh and bone. Whitebeard grunts in pain but refuses to fall, his eyes burning with unyielding determination as the epic battle at Marineford continues to rage on.

The chaos at Marineford reaches a fever pitch as the Marines, spurred by Sengoku's command, prepare once again to execute Ace. Luffy, filled with determination and desperation, charges forward through the battlefield, battling his way towards the execution platform. Itachi follows close behind, using his Sword infuse in chakra, and begins to slice any Marines that stand in their path.

As Luffy presses forward, his eyes fall on a familiar face in the distance: Koby. The young Marine, shaking with fear and determination, steels himself for the inevitable clash. "If I don't stand up now, I'll never change!" Koby mutters to himself, forcing his trembling legs to move. Using Soru, he vanishes and reappears directly in front of Luffy, aiming to strike him down.

But Luffy, driven by the urgency of saving his brother, reacts instinctively. "Gomu Gomu no Bullet!" he shouts, launching a powerful punch that connects with Koby, sending him flying backward. Koby crashes to the ground, knocked unconscious, his brief moment of courage extinguished by Luffy's sheer willpower.

Itachi looked at him while running. He said he was the one who was with your grandpa. Luffy nodded seriously. "I need to do it."

Meanwhile, on another part of the battlefield, Marco confronts Kizaru, hoping to protect Whitebeard and buy time for Luffy to reach Ace. However, as Marco prepares to counter Kizaru's next attack, Onigumo appears from behind, his movements swift and calculated. With a quick motion, Onigumo snaps a Seastone handcuff onto Marco's wrist, instantly negating his Phoenix abilities. "Got you," Onigumo sneers.

Marco, caught off guard, can only gasp as his transformation dissipates, and his once-flaming body returns to its human form. Seizing this moment, Kizaru unleashes a barrage of light spears, piercing Marco's body with multiple luminous wounds. Marco grits his teeth in pain, unable to heal or defend himself as he falls to the ground, defeated.

Jozu, on the other hand, finds himself completely immobilized by Aokiji's icy grip. His body, already partially frozen, succumbs entirely to the Admiral's powers. With a chilling crack, Jozu's right arm shatters and falls to the ground, a devastating blow that leaves him utterly incapacitated. The pirates watching are horrified and stunned by the sight—the top two commanders of the Whitebeard Pirates have been defeated.

Sengoku, observing the battle unfold from his vantage point, raises his voice above the din of battle. "Do not let your guard down yet!" he commands the Marines. "Take Whitebeard's head and end this war!"

A group of Marines, emboldened by their recent victories, rush towards Whitebeard, weapons drawn. But Whitebeard, despite his injuries and the toll the battle has taken on his aging body, stands firm. "Stay back!" he orders his crew, his voice booming with authority. "I don't need your help just yet!" With a mighty swing of his naginata, he sends the approaching Marines flying, his sheer strength causing those around to stagger back in awe and fear. "I am Whitebeard!" he roars, a declaration that echoes across the battlefield. His proclamation and display of power cause some of the Marines to hesitate, seeing the living legend as an indomitable force.

As Whitebeard catches his breath, he reflects on the weight of his actions. "I know the significance of my death," he murmurs, his voice filled with a rare hint of vulnerability. "And I know what it will mean for this world… But I won't die until I've secured the future of my sons with my own hands."

Jinbe and other pirates, moved by Whitebeard's resolve, rally behind him. "We'll defend your honor, Whitebeard!" they shout, raising their weapons in defiance against the encroaching Marines. Whitebeard, however, shakes his head at their devotion. "Fools," he grumbles, though there's a hint of a proud smile on his face.

Sengoku, watching from the far end, grimaces. "Whitebeard, you old fool," he mutters under his breath. "Just watch as we end the future of your so-called children!" With a wave of his hand, Sengoku signals the guards standing beside Ace to prepare their weapons. The Marines on the platform ready their swords and guns, aiming to finally execute Ace and bring an end to this bloody conflict.

The pirates on the battlefield cry out in desperation. "Ace! No!" they shout, their voices filled with urgency and fear. Whitebeard watches, his body trembling from the strain of battle and his worsening condition. "It's…useless to try," he whispers, his voice betraying his weakening state. His eyes narrow, focusing on the platform where Ace is bound, his heart aching for his son.

Suddenly, Whitebeard collapses to his knees, his strength giving out at the worst possible moment. "Pops!" several of his crew shout in alarm, rushing to his side. The illness that has plagued him for years finally takes its toll, leaving him vulnerable as he watches the guards raise their weapons, ready to execute Ace.

As the tension escalates to its breaking point, Luffy, seeing the imminent danger to his brother Ace, screams at the top of his lungs, "Stop!" In an instant, a powerful burst of Supreme King Haki erupts from him, rippling through the battlefield like a shockwave. The wave of Haki is so intense that it instantly knocks out the executioners poised to kill Ace, along with a majority of the Marines and even some pirates caught in its wake. The sheer force of Luffy's willpower causes everyone nearby to momentarily freeze in shock.

Sengoku and Aokiji, standing on the ground, exchanged stunned glances. "Is this really happening?" Aokiji muttered, disbelief evident in his voice. Itachi, observing the scene from right behind them, smirked and thought, Perfect timing. However, a memory of his clones flashed through his mind, and he realized they had been overwhelmed by Akainu.

Whitebeard, though weakened, watched with a newfound sense of awe. This kid... he's something else, he thought to himself, impressed by the unexpected turn of events.

As the shock of Luffy's massive burst of Haki begins to wear off, both Whitebeard's subordinate crews and the remaining Marines stand in awe of the young pirate's immense power. Vice Admiral Doberman, eyes wide with a mix of fear and urgency, shouts to his fellow Marines, "We must cut down Straw Hat Luffy now, or he'll become a force to be reckoned with in the future!"

Meanwhile, Ivankov, who has been fighting alongside Luffy, looks at him in astonishment. "Straw Hat-boy, how did you manage to wield such powerful Haki?" Ivankov asks, his large eyes filled with curiosity.

Luffy, panting heavily from the exertion, glances back at Ivankov with confusion. "Haki? I don't know what you're talking about!" he responds earnestly, clearly unaware of the monumental feat he just accomplished.

Ivankov, taken aback by Luffy's ignorance, chuckles softly. "He doesn't even realize his own power," he muses. "But this kid... he has the same spirit as Dragon. He fights the unknown without hesitation, drawing people to him with his will."

Itachi nodded. "You are correct," Itachi said with a smirk. "Now I understand how this haki works." Ivankov looked at him and sweat, "Your face is scary now..."

As the chaos continues to unfold, the Marines quickly regroup around Whitebeard, determined to press their advantage. However, Whitebeard, with a fierce determination in his eyes, effortlessly brushes them aside once more. "All forces, back up Luffy!" he roars, his voice carrying over the tumultuous battlefield. The Whitebeard Pirates and their allies rally around Luffy, creating a path for him toward the execution platform.

Whitebeard thinks to himself, his gaze fixed on Luffy, "I want to see what this kid can do. Show me the end of this Great Age of Pirates, Straw Hat!"

With his allies clearing the way, Luffy charges forward, determination burning in his eyes as he gets closer and closer to Ace. But just as he reaches the final stretch, Garp, the legendary Marine hero and Luffy's own grandfather, leaps down from the platform. He lands with a resounding impact, cracking the ground beneath him. The air grows tense as Luffy faces off against his grandfather, the very man who raised him.

Itachi looked at Luffy and muttered, "This will be difficult."

"Move aside, Gramps!" Luffy demands, urgency and desperation lacing his voice.

Garp stands firm, his expression stern and unwavering. "I'm a Vice Admiral of Marine Headquarters, Luffy," he states firmly. "I've been fighting pirates since before you were born. If you want to get to Ace, you'll have to go through me."

Luffy's eyes narrow, the determination in his gaze unyielding. "If that's how it has to be," he mutters, clenching his fists, steam beginning to rise from his body as he activates Gear 2. The blood in his veins pumps faster, enhancing his speed and strength.

Garp, standing tall, continues, "I consider you an enemy right now, Luffy. If you want to save Ace, you'll have to kill me." As they prepare to clash, Garp's internal conflict is evident. His body tenses, ready for battle, but his heart wavers, torn between his duty as a Marine and his love for his grandson.

Luffy, without hesitation, launches himself forward with blinding speed, his fist coated with Haki and determination. Just as their fists are about to collide, Garp falters, his love for his grandson overpowering his sense of duty in that split second. He hesitates, and in that moment, Luffy's punch connects with Garp's jaw, sending him flying backward and crashing into the concrete with a thunderous impact.

As Garp falls, a mixture of sadness and relief washes over his face. He knows he has failed in his duty, but he has also allowed his grandson to pursue what he believes is right. Sengoku, watching from above, scoffs in frustration. "Garp... you old fool," he mutters under his breath, disappointed by Garp's inability to stand firm.

Itachi looked at Luffy with a sad expression, then turned to Grap and said, "You did that on purpose, right?" Grap looked at him and murmured, "What do you mean, Itachi?" Itachi said, "I can understand how hard it must be for you to balance your duty and loyalty toward the Marines. I respect that." He bowed, and Grap smirked, saying, "How polite you are, kid." Itachi bowed and waited for Luffy.

Kizaru strikes Whitebeard with a beam of light, momentarily stunning him. Seizing the opportunity, Luffy pulls out the key Hancock gave him, ready to unlock Ace's handcuffs.

As Luffy approaches Ace, Sengoku suddenly transforms, revealing his Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Daibutsu Devil Fruit ability. He turns into an enormous golden Buddha-like being, towering over everyone.

uffy, unfazed by the chaos around him, quickly tries to insert the key into Ace's cuffs. But just as he's about to unlock them, Kizaru fires a beam of light straight at Luffy. Before the beam can hit, Itachi steps in once again, his Susanoo's shield intercepting the attack. Kizaru, now visibly frustrated, shouts, "You're always in the way!"

With the cuffs finally undone, Luffy releases Ace, who is now free. Luffy looks up at the towering figure of Susanoo and shouts with a big smile, "Thank you!" Ace echoes his thanks, grateful for Itachi's protection.

Itachi, standing guard in front of Ace and Luffy, notices Sengoku transforming into his giant golden Buddha form. Without hesitation, Itachi activates Susanoo once more, its immense height surpassing even Sengoku's form. With a powerful punch, Susanoo strikes Sengoku, who is sent flying backward. As Sengoku attempts to recover, Itachi raises Susanoo's shield, reflecting the impact back at Sengoku, knocking him further away.

Suddenly, a barrage of cannonballs rains down on Ace and Luffy. Ace effortlessly incinerates them with his flames, while Luffy, with tears of joy streaming down his face, laughs and says, "Ace, you never listen to me! You always get into trouble!" Ace smiles warmly, responding, "That's my line, Luffy."

As Itachi deactivates his Sharingan, he watches the bond between Ace and Luffy with a sad smile. The sight of the two brothers, fighting together, fills him with a mix of emotions. Across the battlefield, the Marines are in shock as they see Fire Fist Ace freed from his chains. The pirates cheer in triumph, their spirits lifted by Ace's liberation.

The Warlords of the Sea react with varied expressions: Doflamingo smirks with amusement, Hancock, with a blush spreading across her face, murmurs, "Now I can marry him," her eyes locked on Luffy. Noticing Itachi's distant expression, she wonders aloud, "What's wrong with him? Why does he look so sad?"

Whitebeard, watching from a distance, has a look of happiness in his eyes, proud to see Ace free once more. His crew shares in his joy, celebrating their comrade's escape.

As Ace and Luffy find themselves surrounded by enemies again, Itachi prepares to protect them, but a sharp pain suddenly strikes his eyes. "I'm at my limit. I can't use Susanoo right now," he admits to himself. Despite his exhaustion, he remains calm, saying, "But I'm not worried about them. They can fight effortlessly."

He continues to watch Ace and Luffy, fighting side by side, his smile bittersweet. Lost in thought, he reflects, If the Uchiha clan hadn't been massacred or hadn't planned the coup, maybe Sasuke and I could have lived like this... fighting alongside each other as brothers.

As the chaos of battle rages on, the Marines make a desperate attempt to execute Ace and Luffy. Aokiji, determined to put an end to their escape, launches a massive wave of ice in their direction. But before it can reach them, Ace raises his hand and conjures an enormous wall of fire, melting the ice into a harmless spray of water.

Sengoku clenches his fists, a deep frown etched on his face. "I can't believe I let them get away," he mutters under his breath, frustration clear in his voice. He looks at Itachi and said in anger, "All because of this brat…"

Doflamingo, standing nearby, chuckles with his usual sinister grin. "Why not let them escape? It could make things more interesting," he suggests, his voice dripping with amusement.

Vice Admiral Momonga shoots him a disapproving glare. "This is no game, Doflamingo!" he snaps.

Akainu, meanwhile, growls in anger, his fists glowing with molten rage. "None of them are leaving here alive!" he roars and he looks at Itachi and smirks as he says, "He is in his limits, I am as well. This is my chance. I will use my old ways..."

Suddenly, a ship barrels through Marineford, crashing through the debris and sending waves of water splashing onto the shore. It's one of Whitebeard's extra ships, and at the helm is Squard, his face set with determination.

"I'll hold them off while you all escape!" Squard shouts over the noise of battle.

Marco, hovering above the chaos, shakes his head in exasperation. "Squard, you idiot," he mutters as one of his allies works to pick the lock on the Seastone cuff around his wrist.

As Squard's ship pulls closer to the Marine base, it screeches to a halt, stopped dead in its tracks by a single hand. Whitebeard stands at the bow, his massive frame steady and unyielding.

"The sword wound you gave me is nothing," Whitebeard bellows, his voice booming across the battlefield. "I'm reaching the end of my lifespan anyway."

His men cry out in protest, but Whitebeard raises his hand for silence. "I have one final order for all of you," he declares, his voice filled with a fierce determination. "You must return to the New World alive, at all costs. Leave me here."

His crew hesitates, unwilling to leave their captain behind. But Whitebeard remains resolute. "I'm just a remnant of a bygone era," he says with a hint of sadness in his voice. With a mighty swing of his naginata, he unleashes a devastating quake that shakes Marineford to its core.

Images of his past flash before his eyes—the moments with his crew, their camaraderie, and their loyalty. When they once asked him what he wanted if he did not desire treasure, he told them, "I've had a long journey...and it's time to settle things with the Marines."

Marineford begins to crumble under the force of the earthquake, the very foundations of the island cracking and breaking apart. Despite the chaos, Whitebeard's crew continues to plead with him to come with them, but he stubbornly refuses, shouting at them to leave.

The Marines open fire, bullets and cannonballs pelting Whitebeard, but he stands firm, his resolve unwavering. "Go!" he commands, his voice unyielding. His crew, with heavy hearts, begins to pull back, knowing this is their captain's final wish.

Sengoku moves to check on Garp, who is slowly getting to his feet, blood trickling down his forehead. "He's trying to end this era before he dies," Garp mutters, understanding Whitebeard's intentions.

Meanwhile, Buggy, having thawed out from Aokiji's ice attack, is eager to reclaim his moment in the spotlight. "Get the Den Den Mushi ready!" he orders his followers. "I'm gonna take down Whitebeard myself!"

The broadcast to Sabaody resumes, but instead of the epic clash, the citizens groan as Buggy's face once again fills the screen. But Buggy, oblivious to their disappointment, grins confidently. "Watch me, folks! I'm about to make history!"

Whitebeard continues his relentless assault, his mighty naginata cutting through the Marines as if they were nothing. Each swing sends shockwaves through the battlefield, keeping the enemy at bay and protecting his crew. Amid the chaos, the Whitebeard Pirates work quickly, rushing to recover their fallen comrades. They manage to carry the frozen Jozu aboard one of their ships, determined not to leave anyone behind.

Nearby, Ivankov catches Luffy's attention, shouting over the noise, "Straw Hat-boy itachi-boy! It's time to go! We've done all we can here!" Luffy, exhausted but still driven by adrenaline and determination, turns to Ace. "Come on, Ace,Itachi ! We need to get out of here!" he urges.

Itachi nodded, still exhausted, but determined. He stood up and made his way over to Ace and Luffy. "Right," he said, his voice calm but firm.

Ace, his face a mix of grief and urgency, nodded back. "Yeah, you're right," he agreed. Before they could make their escape, Ace turned to Itachi, a grateful smile on his face. "Thank you for saving me, even though you don't know me," he said sincerely.

Itachi replied, "My captain's orders are absolute."

Ace, curious, asked, "How did someone like you, so mature and composed, end up with Luffy?"

Luffy, running beside them, burst into his usual laugh, "Shishishi! Water 7!"

Ace looked at him, a hint of exasperation in his eyes. "He must be a handful," Ace remarked.

Itachi smiled, a hint of amusement in his tired eyes. "He is," he admitted, "but he has a kind soul, one that gives people the courage to stick together."

Ace nodded, understanding the depth of Itachi's words. Then, as they continued to make their way through the chaos of the battlefield, Ace's expression shifted to one of deep emotion. He turned back towards Whitebeard, the man who had given him a home and a family when he had nothing. Despite the explosions and screams echoing around them, Ace stopped and bowed deeply to Whitebeard, his eyes filled with a profound mix of gratitude and sorrow.

Whitebeard, noticing Ace's gesture, softens for a moment amid his fury. "Ace..." he calls out, his voice gruff but filled with a rare gentleness. "Was I a good father?"

Ace's eyes well up with tears, his voice choked with emotion as he answers, "Of course you were!"

Hearing this, Whitebeard lets out a hearty laugh that echoes across the battlefield, a sound of genuine joy amidst the chaos. His laughter is filled with pride and affection, a father's love for his son.

As the pirates prepare to make their retreat, a sudden roar cuts through the air. Akainu, enraged and unwilling to let them escape so easily, launches a massive fist of molten lava towards them. "You think you can just run away?" he sneers, his voice dripping with contempt. "You're nothing but cowards, dragging that brat Ace with you and fleeing! And Whitebeard... he's nothing but a failure from a bygone era!"

Ace stopped in his tracks, causing Itachi and Luffy to halt beside him. Rage boiled inside Ace, his fists clenched tightly as Akainu's taunting words struck a deep nerve. Fury blazed in his eyes as he turned to face the Marine Admiral. "Take that back!" Ace demanded, his voice trembling with anger.

Itachi, sensing the danger, calmly intervened. "He's trying to provoke you, Ace. Don't let him get to you," Itachi warned, his voice steady.

Akainu smirked, his eyes narrowing with malicious intent. "Oh, so now you think Ace is a weakling who needs your protection?" he taunted. "By saying that, you're admitting he's not strong enough to handle this on his own."

Itachi shook his head, his expression unfazed by Akainu's words. "I never said that. You're just jealous of his power," Itachi replied coolly. "You manipulated Squard and now you're trying the same trick on Ace."

Akainu's smirk faded, his eyes narrowing in anger as he glared at Itachi. Itachi, anticipating the attack, activated his Sharingan, his red eyes spinning with power. Akainu, feeling a momentary fear at the sight of the Sharingan, averted his gaze back to Ace.

Itachi caught the shift and smirked, taunting Akainu. "You still fear facing someone stronger than you."

Enraged, Akainu lunged at Itachi with blinding speed, his fist coated in molten magma, aiming straight for him. In a split second, Itachi summoned his Susanoo, though only in its skeletal form due to his exhaustion. The force of Akainu's punch collided with Susanoo's shield, sending a shockwave through the battlefield. The impact sent Itachi skidding back, crashing into the ground. He winced, feeling a sharp pain in his eyes. He knew Akainu had timed his attack perfectly, exploiting Itachi's weakened state.

Breathing heavily, Itachi thought to himself, He knew I was at my limit… His eyes burned with strain

The pirate captains and Luffy wide there eye, and Ace looking at him angry but, they all shouted at Ace, urging him not to engage, but Akainu presses on, his insults sharper than any blade. "Whitebeard was never strong enough to defeat Roger, and he never became the Pirate King. He was a failure," Akainu sneers, his voice dripping with contempt.

The pirates continue to shout, pleading with Ace not to let Akainu provoke him. But the Admiral's words hit too close to home, and Ace's temper flares beyond control. With a fierce shout, he lunges at Akainu, flames erupting from his fists. "The name of this era is called 'Whitebeard'!" Ace proclaims, striking at Akainu with all his might.

However, the clash of fire and magma is not in Ace's favor. Akainu's magma power is far more potent, capable of burning through anything—even fire. Ace's left hand is severely burned, and he's knocked back, skidding across the battlefield.

Seeing his brother in trouble, Luffy tries to rush to Ace's side, but his body is exhausted. He falls to his knees, gasping for breath, Ace's Vivre Card slipping from his fingers. Jinbe watches with concern, noting that Luffy has reached his physical limit.

Akainu, sensing an opportunity, turns his attention away from Ace and focuses on the defenseless Luffy. A cruel smile spreads across his face as he prepares to strike. "I'll end this here and now," he growls, advancing on Luffy.

Itachi's eyes widened in horror as he saw Akainu's magma-coated fist plunging toward Luffy. A surge of adrenaline kicked in, pushing him beyond his limits. Without hesitation, Itachi began sprinting toward Luffy, desperate to reach him in time.

Ace's eyes widen in horror as he realizes Akainu's intent. Without a second thought, he pushes himself off the ground and throws himself in front of Luffy, using his own body as a shield. Akainu's molten fist pierces through Ace's torso, a horrifying sound of flesh burning and magma hissing filling the air.

For a moment, everything seems to freeze. Luffy and the Whitebeard Pirates watch in shock and disbelief, their faces pale with horror. Ace's Vivre Card, lying on the ground, burns away until it's just a tiny scrap of paper, fluttering in the wind.

"No, Ace!" Itachi muttered in disbelief, his eyes wide with horror.

Tears well up in Luffy's eyes as he stares at his brother. "Ace...!" he cries out, his voice breaking. The reality of what has just happened sinks in, and the weight of his brother's sacrifice crashes down on him

Itachi, who was nearby, looked at Akainu with an angry expression. What Itachi did next made everyone's eyes widen in shock.