Seeing Aether turn to leave, Smoker drew in a deep breath. Whether as a Marine or as Hina's friend, he knew he had to act, even knowing the gap between them.
"White Blow!"
Smoker launched two punches, his fists transforming into smoke as they surged forward. Even with his back turned, Aether calmly sensed the attack with Observation Haki and sidestepped it with ease.
Smoker had begun relying too heavily on his Devil Fruit. Worse still, the Smoke-Smoke Fruit was only a lower-tier Logia, nothing like the overwhelming power wielded by the Admirals.
Aether closed the distance in an instant. Under Smoker's stunned gaze, his fist, coated in Armant Haki, struck just as Smoker tried to turn intangible. The blow connected cleanly, sending him flying across the battlefield and crashing onto the ice nearly a hundred ters away.
Clutching his chest, Smoker struggled to rise. His elental body had been broken through again. Frustration burned within him, mixed with sothing deeper.
"Damn it… that Armant Haki… I need to train again."
Aether had already withdrawn, slipping back into the pirate ranks. He had no intention of drawing too much attention. The Marines' hostility toward him might already rival what they felt toward Whitebeard.
Not long after, Rayleigh cut down several reckless Marines and approached him.
"Aether, Whitebeard's condition is getting worse. What are you planning?"
"It is not ti yet," Aether replied calmly. "Our reinforcents have not arrived."
Charging the execution platform now alongside Rayleigh would be reckless. Whitebeard was already weakened, and Rayleigh, despite his strength, no longer had the stamina for a drawn-out war. Ti had taken its toll.
Aether lifted his gaze toward the execution platform, eting Sengoku's eyes from afar.
Before either could act, chaos erupted overhead.
Screams rang out across the battlefield. Everyone looked up to see a massive Marine warship plumting from the sky. Dozens of figures in prisoner uniforms scattered like falling petals.
So of the unfortunate ones slamd directly onto the ice, but most landed safely in the water basin Jozu had created earlier. The odds of survival were absurdly high, whether due to sheer luck or sothing else entirely.
Monts later, figures erged from the wrecked ship floating in the water. Prisoners filled the deck, along with several bizarrely dressed individuals, including towering n in flamboyant outfits.
At the forefront stood several figures Aether recognized imdiately from Impel Down.
The Marine alarms blared again.
A Vice Admiral quickly identified them.
"World Destroyer Byrnndi World, Emporio Ivankov, Crocodile, Knight of the Sea Jinbe, and the 300 million Berries rookie, Monkey D. Luffy!"
The situation worsened instantly.
First Rayleigh had appeared, and now multiple individuals on the level of the Seven Warlords had entered the battlefield. Sengoku's expression darkened as he realized control was slipping away.
"Garp! Damn it, your grandson again!"
"Not my problem," Garp replied casually, picking his nose. "I cannot control him."
anwhile, the newly arrived group noticed Aether standing beside Rayleigh.
Crocodile's eyes narrowed with irritation. His agreent with Aether still bound him, preventing him from going after Whitebeard.
Luffy, however, waved enthusiastically.
"Aether! Thanks! I am going to save Ace!"
Aether simply smiled faintly.
"Do not die, Luffy."
His tone was light, but his eyes held understanding. Luffy was walking a dangerous path, one that would demand a heavy price.
From atop his flagship, Whitebeard observed everything. His gaze settled on the straw hat, mories surfacing.
Shanks' words echoed in his mind about betting on the future.
So this was Ace's younger brother.
To charge into this battlefield for soone else, that kind of resolve was not ordinary.
With the arrival of more pirates and several powerful fighters, the balance shifted again.
Then, sothing else caught his attention.
A red nose.
Whitebeard narrowed his eyes, then broke into a grin.
"Well now… is that not the red-nosed brat from Roger's crew? The one always trailing after Shanks?"
Buggy froze mid-sneak, his entire body stiffening as Whitebeard's voice called him out.
Terrified, yet unable to show it, he puffed out his chest.
"That is right! I ca for your head!"
His crew nearly collapsed in fear behind him.
Speaking like that to Whitebeard… did they have any chance of surviving this?
Whitebeard laughed.
"We share the sa enemy today. How about we join forces for now? My head is not going anywhere. If you have the strength, you can take it later."
Buggy crossed his arms confidently.
"Fine. That works for ."
His subordinates instantly beca energized, their fear turning into blind admiration. Their captain was speaking to Whitebeard as an equal.
Marco soon returned to Whitebeard's side, confusion clear on his face.
"Pops, why are you treating him like that?"
Whitebeard chuckled.
"Look at the n behind him. We need manpower."
Marco glanced again and nodded slowly.
"That is true… strange, though. Buggy has been quiet for years."
Buggy himself was completely unaware he was being used. He walked with exaggerated confidence, fully embracing the mont.
Then, a hand tapped his shoulder.
"Buggy. You have done well."
Buggy turned stiffly.
"Vice-Captain… Rayleigh…"
Seeing the familiar face, now aged with ti, stirred sothing deep within him. This was the man who had once guided him and Shanks.
"Just call Rayleigh," the old man said with a faint smile. "I had high expectations for you back then."
Buggy swallowed.
"Rayleigh… why are you here?"
Rayleigh gestured toward Aether.
"I ca with him."
Buggy stared at Aether, his thoughts racing. Ever since Impel Down, a question had been stuck in his mind.
"Rayleigh… is Aether… Captain Roger's son?"
Rayleigh nearly choked.
After a brief pause, he pointed toward the execution platform.
"No. That is Roger's son. Portgas D. Ace."
Buggy's eyes widened in shock.
He had not known.
Everything suddenly made much less sense, yet sohow, even more.
^_________^
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