After finishing his conversation with Bon Clay, Aether watched as the man nodded firmly, choosing to repay his debt without hesitation. Bon Clay's large fra moved toward the rear of the battlefield without delay.
The real battle was about to escalate, Aether had no intention of letting the Whitebeard Pirates' rear forces collapse. As long as their backline held, they could advance or retreat freely.
When he turned back, he noticed Buggy and Rayleigh both pointing at him.
"What is it, Rayleigh?"
"Nothing serious. Buggy thinks you are Roger's son. Also, the reinforcents you ntioned have arrived. Can you finally tell us your plan?"
"…It is about ti."
Aether's gaze shifted toward Buggy, his expression turning slightly cold. Buggy stiffened imdiately, swallowing nervously. The resemblance to Roger placed an invisible pressure on him that he could not ignore.
Aether said nothing more. The battlefield itself had already begun to move.
Luffy had rushed ahead, unable to hold himself back any longer. His arm expanded massively as he launched a Gear Third attack, his giant fist smashing a towering Giant Vice Admiral into the ground. Behind him, Ivankov and Jinbe advanced in support, forming a sharp spearhead through the chaos.
Their charge instantly drew the Marines' attention.
Gekko Moriah attacked with clear hostility, but Jinbe repelled him with a single strike. Doflamingo also made a move, only to be intercepted by Crocodile, who showed no intention of letting him interfere.
Aether turned his attention back to Buggy.
"Buggy, I need you to take control of the Marines' broadcast den den mushi. There are three of them. Once you have them, the Marines lose control of the narrative. The whole world will know your na."
Buggy's eyes lit up.
"Leave it to … I an, of course I will handle it."
He agreed imdiately. He had no interest in throwing himself into the center of this battlefield. Let others fight while he secured fa from the shadows, that suited him perfectly.
Aether made him move early to avoid any unexpected delays. If things changed, Buggy might miss the opportunity entirely. Acting now ensured success.
With that arranged, Aether turned toward Whitebeard and raised his voice.
"Newgate, stop watching. Get down here and move. Or has age finally caught up to you? I am starting to doubt how much strength you can still use. Also, keep an eye on your crew. If any of them turn against you, then you have failed as a captain."
Whitebeard's expression hardened instantly. His crew was his pride, his family. No one was allowed to question them.
"Gurararara… worry about yourself first."
He swung his fists, vibration energy gathering once more. Two powerful blows shattered the massive ice formations blocking the harbor, clearing the path for his forces.
At that mont, a new threat appeared.
Dozens of figures resembling Bartholow Kuma erged at the rear of the battlefield. Fifty Pacifistas, all under Sentomaru's command, stepped forward in perfect formation.
Shock spread through both sides.
Even many Marines had not known about this weapon.
"What are those things… why are there so many Kumas?"
Fear began to spread among the pirates.
Gunfire filled the air as Sengoku's plan unfolded. Originally, he had intended to lure all of Whitebeard's forces onto the ice and trap them completely using the Pacifistas.
But Aether's earlier interference had disrupted that plan. Whitebeard's forces had spread out instead, weakening the encirclent.
There was no ti left to wait.
The Pacifistas raised their arms.
Fifty beams of light fired at once.
Explosions tore across the battlefield, carving through both pirates and Marines alike. The outer periter was devastated in an instant, the sheer destructive force leaving craters and burning wreckage behind.
The pirate rear lines began to crumble.
Just as despair started to take hold, massive cannonballs rained down from above. Each one was enormous, nearly ten ters wide, and detonated with overwhelming force. Several Pacifistas were caught in the blasts, their systems disrupted or heavily damaged.
Sentomaru's expression darkened.
"Find the source imdiately!"
The Pacifistas quickly located the attacker.
Bon Clay stood near a cannon position, launching another round.
"World Destroyer Byrnndi World!"
More than a dozen laser beams targeted him at once. Forced into retreat, Bon Clay dodged clumsily. Even with Armant Haki covering his body, the attacks left visible damage.
Regret flashed through his mind, but he continued firing. Enlarged cannonballs continued to rain down on the Pacifistas, disrupting their advance.
Against fifty Pacifistas, only the strongest fighters could survive a direct confrontation. Long-range suppression was the only practical thod.
Despite his battered state, Bon Clay's efforts beca the key to stabilizing the rear. Without him, the pirate forces might have already collapsed.
At the sa ti, Aether's actions forced the Marine high command to respond.
A flash of light cut across the battlefield.
Kizaru moved.
Before he could reach Aether, Rayleigh intercepted him, sword in hand. Kizaru ford a blade of light to block the strike.
Steel and light clashed repeatedly, their movents too fast for most to follow.
"Dark King Rayleigh… troubleso as ever."
"You are not easy to deal with either, Kizaru. But I cannot let you interfere."
Their blades collided again and again, neither gaining the upper hand.
Then, a blazing figure descended from above.
Marco, in his phoenix form, struck.
"Phoenix Brand!"
His talons slamd into Kizaru, sending the Admiral flying as golden light scattered. When Kizaru reford, his clothes were torn and his skin showed signs of injury.
anwhile, on the execution platform, Sengoku made his decision.
The situation was slipping beyond control.
The broadcast, the Pacifistas, the reinforcents, none of it had gone as planned.
There was only one option left.
"Proceed with the execution of Fire Fist Ace."
Two executioners stepped forward, blades in hand, moving toward Ace.
The sudden order sent shockwaves through the battlefield.
The Whitebeard Pirates grew frantic, their advance becoming more desperate. Even Marco, despite his speed, could not break through to the platform.
Beside Rayleigh, Aether remained calm.
His hand rested on the hilt of the supre grade blade, Ace.
The sword trembled faintly, as if responding to sothing long dormant.
The will left behind by Gol D. Roger, accumulated over twenty years, stirred at this very mont.
Level: 71 plus 20.
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