Boom…
Sengoku suddenly made his move. The sheer force of his strike caught the Blackbeard Pirates completely off guard. A violent shockwave burst outward, sending Blackbeard and his crew screaming in pain. Teach suffered the most. Because of the nature of the Dark-Dark Fruit, the damage he felt was amplified, nearly knocking him unconscious as his vision blurred.
Even so, Blackbeard forced himself back to awareness through sheer will. His hands gathered darkness as he imdiately launched a counterattack.
Sengoku, still in his Great Buddha form, pressed forward to follow up his attack. However, his golden fist was suddenly seized mid-swing by Blackbeard's palm, which radiated a dense, swallowing darkness. The expected shockwave never ca.
The abnormal sensation stunned Sengoku. It was sothing he had never experienced before.
"How is this possible…"
"Zehahaha! Sengoku, my Black Hole can nullify Devil Fruit powers. Air Quake!"
Before Sengoku could fully process the explanation, Blackbeard struck. The air itself cracked under the force, and the violent vibration slamd into Sengoku, dealing heavy damage even to his powerful form.
Suppressing the blood rising in his throat, Sengoku adapted quickly. Abandoning reliance on his ability, he unleashed a barrage of purely physical attacks, forcing Blackbeard into a defensive struggle.
A sudden flash of steel cut through the chaos.
A deep wound split across Sengoku's back.
It was Shiryu of the Rain, striking from behind while Sengoku was distracted.
"Shiryu, you bastard! Have you forgotten your sense of justice?"
"Sengoku, everyone serves their own master. We are not letting you fight Teach alone."
At the sa ti, the rest of the Blackbeard Pirates surged forward, surrounding Sengoku. With multiple fighters at a level comparable to the Seven Warlords, along with Shiryu and Blackbeard himself, the pressure on Sengoku beca overwhelming.
The Marines nearby were unable to assist. Most of the main forces had already been dispatched to pursue the remnants of the Whitebeard Pirates, leaving only two Vice Admirals behind.
At the edge of Marineford's inner bay, Garp witnessed Sengoku being surrounded. He glanced at Aether, who stood with a casual, unconcerned expression. After a brief mont of hesitation, Garp turned away.
Between chasing his target and protecting Sengoku, his choice was obvious.
"Roger, don't think you can relax just because you slipped away this ti. Even if I have to chase you to the ends of the sea, I will throw you into Impel Down. Don't mistake my age for weakness. I hunted you down before, and I can still do it now."
Aether simply looked at him, a faint smile on his face.
"Do as you wish, Garp. Co after if you are not afraid of being dragged down with your ship. But take this as free advice. Blackbeard's power can steal abilities from other Devil Fruit users. Give him enough ti, and he will build a crew of monsters."
Garp halted mid-step, his expression turning serious.
"Is that ability really that dangerous… Ace…"
He stopped himself and shook his head.
"They've all grown up now."
Without another word, Garp left.
Aether then shifted his gaze toward Kizaru. The Admiral, who had seed relaxed earlier, now looked noticeably more worn out.
"Kizaru, you are the only one left. Are you planning to stop by yourself?"
Kizaru scratched his head, his usual lazy expression returning.
"Facing soone like you alone, that is quite troubleso."
Golden light began to gather around him.
"This kind of job is not worth the effort."
In a flash, Kizaru vanished from the battlefield.
Aether let out a quiet breath, almost amused.
"Blackbeard showing up at this mont really saved ti."
His eyes drifted toward the chaos surrounding Sengoku.
"With Sengoku, Garp, and an Admiral working together, Blackbeard might not escape easily. Still, that is not my concern."
His gaze briefly shifted toward Whitebeard's fallen body.
"If he wants the Tremor-Tremor Fruit, he cannot afford to waste ti."
Aether remained calm, his thoughts moving quickly. If Blackbeard could endure long enough for Red-Haired Shanks to arrive, there was a real chance he would escape.
Whether that would happen or not, even Aether could not say.
Out in the waters surrounding Marineford, destruction covered the sea. Broken warships and sinking vessels floated everywhere. The aftermath of Whitebeard's earlier attacks had left the battlefield in ruins.
The Marine reserve fleet had arrived, over twenty ships firing relentlessly at the remaining pirate vessels. The naval battle intensified as cannon fire roared across the sea.
Ships sank one after another. Sailors from both sides struggled in the water, while others clashed directly as vessels collided and boarding battles broke out.
Near the frozen coastline, two massive whale-shaped ships remained trapped in ice. Whitey Bay's Icebreaker worked tirelessly to carve a path through the frozen sea.
Between those ships, Aokiji faced four powerful opponents.
Marco, wreathed in blue flas. Diamond Jozu. Portgas D. Ace. Crocodile.
Together, they held the Admiral in place, their combined strength preventing him from gaining the upper hand.
On the shore, the Pacifistas returned to the battlefield. Their numbers had dwindled to just over a dozen, and they no longer carried the sa overwhelming threat as before.
Rayleigh intercepted them with ease. His blade cut through their steel bodies cleanly, reducing them to scrap.
Elsewhere, Luffy continued fighting, his body steaming heavily.
"Gomu Gomu no… Jet Stamp!"
His attack sent a Marine captain crashing into the ground. Sweat poured down his face, and his breathing was ragged. From Impel Down to Marineford, he had not stopped fighting, and his stamina was reaching its limit.
Ivankov stood beside him, now in a female form, wielding a whip and striking down nearby Marines.
"Boys, call Queen!"
"Damn Okama!"
"I am the King of the Newkama! If you are so curious, join us!"
Ivankov's attacks continued, transforming Marines with Hormone abilities. Confusion spread as their bodies changed unexpectedly.
In the middle of the chaos, Ivankov suddenly noticed sothing.
The ground nearby began to glow red.
The change was rapid and unnatural.
"Luffy, watch out!"
Before Luffy could react, magma burst from beneath him.
He twisted his body in an attempt to dodge, but it was not enough. The scorching magma grazed his waist.
The heat was unbearable.
Luffy collapsed, rolling on the ground in agony.
"It is burning… it is burning!"
"Luffy!"
Ivankov rushed forward, preparing to inject a healing hormone.
At that mont, the ground exploded again.
Akainu erged from the molten earth, his body flowing with magma as he stepped back onto the battlefield.
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