Chapter 61: Clash of Titans

Facing Kizaru's proactive attack, Whitebeard stood motionless, like an ancient rock, unshaken. Just as Kizaru's Yasakani no Magatama was about to hit Whitebeard, Marco, the Whitebeard Pirates' first division commander, intervened.

"To deal with you, there's no need for the old man to step in!" Marco declared, his hands shaking as blue-gold flames ignited instantly, engulfing his body. With a loud cry, a phoenix ablaze in blue-gold flames soared into the sky. Marco's Phoenix Devil Fruit powers were unleashed. Facing the Yasakani no Magatama, Marco let the yellow beams pass through his body effortlessly.

"I've never seen such a strange bird!" Kizaru nonchalantly increased the output of his Yasakani no Magatama. However, it was all in vain against Marco. As they neared each other, Marco twisted midair, delivering an overhead kick aimed directly at Kizaru.

"Boom!!" With one clash, the sky roared as blue-gold flames and yellow beams exploded simultaneously, erupting the entire sky. Kizaru, slightly underestimating Marco's kick, was hit powerfully, his body turning into light as he fell towards the ground.

"Boom!!" Kizaru crashed into the ground in his light form, sending up clouds of dust. "Admiral!!" the Navy soldiers below were utterly shocked. My God! That was an Admiral, one of the three incredibly powerful individuals selected from millions! And yet, Kizaru was kicked away by Marco?

The Navy soldiers were stunned, dumbfounded as they watched the scene, their mouths open but unable to find the words. Marco was equally stunned. After kicking Kizaru away, he was momentarily confused. Did I just defeat an Admiral so easily? The other division commanders shared identical expressions of disbelief. Even Whitebeard, who had always remained calm, had his eyes change upon seeing this and then laughed heartily.

On the Navy's side, however, they were troubled. Admiral Kizaru being kicked away truly shocked them. They glanced back and forth between Marco and the dust-covered Kizaru on the ground, unable to tell who was real. Akainu, who had been surprised by Kizaru's action, now had a dark expression, almost gritting his teeth as he uttered the name. Aokiji had been offline after initiating the Ice Age, and now Kizaru was openly match-fixing in front of nearly 200,000 spectators. Akainu clenched his fist, the temperature on his skin rising sharply.

The situation was becoming a "peak match spoiled by incompetent teammates!" Marco realized this was one of the few chances to push towards the execution platform. His arms shook, and the blue-gold flames blazed to the extreme as Marco streaked across the sky like a meteor, heading straight for the execution platform!

Seeing Marco's trajectory, many on the Navy side were stirred. The execution platform was the core of their Navy! Was Marco going to rescue Ace? "No, we can't let Marco get close to the execution platform!" some Navy experts in Rokushiki flew into the sky using Geppo, trying to intercept Marco. Unfortunately, they were no match for Marco.

"Phoenix Seal!" Marco's flaming legs knocked away almost all the Navy soldiers flying up with Geppo. Closer and closer! Marco was within reach of the execution platform!

"Go Marco!" "Rescue Ace!" "This is one of our few chances!" The Whitebeard Pirates cheered loudly as Marco neared the execution platform. As long as they could rescue Ace, they could win this war with minimal losses!

However, the Navy would not let it happen so easily. Just as Marco was about to reach the execution platform, a figure appeared in front of him with a thunderous impact, stopping him in his tracks. "Stop right there, Phoenix!" It was Garp, the Hero of the Marines. His powerful fist, imbued with Haki, clashed with Marco's flaming form, creating a massive shockwave that shook the entire battlefield.

"Garp!" The Whitebeard Pirates were shocked. "Old man Garp, stepping in now?" Marco gritted his teeth, feeling the immense pressure from Garp's punch. "Your journey ends here, Marco!" Garp's voice was firm and resolute. "Old man Garp, I won't back down!" Marco's flames burned brighter as he clashed with Garp, neither side giving an inch.

Meanwhile, on the execution platform, Ace looked at the ongoing battle, his heart filled with conflicting emotions. "Marco...everyone..." Ace muttered, his eyes filled with tears. Suddenly, Sengoku's voice boomed across the battlefield. "All forces, reinforce the execution platform! Do not let them rescue Ace!" The Marines responded swiftly, forming a tighter perimeter around the execution platform, ready to face any further attacks from the Whitebeard Pirates.

In the midst of the chaos, a loud, commanding voice echoed through the battlefield. "Don't lose hope, Ace! We're coming for you!" It was Whitebeard himself, standing tall amidst the fray, his presence alone bolstering the morale of his crew. "Charge! For Ace!" The Whitebeard Pirates, reinvigorated by their captain's words, launched a renewed assault on the Marine forces, determined to break through and save their comrade.

The battle raged on, with neither side willing to back down. Among the three Admirals, the last Admiral, Akainu, stood up with a grim expression. Since Aokiji and Kizaru were unreliable, the Navy's final line of defense would be held by him. In Akainu's hands, the Magma-Magma Fruit was activated, turning half of his arm into scorching lava. With a single movement, the temperature around the execution platform skyrocketed. Black smoke from the burning magma spread around Akainu.

"Great Eruption!!" Akainu blocked Marco's path, raising his fist engulfed in molten lava and punching towards Marco. If it were Kizaru or Aokiji, Marco would have managed, but this time, the enemy was Akainu, reputed to be the strongest among the three Admirals. Even Marco, the first division commander of the Whitebeard Pirates, had to muster all his strength. The two clashed instantly, one wielding the Magma-Magma Fruit, the other wielding the Phoenix Fruit. Flames filled the air, enveloping both of them. A fierce battle was imminent!

Marco was indeed powerful, but against Admiral Akainu, he was still at a disadvantage. Although he could resist temporarily, in the long run, he would inevitably be the first to fall. Moreover, he had already penetrated deep into the Navy's territory! He couldn't delay any longer! Glancing at the nearby Ace and the imposing Akainu blocking his path, Marco had no choice but to retreat temporarily!

Akainu did not pursue him. After repelling Marco, he descended, landing directly beneath the execution platform, resuming his position as an Admiral. No matter what, the execution platform had to be guarded by an Admiral personally. And that person was Akainu!