17 Chapter 17 : Death of Ace!

[Amidst thousands of troops, a lone figure challenges the entire marine!]

["Don't look back, for times are changing."]

[In this moment, Whitebeard's mind conjures images of the good times aboard the Moby Dick with his many sons.]

[Eating heartily, laughing wholeheartedly—these were the scenes of joy!]

[The companionship of his family filled him with profound affection.]

[This was the purpose of Whitebeard's life,]

[And it was the reason he stood here now.]

[My sons are protected by me!]

[Whitebeard gazes at the numerous Marines, at the Admirals, at Sengoku.]

[A smile gradually forms at the corners of his mouth.]

["So, today, let's put an end to this... Marines!"]

In the Pure Land, Uchiha Madara nods approvingly, "A fine man. I,Uchiha Madara, acknowledge you."

On the Moby Dick, Marco and the others look at the composed Whitebeard with teary eyes.

They pledge to prevent such a scene from ever happening again in the future!

[…]

[Countless crew members are unwilling to leave, but despite their reluctance, they finally weep and choose to retreat.]

[Meanwhile, Ace employs his flames to create an isolated space.]

[Kneeling completely before Whitebeard, he says:]

[ "You don't need to say much, Ace."]

["I have just one question for you: Am I a worthy father?"]

[In his final moments, this question is all that matters to him.]

[Hearing this, Ace, in great pain, responds without hesitation:]

["Of course!"]

[Hearing this resolute answer, Whitebeard chuckles contentedly, kindness in his eyes.]

[Today, Whitebeard meets his end.]

[Not in vain!]

On the boat, Ace clutches his head and cries!

After a while, he rows the boat with a fervor, heading back the way he came!

He no longer intends to pursue Teach!

He's going home!

[The pirates begin to withdraw, and though reluctant, Ace turns and runs back with the others.]

[At that moment, Akainu suddenly appears from behind.]

[He doesn't attack; he merely shouts from the rear:]

["Once Fire Fist Ace is rescued, the entire group retreats. Whitebeard really led a bunch of cowards."]

[Observing those who keep moving, Akainu removes his hat, brushes off the dust with a sneer, and continues disdainfully:]

["Indeed, that's how a captain behaves; you can't allow this."]

["In the end, Whitebeard was just a relic of the past era."]

[As these words resound, Ace comes to a halt.]

[At the Marine Headquarters, Garp's expression darkens.]

At this moment, he feels the urge to slaughter the opposition!

"This is despicable! If you can't thwart their escape, at least don't mock them!"

Naruto fumes, seeing Whitebeard for who he truly was. This Akainu person is truly despicable!

In the Bleach World, Aizen's eyes reveal disgust.

Employing strategy showcases intelligence and wisdom!

However, stooping to such low and shameless words not only displays a lack of dignity befitting a strong individual, but it's devoid of any semblance of strength.

In the world of Fate, a girl with disheveled hair drives her invisible sword forcefully into the ground: "Shameless wretch!"

Emiya Shirou is left speechless—his antique mahogany floor is being riled up.

[To protect his father's legacy, Ace abandons his escape and faces off against Akainu!]

["Shut up!!"]

["This era reverberates with the name Whitebeard!!"]

[With a roar, Ace unleashes an unprecedented surge of power, flames enveloping his fists as he strikes Akainu!]

[Observing this, a triumphant grin spreads across Akainu's face.]

[The next instant, the rock beneath Akainu's feet erupts into magma, and his massive arm, encased in thick magma, swings!]

[The two fists collide—fire meets magma—Ace is thrown back, gravely injured!]

Among the Whitebeard Pirates, disbelief reigns; Akainu is formidable, but Ace shouldn't have fallen so swiftly!

[Akainu reveals the secret: Lava-Lava Fruit counters Mera-Mera Fruit!]

[Akainu's gaze shifts to Luffy, who is on the ground gathering cards!]

[He now knows that this person is the son of the revolutionary, Dragon—his lineage carries great guilt!]

[Without hesitation, he summons a magma fist, aiming for Luffy!]

[In the next heartbeat, Luffy raises his head with a vacant expression.]

[His focus is on the scattered red beads, on Ace aflame, and on the magma fist piercing through his chest like a nightmare!]

[The life card before him turns to ash in an instant!]

"No!!! Why was I picking up cards? Why didn't I hide!"

Luffy cries out in disbelief on the deck, then, in the next moment, tears stream down his face, and he chants a single phrase.

"Where is he? Where is he? I have to find him!!"

At Marine Headquarters, Garp stands up abruptly, ready to charge out!

He could accept Ace's just execution as a pirate, but he cannot stomach such a disgraceful demise!

He's going to annihilate Akainu!

Sengoku appears alarmed, quickly restraining Garp: "It hasn't happened yet!"

Garp hesitates, then hoarsely says, "I need some air."

Seeing this, Sengoku releases his grip and exhales deeply.

[Akainu retracts his magma arm.]

[Other pirates charge furiously, raining countless artillery shells upon Akainu's location!]

[Terrifying explosions erupt ceaselessly!]

[As the smoke clears, Akainu has lost a portion of his left shoulder, which rapidly regenerates.]

"A swift recovery again—it's akin to High-Speed Regeneration!"

Aizen expresses curiosity in this instant.

A certain person named Aokiji displayed this type of regenerative ability before. It seems even more potent than High-Speed Regeneration.

In the Hokage world, within an underground base, Orochimaru's eyes gleam with fervor!

This physique surpasses his previous experiments by leaps and bounds!

[The scene continues]

[Akainu shows no intention of stopping, launching another attack!]

[On the brink of death, Jinbei intervenes!]

[Simultaneously, Ace begins to apologize to Luffy.]

[He contemplates whether his existence was a mistake.]

[Finally, Ace whispers his greatest regret into Luffy's ear.]

["Luffy..."]

["The thing I can't let go of most... is not being there to witness your dream coming true!"]

["I'm truly sorry..."]

["But I believe in you!"]

["Because... you're my brother."]

[With these final words spoken, Ace's eyes well up with tears, and he expends his last ounce of strength:]

["Thank you... so much."]

[In this moment, Fire Fist Ace died.]

*****

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