The Encirclement Wall Plan

Chapter 202: The Encirclement Wall Plan

"Retreat!"

Fleet Admiral Sengoku calmly gave the order, and the Marines began to retreat gradually, moving back towards the plaza.

"The Encirclement Wall Plan is a go!"

As Fleet Admiral Sengoku issued the command, the long-prepared trap was finally set into motion.

Boom!

The secret weapon that the Marines had been preparing for a long time, the Encirclement Wall, was activated. The machinery within Marine Headquarters whirred to life, and massive walls hidden beneath the sea's surface began rising one after another. These walls were so thick that even Whitebeard's attacks couldn't break through. Row after row of heavy cannons lined up, their dark muzzles emitting an ominous pressure.

Trapped!

At this moment, the Whitebeard Pirates could be described as trapped. They were confined to this area with only one way out—the same path that led to where Little Oars Jr. was. Little Oars Jr.'s massive body made it impossible for the machinery to lift him, creating the only opening in the otherwise impenetrable encirclement. To escape, they would have to charge through and enter the plaza, engaging in a full-scale battle with the Marines.

Although the Encirclement Wall Plan hadn't been executed perfectly, Admiral Sengoku remained calm after his initial anger. Even with a slight gap, as long as they could defend that one exit, they had the advantage. Anyone who has played tower defense games knows that with sufficient firepower, even a straight path can be blocked unless the opposing force is overwhelming.

Clearly, this was not the case. The Marines had more than enough firepower, and as long as nothing unexpected happened, they could annihilate the Whitebeard Pirates right here.

This place would become the Whitebeard Pirates' graveyard!

Admiral Sengoku and his subordinates had their plans carefully laid out. Hundreds of massive cannons exposed their might, loading their projectiles and preparing to fire. Admiral Sengoku wore a confident smile as he issued orders, "Sakazuki, it's time for you to step in. Don't let a single one escape!"

Admiral Sakazuki, known as Akainu, stood atop the wall. Fiery lava flowed down from his temples. He was a Logia-type Devil Fruit user with the highest offensive power among the three Logia types. Dark smoke billowed around him, resembling erupting flames.

The scorching lava dripped onto the ground, raising the temperature, and the space around him twisted due to the extreme heat. His expressionless face formed a cold smile. 

"Whitebeard Pirates, consider this your funeral fireworks—a gift from me! Take this! Meteor Volcano!"

One lava-infused fist after another shot up into the sky like rockets, crossing the clouds. Then, a meteor shower of lava fists rained down from above, crashing onto the ice beneath. The ice that had allowed the pirates to stand and maneuver was rapidly melting away, and simultaneously, the cannons and lava fists were reaping the lives of the pirates.

The Moby Dick, within the bay, was struck by a lava fist and consumed by flames. Whitebeard glanced at it and took a step forward. At this moment, there was no time to be sparing with ships. His old friend had just taken the lead and concluded its voyage.

"What the hell, why is there another coated ship?" 

Suddenly, an anomaly occurred. A ship that was nearly identical to the Moby Dick broke the water's surface. It was heading straight for the plaza, carrying a group of pirates with it. Furthermore, miraculously, the heavily injured Little Oars Jr. woke up and caught the ship, allowing the pirates to enter the plaza.

"Damn Devil Fruit users!" 

Once again, the plan was disrupted, and even Admiral Sengoku couldn't help but feel annoyed. Without him needing to order it, the Marines began their assault on Little Oars Jr., using heavy cannons to bring him down.

"Ace!" 

Luffy shouted loudly, rushing forward to save Ace. However, he was kicked back by Admiral Kizaru, landing squarely in the arms of Jinbei.

Rodney turned his head, and a giant slug rested on his shoulder. He said, "It's time for me to get involved too!"

In a flash, he disappeared from the execution platform, and Whitebeard raised his massive Naginata, wearing a domineering smile. "Gurararara! Rodney, you dare to challenge me for my head?"

Rodney's longsword clashed with Whitebeard's Naginata. Smirking, he said, "Of course, it's 5.5 billion Berries for your head!"

"Then do you have what it takes to take it?" 

Whitebeard asked. Rodney felt the tremendous force coming from the Naginata, and even his arms trembled.

"The power of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit? Don't mistake me for that small fry!" He landed on the ground, and Whitebeard swung his Naginata, smashing it down on the Flame Fan.

The tremendous impact was absorbed, and Rodney remarked, "Water Release: Water Mirror Jutsu!"

A mirror made of water appeared, and Whitebeard saw an identical version of himself in it, launching the same attack in the same posture.

Boom!

The two punches, both empowered by the Tremor-Tremor Fruit, collided. A crack appeared beneath their feet, and the earth trembled. Even Rodney had to retreat from the force.

"Not bad, Water Mirror Technique is quite handy, but it can only be used once."

Rodney hadn't acquired Water Mirror Jutsu through an exchange; he had taken it from the Three-Tails. As the Jinchuriki of the Three-Tails, Yagura Karatachi, the Three-Tails, likely knew some of the Jutsu, which Rodney had obtained from him. He used it now to deal with Whitebeard.

Water Mirror Jutsu allowed Rodney to create a mirror in which an exact replica of the opponent appeared. The mirror image could use the same Ninjutsu as the opponent with equal power. However, this technique wasn't something he could use repeatedly, especially on this chaotic battlefield.

"How does it feel? The first time you've been harmed by your own power. Must be unpleasant," Rodney taunted.

The water-made Whitebeard turned into a puddle of water and vanished, leaving everyone present stunned. They couldn't believe that Rodney had created a "Whitebeard" and effectively matched his power.

"Gurararara, this feeling is indeed new." 

Whitebeard chuckled and wore a regretful expression. 

"If you were my son, Ace would have been saved this time."

"Hehe, I'm not joining your crew, though. We walk different paths. Pirates are my enemies." 

Rodney took a step back and opened his mouth, releasing a fireball in the shape of a dragon's head.

Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!

Whitebeard shattered the flames with a single punch. Rodney smirked and didn't attempt to block Whitebeard's attacks further. The gap in strength between them was too significant. It was better to let the Admirals wear down Whitebeard's strength.

And so, he once again plunged into the midst of the pirates, entering a mode of unparalleled slaughter.