Unexpected Events

Chapter 204: Unexpected Events

"Gurarara, Akainu, I can still take you down! Your birthday candles are almost lit!" 

Whitebeard's body was far from what it used to be when he was younger, but he still had the strength for one last fight against Sakazuki. He just didn't know how much longer he could hold out.

The remnants of the old era had grown old, and time was a ruthless butcher. Under the ravages of time and illness, the man who was once hailed as the "World's Strongest Man" now needed medical machines to sustain his life. To save his son, he once again donned his battle attire, took up his massive naginata, and led a group of his subordinates into battle. If he had decided to come here, he was prepared for the fact that he might not be able to return. He had lived for too long, and this era ultimately belonged to the young!

"Hmph! Let me show you if the flames of your birthday candles can kill you! These flames will burn on your corpse and your grave!" Sakazuki shouted, and he clashed with Whitebeard!

For a moment, their auras, magma, tremors... all these powers swirled together. No one could get close to them. The earth roared, volcanoes rumbled, and Whitebeard and Sakazuki, representing the most fearsome natural disasters, clashed in a battle that was terrifying, like the end of the world!

Although Whitebeard's body was aged, he was still incredibly strong. In a short time, he fought Sakazuki, who was in his prime, and seemed to be gaining the upper hand. Warugaki grunted when he saw that Kuzan and Borsalino were occupied and couldn't come to assist. He saw Rodney and immediately said, "Rodney, go help Sakazuki!"

"Understood! I'll take Whitebeard's head! There's no need for weapons; a true hero kills with their eyes!" 

Rodney, in a very edgy tone, but with a hint of darkness in his right eye, fired a black shadow towards Whitebeard.

Mangekyou Sharingan: Sword of Amaterasu!

He compressed the flames of Amaterasu in his eyes into a highly penetrating black beam. After penetrating the target, it would still burn with the flames of Amaterasu.

Whitebeard tilted his head to avoid it, and the Sword of Amaterasu pierced through a group of pirates behind him, stringing them together. 

Then, the black flames ignited, and the searing heat made them roll on the ground in pain, hoping to extinguish the flames. But these efforts were in vain. If the flames of Amaterasu could be extinguished so easily, then it wouldn't be the Mangekyou Sharingan's dojutsu.

"Tsk! Missed?" 

With his right eye closed, the pain in his eye made him uncomfortable. This was seen by Marco, who vibrated his wings and temporarily shook off Borsalino's entanglement. 

The flames of Amaterasu on his body still hadn't extinguished. He said, "Rodney's last move put a heavy burden on his eyes, so he can't use it for now. Vista!"

"Understood!"

 Vista and the other division commanders rushed over. Their attacks landed on Susanoo's ribcage, but they couldn't break through.

A skeletal arm grew out, and with a wave of the large hand, several of them were sent flying. 

"Do you guys not understand? You're getting in the way!"

Stepping forward like a demon, Susano'o intruded into the battle between Whitebeard and Sakazuki. 

Holding a pale blue chakra longsword, he swung it, creating a violent hurricane and a sharp edge that forced several division commanders back. "Don't block the way! You're all too annoying!"

Advancing with great strides, it was as if a demon god had descended. He entered the battle between Whitebeard and Sakazuki. Susanoo's longsword clashed with Whitebeard's naginata, and Whitebeard's other hand swung, landing a blow on Susanoo. The intense vibration caused cracks to appear on Susano'o. At the same time, Rodney took a step back and softly said, "Sakazuki!"

"No need for you to tell me!" 

Sakazuki, appearing from behind Whitebeard, unleashed a magma punch. Whitebeard immediately turned his head, and the searing heat burned his face, causing his lips and his signature crescent mustache to be singed on one side. Whitebeard's symbol was damaged!

With a sweep, Rodney deflected Sakazuki's chakra longsword, which was then aimed at Sakazuki's magma arm!

Magma fell to the ground, and Sakazuki's arm elementized in advance, narrowly avoiding being severed. Rodney released Susano'o, as this fight was becoming troublesome. Susano'o was more suited for defense and would be inconvenient for attacking Whitebeard, given his tremor abilities. However, without the Eternal Mangekyou Sharingan, Susano'o was a double-edged sword, granting incredible power but also extracting his life force!

"Gurarara, Rodney! What's wrong? Not hiding in your shell anymore?" 

Whitebeard swung his naginata and smashed it into the flame fan. This time, he used his tremor ability to bypass the flame fan and attack Rodney directly.

His arms felt like they had been run over by a train, excruciatingly painful. His forehead was covered in cold sweat, and he groaned before the Hundred Beast Seal on his forehead was released. His arms began to heal, and he jumped into the air, forming seals with his aching arms. Then he opened his mouth and sprayed, "Sage Art - Fire Release - Heavenly Fire Annihilation!"

A sea of flames surged toward Whitebeard!

"Shake!"

Whitebeard once again swung his fist, dispersing the flames. These flames, which would have taken a while to extinguish, were easily dispelled by him with a single punch!

"Scorch Release - Vaporize Kill!"

The Scorch Release fireball flew towards Whitebeard, but before it could detonate, Whitebeard punched it away. Sakazuki leaped over the flames, his movements extremely agile, fully utilizing the Marine Six Powers' Shave and Moon Walk. He reached Whitebeard in an instant and engaged him in battle once more!

After Rodney recovered from his injuries, a red chakra surrounded his body. Under the watchful eyes of everyone, he directly donned a Tailed Beast Cloak, transforming into a red monster!

With both of them teaming up to besiege Whitebeard, even though one Sakazuki alone had been evenly matched with Whitebeard, adding Rodney... it was almost enough...

On the other side, Luffy, with the help of his companions, advanced toward the execution platform, building a path. Lightning flashed through the Revolutionary Army's abilities, cutting a path to the execution platform. Luffy climbed onto the nearest route to the execution platform.

A tall figure blocked his only path. It was Garp, his and Ace's grandfather. Despite his sternness, he had always protected them.

"Grandpa, I'm begging you! Let me through!" Luffy shouted loudly. 

"I need to save Ace!"

Garp's face was cold. "If you want to pass through here, you'll have to step over your old man's body, Straw Hat Luffy! This is the path you chose!!!"

"I can't do it, Grandpa!!!" Luffy screamed with all his might. He couldn't do it; he couldn't strike his own grandfather!

That was his grandfather!!

"If you can't do it, then Ace will die!" A terrifying aura emanated from Garp. He spoke loudly, "Life is full of unpleasant choices. You must make one! Luffy, from now on, you are my enemy!"

He raised his fist, preparing to strike his beloved grandson. In his mind, images of the two children kept flashing, with the words "Grandpa" and "Old Man" echoing in his ears. His fist hesitated for a moment, a brief pause, and in that instant of hesitation, Sengoku sighed as he watched. In the end, he couldn't bring himself to harm his own grandson, could he?

"Grandpa! I have to save Ace!!!" 

Luffy entered Gear Second, and steam enveloped his body. Then... he punched his grandfather in the chin, sending his own grandfather flying!

His grandson had struck his grandfather to save his brother's life!

The staircase collapsed, and Luffy jumped up and down on it. Sengoku turned to the executioners beside him and shouted, "Execute!!!"

One executioner raised the knife in his hand, but something unexpected happened. His chest was dyed red with blood, and the executioner beside him revealed a smile. He had killed his own comrade. Two red chakra arms wrapped around Ace and Luffy in mid-air, and then...

"Fire Fist!!!"