Chapter 20: Marineford(I)

Warden Magellan woke up, standing up shakily as he felt the lingering pain in his jaw. Looking around, he noticed the eerie silence surrounding him. His eyes widened in realization.

"Shit!" he exclaimed, rushing towards the gate. When he reached the Gate of Justice, he saw it was slowly opening. Furious, he shouted, "Who allowed them to get access?" He sprinted inside towards the main control room.

Back on the ship, as it passed through the gate, the cannon fire from the marines intensified. Meanwhile, at Impel Down, the exhausted Warden burst into the control room, yelling,

"Control room! What are you doing? Who told you to open the gate?"

On the ship, Itachi was explaining everything to Luffy. Luffy's eyes widened in shock.

"What are you saying? I was with him at the entrance just a while ago. He stayed behind in Impel Down?"

Itachi and Jinbe remained silent. Luffy continued, "We've made it this far, we're almost there!" He tugged on Itachi's clothes, his voice filled with desperation. "Because of Bon-chan, we met Ivan-chan and managed to break out successfully, and now we're just going to leave him behind?"

Jinbe responded sternly, "We don't have time, Luffy!"

Luffy looked at Jinbe angrily, "Are we just going to leave him there?"

Jinbe replied, "We've already left hundreds of friends who were beaten. Do you want to go back, fight Magellan, and risk losing your brother, Ace?"

Luffy stood there in silence, torn by the choice. Itachi spoke up softly, "To open the gate, we needed someone to stay behind. Bon-chan made that choice to help us escape."

The reality of the sacrifice sank in, leaving the crew in solemn silence.

Flashback

After the fight with the warden, Luffy ran ahead. Jinbe asked Itachi, "Your eyes... are you alright?"

Itachi replied, "Don't worry about it."

Jinbe said, "We need someone to open the Gate of Justice, but it won't open unless it's the warden."

Itachi thought for a moment, but before he could say anything, Bon-chan spoke up from behind, "I can do it better than anyone! I'm gonna open the Gate of Justice!"

Itachi asked, "What are you going to do after that?"

Bon-chan smiled, "What a pointless question. Don't tell Straw-chan until the communications are cut off... Us queers, we don't say goodbye."

Flashback ends

Jinbe handed Luffy a Den Den Mushi and said, "It's still connected. This snail won't work once the gate closes."

Luffy took the Den Den Mushi and shouted, "Bon-chan, can you hear me? Why are you doing this? Just like before, we were going to break out together, weren't we? How many times have you saved me? If you're there, say something, Bon-chan..."

The others also shouted with tears, "Bon-chan, say something!"

Mr. 3, getting emotional, yelled, "Mr. 2!"

Buggy, also in tears, cried out, "Mr. 2, I'm sorry for whatever I said!"

Ivankov shook his head, "Bon-boy..."

Luffy continued, "Bon-chan, the gate is closing... We have to go..." Then, shouting through his tears, "Thank you!"

Suddenly, they heard Bon-chan's voice over the Den Den Mushi, "Straw-chan...! You gotta save your brother at any cost!"

Luffy, now crying even more, had flashbacks of his friendship with Bon-chan, feeling the weight of his sacrifice.

Itachi said nothing, giving them some space, then stepped forward to stand beside Jinbe. "How much time do we need to reach our destination?" Itachi asked.

Jinbe replied, "We should get there within 2-3 hours."

Itachi nodded and turned to look at Luffy, who was still crying. Reflecting inwardly, he gazed out over the sea, thinking, In the depths of friendship, there lies a sacrifice that is not measured by the cost of life, but by the value of loyalty. For it is in the willingness to lay down one's own life that we discover the true depth of our bond with others.

After Luffy had calmed down, Itachi, Jinbe, and Crocodile sat together. Crocodile remarked, "I always thought that talking to fish was a special ability of mermaids only, but it seems you can call out to sharks too."

Jinbe said, "It's so weird for a fish-man to be friends with fish. Well, I can say that it's not normal."

Itachi, confused by their conversation, left them to talk and sat in a corner, pulling out the letter given to him by Alephandra. Crocodile continued, "It's different for violent species."

Jinbe chuckled, "I'll take that as a compliment."

Just then, Luffy walked up, and Jinbe thanked him, "Thank you for giving me the chance to fight for Ace."

Luffy shrugged, "Nah, don't worry about it. And you're strong."

Jinbe smiled, "Thank you. And to honor Bon-chan's sacrifice and protect Ace, we will head to Navy Headquarters."

Everyone looked shocked. Buggy, panicking, exclaimed, "What? Are you crazy? There's going to be a war at Navy HQ! Whitebeard and the Navy are going to clash!" All the prisoners were scared, and Crocodile said, "It's obvious. It's your fault for being so clueless. Once we pass that gate, our only destination is Navy HQ or Enies Lobby."

Suddenly, the Den Den Mushi began to ring. Itachi, still reading his letter, smiled sadly before putting it in his pocket. He noticed Luffy picking up the Den Den Mushi.

"Hello?" Luffy answered.

The Den Den Mushi replied, "This is Navy HQ."

Luffy responded, "I am Luffy."

Hearing this, Itachi sighed and stepped down, standing beside him.

The voice continued, "We know that the ship has been taken by escapees. We received a report from the fleet escort force at Impel Down. We have identified the three main suspects in this great escape case...from the insider information before contact was lost: the pirate Straw Hat Luffy, Demon-Eyes Itachi Uchiha, and another pirate, Buggy the Clown!"

Buggy, shocked, pointed to himself with tears in his eyes. "Why me?"

The Den Den Mushi continued, "We thought you were just a nameless pirate. Buggy the Clown, we can't believe that you were a member of the crew on the ship of Gold Roger, King of the Pirates."

Everyone's eyes widened, and Itachi glanced at Buggy, thinking, So, he's a big shot, huh?

Luffy, with stars in his eyes, exclaimed, "So cool!"

The Den Den Mushi continued, "We also know that you're a sworn brother of 'Red-Hair' Shanks, one of the Four Emperors. We are aware that you have Jinbei, Crocodile, and Ivankov with you. Be warned: as long as we keep the Gate of Justice shut, you will never reach Marineford. Be prepared for your fate. That is all."

Luffy shouted back, "Hey, wait, Navy! I will protect Ace no matter what!" He slammed down the receiver and closed the door.

Itachi put a hand on his shoulder and said, "You did well."

Luffy gave a big grin and laughed, "Shishishi!"

He then went to the top deck. Ivankov approached Itachi and asked, "What was in the letter?"

Itachi looked at him and replied, "Nothing, just something given by someone."

Ivankov grinned, "Ohh, a love letter!"

Hearing this, everyone began to chant, "Lovey letter... lovey letter..."

Itachi sighed, ignoring them as he walked away. Crocodile, watching, muttered, "Who could be stupid enough to fall for this demon?"

Itachi heard this but said nothing. Luffy suddenly remembered, "Ahh, that's from that girl with long, long height and orange hair from Amazon Lily, right?"

Itachi looked at him and nodded. Everyone else, hearing the name "Amazon Lily," widened their eyes in shock. Jinbei asked, "How did you survive there?"

Itachi sweatdropped, "That's a long story."

Jinbei chuckled and began to laugh

Everyone started chanting, "Long girl with orange hair…"

Itachi turned toward them, his Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan spinning ominously. "Chant one more time, and I will burn you right here, right now," he threatened.

Buggy, backing him up, said nervously, "He's right, don't stop him!"

Luffy, oblivious to the danger, asked, "But what was her name again?"

Itachi sighed, "Alephandra."

Ivankov smirked, "Alpha—"

Itachi turned his glare toward Ivankov, and the revolutionary immediately broke out in a sweat, falling silent. Itachi looked upwards, thinking, How is she doing right now?

Meanwhile, in a dark room, someone was thrown roughly onto the cold floor, their wrists bound by handcuffs. It was none other than Robin. The guards poured hot water over her, and she smiled faintly, saying, "It's warm."

The guard scowled, "You bitch—" he shouted, striking her. Robin sat down, She sneezed and smiled softly to herself. thinking, Someone is thinking about me...is it him? I wonder how long I will stay here. If I meet him, I will tell him how I feel. She sighed, looking up at the ceiling. What is he doing right now? What are others doing? Are they safe?

Back with Itachi, Ivankov couldn't resist teasing, "Is he thinking about someone?"

Itachi snapped out of his thoughts, a small blush appearing on his cheeks. Jinbei noticed and smiled, thinking, So, he can show emotion after all.

All around the world, people were buzzing with opinions about the impending execution of Portgas D. Ace and the likelihood of Whitebeard showing up to save him. In taverns and streets, whispers spread like wildfire. Some doubted Whitebeard's strength, pointing to his old age and the overwhelming number of Marine forces gathered at Marineford. "He's past his prime," a man muttered to his friend over a drink. "No way he stands a chance against that many Marines."

But others, those who had personally crossed paths with the legend, knew better. "You haven't seen him up close," an old pirate chimed in, his eyes distant with memories. "Just being around him made me rethink the pirate life. Trust me, he's not someone to underestimate." Even the children in small villages and bustling cities sang playground songs about Whitebeard's raw strength, chanting tales of his might as if he were a mythical giant.

Meanwhile, in Marineford—a city normally filled with the families of Marines—the atmosphere was tense and eerily quiet. The inhabitants had been evacuated in anticipation of the looming war. On the Sabaody Archipelago, large monitors were set up to broadcast the execution live, and people gathered, eyes glued to the screens, waiting anxiously as Ace was brought to the execution stand. Somewhere far off, the patrol ships sent to intercept Whitebeard's forces had mysteriously disappeared, lost to the depths of the sea without a trace. The silence from those ships only added to the unease creeping through Marineford.

As the countdown to the execution ticked down to three hours, the Marines were on high alert. John Giant, a towering figure of a man, was rallying his forces. "Stay sharp, men!" he barked, his voice booming across the docks. A staggering one hundred thousand elite troops stood ready for battle, with fifty Marine ships forming a solid perimeter around the island. Cannons lined the coastline, their barrels pointed out to sea, prepared to unleash a devastating volley at the first sign of Whitebeard's fleet.

At the forefront stood the remaining Warlords of the Sea—Kuma, Moria, Doflamingo, Mihawk, and Hancock—all waiting for the clash that was about to unfold. Their expressions ranged from boredom to anticipation, each one ready to prove their worth or fulfill their obligations.

At the back of the island, atop the execution stand, Ace stood with chains binding his wrists, his gaze fixed forward with a mix of defiance and resignation. Above him, the three Marine Admirals—Kizaru, Akainu, and Aokiji—watched over him like hawks, their faces unreadable but their intentions clear.

On the execution platform, tension filled the air as Fleet Admiral Sengoku turned to Vice Admiral Garp, his expression grim. "I'm going to tell them everything," Sengoku said, his voice low but resolute. Garp, leaning against the railing with his usual stoic demeanor, simply nodded. "Do as you wish," he replied, though his eyes betrayed a hint of sadness.

Sengoku took a deep breath and stepped forward, his presence commanding as he approached the edge of the platform. "Executioners, step back for a moment," he ordered, his voice echoing across Marineford. The executioners, who had been poised with their weapons, hesitated for a moment before obeying, stepping away from Ace.

The crowd below and the viewers around the world watching via the Den Den Mushi monitors fell silent, sensing that something monumental was about to be revealed. Sengoku's voice boomed out, addressing everyone who was listening. "There's something important that the world must know," he began, his tone heavy with significance. "Something about this man, Portgas D. Ace, that has been hidden for far too long."

Ace, still shackled on the execution stand, lifted his head slightly, meeting Sengoku's gaze with a mix of defiance and curiosity. "Ace," Sengoku continued, "tell me, who is your father?"

Ace's jaw clenched as he responded without hesitation, "Whitebeard is my father!" His voice was strong and filled with conviction, honoring the man who had taken him in and treated him as a son.

But Sengoku shook his head slowly. "No," he said, his voice cutting through the tension like a blade. "Whitebeard is not your father."

The revelation sent a wave of murmurs through the crowd. Sengoku continued, his voice unwavering, "Years ago, the Marines conducted a search on an island, looking for any sign that a certain man might have fathered a child. We searched for newborns, unborn children, and even the mothers carrying them. Yet, despite our best efforts, we found nothing."

The crowd's murmurs grew louder, a mix of confusion and curiosity spreading among them. Sengoku held up a hand to quiet them before continuing, "There was a reason we found nothing. And that reason was Ace's mother."

He paused for a moment, letting the weight of his words settle in. "Portgas D. Rouge, Ace's mother, was a woman from the South Blue, on an island called Baterilla. She did something unimaginable…something we never thought possible. She kept Ace in her womb for twenty months—far beyond a normal childbirth—holding onto her child to protect him from us."

Gasps and shocked whispers erupted from the crowd as they processed the gravity of what Sengoku was saying. Ace, hearing this, felt his heart tighten. The pain of losing his mother suddenly mixed with a sense of profound respect for her sacrifice.

"When Ace was finally born," Sengoku continued, his voice softening just a little, "Rouge lost her life, having used up all her strength. This happened a year and three months after the death of Ace's true father."

There was a pause, the silence now deafening as everyone waited for Sengoku's next words. "And that man, Ace's true father, was none other than Gol D. Roger, the Pirate King himself."

The shockwave of Sengoku's declaration spread through Marineford like wildfire. Marines and pirates alike stood stunned, their eyes wide as they struggled to comprehend what they had just heard. In the midst of the chaos, Garp stood quietly, his eyes closed as he recalled a distant memory—a conversation with Roger in a dimly lit cell.

"I have a favor to ask, Garp," Roger had said, his voice calm despite his impending execution. "I know you're a Marine, but you're also a father. My child bears no sin for being born into this world. Please, look after my son."

Back in the present, Garp's grip tightened on the railing, his knuckles white with tension as he remembered the promise he had made to a dying man—to protect a child who had done nothing wrong but be born into a world that would forever judge him for his lineage.

Across the world, viewers were glued to their screens, faces frozen in shock. The revelation that the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger, had a son sent ripples of disbelief through the crowds. The thought that Roger's bloodline still existed was unimaginable. On Marineford, the Marines and pirates alike stood stunned, speechless. Even those who knew Ace and Luffy personally, like Hancock, Koby, and Helmeppo, were taken aback by the revelation that Ace and Luffy weren't actually related by blood.

Sengoku continued, his voice steady and commanding. "Two years ago, Ace set sail as the captain of the Spade Pirates," he announced, his eyes narrowing. "His strength and speed quickly became apparent to the World Government. We realized then that Roger's bloodline hadn't ended."

The crowd murmured, the tension in the air thickening. Sengoku didn't pause. "But we weren't the only ones who noticed," he said, his gaze shifting to Ace, who stood shackled on the execution stand. "Whitebeard saw it too. He recruited Ace before we could reach him, bringing him under his wing."

Ace's eyes flared with anger. "That's not true!" he shouted, his voice echoing across the plaza. "Whitebeard never wanted to use me for that!"

But Sengoku wasn't swayed. He shook his head, a grim expression on his face. "Whitebeard took you in to make you the next Pirate King," he declared, his voice ringing with authority.

"That's a lie!" Ace shouted again, but Sengoku continued over him, his words cutting through the air like a knife. "If we had let you be, you would have stood above all other pirates. That's why this execution is necessary," he said firmly. "Even if it means going to war with Whitebeard himself."

The tension mounted as Sengoku's words sank in. The order was given, and the Marines began to prepare for battle. Sengoku watched from the execution stand, his eyes scanning the horizon. Suddenly, his gaze focused on something—a fleet of pirate ships approaching the base.

He blinked in surprise. "Pirate ships...?" he muttered, trying to understand what he was seeing. The ships were led by notorious pirate captains from the New World, all heading toward Marineford with a single purpose: to support Ace.

Ace stared in shock at the approaching fleet, unable to believe what he was seeing. "They're…they're here for me?" he whispered, disbelief clear in his voice.

The Marines, however, held their fire, waiting, watching. They were trying to locate the one man who had yet to appear: Whitebeard.

Suddenly, a great rumbling shook the bay, causing everyone to look around in confusion. Water began to swirl and foam, and from beneath the waves, a massive ship began to emerge, coated to hide its presence. It was the Moby Dick, Whitebeard's flagship, followed by three other ships carrying his 14 commanders.

The Marines gasped, eyes wide in disbelief. "From underwater?! How…?" one of them exclaimed, his voice filled with shock.

Whitebeard himself stood at the bow of his ship, no longer hooked up to his medical equipment, looking every bit the fearsome pirate he was known to be. He had a grim smile on his face as he surveyed the Marines before him.

"Gurarara… Sengoku!" Whitebeard's voice boomed across the bay, filled with a mixture of amusement and menace. "It's been a long time, hasn't it?"

Sengoku stared back, trying to mask his shock. "Whitebeard…" he muttered under his breath.

Whitebeard turned his gaze to Ace, a softer expression briefly crossing his hardened features. "Ace! Bear with it a little longer, my son," he called out.

Ace, despite his chains and the situation, felt a surge of emotion hearing Whitebeard's words. "Father!" he shouted back, his voice filled with both relief and desperation.

Luffy and Itachi sat patiently for some time, waiting and watching. As they drew closer, they noticed a massive structure ahead—the Gates of Justice. The other prisoners whispered among themselves, certain that the gate would never open. But, to their surprise, it slowly began to move, creaking open. Everyone widened their eyes in disbelief.

Itachi looked at the gate and muttered, "The Navy said they wouldn't open it, but..." He sighed before continuing, "This is good for us."

On the top deck, Buggy stood with his arms wide open, shouting, "Let's go!" The prisoners, seeing him, began to kneel, as if he were some sort of savior. Buggy shouted nonsense about being a god, and Luffy, from behind, asked Itachi, "Is that true?"

Itachi muttered, "Bullshit," under his breath as they passed through the gate.

Ivankov turned to Luffy and said, "What I'm concerned about is whether the man who sired you two is here or not..."

Luffy looked confused. "You two?" he asked.

Ivankov continued, "Don't you think Dragon would let them kill his own son?"

Luffy, understanding, replied confidently, "Oh, my dad and Ace's are not the same. My dad is Dragon, but Ace's dad is Gol D. Roger."

Everyone widened their eyes in shock, even Itachi, who now understood why the Navy was so determined to execute Ace. "So, they want to execute him because he's the son of Gol D. Roger," Itachi thought.

Ivankov shouted at Luffy, "Why are you not surprised?"

But Luffy just laughed, "Shishishishi!"

Suddenly, a strong gust of wind blew toward the ship, lifting it off the water. Itachi quickly used his chakra to anchor himself to the deck while some of the prisoners began to get tossed around. Jinbe, feeling the intensity of the wind, thought to himself, "Could it be...?"

After some time, the wind finally stopped, and Luffy hurried over to Jinbe, saying, "Can you hurry up? Please! I gotta get there before Ace's execution!"

Jinbe nodded reassuringly. "Don't worry, Luffy. We'll make it."

Buggy, irritated, stomped over. Mr. 2 said, "Hey, hey! How can you be so sure? You think your Fishman Karate can help? Or are you gonna call out whale sharks to help again?"

Itachi stepped in and calmly said, "If he says he will, then he will. We can't do anything but wait. Don't create a scene here."

Buggy, mocking Itachi, mimicked, "If he says he will, then he will." Then he turned away and lay down dramatically. Suddenly, the speed of the tides increased, and the ship surged forward at full speed. Itachi thought to himself, "This really is unpredictable."

In the background, all the prisoners began praising Buggy and chanting, "Mr. Buggy, you are a miracle! You are a god!"

Buggy thought to himself, "When did I do that?"

Luffy, not understanding what was happening, but eager to move forward, shouted, "I don't know what's happening, but this is it! Go!"

However, behind them, a huge tidal wave started forming, coming toward them. Everyone widened their eyes in shock. Luffy urgently called out, "Jinbe…!"

Meanwhile, at Marineford, Whitebeard stood his ground. He punched the air behind him, creating a massive seaquake. The Marines, looking out to sea, saw huge waves rising up. Garp, observing the scene, said, "Now it's coming—the seaquake he set off before, coming in the form of a tsunami."

As the giant waves approached, the HQ ground shook. The tides were so high that they threatened to engulf Marineford. Watching the tsunami, Doflamingo smirked, "What power! He certainly is like a legendary monster."

Aokiji then leaped into action, shouting, "Ice Age!" as he froze the tsunami in place. Whitebeard looked at him with a smirk. "Aokiji… You young squirt."

The Marines, seeing the ice, felt a surge of hope. Aokiji immediately shouted, "Partisan!" and launched a barrage of ice spears toward Whitebeard. But Whitebeard punched the air again, causing cracks to appear, shattering the ice spears and sending a shockwave toward Aokiji, knocking him back.

As Aokiji dropped down, he froze the sea beneath him, jamming the ships. Despite this, the Marines, still tense, shouted, "We have greater numbers, and we have our Admirals! Let's fight!"

The war between the pirates and the Marines erupted in full force. Cannon fire and gunshots rang out from both sides. Mihawk, watching Whitebeard, said, "I have been waiting a long time for this." He stepped forward, drew his sword, and swung it toward Whitebeard, sending a powerful cutting wave in his direction.

But before it could reach Whitebeard, someone jumped in between and deflected the strike upward, clearing the sky. Laughing, the newcomer declared, "If you want to strike, you'll have to deal with us first!"

All the Marines were shocked as they recognized who had blocked Mihawk's attack—the Third Division Commander, Diamond Jozu. Sengoku quickly gave an order through the Den Den Mushi to the artillery unit, "Fire on the enemy ships and approaching pirates! No one should be allowed to cross into the HQ!"

"Yes, sir!" they shouted in unison, and more cannons were fired toward the pirates.

Kizaru, growing impatient, stood up and said, "Whitebeard's commanders are something else; they're pretty much monsters, but… to minimize our losses," he glanced over at Whitebeard, "we just have to cut off the head nice and quick."

In an instant, he disappeared, moving at the speed of light, and reappeared high above the battlefield, shining brightly. Whitebeard, noticing the blinding light, looked up, irritated. "It's too bright," he muttered.

Kizaru shouted, "Yasakani Sacred Jewel!" and unleashed a barrage of light beams toward Whitebeard and his crew. But before the attack could reach them, blue flames appeared in the air, blocking the beams and creating a shockwave.

Kizaru, confused by the sudden appearance of blue flames, realized it was none other than Marco. With a smirk, Marco said, "You can't reach the king so easily, yoi."

Seeing this, Whitebeard also smirked. Kizaru, recognizing the unique ability, remarked, "It's even rarer than a Logia—a Zoan-type mythical creature." As he said this, Marco transformed into a phoenix, his body engulfed in blue flames. The Marines were shocked, exclaiming, "He's the 1st Division Commander of Whitebeard, Marco the Phoenix!"

Marco charged at Kizaru and delivered a powerful kick. Kizaru blocked it, but the force sent him crashing into a wall. He quickly recovered and returned to the front line, determined. "It won't be easy to take our heads," Marco warned. Then, turning to his allies, he shouted, "Giants, do your work!"

Several giant Marines began to move forward, but Jozu ran toward them, punching the ground with immense strength. The impact created a large circular chunk of earth, which Jozu lifted and hurled toward the advancing giants. The Marines were stunned by his incredible power.

In response, Akainu stepped forward, his fists covered in molten magma. He shouted, "Great Eruption!" and punched the giant chunk of ice, his magma-covered fist shattering it into molten fragments that spread across the area. Some of the fiery debris landed on the pirate ships, setting them ablaze.

Whitebeard mocked Akainu, "You sure like to play with fire, don't you?" Hearing this, Akainu scowled and spit in disdain, preparing for further combat.

Just then, they all heard massive footsteps approaching. The sound grew louder, and the Marines and pirates alike turned to see a colossal figure advancing toward them. The pirates muttered, "So he's finally here..."

As the giant drew closer to the HQ, Marine ships began firing their cannons at him, but the attacks had no effect. The giant swung his massive sword down onto a Marine ship, cleaving it in two. "Ace!" he shouted.

Ace, recognizing the voice, yelled back, "Oars!"

Oars replied, "Ace is a nice person. I won't let you die!"

Gecko Moria, watching Oars with excitement, exclaimed, "I want that thing under my control!"

Oars continued his advance, determined to reach his friend and save him, his enormous presence causing fear and chaos among the Marines.

As the battle raged on, Whitebeard's booming voice cut through the chaos. "Back me up, boys!" he commanded, his voice filled with authority. "Little Oars Jr. is going for the execution stand. Make sure he gets there!"

The massive form of Little Oars Jr. lumbered forward, pushing through the battlefield with sheer determination. Despite his size making him an easy target, he kept moving, his eyes locked on Ace.

Meanwhile, on another part of the battlefield, Boa Hancock moved with incredible grace and agility. Her Mero Mero powers struck down pirates left and right, turning their body parts to stone with a mere touch before shattering them to pieces. She moved like a dancer, elegant yet deadly, her attacks swift and precise.

However, her targets weren't just pirates. Marines fell victim to her powers as well. A bewildered Marine, dodging one of her attacks, called out to her, "What are you doing, Hancock? Aren't you on our side?"

Hancock paused, a smirk playing on her lips. "I agreed to join this battle," she replied coolly, "but I never allied myself with the Marines. To me, all men are the same, except for those two." Her expression softened slightly

The Marine stared at her, confusion written all over his face. "Then why are you here?"

Hancock chuckled softly, tossing her hair back with a confident smile. "Consider my promise to the Marines fulfilled by virtue of my beauty," she declared, leaving the Marine even more perplexed than before.

Suddenly, a powerful shockwave ripped through the battlefield. Kuma, standing tall with his cold, mechanical gaze, had unleashed his Ursus Shock. The explosion was immense, sending debris flying and creating a powerful gust that knocked many off their feet. The shockwave slammed into Little Oars Jr., causing him to stumble and roar in pain.

Ace watched in horror from the execution stand, his heart sinking. "No! Stop it!" he shouted desperately, his voice filled with panic. "He won't make it if you keep attacking him like that!"

Little Oars Jr., despite the heavy damage, pushed on. His massive form was battered and bruised, but his resolve never wavered. As he trudged forward, memories flashed through his mind. He remembered Ace's smile as he handed him a conical straw hat, crafted with care to protect him from the sun, rain, and snow. The simple gift meant the world to him.

"I owe Ace…" Little Oars Jr. muttered to himself, his voice deep and pained. "He gave me something to treasure. I can't let him down now."

He roared again, mustering every ounce of strength left in his colossal body. The determination in his eyes was clear. He wasn't going to stop, not until he reached Ace.

Whitebeard, observing from a distance, clenched his fists. "That boy…" he muttered, a mix of admiration and frustration in his voice. "He's got the heart of a warrior."

Little Oars Jr., battered and bleeding, was undeterred by the cannon fire ripping through his massive frame. He staggered, his legs trembling from the damage, but his focus was unwavering as he stared up at the execution stand where Ace was held.

Doflamingo watched him with a twisted grin. "What a joke," he laughed, his eyes gleaming with sadistic glee. As Little Oars Jr. raised a colossal fist, Doflamingo dodged effortlessly, leaping high into the air with his signature agility. In a flash, he used his ability to cut clean through Oars' right leg, severing it with a sinister laugh.

Little Oars Jr. roared in pain, his balance thrown off as he began to topple. Despite his grievous injury, he refused to fall. "Ace... I'm coming!" he bellowed, determination shining in his eyes as he dragged himself forward, every movement an agony. He reached out with his massive hand, inches away from Ace, but just as he was about to grab him—

Moria, with a wicked grin, summoned shadows from the battlefield. "Don't think you'll get away that easily," he sneered, forming the shadows into a sharp spear. With a swift motion, he thrust the shadow spear through Little Oars Jr.'s midsection, piercing him with a brutal stab.

Ace's heart sank as he watched in horror. "No! Oars!" he shouted, struggling against his restraints, powerless to help. The Whitebeard Pirates, witnessing the brutal assault, gasped in shock, their morale taking a heavy blow as their massive ally fell.

Moria laughed triumphantly, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction at his handiwork. Doflamingo, however, seemed to find the entire scene hysterically amusing, his laughter echoing across the battlefield. "Oh, this is rich!" he cackled, delighting in the chaos.

One of the Whitebeard Division Commanders, unable to stand Doflamingo's mocking any longer, clenched his fists in anger, his gaze locking onto the Warlord with a burning intensity.

Whitebeard, standing tall amidst the turmoil, observed the events unfolding with a grim expression. His jaw tightened as he saw the state of his ally, but before he could react further, a member of the Giant Squad, Vice Admiral Lonz, saw an opportunity. "Now's our chance!" Lonz shouted, rushing forward with his massive sword raised, aiming directly for Whitebeard.

Without even turning to face him, Whitebeard raised his hand, and with a flick of his wrist, he unleashed his earthquake powers. The ground beneath Lonz trembled violently, and the air itself seemed to crack under the pressure of Whitebeard's might. The shockwave sent Lonz flying back, crashing into the ground with a thunderous impact.

The Marines stared in stunned silence, their eyes wide with disbelief. "He... he took down a giant with one hand!" one of them whispered, fear creeping into his voice. The sheer power of the Emperor was evident to everyone watching; not even a giant could stand against him.

Whitebeard, his face set in a determined scowl, raised his bisento high. "Listen up, men!" he roared. "Oars has carved us a path! We're not letting his sacrifice be in vain. Charge into the plaza and take that ground!"

The Whitebeard Pirates, their spirits reignited by their captain's command, let out a unified battle cry. "For Oars!" they shouted, surging forward with renewed vigor. The battlefield erupted into chaos once more as the pirates stormed the path that Little Oars Jr. had made, charging toward the plaza and the execution stand beyond.

Amidst the chaos on the battlefield, "Water Buffalo" Atmos charges at Doflamingo, fury in his eyes. But Doflamingo, with a sinister grin, quickly extends his hand and uses his Devil Fruit power. Atmos's movements falter, his body freezing for a moment before he turns, his eyes blank and empty. Under Doflamingo's control, Atmos suddenly swings his weapon toward his own men, striking down his allies.

"What's wrong, Atmos? Having trouble controlling yourself?" Doflamingo laughs maniacally, pulling Atmos's strings like a puppet master. The controlled pirate strikes again, and his squad members, caught off guard, cry out in shock and confusion.

Meanwhile, Koby, overwhelmed by the sight of Marines and pirates alike falling around him, panics. "I... I can't do this!" he mutters, turning on his heel to flee from the battlefield. Just as he takes his first step, Helmeppo grabs his arm. "Koby, no! You can't run now!" Helmeppo shouts, holding him back.

Suddenly, they see Akainu nearby, standing before a Marine officer who was also attempting to flee. "Cowardice has no place here," Akainu declares coldly. His hand, glowing with molten lava, reaches out and incinerates the soldier where he stands. The other Marines nearby watch in horror, understanding that there would be no mercy for deserters today.

As the soldier's screams fade, a Marine runs up to Akainu and reports, "Sir, preparations are complete!" Akainu nods, his face unyielding and stern.

Back with Doflamingo, he continues to laugh as Atmos, still under his control, strikes at his own squad members. "This is what the world has come to, huh?" Doflamingo muses, a grin stretching across his face. "Whoever wins this war will get to decide what justice means. It's that simple."

Meanwhile, the Whitebeard Pirates are pushing desperately towards the bay, fighting to maintain the path that Little Oars Jr. had carved out for them. Suddenly, the calm sea is broken by the appearance of Whitey Bay, the "Ice Witch," and her icebreaker ship. With a crash, she plows her ship into another part of the frozen bay, creating a new breach for the pirates to exploit. The bay is now open on multiple fronts, and the pirates surge forward, charging toward Marineford with renewed determination.

An officer hurriedly reports the situation to Sengoku. "Fleet Admiral Sengoku, the pirates have breached the bay on both sides!"

Sengoku, however, remains calm and collected. "It doesn't matter," he replies. He turns to Tsuru, who is nearby, her Devil Fruit powers in action as she literally hangs pirates out to dry like laundry. "Tsuru, initiate the plan."

Tsuru nods, her expression serious. Sengoku speaks into the Den Den Mushi, his voice resolute. "All units, proceed with the plan immediately."

Whitebeard, watching from his vantage point, notices the sudden change in the Marines' movements. "What is Sengoku planning now?" he mutters under his breath, his eyes narrowing as he tries to predict the next move.

Suddenly, Garp, with a heavy sigh, climbs up to the execution stand where Ace is held. Sengoku glances at him. "Garp, do you have a problem with the plan?" he asks, a sharp edge to his voice.

Garp shakes his head, but his face is conflicted. "No, I don't. Ace... he's a pirate. I can't feel pity for him," he says firmly. But then his tone softens, his voice tinged with pain. "But he's also my family, Sengoku. How could I not feel something? Damn it, Ace... why didn't you just live like I told you to?"

Ace look at with tears in his eyes said old man

Sengoku's expression is stern. "Garp, if you interfere, I won't hold back."

Garp meets Sengoku's gaze, his eyes full of a deep, conflicting sorrow. "If I was going to do something, Sengoku," he replies quietly, "I would have done it already."

As the fierce battle continued, something caught the Marines' attention in the sky. They looked up, confused, and saw several figures falling from above. A Marine gasped, "What's up there? Is this a surprise attack from Whitebeard?" As the figures descended, they could hear their terrified screams echoing through the air. Ace and Sengoku also looked up, and Ace's eyes widened in recognition as he spotted a familiar hat among the falling figures.

High in the sky, Luffy, Itachi, Buggy, Crocodile, Ivankov, Jimbe, Mr. 3, and other prisoners were plummeting toward the ground. Buggy screamed, "Why did you listen to Straw Hat? You're all idiots!" Ivankov was shouting in panic, "Someone stop me! I'm going to die!" Luffy looked down, noticing the ice below, and yelled, "We're going to crash and die!"

Itachi calmly reminded him, "You're made of rubber, Luffy. Did you forget?"

"Oh, right! Shishishi!" Luffy laughed, realizing his body could withstand the impact. Buggy, still panicking, screamed, "Straw Hat, you idiot!"

Itachi quickly instructed, "When we get close to the ground, inflate your body like a balloon so we can have a softer landing."

Luffy nodded, preparing himself. As they neared the ice, Luffy shouted, "Ace…!"

On the ground, everyone was looking up at the falling figures. Hancock, spotting Luffy among them, blushed deeply and thought, My honey is here… The other Warlords also watched with curiosity.

As the group hit the ice, it shattered from the impact, sending Luffy, Buggy, and Mr. 3 plunging into the freezing water below. Itachi, who was submerged, swam swiftly to catch Luffy, while Jimbe grabbed Buggy and Mr. 3. Jimbe shouted, "Grab onto me!" Itachi nodded, and Jimbe carried them all to the surface.

Once above the water, Itachi pressed down on Luffy's stomach to force out the water, bringing him back to consciousness. Luffy coughed up water and quickly regained his bearings. He looked towards Marineford's headquarters, scanning for Ace. "Where is Ace?" he asked urgently.

Itachi pointed, "I think he's on the other side."

Without hesitation, Luffy sprinted toward the execution platform, with Itachi close behind. Marines tried to block their path, but Luffy shouted, "Get out of my way!" as he punched through their ranks, making his way forward.

Itachi, following closely, instructed, "Look at the stage, Luffy!"

Luffy glanced up and saw Ace, kneeling with both feet chained, looking back at him in shock. Itachi commented, "We arrived just in time."

Upon hearing this and seeing his brother so close, Luffy grinned widely, a look of determination on his face. He shouted with all his might, "Ace…! I finally found you!"

Ace, his expression a mix of relief and fear, shouted back, "Luffy!"

The Marines stared in shock at the group that had arrived with Luffy: Crocodile, "Demon-Eyes" Itachi, Jimbe, and Buggy. "What is with this lineup?" a Marine muttered in disbelief.

Luffy, undeterred, yelled with fierce determination, "We're here to save you!"

Sengoku glared at Garp with fury in his eyes. "Garp! It's your family again!"

Mihawk observed the unfolding chaos and muttered, "He always causes trouble, that Straw Hat."

Gecko Moria, equally frustrated, growled, "Straw Hat… and that Uchiha bastard..."

Meanwhile, Hancock cupped her face with a dreamy expression and said, "Luffy, I'm glad you're alive and…" Her expression turned cold as she added, "...that virgin is alive too."

Kizaru, a bit surprised, commented, "I didn't expect to see him again this soon."

Marco, standing nearby, answered, "He is Ace's brother we're talking about, yoi."

Tashigi called out to Smoker, "Look, Smoker!" He turned to see Luffy and Crocodile together. "Straw Hat and Crocodile… why are they together?"

Akainu, with a dark scowl, looked at Luffy and said, "The grandson of Garp and son of the Revolutionary Dragon... I will take him down."

Sengoku, infuriated by the events unfolding, shouted, "Jimbe! Of all things, you are working alongside Straw Hat?"

Jimbe responded calmly, "Yes, it is so. I resign from the Seven Warlords."

Garp, observing the situation, remarked, "I don't think they have a common goal, Sengoku."

Crocodile, eyes fixed on Whitebeard, rushed towards him with malicious intent. Luffy was about to move, but Itachi was already in the way. Crocodile sneered, "Long time no see, Whitebeard." Just as he was about to strike, Itachi swiftly kicked his hook away and stared him down coldly. "I told you not to do anything stupid, didn't I?"

Crocodile's eyes widened in shock, and he quickly attempted to counter, using his Sables technique to whip up a sandstorm. But Itachi was faster, performing a Water Style jutsu, launching seawater at Crocodile, immobilizing him. Crocodile gritted his teeth, "You bastard…"

Marco, watching from a distance, noted, "That Demon-Eye Itachi Uchiha is quite a fighter, yoi."

Luffy then ran up to join Itachi and said to Crocodile, "I know this old man is Whitebeard. Leave him alone." He then turned to Itachi with a slight pout, "You took my fun."

Itachi sighed and replied, "Don't worry, Luffy." He then glanced over at the Marines. "There's still a lot of fun to be had."

Luffy grinned, cracking his knuckles, "Right!"

Whitebeard, observing the interaction, said to Luffy, "You came here to help Ace, right?"

Luffy nodded firmly, "Yeah!"

Whitebeard scoffed, "Do you know who you're messing with? A squirt like you will end up as dead meat."

Itachi stepped beside Luffy, looking directly at Whitebeard with his Mangekyo Sharingan activated. "You haven't seen what we're capable of yet."

Whitebeard stared back, a glint of intrigue in his eyes, This boy… All the pirates around them were shocked by Itachi's confidence. Ivankov thought to himself, He has no fear…

Luffy, not backing down, shouted, "Shut up! That's not for you to decide! You wanna become King of the Pirates, right? But I'm gonna be the one who will become the King of the Pirates!"

Itachi calmly stepped forward, bowing his head alongside Luffy's. "Luffy," he said softly, "he is older than us. We shouldn't scream at him like that."

Luffy, still fired up, replied, "But did you hear what he said…?"

Itachi cut him off gently, "You can prove him wrong with silence."

Luffy looked at Itachi for a moment, then nodded. He bowed slightly, "Sorry, old man, but I will become King of the Pirates."

Whitebeard, observing their display, saw something he didn't expect in these young men. From the stage, both Garp and Ace widened their eyes in shock. Ace shouted, "He listened to him…?!"

Whitebeard smirked, "How saucy you are..."

Everyone watching was stunned by their audacity. The fact that they were competing with Whitebeard so boldly left many speechless. Mr. 3, overwhelmed by the intense atmosphere and pressure, fainted on the spot.

Luffy charged forward, determined to reach Ace, but Itachi paused, suddenly remembering something. He turned to Whitebeard and said, "Whitebeard-sama, I heard while on the ship that…"

Luffy also stopped in his tracks and stood in front of Whitebeard. "Old man, they're going to execute Ace immediately!"

Whitebeard looked at them intently. "So they're going to execute him quickly? Are you sure?"

Itachi nodded. "They said, 'all set'—it sounded like a code. That's important information."

Whitebeard's expression hardened. "Thank you, both of you."

Itachi nodded, and Luffy said, "No problem!" before shouting, "Ace! I'm coming, ahhh!" as he jumped down.

Itachi was about to jump as well when Whitebeard called out to him, "Demon-Eye Itachi Uchiha!"

Itachi turned around. "What is it?"

Whitebeard asked, "What is your Devil Fruit power?"

Itachi looked at him quietly and muttered, "I don't have one."

Whitebeard's eyes widened in surprise. "What? So you're not a Devil Fruit user?"

Itachi nodded, "It's better if they think I am. It keeps them cautious."

Whitebeard stared at him for a moment, seeing the maturity and depth in Itachi's eyes. "You're a mature boy. I can see in your eyes you've gone through a lot."

Itachi met his gaze, and Whitebeard burst out laughing, "Gurararara! Go now. He needs your help."

Itachi looked at Luffy, nodded to Whitebeard, and said, "Thank you." He then jumped down, drawing his sword and enveloping it with chakra. As he landed, he swiftly began to slice through the Marines who stood in their way.

Seeing this, Jimbe shouted, "Let's go, everyone!" They all jumped down and joined the fight.

Kizaru appeared, descending toward Luffy and Itachi. Luffy recognized him and yelled, "You're the guy from Sabaody!"

Kizaru smirked, "If I had finished you both there, it would have been because the Celestial Dragons wanted it." He began to gather light around his feet. "Now, die, Straw Hat!" He aimed a powerful kick at Luffy.

As Kizaru's light-infused kick flew toward them, Luffy ran forward, shouting, "Itachi!"

Everyone around them, from Marines to pirates, held their breath, thinking Straw Hat was about to meet his end. Ivankov, however, smirked confidently, "I don't think so."

Just as Kizaru's kick was about to hit, Itachi stepped in front of Luffy, activating his Susanoo. A massive, ethereal warrior surrounded Itachi, its shield absorbing the impact of Kizaru's attack. The kick reflected off the shield, shooting back toward Marine HQ, causing a massive explosion and significant damage. Kizaru's eyes widened as he saw the destruction. "Ahh, that's a lot of damage..."

Right after, Kuma started firing energy blasts toward Luffy and Itachi. Again, the Susanoo shield reflected the attacks back at the Marine HQ, causing even more destruction. Sengoku's eyes widened in shock, "At first, I thought he used water, but now… That wasn't just a fluke…Celestial Dragon told us that he can cast illusions… and now this! I've seen it on the wanted posters, but in reality, it's devastating!"

Hancock, also observing, was surprised. "He didn't use this power when my sisters were fighting him. I hate to say it, but this… virgin amazes me…" She smiled unconsciously, then caught herself. Why am I smiling? He's just an irritating virgin… that's all…

All the Whitebeard Pirates stared in disbelief. Marco turned to Whitebeard, "Did you see that, Pops?"

Whitebeard nodded, a smirk forming on his lips. "I told you, he'll change the future generation." He looked at Marco, adding, "Straw Hat is lucky to have him."

Marco smiled, understanding. "If I had seen him sooner," Whitebeard continued, "I would have taken him in as my son."

Ace, watching from the execution platform, was wide-eyed with shock. "Where did he find someone like him?"

Garp, who was also watching, commented, "He's the one who fought Rob Lucci and the CP9 members."

Akainu glared at Itachi with pure rage. "I don't care what he is. I'll melt him to nothing."

Doflamingo watched the scene unfold with a sly grin, leaning back with a sinister amusement. "I can see his power coming from his eyes… interesting," he muttered to himself, clearly intrigued by Itachi's unique abilities.

Meanwhile, among the Marines, Smoker and Tashigi were observing the spectacle with wide eyes. Tashigi gasped as she saw the massive Susanoo, still only partially formed but already towering like a giant. "He's the new crewmate of Straw Hat—Demon-Eyes Itachi Uchiha," Smoker noted, his tone serious.

Tashigi began to shake slightly. "It's enormous… and that's only half its size. What kind of power is this?" Hina, standing nearby with her distinctive pink hair, stared in awe at the massive construct. "What is that…? What kind of Devil Fruit is that?" She turned her gaze toward Itachi, her expression softening slightly. "He's quite charming…"

Smoker raised an eyebrow, surprised by her comment. "What?" he asked.

Hina shrugged, "I'm just saying…" she replied, trying to maintain her composure.

Mihawk was also intently watching Itachi's performance, his keen eyes studying every move. "He's skilled with the sword," he observed, noting the blue aura enveloping Itachi's blade. "That blue aura makes the sword sharper… It would be quite fun to fight him."

Nearby, the Ice Witch, Monet, was also fixated on Itachi. Her usually cold expression softened, her cheeks gaining a faint blush. She muttered quietly, "He is quite handsome…"

Her crew, hearing her unusual comment, widened their eyes in shock and shouted in unison, "What?!"

Itachi Uchiha stood firm, his Sharingan glowing with intensity. "Move forward, Luffy," he said calmly, glancing between Kizaru and Luffy. "I'll hold him off."

Luffy nodded and sprinted toward the opening, determination burning in his eyes.

Itachi turned his full attention to Kizaru. "Shall we begin?" he asked, his voice steady and cold.

Kizaru smirked, his usual lazy demeanor replaced with a hint of anticipation. "Ah, well... if you insist..."

In an instant, Kizaru gathered light around himself, launching forward with blinding speed. He delivered a powerful kick, forcing Itachi to stagger back slightly. Regaining his footing, Itachi swiftly drew his sword and slashed at Kizaru, who dodged effortlessly. Kizaru countered with another kick, but this time Itachi was prepared, his Susanoo materializing to absorb the blow.

Marines nearby, filled with fear, opened fire on Itachi's Susanoo, but their bullets bounced harmlessly off the ethereal armor. They watched in awe, eyes wide with disbelief, as their attacks had no effect.

Then, Admiral Aokiji stepped in, his body covered in a layer of ice. Itachi quickly understood that Aokiji was the one who had frozen the high tide earlier. Remaining calm, Itachi prepared for the next attack. Aokiji charged, aiming a powerful punch at Susanoo. Itachi's eyes widened as he noticed ice starting to spread across Susanoo's surface.

"This could be dangerous," Itachi thought. From within Susanoo, he unleashed a massive fireball jutsu toward Aokiji. Aokiji's eyes widened, realizing the imminent threat. He dodged just in time, retreating back toward Kizaru.

"Fireballs? How many Devil Fruit powers does he have?" Aokiji muttered, confusion and curiosity flickering in his eyes.

"I hate to say it," Aokiji said, "but we have to fight together on this one."

Kizaru sighed, his smirk returning. "Ah, I don't mind..."

The two Admirals attacked in unison, launching a coordinated assault on Itachi. Susanoo raised its shield, bracing for impact, but Kizaru suddenly vanished, reappearing behind Itachi in a flash. Itachi turned swiftly, his sword striking just in time to block Kizaru's attack.

Kizaru chuckled. "Ah, complimenting the enemy, are we?"

Itachi replied calmly, "However..."

Kizaru's confident expression faltered, a confused look crossing his face.

"You've already looked into my eyes," Itachi said.

Kizaru blinked, his eyes adjusting to the sudden darkness that enveloped him. The battlefield was gone, replaced by a vast, empty void. He glanced around, trying to make sense of his surroundings, but there was nothing—just an infinite blackness stretching in every direction.

Kizaru smirked slightly "So, this is your illusion, huh? Just an empty void?"

Itachi emerged from the darkness, his Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan glowing bright red said "No. This is where your nightmare begins."

Before Kizaru could react, the darkness shifted, and he found himself standing on a cold, hard stone floor. He looked down and saw that his feet were submerged in water, the surface rippling with each movement. The air was frigid, his breath visible in the cold. Suddenly, the sound of a sword slicing through the air echoed around him. Kizaru felt a sharp pain in his back. He gasped, his body seizing up in shock.

He turned around, but there was no one there. Blood dripped from a wound he couldn't see, staining the water beneath him.

Kizaru gritted his teeth "What…?"

The pain intensified as another blade pierced his side. He stumbled, clutching at the wound, but his hand passed through it, feeling nothing but the icy water. He looked up, and there was Itachi, standing just out of reach.

Itachi said "In this world, I control everything. Even your pain."

Kizaru felt another sharp stab, this time in his chest. He cried out, falling to his knees. As he hit the ground, the scene shifted again. Now, he was hanging from a large wooden cross, bound tightly by chains that cut into his flesh. He looked up and saw multiple copies of Itachi, each wielding a different weapon—swords, spears, scythes.

Kizaru breathing heavily said "You think… you can break me… with this?"

Itachi clones all of them speaking in unison "This is only the beginning."

The Itachis moved in unison, thrusting their weapons into Kizaru's body. The pain was excruciating, unlike anything he had ever felt. His body convulsed with each strike, but he couldn't die. The pain didn't stop. He looked down and saw the wounds closing almost as quickly as they were made.

Kizaru gasping for air said "What kind of… illusion is this?"

Itachi said clamly "In this world, three days of torment can pass in a mere second of reality. You will experience death thousands of times, each more painful than the last."

The weapons struck again and again. Kizaru's screams filled the air, but there was no escape, no relief. Every time he thought he couldn't endure more, the pain intensified, tearing through his mind and body.

The scene shifted again. Now, he was kneeling on the ground, surrounded by a circle of Itachis, each holding a bow with arrows drawn. He tried to move, but his body wouldn't respond. The arrows were released, piercing his flesh from all directions. He could feel the sharp, searing pain of each arrow as it struck, his body pinned to the ground.

Kizaru whispering himself, assuring himself "This… isn't real…"

Itachi stepping closer, his eyes cold and unyielding said "Does it matter? Your mind and body are mine to control here."

Kizaru's vision blurred as the arrows dissolved into thin air, his wounds healing instantly. He was then thrust into a new scenario—a raging inferno, flames licking at his skin, burning him alive. He screamed, but his voice was lost in the roar of the fire. The pain was unbearable, his skin blistering and charring.

Just as he thought he would be consumed by the flames, the scene changed again. Now he was underwater, chains wrapped around his limbs, pulling him deeper into the abyss. His lungs burned for air, but there was none to be found. He tried to break free, but the chains were unyielding, dragging him further down. His vision began to fade, his consciousness slipping away.

But before he could succumb to the darkness, he was yanked back, gasping for air in a new scene. He was back on the cross, the weapons poised to strike again.

Kizaru now panting, desperation in his eyes shouted "This… this isn't possible…"

Itachi said "In this world, I am God."

The weapons struck again, and Kizaru's body convulsed with each hit. He felt his bones break, his muscles tear, but his mind remained painfully aware of every second of his torment. His screams echoed endlessly in the empty void, each one sounding more desperate than the last.

Kizaru now pleading, his voice barely a whisper beged "Make it stop…"

Itachi said "You must endure, Kizaru. Until you understand the meaning of true suffering."

The scenes cycled through again and again—drowning, burning, being impaled, cut, torn apart. Each death was more horrifying than the last, each one leaving him in a state of pure agony. There was no end, no escape. Time seemed to stretch on forever, each second an eternity of pain.

Back on the Battlefield

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Kizaru was jolted back to the real world. He fell to his knees, gasping for breath, his body trembling uncontrollably. Sweat poured down his face, his eyes wide with fear and exhaustion.

He looked up at Itachi, who stood calmly before him, the Sharingan fading from his eyes.

Aokiji rushed toward Itachi and asked, "What happened?" All the Marines and pirates looked on in shock. Admiral Kizaru, one of the most feared Marines, was terrified. Aokiji glanced at Kizaru and asked, "What did you do?"

Itachi calmly replied, "I just cast a small illusion."

Kizaru, still trembling with fear, managed a weak smirk. "You call that 'small'? You made me see my own death over a thousand times."

Itachi looked at him and said, "I must say, you have a great will. Others might lose consciousness from experiencing that."

Kizaru tried to stand, but his legs were numb and shaking. Aokiji looked at him with concern, and Kizaru warned, "Aokiji, don't look into his eyes. His eyes are dangerous."

Just then, a loud shout echoed across the battlefield. Itachi turned to see Akainu, magma covering his hands, shouting, "You evil pirate must die! That's justice for the people!" Akainu hurled molten lava toward Itachi. The Susanoo shielded him but began to melt under the intense heat. Itachi took a few steps back and swung his sword, deflecting the attack. Akainu sneered, "Nothing works against molten lava."

Remaining calm, Itachi replied, "I am not using my full strength." Aokiji and the Marines widened their eyes in disbelief. Itachi then said, "Complete Susanoo," and all witnessed the Susanoo transforming into its final form, towering and menacing.

Whitebeard watched with a smirk, impressed by the display of power. Itachi swung his sword, and a massive force was released, sending Akainu and Aokiji flying to the top of the Marine HQ, slicing the entire building in half. The Marines were stunned; some even threw down their weapons in fear. "What is this power?" they murmured.

Akainu and Aokiji emerged, blood trickling from their heads. Itachi glared at them from within the Susanoo. Akainu jumped up, rushing towards Itachi, shouting, "You will pay for what you did to our HQ!" Aokiji followed, launching ice toward Itachi. Itachi blocked the attack with his shield, but the shield began to freeze. Akainu took the opportunity to punch the Susanoo's gut with his molten lava-coated fist, causing it to melt slightly.

Kizaru, from behind, kicked the Susanoo in the neck, causing a small crack. Aokiji, now on the ground, froze the ground beneath Susanoo's feet, trying to immobilize Itachi. Itachi, however, moved his legs easily, breaking free from the ice. This gave Akainu enough time to use Ryūsei Kazan, launching multiple giant fists of molten lava toward Itachi. The relentless assault finally shattered the Susanoo, forcing Itachi to the ground, ready for another attack.

As Akainu, Aokiji, and Kizaru closed in on him, Itachi was surprised to see Marco and Jozu appear beside him. Marco smiled, "I think you could use some help, Itachi, yoi!"

Itachi nodded, "It's really helpful. Thank you."

Jozu grinned, "So, are you both ready?"

Marco and Itachi nodded in agreement, and the intense battle began again, with Marco, Jozu, and Itachi fighting side by side against the Admirals.