Light, Ice, Fire!!!

On the other side, aboard the flagship of the Whitebeard Pirates, the Moby Dick.

Amidst the gathering of light particles, Kizaru materialized on the mast.

"Look what I've found—a wild Whitebeard Pirates crew."

As soon as he finished speaking, Kizaru turned into a golden flash and vanished from the mast. Moments later, under the astonished gazes of the Whitebeard Pirates, he appeared directly above their fleet, emitting a blinding light.

His figure emerged from the golden glow, crossing his hands in front of him as a cross-shaped light flickered between his fingers.

Yasakani no Magatama!

In an instant, countless golden light bullets rained down like a storm on the Whitebeard fleet.

Given the overwhelming attack, it was clear that the Whitebeard Pirates would suffer heavy losses. The crew's strength varied greatly, and few could withstand an assault from a Navy admiral like Kizaru.

Just as the golden bullets were about to hit, a massive shadow leaped from the deck of the Moby Dick. It was a giant bird engulfed in azure flames. As it flew, it spread its enormous wings and collided with the light bullets head-on.

Sizzling sounds erupted as the golden bullets met the azure flames, like water splashing into a hot pan. The blue flames on the bird's wings seemed to shatter repeatedly, only to regenerate instantly, continuing the cycle until the golden bullets were fully exhausted.

Boom!

Once the barrage was blocked, the enormous azure flames exploded, sending a fierce wind sweeping across the sky.

When the dust settled, a phoenix wreathed in azure flames with round glasses appeared.

"The admiral's attack was stopped?"

"What's going on?"

"Who is that?"

"It's Marco, the second commander of the Whitebeard Pirates—the Phoenix!"

Whispers spread across the naval ships as they noticed the flaming phoenix in the sky, their eyes wide with shock.

"Classic Kizaru style," Marco commented, flapping his wings of blue fire and eyeing Kizaru from above.

"Kowai ne~ Phoenix Marco."

A peculiar glint flickered in Kizaru's eyes.

"At a time like this…" Marco's gaze tightened.

Kizaru's sudden appearance was an unexpected complication. Given a little more time, they could've reached Lodestar Island, and then whether they fought or fled would be on their terms. But it seemed the Navy wasn't planning on giving them that chance.

"It's unwise to get distracted in battle," Kizaru's voice suddenly came from Marco's side, followed by a powerful kick landing squarely on Marco.

The Phoenix was sent crashing like a meteor back to the Moby Dick.

Boom!

With a loud crash, the solid deck of the Moby Dick shattered.

In the air, Kizaru pointed a finger toward the hole where Marco had fallen.

With a flash of blinding light, a laser beam shot down toward the pit.

Suddenly, a figure blazing with radiant light leaped up to intercept the laser, reflecting it back toward Kizaru, piercing a hole through his body.

"Kowai ne~" Kizaru exaggeratedly remarked, glancing at the hole in his chest.

"Phoenix Talon."

Before Kizaru could finish speaking, the flaming phoenix swooped down, delivering a fierce kick to his chest.

The force sent Kizaru flying backward.

"Borsalino, didn't you know it's unwise to get distracted in battle?" Marco retorted.

Kizaru's figure reappeared mid-air not far away.

"Ah, getting schooled by the young ones. Seems like this old guy's really getting old," Kizaru said, his tone and expression as irritating as ever.

Marco knew he could stall Kizaru, but driving him off was another matter. And with the Navy's fleet approaching, every second was critical for the Whitebeard Pirates.

"Jozu! Go get Dad. I'll handle this guy!" Marco shouted to the crew below.

Jozu and the others wasted no time, speeding toward Lodestar Island.

They understood that Marco was the only one in their crew capable of holding Kizaru off. As long as they reunited with Whitebeard, everything would fall into place.

Just as Kizaru prepared to attack the Whitebeard fleet again—

Whoosh—

The phoenix's blazing wings stretched wide, scattering embers in its wake as it sped toward Kizaru.

"I said your opponent is me!"

The flames intensified around the phoenix, and its massive wings slammed into Kizaru.

Forced to defend, Kizaru had to abandon his plan to target the Whitebeard fleet.

Looking down at the frozen Whitebeard ships and then back at Marco, Kizaru feigned distress.

"You're really a hassle. But aren't you forgetting the Navy has more than just me?"

As Kizaru's voice faded, on a distant Navy ship's deck—

"Da ha ha ha, seems like it's my turn," Aokiji muttered, leaving behind a trail of ice crystals.

Nearby, Akainu and the other officers seemed to know what was coming, gazing ahead at the sea.

As everyone watched, Aokiji arrived at the front of the Navy fleet.

"Ice Age!"

His chilling voice echoed across the ocean.

Extending a hand toward the sea, a thin ice beam shot from his palm, rapidly expanding as it touched the water's surface.

Accompanied by a deafening crackling, the sea began freezing at a terrifying speed, extending toward the Whitebeard fleet.

So cold was the air that snowflakes formed and fell from the sky, and many sailors shivered from the sudden drop in temperature.

In mere moments, the frozen sea was closing in on the Whitebeard fleet.

"It's… Kuzan's power!"

"The rudder's frozen!"

"We're stuck! What do we do now?"

"Only Whitey Bay's ship is still moving."

"That ship can't carry everyone!"

"Damn it!"

…

"Oh my, seems like your allies are in quite the bind," Kizaru taunted Marco with his trademark smirk.

Marco's gaze fixed on the frozen sea and the trapped Whitebeard fleet, his brow furrowing.

Suddenly, he noticed movement from the corner of his eye and his expression shifted.

"Phantom Flame!"

Without hesitation, Marco flared his wings, unleashing a surge of azure flames around him.

"Always so alert. But aren't you worried about your crewmates?" Kizaru teased as Marco blocked him with his wings.

"I have faith in them!"

With that, Marco charged at Kizaru again.

Meanwhile, as the Whitebeard Pirates debated their next move, a sudden voice rang out!

"Fire Fist!"

The one who intervened was Ace.

With a single punch, scorching flames lit up the surroundings.

Two massive walls of fire erupted in front of the Whitebeard fleet, melting the ice and creating a fiery path.

"Aokiji's ice is melting!"

"What's a Navy Admiral compared to us?"

"Hahaha! Full speed ahead!"

Shrouded in the mist rising from the melting ice, the Whitebeard Pirates cheered with excitement.

With flames leading the way, they could all escape safely.

"Da ha ha, it's Fire Fist Ace," Aokiji murmured, his lazy demeanor vanishing as his eyes sharpened, focused on the blazing path in the distance.

"Well done, Ace! Full speed ahead—get Dad back!" Blamenco praised, raising his sword toward Lodestar Island.