C30 : War of the Best |Part 3|

• [Marineford, near Red Line] {Year : 20.5} •

But before the strings could spread into their bodies; Marco twirled in his blue flames and freed himself, Vista's two Armament Haki-cladded sword moved to cut the strings, finally, Jozu fully encased himself in diamond and immediately freed himself. They stared down the String String Fruit User who could only helplessly fight against them instead.

The Strongest Man in the World moved to the scaffold when suddenly a light beam shot at his head. He dodged with a mere head tilt and continued.

Seeing this, Admiral Kizaru turned into a full blown light and appeared above him with his shining right leg cladded in Armament Haki. "Speed of Light Kick!"

His right kick was fast as light but Whitebeard easily dodged it. Though Admiral Kizaru missed, a light orb projectile was shot off and went towards a section of pirates.

*BOOM*

Struck with an explosion, the pirates were injured and the Marine's Elite and Famed Officers took this chance to kill them.

"Quake Slash!" Whitebeard immediately slashed his bisento, Murakumogiri, towards the Marine Officers, turning them into blood mists. He would show no mercy to those who wanted to kill his allies who were helping him rescue his family.

*RUMBLE*

The sky suddenly turned dark red and several magma fists fell. They were aiming at the section that held most of pirates and Whitebeard.

"Volcanic Rush of Fists!" Admiral Akainu's cold voice rang, his arms boiling as he watched his move starting to close in.

Seeing the magma fists, Whitebeard crouched and moved his left fist, swinging it upwards to above him. His left fist held a transparent white orb as he did so. "Quake Sphere!"

Cracks spread out above him and a gap was slowly widening in middle of it. When the cracks finally stopped, a huge white sphere came out, propelling itself towards the raining magma fists.

*Squash* xN

Met with Quake Sphere, the magma fists were squished into several drops of magmas that anyone could easily dodge. The dark red sky receded to slightly dark blue sky, as if gloomy. Inwardly thanking that they were not struck with lava, the pirates continued onwards as did Whitebeard.

"Pheasant of Glacier!" The temperature around Whitebeard suddenly plunged into arctic and ice spread out as a large crystal-clear pheasant made out of ice propelled towards him.

Whitebeard merely glanced and trembled his left fist before hitting it, directly shattering it into crumbled. He was slightly disappointed that none of the Admirals were going all out, he wanted a battle but his family was first before his needs.

"Gurarara! You brats won't be able to stop me with such half-hearted attacks." He laughed as Murakumogiri in his right hand crackled with white lightning loudly. Swinging it upwards and slightly to the left, Whitebeard added. "No matter, Ace will not die here."

*SWOOSH*

A transparent arc shot out and went towards the execution stand, intent on cutting it down. Seeing this, Vice Admiral Garp jumped forward and was in the way of its path, he clad his entire right arm into Armament Haki before crashing it into the projectile.

"HAAH!" He shouted out loud, going all out. Garp was not one to die just because he didn't go all out, having seen that Whitebeard was truly recovered and stronger than ever.

*BOOM*

A loud boom occurred with Garp panting heavily, standing back on the ground. He was successful in stopping Whitebeard's attack but it took all of him to stop it. Vice Admiral Garp was in disbelief as he regained his breath. He swore that Whitebeard definitely grew stronger than the last time they fought.

"Tsk." Whitebeard clicked his tongue as he dodged yet another light beam from Admiral Kizaru. Admiral Akainu was slowly approaching, looking like a boss as he walked. Admiral Aojiki sighed and covered his left side in ice as he approached as well.

Fleet Admiral Sengoku glared down at Whitebeard, but did nothing and stood beside Portgas D. Ace. He turned his neck and saw Ace's face. Scoffing, Sengoku muttered. "Perhaps we should just kill you now so you wouldn't have to hear or watch..."

Ace just hung his head down, unwilling to respond. His fragile skin and bones body was painful for him, but right now, his heart hurt the most. It was either he died and the ones who wanted to save him would fall into grief or he would survive at great cost.

"...Hm..." Fleet Admiral Sengoku looked around and saw that the pirates were slowly approaching the Marineford's base. Deciding that this was the time, he ordered with a snail transponder. "FA to BC, raise the coast walls. Order the officers back to the base and prepare the coast cannons."

As if having been awaiting for this specific order, a serious voice immediately answered from the snail transponder. "Copy, FA!"

*RUMBLE*

Feeling this familiar rumbling, the Marine's Officers turned and returned as they fended off any attacks. "Return to the base!"

The pirates were confused but realized that they must be planning to stop them from entering the base with a another plan. "Quick! They're going to do something that'll stop us!"

The Shichibukai that were on frozen water already retreated onto the scaffold, frowning while they, except Gecko Moriah who was sweating, were at it.

Whitebeard was still fighting off the three Admirals. Though they tried to return back as well, he was not having it. "Gurarara! What's this?"

He laughed as he cut off Admiral Kizaru's light teleportion, giving a small cut in process.

"Afraid to continue fighting me any further?" Whitebeard taunted, swinging Murakumogiri while he was at it.

Admiral Akainu sneered as he dodged. "As if a pirate scum would make me afraid. Even if you are considered as the Strongest Man in the World, Absolute Justice is on my side!"

Admiral Aojiki gave a tired sigh, backstepping. "This is exhausting me out..."

Admiral Kizaru glared at Whitebeard, rubbing the small cut he received. He looked at the bisento that was clad in white lightning. "As expected of the weapon made by Musen."

"Quickly return, Admirals!" Fleet Admiral Sengoku boomed out. Hearing his order, they stared at Whitebeard. In the end, they could only do so. After all, if they were stuck along with the pirates on frozen water while the coast wall trapped them, it'd be a bad situation. Especially so for Devil Fruit Users, if the Fleet Admiral intended to destroy the frozen coast bay.

"Drown to your death!" Admiral Akainu shouted out, spreading his lava onto the frozen water and jumping off as he returned. The frozen water quickly melted but Whitebeard scoffed and jumped off as well.

'It's like he expected me to be dumb to stand still on the same position.' Whitebeard nearly commented to himself out loud.

"Ice Spears!" Admiral Aojiki threw out several spears made out of ice, swirling as they went towards Whitebeard. As he returned, he also requested. "I hope you would stand still and take it so we can end this."

"Ice brat!" Whitebeard nearly went scolding him, dodging. Aojiki had just casually requested his opponent to accept his attack.

"Heavenly Illumination!" Admiral Kizaru's hands clapped each others and light flared out, making everyone's eyes to close. While their eyes were closed, he turned and prepared to teleport to his chair in front of the execution stand. "Eight Span Mirr-!"

Unfortunately for him, Whitebeard's Murakumogiri stopped him again with his Observation Haki.

Kizaru gritted his teeth in anger. Why was his life going with bad luck?

First, he was defeated by a brat. Second, he met him and got defeated again. Third, the Celestial Dragons ruthlessly insulted him in front of everyone. Fourth, through some dogsh*t luck, he was promoted to Admiral rank even though he didn't really want it after realizing that he would have to meet the Solitary Pirate again if he became one.

And finally, Whitebeard kept annoying him as the man blocked him repeatedly. Admiral Kizaru nearly bawled on spot, remembering every single thing that happened due to his bad luck. It all started when he met the Solitary Pirate...

Kizaru's eyes glinted and began to look slightly insane. He swore that he would find Ryu and torture him to the death... that or to stay away from him for his whole life after failing.

'That bastard is my bad luck! As long as he lives, I'll keep suffering!' While he was repeatedly cut off from his light teleportation, Kizaru moved his eyes around, checking the status of other battles.

"Gurarara!" Whitebeard's laugh interrupted him, making Admiral Kizaru look at him. "What's wrong? Tired of fighting now?"

"Shut up!" Admiral Kizaru glared back, clasping his hands together. A light sword appeared and he swung it upwards at Whitebeard. "Sword of Light!"

*SWOOSH*

*BOOOM*

Whitebeard's bisento clashed with his light sword. Admiral Kizaru began to feel the effects of directly fighting the Strongest Man in the World's body.

Seeing his weakness, Whitebeard smirked. "Looks like you haven't trained your body well..."

Admiral Kizaru didn't even need to see the glint flashing by Whitebeard's eyes to know what he was planning. Murakumogiri, the bisento of Edward's, suddenly roared out with a tremor.

Those who trained their body physique to its extreme would be able to deal with such tremor if it was not direct. But since Admiral Kizaru didn't really train his body a lot, focusing and relying on his Light Light Fruit instead, he was sure that he would lose his arms if he allowed the tremor transfer to his hands from Murakumogiri, moving to the light sword he was holding.

"Shit!"

He immediately let his light sword go and dissipate before his hands would burst in blood. Admiral Kizaru gritted his teeth in anger, it was as if Whitebeard was purposely letting the other two Admirals go but not him.

"What do you have against me?!" He nearly bellowed out. His yellow-striped suit with Admiral cloak fluttered with the harsh wind that blew. "Can't I have a moment of peace at least?!"

"Gurarara! What do you mean, light brat?" Whitebeard chuckled at his demise. He was certainly finding it funny, since he knew of Kizaru's bad luck that recently came to him. 'Heh, it's like that Ryu boy gave a bad luck charm onto this light brat.'

"You...!" Admiral Kizaru took a very deep breath to regain his composure. Looking around quickly, he saw that most of Marines already returned. Seeing so, Kizaru jumped backward and shot towards above of all of the pirates.

Whitebeard nearly caught him but was already too late as he soared towards the high sky, his body brimming light brightly. 'What is he doing...?'

"Light's Judgement : Jewels of Light!" Countless light particles in the form of oval orbs shot off from Admiral Kizaru's body, shooting towards the pirates. They went towards the wide range of where every pirates were in, either piercing through them or exploding on contact.

Whitebeard's face blackened as he jumped forward at Admiral Kizaru and pulled back his left fist as it tremor at inhuman speed. He shouted out loud when he finally neared the light man. "Quake Fist!"

Cracks immediately appeared and spread out from his left hand, along with Admiral Kizaru's lit body cracking.

However, unlike what the pirates and marines thought, Kizaru's body dispersed, diminishing from the air instead of blood spurting.

"You thought I would actually be stupid enough to stay at the mid air and take on your attacks?" Admiral Kizaru voiced out from his chair in front of the execution stand, not caring if they didn't understand his quick mouth. Pirates and Marines alike were surprised and stupefied at this, they didn't even see him there before.

"What?!" Some of them shouted in confusion. Whitebeard was also momentarily confused but quickly began to assume.

"You created a clone in a form of light, which was why the body was blaring so brightly instead." He stated instead of questioning. Kizaru was surprised but nonetheless smirked.

"Correct, I created a clone of myself the moment I sent myself upwards, splitting off and controlling your perception away from the real me. After all, eyes sees light." Admiral Kizaru explained and sighed in relief, muttering. "And, had I not, I would have definitely been on verge of death from that punch you did."

Realization dawned on the pirates and marines, but they immediately returned to their focus on the tall wall that was slowly raising. Seeing them, the pirates shouted.

"They're cutting off any entrance onto the scaffold, quickly find a way!"

"We could stop one of the walls to stop rising!" One of them suggested as they ran.

Suddenly, a large shadow that towered over all of the giants on Marineford considerably, flashed by and screamed. "Ace! I won't let them stop us from rescuing you!"

*RUMBLE*

*SKREE*

The large shadow revealed to be Little Oars Jr., who had his hands on one of the walls, attempting to push it down as the sounds of gears forcing it upwards rang out. Whitebeard frowned at this since it was a bad move as Oars Jr. would be vulnerable to any attacks.

"Oars!" The pirates widened their eyes and gritted their teeth. They understood his actions and that he was purposely doing it, all so that they would be given time.

The three admirals in their seats glanced at Oars Jr., and saw that the giant Marine Officers were already preparing to attack the gigantic man. Admiral Akainu frowned slightly, knowing that even those measly giant Marine Officers would not be able to stop Oars Jr.. He decided that he would do something about it when they failed.

The Fleet Admiral of Marines cocked his head when he saw Ace rising his head to look at Oars Jr. as well. Seeing that he intimately knew him, Sengoku spoke as if just wondering out loud. "Hum... that gigantic zombie will suffer from all attacks just because of the spawn of cursed bloodline... What a pity..."

Portgas D. Ace's mind was already in turbulent due to a war over him occurring, but seeing Oars Jr. and hearing Sengoku's words, he cried out as memories of their times together. "Oars! Just stop! You all, stop him!"

His hoarse voice was nearly unheard due to battle sounds occurring around them, but several, including Oars Jr., heard it. The execution stand was just barely within Little Oars Jr.'s arm-range.

"Ace!" Oars Jr., looking glad that Ace spoke to him, gave a naive grin. He reached forth his right arm while his body nearly came over the scaffold, but was suddenly interrupted by several heavy cannon shots into his face.

*BOOM*

"Great! Continue to firing the heavy cannons at him!" A Vice Admiral shouted in glee, already liking what was coming for him in future if he survived the war. A raise, better reputation, and fame!

"Yes!" The Marine Officers were already continuing, aiming and firing their respective heavy cannons at the huge man. "Fire!"

*BOOM* xN

"U-ugh!" Even Oars Jr. couldn't take those innumerable heavy cannon shots much as he sputtered out blood. The pirates had their tears coming out, seeing that the huge man still keeping the wall down with his body.

Whitebeard gritted his teeth and decided. "You all! Get the paddle ship to surface and bring it to Oars Jr.! Oars! Pull along the paddle ship onto the scaffold!"

If the giant man heard the order, he didn't show or signaled it as black smoke covered his upper body. Whitebeard did not think that Oars Jr. didn't hear, still feeling his life force with his Observation Haki. However, he also saw that it was slowly diminishing away. Sadness momentarily filled his thoughts, but Whitebeard did not allow it continue and focused on ensuring that his sacrifice was not wasted.

A spot on the frozen water cracked and dark shadow appeared on it, slowly making the frozen water in the spot to crack into pieces.

"It's here!" A pirate announced, seeing the paddle ship rapidly approaching surface. Hearing so, Whitebeard began to take long steps to the wall that Oars Jr. was holding down.

His heavy steps left cracks on the frozen water, showing that he was no longer intending to stall the war. Whitebeard originally intended to at least stall a bit for the division he sent to Impel Down, to join them after receiving information that they rescued several prisoners and a certain man joined them. But, no longer he planned to. For they were now...

*CRACK*

A location somewhere with the frozen towering tsunami suddenly cracked out loud, causing the people to glance around for its source.

*BOOOM!*

A Marine Battleship suddenly barged into the scene and forced the people on it to be thrown upwards. From there, everyone on Marineford heard a shout of a certain straw-hat man.

"ACCCCEEEEEE!!!"