"Damn it! Everyone, we need to run."
When Blackbeard found his plan failing so easily, he shouted at his crew.
"Captain, it seems like they won't let us leave so easily."
Van Argur raised his rifle towards the upcoming Marine Admiral and said. This person was none other than Kizaru.
"Shiryuu, help Argur! Vasco, you team up with Catrina and Pizarro to Kuzan. Everyone else, focus on running.
[Liberation]
Blackbeard roared as he summoned a massive vortex of black gas that produced several chunks of ships and bodies of Impel Down soldiers towards Sengoku and Garp.
At this moment, Luffy was floating in the air while looking for any more allies. He needed to get them away from the Marineford.
"Garp, it's all your fault!"
While Blackbeard was launching his attack, Sengoku was busy scolding Garp.
"Bwahahaha! I never expected my grandson to be so awesome." Garp burst into laughter and smashed his hand towards Blackbeard's attack.
His arm released such a powerful slash that it tore through the black vortex and struck Blackbeard on the chest.
Bang!
Blackbeard was sent flying and struck a large ship before landing on the ground.
"Take this, Old Geezer!"
An arrogant laughter came from the sky as Burgess came down with his fist, pointing at Sengoku.
"Garp, you are still talking about your grandson. Look at him!"
When Sengoku pointed towards Luffy, he saw Burgess blocking the view and instantly jumped in front of Burgess.
"Go away, you idiot!"
Bang!
His fist was coated with Armament Haki and Conqueror Haki as he smashed it on the head of Burgess.
Thud!
Burgess was sent down at a supersonic speed, destroying a majority of the ground with a single impact.
More importantly, Burgess was covered in blood as he just laid down there.
Seeing this, Garp's expression twitched.
At this moment, he realized that Sengoku was truly pissed.
"Don't worry, Sengoku! I will capture Son of Rocks."
Garp immediately wilted and ran towards Blackbeard was just trying to get up.
At this moment, Lafitte hesitated to help the Blackbeard Pirates. At least, he didn't see his captain winning against Garp and Sengoku.
"Zehahahaha! It seems like fate is not with me this time. Everyone, come closer to me. Lafitte, bring Burgess to me."
"Wolf, I need a distraction."
Blackbeard also noticed Garp coming towards him and burst into laughter as he commanded his crew.
Hearing that, Lafitte realized that his captain had another trick up his sleeve. So, he hurriedly rushed toward Burgess while Sanjuan Wolf threw a massive battleship towards Garp and Sengoku.
Bang!
Garp simply coated his fist with Armament Haki and Supreme King's Haki before smashing the ship into pieces.
Even Kizaru and Aokiji were disturbed by this sudden change.
But they didn't understand what Blackbeard was planning to do.
Soon, they heard laughter.
"Zehahaha! I am glad that I searched for it. Although it's not my pick, I can still accept this fruit."
Blackbeard touched his crew, and they suddenly started floating.
Seeing this, Garp and Sengoku's expressions darkened as they realized Blackbeard was trying to achieve a similar thing that his father was trying to do.
Except in his case, he succeeded. At the same time, he realized that Blackbeard's target was Whitebeard's fruit from the beginning.
Every part of this war was his calculation, and it was all for that fruit.
If it wasn't for Luffy's sudden appearance, the war would have gone his way.
Thinking of this, Sengoku couldn't help but feel frustrated.
Everything! Everything about this war went exactly the opposite of what he wanted.
"Damn it! Don't run, you bastard!"
Garp roared and instantly jumped. His body appeared in front of Blackbeard and others.
Seeing this, Blackbeard's expression changed.
"Wolf, block him!"
Even if Wolf fell into the sea, it wouldn't be a problem since his body could easily float on the sea.
But if he fell into the sea, everyone else would lose their ability to fly.
He had just eaten the fruit, so naturally he couldn't awaken it.
Bang!
Wolf immediately followed his command and came in front of the Garp, only to let Garp punch him on the face.
This punch was so strong that Wolf was sent flying several hundred meters away.
Although Garp could use Geppo, he didn't have the power to chase Blackbeard as they were getting away.
But soon, a yellow light appeared in front of them and transformed into Kizaru.
"I can't let you go. After all, I am the Marine Admiral."
Kizaru smiled and crossed his hands, releasing several large laser beams towards the Blackbeard Pirates.
Seeing this, Teach immediately raised his hand and released a massive gas of black vortex that started devouring those light beams.
[Black Hole]
After absorbing those light beams, Teach burst into laughter.
"Zehahaha! We will meet against, Admiral."
Saying so, he and his crew fly even higher and further away from Kizaru.
Although Kizaru could chase them, he wasn't idiot enough to fight the Blackbeard Pirates on his own.
While all of this was happening, Luffy had finished saving his allies and was running on air.
He was literally running towards Whitebeard's ship.
Upon seeing their ship getting closer to Shanks's ship, he paused and frowned.
He did want to meet Shanks, but not like this.
His crew was destroyed, he was weak, and he had become a great pirate.
They weren't the same Luffy.
At this moment, Shanks also sensed Luffy and understood his hesitation.
"Since the war has ended, I should leave. Whitebeard!"
Shanks, before leaving, turned toward Ace, and then toward Whitebeard, saying.
"It is better to let this child grow stronger than keep him protected under your wings. I hope you've realized what you would've lost without Luffy's help."
Saying so, he walked away.
Hearing his words, Ace clenched his fist but couldn't open his mouth to refute. He also realized just how much trouble he had caused for everyone.
On the other hand, Whitebeard contemplated his future.
He wasn't sure what he should do. He knew he wasn't going to survive this war. Unfortunately, a variable arrived and changed his fate.
"Boss, aren't we going to meet Luffy? He is just there."
Lucky Ro pointed at Luffy, who was several kilometers away from them, and asked.
"No! Luffy hasn't become the pirate he promised to be. And, he understands this."
Shanks answered with a smile and shouted.
"Guys, let's set sail!"
With his order, the Red Force sailed away.
When they left, Luffy was about to find his brother, but he met Hancock on a Marine ship and paused.
He could feel himself slipping. So, it was better to let Hancock explain the war to him.
So, he flew towards the ship and shouted.
"Hancock!"
At this moment, Whitebeard looked at Marco and said.
"Marco, let's leave!"
"Dad, Luffy isn't here yet." Ace's expression changed drastically as he said.
"Do you think I will leave him alone? Don't forget he is the savior of the Whitebeard Pirates. I sensed his presence leaving for a different place."
"It seems like he doesn't want to say goodbye to you." Whitebeard explained with anger.
"Cough! Cough!"
Suddenly, he started coughing up blood.
"Dad!" "Dad!"
Everyone worriedly rushed to check him while Marco released his phoenix flame to keep him alive.
Whitebeard withstood his weakness and looked at Ace.
"Ace, Shanks is right about one thing. I should have focused on training you. Before I leave, I want to make sure you will be ready to face other Emperors."
"Marco, do your best to fix me up!"
Hearing his words, Marco clenched his fist and hoarsely spoke.
"Yes, Dad!"
"Why are you showing such emotions? Instead of feeling bad about my situation, you idiots should focus on getting stronger. Only then can you protect me."
"I, Whitebeard, am no longer the Strongest Man in the world. So, grow up, my idiot sons!"
...…
"Hancock, I will be leaving soon." Luffy said while stuffing his mouth with meat.
"Why are you leaving so soon? Luffy, we haven't even returned to Amazon Lily."
Hancock almost burst into tears as she said that.
"Hancock, that's not what I mean. Whatever! Once I ask you what happened to me, you will tell me how I saved Ace and how weak my crew is."
"He will not remember most of the things that happened, except saving Ace, maybe. He will remember to use Haki, but he doesn't know anything about Haki."
"Remember, when you remember me, tell him I am his future self. Without my help, he would've lost Ace."
Hearing his words, Hancock blankly nodded her head.
"I can feel it. I am fading away. Hancock, I am an idiot in love. So, you have to help me understand love and, if possible, join my crew."
"Of course, don't forget about Jinbe. He will soon arrive. Also, tell him about his future battle with Bullet."
Just as he said, Luffy suddenly closed his eyes and fell on the deck.
Thud!
"Luffy!"
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