Doflamingo didn't dare to be careless.
"Shield White String!"
Lines of white threads emerged, weaving into a massive barrier that shot toward the sky.
The ice spears released by Aokiji clashed with the shield mid-air in a deafening explosion.
"Did it block it?" Doflamingo exclaimed in relief.
But the next moment, his string shield shattered under the force of Aokiji's frozen barrage, scattering into countless silk-like fragments.
"You're still too early, Doflamingo!" Aokiji roared, his breath misting the air as the frozen lances continued to surge forward.
Watching the collapsing sky of ice, Empress Hancock's sharp eyes flickered with a glimmer of hope.
"Although they weren't completely stopped, the speed and power have weakened!"
She clenched her fist, her long hair flowing with a queen's resolve.
"I'll stop them!"
"Slave Arrow!"
She brushed her crimson lips with a finger, forming a giant pink heart that she drew back like a bowstring. From it, thousands of glowing arrows rained upward.
The weaker pirates behind her, hypnotized by her beauty, froze mid-action.
"Hancock is truly too beautiful…" They stared blankly, forgetting their duties as the cannons went silent.
Empress Hancock ignored them. She released her volley, and the sky was filled with streaks of pink light.
The arrows collided with the ice spears chasing toward Ashveil in the distance. One after another, the frozen pillars slowed under the charm's magic, layers of frost petrifying and flaking away until they disintegrated into shards that fell from the heavens.
Aokiji's expression darkened.
"Hancock… that woman is a troublesome one!"
---
Meanwhile, Tokikake and Fujitora's combined slash met the blades of Hawkeye Mihawk and Flower Sword Vista.
The air trembled as the four powers collided, creating a storm of energy. Sword auras crisscrossed through the sky, slicing through the clouds and even the distant warships below.
Several Marine ships were pierced clean through, their hulls split before sinking beneath the waves.
Yet the Moby Dick, shielded by Ashveil's Conqueror's Haki, stood untouched amidst the chaos.
From the rear, the Gorosei narrowed their eyes.
"Personnel below Rear Admiral rank are forbidden from approaching within three kilometers," one of them commanded coldly.
Sengoku sighed heavily as he watched the clash from afar.
"Just a little more… if there had been a few more strikes, Ashveil would've been injured," he muttered regretfully.
But then, the crimson aura of Ashveil's Conqueror's Haki flared once more, restoring the barrier around the Moby Dick.
Kaido's growl echoed from across the field.
"You idiots! Just a little more and it would've ended! The Marines are truly useless!"
Kizaru's face twitched.
"What was that, Kaido? You think the rest of us are just here for decoration?"
"Enough!" Sengoku barked, his glasses flashing white. "This isn't the time for internal squabbling."
He turned his gaze briefly toward the five figures seated behind him—the Gorosei. His brows furrowed. Were these old men really planning to keep watching?
---
The Five Elders, however, were calmly discussing among themselves.
"What do you think?" asked Saint Ethanbaron, the elder in a kimono, his hand resting lightly on the hilt of his katana.
"Nothing special," replied Saint Marcus, the one with white curly hair and a soft beard. "If not for the Whitebeard Pirates' interference, they would've already broken through Ashveil's defense."
"Hmph, indeed," said Saint Jaygarcia, the scar-faced elder. "If any two of us moved, we could end this quickly. Imu-sama worries too much."
Across the world, viewers watching through Den Den Mushi were left stunned.
"Unbelievable… this war is overflowing with monsters! That young man, Ashveil, is facing all these legends!"
"The World Government is shameless! So many against one man!"
---
Somewhere far away, Red-Haired Shanks frowned.
"The Gorosei haven't even joined the fight, and Ashveil's defenses are already cracking? Seems I overestimated him… The Government's chance of victory might be over eighty percent."
Beckman nodded. "Eight hundred years of accumulation… it won't fall easily."
---
In the shadows of another island, the Revolutionary leader Dragon exhaled softly.
"Although Ashveil is strong, the Whitebeard Pirates have already lost this war."
Ivankov protested, eyes wide. "But he's still standing against them all!"
Dragon shook his head. "It's useless. Even he can't resist if all the World Government's forces decide to strike."
---
Back on the battlefield, one of the Gorosei picked up a Transponder Snail.
"Ashveil, stop this meaningless struggle," Saint Jaygarcia's voice boomed. "You should know you can't resist us for long."
Ashveil yawned, almost bored. They hadn't even seen him fight yet, and they were already sure he'd lose? How premature.
He picked up the amplifier Transponder Snail from the Whitebeard Pirates' deck.
"Hey, Old men," he drawled lazily, "your mission this time—it's to kill me, right?"
He smiled faintly. "Let the Whitebeard Pirates go. I'll fight you alone. How about it?"
The Gorosei exchanged amused glances. So the young man had run out of options? Willing to die alone to protect his allies—how noble… and how foolish.
They answered almost gleefully.
"Agreed, Ashveil. You're surprisingly sensible," Saint Ethanbaron said.
---
On the Moby Dick, protests erupted immediately.
"Ashveil, we can't just abandon you!" Marco shouted.
Hawkeye Mihawk's eyes glinted coldly.
"You gave me back my fighting spirit. I won't turn my back on you, Ashveil. If we die, we die together—perhaps we'll continue our duel in the underworld."
"Gurarara!" Whitebeard's laughter rumbled like thunder. "Brat, I've long stopped fearing death! Let's break through together!"
Ashveil rolled his eyes.
"Pfft… don't jinx it. I wasn't planning on dying, but if you keep saying that, maybe I will."
Especially Mihawk, that deadpan swordsman—why was he acting like a ghost clinging to him already? Just the thought gave Ashveil chills.
The truth was simple: he didn't want his full power to harm the Whitebeard Pirates by accident.
---
"I'm saying, I just can't go all out with you guys around," Ashveil said calmly. "Old man, you believe me, right?"
Whitebeard looked at him, seeing the steady determination in those calm eyes.
Ashveil's tone softened. "Don't worry. I'm not that weak."
The United Army frowned, watching from a distance. They couldn't hear the conversation, but it looked like a farewell.
To them, it was foolish self-sacrifice. Once Ashveil fell, the World Government would surely annihilate the rest.
---
"Alright, it's a deal then, Gorosei!" Ashveil shouted, grinning.
Before he left, Whitebeard patted his shoulder. "Ashveil, we'll stay within five kilometers. If anything happens, we'll come for you!"
Ashveil...
______
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