"What's the panic!"
Akainu barked sternly, his eyes fixed on the Pirate Ship drawing nearer, yet a menacing smile crept at the corner of his mouth:
"Perfect timing! Isn't it? Saves me the trouble of seeking them out! Hmph, pass the order down, all ships go into battle mode, aim the cannons at the Moby Dick, and give it to me—"
"Fire at will!!!"
With Akainu's command, dozens of ships quickly completed their preparations, and the next moment, they all raised their cannons toward the five White Whale Giant Ships.
BOOM!!!
The deafening sound of cannon fire instantly resonated throughout the entire sea!
However.
Just as the barrage of cannonballs was about to hit the Moby Dick.
"Gurararara!!!"
A hearty laughter came from the back of the deck.
"Navy, how could I let your cannonballs..."
Following that, a figure far larger than any ordinary man suddenly leaped to the prow, his right fist clenched, and he fiercely punched the air before him!
"Harm my beloved sons!"
CRACK!
As if breaking a mirror, a terrifying shockwave erupted, causing all incoming cannonballs to explode in mid-air!
Turning into countless fragments, sinking into the ocean.
And the residual shockwave then swept toward the Navy Fleet like a hurricane, unleashing tumultuous waves that caused several ships to rock violently, and the soldiers on deck struggled to stand, crying out in alarm.
"Oh oh oh oh, that's our old man!"
"Scared witless, aren't you, Navy!"
Meanwhile, the deck of the White Whale Giant Ships echoed with cheers of high morale.
"Whitebeard!!!"
Akainu's pupils contracted as he looked up at the giant man standing on the prow, holding a Great Glaive.
Is this the destructive power of the Quake-Quake Fruit?
On the sea, a casual strike can render the Navy's artillery superiority completely nullified!
"All hands, be prepared!"
Akainu shouted harshly, "Adjust formation, prepare for boarding combat!"
"Gurarara... you little brat, if memory serves, you're called Sakazuki, right."
Whitebeard stood on the prow, looking down at Akainu from a distance, his gaze shifting downward to the empty sleeve, and he grinned:
"Seems like that Shano punk's lesson in the North Sea wasn't deep enough for you..."
"Lost an arm, yet you dare to cause trouble on my turf; you Navy really learn nothing from a beating!"
These words were like a slap in Akainu's face!
His expression instantly darkened, veins bulged on his forehead, and his remaining left arm suddenly turned into lava.
"Shano's account, I'll settle with him one day, as for you, Whitebeard, mere relics of the old era..."
Akainu spoke coldly, "With one foot already in the grave, don't boast big in front of me!"
"Meteor Volcano!!!"
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Countless lava fists surged into the sky, dyeing the entire heavens crimson, then quickly fell down, like the apocalypse descending!
"Gurarara, lava brat, is this all you've got?"
Whitebeard glanced up, witnessed the scene, but was unfazed, laughing heartily as he temporarily set Murakumogiri aside, his left fist first drawn back to the limit, then thrust fiercely at the sky!
"Air-shattering A!"
With a stern shout, where the fist wind passed, the atmosphere shattered, and those lava fists crumbled into powder before getting close!
Clearly, Akainu's specialty, but the effect was similar to those earlier cannonballs.
"A few years older, and such moves wouldn't be so easily executed."
Whitebeard re-gripped Murakumogiri, laughed heartily, "Hey, Navy brats, if you were wise enough, you'd better wait another decade or two before coming to provoke me!"
"Hmph, merely an appetizer! Don't get too cocky, Whitebeard!"
Akainu snorted coldly, his figure suddenly disappeared from its place, treading Moonwalk into the air, while shouting orders back:
"Aramaki, remember Plan Two, it's on you!"
This old bloke's state is evidently maintained better than anticipated; forcing the fleet through at sea would easily be caught by the Quake-Quake Fruit's waves, leading to ships wrecked, men perished.
That's likely why the opponent left his territory, choosing to ambush here in advance!
For the Navy, a naval battle is inadvisable!
We must change the terrain, turning this war to a ground engagement!
"Ah, understood!"
Ryokugyu's face was solemn, without hesitation, he bent down and pressed his hands fiercely on the deck, shouted deeply:
"Deep Forest Emergence!"
BOOM——
Countless thick green vines burst forth, spreading rapidly in all directions.
In the blink of an eye.
These vines not only entwined the bottom of Navy ships, stabilizing them as if on land but also covered the surrounding sea for several kilometers, creating an immense green vegetation.
And Ryokugyu himself, unnoticed, using the vines' cover, transformed into a green shadow, charging fiercely at Whitebeard!
"A mere remnant of the old era dares to be arrogant!"
He roared furiously, his right arm completely woody, forming a sharp giant spear, entwined with Armament Haki, thrusting directly at Whitebeard's chest!
"Gurarara... a Navy rookie, eh, quite the tone!"
Whitebeard laughed loudly, facing the charging Ryokugyu, casually swung Murakumogiri.
CRACK!
The atmosphere suddenly shattered! The terrifying quake force erupted like a tide, Ryokugyu's wooden giant spear didn't even touch Whitebeard, but was forcibly shattered into two by this power!