"Mm, as soon as possible!"
After hanging up the call.
Shano put away the Radio Snail, looked up at Saint Nusjuro still locked in fierce battle in the distance, and snorted coldly: "Count yourself lucky."
If he hadn't noticed this whole conspiracy and freed up his hands, his first target would've been to take care of this eyesore of an old man in a kimono.
But now…
He had to rush to Sphinx immediately!
He had to stop it in time!
After all, from a public standpoint.
If Whitebeard really fell into darkness, his stamina restored to peak form, and on top of that Kizaru joined as fresh combat strength, it would undoubtedly have a huge impact on the battlefield!
And in private.
This old man might be stubborn as hell, but among Pirates he was one of the rare real men, one of the few Shano could actually respect, and the relationship between their crews had always been pretty good.
There's no way he should be the one to die!
The original world line where he died at Marineford had already been completely changed by him, and yet in the end, if Whitebeard instead got corrupted early and then was beaten to death by his own hands a few years ahead of schedule, that would be way too absurd!
Shano's eyes went cold, his right foot starting to stomp down and charge power.
If remnants of the old era can't keep up with the ship of the new generation, they can just obediently roll to the second line and retire in peace!
Why the hell make him die in front of his sons, what's that supposed to be!
"Glutinous Rice Cake!"
Shano suddenly looked up and roared toward Angewomon in the sky:
"I'm leaving this to you and Kuina for now! I'll be back after a quick trip, if the situation over there changes, I'll call you over!"
The next instant!
Boom!
The ground exploded open as Shano's figure shot up from the earth, his speed breaking the sound barrier in an instant, layer after layer of sonic boom clouds blasting open in the sky.
The Aerial Dance Skill at maximum intensity!
Whoosh!
The tens of thousands on the battlefield only saw a streak of black-and-red light flash over their heads, and when they looked up again, that figure had already vanished at the edge of the sky like a shooting star.
"Eh? Master?"
Angewomon only had time to let out a startled cry before there was nothing left in her field of vision but a tiny black dot.
So fast!
Saint Nusjuro also noticed this scene and couldn't help being shocked.
This monster was strong in every aspect, not only was his Power terrifying and his body incredibly tough, his speed was also unexpectedly fast!
However…
Hmph, even so, he still couldn't possibly make it in time. At this speed, to reach Sphinx Island would take at least over half an hour.
And Whitebeard had already set off more than an hour ago; by now he should be just about to reach that land…
Shano rushing over at this point actually saved them some effort; after all, their master was just acting on a whim, wanting to enjoy a little cricket fight.
The two crickets had both entered the ring already.
As for where they fought, that sort of thing didn't matter at all, hehe…
Saint Nusjuro's lips slowly curled up.
......
A fine drizzle fell over Sphinx Island.
This remote island at the edge of the New World clearly had very limited geographic conditions, yet it was completely different from most poor and desolate borderlands.
Looking around.
Verdant wheat fields swayed in the light rain, dotted with scattered farmhouses, forming a pastoral scene.
The town in the center might not be bustling, but it was clean and orderly, peaceful and tranquil.
From time to time kids could be seen running barefoot through the rain, playing and chasing, and many elders sat under the eaves chatting about everyday life.
Here, there was no hunger, no war, no oppression.
Because this island…
Was the homeland a man called "Whitebeard," Edward Newgate, had sworn to guard with his life in silence!
Navy Grand Admiral Kizaru was at this moment leaning against the highest clock tower in town, looking down at this small island with a complicated expression.
"What a place that's really easy to fall in love with."
He raised his right arm, sighing softly to the Radio Snail on his wrist, "Marshal, do we really have to stick to the plan? To destroy such a beautiful place like this, feels a bit of a waste…"
The Radio Snail's expression suddenly turned sinister, staring hard at Kizaru as it spat out a cold, aged voice:
"Borsalino! This is a direct order from the Five Elders! As a Navy Grand Admiral, all you need to do is follow orders. Put away those pointless feelings of sympathy!"
"Such a scary expression~"
Kizaru curled his lips, "Destroying the town is one thing, but there seem to be a lot of children here too, there's no need to drag them in as well, right…"
"Have you forgotten the orders you received! You are to ensure with absolute certainty that Whitebeard falls into a state of uncontrollable rage!"
The Radio Snail cut him off sharply, "Whitebeard is an orphan! He had no home of his own since childhood! If not for that, you could have simply targeted his family. But now, that man is utterly alone with no attachments, so what are you haggling over? If you don't use every method we have, how can you ensure his emotions completely collapse!"
Kizaru fell silent.
The rain drifted through the air, and at some point fine droplets had gathered on his gold-rimmed glasses, blurring the lenses so that it was impossible to see what expression lay on that deeply wrinkled face.
"Understood."
He finally spoke, "Please don't worry, I'll do as ordered, Marshal."
The call ended.
Kizaru turned his head back, giving the town one last look, then turned into a beam of laser light and appeared at the harbor. His Observation had already been spread out long ago, and at this moment he could faintly sense—
Two extremely powerful presences were racing toward this place!
There was movement in his field of vision as well.
That blue flame—must be Marco, right?
As for that massive figure hanging beneath him…
Kizaru took off his glasses, wiped away the mist, then put them back on and smiled.
"You're finally here, Newgate…"
————
"A little faster, Marco!"
Whitebeard bellowed, the wind and rain growing heavier, blowing his cloak off at some point, leaving only his shirt flapping wildly.
"Got it, Pops!"
In the howling storm, Marco's Phoenix gritted his teeth, his wings bursting with dazzling blue flames as his speed climbed once more!
Just like that, after a few more flaps.
The outline of Sphinx Island finally came faintly into view in the distance, but before Whitebeard could show any joy, his pupils suddenly shrank—
He saw a blinding golden pillar of light erupt straight up from the direction of the harbor, followed by deafening explosions.
Boom!
Boom!
Boom!
The entire town collapsed amid continuous golden flashes, the wheat fields erupting in flames, the clock tower crashing down.
The cries of children and the screams of residents were swallowed by the explosions, as billowing thick smoke, flecked with sparks, shot straight into the sky.
"Ki! Za! Ru!!!"
A roar of fury and despair tore through the curtain of rain in an instant, echoing along the entire coastline!
"You're really late, I've been waiting here for quite a while, Whitebeard."
Kizaru's voice floated over, soft and eerie. He licked at his lower lip and raised his fingertip, "So, how is it, this welcome ceremony prepared especially for you—are you satisfied?"
"Yasakani no Magatama!"
Shu shu shu!
Golden light exploded again.
Hundreds and thousands of golden light bullets poured down like a torrential rain, but just as they were about to hit, they were swallowed by the massive fissures that suddenly cracked open in the space around them.
Gripping Murakumogiri, Whitebeard, already in a rage, released his hand from the Phoenix he was holding and leapt down with a Moonwalk, Murakumogiri entwined with black and red lightning as he brought it crashing down!
"Die for me!!!"
Kizaru shrugged and used Elementalization to instantaneously dodge, the ground where he had been standing cleaved into a trench a thousand meters long.
But Whitebeard didn't pursue; instead he used the momentum to land on the ground, eyes bloodshot as he charged toward the burning town!
The Phoenix Marco in the sky hurriedly followed.
Compared to teaching a lapdog a lesson, saving people was more important!
However.
Just as Whitebeard was about to pass Kizaru and rush into the sea of flames—
Boom!!!
A streak of black-and-red lightning suddenly tore open the clouds, a long-haired dark figure dropping from the sky, his right fist wrapped in terrifying Haki Entanglement lightning.
Then, under Kizaru's stunned gaze, he suddenly threw a punch at Whitebeard!
"Wait for me outside the island, Newgate, I'll handle things here!"
Shano shouted sharply.
Rumble!
Whitebeard only heard that one line, then something seemed to be forcibly stuffed into his hand.
Immediately after, his massive body was blasted straight through a mountain, smashing countless rocks as he was sent flying directly toward the sea several kilometers away…