In an instant, the vast, surging sea was frozen solid!
The Moby Dick was directly trapped by the ice, unable to move.
"Pops!"
Marco struggled to get up. Although seriously injured, being able to transform into a Phoenix reduced the pain, which was a good thing.
However, he couldn't maintain his Phoenix form indefinitely; otherwise, he'd collapse from exhaustion before his injuries healed, which would be counterproductive.
"I sense it. It's that brat Aokiji."
"And there's also a familiar aura!"
Whitebeard, with Marco in his Phoenix form, walked out from the ship's cabin, his gaze fixed on the distance!
"Gurara-ra-ra! Is this how you Marines greet people?"
His hearty laughter rang out. He had long anticipated that the Marine would not allow him to move freely, and this battle was within his expectations.
However, he hadn't expected the Marine to ambush them.
"Could it be that brat Akainu?"
Besides Akainu, it seemed no one else would take the initiative to attack him. Sengoku and the others' opinions were, at most, to defend.
"Oh, how scary, the strongest man in the world!"
Yellow light flickered into existence, its dazzling rays shining down upon the Moby Dick.
He crossed his arms over his chest and shouted,
"Yasakani no Magatama!"
Countless light bullets rained down from the sky towards the Moby Dick, like falling rain.
"Pops!"
Marco looked on worriedly and was about to fly up to intercept them, but a large hand blocked his path.
Vista and Jozu also moved to block, but both were stopped by Whitebeard's single hand, halting their advance!
"Don't panic!"
Murakumogiri appeared in Whitebeard's hand, its blade enveloped by white vibration waves.
He exerted force with a single hand, merely swinging one arm gently forward!
The atmosphere in the sky shattered, and powerful vibration waves, carrying energy, directly dispersed the countless Yasakani no Magatama in the sky!
Not a single bit of damage was inflicted upon the Moby Dick!
"Ooh!"
"Pops!"
Immediately, cheers erupted. Pops was still the invincible Pops!
"Damn it!"
Doflamingo, bound by Sea Stone, watched this scene with a sinister expression.
He had just witnessed the clash between Red Hair and Whitebeard, and now he was forced to watch Whitebeard fight the Marine again!
This was simply an insult!
At this moment, Esdeath and the others also arrived in the sky, looking down at Whitebeard on the Moby Dick.
"You!"
Marco excitedly stretched out an arm and pointed at Esdeath, saying to Whitebeard, "Pops! It's this woman!"
Even the usually good-tempered Marco was enraged. It would have been better if this person had just killed him directly back then; his wound still hurt!
And he had dragged Pops down!
Hearing Marco's voice, Jozu and the others glared furiously at Esdeath. This was the person who had injured Marco!
"Is it you? Little girl!"
Whitebeard's voice betrayed no emotion as he quietly looked at Esdeath, making people feel an inexplicable pressure.
"Oh? It's you."
She glanced at Marco's current mental state; his face was pale, and even with the wrapping of the immortal blue flame, he didn't seem to have much energy.
It seemed the damage she inflicted was quite significant. Then, her eyes immediately fell upon Doflamingo, who was looking at her with a cannibalistic gaze.
How did this guy get caught?
When did this happen? Why wasn't this part in the plot?
Did Whitebeard and Doflamingo have some unknown 'py' transaction? Learned something new!
"Little girl, heal Marco, and I can let bygones be bygones!"
Murakumogiri spun twice in his hand before he slammed it heavily onto the bow of the Moby Dick, his voice brimming with endless fury.
"Sorry, I don't bury those I kill. But if you defeat me, I can tell you two ways to treat your son."
Esdeath spread her hands, speaking truthfully; she really couldn't heal him.
Whitebeard, angered to the point of laughter, roared, "Gurara-ra-ra, little girl, do you mean to challenge me to a duel?"
Hearing Esdeath's words, not only Zephyr panicked, but Aokiji and Kizaru also looked at Esdeath in surprise.
This was not a good idea.
The strongest man in the world was no joke!
Esdeath, in their impression, wasn't the type to foolishly rush up and duel others. What was going on?
"Esdeath!"
Zephyr couldn't help but speak, wanting to advise Esdeath. Although Esdeath was very strong now, she was still not enough in front of that man.
Perhaps in the future...
"Relax, you guys are here."
"I just want to test the gap between myself and that man!"
Hyōrinmaru was drawn from its sheath, its tip pointing directly at Whitebeard!
She wondered if Bankai would be a match for Whitebeard!
According to the original work, Hyōrinmaru would definitely crush Whitebeard, but how much of that power could she unleash?
Hearing Esdeath's words, Zephyr and the other two retreated, while Whitebeard also jumped off the Moby Dick. The commanders behind him watched Zephyr and the others with menacing gazes.
They feared the Marine might play a trick!
The battlefield was left to Esdeath and Whitebeard!
"Gurara-ra-ra, little girl, I'll grant your wish. Don't blame me if you die!"
Although his voice was full of arrogance, Esdeath would not believe that Whitebeard was an arrogant person.
On the contrary, Whitebeard was a very intelligent man!
Esdeath's guess was correct!
Whitebeard had already learned about Esdeath from Marco, and he also knew that Esdeath was somewhat strange.
Even now, Marco hadn't figured out how he was attacked by Esdeath, and he specifically reminded Whitebeard to be 100% wary of Esdeath's blade.
Therefore, from the very beginning, Whitebeard had been staring at Esdeath's Hyōrinmaru without any slack.
He wanted to see how strange this weapon was to be able to injure his beloved son!
"The pleasure is all mine!"
Putting aside their identities, Whitebeard, whether in terms of strength, character, or charisma, was worthy of affirmation.
Otherwise, it would be impossible for so many people to willingly call Whitebeard 'Pops'!
"Teacher Zephyr, are you just going to watch your beloved disciple go to her death?"
Kizaru looked at Zephyr in confusion. This kind of battle was not something they could interrupt even if they wanted to.
Even if they wanted to intervene and save her, they might not be able to. The other division commanders were not idlers; they were still watching them from not too far away.
While they could deal with them, it wouldn't be an easy task.
"Shut up, I believe in Esdeath!"
"Hai hai..."
He should have kept his mouth shut. He cared about others and got scolded. Just watch quietly; Esdeath is not that simple of a person!
Aokiji's entire body was tense, ready to rescue Esdeath in time. This was a new hope for the Marine!
The Whitebeard Pirates looked at Aokiji with some curiosity.
Hadn't Marco said that Aokiji was dead? What was going on now?
Not only was he not dead, but he also looked full of vigor...
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