"Thud."
Ace's head rolled onto the Execution Platform, making a dull sound.
His eyes were still open, filled with lingering unwillingness and despair.
Blood slowly flowed down the steps of the Execution Platform, a dazzling red in the sunlight.
Marineford Plaza.
Everyone was stunned.
The Marine Soldiers stood frozen, forgetting to raise their weapons.
The Whitebeard Pirates fell to their knees in droves, some crying, some roaring, but most stared blankly at the Execution Platform, their minds empty.
"Ace!"
Marco knelt on the ground, tears streaming down his face uncontrollably.
"Ace!"
"Ace!"
The Division Commanders let out heart-wrenching roars of grief.
Whitebeard stood rooted to the spot, as if all his strength had been drained.
The hand gripping Murakumogiri trembled, and his body trembled too.
"Ace~"
His voice was very soft, almost inaudible.
But the grief and rage erupting from within him were felt by everyone.
"Aaaahhhhhh!"
Whitebeard roared to the sky, his voice full of sorrow!
He violently swung Murakumogiri, and a surge of Tremor power burst forth!
"Rumble!"
The entire Marineford shook violently!
The ground cracked, buildings collapsed, and the sea churned with towering waves!
"Stop him!"
Sengoku shouted. The members of the God's Knights and the Three Admirals attacked simultaneously, desperately trying to suppress Whitebeard!
The members of the God's Knights and the Three Admirals attacked simultaneously, desperately trying to suppress Whitebeard!
But Whitebeard had completely lost his mind at this moment!
He swung Murakumogiri recklessly, the Tremor power pouring out like a torrential storm!
"Give him back to me!"
"Give Ace back to me!"
"Aaaahhhhhh!"
His roars echoed throughout Marineford, making everyone's hearts tremble.
Kaido stood to the side, silently watching the scene unfold.
He didn't offer help, nor did he seize the opportunity to attack.
He just stood there quietly, gripping the kanabō in his hand.
Sabaody Archipelago.
The crowd in front of the screen fell into a deathly silence.
Everyone stared blankly at the screen, unable to speak.
Fire Fist Ace!
The Second Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates!
The son of Pirate King Roger!
He just died like that?
"He's dead!"
"He's really dead!"
Someone mumbled, their voice filled with disbelief.
However, more people fell silent.
They didn't know what to say.
Should they cheer for the Marine's victory?
Or should they feel sad for Ace's death?
Marineford, Execution Platform.
Ian stood beside Ace's corpse, expressionlessly looking down at the battlefield below.
He raised his hand and lightly snapped his fingers.
"Snap!"
The barrier formed by Conqueror's Haki instantly dissipated.
Sengoku took a deep breath, picked up the den den mushi, and his voice boomed: "All forces, listen up!"
"Fire Fist Ace has been executed!"
"Leave no Whitebeard Pirate alive!"
"Yes!"
The Marine Soldiers roared in unison, their morale instantly soaring!
They raised their weapons and charged towards the Whitebeard Pirates again!
However, just then—
Kaido slowly walked towards Whitebeard and stood beside him.
"Whitebeard."
Kaido's voice was calm, "My condolences."
Whitebeard didn't speak, just stared intently at the Execution Platform.
Kaido raised the kanabō in his hand, faced the dense crowd of Marines, and grinned, "Next, let me vent my anger."
As soon as he finished speaking, his aura suddenly surged!
"Marine brats!"
"Are you ready to die?!"
He charged fiercely into the Marine ranks, smashing his kanabō down hard!
"Boom!"
Dozens of Marine Soldiers were instantly sent flying!
"Stop him!"
The God's Knights surrounded him again!
However, Kaido had completely gone berserk at this moment!
He swung his kanabō wildly, each strike powerful and heavy!
"Descent of Three Worlds: Great Dragon Blight!"
"Thunder Bagua!"
"Roaring Thunder Bagua!"
One move after another, giving his opponents no chance to breathe!
The members of the God's Knights were suppressed by Kaido's wild assault!
"Damn it!"
Shamrock gritted his teeth, "This guy's gone crazy!"
However, Kaido completely ignored him.
He just kept swinging his kanabō, venting all his anger on the Marines!
In the plaza, the corpses piled up.
Blood flowed like a river.
The entire Marineford was stained red.
Whitebeard stood rooted to the spot, quietly watching the scene.
There was no sorrow in his eyes, no anger.
Only a dead silence.
"Pops..."
Marco struggled to crawl beside him, "We..."
Whitebeard didn't speak.
He just raised his head and looked at Ian.
Ian looked down at the entire battlefield from above.
Their gazes met in the air.
Whitebeard suddenly smiled.
"Gurararara..."
His laughter was soft, but it sent a chill down everyone's spine.
"Saint Ian!"
Whitebeard gripped Murakumogiri and pointed it at the sky! "This era will not end with Ace's death!"
"On the contrary!"
"It's just beginning!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Whitebeard violently plunged Murakumogiri into the ground!
"Rumble!"
Terrifying Tremor power erupted from beneath the ground!
The entire Marineford began to shake violently!
The ground cracked, and buildings collapsed!
"This is bad!"
"He's going to destroy Marineford!"
Sengoku's expression changed dramatically!
However, it was already too late.
Whitebeard exerted all his strength, pushing the Tremor-Tremor Fruit's ability to its limit!
"Gurararara!"
"My brats!"
"The future of this world!"
"I leave it to you all!"
His voice echoed throughout Marineford!
The next second—
"Boom!"
The entire island of Marineford split in half!