168 With the Justice System

"Boom——"

Whitebeard's furious strike shook the entire sea.

The quake wave that carried the might to annihilate Marine Headquarters crashed down from above.

At that moment, Akainu, Kizaru, and Aokiji—three figures who had reached the front lines—moved decisively.

"Great Eruption!"

Akainu's right arm transformed into a ferocious magma dragon, roaring as it rushed toward the shattered sky.

"Yasakani no Magatama!"

From Kizaru's fingertips, a golden beam of light shot out, refracting through the air before striking at the weak point of the shockwave. It exploded in a dazzling burst, scattering into countless golden particles.

"Pheasant Beak!"

The freezing breath Aokiji exhaled condensed into a colossal ice bird, spreading its frozen wings as it rammed into the core of destruction.

Three Admirals. Three completely different powers. Yet in this instant, they blended with unprecedented coordination into a seamless force.

"Rumble——!!!"

A thunderous roar shattered the eardrums.

Magma, light, ice, and Whitebeard's quake power—the might that could destroy Marineford—collided violently above the headquarters.

The violent storm of energy tore the sky above Marineford apart, forming a warped energy vortex: half crimson, half icy blue, streaked with golden specks.

As the storm slowly dispersed...

The Marines' highest fighting strength had jointly blocked the furious strike of the World's Strongest Man!

Marine Headquarters—untouched!

"!!!"

"..."

On the Moby Dick, every member of the Whitebeard Pirates fell silent.

The rage on their faces froze into sheer shock.

That one strike—powerful enough to crack islands—had been blocked? Just like that?!

Ace was dead!

And yet, the Marines hadn't paid even the slightest price?!

The crushing disparity left their minds blank.

"Tap—"

Akainu slowly lowered his arm, magma dripping down.

He raised his head toward the massive figure at the bow, the corner of his mouth twisting upward.

"Heh—"

A cold, contemptuous laugh echoed clearly across every corner.

"Is that all you've got, Whitebeard?"

"The remnants of the old era truly belong in the old era!"

"!!!"

Those words were like a spark thrown into a powder keg, instantly igniting the fury of every Whitebeard Pirate.

"Bastard——!!!"

"Kill them!!"

"All hands, attack!"

"Avenge Ace!"

"Drag the Marines down with us!!!"

The captains and crew of the Whitebeard Pirates went completely mad.

Like a flood bursting through a dam, they roared as they leapt from the ship, charging straight at the Marine formations.

"...."

Whitebeard narrowed his eyes. Something was wrong—very wrong.

The Marines today seemed fully prepared, waiting for him to charge right into their trap.

But his son was dead.

No matter what the Marines had planned, they had to pay in blood!

"Gurararara——!"

He gathered power into his naginata once more, ready to strike again.

"Boom——"

A colossal magma fist roared forth, Akainu blocking his path.

"Whitebeard, you won't take another step forward!"

On another front—

"Caw—!"

Marco, in his phoenix form, let out a sharp cry.

With a flap of his wings, a blazing tail of flames trailed behind him as he dove toward the Marine formations.

But a golden figure was faster.

"Scary, scary, the immortal bird~"

Kizaru's voice rang in Marco's ear.

"Whoosh—"

No one knew when he had appeared at Marco's side, but the laser from his fingertip pierced Marco's wing, scattering blue flames.

"!!!"

Marco's heart clenched in shock.

"Armament Haki!"

Kizaru's attack carried powerful Armament Haki!

His regeneration was suppressed!

"Immortal bird, you..."

Before Kizaru could finish, his figure vanished again.

In the next instant—

A golden foot glowing with light pressed against Marco's face.

Kizaru's mocking voice followed: "...ever been kicked by light?"

"Bang——!!!"

Marco had no time to react before his world was swallowed by blinding golden radiance.

His body was sent flying.

"Well then..."

Aokiji ignored the charging pirates and walked straight toward the bay.

"According to Hawke-kun's plan..."

"Since you're here, none of you are leaving!"

He pressed his hands onto the water, and endless cold spread from him, surging out across the entire bay.

"Ice Age——!"

"Crack—"

Within mere seconds, the surrounding sea was completely frozen.

"Now, not one of you can escape!"

"Damn it——!"

Diamond Jozu roared as he charged forward, his entire body turned into glimmering diamond, like an unstoppable war chariot.

"Whoosh—"

Aokiji flickered, appearing right in front of Jozu. His right hand gently pressed against Jozu's shoulder.

"Ice Time!"

"Crackle crackle crackle——"

The ultimate cold spread from Jozu's diamond arm across his entire body.

The look of horror on Jozu's face was forever frozen into an ice sculpture.

Aokiji lifted his leg, ready to shatter the frozen figure completely.

"Aokiji—you brat!!!"

Sensing Jozu's peril, Whitebeard swung his naginata, unleashing a quake force across the air.

The vibrations forced Aokiji back momentarily.

"Whitebeard!!!"

"Your opponent... is me!"

Akainu's magma fist struck once more, clashing violently against Whitebeard's naginata.

"Pu—"

Whitebeard spat a mouthful of blood. His old wounds and his fury gnawed away at his aged body.

On the execution platform—

"..."

Hawke's gaze swept slowly across the battlefield.

Whitebeard was pinned by Admiral Akainu.

Marco was suppressed by Admiral Kizaru.

Jozu had lost his fighting ability to Admiral Aokiji.

The remaining captains, though strong, could not overturn the war.

"It's time."

Hawke's voice was quiet, yet carried clearly to every Marine ear.

"Zoro, Sanji, Hibari."

"Yes!"

Three figures broke away from the ranks.

"Whoosh—"

Zoro and Sanji shot forward like streaks of light, each aiming for their target.

Zoro's eyes locked on the dual-blade, elegant swordsman—Flower Sword Vista.

Sanji's target was the kimono-wearing, sharpshooting captain Izo.

"Tap—"

Hibari flashed several times, reaching the top of the execution platform. She set up her custom sniper rifle.

From above, she would wield the power of lightning to support the Marine commanders, picking off pirate officers who posed the greatest threat to ordinary soldiers—minimizing Marine casualties to the greatest extent.

Hawke's gaze returned to the crashing tides of pirates below.

The pirates' individual strength was formidable—they were warriors forged in blood and fire of the New World.

But war... was never a game of individuals.

He swung his hand sharply, his voice booming across all of Marineford:

"All forces—attack!"