A Gravely Wounded Whitebeard!

The immense commotion caused by Sanders' Thunderfire Dragon shook the heavens and the earth, catching even Akainu and Marco's attention.

The violent explosion created a massive airwave that stirred up towering tsunamis on the sea, as if a storm had descended.

The waves surged, colossal crests reaching the heavens, tossing both Marco's flagship and Akainu's fleet into chaos, rocking them unsteadily.

Both Akainu and Marco's expressions shifted as they instinctively ceased their fight. They exchanged heavy glances, their eyes filled with unease, before focusing on the battlefield between Whitebeard and Sanders.

Strong Observation Haki spread out from the two of them, attempting to gather any clues.

"Damn it! Why is there no movement anymore?"

Hovering in mid-air, Marco's face grew increasingly dark.

Earlier, his Observation Haki could clearly sense the fierce battle between his father and Sanders. But now, everything was eerily quiet.

This silence was particularly unsettling.

The previous fight between the two was so intense that even those with Observation Haki could detect its reverberations from dozens of miles away.

And now? Not even the faintest sound.

Marco was deeply worried about his father.

Before this, Whitebeard had been at a disadvantage in his clash with Sanders.

Could it be that his father had been defeated?

The thought crept into Marco's mind, but he quickly shook his head, trying to cast it aside.

Yet no matter how hard he suppressed his fears, the idea of his father's defeat took root like a seed, growing uncontrollably in his mind.

"You all leave first; I'll hold off the Marines!"

Clenching his teeth, Marco looked at his comrades aboard the flagship and spoke firmly.

Though deeply worried about his father, Marco knew that his most immediate priority was stopping the Marine Admiral, Akainu.

His father still had Vista and the others by his side; they should be able to handle things.

Even if Whitebeard had truly lost, Vista and the others could at least help him retreat safely.

But if the Marines were allowed through, it would be a disaster.

Akainu would never miss an opportunity to strike a devastating blow against the Whitebeard Pirates.

"Marco, what about you?" a pirate on the flagship asked anxiously.

"Don't worry about me—just go!" Marco shouted before taking off toward Akainu.

As a flier, he could retreat with ease if the situation became too dangerous.

"Alright, but be careful!"

Without hesitation, the pirates aboard the flagship followed Marco's command, immediately steering the ship away.

"Seeking death!"

Watching Marco charge toward him, Akainu let out a cold snort.

Without hesitation, he launched a magma punch toward Marco, and their battle resumed once more.

Meanwhile, Crocodile and Smoker also sensed the commotion from Whitebeard's battlefield.

"Is it over already?"

"Who won?"

Crocodile, with a cigar between his lips, narrowed his eyes in the direction of Sanders.

After some thought, he issued a command to his subordinates.

"Leave this place immediately. Head for Whitebeard's location. Forget about these Marines!"

Crocodile was eager to know the outcome of the battle between Whitebeard and Sanders.

He had no interest in dealing with the Marines in front of him.

Had it not been for their interference, he would have left long ago.

Kicking Smoker aside, Crocodile leapt back onto his ship.

With his orders, his crew promptly returned to their ships and set sail toward Whitebeard's battlefield.

Smoker, clutching his chest, watched grimly as the pirates retreated.

He couldn't stop them.

Even after undergoing advanced training at Marine Headquarters, Smoker still wasn't a match for Crocodile.

At best, he could hold him off temporarily.

And with the addition of Crocodile's officers, the battle had been a one-sided onslaught.

Smoker's forces had suffered heavy casualties in the skirmish.

"Treat the injured immediately!" he barked to his remaining subordinates, frustration evident in his voice.

Smoker climbed back onto the deck, watching Crocodile's departure with unwillingness burning in his eyes.

Still not strong enough!

On the battlefield, Sanders hovered in midair, his cold gaze fixed on the approaching ships of the Whitebeard Pirates.

His Observation Haki extended deep into the sea, locking onto Whitebeard's unconscious form, now adrift in the ocean currents.

A Fish-Man was swimming rapidly toward Whitebeard—one of the members of his crew.

Seeing this, Sanders retracted his Observation Haki and slowly descended through the air.

Just then, Namuir emerged from the sea, dragging Whitebeard's massive body to the surface.

Namuir quickly checked Whitebeard's condition and exhaled in relief.

Thankfully, there was still a heartbeat. He was alive!

But before he could relax, he noticed Sanders descending toward them.

Namuir's expression turned tense and wary.

"Is there really a need to go this far, Sanders?" Namuir shouted, holding Whitebeard protectively. "You've already defeated him!"

His entire body was taut with vigilance. If Sanders made any move to attack Whitebeard, Namuir was ready to dive into the ocean with his captain, no matter how dangerous it might be for Whitebeard's current condition.

Sanders landed softly on the ocean's surface.

A sheet of ice formed beneath his feet, steadying his stance.

Under Namuir's watchful eyes, Sanders pointed a finger toward the sea beside them.

A burst of cold energy shot from his fingertip, instantly creating a sizable ice floe.

Namuir looked at Sanders in confusion.

Moments earlier, when Sanders had raised his hand, Namuir had been prepared to dive.

"Put him on there," Sanders said calmly.

"I have no grudge against Whitebeard. I don't intend to take his head."

Namuir hesitated for a moment, his gaze locked on Sanders.

Then, gritting his teeth, he placed Whitebeard onto the floating ice.

At that moment, Vista and the others arrived.

They quickly leapt onto the ice, surrounding Whitebeard with their weapons drawn, all of them watching Sanders with wary eyes.

Sanders chuckled softly, raising his hands in a non-threatening gesture.

"What do you want?" Vista asked in a deep voice, suppressing his urge to avenge Whitebeard.

For now, their captain's safety took precedence.

"Need a hand?" Sanders asked with a faint smile.

"Marco isn't here, and no one else can heal Whitebeard, right?"

He glanced briefly at Whitebeard, who was on the brink of death.

"No need—just stay away from us!"

Diamond Jozu stepped forward, positioning himself defensively.

As a Shining Fruit user, his body could transform into diamond, making him the perfect shield against any attacks.

"Are you sure?" Sanders asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Who knows when Marco will be back?"

Sanders activated his Healing Fruit powers, and his own injuries, which had been visible just moments ago, began to mend at a speed visible to the naked eye.

Within seconds, all the wounds he had sustained in his fight against Whitebeard were completely healed.

Save for the bloodstains on his clothes, Sanders looked as if he had never been in battle.

Vista, Jozu, and the others watched this display in silence, their expressions a mix of astonishment and apprehension.

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T/N:

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