Akainu's Stubbornness!

At sea, Akainu briefly exchanged blows with Marco before retreating to the deck of the battleship.

Being on the battleship made it difficult for him to unleash his full power, leaving him fighting in frustration. Additionally, Marco had the ability to fly, and while Akainu could use Moonwalk (Geppo), prolonged combat in the air wasn't a viable option.

Though he was willing to sacrifice his subordinates' lives—and even his own—to capture pirates, that didn't mean he was reckless. If the battleship were destroyed, was he supposed to swim back to Marineford?

"Admiral Akainu, the observers report that the Moby Dick of the Whitebeard Pirates is approaching!" a Marine Rear Admiral reported quietly as he approached Akainu.

Upon hearing this, Akainu frowned deeply.

The Moby Dick was coming?

Didn't that mean Whitebeard had won the battle?

If Whitebeard had lost, then his "sons" would now be fighting Sanders with everything they had.

In the air, Marco's expression brightened slightly. His keen Observation Haki allowed him to clearly hear the Marines' report.

Like Akainu, Marco deduced that if their father hadn't won, his brothers wouldn't be piloting the Moby Dick to support him.

Turning to look in the direction of the Moby Dick, Marco spotted a small black dot in the distance—it was indeed their ship.

But wasn't their father at a disadvantage earlier?

How had he defeated Sanders so quickly?

Given Sanders' combat performance, he didn't seem like someone who could be beaten so easily.

Although his heart was filled with doubts, Marco kept his expression neutral while observing the Marines for their next move.

"Admiral Akainu, should we retreat?"

"Fleet Admiral Sengoku has sent word that Vice Admiral Garp is already on his way with reinforcements," the Rear Admiral suggested.

With the Whitebeard Pirates' division commanders arriving one after another, there was no advantage in staying here any longer.

If they remained, the entire fleet could end up wiped out.

"Let's wait a little longer," Akainu said, squinting his eyes.

"Any news about Sanders?"

At the very least, he needed to confirm who had won and the current state of affairs.

Akainu's target here had never been Whitebeard—it was Sanders!

The Rear Admiral wasn't surprised by Akainu's refusal to leave.

Admiral Akainu was known for his relentless nature. To capture pirates, he didn't care about anyone's life, not even his own. As long as there was a chance to capture a criminal, he would press on without hesitation.

"No news of Sanders so far," the Rear Admiral replied.

"However, Rear Admiral Smoker reported observing what appeared to be the figure of Kaido of the Beasts."

"Kaido?" Akainu's eyes narrowed.

"What's he doing here? Are you certain?"

Kaido's Onigashima was quite far from this location. Furthermore, according to intelligence, the Beasts Pirates were currently occupying Whitebeard's territories. Why would Kaido appear here?

Marco's eyes flashed with understanding upon hearing this.

The Marines must have mistaken Sanders for Kaido.

After all, Marco had personally witnessed Sanders using Kaido's Devil Fruit powers.

It was natural for the Marines to confuse the two after seeing Sanders transform into a dragon.

"Rear Admiral Smoker reported seeing a massive dragon hovering above the area where Whitebeard and Sanders were fighting," the Rear Admiral explained.

Akainu lowered his head in thought before coming to a realization.

It wasn't Kaido.

The Marines' high command was already aware that Sanders possessed multiple Devil Fruit powers.

As a Marine Admiral who frequently operated in the New World, Akainu was well-informed about Sanders' capabilities.

However, the fact that Sanders had acquired yet another Mythical Zoan power was alarming.

This man was growing far too dangerous!

He had to be captured as soon as possible.

If they waited any longer and Sanders acquired even more powers, capturing him would become an impossible task.

The Rear Admiral sighed in disappointment upon seeing Akainu's lack of reaction to Kaido's supposed appearance.

He had hoped that the mention of two Yonko being present would prompt Akainu to order a retreat.

But clearly, that wasn't going to happen.

The Rear Admiral, resigned to his fate, steeled himself with a look of determination.

With two Yonko involved, their fleet stood no chance in this battle.

Perhaps today was the day he would sacrifice himself for justice.

Ever since joining the Marines, he had been prepared for such a moment—although he never imagined it would involve facing two such formidable figures from the sea.

Unbeknownst to him, Akainu was completely unaware of his subordinate's resolve. But even if he had known, he wouldn't have said much. Akainu himself had been prepared for such outcomes the moment he joined the Marines.

"You're not even curious about Kaido's arrival?" Marco called out to Akainu as he hovered in the air.

Even if there were three Marine Admirals present, they would need to tread carefully when dealing with two Yonko. Yet Akainu didn't seem fazed at all—something about that felt off.

"Kaido isn't here," Akainu said, puffing on a cigar and glancing at Marco. "That's Sanders."

"You Marines know he possesses multiple Devil Fruit abilities?" Marco asked, surprised.

But he quickly regained his composure.

After all, Sanders had once been part of the Marines. Since escaping from Impel Down, he had fought the Marines numerous times, including three battles against Admiral Aokiji.

It wasn't strange that they had learned about Sanders' unique powers.

"Tch, tch," Marco clicked his tongue.

"I really can't understand you Marines. You took a genius like that—a monster—and pushed him to the other side. Are you all idiots?" Marco said mockingly.

Even before Sanders showcased his multiple Devil Fruit abilities, he was already a prodigy among the Marines.

At a young age, he could rival vice admirals and wielded a powerful Logia-type ability.

If someone like Sanders were in another faction, they would have been treated like a treasure, perhaps even groomed as a successor.

But the Marines and the World Government? They threw him into Impel Down.

And not only did they imprison him—they allowed him to escape.

Marco couldn't understand what kind of fools were running the show in the Marine and World Government leadership.

"That's Marine business," Akainu said, his expression darkening.

"It's not for a pirate like you to criticize!"

With that, Akainu launched a magma fist at Marco.

Marco flapped his wings and narrowly dodged the attack.

After evading, Marco chuckled and said, "Akainu, are you not planning to retreat?"

"Once our father arrives, you won't even have the chance to escape."

"Whitebeard?!" Akainu sneered.

"As if mere pirates could make justice bow its head!"

"I'm a Marine! I will never fear a pirate!"

With that, Akainu leapt into the air, using Moonwalk to close the distance to Marco.

"Great Eruption!"

A surge of blazing magma erupted toward Marco like a volcanic explosion.

Marco's expression shifted as he braced himself to defend.

The Magma-Magma Fruit's offensive power was overwhelming. Even as a Mythical Zoan user known for his regeneration and defense, Marco had to take the attack seriously.

The two continued their fierce aerial battle, scattering magma that sizzled as it hit the sea, sending up plumes of white steam.

Before long, the Moby Dick arrived.

Whitebeard, with his towering and imposing figure, stood at the ship's prow.

"Gurararara!"

"Marco, are you holding up okay?"

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T/N:

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