212: The Power of the ‘Calamity from the Skies’

"Looks like we've completely enraged him."

Vice Admiral Tsuru crossed her arms as she gazed into the distance, watching Whitebeard unleash his full power.

"Hmph, but how long can a body like his sustain that kind of strength?"

Sengoku narrowed his eyes, then turned to the two executioners beside him.

"Ignore him. Proceed with the execution immediately."

"Yes, sir!"

The two executioners lifted their long blades, preparing to bring them down on Ace.

"ACE!!!"

Luffy, entangled in battle with the Marines, roared in desperation.

"Damn it!"

Sabo was equally unable to stay calm. His Armament Haki-coated Dragon Claw Fist tore through the surrounding Marines, sending them flying with devastating force.

Jinbe, Ivankov, and those behind them—Zoro, Sanji—all fought with everything they had.

Yet no matter how hard they tried to break through, the execution platform was still nearly a hundred meters away.

"Damn it! How long are you planning to keep me here?!"

Marco roared furiously at Fujitora, who remained unfazed. The blind Admiral simply held his cane-sword in front of him, unmoving.

Meanwhile, Jozu, having broken free from Aokiji's ice, was now being entangled by Moria and his legion of zombie soldiers, unable to escape for the moment.

Vista was locked in battle with Onigumo.

The other commanders of the Whitebeard Pirates were similarly engaged in fierce combat, too far from the execution stand to intervene.

"ACE!!!"

Whitebeard's eyes glowed red with fury. His massive arms bulged as he swung his naginata, unleashing a world-shaking quake slash toward the encircling walls.

A devastating shockwave erupted from his blade!

It tore through the battlefield, soared over the frozen bay, and crashed against the towering encirclement wall.

Before the stunned eyes of countless Marines, the devastating quake exploded in the sky near the execution platform.

BOOM!!!

The force of the tremor rippled outward, shaking the entire battlefield!

The earth quaked violently!

The execution platform trembled. Cracks ran like spiderwebs through the ground, the platform itself, the high stand behind it, and even the walls surrounding the bay.

The two executioners staggered from the impact, their blades pausing mid-swing.

The elite Marines blocking Luffy and the others were thrown into disarray, many toppling over, dizzy from the tremor.

"Now's our chance!"

Jinbe's eyes flashed with determination.

Without hesitation, Sabo launched forward, smashing aside a Marine Vice Admiral with his Dragon Claw Fist. Then, he grabbed Luffy and leaped high into the air, aiming to bypass the blockade entirely.

"Not so fast!"

A Marine Rear Admiral, a master of the Six Powers, suddenly appeared midair in front of them, his fist crashing down!

"Fishman Karate—Mighty Fist!"

Jinbe struck back with a devastating punch, sending the Marine Rear Admiral hurtling away.

"I won't let you stop them!"

Ivankov declared, stepping forward and charging into the Marine ranks.

"Newkama Kenpo: Miracle Hormone Burst!...!"

"Laser Treatment Punch!!!"

His body spun like a whirlwind, launching a barrage of blows that sent Marines flying in all directions.

"Three-Sword Style—Three Thousand Worlds!"

"Hellfire Kick!"

Zoro and Sanji joined the fray, relentlessly cutting down any Marine who dared to stand in their way.

With Jinbe, Ivankov, and the others clearing a path, Sabo carried Luffy, bursting past the Marine blockade. They landed right in front of the execution platform.

Only three figures remained between them and Ace.

Garp.

Aramaki.

Gion.

"Grandpa..."

"Garp-san..."

Garp looked at the two young men before him, his expression complicated.

"I have to give you credit for making it this far."

"Sabo… and Luffy."

Then, with a deep breath, he clenched his fists. His sharp gaze locked onto them.

"But this is where it ends. Don't expect me to let you pass."

Sabo and Luffy exchanged glances before nodding firmly.

Side by side, they faced Garp, their eyes blazing with unwavering resolve.

"Even if you're our grandfather, Garp..."

"Even if you're Garp the Hero..."

"We will save Ace!!!"

On the execution platform, Ace looked down at them. His eyes burned with emotion, his heart swelling with indescribable feelings.

"Luffy… Sabo..."

Luffy and Sabo had already reached the execution platform, standing face-to-face with Garp.

Meanwhile, Ron was still on the frozen sea beneath the encircling walls, holding his Bloodmoon Blade, strolling forward leisurely.

Neither Marines nor pirates dared to approach him.

Amidst the chaotic battlefield, an eerie, empty circle moved along with him.

Not far behind—

Mihawk swung his sword.

The massive black blade, Yoru, clashed against Kuina's Wadō Ichimonji!

The frozen sea beneath them trembled and cracked, with countless fissures spiderwebbing outward.

Dark green sword energy and golden sword aura collided, dissipated, and scattered in all directions.

A thin line of blood appeared on Kuina's cheek, cut by the razor-sharp sword aura. A flicker of struggle and exertion flashed in her eyes.

In contrast, Mihawk remained composed, as calm as ever.

After this clash—

Kuina did not press the attack.

She had already sensed the overwhelming gap between them.

"Although you are a woman and naturally lack the raw strength of men, your speed and explosive power are extremely rare," Mihawk said, standing tall with Yoru in hand, gazing at her with those hawk-like eyes.

"If you continue down this path, one day, you may reach that place."

With that—

Mihawk turned and walked away.

"That place…"

Kuina murmured softly.

"Kuina."

A familiar voice called from behind.

She turned to see Robin, Conis, and Bonney approaching, with the massive cloud fox Su padding beside them.

"Where are Enzo and Carrot?" Kuina asked as she sheathed her sword.

"Knowing that brat, he's definitely looking for a strong opponent to fight," Bonney huffed, crossing her arms.

"Carrot's probably with him."

"Will they be alright?"

"They should be fine," Robin said with a small smile.

"Ron is keeping an eye on them."

Kuina nodded. "That's true."

"Come on, let's regroup with the captain," Conis said, smiling as she walked beside Kuina.

The four of them and the cloud fox moved together, heading toward Ron.

"It's the Calamity from the Skies!"

A Marine soldier spotted them.

"Enemies—attack!"

A Marine officer wielding a long blade shouted, rallying the surrounding elite Marines, who immediately raised their rifles and unleashed a rain of bullets.

"Steel Wall."

Conis flicked her wrist.

A liquid-like, black metallic substance surged forth, forming a semi-circular barrier, blocking every single bullet.

Realizing that firearms were ineffective, the Marine officer charged forward with his troops, blades drawn.

Conis, her golden hair cascading behind her, raised her gloved right hand, pointed at them, and smiled.

"Iron Thorns – Storm Dance!"

In an instant, the semi-circular steel wall transformed into countless razor-sharp spikes, shooting forward like a torrential rain of death!

The Marines' eyes widened in horror.

"Everyone, get behind me!"

The Marine officer roared.

"Iron Body!"

He braced himself, his entire body hardening with Iron Body and Armament Haki, attempting to withstand the onslaught of razor-sharp spikes.

Kuina's gaze remained icy and focused as her hand moved to the hilt of Wadō Ichimonji at her waist.

"One-Sword Style: Swift Blade…!"

"Azure Dragon!"

Under the horrified gazes of the surrounding Marines, a sword slash shaped like a soaring azure dragon cut through the air, sending the Marine officer flying backward. A deep, gaping wound tore across his chest, and blood sprayed like a fountain.

The elite Marines behind him were also blown away by the sheer force of her sword pressure.

"Damn it!"

A Giant Vice Admiral roared upon witnessing the scene. He swung his massive battle-axe down toward Kuina and the others with a howling gust of wind.

Robin's eyes narrowed. She crossed her arms before her chest, and flower petals danced in the air.

"Thousand Flowers—Giant Tree!"

"W-What?!"

Two gigantic arms sprouted from the Giant Vice Admiral's own body, wrapping around his neck and locking him in place.

He struggled, but his movements came to a halt.

In a blur, Bonney dashed beneath him and pressed her palm against his massive foot.

Her Devil Fruit ability activated.

"Age Advancement!"

The once-mighty Giant Vice Admiral, who was in his prime, withered and shrank into a frail, elderly giant, his hands trembling as he struggled to hold onto his weapon.

Bonney folded her arms and smirked as she looked up at him.

"No matter how strong you are… once you're old, you're done."

"D-Damn it…!"

The aged Vice Admiral let out a furious, unwilling roar and swiped at Bonney with a shaky hand.

But she effortlessly dodged, stepping aside with ease.

"Let's go."

Robin's calm voice cut through the moment.

They continued forward, leaving behind a battlefield littered with fallen Marines—and a helpless, elderly giant struggling to stand.

Watching this unfold, many Whitebeard Pirates looked at them in awe and fear.

"That's Ron's Crew…"

"They're monsters too…"

"As expected of his crew…"

…

Meanwhile, on another battlefield—

"ORA!"

Enzo's Armament Haki-enhanced fist smashed into Vice Admiral Dalmatian's incoming punch.

A shockwave erupted upon impact.

One was a master of AramamentHaki, Observation Haki, and Eight-Impact Fist.

The other was a Marine Vice Admiral skilled in both Haki and the Six Powers' techniques.

Both fought at equal strength, exchanging rapid, ferocious blows!

"Enzo, punch that human right in the face! Yes—right there!"

Carrot cheered excitedly from the sidelines, thoroughly enjoying the fight.

Several Marines, believing her to be part of Ron's Crew, attempted to attack her.

But Carrot's agility was unmatched. Her lightning-fast movements and mastery of Observation Haki allowed her to dodge effortlessly—none of the Marines could even touch her.

…

Elsewhere—

"Tch… those guys…"

Ron's Observation Haki, covering the entirety of Marineford, allowed him to sense everything happening. A smile played at his lips.

"With my crew making such a grand spectacle… I can't just stand around doing nothing."

He lifted his gaze.

A glint of crimson light flickered deep within his ocean-blue eyes.

And then—

A storm of power erupted from his body, shaking the very battlefield!

Conqueror's Haki.

Stage III.

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