Chapter 364: Sir Crocodile!

Whitebeard, who had been attacking relentlessly, suddenly shifted his target. The immense shockwave from his naginata veered off course—heading straight for the execution platform!

Akainu reacted instinctively, dodging immediately, while Fujitora had only just recovered from blocking the previous shockwave.

"Not good!"

By the time Akainu and Fujitora realized what was happening, it was already too late!

Wright had foreseen Whitebeard's attack. In an instant, he flashed forward, appearing between the shockwave and the execution platform, bringing his blade down in a decisive strike.

"Whitebeard! Have you started using such petty tricks now?!"

But suddenly, Wright's expression changed. His golden eyes flared with divine radiance as he turned sharply toward the execution platform.

"Watch out!"

Below the execution platform, Crocodile was still locked in battle with Enel. The clash of lightning and sand had turned the battlefield into a blinding storm.

Suddenly, a massive figure burst out of the swirling sandstorm, charging straight toward the execution platform at incredible speed!

Half of the figure's body gleamed with a diamond-hard sheen, and its sheer velocity caught even Wright off guard—his focus had been on Whitebeard, leaving no time to react!

BOOM!

"Diamond Jozu!"

With a single, devastating charge, Jozu smashed into the execution platform, bringing it crashing down. In midair, Sengoku gritted his teeth, his body radiating golden light.

"Damn it!"

"Gurararara… Sengoku! What do you plan to do to my beloved sons?!"

Whitebeard unleashed a shockwave toward the airborne Sengoku, while Wright darted toward the ruins of the execution platform.

"Crocodile! You dare?!"

Wright's foresight revealed the next moment with terrifying clarity—Jozu's massive body was hurtling toward him, blocking his advance. In those crucial seconds, a cold sneer echoed from within the sandstorm.

"Hmph! Why wouldn't I?!"

"I'm in a really bad mood right now—so all of you better watch yourselves!"

"Sand Crocodile! You dare take your eyes off me while facing a god?!"

Enel's face darkened in fury. While Crocodile's sand made him immune to electricity, it also meant he had no way of harming Enel—after all, how could sand possibly nullify or dehydrate lightning?

Crocodile's years in Impel Down had not been wasted. Having long abandoned his futile ambitions for Pluton, he had honed his skills instead. With his natural talent, he had mastered both Armament and Observation Haki. The years spent under the effects of Seastone shackles had also pushed him to train his physical strength—making his combat abilities even more formidable.

The battle between lightning and sand—both wielding Haki, both masters of close combat, and both former and current Warlords—was a true clash of equals!

But Crocodile had never come here just to fight Enel…

Suddenly, within the sandstorm, brilliant blue-gold flames erupted. A voice rang out, brimming with newfound vitality:

"Ahhh… Now this is a feeling I haven't had in a long time."

"Much appreciated, Crocodile! I didn't know your sand could be used like this!"

"We are no longer Pops' burdens!"

Two more voices echoed through the battlefield. The tides of war had shifted once again!

"Captain!"

"Marco! Vista! Izo! They've broken free!"

"Damn it! That's Marco's flames! How did they get the Seastone keys?!"

"Marco!"

Landing from his midair struggle against Whitebeard's shockwave, Sengoku's eyes widened in disbelief.

"Impossible! Crocodile—you forged keys out of sand?!"

Wright pointed his blade at Crocodile, who still stood across from Enel.

"So, you've finally figured it out, huh? You stole Smoker's technique?"

"Hmph! It's just a simple trick—why act so surprised?"

Crocodile smirked, watching as the three freed commanders stepped out of the raging flames.

"That old man Whitebeard, at his peak, should have been wary of injuring you."

"You three idiots—spending over twenty years in the New World, only to get captured? How utterly disgraceful!"

Marco chuckled, scratching his pineapple-shaped head.

"Ahh, ahh… I won't argue with you on that one. That bastard Teach…"

At the mention of Teach, Marco's expression darkened. His sharp eyes locked onto Wright.

"Admiral Wright—I wanted to ask earlier. That bastard Teach… He's a Warlord now, isn't he? Where is he?!"

"As a pirate, I don't hold grudges against the Marines for using their own tactics—but Teach must pay the price for what he's done!"

Vista and Izo, now armed with their swords and rifles once more, stretched and cracked their knuckles.

"That's right—Teach is the only one we must personally kill!"

"Then you're going to be disappointed."

Wright glanced toward Akainu, who, without support, was now being relentlessly crushed under Whitebeard's attacks. He sighed.

"Teach went to Impel Down to cause trouble—Magellan defeated him. And in the end… I was the one who finished him off."

As Marco, Vista, and Izo stared in shock, Wright casually flicked his now-normal-sized blade.

"One clean swing—a beheading. He died… well, let's just say… unsatisfied."

"…So in the end, it was a Marine Admiral who avenged you, Thatch…"

Marco let out a bitter laugh, exchanging glances with Vista and Izo.

"We really were too weak."

"But from this moment on—you have more enemies to deal with!"

"Gurararara… Welcome back, my sons!"

Whitebeard pinned Akainu to the ground, beating the Admiral into a bloody mess. Now free of concern for Marco and the others, the world's strongest man finally unleashed his full power!

"Sons! Marco and the others are free! Prepare to retreat!"

"Yes, Pops!!"

Whitebeard's objective had been achieved. A confident smile spread across his face—he was the world's strongest man, one who could bear the consequences of every decision he made.

However, the Marines had not lured the Whitebeard Pirates here just to let him flaunt his power and retreat unscathed!

"Fujitora!"

"Understood!"

Wright's booming command made Whitebeard's expression shift. He turned his head, only to see Fujitora already positioned at the breach in the encirclement wall.

"Gravity Blade: Fierce Tiger!"

A powerful horizontal gravity wave surged forth, pressing down on the massive Moby Dick and the colossal body of Oars Jr., both of whom were wedged in the breach. Slowly but surely, they began to slide uncontrollably into the inner bay!

"Stop him!"

Whitebeard's thunderous order rang out. In an instant, Marco transformed into a blazing blue phoenix and shot toward Fujitora at high speed!

"Oh~ What a beautiful bird~ I've never seen one like it before~"

A lazy voice echoed through the battlefield. In a flash of golden light, Kizaru appeared directly in Marco's path—delivering a devastating light-speed kick that sent Marco crashing into the plaza!

"Ugh…"

Marco reverted to his human form, his body wreathed in azure flames. He wiped the corner of his mouth and looked up at Kizaru floating in the air.

"Quit lying through your teeth!"

Vista and Marco lunged forward almost simultaneously, but a powerful emerald-green slash suddenly tore through the air toward them. Vista's pupils shrank—he quickly raised his swords to block the attack.

"Dracule Mihawk!"

Mihawk had already drawn the black blade, Yoru, his sharp gaze locking onto Vista.

"'Flower Sword' Vista… I've heard of you."

"…What an honor."

Vista gave his signature grin, his curved mustache twitching slightly. Raising his blades, he stepped forward.

"Getting the chance to cross swords with the world's strongest swordsman—this is exciting!"

Meanwhile, Izo found himself face to face with none other than Boa Hancock.

"How utterly disgraceful! What kind of attire is that?!"

Hancock struck a dramatic, scornful pose.

"A man dressing as a woman? Simply unforgivable!"

"You—!"

A vein bulged on Izo's forehead.

"World's most beautiful woman? Hah! My younger brother could give you a run for your money!"

"Ha?! Unforgivable!! My beauty is unparalleled in this world—who the hell is this brother of yours?!"

Elsewhere, a chilling figure emerged before Jozu.

"Kuzan…!"

Jozu's gaze grew solemn.

The Admirals were finally getting serious.

Wright, meanwhile, turned his attention to Whitebeard. A radiant stream of Holy Light descended, enveloping Akainu—who had been pinned down and pummeled by Whitebeard moments ago. As his injuries rapidly healed, Akainu exhaled in relief.

"Whitebeard… Round Two is over."

"You rescuing Marco and the others was already within our calculations. Without a target to fight for, your men are losing their spirit…"

"And now… begins Round Three."

"After this, the 'Whitebeard Pirates' will be no more!"

Wright raised his blade, pointing it directly at Whitebeard.

At the breach in the encirclement wall, Fujitora let out a deep shout as he sheathed his cane sword.

With a tremendous crash, the Moby Dick and Oars Jr.'s massive body plunged completely into the inner bay.

With a final surge of reverse vertical gravity assisting its movement, the encirclement wall slammed shut with a deafening roar!

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