The Hatake Sword Style!
It was one of the few renowned sword techniques in the ninja world. Before the legendary White Fang, Hatake Sakumo, rose to prominence, this style was hardly known. After his tragic suicide, it nearly faded into obscurity. The Hatake Sword Style had been refined by Sakumo himself, and it was under his mastery that it shone brilliantly. Even his own son, Kakashi, never fully grasped its essence due to various reasons.
Fortunately, during the Fourth Great Ninja War, Sakumo was revived through the Reanimation Jutsu. In the time between the war's end and their arrival in this world, he dedicated himself to teaching Kakashi. However, the technique known as "Ten Thousand Blades Instant Slash" was so complex that even Sakumo wasn't sure if Kakashi, now in another world, had mastered it. To his shock, Hawkeye Mihawk had somehow performed this very move!
There was no doubt—Hawkeye must have learned it during their last battle. Even more astonishing, in just half a month, he had made it his own. Sakumo's version of the "Ten Thousand Blades Instant Slash" didn't produce such exaggerated slashes. Clearly, Hawkeye had fused his own strengths with Sakumo's techniques, creating a new, devastating move.
The sudden attack caught even Whitebeard off guard. Despite his quick reaction, he was forced to take a step back. Though Hawkeye was ultimately sent flying by Whitebeard's punch, that single step backward was enough to prove his strength to the world. This was the man hailed as the strongest in the world, who hadn't retreated even when facing the combined assault of the Navy's three Admirals!
Thanks to Hawkeye's interference, the brief delay allowed the three Admirals, who had just been knocked back, to charge back into the fray. The first to return was Kizaru, the fastest among them. Transforming into a streak of golden light, he appeared near Whitebeard, hands crossed at his chest, fingers gripping orbs of blinding light that grew brighter by the second.
"Yasakani no Magatama!"
With a low shout, Kizaru unleashed a barrage of dazzling light bullets, raining down on Whitebeard. At the same moment, Aokiji and Akainu flanked Whitebeard from both sides, launching their own attacks.
"Ice Ball!"
"Magma Hound!"
The three Admirals' attacks were perfectly coordinated, their synergy flawless. Even Whitebeard, caught off guard, found himself momentarily pinned down.
Seeing this, Sengoku didn't hesitate. "Everyone else, seize this chance! Finish your opponents and join forces to take down Whitebeard!"
Fujitora, Green Bull, and the others fighting Whitebeard's division captains—Marco and the rest—unleashed a ferocious onslaught. The momentum Whitebeard's crew had gained earlier was now completely gone. In an instant, they were pushed back into a desperate situation.
On the execution platform, Ace bit his lip, watching his comrades fight and fall below, some gravely wounded. His voice trembled with emotion. "Father… everyone…"
Guilt consumed him. "It's all my fault. If I hadn't ignored everyone's warnings and gone off on my own, none of this would've happened… Why? Why didn't you just abandon me? This is all because of my stubbornness!"
Whitebeard heard his cries. With a single punch, he sent Akainu flying, then roared, "No! I'm the one who sent you out there, so it's my duty to bring you back!"
"You're lying!" Ace screamed, his voice raw with anguish. "I was the one who insisted on going! If I'd listened, none of this would've happened!"
His despair reached its peak. When he saw Oars, the giant, attempt to break through only to collapse before his eyes, Ace's grief and rage boiled over.
Am I better off never having been born? Would everyone be happier without me?
The thought gnawed at him, tearing at his heart.
Hidden aboard a distant warship, Roger watched his son begin to question his own existence. Unable to hold back any longer, he felt the urge to rush forward. But Orochimaru, still under Lin Xuan's control, restrained him.
Seeing this, Rayleigh grew restless and turned to Lin Xuan. "President Lin, Whitebeard's crew is losing ground. Isn't it time for us to act?"
Lin Xuan shook his head calmly. "Not yet. The World Government hasn't shown its full strength. Marshal Kong hasn't even appeared. Besides, Whitebeard's side still has reinforcements that haven't joined the fight."
"Reinforcements?" Rayleigh froze, skeptical. "Whitebeard even turned down Shanks' help. What reinforcements could he possibly have?"
At this point in time, the Straw Hat Pirates were still far from the Sabaody Archipelago, and Rayleigh had no knowledge of Luffy, let alone Sabo, Ace's unique brother. His doubt was only natural.
Lin Xuan was about to respond when a faint smirk crossed his lips. "Look for yourself. They're here."
At his words, Roger and Rayleigh's eyes snapped back to the battlefield. Conis, standing beside Lin Xuan, also turned curiously to see what reinforcements he meant.
To their surprise, the sea remained unchanged—no sign of any reinforcements.
Just as confusion set in, Lin Xuan's voice cut through. "Look up!"
Startled, they tilted their heads skyward. There, plummeting from the heavens like a shower of dumplings, were two figures. A boy in a straw hat and another in a top hat with goggles shouted in unison:
"Ace! We're here to save you!"
On the execution platform, Ace's body jolted at the sound. He looked up, eyes widening in disbelief.
"Luffy? And… Sabo?!"
Tears streamed down his face as he stared at the two figures descending from the sky.
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T/N:
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