Orochimaru spat out these words with difficulty, then coughed up another mouthful of fresh blood.
"Yo, Akainu... how's it feel? You're being so ruthless for your so-called close friend, isn't this a public act of private revenge?"
As soon as he finished speaking, Orochimaru released his grip. With his Haki-infused feet, he fiercely kicked Akainu, sending him flying. Akainu, having suffered a fatal blow to his 'chicken,' flew backward.
A faint sound of a 'chicken flying and eggs breaking' could be heard... but no one paid attention... Akainu's body shot out like a cannonball. The unexpected heavy blow caught Akainu off guard, and he crashed heavily next to Whitebeard, curling up and sweating profusely.
Whitebeard, who was confronting Aokiji and Kizaru, casually kicked Akainu away with great force. What seemed like an effortless kick carried the power of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit, further shattering the little Akainu.
Garp's eyes turned red with rage, and he rushed towards Akainu with his fist raised... Sengoku quickly held Garp down.
"Don't be impulsive, Garp!! Sakazuki, stop pretending! You're a Logia user, what are you doing? Are you feigning weakness to cause internal strife?!"
Akainu curled up, gritting his teeth, trying to get up with sheer willpower. He absolutely couldn't let anyone find out.
Meanwhile, the people around Orochimaru were stunned on the spot, their faces filled with shock.
Luffy, Ace, and Sabo were as if struck by lightning, their minds a chaotic mess, only echoing with a buzzing roar.
Luffy swayed as he stood up, his eyes filled with terror. He shouted with a trembling voice, "Hey... Orochimaru... don't scare me... you'll be fine, right?"
Orochimaru leaned back, weakly falling into Ace's arms. His face was as pale as paper, blood continuously oozing from the corner of his mouth, and he said weakly, "My internal organs... have been destroyed by him... so..."
Orochimaru paused, then with difficulty, stretched out his hand, "Luffy... you're not mad at me anymore, are you?"
Luffy's emotions were somewhat in turmoil. He tightly gripped Orochimaru's hand: "No... I've never been mad at you, really... don't scare me... there must be a way... Ivankov... please save Orochimaru... I beg you!"
Ivankov was not familiar with Orochimaru. Seeing Orochimaru's tragic state, pierced through, his eyes welled up with tears, and he roared at Luffy: "Enough... straw hat boy... Orochimaru is already..."
Sabo, on the other hand, looked blank, mechanically wiping blood from Orochimaru, completely speechless. Orochimaru secretly pinched him, and Sabo came back to his senses. Orochimaru pointed at Buggy... Sabo seemed to suddenly remember something, realizing that Orochimaru was probably faking it, and his mouth twitched slightly.
"I see... so he's the clown himself."
Orochimaru was a bit exasperated. My intention was for you to bring Buggy over... what are you thinking! You're also in on it, aren't you! Did you forget we're acting?!
He needed Buggy to help him separate that damned magma, which was affecting his regeneration! Otherwise, he'd have to shed his skin, and he didn't have a change of clothes right now!!! But he couldn't show it, so annoying... Ah... but he seemed to have forgotten to tell this group of people that he also had a bitter trick up his sleeve.
Ace looked at the blood in his hand, a little dazed.
"No... you're lying... Orochimaru, didn't you say that if I died, you would drag me back too... Why... why would you... I should be the one to die..."
Orochimaru gently stroked Ace's face.
"Ace... no one is born to die, Ace. Roger has been resurrected. Roger is Roger... you are you.
I told you before, life itself has no meaning, but... only by living can you find interesting things.
Since you like the life of the Whitebeard Pirates, then live it to the fullest. Don't always think about how you should die.
And... you have nothing to be ashamed of now... so... live shamelessly."
Ace's voice choked... Don't say such things if you're about to die, what an unlovable younger brother. Then he realized Orochimaru was about to die, and tears streamed down his face.
"I know... I will live well... Didn't you promise us... that you wouldn't die...?"
Luffy cried, clutching Orochimaru's hand.
"Orochimaru... you promised us you wouldn't die. Zoro, Sanji, Nami, Usopp, Robin, Franky, Chopper, Brook, are all waiting for us to go on an adventure together in two years. You're not keeping your word..."
Orochimaru wiped away Luffy's tears, "Are you really not mad at me anymore? I'm truly sorry for not telling you about Ace's situation beforehand."
Luffy shook his head, clumsily supporting Orochimaru's hand that was caressing his cheek.
"I'm not mad anymore... I'm not mad, so... don't die."
Orochimaru smiled weakly.
"I understand... so... can you call Buggy over for a moment?"
Luffy heard Orochimaru's words without hesitation.
He rushed towards Buggy like a gust of wind, grabbed Buggy's ponytail, and dragged him over forcefully.
Buggy grimaced, feeling utterly wronged. He was truly an innocent bystander caught in the crossfire.
Looking at Buggy, who had been dragged over, Orochimaru pointed to the shocking void in his chest, drawing a square around its edge. Then, Orochimaru took a difficult breath.
"Buggy... do me a favor... get all of this part... out."
Buggy's expression became somewhat serious: "Are you sure you want to do this? If you're not confident, this will only make you die faster."
Orochimaru nodded. Seeing this, Buggy slowly placed his palm on Orochimaru's chest and muttered, "Biological Segmentation... Square."
In an instant, the charred part of Orochimaru's chest, burned by magma, suddenly separated. This intense pain made Orochimaru groan, and another mouthful of blood spewed out.
However, very quickly, at the square-shaped separation, flesh began to regenerate at an astonishing speed.
In just a moment, the missing part of his chest was as good as new.
Orochimaru slowly stood up, moved his body, let out a long breath, and then stretched contentedly.
Not bad, Orochimaru himself took action.
The plan to save the foolish Ace was a success.
The matter was perfectly concluded.
The surrounding group of people's jaws dropped to the floor in surprise, bending at the waist, staring Silly at Orochimaru.
Ten years later, Orochimaru once again saw Luffy's expression of crying and having his jaw drop. Oh, this time Ace was also there.
The scene was silent for a moment. After a brief reaction, Luffy instantly became expressionless.
"Orochimaru... you weren't going to die."
Orochimaru blinked, looking innocent.
"No, you know I can't die, don't you?"
("ㅍ_ㅍ"): But you didn't shed your skin.
("╮(•́ω•̀)╭"): You only need to shed your skin if it can't be healed... This small injury will heal in a moment... And I didn't bring a change of clothes.
"Oh... is that so, Orochimaru, come here for a moment. I think we have something to discuss."
Luffy gritted his teeth, clenching his fists.
Wary Orochimaru took flight online.
"Ah hahaha... I'm going to save Whitebeard, he's about to be done for!"
Orochimaru unhesitatingly abandoned the three brothers and flew away. Don't think he didn't see Ace secretly taking a Sea Stone handcuff. Is it really necessary? What a stingy guy.
Watching Orochimaru fly away, Luffy was held by Sabo, angrily shaking his fist at Orochimaru.
"Orochimaru!!! You just wait for me!!! I'm definitely going to punch you 100 times!!!!! 100 times!!"
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