Newgate smmed both fists into the ground, and an invisible shockwave spread outward. The earth cracked beneath him, fractures racing across Marineford with terrifying speed.

  The colossal Fortress of Justice split cleanly down the middle with a thunderous crack, its two halves leaning outward as the isnd's foundation crumbled. The once-solid ground shifted violently from side to side before seawater began to surge up through the cracks, filling the trenches with frothy, churning waves.

  Countless Marines were thrown into the air by the tremor, crashing into the ground or plunging into the seawater-filled crevices with anguished cries.

  The execution ptform's support pilrs shattered, and the structure colpsed. Sengoku lunged forward, knocking the executioners away from the falling debris to save their lives.

  At the same time, he delivered a palm strike to Weevil's head. The blow left Weevil sprawled on the ground, blood pouring from his nose and ears, his condition uncertain.

  As the dust settled, Sengoku stepped out of the ruins and surveyed the battlefield.

  Marineford,an eight-century-old bastion of justice was in ruins. The isnd had been transformed into a fragmented archipego, crisscrossed with canals of seawater. It resembled Water 7 more than Marineford now.

  Sengoku clenched his fists, his heart aching at the sight. But he quickly suppressed the emotion.

  As long as we kill Whitebeard and destroy his crew... this loss will be worth it.

  Besides, we were pnning to relocate Marine Headquarters anyway.

  Newgate's devastating blow had come at a price. After shattering the execution ptform and knocking Cudius aside, he staggered. His breathing was ragged, his heart faltering, and fresh blood trickled from his mouth.

  Suddenly, a cold voice echoed across the square.

  "Ice Age!"

  Kuzan appeared, kneeling on the fractured ground. He pressed one palm against the surface, unleashing a wave of freezing energy.

  The freezing mist spread in all directions, locking the splintered ground into solid ice and stabilizing the shifting terrain. The surging seawater froze in pce, preventing the isnd from colpsing further.

  Just as the ground steadied, the ice beneath Newgate's feet grew hot.

  Sakazuki.

  Molten magma burst from the ground as the admiral emerged.

  "Dark Hound!"

  His magma-coated fist shot upward toward Newgate's chest.

  Whitebeard's eyes fshed with anger. He swung his fist down, shattering Sakazuki's fming punch and knocking the admiral back into the ice.

  Before he could catch his breath, a beam of golden light streaked toward him.

  Pew!

  The ser pierced his chest and exploded in a fiery bst behind him.

  "Father!!!" Marco roared, seeing the attack come from Borsalino, who had abandoned their skirmish to target Whitebeard.

  Marco tried to rush to his father's side, but Vice Admirals Onigumo, Doberman, and Momonga intercepted him, forcing him into a three-on-one battle.

  Whitebeard staggered from the ser wound, his body swaying as his vision blurred.

  I'm... losing my footing.

  Before he could recover, Cudius appeared at his fnk.

  Blood dripped from Cudius's mouth, and his eyes were clouded with pain. The blow Whitebeard had nded on him earlier had left him concussed.

  If I hadn't turned into mist in time... I'd be dead already.

  But Cudius knew now wasn't the time to hesitate. Whitebeard was faltering, if they gave him room to breathe, they'd lose their advantage.

  "Shinsō!"

  His bde, coated in swirling white mist, sshed toward Whitebeard's waist.

  Newgate's instincts screamed at him to move. If he tried to stand firm, he'd lose his torso entirely.

  So, instead of pnting his feet, Whitebeard channeled his remaining strength into his fist and swung it toward the oncoming bde.

  The impact shattered Cudius's ice-coated bde, though the residual frost burned Newgate's knuckles.

  The force of the blow knocked Whitebeard backward.

  "Shoot him, Shinsō!!!" Cudius roared.

  "Dog Bite: Crimson!!!" Sakazuki followed.

  Cudius's sword shot forward like a speeding bullet. Simultaneously, Sakazuki's magma-coated fist crashed down from above.

  Whitebeard tried to roll away, but as he pushed off the ice, it suddenly froze beneath his hands.

  Kuzan.

  His palms stuck to the icy surface, slowing him just enough.

  Shinsō pierced his chest.

  Sakazuki's fiery punch struck his waist, burning a hole just above his navel.

  Whitebeard gasped. Pain tore through his body, but his instincts kept him moving. Gritting his teeth, he smashed the ice and rolled away from his attackers, nding in a crouch several meters away.

  Blood streamed from his wounds. His once-pristine white coat was stained red.

  His breathing slowed as he fought through the pain.

  Damn...

  The toll of age and injury weighed on him, yet his will refused to break.

  Bck smoke suddenly coiled around the ground beneath him.

  It wasn't Sakazuki's scorched earth.

  This darkness was different.

  "Zehahahaha! Father... I'm here to help!"

  Marshall D. Teach emerged from the shadows, his arms spread wide and his eyes gleaming with greed.

  He looked at Whitebeard like a starving wolf eyeing a wounded prey.

  Whitebeard froze.

  Teach... here?

  Cudius's eyes darkened as he saw Teach appear.

  So... this rat was behind the Impel Down breakout.

  Marine losses had already far exceeded expectations, rgely due to the chaos those escapees had caused.

  Cudius made a decision then and there: Teach won't leave Marineford alive.

  But Whitebeard was no longer focused on Cudius or Sakazuki.

  His gaze locked onto Teach.

  That scarlet glint of pure rage burned through the pain and exhaustion.

  His hand clenched into a fist.

  "TEACH!!!"

  He smmed his fist into the ground, obliterating the swirling darkness around him with a single blow.

  His voice roared across the battlefield, filled with unrelenting wrath.