Chapter 96: The World's Strongest Man

At this moment, the lookout's voice came from the top of the mast: "Pops, we've reached the designated location!"

Hearing this, Whitebeard's eyes flashed with a sharp light. He slowly walked to the bow, his burly figure emitting a reassuring aura.

"Good!" His voice was like thunder in the ears, "Prepare to submerge!"

Suddenly, a transparent coating began to slowly rise from the surface of the hull.

This thin as a cicada's wing yet unusually tough membrane quickly expanded, soon wrapping the entire giant ship in a huge bubble.

Madara's gaze turned toward outside the ship. Only to see seawater gradually submerging the hull, the surrounding world beginning to turn deep blue.

The ship continued to submerge, the surrounding scenery gradually changing from bright to dim. Various strange deep-sea creatures swam past outside the bubble.

Unknown how long passed, a faint light appeared in the distance. That light grew brighter and closer.

Suddenly, the ship shook violently and began to rise rapidly. Madara steadied his figure, focusing his guard.

"Boom!"

Accompanied by a loud bang, the Moby Dick broke through the water surface, soaring into the air. Seawater poured down from the hull like waterfalls, sunlight instantly filling the entire deck.

Countless Marine soldiers stared dumbfounded at the giant ship emerging from the seabed, their faces full of disbelief.

"That... that's the Whitebeard Pirates' flag!" A Marine soldier pointed at the skull flag fluttering at the bow, his voice trembling.

Exclamations quickly spread through the Marine camp. Soldiers looked up one after another, their eyes filled with terror and disbelief.

"Whitebeard is here! And his Captains!" Another Marine shouted loudly, his voice filled with both awe and fear.

On the Execution Platform, Sengoku's face instantly turned grim as iron. He furrowed his brow, cursing in a low voice: "Damn, they actually infiltrated so close. All plans are ruined."

On the Moby Dick, Whitebeard's huge figure stood at the front of the deck. His sturdy body was like a small hill, giving an unparalleled oppressive feeling.

Whitebeard's gaze slowly swept over the entire Marineford. Finally, his vision fell on Sengoku.

"Gurararara!" Whitebeard suddenly laughed loudly, his voice like thunder in the ears, "We haven't seen each other for decades, right, Sengoku. Never expected to meet again in such an occasion."

Sengoku remained silent, only coldly watching Whitebeard.

As Whitebeard's laughter still echoed on the sea surface, Madara Uchiha slowly walked to the bow.

His steps were steady and elegant, his red armor shining brightly under the sunlight, his long hair gently fluttering with the sea breeze.

Madara stood at the bow, arms crossed, looking down on the entire Marineford from above. His appearance instantly attracted everyone's attention.

A commotion suddenly arose in the Marine camp. Countless eyes simultaneously looked at this unfamiliar figure. Soldiers whispered to each other, guessing this person's identity and strength.

"Who is that?" A Marine soldier asked in a low voice, "Never seen this kind of figure before."

On the Execution Platform, Sengoku's gaze instantly locked onto Madara. After seeing Madara's eyes, alarm bells rang in his heart.

"Another Devil Fruit User?" Sengoku thought to himself, "Never heard of this person, but anyone who can stand by Whitebeard's side must have considerable strength. Another unpredictable variable."

Madara Uchiha stood on the deck of the Moby Dick, his gaze calmly sweeping over the scene before him.

In his vision, the three Admirals stood like three mountain peaks. Akainu, Aokiji, Kizaru, each emitting a terrifying powerful aura.

Under their command, hundreds of thousands of Marine soldiers were neatly arrayed, dense white uniforms like an endless ocean.

On the distant towering fortress, cannons flashed with cold light. A war of this scale was unprecedented even in the Ninja World, and Madara, who had experienced countless wars, couldn't help but feel a bit surprised.

At this moment, he felt the blood in his body begin to boil, a strong battle intent rising in his chest. The corners of his mouth unconsciously curled up, a flash of excitement in his eyes.

At this moment, Whitebeard's gaze suddenly turned to Ace on the Execution Platform. His voice became gentle and firm: "My beloved son, are you alright, wait for me, Ace."

"Pops..."

Hearing these words, Ace's body trembled slightly, tears welling up in his eyes. He lowered his head, trying to hide his emotions.

The next moment, Whitebeard's expression became serious.

He crossed his arms in front of his chest, his whole body's muscles tense, a terrifying energy beginning to accumulate within him.

His hands emitted a white glow, as if holding the power of the entire world. Sengoku sensed the abnormality in the air, his face changing instantly. He quickly shouted loudly to the Marines: "Get ready, the World's Strongest Man is about to show his power!"

Just as his voice fell, Whitebeard suddenly swung both fists.

Hum! A suffocating energy wave instantly swept the entire field, the air shattering like glass, forming visible cracks.

"Rumble!"

The earth shook violently, like a magnitude nine earthquake. The solid stone brick ground cracked instantly, cracks spreading like spider webs.

On the sea surface, huge shockwaves spread outward with Whitebeard as the center.

Thousand-meter-high giant waves rose from the ground, like liquid mountains covering the sky and sun.

In the sky, the thick clouds were instantly torn apart by this terrifying power. Sunlight poured through the cracks in the clouds, forming several thick light pillars; Whitebeard at this moment seemed like a god descending to earth.

Madara Uchiha watched this scene, a hint of appreciation in his eyes. "This power is not inferior to me in my youth. It seems the top powerhouses of this world indeed have some strength."

At the same time, his Rinnegan quickly scanned Whitebeard's body. "Unfortunately, his body injuries are too heavy, he can no longer display his full strength. It's estimated he won't last more than a few moves before his oil is exhausted and lamp is dry."

After the tremor, the entire Marineford fell into a brief silence. Marine soldiers looked at each other, their eyes full of terror. Some even involuntarily retreated a few steps, the hands holding their guns trembling slightly.

"Is this... is this the power of the legendary Gura Gura no Mi?" A young Marine said in a low voice, his voice full of unease.

Kizaru stood at a high place, narrowing his eyes, his tone carrying a hint of playfulness: "Oh my, truly terrifying. Worthy of being called Whitebeard, the 'Strongest Man'."

Akainu's expression, however, did not change in the slightest. He coldly swept a glance at the panicked soldiers, his voice carrying undeniable majesty: "All of you, get your spirits up! Whitebeard is already a dying man; don't be frightened by his bluff!"

Just as his voice fell, the giant waves floating in the air came crashing down like mountains, about to swallow the entire Marineford.

"Not good!" Sengoku's face changed, "Seawater backflow!"

At the critical moment, Aokiji suddenly leaped up.

"Ice Age!"

Aokiji's low voice sounded, powerful cold air bursting from within him.

In an instant, the surging sea waves froze in midair, forming a huge ice wall. The ice layer quickly spread, freezing the entire sea area around Marineford into an ice field.

Seeing this, Sengoku immediately seized the opportunity. His voice sounded across the entire battlefield: "Battle Start! Destroy the Moby Dick! Don't let them approach!"

With Sengoku's command, the entire Marine camp instantly boiled.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

Dense artillery poured down like raindrops, sweeping toward Whitebeard's fleet. Shells traced arcs through the air, flying toward their targets with piercing whistles.

Countless Marine soldiers surged out from all directions. They ran across the ice surface, charging toward the Whitebeard Pirates.

At this moment, Madara Uchiha's mind suddenly rang with the cold voice of the Main God: 【Main Mission Triggered】

【Summit War Camp Mission, Marine Side: Kill Whitebeard】

【Difficulty B-】

【Mission Info: Assist the Marines in defeating the Whitebeard Pirates in the Summit War at Marineford, protect the Execution Platform, and ensure Ace's execution proceeds smoothly.】

【Mission Requirement: You need to assist the Marines, successfully kill Whitebeard in this battle, and complete Ace's execution.】

【Time Limit 12 Hours】

【Failure Punishment Erasure】

【Mission Status Available】

【Note: Camp Missions can only be claimed by one side; if not claimed within half an hour, the Main Mission is considered a Quest Failure】

When I refreshed the plot here again, I felt Sengoku really was... demoralizing the troops.

Blow Whitebeard, then say the ones who might die are the Marines... starting off by weakening morale.

(Chapter End)