Chapter 215

Death is certain!

Yes, Red-Hair's Observation Haki had already foreseen it,

If he blocks this blow head-on, he will die—there is no possibility of survival.

"Damn it!!"

This was the greatest life-or-death crisis Red-Hair had ever faced.

He panicked, momentarily at a loss.

At the critical moment,

his most trusted right-hand man, Ben Beckman, finally regained his composure and spoke:

"Shanks, take your crew and get out of here—I'll hold off this blow."

Beckman's words were calm, yet they stirred a storm of emotion among the Red-Hair Pirates.

Jesus shouted: "You'll die, Vice-Captain Beckman!"

As one of the top two marksmen in the Grand Line, Jesus's Observation Haki was among the absolute finest in the world.

He could see clearly: whether it was Captain Red-Hair or Vice-Captain Beckman, blocking this combined giant's attack would mean certain death.

Beckman said calmly:

"Better one of me dies than all of us. This is the best solution. Shanks, don't hesitate!"

Wise as he was, 870 Beckman often saw what even Red-Hair missed.

Right now, Red-Hair was flustered and uncertain,

but Beckman clearly saw that only by sacrificing himself could he give the Red-Hair Pirates a chance to escape.

Otherwise, they would all die here.

Red-Hair's eyes instantly filled with tears as he gazed at Beckman:

"I'm sorry… this time I've dragged you down with me…"

"I'm the one who should apologize."

Beckman sighed.

"I can't keep my promise to go with you and see that final Wang Zuo."

"Shanks, you sacrificed your left arm and bet the new era on Luffy."

"Today, I sacrifice my life and bet the future on you."

"Live to see the day the world is utterly transformed, Shanks!"

These were Beckman's final words.

Then,

he enveloped his entire body in an immensely powerful Advanced Armament Haki and fearlessly charged toward the colossal shockwave hurtling toward them.

The Red-Hair Pirates wept uncontrollably, screaming in anguish:

(bjdc)

"Vice-Captain Beckman!!"

They tried to rush forward and grab Beckman, but Red-Hair stopped them.

Red-Hair wiped his tears and said in a heavy voice:

"Leave quickly—we can't let Beckman's sacrifice be in vain!"

The Red-Hair Pirates clenched their teeth and turned to flee.

In their final glances back, they saw their revered Vice-Captain Beckman slowly torn to shreds within the terrifying shockwave.

Blood filled the air.

No corpse remained—not even bones.

Red-Hair's eyes burned with rage, his fists clenched so tightly his nails dug into his flesh, drawing blood.

He suffered agonizing pain, wishing he could die alongside Beckman.

But he could not betray Beckman's final wish.

He would live—to witness the world's transformation, to see Luffy become Joy Boy, to see the bastards Kaido and Big Mom, and that damned Imperial Son-in-Law Luo Xing, all pay for their crimes!

The Red-Hair Pirates fled like beaten dogs, broken and humiliated.

"Wohohoho!"

Kaido laughed heartily.

His muscles trembled with excitement; he wanted to press the advantage and annihilate the entire Red-Hair crew here.

Then, Red-Hair's territory would be his!

In the New World, it would become the sole domain of the Beasts Pirates and the Big Mom Pirates.

And since the Beasts Pirates were far stronger than the Big Mom Pirates, the New World would henceforth be ruled by the Beasts Pirates alone!

Kaido was now only one step away from the ultimate throne of Pirate King!

Unfortunately,

just as Kaido prepared to ride Lei Yun Zeus in pursuit, his body suddenly felt unbearable discomfort—as if it were splitting apart.

Instantly, this splitting sensation intensified rapidly.

The combined giant split back into Kaido and Big Mom.

By then, the Red-Hair crew had vanished completely.

Kaido flew into a rage and roared:

"Luffy, what are you doing? Why did you suddenly lose control?!"

Big Mom also stomped her feet, shrieking in a shrill voice:

"Kaido, it's clearly your fault, yet you come blaming me!"

From the moment the two merged until the merger ended, only ten short seconds passed.

This isn't Kaido's fault or Big Mom's alone; both must be blamed.

Because the merger duration of the Fusion Earrings is determined by the two people's level of rapport.

Queen and Jack have been coordinating for so long; they can probably merge for about ten-plus minutes.

Whereas Luo Xing and his wife Yamato can merge for at least half an hour or more.

Kaido and Big Mom glared at each other with ox-eyes, neither yielding an inch.

Before long, they suddenly threw their arms around each other's shoulders and burst into hearty laughter.

Big Mom clapped her hands happily and said:

"That old man Whitebeard's territory will be ours from now on; this is the largest plot of land in the New World!"

At the same time, at the Marine Headquarters of Marineford.

Whitebeard, who was engaged in a Fierce Duel with Akainu, did not know his territory already belonged to the Beasts Pirates.

Furthermore, Shanks, to protect his territory, had even paid the heavy price of losing a Vice Captain.

Although Whitebeard had eaten a Senzu Bean and his strength had recovered considerably,

his deeply rooted heart disease made him unable to endure much longer as the fight dragged on.

Akainu keenly sensed this and was overjoyed in his heart.

His battle with Whitebeard had been going poorly; he was already heavily injured.

Yet he was in his prime, while Whitebeard was old and frail; if the attrition continued, Akainu would soon have a chance to counterattack.

Ma Erke, the Whitebeard Pirates' doctor, knew the Old Man's physical condition couldn't last much longer; Ace had to be rescued immediately.

He kicked Kizaru away with a powerful kick, then spread his Phoenix wings and flew toward the execution platform.

Kizaru did not pursue him; after stabilizing his body, he put his hands in his pockets and watched the show.

On the other side, Admiral Aokiji was also fighting back and forth with Diamond Jozu, yet still had the spare energy to glance at Ma Erke.

"Oh my, he's actually charging straight for the target? This is bad now."

Ignoring the Marines' cannon fire and gunfire, and under the cheering gazes of the Whitebeard Pirates, Ma Erke quickly approached the execution platform.

Just as Ma Erke thought he would soon rescue Ace,

a burly figure suddenly flashed above him and punched down toward his head.

Ma Erke's Phoenix body, which could ignore bullets and cannons, could not block this punch; he was smashed away and crashed hard onto the ground.

After punching Ma Erke away with a single blow, that burly figure landed on the Admirals' seats, sat in the central chair, and crossed his arms over his chest.