Chapter 253

The great dragon Kaido laughed loudly.

"As you wish."

The blood blade in Luo En's hand returned to its scabbard, then vanished into the rippling void before him, blade and scabbard together.

Under everyone's gaze, Luo En rolled up his sleeves, stamped hard on the ground, causing it to sink, then shot upward like an arrow released from a bow, straight toward the giant dragon in the sky.

One man and one dragon clashed fiercely in midair.

Each strike from the two contained power sufficient to effortlessly destroy a hundred-meter-tall mountain; when such terrifying forces collided, the boom echoed like thunder splitting open, and the shockwaves completely scattered the black clouds within hundreds of meters.

To ordinary people watching through the image telephone bug, it resembled the battle of gods wielding apocalyptic power.

Above, the clash between two Emperors raged; below, the square was also engulfed in fierce combat.

After slashing at Bai Huzi three times, Hawk-Eye made no further moves, glanced at Luo En, and stepped aside to watch, no longer intervening.

Bai Huzi faced off against Akainu again.

Although the power he displayed remained strong, some had already noticed Bai Huzi's condition plummeting rapidly.

Ma Erke was frantic, but the relentless assault from Tenghu prevented him from breaking free.

The captains of Bai Huzi's pirate crew, led by Qiao Zi, along with other formidable members of his fleet, were completely blocked by Admiral-level officers and elite marines led by Qingji.

The Bai Huzi Pirates' offensive gradually slowed, and signs of decline emerged.

Meanwhile, Sabo and the others.

Ivankov was performing emergency treatment on Luffy, who was gravely wounded and near death; Sanji, Zoro, Jinbe, and Sabo were gradually being forced into a tight circle under the combined encirclement of Kizaru, Kuzan, and others, forced into passive defense, unable to approach the execution platform at all.

On the side of Empress Hancok, after shattering six Pacifistas and knocking down Kizaru, she made no further moves.

Xiao Qi and Galot, after defeating the Marine Vice Admiral, arrived at Gu Yina and Luo Bin's side, and the entire Sky Disaster Travelers reunited.

"Look, that Marine lieutenant… looks just like Gu Yina."

Bonney pointed at Daski in the distance and said.

Luo Bin and Konis turned to look.

"Really."

"There are people in the world who look this identical! Amazing."

Gu Yina gazed at Daski in the distance, her expression also slightly strange.

Daski seemed to notice her gaze and turned to look this way.

Their eyes met, both feeling something odd, as if looking into a mirror—except one had short hair and the other long, one wore glasses and the other did not.

Both turned away simultaneously, their minds filled with doubt.

"Did our old man really do nothing?" x2.

"Nami seems to be struggling."

Luo Bin saw Nami's crew being attacked by a group of marines.

"Then I'll lend a hand."

Konis smiled: "I've just developed a new technique and haven't had a chance to use it yet."

She raised her gloved hands, and countless swords and knives on the ground trembled, rising up and, under her control, shot toward Nami's direction.

Bonney, one hand on her hip, watched the scene and couldn't help complaining: "Isn't this just simple metal control?"

With Konis's assistance, Nami and the others broke free and rushed to their side.

"We're saved!"

Usopp collapsed backward, gasping for breath.

"Thank you—we owe you our lives."

Franky sincerely thanked them.

Nami also gratefully said to Konis: "Sister Konis, thank you."

Konis smiled at Nami:

"No need to thank me."

Gu Yina glanced at them coldly and said:

"Things ahead will grow increasingly dangerous. You shouldn't get involved any further—you'll die."

"Die…"

Usopp and Chopper swallowed hard, trembling with fear, turning to look ahead at the battlefield blanketed in lava, ice, gravity, and sword qi, their faces turning green with terror.

Franky rubbed his head: "Though it's frustrating, it seems our strength can only take us this far."

"But… what about Mr. Luffy and the others?"

Brook said anxiously.

"I hope they're alright…"

Nami gazed ahead, her eyes carrying a trace of worry.

219, Unexpected Turn of Events

Admiral Sakazuki, transformed into a golden Buddha, stood with arms crossed atop the frozen execution platform, gazing at the battles ahead and above.

Lava erupted across the square, the ground shaking continuously.

In the sky, the man and the dragon fought with even greater ferocity; the dragon's fiery breath forged the heavens into blood-red, gale-force winds sliced into colossal wind blades that slashed in all directions, and punches imbued with destruction shattered vast stretches of the sky.

It inspired uncontrollable dread and heart-pounding terror.

"Bai Huzi has reached his limit; the Bai Huzi Pirates have no remaining formidable fighters. Luo En has been targeted by Kaido. Though many unexpected developments have occurred, as long as 'Fire Fist' Ace dies here, this War of the Summit is a victory for the Marines."

Sakazuki's expression was firm and grave.

"Executioners, step forward! Immediately carry out the public execution of 'Fire Fist' Ace!"

At Sakazuki's command, two executioners wielding execution blades ascended the platform beneath the stage, standing one on each side of Ace.

Sabo, surrounded by a swarm of Marines, saw this scene and his pupils shrank violently.

"Ace…!"

"It's not good to look around so much."

Green Bull instantly appeared before him and kicked him flying with a single leg.

Until now, Green Bull had only shown taijutsu and two forms of Haki; his true abilities had yet to be revealed, but his strength was clearly far beyond Sabo's.

"Seven Thousand Coin Spin Kick!"

Jinbe kicked all the elite Marines before him into the air, his expression grim as he stared at Ace on the execution platform—both executioners' blades had already begun descending toward his neck.

"Little Ace…"

He glanced at the sky, his eyes filled with confusion, disbelief, and urgency.

"Aren't you going to act yet, Traveler Luo En? What are you thinking?!"

Ace heard the whistle of the executioner's blades descending and lifted his head, offering Sabo and Luffy a faint, apologetic smile.

"Luffy, Sabo… I guess I won't be able to go on adventures with you on the high seas. I'm sorry…"

He turned his gaze toward Whitebeard and Marco.

"Papa, and everyone… I'm sorry…"

Tears welled in Ace's eyes.

"I've always made you worry so much. I'm such a bastard."

Ace gave one final look at Garp, far away, his back turned, fists clenched, wracked with inner turmoil, then closed his eyes and whispered in his heart: "Goodbye… Grandpa."

Having said his farewells, he prepared himself for death.

Whitebeard and Marco watched the execution blades descend toward Ace, their pupils contracting in fury.

The pirates of the Whitebeard Crew were stunned and enraged.

Some Marine officers, blinded by bloodlust, flickered with triumph in their eyes.

Smoker closed his eyes: "It's over."

The entire battlefield fell silent at that moment, time itself seeming to freeze.

Everyone on the battlefield, and the entire world watching through the Den Den Mushi, stared as the two execution blades sliced toward Ace's neck—just as they had once cut down the Pirate King Luo Jie in Loguetown.

And just as the two sharp execution blades were about to sever Ace's head—

An unexpected figure suddenly appeared beside Ace.

Before the shocked gaze of Admiral Sakazuki, a palm struck the doomed Ace—and Ace vanished instantly from the execution platform; the two executioners' blades cut only air.

"Bartholomew Kuma?!"

Admiral Tsuru was also greatly startled.