Whitebeard was the first to act. He leapt high into the air and slashed towards the sky.
"Quake Slash!"
A shockwave erupted, forming a fan-shaped barrier that expanded like a tidal wave.
The barrier exploded with a visible, vibrating shockwave that surged like a tidal wave toward the incoming magma fist.
BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM!!
Wherever it passed, the volcanic bombs were shattered into countless fragments.
"Gurararara! Is that all you've got, Akainu brat?" Whitebeard landed on the deck, looking toward Akainu in the distance.
Akainu clenched his jaw, glaring back at them.
But the Meteor Volcano didn't stop.
Marco and the others moved in.
If even Fujitora's meteors could be intercepted, then these magma fists were no problem.
Jozu kicked off with both legs, leaping into the sky and shattering one with his diamond body.
Marco kicked three apart in rapid succession, his blue flames flickering.
The sky rained stone and fire, but Roy simply lounged on the deck, legs crossed, watching the chaos unfold.
"We've landed."
The four Moby Dick ships of the Whitebeard Pirates had finally reached shore.
The Marines responded with an even more intense barrage.
This fleet was more terrifying than a Buster Call—intent on sinking both the Whitebeard Pirates and the entire island.
"You're destroying the future..." Vegapunk said bitterly.
"Can't help it," Kizaru shrugged.
"Please, don't bomb Punk Records. I beg you, Borsalino! Don't bomb Punk Records. It's a treasure of humanity!" Vegapunk grabbed Kizaru's collar in desperation.
"Sakazuki," Kizaru looked toward Akainu.
"Don't bomb that tallest building," Akainu replied after a glance at Vegapunk and issued orders via Den Den Mushi.
If it were civilians or soldiers, blowing them up wouldn't matter.
But Punk Records was valuable to the World Government, and Akainu wouldn't destroy something they cared about.
"What's Punk Records?" Tashigi asked after receiving the order.
"It's A giant brain," Smoker explained.
"A... brain?"
"Vegapunk's brain—it stores all of his memories."
.....
"Move in and surround the Marines," Roy ordered via Den Den Mushi.
On the other end were over 40 pirate crews, who immediately departed from nearby islands.
The Marines kept bombing the island, while the Whitebeard Pirates responded with cannon fire. The fight was ongoing, with no direct clash yet.
In naval warfare, the Marines had the upper hand. But the final battle would rely on a land assault.
Now that pirate ships had appeared behind them, the Marines couldn't continue bombarding freely.
"Kuzan!"
Vice Admiral Tsuru stepped forward to command.
With Sengoku absent, she was in charge of the operation.
"Understood!"
Aokiji stood up and jumped into the sea.
"ICE AGE!"
He froze the coast to allow easier land access for the Marines.
Watching this, Roy couldn't help but laugh.
In the original timeline, Whitebeard attacked Marineford. Now, due to his interference, it was
the Marines attacking Egghead.
Naturally, war reporters were on the scene.
A ship floated above the battlefield, not Golden Lion's, but Morgans' World Economic News Paper Agency airship.
His ship was pulled through the sky by a flock of seagulls.
The broadcast was being transmitted to nearby islands and beyond. Morgans made a fortune from the live feed.
Viewers had to pay for access, especially those from the underworld.
"Ma ma ma ma, it's on!" Big Mom clapped in excitement.
"The Whitebeard Pirates are ruthless, using pre-planted explosives to kill so many marines," Perospero gasped.
"Ruthless means results. They're enemies anyway, what Whitebeard did was satisfying." Mont-d'Or laughed.
"Mama, should we go? We're not far. We could wipe out the Whitebeard Pirates," Katakuri said.
"We can go," Big Mom nodded.
"Let's set off now," said Perospero.
"Yes, but our target isn't Whitebeard..." Big Mom said excitedly.
The Big Mom army was mobilizing. Outside Whole Cake Island, storm clouds gathered. Sixty thousand Homies assembled. Hundreds of ships rallied.
In Wano, above Onigashima, clouds swirled as well—tension hung in the air.
"Damn that Red-Hair!"
Kaido, seated on his throne, drank heavily, just finishing a battle.
He had fought the Red-Haired Pirates, only to be ganged up on, with no honor in combat.
His Three Calamities were no match for Shanks' officers. The Beasts Pirates were overwhelmed.
Back at Egghead—
The Marines had begun their land invasion, splitting forces between fighting pirates at sea and advancing with the three Admirals.
Zing!
Boom!
A laser blast shot through and exploded amidst the Whitebeard crew. The vanguard was composed of Pacifistas.
Under the cover of the robots, the Marines stormed Egghead.
"Charge!"
Whitebeard's crew countered, several joining forces to destroy a Pacifista.
Even the Straw Hat crew could destroy Pacifistas together; Whitebeard's pirates were no slouches.
Together, they quickly crushed a unit and faced the Marines head-on.
Clang!
Two blades clashed, Vista against Vice Admiral Momonga.
"You could've just left. Why insist on fighting? You Marines guys are really stubborn," Vista grinned.
"The Marines eliminating pirates is only right and just," Momonga replied.
"Because of your actions, the captured marines died. That's your fault."
"They were killed by you pirates. I'll avenge them by killing you."
"Say what you want. Their deaths are because of your Marines' decisions."
"Shut up!"
"Hahaha, got nothing to say now? Your Marines brought this on yourselves!" Vista laughed.
"Ice Pheasant Beak!"
A massive ice bird flapped its wings and charged in, and the pirates scattered in panic.
It rampaged through, injuring over a hundred pirates.
Jozu rushed in, using his body to block the incoming bird.
"Stop right there!"
Jozu grabbed the enormous bird's beak and spun it around.
"Take it back!"
After spinning it several times, he flung it hard back toward the Marines' ships.
The air around the warships grew hot—lava began to drip onto the decks from a deadly molten arm.
"Great Eruption!"
Akainu struck, destroying the ice bird with one punch, then launched more volcanic bombs.
"Fire Fist!"
A flaming punch collided from the side, destroying all the incoming bombs.
Ace, now mostly recovered, stood before the Marines once again.
"What a terrifying crew… Doctor, maybe go inside and drink some tea," Kizaru said, unable to ignore the chaos anymore. He turned into light and charged the Whitebeard Pirates.
"Yasakani no Magatama!"
"Marco, he's yours," Roy said calmly.
"No problem."
Marco flapped his wings and flew upward. Roy, meanwhile, looked toward four figures disembarking from a Marine warship.
"Those four… I'll go meet them myself."
...
If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.
[email protected]/DaoistJinzu