138: I've traveled across mountains and seas, all to... bring back my brother!

The Summit War erupts!

This is a clash between the old era and the new era!

The overlord of the old era, Whitebeard, challenges the strongest force of the new era, the Marines, all by himself!

Thump thump thump!!!

Hearts are pounding, veins are taut, and blood throughout the body feels like it's about to explode!

The tsunami has not ended yet!

The power of the tremor makes the tsunami surge, like a monstrous beast threatening to engulf the entire Marine Headquarters, its ferocious maw striking fear into all who behold it!

Closer, even closer!

The tsunami poured down, just moments before it was about to completely submerge everything!

Crack—

A vast glacier coalesced!

One of the Marine's Three Admirals, Aokiji, made his move. His Logia-type Ice-Ice Fruit ability froze the sea surface, and in the blink of an eye, the enormous tsunami transformed into a giant ice sculpture!

However, the tsunami was merely a prelude; the true war begins now!

"Kill!!!"

Marines and pirates, it's unclear which side, first let out a roar, breaking the stalemate. People, like grains of sand, began to slaughter each other. Blood flowed, blades clashed, and lives were spent to define their existence!

The Marines uphold justice and maintain order!

The pirates pursue freedom and trample upon laws!

Between the two, who is right and who is wrong? No one knows. Since the pirate king Roger's command forty years ago, the Great Pirate Era began, and two vastly different wills have been constantly clashing!

Ten years, twenty years, thirty years...

Too long!

Too long!

Whether it's the Marines or the pirates, they are already like fire and water; one side must fall for it to end!

And today...

Perhaps, a part of the answer may be found.

On the high platform, Sengoku the Buddha overlooked the battlefield and exchanged glances with Whitebeard, who stood on the deck of the Moby Dick. Both understood a single phrase from the other's eyes.

Today, it's either you or me!

...War! War!

This is a journey without regret!

This is a war without right or wrong!

This is a confrontation between the wills of order and freedom!

Everything will be revealed in this war named the Summit War!

Blood is flowing...

The number of Marines is constantly decreasing... Conversely, Whitebeard's crew members are also perishing at an alarming rate.

Aside from Whitebeard's own pirate crew...

The other pirate crews that followed have suffered at least half or more casualties!

Zheng—

Sword energy howled, like a long dragon, breaking through waves against the wind!

A vast surge of sword energy arrived, from the world's greatest swordsman, a being who transcends all other swordsmen!

Hawkeye, Mihawk!

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The sword energy tore through the air, and along its path, the sound of air exploding continuously rang out, growing in momentum, almost tearing apart the clear sky!

If this strike were to land, the Whitebeard Pirates would undoubtedly suffer devastating losses!

Suddenly!

Just as the sword light was about to strike, a figure completely encased in diamonds rushed out resolutely, using his flesh and blood to withstand this world-class sword energy!

Whitebeard Pirates, 3rd Division Commander, Diamond Jozu!

The power of the Diamond-Diamond Fruit is comparable to the hardest metal in the world, capable of blocking any terrifying slash!

But it was, after all, sword energy from the world's greatest, and the moment Jozu withstood it, his blood vessels burst, his entire body became a bloody mess, and his knees slightly bent, almost causing him to fall to his knees!

But he still gritted his teeth.

Finally, with a roar, he forcefully threw the sword energy high into the sky!

Seeing such a sight, even the world's greatest swordsman, Hawkeye, couldn't help but exclaim, "Truly astonishing."

Jozu withstood Hawkeye's attack at the cost of being nearly critically wounded!

Immediately following that...

The 5th Division Commander, Vista, known as 'Flower Blade,' rushed out, clashing swords with Hawkeye and holding him off, preventing him from unleashing a second wave of sword energy!

Glaciers shattered, blood stained the ocean...

The war intensified, showing no signs of stopping. Sengoku the Buddha clenched his fourth hand, his eyes firm. Today, even at the cost of half the Marines' annihilation...

He must prevent Whitebeard from rescuing Ace!

This is the glory of the Marines!

The next second...

Sengoku's expression suddenly changed. Not only Sengoku, but even Garp, who had been observing from the sidelines, stood up. He sensed a familiar presence.

It's Straw Hat Luffy!

"Gum-Gum... Axe!"

A figure leaped high into the sky, like Joy Boy, the legendary Sun God, the being who once fought against Im during the Void Century!

Bang—

With a massive tremor, Straw Hat Luffy descended into the center of the battlefield!

"Luffy?" Ace exclaimed in surprise.

"Luffy???" Garp was exasperated. One grandson captured was bad enough, but now the other grandson came to throw his life away too?

"Straw Hat Kid? Is he Ace's younger brother?" Whitebeard's voice. He looked at Luffy's figure, and vaguely, he seemed to see Ace's former self in him.

It was precisely this feeling...

That made Whitebeard give the order, "Everyone, listen up! Cover Straw Hat Kid Luffy and rescue Ace!"

As the voice fell...

The Whitebeard Pirates immediately moved, however, the warships lined up by the Marines were not just for show. They were constantly fighting on the ice, unable to approach the land of Marine Headquarters by even a single step!

This can't go on!

Everyone realized this, but the Marines weren't foolish either; they wouldn't sit idly by and watch the enemy break through their defense line. Suddenly, footsteps were heard from outside the harbor!

Immediately after...

A giant head popped up from the towering harbor!

A giant!

It's the Giant Tribe!

And, it's a descendant of the legendary Demon Oars!

Gecko Moria shouted in astonishment, "That Demon, he actually still has descendants?"

As he spoke, Oars Jr. had already arrived at Marine Headquarters. Bang! His massive body landed, kicking up a huge splash of water.

He traversed mountains and rivers, crossing the sea to get here!

Facing the fierce cannon fire and the encirclement of numerous Marines, Oars Jr. remained silent, gritting his teeth and pressing forward, step by step, each step treading on everyone's heartstrings!

Why doesn't he retreat?

Yes, why don't I retreat?

Not only was everyone confused, but Oars Jr. himself was also puzzled. As a pirate, he had nothing to do with this war, so why... why did he come to participate in this war?

Whoosh—

The moist, salty sea breeze gently blew, stirring his hair, and at the same time, it moved an old straw hat behind him.

It's because of this straw hat...

Oars Jr. thought, recalling Ace from back then, the only man who didn't fear or avoid him because of his massive size.

Braving the sun, weaving a straw hat for him, that man... that was his gentle nature.

"How could I ever forget the kindness of this straw hat!!!"

Demon Oars roared in his heart. On the execution platform, Ace was already crying uncontrollably, kneeling on the ground, begging him to leave, to not come any closer.

Oars Jr. remained silent.

How could a man easily go back on his word?

Moreover... I came to bring my brother home!

Bang—

Reaching the end, utterly exhausted, Oars Jr. finally fell under the fierce assault of the Marines. And in his last moments, he was barely a meter away from Ace...

His arm dropped powerlessly; he ultimately failed to bring his brother back.

However...

The path he forged with his life, however, opened a route to Marine Headquarters for his comrades behind him!

Whitebeard suppressed his grief and anger, roaring loudly: "Advance! We must bring Ace back! We cannot let Oars' good intentions be in vain!!!"

Instantly...

All the pirates, filled with anger, stepped over Oars' corpse and charged into Marine Headquarters!

The climax of the war arrived.