Rocks D. Xebec and Acnologia had been locked in combat for quite some time.
Neither could inflict decisive damage on the other in the short term. If they wanted to determine a winner quickly—it was simply impossible.
As for Acnologia, the longer he fought, the more exhilarated he became.
Since arriving in this pirate world, this was the first time he had experienced such a thrilling battle.
Rocks, on the other hand, wasn't at a disadvantage—but the longer the fight dragged on, the more puzzled he became.
He couldn't understand why the World Government would assign such an overwhelmingly powerful group as bodyguards to a mere Celestial Dragon.
"With strength like yours, serving as a Celestial Dragon's guard is a waste. Join my Rocks Pirates—let's conquer the world together."
Rocks extended his hand, inviting Acnologia.
Though he knew the chances were slim, as long as it wasn't zero, he was willing to try.
After all, failure cost him nothing—
But success would mean everything.
With a powerhouse like Acnologia joining them, the Rocks Pirates would become unstoppable.
"Of course, not just you—those other guards of yours are welcome as well," he added.
Acnologia hadn't intended to waste time on such nonsense—
But that last line made him laugh.
"Are you serious? You, the guy covered in black smoke?"
"I'm completely serious. I don't care about your current identities. Once you board my ship, we're brothers."
"Hahahahaha!"
Acnologia laughed loudly.
"You've got to be kidding. If you served as my subordinate, I might consider it. But you as my captain? You're not qualified."
"Then are you willing to obey that foolish World Government? Or those delusional Celestial Dragons who call themselves creators?" Rocks shot back.
"The World Government? The Celestial Dragons? I've never cared about any of that."
Acnologia's expression sharpened.
"The only thing I know is this—
the man I follow is Aurelius D. Virel ·Is."
"Aurelius D. Virel ·Is?" Rocks sneered. "He doesn't even qualify to be an apprentice on my ship."
"Oh? Is that so? Then why is that 'unqualified' man currently chasing your officer around and cutting him down?" Acnologia replied calmly.
Hearing this, Rocks' gaze immediately shifted toward the main battlefield.
Sure enough—
Is was controlling Susanoo, relentlessly pursuing Shiki.
That useless Shiki… what a disgrace.
Rocks clenched his fists.
Meanwhile, on Is' side—
Shiki's plan had completely failed.
No matter how he tried to blend into the crowd to force Is to switch targets—
Is refused to let him go.
At this point, the overall battle situation had clearly tilted in favor of the Marines.
Yoriichi Tsugikuni vs Kaido—Kaido was being driven back relentlessly.
Retsu Unohana and Tornado vs Charlotte Linlin—Unohana's side held the advantage.
As for Monkey D. Garp—
He was fighting whoever he pleased.
Originally, the main battlefield was already under heavy pressure.
But with Acnologia holding Rocks in check, Madara Uchiha was freed up—
And his presence only made things worse for the Rocks Pirates.
As the battle raged on, the combatants began to spread out.
The island shook more violently with each passing moment.
At this rate—
It wouldn't hold together much longer.
Black smoke filled the sky. Explosions rang out endlessly.
"How boring… everyone's found their opponent, and I'm still wandering around."
Madara muttered, casually tossing aside a pirate he had just grabbed.
He was about to move elsewhere—
When suddenly—
An ominous aura rushed toward him at high speed.
Madara didn't hesitate.
He instantly grabbed the scythe from his back.
Staring in that direction, a smile spread across his face.
"Looks like… something interesting is coming."
The moment his words fell—
Edward Newgate leapt into the air, descending with his naginata.
"I know you—you're one of the officers of the Rocks Pirates, Edward Newgate!"
Madara shouted, coating his weapon in Armament Haki.
"Ha!"
"CLANG—!"
The scythe and naginata collided.
A violent shockwave erupted, sweeping away everything nearby—corpses, trees, even the ground itself.
The earth shattered, forming spiderweb-like cracks.
"Hahahaha! Finally—someone worth fighting!!!"
Madara roared with excitement.
Whitebeard frowned slightly.
He pulled back his weapon, landed, spun—
And struck again with greater force.
"BANG!"
Another powerful shockwave erupted.
When that proved ineffective—
Whitebeard withdrew once more.
His free fist suddenly became enveloped in a white aura.
The power of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit.
Madara had no intention of taking it head-on.
In a flash, he shifted his grip—drawing out the gunbai fan connected to his scythe and raising it defensively.
"BANG!"
A massive impact exploded behind Madara—
Yet around him, everything remained eerily still.
Whitebeard was momentarily stunned.
"What… it was neutralized?!"
"Uchiha Reflection!"
As Madara's voice rang out—
A powerful counterforce surged forward.
"BOOM—!"
The ground ahead exploded, dust rising rapidly into the air.
Whitebeard was pushed back several steps.
But the moment he regained his footing—
He burst through the smoke once again, naginata swinging.
"Ha!"
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