Chapter 643: Chapter 642: Going for a Stroll

Historically, there were only two ways to travel between the New World and the Paradise half of the Grand Line.

The first was coating a ship to dive 10,000 meters to Fish-Man Island through a small hole at the base of the Red Line — a high-risk journey. The second was the World Government’s exclusive route, reserved for Marines and officials.

Now, as Hancock and the others looked through the tunnel, they realized a third path had been created. One with zero risk.

"You fools! Pirates will be able to cross between the two seas without any danger! Do you want to throw the world into chaos?" Yako roared in fury.

"Shut up, Government dog."

Law deployed a ROOM and made a swift horizontal slash. Yako found himself unable to speak; his mouth moved, but no sound came out.

"What did you do?" Aranea asked curiously.

"Just temporarily removed his vocal cords. Don’t worry, it’s reversible," Law replied coldly.

Bloop, bloop, bloop...

Suddenly, the eyes of a Visual Den Den Mushi at their feet lit up. Alucard stepped out of the tunnel, which was now hundreds of meters high and a hundred meters wide.

"Captain, the live broadcast of the war at Marineford has been restored," Law reported.

The Den Den Mushi showed the battlefield. Though the angle was poor, it was clear: Fire Fist Ace, with the help of Luffy and the former Warlord Sabo, had escaped the execution platform. However, Fleet Admiral Sengoku had finally entered the fray, making the situation even more chaotic.

"What’s next, Master?" Hancock asked.

"Notify Vegapunk. The next phase of the plan is already calculated." Alucard looked toward the newly opened tunnel. "I’m going for a stroll."

...

At Marineford, Doflamingo stood on the siege wall, watching Ace flee. "Fuffuffuffu~~ This is bad. If Fire Fist Ace escapes, no matter the casualties, this battle will be judged as Whitebeard’s victory."

Every Marine present knew this. Anyone still capable of fighting focused their fire on Ace. Kill Fire Fist Ace to declare the Navy’s victory!

"Now is not the time to be idle, you two."

Fujitora dropped his usual benevolence. His sightless eyes opened, and his scarred face looked unusually grim.

"Arara. Since when did you become so hot-blooded, Issho-san?" Kuzan remarked, his hands in his pockets. Despite his tone, he immediately transformed into a trail of ice, chasing after Ace.

"Admiral Aokiji is targeting Ace!!"

"Ace, watch your back!"

Whitebeard’s crew members shouted warnings.

"Don’t even think about escaping!" Kuzan caught up, reforming into human shape. He thrust his palms toward the three brothers. "Ice Block: Pheasant Peck!"

A massive bird of ice, radiating a freezing chill, lunged at Ace.

"ACE!!" Whitebeard stepped forward, swinging his naginata to intercept.

Zip!

A beam of light pierced Whitebeard’s arm, causing his weapon to drop. Above him, the light materialized into a lewd, mocking face. "Ooh~~ To think I’d land a sneak attack so easily. You’ve grown careless, Whitebeard."

Kizaru crossed his arms, his fingers forming a circle. "Yasakani no Magatama!"

"Pops, look out!"

Marco, wreathed in blue flames, flew in to block the attack. The light orbs were swallowed by the phoenix flames.

"Marco-san... please stop getting in the way, ne~" Kizaru complained. His right leg glowed as he delivered a powerful kick, sending Marco flying. Simultaneously, Whitebeard’s bisento swung toward Kizaru’s neck.

At the final moment, Whitebeard felt his body become incredibly heavy. His swing slowed, allowing Kizaru to dissolve into light and escape.

"Whew~~ almost lost my head there~" Kizaru reappeared next to Fujitora, patting his chest.

"You’re an interesting brat," Whitebeard growled, turning to Fujitora. It was the Admiral’s gravity that had saved Kizaru.

Fujitora held his blade partially drawn. "Not at all. Compared to the World’s Strongest Man, my tricks are but child’s play."

"Mirror Flame!"

Ace unleashed a wall of flames, clashing with Aokiji’s ice. For a moment, heat and cold were locked in a stalemate.

"Three Admirals moving together... this is bad!" 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

"Cover Ace! Move! Move!"

Kuzan stomped his foot, freezing the approaching Whitebeard pirates into ice statues. "Don’t think you’re leaving, Fire Fist Ace."

"Dammit! Ace, let me help!" Luffy shouted.

"Luffy, I’ll handle Ace! You don’t have Haki yet; you can’t fight a Logia!" Sabo stopped him. "Retreat with your crew first!"

"Your brother is right! Move, Luffy!" Usopp and Nami, terrified by the scale of the battle, urged him to flee. They regretted coming at all. They were completely out of their league.