Behind him, the path to the future was open. In front of him, the end was waiting. He didn't flinch. He just took a deep breath, ready to show the world why he was the strongest man alive one last time.
"Listen up, Whitebeard Pirates!" his voice boomed, shattering the sound of cannon fire. The battlefield went silent. 481 : Ace Rescued! Whitebeard's Final Order!
"It’s a Captain’s Order," Whitebeard growled, his eyes narrowing as he turned his back on them to face the surging tide of Marines and the three Admirals. "I am a remnant of the old era. There is no ship in the new era for me!" Behind him, the path to the future was open
He stood like a mountain of scarred flesh and sheer willpower, his massive naginata, Murakumogiri, planted in the cracked earth. Blood leaked from a hundred wounds, and his legendary coat hung heavy with the grime of war. He looked at his "sons" one last time. He just took a deep breath, ready to
"Go, Ace! Go, Luffy!" Marco cried, grabbing Ace by the shoulder, his phoenix wings shimmering with blue flame. "Don't let his resolve go to waste!"
He slammed his fist into the air, the very atmosphere cracking like glass. The shockwave leveled the remaining fortress walls, creating a massive chasm between his retreating family and the Marine forces.