One Piece: Holy Light Swordmaster

"Boom—"

"Crack—"

"Clang—"

...

Inside the arena, the ferocious battle raged on. The clash between Wright and Whitebeard showcased the terrifying combat prowess of the world's strongest fighters.

Although the outside world could not hear the specific sounds of battle within the arena, they could clearly witness the intensity of the fight.

The arena's protective barrier flickered unpredictably, covered in cracks that rapidly mended themselves. Every Marine and pirate watching understood just how fierce the battle had become.

"If not for this arena's protection… Marineford would have been completely reduced to rubble."

This thought echoed in the minds of both the Marines and pirates alike. After all, the unrestrained Whitebeard was fighting with the intent of mutual destruction.

Akainu stood guard at the breach, his searing magma forming a hellish barricade that prevented any pirate from breaking through. Kizaru's pinpoint laser strikes and Aokiji's freezing techniques further restricted their movements, making even escape an impossibility.

The Whitebeard Pirates were on the brink of total annihilation!

Issho silently approached Sengoku and let out a gentle sigh.

"Fleet Admiral, the war has reached this stage. As for pursuing the remaining pirates, I will not take part."

"I understand," Sengoku nodded. "Thank you, Issho. You have been a great help in this battle."

He then turned his gaze back to the battlefield, which was gradually tilting in favor of the Marines. After a brief hesitation, he continued:

"Issho, there is still one hidden threat… He must be nearby, yet he refuses to reveal himself."

"Even now, when Whitebeard is fighting with the resolve to die, that man remains in the shadows. I don't know what he's planning…"

"But if he was only here to see Whitebeard off, I… I wouldn't believe it."

"And then there's the Revolutionary Army's leader, Dragon. This hidden threat is his most trusted disciple, the Chief Strategist of the Revolutionary Army. I have a strong feeling… he must be nearby!"

"This battle has been full of twists and turns…"

Issho shook his head and sighed. "One by one, the 'voices' are fading… Even with Wright's extraordinary healing abilities, casualties were inevitable."

"I will remain vigilant of those two threats as well."

"War is always cruel, whether for the Marines or the pirates."

"At this point, unless Whitebeard falls, this battle will continue."

Sengoku murmured to himself before clenching his fists tightly.

"With Wright here, the price we've paid is already far smaller than we ever could have imagined. Impel Down now has plenty of open cells—fitting for the remnants of the Whitebeard Pirates!"

Inside the arena, the battle between Wright and Whitebeard had reached its climax.

With an unparalleled advantage in speed, combined with future-sight level Observation Haki and top-tier swordsmanship befitting a Great Swordsman, Wright faced Whitebeard head-on without fear.

Even while sustaining the aura buffs for the entire Marine force and maintaining the arena's energy consumption, Wright, as the wielder of the Holy Light, had long since stopped worrying about such expenditures!

Whitebeard was already covered in blood. His Supreme Grade blade, "Ashes," was imbued with Wright's Divine Power—not with divine fire's searing heat, but with unmatched sharpness.

The destructive force of the Divine Power within his body left Whitebeard riddled with wounds, his body bleeding profusely from countless cuts!

And yet, neither his immense strength nor the power of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit could deal any significant damage to Wright.

Unlike his battle against Akainu, Wright possessed formidable defenses and instantaneous healing abilities. Whitebeard, once able to dominate the battlefield, was now struggling just to keep up with Wright's speed!

Breathing heavily, blood continuously dripped from his mouth and wounds. Even the world's strongest man felt his vision blur.

"So pathetic…"

Whitebeard murmured, forcing his head to turn. He caught a glimpse of Marco and the other division commanders desperately trying to save their comrades amidst the Admirals' relentless assault. He finally let out a breath of relief.

"At least… my foolish sons aren't entirely foolish…"

"It's pointless, Whitebeard. You don't actually believe they can escape, do you?"

Wright looked at him with a complex expression.

"I once wondered if you could have been a powerful ally to my dream."

"Oh? An ally…?"

Whitebeard narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing Wright as if seeing him for the first time.

"Gurararara… A Marine who doesn't reject the idea of working with pirates? You really are Garp's disciple… I see now, you're going to be just as much trouble for the World Government."

"If not for Garp's achievements and influence, he would have been purged long ago. His era, like mine, is coming to an end. But you, leading the new age—you're just the same!"

"Interesting… very interesting. I'm starting to look forward to what the future holds!"

"Of course—it will be a future of peace."

Wright shook his head. "Whitebeard, personally, I respect you… But as a symbol of piracy, as a pioneer of this era, you… must die."

"You're right. The new era has no ship that can carry me."

"I want a future of peace and stability. Pirates who bring chaos to the world cannot exist. And the Celestial Dragons, the true root of that chaos—I will deal with them as well. That world, I think even you would envy."

"Kid, you're the most unusual Marine I've ever met…"

Whitebeard straightened his massive frame, planting his Supreme Grade blade, "Murakumogiri," into the ground.

"You'll be the one to lead the new age. Seems I wasn't wrong… But you're not a 'D'? Did Roger actually make a mistake for once? Gurararara…"

"Roger… He and I walk different paths. And the one who should have been under your protection—his son—will now be protected by me."

Wright's words jolted Whitebeard's fading consciousness awake. His eyes widened in shock.

"What did you just say?!"

"Originally, the one meant to be executed on that platform was your Second Division Commander, Roger's son. And in your dying moments, you were supposed to watch him die before your very eyes…"

"Right here in Oris Plaza!"

Wright spoke calmly, painting a picture Whitebeard had never imagined. The old pirate stared at him in disbelief.

"You… Who exactly are you…?"

The clarity of Wright's words made Whitebeard feel as if this was the fate he was originally meant to experience!

"That's why I say—I am someone rarer than a 'D'."

"As a show of respect, the least I can do… is give you a grand farewell."

Wright raised his sword high. The clouds above split apart, and six golden energy blades descended from the "heavens."

"When the world is at peace… when no one is displaced, when everyone can live in happiness and security… when 'family' is no longer an unreachable dream… I'll visit your grave and have a drink with you."

"Whitebeard… Farewell."

"Secret Technique: Judgment Execution!"

A golden radiance, as brilliant as the sun falling from the skies, engulfed half of Oris Plaza. The explosion shattered the arena completely.

At its core, Whitebeard stood defiantly, his blade raised high, laughing without regret.

"Gurararara…"

"My life… was never in vain!"

Edward Newgate, 'Whitebeard,' the world's strongest man and one of the Four Emperors, fell in battle at Marineford, at the age of 72.

From that day forth, the old era was no more, and a new age rose in its wake.

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