(T/N: There is now a p.atreon for this work, and any new work I add will be dropped there first. check it out for an early release of up to 30 chapters edited smoothly. https://www.p.atreon.com/INeedRest)
(25 chapters of the new book are already released in p.atreon)
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At that moment, Luffy who was angry from seeing his family hurt, suddenly underwent a change.
Dun-du-dun! Dun-du-dun!
Dun-du-dun! Dun-du-dun!
A strong and rhythmic heartbeat echoed from Luffy's body, resonating clearly in everyone's ears, as if it were beating right beside them.
"Why... why do I want to laugh so much?"
Ace muttered to himself.
He wasn't the only one—many of the Whitebeard Pirates felt the same inexplicable urge.
Strangely, the anxiety of seeing Whitebeard at a disadvantage seemed to lessen.
"Ace, look at Luffy!"
Sabo's voice was filled with shock as he stared at Luffy in the distance, his eyes widening in disbelief.
Hearing this, Ace immediately turned to look, only for his jaw to drop.
Dun-du-dun! Dun-du-dun!
"Is this... really Luffy?"
At that moment, Luffy's clothes and hair had turned white, his hair curling like flames, and a white-like cloud swirled around his back.
Dun-du-dun! Dun-du-dun!
"Hahahaha! Colt!"
Luffy's previous rage from seeing his grandpa hurt dissipated as he sat on the ground, laughing loudly.
[Gear Fifth]
[Sun God: Nika]
He had never felt this joyful in his entire life, and his laughter spread across the battlefield, carried by the rhythm of his heartbeat.
"This brother of Ace..." Whitebeard narrowed his eyes.
"Roger, did you see this coming all those years ago?"
His mind drifted back to their last conversation before Roger turned himself in.
"We were too early..."
"The one who will truly bring change to this world, is yet to come"
Now, Whitebeard was certain.
The one Roger spoke of was none other than Ace's younger brother—Monkey D. Luffy.
But... he glanced at Colt, who was also smiling.
Could Luffy really stop this guy?
"The incarnation of Joy Boy Is finally here, and the Drum of Liberation has sounded once more..."
Colt watched Luffy's joyful expression, his own smile widening.
"I tried so hard to force Luffy's awakening in battle using Kaido, yet he never reached it... And now, it just happened here randomly..."
"Honestly, Luffy, your luck is insane."
Colt had a bitter smile on his face.
"Colt! Ahahaha" Luffy flipped onto his feet and laughed.
"Pirates are the freest people in the world, and I'll be the freest of them all!"
Like a child stretching before play, he twisted his body left and right before pointing at Colt with determination.
"Then come," Colt said, stepping forward.
"After today, there will be no more pirates. No more Pirate King."
"I want to be free! That's why I'll be the Pirate King!"
The two stood facing each other, like two opposing forces. Well, one stood and the other bounced around comically.
Absolute freedom vs. absolute order.
Somewhere in the New World, Zunesha raised its head and let out a deafening sound, shaking the skies—a celebration of the new Joy Boy's arrival.
Across the seas, countless pirates gazed at Luffy on their screens, entrusting their dreams to him.
"Lu... Luffy, carry our will forward!"
Despite his wounds, Zoro, still locked in battle with Mihawk, let out a fierce roar.
"Go, Luffy! You'll become the Pirate King!" Ace cheered, tears streaming down his face.
"Hmph."
Akainu suddenly lowered his fist, turned away, and left.
As a Marine, he could never bring himself to cheer for a pirate.
But if Colt could truly end piracy once and for all—then even if he had to overthrow the World Government, so be it.
Beckman shook his head with a wry smile and followed Akainu.
There was no point in staying here—his strength wasn't enough to interfere in this battle.
"Gurarara! This old man won't back down!"
Whitebeard laughed heartily, inhaled deeply, and bellowed:
"I may be a relic of the past, but freedom still flows in my blood!"
"Luffy, brat! Give it your all!"
"Got it!"
Luffy launched himself into the air, his figure aligning with the sun like a fiery spirit.
With his Fifth Gear abilities fully unleashed, Luffy's speed and power soared to a new level. His arm stretched far, rocketing toward Colt.
Clang!
A simple flick of Colt's staff blocked the punch.
Though their attacks didn't directly collide, the sheer force of their wills created a vacuum filled with crimson lightning.
Cracks formed in the air as Whitebeard activated his Tremor-Tremor Fruit abilities.
A powerful shockwave erupted, pulling in forces from all directions. The sheer gravitational distortion could tear a warship in half.
"Tsk. Annoying."
Colt frowned, raised his other hand, and unleashed Shinra Tensei!
A powerful repulsion force exploded outward, nullifying the quake and sending powerful winds in all directions.
Boom!
Haki-infused lightning burst from their clash, forming a massive pillar of energy that tore through the clouds above.
"...Incredible, Straw Hat."
For once, Doflamingo's trademark grin disappeared. Luffy's growth had far exceeded his expectations.
Back in Dressrosa, the two had been evenly matched.
How long had it been since then?
Now, Luffy stood at a level beyond imagination.
Meanwhile, on the battlefield, Aokiji held Garp in one hand and Sengoku in the other as he surveyed the ruined Marineford.
"Instead of worrying about that, you should be worrying about yourselves."
His words drew everyone's attention to the battlefield around them.
Marineford was in shambles.
The very foundation of the Navy's stronghold was crumbling.
And with Whitebeard and Luffy continuing to go all out, the base wouldn't last much longer.
"Help me out, Borsalino."
Aokiji handed Garp and Sengoku to Kizaru, then stepped onto the water.
"Ice Age!"
Cold mist surged outward, freezing the sea at an astonishing speed.
"Move out—Marineford is about to collapse."
Vice Admiral Tsuru gave one last glance at the place she had called home for decades before stepping onto the ice.
The other Marines hesitated but followed.
Truthfully, this battle had nothing to do with them anymore.
Fighting here was meaningless now.
They might as well be spectators.
'But... who should they be rooting for?'
That question had no easy answer.
The Whitebeard Pirates and Kisame also stopped fighting, their attention completely absorbed by the clash before them.
Now, in the heart of the battlefield, only three remained.
Colt.
Luffy.
Whitebeard.
The final clash had begun.