- Dimensional Gods’ Selection: Only I Know Saitama is the Strongest
- OKSTS Chapter 148
**Chapter 148: The Pirates Strike Back!**
“Fall back behind me!”
Whitebeard’s thunderous voice rang across the battlefield. Once he confirmed there were no Whitebeard Pirates ahead of him, his massive fist drove forward with terrifying force.
**Crack!**
The air in front of him splintered like shattered glass, the sound sharp and chilling.
The surrounding Marines stared in horror at the destructive power unleashed by the attack.
“Is he planning to destroy all of Marineford?”
“Marineford is done for—run!”
“My money is still in headquarters! I need to retrieve it…!”
“Forget it! Run now, or you won’t survive!”
From atop the ruins, Sengoku’s face was grave.
“This old man… he’s ready to sink Marineford, along with his life, the lives of those pirates…”
He sighed, realizing Whitebeard’s sheer resolve.
“Whitebeard, you madman.”
Not far away, Garp emerged from the rubble, dusting off his clothes.
“A fitting farewell to this era… he’s picked quite the moment.”
Garp joined Sengoku, and the two exchanged solemn glances as they turned toward Whitebeard.
Marineford was the Navy’s stronghold. Its destruction would be akin to having their home invaded and toppled. The Navy’s reputation across the seas would plummet.
They couldn’t allow that to happen.
Garp clenched his fist and smashed a nearby boulder in frustration.
“Whitebeard, you damned fool!”
With a powerful leap, Garp joined the fray.
—
“Ace, take your brother and go! Stop hesitating—Father has already made his decision!”
Fang Ye shoved Ace and Luffy aside, standing protectively in front of them.
“But—”
“No buts!” Fang Ye snapped. “If you die here, all of Father’s efforts will have been for nothing!”
Ace hesitated, Fang Ye’s words ringing true. Yet the guilt in his heart weighed heavy.
He felt his existence as the child of Gol D. Roger was the reason for this chaos. Watching Whitebeard face the Navy’s might only deepened his remorse.
“Ace!”
Whitebeard turned toward his son, his voice carrying a rare gentleness.
“Father…”
Ace’s voice cracked as he looked at Whitebeard, his body riddled with wounds.
Each injury was a testament to the lengths Whitebeard had gone to protect him.
“I have only one question for you, Ace,” Whitebeard said softly. “How does it feel to have a father like me?”
**Thud!**
Ace dropped to his knees, tears streaming down his face.
Ace, a man of unyielding pride, had never knelt before anyone. This act spoke volumes, expressing gratitude beyond words.
Whitebeard smiled, his gaze sweeping over his “sons.”
These weren’t just his crew—they were his family.
With renewed determination, Whitebeard turned back to the Marines. His chilling gaze made many of them pale with fear.
“This old man… how does he still have such terrifying power?” Sengoku muttered, his face grim.
“He truly is the world’s strongest man.”
—
“Charge!”
Whitebeard roared, raising his massive bisento high before smashing it into the ground.
**Boom!**
Dust and debris filled the air as the ground shattered. The resulting shockwave sent nearby Marines flying, leaving a trail of devastation.
“Stop him!”
A Vice Admiral’s voice trembled as he ordered his men forward. Another wave of Marines charged toward Whitebeard.
“Out of my way!”
Whitebeard grabbed the air, twisting it with his bare hands. The space around him distorted, and with a single pull, the Marines were thrown off balance, collapsing in a heap.
“Oh my, if we let you continue, Marineford might truly be destroyed.”
Kizaru’s voice carried its usual mocking tone, but his eyes betrayed a rare seriousness as he regarded Whitebeard.
“You brat, don’t test me!”
Whitebeard swung his bisento. Kizaru’s pupils shrank in alarm, and he immediately turned into particles of light, narrowly avoiding the strike.
**Boom!**
Whitebeard’s weapon struck the ground, causing it to splinter and shake. Kizaru reformed at a distance, wiping sweat from his brow.
“How terrifying…”
Raising a glowing hand, Kizaru prepared to unleash another attack.
—
Meanwhile, Akainu emerged from the ground, molten lava dripping from his body. His eyes locked onto Ace and Luffy.
“So, you escaped… no matter. You’ll die by my hands soon enough.”
Akainu’s speed was unparalleled as he closed the distance between them.
“Luffy, run!”
Ace stepped forward to protect his brother, but his strength had not yet fully recovered.
**Crack!**
The sound of bones breaking echoed as Akainu’s punch collided with Ace’s arm, leaving it shattered.
“Ace!”
Fang Ye arrived in the nick of time.
“Take your brother and run!” he shouted, throwing himself at Akainu.
Though injured, Akainu was still a formidable opponent. Within moments, Fang Ye’s instincts flared with a sense of danger.
“Hellhound!”
Akainu’s molten fist shot toward Fang Ye’s abdomen.
Fang Ye’s eyes narrowed as he dodged at the last second. He knew all too well the devastating power of this attack—it had killed Whitebeard in the original timeline.
Having avoided the blow, Fang Ye countered with a full-force punch.
**Boom!**
The impact blasted apart half of Akainu’s body, molten lava spilling from the wound and melting the ground beneath him.
Fang Ye leapt back, his face stern.
Despite the damage, Akainu’s elemental body meant the attack was ultimately ineffective.
“You’re strong…” Akainu said, stepping forward as his body regenerated.
“But without Sea Prism Stone or Armament Haki, you’re doomed.”
As his body reformed, Akainu launched himself forward like a blazing missile, magma surging around him.
“Hellhound!”
Fang Ye’s instincts screamed danger. He dodged, Akainu’s attack grazing his head and igniting his bandana.
Tossing aside the burning cloth, Fang Ye glared at Akainu.
“Do you still want to continue?”
His tone was grave. Fang Ye had more pressing concerns.
This battlefield wasn’t just a stage for the Whitebeard Pirates and the Navy—it was also a hunting ground for others like him.
Some aligned with the Navy, viewing it as a safer bet given the historical outcome.
Others, like Fang Ye, continued to fight, knowing full well the risks.
“Don’t get distracted!”
Akainu seized the moment, launching another ferocious punch at Fang Ye.