Chapter Sixteen: Oz

After several exchanges, Qing Temple's blade was caught between Nammuel's teeth. Nammuel raised his eyebrows and bit down hard, only to reveal a look of surprise. Qing Temple threw a punch, and Nammuel responded in kind. Their fists collided, forcing both to step back a few paces.

Qing Temple's arm tingled slightly, while Nammuel flexed his fist and regarded Qing Temple, saying, "So you're a user of Armament Haki? It's even stronger than mine."

"You're at least a Rear Admiral, aren't you?" Qing Temple glanced at his unscathed sword and replied loudly, "No, no, I'm still just a Lieutenant at the moment. This sword has been with me for ages—I can't let you bite through it so easily."

Suddenly, the ground began to tremble. Everyone halted their fighting and looked into the distance. Through the mist, a colossal figure emerged, its height dwarfing even the two massive ships and towering twice as tall as any giant. In his hand, he wielded a huge blade, and with every step, the earth quaked. Countless shells flew toward him, but they proved futile.

He raised his blade and smashed the Navy's heavy artillery fortification to pieces. His vacant eyes fixed on the freckled boy atop the platform, and he let out a muffled roar: "Ace..."

After a moment of stunned silence, several giant Vice Admirals from the Navy charged at Oars. Oars strode beside a Navy warship, lifted the massive vessel with ease, and hurled it toward the incoming Vice Admirals. The warship crashed down upon them, slamming them into the inner wall.

Oars pressed forward. His destructive power was truly formidable; with a single swing, he instantly slaughtered swathes of Navy soldiers. One giant Vice Admiral looked up and remarked, "This is the first time I've ever had to look up at someone..."

Despite some fear, the Vice Admiral raised his giant sword to attack. Oars parried with his blade, and after several forceful clashes, the Vice Admiral's sword shattered into pieces. In his astonishment, another blow came down. The Vice Admiral was struck hard, collapsing to the ground, a terrifying scar carved across his chest, blood streaming from every side—his fate uncertain.

A female giant, witnessing this, shouted loudly and lunged forward, thrusting her spear. Oars caught the spear in one hand, then punched the giantess, sending her flying. The other Vice Admirals caught her midair.

Ignoring Whitebeard’s pleas, Oars pressed on. In his eyes, there was only Ace; his sole purpose was to save the boy who wove his straw hat. He did not want this gentle soul to die, even if it meant his own life.

Oars was about to reach the inner wall when a figure stepped before him. He wore a white round cap, had dark skin, a black outfit emblazoned with a bear paw, white pants speckled with black, and black sunglasses. He gazed at Oars silently, then removed his gloves. In the center of his palm was a fleshy pad resembling a bear's paw.

He spread his hands wide, and a translucent bear paw-shaped energy field rapidly expanded, growing to match Oars' height before quickly contracting.

Qing Temple observed the bear’s technique and remarked to Nammuel, "Oars is in danger now—he won't withstand the Tyrant's attack."

"What are you talking about, you bastard?" Nammuel glared, about to attack Qing Temple, when a flash of white exploded.

Oars' massive body was enveloped in white light, convulsing as if struck by lightning. Unable to endure, Oars let out a thunderous howl, and the ground around him shattered from the energy waves.

As the brightness faded, his straw hat slipped from his head, blood trickling from his scalp, his eyes turning white, almost losing consciousness.

Nammuel shouted, "Oars! Damn it!"

Qing Temple slashed at Nammuel, whose arm was cut, blood appearing as a thin line. He retreated, clutching his arm.

Nammuel gritted his teeth, "It's a pity you aren't a pirate."

Qing Temple laughed, "That really is a pity. I've joined the Navy, but if I ever leave, maybe I'll consider piracy."

Nammuel responded, "The Whitebeard Pirates don't need someone like you—just like that traitorous, detestable Teach."

Qing Temple shook his head, "By then, the Whitebeard Pirates might not exist, so I couldn't join even if I wanted to."

As for Blackbeard… Qing Temple wondered if Magellan had dealt with them. Logically, without interference, Magellan should easily handle the arrogant Blackbeard.

No matter; he focused on the task at hand.

Nammuel said, "You're such an arrogant man, it's infuriating!"

He attacked Qing Temple again. In truth, Qing Temple was not troubled by him; throughout their exchanges, Qing Temple had the upper hand. With the Navy’s Six Styles, he moved nimbly, making it difficult for Nammuel to land a blow.

Nammuel snapped his jaws at empty air, frustrated. "Stop scurrying around like a rat, Qing Temple!"

Qing Temple replied, "Your teeth are too formidable—I have to dodge, Nammuel."

Qing Temple glanced over and spoke softly, "Your brother has fallen. Take a look. I won't sneak attack you this time."

Nammuel quickly distanced himself and turned toward Oars. Oars was propped up on one hand, desperately reaching for the execution platform with the other. His right leg had been severed by Doflamingo’s String-String Fruit, and a black shadow sword from Moonlight Moria was embedded in his chest.

He was so close to touching Ace—just a hair’s breadth away—but he never reached him. His massive body suddenly lost all strength and collapsed.

Ace, tears streaming down his face, cried out desperately, "Oars!"

Whitebeard saw the fallen giant, veins bulging on his forehead. A nearby giant Vice Admiral swung his blade and shouted, "Whitebeard, there’s an opening!"

Whitebeard easily parried with the Cloud Cutter, deflecting the giant blade, then seized the Vice Admiral’s head and pressed it to the ship’s deck, activating the Tremor-Tremor Fruit. The Vice Admiral’s eyes rolled back, dying with regret, and he was tossed aside.

Whitebeard, true to his name, remained clear-headed despite his rage. As the commander of the pirate forces, he had to keep his wits about him; any slip could let Sengoku inflict heavy losses on the pirates.

After venting his anger, Whitebeard shouted, "Step over Oars’ body and launch your attack on the Navy!"

Enraged by Oars’ death, the pirates surged forward, shouting as they charged the Navy.

Qing Temple was startled by the pirates’ frenzy.

Not far away, Doflamingo was toying with several pirates, laughing maniacally and reciting his infamous lines.

"Only the victor can define justice, and right now I stand in the middle—of course justice will prevail. Hehehehehehe..."

Qing Temple couldn't help but mutter, "Idiot..."