239 - ACE!!! Hurry UP!! - One Piece: I'll Defeat IMU!!

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Luffy's eyes widened at Rayleigh's words. He shouted, "Rayleigh, do you know that weird old man?"

Rayleigh's expression turned grim. "Yeah," he replied, voice serious. "That guy used to lead the God's Knights. His strength was once on par with Whitebeard's."

Luffy gaped. "That weird old man is as strong as Uncle Whitebeard?!"

At the mention of Whitebeard, Figarland Garling let out a cold snort. "Whitebeard?" he said with open disdain. "He was indeed a memorable man. But it's a shame he rejected this saint's invitation back then. If he hadn't, he wouldn't have died so early."

He paused, as if savoring the thought, then added with a hint of regret, "Still, if Whitebeard were alive now, this saint would definitely kill him. Truly a pity."

Rayleigh stayed silent, his gaze fixed on Garling, unease knotting in his chest. He had never crossed blades with Saint Garling himself—only watched from afar as Garling clashed with Whitebeard. The battle hadn't lasted long, but even then, Garling had not been at a disadvantage.

Garling turned his attention fully to Rayleigh, drawing the sword at his waist in one slow, deliberate motion. Without looking away, he ordered Gorum, "Gorum, go deal with that Straw Hat Luffy. As for Rayleigh, I'll take care of him myself."

"Yes, Father," Gorum replied respectfully.

Rayleigh's eyes didn't dare stray from the man in front of him. Saint Garling's presence alone pressed down on him; his strength clearly surpassed even that of the Gorosei. Rayleigh's thoughts raced. Saint Garling, plus that celestial dragon admiral, Gorum… there was no way he could stop both of them.

This situation was just like Sabaody back then—no, even more troublesome than it had been at that time.

He suddenly shouted, "Luffy! Hurry up and contact your brother Ace—ask the Phoenix Pirates for help!"

"Ace?" Luffy blinked, then remembered. When they'd parted at Sabaody, Ace had specially given him a transponder snail, telling him he could call anytime if he needed anything.

But Luffy had been in training all this time, and that transponder snail had been left with Hancock so she could take care of it.

Luffy darted straight toward Hancock. His strength now was on par with an elite Marine vice admiral—maybe even beyond. With his arrival, he quickly closed the distance to Hancock and her two sisters, shouting, "Hancock! You've got my transponder snail, right?!"

"Yes. I take meticulous care of it every day," Hancock replied. She reached between her proud twin peaks, produced the transponder snail, and handed it to Luffy.

The moment the Marines saw the snail, memories of the battles against the Phoenix Pirates on Cake Island and Egghead Island came flooding back, and a wave of shock rippled through their ranks. Gorum roared, "We can't let him contact Fire Fist Ace! Stop him, now!"

With that, Gorum lunged toward Straw Hat Luffy.

Ever since the Marineford War, the entire world knew Fire Fist Ace and Straw Hat Luffy were brothers. Luffy's reckless invasions of Impel Down and Marineford to save Ace had already proven the depth of their bond.

If Straw Hat Luffy really managed to contact Fire Fist Ace, with their brotherly affection, Ace would definitely rush here without a second thought—and the Phoenix Pirates might even mobilize.

If the Phoenix Pirates took the field, the other two crews under the Three Emperors could also move in to protect their shared interests. Then it would once again become Marineford and the World Government versus the Three Emperors Alliance.

The losses would be catastrophic.

The World Government and the Marines had already endured two world-shaking wars in a short span, and they had come away bloodied both times. That alone was enough to make Marine Headquarters fearful of another clash with the Three Emperors Alliance.

The battles on Cake Island and Egghead had made one thing painfully clear: Marineford's power alone was not enough to stand against the Three Emperors Alliance.

The biggest reason was Marco—one of the Three Emperors—whose strength was simply overwhelming. Next was Kaido. According to veterans like Sengoku, Garp, and Zephyr, those two now possessed power surpassing even Roger and Whitebeard. Add in Big Mom, who herself held Emperor–class strength, and Marineford by itself could not hope to defeat them.

Hancock shouted, "Luffy, you go on ahead! I will hold them off!"

Hancock also understood that their only remaining hope now lay with Luffy's brother Ace, the Phoenix Pirates backing Fire Fist Ace, and even the Three Emperors Alliance. The Marines had dispatched an overwhelming force; Amazon Lily alone was far too difficult a fight.

Rayleigh could sense Luffy already sprinting toward the forest in the heart of Amazon Lily. All he could do was pray they held out until the Phoenix Pirates arrived. This situation was completely different from Sabaody. Back then, Bartholomew Kuma's intervention had allowed the Straw Hats to escape.

But Amazon Lily sat in the Calm Belt. Even if they tried to run, they would just be surrounded by Marine warships. And this was Hancock's country—she, at least, would never abandon it and flee.

As for Rayleigh, he could easily dive into the sea and escape on his own. But he didn't move. If he ran now, both Luffy and Hancock would die.

"Don't even think about escaping, Straw Hat Luffy…!" Gorum roared, charging after him.

Hancock tried to intercept Gorum, but several marine vice admirals cut her off at once. Forced back, she could only choose to trust Luffy. After all, he was the man who'd dared to strike at a Celestial Dragon.

A vicious slash suddenly came crashing down. Luffy tumbled and rolled across the ground in a sorry heap to avoid it—just in time. The savage, domineering sword aura ripped through the forest, leveling everything in its path; towering trees were cleaved cleanly in half, the canopy shaved into a flat line.

Seeing this, Luffy grasped the enemy's strength and immediately activated Gear Second, steam bursting from his body as he sped up his retreat.

"Hmph, trying to run? This island's only so big. Where can a landlubber like you possibly escape to?" Gorum sneered, swinging his blade again. Another brutal wave of sword aura tore after Luffy, driving him into an even more desperate flight.

Clutching the transponder snail tightly in both hands, Luffy frantically dialed. The line still hadn't connected. Gritting his teeth, he shouted, "Ace, hurry up! Answer the phone, quickly!"