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At Ohara's art store;
"One Piece is real!? It's so damn real!!"
"Or this manga wouldn't be named after that… Fufufu~"
In Ohara Island, the general mood was very similar to that on Sphinx Island, Baterilla, and everywhere else in the world...
At this moment, Doflamingo was the one speaking.
Even though he didn't show it, Whitebeard's death scene had affected him greatly, even more so than Ace's death!
"Hm? What does Blackbeard intend to do?"
Suddenly, the scene in the next chapter caught his attention.
"Why are they covering Whitebeard's dead body with that black cloth?"
Rosinante, his eyes still wet with tears over Ace's death, was also extremely curious.
"Strange… This is really strange… but I feel that what he's going to do will be shocking, even for us."
At this moment, Issho, who had been silent for a while, spoke.
"I bet you're right, the title of this chapter is 'An Unthinkable Incident' after all..." Mihawk added.
"Let's see what he's about to do… Shiryu's comment about them potentially splitting up if this thing he wants to do fails indicates the importance of this step for the Blackbeard Pirates… I hope it fails."
Enel hoped from the bottom of his heart due to his intense hatred for Marshal D. Teach, AKA Blackbeard.
…
Not far away, Professor Clover's group was reading this chapter with complex feelings.
"Whitebeard has completely lost…"
"… He lost the summit war, he lost Ace, and who knows how many other sons he lost in this chaotic battlefield."
"Sigh~ How sad…"
After saying that, Professor Clover sighed deeply.
"This was expected…"
"… I don't know why, but you all greatly underestimate the power of the Marines… I was part of the World Government system, and I know them well. I even contributed to strengthening the Marines… They haven't even shown everything they have in this war, as Sengoku is very reserved."
Vegapunk spoke calmly, pausing for a moment before continuing.
"… My counterpart in the manga is still part of the World Government, so you should understand how much of a difference this makes."
Most of them agreed with Vegapunk on this point.
But Brook was most worried about Luffy, whose fate was still unknown, as Jimbei was still running while carrying him.
"Oh no… Akainu is still hell-bent on killing Luffy… This is not good." Brook was anxious.
"Don't worry… In times of crisis, hope can emerge in ways no one can foresee."
Saul said with a smile, confident that Luffy, the story's protagonist, would not face any major problems after what had already happened.
"After all, the shock of losing his brother in such a manner is enough… Ace died in his arms… That's already extremely difficult."
Homing added sorrowfully.
"The question that puzzles me now is why these ordinary people are celebrating the Marines's victory?"
"Isn't it obvious? The death of a great pirate is always a source of great joy."
Clover explained.
…
•———•———•———•———•
Chapter's Events:
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[The news spread around the world in an instant.]
…
[Roger's son, Ace, a member of the Whitebeard Pirates, was not saved, and the captain, Whitebeard, died.]
…
As soon as this news spread, many ordinary people around the world began celebrating joyfully.
[The historic incident would be passed on for generations.]
…
[But those witnessing it… could only watch in silence.]
"So you're gone, Whitebeard."
Rayleigh drank sake and mourned Whitebeard's death, his tears of sorrow visible beneath his glasses.
…
The narrator continued:
[He was a man who sailed the seas with the Pirate King. Age 72 years at the time of his death!!]
…
[The captain of the Whitebeard Pirates, the great pirate Edward Newgate, AKA Whitebeard.]
…
[In the bay of Marineford, the Whitebeard Pirates and the combined forces of Marine HQ and the Shichibukai fought a great battle, and there he lost his life.]
…
"Don't just stand there!! Get on the ship!!!"
"Did you forget the captain's last order!!?"
"Jimbei!! Get Ace's brother!!"
"Right!!"
Marco quickly gave instructions. But he and the rest of the crew were distracted by the strange movements of the Blackbeard Pirates.
"Haa… Haa… Hehehe!!"
"Now, let's get started!!"
Whitebeard's body was covered with a black cloth, and Teach entered as well after saying that.
…
"They're still planning something!!" One of the vice admirals said worriedly.
"That bastard Teach!!!"
"He's doing something to our dead boss!!!"
The Whitebeard Pirates were filled with intense indignation.
…
"Zehahahaha…"
"Now I'll give you the ultimate show."
Saying that, Teach closed the cloth completely. No one knew what he would do or how he would do it.
•———•———•———•———•
Rayleigh's reflection, as he wept over Whitebeard's death, was mirrored in the eyes of his younger self.
Here, in an art store in Baterilla, Roger's Pirates were gathered.
"I can't believe it… Your counterpart didn't do anything to save Ace… What do you think?"
Gaban looked at Rayleigh and said this, as all of Roger's Pirates, who felt something was wrong, also looked at him…
If it were them, they wouldn't have let their captain's son die no matter what.
"I don't know what my counterpart is thinking… He's the only one who can answer you and me because I really don't know why he chose to just watch."
Rayleigh said, feeling dejected.
Shakky observed this in silence for a moment before deciding to speak.
"I have a reasonable explanation…" she said.
"Hm? Darling?" Rayleigh was surprised.
"It's alright…" She reassured him before starting to talk.
Shanks and the others looked at her, ready to hear her explanation.
"Old Rayleigh wanted to join the Summit War, and those tears look like tears of frustration to me. But he didn't have enough time to do so."
"From the moment Ace's true identity was revealed and his death announced, not much time had passed, certainly not enough for him to get from Sabaody Archipelago to Marineford Bay. Even if he was an excellent swimmer, he couldn't have made it."
"So, you mean he might not have known Ace's true identity? Then why did he ignore Ace's death entirely and only talk about Whitebeard?"
"Are you unhappy with me or my counterpart?"
Rayleigh looked at Gaban calmly.
"Ah… Damn, I just didn't like this ending… It could have been better with some intervention from you. Akainu wouldn't have been able to kill Ace if you had been there…"
"I am also frustrated with this ending, not just you… I don't know why my counterpart only watched, but I know he was powerless in this… If my counterpart had intervened, the World Government would have sent someone strong to confront him… Things aren't as simple as you think."
"Sigh~ Fine, and where was Shanks' counterpart in all this? Why hasn't he arrived yet? At least I want to see a proper burial for these two great characters - what does that son of a bitch plan to do?"
Before Gaban could finish his words, he saw Blackbeard alone with Whitebeard's dead body.
A scary feeling overwhelmed them when they saw that.
"This doesn't bode well…"
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Upcoming chapter titles (spoilers):
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Chapter 756: Ace is gone, but you must live.
Chapter 757: Two Powers in One Body.
Chapter 758: Blackbeard's Ambition to Sink Marineford!
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