"The Navy has declared independence from the World Government..."
"Hey, hit me twice, I think I'm hallucinating."
"I think you should hit me first. The Navy, which has always been the World Government's loyal dog, suddenly announces they're going against the World Government and the Celestial Dragons. Is this the end of the world?"
"Do you think we're under some ability user's control, and this is all just an illusion they're making us see?"
"Great minds think alike..."
Many people began to suspect that they were being affected by some ability user. After all, the Devil Fruits in the ocean have bizarre powers, and one that could alter everyone's perception wouldn't be too outrageous.
"Hehehehe, this is truly outrageous. If those guys knew, they would probably explode with rage. The Navy, built up with countless resources, has chosen to turn against them. Hahaha, this is getting more and more interesting!"
On a ship shaped like a flamingo, just outside the Sabaody Archipelago, Doflamingo, who had left early, was watching the live broadcast with a somewhat manic grin.
Originally, he thought the situation on Sabaody Archipelago was already complicated enough, but he didn't expect such explosive news to follow — the Navy decided to sever ties with the World Government and declared war on the World Government and the Celestial Dragons.
Connecting this to the news of the Navy joining forces with Nicolas and the Revolutionary Army on the Sabaody Archipelago, Doflamingo already foresaw a huge war about to erupt in Mariejois.
"Young Master, should we do something?"
As Trebol spoke, the other members of the Donquixote family also looked at Doflamingo.
Clearly, with a world-changing war about to break out, they naturally wanted to get involved and seize huge benefits amidst the chaos.
After all, the greater the risk, the greater the reward.
Facing the expectant eyes of his core family members, the smile on Doflamingo's face disappeared, replaced by a cold expression. After a moment of silence, he slowly spoke.
"We do nothing."
"Do nothing?"
Trebol was clearly puzzled, and the other members of the Donquixote family had the same confused expression. From their understanding of Doflamingo, who they had accompanied from the North Blue, he would definitely seize this kind of opportunity. After all, he was a man with the qualities of a king.
"Yes, we do nothing. Although this world-spanning war could bring unimaginable benefits and perhaps even a chance to divide the world..."
Doflamingo paused before continuing with some emotion, "All of this requires strong power as a foundation. We are too weak. In a war where even the Four Emperors could fall, if we got involved, we'd probably be wiped out instantly."
Hearing Doflamingo's words, the others fell silent, realizing why he had been so quiet before.
While the overall strength of the Donquixote family is quite high, in the face of behemoths like the Navy, the Revolutionary Army, and the Four Emperors, they are indeed too weak.
"Alright, let's head to our safe island. After everything settles, we'll decide our next move. I wonder if this time, the World Government and the Celestial Dragons can maintain their rule, or if a new group will rise to occupy the highest position in the world."
With Doflamingo's words, the ship shaped like a flamingo slowly sailed away into the distance.
"Have they gone mad? Do they really want to destroy the world?"
In the capital of the Alabasta Kingdom, inside the palace of Alubarna, King Cobra's voice could be heard.
As a descendant of one of the original Twenty Kings, Cobra knew very well the terrifying power held by the Celestial Dragons.
He understood deeply that if this war were to break out, the world would definitely be thrown into chaos.
"No, I have to stop this war from happening."
Thinking about the disaster that war would bring, Cobra couldn't sit still.
Even when Alabasta was secretly controlled by Crocodile, he hadn't thought of going to Mariejois, but now he had to make the trip.
Just as he was planning to secretly head to Mariejois, Pell rushed in from outside.
"King Cobra, there are suddenly hundreds of large Sea Kings appearing around Alabasta's waters. Any ships trying to leave are being destroyed by these Sea Kings."
"What?!"
Cobra was stunned by this news.
While the world was still reeling from the shock of the Navy's declaration, countless Sea Kings suddenly appeared around many islands worldwide.
However, at this moment, everyone's attention was on the Navy's sudden actions, and no one noticed this unusual phenomenon.
...
"Father, are your injuries okay?"
Looking at Whitebeard's burned chest, Marco carefully used a needle to puncture the blisters that had formed and asked worriedly.
During the final clash with Kaido, Whitebeard had sustained significant injuries, and Kaido was seriously wounded and temporarily lost consciousness. If not for the timely arrival of the Beasts Pirates, Kaido might have been killed by the Whitebeard Pirates.
"Marco, this little injury is nothing."
Disregarding the pain caused by moving his body, Whitebeard cheerfully picked up a drink and gulped it down. He hadn't felt this good in a long time.
Even the excruciating pain from his wounds seemed insignificant to him.
"Zehahahaha... Father, you look so pathetic."
Suddenly, a laugh came from nearby.
Hearing the laughter, everyone in the Whitebeard Pirates turned towards the source of the sound.
In their sights, Blackbeard Marshall D. Teach, along with Shiryu, Avalo Pizarro, Catarina Devon, and Vasco Shot, emerged from behind a rock.
Whitebeard glared at Blackbeard, his gaze sharp. "Teach, you bastard, how dare you show up in front of me."
"Zehahaha..."
Hearing Whitebeard's words, Blackbeard laughed as if he had heard a funny joke.
After a moment, feeling a bit awkward laughing alone, Teach's laughter died down.
He looked seriously at Whitebeard and the others around him who seemed ready to tear him apart.
"It's been a while, and you greet me like this? That really hurts, Father."
"Teach! You bastard, you don't deserve to call him Father!"
Marco growled deeply.
"Zehahaha, Marco, no need to look so scary. After all, we were comrades for decades."
Teach looked at Marco with a smirk.
His words only made the members of the Whitebeard Pirates angrier.
Because of their decades of camaraderie, they couldn't forgive Teach for murdering a crewmate.
"Teach!"
Suddenly, Whitebeard roared, leaping across dozens of meters in an instant and punching Teach.
Caught off guard, Teach was hit by Whitebeard's punch and flew back.
"No mercy at all, huh? Well, that punch repays all your kindness over the years, Father."
Teach got up from the dust, wiped the blood from his mouth, and looked at Whitebeard.
Blood mixed with the fluid from broken blisters flowed from Whitebeard's body, but he seemed unfazed by the pain, instead staring intently at Teach and saying, "You alone are unworthy to be my son, Teach. You broke the only iron rule on my ship—you killed a comrade."
Whitebeard pointed his bisento at Teach and declared, "I will take your life to bring peace to Thatch and all the family members who died because of your betrayal."
"Let's end this, Teach!"
"Zehahaha, just what I wanted! Come on, Father, let me see if you're still as strong as before! Witness the power of the Devil Fruit I took after killing Thatch!"
At this moment, the dense, almost tangible darkness erupted from Blackbeard's body, making him look like a demon bent on destroying the world.
Teach then slammed his hand onto the ground, and the solidified darkness spread across the ground like water, quickly reaching Whitebeard's feet.
But Whitebeard leaped up and dodged it easily.
In the next moment, Whitebeard clenched his fist, the vibrations forming a pale light that covered his fist. It collided with the darkness in Blackbeard's hand, but after a brief struggle, the vibrational force on Whitebeard's fist dissipated.
This scene shocked everyone in the Whitebeard Pirates—an ability that could nullify Devil Fruits?
Meanwhile, Shiryu and the others seemed completely unsurprised.
"The Dark-Dark Fruit can absorb and nullify the abilities of other Devil Fruits, meaning your shockwaves are useless against me! Zehahaha!"
Blackbeard said, throwing a punch that landed squarely on Whitebeard.