Mary Geoise
The Five Elders gathered, their faces grim as they discussed the current situation.
"The growth of the Hunter's Guild is faster than we anticipated," one of them remarked.
"True, but according to CP9's assessment, they're still no match for the Four Emperors or the Revolutionary Army," another added.
"Don't underestimate them! We made a similar mistake with the Revolutionary Army, and look how that turned out," a third elder interrupted.
"Now, traces of their activity are appearing all over the world."
"There have even been uprisings in some countries. We can't afford to let a second Revolutionary Army emerge. If we can, we need to eliminate Leno during this duel. If Kaido can't handle it, then the Marines will have to."
The elders nodded in agreement, but their expressions grew even darker.
"However, I didn't expect Imu-sama to allow the duel to take place on the Red Line."
"Yes, it's unbelievable."
"It was Imu-sama's decision. Without that, we would've faced much more opposition."
The Five Elders, being Celestial Dragons themselves, didn't have the same reverence for other Celestial Dragons as the rest of the world.
"We've already contacted both sides. The duel will take place in the designated area. The CPO is ready."
"Hunter's Guild? Leno must have no idea he's already become our prey."
"This organization isn't without its merits, though. If we can manipulate it, we might be able to control some of the pirates under our own banner."
As the conversation ended, a guard entered the room, bowing deeply.
"Fleet Admiral Kong, Admiral Sengoku has arrived."
"Let them in."
Moments later, Kong and Sengoku entered. Sengoku had long been groomed to be the next Fleet Admiral and was no stranger to the Five Elders.
"Tomorrow, the 15th, is the day of Kaido and Leno's duel. Are the Marines ready?" one of the elders asked.
Kong nodded. "We'll deploy ten Vice Admirals, including Garp, Sakazuki, and Borsalino, with Sengoku commanding the fleet. It will surpass even the level of a Buster Call."
The Five Elders looked pleased with this. "That's a strong lineup. Even someone like Roger would've had to flee from it."
"However," one elder said cautiously, "many eyes are on this battle, including the Four Emperors. Whitebeard and Big Mom may show up."
Kong and Sengoku saluted. "We're prepared to stop them," they replied.
"Good. Don't let your guard down, and make sure no one, not even pirates, scales the Red Line again. One Fisher Tiger was enough."
Kong quickly reassured the elders that the Marines were ready and exited with Sengoku.
As they walked down the hallway, Kong glanced at Sengoku. "This is your time to shine, Sengoku. The stage is yours."
Sengoku's expression was stern. "I'll prove that even in the face of the Four Emperors, we can still uphold justice."
Marineford
At the bay, massive warships were prepped and ready for battle. Vice Admirals Garp, Sakazuki, Borsalino, and Doberman stood among the ten Vice Admirals leading the fleet. The air was thick with tension, and even the usually composed officers could feel the weight of the upcoming battle.
Smoker, still a Captain, watched in awe.
"What a powerful lineup," he muttered.
"Who are we fighting? The Four Emperors?" one Marine asked another.
"I don't know, but it's going to be big," was the reply.
Overhead, a flock of seagulls scattered as Sengoku stepped aboard the flagship. With a single command, the entire fleet set sail, splitting into two groups.
The first group, led by Sengoku, Garp, and Sakazuki, headed for the New World with fifty warships, ready to confront the Beasts Pirates and any other pirates who dared approach the battle. The second group remained behind to guard Paradise and fend off any other pirate crews who might seek to interfere.
The Marines, silent until now, were suddenly in motion, their presence casting a shadow over the seas. The various forces watching the Marines' movements quickly spread the news.
Whisky Peak
At the entrance to Paradise, Crocodile puffed on a cigar, exhaling a thick cloud of smoke as he put down his Den Den Mushi.
"The Marines are serious this time. They've laid a trap for you, Leno. Can you escape?"
He gazed out the window at the seemingly peaceful city below. The quiet streets were deceptively dangerous, filled with bounty hunters lurking in the shadows.
Crocodile's Baroque Works, a secretive organization of bounty hunters, operated out of this city. He had already begun recruiting hunters, offering them tasks and money in exchange for their loyalty.
Crocodile was no stranger to schemes, and he found himself intrigued by Leno's Hunter's Guild.
"Colleagues are enemies, after all," he mused with a sly grin.
Unlike Leno, who had gained notoriety quickly, Crocodile preferred to operate in the shadows. Only his right-hand man, Daz Bonez, knew the full extent of Baroque Works' operations.
"The World Government and Kaido won't show mercy. You'll lose, Leno. It's only a matter of time."
His eyes flickered toward a recruitment poster for the Hunter's Guild, a smug smile forming on his lips.
"When you fall, I'll be the one to inherit your guild."
Thriller Bark
A sea of fog hung low over the water, dark and ominous. Amidst the mist, a massive silhouette drifted silently on the ocean's surface.
This was Thriller Bark, the infamous ship belonging to one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, Gecko Moria.
After accepting the World Government's invitation to become a Warlord, Moria had retreated to this eerie corner of the Grand Line. Alongside his scientist, Hogback, he had begun working on his "zombie plan."
The coming storm of battle would soon shake the seas.
In the eerie and ancient castle, the atmosphere was heavy.
"Master, the duel between Kaido of the Beasts and the leader of the hunters, Leno, is about to begin. Aren't you going?" Absalom, who looked like a Leopard from the Mink Tribe but wasn't part of the Mink Tribe, leaned forward slightly as he asked Gekko Moria.
Gecko Moria, sprawled lazily on the sofa, was watching an opera on the video transponder snail. He had a bucket of popcorn in one hand and a bottle of soda in the other. It seemed he didn't hear Absalom at all.
Moria took a deep gulp from his drink.
Gulp, gulp...
"Hey hee hee hee, this is hilarious!" Moria burst out laughing, pointing at the screen.
With a dismissive wave, he interrupted Absalom, saying carelessly, "Whatever, leave it to you!"
Reluctantly, Absalom nodded. "Alright, Master."
Once Absalom left, the castle returned to silence. Moria's laughter abruptly stopped. He put down his soda and pulled out a newspaper from under his seat. The headline was about the duel between Leno and Kaido.
Moria stared at the image of Kaido wielding his massive mace.
"Kaido..." he muttered under his breath, grinding his teeth, the sound mixing with his furious chewing of popcorn.
Revolutionary Army Headquarters
"Hey, Dragon, are you planning to attend the duel?" came Ivankov's voice through the phone transponder snail.
"Yeah," Dragon replied calmly. "It's not just any battle—it's a significant one. It's hard to believe that this is the same guy who once challenged me."
"Unbelievable, more like a miracle!" Ivankov chimed in, excitement evident in his tone.
Dragon nodded slightly. "Some of the strategies employed by the Hunter's Guild have inspired me."
"We should set clearer goals, use the newspapers, and spread our message like they do!" Dragon mused.
"Absolutely! The next time we meet, we have to talk to Leno-Boy. Maybe I can convince him to become a woman, hahaha!" Ivankov chuckled.
"Be careful, though," Dragon warned. "The World Government is getting more aggressive. They've started focusing their efforts on us."
"Those CP guys... what a pain! You stay safe too, Dragon!" Ivankov reminded.
Dragon hung up, his eyes drifting to the manuscript on his desk. Inspired by the Hunter's Guild recruitment methods, he had been compiling a pamphlet for the Revolutionary Army. But something was missing.
"Following their approach alone isn't enough..." Dragon muttered. "If I could talk to Leno, maybe he could help me figure out what's missing."
Dragon walked outside to observe Sabo, Koala, and other revolutionaries in training. Looking at them, he saw the future of the Revolutionary Army.
Big News Ship
"Big news coming up, folks! So, who do you think will win—Kaido or Leno?" Morgans stood precariously on the mast's crossbar, holding a phone transponder snail. News birds fluttered around him, eager to hear his report.
"Will the hunters take down the beasts, or does the World Government have a hidden agenda?" Morgans teased the upcoming revelations, his voice filled with excitement.
"The answer comes tomorrow!" he declared.
Totto Land
The BIG MOM Pirates were gathering at the port on Cake Island. Charlotte Linlin, better known as Big Mom, walked out of the castle with a song on her lips.
"Ma ma ma ma... let's have a picnic!" she sang. Around her, her sentient hat "Napoleon," the sun "Prometheus," and the cloud "Zeus" floated in harmony, joining in the tune.
Kaido's Ship
On a molten island, Kaido was boarding his ship.
"Governor-General, you sure you don't want to take King or Queen with you? At least for backup?" Jack, still wrapped in bandages, asked nervously.
Queen, smoking from his pipe, added, "It's risky. The Marines seem to be involved this time."
King nodded in agreement. The battlefield Kaido had chosen was on the Red Line—territory of the Celestial Dragons.
"Marines?" Kaido grunted. "This is my fight. No one is to interfere!" His Haki surged as he stood at the bow of the ship, cutting off any further discussion.
East Blue – Elegia
Luwell sipped juice while seated at a long table alongside Kuzan, Kuro, Gordon, and Uta.
"Aren't you nervous?" Gordon asked.
"No, but I'm already shaking!" Uta admitted with a shaky breath.
Luwell complained, "Leno didn't let us go watch! I don't like it." She crossed her arms in frustration.
Kuro adjusted his glasses calmly. "Because it's dangerous," he said.
"And Kuzan? What's your take?" Luwell turned her attention to the former Admiral.
Kuzan crossed his arms and sighed. "If it were a one-on-one between Kaido and me, my chances of winning would be zero."
Kuro and Gordon froze, barely able to breathe.
"Zero?" Kuro stammered, shocked. "Kaido's that strong?"
Kuzan nodded. "He's considered the strongest creature alive for a reason. But... I can feel that Leno is growing stronger. His progress is rapid, and it's not hopeless."
He added, "As long as Leno can face Kaido without losing, that's a victory in itself."
As the morning sun rose on November 15, 1511, the world buzzed with anticipation. Ships converged toward the Red Line, where the grand confrontation would unfold. Dividing the world in half, the Red Line was the meeting point of East Blue and New World—Kaido's and Leno's battleground.
At Sabaody Archipelago, Leno said his farewells to Kuina, Buggy, and Rayleigh.
"I believe in you!" Kuina said with firm resolve.
Buggy grinned mischievously. "Just remember, if you don't make it back, I'll be the next president of the Hunter's Guild!"
Leno laughed, "Thanks, Buggy. I'll take that as a blessing!"
"Blessing? No! I'm cursing you!" Buggy retorted, though secretly, Leno knew to interpret Buggy's curses in reverse.
With one last nod to Rayleigh, Leno boarded the ship of the Kuja Pirates, ready to face his fate.
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+30 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg