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As the momentous event unfolded, a shadow fell across the sea, a palpable tension gripping the world. Nine hours remained until the public execution of Fire Fist Ace, commander of the Whitebeard Pirates' Second Division.
Across the four seas, the Grand Line, and the New World, countless people held their breath, fear and anticipation mingling in the air.
Among the countless pirates who sailed the seas, Whitebeard stood at the apex, the undisputed king. Now, after years of relative quiet, this titan of the sea had awakened.
"Which way will the world turn? Victory or defeat? Regardless, this era, this coming storm...it's the perfect time for us to set sail. Will Whitebeard truly appear?"
"Just...for a single crewmate?"
"He will. Whitebeard isn't one to abandon his own. War is inevitable. Who will rise to claim the throne in this chaotic era? Whitebeard's territory in the New World is deserted.
The Moby Dick and his infamous commanders are nowhere to be seen. It seems they've already entered the first half of the Grand Line."
"Hahahaha...who can say for sure? We'll simply watch. The grandest battle of this era is about to begin!"
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Marineford
120.000 Elite Marines stood assembled in the vast plaza before the Marine fortress, a display of military might unprecedented in the history of Marine Headquarters.
This was the world's most formidable stronghold, a fortress built of iron and steel, a testament to the Marines' unwavering power.
Outside the harbor, countless warships formed a formidable semi-circle, their decks teeming with Marines busily loading cannons and explosives. Three hours remained until Fire Fist Ace's execution.
Within the harbor, tension hung heavy in the air.
"Don't let your guard down!"
"No matter what happens, we only have three hours left. By then, it will all be over."
A Giant Vice Admiral, his voice booming across the plaza, stood guard before the execution platform.
A resounding roar erupted from the assembled Marines, a wave of sound washing over the plaza as they raised their swords and bayonets in unison, their voices echoing their unwavering resolve.
Among them stood Smoker, Ain, Tashigi… countless familiar faces, their expressions a mixture of determination, coldness, and fierce anticipation. As the Marines' cries reached a crescendo, three figures emerged from the fortress, silencing the crowd.
All eyes turned towards the approaching figures. Admirals Aokiji, Kizaru, and Akainu, their presence commanding respect and awe, stepped into the plaza.
Their distinctive Justice coats, each a different color, billowed in the sea breeze as they made their way to the execution platform. Three chairs awaited them.
Aokiji and Kizaru took their seats on either side, while Akainu, his face partially obscured by the brim of his Marine cap, sat in the center. The gazes of the assembled Marines, from the lowliest recruits to seasoned Vice Admirals, were filled with reverence and admiration.
With the arrival of the three Admirals, the Marines' preparations were complete.
Following the downfall of two Yonko crews, the World Government's grip on the New World had weakened considerably. The Shichibukai system was all but defunct, and the World Government had issued a symbolic summons to the Warlords, expecting little response.
To their surprise, several Warlords had actually answered the call. This unexpected development puzzled the World Government and Fleet Admiral Sengoku.
Were the Warlords afraid of the World Government's desperation, fearing retribution after the war? Were they seeking to demonstrate their loyalty? Their motives remained unclear, but their presence was undeniable. Even simply standing by, they served as a deterrent, a significant factor in the impending conflict.
The execution platform stood ready in the plaza. The three Admirals were in their positions. Before them stood the assembled Warlords. Unlike the original story, only five had answered the summons:
Fujitora, Bartholomew Kuma, Dracule Mihawk, Boa Hancock, and Buggy the Clown.
Bartholomew Kuma, the Revolutionary Army's infiltrator within the World Government, was naturally obedient. Mihawk was likely only interested in witnessing Whitebeard's actions.
As for Boa Hancock, her reasons remained a complete mystery. No one could fathom the mind of the Pirate Empress. Perhaps she was simply acting to protect her people.
Fujitora, a man known for his unwavering sense of justice, surpassing even that of many Marines, was a wildcard, difficult to control but unlikely to betray the World Government. With the exception of Jinbe, who couldn't be summoned, and the elusive Ian, all the major players were present.
"This is scary! I hope I don't die in this war," Buggy muttered, his face pale with fear. He knew the consequences of refusing the summons. Perhaps appealing to Shanks could have saved him, but he couldn't bring himself to beg for help.
Moreover, his crew was chanting his praises, hailing him as their invincible captain…
Beside each Admiral stood two figures, Vice Admirals known as the strongest contenders for Admiral positions, rumored to possess power rivaling that of the Admirals themselves.
"Will 'He' participate in this war?"
"I believe this imbalance in the world isn't something you desire. Or perhaps you already have a strategy in mind." Momousagi, Garp, Sengoku, and others hoped for Ian intervention.
But in the end, they shook their heads. Even a force comparable to an Ancient Weapon couldn't topple the seemingly insurmountable World Government.
Behind the Admirals and their Vice Admiral escorts stood the other Vice Admirals, followed by Rear Admirals and other officers, the backbone of the Marine force.
The majority wielded swords and other close-range weapons. Further back, among the rank-and-file Marines, firearms became more prevalent. Finally, Fleet Admiral Sengoku appeared, taking his position on the highest platform at the rear of the plaza.
His gaze swept across the vast expanse of the sea. With the arrival of the three Admirals, the murmurs and discussions among the Marines subsided, replaced by a tense silence, the air thick with anticipation.
The distant sea remained empty, offering no sign of the Whitebeard Pirates.
Time ticked by, the tension mounting. Sweat beaded on the palms of many Marines. Doubts and anxieties began to creep in. Where was the Whitebeard Pirates? Would they truly appear?
"Don't let your guard down!" Sengoku's booming voice, sensing the wavering resolve of his troops, jolted them back to attention. They tightened their grips on their weapons, their faces hardening with renewed determination.
On the execution platform, Ace, bound in seastone cuffs and shackles, was led to his designated spot.
Behind him, Garp watched in silence, his expression unreadable. Sengoku approached Garp and said in a low voice, "Garp, I'm going to reveal everything. It's decided."
"As you wish."
Garp responded with a sideways glance, his face devoid of emotion. Tsuru glanced at Garp and said softly, "It's not your fault."
Garp forced a laugh. "Hahaha… a woman's kindness is always appreciated, Tsuru."
Tsuru shook her head, her gaze shifting from Ace to Garp, her eyes filled with a deep sadness.
"If the balance of power in the sea hadn't been disrupted, perhaps Ace wouldn't have been captured so soon…"
"Tsuru, removing the World Government, this cancerous tumor...it's what Dragon, Roger, and Whitebeard all desired."
On the execution platform, Sengoku stood beside Ace, holding a Den Den Mushi to amplify his voice.
"Ace," he said, his voice resonating across the plaza, "tell us your father's name."
Ace looked at Sengoku, then closed his eyes and responded in a firm voice, "My father is Whitebeard."
"Wrong."
Sengoku's voice boomed, and Ace's composure faltered. He rattled his seastone chains, his face contorted in anger. "There's nothing wrong! My only father is Whitebeard! No one else!"
Garp closed his eyes, his fists clenched, his body trembling with suppressed emotion.
"We tirelessly searched for any trace of that man's legacy, relying on scraps of information from Cipher Pol. We investigated newborns, unborn children, and their mothers, but found nothing. Of course, we wouldn't. Your birth was bought with your mother's life. That woman deceived us, deceived the entire world. Your mother's name was Portgas D. Rouge."
"Her actions defied all logic, carrying you in her womb for twenty months, an impossible feat. But it was precisely this sacrifice that saved your life."
"One year and three months after your father's death, a child inheriting the world's most evil bloodline was born. You should know your father's name... Pirate King Gol D. Roger!"
Sengoku's voice thundered across the plaza, revealing a secret that had been hidden for over twenty years. A stunned silence fell over Marineford, and even the crowds gathered in Sabaody Archipelago were speechless. The world held its breath.
"The Pirate King's bloodline...still lives? Fire Fist Ace...is the son of the Pirate King? The world's most evil bloodline..."
"It still exists in this world? The Pirate King's legend...continues? Impossible!"
"It's a good thing he was captured. The son of the Pirate King must have inherited his father's cruelty!"
"Hahahaha, this is monumental news! Write it down! We need to spread this news to the world as fast as possible!" The brief silence shattered, replaced by an eruption of shock and excitement. The Marines at Marineford were in an uproar, and the reporters and spectators in Sabaody Archipelago erupted in chaos.
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Marineford
Sengoku's speech continued, his voice resonating across the world.
Before the eyes of the world, he had revealed Ace's true identity as the son of the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger, sending shockwaves across the globe.
Countless people struggled to comprehend the news. The bloodline of the Pirate King...still lived.
"Fire Fist Ace, taking your head today holds immense significance. Even if it means all-out war with Whitebeard, we will not hesitate. Marines, to battle!"
"Ooooooooooh!"
As Sengoku's words faded, a thunderous roar erupted from the assembled Marines, their voices echoing across the bay.
At that moment, a tremor shook the ground, and all eyes turned towards the distant sea.
Through the morning mist, a massive fleet of pirate ships emerged, bearing down on Marineford.
The ships of Whitebeard's forty-three allied crews materialized from the fog. Doma, McGuy, the Decalvan Brothers, Squard, Whitey Bay… Each a renowned captain in the New World, they had answered Whitebeard's call to arms.
The arrival of the Whitebeard Pirates' grand fleet signaled the beginning of the end. Marineford was officially in a state of war. Every Marine gripped their weapon, their faces a mixture of tension and grim determination.
Ace, watching the approaching fleet from the execution platform, clenched his teeth. On the platform below, Sengoku's brow furrowed as he scanned the approaching ships. "Where's Whitebeard?"
Suddenly, bubbles erupted from the water in the center of the crescent-shaped bay. As the Marines' attention was focused on the approaching pirate fleet, a surprising turn of events unfolded. A massive whirlpool formed in the bay, as if a colossal creature was about to emerge.
"Wait a minute...are they planning to appear from somewhere unexpected?" Admiral candidate Chaton, exclaimed in surprise.
"It seems their flagship is coated and they intend to infiltrate the bay from below," Vice Admiral Tsuru calmly observed.
As if to confirm her words, the massive whale-shaped ship, the Moby Dick, burst from the water. Standing atop the smiling whale's flat head, a towering figure wielding a bisento exuded an aura of unparalleled dominance.
His crescent-shaped mustache was unmistakable. He was the legendary pirate who had sailed the seas since the previous era…or rather, since the era of Rocks D. Xebec. Yonkō, Whitebeard, Edward Newgate!
"That's… Marco! All fourteen division commanders are present!" A Marine officer, his voice trembling with tension, lowered his binoculars. A sudden silence descended upon Marineford. While no attack had been launched, the impending clash of titans created a palpable tension that hung heavy in the air.
The atmosphere crackled with anticipation, the very air growing thick and oppressive, making it difficult to breathe.
Amidst this suffocating tension, a rhythmic clang echoed from the Moby Dick, drawing all eyes towards the ship. The sound of slow, deliberate footsteps accompanied the metallic clang, the unmistakable gait of Whitebeard himself.
At the forefront of the Marine forces, the expressions of Aokiji, Kizaru, and Akainu hardened. They straightened in their seats, slightly raising the brims of their hats.
With each step and clang, Whitebeard, his bisento held firmly in his grasp, advanced to the front of the deck. He surveyed the assembled Marines, his eyes devoid of fear.
"Sengoku," he boomed, his voice echoing across the bay, "it's been decades, hasn't it? Gurararara… It seems you've taken good care of my beloved son in my absence."
His gaze swept past the assembled Marines, finally settling on Sengoku, standing on the execution platform.
The Whitebeard Pirates had arrived.
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