Sengoku POV:
The whole world was on edge. Shops were closed for the day, parents kept their children indoors, Kings made preparations for the worst, and reporters rushed around, trying to gather the latest updates. Even those who were ignorant of the world's affairs felt the shift in the air.
Millions of people watched as Portgas D. Ace was carried to the execution platform. This was supposed to be a simple execution. And yet hundred thousand elite marine soldiers, five Warlords and all three Admirals were present in Marineford. But even then, they weren't sure that they'll win.
After all, their opponent is the World's strongest man.
Fleet Admiral Sengoku and Vice Admiral Garp were the last to arrive. Sengoku climbed the platform and stood beside Ace. He took a transponder snail and revealed information that shook the world.
"The father of Portgas D. Ace is Gold Roger! The blood of that man runs through his vein!"
He wanted to villainize Ace as much as he could. He wanted the world to hate him. They needed to control the narrative of the war. A public statement meant to cement the brand of 'justice' Navy showed.
But even before he could finish, reports of ships entering gates of justice came to them. Every person present in Marinoeford held their breaths in anticipation as 43 allied ships circled Marineford, forming a semi-circle around the crescent.
"How did they get through the Gates of Justice?"
"Where is Whitebeard?"
"Where are the commanders?"
Questions were thrown around among the marines. But after just a minute, an eerie silence presided over the whole plaza as if something bad was going to happen. Then, with a deafening roar, the Moby Dick emerged from beneath the sea, its massive frame glistening with seawater.
"They coated their ships to remain undetected." Garp explained.
"The enemy has infiltrated Marineford successfully."
Fleet Admiral Sengoku grimaced as three more ships emerged.
The hundred thousand soldiers, five warlords, and three admirals observed the fourteen commanders on the main ship. But there was another new person present there, a man clad in black with a sword by his side. Nobody knew who he was, so they chose to ignore him and give their attention towards the big names of the New World. But the admirals and stronger people present there noticed something else. This new unknown person stood a step above the commanders as if he had a more important role. Ace himself was surprised to see this man. He didn't think he'd ever see him again.
Their thoughts were interrupted as the sound of a loud footstep echoed through the air. The footsteps themselves contained enormous power behind them.
Clang!
Clang!
Clang!
"Gurararara!" Whitebeard's booming laugh broke through the tension. "It's been a while, Sengoku."
Sengoku's expression tightened, his usually calm demeanor slipping. "Whitebeard."
The strongest man in the world grinned, his massive frame exuding raw power. "You'd better tell me my son is alright."
"I can't believe we let them get this close!"
Ace's voice rang out from the platform. "Pops!"
Whitebeard's grin softened as he raised his massive fists. "Give me a second, Ace," he said, his tone carrying an air of inevitability.
Whitebeard extended both his hands and smashed at the air. The power behind his fist shattered the air itself, and the sea responded to this man's will. The Marineford—no, the whole world saw in surprise as the sea rose to a level that shouldn't be possible. The terrifying power of Gura Gura no Mi unleashed upon the world as twin tsunamis started to loom over Marinefored like mountains.
And at the very epicenter, the main culprit stood, his attention solely focused on his beloved son, who was scheduled to be executed three hours from now. His eyes had that warmth that a father has for his child.
The first commander of the Whitebeard Pirates, Marco, declared, "Everyone should know what happens to those who hurt our nakama. We won't let anyone who hurts you get away with it, Ace!"
The whole crew cheered for their friend. They were prepared to go to war with the whole world for a single one of their crewmates.
"It's a tsunami!"
"The seaquake he sent has come in the form of a tsunami!" Garp shouted.
This was the declaration of war from Whitebeard.
As the enormous tsunami closed in, panic swept through the ranks of marines. Just before the tsunami could hit the bay, one of the admirals moved.
Ice came out of Admiral Aokiji's hands as he started to freeze the tsunami at an alarmingly fast rate. As the tsunamis froze to ice, two mountains now loomed over Marineford.
Ice Age
But Admiral Aokiji wasn't finished as he aimed his hand towards Whitebeard. Tridents made of ice rained down towards Moby Dick. Whitebeard responded with another swing of his massive fist. Cracks splintered the air as the sheer force of his attack shattered the incoming ice. Aokiji's body was caught in the blast, his frozen form breaking apart into countless shards.
But the Admiral wasn't defeated. His shattered body reformed near the water, and with a single touch, the bay froze solid. The ice prevented the ships from leaving. But, more than that, it gave the combatants the perfect foothold to fight.
Pirates and Marines alike charged through. The commanders led their squads with Jozu, the 3rd commander, acting as the vanguard. Vice Admirals countered their charge, directing the marines with precision.
Clashes of steel and the sound of cannons filled the air as the battle turned intense. On the deck of the Moby Dick, Whitebeard stood unmoving. Beside him was the mysterious swordsman, who remained calm, his sword still sheathed. From time to time, he leaned toward Whitebeard, whispering something.
On the other side, Sengoku observed the battle. And he wasn't happy. The pirates were... too organized. Those words sounded like bad jokes to him. Pirates weren't a group of people that remained organized. They were a rowdy bunch of people who charged in without strategies. But, now, those same pirates moved while maintaining a formation. But it was clear that they were inexperienced in this kind of fighting. but the very fact that they were attempting it unnerved him.
A new variable has entered the equation.
He didn't need to think too much to realize who the new variable was. It was the swordsman who stood side by side with Whitebeard. Sengoku barked orders at his personal assistant to find out who that is.
"Sir, should we check active bounties?"
"No," Sengoku snapped. "Search all bounties from the last five years. Look for anyone with a moniker related to swords or blades. Narrow it down."
"Yes, sir!"
Suddenly Sengoku noticed Hawk-eye Miwhawk step forward. The action itself surprised many individuals. This man was the 'Strongest Swordsman in the World'. But he was also a person who was known for not interfering in the world's events.
Heavenly Yaksha, Doflamingo was also surprised, that sadistic smile still on his face. "You're going to fight?
Hawkeye replied, his cold voice now carrying a tinge of curiosity, his unnerving eyes directed at Whitebeard.
"Don't you want to gap between us and that man who seems to be right before our eyes?"
Mihawk unsheathed Yoru, the black blade gleaming ominously. Every pirate in his path instinctively moved aside, clearing the way for the legendary swordsman.
With a single slash, Mihawk unleashed a devastating attack. The shockwave tore through the battlefield, carving a direct path toward Whitebeard's ship.
Whitebeard didn't move, just grinned, his eyes flickering towards the swordman beside him.
The mysterious man disappeared, his movement so fast it seemed like teleportation. Reappearing in the slash's path, he drew his blade—a sleek katana held in a backhand grip.
As Mihawk's attack bore down on him, the swordsman's expression remained calm. With a simple, fluid motion, he deflected the slash. The deflection itself looked so gentle. The redirected attack veered off course, obliterating ten marine cannons in its path.
It wasn't an accident. It was deliberate. These canons were firing towards the allied ships.
Sengoku's frown deepened. Another commander-level fighter had appeared, and he wasn't even part of Whitebeard's main crew.
As both swordsmen sheathed their respective swords, their eyes met.
And a grin spread through both their faces.