The reason for the dramatic increase in the navy's strength could be credited to one individual: Kaguya.
Back when Kaguya was working as an inspector for the World Government, she was once assigned to serve as an instructor for the navy, tasked with training their soldiers. At the time, she trained those unruly brats so harshly they cried like ghosts and howled like wolves, gaining a fearsome reputation.
Though there was a hint of sadism in her methods, there was no denying the results. Over several years, both the soldiers and officers of the navy had undergone a qualitative transformation under hellish training. Their overall strength had improved significantly.
The most obvious sign of this was the emergence of a large number of elite troops in the Marine Headquarters. Sengoku hadn't expected such results—he had only asked Kaguya for a bit of help with training and never anticipated such dramatic improvement.
More importantly, ten years ago she had also saved Zephyr, who had been attacked by Whitebeard Jr., and in doing so preserved many elite marines. Today, those very same individuals had become the backbone of the navy—the ones currently battling against the Whitebeard Pirates.
Beside the high platform, Tsuru gazed at the battlefield and said quietly, "It seems this will be the end."
"It's too soon to say that," Sengoku replied in a low voice. "As long as that man hasn't made a move, the outcome is still uncertain. He's not the kind to go down quietly."
But at that moment, the battle shifted again. In the outer harbor of Marineford, a fleet of more than ten sailing ships appeared, swiftly heading toward the port. The scale of the fleet rivaled even Whitebeard's Moby Dick—it was grand, and flying a familiar flag—
"Big Mom?" Sengoku's eyes narrowed. "Wasn't she wiped out years ago? How could they suddenly appear here?"
Since the navy's outer harbor defenses had already been destroyed when Whitebeard's fleet arrived, the Big Mom Pirates encountered no resistance as they invaded the port.
Even Kaguya raised an eyebrow. If she remembered correctly, Charlotte Linlin—Big Mom—had already been killed and turned into a puppet. She should still be lying in her coffin. So how could she be back?
Then she saw who stood at the bow of the ship and understood.
It wasn't Big Mom. The figure on the ship was Charlotte Pudding, and beside her were two former Sweet Commanders—Charlotte Smoothie and Charlotte Katakuri.
Once Big Mom's fleet docked, hordes of pirates jumped ashore, rushing toward the interior of Marineford amid battle cries.
Whitebeard turned his head and cast a cold glance at them. "What's the meaning of this?"
Pudding stepped forward with a faint smile. "Please don't misunderstand. We're not here with ill intent. We came to lend a helping hand. Since we share a common enemy, why not join forces against the navy?"
Whitebeard said coldly, "This is my business. I'll handle it myself. The Whitebeard Pirates haven't fallen so far that they need others' help."
"I certainly respect the strength of your crew," Pudding replied with a smile. "But the navy today isn't what it used to be. Even the Whitebeard Pirates may struggle to achieve victory."
Whitebeard's expression hardened. "Little girl, don't meddle in matters that are beyond you."
Pudding remained unfazed by his attitude. She smiled and said, "But what about Ace? Don't you want to save him? If I'm not mistaken, he's the Pirate King's son, isn't he?"
"There's no Pirate King's son here," Whitebeard said, casting her a sidelong glance. "If there is, he's my son."
Pudding continued, "Why be so stubborn? We have the same enemy—we're all in the same boat. Working together serves both our interests."
"Enough," Whitebeard said coldly, casting a sharp glance at her. "If you keep talking, I'll wipe out your Big Mom Pirates first."
Seeing the glint of killing intent in Whitebeard's eyes, Pudding's smile faltered slightly.
"Didn't expect the long-dormant Big Mom Pirates to reappear here," Hancock said in surprise.
Monet, holding her notebook, added, "Even if Big Mom is technically gone, they still have plenty of powerful fighters."
"No," Kaguya shook her head, her gaze sharpening. "The ones in trouble now aren't the navy—it's Whitebeard."
Meanwhile, on the battlefield—
"Looks like Whitebeard isn't buying it," Charlotte Smoothie said, glancing sideways at Pudding. "Seems someone's plan might be falling apart."
"On the contrary," Pudding smirked. "The real show is just beginning."
"Just beginning?" Charlotte Katakuri echoed in surprise.
"That's right. Now is the perfect opportunity," Pudding turned and shouted, "Pass the order—tell all members to join forces with the Whitebeard Pirates. Launch an all-out assault on Marineford!"
"Yes, ma'am!"
With the Big Mom Pirates joining in, the pressure on the Whitebeard Pirates eased dramatically. Units that had been on the verge of collapse began to regroup, and their critical situation began to stabilize.
"Awesome! Reinforcements! Reinforcements have arrived!"
"No way... it's the Big Mom Pirates?!"
"Thank goodness! I thought we were dead for sure."
"Hey, why would those guys help us out of nowhere?"
"Doesn't matter—as long as they help us save Ace, they're our allies!"
"Charge!"
As the previously retreating Whitebeard Pirates regained their momentum, Sengoku's face turned grim.
"Weren't the Big Mom Pirates wiped out? How could they show up here now?"
"They've been in hiding this whole time. We thought they disbanded—but clearly they've just been waiting," Tsuru said coldly. "Like rats in the sewers. Disgusting."
"Still, this might work in our favor," Sengoku's eyes gleamed with cold determination. "Now we have the chance to wipe them all out in one go."
"At this point, if you dare entertain any funny ideas," Sengoku turned his head and said in a low voice, "I won't forgive you, Garp."
Garp, sitting cross-legged on the ground, snorted. "If I had such intentions, I would've acted long ago."
Boom!
A deafening explosion erupted. A figure was sent flying like he'd been hit by a train, slamming into the concrete wall with a heavy crash. The impact left a massive crater in the reinforced concrete wall, cracks spreading like a spider web as blood spewed from his mouth.
He looked rather miserable—his body covered in injuries, his clothes scorched and singed, with a part of his crimson coat burned away. Clearly, he had taken quite a beating.
"Give up, Doflamingo. You're not my match," Akainu strode forward and said coldly.
"Give up?" Doflamingo raised his head, the corner of his mouth curling into a smile. "This battle is far too interesting. How could I possibly give up so easily? If anything, you should be the one worried."
"Worried?" Akainu sneered. "Don't flatter yourself. Just a bunch of brainless pests. There's no reason for me to be concerned."
"Oh?" Doflamingo smirked. "Overconfidence is never a good thing."
"Doffy, if you stop now, I won't hold you accountable. You'll still retain your position as one of the Seven Warlords," Akainu said darkly. "But if you insist on siding with those filthy pirates, then don't blame me for showing no mercy."
"Whoa there, scary talk from a navy admiral. I'm shaking," Doflamingo said with a mocking grin. "But maybe you should be paying more attention to your own side. Don't be surprised when those you trust most stab you in the back."
"A ragtag bunch like this, thinking they can make waves here—it's laughable," Akainu said coldly, turning to look at the smoke-filled battlefield. "This farce is just about over."
Doflamingo's eyes narrowed at those words.
As the intense battle raged on, the overwhelming sounds of war and killing suddenly ceased. Everyone on the battlefield paused. When the confused combatants looked up, their eyes widened in shock—even Sengoku and Garp showed expressions of disbelief.
On the deck of the Moby Dick in the distance, Whitebeard stood with a blade stabbed through his chest. Blood dripped steadily down the blade.
He had been ambushed.
And the attacker wasn't a marine.
It was none other than Squard, the Maelstrom Spider of the Whitebeard Pirates.
The crew stared in stunned silence, unable to comprehend what they were seeing. Even the marines were dumbfounded.
Whitebeard—stabbed by his own man?
And not just any man—someone close to him. How could this be?
"Squard!"
A furious shout rang out. A burst of azure flames shot toward Squard, slamming into him and pinning his head to the ground. The one who acted was Marco.
"Why would you do this?!" Marco roared in fury. "Answer me, Squard!"
"Be-because... you... you betrayed us..." Squard's voice trembled as he tried to explain.
"What are you saying?! Do you even know what you're doing?!" Marco shouted.
At that moment, the wounded Whitebeard's body sagged and fell to one knee. Crimson blood flowed from the hole pierced through his chest.
"Dad!"
"Just end this farce already, Whitebeard!" Squard shouted through gritted teeth. "You've already made a deal with the Navy, haven't you? The Whitebeard Pirates and Ace will be saved—they've promised you that, haven't they?!"
"Hey, bastard, what nonsense are you spouting?!" Marco roared in fury and struck Squard across the face, sending him flying.
Squard staggered to his feet, wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, and shouted, "All of you, listen up—we've been set up!"
"What's going on?!"
"What's that guy saying?!"
"What the hell is happening?!"
"I never knew... that guy Ace was the son of Pirate King Roger. And you—" Squard pointed at Whitebeard and shouted, "You want Ace to become the next Pirate King!"
Whitebeard's face was calm as water, not a ripple of emotion showing as he stared quietly at Squard.
"So," Squard continued, voice filled with hatred, "you're using the heads of the 43 subordinate pirate captains as bargaining chips to trade for Ace's life. All the allied pirates will be wiped out, but the Whitebeard Pirates and Ace will survive. I'm right, aren't I, Whitebeard?!"
Marco took a step forward and rebuked furiously, "Impossible! Dad would never do something like that!"
"Why not?! Can't you see what's happening?!" Squard roared. "We're already surrounded by Pacifistas—are you blind?!"
Everyone looked around, and their pupils shrank in shock. While they were locked in fierce battle, the Pacifistas had completely encircled them.
"Master, do you think Whitebeard did this?" Hancock curled up in Kaguya's arms like a docile kitten, her cheeks tinged with rouge.
"Of course not," Kaguya replied. "That fool was simply manipulated—he fell for Akainu's trick."
Hancock lifted her head curiously. "Akainu?"
"That's right. This was all part of his plan," Kaguya said. "Otherwise, why would the Pacifistas just happen to surround the allied pirates instead of targeting the Whitebeard Pirates? If they truly wanted to eliminate Whitebeard, wouldn't it make more sense to take out the strongest force first?"
"So this is all Akainu's conspiracy?" Hancock's wide eyes sparkled with admiration. "As expected of you, my dear—you can see through a plot like this so easily."
"Your sweet talk is getting better and better," Kaguya said, rubbing Hancock's firm butt with her palm before kneading it firmly.
The sudden touch sent a jolt through Hancock's body. She melted in Kaguya's arms, her eyes hazy, her demeanor soft as water. In truth, she wasn't really interested in such things. She just wanted an excuse to talk to Kaguya...
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