Sabaody Archipelago.
As the time for the public execution drew near, journalists gathered in front of the outdoor screens, alongside intelligence brokers from various factions, all eagerly awaiting the yet-to-be-activated broadcast.
"Only ten minutes left until the execution, why hasn't Marine Headquarters started yet?"
"Could it be they're waiting until the moment of execution to begin?"
"Stop complaining! Didn't Marine Headquarters announce in their press release that this public execution would take place alongside the Seven Warlords meeting? A slight delay is normal!"
In the Bubble Plaza of District 13, the growing impatience of journalists and brokers was palpable as the execution time approached.
For both journalists and intelligence brokers, this was a rare opportunity. Whoever could secure the news first would gain a significant advantage, turning the event into a lucrative scoop. After all, not every location could access the live broadcast, making their role as intermediaries crucial.
At one corner of the plaza, Silvers Rayleigh, seated calmly under a tree, showed equal interest in the broadcast. Beside him stood Shakky, a cigarette between her fingers as she gazed at the suspended screen in the air.
At that moment, a man wearing a straw hat quickly passed by. As he brushed past Shakky, he discreetly handed her a slip of paper.
Without looking up, Shakky took the paper, glanced at it briefly, and then, without a change in expression, crumbled it into powder. In a calm tone, she said, "It seems Whitebeard Jr.'s execution hasn't attracted Whitebeard's attention. So far, the Whitebeard Pirates have made no moves, and the Moby Dick remains anchored in their territorial waters."
"As expected," Rayleigh replied with a knowing smile. "If Whitebeard Jr. were truly his son, a family-oriented man like Whitebeard wouldn't have left him to wander homeless and destitute."
New World, Whitebeard Pirates' Territory.
On the massive deck of the Moby Dick, Marco, the first division commander of the Whitebeard Pirates, approached Whitebeard, who was seated at the ship's prow.
"Father, are we really going to do nothing?" Marco asked urgently.
As Marco's words fell, the other division commanders on the deck also rose to their feet.
Seeing this, Whitebeard, with his body connected to numerous IV tubes, sighed deeply. "Although Edward Weevil bears my name, he... is not my son! My sons, my true sons, are all of you!"
After speaking, Whitebeard sighed inwardly once more. He knew the truth about Edward Weevil's identity. If Weevil were truly his son, Miss Bakkin would have long ago brought him to Whitebeard, given how much he valued family.
The fact that Bakkin hadn't done so was proof that even she knew the so-called Whitebeard Jr.'s true identity and dared not bring him before Whitebeard.
After a brief silence, Whitebeard turned his gaze to Marco. His usual imposing and domineering demeanor as the world's strongest man softened as he gently said, "Marco, my son, the execution of Bakkin and her son is not a bad thing for all of you. If they were to live, your greatest threat after my passing wouldn't come from the Marines but from this so-called Whitebeard Jr."
"Father, I... I don't understand," Marco said, blinking in confusion.
Whitebeard patiently explained, "Miss Bakkin's real name is Bakkin Gom Stussy. Back in the day, we were both members of the Rocks Pirates. For certain reasons, she still harbors a deep grudge against me! Over the years, she has stayed out of my sight because I'm still alive. But if I were gone, she would undoubtedly redirect her hatred toward you, using the Whitebeard Jr. she keeps by her side to pick you off one by one and seize the Whitebeard Pirates' territories."
"Because, while Whitebeard Jr. is connected to me, he is not my son. He is a clone created in my image!"
"From what I've learned, Bakkin first cloned herself through the MADS science group. I'm not sure if her clone was successful, but it's clear that her attempt to create a clone in my image was very successful."
After a brief pause, Whitebeard's tone shifted, and he added with a chuckle, "Though not entirely successful. It's said that this Whitebeard Jr. has some intellectual shortcomings. Gurararara~"
The familiar laughter brought a sense of relief to Marco and the other commanders and crew members.
When they first learned about Bakkin and Whitebeard Jr. through Marine announcements, Whitebeard's mood had soured considerably. At the time, they all thought Whitebeard Jr. might be Whitebeard's biological son. The idea of their father's son being captured and publicly executed was deeply troubling.
But now, the revelation that Whitebeard Jr. was merely a clone changed everything.
If he was just a clone, there was no need for them to intervene.
Otherwise, even if Whitebeard decided not to act, they would have felt compelled to take action to repay Whitebeard for his years of care, protection, and guidance.
At the same time, the other three Emperors of the Sea in the New World also received intelligence confirming the Whitebeard Pirates' lack of action.
Totto Land, Whole Cake Island.
Standing outside the Cake Castle, Charlotte Katakuri had just received the latest report. He gazed at the open castle gates in surprise and muttered to himself, "Mother was right after all. Whitebeard truly doesn't care about Edward Weevil's fate! Could it be that this so-called Whitebeard Jr. isn't actually his son?"
"Katakuri-nii, the execution broadcast is about to start~"
A familiar voice called out. Turning towards the sound, Katakuri saw a group of men and women approaching quickly.
Leading the group were Charlotte Smoothie, Charlotte Cracker, and other members of the Charlotte Family.
At the forefront, Smoothie held an image-transmitting Den Den Mushi. Though her Den Den Mushi couldn't directly connect to Marine Headquarters, it could relay the broadcast from the outdoor screens in Sabaody Archipelago, thanks to the Charlotte Family's intelligence network.
"I have no interest in Whitebeard Jr.'s execution," Katakuri declared before Smoothie could activate the Den Den Mushi.
Before she could respond, a voice came from behind. A young woman with fair skin, wearing a red short dress and high heels, draped in a purple cape, stepped forward.
Charlotte Galette, the 18th daughter of the Charlotte Family, had recently celebrated her 25th birthday. She was a Paramecia-type Devil Fruit user with the Butter-Butter Fruit ability.
Standing next to Smoothie, Galette's relatively petite stature made her appear delicate compared to Smoothie's towering figure. Leaping up, she snatched the Den Den Mushi from Smoothie's hand and, with a sly smile, said, "I'm far more interested in meeting the man who staged a coup to become Fleet Admiral—Xayuki."
Before anyone could respond—
Click!
The Den Den Mushi activated.
Moments later, the transmitted image appeared on a screen opposite them.
Simultaneously, the outdoor screens in Sabaody Archipelago lit up.
As the screen came to life, the scene of Marineford Plaza appeared, transmitted clearly through the Den Den Mushi for all to see.
The camera zoomed in, and standing on the high platform, draped in the Fleet Admiral's coat, was Xayuki, now fully in focus.
~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~
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