Aboard the Red Force, all eyes were fixed on Shanks.
After a brief pause, Shanks raised his sake cup with a smile and said,
"Relax. There's no sign of Rayleigh for now. But no matter how powerful Marine HQ is, no matter how much Sengoku bets on that rookie—he's still facing a Yonko."
"Only I truly understand what that means."
"Now then… let's bring the curtain down on the old era—with our own hands."
As his orders were issued, the seas erupted into chaos.
Countless eyes turned toward Marine Headquarters.
No—more accurately, most were fixated on one thing:
They were desperate to know whether this new admiral, the gluttonous Luo Yu, who had been entrusted with the second battlefield, was truly a key player…
Or just a sacrificial pawn to ease the pressure of the Summit War.
Three days passed in the blink of an eye.
As the first rays of dawn scattered like golden dust across the sea, hearts across the world clenched tight.
Civilians, pirates, and Marines alike—many of whom hadn't slept a wink—were on edge.
They all knew: the long-awaited, most climactic battle in the history of the seas was about to begin.
Warships packed the harbor at Marineford. Countless flags bearing the symbol of justice snapped in the wind.
As the live Den Den Mushi feeds activated, the sight of 100,000 elite Marines and over a hundred commanding officers filled screens across the world.
This was not just a battle between Marines and pirates—it was a declaration of justice.
According to the Five Elders, this was meant to intimidate the entire sea.
Sengoku knew better. That was just their excuse. Their real goal was likely to turn Marine HQ into a laughingstock.
But at this point, Sengoku had no choice. As Fleet Admiral, all he could do was grit his teeth and go all in.
Revealing their full force early was meant to intimidate would-be troublemakers and boost morale.
But as the world watched Marine HQ's grand display, many were more curious about the second battlefield—Impel Down, where the Beasts Pirates would strike.
What kind of force had been stationed there?
Everyone turned to the second battlefield's live feed.
And then… confusion.
There were indeed Marines and prison guards visible.
But compared to Marine HQ's 100,000 troops and hundreds of officers, it looked pitiful.
Behind the open Gates of Justice, a massive floating platform had been constructed for the battle—stretching tens of thousands of meters.
But only a few thousand figures stood upon it.
At the front was Magellan, the fearsome warden of Impel Down, said to possess power rivaling an admiral.
He was flanked by various officers and guards.
But compared to the splendor of Marine HQ, the disparity was glaring.
The first thought that crossed everyone's mind:
"The second battlefield is a throwaway."
Facing a Yonko with such a meager force? It was absurd.
If not for the presence of several Warlords of the Sea in the rear, no one would've believed this was the second front.
"Hahaha! So this is the Navy's confidence? This pitiful force—I could kill them all myself!"
At the back of the platform, atop the massive execution stage, sat Jack the Drought—Kaido's so-called Shipbreaker.
Bound in massive Seastone chains, he looked even more savage.
Yet despite his impending execution, Jack showed no fear. He scanned the area with disdain.
"Doffy. Didn't expect to see you here."
"You see it too, don't you? The Navy's treating you Warlords like pawns. Instead of waiting to be crushed by Boss Kaido, why not join us? Let's raze Impel Down, then flatten Marineford. The sea will be ours."
His deep voice echoed across the platform.
The Marines and guards turned pale.
They hadn't expected Jack to be so arrogant even on death's doorstep.
But looking at their own underwhelming numbers… they couldn't exactly argue.
"Shut up! I said shut up!"
Hannyabal, face dark with anger, barked from the front.
"I'm warning you—this second battlefield isn't as simple as it looks!"
He was nervous—facing Warlords and a billion-berry criminal like Jack.
But with the whole world watching, Hannyabal wasn't about to miss his chance to shine.
Just then, he locked eyes with Doflamingo's eerie smile and felt a chill.
Before he could speak again, Doflamingo chuckled darkly:
"Heh… as expected of Impel Down's Vice Warden. So full of confidence."
"But let's be honest—your forces are laughable compared to Marine HQ."
"As a summoned Warlord, I'd rather not be treated like a pawn. I hope that arrogant brat doesn't disappoint you. Otherwise, this battle might take a very different turn."
"Or maybe… he's already wet his pants and run away."
"You—!"
Hannyabal was fuming.
But Magellan quickly raised a hand to stop him.
He turned to face the three Warlords gathered behind him: Blackbeard Teach, Heavenly Yaksha Doflamingo, and the recently defeated Gecko Moria.
Magellan couldn't understand why these three were here.
But all he could do was trust Sengoku's orders.
Glancing at his pocket watch, Magellan said gravely:
"Doflamingo, I don't care what grudge you have with Admiral Luo Yu. But I suggest you don't try anything foolish—or I won't hold back."
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku told me: the battlefield belongs to Admiral Luo Yu. My job is to hold Impel Down."
"I don't know why Sengoku arranged things this way. But he told me one thing—'Miracles happen at 9 o'clock.'"
"There are still five minutes to go."
Everyone was stunned.
Even the global audience watching the live feed was baffled.
They looked at the time—five minutes to nine.
And a ridiculous thought crossed their minds:
"They're about to fight a Yonko… and he's still clocking in like it's a 9-to-5 job?"