Ace, come on. Has your side still not started fighting yet? You're really dragging this out. I'm about to face off with Nagato over here.
After a fiery round of debates on the Hokage Forum, Hiruzen Sarutobi shot off a quick message to Ace in their private group chat.
Ace replied almost instantly.
"Soon. Tomorrow, actually. That's the execution date."
"You sound pretty relaxed about it."
"What's there to be afraid of? A while back, maybe I would've panicked. But after seeing how Zenitsu's been acting, if I really die, I'll just kick back and enjoy the view as a spectator."
People from your pirate world really do have nerves of steel, Hiruzen thought.
"Third, let me tell you something. Tomorrow at Marineford, I'm gonna blast that bastard Akainu to hell. Just watch me!"
Don't. You can't win. Hiruzen was just about to type that he didn't want to lose one of his most promising allies.
But Ace's next message arrived first.
"I'll show him that Haki reigns supreme! Oh, and I've got a plan!"
"You have a plan?" Hiruzen typed, curious.
"You spamming posts on the forum defending yourself isn't working. Why not infiltrate and become a moderator? If you control the platform, you can silence whoever you want. That's how you flip the narrative!"
Ace, you have the makings of a Hokage! From now on, you're Konoha's Young Phoenix!
Taking his advice, Hiruzen immediately registered a new account and got to work posting.
[Konoha's Worst of the F4 Is the Third! Like for juicy details!]
[Orochimaru went easy on the Third. Don't believe me? Watch again!]
[New fanfic: "Ace Reincarnates as an Uchiha: Chapter One, Slamming the F4." Give it a read!]
Patience and endurance. The long game begins!
Marine Headquarters – Fleet Admiral's Office
The final high-level meeting before the great war at Marineford.
But...
Sengoku scanned the room, a vein throbbing at his temple.
One officer was napping with a snot bubble forming, one had sunglasses on and pretended not to be asleep, and another was lazily filing his nails. Only Akainu and Tsuru were actually paying attention.
Sengoku snapped at the one doing his nails.
"Borsalino! Can you take this seriously? You think it was easy negotiating with the Five Elders for your sake?!"
Kizaru casually blew on his fingertips.
"Well then, how about I take on Whitebeard in a one-on-one tomorrow?"
Sengoku blinked. "And?"
"If I win, I'll take his head!"
And if you lose? Sengoku was about to ask.
Of course, if I lose, I'm going home early.
"After all, he is the world's strongest man. Losing to him wouldn't be too shameful, right?"
Kizaru smiled lazily, then dropped the sarcasm, straightened up slightly, and said with rare seriousness.
"But besides Whitebeard, we really need to keep an eye on Uchiha Itachi. That guy was genuinely dangerous during our last encounter."
That had been the first time in Kizaru's career that his Observation Haki had screamed at him like a thousand knives to the throat.
Akainu crossed his arms and snorted.
"No matter what they try, they won't stop justice from being served. That criminal is mine."
Kizaru turned to him seriously.
"Sakazuki, I couldn't see clearly, but that guy definitely has an ability that could end a battle instantly."
A move that could end a battle with an Admiral in one blow? Even Whitebeard in his prime might not have pulled that off.
Akainu frowned. Hearing Kizaru say that raised the threat level in his mind.
As a strategist, Sengoku quickly deduced, "It must be a restricted or conditional ability. Just be careful."
He rubbed his temples, already dreading the aftermath. All he wanted was to survive this war and finally retire.
He moved to the large map table to review the final deployment details.
Then he knocked on the table and called out, "Kuzan, it's your turn."
Aokiji slowly removed his sunglasses, signaling that he'd been listening the whole time.
As for Garp, Sengoku hadn't said a word to him all meeting.
That man... as long as he didn't cause trouble, it was already a blessing.
Tsuru, seated nearby, didn't interrupt either. But she did glance worriedly at the snoozing Garp.
He was too relaxed for someone about to witness his grandson's execution. That, in itself, was suspicious.
What's really going on here? she wondered.
The meeting ended.
Inside the Fleet Admiral's office, only Sengoku and Garp remained.
Garp's nose was still bubbling as he slept soundly.
Sengoku couldn't help but shout, "Garp! Tomorrow is the execution!"
As much as he hated to bring it up again, he needed to confirm Garp's stance. If he acted out, the scene could spiral out of control.
Garp slowly opened his eyes.
"Hmm? Meeting's over?"
His nonchalance worried Sengoku even more. His face darkened as he warned, "Garp, do not act rashly. Ace is a criminal!"
Garp opened Sengoku's desk drawer, grabbed a pack of senbei, and began munching.
"Yeah, I know. He's Roger's kid. He's accepted it now."
Sengoku snorted. "Of course he has. The cursed bloodline shows its true colors."
"Still going on about being some chosen savior too. Ha!"
Doesn't seem like a guy about to die, though.
Ace... what exactly is your plan? Don't go too far, or Grandpa might have to step in.
Crunch. Garp finished the last of the senbei and leaned back contentedly.
The calm sea shimmered.
The Whitebeard Pirates had assembled. All 43 ships had been fully coated.
This was the final battle.
On the deck of the Moby Dick, Marco led Uchiha Itachi to the treasure hold.
"War's about to start," Marco said as he pushed open the heavy oak door.
Stacks of gold and treasure gleamed in the morning light.
"Pops said to pay you now, as promised."
Whitebeard clearly didn't want to risk dying in battle before fulfilling his word.
Itachi didn't refuse. After all, this was why he'd come to this world.
He unfurled a sealing scroll, forming hand seals to channel chakra and store the entire roomful of treasure.
Marco watched in awe.
"You guys really are something else. It's like eating ten different Devil Fruits at once."
Then, as if remembering something, he pulled out a small wooden box and handed it to Itachi.
"This one's a personal gift from us."
Inside was a dark purple Devil Fruit with spiral patterns that shimmered ominously.
"We think it's an Ancient Zoan-type, but we're not entirely sure. Whatever it is, it'll boost your physical abilities a lot. Consider it a token of our gratitude."
Itachi hesitated. This gift was too extravagant.
Marco laughed and shoved the box into his arms.
"A man of the sea doesn't take back a gift once it's given!"
Just then, the sound of a horn rang out across the deck. The coating on the Moby Dick began to glow with a rainbow sheen.
"It's time."
In the next moment, the ship plunged beneath the waves.
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