The situation had spiraled into the unimaginable.
Big Mom refused to wade into the chaos outright. Instead, she ordered Katakuri to broadcast everything live and would decide her stance based on how events unfolded. She knew the tide of history was coming — no one could remain untouched. Only by caution could she secure the best outcome for herself.
Meanwhile, Whitebeard, Shanks, Dragon, and their allies returned to their base of operations. With them stood Rayleigh, Crocodile, Doflamingo, Kuma, Hancock, and others.
But everyone knew the truth: the fate of this war rested on Good.
They guarded his unconscious form not out of pure loyalty, but for their own hopes.
Whitebeard, Shanks, Rayleigh, and Dragon wanted Good's strength to save Ace and Luffy.
Hancock yearned for vengeance against the Celestial Dragons.
Each of them carried their own motives into the coming storm.
As night fell and dawn broke again, their anxieties deepened.
From the horizon came fifty Marine warships, escorted by over a hundred frigates.
From the shore, it looked like a fortress of steel advancing, sealing every direction.
The island was a cage.
Whitebeard, Shanks, Dragon, Rayleigh, and the others grew grim.
"They're here..." Whitebeard muttered.
Behind them, their crews trembled, their resolve tested at the sight of such overwhelming might.
"The Government's gone insane..." Sabo whispered, stunned beyond words.
"To kill Good, they've emptied everything," Doflamingo said darkly. Even he felt his heart race. Were it not for his own schemes, he would have fled already.
On a nearby peak, Redfield and Katakuri, still neutral, looked on with unease.
"The World Government fears Good this much?" Katakuri said.
Redfield chuckled hollowly.
"You didn't fight him, brat. You can't understand. Just standing there, he was enough to freeze the battlefield. That kind of power..."
He exhaled slowly.
"As an outsider, watching is far more comfortable. If Good doesn't wake, this battle has no suspense. Even with Whitebeard, Shanks, Rayleigh, and Dragon, they're ants before this army."
Katakuri disagreed.
"Even if he wakes, I doubt Good can turn this tide."
Redfield gave him a sidelong look but didn't argue. Good's last stand against the Gorosei had shaken him to his core. He would not rule out another miracle.
Every era gave birth to its own supreme figure. Rocks in one age. Roger in the next. Perhaps Good now.
Redfield had failed in his time. Now he wished to witness if Good would succeed.
Far out at sea, Big Mom's crew watched through Katakuri's broadcast.
Even she, monstrous as she was, swallowed hard.
"The Government... they're going all in."
Her children gasped.
"So many ships... and Good is still unconscious? Is this necessary?"
"It is," Big Mom said coldly.
"This war isn't only about Good. It's also against two Emperor crews and the Revolutionaries. And Kaido's a fool. Once they fall, he'll be next."
But Kaido could not let go of his pride. To him, killing Good mattered more than life itself.
Big Mom laughed.
"Good thing I didn't accept Whitebeard's offer. I'd regret it forever if I were trapped in this mess."
The steel "cage" closed in, warships halting within a hundred meters of shore.
From that range, it would take only seconds for any fighter to strike.
Whitebeard and the others held back. They needed time — time for Good to awaken.
And from the lead ship, the Gorosei stepped forward, calm and commanding, their presence heavy with authority.
The greatest battle in history was about to begin.
(End of Chapter)
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