September 20, Sea Circle Calendar 1506.
At this moment, the attention of the entire sea seemed to be drawn to Aquino Island in the New World.
The reason was simple. Today was the execution date announced by the New World Marines for members of the Whitebeard Pirates.
And judging by the momentum, today was also the day the Whitebeard Pirates and the New World Marines would go to war.
The outcome of this massive conflict could very well reshape the world's order for decades to come.
If the Marines emerged victorious, the last great pirate of the old era would fall in the New World. Even more so, the so-called Age of Great Pirates would truly reach its end from this moment on. A brand-new era, led by the Marines, would open in the New World.
But if the Marines were defeated, there was no doubt that the New World would once again fall into pirate hands. The Whitebeard Pirates would enter a new peak, and the Age of Great Pirates would surge back with renewed ferocity.
By then, countless people might once again rush toward the sea, hoisting pirate flags that symbolized destruction and chaos, bringing fresh suffering to the world.
Even the authority and prestige of the World Government and Marine Headquarters would take a heavy blow, and ambitious figures of all kinds would rise again amid the chaos.
Because of this, from early morning onward, the eyes of the entire world were fixed on the war about to erupt.
Families with the means had already connected to the live broadcast signal announced by the Marines in the newspapers, waiting for the transmission to begin.
Those without such access were flocking toward the nearest public broadcast platforms, trying to secure a good spot to watch the live feed.
…
Inside the main conference hall at Marine Headquarters, Sengoku, Garp, Zephyr, the Chief Staff Officer, and many commanders who had no assignments today were gathered together.
The large screen in the hall was already connected to the live feed from Aquino Island. However, since the broadcast had yet to start, the screen remained dark.
Among the assembled officers, some wore expressions of anticipation, others unease. Some were solemn and silent, while others were visibly excited.
"Are the follow-up plans ready?" Zephyr dropped into his seat and casually asked Sengoku beside him.
Sengoku nodded.
"Of course. I've already stationed two large fleets at the New World port in Holy Land and at G-1 Marine Base. If something goes wrong on Ortoren's side and the war turns against us, we'll intervene immediately."
Garp spoke up with a serious expression.
"When that happens, Sengoku and I will personally lead the fleets to support them and stabilize the situation."
The topic was a heavy one, but soon the Chief Staff Officer smiled faintly.
"There's no need to worry too much. The Marine forces under Ortoren's command taking part in this war are no weaker than those at Headquarters. In terms of raw strength, they hold an absolute advantage. I believe the chances of victory are extremely high. If the Whitebeard Pirates weren't forced into a corner, they probably wouldn't even dare to accept this battle."
Zephyr lit a cigar, exhaled a puff of smoke, and smiled.
"When have you ever seen that kid Ortoren take a loss? He's sharp. Since he chose to go to war with Whitebeard, it means he's confident. We might as well start thinking about what comes after the victory."
With Zephyr's words, the atmosphere among the senior officers noticeably relaxed.
Garp laughed.
"That's true enough. That guy isn't the type to lose out."
"If he can win the war on his own," Sengoku added with a chuckle, "what need is there for us to step in and clean up afterward? If this battle is won, Headquarters won't have much to do at all. Let them handle the aftermath themselves."
Just as the group was talking, the pitch-black broadcast screen suddenly lit up.
The live feed was clearly divided into multiple views. Across Aquino Island, numerous Den Den Mushi were positioned at different angles, providing full, unobstructed coverage of the entire battlefield.
Sengoku and the others immediately focused their attention on the screen.
From a frontal overview, Aquino Island had no particularly prominent buildings. Behind the battlefield, a massive temporary Marine camp and several low-rise structures were visible.
Along the coastline, dense rows of artillery emplacements and bunkers had been constructed.
Seasoned commanders like Sengoku could tell at a glance that the staggered placement of these gun emplacements and bunkers was not meant primarily for sealing off the harbor.
The vast majority of them had their firing directions aimed inward, toward the interior of the island.
Beyond that, the surrounding waters of the island were dotted with large numbers of standard Marine warships. The total wasn't especially exaggerated, just a few dozen vessels, but even so, the sea still felt noticeably crowded.
At the same time, the widest stretch of water, the main sea route leading straight into the island's harbor, had been deliberately left completely open.
"That's a pocket tactic," Zephyr muttered around his cigar.
It was obvious that the fleet had no intention of blocking the Whitebeard Pirates from sailing directly into the harbor to land. However, the moment Whitebeard's main fleet entered the designated waters, the Marines would swiftly close the opening behind them, forming a full encirclement that allowed entry but no escape.
"Under normal circumstances, the Whitebeard Pirates would never walk into something like this," Chief Staff Officer Tsuru nodded. "But right now, they don't have a choice."
…
Beyond the warships and artillery systems, a massive, flat expanse stretched inward from the harbor toward the island's interior. Every tree, patch of vegetation, and scattered rock that once occupied this area had been completely cleared away.
This was the main battlefield.
Nearly one hundred thousand elite New World Marines stood in rigid formations across the field, not a single unit out of place.
Vice Admirals and Rear Admirals were stationed throughout the formations, each commanding their own sector.
Looking more closely, one could see that beside Vice Admirals Strawberry, Cancer, Yamakaji, and Stainless stood four summoned Shichibukai.
These four Vice Admirals were slightly weaker in overall strength, so during the deployment, Ortoren had deliberately assigned Doflamingo, Mihawk, Slekemind, and Moria to their sides as support.
As for Momonga, Isshō, Tokikake, Gion, Tesoro, and the others, such arrangements were unnecessary.
Sakazuki was also positioned within the formation, stationed right between the formations led by Gion and Tesoro.
Behind the main formations rose a high platform.
Atop it sat an imposing throne, currently empty. Standing beside it like a silent guardian was Fujitora Isshō, clad in a Justice coat and wearing Vice Admiral epaulettes, his posture straight and unwavering.
Even though the seat itself was unoccupied, anyone who noticed this spot immediately understood its significance.
This was the position of the Marine commander-in-chief for this war, Admiral Benn Ortoren.
This platform was the tallest structure on the entire battlefield.
The second tallest stood at the very rear of the battlefield, a towering execution platform constructed specifically for today.
Compared to the execution platform at Marine Headquarters during the Battle of Marineford in the original story, this one was not quite as tall, but it covered a much larger area.
After all, back then only Ace was to be executed. This time, Momonosuke and multiple members of the Kozuki family were facing execution.
The prisoners had already been brought onto the platform.
On both sides stood retainers such as Inuarashi, Moushi, Kin'emon, and the others.
The central position was reserved for Momonosuke himself.
Kozuki Momonosuke was locked into the execution mechanism, completely unable to move. His entire body trembled uncontrollably, consumed by overwhelming fear. His trousers were soaked with urine, tears and mucus streamed down his face, his expression twisted beyond control as he gasped for breath, like a foul fish stranded on the shore, flailing in its final moments.
Beside the prisoners stood executioners, each gripping a massive decapitation blade.
Ortoren had not chosen the impalement-style execution used on Roger in the past. Instead, he selected the far more brutal and intimidating method of beheading.
In addition to the executioners and prisoners, the officer overseeing the platform was a Marine Vice Admiral, none other than Tokikake.
The sea wind swept across the battlefield, causing the Justice coats draped over the Marines' backs to billow in unison. Gradually, that presence gathered and fused together.
At this very moment, it felt as though the might of countless banners and blades had converged above the Marine formations, forming an overwhelming aura of authority and resolve.