Sabaody Archipelago.
In front of the giant outdoor screen, a massive crowd of people packed the plaza, making it impossible to move.
Reporters from all over the world, carrying cameras and microphones, squeezed into the front row. Everyone nervously stared at the screen, which hadn't lit up yet, their palms sweating.
"Hey, do you know why the Marine is holding a public execution? That's the commander of the Whitebeard Pirates' Second Division!"
"It's said that Saint Ian personally gave the order. How could the Marine disobey?"
"But that old monster Whitebeard will definitely come to rescue him! Won't Marineford be sunk then?"
"It's only newsworthy if it sinks! What the hell do you know!"
Several reporters argued in hushed voices, their eyes fixed on the screen, afraid to miss any shot, even though the broadcast hadn't started yet.
At the back of the crowd, a middle-aged reporter wearing a baseball cap clutched his camera tightly and muttered, "If I can get a shot of Whitebeard and the Three Admirals fighting, my life will be complete..."
The young reporter next to him scoffed, "What are you so nervous about? Are you worried about being caught in the war?"
The baseball cap swallowed, "The more dangerous the place, the greater the news value!"
Just then—
"Sizzle sizzle—"
The screen suddenly lit up.
Everyone's breath hitched at that moment.
On the screen, the execution platform of Marineford appeared before everyone's eyes.
"It's started!"
Reporters frantically pressed their shutters, flashlights flashing one after another.
Meanwhile, in an underground casino on Sabaody Archipelago.
In the dimly lit hall, smoke billowed, and the air was filled with the smell of alcohol and sweat.
Hundreds of pirates crowded around the gambling tables, all eyes focused on the huge screen on the wall.
In the center of the gambling tables, two large odds boards stood prominently.
"Damn it! The Marine's odds are so low?"
A pirate slammed the table, "I don't believe Old Man Whitebeard will lose!"
With that, he pushed an entire bag of gold coins into the "Whitebeard Wins" area.
"I'm betting on Whitebeard too!"
"Right! Whitebeard is the strongest man in the world!"
"What's the Marine? What about the Three Admirals? Whitebeard can send them all flying with one punch!"
The pirates placed their bets one after another, and the gambling tables were piled high with gold coins and Berries.
But some hesitated.
In a corner, a scar-faced pirate was indecisive, unsure who to bet on.
"Hey, why aren't you betting?" his companion next to him nudged him.
The scar-faced pirate swallowed, then lowered his voice and said, "Although Old Man Whitebeard is very strong, I... I always feel that this war will exceed our imagination. Because according to the information I've gathered, this public execution of Ace was personally ordered by a Celestial Dragon from the Holy Land, the same one who beat up Saint Charloss on Sabaody before!"
As soon as he said this, the smiles on the faces of the people around them instantly froze.
"I know that Celestial Dragon. He's said to be the Crown Prince of the Holy Land!"
"Crown Prince of the Holy Land? Where did you get that information? Why did I hear that the Celestial Dragon named Saint Ian is the true owner of the Seat of Power!"
"Regardless of his identity, if it's a direct order from a Celestial Dragon, then the Marine will definitely fight with all their might, because if they lose this war, the Marine will certainly not be able to account for it to that Celestial Dragon!"
"Now that you mention it, I suddenly don't dare to bet on Whitebeard anymore."
...Marineford, deep in the prison.
Heavy footsteps echoed in the dark corridor.
A squad of fully armed Marine soldiers, holding rifles, escorted several officers towards the deepest cell.
Leading them was a stern-faced Marine Colonel.
"Open the cell door."
"Yes!"
The iron door slowly opened. In the dim cell, Ace was shackled to the wall with Sea Stone cuffs, his head bowed, his expression unclear.
The Colonel stepped forward, looking down at him, "Fire Fist Ace, don't harbor any illusions. This public execution targeting you was personally ordered by Saint Ian."
He paused, his tone growing colder, "If the Whitebeard Pirates don't come, so be it. If they dare to come and rescue you, the Marine will ensure they never return."
Ace slowly raised his head, his face showing little emotional fluctuation.
"Let's go. This will be your last time in this world!"
As the Colonel finished speaking, several Marine soldiers immediately stepped forward to shackle Ace, then escorted him out of the cell!
Escorted by several Marines, Ace took heavy steps. Although he appeared to be going to his death with valor, his eyes revealed deep unease.
At the same time.
Marineford, execution platform plaza.
"Everyone! Stay alert!"
A Marine Rear Admiral stood on the high platform, his voice like thunder, "This war today concerns the honor of the Marine! It concerns the dignity of justice!"
"If the Whitebeard Pirates dare to invade, we will make sure they all perish here!"
"Yes!!!"
Tens of thousands of Marine soldiers roared in unison, their voices shaking the heavens.
At the edge of the plaza, two young Marine soldiers nervously gripped their rifles. They were brothers, and for their livelihood and out of hatred for pirates, both brothers were fortunate enough to become soldiers in a Marine branch. Because of their excellent performance, both brothers were chosen to come to Marineford to participate in the upcoming Marineford War!
"Brother," the younger brother's voice trembled slightly, "I'm a little scared."
The older brother took a deep breath, patted his younger brother's shoulder, and forced a smile, "Don't be afraid. If the war breaks out, never rush forward recklessly. Stay behind me."
"Okay."
The older brother tightly held his younger brother's hand, grinned, and said, "Don't worry, we will definitely survive this war."
The younger brother nodded vigorously, then straightened his body as if to cheer himself up and shouted, "Justice will prevail!"
-...Ten thousand meters under the sea.
One after another, coated pirate ships broke through Fish-Man Island's bubble and headed majestically towards Marineford.
On the deck of the leading Moby Dick, Whitebeard sat at the head, holding a den den mushi, his expression grave.
A dozen division commanders stood on the deck, the atmosphere dead silent.
Everyone knew that as soon as the Moby Dick successfully invaded Marineford's inner harbor, an unprecedentedly brutal war awaited them.
Behind the Moby Dick, over forty pirate ships followed closely.
Unlike the somber atmosphere on the Moby Dick, the pirates on these warships were even more excited!
"Hahaha! I've been waiting for this day for too long!"
"Let the Marine see our power!"
"No matter what, we must bring Ace home!"
"Wanna bet? Let's see who kills the most Marines!"
The pirates shouted excitedly, as if this was a war they were destined to win.
Just then—
"Burururu—"
Marco's den den mushi suddenly rang. After hearing the information from the den den mushi, his face changed, and then he quickly turned to look at Whitebeard:
"Old Man!"
"The Marine's broadcast... has begun!"
As soon as he said this, all the commanders stood up in unison, their gazes all focused on Whitebeard.
Some clenched their fists, some gritted their teeth, and some had anger burning in their eyes.
Whitebeard slowly opened his eyes, his voice low: "Don't mind it. The Marine's goal is to lure us out by publicly executing Ace. As long as we don't appear, they won't immediately execute Ace."
Although he said this, Whitebeard didn't want to waste a single moment. He stood up and waved his large hand!
"All ships, full speed ahead!"
"We're going to bring Ace home!"
—