Sabaody Archipelago.
In front of the giant outdoor screen, a massive crowd packed the square shoulder-to-shoulder.
"It's coming! The picture is up!"
"Shoot! Shoot!"
"Damn it, get out of my shot!"
Reporters frantically pressed their shutters, flashbulbs popping one after another, nearly illuminating the entire square.
On the screen, the execution platform at Marineford was clearly visible.
Two executioners holding swords escorted a black-haired young man wearing Sea Stone handcuffs slowly up the high platform.
"It's Fire Fist Ace!"
"The Commander of the Second Division of the Whitebeard Pirates!"
A commotion erupted within the crowd.
Ace was pushed to the center of the execution platform, and the two executioners firmly pressed down on his shoulders, forcing him to kneel facing the camera.
As Ace knelt facing the camera, the noisy square suddenly fell silent.
Everyone held their breath, intently staring at the screen.
Ace kept his head down, his expression unclear, but the handcuffs reflected a dazzling glare in the sunlight.
"Is the execution starting?"
"Can Whitebeard make it in time?"
"Are you an idiot? The Marine publicly executing Ace is precisely to draw out the Whitebeard Pirates. If Whitebeard doesn't show up, how could the Marine possibly execute him early!"
Grand Line, a certain Marine branch.
Hundreds of Marine soldiers were squeezed into the mess hall, all looking up at the projection den den mushi on the wall.
"Fire Fist Ace! Is the execution about to begin?"
"Why hasn't there been any movement from the Whitebeard Pirates? Are they going to abandon saving Ace?"
"Impossible. The thing Whitebeard cares about most is family; he will definitely come to save Ace."
A young Marine soldier swallowed hard and whispered nervously, "If Whitebeard really comes, will Marineford..."
"Shut up!" The veteran beside him glared fiercely. "Don't talk nonsense! Marineford is garrisoned by the Three Admirals, plus Fleet Admiral Sengoku and Hero Garp. If Whitebeard dares to come, he won't be leaving alive!"
New World, a certain pirate stronghold.
"Hahaha! The war is about to start!"
"Let them fight, let them fight! It would be best if the whole world descends into chaos, hahahaha!"
"This war is bound to change the global structure."
"Brothers, cheer up! As soon as this war concludes and the Whitebeard Pirates are annihilated, we will immediately set out to seize Whitebeard's territory!"
"Oh, hahaha, finally it's our turn to step onto the stage of the New World!"
The pirates held their cups, discussing excitedly, their ambitions swelling amidst the chatter and shouting.
The first half of the Grand Line, a certain Revolutionary Army secret base.
Monkey D. Dragon stood in front of the screen, his expression solemn.
Beside him, Sabo stared repeatedly at Ace, who was kneeling on the execution platform in the image. Suddenly, as if recalling something, he grabbed Koala's hand and hesitated, saying, "This person... I feel like I've seen him somewhere."
Koala was stunned for a moment, then tentatively asked, "Is he a friend from Sabo-kun's hometown?"
Sabo shook his head. "I can't remember... but I feel very familiar with him."
After a slight pause, Sabo turned to look at Monkey D. Dragon, carefully asking, "Did I know him?"
Just as Monkey D. Dragon was about to speak—
"Buru buru—"
The den den mushi on the table suddenly rang.
Dragon answered. An urgent voice immediately came through the den den mushi: "Chief! The location of the Beasts Pirates has been tracked! They have already passed through Fish-Man Island, and while they were in the New World, the Marine tracked them the entire time but did not obstruct them!"
Dragon frowned slightly. "What exactly is Saint Ian trying to do? Drawing out Whitebeard through the public execution of Ace isn't enough? Does he want the Beasts Pirates to be dragged into this war as well?"
"According to current intelligence..." The voice in the den den mushi paused. "The entire Beasts Pirates crew has mobilized, but Kaido has not been sighted. Kaido most likely knows what the World Government intends to do, so he has chosen to conceal his whereabouts."
Just as he finished speaking—
"Roar—"
A dragon roar came from high above, shaking the entire base slightly.
Dragon's expression changed, and his figure instantly vanished.
When he reappeared, he was outside the base's main gate.
The commanders of the Revolutionary Army's four major armies—East, South, West, and North—were all gathered there, everyone looking up at the sky.
Rolling black clouds approached from afar. Lightning raged within the clouds, and the silhouette of a hideous giant dragon was vaguely discernible.
The black clouds rolled over the base, carrying a suffocating pressure, and quickly vanished into the horizon.
"It's Kaido!"
"He is indeed heading to Marineford too!"
A Revolutionary Army commander excitedly turned to Monkey D. Dragon: "Chief! With the Whitebeard Pirates and the Beasts Pirates mobilizing simultaneously, they are bound to tie up all the fighting forces of Marineford! This is a perfect opportunity for us to avenge ourselves!"
Another Revolutionary Army commander stepped forward, his voice equally excited: "We must seize this chance to make that Holy Land Prince pay a heavy price for his arrogance! Issue the order: the entire army is to assemble, destination—Holy Land Mary Geoise!"
"Wait!"
Monkey D. Dragon stopped them in time, saying sternly, "Although the current situation is favorable to us, now is not the best time to attack the Holy Land. Let's wait and see. If Kaido and Whitebeard both appear at Marineford, it won't be too late for us to set out for the Holy Land! Don't forget, the God's Knights are still garrisoned at the Holy Land!"
Having said this, Dragon looked up at the sky and continued, "Since Saint Ian chose to publicly execute Ace to lure the Whitebeard Pirates into a rescue attempt, and even tracked the Beasts Pirates the entire way without stopping them, it means this is all part of his plan. Whitebeard, Kaido... and perhaps even us, are likely within his calculations."
... The seas near Impel Down.
The Blackbeard Pirates' raft warship slowly sailed into the Calm Belt, clearly heading toward Impel Down.
Teach stood at the bow, his gaze fixed intensely on the increasingly clear entrance of Impel Down, the smile on his face gradually turning sinister.
"Zehahahahaha! We're finally here!"
Sensing Teach's fervor and excitement, Lafitte, standing behind him, stepped forward and asked worriedly, "Captain, are we really going to attack Impel Down? This is the world's greatest prison, heavily guarded. If we fail..."
Teach laughed heartily and waved his hand. "The Marine's attention is entirely focused on Marineford right now. Impel Down's defenses are simply too weak to withstand us!"
At this, Teach turned around to face his crew and declared boldly, "Since the Marine cannot currently make room for me in the Shichibukai, I don't need the Shichibukai title anyway! As long as Pops dies in battle at Marineford, I will be the new Four Emperors! Zehahahahaha!"
At the same time.
Marineford, Fleet Admiral's office.
Sengoku stood by the window, watching the square outside with a solemn expression.
Tens of thousands of Marine soldiers were making their final deployments: cannon batteries, Pacifista, Giant Vice Admiral... all fighting forces were in position.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku."
Vice Admiral Tsuru walked in, holding a piece of intelligence.
"The Beasts Pirates are confirmed to have passed through Fish-Man Island and are expected to arrive in the waters near Marineford in three hours."
"As for the Whitebeard Pirates..." Tsuru paused. "Their location is unknown."
"Location unknown?"
Sengoku blinked, then turned to Vice Admiral Tsuru and smiled. "Saint Ian was right. They are indeed planning to invade the inner harbor from underwater."
After a brief pause, Sengoku decisively stepped out of the office. "Follow me to the execution platform. I need to address the entire world."
— —