"Do you really think Whitebeard would dare attack Marine Headquarters?" asked a rookie reporter, newly arrived at a hotel in the Sabaody Archipelago.
After the recent Marine sweep, pirates in Sabaody had significantly decreased, greatly improving safety.
Even so, journalists brave enough to work at sea typically had their own armed security. Most pirates, encountering reporters, wouldn't attack.
"There's an eighty to ninety percent chance a war will break out," an older journalist stated confidently.
Having worked on the frontlines for decades, he had reported on Whitebeard countless times. Though not intimately familiar with every detail, he knew the Sea Emperor well.
In Whitebeard's prime, numerous nations suffered devastating retaliation for harming his crew—many even disappeared entirely.
Now, Marine Headquarters intended to publicly execute his crew. Given Whitebeard's nature, he would never stand idly by.
"But Marine Headquarters is so powerful, fully prepared… wouldn't Whitebeard be walking into a trap?"
"You're being naive. If Whitebeard were that easy to deal with, would Marine Headquarters set up such a massive operation? You've heard, right? The three Admirals and the Shichibukai are all gathered at Headquarters!"
"Really that strong?!" The rookie couldn't believe it. In his mind, Marine Headquarters was the strongest, unshakable force—but facing Whitebeard, they were cautious.
"The Four Emperors are all monsters. Normal logic doesn't apply. Even Marine Headquarters can't guarantee victory in this battle."
"What… if Marine Headquarters loses, what would the world become?" The rookie swallowed hard, asking a question he had never considered.
"Then… the world would probably collapse. But even if they win, is it really over?" The veteran journalist was uncertain.
It wasn't just Sabaody Archipelago—the entire Grand Line, New World, and all seas focused on the imminent conflict between Whitebeard and Marine Headquarters.
From kings to beggars, everyone speculated. The global discourse caused anxiety, though most feared Marine Headquarters' defeat.
Marine Headquarters represented order at sea. Ordinary people relied on it. Though it sometimes disappointed, it also gave hope.
In this situation, regular pirates and civilians were collateral; crushed under the tide of events, they could easily become innocent victims. If Marine Headquarters failed, piracy would run rampant.
"Who knows what the world will become…"
"Wouldn't it be fine if this world were destroyed? Whitebeard, the strongest man, is old. Can he still fight?"
"God, please protect everyone."
At Marine Headquarters, in the conference room, the Shichibukai arrived from across the world.
Present were "Tyrant" Bartholomew Kuma, world's greatest swordsman Hawkeye Mihawk, "Heavenly Yaksha" Doflamingo, Gecko Moria, Blackbeard Marshall D. Teach, and newly arrived, the world's most beautiful woman, Pirate Empress Boa Hancock.
"So dazzling," Blackbeard commented, glancing at Hancock while continuing to eat cherry pie.
"If I'd known, I wouldn't have come. Just a bunch of foul men," Hancock thought, regretting her impulsive decision.
She had initially come worried about Hathaway's safety after hearing of the Sabaody incident. Analyzing the situation, she suspected the Dawn Pirates might be planning something in the conflict between Marine Headquarters and Whitebeard. At the time, it seemed logical—ensuring Hathaway's crew was safe—so she agreed.
Looking back, it had been hasty. Hathaway's crew was formidable, and killing a Celestial Dragon had been too exciting.
Now, seeing the Marines and Shichibukai, she felt nothing but disgust.
Besides the Shichibukai, Marine staff led by Vice Admiral Tsuru attended, discussing preparations for the coming war.
At Fleet Admiral Sengoku's office:
"The Sabaody Archipelago issue is temporarily handled by the World Government. Marine Headquarters will put the Dawn Pirates aside and focus entirely on Whitebeard," Sengoku told Aokiji and Kizaru.
"Understood."
Akainu was arranging and inspecting operations. Renowned Marine commanders with elite forces landed at Headquarters, an inspiring sight. Eleven Vice Admirals were already present, with more arriving.
Over forty warships were assembled, all manned by officers, not ordinary soldiers. Even the weakest were junior officers, clad in the cloak of justice.
Impel Down was heavily guarded, but without the Marines' special currents, Whitebeard would not foolishly attack. A major force could not breach the currents, and the prison was in a calm zone.
Large-scale assault on Impel Down was unrealistic. Any fleet attempting to reach it faced two dangerous choices: bypass the currents through the calm zone, risking Sea Kings, or use the currents but remain trapped if the Justice Gate wasn't opened, becoming cannon fodder.
Even if some ships reached Impel Down, attacking would take time, during which the Marines could intervene. Whitebeard's fleet would be trapped—a clear provocation by Headquarters.
Knowing Whitebeard, he would respond honorably, fighting to the end. After all, who could be sure that Fire Fist Ace was imprisoned there? The Marines might deceive them.
When the public execution time arrived, wherever Ace was held, he would appear at Marine Headquarters. Otherwise, how could Whitebeard appear?
Unknown to all, a few days later, Luffy and Sabo would invade Impel Down, attacking from the air with crows as support—a plan no one anticipated.
It was madness, near-suicidal!
The result: large numbers of pirates were freed, causing chaos. Blackbeard intervened, seeking powerful allies, while Magellan suppressed uprisings but could not be everywhere. Shiryu coordinated with Blackbeard, delivering antidotes and freeing prisoners. Sabo, the Straw Hats, Hawkins, Jinbei, and others successfully escaped—but Ace was not found.
Ace had been preemptively relocated by Magellan, aware of Sabo and the newly appointed Shichibukai's schemes.
The incident ended with Impel Down's major security failure, though Marine Headquarters remained unaware of the full situation.
The countdown had reached four hours before Fire Fist Ace's execution. All available Marine forces had gathered at Headquarters, quietly awaiting the moment.
(End of Chapter)
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