"Will Whitebeard really come?" Even now, with the Sabaody Archipelago's giant screens displaying the full might of Marine Headquarters, some still doubted whether Whitebeard would actually dare to show up.
Then Fleet Admiral Sengoku began revealing Ace's heritage, and the world erupted. The bloodline of the Pirate King still existed—a nightmare for almost everyone.
Gol D. Roger had been dazzlingly powerful. To ordinary people, he was portrayed by the World Government as a devilish, terrifying pirate. To both Marines and pirates, he was an overwhelming force.
For the world, he was the catalyst of the Great Pirate Era. And now, to learn that his bloodline survived was almost unimaginable.
Journalists of that era went pale at the news. The story was explosive; major newspapers immediately broadcasted it worldwide.
"The bloodline of the Pirate King still exists!"
"Th-this can't be possible!"
Panic among ordinary people was inevitable.
"Is it true? The Pirate King's bloodline!?" Uruki and the others were also at Sabaody Archipelago. By right, they should have been near Marine Headquarters, but Rosen felt the war hadn't started yet. Entering that area prematurely could make them sacrificial lambs for Whitebeard's crew.
They couldn't appear at the start of the war. Rosen's goal was profit, not battle. With the Dawn Pirates' current strength, directly confronting Marine Headquarters was premature.
"It's true," Rosen nodded. Despite rumors of a body swap by Garp, it was unlikely. In this world, inheritance was about will, not merely blood.
This world held Devil Fruits that influenced time, life and death, even speculated reincarnation. Bloodline alone could not ensure legacy.
"This mobilization!" Rosen stared at the giant screen, his expression grim. If Whitebeard came, it would be walking into a trap.
What would happen if the war broke out? Three Admirals, five Shichibukai, a hundred thousand elite Marines, fifty warships, numerous Vice and Rear Admirals, Fleet Admiral Sengoku, heroes like Garp—what formidable power.
Without Rosen, Supernovas like them thrown into this battlefield could die easily with just a stroke of bad luck.
Whitebeard, despite his reputation as the world's strongest man and an emperor of the New World, could he truly face Marine Headquarters head-on?
Time passed. The crowd before the Sabaody screens stirred, then fell silent, every eye fixed on the still screen.
Would Whitebeard come? If not, the public execution could proceed. Even from a distance, the oppressive, heavy atmosphere of Marine Headquarters was palpable.
Marines with weaker mental fortitude might collapse from the tension alone.
This level of preparation was unprecedented at sea in decades. And they faced one of the Four Emperors entrenched in the New World: Whitebeard's crew.
"Aren't we setting off?" Robin asked.
"Not yet," Rosen replied. "Remember our mission, and those in battle—Enel, Daz Bones, Mr. 5, Valentine, Law, Uruki—look out for each other and prioritize your own safety. Hathaway, guard Robin and escort Charles, supporting me when possible. I'll clear the way. Natalie and Miggs, stay aboard, ready for extraction."
"Understood."
Participating in the war, and seeking leverage with Blackbeard, was risky. Charles, a Mythical Zoan Devil Fruit, was terrifyingly powerful, though not essential for Rosen.
Combined with Robin's Hana Hana abilities, however, the impact was enormous. Rosen imagined arms spontaneously emerging on the enemy, synergizing with Robin's power.
Close-range use of Charles' Devil Fruit created corrosive shockwaves capable of bypassing natural elements. Paired with Robin, no enemy could evade—they could only endure.
Most could not survive a direct hit from a Mythical Zoan attack. Charles' attack allowed reaction time, but with Robin, no escape was possible: arms would sprout directly from the enemy, delivering corrosive shockwaves instantly.
If all went smoothly, the ship would gain a combatant on par with Enel, Hathaway, and others—possibly even stronger. This was Rosen's calculated risk.
Robin could handle dual Devil Fruits because Rosen had allocated the Bubble Fruit to the mission, freeing capacity. His own defense met the requirements for handling multiple fruits. Once Charles' Mythical Zoan was seized, the transfer option would activate.
Rosen was eager for success, choosing the moment with the highest probability. Devil Fruits, after all, could shake the world. Blackbeard had waited years for one for a reason. Dual Fruits could create unimaginable power.
Only officers accompanied him to Marineford, holding the elite back while ordinary crew stayed ready for extraction.
"Are you joining too, Sand Crocodile?" A calm voice suddenly spoke as Rosen's group planned atop a distant roof.
Everyone jumped; no one had noticed the new presence—even Enel, with his superior Observation Haki.
"Old man, who are you? How did you bypass my Mantra?" Enel's mind sensed danger as a long-haired, bespectacled elder approached calmly.
"Impossible! You are… 'Dark King' Silvers Rayleigh!" Uruki, Robin, and Daz Bones instinctively heightened their alert.
Shock registered on their faces—meeting a legendary figure, once the right-hand of the Pirate King, was beyond belief.
"Relax," Rosen said casually. He saw no reason Rayleigh would act against them.
"My apologies for disturbing you from nearby. I hope I'm not too bothersome," Rayleigh said with a smile.
(End of Chapter)
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