Sabaody Archipelago
Not far from the Marine Headquarters, the Sabaody Archipelago had transformed into an impromptu viewing party for one of the most significant events in recent history. Reporters clutched their cameras and notepads, nobles sat in hastily arranged VIP sections, and pirates mingled with civilians—all united in their fascination with the unfolding drama.
"Wait, hold on," a confused journalist called out, adjusting his glasses as he stared at the projection screen. "Isn't this supposed to be the execution of the Revolutionary Army leader's son? What's Whitebeard doing there?"
"Did you hear what Fire Fist Ace said earlier?" another observer chimed in. "Something about 'little brother'? Are they related somehow?"
The murmur of confused voices rippled through the crowd as people tried to piece together the unexpected connections being revealed on their screens.
Marineford
Back at Marine Headquarters, Fleet Admiral Sengoku's expression remained stoic despite the shocking turn of events. "Whitebeard... right on schedule."
While the senior officers had expected this possibility, the rank-and-file Marines couldn't hide their terror at seeing the legendary Emperor in person. The man who could destroy islands with a single punch now stood before them, and many wondered if they would live to see another sunrise.
Sengoku had anticipated this scenario the moment they'd learned about Ace and Luffy's sworn brotherhood. What he hadn't expected was the scale of the response—or the additional complications that came with it.
"Pops!" Ace spun around, his eyes wide with shock and concern. "Why did you come here? This is my fight!"
The other members of their rescue team—Sanji, Zoro, Chopper, and the rest—stared in awe at the massive figure emerging from the harbor. Even in their ridiculous knight costumes, they couldn't help but feel small in the presence of the world's strongest man.
Deuce blinked behind his helmet, torn between amazement at the dramatic entrance and the realization that this was exactly the kind of thing Whitebeard would do for his family.
Whitebeard's booming laughter echoed across the water, a sound that somehow managed to be both warm and intimidating. "Gurararara! Of course I came, you foolish son! Did you really think I'd let you charge into Marine Headquarters alone?"
Jerry, watching from his position among the Warlords, noticed Jinbe's lips twitch upward for just a moment before the Fish-man's expression returned to its usual calm mask. The subtle reaction told Jerry everything he needed to know—Jinbe had been involved in coordinating this assault, despite his official position as a Marine ally.
Interesting, Jerry thought. Looks like the big guy's been planning this for a while.
Unlike the original timeline Jerry remembered, the Whitebeard Pirates hadn't brought their entire armada. Instead, they'd opted for a precision strike with elite forces—only four ships in the harbor and fewer than twenty ships engaging the Marine fleet in the outer waters.
But when combined with what appeared to be Revolutionary Army ships firing from the horizon, their numbers actually exceeded the Marine defensive perimeter. Someone had been doing their homework.
"Ace! Good to see you again!" Marco's voice carried across the water as he and the other division commanders appeared behind their captain. Their enthusiasm was infectious, and even the dire circumstances couldn't dampen their spirits.
"Yeah, Ace! We're not gonna let you have all the fun!" another commander called out.
"Let's show these Marines what happens when they mess with our family!"
Ace waved back, though uncertainty clouded his features. "But Pops... what about the New World? You shouldn't have brought everyone here just for—"
"Don't worry about that stuff right now," Marco interrupted with his characteristic laid-back grin. "The most important thing is getting your brother out of here safely. We can deal with territorial disputes later."
"That's right, son!" Whitebeard slammed his bisento against the deck with enough force to make their ship rock. "Stop fussing over details and focus on what matters!"
Ace's eyes filled with gratitude, though concern still weighed heavily on his heart. He didn't want his adoptive father getting hurt because of his mistakes. "I understand, Pops, but please... let us handle the fighting. Just watch from back here, okay?"
"I agree!" The suggestion was immediately supported by Marco and the other commanders. They all knew about Whitebeard's declining health, the way his legendary body was finally showing signs of age. He shouldn't be pushing himself too hard, especially not with his Devil Fruit powers.
Whitebeard's grin widened, showing the gap between his teeth. "Your wings have gotten stronger, haven't they? But don't underestimate your old man just yet! Gurararara!"
With that declaration, he planted his bisento firmly at his side and raised both fists in front of his chest. The simple gesture sent a chill through every Marine watching, because they all knew what was coming next.
"Pops, wait—" Marco started to protest, but it was too late.
Whitebeard's fists shot outward, striking the very air itself with devastating force. The atmosphere cracked like glass around his hands, spider-web fractures spreading outward from the points of impact.
Meanwhile, among the Warlords
Jerry watched the legendary display with mild interest, as if he were observing a particularly impressive fireworks show rather than one of the most destructive powers in the world.
"Same old opening move," he muttered, loud enough for the nearby Marines to hear. "You'd think after all these years, he'd try something with a bit more finesse. Where's the artistry? The creativity?"
The casual criticism of the world's strongest man left several Marines staring at Jerry in disbelief. Was he seriously critiquing Whitebeard's technique right now?
But Jerry's relaxed attitude came from two sources: first, he'd seen enough incredible powers that even Whitebeard's earthquakes no longer impressed him the way they once had. Second, he knew exactly what was about to happen next.
"Alright, time to earn your paycheck!" Jerry announced, pointing dramatically toward the sky with his right hand while placing his left on his hip in a classic heroic pose. "Aokiji! I choose you! Go get 'em!"
The effects of Whitebeard's power became apparent moments later. The entire island of Marineford shuddered as seismic waves rippled outward from the harbor. The surrounding ocean began to churn and rise, forming massive walls of water that towered over the fortress like moving mountains.
Tsunamis dozens of meters high surged toward the island from multiple directions, carrying enough force to wash away entire cities. The sight was so overwhelming that many Marines froze in place, unable to comprehend the scale of destruction bearing down on them.
"The whole island's going to be underwater!" someone screamed.
"We're all going to die!"
But just as Jerry had predicted, a figure launched himself high into the air above Marineford. Admiral Aokiji spread his arms wide, his Devil Fruit powers already activating as he positioned himself between the fortress and the approaching disaster.
"Ice Age!"
Twin streams of intense cold erupted from Aokiji's hands, racing outward to meet the massive waves. The temperature dropped so rapidly that frost began forming on nearby surfaces, and the air itself seemed to crystallize.
The tsunamis, which moments before had seemed unstoppable, transformed into towering ice sculptures in the blink of an eye. Millions of tons of water became solid crystal, frozen in the moment of their greatest fury.
"The tsunamis... they stopped!" a Marine shouted in amazement.
"Admiral Aokiji saved us!"
Cheers erupted throughout the plaza as one hundred thousand Marines celebrated their salvation. The sound was deafening, a roar of relief and renewed confidence that echoed across the frozen harbor.
Among the Seven Warlords, Doflamingo shot Jerry a look that mixed disdain with twisted fascination. The idea that Jerry had somehow predicted—or perhaps commanded—an Admiral's actions sparked something dark and excited in the Heavenly Yaksha's mind.
Could he really control them? Doflamingo wondered, his grin growing wider. The possibilities would be... delicious.
The nearby Marines stared at Jerry with a mixture of awe and confusion. How had he known exactly what Admiral Aokiji would do? Was it just lucky timing, or was there something more?
Jerry, for his part, simply adjusted his fishing rod and looked pleased with himself, as if he'd just called a particularly tricky shot in a game of pool.
But the celebration was premature. While Aokiji had neutralized the immediate threat, he was still suspended in mid-air, completely vulnerable to counterattack.
And Whitebeard's allies weren't about to let such an opportunity slip by.
"Ice Lance!"
Still airborne, Aokiji thrust both arms forward, launching a barrage of razor-sharp ice projectiles directly at Whitebeard. The frozen spears cut through the air with deadly precision, each one capable of piercing through steel.
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