At the New World's Red Port, the night was brightly illuminated. Although the Marines had been driven from most of the New World by the Beasts Pirates over the last two years, the Red Port, anchored against the Red Line, remained a steadfast stronghold. Protecting this vital link were two monsters of the Marine ranks: the Admiral candidates, Momousagi and Tokikake. With strength nearing that of an Admiral, they served as the impenetrable barrier against any pirate invasion.
High atop the watchtower, the Marine on duty stifled a yawn. He could hardly be blamed for his lack of tension; who would be foolish enough to attack the Red Port, the gateway to the Holy Land of Mary Geoise? He figured the only time this place would face danger was at the end of the world. His thoughts drifted to his brothers-in-arms currently deployed elsewhere, and a wave of sadness washed over him. He often questioned the true nature of his service. Justice? He did not truly believe in it. As a seasoned Marine, he had witnessed the corruption of the World Nobles firsthand. He remained at his post simply because it was his job, much like a bartender pouring drinks, yet he took pride in performing his duty with excellence. Despite his exhaustion, he kept his eyes locked on the horizon through his telescope.
Suddenly, he squinted. Were those shadows on the dark water? He snapped to attention, swung the tower's searchlight toward the sea, and his heart stopped.
"Wuwuwu!" The blare of emergency sirens shattered the silence of Marineford, throwing the headquarters into total disarray. Marines scrambled in terror toward the main square as warships signaled high alert. In the Fleet Admiral's office, the atmosphere was suffocating. Even Akainu, usually the epitome of composure, wore a sheen of cold sweat on his forehead.
"Damn it, the Beasts Pirates' target is the Holy Land?" Akainu growled. The report from the Red Port was unmistakable: the Beasts Pirates had arrived, led by three of the All-Stars: the Flame Disaster King, the Drought Jack, and the Lightning Disaster Eneru. They were backed by nearly a hundred pirate ships, accompanied by swarms of flying dragons and a sea filled with Sea Beast Weapons crafted from massive Sea Kings. It was a formation that screamed total war.
Kaido's earlier disappearance had been a ruse to mask this final gambit. Where did he find the audacity? Was he truly the successor to the will of Rocks, the only man in history to dare attack the Holy Land?
"Sengoku and Garp have already moved," Tsuru noted, her voice grim. "But those two Admiral candidates at the port won't hold them back for long."
"What is the World Government's reaction?" Akainu demanded.
Tsuru glanced at him. "No response yet, but I fear it is already too late. We have been outplayed. Only Borsalino can make it back in time."
Akainu's body erupted in magma, the heat in the room spiking. "Gather all units! Order every Marine in Paradise and the Four Seas to mobilize to headquarters immediately. Kaido is forcing our hand into a battle to the death."
Before Tsuru could act, the ground beneath Marineford shuddered violently, followed by a deafening roar. They rushed onto the balcony to see a massive pillar of flame rising from the distant sea, mimicking a volcanic eruption that lit up the night sky.
"That is…" Akainu clenched his fists.
"The Gates of Justice," Tsuru finished, her gaze darkening. Under the eerie red glow, pirate ships began pouring through the wreckage, descending upon their goal.
In the Room of Authority at Mary Geoise, the Five Elders watched the horizon, their faces pale. The sight of the burning gates triggered memories of a dark, long-buried past. They rarely lost their composure, but now, cold sweat beaded on their brows.
"That is… the Gates of Justice," one whispered.
"What are the Marines and CP doing?" another demanded. "Order the Admiral to return at once! We are in trouble!"
"Protect the Celestial Dragons! Get them to safety!"
Red alarm bells began to toll throughout the Holy Land.
Meanwhile, on the perimeter of Totto Land, the massive Marine fleet led by the three Admirals arrived to find the islands already ablaze. Borsalino looked as relaxed as ever. "Oh, it's quite the party," he remarked.
Aramaki shouted, "It seems that monster Charlotte Linlin has already started fighting the Straw Hat!"
Borsalino shook his head. "I think not. We arrived just in time. The fighting has only just begun; Linlin has not yet made her move."
Figarland Shamrock issued a cold command: "Let them exhaust each other. We will finish it at the end. The Gum-Gum Fruit belongs to me, and you Marines can have the wreckage of the rest."
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