In the turbulent waters surrounding Whole Cake Island, a clash of immense proportions was unfolding. On one side stood Charlotte Katakuri, the formidable first mate of the Big Mom Pirates and leader of the Sweet Commanders. Facing him was the Knight of the Sea, Jinbe, a former member of the Seven Warlords of the Sea.
Katakuri possessed superior raw power, his mastery of Observation Haki allowing him to see briefly into the future, and his Armament Haki was exceptionally refined. Furthermore, he had achieved the rare awakening of his Paramecia-type Mochi-Mochi Fruit, granting him total control over his environment. While Jinbe lacked Conqueror's Haki, he held a significant tactical advantage due to his Fishman heritage. By manipulating the surrounding ocean, Jinbe created a hazardous environment for Katakuri, as water weakened the mochi-user's abilities. Though Jinbe could not defeat the commander outright, he successfully managed to stall him.
Suddenly, a massive surge of Conqueror's Haki erupted from Big Mom, causing both combatants to freeze in their tracks. Katakuri looked toward the sky, his eyes wide with disbelief. He watched as Monkey D. Luffy went blow-for-blow with the Emperor. It had only been a week since he had easily suppressed the rubber pirate, yet now Luffy fought on equal footing.
"How is this even possible? He's actually trading blows with Big Mom," Katakuri muttered, his shock palpable.
Sensing his opponent's hesitation, Jinbe stood tall and declared, "Luffy-kun is a man who thrives on creating miracles!"
Katakuri's expression hardened, his brow furrowing as he recalled Big Mom's recent shouts about the legendary Sun God Nika. He scoffed, his gaze cold. "Miracles are nothing but a dying man's struggle against true power. You're incredibly bold, Jinbe. You rescued your captain and instead of fleeing, you dared to challenge a Four Emperors pirate crew. You gravely underestimate the true reach of our power."
Despite Katakuri's confidence, Jinbe felt a creeping sense of unease. However, he had no time to ponder it, as Katakuri surged forward, his mochi-coated fists ready for a lethal strike.
Meanwhile, at Marineford in the Grand Line's Paradise, Admiral Kizaru had returned at top speed. He surveyed the battlefield, expecting chaos, but the sight before him left him utterly stunned.
"You're back, Borsalino," a voice called out.
Kizaru looked toward his comrades. "Sakazuki, Sengoku-sensei, Garp-sensei, Tsuru-san. What exactly is the situation here?"
"We are waiting," Sakazuki replied grimly.
Before them lay the massive grand fleet of the Beasts Pirates, surrounding the entire Marine headquarters. At the front of the formation stood the six members of the Tobi Roppo. Kizaru tilted his head in confusion. "Waiting? We're just standing here?"
Sakazuki shifted his gaze toward the Holy Land of Mary Geoise. Following his eyes, Kizaru's jaw nearly hit the floor. "Hey, hey, hey. You don't mean to tell me Kaido is involved in this?"
"That is correct," Sakazuki confirmed. "The current battle is meaningless. If Kaido wins, our victory here is hollow. If he loses, the subsequent conflict will be far easier to manage."
Kizaru fell silent, his usual nonchalance replaced by a sharp, focused intensity as he stared toward the distant horizon where the fate of the world hung in the balance.
Far away in the New World, Marco the Phoenix flapped his wings, holding an unconscious Ace tightly as he fled toward the unknown. Behind them, the Blackbeard Pirates pursued with relentless hunger.
"Hey, hey, hey, Phoenix Marco! Where do you think you're going? Just surrender and hand over that Devil Fruit!" shouted Doc Q, the crew's doctor, who rode his horse, Stronger, through the air.
While Burgess had his heart set on the Flame-Flame Fruit, Doc Q coveted the rare Mythical Zoan powers of the Phoenix. Marco ignored the taunts, weaving through a barrage of cannon fire and the deadly sniper shots fired by Van Auger. He had no clear destination, and his thoughts were dark; only he and Ace remained of the once-mighty Whitebeard Pirates. It had taken only two years for the legends of the sea to be reduced to this.
As he banked hard to dodge an explosion, Marco's eyes caught sight of a massive, circus-themed pirate ship on the horizon. He recalled the chaos of the Marineford War two years ago and saw a desperate chance for salvation. Without hesitation, he dove toward the vessel.
Blackbeard stood on the deck of his main ship, peering through a telescope. "What ship is that?"
Aokiji, standing nearby, squinted. As a former Marine, the flag was instantly recognizable. "That's the ship of the Thousand-Piece Clown, Buggy the Pirate."
"Buggy!" Blackbeard growled, his face twisting in annoyance as memories of his youth with the Roger Pirates surfaced. He remembered that clown as a persistent nuisance. But he wouldn't be stopped now; he had put too much effort into dismantling the Whitebeard legacy to let Ace and Marco slip through his fingers.
Shiliew of the Rain stepped forward, his eyes glinting. "Buggy the Clown. I remember him from Impel Down. Teach, I'm quite interested in his Chop-Chop Fruit. Imagine a swordsman who is immune to cuts."
"Zehahahahaha! That is a fine prize indeed. Go for it!" Blackbeard laughed.
An air of excitement rippled through the Blackbeard Pirates, but it was cut short by a sudden, chilling sense of dread. The crew instinctually looked toward the distance, their eyes widening. A blinding slash, bright as a fallen star, tore through the sky, directed straight at their fleet.
"Boom!"
The ocean erupted as the fleet was struck by the devastating wave of energy. Ships began to disintegrate, turning into jagged splinters and debris. Only the main ship survived, saved by Blackbeard's immediate use of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit to deflect the impact. As the blinding light faded, Blackbeard returned to the deck, his face twisted in pure, unadulterated rage.
"Dracule Mihawk!" he roared, his voice shaking the remaining rigging of the ship.
He clenched his fist, coating it in the dark, crackling energy of Conqueror's Haki, and peered toward the horizon. His heart sank. At the bow of the Buggy Pirates' ship stood three figures who represented an impassable wall: Crocodile, the former Warlord; Dracule Mihawk, the world's greatest swordsman; and Boa Hancock, the Empress of Amazon Lily.
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