New World.
Sphinx.
Decades ago, it had been just an unremarkable island, barely noticeable above the sea.
Poverty, backwardness, and chaos defined the place.
But now…
The island had been transformed. Its residents lived in peace, working happily, prospering, and enjoying stability.
All thanks to the man who had walked out of the island, shaping its fate.
This was the homeland of the Four Emperors' Whitebeard, who had ruled the seas for decades.
Sphinx Coast.
A massive whale ship floated silently in the harbor—the Moby Dick.
The Whitebeard Pirates' Mothership.
Its deck was spacious, but on it sat the seventy-two-year-old Whitebeard Edward Newgate, Emperor of the Sea, the strongest man alive.
Even the entire deck, the ship, and the surrounding atmosphere seemed to bow under his presence.
All because of the earth-shaking news sweeping the world:
Ten days from now, Fire Fist Ace, Captain of the Whitebeard Pirates' 2nd Division, would be publicly executed at Marine Headquarters.
Clatter!
The calm sea suddenly churned into violent waves.
Clouds darkened the once-clear sky, then erupted violently, as if the world itself reacted.
A roar of shock echoed across the Moby Dick.
"Impossible… Captain Ace captured by the Marines?!"
A member of the Second Division muttered in disbelief.
"Teach… is he trading Ace for the Shichibukai title?"
Captain Lakyo of the Seventh Team clenched his teeth.
"Ace is the 2nd Division Captain! How could he lose to Teach?!"
Many of the crew refused to accept the reality.
"Is it because Ace no longer has the Mera Mera Fruit? If it were him before, Teach would have been no challenge at all!"
Yizang, Captain of the 16th Division, frowned. He had always regretted Ace losing his Devil Fruit ability back at Wanokuni.
"It's not just the Devil Fruit," Marko, captain of the First Division and the Phoenix, spoke. "Even without the Mera Mera, Ace's skill is incredible. In the past six months, his Haki must have grown immensely."
"But… Ace still lost in the end. That red-haired bastard was right!"
Foil Vista, Fifth Division Captain, clenched his fists.
"Teach has been hiding his strength," Diamond Qiaozi, Third Division Captain, added seriously. "He stayed under Papa's banner for a reason… that Devil Fruit he got that day—everything is because of it."
"Damn it… what kind of power drives a man to mutilate his comrades?"
"Captains, now is not the time for debate. The priority is Captain Ace!"
"Marine dared to do this—publicly execute Ace? This is an outright provocation!"
"Bastard Marines… do they understand who they're provoking? They'll pay the price!"
"Yes! We are the Whitebeard Pirates!"
"Just because we've kept a low profile these years doesn't mean we're weak!"
"Marine will regret this. Regret ever doing it!"
Every crew member, from captain to squadmate, burned with righteous fury. Their roar shook the seas, stirring the waves violently.
But no matter how they felt…
Only one person could make the final decision.
All eyes among the Whitebeard Pirates turned toward Whitebeard.
"Cool la la la la!"
The strongest man in the world, Edward Newgate, Four Emperors Whitebeard, stood tall, his laughter booming across the seas.
"This war, Marines! Sengoku! Since you want to play… I will go all the way with you! Everyone, get ready—an all-out war begins!"
The sound of Whitebeard's Haki rose like a tidal wave.
"Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!"
"The war has begun!"
The Whitebeard Pirates were fired up. With only ten days until Ace's execution, every second mattered.
The Moby Dick surged forward.
Simultaneously, the captains led by Marco took action, coordinating across the fleet.
Alongside the regiment's four auxiliary ships, New World Pirates under Whitebeard's command mobilized.
Since the Marines had initiated war, they would be met with Whitebeard's full force.
For a while, the intelligence and liaison department's lines buzzed incessantly.
"I've seen the news—damn the Marines. Damn Teach. They can't be spared!" Ice Witch Pei responded first.
"Marco, tell Dad—we're already on the way to Paradise!" Ranger Doma Road spoke urgently.
"Brother Dikalban is in position. What are your orders?"
"Saving Ace! How could we miss it, Great Eddy Spider Pirates?"
"We failed at Wanokuni, but this time…"
"My big blade is ready! Hungry for action!"
"All of Ace's Forty-Three Pirates are ready, without exception!"
Isle of White Clay, Baltigo.
Revolutionary Army Base Camp.
"I'm going! Absolutely! Ace is my brother! How can I watch him be executed by the Marines?!"
Young Chief of Staff Sabo stood firm in the conference room, fists clenched.
"Calm down, Sabo. We understand your feelings, but this is a meeting!" Commander Belo Betty of the Eastern Army said.
"Little Sabo, don't worry. Mr. Dragon never told you not to go," the Western Army captain, the giant Mori, said soothingly.
"Mr. Dragon…"
Sabo looked at the Revolutionary leader expectantly.
"This is an all-out war between the Four Emperors and the Marines," Dragon said firmly. "From the Revolutionary Army's standpoint, I cannot provide full support. You must understand, Sabo."
"I understand. Even if it's just me, I have to go!" Sabo nodded resolutely.
"Don't worry. Callas, Mori, and Lindbergh—join Sabo!" Dragon ordered.
"Yes, Mr. Dragon!"