"Sakazuki..." Kizaru Borsalino slowly pushed up his sunglasses. "It's not good to be so agitated~ Since the World Government has made a decision, we just need to execute it~"
A hint of ferocity flashed in Akainu's eyes, but in the end, he just snorted coldly and strode out of the restaurant. His heavy footsteps echoed in the corridor, each step seemingly carrying suppressed rage.
The Marines in the mess hall heard the commotion and instinctively shrunk their necks. An old Marine wiped the cold sweat from his forehead: "It seems... Marine Headquarters is not going to be peaceful..."
In a corner,
Several new recruits who had just returned from the training ground exchanged glances. One of them whispered, "Do you think... if that Ace really comes to Marine Headquarters, will he fight Admiral Akainu?"
"Shut up!" His companion hurriedly covered his mouth. "Do you want to get us all extra training?!"
The sun still shone warmly on Marine Headquarters, but beneath this seemingly calm surface, undercurrents were surging.
...
Holy Land Mary Geoise, within the Pangaea Castle's Hall of Authority.
Five figures were engaged in a heated debate, the light from the crystal chandelier casting shifting shadows on them.
"Nonsense!" Saint Saturn slammed his hand on the gem-inlaid conference table, making the tea on it ripple. "Has Sengoku been bewitched by that old geezer Garp? To actually make 'Fire Fist' Ace a Warlord!"
Saint Jupiter calmly wiped his monocle: "Calm down. From a strategic perspective, this might not be a bad move."
He picked up his bone china teacup and took a sip. "That old stubborn Whitebeard values loyalty the most. If his 'son' were to side with us..."
"Naive!" Saturn rudely interrupted, his scepter thudding heavily on the floor. "Have you forgotten that 'Fire Fist' Ace is now Whitebeard's son, and Whitebeard is one of the Emperors."
At this moment, the long-bearded elder, Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro, who had been silent, suddenly spoke: "But have you noticed?"
His withered finger lightly tapped Sengoku's report. "This Ace completely mastered the Marine Six Powers in just one day." A glint flashed in his cloudy eyes. "Such talent... if he could truly be used by us..."
"Heh, Saint Nusjuro is right." Saint Shepherd Ju Peter chuckled sinisterly. "Think about it, if we can make this young man faithfully serve us..."
He didn't finish his sentence, but the other four instinctively looked up at the huge empty throne painted on the ceiling.
The hall fell into a brief silence, with only the rhythmic ticking of the ancient grandfather clock.
Suddenly,
Saint Jupiter chuckled, breaking the silence: "Besides, even if the plan fails..." He elegantly spread his hands. "At least it can cause a split within the Whitebeard Pirates. No matter how you look at it, this is a sure-fire deal."
"But what about the World Government's prestige?" Saturn gripped his saber. "To let a pirate so easily... become a Warlord...."
"Prestige?" Saint Mars suddenly let out a hoarse laugh. "We were able to let that madman Doflamingo become a Warlord back then, so why can't we give Whitebeard's 'son' a chance now?"
"What's more, now that Sengoku is asking Ace for an act of loyalty, we're also interested to see how he will choose."
Saturn stood up with a gloomy face: "Since that's the case, then send people to keep a close eye on him. Once any abnormality is discovered... eliminate it immediately."
"Seconded!"
"Seconded!"
"..."
...
New World, surging waves,
The Whitebeard Pirates' main ship, the Moby Dick, was cutting through the waves. On deck, Marco held the newly delivered newspaper. After giving the news coo two coins, it flapped its wings and left.
When he saw the contents, he was stunned!
"Pops... this..." Marco's voice was a bit tight as he handed the newspaper to the giant sitting in his specially designed chair.
Whitebeard Edward Newgate took the newspaper. "Gurararara!" His deafening laughter made the sails tremble. "As expected of my son, he can cause a huge stir wherever he goes!"
The crew on deck gathered around, also shocked by the news.
"Is Captain Ace really a Warlord?"
"This newspaper can't be fake, can it?"
"Hey, hey, then are we still pirates?"
At the table in front, Smoker, cigar in his mouth, revealed a smug expression amidst the swirling smoke: "See, I told you Ace wanted to become a Warlord himself."
He shook the wine glass in his hand. "Now that the truth is out, can you let me go?"
Jozu punched the wine barrel next to Smoker, sending wood chips flying: "Stop being smug, White Smoker Bastard! Who knows if this isn't some trick played by you Marines!"
"Jozu." Whitebeard gently raised his hand to stop him, his massive Murakumogiri gleaming coldly in the sunlight.
"A guest has arrived." He raised a wine bowl as large as an ordinary person. "Smoker kid, it's not too late to have a bowl with this old man before you go!"
Smoker reluctantly took the offered wine bowl, his brow furrowed: "Just one bowl."
"Gurararara! Good drinker!" Whitebeard patted his knee with satisfaction and directly extended his large hand to invite Smoker, "Kid, I find you quite agreeable... Be my son!"
"Pfft--" Smoker spat out all his wine. "Are you kidding me, you old bastard!" He flew into a rage. "I'm a Marine Headquarters Vice Admiral!"
The deck erupted in laughter, Vista wiping away tears from laughing: "Pops, you're even poaching from the Marines!"
Whitebeard waved his hand indifferently: "What does it matter? My son is still a Warlord! Gurararara!"
Smoker's face turned green with anger, but for a moment, he was truly speechless, because everything the other party said was true...
....
On the azure sea,
Ace's small motorboat left a white wake. He stood lazily on the dugout canoe, his hat shading his face from the sun, clutching the newspaper the news coo had delivered this morning.
"Puhahahaha--" A sudden burst of laughter startled several seagulls. Ace threw off his hat and sat up, carefully reading the news on the paper.
"These old foxes of the Marines, do they really expect to use me to divide Pops' pirate crew?" He flicked his finger at his photo on the newspaper, a flame flickering at his fingertip and then disappearing.
The motorboat suddenly accelerated, hot steam spray from the stern. Using the power of the Flame-Flame Fruit, he burned seawater to generate steam, which could quickly propel the dugout canoe forward!
Ace steered the direction, and with his other hand, he pulled out a crumpled sea chart from his backpack. "Let me see who the nearest famous great pirate is..."
Once he had his act of loyalty, he could truly become a Warlord. Then he would first sign in at Impel Down, then sign in at Mary Geoise, and then sign in at the Gates of Justice!
How awesome would it be to sign in at every Marine location and get all the system rewards!
Also, he had to make perfect use of his Warlord status!
....
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