Chapter 50: The Shichibukai Assemble — It Finally Begins!
The sun climbed higher.
Tens of thousands of elite Marines formed perfect ranks across Marineford, ready for war at any moment.
Only 2 hours remained until the public execution.
Inside Marine Headquarters building, in the exclusive Shichibukai lounge,
the world's most notorious pirates—the Seven Warlords of the Sea—gathered, quietly awaiting the start of the war.
"Rok… you have to be safe… If anything happens to you, I won't be able to live…"
By the window, Pirate Empress Boa Hancock gazed at the tense scene outside, worry etched on her flawless face.
She hadn't seen Rok once since they arrived at Marineford.
But there had been no unusual commotion.
So he probably hadn't been exposed.
Still… she couldn't stop worrying.
This was Marine Headquarters, after all.
If something went wrong…
She wouldn't want to live anymore.
Was this the storm of love…?
"Honored Warlords, does anyone know the whereabouts of Marshall D. Teach, also known as Blackbeard?"
Just as Hancock's thoughts spiraled,
a Marine Lieutenant entered the lounge, looking panicked.
Half an hour ago, one of the Shichibukai—Blackbeard—had vanished.
The lieutenant had been sent to gather intel.
But his question fell into dead silence.
Five Warlords were present.
Not a single one answered.
Awkward silence stretched for several seconds.
Cold sweat poured down the lieutenant's face.
Facing five of the most feared pirates on the seas—even inside Headquarters—felt like sitting on needles.
After a moment of hesitation, he clenched his fists and stepped forward again.
This was too important.
No matter how terrifying they were, he couldn't back down!
"Hey! Hawkeye Mihawk, Heavenly Demon Doflamingo, Pirate Empress Boa Hancock, Tyrant Bartholomew Kuma, Gecko Moria!"
"You're supposed to be allies under treaty with the Marines! We're on the same side! This attitude is completely unacceptable!"
His brave outburst finally drew a reaction.
"Fufufufu… Marine. Do you have any idea who you're talking to?"
Doflamingo's sinister laugh echoed through the room, turning the air razor-sharp.
The next instant—
the lieutenant froze in horror.
His body moved on its own—like a puppet with cut strings reversed.
He had lost all control!
"Fufufufu… scared now? Too late~"
Doflamingo licked his lips like a venomous snake.
His fingers danced in the air.
The lieutenant drew his own sword—and turned the blade toward himself.
Despair consumed him.
Against a Warlord's absolute power, he couldn't resist!
"Enough, Doflamingo. He's just doing his duty."
A calm voice cut in.
Hawkeye Mihawk, seated behind Doflamingo, spoke for the first time.
"Oh? Hawkeye Mihawk? You, of all people, speaking up for a Marine? How unexpected."
Doflamingo turned with a cold smile, but showed no sign of stopping.
"Then I suppose there's no helping it."
Hummm—
The world's strongest swordsman, Dracule Mihawk, drew one of the 12 Supreme Grade Blades—Yoru, the Black Blade Night.
With a casual flick,
a single slash severed every invisible string controlling the lieutenant.
The Marine collapsed, gasping, then stumbled out with a grateful glance at Mihawk.
"Fufufufu… what's that supposed to mean, Hawkeye?!"
Doflamingo's expression stiffened behind his sunglasses.
He was genuinely surprised.
A random slash had cut his strings so cleanly?
So this was the power of the World's Greatest Swordsman…
No wonder every great swordsman in the world chased his shadow.
He was on a completely different level.
"I didn't come here to fight… but I wouldn't mind crossing blades with you before the war begins, Doflamingo."
Mihawk stood motionless, hand resting on Yoru's hilt.
He made no extra movement.
Yet his presence alone was suffocating.
The other three Warlords turned to watch, clearly impressed by the pressure he exuded.
"Fight you? Fufufufu… no thanks."
In the end, Doflamingo backed down.
There was no profit in fighting Mihawk.
And profit was the only thing Doflamingo cared about.
He had come to Marineford to gain, not lose.
He'd taken heavy losses at Sabaody.
But what shocked him most?
A pirate had appeared who dared to slaughter Celestial Dragons.
Douglas D. Rok.
Straw Hat Luffy.
The coming new era was going to be delicious.
And what would become of the untouchable Celestial Dragons in that new age?
Fufufufu…
…
While the Shichibukai waited in their lounge,
Rok was also waiting—for the war to begin.
Only in that chaos could he rescue Robin and Nami.
He had also heard that Blackbeard Marshall D. Teach had gone missing.
Rok had no fondness for the man.
But right now, his priority was saving Nami and Robin.
Everything else could wait.
Time ticked by.
Rok's blood burned hotter with every passing minute.
The Summit War.
Not only would he save Nami and Robin—
he would use this war as his launchpad to shake the world!
The World Government was rotten.
The Marines had become lapdogs.
Since he was already their greatest enemy—
then he would fight them to the bitter end!
"Junior Brother Rok, Headquarters is beginning final assembly."
"The Demon Child Nico Robin, the thief cat Nami, and Fire Fist Ace have been escorted to the execution platform!"
Finally, Rear Admiral Alice brought the latest report.
The three Admirals, all Shichibukai, and every core Marine force were moving to the bay.
The three condemned prisoners were being marched to their deaths.
"It's finally beginning…"
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