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Flapping its wings, the News Coo soared across the sea, the thick stack of newspapers under its body still carrying the scent of fresh ink.
That morning, as a world-shaking piece of news reached the presses, every major newspaper printing house worldwide began churning papers in a frenzy.
The News Coos were busier than ever, flying nonstop through the skies. Many of them looked visibly exhausted, their eyes bleary from fatigue.
After some time, a News Coo descended over a pirate ship, letting out a few hoarse calls.
"Hey, you! Coo! Gimme a paper!" A young pirate wearing a bandana and sporting a cross-shaped scar on his face called out with a grin.
The News Coo extended a claw, indicating the price. The pirate froze for a second, then muttered, "Again? The price went up? These birds are robbers!"
Hearing this, the News Coo gave him a disdainful glare, flapped its wings, and prepared to leave.
But before it could, the pirate quickly pulled a handful of gold coins from his pocket and tossed them into the Coo's pouch.
The bird scoffed, flipped its middle claw at him, dropped the newspaper, and flew away.
"That bird's got an attitude! First time I ever wanted to punch a seagull…" the pirate groaned as he caught the drifting paper. "Hahaha!"
"What's in the latest issue?" his crewmate asked with a chuckle. "Seems like there's much big news lately. The Marines are stirring things up!"
"Yeah, I haven't missed a single paper recently," the pirate nodded.
"The capture of that Supernova the other day? I couldn't stop thinking about it for days."
The recent Marine operations had been massive and far more intense than anything in recent memory, which left him feeling tense.
He looked down, eyes scanning the headline. His body jolted when he saw the bold red letters, and his pupils narrowed sharply.
"What?!"
"No way!"
"Have the Marines gone insane?!" His voice came in quick bursts as his face twisted into shock, sweat glistening under the sunlight.
"What is it?" his crewmate asked, leaning in. But the moment he read the front page, his body froze, and his face paled in disbelief.
The two finally locked eyes only after a long silence, the shock on their faces mirroring each other.
"This is bad… real bad!" The news that the Marines would publicly execute Fire Fist Ace, Second Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates, one month from now at Marineford, spread like wildfire across the world.
This news hit even harder than the earlier announcement of Ace's capture, instantly setting off waves of speculation.
The information raced across the seas almost faster than light. The scale and speed of its spread far exceeded that of the last Ace-related report.
"The Marines will execute Fire Fist Ace publicly, with a live global broadcast."
"Are they crazy? Don't they realize this could drive the strongest man among the Four Emperors to madness?"
"A war… this will spark a war like the world has never seen!"
"Marineford will turn into a living hell soon enough!"
"I wonder how the Whitebeard Pirates will respond to such a blatant provocation…"
"What other choice do they have? That's the strongest man in the world we're talking about!"
Voices of tension, excitement, and dread echoed from all corners of the world. Everyone who read the news felt a chill run down their spine.
It was as if the scent of gunpowder had already filled the air, heralding a war unlike before.
.....
In the New World, aboard the Moby Dick. The flagship of the Whitebeard Pirates sat like a fortress on the sea.
As one of the dominant forces in the New World for decades, even their core crew had over 1,600 members split across 16 divisions.
Beyond that, they had countless subordinate crews—pirate groups that kept their flags but pledged allegiance to Whitebeard.
While the anime may not have shown it fully, in reality, the Whitebeard Pirates weren't just powerful at the top.
What made them truly terrifying was their overwhelming numbers across every level—veterans, elites, and rookies alike.
As the oldest and most powerful of the Four Emperors, Whitebeard's influence and reach were second to none.
"Pops!" Marco and the other commanders stood tensely at the bow, gazing at the seated figure before them, worry written on their faces.
Compared to the news of Ace's capture, this latest development hit much harder.
The Marines had made their move, and there was no doubt about their target—it was the Whitebeard Pirates.
Given Pops' personality, a full-scale war was now inevitable. "Gurararara!" But to their surprise, laughter rang out after a long silence.
"The Marines' little game… I saw right through it from the start!"
"Using Ace as bait, laying a trap, hoping to lure me in? Not bad! Clever, even!"
"But!" Whitebeard slowly raised his head. The tubes in his arms shook violently, making Marco and the others visibly nervous.
"They haven't thought about the consequences of this!"
"They're underestimating my strength!" His voice turned cold, but his demeanor remained composed, calmer, in fact, than even Marco's.
After a moment of quiet thought, he turned his head. "Marco."
"Yes, Pops?" Marco blinked in confusion.
"Call that red-haired brat."
"He's probably been waiting for this moment for a long time." Whitebeard's lips curled into a grin.
Somehow, Marco caught a flash of confidence in that smile, so much so that his nervousness faded.
"Got it! I'll bring him right away!" Marco returned the smile, unfolded his fiery blue wings, and shot into the sky.
Seeing Pops' smile, the other division commanders breathed easier and returned to their posts.
After all, they couldn't afford to be unprepared for the arrival of another Emperor.
Soon after, Shanks arrived aboard the Moby Dick. But this time, he didn't come alone.
Behind him stood the elite members of the Red-Haired Pirates, a crew so balanced in power that they'd earned the nickname "Iron Wall Pirates."
"Gurararara! What a formidable bunch of youngsters you've brought with you!" Whitebeard laughed after scanning the group.
He'd ruled the seas for decades. His ability to read people was unmatched, and it was clear these weren't just random followers—each one was strong in their own right.
Rumors about the Red-Haired Pirates were true: their strength lay in their balanced power, making them a force to be reckoned with.
"With war upon us, and now that our alliance is official, I think it's time our crews got to know each other better," Shanks said with a smile.
"Sounds like you've been waiting for this," Whitebeard replied with a grin, narrowing his eyes. "Haven't you?"
Shanks lifted his brow. "You've got a sharp eye, old man!" Whitebeard smirked.
"Then let's talk strategy. The Marines have made all the preparations they need. We'll need to do the same to win this war."
Shanks' eyes sharpened. "That's why I came. Knowing Sengoku, he's probably turned Marineford into a fortress by now."
Whitebeard nodded gravely. They had fought too many wars not to see the deeper message behind the headlines.
"Sengoku the Fleet Admiral… he's your old rival, right?" Shanks asked, narrowing his eyes.
"I need more intel on Sengoku, Arashi, and the other Admirals, too."
He had only been one of the Four Emperors for six years, so his understanding of the Marines was still limited.
"No problem," Whitebeard chuckled, his tone nostalgic. "I'll tell you everything I know."
....
At Mary Geoise, the Holy Land. "The Marines are bold… or perhaps it's just that Sengoku is a man of true resolve," a deep voice echoed through the grand chamber.
"He has his methods, and he does have spirit. But that doesn't mean it's good for us."
"Especially with the latest reports from the Marines." As the topic turned, the five elders sitting on the luxurious sofas narrowed their eyes.
Their expressions darkened. "Arashi… he dared to walk out of Impel Down."
"If he had the guts to leave, then he must be relying on something."
"That's where Sengoku's confidence stems from. Otherwise, having stayed quietly in the Fleet Admiral's seat for over a decade, where would he find the courage to go up against Whitebeard?"
"It might be a good thing for the world. But it's not exactly favorable for the shift in Marine power." The voices of the Five Elders grew lower, laced with a subtle chill.
"Over the past decade, he's forged the Marines into an iron wall. We've been working from within, yet the results have been negligible—we've been edged out."
"So this is Sengoku the Strategist's method? Wasn't he supporting Kuzan in taking his place?"
"No, now he's probably the strongest backer behind Arashi. That man walked out of Impel Down and spent only a few days at Marineford before rallying a huge following."
"At this rate, once Sengoku steps down, there's no doubt who'll rise to power."
"Damn it, what a nightmare!" Suddenly, a voice snarled in anger. The Five Elders, once composed, lost their calm mid-conversation.
.....
At Marine Headquarters, Marineford, hurried footsteps came from Sengoku's office.
Since the public announcement of Ace's execution, the tension had risen compared to the day before.
"Our people have already set out around the world to invite the Seven Warlords of the Sea." A Marine reported quickly, visibly anxious.
Arashi gave a nod. "Good." The Marine saluted, turned, and dashed out the office doors at a sprint.
Seated in his chair, Arashi turned his gaze toward Sengoku. The Fleet Admiral was fully absorbed in the towering pile of documents before him.
His brows furrowed tightly, as if bothered by the heat, and he removed his cap, revealing braided silver hair. Moments later, he crumpled a document in frustration.
"Ridiculous," he muttered, shoving the paper ball into the mouth of the sheep beside him. Watching this, Arashi couldn't help but sigh.
No job was easy—trouble never ended even at the very top of the Marines.
As the war drew closer, the pressure weighed heavier on Sengoku.
With Arashi's sharp perception, he could see how Sengoku's black hair turned white strand by strand.
Aside from Arashi, the only others in the room were Vice Admiral Tsuru and Borsalino—Admiral Kizaru, who clocked in daily.
Tsuru buried her head in paperwork, while Borsalino kicked his feet up on the table, eyes closed, openly slacking off.
"Arashi, have all the Warlords been notified?" Suddenly, Sengoku looked up and asked.
"Yes. Once they arrive, I'll host the Warlords' meeting and brief them on the upcoming war." Arashi smiled.
"Good." Sengoku nodded, returning to his endless stack of documents. With nothing urgent on his hands for now, Arashi relaxed slightly in his seat.
After Ace's execution was made public, Arashi moved into Sengoku's office and set up a simple desk.
It helped manage the enormous workload and made strategic discussions and updates much more efficient.
"Master," a soft voice came from the door—Kuina had arrived.
"Come in." Arashi waved her in with a gentle smile. She glanced at the others, then quietly stepped forward.
"What is it?" Arashi asked warmly.
"It's about Zoro..." Kuina hesitated, clearly a little embarrassed.
"Roronoa Zoro? Has he regained consciousness?" Arashi asked casually.
He had a good impression of the Three-Sword Style swordsman—strong will, bold spirit, impressive swordsmanship. A solid talent.
"He... has," Kuina murmured, lowering her head. She seemed ashamed of her childhood friend's bold behavior. "But he's been at the training grounds these past few days."
Arashi blinked, momentarily puzzled. In the next second, his Observation Haki swept toward the training area.
Seeing the battered figure sparring against Ashura Squad trainees, surprise crossed his face.
"He doesn't seem to grasp that he's a prisoner," Arashi chuckled. He couldn't help but feel impressed. Even within enemy territory, Zoro seized every opportunity to grow stronger. His thinking was far from ordinary.
But this also meant that, barring any accidents, the man was practically destined to become a powerhouse.
"Master, what's your decision regarding him?" Kuina asked nervously.
She knew all too well that Zoro's fate could be decided in a single word from her teacher. She had already broken the rules by taking her friend to the training grounds.
"With the war approaching, I don't have time to deal with that kid right now."
Arashi smiled and looked at her.
"Let him be—for now. But one condition." His tone turned serious.
"He's not allowed to leave the training grounds." Kuina immediately nodded, her eyes bright. "I promise! I'll keep him on a tight leash!"
She added, full of resolve, "I'll watch him like a hawk!" Arashi smiled and waved her off.
With light steps, Kuina turned and left. As soon as she vanished, a slouched figure appeared behind Arashi.
"Roronoa Zoro... He's one of those dangerous Supernovas, isn't he?" Arashi's expression didn't change. "That's right, it's him."
"You sure are bold, Arashi. After capturing them, it didn't take long for you to round up every last one of those Supernovas."
"But I noticed you treat these young pirates... a little differently." Borsalino gave him a thoughtful glance.
He wanted to drift through the Marine ranks, doing the bare minimum—but even slacking required strategy. Understanding the internal relationships among high-ranking Marines was essential.
Knowing these invisible connections, such as who Garp's son and grandson were, which officers Sengoku favored, or which rookies Arashi liked, helped avoid missteps and kept work relationships smooth.
Hearing Borsalino's comment, Arashi's eyes flickered. He was about to devise a random excuse, but the Admiral had already offered him one.
"I heard you're trying to convince pirates to join the Marines. That's truly noble work! If you can bring them back to the path of justice, it's a great contribution!"
Borsalino even wore a look of admiration to match his words. Arashi paused, then grinned and nodded. "Borsalino, you get me. You're my kindred spirit!"
"Hehehehehehe..." Borsalino laughed lightly and returned to his seat.
"Looks like if I run into any of your pirates later, I might as well just go easy."
"Saves me a whole lot of effort."
Vice Admiral Tsuru glanced at them, shook her head, and laughed softly, helplessly.
Kuma stood silently in the shade at the training grounds, watching the green-haired swordsman.
Zoro ran laps with the Ashura Squad at dawn, pushing his limits until he gasped for breath.
At noon, he'd sit beside Kuma, devouring food in huge bites. By afternoon, he'd arrogantly challenge Ashura Squad trainees to brutal duels—only to be left bloodied and defeated on the ground.
Unable to hold back, Kuma muttered a crude compliment. "Damn."
No one at Marineford could've imagined a pirate would train so brazenly on Marine grounds, even provoking their forces head-on.
"What the hell is that man thinking? He's letting a pirate roam freely on Marine turf?"
"Even more bizarre, the Ashura Squad cooperates with him, fighting daily battles like it's normal."
Kuma was confused—baffled. He didn't understand the world anymore. A pirate in the heart of Marine territory, surrounded by former enemies, yet completely free.
He was even enjoying the thrill of battle and growing stronger by the day.
What an absurd reality.
And from that day forward, Roronoa Zoro became an active figure on the training grounds. Without paying close attention, some might even assume he was a Marine.
"Only by training with them and putting in even more effort...Can I avoid being left behind by these monsters in the future."
"Compared to a pirate's life, the Marines truly offer unmatched advantages—structured training, abundant nutrition, no worries over injuries."
"I'm honestly enjoying it here." Zoro's eyes gleamed with determination.
After being treated by Kuma, Zoro silently searched for a large tree. With a leap, he perched himself on a sturdy branch, leaned back, and closed his eyes to rest.
"These past few days… the atmosphere has gotten even more tense," he muttered.
"Even though the Marines in this unit don't speak much, something big is about to happen."
For some reason, even the sky over Marineford felt heavier to Zoro. "And that man… he hasn't shown up again."
"What is he going to do with me?" Thoughts swirled in his head, chaotic and unanswered, until he eventually drifted into a light sleep.
Time passed slowly. Around the world, news spread like wildfire—Marine Headquarters would be executing Fire Fist Ace.
This shocking announcement ignited fierce discussions across all seas. The Marines' bold and decisive action stunned everyone.
Over the past twenty years or so, although the Marines often clashed with pirates, such aggressive, war-provoking actions were rare.
Once a force reached the level of an Emperor, even the World Government had to tread carefully.
The influence of a misstep would be global, and the repercussions could spark massive upheaval.
"What are the Marines relying on? How dare they target the Whitebeard Pirates?"
"For the next month, the whole world will be watching- no, roaring in chaos!"
"I heard a powerful new admiral has risen within the Marines. He planned this entire operation." Whispers and speculation rippled through every sea.
—A few days later—
"What is that?!"
"It's Dracule Mihawk's ship—the strongest swordsman in the world!"
"Another Warlord meeting already? Didn't they just hold one not long ago?"
"This one's more important than the last."
"Almost every Warlord has shown up!"
At the harbor, Marine officers stared silently at the ships approaching the inner bay. Several strange-looking vessels drew closer across the sea.
Leading the way was Mihawk himself. Behind him was Jinbe, captain of the Sun Pirates.
Not far off, standing at the bow of his ship, grinning broadly, was the rugged figure of Marshall D. Teach.
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