Stanley, who had initially thought he would be praised by his boss, felt most of his excitement vanish after hearing Morgans' words. However, the following statement from Morgans sent a thrill down his spine.
"Stanley, sometimes even small news can become world-shaking headlines… if we add a little spice to it."
"The reappearance of a pirate Supernova after a year might grab attention, but it's not explosive enough to rock the world. But… what if the Celestial Dragon Saint Charlos, who was nearly killed by that same pirate a year ago, finds out that he has resurfaced in the Sabaody Archipelago?" Morgans said darkly.
"The boss… would probably send an Admiral…" Stanley immediately understood the implication and asked in a trembling voice, "Mr. President… are you saying we should leak the news to Saint Charlos?"
"That's right. A year later, another clash between a Supernova and an Admiral on the Sabaody Archipelago… No matter who wins, it's news that will shake the world! Hahahahaha!"
"I understand. I'll send the intel to Saint Charlos immediately!" Stanley replied with excitement.
"Go on, Stanley-kun. I'll keep tomorrow's front page ready just for you!"
…
One hour later, atop the Red Line in the Holy Land of Mary Geoise.
After receiving the intel from Sabaody and learning that the pirate who had assaulted him a year ago had reappeared, Saint Charlos' eyes burned with vengeful fury.
"Get me the Navy Headquarters—no, contact the Five Elders directly! Tell them to issue a direct order to Marineford. I want three Admirals dispatched!"
"This time, I want that filthy pirate captured alive. I want to watch him be torn apart… slowly."
The trauma that Portgas D. Ace left on him a year ago still haunted Charlos, a dull pain that reminded him every day of his humiliation.
…
Marineford, office of Fleet Admiral Sengoku the Buddha.
Sengoku stared solemnly at the Den Den Mushi in front of him.
Sitting on the couch opposite him were two men. One wore a crimson suit and a cloak of justice, his posture rigid and his face grim—Admiral Akainu, Sakazuki.
The other wore a yellow-striped suit, curly black hair, a beard, sunglasses, and a perpetually lazy expression—Admiral Kizaru, Borsalino.
"What's the matter, Fleet Admiral Sengoku?" Kizaru asked nonchalantly.
"News just came in from Mary Geoise," Sengoku said, his tone heavy. "The pirate 'Fire Fist' Portgas D. Ace, who attacked Saint Charlos a year ago, has appeared again at the Sabaody Archipelago. Charlos is demanding we send an Admiral to capture him."
"That doesn't sound too bad. I'll go and handle it," Kizaru replied lazily.
"But Charlos contacted the Five Elders. He demanded that three Admirals be dispatched to ensure Ace is captured alive." Sengoku's face darkened.
"We're not the World Nobles' lapdogs. Why should we bend to their whims?" Akainu growled. "This could have been resolved a year ago if Kuzan had finished the job. He intentionally let Portgas D. Ace escape, and now we're paying the price."
"This disgrace will not be repeated." Akainu stood up, his voice hard as magma. "I'll personally crush Portgas D. Ace."
Sengoku looked at them and made his decision. "You two will go together. Capture Ace alive—that's a direct order from the Five Elders. Understood?"
"Eh? Fleet Admiral Sengoku, are you serious?" Kizaru blinked. "Two Admirals just for one pirate?"
"Yes," Sengoku said firmly, then turned to Akainu. "And remember—alive. That is the condition."
Akainu didn't answer. He snorted and stormed out of the office.
Sengoku turned to Kizaru. "Borsalino, keep an eye on Akainu. Don't let him kill Ace. This is a political operation, not a battlefield."
"I understand, Fleet Admiral," Kizaru replied with a wry smile, then left.
Once the office was quiet again, Sengoku sighed and whispered to himself, "Garp… I'm sorry. But this time… there's nothing I can do. Your grandson will have to spend some time in Impel Down."
…
The next morning, the Spade Pirates had risen early and arrived at the coated shipyard in Sabaody Archipelago's Grove 41.
Silvers Rayleigh had already completed the coating for the Spade several days prior.
"I can't believe we're boarding the Spade again. I really missed this ship," said the navigator, Cornelia, with nostalgia in her eyes.
"After a year… We're finally setting sail again. I'm pumped!" said Yaki, the cyborg of the crew.
"This time, no turning back," Gambi declared solemnly.
"We'll reach the summit this time!" Ace shouted, standing before his crew. He raised his fists with determination. "Our destination is Fish-Man Island! Raise the sails—let's set sail!"
"AYE AYE, CAPTAIN! HOIST THE SAILS!!"
Amid the cheers of the crew, the Spade slowly unfurled its sails.
At the harbor, Rayleigh watched quietly. Ace called out to him:
"Master Rayleigh! I swear—I will surpass that man!"
Rayleigh waved, tears welling up in his eyes. He muttered silently to himself, "You may not carry Roger's will… but I believe you'll surpass him, Ace."
Everything seemed to be going smoothly.
But fate rarely stays quiet.
BOOM!
Just as the Spade began to leave the shore, a cannonball flew from the distance and exploded near the ship, shaking the water.
Everyone turned toward the source of the attack—shocked to see a man standing atop the cannonball itself.
Ace's eyes narrowed.
"It's him…" he muttered, voice turning cold.
Admiral Kizaru—Borsalino—had arrived.
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