Time passed, drop by drop, like water trickling down a cliff.
A heavy, stifling atmosphere hung over the sea.
In the blink of an eye, three days had gone by.
There were now only four days left until the public execution of Ace, the Second Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates.
---
New World — An Island Under Whitebeard's Rule
"Father, Squad, Grann, Little Oars… everyone's morale is high for the operation to rescue Ace! At this rate, we'll be crossing the Red Line in no time!"
Diamond Jozu, Captain of the 3rd Division, grinned as he gave his report.
"Gurararara! Truly a bunch of fine lads!"
"We can't let ourselves fall behind them either!"
Whitebeard burst into laughter.
"Aaaa—!!"
The entire Whitebeard crew erupted with roars of excitement, their fighting spirit at its peak.
Every face radiated confidence.
They were determined to rescue Ace—no matter the cost.
"Father, the coating preparations are complete. We can submerge at any time!"
A blue streak of fire flashed across the sky as Marco the Phoenix, First Division Commander, descended to report.
"Gurarara! Alright, boys—let's fly!"
Whitebeard raised his massive arm and shouted.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The Moby Dick flagship and three whale-shaped auxiliary ships slowly entered the sea.
Their destination: Fish-Man Island, ten thousand meters below the surface.
To cross from the Grand Line's first half to the New World, one must overcome the massive Red Line that divides the seas.
There are two primary routes.
The first: overland.
Some powers possess the means to carry ships over the Red Line, though such technology is limited. Apart from the World Government's controlled passageways, a few independent forces have their own methods.
For example, Germa 66's colossal sea snails can transport entire nations.
Even underground organizations in the criminal underworld offer this service.
The most famous among them: Umit the Shipping King.
For a high enough fee, he can take both man and ship across the Red Line.
Many subordinate captains of the Whitebeard Pirates—like Little Oars and Squad—chose this method.
The second method: the underwater route.
Just as most pirates heading into the New World pass through Fish-Man Island via coated ships, New World pirates can return by taking the same underwater path in reverse.
This was Whitebeard's chosen strategy.
He planned to re-coat his ships at Fish-Man Island, then, on the day of the decisive battle, emerge from the ocean floor and launch a surprise attack on Marineford.
It was a plan of precision and boldness.
And it was kept secret from all but a few.
Only the upper ranks of Fish-Man Island were aware.
Three days prior, Namur—the 8th Division Commander—had arrived early to inform King Neptune of their plan.
All of Fish-Man Island's skilled coaters had already assembled.
Now, they awaited only the arrival of the Whitebeard Pirates!
---
Grand Line — The Gourmet City: Pucci
At the Sea Train terminal—
"Roger, this is as far as Laboon and I can take you. When it comes to the war, I'm afraid I can't help much."
The elderly and ordinary-looking Crocus scratched his head awkwardly.
"Ahahaha, don't say that, Crocus! You've already helped me more than enough."
Roger clapped his old friend on the shoulder.
Without Crocus, he wouldn't have gotten the special medicine to suppress his terminal illness…
Or even afford the ticket for the Sea Train.
If a riot broke out over one ticket and the Marines caught wind of it—well, that would have been a disaster.
"Roger, wait here. I'll go buy some oranges for your journey!"
Crocus waved as he ran off to a fruit vendor.
Moments later, he returned with a full bag of oranges and a variety of snacks, stuffing them into Roger's hands.
Toot toot~
The Sea Train's whistle blew—it was about to depart.
"You're too kind. I'm off, then!"
Roger waved and turned to leave.
"Will we ever meet again?" Crocus called out.
"Of course we will!" Roger replied with a brilliant smile.
---
Marine Headquarters — Marineford
In the Fleet Admiral's office—
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku!"
Rear Admiral Brannew, his green hair flaring behind him, rushed in, urgency in every step.
"What is it? News from the New World? Has Whitebeard arrived yet?"
Sengoku stood up instantly.
"Sir! According to the latest reports from our recon ships, the Whitebeard Pirates have disappeared from their territory!"
"Disappeared?! What do you mean?"
"Just as the words say," Brannew said, saluting. "Whitebeard's fleet didn't take any of the routes we anticipated. It's as if they vanished into thin air. Our scouts speculate they might have someone with an ability to cloak ships or even teleport."
Sengoku narrowed his eyes, deep in thought.
He didn't draw any conclusions.
"There's more, sir," Brannew continued.
"Even though Whitebeard has vanished, two of the Four Emperors—Kaido of the Beasts and Red-Haired Shanks—are both advancing toward Whitebeard's former territory!"
"What?! What are they planning?!"
Sengoku's shock was palpable.
He had only just begun to piece together a coherent strategy, and now it was falling apart again.
"We're not sure of their motives yet, sir. But that's not all."
"…There's more?"
Sengoku looked at Brannew with rising irritation.
Can't you just deliver one report at a time?
Sensing the Fleet Admiral's growing frustration, Brannew straightened up and quickly shouted:
"Big Mom's pirate crew just raided the sacred dessert island reserved for the Celestial Dragons! The World Government staff couldn't hold them off. Now the higher-ups are requesting a Marine Admiral be dispatched to stabilize the situation!"
"…Ha?! You want me to send an admiral to guard a dessert buffet during wartime? What kind of joke is that?!"
"Tell those useless aristocrats this is war. If they miss one meal, they won't die!"
"But sir… the request came from several Celestial Dragon families. They submitted a formal complaint…"
"Tell them to shove it!!"
For perhaps the first time in his life, Sengoku—the obedient, by-the-book Fleet Admiral—lost his temper.
This war against Whitebeard required every resource, every hand on deck.
There could be no distractions.
"Are… are you sure, sir?" Brannew hesitated.
Sengoku fell silent for a moment.
Brannew turned to leave.
"Wait."
Sengoku sighed.
"Contact Zephyr and deploy his guerrilla unit. Also, have Tokikake pull out and assist."
"Yes, sir!"
Brannew saluted and left.
---
New World — At Sunset
The red sun dipped below the horizon.
Its golden light bathed the sky and sea.
Two warships, each bearing the Beasts Pirates' emblem, drifted apart.
Not long ago…
Nekomamushi and Inuarashi had a sudden realization.
Two years ago, around this very time, Zunesha—the giant elephant carrying the island of Zou—had been roaming nearby.
If they detoured slightly, and with the help of Franky's upgraded battleships, they might make it in time.
After discussing it with Marco, they made a decision.
They would sail to Zou and seek the aid of the Cat and Dog Kings of the Mink Tribe.
"Luffy, everyone… I'm going to Zou to find Pedro!"
Carrot, the little rabbit, tearfully waved goodbye.
"Ah, say hi to Pedro for us! We'll meet again in four days at Marineford!"
Luffy, Sanji, Nami, Jinbe, Chopper, and the rest waved back.
Had it not been for Pedro's sacrifice during the Totto Land incident…
They might never have made it out alive.
The Straw Hats held deep gratitude for him.
"We're not around, so don't go stirring up any trouble!"
"Right. See you all in four days—at Marineford!"
Marco, Izou, Nekomamushi, and Inuarashi waved goodbye.
The two warships sped off in opposite directions, preparing for the battles ahead.