Propelled by the machinations of Marine Headquarters, within just two days, a freshly printed newspaper swept across the entire world like a tsunami.
The headline was stark and singular:
[IN SEVEN DAYS, THE PUBLIC EXECUTION OF FIRE FIST ACE, 2ND DIVISION COMMANDER OF THE WHITEBEARD PIRATES, WILL BE HELD AT MARINE HEADQUARTERS!]
It was accompanied by a single photo of Ace, hands bound.
There was nothing else.
Citizens who saw the news were puzzled. Ace, as a Whitebeard Pirates division commander, was certainly famous. But was he really worth the Marines making such a grandiose production? In the end, he was just one commander among sixteen. Would the Marines publicly execute every commander they captured? If it were Whitebeard himself, the news would be truly shocking. Unable to make sense of it, most people simply put it out of their minds. For them, the Marines executing a pirate was always a cause for celebration, something they were happy to witness. Fewer pirates meant a safer sea.
Many faction leaders in the New World also sensed something amiss, but lacking the truth, they were equally in the dark. Even the information broker Morgans couldn't dig up the underlying reason. This was natural; Ace's identity was top secret. Very few within Marine Headquarters itself knew, let alone outsiders.
However, shortly after the Marines published the paper, the Emperor crews entrenched in the New World learned of Fire Fist Ace's impending execution through their own intelligence networks, even before the physical newspapers arrived.
The Moby Dick, at its Whale Prow.
The World's Strongest Man, Edward Newgate, sat imposingly on his throne. The legendary pirate who once shook the four seas now had IV drips attached to his arms. Since Ace's disappearance, Whitebeard had been distracted and worried. Shanks's earlier warnings about Teach had cast a further shadow over his heart. And now, his worst fear had been realized. Ace had been defeated by Blackbeard and traded to the Marines in exchange for a Warlord title.
While others couldn't see the Marines' true purpose in this public execution, Whitebeard, who knew Ace's real identity, understood it perfectly.
"Pops, we can't just stand by and watch Ace be killed by the Marines!"
"That's right, Pops! Give the order! Let's attack Marine Headquarters and save Ace!"
"Ace is our comrade! No one hurts our family!"
"Pops, let's fight the Marines!"
"And that bastard Teach! We can't forgive him!"
"Yeah, Teach must pay!"
"....!!"
The Whitebeard Pirates brandished their weapons, righteous anger burning in their hearts. Cries brimming with fighting spirit and fury filled the sky. Any other pirate crew might have hesitated, might have backed down in the face of the Marine Headquarters behemoth. But they were the Whitebeard Pirates, who put family and comrades above all else!
"GURARARARARA! Well said, my sons!!!" Whitebeard laughed loudly, tearing the various tubes from his body and surging to his feet. "Since the Marines are the ones picking this fight, we'll see it through to the end!!"
"Listen up! Contact all fifty-two allied fleet captains! Our war with the Marines begins now!!"
His powerful, resonant voice echoed across the deck, filled with Conqueror's spirit. The division commanders sprang into action, Den Den Mushis working overtime. Within a single hour, every single captain of the Whitebeard allied fleets had answered Whitebeard's call, setting sail from across the six blues, their course set for Sabaody Archipelago.
With a great wave of Whitebeard's hand, the Moby Dick raised its sails and set forth!!
Totto Land, Whole Cake Island.
"Mama, we've just received word. The Whitebeard Pirates have left their territory. They must be preparing for war with the Marines," the eldest son, Perospero, reported respectfully from beside Big Mom.
Big Mom: "..."
"Mama, a war between the Whitebeard Pirates and the Marines will inevitably leave both sides weakened. Shouldn't we seize this opportunity to take Whitebeard's territory?!"
"Even if Whitebeard returns alive, he won't have the strength left to confront us head-on."
Big Mom: "..."
Perospero and the surrounding ministers gritted their teeth in frustration. For the Big Mom Pirates, this was a once-in-a-lifetime chance. But Big Mom was just staring vacantly at the photo of Leo on her table, completely tuning them out.
Forget it. Let it all burn.
Wano Country, Onigashima.
"URORORORORORO! My men! Opportunity knocks but once!!"
The moment Kaido learned Whitebeard had left his territory, he rallied his forces. If even Perospero could see the strategic situation, how could an Emperor like him miss it? Whitebeard's departure spelled almost certain doom for him. This was the Beast Pirates' chance, and no one would stand in his way!
"My men! Steal all of Whitebeard's territory for me!!!"
"OHHHH!!!"
Under Kaido's lead, the Beast Pirates departed Onigashima, heading in a mighty armada towards Whitebeard's domain.
Meanwhile...
The Red Hair Pirates, led by Shanks, set sail on the Red Force.
Shanks gazed out at the endless sea ahead and nodded. "The Whitebeard Pirates have set out. It seems the situation is even worse than we imagined."
"Blackbeard's ambitions likely extend far beyond this," Benn Beckman remarked slowly, exhaling a plume of smoke, his gaze profound and deep.
"Whatever his goals, our immediate priority is to stop certain parties from causing trouble and exploiting the chaos," Shanks said with a cold snort, an image of Kaido appearing in his mind.
"Boss, you think Kaido will use this chance to expand?!" Lucky Roux voiced the guess.
Shanks gave a slight nod.
If Kaido didn't cause trouble at a time like this, he wouldn't be Kaido.
"Let's go. It's time we paid the Beast Pirates a visit!!"
Three Days Later.
Following Sengoku's orders, Marine Vice Admiral Momonga successfully reached Amazon Lily to deliver the mandatory summons to the Warlord, Boa Hancock.
During the journey, Momonga had been apprehensive. Hancock was famously unpredictable and often ignored the Marines' calls. To his surprise, the entire process went astonishingly smoothly. The moment he stated his purpose, Hancock agreed almost without thought to head to Marine Headquarters for Ace's execution.
Though puzzled, Momonga didn't overthink it. However, Hancock did set one condition: she wanted to visit Impel Down to see Ace.
After a moment's hesitation, Momonga called Sengoku. Receiving the Fleet Admiral's approval, the three ships set course for the supposedly impregnable prison: the Marine warship in front, the Perfume Yuda behind, and the Maxim flying above.
Navigating the Maxim was, of course, Nami.
The crew aboard consisted of Robin, Tashigi, Perona, Margaret, Doll, and Kalifa.
The other women remained behind on Amazon Lily.
Elsewhere, Sabaody Archipelago.
These past few days, Sabaody was exceptionally lively.
First, it was the必经之路 (necessary passage) for most heading to the New World.
Second, as the last place Leo had been seen, it attracted countless pirates, assassins, and bounty hunters searching for clues to capture him and claim the colossal bounty.
Third, in a few days, the public execution of Fire Fist Ace would be broadcast live on large screens here.
These three factors combined to create a massive influx of people. Everywhere you looked, the islands were packed, shoulder to shoulder.
Among the countless nameless faces were some notable figures—the recently infamous Supernovas. Over the past few days, the crews of all eleven had arrived at Sabaody and begun operating in different areas.
Marine undercover agents on the archipelago reported their presence to Sengoku immediately. Sengoku initially considered sending Admiral Kizaru to capture them all. But one look at Kizaru's severed arm made him hesitate. He could tell that despite Kizaru's facade of nonchalance, he hadn't recovered from the physical and psychological blow. Weighing the options, Sengoku dispatched a force consisting of Vice Admiral Tsuru, the Warlord Bartholomew Kuma, Sentomaru, five elite Marine Vice Admirals, and several Pacifistas to Sabaody to handle the Supernovas.
This lineup was more than enough to show them respect. The Warlord Kuma alone could likely slap them down one by one. Then there was Tsuru; though only a Vice Admiral in rank, she was someone even the Heavenly Yaksha, Doflamingo, feared. With her Wash-Wash Fruit, she could turn the eleven rookies into freshly laundered clothes.
The reason for not sending stronger personnel was simple: Garp was in Impel Down's Level 6, having a final farewell with Ace. Admirals Aokiji and Akainu were busy with other high-ranking officers, checking for the slightest defensive vulnerabilities to prevent any surprises when the Whitebeard Pirates attacked. The Whitebeard Pirates vs. a handful of Supernovas? The priority was clear.
Thus, a high-spec Marine warship departed Headquarters, speeding towards Sabaody.
Unlike the original timeline, since Leo's kidnapping of Charlos, the Five Elders had strictly forbidden all Celestial Dragons from visiting Sabaody Archipelago in the short term. They couldn't guarantee that Leo wouldn't commit another insane act of kidnapping a World Noble. After all, once the barrier between zero and one is crossed, what follows knows no bounds. Especially for a madman like Leo, who couldn't be judged by common sense.
Meanwhile, Sabaody Archipelago, Grove 13, Shakky's Rip-off Bar.
"Leo, you've got some nerve. With so many people outside looking for you, you dare show up here?!" Shakky, smoking her slender cigarette, looked at the man before her, trying hard to keep her composure.
Leo took a sip of rum and said calmly, "Relax, Shakky. I won't hurt you. As for Rayleigh... his current state is a consequence of his own actions."
Hearing this, Shakky let out a soft sigh, memories of her happy life with Rayleigh surfacing. It wasn't easy to find an old man with that much vigor, and now... it was all gone.
"Just tell me, why are you here?" Sensing Leo held no malice, Shakky got back on topic. She didn't believe for a second that Leo had come just for a drink.
"Looking for someone," Leo replied simply.
Shakky frowned slightly. From what she knew of Leo, the person he was looking for was either a beauty, an enemy, or, most likely, both.
"Leo, you—"
"Found her!"
Before Shakky could finish, Leo downed the rest of his rum, stood up abruptly, and walked towards the door. As he stepped over the threshold, a final comment drifted back to her.
"Shakky, you should visit Amazon Lily sometime. Hancock and the other Kuja warriors often mention you."
Amazon Lily?!
Hancock?!
Shakky's pupils contracted slightly, then a wry smile touched her lips. Was it truly impossible for any woman caught in Leo's sights to escape?
Even Hancock had...
Grove 22.
Inside a certain restaurant.
"HAHAHAHAHA! Delicious! So incredibly delicious!"
"I'm not full yet! Bring me more food!!"
Jewelry Bonney, her pink hair disheveled, wolfed down the food in front of her, then started yelling at the staff again.
"Captain, you've already eaten a whole table's worth! Aren't you full?!"
"We're almost out of money!"
A crewmate next to her patted his pockets, which were cleaner than his face, his expression full of misery. How could their beautiful captain eat more than all the men combined?! If word got out that the Bonney Pirates went bankrupt because their captain ate them into poverty, they'd be the laughingstock of the seas.
"Shut your mouth!" Bonney glared fiercely at her crewmate before unceremoniously stuffing an entire chicken leg into her mouth.
"Tell them to bring me more food, now! Or I'll tear this damn place down!!" Bonney continued to shout.
"Captain, we really can't afford any more! We need the remaining money for other things! Otherwise—"
"Bonney. Follow me from now on, and you can eat as much as you want."
Before the crewmate could finish, a tall man appeared in front of Bonney.
"Huh?! Who the hell are you?!" Bonney jumped, not recognizing him at first.
The surrounding crewmates, however, recognized Leo instantly. Cold sweat broke out all over their bodies as they frantically tried to signal Bonney.
Looking at the mess on the table, Leo smiled. "Come on. I'll take you somewhere nice where you can eat your fill."
Without waiting for Bonney's reply, he grabbed her shoulder and—Vanished!
"AHHH—!"
"AHHH—!"
Watching their captain disappear into thin air, the remaining Bonney Pirates covered their faces and screamed, their eyes practically popping out of their sockets a full meter as if they'd seen a ghost.
The Maxim, Main Lounge.
Bonney stared blankly at the unfamiliar surroundings and... the dozen or so pairs of eyes fixed on her.
The next second.
A sharp, piercing shriek erupted—fortunately, the airship was soundproof.
"Captain, who is she?!"
"Brother Leo, is this another beautiful woman you just recruited? She's so pretty!"
"I'm Kaya. Welcome to the Leo Pirates."
The women greeted Bonney with practiced ease. It wasn't strange anymore. Any woman Leo brought back to the ship shared the same fate. They all ended up as sisters.
Bonney remained silent, just thinking they were all insane.
"You... you're Leo?!" The slow-to-realize Bonney finally recognized him.
Leo smiled, giving an appreciative nod. "Correct."
"Caramel, make some food for Bonney."
"Zala, Valentine, keep an eye on her. Don't let her run off."
"Oh, and Bonney has the Toshi Toshi no Mi (Age-Age Fruit). She can make people she touches older or younger. Be careful."
"I have other business to take care of. I'm off."
With that, Leo teleported away again!
Having given Zala and the others a heads-up, there was no issue. The women left on the ship weren't the main combatants, but their current strength was... heh. To be honest, those so-called Supernovas might not necessarily be a match for them.
"Little girl, you should be good and behave. Otherwise, big sister might get angry," the sultry Zala said with a giggle, looking at the highly tense Bonney. With a shing, countless black spikes instantly covered her body, radiating extreme danger.
Leo returned once more to Sabaody Archipelago. And his target this time was...
The Straw Hat Pirates, currently in Grove 1!
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T/N :
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