"Assemble! Assemble!"
"Woo—"
This day was destined to be extraordinary. Before dawn, deafening sirens already echoed across Marineford.
Unprecedentedly, one hundred thousand Marine soldiers, gathered from all over the world, now awoke from their sleep. Of course, there were also Marines who hadn't slept due to excitement or various other reasons.
At this moment, hearing the horn sound, they all rose and rushed to assemble.
"Whitebeard Pirates are coming. I will make history this time by taking Whitebeard's head."
"Make history? If you don't brush your teeth, the smell from your mouth alone will kill him."
"...That's Whitebeard. Aren't you afraid?"
...
Amidst the clamor, one hundred thousand elite Marines were rapidly assembling.
In Marineford Plaza, figures with robust physiques and an aura of strength stood in the front ranks. These were the elite Vice Admirals from around the world, as well as the Vice Admirals from Marineford.
"Reporting, Yamakaji! Training Camp Two, all personnel assembled! Awaiting orders!"
Yamakaji scanned the crowd with a serious expression, then smiled. "Little rascals, don't die too quickly now."
Miguel's expression was resolute as he said, "Don't worry, Instructor. Even if we die, it will be after we've taken a piece of Whitebeard's hide."
Yamakaji praised, "A spirited brat."
With that, he turned his gaze to Renji in the crowd and said, "You too, kid, don't charge too far ahead this time, or even I won't be able to protect you."
[Ding! Detecting Host's current situation! You have new selection available!]
[Choice One: Change the course of the Marineford War by yourself and help your faction achieve ultimate victory!
Reward: ? (Awarded based on performance)]
[Choice Two: Betray in the war, join the Pirate faction, and help Whitebeard rescue Portgas D. Ace!
Reward: Conqueror's Haki upgraded to Lv. 5]
[Choice Three: Go on a killing spree, fight both Marine and Whitebeard Pirates simultaneously, and successfully survive!
Reward: Heavenly King (World-class)]
Renji met Yamakaji's gaze and said, "Don't worry, instructor. I know my limits."
For some reason, looking at Renji's confident face, Yamakaji had a strange premonition. In this war, Renji might bring an unexpected surprise to everyone.
...
The real-time footage of Marineford had now been projected to various parts of the world via Den Den Mushi.
Well-equipped and extremely formidable-looking Marine soldiers poured out continuously, forming neat ranks in the plaza, and heavy artillery pieces were swiftly set up under orderly command.
Fifty massive warships surrounded the outer perimeter of Marineford, like insurmountable mountains. Ordinary pirate crews would likely be scared into fleeing just by glimpsing them from afar.
One after another, Vice Admirals in their coats of 'Justice' arrived, along with giant Vice Admirals whose bodies resembled mountains.
This incredibly spectacular scene showcased the power of Marineford to the world. And this also declared their unwavering determination to win.
In the first half of the Grand Line.
People watched the real-time footage, engaging in heated discussions.
"Are Whitebeard Pirates really strong? Marine actually dispatched so many forces."
"It looks like Marine is sure to win. So many warships and heavy cannons, and even giants participating."
"Yeah, no matter what, how could Marine possibly lose?"
"Don't underestimate Whitebeard Pirates. Rumor has it that their captain, Whitebeard, possesses the power to destroy the world."
"Destroy the world? Don't joke around."
"Look quickly. Those are the Seven Warlords of the Sea. But why are there only five?"
"Look below the execution platform, those are the legendary highest combat powers of the Marine! The Three Admirals!"
"By the way, didn't Marine say a supernova appeared?"
"Hmph, just a supernova. How much impact can he have on a war of this scale?"
"That's true. I think even the most famous Whitebeard would be exhausted after killing a hundred Marine soldiers. With one hundred thousand people, Marine's victory is assured."
...
In the second half of the Grand Line.
Countless infamous pirates were awaiting the start of this war.
"Hahahaha! Marines, face Whitebeard's wrath!"
"Let them fight! Let them fight until the world turns upside down and both sides are heavily wounded. Then, no one in the New World will be able to control us anymore."
"This is Whitebeard! The pinnacle of the pirates! Whitebeard, on our behalf, sink Marineford!"
...
As time slowly passed, less than three hours remained until the execution. The fuse of this war, Portgas D. Ace, had already been escorted to the execution platform.
Sengoku and Garp walked side by side.
Sengoku asked, "Garp, I'm going to make everything public. You have no objections, right?"
Garp's face was grim as he said, "Do as you please. I'll go down first."
...
As Sengoku walked onto the execution platform, the soldiers below felt a little confused.
The previous battle plan didn't include this segment, did it?
Under the gaze of the world, Sengoku picked up the Den Den Mushi.
"Before the war begins, I have something to tell everyone!"
"Portgas D. Ace! Why is this man being publicly executed today?! And what is the great significance of his death for the world?!"
Renji looked up at the execution platform.
Is it finally starting? If he remembered correctly, Whitebeard would arrive right after Sengoku finished speaking, right?
How exciting!
Sengoku said "Ace, tell the world, who is your father?"
Ace calmly said, "My father is Whitebeard."
Sengoku shook his head. "Incorrect."
Ace insisted, "There's nothing incorrect. My father is only Whitebeard, no one else."
Sengoku said, "On that small island, your mother, Portgas D. Rouge, evaded our search by forcibly keeping you in her womb for 20 months. Subsequently, the child who inherited the most evil bloodline in the world was born."
"Your father is the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger!"
As Sengoku's words fell, it was as if the entire world had been muted.
In such a setting, and spoken by Sengoku himself, no one would question the truthfulness of this news.
After a brief silence, an uproar erupted across the world.
"Fire Fist Ace is actually the son of the Pirate King Gol D. Roger."
"Damn it! Kill him!"
"The bloodline of such an evil fellow must not remain in the world."
At the same time, in Marineford Plaza, the Marine soldiers who heard this were furious at this moment. The sense of justice driving the decision to execute Ace reached its peak.
"In this battle, justice will prevail."
Soon after, the Marine scout in the watchtower was the first to notice something unusual on the sea.
"They've appeared!"
"All soldiers, get ready for battle!"
Cold sweat trickled down Sengoku's forehead. "They appeared so suddenly? How did they manage that?"
On the sea, pirate ships sailed out of the thick fog one by one.
"It's a grand fleet of pirate ships."
"Where's Whitebeard? Confirm quickly!"
"Knight of the Sea Doma!"
"Thunder Lord McGuy!"
"Decalvan Brothers!"
"Maelstrom Spider Squard!"
"Every one of them is a formidable opponent, pirate captains who have made a name for themselves in the New World."
"A total of 43 pirate crews. Whitebeard and his commanders have not been spotted yet."
"But there's no doubt, these are all pirates from Whitebeard's subordinate crews."
"This is impossible. He must be here too. Watch the sea."
Seeing the pirate ships approaching, Doflamingo began to get excited. If not for Sengoku's request, he would have already been in his rocking chair, enjoying the show.
"Fufufufufu! This is getting interesting, truly exhilarating. Hurry up and come, Whitebeard!"
Gurgle... Gurgle...
A large number of bubbles rose from the sea near Marineford's harbor.
Sengoku only then realized and said, "So that's it, all their ships are coated and advancing from underwater? But in such a short time..."
Splash!
A colossal wave surged into the sky, and an incredibly massive whale-shaped ship broke through the surface of the sea.
"It's the Moby Dick!"
As the Marine soldiers gasped, three more of the Whitebeard Pirates' ships entered the bay.
"First Division Commander Marco, all 14 Captains are on board!"
The decisive battle was about to begin, yet the air was suddenly quiet.
Clang... Clang...
Metallic clanging sounds emanated from the Moby Dick, facing the execution platform.
Below the platform, Borsalino peered out, looking curious.
"Gurararara, Sengoku, it's been decades since we last met, hasn't it?"
A towering figure stood at the bow of the ship, exuding an overwhelming, domineering aura. It was none other than the Captain of a Four Emperors pirate crew who reigned over the New World, the World's Strongest Man, Whitebeard.
"Whitebeard!" Sengoku gritted his teeth, looking at his old rival.
Whitebeard smiled. "Is my son alright? If not, then you Marines better prepare for your entire force to be annihilated."
Facing such a lineup, Whitebeard still uttered harsh words. Even among pirates, the entire world was shaken by his imposing spirit at this moment.
Sengoku said, "Do you think you can win?!"
"Gurararara..."
"We will win!"
Whitebeard revealed his white teeth, his smile brimming with confidence.
The decisive battle begins!
The declaration of certain victory from the World's Strongest Man!