Portgas D. Ace's eyes burned with resolve. Heat rolled off him in waves, forcing everyone who tried to approach to halt.
"Ace… just this once."
Ace drew a deep breath, stared hard at his father, then turned away.
Edward Newgate watched his son's back, wanting to say something, but no words came. He could only watch as Ace leapt off the Moby Dick and boarded his small boat.
The News Spreads
By the next day, the world knew: a crewman of the Whitebeard Pirates had killed comrades and fled. Newspapers spread the shock across the seas.
Aboard the Red Force — New World
Shanks stared at the paper. The scar across his eye seemed to throb faintly.
"Marshall D. Teach…"
He remembered that man from long ago — back when he was still an apprentice on Gol D. Roger's ship. Teach never slept, had an iron will, and hid his strength. He even carried the mysterious "D" in his name.
And yet for decades he stayed unnoticed — until now.
"Shanks?" Benn Beckman spoke quietly. "You look… different."
Shanks gave a wry smile. "I just feel it — the sea's about to get chaotic."
Beckman shrugged. "When isn't it? As long as Karl doesn't come after us again."
Ever since Karl became known as the "Marine Hero," he had taken over Monkey D. Garp's old pastime: chasing them relentlessly. Garp had been a nightmare; Karl was worse — beat him down, and he'd just get up again.
Shanks sighed. He knew exactly what Beckman meant.
Sabaody Archipelago — Lawless Zone
In the underbelly of the Sabaody Archipelago, Teach looked around carefully before pulling out the Den Den Mushi the stranger had given him.
"I did what you asked. The paper's out. Now keep your end of the deal."
Karl's voice came through. "I saw. Well done. Where are you?"
"Sabaody — the lawless zone."
After a pause, Karl replied, "Go to Grove 43. At the top of the Yarukiman mangrove, you'll find what you want."
Teach grinned. "I'm on my way."
The Exchange
High above the clouds, Karl tossed the transponder into the sea of clouds, light erupting from his body.
In a flash, he vanished — and within minutes stood atop Grove 43's massive mangrove. He set down a box containing the Yami Yami no Mi (Dark-Dark Fruit) and disappeared again.
Moments later, Teach climbed to the top, panting. His eyes went wide with delight when he saw the box.
He tore it open.
"Zehahahaha!"
He didn't hesitate. One huge bite — then a grimace. The taste was horrible. So he swallowed the rest whole.
Black mist coiled from his hand. He laughed wildly, eyes burning with ambition.
But then he calmed himself. The Marines' headquarters wasn't far away. If he acted recklessly here, he'd die before his dream even began.
Step one is done. Next… I need a crew.
He slipped away into the crowd, already plotting.
Marine Headquarters — Fleet Admiral's Office
"Have you seen today's news?"
Karl nodded.
"I did. But I didn't think Whitebeard would let Ace chase Teach. Isn't he worried the Marines might capture Ace first?"
Sengoku folded his hands. "Teach was under Ace's command. It's only natural Ace would go. And Ace is stubborn — even if Whitebeard forbade it, he'd still go."
Karl narrowed his eyes. "So I have a new mission?"
"Exactly," Sengoku said. "Whitebeard knows Ace's true background. That means he's grooming him as a successor. If we capture Ace, we gain leverage."
He walked to the window, gazing out over Marineford.
"I've fought Whitebeard all my life. It's time to end this era."
Karl thought quietly. "Then… is the Navy ready?"
Sengoku's gaze hardened. "I am ready."
Karl shook his head. "That's not what I meant. I mean — is the Navy ready for a new Fleet Admiral?"
Silence.
"Between Kuzan and Sakazuki… I think Kuzan is more suited. Sakazuki is a blade — a sharp one. But a blade alone can't lead an army."
Sengoku said nothing.
But the future was already moving.
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