"Whitebeard is just an old pirate from the past. I don't know if he can even walk at his age. The news that Whitebeard will head to Navy Headquarters might just be a rumor."
"When was the last time we heard anything about Whitebeard? It must have been years ago, right?"
"Maybe Whitebeard is already dead... How else could his second division commander have been captured? The idea that Whitebeard is going to attack is very likely just a rumor."
"Exactly, don't scare yourself. Whitebeard can't destroy the world. He doesn't have the power to do that, does he? Even if he's still alive, if he dares to show up, the navy will teach him a lesson."
"Whitebeard? Hah, that's only because I haven't set out to sea yet. If I had, I would've killed him."
Of course, there are also voices around the world that belittle Whitebeard.
Not everyone has experienced Whitebeard's golden era.
In his old age, Whitebeard focuses more on his family.
Moreover, due to his fearsome reputation from his youth, no one dares provoke him.
So, Whitebeard hasn't made any major headlines for a long time.
It's unlike the days of his youth when he'd cause a stir every now and then.
As a result, many from the younger generation are fearless and dismiss Whitebeard entirely.
Whitebeard? One of the Four Emperors?
What's that? No matter how great he was, didn't he lose to Roger back then?
In recent years, we haven't heard much about Whitebeard.
I'm afraid he's just someone anyone can beat now. He's just a washed-up old man who got slapped around a couple of times.
Of course, this disdain and mockery of Whitebeard didn't just come from young people unaware of the world's immensity.
Many navy officers were quietly influencing public opinion.
The first whispers that belittled Whitebeard came from the navy.
They discussed his old age, his long absence from the public eye, and framed him as a relic of a bygone era.
With them shaping the narrative, many who were oblivious followed their lead.
In the end, voices ridiculing Whitebeard echoed across the globe.
The pervasive sense of fear and despair began to dissipate.
Public security incidents decreased, and the pressure on law enforcement in various kingdoms and naval sectors eased significantly.
And in many naval branches…
"The rumors discrediting Whitebeard have spread. The fear and anxiety among the public have dropped noticeably, and security incidents are significantly down."
But within the Navy branch, the officers were still tense. "But… can we be sure this war won't destroy the world? From what I know, all the elites from every branch have been transferred to Navy Headquarters. They've amassed every bit of strength they can to confront Whitebeard... It's going to be a horrifying war!"
"It's enough that the public isn't afraid of Whitebeard. As for us… we'll just leave it to fate. Maybe when we wake up tomorrow, we'll find out Whitebeard has shattered the planet. That's beyond our control."
The weaker personnel remaining in the naval branches were growing despondent.
Gathering all the elites at the headquarters…
Such an unprecedented move!
It's hard to fathom how terrifying Whitebeard truly is.
It's enough to force Navy Headquarters to go all out and maintain a state of extreme vigilance.
This sense of dread permeated almost every naval branch.
Anyone with insider knowledge or who understood the scope of Whitebeard's power could not be optimistic.
…
The first half of the Grand Line.
Marineford.
The Navy Headquarters.
This is the heart of the entire Navy.
It maintains law and order across the world's seas, upheld by the ideal of absolute justice.
The Navy Headquarters, the Seven Warlords of the Sea, and the Four Emperors.
Together, they are known as the three great powers of the Grand Line.
Of course, that's how it appears to the outside world.
To ordinary people, the Four Emperors and the Seven Warlords of the Sea are the most notorious forces, causing chaos across the seas.
Meanwhile, the Navy is seen as the protector of law and order.
So, to the common folk, the Navy Headquarters, the Seven Warlords of the Sea, and the Four Emperors are the most powerful entities on the planet. They stand above regular pirates, kingdoms, and naval forces.
That's why they are collectively referred to as the three great powers.
But those who understand the real situation know it's a different story.
The Seven Warlords of the Sea? The three great powers?
Are the Seven Warlords truly worthy of such a title?
But the facts don't matter much.
What's important is how the world is perceived by ordinary people. After all, the loudest voice in the world is undoubtedly that of the masses.
And right now…
The Navy Headquarters.
It has summoned all the elites from naval branches worldwide.
More than 100,000 troops!!
Fifty warships encircle Navy Headquarters.
Countless cannons have been placed along the shore.
This scene is enough to spark a war that could shake the entire world.
But despite the presence of 100,000 elite troops, the atmosphere at Navy Headquarters remains tense.
No one dares to let their guard down or underestimate Whitebeard, who could strike at any moment.
Even though these navy soldiers are all elites, fear grips some of them.
Some are nervous.
Some tremble, sweating profusely.
Some have even deserted.
You must be joking.
These were all respected naval officers, elite soldiers, privy to classified information.
Who doesn't know how terrifying Whitebeard is?
Fight?
How do you fight?
It's a sure death, right?
Whitebeard isn't human; he can cause massive earthquakes.
Who wants to die?
And so, deserters emerged.
Even as Navy Headquarters remains heavily fortified.
Inside the office of Fleet Admiral Sengoku, also known as Buddha Sengoku.
He continues to receive the latest intelligence.
"Any news on Whitebeard? Have you located Whitebeard's fleet?"
Fleet Admiral Sengoku, holding the Den Den Mushi in his hand, repeatedly questioned the intelligence personnel, his voice steady but laced with concern.
"Report, Sengoku-san," the intelligence officer on the other end of the Den Den Mushi responded anxiously. "Our surveillance fleet was sunk as soon as it set out to sea... The fleet monitoring the New World also took a devastating blow... Our entire intelligence network has been cut off!"
"Sunk? By whom? There's no information at all?" Sengoku pressed further, his eyes narrowing with a sense of growing dread.
"Yes, sunk—there's no trace of any information. As for Whitebeard's fleet... it's as if they've vanished into thin air."
Sengoku's expression darkened upon hearing this confirmation.
The navy, which had always reigned supreme on the seas, hunting down pirates with impunity, was now on the defensive. The tide had turned.
The very thought burned inside him. The pirates, who they'd hunted, had now become the hunters, sinking the navy's surveillance fleets with such ease.
Multiple surveillance units had been dispatched, but they disappeared as soon as they ventured into the sea.
This was the kind of blockade they'd expected to impose on pirates. Yet, today, it was the navy that was blockaded.
"Whitebeard's power and style remain unchanged." Sengoku muttered bitterly as he placed the Den Den Mushi down. Then, looking toward his officers, he asked, "How long until Ace's execution?"
"Three hours," someone quickly responded.
"Move Ace to the execution platform," Sengoku ordered. His voice grew cold and resolute. "Broadcast all footage from Navy Headquarters, including the execution. Announce it to the entire world."
"Let the whole world witness this execution."
"Let them witness the end of Whitebeard."
"The world craves powerful news," he added, his tone fierce. "And we will deliver it, starting with these two pirates who have plagued the seas for so many years, spilling innocent blood, and spreading fear among the people day and night."
Beside him, Vice Admiral Garp sat with a forced smile on his face, attempting to mask his internal turmoil. His usual carefree demeanor was absent, though he still tried to maintain a semblance of indifference. Yet, even Garp could not stop what was unfolding before them.
Across the world, on the Bubble Islands, enormous screens flickered to life, broadcasting the events from Marineford. The crowd's eyes fixed on the scenes of Navy Headquarters. On the screen, the execution platform stood empty for a brief moment.
Then, two executioners appeared, leading a solitary figure forward, moving slowly toward the platform.
"That person is…"
"Portgas D. Ace!!"
"The execution is about to begin!"
The Bubble Islands erupted in shock and fear, the murmur of voices growing louder as the gravity of the situation sank in. The execution that could shake the world was only moments away.