New World, Palm Island. This is an island whose outline resembles a palm, and it is under the rule of the Four Emperors Whitebeard. Many of the residents on this island are highly skilled craftsmen who can create various exquisite handicrafts. They usually pay a certain amount of handicrafts as protection money to the Whitebeard Pirates.
A white Moby Dick with a white whale figurehead was quietly docked at the port. Whitebeard, with an IV drip hanging on him, sat on a large chair, holding a sake barrel in his hand. As he drank in silence, he showed a pensive expression, lost in thought.
Marco, who walked out of the ship's cabin, stood beside Whitebeard and said with a serious face:
"Whitebeard, I have just finished contacting the forty-three Captains of the Grand Fleet. They all agreed to go with us to rescue Ace. Now, they are rushing from various islands to Fish-Man Island..."
Hearing this, Whitebeard immediately put down the sake barrel in his hand and instructed:
"Remember to tell them to go separately, don't all gather together and attract the Marine's attention." "Don't worry! I have specifically emphasized that they should not be discovered by the Marine in advance!" Marco nodded and said.
Regarding whether it was worth mobilizing the entire Whitebeard Pirates to Marineford to rescue Ace, the members of the Whitebeard Pirates had no objection at all. Once on Whitebeard's ship, everyone is family. This is something Whitebeard Newgate has been practicing with his crew for decades. Many crew members have received Whitebeard's favor and are willing to give their lives for him. Yes!
Most of them are risking their lives and loyalty for Whitebeard Newgate, not just simply for Ace. "How is the contact with Fish-Man Island?" "King Neptune said that he has arranged for the Neptune Royal Army soldiers to prepare enough sea beasts for us. We just need to reach the designated location to receive and use them directly..." "That's good!"
Immediately after, the two discussed the various preparations needed to start this war one by one. Above the vast white clouds, a pink figure rushed from a distance with the sound of wind. Whitebeard and Marco immediately turned their heads and looked over, clearly seeing who had arrived... Donquixote Doflamingo!
Soon, this Queen of the Beasts Pirates landed on the Moby Dick, while the surrounding members of the Whitebeard Pirates looked at him with wary expressions. "Doflamingo, you, a Queen of the Beasts Pirates, suddenly boarding our Whitebeard Pirates' main ship, what is your purpose?" Whitebeard stared at Doflamingo in front of him without blinking, his tone containing a hint of displeasure.
As a strong man who defeated Wang Zhi, although Whitebeard had never met him before, he had some understanding of him. "Fufufufufu-! Whitebeard, I came here on behalf of Governor Kaido to discuss some cooperation matters with you..." Doflamingo laughed wildly. "Cooperation!? I don't think I have anything to cooperate with Kaido on.
Speaking of which, your Beasts Pirates and our Whitebeard Pirates have quite a few grudges... Do you think I will cooperate with you?" Whitebeard said coldly. "Fufufufufu-! I think you won't refuse my proposal. After all, you, Whitebeard, will certainly not abandon your family... right?
Therefore, it is a foregone conclusion that you will attack Marineford to rescue the Second Division Captain Ace... Since that's the case, I don't think you would refuse more allies." "Allies... Kaido? Hmph! I never liked that guy! Go back and tell him that my affairs don't need him to interfere casually." As he spoke, Whitebeard crushed the sake barrel in his hand into a pile of wood chips.
The air turned glacial as his gaze sharpened. An overwhelming pressure radiated from his body, making the surrounding sea tremble and sending invisible ripples through the atmosphere. Decades ago, Whitebeard, Kaido, Big Mom, Golden Lion, Wang Zhi, Silver Axe, and Gloriosa had sailed together under the Rocks Pirates banner.
But they'd always despised each other. Years of clashing ambitions and bloodied grudges festered between them. After the God Valley battle thirty years ago—after the Rocks crew shattered—they scattered like shrapnel, each carving out their own empire.
"Fufufufu—!" Doflamingo's laughter slithered through the air. "Whitebeard, your opinion doesn't matter! Kaido and Big Mom have already decided. Their fleets will storm Marineford the day Ace dies. You can't stop this, old man. I'm just here to deliver the news." His grin never wavered, arrogance dripping from every word.
"Brat!" Whitebeard's voice boomed like thunder. "You dare speak to me like that? Know your place—I am Whitebeard!" In one fluid motion, he seized Murakumogiri, the blade crackling with dark red Haki, and swung.
Doflamingo didn't flinch. His fingers flicked, threads laced with the same crimson energy weaving into a shield—a black spiderweb stretched taut between them.
Spider Web.
The clash detonated.
Lightning erupted in the space between them, a storm of dark red bolts tearing through the air. Shockwaves rippled outward, churning the sea and splitting the clouds above. A perfect circle of sky cleared, the sun glaring down like an unblinking eye.
Doflamingo disengaged first, yanking his threads back and leaping skyward. His wild laughter trailed behind him.
"Fufufufu—! No interest in fighting you today, Whitebeard. If you want to stop this war, stay put in the New World and watch your son die. Maybe that'll delay the coming chaos... for a year or two." With that, he vanished into the horizon.
——————
Elsewhere in the New World, winter gripped the land.
X Drake, newly appointed Tobi Roppo of the Beasts Pirates, followed a Red Hair Pirate through snow-laden paths. They descended into a valley sinkhole—the crew's temporary stronghold—where the man himself waited.
Shanks scanned the letter, then lifted his gaze. "Kaido wants me to attack Marineford?"
"Yes." Drake's tone was neutral. "The Governor plans to ignite a war that will reshape the world. Defeat the Marines, and the territories up for grabs are endless. Big Mom's already on board."
Shanks chuckled, shaking his head. "Pass on my answer—I'm not interested."
"Understood." No arguments, no hesitation. Drake turned and strode away.
Benn Beckman exhaled smoke, watching the retreating figure. "Captain," he murmured, "this execution's spiraling out of control. You're really staying out of it?"
Shanks stared at the horizon, voice barely above a whisper. "The world's chaotic enough. If I join this fight..."
Red-Haired Shanks murmured in a low voice, as if thinking about something far beyond the frozen island around them.
Baltigo Island stretched out beneath the pale sun, its white soil blending with golden sand and jagged rocks. At the heart of this desolate landscape stood the Revolutionary Army headquarters, a massive fortress carved into the cliffside. Above, a newspaper-delivering seagull circled before descending, its wings beating the air as it landed at the fortress entrance. It dropped its cargo onto the ground and took flight again, vanishing into the sky.
Sabo, passing by the entrance, noticed the fallen newspaper. He bent down, picked it up, and skimmed the headline. "Let's see what's happening today..." His voice trailed off as his eyes caught the bold print. "The Marines will execute Ace, the Second Division Captain of the Whitebeard Pirates, in one week..."
His grip on the paper tightened. His pupils contracted, and his expression shifted from mild curiosity to shock. The name "Ace" echoed in his mind, stirring memories of a bond forged in childhood.
Dragon approached, his boots crunching against the gravel. He placed a firm hand on Sabo's shoulder. "What's caught your attention so strongly?"
Sabo didn't hesitate. "The Marines are going to execute Ace. I have to save him."
Dragon's gaze softened, but his tone remained measured. "Sabo, as Chief of Staff, you need to remember our priorities. Our enemy isn't the Marines—it's the Celestial Dragons. We have operations planned in the East Blue, at the Bridge on the Green. Our resources are stretched thin."
"I understand, Mr. Dragon," Sabo replied, his voice steady. "I'll go alone. I won't involve the Revolutionary Army."
Dragon studied him for a moment. He knew the story of Sabo's sworn brothers—Luffy, Ace, and Sabo himself. He also knew Sabo couldn't be dissuaded. And if he knew Luffy, the boy would likely charge into Marineford without a second thought.
"Fine," Dragon said after a pause. "I'll send Crow, the commander of the Northern Army, to assist you. But if the situation turns dire, don't act recklessly."
Sabo's face lit up with relief. "Thank you, Mr. Dragon!"
"One more thing," Dragon added, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "If Luffy shows up, keep an eye on him for me."
Sabo grinned. "Of course. If Luffy goes to rescue Ace, I'll make sure he doesn't get himself killed."