The organization was the secret army of the World Government. No individual among them was exceptionally powerful alone—they operated in groups of eight. Whitebeard frowned and asked solemnly, "What about the others? Why don't you see them?"
"When the time comes, they will appear naturally," Sengoku replied flatly.
The sudden appearance of the CP organization had immediately escalated the battle to a new level.
On the execution platform, a figure who had just sent Luffy flying through the air strode slowly toward Ace. His eyes were cold as he said, "It's time for you to hit the road."
Raising his index finger, a blast of compressed air shot out like a projectile.
Marine Six Styles! Finger Pistol!
The pirates and Marines froze. Luffy shouted in shock, "Ace!"
Even the ever-cheerful Whitebeard's face darkened with anger. "CP organization! If you dare touch Ace, I will tear every one of you apart in the New World!"
The air grew frigid. A deadly intent radiated outward, enveloping everyone around. Shivering, they realized the power emanating from this single threat.
All eyes focused on the raised finger. Just one shot from the Finger Pistol, aimed at Ace, and his life would be over. If Ace fell, the Marines would claim victory, cementing their dominance over the seas.
Time seemed to stall as the air compressed around the finger, forming a slowly growing projectile aimed directly at Ace's head.
Then, a soft, distant sigh echoed across Marineford, growing louder until it reverberated through the entire battlefield.
Behind Ace, the air rippled and twisted into a small vortex. The incoming projectile was swallowed effortlessly, neutralized before it could strike.
A figure stepped forward—a slender, imposing figure with a handsome face, delicate features, and a lazy smile at the corner of his mouth. His eyes were sharp, deep, and as unreadable as the ocean.
"Yo! It's been a long time, everyone. First time on TV, so I'm a little nervous!" Kaito greeted the video phone bug in the distance with a grin.
Shock rippled across Marineford.
"It's him! Big Blue Kaito?"
"The terrorist with a 5 billion Berries bounty?"
"The one tied to Whitebeard's name? A new emperor of the seas?"
Marines and pirates alike froze, fear spreading in every eye. Kizaru tensed and muttered under his breath, "This guy… he's really here."
Even seasoned Marine generals paled. Facing the Whitebeard Pirates alone was dangerous enough, but now Kaito—strong enough to obliterate any top-tier Marine combatant—had appeared. Marine victory seemed impossible.
Sengoku had hoped the Five Elders would send reinforcements, but they knew Kaito's strength could crush even the combined might of the CP organization. Any additional forces would be irrelevant. Only one person in the Marine command hierarchy seemed unfazed—Garp. Yet even Garp's face betrayed concern as he realized that Kaito's arrival had upended every strategy.
On Sabaody Archipelago, reporters and bystanders fell silent, their pens dropping as they witnessed Kaito appear so suddenly.
"Cold… Kaito…" one whispered.
"Kaito? Leader of the Thunder Pirates? The one who can grow to a thousand meters, moving mountains effortlessly?"
"Are they joining the fight too?"
Excitement and relief washed over those who had been worried.
"It's Big Brother Kaito! He's here!" Risa from Windmill Village shouted in joy.
"Yes! He's really here!" Makino's tense expression softened into a relieved smile. With Kaito here, Ace's rescue was no longer in jeopardy.
Listening to the whispers, Kaito's lips twitched in amusement. The titles "Blue Giant" and "Blue Devil" were given by fools, he thought—they were ridiculous.
Ignoring the chatter, Kaito patted Ace on the shoulder. "So, seeing all these people who came to save you, do you regret not listening to my warning?"
"I do!" Ace whispered, eyes wide. Not just regret, but utter terror. Looking at his comrades, many wounded or dead in their effort to save him, and at Luffy, battered but unyielding, he realized how close he had come to death.
"The Whitebeard Pirates fought the full strength of the Marine elite, all to save me. How could I not regret it?" Ace murmured.
"This is the cost of being young and reckless. I hope this will teach you to temper your impulsiveness," Kaito said softly.
"You saved me… why?" Ace asked, still bewildered. They had met only twice today, yet Kaito had risked everything.
Kaito shrugged lazily. "I owe someone a favor. She asked me to help you and your brother in times of trouble."
"Who? Male or female?"
"Female."
Ace frowned, trying to guess.
"Don't think about it. If you need to know, you will."
Behind them, CP members groaned, muttering about Kaito's casual arrogance.
"Oh? Forgotten? I don't care about little pests like you," Kaito said indifferently.
"Weak? You think I'm weak? You're about to see, I'm never alone!" Gallon shouted. A spatial doorway opened, and in an instant, the entire execution platform was surrounded by CP organization members. Over fifty appeared, each radiating a quiet authority equivalent to at least a Rear Admiral.
"The leader ranks between Admiral and Vice Admiral, equivalent to the strongest Marines," Allen said coldly.
"You're lucky. This is the first time our entire CP organization faces a single opponent alone," he added.
Kaito's expression remained calm. To him, these people barely existed. Only two voices were exchanged, unheard by anyone below.
Below, chaos erupted as pirates and Marines alike witnessed the sudden escalation.
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