The Marines officially announced the time for Fire Fist Ace's public execution.
The defensive force at Marineford was increased to 100,000 soldiers. Simultaneously, the Three Admirals were summoned: Aokiji, Kizaru, and Fujitora.
Furthermore, the Seven Warlords were called to arms: Dracule Mihawk, "Heavenly Yaksha" Donquixote Doflamingo, Treasure Hunter Mad Treasure, Gecko Moria, the newly appointed Blackbeard Teach, and Weevil, who had earned the nickname "Whitebeard Jr."
Under the instruction of his mother, Miss Buckin, Weevil did not openly use the surname "Edward." However, because he used a naginata and possessed a long white mustache and blond hair, features remarkably similar to a young Whitebeard, he was dubbed "Whitebeard Jr."
It felt like a twist of fate.
As for "Knight of the Sea" Jinbe, he was imprisoned immediately for refusing the Warlord summons.
There was no news from the Whitebeard side yet, but anyone who knew the name Whitebeard knew he would never allow anyone to touch his "sons." He would start a war over a mere cabin boy, let alone the Commander of the Second Division.
Meanwhile, the force Alucard prepared for the assault on the Sky Island had fully assembled.
Aside from leaving the Riku sisters and Shirahoshi to guard the seas, and Dr. Vegapunk and Dr. Indigo to control the Blacklight Infected as island guardians, nearly everyone else was mobilized for the war to take the Island of God.
Of course, Alucard could have taken it alone... but on a whim, he wanted to see a group battle.
"There are two days and fifteen hours until Fire Fist Ace's execution," Keith Fallon, Captain of the Black Thorn Pirates, noted as he checked his pocket watch.
Sitting in a tree, he looked toward the distant sea of clouds. He could just barely see the Island of God, their target for this war.
"We'll just slaughter every last one of them," Fallon said, licking his lips bloodthirstily.
"Your target isn't the Island of God. Don't get your objectives mixed up."
Ivalis's voice hit Fallon like a bucket of cold water. "You are responsible for Weatheria. That is an island under Government control."
A flash of anger crossed Fallon's face. "I really don't get along with you, Blondie," he spat.
"The feeling is mutual," Ivalis glanced at him coldly. "But let me remind you: if your blunder causes us to lose this war... hmph."
"You bastard..." Fallon's knuckles cracked as he clenched his fists. Normally, he would have thrown a punch already, but with the war imminent, he suppressed his temper.
…
In a small wooden hut in Hidden Cloud Village, the former home of the Shandia tribe on a nearby island, a Visual Den Den Mushi sat on a table next to Alucard. Its eyes were glowing, projecting onto the wall, but the image was currently just static.
This Den Den Mushi was set up to broadcast the Battle of Marineford. Alucard was waiting. The moment the projection started would signal the start of the war, and he would order the general assault.
Hancock entered the room, glanced at the static-filled screen, and leaned into Alucard. "Master... who do you think will win this war?"
She was referring to the clash between Marine Headquarters and the Whitebeard Pirates, not their own war with the Government. In her heart, as long as Alucard was there, defeat was impossible. But Whitebeard had been a deterrent across the Grand Line for decades; if he died, the world would change in ways no one could predict.
Alucard didn't think the Marines would lose, but knowing that nothing is absolute, he gave a measured answer: "Whitebeard's fate is already sealed."
Ace was the catalyst, but whether he was saved or not didn't change the ultimate outcome. If the Marines killed Ace, it was their victory. If Whitebeard saved him, it was his.
But even if Ace were saved, then what? The Whitebeard Pirates would be severely weakened. Would Kaido or Big Mom, who were both eyeing Whitebeard's territory and his Pluton blueprints, miss an opportunity to strike him while he was down?
Therefore, regardless of the winner of the Paramount War, the end for Whitebeard would be the same.
"Report!"
A spirited Koala entered and saluted Alucard. "Preliminary investigation shows that the Government forces stationed throughout the Sky Islands, including Upper Yard, total roughly 150,000."
"Not as many as I imagined," Alucard said indifferently.
Though they far outnumbered the Immortal Pirates, Alucard still found the number low.
Koala blinked. "The majority of the Government's military should be stationed at the Red Line. They likely didn't expect us to launch a massive invasion."
Alucard grinned. "You seem quite happy, Koala."
"To liberate the world's freedom from the Government... we're finally taking the first step. Of course I'm happy!" Koala didn't hide her true feelings.
Even though she hadn't joined the Revolutionary Army in this life, her core beliefs remained similar to Dragon's. Alucard had spared Koala but killed Dragon; the reason wasn't their ideals, but rather that Dragon had been... looking for trouble.
…
At this moment, two days and fifteen hours remained until the execution.
In the waters near the Great Underwater Prison, Impel Down, Sabo and Luffy were fast approaching their target in a submarine, escorted by a school of Sea Kings.
"I never thought I'd be heading to the legendary underwater prison like this." Zoro gripped his three swords, staring out the window into the deep sea.
"There are many Fish-Men in the Revolutionary Army. They've been oppressed by the Government for a long time, and after the incident where Queen Otohime was deceived, many of them resolved to fight back," Sabo explained.
Inside the specialized submarine were Luffy, Zoro, Franky, and Harley, the Mirage-Mirage Fruit user.
Sabo turned to look at Luffy, who was sitting silently with his head down. He raised his voice. "How long are you going to stay depressed? Luffy! We're going to save Ace now! Snap out of it!"
"But..." Luffy muttered dejectedly.
"I told you, Ace getting caught wasn't your fault! Man up!" Sabo couldn't stand Luffy's gloom. Dropping his gentle persona, he grabbed Luffy by the collar.