This was the second time Kaido had ever felt true despair.
The first was when he fought Good, when he realized he could not defeat him. That sense of helplessness had crushed him.
But now—it was despair born from the fear of death.
The arrogant, so-called strongest creature trembled from the depths of his soul, and even let slip words of pleading.
But Good didn't spare him a glance.
In his hand, the black blade flickered with countless black thunderbolts, radiating an abyssal, terrifying aura.
Step by step, Good advanced toward Kaido.
Each stride was domineering, as though he was trampling the very heavens.
With the power of the Gura Gura no Mi (Quake-Quake Fruit), every step shattered the air beneath his feet, each movement carrying destructive force that made space itself collapse.
Good wasn't attacking to show off, nor to look grandiose.
This strike—combining dragon power, quake power, Armament Haki, and Conqueror's Haki—was to completely kill Kaido, the so-called strongest creature.
In truth, Good was the only one in the world who had the means to slay him.
The destructive energy radiating from Good's body shook the entire execution site.
Even the soldiers, though not the target, felt their nerves tighten as sweat trickled down their brows.
The oppressive pressure of his Conqueror's Haki, quake force, and dragon might made everyone feel utterly small.
It was as if the platform was a judgment seat of death, and all beneath were mere mortals awaiting verdict.
Kaido's face twisted in terror.
He roared desperately, thrashing against his restraints—but Sengoku had planned the execution carefully. Escape was impossible.
Good stepped closer, raising the black blade high. Thunder roared in the heavens as the executioner prepared to strike.
But then—
"STOP!!!!!"
A voice, filled with immense will and destructive force of its own, resounded through the battlefield.
Every Marine froze in shock.
"Whose voice was that?"
"Where did it come from!?"
On the platform, the three admirals' faces darkened in disbelief.
"The Red Hair Pirates are here!"
Garp called out to Good. "Good! That's enough—wait."
The real purpose of the execution wasn't only Kaido. It was to force Whitebeard's hand.
Ace was bait to hold Whitebeard.
Kaido, bound, could serve as another hostage against the Whitebeard Pirates.
Luffy, meanwhile, forced the Revolutionary Army into conflict.
It was all a trap to ensure every major force was drawn into war.
"Whitebeard! Where are you!?" Sengoku bellowed.
Suddenly, laughter rang out—a defiant, domineering laugh that shook the square, though slightly muffled as if through water.
Sengoku's sharp eyes turned toward Crescent Bay.
Just as predicted, bubbles burst upon the sea surface—heralding the arrival of a massive shadow.
"Splash!"
The Moby Dick, Whitebeard's ship, erupted from beneath the waves like a colossal whale, sending tidal waves crashing across the plaza.
The square erupted in uproar.
"It's Whitebeard's Moby Dick!"
"They broke through directly from the sea bottom!"
"Our forward defense line—what happened!?"
The coated ship shattered its film, surfacing with Whitebeard himself standing proudly at the bow.
His face bore its usual grin, calm yet overwhelming.
From the lookout, shouts echoed in panic.
"Whitebeard Pirates' divisions are appearing! They're close—too close!"
"Damn it, the fog is too thick! Visibility's low!"
Tension surged.
The war was about to begin.
Whitebeard, towering at the bow, stared across the distance at Sengoku.
"Sengoku! My son, Ace—you've taken good care of him, haven't you?"
On the platform, Ace's eyes trembled as he saw his family arrive. His emotions surged.
"Pops, everyone… don't worry about me."
He never wanted this war. Especially now, with the Marines wielding their terrifying Fourth Admiral, Good.
"This was my fault—I acted on my own. I caused this mess. Don't blame anyone else."
But Whitebeard only laughed louder, defiant.
"No! Ace, your Pops is here to bring you home! Tell me—was it not me who captured that bastard Teach you chased after!?"
On the deck below, Marco and the division commanders shouted together.
"Don't be afraid, Ace! Pops will take you back soon!"
On the platform, Sengoku's expression hardened.
"Whitebeard, this era has no place for you anymore. Even as the strongest man in the world, you will not leave today."
Whitebeard only grinned.
"You're right. I'm old. This is the era of the new generation."
"But don't think the Marines will have their way this time!"
As he spoke, the sea churned again.
Another ship broke the surface, much smaller than the Moby Dick—but enough to draw shocked cries from every Marine present.
Even Sengoku's expression froze in disbelief.
"The Red Hair Pirates!?"
The square fell into stunned silence.
The unexpected arrival of the Red Hair Pirates turned the battlefield upside down.
If Kaido's crew and the Revolutionary Army were to join as well, the Marines would be facing four of the world's top forces simultaneously.
The weight of that realization pressed down on every Marine, their faces grim and heavy.
The true war was just beginning.
(End of Chapter)
[Check Out My P@treon For 20+ Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!]
[[email protected]/Draumel]
[Thank You For Your Support!]