"There's nothing interesting about that."
Sengoku turned to Kojin with a serious expression.
"If those two Emperors really do form an alliance..."
He took a deep breath, his voice heavy.
"...the risks and the price we'll have to pay could multiply several times over. When that happens... Marineford may face a far more complicated situation."
Kojin smiled faintly, but didn't disagree.
An alliance between the Red Hair Pirates and the Whitebeard Pirates was almost unheard of. In fact, nothing like it had happened in decades.
Even in the previous era, such a thing had never occurred. Had the Roger Pirates ever allied with the Whitebeard Pirates? Had the Golden Lion ever joined forces with either of them?
Never.
Once the three legendary pirate crews had risen to prominence, they had remained rivals, fighting countless life-and-death battles against one another.
Yet now, in this era, two of the Four Emperors appeared to be moving toward an alliance. It was something even Sengoku hadn't expected.
Kojin found it surprising as well. Still, the feeling only lingered for a moment before fading.
After all... now that he existed in this world, history was never going to unfold exactly the same way. If anything, it showed just how much pressure his presence had placed on both Shanks and Whitebeard.
"At the moment, reports of an alliance are still only rumors, but we must remain vigilant," Sengoku said, sweeping his gaze across the room.
"If there are any signs the two Emperors are joining forces... we'll need to prepare ahead of time. Because... the coming war may shake the entire world."
Then Sengoku looked directly at Kojin. "Admiral Kojin."
Kojin raised his head and listened attentively.
"I know how powerful you are," Sengoku continued. "But this war concerns the future of the Marines... and the stability of the entire world. Do not underestimate it."
Kojin nodded. "I understand."
The meeting continued as Sengoku discussed battle deployments with the assembled Vice Admirals. Five Vice Admirals were assigned to the New World to closely monitor the movements of the Emperors.
"The news of Ace's capture has already been released," Sengoku said, his voice ringing with determination. "At the current rate of newspaper distribution... it will spread across the entire world within a week. The Whitebeard Pirates will learn the news very soon. We must watch them closely and know their every move."
This battle was the final gamble of Sengoku's Marine career before retirement. Failure wasn't an option. Among everyone in the Marines, no one valued this war more than he did.
The meeting went on. Kojin occasionally offered suggestions, adjusting the positions of officers on the large Marineford battle map spread across the table.
Unlike pirates, the Marines placed enormous emphasis on battlefield tactics and strategic planning. Naturally, preparations for the decisive battle at Marineford were even more meticulous. In fact, troop deployments, personnel assignments, and defensive plans were being revised almost every single day.
"Oh, right." Sengoku suddenly remembered something and turned toward Kojin. "What about the Seven Warlords?"
"I've already made the arrangements," Kojin replied calmly. "The second Warlords' meeting will be held soon. They'll officially receive their summons to participate in the war."
Sengoku visibly relaxed. "Good. You handled that well."
Then he asked another question. "When will the forces from West Blue arrive at Headquarters?"
Kojin smiled. "Bullet should reach Marine Headquarters in a few days. He and his elite troops are already on their way."
Sengoku couldn't help smiling. "Excellent. Speaking of which... the military strength you've built up in West Blue over these years... it must be quite formidable by now."
Kojin chuckled. "You'll see for yourself once Bullet arrives."
"Very well. With West Blue's elite forces joining us, this battle should become much easier." Sengoku nodded.
After a brief pause, his expression became more serious, and he lowered his voice. "Is Vegapunk really in your hands?"
Ten years ago, the Five Elders had repeatedly tried to pressure Kojin into handing over the genius scientist. The matter had eventually died down after Kojin entered Impel Down. Even so, Sengoku had always suspected Vegapunk was secretly under Kojin's protection.
Kojin didn't answer directly. Instead, he smiled. "I do happen to possess... a scientific force that's more than capable of seeing battle."
Sengoku's eyes flickered. "Oh? Can they participate in this war?"
Kojin nodded. "They'll arrive alongside Bullet. When they get here... it'll be the perfect opportunity to test their combat capabilities."
Sengoku let out a long breath. "That couldn't be better."
With the war fast approaching, he wanted nothing more than to strengthen Marine Headquarters by every possible means. His ideal outcome was to overwhelm the Whitebeard Pirates from every angle and win the war with the fewest possible casualties.
The meeting finally came to an end as evening approached.
During those long hours, Sengoku and Kojin had discussed countless matters concerning the coming war, including the creation of the new Scientific Force, personnel assignments, command structure, how Headquarters should respond to unexpected incidents, and the decision to let Kojin's subordinates continue overseeing the Marine branches in West Blue.
They were all tedious matters... but necessary ones.
Five more days passed in the blink of an eye. As time went on, news of Fire Fist Ace's capture by the Whitebeard Pirates gradually spread throughout the world.
Some people were shocked; others barely cared. After all, being captured didn't necessarily mean anything, most pirates simply ended up locked away in prison.
Over the years, plenty of famous pirates had been arrested without causing much of a stir. Some pirate crews hadn't even heard the news yet. With newspapers flooding the seas every day, Ace's capture was simply another headline unless you already knew who he was.
Eventually, the news crossed the Red Line... and reached the New World.
Aboard the 'Moby Dick', a heavy, icy silence hung over the massive pirate ship.
Whitebeard sat in his chair with IV tubes still attached, his face dark as rage burned fiercely in his eyes. In his rough hands was a freshly printed newspaper bearing the red headline: '"Whitebeard Pirates Second Division Commander Fire Fist Ace Captured!"'
Those bright red words stabbed deep into the heart of the man known as the World's Strongest Man.
For a brief moment, he froze. Then anger and regret surged through him all at once.
Around him stood his sons, each wearing anxious, worried expressions as they watched the old man.
Ace... had actually been captured by the Marines.
For the Whitebeard Pirates, it was devastating news with enormous implications. Everyone aboard knew how much Whitebeard valued Ace. He rarely spoke of it openly... but everyone understood that Fire Fist Ace was the man Whitebeard intended to succeed him.
None of the commanders objected to that. On the contrary, they fully supported it, because whatever the old man decided was their will as well.
But now, Ace had been captured, and no one could imagine what the Marines planned to do with him.
"Gurararara!"
After a long silence, Whitebeard suddenly burst into laughter, yet everyone could hear the terrifying coldness hidden beneath it. The old man was truly furious.
Without warning, he stood up, ripping the IV needles from his body as blood dripped from the wounds.
"Old Man!" Marco cried out in alarm.
"I'm fine," Whitebeard said, his eyes icy. "It's just... my beloved son..."
His voice trembled with suppressed rage as an overwhelming pressure spread through the air, so oppressive it became difficult to breathe. "So that brat Red Hair... really did predict this. Ace lost to Marshall D. Teach... and was handed over to the Marines as a bargaining chip."
Taking a deep breath, Whitebeard spoke through clenched teeth. "Teach... I'll never forgive that bastard."
Diamond Jozu roared in fury. Compared to the Marines, long-time enemies, they hated traitors far more.
"Old Man," Marco said, his expression grave. "What's done is done. What matters now... is what the Marines intend to do with Ace. What are they planning?"
A bad feeling had already begun to grow in his heart. Under normal circumstances, the Marines would never publicize the capture of one of Whitebeard's commanders like this. To preserve the balance of the seas, they generally avoided provoking the Emperor crews. Yet this time, everything was different.
Whitebeard immediately saw through it, narrowing his eyes. "Their actions are too deliberate. The Marines' real target... is me."
With his decades of experience, he reached that conclusion almost instantly.
"Gurararara! I just wonder... was this bold decision Sengoku's... or that brat Kojin's?"
His expression grew more serious. Both Sengoku and Kojin were old rivals. One was known throughout the world as the Resourceful General, while the other was a living Marine legend whose strength was beyond question. Working together, they would be extraordinarily troublesome.
"Their target... is you?" Marco and the others were stunned. "Don't tell me... they're trying to start a war?"
Several commanders could hardly believe it. The Whitebeard Pirates were one of the greatest forces in the New World, with powerful commanders and countless elite pirates. To provoke them would lead to consequences no one could predict. Had the Marines gone mad?
Whitebeard stood in silence, staring into the distance with a dark expression.
Just then, excited shouts came from somewhere farther down the ship.
"Red Hair!"
"It's the Red Hair Pirates!"
"They're here again!"
(End of Chapter)
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