5 The Wrath of the King of Old Times
Marineford.
At the heart of the island stood an enormous building adorned with a seagull pattern.
This structure was none other than... Naval Headquarters!
Following the announcement of Ace's impending execution, Naval Headquarters had fortified the island with various defensive measures.
A massive warship was docked at the bay's entrance. Cannons lined the bay, creating a formidable barrier around Marineford. But these defenses were just the basics.
In addition to these measures, one hundred thousand elite Marines and the summoned Shichibukai had all gathered on the island, ready for the Whitebeard Pirates to make their move.
....
Marshal's Office.
A seaman rushed in, causing a commotion as he burst through the door.
"What's the rush? Speak!" Sengoku scolded.
"Marshal Sengoku, all 23 warships monitoring Whitebeard have lost contact!" The sailor saluted and hurriedly delivered the news.
"What?!" Sengoku's expression changed drastically upon hearing this. He understood the implications of warships losing contact.
"Just last night, headquarters had been in constant communication with the monitoring warships. But just half an hour ago, all 23 warships stopped responding. No matter how we tried to contact them, there was no reply." The Marines relayed the alarming situation.
"I see." Sengoku took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. "Summon all Vice Admirals and high-ranking Admirals to the conference room for a council meeting!"
"Yes!" The sailors left to carry out the orders.
Soon, word of the meeting reached every Vice Admiral and Admiral in the vicinity.
Upon receiving the news, a group of high-ranking officers convened in the meeting room. They took their seats on either side of the long table, holding their breath, awaiting Sengoku's address.
However, among the senior generals, one notable figure was absent.
That figure was none other than the renowned Marine hero—Garp!
"What about Garp?" Sengoku, standing at the front, scanned the room and inquired in a deep voice upon realizing that someone was missing.
"He declined to attend, sir." Vice Admiral Tsuru shook her head.
"That stubborn guy!" Sengoku frowned, but he understood why Garp chose not to come. After all, Ace, who was about to be executed, was Garp's grandson!
"Let's not wait for him." With that, Sengoku glanced at the assembled senior officers, his expression turning gravely serious. "Since you're all here, you must be informed."
"Understood." The generals nodded.
"All 23 warships assigned to monitor Whitebeard have lost contact, indicating that Whitebeard has taken action."
"And Whitebeard has only one objective."
"That is... to rescue Fire Fist Ace!" Sengoku declared with a resounding voice.
Upon hearing these words, the atmosphere in the meeting room shifted. The pupils of many generals constricted, and a solemn expression settled on their faces.
While they had known this news before coming to the meeting, hearing it from Sengoku himself still sent shockwaves through the room.
Whitebeard was no ordinary adversary. He was one of the Four Emperors, renowned as the world's strongest man. If he came to Marineford to rescue Ace, it would undoubtedly lead to a collision with Naval Headquarters.
At that very moment, the entire expanse of Naval Headquarters teetered on the brink of potential devastation.
"Yeah~"
"The Whitebeard Pirates have emerged; it's truly a dire situation~," Kizaru, one of the Admirals, remarked with a wry expression, casually resting his legs.
"The Whitebeard Pirate Group is undeniably formidable. If they unleash their full might, it will indeed pose a significant threat," Aokiji added, nodding in agreement.
Meanwhile, Sakazuki, renowned as 'Akainu Admiral,' remained deep in contemplation, his expression inscrutable.
The other Vice Admirals also wore expressions of concern, fully comprehending the gravity of the situation.
"Given that Whitebeard has begun monitoring our warships, he must be prepared for war. The Whitebeard Pirates might already be closing in on Marineford!" Vice Admiral Mole declared.
"Agreed!" Sengoku nodded, his demeanor growing increasingly solemn. "However, lacking precise information on Whitebeard's intentions or the scope of his forces puts us in a vulnerable position."
"Yeah~" Kizaru interjected nonchalantly, still reclining with his legs up. "I've heard that Whitebeard deeply cares for his family. With Firefist Ace facing execution, it's doubtful Whitebeard will leave his son to fate."
Sengoku fell into contemplative silence at those words.
He and Whitebeard had been old adversaries, intimately acquainted with each other's characters. Given Whitebeard's unwavering loyalty to his family, he would undoubtedly go to great lengths to rescue his son, even without concrete information.
"Whitebeard will undoubtedly intervene before Fire Fist Ace's execution!"
"Therefore, we must prepare for the impending clash!" Crane Vice Admiral's voice held a grave tone.
As these words hung in the air, the atmosphere in the conference room thickened with tension. Some Vice Admirals held their breath, feeling the weight of the impending conflict bearing down on them.
Who was Whitebeard? Perhaps no one in the New World knew him better.
He was the contemporary of the legendary Gol D. Roger, hailed as... the world's mightiest!
Even Yonko like Red-Haired Shanks, Big Mom, and Kaido, who were his peers, didn't measure up to Whitebeard's strength and renown.
Marine's actions had inadvertently stirred the wrath of this supreme force of the seas.
Now, they would confront the immense fury of this ruling monarch!
This left some Vice Admirals, who had never faced a force of such magnitude, questioning whether they possessed the capability to overcome this aging titan.
"In that case, let's make thorough preparations prior to the execution!"
"Whitebeard's power is beyond comprehension. He stands as Marine's most formidable adversary. We must emerge triumphant from this impending clash!"
Sengoku took a deep breath and issued a resounding directive.
"Yes!" echoed the unanimous response of the high-ranking officers.
After the meeting concluded, news of the loss of 23 warships reached Marineford, spreading through the ranks of the Marines and the Shichibukai.
Whitebeard was on route to Marineford. The specter of war cast its shadow over the entire island.
Marine Admirals and the Seven Warlords of the Sea alike carried heavy hearts, fully cognizant that they were about to confront the unbridled fury of the master of these seas!
