The Marines’ Counterattack

The aftermath of the war at Marineford left the world in a state of shock and instability. Whitebeard's death had changed everything, and Blackbeard's rise had sent ripples through every corner of the seas. While pirates scrambled to claim new territories and pursue the One Piece, the Marines were reeling from their losses. The death of one of the Four Emperors should have been a victory for the Marines, but instead, it marked the beginning of an even darker era.

In Marine Headquarters, the mood was tense. Fleet Admiral Sengoku had summoned the highest-ranking officers to the war room, where they would plan their next move. The war may have ended, but the battle against Blackbeard was only just beginning.

Sengoku's Frustration

Fleet Admiral Sengoku stood before a massive table filled with maps and reports, his brow furrowed in deep thought. The room was silent, except for the occasional shuffle of papers. Around the table stood the Marines' most powerful officers, including Admiral Akainu, Admiral Kizaru, and Admiral Aokiji. Despite their ranks, the atmosphere was heavy with the weight of their recent losses.

Sengoku clenched his fists, his mind racing. The war at Marineford had cost the Marines dearly. They had succeeded in taking Portgas D. Ace to execution, but that victory had been overshadowed by the escape of Straw Hat Luffy, the intervention of Shanks, and the catastrophic rise of Blackbeard. The world had changed overnight, and Sengoku knew that the Marines had lost their hold on the seas.

"We are on the brink of chaos," Sengoku began, his voice heavy with frustration. "Whitebeard's death should have been the final blow to piracy, but instead, we've unleashed something worse. Blackbeard now controls the power of the Gura Gura no Mi, and he's already begun taking Whitebeard's territories."

The other officers remained silent as Sengoku's words sank in. They all knew the gravity of the situation. Blackbeard had gone from a minor threat to one of the most dangerous men in the world in the span of a single day.

"He's a bigger threat than Whitebeard ever was," Sengoku continued, his gaze sharp. "We must deal with him before his power becomes too great to stop."

Akainu's Ruthless Resolve

Admiral Akainu stepped forward, his face contorted with rage. His molten fists clenched at his sides as he glared at the map in front of him, where Blackbeard's expanding territories were marked with ominous red flags.

"We should have crushed him at Marineford!" Akainu growled, his voice seething with anger. "We let that scum get away with Whitebeard's power, and now he's building an empire on the ashes of our victory. We need to strike now—before he consolidates his forces."

Akainu's thirst for justice was palpable, and his desire to eliminate all pirates was stronger than ever. He had been humiliated at Marineford by Straw Hat Luffy and his allies, and now the rise of Blackbeard only fanned the flames of his fury.

"I won't sit by while Blackbeard takes control of the New World," Akainu spat. "We need to send a full-scale assault. Wipe him and his crew out before they can gain more ground."

But Sengoku remained calm, though his eyes flickered with agreement. He knew that Akainu's aggression was necessary, but they couldn't afford another reckless battle—not with the Marines still recovering from their losses.

"We need to be careful," Sengoku said, his voice measured. "Blackbeard isn't like the other Yonko. He's unpredictable, and now that he has Whitebeard's power, we can't underestimate him. If we move too soon, we risk losing even more."

Akainu's fists burned with molten heat, but he forced himself to listen. Sengoku was right. Even though his instinct was to charge in and crush Blackbeard, they needed to plan this carefully.

Garp's Struggle

At the back of the room, Garp, the legendary Marine hero, stood silently, his expression unreadable. He had been unusually quiet since the end of the war, his thoughts clearly weighed down by his personal connection to the events at Marineford. Ace, his grandson, had escaped, and so had Luffy, the boy he had trained. Now, Garp was struggling with his role in the Marines and his place in this new world.

Sengoku glanced at Garp, his longtime friend, and colleague, sensing the turmoil brewing beneath the surface.

"Garp..." Sengoku began, but Garp cut him off with a shake of his head.

"I don't need your pity, Sengoku," Garp muttered, his voice low and filled with sorrow. "I know what happened at Marineford. I made my choice, and I'll live with it. But this Blackbeard..."

Garp's fists clenched at his sides, the old Marine's eyes narrowing as he spoke Blackbeard's name. The man who had betrayed Whitebeard and started this entire chain of events was now the greatest threat to the world. And Garp, who had once been the unstoppable force of the Marines, felt powerless to stop him.

"If you want to take him down, you'll need more than just brute force," Garp continued, his voice hard. "Blackbeard is clever, and now he has the power to back it up. He's dangerous, more dangerous than you realize."

Sengoku nodded, appreciating Garp's insight. Garp may have been personally affected by the events of Marineford, but his strategic mind was still sharp. He understood Blackbeard better than most.

"We'll need to be smart about this," Sengoku agreed. "Blackbeard has Whitebeard's territories, and his power will only grow. We'll need to consolidate our forces and prepare for a long campaign. Akainu..." Sengoku turned to the admiral. "You'll lead the assault when the time comes, but we won't rush into this blindly."

Akainu nodded stiffly, though the fire in his eyes remained.

Aokiji and Kizaru's Observation

As the conversation unfolded, Admiral Aokiji and Admiral Kizaru watched from the side, both of them contemplating the situation with their usual reserved demeanors. Aokiji, the cold and calculating admiral, had always been one to consider the broader implications of war, while Kizaru, with his lazy and nonchalant attitude, rarely showed his true thoughts.

"So, we're going to war with Blackbeard now?" Kizaru said casually, his voice slow and deliberate. "Sounds like fun. But it won't be easy. That darkness fruit of his... it's tricky."

Aokiji remained silent for a moment before speaking, his icy breath visible in the cold air. "Blackbeard is an opportunist. He's taking advantage of the chaos left in Whitebeard's wake. But we should be more concerned about the pirates who will flock to him now that he's taken Whitebeard's place. They'll follow him for power, and that will make him even more dangerous."

Sengoku nodded in agreement. Blackbeard's ambition wasn't limited to just territory; he was building an empire, and his new powers made him an even greater threat.

The Marines' Plan of Attack

As the meeting continued, Sengoku outlined the strategy for the Marines' counterattack. They would first focus on consolidating their remaining forces, reinforcing key positions across the New World, and monitoring Blackbeard's movements. They couldn't afford to engage him head-on until they were sure they could win.

"We'll gather intelligence on Blackbeard's movements and the pirates who are joining him," Sengoku said. "Once we know where he's consolidating his forces, we'll strike swiftly and decisively. We'll take him out before he can become a true Yonko."

Akainu's eyes gleamed with a fierce determination. He would not let Blackbeard's rise go unchecked. The Marines would strike back with everything they had.

A New Dawn

As the meeting ended, the tension in the room eased slightly, but the weight of what was to come remained heavy on everyone's shoulders. The world had changed, and the Marines knew they had to adapt quickly if they were to stop Blackbeard from plunging the seas into further chaos.

Garp lingered for a moment as the others began to leave, his mind still troubled by the events of Marineford and the fate of his grandsons. He wasn't sure what the future held for Luffy and Ace, but he knew one thing: Blackbeard needed to be stopped, and soon.

Sengoku stood beside him, sensing his friend's inner turmoil.

"Garp," Sengoku said quietly. "We'll stop him. We'll make sure Blackbeard doesn't take everything."

Garp nodded slowly but didn't respond. His thoughts were elsewhere, with his grandsons, with the fate of the world, and with the war that was only just beginning.

The Marines were preparing for the next great battle, but this time, the stakes were higher than ever.