[113] War's Begun

[2000 Words]

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As Ace's execution approached, a strange calm descended upon all the islands of the world, as if the world had suddenly become deserted.

Everyone, whether pirate or civilian, halted their daily activities, their attention solely fixed on the Den Den Mushi broadcasting the scene from Marineford.

Children sang songs about the terror and evil of Whitebeard, while some civilians doubted his resolve to save Ace, especially upon seeing the formidable marine formation.

In the Sabaody Archipelago, giant display screens hung around the island, attracting a diverse crowd. Journalists and civilians watched intently, while some infamous pirates observed from a distance, their expressions varied.

Among these pirates were members of the Worst Generation, who scrutinized the naval forces with serious expressions, particularly after seeing the gathering of the Warlords.

"So this is the Black Death Ren..." Trafalgar D. Water Law muttered, watching the giant screen from afar with his sword resting on his shoulder, a look of anticipation in his eyes.

"Captain, do you think Whitebeard will appear?" one of his subordinates asked.

"I think he will. Let's just keep watching," Law replied.

"Yes, Captain!"

Around the world, many shared the same question: Would the aging and ill Whitebeard dare to appear at Marine Headquarters?

In Totto Land.

"Mama Mama~! I hope you won't disappoint me, Whitebeard. Show up and die there because your era has ended! Mama Mama~"

Big Mom laughed wickedly as she watched the screen showing Marineford.

Big Mom turned to her daughter Smoothie and asked, "Is this the new Warlord? What do you think of him, Smoothie?"

Smoothie, a tall woman with dark skin, wavy white hair, and blue eyes, wore a pink striped dress and a large yellow scarf. Her expression remained unchanged as she answered, "He looks decent. We will see his strength soon."

Big Mom nodded reluctantly. "You're right. I don't think someone who defeated the second division commander in that old fool Newgate's 'family' will be weak, but let's watch his performance in this war. If he's good, I'll invite him to the tea party and offer him your hand in marriage. Mama Mama~"

The thought of gaining such a strong ally lifted Big Mom's spirits.

Back at Marineford.

A Marine soldier hurried to Fleet Admiral Sengoku.

"Sir! We've lost contact with the ships sent to deal with Whitebeard's forces!"

"What?!" Sengoku shouted, then frowned as he looked out over the vast blue sea.

"Bring the prisoner!"

The soldier quickly saluted and rushed to carry out the order.

Moments later, Ace appeared, shackled and one-armed.

All eyes on the Den Den Mushi live broadcast watched as Ace was led to the execution platform where Sengoku stood.

"This is Fire Fist Ace!" a journalist in the Sabaody Archipelago exclaimed, raising his camera.

"His hand was cut off by the Black Death Ren, standing among the Warlords!"

"Look, they've seen each other!"

On the display screen, Ren turned to look at Ace. Their gazes met for a few seconds before Ace lowered his head, his expression gloomy and unwilling.

'Oyaji... please don't come...' Ace prayed silently, not wanting his father and the crew to be doomed.

"Give me the loudspeaker," Sengoku commanded, taking it from a subordinate.

Garp's frown deepened. He knew a secret was about to be revealed.

Sengoku had informed him of this public announcement, and all Garp could do was nod reluctantly, feeling helpless.

Sengoku stepped forward, facing Ace on the execution platform. Ordering the executioners to step back, he began to speak.

"Before the execution begins, I have something important to say..."

Sengoku's voice echoed, ensuring the 100,000 people below could hear him clearly. The Warlords and the three Admirals also paid close attention, as did everyone watching the screens.

Sengoku looked at Ace and shouted, "Tell me, who is your father?"

"My father is Whitebeard!" Ace replied firmly, his voice unwavering despite his current weakened state.

Sengoku shook his head and continued, "The Marines searched a certain island in the East Blue, looking for a specific child that was rumored to have been born there..." Ace's eyes widened, his expression turning grim.

Sengoku went on, "But we couldn't find that newborn. We searched all the newborns but to no avail, all because of a woman named Portgas D. Rouge! Ace's biological mother."

People around the world widened their eyes in shock. This was information that had never been revealed before. Journalists everywhere started taking notes frantically.

"Big news! A major scoop!"

These words echoed throughout the Sabaody Archipelago, but to everyone's surprise, Sengoku continued speaking.

"She carried Ace in her womb for 20 months, far longer than a normal pregnancy. After Ace was born, Rouge died... This happened exactly a year and three months after the death of Ace's real father!"

Sengoku took a deep breath and announced, "We discovered that Ace's real father is the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger!"

"!!!"

In Marineford, everyone except those already in the know was stunned. Did the Pirate King have a surviving descendant? And was that descendant the soon-to-be-executed Fire Fist Ace?

Civilians and pirates watching the broadcast were immediately struck with both shock and excitement.

"So, that scourge left a child behind? Kill him, Marines!" some civilians shouted eagerly. They had suffered because of the Great Pirate Era that Roger started, making him the most hated figure in their lives.

Roger's former enemies laughed at his son's predicament, eager to see the Pirate King's reaction if he knew his son's death was imminent.

In Totto Land.

"Mama Mama~! So that child is Roger's brat!" Big Mom laughed gleefully. Roger had surpassed her to become the Pirate King, making her hate him naturally, not to mention they had been enemies for decades.

She was quickly drawn back to Sengoku's voice coming from the screen.

"So, brave soldiers, this execution is not just a regular event. This is about ending the bloodline of the Pirate King who brought you and your families so much suffering. Fight with all your might!"

Sengoku roared, hoping his words would ignite their fighting spirit.

"Yes!!"

"Death to Roger's child!"

"Slaughter the pirates!"

The roar of 100,000 voices shook Marineford. Doflamingo laughed upon seeing this and said, "Fufufufu~ So he's the Pirate King's son... This war will be interesting."

Mihawk: "..."

Kuma: "..."

"Hmph, annoying men," Hancock said disdainfully, seeming indifferent to Ace's identity.

Ren had emerged from his "Cold-Hearted" state, having begun to acclimate to Hancock's allure, but he maintained a calm expression like the other Warlords.

Meanwhile, Sengoku continued, pointing out that two years ago, Ace went to sea as the captain of the Spade Pirates. His power and rapid rise made the World Government realize that Roger's lineage hadn't ended. However, Whitebeard noticed this too and recruited Ace before the government could reach him.

Reaching this point, Sengoku said in a grave voice, "Whitebeard did this to make him the next Pirate King!"

"You're talking nonsense! Oyaji will be the Pirate King!" Ace shouted, waving his remaining arm furiously at Sengoku.

Sengoku didn't even look at him and continued, "If we let Roger's lineage roam free, he will end up surpassing all pirates just like his father, becoming the next Pirate King! Therefore, this execution is crucial for us and the world! Even if it means a full-scale war with Whitebeard's pirates!"

*Roar!!*

"Death to Roger's lineage!"

"Bring it on, pirates!"

Sengoku's words acted like a magic tonic, causing 100,000 Marine soldiers to roar. Koby and Helmeppo, standing among the Marines, looked around nervously.

"Sir! Pirate ships have been spotted!"

An officer hurried to Sengoku with a serious expression.

"Let me see." Sengoku took the binoculars, and after several seconds, said, "Whitebeard is not with them... These are the allied pirate ships of the Whitebeard Pirates!"

After confirming this, Sengoku grabbed the loudspeaker and commanded, "Prepare for battle!"

Immediately after his words, several shadows began to emerge from underwater. Within moments, numerous ships surfaced from beneath the water!

Among these ships was one known throughout the world: Moby Dick, the main ship of the Whitebeard Pirates!

Everyone watching the live broadcast turned their eyes to Whitebeard, their expressions ranging from awe to schadenfreude. It was their greatest dream to see him fall here.

"He's arrived!" Sengoku shouted, ordering the troops not to fire yet.

On the Moby Dick, Whitebeard sat on his chair, then lifted his head to look at Ace, who stared back in shock.

"Oyaji..! Why did you come..!" Ace shouted, but he was met with only Whitebeard's gentle expression as he spoke in a deep voice, "Wait for me, Ace. I will save you and avenge you. Tell me, Sengoku, you haven't hurt my son, have you?"

Whitebeard slowly stood up from his chair and walked to the front of the ship. His voice was clearly audible to everyone in Marineford and those watching the live broadcast.

'That traitor didn't come...' Whitebeard thought silently as he scanned the Warlords' line and didn't find Teach. He naturally knew the news that Teach had become a Warlord.

But then his gaze fell on Ren, and he scowled. Remembering Ace's severed hand, he couldn't help but feel a surge of anger. However, he calmed himself and said, "Come on, my sons, fight with all your might!"

"Yes!!"

Shouted the 14 commanders of Whitebeard's crew who were present on the three ships surrounding the Moby Dick. In the next moment, they saw Whitebeard raise both his hands.

*Crack~!*

"Not good!"

Sengoku shouted as he saw Whitebeard's sudden movement. It seemed as if the air itself had shattered. Moments later, a massive tsunami appeared, aiming to flood Marineford!

"I-It's a tsunami!!"

"What power!"

"Can we even stop this?!"

Some Marines in Marineford were terrified, not to mention the civilians watching this scene from the safety of their homes. It was shocking and confirmed Whitebeard's renowned strength.

"The previous earthquake caused this massive tsunami you see before you, and it's all because of one man: Whitebeard! Military power alone won't be enough to stop him. He possesses the power to destroy the world, thanks to his Devil Fruit!"

Sengoku shouted, then cast a glance at Aokiji, who quickly vanished from his seat.

"Ice Age."

Ice spread with his cold voice throughout Marineford. Within moments, the massive tsunami was frozen in the air, becoming a giant block of ice!

"Amazing! This is the power of the Admirals!"

"The three Admirals are on our side, so why fear the pirates?!"

'Wow...'

Sighs of admiration, excitement, and praise came from the Marines' mouths. People around the world watched the live broadcast in shock, most of them never having seen such supernatural powers in their lives.

Are they still considered human?!

Can humans even do this?!

Back in Marineford, Aokiji attacked Whitebeard after freezing the tsunami, but he was interrupted by a quake punch from Whitebeard.

Aokiji reformed himself after turning into an ice block, looking at the water beneath him.

"Arara~ This is a bit troublesome."

He placed his hand horizontally in the water and then:

"Ice Age."

The vast bay began to freeze rapidly, visible to the naked eye, causing Whitebeard's and his allies' ships to become immobilized.

Seeing this, Sengoku's eyes brightened, and he ordered, "Fire!!"

*Bang!!*

*Boom!!*

*Bang!!*

*Boom!!*

The sound of cannons was deafening. Dozens of modern cannons started firing madly at every pirate ship in sight. Smoke rose, and fires broke out on one unlucky ship, while some pirates were blown to pieces.

The survivors glared fiercely at the distant Marines. Soon, the first pirate stepped onto the ice, followed by dozens, then hundreds of pirates.

"Attack!!" the fierce pirates from the New World roared, causing some Marines from the Four Seas to feel dizzy. Their hands shook with fear, but the Headquarters Marines, accustomed to battling New World pirates, stood firm, holding their weapons coldly and advancing fiercely toward the pirates.

"The war has begun!!" Sengoku shouted, and at the same time, the two armies clashed.

The battle that would determine the future of this sea, no, this world, had begun!