Final prepairation!

As a massive explosion lit up the dark clouds, the overcast sky covering all of Marineford began to disperse under the impact of the blast.

Countless Marines looked up at the sky, trying to discern what had launched such a terrifying attack. But there was only a clear blue sky; nothing else remained.

"Nicholas!?"

Garp exclaimed in surprise, staring at the figure in the sky.

They had been closely monitoring the battle in the New World, and the distance from Lodestar Island to Marineford was vast.

To think that Nicholas, who was on Lodestar Island just a moment ago, had appeared here now. It was shocking.

"Garp, long time no see."

Nicholas turned and smiled at Garp.

"So, you can appear anywhere in the world whenever you want!?"

In the admiral's office, Sengoku looked at Nicholas, who was sitting on the sofa, and couldn't help but ask.

Even Sengoku, with his usually calm demeanor, was incredulous at Nicholas's affirmative response.

After all, this seemed too unbelievable.

"Does the Goro Goro no Mi have such abilities?"

Sengoku still had doubts.

"The evidence is right before you, isn't it? Devil Fruits are mystical things, and besides, if I didn't have confidence, I wouldn't have declared war on those guys," Nicholas replied, shrugging playfully.

"Well, I have matters to attend to in the New World, so I'll take my leave."

With that, Nicholas's figure vanished right before Sengoku and Garp.

Sabo and Corazon, standing nearby, were left in stunned silence.

…

"So, what's your decision, Newgate?"

Nicholas, having reconnected, looked at Whitebeard and his crew surrounding him, asking in a serious tone.

Whitebeard, gazing at Nicholas, knew he had to make a choice.

He first glanced at the people around Nicholas. His eyes swept over Shanks, Sakazuki, Kuzan, Borsalino, Fujitora, Z, and then to his own crew members behind him.

Looking at his pirate crew, Whitebeard made up his mind.

"Nicholas, I am old…"

"Dad!"

"Pops, you're not old at all!"

…

Whitebeard's words left his crew momentarily stunned, but soon, a chorus of voices rose up in protest.

However, these voices gradually grew quieter and finally faded away altogether as Whitebeard remained silent.

"Old is old. People age, and there's nothing to avoid about it! I, Whitebeard, am not afraid of getting old," Whitebeard said to his crew. "From the moment I needed those IV drips to maintain my body, I have been in constant decline. If I still had the body and strength of my youth, Teach wouldn't dare to make a move."

"Dad, that's not your fault!"

"That's right, it's all that guy Teach's fault!"

"Enough! I'm old now. So, my beloved sons, would you be willing to return to my homeland with me and accompany me on my final journey?" Whitebeard asked.

Faced with Whitebeard's request, not a single member of the Whitebeard Pirates refused.

"Nicholas, that's my choice," Whitebeard said, looking at Nicholas.

"Take care, Newgate."

"Gurararara, don't die too soon. Make sure to come to my homeland for a drink. I'll show you what true wine tastes like."

"I definitely will."

…

Time passed.

One day later.

There were no signs of life left on Lodestar Island in the New World. Except for the island's surface, which looked like it had been chewed by dogs, everything seemed normal.

After leaving Lodestar Island, Dragon was the first to depart. He needed to gather the Revolutionaries' strongest forces and inform those hidden around the world that the time had come to declare war on the World Government.

As for the Marines, they chose to go to the Marine base in the New World to prepare for the final assault against the World Government.

Zephyr, meanwhile, chose to lead the NEO Marines to rejoin the Marines. Even though there were a few dissenting voices within NEO, Zephyr easily quelled them.

After all, if things went as agreed on Lodestar Island, pirates would cease to exist after the war.

…

After leaving Lodestar Island, Nicholas and his group returned to Wano Country.

When the Royal Sea Sovereign entered the stormy waters outside Wano, they were greeted by the sight of a gigantic skeleton of an elephant and cliffs that resembled towering walls.

Standing on the deck, Nicholas and the others gazed at Wano in the distance, feeling a surge of emotion.

"So, this is where the ancient weapon Pluton is hidden?" Jinbei asked, staring at Wano in disbelief.

It was hard for him to believe that Pluton, an ancient weapon, was concealed beneath Wano.

"Yes, that's right. And the ruins of the old Wano are actually under the inner sea of Wano. The current Wano was only formed later.

The cliffs surrounding Wano were artificially created to hide Pluton," Nicholas explained calmly.

"Captain, you're saying these dramatic cliff waterfalls were man-made!?" Simon asked incredulously, pointing at the towering cliffs around Wano.

Nicholas didn't respond to Simon's question. Instead, he floated up from the deck and moved towards the steep rock walls surrounding Wano.

He extended his hands, backs together, and slightly bent his fingers as if he were pulling something apart.

With his actions, a massive rumbling sounded as the tall cliffs seemed to split apart as if torn by invisible hands.

Chunks of rock fell continuously, and the water accumulated over countless years in Wano's inner sea began pouring out through the gap in the cliffs into the ocean below.

In the main territory of Wano, countless people stopped what they were doing and stared at the descending sea level in stunned silence.

Everyone was so shocked by the sight that they couldn't utter a single word.

As the cliffs and inner sea disappeared, Pluton, dormant for countless years, re-emerged into the world.

…

On the Island of White Soil, Baltigo.

A light breeze blew.

Revolutionary Army leader Dragon, wearing a green hooded cloak, appeared out of thin air at the headquarters of the Revolutionary Army.

Noticing Dragon's arrival, Olvia and other Revolutionary Army leaders turned to him almost simultaneously.

Facing the many gazes, Dragon spoke solemnly:

"Everyone, are you ready?"

Hearing this, the crowd was filled with a solemn fighting spirit and responded in unison, "Of course! Always ready!"

"Well then…"

Dragon looked around at the leaders present.

"Let's declare war on the Celestial Dragons. Announce to all our comrades around the world that all their efforts over the years will finally be rewarded!"

"Everyone, remember this is the closest we've come to achieving our dreams. It's also our only chance."

"So, we must… succeed! May fortune be with you all in battle!"