chapter 4

News of Ace's arrest, second-in-command of Whitebeard's fleet, and the rise of Blackbeard to the rank of Shichibukai, a stranger without any bounty, spread everywhere. Some Shichibukai didn't care, but others, like Doflamingo, were surprised and excited to see what would happen.

Doflamingo: "Hahaha, the Marines are declaring war on an Emperor. It looks like the era is about to change. They're either sure of winning or too confident. And this Blackbeard, I wonder what he's thinking. No matter which side wins, my business will triple. I should increase production and prices. Shiaaa!"

Jinbe: "The Marines are crazy. They create more havoc than they clean up. They should attack Kaido or Charlotte Linlin, or even Shanks the Red-Haired. Whitebeard barely causes any damage and protects the islands under his jurisdiction. If he wins, he'll be weakened to the point of dying, so it's a lost cause. If he loses, the islands will be attacked. Although if he wins, it will be the same but less severe. The Fish-Men cannot yet do without his protection."

On Onigashima, a subordinate of Kaido, trembling with fear, read the news to him.

Kaido: "Roarororo, so the Marines have grown wings and want war. I'd like them to capture one of my subordinates. I want war too. King, Queen, prepare the ships; we'll join the battle. Roarororo!"

The subordinate was relieved that the news pleased Kaido, and he wasn't dead today.

Charlotte Linlin: "Mamama, these Marine dogs want war, and Whitebeard, I don't think he's fit to wage a war of this scale given his condition. He'll surely die. Prepare yourselves. I've always wanted Fish-Man Island as my territory; their desserts have tempted me for a while now. Mamama!"

On an island where laughter and festivity reigned in the New World, Shanks the Red-Haired contemplated how to counter the problem the war would cause.

Shanks: "So, you've been captured, Ace. Teach, I wonder what you're planning. Surely nothing good. You wouldn't have stayed hidden so long just for the title of Shichibukai."

On an island in Whitebeard's territory, the Emperor's pirates were anxious, panicked, and frightened. Experienced, Whitebeard was the first to react.

Whitebeard: "My sons, don't worry. We will recover Ace."

Their father's words slightly lifted the pirates' spirits.

Whitebeard: "Prepare for war. I can't leave one of my sons in Impel Down. The Marines want war; we'll give them war. Sink all nearby Marine bases, bring me vice admirals, we'll trade them for Ace. Marco, how is Ace? Is his Vivre Card too damaged?"

Marco: "No, half of it remains, which means his fight against Teach was a total loss, but his Vivre Card is no longer burning."

Whitebeard: "It's my fault for letting Teach leave. After dealing with the Marines, we will eradicate Teach. For capturing and delivering one of my sons, for killing and betraying our trust, my honor will be ruined if I don't kill him."

Three days passed, and Whitebeard saw that most Marine bases were empty. He realized nothing could stop the war. He made a mass call to all his subordinates to join him in the war against the Marines. All accepted without hesitation upon seeing the latest newspaper announcing the execution of Portgas D. Ace in five days at the Marine headquarters, Marineford.

In preparation for the upcoming war, the Marines had called all the Shichibukai to join. However, some, like Jinbe, refused to participate and demanded to renounce the war, resulting in his capture by Admiral Kizaru and imprisonment in Impel Down. Others, like Hancock, eventually conceded and requested to see the prisoner. The other Shichibukai had accepted and within two days were already gathered. They were even provided with lodgings and could not leave Marineford until the execution of Portgas D. Ace. A meeting was held with the six Shichibukai, under Marine surveillance, though it was futile.

At a table, Teach was drinking and devouring tarts as if they might vanish.

Hancock: "What a disgraceful way to eat. You men aren't worth the chairs you're sitting on," she said with a disdainful look.

Doflamingo: "My dear, don't lump us all together. I can assure you that I can be very elegant. And if you visit my territory, I'll show you. Héhéhé."

Hancock: "Shut up, you bunch of monkeys. If you want to serve me, you can start by killing yourself, and maybe I'll give you a glance."

Doflamingo: "Fufufufufu."

Neither Bartholomew Kuma nor Dracule Mihawk joined their conversation, but Gecko Moria spoke up.

Gecko Moria: "So, you're the new one. You dragged us all out of our beds for your nonsense. I'd gladly take your shadow as compensation for the damage caused."

Teach: "Pffffffffffffffff. Zehahahahhaha. You, who lost to a little pirate who has never been to the New World, want to take something from me? Stay in your place, weakling, and wait for death like the weakling you are. Zehahahaha."

Gecko Moria: "You, how dare you mock me?"

A murderous aura emanated from Teach, and without even looking at Gecko Moria, he froze. He understood that the man before him wasn't joking and would kill him without hesitation. Everyone in the room felt this aura. Some Marines trembled in the room, while others outside unconsciously avoided passing near the room.

Teach: "Stay in your place. You should be wondering how you'll survive the upcoming war. Zeze."

Sengoku entered the room, and the atmosphere calmed down.

Sengoku: "Enough of these pointless disputes. Let's start the meeting."

After 30 minutes of debriefing, it was clear that for the remaining three days, they had to stay in Marineford without causing any damage, under the threat of arrest. The war was imminent. All the commanders of Whitebeard's ships, along with the pirates affiliated with their group, were gathering.

Sengoku: "You may leave and go to the apartments we've prepared for you."

The six Shichibukai left the room and headed to their temporary lodgings.

**In Teach's Room**

Purpurpur... gatcha.

Teach: "Captain, this is Laffitte."

Teach: "Have you already stolen a ship?"

Laffitte: "Yes, everything is in place. We've parked it at the Sabaody Archipelago in Grove 52. It will be ready in three days. We're lucky; his name is Den, he's an experienced Fish-Man."

Teach: "Perfect. We'll head to the New World after the war. Gatcha."

Teach thought: "I can't discuss plans openly on the Transponder Snails, who knows what's being listened to. Laffitte will come to get me 24 hours before Ace's execution. In the meantime, I'll eat tarts and drink wine."

For the next two days, Teach left his room at 10 AM to eat and returned at 9 PM. He ate, drank, and ogled Marine beauties since all civilians near Marineford had been evacuated to distant islands.

Until the day the battle was to start in 5 hours, Teach did not come out. Sengoku sent people to find the Shichibukai, but in return, he received a call that Teach was nowhere to be found and that an unauthorized ship was approaching Impel Down. He couldn't send Kizaru to handle the problem. Damn.

Sengoku thought: "He's not in the Marine base, and his Transponder Snail was found in his room. I can't contact him. All I know is that if he doesn't show up, it will be one less force for the battle, and we'll hunt him down for abandoning his duties."