Naval Headquarters, within the Marshal's Office, an enraged roar exploded from inside the room. The Marines nearby froze for a moment before returning to their duties as if nothing happened.
"Sengoku, you bastard!" Garp seized Sengoku by the collar, his expression twisted with fury.
"Garp, you need to remember where you stand. You are Marine. Marine," Sengoku replied with cold calm. "I haven't even confronted you properly about adopting Ace."
He adjusted his glasses as he continued. "Do you understand that if Ace had been raised by you as Marine, the consequences would have fallen on you? Your reputation could have been destroyed for the rest of your life."
"But he is my grandson. The boy I raised for over ten years," Garp growled, his voice cracking as tears escaped down his face.
He had faced death countless times without shedding a single tear. Yet now, for Ace, the stubborn, reckless boy he watched grow up, the iron-hearted hero cried openly.
Sengoku sighed deeply. Seeing his old friend reduced to this, his resolve softened. He placed a hand on Garp's shoulder, offering what little comfort he could.
…
Time flowed like water. Half a month passed quietly in an instant.
After Marine announced Ace's public execution, the initial uproar shook every corner of the sea. Yet soon, the world fell into an eerie stillness. Pirates vanished from sight, merchant ships traveled peacefully, and even seasoned traders felt unsettled by how unnaturally calm the sea had become.
Marine's law enforcement efficiency had risen sharply. But beneath that calm, everyone understood the truth.
A storm was coming.
Marine versus the Whitebeard Pirates.
A clash that would shake the entire world was drawing near.
…
On Ghost Island, Kaito reclined on his throne with a lazy look in his eyes. "How are the preparations?"
"Cap, everything is ready. We can move the moment you give the order," Bullet answered with excitement. The hunger for battle burned in his voice.
"Who wants to go? And who doesn't?" Kaito glanced across his executives with a grin.
Redfield merely chuckled, Bullet shook his head, and the top fighters under Kaido shifted restlessly. No one was foolish enough to say they didn't want to witness a once-in-a-century war.
They had been stuck in Wano for far too long. A trip across the open sea was a welcome escape.
"Since none of you object, we're all going. Our entire pirate group will set out to witness this historic event," Kaito declared with a wave of his hand.
"Captain, Wano needs defenders. Someone has to stay behind. If needed, I will remain here," Issho offered calmly.
"Go if you want. Don't overthink," Kaito replied. "As long as our top officers live, the Nine Heroes won't dare try anything. They wouldn't be stupid enough to seize control while we're away."
"If they try, we handle them when we return. They only have one path waiting for them," he said with a cold smirk.
"As long as we exist, Wano belongs to us. No one else has the courage to take it."
"Honor!" Kaito barked.
"Boss I'm here," The man hurried in.
"You remember the plan. After we depart, continue as planned. Recruit more hands for the factories. Keep expanding."
"If food runs low, send people to the warehouse. Our recent trades brought in enough supplies to feed all of Wano for two to three months."
"Understood, Boss. And if trouble breaks out?"
"Suppress it. If they resist, wait until we return."
"Clear."
Kaito stepped forward, sweeping his gaze over everyone before grinning. "Everyone, board the ship."
A chorus of excited howls erupted.
Moments later, a colossal pirate ship docked at the port. It was nearly a floating fortress, built like a massive luxury hotel. Crafted through Kaito's power, it was even sturdier than the legendary Treasure Tree Adam.
Meals, training areas, lawns, lounges, bars, and everything else he remembered from his previous world had been reproduced on the ship. It looked more like a vacation resort than a war vessel.
To accommodate his crew's size and strength, Kaito had increased the ship's scale more than tenfold. From afar, it resembled a mountain resting quietly at the port.
Its mast carried the pirate flag that fluttered sharply in the wind.
This was the pirate ship Kunpeng, symbolizing dominion over the world. It would become the flagship of their pirate group. Large enough to hold dozens of crews, its size was more than sufficient.
"Board," Kaito commanded as he leapt lightly onto the deck.
One by one, the crew members boarded. When the last man stepped onto the ship, the massive vessel slowly left the harbor, disappearing beyond the horizon moments later.
…
Elsewhere, the Red-Haired Pirates sailed aboard the Red Force.
"Captain, do you think Kaido will show up?" Benn Beckman asked while exhaling smoke, his gaze fixed on the distant sea.
"Who knows?" Shanks shrugged lightly. "This route is the only way for the Four Emperors to return to the Grand Line. Waiting here is the smartest thing we can do."
He sighed. "I just hope they don't appear. Otherwise, we'll be dragged into a battle."
"With Kaido's personality? Impossible. He'll absolutely insert himself into a world-shaking war," Beckman replied.
"So we fight if we must."
"Are we going to see Ace?" Beckman asked.
Shanks gazed at the horizon, memories of Captain Roger's smile flashing in his mind. "If time allows, yes. Ace deserves that much."
"Oh? Someone approaching?" Beckman narrowed his eyes as another ship entered view. He shook his head. "Looks like a brat."
"How can you call him a brat? He's one of the supernovas. What's his name again?" Lucky Roux mumbled while eating.
"Kid," Beckman said. "That's the Kid Pirates. One of the supernovas this year. Pretty unlucky to meet us here."
"Are we stopping them?" Yasopp lifted his rifle with a grin.
"Let them pass. They're not worth the trouble," Shanks replied.
On the Kid Pirates' ship, Captain Kid stared grimly at the red flag in the distance.
"It's them. The Red-Haired Pirates. Why the hell are they stationed here?"
"Captain, what's the plan?" Kira asked.
"We observe first. Avoid conflict if possible. Don't forget why we're here."
Kid didn't say the rest out loud, but he knew the truth.
If they made one wrong move, the Red-Haired Pirates would wipe them from existence.
Unlike the other Emperors, Shanks ran a pure elite crew.
…