The flickering firelight cast long shadows as Red, under Ace and Robin's stunned gazes, slowly wrote three large characters on the whiteboard—
[Celestial Dragon]!!!
"Wait a second!" Ace, realizing that things were spiraling far beyond his expectations, suddenly shouted, halting Red, who was preparing to explain his plan.
His expression was one of disbelief and shock as he asked, "Red… when you said you wanted to seize the initiative in this war—did you mean… the Celestial Dragons!?"
"That's right."
Red nodded immediately. "It's the only method I can think of that will force the Navy to deploy a massive number of troops in a short time."
"This…"
Even Ace—the man who feared nothing—was momentarily speechless.
For eight hundred years, the idea that 'the Celestial Dragons stand above all' had been engraved into the bones of this world.
Ace wasn't the kind to fear them either—but he knew very well what such a move would mean.
If Red truly went through with this, then the future of the Straw Hat crew would be shrouded in unimaginable darkness.
"Red, do you even know what you're saying?" Ace demanded, dumbfounded.
But Red met his gaze squarely, his eyes resolute. "Of course I do! If I didn't, I wouldn't have thought of this plan in the first place."
Then he turned to face his crew and spoke seriously.
"I've already told you everything I know about the Celestial Dragons."
"So I think you can all guess what I'm about to say next."
"The severity of this problem is right in front of us—so I want everyone to share their thoughts."
He paused briefly, then continued, "And Luffy…"
"If we decide to go through with this, our crew will face the full wrath of both the World Government and the Navy."
"The CP organizations are filled with elite killers. The three Marine Admirals possess power capable of destroying entire islands—and even the mysterious Five Elders might appear in person."
"Even I can't guarantee that I can lead us all safely through such a storm."
"This could derail our future adventures, and the road to realizing your dreams may become even steeper and harsher."
"So I need you to think carefully, Luffy."
"Is it really worth taking such a colossal risk… just to help the Whitebeard Pirates—potentially our future rivals?"
"…"
Luffy lowered his head, the brim of his straw hat shadowing his eyes.
After a long silence, he finally spoke. "Ace… is my brother."
He didn't answer Red's question directly. Instead, he looked up, turning toward his crew with a firm, burning gaze.
"Sorry, everyone."
"But this time… I'm going to be selfish."
Under normal circumstances, Luffy would never meddle in another man's adventure.
Each pirate had their own flag to follow, their own destiny to face.
But after hearing that Ace might die because of this incident, Luffy could no longer stay indifferent.
If Ace was truly going to die in an ambush on his way to help Whitebeard—
Then Luffy could never just sail away.
The Straw Hat crew had already expected this.
"You finally admit you're being selfish, huh?" Nami snapped, glaring at him—but her voice softened right after.
"…But I'll let it slide this time."
"After all, I've long since gotten used to your recklessness."
"Hah, sounds like a rough road ahead."
Zoro chuckled, rubbing his chin.
"But if I can't cut down monsters like those, then how could I ever call myself the world's greatest swordsman?"
"In that case, I'll just have to fight my way through."
He'd always known this day would come—he just hadn't expected it so soon.
"Family, huh~"
Sanji lit a cigarette, his eyes reflecting a faint, complicated light.
After a puff, he exhaled a ring of smoke. "If it's for Luffy's family… then I guess I've got no choice."
"Yeah, that's right!"
Usopp trembled but puffed out his chest. "And besides, Ace is our friend too!"
"If a friend's in trouble, how could a brave warrior of the sea like me not step in?!"
"Although, uh… I might be low on ammo…"
"Damn it! Wapol and Gem have been slacking off lately! I'll have to put them back to work!"
Thinking about the upcoming battle, the now–entrepreneurial Usopp whipped out a Den Den Mushi and hurried to the corner of the deck to assign new production tasks to his assistants.
Meanwhile, Chopper was still completely lost.
He didn't know who the Celestial Dragons were or what any of this meant—but seeing everyone else stand up one by one, he puffed out his chest proudly.
"I don't really understand what's happening—but if you need me, I'll do my best!!!"
The little reindeer raised his antlers high, feeling manlier than ever.
"Looks like I was worrying too much~"
Even Robin, who had been stunned when Red mentioned the Celestial Dragons, couldn't help but laugh softly.
They knew full well what those three words represented—and yet, these people were bold enough to make them tools for their plan.
It was almost absurd… and yet so inspiring.
It seems I really did join an extraordinary crew, she thought, her gaze softening.
Seeing his crew's resolve, Luffy clenched his fists tightly and grinned brightly.
Then he turned back to Ace.
"Don't worry, Ace!"
"With me and my crew, nothing will happen to you!"
"You idiot…"
Ace's eyes grew moist, but he smiled stubbornly. "I'm not so weak that I need my little brother to save me!"
"But…"
He turned toward the Straw Hats and bowed deeply.
"Thank you, everyone!"
"The Whitebeard Pirates will never forget what you're doing for us!"
"Don't get ahead of yourself yet, Ace~"
Red interrupted with a grin.
"The Navy ambushing the Whitebeard Pirates is still just our theory."
"Our top priority right now is to confirm whether they actually need help—and when."
"For that, we'll need a reliable source of intel."
They could have contacted Smoker in the Navy—but neither Red nor the others wanted to drag him into something that would make him betray his uniform.
Ace nodded in agreement. "You're right. Information is key right now."
"The Whitebeard Pirates have a few merchant allies in the first half of the Grand Line. Their ships often travel between Paradise and the New World. They might know something—"
"No." Red cut him off immediately.
"Blackbeard joined the Whitebeard Pirates before you did. Whatever you know, he knows too."
"Those merchant routes are probably already under Navy surveillance, waiting for you to appear."
"We'll need another way—someone who can pass information to us discreetly."
Then, suddenly, Red's eyes lit up.
"I've got it!"
"If it's that man, he definitely knows what the Navy's planning."
"And if he hears about our plan, he'll definitely want to get involved himself~"
Red tapped his pen against the whiteboard and quickly began writing again.
The final piece of the puzzle was falling into place.
When he finished, there was a new line beneath the word "Celestial Dragon."
Red turned, his grin wide and wild.
"Alright, everyone—let me explain the rest of our…"
"Celestial Dragon Public Execution Broadcast Plan!!!"
——
To publicly execute a Celestial Dragon.
It was an idea so insane that anyone who heard it would think the person suggesting it had lost their mind completely.
But in Red's hands—the mind of a man from another world—it had become a full, detailed operation.
A plan not only possible but capable of letting them escape unscathed from both the Navy and the World Government!
——
Three days later.
After a long stay in the Kingdom of Alabasta, the Going Merry set sail once again—cutting through the open sea like a blade.
Though Vivi and Smoker had both disembarked due to their identities, the Merry now carried a new face aboard—
The Second Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates, Fire Fist Ace.
——
"Unbelievable… we were supposed to open Pokémon Paradise soon, and now we're sailing off again!"
"Damn you, Blackbeard—ruining my Cautious Hero plan!"[1]
Leaning against the Merry's railing, Red sighed at the endless horizon.
He'd finally convinced Luffy to stay in Alabasta a little longer before continuing their journey.
According to the anime's timeline, they would soon meet a truly unstoppable enemy—
Admiral Aokiji.
As a user of the Ice-Ice Fruit, Aokiji was one of the rare Devil Fruit users immune to seawater's weakness.
Which meant Red's two strongest counters against Devil Fruit users—Surf and Hyperspace Hole—would be useless against him.
When Blackbeard vanished, Red had actually been thrilled.
It meant Ace, a powerhouse second only to the top-tier fighters, could stay with them as a walking EXP generator.
The plan was to grind experience until the Straw Hats became strong enough to take on Aokiji—the pirate-world version of the "Cautious Hero."
Peak power from level one!
But Blackbeard's sudden defection to the Navy had completely disrupted that rhythm.
"Well, at least most of the park's setup is finished. Vivi and Mr. 1 can handle the rest."
"I just hope Pokémon Paradise opens smoothly…"
Red sighed softly. That project had been his pride—a money-making machine built from half a month's effort.
"Hey! Red! Red!!!"
A loud, frantic voice suddenly came from behind.
Luffy was bounding across the deck, eyes gleaming with excitement.
"Red! It's happening! The thing you said would happen—it's finally happening!!!"
Red froze for a second, then his eyes lit up.
"So soon? Looks like leveling up really boosted the Merry's sailing speed."
As he pondered, Nami walked up beside Luffy.
"Red, the Log Pose is behaving exactly like you predicted—it's pointing straight into the sky."
"So, do we adjust course now and head for that Jaya Island you mentioned?"
"Yeah." Red grinned. "From here on, I'm counting on you—our world's greatest navigator!"
"Hehe~ That praise might be a bit early, you know."
Nami smiled and reached into her personal "four-dimensional pocket," pulling out a detailed sea chart.
It was one they'd found in Baroque Works' database, recording all nearby island data—including one small island called Jaya.
And that island… was the crucial location for the Celestial Dragon Public Execution Broadcast Plan.
Because there, they could contact none other than Donquixote Doflamingo—one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea.
Specifically, through a certain small-time pirate named Bellamy, who held a Den Den Mushi connected directly to the Donquixote Family.
"As expected, the most reliable intel always comes from you, Doflamingo—the King of the Underworld News."
Watching the faint silhouette of Jaya rise over the waves under Nami's guidance, Red's grin widened.
Just as he'd said during the meeting—
Right now, what they needed most was intelligence.
And in all the underworld, who knew more about Navy movements than the man with a Marine Vice Admiral embedded among his ranks?
Doflamingo.
(End of Chapter)
[1] here he uses this phrase: Ten-Li Slope Sword Saint plan. which is a CN meme for staying en low area leveling. so i use the equivalent