(T/N: There is now a p.atreon for this work, and any new work I add will be dropped there first. check it out for an early release of up to 30 chapters edited smoothly. https://www.p.atreon.com/INeedRest)
(The first chapters of the new book are released in p.atreon)
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Above the sea, the storm raged as the World Conference captivated global attention.
Morgans' newspaper sales skyrocketed, more than doubling their usual numbers.
Yet, an explosive piece of news set the already boiling world ablaze.
"No way! This has to be a joke!"
In a bustling tavern, a tourist clutched a freshly delivered newspaper, his eyes widening in disbelief as he scanned the front-page headline.
Around him, similar reactions echoed, with stunned patrons staring blankly at the shocking report.
"Is today April Fool's Day?" Another guest murmured, flipping through the pages for any sign of clarification, only to find confirmation instead.
"On the final day, the Marines will broadcast the public execution of the Whitebeard Pirates' Second Division Commander, Portgas D. Ace, to the world!"
Many initially dismissed it as a sensationalized story fabricated by Morgans, but confirmation from Fleet Admiral Sengoku himself cemented the report's authenticity.
Now, terror gripped the masses.
"Are the Marines really going after the Four Emperors? And why did they choose the most dangerous one?!"
"Whitebeard and Uchiha Sasuke—two kings of the sea. Can the Marines truly afford the cost of this confrontation?"
"The world is about to be plunged into chaos."
People quickly realized the storm was inevitable—the final battle between the Marines and the Whitebeard Pirates had been set in motion.
Though conflicts between the two sides had occurred before, never had tensions reached such a volatile level.
The public arrest and execution of a division commander was a direct provocation, practically inviting the Whitebeard Pirates to retaliate.
And the Marines had even provided a clear execution date.
Moreover, due to the ongoing Reverie, the Marine Headquarters was currently at its strongest, with a formidable presence of high-ranking officers.
"Is this a trap within a trap? It seems Ace was captured long ago—only now are they making it public to set everything in motion."
"But will Whitebeard take the bait? It's an obvious trap!"
"If he doesn't, the Marines' plan succeeds. This is an open ploy, proving Sengoku's strategic brilliance!"
Those with sharp minds immediately recognized that the Whitebeard Pirates had been forced into a checkmate.
If they attempted to rescue Ace, they would face an overwhelming force: four Admirals, a vast number of Vice Admirals, and a staggering 100,000 Marine soldiers.
Even with Whitebeard's title as the strongest man in the world, and Sasuke's rise as a new emperor, the odds were bleak.
Yet, if they chose not to intervene, the Whitebeard Pirates' reputation would be irreparably damaged.
They would no longer be worthy of their status among the Four Emperors.
A true deadlock.
Even common folk could recognize the layers of strategy at play. Whitebeard himself, a legend of the seas, undoubtedly saw through it as well.
****
Aboard the Moby Dick.
Early in the morning, Marco read the newspaper, his face darkening. Ace, who had gone silent for a while, had been captured by the Marines.
"Pops, what do we do?"
All division commanders gathered, awaiting Whitebeard's decision.
"We save Ace, of course. That old goat Sengoku thinks I'll just walk into his trap?" Whitebeard's initial fury had subsided, replaced by a steely resolve.
"This battle is inevitable. Sengoku will never disclose where Ace is kept—this means we'll only see him on the day of execution."
Sasuke's eyes gleamed with murderous intent.
"This is all Blackbeard's fault. I will kill him with my own hands!"
The others echoed his sentiment, their anger burning bright.
With that, the Whitebeard Pirates began their mobilization.
Despite having only sixteen divisions, Whitebeard commanded a vast network of allied pirate crews scattered across the New World, all of whom proudly flew his flag.
Upon receiving the call, countless ships set course for the Moby Dick's location, ready to lay down their lives if necessary.
The Marine intelligence quickly picked up on this mass movement, yet they made no moves—only watching from the shadows.
The real confrontation would take place on the designated day.
And just when the world thought it couldn't be shaken further, another shocking announcement from the World Government surfaced.
Not only would Ace be executed, but also Sabo—the Chief of Staff of the Revolutionary Army—alongside Lindbergh, leader of the Western Army, and Karasu, leader of the Northern Army.
The general public knew little about the Revolutionary Army, often viewing them as no different from pirates due to the government's relentless propaganda.
However, Sabo, Lindbergh, and Karasu were high-ranking officials, making this development highly suspicious.
"Are the Five Elders planning to annihilate both factions at once?"
****
Baldigo, New World - Revolutionary Army Headquarters
As the news spread, the Revolutionary Army's core members convened for an urgent meeting.
The gravity of the situation was clear—Sabo, Lindbergh, and Karasu were invaluable assets, and their execution would cripple the movement.
"What about Whitebeard?" Dragon, the Revolutionary Army's leader, asked Koala, who had been sent to establish contact.
Koala frowned.
"He neither accepted nor refused our offer to join forces. He only said that they have their own plans."
Dragon remained unfazed. He had anticipated such a response.
"That's just how pirates are. Whitebeard's pride wouldn't allow him to admit he needs help."
His eyes gleamed with calculation, assessing the balance of power.
There was no denying that Marine Headquarters currently outmatched them, even if they combined forces with the Whitebeard Pirates. However, the gap had narrowed significantly.
This crisis also presented an opportunity.