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Three Days Later — Sky Kingdom
At the marina on the outskirts of the Sky Kingdom archipelago, a massive crowd had gathered. The pier was teeming with people, shoulder to shoulder, all awaiting the arrival of the fleet.
As the entourage of the general began to appear, the atmosphere grew electric. When the unmistakable, graceful figure of the Snake Princess, Boa Hancock, stepped onto the port, deafening cheers erupted. The applause and cries of admiration echoed across the shore and even over the sea, rippling outward like waves.
"She's so beautiful! Empress Boa Hancock!!"
"She's stunning—I can't take it anymore!"
Men, women, and even children alike shouted in awe, utterly captivated by Hancock's otherworldly beauty.
Walking alongside her, Charlotte Katakuri couldn't help but break into a cold sweat. Even though the members of the Charlotte family now served under the Sky Kingdom, Hancock's presence left them feeling a strange mix of admiration and unease.
Katakuri glanced at Hancock, his usually stoic demeanor betraying a moment of thoughtfulness. The memory of his mother, Big Mom, surfaced in his mind every time Hancock used the powers of the Soul-Soul Fruit. Her terrifying charm, combined with her power, evoked a sense of command and reverence that was both reminiscent of and entirely unlike their mother's.
"She's… undeniably formidable," Katakuri muttered under his breath.
Perospero, walking beside him with a mischievous grin, leaned closer. "Kukuku, Katakuri, even someone as cool-headed as you can't resist the beauty of the Snake Princess, eh? But as your big brother, I've got to warn you: tread carefully! She's—"
Before he could finish, Katakuri silenced him by flicking a few glutinous rice mochi into his mouth.
"I don't think so," Katakuri replied sharply, shooting his brother a glare.
Shaking his head, Katakuri turned to address the rest of the family's commanders. "Has everyone gathered for this mission?"
Perospero, having swallowed the rice with some difficulty, twirled his candy cane with a grin. "The whole crew is here, little brother. We're just waiting for final orders from the main force before we set sail."
At this, the members of the Charlotte family and their ministers clenched their fists with determination.
Charlotte Brûlée suddenly let out an enthusiastic cry: "I overheard some of the crowd cheering for Katakuri-nii just now! We have to make sure this mission is a success so our beloved brother becomes even more popular!"
"Yeah!!" the family shouted in unison, their loyalty and enthusiasm on full display.
Katakuri, ever stoic, felt a rare wave of embarrassment at his siblings' outbursts. He sighed, turning his gaze toward the port, where warships were making final preparations for departure. Despite his momentary discomfort, he couldn't ignore the warmth of his family's affection and their eagerness to prove themselves.
Nearby, Nami stood observing the Charlotte family's warship.
"Pudding's family seems pretty fired up," she remarked.
"Hmph!" Hancock replied with a dismissive wave of her hand. "Those fools are just trying to take all the credit."
Ulti gritted her teeth in frustration. "This looks like it's going to be a fierce battle, Pay-tan! We have to take more of Whitebeard's territory before those other groups do. Got it?!"
"Huh? Why bother competing? I mean, they're all from the same—whoa!"
Before Page-One could finish his sentence, Ulti grabbed him by the collar and pulled him close, her expression dead serious.
"This is war! The one who earns the most credit will gain Lord Alex's trust! I will become the Imperial Court's member!!"
Nearby, Zoro, who had been about to comment on how overly energetic the siblings were, suddenly smirked. "A chance to become the ace, huh? Now that's interesting."
"You didn't say that out loud, right?" Law muttered, rolling his eyes.
Meanwhile, Hancock gracefully stepped onto the Flying Snake, her commanding presence silencing the crowd. As the main commander, she issued the order to launch.
More than 20 powerful warships, bristling with weaponry and boasting terrifying combat strength, lifted from the Sky Kingdom's port. Before the awed eyes of the gathered citizens, the fleet majestically set sail, heading toward the contested territories of the New World.
New World — Fortress Port Occupied by Blackbeard
The winds began to rise.
Snap!
A powerful gust broke the tattered flag flying over the fortress. The Whitebeard Pirates' flag fell from its mast, tumbling to the ground in two pieces.
The once-feared symbol of Whitebeard's dominion, now weathered and torn, seemed to foreshadow the fading legacy of the legendary pirate crew.
Below the fortress, two formations stood poised for battle.
On one side were the remnants of the Whitebeard Pirates, led by Marco. Beside him stood Jozu, the captain of the 3rd Division, and Vista, the captain of the 5th Division. The ranks included the Ice Witch Whitey Bay, Maelstrom Spider Squard, and other stalwart allies who had once stood proudly under Whitebeard's banner.
Facing them was Blackbeard Teach, flanked by his growing band of fearsome followers. Seeing Marco and his group assembled, Teach let out a booming, mocking laugh.
"Zehahahaha!! Marco, so this is what it's come to, huh? Just a bunch of scraps from Pops' old crew! And what's this? You're planning to take me on in a full-scale battle?"
Marco's sharp gaze narrowed. He removed his glasses and tossed them aside, the familiar blue flames of his phoenix form beginning to flicker around his body.
"Teach…" Marco's voice was cold, seething with controlled rage. "Everything started because of you. Today, we settle this. Now!"
With a burst of flames, Marco transformed into a phoenix and shot into the sky. As he soared, he focused his energy into a powerful kick, diving straight at Teach with the Phoenix Brand.
Teach grinned, his fur swelling unnaturally as his Pig-Pig Fruit Model: Boar ability activated. Raising a monstrous, swollen arm, he intercepted Marco's attack, unleashing a powerful shockwave that clashed against the phoenix's fiery strike.
BOOM!
The force of the collision sent a shockwave rippling through the battlefield.
Marco's face twisted in surprise as he felt the overwhelming power beneath his strike. His Phoenix Brand dissipated under the pressure, leaving him vulnerable. In the next instant, Teach's pitch-black fist surged forward, slamming into Marco with immense force.
CRASH!
Marco was sent hurtling backward, crashing into the ground with a loud impact.
Teach clenched his fist, the power of his Devil Fruit radiating from him like an unstoppable force. His grin widened, his voice dripping with mockery.
"Marco! Playtime's over! This is the age of strength now! Zehahahaha!"
Turning to his crew, Teach roared, "Come on, little ones! Time to clean up the leftovers!"
At Teach's signal, his pirates charged forward, weapons drawn and bloodlust in their eyes.
The remnants of the Whitebeard Pirates, undeterred, raised their weapons in turn. Their resolve burned as fiercely as ever, despite the odds stacked against them.
In a matter of moments, the two forces collided, and the battlefield erupted into chaos.