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"Hm?!"
When Daichi suddenly drew his sword in anger, Whitebeard and Red-Haired Shanks were greatly startled. They couldn't afford to be distracted while clashing their Haki. Almost simultaneously, both turned their blades to meet Daichi's greatsword, their weapons surging with Haki.
"Boom!!!"
Their three weapons met in midair but did not touch. Instead, their respective Haki each occupied separate domains. Black-red Haki lightning crackled fiercely along with thunder, and a violent shockwave burst out, instantly engulfing the three large ships clustered nearby. Pirates aboard foamed at the mouth and collapsed one after another.
"Damn it, they all fainted!" some shouted. Others nervously wondered if war was about to break out. But most agreed to wait, knowing these powerful figures were not reckless.
Except for a few cadre-level powerhouses, all others lost consciousness under the tremendous pressure of the three Haki.
Suddenly, someone called out, "Look at the sky!"
Everyone turned their gaze upward to see a massive vortex of thunderclouds swirling directly above them. Countless lightning bolts flashed wildly within the vortex, twisting the very sky itself.
After an unknown amount of time, the immense pressure finally began to dissipate.
At the meeting area, Whitebeard stumbled backward and sat down, while Daichi and Shanks also slid back simultaneously, only stopping when their heels struck the steps behind them.
"This guy!" Shanks muttered, his eyes clouded and cold sweat trickling down. The Conqueror's Haki coating was undeniable; he knew well the relentless growth of young people, but how had Daichi reached their level so quickly? It was incredible. If Daichi had been the Beasts Captain, it would make sense, but Kaido still towered above him. How had he broken through this obstacle?
Conqueror's Haki—the symbol of a true ruler. A powerhouse who mastered Haoshoku would not bow to others; otherwise, he could never become a genuine sovereign.
Daichi sheathed his greatsword, his gaze cold and sharp as ice. "You spilled my wine!" he said casually.
Whitebeard and Shanks froze in stunned silence. Was all this chaos really over spilled wine?
Daichi snorted coldly and stared at Shanks. "The era is out of control? So what! If you care so much about balance, then go serve the Celestial Dragons. Help them maintain their rotten rule instead of trying to block the tide of the era here. Without massive change, how can the era bring reform?"
He laughed loudly, continuing, "Are we really going to place all our hopes on the future—on some next Joy Boy, on Nika? Jiehahaha! Red Hair, don't assume the future you're betting on is guaranteed. I tell you, everyone has the right to change the world!"
Shanks's face darkened as he slowly sheathed his sword. Joy Boy, Nika—he hadn't expected to hear those names from Daichi. Clearly, Daichi understood as much as he did.
Daichi's expression then calmed as he said, "This isn't your place, and you can't change anything here. If you really want to stop me, then meet me on the battlefield."
Shanks sighed deeply and turned to leave. "Daichi the Destroyer, I won't let the world fall to the Beasts."
"Then let's see," Daichi replied coolly.
Once Shanks had gone, Daichi looked toward Whitebeard. "Time is running out, old man. You better prepare as soon as possible. But don't worry too much—I'll help you."
Whitebeard laughed heartily. "Gurararara! Brat, I am Whitebeard! How could I need help from a snot-nosed kid like you?"
Daichi smirked. "I mean I'll help with your funeral!"
Turning to leave, he added nonchalantly, "I'll take care of your son too, and deal with Blackbeard as well. Don't worry about the aftermath. You go, dance your last dance, and bid farewell to the new era."
Whitebeard watched Daichi leave, sighing deeply. "What a cunning brat!" His thoughts were laid bare before the young man. When Ace left, Whitebeard knew the situation would escalate beyond control, but he could not stop his son. Teach's eyes were fixed on Whitebeard's position; sooner or later, he would be ready to replace him. The only difference was how it would happen.
Even if Ace had not left, Teach would have found another way. This war was unavoidable.
If Whitebeard did not settle things with Blackbeard, tragedies like Thatch's death would repeat. Too many pirates coveted his head. Once there was a precedent, they would test him step by step until they devoured him entirely.
It wasn't that Whitebeard didn't want to recall Ace—it was that he was powerless.
With the Beasts and Red Hair gone, the Whitebeard Pirates resumed their feast, though the atmosphere had shifted subtly. Commanders and captains all sensed that war was approaching.
Days later, news exploded across the world:
[Fire Fist Ace Imprisoned!]
[New Shichibukai, "Blackbeard" Teach!]
[Enies Lobby Falls!]
Each was a world-shattering event.
In the newspaper's entertainment section, Cavendish's flashy photo debut was reported. Yet, in the shadow of these major headlines, it failed to make any real waves. Back in his Sea Stone-lined bedroom, Cavendish's dual personality erupted again—half his face white, half black—and this time they were in agreement. "We must cut them down!"
At Hoenn Fortress, young cadres from North Blue gathered, with Who's-Who receiving summons as well.
"Kaido wants to join the fun?"
"That's right,"
Daichi waved his hand indifferently. "Then let him."
War was close, and Kaido, who loved battle, would naturally not stay out of it. Still, he had his own matters to attend to, so he did not act together with Daichi.
"Prepare to set sail!"
"Yes, sir!"
Soon, more than a dozen warships of the Hoenn Government departed, bound for the Sabaody Archipelago.
Meanwhile, at Marineford, the supreme conference was held.
Ace's imprisonment forced the Marines to make a difficult decision. Releasing Fire Fist would disgrace their justice, but ignoring it would not be possible; Whitebeard would surely come to save him.
War was about to break out, so they needed to direct it to their advantage.
"Summon elite officers from all sea areas!" orders rang out.
"What about North Blue?"
"We have no troops spare there currently."
"Recall Sakazuki immediately!"
At last, the meeting reached a conclusion: Fire Fist Ace would be publicly executed, and 100,000 elite officers would be summoned worldwide to confront the Whitebeard Pirates.
Afterward, senior officers gathered in the Fleet Admiral's office.
"The Beasts will definitely act."
"If that happens, we will ask the God's Knights to intervene."
Sengoku and the others stared with heavy hearts. Fighting the Whitebeard Pirates alone would already stretch their forces thin; if the Beasts joined, Marineford might well sink to the bottom of the sea. Still, the arrow was already on the string—it had to be fired.
No one had expected Blackbeard to hand over Ace, but now they had no choice but to proceed step by step. No matter how well they prepared, reality would surely outstrip their expectations. And besides, the Marines desperately needed a victory to strengthen faith in their justice throughout the world.