"First Mate, what should we do next? Break into the great undersea prison?" Someone asked hesitantly of Beckman, who was sitting in the central position.
Beckman was the first mate not only because his strength wasn't much less than the captain's, but also because of his wisdom and intelligence.
Now that the captain wasn't on the ship, Beckman was the undisputed leader.
"Don't rush. We definitely have to deal with the Marines, but not now."
Beckman waved his hand, his mind racing as he considered strategies to rescue Shanks.
"Wait, bring me the newspaper. Let me see!"
A flash of inspiration struck Beckman, and he spoke in a deep voice to the pirate.
Purely judging from the current situation, relying solely on themselves, it would be impossible to break through the Marine blockade and enter Impel Down.
They needed outside help!
And the traces of another person present when Shanks was captured became particularly important. It at least gave them a hope and a possibility.
Teach of the Whitebeard Pirates! A glimmer of joy flashed in Beckman's eyes, but his face remained unchanged. Sure enough, there was a way to break the deadlock.
"What is it? Is there a way?"
Lucky Roux and the others looked at Beckman, who had suddenly looked up, and asked with concern.
"The key lies with the Whitebeard Pirates. But they alone obviously aren't enough. The Whitebeard Pirates alone can cause limited trouble for the Marines."
"So...We need to increase the chips in our hand." Beckman's gaze was profound as he slowly stood up, looked around, and spoke firmly.
"Chips?!"
"That's right. Pass down the order: We're going to the Sabaody Archipelago. Return to Paradise!"
"Sabaody Archipelago? Why go there?" someone questioned.
"To find old man Rayleigh. He and the captain were both members of the Pirate King's crew. He won't just stand by!"
Beckman said decisively, his tone leaving no room for doubt.
...
East Blue, Boya Island.
This was just an ordinary island in the East Blue, with a small village. They lived the same lives as most people in the East Blue.
Diligent and hardworking, working from sunrise to sunset.
Occasionally discovered by passing pirates... if they were lucky, they'd lose the savings they'd worked half their lives for.
If they were unlucky, it might cost the lives of a few villagers.
Even in the East Blue, hailed as the "Symbol of Peace," pirate harassment remained an annoyance, and looting was common.
However...
That situation suddenly disappeared over a decade ago, for unknown reasons.
Anyway, the newly born younger generation had never seen any so-called pirates and knew nothing of their wretchedness.
Instead, they often clamoured about wanting to become pirates and find the legendary Pirate King's great treasure.
However, at those times, they would usually get a scolding from the village elders.
Although pirates didn't visit them much now, the older generation had mostly lived through those dark times, and their hatred for pirates ran deep!!
As for why this island had remained peaceful for over a decade? They weren't quite sure either.
Nothing unusual had happened on their island in these ten-plus years.
The only difference was...
Thirteen years ago, a man had moved to their island.
That man named Gaban...
(T/N: For readers' information, this Novel was released before the Elbaph Arc began, so the Author doesn't know where Gaban truly are.)
At this moment, on the outskirts of Boya Village, a cabin built entirely of thick logs sat quietly, backed by a lush forest.
Villagers rarely set foot here, unless some who prided themselves on their strength wanted to prove something.
Powerful beasts frequented the area, becoming the forest's best protection.
Whoosh—!
A breeze blew, and a strong man wearing small, round sunglasses suddenly walked out of the forest.
His greying hair was tied into a ponytail at the back of his head with a thin black cord. He carried a bundle of firewood on his back and held a sharp axe in his right hand.
If you ignored his robust physique, he might look more like an ordinary woodcutter.
Thud—!
Taking large strides, he walked steadily to the cabin. The firewood on his back fell to the ground with a dull thud, kicking up a cloud of dust.
"Time flies. Thirteen years have passed already. I wonder how the others are doing."
Looking at the sturdy wooden house before him, a smile appeared on the man's lips.
He seemed to recall the days when he galloped across the seas—passion, hot-bloodedness, adventure, and deep combat camaraderie.
But those days were gone forever. The strong man shook his head slightly, a look of nostalgia on his face. This life was nice, too.
Thinking this, the man wiped his slightly dusty left hand on his clothes, shouldered the gleaming axe, and walked slowly toward the cabin door.
Buru Buru—!!
Suddenly, the urgent ringing of a Den Den Mushi interrupted the man's steps.
"..."
Frowning slightly, the man accurately reached into his pants pocket. He had only one Den Den Mushi on him, and the only people who knew the number...
Were those old comrades from the ship?
Kacha—!!
He pulled out the Den Den Mushi without hesitation and picked up the receiver. A familiar yet strange voice came through.
"Hello! It's me, Rayleigh..."
...
Meanwhile, in the outside world, news spread from Marine Headquarters to the seas.
The Marines would execute the Whitebeard Pirates member, Teach, at Marineford. The world was in an uproar!
Anyone with a keen mind could sense something unusual in this. The Marines were declaring war on the Whitebeard Pirates!
Besides the title of "World's Strongest Man," one of Whitebeard's defining characteristics was his extreme protectiveness of his family.
It could be said that his family was Whitebeard's reverse scale!! And the Marines' goal this time was undoubtedly to provoke Whitebeard.
Even if Whitebeard knew this was a trap, and even if there might be no return, he wouldn't have a single thought of retreating.
Because.. He is Whitebeard! And this era is called "Whitebeard"!!
Everyone knew that the power structure of the seas... Was about to undergo a major change. But there was no doubt about one thing.
The Whitebeard Pirates were done for this time!
Even if many pirates were unwilling to admit it, the current Marines were an overwhelming force against the Whitebeard Pirates!
New World, Wano Country, Onigashima.
The headquarters of the Beasts Pirates sat atop an island towering into the clouds, overlooking Wano Country like the Guardian Deity Kaido claimed to be...
On Onigashima, Kaido, who had escaped by destroying the prison ship not long ago, was clutching his gourd and drinking heavily as always.
Clear liquor flowed down the corners of his mouth like a galaxy falling from the heavens, shimmering with silver light.
If Atlas were here, he would definitely mock him.
This guy, Kaido... his drinking habits reflect his character. Isn't this fake wine? If you can't drink, sit at the kids' table.
"Brother Kaido, the Whitebeard Pirates have declared war on the Marines."
Beside him, "King the Conflagration" was long used to this. He reported the movements on the seas to Kaido in a flat voice.
Unlike others, King didn't just submit to Kaido's powerful strength. Kaido had saved his life, rescuing him from that dark prison.
Repaying a debt of gratitude was the creed of King, a Lunarian.
"Hm? What madness has gotten into Whitebeard all of a sudden? Attacking Marine Headquarters alone? Worororo!!"
Kaido paused, moving the gourd away from his mouth just as he was about to pour. He wiped the liquor from the corner of his mouth with his arm, revealing his long black beard.
"The Marines captured a member of the Whitebeard Pirates named Teach. The Marines announced his execution at headquarters in three months."
"Whitebeard has already begun gathering his allied fleets, attempting to attack Marine Headquarters."
Blackbeard, who dreamed of making a name for himself on the seas, probably never expected to achieve his dream in this way.
"Teach? That guy, Whitebeard's son? Hahahaha! What a foolish man. Does Whitebeard think he's playing pirate house?"
Hearing this, Kaido couldn't help but laugh.
He acknowledged Whitebeard's power as the World's Strongest Man, but as a pirate, that old man was undoubtedly unqualified. Just for a subordinate!!
"However..."
Kaido's gaze narrowed slightly, revealing a ferocious look. His five fingers gripped the wine gourd tightly, as if he were about to crush it in the next moment.
"Isn't this exactly what I've always hoped for... the world's top-tier war? Hahahahaha!!"
"That guy Whitebeard is finally acting a bit like the World's Strongest Man!!"
His penetrating laughter echoed throughout Onigashima, confusing the other members of the Beasts Pirates.
But they didn't care. Although Kaido was moody, he was very tolerant of his subordinates.
They ignored Kaido's strange cries. After all, a drunk Governor-General was truly unpredictable.
...
New World, Totto Land waters, Whole Cake Island.
The scent of sweetness was everywhere—strange, animated objects filled every piece of land. Inside the central castle, the supreme queen of Totto Land sat high above.
Big Mom sat on her throne with a big belly. Judging by the size, it was likely just a single birth, which would be the 81st child of the Charlotte Family!!
Perhaps because she was about to give birth, Big Mom wasn't as manic as usual today. She even wore a smile she hadn't worn in a long time.
"Mama, is there something happy today?"
Perospero, as Charlotte Linlin's eldest son, had always played the role of lubricant within the family.
Although he didn't have Katakuri's powerful strength, he was absolutely indispensable.
"Mamamama! That guy, Whitebeard, is actually going to war with the Marines. What a foolish old man. I've had my eye on the sweets factory on Fish-Man Island for a long time!"
"If Whitebeard hadn't been protecting that place, I could have turned Fish-Man Island into my private territory and planted our flag!!"
As Big Mom spoke, a large amount of saliva was secreted rapidly. Her thick tongue swept the corners of her mouth, collecting the drool, as if savouring a past taste.
As a heavy sweets lover, having delicious desserts in front of her but being unable to eat them... This feeling was simply unbearable for Big Mom.
If anyone most wished for Whitebeard to stay at Marineford forever, it was undoubtedly her.
"Perospero!!"
"Yes, Mama!!"
"When Whitebeard attacks Marine Headquarters, we will conquer Fish-Man Island and plant the Charlotte Family's pirate flag!!"
Big Mom's face grew even more excited as she spoke, the scarlet, tyrannical look in her eyes intensifying.
"Yes, Mama!!"
...
Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
In the conference room, Brannew, the "King of Meetings," stood before the screen, silently switching to a photo of Blackbeard.
Blood seeping from his face, several missing front teeth exposed, eyes rolled back—clearly taken when he was unconscious.
"Alright, Brannew, introduce the subject of this meeting!"
Sengoku stood up, his eyes sweeping over everyone in the conference room. Garp, Tsuru, Atlas, Borsalino, and... Zephyr.
All the high-ranking Marines were gathered here.
As for Sakazuki and Kuzan.
Sengoku shifted his gaze to the two screens in the conference room. A cold, tough face and a gentle, lazy face appeared on the left and right, respectively.
Den Den Mushi have many functions; remote meetings like this are easily achieved.
The two were still at their bases in the New World. There was still a long time before the war officially started, so there was no need for an emergency recall yet.
Today, they held a brief meeting to organise the overall strategic plan for the war.
"Ahem. As everyone can see, Marshall D. Teach, a member of the Whitebeard Pirates, is the protagonist of our meeting."
Brannew cleared his throat and introduced him clearly to the seated Marine bigshots.
Although his rank was only Commodore, because of the special nature of his work, he dealt with these top bigshots at headquarters all year round.
So, he acted naturally, without any constraint.
"Our Marines have announced that he will be executed at Marineford in three months, and the Whitebeard Pirates have declared war on us."
"This time is enough for us Marines to mobilise our forces, striving to annihilate the Whitebeard Pirates at Marineford."
"For troop deployment, I plan to draw personnel from the Marine officer ranks. You shouldn't have any problems with that, right?"
In a war of this scale, ordinary Marine soldiers would play no role.
To put it bluntly, they wouldn't even count as cannon fodder.
"Also, it's time to activate the Seven Warlords. I will apply for conscription with the World Government. I believe they won't refuse."
Sengoku knew very well that there was no need to conscript the Warlords to deal with the Whitebeard Pirates.
But while reducing the Marines' own casualties, it might also reduce the number of Warlords, whom the Marines disliked anyway. Killing two birds with one stone.
Sengoku's calculations were shrewd.