Marine Headquarters Marineford
"Everyone, remain serious. There is no room for mistakes here!"
"You there, move with urgency and focus!"
"Yes, sir!"
A fleet of warships encircled the crescent-shaped Marine base on Marineford. The cannons on every vessel had been installed and positioned, aimed at the surrounding sea — all prepared for battle.
Across the docks, elite Marines dispatched from strongholds around the world stood in tight formation, expressions grave and weapons sheathed at their hips, ready for what was to come.
Click. Click.
The cannons stationed on Marineford itself were no longer the old, worn weapons that had been there since Arrogant Emperor Shirogai first assaulted Marine Headquarters in Marijois. Every turret had been replaced with the latest models.
"Preparations complete."
These massive long-range cannons were aimed outward, ready to fire colossal shells at any approaching threat at a moment's notice.
From left to right, Admirals Kizaru, Akainu, and Aokiji sat firmly in their seats, calmly surveying the distant sea without betraying any tension about the impending clash.
In front of them stood over a dozen Marine Rear Admirals, stiff and solemn.
At the front line of Marineford's defense, five of the Seven Warlords of the Sea — feared figures in the pirate world — stood at the dock in readiness.
Dracule Mihawk, Hawkeye
Bartholomew Kuma, the Tyrant
Boa Hancock, the Empress
Gecko Moriah
Donquixote Doflamingo
"Hahaha… This is exciting!" Doflamingo laughed freely as his gaze fixed on the distant execution platform where important figures sat, his voice rich with unrestrained enthusiasm.
"I heard you Marines also invited Arrogant Emperor Shirogai, yet he hasn't shown!"
The Marines who heard those words remained silent.
"Hmph, what kind of 'Arrogant Emperor'? In front of this concubine, they are but mortals!" Empress Hancock — who had never faced Shirogai herself — lifted her chin proudly, dismissing his threat with disdain.
At the mention of his name that once brought fear, Kuma remained expressionless, silent as ever.
"Shi shi shi…" Moriah, who still shivered inwardly at the thought of Shirogai, gave a strange laugh as he eyed the proud Empress.
A beautiful and arrogant woman — she would taste true fear when she met that monster.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku! Impel Down has sent a transmission!" Marine Lieutenant Commander Brannu, wearing sunglasses, spoke with a solemn tone.
"Report," said Fleet Admiral Sengoku, the seagull on his Marine cap steady as ever, his eyes narrowing at Brannu's serious expression.
"Impel Down isn't destroyed… but most of the prisoners have escaped," Brannu said with discomfort.
"Most of them escaped?" Sengoku's breath tightened despite himself.
The thought of so many grudges-harboring prisoners flooding the seas sent a chill down his spine.
"But this also means Impel Down is still under our control," Sengoku said after a deep breath.
"Even if they escaped, they still cannot open the Gates of Justice."
"Fleet Admiral, I'm sorry…" Brannu's voice dropped.
"The Gates of Justice have been opened. How or why, the control room doesn't understand… but it's almost certainly connected to Arrogant Emperor Shirogai."
"S-Shirogai…" Sengoku gritted his teeth at the name that had been tied to every calamity since his emergence.
"In that case, we cannot wait any longer!" Sengoku said with resolve.
"Inform everyone to proceed as planned. Prepare the execution platform! Force the Whitebeard Pirates to show themselves. If they do not appear, then we cut the stain of the former Pirate King's bloodline!"
"Yes sir!"
Brannu saluted sharply and dashed off to relay Sengoku's orders.
Sengoku himself began walking toward the execution platform.
Suddenly, a familiar figure blocked his path — a strong, white-haired man wearing a Vice Admiral's uniform with a cloak of Justice draped over his shoulders.
"Garp," Sengoku said without looking up.
"You alone cannot protect him."
The old Marine Hero stood at the steps, a legendary presence — solemn, lonely.
"This old man knows I cannot rescue Ace," the Hero said, gaze fixed on the young man forced to kneel on the execution platform.
His feelings were tangled — fatherly sorrow, guilt, and an unspoken regret.
"Sengoku," Garp whispered, stepping aside.
"I'm sorry."
Even he could not go against orders from the World Government — placed there specifically to guard the execution platform.
Sengoku continued up the steps without hesitation.
"Stand back," Sengoku ordered the Marines holding swords over Ace's head.
"Yes sir!"
The elite soldiers stepped aside, recognizing the occasion had arrived.
Sengoku lifted the Den Den Mushi — and then froze.
"Damn!"
He dropped the shell, looking toward the VIP seating area.
Two Celestial Dragons sat there.
A few Marine-invited reporters and mysterious individuals were also present.
But in the seat that had been empty a moment ago sat a smiling young man.
People around him pretended not to see.
The Fifth Emperor — a power exceeding even the Yonko.
Arrogant Emperor Shirogai Yamikuro.
"Sengoku!" Shirogai smiled with chilling calm.
Sengoku stared back at the pirate whose presence had repeatedly thrown Marine plans into chaos.
Elsewhere in Marineford Plaza, two Marines whispered nervously.
"Why did he lower the Den Den Mushi again?" asked a golden-haired Marine.
"Focus! You can't space out now!" his older brother babbled in confusion.
Their banter drew annoyed looks from nearby Marines.
"Sorry," the golden-haired Marine said awkwardly.
"We were just talking."
He then pulled his brother closer to speak more quietly.
"Listen! If the Whitebeard Pirates show up, this won't be a simple fight. Remember the ice and fire street on Sabaody? The destruction Arrogant Emperor Shirogai caused? We cleaned up for days…"
His brother listened, tense but silent.
"We are Marines," he finally said.
"We follow orders."
"Exactly! Be smart. Many will die today! I don't want your name on the casualty list!"
The older brother finally nodded.
"Don't worry. I'll be careful."
Just then a broadcast reached the world…
"You cannot possibly be unaware…"
Sengoku's voice echoed through screens and Den Den Mushi around the world.
"Fire Fist Portgas D. Ace is the son of the former Pirate King Gol D. Roger!"
Silence.
"What?! Ace is Roger's son?" voices murmured around the globe.
"This is monumental!" reporters screamed.
Back in the VIP seating, Shirogai turned his gaze toward the sea, hearing bubbling from beneath the surface.
He smiled wickedly.
"Let it begin — the decline of the Marines."
Below the calm ocean, a massive pirate ship surged upward like a huge whale breaking the deep.
Inside its cabin, a man whose body was rotting yet heart still beating with fiery passion laughed heartily.
"Gurararara! Ace is my son! Sengoku, you think you can take him away without my consent?!"