In the training grounds of Marine G-1 Branch, Admiral Aokiji stood motionless among the perfectly ordered ranks of Marines, his gaze fixed intently on the rising sun breaking over the distant horizon. The morning light cast long shadows across the assembled forces, creating an atmosphere of tense anticipation.
"Good morning, Kuzan! It's really unusual to see you up this early," Admiral Kizaru remarked as he approached with his characteristic slow, deliberate pace. Despite his casual tone, there was an underlying tension in his voice that suggested he understood the gravity of the day ahead.
Aokiji withdrew his attention from the sunrise and glanced at Admiral Fujitora, who had just arrived with traces of breakfast still visible at the corners of his mouth. "You're not exactly eager to be here either, are you, Borsalino?"
"True, it's still before normal duty hours... ahem," Kizaru's expression shifted mid-sentence, his usual lackadaisical demeanor replaced by sudden seriousness. "But as they say, a day's plan begins at dawn. Today's success or failure will determine everything."
Fujitora raised his head, his blind eyes seeming to peer directly at the rising sun with supernatural perception. "Indeed," he agreed solemnly. "Everything depends on what happens today."
A Marine officer approached and saluted respectfully. "Fleet Admiral! Admirals! All preparations are complete and awaiting your orders!"
"Proceed to battle stations," Aokiji commanded, then turned to acknowledge a masked figure approaching from the side with a slight nod of recognition.
Suddenly, the thunderous roar of artillery shattered the morning calm, spreading rapidly throughout the entire G-1 Branch harbor. The sound echoed across the sky like rolling thunder as countless shells arced through the air.
However, instead of finding their targets, every projectile exploded against visible spatial fractures that appeared in mid-air, creating brilliant displays of flame and smoke that illuminated the battlefield.
"Gurararara! Marine brats, is this how you welcome old friends?"
Whitebeard's legendary laughter boomed across the water as dozens of pirate ships slowly emerged from the depths of the sea, rising like leviathans from the ocean floor. The sight of the massive Whitebeard Pirates fleet sent ripples of tension through the assembled Marine forces.
"Pops, didn't I tell you to take it easy and let me handle this mission?" Ace complained from his position on the Moby Dick's deck, his expression mixing affection with exasperation.
Whitebeard waved dismissively at his adopted son's concerns. "Stop your whining, you little brat! I was sailing these seas before you were even a glimmer in your father's eye! Are you trying to tell me I'm too old for a good fight?"
Ace fell silent, looking helplessly toward Marco and the other division commanders for support, but found only sympathetic shrugs in response. When Whitebeard made up his mind about something, no amount of arguing would change it.
"You old fossil, don't even think about stealing our spotlight!" Cavendish's indignant voice carried clearly across the water from the Black Star Pirates' ship nearby.
As another wave of artillery shells approached their position, Cavendish launched himself into the air alone, his body surrounded by crackling bolts of lightning. The sound of thunder mixed with explosive detonations as his electrical attacks intercepted the incoming barrage, creating a spectacular light show above the battlefield.
Suddenly, a massive projection materialized above the Marine base, towering tens of meters high and casting an ominous shadow over the assembled forces. The image showed the familiar, corpulent figures of the Five Elders in their characteristic formal attire.
"Black Star Pirates!" the projection boomed with Saint Saturn's authoritative voice. "This is your final warning! Surrender the Laugh Tale pointer immediately! That artifact does not belong to you!"
All eyes on the Black Star Pirates' ship turned toward Jerry, who stood calmly at the bow with his characteristic confident smile. The tension in the air was palpable as both sides waited for his response.
Skull handed Jerry a voice amplification Den Den Mushi at precisely the right moment, and Jerry's grin widened as he spoke into the device.
"Does that mean you old geezers would be willing to make me the Sixth Elder?" Jerry called back cheerfully, his tone suggesting he was discussing the weather rather than challenging the world's highest authority.
This unexpected exchange brought the fierce bombardment to an abrupt halt. Marines from the lowest-ranking soldiers to seasoned officers stood in confused silence, uncertain how to process what they had just heard.
Of course, they all recognized the projection as the Five Elders of the World Government—their commanding officers had specifically installed the communication device and strictly forbidden the front-line troops from looking back at it during the battle. However, the mention of a "Sixth Elder" left them completely bewildered, as if they were waiting for additional orders that might never come.
"Hmph! Absolutely ridiculous!" Saint Saturn replied coldly, his eyes flashing with dangerous intent.
During their previous conversation, Saint Saturn had noted Jerry's unusual choice of words. Hearing the reference again confirmed his suspicion that this pirate somehow possessed information the World Government had worked for centuries to suppress.
"Well, if you won't consider my generous offer, that's fine," Jerry said with mock disappointment. "But unlike you folks, I believe in reciprocity. As the old saying goes, 'When you think of others, they will respond in kind.' So I've decided to give you an appropriate response..."
Jerry turned and shouted toward his crew, "Skull! Where's that beautiful cannon of yours? Let's show them what we think of their hospitality!"
"Ready and waiting, Boss!" Skull appeared to have been prepared for exactly this moment. He quickly positioned himself behind the ship's figurehead, and without bothering to adjust the weapon's targeting, pressed the firing mechanism without hesitation toward the Marine base.
A massive column of energy mixed with lightning and fire erupted from the Black Star Pirates' ship, streaking across the battlefield like a meteor. However, much to everyone's surprise, the devastating attack failed to cause any substantial damage to the Marine installation.
Instead, a hybrid energy cannon of seemingly identical design fired from within the Marine base, accurately intercepting Skull's attack with precision timing. The two energy beams collided in the empty sea between the opposing fleets, creating a violent explosion that sent shockwaves rippling in all directions.
But the Marine base's energy cannon didn't stop there. It punched through the explosion's shock wave and continued directly toward the Black Star Pirates' ship with undiminished power.
"Oh? So you want to show off those inferior knockoff weapons here?" Saint Saturn's cold smile was audible even through the projection.
Jerry casually waved his right hand, and an enormous water barrier rose from the sea, positioning itself in front of the Black Star Pirates' ship and completely absorbing the incoming artillery fire from the outside.
The members of the Black Star Pirates looked toward the Marine fleet with expressions of surprise and recognition. As expected, a group of distinctive snail-shaped ships had quietly integrated themselves among the Marine vessels.
Skull jumped excitedly onto the ship's railing and shouted across the water, "Judge! You ungrateful backstabber! How dare you attack us with weapons based on our own designs!"
Judge stood prominently on the command tower of his snail ship, looking toward the Black Star Pirates with an expression that mixed apology with business pragmatism. "Mr. Jerry, I truly apologize for this situation, but they made an offer that was... well, let's just say extremely generous. Besides, as everyone knows, we of Germa 66 have always been loyal members of the World Government, and therefore natural enemies of all pirates."
He paused dramatically before adding, "Furthermore, the current weapons have been significantly modified by both Dr. Vegapunk and myself. They're no longer based solely on your original designs, so technically I'm not violating our previous agreement."
Hearing this transparent excuse, Skull and Carrot glared at Judge with barely contained fury, their hands moving instinctively toward their weapons.
The snail ship's energy cannon began charging again, light gathering at its focal point as Judge prepared to fire another devastating beam. It was clear he had no intention of wasting more time on explanations or justifications.
Jerry remained perfectly still, maintaining the water shield he had summoned from the sea to defend against the attack. He looked up at Judge with an expression of amused contempt and laughed heartily.
"Isn't the fundamental principle still borrowed from some ancient relic that's 800 years old?" Jerry called out mockingly. Then his expression darkened slightly as he added, "But let me tell you something, Your Majesty—go eat shit!"
Before he finished speaking, Jerry snapped his fingers with casual elegance. Immediately, a massive whirlpool materialized directly beneath Judge's snail ship, causing the entire ship to spin wildly out of control as it was drawn inexorably downward into the churning vortex.
Panicked screams erupted from the Germa ship as crew members tried desperately to regain control. Judge himself leaped into the air, attempting to escape the fate of his ship using his advanced technology.
However, a colossal water dragon burst from the sea with incredible speed, its massive jaws opening wide to swallow Judge whole before he could activate his escape systems. The dragon's eyes gleamed with predatory satisfaction as it prepared to dive back into the depths with its prize.
Just as the water dragon began its descent toward the ocean floor, Admiral Aokiji's voice rang out across the battlefield: "Ice Age!"
In an instant, the vast expanse of seawater transformed into a solid ice field, freezing everything within range—including the water dragon at the harbor entrance—without exception. The entire battlefield had become a frozen wasteland, setting the stage for the epic confrontation that would determine the fate of the world.