In the New World, the Beasts Pirates' fleet was sailing toward Whitebeard's stronghold, and the entire crew was in disarray.
Without their captain, there was no one to direct the next move or decide when to strike at the Whitebeard Pirates.
"How is it, Queen? Still no word from Kaido?" King asked, his voice edged with worry.
"Damn it! My intelligence officers have tried contacting him multiple times, but there's been no reply from Kaido-sama."
King's brows furrowed deeply. Without a leader, what were their chances of victory if they recklessly attacked Whitebeard's base?
Just then, a vulture Zoan user swooped down from the sky.
"Reporting, King-sama! We scouted Whitebeard's main base, and the number of defenders is very small!"
"Oh? How many?" King's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Less than a thousand, and none of the Whitebeard Pirates' elite commanders are present!"
At those words, King's expression grew sharper. This was the perfect chance to seize Whitebeard's stronghold.
If Kaido were here, he would undoubtedly launch a war. After all, they had both escaped from the Celestial Dragons' laboratory together. Kaido had sworn back then that he would change the world through war.
"Keep trying to reach Kaido-sama, but in the meantime, I'm declaring an attack on the Whitebeard Pirates!" King ordered firmly.
As First Mate, King assumed command of the Beasts Pirates, and under his orders, their fleet advanced toward Whitebeard's waters.
But after sailing only a mile, a black shape appeared on the horizon. Its outline gradually became clear.
Through his telescope, Queen's jaw nearly dropped.
"That skull pattern… no mistake about it!"
His face twisted in disbelief.
"It's the Red-Haired Pirates! Damn Shanks, what is he planning?!"
…
The world was already in chaos, and at the same time, Thorne Ashveil was nearing Marineford.
From far behind Marineford, Fleet Admiral Sengoku peered through a telescope and swallowed hard.
"They're here… the Whitebeard Pirates have finally come."
His voice boomed across the loudspeakers.
"All hands prepare for battle! The Zero Division Captain of the Whitebeard Pirates has been sighted!"
The entire Marineford garrison tensed at once.
Yet when Ashveil's small raft drifted into view at the gate of Marineford, not a single other Whitebeard Pirate appeared.
The battlefield froze in stunned silence.
"What's happening? Why is there only one of him?"
"Is he insane? That guy, Ashveil, coming here alone… isn't he just signing his own death warrant?"
"Wait, that's the one who killed Admiral Sakazuki? He looks so young. Is the new generation really this terrifying?"
Whispers rippled through the Marines.
Among the Shichibukai, Doflamingo's grin stretched wider, while Mihawk's sharp gaze lingered on Ashveil.
Boa Hancock's eyes glanced at him, her thoughts echoing in disbelief. He's challenging Marineford alone? This is the first time this empress has seen such a man.
Meanwhile, Gekko Moriah cackled.
"Fufufufu! The Whitebeard Pirates lost their nerve, so they sent a brat to die in their place?"
Even Sengoku and Tsuru were taken aback.
"Vice Admiral Tsuru, what's your read on this?" Sengoku asked, eyes narrowed.
But Tsuru shook her head, equally confused.
Only Garp laughed heartily, his voice booming across the air.
"This Ashveil kid… he's a real man, daring enough to walk into Marineford all on his own!"
His words earned sharp glares from both Sengoku and Tsuru.
By now, Ashveil's raft had reached the very gate of Marine Headquarters, yet not a single Marine had moved to arrest him.
Ashveil tilted his head, genuinely puzzled. Why don't they come at me? If they don't attack, how am I supposed to sneak into Impel Down?
He shook his head in exasperation.
Then, with calm determination, Ashveil summoned his will. Above him, a colossal fist of Conqueror's Haki materialized, its knuckles clenched tight.
"If you won't make a move," he said with a faint smile, "then I'll go first."
The Marines were still frozen in shock when Marineford itself began to quake.
The giant Haki fist crashed into the great gate of Marineford with an earth-shattering boom.
Thunder roared through the air as soldiers staggered and nearly toppled.
Sengoku raised his binoculars once more, his face draining of color. His lips trembled.
"No… impossible… That gate is said to be unbreakable without a key. And he… he smashed it apart from outside?!"
"Is this boy a demon?!" Sengoku roared in disbelief.
Even Tsuru and Garp were struck speechless by the sight.
Tsuru's voice was steady but tense. "No matter what, we must subdue this Ashveil. His threat to us may rival even Whitebeard himself."
Sengoku finally snapped out of his stupor.
"Whether Whitebeard's crew is here or not doesn't matter. Marines! Capture Ashveil!" he commanded into the Den Den Mushi.
At once, the front-line artillery turned toward Ashveil, and the order was carried out without hesitation.
Boom! Boom!
Explosions shook the battlefield as the sky darkened with cannon fire. A storm of iron rained down, filling the heavens with death.
Shadows spread across the ground as countless cannonballs descended, their oppressive presence suffocating the air itself.
Ashveil raised his eyes toward the barrage, his expression calm, his lips curling in disdain.
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