Somewhere on the calm waters of the New World, the *Red Force* cut a steady path through the waves.
Red-Haired Shanks's fingers tightened unconsciously on the edge of the newspaper, the parchment crinkling softly in his grip.
He stood at the bow, the sea breeze whipping his signature red hair, his gaze locked on the printed words as if trying to decipher a hidden code.
"This time... the world is tilting on its axis."
His voice was so low it was nearly swallowed by the sound of the waves, but Benn Beckman, standing beside him, immediately caught the rare tension in his captain's posture.
Shanks slowly raised his head, his eyes scanning the restless sea as if he could see the gathering storm just beyond the horizon.
"Not only have ten Poneglyphs appeared at once…" His Adam's apple bobbed, his tone carrying a gravity they seldom heard. "But they've captured Ace and Crocodile along with them."
Shanks's hand drifted to the empty sleeve where his left arm once was. "That stubborn old man, Whitebeard... he must be seeing red."
Beckman lit a cigarette, the smoke whisked away by the wind. "The Marines are playing a dangerous game. Two Road Poneglyphs... that's enough to make every power in the New World lose its mind."
Shanks suddenly crumpled the newspaper into a ball, turning to roar at his crew. "Change course! Full speed to Whitebeard's territory! We need to see Newgate before this spiral turns into a whirlpool!"
Yasopp, who was cleaning his beloved rifle, looked up, his usual easygoing smile absent. "Is it war, Captain?"
"Worse than war." A shadow of concern crossed Shanks's eyes. "This will reshape the world."
He stared towards the distant horizon, already picturing the Whitebeard Pirates mobilizing their entire armada. "That old man, who cherishes his family above all else... he will not stand by while they hold his son."
Lucky Roux mumbled through a mouthful of meat: "But the paper says Ace surrendered on his own..."
"That's what makes it so damn dangerous!" Shanks spun around, his eyes blazing. "It means someone is playing a very, very deep game."
His grip tightened on the hilt of his saber, Gryphon. "And the first move has just been made on Whitebeard's board."
The *Red Force* surged forward, its bow slicing through the waves as it charged deeper into the New World. Shanks stood on the figurehead, letting the sea spray soak his cloak. He knew the rules of this sea all too well. The emergence of ten Poneglyphs was like throwing a lit match into a powder keg—the chain reaction would be catastrophic.
...
On the vast deck of the *Moby Dick*,
The medicine bottle in Marco's hand slipped and shattered on the deck, the blue liquid seeping into the wood.
His voice trembled slightly as he stared at the newspaper. "Ten Poneglyphs?! And they have Ace?! Pops! I'll gather the men and—"
"Gurararara!" Whitebeard's booming laughter cut him off.
The Strongest Man in the World sat comfortably in his massive chair, not even bothering to set down his giant sake gourd.
"Don't panic, son. That boy is clever." Whitebeard's gaze seemed to look right through the newspaper, into the distance, his eyes as deep and unfathomable as the Calm Belt. "This news... it stinks."
Marco was taken aback. "Stinks?" He picked up the paper, scrutinizing it. "But this photo is clear as day..."
"Look at Ace's face." Whitebeard tapped a small, blurry photo in the corner of the page with the rim of his gourd.
In the image, Ace, surrounded by Marines, showed no sign of despair. On the contrary, he was grinning wider than anyone, even flashing a subtle, two-fingered victory sign to the camera.
Marco's eyes widened. "This is...!"
"You can't even see a signal that obvious?" Whitebeard took a long swig of sake, the liquid trickling down his crescent-shaped mustache. "Gurararara! The boy is telling us he's fine, and ordering us not to make a move!"
The Commanders gathered on the deck exchanged bewildered glances.
Jozu scratched his smooth head. "Wait... Pops, are you saying Ace *let* himself get captured?"
"Of course!" Whitebeard thumped his gourd down on the armrest. "Did you think a son of mine could be taken so easily?!"
He pointed a thick finger at the photo of the Marine battleship. "Look at this. Kizaru and Aokiji, two Admirals, were right there, and they send *Smoker* to escort Ace? And they didn't even use Seastone cuffs?"
Vista thoughtfully twirled his ornate mustache. "Now that you mention it... it does seem staged."
Marco still looked uncertain. "But why would Ace ever..."
Whitebeard's laughter faded, his expression turning sharp and serious. "Ace wouldn't do this on his own. If it happened, it means someone is pulling the strings from the shadows, playing for the highest stakes..."
His massive frame leaned forward slightly. "...And my foolish son has willingly become a piece on their board."
A sudden, fierce gust of wind made the *Moby Dick*'s sails snap taut.
Whitebeard looked out at the churning sea and issued a quiet command. "Give the order. The entire fleet is to be on high alert, but we do not move. Not yet." His hand rested on the immense naginata, Murakumogiri, beside him. "We wait for Ace's next signal."
A look of dawning comprehension finally spread across Marco's face. "So... we hold our position?"
"Mm..."
...
In the heart of Totto Land,
Inside the whimsical yet terrifying Cake Castle, Charlotte Linlin was enjoying her afternoon tea.
Suddenly, a group of terrified Homies scrambled into the hall, clutching the latest edition of the World Economic Journal.
"Mama! Mama! Terrible news!" they shrieked, holding out the paper.
Big Mom's thick fingers snatched the newspaper. The moment her eyes fell upon the front-page photograph, the entire castle began to tremble.
The photo clearly showed ten Poneglyphs. Though they looked identical to the untrained eye, she recognized them instantly—three of them were *hers*!
"MAMAMAMA..."
Her explosive laughter echoed through the castle, but this time, it was laced with a chilling, murderous rage. The teacup in her hand shattered, spraying hot black tea over her bulging, vein-lined arm.
"Those filthy Marine maggots... they DARE to steal from ME?!" Her pupils contracted to pinpricks, and a wave of Conqueror's Haki erupted from her uncontrollably, instantly knocking dozens of weaker Homies unconscious.
"And this pathetic story about 'digging them up'?! They think this pathetic lie proves they belong to Marine?!"
Big Mom's aura grew more and more volatile. The surrounding Homies scrambled to hide, fearing they would be swept up in her destructive tantrum.
Perospero cautiously stepped forward. "Mama, perhaps we should investigate this matter first—"
"SILENCE!" Big Mom roared, heaving her immense body upright. The sky above Whole Cake Island instantly darkened, swirling with ominous storm clouds.
"This isn't about the Poneglyphs anymore!" she bellowed, snatching up her living sword, Napoleon. "This is about the dignity of the Big Mom Pirates!"
She stormed out of the palace gates, each step cracking the candy-coated ground.
"Ready the fleet! Summon all my Sweet Commanders, immediately!" She bared her teeth in a terrifying grin. "I will teach the Marines what happens when they touch what belongs to MAMA!"
....
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