"Gurgle, gurgle, gurgle—"
A series of bubbles suddenly appeared on the surface of the sea in Marineford's inner bay.
In the plaza, a young Marine soldier was the first to notice the anomaly, his eyes wide as he stared at the sea, his voice sharp with tension: "What is that?!"
Before his words even fell—
"Boom—"
The seawater exploded!
A colossal pirate ship broke through the surface, its coating shattering into countless sparkling fragments under the sunlight.
Following closely, the second, third, fourth… over forty pirate ships, like giant beasts emerging from the water, burst forth from the seabed one after another, instantly occupying the entire inner bay!
On the mast of every pirate ship hung the same flag—
The Whitebeard Pirates!
"They're here!"
"The Whitebeard Pirates!"
"Everyone! Prepare for battle!"
The Marine officers gave orders almost simultaneously, and the soldiers in the plaza raised their weapons, aiming towards the inner bay.
On the execution platform, Sengoku's expression became exceptionally grim.
He had long anticipated Whitebeard invading from underwater, but when this scene truly unfolded, the overwhelming sense of oppression still made him gasp for breath.
On the deck of the Moby Dick, Whitebeard's towering figure slowly walked to the bow.
He held Murakumogiri, his eyes sweeping across all of Marineford, finally settling on Ace, who was kneeling on the execution platform.
"Gurarararara!"
"Marine brats!"
"Give my son back!"
His voice was wild and bold, clearly echoing throughout Marineford.
On the execution platform, Ace suddenly looked up, and upon seeing Whitebeard's figure, his eyes instantly turned red.
At the same time.
At the port leading to the Holy Land, the elevator descended rapidly, and then several figures emerged from the elevator, striding quickly towards the five warships docked at the port.
The five individuals at the forefront were none other than the Gorosei, the highest authorities in the World Government.
The Gorosei, who had spent years drinking tea and reading newspapers in the Seat of Power, were making a historic first by all leaving the Holy Land simultaneously.
However, the five did not head to the same warship; instead, each chose a warship to board.
Saturn, who was the first to board a warship, glanced at Warcury and Nasujuro, who were boarding a warship opposite him, then looked back towards the Red Line, a hint of barely perceptible solemnity flashing in his eyes.
"Report, Saint Saturn!"
Just then, an accompanying Marineford Rear Admiral quickly approached Saint Saturn, bowing and saying, "The Whitebeard Pirates have successfully landed in Marineford's inner bay by stealthily approaching underwater!"
"Understood," Saint Saturn nodded, speaking curtly, "Depart!"
At Saint Saturn's command, the warship immediately set sail and left the port.
As soon as the warship carrying Saint Saturn left the port, the warship carrying Saint Marcus Mars immediately followed.
Saint Marcus Mars, who had also received news that the Whitebeard Pirates had successfully invaded Marineford's inner bay, did not hesitate. After the warship left the port, he immediately released his Observation Haki to cover the surrounding sea, continuously expanding his monitoring range.
After a brief dozen seconds, Saint Marcus Mars suddenly looked up, his gaze intently fixed on the sea ahead, and said in a deep voice, "The Beasts Pirates have been detected. They will appear in one minute!"
As soon as Saint Marcus Mars finished speaking, Saint Nusjuro, on the deck of another warship, his eyes flashing, immediately flashed to the bow with his sword, letting the sea breeze whip his daoist robe, and said coldly, "Your mission is not to fight, but to be ready to support us at any time!"
"Yes, Saint Nusjuro!" The Marine officers standing in formation on the deck all raised their hands in salute, then quickly moved to their respective posts.
As Marine officers long stationed in the Holy Land, although they had never witnessed how powerful the Gorosei truly were, with all the Gorosei now deployed, the upcoming battle naturally had little to do with them. To be precise, even if they joined the fight, it wouldn't change anything.
The warships were fast, sailing side-by-side across the sea, speeding towards the area where Saint Marcus Mars had detected the Beasts Pirates were about to appear.
One minute later.
Boom, boom, boom—
The calm sea successively exploded, and then one colossal battleship after another burst forth from the seabed.
At the forefront was none other than Jack's Mammoth ship, one of the Beasts Pirates' Three Calamities.
"Oh no, oh no~"
As soon as the Mammoth ship surfaced, splashing waves everywhere, a pirate on the deck immediately rushed to Jack, saying anxiously, "Five warships have been spotted in the sea ahead. Our whereabouts have been exposed!"
"Hmm?" Jack's pupils slightly contracted, then he looked up.
Although there was still some distance, he could still see five warships approaching this area at full speed.
Before Jack could react, the pirate standing beside him, observing with a telescope, suddenly widened his eyes and exclaimed, "Damn it, it's the warship led by Saint Saturn of the Gorosei."
"The Gorosei have also moved out? Ahahaha, the World Government really thinks highly of us!"
"The Marines are tied up dealing with the Whitebeard Pirates and can't spare any hands, so they can only use the Gorosei?"
Hearing the continuous voices around him, Jack stepped forward with a cold expression, looking at the rapidly approaching warships, and said coldly, "So what if it's Saint Saturn of the Gorosei? Pass on my order, approach them! Full speed ahead, approach them!"
...In the New World, Totto Land, Cake Island waters.
All members of the Charlotte Family were gathered at the Cake Island port, looking like they were facing a formidable enemy at the figure suspended opposite them.
The one who appeared opposite them was Gunko, Ian's personal maid, a member of the God's Knights who had infiltrated the area.
Having ventured into Totto Land alone, she not only set up a teleportation array on Cake Island but also, upon seeing all members of the Charlotte Family gathered at the port, decisively revealed herself and single-handedly blocked them.
"Members of the Charlotte Family, gathered here, do you also wish to cause trouble during the Marineford War?"
Gunko, standing on a giant arrow made of bandages, took a step forward, looking down at the assembled Charlotte Family members opposite her, and said coldly, "I am Manmaya Gunzogū of the God's Knights, sent by the Young Master to monitor the Big Mom Pirates' every move! If you behave yourselves, I will consider this a trip. But if you intend to use this opportunity to cause trouble—"
At this point, Gunko's sharp gaze swept over the Charlotte Family members present, finally resting on Katakuri, who stood at the very front, her voice as cold as ever, "I will let you know what divine dominion means!"
"Mama mamama~"
"What big words!"
As soon as Gunko finished speaking, a burst of laughter suddenly came from inside the castle behind the Charlotte Family members.
As the laughter faded, a tall, corpulent figure immediately emerged from the castle gate, none other than one of the Four Emperors of the New World, Charlotte Linlin!
"The World Government using Ace to draw out the Whitebeard Pirates and the Beasts Pirates isn't enough, and now they want to drag me into the war too?"
Charlotte Linlin paused slightly, then slowly looked up at Gunko, "Playing such a big game, do you have the confidence to win this war?! Gunzogū, I remember you. You were the God's Blade from God Valley who participated in the Celestial Dragon hunting competition back then!"
Gunko met Charlotte Linlin's gaze and said in a deep voice, "That is indeed I!"
—