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In the flickering firelight, under Ace and Robin's shocked gazes, Red slowly wrote three words on the whiteboard:
[CELESTIAL DRAGONS]!!!
"Wait a minute!" Ace, realizing events were unfolding beyond his expectations, suddenly interrupted Red as he prepared to explain the plan.
With an expression of disbelief and shock, he asked incredulously: "When you said you wanted to take the initiative in this war... you meant targeting the Celestial Dragons?!"
"Exactly!" Red immediately nodded in confirmation. "This is the most effective way I can think of to divert a large number of Marine forces in a short period!"
"This..."
Hearing Red's audacious idea, even the fearless Ace was momentarily speechless.
After all, in this world order that had persisted for eight hundred years, the understanding that "the status of Celestial Dragons transcends everything" had been deeply ingrained in global consciousness.
Though Ace himself didn't fear the Celestial Dragons, he understood perfectly well—once Red committed to this decision, the Straw Hat Pirates' future would be shrouded in darkness.
"Red, do you understand what you're suggesting?" Ace asked, still stunned.
Red's eyes remained resolute as he met Ace's gaze directly. "Of course! If I didn't, how could I propose such a plan?"
He then turned back to his companions. "I explained information about the Celestial Dragons to you long ago. I think everyone can anticipate what I'm about to suggest."
"The gravity of our situation is clear to everyone. Now I want to hear your thoughts!"
"And Luffy..." Red's tone grew more serious. "If we proceed with this plan, our crew will face comprehensive pursuit by both the World Government and Marines."
"The CP organizations are as formidable as they are secretive, the three Admirals possess world-destroying power, and it's even possible the mysterious Five Elders might intervene directly."
"Even I cannot guarantee I can lead everyone to safety against such opponents. This will undoubtedly affect our subsequent adventures, making the path to realizing everyone's dreams considerably more difficult."
"I want you to think carefully—do we really need to take such a tremendous risk for the Whitebeard Pirates, who might become our competitors in the future?"
In response to Red's sobering words, Luffy slowly lowered his head, allowing his straw hat to shadow his eyes.
After a moment of silence, he spoke: "Ace... is my brother..."
He didn't directly answer Red's question, but suddenly turned toward his crewmates with profound seriousness. "I'm sorry, everyone! I might... have to be selfish just this once!"
Under normal circumstances, Luffy's character would never lead him to interfere in Ace's affairs. After all, everyone had their own adventure and life path. From the moment they set sail, each pirate must face destiny's challenges under their own flag.
However, after learning Ace might die because of these events, Luffy couldn't maintain his usual perspective. If Red's predictions were accurate—if Ace would be captured by the Marines while supporting Whitebeard and subsequently face execution—Luffy couldn't remain indifferent and continue his adventure unconcerned!
The Straw Hat crew seemed to have anticipated this reaction.
"You actually recognize that you're being selfish?!" Nami suddenly spoke, giving Luffy a mock-reproachful glance.
She continued with a resigned tone: "But I'll let it slide this time. After all, I've grown accustomed to your selfishness. Though it sounds like our future will become considerably more difficult..."
Zoro smiled and rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "If I can't defeat these opponents, there's no way I could become the world's greatest swordsman, right? In that case, I have no choice but to accept this challenge!"
He had anticipated such a day from the moment he joined Luffy in the East Blue—he just hadn't expected it to arrive so suddenly and dramatically.
"Family..." Sanji, who deeply valued this concept, lit his cigarette as an inexplicable light flashed in his eyes.
After a moment, he exhaled a smoke ring and said slowly: "There's no alternative. If it's for Luffy's family, then so be it."
"That's right!" Usopp's body trembled as he added: "Besides, Ace is our friend too. How could I, the brave warrior of the sea, not help when a friend is in trouble?!"
"By the way... I seem to be running low on ammunition. Damn it! Wapol and his team have been slacking off lately—I'll need to give them more work!"
Anticipating the difficult battles ahead, Usopp—who had already established himself as a successful inventor—didn't wait for the meeting to conclude before taking out his Den Den Mushi and walking to a corner to arrange assignments with his research assistants.
Among those present, only Chopper remained confused. Though unfamiliar with the Celestial Dragons and unaware of future implications, after seeing his crewmates express their resolve, he also thumped his chest proudly.
"I don't fully understand what's happening, but if you need me, just say the word!!!" He raised his head proudly, pointing his large antlers skyward, feeling exceptionally manly and tough in that moment!
"It seems I worried unnecessarily," Robin remarked, relieved after observing her companions' reactions. Though initially shocked when Red mentioned the Celestial Dragons, she had known their significance long before. For Red to use them as a means to achieve his goals...
It seemed she had truly joined an extraordinary pirate crew! Robin's eyes gradually misted as her thoughts drifted.
Seeing such unwavering support from his crew, Luffy clenched his fists, a bright smile spreading across his face. As if showing off, he turned back to Ace confidently.
"Don't worry, Ace! With me and my crew helping, you'll be fine!"
"You brat..." Ace was moved to tears, though he maintained his smile. "I'm not so weak that I need to rely on you! But..."
He suddenly turned toward the Straw Hat Pirates and bowed deeply. "Thank you all so much!!! Everything you're doing for the Whitebeard Pirates will never be forgotten!"
"Don't be hasty, Ace," Red interjected.
"After all, the Marines' attack on the Whitebeard Pirates remains our speculation. Our most urgent task is confirming whether the Whitebeard Pirates truly need support and when they might need it... For this, we require accurate intelligence!"
Though they could potentially gather information by contacting Smoker, neither Red nor the Straw Hats wanted to exploit their relationship with him, forcing him to betray the Marines.
Hearing Red's assessment, Ace nodded in immediate agreement. "Indeed! Intelligence is paramount right now! The Whitebeard Pirates have several allied guilds in Paradise. Their merchant ships frequently travel between the New World and Paradise—they might have valuable information."
"No!" Before Ace could finish, Red directly countered: "Blackbeard joined the Whitebeard Pirates before you did. He knows everything you know. Those guilds are likely already under Marine surveillance, waiting for you to appear. We need an alternative source—someone who can provide us with reliable intelligence."
"Got it!" Red's eyes suddenly brightened as something occurred to him. "I know who... If it's him, he must be aware of recent Marine movements! And if he learns of our plan, he'd certainly be interested—he might even intervene directly!"
Red tapped his marker against the whiteboard and began writing quickly. The most critical piece of the puzzle had fallen into place, allowing his thoughts to continue flowing.
Soon, beneath the words "CELESTIAL DRAGONS" on the whiteboard, a new line of text appeared. After completing this addition, Red turned toward his companions with an excited, almost manic smile.
"Now, let me explain our... plan to publicly execute a Celestial Dragon!!!"
Public execution of a Celestial Dragon!
This outrageously bold idea would make most in the pirate world consider its proposer hopelessly insane.
However, through Red's time-traveler perspective and strategic planning, he developed a comprehensive action plan—one that could ensure smooth implementation while allowing them to escape the dual pursuit of Marines and World Government!
Three days later, the Going Merry—which had remained in Alabasta for an extended period—once again embarked on its journey, cutting through the boundless sea like a sharp blade.
Though Vivi and Smoker had disembarked due to their respective responsibilities, a new face now appeared on the Merry's deck: Fire Fist Ace, Second Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates!
"Truly, Pokémon Park hasn't even opened yet, and we're already forced to resume sailing," Red sighed, leaning against the Merry's railing as he gazed at the vast ocean ahead.
"I should have known... Blackbeard, you've completely disrupted my plan!!!"
He had convinced Luffy for the crew to remain in Alabasta temporarily before continuing their adventure. According to the original timeline, they would soon encounter an enemy they couldn't possibly defeat—Admiral Aokiji!
As an Ice-Ice Fruit user, Aokiji was among the few Devil Fruit users unaffected by seawater. In other words, Red's greatest advantages against ability users—Surf and dimensional portals—would prove ineffective against him.
After Blackbeard's apparent demise, Red had felt relieved. With Ace—a world-class powerhouse—at their side, he could serve as an "experience provider," continuously strengthening the crew until they developed enough power to challenge Aokiji.
Debut at peak strength!
However... Blackbeard's unexpected enlistment with the Marines had completely disrupted Red's plans and rhythm.
"Fortunately, there's not much work remaining on the park—Vivi and Mr. 1 can handle it. I hope Pokémon Park opens successfully!" Red sighed quietly, thinking of the money-making enterprise he'd established through half a month's intensive labor.
"Hey~ Red! Red!!!" A shouting voice suddenly rang out behind him.
It was Luffy, who just days ago had worried about Ace's predicted death but now approached with shining eyes and excited expression.
"Red! Red! It happened! The situation you described finally appeared!!!"
Luffy danced enthusiastically, his words initially seeming nonsensical to others.
Red immediately understood, his eyes flashing with recognition. "So quickly?! It seems that after being upgraded, even the Merry's speed has increased significantly."
Nami followed behind Luffy. "Red, the Log Pose needle has begun pointing straight upward, just as you predicted. Should we change course for Jaya Island now?"
"Yes!" Red nodded with a grin. "From here, it's all in your hands, world's greatest navigator!"
"Hehe~ That praise might be premature for me right now," Nami smiled.
The next moment, she retrieved a nautical chart from her "fourth-dimensional pocket." This chart, discovered in Baroque Works' database, contained detailed information about islands in their current sea region—including the location of a small island called Jaya.
This island was crucial to their Celestial Dragon execution plan! Here resided their connection to one of the Seven Warlords—Donquixote Doflamingo—through Bellamy, currently a third-rate pirate who possessed a direct Den Den Mushi to the Donquixote Family.
"Indeed, in this world, you truly are the king of information, Doflamingo!" Red's lips curved into a smile as the small island gradually appeared on the horizon under Nami's navigation.
Just as he had explained to his crew days earlier, their most pressing need was intelligence regarding Marine movements. And throughout the underworld, who could surpass Doflamingo—with his undercover Vice Admiral within the Marines—in accessing such information?