Chapter 412 – The Black Crow's War
At Marine Headquarters, on the execution platform,
Ace had arrived and knelt, head bowed, seemingly prepared for death.
Sengoku, now standing beside Ace, held a Den Den Mushi and spoke calmly.
"Before the execution, I have something to convey to you all!"
"Portgas D. Ace, regarding the significance of this man's death here today!"
"Ace, state your father's name!"
Sengoku looked at Ace calmly.
Mio sat in the tavern, watching the scene unfold on the video before him, a faint grin curling his lips. The scene was identical to the original events he knew—no differences at all.
When Ace's true father was revealed, the world would be in shock, wouldn't it?
"My father is Whitebeard!" Ace said gravely after a long silence.
"That's not correct," Sengoku replied sternly. This time, he intended to use Ace's identity and Whitebeard's destruction to elevate the Navy's prestige to an unprecedented level.
Even if Ace didn't want to acknowledge his father, Sengoku would force the truth out.
"There's nothing wrong—it's only Whitebeard, no one else!" Ace roared immediately. He would never acknowledge that man as his father.
Sengoku looked at Ace deeply, then glanced down at the 100,000 elite Marines below. He stopped debating and began telling the story slowly.
"At that time, we searched desperately, believing that somewhere, a child of that man might still exist. With the little intelligence CP gathered, we conducted thorough investigations of newborns, unborn babies, and their mothers."
"But we never found anything."
"It's no wonder," Sengoku continued, his gaze fixed on Ace.
"Your birth was purchased at the cost of your mother's life—or perhaps it was a deliberate plan by her, a conspiracy that deceived us… no, deceived the entire world."
"In the South Blue, there's an island called Baterilla. Your mother's name was Portgas Rouge. Her willpower surpassed common sense—so devoted to protecting you, she kept you in her womb for twenty months, and died from exhaustion as she gave birth to you!"
"A year after your father's death, a child bearing the world's most dangerous bloodline was born."
"That child… is you, Ace!"
"Your father is the Pirate King—Gol D. Roger!!"
As Sengoku's voice fell, the world erupted in shock. Across the seas, people's expressions shifted instantly.
Even civilians showed fear.
To many, Roger, the Pirate King, was the most dangerous man in history. He had ushered in the Great Pirate Era, bringing chaos and destruction to countless lives.
"Big… big news."
"That man actually has descendants alive."
"Damn the Navy! Why did they only find out now?"
"Thank the heavens—Roger's bloodline is about to be wiped out. This is good news!"
"Hahaha, well done, Navy!"
—
At the same time, as Sengoku's words faded, Mio waved his hand calmly.
"Get rid of those World Government dogs around here."
"Yes!"
Lilith and Erica nodded, vanishing instantly.
Soon, screams echoed from outside the tavern—nobles, commoners, and pirates fell almost instantly under Lilith and Erica's assault.
Then, a piercing cry split the sky.
From the distance, a massive black cloud descended, engulfing the Sabaody Archipelago in darkness.
It was crows.
Countless crows—hundreds of thousands, maybe millions—swarming overhead.
Their shrill cries made many collapse, foaming at the mouth.
"What is this?!"
"Crows?!"
"How can there be so many?!"
Inside Xia Qi's tavern, Rayleigh looked up at the darkened sky with a solemn gaze.
"These crows—are they from Crow Island?" Xia Qi asked in disbelief.
"Yes," Rayleigh nodded. "The crows of Crow Island, led by Hei Yan of the Black Crow Pirates, have guarded that place for years without leaving. For them to be here now… there's something hidden among them."
"Is that man's ambition finally being revealed? And at this timing?" Xia Qi exhaled a smoke ring, eyes flickering. "With the war between Whitebeard and the Navy about to start, this timing is… perfect. The seas might soon see the greatest upheaval in hundreds of years."
Rayleigh simply nodded, saying nothing more.
—
In the tavern, Mio slowly stood, tossing a gold coin onto the bar. He grinned at the trembling tavern owner.
"Thanks for the food and drinks. This will cover it. Until next time."
Stepping outside, Mio looked up at the crows and smiled faintly.
"Let's go, everyone."
Bang—
Clutching Robin, Mio leapt like a cannonball straight into the mass of crows.
Behind him, Asuka, Noah, and the others followed, diving into the black swarm.
Hidden within the crows was a massive golden ark. Atop it stood Azan, with Hei Yan perched on his shoulder.
"Sir," Azan said with a smile, "all pirates under the Black Crow Pirates set sail yesterday. If nothing went wrong, they should be near the Red Earth Continent by now."
"All ships have been replaced with Pluto battleships."
Mio's eyes gleamed with excitement. "Let's go."
Hei Yan let out a piercing cry, and the crows swarmed around the ark, hiding it from view as it drifted swiftly away.
The chaos in Sabaody wasn't enough to divert attention—most eyes were still locked on Marineford.
Only a few realized the crows had come from Crow Island.
—
At Marine Headquarters, the atmosphere was suffocating.
Every Marine awaited the execution—and the arrival of the Whitebeard Pirates.
Finally—
A Marine shouted, "Something's happening at sea!"
From beneath the waves, massive shadows rose.
Sengoku's face darkened. "I miscalculated… this wasn't how I expected it to begin."
From the depths, pirate ships burst upward—powerful crews under Whitebeard's banner.
At the center came the Moby Dick.
Thud… thud… thud…
Whitebeard strode to the bow, Murakumo-Kiri in hand. His gaze moved from Ace to Sengoku, and he grinned.
"Marine… you haven't harmed my son, have you?"
"Newgate… it's been a long time," Sengoku replied gravely.
"Gurararara… yes, decades, perhaps." Whitebeard's eyes held a flicker of nostalgia. Then he growled, "Let me give the Navy a welcome gift!"
Boom—
Whitebeard's punch shattered the air itself, spiderweb cracks spreading through the sky.
War was upon them.
—
While Marineford braced for battle, another front opened.
Beneath the Red Earth Continent, ships surfaced one after another—nearly six hundred in total, each a Pluto or Pluto replica.
Warriors crowded their decks.
In the sky above, the crows arrived, dispersing to reveal the golden ark.
"Fufufu… finally here," Doflamingo chuckled, eyes scanning the fleets. He saw Kaido, Qiongqi, Taros, warriors from Zou, Wano, and Amazon Lily. Beneath the waves swam fishmen and colossal Sea Kings.
Could the Black Crow Pirates lose? He doubted it.
And if they did… well, then he would personally dethrone the Celestial Dragons.
Mio stood at the bow, eyes cold and defiant.
Just as he was about to speak, a figure descended from the Red Earth Continent—an avian Zoan user. Hovering in the air, the man glared at Mio.
"Black Crow! This is the Red Earth Continent, the World Government's headquarters! What are you planning?!"
Mio's smile was icy.
"What? I'm starting a war."