Chapter 158 – The Battle of Marineford: Opening
A few hours later—Marineford, the Navy Headquarters.
The time: 10 o'clock in the morning.
The fortress of the Navy, where almost all of its strongest forces had been assembled, stood as the stage for a battle that would shake the world. The small civilian town behind Marineford had been evacuated long before—the streets now silent, abandoned in preparation for war.
On the central square, over 100,000 elite Marines stood in perfect formation. Not a sound could be heard; the atmosphere was suffocating, heavy with anticipation.
Atop the execution platform, Fleet Admiral Sengoku stepped forward. Behind him, two guards carrying long blades escorted the condemned prisoner.
The one brought to the stand was not Portgas D. Ace.
It was Sabo—Chief of Staff of the Revolutionary Army, sworn brother of both Ace and Luffy.
His execution was to be broadcast across the world.
Beneath the platform stood the Navy's three greatest weapons: the Admirals.
Akainu (Sakazuki)
Aokiji (Kuzan)
Kizaru (Borsalino)
Surrounding the crescent-shaped bay were 50 Marine warships, their cannons loaded and aimed. The harbor itself bristled with heavy artillery, all trained toward the sea.
At the front lines stood one of the Three Great Powers of the World—the Seven Warlords of the Sea. Only four had arrived so far, yet their oppressive presence alone was enough to make the nearest soldiers uneasy.
---
This time, things were different from history. Since the condemned was Sabo, Sengoku no longer needed to explain the gravity of the situation. Every Marine already knew: this execution was a lure, bait for the enemy they truly awaited.
Suddenly, a Marine officer rushed to Sengoku, his voice panicked.
"Reporting! Fleet Admiral Sengoku! The Gate of Justice… it suddenly opened without any command! We've also lost all contact with the control room!"
"What?!" Sengoku's brow furrowed, though he quickly regained composure.
"Don't panic. This is within expectations. This war is against that man. Whatever happens now is no reason to lose focus."
Lifting the loudspeaker Den Den Mushi, he spoke to the entire square:
"All hands prepare for battle. That man—Whitebeard—is coming!!"
---
As if on cue, the horizon shifted.
Dozens of pirate ships appeared, their black flags rising into view. From the sea came a massive fleet, the allied forces of the Whitebeard Pirates and the Spade Pirates.
"[Thunder Lord] Makugai, [Ice Witch] Whitey Bay, [Great Whirlpool Spider] Squard… [Wandering Knight] Doma, [Giant Tiger] Delacuaji… fifty-one pirate ships in total! All subordinate crews under Whitebeard and Spade!"
"There's no doubt—each of them is a famed pirate of the New World."
"Where are Whitebeard and Spade themselves?!"
"No sign of their ships in the fleet!"
"They must be waiting to appear at the critical moment… Everyone stay sharp!"
"Heheheh… as expected of Whitebeard. Such an army he's gathered."
From the front lines, among the Shichibukai, Gecko Moria licked his lips with excitement.
"Come quickly, Whitebeard… I can't hold myself back any longer!"
---
Blub… blub… blub…
Suddenly, the waters within Marineford's bay began to bubble violently.
"…No!" Sengoku's eyes widened, realization dawning.
"They're surfacing from beneath the sea?!"
From the rear, Vice Admiral Tsuru muttered grimly, "So… it wasn't a mistake in formation. They've outmaneuvered us."
Garp folded his arms, face unreadable. "As expected of that man."
---
With a thunderous crash, enormous shadows emerged from beneath the bay, splitting the sea.
The ships had been coated in Yarukiman film, allowing them to travel under the sea unseen.
First to surface was the Moby Dick, Whitebeard's flagship. Beside it rose the Spade, flagship of the Spade Pirates, followed by two auxiliary Whitebeard vessels.
"The Moby Dick!!"
"And the Spade!!"
The Marines gasped as water cascaded off the massive hulls.
On the Moby Dick, at the bow, stood the 14 division commanders of the Whitebeard Pirates, led by [Phoenix] Marco. Behind them, the crews of each division lined the decks.
On the Spade, the full crew of the Spade Pirates appeared, led by their captain, the Mad Swordsman Eboli Gambi.
---
Thud… Thud… Thud…
Heavy footsteps echoed across the Moby Dick as the legendary figure himself stepped forward.
Edward Newgate—Whitebeard.
Towering over all, bisento in hand, he stood at the prow of his ship. But to the shock of many, two other figures emerged from behind him.
"That's… Trafalgar Law!! And Jewelry Bonney!!"
"They were allied with the Spade Pirates… why are they appearing alongside Whitebeard himself?!"
Gasps erupted through the Marine ranks. Those who knew of their powers went pale.
Sengoku's expression darkened. "Law… and Bonney… Damn it. Their abilities could change everything."
---
"Gurararara!!" Whitebeard's laughter boomed across the bay.
"It's been decades, Sengoku!" His voice carried like thunder. "I hear a traitor from my crew—Teach—is in your custody. Show him to me!! I've come to claim his head myself!!"
His words rolled across Marineford like a quake, and the true battle of the era began.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you like the story please give it some power stones and reviews. And if you want to read 40+ advance chapters or just want to support me please join my patreon at [email protected]/Translatingfanfics