The Five Elders had already made their arrangements, and now discussions shifted to the Whitebeard Pirates. Their mission was clear: wipe out the formidable crew completely.
Half a month passed swiftly, quietly, like water running under a bridge. During this time, Kaito's clash with the Red Hair Pirates in the New World remained largely unknown to the wider sea. It caught him by surprise for a moment—why hadn't word of his victory spread? Perhaps Luffy and his peers had deliberately allowed the news to stay hidden, letting the young pirates' reputations grow on their own.
Kaito wasn't in a hurry. In life, there was always time. Opportunities to make a pirate crew famous did not have to be forced; they could wait until tomorrow, or the day after.
Meanwhile, news of Whitebeard Pirates' encounters with the Marines had begun circulating, with numerous versions floating across the sea. Yet strangely, the waters remained calm. Pirates seemed to vanish as if they had never existed. The seas would erupt only when the true battle between Whitebeard and the Marines began.
During these days, Kaito also monitored Luffy's movements. After leaving the New World Pirate Expo, Luffy and his crew encountered Shichibukai Bear on an island, where they were each defeated in turn, forced to train individually.
Kaito assumed this was intentional; Luffy and his friends were still too inexperienced to traverse the New World safely. Letting them hone their skills privately seemed wise. Everything was unfolding as it should.
Night fell, black as ink. The crescent moon hung high, its hazy light casting a silver sheen across the surrounding waters. Kaito stood proudly atop the deck of his ship, excitement glimmering in his eyes.
"Tomorrow will be the greatest battle in the pirate world. I hope none of you disappoint me," he said, raising his head to the sky. "Red Hair, now that your pirate crew has been crushed, let's see how you will stop the Battle of the Top."
He stretched out his hands, closing his eyes for a moment. "Tomorrow… I am truly looking forward to it."
The following morning, Kaito stretched and appeared on the deck, where Kaido and others had already been waiting.
"You got up before me!" Kaito teased.
"Hehe, Boss Kaito! This is a monumental day. I was too excited to sleep!" Page One replied, impatience in his voice.
"Yes! Boss, when do we set out?" King asked, ever composed.
"Relax," Kaito said. "The main players are the Whitebeard Pirates and the Marines. Until they arrive, we have no reason to act. Let's gather intelligence first."
He produced a communication device and projected an image across the deck. Everyone saw the bustling scene clearly.
"This… is Naval Headquarters' surveillance feed? Boss, how did you get this?" Queen exclaimed.
Sengoku, confident in his territory, believed he could annihilate the Whitebeard Pirates quickly, enhancing Marine prestige. The execution of Ace had been broadcast live to the world. A few black-market devices intercepted the feed, but only a select few knew.
Ordinary viewers went straight to the central square to witness the spectacle. Reporters, hungry for interviews, had secured their positions weeks ago. The entire Sabaody Archipelago was now sparsely populated, all eyes turned to the event.
"This will be entertaining," Kaito said with a sly smile. "Ordinary people will be terrified. Marine is their guardian, their lifeline. If Marine falls, life becomes harder for them. That makes tomorrow's outcome all the more crucial."
"Indeed," he continued, eyes narrowing. "After this, the New World must be unified swiftly."
Kaito stepped forward and extended a hand. A terrifying force radiated outward. Water surrounding the ship exploded, churning as though struck by a meteor.
In an instant, the massive pirate ship lifted into the air, hovering ominously above the sea.
"Captain, that's… you?" the crew murmured, awe evident in their voices.
"Do you want to visit Marine Headquarters? Let's go," Kaito said, smiling. "We'll wait until the perfect moment to make our entrance. Surprise is our ally."
The crew's eyes gleamed with excitement.
---
Meanwhile, the central square of Sabaody Archipelago was packed with anticipation. Screens displayed live images of Naval Headquarters, and the crowd murmured with excitement.
Snowflakes appeared briefly before forming clear images of the empty square, Marine patrols moving in formation.
"Is that Naval Headquarters?" whispered some onlookers.
As the sun rose, the square was illuminated in full. Marines, draped in their justice cloaks, marched from all directions, their energy palpable.
The elite ten thousand Marines, drawn from various branches, stood in perfect formation, their discipline intimidating the civilians watching on screen.
Soon, Colonel-level officers like Smoker emerged, their presence commanding attention.
"That's Colonel Smoker of the Marines, capable of Logia Smoke Fruit abilities," whispered some junior Marines.
An hour remained before Fire Fist Ace's execution. Under the watchful eyes of the world, Ace appeared on the platform, flanked by two Marines.
"Is that Fire Fist Ace? Captain of the Second Division of the Whitebeard Pirates?"
"He looks so young!"
Reporters scribbled notes frantically, cameras rolling.
"The Whitebeard Pirates must be arriving soon!" Smoker said with a grin.
"Who knows what will happen next," Hina murmured, her face tense.
Footsteps echoed as Vice Admirals, led by Momousagi, assembled calmly at the base of the execution platform.
"That… that is a Headquarters Vice Admiral!"
"So many… have all the Vice Admirals been mobilized?"
_____
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