"How about you, Aokiji?"
"The Pacifista army is ready and has already arrived quietly," Aokiji replied calmly. "Sentomaru is guarding the area."
Sengoku nodded, then turned his gaze toward Akainu.
"All defenses at Marine G-5 have been tightened," Akainu said coldly. "No outsiders have left during this period. Even supply purchases were handled by trusted officers. There is no risk of our presence being exposed."
"Very good," Sengoku said, his eyes shining with anticipation. "Everything is prepared. Once Kaito and Whitebeard both suffer losses, the chaos in the New World will finally come to an end."
His expression soon darkened.
"Commander Kong will personally oversee this operation. I will serve as the deputy commander. He will also bring additional forces with him."
"Commander Kong himself?" Aokiji muttered with a sigh. "It's been a long time."
Sengoku ignored him.
"In two days, the New World turmoil that has plagued the Marines for years will be completely wiped out."
---
Time passed like flowing water. Two days vanished in the blink of an eye.
Early on the third morning, as the sky began to lighten with a pale fish-belly white, Kaito slowly opened his eyes.
After washing up, he returned to Kunpeng and found everyone already waiting.
Kaito said nothing unnecessary and simply waved his hand.
"Let's go."
The massive beast awakened, moving forward steadily before accelerating into a furious gallop, vanishing without a trace.
---
Barnhart Island lay at the junction of the Four Emperors' territories in the New World, a true no man's land.
The island was lush and untamed, filled with ancient trees and dense vegetation. Small animals occasionally darted through the jungle, untouched by civilization.
A few abandoned houses were faintly visible within the forest, but after news of the duel between Kaito and Whitebeard spread, the original residents had long since evacuated.
At this moment, the outskirts of Barnhart Island were packed with ships.
Reporters, pirates, merchants, nobles, all gathered in a massive ring around the island.
Video Den Den Mushi of every kind were prepared.
"Move faster," an elderly man shouted anxiously aboard a merchant ship. "Double check all equipment."
His name was Jessica, editor in chief of the World Economic News and one of Kaito's subordinates.
"No issues on our end."
"Same here."
"Paper and pens are ready."
Reports came in one after another, confirming everything was in order.
This was not limited to Jessica's ship alone. Intelligence agencies and news organizations from all over the world had arrived.
This was not just a battle between Kaito and Whitebeard, it was a war among reporters.
"Alright," Jessica said after checking the time. "Begin the broadcast."
His expression turned serious.
"The boss paid an enormous price to secure the worldwide broadcast rights from the World Government. You are all elites. Not a single moment can be missed."
"Yes!"
At the same time, large screens across countless islands flickered with static before displaying the full image of Barnhart Island.
People everywhere raised their heads, staring without blinking.
This battle was no longer personal. It pulled at the heartstrings of the entire world.
As the sun rose higher, a pirate ship appeared in the distance.
From a tiny black dot, it rapidly expanded into a clear silhouette.
"Quick, record it," Jessica shouted excitedly. "They're here."
There was no need to urge them. The moment the ship appeared, the Video Den Den Mushi had already locked onto it.
"It's the Whitebeard Pirates," Jessica yelled.
Click. Click.
Flashes erupted nonstop as the massive fleet came into view.
Nearby, among other pirate crews, members of the Worst Generation watched intently.
Capone Bege, Drake, Bonney, Kid, all stared ahead with sharp eyes.
"It's finally happening," someone muttered.
As the Whitebeard Pirates approached, surrounding ships instinctively turned aside, making way.
After all, they were one of today's protagonists.
"First Division Commander Marco, Second Division Commander Fire Fist Ace," a nearby pirate whispered in shock. "All sixteen division commanders are here."
"There are so many people," Marco said, standing on the Moby Dick and surveying the crowd. "Pops' reputation hasn't faded at all."
"Yeah," Ace chuckled. "This crowd could rival a whole town."
"I wonder how they'll react if they knew we're not the main attraction today," Vista said with a faint smile.
"They'd probably lose their minds," Jozu said loudly. "Some of them have been waiting here for over a month."
The Moby Dick soon anchored near the island.
Whitebeard leapt down, walking inland with steady steps. The weakness from before was nowhere to be seen. Two days of rest had restored much of his strength.
Not long after, another fleet appeared.
The moment Kaito's pirates arrived, the entire scene erupted.
Whitebeard, despite being called the strongest in the world, had remained quiet in the New World for years. Aside from the Summit War, people had almost forgotten him.
Kaito was different.
This past year, his name dominated the world.
Before the Grand Line, he killed Crocodile, captured Akainu, subdued Aokiji, traded directly with the Marines, and slaughtered Celestial Dragons at Sabaody.
In the New World, he was even more ruthless. He killed Doflamingo, crushed Jack, subdued the Beasts Pirates, killed Charlotte Linlin, and forced Tesoro to submit.
Any one of these feats would be enough for a lifetime of bragging rights.
Yet Kaito had done them all.
People whispered his name with awe, some even calling him the true ruler of the New World, standing above the Yonko.
After today, even the last Yonko might fall under his banner.
Under countless gazes and blinding flashes, Kaito's crew arrived at the shore, stopping not far from the Whitebeard Pirates.
After exchanging brief words with Issho and the others, Kaito leapt forward.
In just a few bounds, he disappeared from everyone's sight.
_____
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