As Crocodile's words died in the air, Roya's flagship suddenly charged straight through the gigantic gate.
"What's he doing—attacking Marineford head-on like that?!" Buggy's eyes nearly leapt out of their sockets as he gripped the rail desperately. But the navy ships beneath their control detached from the crowd and followed Roya's flagship toward the Gate of Justice.
Had they realized they'd drown in the currents, every prisoner, Buggy included, would've jumped overboard long ago. Even their voices seemed locked behind iron gates; no scream escaped.
Then, silently, ten warships—like ghosts—rushed toward the closed Gate of Justice. With a soft shudder, the armada passed through a wall of illusion, without resistance or collision, emerging seamlessly on the other side. They had penetrated the final barrier before Marineford.
The fleet glided to a halt in calm waters. In the night's dim starlight, a massive, dark island came into view: Marineford.
Jinbe's shock melted into a wry smile.
"I thought Roya would open the Gate of Justice with some mysterious power—but this is even more unimaginable… he literally passed us through another dimension."
Magellan nodded.
"From my encounters and Hancock's observations, his ability seems to drag us into a different spatial plane—letting us pass through solid gates as if they don't exist."
Jinbe "I understand the theory, but silently carrying ten ships simultaneously into another dimension? That's terrifying!"
Roya smiled softly. This maneuver strained even his mastery of Observation Haki, but he had enough time to recover before Whitebeard's assault.
A thought touched his mind, spreading into every ship's crew.
"Everyone—feel free to move around. Tomorrow at noon, we strike! We eliminate the Navy's entire elite force in one decisive blow!"
Cheers erupted—but their voices fizzled out immediately, as if hitting an invisible wall. The entire fleet hung suspended: hidden, silent, yet perilously close to Marineford. The nearest navy ship was so close, they could peek onto its deck without a telescope.
Squard, McGuy ,and their pirate crew, accustomed to Roya's incredible feats, showed no surprise. The newly freed prisoners recognized his power anew—loyalty and belonging took root deep in their hearts.
---
Marineford HQ — Battle Conference Room
Fleet Admiral Sengoku, three admirals, Admiral Garp, Vice Admiral Tsuru, and other veterans sat in reverent silence as strategists reported:
All vice admirals assembled.
100,000 elite officers and soldiers on standby.
Civilians fully evacuated.
Fifty warships deployed around Marineford for encirclement.
The science and special forces ready to strike decisively.
Stalwart and proud, Sengoku stood tall on hearing these updates. Then the strategist continued:
(Strategist) "Regarding the Seven Warlords: Boa Hancock confirmed traveling to Impel Down with Roya. Dracule Mihawk has resigned his post and is returning to Kuraigana Island. Gecko Moria attempted to assault the Moby Dick but failed—he remains imprisoned there, though his crew is gathered. Only Donquixote Doflamingo and Bartholomew Kuma are fully assembled here."
The mood fell heavy as Sengoku recalled Drake embedded in Whitebeard's crew. He regained composure and stood decisively:
(Sengoku, fists clenched) "Everything's prepared. I hereby declare the operation to eliminate Whitebeard is underway. All units—go on alert. Execution begins at dawn!"
(All) "Victory! We will prevail!"
Their battle cry surged like a wave out of Marineford, igniting each soul—including Ace's, trapped in a secret underground cell. He twisted against his shackles, only to feel powerless again.
Footsteps approached his cell. A familiar voice called softly:
(Garp) "Ace."
(Ace) "Grandpa."*
They were quiet a long moment before Garp spoke again.
(Garp) "If you'd just followed my advice."
His voice cracked, tears rising.
(Garp) "If you'd joined the Marines."
Ace lifted his head slightly.
(Ace) "Grandpa… the world needs more real pirates than Marines!"
Garp was left without words, seated quietly outside the cell.
---
Meanwhile, off southwest Marineford, nearly sixty warships approached the Gate of Justice. Onboard the Moby Dick, Whitebeard sat in his cabin, his vitality surging with confidence.
(Whitebeard) "My son Ace—don't worry. I'll rescue you, and I'll teach Sengoku a lesson!"
He looked through the porthole at Roya's hidden fleet in the distance. A renewed calm overtook him as his expression hardened with determination.
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