Even though Kyōka Suigetsu was basically a cheat-level ability in the original Bleach, Devil Fruits in the One Piece world were no less broken. I
Oguro absolutely did not want Aizen Sōsuke to capsize because of a careless mistake.
"Yes. I understand," Aizen replied.
In fact, Oguro did not even need to warn him.
Aizen had once seen the Fleet Admiral from afar.
From Sengoku, he felt an almost perfectly complete soul.
He could overpower it with his Kyōka Suigetsu, but to fully hypnotize someone like that it won't it won't be a stealthy process.
But then again, he did not need to completely hypnotize Sengoku.
He was an undercover agent, not someone trying to turn the entire Marine force into his puppets.
The call ended.
Not long after, Oguro received a call from Hancock.
"That Straw Hat brat failed. He caused too much trouble, so Ace was transferred ahead of schedule."
There was a faint hint of regret in Hancock's voice.
If Luffy had succeeded, she would not have needed to fight the Whitebeard Pirates.
And she could have enjoyed watching the Marines and the World Government make fools of themselves.
Unfortunately, it did not work out.
"Where's Luffy now?" Oguro asked.
Hancock sounded uncertain. "He disappeared on the fifth level of Impel Down. He probably went into hiding."
Oguro's heart stirred.
The fifth level of Impel Down?
Then he must have run into Ivankov.
Looks like a jailbreak was inevitable after all.
Oguro shook his head. Matters involving the chosen one were not something he needed to worry about.
Since Ace had already been transferred, the curtain had officially risen on the Summit War.
It was time for him to make his own preparations.
That very night, Oguro received news that the Straw Hat Pirates were preparing to set sail.
After successfully escaping, Luffy had contacted them to report his safety.
Once they learned that Luffy was heading to Marineford, none of them could sit still anymore.
Impel Down had been impossible, but now that their captain was heading straight into a life-or-death battle, how could they just stand by?
Unfortunately, the Thousand Sunny had only just begun construction.
They had no choice but to sail to Marineford on the Going Merry, which had only just been barely repaired.
"Are you guys really going to Marineford? The papers say the Marines have gathered a hundred thousand elite troops there. Going there is basically suicide!"
Inside the dock, Barry tried to persuade the Straw Hat crew as they lowered the Going Merry into the water.
"We're companions. Even if we die, we die together!"
With Luffy absent, Zoro took up the mantle, speaking with unwavering resolve.
"Y-yeah! We'll definitely save Luffy and Ace!"
Usopp raised a hand high, looking full of heroic fervor.
Unfortunately, his constantly trembling legs betrayed his true feelings.
The others said nothing, but their eyes spoke louder than words.
Barry sighed helplessly. "The Going Merry was only barely repaired. No one knows how long she can hold out. All I can do is wish you good luck."
"You've already helped us a lot," Zoro said solemnly.
Under the cover of night, the Going Merry raised her sails and set off.
Oguro stood at a distance, quietly watching.
He had already met the spirit of the Going Merry.
It was a very pure and innocent soul.
The feeling it gave him was remarkably similar to a Zanpakutō.
Oguro had once asked whether it wanted his help to leave the Going Merry and be reborn.
The answer was no.
The ship spirit's reasoning was simple.
It wanted to stay with the Going Merry.
If one day the Straw Hat crew encountered danger, it could help them one last time.
Now, just as the ship spirit had said, it was time for it to act.
Oguro understood clearly. After this, the Going Merry would inevitably meet her end in the sea.
Even if she managed to reach Marineford, there was no escaping the storm of gunfire waiting there.
"Ace's execution is almost here. They probably won't make it in time, right?" Barry said helplessly.
Oguro smiled faintly. "No. They'll make it."
You are underestimating the power of a ship spirit.
The reason Oguro felt ship spirits were similar to Zanpakutō was because their existence seemed to allow the ship to undergo a kind of Shikai.
Every aspect of the vessel was greatly enhanced, and it gained its own consciousness to guide its voyage.
The Going Merry could choose the shortest possible route and charge straight toward Marineford.
Five days later, the day of Ace's execution finally arrived.
To display its strength and authority, the Marines chose to broadcast the entire event live.
The news shook the entire sea.
At the same time, many people were puzzled.
Why was there no movement at all from the Whitebeard Pirates?
Speculation began to spread.
"They're probably scared."
"Ten thousand elite Marines. No matter how strong the Whitebeard Pirates are, they can't fight that many."
"Makes sense. I heard the Seven Warlords of the Sea were summoned too. If the Whitebeard Pirates dare to come, they'll be completely wiped out."
A crowd of ignorant fools mocked the Whitebeard Pirates freely.
Those who truly understood them, however, were sitting on pins and needles.
Fleet Admiral Sengoku was one such person.
At that moment, he was raging in his office.
"What do you mean they disappeared? Didn't I order constant surveillance of Whitebeard's movements?"
From the other end of the Den Den Mushi came a bitter voice.
"Whitebeard planned everything in advance. All surveillance ships were almost simultaneously hit with devastating attacks."
"By the time we received the reports and rushed over, the entire Whitebeard Pirates crew had already vanished."
"Useless! All of you are useless!"
Sengoku roared in fury.
Vice Admiral Tsuru could not stand it anymore and spoke up.
"This isn't their fault. If Whitebeard wants to act, these youngsters obviously can't stop him."
"The most important thing now is to prepare for what's coming."
"No matter what tricks Whitebeard is pulling, he will still come to Marineford in the end."
Sengoku nodded. "Very well. All we can do now is prepare and leave the rest to fate."
Six o'clock. Six hours remained until the execution.
More than fifty warships had already gathered at Marineford's harbor.
Densely packed Marine soldiers poured toward the plaza by the port.
This was where Ace would be executed.
And where the Summit War would be fought.
Aizen Sōsuke stood to the side with Smoker and Tashigi, watching the sea of people with solemn expressions.
As the saying goes, when numbers exceed ten thousand, they stretch beyond the horizon.
This was a full one hundred thousand elite troops.
"Both of you, please be careful in this battle. Even Devil Fruit users can die if they're careless on a battlefield like this," Aizen said sincerely, adjusting his glasses.
"Don't worry. I'm not a rookie," Tashigi replied, flicking her hair back with a determined look.
Then she glanced at Smoker, her tone teasing.
"And you, Smoker. Don't think you can just charge around because you're a Logia."
"If one of those division commanders locks onto you, you'll be in real trouble. No one's cleaning up after you this time."
Smoker's face darkened instantly. "I don't need you to remind me."
He might be reckless, but he was not stupid.
The Whitebeard Pirates were not something he could handle alone.
Suddenly, the noisy plaza fell silent.
From the rear of the plaza, several figures radiating dangerous auras strode forward arrogantly
***
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