At the same time, the Whitebeard Pirates received the news.
By coincidence, Whitebeard had gathered all the captains of his affiliated pirate crews for a banquet that very day.
Marco clutched the newspaper tightly and rushed toward Whitebeard without hesitation.
"Pops, something terrible happened," Marco said urgently.
"Ace has been captured."
Whitebeard paused.
The old man, still connected to an IV drip, slowly set down the sake jug in his hand.
"How could Ace have been captured by the Navy?" he asked calmly.
Marco's eyes burned with anger.
"It was Teach," he said through clenched teeth.
"That bastard."
"After defeating Ace, Teach used him as a bargaining chip in exchange for a position among the Seven Warlords."
Boom!
The moment Marco finished speaking, Whitebeard slammed Murakumogiri into the ground.
The entire hall shook.
Rage filled Whitebeard's face.
"Teach!!!"
"Pops," one of the allied captains asked,
"what should we do now?"
"The Navy is clearly forcing us into a war."
"Are we supposed to avoid it?"
Whitebeard snorted coldly.
"Avoid it?"
"Do not underestimate the Whitebeard Pirates."
He tore the IV tubes from his body and tossed the equipment aside.
"I am Whitebeard."
"If the Navy wants Ace's life, they will have to ask whether I allow it."
Whitebeard's gaze swept across everyone present.
"If one day any of you are captured," he said heavily,
"I will come for you as well."
"Now tell me," he roared,
"do we fight?"
The hall erupted.
"Fight!"
"Fight them head-on!"
"It is just the Navy!"
"Pops, do not worry!"
"To save Ace, we will do anything!"
A trace of relief flashed through Whitebeard's eyes.
This was the family he wanted.
"Men," Whitebeard commanded,
"start gathering every pirate we have."
"When we are ready, we sail for Marineford."
"Yes, Pops!"
The entire Whitebeard Pirates began to move.
At Marineford, inside Ezra D. Vale's residence.
Ezra activated the special Den Den Mushi connected to the Five Elders.
"Young Master," a voice answered respectfully.
"How may we assist you?"
"If war breaks out with Whitebeard," Ezra said calmly,
"Kaido may interfere."
"Send word to Red-Hair Shanks."
"Have him stop Kaido."
"Yes, Young Master."
The call ended.
Without hesitation, the Five Elders contacted Shanks.
Shanks had only just received the news himself and was already troubled by it.
Seeing the Den Den Mushi, he left the ongoing party and walked alone to the shore.
"Five Elders."
"Shanks," the voice replied,
"you have heard about the Whitebeard Pirates, correct?"
Shanks nodded slightly.
"Keep a close watch on Kaido," the Elder continued.
"You must stop him from getting involved."
Shanks frowned, thinking rapidly.
After a moment, he nodded firmly.
"I understand."
"Remember your agreement with us," the Elder added.
"Do not treat this lightly."
The call ended.
Shanks scratched the back of his head helplessly.
"I have not forgotten," he muttered.
He returned to the group.
Benn Beckman glanced at him.
"Something wrong?"
"Kaido may intervene," Shanks said.
Beckman immediately understood.
"So we are stopping Kaido."
"Yes," Shanks replied.
He clapped his hands and addressed the crew.
"Everyone, a major storm is coming."
"We need to prepare."
The crew was briefly stunned, then nodded in unison.
"Understood, Captain."
Meanwhile, on Baltigo Island.
Dragon held a newspaper brought from afar, his eyes drifting toward Luffy, who was training relentlessly in the distance.
"Should we tell him?" Morley asked.
Dragon considered it, then nodded.
"No matter what choice Luffy makes," Dragon said quietly,
"it is his decision."
"We have no right to interfere."
Morley nodded and walked over with the newspaper.
Luffy was currently training under Karasu.
As the commander of the North Army, Karasu completely overwhelmed him.
Even when Luffy used Second Gear or Third Gear, it made no difference.
"Huff… huff…"
Luffy gasped for air but did not stop.
Memories flooded his mind.
Being swatted away by Kuma.
Being defeated in a single strike by Ezra D. Vale.
Each memory burned into his nerves, pushing him forward.
"I want to be stronger."
"Pause."
Morley appeared beside him.
Luffy froze and looked up.
"Morley? What is it?"
Without a word, Morley handed him the newspaper.
"Your brother," Morley said,
"Portgas D. Ace."
"He will be publicly executed soon."
Luffy's mind went blank.
"What?!"
"That is impossible!" Luffy shouted.
"We just met in Alabasta not long ago!"
"Morley, this has to be a mistake!"
Morley shook his head.
"It is not."
"This report was approved by Fleet Admiral Sengoku himself."
"That means it will happen."
Luffy's body trembled.
"No," he said hoarsely.
"I already lost Sabo."
"I cannot lose Ace too."
Before Morley could mention Sabo, Luffy was already sprinting toward the harbor.
Morley sighed.
"When Sabo returns from his mission," he thought,
"his memories might recover once they meet."
He did not chase after Luffy.
Luffy had only one thought in his mind.
Save Ace.
But where was he?
How could he save him?
He had no answers.
Someone else would give them to him.
Dragon stood in his path.
"Where are you going?" Dragon asked.
"Move!" Luffy shouted.
"I am going to save Ace!"
"Luffy," Dragon said firmly,
"calm thinking is the foundation of success."
Luffy stopped.
He forced himself to calm down and think.
But strategy was never his strength.
Dragon sighed.
"Ace should currently be imprisoned in Impel Down."
Luffy tilted his head.
"Impel Down?"
Dragon nodded.
"It is known as the world's greatest prison."
"It lies in the Calm Belt of the first half of the Grand Line."
"If you want to enter," Dragon added,
"you will need a little help."
He gestured to the side.
Morley pulled out a photograph and handed it over.
The image showed a massive figure with an oversized face and deep purple afro hair.
"Let me introduce you," Dragon said.
"Emporio Ivankov."