As the news of Ace's scheduled public execution spread across the world, the seas began to stir.

Far away in the New World, one of the Four Emperors — Charlotte Linlin — read the headline in the paper. After a brief moment of silence, she suddenly burst into laughter.

"Mamamamama... The Marines are seriously going to publicly execute Fire Fist Ace? Now that is unexpected!"

There was no way Whitebeard would ignore such a provocation.

And once he left his territory — regardless of the outcome — his empire would inevitably suffer.

And at that moment…

After weighing all the possibilities, Big Mom happily issued a command to her Sweet Commanders:

"Prepare everything."

---

Meanwhile, across the sea, another Emperor received the same news — Kaido, the so-called Immortal Beast of the Land.

He was equally delighted. After a moment's thought, he made a bold move.

"Get the Calamities ready.

The moment Whitebeard leaves his territory — we strike."

In his mind, it was simple: Whitebeard had to go to Marineford to save Ace.

And that was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Unlike Big Mom, Kaido was far more aggressive.

---

"Has Whitebeard gone senile?!"

Elsewhere, Red-Haired Shanks hurled the newspaper to the ground, face stormy with rage.

If the Marines were executing Ace publicly, they had to be fully prepared for war.

Marineford was the trap — and Whitebeard was being baited.

Realizing this, Shanks immediately turned to Benn Beckman and gave the order.

"We're heading for Whitebeard's territory. We have to stop this."

---

At the same time, aboard the Moby Dick, the Whitebeard Pirates were already gearing up for war.

The mighty, aging Whitebeard stood on the grand deck, his towering figure radiating a terrifying pressure despite the sickness that riddled his body.

His eyes were fixed sharply in the direction of Marineford.

"Sengoku... Have you grown tired of living?"

"You dare to publicly execute my son — and not just anyone… Ace?"

"You think I've grown weak with age?"

Even though illness ate away at him, Whitebeard's presence still shook the very air around him.

Beside him, Marco watched in silent reverence — and deep worry.

He idolized Pops… but he knew the old man's body wasn't what it used to be.

---

As news spread, the Marines began to mobilize.

From the Four Blues to the Grand Line, every elite unit was summoned to Marineford.

This was it — the final battle.

The operation to end the Whitebeard Pirates once and for all.

---

At Marineford, the gathering was massive.

The Three Admirals had assembled.

Top brass from every division of the Navy arrived in formation.

The entire island was being fortified.

Intelligence reports came pouring into Fleet Admiral Sengoku's office, handed over by couriers one after another.

Vice Admiral Tsuru, the Chief Strategist, had issued emergency summons to the Seven Warlords of the Sea.

But to their shock, Jinbei — of the Fish-Man Kingdom and the Sun Pirates — refused the summons and officially withdrew from the Warlords.

Sengoku, upon hearing the news, slammed the document onto his desk.

"What is he trying to do at a time like this?!"

"Send Vice Admiral Onigumo to capture him.

Lock him in Impel Down — I won't allow loose ends!"

Onigumo, who had just arrived at headquarters, immediately departed for the Fish-Man Kingdom.

Sengoku was taking no chances.

Through the window, the vast Marine Plaza stretched out — tens of thousands of elite Marines deployed at the main port, dozens of cannons aimed directly at the bay.

This was all for one man.

If Whitebeard dared show up… even he would pay the ultimate price.

Maybe even die here.

---

"Fleet Admiral Sengoku!"

A Marine burst into the office, interrupting his thoughts.

"We've received an emergency report from Impel Down!"

"What?!"

Sengoku snapped to attention.

"Is it Whitebeard?!"

"No, sir! It's Straw Hat Luffy. He's invaded the prison!"

"WHAT?! Straw Hat?!"

Sengoku's face darkened immediately.

"Wasn't Bartholomew Kuma supposed to have dealt with him?!"

"That's what the report said, sir. But... why would a pirate voluntarily break into the world's most secure prison? What could his goal possibly be?"

The messenger looked just as confused.

Who in their right mind would charge into Impel Down?

Even criminals inside dream of escaping, and now someone wanted to break in?

Had the boy lost his mind?

---

"No… don't tell me—"

A terrifying thought crossed Sengoku's mind. Sweat formed on his brow.

But the next second, he dismissed it.

No. With Luffy's strength, there's no way he could get close to that.

He exhaled.

"Regardless of his intentions, this time... Luffy's luck has run out.

He's walked into Impel Down — he's finished."

But the thought of Luffy being captured made Sengoku frown again.

The boy's identity…

Was no less sensitive than Ace's.

A living legend was much more dangerous than a dead one.

If this wasn't handled properly, the Navy could suffer a double disaster.

"Damn this cursed timing..."

He sat back heavily in his chair, forcing himself to stop thinking about Luffy.

But just then, a booming laugh echoed from outside the office.

"Hahahaha! That grandson of mine really doesn't know fear!"

"Garp!"

"Shut up!"

Sengoku's face darkened.

"Do you even realize what you're saying?!"

"Hahahaha…"

The door opened, and Vice Admiral Garp strolled in — one hand holding a pack of rice crackers, the other scratching his head sheepishly.

He walked over and sat down across from Sengoku.

With a pop, he opened the vacuum-sealed pack and looked inside — but suddenly lost his appetite.

"Sengoku... what should I do?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean my grandsons."

Garp's usual carefree tone vanished. His face turned solemn.

"One after another… causing nothing but headaches."

Sengoku's heart skipped a beat.

"Garp… don't do anything reckless."

"Reckless?"

Garp gave a bitter smile.

"What do you think I can do?"

"I've failed as a grandfather."

He tossed the crackers onto the table and leaned back, staring at the ceiling.

Two grandsons — two different paths.

And because of their bloodline, he could do nothing for either of them.

---

The ideals of "justice" he once believed in…

Now seemed like a hollow joke.

The justice of the people had long since been twisted into a tool of the powerful.

"How ironic…"

"All these years... what the hell have I even been doing?"

"Damn it all…"

As guilt weighed on him, Garp couldn't help but think of Roger — the man who had trusted him with everything.

"Roger…

What would you do... if you were in my shoes?"

---

"You better understand this — we're about to face the King of the Seas," Sengoku warned, trying to shake Garp out of his thoughts.

He was genuinely afraid his old friend might do something reckless.

But at the same time, he understood.

If Luffy's situation wasn't handled carefully… it could break Garp entirely.

---

"I went to Impel Down to see Ace," Garp said suddenly.

"I know. Visiting him might do you some good," Sengoku replied, watching Garp closely.

"There's a giant cage on Level Six," Garp murmured, lost in thought.

"What… you went there?!"

Sengoku stood up in shock, staring at Garp as if trying to read him.

But he saw… nothing.

Am I just imagining things...?

"That thing inside… it's terrifying."

Garp didn't seem to notice Sengoku's reaction. He just kept talking.

"I once asked Fleet Admiral Kong what it was."

"He said… only the Fleet Admirals are allowed to know."

"There was a time I considered becoming Fleet Admiral myself."

"I even tried."

"But later... I realized something."

"I would never be allowed to become Fleet Admiral."

He looked Sengoku dead in the eyes.

"So tell me, Sengoku…

Can you answer me now?"

Sengoku was stunned.

He looked at the man once hailed as the Hero of the Marines — his friend, his rival, his comrade.

He… couldn't lie to him.

But the World Government…

He hesitated for a long time.

Then finally, he spoke:

"Garp…"

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