Sengoku returned to headquarters and began issuing orders. At the same time, someone else also arrived at Marineford, clearly irritated.
"I'm back, Sengoku."
Garp rudely plopped down on the sofa, grabbed a bag of tea leaves from the table, and started making tea for himself.
"Did you see your grandson?" Sengoku asked.
"What are you talking about? I didn't see him," Garp replied.
"I have something to tell you," Sengoku said calmly.
"What is it?"
"It's about the Whitebeard Pirates."
"Oh? Did Whitebeard die?"
"There's been a problem within the Whitebeard Pirates, something you already knew."
"Yeah. And?"
"Fire Fist Ace, the commander of the Whitebeard Pirates' 2nd Division, has been defeated."
At those words, Garp's hand trembled slightly, spilling scalding tea onto his skin. Yet he didn't seem to notice, his gaze fixed on Sengoku.
"He lost? And then?"
"He's been imprisoned in Impel Down."
"..."
The office fell into silence.
"I've already discussed this with the Five Elders. We've decided to carry out a public execution of Fire Fist Ace."
"Sengoku, do you realize the consequences? Whitebeard is someone who treasures his crew above all else. He's not like Roger. What we're about to face is a living legend, one of the Four Emperors of the New World," Garp said.
"I understand. But this is an order. You know Ace's true identity — he's Roger's son, and carries what the world considers the most evil bloodline. He must die. And Whitebeard, who shelters him, can't be allowed to die peacefully. He must fall to the Marines, just like Roger and Shiki did," Sengoku declared.
"This will lead to war."
"If we shy away from war and death, then what kind of Marines are we? What justice are we upholding? You of all people should understand, Garp."
"Straw Hat Luffy is your flesh and blood, and we've let him go multiple times. But Portgas D. Ace isn't. You have no real connection to him."
"You should remember your role. I'm informing you: this cannot be stopped."
"...I understand. Do what you want."
Garp set down his teacup, untouched, and left without another word.
"The orders summoning the Seven Warlords have been issued. This time, we will annihilate the Whitebeard Pirates."
"Fufufu… An emergency summons from the World Government? Something big must've happened. What's going on?"
After returning to Dressrosa and dealing with the still-breathing Bellamy, Doflamingo had settled back in when he received the World Government's ketter.
A moment later, he heard the details from Trebol.
"So, 'Fire Fist' Ace, the 2nd Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates, has been captured. Whitebeard's crew must be losing their minds," Doflamingo mused, grinning.
Actually, the first person the government contacted was Bartholomew Kuma. They wanted him to pass the message to Gecko Moria. The other Warlords were easier to find, but Moria had gone into hiding in the Florian Triangle, making him difficult to locate. Kuma had to go find him.
As the Marines mobilized, the Whitebeard Pirates made their move, revealing their true objective.
They attacked Egghead, capturing the World Government's chief scientist, Dr. Vegapunk.
The news sent shockwaves across the world.
No one expected Whitebeard to avoid a direct confrontation with the Marines, instead striking at a Government facility.
But that wasn't all, simultaneously, they assaulted Marine bases G-14 and G-5 in the New World.
Splitting their forces, they conquered two naval bases and captured tens of thousands of marine prisoners.
The Whitebeard Pirates' sudden aggression left the world in stunned speculation. What had driven them to attack Marine and World Government strongholds so brazenly?
This abrupt shift disrupted the Marines' plans and drew global attention to Whitebeard's crew.
"Have the Whitebeard Pirates gone mad? Are they declaring war on the World Government?"
On the Sabaody Archipelago, a group of pirates debated the news. Morgans and his World Economy News Paper had already spread the story worldwide, even faster than the Marines' announcement about Ace.
"Mind if I take a look at that paper?"
A hand reached toward the pirates. The group, dressed like a cult, was led by a man with golden curly hair.
"Hey, who the hell are you, talking to our captain like—"
"Give it to him."
Hawkins merely glanced at the man before obediently handing the newspaper to… Roy. Then, he quietly resumed his card game.
Roy skimmed the detailed report:
Whitebeard's forces had split into three. Whitebeard himself led the assault on Egghead, capturing Vegapunk.
Marco's team overran G-5, swiftly defeating the base and taking thousands of Marines prisoner.
Meanwhile, Jozu's squad seized G-14, crushing all resistance.
There had been casualties, but the Whitebeard Pirates' lightning strikes left the World Government scrambling. With Marine forces diverted to the first half of the Grand Line, the plan succeeded flawlessly.
Now, they held countless prisoners, and the World Government's chief scientist.
"Seems things went well," Roy remarked, handing the paper back to Hawkins.
"No need. I've already read it," Hawkins said.
"Then how about a reading for me?"
"...What do you want to know?" Sweat dripped down Hawkins' face.
Earlier, he'd drawn his own fate: death in every scenario, except one. Survival hinged on absolute obedience. Any other path led to annihilation.
"Tell me the odds that my next plan will succeed," Roy said with a smile.
Hawkins began drawing tarot cards.
"Your next plan… Let me see." Hawkins laid out his cards.
"The success rate of staying here is 50%. The success rate of leaving is also 50%. No matter how I calculate it, it's exactly 50/50."
"So you're saying it's a coin toss. That's frustrating. The World Government is really dead set on killing, huh?"
Roy grabbed one of Hawkins' subordinates, the one who had just spoken, and slammed him to the ground, pinning him with his weight. The man didn't move a muscle; just now, he had felt the fear of death.
The man didn't dare move. He'd felt death's breath on his neck.
"Give me your advice. Should I stay, or should I leave?" Roy asked Hawkins
"…Stay." Beads of sweat rolled down Hawkins' face. His death probability had just skyrocketed to 90%.
"That's so damn annoying… Well, we'll see how it goes. I'm not someone who believes in fate. And even if fate exists, I'll break it apart."
With that, Roy stood and walked away, leaving Hawkins and his crew behind.
"Hm? Isn't that… Roy?" Someone strolling nearby suddenly stopped when he saw the man.
Roy sensed someone approaching and turned around, It was someone he recognized.
...
If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.
[email protected]/DaoistJinzu