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Thanks to a push from the Navy headquarters, a freshly printed newspaper spread like wildfire across the world in just two days.
The headline was simple:
"Seven Days from Now: Public Execution of Whitebeard Pirates' Second Division Captain, Fire Fist Ace, at Navy Headquarters!"
Alongside it was a single photo—Ace, bound hand and foot.
Nothing else.
People were baffled.
Ace was the second division captain of the Whitebeard Pirates—a respected name, sure—but hardly someone who would make the Navy go to such extremes. He was just one division captain. Whitebeard had sixteen of them in total. Did the Navy execute each one publicly every time?
If it had been Whitebeard himself on the line, maybe the news would have caused more of a stir.
Unable to make sense of it, the public eventually dismissed the story. For most of them, seeing pirates punished by the Navy was naturally satisfying—a small step toward a safer sea.
Even the big players in the New World sensed something was off, though they didn't know what. Not even information broker Morgans could dig up any clues.
It made sense. Ace's true identity was top secret. Few in the Navy even knew it—let alone outsiders.
Before the newspapers even reached them, the Four Emperors in the New World had already learned through their intelligence networks that Fire Fist Ace was about to be executed.
The Whitebeard Pirates' flagship, the Moby Dick.
On the massive ship's deck, the world's strongest man, Edward "Whitebeard" Newgate, sat on his throne.
The legendary pirate, once feared across the seas, was now hooked up to IVs. Since Ace went missing, Whitebeard had been restless and anxious every day.
On top of that, Shanks' warning about Blackbeard haunted him further.
And now, his worst fears had come true.
After Blackbeard defeated Ace, he traded him to the Navy in exchange for a position among the Seven Warlords.
Most people couldn't see why the Navy was publicly executing Ace, but Whitebeard, who knew Ace's true identity, understood immediately.
"Father! We can't just watch Ace get killed by the Navy!"
"That's right, Father! Give the order—take the Navy down and rescue Ace!"
"Ace is one of us. No one gets to hurt him!"
"Father! We're going all out against the Navy!"
"And that bastard Teach… he'll pay!"
"Exactly! Teach must be made to suffer!"
"933!"
The Whitebeard Pirates brandished their swords, anger and determination blazing. Their war cries echoed across the sky.
If it were any other crew, facing the Navy's might might have been enough to make them hesitate. But these were the Whitebeard Pirates—a family that put their own first.
"Laaaarge sons! Well said!"
Whitebeard laughed, ripping off the tubes that clung to his arms, and leapt to his feet. "Since the Navy wants war, we'll give it to them!"
"Go! Contact all fifty-two allied pirate captains! Our war with the Navy begins now!"
His voice thundered across the ship, brimming with authority. The division captains immediately sprang into action, communication den-den mushis smoking from use. Within an hour, every allied captain had answered Whitebeard's call. From all six seas, they set sail for Sabaody Archipelago.
With a sweeping gesture, Whitebeard raised the Moby Dick's sails.
The World Government's territory—Totland, Cake Island.
"Mom, news just came in. The Whitebeard Pirates have left their base. Looks like they're heading into battle with the Navy."
Big Mom said nothing.
"Mom! If Whitebeard and the Navy fight, it'll weaken both sides. This is our chance to seize Whitebeard's territory!"
"Even if he survives, he won't have the strength to resist us later."
Big Mom only stared at a photo of Reiju on the table, lost in thought. She wasn't listening.
Forget it. Let it crumble.
Wano, Onigashima.
"Listen up, everyone! This is our chance—don't miss it!"
As soon as Kaido learned Whitebeard had left his base, he summoned his forces. Even someone like Perospero could see the situation clearly. As a Yonko, Kaido knew exactly what this meant: Whitebeard was taking a huge risk.
This was the perfect opportunity for the Beasts Pirates. No one could stand in his way.
"Take all of Whitebeard's territory!"
"Yes!!!"
Under Kaido's command, the Beasts Pirates set sail for Whitebeard's base in a massive armada.
Meanwhile, the Red-Haired Pirates sailed under Shanks' command aboard the Red Force.
"Boss, is Whitebeard really going to war with the Navy?" sniper Yasopp asked, frowning.
Shanks gazed across the endless ocean. "The Whitebeard Pirates are already on the move. Things are worse than we thought."
"Blackbeard's ambition goes far beyond what anyone imagines," Benn Beckman added quietly, exhaling a smoke ring.
"Whatever his motives, our priority is stopping opportunists from causing trouble," Shanks said, thinking of Kaido.
"Boss, you mean Kaido might try to expand his territory?" Lucky Roux guessed.
Shanks nodded. At a moment like this, if Kaido didn't make a move, he wouldn't be Kaido.
"Then let's go meet the Beasts Pirates ourselves."
Three days later.
Following Sengoku's orders, Vice Admiral Momonga arrived at Snake Island to summon Warlord Boa Hancock. Normally, Hancock wasn't the type to answer summons willingly.
Yet surprisingly, she agreed immediately, almost without a second thought.
She had one condition, though—she wanted to see Ace in Impel Down first. After a brief hesitation, Momonga called Sengoku. Once given the go-ahead, they set sail: Navy ships up front, the Sweet-Scented Serpent in the rear, and the Ark of Proclamation above.
Naturally, Nami controlled the Ark. The crew included Robin, Daz Bones, Perona, Margaret, Doll, and Kalifa. Other members stayed behind on Snake Island.
Meanwhile, Sabaody Archipelago was buzzing like never before.
It was the main route into the New World. It was the last known location of Logan, drawing pirates, assassins, and bounty hunters alike. And in a few days, the world would watch Ace's public execution live on Navy screens.
The result? A sea of people, shoulder to shoulder, everywhere you looked.
Among the crowd were rising Supernovas, whose crews arrived over these days and spread across the archipelago. Navy informants reported them immediately to Fleet Admiral Sengoku.
Sengoku had considered sending Admiral Kizaru to capture all the Supernovas, but seeing his missing arm, he hesitated. Instead, he dispatched Vice Admiral Tsuru, Warlord Kuma, Sentomaru, five elite Vice Admirals, and several Pacifists—a force capable of handling them.
The Warlord Kuma alone was formidable. Then Tsuru, though only a Vice Admiral, was feared even by Donquixote Doflamingo. With her powers, the eleven rookies could be incapacitated in an instant.
Why not send even stronger fighters? Garp was with Ace in the Sixth Floor of Impel Down, giving a final farewell, while Admirals Aokiji and Akainu were inspecting remaining defense gaps in case the Whitebeard Pirates attacked.
Whitebeard versus the Supernovas—clearly, priorities had been set.
And so, a high-spec Navy vessel set sail for Sabaody Archipelago, moving at full speed.
The Five Elders had issued a strict order: no Celestial Dragons were allowed to visit the Sabaody Archipelago for the time being.
They couldn't risk it—what if Logan went off and tried to kidnap a Celestial Dragon again?
Some lines, once crossed, didn't really exist anymore. And Logan… that lunatic couldn't be reasoned with like a normal person.
Meanwhile, at the Sabaody Archipelago, Area 13, inside the Shady Deal Bar.
"Logan, you've got some nerve showing up here! There are tons of people looking for you!" Shachi drew on her lady's cigarette, trying to calm herself as she looked at the man in front of her.
Logan took a sip of rum and said lightly, "Relax, Shachi. I'm not here to hurt you. Rayleigh… what happened to him is on him."
Shachi let out a quiet sigh, her mind involuntarily flashing back to the… intimate moments she'd shared with Rayleigh.
She had finally found an old man with some fire in him, and now… it was all gone.
"Cut to the chase. What are you doing here?" Shachi's voice regained its usual firmness as she sensed Logan wasn't being hostile. She wasn't buying that he'd just come for a drink.
"Looking for someone," Logan replied simply.
Shachi frowned slightly.
She knew Logan well enough—who he was looking for was either a beautiful woman or an enemy.
Or… maybe both.
"Logan, you—"
"Found them!"
Shachi hadn't even finished her sentence before Logan drained his rum and shot to his feet, heading for the door.
The moment he stepped out, a voice drifted in.
"Shachi, come back to Kuja Island sometime. Hancock and the other warriors always talk about you."
Kuja Island?
Hancock?!
Shachi's pupils shrank, then she forced a bitter smile.
Women marked by Logan… did they ever really get away? Not even Hancock…
Area 22, Red Tree District.
Inside a restaurant.
"Hahaha! Delicious! This is amazing!"
"I'm not full yet! Bring more food!"
Bonnie, the pink-haired glutton in overalls, polished off the dishes in front of her, then shouted at the servers again.
"Boss, you've eaten the whole table! How are you still hungry?!"
"And we don't have much money left!"
One of her crew patted his empty pocket miserably. How could their captain out-eat all of them? If word got out that Bonnie's crew was being broke by their own captain, people would die laughing.
"Enough chatter!" Bonnie glared and shoved an entire drumstick into her mouth. "Hurry up and bring me more food, or I'll tear this place apart!"
"Captain, you really can't eat any more. We still need money for—"
"Bonnie," a deep voice interrupted, "follow me and you can eat as much as you want."
Before she could react, a tall man appeared in front of her.
"Huh?! Who are you?!" Bonnie jumped back, stunned.
Her crew froze, recognizing Logan, sweating bullets and signaling her silently.
Logan glanced at the mess on the table and smiled slightly. "Come on. I'll take you somewhere you can eat to your heart's content."
Without waiting for a reply, he grabbed her shoulder and vanished in an instant.
Bonnie's disappearance sent the rest of her crew screaming, their eyes wide as if they'd seen a ghost.
Inside Logan's ship.
Bonnie blinked, utterly confused, staring at the unfamiliar surroundings…and at a dozen pairs of eyes on her.
The next second…
"Ahhh!!"
A sharp scream rang out, thankfully muffled by the ship's walls.
"Captain! Who is she?!"
"Logan's bringing another beauty aboard! She's gorgeous!"
"I'm Kaya. Welcome to the Logan Pirates," the women greeted her in unison.
Bonnie didn't speak. She just stared, convinced they were crazy.
"You… you're Logan?!" The realization hit her late.
Logan smiled, nodding in approval. "Correct."
"Karumen, make her something to eat."
"Sarahebi, Valentine, keep an eye on her. Don't let her escape."
"By the way, Bonnie has the Sui Sui Fruit. She can age people or make them younger. Be careful."
"I've got other things to handle. See you."
With that, Logan vanished again. A quick warning to Sarahebi and the others was all he needed.
Even though the women left on the ship weren't fighters, their current strength… honestly, a few so-called "Supernovas" wouldn't stand a chance.
"Little one, behave now, or big sister will get angry."
The seductive Sarahebi grinned, and suddenly black spikes shot out all over her body, radiating deadly danger. Bonnie froze, feeling like she was staring down a monster.
Logan returned to the Sabaody Archipelago. This time, his target was…
The Straw Hat Pirates, currently in Area 1.
"....."