Everyone knew it.
If Whitebeard and Rowan truly started a war, the mere shockwaves of their clash would be more than they could endure.
"Oh?" Hearing Rowan's flat refusal, Whitebeard didn't grow angry. Instead, he let out a booming laugh. "Gurararara! As expected of Mr. Rowan. In that case..."
With a sudden motion, Whitebeard lifted his naginata, Murakumogiri, and slammed it down. A violent pressure wave rippled out in all directions. Though he hadn't released his Conqueror's Haki, the sheer weight of his presence made many onlookers' bodies go stiff, their knees buckling as they collapsed to the deck.
Only then did Whitebeard continue: "Then Mr. Rowan, don't blame me for being impolite!"
At these words, everyone on the field felt a collective tremor in their hearts. Even the Supernova Cavendish, and Shichibukai like Gecko Moria and Jinbe, wore looks of immense gravity.
Even aboard the Red Force, Red-Haired Shanks knit his brows. If a Yonko-level pirate crew truly engaged the Marine Headquarters in a direct, high-stakes battle, regardless of who emerged victorious, the balance of power in the world would be catastrophically destabilized! Especially when that person was Whitebeard.
"Ace! Grab hold of me!"
Suddenly, a loud shout echoed from the sky. The crowd looked up to see a giant bird wreathed in blue flames diving at incredible speed. Its target: Fire Fist Ace on the warship.
"It's the First Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates, Marco!"
Seeing Marco charge, the soldiers on the warship panicked, raising their rifles and opening fire. But as the bullets struck Marco's body, he remained entirely unscathed.
Phoenix Marco. Mythical Zoan: Bird-Bird Fruit, Model: Phoenix.
While he couldn't turn intangible like a Logia to dodge bullets, any wound was instantly enveloped in the "Blue Flames of Resurrection," regenerating his injuries in a heartbeat and nullifying the attack. The Marine's small arms fire was useless against him.
Upon Marco's arrival, Ace glanced at Luffy and Rowan. He gritted his teeth, leaped into the air, and grabbed Marco's leg. Together, they soared away from the warship.
Seeing this, Vice Admiral Momonga did not intervene; in fact, he felt a secret sense of relief. Shifting his gaze to Rowan, Momonga noticed that the Old Man didn't seem concerned with Marco taking Ace. Instead, Rowan's eyes were narrowed, fixed on the western sky.
Confused, Momonga followed Rowan's gaze. The next moment, his pupils shrank violently.
"That's..."
In the distant sky, a dark silhouette was weaving through the clouds. It was hurtling toward them at high speed.
"Donquixote Doflamingo!"
Momonga spat out the name with gritted teeth, his face turning grim.
"Pops!"
Marco moved with incredible speed, quickly bringing Ace back to Whitebeard's side on the Moby Dick.
"Pops..." Back among his crew, Ace's expression was conflicted. He didn't know if his choice to return to Whitebeard would disappoint his Great-Grandpa Rowan.
"Mmh. It's good that you're back." Whitebeard nodded, showing no intention of blaming Ace.
Ace took a deep breath and turned to look at Rowan. But when he saw him, he froze. Currently, Rowan—standing at the edge of the island—wasn't angry that Ace had chosen Whitebeard. He was staring calmly at the western horizon, as if something there had captured his full attention.
Frowning, Ace followed the gaze and his eyes sharpened. He too saw the figure darting through the clouds.
"Pops..." Ace called out seriously.
"Yeah, I know. It's that guy."
Whitebeard had detected Doflamingo's arrival even before Ace. He too looked toward the descending figure. As these two titans looked up, more and more people on the field sensed the change. They looked up, and the identity of the newcomer spread through the crowd.
"It's him?!" "What is Doflamingo doing here?!"
As a member of the Shichibukai and the master of the New World's underworld, Joker, Doflamingo's reputation was legendary across the Grand Line. Many pirates among the onlookers felt a surge of dread.
While Doflamingo's raw power might be considered lesser compared to Whitebeard or Shanks, his personality was an extreme outlier. He was arrogant, brutal, and cold-blooded—a man who used any means necessary to achieve his ends. To many pirates, they would rather encounter the "reasonable" Yonko than face a monster like Doflamingo.
As the silhouette drew closer, a thick sense of oppression saturated the air. Beside Momonga, the Marine soldiers couldn't help but begin to shiver. Around this single island, if you counted Doflamingo, there were now two Emperors and four Shichibukai!
More than half of the most powerful pirates on the sea had gathered here. Against such a lineup, the Marines were standing on very shaky ground. There was only one warship at Dachik Island. Aside from Vice Admiral Rowan, the only significant combatant was Vice Admiral Momonga.
What... what are we supposed to do now?!
The figure in the sky neared and then plummeted like a meteor. His target was clear: Rowan!
"Is he here for Rowan too?"
At this, many people breathed a sigh of relief. Regardless of what Doflamingo planned to do, as long as it was directed at Rowan, they were safe.
Just as Doflamingo neared the surface of the sea, his descent stopped abruptly. He appeared to be standing on thin air. Under the bright sunlight, a few faint, shimmering threads could be seen beneath his feet.
Paramecia: String-String Fruit.
Standing over the water not far from Rowan, Doflamingo's mouth stretched into a wide, demonic grin. He let out a chilling cackle.
"Fuffuffuffuffu... Vice Admiral Rowan, are my subordinates staying comfortably here with you?"
Hearing that laugh, the soldiers on the warship felt a chill creep into their bones. He was here for the captured officers!
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