With Iva brief explanation, Luffy now knew about Marco of the Whitebeard Pirates being captured and the imminent execution at Marineford.
Even though Luffy had believed that Ace in this world wouldn't risk his life like in the original timeline, the news of Marco being captured still left him stunned.
The will of the great universe… really is strong, he thought.
Fortunately, although they had received the news a little late and weren't fully prepared, nothing had officially started yet.
Judicial Island, Marineford, and Impel Down formed nearly an equilateral triangle in the world government's network.
Judging by the distance from Judicial Island to Marineford, at the Going Merry's speed, reaching Marineford before noon the next day wasn't too difficult.
As for Blackbeard attacking Marineford, Luffy pieced together the real situation based on the image descriptions Iva provided from the Den Den Mushi recordings, plus his own understanding of the storyline.
The only uncertainty remained whether the user of the Rumble-Rumble Fruit was truly Enel.
But none of that mattered now.
The Summit War!
A battlefield certain to attract the world's attention. Finally, the Starry Sky Pirates were about to make their move!
However, the fact that the execution target had shifted from Ace to Marco, instead of a pirate king's bloodline, clearly showed…
The Marine was serious about taking action in the New World.
And the first to be targeted? The Whitebeard Pirates.
Perhaps, in the original timeline, Whitebeard had already sensed danger.
That's why he refused to board again, saying: "I am the remnant of an era. There is no ship in the New World that can carry me."
Do not be deceived by Whitebeard's reputation as the "Strongest Man in the World." Among the Four Emperors, the Whitebeard Pirates' top-tier strength was actually the weakest.
Yet, solely through Whitebeard's aura, the crew commanded a legion of supporters across the seas.
And that was precisely what terrified the Marine.
He who wins the hearts of the people, rules the world!
In a world ruled by power, Whitebeard's fame as the "Strongest in the World"—true or not—meant the masses revered him.
It was because of this popularity that other Emperors rarely clashed with his crew.
Without frequent high-level conflicts, the elite forces of the Whitebeard Pirates were, paradoxically, weaker than those of other Emperors' crews.
Couple that with Whitebeard's age and chronic illness, and it was clear he was no longer the force he once was.
The Marine chose the perfect moment: eliminate the Whitebeard Pirates in a way that wouldn't make Whitebeard seem too weak but would allow them to demonstrate justice and power.
Every step in the world is calculated.
From the Rocks Era, to Roger, Whitebeard, Gold Lion, and now the Great Pirate Era—every turn has been orchestrated by countless forces, each moving their pieces in a vast chessboard.
For eight centuries, the World Government has emerged victorious without ever revealing weakness.
The Pirate King? Even he ultimately becomes a pawn of the times.
This was why Luffy had refused the straw hat and Shanks' inheritance from the start.
He had already seen through it all.
As a transmigrator with a system, if he didn't break these chains, wouldn't it be a disgrace to all transmigrators from Earth?
======
Leaving behind the accumulated experience and corpses in Marineford, the Going Merry turned on its axis, flowing with the triangular currents straight toward Marineford at full speed.
Iva departed from the Going Merry as well.
Leading, they found a seaworthy Marine ship and set course for the Kamabakka Kingdom.
Seagulls occasionally streaked past the speeding Going Merry, only to be swept far away by the gusts from its wake.
=========
Onboard the Going Merry, everyone relaxed in their own ways.
Sanji prepared glowing dishes in the kitchen, with Koby assisting.
Before a major battle, one must feast!
Especially since this was a banquet to welcome new crew members—Sanji had gone all out.
Brook played spirited battle music, his song filling every corner of the ship.
Robin and Nami enjoyed full-body spa treatments in the women-only massage room, courtesy of the robot masseuse.
Franky, Usopp, and Chopper—the science geniuses of the Starry Sky Pirates—were busy in the "Usopp Factory," upgrading Franky's body.
After seeing the Pluton battleship's power system and with materials from the crew for creating Pluton, Franky's mind teemed with bold ideas.
With Chopper, the human anatomy expert, assisting, nothing was likely to go wrong.
Chopper's human-specialized talent meant it wouldn't take long before he mastered mechanical body modifications.
The Starry Sky Pirates always treated their women exceptionally well.
Zoro quietly polished his blades, a strange smile tugging at his lips.
Cold gleams and red sparks occasionally emitted from his swords as if the blades themselves were communicating excitement.
The world is about to witness us!
This was the crew's first participation in a world-level event—they needed to prepare thoroughly.
Zoro's anticipation grew.
Luffy had mentioned that this battle might also include Mihawk, the world's greatest swordsman.
It had been too long since Mihawk held the title…
Time to take it back!
A powerful aura of kingship erupted from Zoro's body.
Everyone glanced toward the main room, shooting him annoyed looks.
Clang!
Zoro sheathed his blade, murmuring under his breath:
"Sorry… got a little too excited there."
=======
In Luffy's cabin, he lay quietly on his bed.
Hands behind his head, he opened the system interface with his mind.
After all these years, it remained the only constant.
"System, open Franky's attribute panel."
Flash! A white light illuminated the room as Franky's stats appeared before Luffy.
Name: Franky
Talent: SS(+)(+)
Stamina: 450
Strength: 485
Agility: 390
Mental Power: 320
As Luffy expected, Franky's overall strength wasn't particularly high.
Compared to billion-level pirates, there was a noticeable gap.
Luffy's gaze moved to Franky's special talents.
Having two special talents was rare, apart from Usopp's five-talented "bugged" status.
[Steel Body]
[Mechanical Expertise]
Hmm… what does this mean?
Mechanical Expertise was easy to understand—Franky had built cannons and ships from scraps since childhood and modified his own body in a life-threatening situation.
A unique talent, no doubt.
But Steel Body…
Luffy clicked to investigate further.
"System, explain the Steel Body talent."
The system's cold, emotionless voice resonated in Luffy's mind:
[Steel Body: Can enhance strength beyond displayed attributes through body modification.]
"…System, could you make that any shorter!?"
[Cannot, host.]
"…Fine. I get the idea."
Luffy stared at Franky's panel, then said softly:
Next… time for the exciting lottery draw!
"System, draw Franky's exclusive item!"
A massive lottery wheel appeared before him.
Luffy, accustomed to the system's mechanics, stood quietly as it spun, selecting a special item for Franky.
The wheel stopped, and the familiar system alert sounded:
[Ding! Congratulations, host. Partner-exclusive item "Dragon Sword" obtained.]
[Item added to system inventory. Please check.]
The room fell into a deathly silence.
After a long pause, Luffy reached out, and a sword with a red hilt and gleaming white blade materialized in his hand.
Rising Dragon Sword
Origin: Dragon Warrior World
Description: Summons and controls the transdimensional mech "Dragon God" in battle. The Dragon God evolves with the wielder's will, fighting spirit, and strength.
"Rising Dragon Sword!!!"
Luffy caressed the crimson hilt.
If only… I could keep it for myself…
This sword had been a childhood dream of his in a past life.
Even after all these years, the excitement it brought hadn't faded.
But… giving this sword to Franky…
His heart felt a pang of reluctance.
It's just… too hard to part with it!
=============
Completed version available on P@treon(.)com/Veltoria