While all the pirates and Marines were still reeling from Koby's overwhelming strength, three more imposing ships approached from the waters outside Marineford.
Reality offered the stunned onlookers no time to react.
Because today…
Was destined to be a day that would shock the world!
In the central square of the Sabaody Archipelago, beneath the massive public screen, a crowd of journalists and ordinary citizens had gathered.
Even in this tightly packed mass of bodies, the arrival of countless latecomers only added to the throng, expanding the human sea across the plaza.
Thousands of people filled the square, yet it was deathly silent.
Even the usually chattering journalists stared wide-eyed at the screen, unable to believe what they were seeing—the Going Merry, handsome pink-haired boy.
The boy who, with a single strike, had toppled the strongest man in the world!
As if noticing the location of the Den Den Mushi camera, the boy standing before Marine Hero Garp turned his head and smiled brilliantly.
That handsome, reliable face instantly captivated thousands of young women glued to the screen.
From this day forward, the pirate world gradually began to see the rise of a massive new organization: "Protect the Best Koby".
Composed mostly of young women and wealthy noble ladies, the group's mission was to spread Koby's positive image and spirit across the globe.
"Hello, everyone!"
"I am Koby of the Starry Sky Pirates!"
"And… I'm just a cabin boy!"
At Koby's sudden declaration, every broadcast area—from Marineford to the Sabaody Archipelago, and anywhere else with a live Den Den Mushi feed—erupted in shock.
"Starry Sky Pirates!? He's a pirate!!!"
"Starry Sky Pirates? Isn't that one of the Shichibukai!?"
"He's the Shichibukai who tried to restore the Ancient Weapons a few months ago!!!"
"Yes, that's them…"
"He claims he's just a cabin boy in the Starry Sky Pirates!? How is that possible!?"
"If even a cabin boy can defeat Whitebeard, imagine how strong the others must be!!"
"But he looks so young…"
"Koby-sama! I want to have your baby!"
"Wait!!"
"Look over there!!!"
"New ships are approaching Marine Headquarters!"
A sharp-eyed observer in the crowd noticed three new pirate ships slowly sailing toward Marineford from the sea behind Koby.
One shocking revelation after another left the professional journalists completely flustered.
Everything they were witnessing today could be headlines on its own.
Pens flew across their notebooks, recording every detail, though their hands ached—they couldn't stop.
Because every moment on the screen mattered to the world.
And they were the witnesses.
...
Pirates near the harbor soon noticed three ships that seemed entirely out of place.
The presence emanating from the bows of these vessels made the air feel suffocating.
Above Marineford, the three ships' masts flew flags representing the dominance of their respective crews.
On the left, one of the Four Emperors of the New World—the Red-Haired Pirates.
On the right, the Starry Sky Pirates, propelled to global fame by Koby's single act.
And in the center…
In the center…
In the center…
"Eh!? Who's that big red-nosed guy in the middle!?"
"Don't know him…"
"Is there such a figure in the New World!?"
"Anyone standing between the Red-Haired and Starry Sky crews isn't someone to be taken lightly!"
...
On the island, a crowd immediately began whispering among themselves.
At the bow of the ship, Buggy looked down at the massive crowd and slowly tilted his head 45 degrees, gazing at the sky.
"Who am I?"
"Where am I?"
"I was just standing in my favorite spot peeing, how did I end up at Marine Headquarters???"
...
"Starry Sky… Red-Haired… and… Buggy the Star Clown!"
Standing beside Garp, Sengoku examined the three pirate ships.
With more intelligence than ordinary Marines or pirates, he immediately recognized Buggy—the notorious pirate with a special connection to the Red-Haired crew.
Step…
Red-Haired Shanks and Luffy led the leap, landing on Marineford's grounds.
Their crews followed, arriving at the world's most-watched land.
Usopp could never have imagined meeting his father again under these circumstances…
But he couldn't let the Starry Sky Pirates lose face!
Bzzzzz!!!
The entire land trembled!
This time, it was really trembling.
Where there were people, there would be confrontation.
The Starry Sky Pirates, on the verge of claiming world dominance, would not allow anyone else to take the spotlight.
And the Red-Haired Pirates, long-established rulers of the New World, would never let someone else steal their fame.
Both crews unleashed their strongest presence, creating a barrier of distorted air between them that rose skyward.
This was the collision of their forces, forming a tangible separation.
Shanks stepped forward, face stern, aura overwhelming:
"We have come to—"
Luffy immediately cut in with a grin:
"To end this war!"
He couldn't let Shanks have the first word—after all…
Today, they were the protagonists!
"Luffy-sama!"
A gust of wind, and Koby appeared beside him, as respectful as ever.
Luffy nodded with a small smile and said softly:
"Well done. Go back first."
"Yes!"
Following the usual hierarchy, cabin boy Koby returned to the Starry Sky Pirates' formation, immediately reinforcing their presence and suppressing the aura of the Red-Haired Pirates!
...
"Luffy!"
Ace, helping Whitebeard back to his feet, stared in disbelief at his brother, who now appeared as an unrivaled force in the world.
He knew Luffy was strong and would be even stronger next time.
But his subordinates already possessed such terrifying power—it made his rubber brain nearly short-circuit!
"Long time no see, Ace!"
"You've gotten a lot stronger!"
"Lo… long time no see…"
Ace replied dumbfoundedly.
Luffy stepped forward.
Pirates and Marines alike gave him space.
Even without releasing any Haki or aura, his mere presence now felt like an insurmountable, towering mountain.
Reaching Whitebeard, Luffy looked up at the retiring legend and greeted harmoniously:
"Nice to meet you, Whitebeard!"
"Thanks for taking care of my silly brother!"
"Red-Haired… and Ace's brother, huh…"
Whitebeard's eyes shifted downward to the tiny figure of Luffy.
Even his tone and presence softened without him realizing it.
He knew he was old.
But never had he imagined that, in a scene watched by the whole world, he would feel so small.
The tides of the era truly rose and fell.
...
"Starry Sky Pirates… Red-Haired Pirates… and the Whitebeard Pirates…"
"Kizaru, this doesn't look good!"
Fleet Admiral Sengoku's eyes were filled with worry as he assessed the sudden arrival of three massive pirate forces.
Two Emperors, plus the even stronger Starry Sky Pirates…
If these three world-shaking crews joined forces, the problem would be catastrophic!
If Marineford had to fight Whitebeard, Red-Haired, and Starry Sky Pirates simultaneously…
Sengoku dared not imagine the outcome!
"That won't happen! That kid Luffy won't dare!"
Garp immediately understood Sengoku's thoughts and gritted his teeth in agreement.
He wished he could directly send his "affection" straight to Luffy's head!
This rascal!
Missing for so many years, he hadn't come to see his beloved grandfather, and instead was chatting with Whitebeard!!!
Whitebeard already kidnapped Ace, and now Luffy too!
Unbearable!
One-track-minded Garp ignored the live broadcast and protocol:
"Lufff!!! Y!!!"
Suddenly, a thunderbolt struck from the sky above Marineford, exploding across the heavens.
Garp's roar was comparable to a minor natural disaster!
"Uh…"
Luffy, in the middle of explaining Ace's "care rules" to Whitebeard, covered his ears and glanced awkwardly toward Garp.