Whitebeard had never doubted the loyalty of his sons aboard Moby Dick.
"My sons, if Ace has truly been captured by the Marines and is to be executed at Marineford, Whitebeard will not abandon him."
He turned to Marco. "Marco, go confirm the authenticity of this report."
Marco nodded and departed, slipping into the ship's cabin to verify the news. Whitebeard lifted his gaze to the sky. "Sengoku, what will you do?"
Even he could not be certain if this report was true. The current Fleet Admiral, Sengoku the Buddha, was known as the World's Tactician. As an old rival, Whitebeard had always kept his guard up around him.
The recent entry of Rolan into the Pirate World had dramatically shifted the balance of power. The Marines, humiliated multiple times, had lost face before the eyes of the world. It was inevitable that they would seek to regain prestige, and nothing more direct than crushing a Four Emperors' crew.
Yet Rolan was now the undisputed strongest in the world, and his crew, the Ion Tempest, the strongest in the seas. The Marines would not dare provoke him lightly.
Red-Haired Shanks and his crew remained untouchable, a powerful force following a path of elite discipline. Big Mom, seemingly weaker among the Four Emperors, had allied with Kaido, forming a formidable force second only to Rolan's. Only the Whitebeard Pirates, though strong, had begun to feel the slow erosion of age.
Whitebeard's illness and Ace's pursuit of Teach were no secrets to the World Government. By inviting Teach into the Shichibukai and simultaneously announcing Ace's execution, the Marines orchestrated a trap: the Whitebeard Pirates would rush to Marineford, driven by pride and the need to save Ace. If the news were false, ignoring it would result in loss of face; if true, they would face overwhelming force.
This was a gamble designed to manipulate them, and Whitebeard knew it.
"Whitebeard, isn't Ace Rolan's disciple? Shouldn't he go too?" George asked. Vista and the others exchanged expectant glances. If Rolan and his crew joined, Ace's rescue would have a much higher chance of success.
Whitebeard shook his head firmly. "Baka! I am Whitebeard!"
---
Above the New World
A paw-shaped bubble streaked across the sky at incredible speed, carrying a young man with a straw hat slung across his back.
"Renn, Usopp, Sanji, Carina, Chopper, Bari, Kalifa, Brook, where are you? Damn Bartholomew Kuma, where did you send them?"
The young man inside the bubble was none other than Monkey D. Luffy, captain of the Straw Hat Pirates and one of Rolan's disciples. For nearly three days and nights, he had flown without sustenance, dreaming only of his scattered crew.
"If I fall into the sea, I'm done for. I hope my companions landed safely too…"
The paw-shaped bubble carried him to Peach Garden. As the bubble descended, its altitude dropped, finally landing with a soft bang on an unknown island. Luffy blinked, then executed a Carp Jump to stand. He rubbed his head, murmuring, "Looks like it wasn't just my rubber body that saved me. I hope my crew is okay."
He activated his Observation Haki, scanning the surroundings. The island seemed deserted, filled only with wild beasts and monsters. No humans, no companions.
"Damn Bartholomew Kuma, where did you send me?" Luffy muttered, frustration flashing across his face.
Then he remembered. "Oh, right! My Vivre Card!"
From his pocket, he pulled out a small white piece of paper. Holding it flat in his hand, he watched it slowly move in a specific direction.
"So this is the way," he said with relief, following its guidance as fast as he could.
---
Meanwhile, in the Guardroom of Peach Garden
Aisa climbed a small stool, pointing at the jungle area of Nine Serpent Island on the map.
"Wyper, there's an unusual presence here. A man, and he's incredibly strong."
Following her finger, Wyper frowned, noting the location. Although Nine Serpent Island had been incorporated into Lungan, males were still forbidden from landing.
"I should inform Hancock first," he said, transforming into a giant pterodactyl and soaring into the sky.
Rolan, meanwhile, remained unaware of Luffy's arrival. His Super Heart Net was not always active, and at this moment, he was spending time with Nami.
---
Hancock's Response
"What? An unusual presence on Nine Serpent Island?" Hancock raised an eyebrow at Wyper's report. Being part of Lungan, the island was central to Peach Garden. Any anomaly suggested something significant—likely a falling presence from the sky.
"Do you want me to come with you?" Wyper asked.
"It's not far; I'll go myself," Hancock replied. Nine Serpent Island no longer had its male guards, and Peach Garden's Electromagnetic Barrier would detect any anomalies. Aisa, a prodigy in Observation Haki, already monitored the area.
In no time, Hancock arrived, observing a massive paw-shaped print on the ground. "Are there bears this large on this island? Or… was it someone else?"
Shaking her head, she activated her Observation Haki, sensing a powerful presence climbing the mountain. Clearly, it was the intruder Wyper had mentioned.
Hancock stomped the ground and charged toward the source.
At that moment, Luffy, scrambling up t
he mountain, noticed her approach and raised an eyebrow. "Someone's coming!"
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