Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
Located at the strategic center of the Grand Line, Marineford sat directly adjacent to the Sabaody Archipelago, the Red Line, and the Holy Land of Mary Geoise.
Together with Enies Lobby and Impel Down, Marineford formed a defensive triangle joined by the triangular current operating behind the massive Gates of Justice.
Viewed from above, the island resembled a crescent moon. Beyond its military infrastructure, the island housed extensive residential facilities for the families of Marine personnel.
The base built its central architecture along the high elevation of the mountain, featuring spacious tatami rooms and expansive training facilities inside.
Because the Sunagakure Pirates had thrown Loguetown into utter chaos years ago, Kong had resigned as Fleet Admiral rather than ascending to Commander-in-Chief of the World Government's armed forces. Consequently, Admiral Sengoku assumed supreme command of the Marines seven years ahead of the original timeline.
Now wearing the classic attire of his Fleet Admiral era, Sengoku sported square frog-frame glasses, a braided beard, and a Marine hat topped with a seagull emblem concealing his massive afro.
Seated at the head of the briefing room, Fleet Admiral Sengoku gathered top naval figures—including Vice Admiral Garp and elite officers from the new generation: Sakazuki, Borsalino, and Kuzan—to address shifting developments across the New World.
The war between Aoki Shiraishi and BIG MOM had thrown the surrounding sea territories into total turmoil. Countless subordinate pirate fleets had aligned themselves with either side, resulting in bloody skirmishes. Overall, BIG MOM held the disadvantage; the Sunagakure Pirates possessed superior gear, organization, and tactical discipline.
"BIG MOM's physical durability makes it nearly impossible for conventional strikes to injure her..."
Kuzan had clashed with BIG MOM in the New World before, leaving him with a deep appreciation for how tough she was to handle. While Aoki Shiraishi possessed immense strength, his key combatant, the shrine maiden Kikyo, appeared to still be recovering from her injuries.
"That priestess hard-counters BIG MOM's Soul-Soul Fruit," Sengoku noted, adjusting his glasses. "We severely underestimated the Sunagakure Pirates' total combat depth."
Sengoku continued: "The war between two sea titans in the New World creates a temporary power vacuum in Paradise—the first half of the Grand Line. We must accelerate our deployment to secure complete control over the first half of the sea before their war reaches a conclusion."
"Yes, sir!"
Marine Headquarters and the World Government had introduced a sweeping expansion plan over the past year. Compared to the era of Gol D. Roger, the current age was far more violent and volatile, as pirate factions fought fiercely across the New World.
While this instability placed immense strain on naval resources, the mutual attrition between two major pirate crews offered the Marines a perfect window to consolidate their grip over Paradise.
Sakazuki let out a cold snort: "And how do we address the Sky Corridor? That airborne route remains an unacceptable threat to us!"
"We have already invited Dr. Vegapunk to engineer a solution for high-altitude operations," Sengoku answered.
Vegapunk—hailed as the genius scientist whose intellect surpassed current human understanding by 500 years—served as the World Government's chief scientist. His expertise ranged from Devil Fruit research to mechanical engineering.
In his youth, he had engineered cyborg animals in his homeland and attempted to build a massive heating system for his fellow islanders, though the project stalled due to budget constraints.
After joining the World Government, he bred artificial dragons on Punk Hazard, conducted gigantification experiments on humans, discovered the Lineage Factor, and was currently attempting to synthesize the world's first artificial Devil Fruit.
He was a deeply mysterious figure whose influence reached every corner of the world—and the only man who fully understood the underlying mechanics of Devil Fruits.
With his involvement in the Sky Island project, naval countermeasures against the high-altitude Corridor would advance rapidly.
Somewhere in the New World...
The main force of the Big Mom Pirates had concentrated near the frozen sea sector of Ice Island, a move that left Shiraishi slightly puzzled.
Ice Island's sub-zero climate naturally favored his Articuno freezing powers. For BIG MOM to deliberately select this location as her defensive line made little sense on the surface.
"There must be a hidden trump card inside this island that BIG MOM relies on to turn the tables," Shiraishi remarked.
"If you know it's a trap," Madara said, leaning against his staff-blade, "why choose a direct head-on clash?"
The Sunagakure Pirates held total strategic momentum. By all logical metrics, they could systematically erode BIG MOM's peripheral territories and encircle her main fleet—a slower, yet vastly safer approach.
"Because I need a decisive, overwhelming display of power to permanently establish our position as the true sovereigns of these seas," Shiraishi replied calmly.
The airborne fortress Chomei glided smoothly through the clouds toward Ice Island. Down below, BIG MOM—having recovered from her injuries—lay lazily across her throne, listening to battle reports.
Despite the unfavorable tactical situation, BIG MOM remained entirely composed, looking forward to Shiraishi stepping onto Ice Island.
"Mama..."
Katakuri made a move to warn his mother against relying too heavily on that external factor. Yet BIG MOM placed absolute trust in that mysterious man and his calculated trap on Ice Island.
It wasn't that Katakuri lacked confidence in their crew; rather, his advanced Observation Haki conveyed a subtle, persistent sense of unease regarding the coming battle.
"Rest easy, Katakuri," said the youth bearing Madara's exact face, codenamed Sue, stepping forward to reassure him. "The Big Mom Pirates will turn the tide in this fight."
During his previous clash with Kikyo, the purificatory energy had disrupted his inner energy, causing his underlying non-human form to leak out. Though he had stabilized his appearance, Katakuri remained deeply suspicious of this strange outsider.
"Mamama! Katakuri, have faith in Sue and Redfield," BIG MOM cackled. "Besides, my intelligence confirms that the shrine maiden is not among the attacking force this time."
Without the priestess present to purify her Homies, BIG MOM could unleash her Soul-Soul Fruit without restraint.
Then I can claim total supremacy over the Grand Line and become the true Pirate King! Ghahaha!
As her manic laughter echoed across the island, the entirety of Ice Island shuddered with an uncanny vibration...
Above the outer sea of Ice Island, the flying fortress Chomei slowly emerged from the clouds.
Uchiha Madara, Aoki Shiraishi, and the Masked Warrior Ace!
The three core combatants of the Sunagakure Pirates stood together at the prow. Ace took the initiative, driving a massive fist of roaring flames downward toward Ice Island.
Fire Fist!(Hiken)
As the massive pillar of fire roared down from the sky, a figure stepped out from BIG MOM's ranks—her fourth son, Charlotte Oven, deploying the powers of the Paramecia-type Heat-Heat Fruit (Netsu Netsu no Mi)!
This Fruit enabled its wielder to transfer intense thermal energy into any object or medium upon contact, superheating targets instantly. Oven could emit extreme heat to scorch enemies, radiate thermal waves across vast stretches of the ocean to bring the sea to a boil, and even project focused thermal blasts across open space.
High-Heat Fist vs. Fire Fist!
The moment their fists collided, Oven's expression changed dramatically. A wave of overwhelming, high-density flames swept across his arm, generating a sudden force that knocked him back several steps.
In their initial exchange, Ace held the absolute upper hand!