A/N: Don't forget to check out my original novel: Can I Magic Please. It's like really good. š
ANYWHOOO. ENJOY THE CHAPTER
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The sea trembled beneath the weight of monsters.
Dark clouds rolled overhead, thunder growling through the heavens as two fleets faced one another across the violent waters of the New World. Massive waves crashed between them, only to be split apart by the sheer pressure radiating from both sides.
On one side stood the fleet of the Beast Pirates.
Gigantic warships bearing skull insignias cut through the sea like predators. Countless armed pirates stood at attention, their expressions fierce and bloodthirsty. The air around them felt savage. Violent.
At the center ship stood the strongest creature in the world himself.
Kaido.
The Emperor towered over everyone around him, kanabo resting over his shoulder as sake spilled from the gourd in his hand. His massive frame radiated monstrous pressure that seemed capable of crushing the sea itself.
Beside him stood his three elite subordinates.
King remained silent, black wings folded behind him as flames burned across his back.
Queen laughed loudly, metal arm clanking as he smoked.
And slightly behind themā
Jack narrowed his eyes toward the opposing fleet.
Toward the red-haired man standing at its front.
The Red Hair Pirates stood calmly across from them.
Unlike the Beast Pirates' overwhelming numbers, Shanks' crew was smaller.
But the atmosphere they gave off was completely different.
No wasted movement.
No panic.
No arrogance.
Only confidence.
Absolute confidence.
At the bow of the lead ship stood Shanks himself, cloak fluttering wildly in the ocean wind. One hand rested loosely on Gryphon.
Beside him stood Benn Beckman, cigarette smoke drifting upward into the storm clouds.
Behind themā
Lucky Roux casually chewed meat.
Yasopp adjusted his rifle.
The officers of the Red Hair Pirates stood relaxed.
Too relaxed.
That alone irritated the Beast Pirates.
Kaido stared across the sea at Shanks before a grin slowly spread across his face.
"Worororoā¦"
The sky rumbled.
"So you came yourself, Red Hair."
Shanks smiled faintly.
"Yeah."
His gaze sharpened slightly.
"I can't let you interfere in this war."
Kaido's grin widened.
"And why not?"
"Because the balance of the world would collapse."
The wind intensified.
Even the sea itself seemed quieter now.
Shanks stepped forward slightly.
"If you and Whitebeard clash while the Marines are involvedā¦ the casualties will spiral beyond control."
Kaido laughed loudly.
"And that sounds fun!"
A burst of violent Conqueror's Haki exploded outward from him.
BOOOOM!!
The clouds above twisted violently.
Several weaker Beast Pirates collapsed instantly foaming at the mouth.
But across from themā
The Red Hair Pirates didn't move an inch.
Shanks merely sighed.
Thenā
A pulse of crimson-black lightning erupted from him as well.
KRAAAAAK!!
The sea split apart.
The heavens themselves trembled as the two Emperors' Haki collided.
Black lightning exploded through the skies as the clouds above split cleanly in half.
Even veteran pirates staggered backward under the pressure.
Queen's mechanical jaw dropped slightly.
"Jeezā¦"
King remained silent, though even his eyes narrowed.
Who's-Who grit his teeth.
Then suddenlyā
His gaze locked fully onto Shanks.
Recognition.
Rage.
Hatred.
His fists clenched so tightly veins bulged across his arms.
"ā¦You."
Shanks glanced toward him casually.
Who's-Who stepped forward furiously.
"YOU!"
The Beast Pirate's face twisted with fury.
"Do you even remember me?!"
Queen looked sideways.
"ā¦Oh boy."
Who's-Who pointed directly at Shanks.
"You ruined my life!"
His voice echoed across the battlefield.
"You stole it from me!"
Now the Red Hair Pirates looked mildly interested.
Shanks blinked once.
"ā¦The fruit?"
Who's-Who's expression became uglier instantly.
"Yes, the fruit!"
"The World Government threw me away because of you!"
His breathing became heavier.
"They imprisoned me! Tortured me! Hunted me like trash because you stole that fruit from my ship!"
For a brief momentā
The sea was silent.
Then Shanks scratched the side of his head slightly.
"ā¦Ah."
That casual response nearly made Who's-Who explode.
"DON'T 'AH' ME!"
He launched himself forward violently.
"SORU!"
The air cracked beneath his speed.
Claws coated in Armament Haki tore through the air as he lunged directly toward Shanks' throat.
"I'LL KILL YOU!"
But Shanks didn't move.
Didn't even reach for his sword.
Because before Who's-Who could even get closeā
A figure blurred forward.
BANG!!
The sound alone exploded across the sea.
Who's-Who's eyes widened.
Thenā
CRACK!!
A single rifle strike from Benn Beckman slammed into his stomach with horrifying force.
The impact bent Who's-Who's body around the blow.
Blood sprayed from his mouth instantly.
His feet left the ground completely.
BOOOOM!!
He crashed straight through part of the Beast Pirates' ship, debris exploding everywhere.
Silence.
Absolute silence.
Smoke drifted upward from the shattered deck.
Then Who's-Who collapsed face-first onto the wood unconscious.
One hit.
That was all it took.
Benn Beckman calmly adjusted his rifle before taking another drag from his cigarette.
"Don't charge our captain without permission."
Even the Beast Pirates looked stunned.
Queen's mechanical eye twitched.
"ā¦Damn."
King narrowed his eyes further.
Kaido however only laughed.
"Wororororo!"
His laughter boomed thunderously across the ocean.
"Your crew's as monstrous as ever, Red Hair!"
Shanks smiled faintly.
"I could say the same."
The two Yonko stared at each other across the sea.
The pressure between them felt overwhelming.
Like natural disasters glaring at one another.
Then Shanks spoke again.
"You really want to fight me here?"
Kaido's grin remained.
Shanks gestured slightly behind him.
"I brought my full crew."
His eyes shifted toward King and Queen.
"You only brought three of your top fighters."
Queen clicked his tongue.
"Tch."
"And besidesā¦" Shanks continued calmly, "a death match in the middle of the ocean doesn't benefit you."
The wind whipped violently around his cloak.
"Even if we fought seriously here, the world wouldn't remember this battle."
His eyes sharpened.
"Everything would be overshadowed by Marineford."
Kaido's grin slowly faded slightly.
"This warā¦"
Shanks continued.
"It's pointless."
The Emperor of the Beasts stared at him silently.
Thunder rolled overhead.
Then slowlyā
Kaido lifted his sake gourd and took a massive drink.
"ā¦Worororoā¦"
For several seconds, nobody spoke.
Then finallyā
Kaido turned around.
"Fine."
The Beast Pirates looked shocked.
"Kaido-san?!"
"We're leaving?"
Kaido ignored them.
His massive kanabo rested over his shoulder as he walked away.
"I'll save my strength for another day."
Shanks watched him carefully.
Then Kaido glanced back one final time.
"You better not die before I get my chance, Red Hair."
Shanks grinned.
"Same to you."
The tension slowly eased as the Beast Pirates' ships began turning away.
The sea itself seemed to breathe again.
Benn Beckman exhaled smoke slowly.
"Well."
Lucky Roux laughed.
"That went better than expected."
Yasopp lowered his rifle.
"For now."
Shanks stared toward the distant horizon.
Toward Marineford.
The storm was only beginning.
---
The world held its breath.
Across every ocean, every kingdom, every pirate den and Marine base, eyes remained glued to newspapers, Den Den Mushi broadcasts, and giant public screens broadcasting live images from Marineford.
The execution of Portgas D. Ace.
The war between the Marines and the Whitebeard Pirates.
A battle that would decide the balance of the world itself.
In the South Blue, civilians crowded around taverns in nervous silence.
In the West Blue, pirates argued loudly over which side would win.
In the New World, countless crews halted their voyages just to watch.
Even kingdoms affiliated with the World Government had soldiers stationed near their capitals in fear that chaos would erupt no matter who emerged victorious.
Because everyone understood one thing.
Once Whitebeard movedā¦
The world would never remain the same.
Far away in the North Blue, tucked deep within a quiet countryside surrounded by forests and dirt roads, Hakkuro Village remained far calmer than the rest of the world.
But even thereā
Tension lingered heavily in the air.
Inside the small village tavern, several villagers stood gathered around a newspaper spread across a wooden table.
Large bold text dominated the front page.
WAR OF THE BEST
PORTGAS D. ACE TO BE EXECUTED
Below it were massive photographs.
The Three Admirals.
Fleet Admiral Sengoku.
The Seven Warlords.
Marineford itself.
And among the gathered Marinesā
A young green-haired Marine Captain.
Tenjin.
Makima stared silently at the newspaper.
Her hands trembled slightly.
Nanagi stood beside her quietly while Bigback Homes folded his arms near the wall.
The tavern itself was unusually silent.
Even the usual drunk villagers weren't speaking loudly today.
Makima's eyes remained fixed on Tenjin's image.
Her boy.
The same loud child who used to run recklessly through the village with scraped knees and dirt all over his face.
Now standing among the strongest military force in the world.
Preparing for war.
"ā¦He looks thinner," she whispered softly.
Nanagi blinked.
"That's what you noticed?"
Makima ignored her.
Her fingers lightly touched the image.
Concern filled her eyes.
"ā¦He's definitely not sleeping properly."
Bigback Homes snorted.
"That idiot probably thinks sleep is optional."
Despite his words, even he looked worried.
Because this wasn't some ordinary battle.
This was Whitebeard.
Makima lowered her head slightly and clasped her hands together.
"ā¦Please stay safeā¦"
Her voice came out barely above a whisper.
"ā¦Pleaseā¦"
Back at Marineford, the atmosphere felt entirely different.
Over one hundred thousand Marines stood stationed throughout the massive fortress.
Rows upon rows of soldiers lined the battlefield in perfect formation.
Cannons remained loaded.
Warships surrounded the bay.
Vice Admirals stood positioned across the battlefield like unmoving mountains.
The sea itself felt tense.
Heavy.
As though even nature understood what was coming.
The elite trainees stood gathered together among the Marine forces.
Koby swallowed nervously while staring toward the execution platform.
Helmeppo tried to maintain composure despite sweating slightly.
Prince Grus stood with folded arms.
Kujaku lazily twirled her whip.
Hibari looked around nervously.
And beside themā
Tenjin stood with his arms crossed.
For once, even he looked serious.
The massive execution platform towered above the battlefield.
And seated high upon itā
Portgas D. Ace sat chained in seastone restraints.
His head lowered.
The atmosphere suddenly shifted.
Thenā
BOOM.
BOOM.
BOOM.
Heavy footsteps echoed throughout Marineford.
Every Marine immediately straightened.
The gates leading toward the main plaza opened slowly.
And the Admirals entered.
First came Aokiji.
Hands in his pockets.
Lazy expression unchanged.
The cold air around him alone caused nearby Marines to shiver.
Then Kizaru walked in calmly behind him, golden light faintly flickering around his body.
Even his relaxed posture couldn't hide the terrifying pressure radiating from him.
And finallyā
Akainu.
Absolute Justice itself.
His magma-like presence alone felt suffocating.
The Marines erupted instantly.
"THE ADMIRALS!"
"THE STRONGEST MILITARY FORCE OF THE MARINES!"
"We can win this!"
Hope spread rapidly throughout the battlefield.
Just seeing the Admirals standing there reassured countless Marines.
These were monsters capable of changing entire battlefields alone.
Koby stared in awe.
"ā¦Amazingā¦"
Helmeppo nodded stiffly.
"The pressure coming off them is insaneā¦"
Even Tenjin narrowed his eyes slightly while watching them.
Strong.
Ridiculously strong.
Especially Akainu.
The man radiated destruction.
The Admirals calmly took their seats beneath the execution platform.
And thenā
Another wave of excitement exploded across Marineford.
"The WARLORDS are arriving!"
One by one, the Seven Warlords entered the battlefield.
Dracule Mihawk walked in first, black blade resting across his back.
The strongest swordsman in the world.
Cold.
Silent.
Terrifying.
Then came Donquixote Doflamingo, grinning wildly while laughing under his breath.
Bartholomew Kuma followed silently behind him.
Gecko Moria towered over nearby Marines with his monstrous frame.
And thenā
Boa Hancock arrived.
The reaction was immediate.
"Heavensā¦"
"She's beautifulā¦"
"So beautifulā¦"
Even veteran Marines went red-faced instantly.
Some nearly collapsed from sheer infatuation.
Hancock walked gracefully through the battlefield with Salome draped around her shoulders.
Every movement looked elegant.
Royal.
Untouchable.
But thenā
Her eyes landed on Tenjin.
And she froze completely.
Her heart skipped violently.
Thump.
The sounds around her faded instantly.
All she sawā
Was him.
The green-haired Marine standing among the gathered soldiers.
Hancock's cheeks immediately flushed pink.
Her expression softened completely.
"He's hereā¦"
Nearby Marines instantly turned heart-eyed seeing Hancock blush.
"She's smiling?!"
"Lady Hancock smiled at us!"
"No, she looked over there!"
Kujaku noticed immediately.
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
"ā¦Ara?"
Hibari blinked.
"ā¦Why is the Pirate Empress staring at Tenjin-san?"
Koby looked confused.
Tenjin himself simply tilted his head.
"ā¦Hancock?"
And high above the battlefieldā
The storm clouds over Marineford rumbled violently.
The war was about to begin.
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