Feeling the tremendous power surging through his body, King released a long roar and flew straight toward Charlotte Linlin at tremendous speed!
Inside the Golden Palace on Raijin Island, a red light flashed through Roy's eyes. He then abandoned the idea of intervening.
"It seems there's no need for me to act. From this day onward, these seas will have one fewer emperor."
In the original story, King had been able to kick Big Mom into the sea with a single strike while merely using his ordinary Beast Form, causing her to lose her memories.
That was without considering that Charlotte Linlin had already suffered severe injuries from the massive explosion. After reaching the waters near Raijin Island, she had also endured two heavy attacks from Burgess, worsening her condition considerably.
On top of that, King had crushed a Rumble Ball and activated Monster Point. Yasopp, Queen, Jack, and several other capable fighters were also waiting on the coast to support him.
The Thunder God Pirates had no reason to lose this battle!
In the end, events unfolded exactly as Roy had foreseen.
On that day, Charlotte Linlin—Big Mom, one of the Three Emperors—was killed in battle within the Raijin Sea!
...
After the news spread, everyone had already become numb.
One enormous event after another had occurred over the past several days, leaving people unable to keep up.
Apart from the influential figures who were shaken by the news, ordinary civilians could barely spare it any attention.
Sea Emperors existed on a level far too distant from their daily lives.
While the common people remained largely indifferent, the Marines and the World Government received news that filled them with unease.
"The remnants of the Charlotte Family, led by Katakuri, have joined the Whitebeard Pirates?!"
Veins bulged across Sengoku's forehead. He pressed a hand against his brow and collapsed back into his chair.
"I originally thought the Thunder Emperor's destruction of Charlotte Linlin would be excellent news for the Marines. I never expected Katakuri and the others to choose Whitebeard!"
"According to our intelligence and analysis, shouldn't Katakuri and his group have joined Red-Haired Shanks instead? The two sides had already reached an unspoken alliance in private."
The personnel transfers, troop arrangements, and battle plans of the past several days had already left Sengoku physically and mentally exhausted. He truly did not want to think about anything else.
"After we announced that we would go to war with the Whitebeard Pirates, the Thunder God Pirates took certain measures. It appears they invited other forces to form an alliance."
"Big Mom refused, but Red Hair accepted. In Katakuri's eyes, that action amounted to betrayal. He can no longer trust Shanks."
Tsuru sat on the office sofa. Her scarf-covered face appeared somewhat weary.
"They also know that the Red Hair Pirates would never help them avenge Big Mom. Meanwhile, the Whitebeard Pirates are about to go to war against us. By joining Whitebeard now, Katakuri and the others are offering him support precisely when he needs it most."
"Whitebeard would never reject such a powerful force."
"Furthermore, the Thunder Emperor will undoubtedly attempt to unify the New World afterward. To put it bluntly, should Whitebeard win this war, he will inevitably fight the Thunder Emperor once again. That is precisely what Katakuri and the others want to see."
"As a ruler from the previous era, Whitebeard would never allow himself to leave the stage in obscurity." Sengoku understood what Tsuru meant. "So Katakuri and the others had no other choice. If they wanted revenge, joining the Whitebeard Pirates was their only option."
"And to ensure Whitebeard fights the Thunder Emperor with everything he has afterward, Katakuri and the others will undoubtedly do everything in their power to help him rescue Fire Fist Ace during this battle."
"So, Sengoku, the burden on your shoulders has grown even heavier."
"I understand."
Sengoku rose and walked over to the window.
He gazed at the Marines training in the plaza of Marine Headquarters, preparing themselves for the coming battle, and countless emotions welled up within him.
"We will not lose this battle!"
...
Time passed swiftly. In the blink of an eye, the date of Fire Fist Ace's execution drew closer and closer.
Aside from increasing the number of troops committed to the battle, the Marines also launched a World Military Draft to gather forces capable of resisting Whitebeard.
Anyone with exceptional strength who performed outstandingly during the war could be promoted directly to admiral afterward.
However, Sengoku still intended to use those people as expendable soldiers.
He would not assign any particular missions to the newly recruited personnel.
They would merely be ordered to stand in designated positions and fight Whitebeard in the plaza of Marine Headquarters.
The World Government had also recognized the increase in the Whitebeard Pirates' strength. It once again selected several skilled agents from among the Celestial Dragons' Holy Shields and deployed them to the coming war.
Compared to the original story, the scale of this Summit War was growing increasingly vast, with more and more people becoming involved.
The resulting battle would undoubtedly be even more brutal!
Whitebeard had already accepted Katakuri and his companions.
While both sides were actively preparing for the approaching decisive battle, another piece of news arrived that caused the Marines considerable distress.
...
"The Straw Hat Pirates, led by Straw Hat Luffy, have broken into the great underwater prison?"
Sengoku stared at the Transponder Snail with a dazed expression.
So many things had happened over the past several days that even Sengoku's powerful heart was beginning to reach its limit.
"Y-Yes! With the assistance of Emporio Ivankov, the Okama King and one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, Straw Hat Luffy and his companions successfully infiltrated Impel Down. They are currently causing chaos throughout the prison!"
"Buggy the Clown is also acting alongside the Straw Hat group. Judging by his own remarks, he appears to share an exceptionally close relationship with Red-Haired Shanks, one of the Three Emperors."
"Deputy Warden Hannyabal has already gone ahead to provide support. Chief Warden Magellan will also hurry there as soon as he finishes using the bathroom!"
"I understand."
Sengoku ended the call with a pounding headache.
With Magellan there, Straw Hat Luffy would be unable to cause any serious trouble.
Even with assistance from a Warlord, Magellan possessed combat power comparable to an admiral!
One Warlord would be nowhere near enough. Even three or four of them would hardly be a match for his Hydra.
Were it not for the severe side effects of Magellan's Venom-Venom Fruit and the fact that his abilities could not distinguish between friend and foe on a battlefield, Sengoku truly would have considered bringing him into the coming war.
With Magellan guarding Impel Down, the prison was practically impregnable.
Even so, this incident was extremely troublesome, especially at such a critical moment immediately before the war.
(End of Chapter)
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