Marineford.
Outside the Gate of Justice, fifty massive Marine warships were lined up in a row, each with its cannons fully deployed, forming an impenetrable web of firepower.
On the high walls, tens of thousands of elite Marines assembled from various Branches stood in formation, their aura of solemnity palpable.
Two hours before the scheduled execution time, the sky began to brighten, and the sea mist gradually dissipated.
...
Before the execution platform, the three Admirals—Akainu, Kuzan, and Kizaru—sat high, waiting with an air of disdain for any potential enemies.
In stark contrast to the disciplined Marines were the chaotic pirate ships scattered across the outer sea, varying in size and buzzing with noise.
An old pirate, witnessing the scene as the morning mist cleared, dropped his bottle of liquor and muttered:
"I've sailed the New World for most of my life, but I've never seen such dense cannon fire... Even a pirate crew hailed as an emperor would be blasted to pieces here!"
...
"There are no ordinary soldiers on those warships—their eyes and stance, each one is a seasoned veteran..."
A pirate with exceptional vision, observing the Marines on the ships, gasped in shock: "Isn't that... Sandstone!!"
The lieutenant from Branch 92 in the South Sea, the one who once chased him into desperate flight...
He was actually positioned in the second row on that warship!!
...
...
Sengoku stood atop the high walls and ordered the worldwide broadcast to commence.
—
From the New World to the Four Seas, every place capable of receiving Den Den Mushi signals was packed with crowds holding their breath.
The camera swept over the Marine formations, each pause eliciting uncontrollable awe.
In a Member Nation's plaza, someone pointed at the screen showing the endless rows of Marines on the grand walls, their voice dry:
"Is this the might of the Marines... the strongest armed force under the World Government?! It's terrifying!"
"Having such a military to maintain order on the seas truly brings peace of mind..."
"Those warships are enormous! They're even bigger than the Plaza of Labra!"
"Fifty... fifty ships!! Even a great nation could be effortlessly destroyed!!"
...
Among the crowd were pirates or those planning to embark on plundering voyages, chilled by the scenes unfolding before them.
Unlike the weak Navy Branches they had known, this was a concept from a completely different world.
Such military might...
This was the power of the hegemon that suppressed the Four Seas!!
—
—
The camera focused on the execution platform, capturing the three figures draped in Admiral cloaks, seated like immovable mountains.
Both those present and those watching the broadcast gasped in unison.
...
It was a known fact that the Marines had gathered all three Admirals after many years.
But knowing and witnessing firsthand were different, especially since most people were seeing the three Admirals appear together for the first time.
"Akainu... Kuzan... Kizaru... The Marine Headquarters' highest combat forces are assembled, just for executing the Red Hair Pirates?!"
Initially, pirates had considered the execution of Red Hair a major event, but now...
Even those defeated by Red Hair felt it was somewhat 'overblown.'
It had completely surpassed the realm of 'prevention,' resembling more of a declaration.
...
"It's not just an execution..."
An old pirate with graying hair gulped down a mouthful of wine, bitterly saying, "This is a demonstration to the entire Great Pirate Era. Sengoku wants to say..."
"No matter what storm Roger stirred up, it's still the era of the Marines!"
...
"Too cowardly, old man."
On a nearby ship, a man wearing striped suit and smoking a cigar chimed in.
It was the recently notorious Fire Tank Pirates Captain, Capone Bege, whose bounty had surpassed a hundred million.
"The era belongs to the strongest. No matter what you say, right now it's Whitebeard's era!"
...
"Whitebeard..."
The old pirate's expression changed, his bitterness fading away: "You're right, the era belongs to the strongest! Quite insightful, kid!"
Bang—
A gunshot rang out, blood splattered.
The old pirate clutched his ear, crying out in pain.
Bege sneered coldly: "If you weren't somewhat sensible, this shot wouldn't have just taken off your ear."
"I'm Capone Bege! Who are you calling 'kid'!"
...
Such conflicts erupting from words happened many times among the outer circle pirates.
The pirates daring to come here to watch the live broadcast were each more arrogant than the last. Fighting over disagreements was too normal.
If they hadn't restrained themselves wanting to watch the grand spectacle, these people would have already started a massive brawl.
——
——
New World, Moby Dick.
A screen was set up on the deck, and all members of the Whitebeard Pirates had risen early. Thatch had even started preparing drinks and dishes since midnight.
"Gurarara—, Sengoku really loves these grand scenes..."
Whitebeard's gaze shifted, wanting to find that figure on the screen.
"The Marines' strength is too formidable..."
Whitebeard Pirates Seventh Division Captain Rakuyo, responsible for tactical analysis within the crew, rubbed his chin and continued: "Rescuing Griffin from such a force would be extremely difficult!"
...
"Speaking like he was forced... Rakuyo, you're still considering that kind of thing."
Rakuyo turned and said seriously: "I still hold my own view. You know that old thing Sengoku, right? He excels at grasping people's weaknesses."
"Analyzing it that way... seems somewhat reasonable too!"
...
Whitebeard's voice grew solemn.
He didn't think his old rival Sengoku would threaten Griffin, but...
Considering Rayleigh's words, he inevitably harbored uneasy thoughts.
...
On the screen, the camera shifted to the execution platform, and everyone stopped discussing.
On the execution platform stood a strikingly handsome Marine Officer, black hair tied in a high ponytail swaying with the wind.
Two long swords hung at his waist, their hilts faintly visible in the shadow of his cloak.
Several members of the Red Hair Pirates knelt, seemingly awaiting his judgment.
Unlike the sweeping shots of Marine formations and warships, the image directly fixed here, lingering for a long time.
Whether in composition or according to warship formations, he was at the absolute center.
The execution platform... seemed built to showcase him.
...
"It's Griffin!"
"He looks a bit taller. Is he still in his growth phase?"
"Haha, this guy... even wearing that ugly Marine uniform, he's almost catching up to my handsome looks!"
"Shamelessness should have limits, Blenheim!"
...
Whitebeard's eyes lowered slightly, noticing those two swords.
Hoho...
You won, kid.
——
Before the live broadcast screens across the world, everything erupted.
...
"It's Rear Admiral Griffin!! He's finally appeared!!"
"Of course the main character makes his entrance last, the Marines' cameraman knows what he's doing!"
"So handsome! I could look at that face a million times and never get tired!!"
"Dammit! Why can't I go to headquarters? I'm just a bit lacking in physical fitness, but that bitch Kiki can go!!"
...
"If the Celestial Tribute I paid went to a Marine like him… I think I could accept that."
"Just looking at him, my sense of security keeps rising."
"Defeating the Red Hair Pirates, ending the century-long chaos of Hachinosu Island…"
"Surpassing the kings of the next generation, the absolute strongest of the new era—this is the man known as White Wolf!"
"This grand execution is practically his stage…"
"What a perfect posture… just his stance alone is overwhelmingly strong!!"
...
...
"For the first time in eight hundred years of the Marines…"
Grand Line – Kingdom of Brudogia.
The captain of the Beautiful Pirates, known as the 'Prince of Pirates,' Cavendish muttered softly.
He was the prince of Brudogia, supremely confident in his own looks, once firmly believing that no one on the seas could compare to his appearance.
Until…
The world began debating whether Griffin or Kari was the most handsome man on the seas.
Cavendish? Never heard of him.
...
How dare you forget about me!!
Cavendish gripped his gem-encrusted rapier tightly, grinding his teeth.
"Damn it, how can I let you steal all the spotlight! Bastard!!"