Lucifer: The Swamp Fruit

The public execution of Portgas D. Ace!

This news sent shockwaves across the world!

News Coos flew to every corner of the globe, spreading the information throughout the Four Blues and the Grand Line in the blink of an eye.

The winds of change howled. On the seas of the New World, powerful forces gathered, and pirate ships began to converge on a single location.

Secretly, the Marines began to consolidate their forces, drawing closer to Marine Headquarters.

In a certain area of the New World, aboard the massive Moby Dick, a heavy and oppressive atmosphere hung in the air. A towering figure stood at the bow, gripping a long-handled bisento, silent and brooding.

His crescent-shaped white mustache, his head wrapped in a bandana, and his slightly aged face, all framed eyes that were sharp and piercing.

He was the strongest man in the world, Edward Newgate, Whitebeard! The captain of the Whitebeard Pirates!

"Ace~!" A hoarse, heavy voice escaped his lips. Whitebeard tilted his head back, a terrifying aura emanating from him silently.

"Whoosh~!" A faint wave of air pressure spread out from beneath his feet. He slowly raised his bisento, his eyes widening, and a burst of killing intent exploded forth: "My sons! We're going to save Ace!"

"Yes, Pops!"

Terrifying waves surged, and pirate ships that had not yet approached the area received a certain message, quickly changing course and disappearing from sight.

Besides the capture of Fire Fist Ace, another event was attracting considerable attention: a man called Blackbeard had become one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, a development that also caused a sensation.

One wave hadn't settled before another arose. Not long after the announcement of the public execution, another message was issued from Marine Headquarters.

A summons for the Seven Warlords of the Sea! Failure to comply would result in the revocation of their Warlord status!

...

Time passed amidst the increasingly tense atmosphere. Two days later, the gates of Impel Down opened once more, and Wilder escorted Ace out.

"Thank you for your efforts, Chief Guard First," Strawberry, who had been waiting for some time, said as he stepped forward. His eyes, however, were fixed on Fire Fist Ace.

Wilder nodded, remaining silent, and transferred custody of Fire Fist Ace to Strawberry.

Watching the departing warship, Wilder's lips silently curled into a smile. He turned and walked back through the gates.

"It's almost time..."

...

Near the Grand Line, on Amazon Lily, a pirate ship pulled by two serpentine Sea Kings sailed out of the Calm Belt.

In an unknown sea, Blackbeard and his crew were also heading towards the same destination.

...

Wilder kept abreast of the news from the outside world through his contacts, gathering firsthand information as he waited.

It was worth noting that a few days prior, in response to the summons to the Seven Warlords, one of their number, the Sea Knight Jinbe, had vehemently refused and was subsequently imprisoned in Impel Down.

A storm was brewing.

From the moment the Marines announced the public execution of Fire Fist Ace, everyone understood that a great war was inevitable. The Whitebeard Pirates would never stand idly by. The only question was how the two sides would initiate this monumental conflict.

As time passed, the storm reached its peak intensity.

The Marines were fully prepared to face the Whitebeard Pirates, and the battlefield, audaciously, was set at Marine Headquarters itself. Besides demonstrating the Marines' formidable power to the world, this also served as an opportunity to strike a blow against the Whitebeard Pirates, perhaps even... to eradicate them completely, wiping them from the face of the earth!

Undoubtedly, the current New World belonged to the Whitebeard Pirates, both in terms of top-tier combat strength and territorial influence. Even the other Three Emperors had to acknowledge this fact.

Therefore, the Marines dared not underestimate the Whitebeard Pirates. While responding with all their might, they were also strategizing and formulating tactics. Vice Admiral Tsuru, the Great Staff Officer, served as a core figure in this, and the Marines' top combat forces, the Three Admirals, had all been recalled to participate in meetings, preparing for the battle against the Whitebeard Pirates.

Akainu, Sakazuki.

Aokiji, Kuzan.

Kizaru, Borsalino.

Each one was a monster in their own right, possessing world-class strength.

Marine Headquarters had become a veritable fortress. All sorts of battle deployments were complete. All that remained was to wait for the arrival of the Whitebeard Pirates.

Before that, clandestine forces were also making their own meticulous preparations.

Fleet Admiral Sengoku, Admiral Akainu, Admiral Aokiji, Admiral Kizaru, Hero of the Marines Vice Admiral Garp, Chief of Staff Tsuru—the highest echelons of the Marines were all assembled.

The execution platform was ready, with two executioners standing on either side. Fleet Admiral Sengoku himself stood guard over the platform, staring silently and sternly at the distant sea.

The Three Admirals were positioned below the platform, seated in three high-backed chairs, their legs crossed.

Further below, the Seven Warlords and Vice Admirals were arranged according to their size and individual strengths.

Everything was in place!

...

At the gates of Impel Down, a Marine battleship docked.

"Then, please be quick. The deadline for the summons is approaching," a middle-aged Marine with a handlebar mustache and wearing a light purple suit said to a woman of unparalleled beauty. His eyes never met hers.

"I am well aware. Please wait a moment, Vice Admiral Momonga," the beautiful woman in a patterned qipao and cloak replied softly, her voice cool and aloof.

She was one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, the most beautiful woman in the world, the Pirate Empress, Boa Hancock!

As she spoke, she disembarked from the ship. The man addressed as Vice Admiral Momonga did not stop her. He breathed a sigh of relief, looking at the back of his bandaged hand, a lingering fear etched on his face.

...

Unless they were affiliated with the World Government or the Marines, all individuals entering Impel Down were required to undergo a body search and wear Seastone handcuffs, even the Seven Warlords.

After Domino explained this, Boa Hancock reluctantly accepted the fact and followed her to the examination room.

"Luffy... Luffy..." Suppressing a soft cry, Boa Hancock, who had just moments ago maintained a cool composure, now had a flushed face, and her gait was even a little unsteady.

"Huh? Are you calling me, Han... Old-lock?" A boy with a straw hat, hidden inside her cloak, looked surprised.

"Yes... I... I'm in trouble."

"I know," the boy's face inside the cloak was also uncharacteristically serious. "I heard what you said. It's going to be a problem, right? I've made up my mind. I'm going to sneak in right now!"

"No... I... I'm feeling weak all over. Luffy, could you... could you please not hold me so tight?" she whispered, her voice barely audible, her face completely flushed.

"Huh?! Why?!" Luffy exclaimed in surprise, but he quickly realized what was happening and covered his mouth with one hand.

"..."

Soon, the two... no, three of them arrived at the examination room. Domino turned to face Hancock, a faint blush appearing on her cheeks, but she quickly regained her composure. "Then, please excuse me." As she spoke, she stepped forward, preparing to search Hancock's body.

"Buzz...!" But suddenly, every living creature in the room, including Domino and the Visual Den Den Mushi on the wall, was instantly petrified!

Boa Hancock had activated her Devil Fruit ability. She let out a sigh of relief, "Luffy, now's the chance..."

But before she could finish her sentence, her expression changed, and her pupils contracted!

"Perhaps... I could be of assistance... Nyehehehe..." A low voice sounded from within the examination room.

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