One Piece - Heaven Defying Comprehension!

Many generals at Naval Headquarters were drenched in cold sweat, and several Vice Admirals, famous across the seas, stared in shock at the bounty poster towering above them. Their eyes trembled with disbelief.

A pirate's bounty reflects not only their personal strength but also the threat they pose to the World Government. The higher the bounty, the more formidable the pirate. For example, Red-Haired Shanks, one of the Four Emperors, is renowned for his mastery of Haki. Despite his carefree lifestyle, hosting tea parties and raising children, his strength far exceeds that of the now bloated and overgrown Big Mom.

Even Kaido of the Beasts, dubbed the world's strongest creature, and the former "strongest man in the world," Whitebeard, cannot claim with certainty that they could defeat Shanks. However, Shanks commands the smallest crew and holds the least amount of territory compared to the other Four Emperors, resulting in the lowest bounty among them.

Similarly, the Entei Pirates under Portgas D. Ace follow the "elite" approach, much like the Red-Haired Pirates. But the crucial difference is that Ace, despite standing at the pinnacle of the seas, commands almost no territory. After just one year at sea, Ace, who now reigns over the ocean, had no time—or perhaps no desire—to expand his domain.

The forces under Ace's command are limited to the officers of the Entei Pirate Grand Fleet and the Giant Corps of the Fourth Division. Logically, with fewer troops and no significant territory, Entei Portgas D. Ace shouldn't have the world's highest bounty. After all, his military strength and control over the seas seem lacking compared to the Four Emperors.

Yet, the reality is far different.

The Flame Emperor is undoubtedly the most powerful pirate of this era. His ability to harness the powers of all Devil Fruits and evolve the Mera-Mera Fruit into something akin to the power of the sun itself has led to what can be called the strongest Devil Fruit ability in history.

However, even in the previous era, not many reached Ace's level of power. Only legends such as Pirate King Gol D. Roger and Rocks D. Xebec, the would-be world subverter, dared to rival him. Even Whitebeard, who once held the title of the world's strongest man, was surpassed by Ace. 

By strength alone, Ace shouldn't have the highest bounty since Roger's reign. But it's not just his strength that defines his notoriety—it's his actions.

In just one year, Ace has caused chaos on a scale never seen before. He incited the Alabasta Incident and the Enies Lobby Incident, and launched the infamous Flame Emperor Incident on Sabaody Archipelago, shocking the entire world. In a globally broadcasted event, he publicly executed three Celestial Dragons, triggering unprecedented chaos. Under his leadership, the once mighty Naval Headquarters fell into complete defeat.

But it didn't stop there.

Ace crushed the head of one of the Five Elders, Saint Saturn, in full view of the world. Then, with strategic brilliance, he forced the Five Elders—the highest authorities in the world—to retreat, forcing them to halt the Buster Call, a symbol of the World Government's absolute justice. Never before had the World Government made such concessions.

It's no exaggeration to say that the Flame Emperor has completely undermined the concept of absolute justice upheld by the World Government.

In addition to his personal power, Ace commands three of the strongest combatants, along with cadres famous across the seas. 

Given all this, Ace's title as the root of the current global upheaval is no exaggeration.

He is now the strongest man in the world, the most formidable wielder of Conqueror Haki, and a man with the potential to overthrow the world and its established order. 

For this reason, Marine Headquarters has placed a bounty of 5.055 billion Beli on Portgas D. Ace—the highest bounty in the world today.

Just seeing Ace's name and bounty alone filled the generals with unshakable fear. Many of them trembled uncontrollably, drenched in cold sweat.

The very name "Flame Emperor" is enough to strike terror into the hearts of even the most renowned warriors of the sea.

"Stop showing that face! He's just a pirate with a five-billion-beli bounty!" Fleet Admiral Sengoku roared, his gaze cold and sharp.

"Fleet Admiral," Brannew, who was responsible for handling bounty posters, trembled as he addressed the Fleet Admiral.

Sengoku glared at Brannew and said solemnly, "Then take this opportunity to introduce the Four Emperors who stand alongside Entei, as well as the deeds of the Pirate King, who met his end at the hands of the Marines!"

Startled by Sengoku's shout, Brannew quickly composed himself. As per Sengoku's orders, he looked at the assembly of Marine generals and raised his voice.

"First, let's talk about the youngest of the Four Emperors—Red-Haired Shanks. His officers—Beckman, Lucky Roux, Yasopp—are all famous across the seas. The Red Hair Pirates pride themselves on their per-capita bounty, the most balanced and iron-willed pirate crew."

"Leader of the Red-Haired Pirates! Red-Haired Shanks!" Brannew's voice boomed across the room.

"Bounty: 4,048,900,000 Beli!" he announced loudly.

For many generals at Naval Headquarters, it was their first time seeing the full bounty amounts and deeds of the Four Emperors, and their expressions grew more horrified as they looked up at the floating bounty posters.

"Next, we have the monstrous girl, infamous for attacking the Elbaf village of giants in her youth! She trusts nothing but blood, and with her 85 children, she rules as the tyrannical queen of the Totto Land Kingdom, known as the Sweets Empire.

Captain of the Big Mom Pirates, Charlotte Linlin!

Bounty: 4,388,000,000 Beli!" 

Gasps of shock escaped from many of the Naval Headquarters generals.

"Then we have a pirate who once served as an apprentice under the Rocks Pirates, and though he started as a lowly trainee, he gained the respect of even the fiercest pirates and eventually claimed his position as one of the Four Emperors.

Governor of the Beasts Pirates, Kaido of the Beasts!

Bounty: 4,611,100,000 Beli!"

The room was filled with tension as the magnitude of the bounties became apparent, underscoring the formidable might of the Emperors. The generals held their breath, overwhelmed by the majesty of these sea rulers.

"And lastly, the man who once stood alongside Pirate King Roger after the collapse of the Rocks Pirates, a man who dominated his era and was known as the strongest man in the world—capable of destroying the world itself!

Captain of the Whitebeard Pirates, Edward Newgate!

Bounty: 5,046,000,000 Beli!" 

Many of the generals couldn't hide their awe as they looked upon the bounty of the legendary figure, a relic from the previous era who still stands as one of the Four Emperors. They swallowed hard, fully aware of the power he once wielded—and still does.

"And finally! Captain of the Roger Pirates!

The Pirate King, Gol D. Roger, who died publicly at the hands of our Marine!

Bounty: 5,564,800,000 Beli!"

Brannew, now fully charged with emotion, shouted at the top of his lungs.

"A bounty surpassing 5.5 billion! The Pirate King, who conquered the Grand Line, is now among our fallen enemies! 

Before the rise of the Entei, the total bounty of the Four Emperors we faced at Naval Headquarters exceeded 18 billion Beli! And yet, we maintained the balance of power on the seas!

The failure of this war lies with me, as your Fleet Admiral! The responsibility is mine alone!

Flame Emperor's strategic brilliance and his ability to wield all Devil Fruits from the start of the war left our Naval Headquarters completely on the defensive. But now, we have comprehensive information about Portgas D. Ace! 

In a direct confrontation, our Naval Headquarters still holds the upper hand! We can still safeguard justice across the seas!

The pirates are fractured! It has been confirmed that Kaido of the Beasts is waiting for the Flame Emperor for battle in Onigashima! 

We, the Marines, represent the justice of the seas! We are the defenders of order! And if we focus our strength, we can annihilate all pirates!

Let this defeat become the fuel for our mission to uphold justice!

Be angry! Marines! Roar! Marines! Fight! Marines!

Justice will prevail!"

Sengoku's voice thundered across the room, veins bulging on his forehead as he took responsibility for the failure and invoked the memory of the Pirate King to reignite the fighting spirit of the Marines.

This was Sengoku's last act as Fleet Admiral—a final attempt to stir the hearts of his soldiers.

"Justice will prevail!" 

Many of the generals, who had previously slumped in defeat, now stood tall. In response to Sengoku's rallying cry, their throats strained as they screamed with renewed vigor.

"Crack!" 

Sengoku stood up, opened the window, and walked to the rooftop overlooking Naval Headquarters Square. Below, rows upon rows of Marines stood at attention.

His speech, broadcasted through a video transponder, spread throughout Marineford.

The sight of Sengoku roused the Marines into a frenzy, their spirits rekindled by his words. 

"Justice will prevail!" 

Tens of thousands of Naval Headquarters soldiers raised their swords and guns and roared with all their might.

"Justice will prevail!" 

Sengoku raised his hand, signaling his agreement with their cries.

Back inside the meeting room, the Three Admirals, Garp, and Vice Admiral Tsuru lowered their heads slightly. Garp and Tsuru exchanged glances, both sensing the weight of the moment. Sengoku's willingness to bear the blame for the defeat signaled a shift—a passing of the torch. The time for a new Fleet Admiral had come.

As expected of Sengoku.

Aokiji, meanwhile, silently observed the many roaring sailors.

The Marines couldn't be changed even in his leadership.

It was time for him to depart.

——

Calm Belt

A large ship, drawn by two enormous sea serpents, sailed steadily toward Amazon Lily.

The Nine Snakes Pirates! Aboard was the Pirate Empress, the world's most beautiful woman, Boa Hancock, on her flagship, the Perfume Yuda.

In the Calm Belt waters, dozens of nautical miles away, a ship with a flaming skull on its bow and a hull that seemed ablaze sailed forward like a burning phantom. This was the main ship of the Entei Pirates' fleet, the Going Merry, accompanied closely by two other ships.

They were racing toward the Nine Snakes Pirates.

On the Perfume Yuda, Hancock was aboard.

"Ah, I feel so strange... Will I die?" she murmured, clutching her heart, her beautiful face flushed with an unusual heat and pain.

"Sister!"