One Piece: Scourge of the Seas

The war between the Whitebeard Pirates and the Marines was on the brink of eruption.

Across the world, an air of unease permeated every corner.

Countless eyes were fixed on Marine Headquarters, all anxiously awaiting the final outcome.

If the Marines triumphed, it would be a cause for worldwide celebration among the people.

If they were to fall, then the ruthless and bloodthirsty pirates would become even more unrestrained.

No one wanted Whitebeard to win this war.

"Hurry up and die, pirates!"

That was the sentiment most people held in their hearts.

But beyond waiting for the outcome, there was nothing they could do.

What would become of the world?

The uncertainty gnawed at them, filling them with deep anxiety.

Time flew by.

Only six days remained until the public execution of Fire Fist Ace.

During this time, powerful Marines from all over the world gathered at Marine Headquarters, rallying under the banner of justice.

As they amassed their forces, the Marines continuously dispatched surveillance ships, hoping to gather real-time intelligence on the movements of the Whitebeard Pirates.

However—

No matter how many surveillance ships were sent out, they were all, without exception, sunk by the Whitebeard Pirates.

To prevent further losses, the Marines were forced to abandon their attempts to monitor Whitebeard's movements.

This helpless situation only intensified the tension at Marine Headquarters.

At the outer perimeter of Impel Down, where Fire Fist Ace was being held, numerous massive warships were stationed.

Every defensible position had been reinforced. The Marines had formed an impenetrable blockade around Impel Down, using an ironclad fleet formation to prevent any possibility of a jailbreak by the Whitebeard Pirates.

The chilling barrels of the countless cannons mounted on the warships remained poised, ready to fire at a moment's notice.

From the day the public execution was announced, the Marines had not let their guard down for even a second…

Marineford Port.

Beyond the powerful Marines gathered from across the world, the Warlords of the Sea—recognized by the World Government—had finally arrived at Marine Headquarters.

On the shore, nearly a hundred fully armed Marines stood in formation, their expressions tense as they watched a newly arrived warship dock at the port.

As a long gangway extended from the warship to the shore, several imposing figures descended one by one.

"They're here… the Warlords of the Sea…!"

The Marines struggled to suppress the tremors in their hearts, their eyes fixed on the approaching figures.

The sheer force of their presence was tangible, pressing down on the surroundings like an invisible weight, making it difficult to breathe.

This was… the aura of the great pirates!

"The world's strongest swordsman… Dracule Mihawk!"

"Heavenly Yaksha, Donquixote Doflamingo!"

"Blackbeard, Marshall D. Teach!"

"And… that's… the Pirate Empress, Boa Hancock!"

The Marines' anxious gazes swept over Mihawk and the other Warlords until they landed on the last figure—Boa Hancock.

Her skin was as fair as snow, her beauty utterly breathtaking.

Every movement she made exuded an irresistible allure.

Her unparalleled beauty, just as the rumors described, made the Marines' hearts race.

The pressure and tension brought by Mihawk and the other Warlords suddenly melted away.

In its place, an overwhelming infatuation took hold, a reaction sparked by the Pirate Empress.

"Too beautiful…!"

Hearts practically leapt from the Marines' eyes as they gazed at Hancock, unable to tear their eyes away from her captivating figure.

Vice Admiral Yamakaji, assigned to receive the Warlords, stood with his signature Marine cap pulled low over his eyes, a cigar between his lips.

Watching his subordinates' disgraceful display, his eyes narrowed slightly in exasperation.

At this point, reprimanding them was meaningless.

Choosing to ignore their lovestruck behavior, he took a few strides forward to greet the Warlords.

"We've been expecting you, Warlords of the Sea."

"Fuffuffuffu, no need for pleasantries. Just take us to where we need to be."

Doflamingo, hands in his pockets, walked with a relaxed swagger, his eyes slanted as he glanced at Yamakaji.

Perhaps he was simply bored, or maybe he was using this meeting as an excuse to visit the Holy Land of Mary Geoise.

Regardless of the reason, Doflamingo rarely missed a Warlord meeting.

Yet, ironically, he was always the one who seemed most impatient once he arrived.

This time was no different. He wasted no time in cutting off whatever lengthy speech Yamakaji had prepared.

Yamakaji remained unfazed despite Doflamingo's interruption, calmly responding, "All Warlords are present except for Jinbe. Please follow me to the reception hall, where you may rest before your journey to the Holy Land."

With that, he ignored the sharp glint in Doflamingo's eyes and turned to lead the way.

"Fuffuffu."

Doflamingo chuckled coldly but didn't press further, following behind Yamakaji.

"Zehahaha! No wonder they call this the safest place in the world. The sheer number of troops here is enough to make anyone tremble."

Blackbeard, draped in a black coat, remained leisurely at the back, munching on a cherry pie he had brought from the warship while surveying the vast Marine forces in the distance.

With his keen eyes, he could tell that these weren't just ordinary foot soldiers.

Mihawk, carrying his black blade, walked past Blackbeard without a word, striding ahead.

Following closely was Boa Hancock, her gaze fixed forward, her icy aura radiating an unapproachable presence.

Watching the others move ahead, Blackbeard showed no urgency. He sauntered forward at his own leisurely pace, as if taking a casual stroll.

Half an hour later.

Yamakaji led Doflamingo and the other four Warlords to the reception hall.

Having completed his escort duty, he didn't linger, simply giving a few final instructions before departing.

Slide—

Doflamingo pushed open the sliding door and stepped into the room first.

The reception hall was sparsely furnished with a few chairs and a single sofa set.

The minimalist decor made the already spacious hall feel even more empty.

As Doflamingo entered, his sharp eyes first landed on a motionless figure seated by the wall—a massive man seemingly lost in silent contemplation.

Then, his gaze shifted to a young man seated in a single sofa chair, idly toying with a teacup—Bacardi Maude.

Enemies meeting, tensions flaring.

"Fuffuffuffu…"

Doflamingo let out a sinister chuckle, his killing intent seeping into the air around him.

Maude slowly lifted his gaze, meeting Doflamingo's hostility with a cold, indifferent expression.

"What's the matter? Does that wound of yours still ache?"

"Don't get cocky… or else—"

Doflamingo's eyes narrowed as his right index finger twitched.

A nearly invisible thread descended toward Maude's collar from above.

Maude remained motionless, but his shadow suddenly extended, intertwining into dark threads that intercepted Doflamingo's attack, suspending it midair.

Blocking Doflamingo's underhanded move with ease, Maude placed his teacup back onto the table and rested his cheek against his fist, gazing at Doflamingo with disdain.

"Cheap tricks like that belong in a circus."

"…"

Doflamingo grinned, his killing intent intensifying.

Mihawk, Hancock, and Blackbeard, having entered behind them, observed the sparks flying between the two with amusement.

Then—

Their gazes focused on Maude.

This young man had risen to prominence in just three short years, carving out a place for himself on the seas.

His strength was not to be underestimated.

"Zehahaha… Bacardi Maude… we finally meet."

Blackbeard smirked, his eyes gleaming with interest.

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