199: Ace Captured, The Curtain Rises on the Summit War!

Because of Enel, Gecko Moria was defeated, and all the shadows he had stolen were released.

With their new companion, Brook, the Straw Hat crew left the treacherous Florian Triangle and set sail for the Sabaody Archipelago.

The news of Luffy's victory over one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, Gecko Moria, spread quickly. His bounty surged once again, reaching 150 million berries.

He was now officially recognized as one of the "Worst Generation"—a group of infamous Supernovas shaking the world.

On this day, aboard the Thousand Sunny—

"Eh?! Brook, you know Ron too?!"

Luffy and the others were astonished by Brook's casual mention of the name.

Not far away, sipping on an ice-cold cola, Enel glanced over at the conversation.

Under everyone's expectant gazes, Brook began recounting his past encounter with Ron.

"Mr. Ron was the first living human I had met in decades. He was so kind, so polite… How could I ever forget? He even bought me a drink back then! Yohohohoho!"

Brook chuckled, the memory bringing warmth to his hollow chest.

"Oh, and he told me I would find the perfect companions one day. He even promised we'd share a drink together again on the open sea… What a gentle and noble man."

Brook sighed wistfully. "That was six years ago… I wonder how he's doing now?"

"He's practically on the same level as the Four Emperors now. Of course, he's doing well."

Sanji lit a cigarette and exhaled a cloud of smoke.

"Four Emperors?"

Brook tilted his skull, confused. "What's that?"

"They're the strongest guys ruling this sea."

Luffy grinned at him.

Usopp couldn't help but complain, "I feel like almost everyone on this ship has met Ron the Traveler except me…!"

"No, I haven't met him either."

Franky placed a hand on Usopp's shoulder.

"Super…"

Usopp suddenly felt a sense of camaraderie. He spun around and clapped Franky on the back.

"Exactly! That's what I'm saying! Ron the Traveler is someone on par with the Four Emperors! It's totally normal that guys like us wouldn't have met him. In fact, it'd be weird if we had! Yes! That's right!"

…

While the Straw Hats continued their journey to Sabaody—

On the other side of the world, Ace had lost his battle against Blackbeard on Banaro Island.

Captured.

Marshall D. Teach, now the captain of the Blackbeard Pirates, handed Ace over to the Marines in exchange for an official seat among the Seven Warlords of the Sea.

With the Whitebeard Pirates' Second Division Commander, "Fire Fist" Ace, being transported to the impenetrable underwater prison, Impel Down, the Marines launched an investigation into his past.

It didn't take long for them to uncover his true identity—he was the son of none other than the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger.

And in his childhood, in the East Blue, he had been a close friend of Ron.

When the World Government learned of this connection, they quickly devised a strategy with the Marines.

Ace's public execution at Marineford.

By doing so, they intended to lure both the Whitebeard Pirates and Ron into a decisive battle—where the Marines would unleash their full military might and eradicate them all in one fell swoop!

The plan was set. Now, it was time to mobilize their forces.

"Besides the full strength of Marine Headquarters, we will also summon the Seven Warlords of the Sea. The new forces we've gathered from the World Military Draft will also be deployed in this battle."

Commander-in-Chief Kong's statement left Sengoku slightly startled.

Frowning, Sengoku questioned, "But most of them are fresh recruits… Should they really be thrown into a war of this scale?"

"The ones without combat experience won't be sent to the front lines," Kong replied firmly. "The forces I'm referring to are those with the power equivalent to high-ranking officers."

Kong slowly stood from his seat.

"Sengoku, first it was the Four Emperors dominating the New World. Then came that reckless traveler, Ron. And now, this so-called 'Worst Generation' has emerged… The Marines are gradually losing control over this sea."

He stepped forward, standing directly in front of Sengoku, his expression grave.

"For the sake of order and justice, we cannot afford to lose this battle. No matter the cost."

Sengoku locked eyes with him, determination solidifying in his gaze.

"I understand."

…

Ace was transported to Impel Down's Level 6—Eternal Hell.

Immediately after, Marine Headquarters made an official public announcement.

"In fifteen days, Fire Fist Ace will be publicly executed at Marineford!"

A declaration of war against Whitebeard himself.

This news was monumental. The entire world trembled.

Newspapers rushed to break the story, their headlines dominating every major publication.

By the time the Straw Hats arrived at Sabaody, the news had already spread like wildfire.

Far away, in the New World, the Whitebeard Pirates received the message even before the papers arrived.

"Damn that Teach… He handed Ace over to the Marines?!"

Marco gritted his teeth in fury.

Jozu clenched his massive fists together, his veins bulging with anger.

"One day… I'll crush his bones to dust!"

"This is not the time for discussion. The priority is to rescue Ace first."

Vista looked at Whitebeard with a fierce gaze.

"Old man, the Marines have crossed the line. There's no need for us to hold back anymore. Let's tear them apart!"

"Old man."

"Old man!"

"Crush Marineford! Rescue Ace!"

All eyes turned toward Whitebeard, who remained seated in silence.

He had his eyes closed, deep in thought.

The clamor gradually faded, and the entire ship fell into an eerie silence.

After a long moment—

Whitebeard slowly opened his eyes. Gripping the massive naginata, Murakumogiri, beside him, he rose to his feet.

A suffocating pressure, the presence of a man who had reigned at the peak of the world for decades, burst forth from his very being.

"Red-Haired... So this is the 'unexpected event' you spoke of..."

His voice was low, carrying an overwhelming weight.

Marco, Jozu, and the rest of the Whitebeard Pirates gazed at their captain, their eyes filled with admiration and awe.

This was the man known as the Strongest in the World!

"Gurararara! Since the Marines have so kindly invited us to Marineford, how can we refuse such hospitality?"

Whitebeard laughed heartily.

"All hands—prepare for battle!"

"Ohhhhhhh!"

The cheers erupted like a tidal wave, shaking the very air.

The Whitebeard Pirates, along with their 43 allied crews—

Mobilized for war!

…

Red-Haired Pirates' Ship

Red-Haired Shanks held the newspaper in his hands, his expression grim.

Ben Beckman took a long drag from his cigarette before exhaling slowly. "Captain... The worst possible outcome has arrived. It seems that this war is truly inevitable."

"What should we do?" Yasopp asked, gripping his rifle tightly.

"Should we try to stop it?" Lucky Roux took a bite of his chicken leg and asked casually.

Shanks shook his head.

"There's no stopping this. This is a battle that was bound to happen... between the Marines and the pirates."

His expression darkened as he turned his gaze toward the horizon.

Far beyond the endless waves—toward the Land of Wano.

"The only thing we can do now is prevent other forces from joining in. We must make sure this war doesn't escalate any further."

Ben Beckman exhaled another puff of smoke and gave Shanks a sharp look.

"But... what if that traveler, Ron, decides to step in?"

Shanks fell silent.

In this chaotic sea, Ron was the biggest wild card of them all.

…

Before the news could spread across the world—

The Revolutionary Army had already received the intel through their spies within the Marines.

"They're planning to publicly execute Ace at Marineford?!"

Sabo's eyes widened in shock, his pupils contracting in disbelief.

"Calm down, Sabo."

Dragon's voice was steady but firm.

"Think about it carefully. It's obvious—the Marines want to use this as a trap to crush the Whitebeard Pirates."

"Exactly. And they've set the execution for fifteen days from now. That gives us time to prepare."

Emporio Ivankov nodded, trying to ease Sabo's nerves.

Sabo took a deep breath, forcing himself to regain his composure.

Looking at Dragon, he asked, "Leader, what should we do?"

Dragon's gaze sharpened.

"Do you remember what Ron said during that meeting?"

Sabo and Ivankov both frowned in thought. Then, as if struck by lightning, their eyes shot wide open.

"No way... Could this war be... the prelude to what he foresaw?!"

"Ron... he predicted this battle?!"

Sabo muttered, unable to believe it.

"If someone understands the tides of this world well enough... it's not impossible."

Dragon, shrouded in his black cloak, looked at them with a deep gaze.

"If this is truly the 'Prelude to War' that he spoke of, then everything is unfolding just as he expected."

"Before we make any moves... it's best we contact him first."

With that, Dragon reached into his coat and pulled out a Den Den Mushi.

Sabo and Ivankov immediately turned their eyes to it.

…

A small island near Amazon Lily.

The sea breeze rustled through the trees.

Long black hair cascaded down his back, and a jet-black coat draped over his shoulders.

A blood-red blade and a pitch-black sword hung from his waist.

Ron stood there, staring down at the newspaper in his hands.

The corners of his lips curled upward.

"So... it's finally beginning."

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