Chapter 16: The World's Strongest Man—Whitebeard's Wrath!
Time rewinds a few hours back.
At this moment, the news of Fire Fist Ace's public execution hadn't yet spread across the world via the news birds.
But the mighty monsters dominating the New World—relying on their own intelligence networks—had already caught wind of this explosive event.
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New World.
Territory under Whitebeard's command.
In a calm and peaceful sea zone, the enormous whale-shaped ship quietly anchored.
The vessel's name: Moby Dick.
The flagship of the Whitebeard Pirates.
At this moment—
Upon the wide deck of the Moby Dick, the towering 72-year-old sea emperor—the world's strongest man, Edward Newgate (Whitebeard)—sat proudly on the steps.
Once a fearsome king who stirred the seas, he had led an era of dominance. But now, age had caught up to him.
His arms were hooked up to IVs.
Various parts of his body were patched with medical monitoring equipment, continuously checking his vital signs in case of emergencies.
Beside him stood a team of beautiful, tiger-striped nurse girls, ready to assist at any moment.
"Father, I've told you countless times—your body isn't in any condition to be drinking!"
Phoenix Marco, the First Division Commander with his signature pineapple-shaped hair, shook his head helplessly.
"Gurararara! Foolish sons—I've told you many times! To me, sake is the water of life!"
Whitebeard laughed heartily, ignoring the doctors' advice and drinking in large gulps.
"Tch! It's that damn red-haired bastard's fault!"
"Ever since he visited, the old man's been drinking even more!"
"Yeah! If we knew this would happen, we wouldn't have let him board the ship!"
The other commanders whispered quietly among themselves.
Roughly half a month ago, Red-Haired Shanks, one of the Four Emperors, had personally come to meet with Whitebeard.
Though many believe Shanks' words had left an impression on Whitebeard, the real reason the crew had not moved was not intimidation.
The true reason was the intense clash that day.
When Shanks and Whitebeard crossed words and blades, the very sky cracked under their Haki.
The crew had worried the fierce confrontation might worsen their father's health.
More alarmingly, ever since Shanks had left, Whitebeard would frequently appear lost in thought, looking deeply troubled.
Such mental strain was clearly detrimental to his fragile condition.
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"Is it really about Ace? There's been no news about him for a long time…"
Vista, the Fifth Division Commander and master swordsman, furrowed his brow.
"Keep calm! I'm sure Ace is fine!" Curiel, the Tenth Division Commander, waved his hand optimistically.
BOOM!
Suddenly, a loud bang came from below deck.
"Father! Bad news—urgent news!"
A squad leader in charge of gathering intelligence burst out, panic written all over his face.
"What happened? Calm down—speak clearly!"
Marco stepped forward.
"M-Marco, sir—it's bad! Just now, our intel network received a report—Ace… Captain Ace has been—"
CRASH!
Whitebeard's enormous 50 cm sake jug shattered on the ground.
"What happened to Ace?" he growled, his golden eyes blazing.
"Captain Ace was defeated by Teach… Teach used him as a bargaining chip to become a Shichibukai and handed him to the Marines. And… and the Marines have announced they'll publicly execute him at Marineford in one week!"
The squad leader gave the dreadful report with all the courage he could muster.
As his words finished, silence fell like a curtain across the deck of the great whale ship.
So silent, you could hear a pin drop.
---
No one knew how long passed.
Suddenly—
WHOOSH!
The calm ocean erupted into towering waves.
The once-clear sky darkened.
The heavens and earth changed under the aura of a single man.
Because the strongest man in the world—Whitebeard—was enraged.
---
"Captain Ace… was defeated by Teach?!"
One of the Second Division Commanders stammered, visibly shaken.
"That damned red-haired guy was right—Teach was hiding his true strength all along!"
Marco roared, shocked.
"Teach again! That bastard! He even managed to defeat Ace!"
"Damn it!!!" Jozu, the Third Division Commander, howled to the sky.
"Unforgivable! Absolutely unforgivable! Teach must pay!!"
Vista shouted with fury.
"And the Navy… They dare sentence Ace to a public execution?!"
"We'll make them regret crossing the Whitebeard Pirates!"
Izou, the Sixteenth Division Commander, spoke with killing intent.
"They're mocking us—executing Ace is a direct challenge to our pride!"
"We're the Whitebeard Pirates!"
"No doubt—we must save Captain Ace!"
"Kill Teach. Rescue Ace."
"Let the Navy feel the wrath of a real war. This is their mistake!"
"Captain Ace will be rescued—by us!"
---
On the deck of Moby Dick, every crew member erupted with fury and bloodlust.
The ocean itself trembled at their battle cries.
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Gurararara!
"Marine… you started this war."
"Fine—if it's war you want, I'll gladly accompany you to the end."
"All of you—prepare yourselves. This war begins now."
Whitebeard's laughter echoed through the skies, exuding overwhelming dominance.
"AAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!"
The crew of the Whitebeard Pirates roared in unity, their battle spirit soaring.
---
Yet…
Even as they burned with fury, they did not lose their minds.
They knew full well the Marines wouldn't start this war without being fully prepared.
And so they too would respond with all their strength, rallying every ally they could.
After a brief war meeting, the 14 Division Commanders led their teams into action.
The Den Den Mushi never stopped ringing as they gathered allies.
Within just half an hour—
"Father! Squad, Gran, McGuy, Little Oars… all 43 allied captains have responded!"
"They're all on the move, rallying to your call!"
Marco reported with passion.
Gurararara! "What good sons they are! Then we mustn't fall behind them!"
Whitebeard grinned.
"Father! Sabaody's coating team is ready. All technicians are in place!"
Jozu added.
"Then we set sail!"
Whitebeard raised his arm.
Moby Dick—the great whale ship—set off.