Marineford, Navy Headquarters.
It was already midnight, and the night was deep.
Marineford was silent, but it was not enveloped in darkness. Especially in the area where the Warlords of the Sea resided, it was brightly lit, with heavy navy guards standing watch all night.
“It’s time to act.” Nagato looked at the clock on the wall, confirming in his mind.
Before making his move, Nagato couldn’t help but think of Blackbeard. In a way, he had been inspired by him.
Before his conversation with the Five Elders, Nagato had never considered becoming a Warlord of the Sea. His plan was to seize Whitebeard’s territory during the Summit War. Since Nagato’s foundation was still shallow, such a large-scale action required his personal involvement to hold the ground. Once he accepted the position of Warlord, he would be obligated to respond to a summons and would not be able to participate in the New World War.
However, after hearing the Five Elders’ proposal, Nagato suddenly thought of Blackbeard and immediately realized that he could take the position without actually fulfilling the duties, and even respond positively to lull the World Government and the Four Emperors into a false sense of security.
After all, who would expect a Warlord of the Sea to desert during such a crucial war with the World Government and Navy on high alert? Blackbeard’s raid on Impel Down had already caught the Navy off guard, let alone Nagato returning to the New World to wage war directly!
This was something no one could have predicted!
Nagato stopped overthinking. His curiosity about how Blackbeard had infiltrated Impel Down was set aside. His Chakra and eye power began to activate. In a certain location on the Sabaody Archipelago, a tall figure bent down and placed his hand on the ground.
Poof!
After a puff of white smoke, Nagato appeared there.
Beside him stood a man in a pink feather coat, towering at three meters tall. Who else could it be but the fearsome Heavenly Yaksha?
After the Dressrosa battle, Doflamingo’s body fell into Nagato’s hands. Clearly, Nagato wouldn’t waste a body as powerful as Doflamingo’s. He had transformed it into one of his Paths and had it lie in wait at Sabaody Archipelago, ready to summon him at the right time.
Nagato’s Den Den Mushi was already connected, and he spoke, “Hank, I’ve begun my return. Notify the front-line troops that the battle will commence in twelve hours!”
With that, he soared into the night sky with Doflamingo.
……
Time passed, and the moon set while the sun rose.
On the day of Portgas D. Ace’s public execution, at nine-thirty in the morning.
Marineford, Navy Headquarters.
“Fleet Admiral Sengoku!” Vice Admiral Maynard burst into the office, reporting anxiously, “Still… no sign of him!”
Under Sengoku’s increasingly wide-eyed stare, Maynard shouted, “There are just over five hours until Ace’s execution, and Whitebeard’s appearance is still unknown. We’re at the most critical moment, but we’ve searched the entire island and still haven’t found any trace of ‘Blackbeard’ Marshall D. Teach!”
Maynard clenched his fists, “Meanwhile, an unauthorized navy ship has reached Impel Down!”
“Damn it!” Sengoku slammed the table in anger.
After a long pause, Sengoku pressed his forehead forcefully, staring at Maynard, “What about the other one?”
Maynard’s expression grew worse, “Also missing, the Warlord of the Sea, King of Dressrosa… Nagato!”
Sengoku collapsed into his chair.
However, the World Government and the Navy were already on the brink of war, with no turning back. Such a blow was heavy on Sengoku, but it couldn’t stop the Navy, Whitebeard, or the impending great war!
Time: twelve o’clock.
New World waters, above Whitebeard’s territory.
Nagato and his Path flew at a thousand meters altitude, with Hank’s voice coming through the Den Den Mushi, “Your Majesty, all the warship captains and the Black Blade Fleet’s Lucci, Joe, and Abrams are connected.”
“Good. As planned, the Black Blade Fleet will begin attacking the surrounding islands.” Nagato nodded and ordered, “All warship captains, raise anchor immediately!”
After responding, Lucci, Joe, and the unseen Abrams temporarily cut off the Den Den Mushi. They must have been directing the 49 ships and over 5,000 pirates of the Black Blade Fleet into action.
Below Nagato, the previously calm sea began to ripple. Within minutes, the vibrations intensified, eventually causing huge waves to rise.
Nine massive warships, the size of Navy vessels, emerged from the sea!
From Water 7 to Sabaody Archipelago for coating, and then from the seafloor to Dressrosa, they finally arrived at these waters. These nine warships, ordered, transported, and navigated in secrecy, evading the World Government and all other forces, now openly appeared on the ocean!
Nagato’s individual power could deal with strong enemies, but one person couldn’t govern an entire territory. Patrolling and subduing the whole sea area, forming a tangible threat and long-term rule, depending on these nine massive warships!
“What… what is that?”
“Navy warships?!”
“How… how is that possible? I must be dreaming!”
“This is the New World, Whitebeard’s territory!”
“The government and Navy are preparing for battle at Marineford. How can they be here?”
“Is Marineford just a ploy to lure Whitebeard, and the Navy’s real target is Whitebeard’s territory, cutting off his retreat completely? Oh my…”
“Wait… those ships don’t have Navy insignias!”
“Then who are they?”
“A person is descending from the sky… he landed on the first ship. Red… hair?”
“No… no! That’s the King of Dressrosa!”
“The new Warlord of the Sea… he’s with the government!!!”
……
As soon as the nine warships surfaced, people from distant islands noticed them. Word spread quickly, drawing more people to the shore, and even those away from the coast soon heard the news.
At first, they were alarmed by the ships resembling Navy warships, but they felt slightly relieved upon noticing the absence of Navy markings. However, when they used binoculars or other tools to see the figure descending onto the lead warship, they were all horrified!
This was the pirate-infested New World, the territory of the Four Emperors, and the core of Whitebeard’s influence.
Nagato stood at the ship’s bow, gazing at the three distant islands, muttering, “Iron Island Moasi, Maritime Trade Market Ordo, and the Land of Gold… Ando!”
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