THE STRONGEST CREATURE OF THE BEAST PIRATES

To defeat Sakazuki (Akainu), Aokiji knew he needed a significant contribution, and Alastor, the world-class criminal who had killed a Celestial Dragon, was undoubtedly his best chance. Although seeking such recognition might be seen as flattering to the Celestial Dragons, Aokiji had no choice. In the pursuit of greater power, sometimes one must act against their will.

As Aokiji once said to Smoker: "That's how the world works."

Submarine, Deep Below the Sea

After being infused with a large quantity of food by Trafalgar Law, Alastor had managed to break free from Tsuru's Devil Fruit abilities and returned to his original state. Through the "Heart Network," Alastor had overheard Sengoku's orders to Admiral Kizaru and Aokiji, and his expression grew serious.

He had underestimated the Navy. Clearly, they were far more aware of his movements than he had anticipated. "The Navy already knows about this location, so we need to proceed with caution," Alastor instructed Law, Onimaru, Sai, Rebecca, and others.

He then dove into the sea, deciding against rushing into battle like before. Two Admirals were searching for him—there was no need to seek death. However, remaining hidden underwater wasn't a permanent solution. Alastor wasn't the type to cower, but he also wasn't foolish enough to confront two Admirals head-on.

Alastor expanded his Observation Haki once more, scanning the area for opportunities.

Suddenly, he sensed powerful auras approaching from the distance. Were they the Red Hair Pirates?

No, that was impossible. According to what he had heard from Bepo, the Red Hair Pirates were currently engaged in a fierce confrontation with Kaido's Beast Pirates.

But if it wasn't the Red Hair Pirates, then who was it?

Alastor quickly confirmed through their voices.

"Crocodile, the Sand Crocodile. Jinbe, the Sea Warrior. Ivankov, the King of the New World. Even Sabo, Chief of Staff of the Revolutionary Army. Unexpected."

"And… Straw Hat Luffy!"

Alastor's mind raced. Sabo's appearance was a surprise. It seemed Straw Hat Luffy hadn't been captured by Bartholomew Kuma and taken to the country of the daughters, but rather to the Revolutionary Army headquarters.

It made sense—Kuma was a Revolutionary Army operative.

Luffy awakening Sabo's memories earlier than expected meant that the two had likely come to rescue Ace once they learned he was set to be executed. Sabo wasn't a reckless fighter like Luffy, and his intelligence made it plausible he'd cooperated with Ivankov to infiltrate Impel Down, avoiding the Empress Boa Hancock's assistance.

Sabo was clearly the key to Straw Hat Luffy's arrival at Marineford. Though their timing was off from the original timeline, the setbacks only made their appearance all the more impactful.

Alastor knew their arrival would further complicate the already chaotic battlefield, which was to his advantage. What's more, he wanted to see if Luffy's awakening of the Nika powers would occur during the top-tier clash at Marineford. That would make things even more interesting.

Warship, Near Marineford

Ivankov patted his chest, laughing in relief. "That was close! Thanks to you, Sabo, we would've been wiped out by Magellan!"

When they encountered Magellan on the fourth level of Impel Down, Luffy had nearly perished due to poison. If not for Sabo's intervention, keeping Magellan occupied so Ivankov could rescue Luffy, their escape would've ended in disaster.

Afterward, they managed to break through the sixth level, only to find that Ace was no longer there. Jinbe explained that Ace had already been taken to Marineford for execution.

To bypass Magellan's poisonous blockade, Sabo had released Crocodile, creating the current formidable Revolutionary Army alliance. Thanks to Blackbeard and his crew, they'd managed to escape Impel Down.

But Blackbeard had played a role in delivering Ace to the Navy, and Sabo carried that anger, though he didn't let it consume him. Luffy had wanted to fight Blackbeard, but Sabo held him back, emphasizing their priority: reaching Marineford to save Ace.

After many obstacles, they were finally approaching Marineford. As they saw the battlefield unfold before them, even Sabo, accustomed to war, couldn't help but gasp.

Massive explosions, magma, ice, lasers, artillery fire, swords, and endless battle cries dominated the scene. The ground was soaked in blood, and the air reeked of death.

Yet, despite the chaos and destruction, Straw Hat Luffy wasn't focused on any of it. His gaze was fixed solely on Ace, standing on the execution platform.

Straw Hat Luffy leaped onto the sail, stretching his body with the elasticity of his Devil Fruit powers, and flew toward Marineford with explosive force, shouting at the top of his lungs:

"Ace!"

This move stunned Sabo, Ivankov, and even Bepo.

Ivankov's eyes popped out in shock as he shouted, "Straw Hat Boy, don't be so reckless!"

Straw Hat Luffy's reckless charge directly into the chaos of Marineford's battlefield, screaming Ace's name, echoed across the battlefield like a thunderclap. His voice drew the attention of everyone, as his arrival couldn't be ignored.

Hawkeye Mihawk's expression shifted slightly as he watched Luffy land, the same green-haired swordsman he had encountered in the East Blue. "Red Hair, the new era you gambled on—at the cost of your left arm—has arrived. But you still seem like a fool, not knowing what to do," Hawkeye thought silently, skeptical of the Red-Haired Pirate's grand bet on others.

However, Hawkeye wasn't one to easily disregard such bold moves. "But… the Red Hair isn't reckless. There must be some reason behind this." His curiosity drove him to consider Luffy as a test of fate in this war.

The Empress glanced at Luffy with disdain, kicking a Pacifista's head clean off. "Another disgusting man," she muttered before quickly turning her attention elsewhere, more concerned about Alastor's absence. She had been silently counting the time, worried about his safety as he had disappeared once again. "Has he not recovered?" she wondered, frustration and concern etched on her face.

Doflamingo, on the other hand, couldn't hide his excitement. His eyes lit up as he observed the warship arriving. "Oh, how delightful! An interesting group, no, a group of interesting people," he said, his voice dripping with anticipation. Every cell in his body was trembling with excitement at the thought of war, chaos, and death. His gaze fell on a man smoking a cigar—Crocodile.

"Sand Crocodile… intriguing. I've wanted to meet you for a long time, but you lost too quickly. You're nothing but a washed-up failure compared to Whitebeard." Doflamingo's disdain was clear as he sized Crocodile up.

Garp and Ace were dumbfounded when they saw Luffy charging toward them. Garp gritted his teeth, his heart torn.

When Ace saw Sabo, tears welled up in his eyes. "You guys… why?" Ace choked, his voice trembling. "It's not worth it… for me…"

Ace's heart was filled with self-blame. Seeing his father, Whitebeard, and the Whitebeard Pirates fighting desperately, and now Sabo and Luffy arriving, only added to his guilt. If he had only listened to Marco and the others, stayed away from Blackbeard, perhaps none of this would've happened.

Admiral Sengoku stared coldly at Ace, who knelt before him, emotionless. "Have you regretted it? It's too late. Your bloodline is cursed, Ace. No matter how many people come to save you, it won't change a thing. You will be executed today!"

Sengoku couldn't afford to worry about such sentiments. His focus was on the war raging before him.

As Ace stood there, Crocodile, Jinbe, and members of the Revolutionary Army infiltrated the battlefield. Sengoku's eyes narrowed, his sense of foreboding growing. "What's happening inside Impel Down? Where's Magellan? Blackbeard… he's there too!"

Sengoku's confidence began to waver. The battle wasn't progressing as he had predicted. The Whitebeard Pirates should have already been defeated, their numbers dwindling, and no one should have breached the gates of Marineford. But now, Alastor's interference had altered everything.

Sengoku clenched his fists, mentally ordering Aokiji and Kizaru: if that man reappeared, he must be eliminated, or at least driven from the battlefield.

Just as the chaos was at its peak, the ground of Marineford trembled violently. The earth cracked beneath everyone's feet, and the air itself seemed to vibrate. The two executioners faltered, collapsing under the pressure.

Whitebeard had activated his Quake Fruit with devastating power. His monstrous strength shook the very island.

Whitebeard towered above the battlefield, unharmed, his power at its peak. Even Akainu, fighting him, stumbled, unable to stand steady.

Akainu roared in fury, his face contorted. "Bastard! Are you trying to destroy this island?"

But Whitebeard's only reply was a grin as he continued his assault, the battlefield descending further into chaos.

Visit patreon.com/shirokendama to read up to 100+ chapters