The battle at Sabaody shocked the world.
The news of the public execution had already been announced, and the legendary exploits of Marshall D. Teach, the Dragonslayer, spread across the seas through an overwhelming flood of newspapers.
With the other Dragonslayer, Golden Lion, having vanished without a trace, Teach—imprisoned and soon to be led to the execution ground—became the focal point of the world's attention.
Whitebeard Pirates, flagship Moby Dick.
"Intelligence indicates that the Navy has issued an emergency summons to Marine Headquarters officers currently out on missions."
"The G-5 Branch, the Navy's only base established in the New World, has also entered a full defensive posture in recent days."
"Furthermore, Shichibukai Doflamingo left Dressrosa not long ago aboard a Marine Headquarters warship."
Marco the Phoenix, commander of the First Division, solemnly read out the report before Whitebeard and the other commanders, then stated a conclusion that was no longer a secret on the seas:
"Marine Headquarters is preparing for a war."
"A war against us, the Whitebeard Pirates!"
The atmosphere turned grave, and the only sound around them was the sea breeze.
Every commander turned an anxious gaze toward Whitebeard, seated at the head of the table:
The world's strongest man was already past seventy. His knotted muscles were covered in crisscrossing scars, and his thick arms bore needle marks from countless IV treatments.
He was still immensely powerful, but he was no longer what he had once been.
Every commander knew it well: an all-out war against the Navy would very likely mark the end of their old man Whitebeard's legendary life.
Whitebeard understood the concern in the eyes of his dozen or so "sons." Though angered, he was also faintly touched.
Yet none of those emotions showed on his face. Instead, a relieved, excited laugh brimming with