Encounter Battle! Marines Who Didn't Know Their Place!

Ever since Shanks left, an eerie silence had settled over the Moby Dick.

The terrifying prophecy that Ace was about to die had spread throughout the Whitebeard Pirates. Although Whitebeard and Marco repeatedly insisted that the prophecy was false and there was nothing to worry about.

The crew no longer drank heavily and sang as they usually did. All that remained was the dull sound of weapons clashing and fists striking flesh during training.

Chen Ye knew very well that beneath this calm lay the prelude to an impending war.

He understood it better than anyone.

"Pops, the muscles in your shoulders are still a little stiff. Looks like your son here isn't using enough strength."

Chen Ye stood behind Whitebeard's enormous throne, kneading Whitebeard's mountain-like broad shoulders with both hands, his face wearing the same filial smile as always.

His movements were neither hurried nor slow, and every inch of muscle was pressed with perfect precision.

Meanwhile, in his mind, the cold System Prompt Sound crawled forward at a despairingly slow pace.

[Analysis Progress: 45.91%...]

[Analysis Progress: 45.92%...]

Not enough!

Still far too slow!

The energy leakage during this peaceful state was nothing more than a drop in the bucket!

There was barely any time left before the Summit War broke out. At this rate, by the day Ace was publicly executed, he definitely would not have accumulated 100% analysis progress!

Chen Ye's heart burned with anxiety, but he did not dare reveal the slightest hint of it on his face.

He had to find an opportunity.

An opportunity to make Whitebeard experience another intense emotional fluctuation, or unleash tremendous energy!

Just then, the crew member on watch in the lookout tower suddenly sounded a piercing alarm!

"Waters ahead! Three o'clock direction! Fleet spotted!"

"It's the Marines' flag!!"

That shout instantly shattered the oppressive calm aboard the Moby Dick.

Every crew member paused, then simultaneously turned toward the direction of the alarm.

On the distant horizon, five massive Marine Warships were cutting through the waves in battle formation, charging straight toward the Moby Dick!

On the deck of the lead warship stood a tall man wearing a cloak emblazoned with "Justice."

"Gurararara... those Marine brats really do have sharp noses."

Whitebeard slowly opened his eyes. There was not the slightest hint of tension in those eyes that looked down upon the world, only the lazy irritation of someone whose peace had been disturbed.

"Pops, it looks like... they're here with bad intentions."

Marco the Phoenix had somehow already arrived beside Whitebeard. His hands were tucked into his pockets as he lazily watched the approaching Navy Fleet.

"Hmph. A bunch of fools who don't know their place."

Jozu, the captain of the Third Division, also walked over. With his arms folded across his chest, he gave a disdainful snort.

Meanwhile, aboard the Marine lead ship.

A Marine soldier held Binoculars as he nervously reported to the Vice Admiral at the front.

"Report, Vice Admiral Doberman! It's... it's the Whitebeard Pirates' main ship, the Moby Dick!"

According to observations from the lookout tower!

"The atmosphere aboard seems very grim. Most of the crew members look listless, as if they've just gone through something major!"

The headquarters elite Vice Admiral known as Doberman snatched away the Binoculars upon hearing this.

He saw the legendary division commanders on deck, as well as the mountain-like figure seated upon the throne—the World's Strongest Man, Whitebeard.

Under normal circumstances, even with ten times the courage, he would never have dared to provoke the most terrifying emperor on these seas.

But today... the situation seemed somewhat different.

A flash of greed and ambition crossed Vice Admiral Doberman's eyes.

News had arrived not long ago that Red Hair Shanks's ship had appeared in these waters and seemed to have met with Whitebeard.

Now, the oppressive atmosphere on Whitebeard's ship likely meant that the meeting between the two Four Emperors had ended on bad terms, leaving their morale low!

Whitebeard was old and sick. That was a secret the entire world knew.

If he could seize this chance to capture even one or two division commanders, it would be a world-shaking achievement! His path to promotion would become completely smooth!

He might even have a chance to reach the position of Admiral.

The temptation of such immense merit allowed Mole's ambition to overwhelm his reason.

"Pass down my orders!"

Vice Admiral Doberman lowered the Binoculars, a savage sneer appearing on his face.

"The entire fleet, prepare to fire!!"

"What? Vice Admiral Doberman, you intend to attack the Whitebeard Pirates?"

"What? Is there a problem?"

"But Headquarters has ordered us not to clash with the Four Emperors without authorization!"

"Headquarters' orders are Headquarters' orders. A general in the field need not obey every order. I am in command now!"

"You only need to obey. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Vice Admiral Doberman. Although none of the Marines wanted this, authority crushed those beneath it!"

"Yes!"

The order was issued, and hundreds of cannons across the five warships turned their barrels in unison toward the Moby Dick.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The next second, deafening Cannon Fire resounded through the sky!

Countless black Cannonballs, trailing long streams of smoke, tore across the heavens and rained down upon the Moby Dick!

"A bunch of flies that don't know their place."

Marco's expression darkened. Just as he was about to transform into Phoenix Form and take to the sky to intercept them—

"Leave it to me."

Jozu also stepped forward, prepared to use his indestructible diamond body to withstand every Cannonball.

Yet just as all the commanders were preparing to act, a figure stepped forward before any of them could.

It was Chen Ye!

He quickly walked out from behind Whitebeard and directly stood in front of Marco and Jozu.

"Brother Marco, Captain Jozu, please stay calm."

A relaxed smile rested on Chen Ye's face. He then turned around and spoke confidently to Whitebeard on the throne.

"Pops."

"Hm?"

Whitebeard looked at his newly accepted son with great interest.

"They're just a pack of buzzing flies. They're hardly worthy of my brothers taking action."

Chen Ye's voice was not loud, yet it rang clearly across the entire deck.

He straightened his back, his eyes gleaming with unprecedented Fighting Spirit and confidence.

"Let your son deal with them."

"And while I'm at it, let you see with your own eyes the new power I've just obtained!"

And let everyone help me see just how strong I am now!

The entire deck was stunned by those words.

Marco, Jozu, Vista, and the other commanders all froze, staring at Chen Ye in disbelief.

A Newcomer... wanted to challenge an entire Navy Fleet alone?

Had he gone mad?!

Yet after a brief moment of surprise, Whitebeard, seated upon his throne, burst into earth-shaking laughter.

"Gurarararararara!"

"Well said! Very well said! Just as expected of my son!"

As Whitebeard looked into Chen Ye's eyes, filled with confidence and Fighting Spirit, a long-lost sense of admiration and pride surged through his heart.

This kid was exactly his kind of person!

"Go!"

Whitebeard waved one massive hand, his voice booming like thunder.

"Let the whole world see what kind of peerless genius the son of Edward Newgate is!"

"Yes, Pops!"

Having received Whitebeard's approval, a wild curve rose at the corner of Chen Ye's lips.

This was exactly the opportunity he wanted!

Under the shocked gazes of everyone aboard, Chen Ye advanced instead of retreating. Step by step, he walked to the railing at the bow of the Moby Dick.

Alone, he faced those five Steel Warships and the storm of Cannonballs screaming down from the sky.

Before the enormous fleet, his figure appeared utterly insignificant.

On the Marine Warship, Vice Admiral Doberman watched this scene and gave a contemptuous sneer.

"You're sending out a Newcomer to die?"

"Whitebeard, you truly have gone senile!"

The shriek of Cannonballs ripping through the air was already right before him.

And Chen Ye!

He did not even blink.

Just as the first Cannonball was about to strike him—