Darkness Within the Marines

"The Void was a force from beyond the dimensions. It was trying to invade our world, and the Five Elders of the World Government had already reached some kind of 'agreement' with it."

Dragon explained in detail the nature of the Void, the purpose of the seven keys, and the "sealing device" on Laugh Tale that might be their last hope.

Whitebeard fell into thought after hearing him out. A moment later, he suddenly asked, "Among the keys you mentioned... there's a 'Spectrum Key,' correct?"

Dragon paused slightly. "Yes. At present, it's the only one for which we have absolutely no leads."

Whitebeard chuckled softly, then did something that startled everyone—he slowly unbuttoned his shirt, revealing the enormous scar across his chest. At the very center of that scar was a small tattoo gleaming with seven-colored light, shaped like an ancient key.

"Roger and I did go to Laugh Tale back then. We saw its secrets." Whitebeard's voice was much gentler than before. "Roger entrusted the Spectrum Key to me, saying that one day, the world would need it. It seemed that day had come."

Delight flashed through Dragon's eyes, but he quickly regained his calmness. "That's an unexpected surprise. It seems the gears of fate started turning long ago."

Whitebeard rose to his feet, the nearly seven-meter Giant looking down at Dragon. "I agree to join forces with you, leader of the Revolutionary Army. But I have one condition—before the final battle, I want to see with my own eyes that Ace is participating willingly. He's my son. I respect his choice, but I need to see it for myself."

Dragon nodded. "That's a reasonable request. Ace and Lin Ye are on their way to the rendezvous point. You'll see him soon."

At Marine Headquarters, Kizaru's office was bathed