The natural system started off strong, but the navy finally reached its peak!

"and……"

"Crack!!" The crisp sound of bones breaking echoed clearly in the deathly silent conference room.

"Uh... ah!"

When Gurn bent the last little finger, Doflamingo finally couldn't help but let out a suppressed groan of pain, and fine beads of cold sweat instantly appeared on his forehead.

After cracking his knuckles, Gern released his grip, his voice still calm, and even wiped himself with Doflamingo's pink coat.

"This is Marineford, the Marine Headquarters. It is neither the World Government nor a pirate crew that you can do as you please."

"Be arrogant... but at least look where you're going."

"You three are trash."

Chapter 454 This feast would be too boring without me.

In the New World, the Whitebeard Pirates' flagship, the Moby Dick, and its massive fleet have been assembled.

But at this very moment, just as they were about to break out of the new world, they were forced to stop.

There was no other way, because what lay ahead of them was the edge of the waters within the G-10 sphere of influence controlled by Gern.

To leave the New World and head to Marineford, the key routes to Fish-Man Island controlled by G-10 are almost always the only way.

This was precisely the foreshadowing of the strategic foundation laid by Guern's aggressive expansion back then.

I control when you enter the new world, and I also control when you leave the new world!

Normally, as long as you don't cause trouble, you can leave after paying one or two hundred million Berries!

But now that news of Ace's execution has been released, the Whitebeard Pirates dare not gamble.

Therefore, for a time, G-10 was like an invisible barrier standing in front of Whitebeard's fleet.

The atmosphere on deck was tense.

Third Division Captain "Diamond" Jozu slammed his fist on the ship's side with a dull thud, roaring, "Dad! What are we waiting for! Let's just charge in!"

"A mere G-10, do you think it can stop us from rescuing Ace?!"

"Joz!" Marco immediately stopped him upon hearing this. "Calm down! That's not a 'mere G-10'!"

Our primary goal now is to rescue Ace. If we were to engage in a full-scale war with G-10 here, not to mention whether Gern himself would intervene.

Just his elite "Calamity" troops alone—Hawkeye, Barrett, Boa Hancock, Enel, Kuma… any one of them could put us in a very difficult situation!

"Besides, if we get bogged down by them, we might... suffer heavy losses before even reaching Marineford, or even..."

Marco paused, then spoke of a possibility that no one wanted to think about, yet had to face.

"It's possible that we'll all perish here! Saving Ace will become even more out of the question!"

(No one knows that Gern is in Marineford yet; the pirates of the New World still think that Gern is still in G-10.)

"Then what do you suggest we do?!" Joz retorted impatiently.

"How can we get to Marineford without passing Fishman Island and crossing this sea?!"

"Neither advancing nor retreating is an option! Are we just going to watch Ace..."

At this point, all the captains and crew members turned their gaze to the figure that had always stood at the bow of the ship.

Whitebeard held the Murakumogiri sword, his deep gaze fixed on the sea area belonging to G-10.

He knew Marco's analysis was correct.

Forcing your way through would come at too high a price.

If he were younger, he could lead the children into battle, but he can't now, and he's not really going to waste his time here with Gern!

Because facing the current Gern, he really would... lose.

After a long while, the white-bearded man slowly spoke.

"Marco."

"Yes, Dad!"

"Let's use that Den Den Mushi."

Upon hearing this, not only Marco, but also the other captains around him showed expressions of astonishment.

“Dad!” Marco couldn’t help but exclaim. He knew all too well the weight of the person that Den Den Mushi was contacting and the “favor” it represented.

This is also one of the trump cards that Whitebeard left for his children.

Seeing his children's reactions, the white-bearded man slightly raised his hand, indicating that no further words were needed.

"Kuralalalala... It's nothing." He let out a low laugh.

"Although the timing wasn't perfect, back then when he recklessly led everyone to wreak havoc in Mary Geoise..."

I, too, protected his power and shielded him from invasion by others, ensuring his safety from the rear.

He owes her this favor.

"Moreover..." Whitebeard's tone carried a sense of trust in the strong.

“A man like him…may act domineeringly and unscrupulously, but he will keep his promises and commitments.”

Seeing that Whitebeard had made up his mind, Marco no longer hesitated and nodded emphatically: "I understand!"

After saying that, he quickly turned around, rushed into Whitebeard's captain's cabin, and carefully took out a Den Den Mushi that was kept in extremely good condition.

Then, as everyone's attention was focused on this tiny Den Den Mushi...

Marco took a deep breath and dialed the number.

"Broo-Broo-Crack".

The call was answered almost instantly!

However, none of the pleasantries, negotiations, or conditions that Marco had anticipated materialized.

The Den Den Mushi's simulated face had a cold expression on it, and it opened its eyes.

A calm, clear voice, devoid of any emotional fluctuation, came through the Den Den Mushi, containing only two simple words.

"Let's move on."

Immediately afterward, before the Whitebeard Pirates could respond...

"Click." The phone was abruptly disconnected.

"..."

The Moby Dick was completely silent, with only the sound of the sea wind howling.

Everyone was a little stunned. This...this is over?

There were no difficulties, no conditions, not even a single unnecessary word.

Upon hearing this, Whitebeard's face revealed an expression of "I knew it," as Gern had been waiting for him at this step!

He even factored in the favor he owed from the "Holy Land Incident" back then.

Thinking of this, Whitebeard silently glanced once more at the seas of this new world.

Gurn's meticulous arrangements have made him realize that once he leaves, he... will never come back.

But so what?! He's off to pick up his child!!!

"Kuralalalala! Set sail! Begin our voyage!!"

"oh!!!"

Without the slightest hesitation, the Whitebeard Pirates' massive fleet sailed into G-10's territory.

Along the way, all the G-10 patrol vessels that were supposed to be there had already received orders from the highest authorities to quietly give way, clearing a clear passage for them.

But just as the Whitebeard Pirates' massive fleet sailed through G-10's sphere of influence...

A strange thing happened at the bow of the Moby Dick!

An untamed, domineering aura suddenly pressed down from the sky.

Whitebeard's face, which had relaxed slightly due to the smooth passage, instantly darkened, and he tightened his grip on Murakumogiri!

He almost immediately turned his head, his gaze suddenly fixed on the sky, and his left hand gathered the power of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit.

But before he could make his move, a golden figure swooped down at an astonishing speed!

The figure was unrestrained and arrogant, hovering steadily in the air directly in front of the Moby Dick!

When Whitebeard saw the person's appearance clearly, even with his calm demeanor honed by countless trials, his pupils contracted sharply, and his face revealed an undisguised shock!

That iconic golden, flowing hair...that arrogant face...

It's Shiki! Shiki the Golden Lion!

However, this is completely different from the image I remember of him when I last saw him many years ago, a broken figure with a shameful ship's wheel embedded in his head and a famous sword as his legs!

The golden lion before us was no longer bound by any ropes, its eyes gleaming brightly, and more importantly...

He now possessed a pair of intact legs, and stood there, seemingly floating on air, with two famous swords strapped to his waist!

"Shiki?!!" Bai

This old adversary, who had disappeared for over a decade and was believed to be half-crippled even if he were still alive, was now a formidable foe.

Not only has it reappeared, but it seems... it has returned to a somewhat unsettling state?!

"Hehehehehehe!!!" The golden lion let out a hearty and arrogant laugh.

"Long time no see, Newgate!"

Golden Lion's gaze swept over the Whitebeard Pirates, who were on high alert, and finally settled on Whitebeard.

"So, you really are going to Marineford?" The Golden Lion licked his lips, his smile growing increasingly dangerous.

"However, wouldn't this grand feast be too boring without me?!"

Chapter 455 Funeral Song of the Times

Three days before the public execution, the sea area was calm.

A naval escort ship, personally overseen by Gern, is sailing smoothly toward Marineford, the headquarters of the Navy.

In the center of the bow deck stood a specially made sea stone cage, inside which Portgas D. Ace sat slumped, his hands cuffed.

The sea breeze carried a salty, damp scent as Ace slightly raised his head, his gaze falling on the tall figure sitting outside the cage with his back to him.

Gern, dressed in a general's righteous coat, was holding a bottle of wine and pouring himself a drink.

Looking at that figure from behind, Ace was momentarily lost in thought, his mind drifting back to the East Blue, to that small place called Windmill Village.

He recalled the first time he met this "strange old man," and the events at the Makino Tavern.

Recalling the legendary story I heard about this man at the village chief's house

Arrest the Pirate King, slay the Golden Lion, and guard the New World...

Back then, I secretly vowed to myself... that one day I would set sail, become stronger than him, and defeat him...

Ace subconsciously pursed his chapped lips, and a self-deprecating smile involuntarily appeared on his face.

Whisper in a voice only you can hear

“Gern…you weirdo…”

As if hearing Ace's whisper, Gern didn't turn around, still gazing at the sea. The calm voice interrupted his reverie.

"Ace."

Gern poured himself another glass of wine.

"Back then... I also personally escorted Roger to the execution platform in Loguetown."

Ace paused slightly upon hearing this, then let out a low, enigmatic laugh: "Is that so..."

He paused, continuing his unfinished thoughts.

"When I was in Windmill Village, after learning about your legendary deeds... I vowed that I would definitely defeat you."