The seas were bustling.
Countless eyes were focused on the three major pirate crews, focused on Mary Geoise.
Here, a world-shaking war that could completely reshape the world order was likely to erupt.
On one side of this potential war were the three most powerful pirate crews in the New World, representing the pinnacle of pirate strength.
On the other side was the World Government, the dominant force that had ruled the world for 800 years.
And then there were the Marines, seemingly on the side of the World Government but with the potential to betray them at any moment.
A collision between these three forces would undoubtedly result in a terrifying war.
"I wonder how this war will end. I hope... the World Government will achieve the final victory," someone said, their eyes filled with worry.
Although some of the World Government's actions, such as their protection of the Celestial Dragons, were disheartening, it was ultimately the legitimate government that had ruled for 800 years. In the hearts of countless people, they belonged to the World Government.
Moreover, the pirates of this world were unlike Luffy and his crew in the original story. Luffy and his crew were, at most, voyagers.
The pirates of this era were a group of wicked, unscrupulous villains. Pirates who could hold onto their kindness were extremely rare. Therefore, most people in this era had a negative impression of pirates.
"It definitely will. After all, it's a government that has ruled the world for 800 years. They've weathered countless storms. How could a mere three pirate crews destroy the World Government?" Some people were confident. If the World Government, after 800 years of rule, was so easily defeated, its ruler would have been replaced long ago.
"I just hope 'God' doesn't appear. If God joins the pirates' side..." someone said, thinking of the one person who, in 800 years, had been the only one to thwart and frustrate the World Government.
"I hope the pirates succeed in this war. The World Government's reign should have ended long ago. Why should we protect those Celestial Dragons?!" someone muttered angrily, not daring to speak loudly in public. After all, the majority still supported the World Government.
However, the World Government, despite enjoying widespread popular support, lacked confidence.
It wasn't that they overestimated the three pirate crews. If it were just those three, they wouldn't be concerned. After all, even the Rocks Pirates were eventually defeated. These three crews might cause some trouble, but they wouldn't break their reign.
Their concern lay with the mysterious "God." Although this incident had nothing to do with God, God was too enigmatic.
No one knew what he was planning or when he would appear. If God truly appeared during this war, things would take a turn for the worse.
After all, that individual possessed terrifying power; no one in the entire World Government could match him.
And the Ninja Pirate Crew, the culprits behind this incident, seemed to have an unclear relationship with God.
"No matter what, gather all our forces. If God truly appears, we can only leave it to Imu-sama," one of the Five Elders sighed. Since God's appearance, they had been living in frustration.
The World Government mobilized, summoning strong individuals from all corners of the world to Mary Geoise. Combined with the existing powerhouses, the special Cipher Pol organization, this place became a concentration of strength.
"How should we handle the Marines? After all, Akainu's body wass indeed in found our laboratory. Although it's a frame-up, we don't know if the Marines will believe us," someone said, pondering how to deal with the Marines. This matter was also frustrating for them.
The World Government had done nothing in this incident, yet they were framed. And they couldn't explain themselves because those bodies did appear in the World Government's laboratory, and World Government scientists had indeed performed surgery on them.
Although the scientist in question had committed suicide out of guilt, the damage was done. The Marines said they believed their explanation, but who knew what they truly thought?
"The Marines... let them be the first line of defense for Mary Geoise. Separate them from our forces. If they are truly loyal to the World Government, they will definitely fight the three pirate crews to the death, and we can find a suitable opportunity to reinforce them.
"And if they have dissenting intentions, their rebellion on the first line of defense will allow us to react quickly and minimize the impact," a high-ranking World Government official said, and the others nodded in agreement.
Although this was somewhat unscrupulous and might discourage the Marines, weren't the Marines meant to serve the World Government? If this generation of Marines truly rebelled, they would simply eliminate them along with the pirates and establish a new Marine force.
The order was quickly issued and delivered to Sengoku.
He gripped the document tightly, his knuckles turning white.
Taking a few deep breaths, Sengoku forced himself to calm down. "...These bastards, aren't they afraid we'll really rebel?!"
The more he thought about it, the angrier he became. He slammed the table, the document hitting the surface with a loud thud.
But eventually, he calmed down.
The Marines' purpose was to help the World Government maintain world peace and order.
Now, facing a potential war, it was reasonable for the Marines to be the first line of defense. "Follow the World Government's orders. Prepare for the coming war."
Sengoku issued the command, and the Marines mobilized.
Marine units rapidly deployed to Mary Geoise, preparing for the arrival of the three major pirate crews.
Time passed bit by bit, and the three pirate crews finally converged at Mary Geoise.
"It's been a long time, Kaido, Big Mom," Whitebeard said from his ship, looking at the two figures on the decks of the two large ships not far away.
Since the last great war, the fall of the Rocks Pirates, the three of them had never gathered together. This was their first reunion since then.
"Whitebeard, I never thought the three of us would fight side-by-side again," Kaido said, his blood boiling with anticipation for the upcoming battle.
Unlike those who feared war, he was a warmonger.
"I hate to break it to you, but the three of us alone are not enough to confront the World Government. You don't actually intend to overthrow the World Government in this war, do you?" Charlotte Linlin said.
From the beginning, she hadn't viewed this war as a fight to the death against the World Government.
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