Chapter 152: The Response of the Two Major Pirate Crews
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On the Moby Dick…
"Dad! Teach's been captured by the Navy... and they're planning to publicly execute him!"
Marco stormed into Whitebeard's quarters, holding a newspaper tightly in his hand. "What do we do about this!?"
But Whitebeard was already reading the same headline.
Clearly, he already knew.
The newspaper made it clear—Blackbeard, still labeled as a member of the Whitebeard Pirates, was going to be executed. What's worse, it declared that the Navy would purge all pirate activity from the sea—starting with the Whitebeard Pirates themselves.
It was nothing short of provocation. A setup.
Even Marco, no fool, could see through the Navy's ploy.
Especially with the involvement of the Dragon Hunter Pirates... their inclusion made the Navy's intentions clear as day.
Whitebeard set the paper down and looked at Marco.
"Tell me, do you think the Dragon Hunter Pirates will stand down... or charge in?"
The question caught Marco off guard.
He had been ready to talk Whitebeard out of going. After all, the Navy clearly wanted to lure them to Marineford using Blackbeard as bait.
But Whitebeard's question flipped everything.
Marco hesitated before answering. "Knowing Ryuunosuke... they'll go. No doubt about it."
"He didn't even flinch when he went up against CP last time. Hell, he made a public statement across the whole sea—fronting them, daring them to come. If he hadn't backed off by choice, the Grand Line would still be in flames."
"Even CP's been quiet since then."
"So yeah... the Dragon Hunter Pirates will act. No question."
That's what scared Marco.
If a rookie pirate crew was willing to stand tall for a crewmate taken as 'just a chore boy'...
How could they, the Whitebeard Pirates, stay silent?
Whitebeard's voice cut through his thoughts. "Then there's no need to overthink it."
"Get ready."
"It's been a while since we've shaken the world."
Whitebeard rose from his seat and stepped toward the bow of the ship, a gleam in his eye that hadn't been there for years.
Yes, he wanted a peaceful life with his family.
But deep down... he was still a pirate.
And this?
This was the kind of war that made a pirate's blood boil.
"Marco," he said without looking back, "My son made a mistake. If anyone's going to punish him... it'll be me."
"No one else gets that right."
He stared out over the vast ocean, the strongest man in the world looking every bit the legend.
Marco's chest swelled with pride. "Understood, Dad. I won't argue."
"If the Navy wants a war—then so be it. We'll give them one."
Target: Marineford.
Time: One month.
Even though he'd backed Whitebeard's call, Marco still stepped aside to make a call of his own.
He dialed. The Den Den Mushi clicked.
"Marco?" came the familiar voice.
"What's up? You calling to invite me to storm Marineford with you?"
Marco blinked. "Wait—invite you? You guys aren't going?"
Ryuunosuke chuckled on the other end. "It's just a handyman they took. We're not about to throw ourselves at Marineford just for that."
"They're not even there yet—they're being held in Impel Down."
"If we're going to do anything, we'll break them out before the execution."
Marco's jaw clenched.
He hadn't even thought about that.
They had a whole month before the Navy moved. The prisoners were in Impel Down, not Marineford. Waiting a month would only let the Navy fortify their defenses. If they struck now...
It made perfect sense.
"But... if you all go into Impel Down, won't that be risky?" Marco asked.
"Not all of us need to go," Ryuunosuke replied calmly. "Impel Down's tough, sure. But if the Navy throws more than two Admirals our way, then you guys make your move and attack Marineford."
"If not, I'll get my people and Blackbeard out clean."
Marco's eyes widened.
He got it now.
Whitebeard... was Ryuunosuke's ace in the hole.
The Navy was caught in a bind. If they sent heavy firepower to Impel Down, they left Marineford vulnerable to Whitebeard. If they held back, Ryuunosuke would make his move and break his people out.
It was a checkmate either way.
Marco exhaled slowly. "Alright. I'll talk to Pops."
"We'll need to coordinate... but yeah, this plan might actually work."
Still... the thought that Whitebeard was being used as leverage didn't sit well with him.
But even Marco had to admit—this was the smartest and safest move. It protected their reputation and minimized casualties.
"Oh, and Marco?" Ryuunosuke added with a laugh, "Tell Uncle Whitebeard not to attack some of the Seven Warlords if it comes to a fight."
"Why?" Marco asked, narrowing his eyes.
"Because a few of them are my people."
Marco froze. "Wait, what?"
"You've got people among the Seven Warlords?!"
If Ryuunosuke had just been one of them, Marco could've accepted it. But having allies among the Seven Warlords?
That was next-level insane.
At least two of the Warlords were his.
Marco remembered the fight between Kuina, Akame, and Vista—how even Vista struggled against those two girls. It was terrifying.
And now it made sense.
The Akatsuki Pirates.
The Thunder God Pirates.
Just like the Dragon Hunter Pirates, these crews had exploded onto the scene out of nowhere—each battle more dramatic than the last.
It was like they were meant to be seen by the Navy.
And now Marco understood why.
They'd kicked up all that chaos just to earn Warlord status... and now they were pieces in Ryuunosuke's game.
A game the Navy wasn't ready for.
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