novelraw Chapter 206
Chapter 206
Marineford had become complete chaos.
Cannons roared. Ice shattered. Flames spread. The battlefield was no longer a war.
It was a storm of monsters.
And right at the center of it. Monkey D. Luffy kept running.
Straight toward Ace. Straight toward death.
Straight toward destiny.
He crashed through lines of Marines like a human cannonball.
Punching. Stretching. Dodging. Refusing to stop.
Every second he delayed meant Ace got closer to execution and Luffy had no intention of letting that happen.
Suddenly smoke erupted in front of him.
A white blur. A weapon pointed at his throat.
Smoker.
"You're not going any further, Straw Hat."
His jitte lowered.
Eyes cold. Serious.
"This ends here."
Luffy gritted his teeth. "Tch, Smoker! I don't have time for you!"
Before Smoker could strike, a powerful current of water slammed into him from the side.
BOOM.
Smoker was blasted away across the frozen battlefield.
Standing there.
calm. Massive. Unshaken.
was Jinbe.
He stood in front of Luffy like a wall.
A protector. A shield.
"I cannot allow you to stop him." Jinbe's voice was deep. Steady. "This boy carries too much."
Smoker wiped blood from his mouth. His eyes narrowed. "So even you…Jinbe."
Luffy blinked. Then grinned. "Thanks, Jinbe!"
"Keep moving Luffy-kun," Jinbe said. "Go and save your Ace."
Luffy nodded and dashed forward again.
High above a beam of light formed.
Fast. Deadly. Impossible to dodge.
Kizaru appeared midair. Hands glowing.
A lazy smile on his face. "Well now…"
He adjusted his glasses.
"You really are troublesome, Straw Hat."
A golden light gathered at his fingertips.
"Let's end this quickly."
Before the attack could fire.
BOOM.
The ground shattered. A massive figure landed directly in front of Luffy.
Dust exploded. Ice cracked. And standing there like a wall made for war was Douglas Bullet.
Kizaru tilted his head. "Oh?"
A lazy smile.
"Why are you helping Straw Hat?"
Bullet cracked his neck. His grin sharp. Dangerous.
"I can do whatever the hell I want."
A step forward. Pure pressure.
"And smashing your ugly face…"
He smirked.
"…is just a plus."
Kizaru sighed. "So scary…"
Without looking back Bullet spoke to Luffy.
Simple. Direct. "Oi, brat."
His voice was absolute. "Go."
A pause.
"Save your brother."
Luffy smiled brightly. Without hesitation.
"Thanks, Bullet ossan!"
Silence. Bullet slowly turned his head. Vein visible.
"…Don't call me that."
His eye twitched.
"I'm not that old."
Luffy was already gone.
"Sorry, ossan!"
"HE DID IT AGAIN!"
Far away Dracule Mihawk watched all of it unfold.
Silent. Still.
His golden eyes followed Luffy.
Watched Smoker fall. Watched Jinbe protect him.
Watched Bullet stand in front of an Admiral.
Watched allies form around him without force.
Without command. Without fear.
And finally Mihawk understood.
So this is your son's strength…
His eyes narrowed.
It isn't his Devil Fruit. It isn't brute strength.
It isn't some cheap trick.
He watched another pirate step forward to help Luffy.
Another enemy hesitate. Another heart move.
One by one…he turns the people around him into his allies.
Mihawk thought of all the monsters who sought to conquer the seas.
Whitebeard.
Kaido.
Big Mom.
Shanks.
And yet this power was different.
More dangerous. More terrifying. Because it couldn't be cut. Couldn't be blocked. Couldn't be defeated with strength alone.
His gaze sharpened.
Among all those who seek to conquer the seas…
A pause.
you may possess the most terrifying power of all.
A final thought. Quiet. Certain.
The power to turn everyone into your allies.
Then his expression darkened slightly.
Because there was a problem. A dangerous one.
Luffy was reaching his limit. His body was failing. His haki was immature. His strength was not enough.
And Ada was still nowhere near Marineford.
Mihawk's hand rested on Yoru.
Calm. Steady. Resolved.
Straw Hat may not be able to hold much longer.
A pause.
Ada is still nowhere near Marineford.
His eyes shifted toward Luffy.
Toward the boy still running. Still fighting. Still refusing to fall.
I suppose…
A slow breath.
…it is my duty to protect him then.
Because Bullet and Jinbe were already occupied.
And someone had to keep him alive.
Until she arrived.
————————
Elsewhere on the battlefield, while chaos swallowed Marineford whole, Emporio Ivankov was running through shattered ice, dodging cannon fire and Marines alike.
His eyes were still locked on Luffy's direction.
On Straw Boy. On the idiot trying to fistfight the entire world.
"Hee-haw…" Ivankov muttered. "That boy really did inherit all the worst traits from both his parents…"
A pause. Then dramatic despair.
"AND SOMEHOW MADE IT WORSE!"
Before he could continue, heavy footsteps echoed ahead.
Metal. Massive. Mechanical. Unnatural.
Ivankov stopped. His eyes widened. And standing before him was Bartholomew Kuma.
Or at least something that looked exactly like him. The same massive body. The same Bible in hand. The same expressionless face. The same terrifying presence.
Ivankov blinked. Then lit up. "Kuma!"
He spread his arms dramatically. "It's me!"
He pointed proudly at himself. "Iva-chan!"
A pose.
"Your fabulous best friend!"
The "Kuma" in front of him said nothing.
Its eyes glowed. Cold. Red. Machine-like.
Ivankov's smile slowly disappeared.
"…Eh?"
The Pacifista raised its hand. A laser gathered in its palm.
Ivankov's eyes bulged.
"WAIT WAIT WAIT—"
BOOM.
The laser fired.
Ivankov barely dodged, rolling across the frozen battlefield. The explosion behind him sent ice flying everywhere.
He stood up, furious. Covered in dust. Pointing dramatically. "Have you forgotten my beautiful face, Kuma?!"
He clutched his chest. "How cruel! Am I that forgettable?!"
The Pacifista charged another laser.
Completely uninterested.
Ivankov screamed. "OH NO, HE REALLY FORGOT ME!"
Just as the Pacifista was about to fire again, a massive paw-shaped shockwave slammed into it from the side.
BOOM.
The clone was sent flying across the battlefield. Crashing through ruined ice. Destroyed instantly.
Ivankov froze. Slowly turned and there standing behind him was another Kuma.
Same body. Same face. But different.
Alive. Present. Real.
And this one spoke.
Calm. Familiar. Human.
"Of course I haven't forgotten, Iva-chan."
Silence.
Ivankov stared. Once. Twice. Three times.
Then pointed so hard it looked painful.
"THERE ARE TWO OF YOU?!"
The real Bartholomew Kuma stood quietly.
As stoic as ever.
"I'll explain later."
A pause.
Then simply.
"To make it short…"
He looked toward the destroyed clone.
"That is a clone. A Pacifista. A human weapon created using my body."
Ivankov's jaw dropped. Then dropped again.
Then somehow dropped further.
"They cloned you?!"
He grabbed his own face.
"Why would you even allow that?!"
His voice cracked. "Kuma, what kind of terrible life decisions are these?!"
For once, Kuma's expression shifted.
Only slightly. But enough. Pain. Memory.
Regret.
"For Bonney."
A pause.
His voice quieter.
"For Ginny."
Ivankov froze. All the drama disappeared. Just silence. Because those names, those memories still hurt.
Even now. Especially now.
He lowered his hand. His voice softened.
Sad. Understanding. "…I see."
A long breath. "We'll talk about it later, Kuma."
Kuma nodded once. Because some conversations required more than a battlefield.
More than war. More than this.
Ivankov looked back toward Luffy's direction.
Toward the center of Marineford. Toward where Straw Boy was still trying to survive.
"So…"
He crossed his arms.
"I suppose we need to help Strawboy."
Kuma followed his gaze. And for the first time there was something close to warmth in his voice.
"Yes."
A pause.
"I want to help him."
His eyes remained forward.
Steady. Certain.
"Because I owe his parents…"
A small pause.
"…quite a lot."
Ivankov slowly turned.
Eyes narrowing. Dangerously dramatic.
"…So you also knew?"
Kuma answered honestly.
"I discovered it by accident."
A pause.
"But yes."
Ivankov stared. Then threw both hands into the air. Full performance mode activated.
"WHY?!"
He spun dramatically.
"Why are ALL of you keeping secrets from me?!"
He pointed accusingly at the sky.
"Dragon!"
He pointed somewhere random.
"Ada!"
He pointed at Kuma.
"YOU!"
He clutched his chest.
"Am I not trustworthy enough for family secrets?!"
Kuma said nothing. Which somehow made it worse.
Ivankov sighed dramatically. Then his expression changed.
Serious now. No jokes. No poses. Just truth.
"Ada is coming here."
Kuma looked at him. Silent. Because he already knew. He only needed confirmation.
Ivankov nodded. His voice low. Heavy.
"To enact the final part of the plan."
Kuma answered immediately. Because there was only one ending Ada would choose.
"To destroy Marineford."
Ivankov gave a grim smile.
"Exactly."
He crossed his arms.
"Once Ada decides to move…"
A pause.
"Marineford stops being a battlefield."
His eyes darkened.
"It becomes an execution."
Even Kuma remained silent for that.
Because he had seen Ada fight. Because he knew. Because Marineford had no idea what was coming.
Ivankov stepped closer. Voice lower. More personal.
"By that time…"
He looked directly at Kuma.
"I guess you should reveal your true allegiance."
A pause.
"No more pretending. No more hiding. No more Warlord games."
Kuma nodded. Slowly. As if he had made that decision long ago.
"Yes."
His voice was steady.
"I have already thought about it."
He looked toward the battlefield. Toward the Marines. Toward the Government he had endured for so long.
"There is no point…"
A pause.
"…in staying with the Warlords anymore."
Ivankov smiled. Not dramatic. Not exaggerated. Just real. Because his old friend was finally coming back.
"Good."
He stretched his neck. Cracked his fingers.
Turned back toward war.
"Then for now—"
He pointed toward Luffy. Who was still somehow alive. Somehow.
"Let's cover for Straw Boy…"
A grin.
"…until he reaches Ace."
Kuma stepped forward. Massive. Silent.
Ready.
"Agreed."
————————
After countless battles. Countless wounds. Countless near deaths.
Luffy finally got close enough. Close enough to Ace. Close enough to hope.
He turned to Jinbe. Breathing hard. Covered in blood. Still smiling. "Jinbe! I gave a favor to ask of you!"
He pointed upward. "Throw me up there!"
Jinbe blinked. "…What?"
Luffy pointed toward the execution platform.
Toward the three Admirals waiting below it.
"Use your water! Throw me up there!"
Jinbe stared. Then frowned. "That is suicidal!"
Luffy grinned. "It's the closest route I can use!"
Jinbe sighed. Because of course it was.
Because this was Luffy.
"…Very well."
He gathered water. Pressure rising. The battlefield itself trembling.
"Then fly."
BOOM.
A massive blast of water launched Luffy like a cannonball. Straight upward. Straight toward the execution platform. Straight toward the three Admirals.
He flew through the air, soaked in water holding a giant log like a weapon.
And then he landed.
BOOM.
Directly in front of
Aokiji,
Akainu,
and
Kizaru.
The entire battlefield froze. Even Marines stopped breathing. Because standing before the three Admirals was one rookie. Covered in blood. Holding a giant log. Like an idiot.
Ace's eyes widened. "LUFFY?!"
Aokiji adjusted his posture. Calm. Cold.
"I see…So you found a way up."
Akainu stared down at him. Magma simmering. Pure hatred in his eyes.
"You've done quite well…"
A pause.
"…son of Dragon."
Kizaru sighed. Hands in pockets.
"Ah… youth."
He adjusted his glasses.
"So much fire."
Even the Marines were stunned. Whispers spread instantly.
"He stood in front of all three Admirals…"
"Is he insane?!"
"He's really going to die…"
Garp stood frozen. Watching. Unable to move.
Sengoku remained silent. Observing. Calculating.
Even Whitebeard smirked.
"Well done…"
He muttered.
"…brat."
Akainu stepped forward. "I respect your tenacity, kid."
His voice was cold. "But it's not enough."
Aokiji nodded. "That's right. It's a miracle you got this far."
His eyes sharpened. "You're too green to go any further."
Kizaru smiled. Almost pitying.
"What gives you the idea…"
A pause.
"…that you can defeat us?"
Luffy gritted his teeth. Then screamed.
"BACK OFF!!!"
His voice shook Marineford. "YOU'RE NOT GONNA KILL ACE!!"
And then he threw the giant log. Straight at the Admirals. Because of course he did.
Whitebeard laughed. Watching this madness.
"He and his brother…"
A grin.
"…really are two of a kind. They just dive right in…without thinking."
Aokiji casually froze the log midair. Turned it to ice. Then hurled it back.
Luffy roared.
"GOMU GOMU NO"
His legs blurred.
"STAMP GATLING!!"
He kicked the frozen log apart sending shattered ice exploding into the air.
A giant fog formed. Covering everything.
Vision gone. Silence.
The Admirals stood unharmed. Completely untouched.
Kizaru adjusted his glasses. Then smiled.
"Oh…"
A pause.
"He fooled us."
Because Luffy had never aimed for them.
He was already moving. Straight toward Ace.
Again.
"I don't have time to fight those guys!"
Ace's eyes widened. "Luffy—!"
Before Luffy could reach the platform a flash of light appeared. Right in front of him.
Kizaru.
"You're too slow."
BOOM.
A devastating kick slammed into Luffy. He was sent crashing downward through the battlefield, through the plaza into the frozen ground below.
The impact shattered stone. Ice cracked.
Dust exploded.
Luffy coughed blood.
Kneeling. Shaking. Barely standing.
His body had reached its limit. And he had not recovered yet.
Above him. Kizaru descended slowly. His foot glowing with blinding light.
Calm. Lazy. Final.
Like judgment itself was falling from the sky.
Ace's eyes widened in pure terror. He screamed from the execution platform.
"LUFFY! RUN!!!"
But Luffy couldn't. His body was already breaking apart. His arms trembled. His legs refused to move.
He had pushed too far. Gone too far. There was nothing left. Not fast enough. Not anymore.
From across the battlefield pirates shouted desperately.
"DODGE!"
"STRAWHAT!"
"MOVE!"
"GET UP!"
Douglas Bullet saw it and for the first time since arriving at Marineford his expression truly changed.
No smirk. No arrogance. Just immediate danger.
"Damn it!" He moved instantly. Ready to break through everything in his path. Ready to bulldoze straight to Luffy. Because if he was even one second too late that would be the end.
But before he could move, cold spread across the battlefield. The temperature dropped instantly. Frost crawled across the ice.
And standing in front of him blocking his path was Aokiji.
Calm. Hands in his pockets. Like he had all the time in the world.
"I don't know what kind of relationship you have with Straw Hat…"
Aokiji said quietly. His eyes sharp beneath lazy calm.
"…but you're not getting near him."
A pause. Ice forming around his feet.
"Kizaru already informed us."
His gaze narrowed.
"You helped him."
Another pause.
"For reasons still unknown."
Bullet's eyes darkened. His killing intent exploded.
"I don't have time for you!!"
BOOM.
He moved like a cannon. His fist slammed downward with monstrous force straight at Aokiji. The impact shattered the frozen battlefield.
Ice exploded upward. The ground cracked.
Marines nearby were thrown off their feet. Even pirates turned to look.
But Aokiji crossed his arms at the last second ice forming instantly like armor. He was driven into the ground yet he stopped the full force.
The battlefield trembled beneath them.
Aokiji looked up from the crater.
Calm. Still calm. Too calm.
"…Scary. You've even grown stronger since the last time."
Bullet clicked his tongue. Fury rising. Because every second mattered. Every second meant Luffy was closer to death.
I can't get there fast enough.
His fists clenched tighter. Muscles tensing.
Veins visible. Pure frustration. Pure rage.
That brat is going to get killed.
A pause.
Then a colder thought entered. One far worse.
And if he dies…
His eyes darkened. Even more dangerous than before. Because death here wasn't what frightened him. It was something worse.
Ada will never forgive me.
That thought alone was enough to make even Bullet uneasy. Because there were many monsters in this world.
But Captain Ada's wrath was not something anyone wanted to face. Especially not for failing her son.
He glared at Aokiji. Like he wanted to tear through him with his bare hands.
Damn this ice bastard.
Above them Kizaru's glowing kick continued to fall.
Closer. Closer. Closer.
And Luffy still couldn't move.
And then—
CLANG.
A black blade intercepted the kick.
Perfectly. Effortlessly. Absolutely.
Silence. Shock. Disbelief.
Standing before Luffy, blocking an Admiral's attack was Dracule Mihawk.
Yoru in hand. Eyes cold. Unmoved.
The battlefield froze. Again.
Sengoku's eyes widened. For the first time, true anger.
"DRACULE MIHAWK!"
His voice thundered.
"WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS?!"
He pointed furiously.
"You are a Warlord of the Sea! Why are you helping Straw Hat?!"
His voice sharpened.
"Do you have any idea what you are doing?!"
Kizaru slowly stepped back. "Oh…"
He adjusted his glasses.
"What's with the sudden move, Hawkeye?"
The Marines were stunned. Speechless. Because the strongest swordsman in the world had just protected Straw Hat Luffy.
Mihawk didn't even look at Sengoku.
His voice was calm. Cold. Absolute.
"I do not need to explain myself…"
A pause.
"…to any of you."
His eyes stayed on Kizaru. Yoru slightly raised. Ready.
"As for being a Warlord…"
A final breath.
"Consider this…"
His gaze sharpened.
"…my resignation."
Silence. Then absolute chaos.
"What?!"
"He resigned?!"
"Hawkeye left the Warlords?!"
"The strongest swordsman betrayed us?!"
"Are you stupid?! He was already a pirate before he joined the Warlords!"
Even Kizaru disappeared backward instantly.
Because facing Mihawk head-on meant death and he knew it.
Far away Bullet finally broke away from Aokiji and smirked.
Watching. Understanding.
So… Mihawk finally moved.
His grin widened.
And look at that…
A pause.
Resigning from the Warlords, huh.
But before the shock could settle another voice exploded across the battlefield.
Burning. Violent. Absolute.
Akainu stood up. Magma dripping from his fists. His face twisted in fury.
Because to him this was unacceptable.
Pathetic. An embarrassment.
"What are those two doing?!"
His voice boomed like a volcano erupting.
He glared toward Kizaru. Toward Aokiji. Toward the chaos unfolding.
"They can't even do their jobs properly?!"
His magma fist ignited brighter. Pure destruction.
"And all this…"
His killing intent exploded.
"…for one snot-nosed rookie?!"
"DAMN IT ALL!"
He moved. Not walked. Not ran.
He erupted forward like a natural disaster.
Straight toward Luffy. Straight toward execution.
"This is it for you—"
His fist burned hotter. The air itself warped.
"SON OF DRAGON!!"
The Marines were shocked. Even they felt it.
That wasn't justice. That was annihilation.
"He's serious!"
"Admiral Akainu is going to kill Straw Hat!"
"There'll be nothing left!"
The pirates shouted desperately. Because everyone knew if that fist landed, Luffy was dead. No miracle. No second chance. Just death.
Ace's voice cracked. "LUFFY!!!"
Luffy, still kneeling still barely breathing looked up. Unable to move. Again. Death descending. Again.
But just as Akainu's magma fist was about to reach him another figure appeared.
Massive. Silent. Unshakable.
BOOM.
The attack stopped. Blocked. Completely.
Standing before Luffy now like an immovable wall was Bartholomew Kuma.
His giant palm raised. Holding back magma itself. Smoke rising around him. Expression unreadable.
Silence. Even greater than before.
Because now another Warlord had turned.
Sengoku's face darkened. From anger to absolute rage.
"NOT ONLY MIHAWK…"
His voice shook with fury. He pointed at Kuma. Disbelief in every word.
"…BUT ALSO KUMA?!"
His glare was murderous.
"What are you Warlords planning?!"
The Marines below were panicking now.
Because this was no longer betrayal. This was collapse.
"Hawkeye defected!"
"And now Kuma too?!"
"What is happening?!"
"Are the Warlords abandoning us?!"
(Image here)
And from the battlefield. Ivankov watched it all. Then slowly, very slowly, a grin spread across his face.
Dramatic. Knowing. Satisfied.
"Hee-haw…"
He crossed his arms. Watching Kuma stand there. Watching Sengoku lose control. Watching the Government crack.
"So it finally begins…"
—————
The battlefield had completely lost its balance.
First Dracule Mihawk.
Now Bartholomew Kuma.
Two Warlords of the Sea, two of the Government's greatest weapons had openly turned against the Marines.
And both of them…for one boy.
Monkey D. Luffy.
The Marines were no longer just shocked.
They were afraid. Truly afraid. Because this was not supposed to happen. This war was supposed to be controlled.
Planned. Calculated. But now everything was falling apart.
A young Marine stared at the battlefield with pale eyes. His rifle trembling.
"Why…"
His voice shook.
"Why are the Warlords turning on us… for Straw Hat?"
Another Marine beside him swallowed hard.
Sweat dripping down his face.
"First Hawkeye…"
"…now Kuma…"
He looked toward Luffy. At the boy kneeling in the center of all of it.
"Who the hell is that rookie really?!"
A third Marine spoke in panic.
"Is there some kind of conspiracy?!"
His voice rose.
"Are the Warlords planning something behind the Government's back?!"
Another shouted almost desperate to make sense of it.
"This can't be random!"
"No one betrays the Government like this!"
"There has to be something bigger happening!"
And that thought was far more terrifying. Because if there was something bigger, then Marineford was only the beginning.
Nearby Donquixote Doflamingo stood watching with wide amusement.
Even he who loved chaos more than anyone had not expected this.
His grin widened. Almost delighted.
"Fufufu…"
He adjusted his glasses. Eyes gleaming.
"Oii…"
A low laugh escaped him.
"I did not expect that."
He looked toward Mihawk.
Then Kuma. Then Luffy. Then toward the sea as if he could already smell a bigger storm coming.
"This war just became far more interesting."
Beside him Gecko Moria looked furious.
And honestly a little terrified.
"Kishishishi—!"
His voice cracked.
"What the hell is wrong with these people?!"
He pointed wildly.
"First Straw Hat survives everything—"
"Then Hawkeye betrays us—"
"Now Kuma too?!"
His shadow trembled with him.
"This war is cursed!"
Nearby—
Boa Hancock watched silently. Her heart had nearly stopped when Kizaru attacked Luffy.
And now seeing him still alive, still breathing, still fighting brought visible relief to her eyes.
Luffy…
A soft thought. Warm. Protective.
You're safe…
Her gaze shifted toward Kuma.
And there for once, even Hancock looked surprised.
But Kuma helping you…
She frowned slightly. Thinking. Connecting.
Mihawk is understandable…
A pause.
Because that one made perfect sense.
He is Lady Ada's right hand. Of course he would protect her son.
But Kuma? That was different. Unexpected and dangerous.
Still…
She crossed her arms. Looking toward Sengoku. Toward the Government. Toward the crumbling authority around them.
Perhaps it is also time for me…
A pause. Her eyes narrowed.
…to leave the Warlords.
Because she could see it clearly now. The system was breaking. The title of Warlord once useful was becoming a chain. And chains were made to be broken.
It is already a sinking ship at this point.
A final glance toward Luffy.
And a small smile.
But at least…you're safe, Luffy.
On the execution platform, Garp watched all of it.
Silent. Massive.
Like a mountain holding itself together.
He was angry. Furious, even. Not at Luffy.
Not at the pirates. At the Admirals. At the Marines. At the impossible situation itself.
At the world forcing him to stand still.
His fists tightened.
Damn fools…
Watching Akainu nearly kill Luffy, watching the Admirals close in, watching everything spiral, it took everything in him not to move.
Not to punch someone. Preferably Sengoku.
And yet beneath all that anger there was relief.
Small. Quiet. But real.
Because Luffy was alive. Because someone had protected him. Because for one more second his grandson still breathed.
He exhaled heavily. Eyes lowered.
"…Idiots."
Whether he meant the Marines or his family even he probably didn't know.
Beside him Ace could barely process what he was seeing.
Luffy Still alive. Still charging forward. Still refusing to stop.
And now two Warlords had openly turned for him.
Because of him. Because of his existence.
Because he was Luffy.
Ace stared. Speechless.
"…Luffy…"
His voice was barely a whisper.
Just how far…
Just how much…
was his little brother willing to risk?
———————-
Far away at Sabaody Archipelago, the giant monitor screens broadcasting the war showed everything.
Every betrayal. Every scream. Every impossible moment.
And now the people there were in complete uproar.
"What?!"
"Two Warlords defected?!"
"For Straw Hat?!"
"That rookie again?!"
Civilians pushed closer to the giant screens.
Journalists nearly trampled each other.
Pens flying. Papers everywhere. Voices rising over one another.
"This is insane!"
"Hawkeye resigned on live broadcast!"
"Kuma openly protected Straw Hat!"
"The balance of power is collapsing!"
One reporter shouted into a Den Den Mushi.
Sweating. Panicking. Writing at the same time.
"Head office! Head office!"
"This is bigger than Ace!"
His voice cracked.
"The Warlord system is breaking in front of the whole world!"
Another journalist screamed eyes wide with disbelief.
"First Roger's son!"
"Then Dragon's son!"
"Now two Warlords defecting?!"
He slammed his notebook shut.
"This is no longer just a war!"
He looked at the screen.
At Luffy.
At Marineford.
At history being rewritten.
"This is the day the world changes!"