One Piece: From Picking Up Red Hair's Broken Arm

Chapter 329 The Great Battle is Approaching, Whitebeard's Resolve!
"It seems like he ate something bad and went to see Chopper for treatment."

Kuina blinked:
"That's not important, what's important is... My lord, when did you meet this empress? How come I have no idea?"

Ok?
Aokiji immediately put his hands in his pockets and quietly pricked up his ears.

As a seasoned old man, he immediately sensed that the vinegar jar had been overturned.

—There's a story here, gossip radar activated!

"I wouldn't call myself an acquaintance, but the other person had such a terrible temper and looked so awful that I beat him up once."

Xia Nuo was completely oblivious to this guy's expression, pinching his chin and frowning as he made a rational analysis:
"It's unlikely that she would deliberately use this kind of false information to retaliate. Although that woman isn't very bright, she truly hates the Celestial Dragons to the core because she was once a slave to them."

"And we have just announced the bounties for the Celestial Dragons, so even if they have a grudge against me, they would not choose to retaliate at this time. On the contrary, it is highly likely that they are acting out of genuine concern."

Eh?
The fact that Empress Hancock was once a slave of the Celestial Dragons surprised both Aokiji and Kuina.

"So this news is true?"

Kuina quickly regained her senses, and her expression became serious:
"If the Navy really summons even the Seven Warlords of the Sea, then the scale of this war may be unprecedented, and we must prepare to deal with it as soon as possible."

In previous operations, the Fallen Ones took the initiative to strike, breaking through the enemy lines from a single point, causing the World Government and the Navy Headquarters to suffer heavy losses.

But if we really want to objectively compare the overall strength of the two sides...

Without a doubt, the enemy still has a greater advantage, and we cannot afford to be careless in the slightest.

"We can only say that this is what Hancock thinks. We can't be sure what the Navy Headquarters is really planning."

Shano thought for a moment, "Kuina, call Jinbe and ask if he's received the summons."

"Yes."

Kuina nodded, took out a Den Den Mushi, and began dialing.

"Eh?"

Aokiji was dumbfounded upon hearing this. "Jinbe? That Shichibukai, the Knight of the Sea, Jinbe? He's also one of your... no, one of ours?"

"Yes, he is also one of the top officials."

Xia Nuo smiled. "It's hidden in the shadows. Even within the Fallen Ones, only a few people know about it."

Aokiji opened his mouth, not knowing what to say for a moment. Of the Seven Warlords of the Sea who were considered allies by the Marine Headquarters, two of them were known to be on the side of the Fallen Ones.

The Navy Headquarters was completely unaware of this.

Is this what they mean by "the righteous gain many helpers"? The so-called balance has already been quietly broken long ago...

"My lord, Jinbe replied that he had not received a summons and that the Navy had not contacted him at all."

Kuina put down the Den Den Mushi and reported, "Strange, has his identity been exposed?"

"If it had been exposed, Jinbe would have been imprisoned in Impel Down long ago, instead of just not being notified of this meeting."

Xia Nuo shook his head, and just as he was pondering, the Den Den Mushi in his arms suddenly rang.

Brubru~
"grown ups."

Viktor, the head of the intelligence department, spoke calmly from the other end of the phone, "We just received some major news from the underworld. It's said that a man known as the Festival House is preparing to hold a Pirate Expo, and the final prize is a permanent pointer to Laugh Tale."

"Permanent pointer?"

Xia Nuo's gaze sharpened; the timing was far too coincidental.

"Is the news reliable?"

"It's basically certain."

Victor said in a deep voice, "The current rumors are that it will be held in about ten days. The specific location has not yet been announced, but it will definitely be on an island deep in the New World."

"I understand. I will report back as soon as there are any further developments."

After hanging up the phone, Xia Nuo frowned slightly and looked out at the distant sea.

The appearance of the Perpetual Pose, the Navy's low-key gathering of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, and the unexpected Pirate Expo held deep in the New World...

These things may seem like mere coincidences, but upon closer examination, there is probably an unseen hand pulling them all along.

"If we had to pick one of the Four Emperors who is least interested in ONE PIECE, who would you say it is?"

He asked the two people in front of him.

"Of course it's you, sir."

Kuina replied matter-of-factly, knowing all too well how lofty her captain's ambitions were, and that they were now very, very close to achieving that goal.

As for things like finding ONE PIECE, inheriting Roger's legacy, or becoming the Pirate King, the man in front of him would only scoff at them.

"But the Navy Headquarters doesn't think that way."

Aokiji's voice rang out softly, "They'll just think that Whitebeard is the one who's least interested."

Aokiji habitually pushed up his sunglasses, but missed, coughed awkwardly, and analyzed in a deep voice:
"That old man Whitebeard always talks about his family and son, and he doesn't care about ONE PIECE at all. Everyone in the world knows that. So if the Navy really wants to start a war, and doesn't want the other four emperors to notice..."

"This Pirate Expo is the best bait."

Xia Nuo narrowed her eyes, exchanged a glance with Qingzhi, and the two said in unison:

"Found in the east and attack in the west!"

Kuina also realized, "Use the Perpetual Pose to attract the attention of the other three Yonko, then concentrate our forces to deal with the Whitebeard Pirates first?"

No wonder Jinbe didn't receive a summons.

The whole world knows that Fishman Island has been indebted to the Whitebeard Pirates for decades, and Jinbe, the Knight of the Sea, often visits Whitebeard's ship, making no attempt to hide his respect and closeness to Whitebeard.

"I'm afraid it's not just that."

Aokiji stroked his stubble and said, "Whitebeard's territory is the gateway to the heart of the New World. If the Navy takes it over, it will be like taking a step forward and establishing a forward base between the Whitebeards and the Navy Headquarters."

"To go a step further..."

He looked up at Xia Nuo, his tone solemn:

"Whitebeard is the primary target for now, but not the ultimate goal. This is the prelude to the World Government's full-scale attack on the New World. We will first eliminate Whitebeard, then use him as a springboard. Ultimately, the final target will be us, the ones who bring down the curtain."

"Hmph, what a clever scheme."

A cold glint flashed in Kuina's eyes. "If that woman hadn't leaked the information, we might have been kept in the dark until the Whitebeard Pirates started their battle."

"Yes."

Xia Nuo grinned, "However, since we found out in advance, this play can't be performed according to their script."

Just as Aokiji analyzed.

Whether for public or private reasons, he could not stand idly by and watch the Whitebeard Pirates be destroyed by the World Government!

"Give me the order!"

"Immediately summon all top officers to a meeting on Dawn Island. Also, order all legions to enter a state of combat readiness, and have the intelligence department fully operational. Since they want to play big, we'll play along to the end!"

"Yes!"

Guina solemnly accepted the order and turned to leave.

She has always been able to distinguish between what is important and what is not.

Although deep down, she still had some doubts about what kind of feelings the Empress harbored for taking the initiative to show goodwill to Lord Xia Nuo.

However, I will never let my little emotions affect the important matters at hand.

"Shouldn't we also inform Whitebeard?"

After watching Kuina leave, Aokiji scratched his head and said:

"However, that old man is notoriously stubborn, even more so than Mr. Garp and Professor Zephyr combined. Even if you trust the information because of your friendship with him, Captain, you probably won't bother asking us for help or joining forces with us."

"Oh, of course I know that."

Xia Nuo looked towards the end of the sea again.

Without one's own beliefs and pride, one cannot become a world-class powerhouse. But this pride can often become a constraint. If a white-bearded man of this age could truly swallow his pride...

In the original timeline, Shanks, who personally went to persuade Whitebeard to recall Ace, wouldn't have made a wasted trip, and it's unlikely that only his own subordinates were involved in the Marineford War.

"In short, just contact them and let them know. As for whether we take action or not, well, that's not their business."

Xia Nuo grinned.

The old man didn't want to rely on the help of others?
What a coincidence! I just happen to be going to attack the World Government and the Marine Headquarters. Do I need Whitebeard's approval?
Where and how this war should be fought is up to him!
No one can stop it.

Moreover, the Whitebeard Pirates' strength is, at best, a speed bump in the face of the World Government's all-out attack.

His downfall is the true protagonist of this war, and the key to ultimately determining victory or defeat!

…………

New world.

In a certain sea area, a light rain was falling.

On the Whitebeard Pirates' flagship, the Moby Dick.

Whitebeard's massive body sat upright in his personal chair, receiving an IV drip, his gaze calmly fixed on the distant, hazy sea.

"Dad, it's getting a bit chilly. Why don't we hold this meeting back in the cabin?" Marco brought over a cup of hot tea and advised with concern.

"Gurarararar!!"

The white-bearded man laughed heartily, took the cup, and drank it all in one gulp. "What's a little rain? I'm not so old that I need to take shelter from the rain. But you little brat, I told you to bring me some hot wine, but you secretly replaced it with this stuff!"

“It’s because you’ve already finished your weekly ration,” Marco shrugged. “As the ship’s doctor, I can’t be too lenient with you, old man.”

"Tsk, you're such a cheapskate."

The white-bearded man pursed his lips, put down his cup, and glanced at his sons who had been gathered on the deck.

These young faces hadn't been gathered together like this in a long time, reminding him of himself decades ago, the days when he, Roger, and Rocks sailed the high seas.

Time flies, and now the old friends are gone; of the remnants of the old era, he is the only one left...

"But in the end, the World Government couldn't hold back any longer."

Whitebeard chuckled softly, "Gurararara... But if they want to make an example of me, they'll have to see if they have the ability!"

Marco's expression hardened upon hearing this: "Father, you called us over and are saying things like this. Have you received some news?"

"Ah, just now, that kid Xia Nuo called me personally."

Whitebeard handed the empty cup to Marco and said in a deep voice, "The World Government has secretly summoned the Seven Warlords of the Sea, preparing to launch a full-scale war against the New World, and their first target is to annihilate our Whitebeard Pirates."

"what?"

The 10th Division Captain Curiel's expression changed drastically. "W-is this news real? We haven't received any information about it at all!"

"That's normal. After all, that kid has been very focused on building an intelligence network since he took over the territory. He's much better informed than us old guys."

The white-bearded man chuckled and said that there was actually no comparison; he needed to learn about many events through the newspapers.

On the other hand, the one that lost out had already absorbed the entire World Economic News Agency, a clear difference in power.

“If it’s what Brother Shano said himself, then it’s undoubtedly trustworthy.” Marco’s expression turned serious, and he pinched his chin and frowned.

"That's right, it can't be fake, that's a man named Xia Nuo!"

Vista, the foil fencer, also said decisively.

Compared to some captains who had never interacted with Xia Nuo, these few had complete faith in Xia Nuo's character.

"If everyone's saying that, it seems it can't be false. Damn it, those bastards in the Navy! Big Brother, give the order! Summon all the affiliated pirate crews and let them see the price for daring to underestimate the Whitebeard Pirates!"

"Kuriel shouted angrily."

"That's right, Dad!"

"They dare to launch an attack! They really don't take us seriously!"

"Let these marines know who the true masters of the New World are!"

The other team leaders also enthusiastically echoed their sentiments.

They are the Whitebeard Pirates!

In addition to the 16th Division of the main headquarters, which has more than 1,600 elites, there are 43 pirate crews scattered around, ready to respond to a call to arms at any time!

Total troop strength: over 50,000!
Even those who have fallen from grace cannot compare to them in this respect!
"but……"

Marco, however, remained frowning. He glanced at his spirited brothers, then went to Whitebeard's side and whispered in his ear:

"Dad, you mean the World Government's full-scale attack, not just the Marine Headquarters, right? Shouldn't we consider teaming up with Shano and the others against an enemy of this caliber..."

"What nonsense are you talking about, Marco?"

Whitebeard waved his hand, "This is a battle for the Whitebeard Pirates, no need for outsiders to interfere. Besides, the Fallen Ones have already stolen the show this past year, and now..."

He gazed at the gloomy sky in the distance and laughed heartily:
"Gurara! It's the perfect time to let the world see that the remnants of the old era can still stir up a storm!"

"Dad..."

Marco wanted to persuade him further, but seeing Whitebeard's resolute eyes, he knew he couldn't change his mind and could only sigh.

His father was a big fan of Whitebeard, and he himself had followed Whitebeard since he was a child.

When it comes to understanding his father, no one in the world dares to say they know him better than him.

But it was precisely because of this that he was the only one who vaguely sensed something was off about his father's emotions...

The enemy is far more terrifying than anyone thinks. In this situation, he should take the initiative to propose a joint effort, so that his father won't lose face.

But in the end, did she still refuse...?

Oh, my father.

Marco took a deep breath: "In that case, Dad, let's go and inform everyone to return and prepare for battle."

"Let's all go!"

Whitebeard nodded. "However, we must make our movements as discreet as possible. The Navy might think they can catch us off guard, but in reality, it's the other way around!"

"Yes, Dad!"

As soon as the order was given, the Moby Dick sprang into action.

The captains of each division contacted the pirate crews loyal to their father using Den Den Mushi.

A great battle is imminent.

The entire Whitebeard Pirates crew, like a sophisticated war machine, suddenly began to operate!

The rain intensified, and the sea wind howled.

Whitebeard suddenly stood up, ripped the IV needle out of the tubing, and went to the bow of the ship alone, gazing at the blurry horizon in the distance, his white cloak fluttering in the wind.

"The tide of the new era has finally reached us old folks..."

He murmured to himself, a hint of nostalgia flashing in his eyes, "Gurara, Roger, do you see? This war may be my last dance."

But then, the white-bearded man grinned, his gaze becoming resolute and determined.

No matter what, even if it costs him his life, he would do everything in his power to protect the reputation of the Whitebeard Pirates and these sons he regarded as his own.

This is his awareness as Whitebeard, as Edward Newgate!
Also.

That brat Shano probably doesn't know what kind of terrifying monster is hiding behind the World Government.

Hmph, fine then.

In case this battle forces the monster to reveal itself and make a move.

It will also serve as a wake-up call for that arrogant brat, preventing him from truly believing that just because he beat up the navy a few times, he is invincible and can rest easy...

(End of this chapter)