A New Path - Chapter 209

The sun had risen over the horizon on this fateful day. Marineford was packed with soldiers, foot soldiers all the way to the three arrogant and proud-looking Admirals. Everyone Sengoku could muster up was taking part in this war.

Down by the harbour where the soldiers stood packed tight, heavy breathing could be heard. “This silence is so eerie. I can barely breath!” One of the many faceless soldiers spoke harshly with his rough and tired voice. Many of these men had neither slept nor rested the night before. They were dead-tired, yet also full of energy.

“I know what you mean.” Another faceless man answered. He glanced up towards the execution platform where Ace was kneeling down with his head hung low. “Look at those three, it’s like it’s just another day at the beach.” The man was, of course, referring to the Admirals who sat up there on high ground on their important-looking chairs.

“We can’t compare to that. How many wars and terrifying battles do you think they have been in. Just focus on you or you’re going to die.” One woman standing behind them said in a cold tone. Her face was stoic but her heart was in her throat, she was just that nervous. And, who could blame her? They were up against the strongest man in the world with a fruit that could destroy an island easily.

“But, why is the Fleet-admiral streaming this war live? There is so much about this I don’t understand.”

“You don’t need to understand. All you need to do is grip that rifle, point and shoot.” The woman answered and effectively shutting him up in the process.

Ace felt more shame and guilt now than he had ever done in his entire life. He could barely look up at Garp, a man he grew up knowing as his grandpa, just like Luffy. “Ace, do you have any regrets? If so, speak them now!” Garp said, trying to sound as distant as possible.

“No! I served my father, Whitebeard to the best of my ability. I die without regrets! You’re the one that holds regrets, so don’t put that on me, old man.” Ace glanced over the massive army they had amassed here. Even an emperor that had sailed these seas for many decades could not compare to these numbers. There were hundreds of thousands of Marines here. Granted, the majority of these marines were not elites, just foot soldiers used to add a more intimidating air. Numbers can be off-putting for the enemy, and that was Sengoku’s goal with having normal soldiers stationed here for what was to become a certain death.

“You’re right. Over the span of my long life, I have gathered a few. Maybe today I can rid myself of them once and for all.” Garp’s voice broke for just a second but recovered almost immediately. He had been a Marine for far too long to allow emotions to get in the way, that’s what he believed in. This justice that he was fighting for. He would die to protect it, even when his grandson stood to die from it.

Before they could continue, an explosion was heard across the entire base. Though the sound didn’t come from the base itself. It came from the water just outside the harbour. Moby dick, Whitebeards ship had suddenly burst out of the water.

“Now it begins!” Aokiji said calmly.

“So it does!” Bradley said, slowly placing his hand on top his sword. He observed his fellow Admirals and leaned back on his chair with a knowing look in his eyes. His gaze also travelled upwards with a certain expectation visible on his face.

“I would wish you two good luck, but that almost feels like signing our death warrant.” Aokiji looked over at Bradley, he noticed how his behaviour from the previous meeting was still present. He nor anyone had ever seen Bradley act this distant, almost emotionless when interacting with them. He rarely showed emotions, but you could always feel the respect behind his actions, but today, Bradley was ice-cold and Aokiji didn’t like the feeling that gave him.

“People die every day, we all have our expiration dates.”

“Jeez, aren’t you just a ball of sunshine,” Kizaru also felt the unease Aokiji felt. Something was definitely off with Bradley today. Maybe it was simply the realization that this might be his last day, or it was something bigger. Either way, the two of them kept his behaviour in the back of their minds and again, turned their attention on Whitebeard.

The seven-meter tall emperor stood on the helm of his ship and overlooked the mighty army that Sengoku had gathered. “An army without substance.” He said as his gaze and voice crossed the distance and reached the Fleet-admiral stationed upon the execution platform.

“Ace, sit tight!” His mighty voice boomed loudly and he proceeded to put down his weapon and squeeze his fists together. With one mighty movement, he struck the air with his fists covered in translucent white energy. From this came what every Marine here feared, the power to destroy the world. The sea rose up in two massive waves that were three times the size of the base and on the verge of swallowing it.

“You’re up, boy,” Bradley said and glanced over at Aokiji. The Admiral in a white and blue suit disappeared from his seat and appeared in mid-air with his hands covered in ice. “Ice-age!” He spoke softly as two streams of ice left his hands and collided with the waves that were about to crush the base. The rising tide froze instantly and so did the sea for miles. The stage had officially been set by these two powerful forces and now everyone waited for who would make the first move.

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End