Upon hearing Roy's words, Whitebeard was momentarily stunned.
The first strategy was indeed the simplest—attack the World Government's bases in the New World and force them to negotiate a prisoner exchange.
The second was riskier but more effective: using Celestial Dragons as leverage. Even if Ace was Roger's son, the Marines would have no choice but to comply.
The third was the worst option, directly assaulting Impel Down or Marineford. Only a fool would choose that.
After realizing Teach had escaped, Roy had already begun considering how to alter the outcome if the Summit War still occurred.
Attacking Marineford head-on was idiotic. There were far better ways to pressure the World Government into handing Ace over, but why resort to brute force?
It just showed how rigid pirates' thinking could be, they didn't know how to adapt.
Roy didn't like to use force; on the contrary, he saw it as a last resort. If he could gain the greatest benefit at the smallest cost, that was the true victory.
Brute force was the dumbest approach.
Back in his past life as a doctor, Roy had seen a family whose child was beaten by another kid.
The offender's family refused to pay compensation, and since the attacker was a minor, there wasn't much legal recourse.
So the victim's father simply started loitering near the aggressor's home and school.
The issue was resolved within three days.
He hadn't broken any laws, he didn't do anything except linger nearby.
Psychological warfare was key. The best strategy was to achieve the greatest results with the least cost.
"What should we do now?" Whitebeard asked.
"Launch attacks on Marine bases in the New World immediately. The bigger the commotion, the better. If we can divert the Marines' attention, I'll just grab a Celestial Dragon and trade them for Ace," Roy said with a smirk.
"That's too dangerous for you."
"Not at all. Just follow the plan."
"Alright!"
Whitebeard accepted Roy's suggestion and began to mobilize.
The Whitebeard Pirates undoubtedly had spies within their ranks; no crew of tens of thousands could remain completely uninfiltrated.
The moment they moved, the World Government caught wind of it immediately.
Within hours of Ace's capture, every division and allied crew under Whitebeard's banner began gathering in the New World.
The other three Emperors immediately grew wary.
Red Hair Pirates' Territory
"So it's finally happened," Shanks sighed.
"Just got the news, Fire Fist Ace has been captured by the Marines," Benn Beckman reported.
"Whitebeard will definitely take action. The question is whether he'll attack Impel Down," Lucky Roux mused.
"I doubt it. It's in the Calm Belt, a submerged underwater fortress. Charging in would be suicide," Yasopp countered.
"No one can predict his next move. Besides, the Whitebeards still have their strategist. As Rayleigh said, with him around, they rarely make mistakes," Shanks said.
"You mean their Vice Captain?" Beckman asked curiously.
"Right. Oh, I forgot, you guys haven't met him," Shanks said.
"Never even heard of him," Beckman and the others admitted.
This wasn't unique to them. Many in the New World were shocked to learn the Whitebeard Pirates even had a Vice Captain, whose name had never surfaced before.
Given Whitebeard's age, it was clear that this man would succeed him.
What was more surprising was that this person had been with Whitebeard for 36 years, his very first companion, and yet he remained obscured.
Such a figure remaining unknown was baffling to intelligence networks.
"Back when we clashed with Whitebeard under Captain Roger's command, he never fought. The only time he ever took action was against Rayleigh, and according to Rayleigh, his Observation Haki was so strong it completely suppressed his own," Shanks revealed.
"He overpowered the Dark King's Rayleigh's Haki?!"
The Red Hair crew members were stunned. They'd seen Rayleigh back at Sabaody years ago, they knew firsthand how monstrous the man was.
For Rayleigh, in his prime, to admit his Haki was suppressed?
Unimaginable.
"If Rayleigh said it, it must be true. Now we wait and see what Whitebeard does next," Shanks said.
Whole Cake Island
"Mama mamama! Whitebeard's Second Division Commander, Fire Fist Ace, got handed over to the Marines? Hilarious." Big Mom laughed while devouring a giant cake.
"Even funnier, the idiot got captured trying to catch the traitor, who then traded him for a Warlord title. Just priceless! Mamamama!"
Big Mom's intel was even more detailed. She was in a great mood after hearing the news.
"Mama, the Whitebeard Pirates are mobilizing. All their commanders and allied fleets are gathering," Perospero reported.
"They'll make a move, no doubt. Keep watching them. The moment they leave the New World, strike their territories, especially North Ice Island," Big Mom ordered.
North Ice Island was Whitey Bay's domain, a lucrative region Big Mom had coveted for years. With Whitebeard gone, she would seize it—along with Fish-Man Island.
"Understood, Mama!" Perospero bowed and left to monitor the situation.
Kaido, meanwhile, was even more aggressive. The second Whitebeard left the New World, he would strike relentlessly, until nothing remained. No mercy.
The Marines were the most anxious of all.
The fact that news reached Whitebeard so quickly, and that he acted so fast, was alarming.
Sengoku, who had been preparing to return to Marineford, immediately headed back to Mary Geoise to meet the Five Elders.
"The Whitebeard Pirates are moving. We don't yet know their target," Sengoku reported.
"Proceed as planned. Announce the public execution, force Whitebeard to come to Marineford," Saint Topman Warcury declared.
"Roger's son must die. His bloodline ends here. And as for Whitebeard, we crush his legend while he still lives. Let the world see what happens to pirates who defy us," Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro added coldly.
"Whitebeard values his crew above all. He will come. Set the execution date and give them time to prepare, then wipe them all out," Saint Jaygarcia Saturn said calmly.
"And if he doesn't?" Sengoku asked cautiously.
"Then we execute 'Fire Fist' Ace anyway," Saint Shepherd Ju Peter stated.
"Understood. I'll make the arrangements at once." Sengoku said, turning to leave the Hall of Authority.
"He will come," Saint Marcus Mars murmured. "Men like Whitebeard always do."
...
If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.
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