Chapter 702: Summit War Saga: Marineford Arc! (Part 2)
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At this moment, the sounds of enthusiastic soldiers and trainee marines lining up could be heard, as well as the Marines rushing to their duties one after another.
…
..
Fleet Admiral Sengoku stood gazing at all of this from a window atop the highest building in the Marine fortress, the Fleet Admiral's office.
Sengoku stared silently and calmly, remembering a familiar face, munching on rice crackers and laughing mockingly without care for the world. He was once his close friend.
"I wonder what your role will be in this war... Garp." After uttering these words, Sengoku gazed deeply into the new volume that was still closed in his hand.
"...It won't be that bad, trust me." A voice came from behind him, it was Crane's voice, the famous Vice Admiral and Chief of Staff.
"Oh, Tsuru-chan... Good morning."
Tsuru nodded gently in response to Sengoku's greeting and took an empty seat.
Last month had been busy for the female Vice Admiral and her crew of women, but finally, she had some time to relax.
There's nothing better than relaxing during the same timeframe as a One Piece manga day.
"Arara... Is it time to detach from reality for a while? The Summit War will be epic, I believe, Sengoku-san." This time, it was Kuzan's voice that seemed excited.
"A war with Whitebeard... How terrifying..."
"… Sengoku-san, I've seen some comments on forums saying that you described Whitebeard in such noble terms that they thought you were a fan!" This time, Borsalino's mocking comment caught Sengoku's attention.
"Who said that?! That's ridiculous!" Sengoku felt anger in that moment.
"At last, in this war, the world will know the meaning of pain," remarked Sakazuki as he opened his own volume.
Both Borsalino and Kuzan's mouths twitched upon hearing Sakazuki's comment.
...
South Blue, Baterilla:
Away from the hustle and bustle of the beautiful town that had transformed from a small village into a vibrant city thanks to the art store, the famous ship Oro Jackson, the legacy of the Pirate King, was peacefully docked away from prying eyes.
The Pirate King, Gol D. Roger, and his wife, Portgas D. Rouge, had arrived on this island the day before to reminisce about the memories that tied them to this place.
Currently, they were in their wooden house in the forest surrounded by banana trees.
"Well, Rob said this arc will be tough on us, dear... I trust Rob, so I already have an assumption in my heart."
"Here, I brought this," Roger took out a white towel from his jacket pocket and placed it next to his wife.
She looked at him blankly as he did so.
"I won't cry... No matter what happens." Rouge said sternly before opening the volume.
Roger sighed and opened the volume himself. He knew that One Piece excelled in capturing the essence of emotions.
It was impossible not to shed tears when she was the mother of the man who would be executed.
•———•———•———•———•
Chapter's Events:
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[South Blue]
On a merchant ship en route to dock on the island, the passengers were engrossed in conversation about the current topic.
"There are only three hours left... Maybe Whitebeard's already there."
"Who knows?"
...
[East Blue]
In some market, people were also talking about the current topic:
"You really think he'll show up? Even if he's Whitebeard, he's getting a little long in the tooth.
"He hasn't really made any big news in years…" ...
Whether in markets or even in green meadows, Whitebeard was still the prevailing topic.
"Jeez... He's a pirate from another age. There's no way the marines would lose, right?"
"Whether he wins or loses... There'll be lots of death..."
"It would be best if he doesn't show up at all."
"It would be best if this all ended with the execution."
...
[North Blue]
Some refused to go to work because of it:
"Hey, Hey, booze!! Old man!!!"
"Are you telling me to work on a day like this!!? Go home!!"
"If the world's still here tomorrow, I'll open the store."
"Then just sell me some booze!! I can't live without something to drink!!!"
...
[West Blue]
While some remembered the awe the Whitebeard instilled in them when they met him in the past:
"He's not just some old man. He hasn't weakened a bit...!! Why, just one year ago..."
"We were just sitting there, and when he laid his eyes on us for just a second, we gave up on our lives."
...
[Grand Line]
And there were those who appealed to God for mercy:
"Even the kids know. Listen to what they're singing while they're skipping the rope."
"Whitebeard the pirate, 🎶 Scarier than a demon.🎵"
"Oh God above, what will happen to the world?"
•———•———•———•———•
"Hmm... It seems like the people of the world are feeling palpable fear in the air. This truly means that the upcoming war will change the world significantly." Roger said with a smile... He knew this atmosphere very well.
A great war... A war that would change the world's balance, they were scheduled to witness it in all its details.
"Don't forget that your son is the trigger and the main reason for this war, Roger." Rouge said expressionlessly.
"I may seem indifferent, but I have not and will not forget that," Roger replied calmly, then turned to the next page.
"These pages will reveal a lot to me. I want to see everything, I won't back down. My counterpart has been dead for a long time, and the great age of pirates began with his death."
"It seems that this caused a lot of difficulties for his son, and now he must be suffering even more because of it."
"That's what my future was supposed to be, and yours too, and our son's future... No doubt it was difficult and painful for them, but for us, it's just events on paper."
"Tears for them are nothing but a cheap price, so don't hesitate to cry from now on, my dear."
Roger's words moved Rouge's heart, melting the emotional coldness she wanted to hide behind as her warm tears fell.
She found nothing but the white towel her husband had given her to wipe away her tears.
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Upcoming chapter titles (spoilers):
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Chapter 686: Introduction to an Unprecedented War!
Chapter 687: Portgas D. Rouge, The Sacrifice of a Loving Mother!
Chapter 688: The Impact of Manga on Garp.
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BlackStar_BH
BlackStar_BH Join my Patreon at: https://www.patreon.com/BlackStar_BH to support me and access advanced chapters! Get ahead with 20 chapters available in advance:
5 advanced chapters for $5
10 advanced chapters for $10
15 advanced chapters for $15
20 advanced chapters for $20
30 advanced chapters for $30 (New)
[The new tier is still lacking chapters, but it will be ready by the end of the week.]
Don't miss out on this exclusive content!
Don't miss out the top-tier arc in One Piece, Marineford!
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