OPTT: Chapter 99/100

Chapter 99: Stop This War

Sengoku's tense nerves finally relaxed a little. He narrowed his eyes, watching the two Yonko facing off in the distance. A cold smile unconsciously curled at the corner of his mouth.

Tsuru gently pushed up her glasses, the gleam behind the lenses flashing with shrewd calculation.

"Looks like we'll be the fishermen today," she said softly, her fingertips tapping lightly on the tactical board. "Let those two Sea Emperors fight it out first…"

But Garp's expression remained deeply furrowed. He grabbed a handful of senbei, stuffed them into his mouth, and chewed loudly. "Don't get happy too soon. That lunatic Kaido never plays by the rules."

His gaze swept over to Ace on the execution platform, then glanced at the Whitebeard Pirates standing ready in the distance. His fists clenched unconsciously.

At this moment, the situation at sea had become incredibly delicate. Kaido's true form, a massive Azure Dragon, hovered mid-air. Under the sunlight, his scales gleamed with a cold metallic sheen.

Meanwhile, the Whitebeard Pirates' fleet had formed a defensive formation. Marco, in his phoenix form, took to the skies, confronting the giant dragon head-on.

"Gurararara…" Whitebeard suddenly let out a hearty laugh, slamming Murakumogiri heavily onto the deck. "Kaido, do you really think you can take on my Whitebeard Pirates alone?"

A flash of tyranny shone in the dragon's vertical pupils. Kaido's voice boomed like thunder. "Old man, do you still think you're the 'Strongest in the World' from back then?" Flame clouds surged beneath his claws. "Today, your era ends for good!"

Just as the three forces were about to collide, the entire sea suddenly fell eerily silent.

Even the surging waves seemed to freeze in place. A suffocating pressure swept in from the flank of the battlefield.

"That's...!" Marco's phoenix eyes suddenly narrowed.

A simple two-masted sailboat emerged from the mist like a ghost. The red dragon emblem on its bow shimmered with a bloody glow under the sunlight.

The sails of the Red Force flapped in the wind. A one-armed man in a black coat stood at the bow, and everyone who saw his face instinctively held their breath.

"Red-Haired… Shanks!" Sengoku frowned. What the hell was going on?

Why had all the Yonko shown up, one after another?

Was Marineford doomed today?

"...."

Shanks slowly raised his head. His originally calm eyes suddenly turned razor-sharp. He took one step forward—and in that instant...

BOOM!!!

The world changed color.

Centered on the Red Force, dark red Conqueror's Haki exploded like a tsunami.

The materialized shockwave forced the sea into a thousand-meter-wide depression, and the clouds above were split apart by a massive rift.

On the nearest Marine warships, hundreds of soldiers simultaneously rolled their eyes and collapsed where they stood, not even managing to scream.

"Th-this is…" Vice Admiral Onigumo dropped to one knee, cold sweat pouring down his face like a waterfall.

Among the Seven Warlords, even Dracule Mihawk's expression finally turned solemn. His hand unconsciously gripped the hilt of his black blade, Yoru. This guy was insane… even he was feeling the effects of that Haki.

Kaido's Azure Dragon form, which had just been posturing in midair, now had to drop altitude. A flicker of unease passed through his dragon eyes. Why was Shanks here?

But whatever. They could fight!

"Arara… you've gotta be kidding me…" Aokiji lifted his sunglasses, the corner of his mouth twitching. "This level of Haki…"

On the Whitebeard Pirates' side, even the Division Commanders had to brace themselves defensively.

Jozu's diamond body creaked from the pressure. Vista's twin swords trembled in his hands. Only Whitebeard remained standing, unmoved. Though he was surprised to see that "apprentice brat" from Roger's crew, anyone who stood in his way of saving Ace... was an enemy.

Then let's fight!

Shanks' voice wasn't loud, but it echoed clearly across the battlefield. "Could you stop this war?"

Each word landed like a hammer to the heart.

On the closest Beast Pirates warship, Gifters fainted in droves. The powers granted by their artificial Devil Fruits were completely useless before this overwhelming Haki.

Garp's cape flapped wildly in the wind from the Haki. He stared at the Red-Haired figure in the distance. "This apprentice brat… has he really grown this strong?"

Shanks slowly drew Gryphon. As the blade pointed forward, space itself began to ripple.

"Kaido. You can still walk away." His eyes swept across the entire battlefield. "This war… should end."

As his final word fell, another shockwave of Conqueror's Haki blasted outward.

Even the sturdy walls of Marineford began to crack. The supports of the execution platform groaned under the pressure.

Both Admirals simultaneously activated Armament Haki to resist. Still, nearly thirty percent of the regular Marines had already collapsed.

Amidst the apocalyptic might, Shanks stood alone at the bow of his ship, watching everything unfold with indifference.

Just then—

A voice suddenly rang out from the Marine command center.
"Report! The Beast Pirates' main fleet is approaching!"

Sengoku's face darkened again. He turned sharply to Tsuru.
"Reassess the battlefield immediately!"

Tsuru's fingers flew across the tactical board. Her expression turned grim.
"The situation has changed... Kaido is probably planning to..."

On the distant horizon, dozens of warships flying the Beast Pirates flag advanced in a grand formation. What was most disturbing was the sheer number of soldiers on deck—each ship packed with Gifters. Enhanced by artificial Devil Fruits, their bloodthirsty roars echoed across the sea.

The expressions of the Whitebeard Pirates turned grim.

Jozu's diamond body reflected a blinding light.
"Pops, we're surrounded!"

Marco, circling in the air as a phoenix, shouted down.
"That lunatic Kaido… he's going for a total wipeout...!"

Whitebeard slowly lifted Murakumogiri. The fire in his eyes grew even fiercer.
"Looks like I'll have to stretch these old bones today."

He turned and shouted toward Marineford.
"Sengoku! Looks like your wishful thinking just got shattered!"

Cold sweat beaded on Sengoku's forehead. He realized the situation was spiraling out of control.

How many people had Kaido brought?

What was supposed to be a controlled execution had turned into a full-blown Yonko battle royale. A clash that could shake the very foundation of the world's balance of power.

Worse still—

Marineford might end up as the biggest loser of all.

Akainu's magma fists were already heating up.
"Fleet Admiral, we can't afford to hesitate anymore!"

Even Aokiji, who rarely looked serious, finally furrowed his brow.
"This is seriously troublesome~ Two Yonko at once..."

Just as everyone was still stunned by Shanks' Haki, a strange rumbling came from the surface of the sea.

"Gurgle…"

With a deep, resonant growl, a massive Sea King slowly rose to the surface.

(To be continued.)

Chapter 100: Ron, Why Is He Here?

Even more shocking was the figure standing on the Sea King's terrifying head, cloaked in gray!

"Hey, hey… What the hell is that?!" a Marine colonel shouted, his legs trembling uncontrollably.

Ron gently patted the Sea King beneath him. This deep-sea overlord, capable of sinking warships, was currently as obedient as a house cat.

Protected by Ron's precisely controlled Haki, it was completely unaffected by Shanks' Conqueror's Haki, calmly carrying its master toward the center of the battlefield.

Splash!

As the Sea King fully surfaced, the enormous waves it stirred rocked the surrounding warships violently.

Ron slowly stood upright. His cloak flapped in the salty sea breeze. He reached up, pulled back his hood, and revealed a familiar face—leaving all the high-ranking Marines dumbfounded.

"T-That's… Ron the Gr... the Admiral Candidate?!"

A veteran soldier's rifle clattered to the deck.

Fleet Admiral Sengoku's pupils shrank sharply. The Den Den Mushi in his hand nearly slipped out. He rubbed his eyes hard, wondering if he was seeing things.
"Impossible... Wasn't he already expelled? How could he be back…"

Advisor Tsuru immediately recognized the former Navy genius.
"It's him. Just as I suspected… But why now...?"

Her mind raced. Suddenly, a possibility flashed through her thoughts.
"Could he be here to support the Navy?"

The thought eased her expression ever so slightly.

"Hahaha!" Garp suddenly burst into loud laughter, slamming a fist onto the railing.
"I knew you old geezer wouldn't just vanish like that!"

But his eyes grew complicated as he laughed.

He knew better than anyone—when Ron left the Navy, he was already terminally ill, diagnosed with only seven or eight years to live… And now this reckless bastard had come to a battlefield like this?

You crazy fool. Are you really throwing your life away for the Navy?

Sengoku's eyes went warm. His voice trembled slightly.
"This idiot… even with his body like that…"

He remembered—back then, to save Ron from being executed by the Celestial Dragons, he had endured tremendous pressure just to have him expelled instead.

He never imagined that, after all these years, this former favorite would return during the Navy's darkest hour.

What they didn't know… was that strange purple markings were glowing faintly on Ron's arm.

Not only had his body fully recovered, but his strength had also reached a whole new level!

"Everyone, it's been a while." Ron's voice wasn't loud, but it carried across the entire battlefield with clarity.

Standing atop the Sea King, he calmly swept his gaze across the area—the stunned Marines, the wary Whitebeard Pirates, the observing Red Hair Pirates, and Kaido's enormous dragon form circling overhead.

Most shocking of all—when Ron spoke, Shanks' Conqueror's Haki was forcibly pushed back! A unique "domain" formed with Ron at its center.

Seeing Ron step forward, Shanks withdrew his Haki and quietly observed.

Kaido's dragon eyes narrowed. A flash of wariness lit up his vertical pupils. His massive form writhed uneasily in the sky, the flame clouds under his claws churning violently, betraying his inner turmoil.

"That damned guy…" a low growl rumbled from Kaido's throat, filled with both annoyance and tension.

He remembered clearly—the last time they fought, they went at it for three days and three nights, without a clear winner.

But soon, Kaido forced himself to calm down. He narrowed his eyes and stared at Ron standing atop the Sea King. He remembered that Ron had long been expelled from the Navy and was no longer one of them—so there was no reason for him to take their side.

"Hmph… If he's not with the Navy..."

Kaido's massive dragon head turned slightly, his gaze drifting between Whitebeard and Marineford.

Suddenly, he let out a deafening roar, and his body began to rapidly shrink.

Before everyone's eyes, the colossal dragon transformed back into human form and landed heavily on the deck of the Beast Pirates' flagship.

A sake gourd had appeared in his hand. Kaido tilted his head back, taking a big swig of strong liquor, his eyes never leaving Ron.

"Boss?" King stepped forward cautiously, his flaming wings twitching.

"Shut up and watch," Kaido barked, cutting him off without looking. His rough fingers slowly rubbed the handle of his kanabō.

He noticed it too—Ron's current state was vastly different from before. His aura was terrifying.

In the Navy's ranks, Sengoku and the others also picked up on Kaido's strange behavior.

Tsuru pushed her glasses up slightly and muttered,
"Even Kaido's on edge around him…"

Garp's usual grin vanished. His brows furrowed deeply.
"Something's off… Ron's aura..."

Everyone's expression shifted as they, too, noticed Ron's transformation.

On the other side—

Whitebeard caught sight of Ron, paused for a moment, then suddenly burst into hearty laughter.
"Gurararara… Ain't that Ron, the brat?"

Marco quickly stepped in front of Whitebeard.
"Pops, be careful! He used to be with the Navy—"

"Relax, Marco." Whitebeard reached out and gave him a heavy pat on the shoulder, a rare look of nostalgia flashing in his eyes.
"That brat's as stubborn as a mule, but he's also a damn good drinking buddy."

Marco blinked in surprise.
"Pops… you know him?"

Whitebeard stroked his crescent-shaped mustache, his gaze drifting into the distance.
"That was decades ago…" His voice held a rare tinge of sentimentality.

"Back then, that kid was a greenhorn Navy Vice Admiral, chasing our ship across half the New World."

The sea breeze swept across the battlefield, lifting the edge of Whitebeard's cape.

He continued, "Later, on a winter island, we fought for three days and three nights. That kid, even with cracked ribs and busted bones, still stubbornly insisted on arresting me."

At that, Whitebeard couldn't help but laugh again.

"In the end, we both got tired and just sat there drinking among the ruins… The rum he brought was top-tier."

Marco stared in disbelief. He had never heard Pops talk about a Navy guy like this.

"What happened after that?" Jozu leaned in curiously.

Whitebeard's gaze turned solemn.
"Later… to protect a fishing village being hunted by the Celestial Dragons, he defied the World Government's orders." His voice lowered.

"I heard those Celestial Dragons died, and that brat was critically injured. Barely survived."

...

At that moment, Ron seemed to sense Whitebeard's gaze and turned his head.

Across the vast battlefield, the two exchanged glances.

Ron gave a slight nod, the corner of his mouth showing a faint smile.

Whitebeard laughed heartily again, lifting Murakumogiri in greeting.
"Oi! Ron, brat! Want another fight? This time there's no good sake for you!"

(To be continued.)