One Piece: The Multiverse Simulator

"You even know that we, the Navy, have turned one of Whitebeard's own crew against him!"

Gion couldn't hide her shock. The operation to turn Squard, Maelstrom Spider, into a traitor and have him stab Whitebeard in the back was one of the Navy's top-secret plans.

The number of people privy to this information, including the three Admirals and Gion herself, could be counted on two hands. Yet here was Wood, a known "pirate," speaking of it so casually!

"What's so surprising about that?" Wood responded with an air of nonchalance. "There are no walls without cracks, Gion. Don't forget who I am—one of the underground world's most prominent figures.

There's an old saying on the seas: 'With enough money and power, there's nothing the underground world can't procure.'"

Of course, Wood's explanation was just a façade. His knowledge didn't come from the underground information network—it came from his memories as a transmigrator. He had watched the Marineford Arc countless times; forgetting such a pivotal event was unthinkable.

"Though the Navy seems poised for victory this time," Wood continued, "there are still numerous unstable factors at play. Have you ever considered the possibility that a third-party force, apart from the Navy and Whitebeard's pirates, might intervene in this war?"

Wood stopped short of elaborating further. Revealing too much would only raise suspicions. To Gion, Wood was a man with foresight and an understanding of grand strategy—not a clairvoyant. His vague warning was the furthest he could reasonably go.

"A third party?" Gion frowned, deep in thought. "You're suggesting that another pirate crew might intervene? But who could it be? Most pirate crews lack the power to meddle. As for the other Yonko, Kaido and Big Mom are currently at each other's throats.

The only possibility is the Red-Haired Pirates. But even then, I doubt Shanks' connection to Whitebeard runs deep enough for him to intervene."

Wood smirked, shaking his head. "You're too focused on the Yonko. The seas are filled with dangerous individuals. For instance, what about the one who handed over Ace to the Navy and became a new Warlord of the Sea—Blackbeard?"

Wood's tone grew serious as he mentioned the name. He knew that the Marineford War was destined to end disastrously for both the Navy and Whitebeard's pirates.

Whitebeard and Ace would die on the battlefield, and the once-mighty Whitebeard Pirates would plummet from their peak, reduced to just another notable crew in the New World.

The Navy, despite achieving its goal, would suffer massive collateral damage. Marineford would be laid to waste, and Blackbeard would exploit the chaos to steal Whitebeard's Tremor-Tremor Fruit ability and liberate powerful criminals from Impel Down.

These criminals would bolster his crew, enabling him to rise as one of the Yonko. Meanwhile, the Navy would be forced to relocate its headquarters, and the conflict over the Fleet Admiral position between Akainu and Aokiji would leave the organization weakened.

In hindsight, while the Navy succeeded in removing Whitebeard, it inadvertently created a far greater threat in Blackbeard.

"Marshall D. Teach? What's so special about that guy?" Gion scoffed. "Sure, he captured Fire Fist Ace, but I heard his crew was nearly destroyed in the process. Winning that fight was mostly luck."

She paused, then added dismissively, "Even if Ace and Blackbeard are of similar strength, what's the big deal? Are such individuals even worth paying attention to?"

It was no surprise that Gion, with her lofty status as a Marine HQ Vice Admiral and candidate for Admiral, would regard both Ace and Blackbeard with disdain. Compared to her, they were relative newcomers to the grand stage of the seas.

After all, Gion had been a Marine HQ elite even when Ace was still wet behind the ears. Her strength far surpassed most, and she was considered one of the Navy's most promising officers. For her, defeating either Ace or Blackbeard in combat would be a foregone conclusion.

"Don't underestimate Blackbeard," Wood cautioned. "He might have been an inconspicuous pirate before, but his ambition and cunning are unparalleled.

Do you know who gave Shanks the scars on his face? Or what the true abilities of the Dark-Dark Fruit are? It's called the strongest Logia for a reason."

Gion's casual demeanor faltered as she processed Wood's words. Her curiosity piqued, she asked, "Is this information also from your underground network? The World Government has agents embedded in the underworld, yet the intel they gather pales in comparison to yours."

Wood smirked. "Of course. You think anyone can uncover such secrets? I'm not just any figure in the underworld—I'm the figure. My information is always first-hand and highly classified."

He leaned closer, his voice lowering conspiratorially. "Think about it: wasn't the Marineford War sparked because Blackbeard handed Ace over to the Navy? Let me take a guess—did you Marines only discover that Ace was the son of Gol D. Roger after you captured him?"

Wood's revelation left both Ruth and Perona slack-jawed. In just the short time since passing through the Gates of Justice, they had been bombarded with one shocking piece of information after another.

These revelations weren't just secrets—they were the kind of bombshells that would dominate headlines for weeks.

As Gion listened, her expression shifted. She wasn't entirely surprised that Wood knew about Ace's lineage—Fleet Admiral Sengoku had likely informed him during a past conversation.

But the sheer depth of Wood's knowledge, combined with the accuracy of his deductions, left her feeling uneasy.

"The Navy only learned that Fire Fist Ace was the son of the Pirate King on the third day after his capture... Are you saying someone intentionally exposed his lineage?"

Gion wasn't a fool. After hearing this, she quickly pieced together the implications in Wood's words.

"Why wouldn't it be possible? Remember, during the execution of the Pirate King, anyone connected to him was also hunted down.

Rogue, Portgas D. Ace's mother, was truly remarkable. To protect her child from the Navy's investigation, she carried Ace in her womb for twenty months, only giving birth after Roger's execution, at the cost of her own life.

This whole matter was overseen by none other than Marine Hero Vice Admiral Garp. Believing children to be innocent, he kept the truth hidden and raised Ace as his own.

At the time, very few people knew of this. Garp certainly wouldn't have leaked such a secret. Even Ace himself was oblivious.

Despite Fire Fist Ace's reputation across the seas, why hadn't the Navy discovered his true lineage earlier? And why, at this exact moment, was this truth suddenly uncovered?"

As Wood continued, Gion felt increasingly alarmed. The coincidences were piling up, and if what Wood suggested was true, both the Navy and the Whitebeard Pirates were being manipulated.

"So, you're saying the one who exposed Ace's lineage, orchestrating this whole situation, might be Blackbeard?"

Gion stared at Wood intently, voicing her biggest concern.

"I can't be certain, but it's highly possible. After all, it was Blackbeard who handed Ace over to the Navy.

He could have defeated Ace himself to build his reputation. Why go to such lengths? And as I said before, Blackbeard isn't simple. I doubt he did this just to claim the title of 'Warlord of the Sea.'"

Wood couldn't confirm if Blackbeard had leaked Ace's lineage, but casting suspicion on the man was a good move. Blackbeard's hands were already dirty, and the fallout from this war would benefit him most.

The toppling of the Whitebeard Pirates and the chaos in Marineford would ultimately play into Blackbeard's grander plans.

"What is Blackbeard's endgame? If the Navy and Whitebeard Pirates are locked in battle, what could he possibly gain with his level of power?"

Gion pressed further, her curiosity piqued. But Wood refrained from revealing more. He had already said enough—anything beyond this would verge on omniscience, potentially raising questions about him.

"Do you think I'm omnipotent or something? I've pieced together what I know as a major player in the underworld. It's not like I can read Blackbeard's mind.

All I've shared are theories based on intelligence and deduction. Whether they're true or not remains to be seen."

Wood shrugged, deflecting the inquiry. Gion didn't press further. She had already gained critical insights from their conversation. Reporting these to Fleet Admiral Sengoku would be her next step.

After settling Wood and his crew, Gion quickly arrived at Sengoku's office. She reported Wood's arrival and shared his speculations.

"Marshall D. Teach, huh? Frankly, we don't have much intel on him. Before capturing Ace, he wasn't notable at all.

If not for this feat, he wouldn't have even qualified for the title of 'Warlord of the Sea.'"

Sengoku furrowed his brows, stroking his goat's beard. "Perhaps, as Wood suggests, Blackbeard is both cunning and ambitious.

But the situation is already irreversible. Ace's bloodline ensures he cannot be allowed to live. Even if we are being used, this war between the Navy and Whitebeard's forces is inevitable.

As for Blackbeard, while I doubt he can cause much disruption on his own, I'll instruct someone to monitor his movements closely."

As the day of execution dawned, tension filled Marineford. Five of the "Warlords of the Sea" were present, excluding Crocodile and Jinbe, who were imprisoned, and Blackbeard, who was absent.

Fire Fist Ace was escorted to the towering execution platform, seated with dignity between the Navy's three admirals, who occupied the central positions of power.

Surrounding them were the Navy's elite officers, including some of its formidable giants. The "Warlords of the Sea" stood prominently at the frontlines, while countless other soldiers, from sergeants upward, filled the plaza.

Everyone present bore the iconic "Justice" cloaks, symbolizing the Navy's authority. Few without the emblem were visible among the ranks.

Fleet Admiral Sengoku stood beside Ace, holding a projection Den Den Mushi. As the ceremony commenced, he shocked the gathered forces and the watching world with a bombshell revelation.

"Portgas D. Ace is the son of Gol D. Roger, the Pirate King!"

The announcement sent shockwaves through the plaza. While the Navy's top brass had already known, many lower-ranking personnel, the assembled Warlords, and audiences worldwide were struck dumb.

The collective disbelief was palpable as gasps and murmurs swept through the gathered forces. A secret so explosive had changed the stakes of this war entirely.

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