NOVEL WEB Chapter 223: Chapter 223
Ace's eyes were filled with panic.
Having been locked away in Impel Down, he had no idea what was happening in the outside world.
He was completely unaware of the earth-shattering changes that had recently taken place within the Whitebeard Pirates—
Nor could he imagine the massive ripple effects now shaking the balance of the world.
All Ace could do was kneel helplessly on the execution platform and silently beg Whitebeard not to come save him.
From his perspective, the navy forces gathered here were too overwhelming.
If Whitebeard did try to rescue him, it would be a suicide mission.
As Ace screamed in his heart for his father not to come, something was already happening—far beyond his vision.
Roughly 30 kilometers off the coast of Marineford
Two ships—one bearing Red-Haired Shanks, the other Kairos Flint—were drawing closer to Marineford.
"Beckman, take the crew and hold this position," Kairos said calmly from the bow of the ship.
Ben Beckman looked to Shanks.
The red-haired pirate gave a nod of approval, and then, without hesitation, launched himself into the sky.
"I'll go first."
A cold glint flashed in Shanks' eyes.
He knew full well that this battle would be unprecedentedly brutal.
But for the sake of saving Gol D. Roger's son, he had no choice but to act.
He stepped into the sky with Geppo (Moonwalk), transforming into a streak of red light as he shot toward Marineford.
Though many didn't know this, Red-Haired Shanks was of Celestial Dragon blood.
He was also the commander of the God Knights, the son of Saint Garin.
Because of this, he had long mastered the Navy's Six Powers.
Kairos had helped him further.
To make his role more convincing for the upcoming scene, Kairos had generously gifted him two crystals—
One was a Legendary Swordsmanship Crystal,
The other, an Epic-Level Geppo Crystal.
With the power of that crystal, Shanks' moon-step speed had become monstrous.
He could move freely and fly through the air with terrifying acceleration.
He was still in his prime physically, so thirty kilometers of sea posed no challenge.
Meanwhile, Kairos used Observation Haki to monitor everything from afar.
Just like in the original timeline, Whitebeard's flagship, the Moby Dick, was rising from the depths of the sea and preparing to breach the port.
On another front, a single warship was approaching the naval headquarters.
Standing on its deck was a man with long white hair, a weathered face, and a sword at his waist.
There was an air of effortless freedom about him.
This was none other than Silvers Rayleigh, the Dark King of the Sabaody Archipelago.
Kairos turned to the figure standing next to him and gently patted his shoulder.
"Ann, it's time."
Ann nodded silently.
He extended his hand and pointed toward the red-haired figure speeding through the sky.
In an instant, a strange, invisible ripple radiated from his fingertips.
A mysterious wave of light spread out over more than ten miles of ocean, enveloping Red-Haired Shanks in a shimmering glow.
As the red light faded…
Gol D. Roger appeared.
"Such a bizarre power," Shanks muttered, feeling the transformation.
His form had taken on Roger's exact appearance—facial features, presence, even combat instincts felt heightened.
This was the power of Ann's Illusion Fruit.
Back when he was only at Vice Admiral level, Ann could create phantom projections.
Now that he had grown to General level strength, his illusions could fully transform a person, even enhancing their abilities in the process.
Right now, Red-Haired Shanks—under Ann's power—was virtually indistinguishable from Roger, and his strength had already approached Yonko level.
"Lord Kairos," Ann said, lowering his hand, "my ability's limit is an eighteen-mile radius. If he moves beyond that, the illusion will vanish."
Kairos nodded in understanding, then turned to Nami.
"Push forward at full speed, but stay within ten meters of Red-Hair's position."
Nami immediately piloted the Mythical Sky at high speed, keeping pace from a distance as the red light tore through the air.
"Master Kairos," Baby-5 said as she approached with a tray and poured him a special drink, "you're not going to show yourself?"
Her eyes sparkled with admiration.
"No rush," Kairos replied with a small smirk, taking the cup.
"Let them warm up the stage. I'll make my entrance later."
Kairos had no intention of entering the battlefield as himself.
After all, he had no reason to participate directly.
Whether pirate or navy, today's clash would benefit Kairos either way.
His main target wasn't the marines or even Whitebeard.
It was Golden Lion Shiki and the Flying Pirates.
The rest? Easy cleanup.
And it would be a perfect opportunity to harvest more powerful crystals.
Low-tier crystals no longer interested him—he had too many of them.
What he really wanted were Vice Admiral level and higher—the rare, valuable ones.
He still had a trove of legendary-level crystals in his inventory, including numerous Navy Six Powers Crystals, just waiting to be fused into epic-level forms.
What he cared about most, though, were Devil Fruits—especially those that could help evolve the Tablet System.
Baby-5 nodded with admiration, content to watch from the sidelines.
Elsewhere on the deck, Uta and Perona stood watching the distant battlefield.
"This is so exciting," Uta said, her eyes glittering. "I want to join the fun!"
Her father had already entered the fray—
She wanted to be there too.
Perona pouted and gently tugged on Kairos's arm.
"Why can't you let us go play this time?"
Kairos let out a small laugh and shook his head.
"If you join the fight, it might raise suspicion with the navy and the World Government."
"This battle has nothing to do with me officially. I'm just watching it like a spectator."
"I don't want to give them any reason to falsely accuse me of meddling."
Uta and Perona exchanged glances and, seeing the seriousness in his tone, didn't press him any further.
Meanwhile—
Red-Haired Shanks moved like a phantom, cutting through the air in a blur of crimson light.
Before long, he spotted a lone warship up ahead.
But this one was... odd.
The standard naval flag had been torn down and replaced with the flag of the Roger Pirates.
And there, standing at the bow, was a thin figure.
The red-haired man's eyes softened.
"…Vice Captain. Long time no see."
A gentle smile curved across his face as he dove toward the ship.
The sound of air splitting apart caught the attention of the man onboard.
Rayleigh instinctively grabbed the hilt of his sword and turned—ready for anything.
But the moment he laid eyes on the figure descending from the sky…
His hand trembled.
Tears welled up instantly in his eyes.
And as the figure landed gracefully in front of him, a familiar black cloak flaring in the wind,
Rayleigh saw a face he had not forgotten in decades.
That smile. That posture.
"Rayleigh," the figure said, voice warm and gentle.
"I didn't think you'd get so old. Thanks… for everything."
It was Roger's voice. Roger's expression.
Rayleigh's eyes turned completely red with emotion.
No words could form.
He rushed forward—
And threw his arms around the man he had once called Captain.