Whitebeard War: Navy Chronicles

Kazekage Q

"If there are no more questions, you guys are dismissed," I said to the group gathered before me. "We've been over these drills for hours so I know you guys can do this. This will be the greatest challenge we've ever faced. Do your best!"

"Yes sir!" the group yelled back and dismissed. The group began to disperse. The feelings of the soldiers were hard to read. Many of the new guys were excited at what would happen today. A change unlike anything the world's ever seen. The veterans were nervous. These were men of the sea. They had seen and heard the rumors of what the Whitebeard pirates were capable of.

"Don't forget guys! We have to be at our post at 10 AM. The execution is at 3 but they need us there to make sure that everything is in proper order," I yelled to the group as they scattered. They had heard me say it many times already. I was particular for this sort of thing.

I watched as the different men in my squad went about their duties and prepared for the days activities. The navy asked that we all get up at 5 AM for one last briefing. I understood their sentiment. They couldn't afford any mistakes. I stifled a yawn as I headed back to the barracks myself. The sea air was chilly and there wasn't much point standing in the dark.

As I walked back a hand tapped my shoulder. I turned and nodded. My corporal Menchi. A young and motivated guy who was very adept in any situation. He also had a crazy side to him that stood out as great as his bright red hair. He was destined to go places someday.

"So, what's the news on the situation?" Samos asked me in a hushed tone. I looked around and noted that most of the men were not paying attention.

"It seems as though they caught and killed the Strawhat. And it seems that the riots have been stopped. After all, that Warden Magellan is amazing. I hear he killed an entire floor of people nearly," I whispered back to him

"Man, that's crazy. I am somewhat amazed a man like that can die. You remember him, don't you?" Menchi asked.

I shivered a bit at the memory. Our squad had been deployed onboard a navy ship during a recent Buster Call on Enies Lobby. Our team was trained in regular combat, but we were also well regarded for our artillery specialties. Our cannon and weapons were renowned. Still, that day had been different. We hadn't been firing on pirates from afar or battling rogue states. Instead, we were laying siege to our own people. The courthouse of the world left in ruins. Although a lot of men had escaped, everyone knew that some had been too wounded by the affects of the pirate attacks to get out. The sky darkened for the first time on the 'never-night' Island when the smoke blotted it out. It was a memory he liked to forget.

Most impressive of all was the glimpses of the Strawhats. They had been on a ship set farther back, mostly aimed at destroying Enies Lobby. But he had seen the captains fighting with the Strawhats. That they even survived that was amazing. But the glimpses he saw of Strawhat Luffy taking on the CP 9 Lucci? A giant foot plowing through a tower and sending him flying? These memories had lasted with him. He was not a man to be messed with.

"I'll never forget that man," I answered softly.

Menchi just smiled. "What a way to go, though. He sure was reckless. Have the higher ups commented on the incident officially, yet?"

I shook my head. "No, according to them a small incident occurred but it shouldn't be a cause for alarm. But I have my connections."

Menchi looked up at me with awe and respect for my information gathering. In reality I had an old friend who was currently a jailer there relay me the information over a secure Den-Den Mushi we shared. Apparently things had gotten pretty bad, but they seemed calm at this point.

"To think that Strawhat Luffy would of tried to save Ace. What was he thinking breaking into that place?" Menchi asked as he shook his head. "Oh well, if they are pirates they can't be all that smart."

We both laughed and walked into the barracks. Most of the men had already dozed off to sleep. I smiled. That they could sleep at a time like this was impressive. I was far too nervous. Others were shaking. One guy, Brills, was throwing up. Anxiety and nervousness had gotten the better of many us. "But even death can't master the call to sleep for some," I thought to myself.

A gruff voice called out. "Officer Akami, are you ready?"

I turned around and laughed nervously. "Definitely, Mr. Akane. The Whitebeard pirates are just another day on the job. And after dinner maybe we'll take on Kaidou, too."

The group of men in earshot laughed heartily. Akane smiled a bit but the smile didn't translate to his eyes. His eyes showed a man that had seen much pain. "This whole war will bring a lot of chaos to the world, you know. A pirate like Whitebeard falling will only make our world a more unstable world than it already is, I can promise you that."

I listened. Most would excuse what he had to say as the rambling of an old man, but I had come to see that he was an experienced veteran of the sea. What he had to say was usually true. "What should we do then, let the criminal go?" a man behind me said.

I knew from the tone that it was a young man named Mitsuko. He was a new recruit, but had shown himself to be more disciplined than anyone I had ever met. The man was meticulous in everything he did. He thrived on order and unity. Some had decided he might be a bit insane. Still, he was a handsome young man and had a solid future in the Navy for him.

"Of course not, Mitsuko," Akane said. "A criminal has to be held accountable for their actions. Portgas D. Ace has broken the law and been a world renowned pirate. He needs to be brought to justice. After all, if the Navy gave into pirates and couldn't bring a criminal to justice, then what is the point of anything we are doing here?"

Mitsuko nodded his approval of the conversation and quietly cleaned his blade. "No, it's not that that bothers me. What bothers me is the public nature of this execution. We've had public executions before, no doubt. But they have not been very successful. Look at the execution of Gold Roger. If that had been done in private behind bars, we'd of never had the pirate era we see today."

"I think most public executions deter pirates, though. Nothing like seeing your captain stabbed and dying pitifully on a platform to make you think twice before setting your foot on a pirate ship," Menchi countered.

"This is true as well. I understand the reason of the public execution," Akane slowed. "But this isn't about the execution. This is about challenging that man. Oh, that man."

The barracks became silent. All who were awake had gathered around Akane. I was hanging on his every word as well. Akane was an elderly man, and had once been a part of Vice-Admiral Garp's crew. It was no small rumor that he had actually once fired a cannon that had hit Gold Roger's ship. Akane was also known for having once been on a ship that had been in a fire fight with the Whitebeard pirates.

Akane leaned his head back and shook it slowly. "That man is the kind of man you don't need pointed out to you. The minute you see him your learn who you truly are. Your body freezes. If his eyes meets with yours, for even a second, you'll pass out. Just being near him causes you to tremble with an uncontrollable fear. Imagine seeing a mighty Sea King. Then imagine that Sea King spots you. It locks on you. It swims towards you and it opens wide. It's razor teeth are upon you. That moment before it closes it's mouth around you? That is the fear you feel being within a mile of Whitebeard. A god among men. He doesn't even see lowly people like us. His boat, a huge boat, the Moby Dick sailed past us. Whitebeard sat in his chair swallowing beer. I thought we were dead for sure. But his ship continued sailing. His eye looked at us for a second. And you could feel how little of a threat to him we were. Our entire ship might as well of just been a tree for him to walk past."

Akane stopped talking. Uneasiness swept the group. A pit formed in my stomach as I tried to picture fighting such a man. Or anyone wanting to fight such a man. "But don't forget that Whitebeard has gotten pretty old. He can't be much younger than you at this point," I said tensely. A few laughed and many smiled at the relieved tension in the air.

"I'm going to step out for a bit," I announced and walked out the door. I didn't want to show it to the group, but that had given me a good shake up. Besides, I had a friend to check up on. I walked across the court yard to the communication tower. A smile and nod let me in and I took the stairs up to the floor I wanted. Important Den-Den Mushi calls were being taken and I had to wait. Many were calling their family to let them know all was well. I was only twenty three, and had been in the navy since I joined at an early age. I had already become an Officer and was allowed to wear the Ensign. Still, my field was specialized in artillery, so I wasn't exactly likely to climb much higher. But I did my best and proudly wore the symbol of justice on my back.

I dialed the number and waited as the Den-Den Mushi searched. A very close friend of mine from our early days had been stationed outside Marineford on a patrol ship. He and I had been discussing the events and I wanted to check up on him.

"Number not found," the snail said. I awoke from my thoughts and stepped back in shock. I quickly checked and dialed the number again. The Den-Den Mushi searched and I urged it to hurry. "Number not found," the snail repeated.

I waved over a technician and asked them what it meant. I knew what it meant, but I couldn't accept it. "That either means the Den-Den Mushi's been destroyed or the number doesn't exist," the technician replied kindly.

I let the words sink in. A Den-Den Mushi wouldn't carelessly be destroyed. The only probable reason for this was that my friend's ship had sunk. "Who were you calling?" the technician asked me slowly. "Are you sure it's the right number?"

"Yes, I've dialed it many times. A friend of mine out on the patrol ships," I said quietly. The man put his hand on my shoulder.

"We haven't had any communications with the patrol ships in hours. They've just vanished. We believe Whitebeard is the cause," the technician smiled at me. "But hey, that doesn't mean there aren't survivors. You're friend might of made it out."

The technician moved along to help another person that had called him over. I felt weak in the knees as I stepped away from the call room. I had known Saburo for years. He was now gone. The first silent casualty in this war.

I went back to the barracks and pulled out a drink. Most of the men were silently waiting. None wanted the time to arrive when the battle began, but none wanted to wait any longer either. I checked my watch and noted the time. "6 AM," I thought. "No good. At this rate we're all going to go crazy."

A loud snore from the other side of the barracks broke the silence. "For Christ's sake," a man yelled and threw a heavy object toward the source of the noise. "How can ya sleep at a time like this? With death knocking at your door?"

I smiled as I listened to the Shin yell at the sleeping man. A short middle aged man with a hot temper. He acted on his emotions and thoughts fearlessly. He often lead the charge to battle. Which proved problematic since he was also the closest the small group had to a doctor.

The man who had been hit by a pillow sat up and groaned. "Shut it, Shin. If I don't get my sleep how am I going to shoot Whitebeard?"

"You snore so loud I'm sure he already knows where you are, Takeshi," Shin snapped back. The squad laughed as they listened to the two bicker. Takeshi and Shin were constantly fighting. The two had polar opposite personalities.

"So you're going to shoot Whitebeard?" I asked Takeshi. Takeshi winked at me and gave me a thumbs up.

"You betcha. After he pleads for his life, of course. Then I'll shoot Portgas, and who knows. Maybe I'll turn my guns on the Shichibukai, too. What are you going to do cap'n?" Takeshi asked me.

"I always wanted to take a shot at that Diamond fellow. What's his name again?" I asked.

"'Diamond' Jozu," Mitsuko answered abruptly.

"Haha, that's my cap'n!" Takeshi said as he hopped out of his bed and patted me on the back. "This guy right here. This guy is not a scared of these pirates a bit. Not a bit."

I thanked him and smiled. "When's the food up, cap'n?" Takeshi asked me.

"I think the cafeteria's open right now. Just be back here soon, we have to go check the artillery!" I yelled to Takeshi as he ran out the door. "6:10 AM," I read off my watch. It was going to be a long day.

**Author's note: This is just an idea I had. I'll keep it up for a while. I love the Whitebeard war and just wanted to write all the action that took place down. It's such an amazing battle arc and one for the generations. I hope you liked it. Please let me know if you like it and should be continued! And have a wonderful day.**