Two days later, the execution date for Ace arrived.
This also marked the start of the greatest battle since the dawn of the Great Pirate Era!
The two opposing forces were the Navy, leading a coalition of 100,000 elite World Government troops alongside the Seven Warlords of the Sea, and the Whitebeard Pirates, bolstered by their 43 allied pirate crews.
The entire world was abuzz with anticipation over the War at the Summit. After all, as one of the Four Emperors ruling the second half of the Grand Line, the Whitebeard Pirates carried a reputation and influence that most could only dream of. The mere mention of their name sent shivers down spines, though for many, their true strength remained a legend—something heard but never witnessed.
This time, with the execution of Portgas D. Ace, the world would finally see the might of an Emperor and their crew.
The World Government, brimming with confidence, took the unprecedented step of broadcasting the event live to countless locations worldwide, far surpassing the scale of the original plan.
At this moment, Navy Fleet Admiral Sengoku stood atop the towering execution platform, surveying the meticulous formation of his 340,000 troops below.
As previously noted, the war in the Sabaody Archipelago had prompted the World Government to deploy even more of its hidden forces for this battle. Beyond an array of formidable weapons and equipment, new elite fighters had joined the fray.
To the left and right of the seats reserved for the three admirals stood four unfamiliar figures. Among them was a blind old man leaning on a cane—Fujitora Issho! Another was a handsome man with curly black hair, clad in a green military uniform—Green Bull!
These two future admirals had made their debut ahead of schedule.
On the other side stood two men in sharp suits and sunglasses, unmistakably high-ranking officers from CP0, each boasting strength on par with an admiral.
Even among the vice admirals, unfamiliar faces appeared, each radiating an aura of exceptional power.
Additionally, the CP9 organization, which hadn't participated in this war originally, was now present in Marinford under the leadership of their commander, Spandam.
However, the Seven Warlords' lineup was less impressive. The Empress and Bartholomew Kuma were absent, Doflamingo had vanished, leaving only Jimbei, Hawkeye Mihawk, Crocodile, and—surprisingly—Gecko Moria, who had faked his death on the battlefield and escaped in the chaos. Just four remained.
Seeing their diminished ranks, Sengoku couldn't help but ponder how to fill the vacant Warlord positions after the war.
But that was a concern for later. For now, they had to win this battle.
His gaze swept across the vast ocean ahead, eerily calm.
Yet, he knew this was merely the calm before the storm. The quieter it was now, the fiercer the coming battle would be.
In truth, Sengoku's greatest worry wasn't the Whitebeard Pirates.
Though formidable, the World Government's forces were more than capable of handling them.
No, his real concern was the unpredictable wildcard—the Ninja Guild.
As the execution drew near and Ace was about to be brought to the platform, unease still gnawed at him.
He leaned toward a nearby aide and muttered, "Have someone confirm again—what are the Ninja Guild members up to?"
The aide hurried off to gather intel and soon returned. "Report, Fleet Admiral! According to the Navy's surveillance teams worldwide, the Ninja Guild members are still scattered across various locations. No unusual activity has been detected."
"Are you certain? No signs they're heading to Marinford?" Sengoku pressed, his voice low.
"Absolutely, sir!" the aide replied promptly.
Sengoku let out a relieved breath.
As long as the Ninja Guild didn't interfere, he was confident this operation would go smoothly.
And with their members spread across the globe, even if they wanted to cause trouble, they likely wouldn't make it in time.
If the Navy acted swiftly, everything would be fine.
At that moment, Portgas D. Ace was escorted to the execution platform.
Sengoku glanced at him, took a deep breath, and steadied himself.
Holding a Den Den Mushi microphone, he addressed the live audience, both at Marinford and across the world, revealing Ace's origins.
Everyone—World Government elites and viewers worldwide—held their breath, listening intently.
"Today, we gather here to publicly execute Portgas D. Ace, an act of profound significance!" Sengoku's gaze fell on Ace, kneeling beside him, his expression cold. "Because this man is none other than the son of the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger!"
The words detonated like thunder, reverberating through the ears of everyone watching.
Even though the news had been hinted at in papers, hearing it confirmed by Sengoku himself left the world stunned.
Gol D. Roger!
The man who dominated an era and ushered in a new one.
A figure idolized by pirates, feared by civilians, and despised by the Navy.
Though long dead, his legacy continued to shape the world.
And now, the revelation that he had left behind a son shocked everyone.
Amid the gasps, Ace gritted his teeth, his face contorted with pain and anger.
To others, bearing the blood of the Pirate King might be an honor, but Ace despised it.
He hated the man who, in his eyes, had never fulfilled the role of a father and was responsible for his mother's death.
That man didn't deserve to be called his father.
The only father Ace acknowledged was Whitebeard.
"Shut up!" he roared. "I don't have a father like that! Whitebeard is my dad!"
At the same time, among the numerous Navy warships surrounding Marinford, a few figures emerged in the shadows of one vessel.
As they appeared, they caught Ace's defiant shout.
One man, sporting an odd mustache, raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Huh? Did I just hear someone call Whitebeard 'Dad'? Does that old guy have a kid now, Rayleigh?"
----------
T/N:
You'll also get 5 extra chapters just for being a free member!
Access 40 chapters in advance on my Patreon: [email protected]//allbluestories