The piercing sunlight burned Ace's eyelids, agonizingly bright. It took a long moment before he could open his eyes and step into the blinding light. His first sight: a vast sea of white. On every droplet of water gleamed two glaring words—Justice!
Ace had steeled himself for death, but seeing 100,000 elite navy officers filling Marineford's harbor sent an overwhelming wave of panic through him. Towering figures encircled the only crescent-shaped wharf, packed tight like metal walls. Nestled on each layer of the harbor's defenses were countless artillery pieces, all targeting the wharf. Any pirate ship daring to enter would be shredded in an instant.
Ace's escorts dragged him—chained in unyielding Seastone restraints—to a newly built execution platform. Though Ace didn't fear death, he believed Whitebeard and Luffy would come for him. The navy had set a trap—kill him to draw out Whitebeard—and the guilt gnawed at him. If not for the Seastone shackles sapping his strength, he would have taken his own life to spare their lives.
Now he could only kneel weakly and await his fate.
A thunderous cheer erupted from the assembled navy elite. Akainu, Kizaru, and Aokiji—the three Admirals—appeared. Their arrival elevated every soldier's confidence.
"Justice will prevail!" someone shouted.
An instant later, 100,000 voices roared in unison. The sky cleared with their cry, the cloud cover dispersing like smoke. The roar broadcast live to the massive screen on Sabaody's Commemorative Island, stirring pirates, civilians, and reporters nationwide.
"Look at that momentum! The Navy is invincible—Justice Prevails!"
Families of navy personnel who'd evacuated Marineford joined the chorus in pride. The public who supported Ace or respected Whitebeard dared not speak out.
Amid the chant stepped Fleet Admiral Sengoku. He exuded calm determination as he approached Ace and raised his megaphone:
"This public execution is necessary because he bears the world's greatest evil lineage!"
"He is the son of the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger!"
The revelation stunned Marineford into silence. Viewers were equally incredulous.
"Fire Fist Ace is—Roger's son?!"
"The Pirate King's bloodline continues!"
"That monster left heirs?"
Newspapers sprinted across the seas, spreading the bombshell.
Sengoku paused, then declared:
"All descendants of Roger's evil blood must be extinguished! Even if it means war with Whitebeard, so be it!"
The navy's morale soared again. Their battle cry ripped through the air.
The sea went eerily still—no breeze, no sound. Experienced officers sensed something closing in. Kizaru twitched his ear; others gazed at Crescent Bay. A ripple appeared as if a stone fell in the water.
Enemy ships! Sengoku calmly folded his arms. His Observation Haki detected unusual movement beneath the waves.
(Sengoku) "They're striking from underwater—bypassing our sea defenses! Good thing we got tip-off."
He glanced at Spandam leaning against the prison stands:
(Sengoku) "Top CP's agent—your intelligence was invaluable."
Just then, the waters parted. A colossal ship shot into view—the Moby Dick. Hundreds of meters tall, it towered over everyone, freezing the naval officers in disbelief.
Clack, clack, clack—uthe bow struck the water rhythmically. Whitebeard ascended the prow platform toward the execution stage, gripping his massive bisento, standing like a mountain. He bellowed:
(Whitebeard) "Sengoku! After all these years, you're still as sly as ever!"
(Whitebeard) "Ace, my beloved son—your old man here to take you home!"
Once again, Sengoku adjusted his glasses with a wry smile:
(Sengoku) "Whitebeard—of course you walked right into my trap."
All nearby naval cannons were already loaded, locked and ready. But Whitebeard remained unflinching, arms folded in defiance. Behind him stood allied pirate captains and notorious Supernovas—a show of collective strength that brought tears to Ace's eyes.
(Ace, shouting) "Oyaji! I'm the one who got in this mess! Why didn't you leave me?! If you come now, everyone will die!"
Sengoku chuckled at Ace's cry, his expression hardened with control, as he knew any pirate motivation could fuel desperate battles and heavier losses.
Then—he slammed the megaphone down:
(Sengoku) "Fire!"
Hundreds of naval guns unleashed simultaneous volleys—smoke roared skyward, canons thundered with deafening force. Countless cannonballs rained down upon the Moby Dick in a brutal barrage.
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