"Huh?" Hearing this, the laziness instantly vanished from Ivan's face as he looked at Hina with some confusion. "Fighting according to Admiral specifications? How come I didn't know about this? No one mentioned it during the previous meeting."
Seeing Ivan still looking completely clueless, Hina grew even more annoyed. "How can you even say that! During yesterday's combat readiness meeting, you were spacing out the entire time, and Vice Admiral Tsuru saw it all. She was worried you'd mess things up today, so she specifically sent me to fetch you early this morning. If you end up missing the timing later, you can just wait for the military tribunal! Get up now and come with me!"
Understanding the seriousness of the matter, Ivan stopped delaying. He quickly nodded, got up, and dressed and washed up in a hurry. Moments later, properly prepared, he followed Hina toward the conference room.
Only after arriving at the conference room with Hina did Ivan finally understand what she meant by "fighting according to Admiral specifications." Fleet Admiral Sengoku, Vice Admiral Tsuru, and various Marine Vice Admirals were gathered around a table, holding the final combat readiness meeting. When Ivan entered, Sengoku merely gave him a cold glance without further reprimand, simply gesturing for him to take a seat.
During the meeting, Fleet Admiral Sengoku once again emphasized the importance of this execution and the operational plan for dealing with the Whitebeard Pirates, assigning combat tasks to each officer. It was only then that Ivan learned that, due to the Marines' strained manpower and his previous outstanding performance demonstrating strength comparable to an Admiral, the higher-ups had decided he would join the Three Admirals in guarding the core position beneath the execution platform to withstand the Whitebeard Pirates' frontal assault. This was the true meaning of "fighting according to Admiral specifications."
After the meeting concluded, Ivan made his way to the area below the execution platform. By now, the platform was already surrounded by layers of guards. Beneath it, four wide seats were arranged. As Ivan approached, he noticed that except for the empty seat on the far right, the other three were already occupied—by none other than the Three Marine Admirals: Akainu, Kizaru, and Aokiji.
The three sat there, each exuding a powerful aura. Their demeanors were distinctly different, yet equally awe-inspiring. Seeing Ivan arrive, Akainu snorted coldly without uttering a single word. Though he detested Ivan, he understood that this was the eve of a major battle; he absolutely could not act on personal grievances and affect the larger situation. Ivan, long accustomed to Akainu's attitude, simply ignored him and turned to Kizaru and Aokiji beside him, greeting them proactively. "Hey, Admiral Kizaru, Admiral Aokiji, you both arrived quite early."
Kizaru, dressed in a yellow suit and wearing sunglasses, had a somewhat lazy smile on his face. Hearing Ivan's greeting, he slowly turned his head and remarked, "I thought I was lazy enough, but I never expected you to be even lazier than me. Youth truly is something, daring to oversleep even at such a critical moment." Though his words were teasing, there was no malice in Kizaru's tone—more like an elder gently ribbing a junior. He had always been easygoing and held a degree of recognition for Ivan's strength.
Aokiji looked at Ivan beside him and said in a gentle tone:
"Good morning, Ivan.
You're not late at all. It's just that you've worked hard. You're only twenty years old and already shouldering responsibilities at the Admiral level."
Ivan put away his relaxed expression, his demeanor turning serious:
"For the sake of Justice, a little hardship doesn't matter.
As long as I can maintain peace on these seas and prevent more tragedies, I am willing to burn myself out and give my all."
These words held no trace of hypocrisy or perfunctoriness—each was sincere and heartfelt.
Upon hearing this, Aokiji felt an instant, powerful resonance within.
He had spent his entire life pursuing the Justice in his heart, yearning to protect the peace of the seas.
Ivan's words had struck a chord deep within him.
His gaze toward Ivan grew even more amiable, and in his heart, he felt increased appreciation and recognition for this young junior.
Meanwhile, Akainu, standing nearby, heard Ivan's words and a flicker of complexity passed through his eyes.
The reason he had admired Ivan before was precisely because of Ivan's purity and dedication to Justice.
That determination to protect Justice at all costs reminded him of his own younger self.
But later, he discovered that Ivan's Justice was not absolute.
To protect innocent civilians, Ivan would even delay missions and refuse to take action against civilians who interfered with tasks.
This deeply dissatisfied Akainu, who believed in Absolute Justice, and he gradually grew to dislike Ivan.
Hearing Ivan's words now, Akainu couldn't help but feel a twinge of regret:
What a pity about this young man. With such outstanding talent and formidable strength, if only his Justice were purer, he would undoubtedly become his most capable ally.
Ivan paid no attention to the change in Akainu's expression and walked directly to the empty seat, taking his place.
This seat was right beside Aokiji, specially prepared for him.
...
Time passed bit by bit. The morning's slight chill gradually faded, and the sunlight grew increasingly intense.
As time went on, finally, under the gaze of everyone, two figures escorted Ace, slowly walking up to the execution platform.
Ace's hands were tightly bound with Seastone chains. His once upright posture now seemed somewhat hunched.
When Ace was brought to the edge of the execution platform, his gaze inadvertently swept below, and his eyes suddenly froze.
He saw Ivan.
That guy who had once set out for the Grand Line alongside him was now seated in a position equal to the Three Admirals.
In that moment, countless emotions surged within Ace—shock, envy, resentment, and a deep sense of self-mockery.
They had once stood on the same starting line.
But now, Ivan had grown to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the Three Admirals.
And he? He had become a prisoner of the Marines, about to be publicly executed, and had brought immense trouble to everyone.
What a failure...
A flicker of desolation passed through Ace's eyes.
Just then, Fleet Admiral Sengoku slowly ascended the execution platform. Picking up the broadcast Den Den Mushi, he cleared his throat and spoke solemnly:
"Before the execution begins, I have an important matter to announce to the entire world!"
He paused, then looked at Ace:
"Portgas D. Ace—the significance of this man's execution today is far greater than any of you can imagine."
After saying this, he fixed his gaze intently on Ace and demanded sharply:
"Ace, tell us your father's name."
Ace suddenly raised his head, a flicker of anger flashing in his eyes as he roared loudly:
"My father is Whitebeard!"
In his heart, Whitebeard was his only father—the one who had given him warmth and a home.
As for that so-called "biological father," he had never acknowledged him, nor had he ever intended to.
"Wrong!" Sengoku sharply cut him off.
"Do you think you can deceive anyone? Do you think you can keep this secret hidden forever?"
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