Chapter  22 :Advent of the Whitebeard Pirates" 

"Is he really on this island?"

"Some people here have witnessed Roger's actions that were more fatherly than pirate-like."

"After imprisoning him, search for all the babies born within ten months and investigate all pregnant women. Kill anyone who seems suspicious!"

"Roger's era has come to an end. His bloodline must be eradicated!"

In an instant, the pregnant women and infants on the island faced a massacre, with countless innocent lives lost.

Witnessing this scene, those who had just proclaimed that Roger's wife and children should not be spared were dumbfounded.

They were ordinary people, unfamiliar with bloodshed and having never killed anyone. It was only because Roger had initiated a painful era that they had all suffered greatly.

However, when they saw the ruthlessness of the Marines, who were willing to wrongfully kill everyone and spare no one, an involuntary chill ran through their bones.

It was too brutal.

Even if Roger's wife and children were guilty, these innocent women and children were not. It was as if the lives of the innocent no longer mattered to them.

Furthermore, if today they could wrongly suspect and kill everyone because they suspected Roger's wife and children, they could do the same in the future, suspecting among them the presence of pirates.

The merciless actions of the Marines gradually transformed the respect and awe they had previously held for Garp into fear.

In comparison, they were more inclined to accept Garp's "compassion towards women." No one wanted to be considered one of the expendables.

Of course, criticisms of Garp were also heard, such as why he didn't reveal Roger's wife and children, which could have saved the innocent people on Bartierira Island from being wrongfully killed.

Some argued that sacrificing Roger's family could save the lives of many others.

However, no matter how divided and controversial their opinions were, one thing was certain: the noble and righteous image the Marines previously held in the hearts of civilians was starting to decline.

They suddenly realized that the justice the Marines upheld did not represent the kind of justice they had imagined.

At the same time, the expressions on the faces of the Marines were not pleasant either. Carrying out such acts of uprooting and harming the innocent behind the scenes was one thing, but putting it out in the open was another matter entirely.

Even though they understood that this sacrifice was necessary to eradicate Roger's bloodline, not all Marines were as ruthless as Akainu, who killed everyone to ensure no one escaped.

Hearing that the Marines had done such things in the past evoked feelings of pity, anger, and shame.

Sengoku's face grew darker as well. He had issued that order, and he didn't regret it. It was something that had to be done to maintain order in the world and prevent the likes of Roger from appearing again.

If there was any regret, it was that they hadn't captured Ace and his mother earlier, allowing Roger's bloodline to continue and causing the current situation.

However, regardless of the circumstances, this incident had damaged the image of the Marines, and they would have to find a way to make amends later.

The footage continued, showing Ace and his mother escaping the search, while Garp took Ace back to his hometown to take care of him.

The scene shifted back to Marine Headquarters, where Sengoku spoke loudly about Ace's extraordinary abilities and potential after he set sail, as well as the significance of publicly executing Ace.

"If I don't do anything about you... You will definitely reach the pinnacle of the Pirate Era and start exerting your power... That's why executing you here today holds significant meaning."

Sengoku spoke loudly to the entire Marine force, saying, "Even if we have to engage in a full-scale war with Whitebeard, we will spare no effort!"

Sengoku's words immediately received unanimous agreement from the entire Marine force, and cheers akin to a tsunami erupted throughout Marine Headquarters.

At that moment, a Marine reported to Sengoku, "Marshal Sengoku, the Gate of Justice has been opened without any indication, and we are unable to contact the power room..."

Upon hearing this, Sengoku's face turned grim. "What?!"

Suddenly, bubbles began to emerge on the surface of the sea in the semicircular harbor, followed by boiling water, and a massive shadow appeared on the water's surface.

The Whitebeard Pirates, with their enormous whale-like ship, along with several other pirate ships, emerged from the sea.

The entire Whitebeard Pirate crew made their grand entrance.

On the deck of the massive Moby Dick, Whitebeard, his chest covered in scars, revealed his upper body and exuded a tremendous aura as he shouted towards the execution platform opposite him:

"My beloved son... Are you okay?

Ace... Just hold on a little longer!"

After speaking, the air throughout Marine Headquarters filled with Whitebeard's laughter, rumbling like thunder.

Whitebeard planted his bisento, Murakumogiri, into the deck, leaned forward, and then clenched his fists, striking forcefully to both sides.

Although he didn't hit anything, everyone felt as if they witnessed the illusion of space shattering.

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