Chapter 81

Marineford, Marine Headquarters.

After finally ascending the staircase, Ace was confronted by another massive metal door, blocking his path.

Two guards detained him on either side of the door before they slowly pushed it open, producing a creaking sound.

As the heavy metal door swung open, a screeching noise filled Ace's ears.

The sight of sunlight, which he hadn't seen in a long time, caused his eyes to squint slightly.

Once his vision adjusted, Ace was greeted with a breathtaking view—the vast blue sea spread out before him, and the Marineford square was teeming with numerous elite Marines.

And there it was—the execution platform where he would face his fate head-on.

Before Ace could fully absorb the scene, the guards behind him impatiently tugged at the chains on his hands, ordering him to move forward.

With a deep breath, Ace collected himself and took slow, measured steps toward the execution platform.

On the square, the elite Marines couldn't help but express disbelief at Ace's youthful appearance.

"Is he... the second division commander of the Whitebeard Pirates, Fire Fist Ace?"

"This is the man who could potentially ignite a war between Marines and Whitebeard Pirates?"

"And simultaneously, the one who is now responsible for controlling the fate of the world?"

Indeed, it wasn't an exaggeration to say that Ace held the fate of the world in his hands, for behind him loomed the presence of one of the Four Emperors of the Sea—the mighty Whitebeard.

Meanwhile, as Ace was led onto the execution platform, the Fleet Admiral of the Marines, Sengoku, made his way there as well.

"Step aside for a moment," Sengoku whispered to the two execution guards.

He then turned to the Marine officers behind him and said, "Bring the Den Den Mushi."

An officer hurriedly brought the communication device, the Den Den Mushi, to Sengoku.

Holding it, Sengoku walked up to Ace's side.

He glanced down at the countless elite Marines assembled in the square, cleared his throat, and spoke in a resonant voice.

"Before we proceed with the execution of Fire Fist Ace, there's something I must convey—a message about the significance of Portgas D. Ace, the man, meeting his end here today."

Upon hearing Sengoku's words, Ace's eyes constricted, and an overwhelming sense of unease flooded his heart.

And below, the Marine elites gathered in the square gradually fell silent as they heard Sengoku's solemn words, anticipating his next announcement.

Once the square grew quiet, Sengoku moved the Den Den Mushi in his hand a little closer and spoke in a deep voice,

"Ace! Say your father's name!"

Hearing Sengoku's perplexing question, everyone present was momentarily stunned, feeling a bit bewildered.

"Isn't his father Whitebeard?"

"If I remember correctly, it should be?"

"But, Fleet Admiral, why would he suddenly ask such a question?"

The group of Marine elites murmured in hushed voices, their faces showing confusion.

Ace turned his head slightly at this moment and glanced at Sengoku beside him.

After a brief pause, he closed his eyes and replied with a deep voice, "My old man is, Whitebeard!"

However, just as he answered Sengoku's question, he was immediately contradicted loudly by the Fleet Admiral.

"Wrong!"

Upon realizing what Sengoku intended to achieve, Ace finally understood.

He didn't want this matter to be exposed, and he didn't want everyone to find out that Whitebeard wasn't his biological father.

Thus, Ace roared and retorted.

"There's nothing wrong with that!"

"Whitebeard is my father! No one else!"

Hearing Ace's firm tone, Sengoku chose not to continue arguing with him.

Slowly turning his head, he looked at the many Marines in the square and began to explain the whole incident.

From Roger's execution to rumors about him having a child with Portgas D. Rouge.

Ace, the son of the Pirate King Gold Roger - all of this was revealed to the public.

Marineford erupted in uproar, and the news spread throughout the world.

Faced with undeniable facts and evidence, Ace kneeled on the execution platform, lowering his head, and remaining silent.

But then Sengoku mentioned the reason why Whitebeard took him on board - to groom him as the next Pirate King.

Ace couldn't bear it any longer. It wasn't true!

"I joined that crew to make Pops, the Pirate King!" Ace vehemently refuted Sengoku's words, and his voice echoed throughout Marineford via the Den Den Mushi!

However, Sengoku merely gave Ace a cold look and calmly stated,

"That may be your belief, but the reality is that we couldn't just shoot you because you were under Whitebeard's protection."

Ace's eyes dilated slightly, his face displaying disbelief.

Yet, Sengoku showed no intention of stopping and continued to speak.

"If we had ignored you, you would undoubtedly demonstrate your potential and stand among the next generation of pirates fighting against us!"

"Thus, the execution taking place here today, your demise holds immense significance!"

With these words, Sengoku slowly turned his head to gaze upon Ace.

"For this reason, even if we have to engage in an all-out war with Whitebeard, we shall not hesitate!"

Sengoku's words were met with a resounding cheer from the Marines below.

The cries in Marineford echoed throughout the world, filling the air with fervor.

For a moment, the shouts in Marineford shook the sky.

All the Marines raised their weapons high, shouting and cheering with boundless enthusiasm.

In the peak of their morale, a Marine hurried up from beneath the execution platform.

Upon reaching Sengoku's side, the Marine saluted respectfully and reported loudly.

"Fleet Admiral Sengoku!"

"The Gate of Justice opened automatically without receiving any instructions! I can't contact the power room either!"

As soon as this news was delivered, Sengoku displayed a hint of surprise and asked back in disbelief.

"What did you say?!"

Marineford, which had been bustling just a moment ago, suddenly fell into silence.

Even the sea breeze seemed to stop at the moment.

Then, unexpected changes began to unfold.

A layer of mist surged on the previously calm sea.

Witnessing this scene, Sengoku's expression gradually turned serious.

It was precisely at this moment that enormous ships emerged from the mist.

Sengoku, who immediately became vigilant, shouted loudly.

"They are coming!!!" looking at the Fleet of Whitebeard Pirates.

Unbeknownst to Sengoku, someone else had already infiltrated Marineford through the Gate of Justice.

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