The much-anticipated Marineford.
On the execution stand.
"Stand back a little bit."
Sengoku, holding a Transponder Snail connected to a loudspeaker, instructed the two executing Marines to step back, before he stepped forward to Ace's side.
Looking around at the Marines lined up neatly below, Sengoku's expression became serious, and the Marine justice cloak fluttered behind him.
"There is something I want to tell you in advance - Portgas D. Ace, about the significance of this man's death here."
The Marines were all engrossed, focusing intently on Sengoku, waiting for his next words.
On the Sabaody Archipelago, Morgans smelled big news and quickly pulled out his camera to record.
For a while, Sengoku became the center of everyone's attention.
Under the execution platform, Garp looked guilty and couldn't help lowering his head.
Tsuru comforted him, "It's not your fault, Garp."
"Hahahahaha, women at times like this are really gentle, Tsuru."
Garp laughed, hiding his emotions behind the laughter.
The smile on the corner of Ace's mouth paused slightly, "This moment... is still here!"
Traveling here through time, he thought that he would not be affected, but when it came to confronting the reality of his lineage, he suddenly felt an indescribable sensation within.
"Ace, state your father's name."
Sengoku's voice boomed, pressing Ace with words of authority.
At this moment, as if following the body's instinct or resisting what the original soul had refused to accept, Ace spoke slowly and firmly:
"My pops is Whitebeard."
The voice was so calm that no one could hear the restrained emotions within.
"Wrong!"
Sengoku snapped, dissatisfied with his response.
Without acknowledging Ace's words, Sengoku continued his declaration,
"At that time, our eyes were wide open, desperately searching for the child that man might have left behind somewhere in the world.
With the limited information provided by Cipher Pol, we conducted a meticulous investigation of newborns and soon-to-be-born children, as well as their mothers.
Exhaustive investigations, yet nothing was found."
"It's no wonder your birth was marked with your mother's name. It was a conspiracy of maternal determination! It deceived not only our eyes... but the eyes of the entire world."
"There is an island in the South Blue called Baterilla, and your mother's name is Portgas D. Rouge."
Hearing that name, Ace was suddenly startled.
The truths deeply embedded in his very being began to surface, as two intertwined souls felt the same emotions.
Sengoku's loud voice continued, echoing through the plaza,
"This woman's actions defied common sense. Driven by the belief that her child was her everything, she kept you in her womb for twenty months, and gave birth to you while exhausted, dying on the spot!"
In Ace's mind, the image of Rouge emerged.
Ace couldn't help clenching his fists, rational anger burning in his chest.
His mother was great.
But now you want to label her a sinner? Just because she was that man's wife? Because she was Ace's mother?
"One year and three months after the father's death, the child who inherited the world's most evil blood was born!"
Sengoku paused slightly, staring down at Ace, who clenched his teeth.
He paid no heed to Ace's impotent anger.
The existence of criminals about to be executed served to bolster the justice of the Marines!
"That is you!"
"Your father is—"
"king of the pirates, Gol D. Roger!"
Sengoku's commanding voice reverberated throughout the plaza, carried by the Transponder Snail, reaching even the Sabaody Archipelago.
Marineford fell into a deathly silence.
Aside from the few who knew the secret beforehand, every Marine present was stunned.
The Marines who had their backs turned to Ace now turned to face him, their eyes filled with shock and disbelief.
Ace—was the son of the King of the pirates, Gol D. Roger?!
Even the Shichibukai couldn't maintain their composure.
Hancock looked on with concern, "Isn't Ace Luffy's... big brother?"
"Hoo~~" Doflamingo exhaled, intrigued.
Moonlight Moriah shouted excitedly, "Did your own son survive? It's a miracle! Everyone connected to Roger should have been executed back then."
No one could have imagined that the great event from that era would still have consequences today.
On the Sabaody Archipelago, the reporters who received the news went into an uproar!
"What?!"
"Fire Fist Ace... is... the son of Gol D. Roger?!" a reporter stuttered, his face full of disbelief.
"This is big news!" Another reporter's forehead was covered in cold sweat, unsure if it was due to nerves or shock.
While he remained dazed, the reporters around him worked frantically.
"Contact the head office immediately! We're publishing an extra edition!"
Some reporters were so shocked that their notebooks slipped from their hands.
"He's still alive..."
"The blood of the Pirate King!!"