Hearing his identity exposed — that his biological father was Gol D. Roger, the news spread like wildfire.
Ace gritted his teeth, closed his eyes, and said nothing.
He knew everything Sengoku said was true!
This was irrefutable!
The elite among the 100,000 Marines below fell silent upon hearing the news.
They stared at Ace on the execution platform, shock and disbelief written all over their faces.
Sengoku continued speaking.
He recounted Ace's departure to sea, the formation of the Spade Pirates, his adventures, and the Marines' awareness and response.
Throughout the speech, Ace remained silent, refusing to refute anything.
Until Sengoku said...
"Whitebeard trained you to be the next Pirate King!"
"Letting the son of his former rival board his ship!"
As soon as these words were spoken, Ace's heart was stirred.
He growled and retorted fiercely,
"Wrong!"
"I boarded that ship to make my father the Pirate King!"
However, Sengoku ruthlessly cut him off.
"Only you think that way!"
"But the truth is, we can't touch you because you are protected by Whitebeard."
"If you ignore it, you will definitely rise as the next generation's top pirate!"
"So executing you here today makes perfect sense!"
"Even if it means a full-scale war with Whitebeard!"
Sengoku's words echoed loudly.
The 100,000 Marine elites understood immediately the true meaning behind this public execution.
They were not just executing Ace.
They were executing a symbol of the end of the pirate era!
At that moment, the Marines drew their weapons with a thunderous roar.
A tsunami of cries erupted.
"Drink!!"
The deafening shouts echoed through Marineford.
The soldiers' morale soared to its peak.
Their fighting spirit was overwhelming!
But then—
An officer rushed to the execution platform, sweating heavily, shouting to Sengoku.
"Marshal Sengoku!"
"The Gate of Justice opened automatically without orders!"
"I can't contact the power room!"
Sengoku's expression darkened immediately.
"What did you say?!"
The Gate of Justice opening without command was a dangerous sign.
It very likely meant the Whitebeard Pirates had arrived!
Because such a critical location as Marine Headquarters can only be reached by passing through the Gate of Justice and riding the correct current.
Marineford fell into sudden silence.
Even the wind stopped.
Fog rolled over the sea.
"So quiet..."
"So unnatural!"
Standing before the 100,000 Marines, the Seven Warlords of the Sea spoke in low, tense voices.
The sailors on lookout strained their eyes toward the sea.
Suddenly, pirate ships with skeleton flags appeared, emerging from the fog one after another.
The Marines on watch were shocked.
"They're coming!!"
A siren screamed through Marineford.
All artillery and turrets aimed at the approaching fleet.
"Everyone! Prepare for battle!"
Sengoku showed a surprised look.
"A sudden appearance..."
"Where did they come from?!"
As the pirate ships sailed out of the fog, they became clearly visible.
"A large fleet of pirate ships!"
"Locate Whitebeard!"
"Dorma the Ranger!"
"Lei Qing Maku Gay!"
"Brothers Decalban!"
"Guard the Vortex Spider!"
"Each is a first-class captain known throughout the New World!"
"A total of 43 ships!"
"No sign of Whitebeard or his commanders!"
"But no doubt these pirates are under Whitebeard's command!"
The Marines quickly reported the news from the formation.
Above the sea, the pirate fleet's captains were all grinning.
"Can you see little Ace?"
"Ace!!!"
"We're here to save you!!"
"Ace!!!"
At that moment, a tsunami of shouts erupted from the 43 pirate ships.
The intensity rivaled that of the Marines before.
Some sailors panicked at the overwhelming sight of the fleet.
A sharp reprimand came from the crane standing under the execution platform.
"What's there to panic about?"
"It's worthless!"
Compared with the Marines, the Seven Warlords' demeanor was calm and confident.
Donquixote Doflamingo laughed loudly.
"Hahaha! This is really exciting!"
"Come on! Whitebeard!!"
As if answering Doflamingo's call,
A huge bubble suddenly surfaced in Marineford's inner bay.
"Boom!!"
Ripples spread across the inner bay's sea surface.
"A shadow detected at the bay's bottom!" a sailor shouted.
Under the execution platform, Sengoku clenched his teeth.
"Is the formation wrong?"
Sengoku regained his composure.
"Could it be!!"
"All their ships came up from the seabed after being coated?!"
At that moment, with a loud "Boom!"
A massive wave surged across the inner bay's surface.
"Boom rumble!!!"
An enormous ship with a light blue whale figurehead on its bow emerged steeply from the seabed.
"Boom rumble!!!"
All Marines were shocked at the sight of the whale-headed vessel.
"The Moby Dick is here!!!"
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