Chapter 422: The Plan Begins!
Marine Base G-1.
Undoubtedly, this base was the Navy's most important installation aside from Headquarters at Marineford.
To some degree, this base played the role of a second Navy Headquarters. Like Marineford, it served as a gateway protecting Mariejois.
This base's architectural scale rivaled even Marineford itself.
On this morning, the Navy stationed at this base had already assembled in the plaza. At the plaza's far end stood a steel platform.
An execution platform.
"Wah! We're finished!"
Below the platform, someone already cried out in despair.
Skull stared at that platform ahead. Though currently bound tightly by shackles, his body still trembled uncontrollably.
"Why would the Navy pay this much attention to small-time pirates like us?!"
Deuce also looked completely bewildered.
Everyone knew the Navy usually threw captured pirates into Impel Down, right?
At worst, they'd secretly execute them. Public executions were rare—maybe once a decade?
How did they merit such treatment from the World Government? Simply incomprehensible.
Ace's expression was grim. He felt he'd dragged his companions down.
As Deuce said, ordinary pirates would never face public execution. Pirates like them—without major atrocities—would at most get thrown in Impel Down.
This situation had developed entirely because of him.
Because of his special identity. Because he'd gotten involved with that Brett guy.
Not that he regretted associating with Brett. Just frustration—frustration at dragging his companions into this.
"Oh, about time, isn't it?"
Below the execution platform, a certain man sat leisurely in a chair. Still casually trimming his nails with clippers, not even lifting his eyelids. He said lazily, "Bring them up to the execution platform."
"Yes, Admiral Kizaru!"
The Spade Pirates members looked at the man in the yellow-striped suit with awe.
Admiral Kizaru! The Navy's top-tier combat power!
This base had always been personally guarded by a Navy Admiral.
Under Navy escort, the Spade Pirates climbed the execution platform, sitting in a row atop it.
Not that they didn't want to resist. The sturdy shackles simply left them no strength to fight back.
"Well—"
Below the platform, Kizaru finally finished trimming his nails. He curved each finger before his eyes, examining them carefully while muttering. "Will this strategy really work? Really—sometimes I do admire the Government's whimsical ideas."
Time passed minute by minute. The sun gradually rose higher. The air grew increasingly sweltering.
"Can anyone think of something?"
Skull's forehead dripped with sweat—whether from heat or urgency. "I don't want to die yet! Haven't even met so many amazing pirates on the seas!"
"Like anyone wants to die. Haven't collected all the material yet. Haven't even started writing the best novel."
Deuce also sighed helplessly.
But now no one could rescue them.
"Truly nerve-wracking."
Kizaru checked his watch. Already past eleven. Just tens of minutes remained before the scheduled execution.
Would that guy really come? Kizaru felt the odds were quite low.
Didn't matter anyway. Kizaru leisurely stretched his legs. Sunbathing all day like this seemed nice too.
Then the execution moment finally arrived. Noon—twelve o'clock. The sun overhead. Brilliant sunlight falling.
A row of Navy soldiers holding execution spears marched forward in neat formation. Under their captain's lead, they climbed the execution platform step by step.
"Wah! Is this starting?!"
Skull writhed like a caterpillar, wailing continuously. "At least let me finish thinking up last words!"
The executioners acted as if they hadn't heard. Each took position. Execution spears settled neatly on the ground.
"Then—execute them."
Kizaru yawned lazily. Looked like that guy really wouldn't come after all.
What a waste of effort.
The soldiers' execution spears had already risen high. The next instant they'd pierce through the criminals' bodies.
"Damn it!"
At life's end, Deuce cursed furiously. "Can't accept this!"
The story in his dreams still unfinished!
Dying like this—too regrettable.
Ace had already closed his eyes.
Looked like this really was the end.
Though so frustrating. Had just decided to face his life properly. Face that man properly.
But perhaps this was life—always disappointing.
Sorry, Luffy. Looks like I'm breaking my promise—
The spears were about to fall.
BOOM!!
The sky seemed to darken instantly. Because at the plaza's far end, the sea surface suddenly boiled. Countless seawater exploded and churned, floating upward as if defying gravity.
"Oh!"
A gale struck. Kizaru immediately stood.
This was no ordinary wind!
Above that boiling sea surface, black lightning shot skyward. G-1 Base's solid coastline trembled and cracked.
The Navy soldiers gathered in the plaza collapsed like cut wheat.
The sailors behind Ace's group—spears raised—naturally proved no exception. They fell one by one. Spears clattered and rolled aside.
"Eh?"
Ace opened his eyes in surprise. This sudden change caught him off-guard. "This is—Conqueror's Haki?"
"No way..."
Below the execution platform, Kizaru scratched his short hair. "He actually came?!"
His tone unconsciously grew grave.
"That's—"
Deuce's eyes widened. He saw that distant sea surface—a monster suddenly burst from the water.
Massive physique. Elongated body. Crimson scales. Dancing clouds.
"It's a dragon!!"
Skull shouted excitedly. "It's Brett-san!!"
Ace froze completely.
"Ah—"
The red dragon dancing in the sky lowered its head. "Well now—my friends have been in your care, Navy."
"Ohh~"
Kizaru flashed instantly to the execution platform. His Justice coat billowed in the wind. Hands thrust in his pockets. He quietly looked up at Brett dancing in the sky. "How scary~"
Almost simultaneously, inside G-1 Base, a call went out.
"Brett has appeared. Begin the operation!"
Thus, in the pitch-black seawater, shadows began extending their tendrils.
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