The news that the World Government would publicly execute the bloodline of the Pirate King reached various newspapers.
The first person to know was Caelan in Dressrosa.
At this time, he, Gion, and Zephyr were standing at the port, ready to welcome the arrival of many marine officers.
In Caelan's hand was a copy of the latest issue of the World Economy News, still steaming.
[Two weeks later, the World Government will publicly execute the bloodline of the Pirate King, Portgas D. Ace, at Marineford.]
[The Five Elders, the highest officials of the World Government, will be present. Portgas D. Ace is doomed.]
[The Pirate King's bloodline is about to end. Will the Great Pirate Era never recover?]
"The Battle of Marineford is starting so soon?"
Caelan shook the newspaper, feeling a bit sentimental about how time had flown.
He could still clearly remember Luffy washing dishes at Baratie, yet in the blink of an eye, Ace was about to face execution.
"Garp will be sad now."
Gion sighed, and that was all.
She was friends with Garp, but had nothing to do with Ace, so there was no need for her to be sad for him.
However, would Caelan take part in the major event of executing the Pirate King's bloodline?
Gion asked curiously, "Caelan, are we going to join in?"
"Probably not."
Caelan sounded uncertain.
He had no particular dislike for Ace, nor any special affection.
If he watched the Battle of Marineford again, he would probably still be moved a little by the emotional drama between Ace and the others, but that was all.
Asking him to rush in and save someone, he was not that free.
As for the uncertainty, it was a question of whether anyone would add enough incentive.
"Oh."
Seeing that Caelan had no intention of going, Gion stopped caring about it.
Zephyr at the side was a little interested. "Do you think it is necessary to make such a big scene, with the Five Elders personally supervising?"
"Even if Whitebeard wants to rescue him, he does not deserve this kind of treatment."
For just Fire Fist Ace, Marine Headquarters was already foolproof, and adding the Five Elders seemed a bit too grand.
"I would not have noticed if you had not mentioned it. I do not know why they are coming out in force."
"If these people gather, let alone Whitebeard now, even Whitebeard in his prime would be a piece of cake."
Only then did Caelan notice that the Five Elders would also be present.
He did not know why those five old men would appear in person, but he was already silently mourning for Whitebeard.
The three admirals, who would not hold back under the supervision of the Five Elders, Sengoku, and the Five Elders who might also join the battle themselves.
This lineup was half of the World Government. (The remaining half was the God's Knights, Imu, and the Celestial Dragons' national treasures.)
If the Marineford of the original story was hard difficulty, the current Marineford was abyss difficulty.
Not to mention the ailing Whitebeard and the still-weak Luffy, even Whitebeard at his peak and Nika Luffy who defeated Kaido would not be able to clear the current Marineford instance.
He just did not know whether, in this desperate situation, Luffy would be killed in one blow, or if his fruit would awaken directly and become Nika.
Caelan decided to watch the video Den Den Mushi broadcast carefully.
Maybe he could collect their bodies afterward and summon Roger.
However, his thoughts were interrupted because the people they were waiting for had arrived.
A warship docked at the port. Yamakaji, who had met Caelan once before, was on the deck, and beside him were other marine officers.
"Welcome, everyone, to join the Neo Navy and move toward a bright future."
Caelan walked over with Zephyr and Gion, smiling.
"Greetings, Commander Caelan."
Yamakaji, Doberman, and the others were flattered and quickly returned the salute.
This was the famed God Slayer, and he had personally come out to greet them.
As the saying goes, when Duke Zhou pauses his meal to welcome a guest, the world finds harmony.
Many soldiers who had transferred from the Navy formed a good impression of Caelan and the Neo Navy at first sight.
And when they saw Zephyr with a restored right arm, walking strong and vigorous, they were even more shocked.
"Zephyr-sensei, your hand!"
"This is all thanks to Commander Caelan. I have recovered to my peak. I am still your sensei."
Everyone quickly grew closer through small talk and enjoyed the welcoming banquet prepared by Caelan.
After receiving support from many marine commanders, Caelan's power grew again.
…
New World, the Moby Dick.
On the ship, Marco, Vista, Jozu, and many other officers were not as cheerful as usual.
Everyone was silent, looking at Whitebeard, who was receiving an IV.
Just now, they had received the news.
The World Government would publicly execute Ace at Marineford in two weeks.
Whitebeard lay on a recliner, holding a newspaper, lost in thought.
The stubborn young man who challenged him a hundred times and was defeated a hundred times. The young man who called him Pops and shouted that he would push him to the Pirate King's throne.
Ace.
The son he most hoped for in the crew, the son who could inherit the banner of the pirate group.
Was he going to be sent to the execution platform now?
He had to save Ace. He had decided that the moment he received the news.
But what should he do about Marco and the others?
Marine Headquarters at Marineford, when he was young, he would have had the confidence to make an attempt.
But now, it was a lion's den.
Add the Five Elders on top of that, and those were definitely not weak opponents.
He was Whitebeard, the strongest man in the world.
But even facing such a lineup, he would not boast, "I am invincible."
There would be no chance of survival if they went like this.
He himself was willing to die, but his sons could not die.
Whitebeard looked at Marco and Jozu, finding it hard to make a decision.
"Pops, are we not going to save Ace?"
Marco finally could not help it and asked anxiously.
"Pops, Ace is our brother. We cannot just leave him."
Jozu, Vista, and the other division commanders shouted together.
"Of course we will save him, but I just have not figured out how. Marine Headquarters should not be your burial ground."
"The three admirals, Sengoku, Garp, the Five Elders, you cannot handle any of them."
"If Ace cannot be rescued by then, you will all die. Ace is my son, and so are you."
Whitebeard sighed.
He was already worried about how to protect his sons if they all followed him to Marine Headquarters.
If they could not, then they would have to kill them all.
That was not the result he wanted.
After hearing Whitebeard list their enemies, Marco and the other commanders felt powerless and could not think of a plan.
If there was any chance to rescue Ace, they would risk their lives.
But facing such a lineup, there was absolutely no hope.
They were still willing to fight with their lives, but with the outcome so bleak, they had to come up with a new solution.
For more than ten minutes, silence hung over the Moby Dick, and no one came up with any ideas.
Finally, Marco spoke hesitantly. "Pops, maybe we can go to Dressrosa and ask the God Slayer for help."
(To be continued.)
***
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