"Pops, let's go find Caelan. He used to be a bounty hunter. As long as we pay him, he will definitely take action!"
Marco sensed a glimmer of hope and spoke excitedly.
This man is a monster that even two admirals and Garp could not defeat. If he was willing to step in, there was still hope of rescuing Ace in Marineford.
As a former bounty hunter, Caelan might agree to their request.
"Dad, it's really worth trying!"
Vista and Jozu also thought it was feasible and suggested it.
Not only Caelan, they could also ask Red-Haired Shanks for help. Shanks was practically Roger's adopted son. With that connection, as long as they asked, Shanks would definitely not refuse.
There were also the former members of Roger's pirate crew, who could also be rallied.
Even Kaido, if provoked, might go to Marineford to cause chaos.
"Call the God Slayer, Red Hair, and Kaido together. With the four Yonko storming Navy Headquarters, there will definitely be hope!"
The other division commanders spoke up, their eyes sparkling with excitement.
With such a lineup, they could stand toe-to-toe against the World Government.
However, after hearing everyone's words, Whitebeard suddenly stood up and forcefully tore out the needles from his arms.
"Pops!"
Marco exclaimed, looking at him in alarm.
"Has it come to the point where we have to beg others for help? That would be disgraceful!"
"Now is not the time for a decisive battle. There is no need to drag them into this mire."
Whitebeard looked at his sons and sighed.
He truly felt the passing of the old era, that he could no longer find his footing in this new age.
But even though he was old, he would never beg others for help.
"Pops, that's not what we meant! We just…"
Marco and the others hurriedly tried to explain.
"No need to say more." Whitebeard interrupted, suddenly releasing his overwhelming Conqueror's Haki as he roared, "I am the strongest man in the world, and my son does not need anyone else to save him!"
At that moment, Whitebeard seemed to have regained his youth, once again becoming the invincible pirate who stood unrivaled.
"Pops!"
Feeling his powerful Haki, Marco and the others felt their blood boil.
At this moment, their father seemed to be the strongest and most fearless man in the world, making them willing to follow him to the death.
"Marco, the only ones I worry about when going to Marineford are all of you."
Whitebeard frowned, looking at his hundreds of sons.
He couldn't imagine how they could survive if they followed him to Navy Headquarters.
Even if they didn't follow him, the navy would definitely come to wipe them out later.
"Pops, if you are going into battle, why should we, your sons, fear death?"
"Ace is our brother. We are willing to die to save him!"
"At worst, we'll fight them head-on!"
"That's right!"
Many division commanders shouted in unison, ready to die without hesitation.
"Very well. Then let's fight. If they dare to touch one of our own, we will never let them succeed, even if it costs our lives!"
Seeing Marco and the others' determination, Whitebeard no longer hesitated. His pirate spirit was completely ignited.
He then looked at the blonde nurse beside him and said, "The medical team is no longer needed on this ship. Prepare to leave."
"This…"
The blonde head nurse was caught off guard.
"Pops, you can't! What will happen to your health without the medical team?"
Marco rushed to stop him anxiously.
Whitebeard's condition had already deteriorated to the point where he was barely alive. Without treatment, one month was the most he had left.
"No need for that. Rather than clinging to an IV drip, struggling to survive, it is better to burn gloriously in the final blaze."
"This ship only carries men heading into the sea of duels. Women should not block my way!"
Whitebeard lifted a wine barrel and drank from it in a heroic manner.
"Is that so? Pops, I understand!"
Marco understood what Whitebeard meant.
This time they were heading toward certain death, there was no reason to let the nurses die with them.
And since they had already resolved to die, there was no need for treatment.
The Moby Dick sailed into calmer waters, dropping off the medical team. Only those prepared to fight remained aboard.
"Gurarara! Let's have a feast, and then set sail for Marineford!"
Whitebeard swung his massive naginata and laughed boldly.
"Let's feast and drink our fill!"
Marco and Jozu raised their barrels and drank heartily.
As the wine flowed, the Moby Dick sailed toward Marineford.
…
On the other side.
"Is the captain's son really going to be executed? But now is not the time for a decisive battle."
Shanks spoke in a troubled tone.
Roger had raised him, treating him as both a teacher and a father.
He had also met Ace, and had high hopes for him, believing him to be a son who would not disappoint Roger.
Now that Ace was in danger, he had no choice but to go.
"Go if you want to, Shanks. Just follow your heart."
Beckman exhaled a puff of smoke and spoke calmly.
It was just a battle with the navy. There was nothing to fear.
"You're right. If I'm going to go, then I should at least do something."
Shanks sighed.
This sudden incident had disrupted his plans, but this time he had to act.
"Two weeks later, at Navy Headquarters?"
"It's time to make a big move!"
Lucky Roux, Yasopp, and the others became excited.
"Prepare a banquet!"
Shanks raised his right arm and shouted heroically.
"Hey, isn't it inappropriate to hold a banquet now?"
Beckman blew out a smoke ring, speechless.
"Haha, a good meal and some wine before battle is the best preparation!"
Shanks rubbed his head and said casually.
…
Two days later, while others were busy preparing for Ace's execution.
In Dressrosa, Caelan welcomed back the girls returning from Sky Island.
"Caelan, Caelan, guess what treasure we brought back?"
Nami threw herself into his arms and asked mysteriously.
"Uh, gold worth three billion Berries?"
Caelan answered casually when he saw the ship packed with jewels.
"Gold is no surprise at all."
Robin smiled.
"A few hundred Shandia warriors then?"
Caelan glanced at the two large ships following behind, filled with hundreds of strong warriors looking heroic and confident.
"Not really. That was a task you gave me. How could it be considered a surprise?"
Nojiko said with a soft laugh.
"Could it be, Raki and Conis?"
Caelan looked at the two women and spoke uncertainly.
Laki was a beautiful warrior of the Shandia tribe, and Conis was a lovely woman from Sky Island who had once guided him there.
If these two were the surprise, then Nami, Robin, and the others had really gone all out.
A beauty wrapped with a ribbon was indeed a surprise.
Hearing this, Conis and Raki blushed, feeling shy. Although they had such thoughts, they were not gifts to be given away.
"No way, how can you treat someone as a surprise?!"
Nami shoved Caelan and said unhappily.
Olvia, standing to the side, couldn't bear to let the conversation go on. If it continued, someone might say something shocking.
She pulled out a gift box and opened it in front of Caelan. "This is the surprise."
Inside the box was a golden fruit, covered in spiked protrusions that looked like lightning.
(To be continued.)
◇◇◇
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 200 Power Stones.
◇ You can read the ahead chapter on Pat if you're interested: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves (Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)