At the Sabaody Archipelago, a tense atmosphere filled the air. Reporters and photographers from all over the world, along with a massive crowd of pirates and civilians, were gathered in front of giant screens, waiting for the battle of the century to begin.
At Marineford, thousands of Marine elites were already in position, their "Justice" capes flapping in the wind. The Warlords of the Sea were arranged at the front of the harbor, but the lineup was far shabbier than in the original story. Only "Hawkeye" Dracule Mihawk, "Heavenly Yaksha" Donquixote Doflamingo, "Empress" Boa Hancock, and "The Tyrant" Bartholomew Kuma were present. Both Adrian and Blackbeard were absent, and Gecko Moria had been killed by Adrian long ago. If Dr. Vegapunk hadn't completed Kuma's cyborg transformation, only three of the Warlords would have been in attendance, making Marine a complete laughingstock.
Still, the presence of the three Marine Admirals sitting below the execution platform was a powerful deterrent. Their imposing aura was felt even through the screens, creating an immense pressure on the onlookers. Although the war hadn't officially started, the air was thick with the smell of gunpowder. The oppressive atmosphere was almost suffocating. Everyone was guessing the outcome of this war. If Marine won, the great pirate era would be stifled. But if the Whitebeard Pirates won, violence and terror would completely consume every country and its civilians. The world's balance would completely collapse.
"Look, someone's coming out!" someone shouted, and everyone's eyes fixed on the screen. Ace, Luffy, and Sabo, their hands and feet shackled with Seastone, were led onto the execution platform. Then, Fleet Admiral "The Buddha" Sengoku stepped up. Before the execution, he would reveal the true identities of the three brothers.
"Damn you, Adrian! From this day forward, you and I are enemies!" Dragon's eyes filled with rage as he watched the miserable state of Luffy and Sabo on the screen. He now knew he had been tricked. Not only had he failed to rescue Luffy, but he had also needlessly handed over Belo Betty, a crucial core member of the Revolutionary Army, to Adrian. And worse, he could feel the hearts and minds of his followers slowly slipping away. Right now, Dragon's heart was filled with a burning hatred for that bastard. He wished he could tear him to pieces.
"Dragon, what now? Should we contact Whitebeard?" Ivankov asked helplessly. They had lost many of their people outside the Gates of Justice. If Jinbe hadn't rescued them with the whales at the last moment, Ivankov would have been at the bottom of the ocean. They couldn't give up on rescuing Luffy and Sabo. A temporary alliance with the Whitebeard Pirates had become their best option.
"That's right, Mr. Dragon! Dad will definitely come to save Brother Ace! Let's join forces with him," Jinbe said, his eyes filled with hope. Although he wasn't a member of the Whitebeard Pirates, he always referred to Whitebeard as "Dad," showing his loyalty. In his opinion, the Revolutionary Army and the Whitebeard Pirates had the same goal. If the two powerful forces worked together, their chances of success would be doubled, and their losses would be minimized.
After a moment of silence, Dragon finally made a choice. "Jinbe, please contact Whitebeard."
Although Dragon had tried to avoid it, Adrian had successfully pulled him into the war between Marine and the Whitebeard Pirates. The Revolutionary Army's reputation would undoubtedly suffer.
At the same time, Sengoku's booming voice spread throughout the Sabaody Archipelago through the video Den Den Mushi.
"Before the official execution, there are a few things that need to be explained to everyone... it's related to the great significance of the execution of this man, Portgas D. Ace, today."
As soon as Sengoku spoke, all the Marine soldiers at Marineford and the onlookers at Sabaody held their breath, waiting for his next words.
"Fire Fist Ace, who is your biological father?" Sengoku asked blankly.
"My daddy is Whitebeard!" As if sensing something, Ace's pained face showed a hint of stubbornness. He roared in defiance.
"Haha, really?!" Sengoku sneered and delivered the correct answer that would shock the world. "There is an island in the South Blue called 'Baterilla,' where your mother, Portgas D. Rouge, gave birth to you. Although we searched the entire island, that woman managed to escape... no, she deceived the eyes of the entire world. What that woman did was far beyond our imagination. Her powerful desire to protect her child made her hold you in her womb for 20 months. Finally, one year and three months after your biological father's death, a child who inherited the world's most evil blood was born."
"That's right! Your father... is the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger!"
Like a massive bomb, Sengoku's words silenced the entire world. Marines, Warlords, and civilians were all stunned. The captain of the Whitebeard Pirates' Second Division was Roger's son?! The blood of the Pirate King was still alive! The thought of the man who had ushered in the great pirate era made everyone feel a jolt of excitement.
"So, taking your head here today and completely severing the sinful blood flowing through your body is the greatest significance of this execution! Even if it leads to an all-out war with the Whitebeard Pirates, we Marines will not hesitate!"
Sengoku's passionate speech stirred the Marine soldiers.
"For justice!" They raised their weapons in unison, their shouts shaking the sky.
"Oh, oh, oh... that man's son is alive? This is a great miracle," Donquixote Doflamingo said, a smirk on his face as he watched Sengoku. "But is it really okay for them to say that? After all, it's a slap in the face to the World Government and Marine."
The other Warlords weren't as interested in gossip. The Empress was thinking about Adrian; it didn't matter to her who Ace's real father was. In her opinion, all men except Adrian were trash. Kuma was a soulless cyborg. Only Hawkeye reacted, a flicker of surprise on his face when he heard Roger's name, but nothing more.
"Here they come! Everyone, prepare for battle!" Sengoku suddenly gave the order.
Everyone looked toward the misty waters outside Crescent Bay. Without anyone noticing, a massive pirate fleet had appeared in the hazy fog at the edge of their vision. The 43 captains of the Whitebeard Pirates were in the lead.
The Summit War had officially begun.