Marineford, execution platform.
Sengoku slowly ascended the high platform, his expression solemn, his gaze sharp.
Behind him, the Three Admirals sat on specially made chairs. Even though they only flashed across the screen for a moment, the oppressive presence of the Three Admirals from Marineford instantly intensified, causing countless pirate minions to feel a sudden suffocation.
Sengoku stood before the camera, his gaze sweeping over the dense rows of Marine soldiers in the square, finally resting on the camera.
Then, he took a deep breath and slowly began, "People of the entire world."
"Today, Marineford will publicly execute a heinous pirate here—Portgas D. Ace!"
In front of the giant screens, everyone held their breath, because they all knew that what Fleet Admiral Sengoku was about to say next would definitely not be simple.
Sengoku paused, his voice suddenly rising, "Before the execution, I must announce a truth to the entire world!"
"Ace, he is not just the commander of the Whitebeard Pirates' Second Division!"
"His true identity—"
Sengoku abruptly turned and pointed at Ace, who was kneeling on the execution platform, "He is the biological son of the Pirate King Gol D. Roger!"
Boom—
These words were like a depth charge, instantly exploding across the entire world.
"What?!"
"Roger's son?!"
"How is that possible! Didn't Roger die more than twenty years ago?!"
"My goodness! The Pirate King actually has offspring!"
Reporters frantically pressed their shutters, flashlights lighting up the scene.
Sengoku's voice continued to echo.
"He should not have been born into this world!"
"But he lived!"
"And joined the Whitebeard Pirates, becoming a new generation of pirate!"
"Today, the Marine will execute the inheritor of this evil bloodline here!"
"Declaring to the entire world—"
"Evil bloodlines shall be severed by justice!"
As his words fell.
Sabaody Archipelago boiled over again.
This was absolutely monumental news that would go down in history!
Just then—
The camera in Marineford suddenly shifted.
In the frame, five figures slowly walked into the square.
Leading them was a man in a black trench coat, carrying a huge black blade on his back.
It was the world's greatest swordsman, Hawkeye Mihawk.
Following closely behind was the colossal figure, Gekko Moriah, covered in stitching marks.
"Hehehehehe!"
Moriah let out a piercing laugh, his cold gaze sweeping around.
The third to appear was Crocodile, smoking a cigar and wearing a black overcoat.
His face was grim, and dangerous light flickered in his eyes.
Fourth was Doflamingo, in a pink feather coat and sunglasses.
"Fuffuffuffuffu!"
Doflamingo let out his signature laugh, hands in his pockets, his stride arrogant.
The last one was the large-bodied, solemn-faced Jinbe of the Sea.
The five Shichibukai had gathered at Marineford!
The moment the Shichibukai members appeared on screen, the surrounding crowd erupted again.
"The Shichibukai! Five of them actually came!"
"The Three Admirals..."
"Five Shichibukai..."
"And 100,000 elite Marines..."
"Whitebeard... can he really win?"
Marineford, central square.
Doflamingo ignored the live broadcast camera and walked with an arrogant stride to Crocodile.
"Fuffuffuffu!"
"Crocodile, how about we team up?"
"This war is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."
Crocodile glanced at him, sneering, "Heavenly Yaksha, what trick are you up to now?"
"This war will exceed your imagination!" Doflamingo bared his teeth in a bloodthirsty smile, then said, "The Marine isn't just facing Whitebeard, you know~"
Doflamingo shrugged and turned to walk away, completely unconcerned.
On the execution platform.
Sengoku faced the camera again.
His voice was cold and firm, directly addressing Whitebeard: "Whitebeard! Whether you come or not!"
"The execution will be carried out in half an hour!"
Sengoku's words had just fallen.
The camera slowly zoomed out, revealing the full panorama of Marineford to everyone.
100,000 Marine soldiers stood ready.
The Three Admirals sat on the high platform.
Five Shichibukai were scattered throughout.
Marine Vice Admirals were fully armed.
This was a net capable of crushing any pirate crew!
Sabaody Archipelago.
Silence.
A deathly silence.
Everyone held their breath, staring intently at the screen.
After a while—
"Whitebeard... why hasn't he appeared yet?"
A reporter mumbled softly.
"Could it be... could it be that he doesn't dare to come?"
Another reporter speculated.
"Bullshit!"
A pirate suddenly stood up, roaring, "How could Old Man Whitebeard not come! He's the strongest man in the world! What if it's Marineford! Old Man will definitely come to save Ace!"
Though he said this, his voice carried a hint of an almost imperceptible tremor.
Because everyone had seen it—
Marineford's lineup was too terrifying.
Just then—
The crowd on the street in Area 13 suddenly stirred.
"Move aside! Move aside!"
"Everyone, get out of my way!"
Accompanied by terrified shouts, the crowd on the street ahead suddenly scattered to both sides like a tide.
Many citizens even prostrated themselves on the ground, trembling all over.
"Sa... Saint Ian!"
A young girl knelt on the ground, her voice trembling, yet with a hint of excitement. It was the same girl Ian had saved from Saint Charloss earlier.
As the girl's excited voice faded, a slender figure appeared in everyone's sight.
It was Ian, with a gentle smile and a calm, elegant demeanor.
Beside him, Hancock held his arm, her expression proud and aloof.
Behind them, several CP0 agents in white robes followed closely.
Ian ignored the scattered crowd and the prostrate citizens, walking directly towards the port.
The crowd spontaneously cleared a path.
Everyone lowered their heads, not daring to look directly at Ian.
But their eyes were filled with awe and fanaticism.
"It's Saint Ian!"
"He's going to Marineford!"
"My goodness! Even Saint Ian is going to take action personally?!"
"Whitebeard is doomed this time!"
Just then—
A reporter suddenly mustered his courage and rushed to Ian.
Holding a microphone, he trembled with excitement: "Saint Ian! I'm a reporter from Grand Line Real-time News Agency, may I interview you?!"
After speaking, he fell to his knees with a thud, clearly worried that his recklessness might bring about his demise. However, if he could get an exclusive scoop, he felt it would be worth it even if Saint Ian blamed him!
Ian stopped and looked back at the kneeling reporter, a gentle smile playing on his lips.
"Since you want to interview This Young Master, why do you kneel?"
His voice was gentle, without any of the arrogance or haughtiness of a Celestial Dragon.
"Stand up."
"This Young Master grants you the right to interview standing."
The reporter's body stiffened.
Then, he tremblingly stood up, the microphone in his hand almost falling to the ground.
"Thank you, Saint Ian!"
He took a deep breath, gathering all his courage to ask, "Regarding this execution, was it truly initiated by you?"
Ian nodded, his expression serious: "This world has been in turmoil for too long."
"Ever since Roger, with a single sentence before his death, ushered in the Great Pirate Era, thousands of pirates have flocked to the sea every day, burning, killing, looting, and committing all sorts of evil wherever they go."
"Therefore—"
"This Young Master has decided to use this public execution to clearly tell the entire world—"
"The Great Pirate Era!!"
"Will end in This Young Master's hands!"
As his words fell.
The entire street fell into a dead silence.
Everyone was stunned.
End... the Great Pirate Era?!
The next second—
"Long live Saint Ian!"
"Finally, someone is going to end this damned era!"
"We are saved!"
The citizens erupted in thunderous cheers.
Countless people knelt on the ground, bowing towards Ian.
Reporters frantically pressed their shutters.
Ian did not linger. After dropping these words, he walked towards the port with Hancock, amidst the fervent gazes of the citizens.
Behind him, CP0 agents followed closely.
The port.
A huge Marine battleship had been waiting for a long time.
On the deck, dozens of Marine soldiers stood at attention, their expressions tense as they welcomed Ian, the most powerful crown prince of the Holy Land.
Ian boarded the battleship.
The battleship slowly started, breaking through the waves towards Marineford.
On the shore, a middle-aged pirate watched the departing Marine battleship, a hint of worry flashing in his eyes as he murmured:
"This war, I'm afraid, will be more terrifying than anyone imagines!"
"Old Man Whitebeard!"
"Are you truly ready?"
—