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One Day Later
The day had finally arrived: the day of "Fire Fist" Ace's public execution.
A day destined to be etched into the annals of history.
Following the climactic clash between the Flying Admiral and Big Mom, yet another monumental war—one that hadn't been witnessed in years—was on the horizon.
No matter the outcome, today would unavoidably shape the balance of the world.
On the Sabaody Archipelago, massive mangrove trees reached skyward, their branches and leaves spreading wide. Countless bubbles floated through the air, reflecting the sunlight in shimmering, dreamlike colors.
The island's largest square was packed to the brim. At its center stood a massive video screen, erected by the Marines to broadcast the public execution.
A crowd of tens of thousands had gathered, eagerly waiting for the war to begin.
9:00 a.m.
Only three hours remained before Ace's execution. The square teemed with pirates, reporters, and civilians, their emotions a chaotic mix of anticipation, excitement, anxiety, and fear.
Suddenly, a faint sound broke through the chatter.
Plink!
The Den Den Mushi cameras stationed around the square opened their eyes, projecting beams of light into the air.
With a flicker of static, the massive three-sided screen came to life.
Zzzzt!
After a moment of snowy interference, the image cleared, and the crowd erupted.
"Look! The broadcast has started!"
"Finally! We've been waiting for this moment!"
Cheers rippled through the square as the scene from Marineford, the Marine Headquarters, appeared on the display.
Marineford
The sight on the screen left the crowd awestruck.
The square at Marineford was filled with row after row of Marine soldiers, a sea of uniforms so dense it seemed to stretch endlessly. This was not just any force—this was the elite of the Marines. Even the lowest-ranking soldiers here far outclassed the typical Marines stationed at branch bases.
The overwhelming display of strength, discipline, and unity sent a shiver down the spines of those watching.
The camera shifted, zooming in to reveal the massive formation in detail. The "human wall" of elite Marines numbered over 100,000 strong, forming an impenetrable line of defense.
Standing atop this wall, like a shield guarding the battlefield, were the summoned Seven Warlords of the Sea. Six of the Shichibukai had already taken their positions, their presence adding even more tension to the atmosphere.
The camera moved again, revealing the core of the Marine leadership.
Rear Admirals and Vice Admirals stood in formation, surrounding the platform where the execution would take place. At the forefront were the Admirals themselves:
Ryokugyu
Kizaru
Akainu
Aokiji
The presence of the four Admirals alone was enough to send shivers down the spines of pirates worldwide. These fearsome figures were the embodiment of Marine power, standing as symbols of the terrifying might on display for the public execution. Their presence stirred a mix of awe and fear among those watching.
But even beyond the Admirals, the sight of Marine hero Garp and Fleet Admiral Sengoku, standing tall atop the execution platform, sent an even stronger message.
For the first time, the Marines' full combat power—assembled under conscription—was unveiled to the entire world. The lineup spoke volumes about the importance they placed on this confrontation with the Whitebeard Pirates.
As the execution and impending war drew nearer, emotions ran wild. A chilling atmosphere descended over the island, gripping the hearts of everyone present.
Clink, clink.
The sound of heavy iron chains echoed sharply in the heavy silence.
At last, the focal point of it all appeared. Portgas D. Ace, bound and shackled, was dragged to the execution platform. Forced to kneel before the entire world, he bore the humiliation without resistance, his expression calm but resolute.
The sight of Ace, the infamous "Fire Fist," shackled and powerless, sent shockwaves through the crowd. Every Marine present, and every spectator around the world, understood that the gravity of this moment would soon erupt into chaos.
Before Whitebeard's arrival, Fleet Admiral Sengoku stepped forward, holding a Den Den Mushi to amplify his voice for the gathered crowd and the world watching through the broadcast.
"There is something of utmost importance I must announce to you," he began, his tone grave. "Today's public execution holds immense significance for the peace of the world."
His words commanded the attention of every Marine in Marineford, every pirate in the square, and every civilian glued to the broadcast.
Standing at the center of the world's focus, Sengoku's voice boomed:
"Ace! State your father's name!"
Ace, kneeling before the crowd, replied calmly, his eyes shut. "My father is Whitebeard."
"Wrong!" Sengoku retorted.
"There's nothing wrong! My father is Whitebeard!" Ace shouted, his voice rising in defiance, as if the question had pierced his inner defenses.
Ignoring Ace's protests, Sengoku pressed on.
"Your mother defied all expectations. She carried you for twenty months, delaying your birth to shield you from discovery. And so, the most dangerous bloodline in history was born."
The crowd held its breath as Sengoku delivered the hammer blow:
"Your father was never Whitebeard. Your father...was the Pirate King, Gold Roger!"
The square erupted.
The weight of Sengoku's declaration struck like a meteor, shattering the collective composure of the world. Gasps, cries, and screams filled the air as the truth rippled across the seas via the broadcast.
Sengoku's voice cut through the uproar:
"This execution is not just about defeating Whitebeard. It is about erasing the last trace of the Pirate King's bloodline and bringing an end to the so-called Great Pirate Era!"
The reaction was immediate and explosive. Across the world, viewers grappled with the earth-shattering revelation. Fear, awe, and disbelief consumed the crowd.
But for the Marines, Sengoku's speech had done its job. The revelation bolstered their morale, uniting them under the banner of "justice." Every Marine present felt the weight of their duty—this was a battle they must win.
Just as the tension reached its peak, a sudden, oppressive atmosphere rolled in from the waters outside Marineford.
The air grew heavy, thick with an unmistakable sense of danger.
The sea breeze turned fierce, whipping violently through the square. The Marine flags atop the towers flapped wildly, straining against their poles as if they might tear free.