Sabaody Archipelago, Island 13. The Rip-off Bar. Rayleigh sat at the bar, pouring wine from a bottle into a flask. He glanced over his shoulder and called out, "Shakky, I'm heading to the plaza on Island 10 to catch the live broadcast of the Marineford execution. You coming?"
Shakky stood behind the bar, a cigarette dangling from her lips. She wiped a wine glass with practiced ease, her tone casual. "I've got a big cleanup planned for the bar this afternoon. You go ahead—just fill me in when you get back." The creak of the bar door interrupted her.
Both turned to see a figure step inside—a man with fiery red hair, draped in a black cloak, his left arm conspicuously missing. Rayleigh's face lit up with a grin. "Well, this is a rare guest. Shanks!"
Red-Haired Shanks sauntered over and took a seat at the bar. He flashed a warm smile at Shakky. "Mind pouring me a bottle of red wine?"
"Of course," she replied with a nod, pulling a bottle from the cabinet with effortless grace. She uncorked it and handed it to him, her curiosity piqued. "What brings you to Sabaody? Last I heard, you weren't planning to get involved in this war."
"You're right," Shanks admitted, taking a swig from the bottle. "I didn't want to participate, but I couldn't miss witnessing something like this." He reached into his pocket and pulled out a projection den den mushi, pressing it twice. A screen flickered to life on the bar wall, displaying multiple frames of the Marineford execution already underway.
Rayleigh chuckled, raising his flask for a sip. "Well, you've saved me the trouble of fighting the crowds. Cheers."
Marine Headquarters, Marineford. The midday sun bathed the plaza in golden light, the sea breeze gentle, white clouds drifting lazily across the sky.
"Kneel!" The command rang out twice, sharp and unyielding.
Ace, his hands bound behind him with sea stone shackles, was forced to his knees on the high platform. His gaze swept over Oris Plaza below, where 100,000 Marine soldiers stood in perfect formation, their faces grim with resolve. Then, using the height of the execution platform, he looked out toward the distant, fog-shrouded sea.
Whitebeard, everyone… please don't come. A scumbag like me isn't worth it. The plea echoed silently in his heart.
Before long, Garp, Sengoku, Kong, and Zephyr emerged from the Navy Headquarters Building, striding purposefully toward the execution platform. Sengoku, clad in his white cloak of justice, ascended the steps with steady precision, taking his place beside Ace. "Bring the den den mushi!" he ordered.
An executioner hurried forward, handing him the amplified device. Sengoku cleared his throat, his voice carrying across the plaza. "First, I have an announcement for all soldiers present. The death of Portgas D. Ace today holds immense significance." He turned to Ace, his tone sharp. "Ace, state your father's name."
Ace glanced at Sengoku, his expression blank. "My father is Whitebeard Newgate."
Sengoku's voice boomed, cutting through the air like a blade. "No! Your real father isn't him. The surname Portgas belongs to your mother, Portgas D. Rouge. Your true name is Gol D. Ace, and your biological father is the Pirate King—Gol D. Roger! Ace, you carry the most evil bloodline in this world."
The revelation rippled through the crowd like a shockwave. The 100,000 Marines, and countless others watching the broadcast worldwide, stared in stunned silence. The Pirate King had an heir?
Back at the Rip-off Bar, Shanks slammed his bottle down on the counter. "Damn."
The projection of Fleet Admiral Sengoku revealed Ace's true parentage—Pirate King Roger himself. At those words, Red-Haired Shanks crushed the wine bottle in his hand, his eyes widening with shock and disbelief. "Captain Roger... has a son?" he murmured, his voice barely audible.
He turned sharply to Rayleigh, Roger's former right-hand man, expecting answers. Rayleigh raised his hands defensively, a wry smile tugging at his lips. "Don't look at me like that! I'm just as surprised as you are. But if Sengoku's announcing it to the world, it's probably true."
Shanks' expression darkened. "I need to get to Marineford," he said, his voice low and resolute. Having grown up under Roger's care, he couldn't stand by while the Marines executed Roger's son. But Rayleigh shook his head, his tone pragmatic.
"Marineford's forty to fifty kilometers from Sabaody Archipelago Island 13, and it's not on any of the seven routes. Without a permanent log pose, you'd never find it. Even if you left now, it'd take one or two hours just to get there. It's already too late."
Shanks wiped the wine from his hand and stood, his determination unwavering. "I've got a permanent log pose for Marineford, and my ship's equipped with Breath Dials for propulsion. It's twice as fast as any ordinary vessel." He locked eyes with Rayleigh. "Will you come with me to save Ace?"
Rayleigh sighed heavily, standing as well. "You've put it that way—how can I refuse?" His tone was resigned, though privately he had no desire to risk his life for this. He'd been close to Roger, not Ace, and the distance alone made the mission seem futile. Why risk everything for a young pirate he barely knew? Retirement was comfortable—drinking, gambling, living without worry. But with Shanks asking, he couldn't exactly say no. Besides, with the Red Hair Pirates involved, their chances of success were significantly higher.
Turning to Shakky behind the bar, Rayleigh flashed her a smile. "I'll be stepping out for a bit." She nodded calmly, wiping up the spilled wine and shattered glass. "Take care," she said, her voice as steady as ever.
The moment they left the Rip-off Bar, Shanks and Rayleigh moved like arrows, their low-flying forms cutting through the air with a sharp whoosh as they raced toward the coast of Island 13. Soon, they spotted the Red Force docked by the shore. Without hesitation, they leaped onto the deck, where Benn Beckman, Yasopp, and the rest of the crew were waiting.
"Boss, you're back already?" Yasopp called out, surprised. "Thought you were out drinking!" Benn added, raising an eyebrow at the sudden return. "And Mr. Rayleigh's here too?"
Shanks didn't waste time explaining. "Brothers," he announced, his voice commanding, "set course for Marine Headquarters Marineford. Full speed ahead!"
The crew snapped to attention, their casual demeanor vanishing instantly. "Understood!" they responded in unison, springing into action with practiced efficiency. The Red Force roared to life, its Breath Dials propelling it forward as they raced toward the impending battle.
Soon, the Red Force raised its anchor, lowered its sails, and activated the Breath Dials installed at the bottom of the ship. The vessel surged forward, quickly leaving the coast behind as it raced toward Marineford at full speed...