Atop the podium overlooking Marineford Plaza, Fleet Admiral Sengoku stood as straight as a pine tree.
On the platform flanking the main seats, the legendary Marines Garp and Tsuru sat quietly.
Their gazes were fixed calmly on the sea, awaiting the arrival of another legend.
Below them, the three Admirals filed out gracefully and took their seats, steadying the morale of the troops.
Over thirty Marine Vice Admirals stood firmly beneath the three Admirals, their postures erect and expressions solemn.
Among them were ten elite Vice Admirals, such as Onigumo, Momonga, Yamakaji, Doberman, Doll, Bluegrass, Hound, and Red King, among others.
On the slightly higher central platform, four Shichibukai were positioned, exuding immense pressure.
On the rear platform, at the same level as the Vice Admirals, two figures also appeared: Admiral Candidates Momousagi and Chaton.
On the plaza below, one hundred Rear Admirals commanded an elite force of 100,000 Marines.
They stood in strict formation, awaiting the enemy.
These 100,000 Marine soldiers held at least the rank of Petty Officer, their strength far surpassing that of ordinary Marines.
Among them were well-known figures who had previously interacted with the Straw Hat Pirates, such as "White Hunter" Smoker, "Black Cage" Hina, the Hero's disciple Koby, Helmeppo and also extra like Hypnotist Jango, and "Iron Fist" Fullbody.
With such a lineup, it could easily be said that the Marines had mobilized all their top-tier combat forces.
Their objective was clear: to decisively defeat the world's strongest pirate crew—the Whitebeard Pirates—with absolute superiority.
They aimed to prove to the world that the Marines were the most trustworthy official organization for civilians and society alike.
...
Half an hour later, Sengoku, positioned at the podium, prepared to begin the broadcast. He ordered his subordinates to bring Ace to the execution platform.
Two executioners stood rigidly on either side of Ace.
Sengoku picked up the Visual Den Den Mushi and called for the broadcast to start, simultaneously delivering his pre-battle declaration.
"Today, at our Marine headquarters in Marineford, a decisive battle between justice and evil will take place. Marine Headquarters versus the Yonko, Whitebeard Pirates. I suppose many are wondering why we are certain Whitebeard will come to intervene? Is Ace, merely one of his adopted sons, worth it to Whitebeard?"
As these words were spoken, both the Marines on-site and the people worldwide watching the broadcast fell into contemplation.
Only Garp furrowed his brows and let out a helpless sigh.
Sengoku deliberately paused for about ten seconds, allowing time for the audience to reflect.
Then, the Fleet Admiral spoke, uttering a statement that would shock the world.
"Because Ace is not just the commander of the Whitebeard Pirates' 2nd Division. He is also..."
"Ahem!"
This dramatic cough nearly choked the worldwide spectators to death!
Perhaps sensing the public's anger, or perhaps feeling the atmosphere was sufficiently built up, he finally spoke.
"Because Ace is also the biological son of the Pirate King—Gol D. Roger!"
The spectators thought: 'Holy shit!'
The paparazzi scrambled: 'Damn it, quick, get the cameras! This is huge news.'
But at the same time, in other corners of the world, a few individuals wore grave expressions, deeply displeased with Sengoku.
...
In the New World, within the Giant Kingdom of Elbaf, a white-haired white-bearded man wearing sunglasses and carrying twin axes also watched the broadcast.
"...Roger, why didn't you tell me?"
This person was none other than the third-in-command of the Roger Pirates, Scopper Gaban.
He was filled with self-reproach at this moment. "After getting married, I lost touch with my old friends for too long."
Gaban deeply regretted it.
If he had kept in touch with Rayleigh and the others more this year, he might have learned about Ace's identity earlier.
Then he wouldn't be in this situation, wanting to help but finding it too late.
Just as Gaban was drowning in regret and frustration, a cracking sound echoed from the space above his head.
Looking up, Gaban's eyes widened in shock.
"The space is shattering?"
A massive black spatial rift appeared, followed by a silver figure flying out from the tear.
Ray carefully sensed the resonance between his Haki and the surrounding environment, finally confirm that he had returned to the world of One Piece.
Seeing the enormous tree before him, Ray deduced that this must be the Land of Giants—Elbaf.
'Jaken, you've strayed quite far off course.'
Trembling with fear, Jaken immediately chose to remain silent and switched to system mode.
"Congratulations, Host, on breaking through..."
"Do you want to die? Speak properly."
"Uh... Congratulations, Sesshomaru-sama on recovering 80% of the power you possessed during your time in the Demon Realm. You have obtained..."
"Enough. I know my own capabilities. There's no need to continue this system game. The real issue now is how I can reach Marineford within three hours."
Hearing Ray's question, the 'System Spirit—Jaken' pondered deeply and finally found a solution.
"Sesshomaru-sama, if you fly two thousand kilometers westward, I can activate the system's power to teleport you to the Red Line. I left several spatial markers there earlier. Teleporting within the world of One Piece is suppressed by the world's will, so the distance must be shortened to a certain extent."
Hearing this, Ray understood clearly.
Two thousand kilometers—he could cover that distance in under two hours at full speed.
Once he reached the Red Line, it would take another hour to fly to Marineford.
With a faint glance to the west, Ray prepared to set off immediately.
Just then, Gaban, standing below, recognized his identity.
"Demon God Ray, you must be heading to Marineford, right? I have a favor to ask of you."
Hearing Gaban's voice, Ray shifted his attention downward.
Earlier, his mind had been entirely focused on Marineford, so he hadn't paid much attention to the life forms around him.
The main reason was that, after emerging, Ray hadn't detected any beings in Elbaf that posed a threat to him, which was why he had overlooked Gaban.
But when Ray's gaze fell upon the old man below, he recalled the man who stood beside the Pirate King Roger in the original story.
After a moment's thought, Ray descended to hear Gaban's request.
...
Elsewhere in the Grand Line, aboard another massive ship not far from the ruins of the Sabaody Archipelago.
Shanks watched the images from the Visual Den Den Mushi broadcast, his brow furrowed tightly.
He had long suspected Ace's identity but only confirmed it fully today.
This was also the reason he had come to the Grand Line.
Due to some delays, he had arrived slightly later than the Whitebeard Pirates.
Just ten minutes ago, his Red Force had surfaced from the sea.
There were still two hours left until Ace's scheduled execution.
He hoped he would make it in time.
"Full speed ahead! Reach Marineford as quickly as possible!"
"Yes, Captain!"
Gazing into the distance, Shanks' eyes were filled with concern.
The World Government's hidden strength was no simple matter.
Even with Whitebeard's assistance, victory was far from guaranteed. Yet to him, Roger was both a benefactor and a father figure.
He would never be able to live with himself if he didn't help this time.