The ship before them was no stranger to anyone in the pirate world. In fact, many considered it the most famous pirate ship sailing the seas.
It was none other than the ship, the vessel belonging to the World's Strongest Man, Rolan.
The massive ship crashed onto the battlefield with a heavy thud, the impact seeming to strike directly against everyone's hearts.
At the same moment, an overwhelming pressure spread outward from the ship. The air grew heavy and difficult to breathe, as if the entire battlefield had been seized by an invisible force.
That pressure came from Conqueror's Haki.
One after another, people slowly raised their heads.
Several figures stood calmly at the bow of the ship.
"That's Godslayer Rolan, the World's Strongest Man with a bounty of 4.5 billion Berries!"
"The Conqueror's Haki just now had to be released by him!"
"So this is the power of the strongest man in the world..."
Voices of shock spread across Marineford.
"God Peng Kulo, bounty 1.37 billion, the second commander of the Ion Tempest!"
"Sir Crocodile, bounty 1.11 billion Berries!"
"Thunder God Enel, bounty 1.09 billion Berries!"
"Fire Fist Lina, bounty 790 million Berries!"
"White Fist Nami, bounty 760 million Berries!"
"That cyborg pervert with a 680 million bounty!"
"Devil Child Nico Robin, once worth 79 million at eight years old, now worth 400 million!"
"Surgeon of Death Law, bounty 290 million Berries!"
"Even Bepo with a 500 Berries bounty came!"
"And that's Pirate Empress Boa Hancock!"
The battlefield erupted into chaos as recognition spread.
The reactions below were exactly what Rolan and his crew expected.
"Hahaha, did you hear that? They only call you pervert. Nobody even remembers your name," Lina said while laughing at Franky.
Franky struck a pose proudly. "I am a pervert, and a pervert is me! Pervert is my codename! SUPER!"
Nearby, Bepo lay face down on the deck while a gloomy aura surrounded him like a rain cloud.
Law gently patted his back. "Bepo, don't lose confidence. Small bounty, strongest spirit."
Standing at the bow, Rolan lifted his gaze toward the execution platform where Ace was held, then shifted his eyes toward Fleet Admiral Sengoku.
His expression remained calm and indifferent.
"Hey, Sengoku," Rolan said casually. "My disciple doing alright up there?"
Sengoku's face darkened immediately.
"Rolan! What are you planning? Do you intend to oppose the Marines?"
His worst concern had become reality.
Even though the World Government had secretly deployed forces to prevent interference from the Ion Tempest, the Conqueror's Haki released moments ago made Sengoku uneasy.
That level of Haki surpassed common understanding.
He doubted anyone present could truly stop this man.
Rolan spread his hands lazily.
"Relax. Why so nervous? I'm not some monster. I'm actually pretty easygoing."
Many people hearing this silently rolled their eyes.
Easygoing was the last word anyone would use to describe him.
"Gurararara! Rolan, you've finally arrived!" Whitebeard laughed loudly after smashing Kizaru away and turning toward him.
Rolan clicked his tongue slightly.
He originally expected Whitebeard, after recovering earlier, to completely overwhelm the battlefield. Unfortunately, his opponent was Kizaru.
From what Rolan knew, if Kizaru chose to avoid direct confrontation, almost nobody could pin him down. Even someone as powerful as Whitebeard would struggle to finish the fight quickly.
High mobility made the battle drag on.
Elsewhere on the battlefield, Sabo looked toward the newly arrived ship with excitement.
"Mr. Rolan!"
The powerful Devil Fruit he possessed had been obtained thanks to Rolan. Without him, Sabo would never have reached his current strength.
Dragon had saved him. The Revolutionary Army trained him. But Rolan was also one of the people who changed his fate.
Rolan glanced toward Sabo.
Sabo looked battered, his body covered in injuries as flames burned around him while facing Admiral Renn.
Rolan studied the situation carefully.
Renn's uniform was nearly destroyed, his body scorched from intense flames. Despite being a Marine Admiral known for terrifying offensive power, he was locked in an even battle.
A near stalemate.
Rolan found it mildly impressive.
An Admiral possessed monstrous combat ability, especially someone like Renn whose Devil Fruit excelled in destructive power alongside powerful Haki and combat skill.
Yet Sabo managed to fight him evenly.
Rolan gave a small nod in acknowledgment.
Not bad.
On another side of the battlefield, Luffy spotted the familiar ship and the figure standing at its bow.
"Rolan! I thought you weren't coming!"
Rolan scratched his head casually.
"Yeah, something delayed me."
Luffy puffed his cheeks. "Even if you didn't come, I would've saved Ace myself!"
Rolan narrowed his eyes slightly.
"Oh? Sounds like you forgot how hard I trained you."
Up on the execution platform, Ace stared at the arriving figure.
"Master!"
Rolan's eyes brightened faintly. This was the first time Ace had willingly called him that.
Coming to Marineford had been worth it.
"You look miserable, brat," Rolan said. "Wait there. I'll get you down soon."
Tears streamed down Ace's face.
"Why did you come? This is my responsibility. You shouldn't get involved."
Rolan shook his head.
"I don't want to hear that again."
Ace hesitated. "But..."
Rolan's voice suddenly grew sharp, carrying across the battlefield.
"Where's that arrogant pirate who feared nothing? Or do you not believe in your master?"
The entire battlefield quieted slightly as he continued.
"In this world, you aren't alone."
"You are Luffy's brother." "Sabo's brother." "Whitebeard's son." "Garp's grandson." "A member of the Whitebeard Pirates." "And my disciple."
Rolan's gaze hardened.
"Have you ever truly fought to live?"
Ace froze.
A faint curve appeared on Rolan's lips.
"I still haven't heard you say you want to live."
Ace's body trembled violently. Tears blurred his vision as he looked toward the young man standing calmly at the bow of the ship.
Finally, he shouted with everything he had.
"I WANT TO LIVE!"
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