Chapter Thirteen: The War on the Summit Arrives as Foretold

Sabaody Archipelago.

A massive Transponder Snail was broadcasting the live execution at Marineford. Ace had already been escorted to the execution platform, kneeling atop the high scaffold, with two executioners in military green uniforms standing behind him, each holding a long bamboo-handled blade.

Ace’s head was half-bowed, his expression complex and his heart a tumult of emotions—whatever he was thinking at that moment remained a mystery.

Journalists from every newspaper had gathered on the Sabaody Archipelago, poised to capture high-impact shots that could mark a turning point in their careers.

The entire world was watching this execution.

It was the first public execution staged by the Navy since the death of Pirate King Roger.

Many believed Whitebeard was past his prime and would not walk into the trap at Marineford to save Ace.

Yet just as many believed Whitebeard was almost certain to come. Though elderly, his might was undiminished, and he did not fear the Navy.

Inside Marineford.

All naval forces had assembled; tens of thousands of marines stood in perfect order below the high platform. Around the harbor, batteries were raised, ready to deliver a crushing blow to any enemy vessel.

A tall, barrel-chested marine stood on high and shouted in a booming voice, “Don’t get complacent! No matter what happens, there are only three hours left! Once that time is up, it will all be over!”

The navy was instantly roused, raising their swords and shouting in unison, as if ready for a grand battle.

At the forefront of the crescent-shaped island stood five of the Seven Warlords of the Sea: Bartholomew Kuma, the disgrace of the Warlords—Gecko Moria, the world’s greatest swordsman Dracule Mihawk, Donquixote Doflamingo, and the Pirate Empress Boa Hancock.

Beneath the execution platform, three figures approached slowly.

Their presence alone exerted an invisible pressure on many marines—they were the three Admirals: Akainu, Kizaru, and Aokiji.

Akainu took the central seat, Aokiji sat to the left, and Kizaru to the right.

With their presence, the Navy’s morale soared once more.

On the high platform, Fleet Admiral Sengoku walked forward at a measured pace. His expression was grave as he looked down from the platform, casting a sidelong glance at Ace kneeling on the ground before reaching into his pocket to take out a Transponder Snail.

He held the snail to his chest.

“Everyone, today I have an important announcement for the whole world. The father of Fire Fist Ace—Ace, say your father’s name yourself.”

Ace was silent for a moment, gritting his teeth as he looked at Sengoku, then declared resolutely, “My old man is Whitebeard.”

Sengoku interrupted, “That’s not true.”

“There’s nothing untrue about it! Whitebeard is my old man! No one else!” Ace's voice grew louder, his tone more determined, his eyes flickering as two figures appeared in his mind.

One was tall and imposing, wearing a black bandana, with a great white mustache curling upward. His muscular torso was draped with a massive cloak, red within and white without, his chest marked by several shocking scars. He reached out to Ace with deep emotion and said, “Be my son.”

The other figure was vague, wearing a pirate hat, with a huge black mustache and a red cloak, a radiant smile on his face.

Ace had only seen him in the newspapers; his image was indistinct. He had only ever dreamed of this man who had never appeared in his life, yet always influenced him.

Without hesitation, Ace had reached for Whitebeard’s hand...

Sengoku said, “Your birth came at the cost of your mother’s life, or one could say it was the result of her deliberate scheme.”

“On an island called Baterilla, your mother, Portgas D. Rouge, did something beyond our imagination—all for her child.”

“She kept you in her womb for twenty whole months. After giving birth, she died from exhaustion.”

“A year and three months after your father’s death, you, inheritor of the world’s most evil bloodline, were finally born.”

Sengoku watched Ace’s reaction from the corner of his eye. Ace bit down hard, emitting only a low, guttural sound, not uttering a single word.

Sengoku continued, “That is who you are—you cannot possibly be ignorant of it…”

“Your father is none other than the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger!”

In that moment, the entire world fell silent.

All eyes were fixed on Sengoku atop the platform. As Fleet Admiral of Naval Headquarters, his words were beyond question—especially on such a grave matter.

“Fire Fist Ace is... the son of the Pirate King, Roger!”

“No way! That man actually left a child behind! He must be executed! Such an evil bloodline must not be allowed to continue!”

“His mother was remarkable, but he shouldn’t exist in this world…”

“Ace…”

With that revelation, the world erupted in shock and frenzy—this demon actually left a descendant!

Amidst the crowd, Aoshi gazed at Ace atop the platform. He had little impression of Ace—only that he was one of the three brothers, gentle and kind by nature, and the son of the Pirate King.

Perhaps because he had not witnessed the flashbacks, Aoshi felt no special emotion for Ace.

Yet Ace’s fate was truly tragic.

His mother was extraordinary, and even hearing it for a second time, Aoshi’s heart was filled with awe at the cruelty of this world.

Whether it was this incident or Ohara—

Both were the world’s darkness, and it had to be said that Fleet Admiral Sengoku was a ruthless man.

There was little Aoshi could do about it now. Since leaving the North Sea, he had suffered his first setback in Impel Down, which had dampened his arrogance.

He needed much more training. After this war at the summit, he planned to train intensively for a time.

Izuna Mizuno, observing Aoshi’s expression, asked, “Lieutenant Aoshi, are you not surprised that Ace is the Pirate King’s son?”

Aoshi shook his head. “Those are matters of the previous generation. A father may be evil, but his child is not necessarily so. Ace became a pirate, yes, but he never abused the common people. He deserves death, but not for being the ‘evil offspring.’”

“It doesn’t matter whose descendant he is.”

Izuna Mizuno covered her mouth in surprise. More than the news that Ace was Roger’s son, Aoshi’s words shocked her worldview even more.

Seeing her reaction, Aoshi was not surprised. This world had long been threatened by pirates, so their thinking was understandable. But Aoshi was not of this world.

He also had the perspective of an outsider. In most people’s eyes, Ace was a dangerous pirate, the Pirate King’s evil progeny, and commander of the first division of the Whitebeard Pirates.

Aoshi gazed at the shimmering sea.

He waited quietly for the arrival of the Whitebeard Pirates. Having initially planned to make a mark in this war, he decided instead to keep a low profile.

It would be enough to clean out some minor pirates.

As for those monsters, the Admirals and Vice Admirals would take care of them.