"Shall we go out and meet these despicable commoners?" Jaygarcia Saturn asked, his hands crossed in front of him as he spoke slowly.
"Let's not rush for now. Let's see if the Marine can handle this mess!" Ethanbaron V Nusjuro replied, his eyes narrowing as he spoke deliberately.
They had decided to participate in the great battle at Marineford, but they chose not to enter the battlefield immediately.
Instead, they opted to remain as a backup, unsure if the pirates had any other forces joining the fray.
Although it seemed only the Whitebeard Pirates, the Flying Pirates and the Beast Pirates were involved, it was always wise to be cautious.
Moreover, they wanted to see if the Marine could resolve the current crisis. If they proved useless, they would have to reconsider their personnel changes.
"Indeed. Our role is to handle any unexpected incidents. Once all the pirates have gathered at Marineford, we'll strike at the opportune moment!" Shepherd Ju Peter agreed, nodding at Nusjuro words.
They were still in control of the situation, unimpressed by the so-called Yonko and legendary pirates among the pirate forces.
"I hope we don't encounter the one unexpected event we dread the most" Nusjuro said, his hand resting on the hilt of his Shodai Kitetsu, his tone tinged with emotion.
Hearing this, the other four elders stiffened, their expressions turning grave.
They knew exactly what he was referring to—the sudden appearance of Bob, who had left a deep impression on them forty years ago.
"The pirate forces likely include more than what's been reported in the newspapers, but Bob probably isn't among them" Marcus Mars said slowly.
He couldn't believe that someone who had been silent for forty years would suddenly reappear.
However, the pirate forces were undoubtedly more complex than what was publicly known.
"Yes, let's hope so" Nusjuro replied as he stood up and walked to the window of the room.
His sharp eyes gazed intently at the scene unfolding below.
Seeing this, the other four elders fell silent, their attention also turning to the battlefield as they quietly observed the developments.
***
On the execution platform, Ace knelt in the center his head hanging low, his eyes vacant.
Sengoku, who had been on the steel wall moments ago, had somehow appeared on the stairs leading to the execution platform.
"Tap, tap, tap!"
A series of slow, deliberate footsteps echoed as Fleet Admiral Sengoku reached the highest point of the execution platform.
He walked over to Ace, his eyes shifting to the two executioners holding their standard long swords.
"Step aside for now" Sengoku deep, commanding voice rang out.
"Yes, sir!" the two executioners replied respectfully, moving their crossed swords aside.
"Huh? Fleet Admiral Sengoku!"
"Why is he on the execution platform? What's he planning to do?"
"Does he need to personally carry out the execution?"
"I don't know. Let's keep watching."
"…"
Sengoku appearance on the execution platform left the Marine soldiers below filled with questions.
Not just them, but the viewers watching on screens were equally puzzled as to why Fleet Admiral Sengoku would appear beside a prisoner.
"Bring me the Den Den Mushi!" Sengoku turned and ordered an executioner beside him.
"Yes, sir!" Upon hearing this, the executioner respectfully approached Sengoku, holding a Den Den Mushi in both hands.
Casually taking the Den Den Mushi, Sengoku glanced at Ace, who was kneeling before the 100,000 Marine soldiers.
Then, looking at the elite Marines below, Sengoku deep voice resonated.
"There is something I must convey to all of you!"
Hearing this, the entire Marineford fell into silence.
Not a single person made a sound, as they all awaited Fleet Admiral Sengoku announcement.
Taking a deep breath, Sengoku brought the Den Den Mushi close to his mouth.
"Ace!"
"State your father name!"
As soon as this question was posed, it immediately captured the attention of everyone present and those watching the live broadcast.
The previously silent scene instantly erupted into a cacophony of voices.
"What does this mean? Ace father? Why would Fleet Admiral Sengoku ask such a question at a time like this?"
"Could he be the son of some important figure?"
"Could he be the biological son of Whitebeard?"
"I bet it must be someone beyond ordinary imagination, given that Sengoku chose to ask this now!"
"…"
For a moment, people all over the world began to speculate wildly about Ace identity.
At this critical moment, Sengoku chose not to act directly but instead posed such a question.
Ace father was undoubtedly no ordinary man.
Ace glanced up at Sengoku, hesitated for a moment and then replied.
"My father is Whitebeard!"
Ever since he set sail and joined the Whitebeard Pirates as a commander, he had always regarded Whitebeard as his father.
As for his so-called biological father, Gol D. Roger, he could never compare to Whitebeard in Ace eyes.
This was something that would never change, even in death.
"Liar!" Sengoku snorted coldly, his eyes sharpening at this moment.
"I didnt lie! Whitebeard is my father, no one else!" Ace closed his eyes and shouted loudly, responding to Sengoku's denial of his claim.
Raising the Den Den Mushi high, Sengoku declared in a booming voice.
"Your father is!"
"The Pirate King!"
"Gold Roger!"
Whoosh!
Instantly, the previously noisy square fell into a deathly silence.
People eyes widened and sweat began to bead on their foreheads.
After a brief moment of silence, the news exploded across the entire scene.
"How is this possible? Ace is the son of the Pirate King, Roger!"
"This news is too shocking! How can this be?"
"The Pirate King Roger actually left behind a child! His bloodline still continues!"
"Twenty years ago, I witnessed Roger public execution. I never thought I'd now be watching his son public execution!"
"This is huge news! Quickly inform headquarters to prepare a special edition!"
"…"
This was simply earth-shattering news, completely unexpected.
People had speculated that Ace father might be someone of significant status, but no one had imagined he was the son of the Pirate King, Gold Roger.
People were chattering about the young man before them and the media, waiting for a major event, were snapping photos one after another, not wanting to miss this earth-shattering news.
This time, the entire world was immersed in this revelation.
The bloodline of the Pirate King, Roger, still lives on!
------------------------------
Read 40 chapters ahead and support me on patreon.
patreon (.)com/Newbietranslator