Sengoku saw the movement of the pirate ships at the head of the bay and let out an annoyed sigh. "Hmph! What's wrong with just rushing in?"
"They've been fighting us for years. Whitebeard isn't a fool; it's natural for him to see through it," Vice Admiral Tsuru said, confident in Whitebeard's intelligence.
Just moments ago, Sengoku had deliberately spread a message to all the high-ranking Marines, announcing that Ace's execution would be moved up. The information was "accidentally" leaked to Whitebeard, hoping to make him anxious and rash.
Sengoku's plan was for all the pirates to rush into the bay, where the "Cage Tactic" would be activated to wipe out the entire Whitebeard crew. However, Whitebeard was too clever and didn't fall for the trap.
Sengoku wasn't worried. The power to execute Ace was still in his hands, which meant the Marines held the initiative. "Immediately increase the pressure on the Straw Hats and don't let them disrupt our plans! And tell those Warlords to work harder! They'll face the consequences if they don't!"
After giving his orders, Sengoku continued to observe the entire battlefield from the execution platform. The Straw Hats' sudden arrival had been a surprise, but thanks to the distraction from Hawkeye, the situation was quickly brought under control.
The Straw Hats were still a threat, but at least the Marines had more time to deal with them. Kizaru and the others had successfully stopped their advance, so as long as nothing changed, everything should be fine.
At that moment, Ace, who was still kneeling, suddenly lifted his head. "Luffy! What are you doing?! I don't need you to save me!" he screamed.
Luffy was momentarily taken aback. "Ace..."
"We're pirates! I have my own adventure and my own crew! I don't need you, a weakling, coming to save me. This is a disgrace to my life! Go away! I don't need to be saved by you!" Ace shouted hysterically, tears streaming down his face.
He didn't want his little brother to get hurt in Marine Headquarters, which was filled with powerful masters. If Luffy wasn't careful, he would surely die.
But Luffy yelled back, "I am your brother!"
The entire battlefield fell silent for a moment. Though the Whitebeard Pirates had been calling Luffy Ace's brother, many Marines hadn't taken it seriously. Pirates often called each other brothers, so it wasn't a big deal. But hearing Straw Hat Luffy declare it so loudly felt different.
"Ace's brother? Isn't he the son of Gol D. Roger?" many sailors thought. "But how is that possible? Ace's parents died giving birth to him! He can't have a younger brother!"
"But Straw Hat Luffy just said it himself!"
The Marines erupted in a loud chatter.
Sengoku, speaking into a Den Den Mushi, announced, "Straw Hat Luffy is also a dangerous individual. He's not only the sworn brother of Fire Fist Ace but also the son of the world's most dangerous criminal, Dragon!"
"What?!"
Not just the Marines at Marineford, but people all over the world watching the live broadcast were shocked. No one had expected Straw Hat Luffy to have such a powerful identity. Was his strength inherited from Dragon? Was this dangerous guy really one of the "Five Emperors"?!
"Is that so? Then I can't let you live," Kizaru said with a smirk, his light-speed kicks becoming even more ruthless.
"So he's the son of the world's most vicious criminal... Straw Hat Luffy must die here today!" Akainu snarled. Jozu, who was desperately trying to hold him back, felt a cold sweat run down his face. Akainu was already so powerful, and now that he wanted to kill Ace's brother, there was no way Jozu could let him go.
The battlefield descended into chaos. Reporters watching the live feed scrambled to report the shocking news, and the entire world was abuzz with excitement.
Near the execution platform, Garp lowered his head in despair. "I guess I can't hide it anymore..."
Luffy's words had also left Ace speechless. Family ties transcended everything, even the so-called pirate code. He realized that if he couldn't be saved because of some ridiculous pirate rules, then he didn't care about being a pirate anymore.
"Luffy... you big idiot..." Ace sobbed, but then took a deep breath. His entire demeanor changed.
Sengoku couldn't help but ask, "Oh? It seems you've made up your mind about something."
Ace's voice was firm. "At this point, I accept whatever comes. If it's a blade coming for me, I'll face it. And if people offer a hand, I won't refuse it."
Sengoku was stunned, unable to respond. The old Ace had been ready to die to protect his family and crew, but because of Luffy's arrival, he had found a new will to live. If he could be saved, he would live.
Down on the square, Luffy found himself surrounded. Kizaru was in front of him, but Marines were also closing in from all sides, as if afraid he would try to run away.
"Gomu Gomu no Gatling!"
Luffy didn't hold back. His hands became a whirlwind of rubbery fists, blasting through the Marines. Kizaru easily dodged, but the other Marines were sent flying, creating a human crater around Luffy. Numbers didn't matter against him; only the truly powerful could stop him.
"You all get back! Straw Hat Luffy is mine! You'll only die if you get close to him! He's a tough opponent, on the same level as a 'Yonko'!" Kizaru shouted. He turned into light particles and reappeared in front of Luffy, creating a lightsaber to fight him with his impressive swordsmanship.
But Kizaru soon realized that this Luffy was completely different from the one he met in Sabaody. His physique, Observation Haki, and Armament Haki had all improved dramatically. Luffy was able to fight him evenly without even using his "Gear Fourth." Kizaru couldn't believe such a growth rate was even possible.
What's more, Luffy's Armament Haki seemed to have evolved. He was now able to project his Haki externally. Who the hell taught this kid? A seventeen-year-old was capable of projecting Haki externally. It was unheard of! On top of that, Luffy was occasionally using Conqueror's Haki in his attacks, leaving Kizaru in a world of hurt.
"That damn Garp! Did you teach this to him?!"
Back in the battle, Garp suddenly sneezed. He felt a chill and almost wondered if he had caught a cold. He knew it was dangerous to catch a cold in this world. He'd have to find Chopper later.
The battle at Marineford became more and more intense. An hour had passed since the Whitebeard Pirates' arrival, but the fighting was now fiercer than ever.
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