The situation with the Admirals was tense, and Marineford was not faring much better.
After releasing his Haki to clear the area, Naruto looked at the fallen Marines and pirates but did not attack them.
In Naruto's mind, many of these people were not guilty.
They believed in justice and were here because they were ordered to come.
Their reasons for being here made sense.
His own reason for being here, to save Ace, was also valid.
Ace was not an evil person. He was just being used as a target by others.
It was simply a matter of being on different sides.
"Hey, old man, it's been a while. You don't look too good."
Naruto floated calmly in front of the execution platform, showing no sign of stress.
Opposite him, Garp looked at Naruto with a complex expression and sighed heavily.
"...Really..."
"Uzumaki Naruto, if you want to save Ace, you must defeat me first."
After giving Sengoku a look that said 'it's fine', Garp spoke slowly to Naruto.
"You don't sound very enthusiastic, old man. Are they working you too hard?"
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku, is this how you treat your old friend?"
Hearing this, Sengoku saw Naruto up close for the first time.
He could not see any fear in this man.
It was as if he had simply come for a walk, while also picking up a misbehaving family member.
Sengoku had met Naruto before.
That was when the Roger Pirates were still together. Naruto had just joined the crew and was a noisy little boy.
No one would have guessed that twenty years later, that boy would become a major problem for the Marines and the World Government.
Yes, this was how Sengoku viewed Naruto.
Even though the Five Elders said Naruto was just a daring criminal and not a real threat to the World Government.
As the one in charge of this execution, Sengoku knew the hidden parts of the plan.
Such as the God's Knights waiting in secret, or the early capture of Hancock, and...
This huge event was more than half because of Naruto.
He did not know exactly what happened at Impel Down, but after that day, the Five Elders quietly changed their plans.
"Enough talk! [Great Sinner] Uzumaki Naruto, since you are here, you can keep [Fire Fist] Ace company."
"Hah, you're brave to say that."
Naruto paid little attention to Sengoku's words. He looked back and forth between Garp and the kneeling Ace behind him.
"You... I told you to be careful. Never mind, I will deal with you after this is over."
Naruto pointed a finger at Ace.
'I was careful! It was Blackbeard who cheated and used poison! And if that strong guy hadn't been in the way at Sabaody, I could have escaped!'
-That is what he wanted to say, but his mouth was gagged, so he could only make muffled sounds.
"You dare to look down on the Marines, you reckless villain!"
With a shout, Sengoku's body began to grow, and golden light spread around him.
But Garp stopped him first.
"Sengoku, let me handle this."
Sengoku looked at Garp with a troubled expression. After a moment of silence, he returned to his normal size.
Garp also stood up, clenched his fists, and covered them with Haki.
For both him and Naruto, using Conqueror's Haki to intimidate others was not useful now.
It was better to use that energy for strong attacks.
But Garp's fame was still great.
Seeing the [Marine Hero] prepare to fight, many Marines below felt their confidence return. The fear from Naruto's earlier Haki faded away.
"It's Vice Admiral Garp!"
"Vice Admiral Garp is fighting!"
Below the platform, the remaining Warlords also watched.
[Tyrant] Kuma stayed silent, his emotions hidden behind his glasses.
Doflamingo and Gecko Moria were both very excited.
Doflamingo wanted revenge on Naruto, and Moria was already thinking about taking Naruto's body.
Only Mihawk stared at the sword on Naruto's back.
'You are not going to use your sword? Uzumaki Naruto.'
Seeing Naruto get ready to fight without drawing his sword, Mihawk felt disappointed.
'...Fine. Perhaps I will have to wait until next time to fight you.'
Mihawk was confident that Naruto would not die here.
He also did not believe the modest words Naruto said when they first met.
A swordsman's feeling told him that Naruto was very skilled with a sword.
Above, Garp jumped into the air, pulling his body back like a bow, gathering strength in his fist.
Powerful Haki gathered, adding to his power.
Naruto did not move. He copied Garp's pose exactly.
"That's..."
Many people watching could not believe their eyes.
"Galaxy..."
"Galaxy..."
"Impact!" x2
The same Advanced Conqueror's Haki, the same powerful punch.
Their fists met in the air, then struck each other's faces.
Naruto did not dodge. He took Garp's full-power Galaxy Impact on his cheek. The Haki-coated fist only left a bloody mark.
"Hmph!"
He pinched one nostril and blew out the blood from the other, then floated as if nothing happened.
Garp, however, looked much worse.
To everyone's shock, with just one punch, the Marine Hero was sent flying by the Great Sinner.
Garp's body shot through one of the platform's support beams, then smashed through the Marineford buildings, finally crashing into the ground.
Luckily, the platform had many supports, so losing one did not matter. Otherwise, Sengoku would have had to act.
The broadcast had not started yet, so Ace could not die.
Of course, Sengoku was also stunned, watching Garp be defeated so easily.
"See, old man, the 'will' in your fist is not as strong as it used to be."
Holding up his fist, Naruto looked down at Garp.
"Your 'Justice' is unsure, isn't it? Torn between duty and family?"
Garp silently pulled himself from the ground. Dust and rubble covered the Marine Hero.
It seemed to cover his strong heart as well.
"I am a Marine. This is my duty."
Garp's words sounded firm, but also as if he was trying to believe them himself.
Naruto heard it.
"I see..."
He nodded.
"If that is your choice-"
"Then do not hesitate! Hit me with all you have!"
"Marine Hero, Monkey D. Garp!"
Naruto's clothes moved without wind. His words left Sengoku without a reply.
He thought Naruto was trying to be friendly, but instead heard this.
"You chose the duty you have held your whole life. So the duty of 'family', I will carry that for you!"
"Ace, I will save him myself!"
Their eyes met. No words were needed… it said everything.
'You can trust me.'
'As always.'
"...How embarrassing."
Garp lowered his head, then raised it suddenly.
At that moment, everyone who saw his eyes felt as if a punch had hit their minds.
"To be scolded by a brat like you-"
Saying this, Garp jumped into the air again.
But this time was different. His Geppo steps were strong, and his presence was sharp like an arrow.
"Now I am serious! Watch carefully!"
A moment later, a streak like a meteor shot across the sky. The powerful fist flew toward Naruto's face with a sharp sound.
Facing it, a confident smile appeared on Naruto's face.
"Stop boasting, you old man!"
"Come on!"