Chapter 223Even though he had anticipated it, hearing that name spoken directly from Luffy's mouth caused an uncontrollable shift in Kizaru's expression.He looked at Luffy and couldn't help but press further, "What is your relationship with that man?""You just need to say, can you, or can't you."Luffy was very clear on one thing: never easily reveal his fraternal bond with Ace in front of an enemy.Kizaru fell silent.If they said there was no relationship, who would believe it?What pirate would dare to kidnap a Celestial Dragon, defying the entire world, just to save another pirate who was completely unrelated?But if the relationship was a close one...Did Garp know?Did Sengoku know?The web of connections behind this was terrifying to contemplate.Even Kizaru felt a twinge of fear.After all, Sengoku was his direct superior.And Garp, well, that went without saying.Those two old men accounted for eighty percent of the Marine's prestige.A moment later, Kizaru slowly shook his head:"This old man cannot make a decision on this matter."Luffy's eyes sharpened, sensing the evasion in Kizaru's tone.He wasted no more words. In a flash, he appeared next to Zoro, grabbed the male Celestial Dragon, Rosward Saint, from the ground, and without hesitation, slammed him back down!*Thud!*A dull thump echoed as Rosward Saint collapsed on the ground like a dead dog, groaning in pain.Luffy turned Rosward Saint's face towards Kizaru, looked up at the sky, and said in an icy voice, "Say that again?"This brutal, direct action made Kizaru's expression freeze.The Marine officers surrounding them from a distance felt their eyelids twitch violently, their hearts practically leaping into their throats.This Straw Hat was a complete and utter madman!He really dared to do it!Kizaru took a deep breath, knowing he couldn't provoke the other party any further."Give this old man a little time,"he said. "This old man needs to consult with his superiors.""How long?" Luffy asked."One hour.""Ten minutes."Luffy stated firmly, "transponder snailcommunication is fast. Or, you could use your light speed to go back yourself; it might be even faster."Kizaru narrowed his eyes, giving Luffy a deep look, and did not try to bargain further.He knew this was the other party's bottom line."Fine."As the word left his mouth, his figure gradually dissolved into countless points of light, dissipating into the air, leaving only a lingering sentence:"You'll have your answer in ten minutes."With Kizaru gone, the tense atmosphere on the scene eased slightly, but the invisible pressure grew even greater.Everyone knew the next ten minutes would determine the final course of events.Rayleigh stepped over to Luffy's side. Looking at his grim profile, he asked in a low voice,"Luffy, do you know Ace's true identity?"Luffy was taken aback for a moment, turning to look at Rayleigh. "True identity?""For example,"Rayleigh's gaze was profound, "who his father is?"Luffy nodded, his tone somber. "I know. Ace told me."He remembered the incredibly complex expression on Ace's face whenever he mentioned that man.Seeing Luffy's confirmation, and combined with the subtle change in Kizaru's expression when he left, Rayleigh's expression also turned serious. "If the World Government is aware of Ace's bloodline, then this exchange probably won't go smoothly. You need to prepare for the worst and have a backup plan ready."Luffy's fists instantly clenched so hard they creaked, his knuckles turning white.He understood what Rayleigh meant.Ace was the son of the Pirate King Roger. That identity held far too special a significance for the World Government!They would likely prefer to publicly execute Ace to completely end Roger's bloodline and influence, rather than use him to exchange for a few Celestial Dragons."I understand,"Luffy said gravely, a look of determination flashing in his eyes.He immediately gathered his crew and quickly issued orders: "Robin, Nami, Chopper, Vivi... you all return to the thousand sunny in groups now, and prepare to set sail at any moment!""Only me and Uncle Rayleigh need to stay here!""Luffy?" Nami looked at him with concern."If the exchange doesn't succeed, I'll find a way to catch up,"Luffy gave her a firm look. "Trust me.""If it doesn't work, we'll just charge into Impel Down directly!"Zoro, holding his swords, spoke with a fierce tone, not joking in the slightest.Uta, who had just reunited with them, was also told seriously by Luffy: "Uta, it's best if you don't stay with us for now. Kidnapping a Celestial Dragon... this matter is too big. It'll implicate you."Uta opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but seeing Luffy's unwavering gaze and the surrounding Marines watching them like hawks, she finally bit her lip and said softly, "Be careful."She knew that staying now would only become a burden for Luffy.Since Kizaru had given no explicit order to attack, the layers of surrounding Marines watched as the Straw Hat Crew began their organized withdrawal, fearful of making any move.If some stray bullet or reckless charge from a fool harmed the Celestial Dragon firmly under Luffy's control, not only they, the Vice Admirals and Rear Admirals, but even Admiral Kizaru himself couldn't bear the responsibility!They could only wait anxiously for the Admiral's next instructions.Meanwhile, Kizaru, who had left as a beam of light, had already contacted Fleet Admiral Sengokudirectly via an encrypted transponder snail, reporting the shocking events on Sabaody Archipelago and the exchange conditions proposed by Straw Hat Luffy."What?! He wants to exchange for Fire Fist Ace?"Even through the transponder snail, Kizaru could sense the shock and anger in Sengoku's voice.It seemed this matter involving the Straw Hat kid had nothing to do with Sengoku.Kizaru breathed a sigh of relief."So, Mr. Sengoku, what should we do now? We only have ten minutes," Kizaru asked.Sengoku's expression froze.Fire Fist Ace was a key figure the Marines were using to lure out Whitebeard for a strategic battle that could change the world's pattern.He absolutely could not be released!The relevant battle plans were already deployed. Even the newspapers announcing Ace's identity and execution time were being printed urgently, ready to be sent worldwide once the time was ripe!And at this critical juncture, such a mess had occurred.However, this matter was, after all, tied to the Celestial Dragons.If it weren't for the Celestial Dragons, Sengokuwould have directly ordered Kizaru to engage the Straw Hat Crew.Chapter 312 The Opinion of Mu, Kill Them AllSengoku was in Mary Geoise.He immediately rushed without stopping to the Pangaea Castle, the seat of power at the heart of Mary Geoise, to meet with the Gorosei, the world's highest authority.He had to explain the stakes. They absolutely, absolutely must not agree to this absurd exchange!Trading a strategic victory within grasp for the lives of three useless Celestial Dragons?This was simply sacrificing the greater good for a minor gain!But, things are hard to predict.Atop the Red Line, Mary Geoise, Pangaea Castle.Inside a meeting room as grand as a temple.Sengoku's meeting with the Gorosei lasted only three minutes.Sengoku was shut down with just a few sentences."The Marine's face? What is the Marine's face worth!""The safety of the Celestial Dragons takes precedence over everything. Agree to the Straw Hat's demand.""The authority of the World Government is built upon the supreme status of the Celestial Dragons. If even the lives of Celestial Dragons can be sacrificed for so-called strategy, that would be an act that shakes the very foundation of our rule. Immediately arrange the exchange."Sengoku really wanted to throw down the towel and quit!The pattern of the Four Emperors, the Shichibukai, and the Marines had remained unbroken. Sengokuhad once believed this pattern would last until his retirement.But the change in the timeline of Blackbeardcapturing Ace...This was an opportunity he had fought hard to secure for the Marines.To break the pattern of the Four Emperors, to make the Marines great again!Not like the way things were now.The Marines, the supposedly strongest institution, held nothing like the imagined Deterrence. The New World was all the territory of the Four Emperors.Sengoku had once considered targeting the other Four Emperors.But the other three were in their prime, each more terrifying than the last. Sengoku initially aimed for Red Hair, as the Red Hair Pirates were, in terms of foundation, the weakest of the Four Emperorscrews. However, the proposal he submitted was directly rejected by the Gorosei, with no room for discussion.This left Sengoku quite resentful.One would think Red Hair was a Celestial Dragon!The way you protect him.This time, with Ace in hand, targeting the weakened Whitebeard finally got the Gorosei's approval for the proposal.And now this situation had arisen again.Time passed slowly.Saint Jaygarcia Saturn, the Warrior God of Science and Defense, dressed in a black suit with white curly hair, a bushy beard, a scar on his left cheek, and leaning on a cane, stood before a huge window, overlooking the cloud-shrouded Holy Land below.His gaze seemed to penetrate the layers of obstruction, seeing the farce unfolding on Sabaody Archipelago below."Sengoku still hasn't left,"Saint Saturn spoke calmly, his voice deep and full of authority. "That's not surprising."Behind him, in the conference area on the sofa.One long and two short sofas seated four others."Indeed,"responded Saint Shepherd Ten Peter, the Warrior God of Agriculture, dressed in a deep red suit with blond hair and red skin."After all, the Marines have been planning for days to achieve the execution of Fire Fist. Elite forces are gathering at Marineford, preparing for a war with Whitebeard that will end an era. To suddenly call a halt... he finds it hard to accept.""Hmph,"snorted Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro, the Warrior God of Justice, sitting on the left single sofa. He wore a white open-fronted robe, was bald, wore glasses, and held a sword in his arms.
