Before Nojiko could move, Luffy appeared beside Rayleigh. Hera said speechlessly, "That fellow Kuma, he teleported him so close..."
Tyrant Kuma's voice came through Observation Haki. "Amazon Lily is the most suitable place for them, but since the Empress followed you, I teleported them here to you."
Hera said, "Fine, fine, I'll arrange it."
The grieving Luffy saw Hera and Rayleigh stop. Sadness instantly spread as he said through his tears:
"Hera, I'm still too weak. My companions, my companions have all disappeared."
Hera looked at Luffy with snot and tears flowing. His hand, which had originally wanted to comfort him, stopped in place, and he only fired a 'Aquarius Bullet' to heal Luffy's injuries.
Nojiko's voice rang out, "Alright Captain, they're all fine. They were just teleported away by Kuma."
Luffy heard Nojiko's voice and instantly stopped crying. He suddenly looked up and saw Nojiko looking at him with a smile.
Luffy immediately lunged forward and hugged Nojiko, his crying turning into laughter. "Great, I knew they'd be fine! Where are they? Let's go find them now."
Nojiko looked at little Luffy wiping his snot and wet tears on her. Sadness was replaced by anger as she punched Luffy on the head.
Luffy immediately fell to the ground and rolled around. "So painful, Nojiko! How is your punch just like Grandpa Garp's? It hurts so much!"
Hera looked helplessly at this clownish fellow, his eyes turning to Rayleigh as if asking, "Your apprentice?"
Rayleigh blushed a bit under Hera's gaze. He grabbed Luffy and said, "Listen up, kid. You and your companions are still too weak. This kind of strength won't survive in the second half of the Grand Line."
"Of course, your strength is passable, but what about your companions? They also need time to grow."
Hera nodded, agreeing with Rayleigh's words, and advised, "I've already sent a message to your companions. They'll understand to gather here in two years."
The other Supernovas also joined forces to defeat the Pacifistas. Taking advantage of Sentomaru's unconsciousness and the confrontation between Hera and Rayleigh, they left the island.
On other islands, Zoro was teleported to Hawkeye's residence, Usopp was teleported to the plant-filled Boin Archipelago, and Sanji was teleported to Kamabakka Kingdom, experiencing a mix of pain and pleasure.
Chopper was sent flying to the Torino Kingdom in the South Blue, while Robin was sent flying directly to the Revolutionary Army base in the East Blue, where Ginny was waiting for her.
Franky was sent to the Germa Kingdom, in front of Judge and Caesar. An address was stuck to him, which was a sea chart marked with the Future Land, 'Barjimoa'.
Brook was sent flying to the impoverished island nation of Harahettania, where a group of people was performing a ritual to summon a demon.
Then, they all felt a slip of paper appear in their pockets at the same time. After opening it, they found it said '3D2Y', where the 3D symbol was crossed out with a slash.
Everyone looking at the slip immediately understood its meaning and started laughing. "Two years, huh? Fine, then let's separate for a while."
A Delivery Bird brought today's newspaper with explosive news written on it: "Ace's public execution will take place in six days."
Hera put Berries in the Delivery Bird's pouch, scanned the paper, and handed it to Luffy. "Take a look at this. What do you plan to do?"
Luffy handed the paper to Nojiko. Nojiko gave the illiterate Luffy a sharp glare before reading it aloud, "Ace will be executed in six days at Marineford."
Nojiko looked at Hera with a shocked gaze. Luffy also became restless after hearing the news. "What? Ace was actually caught by the Marines? I'm going to save Ace!"
Hera's transponder snail rang; it was Fleet Admiral Sengoku calling.
Sengoku's voice came from the transponder snail, "Have you heard the news? About Ace."
The shadows from Hera's City of Devouring Time gagged Luffy as he said, "I just found out from the newspaper too. Do you need me to return to Marineford?"
Sengoku said, "Come back. Also, bring Empress Hancock along. The Marines need to combine all their strength; the 'King of the Sea' has been angered by us."
Hera nodded and said, "Okay, I'll return immediately."
Sengoku hesitated and said, "On your way back, stop by Impel Down to pick up Garp. His emotions are very unstable. Bring Ace to Marineford first as well."
Hera was thinking about how to get to Impel Down, and his eyes lit up upon hearing Sengoku's suggestion. He said, "Don't worry, I guarantee the mission will be completed."
Sengoku was startled by Hera's sudden enthusiasm. Suddenly remembering Hera and Ace came from the same place, he hurriedly said, "Don't do anything reckless. The World Government takes this execution very seriously."
Hera said, "Don't worry, I won't do anything reckless. I will definitely deliver Ace to Marineford."
Sengoku hesitated again and said, "There's no one else around you, right?"
Hera nodded, glanced at Rayleigh and Luffy not far away, and said, "Just me."
Sengoku gritted his teeth and said, "This time the World Government wants to strike at the Great Pirate Era. Ace's identity is too special, I think you should understand."
"But leaving only Whitebeard is enough to deter pirates. The scene during the execution might be too chaotic; if Ace really escapes, there's nothing we can do. You should understand what I mean."
Hera said, "Don't worry, I understand. I guarantee Ace will appear on the execution platform at Marineford."
Sengoku then hung up the phone, and the shadows from the City of Devouring Time left Luffy's mouth.
Rayleigh caught Sengoku's meaning and said, "That Sengoku fellow, it seems there are many problems within the Marines again. Captain Roger's choice to send his child to Garp was truly a good move."
On the other side, Garp, who had already arrived, looked at Ace shackled to the wall. Tears flowed as his voice trembled, "Why, why didn't you listen to this old man and become a Marine?"
Ace lowered his head, not daring to look at Garp in front of him. He felt sorry for the old man who had raised him.
Ace said self-deprecatingly, "Did you know this day would come? Is that why you kept urging me to be a Marine?"
Garp suppressed his emotions and said, "Both you and Luffy were the hope of the Marines. Why did you have to become pirates and become the Marines' enemies?"
Ace said, "Luffy and I both have the blood of world-class criminals in us. It's impossible for either of us to become Marines, so having Hera as a Marine is enough."
Garp became even more enraged hearing Ace mention Hera. "You still have the nerve to mention Hera? Do you want her to watch you be executed, or let her disregard her own justice to go against the Marines?"
Ace lowered his head. He truly didn't know how to face Hera, who had always tried to persuade him. He said to Garp, "Just kill me."
Garp's fists clenched tightly, and blood seemed to drip from his hands. "What's the use of killing you now? The strongest man in the world is already about to make his move."
------------------------
I've posted 70+ chapters in advance on Patreon.
Webnovel updates will still be daily, as usual.
It might not seem tempting right now but who knows what the future holds?
[email protected]/SolyuraMT
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"