"Fine, we'll do it. For Pops' sake, it's a necessary precaution." Vista made the decision quickly; they had nothing to lose by keeping an eye out.
"Wait..." Izo noticed something suspicious. The Marines within the bay were slowly retreating toward the rear.
Boom! Boom! Boom! Sudden, violent explosions rocked the battlefield from behind.
"What is that!?"
Emerging from the fog outside the bay were dozens of figures—all of them looking exactly like the Warlord Bartholomew Kuma! Countless laser beams rained down, dealing a devastating blow to the pirate crews caught in the crossfire.
The pirates outside the bay suddenly realized the Marines' retreat had been a trap to lure them forward. If they had all charged into the bay, these "Human Weapons"—the Pacifista—would have sealed their only escape route, surrounding them completely.
Fortunately, Whitebeard had seen through the Marines' stratagem. He immediately ordered his subordinate crews to break out toward the flanks rather than rushing blindly into the center. A total massacre had been narrowly avoided.
"Aaaah!" A cry echoed from the distance. Sabo whipped his head around to see Luffy tumbling across the ice. Standing before his younger brother was the World's Strongest Swordsman—Hawk-Eye Mihawk!
"Luffy!" Sabo roared. He charged forward, leaving behind a single instruction: "I'm leaving this area to you, Kenshin!"
"Leave it to me." Kenshin understood perfectly. Their goal was within reach. He locked his gaze onto the man with the "3" hairstyle.
Clang! Sabo intercepted Mihawk's black blade with his lead pipe.
"And you are?" Mihawk looked at Sabo, who was still disguised in a Marine uniform. He was genuinely confused as to why a Marine was obstructing his path.
"Huh? What's up with that Marine?" Luffy, having been blown back, stared at the soldier blocking Mihawk with a head full of question marks. "Oh well!" He decided not to waste brainpower on it, scrambled to his feet, and kept charging forward. "Ace, I'm coming!"
"Luffy!" Ace screamed from the execution platform. "You should know better! You're a pirate and I'm a pirate. You have your adventure, and I have mine! I have my own crew! Why are you interfering in my business!?"
"To think I need a crybaby like you to save me... there is nothing more disgraceful in this world!" Ace finished, closing his eyes in agony.
Luffy, please, just go. This was my failure. There's no reason for you to throw your life away with me. Watching Luffy fall into one trap after another, Ace finally reached his breaking point.
"Ace..." The Whitebeard Pirates looked at the platform with complex emotions.
Sabo's body trembled slightly. He looked up at Ace's pained expression, and a pang of grief pierced his heart. No one understood Ace's heart better than he did. They were the same age; he knew the weight Ace carried. Ace had spent his life in the shadow of the "Devil's bloodline," often wishing for death. To see his younger brother in danger because of him was a torment worse than execution. To Ace, death might actually be a relief—his only lingering regret was Luffy.
"I don't care...!" Luffy suddenly looked up and bellowed at the sky. "I AM YOUR BROTHER!"
"Say whatever you want! I'm saving you even if it kills me! As for the rest of that crap—I don't give a damn!"
Ace opened his mouth to retort, but no words came out.
Luffy's declaration, however, sent shockwaves through the harbor. Ace's brother? But Ace is the son of Gold Roger! The Marines were baffled. Roger had been executed long before Luffy could have been born. It was impossible for them to be blood brothers.
Amidst the confusion, Sengoku raised his Den Den Mushi again. "The pirate Monkey D. Luffy is the son of the world's most dangerous criminal, the Revolutionary Dragon! He is the sworn brother of Ace, raised with him since childhood. The bloodline of the Dragon must also be eliminated on this spot!"
"He said it..." In the ranks below, Coby and Helmeppo swallowed hard, trembling with nerves.
"His old man is that famous!?" Buggy and Mr. 3, who had followed Luffy there, were wide-eyed with shock.
"I actually know that guy..." Mr. 3 muttered, moved by the revelation.
"Straw Hat Luffy is Dragon's son..." The Marines were collectively aghast. Not only were these the children of the two most dangerous men in history, but they were sworn brothers!
The news hit like a thunderclap.
"He cannot be allowed to live! Dragon's bloodline must be destroyed now. We cannot let him grow any further!"
The Marines snapped out of their shock and swarmed toward Luffy. "For Justice! In the name of Justice, you shall not leave this place alive!"
In the Sabaody Archipelago, the journalists were practically vibrating. "Headquarters! Big news! Tell the whole world...!"
On the other side of the battlefield:
"YEAH! Whitebeard Pirates, don't let Ace's brother outshine us! CHARGE!"
"Hmph. What a pair of fools." Whitebeard smirked, looking at Luffy with genuine appreciation. He turned to Marco. "Marco, don't let that boy die."
"Understood."
At that moment, Ace wasn't shaking with anger or fear. He was shaking with excitement. He suddenly realized that the answer he had been searching for was right in front of him. After everything he had been through since childhood, he wasn't alone. Countless bonds had been tied to his hands without him realizing it.
His life no longer belonged solely to him. There were too many people who refused to let him leave this world. The bond of brotherhood drove Luffy to risk everything to protect the one thing that mattered most—his brother.
Facing a brother like that, how could Ace selfishly say, "Go back, don't risk yourself"? That would be the most irresponsible thing he could ever say. He finally understood the value of his own life. His death would deal a crushing blow to those he loved.
He couldn't leave yet!
Pushing aside his despair, Ace looked out at the battlefield with new eyes. Whatever the outcome, I will accept it. I will reach out for the hand of rescue. And even if death comes... I am ready.
"Ace..." Sabo's lips curled into a smile. He could tell Ace had finally found his resolve. He turned his attention back to the man before him. "The World's Strongest Swordsman! Let's see what you've got."
He spun his lead pipe, launching a flurry of strikes. Clang! Clang! Clang!
Mihawk's surprise grew with every exchange. This incredibly young "Marine" possessed strength far beyond his expectations. For a moment, even the world's greatest swordsman couldn't gain the upper hand—he was forced to focus entirely on his defense!
"Look! That Marine is fighting Hawk-Eye to a standstill! His strength is insane!" The battle between Sabo and Mihawk quickly drew the attention of everyone nearby.
Even the Marine leadership was confused. None of the top brass recognized this soldier, yet his prowess was undeniable.
"Hey, what's with that officer?" Sengoku muttered from the platform. "Go stop him! We can't have infighting now!"
Even Sengoku was astonished that a nameless Marine could trade blows with Mihawk without falling behind.
Ace stared intently at the familiar yet strange face beneath the top hat. He had seen this "Marine" help Luffy earlier. At first, he thought it might be one of Garp's subordinates, but now he wasn't so sure. Beside him, "Gramps" Garp looked just as bewildered. Ace knew Garp well enough to know he wasn't faking his surprise. Garp's sense of justice wouldn't allow for such a blatant deception.
So, who was this?
The distinctive scar on the man's face... if Ace had seen it before, he would have remembered it. Yet, a nagging sense of familiarity tugged at his mind.
Clang! The lead pipe and the Black Blade, Yoru, collided once more.
"A lead pipe..." Ace froze. His pupils constricted. That iconic top hat.
Though the man wore a Marine "Justice" coat, he hadn't changed his hat. The blonde hair... the memories he had buried for years came rushing back like a tidal wave. Ace felt like he was in a dream. He didn't dare believe his own theory, but there was no other logical reason for this stranger to be protecting Luffy...