Chapter 230

Luo En's lips curled slightly, a hint of anticipation in his eyes.

…………

There are still 9 days until Ace's public execution.

That day.

Marine Headquarters, Marineford.

Inside the conference hall.

Sengoku surveyed the room — the Admirals, the Chief of Staff, the Admiral candidates, the Vice Admirals, and the Rear Admirals were all present.

Only one person was missing.

"Where's Garp?"

Sengoku looked over at Vice Admiral Tsuru and asked.

"He went to Impel Down."

Tsugu, draped in her Justice coat, said softly, "His heart must be in tremendous pain and turmoil right now."

Sengoku hadn't said anything yet.

Meanwhile, Akainu, arms crossed at his side, let out a cold snort:

"Hmph, to actually take in that Roger blood son as his own grandson — what on earth is that old man thinking? Does he still have justice in his heart?"

"Sakazuki, although Garp usually acts as he pleases, he's a veteran Marine who values the weight of justice on his shoulders and the order of the seas more than anyone."

Sengoku glanced at Akainu and said coldly, "That much is beyond doubt."

"That said, facing the dilemma between family and justice head-on must still be quite difficult for Vice Admiral Garp."

Huang Yuan trimmed his fingernails, his tone as lecherous and languid as ever.

A trace of worry crossed Aokiji's face.

Mr. Garp…

"No need to worry about Garp — his affairs are not the focus of this meeting."

Sengoku looked at everyone and said, "Today's meeting is to discuss the troop deployment and personnel arrangements for this public execution."

"The Whitebeard Pirates, one of the Four Emperors, have already begun to move in the New World. They are the main enemy we must consider surrounding and crushing in this operation."

"Considering the friendship between Traveler Luo En and Fire Fist Ace, Traveler Luo En and his elusive, unfathomable Calamity of the Skies troupe may also join in."

"Traveler Luo En is also a target we must surround and crush!"

Hearing the name Luo En, Akainu's face — missing one arm — grew dark and grim, and a hint of gravity crossed Huang Yuan's lazy features as well.

"The Whitebeard Pirates, and that Traveler Luo En whose strength rivals two Admirals — if those two join forces… it would likely be no less than two Emperors joining forces. We must lay out a complete plan in advance!"

Sengoku's gaze swept over everyone.

Every face was grave.

Even Vice Admirals who had weathered countless battles felt tremendous pressure on their shoulders.

The newly promoted Rear Admirals couldn't help but swallow hard, somewhat panicked.

"Regarding the personnel deployment for the public execution of 'Fire Fist' Ace here at Marineford, I'll leave it to Staff Officer Tsuru to arrange."

Sengoku looked at Vice Admiral Tsugu beside him and said.

Vice Admiral Tsuru nodded.

Sengoku then looked at Vice Admirals like Momonga: "Someone needs to go summon the Seven Warlords of the Sea as well. Burning Mountain, you go summon Hawkeye Mihawk; Momonga, you go summon the Pirate Empress Boa Hancock…"

The Vice Admirals he called on all nodded.

After this meeting concluded.

Vice Admiral Tsuru and the three Marine Headquarters Admirals came together to Sengoku's office.

There were two other people here.

A blind old man draped in a Justice coat, gripping a cane-sword.

A tall, broad-shouldered man draped in a Justice coat, with long green curls.

The green-curled man, his face full of frivolity, leaned back in his chair, head tilted back, and grinned at the three Admirals: "Yo, hello there."

Akainu narrowed his eyes.

Aokiji's expression tightened slightly — he could feel the immense power of the two before him.

"Let me introduce them. These two were recruited through the World Military Draft as special exceptions and directly promoted by the World Government to Admiral candidates — Fujitora Issho, and Ryokugyu."

Sengoku sat behind his desk, addressing Vice Admiral Tsuru, Akainu, Aokiji, and Huang Yuan.

"The two of them will also take part in this public execution."

Ryokugyu leaned back in his chair, grinning at the others:

"That's right — I'm Ryokugyu, he's Fujitora, don't mix us up. By the way, I hate anything troublesome, including eating — I haven't eaten in over a year. Don't let my appearance fool you, I'm actually quite strong."

Unlike Ryokugyu, the sightless Fujitora simply nodded at them — brief and to the point.

"Pleased to work with you."

…………

Over in the New World.

Wano Country.

After Onigashima's destruction, the Rabbit Bowl region became the Beasts Pirates' base.

"Whitebeard and the Marines, huh? Hahaha, to cause such a huge commotion over a little brat — how interesting, how very interesting!"

Kaido took great gulps of sake.

"Queen, Jack, go down and gather the men."

"Provincial Military Commander, are you really going to join this fight?" Queen couldn't help but ask, somewhat panicked.

"Of course I'm joining in." Drunk and reeking of alcohol, Kaido clutched his enormous gourd and swayed to his feet. "A war of this caliber — how could I possibly sit it out?!"

"Besides… that brat might show up too, don't you think?"

"The Traveler… Luo En."

Jack narrowed his eyes, a flash of hatred passing through them. "Understood. I'll head down and make preparations right now."

With the movements of the Whitebeard Pirates and the Beasts Pirates, the entire New World was thrown into turmoil.

The calm was like the omen before a storm.

201. Rayleigh vs. Enel — Luffy and Sabo Reunite (combined chapter)

Meanwhile.

The Grand Line, Sabaody Archipelago.

The Straw Hat crew had heard of Luo En's exploits on this island — slaying a Celestial Dragon and battling Huang Yuan — and had also made contact with the "Worst Generation" Supernovas such as Eustass Kid, Killer, Capone Bege, and Urouge.

Before the Straw Hats could even go looking for a ship coater, they heard the news that 'Firefist' Ace was to be publicly executed at Marineford.

"Ace is going to be executed?!!!"

Straw Hat Luffy stared at the newspaper in his hand, his pupils trembling violently.

"That powerful Ace… actually got captured by the Marines…"

Nami's eyes went wide as well, unable to believe it.

"There are only nine days left until the execution!"

A cold sweat streamed down Usopp's forehead.

"A public execution at Marine Headquarters… that's not good at all."

Sanji lit a cigarette, his tone heavy.

Zoro's brow was tightly furrowed as well.

"Ace… is he going to die?"

Chopper said blankly.

"Impossible! There's no way Ace can die!"

Luffy, straw hat on his head, clenched his teeth, balled his fist tight, and crushed the newspaper in his hand into a ball. "I'm going to rescue Ace!!"

The others' expressions shifted in shock.

"Don't talk nonsense! That's Marine Headquarters Marineford! Even if there were ten of you, Luffy, you couldn't break in. If you go now, you're just throwing your life away."

Franky crossed his arms, blocking Luffy's path as he looked at him and said, "I don't know what your relationship is with that Firefist Ace, but I can't just stand here and watch you go off to your death!"

Luffy clenched his fists, raised his eyes, and glared at him. "So you're saying I should just watch Ace get killed like that?! He's my brother!"

"Even so…"