The War Begins
Chapter 38
The entire Marine Headquarters was in high tension as we lost our scout ships one after another. If anything, this was the closest thing this world would have to a World War. Tension floated into the air as the 7 Warlords, or 5 of them, walked out into the open and above the walls, facing directly where Whitebeard would be in canon after a couple of hours.
Listening to my advice, when allied ships to Whitebeard started to show up, Sengoku filled up the vital positions close to the harbor with some of the Super Sized Warships and notified all Marine officers to look below the Water for signs of Whitebeard's ship.
From the hidden wall, the line of fire, to the dozens of Pacifistas, the Marines were ready for war, and so were we.
Sis and I got into our position, we were granted right next to Garp and Ace atop the execution platform. Sengoku warned us beforehand that we shouldn't talk too much with Ace or Garp but we told him that we'll do whatever we want to. He knows us well enough to know that we're on his side at the end of the day so he didn't bother.
As Sis and I sat down to the left of Ace atop of the execution platform we waited until everyone else arrived on scene. First, it was Sengoku who looked dark, ready for whatever will happen. A few minutes later, Garp went onto the platform and sat down next to Ace.
Not wanting to interrupt, we gave them their moment of family. Both Ace and Garp crying about how things have turned out and Garp wishing that both of his grandson becoming Marines instead of Pirates.
They calmed down after a couple of minutes when sis talked to Ace.
Diana: Whitebeard is going to come for you. Not only him but everyone in his crew. His allies, and people who simply have a grudge against the World Government. Everyone is coming.
Ace: …
Diana: I wouldn't give up or hope they wouldn't come. You hold the biological blood of the Pirate King himself, is the adopted son of both the Strongest Man in the World as well as the Hero of the Marines. There's too much expectation for you to simply give up. Of course, that doesn't mean I'm here to help you. We're marines.
Ace: … I hope they wouldn't come.
Diana: I know a lie when I hear one. You might be the son of Gol. D. Roger the Pirate King. A notorious pirate and the 2nd Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates…yet in the end you're just like us. Who would want to die? You want them to come and save you and that's nothing to be ashamed of.
Ace: Why… why are you being so nice to me?
Diana: Because the person I see right now isn't a criminal, but rather a brother of a friend and a son of one of the people I admire. I will remind you that I'm not here to help… but that doesn't mean I'm going to enjoy seeing a helpless man be cut down.
Me: 20 years ago in Lougetown, the Pirate King used his last words to send the world into the Golden Age of Piracy. Tell me Fire Fist Ace and Sworn Brother of Straw Hat Luffy. What will you accomplish with your death? What significance will your death bring?
I gave him a moment to think about it. To face his own mortality and allowing him to make his choice.
Me: Maybe father like son? Confirming the world that the One Piece does exist? Secrets you have never revealed? Or maybe a Thank You to all those who will make an effort to save you here today. Tell me Portugas D. Ace, I wish to know.
Ace: I…will need to think about that. Thank you. Somehow talking to you two have made me calm.
Diana: Whatever happens today, whether you live or not, it will be remembered in history for sure. Make sure you know what to say and do.
Ace simply nodded as Sengoku grabbed the Den Den Mushi and started speaking.
Sengoku looked grave as he started to tell the truth. The truth of why it was crucial to execute Ace here and now, no matter what the cost.
Sengoku: Men, I have something crucial to tell you all. Something about the true meaning of Portugas D. Ace.
He then turned to Ace, who was still looking down, his head low and unmoving.
Sengoku: Ace, tell me the name of your father.
Ace: My father…is Whitebeard!
Sengoku: HE IS NOT!!
Ace: Yes he is!! Whitebeard is my only father! I have no other!
Sengoku took in a deep breath as he prepared to reveal the truth to the world. The shocking truth about the living blood of none other than the Pirate King Gol D. Roger
Sengoku: Back then, we searched as though our lives depended on it. Searching for the possibility that there existed on that island a child of that man. Based on nothing but the tiniest leads from Ciper Pol…we investigated every newborn children, all children who were yet to be born, and all their mothers but we found nothing.
Sengoku then paused for dramatic effect before continuing,
Sengoku: Or so we thought…but out of pure obstinacy, your mother had risked her life to perform a certain trick regards to your birth! And it was this trick that deceived our eyes…In South Blue there lies an island by the name Baterilla. Your mother's name was Portugas D. Rouge!
Everyone is the plaza, walls, and elsewhere in the world listened as Sengoku continued to speak. The truth almost out, just a few more words until everyone knows who Ace is by blood. The cursed blood.
Sengoku: She performed a feat that we could have never have hoped to imagine…and out of her devotion to her child, in her womb…for a full 20 months!!! And when the birth finally came, her strength all but spent…she left this world as you entered it. One year and 3 months from your father's death…a child was born bearing the most accursed blood to be found in this world. That child is you.
Everyone strained their ears to hear what Sengoku had to say. To hear the reason they were executing someone Whitebeard would fight over.
Sengoku: Do not claim you are not aware… Your father is none other than PIRATE KING GOLD ROGER!!!
The world stayed silent… then roared as they found out the truth.
Sengoku talked on and on about the meaning and past of Ace before reaching his conclusion.
Sengoku: THAT IS WHY IT IS ABSOLUTELY IMPERATIVE THAT YOU DIE TODAY! EVEN IF THAT MEANS GOING TO WAR WITH WHITEBEARD HIMSELF!!
The Marines cheered but the cheering soon died as the Gates of Justice opened and the allies of the Whitebeard Pirates began to show themselves.
Diana: Sengoku! Whitebeard is nowhere to be seen! Fire into the Ocean! Have all ships in the center of Marineford ready for Moby Dick!
Sengoku nodded before yelling to all troops through his snail.
Sengoku: ALL TROOPS READY! WHITEBEARD IS TRYING TO COME INTO THE CENTER OF MARINEFORD! BLOCK IT WITH OUR WARSHIPS!
It worked. By having super sized warships placed flat on top of where the Moby Dick would be in Canon, there simply was not enough room for another ship. Unsurprisingly, the Moby Dick rose outside of the encirclement.
From the 3 ships were all main members of the Whitebeard Pirates, as well as all 14 Division Commanders. Slowly, slow but heavy steps sounded across the base as an old but giant of a man stepped onto the front of the Moby Dick. Facing where we were…if not for the massive warship between us.
Sengoku: Whitebeard…
Whitebeard: Gurarara….How many decades has it been Sengoku?
He paused and scanned the entirely of the base before speaking again. Each word carrying power.
Whitebeard: My beloved son had better be safe and sound….GURARARARA!!!
Well, this confirmed it. There really is a man who laughs the same way his Devil Fruit sounds…ok, maybe Perona the Ghost Princess does the same. Weird people.
Whitebeard: You just hang in there a little longer…Ace!!
Ace suddenly looked up in tears at his capita…his father.
Ace: OLD MAN!!!!
The war…it's begun.