Chapter 197

For a moment, the entire battlefield seemed to freeze.

Even Kai, who had just sent Garp crashing into a crater for the second time, turned toward Sengoku with a puzzled expression.

The execution was moved up?

That didn't match the timeline the Marines had announced earlier.

But in the next instant, he understood.

"So, you think things are spiraling out of control. You're rushing the execution to prevent any unexpected twists."

As Kai processed the situation, Sengoku gave no time for anyone to react.

"Begin the execution!"

The moment those words fell, the four executioners standing beside Ace and Franky raised their blades.

The entire battlefield held its breath.

Ace and Franky instinctively closed their eyes.

Even from a distance, Whitebeard's expression darkened.

Damn that Sengoku…

Not even ten seconds had passed between his announcement and the actual execution. No time to react. No openings.

At this distance, even Whitebeard couldn't intervene in time.

But that didn't mean he wouldn't try.

With all his strength, he launched a quake-powered punch toward the execution platform, hoping to disrupt the executioners.

The air split apart, forming cracks that rippled outward, sending a devastating shockwave surging toward the platform.

But before it could land, three Marine Admirals appeared in unison.

All three raised their hands, and in an instant, a massive surge of Haki exploded outward.

Whitebeard's attack clashed against their combined power, sending tremors through the air—but it was blocked.

Whitebeard's expression darkened further as his eyes flicked toward Kai.

At this point, he was out of options. If anyone on this battlefield could stop the execution, it was him.

That young man had surprised him far too many times today. If there was even a shred of hope left, it rested with Kai.

"ACE!!!"

Luffy's eyes widened in terror as he saw the executioners' blades begin their descent. His entire body screamed to move, to act—

—only to be cut short by a fist slamming into his face.

Luffy was sent flying like a cannonball, skidding across the battlefield before tumbling to a stop.

A sneering figure in a Marine coat cracked his knuckles.

"Trying to save Fire Fist Ace?" cp0 Purple Rat smirked. "You better start praying to the sea, brat."

Without hesitation, he lunged toward Luffy again.

He could see it—Luffy's desperation, his wavering heart. Right now, he wasn't focused on the fight. He was too distracted by Ace's execution.

And that was exactly why this was the perfect time to strike.

If Ace died, it would break Luffy completely. And with a shattered will, the Straw Hat boy would be an easy kill.

Truthfully, Purple Rat had started feeling uneasy.

Luffy had survived far too long. No matter how much damage he took, no matter how many times he was knocked down, he got back up.

And worse… he was getting stronger.

If this dragged on, there was a real possibility he would lose. And that was something he would never accept.

Meanwhile, back on the execution platform—

The blades had closed the distance.

Twenty centimeters.

Ten centimeters.

Sengoku's lips curled into a victorious smile.

Finally…

Once these two were dead, Marineford would be won.

He didn't believe for a second that these pirates would continue fighting for corpses. Even if they wanted revenge, they'd have to ask themselves—was it worth it?

But just as the blades were about to land—

Sengoku's smile froze.

The blades stopped.

Ten centimeters away.

And they did not move an inch further.

The executioners stood frozen in place, motionless.

Ace, feeling no pain, hesitated before cracking one eye open.

The moment he saw the gleaming blade inches from his neck, he jerked back in panic.

That was way too close. If he had leaned forward just a bit more, he would've killed himself by accident.

Sengoku's eyes narrowed.

"What the hell are you doing?! Finish the execution!"

But the executioners didn't respond.

They didn't speak. They didn't flinch. They didn't even breathe.

It was as if they were statues.

And in that instant, Sengoku understood.

His mind flashed back to a classified battle report—an account from the CP0 agents in Water 7.

"Demon King Kai possesses the ability to paralyze his enemies. While under his ability, only their thoughts remain active. Their bodies are completely immobilized."

His gaze immediately snapped toward Kai, standing on the battlefield below.

The young man's lips curved into a knowing smirk.

Sengoku's stomach twisted.

So it was him.

Without hesitation, he moved.

A hidden hand shot from his sleeve, fingers curling into a palm strike. As he closed in, his skin hardened, shifting from flesh to shimmering gold.

He lunged past Ace—

—and brought his palm down toward Ace's head.

"Then I'll execute you myself!"

CLANG!!!

A metallic ring echoed through the battlefield.

A single bead of sweat rolled down Sengoku's temple.

His golden palm had stopped—midair.

Ten centimeters away from Ace's head.

The exact same distance as the executioner's blades.

It was as if an invisible wall had been placed between them.

But no—

Sengoku's sharp eyes caught it.

A thin, black staff rested beneath his palm.

And at the other end of that staff stood him.

The Demon King.

Kai.

Sengoku's eyes darkened. "When did you get here?"

Kai's smirk widened. "Who said I moved?"

Sengoku's gaze flicked back toward the battlefield—toward the spot where Kai had been standing moments ago.

He was still there.

Sengoku's breath hitched.

"So… you've finally revealed it." His voice was low. "Your clone ability."

Kai chuckled. "Took you long enough."

Sengoku's expression was unreadable as he studied him. "You never used it before. That means there's a catch. A limit."

Kai tilted his head. "Who said that?"

His smile widened.

"What if I told you there were no side effects? No restrictions?"

"That I just didn't feel like using it until now?"

Sengoku let out a bitter laugh. "Hah. Do you really expect me to believe that?"

Kai sighed dramatically. "See, this is why we have trust issues, Fleet Admiral."

But Sengoku wasn't interested in debating.

His golden aura flared as he raised both fists.

"I don't care how you did it." His voice was like steel. "Since you're here—"

"You're not leaving."