Chapter 153: Conqueror's Roar!

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"Ziiing!"

Out of nowhere, a massive magic circle appeared near the execution platform, crackling with ominous black lightning and swirling black flames.

"Boom!"

An explosion rocked the sky as dark thunder erupted from the black flames, filling the air and sea with a terrifying force.

A figure materialized within the black lightning and flames, as if summoned by some dark force.

Spider-like limbs, etched with fiery patterns, supported a massive beast-like body. Clouds of black flames swirled around its arms, and two colossal horns crowned its head, exuding authority. Clutching a staff of power in both hands, the figure seemed to tear open a scene straight from hell.

A voice boomed from the warship:

"Five Elders, Saint Saturn has arrived! All military ranks below Commodore are to stand down and not look directly at Saint Saturn! Anyone watching the live broadcast around the world—if you dare look directly at Saint Saturn, you will die!" announced the Marine broadcast.

Using his dark power and sinister gaze, Saint Saturn halted the Conqueror's Haki spear from executing the three Rozwalds.

Saint Jaygarcia Saturn, the Godhead of Science & Defense, had arrived on the battlefield—one of the Five Elders, the highest authorities in the world.

This should have been the turning point. 

But...

"Buzz! Click!"

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

Under the astonished gaze of the entire world, an air door slowly opened before the three Rozwalds.

Then, with the sound of gunshots, three blood flowers bloomed on the bodies of the Rozwald family.

Hope turned to despair, then to disbelief and terror. Their faces drained of all color, and the three Celestial Dragons—Rosward, Charlos, and Shalria—fell silent forever.

"Do you think I'm playing some defenseless game of rescuing and executing hostages with you?"

"This is a public execution! Once I declare the death sentence, it will be carried out—no matter who tries to stop it, not even you, Saturn!" Ace voice boomed across the world.

After the death sentence is pronounced, the execution is immediate. No one can stop it.

If I say you die today, then you die today!

"The sniper of the Entei Pirates, a Gate-Gate Fruit user, the 'Black Rose,' Nojiko!"

Sengoku clenched his teeth as the air door slowly vanished, his forehead beaded with cold sweat.

Another unforeseen twist.

Sengoku had assumed that the Gate-Gate Fruit's power was Ace's ace to help the Entei Pirates escape after the public execution. Who would have thought that a terrifying sniper, hiding in the gate, was playing the role of executioner all along?

Ace's Conqueror's Haki spear, aimed from the sky, was just a decoy!

The Conqueror's Haki had drawn everyone's attention, leaving the true power of the Gate-Gate Fruit unnoticed as it was quietly activated on the execution platform.

And Ace clearly knew about the Five Elders!

He showed no surprise at Saint Saturn's arrival.

"Have you ever seen an Emperor execute prisoners personally?" Ace asked, looking directly at the monstrous figure emerging from the black magic circle, a slight smirk playing on his lips.

The emperor is here to deliver judgment.

"Portgas D. Ace..." 

Saint Saturn leaned on his staff of power, his gaze locked on the figure who had caused so much trouble for the World Government. His eyes grew intense.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

Suddenly, Saint Saturn's eyes flickered, and several Marines below the rank of Commodore, who had dared to sneak a glance at Saint Saturn, exploded on the spot.

The world gasped in horror as they remembered the Marine's warning—no one below the rank of Commodore could look directly at Saint Saturn, and anyone worldwide who did would perish.

Instantly, countless viewers around the world dared not peek at the Five Elders, some even turning off the live broadcast out of fear.

The Five Elders, the highest authority of the World Government, were revered by most people as gods—untouchable and wielding supreme power.

But despite the awe and fear, many ignored Marine's warning, continuing to watch the screen.

Five Elders or not, they had failed to prevent the Flame Emperor's public execution. The three dead Celestial Dragons were a testament to that.

Even the Celestial Dragons, who once seemed invincible, could die!

They were shot through and met a tragic end.

Such thoughts rapidly spread across the seas, and although people had been conditioned to fear the World Government's rule for over 800 years, there would always be those bold enough to challenge authority and seek to overthrow it!

This public execution had sparked that fire, awakening more and more people.

Now, everyone knew—Celestial Dragons, the so-called descendants of God and the World's Noble, could die from a bullet just like anyone else!

Not even the arrival of the Five Elders could stop the Flame Emperor's execution!

The World Government could be defied!

This realization rippled across the seas, feeding into the strength of Ace's Conqueror's Haki.

"Ding!"

"Your defiant spirit, enhanced by completing a flawless public execution before the entire world, has greatly strengthened your Conqueror's Haki!"

"Boom!!!"

Violent black and purple lightning roared through the sky, its energy shaking the atmosphere.

The immense pressure from the Conqueror's Haki reverberated over the Sabaody Archipelago.

A giant tree, standing tall for countless years on the Sabaody Archipelago, cracked under the strain and was ripped apart by the roaring lightning in the sky.

Vice Admirals fighting the Scorched Skeleton Army knelt under the overwhelming force of the Conqueror's Haki, pain etched on their faces.

Rear Admirals fainted, their bodies thrown into the air like helpless boats caught in a raging storm.

Countless Marines aboard the warships in the distance collapsed unconscious, their bodies floating into the sea.

"Boom! Bang! Bang! Bang!"

The largest and most powerful warship of the Naval Headquarters was instantly shattered under the impact of Conqueror's Haki!

The shockwave of Conqueror's Haki caused widespread, tangible destruction.

"What overwhelming Conqueror's Haki! He can wield such immense power at his age?!" Rayleigh's eyes widened in disbelief as he felt the crushing force.

A Conqueror's Haki capable of causing such devastating, real-world damage had only been witnessed a handful of times throughout the history of the seas. This level of Haki surpassed even what Rayleigh had in his prime!

This was no longer the power of a mere Emperor of the Sea—it was the Haki of a true ruler, a force only wielded by those at the pinnacle of every era.

A king. The undisputed overlord of an age!

Just like Rocks D. Xebec, the once unchallenged overlord of the seas, and his old comrade, Roger, who had conquered the Grand Line and ushered in the age of great pirates.

This was the power they held as the unopposed rulers of their time!

Incredible! Ace, who had only just completed the first half of the Grand Line, already possessed this kingly level of Conqueror's Haki.

If Ace conquers the Grand Line, how much stronger will his Conqueror Haki become? Could Ace reach a level of Haki that no one in history has ever attained?

Rayleigh's eyes filled with awe and shock.

"This brat's Haki has grown stronger again… Is it because of the public execution?" Garp muttered, his expression one of disbelief, as the Conqueror Haki seemed to tear the sky apart.

The sheer strength of this Haki was no less than what Roger had displayed after defeating Xebec, the overlord of his era.

In the vast history of the sea, only those who stood at the top as the strongest kings could possess such overwhelming Conqueror's Haki.

Could this era be named Flame Emperor?

Garp glanced at Ace, standing before Saint Saturn and releasing his immense Conqueror's Haki. A slight smirk tugged at the corners of his mouth.

This kid… he's completely surpassed him.

"Arara, this Conqueror Haki is no joke."

The battle between Aokiji and Issho had come to a halt, disrupted by the overwhelming impact of the Conqueror Haki. Aokiji used his Ice-Ice Fruit powers and Haki to shield himself, but beads of cold sweat formed on his brow.

Such incredible Conqueror Haki! Even he, an Admiral, was affected by it.

Could just the shockwave of Conqueror's Haki affect him so strongly?

Aokiji looked toward the source of the Conqueror Haki, where Ace stood, unleashing its terrifying power before the Five Elders. His expression was unreadable.

Is this era truly going to be defined by him? Will he ascend to the top?

It was unbelievable. Only a few months had passed since their fight on that uninhabited island near Long Ring Island, and Ace's strength had already grown to a level even Aokiji couldn't fully comprehend.

What a remarkable man.

"On the other hand. Showing his authority by killing Marine soldiers… are these the Five Elders, the most powerful figures in the world? Does the World Government, led by men like this, deserve to call itself the protector of justice?"

Aokiji's smile turned grim.

Saint Saturn's demonstration of power, slaughtering Marine soldiers ranked below Commodore with just a glance, had infuriated him.

At that moment, Issho had no doubts about his decision.

There was no justice in a world government ruled by such men!

Even Marine soldiers were treated like disposable tools, killed at will, as if their lives meant nothing. And if this was how the Five Elders regarded their own men, what of the ordinary people?

The attitude of the Five Elders was even more callous than that of the three dead Celestial Dragons!

Pathetic!

"Well, it seems soon I'll be the second division captain of the Entei Pirates' Grand Fleet," Issho said with a small smile.

Aokiji noticed Issho's expression and immediately understood what he was thinking. 

Aokiji's mind suddenly drifted to something Ace had once said to him:

"I've saved the position of Grand Fleet captain of the Entei Pirates just for you, Kuzan!"

Aokiji's eyes flickered with emotion.

——

"This Conqueror's Haki?!" 

Saint Saturn looked at Ace with a solemn expression. It felt reminiscent of Warcury Conqueror's Haki Roar. However, it wasn't due to Ace's roar; it was the raw, untamed mastery he had over this extraordinary Conqueror Haki!

The intensity of Ace's Conqueror Haki made Saint Saturn's expression grow more serious.

"Saturn, it's time."

As he was thinking, the voice of Saint Ju Peter echoed in his mind. 

"Then, I am ready to summon you," Saint Saturn replied, responding in an unknown manner.