Chapter 54

Tsuru grabbed the key from the dying soldier, but it immediately broke it in her hand. Without it, finding another one like it would be difficult, and she sighed in relief. But she barely had time to react before she heard the clinking of opening shackles. Turning around, she saw that Ace had been freed, and next to him stood a smiling clown with a red nose—Buggy, who had disappeared not long ago.

"Old lady Tsuru, you're celebrating too early," he announced, hovering ten centimeters above the ground, holding a key made of wax in his hand.

Mr. 3 had crafted the key, and Buggy, sitting on Mr. 3's shoulders, used the power of his Devil Fruit to fly up to the platform.

Ace was astonished as he looked at his freed hands. He hadn't noticed Buggy's actions, absorbed as he was with worry for Luffy, whom Tsuru had defeated. Now, this clown with a whimsical face seemed much more agreeable to him.

Ace clenched his fists, and flames burst forth. It was the feeling of freedom that he had missed so much. After more than a week in confinement, finally, the sky was high, and birds flew freely.

"Thank you, Buggy. I didn't expect you to save me," said Ace.

He had first met Buggy a few months ago, and their relationship hadn't started well.

Buggy, spreading his arms wide, tried to look dignified. After all, his men were broadcasting his exploits worldwide through Den Den Mushi, and Buggy was thrilled at the thought of his impending fame.

Viewers watching the broadcast were shocked. Ace was saved not by the Whitebeards, not by Roger, nor even by Straw Hat Luffy, but by a red-nosed clown. An unexpected twist.

"Who would have thought that a red-nosed clown would save Fire Fist Ace?" voices exclaimed.

"Buggy the Clown was a former member of the Pirate King's crew, he shouldn't be underestimated," others insisted.

Buggy, dreaming of the fame and treasures promised to him by Sal, was unaware of what was happening beyond the screen.

"Ridiculous, Captain Roger asked me to save you. And my good friend Mr. helped you unlock the shackles," Buggy cheerfully declared.

"...," Ace was stunned.

"Roger?" ran through his mind. This name, both strange and familiar, had haunted him all his life. It was associated with pain and loss, the death of his mother who had died because of him. So why did he save him? If he wasn't dead, why didn't he save his mother?

Questions swirled in Ace's mind as he watched the scene, struggling with the old man. He understood nothing about this person, or rather, he was biased and filled with hatred.

But now wasn't the time for inner turmoil. The main thing was to retrieve Luffy. The flames raged within him, giving him a powerful appearance.

"Vice Admiral Tsuru, return my foolish brother," he demanded.

"Alas, I didn't expect you to escape. Letting go of Monkey D. Luffy is impossible, as I am part of the Marine ," Tsuru responded.

She remained calm despite the escape of Fire Fist. Sal's appearance gave the event a new significance. Now it wasn't as crucial whether Ace was executed. The Pirate King had returned, and the execution of his son no longer mattered.

Moreover, the situation on the battlefield was becoming tense. Pursuing Ace was unwise; it was better to shift the focus.

Her gaze fell on Whitebeard, fighting against Sengoku. The legendary pirate's body was covered in wounds, and the sluggishness of his movements indicated that he was weakening.

As long as Whitebeard, the storm of this era, lived, no one would dare say the fleet had lost. A setback, yes, but the outcome was not catastrophic.

However, leaving the young Sal, the peak of Roger, would be an unforgivable luxury. Even if the fleet annihilated Whitebeard's Pirates, they wouldn't be able to stop Sal amidst the chaos, especially with Rayleigh by his side.

Tsuru looked at Akainu advancing. He also turned and glanced at the platform. Their eyes met from afar, and Tsuru whispered to herself:

"Sakazuki, would you do the same as I?"

Ace was unaware of her thoughts. He saw the flames within him surge with renewed strength. With a roar, he unleashed it.

"— Great Fire Circle!"

A massive column of fire enveloped the entire platform. The heat, reaching incredible temperatures, caused the steel structures to glow red-hot. Tsuru jumped back just in time, brushing off small tongues of flame from her clothes.

She had no intention of executing Garp's grandchildren. Whether she could defeat Ace was uncertain, and it wasn't worth the risk. She had a more important task.

The fire gradually subsided. Ace had already jumped off the platform, grabbing Luffy, who had yet to regain consciousness, while Buggy disappeared into the distance.

Ace yielded to Luffy's reproach.

"Luffy, you took too many risks. If not for that man, you would have been in trouble."

Luffy, still out cold, smiled. He had saved Ace, but couldn't understand one thing.

"Ace, is Sal your father? Why does everyone say he's Roger? Didn't Roger die a long time ago?" asked Luffy.

— "Children shouldn't meddle in adult affairs," Ace replied, avoiding the answer that lingered in his heart.

He pulled Luffy towards their comrades to reunite with his father as soon as possible. They were still within the fleet's territory.

"By the way, Luffy, you said you don't want to be the Pirate King, but rather, a Marine officer."

"Huh?" Luffy asked in confusion.

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