Chapter 57: Four Brothers.

"Execution!"

Seeing that the Marines had fallen into passivity under the overwhelming pressure, Sengoku urgently gave the order—to proceed with the execution of Ace.

Once Ace's life was taken, not only would the morale of Marine Headquarters be restored, but even the enemy might begin to falter.

Luffy glared furiously at the execution platform, fighting with all his might—but he was still hundreds of meters away and couldn't reach it in time.

"Ace!!!"

The executioners raised their gleaming bayonets high, preparing to plunge them into Ace's back.

It was like reliving the execution of Gol D. Roger twenty years ago. Sengoku was about to send the Pirate King's son to hell.

The sharp white blades stabbed down toward Ace's heart, aimed directly at the tattoo of the Whitebeard Pirates emblazoned on his back.

"Damn it, I can't make it!"

"No! Ace, bro!"

"AAAAHHH!!!"

A massive commotion erupted across the battlefield. The pirates surged forward in a frenzy toward the execution platform—but the distance was still too great.

They roared in fury, helplessly watching as it seemed their mission would end in failure.

Just as the bayonets were about to strike, a howling wind blew across the execution platform. A giant sandstorm burst forth, sweeping in and slamming into the executioners.

Amidst flying sand and debris, a swirling river of quicksand surged up like a pair of massive hands—grabbing both executioners and flinging them off the platform.

"Hmph."

Sengoku narrowed his eyes, following the trail of yellow sand—until he saw the "Desert King" Crocodile standing beneath the stage, a swirling sandstorm spinning in his hand.

At the critical moment, the fallen Shichibukai had intervened. Once a bitter enemy, now a temporary ally. Luffy turned and cast a grateful glance at the man who once tried to kill him.

Just as Luffy prepared to resume his charge, a flash of green light appeared beside him—along with a chilling surge of murderous intent.

"Hawk-Eye" Mihawk, the world's strongest swordsman, descended from the air, unleashing a sweeping arc of green energy that slashed toward Luffy.

The glow reflected on Luffy's face, and memories of Zoro's near-death experience in the East Blue came flooding back.

Just then, petals scattered through the air, and "Flower Blade" Vista, captain of the 5th Division, appeared in time—crossing dual blades to intercept Mihawk's slash.

"Go on, Straw Hat!"

With a nod of encouragement, Vista engaged Mihawk, their swords clashing in a brilliant dance of steel that carried them further across the battlefield.

At that moment, a blazing blue bird soared through the sky. Marco the Phoenix flew toward the platform, wings ignited with flames, aiming to snatch Ace away.

But before he could reach him, a massive figure stepped in his path—

"Fist of Love" Garp unleashed a single punch strong enough to flatten mountains, slamming into Marco mid-air and sending him crashing to the ground like a meteor.

Garp calmly retracted his fist, walked up to the execution platform, and took a seat beside the three admirals.

"The Hero of the Marines!"

"Vice Admiral Garp!"

"WOOOOAH!!!"

Though only a vice admiral in title, his strength rivaled that of the fleet admiral. Garp's arrival ignited the morale of tens of thousands of Marines.

Their fading momentum surged back to life. Encouraged by his presence, the admirals pushed the battle line back toward the inner bay.

Marco groaned as he hit the ground, wiping blood from his mouth and preparing for another charge.

"Don't move~"

A thin laser beam, too fast to be seen, pierced the air—taking advantage of Marco's brief humanoid form to strike clean through him.

Not far off, Admiral Kizaru, the Light Human, exhaled smoke from his fingertip and casually followed up with a precision shot.

Elsewhere, Jozu, his body half-covered in diamond, charged toward the platform like a living battering ram.

But midway through, his speed slowed... and slowed… until he could no longer move at all. Frost began to coat his feet as shimmering mist surrounded him.

Admiral Aokiji had used his ice to freeze Jozu in place, exploiting his elemental advantage.

Surrounding Marines rushed in and, without resistance, severed Jozu's arm. The blood instantly crystallized in the cold air.

"Gomu Gomu no—Rope Ladder!"

Despite two captains being seriously injured, they had bought Luffy enough time. Bruised and barely standing, he stretched his rubber arms to grab the execution platform.

He retracted them fast like a slingshot, launching himself upward.

But a faint sound whispered beside him.

Several shadowy tendrils coiled around the wooden beams—half-wrapping around Luffy's rubber body.

"Not yet…"

He felt his strength leaving him. The power of his Devil Fruit was draining away. His stamina, held together by sheer will, finally gave out—along with his hope.

The black tendrils vanished just as quickly as they came. Even Luffy didn't understand what had happened. His vision darkened as consciousness faded.

The crowd watched in horror as the Straw Hat's arm recoiled and his body tumbled like a broken kite—crashing hard to the ground.

"Straw Hat Kid!"

From afar, Emporio Ivankov sprinted over and knelt beside him, checking his condition.

Luffy's unbreakable spirit had earned his respect. He'd saved Luffy once already, and he wouldn't let the son of Dragon the Revolutionary die here.

"Just… give me one more shot!"

Even unconscious, Luffy's eyes still shimmered with unyielding determination. Saving Ace meant more to him than his own life.

Ivankov's eyes welled with tears. He knew what must be done. In Impel Down, he had already witnessed Luffy's unwavering will.

"Straw Hat... I'll help you again!"

Without hesitation, Ivankov created another hormone injection—healing hormones—and plunged it into Luffy's body.

It would cost Luffy ten years of life, but in return, he'd rise again with strength anew.

The effect was instant. Luffy's limbs twitched, then he jumped back to his feet, roaring back into action.

But the delay had allowed time for the Marines to regroup. Several vice admirals led a battalion to surround Luffy.

Ivankov prepared to fight—but then, a strange and familiar pressure washed over him.

"This… is Conqueror's Haki!"

Luffy's pupils contracted. In a flash, a massive, invisible shockwave burst from him.

Thousands of Marines froze in place as an unseen wave of willpower knocked them unconscious.

Even the vice admirals collapsed to the ground.

"That kid really has the spirit of a king… one in a million."

The entire battlefield paused in awe—both pirates and Marines alike stunned by the overwhelming presence Luffy had unleashed.

Luffy didn't stop to think about it. He had no time to ponder this sudden power.

With all obstacles swept aside, he soared up to the execution platform once more—finally standing in front of Ace.

"Luffy!"

Ace had watched his brother fall—then rise again through sheer force of will. His heart was filled with overwhelming emotion, guilt, and awe.

Even now, Luffy stood tall, smiling that same fearless smile.

For a brief moment, Ace saw Sabo and Iggy beside him—his brothers from the past.

"I wonder where Iggy is right now..."

He thought of the four brothers—how Sabo was believed dead when they were children. Now only he, Luffy, and Iggy remained.

And Iggy… the one consumed by vengeance… was nowhere to be seen.

Ace didn't realize that Iggy had been working from the shadows all along—subtly controlling the tides of battle.

He was manipulating the war from behind the scenes, maintaining the balance between both sides and steering events toward his own ideal outcome.

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