At Marinaford, the execution team were now unchanging Ace from his chair, though still making sure he was still cuffed.
The last chain then hit the ground. "Stand up."
Ace looked up as they began to open the cell door and then rose to his feet. He then looked at the ground and saw a pair of shoes laid before him. However, his forts were focused on Hiccup, knowing that he had broken into Impel Down to free him and, more than likely, he himself had been captured.
Once he put on his shoes, he was escorted down the corridor, remaining silent with each step. Once they reached the end of the corridor, they went to a staircase that led outside.
"Start climbing," said the guard.
Ace then began to make his way up the steps.
All across the world, everyone was in anticipation of the execution because, like it or not, a war was about to start.
In the South Blue, a bunch of people in the market were discussing the upcoming event.
"You think Stoick has gotten there yet? There are only three hours left now."
"Ah, I'm starting to wonder if he's going to show up at all. I know the guy is serious news, but isn't he a little too old for all this."
"You really think so?"
"He's been tearing up the seas before the Great Pirate Era. Do the maths. He's got to be senile."
"And it has been a few years since his name made any headline."
"You're all fools for taking this so lightly," said an old woman as she read the newspaper. "Do you need some proof of how serious this is? They've manned Navy HQ with their entire fleet and broadened their elites as a precaution. I would bet my life savings that Stoick is going to show. Just you watch."
"So, what do you think he's going to go down when he does?"
"No idea; how the hell am I supposed to know?"
Within the East Blue, on a farm, a few farmers were discussing the upcoming war.
"Stoick is living a completely different era now. Does he stand a chance? Taking in the entire Navy?"
"He's bound to fail if he does. No pirate can attack Marineford; it just isn't possible."
"It happened before," said an old shepherd. "I want to say it's about 20 years ago now, but a pirate called Leo the Golden Lion invaded Marineford and managed to leave at least half the Navy headquarters in ruins. Also, do not forget that Stoick's own son laid waste to Enies Lobby. So I can promise you this, it's going to be a colossal massacre no matter who wins. Let us hope that he doesn't show if the execution would happen; one death is better than thousands."
In the North Blue, a bunch of drunks were trying to enter a tavern, but the bar owner had closed up shop for the execution.
"You want me to open the bar on a day like this? The whole world is about to go to war any minute now! Just go back home; I'll open up tomorrow if we're all still alive."
"Then sell us some bottles to go. There's no reason to treat us like we're all in the execution block."
"You expect us to live without drinking?"
In the West Blue, a small group of pirates were drinking in a tavern and were also concerned about the upcoming war.
"Everyone talks like he's just some old man, but we all know that ain't true. How long has it been now? It could have been more than a year since he walked in and sat down across from me. We all thought we were dead men."
On the Grand Line, the people there were also concerned with the upcoming war.
"Is Stoick really as nefarious as everyone makes him out to be?"
"Ha, you kidding? Even those kids now, just listen to their little song."
Some kids were playing jump rope and were singing as they played.
"Stoick! Stoick! He's so mean! He's so fierce!"
Standing on the very edge of the island was a priestess who was praying to the gods above.
"I am so afraid," she said. "Where is this world headed? Please help us through these difficult times.
In Marineford, the small city that occupies the base, the residents had been evacuated, and only Marine personnel remained behind for the upcoming battle. They had been moved to the Sabaody Archipelago, where everyone could watch what was transpiring at the base through giant monitors. News reporters gathered to report on what would transpire to be the most fearsome battle in Navy history.
"Geez, the Navy really isn't messing around. That's the best they've got."
"Yeah, Stoick's got to know what is installed. So the question is, does he want to risk it?"
The Navy was completely uncertain as every single survey ship they had sent out of monitor Stoick had been destroyed. This meant they did not know when the attack would happen, but they were very confident that it would happen.
Wrinkly just slammed his hand on Sander's desk, who sat there silently.
"Damn, it ain't right," said Wrinkly. "I don't see why it's necessary."
"I understand your reservations, but this isn't some simple execution of a pirate," he said plainly. "You have to think about what is at stake here. The significance it has on the future of the world is why it is necessary."
Wrinkly glared at him and then walked out of the room.
"I know it's difficult for you," Sander continued. "But you are deeply involved in this matter. Your responsibility lies on your shoulders." Wrinkly stopped in his tracks. "And you had better not forget it, Wrinkly."
Wrinkly clenched his fist but said nothing as he continued to leave the office, practically slamming the door behind him.
Sander just sat there and sighed.
The Marines were busy prepping for last-minute preparations for the upcoming battle. Normally, the place was filled to the brim with Navy ships, but today, they have called every single Navy vessel all over the world, totalling over 100,000 soldiers.
"Do not let your guard down! No matter what we face, it will only last three hours. After that, it's all over!"
The Marines then roared with cheers.
Surrounding the Crescent Island with 50 Navy vessels, they had massive battlements armed with cannons capable of sinking down any warship. Additionally, the Warlords were standing guard with the elite of the Navy.
If that was not enough, the three admirals arrived, taking their seats in front of the scaffold, and their presence was just as daunting as that of the Warlords.
"They're here. It's the admirals."
"Is it just me, or are they even scarier than the Warlords?"
The World Government had summoned every force at its disposal to ensure that the execution would go as planned and eliminate one of the most fearsome pirates that ever sailed across the seas.
As Ace walked up the stairs leading to the surface, his thoughts turned to Hiccup when they were kids.
"Hiccup, listen," he said as they looked out towards the sea, "there is only one way to live life, and that is to live without any regrets."
"Really?" said Hiccup, who couldn't have been more than five years old.
"Someday, we're going to head out to sea and live the way we want to live," said Ace. "More free than anyone else."
They eventually reached the top of the stairs and stood in front of the door leading outside. The guards then opened the door, and sunlight began to emerge from the threshold. He could hear the Marines' cheers drowning out any other noise.
Hiccup, meanwhile, was still sailing towards Marineford. Soon emerging from the mist was the Gates of Justice, which led to Navy HQ.
"I can say it!" he yelled. "Jinbe! It's the Gates of Justice! We've made it!"
"We should have been faster," said Jinbe. "We would have been here a lot sooner if the winds had been right."
"What's it matter with here now," said Astrid.
"True, but…" Jinbe remembered what the Marine on the transponder snail said. "The question now is how are we supposed to get through the gate?"
"Well, men!" said Buggy, looking at his followers. "You know what time it is? Let me hear it now!"
"It's time for Captain Buggy to conquer the entire world!" they yelled in unison.
"And let me hear the rest!"
"Navy HQ is going down! And Stoick is going down!"
"And who is the next King of the Pirates?"
"Captain Buggy!"
Buggy laughed maniacally. "And don't you forget it!"
"Buggy! Buggy! Buggy!"
Astrid rolled her eyes. "That guy really gets on my nerves."
She then turned her eyes towards Hiccup and continued to look at the Gates of Justice.
"Ace…" he said solemnly.
Ace was now outside Navy HQ and could see the massive number of Marines that had gathered for his execution. Even though he was outside the main building, it was still a long walk towards the scaffold, which had a perfect view for everyone.
Everyone in Marineford and across the sea watched with bated breath as Ace made his way onto the scaffold.
"Hey! Look, they're bringing out Fire Fist Ace!"
"Whoa, so that's him. He just looks like anyone else, but every step he takes could throw all of us into unthinkable war."
"Alive or dead, he is responsible for our fates and the whole world's."
Once he was at the centre front on the scaffold, he then knelt down as the guards began to chain him to the scaffold itself. Ace looked down at the massive gathering of Marines that had assembled for both the battle to come and for his imminent execution.
The executioners in front then cross their swords in front of him.
Sander and Wrinkly then arrived.
"Okay, Wrinkly, I'll do the talking," said Sander.
"Go ahead," Wrinkly sighed, knowing there was no point in arguing. "I'll be waiting downstairs."
The two men parted ways, and Sander began to make his way up the scaffold.
"Step aside for a minute," he said to the executioners.
"Yes, sir," they said as they drew their swords back.
The Marines were rather surprised to see their Fleet Admiral on the scaffold.
"It's the Fleet Admiral!"
"What's he doing?"
"Passed me a snail," Sander ordered.
"Sir!" said a guard presenting him with the transponder snail.
Sander then made his way over to Ace and looked down at the Marines that had gathered.
"I have some information you all need to hear," he said. "This man is Ace D. Portgas, and the significance of his upcoming demise is more profound than you may realise."
Wrinkly remained silent, but he hated every single minute of it. He was standing beside an old woman, who, like him, was a Vice-Admiral, and her name was Estelle.
"None of this is your fault, Wrinkly," said Estelle.
Wrinkly gave a small laugh. "Can't hold back those motherly feelings in these dark times, Estelle."
"Ace, I would like you to tell them the name of your father," said Sander without looking at him.
Ace's eyes lit up.
The reporters that had gathered at Sabaody looked at one another, confused.
"His father? What does that have to do with anything?"
"The name of my father is Stoick," said Ace.
"Not true!" Sander snapped.
"Yes, it is!" Ace snapped back. "Stoick is my father, my only father!"
"We launch a painstaking and exhausting search for you around the time of your birth. When we heard rumours that your father had a child, we took them very seriously. Thanks to Cipher Pol, a small but reliable amount of information was presented to us. Based on this, we checked all newborns as well as all pre-born children.
We spoke to many mothers, but no matter how far or why we searched, we couldn't find you. No surprise, though, considering the length your mother went to hide you. She performed a miracle that could only come from the love of a mother."
The Marines looked at one another, wondering what this was all about.
"As a result," Sander continued. "She misled the Navy; no, she managed to mislead the world. You come from an island in the South Blue called Dahlia, and your mother's name… Rouge D. Portgas. She pulled off her feet, which completely defied the laws of nature, all to protect her child. She kept her baby inside her womb for an entire 20 months."
"No, that's impossible."
"And once she finally gave birth to you, she lost all of her strength and passed away right then and there. And thus, a year and three months after the death of his father, a child was born with the blood of the world's most odious villain in his veins."
Ace gritted his teeth, completely helpless for the truth to finally come out in the open.
"That child was you," said Sander, glaring down at him. "Surely, you must know the truth."
Wrinkly just stood there, remembering the last conversation he had with Roger before his execution.
"They can't persecute someone who is yet to be born," he said. "Right, Wrinkly? So please look after my child."
"Your true father is Roger Gold! The King of the Pirates!"
Silence fell as the Marines just stood there, shocked. The people watching everything from Sabaody were also shocked by this sudden announcement.
"So, for all these years, Roger Gold had a son?"
With that, the silence-broken panic began to strike the reporters, and they immediately began relaying this to their individual head offices.
"This is massive news! Call the head office! Issue an extra!"
"Then it survived," said a reporter, dropping his notebook in shock. "His bloodline… Roger's bloodline lives!"