https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-191-Unless-You-Drag-Me-Into-the-Movie/13536219/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-193-I-Am-a-Remnant-of-the-Old-Era/13536247/
Chapter 192: "All This Time, Thank You for Your Kindness"
Chapter 192: "All This Time, Thank You for Your Kindness"
"My father isn't dead yet!"
Ace glared at Kuro. "My only father is Whitebeard!"
"That's irrelevant."
Kuro gazed down at Whitebeard from the execution platform, then added, "Whichever father you choose, their death will still shake the world."
The pirates were losing ground. Even though Whitebeard ordered his captains to support Luffyluffy, they were being pushed back by the Navy's relentless assault. Several captains fell into pools of blood.
Numerically speaking, this was inevitable.
"Ace!"
Whitebeard stared at the execution platform, his eyes darkening. With that floating brat there, rescuing Ace wouldn't be easy. His sons couldn't afford more losses.
A determined glint flashed in Whitebeard's eyes.
"Whitebeard!"
Akainu roared, his arm transforming into lava and launching a blazing lavafist. If he could just stop this man, the pirates' slaughter would be a matter of time.
Pounding sounds erupted as several lava fists struck Whitebeard's chest. Without sparing Akainu a glance, Whitebeard charged forward, his nitoryu technique rippling a shockwave that thundered toward the enemy ranks.
Boom!!!
The shockwave shattered the battlefield. Marineford cracked everywhere, including the tallest Headquarters building, which split open with massive fissures, collapsing in a chaotic roar.
Kuro's body wavered slightly on the execution platform, his expression grim.
Sengoku stared at Whitebeard with mixed emotions. "Newgate..."
"Luffy!"
Luffy was preparing to charge back up when Kuro's earlier kick finally caught up with him. His injuries had reached a critical point. Ivankov had administered adrenaline multiple times, barely keeping him conscious.
Bang!
Lucius Kro suddenly appeared before Luffy, kicking him away. "Go back where you came from!"
Luffy flew far and landed near Whitebeard. The latter glanced at him, then suddenly bellowed, "Everyone, retreat to my side!"
His last attack had immobilized most of the pursuing Navy, giving the pirates a chance to withdraw.
"Dad!"
Suddenly, a ship crashed through the sea behind him. Shanks and his crew approached. "Dad, we've come to support you!"
"Shanks, huh?"
Akainu glanced over. "If you interfere again, our previous agreement is void."
The Navy always honored their word. Shanks had attacked Whitebeard once, wounding him with a blade, but under their agreement, Akainu had let him go.
"Now you're joining again? That changes everything."
"Shanks", Whitebeard looked back, then shook his head. "You're here at the right time, but no need to support us."
Bang!
Whitebeard's blade smashed through Akainu's attack. "Listen well, Whitebeard Pirates! I bid you farewell here. Return to the New World, reach it safely! This is your captain's final order!"
"Dad!"
The pirates stared at Whitebeard in shock. "Why? We can still fight!"
"Yeah, Dad! We haven't saved Ace yet!"
"Cursed! I'm going up again!"
"Silence!"
Whitebeard glared. "You dare disobey your captain's orders? Now, all of you get on the ships and evacuate!"
"And as for me..."
Whitebeard planted his blade in the ground with one hand, raising his other fist. "I've traveled long enough. It's time I settled this with the Navy once and for all!"
Boom!!!
His fist exploded forward, shattering the air. Navy soldiers who had just risen fell again under the shockwave. Many spat blood from the force. Even Akainu staggered back several steps.
Boom!
Marineford shook again. Buildings crumbled under the shockwave. The Headquarters building collapsed further, its height reduced.
"Damn you, Newgate! Are you trying to destroy Marineford with yourself?" Sengoku hissed.
"The old man's going Full Power", Kuro said, exhaling smoke.
After the shockwave, Whitebeard lifted his blade and advanced.
Boom Boom Boom!
Navy soldiers fired gunpowder weapons at him, but Whitebeard neither dodged nor avoided. Letting the attacks strike his chest, he swung his fist, sending another shockwave that launched enemies flying.
"Dog Bite Crimson Lotus!"
Akainu's lava arm extended, forming a monstrous shape with a gaping maw that clamped onto Whitebeard's waist. Whitebeard grunted, slicing Akainu away with his blade before crushing another wave of Navy soldiers with his fist.
Bang!!!
The Navy scattered. No one stood between Whitebeard and his goal.
"Dad!"
Several captains reappeared behind him. Bissta declared solemnly, "At the very least, we must protect Dad's honor!"
"Foolish sons mean nothing."
Whitebeard glanced back, smiling before facing forward again. He slowly walked toward Ace.
"A dying dog's last bark."
Kuro exhaled smoke on the platform, his expression unreadable. He sat cross-legged, resting his blade. "You old monsters of the previous era... One by one, you're tougher than the last. The golden-haired old man who made me burn incense was the same... And now you too."
"This is Edward Newgate", Sengoku said beside him. "Which is why he must be eliminated."
"Dad..."
Ace watched, stunned, as Whitebeard kept advancing despite relentless Navy attacks. He slammed his head into the ground, tears streaming as he screamed, "Dad! Don't come closer! I'm a criminal! You shouldn't have come to save me!"
Boom!!!
Whitebeard repelled another wave of attackers. His body swayed, blood trickling from his lips. His strength was fading.
Yet, he steadied himself and laughed. "Gurararara! Don't underestimate me. I'm Whitebeard!"
At that moment, two execution soldiers reappeared on the platform beside Ace. They raised their bayonets, the cold gleam reflecting blinding sunlight.
Kuzan and Lucius Kro stood below the platform, ready to stop any destruction of it.
Akainu blocked the path. Destroying the platform in that instant would be nearly impossible.
Bayonets descended.
"Ace!!!"
Luffy screamed.
"Stop."
Sengoku suddenly halted them. Looking at Ace, then Whitebeard, he sighed. "Any last words? Say something, since this is the end. Though we claimed to execute you as Roger's bloodline... it has nothing to do with that."
Ace paused, lifting his head blankly. "Can... I say something?"
"What a question", Kuro chuckled. "Even death-row prisoners get a last meal. Letting you speak is nothing."
"Really? I can speak..."
Ace suddenly smiled, his expression clearing. He looked at Whitebeard and the pirates behind him, finally resting his eyes on Luffy.
"I... do have something to say. Luffy, truthfully, if it weren't for you, my troublesome little brother, and the incident with Sabo... I probably wouldn't have wanted to live."
"All my life, as Roger's son, no one wanted me alive. Everyone wished me dead. Long ago, I wondered—if I died, would the world finally quiet down? Maybe I shouldn't have been born at all. Dying would be better."
"But there are regrets too... Luffy, I won't see you achieve your dream. I'm sorry. And everyone... I'm sorry for troubling you even in my final moments. Living with you all brought me happiness."
"What are you saying, Ace? You won't die!" A captain cried. "I'll save you!"
"That's right! Admirals aren't invincible! We'll charge and save Ace, even if it costs our lives!"
Hearing the pirates' words, Ace shook his head with a smile, turning to Whitebeard. "Dad..."
Bang!
Whitebeard slammed his nitoryu into the ground, triggering another shockwave.
"Ace, whether you're Roger's son or not matters not. What matters is—you're my son. As pirates, we take what we desire. What I've claimed as 'son' became mine the moment I chose it! From that day forth, you are no one else's son—only Whitebeard's son!"
Ace stood stunned, his lips trembling as tears fell. "Thank you, Dad. Only with you have I felt warmth—not as a criminal's child, but as a father's beloved son. Dad, without doubt, this is your era. This era is called [Whitebeard], and I'm proud to be your son!"
Whitebeard faced Akainu before him, then looked at Ace. "As a father, have I been... a worthy one?"
Ace roared, "Of course!!!"
"Gurararara, good... good..."
Whitebeard gripped Murakumogiri tightly, his pupils narrowing as a mighty aura surged from him. Yet suddenly, his body staggered sideways, unable to remain steady.
His body wouldn't hold out.
"Proceed with the execution. Otherwise, Newgate will go berserk", Sengoku ordered.
Kuro sighed at Ace. "In this situation, you'd need to become light to escape. But even boiling Whitebeard's bones to soup won't let you become light. Though your names share the same pronunciation..."
"Oh, right. I think whether you're Roger's son or not, this whole 'Evil Bloodline' talk is nonsense. The World Nobles claim divine bloodlines too, yet they're still the same disgusting creatures. So, the idea that bloodlines determine character? Pure absurdity."
Ace chuckled. "Is that so? Thank you, a Navy officer comforting me... though I don't understand your strange words. I'm fire, after all. Light's impossible for me."
The soldiers raised their bayonets.
He inhaled deeply, straightening his spine. Facing Whitebeard, he shouted, "All this time, thank you for your kindness!"
Before the countless Navy and pirate eyes, he revealed his brightest smile. "I... am truly about to die."
Shish!!!
Two bayonets pierced through his body. Blood flowed, staining the ground beneath him, forming a crimson circle. Ace showed no movement, even in death—still standing straight, still smiling.
A sight that made one's scalp crawl, their hearts tremble.
Kuro didn't look. He remained cross-legged before the execution platform, gazing at the sky, exhaling smoke.
(End of Chapter)
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