The natural system started off strong, but the navy finally reached its peak!

Gern looked at Karp, who had completely shed his disguise and revealed his vulnerable side, with a complicated expression.

He didn't answer immediately, but simply faced the sea breeze quietly, letting Karp's mournful cries drift across the sea.

There is no answer to this question.

Chapter 450 The Answer Without an Answer

Faced with Karp's near-collapsed pleas, Gern offered no promises or answers.

Or rather, it wasn't that he didn't want to answer, but rather that reality had already deprived him of the right to respond.

He could only raise his hand and pat Kapna's trembling shoulder, which was shaking from crying, once again.

This silent act contained too much unspeakable weight.

Just as he felt the vibration coming from Garp's shoulder in his palm

But the image of Sengoku's equally heavy, even despairing, entrustment, which had been delivered not long ago in the Marshal's office, echoed clearly in his mind.

........

"Gern, things have come to this point, the Navy has no way out!"

This is a calculated scheme laid out by the world government, and we have no choice but to continue!

"I have no other way... I really have no other way." Sengoku's voice was filled with exhaustion and helplessness.

"So you're worried about Whitebeard?" Gern asked at the time.

"No." Sengoku's answer was unexpected. He raised his eyes, fixed his gaze on Gern, and said clearly, word by word.

"I'm not worried about Whitebeard... I'm worried about Garp."

"If...if Garp had been in that war where he was publicly executed..."

If one cannot control their emotions and chooses to intervene in the rescue...

"Gern, please... please take him by your own hands..."

Sengoku didn't finish his sentence, but Gern instantly understood the meaning behind those unspoken words.

Suppression, and even... execution.

Knowing the plot in advance, Gern knew perfectly well that Garp wouldn't intervene, but Sengoku couldn't gauge Garp's emotions.

It's impossible to gauge the true feelings of one's old friends, close friends, and comrades-in-arms.

Therefore, that came from the Fleet Admiral to another of the Navy's top combatants.

At the same time, it is also the cruelest and most helpless defense and request from a comrade-in-arms of decades.

At this moment, what could Gern do, looking at the tearful, fragile old man before him?

On one hand, there was the entrustment from the Warring States period and the "big picture" of the navy.

On one side is Garp's pain and his unbreakable family ties.

And he, Gern, caught in the middle, also had his own calculations and plans.

Therefore, he couldn't answer Karp's question, "What should we do?"

Because he himself may have become part of that "answer".

............

Three days later, a bowstring that had been slowly stretched taut and was on the verge of breaking finally snapped.

At the same time, it brought with it a thunderclap that resounded throughout the world, enough to make the ocean tremble!

Through a special edition of the World Economic Herald and official announcements through official channels of the World Government.

A single message spread like wildfire, instantly sweeping across every corner of the four seas and the Grand Line.

[The Marine Headquarters will publicly execute "Fire Fist" Portgas D. Ace at Marineford Plaza one month from now!!!]

The announcement did not reveal Ace's identity, but instead highlighted...

News about the second division commander of the Whitebeard Pirates, the successor to the Whitebeard Pirates, etc...

"The Whitebeard Pirates!"

Total War!

"Public execution!"

"The location is Marineford, Naval Headquarters!"

Each word was like a heavy hammer blow, striking countless people's hearts.

The world was speechless, the paradise trembled, and the new world... was in a frenzy!

Newspapers rained down like snowflakes, and news was frantically transmitted through seagulls that received newspapers, Den Den Mushi (snail telephones), and other means.

The clamor in the tavern abruptly ceased, a deathly silence fell on the pirate ship, the commoners whispered in fear, and the bigwigs of the underworld narrowed their eyes...

Everyone understood that this was more than just an execution.

This is a declaration of war!

A letter from the World Government and the Navy Headquarters, delivered in the most direct and brutal manner, was sent to the man hailed as "the strongest man in the world."

Edward Newgate's Whitebeard's irrefutable challenge!

The remnants of an era and the massive machine that rules the world are about to clash head-on in Marineford, a clash destined to be recorded in history and determine the future!

The Great Pirate Era has ushered in the most turbulent and massive wave since its inception!

A storm is inevitable!

.........

The New World, Moby Dick.

In stark contrast to the roars and incredulous arguments that erupted among the other officers on board after seeing the newspaper, the white-bearded Edward Newgate remained quiet.

His enormous body sat upright in a specially made chair, holding in his hand the newspaper that announced his son's death sentence, while the IV drip continued to keep his aging body afloat.

Inside the cabin, the deck was filled with the angry roars and anxious discussions of his other sons, but he seemed to be in another silent world.

After a long while, this overlord, hailed as the "world's strongest man," made a move.

He didn't fly into a rage, nor did he roar; he was calm yet incredibly resolute as he raised his hand and ripped off all the cumbersome IV tubing from his body.

The needle left his skin, drawing tiny beads of blood, but he paid no attention and directly grasped the huge naginata beside him, "Tsurugi".

As the white-bearded man, leaning on his sword, slowly stood up...

That majestic, mountain-like figure seemed to instantly dispel all the noise.

The entire Whitebeard Pirates crew, from the captains to the lowest-ranking pirates, fell silent without warning.

All eyes were focused on that figure.

They awaited their father, their emperor, to issue the order.

There were no impassioned pre-war declarations, no accusations against the world government.

Whitebeard looked at the familiar faces before him, at his family, and simply uttered a single sentence.

"Children, I'm going to pick up your brother."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over everyone, before clearly uttering the last few words.

"Go pick up my son."

“Dad!” Marco immediately stepped forward, his face filled with worry, and couldn’t help but remind him, “G-10… Gern…”

"Kurarararara..." Whitebeard laughed, interrupting Marco's concerns.

“That bastard Gern…” He tightened his grip on Yunqie’s hand, his voice rising abruptly, carrying an air of domineering arrogance.

"If he dares to stop a father from taking his child back..."

"Then let him come!!!"

"Because, a father went to pick up his child from school."

We will not fear or be afraid of any so-called 'natural disaster'!

Chapter 451 The Navy Reaches Its Peak, I Have Not Forgotten.

Marine Headquarters, Marineford.

The news of the public execution has been officially announced.

The relatively peaceful atmosphere of Marineford was completely shattered, and the entire headquarters began to operate at overcapacity, like a war machine that had been suddenly started.

Troops converged on Marineford on an unprecedented scale and at an unprecedented speed.

First, the navy's top combat forces gathered.

Aside from "Skyquake" Gern, who is already at headquarters (whether he will directly participate in the battle is still unclear from the official statement).

"Akainu" Sakazuki, "Aokiji" Kuzan, and "Kizaru" Borsalino have all been summoned back to take up their posts at the core.

At the same time, the execution was personally overseen and directed by "Buddha's Warring States".

Naval hero "Iron Fist" Garp and former Navy Admiral "Black Arm" Zephyr join the battle!

More than half of the vice admiral-level officers from the Navy Headquarters have been transferred!

There are countless elite naval officers from all over the world.

In an instant, as far as the eye could see, all the soldiers in the port and square of Marineford were wearing cloaks of justice!

At the same time, the World Government also issued a mandatory order that all members of the Seven Warlords of the Sea must participate in this execution defense battle.

Finally, New World G-10 responded to the call and transferred three core combatants.

"White Rabbit" Lippo, "Golden Emperor" Tesoro, and "Demon's Descendant" Douglas Barrett join the battle.

.......

Marineford, family quarters.

The area, which was once full of life, was now in chaos as military families were evacuated with the assistance of naval officers and soldiers.

At Zephyr's home, his wife had already been escorted away by their son, who was now a naval captain and also wore a cloak of justice.

In the empty living room, only Zefa remained.

He was waiting.

Not long after, a light, bell-like voice, accompanied by the sound of skipping footsteps, drifted in.

"Zeff-sensei!! The hero of justice, Ripo, has made her dazzling appearance!!"

Before she finished speaking, Libo, having finished her pose, jumped right in front of Zephyr, her face beaming with a bright and innocent smile.

Looking at the ever-adorable and eternally energetic Ribo, Zephyr couldn't help but smile and take Ribo's hand.

He then twirled her around a few times, before affectionately patting her head.

"Professor Zephyr, it's been a long time." At that moment, Gern's voice came from the doorway.

He was already standing there, wearing the General's Righteousness Coat, without entering the house. He was just leaning against the door frame, his gaze fixed on Zefa.

At this moment, Zephyr's arms were intact, and he still had that striking short purple hair, but he habitually wore a pair of sunglasses, which covered part of his eyes.

Looking at his most outstanding disciple, who also evoked the most complex emotions in him, Zefa's smile faded slightly, but did not disappear completely.

First, they gently put Lipo down, and Lipo obediently hummed in response.

She ran to the sofa and sat down quietly, swinging her legs, her big eyes looking back and forth between Zephyr and Gern.

Zephyr walked towards Gern, stopping a few steps away. The smile on his face completely faded, and he asked in a steady voice.

“This time…Gern.”

"In this public execution orchestrated by the World Government and carried out by Sengoku..."

What are you planning to do now?

Instead of asking "What will you do?", he asked directly "What do you want to do?"