At Marine Headquarters, Sengoku's face turned grim upon hearing these words.
Other Marines looked at each other with bewildered expressions.
This was no longer an insult directed solely at Sengoku: it was like splashing a bucket of dirty water over the entire Marine force.
However, it was indeed unpleasant to have one's own son used as a threat.
Akainu, standing behind Sengoku, let out a cold snort upon seeing their expressions.
"What moral standards do we need to uphold against these pirates?
The Marines' justice has only one goal, and that is to eradicate evil!
What does it matter if we resort to any means necessary for that?
That is true justice! Don't be deceived by the words of these pirates!"
Suddenly, the Marines, who had felt a hint of wavering in their hearts, regained their determination.
"Yes, Admiral Akainu!"
...
Upon hearing Akainu's words, Sengoku's expression improved slightly. However, what worried him even more was that this was being broadcasted worldwide, with hundreds, if not thousands, of such scenes unfolding across the globe.
No matter how much nonsense Whitebeard and the others spouted, it tarnished the image of the Marines!
However, there was nothing he could do at the moment. The Whitebeard pirate crew's whereabouts were unknown, and they were unable to handle this situation.
Now, they could only wait and see how things would unfold.
...
Whitebeard's righteous speech and Sengoku's act of hostage-taking did create some waves among the viewers of the live broadcast. At this moment, it seemed like the two sides' images had been reversed.
However, the majority of people still stood on the side of the Marines. Putting aside everything else, it was the Marines who protected them from pirate threats. Although Sengoku's methods were somewhat devious, it was also for the purpose of eradicating pirates.
Their direct opposition to the pirates was unquestionable.
...
On the Moby Dick.
Marco spoke to the mysterious man, "Answer: Sengoku's goal is to lure the Whitebeard pirate crew into a trap and annihilate them."
After Marco finished speaking, the members of the Whitebeard pirate crew stared fixedly at the mysterious man on the screen. At the same time, people from other places also focused their attention on this scene, not wanting to miss anything.
The mysterious man snapped his fingers upon hearing Marco's answer. "Bingo, correct answer. This war is named the Summit War. Sengoku has mobilized a hundred thousand elite Marines, gathering the Marine Admirals, the Seven Warlords of the Sea, to encircle and suppress the Whitebeard pirate crew."
Marco breathed a sigh of relief upon receiving confirmation, but the next question came immediately.
"Next question: Who is the biological father of Ace, the second division commander of the Whitebeard pirate crew? You have one minute to answer, and the timer starts now.
Hint: After an incorrect answer, I will reveal the correct answer, so don't try to fool me with wrong answers.
Honesty is a virtue."
Who is Ace's father?
The members of the Whitebeard pirate crew found it strange. They suddenly realized that both of the mysterious man's questions were related to Ace. Could it be that he was specifically targeting Ace?
Whitebeard's expression turned cold upon hearing this question. What did this person want to accomplish?
No lying allowed, and if they answered incorrectly, the correct answer would be revealed publicly.
This left them with no way out.
Ace's face turned pale. He deeply hated his father's name, and saying that person's name in public was more painful than eating shit.
Gritting his teeth, he said, "I only have one father, and that's Whitebeard."
However, the mysterious man did not react to Ace's words because Ace did not add the word "answer."
Upon hearing Ace's words, Whitebeard couldn't help but smile with relief.
"Gurarara... Ace, my son, you truly live up to my expectations... Gurarara..."
Although both Whitebeard and Ace said so, everyone understood that Ace was not Whitebeard's biological son.
Seeing Ace remain silent about his biological father, they felt that there must be a story behind it.
Meanwhile, in the East Blue at the Baratie restaurant,
Luffy looked at the pale-faced Ace on the screen with a pained expression.
When he heard that Ace was publicly executed by Sengoku, he was extremely anxious and wanted to rush over to save him, but then he learned that it would happen in the future.
This relieved him, knowing that it hadn't happened yet and there was still time.
Ace, wait for me. I'll come to the Grand Line soon.
And now... Luffy knew who Ace's father was. They grew up together since childhood, and whenever Ace mentioned that name, his expression would drastically change.
"Who the hell is this brat's father?
What the hell is going on? I'm not interested in knowing this brat's father!
Who's behind all these tricks?" Krieg spat and cursed.
Luffy's eyes flashed with anger upon hearing Krieg's words.
...
At Marine Headquarters, on the main square, the Marine hero, Garp, saw this scene and a worried expression appeared on his face.
Ace was the one he raised, keeping his identity a secret from everyone else.
He never expected that Ace would be exposed in front of everyone like this.
Garp could imagine the dangers Ace would face once his identity was revealed.
Garp clenched his fist. Who on earth was pulling the strings behind this?
In front of Garp, Sengoku was unaware of his anger. His attention was solely focused on Ace's face.
.....
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