Marine Headquarters!
At this very moment, Garp also discovered the true cause of Ace's death, leaving him utterly stunned.
Though lacking most details, he could glean a rough picture from the exchange between the two...
Blackbeard betrays his comrades, escapes, and the pseudo-captain Ace, finds himself captured!
Yet, in the clash with Blackbeard, he was defeated, taken alive, and ultimately delivered to Marine Headquarters for execution!
Even Burgess's words hinted at it.
The day Ace faced Marine execution drew forth numerous formidable figures.
Contemplating it, given Ace's identity, there were countless who sought his salvation!
At the very least, the Whitebeard Pirates were among them. Not to mention Luffy, and considering the Marine's extensive information network, they were well aware, even if news of Blackbeard's betrayal hadn't fully spread.
What neither Sengoku nor Garp could fathom was that Blackbeard Teach had caused such a profound stir in the future!
Not only did he possess the strength to vanquish Fire Fist Ace, but he also seemed to have formed a remarkably powerful pirate crew!
Garp's eyes widened, "Ace killed... by the Marine?"
Upon learning of Ace's demise, he had entertained numerous possibilities, yet this had not been among them!
As a member of the Marine and Ace's grandfather by association, could it be that his own hands had dealt the fatal blow?
In this moment, Garp's heart trembled.
He began to contemplate how he'd react witnessing Ace's execution.
Although Ace wasn't his biological grandson, over so many years, he had been as much family as Luffy.
They were all kin...
Logically, as a Marine Hero, he was diametrically opposed to pirates.
Such a union was inconceivable!
If Ace truly faced execution at Marine Headquarters, he would never be able to quell the internal turmoil.
The weight of justice behind him was just too burdensome! However, in the face of his family's execution, could he genuinely remain indifferent? At this moment, Garp was unsure, unable to fathom such a scenario!
Sengoku, his old partner, observed Garp's internal conflict and extended a comforting hand, patting his back.
As for the others present...
Akainu, Kizaru, Aokiji, and the Marines.
There were also Mihawk, Hancock, Jinbei, Doflamingo, and other Shichibukai... Each was taken aback by the truth behind Ace's death!
The captain of the Whitebeard Pirates' second division, Fire Fist Ace, had met his demise at the hands of the Marine!
It was beyond imagination...
Observing all the pirates as malevolent, Admiral Akainu, harboring a wish for their demise, grinned with contentment.
Jinbei found himself the most astonished, given his amicable relations with the Whitebeard Pirates, particularly his close friendship with Ace.
Yet, the most profound reaction undoubtedly came from Doflamingo.
Upon witnessing the unfolding events, a smile broke across his face, as a weight on his heart finally lifted.
It seemed the demise of Fire Fist Ace truly had no connection to him.
He reasoned with himself, asserting that Ace's fate was unrelated to his own, and he questioned how he could be implicated in Ace's demise.
The emotional ties were rooted in their respective pirates crew and the tumultuous relationship with the Marine.
At most, he happened to possess the Mera Mera no Mi.
In light of this, even if he were to step out now, Whitebeard had no justifiable cause to pursue him, right?
With this realization, Doflamingo's mood lightened considerably.
Of course, a more significant reason existed — the broadcast displayed Luffy, in his Gear 4 mode, weakened and vulnerable!
Ten minutes presented ample time for him to... end him.
This battle needed to conclude with his triumph.
[Burgess's provocation fueled Sabo's fury to the extreme!]
[No nonsense, just action!]
[However, even with Burgess's strength, he couldn't confront Sabo directly!]
[Let alone Sabo, who had consumed the Mera Mera no Mi, boosting his strength once more!]
[Burgess displayed true courage...]
[His raw power proved ineffective against Sabo!]
[Faced with elementalization, his attacks had no effect!]
["Fire Fist!"]
[A punch fueled by rage, unleashing a torrent of flames in an instant!]
[Burgess was nearly charred outright, escaping just in time; otherwise, he might have met his end here...]
[Simultaneously!]
[Doflamingo was incensed to the extreme!]
[Luffy, aided by these fighters, evaded rapidly, leaving no one in his wake!]
["Since you enjoy running, I'll compel you to reveal yourself voluntarily!"]
[With those words, Donquixote Doflamingo shook the skybound birdcage!]
[Instantaneously, the closing speed of the birdcage escalated!]
[Despite the valiant efforts of Soldier-san and the others, resistance proved futile...]
[Yet, no one relinquished hope. Under the rallying cries of King Riku, Usopp, and others...]
[Even the entire kingdom's civilians gathered at the cage, contributing their strength...]
[And, astonishingly, even the Marine joined the fray!]
[Among them, naturally includes the admiral… Fujitora!]
[Even Zoro slashed at the cage net.]
["The old man is willing to make a little effort…"]
[At this moment, the entire population of Dressrosa joined forces to resist the birdcage!]
[And Doflamingo has also defeated almost all the fighters in his way!]
[Covered in blood and sporting a cruel smile, he declared,]
"Do you think you can resist the contraction of the birdcage through sheer force alone?"
"In less than a minute, the birdcage will be completely shrunk to its utmost limit!"
"At that point, the entirety of Dressrosa will cease to exist!"
"Straw Hat Kid, you… will die too!"
Countless spectators witnessed this scene, their faces displaying extreme anxiety.
Why does Doflamingo possess such overwhelming power?
Even with the combined strength of so many people, his thread fruit's birdcage continues to advance!
The edge is so sharp; when it contracts to its extreme, will everyone be cut off one by one?
There's less than a minute left; can Luffy really overcome this?
Is Doflamingo truly invincible? At this moment, myriad emotions swirled in the hearts of countless viewers.
Excitement, anger, reluctance, or… anxiety!
Any person with a sense of justice knows, after watching the entire live broadcast, Doflamingo's actions are exceedingly wicked!
Although Luffy and his crew are pirates, they're here to save the entire Dressrosa!
Defeating Doflamingo is the only way to save everyone in the kingdom! Countless spectators shouted at the screen.
"Straw hat boy, stand up!"
"Yes, stand up and bring down Doflamingo!"
"Save the whole Dressrosa; now you are the hope of all!"
Even though they understand that their shouted words are futile because Luffy can't hear them in the live broadcast, the atmosphere is charged, and everyone can't help but be swept up in their inner excitement!
As the scene unfolds, Doflamingo advances toward Luffy…
Rebecca sprang into action; she needed to buy the last bit of time for Luffy!
However, given her strength, how could she contend with Doflamingo?
Even under the influence of the String-String Fruit, Rebecca found herself unable to restrain the swing of her knife towards the injured Violet...
With Violet, seriously wounded and immobile, on the brink of death beneath Rebecca's blade!
In this critical moment...
Luffy, absent for ten minutes, finally reappeared!
The instant he materialized, he swiftly lifted the strings controlling Rebecca, saving them both.
"Oh?"
"It seems things have been restored..."
"But you're still incredibly weakened, and defeating me is impossible!"
"What's more, the Birdcage will close in less than a minute!"
"Do you think you can defeat me in that time?"
With a wild laugh, Doflamingo was convinced of his victory; he believed he stood at the pinnacle.
Yet, Luffy remained resolute, speaking earnestly!
"In that case..."
"Then, in a minute, I'll knock you down!"
In the next moment, Doflamingo took the initiative, sending countless strings sweeping towards Luffy!
Naturally, Luffy resisted them all with his Armament Haki!
But like relentless waves, countless strings surged again, enclosing Luffy!
However...
**Boom!**
The endless lines exploded, and Luffy activated it once more... Gear Fourth!
He leaped into the air and continuously charged his fist!
"Doflamingo, I told you that you'd be knocked down by my own hands!"
"Rubber... Great Ape King Gun!"
In this moment, it was far more terrifying than the Ape King Gun, as well as the Lion Rocket Cannon and other more dreadful moves...
It emerged.
**********
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