Translator: PapaSmurf0700
"He actually let his own grandfather take Ace away personally." Nami found this hard to grasp. She pondered, "If Bell-mère knew I was a pirate, would she come to hunt me down too?"
Usopp, puzzled, asked, "Hey, hey, hey, isn't Impel Down the World Government's largest prison? Why would they take Ace away from there? Are they afraid that Whitebeard will just storm Impel Down?"
Robin clarified from the side, "No, Impel Down is located in the Calm Belt, home to numerous Sea Kings. Whitebeard's ship can't move forward without wind like the Sunshine Merry can, so it's completely impossible for them to break into the prison."
"Over the years, only Golden Lion Shiki, a pirate equal to Whitebeard and Roger, has managed to escape from there," she added.
Sanji then questioned, "But the Navy and the World Government still took Ace away. Even though Ace is a commander under Whitebeard, they wouldn't normally use such a public execution. The last pirate they executed publicly was Gol D. Roger. Why would they risk going to war with the Four Emperors this time?"
Sanji had touched on a crucial point. At that moment, Sabo added, "Because Ace's identity isn't just the Second Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates; he's also the biological son of Gol D. Roger."
Just a few minutes earlier, Nami and the others had silently vowed never to be shocked by Luffy's family connections again. Yet, the revelation about Ace managed to elicit the fifth "siren song" of surprise in the banquet hall.
Despite their astonishment, everyone now understood why the Navy and the World Government were making such a big deal this time.
Bai Ye snorted dismissively, "So, this means we lose the chance to rescue Ace beforehand."
"In other words, if we're going to rescue Ace, we have to head to Marineford on the day of the execution and confront the Navy and the World Government, who have long been prepared."
"Oh, this is clearly a very obvious trap."
Sabo confirmed, "Well, it seems that this is our only option right now. The Revolutionary Army plans to send a team to Mary Geoise to cause disruptions on the day of the execution, hoping to force the World Government to pull back some of their forces."
"Now that I've regained my memory, I'm committed to being at Marineford when it happens," Sabo added with resolve.
Kuma, standing beside him, glanced at Sabo and, seeing the determination in his eyes, chose to remain silent.
Bai Ye nodded in agreement, then started to speak, "Then..."
At that moment, Luffy, who had been quiet, suddenly slammed his hand on the table and stood up. "Everyone!" he announced, capturing the attention of his crew with a grave expression. "Ace is my brother, and I'm going to save him, no matter what."
"But—" Luffy's voice deepened, signaling the gravity of his next words, "this isn't just another adventure for us, nor a battle for our crew."
"So…"
Golden Light Curse—The Vice Captain's Punishment!!!
Just as Luffy was about to continue, Bai Ye's fist connected, interrupting him. Bai Ye, looking squarely at Luffy who was now holding his head, said calmly, "Do not make jokes."
"You think you're ready to play the hero?" Bai Ye continued, his tone stern. "You're a hundred years too early!"
This marked the first time Bai Ye openly challenged Luffy's decision in front of the crew.
Zoro placed his sword on the table with deliberate calmness and said, "Since the Seven Warlords of the Sea will be there, that guy will be there too." He looked directly at Luffy, his eyes alight with determination. "I joined this crew to become the world's greatest swordsman. If you stand in the way of me facing a strong opponent, I'll have to cut you down, captain or not."
Next to Zoro, Sanji exhaled a ring of smoke and chuckled, "Whoo~. You're an idiot with a big appetite, Zoro. You'd starve if left on your own for too long." He added firmly, "As the chef, I can't let that happen."
Nami interjected with a scowl, "Without me as the navigator, do you really think you could even get to Marine Headquarters? Idiot Captain!"
Usopp, now wearing the Sniper King's mask, boasted, "I am the Sogeking from Sniper Island. I know about the bond between you and your brother. Let me lend you a hand, hahaha!"
Merry, with her fists clenched, declared passionately, "Until this journey is completely over, the direction of the Sunshine Merry is wherever the captain leads!"
Robin, smiling and holding her chin thoughtfully, remarked, "As a captain, it's totally inappropriate to talk like that. At least, it doesn't convince me at all."
Chopper, leaping onto the table, exclaimed, "Ever since I carried your flag, I made my decision. I must be part of this battle!"
Franky couldn't hold back his enthusiasm and struck his classic pose, "AWOOOO!!! It would be absolutely awesome to unveil the General Franky Form to the world in a place like that! SU.PER!"
Brook, not missing a beat, continued with his humor, "Yo ho ho! Now that I have found my shadow, I'm officially a member of the Straw Hat Pirates. Please let me join in. At this moment, my blood is boiling—though I am a skeleton and have no blood, yo ho ho."
At that moment, Sabo and Kuma couldn't help but feel moved by the crew's declarations. Kuma pondered aloud, "Even knowing the kind of enemy you will face, will you still make this choice?"
Sabo responded softly, "Mr. Kuma, I'm starting to understand what our leader meant before. The Straw Hat Pirates might not be the answer to this world, but they do offer it—"
"An opportunity to choose."
Hearing his crew's affirmations, Luffy snapped back to reality. He pressed down on his straw hat and slowly rose from the ground, a renewed sense of purpose in his eyes. "Really? So that's how it is."
Luffy looked around at his crew with a resolute expression and declared, "Well then, everyone! Next, let's go rescue Ace!!!"
In unison, the crew responded with robust enthusiasm, "Aye, Aye Captain!!!"