Navy Headquarters, full of activity...
"Dad, if Roger really comes back to life, wouldn't that be a huge boost to our fighting strength?"
Marco looked at Whitebeard, his face filled with excitement.
"Gu-ra-ra-ra-ra! That's true, Marco. But... do we even know if Roger can actually come back to life?"
Whitebeard chuckled, raising an eyebrow. "And even if he does, you're forgetting one important thing!"
"Huh? What's that?" Marco asked, confused.
Whitebeard glanced at the chat room, noting Roger hadn't responded, then looked back at Marco and said, "You forgot about the distance! If Roger comes back to life in Loguetown, by the time he makes it here, the food will already be cold."
"Oh..."
Hearing this, Marco's excitement vanished instantly.
Everyone knew Roger had been executed in Loguetown.
So it made sense—if he were to come back to life, it would likely be in Loguetown.
"That's kind of a letdown," Jozu sighed.
But Vista smiled and reassured him, "Don't worry! Our plan never relied on Roger to begin with. If he really comes back, at least it'll shake up the Marines. We've still got the upper hand!"
Jozu's eyes lit up. "You're right! Haha, the advantage is still ours!"
Buzz!
Suddenly!
A golden light flashed in the empty space right next to Whitebeard!
"What's that!?"
"What's happening? Isn't the observation system supposed to immobilize everyone? Who's using their Devil Fruit power?"
"Protect Pops!"
"Damn it, I can't move! If it's an enemy, we're in trouble!"
On the high platform, Sengoku also noticed the strange scene unfolding on the deck of the Moby Dick.
"What in the world...?"
Sengoku frowned, his weathered face full of suspicion.
"No way... Could it be...?"
Kuzan stared at the golden light, an idea forming in his mind.
Borsalino squinted, his face showing rare surprise.
Sakazuki remained cold and stern, unmoved as if nothing could faze him.
Then, in the next moment...
The golden light near Whitebeard suddenly vanished!
A figure emerged before everyone's eyes.
What the hell!?
The sight left everyone at Navy Headquarters utterly stunned. They couldn't help but curse inwardly.
Ro... Roger...!!"
Marco's usually half-closed, sleepy eyes shot wide open like pearls as he stared at the man who had just appeared.
"What!!! Roger!!!"
On the high platform, Sengoku was equally stunned, his eyes bulging in disbelief.
"How is this possible?!" he exclaimed. "How did Roger show up here?!"
Vice Admiral Tsuru frowned, her expression grim. "It must be that resurrection power... Maybe he can choose where to return."
Kuzan clenched his teeth. "It really is Roger..."
Borsalino looked visibly annoyed. "Tch... Roger and Whitebeard together? This is a nightmare!"
Sakazuki, with his usual icy demeanor, growled, "Good. Let's bury him and Whitebeard here together."
Meanwhile, in the area below the Marine Admirals, the Seven Warlords of the Sea watched the chaos unfold.
"Hehehe... Chaos! Let there be chaos!"
Doflamingo was practically beaming with excitement.
He had been under immense pressure after Trafalgar Law's betrayal left him in everyone's crosshairs. If nothing else disrupted the scene, once the observation system's immobilization ended, his chances of survival were slim.
But now, with Roger appearing out of nowhere, the focus had completely shifted!
"Hehehe! Don't worry, I've got a backup plan. Once we're free, grab my hand, and I'll fly us out of here!"
Gekko Moria grinned, flashing his sharp, white fangs, and gave Doflamingo a sly wink.
"Hehehe... You're really such a nice guy," Doflamingo replied with a fake smile.
But inwardly, he thought: You want to take a bite out of me? Let's see who swallows who.
On the deck of the Moby Dick, no one was more shocked than Whitebeard.
Roger stood right beside him, and from this close, Whitebeard could see it all clearly.
This wasn't the Roger who had been on death's door at his execution. This was the Roger of his prime—at the peak of his power!
"Roger... You've been resurrected?" Whitebeard asked, struggling to hide his astonishment.
"Hahaha! Whitebeard, I've been resurrected!!!" Roger bellowed with laughter, stepping forward as if to embrace him.
"Huh?"
Roger froze, realizing his arms wouldn't move. He paused for a moment before figuring out the problem.
"Ah, so it seems I'm the same as all of you... This observation system has locked me in place, and I can't move," Roger admitted with a sheepish grin.
But Whitebeard didn't care about that. He had another question.
"Roger, tell me... What's the state of your body now?"
"Oh, that! Haha! I chose to be resurrected at 38 years old, the age when I was at my strongest!"
Roger instinctively patted his chest with pride.
"Huh? Wait... I can actually move?"
Roger was surprised when he realized his hand was freely patting his chest.
"Yeah, you can move a little, but only within a small range," Marco explained. "You can't take any actions toward others, though."
Whitebeard looked at the youthful, energetic Roger with a pang of envy.
Roger had always been five years older than him.
But now...
Roger stood in his prime, while Whitebeard was at the twilight of his life.
It was enough to make anyone sigh with regret.
But Whitebeard quickly shook off the thought and refocused.
Looking directly at Roger, he said firmly, "Roger, with you back in your prime, we'll definitely be able to save your son!"
Roger's eyes locked with Whitebeard's, gratitude shining brightly in his gaze.
"Thank you for taking care of Ace! Whitebeard, Ace isn't just my son—he's our son!"
If not for the restraint of the viewing system, Roger would have embraced Whitebeard right then and there.
"Gu-ra-ra-ra-ra!! Hearing you say that makes me happy, Roger!"
Whitebeard laughed heartily. "Let's save our son together!"
"Good!"
Roger joined in with his signature laugh, his voice full of confidence.
Then he turned his head, scanning the battlefield. His gaze landed briefly on Sengoku before finally settling on Ace.
Ace, noticing Roger's eyes on him, instinctively looked away, his expression conflicted.
But Roger's voice suddenly echoed through the area.
"Ace!!! Listen carefully! You might not have much else, but you've got plenty of dads!"
Roger grinned and continued, "You've got me, the Pirate King, as your dad! And you've got Whitebeard, the Emperor, as your dad! Anyone who dares to mess with you will have to face both of us—and they'll regret it!!"
Roger casually stuffed his hands into his pockets, his gaze sweeping across the crowd.
In that moment...
The aura of the legendary Pirate King descended like a tidal wave.
Those who had lived through Roger's era felt an overwhelming sense of nostalgia and dread, recalling the time when he ruled the seas.
And yet, standing beside him was another colossal figure—the king of the current era, Edward Newgate, Whitebeard himself.
Two kings, the rulers of two generations, now stood side by side at Navy Headquarters.
The sheer weight of their combined presence was suffocating.