Everyone's Moves

New World, Totto Land, Whole Cake Island.

"Mama, I've never heard of Roger having a son before!" Big Mom said with a wicked grin. "But since Whitebeard still took him in as the Second Division Commander, he wouldn't be planning to make that kid the Pirate King, would he? If that's the case, then Whitebeard's wish has been dashed! He must be very unhappy! That would be fantastic!"

The New World, Wano Country, Onigashima.

"Oh ho ho ho, Roger's son, huh? Whitebeard, you've been keeping this a secret for a while! But whatever! None of that matters! That Paramount War, though, sounds quite interesting! Don't worry, Whitebeard, I'll definitely be there to lend a hand. I'm definitely participating in this war! No one can stop me." Kaido's eyes were filled with fighting spirit and madness as he spoke.

Meanwhile, in a certain room.

"Will Ace... will Ace die? No, I have to save him." Yamato said, looking at the shackles on his hands. "But before that, I have to figure out how to get rid of these things first."

The New World, Red Force.

"So Ace is Captain Roger's son! No wonder I could sense your shadow in him back then; I always thought it was just my imagination! Captain! You kept this from us so well! But... Captain, should I go save Ace?! Sigh!" Shanks said, conflicted.

The Holy Land, Mary Geoise, Fleet Admiral's Office.

"Damn those God from Beyond the Domain! They announced Roger's son's existence ahead of time. Oh well! At least the final result was good; he's still dead! I just wonder if they can achieve their other objective. If Whitebeard were dead too, that would be even better!" Sengoku said expectantly.

The Grand Line, Sabaody Archipelago, and the Shakky's Rip-off Bar of Shakky.

"Will Roger's child die? Then it seems I have a reason to summon you back! Roger." Rayleigh muttered, clutching the Life-Calling Stone in his hand.

Impel Down, Level 6, inside a prison cell.

"Ace... Brother Ace, I never imagined your biological father was the Pirate King — Roger! My apologies!" Jinbe exclaimed, looking at Ace, who was imprisoned beside him.

"Jinbe, don't mention his name in front of me. I don't consider that guy my father," Ace said resentfully. "If I have a father at all, it's only ever been one Pops — Whitebeard."

"But, sigh! Never mind!" Jinbe wanted to say something more, but upon meeting Ace's murderous gaze, he immediately changed the subject, saying, "However, um... Brother Ace, you're going to die, don't you have anything to say?!"

"I have nothing to say, let nature take its course!" Ace said calmly.

East Blue, Goa Kingdom, Mount Colubo.

"Ace... Ace, this is the first time I've heard that he's the Pirate King's child! I never imagined he'd kept it from us for so many years!"

"Yeah! But whose child Ace was doesn't matter anymore! What matters is... Ace will die! I can't accept that!"

"Me too! Boss, should we go rescue Ace?!"

"No need! With our strength, trying to save Ace would be like throwing an egg against a rock." Dadan gently shook her head, fighting back tears, and said, "Don't worry! Now that Luffy knows this, he will definitely not let Ace die. He admires Ace so much; he can't accept this. We just need to stay here and cheer them on!"

"Okay, we got it! Boss, Ace, Luffy, you guys have to do your best!"

"Ace, Luffy, do your best!"

"..."

"..."

The Grand Line, somewhere in the sea, the Thousand Sunny.

"Ace... Ace is dying?" Luffy took out the Vivre Card, which was sewn inside his Straw Hat and burned to a crisp, and said in disbelief, "No, no, I have to go save him."

As he spoke, he turned and ran toward the ship's wheelhouse on the Thousand Sunny.

"Luffy, calm down." Nami immediately stepped forward and pressed him down, saying, "Given Ace's status, he must be Impel Down right now. If we go there at our current speed, we definitely won't make it in time. It's better if we go directly to Marineford, the Marine Headquarters. Our current course will take Marine Headquarters there soon, so we don't need to change course. We can just keep sailing, and we'll definitely arrive before Ace is executed."

"Don't worry, we will definitely go with you to save Ace, and we will definitely be able to save Ace," Sanji said, stepping forward.

His other companions also looked at him with unwavering determination.

"Thank you so much, everyone." Luffy immediately calmed down and said solemnly to Nami and the others.

"What are you talking about! We're buddies!" Usopp punched him, saying, "How can we stand idly by when our buddies' brothers are in trouble!"

"I understand, everyone." Luffy smiled, though a trace of worry still lingered in his eyes. "Then let's head towards Marine Headquarters!"

Then, the video feed switched back to Luffy.

Upon learning that the prize was the Flame-Flame Fruit, Luffy immediately looked at Franky with longing and said, "I want the Flame-Flame Fruit."

Franky didn't speak, but stared at him. After a short while, he laughed first, and then Luffy laughed too. As partners, some things don't need to be said; everything is understood without words.

"Hey! Do you want some, Franky?" Luffy suddenly suggested.

"I don't want to become a landlubber," Franky immediately refused.

"Unfortunately, I already have the Gum-Gum Fruit, so I can't eat any more!" Luffy said with some disappointment. "But I don't want some random person to take Ace's power away. This is really a difficult situation!"

"In a sense, that's true. Since Doflamingo is offering the Flame-Flame Fruit as a prize, he's practically written down that this is a conspiracy! Going is one thing, not going is another," Franky analyzed. "But one thing is certain—this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! Since that's the case, let's do it! We're going to the arena anyway."

"Okay!" Luffy nodded, turned around, and ran with Franky towards the Corrida Colosseum outside the alley.

The next second, the video switched, and Luffy appeared in the Corrida Colosseum.