Day turned to night and back again. Two days passed after Lina and the others left Nine Snake Island.
Only three hours remained until the public execution of Portgas D. Ace, an event the whole world was watching.
Fifty warships surrounded Marineford. The island's terrain resembled a round disk with a bite taken out of it, and defensive fortifications had been built all along its edges.
Cannons stood fully loaded in neat rows, aimed outward. Soldiers stood around them, anxiously watching the sea.
At the opening in front of Marineford lay a crescent-shaped harbor. By now, not a single ship was docked there.
Beyond the harbor lay the central plaza, a sea of white packed with a hundred thousand elite Marines summoned from all over!
Officers wearing coats of justice were everywhere, and vice admirals capable of commanding entire branches were a dime a dozen!
Gulp~
"Three hours left, and there's still no sign of anyone."
"At this point, could Whitebeard really not be coming?"
"Who knows. I hope he doesn't."
The soldiers were uneasy. They held their breath and stared intently at the sea, their hands gripping their weapons already slick with cold sweat.
Despite their overwhelming numbers, they didn't dare let their guard down.
Meanwhile, live footage of Marineford was being broadcast to the outside world through several Visual Den Den Mushi.
On the Sabaody Archipelago, just a stone's throw from Marine Headquarters, a crowded plaza teemed with civilians, pirates, and reporters.
Regardless of who they were, everyone looked up at the three giant screens broadcasting the event. One showed the sea beyond the island, another the harbor, and the third the execution platform behind the plaza.
"So those are the Shichibukai? Why are there only five of them?"
As they looked at the five figures lined up