Ace Arrives

"A warship has arrived."

"It's carrying Ace."

Using Shisui's Sharingan, Kenma looked into the distance and took in the faraway scenery at a glance.

Through the hazy sea mist ahead, he could see the Steel Gate soaring into the sky in the distance.

His view was blocked by layers of sea fog and moisture, making it impossible to see the end at a glance. Just by estimating, he could not tell how tall it was—at least several hundred, perhaps even a thousand meters.

Yet he could still vaguely make out the two enormous characters carved upon the gate.

Justice!

The Gate of Justice slowly opened a crack, allowing a sliver of outside light through. Soon afterward, the gate slowly shut again.

Kenma lowered his gaze toward the sea below and vaguely saw a warship cleaving through the waves as it sailed toward Marineford.

The warship moved swiftly. Through Kenma's Sharingan, his view quickly became crystal clear, and everything on the deck came into sight.

Rows of marine soldiers stood aboard, tightly surrounding a figure at the center of the deck. Beside that figure stood a tall Marine General wearing a helmet.

The figure was bare-chested and seated in a wooden chair, his hands, feet, and entire body bound in chains. He had short black hair and a few freckles scattered across his face.

It was none other than the protagonist of this Public Execution, the fuse that would ignite the Summit War, Whitebeard's Second Division commander, Fire Fist Ace!

At that moment, he was being escorted from Impel Down by Marine Headquarters Vice Admiral Onigumo, to be executed in Marineford's plaza!

Kenma withdrew his gaze and beckoned to the Uchiha standing guard around him.

Once the dozen or so people had gathered, Kenma said, "Since Ace has arrived, the execution will begin shortly. Let me make the arrangements."

Kenma rose to his feet, reached into his clothes, and pulled out five finger-length Iron Nails, handing them to Fugaku.

"These are little things I got from the Kido Corps. A Kido spell can be inscribed on them."

"I inscribed a special Kido spell on them. By supplying Spiritual Pressure, they can form a Kido barrier with the power to calm Lost Souls and soothe the mind."

"Fugaku, select people to drive these four nails into the two corners of Crescent Bay and the mountains on either side. The barrier they form will be enough to cover most of the bay, as well as the entire plaza before the headquarters building."

Leon pointed toward the two sides of the island and the two corners of the bay.

The areas covered by the barrier were all at the heart of the war, enough to gather most of the Lost Souls who died on the battlefield.

"Understood."

Fugaku carefully accepted the Iron Nails.

Hearing Kenma's explanation, he recalled the great barrier that had enveloped the entire clan territory on the Night of the Uchiha Clan Downfall not long ago.

Could it have been this?

He voiced his doubts, and Kenma explained, "The effect is the same, but your clan territory was not large at the time, so I cast the Kido directly."

"Now, we need to cover half the island. It would be too taxing for me to maintain it alone, so I am entrusting the task to you."

He swept his gaze over the group. Seeing the solemn expressions on the Uchiha's faces, he nodded inwardly.

After all, these Uchiha had undergone systematic training. When faced with a task he had assigned, their attitude was utterly serious.

Kenma's expression turned stern as he continued his instructions.

"However, let me remind you: Spiritual Pressure must be supplied simultaneously before the barrier can truly activate and form. It must also be maintained continuously. Once it stops, the barrier will shatter."

"Since this is a one-time use, once the Spiritual Pressure ends, these things will be completely invalidated. The Kido spell must be inscribed again."

"Please rest assured, my lord. We will complete the task even at the cost of our lives."

Fugaku immediately dropped to one knee and accepted the order with utmost solemnity.

His expression gradually tightened, and his brows furrowed deeply, making his eyes appear increasingly fierce and intimidating.

That stern look truly suited his title of [Fierce Eyes].

The surrounding Uchiha were equally solemn. Together, they dropped to one knee before Kenma and made their pledge.

"Please rest assured, my lord. We will complete the task even at the cost of our lives!"

This was Kenma's first formal order to them. They had to carry it out flawlessly!

"You only need to be careful and cautious."

Kenma waved his hand, signaling for them to rise.

In truth, Kenma could have completed the task alone. Even with the island divided into four locations, he could connect them through the abilities of his Zanpakuto.

As the Uchiha refined their Spiritual Pressure one after another, they provided Kenma with an incredibly immense return.

In just a short time, he had already reached Third-Class Spiritual Might.

A solid captain-level strength!

He also had more than enough Spiritual Pressure to spare.

That was why he had not originally planned to bring so many people.

But since these people had followed him here, Kenma assigned them a few tasks so they would at least have something to do.

The important thing was participation. Their trip would not be wasted.

"Next, form pairs. One person will be responsible for supplying Spiritual Pressure, while the other stands guard. Fugaku, arrange the teams."

"Yes, my lord."

After receiving Kenma's order, Fugaku drew on his understanding of his clansmen and made a few quick gestures, dividing them into four groups.

Of the dozen or so clansmen, five or six remained. Kenma assigned them to Fugaku.

"Fugaku, lead the rest in controlling the situation, directing the scene, and even supporting the four locations if necessary."

"This world has all kinds of strange abilities. There may be people capable of interacting with souls."

"Understood." Fugaku nodded, then seemed to realize something and asked with concern, "If that is the case, I fear the guards at your side will be too few, my lord."

"Your strength is astonishing, my lord, and we naturally have faith in you. But should you encounter petty thugs with strange abilities and they accidentally disturb you, it would still mean we had failed in our duty as guards. We could not escape blame."

"No need to worry."

Kenma waved his hand and tilted his head toward Shisui beside him.

"With Shisui at my side, who could possibly disturb me?"

"Th-this... understood!"

Although Kenma's face remained calm, Fugaku saw the decisiveness in his brow. It was clear that Kenma would not tolerate objections, so Fugaku could only accept helplessly.

His sharp gaze fell upon Shisui, whose eyes were dim, and Fugaku sternly said, "Shisui, from now on, you will be the only one at my lord's side. Do not let your guard down."

"Yes. Shisui will definitely complete the task."

Though Shisui could not see, he still turned toward the source of Fugaku's voice and nodded heavily in promise.

Seeing the Uchiha being so serious, Kenma said to Fugaku, "There is no need to be so harsh."

Fugaku immediately bowed.

Kenma then looked at Shisui and said, "Shisui, I am done using the Sharingan. Prepare to receive it."

"Yes, my lord."

As soon as he spoke, Shisui felt a sense of fullness surge into his eye sockets.

He blinked. The darkness swiftly receded, and the world brightened. Every detail of the scene before him once again entered his eyes.

Those dull, lifeless eyes had regained their former brilliance. The pinwheel-like blade pattern upon them slowly turned, radiating an ominous aura.

"Ah..."

Kenma's vision blurred. The incomparably clear world before him returned to its original state.

When he looked into the distance again, he could no longer see the faraway Gate of Justice. He could not even make out the Marines in the plaza below.

Such a vast difference left him briefly unaccustomed to it.

He had to admit, the Sharingan was truly useful.

"My lord, are you all right?"

"Are you feeling unwell anywhere?"

The surrounding Uchiha noticed Kenma's slight discomfort, their brows filled with concern.

Kenma waved his hand.

"It's nothing."

"Just a little adjustment."