Marineford's fortress towered into the clouds, with the Execution Platform erected at the highest point in the center of the plaza.
Fire Fist Portgas D. Ace knelt on the cold wooden boards, his hands firmly locked in specially made Seastone Handcuffs.
Two executioners stood on either side, long blades in hand.
Fleet Admiral Sengoku strode onto the wooden platform in his justice cloak and picked up the golden Amplifying Den Den Mushi.
The hundred thousand elite Marines assembled below straightened their backs in unison, their orderly formations filling the entire plaza inside Crescent Bay.
The Shichibukai stood below the platform, their expressions varied.
Sengoku spoke into the microphone.
"Portgas D. Ace, today, here, we will reveal your true parentage."
"Your biological father was none other than Gol D. Roger, King of the Pirates!"
His words rang out through Image Den Den Mushi screens across the world.
An uproar swept through the hundred thousand Marines in the plaza, shock written on every face.
Garp sat on the steps below the Execution Platform, stuffing Senbei into his mouth, his expression grim.
The central heavy artillery position stood on the elevated first line of defense facing the bay.
Zhao Hai sat squarely in the command chair, wearing a rear admiral's cloak and chewing jerky.
Behind him stood twenty trusted field officers he had brought from the East Blue, the potency of Orochimaru's Type-Zero Drug flowing through every one of them.
These officers brimmed with vitality, their eyes bright, with specially made ninja tools and short blades hanging at their waists.
Battalion Commander Two hurried forward and asked quietly.
"Sir, all fifty-six heavy cannons have been calibrated. We can open fire at any time."
"The muzzles are currently aimed at the center of the harbor entrance. Should we lower the elevation?"
Zhao Hai shot