Only after hearing Sengoku's affirmative answer did Garp understand why his stance was so firm. At the same time, he knew that Ace's fate was already sealed.
The Navy and the World Government loathed the Pirate King so deeply that they would never allow his bloodline to exist. So Ace's fate would not simply be lifelong imprisonment in Impel Down, but execution!
That extinguished Garp's last shred of hope.
Now that they knew Ace's identity, it was easy to imagine how seriously everyone involved would take this matter. Ace truly had no chance...
Seeing his old friend so dispirited, Sengoku could not quite bear it either.
"...Garp, once Ace has been brought back safely, we'll pro... proceed with... a public execution in a month. You still have a month. Spend more time with him in these final days..."
With that, Sengoku gently patted Garp's shoulder, as if to comfort him, but also to encourage him.
Garp nodded at Sengoku, indicating that he was all right.
"Pull yourself together. We'll probably have a tough battle to fight in a month!"
"You mean Whitebeard?"
"Exactly! Once that old man learns what happened to Ace, with his temperament, he'll definitely come to rescue him. When that happens..."
Sengoku knew this was far too cruel to Garp. When the time came, Garp would have to watch his own grandson be beheaded. Not only would he be unable to save him, but he would also have to do everything in his power to stop those who came to rescue him. It was ironic, to say the least, but there was no helping it. That was the cruel reality.
For a moment, Garp even hoped that old man Whitebeard would come through, beat the Navy into the ground, and successfully rescue Ace.
But in the next