"An elder?"
Kuzan looked at Wangchuan, even his form of address having changed.
The gravity in his eyes was deeper than ever before.
This man seemed entirely different from when he had been controlling lightning.
That ancient, unfathomable aura.
"Are you... a man or a ghost?"
Wangchuan looked down at Kuzan.
He did not answer the question.
He merely chuckled softly, his smile carrying the particular indulgence of an elder watching a child ask an innocent question.
"When you reach my age, you'll naturally understand these things."
"If you live that long."
Kuzan's brow twitched slightly.
You don't fucking look as old as me.
But in the end, he did not press further.
And just then.
Above the Execution Platform, a figure stood up.
Sengoku.
He had been watching the entirety of Wangchuan's battle with the two Admirals.
From the young man toying with Kizaru and Kuzan as casually as if he were strolling through a courtyard, to severely injuring Kizaru with one blow, to using gravity to break down Kuzan's elemental transformation.
His gaze had gone from initial scrutiny to gravity, and now.
It became one of utter resolve.
"We can't wait any longer."
Sengoku spoke in a low voice.
He turned to face the two executioners below and raised his right arm.
"Carry out the execution immediately!"
"Execute Portgas D. Ace right now!"
The two executioners holding long blades both froze for a moment and exchanged a glance.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku... now?"
"Immediately!"
There was not a trace of hesitation in Sengoku's voice.
"We can't wait any longer. That man."
His gaze passed through the smoke and settled on Wangchuan in the distance.
"His presence has already put this battlefield beyond our control. The longer we delay, the more variables there will be."
"Do it."
Both executioners gritted