Naruto: Copy System#635+636: The Execution of Ace, A Message Delivered

The Marines’ investigation was surprisingly swift—aided by the agents the Five Elders had dispatched to assist Sengoku.

The truth was confirmed: Ace was, indeed, the son of the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger. He was now imprisoned in the deepest level of Impel Down.

—————

In Sengoku’s office, the atmosphere was heavy.

“Garp,” Sengoku began, his tone grave, “the Five Elders have instructed me to give you a warning.”

Fortunately, this time, they had only issued a warning and had no intention of actually punishing him.

“You and Roger were enemies,” Sengoku said, looking at his old friend, who was staring at the floor. “Why would you help him?”

“Roger and I may have spent the better part of our lives trying to kill each other—” Garp said, his voice a low rumble, “—but we weren't just rivals. You could say we were friends.”

It was the two of them, after all, who had joined forces to bring down the legendary Rocks D. Xebec, consigning him and his era to the history books.

Sengoku said nothing.

He understood. It was a bond forged in battle, a mutual respect between two monsters. Roger must have trusted Garp completely to entrust his own son to him. And he had been right to do so.

If not for Garp, Roger’s bloodline would have been extinguished over two decades ago. The fact that Ace had chosen the path of a pirate couldn't be blamed on Garp, it was his own choice.

“Alright, don't dwell on it,” Sengoku said, placing a hand on Garp’s shoulder. “They only ordered a warning. There will be no formal punishment.”

Even the Five Elders wouldn't punish a man of Garp's stature lightly.

He was the Hero of the Marines, a living legend with immense influence and the adoration of countless soldiers. Still, Sengoku knew that the trust the World Government had in Garp was now shattered.

Garp remained silent. He wasn't worried about the Five Elders. He was worried about Ace.

“Sengoku...” Garp said, finally looking up, his eyes filled with a deep pain. “What are you going to do with Ace?”

“He will be executed.” Sengoku replied, his voice devoid of emotion, his eyes glinting with strategic coldness.

Ace wasn't just Roger’s son. He was also Whitebeard’s son. And that was a fact of monumental importance. Sengoku knew Whitebeard’s fierce protectiveness of his crew. He would never abandon Ace.

This was his chance. He would use Ace as bait to lure Whitebeard into a trap.

Best case scenario, he could eliminate a Yonko.

Worst case, he would at least erase the "demon's bloodline" from the world.

It was a brilliant, ruthless gamble. Knowing Whitebeard, he would walk right into it. The man’s love for his family was his greatest strength, and his greatest weakness.

“Can’t you change it??” Garp asked, his voice raw with desperation.

“No. This is also the Will of the Five Elders,” Sengoku said, his tone final. “Garp, don’t do anything foolish. I don’t want to see you throw your life away for a pirate.”

“I know,” Garp sighed, the fight going out of him. “Don’t worry, Sengoku. I won’t do anything.”

He knew what Sengoku was really saying: Don’t try to save him.

And he wouldn’t. As a Marine, his loyalty was absolute.

“I’m going to see him,” Garp said, standing.

“Alright.”

Sengoku considered it for a moment, then nodded. A simple visit wouldn’t break any rules.

After Garp left, Sengoku set his plan in motion. He leaked the news of Ace's impending execution to the world, but he kept one crucial detail secret:

Ace's true parentage.

The announcement was a declaration of war aimed squarely at the Whitebeard Pirates. Ace, despite being the son of the Pirate King, was just a means to an end.

—————

“Looks like the show is finally about to begin.”

Aboard the Pluton, slicing through the waves of the New World, Shin held a newspaper, a faint smile on his face. The entire front page was dedicated to the execution of Fire Fist Ace, scheduled for seven days from now.

“This is obviously a trap for Whitebeard,” Olvia remarked, reading over his shoulder. “A very blatant one at that.”

Anyone with eyes could see it.

Whitebeard himself would surely know it was a setup. The question was, would he still walk into it? Given his reputation, the answer was almost certainly yes.

“He’ll definitely go,” Shin said, his decision made. “Let’s leave the New World.”

With this news, he had no reason to linger. It was time to head back to Paradise and get a front-row seat.

The Pluton changed course, heading for the first half of the Grand Line. This was going to be a clash between a Yonko and the full might of the Marines.

If it played out exactly like the original story, it would be boring. But things were different now. Whitebeard had been restored to his prime.

How would that change the outcome?

Would he still die at Marineford?

The uncertainty was what made it so exciting.

“Heading back to Paradise now… the Marines will be watching us like hawks,” Robin commented.

“When are they not?” Shin laughed. “It’s not just the Marines. The Five Elders are always watching.”

He couldn't care less. What were they going to do, attack him? Not now. With a war against Whitebeard looming, the last thing they wanted was to anger another Yonko.

They could handle one Emperor, but not two at the same time.

And the Kuja Pirates weren't just any Yonko crew. Shin alone could probably take on all three Admirals and Sengoku himself.

So no, Sengoku would play it safe.

If anything, he was probably terrified that Shin would intervene on Whitebeard’s behalf.

Now that would be a nightmare for him.

<><><><><><><><>

In the depths of Impel Down, a weary-looking Garp walked through the halls of the sixth level, Infinite Hell, escorted by the warden, Magellan.

This was the prison for the world’s most dangerous criminals, a place from which escape was said to be impossible.

Only one man, the Golden Lion Shiki, had ever broken out.

—————

“Ace...”

Garp’s voice, rough and dry, echoed in the oppressive silence.

Ace, who had been sitting with his head bowed, looked up.

“Grandpa.” Tears immediately welled in his eyes, streaming down his face. He had been ready to die, but he never thought he would see Garp again.

Guilt gnawed at him. He had betrayed his grandfather’s hopes, becoming a pirate when Garp had wanted him to be a Marine.

If he had joined the Marines, even if his identity was revealed, Garp could have protected him.

But now, as a pirate, he knew his grandfather would never forsake his duty.

“I’m sorry,” Garp said, his voice thick with pain as he sat down cross-legged in front of the cell. “...I can’t save you.”

“It was my choice,” Ace said, shaking his head. “It’s not your fault.”

The two of them began to talk, a grandfather and his grandson, sharing a final conversation in the darkest pit of the world.

—————

At the same time, Sengoku received a report:

Shin Uzumaki’s Kuja Pirates had left the New World and had been sighted at the Sabaody Archipelago.

'What is he planning? To show up at Sabaody at a time like this…' Sengoku’s mind raced, trying to decipher Shin’s intentions.

The Kuja Pirates’ ship had docked and hadn’t moved since.

Was he planning to intervene? The thought sent a chill down his spine.

“We need to prepare for the possibility that he might get involved,” Sengoku said to Tsuru. “What are your thoughts?”

“If Shin Uzumaki decides to intervene,” she said, her expression grim, “we won’t be able to stop him.”

It wasn’t just him. If Kaido or Shanks decided to make a move, the outcome would be a disaster.

“Shanks was an apprentice on Roger’s ship,” Tsuru reminded him. “It’s possible he’ll try to save Ace.” After all, Ace was his former captain’s son.

“No matter what,” Sengoku said, his voice hard as steel, “the execution will proceed. The bloodline of the demon must not be allowed to continue.”

He was aware of the risks.

There were still old members of the Roger Pirates out there. He could only hope they didn't know the truth about Ace's identity. In reality, most of them didn't.

In the original story, not a single one had come to Marineford to save him.

Tsuru said nothing more.

She knew Sengoku’s resolve was unshakable. She just hoped this wouldn't drive a permanent wedge between him and Garp.

—————

At the Sabaody Archipelago, Shin was sitting in Shakky’s Rip-Off Bar. Across from him sat Shakky herself, and the Dark King, Silvers Rayleigh.

“To be honest, having you in my bar is not good for business,” Shakky said with a sigh.

“Oh? I would think my presence would bring you some prestige. Instead, you see me as a problem?” Shin raised an eyebrow.

“You are a problem,” she replied, exasperated. “With you here, my bar is going to be crawling with CP0 agents.”

If it were anyone else, she would have kicked them out without a second thought. But you didn’t just kick out Shin Uzumaki. Not if you valued your life. Even Rayleigh was no match for him.

“Relax, I won’t be here for long,” Shin said with a light laugh. “Just make sure the drinks are on the house.”

“You don’t waste any time, do you?” Rayleigh commented, a faint smile on his face. Usually, Shakky was the one doing the ripping off. It was a rare sight to see her on the losing end.

“Fine,” Shakky sighed in defeat. “Drinks are on me.”

There were some people in this world you just couldn’t afford to piss off.

“Rayleigh,” Shin said, his tone turning serious. “They’re going to execute Roger’s son, Ace. Are you planning on doing anything about it?”

Rayleigh froze.

Ace… is Roger’s son? He hadn't known... Very few people did. If it had been common knowledge, the secret never would have been kept for so long. He fell into a deep, contemplative silence. If he was really Roger’s son… he had to do something.

Shin watched him, a faint smile playing on his lips, then turned and called for drinks for his entire crew.

After they had finished, they got up to leave.

—————

“He almost seemed like he came here just to deliver that message,” Shakky murmured, watching Shin’s retreating back.

Rayleigh looked at her, a thoughtful expression on his face.

“You didn’t feel it?” she asked. “Or do you really think Shin Uzumaki just happened to stop by for a drink?”

“You might be right,” Rayleigh conceded after a moment. “He probably did come here on purpose.”

But what was his goal? Shin Uzumaki wasn't the type to do things without a reason. Unable to decipher his motives, Rayleigh pushed the thought aside.

“Rayleigh, are you really going to come out of retirement?” Shakky asked, her voice tinged with concern. “If you get involved, your peaceful life is over.”

“He is the captain’s son,” Rayleigh said, his mind made up.

“Are you going to try and break him out of Impel Down?”

“I’m not a fool,” Rayleigh replied. “To go to Impel Down now would be a suicide mission. The place is on lockdown. No, I’ll have to coordinate with Whitebeard. He’ll definitely make a move to save Ace.”

Even though Ace was Roger’s son, and Roger and Whitebeard were rivals, Whitebeard had accepted him as his own. Rayleigh was optimistic. Whitebeard would come.