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There was a banquet and Luffy wasn't the type to miss a meal so he decided to stay one more night despite Law's constant nagging about wanting to leave.
The next day they finally left the island. However, when they received a message from Sabo, their expressions completely changed.
Ace and Rosinante were to be executed.
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Until the public execution of "Fire Fist" Ace and "Marine Traitor" Rosinante six days remain. Thanks to Whitebeard's destruction of all ships observing him, Marine Headquarters are now even more on-edge...
Whilst at the port of Marineford... Powerful soldiers who have made names for themselves all over the world are arriving, one after another... Every last shred of military force serving under the name of "justice" is gathering here at Marine Headquarters.
Meanwhile at Marie Geoise the Shichibukai who have thus far been assembled are in the middle of their own battle conference...
Mihawk surveyed the room and noted the absence of a certain Fish-man and a certain sand crocodile. Something was wrong here... He can feel it.
His bad feeling was confirmed when Sengoku explained that Jinbe and Crocodile have been sent to Impel Down due to Fire Fist's upcoming execution since apparently Crocodile might get in the way due to his relationship with her and Jinbe for refusing the World Government's summons to deal with the Whitebeard Pirates.
If gaze could kill, Mihawk would have killed Sengoku a billion times already.
-Fufufufufu... If one of those who are going to be executed is Fire Fist Ace, then who is the other one?- Doflamingo asked interested.
Sengoku turned his expressionless face towards Doflamingo as he clenched his fists and had a throbbing vein on his forehead.
After a few seconds of silence and Rengoku's inhuman effort to steady his breathing, he finally answered him.
-The other one to be executed is...... Marine Traitor... Donquixote D. Rosinante...-
Doflamingo's smile faded and his fingernails dug into his palm. He felt his throat go dry and his eyes went wide behind his sunglasses.
-... What have you said?-
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Rouge was cleaning some dishes at Partys Bar with Makino. Rouge's private Den Den Mushi rang so she apologized to Makino and went to a quieter place to take the call.
-Hello? Rouge speaking.-
-Aunt Rouge?-
-Oh, Sabo! What's happening?-
-It's about Ace...-
-Ace? What happened to Ace?-
-Aunt Rouge... They have Ace and uncle Rosi.-
-... What?-
-The Marines... They have them...- Rouge's eyes widened and she inadvertently dropped the Den Den Mushi to the ground.- Soon they are going to execute them... In Marineford.-
Rouge could no longer hear anything else. She quickly ran towards the shoreline, ignoring a worried Makino, who followed after seeing her run out of Partys Bar.
-Rouge!!- Makino ran after Rouge, but the blonde was much faster.- Rouge, wait!!!-
The woman took her boat that was tied up on the shore and quickly left the island, leaving a worried Makino standing on the shore.
-Rouge!!!-
-I'm sorry Makino!! I have to go save Ace and Rosi!!! They are in danger!!!- Rouge yelled opening the candle and going at full speed.
Rouge looked ahead, pursed her lips.
She will not allow her daughter and her best friend to be executed... Not while she lives.
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-A storm is coming...- Kizaru murmurs with a sigh.- The good thing is that I'll be able to see Marco.-
-I still think you should stop fantasizing about a pirate...- Akainu growled in annoyance.
-Awww, is Saka jealous?- Kizaru asked with a teasing tone.
-Fuck you.- Akainu gives her the middle finger.
-Hahahahahaha!-
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Sabo was sitting in his room inside his personal ship.
During these months he was trying to woo Smoker so he didn't pay much attention to what was happening in the world until one day Smoker told him what happened in Sabaody.
Later he got news from Daz Bonez that the Marines locked up Crocodile in Impel Down and Smoker received a call from Marine Headquarters for the execution of his uncle and his sister!!!
That thought made his blood boil and he couldn't control his Akuma no Mi.
He won't allow it... He won't allow anyone to hurt his family.
Sabo stared at the Den Den Mushi in the darkness of his room.
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-Tell me... Blood is a reason to execute her?-
-No.-
-Is she a monster?-
-No.-
-So... Is this justice?-
-...... No. This will never be justice.-
-Then... Why are you helping with this? Why are you contributing?-
-............ I don't know...-
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The worst case scenario has happened and Natsu was feeling angry and pissed off with himself.
If he had only stayed a little longer on Sabaody...
-... It's time to prepare for war.- Natsu said raising his scarf a little.- Are you going to fight?-
-... I'm sorry Natsu... I... I can't... I...- Zeref averts his gaze in embarrassment.
-Don't worry... You can help by protecting the others.- Natsu said hugging Zeref's shoulder with a reassutring grip.- I'm not going to force you to participate in a war... I know you had very bad experiences with them.-
-... I'm sorry...-
-Don't.- Natsu kissed Zeref's forehead.- If it were possible... I wouldn't join the war either... If it wasn't for Ace and Rosi I'd just sit at home and watch the entire broadcast like a mere viewer.-
Zeref sighed, resting his head on Natsu's shoulder while looking at his hands.
He was no longer capable of killing... Not after going through so many tragedies and learning the value of life. Mavis taught him many things... Including love, but it was Natsu who really taught him how to live.
Since the day he came into this world, he felt alive... More alive than ever. He has friends, he has a family, he has someone he loves... He is happy. He really wants to keep this happiness and help Natsu, but by the mere thought of killing... It brings back old memories that he prefers to forget.
Natsu understands this and that's why he doesn't force him to fight. Since he came to this world he never had to fight. Natsu always did it for him.
He would like to do the same for him... If only for once.
Zeref slowly clenches his fist, making a decision that will change the flow of the entire war.