Chapter 48: Reuniting with Straw Hat, a Celestial Dragon Gets Hit

Words : 1097 Updated : Sep 17th, 2025

"Zoro, long time no see. Why are you alone?" The person Roy saw was none other than Zoro from the Straw Hat Pirates. "Didn't expect to run into you here. Did you find Ace yet?" Zoro asked, taking a swig of alcohol. "No, and when I do, I'm going to give him a good beating," Roy sighed. "The Sabaody Archipelago is the last surface island before the Red Line. Ace should show up here eventually. No need to rush. By the way, where's Loxus?" Zoro asked. "Him? I told him to stay at the inn. What about Luffy and the others? Why are you the only one here?" Roy asked. "I didn't come with them," Zoro replied. Roy suddenly remembered, this guy was notoriously bad with directions. It was normal for him to get lost. The two walked to Grove 24 of the Sabaody Archipelago, just in time to witness the appearance of Saint Charlos, a Celestial Dragon. Because Zoro was lost and didn't know who the Celestial Dragons were, he almost attacked one of them. Fortunately, Bonney stopped him. Roy stood nearby, observing and calculating whether he should take action now. He didn't know if Luffy and the others would make a move, but if they did and injured the Celestial Dragons, it might create an opportunity for escape. Meanwhile, the Marines were in a state of emergency. Egghead and two Marine bases had been attacked, and tens of thousands had been taken prisoner. The Whitebeard Pirates had made their demands clear. "They know we have Fire Fist Ace. They want a prisoner exchange. With Vegapunk in their hands, they'll kill him if we don't release Ace," Sengoku said grimly. "Since when do pirates pull stunts like this? I didn't expect them to have this kind of strategy," Kizaru muttered. "We were careless and didn't pay enough attention to the situation in the New World. There's a good chance our internal information was leaked. As soon as the Whitebeard Pirates found out, they acted immediately," Akainu added. "Possibly. Their response was way too fast. In just three days, they completed their deployment and took hostages. We're only just mobilizing now, and the New World is already in chaos," said Kizaru. "So what do we do next? Do we still go through with the plan? If we publicly execute Fire Fist Ace, those tens of thousands of Marine hostages will be slaughtered by Whitebeard," Aokiji said. Sengoku had a headache. He couldn't exactly tell the three Admirals and the gathered Vice Admirals that the Five Elders had decided Ace must die, regardless of the cost. The only one they cared about saving was Vegapunk. Even the Five Elders were frustrated. Tens of thousands of Marines dying would be bad enough, but Vegapunk was still valuable. They couldn't afford to lose him "WHITEBEARD!!!" Sengoku clutched his head in frustration. Vice Admiral Tsuru interlaced her fingers. "Whitebeard clearly prepared for this. The moment he learned Ace was captured, he acted immediately, seizing three key Marine strongholds in the New World." "Now, the lives of tens of thousands of Marines are in his hands. We either release Ace or face mutual destruction." "Fire Fist Ace is nothing compared to the lives of our Marines!" one Vice Admiral argued. "Bullshit! Every pirate should be eliminated. We can't spare them just because they took hostages," Vice Admiral Doberman argued. "Then let me ask you, Vice Admiral Doberman: is one Fire Fist Ace life's worth more than tens of thousands of Marines? If it were just your life in exchange, I'd say it's worth it. But sacrificing so many, many of whom are Vice Admirals themselves, will destabilize our power in the New World. I know you're eager to wipe out pirates, but don't gamble with so many lives. I propose a hostage exchange: release Fire Fist Ace and resolve the conflict with the Whitebeard Pirates." "Fire Fist Ace's real name is Portgas D. Ace. He is the son of the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger," Sengoku suddenly said. "WHAT?!" Several officers widened their eyes in shock, staring at Sengoku in disbelief. "Admiral, did you just say..." "Did I hear that right?" "Fire Fist Ace is..." "The Pirate King Roger's son?" The Vice Admirals erupted. Only the Admirals and a few senior officers had known. The others couldn't believe it. "Exactly. Because of Ace's special identity, you now understand why I'm so conflicted. Sengoku said heavily. "If he were just another pirate, we could release him—we've done it before with Impel Down prisoners. But Ace is Roger's son. If we release him, imagine what that could mean for the future." "Whitebeard is aging. Eventually, Ace will inherit his crew. The legend of the Four Emperors will continue, and a new Pirate King may rise to rule the seas." Sengoku's words left the Vice Admirals silent. No wonder the decision was so difficult. On one side, the son of the Pirate King. On the other, tens of thousands of Marines. Was killing one man worth sacrificing so many? Akainu suddenly spoke. "There might be another way." Sengoku turned. "What is it?" Before Akainu could answer, a Marine officer burst in, panting. "Fleet Admiral Sengoku! A Celestial Dragon has been attacked on Sabaody!" "WHO DID IT?!" Sengoku slammed the table in anger, turning toward the three Admirals. "Monkey D. Luffy, Eustass Kid, and Trafalgar Law!" "Straw Hat Luffy..." Akainu's voice darkened. "Him again." Sengoku massaged his temples. Garp's damn grandson. "Looks like I'll have to go myself," Kizaru said as he stood, blocking Akainu, who was about to rise. "My speed is faster. I'll handle it quickly." Akainu shot him a look. Even Sengoku and the others were surprised; Kizaru, the perpetually lazy Admiral, volunteering was highly unusual. Aokiji going was out of the question; he was Garp's student and would never harm Luffy. If Akainu went, Luffy would die, and the Marines might fracture from the fallout. Kizaru, with no ties to Garp, was the safest choice. His sudden initiative was a relief. "Go. Resolve this quickly. We have bigger plans to execute," Sengoku ordered. "Relax~ I'll wrap it up in no time. These rookies really pick the worst moments to act up," Kizaru drawled. In a flash of light, he vanished from headquarters. ... If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead. [email protected]/DaoistJinzu

Chapter 48: Reuniting with Straw Hat, a Celestial Dragon Gets Hit

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