The World Government had initially planned to publicly announce Ace's execution. However, unsettling reports about unusual activities from the Ninja Guild caused a brief delay. After several days of discreet investigations, the Navy confirmed that the Ninja Guild seemed genuinely committed to maintaining world peace, with no ulterior motives apparent. With this reassurance, the World Government proceeded as planned, officially declaring to the world that Ace was the son of the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger. They also announced that his public execution would take place in one week. The news sent shockwaves across the globe.
"Is this for real? Gol D. Roger has a son?"
"Fire Fist Ace? Isn't he the second division commander of the Whitebeard Pirates? How's he Roger's son?"
"This is absolutely mind-blowing!"
"The World Government's holding a public execution? Are they picking a fight with the Whitebeard Pirates?"
"Looks like they're trying to regain the face they lost with the Ninja Guild by taking on Whitebeard!"
The world buzzed with reactions, while the World Government pressed forward with preparations. The timeline was tight—barely half a month had passed since Ace's capture, half the time they'd had to prepare for the war against Lin Xuan and the Navy at the Sabaody Archipelago. Every moment was critical, and they worked tirelessly.
Meanwhile, on the Sabaody Archipelago, Whitebeard had just completed his treatment.
"Pops, how're you feeling?" Marco asked, rushing to his side with concern.
Whitebeard clenched his fist, a grin spreading across his face. "Better than ever!"
Marco's face lit up with relief and joy.
He quickly filled Whitebeard in on the news of Ace's impending execution. Whitebeard's expression turned grave. "We'll thank President Lin, then head back to rendezvous with the others."
"Got it!" Marco nodded.
They had planned to personally thank Orochimaru, who had overseen Whitebeard's treatment, but learned he was preoccupied with research and unavailable. When they arrived at Lin Xuan's doorstep to express their gratitude, they were greeted by an ominous sight—dark clouds swirled above his house, with lightning bolts crashing down. Alarmed, they thought something was wrong, but Konis, standing guard at the door, explained, "Sorry, Brother Xuan's in the middle of training and can't be disturbed."
Though disappointed, Whitebeard and Marco didn't press the issue. They vowed to return and thank Lin Xuan in person later, then departed. Konis stayed behind, guarding the door while quietly training herself. She had even sought out Konan to learn the art of paper ninjutsu.
Inside his room, Lin Xuan was indeed training, but the space had been specially modified. He had asked Master Roshi to commission Bulma to create a gravity chamber for his practice. Inspired by the idea, Roshi had Bulma make one for himself as well, where he and Krillin began their own training. On top of that, Lin Xuan had purchased a lightning-based talisman array, integrating it with the gravity chamber to channel thunderbolts for his cultivation. This was the source of the lightning Whitebeard and Marco had seen striking the house.
Under the combined effects of gravity and lightning, Lin Xuan's strength surged rapidly. Meanwhile, the Ninja Guild's activities across the world had unknowingly earned him billions more in reputation points, pushing his total past twenty billion. The ultra-dimensional travel system had long been unlocked, but Lin Xuan held off on using it, planning to take Uchiha Madara and others to the Dragon Ball world after the War at the Top concluded.
Five days later, with Ace's execution drawing near, Lin Xuan emerged from his seclusion. To the casual observer, he appeared unchanged, but Kaguya, standing before him, felt an overwhelming pressure—stronger than ever before. She was certain his power had grown significantly.
Lin Xuan, however, had no intention of showing off. With a calm smile, he said, "The show at Navy Headquarters is about to start. It's time we set out."
He departed with Konis and Kaguya, much like when he had first descended from Skypiea to the Sabaody Archipelago. This time, Frecks and his crew, who handled miscellaneous tasks for Lin Xuan on the islands, manned the ship.
As they boarded, Frecks asked, "President, are we heading straight to Marineford?"
"Exactly," Lin Xuan confirmed with a nod.
Not long after they set sail, a bold idea struck him, and a sly grin curved his lips. "A healthy Whitebeard is exciting, but it's not enough to steal the show. What if I reanimated Roger with the Impure World Reincarnation and let him save his own son?"
The thought thrilled him. The sudden appearance of the late Pirate King Roger would surely generate a massive wave of reputation points. The problem was, where was Roger buried? The original story only mentioned his execution in Loguetown, not his burial site. Some speculated he was laid to rest in his hometown, but neither Shanks nor Rayleigh had ever been seen visiting a grave. Others suggested the Navy might have a secret cemetery for executed pirates of Roger's caliber.
Either way, Lin Xuan had no time to investigate. Loguetown wasn't on the way to Marineford, and searching for a Navy graveyard was out of the question. Instead, he decided to purchase Roger's reanimation directly through the system. With Roger's influence, his mere appearance would likely recoup the reputation points spent—and then some.
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T/N:
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