Chapter 145: Chapter 144 : Ace's Killer?
[Luffy fell weakly to the ground...]
[The countless civilians who were still cheering moments ago now panicked once again!]
[Observing Doflamingo's slow approach, they scattered, fleeing for their lives!]
[However...]
[A fighter from the arena, who had been present earlier, rushed to Luffy's side and inquired anxiously]
["Straw Hat Kid, what's wrong with you?"]
[Luffy, with the last ounce of strength, responded, "After using Gear 4, I can only fight after ten minutes. If I endure that, I can fight again."]
[Hearing this, the concerned fighter asked earnestly, "So, if we help you survive these ten minutes, you can defeat Doflamingo?"]
[Luffy slumped in the fighter's arms and weakly nodded...]
["Good!"]
[Don Chinjaos face showed determination, as if he had made a crucial decision!]
["In that case, we'll help you endure these ten minutes!"]
["During that time, it's up to us!"]
"If Doflamingo wants to kill you, he'll have to step over my corpse!"]
[In that moment, numerous fighters from the arena began to converge!]
[Hundreds of individuals formed a human wall, shielding Luffy's body...]
[No fear showed on their faces; they stood resolute before the advancing Doflamingo...]
[Meanwhile, the fighter carrying Luffy sprinted toward the rear...]
[He was prepared to fight for Luffy for the next ten minutes!]
[Only by doing so could they defeat Doflamingo!]
[Their actions aimed to save all of Dressrosa...]
At this juncture, viewers of the live broadcast were also gripped with tension!
They never expected the arena fighters to confront their deepest fears in order to aid Luffy!
They were willing to use their bodies as shields for Luffy, just to secure these crucial ten minutes!
Everything Luffy had done for Dressrosa became apparent to everyone in that moment, earning their trust!
For the first time, viewers felt that ten minutes was an agonizingly long time!
Could these people...
Truly endure against the enraged Doflamingo for the entire duration?
[Just as Luffy was being carried away...]
[Boom!]
[Burgess, a member of the Blackbeard Pirates, made a dramatic entrance!]
["Straw hat boy, you stole my Flame-Flame Fruit!"]
["Well then, give me your Gum-Gum Fruit, hahaha..."]
[Burgess exuded confidence in defeating Luffy, knowing he could no longer move!]
[But in the next moment...]
["Luffy, don't make a move!"]
[Sabo emerged, intervening at a crucial moment to halt Burgess's advance.]
[Gazing at Sabo before him, Burgess reached the pinnacle of fury!]
[The Flame Fruit, meant for his own consumption, slipped away due to the individual standing in front of him...]
[Being a long-time resident of Dressrosa, Burgess naturally comprehends the current dynamics between Sabo and Luffy, even managing a sneer.]
["Heard you, Fire Fist Ace, and Straw Hat Kid are sworn brothers?"]
["A shame, you weren't as prompt in aiding Fire Fist Ace when he fell to the Marine as you are now!"]
["Honestly, the three of you as brothers pose a greater challenge!"]
["Our Blackbeard Pirates exerted considerable effort to defeat Fire Fist Ace and hand him over to the Marine!"]
["Even our captain nearly perished, but luckily, Fire Fist Ace is no more..."]
[Hearing Burgess's words, Sabo's once composed visage erupted in anger!]
[His deepest regret centers around Ace's absence when he needed it the most!]
[Now, the perpetrator responsible for Ace's demise stands before him!]
[I must personally expel this malevolence to avenge Ace!]
As the live broadcast unfolds...
Upon hearing Burgess's revelation, shock reverberates throughout the world. What in the world?
The truth behind Fire Fist Ace's demise... How could this be?
Though the conversation between the two leaves much to speculation, it's evident that Ace's demise resulted from two main culprits—the Blackbeard Pirates and the Marine!
Even more shocking is the revelation that the primary culprit is none other than Blackbeard—Marshall D. Teach! However, viewers find themselves dumbfounded once again...
Teach... Wasn't he a member of the Whitebeard Pirates? How could he have killed Ace, his comrade?
What is happening here!?
While the global audience remains perplexed, no one is more informed than the members of the Whitebeard Pirates...
In this moment, Teach is no longer one of them, having murdered his comrades and seized the Dark Devil Fruit!
He has committed the gravest offense within the Whitebeard ranks!
However, this news is yet to disseminate worldwide...
Whitebeard Pirates!
"Marshall... Teach!"
"It's really you!!!"
Seated on his throne, Whitebeard wears a hideous expression!
In an instant, his overwhelming conqueror's haki sweeps across the sky, causing it to change hues!
The once serene sea now roils and churns!
And it's not just Whitebeard who seethes with rage!
Onboard the entire ship, from Marco and Vista to Jozu and the other captains, down to the countless foot soldiers, there is not a single individual who isn't consumed by anger!
Before the emergence of the ominous Flame Fruit hinting at Ace's demise, everyone was perplexed by the unfolding events!
Now, the answer has been unequivocally revealed!
Unexpectedly, it was a scheme orchestrated by Teach and the Marine!
Not too long ago, Teach betrayed his captain, seizing the fruit and making a run for it.
Before they could give chase, an unexpected twist unfolded...
The live broadcast screen unveiled that he had launched another assault on Ace in the future!
This time, it was exclusively targeting captain-level figures, particularly the beloved Ace.
The collective fury among the onlookers was palpable, and the desire for retribution was intense.
Though their animosity towards the Marine was not diminished, the two factions were now at odds.
If they could capture and dispatch Ace, they could deal with their anger later; after all, they were pirates and the Marine were their adversaries.
However, the shocking betrayal by Teach, a former comrade, handing Ace over to the Marine, was seen as excessively cruel and despicable.
Whitebeard rose to his feet!
"So, you formed the Blackbeard Pirates after your escape?"
"Teach... I will relentlessly unleash all my might to pursue you."
"I will ensure your existence on this sea is devoid of any hope!"
As the father figure of the entire Whitebeard crew, he treated everyone fairly, but Ace held a special place in his heart.
Not only was Ace his "son," but he was also a departed friend with Roger's blood running through his veins.
Hence, Whitebeard wouldn't permit anyone to take Ace's life. The bloodline of Roger, his only link to the past, must not be extinguished.
Yet, compared to the rage brewing within the entire Whitebeard crew, Ace remained surprisingly composed.
Despite furrowing his brows, he didn't let his emotions run wild.
"Is it because of Teach that I met my end?"
"It seems he not only conceals his ambitions but also his true strength..."
...The Red-haired Pirates!
Shanks, too, was aware of Ace's true identity as the sole bloodline of the old captain, keeping a watchful eye on Ace while observing Luffy.
Learning about the complexity surrounding Ace's death, Shanks' expression darkened.
"Teach, a familiar name and face!"
Shanks traced the scar at the corner of his eye.
This scar, a memento from Teach, reminded him that appearances could be deceiving.
No one understood better than Shanks the ambitions and strength Teach, who appeared honest on the surface, concealed.
"I never expected that you, with hidden strength, would surpass Ace."
"It's truly surprising..."
"Lurking within the Whitebeard Pirates for so many years, all for a fruit?"
"But I suspect someone will be even angrier than me, won't they?"
"Next, you'll face ceaseless pursuit and retaliation..."
...Water 7!
Luffy's eyes widened, fixated on the sky screen. Finally, he learned the identity of Ace's killer: the Marine and Blackbeard Teach!
"Ace, I won't let your death go unanswered!"
"This Blackbeard guy, I'll take him down with my own hands!"
Luffy gritted his teeth, suppressing the anger welling up within him.
Besides his crewmates, his family was the most important to him.
The news of Ace's death deeply saddened him, and he couldn't fathom the pain he would endure if it became a reality.
Determined to end the agony of losing his brother, he resolved to train harder and become stronger.
Even more formidable than what was broadcasted live!
"Ace... No matter who aims to take you down!"
"Whether it's the Marine or Blackbeard, I'll knock them off!"
"You won't die, not on my watch!!!"
**********
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