Chapter 175 - 175. Whitebeard's Answer

Sengoku's words made the marines shut up. He looked at all of them and said.

"New World is the domain of Yonko. If we take the battle to them our chances of victory are slim, however, if the battle is here on Marineford, then who would win isn't absolute."

One of the marines asked, "Fleet Admiral, Whitebeard is no fool, he has no reason to come here, much less start a war."

Sengoku took out a bounty poster and raised it for everyone else to see.

"Fire Fist Ace, second division commander of Whitebeard Pirates. He is in our custody now."

Damn!

Leo clenched his fist under the table. Whitebeard considers his crew as his family, his closest kin, he wouldn't take it lightly if the marines caught one of them.

"We will hold a public execution of Ace. Whitebeard will come to rescue his son."

Sengoku said with absolute certainty.

The other marines also agreed. They were all familiar with Whitebeard Pirates.

After a couple of hours the meeting was adjourned.

Leo walked out solemnly.

"This isn't good."

Shinobu said with a frown.

"War is never good. We gotta move fast, Whitebeard must have gotten the news about Ace's capture. We have to stop him."

Shinobu agreed.

They were familiar with the route and had a vivre card. So after a day of travel they reached Moby D.i.c.k.

The atmosphere on the ship was slightly off.

"Leo, it's best if you leave. Pops ain't in a good mood."

Jozu stopped Leo and said.

Leo pushed him aside and said seriously, "This is important Jozu, move."

"Alright, go at your own risk."

Jozu gave way.

Leo stood before Whitebeard and said, "I can save Ace. I will find some way, don't move out."

"Boy, I don't need the help of a marine to save my son!"

Whitebeard was truly angry. His haoshoku was fully released. Leo didn't retaliate and stood straight like a mountain.

"I know you don't, but think about your body for one second. You are in no condition to start a war."

"Are you looking down on me, brat!? I am Whitebeard! I haven't gone senile enough to be worried over by a fledgling!"

Whitebeard growled and said. His voice boomed through the air. The seas rumbled and the skies turned dark in response to his anger.

Leo stared straight at Whitebeard and mumbled, "You will die."

Only Whitebeard heard him. The anger he showed disappeared in an instant.

"It's a father's duty bring back his son."

Leo didn't know what to say. He turned to Marco who watched everything in silence.

"Say something you idiot."

Marco shook his head, "Sorry Leo. I am with pops on this one. Ace is our brother, we will bring him back."

Leo covered his face with his palm. He couldn't get through this bunch of stubborn oxes.

Marco patted Leo's shoulder and said gratefully, "Thanks for you help before. Please leave, a pirate ship is no place for a marine."

Leo stared at Marco for a moment. He took one last look at Whitebeard and sighed. He took out a vial from his coat and gave it to Marco.

Marco didn't push it back and accepted it, "Thank you."

Leo said no more and left.

Looking at Moby D.i.c.k he felt down.

Shinobu hugged his from behind and said, "You did your best."

Leo didn't say anything. He stared off into the distance for a while and said, "He reminds me so much of my father. To outsiders he was proud and arrogant but to his family he was a calm and caring. I just don't want someone like him to die."

"I know."

She didn't say anything and just stayed by his side.

Leo returned to his island and busied himself with training. He wanted to take his mind off everything.

Days passed.

The news of Ace's execution was spread through the seas. Every major power was focusing on the upcoming war.

On this day Garp visited Leo.

"What's wrong Garp-san?"

Leo asked.

Garp was smiling as usual but he seems to be in confusion and pain.

"Sometimes I think it was best if I didn't become a marine."

"What's this about?"

Shaking his head Garp didn't explain.

The old man stayed till the sun was setting and left. His figure looked lonely and tired.

"It must be hard for Garp-san. After all he did raise Ace."

Shinobu suddenly said something.

Leo raised his eyebrows in surprise and asked, "Garp raised Ace?"

Shinobu nodded, "I heard this from grandma Tsuru, Ace had no family and it was Garp-san who raised him. Ace can be considered as his grandson."

I see...

Leo understood why Garp looked so out of place. It must be hard for him, on one hand was his family, on the other was justice. For a man like Garp it must be torture when he is compelled to choose one.

Leo's den-denen mushi rang. He picked it up and from it came an emergency message.

"All forces deploy immediately to Sabaody Archipelago. All forces deploy immediately to Sabaody Archipelago. Strawhat Luffy assaulted a Tenryuubito. Capture or kill on sight."

A frown climbed on Leo's face. This kid, couldn't he give it a rest? First Enies Lobby, now assaulting a Tenryuubito. Anyway, he got guts. I am free, might as well take a look.

"I am going over to Sabaody for a bit, you coming?"

Shinobu shook her head, "No. I have some experiments to do. You have fun."

Leo called over Mace and set sail for Sabaody. His Island wasn't that far from it.

Hm, Merry's spirit should have recovered by now. They had quite the adventure after the last time I saw them, I am curious to see how far they have grown.

He had high hopes for this crew. Each one of them is talented in their own field and they are growing very fast. He was looking forward to see their current status.