HTP: Ch. 58

[Hiruzen]: Ace, hasn't the fight started on your side yet? You're too slow. I'm about to fight Nagato over here.

After a heated argument on the Naruto Forum, Hiruzen sent a message to Ace in their private chat group.

[Ace]: Soon, it's happening tomorrow. Time for the execution.

[Hiruzen]: You sound pretty relaxed.

[Ace]: What's there to be afraid of? Maybe I used to be a little nervous, but now, looking at Yoriichi in his state, even if I die, worst case I'll just be watching from the audience.

You people from the One Piece world are just really open-minded, huh.

[Ace]: Listen, this time at Marineford, I swear I'm gonna blast Akainu. Just wait and see.

Don't throw yourself at him. You can't beat him. Don't let my favorite fighter go down too. Hiruzen was just about to reply that.

But the next message came through.

[Ace]: I want him to know that true power comes from Haki! Oh right, I've got a plan!

[Hiruzen]: You have a plan?

[Ace]: Aren't your constant posts on the forum trying to clean up your image getting you nowhere? Why not infiltrate the system, become the forum moderator, and silence whoever you want? Wouldn't that flip the entire game?

Ace, you're fit to be Hokage!

Taking the advice to heart, Hiruzen immediately created a new account and started posting:

[Among the Konoha Council, the worst is definitely the Third Hokage, Like for rewards]

[Orochimaru went easy on the Third Hokage, don't believe me? Just watch]

[Just wrote a new fanfic]

---

In the Fleet Admiral's office, the final high-level meeting regarding the Summit War was in progress.

But Sengoku scanned the room and veins bulged on his forehead.

One was napping with snot bubbles, another was pretending not to nap with sunglasses on, and one had his legs crossed, filing his nails. Only Akainu and Tsuru were actually paying attention.

Sengoku couldn't hold back and scolded Kizaru, who was filing his nails: "Can you be serious for once! Do you know how many times I've had to meet with the Five Elders because of you?!"

Kizaru blew on his nail file lazily and said, "Then I'll go one-on-one with Whitebeard tomorrow."

...?

Sengoku froze for a second, then asked, "And then?"

"If I win, I'll take his head."

And if you lose? Sengoku was just about to ask.

"Well, if I lose, I go home. After all, he is the strongest man in the world. Losing to him is totally normal." With that joke, Kizaru uncrossed his legs and grew slightly more serious. "Besides Whitebeard, we need to pay special attention to that Itachi. That last encounter was truly dangerous."

That was the first time in his career that his Observation Haki gave such a strong warning, it felt like ten thousand blades were choking his throat.

Akainu crossed his arms and snorted coldly, "No matter what, they can't stop the execution of justice. I'll take care of that villain."

Seeing Akainu's attitude, Kizaru solemnly reminded him, "My Observation Haki wasn't clear, but that guy definitely has some kind of ability that can end the fight in an instant."

Ending a battle with an Admiral in an instant? Not even a young Whitebeard could pull that off, right?

Hearing Kizaru talk this seriously, Akainu couldn't help but frown and mentally raised the danger level of the threat.

As a strategist, Sengoku quickly came to a conclusion after some analysis. "It must be a special ability with certain limitations. Be on high alert."

He rubbed his forehead, clearly troubled, and could only think about retiring as soon as this was all over. He walked over to the large map and once again reviewed the battlefield layout.

He knocked on the table and shouted to Aokiji, "It's your turn."

Only then did Aokiji take off his sunglasses to show he was listening.

As for Garp, Sengoku hadn't said a word to him throughout the entire meeting.

That guy, so long as he didn't cause trouble, he was already living up to his name.

Sengoku had done a great job organizing things. Tsuru had no need to interrupt but still cast a concerned glance at the napping Garp.

Although he was normally like this, his overly relaxed demeanor at this moment felt a bit off.

Had something gone wrong? She couldn't help but feel uneasy.

After the meeting ended, only Sengoku and Garp remained in the office.

Garp was still snoring lightly, with steam bubbles puffing from his nose as he slept soundly.

Sengoku couldn't hold it in anymore and woke him up. "Garp! Tomorrow is the execution!"

As cruel as it was, he had to confirm Garp's stance once more.
He was a hero of the Marines, if he did anything, it would be a disaster.

Half-awake, Garp mumbled, "Are we off duty now?"

Seeing how calm he was only made Sengoku more anxious. His face darkened as he lowered his voice. "Don't do anything reckless. Ace is a criminal."

Garp opened Sengoku's desk drawer and started pouring rice crackers into his mouth. "Yeah, I know. He's Roger's kid, right? He accepts that now too."

"I see... So it's truly evil blood."

"Yet he still goes around yelling he's the chosen savior, hahaha!"

He doesn't seem like someone about to die. Ace, what exactly is your plan? Don't go overboard, or I'm going to have to stop you.

Garp finished all the rice crackers in Sengoku's drawer.

---

The Whitebeard Pirates were fully assembled. All 43 ships had been coated. This would be the final battle.

On the deck of the Moby Dick, Marco led Itachi to the treasure room.

"The war's about to begin," he said as he opened the heavy door.

"Pops said he's fulfilling the promise in advance."

It was obvious that Whitebeard was worried he might not be able to honor his promise after a fierce battle, so he chose to pay the reward beforehand.

Itachi didn't refuse. This was the reason he came to this other world.

He opened a sealing scroll, formed hand signs, and stored all the treasure within.

Marco, impressed, said, "You ninjas have so many tricks… It's like eating a bunch of different Devil Fruits all at once."

After that, he took out a small wooden box and handed it to Itachi.

"This is a token of our appreciation."

Inside the box lay a Devil Fruit with spiral patterns. Its dark purple skin shimmered with a strange light.

"We think it's a Zoan-type, ancient model Devil Fruit. We're not exactly sure what it does, but all Zoan fruits greatly boost physical ability. Consider it a personal gift from us."

The gift felt too valuable, and Itachi tried to decline. But Marco shoved the box into his arms with a laugh. "Out here on the sea, a man never takes back a gift once it's given!"

Suddenly, a horn sounded from the deck. A rainbow-colored sheen began to spread across the coating of the Moby Dick.

"It's time to go."

In the next moment, the ship began to dive beneath the sea.