Chapter 328: Chapter 328: Dancing Petals
“How’s it going, Old Ma? Is it done yet?”
Vir’s voice echoed inside Marco’s mind.
The moment he heard it, Marco completely lost it!
’Is it done yet?’
’Seriously?!’
’You’re the damn head chef, and you’re asking me, the ingredient, if I’m done cooking?!’
’Am I done yet?!’
’WHAT THE HELL, MAN?!’
’Have you lost your mind?!’
’Where’s the respect?!’
’Where’s the common decency?!’
’Do you just have none at all?!’
’At least show some damn respect for your ingredients!’
[Ding! Congratulations, Host! You’ve earned 400,000 negative points!]
[Ding! Congratulations, Host! You’ve earned 550,000 negative points!]
Two waves of negative points.
One when the stewing started.
And another after that single question.
Absolutely delicious.
Head Chef Vir remained expressionless.
This was the power of the pot.
Truthfully, even if Marco didn’t answer, Vir already knew whether he was done or not.
But if he didn’t ask, how else could he squeeze out this batch of negative points?
It was just about time, anyway.
Both sides were perfectly golden brown—no need to fry any longer. Now, it was time to stew.
Add some water, let it simmer, and boom—done.
The purpose of stewing was to let him fully absorb the remaining medicinal properties in the pot.
Right now, Marco was scalding hot.
So much so that he couldn’t even feel anything anymore.
But in reality, his injuries had long since mostly healed.
The severe burns covering his body had almost entirely vanished.
However, because Vir had added a generous amount of “soy sauce” earlier, even though his wounds were gone…
They still looked like they were there.
With a whoosh, steam filled the pot as Vir added just the right amount of water. Then, he simply let it be.
Just a little longer, and Old Ma would be ready to serve.
Sizzle—
A wave of warm liquid enveloped Marco.
Just when he thought it was finally over…
The temperature of the liquid began rising again.
Marco, who had just started to relax, felt his heart drop.
It wasn’t over.
He was still stewing.
Still being cooked.
Fine.
Fine, fine.
Old Ma is really about to—
[Ding! Congratulations, Host! You’ve earned 200,000 negative points!]
As another wave of negative points rolled in, Vir took a moment to survey the battlefield.
His position was fairly elevated.
With the Whitebeard Pirates support, Luffy had already reached the foot of the execution platform.
A long, smooth path of white wax stretched straight toward it—no doubt Mr. 3’s handiwork.
Luffy was currently sprinting down the wax road, carrying both Mr. 3 and Buggy.
But just moments ago, Kong had given the order for the execution.
Watching as the blades slowly descended, Luffy roared in fury.
“I SAID STOP IT!!”
With his shout, a wave of Conqueror’s Haki surged toward the two executioners.
Every eye on the battlefield was locked onto them—onto Ace, who was moments away from being pierced.
Conqueror’s Haki?
Oh no!
Would the executioners pass out?!
If that happened, everything would be ruined!
The Marines wore expressions of dread.
That brat actually has Conqueror’s Haki?!
That was a one-in-a-million talent!
And he was still so weak—how had he already awakened it?!
Even Akainu was drawn to the scene.
His eyes narrowed as he watched Luffy’s Haki erupt, a complicated expression crossing his face.
This brat’s potential… was abnormal.
He had to be eliminated at all costs!
No way could they let a threat like that live!
Meanwhile, the pirates placed all their hopes on Luffy.
“Hang in there!”
The silent plea echoed in everyone’s hearts.
But then—
Though the Haki swept over the execution platform…
The two executioners didn’t even flinch.
Their blades never slowed, plunging straight toward Ace’s body.
From behind, Kong smirked coldly.
Knowing how strong the enemy was—knowing this would be a brutal battle—
Did they really think the Marines wouldn’t prepare for this?
Those were Rear Admirals!
Did he really think his feeble Conqueror’s Haki could knock them out?!
The Marines cheered at the sight.
But the pirates?
Their hearts sank.
It’s over…
Was Ace… going to die?!
Everyone who cared for Ace paled in horror.
Luffy’s eyes burned with fury, his vision turning red.
Even Whitebeard’s expression darkened.
The entire point of this war was to save Ace.
If they failed…
Then they had already lost.
Was there… really no hope left?!
DAMN IT!
For the first time in his life, Whitebeard felt a crushing sense of powerlessness.
Instinctively, he glanced toward Vir.
But on Vir’s face, there was no panic—only calm.
Wait…
Does he have a plan?
But he couldn’t reveal himself!
How could he possibly save Ace now?!
Save him?
Vir wasn’t planning to.
Someone else already had.
Just as the blades were about to pierce Ace—who had zero armor, zero magic resist, zero defense—
Two hands appeared behind his back, accompanied by a flurry of petals.
The instant they materialized, those pale hands turned pitch black.
*CLANG!*
Metal clashed against metal.
The sound of Armament Haki!
Everyone recognized it immediately.
Ace’s back had blocked the attack!
But that was impossible!
What the hell just happened?!
For a moment, the entire battlefield froze.
No one could make sense of it.
But under the force of the impact, Ace was sent tumbling off the platform!
As he flipped midair, everyone finally saw it—
“H-HANDS!! There’s a pair of Haki-coated hands on his back!”
“DAMN IT! WHO DID THIS?! WE WERE SO CLOSE!”
“They blocked it! SHIT! MOVE! KILL FIRE FIST ACE NOW!”
The Marines erupted into chaos.
High-ranking officers immediately charged forward, determined to finish Ace off.
Even Kong couldn’t stay seated.
He leapt down, rushing toward the scene at full speed.
Ace had to die today.
No exceptions.
Luffy, the closest to Ace, snapped out of his daze and lunged for him.
Mid-motion, he turned his head—
And there, far in the distance, standing calmly with her arms crossed amidst the crowd…
Was Robin.
The moment he saw her, Luffy’s face broke into a relieved grin.
Thank goodness…
Thank goodness Robin was here.
—–
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