AWB Chapter 488: Kneeling before the archenemy!
Chapter 488: Kneeling before the archenemy!
Roger then raised his right hand, his large palm resting on the sword at his waist. This sword had accompanied him through countless storms, drinking its fill of the blood of the most ruthless men on the sea. This sword was the symbol of Gol D. Roger.
But his fingers were prying open the knife clips one by one.
The movements were slow. Slow, almost like a ritual. There were no extra sounds. He drew the knife from his body, bent slightly, and placed it on the edge of the wooden table beside him. The scabbard touched the table with a muffled, soft sound.
The Whitebeard Pirates were all stunned by Roger's sudden action.
Marco's fingertips emitted a bluish-green flame that shot three inches higher. Jozu instantly transformed his entire body into diamond. They assumed Roger had removed his sword to change his attack, so they charged forward with pure Haki.
But Roger didn't exude any murderous aura.
This unusual silence made the team leaders hesitate.
Shanks sat on a wooden crate a short distance away, his gaze fixed on the knife that had been laid down. His breath hitched. Others saw only the placement of a weapon. He was different. He had followed Roger for too many years. He knew exactly what each knife represented.
Roger personally laid down the pride of being the Pirate King, the legendary status that made the whole world tremble, peeling away piece by piece. In the end, only the most ordinary sinner remained standing there.
The bitterness in Shanks' eyes was so intense it seemed impossible to conceal. This time, the old captain truly wasn't planning to leave himself any way out.
Chen Ye, who was watching from above, also noticed Roger's actions!
Oh?
That's more like it, Roger!
Only by letting go of Ace can we embrace Ace!
Roger walked toward the white-bearded man. His steps were slow. Each step was firm and resolute. His military boots rolled over the dusty, ruined ground, the dull thud of his footsteps striking the nerves of everyone present.
The cut on his forehead from being hit by the wine bowl was still bleeding. A dark bloodstain ran down his cheek, across his strong jawline, and into his stubble.
Roger didn't wipe it.
Let it drip.
Rocks, who had been leaning back in his chair, squinting and brewing even more venomous words, waited for Roger to continue hitting a wall. He was waiting to see his lifelong rival become a complete joke.
Roger's appearance made him shut his mouth.
He dropped his defiant stance and sat up straight. He began to seriously examine his old rival, with whom he had fought for half his life.
His intuition told him that what was about to happen would exceed everyone's expectations.
Roger stopped.
It stopped directly in front of the white-bearded man. The only thing separating the two of them was a Murakumogiri sword stuck upside down in the ground.
Roger didn't look at his arch-rival first.
His gaze went straight past the white beard and landed on Ace, who was being protected at the very back.
Ace's face turned ashen.
He didn't know what Roger was planning to do.
The entire room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
All eyes were on Roger, and no one spoke.
Everyone is waiting.
next moment.
Roger's knees buckled forward abruptly.
Without hesitation. Without delay. Right there in front of everyone, he knelt down heavily.
In front of all the captains of the Whitebeard Pirates. In front of all the officers of the Red-Haired Pirates. In front of the Revolutionary Army leader and the Straw Hat crew. In front of their archenemies, Rocks and Zephyr.
His knees slammed onto the hard, rubble-covered ground.
The muffled thud was crystal clear in the deathly silence.
The sound wasn't loud.
But it shocked everyone present!
Whitebeard was taken aback.
For the first time, the four emperors who ruled over the sea were bewildered.
Rocks' smile froze on his face.
His signature arrogant smile froze on his lips. His mouth was slightly open. His eyes twitched. He never expected Roger to adopt such a posture.
The man who cleaved the sea in two with a single stroke.
The man who fought him to the death.
A man who is a nightmare for navies all over the world.
He just knelt down like that.
The word "serves you right" stuck in Lox's throat, and he couldn't say it.
Zephyr stared intently at Roger, who was kneeling on the ground. Shock. A sense of awe. And sorrow.
This man, who once dominated the seas, caused countless headaches for the entire Navy Headquarters. He could laugh arrogantly even facing the executioner's blade. Now, he kneels without hesitation before the mess he has left with his family.
This scene reminded Zefa of his tragically murdered wife, and of his students.
Even the strongest person.
Faced with the bond of blood and kinship, they are just ordinary people who feel pain and regret.
The dragon stood in the shadows not far away, its gaze fixed entirely on the center of the arena.
A silent gaze.
He disagreed with many of the pirates' practices. He might not have fully accepted the Great Age of Piracy that Roger had started. But he could tell that Roger's move wasn't an act.
They truly trampled their face, dignity, and pride into the mud.
Long sighed inwardly.
More than two decades of blood debt finally forced a father to make his most tragic attempt at redemption.
Luffy stood frozen in place, mouth agape. He still clutched a huge piece of meat with bone in his hand, grease dripping from between his fingers onto the ground, the aroma of roasted meat incredibly rich.
But he forgot to bite.
Those usually clear eyes were now filled with confusion. He didn't quite understand the heavy, suffocating grudges between adults. But he could feel the sadness in the air. A sadness so intense it was almost unbearable.
Sabo's pupils contracted sharply. He hadn't expected things to turn out this way. His shoulders were taut like a fully drawn bowstring, ready to fight to the death for Ace and Roger at any moment.
But at that moment, his body suddenly relaxed.
Faced with a father kneeling before him, no amount of outside interference can make a difference.
The entire arena fell silent at Roger's actions!
Someone couldn't hold back and blurted it out!
Roger knelt down!
These words immediately drew everyone's attention to him.
The person realized they had spoken out of turn and immediately covered their mouth!
Roger, kneeling on the ground, had his head down.
He didn't pay attention to anyone's expression. His voice wasn't loud. But in the deathly silence, every word was clearly uttered.
"Newgate."
He called Whitebeard's name. His tone lacked its usual arrogance and wildness, replaced only by a deep-seated, humble solemnity.
"I'm not going to fight you for our son today."
"I don't expect him to acknowledge me now."
He clenched his fists. The second half of the sentence was squeezed out bit by bit through clenched teeth.
"I only ask that you give me a chance to make amends."
The voice began to tremble.
It was a man tormented by guilt pleading.
"Which one, Rouge?"
"Which one of Ace's all these years?"
"He deserves the scolding."
"He deserves the hatred."
"I acknowledge it all."
Whitebeard lowered his head.
Looking down at his old rival kneeling before him, Murakumo Kirito stood firmly in front of him, not moving an inch. He didn't lash out either. His Conqueror's Haki remained dormant, held back.
He knew all too well. He couldn't speak rashly at a time like this. A single word could ignite the situation that had just been brought under control.
He looked at Roger's back, which was covered in dust and blood.
You could feel the despair and madness of regret emanating from this man.
The white-bearded man's eyes became extremely complex.
He could cut down any enemy who dared to touch his son without hesitation. But he didn't know how to face a biological father who had thrown everything away to atone for his sins.
Marco and several captains exchanged glances.
Their eyes were filled with confusion.
No one had ever seen Roger like this. In their memories, Roger was always the one standing at the bow of the ship, laughing loudly. For a moment, they were at a loss for how to react. Should they continue to be on guard? Or should they put away their weapons and wait for their father's decision?
The diamond-like substance on Jozu's arm silently faded. Vista silently sheathed his twin swords.
They still stood in front of Ace. But the tense, murderous aura had mostly dissipated.
Ace stared at Roger, who was kneeling on the ground.
Eyes wide open.
He was initially filled with rage, wanting nothing more than to tear this man to pieces.
But this kneeling left him at a loss for what to do.
The pure hatred in his heart was forcibly forced open, creating a crack.
But this is far from forgiveness.
He was subjected to insults from childhood to adulthood. He endured countless battles to survive. He gave birth to his mother on that isolated island in the South China Sea, sacrificing his life for her.
These things cannot be smoothed over by kneeling.
Ace's lips were taut and pale.
My lower lip was bitten and bled.
He didn't say any more harsh words.
It's not that the resentment has disappeared.
It's not that I've softened my heart.
Because at that moment, Ace's mind was in complete chaos.
My mind is being torn apart.
He could only hide his bewilderment with silence.
Whitebeard didn't retreat an inch.
Ace didn't answer a word.