Chapter 550

Chapter 550 is called "Marine Headquarters".

Coverstory Summary
Usopp has a feast with Heracles on the Boin Archipelago.

South Blue
A group of people at a local market talk of the upcoming Shichibukai-Whitebeard War, saying that Whitebeard was old and didn't really make big news anymore.

East Blue
A number of farmers also talk about the war, saying that Whitebeard was sure to lose against the Marine HQ. However, a farmer comments that it would be best for everyone if Whitebeard didn't show up and that the execution went as planned.

North Blue
A man is rejected by a bar, the bartender saying that he would open shop tomorrow, if there was still a world by tomorrow.

West Blue
A man in a bar orders another drink and tells fellow punters not to underestimate Whitebeard, saying that he was as almighty as ever. He recounts a time when Whitebeard was in the bar and made a lot of people give up their lives, just by sitting there doing nothing.

Grand Line
A woman notices even her children knew of the situation as they were playing with a skipping rope and singing "Old man Whitebeard, Scarier than demons!". She looks up and says "What has this world come to?"

Marineford/Sabaody Archipelago
On Marineford, where most families of Marines lived, the place is empty as everyone had been evacuated to Sabaody Archipelago. On the archipelago, the families watch on giant monitors that looks out at Marineford, monitoring the situation. Cameramen and reporters are also present, ready to deliver the news as soon as possible. Soon, a man shouts out that Ace had appeared.

Back at Marineford, Ace, flanked by two executioners, kneels down, ready for his fate which is to arrive in three hours. Also, Marine patrol ships head out to find Whitebeard, never to be seen again. The Marine patrols never return, disappearing. John Giant is seen telling the Marines not to let their guards down. With 50 Marine warships surrounding the crescent shaped island, the walls lined with cannons and 100,000 elite Marine troops, the Marines lie in wait for Whitebeard. Also on the walls are 5 of the Shichibukai, also waiting for Whitebeard. At the execution platform, in front of Ace sit the three Admirals of the Marines, Kizaru, Aokiji and Akainu.

The Tarai Current
The prisoner's ship reach the Gates of Justice and Luffy and Jinbe begin to plan on how to get through them. Meanwhile, Buggy is seen still rallying the prisoners.

Marineford
Sengoku tells Garp that he was "gonna tell everything". Garp replies with to do whatever he wanted. Sengoku stands next to Ace, telling the executioners to move aside. Sengoku stands up in front of the Marines and tells them that there was something crucial, the real reason of Ace's execution. Sengoku asks Ace who his father was. Ace replies with Whitebeard, saying that he was the only father that he ever had. Sengoku then goes on to say that for the years, the Marines had been looking for a child, investigating every new born, every baby going to be born, mothers who were pregnant and tiny leads from Cipher Pol but had come up with nothing. However, Ace and his mother had escaped this investigation: Ace's mother, Portgas D. Rouge had gone to an island in the South Blue and kept him in her womb for 20 months. This resulted in her dying when Ace was born. Sengoku then states that a year and three months after the father's death, a child with "the most accursed blood" had been born [Ace]. He tells Ace that he shouldn't claim he wasn't aware. Sengoku then reveals the most shocking truth: Ace's father was none other than the late Pirate King, Gol D. Roger. Garp has a short flashback of Roger telling him to look after the unborn child.

Quotes
Your father is none other than the Pirate King, Gold Roger!

Chapter Notes

 * Along with 100,000 elite troops there are 5 Shichibukai, 3 Admirals and Fleet Admiral Sengoku guarding Portgas D. Ace
 * Admiral Akainu [Who is rarely shown] is seen. While this is the most revealing image of him so far, Oda continues the act of using his cap to hide his eyes.
 * Luffy and his escape crew arrive at the Gates of Justice that lead to Marineford.
 * The first appearance of female giant.
 * Ace's mother's name is Portgas D. Rouge and his father was the Pirate King Gol D. Roger.

Characters
1: first introduction

3: first apparition

Anime episode
Cover page: Episode 455

p2 to p19: Episode 459