The second wave of questions brought even greater enthusiasm from participants than the first.
Everyone had already seen how generous the rewards were.
In the original world, Gol D. Roger, the Pirate King, was resurrected.
In the current world, Sabo obtained Conqueror's Haki.
Even for those who didn't answer first but still got it right, the rewards were significant.
Each correct answer granted a 1% increase in physical strength.
This was a terrifying advantage, especially for powerhouses like the Four Emperors or the Shichibukai.
The difference in strength between the Four Emperors was already marginal.
A 1% increase could be enough to tip the balance.
And what if someone answered correctly ten times?
A 10% increase in strength would push them to a whole new level.
For those at their peak, who struggled to grow stronger, this was an irresistible temptation.
Thus, this time, the test-takers from both worlds approached the quiz with extreme caution.
Gone were the days of wild guesses.
Unless someone was absolutely confident, no one rushed to answer first.
Instead, they carefully analyzed the possible choices.
---
A Failed Attempt at Cheating
Original World - Marine Headquarters
(Original) Sengoku: "Sengoku from the other side, we are both Marines. Why don't we communicate? If we exchange information, both of our Marines can pick the right answer. It would benefit both of us."
(Current) Sengoku: "That's actually a great idea."
Both Sengokus thought they were being clever.
After all, they each knew Ace's fate in their respective worlds.
If they simply shared this information, they could both answer correctly.
However, just as the two Fleet Admirals were feeling proud of themselves, a red exclamation mark appeared on the screen.
A warning followed:
> "Both parties are prohibited from exchanging any information related to the answer. Violators will be muted for 5 minutes and disqualified from answering."
(Current) Sengoku: "Damn it, I didn't expect the system to block this method of cheating."
(Original) Sengoku: "Looks like we'll have to figure it out on our own."
The punishment was too severe.
Missing one round could mean falling behind in strength permanently.
Neither of them dared to risk it.
At that moment, a 180-second countdown appeared on the screen.
> "Three minutes remaining to answer. Answers submitted after the deadline will be invalid."
Realizing they had wasted time, everyone stopped talking and focused on analyzing the question.
---
The Marines' Strategy
Original World - Marine Headquarters
Vice Admiral Tsuru spoke first.
Tsuru: "What exactly is Ace's fate in the other world? We've never heard him speak, so we can't be sure if he's alive."
Sengoku nodded.
Sengoku: "If we follow the last question's logic, the Ace in the other world must have a different ending than in ours."
Tsuru: "I understand. We should first eliminate the incorrect answers."
Sengoku agreed.
Sengoku: "First, in our world, Ace was executed on the scaffold."
"That means option A is wrong."
"Now, option B says he was punched through the chest by Akainu and burned to death."
Sengoku paused.
"That doesn't make sense."
Ace had eaten the Mera Mera no Mi.
As a Logia-type user, he could turn into fire.
How could he burn to death?
"Exclude option B."
That left:
C: Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Peace Federation
D: Become an Ultraman
Sengoku frowned.
"I've never heard of the Peace Federation or Ultraman."
"But based on elimination, it must be one of these two."
Tsuru and Sengoku quickly formulated a plan.
To avoid all Marines picking the wrong answer, they divided into two groups.
Half chose C, and half chose D.
Although they wouldn't win first place, at least half of the Marines would receive a strength increase.
It was a calculated risk.
---
Ace's Realization
Meanwhile, Ace was growing uneasy.
(Original) Ace: "Wait… so I really am going to die soon?"
The answer choices revealed his fate.
In his world, there were only two possibilities:
Execution or death by Akainu.
Either way, he was doomed.
At that moment, a voice echoed.
(Original) Whitebeard: "Don't be afraid, Ace. Dad will definitely save you."
Whitebeard spoke with determination.
Now that they knew Ace's death conditions, they could change them.
Get him off the execution platform and away from Akainu.
That should be enough to save him.
Another voice rang out.
(Original) Roger: "Don't be afraid, son! Dad is on the way too!"
Ace gritted his teeth.
(Original) Ace: "I don't acknowledge you as my father! I only have one father, and that's Whitebeard!"
Whitebeard laughed loudly.
(Original) Whitebeard: "Gurararara!"
Meanwhile, Roger's face turned black.
Kaido, who had been battling Shanks, overheard this and laughed.
(Original) Kaido: "Roger, I get you, man! My daughter doesn't acknowledge me either! Instead, she treats Oden, someone she never even met, as her father!"
For a moment, the two filial sons' fathers felt an unexpected bond.
---
The Answer is Revealed
The 180-second countdown ended.
The screen displayed the correct answer:
> "The correct answer is C: Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Peace Federation."
Everyone was stunned.
Then, Ace's life profile appeared:
> Ace - Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Peace Federation.
- Facilitated 70 nations joining the Peace Federation.
- Helped liberate Alabasta, established Wano as a sovereign nation, and led the Fishmen's return to the surface.
- Convinced 38 World Government member states to defect in a single year.
- The most wanted man by the World Government, yet his whereabouts remain unknown.
60,000 people answered correctly.
The first person to answer correctly was Whitebeard.
A reward menu appeared before him:
1. Recover all injuries
2. Become 20 years younger
3. Travel to the other world
4. Devil Fruit Awakening
Whitebeard grinned.
(Original) Whitebeard: "Gurararara! Looks like fate is on our side, Ace."
Without hesitation, he chose:
> 1. Recover all injuries.
Suddenly, his body felt light.
His old wounds vanished.
For the first time in decades, he was completely healthy.
The Whitebeard Pirates cheered.
(Original) Ace: "Dad!!!"
Meanwhile, Sengoku frowned.
He had thought the Marines were the biggest winners this round.
After all, they had increased the strength of 50,000 Marines by 1%.
But Whitebeard's full recovery was a dangerous game-changer.
At the same time, Sengoku realized something.
The Peace Federation had been mentioned before.
Sabo was also a part of it.
It seemed to be an organization rivaling the World Government.
(Original) Ace: "So… the other me actually did what I always wanted to do."
He had once promised Otama that he would return to free Wano.
But he had failed.
The other Ace had succeeded.
For the first time, Ace felt a spark of hope.
Maybe… his destiny could still change.
-----––-------------------------------
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