Revolutionary Army Headquarters — Baltigo
Luffy, Sabo, Monkey D. Dragon, Nico Robin, and Koala gathered together.
"After discussing it with the Chief," Sabo said while looking at Luffy, "the probability of breaking into Impel Down is far higher than trying to storm Marine Headquarters, Marineford, to rescue Ace from the execution platform."
"The fewer people involved, the better."
"Just the two of us."
"Alright," Luffy nodded imdiately. "I'll listen to you."
Thinking was never Luffy's strong suit anyway. Having an external brain like Sabo was perfect.
"Sabo, can't I co with you?" Koala asked worriedly. "I'm your partner!"
"Sorry. Not this ti."
Monts later—
Blue lightning streaked across the sky like a thunderbolt, stirring the clouds as it sped toward its destination:
Impel Down.
Impel Down — The Underwater Prison
A pitch-black tower rose from the depths of the sea like a monstrous fortress piercing the sky.
Its iron walls were thick and moss-covered like ancient prison ramparts. Red flags snapped violently in the sea wind, which carried the salty sll of the ocean mixed with an oppressive chill.
Like a slumbering beast in the deep sea—
Impel Down, the world's most impregnable prison.
Deep Inside the Prison
A man with a muscular chest sat shackled with Seastone cuffs.
Even in chains, his gaze burned with unyielding fire.
Portgas D. Ace.
Outside the cell stood an elderly man with white hair.
"You've suffered such serious injuries and still survived this long," the old man said.
"Ace… thanks to you, Marine Headquarters—no, even the World Governnt—has been thrown into chaos."
He burst out laughing.
"Then… kill ."
Ace's voice was hoarse but resolute.
He could never bear the thought of his family risking everything because of him.
Besides—
He had long believed he deserved to die.
"You want to kill you?"
Monkey D. Garp looked at him quietly and sighed.
"Idiot."
"Even if you die, it won't change anything."
"Whitebeard won't let this go."
"No one can stop it anymore."
"We've angered the King of the Seas."
Ace lowered his head.
Tears fell silently.
mories of life aboard the Whitebeard Pirates flashed through his mind—
Whitebeard.
Marco.
Jozu.
Little Oars Jr.
This is all my fault…
Please… don't co because of a reckless fool like …
Garp stared at Ace as he cried.
The weight in his heart was suffocating.
He clenched the fist that had been tempered through countless battles.
Justice… is unbearably heavy.
Outside Amazon Lily
After endless nagging from Elder Nyon, the Pirate Empress Boa Hancock finally agreed to answer the summons of Marine Headquarters and travel toward Mary Geoise.
(In truth, it was because of her responsibility as the ruler of Amazon Lily.)
Under the night sky, waves crashed violently against the sea.
Hancock stood proudly atop a luxurious ship pulled by two massive sea serpents.
Nearby, a Marine battleship waited.
A man wearing a coat of justice stood on its deck.
"I'm getting tired of waiting, Boa Hancock!" said Vice Admiral Momonga, clearly annoyed.
Hancock glanced at him arrogantly.
"If I were not the ruler of Amazon Lily, I would never associate with people like you."
"I want to go to Impel Down first."
"I wish to see the man who ignited this war."
"I believe that was already ntioned over the Den Den Mushi."
Momonga jumped onto the ship.
"The higher-ups approved it."
"But only you—and your snake—are allowed on the warship."
"We're short on ti. If you want to see him, do it quickly."
Clack… Clack…
Her crimson hair swayed wildly in the wind.
Her red dress with golden patterns flowed elegantly, its high slit revealing her graceful figure as her heels struck the deck.
Her cold gaze and frosty red lips radiated an overwhelming queenly aura.
After Hancock released the Marines she had accidentally petrified earlier—
the warship slowly sailed toward Impel Down.
Inside the Luxury Cabin
Boa Hancock sat elegantly on a sofa.
She unfolded a neatly stacked newspaper onto the table.
Resting her pale arm against her jade-like cheek, she stared quietly at the figure printed on the page.
Normally, she had no interest in Ace.
But for so strange reason—
she suddenly wanted to see him.
"Straw Hat Luffy… what kind of man are you?"
"I really want to et you."
anwhile — Marine Headquarters, Marineford
Fleet Admiral Sengoku slamd the table and stood up.
"What did you say?!"
"The 23 surveillance ships assigned to monitor Whitebeard's flagship, the Moby Dick, have all lost contact?!"
"Yes!" the reporting officer said nervously, sweat pouring down his face.
"And in the New World, other pirate crews are starting to move as well!"
"We have no idea how large their forces are or when they'll arrive!"
Sengoku clenched his teeth, his glasses flashing.
"So they made the first move…"
"Send orders imdiately."
"Impel Down must be placed under maximum security."
"And notify the Admirals and Vice Admiral Tsuru."
"We're holding a eting."
At that mont, a sarcastic voice drifted in from outside the door.
"Oh my… how scary. Fleet Admiral Sengoku sure has a lot of authority, calling a eting in the middle of the night."
Sengoku's forehead bulged with veins.
He didn't even need to turn around to know who it was.
Admiral Kizaru.
Kizaru leaned against the doorfra with his hands in his pockets, smiling lazily.
Sengoku roared:
"If you're already here, stop blocking the door and get inside!"
Soon, the eting began.
Admiral Aokiji, still half-asleep.
Admiral Akainu, stern and imposing.
And the wise strategist Vice Admiral Tsuru.
Sengoku spoke first.
"The purpose of this eting is to discuss how to deal with the Whitebeard Pirates."
"Speak freely."
Akainu stood up, heat radiating from his body.
"They're nothing but remnants of the old era."
"Leave Whitebeard to ."
Kizaru lazily trimd his nails and smiled faintly.
"Oh my… Sakazuki, how frightening."
"In that case, I'll take Marco."
Aokiji slouched in his chair and lifted his sleep mask.
"Well then… who's left for ?"
Sengoku's eyelids twitched violently.
Looking at the three Admirals—each stranger than the last—he slamd the table again.
"You idiots!"
"I asked for strategic plans, not for you to pick opponents!"
"Oh dear," Kizaru said innocently.
"The Fleet Admiral getting angry is truly terrifying."
"As for strategy… isn't that supposed to be the Fleet Admiral's job?"
"Or are you trying to slack off?"
"Borsalino, if you can't speak properly, shut up!" Sengoku snapped.
He was about to explode from anger.
At that mont—
Tsuru calmly adjusted her glasses.
"Let's proceed with the Encircling Wall Strategy we previously discussed."
The room fell silent.
The joking atmosphere vanished.
"Do not underestimate the Whitebeard Pirates," Tsuru continued.
"This is a war."
"Whether it's Whitebeard's Tremor-Tremor Fruit, Sakazuki's Mag-Mag Fruit, or others…"
"Their destructive power on a battlefield is overwhelming."
She paused.
"This war will kill many people."
Her cold voice echoed through the quiet office.
Sengoku spoke in a deep voice.
"There's no helping it."
"War has never existed without casualties."
"This battle will temper the Marines through blood and fire."
"Those who survive will beco true soldiers of steel."
"If we win, the justice of the Marines will shake the world."
"And the people of the world will gain greater security."
"So even if thousands must die…"
"This war must be fought."
"And we must win it overwhelmingly."
After the Sabaody Incident, the authority of the Marines had already declined sharply.
"This ti…"
"We absolutely cannot lose."
Sengoku's determination filled the room.
Akainu clenched his fists with unwavering resolve.
Kizaru paused his nail trimming, a strange light glinting behind his glasses.
Aokiji pulled down his sleep mask, hiding his eyes.
Deep into the night—
the Fleet Admiral's office remained brightly lit.
That night, the Marine leadership did not sleep.
Not for themselves—
but so the Marines could lose fewer lives and regain their authority.
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