Too Far Back

by Papa Sasuke

Zoro and Sanji accidentally travel back in time to the War of the Best, and soon realize there's no turning back. While meeting up with Luffy and his friends, they form a plan with only two things on their mind: save Ace and kick some asses. It was a great opportunity, too; no one has seen either of their full powers yet; time to show off a little. (Time Travel AU; Marineford)

7. The Cavalry Arrives

Too Far Back

Disclaimer: I do not own One Piece :d

Back again and only 6 months after the last chapter? How do I do it.

How are you all doing? Had to separate the chapters again because they're just coming out way too long. I mean, just look at this one. 10,000+ words...I'm tired. I'm thinking there's going to be 14-ish chapters in total? So halfway done with this story (I say that now, of course). But don't worry everyone-Usopp's here to save the day. Oh, this is such a good chapter. So's the next one lol. Thanks for the reviews. And...

Enjoy.

Chapter 7: The Cavalry Arrives

-xXx-

Prologue

He was careful climbing down the tree, avoiding the flimsy branches and the more-or-less hard-to-grab-with-one-hand dead bark. The purple pear sat rightfully in his left palm, proudly was a better word for it. Its powers were a curious mystery, and if they were to use it for the sake of time travel, they would never feed that curiosity either.

He was on the grass, at last, and the weight in his heart seemed to have somewhat lifted. This nightmare would finally be over. He could go home. Wherever that was...well, if anything, he could get away from here.

He figured the location of Straw Hat from a weird monkey noise before he saw the yellow wide brim atop his head. His wide eyes were locked on the purple fruit in his hand, and in a maternal reaction to protect it, Law pulled the carrying arm to his waist.

Luffy eyed him suspiciously before opening his arms in almsgiving, only for Law to pull the devil fruit further out of his reach.

"I'll signal your crew," he declared, stuffing the pear in an empty pocket while ignoring the sullen murmur from Luffy behind him.

Now, with two hands, he raised one to the sky while the other dropped loosely at his side. That navigator had told him to signal everyone when he found the devil fruit. He curled his outstretched fingers over his thumb. And he was planning on doing just that. Law opened steady eyes to the sky, his voice raising, "Co-"

Four figures leaped out of the bush ahead-one had crazy eyes, one was crying, one had arms, and the other had an afro. In that split second, before the surprised all crashed into each other, that was all he could make out.

He accepted his fate dully, and nearly toppled over. The reindeer beside him did, and the two women ran to his side while the bag of bones hid behind him.

He didn't have time to shout his confusion when an echo from not too far away shook the ground beneath his feet.

His eyes narrowed as the presence grew closer, and the brush gave way to a massive three story antler-bear whether the leaves liked it or not.

Howls were heard behind him, both urgent and uneasy, but he tuned them out, like always. It was peaceful-a forest bear, he willed, and he wondered what the Straw Hats could have done to mess with the beast. Probably poked at it until it spoke, he proposed. He'd seen this thing when he had first made it on the island, but elected to ignore it since it wasn't bothering him anyway. Well, the situation was different now.

"Room," he stated, raising his forefinger as a transparent bubble-like dome seemed to swell around them. The bear paid no mind and roared once more, its eyes untamed as it tumbled forward, claws tearing through the uncharted earth. Law's own eyes challenged the beast's, and without a moment's hesitation, his fingers soon slid into a snap:

"Shambles."

The once three-story tall bear began to shatter in cubes. It blinked and cried out as it saw its massive paw about ten feet away from its arm socket. Its hind legs were scattered and only its head was left intact, as if the tattooed pirate were mocking it in a way.

Law simply felt bad for the bear and allowed it to keep an inch of its pride as it rolled itself, to the best of its ability, away into the bushes.

Nami peered around Law while Robin strode to his side casually. Chopper picked himself off the ground and spit out what dirt he had tasted while Brook took his hands off Law's shoulder.

"Thanks, Law-san," Brook sighed.

Nami took a hand to her forehead, "Ahh-you couldn't have done that sooner?"

"I thought I was gonna die!" Chopper gasped and almost fell over again.

"Hey!" Luffy pointed to the bushes where the poor animal had escaped, juice dribbled down his mouth, "That was the bear I saw on Sunny!"
"YOU MEAN THAT STUPID MOSS BEAR IS THE REASON WE'RE ON THIS ISLAND?" Nami threw something at him.

If Zoro was here, he would draw a sword and frown at stupid and moss, Oi.

Chopper snapped, "HOW COULD YOU PUT US IN DANGER LIKE THAT?"

"He looked cool." Luffy's gaze fluttered away, as did the sanity of the remaining Straw Hats. "Oh, look what I found," Luffy held out his array of half-eaten fruits, "Neat, right?"

"DON'T CHANGE THE SUBJECT!" Nami and Chopper shot Luffy into the earth.

A rustle of the bushes and a robo-man with a cool haircut appeared, his sunglasses lowering so he could make out his crewmates.

He smirked and shot them a peace sign, "Oh, hey guys. What did I miss?"

"Aha, Franky-san-you would not believe what happened," Brook held his hand as if he was going to start crying soon. Only he didn't have eyes.

"OH! DID YOU SEE THAT METEOR?" Nami's holler made the birds fly away.

"I DID!" Brook gasped.

Chopper recreated the scene, "A GIANT ROCK FELL FROM THE SKY!"

"Oh," Franky pointed at himself, "that was me."

"WHAT?!"

"Sounds like you guys had a lot fun! I'm jealous!" Luffy laughed, chewing another fruit in his hand.

They looked to him with murderous intent.

Law was dying inside, "Look. I have your devil fruit."

He held out the purple pear for all to see, and everyone crowded around him. All about the giant three-story green bear trying to kill them seemed to be forgotten.

"What?"

"So there really was another one?"

Nami allowed Law to drop the fruit into her hands. To her disappointment, it wasn't gold. She inspected it carefully, "And...you're just giving it to us?"

Law began to sweat just out of habit, "Yes."

There was no way Trafalgar D. Law would give them something without getting something in return. He wasn't into giving out charity, and he sure wasn't just doing it to help bring back their nakama. In the way of the former, they were alike. "I smell something fishy," she said finally, throwing him a daring glance.

"There's no trick," Law answered her, backing away from the crowded area.

She paused. "Mm. If you say so," but was still unconvinced.

In the meantime, Robin had cupped her hands around the devil fruit Nami had in the palms of her hands. She smiled mysteriously, like she always did, and pointed at the fruit after pulling away her palms.

"Nami, try using part of the devil fruit instead of the whole devil fruit," she said, and Nami gave her a concerned look of genuine bewilderment.

"Hm? How come?"

Robin continued, "It's doubtful they went far from the portal. If we come across a time period where they are not present, then we can use the remaining devil fruit parts we have to open another portal and try again."

Realization hit her and she paused, "Ah! That's a good idea!"

"You're so smart, Robin!" Chopper sparkled, running up to Robin's leg.

Franky leaned over her, "Where do you get all these ideas?"

Robin simply smiled, "I gain much knowledge from books."

Law remained on the sidelines as Nami fastened her Clima Tact in her right hand.

After having inserted two tiny slivers of the devil fruits in order to give the Straw Hats the most amount of tries in regards to time traveling to the right time line, she proudly stamped the Clima Tact into the ground. "Alright! Here we go!" She hollered a warning, and everyone stepped back, having witnessed the spectacle once already.

The crew held each other as Nami's fiery eyes rested on the Clima Tact. This would either work really well or really not. Leaning into her stride, her confident voice led into a stringing echo, "Black Sorcery...Time Split!"

-End Prologue-

-xXx-

"It is I, Captain Usopp! If you don't surrender to me right now, I'll send out my 8,000 followers so that you'll have to beg for my mercy!" ...is what he wanted to say…

"ZORO, SANJI, SAVE ME, PLEASE! AHHH, WHERE AM I?"...is what really came out.

The two gawked, "USOPP?"

Luffy's jaw dropped, "USOPP?"

"NOO! I DON'T WANT TO DIE YET!"

Saobody watched their TV screen in exhilaration, unsure what side the masked figure was on.

The pirates gaped with anticipation, already knowing the answer.

And the Navy squinted in confusion, because-who the hell was this guy?

Usopp accidentally dodged a barrage of bullets from the rear, running top speed, nose first, across the headquarters's balcony with tears trailing behind him. A dozen of angry Marine soldiers aimed and fired on the stray pirate, some with bullets, some with arrows, and even some with spears, but to their surprise, none seemed to hit their target. Either this mysterious masked man was extremely lucky or he was some sort of god-like entity. To those who didn't know him, the latter seemed like the right answer.

Sengoku's head nearly popped off for the second time today. He didn't know for sure, but the grandiose entrance of this masked newcomer, who nobody seemed to know, just screamed time traveler pirate in every way possible. A glimpse at Garp's absolutely dumbfounded expression confirmed a part of his suspicion. His teeth clenched almost as hard as the fist at his side. So, if two weren't already bad enough, now there's another one?

Sengoku's darkened eyes flashed a glance at the executioners readied behind him. With the situation being as it was, there was no way this arrogant time traveler would make any difference in what was about to happen.

His mind was made up. No longer would he sit back and watch his troops, his underlings, and his soldiers be torn from all but their loyalty. All their sacrifices, and for what-because Whitebeard favors the life of one, rebellious boy pirate? One single, merciless thief whose life, dead or alive, wouldn't put a dent in the relentless world they called the sea? Who's own father wreaked havoc across the waters with his ships, destroying hundreds, if not thousands of Navy lives? And dead, indirectly destroyed tens of thousands of once-innocent citizens' livelihoods simply because he felt an obligation to the Mistress of Fun, in which he declared a hidden fortune that was another ruse to begin with?

This cause? This suffering? This war?

It ended now.

And with words that pierced the ears and hearts of Marineford and Saobody alike, his high-held hand shot down, "Do it! Do it now!"

In all immediacy, the swords that glittered above the bare neck of the man some called Fire Fist Ace, others knew as a friend, and one called him Brother, came crashing down.

Hollers were heard from the pirates, multiple called his name, while the ones leftover called on their remaining strength paired with limited hope and made a beeline for the platform in what little time they had.

Marineford was in an uproar as the Division commanders began to abandon their posts on the shoreline, all shouting as they clashed against a wall of Navy commanders and captains.

Whitebeard shot up from his seat, "Marco!"

And in that instant, a blue flame engulfed the ship and soon the sky, as it hurled towards the platform at speeds faster than the human eye could follow.

The cigarette snapped in half and Sanji slammed down Kizaru, who was completely taken by surprise at the sudden burst of unreasonable strength.

Every little fiber in his body screamed at him to flash-step to the platform, the swords half way to their target already... and so, he did.

Bunching all his energy into his legs, he appeared at the platform in a second, side-by-side with a certain blue phoenix who he knew already. The two didn't need to exchange glances to know that together, they might just have a chance. With livid expressions and a fire in their eyes, the Vice and Fleet Admiral atop the platform could only stand bewildered as they prepared to take sudden blows.

But...the pair of pirates forget who these two admirals are.

A twinkle of light dazzled at Sengoku's side, and a rising smirk appeared on a third Admiral's face, "Oh no you don't."

An explosion from contact cracked the platform when leg met fist twice over. The blazing phoenix had lifted into light wings attached to Marco's back, and now held a shaking fist to Kizaru's high-lifted leg. Sanji's eyes snapped open as did Garp's, who, in a similar situation as the two next to them, seemed equal in terms of battle strength and vigor. But the realization that hit only struck the two pirates upon the platform: they weren't going to make it in time.

The swords were over Ace now, and closing his eyes, he accepted his fate with a bent neck willingly.

Luffy ran afar, his heart stopping in that single moment as he took a breath for a final blood-curdling scream, "ACE!"

Zoro was trapped between the ice Admiral and the Vice-Admirals surrounding him. He cursed himself: even if he was as fast as the cook, there was no way he was getting to the platform in time. And he even looked for the slight hope of the unplanned appearance of Usopp, but he was nowhere to be seen.

Ivankov watched helplessly, eyes wide as he opened his mouth to speak but was cut off by a sharp-pitched noise. Kuma blew him aside with a beam and readied himself for another.

"Finally!" Doflamingo laughed, and Crocodile bit down on his cigar in rage, sending the current Warlord back a few steps before taking a hit himself.

Jimbei, too, was cornered.

Buggy was occupied.

The Division commanders were helpless.

And Whitebeard couldn't do anything.

Marineford stood ragged against the fate that awaited the 2nd Division Commander. And as the swords finally reached his neck after feeling like minutes, which lasted merely a couple seconds, several shut their eyes, pirate and Marine alike, for the horrid sight that would be beheld atop the execution stage.

-xXx-

Although the pirates of Marineford faced reality with agony, the man atop Navy headquarters believed in a chance at fate. Pulling his black Kabuto back with thin fingers, he measured the distance his special projectile would take to travel in a matter of less than a second. He had managed to lose the guys chasing him for only a brief moment, pulling the good old switch-and-run trick out of his notorious hat of many schemes. That would make just enough time to hit the shot. He may have no idea where he is, no idea what in the world is happening right now, but one thing's for sure: that's Ace, Luffy's brother, on that platform down yonder. And with swords at his neck, Usopp deduced that the outcome wouldn't end well.

He had no time to straighten the mask of the mighty Sogeking, but to all onlookers that saw him-he smirked-this scene was going to look cool anyway. And without a moment more, the shot was heard round the battlefield, and the one green pellet fired became two, smashing straight into the faces of both executioners in a perfect one-two punch. Both went down, the surprise still imminent in their expressions as they were knocked unconscious, paralyzed with a hint of sleep powder too.

Marineford was in petrified shock, jaws gaped and eyes wide. There was a second or two of complete silence from the absolute disbelief that shook all in light of the very recent events.

Beyond the confusion of the Fleet Admiral, and the faded desperation upon the two pirates, lay Ace, bent over on his knees. The curved swords once above his neck were both dropped to his side. He slowly opened his eyes, surely in a world beyond by now. Only, it didn't seem that way. The two black-hooded figures that once haunted him from above lay motionless beside him, both obviously breathing, but...paralyzed? And...he squinted at the bubble forming at the hooded soldier's nose. His eyebrows furrowed, Sleeping!? Who-?

A grand laugh brought the battlefield back to reality, "That's two points for Usopp-sama!" He exclaimed, sprinting with vigor as the yelling Marines finally caught up to him, a not-so-well aimed barrage of bullets and arrows on his tail.

The silence was over. The minute the masked man exclaimed his victory, a raging uproar ensued soon after.

"Wooh!"

"Ace!"

"Nose-man!"

"He's saved!"

Luffy fell to his knees in revelation, holding a fist high from the ground so that his nakama could hear his call, "Usopp!"

Zoro let out an unintentional laugh, "That was a hell of a shot!"

Sanji let out a sigh of relief from the platform, "Yeah! Go, Sogeking," before, with a mocking grin, turning his attention back to the enemies that faced him.

"Who the hell was that?" Marco chuckled heartily and retreated alongside Sanji, who grudgingly followed after the obvious triumph of Usopp's heart-stopping save.

Whitebeard found himself sitting back in his chair with a quiet sigh of relief. Whatever the hell that weird entrance was, he thanked it silently. And he was definitely glad that this new guy was on their side.

The pirates shouted the masked man's name, even though none of them knew it. This was a great victory, although the war was far from over. Sengoku may break the rules and try to speed up the process, but they would always, always fight until the end. It was going to take a lot more than that to take them down.

-xXx-

While the Whitebeard pirates shouted their gratitude, the Marines weren't so thankful. Sengoku most of all.

While the two pirates they had faced pulled away, Sengoku stood motionless, his brain attempting to fathom what in the hell just happened.

Garp's gaze fell from nervousness to an obvious solace. He hadn't realized that he had almost dropped to his knees within the final moments of Ace's execution.

On the other hand, Sengoku didn't share the same reassurance. His plan had been flawless. He pulled the two Admirals back by his side as an extra line of defense for the inevitable charge of the Straw Hat time travelers and Whitebeard's Division Commanders. The wave of soldiers he sent at them were a distraction, allowing him to move along with the execution quickly and quietly. And it almost worked too. It went exactly according to plan: the Straw Hats on the ground were cornered by Kuzan, and the one that had flown their way didn't go far when Garp met him fist with leg. And Marco, who he anticipated Whitebeard would send, was thrown off by Borsalino, who had always hovered nearby since the beginning. The situation was perfect, and he didn't even need to lift a finger.

Until some lucky rogue shot from an airheaded pirate took out his executioners and ruined his model plan.

"Kuzan, Kizaru," his eyes were weary, but his voice was steady, "Man your posts."

For the second time today, he's had to say those words.

Kizaru frowned in disappointment and in an instant, was seen on his admiral chair, high and quiet near the platform. Aokiji gave a long glance at the two pirates that faced him before following Kizaru up the length of the wall.

Sanji had parted from Marco and took his place rightfully at Luffy's side, the Marimo giving him obvious short glances as if to give him another, "E for effort". He fumed at the thought.

A stumble and a crash and the mighty war hero was before them, looking a shade more heroic on this gleaming afternoon, as the sun seemed to spotlight only him. He had dust on his shoulders, and that Sogeking mask was crooked, but with the trail of Marines behind him either passed out, sleeping or unconscious by poison, it didn't really matter the details behind his presentation.

Luffy guffawed and threw open his arms, running to meet the nakama he hasn't seen in, what seemed like, years.

It was a touching moment, Zoro and Sanji viewed the spectacle with the approval of a thin smile.

Usopp laughed right back and prepared for the embrace by widening his open arms, "Oh! Luff-"

The wind was knocked right out of him when Luffy latched onto the man like a snake on a mouse. Only the death grip was a hug out of friendship, not out killing intent. Though, at the time, it seemed like it was.

Through giggles and screams of the innocent, Usopp gasped for air, "Y-y-you idio-t I-I can't b-breathe-"

He pulled the boy off his nose and mouth before taking a breath like he would die if he hadn't.

"Nice shot." Sanji gave him a thumbs up, and Zoro nodded in agreement.

Usopp's heart fluttered with pride as he collected himself, "Hah, it wasn't much, really, I mean…" He stopped, "THAT'S ALL YOU HAVE TO SAY TO ME?"

Luffy, whom he had left standing, faced him in great earnesty. "I missed you, Usopp!"

"Glad to have you back," Zoro smirked.

He scoffed, "I'm not happy to be here, dumbasses." Usopp took a hand over his forehead and scoured the area, looking for signs of life that wasn't trying to kill them. A bomb went off behind them.

"How'd you get here in the first place?" Sanji was somewhat curious.

Usopp lowered his hand and dead-panned, "An impetuous witch."

Zoro raised an eyebrow before understanding, "Ah."

Sanji paused as he let the words sink in, "...Hey!"

"Oh, and just one question," Usopp squinted. Hey, that cloud looks like a boat, "and it's not really relevant-WHY IS THE ENTIRE NAVY HERE!?"

A fish-man leaped to their side, panting a good amount before wiping the sweat off his brow, "This is Marineford, Luffy-kun's friend. You shot Ace's executors not knowing that?"

Usopp blinked, "Jimbei! You're here too?"

"Hm? I suppose you know me from a future time?"

"Yeah! You-"

Usopp felt his back almost crack in half as two assassins latched themselves onto his person. One had hands covering his mouth and the other held a sword to his throat, both eyes were glittering something fierce and otherworldly. He began to sweat as he raised his hands slowly in defeat, "H-hey, we're on the same side-"

"You trying to get us erased, idiot?" The sun illuminated Zoro's sword so it looked like a full-on laser was aimed at him.

"Don't you know the first rule of time travel?" Sanji hissed in all seriousness.

"N-no…" Usopp was unable to speak words, "Should I?"

Mustard and Relish looked at each other before pulling themselves off of him, much to his relief. Sanji made sure to lean in one last time, "Don't talk about the future with people of the past. That's textbook information."

Luffy blinked in an innocent confusion before the three friends pulled back up to him and the fish-man with a newfound understanding amongst them.

Usopp rubbed his neck and relayed, "My bad. I don't time jump to vacation." He then tore his gaze away from the crew and scanned his surroundings again. "And I just finished ma-" A sudden glimmer caught his eye and he paused, squinting because of the sun. "Huh." He shot a hand over his eyes as if that was going to help him see better.

"Wow, that's a big ship over there," Usopp whistled finally in disbelief. And it really was a big ship.

Luffy nodded, "Yeah. That's the old guy's ship. He's gonna help us save Ace."

"No one knows how long the war will go on for." Jimbei punched a flailing Marine and sent him flying. He blew on the steam that rolled off his fist, "That's why the Good Old Man is pushing all his Divisions forward."

Usopp didn't hear Jimbei's words and kept a hand over his eyes to watch the cool looking ship, "Oh, you don't say."

"I tried getting to the platform, but it's not as easy as it looks." Sanji blew a puff of smoke from his lips and Zoro gave him a side glance.

"I could cut it down."

That got a laugh out of him, "You'd get lost before you even made it close."

...Silence...

Usopp coughed on his own realization, "HANG ON! WE'RE IN A WAR?"

"YOU DIDN'T REALIZE?" Sanji stood in disbelief.

"NO!"

"Are you blind?" Zoro curled a lip at him.

"ONLY OPTIMISTIC!" He lied.

"WHAT DID YOU THINK THIS WAS?"

Usopp counted on his fingers, "Uh, let's see-a friendly battle? A party? Sports? Don't they have those?"

You could hear the soul of every person within earshot hit the ground and float up to the light. Everyone except Luffy.

Sanji was so much in shock that he wobbled on his own two legs, "Did you lose your brain in the portal?" He couldn't comprehend his own utter amazement at the sheer stupidity that surrounded him.

-xXx-

The transponder snail that one of the inmates was holding shook between his hands. While Buggy, Mr. 2, and a few of the inmates had been huddling near the sea, whispering that they were going to die amongst themselves, the people on the other end of the screen watched the battlefield as though they were in the midst of it.

Saobody was shouting, pointing, and all the while gawking at each other in outrage, since most of them were actually rooting for this new, masked character that had arrived. It was like they were watching a movie, and they were hurrah-ing the bad guys.

Telephones were ringing off the hook and news reporters were scrambling to make sense of it all.

The blond reporter was pulling strands of hair off his head, "Get me the head, get me the Navy-get me everyone and everything!" He threw a pen at his subordinate, who wrote down his every word.

"Make a headline," He broadcasted, "Ace Saved by a Mysterious Man with a Painted Face?"

The reporter gasped then threw something else, "No-Who is this Pointy Hero? Wait-wait…Masked Hero Turns the Tides of the Battlefield! Who is he? Do that last one!"

-xXx-

Sengoku had declared for a while now that enough was enough. But he had trouble following through every single time he said it. And he was sick and tired of eating his own words.

It took him less than a glance to recognize his situation.

Kuma was occupied with one of those inmates from Impel Down.

Crocodile and Doflamingo were fighting? Great.

His eyes shifted to a feather-tipped man in a hat with a sword outstretched before him. Mihawk was fighting one-on-one with another pirate...and supposedly on par with the man? Sengoku knew for a fact that Mihawk could most definitely deal some serious damage, but if the swordsman was occupied with an opponent that was also a swordsman, then it would take a while before Sengoku could bring the Warlord back to earth.

His two knights, Kuzan and Kizaru, were pulled back and ready for his order...Sengoku's eyes flared. What was Sakazuki doing? He didn't remember telling him to abandon his position as one of the three Navy Admirals.

But, Sengoku had to make do with what he had, like he always had. And this time, and for the last time-enough was enough.

"All nearby forces!" His voice rang out like a bell, his eyes spitting silent curses at them all, "Focus target on the Straw Hat pirates!"

-xXx-

"I-I don't think I heard him right, did he say...all forces?" Usopp looked to his friends for some back-up.

Zoro grinned demonically, "Yeah. Maybe they'll put up a challenge this time."

Usopp shivered, Sanji lit another burnt-out cigarette, and Zoro held a black sword up to the sunlight to make sure the edges were still sharp. They were, much to his pleasure.

Luffy had a serious expression now, one Jimbei couldn't place.

"Jimbei," he called, and the fish-man looked his way. "Can you hold part of them back?"

It was an expression of resolve, Jimbei recognized. His eyes were darkened by the hat he placed on his head and the fish-man seemed to understand his concerns.

He stuck out a heavy palm and shot back his fist, "I'll do my best, Luffy-kun," he replied. And the best he could do was all he could do.

Luffy nodded, "Thanks."

As if almost on que, the four friends shot forward, Jimbei guarding their rear as a sudden barrage of Navy soldiers flung themselves at the pirates. It was like a never-ending sea, and Jimbei struggled to stay afloat.

The few surrounding pirates attempted to fight off against the swarming Marines, but they were no match for the sheer numbers the Navy held.

Up front, Luffy, Zoro, Sanji, and Usopp made a break for the platform. Not the first time, and definitely not the last time. But there was something new, something different about this time; they had Sogeking.

Usopp drew back his Kabuto with long fingers, hoping to one day use this in an actual combat situation where they weren't running. Now was his chance. When the masked man pointed the black Kabuto at the ground and the Straw Hats shielded him for it, some Marines started laughing. This is the same guy that shot both executioners at the last second, made Sengoku lose his mind, and then threw the entirety of Marineford into an uproar? And he can't even shoot straight?

One Marine snickered heartily, "What a joke. This'll be too easy."

"You're gonna jinx it if you say that," the soldier blinked worriedly.

"Can it, Todd!"

A sudden screen of smoke blasted their eyes and they could see nothing. They were too focused on seeing to hear a hiss of "Sogeking Smoke Star" that followed. There were at least a hundred Marines surrounding the Straw Hats, so even with the cloud of smoke, there was no way they could escape.

But that was their first mistake. The smokescreen wasn't intended for an escape.

While the Navy was feeling around for common ground, bumping into each other and shooting their comrades just out of instinct, the Straw Hats got down to business.

Closing their eyes, the three pirates from the future allowed their sight to diminish and allowed their real sight to take over. This kind of sight was called Observation Haki. Thin red figures, or rather auras, seemed to appear within their sight's view, even though their eyes were closed. The hundreds of Marines that were so desperately trying to find their way out of the smokescreen meant nothing to the three Haki users.

Usopp shot first blood, hollering a, "Green Star: Devil," before scattering several pop greens across the battlefield floor.

"He's over here somewhere!"

"Where?"

"I can't see!"

"Shoot anyway!"

In an instant, those Pop Greens literally "popped" and out sprouted multiple purple and green venus fly traps, not that the Marines could tell their color anyway. Screams were heard and silence as the flytraps devoured the Marines within seconds, cutting down the perimeter of the unbreakable Marine soldiers. There were still shots being fired, but none hit their intended mark.

Usopp glinted at his success. "Three more points for Captain Usopp!" He exclaimed, laughing his heart out.

Sanji slammed a fist down on the idiot's head, "Hey! Maybe the smokescreen will be more effective if you don't shout things out loud!"

Usopp held a hand to the massive bump on his head, the other cupping around his mouth. "Three points! Wo-oh! Go Usopp," he whispered half-heartedly.

He went to say something to the Marimo idiot just in case he got any ideas, but he too was gone.

Sanji sighed, a hand to his forehead, "Oh, what the hell."

And they went to work.

Usopp continued firing, but this time, he aimed only at the heads of the Marines. With each Sleep Star aimed at the mouth of the blue and white soldiers, the victims swallowed the pink pellet like it was another bug or another clog of blood stuck in their battered throats. It was only when they felt wobbly did they realize their second mistake. Some fell to the ground and began to snore while others collapsed and never breathed another word.

Zoro and Sanji did the same thing they always did: kicked some asses. It was easier now that they had no sure-shots headed in their direction, and with the ones that came close, they rolled neatly out of the way thanks to their Observation Haki.

Luffy had Haki in this timeline, but it was uncontrollable; a wild card yet to be played. While the three had already devised a plan, he was left out of the loop entirely. Sometimes, that just made things easier. So when the smokescreen activated, Luffy went along with it like he always did. He closed his eyes and wailed about, fist, arm, leg-and anything that got in his way was pummeled. He may have been punching blind, but the three Straw Hats knew better than to go anywhere near that disaster. Any Marines that came close were launched out of the way, sent sprawling for a way out of the smokescreen.

The grey smoke cleared after a few minutes and the surrounding force that had been caught up in it was now completely wiped out. Some were unconscious and some were just plain sleeping, but the second wave of soldiers was about to hit regardless. And the Straw Hats weren't the least bit tired.

Zoro grinned while Sanji blew out a puff of smoke.

"You guys are super strong," Luffy giggled, pulling his battered fists to his side.

Usopp beamed with pride. "It's all thanks to these," he showcased his progress, flexing his right, then his left arm with gratification. Then both arms at the same time.

"On me, men!" Came the cry of the Navy hoard. The second wave was filled with commanders that had been on the beach front where the subordinate ships were. This might be a little more tricky.

Luffy cocked back a fist, "Let's beat them up."

"I like your style," Usopp joked, drawing back his good arm with a Sure: Kill between his finger tips.

Zoro let a sword rest on his shoulder. "Whatever you say, Captain," he answered.

"Let's finish it for good." Sanji's cool smoke followed the endless clouds as it continued to rise higher and higher into the midday sky.

-xXx-

Garp watched Sengoku carefully, his expression unwavering as his eyes stretched across Marineford. With his loyalty divided between the duties of a father-like old man and a Vice Admiral of the Marines, all he could do now was wait for Sengoku's order. Maybe he would compel him to murder his own son.

Garp shivered inwardly and caught a glimpse of Ace's lifeless body, his head bent over his knees as his expression was exactly unreadable. It was as if his poor boy was dead already.

"Garp."

Garp's eyes refocused on the Fleet Admiral in front of him. His beading black eyes were still painfully emotionless as they stretched across the entirety of the battlefield.

"I'm sending out the Pacifistas," Sengoku replied calmly, though Garp hadn't said anything in the first place.

The Vice Admiral didn't speak, didn't even ask why he was telling him in the first place. Was he asking permission? No, what sort of permission would he need from a Vice Admiral. It was like Sengoku was telling him that the Pacifistas were the end-all-be-all to this problem that he had been trying to solve this entire time. That was more like him, but in the same sentence, this sense of foreboding ached deep within Garp's stomach like an endless pit.

Sengoku spoke like the Pacifistas would kill all the pirates and that would end the war. It wasn't confidence in his words, it was just assurance. Like there was no possible way that the pirates 3,000 and more strong could defend against 30+ Bartholemew Kuma puppets.

Whatever, Garp drew the conclusion. His hands clenched tightly and his breath stiffened in realization. Why the hell am I so caught up in my own thoughts? I'm thinking like it'll change the outcome of these kids' decisions. He sighed heavily, It's making my brain hurt…

He rubbed a forefinger against his temple before listening in on the quiet conversation Sengoku seemed to be having with himself. It was only after Garp loosened his hand at his side that he was able to recognize a blue-striped transponder snail in his right hand, its eyes open and its mouth moving slowly.

Sengoku murmured a few phrases and then paused as the snail said a few words back.

While Garp had trouble making out what they were saying, it was clear to him as day when the blue-striped transponder snail exclaimed, "We're a go!"

There was a long hum sounding from the admirals' chairs, and Garp drew his eyes to Kizaru and Kuzan, who watched them both carefully.

Kizaru pointed to himself. "Mah, what about us?"

Garp said nothing as Sengoku shot the light admiral a glance, "Take care of the Straw Hats." There was an ugly bitterness in his voice, "Don't let them come close," and Garp could tell that Sengoku had reached his limit.

No words followed as Kizaru disappeared like a magician and Aokiji made his way down the wall less extravagantly, bright blue ice stairs forming at his heels.

Garp met Sengoku's hard eyes for a brief moment, merciless eyes, before they turned back to watch the spectacle, "Now is when we strike with everything we have," Sengoku said sweetly, after the admirals had gone.

Garp nodded outwardly, but with eyes lowered like a caught dog and his breath hitched in his throat, he knew that his heart was pleading otherwise.

-xXx-

Luffy brought a Gum-Gum-Pistol out of his left pocket and nicked five Marines in the face. He frowned and held his gleaming red arm with his right hand, the soldiers seeming never-ending.

Usopp was beside him, covering his 6 with a barrage of green and blue pellets. Each time the rain of fire came down upon the Marines, it was something different. The first time it was the venus fly traps. The second was a hail of fire. The third was something called a... "Big Bang Star?"

Usopp fired a rainbow arc above their heads, avoiding a swing of a curved sword that almost caught his precious hair. The arc exploded into millions of white foam pieces, and the disoriented Marines believed that for a second, the clouds were falling. The foam stuck to their sides and attached itself to the floor, immobilizing the heard of 50+ with sticky glue in a matter of seconds. Echos of yells of disgust and fear were heard from the perimeter, and when friends of friends tried to help their fallen comrades, they too would be sucked into the fallen clouds, unable to move.

Usopp grinned and struck a pose as Luffy drooled in awe at the spectacular scene.

"So cool!" he gawked, and Usopp groomed his invisible mustache with a gentle hand.

"It was nothing," he replied coolly.

"HEY!"

Usopp swung around gorgeously, his eyebrow lifting to meet his fans.

Sanji had a cloud attached to his back and an expression of absolute revulsion across his face.

Zoro snorted and had to turn away for a second, his inaudible laughter clearly audible enough. Sanji bellowed an ungodly roar as he attempted to strangle the swordsman, only he couldn't move as he was stuck like a turned-over turtle.

Usopp let out a, "Pffff~" his shoulders stifling.

And Luffy clutched his stomach in outright laughter, not trying to hide anything.

The Straw Hats were in an uproar and Sanji was helplessly unable to do anything about it. It was a much needed laugh, however.

Steam was coming out of his ears. "What the hell is this!?" he cried, his arm completely folded over by white foam.

"J-Just u-use fi-ire o-o-!" Usopp fell to his knees, gasping for breath, "HAHAHA!"

Sanji was seething, "I'm gonna kill all of you when I get out of here!"

Despite Sanji's predicament, Marines still marched on them without a second thought. Bullets still tore through the wind to drive a hole in them and various weapons and things were chucked and thrown just for the hell of it.

There was a sound in the distance though, and it wasn't just more screams and echoes of clanking steel.

Surprisingly, it was Usopp who was first to pick it up.

He shot a long-range pellet at a stray Marine and cupped an ear with his free hand.
"Hey," he mumbled, eyes narrowed, "do you guys hear that?"

Luffy collided with a soldier, earning a permanent scar from the Navy Commander on his forearm. "Hear what?" The boy asked, brushing himself off.

The sound was getting closer.

Zoro believed it to sound like a chime while Usopp thought it sounded more like a beating drum. Sanji was too focused on his own Diable Jambe to listen to some stupid echo of a noise.

And it occurred to them all at the same time, the Marines too.

It was the sound of a march.

The entirety of the battlefield could hear it now, their eyes searching for the source, their faces wet with sweat and brows furrowed in confusion. Where was it coming from? Was it reinforces? Whose side were they on?

In the near distance, across the sea, the figures clad in black caught the eye of Marineford. Their bear-like bodies ate the horizon and their eyes were covered with a shining touch of sunlight. There were twenty of them, no thirty. Maybe more. And they all looked like Bartholomew Kuma.

The subordinate ships were holding their own against the Marines on the forefront, but they were struggling. So when seemingly big reinforcements appeared on the side of the pirates, the crews nearly leapt for joy. With blood stuck to their clothes, they fought with an even greater vigor than before. They were going to win-!

A ray of light shot past the ships and evaporated three of the pirates nearest to the head Navy commanders. It's screech stopped most fighting and in that specific moment, it was then that the subordinate crews realized their misinterpretation. These reinforcements weren't for them. They were for the Navy.

The march continued like a beating drum, no foot out of step. Every second, the rows and rows of Bartholomew Kumas imposed on them from across the sea.

The Straw Hats were in befuddlement, but it seemed as though the Marines were in even greater fear than before.

"What are those things," a skinny soldier asked.

An older gentleman with an eyepatch was grave, "Bartholomew Kuma," he muttered.

Zoro had no expression, his mouth now a flat thin line. "I remember those things," he recalled, almost casually, Kitetsu and Shusui glittering at his sides.

Sanji scoffed and spit to the side, finally free of the sticky fallen cloud. His leg sideswept a Marine that aimed a bullet at his temple, and he faced the swordsman with a sense of distaste. "Hey, hey-we can worry about those later. These guys are getting pesky," he turned, knocking three more soldiers unconscious, their hair singed from the flame.

Zoro's eyes were a beading black, similar to Sengoku's, though neither of them knew each other personally. His heart stilled oddly and his eyes seemed to drift unconsciously to his captain, who stood on the far side of the inner circle.

The boy pulled off the straw hat and tied the string around his neck so it sat placidly on his back. Their short gazes met, and though no words were spoken, it was as though Luffy was telling him a thousand words.

Do I have permission, Zoro seemed to ask.

The boy captain nodded slowly and Zoro felt the tips of his mouth curl in a vicious smirk. He noticed Kitetsu rumble beneath him and Shusui nearly leap out of his hand in urgency. Zoro almost told them to calm down, but that would be hypocritical, since the look on his face exposed absolute exhilaration.

His legs picked themselves up and in a light run, he made his way towards the bear-like beasts on the horizon. Though he had left the inner circle and somehow evaded most of the perimeter of Marines, the remaining Straw Hats paid him no mind.

Zoro was on ice now, over the frozen sea, and brought his swords behind him. Any soldiers that dared try and attack him, he spun and sliced through them like butter. He continued forward, the Pacifistas growing larger as he neared. The battlefield still echoed around him, but his ears seemed painfully unaware of his surroundings.

"I was a little surprised when I saw you, I'll give you that." He seemed to speak to himself. His blades tore through a six-foot Navy commander effortlessly, and his eyes flashed a bright yellow.

He grinned and brushed off his cloak. "But then I remembered that this was two years ago," he finished eagerly.

He was here.

A ship sat broken on his right and there was a childrens' sword battle to his left. With the Wado Ichimonji already between his teeth, all Zoro had left to do now was to say the words.

A black aura surrounded the swordsman and his eyes darkened ferociously, the swords glowing an odd red though it was a yellow sun. The nine mountains…

The blades danced in front of him, and eight seas…

The surrounding parties near the green swordsman, Marine or pirate, ran as fast as they could in the opposite direction of his demonic gaze.

His grip on all three swords tightened and he shot forward.

There's nothing I can't cut!

His shoes dug into the ice like spikes and a powerful gust of wind seemed to circle him like a cyclone. "Billion-fold World," he echoed, Kitetsu and Shuisui beginning to spin clockwise under his fingers. His attack caught the eye of countless agape onlookers, and a particularly anxious one seemed to find himself holding his black sword on the ready.

Zoro split the ice with his terrifying finale.

"Trichiliocosm!"

With a heavy swing, the slice threw itself off his swords like a baseball and found itself caught in the wind, splitting the ship on his right in half by sheer accident. The blast was at least a quarter of a mile long and headed straight for the long line of unbreakable Pacifistas; no one could dodge such an attack.

Watching the move travel was the fun part, but even Zoro had to breathe a little heavier than normal from his massive strike. While panting, a sharp grin matched his ferocious expression as the strike, a devastating light blue, made it's way through the earth and rubble like a 400ft black sword.

A sharp burst of yellow caught his eye and a strike, perhaps even bigger than his own, matched his Trichilocosm with a fiery force. He watched in a gritting awe as his own blow shook underneath the weight of this golden offender, violent though it was, but remarkably clean. If his Trichilocosm was characterized as a destructive storm cursed by a demonic air, this new force was an elegant gust of wind of nobility and raw power. Zoro cursed under his breath as his own move was blown off course, the yellow beam following it away into the distant sky.

An explosion lit up the back sea like fireworks, and destroyed a nearby island in its wake.

There was only one power strong enough, one man willing, one swordsman-

Zoro faced the hooded man clad in an intricate lavender, his thin-feathered cavalier hat shading the sweat that rolled down the other side of his face. His cross-like black blade was wound tightly in a two-handed pale grip, his golden-plated eyes were magnetic and Zoro felt himself drawn to his pace.

That smile tugged at Zoro's hardened face muscles again, a rare thing, he noted, but a welcome one in this scenario. He had intended to blow over the 30 Pacifistas with a single swing of the sword, making the whole situation a whole lot more simpler. But of course, this man wouldn't make it that easy for him. Hawkeye met the swordsman's small smile with a respectful thin nod of his own before pulling up the deadly black sword behind his head and clashing with the weird, curvy mustache guy that had stolen his fight before.

It won't be long now, were the words that kept thumping back and forth between Zoro's brain and the hand that gripped Kitetsu. He had promised Hawkeye they would face each other again, the right way. When the hour was right, he recalled, and that hour was when Ace was freed from the Navy's grasp.

So, let's speed up the process then, he thought with glittering, fine eyes.

And as he turned to join his nakama on their sprint to the platform, not a single soul he recognized came into view.

"Huh?" He voiced his perplexity and looked back over his shoulder, just in case they were pulling one over on him.

Zoro switched back towards the sea, but still saw no sign of them. Great, they left without him.

"Where the hell did they go?"

-xXx-

"WE LOST ZORO!" Luffy called, bonking two Marines' heads together.

"YOU'RE KIDDING!" Usopp fell over.

Sanji spit out his cigarette, "That bastard; which way did he go?"

A special clown had found the perfect opportunity to join the Straw Hats for some much needed Buggy-screentime, as the folks down in Saobody only seemed to care about the three mysterious time travelers at the moment.

Despite it being his last chance to steal the show, he couldn't help but feel overwhelmingly pressured as he was being dragged along at the Straw Hats' unmatchable pace.

"HOW COULD YOU LOSE HIM?" Buggy detached himself from his torso and knocked a Marine in the teeth.

Sanji smashed his flaming leg into a Navy skull, "That Marimo walks off on his own and then blames everyone else for getting lost. He's always beyond stupid but he's outdone even Luffy this time."

"Huh?"

Usopp shook the boy captain furiously, "LUFFY! I THOUGHT YOU WERE WATCHING HIM!"

Luffy gawked, "I THOUGHT YOU WERE WATCHING HIM!" And he shook Usopp right back.

"Is this a joke…" Buggy almost stuck his own knife in his head.

Jimbei had managed to regroup with the Straw Hats and fought side-by-side with Luffy, "How did he get lost…" Even he was a bit speechless, "we were just all together…"

Usopp spoke thoughtfully, "You see, there's this level of stupid here, on this plane. And up here, way in the sky, is Zoro, Luffy, and-"

Sanji smashed a fist through Usopp's skull. "That asshole will end up discovering the One Piece if we don't find him soon," he mumbled, blowing out a puff of smoke through a newly lit cigarette. "Luffy; do you know where he went?"

"Mm, no." Luffy scratched his head and a lightbulb appeared over top, "Oh, I told Zoro to go cut up the bear guys."

Usopp shot his hand down, "You're an idiot."

"You said it, brother." Buggy clapped Usopp on the back.

Their progress wasn't great, but at least they were getting closer to the platform.

"So that's why?" Jimbei looked up towards Luffy, drawing a long sigh.

Buggy lost it, "WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT, STRAW HAT?"

"Because we need to save Ace," he was sincerely honest, "and the fastest way is to beat up all the bear guys."

"THERE'S HUNDREDS OF THEM OUT THERE!"

Buggy found himself reattaching his lower and upper half out of sheer exhaustion. Just being anywhere near the Straw Hats was tiring. And then it occurred to him, and his voice dulled to a whisper, "If I go back to my loyal followers," he pondered, "then maybe I can get them to-WOAH!"

His view of the battlefield was broadened unintentionally and his upper half was suddenly floating above the rest of his body. Somebody cut him in half and ditched, and that kind of cowardness painted his face the same color as his bright red nose.

"HEY!" Buggy raised a shaking fist, "Damn it, who interrupted me while I was talk-"

His yells tapered off when he set eyes on a freaky tall guy with an afro and ice-plated fingers.

"AH!" was all he could manage before floating back a few several feet.

Sanji shouted a special move and landed a flaming course kick into a bulky captain's shoulder blades, sending him sprawling towards the ground with a few grunts. He kicked some snow off the earth, which he didn't think to be out of place.

"But what the hell," he tossed his second-to-last cigarette, "what idiot gets lost trying to cut a-"

An icicle succeeded in catching the first layer of skin on his left cheek before Sanji managed to evade the barrage that followed after. He slid on the wet grass, somewhat irritated that he had to take his hands out of his pocket just to keep his balance.

"WOAH!"

Buggy spun in a half-circle and Usopp swan-dove to the best of his abilities in order to avoid heat-seeking ice missiles that came out of thin air.

Kizaru planted himself near Aokiji on his right shoulder, beams of yellow light finally transporting his legs and arms to match. When Aokiji let out a sigh, a breath of clear smoke rolled out, though the admiral had no cigarette to bite down on.

Sanji grunted as Luffy stood stone-faced on his left, steam rolling off his shoulders rather than cold smoke. A red-tint was eminent on his skin, and it wasn't from heat or anger.

"So, what now?" Kizaru offered, shrugging his shoulders as though he were daring them to make the first move. His eyes were covered by round sunglasses, but Sanji knew for a fact that the yellow guy had his beaming glower set right on him.

Sanji stuck a thumb at himself. "Now, I kick your ass," he retorted.

Usopp sweat lightly from nervousness, but continuously reminded himself that he was from the future. And these guys weren't as half as strong as they were in their timeline...supposedly.

Buggy almost left them all behind when the two admirals showed up, but he had a strange feeling he should stick around, so he did. That gut feeling, a few seconds later, paid off.

A boulder and phoenix pair fell from the sky like they were meant to be, stylish and not the least bit elegant. They landed between the Straw Hats and the two admirals, though their backs were facing the pirates.

The pineapple-man shot the light guy a priceless look of disdain. "You miss me?" He jeered casually.

Kizaru's smile twitched a bit, but fell to more of a half-grin from then on. "Hardly," was all he said.

Beside him, Jozu took a fist to an open palm and grunted. "Ready for round two?"

"It's not going to last very long," Aokiji curled his fingers and snow particles fell like dust from his shoulders.

These guys were getting in their way again, Sanji groaned. Maybe it was for the better, though. This way, they'd have less to deal with on their final sprint to the platform. He couldn't even imagine what that moss-head would say if he saw them taking the lead again.

The only reason they were here was because of Pops' plan. The subordinate crews along with the mysterious help of a lost swordsman were throwing punches with the Pacifistas. So, while they had their hands full on the seaside, their job here was to mess with the Navy Admirals of Light and Ice.

"Ace's brother!"

Marco's call turned Luffy's head instinctively, though he was already looking straight forward.

Marco nodded to him, "The Fleet Admiral up there is trying to take you all out with everything he's got," he smirked and rolled an arm, "So hurry up and go free Ace! Before I decide to pull the hero card from you."

Jozu followed suit, "Yeah, we've got these two covered." He then stamped his legs into the topsoil and shot his arms forward in an impenetrable fighting stance.

Luffy thanked two of Ace's friends by following the pineapple guy's words.

"You don't need to tell us twice," he said, and took off in another beeline towards the platform.

The others behind him stuttered to follow, as it just seemed to be happening all so fast.

There was the smile of an innocent boy and a wave of a hand before they finally found the strength in their legs to move again.

"C'mon guys!" Luffy hollered.

"Why is everyone in this place trying to kill us." Buggy whimpered helplessly before reattaching himself and breaking into a run with the other two Straw Hats at his heels.

Marines that had encompassed the previous area were still on orders to fight the Straw Hat pirates, no matter where they ran to.

Since the head of the operation was still alive and well, their orders were still in effect until spoken otherwise.

"Don't let him get away!"

Marines flocked to their 9's and 3's, slowly surrounding their every side.

Jimbei managed to pull up to Luffy, who was racing at a heavy speed. "We still have to find Zoro-kun," he relayed.

Sanji searched for a cigarette, but elected to save his last one.

"Damn it, whatever, he's probably in the East Blue by now," he looked to Luffy, "Let's just leave him."

Jimbei looked somewhat surprised, "But-"

"Jimbei, don't stray away from our goal!" Luffy's harsh words cut through their skins like a hot knife and each person clamped their mouths shut.

His steel eyes met the startled fish-man's with a new sense of cold reality laid deep within them, "There's no point to wasting time; Zoro will be alright, so don't worry," he pointed up to the platform, "Ace is still vulnerable up there! What kind of brother am I if I can't even save him? Not one worthy of being called his brother in the first place, that's for sure."

There was a stifling silence between them while they ran, filled with an arrangement of reverence and awe.

Jimbei's eyes were widened in pure amazement while Sanji lifted his finger tips to his mouth, blowing out an invisible puff of smoke with his nonexistent cigarette.

Usopp gripped his Sogeking mask in his left hand, having taken it off in the heat of the moment. A single tear swelled in his eye, "If there's one thing that hasn't changed, it's your speeches," he nodded, planting the cover of the mighty Sogeking back on his face.

Sanji laughed thinly, "All the more reason to not give it up yet, right Captain? We would all die trying before we give in."

Luffy shook his head, his blank stare never fading. "We won't go down," he was rightfully confident, "we're going to win this war."

Jimbei was blown away by their sincerity and trust in one another. He guessed that this should be expected, since it was Luffy-kun who had saved all those inmates from Impel Down. He smiled softly, his gaze traveling to each Straw Hat individually, "Luffy-kun, Sanji-kun...Long-nose-kun."

"Usopp!"

Sanji grinned before glancing back at the sullen platform, "That's the spirit."

-xXx-

It was chilly. Despite the warmth of the body masses by the hundreds, it was chilly. Despite the blazing fires that raged about the battlefield, it was still cold. Coby couldn't place why that was, but accepted it for what it meant.

"Coby," Helmoppo whispered next to him.

Coby looked up, previously lost in thought. They had fought throughout Marineford for a good while and were currently hiding behind a wall, much to his own displeasure.

"Are you okay?"

Coby blinked, almost laughed, and padded Helmeppo on the back. There was a war going on and Helmeppo was more worried about him? The pink-haired boy smiled in response. He was a good friend.

"I'm fine, just thinking," was what he said, but it was only half the truth.

He wasn't fine. In fact, he was devastated under his blue and white coat and big-rimmed Marine goggles. It was an amazing spectacle, watching two of Luffy's friends appear out of thin air and completely decimate everything. They were so strong and so unbelievably cool! Did anyone else see the way Zoro-san stopped Aokiji Kuzan's ice punch with a single sword? Or how Luffy's friend in the suit ran at lightspeed towards Ace's platform? No one could track him! But…

Coby felt like pulling out his hair while screaming about the unfairness of it all. They were on the wrong side. That's what was conflicting. His friends from a life he left behind were now enemies for the present now and the future.

Back then…

Coby's eyes fell as he looked at the palms of his hands. They were longer now, paler than before too, but more muscular and calloused. He had such tiny hands when he worked for Alvida. Maybe that's why he couldn't do much at one time. But he had grown from the little dream of wanting to put away all the bad guys to actually doing it!

If I hadn't met Luffy-san back then, I wouldn't be who I am today.

It was true and he knew it, but with his worlds tied and arms crossed in every which direction, he had trouble figuring out what path he should take.

This was a battlefield, he reminded himself. If Luffy had been standing beside him, would he offer the same hesitation that he's offering the Straw Hat captain right now? Coby already knew the answer to that. So, in a way, he found the solution to his own problem.

"Alright," he stood up in resolve, Helmoppo scrambling to pull him back down behind the wall.

Coby's intent gaze scoured the battlefield as closely as Sengoku's.

"In order to be a real marine," he raised a fist, a frown placed where a smile once was, "I have to fight or I won't progress."

His mind was made up, and no matter what happened now, that wouldn't change.

"I have to fight him!" He cried for all of Marineford to hear his vow.

-xXx-

The snail transponder in his pocket he had thought had long been broken. His eyes narrowed in confusion when his left pocket shuttered again, so with focus still on his losing battlefield, Sengoku reached a wary hand into his white coat pocket. The red snail's eyes were closed and soft, and he almost threw the thing, seeming that he was now imagining a little bit of false hope in this dreary situation.

"Sengoku."

But the snail's eyes were wide open now, staring at him with the same disgruntled fury as the magma admiral he had missed leave ages ago.

He squinted in perplexment at the snail transponder, "Sakazuki?"

There was a pause, and the snail rumbled, "I'm in position."

It took a minute to register, but Sengoku had finally understood where his missing admiral had been all this time. His heart fell, but picked up the pace quickly in a dormant, fiery rage when he realized this arrogant, blatant insubordination, "I told you to wait on the frontlines! We need you here." His teeth were grit tight and Garp had shot him a long look of uncertainty.

The snail looked back at him with plain eyes, "There's no point when our entire fleet is decimated by the time they arrive."

Sengoku wanted to strangle his arrogance, demote him, or just do something, but in sight of the tired wasteland of a battlefield before him, and the Pacifistas losing, he had no choice but to accept his words as reality.

"Await my signal." He ordered finally, "Do not let them out of your sight."

There was silence before the grunt, and without further need for words, the eyes of the red snail closed tightly and its head sagged lifelessly.

Sengoku shook himself with a sigh and continued his baleful watch over the pirates that continued to close in.

-xXx-

Okay, listen up. Slow updates, but the plots thickening-the stock is boiling and the stew's finally gonna start cookin'. You gotta let it marinate beforehand, you know? I am my biggest fan, no question about it, so hold onto your seats for things comin' up soon. So excited for these upcoming chapters-hope they make you all giddy too. Thanks for reviewing, favoriting, and following, it really means a lot. You guys are the best!

Oh, one last thing. The title of the next chapter is Chapter 8: The Fire Rekindles...think on it however long you want and stay safe out there! New deviant of corona? You gotta be kidding. ~Papa Sasuke