Chapter 4 :
And forward marched the duo of Luffy and Rayleigh, the past and future of the pirate world, together, focused on nothing but Ace's rescue.
"Gurara. Let's see if you are just talk or you can actually do something. Marco, assist Straw Hat for Ace's rescue!"
The pirates and marines alike were quite surprised by the faith Whitebeard put on a rookie like Strawhat. Many of them gulped thinking about the implications of such a move. If Whitebeard trusted a person, that's something.
Coby, who was standing at the edge of the plaza with Helmeppo, was in awe with his pirate friend-cum-enemy.
"That's…That's awesome! Not only did he break out of impel down in such a short notice, now none other than Whitebeard has vouched him with the task of rescuing Fire-fist! Luffy is awesome!"
Meanwhile, the rest of the divisions were fascinated by their captain's trust on the rookie.
"So that is Ace's brother huh! Come on third division! Let's rally behind him!" said Diamond Jozu, looking positive with the proceedings.
Jimbei was quite astonished to see that a pirate of Whitebeard's caliber has placed his trust on Luffy.
"Seems like Ace-san's brother has quite a will. I will assist him to rescue Ace! Even if it means that I have to give up my life!" thought Jimbei, before running towards Luffy's group.
Luffy was quite oblivious of the support he was garnering, and turned around just to look Ivankov besides him.
"Iva-chan!"
"Straw Hat boy! I will help you rescue your brother!" said Ivankov. But he was more busy thinking about the implications this move from Whitebeard would have
"If Whitebeard has placed his trust on Straw hat boy, it means he's testing him! I will help my level best to rescue Ace! After all he is also Dragon's son, considering the fact that Straw hat boy calls him brother!"
Gomu Gomu no Bazooka! And lo the 300 million beli worth rookie finally entered the fight, clearing out a dozen of marine soilders. Meanwhile, the Third division of the Whitebeard pirates were battling with some of the other front line soilder's, along with Ivankov. Rayleigh was progressing at a real slow speed, preferring to walk towards the group rather than keeping up with Luffy and co.
"He has Ivankov and Marco to assist him, as of now. The real threat comes after we reach the plaza. He does not have the strength to fight the admirals and the better bunch of vice admirals. I will catch up with him later. Somehow I feel my business with Whitebeard is not over yet." Thought Rayleigh, who casually deflected an incoming low-level swordsman with his sword, all while stroking his beard.
Moby Dick
"I hope I have not made a mistake by keeping my faith on that brat. But he is a D after all. And considering "Red-haired's" approval of him, and the recent feats of breaking into impel down and Enies lobby, that brat definitely has some tenacity. I will have to enter the fray soon, but it's not my time yet"
thought Whitebeard, who was analyzing the whole battle with a bird's view of the situation. Looking at his Ace, another son of his, his thoughts wandered over the better times he had with the brat.
"That brat is all teary eyed huh? He can cry all he wants after he parties with my family once he is rescued. As of me, Gurara! I will bow out with a high! And Sengoku, I wonder what your strategy is. I don't think that he would have let us know about his strategy so soon."
He did not notice a shadow lurking at the edge of his ship.
Back to frozen bay
The front line assault was broken up by yellow light in shape of human, kicking some of the pirates of the third division with a "speed of light" kick.
Kizaru reformed out of the yellow light, stating in his usually indifferent voice " Don't push your luck! I won't let you invade that easily."
"It's admiral Kizaru!"
Luffy, who was running right into Kizaru, yelled " You are that guy from Sabaody!"
"Yes. I am going to ruin you for what you did to the Celestial Dragons" Said Admiral Kizaru, charging up another "speed of light" kick attack. Only to be interrupted by Marco, who absorbed the attack, and kicked Kizaru with his own haki-infused attack. Kizaru was again blasted away and crashed at the edge of bay.
"Fight with someone of your caliber oi! Not a rookie!" said a grinning Marco, who was surrounded by some awe as his attack actually did some damage to the untouchable Kizaru.
"Thank you Pineapple-head ossan!" said Luffy before continuing his pursuit towards the plaza.
"It's Marco oi!"
"Straw hat boy! Wait!" said a panting Ivankov, struggling slightly to keep pace with Luffy. But he was interrupted again by a light beam.
"Damn Kizaru! Wait it's Kuma again! I need to at least keep him away from Strawhat. He could be dangerous, considering he is nothing more than a weapon now."
"I will kick your ass Kuma! Just watch me!" Said Ivankov before running to fight Kuma.
Luffy, meanwhile, was continuing his pursuit towards the plaza, to be interrupted by a duo. Both of them looking eerily similar to him.
" Straw hat. Here we meet again!"
" I can't wait to use my upgraded 1-2 Jango on you!"
Luffy, oblivious of their taunts, asked " Who the hell are you guys?"
"I'm Fullbody! I don't forgive you for what you did to me at Baratie!"
"Ah! Sanji kicked your ass."
"Remember my chakram?"
"Oh you are from Ussop's village. Why are you here?"
" I have joined the marines. And I will hypnotize you with my improved chakram! 1-2-Jango!"
Luffy, was little distracted with a blast which shattered a piece of frozen sea; thus did not fall asleep. But Full-body and Django collapsed, falling prey to their own hypnosis attack.
"Hina disappointed."
"Hey, you are the one from Alabasta!"
"I will bind anyone who passes through me!"
Just as she attacked with her cage-cage powers, Luffy activated his gear second and managed to escape.
"Luffy! What did I tell you about straining your body!" yelled Rayleigh from quite far away, though he was effortlessly crushing away his opponents.
"Sorry Rayleigh ossan! I had to get away from her." said Luffy, panting slightly as he progressed forward.
Luffy continued his assault forward, assisted by Jimbei and half of the third division of whitebeard pirates.
"Damn! They are all strong." Thought Luffy, but since he was heavily assisted by Jimbei and co, he did not have to fight with much effort. "I need to stick with ossan's advice."
"Why the hell did you come here Luffy! I don't want to be saved by a puny guy like you!" yelled a distraught Ace, but mumbling " I don't want you to share my fate". The battle suddenly stopped around him, listening to what the pirate had to say about this rookie.
"I don't care Ace! I wont forsake my brother! I will save you!" Luffy yelled back, confusing many of the marines and pirates alike.
"But strawhat cannot be Gol. D Roger's son."
"I don't have time for you and your Zombies bastard!" yelled Luffy, and just then the zombies were negated by Jimbei's water wave.
"Luffy-kun, Ill take care of Moria. You progress ahead." Said Jimbei, taking a fighting stance against Moria.
"Thank you Jimbei!"
And amidst the battle, a loud voice of the fleet admiral echoed.
"Don't let a rookie take control of the war! Concentrate on attacking him! " yelled a frustrated Sengoku.
Luffy was interrupted by a Giant marine captain, who took up the job of disposing Strawhat.
"I am sorry Rayleigh ossan, I have to deal with him."
"He is a loose cannon! He and Fire Fist grew up as step brothers!"
Gear Third! Gomu Gomu no Gigant Rifle!
His attack single-handedly brought down the giant marine, which coincided with Sengoku's shocking announcement.
"He is none other than the biological son of Dragon, the revolutionary!"
"Say whatever you wanna. Ace! But I will rescue you!"
( A/N Please review your opinion about the chapter. And the changes from canon till now are quite small, but will have adverse effect on the eventual war's outcome
