"It seems we've managed to complete our mission." Whitebeard said as he coughed. "This is your captain's final orders, Whitebeard Pirates."
"Final? Pops, you can't be serious." one pirate said.
"You all must survive and make it to the New World. I'm a relic of a bygone age with no ship able to carry me. Go, my sons! What a journey it's been! Come at me, Marines!" Whitebeard declared.
"You heard the old man." said Marco the Phoenix. "All members of the Whitebeard Pirates...we're leaving!" he shouted as the crew started their retreat.
"Father…" Ace said.
"No words are needed. Just tell me, Ace. Was I a good father to you?" Whitebeard asked.
"Of course!" Ace said before he started retreating with the crew.
"This was a huge mistake. All able soldiers! Do not let them escape! This is our only chance!" Sengoku ordered the remaining soldiers.
"Oh...there's no way I'm letting them get away." Aokiji said.
"Have you forgotten? I'm your opponent!" Francisca said, clashing with him.
"Damn, you are persistent." Aokiji said.
"It seems they've started their retreat." Akainu said as he found himself being kept back by David. "I have no idea who you are boy...but this evil will be snuffed out."
"Evil, huh? Then tell me… What did Ace do to deserve his execution?" David asked.
"That is easy. He was born. That is his crime." Akainu said.
"What about those people from a past incident. Like say...Ohara." David said.
"There was a chance the researchers could have snuck onto that passenger ship. Of course it had to be destroyed, in order to make sure no evil escaped." Akainu said.
"Funny… Because the only possible researcher there could've been didn't even get a chance to board. How is that possible by any chance? That's simple. It's because she was constantly ostracized by her own people. Ironic, that." David said. "The way I see it, your brand of justice is nothing more than senseless slaughter. Your brand of justice victimizes people. That is not what a keeper of peace is supposed to do."
"You and that fool Kuzan...you could be living mirrors." Akainu said as magma covered his arms. "Yet so brave. Unlike Whitebeard. Cowards...the lot of them."
"Perhaps… And yet, like all pirate crews, they are bound by the bonds of unity. Those bonds are more sacred than any bloodline can ever be." David said as he unleashes his Ice Reaper Claw. "With all due respect… I won't hold back."
"Hound Blaze!" Akainu shouted, unleashing a wave of magma at David as it shaped into a dog's head.
"Arctic Style: Ice Fangs!" David said as his hand formed a panther's head as he charged. Magma and ice collided as steam erupted from David's ice, and Akainu's magma hardened to rock.
"Great Eruption!" Akainu shouted as David dodged to the side as a stream of magma rocketed past him.
"Phew… That was close. Guys, incoming!" David said.
"What are...Whoa!" Dan said as they quickly dodged the attack. "He's even more pumped up than last time."
"Probably because David's the one fighting him. Their elements oppose each other." Sectonia said.
"Yeah. Magma and Ice pretty much cancel each other out. Those two are on equal footing." Jexi said.
"It's like a battle between gods. Or at the very least, Elementals." Hope said.
"It seems obvious you intend to keep me back. However, justice will not be stopped." Akainu said lunging past David as he headed towards Luffy.
"Guys, you might want to hurry. He's on the warpath." David said.
"What? Crap! Luffy!" Jet shouted as Luffy looked at Akainu coming at him. But before the fist could land its mark, something got between the two of them. Standing there was Ace as the attack was blocked by him.
Everyone in the vicinity was in total shock. Ace had taken the blow that was meant for Luffy, risking his own body.
David landed on the ground. "Ace… You have done what very few people were willing to do… May your soul never be forgotten…" he said as he kept moving to the scene.
"Ace…" Luffy said.
"Heh. Sorry...Luffy." Ace said weakly.
"We...we need to get you help! There has to be a doctor here! Please! Help him!" Luffy shouted.
"A doctor won't help." Elementa said. "His internal organs have already been burned away."
"Luffy… Listen to me…" David said. "I don't know if this comforts you, but… Your brother spent his final moments risking his life for the one person he cares about the most. He risked his life and dreams so that you can live yours. Now… You need to stand strong, and live for the both of you. Don't just be a Pirate King. Be the greatest Pirate King...this world has ever known."
"But…" Luffy said before Ace put a hand on his shoulder.
"If it wasn't for dealing with you, I doubt I would have wanted to live. Nobody would want such a thing, but it's too late now! There is one thing that pains me...I didn't get to see the end of your dream. But I know you'll do it! You're my brother! Like we swore to each other...I regret nothing! Just like he said." Ace said before hugging him. "I guess what I really wanted wasn't just a reputation. Was it a good thing that I was born? All I wanted was the answer to that. I can't speak loud enough anymore...Luffy. please tell everyone what I'm about to tell you. Dad! Everyone! And Luffy. Even though I've been a good-for-nothing my whole life...Even though I carry the blood of a demon within me! You guys still loved me...Thank you so much!" he cried before smiling as he fell to the ground with a smile upon his face.
"That smile on his face… It means he has lived his life with no regrets. That is the best life anyone can ever hope to have." David said. "So, Luffy… You know what you must do now. You have to keep going, for his sake, too. Can you do that?"
"Uh...huh." Luffy said on the verge of tears himself as he took off.
"Go forward… Never stop until you reach the top of the pirate world, Straw Hat Luffy." David said.
"Luffy...he's going to get out of here." Jexi said before feeling a massive dark presence. "And of course...this is where he showed up."
"Zehahahaha! Hope you haven't died yet...Whitebeard." laughed a voice as arriving in the harbor was a large man with a long black beard.
"Teach." Whitebeard growled in anger.
"Blackbeard… That's right… He was here too." Kaede said.
"Teach! You're the one person I will never call my son...after the taboo you committed in killing your own crewmate!" Whitebeard said.
"Zehahaha! I've come to claim what will rightfully mine." Blackbeard said as his crew came and charged right at the large man and shot him several times.
"You're not the man Roger is waiting for, Teech!" Whitebeard said, retaliating at blackbeard and his crew, even with all the damage he has taken.
"You're still standing!?" Blackbeard said in shock.
"Just as there are those who have inherited Roger's will, there will be those to inherit Ace's will...You can sever the bloodline but you can never extinguish the flames. Someday, someone will arise to challenge the world and bear the burden of history. I have no interest in the treasure, but when it is discovered, the entire world will be turned upside down. Eventually someone will find it. One Piece...EXISTS!" Whitebeard shouted as he stood motionless.
"He...he died on his feet." Blackbeard said.
Whitebeard stood tall as the jacket fell off his body, showing his back to be completely injury free despite all of the injuries he took in the front.
"There's...not a single scar on his back!" David said.
"Whitebeard took several gunshots, cannonballs, stabs and other injuries. But he never took a hit in his back...because he never once retreated." Jexi said.
"A true man among men…" Fulgore said.
"Without a doubt...he really was a monster." Bakugo said.
"Zehahaha! Now...let's get this show on the road!" Blackbeard laughed as a black cloth was tossed over him and Whitebeard's body.
"What's he doing now?" Mermista asked.
"Here it comes… this is what makes Blackbeard so dangerous." Hope said.
"Zehahaha! Now let me show you what sets me apart from you all!" Blackbeard said before hitting the air, creating a massive shockwave.
"That was Whitebeard's power!" Bow said.
"Zehahahahaha! The gravity of Darkness that consumes all in its path, and the power of the earthquake that destroys everything! I am the strongest of all!" Blackbeard said.
"This is bad… If this keeps up, there won't be anything left of Marineford!" David said.
"You're right, David. Even if it's for a bit, we have to stop Blackbeard!" Hope said before he was kicked to the ground.
"I've heard enough of this." Akainu said, covering his fist in magma. "You pirates...will be purged from this world!"
"Tch… Looks like Akainu isn't done yet." David said.
"Please just stop! All of this bloodshed! Please just stop all of this!" Miles shouted.
"He's right. This isn't the time for us to fight amongst ourselves!" David said.
"Grr...I've heard enough from you." Akainu said about to lay a hit on David before a sword blocked the strike.
"Eh...no...I think this is where the war ends." a voice said as they saw a man with one arm and red hair holding the sword.
"That visage… You're… It can't be! It is you. Luffy told us about you! Red-Haired Shanks!" David said.
"It can't be! What's one of the Four Emperors doing here?!" a marine asked in shock.
"I've come to end the war." Shanks said. "If you all still feel like fighting...I would be happy to oblige." he said as his crew stood behind him as both sides stopped dead in their tracks.
It wasn't long after that the war ended, preventing any further bloodshed from taking place.
"Thank you, Shanks. You really are just as Luffy said." David said.
"Eh...no thanks please." Shanks said as he departed with his crew.
"If he really is that strong, it was no wonder Luffy looked up to him." Ryoma said.
"Yeah. I'm happy for that." David said.
"So, David… Now that you've seen the events here for yourself, do you feel any better?" Leopardmon asked.
"...Yeah. I can say that I am. True, Akainu still killed Ace, and I can never agree with his ideologies, but… I managed to at least let Luffy keep some of the spirit he had. I can at least make peace with that." David said.
"I'm glad you were able to find your peace. And in that you were able to keep your emotions in check." Hope said.
"Trust me. I was very tempted to drill it into Akainu like Draco wanted me to, but… In the end, what good would it really do? I'd end up no better than him." David said.
"Draco? What does he have to do with this?" Tab asked.
"Why don't you ask him yourself?" Natsu said, dragging in the tied up Drago who kept muttering how weak he was.
"Turns out he was actually a mole for the enemy. He infiltrated our ranks to bring Luffy to Wano." David said.
"You should have just left me. I'm weak...just a bug…" Draco muttered.
"Nah, that would be a mercy." David said.
"Then do us both a favor and KILL ME ALREADY!" Draco yelled.
"I refuse. Someone like you isn't worth it. If I did, I'd be no better than Akainu." David said.
"..." Draco said nothing for a short while before he spoke. "Do whatever the hell you want. It doesn't matter..."
"Draco...I know about you." Sheer said. "From the Sky Universe. Once every decade or so, at least one Skyian is born with a dragonic mutation. This sometimes leads to the illusion that they are invincible. I went through such a phase myself. But when you encounter someone stronger, that wall comes crashing down. However, that isn't the end. Your wall has broken...but...you can still rebuild yourself."
"...I...I always got back up, no matter who or what tried to kill me. But that man...he's an abomination. Doflamingo…" he shivered, clutching an arm that wasn't there. "...I won't be the one to end him...but...I'll beat him a different way. I'll grow."
"And we'll start by getting you a metal arm." Miu said.
"No. Not yet." Draco said. "I'll need...to retrain myself. Pure offense won't work anymore." he said.
"Well, then it's a good thing we've arrived at the point in history where it's a good time to do just that." Hope said.
"That's right. Luffy is going to train up and meet up with the others at the Sabaody Archipelago, two years from now." David said.
"The others...they said they're getting a device...to let Le Kracken's ship jump forward in time." Draco said. "I won't go with them. I'm waiting out those two years, and training. Then…"
Draco, with newfound determination, used his wings to break the ropes binding him and took to the air.
"Ishihara!" Draco called out. "We'll meet and have a real fight...on the shores of Wano! And when we do...I'll be someone you'll enjoy fighting!"
With that, the Sky Universe Elder flew off into the distance.
"It looks like he's going on the path of humility and redemption. It's something that he needs." Hope said. "We'll see him again."
"Should we be worried about him trying to backstab us again?" Bow asked.
"No. There were no lies in his eyes. He truly wants to change." Asgore said. "That is a feeling I can recognize."
"He's taking the first steps on the road to rehabilitation. Where that path takes him, I don't know. But...I have faith he may be saved yet." Sheer said.
"Now we leave this world for two days then return. That should equal two years here." Jexi said.
"Yes. I'm sure we can all use the rest after everything that's happened today." Cheetah said.
"Yeah… Franny, you still out there?" David asked.
"Yes? Is there something you need?" Francisca asked.
"We're heading out. Our work is done here." David said.
"Thank goodness. I was about to collapse." Francisca said.
"Make sure you pick up Flamberge and Moltar too. We can't afford to leave them behind." David said.
"Understood." Francisca said.
Nana sighed. "We should probably get ready to thaw them out."
"Nah, she can do it herself. If she was able to stand on equal footing with Aokiji for this long, I think she can handle this." David said.
"Sheesh, she fought him for...what, three hours straight?" Eddy whistled. "Now I don't feel so bad about losing to her during Ultra Hero Battle. You train 'em good, Davy."
"Alright, once we got Flamberge and Moltar, we can get out of this hellhole." Emo said. "Two days, huh? Should give us time to rest up for the next part of the journey."
"Yeah...we're done with the Survival of the Sea part. Now we're going into the next half. And hopefully...the New World." Jexi said.