Restructer Revolution

For fans who argue that a Turbo Duel means that Spells can't be activated, I'm going to pull author's word first; Speed World is not on, so Spells are permitted. Essentially, Yusei is playing a Moving (not Riding) Duel with the whole of Marineford. Yeah, he's going to need it.

XIX: Reversal of Fate

Previously:

Yusei lifted the Sunny's DenDen Mushi, and more DenDen Mushi, along with a portable computer from the Yusei Go Yusei had lifted on a quick trip to the Sunny to notify the crying Flying Fish Riders guarding the ship 'with their lives'. "With this. Aki, you're better at offensive Duelling. The Go is outside, there's a few cards Yami San and Judai brought over the last time I saw them. Use them to produce our winning strategy, please."

"I knew that guy was up to no good!" Aki groaned as she moved out. "I should've shredded him..."

"-.-... Shakky San, I need more information on the Admirals, the higher chain of command, the Shichibukai and the Marines most likely to be there," Yusei told the older lady.

"Consider it done." Shakky nodded.

"Rayleigh San, if you can, I'll need a prediction on the Marines' likely movements." Yusei was rolling out a roll of fine tools gotten from the Doraemon pants. "I'll be fixing the DenDen Mushi here. Let's go!"

"Of course," Aki brought down a whole box on the bar counter.

"Leave it to me," Shakky smiled.

Rayleigh actually gave a full-bellied laugh at that. "I don't quite know your faith in bonds, nor do I know your determination... but, you have guts, that I'll readily admit. Well, then, let's begin!"

"It seems like we have a really good vantage point," Aki observed from where she was standing.

"Ah," Yusei agreed, watching beside her. The Yusei Go itself was parked next to the rebuilt Bloody Kiss, both former members of Team 5Ds dressed to fight, Aki in her trademark red and black, Yusei in racing gear of dark blue with orange guards.

"Three hours to execution," Aki relayed, eyes closed. "Prisoner to be brought up to platform in thirty minutes."

"Exact," Yusei plonked the receiver back on the miniature DenDen Mushi, which was giving Aki a look equal to fear. "We have the Marine communication system in our control now."

"So, Yusei... what do we do?" Aki murmured nervously.

"We can only wait." Yusei answered, hoping that nobody would look up to spot them. "If anyone looks up, we're finished."

"Who would?" Aki scoffed despite herself. "It's not like we're exactly noticeable here, Yusei."

"Next time I get the urge to do this, remind me why we're standing on top of this large hunk of metal," Yusei nervously tapped the steel ground with one foot. "Is the bubble coating okay?"

"Intact," Aki relayed. "You were right, keeping them under high pressure is better for them, though I doubt that we can maintain this indefinitely."

"The coating itself is permanent," Yusei answered. "Rayleigh San said that we could probably use these underwater if needed. Three days' work..."

"Are you going to use the Duel system underwater?" Aki gave him a look.

"No," Yusei replied. "I don't want to try my luck yet. This battle will be hard enough as it is already... either we will become saviours, or we will become destroyed. Before that... the offer is still open, Aki."

"You need backup," Aki rebutted. "Wherever you choose to go... I want to share some of that happiness with you. I will not."

A companionable silence hung between the two for a moment. "Thank you," the male Duellist replied. "For everything up to now... thank you."

The cheers of the Marines could be heard all the way from their place.

"They seem confident," Aki observed. "Pride comes before a fall, after all."

"Oh, Moria?" Yusei noted. "That man tried to kill all of us."

"Is that so?" A mental hit list was already forming in her mind as she eyed Moria through her own binoculars. "I was thinking, we could probably use Mark of the Rose on Donquixote Doflamingo and get him to control the Pacifistas for us, in the worst case scenario."

"...Not unless we're really desperate." Yusei answered. "I can see the Admirals. Kizaru is still there? How odd. Bakura would have taken care of him."

"Nice bruise," Aki observed, focusing the lens on the Admiral's face. "Stardust Dragon or Road Warrior? It looks like he lost a few teeth."

"Road Warrior, I think," he answered. "Say, do you think that Shakky San conveniently having dossiers on the Marine Admirals is a complete coincidence?"

"I think that she does what she must," Aki replied.

"True," Yusei nodded. "I only hope that what I cleared was enough to repay her."

"It's starting," were her words before silence descended once more.

"So that's the infamous Portgas D. Ace," the Black Rose Witch murmured as the man of the hour showed himself. "Doesn't look very much, does he?"

"I suppose time in prison does that," Yusei neutrally answered. "Do keep an eye on the communications, we're essentially cowing the system into submission as it is."

"An announcement?" Aki puzzled as the portable DenDen Mushi started.

"Portgas D. Ace..." the booming voice of Sengoku filtered across the plaza, and from the baby DenDen Mushi the two held. "The death of this man today holds great significance. Ace, tell me the name of your father!"

More silence, presumably Ace's reply.

"No!" Sengoku boomed later.

"It is! My father is Whitebeard! I have no other father!" a voice, presumably Ace's, filtered in.

"Years ago, we put all our resources into searching for a man," Sengoku began. "We suspected that he might have a child on a certain island. We relied entirely on this possibility, and Cipher Pol's vague information. Children who had just been born... children who had just been born... we thoroughly investigated all the mothers but we couldn't find him. But I suppose that was to be expected. Your mother risked your life to deliver you safely. She performed a special trick, which she pulled off through sheer willpower."

More silence, as everyone waited with bated breath.

"She deceived our eyes... no, the eyes of the whole world!" the Fleet Admiral finally declared. "In South Blue, there is an island named Baterilla. Your mother's name is Portgas D. Rouge. She managed to defy common sense with sheer willpower to protect her child. She carried her child in her womb for twenty whole months."

"That sort of feat... is not medically possible...!" Aki hissed. "Such an act..."

"She used all of her strength, and as soon as she gave birth to you, she died," Sengoku narrated. "A year and three months after the father's death, a child was born, carrying the blood of the most evil man in the world. That child was you!"

"That sort of thing..." Yusei breathed. "That sort of thing..."

"Yusei..." Aki glanced at him with sorrowful eyes.

"This... is not justice..." Yusei sighed, defeated. "Children... do not carry the sins of their parents... yet why can people not understand...?"

"Your father was... the Pirate King, Gold Roger!" Sengoku announced to the entire world.

"Aki."

She turned to regard Yusei.

"I've decided." the Duellist's eyes had sharpened, into a determined look that could and did take on gods and won. "No matter what, Portgas D. Ace is going to live."

"They aren't real brothers," Aki slowly stated. "But you're going to save him anyway. Yes, he's in your exact situation... Yusei, I don't think you were ever on death row for something like this."

"We are both ostracised due to our fathers," Yusei shook his head. "Even if he's not Luffy San's brother... he's nakama. And we don't abandon our own. That's really all the reason I need. I also think... that by saving him... I can find my way again."

"Yusei..." Aki's eyes closed again. "My psychic power disappeared before, which let me have a fresh start. But, without you around... I still can't let you go. I embrace these powers again... all the more with you... if only so I can be here by you."

"Aki," the stoic Duellist finally answered, as the winds began to blow in a different direction. "If, at any time, you no longer want a part of this... take the dragons you can get, take the Go, and leave."

She began to protest. "Yusei-!"

"Listen!" Yusei raised his voice. "I will not stop you, nor will I blame you."

He took a deep breath. "However, I will not be there to see you off... no, I will have my back to you, fighting the soldiers away from you for you to live as you wish. It is the only way possible for you to return safely. I am a fool... to be in a different world, yet clinging onto friends I met only days ago... or was it weeks now? And you are being dragged down by me. Remember, choose for yourself, believe in your own potential. Remember, Aki... I... I..."

"It's been two years already..." Both were distracted by the DenDen Mushi. "Since you took your mother's name, formed the Spade Pirates, and ventured to the seas with formidable speed and strength. At that point, we finally realised. We have not stopped Roger's bloodline! But, Whitebeard, who realised it at the same time as we did, decided to raise you as the next Pirate King, and let the son of his old rival onto his ship!"

"No!" Ace's voice came through. "I got on that ship to so I could make the old man Pirate King!"

"You're the only one who thinks that!" Sengoku argued. "We were careful not to act recklessly... you were under Whitebeard's protection! But left unchecked, you'd undoubtedly inspire a new generation of pirates. That is why your execution here today carries such great significance. Even if we must go to war against Whitebeard!"

"What the-?" Both Duellists gripped onto the coated D-Wheels as the steel trembled beneath them.

"Luffy San!" Yusei glanced over the edge to glimpse a familiar straw hat. "We've got to get to the sea! Otherwise, we won't make it!"

"Ah!" Aki took up the red helmet. "Yusei-"

"Say it later," Yusei put on his own helmet. "Make sure we both live through this with our idiot captain first. Shield Wing, summon!"

"Blue Rose Dragon, summon!" Aki joined him as both D-Wheels with winged Duel Monsters slid off the frame of the Gates of Justice, and dived down into the seas as the Whitebeard Pirates made their entrance.

"You really can breathe underwater with these," Aki observed, amazed. "A little more to the right, Blue Rose."

The dragon cawed, obligingly shifting the D-Wheel underwater with its wings and tail.

"That huge ship must be the coated ship, the Moby Dick," Yusei coolly analysed as the large planked mass before them. "They weren't kidding about the size... the Moby Dick, named after that giant whale... lucky for us, its size makes it relatively easy to hide behind."

Both bubbles surfaced slightly, the resin coating adhering to the hull of the ship as both duellists held on. Tremors shook around them, the waves crashing more against the bubbles and risking both Duellists' lives in watery deaths.

"Tsunami!" Yusei hissed, watching the waves rise in the air. "Seaquake...?"

"There's another one on the other side," Aki muttered, watching.

"Dive!" Both dived to the relative calm of the sea waters, waiting.

Yusei began to murmur invectives as the surface of the waters froze over soon. "Looks like we can't surface here, not in the middle of the bay. The best option is to drive along the encircling walls up... but the thickness means that we can only take one D-Wheel per side... and even then it's a gamble. Aki?"

"Can't help it, right?" Aki blinked as the Blue Rose Dragon began to whine next to her head in the bubble. "I've been practising, those guarded walls should be wide enough."

"Bloody Kiss is not armoured, and bullets will still be aimed at you," Yusei sighed. "Well, I haven't actually rode a D-Wheel into range of fire myself, but there's a first for everything. I have trust in you, Aki."

She blushed slightly, hardly seen in the gloom of the seas. "Let's go."

"Ah!" Both D-Wheels navigated their way through, the faithful Duel Monster guiding the vehicles ever forward through the dark seas.

"Ne, Yusei," Aki's voice rang through a terrified-looking DenDen Mushi. "Do you think Whitebeard will actually side with us?"

"I think reverse psychology works better on men like Whitebeard," Yusei honestly replied. "Ignoring him and ordering men around would work better. If he sees the merit behind your words, he might follow orders. That's the impression I got. Of course, intelligence is nothing compared to the real thing, so I might have to put any plan on hold first before trying anything. Also, Aki. The DenDen Mushi looks terrified."

He looked up. "Come to think of it, so does Shield Wing... sea quake?" His grip tightened on the handles as realisation dawned. "No... Aki, get to land!"

Both D-Wheels burst from the waters of Marineford, helped by their monsters which landed them on either end of the Marineford crescent, unnoticed by pirates and Marines alike who were distracted by the sight of an Admiral freezing the tsunamis into so much ice.

"This is... Admiral Aokiji..." Yusei murmured as the coating packed itself away back into the D-Wheel at the push of a button. "What power..."

"The bay itself is completely frozen!" Aki's voice came through the DenDen Mushi. "Also, a black DenDen Mushi tried to intercept us, but I scared it off."

On his wrist, Admiral Kizaru looked at the cowering black DenDen Mushi on his wrist, all the while rubbing the brilliant purple bruise on his face.

"What's that?" Yusei blinked as a green blade of light flew from a certain man in a black wide-brimmed hat and a black sword towards the Moby Dick, the blast narrowly avoided by a Diamond Jozu, whoever that was. "Dracule Mihawk, epithet 'Hawk Eyes', the world's strongest swordsman...?"

"It seems like every person on this island is a monster one way or another," Aki remarked through the DenDen Mushi as both D-Wheels approached the halfway mark. "Does that count us?"

"We can summon monsters that can hurt these monsters," Yusei considered. "Please stop terrifying the DenDen Mushi already, Aki. The poor thing looks almost fit to cry."

"It's not my fault," Aki grumbled but hung up anyway.

"Kizaru is taking the field!" and, "Marco the Phoenix!" the DenDen Mushi occasionally reported but otherwise stayed quiet, and Yusei really hoped that they weren't found out.

"Why does Kizaru have that bruise?" the question suddenly floated in via DenDen Mushi. "Someone actually managed to bruise Kizaru? Seriously?" "Look! His face's got the bruise to show for it! And it's freaking huge!" "He looks mad!"

"It's an ice block!" someone then screamed.

"It's way too big!"

"That huge ice block... he completely vaporised it!" Definitely a pirate.

"Aki, be careful!" Yusei spoke to the DenDen Mushi. "Akainu has taken the field!"

Both D-Wheels were approaching each other at rapidly increasing accelerations, already within sight of each other.

"It's bigger than a giant!"

"Seems like they brought their own monster with them," Yusei noted, dead-pan. "At this rate, they won't even need us."

"I got the message!" Aki gasped. "It's in the Tone Dial... that poor man..."

"Good..." Yusei sighed as it played out over the DenDen Mushi. "We'll need that as evidence... I feel so sorry for that man despite this..."

"The victim?" Aki prompted.

"Of course. Why feel sorry for someone who doesn't even know that they are wrong?"

"AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH-! Ah, I'm made of rubber, so I'll be fine!"

"The sky!" Aki exclaimed as they passed each other at the climatic moment.

"A warship!" Yusei added. "And... our captain!"

"How...?" Aki sighed as she spotted the man with the familiar straw hat. "Never mind..."

"We're reaching the sea!" Yusei engaged the skis, the water-spray causing him to shield his visor slightly until he got used to skidding on the water, aiming straight for the Moby Dick.

"What's that?"

"AAAAAAAAAAAACCCCCCCCCCEEEE!"

"It's... red! It's a red motorbike!"

"It's a Waver! With a Jet Dial!"

"I've never seen one move that fast! Are you serious?"

"Ace, I'm gonna save you now!"

Flashy, Yusei thought as he made the Go jump up to the coast, setting a few more cards on the dashboard. "Aki! Come on! To the deck!"

"What's that?"

"It's a motorbike!"

"It's headed straight for Pops!"

The Yusei Go leapt clear out of the water, over the deck of the Moby Dick, hit the bisento and landed on its wheels, the entire body skidding until it was parked right beside Whitebeard.

"So this old guy really is Whitebeard?" Luffy was growling at a man with a scar straight across his face. "Then, don't touch him! Ace likes this old guy!"

"Luffy San!" the driver took off the red helmet to reveal Yusei's tired features.

"Yusei!" Luffy grinned.

"Didn't you convert it to a two-seater already?" a feminine voice complained, as another red motorcycle bounced on its wheels on to the Moby Dick's deck. Dressed in a long red coat worn open to reveal a short black skirt and white shirt with the corners hanging loose, matched with thigh-long black stockings and red shoes, Izayoi Aki struggled out to stand on the deck. "Why is it still so tight there?"

"Sorry, looks like it'll need more modification," Yusei answered, his expression apologetic.

"Aki!" Luffy grinned at her, before it faded to be replaced with wonder. "Why are you guys...?"

"We're a part of your crew, aren't we?" Yusei asked, puzzled.

"Go back!" Luffy insisted, looking down. "This place... this place..."

"We're in Marineford, the centre of the Marines," Yusei answered, dead-pan. "We're still going to help you."

"I told you already!" Luffy yelled. "I... I...!"

"What's the point in comrades if you can't face them?" Yusei finally snapped, glaring at the stunned Luffy and Whitebeard. "That defeat... you're afraid of losing, aren't you? No... you're afraid that if you don't win, you'll lose us! That door to your heart has been closed to us in these six days already!"

Luffy found himself dragged by the collar down to Yusei's eyes. "We're not your nakama for nothing! Zoro San, Sanji San, Nami San, Usopp San... Chopper, Franky San, Robin San, even Brook San, even Aki and I... we're there for you! But, you have to acknowledge and face us first! Once you've faced your friends... there will be a knock on the door. If you can hear that... then you can open the door! Believe in us! Luffy San! A crew is only as strong as the captain allows it to be!"

"That man..." more random whispers.

"Is he a Straw Hat too?"

"How reckless of both of them..."

"Yusei..." Luffy finally met his piercing blue eyes, black eyes watering. "Yusei...! I get it now..."

The captain took a deep breath as Yusei let go. "Yosh! Men!"

"Yes!" Yusei and Aki smiled for the first time in a week.

"Even if it costs you your lives, we'll rescue Ace!" Luffy bellowed. "Yusei!"

"Yes?" the handyman looked at the solemn captain.

"Do you... trust me?" Luffy seemed small, weak, vulnerable then.

Yusei smiled slightly. "I will put my trust in the future! I will live strongly for my father's sake, and my own! I will not regret! With our companions' feelings, I will connect our bonds! Those bonds will support us!" One hand slapped the straw hat onto the captain's head lightly. "You are not alone! I am a Straw Hat Pirate!"

"Good!" Luffy cheered as he leapt onto the Go. "Now, captain's orders! Get me on that platform!"

"Aye aye, captain!"

"Kid... That straw hat of yours..." Whitebeard finally decided to speak. "It looks a lot like the one Red-Hair used to wear."

"You know Shanks, old guy?" Luffy turned to Whitebeard. "I'm holding it for Shanks."

"Have you come to face your brother?" Whitebeard growled.

"That's right!" Luffy shot back.

"Don't you understand what you're up against?" Whitebeard bellowed, sending tremors through the ground. "Someone like you doesn't stand a chance here!"

"Shut up! That's not for you to decide!" Luffy yelled back. "I know perfectly well! You want to be the Pirate King, don't you? I'm the one who'll be the Pirate King!"

As his declaration echoed, every person fighting within fifty feet of the Moby Dick's deck froze.

"Of course, captain." Yusei answered, ever dead-pan as he scanned the field. "They're intending to kill your brother soon, so can you please get onto the Go? We have to hurry quite a bit."

"You're pretty damn cheeky..." Whitebeard growled. "I won't show mercy if you slow me down, you spoiled brats!"

"I'm doing what I want to do!" Luffy retorted. "I'm going to save Ace! Yusei, go!"

"Shouldn't you stop your captain?" Whitebeard now glared at Yusei.

The handyman answered, still dead-pan. "You are not my captain. Ergo, I don't have to obey you. Therefore, I will be obeying my orders, to use any and all necessary to rescue Fire Fist Ace, the brother of my captain."

"POKER FACE!" Every single person yelled at him.

"Someone else stood up to the old man!"

"Seriously? He's gonna get killed!"

"They're moving up Ace's execution time?" Whitebeard turned solemn. "You're sure that's what they said?"

"After they finish some preparations," Luffy and Yusei answered. Luffy then added, "And some code stuff I didn't understand. Since you wanna save Ace, I thought I'd tell you!"

"Yusei... how do you know?" Luffy blinked.

"Aki cowered the DenDen Mushi system into submission," Yusei pointed to the terrified-looking DenDen Mushi suckered to the dashboard. "We're receiving live updates from every DenDen Mushi in the island right now."

Stars appeared in the captain's eyes. "So cool...!"

"I see," Whitebeard stated after a moment of silence. "This is rather important news. Sorry about earlier."

"Don't worry about it," Luffy magnanimously replied, or at least made a game attempt to.

"Aki, clear the field." Yusei pointed. "Luffy San, get ready."

"Right!" Luffy yelled to the skies. "Ace, I'm coming now!"

"Got it," Aki readied her DuelDisk. "If you don't want any casualties on our side, I suggest that if I give an order to your men, tell them to obey it."

"Do you even know who you are commanding?" Whitebeard rumbled.

"Don't care. Blue Rose Dragon, Botanical Girl!" Aki snapped both cards into place as the blooming dragon graced her as the wood of the deck creaked beneath her feet. "I am Izayoi Aki, second doctor of the Straw Hat Pirates! Twilight Rose Knight, summon! Lord Poison, summon!"

Whitebeard stared as the plants grew from beneath her feet to bloom brilliantly beside her as the knight appeared, kneeling. "What are you intending-?"

Yusei revved the engines. "Aki...!"

"Sound the retreat," Aki warned before she took a deep breath. "Chilling flames engulf the entire world. Pitch-dark flower, set in bloom!"

Three rings appeared as Lord Poison and the knight dissolved and a veritable whirlwind of rose petals swept the deck of the Moby Dick.

"Synchro Summon!" Aki called, loud enough for pirate and Marine alike to stop and stare as the concrete and stone within fifty feet of the Moby Dick's deck began to crack and crumble under the storm of rose petals and the dark spectre raised its serpentine head as thorny vines swept out across the field to wildly thrash out, as the Yusei Go ran itself straight off the deck to skid on the ice-covered bay, homing onto the execution platform and Ace. "Appear now! Black Rose Dragon!"

Each and every soldier within the area found themselves having a WTF moment as a storm of rose petals destroyed every single Marine fighting around the Moby Dick and injured numerous pirates by accident in the process.

"What the hell's that?"

"Another monster?"

"IT'S A DRAGON!"

"A real dragon!"

"A dragon on Whitebeard's side?"

"No," Aki stepped to the edge of the deck, conjuring more monsters, her red hair shrouding her face effectively as winds bearing rose petals spiralled around her. "I am Izayoi Aki, and I am one of the Straw Hat Pirates! Black Rose Gale!"

"It's Straw Hat!"

"Who's that with him?"

"Another of the Straw Hats?"

"Gomu Gomu no... Bazooka!"

"Angel Baton," Yusei considered as they sped onwards, Luffy punching the occasional Marine out of the way. "Discard Quillbolt Hedgehog... Shield Wing!"

With a cry, the green bird descended from overhead.

"I summon Cosmic Compass!" Yusei declared as the floating pendulum appeared with many more smaller pendulums swinging around the Go. "Debris Dragon, summon!"

"Yay!" Luffy cheered as a smaller dragon joined Yusei beside them. "Forward! Move it!"

"Don't get in the kid's way! Third Division, start now!"

"Don't lose focus!" Sengoku's voice poured in from the DenDen Mushi. "Proceed as instructed!"

"Don't get carried away," Kizaru flashed into the path of the Go. "I won't let you through that easily."

"It's you, from Sabaody!" Luffy glared.

"The Tenryuubito will be on my case forever if I let you go," Kizaru answered, as his leg glowed with yellow light. "Straw Hat Luffy, and that man..."

"I don't... have time for you!" Yusei drew. "Nitro Synchron, summon! Tuning, level two Nitro Synchron, level two Shield Wing, and three level one Compass Tokens! Gathering feelings will now become a new force! Become the path its light shines upon! Synchro Summon! Blaze on, Nitro Warrior!"

"Awesome!" Stars appeared around the captain in awe at the Duellist's work as the green warrior flew forward.

"Death Wink!"

"Dynamite Knuckle!" Fists of metal glowing with heat impacted on the Admiral, sending him flying back as Yusei swerved to avoid the blast from behind.

"He hit an Admiral!"

"Kizaru flew back!"

"What kind of guy is this?"

"Sorry, but..." Kizaru hauled himself out, still glowing. "That trick won't work on me twice...!" He fell to a second pair of glowing fists.

"You weren't around to know that Nitro Warrior can attack twice!" Yusei made the Go leap clear over the prone yellow form.

"Forward!" Luffy screamed, literally glowing.

"You're too impressed!" Yusei swerved as every fighter turned to stare at the literally glowing captain.

"Strawhat-boy, are you alright?" a crowned purple-haired okama in magenta tights and heavy makeup and a needlessly huge face ran next to them, Yusei momentarily impressed with the she-male's stamina. "Who's he?"

"Thanks, Iva Chan!" Luffy grinned. "He's my handyman, Yusei!"

"It is my mission to protect you from death!" Iva slurred through the lisp. "You're lucky you have such a reliable man, Strawhat-boy!"

A barrage of yellow blasts fell upon them.

"Kuma!" Iva started as the okama looked in the direction of the blasts.

"That's the bear-guy that sent us all flying!" Luffy yelled. "Yusei-!"

"Scrap-Iron Scarecrow!" The blasts were stopped by an old cast-iron scarecrow.

"Rolling Aesthete!" Iva dodged the blasts by rolling in mid-air.

"So cool!" Luffy screamed as the Go shot forward. A blast narrowly missed Iva behind them. "Iva Chan!"

"Don't worry about me!" Iva yelled, the lisp slurring the words slightly. "Leave this to me, and keep moving forward! Yusei-boy, I'm leaving him to you!"

"Oi, Yusei-" Luffy didn't get to finish as the D-Wheel jumped to avoid a pink-haired Hina, landing with a thud on the other side behind the smoking captain before shooting forth.

"Nitro Warrior!" Yusei called as the green warrior fended off flying chakrams and iron-covered knuckles with a blast before following behind.

Marineford Bay

"Don't take the Vice Admirals on alone! Don't give them a chance to strike back!"

"Queen Angel of Roses, Rose Trimmer!" Aki ordered the floating high angel. "Fallen Angel of Roses, defend!" nearby, a black angel in tight attire with high boots with dark wings and a whip of rose vines lashed out to defend.

"First, you destroy the bay..." Whitebeard stared. "Then, you shatter all expectations..."

"The vines! Cut away the vines!"

"It's no use, they're growing too fast!"

"Rose Tentacles! Thorn Whip all of them!" Aki ordered imperiously,the tentacled monster immediately complying to whack all Marines away.

"Girl," Whitebeard growled. "Do you really think that they will succeed?"

"I don't know about the captain," Aki answered as the Fallen Angel lashed out again. "But, I know Yusei will see things through. That man, he has the power of miracles."

"That boy?" Whitebeard scoffed as he shattered a few cannonballs with his power. "From you, a girl who cannot fight without these monsters?"

"Watch and see!" Aki snarled as the high angel slashed a few cannonballs flying at her into bits and pieces. "Yusei is...! He'll definitely make it happen!"

"Pops, is this girl troubling you?" the man known as Marco the Phoenix flew down next to Whitebeard.

"If you can handle her, then go ahead," Whitebeard motioned towards the woman who was currently ordering a tentacled rose monster to take on three Vice Admirals simultaneously.

"...Pops, even I can die, you know..."

With the Go...

"Gomu Gomu no Muchi!"

"Come out and play, zombie warriors!" Gecko Moria appeared before the speeding Go. "Now, my minions, go and capture Straw Hat!"

"Moria and his zombies!" Yusei hissed, slapping down a card.

"Moria!" Luffy agreed. "Another tough guy."

"This is a battlefield!" Moria called. "Having people dying simply adds to my zombie army!"

"Capture Straw Hat!"

"He's the culprit behind the prison break!"

"Impel Down?" Yusei muttered, quickly tapping the keys of the Go's dashboard.

"Keep it up!" Kizaru stood, another bruise to join the one already existing on both sides. "Your opponents are all commissioned officers. How far do you think you will get?"

"For you, serving in the Navy will back-stab you soon!" Yusei called back. "Nitro Warrior, get ready! Charge!"

"Get..." Luffy punched forward. "Out of my way!"

"Keep away, Luffy!" Ace screamed. "You ought to know already! You and I are both pirates! You should be out sailing however you like! Me, I have my own adventures! Me, I have my own friends! You have no right to interfere with that! A weakling like you coming to rescue me... do you think I'm gonna let that happen? That would be too humiliating! Go back, Luffy! WHY DID YOU COME?"

Please, Luffy... Yusei started at the whisper in his ear. I don't want to drag you down with me! This is my failure...

"I'm... your little brother!" Luffy screamed in reply as he punched a few more soldiers out of the way, the Go speeding forward.

"Just now... he definitely said 'brother'..."

"Then, that means he's also Roger's...?"

"Ace's parents died after he was born! There's no way he can have a younger brother!"

"Those stupid pirate 'rules'... I've never heard of them!" Luffy continued to yell as the D-Wheel sped forth, weaving between armed Marines.

"Don't you get it!" Ace hollered in reply.

"Go, my zombie minions!" Moria was screaming.

A wave of water crashed down over the zombies to Moria's shock, purifying them.

"S- Sea water?" Moria stuttered.

A large blue-skinned Fishman in a kimono leapt clear out of the water to land next to the stopped Go.

"Jimbe!" Luffy grinned.

"They're weak against salt," the Fishman stated. "Moria, those zombies of yours... Luffy Kun, leave the zombies to me."

"I'm counting on you!" Luffy grinned. "Yusei, charge!"

"What are you doing?" Sengoku boomed. "It's only two rookies... Don't let him dictate the entire war this way!"

"Out of my way!" a giant charged forth with an iron bat in hand. "I'll take care of them!"

"That man will become a danger in the future," Sengoku's voice boomed over the DenDen Mushi. "He was raised with his sworn brother, Ace. But his actual bloodline makes him the son of the Revolutionary, Dragon!"

"The son of the world's most wanted criminal...?" Yusei took a glance at the captain leaping fearlessly towards the giant. "That... would certainly explain Kuma..."

"Poker face!" Jimbe yelled, slapping the air.

"We mustn't let him live!"

"Take him down with everything we have!"

"Gear Third!" Luffy blew into his hand, making it bigger. "Gomu Gomu no... Giganto... Rifle!"

The giant fell back with a single, spinning hit from the huge fist.

"ACE!" Luffy yelled. "Say whatever the hell you want! I'm saving you, even if I die!"

"He beat a giant!" their allies screamed.

"Shield Warrior, summon!" a kneeling warrior appeared next to Yusei. "Luffy San!"

"Ah!" a chibi Luffy landed on the back of the Go. "Go!"

The wheels spun, speeding forth the whole vehicle as Luffy whooped in delight. "i'm back to normal!"

"Don't let them move an inch!" Sengoku was bellowing. "Don't let a rookie wreck our plans!"

"Charge!"

Marineford Bay

"Take out the Navy's forces!"

"Ivy Shackles!" Aki commanded. "Half Counter!"

"Bazooka unit! Aim for Whitebeard!"

With a swing of his blade, Whitebeard caused all the explosive balls to explode and sent a shock-wave to disable the bazookas. "I'm not under your protection, am I? Izayoi Aki?"

"Do you need it?" Aki flatly replied, playing more cards. "I reserve my magic for those who need it more."

"I'm an old man," Whitebeard rumbled as he stood to watch the blood-red roses bloom. "What are you doing?"

"Rose Tentacles, Thorn Whip Storm!" Aki ordered as the monster spun around to lash out with tentacles, before it suddenly stopped.

"Shichibukai, Donquixote Doflamingo," Whitebeard turned towards the grinning man in a pink feather boa. "He's taken control of that beast of yours."

"I'll have you return him now, Doflamingo San," Aki coldly spoke to the Shichibukai.

"Interesting..." the privateer smirked. "What makes you think I'll give him back?"

"In that case... then you'll be his replacement." Aki's cold eyes caused even Donquixote Doflamingo to flinch slightly. "Mark of the Rose!"

"Get him!"

"Gomu Gomu no... Twin Pistol!"

"Dynamite Knuckle!" the green warrior knocked back the soldier moving towards Luffy. "Luffy San!"

"I'm... gonna save Ace!" Luffy yelled as he held onto the speeding Go. "Get outta my way!"

Marineford Bay

"Was that necessary?" Aki scanned the field from her place on the Moby Dick. "Getting the clown and the rest of them."

"Might as well," Whitebeard shrugged. "Better than them fighting us."

"Ah," she closed her eyes. "My newest servant..."

"Doflamingo ran off once you removed the mark," Whitebeard snickered. "So, who are you...? Izayoi Aki."

"Back home, people used to call me the Black Rose Witch," Aki replied coldly. "The Marines are preparing a formation. Warships on either side to charge in from behind and close off the bay."

Whitebeard produced a baby DenDen Mushi. "This is Whitebeard. Is Squardo there?"

"Old Man! Squardo is... huh? He was here a moment ago... seems like we've lost sight of him."

"He got carried away trying to impress you..." Marco sighed, stationed beside Whitebeard.

"That's too bad," Whitebeard scoffed. "Then, DeCalvan brothers!"

"What's it, old man?"

"Old man, what should we do?"

"Take control of all the pirate crews, and pass my orders on to them!" Whitebeard ordered.

"Very well!" "Got it!" "What are your orders?"

"Destroy the warships surrounding you."

"What? But, old man, we were just getting ready to enter the bay..." "Are we giving up?"

"This situation makes me uneasy..." Whitebeard growled.

"...we got it, old man!" "Old man, got it! I'll pass the message to the other captains!"

"Is this alright, Izayoi Aki?" Whitebeard growled, causing the ship to rumble.

"Ah," she nodded sharply as another storm of rose petals raged about her. "Then, I banish... the Regenerating Rose in my grave, and the Regenerating Rose in my hand... As the roses bloom and wilt, so do the high angels rise and fall! Descend now, Rosaria, the Stately Fallen Angel!"

With the Go

"Death Wink!" Iva leapt onto the field to land on both feet.

"Iva Sama, you're alright!"

"Iva Chan!" Luffy stated. "I wanna make a straight line to Ace! Jimbe! Yusei!"

"Looks like everyone is here," Yusei counted. "Equip Spell, Fighting Spirit, to Nitro Warrior."

"Fishman Karate!"

"Death..."

"Gomu Gomu no..."

"Battle!"

"Gousenmaigawara Seiken!"

"Wink!"

"Bazooka!"

"Dynamite Knuckle!"

"Advance!" Iva yelled as they charged, the Yusei Go leading with the Straw Hat captain leading.

"Stop Straw Hat and the others!"

"Strawhat! You're not getting past me!" Moria cackled.

"Moria!" Luffy growled.

"Fight me, Moria!" Jimbe yelled. "I'm more than a match for you!"

"Jimbe!" Luffy exclaimed.

"You want to fight me, Jimbe?" Moria cackled. "Very well! I can't use my zombie warriors with you or that brat around, after all!"

"Moria!" Yusei called.

"YOU!" Moria bellowed, seething with rage. "You again! When I'm done with him, it's your turn!"

"Keep moving, Luffy Kun!" the Fishman bellowed. "Don't waste any more time! Yusei Kun, keep going!"

"Turbo Synchron, summon!" Yusei called. "When a tuner exists on the field, Quillbolt Hedgehog appears! I tune three Compass Tokens, Turbo Synchron and Quillbolt Hedgehog! Clustering bonds weave a greater force! Become the path its light shines upon! Synchro Summon! Show yourself, Turbo Warrior!"

"Cool!" Luffy bellowed as the large red robotic warrior appeared. "A robot! Yusei, as your captain I order you to do this more often!"

"Not now!" Yusei shouted as they narrowly dodged a plume of smoke wielding a jutte. "This- Effect Veiler! Luffy San, hit him!"

"Ah?" Commodore Smoker was caught off guard when he suddenly materialised next to the Go, his face planting right into Straw Hat Luffy's fist.

"Cool!" Luffy cheered as they sped off, leaving Smoker behind clutching a bloodied nose. "I hit Smokey for once!"

"I'll give you some equipment," Yusei growled as he slotted in another card. "Rainbow Veil. Remember, Luffy San, their abilities are negated only when you are fighting, and not when they are hitting you."

"Got it!" Luffy grinned as he punched out as the angry Smoker flying after them.

"Strawhat-!" Smoker caught the second punch, again straight in the face as he collapsed. "How... that guy... Moria knows him... Admiral Kizaru knows him... could it have something to do with that bruise on Admiral Kizaru's face?"

He was then kicked behind by an angry Boa Hancock as she ran at top speed towards the D-Wheel.

"Stop, you inferior being carrying my beloved!"

"Oh, Hancock!" Luffy grinned. "Oi, Yusei-!"

"They're going to execute him in five minutes," Yusei noted.

"Ah! We can't have that!" Luffy yelled. "Forward!"

"Luffy!" Hancock easily sped up to keep up with the D-Wheel.

Oi, this is going at twenty-five kilometres an hour! And she's not even breaking a sweat!

She began to glare at him. "How dare you-!"

"Yusei, move faster! Captain's orders!" Luffy yelled. "Hancock!"

"The Pirate Empress!"

"The Pirate Empress's got him!"

"Look! Her skirt's flying up!"

Of all the things to notice...

"Take this!" Boa Hancock produced a key bearing the Marine insignia. "It's the key to your brother's handcuffs, Luffy!"

"Luffy San, you know her?" Yusei questioned as both runner and D-Wheel swerved.

"Yeah, Hancock is a friend!" Luffy grinned.

"You just said my name again!" she exclaimed.

...I don't know who's scarier... Yusei then checked the side mirrors. "Commodore Smoker!"

"I'll take care of it!" Hancock leapt up, catching Smoker's jutte with one elegant foot. "You, inferior fool, guard my beloved with your life!"

"..."

"This is great," Luffy murmured. "She helped me out again. Wait for me, Ace!"

"Ah!" the Go accelerated forward. "How far is this...?"

"Iva Chan!" Luffy yelled. "AH? That's the bear guy! Be careful, Iva Chan! If you get blown away by him..."

"I'm okay," the okama replied. "Now, Kuma, get out of my way!"

Yusei's eyebrows raised behind the visor as he stopped next to Iva.

"Iva Chan, do you know that guy?" Luffy asked.

"Yeah, sort of. But he's acting strange."

Doflamingo chuckled. "Seems like both of you have memories of Kuma. But, the Kuma you knew and this one are not the same!"

"N- Not the same?" Luffy stuttered. "What's he talking about?"

"That can't be true!" Iva protested. "I'm absolutely sure that he's the Nikyu Nikyu Fruit eater, Kuma! Say something, Kuma!"

The Shichibukai Bartholomew Kuma remained stoically silent.

"He's pissing me off!" Iva fumed. "Although he's always been a quiet one..."

"I told you that it's no use talking to him," Doflamingo drawled. "It was just days ago... the Government scientist, Doctor Vegapunk, modified him for the last time, and he turned into a complete human weapon at last! To be precise, he's the former Bartholomew Kuma!"

"Modified? Weapon?" Iva echoed. "What are you talking about?"

"In fact, he volunteered to be a guinea pig for a study to build a human weapon run by the Government," Doflamingo elaborated. "First, his hands. Second, his legs. While his mind worked, they modified his body piece by piece."

"Stop lying!" Iva yelled. "Kuma hates the Government! He wouldn't sacrifice his life for them! I know that he wouldn't do that!"

"Stop yelling," Doflamingo was walking away. "I don't know what kind of deal he struck with the Government. Only a few days ago, he still had his personality." Doflamingo plopped himself on a pile of bodies. "But now, he doesn't even remember that he was born human so he's no better than dead. He is a monster who fights as the Government tells him to." Doflamingo grinned as Kuma opened his mouth. "He is Pacifista PX-0! So you better forget about the past!"

"Don't you... point that thing at us," Yusei growled as he turned to the terrified-looking DenDen Mushi. "Pacifista Override, begin!"

The mouth closed over the blast, sending PX-0 reeling as it set off within its own head.

Doflamingo stared, blinked, jaw open, and stared some more. "This..."

"I can ensure only the safety of one party, in this case the Go," Under the visor, the blue eyes twinkled. "Luffy San, let's go. Iva San, can you...?"

"Kuma!" Iva raged. "What's happened to you over the years?"

"Now I remember him saying something..." Luffy panted. "...at that time."

"What's wrong, Kuma?" Iva raged. "It's me! Kuma!"

Kuma then disappeared.

"Where? Where did he go?" Iva looked around.

"Eh?" Luffy looked back to see Kuma attacking their backup.

"Watch out, you guys!" Luffy hollered. "Be careful!"

They were all sent back with a single blast.

"You bastard, Kuma!" Iva ran up, ready to battle. "GanMen Spectrum! Galaxy Wink!"

The force of the onslaught blew the large man back.

"Heehaw!" Iva celebrated. "How could you attack my sweet candy boys? I'm not going to go easy on you anymore! Here! Kick!" A flying kick sent him back.

"He's strong!"

"Among all the people I've met..." Iva landed on his feet. "My face! My face! My face! No one has ever forgotten my face in their entire life!"

With a face like that, no one could forget it anyway...

"Oh, uh, hmm." everyone present agreed.

"But..." Iva declared. "...even if you've lost your memory, if you can't remember how scary I am, I'm gonna beat it into your body! Be ready for it!"

"He's recovered, so quick!"

"I'll take it from here!" Iva said. "You guys, go and back Strawhat-boy and Yusei-boy up!"

"Luffy San!" Yusei grated, listening to the terrified DenDen Mushi. "Hurry up!"

"Forward!" Luffy ordered. "Thanks, Iva Chan!"

"Get to the scaffold!" someone yelled.

"YEAH!"

"What a pain in the ass, he still messing around." Whitebeard growled as he watched Crocodile. "You aren't going to terminate him, Izayoi Aki?"

"He is a temporary ally of the Straw Hat Pirates," Aki observed, scanning the field. "I have no reason to do so."

"He's stopping us from advancing, isn't he?" Whitebeard rumbled.

"Us advancing does not equate to your advancement," Aki coolly replied. "My mission is to wait here and hold the fort. Right now, I am waiting."

"Doflamingo is back," Whitebeard pointed. "You'll do fine on my crew, you know, Izayoi Aki."

"I have no reason to leave the Straw Hats," Aki replied. "I have even less reason to ally with you." Slowly, she walked to the Bloody Kiss, kicking the throttle open smoothly. "Move!"

"What the?" Marco the Phoenix watched in disbelief as all the monsters followed their mistress as she drove off the deck of the Moby Dick and straight into the fray.

"Thanks!" Luffy yelled to the two swordsmen who just cleared the way for the Go to move forward. "Ace!"

"That shadow..." Yusei blinked.

"That's..." Luffy had a look of realisation. "'Hawk Eyes'!"

"Now, I wonder," the swordsman drawled. "If fate will end the life of the child of the next generation here. Or, if it will save him from this black sword!"

"I can't slow down..." Yusei noted. "Left... right... above?"

"I don't have time to fight someone as strong as him!" Luffy growled. "I came here to save Ace!"

"Got it, Luffy San!" Yusei revved the engine to speed up. "Hold on!"

The Go dashed towards Mihawk before it... vanished.

The swordsman waited, patiently, his perfect eyes never wavering as he searched for them, even when he cut down a few more swordsmen. "There!"

He let loose a blast at the red D-Wheel-

"Scrubbed Raid!"

-that was intercepted by another red D-Wheel, this one empty of driver as a woman with long red hair floating like a sea of rose petals in the wind landed on her feet.

"How dare you..." Vines rose from the ground around her as she glared with intensity to match even the stare of Dracule Mihawk. "How dare you...!"

"As expected of Ace San's brother..." the click of geta clogs alerted everyone of Jimbe's presence as the Fishman walked to stand beside Aki. "He managed to avoid a fatal injury."

"The Sea Knight, Jimbe..." Mihawk observed. "And... someone I don't know."

"Regardless, you will not attack my captain," Aki replied.

"I will not let you lay another finger on Luffy Kun, even if it kills me!" Jimbe rumbled.

"Why would you go that far?" Mihawk murmured.

"I wish to save Ace San," Jimbe simply answered. "Even if I can't stop this battle... there is still hope to save our seas. And that hope is Luffy Kun."

"I understand," Mihawk nodded after a while. "However, I still cannot see what fate has in store." he hefted his blade. "You will step aside!"

Blade clashed with blade as the Queen Angel of Roses defended her mistress from the Black Blade.

"What is fate?" Aki murmured. "Is it something already predestined, or is it in our hands? Are you truly so incapable of believing in yourself... that you will only believe in fate? Rosaria! Get this man out of my sight! Bloom of Judgement!"

Red and black wings spread wide, a storm of petals rose around the world's strongest swordsman, throwing Dracule Mihawk into a bramble of thorny vines.

"Thorn Punishment!" Aki growled as Mihawk fell through, earning himself cuts and scratches from the smiling Fallen Angel of Roses' weapon. "I don't intend to forgive you!"

A single slash and the fallen angel plummeted, shattering as it hit the ground. The Queen Angel soon followed, leaving Mihawk and Aki, and one angel.

"It is said that humans cannot fight the messengers of gods," Mihawk casually stated. "This apparently does not hold true for you."

"Sinister Seeds," Aki activated the trap, dotting the air around her with blooms. "Anything is possible if only one would fight for it. That is what that man taught me! Black Garden activates!" Aki's vines defended her once more. "Appear now, Black Rose Dragon!"

Thorny black vines surrounded him as a black serpentine head, a loud roar and florid red wings appeared.

"A dragon..." Mihawk stared in awe.

"It's that dragon! It's come back!"

"Mihawk's fighting that dragon!"

"Just like the samurai Ryuuma in the legends!"

"Rose Restriction!" the vines latched tight to him, preventing even a single movement. "You will live from this moment on with this reminder carved into your body. Black Rose Flare!"

"The flowers of death, the black rose," Mihawk murmured as the petals descended onto him. "The flower of death... witch of the black rose!"

"You did not believe in your own strength to fight a dragon," Aki murmured as he crashed into the ground. "Looks like you were not fated to win against a dragon."

"Hawk Eyes has fallen..." Jimbe murmured in awe. "Somehow... I wonder which of us are the true monsters here..."

"You're hurt," Aki ran a finger across a scratch on the large Fishman's face, healing the cut. "We're done."

He immediately dodged as a blade of light charged at Aki, only blocked by Rosaria in time for it to hit the ice walls on either side and cut through them completely.

"It seems that a second round was required," Aki casually commented, glancing at the bleeding swordsman.

"Strength does not mean anything if one is tied up," Mihawk growled. "Tell your dragon to fight me fairly!"

"... very well," Aki drew a card. "I equip Black Rose Dragon with Thorn of Malice." Black thorns appeared around the dragon as it roared. "I then activate Wonder Clover, allowing Black Rose to attack twice. Black Rose, Black Rose Whip!"

The first whip struck Mihawk across the middle, sending him skidding back.

"Thorn of Malice means that all my dragon's attacks will not kill you," Aki elaborated. "However, my dragon is stronger now, and with every blow you will become weaker. The second time! Black Rose Whip!"

The second blow struck across the chest, causing the swordsman to stumble back and cough.

"Black Rose, it is time to move," Aki began to walk towards her motorcycle.

"Don't... you..." Mihawk glared. "Dare..."

"That blow just now just barely missed your lungs, heart and stomach," Aki rattled off coolly as she righted the Bloody Kiss. "Punishing you brings no joy to me. You are a serious swordsman, fighting us out of duty and duty alone. To spend more time on you than necessary is a waste of my time. Black Rose, let's go. The danger has passed."

"I can still fight!" Mihawk hefted the Black Blade, Yoru. "I..."

"I am not the only one capable of summoning dragons," Aki replied, strolling off towards Black Rose Dragon, wheeling the Bloody Kiss beside her. "I have already punished you enough for attempting to attack the man I would protect. There is no more reason for me to fight you."

"Is it Strawhat?" Mihawk growled. "That... man?"

"No, it is not," Aki shook her head as she sat on Black Rose's back the Bloody Kiss beside her. "But the man I follow follows him. You just happened to be attacking my captain at the same time as that man was with Luffy. Are you coming, Jimbe San?"

"Ah, yes!" Jimbe leapt onto the dragon as it took to the skies.

"Specifically to torture me..." Mihawk stood again, slightly stooped over. "The Straw Hats... it seems like... I shall face my own blood again... to fight... the servant of the Black Rose Witch! That dragon... I must fight it again! Who is the greater monster... the one controlling it, or the monster itself?"

It's not a Devil fruit, or some cheap trick... he thought as the black blade clashed with that of Flower Blade Vista of the Whitebeard Pirates. One by one, he turns the people around him into his allies... more than anyone else sailing the seas... that man possess the most terrifying power.

"Where are we going?" Jimbe questioned.

"Above the Moby Dick," Aki looked up, revealing a Marine Surveillance DenDen Mushi in hand. "Everything... is playing into place."

"Into... place?" Jimbe echoed.

"The Navy began this plan..." Aki whispered, unheard by the terrified-looking DenDen Mushi. "Therefore, it shall end with the Navy. The precious plan of the Navy will go up in smoke. That... is the talent of the Straw Hat Pirates. Our counter-plan of five days' work... will finally bear fruit."

"Cut the broadcasts to the Surveillance DenDen Mushi!" Sengoku ordered. "For the sake of Absolute Justice, the Navy and the World Government must win the battle at any cost... regardless of the methods we resort to. But, this might be too much for the weak-willed commoners to handle. There's no need to show the world the tragedy about to take place... In a few hours we will tell the world this: victory! That one word is enough!"

"Sir! The transmissions are jammed!" A technician reported. "They won't respond!"

"What?" the Fleet Admiral snapped. "Why?"

"The DenDen Mushi are too terrified to listen! Even the attachments don't work!"

"This is bad!" Sengoku growled. "If we don't cut the transmissions... we can't unveil the Pacifistas!"

"Faster! We gotta get to Ace! There's too many Marines!" the captain complained as they sped across the Oris Plaza up to the execution platform. "Yusei, do something about it! They're going to execute Ace!"

"This is Marine Headquarters!" Yusei retaliated. "I can't do anything here! They have the home advantage!"

A niggling voice muttered in his head. Isn't that like a field spell...?

"Yusei!" Luffy yelled as he punched more marines out of the way.

"The holy light of protection, shine now and become eternal life!" Yusei chanted as Shield Warrior shattered into stars, the mark of the head of the Dragon burning a bright glowing red on his right arm. "Synchro Summon!" Yusei declared as Debris Dragon shattered into rings around the stars. "A regal birth, Ancient Fairy Dragon!"

"WHAT THE HELL IS THAT?" everyone shouted in disbelief as the monster appeared on the field. Wings seemingly delicate like a butterfly's own, a thin blue snake-like body with blue scales, delicate gold armour around the wrists of its fore-claws and head from which green hair streamed from, Ancient Fairy Dragon gave a sweet, musical cry as it took to the skies to hover protectively around Yusei.

"Yusei Dono..." the dragon bowed its head.

"You can talk?" Luffy screamed, grinning. "Cool!"

"We're almost there!" Yusei snarled. "Ancient Fairy Dragon, please, lend me your power. I summon Flamvell Guard in defence mode!"

"A flaming chicken!" Luffy cheered, punching the lights out of more ambushing Marines as the flaming Monster appeared. "What are you going to do?"

"Ancient Fairy Dragon!" Yusei called to the skies. "This island... that mockery of justice... no, that symbol of politics and power abuse! Destroy it! Destroy the Navy Headquarters, and what it stands for! Destroy it all!"

"Is he serious?" nearby Marines screamed.

"You!" Kizaru boomed, his voice heard all across Marineford. Even the Marines shrank back as they saw how incensed their usually laid-back leader was fuming. "You again! That dragon brat! That pain... do you have any idea how much sleep I lost over it! I swear, as an Admiral, you will not leave this island alive!"

"I've never seen Kizaru San this serious!"

"What did that guy do!"

"I've never seen Borsalino this serious either..." Kuzan, a.k.a Aokiji, muttered. "What did that guy...? Does it have anything to do with that bruise? Or his attack on the Tenryuubito? Maybe...?"

"The building is empty," Ancient Fairy Dragon stretched its wings. "Understood."

"No way!"

"That kind of destructive power...!"

Wings spread out wide, the scales began to glow with some inner light as the dragon raised its head up. "Return to the earth, and I claim the gift that is my right."

The wings beat once, as a single crack ran the length of the Kanji on the walls facing the field.

"This-!" Sengoku hollered as the ground trembled from a force not known to any Devil Fruit but to a whole other power. "What are you doing? If he really... if Marine Headquarters are destroyed where people see it...! Have all the transmissions been cut? We can't advance the plan like this!"

"We can't, sir!" a panicked soldier relayed, panicking. "The DenDen Mushi are too terrified to listen!"

"I call to air and earth, that they not challenge my claim to life," Another beat of the wings, and the earth trembled and winds howled as cracks ran the length and breadth of the building.

"Someone attack that dragon!" Sengoku quickly ordered. "If the world sees the Marine headquarters fall... Aokiji, freeze the DenDen Mushi if you need to!"

"Sir, some of the DenDen Mushi have fallen to the pirates' hands!"

"WHAT!"

"With thy gift, thy eternal life is within reach," a third beat, and the walls of Marineford itself trembled, wood cracking and stones rumbling.

"The headquarters!"

"Interesting!" Doflamingo cackled from way behind, dodging more and more vines. "Straw Hat... you just got more interesting!"

"The power of the ancients will not be forgotten." With a final beat, the large wings heralded it, Marine and pirate alike staring as the symbol of justice of this world, the sanctuary of absolute justice, began to crumble and shake to the ground. "Plain Black."

As Ace looked back to the crumbling Marineford, he could only murmur a single sentence that many marines wholeheartedly agreed with. "What the hell did my brother invite onto his crew...?"

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