Chapter 12: Marineford, Begin!
Just like had happened years ago in his first infiltration into Impel Down, Ivankov, Inazuma, Crocodile, Mr. 2, Mr. 1, Buggy, Jimbei and Luffy made their way up to the Entrance Floor where they awaited for Jimbei, Mr. 1 and Buggy to get them one of the Marine Battleships so they could leave the facility and head towards Marineford. And, just like the last time and now with Luffy fully aware of what Bon Kurei was up to, he lend his powers just to be able to open the Gates of Justice for them.
It had been another hard journey and the farewell to his friend had been as heartbreaking as it was back in time but now he knew that he had survived and that they would meet each other eventually.
On the ship, Luffy stayed focused ahead, the small sheet of paper that Ace had given him was on his palm and he looked at it intensely. Only one thought was crossing his mind. Wait for me, Ace. This time I'll save you for sure.
The shock for the rest of the passengers of the ship wasn't new for the Straw Hat Captain and they finally agreed to accompany them there. Luffy had to contain himself as to not roll his eyes at how silly and ridiculous Buggy was and the argument with him was pointless.
And, right when they were close to the Gates of Justice, that Tsunami that Whitebeard had provoked came chasing them from the stern and as they prepared to ride on it and managed to get on top, the water froze and ended up getting them stuck. Luffy almost groaned at this and did what he had done so many years ago.
As Luffy looked for Ace running up and down the crashed battleship they had stolen at the Prison Island, his mind was already planning ahead what to do next. He knew that he had to be extra careful this time around so once he found him, his smile was so wide that he couldn't help it. He pulled in as much air as he possibly could. "Ace!"
"Luffy!" The shock on his brother's face was the exact same as the very first time he had been here but he was determined to not let him die as the other outcome. This one moment, he'd change it at any cost.
"Ace! We're here to save you! So you stay there and don't worry!" Luffy yelled.
Sengoku looked at the scene with a fit of rage. "Garp! Is this another member of your damn family?"
"Luffy!" Garp exclaimed through gritted teeth. He couldn't believe this. That good-for-nothing-grandson.
"So this is your answer, isn't it Jimbei?" Sengoku yelled.
"That's right! I resign as a Shichibukai!" the Knight of the Sea responded.
"Hm? Where's Croco-boy?" Iva-san asked as he noticed he had disappeared.
But Luffy had already seen through the former Shichibukai's intentions and had already taken action and as soon as he spotted him he launched a Haki imbued kick to separate him from Ace's old man.
"We had an arrangement, didn't we? Why are you defending Whitebeard, Straw Hat?"
"I'm not letting you put a hand on him. Ace really cares about this man!" the raven-haired young man answered.
"Boy, that hat you're wearing… holds a big resemblance to the one Red Hair once had."
"Yeah. This is Shank's, I'm just borrowing it from him for a while."
"Are you here to save your brother?"
"Yeah!"
"I hope you understand who you are up against. If you don't, you will be just throwing your life away."
"Shut up! It's none of your business to step into this. I've heard about you. If you want to be the Pirate King, stop dreaming, it's me who will be the Pirate King!"
"Well, I'll be damned…" Whitebeard straightened up as he looked down on the younger man. "You better not get in my way, Greenhorn."
"I'll do this however I damn well want! I'm going to save Ace myself! On another topic. They're planning to execute Ace ahead of schedule."
"Are you certain you've heard that?"
"They said they'd do it when they get some kind of preparations ready, but the rest was full of codes, so I don't really know what those are." Luffy cracked his knuckles. "Since we both want to save Ace, I figured you should at least know that much."
"I see… This is sure valuable information. I must thank you."
"That's alright. No need to thank me," Luffy answered casually. "Wait there, Ace! I'm coming for you!"
"Straw Hat Luffy, if we don't capture you here, the Tenryubito won't let us off the hook. This is the end for you."
"It's Admiral Kizaru! He's done for!"
"Death Wink!" Both attacks collided into an explosion and Luffy thanked Ivankov for his help. But right after Kizaru's failed attack, Kuma prepared to shoot his beam towards the Okama Queen who got shocked by this fact.
"You're not getting away!" Hina yelled. "Awase Baori!" A rail of restrains spawned to try to trap Luffy into it. "All unlucky enough to pass through my body will be locked!" But the Straw Hat Pirate managed to activate his Gear Second and escaped the trap.
"I've seen enough cages for a whole lifetime!" He said as he managed to flee.
"So fast! I couldn't see him move. Hina outmatched…"
But as he barely escaped Hina's attack, another one came after him, forcing him to dodge. "These guys are pretty tough…"
"Straw Hat, I see your strength is as impressive as ever… Yes! I think I'll be taking your shadow and implanting it once more into Oars! Come forth my zombie minions!"
As the raven-haired boy kept on dodging attack after attack, Ace could do nothing more than watch in worry. "Luffy…!"
"Moria… Not that annoying guy again…" Luffy sighed as he watched the weirdo raising his subordinates.
"Luffy! Stay back!" Ace yelled on top of his lungs.
"Move it!" Luffy grunted as he punched aside one of the Marines.
"I shouldn't have to tell you this! You're a pirate, just like me! We've both sailed the ocean as our hearts guided us to!" Those words were hurting him as they came out of his mouth, but he had to say this. "I have my own adventures to live, I have my own nakama! I don't remember asking you to interfere!"
"Ace…" Marco mumbled.
"A weakling like you… coming to save me?! Do you really believe I'm going to forgive you for this?! This is humiliating!" Luffy stopped for a second and looked straight forward, towards his brother. "Get outta here, Luffy! Why did you even come here?!"
"Ace-san…"
Luffy's mood changed to a pissed off one. "Because I'm your brother! I don't give a crap about those oh-so-called pirate rules!"
"Luffy, you idiot…"
"Did he say 'brother'? So he's also Roger's son? But both of Ace's parents died… He couldn't possibly have a younger brother…"
"Attack, my zombies!" commanded Moria, but it was to no avail. Jimbei had already taken them out with one of his attacks.
"Those zombies of yours… If I recall it well their weakness is salt, right?"
"Jimbei!"
"What do you think you're doing, allowing a single rookie to shift the flow of battle?!" Sengoku said through his den-den mushi. "That man is another future dangerous element! Not only was he raised together with Ace as an adoptive brother, he is also…" he made a little pause and continued: "the flesh-and-blood son of Revolutionary Dragon!"
It was right then when Sabo finally reached the Marine Headquarters. He smirked as the announcement of Luffy's family was made and shook his head. That was too fucked up but couldn't be helped and he knew that Dragon just laughed at how naïve had Sengoku been as he spilled out all of it.
He jumped off his boat and onto the ice as Luffy was yelling. "I don't care what you say, I'm going to save you even if it kills me!"
"You tell 'em, Luffy!" Sabo yelled back as he made his way through the crowd.
If for Ace it had been a shock to see Luffy flying down from the sky in a Marine battleship, seeing this one person made his eyes flood with tears. It couldn't be true. It shouldn't be happening. Sabo died years ago when he had tried to set sail on his own when the Tenryubito ship had appeared on their town's bay.
"Sabo!" the Straw Hat pirate exclaimed as he got rid of some more marines that were trying to kill him.
"Starting the fun without me, Luffy?"
Well, guys, yes, I know is a bit more short than the last one, BUT here we are, finally! Marineford has begun!
Hope you enjoyed and look forward to the next chapter! Love you all!