He whistled low, hand reaching up to shield his eyes as he leaned forward, brows raising in surprise. The shades he wore did nothing to help against the splotches of light that flashed off the far-off island, each strike as harsh as lightning even from so far away. The land under his feet crumbled by the cliff, rocks raining down and falling to the sea below. Red dust rose into the air in the next moment, a shockwave ripping his white coat back and nearly off his shoulders.

"Oh my," Kizaru straightened, dusting off the red dirt from his shoulders. "It sure seems like they're having quite the fun time down there." He glanced away and towards the distant city of Mary Geoise, humming in thought and wondering if he should report to the fleet admiral. If their onslaught continued any longer, the Dragons might start to complain about the noise, and they wouldn't want that. He reached into his pocket, tapping his finger against the transponder snail for a moment as he extended his senses outward. The real fun hadn't even begun since Akainu had only just arrived, and he was sure the magma logia user would be completely fine burning the island into ash to capture or kill the boy. Kizaru shifted and brought the snail to his face, decision made.

"Ah, Sengoku!" Kizaru cut himself off as the sky cracked apart in the distance, clouds shattering like glass form his point of view. Oh, it looked like Whitebeard did get involved after all. "Hm, seems like the island might sink if you don't tell them to stop. Whitebeard also seems to have joined in, even though we were pretty sure he wouldn't. I wonder what happened?" Kizaru trained his haki in the general direction that the clouds had split and rubbed his chin, realizing it was where Akainu landed.

The snail that reflected fleet admiral's face contorted, lips peeling back and eyebrows scrunching. "This wasn't my order. I'll inform the Gorosei, just stay on this line and I'll let you know." Kizaru nodded and set the snail up on his shoulder, holding it steady when another strong gust of wind breezed by. Even from the distance, he could see the beginnings of the smoke that billowed into the air and expanded out, covering the sky and painting it black. The transponder snail crackled, and Sengoku's voice filtered through, tired and frustrated. "They want the island intact; your job will be to make sure it stays so. If an opportunity arises, see if you can grab the boy while everyone is distracted." Sengoku paused, the snail's face twitching with an unnamed emotion. "And if you do, bring him directly to me." The call ended before Kizaru could respond, and he took the snail off his shoulder, staring at it for a moment before sighing and putting it back in his pocket. Sengoku was never one to break protocol, and he couldn't help but wonder at the sudden divergence. He let out another hum, tilting his head as he stared ahead at the smoking island. Either way he had to go now, otherwise the place would be reduced to rubble and molten rock. Maybe he'd let Akainu know he broke his last record.

xxx

The sand shifted under his feet, the grains falling away and making him readjust his balance, hands stretched out to help him stay upright. Thatch glanced over at Marco, frown on his face as he nervously looked in the direction where the emperor and admiral clashed.

"Hey pops." He tilted his head further back so Marco wouldn't be in the way, staring past his brother and up towards his captain. "Why aren't we helping them?" Another shockwave blew sand, and it scattered up, getting into every nook and cranny that it could find, including his hair. He held in a sigh, far too nervous about the safety of the boys to be concerned over his looks. Marco gave him a sideways glance but Thatch could tell he was just as curious as him. He could guess at a few reasons why they weren't helping the Red-Haired pirates, but it seemed wrong not to do so when children were involved.

"An admiral is no problem for that brat, he will be fine. Assistance from us is not necessary." Whitebeard's voice rose and fell in volume as he fought to speak over the onslaught of crackling air, hand gripping his naginata tightly. Thatch deflated, following along when Marco gestured for his help to get the dinghies back into the water so they could row out to the Moby. A sudden flash of heat seared up his back and Thatch yelped, spinning around and raising his hands in time to block razer sharp sand from cutting into his eyes. Though he was slow with his armament, so a few shards of hardened sand managed to dig into him during his defense. He heard Marco curse next to him and he turned, trying to squint past the blazing heat that was suffocating him.

"We gotta move now, yoi!" Marco wasted no time in grabbing him, tugging him back towards a different part of the shore. When Thatch managed to open his eyes fully and focus, he saw magma bubbling up from the area he had just been standing on. No wonder he had seemed unbearably hot. A swell of surprise surged through him as realization cut through his thoughts. Only one person was able to create lava in such a way, and they were supposed to be far, far away from here. A boom in the air made him tense, and he gripped Marco back with both of his hands as Whitebeard cracked the sky apart. Usually Thatch had more time to get away from his pops before he used his devil fruit, everyone knowing how dangerous it could be if they weren't careful, but it seemed to have been used in a desperate time of need. Thatch threw himself to the ground, scrambling away from the lava that was frozen midair and cracking apart right above his and Marco's heads.

"You dare!?" Whitebeard bellowed out, fist flying out to shatter the lava into pieces and flinging it far away from them. Akainu's body began to form from the bubbling lava on the ground, and if Thatch looked hard, he could see some wear and tear on the man already, but from who? When the admiral rose to his full height he scowled at them, tilting his head back with a sneer.

"You're not my priority, and any collateral is considered acceptable."

Thatch would have been offended, but this was Akainu they were talking about, it was to be expected. His father figure, however, was having none of it. Thatch could see how his muscles strained as his grip on his spear tightened, knees bending and haki flaring. The pressure in the air shifted, and lightning began to crackle in the distance, striking at trees and incinerating any nearby resin bubbles.

"Ah sorry there, Whitebeard. I didn't mean to toss him in your direction." Rayleigh's voice came from behind them, and his pops relaxed slightly as he glanced back over his shoulder. Thatch called a silent bullshit, but he didn't actually dare say that to the Dark King. Rayleigh came into view past black smoke, hands in his pockets and grin on his face. His glasses reflected the bubbling lava as he came closer and his silver hair cradled his face as he tilted his head forward in greeting. "Shanks is a little busy with Aokiji, figured I'd take this young one here for a ride out this way. Wouldn't want any of this nasty smoke near our boys." Thatch swallowed, feeling the crackling anger that was building in the air from the older man, and reminding him just why he had been the secondhand man of the pirate king. Even at his age, Rayleigh wasn't to be trifled with, especially when he found something, or someone to protect.

Whitebeard laughed next to him, rising to his full height and glancing down at Rayleigh with a knowing gaze. "Grandson already huh? Very well then, I suppose that's a larger grievance. But don't let him come near my crew again."

The Dark King laughed as he lunged forward, a haki covered foot aiming for Akainu, who had stood and lunged a fist back to strike. The clash of haki nearly cut through Thatch and he gritted his teeth as he struggled to back away, the whipping winds stinging his face and heat searing his skin. His pops stepped in front of him, bearing the brunt of the clash for him, and Thatch breathed a little easier when he was able to stand and stagger away, Marco helping him get further out to the shore.

"Well after how I saw my boy treat him last night, how can I not have a grandson now?" Rayleigh's voice became distant as he struggled towards the dinghies, but Thatch felt a shiver run up his spine at the obvious claim. He swallowed and risked a glance over his shoulder even as his hands worked to shove the small boat back out into the water. He saw the full view of Rayleigh's side profile, but his eyes were hidden by the glare of his glasses. And though he had spoken with cheer in his voice just a moment ago, Thatch could only focus on the hard lines and downturned lips of the Dark King.

xxx

His breath came out in a puff, the cold chill in the air filling his lungs and burning his nose as he breathed. Shanks twisted, right leg kicking up and shoving Aokiji away with a haki covered foot. The admiral grunted before he was flung back, the kick in his stomach sending him spiraling into a resin tree. Shanks didn't hesitate to follow after him, bunching up his legs and slinging forward, Gryphon pointed straight out to impale. He was able to make out the whites of Aokiji's eyes as they widened, the admirals body moving on reflex to twist away from the strike. His sword sunk into the tree like butter, the wood cratering and blasting away from the impact.

Shanks sighed and fueled haki into his sword, allowing the wood to splinter away so he could pull it out easily. "You're not trying very hard, admiral." He looked towards where Aokiji was crouched away from the impact, hand clutching his stomach as he grimaced in pain.

"Hmm, I thought I did a better job of hiding that." Aokiji shifted and straightened, readying himself to fight once more. Shanks narrowed his eyes, the hand around his sword turning white as his grip tightened.

"Maybe you should think about who you're facing. Do you really want the ire of an emperor?" Shanks turned fully to face the man, leaving the impact crater on the large tree behind as he took slow steps towards the admiral. He flexed his haki out, searching for the presence of Luffy and his brothers and letting out a slow breath when he found them safe.

"There's nothing to think about. I was given orders, and I'm following them." Shanks could see through the façade, could see the crack in the man's resolve even as the marine dusted off his white uniform and lunged. Shanks ground his teeth, reaching out with a haki covered hand to grab him by the throat before skipping back abruptly. Ice spikes shot from the ground where he had just been standing and they spread outwards, ripping holes through the ground as they followed Shanks backwards. The sand under his feet grew harder and he realized that it was more packed due to the water. Shanks glanced back, eyes taking in his ship and the cracked and melted ice it had been freed from. He narrowed his eyes, anger flaring as he realized the admiral had herded him back towards his ship, towards where Luffy was hiding. He turned back to glare at Aokiji, red eyes blazing as he let his haki blast out in a warning wave.

"You better think really carefully about what you're doing there, Aokiji." Shanks gripped his sword tighter, fighting to keep calm and his breaths even. It was difficult to do however, when he felt Luffy's presence so close. Shanks stilled, eyes widening in surprise as he realized his son's presence was no longer muffled by layers of wood and closed doors.

"You're distracted," Aokiji's voice sounded to his left and Shanks twisted back just in time to avoid a swipe of his ice covered hand, the sharp, makeshift blade slicing a few of his crimson locks off. He retaliated immediately, slashing down with his sword and gritting his teeth in anger as Aokiji continued to speak. "You hardly looked at your ship, at your crew. Does that little boy sitting there mean so much to you?"

Shank's heart stopped even as he skidded away, eyes widening as he followed Aokiji's gaze to the left. He had been able to pick up Luffy's presence more clearly, less muted than he was supposed to, but he hoped that Luffy would have listened to him. His stupid son, who was supposed to be in the belly of the ship, was on Lucky's shoulders, watching his brothers slide around on the ice as they tried to finish freeing the ship. Shanks turned away from the sight, twisted grin pulling at his lips and brows drawing down in anger. He could feel the veins on his forehead pulse, his blood pressure rising from worry.

"My crew can take care of themselves," Shanks paused, shifting his stance and getting ready to strike. "But don't you ever lay your filthy fucking eyes on my son." Aokiji's eyebrows rose into his hairline and Shanks didn't' give the man a second to contemplate a single thought as he threw himself back into the fray, hacking away at ice the logia user made, each strike cleaving the frozen water clean. They danced around each other for a while, Shanks unwilling to make his attacks too overbearing or else he'd risk harming the young ones with the shockwaves of their power. Worst of all, it seemed like they hadn't noticed that the fight had gotten closer to the ship, seemingly distracted by something happening on the ice. Shanks snarled, eyes shifting away from Aokiji for a second, calculating Luffy's position and steering the admiral away from them with a series of slashes, each haki covered swipe falling off his blade and flying swiftly towards Aokiji. Shanks clenched his jaw and followed after the retreating man, readying his sword for another attack when a blast of heat made the skin on his back nearly burn. On instinct, Shanks coated his body in haki and rolled, missing the stream of lava that blasted and fizzled where he just stood. The sand crackled and blackened, turning into glass at the far edges while the center boiled and smoked.

Akainu emerged from a cloud of blackened smoke, body half lava and dripping on his surroundings. A sneer was on his face as he looked down at him and Shanks glanced between the two admirals, mind racing as he tried to calculate the best move to keep them occupied. However, it seemed that this encounter was preplanned because Aokiji nodded to Akainu and shifted, glancing over his shoulder back at him. "Hope you said bye."

Rage swelled in Shanks' belly and he lunged towards the ice user, snarl on his face and crimson eyes glowing as his conqueror's haki lashed out in a precise strike. His observation haki pinged and his instincts rallied, pressuring him to stop and twist away as a wall of lava cracked the ground in front of him. He was forced to watch as Aokiji gave him a final nod and head directly for the ship, hands stretched out for his signature move.

"Fuck!" Shanks couldn't help the curse that he let out, turning his blazing eyes on Akainu and dashing forward, aiming for his throat. He didn't have time to spare here, and he knew Rayleigh wouldn't have let Akainu through unless the old man had no choice, but this situation was clearly going from bad to worse. The admiral shifted his head to the side, only allowing his cheek to be sliced before bending forward and brining his smoking fist up in a punch. Shanks let the momentum of his lunge pull him and he twisted to the side, covering his knee in haki and deflecting the blow that would have tried to punch a hole through his gut. Ash and smoke still climbed its way towards his face, and he narrowed his eyes against the stinging air, using his free hand to grab Akainu by the collar and haul him over his shoulder, sending him flying back towards where the tree groves began. Shanks panted, chest heaving as he jumped away from the smoke that curled around his body and into his lungs. A cough raked through his chest and he scowled in annoyance, that was the only bad part about fighting the magma logia. He didn't have any defense for the smoke the man made with the surroundings.

Shanks took a step away from where he had sent Akainu and turned back in time to see Lucky holding off Aokiji in the distance. Relief flooded his chest knowing that the boys would be protected from the ice admiral by his crew. He looked back towards the ice, eyes scanning the floating glaciers. His breath quickened, eyes widening as he realized he didn't see any of the boys on the frozen wasteland. Just as he was about to use his haki to find them, Akainu emerged once more and he was forced to pay attention. Resin trees that stood for centuries began to boil, their bark withering and curling, blackening and bowing as they fell into the river of magma that began to form. The smell of burned resin penetrated his nose, and Shanks readied his sword as he approached, trying to ignore the sounds of yelling from behind him. Lucky was there, Benn was there, he would have to believe in them.

xxx

Rayleigh sighed and let out a chuckle through his panting breaths. He winced as he clutched at his side and accepted the offered hand with another. "You sure don't hold back," He commented as he stood, eyeing the warlord with a raised brow. Mihawk shifted, golden rimmed eyes moving away from him in a bored fashion.

"Don't flatter me, you let yourself be struck down." Mihawk sheathed his sword, the gold metal glimmering under the sunlight.

"Hmm, just a bit. I'm not as young as I used to be, you know? Akainu is no pushover either, but unfortunately my stamina isn't what it used to be." Rayleigh dusted off his pants and kicked his sandals back on, glancing in the direction Akainu had gone. His footsteps were visible in the burning magma, each step long and deliberate. "Benn and Shanks should be able to handle those two, my job was just to make sure they had enough time to free the ship. If Benn had to fight Akainu early, that wouldn't have happened."

Mihawk didn't speak for a long moment, just stared at him and then towards the trail of magma. "It is better this way. Red Hair knows what to expect with the admirals and his vice-captain is formidable. And this way," golden rimmed eyes trained on him, and if Rayleigh were any other man he would have cowered. "I can keep my warlord position by obeying his order."

Rayleigh nodded in agreement, turning his back to Mihawk to follow after the admiral. He would rest a bit, and if he was needed, he would step in, but a quick detour to check on Shakky would also be in order. "And now? What will you do?"

Mihawk tilted his head back, sunlight shining against his pale face as his frown deepened. "I will leave. I have questions I need answered and I won't mind them here."

Rayleigh nodded and gestured out towards the Moby Dick, taking note of the crewmembers that were scrambling away from the warzone Sabaody was turning into. Whitebeard may have been an emperor and his commanders strong, but there were still those that weren't prepared for such a large clash, and the elder man knew this. It wasn't his fight. "You'll go with Whitebeard then?"

Mihawk nodded, golden rimmed eyes taking another look at the wound he inflicted. "Correct. Now stop pestering me, you have your own things to do."

Rayleigh laughed and nodded, unsurprised when the warlord disappeared with the breeze. He hauled himself up and let his grin fall into a soft smile, muttering under his breath. "And you say Shanks isn't your friend."

xxx

Ace helped to haul Lucky up, Sabo on the other side as they dragged the large man across the sand. He sucked in a breath, lungs burning from the abuse so soon after being freed from the depths of the ocean. Lucky coughed, blood dribbling down his mouth, hand clutching at an ice spike in his side that he didn't manage to dodge in time.

"Sorry," he muttered, breath straining. "He caught me by surprise." Luffy patted the man's head, careful not to disturb the bandana that was still neatly wrapped around it. "It's okay, we'll get you some meat and you'll be all better!"

Ace held back a grin as Lucky chuckled and nodded along, shifting as much as he could when they reached a safe enough distance away to set him up against a small resin tree. "I want you boys to get to the ship, Benn can handle Aokiji just fine." Lucky scowled, rolling his eyes even as he winced. "He's gonna give me shit for this."

Sabo laughed next to the man and grabbed for Luffy, but his baby brother squirmed away and instead reached up for Ace, hands expended out to be picked up. Ace gave Sabo an apologetic look, ready to crack a joke, but stilled when he saw the look in his brother's eye. Sabo wasn't upset or jealous, but the worry in his gaze made Ace swallow hard. He glanced back down at Luffy, biting his lip and picking his baby brother up in an easy motion, making sure he clung to his back well before tying his rubbery legs into a knot around his waist.

He turned back to Lucky, taking in the melting spear of ice in his belly and frowning at the leaking blood. "You sure you'll be ok?"

Lucky grinned up at him, waving a hand. "I'll be fine kid, I've had worse. You should go back to the ship," Lucy's dark eyes rose past Ace's shoulder and to Luffy who was snuggled against his neck. "Especially you, Anchor. I can feel captain having a heart attack from here." Lucky nodded his head to the right, and when Ace looked past Benn and Aokiji clashing, he could see magma and red haki flaring in the distance. He recognized the feel of the haki, the power similar to what coated Luffy in a thick layer. Ace scowled at the reminder of the emperor's claim and grunted in acknowledgment.

"Fine, we'll go. Don't die old man." He turned his back to Lucky's laughter and Ace winced as Sabo smacked him on his head. "You're as rude as ever," his blonde brother hissed, stepping up ahead to lead the path back to the Red Force, picking up the pace to a light jog.

"Shishishi, Lucky is super strong! He'll be just fine!" Luffy's voice was full of cheer, but something about it felt off to Ace. It almost sounded like when they had first met, how Luffy would be all smiles and joy but underneath he had been so, so sad. He chanced a glance to Sabo and his brother met his eyes, blue irises brimming with worry. 'Later', Sabo mouthed at him, and Ace gave a subtle nod, hands clutching tighter at Luffy's legs as they reached the shore once more. Ace glanced across the broken ice, gauging the distance from the ship to the shore and coming to the decision that he couldn't possibly jump on the glaciers without drowning again.

"Ace, you can do that thing again, where you used your fire to shoot off the boat after Lu?" Sabo gestured to his feet and Ace scratched the back of his head, blush dusting his cheeks.

"Actually, I uh, don't know how I did that." Sabo's unimpressed look had him blushing harder and he shoved his head to the side, squishing his face into Luffy's cheek. "I was mad okay!?" Luffy's laughter puffed air in his face and Ace just shoved himself closer, enjoying the delighted giggles Luffy gave out when his hair tickled his face.

"Oh myyy, how sweet."

Ace jerked at the unfamiliar voice, heart racing and sweat gathering in his palms as a strong wave of haki wafted over them. He spun, eyes widening as he saw a man dressed in yellow, white coat billowing out behind him. Shades covered his eyes and a lazy smirk was on his face as he tilted his head back, studying them. Ace shifted, moving to stand behind Sabo who had drawn his pipe up, grip tight around the iron bar.

"Ace," Sabo was staring ahead, eyes glued to the coat the man wore. His gaze shifted down, taking in the golden cuffed sleeves and the intricate details on the shoulder cuffs. "Ace, run!"

Ace froze, hands held out in front of him and heart hammering. He didn't know who this man was, didn't know how he managed to slip past their guard. His breath caught, throat going dry. In the distance he saw Lucky, no longer against the tree but on his knees, blood dripping down his mouth and hand clutching at his belly. His glasses had slipped off his eyes and Ace was able to make out the terror on his face as he screamed at them, words lost in the wind.

"Ace go!"

"I can't leave you!" He gritted his teeth, shifting his stance and setting his body ablaze, so fucking thankful that Luffy didn't get burned. However, that didn't seem to be the right call because the man's eyebrows rose to his hairline, taking in how his baby brother was still calm despite being engulfed in flames.

"Ooooh! What a surprise, I wonder what else you can do?" The man's body faded into golden light before their eyes and Ace didn't have a chance to even speak before he felt a kick to his back. He stumbled, twisting with a snarl before freezing, realizing that Luffy's weight was suddenly absent from his back. Sabo's shout of rage pulled his panic to the surface and his breath caught when he saw their little brother squirming in the man's arms, legs kicking and arms trying to punch at the yellow clad man.

"Hahaha, so feisty!"

Ace's gut clenched, panic cutting his breaths short and making his heart stutter. His flames dimmed, withering away and fizzling out, brain freezing as he could only stare ahead.

"Luffy, call her!" Sabo shouted and moved forward, yelling as he lowered his pipe in a desperate swing. It swung through the man's body and Sabo cried out in frustration. "Ace move! Ace!" Sabo's angry shouts spurred him forward and his anger surfaced harshly, fire blazing in an uncontrolled torrent as he lunged forward. Sabo jerked out of the way and be brought up a blazing hist, heat pooling in his belly as he screamed through his clenched teeth.

"Fire fist!" A wall of fire erupted from his knuckles and he concentrated on the hottest flame he could muster, sending them right towards Luffy hoping that the man would let go of his baby brother. Just as his spirits flared when it seemed it would work, it died away, his flames parted easily by a blinding light. Ace was shoved aside by Sabo when it continued outwards and towards him. His brother hissed, passing his burned skin as he shoved them aside, eyes turning back to Luffy who was twisting around and trying to punch the man, only for his rubbery attacks to go through.

"Luffy!" Sabo's voice was desperate as he stumbled to his feet. "Call her!"

Ace met Luffy's eyes, seeing the tears gathered even as his baby brother kicked and jerked. "She hurt Ace!" He swallowed, throat closing. The man hummed in amusement and tossed Luffy over his shoulder, turning away from them and bunching his legs, readying himself to leap away. Ace was going to watch his baby brother get taken, and it was his fault he wouldn't call his mother.

"Fire first!" He sent out another searing wave and chased after his wall of fire, making sure Luffy kept his gaze on him. "Call her, Luffy!"

His baby brother's eyes widened, straw hat sliding off his head and mouth wobbling. "Do it Luffy!" Ace called again, shoving himself forward to cling at the man's arms, Sabo on the other side and gripping at Luffy before being smacked away.

"Mo-" Luffy stuttered, watching Sabo hit the ground with a heavy thud, blood dripping down his nose. Ace's heart clenched, anger burning when Sabo didn't get up.

"MOM!" Luffy cried, bawling as he reached an extended hand towards Sabo. "MOM HELP!" The man winced at the volume and pulled Luffy away from his shoulder, grimacing before stilling abruptly. The man's eyes widened, glancing around at the sky and ocean before turning his attention back to Luffy. It hit Ace then, a change in the air, a violent roar of energy shifting and splitting the sky apart. His breath caught, watching as the sea rose, tossing ships around like they were toys in a child's bath. Lightning struck close, incinerating sand and causing spiderwebs of cracked grass to line all along the beach. Ace Lunged again but Luffy shook his head, warning him away.

"Take Sabo! Take him or you'll drown!" Luffy's voice broke at the end and as terrible as it felt to turn his back on his baby brother, Ace listened for once in his life. He listened because he felt the presence of a god reeling, where before he had only been a passing bystander under her nose, now Ace truly felt what it was to have her ire. He grabbed at Sabo, ignoring the man's taunts and turning away from Luffy, giving him one last glance. His baby brother's lips were still wobbling, but no more tears came from his eyes. Instead, they burned white as they stared back at him. Ace forced himself away, chest heaving as he carried Sabo on his back, feeling the pressure around him closing in, the devil fruit in his soul scorching in anger. He drew further away from the beach, dodging stray ice spikes as he approached where Benn fought.

"Kid!" Benn looked at him in surprise, a haki covered hand diverting Aokiji's fist away from his face.

"Run!" Ace heaved, eyes wide and desperate. He glanced over his shoulder and only saw a wall of blue approaching, the roaring of the waves beginning to echo around as the water rushed in from all sides. Benn followed his gaze and both he and the other man froze, staring at the tsunami that threatened them.

"Ice Age!" Benn crashed into Ace just as the man sent freezing air towards the water, the ice forming thick and solid, groaning and creaking under the weight of the water behind it. They stood still for a moment, Benn smacking him on the head before taking Sabo from his arms. He was about to speak but the ice cracked, and the dark-skinned man's eyes widened in surprise. Ace heard Benn's sharp inhale as he finally understood what was happening, no doubt feeling the wrath of a mother protecting her child.

"Aokiji! We'll finish this later!" Benn called and the man, Aokiji, nodded stiffly before launching himself upwards on a wave of ice, speeding away from the incoming water that his strongest attack couldn't stop.

Benn hauled Ace to his feet, feet pounding against the floor as they ran with all their might. "What happened!" Benn called, purposefully eyeing Ace and no doubt noticing the lack of Luffy.

"Lu called for backup! A yellow guy came!" Benn looked at him sharply, grey eyes widening in surprise before his attention was drawn elsewhere.

"Benn! Over here!" Ace looked over his shoulder and nearly tripped. The Red Force was on top of the approaching tsunami, the occupants being tossed around on the deck. Yasopp was the one who had called, gripping the mast of the ship with one arm while slinging a rope to them with another. Ace's feet were jerked from under him and he felt himself get hauled up and tossed on Benn's other shoulder.

"Hang on!" The water engulfed Benn's legs just as he grabbed at the rope, grunting as he was jerked and pulled up towards the ship. Ace held his breath, watching as the water rushed in where they had just been, engulfing the land and tearing up the ground with its violence. He was tossed onto the deck, water spraying over the rails and his stomach lurching as the ship rocked heavily on the ocean.

"What the fuck is happening!?"

Ace ignored the cries of the crew and grabbed Sabo, clutching him close and settling themselves against the wall. Steam hissed from all around the ship and Ace coughed, shielding his blonde brother away from the heat that erupted around them.

"Is that Akainu!?" Lucky's voice sounded aways off, and Ace let out a sigh of relief knowing that the man was safe. Just as he sat up and turned to peek over the rail, a wave of conqueror's haki shimmered over the entire ship, the anger distinctly reminding him of the Red emperor. Ace blinked past the wave of dizziness, fighting to stay awake as he abandoned the idea to sit up. He turned, back leaning heavily against the wood. The ship was suddenly silent, only the lurching of his stomach reminding Ace that he hadn't fallen asleep or was in a dream. The slow slap of sandals across the deck caught his attention, and he raised his gaze high enough to be met with a terrifying sight. Shanks stood before him, hand still tight around his sword, blood dripping down his head and crimson hair clinging to the side of his face. His nose was scrunched up, a snarl on his lips and eyes blazing with fury.

"Where. Is. Luffy."