The wave of conquerors Haki swept through the crowd after that declaration and took many Marines with it. All the Captains and below, except a select few. The warlords stumbled in their steps, the admirals shuddered and yet… and yet every single pirate only felt ragerageragemineragepossessiveminelovelove.

Whitebeard raised his brows in surprise as he felt the rippling hurricane of the Kings Haki that washed over him, strong and controlled, and if he didn't know that the brat was from the future then he would have questioned everything. Yet, there was something hidden under all that fury and raging sea of Haki that reminded Whitebeard of his youth… something joyful, bright like the burning sun that reminded him of the peaceful ways his home island now reflected.

"Shit, it's stronger than Shanks," Marco whispered as he steadied himself.

"Well, he did say the red-haired brat was his father." Whitebeard chuckled before turning to his son. "Make sure that brat stays alive. If he tells you to do something, do it. I'll explain everything after we have Ace back."

Shock reflected across all his sons' faces as they whipped their heads around at the order. Oyaji respected this kid that much? To tell them to listen to whatever command that kid told them!? Maybe he was going in his old age.

"Well, you heard pops! LET'S GO!" Marco yelled as he took to the skies once more, soaring towards Straw-Hat with renewed vigour.

Luffy cackled as he shot off the giant, sandals hitting the ice with a resounding crack. He could feel his energy wavering, but he pushed through that too like always. He wouldn't let this weakness of his get in the way of saving his brother. Not when he was so close. He's thankful though, for this chance and the fact that because of it, he wouldn't repeat the same mistakes as last time.

He was still too far away… and there were too many people in his path.

He took several paces to the right, jumping as Iva Death Winked to the location he was just at. "Iva! Jinbe! We need to clear the way!"

He remembered last time, the combined forces of his bazooka, Iva's Death Wink and Jinbe's Fishman Karate tore through the marines easily. But this time… this time Luffy was stronger, this time Luffy was angrier, and he suffered no fools nor gave no mercy.

Biting his thumb he inflated his hand, missing the wide eyes of Iva and the smirk of Jinbe as he threw his hand back, Haki and flames dancing along his skin, sparks of Ryou flickering over the limb. He didn't care if he was giving away how strong he was, how they underestimated him. Luffy didn't care if the journey for him after this would be harder, he's lived one lifetime without his brother and with regrets, he won't live this one the same.

"Death…!" Iva started.

Jinbe laughed as he moved closer. "Fishman Karate!"

"Gum Gum…!"

Luffy closed his eyes, stretching his observation Haki out, He could see and hear all his Nakama – Smoker, Tashigi, Buggy, Crocodile, Mihawk, Kuma, Hancock, Gramps, Ace – far away from the direction of their combined attack.

Red eyes snapped open; grin wide. "RED ROC!"

The roar of flame and power was deafening, spirals of swirling into a roaring dragon as he cut through the marines. Screams rent the air as flesh burned those whose Haki couldn't withstand the power, of those who couldn't escape fast enough. The ice cracked and melted leaving a smattering of small icebergs in its wake.

Ace Jerked as he felt the heat swirl around him, jaw dropping open and eyes flickering to his Gramps who looked just as surprised. Ace knew that power, Yamato had tried to teach him the beginnings of Ryou in the short time they had together on Wano, how the hell did Luffy know it? How did Luffy master it?

Luffy… you're so much stronger than I last saw you… Something dangerously close to hope bubbled up within Ace at the thought.

Jinbe's laughter echoed loudly in the following din as he turned to face Luffy, not even flinching as the eyes of Nika stared back. "Captain, I believe that was a little more violent than I remember."

"Jinbe!? You remember too?" Luffy cackled as if he didn't just land a devastating blow, as if he didn't just kill dozens – in not hundreds – of marines in his path.

Sadness and grief cut through Jinbe's gaze. "Yes Captain, the moment you jumped from Oyaji's ship. I believe it will be the others too…" He trailed off not needing to explain further as he watched his captain pale several shades, eyes flickering back towards where he knew Law would pop up soon and his dad.

"Ah… Well then, let's get this over with before the lecture!" Luffy laughed. "You know what to do!"

"Yes Captain, and it would be my absolute pleasure." Jinbe chuckled with a slight bow before turning to face Moria once more, a truly dark shark grin pulling at his face.

Luffy laughed all the way through the desolation he had made, dodging Smoker's attack with ease. He spun and twisted, hand coming up and coated with Haki as he disarmed the Smoke Logia with ease. His foot kicked up and sent said man far over the other side of the battlefield while he twisted around Tashigi and took her sword as well.

A silent apology whispered across his mind as he took the weapons, knowing how important they were to each person, but Luffy needed them more now. He needed to focus and save his energy till he got to Ace, his eyes scanned the area once more for any sign of the other Admirals. Akainu and Aokiji have yet to be seen and Luffy felt like he was forgetting something, something important but he shook that off with ease.

Plans formulated in his mind – smirk twitching as he thought of how proud Law would be to hear him planning – his path set as he began his path to Ace once more… only to skid to a stop as Hancock stepped into his way.

Keys… I need keys… and with that light bastard out for the count it won't be broken again…

His heart lurched as he regained his balance, it had been many long years since he saw her. She had suffered a devastating blow from Blackbeard that was meant for him, if it wasn't for her and her sisters Luffy never would have made it to Laugh Tale, never would have been pirate king.

A wide grin, warmer than the fanged smile he had permanently stuck on his face since his announcement met her stare. He shot forward as she pulled the key out, his hand palming it as he latched on into a bone-breaking hug and whispered. "Thank you for everything, Hancock, you're a good friend. I owe you more than you'll ever know."

A flash of pink feathers caught his eye as he went to dodge around Iva who was still trying their best to get Kuma to remember. Rage boiled over once more as he caught the grin of Doflamingo, using Iva and his momentum to swing around and take a running leap forward, hands flinging back coated in Haki and Ryou, weapons equally lethally coated.

He could see the strings twisting out from Mingo's hands and connecting to Pirates and Marines alike like puppets.

"GUM GUM JET BAZOOKA!" the world blurred as he shot forward, weapons slicing through fingers and string as his armament Haki-coated chest slammed into Mingo with force. Screams tore from Mingo's mouth as he managed to catch himself after rolling through the ice painfully, leaving trails of morbid tracks behind.

Seven of Mingo's fingers lay at Luffy's feet, and he wasted no time kicking them far into the field where that feathered bastard had no chance of finding them. A dark chuckle escaped Luffy's lips with steam, taking in the screaming Mingo with satisfaction.

Luffy stalked forward, scoffing as Mingo tried to threaten him as he collapsed. "Be glad that I restrained myself, your death and downfall is not up to me… yet."

Smoke and screaming filled Luffy's senses, but his observation was clear as crystal as he continued forward. Ace was shivering in his mind eye, his Haki crying out begging for help but also… Luffy could feel his brother drowningdrowningworthlessworthlesshatehatepleasepleaseplease in the back of his head like a roaring fire that fed the flames of his ire.

It was distracting enough that Luffy nearly missed Mihawk's sudden appearance. "I DON'T HAVE TIME FOR THIS MIHAWK GET OUT OF MY WAY!" He roared.

Mihawk's eyes widened as his Observation Haki kicked in, head tilting left to avoid the sudden strike of a fist from Jinbe, body lurching in the opposite direction to avoid what would be a devastating kick. Surprise rose as he watched Jinbe launch Shanks Protégé over their fight without breaking his stance or faulting in his next move, in fact, Mihawk saw Straw Hat Luffy seemed to aid in the force of Jinbe's punch when he launched.

"The turncoat, Jinbe." Mihawk muttered, blinking and jerking back to avoid another hit. "Why are you doing this?"

Bloody shark teeth glint in the light at the smile that pulls at the ex-Shichibukai's lips. "Because I will not let anyone get in my Captain's way from killing Ace-kun."

The surprise that flickered across Mihawk's face was enough of a distraction Jinbe needed, Arabesque Brick Fist to redirect the canon fire and into Shark Brick Fist in a blink of an eye, faster than Mihawk could even recall Jinbe ever being. That hesitation cost Mihawk the time needed to counter but gave him enough time to bring Yoru up to block the full impact.

The black blade sang with the vibrations from the impact, his Haki skittering off it in green waves that sent both men flying back. A pleased smirk pulled at Mihawk's lips as he shook off the aftershock and turned towards the retreating back of Mugiwara and swung. Jinbe snarled as he pushed off, tackling Mihawk with all his might but neither missed when Luffy spun, stolen sword and jitte swinging.

"72-pound PHEONIX!" Luffy roared letting the only attack Zoro successfully managed to teach him fly. "Jinbe go help Iva! I'll be fine!"

Chaos reigned around him as he dodged several attacks, sword flying out to trip up the pirate that was about to strike a killing blow to Tashigi, the Jitte flying next as he caught Smokey finally bypassing Hancock only to fly back towards her with the force of the seastone-tipped weapon hit him with.

Sand-croc's sandstorm wreaks havoc across the ice, sweeping up pirates and marines alike in its path. His arms stretch up without needing to look and yank Buggy to his side once more, because he knew Mihawk – once he gathered his composure – was going to attack again.

"STRAW HAT!" Buggy screamed as he finally took sight of the person who saved him, shuddering as he took in the expression on the kids face. It was dark and angry, the Haki that trembled off his frame slithered up his body from the kid's hands and sunk deep into his soul. It reminded him of his Captains.

This kid reminded him too much of his Captain and his brother, both in looks and temperament.

"I need you to distract Mihawk, Uncle," Luffy exclaimed, ignoring the bluster and the sudden wide-eyed horror and realisation that settled over the clowns' features. "Think of it as one-upping Dad for getting the first hit in for attacking his kid."

The thought of one-upping Shanks always got him in a good mood and Buggy agreed without hesitation, laughing madly as he was thrown backwards with incredible strength that was so much like… wait… DAD!? HIS KID!? UNCLE!? "I DIDN'T MEAN TO AGREE!"

"THANKS UNCLE BUGGY! SEE-YA!" Luffy laughed outrageously over his shoulder as Buggy collided with Mihawk, giving him enough time to escape and for Ace's Nakama to step in.

The world blurred as he focused on Ace, Observation Haki stretching to the very limit. He was still too far away, there were still too many people in his way, even with his knowledge and gears, even with the strength of his older self… it was still too much for him alone.

"Speedy! An ally attacks giant-ossan! TELL HIM THE WALLS ARE RISING!" Luffy shouted over his shoulder as the familiar lightning-fast tang of Speed Jiru grew close, smirking as it flickered away and further without hesitation.

Luffy came to a sudden stop, shocking those around him as they turned to see him slam Haki-coated fingers into the ground. Jinbe had seen his Captain pause and grabbed Iva who was near him, hurrying them over and latching onto Luffy just as the ground began to shake. Gasps from the pirates as heavily fortified walls began to rise while the voice of Whitebeard dealing with his son echoed across the bay.

It took several beats later for Whitebeard's power vibrated in the air, drawing a wild laugh from Luffy as the world began to tilt and sway like it had done so before. Awe and joy rushed through the rage within him as he witnessed the power of Ace's pops, his laughter rising higher as he watched the Marine's plan fail.

But he knew what was coming next, his head snapping up as Akainu's face and Haki pings in his mind. Bubbling hot and twisted black with Ultimate Justice. It was a signature he would never forget, one that had caused ruin through his late twenties and into his thirties. It was the bastard who had taken so many of his Nakama from him and today. Here. It stops.

He won't let that monster have the chance to kill Ace again.

He refuses to let him carry out his Ultimate Justice on Nakama.

"Jinbe." His voice carried over the roar of Whitebeard's shockwave, resolute. "I'm sorry."

Jinbe's eyes widened as he took in the look on Luffy's face, the memory of an older Luffy flickering over it… the tone matching the very one that he gave when he said goodbye to them all. "Luffy no!"

But it was too late, Luffy let the ice go, kicking back Jinbe through the soundwave and himself into the sky allowing the wave to send him up.

Luffy closed his eyes as he spun higher up, twisting his body in a way that sent him soaring higher and higher over the crest. He could hear his name being called on the wind, could feel the Voice screaming and the familiar ping of Law and Shanks grow ever closer…

But mainly…

He hears the drums.

His hand covers his heart, laughter spilling out from his lips in unholy glee as the beat resonated through the air. "BEAT LOUDLY HEARTBEAT!" He screamed in joy and let his Haki flow, the beat growing louder and faster, his form changing as he let go of every restraint he held onto himself.

It was time for the Marines to remember.

It was time for the world to remember.

It was time for everyone to hear the Drums of Liberation once more.

And oh, was Luffy going to deliver.

Author Note: God damn, I didn't think this would be more than 2 chapters but here is the third and I am still not done. So maybe one more to go, maybe two depending!