Here's the next chapter

As the ship continued to sail through the Tarai Current, those outside were waiting for their arrival to Marineford while the tension was building up.

*CLING!*

The pirate escapees were watching with nervousness, as they watched some of the men of the Raiders were seen loading or just cleaning their weaponry right in front of the captain's quarters where many of their comrades were in now, with those outside now being on watch duty.

One of the Raiders was seen brandishing his revolver right in front of the pirates, with the creepy part being the fact he was counting the bullets right in front of them to try and scare them to a degree, all while staring at a few pirates with him counting them.

It had an effect as Buggy and Mr. 3 were standing by the rails and being nervous themselves.

"Seriously why do these guys have to be on the same ship as ours?" Mr.3 said, feeling uncomfortable by their presence as he turned to the clown. "What's your plan for them?"

"Like hell I will do anything to them now." Buggy told the waxman, slightly more controlled but nervous also. "We're already on our way to Marineford, last thing we need is to fight these guys head on."

While those two were watching, near the helm another conversation was taking place.

This was more focused with the likes of Crocodile who was with Daz Bones, as the former Warlord was interested to know the history of the other Warlord, with recent revelations sparking that interest.

"So that was your connection to Uzumaki, correct?" Crocodile asked the Fishman helmsman now that it was out. "He was a member of your crew?"

Jimbei took a while before he then answered it. "Yes he was."

"Kind of surprise, to be honest." Daz Bones stated, inserting himself into the conversation. "I heard that members of the Foreign Legion would have their backgrounds being erased, but this I did not expect."

"Not erased, just simply not mentioned."

Both Crocodile and Daz Bones turned around when they saw that it was Ivankov who joined into the conversation.

"The recruitment tactics that the Alabasta Foreign Legion are very different to what normal armies and the Navy uses: as there everybody is welcomed to join despite what you previously had done." Ivankov spoke with some knowledge. "I'm speaking of volunteers, adventurers, former marines, vigilantes and anything else you can name."

"That's exactly right." Crocodile agreed, still with the cigar in his mouth. "They were looser with recruiting their fighters than the usual armed forces."

"They also don't care who you are."

And then the focus laid back on Jimbei who took the word again, still focused on steering the ship, he held nothing back on what he would say next.

"For as much the World Government wanted to brand them as a group of degenerates. They were more open to anyone willing to join their ranks - they did not care for what your skin was, what your preferences were - creed - beliefs - who you love - or what you are."

"And that's why many of those Fishmen joined up in the war?" Crocodile mentioned. "I heard thousands had joined up during the Elemental War."

…

"Yes, I know of that…it is hard to forget that." Jimbei responded. "Especially what they sacrificed."

Captain's quarters

Inside the packed room, the many Elemental War veterans were listening to their Captain, who was nearly finished.

"So you all know what we're up against." Naruto started, pointing at the giant map of Marineford that was found. "Around a 100 000 marines are going to be there, the best of the best. With the 3 Admirals being present there and the Fleet Admiral there too."

"That we know, sir." One of the Raiders asked. "But what we want to know is about the Warlords, about who's going to be there."

Naruto asked. "Which one you talking about?"

"The blond fuck that's occupying my country, of course - Doflamingo."

Some shouting in agreement could've been heard across the room, for a very particular reason for those who were from that kingdom.

"Look, I know for the fact many in here are Dressrosans like myself." Gin spoke up, addressing his men with the intent of getting some order. "But right now we're unable to afford revenge."

"Why not-"

"Because if you haven't noticed, we're not in the right position for revenge."

The one man who said that was the one with a one-side folded slouch hat, one Jack Foster. One who looked very young for his age to command anyone, yet looks were deceiving for him as he was the one who lead the men on Level 2 out of their cells and hijacked the warship they're sailing with.

"There are only around three hundred of our men on this ship. With still many needing some rest, let alone we are facing multiple heavyweights who are going to be prepared for us and Whitebeard."

Hearing this made the very rowdy Dressrosan volunteers think twice on what they wanted to do, given they all had a personal vendetta with the Warlord.

Shikamaru looked at them as he was just observing them from a distance, noticing then that one Straw Hat was among the men, looking with curiosity as he watched everything unfold.

"Foster's right, people. With luck Whitebeard will be there before us and we can move through with his commanders, taking less heat than we need to if we want to save Ace." Naruto stated as he made a reminder. "So stick to the plan that I laid up for you and follow your NCO's. Got it?"

"YES SIR!"

That shout got Luffy to be startled for a moment, realizing many among him were listening to him.

Naruto nodded. "You're all dismissed."

It took no further moment for then the men to start leaving in droves for the only exit, as Luffy was taken with the crowd, leaving then only Naruto and his officers alone to discuss some final things.

"They took it simple." Gin said, shrugging at it. "Not looking bothered at all."

"What do you expect? They've gone through worse than this." Foster said as he then informed them. "I'll be with the lads, checking that weapons store underneath the deck."

"I'll go with you." Gin went along. "I need to break my time doing something."

The room soon was only standing with the presence of Naruto, along with Shikamaru, Haku and Chôji with the mere presence of the blonde lone female Domino.

"What a drag, man…"

"Its always a drag, don't beat yourself up about it." Naruto said pulling up his pipe, ready to ignite it as he spoke. "Nothing we can do here but to go there."

Chôji nervously stated. "Even when all that what was mentioned?"

*TCHK!*

Igniting the end of it, Naruto took a drag from his pipe before he then blew it out of his mouth to then proceed to speak with his comrades.

"Yes, I cannot exactly abandon one of my best men to die - let alone the godfather of one of my kids." Naruto stated. "So I need you both to ready the men at the past capacity you can. Especially you Shikamaru. I need you to strategize with what we have."

Haku asked. "What about me?"

"You take care of the wounded, see who can fight and who cannot." Naruto replied. "Those who cannot will provide support from the rear."

"Right."

Naruto sighs as he then dismissed his officers. "You're free to go."

The three nodded and went out towards the door also, leaving then the two blondes in uniforms by themselves, with the door closed behind.

"Now with that done, I'll be finishing this before I go back outside." Naruto said smoking his pipe, asking Domino. "I hope you don't mind."

"No…not at all."

Blowing the smoke out from his mouth, Naruto resumed to check on the plan as he saw that all he needed was Whitebeard arriving there before him.

"This all is just part of the job."

A few moments later

A few men were seen down in the brig as they were using a burning torch to see themselves through the dark armory they had broken into. It was Gin alongside a few of the other Legionnaires who weren't wasting any time to get all the ammo out of the shelves that they could find.

"Get those ammo boxes up, we can use it." Gin instructed his men who were getting everything out while he walked past them. "Anything is welcome. Rifles, pistols, explosives, ammo, swords, even daggers. So long those morons from Buggy's side don't get a hold of them."

"I found some chewing tobacco."

"... Take that too." Gin told as he made his way down further to the armory with the torch as he made sure not to get close to anything incendiary as he went further. "Let's check the cannons, has anyone gone there?"

"No sir."

Gin saw nothing in the back except of empty boxes where cannonballs used to lay, having them then to turn around and join the others.

*Cough!*

That sound got everybody to turn towards that sound, hearing it from behind the empty boxes. It got some of the men to raise their suspicions.

Gin stepped forwards, but then felt like he stepped into something that was wet, and looking at his boots.

It was blood, and a trail was leading towards where the sound came from.

That alone made a few flashlights turn on as now for other men behind Gin had their rifles pointed at the source of the blood trail, with Gin being the first one to begin.

Pulling out himself a pistol, he aimed it at the end of the trail and began going towards it slowly…

And what he came across was a red-stains on a white Marine uniform.

Meanwhile

Captain's quarters

Having just finished looking through the plan with Domino, Naruto gave her the written plans in copies she'd needed to give to the NCO's who would be leading the men.

"Give this to the men, and tell them to keep it a secret until the order is given."

"Right." Domino nodded.

"Go on."

As Domino walked towards the door to open it and then-

*BOINK!*

Falling down with his face against the wooden floor was Luffy, who had been eavesdropping on the whole conversation, pretty terrible as it resulted into his face falling against the planks.

"Uhm….." Domino was confused and asked. "Are you alright?"

Luffy his head shot upwards with his rubber body and he scratches his head. "I'm fine." he smiled. "I tried to listen to your plan but I failed."

Just admitting to that fact got the former Head Jailer to give a eyebrow-raising look to Naruto who just simply shrugs to her in response.

"Go on."

Domino saluted and walked out the door before closing it, leaving Luffy then with Naruto who began.

"We didn't actually get a good chance to speak properly, but let me start with this - you just don't follow plans, do you?"

"Huh? How so?" Luffy asked, "I just wanted to save Ace, isn't that a plan of itself?"

"Hm, it's a start, but how did you even get inside Impel Down in the first place?" Naruto replied with a question of his own. "Mind telling me that? Because you managed to get through the front entrance."

"My friend helped me, but I cannot say her name." Luffy answered. "Or else she'd lose her position as a Warlord if it came out."

And there, the initial error in Luffy's sentence gave away the truth.

'That kid just claimed that woman brought him inside the prison…and I don't sense him lying.'

'Me neither.' Naruto mentally responded back before he then asked. "So, mind telling me why you were trying to eavesdrop?"

"Well, I tried listening into the conversation earlier with everyone inside." Luffy pretty much admitted with an direct glance at the person opposite of him. "But I also needed to speak to you, in private…"

Seeing he was serious, Naruto allowed him then to proceed with the question.

"...you were in the Foreign Legion, correct?" Luffy asked. "Vivi's country."

…

"If you mean Princess Vivi, then yes." Naruto replied. "How so?"

Luffy started to think about it, before he then began, something he remembered back on his journey through the first half of the Grand Line.

"I-"

*BANG!*

The gunshot interrupted the conversation as both young men, wondering what that was.

"Stand back!"

*BANG!*

"What the hell is happening out there?"

Chaos erupted as people began to assemble around the entrance of the brig where a crowd had come together to circle around multiple men who waved their rifles around to try and keep the order.

To be precise, the Buggy faction of pirates were trying to get through the circle of armed Legionnaires holding back the angered men trying to get to the center.

"Last time!" One Raider ordered. "Stand back!"

"Hell no!" One pirate disagreed trying to get through yelling. "You are protecting that scum! MARINES!"

The presence of the few marines found inside the brig caused hell on the ship. One was laid on his back as he was getting treated by Haku who was facing the challenge of trying to stem the redheaded marine's blood loss, with a dangerous amount of it having already left his body.

A mob of pirates wanted revenge on a few straggler marines, but that could not be allowed to happen.

Laying in the first circle was the male Marine who needed to be operated, but blocking their path were the dozens of pirates who were in no mood to stand aside as they were being stubborn enough to resist against the Legionnaires pushbacks.

"We need a path towards the infirmary - move aside!"

"Forget it!"

Haku was not having it. "Move it! He's going to die, I need to bring him into the infirmary!"

"Leave him to die!"

"No I won't!" Haku shouted. "Gin!"

Gin and his men were in a bit of a pickle themselves, as they were unable to get to the other circle.

"Gin!"

"I try, but they won't let me get to the other-"

*BANG!*

While the situation was already tense in the first circle, it was a lot worse in the second for there laid two exhausted and wounded marines,

They were understandably terrified as the one holding the pistol fired shots wildly to try and help her wounded comrade.

"Stand back! STAND BACK!" The wounded Marron said defiantly to the surrounding pirates, holding her friend in one arm and a gun in the other. She fired a few warning shots to keep them away. "Let Regis through! He needs a doctor!"

"And what you need is a beating, bitch!" One pirate replied. "I'll turn you and your friend-"

*BANG!*

Out of nowhere, the pirate got hit in the arm and got sent back into the group behind him, forcing the surrounding pirates to back off.

"I mean it! I don't play games!" Marron warning was clearly not a bluff, gritting her teeth. "I swear I will blow everyone's head off in here!"

*Cough!*

Marron turned to her friend. "Eliza!"

The short haired brunette girl was barely conscious when she spoke.

"Watch out."

"What-"

*SLAM!*

Marron couldn't see the blunt object smashing up against the side of her head, being slammed from behind by one of the pirates, knocking her out of consciousness.

"She's down - grab them!"

Eliza tried to get up and reach for the pistol, but then felt a pair of hands grabbing her throat by one pirate who was twice her size, yet she still tried to fight back.

Meanwhile, the unconscious Marron was getting pilled herself by some very happy pirates who were about to try to do something to her-

*BANG!* *BANG!*

"ENOUGH!"

The angry shout of Naruto entering the deck with Luffy behind him, seen walking with his 45. Colt smoking aimed at the air. His presence had put a pause to whatever anybody was trying to do.

But some were not getting the message as the three pirates that were still seen over the body of the unconscious Marron were seen all over her, even trying to tear down her clothes.

"Tear down her pants, quickly."

*Click!*

One of the pirates looked up. "Huh-"

*BANG!* *BANG!* *BANG!*

The three rapid shots were heard and caught everyone off guard as the results were the bodies of the three pirates over the unconscious female marine, dropped to the ground lifelessly without them having any chance to react, was left to those around them.

"H-He just killed them like that." One pirate said in shock. "Just like that!"

"Stupid fucks." One Raider just shook his head. "It's their funeral then…"

Naruto stood with restrained anger and barked. "I'll say it again, MOVE!"

The pirates of Buggy's group were shocked by what they saw and basically listened by stepping backwards as the blond walked over to the unconscious body of Marron and kneeled next to her to check on the woman's vitals, ignoring the bodies of men he just killed.

His hand touched the brunette's skin as her head was leaking blood slightly, but she was flickering her eyes, before she then closes her eyes.

Seeing she was weak, Naruto then stood up and proceeded to then walk away as then Shikamaru and Chôji had managed to get through the mob with even the likes of Buggy having entered the scene.

"What happened here?" Buggy asked, furious as he was pulling his pants up. "I am in the toilet for one moment and suddenly I see three dead bodies- WHAAAT!?"

Shikamaru turned to see the bodies and some of Naruto's men taking care of a wounded Marine by soaking the bandages for her head in gin. Upon seeing that she had her trousers nearly ripped off, this was enough for the Nara to come to a conclusion.

"He did this, didn't he?" Chôji asked his friend. "Shikamaru…"

"What a drag….yes he did."

Buggy stopped panicking and turned to the two. "Huh? What do you mean-"*

*BANG!*

Another shot rang out, startling those not paying attention including Buggy who turned to where that came from and saw another body drop.

*THUD!*

It was the large man who'd tried to strangle the other female marine. His unmoving form had a bullet hole visible in the chest.

Naruto, now revealed, aimed the still smoking gun at the big bastard.

"Hey! What gives you the right to kill my men!" Buggy shouted in anger at what he was seeing, pointing his finger. "We haven't even arrived and you're already trigger-happy?!"

Hearing that, Naruto's head turned around - with a stone cold look on his face as he still held the hot piece as he stared directly at the clown.

Buggy's reaction was that of literally turning more white then the paint on his face, with his throat turning dry instantly.

Naruto then turned back to the short black haired Marine who was hardly breathing in a normal pace, and holstered his revolver away to then help her.

Feeling then a hand reach underneath her head, the girl Eliza's eyes opened up slightly to see someone she widened her eyelids for.

"N-Naruto?..."

Marineford

As more and more civilians were being evacuated out of the settlements and town around Navy HQ by ships that were prepared for them. Coming out of them were the last ships of reinforcements had arrived.

Coming out was the now recently promoted Commodore Smoker, seen with his cigars in his mouth as he was being followed by men of his own crew from Loguetown, they all had entered the Grand Line to hunt down a certain pirate who had escaped his jurisdiction. Vowing to track him and turn him in.

But now he had to be here to stand and watch the execution of Fire Fist Ace, and most likely fight off against Whitebeard and his men who in no doubt to his mind would come try save him.

*VROOOOM!*

Hearing buzzing, the white haired man turned up and saw something fly by and recognizes the objects that were flying in formation - with the emblems of the Navy painted on the sides, they were seen going for Impel Down…

Sighing at that, Smoker already guessed what they were going to do by the reports he heard on the way here, seeing the situation was behind his grasp. He proceeded to go towards the assembling area as he wanted to clear his mind of what was to come.

Memories that don't fade away easily…

So the next chapter will be another flashback one of the Elemental War - as the characters who are introduced into this are going to be relevant to the next one.

To clarify that Eliza is the female marine in the One Piece Oddesey Game. Not the other one if you are confused. And Marron is also from the movie Stampede who was earlier mentioned in one of my other chapters.

I'm sorry also for the lack of updates of my stories, but given that the site was down on its numbers for nearly two weeks, it was kinda a turnoff for me. But now it is back and Ramadan around the corner, I'm more energized to write now.

Hope you all enjoyed this chapter and hopefully you'll be excited for what I got up next. Please leave a review and follow!

Have a nice day!