The Marine's Roger

by Sully7072

All Ann knew was to survive that was his final order, an order she would follow to her grave to survive in this new world of piracy that her father left behind even if it meant working for the enemy...

68. Developments

"I made this! This is your Vivre Card!" Yamato shows the paper to Ace.

"Is this it? It's just a piece of paper." Perplexed, Ace eyes the paper.

"That's right! This piece of paper will bring us together again!" Yamato promises.

"Bring us together?" Ace questions.

"Look! Heh! Tear off a piece to anyone you don't wanna get separated from or wanna meet again." Yamato tells Ace.

"Okay! I'll do so. Yamato! Don't lose it!" Ace hands her a piece taking the paper.

"Yamato! See you again for sure!" Ace hollers waving Yamato goodbye.

"Ace! Of course!" Yamato smiles waving Ace off leaving Wano.

"But...that was the last time I saw him." Yamato present days smiling sadly at Momo, Shinobu silently resting as the tears freely fall from Yamato at the sad reality of it all.

"I can't believe it…" Black Maria and her girls gawk gape at Sanji.

"I called for Robin Chan so untie me…" Sanji scowls.

"What!?" The teacher perks up at the crisp crack of necks but…Maria firmly focuses on Sanji smirking.

"I'm afraid I can't this is personal now. I'll make your body unable to live without me." Black Maria smirks sadistically, Sanji eyeing the battered beaten bloodied bodies behind him.

"I wanna love all the ladies!" Sanji cries.

"I forbid you to be unfaithful like that! I'll discipline you!" Maria goes to strike again.

"Wait! I don't wanna hurt any lady, so my Color of Arms has been softened!" Sanji cries just as the crisp cracks of necks continue until…

"Mil Fleurs! Gigantesco Mano! Spank!" A huge hand forms from nowhere slapping Maria making her cry out taken aback.

"Black Maria-sama!" Her girls call out to her. Black Maria tossed to the side scowling scarlet streaming down her cheek. She brushes it aside with her clenched fist glaring at Robin calmly approaching, her crips clicking heels echoing against the matting below, simply glaring.

"How did you get in here?!" Maria demands from Robin.

"I can sprout anywhere." Robin answers.

"How dare you hit my face..." Maria holds her cheek.

"You thought you could catch me easily if you just lured me?" Robin glares at Maria.

"Robin-chan!" Sanji sobs relieved.

"I was part of an evil organization for a long time. If you mess with my friends, I can't...stop myself...from showing my devilish side!" Robin brushes her ponytail back standing proudly.

"Oh, excuse me! I cut you up gathering the chill of the underworld!" Brook calmly cuts in freezing the web and breaking Sanji free.

"Brook!" Sanji falls freed.

"Ma'am, the tranquilizer gun unit has been taken down!"

"The spider thread traps…...are all frozen and broken, too!

"It seems like the spider thread and the chill of the underworld go well together! Ghosts!" Brook smirks swinging her cane about before freaking out at the sight of the girls.

"Look who's talking!" The girls glare at Brook.

"Thank you! You saved me..." Sanji thanks the two.

"No problem." Brook exclaims.

"I'm sorry, but I'm gonna go help Kin'emon and the others! I don't know why, but I see no chance of winning here!" Sanji admits as he takes off.

"No wonder." The two chorus comedically when…

"Wait, Black-Leg! You'll be my pet! I won't let you go!" Black maria goes to grab Sanji when…

"Is that it? That's your last words?" Robin turns back to Black Maria smirking, fierce flames of pink consuming her.

"You wanna die for that bastard who sells out his friend?" Black Maria scowls.

"No, Black Maria...You don't understand. Friends are wonderful. Sanji! Thank you for relying on me! It made me happy!" Robin turns to wink at Sanji. Sanji smiling slides into a nearby hall love struck.

"Oh, it's frozen there." Brook tries to warn but the boy bashes into the wall.

"Whoa-whoa-whoa! Thank you!" Sanji sets off.

"Hey Kaido you can kill as many as you want but don't kill Nico Robin…" Big Mom floats over on her cloud eyeing the fallen battered bloodied beaten figures that were the scabbards scattered all over.

"That member of the three eyed people you got can't ready the ancient script?" Kaido assumes glugging his sake.

"You mean Pudding? I don't know! I can't wait until her true awakening any more…" Big Mom admits to Kaido.

"Oh okay." Kaido agrees to it as they wait for Luffy and the rest.

"Otama, you knew Ace?" Nami gasps at the news.

"Yes, we were so close! I've been trying to become a kunoichi believing in Ace, but Big Bro Luffy insensitively said...Ace died. He said it to me out of the blue and it made me so sad." Tama admits to Nami.

"Oh, I'm sorry. That's what he's like. But Otama, Luffy's been through a lot of pain, too. When that happened...we couldn't do anything at that time, either... Luffy lost Ace right in front of his eyes!" Nami apologises as Usipp lies in her lap.

"WHAT!? B…Big bro Luffy is Ace's brother!" Tama says stunned.

"That's right you didn't know?" Nami says surprised.

"When I talked about Ace he cooly said…" Tama begins sniffling.

"Ace died…" Luffy's words echoing in her head.

"Big Bro you're a liar!" She sobs hitting his back but…

"Ace can't come back. Everyone knows about the paramount war." Luffy tells Tama tearing up.

"But…we made a promise. Ace will come back!" Tama sniffling clinging to Luffy's back thinking back to it all…

"Tama... We'll come back! After we become a greater pirate group!" Ace looks down at the sniffling child.

"Then, will you let me join your crew? I wanna go on an adventures with you! Ace! Let me join your crew!" Tama pleads to him.

"To be a pirate, you must be strong! When I come back, if you become a bewitching female ninja or something, I'll take you along!" Ace promises setting his hand on Tama's head ruffling her hair.

"Ace! Is it the "bewitching" thing required?!" One of Ace's crew call out.

"Ace! I got it! That's a promise, okay?!" Tama smiles up at him.

"We were very close...he said he'd come back...you don't know how nice he is! That's why you don't understand my pain!" Tama screams slamming her fists against Luffy's back.

"Stop hitting me...Although it doesn't hurt..." Luffy frowns.

"How could you say he died that casually?! You... dummy!" Tama yells still hitting his back tearful.

"I said bad things to Big Bro." Tama couldn't help but weep.

"If it bothered him he would've snapped at you. Don't worry!" Nami pets Tama's head.

"But…" Tama sniffles sadly.

"That's so him." Usopp smiles.

"What?" Tama turns to Usopp.

"Once in a place called Alabasta..." Usopp recites the tale to Tama.

"Don't you think you're being too soft hearted!?" Luffy glares at Vivi.

"And what's wrong with thinking that? What's wrong with not wanting people to die!?" Vivi glares at Luffy.

"People die." Luffy states the fact firmly to Vivi.

"He said that like it was nothing. But somebody told me that he…" Usopp closes his eyes recalling Jinbe's words…

"DISSAPEAR DISSAPEAR STOP IT!" Loudly, the scream echoes as Ann's eyes widen when seeing the destruction taking place as she soon follows the path of chaos towards…

"The war is over…Luffy." Ann looms over the boy beneath her feet.

"A-Ann…?" Astonished, Luffy looks up at her however he is met by her ice cold glare.

"Luffy Ace is…" Stone-faced, Ann approaches the sobbing wreck stoically staring down at him.

"Don't say it don't say another word! I've already…pinched my cheeks so hard it started to bleed if this was a dream I'd have woken up by now!" Angrily, Luffy screams shouts at her however she doesn't even bat an eye to it, ignoring the brief painful pang hitting her hard, pained to see him in such a manner…

"…" Silently, she stares down at the sobbing wreck.

"It's not a dream is it? Ace…died didn't he?" Hoarsely, he whimpers weakly crawling over to her side, grabbing hold of her legs, clinging to her on his knees, sobbing his heart out, scarlet seeping into his bandages.

"He's dead Luffy…Ace is gone." Ann softly sets her hand on his head; her eyes glassily gaze down at the boy as she delivers the news stoically staring down at the broken boy bellowing…

"Damn it all I'm so weak I can't protect anything! Damn it! Damn it! Damn it!" Wailing, Luffy cries to the high heavens as trees and boulders are shattered by his headbutts, him hurting himself as the two watch on…

"Luffy." Jinbe tries to call out to him.

"Go away! Just leave me alone!" Angrily, he screams punching a tree as it comes crashing down making Ann's eyes narrow at the boy before her.

"Luffy please…!" Pleadingly, she tries to reason with the boy but…

"SHUT UP! JUST SHUT UP! LEAVE ME ALONE!" Angrily, he wails at Ann.

"Luffy don't make me hurt you please I cannot let you hurt yourself any more than you already have!" Ann steps forward frowning.

"It's my own body! I can do what I want with it!" Stubbornly, said boy bellows.

"A body that thousands of pirate have sacrificed for you to be here! That Ace sacrificed for you to live!" She snaps sharply at him.

"DON'T SAY HIS NAME!" He roars reeling his fist at her however she easily avoids said hit simply raising a brow bored at the bloodied battered beaten bandaged boy.

"If so then Ace's body was his own too he was free to die regardless of what we wanted!" Jinbe joins in as Ann grabs the boy by the collar holding him up as he flails about attempting to hit her however she simply holds him up letting him have his tantrum.

"Be quiet! The next time you say something I'll beat the crap out of you too!" Luffy tries to threaten.

"Luffy!" Ann scowls at the boy.

"Where were you!? Ace was waiting for you! We were all waiting for you save him to save the day! He was waiting for you! He thought…he thought you'd save him!" Tearfully, Luffy blames Ann as she couldn't help but go silent by his words.

"Luffy!" Jinbe scowls at the boy but…

"…Luffy…" Ann begins but…no words could come as before she knew it…

"Why? Why weren't you there when he needed you the most!? Where were you!?" Luffy roars raising his voice screaming at Ann as she grimaces briefly by his words before being punched in the face flabbergasting both Luffy and Jinbe as she is thrown back hitting the back of a tall towering tree.

"Ann!" Jinbe cries out to the woman stunned she had let him hit her as the two stare stunned at Ann shakily standing, using the top of her hand brushing the stray scarlet streak stemming down the corner of her mouth from the side staining her cheek.

"If that will make you feel better…. than go ahead and beat me as much as it takes!" Ann roars startling stunning both men when hearing her words as she shakily stands, ready to take the hits.

"Luffy!" Jinbe calls out shocked to see the roaring raring boy rush at Ann angrily screaming shouting as Ann braces for the hits to come but instead…to her shock, surprise even when he falters, stopping, landing before her feet, his legs crumbling, the sharp sob stunning her snapping her out of her shell-shocked state.

"Luffy!" Anxiously, Ann catches the wounded boy concern clear in her tone when all she hears is his sharp sobs into her shoulder, pain plastered all over her furrowed features, her eyes shut holding him, helping him let the tears out for the broken boy.

"Big bro…I'm so sorry!" Tama cries out.

"Like I said don't worry." Nami assures as they continue on playing their part of the raid.

"That person is Roger's son!? And Luffy's older brother!? I didn't know Ann had a little brother let alone she was related to Luffy!" Momo says shocked by the revelation.

"Eh you know Ann?" Yamato says surprised.

"Ann is my bethroded!" Momo boasts proudly.

"EH!?" Yamato does a double take at the news.

"He's doing it again... My foolish son. But that's fine. I have free time now because of Red-Haired's and Hibiscus' interruption. I can deal with the brat's temper tantrum." Kaido growls sat upon his throne tiredly.

"You said you'd come back here!" Yamato seethes shakes watching the feeble piece of paper burn up right before the setting sun.

"It doesn't matter what he clings on to...He'll never be able to get off...this island." Kaido asserts as the heartbroken Yamato watches the paper burn crying out angrily hitting the chain with his club time and time again.

"I can't get off of this island! I can't beat my father! I can't go and save...my only friend! I'm...not free..." Yamato sobs staring down at his bloodied wrist.

"Why are you letting them chain your heart?!" Ace's angry voice rings in his head.

"I wanna…...live freely like Oden...ACE!" Yamato sobs staring down at Oden's travel book by his side.

"More than 20 years into the future, young, strong pirates who will lead the next era will come surging into the New World!" Oden's words ring

"But the toughest one will come out to the sea in a few years...It's my brother!" Ace promises just as Kaido and his people appear behind him.

"Go home, Yamato." Kaido calls out to him.

"I'll wait, too...For the thing Kozuki Oden was waiting for... Yamato stands ready to take her stand.

"Please come back, Young Master Yamato!" Kaido's men call out to him however…

"I'll wait for the next era...I'll wait forever! Luffy, I'll be waiting for you! Until you come here, I'll..." Yamato stands ready.

"If you don't get it, no matter how many times I tell you, I'll just keep knocking it into you, Yamato!" Kaido threatens readying his club.

"And I'll just keep beating it into you, too! I'm Oden! You damn old man!" Yamato rushes at her father striking him.

"On that day, I didn't know what was happening in the outer world, but I read all about it in the newspaper later. I learned that Ace was the son of Gol D. Roger, the King of the Pirates, the younger brother of Hibiscus the right hand of red haired and his brother was really making a name as a pirate! That's Luffy who you brought! Momonosuke-kun. I, of course, give this to you. This is what Oden wrote about the future… "More than 20 years into the future, young, strong pirates who will lead the next era will come surging into the New World. If I die...they're the ones who'll bring Kaido down!" Yamato explains as Law arrives before a certain Poneglyph before teleporting away leaving behind a lone bolt that Kid quickly attached to his arm as Luffy and co finally make it to the top…to fight Kaido.

"The One Piece...You guys can't even dream of being able to contend for it...do you wanna continue playing pirates?" Kaido asks Big Mom behind him.

"You're not good at educating people, Kaido...Let me do it!" Big Mom insists as Killer cackles.

"Yeah, I know, killer...I know how you feel... I've gathered all these things! Take them, you damn Emperors!" Kid smiles swiftly striking the yonko's or attempting to when…a familiar room appears, Law and Zoro arriving.

"One after another!" Kid complains.

"So loose...You Straw Hats are all like that?" Killer asks.

"This isn't my fault!" Zoro growls glaring.

"I don't see the loosest one...where's Straw Hat-ya?" Law wonders perched upon a rock as Luffy makes his way up the stairs.

"Now more of them are here. They're the Worst Generation, aren't they?" Big Mom

"They'll scatter like dust in the wind... You guys aren't strong enough to reopen this old scar! Withdraw gracefully, damn rookies! Like the Akazaya members did..." Kaido advises as the sun behind them burns from Big Mom but…Luff finally makes it to the top holding his hat, the sun blazing before him behind the yonko's towering over them.

"More than 20 years into the future, young, strong pirates who will lead the next era will come surging into the New World. If I die...they're the ones who'll bring Kaido down…"

Oden's words ring in Momo's head holding the log book as above Luffy alongside the members of the worst generation stand before Big Mom and Kaido.

"Another one came...Why don't you guys watch how it's done?!" Kid taunts smirking at them.

"I refuse!" Law declines.

"Me, too!" Luffy agrees.

"I wanna take all of their heads!" Big Mom grins giddily at them.

"Straw Hat..." Kaido calls out to the boy eyes widening before bowing his head.

"…!" Luffy makes his way over as Zoro places his hand to his blade but stops, eyes expanding sensing something as Luffy calmly approaches both emperors.

"Linlin! What do you think that brat said he was gonna be right in front of me?!" Kaido calls out to his ally.

"He's impertinent...you gave me some mouth, too! And how could you destroy my castle?! Apologize to me first, Straw Hat!" Big mom challenges cross before gawking at the sheer nerve of the boy brushing past them both, not even batting an eye to them.

"Hey, you punk...say again what you're gonna be...right in front of our faces!" Kaido challenges the man walking pas them approaching familiar feet. The scabbards smiling behind Kin.

"I am counting on you guys! Luffy-dono! Thank you!" Kin offers his hand out to Luffy smiling as Luffy now stares at the bloodied, beaten, bruised bodies of the samurai below.

"Are you okay, Kin'emon? I'm sorry...for being late." Luffy asks the man barely breathing kneeling down.

"I... I feel chagrined... I-I am...too ashamed to face Oden-sama in the afterlife!" Kin cries scarlet spewing out of his mouth crimson currents continue until…

"Kin..." Luffy calls out but stops when…

"Can you carry...the Land of Wano on your back?! Plea-" Pleadingly, Kin requests clutching Luffy's side.

"You fool! Of course I will! It's my friend's country!" Luffy holds Kin.

"Hey, brat!" Kaido cross calls out but…

"Luffy-dono...Thank you..." Kin goes limp in Luffy's arms as Kaid raises his club to end them right there and then when…

"Tra-guy! Move all of them downstairs!" Luffy calls out as Kaido slams his club down, Law doing just that as the finally battle begins…

"The gap between forces is much smaller now...If the Gifters rampage more, there'll be more white playing pieces." Joseph reports as Sakura silently sits on a mat behind Masu, quietly strumming her sitar. Setting his piece down.

"I don't care which side will win, but we have to make sure to confirm that guy's death..." Mahu huffs

"Is it really him?" Joseph wonders.

"It seems so." Masu answers.

"Either way, the information that he stole is now old. It poses no throat to the Government." Joseph exclaims.

"No, it's not good to have the precedent...that you can escape from the organization and still live." Mahu agues.

"Well, only if he can survive..." Joseph tosses his pieces up in the air.

"He's fighting against...the mighty Jimbei." Giacommo looks up, wondering how the battle would turn out…

"Hey, you brat! Do you have any idea how influential the King of the Pirates is?!" Big Mom glares down at Luffy oblivious to the taken aback Kaido.

"What happened to him after he took a pounding from me in Kuri? This little punk didn't even catch my attention...at that time! I only know a few people who are capable of fighting me. Are you suggesting you're as good as those guys?" Kaido couldn't help but seethe seeing standing behind Luffy, Roger, Ann, Shanks, Whitebeard, Oden, Rocks, all seven of them smiling with two stone faced figures behind Luffy, Shanks facing the right and Hibiscus facing the left, their faces shadowed as Kaido glares at Straw hat.

"Straw Hat! Are you suggesting you're capable of fighting a deadly battle against me? You're still a fledging punk! You think you're that great?! Straw Hat!" Kaido roars scarlet seeping out of his nose and mouth, snarling scowling at Luffy who simply smiles as the battle between Luffy and Kaido begins…

"I had heard a rumour that a member of CP9 escaped from impel down. It's strange that you were imprisoned." Jinbei eyes Who's who.

"How could you remember such an incident? When I was in CP9...You were one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea at that time! We both have totally different positions now. I'm happy with who I am now...but I went through a lot. Because of one single screw-up years ago... I was told that I was as promising as the brilliant Rob Lucci!" Who Who transforms before Jinbei.

"I think that has nothing to do with me..." Jinbei asserts.

"Shut up! Just listen! Fang pistol!" He releases said fang pistol that Jinbei dodges.

"I've never seen the Six Powers like that... I feel pity for you, but again, that has nothing to do with me." Jinbei observes.

"That's not really true! Didn't you proudly say...you're a member of the Straw Hats?" Who Who asks.

"Yes, I am the helmsman of the Straw Hats!" Jinbe admits.

"Straw Hat…That name reminds me of my bitter past. 13 years ago, a Devil Fruit that was being transported on a Government ship was stolen. And two years ago, when Straw Hat Luffy rose to prominence, I was shocked...Because that stolen Gum-Gum Fruit...was eaten by him!" Who Who reveals surprising Jinbei as Who Who couldn't help but think of Luffy, of a certain red haired pirate and Hibiscus all of it surrounding a certain Gum-Gum fruit.

"You're a former CP agent...why did you become a pirate?" Jinbei demands from the man.

"Are you insinuating I've fallen? So have you. You won fame as a warlord of the Sea at that time, but now you're working under a brat like that." Who Who reminds Jinbei.

"So you're holding a grudge against Luffy? Because you failed to guard the Gum-Gum Fruit years ago, and were imprisoned..." Jinbei frowns.

"To be exact, I'm holding a grudge against the one who stole the Gum-Gum Fruit from us, which is Hibiscus and "Red-Haired" Shanks!" Who Who curses cross.

"...Ann!" Internally, Jinbei perks up at the names.

"Those assholes screwed up my life!" Who Who snarls baring his fierce feral fangs to Jinbei at the miserable memory…

"We're having a storm already…" The young Who's Who looks out the window of the ship spotting the roaring raging storm outside, practically rocking their ship ack and forth.

"What bad luck." Another suited man agrees as just then a canon ball strikes said ship taking them all aback.

"What's the matter?" The young Who's Who demands from some meek marines.

"There's a suspicious ship behind ours!" The marines meekly point towards the approaching ship.

"That's Red-Haired's ship!" Who Who recognises stunned.

"CP9 agents are onboard what a pain…" Benn tuts tiredly looking through his telescope at the sight, the water

"I'll handle them." Ann comes out from the door determined, all eyes turning to the woman simply scowling staring ahead, armed and ready.

"You sure it's here?" Shanks couldn't help but eye Ann.

"Yeah…I am." Ann asserts staring straight at Shanks, no words needing to be shed between both of them, Shanks simply smirking at the stone-faced Ann.

"Then who cares?! Let's go!" Shanks grins leading the charge.

"Shoot! Keep Red Haired away!" Who Who commands as canons keep hitting the marine ship.

"Damn what are they doing!? What do they want!? There's no treasure on this ship! There's only a devil fruit!? What's so important it's just a fruit that tuns you into rubber!?" Who Who couldn't help but wonder when…a shadow soon lands before the marines.

"V-Vice A-Admiral Ann…!?" Amazed, a marine lowers their gun.

"Its really you!" Another beams brightly oblivious to the stone cold expression of Ann, scaring Who's Who's at the sheer intensity of said stare.

"You're al-" The marines oblivious smile at her however…

"Sorry." Softly, she bows her head to the marines, slowly drawing out her blade.

"V-Vice a-" The marine meekly begins before gasping as the rest of those on board soon pause out from the singular wave of haki, Ann's eye twitching as they all pass out…

"Hibiscus…!" Who Who grimaces grunts glaring at the woman calmly cooly coldly approaching. The crisp click of her heels echo against the wooden floorboards below as she saunters over. He tries to stand shaking as the woman's ice-cold sherry stare at the young Who's Who's shaking scared stunned to see such sherry reds look so cold yet hide such fierce flames within.

"It would be best for you to stay down." Softly, she advises astonishing Who Who's who grunts grimaces trying to stand with all his might but before he knew it, he had bowed before the woman, watching on with the last few moments of conscious, he hears his comrades cry out, blood pooling beneath the crisp click heels of Hibiscus, the boat ripe for the taking…

"The straw hat that he was wearing at that time, and the Gum-Gum Fruit were inherited by that kid, so of course, he became my target!" Who Who blames brow furrowed at Jinbei.

"You got the wrong sow by the ear." Jinbei tells Who Who after deflecting another of his attacks, frowning from the crimson current descending down his haki infused fist.

"After what happened 13 years ago, I got locked up and went through hell. Meanwhile, he ate the Gum-Gum Fruit and was making a name for himself. And he came to the Land of Wano so nonchalantly. How could I not bother him?! But he was just an overconfident brat. He was defeated by Kaido-san easily!" Who Who fumes.

"Luffy will return. I know he will!" Jinbei dictates determined.

"He fought against Kaido-san. There's no way he'll return!" Who Who snaps as the battle continues between both of them.

"Luffy is alive!" Jinbei dictates determined.

"If that's true, I'll just kill him. After I kill you!" Who Who snarls.

"If you're gonna mess with our captain, I've got to take you down right here! That's...my duty!" Jinbei declares.

"Why is a man of your stature so devoted to him?" Who Who wonders.

"Hibiscus…" Jinbei approaches the woman quietly leaning over the railing of the Kuja ship seemingly smiling softly staring out at the open sea.

"Hm?" Hibiscus turns to him.

"Are you sure it wise? Going back there…" Jinbe couldn't help but worry for her.

"…I can't keep running Jinbei." Hibiscus sighs softly sadly at him.

"But going back there so soon…" Jinbei couldn't help but stress.

"If Luffy can then so can I. Besides its only right we pay our respects don't you think…?" Ann smiles at him.

"Hibiscus…." Jinbe couldn't help but stare at the woman who simply smiles turning back to the open ocean.

"Luffy…will be the next king of pirates…but to do that he'll need help. I hope you can look out for him for me when I can't, can you do that Jinbe?" Ann asks of Jinbe.

"That…how can you throw such a task at me all of a sudden?" Jinbe frowns at Ann.

"Cause I know you. I know you can do it. Ace does too." Ann simply smiles turning back to the sea.

"Hibiscus…" Jinbei's brow furrows at Ann.

"It's time to show the world who the princess of the pirate king has betted on for the next generation, don't you think?" Ann couldn't help her soft smile towards Jinbe, his eyes widening almost awestruck by her words while they head back to Marineford…

"You'll never understand!" Jinbei scowls.

"Hey, Jinbei. Join...my crew!" Sleepily, Luffy tells Jinbe as the two share blood.

"I'll fight. As the helmsman of the Straw Hats!" Jinbe proclaims proudly to Who Whos.

"Looks like I overestimated you. Fang pistol! Even with your Color of Arms, you can't block them? That was a good decision. They can chew up ordinary Color of Arms. I didn't know you could move so fast on land, Jinbei. Even though you're a Fish-Man." Who Who taunts releasing a wave of jaws at Jinbe calmly dodging them.

"My goodness... Nowadays, it's out of style to discriminate against the Fish-Men." Jinbe remarks.

"Don't get so mad. Let's talk peacefully. I wanna ask you something." Who Who laughs buffing up before Jinbe ready to pounce.

"Unfortunately, I'm not willing to have small talk with you!" Jinbe refuses.

"What if I chew up some of your limbs? Will you answer me honestly then? Iron Body! Prepare yourself, Jimbei! Fang Flash!" Who Who lunges at Jinbe baring his feral fangs as he pounces.

"Fish-Man Jiu-Jitsu! Low Tide...Shoulder Throw! Water shot!" Jinbe however blocks it with his arm releasing waves after waves of aftershock as he is pushed back beofre throwing Who Whos over his shoulder into a nearby piece of rock, crimson coming out of his mouth before throwing droplets of water.

"Shave!" Who Who dodges but the tall tower behind him falls from some droplets.

"Ouch...Gee... You're merciless... Hey, you...Listen to me for a minute...When I was behind bars, I heard this story. As I received severe punishment, I was mockingly told to pray for salvation. To the "Sun God" Nika! He is a legendary warrior of ancient times who slaves believed...would free them one day. I don't know if he really existed. A warrior who would make you laugh and put you out of your misery. Imprisonment felt like forever, so I hung on to this strange legend. Thinking "I don't care who it is. Just help me!" Who Who heaves holding onto a nearby pillar for support.

"What does that have to do with me?" Jinbe scowls.

"I heard that the Sun Pirates you once led had members...who used to be slaves! The history of the Fish-Men is a history of slavery, right?! You know something, don't you? Tell me, Jimbei! The guard who told me about Nika...was later executed! I thought I was in danger too, so I broke out risking my life and I'm here now! Is it dangerous just to know? I can't help but be curious. Tell me what you know!" Who Who insists eyeing Jinbe's tattoed chest, before stirking at DJ blcking each and every hit from his flurry of hits and kicks.

"Finger pistol! There, there, there, there! You know a lot about slaves, don't you?! Because you're a Fish-Man! Tell me, Jimbei!" Who who manages to stab the shoulder of Jinbe, crimson currents come gushing out as do more while Jinbe simply braces enduring each and every finger pistol until…

"Fish-Man Karate! Shark Grip! I have nothing to tell you!" Enraged, Jinbe snarls snatching the finger pistols of both hands, twisting the hands of Who's Who's out of their sockets. Who who cries out but…

"Why did you get so pissed all of a sudden?! Let me hollow you out! Fang pistol!" Who Who's goes for another close attack but Jinbei deflects it with ease.

"What's going on?!" Who Who questions.

"Fish-Man Karate Secret Art!" Jinbe slams his heel onto Who who's tail.

"Damn! Hey, my tail!" Who Who cries out.

"Demon Brick Fist! You bastard! If you wanna nose into history, you better be prepared for what you're stepping into!" Jinbe snarls as with his firm fist he destroys Who's Who.

"You squirts! I've sunk hundreds of punks like you into the sea... We've reigned for decades! You brat... Know your place...!" Big Mom snarls Napolean in hand, her hair combusting into fierce flames after being thrown down for both kid and Law to deal with while Luffy handles Kaido.

"You crazy old bag!" Kid snarls as Hera goes to strike.

"Destroy those punks!" Momo commands Hera however soon notes the tall building hovering above.

"Takt!" Law slams his finger down taking the building with it as it slams into Big Mom throwing her to the ground, she pushes aside the rubble pinned to the floor when…

"K-Room... Anesthesia!" Law coats his blade in blue before stretching it out stabbing it into Big Mom.

"What's that?!" Yamato gawks gapes at the huge sword in the lower levels of the island.

"Puncture..." Heaving, Law wheezes out, crimson currents descending down the side of his head.

"What?! Stop it!" Mom tries to get Law off but…

"Wille!" Law clings on zapping Big Mom making her scream as the blade stabs from the floating island into the land of Wano below, breaking into the molten magma of Wano.

"Do it, Eustass-ya!" Law calls out gritting his teeth tense.

"Damned Punk!" Kid uses his ultimate move blasting Big Mom.

"The era that you guys reigned over..." Law's grip tightens tenses around his blade, everything finally clicking for Law his purpose of the alliance, her reason for him helping straw hat had finally clocked in for him.

"...has ended!" He roars as Law teleports out of the way making sure to watch till the end as Kid blasts her.

"Sink Old bag! You luck has run out!" Kid hollers watching her scream from the pain from it all.

"Mama!" Hera screams from the side however…she simply smiles.

"This is quite impressive…hey brats! I guess you really, really like me! You must be getting to the end of your rope now! You thought you drove me into a corner, but you couldn't finish me you can't defeat me." Big Mom cackles despite her position perturbing most.

"Why?! Why hasn't she gone down yet?!"

"Even all those attacks can't bring her down?!"

"Boss!"

"No way!"

"Both guys on our side have reached their limits!"

"I won't let any of you walk away alive! Choose...what you want to happen to yourself...the moment I repel this attack! Either you forfeit 50 years of your lifespan...or stay alive and become my slave! Life...or...slave!" Big Mom orders as souls soon shoot out of those terrified nearby.

"That's the Soul Pocus!" Someone recognises.

"Don't freak out! Don't be scared! If you don't, your lifespans won't be taken away!" Another adds as everyone's soul soon comes out of them all except two…Law and Kid stand firm while the others…

"Boss, let's get out of here!"

"Hurry! She'll take our lifespans, too!"

"No, no, no!"

"Oh, no!"

"Damn! Don't!"

"Don't! I don't wanna die!"

"A dying creature shouldn't be that powerful!"

"I'm scared!"

Some scream, some try to pull their force back in while others simply fall accepting their fate sobbing.

"Captain, run far away!" One of Law's men call out to the man calmly approaching Big Mom.

"You guys should run." Law tells his crew taking them aback.

"Cut the crap! Forfeiting my lifespan? Becoming your slave? Stop joking. How could I get freaked out by the incantations of a half-dead old bag!" Kid sneers snippily continuing the blast from his formed weapon.

"Not even a second of their lifespan has been taken away! Don't they feel even the slightest fear of an Emperor of the Sea?!" Someone nearby wonders amazed gawking gaping at Law and Kid both.

"Re-Room. I bet your dying scream will ring unpleasantly in my ears. In that case... Calm." Law releases a new room of sorts, enveloping him and Big Mom, surprisingly silencing Big Mom taking those outside the room aback, their lifeforce returning back to them as Law couldn't help but think of another…

"Calm. Hey, Law. I love you!"

Cora smiles at the younger Law putting him in the treasure chest. Law himself couldn't help but smile as he was put in that chest.

"This is what the guy who saved me would do." Law reasons.

"You're such a poor loser, emperor. Let me help you...get to hell!" Kid hollers.

"Silence! This room cancels all the noise you make. I can't hear you…" Law tells her as the two deal with Big Mom, Law striking Hera down and Kid dealing with the definite blow to Big Mom, blasting her down into the lower levels of the building.

"Prometheus! Hera! What are you doing? Come help me! Nothing I touch makes a sound! What have you done to me, Trafalgar?! I was this close to becoming the King of the Pirates... Those shitty squirts! Dammit! When you think about it...Hey, Roger. Why did you say that? Internally, Big Mom couldn't help but wonder while plummeting towards Wano from the high heavens.

"Hey king of pirates! Where did you hide all the treasure you found?! That great treasure! The one piece!" Desperately, a voice calls out to the man now at death's door however said merry man simply smiles laughing straightening his back as he looks up at the soaring sky smiling before returning his focus to the crowd.

"My treasure? If you want it, you can have it! Find it! I left everything this world has to offer there!" Smiling, he tells the people before being cut down as the pirate king, Gold D Roger had finally been cut down.

The whole world bought it. Great Pirate Era? Roger. It didn't affect you since you were about to die! But so many brats have stepped up across the world... And we're the ones who're obliged to deal with those annoying punks!

Big Mom couldn't help but think pained, hurt almost as Brook and Robin rush through the fierce flames, Law and Kid collapse heaving huffing on the floor. Law takes out a small, busted snail…where on the other end of the snail is a smiling Hibiscus happily enjoying her pipe, pleasantly reading the paper.

"Are you listening Roger? You should've told us before you died! The one piece…is it real? What is it? Where is it? It could be found in this country too couldn't it?"

Big Mon looks out towards the glower people of the people celebrating having no clue of the chaos above. A part of her thinking back to her time with mother Caramel, with her wailing at the wedding with her happily eager for some red bean soup, clashing with Kaido…

"It's frustrating! Kid! Law! I won't forgive them! Damn! You better not think…not think…that this is enough to kill me!

Big Mom plummets into the molten magma below, hearing Roger's bellowing laughter following her…

"No way you…you got beheaded by Kaido!" A solider soon gasps amongst the flames from the sheer sight of Orochi alive and well taking them all aback as they are consumed by the flames as Orochi traps them inside cackling.

"I'll make him pay for it I'm gonna burn it all up I'll turn this place into a ball of flames!" Orochi swears snickering smiling leaving the soldiers to their fate as just then he hears the soft sound of music.

"Is that a shamisen…that's absurd we're in a war zone who would play one here? Curiosity getting the best of Orochi he goes to peer into the room next door.

"Wha…Komurasaki!?" Orochi's eyes expand at the familiar figure playing quietly, rushing inside.

"God am I dreaming or did I pass to the other side!?" Orochi couldn't help but wonder.

"…" Komurasaki simply plays.

"I've yearned for you every night since what happened! I couldn't get yot out of my head!" Orochi couldn't help but sob, smiling at the sight of her.

"Likewise my lord all I want…is for us to spend the rest of our lives together!" Komorowski smiles.

"If this is a dream, I don't want to wake up!" The tears freely fall from Orochi happy to be back in her arms.

"My lord is something troubling you?" Komorowski asks him.

"Oh not really hey Komorowski play me that song the one I like, the moonlight one. The man of ice and the woman of fire it reminds me of us." Orochi lays his head on her lap.

"Moonlight? Of course my lord." Happily, Komurasaki complies, adorning her kitsune mask.

"I am waiting for you...Momonosuke... I am waiting for your order. I am here to... ...fight alongside you!"

Zunesha's words echo in Momo's head in his dragon form trying to keep Omigashima from falling on top of the flower capital with his own rendition of air clouds.

"I had a little talk with Zunesha a while ago." Momo admits to Yamato on top of him.

"That's awesome, Momonosuke-kun. So you can talk to the elephant. Just as Oden predicted. You're the one who'll lead the world to a new dawn!" Yamato happily praises the young boy trying to keep his people safe as the battle rages on.

"But we do not know the most important part. By reading Father's journal, I understand that I have to live no matter what. But he...tore off the most important page himself! Laugh Tale... The Final Island! What did Roger, Father, and the others see there that made them laugh?! I do not understand the purpose of this task! Father was not a prophet! If he were here now, would he say "Open the borders" like he did before?! I do not consider myself wise, so if it puts the people of the Land of Wano in danger, I do not want to open the borders! Am I a coward?!" Momo couldn't help but worry while flying in his dragon form, trying to keep his people safe.

"Damn! Damn! Damn! How long is he gonna make me wait?! Oh! Komurasaki, don't worry! We can get out of here soon! Fukurokuju! That piece-of-shot ninja! What's taking him so long?! He didn't run away alone, did he?! Ninja have no freedom! They should live alongside their lord and die alone! Did Kanjuro cause that shake earlier? I hope that was the end of it." Orochi thinks to himself fretful pacing back and forth from the tremor.

"H-Hey! Komurasaki! Why are you playing shamisen at a time like this?! That's enough! Stop playing! We're in a life-or-death situation, but you even dressed up in a mask! You've been wearing it this whole time...Take off that mask!" Mad, Orochi turns his anger to Komoroski however…

"…" She silently plays her song scaring Orochi.

"Are you...really...Komurasaki? I thought you had died. Are you a ghost?!" Orochi couldn't help but freak out taking a few shaky steps back away when met by her still silence, simply playing her song for him just as the rubble above freely falls frighting the man as the last thing he sees is darkness…

"I can hear the Drums of Liberation. I'm hearing them for the first time in years...The Drums of Liberation! I'm positive! He is here! Joyboy...has returned!"

Zunesha gasps as something seemingly bounces within the limp lifeless form of Luffy, his hair smoky white with clouds of sorts above as Kaido prepares his final attack. Luffy's body bounces back and forth, spark spews all around as Luffy seemingly smiles…

"What happened...to me? How come I can still stand up? I lost the battle... But this is getting fun!" Luff bounce alive astonished as he looks up towards the moon, his body swaying jerking from side to side dancing about almost as he staggers sways smiling to the beat within. The spark sparks surrounding him reach up to the sky dispersing the thunder clouds allowing the low ethereal light of the moon to shine.

"Joyboy?!" Momo gasps.

"Luffy is?! Is that what Zunesha said?!" Yamato exclaims just as surprised as Momo.

"This is getting fun!" Luffy laughs, a wave of white energy surrounding him and the field as he laughs, the earth breaking beneath his feet.

"You're awake Pirate man!" The woman by Sanji's bandaged side gasps when Sanji jerks forward but…

"Luffy?!" Surprised, Sanji simply looks up towards the hole Kaido had formed.

"What? Is that the straw hat man?" Hyogoro smiles.

"Straw Hat?! Hey! He's still alive- yoi !" Marco tells the tearful Tama and Nami.

"Luffy's not dead?" Nami sniffles.

"Big Bro's still alive?!" Tama sniffles.

The two share a look.

"That's great!" They chorus hugging one another relieved.

"Chief!" A group of men with Rockstar rush into the room of the man calmly reading a paper perplexed.

"What?" He turns to Rockstar.

"It's…it's officer Hibiscus she…!" Shaking, Rockstar begins…

"She…" Another anxious voice begins…

"She…" Another fretful figure begins…

"She?" Shanks raises a befuddled brow before hearing crazed cackled laugher surprising Shanks.

"Dancing!" Everyone exclaims taking all of those aboard aback all except one…

"Ann?" Astonished, Shanks stands brow furrowed leading the way, the group following after her.

"HAHAHAHA!" Shanks stares stunned at the cackling crazed Ann as she dances with the baffled Benn dumbstruck having no clue what to to do.

"She's gone crazy!" One of the red haired pirates cry out.

"She's mad!" Another fearful figure whimpers.

"Benn? What's going on?" Shanks calls out.

"I don't know she suddenly started laughing then crying…!" Benn admits alarmed as he seemingly spins by the smiling Ann.

"Finally…it's finally here…!" Happily, Ann smiles spinning about the place leading the dance.

"Ann…?" Shanks blinks befuddled at Ann concern clear in his tentative tone towards the manic woman.

"It's here Shanks he's done it he's finally done it!" Ann lets Benn go to then spin Shanks smiling while Benn leans on the railing groaning.

"…you hear it then…!?" Shanks says stunned as Ann stops turning to beam brightly at him, grinning from ear to ear.

"I feel it Shanks I…I…after all these years father your dream can finally come to fruition! Everything those marine bastards have done…Ace…Father…Mother…I hope you're laughing, I hope you're watching I hope you all can all finally watch on from the other side as this pathetic system that held us down, that chained us, that hunted us falls! HAHAHAA!" Unable to stop the tears, the crazed cackle erupts from Ann, tears freely falling from her heckling haughty form, releasing Shanks to hold herself smiling from ear to ear, sliding her hand over her face, her tone breaking by the thought of it all coming together.

"Has officer Hibiscus lost her mind?" One of the crew mates couldn't help but question.

"S-Scary…" A fair few of the men murmur shakily scared.

"Super scary!" They all chorus terrified.

"Luffy really did it then." Shanks couldn't help but smile at Ann, bringing her back to his side smiling.

"He did I knew…I just knew it Shanks that alliance with Law, pushing him to beat Doffy, to beat Kaido setting up all those plans…beating all those people it's all finally come to fruition! Finally! HAHAHAHAHA!" Ann happily spins Shanks, Shanks smiles back before she steps away to twirl about amazed unfazed by all eyes on her form.

"Chief what should we do?" One of the men call out lost. They couldn't knock her out, no one could…except for their chief.

"…We drink!" Ann answers astonishing the crew.

"Eeeeeh!?" The confused crew holler taken aback to hear such a declaration from her they turn to Shanks.

"You heard the lady get the booze! It's time to celebrate!" Shanks smiles.

"Hahaha it's time to celebrate boys!" Animatedly, Ann proclaims proudly to the whole of the red-haired pirates taking them all aback.

"EH!? WHO ARE YOU AND WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO OUR CHIEF!?"

"SOMETHING IS DEFINETLY WRONG WITH ANN SAMA!"

"FOR COMMANDER ANN TO SAY SOMETHING LIKE THIS!?"

"IS IT AN ENEMY'S DEVIL FRUIT!"

"WHO ARE YOU AND WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO OUR COMMANDER!?"

The perturbed people of the ship scream scared while the red-haired commanders cackle eagerly taking out the crates of boozes as Ann and Shanks smile merrily dancing with one another as they all celebrate.

"Sacrificing one of our best agents...only to enrage Kaido is like putting the cart before the horse." Warcury couldn't help but compare clenching the wanted poster of Luffy below. The rest f the Gorosei sit around the table.

"But what if it's better than the alternative? It's better to eliminate a risk factor." Saturn disputes.

"The World Government...has always tried to get a hold of the Gum-Gum Fruit, but it never came into our hands. For 800 years!" Nusjuro comments.

"It's as if...the fruit is evading us..." Mars hums.

"That's not entirely implausible." Warcury concedes.

"Zoan Type Devil Fruits have a will of their own." Peters points out.

"Furthermore, that Devil Fruit bears the name of a god. Another name for the Gum-Gum Fruit is..." Warcury frowns.

"The Zoan, Human-Human Fruit, Mythical Type, Model..."Nika." They say that his body had the exact properties of rubber. He fought as he fancied, and made people smile. The Warrior of Liberation. Also known as...Nika, the Sun God! Awakening it is said to give its user's rubber body even more strength...and freedom. I heard that it's the most ridiculous power...in the world." Peters recounts as Luffy dances about before the moon posing proudly before it. Elsewhere on a certain ship, the people abroad cheer, clap watching Hibiscus smile, dancing for the crowd with Shanks, the two doing a similar dance before Shanks sneakily dips the grinning Hibiscus happily leaning back, beaming by the drums of liberation…

"I can do everything I wanted to do! I think I can fight a little bit more! My heartbeat sounds funny! This is my peak! This is it! Gear Five!" Luffy decides for himself happily dancing about the rubber field once jagged rocks now nothing more than marshmallows for the man to bounce upon.

"Hey, what's wrong?!" Kaido about to end the whole raid after dealing with Luffy takes note of his men collapsing.

"Someone's Color of the Supreme King?!" One of those who surprisingly stands says beofre being knocked out.

"Where is it coming from?!" Another fretful voice wonders.

"What's that on the roof?" Kaido looks up in his dragon form swearing he could see a huge rubber fist when…a hand suddenly breaks through snatching Kaido.

"What?! Kaido-san?!" His men call out shocked when the dragon is dragged back up to the roof, his head struggling to get through on the way back, but Luffy manages to get his head through.

"Straw Hat?!" Law says shocked.

"Is that Luffy?!" Chopper too.

"Muscle! Muscle! Muscle! Here we go! Blast Breath!" Luffy tosses Kaido back on the roof as he makes his body buff before striking at Kaido, stars swirling in his eyes.

"Straw Hat...You're alive! Thank you." Kaido says relived before preparing his blast however Luffy simply laughs.

"What?" Luff begins freaking out cartoonishly spinning slamming his eyes expanding out of their sockets back inside. Luffy throws the blast back baffling Kaido. Luffy laughs covering his face as the singed Kaido coughs coal.

"I'm sorry for what the idiot did earlier." Kaido tells the laughing boy, brow furrowed from the murky memory of it all.

"Over..." Luffy goes to strike…

"Thunder Bellow..." Kaido too when…

"Iron Body!" A man in white strikes Luffy.

"What?! CP-0?! Why is he here?! Kaido wonders before delivering the finishing blow to Luffy anguished, disappointed by the crimson currents coming out of his mouth.

"I didn't want to win like that." Kaido admits recalling him swiftly ending the agent after that.

"No problem. Let's settle this!" Luffy decides smiling as the battle between both of them starts again…once more, the two of them ready to finish things.

"I... I can't move...I can't get out!" Orochi struggling manages to poke his head out of the ruined rubble from the ceiling above as he notes the woman across still playing.

"You were too upset...so you didn't even notice." Komurasaki answers as she continues to play.

"Hey, Komurasaki! Why are you just watching?! Get the rubble off of me already! Damn! Why can't I transform?" Orochi curses cross.

"In order to...prevent you from transforming, a Sea Prism Stone nail was stuck in you...by me-arinsu..." Komurasaki admits.

"Why?! What are you talking about?! I thought that you loved me!" Orochi frowns flabbergasted.

"Love? That is funny. I bear no love towards you." She admits to him.

"What?" Orochi gasps at her words.

"By a curious coincidence, the piece you like..."Moonlight"..." Komurasaki closes her eyes beneath her mask still playing remembering it well.

"You've gotten better, Hiyori. I like that song!" Smiling, Oden tells her.

"Really?! It's called "Moon Princess"! Mama told me it's based on the story of the moon goodness!" Hiyori happily tells her mother.

"Oh?" Oden smiles intrigued.

"In the past there were ten suns in the sky making it hard for things to grow. One day a legendary archer shot down nine of them, leaving just one Sun, and was rewarded with two portions of the elixir of immortality. As he did not want to gain immortality without his beloved wife, the archer waited to consume the elixir and left it with his wife." Hiyori begins the tale to her father.

"Really?" Oden beams brightly by the news.

"Yeah however, while the hunter went out hunting, someone broke into his house and tried to force the archer's to give him the elixir, so Chang'e took both portions herself rather than giving them up to the intruder. Then, Chang'e flew upward past the heavens, choosing the Moon to be her immortal residence as she loved her husband and wished to live near him…When the hunter discovered what transpired, he felt responsible for his wife, so he displayed the fruits and cakes that his wife had enjoyed every day to show his love for her while waiting for her return." The young Hiyori explains to her father.

"Is that so?" Oden smiles sat on his side.

"Yeah mom even said he became the stars when he died so the two were reunited!" Hiyori adds amazed.

"…I think I heard differently." Oden furrows his brow befuddled.

"…Eh?" Hiyori asks innocently.

"I heard he placed those fruits and snacks she liked on the shrine dedicated to her then killed himself." Oden admits.

"…" Hiyori's eyes expand at his words, tears beginning to form in her eyes.

"He felt responsible for her actions I guess or just missed her so much he couldn't live without her so he killed himself. Say play it at my funeral won't you?" Oden requests but…

"WAAAAHHH!" Hiyori bursts into tears.

"Hey Momo don't make your sister cry!" Oden later tells Momo in the tub with the frowning Momo and sobbing Hiyori in the tub, Toki is in the back getting ready to join them.

"You made her cry!" Momo blames his father.

"Huh? What I said earlier? I'm sorry I was just kidding." Oden apologises to her.

"…!" Momo perks up hopeful at the thought.

"I'm sure the hunter didn't kill himself and the moon princess was happily reunited with her lover in the end." Oden promises Momo.

"Really!?" Hiyori beams brightly by the thought.

"And I'm not gonna die." Oden promises making Hiyori happily hug her father, relieved to hear his words while present day Hiyori plays the piece beneath her mask, tears freely fall.

"...is the piece...that my father Kozuki Oden loved. Every time I play it... I remember my father's face..." She admits to the horrified Orochi.

"Father"?!" Orochi says stunned snot shooting out.

"How could...I...smile...in front of you?!" Enraged, Hiyori demands from the terrified man.

"The song Kozuki Oden loved?! Komurasaki! H-Hiyori! I really liked Oden, too! Think twice! I was exploited by Kaido! Let's escape together. So pull the nail out of me..." Orochi pleads begs before the woman calmly playing but…

"…" Is met by the still silence of her song.

"You've been repaying...the samurai's kindness with hostility..." She says sternly.

"I conceived of the idea of changing his sentence from boiling to shooting a minute ago! And we'll execute not only Oden...but also all his family members!" The younger Orochi decides cackling crazed.

"Who do you think will listen to you now? My father...kept his promise to you, didn't he? He believed that you and Kaido…would free the Land of Wano, so he spent five years...playing the fool and dancing! He didn't even make a single excuse to his family! My father kept his promise! He believed that you'd keep your word and set everyone free, so he withstood the one-hour boiling! Being cooked by the heating oil! He always, always had a smile on his face...but the whole nation was taken hostage, and he was carrying the burden all by himself. I wonder how painful it must've been!" Hiyori calmly coldly explains to Orochi continuing to play her music, a lone tear freely falling from beneath her mask, recalling him dancing in the rain, the snow, the wind dancing as the people laughed at him before being brunt alive smiling when saving his scabbards.

"What's the matter, Hiyori?" Oden asks the tearful young girl.

"Father, are you okay with people swearing at you?" She asks him.

"Yeah, I'm okay." He smiles.

"Why?" She frowns at him.

"Because I have you guys!" He beams brightly at her.

"Yeah?! Then I'll stay with you forever!" Hiyori swears as she accidently makes a mistake from the memory.

"Yeah, Oden was a hell of a samurai! I applaud him. As the shogun, I can even give your father a reward!" Orochi promises panicking but…

"My name is...Kozuki Hiyori! Watch what you say, you insolent man! Even when I starved and dressed in rags, I've been living up to my father's name! There wasn't even a single day when you were the true gun! You're foolish and pathetic! The more foolish and pathetic you become, the more people's deaths will have been in vain!" Enraged, Hiyori yells her mask falling off, the tears freelyin falling with it as she stands seething snarling at the scared shogun.

"Hey! Stop! Don't do anything to me! Seeking revenge is so outdated! Even if you kill me, you can't defeat Kaido!" Orochi calls just as a lone flesh like creature covered in flames slithers through.

"Orochi-sama...I failed..." The spirit says.

"Are you Kanjuro?!" Orochi gasps.

"I'm finished..." He admits to him.

"You're just in time! I'll give you a new stage! Burn her to death! Charge! The woman who endured for years fails to get her revenge! What a tragicomedy! You see?! You relic of the Kozuki, Hiyori! This is... This is how lucky...the strong are!" Orochi orders.

"Orochi-sama..." The spirit approaches Orochi.

"Not this way! Don't come to me! Kanjuro, you idiot! Hiyori, you gotta help me! Ow, ow, ow, ow!" Orochi screams flames covering consuming him as he cries out for help however…

"A dawn will surely come. The Kozuki...is a clan that keeps their promises!" Hiyori simply stares at the fierce flames, the tears freely falling.

Victorious, Luffy floats above the many lanterns flying high in the sky so many saying the fall of Kaido, some saying to get out of this hell as Luffy stands amongst them having finally freed Wano as the beast king Kaido falls into the magma below, joining Big Mom as Momo dives down having finally set Onigashima down far from the flower capital, the raid finally over…

"It's no mistake, you- gara guys! Kaido has been sunk deep into the ground by Luffy! Onigashima's plummet was stopped by Momonosuke- sama in his giant dragon form! Isn't that right?!" Neko happily announces to those within Onigashimi via his snail turning to Yamato by the drained dragon's side.

"Right!" Yamato nods.

"So that pink dragon was Momonosuke-sama?!" A warrior says surprised.

"A Devil Fruit power user?" Another adds.

"It's been "0 years since that day... This vengeance-filled battle that started when Oden-sama died... We finally won!" Neko happily announces as the people of Wano and the alliance cheer, the raid finally over as celebrations begin…

"What should I do daddy? I can't stp laughing!" The tearful Toko tells her horrified father, the bitten smile fruit in her hand.

"Toko…could I have some?" Yasuie smiles softly at Toko.

"What!?" Toko gasps.

"I'm hungry and I can't take it. Heheahahaha! You fortunate comes in by a merry gate if that's the case it'll be our loss not to laugh you see? Yes yes how's this? Come on come on!" Yasuie starts dancing before the tearful Toko.

"Ahahaha!" Toko laughs.

"Toko you wanna dance too?" He offers his hand out to Toko.

"Yeah!" Toko takes his hand.

"You're quite the dancer you'll be the best dancer in Wano someday!" Yasuie promises as the two dance.

Toko eyes the lantern before her with Dad, I miss you as many more lit lanterns fly up in the sky with their respective boats.

"Daddy…for me to live happily?" Toko smiles at Hitetsu.

"That's right." Hitetsu nods.

"Then I'll…change the message." Hitetsu gets a paintbrush.

"Is this good?" She shows the message to Hitetsu.

"…Yeah…that's better…" Hitetsu tears up at the sight.

"Yes…that is…the high honour for a samurai…Hitetsu watches the lantern fly up with the rest though amongst the sea of people wishing for Orochi to no longer be Shogun to Kaido's defeat one shines with Dad, thank you…

"Hehehahahaha! Steady!" Smiling, Toko calls out to the floating lanterns as all seemed well until the volcanic eruption of smoke startling the civilians turning to the smog of debris.

"How is it possible?" Perturbed, one of the people enjoying the fire festival gasp alarmed at the sight of the pink dragon as do the rest. The lanterns fly up one saying love you dad from a tearful Hitetsu and Otoko before being cut off by the arrival of the so called beast.

"Run!" A fearful voice cries out when…

"No... You're all mistaken...they're not Kaido! Kaido is gone! Stop! You don't need to run…! I don't think that dragon we saw was Kaido!"" A civilian calls out to the fret people spotting the difference.

"If so, there are two dragons?!" A civilian confused wonders.

"I don't understand! If that wasn't Kaido-sama, who was that dragon?" A female frets.

"Boss Kyoshiro!" Someone spots.

"Komurasaki-sama?! Why is she here?!" Another asks astonished.

"What's going on in front of the castle?" A woman wonders.

"What's this all about, Boss Kyoshiro?!" A man calls out to him.

"You two are famous. But I wonder if everyone remembers us…" Kin comes out of the smoke and debris posing.

"K-Kin! K-Kin'emon-dono !" Someone recognises.

"Foxfire Kin'emon?!" Another does as well.

"Why?! I thought he died!"

"In the burning castle that day!"

"Why is he here?! Am I dreaming just as I thought?!"

"Are we in the other world?"

"Did we die at some point?"

The crowd murmur amongst themselves taken aback at the twist.

"Well, I don't care if I'm dreaming or not...Seems like something big is about to happen!" Someone spots the shadows soon following Kin'emon's lead.

"Yokozuna!"

"Kawamatsu-sama, the Kawamatsu!"

"Dogstorm-dono!"

"Raizo of the Mist is here, too?!"

"Cat Viper-dono and..."

"Kikunojo-sama of the Fallen Snow!"

"Boss Kyoshiro, what is this all about?!" Someone demands.

"Well, Napping Kyoshiro is an alternate identity to hide my origin! In actuality, I am...a member of the Akazaya Nine, Denjiro!" He reveals to them all.

"No doubt! They're the Akazaya Nine!"

"They're alive!"

"Akazaya came back!"

"I thought all of them died years ago!"

"What Toki-sama said was true!"

"It's quite something!"

"Somebody! Set up a Light-Scroll! Let the whole country know! Hurry up!" Someone hollers as the scabbards survival is broadcasted all over Wano.

"L-Look! Komurasaki, Kin-san, and the others knelt down!" Soemone watching it all live from the light scroll gasps at the sight on screen as a figure emerges from the dust.

"Who is that?" Someone wonders watching on.

"It has been...twenty years since my father Kozuki Oden died!" The man speaks from the debris.

"Father"?! D-Don't tell me..." The people of Wano gasp when…

"I am glad that you lived through...the long, hard years! The Fire Festival will not end! Starting tomorrow, you can start whatever business you want!" The man amongst the smoke says.

"What?" The people of Wano exclaims alarmed.

"I'm confused..." Another adds.

"Yeah Orochi will..." Another voice goes to argue when…

"You can drink all you want, too!" The man amongst the smoke swiftly cuts them off.

"What?!" The group gasp at the news.

"Well water will be free of charge! The factories will not be allowed to release poison that ruins the land! The Land of Wano is no place for slavery!" The deep voice calls out the figure slowly approaching the crowd.

"Momo... kun?" Tama whispers watching on in Nami's arms.

"You do not need to suffer anymore..." He assures as something seemingly clicks in Tama's mind.

"Four more died at the factory today...maybe that will be me tomorrow..." The group of people murmur miserably making their way out of the factor as the young Tama seemingly waits for her parents but…

"Someone has to tell Otama-chan..." Amongst them someone whispers.

"Otama-chan, I hate to tell you, but...your father and mother are already..." One of them breaks the news to the child as soon enough…

"Dad... Mom...Rest in peace. I'm going to be okay!" Tama promises a familiar yellow dog by her side as she prays to the buried bodies below, two lone flowers on the ground of which they lay.

"Woven hats for sale! Does anybody need a hat?! They're tough and durable! It's a great deal! Do you want a hat?!" Tama offers the hats out as the snow freely falls, those suffering simply dismissing the child using rotten pieces of plan or houseware bowls and plates to block out the snow.

"Sorry, I don't have money." A man passing by apologises.

"Hats for sale! Does anybody need a hat?!" Tama continues on regardless in the ice cold snow.

"Komachiyo, I'm sorry. I couldn't sell any hats..." Tama apologises to the door, both of their stomachs rumbling as they sleep in rags.

"Does anybody need a hat?! Hats for sale! A hat! Does anybody need a hat?!" Tama continues hopeful for a sale when…

"May I have a hat?" A masked man approaches.

"T-Tengu-sama?!" Tama freaks out at the sight of Hitetsu.

"Are you an orphan? Stay strong. Just a few years more...When the strong samurai group named Kozuki returns, it'll signal the downfall of the demons!" Hitetsu promises Tama.

"Kozuki? I will believe! Kozuki will take down the demons for us! I will stay strong! I'm going to be okay!" Tama promises the stranger smiling, the tears freely falling from that small seed of hope having now finally been fulfilled.

"Otama?" Nami stares softly down at the crying child in her arms as she seemingly sobs.

"Tama! I'll make it your everyday life! By the time we leave this country, I'll make it a place where you can eat as much as you want!" Luffy's words ring in Tama's head. The tears freely falling from her as Nami holds the crying child.

"Orochi's tyranny... ...and the days of being threatened by Kaido are over! The dependable friends I made across the sea! With the Ninja-Pirate-Mink-Samurai Alliance, we raided Onigashima! Kaido, Orochi, and the Animal Kingdom Pirates! All the evils that threatened this country...we have punished them!" The man draws out his sword, raising it to the high heavens as the smoke fades revealing the newly grown adult that is Momo.

"What?!"

"D-Did you take down those monsters?!"

"That hateful Orochi is gone?!"

"I don't need to be afraid anymore?"

"Yeah..."

"I can drink clean water!"

"The hellish days are over..."

"Finally... Finally..."

"We will never forget those who helped us accomplish the raid...ever!" Momo promises as Bepo quietly treats the slumped state of Law as Yasuie laughs as Izou makes his stand, proudly showing his Kozuki clan tattoo before falling.

"Kin'emon, what should I do? What else should I say?" Momo whispers uncertain to Kin after his speech watching the people wait for more from him.

"Just show off a little!" Kin smirks at Momo.

"Are you just a figurehead, Momo?! Is there anything left in the world that can scare you?!" Luffy yells at Momo who present day gathers his courage.

"That's better. You're going to be a leader remember? You gotta be strong! Brave! Confident for your people!" Pleased, Ann grins giddily taking the teary-eyed blushing boy's hand heading back to the ship as present day Momo blinks back his own tears.

"Th...The name my father gave me...means "peerless"! If I lead this country, even the ruined land will turn into Xanadu! I need you to work and help me make it happen! Transcending years of time, I am here to save you all! From now on, I, Kozuki Momonosuke, will rule the Land of Wano!" Momo proclaims proudly to the people of Wano.

"Momonosuke-sama!" The people of Wano cheer relieved to have their shogun back.

Mother! I will keep my promise to you! Father! I will follow in your footsteps! Momo thinks of his mother and father smiling back at him.

"Momonosuke-sama!"

"The real shogun family came back!"

"We were waiting for you!"

"Momonosuke-sama!"

"In the skies of the future, as a warrior sheathes his sword, flower petals flutter. This is the famous samurai country. The 8-year-old handsome man gazes up to the cherry blossoms at night. He is more loyal and empathic than anyone else. He is not a man of great strength. The great gun of the Land of Wano, Kozuki Momonosuke, who will earn his place in history, now rises!"

"Urghhh…" Ann groans stumbling out of her room holding her heavy head, her whole-body screaming shouting scolding her.

"Look who finally decided to show up!" Yasopp hollows heckling at the hunger over mess that is Ann.

"Piss off…" Ann grumbles giving Yasopp the middle finger as Yasopp simply laughs.

"How you feeling buddy?" Bemused, Limejuice couldn't help but join in.

"How do you think?" Tense, she glares lightly at the bemused blonde.

"It's your fault for drinking so much." Hongou sighs shaking his head at her.

"Excuse me for living a little for once besides give me some credit it's been a bit since I drank…" Ann whines.

"It has been a time since I've seen you drink back that many shots…" Benn hums.

"Urgh don't remind me…least tell me I won against Roux…" Ann smirks smugly at the mess that is Roux, munching down on some meat nearby.

"Surprisingly so…" Building Snake huffs.

"Hah! Ah ow ow ow ow!" Ann smirks smugly only to falter wincing from the sharp sting to her head.

"Dumbass." Benn tuts tiredly shaking his head at her.

"Urgh…I don't know what the hell happened last night, but never again am I mixing my drinks." Drained, Ann swears scowling.

"Well if you'd like to know…" Yasopp couldn't help his giddy grin eager to share the tale.

"…Strangest place huh…" Buzzed, Ann hums, silently sipping her booze bottle brow furrowed while sat on the railing of the boat.

"You heard me." Yasopp smirks smugly, just as buzzed with the rest of the red haired pirates, the main crew cheering celebrating below.

"…do you mean strange as in illogical or…?" Ann couldn't help but ponder perplexed.

"What do you mean by that?" Limejuice couldn't help but ask.

"I mean we've done it in a bathhouse…" Ann admits making them all blink befuddled.

"…What makes that illogical?" Hongou himself joins in just as lost.

"Isn't he a devil fruit user?" Benn recalls.

"Exactly." Ann nods smirking buzzed.

"…How did that even…?" Benn begins baffled.

"Do they even bathe?" Yasopp blurts out.

"Of course they do." Hongou huffs.

"It's just shallow water…due to him being a devil fruit user I had to go into baths with him, showers too if we were on missions…or so was his excuse..." Ann explains to them.

"Why you? Why not the other marines?" Befuddled, Benn wonders.

"I mean…it sort of helped us both." Awkwardly, Ann rubs the back of her neck.

"How so?" Limejuice questions.

"I mean…you know how marines can be…if I went to the bathhouse, men would try to peer, course most of the time those that tried were found out and beaten by me." Ann admits.

"Or frozen…?" Yasopp couldn't help his sly smirk and the just done expression of Ann.

"…Or frozen…it got annoying though so in the end Kuzu and I began going together, that way at least someone's making sure he doesn't drown while he's making sure people aren't peering." Tiredly, Ann admits as she silently downs her beer.

"And no one questioned it?" Hongou frowns.

"I mean…." Ann trails off brow furrowed.

"You guys were pretty bad at keeping it a secret…" Yasopp blurts out as Ann's eye twitches tense.

"Hey I tried! Here's the guy who just plopped his head n my lap during meetings who followed me to Amazon Lily, an island forbidding men just cause I wanted a little vacation how weird is that!?" Angrily, Ann fumes blushing brightly as she slurs scowling.

"If that isn't a power move I don't know what is…" Limejuice couldn't help but blurt out.

"We also don't know who tops.." Shanks smirks coming over.

"Not this again…I already told ya…!" Ann whines.

"I forgot now tell me!" Shanks whines.

"No Shanks." Ann refuses.

"Come on I'm your brother!" Shanks childishly argues.

"…and that is suddenly going to make me tell you?" Ann scoffs.

"I'd tell you!" Shanks whines.

"Why would I ask you that?" Ann frowns at Shanks.

"Maybe if a certain captain had money on it…" Benn brings up.

"Benn!" Shanks hisses harshly panicked from Ann's look alone.

"So was it his idea?" Yasopp couldn't help but grin eyeing Ann downing her glass.

"Yeah." Ann huffs, a sad look in her eye, sadly staring out at the open sea surprising the guys at the sudden sombre air around them…

"Then for the next hour or so you began singing about Big Mom and Kaido hopefully being dead…" Yasopp concludes the report to the horrified Ann.

"To be fair can you blame me with their kidnapping attempts…?" Ann points out.

"What did you even do to attract the guy?" Limejuice turns to the grumbling Ann.

"I don't know! I was pissed one day and just bumped into him next I know we're fighting then marines and his crew arrive and I'm like yeah not dealing with that shit so fled." Annoyed, Ann holds the side of her aching head.

"You…you serious?" The group of boys blink befuddled.

"Yeah! Then next thing I know King's coming after me about me being Kaido's concubine tch as if I'd let that bastard strip me of my freedom!" Fuming, Ann sneers snippily scowling.

"It'll take a miracle for you to settle I swear…" Hongou chuckles.

"Not my fault I value my freedom…" Ann huffs one leg over the other.

"And Big Mom?" Limejuice probes but…

"…urgh honestly the weight of world is suffocating me, but that could just be my steadily rising need to puke." Ann considers softly rubbing her furrowed features.

"Could be…" Benn hums as just then…

"GOOD MORNING EVERYONE!" Shanks shouts smirking smugly at the flinch from Ann.

"Shaaanks…you bassstarrd!" Snarling, Ann angrily turns, fierce flames consuming her whole as Shanks simply laughs while Ann grabs the man by the scruff of his shirt shaking him. The other officers watch on simply shaking their head at the sight.

"So Nika...finally emerged." Warcury frowns from the news.

"I can't believe two Emperors of the Sea fell at the same time... We can't cover this up. The news will spread around the world in no time. The timing couldn't be any worse! What should we do?" Saturn curses.

"Zou...Is it true that Zou disappeared?" Nusjuro questions.

"Yes. Slowly into fog. What does that suggest?" Jospeh reports.

"Then they won't open the borders! The Land of Wano will stay as an iron-tight fortress!" Nusjuro asserts.

"I guess they changed the plan accordingly. Seems like someone smart is in charge." Warcury adds.

"So it's impossible to take control of them by sending a big army!" Mars throws in.

"Can you at least...bring back Nico Robin?" Peters requests.

"I will!" Joseph swears just as he gasps when the snail swiftly cuts in.

"CP-0! CP-o!" A voice calls out.

"A jamming signal?" Joseph frowns.

"You guys..." The snail's face changes.

"Who are you?!" Joseph demands.

"Wait there! I'm heading your way!" The man on the other side of the snail swears.

"Build temples?" Kawamatsu says surprised.

"Mm-hm. Just like Ryuma the God of the Blade, I want to build one dedicated to Oden-sama on a hill overlooking the Flower Capital! Surrounding it, we will build temples dedicated to Yasuie-dono and the other Daimyo who fought for the country. And...temples for Ashura and Izo..." Kin admits to the Kawamatsu as behind them, Izou's pistols and Ashura's blade remain within a separate room behind them.

"Onimaru! Onimaru! That tickles! To think, you're alive! This brings back memories. You're our comrade too, since you fought for this country. Do you want me to ask them to bury us in the same grave as Ashura and Izou?" Kawamatsu warmly greets the snow white fox rushing into his arms.

"Is that okay, Marco-dono?" Kin looks up.

"Of course-yoi. One's home soil is the best. That's probably what Izou would want. I survived again..." Marco flies down.

"So did we..." Kawamatsu pets the fox.

"If we survived while something happened to our heroes, it would be too much... Let's hope they are okay." Kin looks up towards the snow freely falling.

"I asked where you are!" Angrily, Akainu demands from his desk on his snail.

"I told you Sakazuki-san I'm in the air." The man with the flower flying him over tells him.

"In the air where!?" Akainu probes.

"Oh I can see the land of Wano now." The man takes note of.

"Don't do anything unnecessary okay Ryukuyugu!" Akainu warns.

"I understand. I really do." The man wearing the coat of Justice promises the properly flower he had on his back being plucked as he landed on Wano…

"Now it's fixed." Franky smiles at the Sunny being repaired.

"Yeah, we can set sail." Usopp agrees.

"General Franky is fixed, too!" Franky looks over his mecha.

"That one is so cool!" Bepo gushes giddily with Killer and the other kid pirates.

"Don't get cozy with the others, guys! Don't drop your guard until we sail out safely! Information must have leaked from somewhere and reached journalists by now. We'll be targeted as replacements for the Emperors of the Sea!" Kid barks at them chewing on some jerky.

"He's right. This is an isolated country, so people can't see us from outside, but we can't see our enemies' actions, either." Law leans back agreeing with Kid.

"Maybe the bounties for our captains are higher than we've ever seen!" Bepo beams blushing by the thought with the kid pirates.

"Yes! I don't know where information leaked from and how...but when I find out who did it they'll pay!" Kid swears it snarling.

"Ann-sama…" Sakura smiles seated in a separate room, snail in hand.

"Ah Sakura I take the raid went well." Ann assumes as she returns to her room, looking over the image board before her, red thread connecting some images.

"Both big mom and Kaido are dead. They fell into the molten magma below Wano." Sakura calmly confirms.

"Good, did you do what I asked?" Ann asks.

"I sent that photo…" Sakura smiles.

"Good work Sakura." Ann smiles pleased as soon enough…

"What is this picture?!" Warcury glares glowers down at the paper in his hand.

"What's going on? Gee!" Juro complains cross.

"We told you to remove the "D." too!" Warcury insists.

"No, we weren't told about it! We got the pictures from Guernica- sama of CP0 we don't know how Morgans acquired the-" The marine tries to explain, frantically marines run back and froth unaware of the redhead quietly listening in, a shy smirk crossing her lips as she leaves, taking out a familiar snail.

"Reprint them immediately! Okay?! We can't put this crap out into the world!" Warcury commands cutting the marine off.

"But we can't contact the printing company..." The marine admits.

"They' re so useless!" Nusjuro curses cross.

"Cease the distribution somehow!" Warcury commands but it's too late.

"He looks so mysterious here! Deliver! Deliver! Deliver every single copy of them, my employees! Cipher Pol infiltrated the Land of Wano and no one's heard from them since. In their last transmission, they said, "It's Big Mom's ship!" I won't let them manipulate information! The truth is the most interesting thing when the times are changing like now! I love how everything is happening in real time!" Morgans couldn't help but proudly proclaim watching his birds set off with the latest news paper of Luffy and his new form.

"W-What's this?!"

"It's an extra issue!"

"Something happened?!"

"Hey, look at this! Emperors of the Sea, Kaido and Big Mom, defeated!" Someone picking up the papers points out.

"It didn't take long before such massive news spread across the world. The three pirate captains who took down the two Emperors who reigned over the sea...for decades. The Government has placed an exorbitant bounty of three billion berries on each of them!"

"Three billion berries?!" All three crews chorus stunned.

"Wow, Captain!" Bepo cheers.

"Hey, let me see it closely!" One of the kid pirates urge.

"Read here." They hand him the paper.

"No way!" The kid pirates cheer.

"Unbelievable!" The heart pirates do.

"DAMN IT!" Kid storms off fuming.

"Hey, Boss?! What's wrong with Kid? Where did he go, looking upset?" Wire wonders turning to Killer.

"Probably to the Flower Capital. We have a new emperor of the sea, huh? No wonder they picked that one... Hey, guys! I heard there is a banquet in the capital today. Let's go!" Killer assumes as he looks down at the paper tossed to the floor before pointing in the direction of the capital, the people cheer at the thought.

"Yeah! Just in time! We gotta celebrate! Let's get crazy!" The Kid pirates happily agree.

"Yay! Festival, festival! We're getting excited!" The heart pirates cheer much to the expression of Law far from his crew watching them on a rock.

"That woman is so troublesome…" Law couldn't help but huff exhausted exasperated even at the nuisance that was a certain Hibiscus.

"Gee. There are only scruffy men here..." Green Bull grunts cigarette in his clenched mouth muttering mainly glaring at King and Queen imprisoned in Udon bandaged up with some of Kaido's remaining subordinates.

"Are you...a Navy soldier?!" King glares at Green Bull.

"Whoa-whoa, you're pretty beat up! You must be Kaido's men... Are you gonna welcome me? Then bring me some booze!" Green Bull orders.

"Don't tell me what to do!" Queen goes to strike but…he dodges it with ease, the black occurring behind them as Queen reverts heaves.

"How could you be so relaxed? You bastard!" Queen glares.

"Cut it out. What can you do with your mortally-injured body?" Green Bull smirks.

"Shut up! This is a matter of pride, you annoying Navy shot!" Queen growls glares at Green bull.

"I really don't have time to fool around here... But if you stand in my way, I'll have you removed by force!" Green Bull warns as soon enough, the group rush at the admiral as Green Bull is forced to deal with those remaining on Kaido's ship.

"Drake...Are you...a Navy soldier?" Bloodied, battered beaten, the armless Hawkins makes his way over to Drake slowly stirring, sunlight peering down onto him. The two hearing the sound of the festival from the outside, the people cheering celebrating the new era and shogun of Wano.

"I won't tell you! Did you come to ask that? You look miserable...I thought you predicted that you'd be okay...as long as you didn't betray Kaido..." Drake counters with a question of his own equally as bloodied on the floor.

"I...When I saw the monster, I knew I was gonna die… so I became Kaido's subordinate. I thought…I thought that Trafalgar was like me in that regard." Hawkins admits as he sits slumped on the wall behind him.

"That's why you hunted him down…?" Drake eyes the man spitting scarlet across the floor.

"I thought he too was trapped like me, held by a chain like some mangy dog but…I think I was wrong…the way Hibiscus operates and Kaido operates…are very different…" Hawkins heaves coughing crimson recalling Law's defensiveness towards Hibiscus, Hawkins could recall his confusion at the almost angry Law, insulted almost at his words.

"…Is that so…" Drake hums from the thought recalling the look in Law's eye as he left.

"Kid and Killer, on the other hand, continued resisting...despite certain death! Even if I foresaw their victory...how could I...how could I suck up to Kid after all this time?" Hawkins smiles sadly.

"So it wasn't me? That one-percent thing? The certain man you predicted was..." Drake begins…

"That was me..." Hawkins admits anguished as he slowly closes his eyes waiting for death's embrace…

"I told you if I get defeated by mere top officers I will be disgraced! The navy doesn't have the manpower to clean up the mess now." Green Bull sucks away at Queen's nutrients with his vines as the rest of the withered beast pirates are impaled hung up for Green Ball as he slams his heel into the sad shrivelled sight of Queen.

"Just as I predicted, you guys did well...This booze isn't so good... You should have aged it more." Green Bull msirks down at the beaten bruised King and Queen already bruised prior thanks to Zoro and Sanji as the rest of Kaido's crew are shrivelled skeletons thanks to Greenbull sucking the nutrients out of them as flowers bloom beneath him, he takes out his snail. Swiftly stealing some booze on the way stabbing into it with his vine for him to ingest tutting tiredly at the taste.

"Ring, ring, ring... Clank." He seemingly calls someone.

"Hello, this is..." The voice on the other end begins but…

"Hey, it's me. Send one warship to the Land of Wano!" Green Bull cuts him off.

"What?! Oh, R-Ryokugyu..." The marine recognises.

"Don't tell Sakazuki-san! Bye." He hangs up.

"I really like it. His "extreme" style. I want to win praise from him, like, "Good job." By taking this brat's head." Greenball couldn't help but grin at the thought of taking Luffy's head.

"What are these?" Robin picks up one of the many wooden dolls on display.

"Are you interested in those, Nico Robin?" Hitetsu enters the lone room.

"Tengu-san! How do you know my name?" Robin turns to him however…

"They're my collection." Hitetsu tells her.

"What?" Robin blinks befuddled.

"Aren't they cute? Beautiful girl kokeshi dolls!" Hitetsu proclaims proudly but…

"Meh." Robin dismisses.

"Oof! No way... Th-This can't be happening... My kokeshi doll collection was rejected... I've taken the trouble to collect them..." Hitetsu whimpers weakly falling to his knees.

"You're being overdramatic. You're a funny tengu. By the way, how come your collection is here?" Robin asks.

"You brushed my joke aside. This is my secret hobby room and where I was confined for years." Hitetsu admits.

"Confined"? I guess you're more than just a swordsmith." Robin presumes.

"It's just a hobby. Seems like I have a good aptitude for it. Festivals and politics are exhausting..." Hitetsu complains.

"Who are you really?" Robin wonders.

"Me? My name is Kozuki Sukiyaki. I'm Kozuki Oden's father." Hitetsu admits.

"What a surprise! Does Momo-chan know that?" Robin asks.

"No, he doesn't. I'm not going to tell him, either. But...the retainers may have noticed. I'm the one who let Orochi take over this Land of Wano. I'm too ashamed to tell anyone that I'm alive! When I got out of this room barely with my life, Oden was already dead and the Land of Wano was completely changed. I thought about killing myself by cutting my stomach on the spot, but I had no choice but to hide...until the coming day for the sake of my remaining mission. Now, after what happened, I have to thank you all for everything." Hitetsu explains.

"I'm sure they'll all be happy to hear that." Robin reassures.

"Yeah?" Hitetsu smiles hopeful.

"Hey, Tengu-san. I wanna talk to you about something. I'm aware this country has it. An Ancient weapon...Pluton." Robin admits.

"How did you know that?" Hitetsu asks astonished.

"It's written on the Poneglyph in the Kingdom of Alabasta." Robin reveals.

"I didn't expect you to know that much... Yes, it's here." Hitetsu nods confirming it as the festivities continue…

"Ninjas, pirates, Minks, and samurai! The king's retainers! Yakuza and the Land of Wano! Well done fighting, guys!" Luffy hollers wearing his yukata beer mugs in hand happily calling out to the people below amongst the festival.

"All right, young man!

"Give a toast!

"Go, banquet leader!"

"Yeah, leave it to me!" Luffy smiles down at the people below.

"Luffy...Momo looks up at Luffy smiling sadly at him.

"Don't tell the Land of Wano about me." Luffy tells Momo back on Onigashima.

"Why not? It'd make me a hero. What is wrong with that?! It is true that you defeated Kaido." Momo argues.

"You idiot! Everyone has been waiting for you, Momo! You're gonna make this a country where people can eat and drink as much as they want every day, and they don't need to be afraid of guys like Kaido, and where every day is fun, right? You should become a respectable gun and make everyone's dream come true! There's no need to mention me. You're gonna change this country. The Ninja-Pirate-Mink-Samurai Alliance won! That's good enough for me." Luffy sternly says to Momo in Yamato's arms after he caught Luffy getting out of Yamato's arms he looks out towards the lantern in the air.

"Luffy! Gee! You're such a wonderful guy!" Yamato hugs Luffy.

"Hey, what are you doing?! My wounds are gonna reopen! Don't mess it up, Momo!" Luffy whines.

"I got it! Count on me!" Momo promises.

Gee... You are such an amazing guy. Momo couldn't help but think towards the man above as just then…

"Get out of my way! Straw Hat! If I can get rid of you here..." Kid rushes at Luffy.

"Jaggy!" Luffy warmly welcomes the man.

"Let's set them off!" One of the men holler as just then…

"All right! To tomorrow's food..." Luffy wraps his arm around Kid bringing him into a side hug.

"What are you doing?!" Kid growls glaring at Luffy.

"Here we go! Cheers!" Luffy hollers as the fireworks go off.

"Let's get loud!" Nami adds.

"Yeah!" Those behind Nami agree as they raise their beer mug watching the fireworks explode…

"Listen, guys! We're gonna drink all night tonight!" Luffy declares.

"Pirates are such wild people. Gee... I've never even heard of a massive banquet like this! But I never thought I would see such a peaceful moment in my lifetime. Boy, I hate it. As you get older, you're moved to tears easily." Tearful, Hyogoro sniffles wiping the tears away as Kin and his wife happily enjoy the fireworks with one another.

"Hey, don't get me involved!" Kid brushes Luffy's arm off.

"Oh, come on! It's a banquet!" Luffy whines.

"I don't know what's happening overseas...but look at this! I came to get rid of you!" Kid shows the paper to Luffy.

"What?!" Luffy gawks gapes at the news.

"That's right. Eustass Kid came to Luffy, looking upset...for a very clear reason. It is a sign of the end of the old regime, and the beginning of a new era." Killer confirms.

"Buggy the Genius Jester."

"Blackbeard" Teach."

"Red-Haired Shanks."

"And Straw Hat Luffy..."

"These are the new emperors...The Four Emperors of the Sea!"

"The festival music sounds joyful...But the Navy isn't in the mood for that, brats... The banquet is over...I'm gonna bleed all of you dry...The outside world is a mess... I'm gonna take your head, so just wait for me there...Straw hat." Bitterly, Green Bull stomps making his way over to the capital as with each step, grass and flowers bloom beneath his feet.

Quietly, Sakura smiles seated by Denjiro's side leant against his arm as the two watch the fireworks when…

"Den…?" Sakura notes Denjiro suddenly standing.

"I'll be right back." He leans down pecking her temple. Quietly, she silently watches him reach for his sword leaving as Sakura worriedly watches on unaware of the hidden threat coming to Wano…

"Influence is something...that eludes you...no matter how much you want it." Green Bull spews smoke on the newly printed wanted poster of Luffy before impaling it with a branch, crushing it into nothing as he goes on his way.

"Shinobu! You felt it too?" Raizo turns to Shinobu as the scabbards still bandaged up all meet up before the entrance of the capital.

"Something is approaching." Shinobu nods.

"Listen, you all. Luffy-dono and the others are recovering from their battle wounds. Do not let them know about this!" Denjiro stresses.

"So you-gara noticed, too." Neko notes the other scabbards as he and Dogstorm arrive.

"We should not let the sound of the festival stop!" Inu adds.

"Understood! It's our mission to protect the Land of Wano!" Neko states the fact firmly as the scabbards nod in agreement ready to face this new found threat.

"Hey. I only have business with Straw Hat Luffy. Don't get in my way, samurai." Green Bull orders as flowers form beneath his feet frowning at the warriors.

"H-He is... a Navy soldier!" Raizo recognises.

"Luffy-dono and the others' enemy abroad!" Denjiro adds.

"You know about the outside world. Then how about this?" Green Bull begins but…

"Flower shuriken!" Raizo throws said shuriken however Green Bull dodges it with ease only manging to nick his cigarette.

"Huh?" He looks down at his nicked cigarette unimpressed just as Shinobu appears before his eyes to strike. He simply spits the cigarette out onto the floor below before kicking Shinobu aside.

"Shinobu!" Raizo calls out concerned.

"Raizo!" Kawa calls out as Denjiro saves her.

"Yeah!" Raizo disappears.

"Kappa Style! River of Retribution!" Kawa goes to strike but his best move is easily dodged by the admiral.

"Gee..." He slumps his shoulders as they all go to attack at one, Neko and Inu joining but Bull easily avoids each hit countering with his own before having enough.

"What?!" Raizo notes the bark like arm of his.

"You're so persistent! Samurai!" Scowling, he releasing his bark grabbing Raizo hoisting him up in the air.

"Raizo-sama!" His friends call out to him concerned as he chocked up in the air.

"The Celestial Dragons are the gods of the world! Since this country isn't a member of the World Government, you have no rights! Sorry!" Smirking, he lowers his shades smirking sadistically as he goes to end Raizo when the bark is quickly cut freeing Raizo and cutting the arm off the admiral.

"Raizo! Let us stop him here!" Dojiro calls out to the newly freed ninja.

"Groves of Wrath! I use the Woods-Woods Fruit power, I'm a Woodsman! Along with the sea, the woods birth life as well! It's the very essence of Logia! If you get in my way, I can just kill you all. Because no matter how many people I kill in this country, the law can't touch me!" Green Bull cackles crazed as he turns into a huge tree taking all of the scabbards aback as he takes control of the arena.

"Don't look down on us! How could you think so little of our people?!" Raizo glares at the tree man.

"Of course I look down on you! I'll tell you something. Mankind has always kept some of their own down! Because the sacrifice of the few is essential for the peace of the many! Non-member countries like yours are a sacrifice for the world! By looking down on you guys, the rest of us can live our lives! Discrimination is a comfort! Don't hate me! That's how the world works! Stop me! Even if it means killing thousands of people, I'll reach Straw Hat Luffy!" Green Bull bellows taunting them as he continues on the assault the scabbards try to keep at bay.

"Everything you said is...inexcusable!" Yamato dives down, throwing her club down, smashing into the tree's head knocking the tree down into the earth below as the battle continues…

"Boss! Let's go see Luffy!" Roux hollers calling out to the smiling Shanks and Ann happily looking down at Luffy's newest wanted poster.

"You always say this Roux…" Amused, Ann chuckles coyly at him from the railing.

"Come on he's already become a great pirate! He's unbelievable! Really unbelievable!" Lucky Roux insists munching down on some bone.

"Isn't he?" Happily, Ann couldn't help but smile.

"H-Hey! We can't land there! I'm...not ready to see Usopp..." Yasopp's legs shake.

"Yeah. I bet that brat Kid must still be there, too! He'll want to pick a bone with you Ann!" Limejuice points out.

"Relax guys! Shanks will decide what to do." Ann calls out as Monster merrily smiles at the wanted poster perched on Bonk Punch's shoulder. Those sweeping watch on from afar.

"I guess the top officers know Straw Hat Luffy in person..."

"Straw Hat Luffy is... "

"I heard he is an out-of-control violent man who is like a monkey monster...

"Let's go! Boss!" Roux hollers calling out to Shanks smiling.

"I have no intention of seeing Luffy." Shanks turns to them.

"What?!" Roux whines disappointed while the others look on disappointed.

"Think what's going on in our territories these days, guys." Ann reminds them.

"The guy who said he was Luffy's henchman...Barto...what was his name?" Hongou recalls.

"Like hell I know…" Aloofly, Ann shrugs.

"Didn't you meet him?" Hongou's brow furrows at Ann.

"…Did I?" Ann couldn't help but wonder.

"Did you!?" The crew couldn't help but gawk at the girl who simply bonks the side of her hair, playfully poking her tongue out as she quirks her head to the side smiling.

"He burned our Jolly Roger and changed it to Luffy's..." Hongou huffs.

"They're certainly earnest." Amused, Ann chuckles.

"What?! The Emperor of the Sea?! I don't care!" Bartlemo hollers burning the red haired pirates flag.

"Oh yeah, that happened..." Yasopp taps the side of his head.

"If we just let it slide...I would lose people's trust in me." Shanks reminds them.

"Well, that's true. But...gee, Boss! I wanna see him! What's the harm? I wanna see him!" Roux whines as amused, Ann simply smiles sauntering over to Benn's side silently smoking his pipe as she calmly collects the paper.

"That blonde brat of yours has certainly done something…" Benn greets Ann.

"That boy…honestly…good to know he's putting Ace's fruit to good use." Ann simply smiles at the title of SABO MURDERS KING COBRA going back to the paper as Ben goes back to his booze…

"We can't leave the Revolutionary Army at large anymore, Akainu!" The director of the Naval Burea tells Akainu.

"I know, but there are no more soldiers to deploy." Akainu tells the marine.

"Sabo...He's a hero of the world now! Assassinating King Nefertari Cobra, the only Reverie participant out of all the descendants of the First Twenty... ...who created the World Government 800 years ago, meant so much to the Revolutionary Army! A few hours before that, in the Land of the Gods where the Celestial Dragons live, they destroyed the Hoof of the Celestial Dragon, the symbol of the World Nobles and declared war! The Navy led by Admiral Ryokugyu and Fujitora fought back, but as a result, Bartholomew Kuma, a former Revolutionary Army member...who was enslaved by the Celestial Dragons was freed and they all escaped! It must've been hard for the Admirals to fight in the Land of the Gods." The director reports to the admiral.

"You don't need to make excuses for them." Akainu puts a cigar in his mouth.

"What about the disappearance of Princess Vivi that occurred at the same time as the murder?" Kizaru speaks up by Akainu's side.

"We're currently investigating it, along with the connection between the two cases." The director answers.

"Alabasta is in shambles." Akianu stands.

"King Cobra's ship is still at the Red Port...They can't go home." He tells them.

"Can we close the case on the attempted murder of Saint Charlos?" Kizaru asks.

"Regarding Saint Myosgard excusing the assailants, they're still deliberating in the Land of the Gods. The Holy Knights intervened and it's getting complicated." The bureau investigator adds.

"Leave them to it." Akainu tuts tiredly.

"People are excited to think Sabo was behind all these incidents. The lands that were a part of the recent "Eight-Nation Revolution" and all the small sparks of the rebellion across the world...have gun to worship him like a god! They're calling him the Flame Emperor! His popularity now exceeds that of..."The Insurgent Serpent" Dragon, the leader of the Revolutionary Army!" The bureau reports to Akainu scowling turning to the door.

"On top of all that, his brother Straw Hat Luffy is now one of the Four Emperors of the Sea. Even in the world of pirates, Flame Emperor's brother destroyed the old regime! But it's not just that…" Kizaru points out.

"Hm…?" The investigator turns to Kizaru leant on the side of the desk.

"How do you think that Sabo boy got that fruit?" Kizaru smirks slightly turning to the fierce flames coming from Akainu.

"It was at Dressrosa no?" The investigator recalls.

"Who also was there at Dressrosa?" Kizaru continues probing like a teacher to a student surprising the bureau member.

"Oh well…hm?" The investigator goes to look over his papers but stops when hearing the boisterous bubbling of magma, his eyes expand alarmed at the sight of the red dog, noting the cigar chewed in half, the top part falling to the floor as the pair turn to Akainu, black smoke spewing out of him.

"Hibiscus." Angrily, Akainu snarls seethes scowls at the thought of the woman, heading out…

"Boss come on! We want see Luffy…" Hibiscus happily smiles reading the paper pleased as the red haired pirates continue chanting wanting to see Luffy.

"Hey, Beck…Ann…" Shanks slowly saunters over to the pair at the table, Ann lowers her paper, pipe in her other hand while Benn booze bottle in hand turns to Shanks. The two share a look as Shanks takes a seat. Smirking, Benn pours Shanks a cup, slamming it down as Ann turns away from the paper eyeing Shanks silently sipping his sake.

"It's time to go and acquire it...The One Piece!" Shanks states the fact firmly to the two, simply smirking back at him.

"That's enough! Just bring Straw Hat Luffy already!" Green Bull orders his trees strangling the pink dragon in his grasp.

"Momonosuke-sama! Damn you, Navy! Ninpo: Scrolling Jutsu! Fire Escape!" Raizo rushes at Green Bull fierce flames soon hitting the screaming tree.

"Did that do it?!" Yamato asks hopeful.

"Burn to ashes! Navy!" Raizo snarls however…

"Just kidding. Firebreak Forest! How could I serve as an Admiral of the Navy Headquarters...with such an obvious weakness?!" Green Bull laughs dispersing the flames with ease swiftly stabbing Raizo.

"Raizo!" Dojiro calls out to him scarlet spewing out as soon enough…

"Water is important for both the natural world and humans. You know?" Green Ball laughs, sucking the nutrients out of the withering Raizo.

"Damn! Even if you cut them, they keep growing back!" Kawa calls out to the withered mess before cutting one branch trying to reach for him.

"Raizo-san!" Yamato gasps as she is soon caught.

"Doesn't he-gara have any weakness?!" Dogstorm curses.

"Do we have to cut all of them?! Dog!" Neko calls out alarmed as he is then grabbed as Green Bull laugh.

"No..." Dojiro curses when he is taken, Shinobu too.

"Admit that you don't stand a chance with me here!" Green Ball cackles as he holds all of the scabbards.

"Momonosuke-kun...Why?" Yamato couldn't help but wonder while outside why the dragon had decides to join in on the fight as they are all trapped helpless against the navy admiral.

"Stairs?" Robin whispers surprised to see said stairs.

"We can go farther down from here. Shall we?" Hitetsu offers when…

"Oh? How did you sniff out I was here?" Robin notices Law.

"You weren't with the others. Of course, I became suspicious. Don't talk about me like I'm a hyena." Law huffs.

"So you want to know, too." Robin assumes.

"Shall we go? Watch your step. It's mouldy. I didn't tell Kaido and Orochi about this route. But because the Lead Performer Jack is a Fish-Man, they found the Poneglyph in no time." Hitetsu explains as the two follow him.

"Why would being a Fish-Man help find it?" Robin wonders.

"You'd better see it yourself." Hitetsu advises.

"How far down do we go?" Law tuts tiredly.

"Well...Hundreds of years into the past." Hitetsu begins but…

"Hey, Tengu-san...where does this dim light come from?" Robin stops spotting th window with Law.

"There is a glass block installed. You can look through it if you want. We're already at the bottom of the sea." He tells Robin leaning over crawling inside when…

"Room." Law teleports over.

"What? Cheater." Robin huffs.

"Can you see something?" Hitetsu asks as the two peer in.

"The Land of Wano... at the seafloor?!" Robin says surprised.

"That's the Land of Wano from about 800 years ago. The other one." Hitetsu tells them.

"800 years ago? What do you mean?" Law demands from him.

"That's just what it means. But I don't know how it ended up like that. Since that's not sea water, it's well preserved. Here is what I know. The Land of Wano was once located at a base of a huge mountain called Fujiyama. At one point, walls were created enclosing the island, and rainwater kept accumulating there. People abandoned the unliveable town, moved up the mountain, and built a new country." Hitetsu explains to the two.

"And that's the current Land of Wano?" Robin gathers.

"That's right. Here we are!" He reveals said Poneglyph to them after pushing the stone aside for them.

"A Road Poneglyph. This is the third one. If we can find one more, we can make it to Laugh Tale." Robin looks up at the stone tablet of ruby red.

"We're on the high ground in a cave at the foot of Fujiyama. What's more, they say... ...the Ancient weapon Pluton lies farther down!" Hitetsu reveals.

"What?" Robin gasps.

"I've never seen it and I can't show it to you now. To retrieve it requires the removal of the walls! So opening the borders means destroying the defensive walls, and unleashing the Ancient weapon!" Hitetsu says to them.

"Opening the borders means unleashing the weapon? Why did Kozuki Oden want to do that?" Robin says surprised.

"That's everything that has been handed down in the shogun family. I have no idea what Oden learned abroad." Hitetsu admits a still silence surrounding the trio as Robin reads the third road Poneglyph.

"Get out of here now. Momonosuke-sama!" The scabbards call out to the dragon swiftly punched away.

"Mere humans are no match for Mother Nature! Can't you get it? If Kaido were here, I wouldn't be here! It's sad but Kaido's domination...deterred the enemies of this nation! If you understand, bring Straw Hat Luffy to me! I'll leave as soon as I get his head!" Greenbull promises as he only grows taller, stronger and braver.

"Momonosuke-kun! Let's ask Luffy and the others for help! They won't lose to this fool!" Yamato calls out to Momo but…

"We cannot do that!" Momo refuses.

"What?" Yamato blinks befuddled.

"We will not get help from you, either! Do not help us! You had been imprisoned on Onigashima and you can finally be free! So I will send you off properly. I have been depending on Luffy, Zoro, and the others all this time as well! If we who will remain in this country cannot drive out any enemies... If we rely on those who are departing...We will not be able to...defend the Land of Wano in the future!" Momo declares determined taking them all aback.

"Momonosuke-kun..." The scabbards smile proudly.

"Get out of here, you woods monster! Why?! Why doesn't it come out?!" Momo tries to use blast breath but ends up failing again and again and again before the admiral.

"Oh no, he's like a kid...I didn't know there was such a pathetic dragon. I'm gonna consign you to the earth." Green Bull goes to end it.

"Momonosuke-kun!" Everyone calls out to the boy.

"Wither away as if you never existed!" Green Bull goes to strike.

"Damn! Damn! Come out!" Momo pleads tears in his eyes praying for the blast breath to work while the scabbards scream calling out to the still struggling dragon until…

"Momo!"

Luffy's voice calls out to him alongside another's a woman's with familiar pinkish blonde hair calls out to him.

"Get out!" Momo screams the blast breath finally working.

"It came out!" Momo says stunned.

"Momonosuke-sama!" The scabbards smile as they are freed by said strike.

"Wow, that's like Kaido's..." Dojiro compares.

"Get out! Get out of the Land of Wano!" Momo screams sobs flailing about attempting to control the blast breath.

"Damn...Stop, you bastard!" Green Bull curses at Momo.

"That's amazing! He makes full use of his dragon body!" Yamato smiles at the sight.

"But he has poor aim." Yasa frowns as they watch the beast of wood break before them burn withering into scorched wood becoming a soulless looking corpse of wood just as a small sprout shoots out from the burning corpse.

"Gee...Are you gonna burn down a town or something? So you wanna fight, all right. You Kaido wannabe... I'm gonna skewer you from mouth to tail!" Green Bull reborn from the ashes proclaims proudly ready to strike oblivious to the crisp click of heels hitting the floorboards of a certain ship.

"Ann?" Befuddled, Benn raises a brow at Ann, Shanks however simply smiles sipping his sake as Ann slides a small part of her blade from her sheath, shark sparks of pitch black leap out, rushing towards a certain island.

"I can't move...Color of the Supreme King?! Who is it?! Don't tell me...The Red-Hair Pirates?! Are you there?!" Tense, the admiral begins shrinking scared returning to his normal form.

"Oi Chief stop Ann she's knocking out the others!" Roux alarmed calls out as most members on board fall, descending down into the dark depths of the unknown as black sparks shoot out of Ann's blade.

"…She's holding back pretty well." Shanks smiles sipping his sake cup cheerily unfazed by the haki.

"It doesn't matter if she's holding back! Oi Ann! Don't use Haki all of a sudden! It's too hard on the newcomers!" Roux frets frowning at all the bodies below them knocked out however Ann simply smiles staring ahead.

"Why am I not surprised…you navy filth. Finally someone else does the job you lot could never do and decide to strike like the pathetic bastards that you are?! Did you really think I'd let you get away with such a thing after they changed the history of the pirates?" Poisonously, Ann angrily demands from the man.

"I…I…" Green Bull shakes scared the black lighting hitting him, scaring him as he raises his hands up in the air anxious surrendering scared shaking.

"It's a bit tasteless, don't you think? Tell me does the new era scare you so much?!" Ann demands, the wind brushing through her hair glaring glowering at the man from afar.

"I'm not gonna fight you guys! Not yet!" Green Bull gives in, too terrified to say much more.

"Ann…" Meekly, Momo couldn't help but whisper weakly swearing he had for a brief moment felt the familiar signature of haki however…

"All right! Wow! You did it, Momonosuke-kun! You drove him out! You defended the Land of Wano!" Yamato cheers calling out to the dragon.

"I-I...I defended the Land of Wano? I really did it?" Momo says stunned tears freely falling from his dragon form.

"You're amazing, Momonosuke-kun!" Yamato cheers.

"He's gone!" Luffy smiles say on the perch, Zoro on one side, Sanji the other.

"Good job, Momo." Zoro smiles.

"They didn't need us." Sanji spews smoke from his lips.

"I felt tremendous Haki." Jinbe couldn't help but admit.

"Yeah. What was that? An old familiar face appeared in my mind." Luffy couldn't help his smile as Ann softly smiles at the land of Wano before turning back, the red haired pirates setting off…

"Gee...I became the Admiral of the Fleet during a terrible era…I suppose this is your attempt at revenge isn't it…Hibiscus? But no matter how many people you manipulate, you trick, you have come at me, I'll end them. Just as I'll end you and your cursed bloodline!" Angrily, Akainu swears it as the warm glow of the setting sun hits the man, smoke spewing out of his lone cigar swearing his vengeance.

"What?! You're not gonna come?! Let's go pirating!" Luffy whines at the decision Yamato had made.

"Yamato-chan! You can't do that! I can't imagine a day without you..." Sanji whines on the floor.

"You guys noticed it too, didn't you? About the woods guy earlier?" Yamato assumes.

"Someone's tremendous Haki saved this country. Kaido is gone now, but those guys will target the Land of Wano. I can't ignore it! You can't go on an adventure while having concerns, right? Neither of us can! But I wanna be one of you! Call me your friend!" Yamato whines.

"I know, but...you're right. If you stay in the Land of Wano, we won't have to worry. Then I'll leave Momo and the others to you!" Luffy decides.

"But Yamato, Momo has too much pride. You'll have a hard time with him." Zoro warns Yamato.

"I know. I'll find my own way!" Yamato promises.

"Yamato-chan!" Sanji cries at the loss when…

"Hey, Straw Hat!" Marco flies over.

"Marco!" Luffy smiles up at him.

"There's a ship nearby that's going my way, so I'm leaving now-yoi!" He tells them.

"Oh, you're going!" Luffy exclaims.

"Yeah!" Marco nods.

"You saved my life during the Paramount war, right?! Thank you!" Luffy promises.

"Everyone was working to save you at that time. Why was that, Jinbei?" Marco asks him.

Well, that was a long time ago. I don't remember!" Jinbei laughs.

I'm sure Ace would be proud of how far you have come-yoi!" Marco tells Luffy.

You think so?" Luffy grins.

"Luffy! The times belong to you guys from now on! Buck up!" Marco tells him before taking off.

"Yeah! See you!" Luffy waves Marco off as he takes off.

"I cannot believe such a thing happened while I was away! Raizo!" Kin rushes over to the room once hearing the news of the admiral and the scabbard battle.

"Shinobu-san don't die!" Kiku follows from behind.

"Stay with us!" Kin slides the door open gasping at the shriveled states of the two.

"Don't worry doctor Chopper has already given them excellent care." The goat doctor tells them.

"He said they'll be fine if they rest like this." The nurse squirrel adds.

"I see." Kin bows before them.

"That's good." Kiku smiles.

"I cannot believe Raizo and Shinobu wasted away like this…" Kin stares sadly at the two.

"It's terrifying sorcery." Kiku adds.

"Even though we attacked him together we ended up like this…" Dogstorm growls.

"Oh yeah he said he was a nav admiral-meow." Neko recalls.

"I don't want to admit it but what he said was true. Kaido was a deterrent against the enemies of the nation…" Dogstorm admits anguished.

"It is a shame! I am sorry! I was in Kuri and I did not know that this was happening!" Kin curses.

"It's not your fault…the damage was minimal thanks to Momosuke-sama so don't worry. By the way how was Oturu-san?." Neko asks Kin.

"Well Okobore Towen caught fire and she was badly burned but she survived…" Kin admits as elsewhere…

"Oh Otsuru-san I heard Kin-san came back…" An old woman approaches Otsuru bandaged looking out at the ruined remains of Okebore.

"Yes he did. He already went back to the capital though." Otsuru admits.

"You're from the capital too. You have to go back for him." She tells Otsuru.

"Yes I want to stay with him too…" Otsuru adds.

"Boy…even after 20 years, Tsuru has no changed and is still beautiful…" Kin blushes brightly by the thought of his wife.

"Hey such boastful talk about your love life is not worth even a dog's attention!" Dogstorm grumbles grumpily.

"That's lovely Kin-sama!" Kiku smiles.

"Raizo what's wrong? Do you want something?" Kin takes note of the tearful man below.

"I want…." Raizo wheezes out.

"What…?" Kin leans over.

"To be popular too." Raizo sniffles sadly.

"Huh!?" Kin does a double take.

"You need to get better first Raizo." Dogstorm advises him.

"I want to make kunoichi pay attention to me… !" Raizo sobs shrivelled up.

"Oden in the land of Wano is so good!" Carrot meanwhile happily enjoys her snack.

"This is big Saru! There you are!" The monkey rushes over to Carrot.

"Do you want some oden?" Carrot offers but…

"Duke Dogstorm and master Cat Viper are calling for you!" The monkey tells her.

"Hmmm?" Confused, Carrot hums following the monkey.

"There you are Carrot." Dogstorm greets her.

"What is it? Did you call me? Duke Sama? Master Cat Viper?" Carrot smiles at them.

"We were waiting for you." Neko tells Carrot.

"Hm?" Carrot notes all of the minxes littered around the room.

"Why don't you-gara become the ruler of the Mokomo Dukedom?" Dogstorm decides.

"THE RULER? YAY OKAY!" Carrot happily agrees without blinking an eye.

"…" Dogstorm and Neko share a look as Carrot considers their words.

"Huh? Urrrhh…WHHHAAAAATTT!? THE RULER!? I DON'T WANT TO THERE'S NO WAY I CAN DO IT! PLEASE I'LL DO ANYTHING SO FORGIVE ME!" Carrot cries beginning to freak out.

"The thing is…cat and I have decided to stay in Wano and as samurai of the Kozuki clan we'll protect Momosuke-sama." Dogstorm reveals to Carrot.

"You-gara travelled abroad with Luffy's group something few have done so I'm sure you have what it takes for the next generation." Neko assures Carrot.

"Wait wait there so many stronger than me!" Carrot disputes.

"Of course there are!" Someone speaks up Carrot turning to the head of the guards.

"It's our job to protect the country!" The guards tell Carrot.

"I'll support you too. Its Duke-sma and Master-sama's decision." Wanda steps up.

"…" Carrot bows her head anxious.

"Carrot most of all you-teia carry Pedro's will in your heart." Wanda reminds Carrot.

"…Pedro…" Carrot's eyes expand at the name.

"It doesn't matter how you fight…everyone has their own turn. Carrot it'll be your turn soon…" Pedro's words echo in her head.

"So this is my turn…? Pedro…" Carrot whispers.

"We're counting on you. We leave Zou to you." Viper tells her as she nods, ready to take the position.

"Really?" Momo stares stunned at Hitetsu taking off his mask.

"You're our grandfather?" Hiyori adds astonished.

"I'm Oden's father." He admits to them.

"So you really were alive!" Momo tears up.

"I'm sorry. I was too ashamed to face you guys. I couldn't save Oden and on top of that I couldn't ave this country. I'm sorry." He apologises to the pair hugging them as they run into his arms.

"I wanted to meet you." Momo whimpers.

"Me too…" The tears freely fall from Hiyori.

"Thank you…you look exactly like oden, Momonsu." His grandfather tells Momo.

"Grandfather sama for us who lost our parents just having relatives is encouraging!" Momo cries.

"I feel the same so please don't apologise!" Hiyori pleads to him.

I am so surprised! So he was Sukiyaki it never crossed my mind, my heart leaped into my throat I'm so glad he's alive! Internally, Kin admits amazed.

"I knew you guys had noticed." Sukiyaki sets his tengu mask down.

"Who would wear a tengu mask when there is no festival?" Yasa chuckles.

"We did not think you were just another swordsmith." Denjiro adds.

"We thought it would be rude to refer to it…right Kin-sama?" Kiku turns to Kin.

"Hahaha that is right!" Kin goes with it smiling strained.

"I'm sorry I put you through that…I can tell you about this country's history seeing as I am old but that's it. So please don't tell the nation let me retire. From here on this new era is yours." Sukiyaki tells them.

"Just the fact that you are alive gives us strength!" Kin assures him.

"This era…we create…okay!" Momo nods determined.

"Yes sir!" His scabbards holler from behind.

"Pluton is here…?" Frankie says shocked by the news.

"Yes but I didn't get to see it." Robin admits.

"That thing really exists?" Frankie frowns.

"Is that the one Franky burned the blueprints off?" Luffy recalls.

"That's right. It's an ancient weapon that has the name of a god, known as Pluton." Robin tells them.

"Pluton?" Brook wonders.

"That's a dangerous thing." Jinbei comments as Usopp snores.

"What was this country up to?" Sanji scowls.

"Do you want it Luffy?" Robin asks him.

"No I don't." Luffy answers.

"I bet you don't. But Oden tried to unleash it. Why?" Robin couldn't help but wonder.

"What? An enemy?" Usopp wakes up alarmed at the perky pink puff of smoke suddenly appearing before them.

"What? Are you saying that a mature weapon are like weapons?" A young woman with familiar brown pigtails declares, Tama by her side in a similar attire.

"Who the hell are you?" Frankie glares at her.

"Who am I? Don't you recognise me? Something happened and I wasted away a little bit…it's me Shinobu!" Shinobu smiles at them.

"What!?" The group gawk gape at the transformation.

"I like the way you wasted away!" Sanji swoons smiling.

"You're looking so good it knocked the bones out of me! I only had bones to start though!" Brook in his spirit form says.

"Really!?" Frankie exclaims.

"Big Bro! I became an apprentice of Shinobu chan I'll become stronger so next time we meet let me join your crew!" Tama rushes over to Luffy.

"Yeah if you can use ninjutsu! Okay!" Luffy agrees to it.

"Hahaha! Yay! I'll work hard to become a bewitching kunoichi! Nin! Nin!" Tama promises perkily.

"Wow Otama you're so cute!" Nami happily hugs her.

"Heheheh I can't believe it…Plutino in Wano, first Poseidon now this I have to let that person know…!" Caribou smirks sinking back into his much pleased by the information…

"Momonosuke-kun! I'll stay in the Land of Wano!" Yamato decides telling Momo the news.

"What?! Are you not going out to sea, Yamato?!" Momo says shocked.

"Mm-hm! I'm not! I've already told Luffy and the others!" Yamato smiles.

"So you are staying, Yamato." Kin by Momo's side wonders.

"Should I not?" Yamato wonders.

"No, it is reassuring to have you here...but did you not say you made up your mind earlier? I thought you decided to leave with Luffy-dono and the others." Kin recalls.

"Oden started by traveling across this country, right? I don't know much of the world, either! I'll follow the same path as him and go out to sea someday! That's what I decided!" Yamato smiles at the pair.

"So Izou didn't make it." Ann concludes cockly curtly calmly staring out at the sea, leaning over the railing, Marco by her side.

"No…but he did get to see his sister again." Marco admits.

"That's good…I bet Kiku looks cute." Ann smiles sadly staring out at the open.

"She looks great." Marco smiles.

"Good I'm glad." Ann smiles.

"You must be happy now with Big Mom and Kaido gone there's no one planning to kidnap you." Marco offers optimistically.

"…Yeah still that doesn't mean someone else won't try it." Ann's brow furrows from the thought.

"Hey you got Shanks to back you up." Marco positively points out.

"…yeah. Marco sorry if I was…pushy…" Ann sighs.

"Nah it's fine yoi…Ace would be happy to see what you helped happen!" Happily, Marco assures Ann.

"…I hope so." Ann couldn't help her simple sigh.

"…say you still got that dream of yours…?" Marco couldn't help but ask astonishing Ann.

"Wait how did…?" Ann begins brow furrowed at Marco when…

"Marco! Marco!" The young Ann rushes over to Marco's side smiling.

"Hm what is it Ann-chan?" Marco turns to her smiling.

"When I'm older let's get married!" Ann proclaims proudly.

"Urggghhh….!" Present day Ann groans grimacing, a wave of self hatred and embarrassment hitting her hard, sliding her hands over her face groaning wanting nothing more than to die further from the murky memory.

"You okay?" Marco quirks his head to the side smiling at the mess that is Ann.

"Yep…just the self hatred urgh young me wwhwhhhhhhyyy?" Ann whines drawing it out.

"Hahah I thought it was cute…" Cheekily, Marco smiles at Ann.

"Tch…course you do…" Ann huffs grumbling glaring to the side.

"…You know it's not too late right?" Marco brings up.

"Hm?" Ann hums raising a befuddled brow to Marco.

"To stop things…the government must be on your back for what you've done." Marco assumes.

"Like you said…I've got Shanks not to mention the stuff I have on them keeps me well protected." Ann smirks slyly, a glint gleaming in her eye.

"Protected enough for you to settle down?" Marco asks.

"Pardon?" Astonished, Ann blinks befuddled.

"I saw the look in your eyes Ann…that fire in your eyes it scares me." Marco admits to Ann.

"I've waited two years for what has happened and it finally has come to pass. And now…I'm so close…I have to see things through I have to make my father's dream a reality I have…I have to make sure Ace's death wasn't…" Anguished, Ann begins but…

"Ann…Ace's death isn't on you-yoi." Marco tells her however…

"…Isn't it?" Ann scoffs.

"Ann…" Marco's brow furrows at Ann.

"He died thinking I abandoned him, when he needed me most…I…I failed him Marco. The least I can do is have his death not go to waste." Ann dictates determined.

"And what about you-yoi?" Marco frowns at Ann.

"…what about me?" Ann frowns at Marco.

"You still…you still want that dream-yoi?" Marco couldn't help but ask Ann.

"…I do…" Ann whispers weakly.

"Then…" Marco begins but…

"But I'm a realist Marco. That dream…is far beyond my reach now. Not that I deserve it." Ann couldn't help her hollow heckle trying to keep her voice from breaking by the thought of her little boy, his chubby cheeks, his freckled face, his warm smile as she held him in her arms before handing her to Makino. She had to…for the mission she was undertaking, she couldn't be a mother, she couldn't endanger them, she couldn't…she wanted her child to be happy, to be given a life she could never give, a life only Makino and Dadan could give…

"…You really think that-yoi?" Marco couldn't help but frown at Ann.

"…" Ann goes quiet.

"Even if I asked?" Marco continues probing.

"…Asked? Marco I've asked enough from you what with Wano and allowing Ace to join your family…heh…" Ann couldn't help her small smirk.

"What is it?" Marco wonders.

"I guess we're siblings with Ace being your brother…" Ann considers.

"…I guess so…" Marco smiles strained.

"Hm?" Ann arches a brow by the tone.

"That icy bastard really is lucky…I can't help but feel a bit jealous." Marco admits bowing his head taking Ann aback.

"W-What are you talking about dumbass?" Ann scoffs stuttering slightly glancing away.

"I'm just saying he's lucky." Unapologetic, Marco smiling straightens up from his slouched state.

"Marco…" Ann begins brow furrowed at him, exhaling exhausted.

"What? No blushing, no barking, no argument?" Marco probes playfully.

"…" Ann simply stares ahead.

"Even you know it…" Marco couldn't help his sad smile at Ann's face.

"It doesn't matter. I shouldn't be feeling this way." Ann asserts anguished ashamed.

"Is that why you've chosen this path to self-destruction…to punish yourself?" Marco furrows his brow at her.

"Marco…no matter what I do, no matter what I say, no matter whatever happens…I'll always be a monster, the demon child, the child of the pirate king, I'll always be the monster the world thinks of me. " Ann tells him the fact firmly.

"So…?" Marco probes.

"So…?" Ann scowls.

"You really think he cares about that?" Marco asks, a still silence settling between the two.

"…He'd care about the person that lied to him for years, that pushed him away, that…left him when he needed help the most…" Ann frowns guilt gnawing away at the murky memory, the bandaged man, her seated by his side, the tears freely falling from her horrified form, why…? Why had he done that? why would he fight him!? Why go to such lengths…? Ann grimaces at the sorry stare of his leg…or at the least what was left…his words, his hand on hers as she slipped away anguished, she had left him, she had to, she had no choice. She couldn't let anyone get in her way she had an order to fulfil, a promise she had to fulfilled, a deal that was long due…no one would get in her way…no one…

"Ann…" Marco gently calls out to her noting her hand covering her face, head down ashamed, anguished almost.

"I can't…someone like me it's impossible… that is what I'll become…I'll become the monster the world thinks of me…if it accomplished my father dream…if it can bring some semblance of peace to my brother, if I can complete the task my father entrusted to me…." Ann swears it intensely, she deserved it, all that was coming to her she deserved it. So long as she fulfilled his promise, so long as…Ann's lip quivers, teeth gritted, frustration perhaps? Marco couldn't tell, the mixture of emotions swirling…Marco couldn't decipher her…no one could.

"And you…what will remain for you at the end of this path?" Pensive, Marco couldn't help but ask eyeing Ann.

"…Release…" Ann answers as she simply stares ahead, clearly not there, a heavy look on her expression.

"Ann…" Marco's eyes expand alarmed almost at the deranged glint in her eye, the bags hanging heavily under her eyes as she says this simply staring ahead. Marco opens his mouth, hoping to say something but…

"I see the island, Marco." Benn calls out to him, making Marco falter eyeing Ann, hesitating, concern clear on his furrowed features for her heavy expression until…

"You should go." Ann softly pushes herself from the railing she leant over, brushing past the furrowed frown of Marco.

"…Okay. Then I'm leaving now-yoi." Marco flies up into the air.

"Take care." Ann whispers weakly, pained.

"Thanks for giving me a ride-yoi! Shanks." Marco flies up in the air.

"What? I thought you were gonna join my crew, Marco." Shanks smiles brushing by Ann, her back to the pair of them, taking the bottle Shanks had set down, taking a cheeky sip only to falter from the swift sharp whack from Hongou, making her do a spit take, spewing said liquor out.

"Pipe or beer that's the rule." Hongou gives her a look.

"You're no fun." Ann huffs taking out her pipe as Marco couldn't help but stare at Ann, his features softening sadly at the smoking woman…

"Taking someone's mantle isn't easy how she can bear so much on her shoulders I can't help but wonder…if it's some sort of punishment…" Whitebeard wonders as he and Marco sit on the deck, drinking away…

"Punishment?" Marco says surprised perking up at Pop's words.

"…It can be isolating being at the top…whether that be at the top of someone's enemies list to just being at the top…everyone expecting so much from you…to shackle herself to that title…that girl practically has the whole world on her shoulders…" Whitebeard couldn't help his pained expression as he takes a sip of his sake, slurring.

"Is that why you took Ace in-yoi?" Marco couldn't help but ask Whitebeard who simply looks up at the starry sky smiling sadly.

"…You've made a real mess of things eh Roger?" Whitebeard slurs sipping away at his sake, a still silence settling between both Whitebeard and Marco.

"No way! I never wanna babysit a great pirate again!" Marco takes off.

"Idiot! I'm not high-maintenance! Right, Bec?" Shanks turns to Benn but…

"No, you are." Benn answers.

"What?! Ann back me up here!" Shanks turns to her hopeful however…

"You really are." Ann swiftly shoots his hope down.

"Not you too Ann." Shanks whines.

"Look at Benn Shanks look what you did to him!" Ann points to Benn.

"What did I do?" Shanks frowns.

"He had black hair now look at him, look at what you did." Ann gestures to Benn's silver locks.

"I can hear you." Benn gives Ann a dirty look.

"And you can still hear some semblance of his youth even now." Ann shakes her head solemnly.

"OI!" Benn barks at Ann who bursts out laughing.

"Hey I'd say that was you too!" Shanks accuses.

"How!?" Ann and Shanks start bickering amongst themselves as a smiling Marco watches on, glad to see some light in Ann's life.

"See you!" Marco calls out to the pair, seemingly snapping said siblings out of their discussion.

"Yeah! Bye!" Ann hollers watching Marco leave, heading back to Sphinx.

"So what were you two talking about?" Smiling, Shanks asks curious but…

"Nope." Ann straight-faced swiftly shuts him down.

"What do you mean nope!?" Shanks childishly whines.

"I mean nope." Ann flicks his head.

"OW-OW-OW! Aw come on!" Shanks whines chasing after the just done Ann, eager for the gossip.

"Straw Hat-ya find another date!" Law barks at Straw Hat as each of the three captains sit on some crates. On the left Law has one leg over the other, on the right Kid is slumped over a barrel and Luffy is perched on top of his between both captains.

"Huh? Why!?" Luffy whines while their crews pack up.

"Because its weird! Setting sail together!" Kid snaps at Luffy.

"Our alliance is over! We're enemies now!" Law reminds Luffy.

"We've already decided that it's today!" Luffy argues.

"Us too!" The two captains chorus back at Luffy.

"Trafalgar you change first!" Kid decides.

"Right back at you." Law cooly challenges back.

"I won't change either!" Luffy refuses.

"This is ridiculous…" Law huffs.

"It can't be helped we chose the same day. Let's choose separate directions! The log pose locked on to the three directions! Northeast, east and Southeast! Pick one!" Kid decides.

"Northeast!" Kid and Luffy bellow.

"Middle." Law lets out, stunning the two boys but Law simply smirks.

"I'm set…heading northeast will get you the farthest ahead. Use your brain a little bit! You idiots!" Law smirks smugly at them.

"Tch…" The two glare at him.

"Middle…what are you kids?" Law taunts.

"Eh!?" The two scowl at him.

"My direction is set. Why don't you guys decide the rest yourselves?" Law decides.

"Straw hat pick one! One of them says east!" Kid hands him two slips of paper.

"This one!" He takes one.

"Heh…it's east." Kid smirks at his winning ticket.

"I LOST! SORRY GUYS! " Luffy sobs sadly.

"It's dangerous in all directions! We don't care! Just help us load Luffy!" Usopp berates his captain.

"Damn! I'm an emperor of the sea but I lost the raffle!" Luffy cries.

"Look at you go on but the one who annoys me the most for being an Emperor of the sea…is this guy! Buggy the genius gesture." Kid hands him the poster of Buggy.

"Whhhaaa!? What's this!? That's Crocodile and Hawk eye!?" Luffy recognises stunned.

"Eh?" Zoro with some booze perks up at the name.

"Why are they displayed with him!?" Luffy wonders.

"There's no way that Hawkeye works under him…" Zoro frowns.

"If he really has these two men under his control, he should certainly be called an emperor." Law takes the poster brow furrows.

"But he's an idiot what happened?" Luffy couldn't help but wonder.

"It seems like cross guilt began to assigning bounties to Navy Soldiers. The Navy which was always the hunter…now have to worry about being hunted by civilians. While we were in this isolated country the world has changed quite a bit. Haha you don't have any complaints about the direction right? As soon as we sail out of here we'll be at each other's throats again! What's this Trafalgar?" Kid ponders perplexed as after his explanation Luffy tosses some paper to him.

"It's a copy of the road Poneglyph you guys have a right to it. Cheating takes all the fun out of it." Law huffs heading over to his submarine.

"So Kaido had it as I thought… It's the thing that we made one of the Big Mom's generals steal we must get serious about this too kid to find the one piece." Killer looks down at the paper.

"We need to find the man with the burn scar we have no leads." Kid grunts.

"Burn scar? What's that?" Luffy wonders.

"Don't you know? That works in our favour!" Kid smirks smugly.

"What? Tell me!" Luffy insists however both boys simply smirk leaving Luffy to it as they head out of Wano.

The people on Bluff island converse, stunned they had managed to survive the raid courtesy of the marines murmuring amongst themselves outside the circus tent as Crocodile makes his way over towards the tent, cigar in mouth.

"Did you see them?"

"Yeah, I did!

"It was really them!"

"Man!"

"That was the world's greatest swordsman?!" One of Buggy's men whimper as Mihawk makes his way over towards the tent terrifying those staring at him.

"I'm scared!"

"Gee!"

"When the Seven Warlords were abolished and we were surrounded by the Navy ships, I thought we were finished... Because of our great Chairman Buggy, it turned out to be like this..." One of the men murmur unaware of the glistening golden hook to his head alongside a certain black blade.

"Wait a minute! Take anything you want except for my life! Hey, please! I'll do anything! I'll even lick your shoes! Please!" Pleadingly, Buggy bawls, sobbing his heart out as Crocodile holds his head up, his body discarded as he sobs, battered, bruised, bloodied while either side of him sits both ex warlords.

EMPEROR OF THE SEA BUGGY THE GENIUS JESTER FORMER WARLORD OF THE SEA

"Cross Guild was originally gonna be founded by me and Hawkeye. Why are you the boss? Hmm, Buggy?" Crocodile demands, his hook teasingly touching the bawling Buggy.

"Well, I can only say "I'm really sorry"! Or, "Never mind"..." Buggy continues crying.

"You're the first and last person who rose to Emperor of the Sea just by saying sorry. It sets a bad example if we keep you alive." Mihawk's blade gets closer to the scared head of Buggy, blood streaming down his head.

"The word "humiliation" isn't enough to express how I feel." Crocodile joins in hook at the ready.

"Don't kill me..." Buggy pleads.

"That's impossible." Mihawk states as they simply sit on the sofa.

"Stop, stop, stop! Stop!" Buggy tries to float away trying to escape Crocodile's grip but…

"Well, well...Boss! I'm so happy to serve you after a long time!" Mr 3 makes his way over nervously.

FORMER BAROQUE WORKS AGENT [CROCODILE'S SUBORDINATE]

"You bastard! Are you betraying me, Galdino?!" Buggy glares at Mr 3.

"I don't remember becoming your subordinate, Buggy!" Galdino reminds Buggy.

"What a douche!" Buggy curses.

"Call me whatever you want!" Galdino smirks.

"Chairman is finished. What should we do now?" The lamb looking man, Mohji wonders.

"I'll serve Crocodile!" Kabaji decides.

"It's a cold world we live in." Alvida tuts tiredly.

"You pushed your luck too far!" Galdino taunts Buggy poking his rubber nose.

"Hey! You! Stop it!" Buggy tells but he doesn't…Mihawk quietly watches the bloodied beaten bruised head of Buggy be taunted at…

"You've lost your privileges as a warlord of the Sea, Mihawk!" The marines armada reside outside Gloom Island ready to fight and bring in the marine hunter.

"What do you want, Crocodile? This island is surrounded by the Navy as we speak." Mihawk tiredly talks to the scarred snail quietly gathering up some books and a spare bottle of red.

"No wonder. In the last Reverie, the Seven Warlords forfeited all their rights, and their connections with the World Government were cut off. That means you're just a pirate now. Only in times like this does the Navy move quickly." The snail with the cigar in his mouth exclaims.

"You're partly to blame for what happened." Mihawk argues as he looks over towards the lone vase with a hibiscus flower inside

"That was a long time ago..." He tells Mihawk.

"It's troublesome, but I have to relocate myself." Mihawk puts his hat on.

"Come here, then. That doesn't sound so bad, right? If we team up together, we'll be an organization the Navy can't ignore. You were once known as the Navy Hunter. You and I are the same...in that we don't trust others." Crocodile tells Mihawk as he eyes the hibiscus in the vase, quietly taking the lone flower, putting it in the inside of his coat jacket.

"I SAID STOP!" Sobbing, Buggy wails while Galdino continues pushing his ruby red button nose oblivious to Mihawk quietly moving his jacket, eyeing the lone hibiscus flower in the inside pocket of his coat, taking it out, eyeing it twirling it…

"…And why would I do this?" Mihawk huffs.

"Look if you won't do it for your own protection could you at least consider it for me?" Ann argues.

"For you…?" Mihawk frowns.

"Buggy's my brother, I can't help but worry about him sometimes." Ann admits to Mihawk.

"He's an emperor now." Aloofly, Mihawk dismisses.

"Just cause he's an emperor won't stop him from being stupid." Ann deadpans.

"Troublesome woman…" Mihawk tuts tiredly, putting the flower back as he turns his focus back on the pathetic mess that is Buggy. Buggy notices Hawkeye's stern stare on him.

"What does he want?! I'm so scared! Why am I constantly plagued by misfortune? Sniffling, Buggy couldn't help but whimper weakly flinching from Mihawk's stern stare.

"Hurry up!"

"Hustle!"

"What are you doing?!"

The pirates arm themselves ready for the fight ahead against the marines oblivious to the captain beginning to pack up, trying to get out of there when…

"Captain Buggy!"

"Captain!"

"Captain Buggy!"

"What's the matter?! Fight! Are you scared of the Navy?!" Buggy grunts forced to come out of hiding to turn to his men when internally, these fools! I'm getting ready to sneak away here!

"Captain! The warships surrounding the island are getting attacked! They're sinking one after another!" One of his men report.

"You mean the Navy?! What?! Who's helping us?!" Baffled, Buggy wonders.

"It's Crocodile!" They report as Buggy couldn't help but gawk gape at Buggy and Mr 1 taking out ship after ship with their respective devil fruits, slashing sand strikes said ships down while Mr 1 takes out each marine soldier with his blade fingertips.

"So the rumors that Crocodile is Chairman Buggy's henchman was true!" One of Buggy's crew members grin giddily watching on.

"He came to rescue us at the risk of his life!" Another amazed voice adds.

"Because of our great Chairman Buggy!" Another cheers.

"I see... That's Crocodile!" Buggy smiles while internally…he came to collect my huge debt to him! What should I do? I don't have money to pay him back! He's scarier than the Navy!

Buggy freaks out.

"I know you. I thought you'd flee without paying me back." Crocodile soon looms over the scared clown cry-baby.

"He got that right! Internally, Buggy concedes.

"Well...Buggy's Delivery may look like it's doing well, but there's a lot of mouths to feed! And my biggest earners, the giants, all quit recently..." Buggy cartoonishly tries to explain.

"If you can't pay, we can sell you into slavery." Crocodile considers.

"Don't say such a horrible thing! We broke out of Impel Down together! Cro-chan!" Buggy reminds him however…

"I lent you money for that sake, but if you can't pay, you'll have to take full responsibility." Crocodile reminds Buggy.

"Responsibility?" Buggy squeaks at the hook teasingly touching his neck.

"I'm gonna found a new company, so I need money now." Crocodile's hook gleams from the setting sun of ombre behind him.

"N-N-N-No...Then...l-let me help with that business! This former warlord of the Sea...will serve under you!" Buggy decides nervously anxiously.

"Yeah?" Crocodile grunts.

"I'll work off my debt! The establishment of a company must be flashy! We have various human resources! Advertising design. Printing. Transportation! You can boss us around! We'll work for free!" Buggy lists off animatedly promising him just that as soon enough…

"Now, is this the flyer you distributed? You're standing out...President." Poisonously, the cross Crocodile shows said poster to the beaten blooded bruised head of Buggy.

"N-No...That's not what I intended to do!" Buggy tries to explain but…

"If it's not deliberate, then what?!" Crocodile shoves said paper in his mouth.

"I-It really wasn't my intention! My staff respect me too much! I was surprised, too!" Tearful, Buggy tries to explain after spitting said paper out of his mouth.

"Chairman! I made a good one!" The man rushes over to the slumped side of Buggy downing a bottle of booze on a sofa.

"Hey, what the hell is that?!" Buggy freaks out from the poster.

"I made Chairman look the coolest!" The man smiles.

"What?! You haven't shown this to anyone yet, right?" Horrified Buggy asks but…

"We've already...distributed it to the world!" The three behind the lackey declare dancing.

"What?!" Buggy freaks out from the news.

"Buggy is the mastermind of the Impel Down prison break, and formerly a crewmember of the King of the Pirates. He was once on equal footing with the Emperor of the Sea, Red-Haired and Hibiscus. He's so well-liked that Crocodile came to his aid at Emptee Bluffs Island. The tie between Crocodile and Mihawk was confirmed by wiretapping. Many shady organizations have already invested in "Navy soldier hunting." In view of the trend towards insurgency in the world, Cross Guild is a significant threat to us." Brannew slams said poster of Cross Guild on the board for the marines to look at.

"What are the bounties of those three?" One of the men ask.

"The former warlord of the Sea, Sir Crocodile! His Logia-type Devil Fruit power is still formidable. And he also has a sharp intellect and an ability to lead. So his bounty is 1 billion 965 million berries! Hawkeye Mihawk! The former warlord exceeds the Emperor of the Sea Red-Haired and Hibiscus at swordplay. As the greatest swordsman in the world, his bounty is...3 billion 590 million berries! And Buggy the Genius Jester! Not just his record that I mentioned, but more importantly, he has the other two under control...So his bounty is 3 Billion 189 million berries. Just like Straw Hat Luffy, we consider him to be a new emperor, and grade him as a security risk to the World Government!" Brannew explains to them.

"And...you're an Emperor of the Sea? You've made quite a name for yourself...Clown..." Crocodile taunts, poking Buggy's held head with his hook while the other holds his long blue hair by his hand.

"I'm really sorry! So sorry! I'll lick your shoes!" Buggy promises pleadingly sobbing.

"Shut up!" Crocodile snaps as Mihawk couldn't help but watch on eyeing Buggy…

"Just listen to me." Ann requests from her old friend.

"…and why should I?" Mihawk challenges.

"Cause you know I wouldn't have come all the way from the new world if I wasn't serious." Ann points out making Mihawk go quiet.

"…You have five minutes." Mihawk allows.

"Join Buggy." Ann tells him.

"…I beg your pardon?" Perplexed, Mihawk frowns at Ann.

"Look my brother is an emperor of the sea I don't know how he did it but I know he isn't the best when it comes to fighting having you on board would help him a great deal plus you wouldn't butt heads with him as you would with Shanks." Ann explains to Mihawk.

"…And you expect me to work under some lowly clown?" Mihawk scowls.

"I expect you to use your head." Ann tells him.

"Hm?" Mihawk raises a befuddled brow by her words.

"Look at the end of the day, the marines will come after Buggy, he'll be the figurehead for you to escape and ditch him." Honestly, Ann admits.

"I thought you cared about your brother." Mihawk frowns.

"I do and I know he needs power if he wants to be protected and for him to be protected he needs to be a Yonko that's why I thought to come to you." Ann tells Mihawk.

"And you still expect me to work under some lowly clown?" Mihawk repeats repulsed by the thought.

"Did you not hear me? You can use his protection as an emperor to have the navy back off and return to you peaceful lifestyle. I mean Buggy is low key he tends to avoid fights so you wouldn't have to waste your blade often heck with how he avoids fights you'll most likely be back to your normal life style heck you may even be served on hand and foot by Buggy's lackies." Ann explains to him.

"…And why would I do this?" Mihawk huffs.

"Look if you won't do it for your own protection could you at least consider it for me?" Ann argues.

"For you…?" Mihawk frowns.

"Buggy's my brother, I can't help but worry about him sometimes." Ann admits to Mihawk.

"He's an emperor now." Aloofly, Mihawk dismisses.

"Just cause he's an emperor won't stop him from being stupid." Ann deadpans.

"Haven't you already asked enough when it came to Zoro?" Mihawk frowns.

"Yes I won't lie I have asked a lot but only because I know you Drac. I know you're plenty capable to protect yourself. I mean Buggy's an emperor who knows what actual threats may come after him?" Ann brings up.

"So you expect me to protect him?" Mihawk cooly concludes.

"I'm not expecting anything just consider my words…please for me." Ann stands, stern sherry staring into gold before leaving…as soon enough…

"But on the other hand, it's not a bad idea to have him as our figurehead." Mihawk speaks up, taking the two aback all eyes on him.

"Hm?" Crocodile and Buggy both turn to him.

"I, at least, would rather live peacefully than become an Emperor of the Sea." Mihawk admits as he stands.

"You sure?" Crocodile asks.

"Let him take the heat, and we can get rid of him whenever we want." Mihawk decides leaving the two to it.

"You're right." Crocodile smiles at the sniffling sobbing head of Buggy.

"Guys! To prepare for the looming new era, we founded Cross Guild! Let me introduce the executives! First... Sir Crocodile! And...Hawkeye Mihawk!" Soon enough Buggy announces to his crew as those below cheer for their newest executive members.

"Crocodile!"

"Mihawk-sama!"

"We'll follow you!"

"Sir Crocodile!"

"All right, guys! Let's do it in a flashy way!" Buggy bellows as confetti comes crashing down, both men either side.

"Chairman Buggy is crying! We're moved to tears, too!" Someone spots unaware of the real reason.

"What's gonna happen to my life?! Sobbing, Buggy couldn't help but wonder while crying his heart out at the chaos of the situation he found himself in…

---

*What did you think of Ann in this chapter guys? Of her and Marco? Of Marco's words? Of Law and Hawkin's words about her? How do you think Law views Ann now?*