Alright, I'm writing again, but given my current condition in Morocco, I am kinda going to do multiple shorter chapters to try and not have my motivation come down.

My apologies if this is what you literally hate, but I hope this is good for you guys.

Contributor - NSG, UnitedOsprey1991

Marineford

Both the Marines and Whitebeard Pirates were still fighting, but something else caught their and the world's attention.

As the mist cleared out, already dozens of bodies of Marines were on the ice floor either wounded or on the verge of joining with the dead, with no man standing near the broken ship.

With the body of the defeated Rear Admiral Sicily among them, they were now just silent witnesses.

"CHARGE!"

Two opposing sides attack each other, with the Marines attacking with swords toward the ship-

*KICK!*

On the other side was Haku who took the lead by kicking his leg into one officer across the head before he then threw several needles from his hands.

With each needle not missing their intending targets, they hit vital, if not lethal points of those attacking Marines who were quickly dropping to the ground before they even got close to the medic, some even dying before they even hit the ground.

One Marine even flew back by a needle that hit his neck, slumping backward as the others behind him started aiming their rifles at the deadly medic.

"Aim for the bitch-"

*CRACK!*

The officer couldn't finish his order because he was hit by a blunt object that just smashed the side of his skull with his Tonfa that was wielded by Gin.

"Shoot him!"

Gin wasted no time and ran for the Marines with a war cry and a command.

"Raiders, on me!"

Joining him were dozens of his Raider Legionnaires who were seen carrying knives and batons, ready to go for some close-quarter combat.

"Die!" One Raider shouted while smashing his knife into the gut of a Marine who wasn't fast enough to react.

Including one heavily armored man with a steel club that just smashed into one Marine's cheek and eye.

*SHINK!*

Or how one very lucky Raider managed to stab his rifle with a bayonet into the stomach of a Marine and force him into the ground.

Haku didn't waste time either by then going on the assault with his men, even hitting one more Marine in the neck with his ice needles.

"HERE!"

A supersized hand that belonged to Chōji who was making the odds even more uneven by smashing into a group of Marines who were dealt away easily.

And this was only one section of the battle around the ship.

…

*Rapid Gunfire!*

With the sound coming from a mounted machine gun that was on the top of the ship, being fired away with belts of ammunition being fed in, the gunner handling the '08/15 MG was doing his work by mowing down any hostile trying to reach the ship.

And mowing down it did indeed with a wave of more head-strong Marines being caught in the crossfire or taken out with their attempt to reach the ship as fast as they could.

But they weren't only getting shot by that single machine gun crew, with on that ship laid a whole row of these Legionnaires who were firing their rifles, at these advancing naval boys. With either them doing suppressive fire or picking out targets like the experienced hunters they were and ending them with one single shot as possible.

Loading their strips of bullets inside the chambers of their rifles, and picking them out. One by one.

"You're mine…..little bastard…" One aimed his rifle and smiled. "Be my number five for today…"

*BANG!*

Another Marine dropped to the ground, forcing the others to duck for cover or turned around to try to find better cover.

The others who were still on the ship like Ivankov and Buggy with their people were watching with astonishment at the quick organizing of these Legionnaires but also felt a bit intimidated.

"They keep shooting…." One of the Okama's said with fear. "So much gunfire…."

"They are cutting them down without any second thoughts."

Buggy especially was watching these guys fighting viciously, even talking to one another about how many they had already shot as if they were keeping scores.

"My goodness." Mr. 3 himself commented with fear. "I can only imagine how many pirates' lives came to an end because of these people… Such barbarians."

Ivankov took no notice of those comments that were being made as he watched the vicious combat that he had witnessed before.

Then turning towards the Moby Dick, he watched them.

Moby Dick

Even from a clear distance, the carnage could be witnessed, to where even the Whitebeard Pirates were taken aback by the unforgiven nature of violence.

Whitebeard himself was watching closely, holding no words back on what he saw.

"Your boys are showing no mercy, Naruto."

Naruto stood there and watched how his men were doing that, but his arms were closed, coldly stating.

"We all know what we signed up for, old man. I will not hold back. So neither will my men."

Hearing that made the old man sigh and turn then his concentration to the kid. The squirt had something on him that caught his interest, and that something was hanging from his neck.

The straw hat.

"Tell me, is it really him?" Whitebeard asked for confirmation. "Is this the Straw Hat squirt? Ace's little brother?"

Naruto turned to face Luffy who was staring into the far ends of the battlefield and to the scaffold.

"He is, and he's a wild card I can say." Naruto worded out his own thoughts. "The fact he went into Impel Down to try to save his own brother on his own shows he is crazy enough."

"Back away from the damn ship!"

Smoker was seen ordering around, convincing some but not many to back down from assaulting the crashed naval ship.

"They got higher ground! You are all easy targets for them!" Tashigi told them around, joining her commander in trying to convince them. "These are not men to be taken lightly!"

"Retreat? Never!"

One Marine officer with a sword shouted as he began to sprint forwards while steam was covering his body.

*BANG!*

"On me men! With my devil fruit powers I-"

*SPLUNG!*

"UGH!" The daring Marine officer flung back into the ground with a bullet having just gone right through his chest and out from his back, taking out the man in a single shot.

"What the hell…" One ensign was shocked by what he saw. "What was that?"

"DAMN IT! I order you to get back!" Smoker angrily shouted. "Just as I feared, they got sea stone mineral bullets!"

Whitebeard narrowed his eyes at the boy. Especially the hat. and that alone made him the question.

"Hey squirt, that straw hat you are wearing, it looks exactly like the one Red Haired Shanks used to have on him."

Naruto happened to pay attention and was reminded of it.

'Is this really the kid that man gave his arm out for? Kinda not surprised given his nature now I am thinking back about it.'

'Given he was in the East Blue, and your friend Ace was from there too, I'd figure there was a connection as he said this rubber idiot is his brother.'

"... You're right, it was his hat." Luffy was responding to Whitebeard. "He left it to me."

"You came here to rescue your big brother?"

"That's right."

"Do you have the slightest idea who our forces are up against?"

Raising his naginata blade up, Whitebeard slammed his famous Murakumogiri right in front of Luffy.

*SLAM!*

"A squirt like you is going to get slaughtered real easy!"

The statement was loud and clear for everyone to have heard who Whitebeard was talking to. With those paying even the slightest aware person would've noticed that it was Straw Hat who he was mouthing against.

Normally the response to an angry Whitebeard would be an apology or even acknowledgment-

"SHUT UP!" Luffy responded with anger. "You don't know, you don't even know me!"

'That rubber idiot does not realize he's testing him? What's next?'

"I know what you're up to!" Luffy yelled out to the giant man. "Yeah, you want to be the king, huh!"

'Don't tell me he-'

"First you gotta go through me!" Luffy exclaimed to Whitebeard. "GOT IT?!"

Those last two words echoed throughout the battlefield and it sounded like heresy to those who witnessed this exchange of how some rookie was basically telling off the strongest pirate in the world.

And it was hilarious to Naruto who had to hold his hand in front of his mouth, mentally noting to his friend.

'You were saying?'

'This boy….is beyond any sense.'

Back with Luffy and Whitebeard's standoff, it was then series of growls and glaring that continued afterward for them as they showed no motion of backing down.

It was then Whitebeard raised his blade up and began swirling it around to make a strong surge of wind to occupy the unnerved Luffy, all while literally on the battlefield could only watch in fear of what was to come.

…

*SLAM!*

Again slamming the Murakumogiri to the ship, another powerful surge of power from Whitebeard caused many across the Bay to quiver in fear, to somebody even passing out from all of this. But Luffy didn't, and he stood there either very certain of himself or incredibly stupid beyond human belief.

That alone then turned the growl from Whitebeard into a smirk.

"What a cheeky little punk," Whitebeard said with then a warning. "Don't come crying to me for help if you're getting a few boo-boos, spoiled brat."

"Yeah right! I'm not all old like you!" Luffy responded back harshly before readying himself in a stance and stating. "I am going to be the one who rescues Ace."

…

"He's competing…" Ivankov began.

Buggy finished. "With Whitebeard!"

Both the Okamas and the Buggy faction were unable to process and were panicking in fear at what they have just witnessed, with even Mr. 3 literally passing out from all of it.

Meanwhile, some of the Raiders had listened and couldn't help but crack some smiles at the kid.

"Yeah, he really is Ace's brother, they both are crazy bastards just like the captain."

…

Back on the Moby Dick, two pair of boots were seen running up towards the front where they were allowed passage by Whitebeard's crew who recognized their uniforms.

"Captain!"

Naruto turned around and saw who it was.

"Foster, Domino."

"Urgent news, sir." Both saluted on the spot with Foster wasting no breath speaking. "They moved up Ace's hour of execution."

Naruto turned briefly towards Luffy and Whitebeard, who were both heard talking about the same thing, confirming it.

"Hmm, so it must be true," Naruto concluded as he then turned back around and ordered. "We'll need a line of communications to keep the situation coordinated."

"Sir?"

"Foster will stay with me when we attack," Naruto told them. "Domino, you'll stay here."

Domino was about to protest-

"Remember Domino, your cover is blown, and the enemy will not show mercy towards you once they found out you are here," Naruto told her. "I need a good coordinator, end of discussion."

Both nodded and saluted their commander, with Foster running to carry out his orders while Domino was approaching him instead.

"Here."

Pulling out from underneath her buttoned shirt was a whistle, and she handed it over to her captain who accepted it.

"It's for when the situation gets dire…like back in-"

"HANG ON, ACE! I'M COMING FOR YOU!"

That being Luffy who just shouted while jumping off the Moby Dick, he began running straight for the battlefield with him wasting no more time standing around.

"Looks like he went up ahead," Naruto said as he put the whistle into his pocket and began running. "I'll be joining him!"

Naruto then followed up behind and jumped also off the Moby Dick, trying to catch up with Luffy as he was confronted by a large group of Marines standing in his way.

"GUM-GUM BAZOOKA!" Luffy shouted as he slung both his arms to the front.

Blasting the wall of Marines, they scattered around and opened the path for Luffy to run through.

"GET OUT OF MY WAY!"

…

On the crashed ship, they saw then that Luffy was making his move by literally going into the mayhem on his own, causing the others to just watch at first.

"Let's lend him our support!" Jimbei said jumping off the ship with a roar. "Let's go!"

Ivankov and his Okama people followed up from behind, leaving all but Buggy and his band to watch on the sidelines.

"Hey, what's happening at the Moby Dick?"

…

The bow of the Moby Dick began to open up beneath Whitebeard's feet. A large ramp door swung open slowly, drawing everyone's eyes as it crashed down onto the ice.

With the ramp landing on the ice, nothing but darkness was first seen inside the haul.

Whitebeard however just stood there above as Marco landed next to him and asked on the spot.

"They coming out now?"

"They are…"

And then from the insides of the Moby Dick, several noises could be heard like the sounds of roaring then the first thing that was spotted were the lights. Headlights as numerous pairs of lights turned on as they were seen coming out.

"Attack!" One Marine officer shouted with his men following him. "Attack Whitebeard's men from within the Moby Dick-"

*CLICK!*

Gunfire erupted as it was concentrated on the group of Marines who were cut down fast by the enormous rate of it, with no man left standing even the unsuspected officer having fallen down.

"What the hell! What happened?!" One Marine shouted at what he just witnessed. "They're all taken out!"

The first pair of boots were seen coming out, covered in steel plates and military boots. The man was carrying a 08/15 MG, which was smoking partly through the barrel as it still needed to be fully used.

With the sound of engines roaring and descending from the Moby Dick, more men were seen coming out as then the man carrying the machine gun tapped his hand on it and said one more thing.

"I'm going to enjoy this."

Back on the battlefield, it was Luffy who was seen taking the lead as Naruto had finally caught up with him, both now were not the only ones to be seen advancing.

Naruto turned his face around and noticed that some of his men, noticeably Gin and Haku together with a few others were right behind him, but also not far behind were Jimbei and Ivankov with his people.

One person seem to be taking the initiative by charging straight for the line of Marines, one Speed Jiru, a Whitebeard Pirate commander who was fast as lightning and had his men attacking.

"Sir, I've caught up!" Foster shouted as he was running with news to tell. "Whitebeard's 14th Division is advancing!" He added. "Jozu's 3rd Division is also joining in, right behind us!"

*BOOM!*

And then right in front of them, an explosion happened, with Marines seen obliterated by what looked like the result of a cannon shot.

"Wait, that's no normal cannon shot…"

Naruto stopped and turned around, seeing that from afar a whole lot of Marines were running and retreating from one section of the battlefield, running away from the Moby Dick.

What came out from the Moby Dick was a tank - not just a tank, one that had seen its battles in a conflict that it had gotten its reputation alongside others of these mechanical beasts.

It was a Mark IV tank, armed with two 6-pounder guns and several machine guns, it was leading the way for a small but formidable force of fighters who wore similar uniforms of the Foreign Legion.

"TANK! THEY GOT TANKS!"

Panic erupted for those Marines who were in the path of the tank and tried to either run away or fire their rifles against it, only for the bullets to bounce off or miss.

The tank responded by firing one of its pounder guns with one shot, causing even more chaos as the Marines went on full retreat.

…

The sight of these tanks coming in was enough for Ace to be in shock, watching how his former comrades were pulling up in all types of gear, all while next to him an angry Fleet Admiral was speaking.

"Damn it! They were supposed to be decommissioned and returned back to Dr. Vegapunk." Sengoku said angry. "If he has any hand into this…"

"You know better than I that is not the case, Sengoku." Garp spoke while closely observing the whole ordeal. "It looks more like Naruto wasn't the only one from the Legion to have decided to come try to save Ace."

"Not like it matters, our strategy is airtight," Sengoku spoke over the comms and ordered. "Spare no quarter to them!"

With the number of vehicles having exited the Moby Dick, which were perhaps a few dozen. They were then seen splitting apart in three different directions.

"What?!"

…

Whitebeard and now Marco both were watching as the number of vehicles was seen splitting up and driving in three directions.

"Hmmm, looks like they're going to try to support our allies in the back," Marco said turning to his father who had also figured it out. "Meaning only one will join the assault."

"So long it strains the Navy, I can work with this strategy," Whitebeard replied, telling his son and going further. "Keep an eye on them."

…

Two of the Admirals were also watching, Kizaru and Aokiji. Both of whom also spoke their own thoughts about the new company they didn't expect to barge in.

"Well, this is quite the situation. Pirates with tanks." Kizaru stated very much in his normal tone.

"This is bad, not going to lie." Aokiji voiced his opinion and shook his head. "Some of these men used to fight alongside each other, now we are on opposite sides."

"Well, that supposed it's up to me to keep them from advancing too much," Kizaru said before he noticed. "Speaking about advancing, gimme a minute."

*FWOOOSH!*

Within a blink of an eye, Kizaru disappeared, leaving then Aokiji to then wonder in his mind briefly.

'What a mess this is.'

He proceeded to then focus his eyes on the advancing pirates, but more to the spearheading Straw Hat and his new allies.

*PUNCH!*

Another chin got an uppercut from Luffy who continued to punch Marines who dared to try to stand in his way.

"Take out Straw Hat!" A group of more Marines was seen charging for him, being another obstacle.

"Damn it, move!" Luffy stretched his arms out for an attack. "GUM-GUM-"

"FIRE!"

Two shots rang past Luffy who saw whatever flew by him, hit the group of Marines in front of him, exploding and destroying the whole group.

Luffy was confused as he kept on running and took notice seeing that the cause of those explosions was of a large green moving vehicle. With a white skull drawn up the front, this thing was moving on wheels as it was firing multiple machine guns firing up the front.

"Move it Straw Hat!"

Luffy's focus got back and spotted he was being accompanied by members of the Damned Raiders, with Gin and Foster among them with them firing their guns at any nearing enemies.

"Just keep moving!" Gin said smashing his Tonfa into the head of a Marine. "We've got you covered."

"Follow the Putilov truck, it will clear the way."

Luffy nodded and went along with them. Not saying much as he was already out of breath and puffing from exhaustion. Yet he didn't want to stop, not now.

"Everyone climb!"

And already members of the 14th Whitebeard Division had reached the broken wall that was caused by the corpse of Little Oars Jr. With them starting to climb up on the debris to try and reach the plaza.

Then out of nowhere Kizaru came out like a lightning beam and was coming in fast with his foot aimed for the climbing pirates.

"Look out-"

*BANG!*

That attack of Kizaru evaporated all those pirates on the debris, with those not caught in the Admiral's attack being pushed back, including its commander.

Speed Jiru muttered. "A light-speed kick?"

Appearing out of nothing but light beams, Admiral Kizaru stood now where those pirates stood before, addressing directly the pirates.

"Did you think I was going to let you pass? You fellas are awfully confident for a bunch of nobodies."

Kizaru even then turned his focus on the few squads of Legionnaires who were standing there with a Mark IV tank and a Putilov, having stopped at the sheer sight of the Admiral.

"Ah, and I cannot forget about you bunch." Kizaru mentioned them. "You all are going to be next for your treasonous behavior."

These men stopped immediately when they spotted the Admiral. Knowing they were no league for this ruthless man - but that did not stop Luffy who was continuing to run.

"Hey, you're that jerk from Sabaody!" Luffy recognized him while keeping on running.

"And you're the boy the Celestial Dragons asked me to take care of," Kizaru responded by raising his feet up that began to glow. "Nice to get a second chance…"

Instead of even stopping or the very least sidestepping away from the incoming attack, Luffy just kept on running much to loud warnings from others.

"Stop it Straw Hat!"

"He's nuts!"

The glowing beam only brightened and it looked like Luffy wasn't going to change course-

"DEATH WINK!"

A saving act by Ivankov prevented Luffy's demise as he was blown away a few meters from the impact of Kizaru's attack, landing him in a much safer spot as the explosion was great enough to nearly blast away a whole settlement if possible.

Upon realizing what had just happened, Kizaru commented. "Huh, looks like that kid got away, huh?"

But then his tinted sunglasses focused on the number of Legionnaires who were unfortunate to be standing in his way.

"That only leaves me to dispose of you all."

Gin cussed to himself before ordering his men. "Prepare yourselves!"

About to raise his leg, Admiral Kizaru was about to then take it up a notch with his leg and go for a kick attack-

*KICK!*

But he was prevented by the fast and sudden appearance of Naruto himself, seen with both his arms crossed, he blocked Kizaru's leg from finishing that move with his arms covered in glowing yellow-orangish light.

"The Captain stopped Kizaru!"

Kizaru smiled and spoke. "Naruto, it has been a while. I must say that it is quite impressive how you managed to stay alive for this long."

"Admiral Kizaru. Also good seeing you." Naruto responded quite politely. "I hope you don't mind leaving my crew in good health, would you?"

"Oh I do mind, so you know," Kizaru said still holding his own against him. "But I was serious, you are hard to find after your latest stunt a few years ago."

"Like I didn't know Cipher Pol was not buying my death, but that is for another time," Naruto replied with then a warning. "There are some people who really have valid complaints for their stay in Impel Down."

Kizaru asked. "Oh, like who?"

"ME!"

Naruto side-stepped as then a large, enraged, and brazen Chōji was seen coming with his enlarged fist!

"EAT THIS!"

*SMASH!*

Kizaru was sent flying toward the wall before he could reacted properly, with his body hitting the same fractured defenses that were earlier kicked in by Marco the Phoenix himself.

He however reappeared on top of the wall without much of a scratch on his face nor even a shred of his clothing, but a few sweatdrops could be seen on his forehead as he took the message to heart in his own cynical-sounding voice.

"I assume that was the complaint, huh," Kizaru stated as he found himself back where he stood before.

Back down below, Naruto turned towards Chōji.

"Are you alright?"

"Doing fine Naruto, thanks for asking." The Akamichi smiled at him before he got back to business. "I'll cover Gin and Foster's approach. You try to keep up with Ace's brother."

Naruto nodded as the two parted ways the Legionnaires could be seen continuing their advances across the front.

With Luffy out on his own running directionless for the moment, he was soon joined by Naruto who landed next to him.

"Oi, Luffy!"

"Whatever you do, do not engage the Admirals, Luffy," Naruto warned him straight up as he ran next to him. "They are way out of your league, so leave the rest to Whitebeard's Commanders and my men."

*SWIRL!*

Two sharp ring blade discs were then seen flying toward them Luffy decided to dodge those discs-

*BANG!* *BANG!*

Naruto just quickly fired his revolver twice from the hip, breaking both in two as they shattered into pieces once they hit the ice.

"NOO! My chakrams!"

Before Naruto or Luffy could react who was shouting, a man with brass knuckles in a blue shirt tried attacking Luffy from above who just dodged the man's attack, When he tried to attack the blond-

*Grip!*

Whoever's arm Naruto just grabbed, he did not hesitate when he put immense pressure on it to then incapacitate him with a loud-

*CRACK!*

"Ahhh, my arm!" The pink-haired hat-wearing Marine screamed in pain as he was forced onto his knees, right in front of Naruto who happened to recognize that voice.

"Fullbody?"

The man turned his head upwards and made the mistake of making eye contact with the Foreign Legion commander.

"Get your hands off me!" Fullbody told him as he used his other arm to try and lay a hit on him, forcing Naruto to release him this allowed the man to jump away from him.

He landed next to another marine who was also casually dressed in a purple/yellow patterned shirt with heart-shaped sunglasses with a marine hat. Now both men are seen blocking their path.

"Ugh.."

"Can you still stand up?" The heart-glass-wearing man asked.

"I'm fine, Jango, but the arm is-"

"Fractured, it's fractured you lazy bum," Naruto stated to the wounded marine. "How you stayed a Lieutenant after the shit you've done is beyond me."

"Oh, he's no Lieutenant anymore, Uzumaki." The marine named Jango said as he was seen pulling out two more Chakrams from behind. "Not ever since Straw Hat humiliated him in the East Blue."

"Oh, it's you?" Luffy remembered the name and brought it up. "Sanji kicked your ass in the Baratie."

Not only his arm but also Fullbody's pride was hurt after hearing that and glared at Jango for a brief moment who shrieked.

Luffy then turned to Naruto. "Say, how do you know him anyway?"

"He was a Marine Officer during the Elemental War, one of the typical kind," Naruto spoke negatively of him. "Was more with his head in expensive wines and the local nobility than trying to actually command his troops."

"You watch your mouth, scum!" Fullbody cussed him out. "You made a huge mistake allying yourself with the likes of Whitebeard and Straw Hat!"

"No, my biggest mistake is not having you put up against the wall and shot," Naruto replied in a cold tone. "If it wasn't for that one person who convinced me otherwise, I would've taken you out without a second thought."

Naruto went even to pull out his revolver, still having four left in his chamber, intending on using it.

"Ha! Empty words!" Fullbody called his bluff and asked. "You-"

*KICK!*

Fullbody got knocked out by a kick to the back of his head, landing unconscious next to Jango was shocked to see this.

"Hey-"

*KICK!*

Jango then joined his friend to the ground by the same person who kicked him in the back of the head, who wore black heel boots and wore a marine coat over a dark purple uniform, with black gloves and purple-tinted sunglasses that fitted with her femininity.

"Both of you, shut up." The person who just kicked both her subordinates was a good-looking woman who was seen with a cigarette in her mouth and spoke in the 3rd person. "Hina is disappointed, as always."

"You're that cage chick from Alabasta." Luffy recognized her and was impatient. "I don't have time to play games with you people."

"Captain Hina…"

Lowering his revolver, Naruto slowly puts it back into his holster. Seeing he was now focused on the female captain.

Luffy was confused but then saw that even the cage woman was also eyeing Naruto like they knew each other of some sort.

"Luffy, go now," Naruto said as he stood there with the intention of staying. "I can handle her, do not stay here…"

"Agreed on that." Captain Hina stated as she herself stood in formation, ready for battle. "Move along, kid. I'm letting you pass this time."

Taking upon the words, Luffy continued to move along and ran past both of them, leaving the two by themselves as they were ready to face off.

Once they were only an ear's distance from each other, and everyone else around them was occupied with their own fights, it was then when they both felt safe to say this.

"It is been a long time."

"Yeah. it has been."

Cliffhanger, perhaps yes.

But keeping you guys excited? Hopefully, I am.

Next chapter will have a bit of a flashback where then a bit more info will be given.

Now, I hope you all would be kind to leave a review and follow the story.

Peace.