Alright, this chapter is going to ruffle some feathers - if not the next chapter.
Hope you all will enjoy it.
Laid on the ground, Naruto was finally grounded just a few feet away from the scaffold, with a nasty headwound and him being unconscious from that last punch.
This left his mind to go down memory lane…
Flashback
Shinobi Continent
1516
"Lieutenant."
Naruto's eyes opened up, feeling something on his head, he realized it was the bandages that had covered the wound around his temple as he lay in his bed inside of his cabin. He turned to whoever awakened him - it being Shizuka.
"Please, get up."
"Alright, alright…" Naruto groaned while getting off his bed, still wearing his clothes, he had been sweating in the same rags for several days, a fever that now for the most part was gone, he turned to his fiance, "What is it?"
"The Captain wants to speak to you," Shizuka answered, holding freshly washed clothes that were his spare uniform, she handed it over to him.
Disrobing himself of his dirty clothes, Naruto did not mind the eyes of the Nadeshiko Kunoichi staring down his toned body. He quickly refreshed himself also with some clean water next to his bed and splashed it over his face before finishing with his wardrobe.
Once finished, Naruto nodded.
"Let's go."
…
Walking through the hallways of the Sea Snake, it didn't take long for Naruto and Shizuka to reach the top side and get to the bridge where they could see Bishop and Major Whitehall were watching something.
The view was of the coastlines that was of the shinobi continent mainland, from a good distance away. The ships were miles off the coast and out of any range of whatever defenses were on those shores, with it also closes enough to see the beaches with binoculars.
"So you are 100% sure of this intel, Bishop?" Whitehall asked while looking through his pair of binoculars at the shores, "I need to be sure it is valid."
"It is from Captain Li himself, he and his men have confirmed the structure to be stable and standing." Bishop informed him, looking at the number of ships that anchored next to theirs, "If we want to land somewhere, at least with something with proper roading."
"I agree, that is why I want it to be sure it exists." Whitehall said removing the binoculars from his eyes, "If it is there, we can build a bridgehead into the Land of Fire."
"Sir."
The two senior officers of the Legion turned around to see it was Naruto who announced his presence, standing in formation as he saluted them with Lady Shizuka behind him.
"Lieutenant Uzumaki, reporting for duty."
"At ease," Bishop spoke, with Naruto doing so.
"Ah, good to see you in better health, Uzumaki." Major Whitehall responded, facing the junior officer, "Good, I got a new job for you and your men. Have you read the reports from Captain Li?"
"From 6th 'Hate' Batallion?" Naruto asked, knowing the Kanto native Legionairre who with his men had been fighting on the mainland for quite some time, "Yes, what about him?"
Instead of a straight answer, Major Whitehall pulled out a large map and put it down on the table, it being more focused on the Eastern coastline of the Shinobi continent, with parts of the map being colored or marked with troop movements from the Land of Hot Springs down to the Land of Tea - with the red colorings marking Li's 6th Infantry troop movement.
The 6th had gone through a rough time after the attack on Haran Harbor, pushed to break out of encirclement by the enemy at their outpost, they having been forced to fight their way southwards through several points in the Hot Spring lands and over the borders of the Fire Country - with them having been compelled to rely on airdrops for supplies or having lived off the land. They had managed to get to a small area just east of the coastal line of the Land of Fire, where the remnants of the battle-hardened 6th Infantry were now held up and waiting for relief.
And that relief was coming soon.
"After the attacks on Haran Bay, the 6th 'Hate' Infantry and any other units of the Expeditionary Forces were cut from the seas, leaving them to be picked off by bandits and Shinobi. With them forced to leave their heavy equipment, Captain Li gathered as many men he could find and fought down south to this little spot." Whitehall pointed out to a small spot of land off the shores, "He's reported to be here, the Land of Waves. Where they have captured several key points and set up defensive positions."
Naruto asked, "How many are still combat efficient?"
"Out of over twelve hundred - only around four hundred," Whitehall answered, the numbers were grim and he knew it. "They've been getting hunted by rogue Shinobi and bandits - but we've only now managed to reestablish contact with them. So that's why you are going in"
"And relieve them, yes," Naruto responded whilst interrupting, but clearly understanding what the situation was, "When do I leave?"
"Now…with that man behind you."
*Hick!*
The sound of that made both the blond and his Nadeshiko betrothed turn around to see that sitting in the corner was a barely conscious civilian, the man was old and holding onto a sake bottle and sitting on a chair that was provided to him.
"That man is Tazuna, the man who oversaw the construction of the bridge and the man who brought in the message to us from Li." Bishop said, "Mind waking this bugger up and freshening him out? You'll be leaving soon."
"On it," Naruto acknowledged as he walked over to the drunk man and kneeled to see the man was in deep slumber, with him grabbing the sake bottle, he shook his head.
"What a waste."
Shizuka asked confused, "What? The alcoholism?"
"No, the waste of this booze," Naruto said to her, raising the bottle, "It mostly is spilled, the bastard."
He then turned back to the old man and held up his hand, ready to snap his fingers.
"Wake up."
*CLICK!*
Flashback ends
"WAKE UP!"
*CLICK!*
Naruto's eyes widened, and with his vision blurry, he was met with two figures standing over his body trying to get him back to the living. It was Haku and Foster.
"Captain, you better wake up now!" Ivankov shouted closely to him, "I know a hit from Garp is to be deadly but you are not the kind to go down easily - so move up!"
With Naruto getting helped up, the three were unfortunately getting approached from all sides by Marines.
"Uzumaki is down! Kill him!"
*SMASH!*
That Marine officer was smashed across the face by a spiked club that was being held by one of the Damned men wearing armor and a gas mask while firing his revolver at any target nearby.
"Captain!"
Another member with the cap and goggles fired his sawn-off shotgun and grenade launcher, firing one round into a group of marines and blowing them up. These two heavies were slowly joining Haku and Foster.
The shotgun-wielding soldier then looked up and spotted something on the platform - glowing and growing in gold…
"Oh shit…"
Then without them even knowing, Naruto disappeared from the spot.
On the platform
After having been standing on the sidelines for too long, Sengoku, who now was the only standing obstacle on the platform between Ace and his freedom, was ready to crush Luffy and his older brother figure - in Budha Mode, his Devil Fruit Power. He had no intention to hold back.
"I'll execute the both of you!" Sengoku yelled as he was about to slam his enlarged fist into them.
Reacting fast, Luffy bit his thumb and was ready to counter this man.
"GUM GUM-"
Then an orange flash appeared out of nowhere and stopped the incoming golden fist, stopping its movement with an impact that could be felt across the battlefield.
"S-Something stopped the Fleet Admiral's attack!"
The strong orange power that stopped Sengoku's attack was coming from Naruto, having intervened just in time, he had summoned whatever strength he had to spare the two brothers from a painful end.
Kizaru watched and commented, "I'll say, even a direct hit from Garp won't keep that kid down."
Forced back down on the scaffold floor, Naruto was still keeping Sengoku back-
"WHAT THE-" Mr. 3 Spoke, seen wearing an executioner uniform. "NO!"
*CRACK!*
Until then the loud sound of something was heard - that something was the scaffold itself began breaking apart by the immense pressure it could not hold against, with all individuals who were standing there now falling from the high ground.
"This is awful! I'll make a key!" Mr. 3 spoke, "Get those cuffs off him, hurry!"
"You got it!"
As they were still falling, several Marine units were aiming their cannons at the falling targets, with Mr. 3 having very little time to make a key - which he did.
"Franky I could less care about your brother! I'm here out of respect for my late comrade," Mr. 3 shouted with conviction to his friend, "laugh at me if you like but here!"
Luffy yelled back, "Why would I laugh at that?"
"Less talking more doing!" Naruto yelled at them, "NOW!"
"FIRE!" Someone ordered the Marines, "Shoot them until they hit the ground!"
A series of guns went off, cannons, rifles, bazookas, and pistols. All at the same time aimed and fired at the four.
"Here!" Three threw his wax-made key, "Good luck!"
"Thanks, Three!"
Luffy catches the keys.
Sengoku sees this and widens his eyes as he jumps away from the scene, cursing out;
"Damnit!"
*CLICK!*
*BOOM!*
The combined munitions of all the cannons and bazookas fired at once at the scaffold erupted into a large explosion that rocked the area. With the smoke reaching the skies and leaving a trail of fire, a fireball burst out into the clouds. Whatever was left on the scaffold was gone with the fire, smoldering away with anything in it.
Ivankov's reacted grimly alongside his people, "That doesn't look good!"
"Naruto!" Jimbei shouted, looking horrified.
"ACE, NO!" The Whitebeard Pirates reacted.
Whitebeard just watched, having no words.
However, the most surprising reaction came from Haku who spotted something falling from the fire, with her comrades wondering what it was.
Sea Prism cuffs.
Then out of the smoke appeared four full flames, like a cross they then turned into the symbol of the Whitebeard Pirates fully displayed before they imploded out to everyone - leaving a fiery tunnel.
"What is that!" One Marine commented, "It looks like a tunnel of flames!"
Inside that tunnel, it was there that the effort finally came to fruition, with one man having been freed from the shackles, he finally spoke.
"Ever since you were little you never listened to a word I said," Ace said, turning around with his smile. "Have you?
Luffy only could respond with a smile back, genuinely feeling happiness with what he had accomplished.
"Then you run off and do something crazy."
"Enough of that, Lieutenant - or whatever your rank now is, Portgas!"
Jumping out of the fire tunnel, was an enflamed Ace seen dragging his brother Luffy out, while Naruto dragged Mr. Three with him. All four jumped back into the eye of everyone on the battlefield - showing they were still alive.
"You bet!" Ace spoke taking the lead, "Like old times, huh Luffy?"
And there it was, Fire Fist Ace was free and it gained cheers from all the allies down on the ground.
"THEY'RE ALIVE!" Jimbei sounded.
Hancock smiled, "Well, of course!"
"ACE!" The whole of the Whitebeard Pirates/Allied Pirates/ and his former comrades of the Legion shouted ecstatic.
"It is…a true Miracle!" Ivankov sounded shockingly relieved.
Whitebeard looked with amazement, they managed to do it, just in time.
With them coming out of the tunnel of fire, Ace was about to join the fight to get out of there, with Naruto following up behind - it was Luffy whose eyes and nose were dripping as he was happy to shout.
"LET'S GOOOOO!"
One transponder snail happened to record all of this on the shoulders of one of the Legionnaires. With that being streamed to the whole world.
Meanwhile
On an island on the Grand Line, somewhere in the New World was the island of Elegia, which was formerly known as Elegia Kingdom as it now was just ruins of its former glory.
Those ruins are only accompanied by its former monarch, King Gordon - who by these days goes now by just Gordon, a tall old man with a double chin with a scar running across his forehead.
Walking through the hallways he finally made his way to a room, and opened the door.
What was broadcasting there was the Marineford War, on full display, as he saw Fire Fist being freed by Straw Hat and that blond captain.
"I haven't missed much, I see."
Having only gone outside to relieve himself in the restroom, the old man sat back on the couch as he continued to watch the war unfold in front of him. On his own, having witnessed everything from the perspective of the Legionnaires.
The will they were showing to save a comrade of theirs was something that brought up memories of his own when he met these men years ago, with his foster child who had performed for them in that war-ridden continent.
"Oh, Uta. I am glad you are not seeing this now." Gordon sounded, pain in his voice, "If you saw this, you'd break."
Marineford
Marines were regrouping on the ground, preparing to take out Ace and his rescue party who were about to land in their midst - with Ace and Naruto noticing it.
"Here comes our welcome party!"
"Right!" Ace responded, turning to the blond, "Permission to engage first?"
"You're no longer my subordinate, Ace!" Naruto cleared to him, smiling at him. "They're all yours!"
Ace nodded and prepared himself by speaking, "Let's split up for now, don't let your guard down yet."
"Okay!"
"Wait, NO!" Mr. Three's protested in vain, thrown up front by Luffy before
"FLAME COMMANDMENT"
Covering himself with large amounts of flames that started to amass around his body.
The marines with the cannons beneath him shrieked in fear, frozen there, they heard him.
"FIRE PILLAR!"
Ace fired a large amount of flames into the ground floor, engulfing everything in its path with the marines in it and wiping them out of his way. The flames surrounded the area and kept those officers still standing at bay.
But within the fires stood the three men landed on their feet, with the fourth faceplanting.
Then Naruto Luffy landed with Three face planting.
The Marines got back up and prepared for battle.
"They're strong! Be careful men!"
The encircling flames burst away standing in the middle; Naruto, Ace, and Luffy stood in their fighting positions while Three still lying there.
Ace's body still was covered in a few flames and looked over at his little brother, seeing he was heezing.
"Can you still fight Luffy?"
"Of course I can!" Luffy said, but couldn't deny that he was very tired and could fall by any moment now.
Ace turned towards Naruto and saw that he was bleeding from the head and slightly from the mouth, and his arm.
"Naruto are you alright? Look I can cover for you-"
"I'm alright, a punch from Garp is what I'm used to," Naruto said before adding, "Before you ask, yes it is my arm again."
"Always is."
"Luffy! Ace! Naruto!" an ecstatic Jimbei yelled at them.
Whitebeard grinned at the sight of the troublemakers.
"Remember Ace is a logia type, so it's going to be really tough to hit." A marine informed his men, reloading his rifle, "And watch out for Uzumaki."
"Never thought I'd need my little brother to save me. Guess I'll swallow my pride this time."
Ace humored with a smile, getting his mind off of Luffy and thanking him, "I owe you one, Luffy."
Luffy responded with a short laugh as he rubbed his nose. "Thanks but I couldn't do it if Whitebeard didn't show up - or your friend Naruto."
"Right," Ace turns back to the blond, not forgetting him he shows his gratitude, "Naruto, am I glad to see you still alive, and for coming to save me."
"Like I am going to leave one of my best friends to hang dry, Yamato would kill me if I allowed it." Naruto chuckled before paying back attention, "Besides, we're not out of the winds yet…"
Surrounding them and with the sounds of multiple safety clicks going off, showing that already the first groups of marines had surrounded the four in the middle.
"You think we'll let you get away?" One of the marines shouted, "Consider this your execution ground, pirates!"
They opened fire, with the bullets not affecting the two brothers at all. The bullets went right through Ace's body, leaving only holes of fire, and Luffy caught the bullets that went for him, with his rubbery body bouncing those back.
"Shoot Uzumaki"
Some of the marines fired at Naruto, only for him to disappear on the spot.
The marines started looking around; "Where is he?"
"I'm up here."
They looked up to see it was Naruto up high before he went right for them with his tantō blade-
*SLASH!*
Screaming in pain, not only were their bodies and clothes cut through, but also were their rifles splintered apart like thin paper, decimating the marines who fell to the ground, defeated.
"Back off!" Luffy yelled as the bullets bounced back towards the marines and hit them.
Two marines with swords started going for a straight attack on Luffy.
"Now charge!"
"I'll cut him to pieces!"
Luffy saw them coming from both sides, and before he could dodge their attack his head was shoved to the ground by Ace who caught the attacks, not that it worked as they went straight through him because of his devil fruit powers.
The marines looked nervous as they saw the flames were the only thing that they hit, and now they were facing Fire Fist.
"That's my little brother you tried to murder." Ace looked up to them with a dangerous smile as he asked them, "I'll have to ask you to stop."
He used Luffy's head to jump high above the air and face them all. Going then for his signature attack.
"FIRE FIST!"
Using his signature attack, Ace launched out a large amount of fire against a big group of marines, blowing a hole in their circle and taking out scores of them who were either blown away or consumed by that brotherly rage.
Luffy pumped the blood with his legs once more as his skin turned pinkish and hot of steam, facing off three marines with swords.
"Now…second gear!"
"Shave!" The three marines reacted before disappearing.
Luffy stayed there for a moment until he vanished at the last second as the three marines tried to corner him with their swords with their swords to the place he had earlier, left there in confusion, they happened to then look up.
"GUM GUM.."
They were left petrified seeing the spinning figure of Luffy who was descending on them-
"JET STAMP!"
Slamming down on the three marines, Luffy knocked them all out in one full sweep.
Ace then stepped in front of a group of marines and pointed hands at them like they were pistols.
"FIRE GUN!"
Firing bolts of flames at the Marines, Ace hit every one of the marines that were in his range, taking out dozens of them with hits to the chest. Leaving his back exposed to one big one who was carrying a club that he intended to smash into him
"YOU'RE DEAD!"
*SLAM!*
Naruto kicked his foot squarely in the large guy's face, giving the marine no chance. Before he could touch Ace, he sent him down and out. Landing then next to him.
"Thanks, I owe you one."
"Don't, this one is for that time in Konoha," Naruto said watching his back, seeing that Luffy then joined the two.
The brothers' superior teamwork put the Marines on edge as they realized that they were outmatched. But now that the blond was with them, they knew better.
"Don't engage them on your own, damn it!" One Marine warned, "Fire Fist and Uzumaki together are a deadly duo, let alone Straw Hat mixing in. Those two together are bad trouble!"
Naruto smirked hearing this, he, however, grunted in pain.
'Kurama.'
'I know, but you aren't ready yet - That last-ditch attempt on the scaffold against that Buddha guy nearly exhausted you out.'
"This is fun and all, but the sooner we leave this dumb, the better." Ace suggested to his brother, then to Naruto, "Mind if we take charge?"
Naruto nodded and said, "Go on, I'll catch up with you."
As Whitebeard's commanders and comrades cleared their escape route, Ace and Luffy ran. While Luffy handled the front with a Jet Gatling, Ace covered their backs by launching multiple fiery fireballs at the attacking marines. Except for the vice-admirals and admirals, none of the marines had a chance against the two brothers, the Whitebeard commanders, and the allied pirates.
He was about to join them when suddenly he felt extremely dizzy and sank to one of his knees, forced to use his blade to support himself.
"The captain's down!"
Ace and Luffy stopped and turned around to see what was happening, with Ace reacting first.
"NARUTO!"
Naruto grabbed slightly for his head wound and some of the blood was dripping on his hands. Showing it had gotten worse.
"Damn it. Garp's fist was stronger than I remember…."
Having gone through a lot in the last few hours from Impel Down to all the way here, Naruto shouldn't be surprised he was in bad shape now. But that left him to be seen as an easy target.
"This is our opportunity! Take that traitor out!" Seeing an opportunity, a group of marines prepared to launch an attack on his exposed back.
He was going to be stabbed by a dagger by a marine. "You're mine!"
Three of Whitebeard's commanders immediately ran to aid Naruto.
"How dare you!?" exclaimed Jimbei.
"Fight him like a man…"
…
*BANG!*
*SMASH*
*POW!*
Ruthlessly put down by gunfire or steel weaponry, the marines attempted and were slain by shotgun shots, including the Marine with the dagger who was lying on the ground in pain.
"...Help…"
Reacting was a Legionairre, the one with the cap and goggles carrying a sawn-off shotgun. He looked down and aimed his sawed-off shotgun.
"Sure…I'll help you…"
*BANG!*
The single shot ended the marine on the spot before the Legionnaire turned back and ran over to the captain.
Sitting there, Naruto was getting treated by Haku who was again bandaging him and whipping the blood off. Foster covered him with his rifle while Gin had just finished taking care of another Marine with his blood-soaked Tonfa.
Running past the shotgun wielder was Shikamaru, Reiser, and another medic who got to Haku's side immediately.
"What's wrong with him?"
"Garp punched him, that's what's wrong with him." Haku said, throwing some water in Naruto's face, trying to dehydrate him, "He's exhausted, bleeding, and fighting constantly. He's not in the best shape so this was predictable."
At that point, some of the Legionnaires were coming in with numbers, with an armored car and a Mark IV tank seen making a perimeter with the intent of covering their commander as they were getting support from the Whitebeard Commanders.
At this point, some of the heavily armored and armed Assault Units had already joined, with a small group of them happening to have come across a hasty Ace who ran into them.
Ace stopped in front of them, facing the men who wore gas masks and goggles that covered their identities, but he recognized this unit on the spot.
"Firefly Company…"
"Huh?" Luffy was confused, "You know these guys, Ace?"
"No time for explanation, we need to move," One of the Firefly Company members, it being Reiser who appeared out of the group, "We'll stay with him. Go now."
"But-"
"Go kid, don't worry we'll be right behind you," Naruto said to Luffy Ace wanted to say no but knew they had no choice but to move on.
"Go!"
Both brothers started running as Naruto now slowly was surrounded by his crew and allies.
Naruto watched them go and turned to the doctor and medic, watching his wounds getting patched up, he asked his men.
"Status report."
"We're in need to pull out, now." Shikamaru said, sounding urgent, "Chōji is taking charge but says that some of his men are running out of ammo, preparing traps as now as we speak."
"How many?"
"We're down a third of our manpower with what we started with, but we still got punches left." Reiser told his commander, "Hunter says he can put sniper support to cover us from the steel wall, also with machine guns to cover our retreat."
"...Right, that's what we will do." Naruto concluded, turning to his Nara friend, "Shikamaru, take Foster and Firefly Company - help set our exit strategy up."
Jimbei just then happened to arrive on the spot, concerned. "Naruto!"
"Rest of you, on me," Naruto said, standing up with the help of the medics, he held his head before ordering. "We're getting out of Marineford!"
The Legionnaires did what they were told and so did the surrounding units who began a slow retreat while holding back the main forces of the Navy who were trying to get through.
With Naruto and Jimbei then walking back, Haku and the medic insisted on staying with him but were told their services were needed elsewhere, leaving the blond to be alone with his Fishman friend. Walking normally while having your back turned against thousands upon thousands of marines who were held up behind him, showed how both men were used to this kind of pressure.
"I should've seen it, your body has not been in good condition after all that has happened since Impel Down. I suggest you take it easy from now on," Jimbei insisted to Naruto, "We got Ace out, it is only a matter of when they get to the ships."
One Marine tried to run for the duo with his blade, having somehow managed to get through-
"Die!"
*PANG!*
The body of that marine flung a few meters away, with that shot having come from the steel wall, it is either one of the snipers or Hunter himself with that caliber. The two men just proceeded to walk.
"It is not a matter of when but how, Jimbei," Naruto answered his friend, keeping his hand over his holster while holding his blade next to the other, "We need a big ship that can carry our forces out. With Whitebeard alone, we'll need something to carry out over two thousand men and heavy equipment."
Then the ground began to rumble underneath their feet, and before they could ask what it was - they saw one of the Whitebeard ships coming right past them, with of them being the crew of Squard.
Hearing Squard and his crew talk about sacrificing themselves to cover the other's backs, they didn't seem to take the account of what the others would feel about it. Including one person in particular.
*BANG!*
Then the ship stopped, shocking everyone including even the pirates. The person who did it was Whitebeard himself Even in his weakened, half-dead state, he stopped the massive ship effortlessly with one hand, halting it in place like it had hit a stonewall.
"But why pops!?" Squard demanded, not being able to repay him.
"He stopped it with one hand," One bearded Marine shouted in shock, "I thought he's supposed to be dying!"
Whitebeard kept the ship from moving until it finally stopped. His health was deteriorating and it was not good. Breathing hard while bleeding, the old man turned his head up to face his son.
"You believe you've done me a favor? You poor selfish child." Whitebeard questioned him, "Don't you know how cruel it is to force a father to bury his own sons!"
Squard was stunned by this question, just then when the ship fully stopped.
*STOMP!*
Stamping the bottom of his weapon to the ground, Whitebeard wasn't finished, advising his son with some harsh words.
"And show some humility! You think I'm on my last legs because of one misally poke. It was settled long before I came here. Everyone has to grow old and die someday."
Whitebeard turned away from the ship and began to face the marines.
The pirates couldn't believe what he just said. Was he indicating that he…
"Our business is down, pull out now and I stay here to make sure I don't lose more of my boys to these bastards."
"You're staying!?" Jimbei asked in surprise.
"W-What are you trying to say!?"
All the pirates stared transfixed at Whitebeard. Even the marines stood silent as they waited for Whitebeard to speak, but what he was saying next got both sides to be stunned.
"Listen up Whitebeard Pirates! These are my final orders as captain - so you better follow them!"
These words were hollow to hear to the pirates, with quick responses.
"You kidding right?" one pirate protested, "That's the last thing we want to hear, we're going back together!"
"Yeah! We can't go on without you!"
"We didn't save Ace to let our captain die!" the pirates started to tear up.
"Old Man!" Ace screamed. His eyes were wide with terror. He knew what his captain was thinking.
Naruto heard those words and listened carefully, watching as his men were.
Even family must part ways now and then. You must survive. Return to the New World. Continue your legacy without me!" Whitebeard commanded his family.
As they listened to the command, every pirate fell silent. They didn't seem to be believing what they were hearing and appeared to be in a trance.
"No, you can't die!" One of the commanders broke in protest, "We can find another way!"
Whitebeard slammed his foot into the ground.
"Make no mistake! I'm a relic of a bygone era!" Whitebeard shouted, as he held up his massive fist ready, he continued, "Long have I sailed, but no ship can carry me into the new Age!"
The next moment, he slammed his fist into the air and caused another quake with his powers, aimed at the Marines, shattering the island even more as he shouted.
"NOW GO AND FORGE YOUR OWN PATH!"
The Marines screamed in panic as they were knocked off their feet and some fell into the earth, with those strong enough standing their ground in this quack.
One commander went to his knees and cried out "There is no way can leave you here!"
A fellow commander said to him "Look I know how you feel but it's an order!"
"Old guy no!"
"What are you!"
The Damned responded accordingly. The majority of the team began to treat him with dignity. Many in quiet, yet nonetheless.
With a tiny tilt of his head, Whitebeard noticed that he was grinning at Naruto, who was the closest person standing beside him. He knew why Whitebeard had acted in this way.
Smiling, Whitebeard's mind thought:
"Don't look back boys. A new age is coming…"
Just on top of the last remaining ship of the Whitebeard fleet flew its flag - with the wind flying through it, it signifies its last salute to everyone - and its captain.
With memories flowing in of all the people he had met, fought and lost, a few names flew freshly through his mind.
Roger, Rayleigh, Shiki, Sengoku, Garp, Bishop…
With those old memories going past, he turned his focus on the Marines…
"It's been one hell of a journey, but a good one…Let's finally put an end to this YOU NAVY BASTARDS!"
"I WON'T DO IT!"
Send in an emotional state, members of the Whitebeard Pirates were either busy trying to get to their captain or trying to stop their comrades from reaching him. The commanders especially were trying to convince their men to follow orders and retreat, even when they were unable to stop tearing up.
They all started going back towards the ships, while the Damned started to cover them and put up some traps for their retreat. With that being done orderly.
One damaged Mark IV tank was seen driving through the unruined concrete ground with a machine gunner firing at the enemy, going past Naruto and Jimbei who both were watching from a distance.
"This is highly unexpected…" Jimbei commented on the situation, "Their morale just plummeted in mere moments after the order."
Naruto didn't pay attention since he was too preoccupied with observing Ace, who utilized his signature move to cover Whitebeard's back and that they were enjoying a little alone time.
Whitebeard asked Ace whether he was glad to have him as his father, and Ace responded in the affirmative while kneeling to him.
Whitebeard laughed as he was happy with what he had done for Ace.
Once that was over, Naruto began walking up there, with Jimbei looking confused at what he was going to do.
"Naruto?..."
Approaching the kneeling body of Ace, Naruto grabbed his shoulder and tried to reason with him.
"You know deep down he's dying, Ace, this is not your fault. Follow his orders and go."
Ace grunted in anger at those words, wanting to respond.
"That's an order, soldier."
Repeating that in his other voice, Ace responded by getting up and turning around to face Naruto, before proceeding to follow them and run past him as he joined Luffy and the others.
While covering the large-scale retreat of the Whitebeard Pirates and its allies. The improvised lines of defense by the Legionnaires were running low on munitions, leaving them only with what they could carry.
One MG unit was fresh out and preparing something on the Vickers before they joined in the retreat. Leaving the machine gun for a nearby group of Marines to try to capture it.
*BOOM!*
However, they were not given the chance as the MG exploded with the Marines with it, leaving nothing of it.
"They're boobytrapping whatever they're leaving behind!" Tashigi shouted to anyone nearby, "Do not, I repeat - do NOT touch anything that they leave behind!"
*VROOM!*
Doing another fly-by, the biplane that belonged to the Legionnaires was attempting to relieve some of their comrades with support, only for it to get shot at from multiple angles by Marines who wanted to shoot it down.
Running with his men and Jimbei, they watched the intense firepower directed at the plane, it was Haku who commented.
"All our men are behind Whitebeard now, we're about to reach the bay-"
*BANG!*
And like that one of the wings was shot out, with the plane looking like it was trying to keep its nose up, it quickly was descending downwards to the floor.
"Shit!"
It crashed just a few meters away, with Naruto, Jimbei, and the others running towards it. They quickly arrived there to see the biplane was completely riddled with bullets, with no part left unshot - but the pilot and gunner were quickly pulled out before it caught on fire.
"Blackburn's knocked out!" The man who pulled him out was Wilson, who managed to get him out fast, having an open headwound, "Help me."
"Keep going, we'll cover you!" Naruto shouted.
A few more men were helping Wilson carry the unconscious pilot to safety, with the remaining units regrouping close to them, they looked like they were going to make it out…
"ACE AND AKAINU ARE FIGHTING!"
Naruto turned his head around to see Ace get beaten back by the magma Admiral, who was continuing to bad mouth Whitebeard in the hothead's presence.
Before the magma man then focused on Luffy, who happened to reach down to the floor for something, and go right for him.
And Ace was going towards it -
SQUASH!
YES! Cliffhanger, hate me.
I'll be enjoying next chapter. Hope you guys did with this one.
Leave a comment/review, follow - and spread to Communities - Peace!