Hiccup slid down the bow and joined with Astrid and Jinbe on the deck.

"Ace spoke to you many times; he said the two of you were inseparable," said Jinbe.

"He's been with me since the day I was born," Hiccup nodded. "Dad even made sure that we stayed on the same island. It's the right of passage for any Haddock to make a life ourselves, and Dad decided to give Ace the same right."

"And yet you both decided to become pirates," Astrid noted.

"My grandfather did everything he could to make sure that didn't happen, but all he really did was strengthen our resolve," Hiccup chuckled.

"And Ace took off on his journey three years before you did," said Jinbe.

"Yep, once we reached 18, we set sail across the open sea," Hiccup nodded.

However, before he could reminisce about his time with Ace, they heard quite a lot of chatter as Buggy's new followers made their way onto the deck.

"I am so full."

"It's like we've gained 10 pounds."

"Navy through sure beats bread and water."

"Bread? Ha, we were lucky to eat dirt back there."

"Good thing our hero, Captain Buggy, came."

They all immediately turned towards Buggy with their eyes filled with admiration. "We will always be in your debt, Captain Buggy! Thank you!"

Buggy smiled proudly as he walked past them. "No problem, lads. You're all very welcome."

He then approached Hiccup and the others. "So, how much longer before we get there, Jinbe?"

"What?" Jinbe frowned.

Buggy glared at him. "Don't 'what' me, you turd! When are we going to arrive at Navy HQ! I'm ready to throw down and show those damn dirtbags who's boss!"

Buggy's bylaws just marvelled at him.

"What an inspirational attitude."

"I know I can't stop shaking."

Buggy then hovered in front of them. "The Seven Warlords, who sold their souls to the World Government and those three admirals, are no match for the likes of us. Are they men?"

They immediately cheered.

"That's right!"

"You should be the next King of the Pirates, Captain Buggy because you know what Roger Gold would do!"

"Technically speaking, it's the Five Warlords," Astrid pointed out. "Jinbe is here, and Drago is still in Impel Down."

"It'll certainly make life a lot easier, but no way is going to be a cakewalk," said Hiccup.

"Do you have any idea how we're supposed to get past the Gates of Justice once we're there?" Astrid asked.

"I'm working on it," Hiccup assured her.

"Well, I have you come up with an idea and soon because we'll be there eventually."

"And once we do get past the Gates of Justice, we'll be entering a battlefield," Jinbe reminded them. "It will be utter chaos."

Astrid then looked at Hiccup. "I'm still amazed that your father never mentioned any of this when we met him."

"Because he knew what I would do," Hiccup sighed. "Who was no doubt hoping that we would have reached the other end of the Grand Line before any of this happened."

"Do you think your Dad will have a shot of freeing Ace?" Astrid asked.

Hiccup shrugged. "I don't know. So it's in the first time the Marineford has been attacked."

Jinbe nodded. "Leo, the Golden Lion, launched an all-out assault against Navy HQ when Roger Gold was captured. That battle destroyed half of Marineford."

"Why did he attack?" Astrid asked. "Was Roger a friend of his?"

Jinbe shook his head. "No, he was a deadly rival. He just wanted the satisfaction of killing Roger himself, but he was stopped by Sander and Wrinkly; that is how he had up in Impel Down."

"He was always a crazy bastard," said Buggy.

Buggy's followers looked at him in admiration.

"He's dissing the Golden Lion!"

"Man, you sure have some guts, Captain Buggy."

"I am so pleased that I decided to follow you!"

Astrid rolled her eyes. "I'll never understand why they're following him?"

"He certainly has the skill of attracting powerful people," Hiccup agreed. "He better hope that none of them realise that they're actually stronger than him."

"I won't be shedding any tears if that happens," said Astrid, and her eyes then turned towards Viggo. "And what of Viggo? You do realise he plans to kill your dad?"

"We'll cross that bridge when we get to it," said Hiccup. "Of course, we have to get through the gate first."

"I'm sure we'll find a way," said Astrid encouragingly. "Though I would a lot better for the rest of the crew were here."

"Same here, but there's nothing we can do. All we can do is hope that they're still alive and we'll meet up with them someday."

Astrid then turned her eyes towards the sea. "I know everything is tense here, but I can only imagine how tense of things are at Marineford.

Meanwhile, Marineford, the five of the Seven Warlords, were just waiting around when two Marines made their way to the door.

"May we enter?"

They then opened the door and stepped inside where five of the Seven Warlords were sitting. Hiccup, having counted four out of the five, the fifth being Johann. The majority of them were just sitting back in silence, though Moria looked more agitated.

"Pardon us," said the Marine. "It's time. We're going to need you to follow us down to the harbour right away."

"Stoick is nothing but a tired old geezer, and look at the lot of you beside yourself with fear," Moria scoffed. "What's the big rush? We still have three hours before the execution."

"That's true," said the Marine. "But I'm afraid we have to be prepared for any contingency, sir."

Johann sneered at Moria. "I wouldn't get so cocky if I were you, Moria. You did, after all, get your ass handed to you by Stoick's little boy."

Moria glared at him. "What did you say?"

"You heard me. You could even beat Stoick's brat. How do you hope to face against the man himself?"

Moria looked as if he was about to murder, but Hawkeye drew his sword between the two.

"Save all the hostility for the battle to come," he said.

Johann looked at Hawkeye curiously. "That's right, I forgot that you have a little admiration for that little upstart."

"Considering that he was able to beat two of the Seven Warlords, is certainly not to be underestimated," said Hawkeye. "Not to mention he and his crew managed to take down CP-9. Stoick's crew is a hundred times bigger than theirs; I would not underestimate him or his followers."

"Please, the Navy has us, Sander, the admirals and thousands of competent soldiers," Moria scoffed. "Stoick is fooling himself if he thinks he can win this war."

"Sirs and ma'am, we really must be going," said the Marine.

Kuma was the first to rise and was followed closely by Hawkeye, who resheathed his sword.

"Can't wait to get your hands dirty, huh?" Johann smirked.

Hawkeye just stood there in silence.

"Creepy as usual, I see," Johann scoffed.

Hawkeye ignored him and followed Kuma.

"All right, I'm coming," Moria grumbled. "I don't suppose I don't want to miss this. It might be a good chance to steal some more powerful shadows and corpses, after all. If any of Ace's little buddies try anything, it will be an all-you-can-eat buffet for me."

Moria then reluctantly made his way out the door

"Sorry, but Mr Johann and Miss Atali, you must hurry," said the Marine.

"Or what, little man?" Atali glared. "Who are you to give me orders?"

"That was not my intent, ma'am, but I'm just relaying the orders from above," said the Marine.

Atali glared at him but then soon followed the others. 'Hiccup, I had hoped you would have been able to free your brother, but clearly, Impel Down was too much for you and Astrid. I only pray that the two of you are all right.'

Johann watched, chuckling; it was an everyday one got to see the Pirate Empress following the orders of a man. He then rose to his feet and followed the others out the door.

"Well, this will be entertaining if nothing else," he said.

Atali glared at him. "Only you would find such joy in this. If I had my way, I would not be participating in this conflict.

"You know, out of all of us Warlords, I was surprised to find that you could answer the summons of the World Government," he smirked.

"Like I said, if I had my way, I would not be here, but I am the leader of my country, and I must protect them. Though I get the feeling that you're not here for the same reason."

"You wound me, but you're right. I'm here to protect my crown and nothing else."

"The World Government would really let anyone into the Warlords, won't they?"

Johann merely laughed.

It wasn't just the Warlords who were currently at Navy HQ; the three Admirals were also getting themselves ready for the upcoming. Hiccup and his crew had only encountered two out of three of them, and both times, they barely survived.

The Marine entered Asmund's office, who was possibly the most laid-back of them all. He was currently sleeping on the floor and only awoke when the Marine entered the office.

"I'm sorry to wake you, but we really need to get moving, Admiral," he saluted.

Asmund began to stir, much to his annoyance. "I'm up. It's already time for lunch, is it?"

"No, it's not lunch yet, Admiral," said the Marine taken aback. "What I'm talking about is Ace D Portgas' execution."

Asmund placed a hand on his shoulders as he walked by. "I know that kid. I was joking. Don't be so uptight."

Also making his way towards the portal was Admiral Kia.

"Please hurry, sir," said the Marine escorting him.

"Oh, they're summoning a noon, huh?" said Kia. "They could have at least let us eat our lunch first."

"It is rather urgent, sir."

"If old Stoick is on the move, we need to put duty ahead of our appetites."

The final Admiral that Hiccup and the Dragon Riders have yet to encounter was Magnus; he was currently talking to Sander in his office. He was the most hardline of all of the admirals; he was, in fact, the polar opposite of that of Asmund.

"Everything is prepared?" Sander asked.

Magnus nodded. "They're moving the prisoner as we speak."

Down in the brig, the executioners were now making their way to Ace's cell.

"Time to go."

They then began to open the door that led to Ace's cell.