The Athena emerged from the hidden passage just as the morning sun began to climb above the Red Line.
Behind them, the concealed harbor of the Anemone family disappeared from view, swallowed once more by the ancient cliffs. Arthur remained at the stern for several moments, watching until the last glimpse of the familiar stone walls vanished beyond the horizon.
He said nothing.
There was no need.
The warmth of Maria's embrace, the sight of his children beside Ciel, and the quiet promise he had made before leaving still lingered in his mind. For years, home had been little more than a distant place he rarely had time to visit.
Now, leaving it behind felt different.
Arthur finally turned away.
Ahead lay Sabaody.
And beyond it waited a war that had already begun to reshape the world.
"Captain." Sabo's voice came from nearby.
Arthur glanced toward him.
Sabo stood against the railing, his arms folded as he watched the sea.
"We're getting close, aren't we?"
Arthur nodded. "A few more hours."
Sabo looked back toward the direction they had come from.
"You really left them behind."
"My mother would have killed me if I didn't."
Sabo chuckled. "I believe you."
Arthur allowed himself a faint smile before turning toward the bow again.
The mood aboard the Athena was quieter than usual. The brief peace of Anemone had given everyone a chance to breathe, but nobody had forgotten why they had left Sabaody in the first place.
Ace was still being held.
Whitebeard was still gathering his forces.
And the Marines were preparing Marineford for the greatest confrontation the world had seen in years.
Near the helm, Bepo checked their course while Law studied a chart spread across a table. Hancock stood beside him, occasionally glancing toward Arthur. Robin was reading quietly, though she had barely turned a page in the last several minutes.
Then Monet approached Arthur with a small stack of reports.
"We received another update."
"Anything important?" Arthur accepted the papers.
"Whitebeard's allied forces continue to move toward Marineford. Several Marine divisions have also begun repositioning."
"So they're preparing." Arthur scanned the first page.
"They've been preparing for some time," Monet replied. "Now they're simply tightening the net."
Arthur folded the report.
"We don't have time to waste." He looked toward the horizon. "Sabaody first."
...
Several hours later, the familiar mangrove forests of Sabaody finally appeared beyond the horizon.
The massive roots rose from the sea like enormous pillars, their tangled branches supporting the sprawling archipelago above the water. Bubbles drifted lazily through the air, catching the sunlight as they floated between the islands.
The sight should have been peaceful.
Instead, Arthur felt the tension immediately.
Sabaody was usually crowded with pirates, merchants, bounty hunters, and travelers preparing to enter the New World. Today, however, the atmosphere felt different. Rumors of Ace's execution had reached every corner of the sea, and the coming war had turned the archipelago into a crossroads of uncertainty.
The Athena slowed as it approached the designated harbor.
"Prepare to dock." Arthur stepped toward the railing.
"Understood, Captain," Bepo answered.
The ship eased into the harbor.
Waiting near the pier was a familiar figure wearing a gray cloak and carrying himself with the relaxed confidence of a man who had spent a lifetime surviving impossible situations.
Silvers Rayleigh.
Arthur stepped onto the dock first.
"You took your time." Rayleigh smiled.
"I had somewhere to stop first." Arthur returned the smile.
"Home?"
Arthur nodded.
Rayleigh studied him for a moment. "So you finally went back."
"Don't sound so surprised."
"I am surprised." Rayleigh chuckled. "I was beginning to wonder whether Maria had forgotten what you looked like."
"Don't remind me." Arthur's expression immediately stiffened.
Rayleigh laughed.
They exchanged a brief nod.
Then a familiar voice suddenly rang out from farther down the pier.
"SABOO!"
Sabo turned.
A straw hat came flying toward him.
He barely had time to react before Luffy grabbed him around the waist.
"You're here!"
Sabo looked down at him. "You're still as energetic as ever."
"Of course!"
Luffy released him and stepped back with a huge grin.
Then his expression changed when he saw Arthur.
"Arthur!"
"Hey, Luffy." Arthur smiled.
The next moment, the two brothers collided in another tight embrace.
Luffy laughed loudly.
"You really came, Sabo!"
"I told you I would."
"Rayleigh said you'll be coming at the earliest tomorrow."
"I asked the Captain to get here as fast as we could." Sabo pushed him back slightly. "And you remembered what I told you?"
"Uh..." Luffy's grin became slightly awkward.
"Luffy." Sabo narrowed his eyes.
"I remember!"
"What did I tell you?"
"Don't rush ahead!"
"And?"
"Wait for you!"
"Good." Sabo finally relaxed.
"See? I remembered everything." Luffy grinned again.
"That's a miracle," Zoro muttered from behind him.
Luffy immediately turned.
"HEY!"
The rest of the Straw Hats soon approached, each reacting to the arrival of the Athena and the ART Pirates in their own way. Nami exchanged a brief greeting with Hancock and Monet, while Sanji nearly lost his balance at the sight of Hancock until Vivi casually stepped between them. Usopp stared at the Athena with undisguised admiration, and Franky immediately began examining the ship's construction from the dock. Chopper excitedly waved at Bepo, while Brook offered a polite bow.
"Yohohoho! It seems everyone has gathered for quite an important meeting."
Law glanced at the Straw Hats. "You people are surprisingly loud."
"You're one to talk," Zoro replied.
Law's eyebrow twitched.
Arthur watched the exchange for a moment before turning toward Rayleigh.
"Where's Shakky?"
"At the bar. She said she already knew I'd be bringing trouble."
"She knows me well." Arthur smiled faintly.
Rayleigh's expression became more serious.
"Come. We don't have much time."
A short while later, the group gathered inside Shakky's bar.
The atmosphere was considerably quieter than the harbor outside.
Arthur stood near the center of the room with Rayleigh, while Luffy, Sabo, and the Straw Hats gathered around them. Hancock, Robin, Monet, Law, and several members of the ART Pirates remained nearby.
Arthur placed his hands on the table.
"Before anyone makes a decision, you need to understand what we're dealing with."
Sabo's fists tightened.
Luffy's expression immediately became serious.
"Ace."
Arthur nodded.
"The Marines have publicly announced his execution. Whitebeard is moving toward Marineford, and the Marines are preparing to meet him."
Arthur continued.
"Once Whitebeard attacks, the battlefield will become impossible to control. Marines, Whitebeard's forces, Warlords, and eventually other powers will all be involved."
"Then we go there." Luffy stared at the table.
"We will," Arthur replied. "But there is another possibility."
Luffy looked up.
Arthur pointed toward the map.
"Impel Down."
The room became silent.
Even Rayleigh's expression hardened.
Arthur continued calmly.
"Ace is still there. If we reach him before the transfer to Marineford, we can get him out before the war begins."
Nami immediately understood.
"But that means breaking into Impel Down."
"Exactly."
"That's supposed to be impossible." Usopp swallowed.
"It isn't impossible, I have done it once." Arthur said. "It's simply dangerous."
He looked around the room.
"There are two paths."
Arthur pointed toward Marineford.
"First, we wait for Whitebeard to attack Marineford. We enter the battlefield, find Ace, and take him out during the chaos."
Then his finger moved toward the other location.
"Or we break into Impel Down before Ace is transferred to Marineford."
Luffy's eyes remained fixed on the map.
"And if we fail?" Sabo looked at the map.
"At worst, we may never make it out. At best, you reach Marineford before the battle is over and join Whitebeard."
Luffy's gaze remained fixed on the map, while the others waited for his answer.
Arthur let the words settle before continuing.
"Impel Down has one advantage Marineford doesn't."
"What?" Luffy looked up.
"We choose when the fight begins and who we fight." Arthur's gaze hardened. "At Marineford, we'll be walking straight into a war that's already underway. At Impel Down, we decide when to make our move."
Luffy stared at the two routes.
For several seconds, nobody spoke.
Then Arthur leaned back slightly.
"Neither choice is safe." His eyes settled on Luffy. "But one gives us a chance to save Ace before the war begins."
Luffy slowly clenched his fists.
Silence filled the room.
Rayleigh watched Luffy carefully.
Sabo stood beside his brother.
The Straw Hats waited.
Arthur did not pressure him.
He simply gave Luffy the choice.
Finally, Arthur asked quietly,
"So, Luffy…"
Luffy raised his head.
"Which path are you taking?"
The question hung over Shakky's bar.
For several seconds, no one moved.
Luffy stood near the center of the room, his eyes fixed on Arthur. Around him, the Straw Hats remained unusually quiet. Even the usually carefree atmosphere of Sabaody seemed distant now.
Arthur had already laid out the situation.
Ace was being held at Impel Down.
The Marines intended to transfer him to Marineford.
And once that happened, Whitebeard's arrival would turn the execution into a war.
Arthur had offered two possible paths.
One was to wait for Whitebeard's assault on Marineford.
The other was to reach Impel Down first and rescue Ace before the transfer.
The room remained silent as Luffy considered them.
Then his answer came without hesitation.
"Impel Down."
Sabo's eyes widened slightly.
Arthur had expected it.
Rayleigh, however, let out a slow breath.
"You decided quickly."
"There's nothing to think about." Luffy clenched his fists. "If Ace is still in Impel Down, then we go there."
One of the Straw Hats stepped forward.
"Luffy, Impel Down isn't some ordinary prison." Nami's expression was serious. "It's the World Government's greatest underwater prison. If we get caught inside, escaping won't be easy."
"I know."
Luffy looked at her.
"But Ace is there." His voice was quiet, yet there was absolute certainty behind it. "I can't wait for him to be taken to Marineford just because that's safer."
"That's what I expected you to say." Sabo nodded.
Luffy turned toward him. "You're coming, right?"
"Of course." Sabo's answer came immediately. "I told you I'd come. I'm not letting you go to save Ace alone."
"Great!" Luffy grinned.
Arthur watched the brothers for a moment before shifting his attention toward the rest of the Straw Hats.
The reaction was almost exactly what he had expected.
"We're going too," Zoro said.
Sanji adjusted his cigarette. "Obviously."
"Someone has to keep you idiots from getting yourselves killed." Nami frowned.
Usopp immediately raised a hand.
"Wait! Why does that sound like we're all going?"
"Because we are," Chopper replied.
Brook lifted one hand.
"Yohohoho! I have no intention of letting my captain enter the world's most dangerous prison without me."
Franky crossed his arms.
"Breaking into an underwater fortress? Sounds SUPER dangerous." His grin widened. "And SUPER exciting."
Vivi remained quiet for a moment before looking toward Luffy.
"If Ace is still inside Impel Down, then reaching him before the transfer gives us a chance to avoid the larger battle entirely."
Arthur glanced at her.
"Good luck. We'll part ways here."
Luffy immediately looked up.
"You promise to help me?"
"Because I'm too conspicuous if I go with you."
Luffy blinked. "Conspicuous?"
"He means he's too recognizable." Rayleigh gave a quiet chuckle.
Arthur nodded.
"Exactly. Think about it. We would be leaving Sabaody and heading straight toward Impel Down. The Marines already know the ART Pirates have entered Paradise from the New World. If a ship carrying me suddenly appears near the prison, they'll know something is wrong before we even reach the entrance."
"They would mobilize immediately." Sabo's expression became serious.
"More than that." Arthur tapped the map. "My presence would turn a rescue operation into an open confrontation."
Luffy frowned.
"But if you're strong, wouldn't that make things easier?"
"No." Arthur shook his head. "It would make everything harder."
He looked directly at Luffy.
"Impel Down is designed to contain dangerous prisoners. Its defenses are concentrated around the prison itself. The moment the World Government realizes I'm coming, they'll assume we're launching a full-scale assault."
Rayleigh nodded. "They could even send an Admiral to the prison."
"They could even move Ace ahead of schedule." Arthur continued.
Sabo's eyes widened.
"Then we'd lose our chance to reach him before the execution."
"Exactly." Arthur leaned back slightly. "That's why you need to enter without me."
Luffy stared at him for a moment.
"So you're saying we have a better chance if you're not there?"
"Yes."
"But I need your help." Luffy's expression became reluctant.
Arthur smiled faintly.
"I am helping." He pointed toward the map. "My job is to make sure the Marines keep looking toward Marineford."
"You're going to draw their attention away from us, Captain." Sabo immediately understood.
Arthur nodded.
"Athena will head toward Marineford openly. The moment the Marines learn that the ART Pirates are moving toward Marineford, their attention will naturally shift toward us."
"Luffy's group can slip toward Impel Down." Rayleigh adjusted his glasses.
"Exactly." Arthur smiled.
Luffy's expression slowly changed.
He finally understood.
"You're going to make them look at you."
"That's the idea."
Luffy clenched his fists. "Then I'll make sure save Ace before the execution."
"That's the spirit." Arthur laughed quietly.
Sabo looked between them before nodding.
"Then it makes sense. We keep the Impel Down operation small, while Arthur creates a much bigger threat somewhere else."
"Not just a threat," Arthur corrected. "A distraction."
He glanced toward the map one final time.
"And if everything goes according to plan, the Marines won't realize what's happening inside Impel Down until it's already too late."
Rayleigh smiled. "Assuming Luffy doesn't announce his arrival to the entire prison first."
"I won't!" Luffy puffed out his cheeks. "I'll be invisible like a ninja. Nin nin."
Everyone stared at him.
Nami hesitated. "…No way."
Sabo sighed. "The next problem is reaching the prison undetected as long as we can."
Arthur nodded. "That's why I'm limiting the number of people going inside."
The excitement on the Straw Hats' faces immediately faded.
Luffy tilted his head. "What do you mean, Nin nin?"
Arthur stepped away from the table and faced them directly.
"Too many people will make the operation harder."
He pointed toward the map spread across the table.
"Impel Down is designed to contain pirates. Every corridor, security checkpoint, and level exists to prevent prisoners from escaping. Once an alarm is raised, the prison will become a maze of Marines and guards."
He looked at Luffy.
"If everyone enters together, you won't just have to rescue Ace. You'll have to protect everyone who came with you."
Luffy frowned.
Arthur continued.
"And that's exactly what the World Government would want."
Sabo folded his arms.
"They could split us apart."
"Or trap us." Vivi added quietly. "Or use the others as hostages to force Luffy to surrender."
Arthur nodded. "That's why the smaller the group, the better."
Luffy's expression became thoughtful.
For perhaps the first time since hearing Ace's name, he did not immediately argue.
He looked around at his crew.
Zoro.
Nami.
Usopp.
Sanji.
Carue.
Chopper.
Vivi.
Franky.
Brook.
Each of them was ready to follow him.
That was exactly what worried Arthur.
"You don't need an army to save Ace," Arthur said. "You need a group that can move quickly, adapt when things go wrong, and escape before the entire prison closes around you."
Luffy looked at him.
"Then who goes with me?"
Arthur's eyes shifted toward Sabo.
"Sabo."
"Of course." Sabo nodded. "Obviously."
A brief pause followed.
Arthur's gaze moved across the room.
"And one more."
The Straw Hats waited.
Arthur did not reveal the name yet.
Instead, he folded the map.
"The rest of you will remain with the Sunny Go."
Luffy's smile disappeared.
"But—"
"No." Arthur's voice was firm. "This isn't a question of whether you're strong enough."
He looked directly at the Straw Hat captain.
"It's about how many variables we introduce into an operation that has almost no room for mistakes."
Luffy clenched his fists. "But I need my crew."
"And your crew needs you alive." The words silenced him.
Arthur's expression softened slightly.
"I know what it's like to fight alongside people you consider family. But this isn't a battlefield where strength alone decides the outcome."
He glanced toward Rayleigh.
"Impel Down is a place where one mistake can end your entire operation."
Rayleigh's expression remained serious. "If your goal is to reach Ace before the Marines move him, speed and secrecy will matter more than numbers."
Luffy lowered his head.
The room fell quiet again.
Sabo stepped beside him.
"Luffy. He's right."
Luffy looked at his crew.
They were all ready to follow him.
That was exactly why he had to leave them behind.
Finally, Luffy sighed.
"...Fine."
He raised his head.
"But we're coming back together."
Nami smiled faintly. "You don't have to apologize."
"Just come back." Zoro rested a hand against his sword.
"And don't make us regret letting you go." Sanji exhaled smoke.
Usopp pointed at Luffy. "Especially don't do anything reckless!"
"I won't, Nin nin!" Luffy laughed.
Several people stared at him.
Luffy scratched his head.
"...I'll try."
Nami immediately sighed.
Arthur almost smiled.
"The Sunny Go stays outside the operation zone."
Nami frowned. "So what are we supposed to do?"
Arthur looked at her.
"Keep the ship ready."
He pointed toward the map.
"If Luffy and the others escape, they'll need somewhere to run. Your job is to make sure the Sunny Go is ready to move the moment they return."
For a brief moment, the tension in the room eased.
But Rayleigh's expression remained serious.
"There is still another problem." Everyone looked toward him. "Time is running out."
Arthur nodded.
"That's why we need to move before the Marines begin the transfer."
"Then let's go." Luffy's eyes sharpened.
Arthur looked toward the window.
Outside, the afternoon light had begun to soften over Sabaody. The shadows of the mangrove trees stretched across the streets, while the distant harbor remained busy with ships coming and going.
Soon, the sun would begin to disappear.
And once night fell, their preparations would have to be complete.
Arthur turned back toward Luffy.
"Get ready."
"I will." Luffy nodded.
Sabo looked toward Arthur. "And the third person?"
Arthur's gaze shifted toward the doorway.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"Someone who can make you enter the gate undetected."
Outside the room, footsteps approached.
Slowly.
The sound stopped just beyond the door.
Everyone turned toward it.
Luffy leaned forward curiously.
Sabo narrowed his eyes.
Even Rayleigh watched the doorway with interest.
Arthur remained completely calm.
The door handle moved.
The door opened.
A familiar figure stepped into the room.
For a brief moment, nobody spoke.
Then Arthur looked at her.
"Perfect timing."
The figure smiled.
"I heard you were looking for me, Young Master."
Arthur's smile widened.
"Then let's talk about getting into Impel Down."