Luffy and Sabo dropped toward the battlefield.
The Marines below immediately raised their weapons, preparing to intercept them before they could reach the frozen harbor.
"STOP THEM!"
Gunfire erupted.
Sabo twisted in midair, bringing his pipe across his body as several bullets passed around them. Luffy stretched one arm toward a nearby Marine structure, using the elastic reach to alter his trajectory.
"Gomu Gomu no—!"
Before he could finish, Sabo grabbed his arm.
"Not yet!"
"What?" Luffy looked at him.
"Wait for the opening!"
A barrage of cannon fire tore across the battlefield beneath them.
The two brothers separated in midair, avoiding the explosions before landing among the advancing pirates.
Luffy immediately sprang back to his feet.
"Which way?"
"That way." Sabo pointed toward the execution platform.
"Got it!"
They charged.
The Marines moved to intercept them, but the chaotic battlefield made it difficult to establish a solid formation. Whitebeard's allied crews were already pressing against the Marine defensive line, creating openings that Luffy and Sabo could exploit.
Luffy slipped between two Marines and sent them flying with a single punch.
Sabo struck another soldier aside with his pipe before turning toward Luffy.
"Keep moving!"
"I am!"
A Marine lunged from the side.
Luffy ducked beneath the attack.
Sabo stepped in immediately and knocked the soldier backward.
The two continued forward without slowing.
From the execution platform, Ace watched them approach.
His expression tightened.
"Luffy…"
Garp stood nearby, his eyes following the two figures cutting through the battlefield.
Sengoku noticed as well.
His expression became grim.
"Don't let Straw Hat reach the platform."
Marine officers immediately relayed the order.
"Block the path!"
"Stop the prisoners!"
"Keep them away from Ace!"
More Marines rushed toward Luffy.
But before they could surround him, another figure landed directly in their path.
A large man with a hook for a hand.
Crocodile.
His sharp eyes were fixed on the massive figure standing near the Moby Dick.
Whitebeard.
Crocodile's expression twisted into a cold smile.
"So we meet again, Whitebeard."
Whitebeard slowly turned his head.
His eyes narrowed.
"Crocodile…"
Without another word, Crocodile raised his golden hook.
Sand began swirling violently around his body.
"Die."
A massive wave of sand erupted from the ground, tearing across the battlefield toward Whitebeard.
The Whitebeard Pirates reacted immediately.
"Pops!"
"Get back!"
But before the attack could reach him—
A figure suddenly appeared between them.
Water streamed from his clothes.
His straw hat was soaked.
His fists were clenched.
Steam began rising from his body.
Luffy.
He had barely stepped away from the Sunny Go before sensing the attack.
His chest heaved as he stared directly at Crocodile.
"Get out of the way!"
"Straw Hat…?" Crocodile's eyes widened.
BOOOOOOM!
The punch collided with the incoming sand attack.
The force tore through the wave and scattered it across the battlefield.
Sand exploded into the air.
Whitebeard's coat billowed from the impact.
Several pirates shielded their faces.
When the dust cleared, Luffy was still standing.
Soaked from head to toe.
Steam poured from his body.
His straw hat rested firmly on his head.
Behind him stood Whitebeard.
Crocodile stared at him in disbelief.
"You…"
Luffy raised his head.
His eyes were sharp.
"I'm not letting you attack him."
Whitebeard looked down at the soaked young pirate standing between them.
For a moment, he said nothing.
Marco landed nearby.
"Straw Hat…"
Jozu stared at Luffy.
"He just stopped Crocodile's attack?"
Whitebeard's expression slowly changed.
Then a deep laugh escaped him.
"Gurararara…"
Luffy glanced back.
Whitebeard looked down at him.
"You've got some nerve, kid."
Crocodile's expression darkened.
"You're getting in my way again, Straw Hat."
Luffy raised his fists.
"Yeah." Steam continued to pour from his body. "Ace cares about this old man, and I'm not going to let you hurt him."
Luffy turned back toward Whitebeard.
He pointed toward the execution platform.
"Ace is my brother."
His voice carried across the battlefield.
"I'm going to save him."
Whitebeard's eyes narrowed with amusement.
"So that's your plan…"
Luffy's expression suddenly became more serious.
"But there's something else you should know."
The steam around his body continued to rise.
He stepped forward.
"Ace told me you want to become the Pirate King."
Several pirates stared at him.
Luffy clenched his fist.
"I don't care if you're Whitebeard."
The battlefield seemed to grow quieter around them.
Luffy looked straight into the eyes of the world's strongest pirate.
"I'm the one who's going to become…"
He pulled his straw hat down slightly.
"…the King of the Pirates!"
Silence.
For a brief moment, even the surrounding battle seemed to fade.
Marco stared at him.
Jozu's mouth twitched into a grin.
Several allied pirate captains exchanged looks.
Then Whitebeard's enormous figure began to shake.
"Gurararara…"
A deep laugh rolled across the battlefield.
Whitebeard rested his bisento against his shoulder.
"You've got a big mouth, brat."
Luffy grinned.
"Yeah!"
Whitebeard looked toward the execution platform.
Then back at Luffy.
"Then you'd better survive this war first."
Luffy's eyes sharpened.
"I will."
Whitebeard laughed again.
"Gurararara! Fine!"
His voice suddenly thundered across Marineford.
"Go save your brother!"
Luffy turned toward the execution platform.
His expression hardened.
"I'm coming, Ace!"
He launched himself forward.
Whitebeard watched him disappear into the chaos.
Marco stepped beside him.
"Pops…"
Whitebeard's eyes remained fixed on the young pirate.
"That boy…"
A faint smile appeared beneath his mustache.
"He's got the eyes of someone who hasn't decided how big the world is yet."
Marco smiled.
"Sounds like trouble."
Whitebeard laughed.
"Gurararara!"
His grip tightened around his bisento.
"Maybe."
His gaze shifted toward the battlefield.
"But that's exactly the kind of trouble this era needs."
Behind them, the Whitebeard Pirates watched in astonishment.
The boy who had just fallen from the sky with the Straw Hats was now standing directly between two monsters of the sea.
Whitebeard slowly lifted his bisento.
"Marco, make sure that boy safe."
The war had just gained another unpredictable player.
Luffy and Sabo continued forward.
They had barely taken several steps when Luffy suddenly stopped.
Sabo nearly collided with him.
"What happened?"
Luffy looked toward the execution platform.
Ace was watching him.
Their eyes met.
The noise of the battlefield seemed to fade for a brief moment.
Ace's lips moved. "Go back."
"No." Luffy shook his head.
"I told you not to come!" Ace's expression tightened.
"I don't care!" Luffy shouted back.
Ace stared at him.
Luffy pointed toward himself.
"You're my brother!" The words carried across the battlefield. "I came because I wanted to!"
Ace's eyes trembled.
Several Marines nearby turned toward him.
Even some pirates paused.
The declaration had been loud enough to carry through the battlefield.
Luffy didn't care who heard it.
He stared directly at Ace.
"I don't care if you're Roger's son!"
Ace froze.
"I don't care what the Marines say!"
Luffy clenched his fist.
"And I don't care what anyone thinks you're supposed to be!"
His voice grew stronger.
"You're Ace!"
Ace's eyes widened.
"My brother!"
For several seconds, Ace couldn't respond.
His lips trembled.
Then he lowered his head.
A small smile appeared.
"Idiot…"
Sabo stood beside Luffy, quietly watching the exchange.
He smiled.
"That sounds like him."
Luffy turned toward him.
"Come on, Sabo!"
Sabo nodded.
"Let's go."
They resumed their advance.
This time, they moved with even greater determination.
The declaration carried across Marineford.
Marines heard it. Pirates heard it. Even those watching through the broadcast Den Den Mushi heard the dream of the young pirate who had just thrown himself into the war.
On the Athena, Arthur watched silently.
Robin stood beside him.
"He said it."
Arthur's eyes remained on Luffy.
"Yes."
Law folded his arms.
"That's a dangerous thing to announce in the middle of this battlefield."
Koala smiled faintly.
"It's also exactly what he would say."
Rayleigh chuckled.
Arthur glanced at him.
"You're enjoying this."
Rayleigh's eyes remained fixed on Luffy.
"Perhaps."
His expression softened.
"It's been a long time since I've heard someone declare that dream with such certainty."
Arthur said nothing.
Luffy's declaration continued to spread across Marineford.
A Marine soldier stared at the young pirate in disbelief.
"He wants to become Pirate King?"
Another Marine scoffed.
"In the middle of this war?"
On the other side, a pirate laughed.
"That's Straw Hat for you!"
Another raised his weapon.
"Then let's see how far that kid can go!"
The Marines finally regrouped.
A large formation moved directly toward Luffy and Sabo.
"Don't let them advance!"
"Capture Straw Hat Luffy!"
"Protect the execution platform!"
Sabo stepped forward.
"Looks like we're surrounded."
Luffy cracked his knuckles.
"Then we'll break through."
Sabo smiled.
"That's the answer I expected."
The Marines charged.
Sabo moved first.
His pipe struck the ground with tremendous force, sending several soldiers stumbling backward.
Luffy followed through the opening.
"Gomu Gomu no—!"
His fist stretched backward.
"Pistol!"
The punch slammed into a group of Marines, sending them flying.
Sabo immediately moved through the gap.
"Keep going!"
Luffy nodded.
The two brothers pushed deeper into the battlefield.
Above them, the execution platform seemed closer than before.
Ace watched their approach.
His expression had changed.
He was still afraid.
Still worried.
But now there was something else.
Hope.
For the first time since he had been brought to Marineford, Ace allowed himself to believe that he might actually leave this place alive.
Garp noticed the change in his expression.
"Ace…"
Ace looked toward him.
Garp's voice was quiet.
"You really are stubborn."
Ace smiled.
"I learned from the best."
Garp looked away.
His fists tightened.
He knew exactly what was happening.
His family was fighting on opposite sides of the battlefield.
And soon—
he would have to decide what he could endure.
Farther away, Arthur continued watching.
He had not moved.
He had not drawn a weapon.
He had not given his crew permission to intervene.
Yet his eyes followed every movement around Luffy.
Then he noticed something.
A Marine unit was beginning to reposition around the execution platform.
Not toward Luffy.
Toward another section of the battlefield.
Arthur narrowed his eyes. "Interesting…"
"What?" Rayleigh looked at him.
Arthur didn't answer immediately.
His attention shifted toward the distant Marine forces.
Something was changing.
The battlefield was beginning to reorganize.
And whatever happened next would determine how close Luffy could get to Ace.
Arthur finally spoke.
"Things are about to get more difficult."
"They usually do." Rayleigh smiled faintly. "Thanks for helping me get here."
"Ready to move?"
"I suppose I've watched long enough."
"Be careful. I promised Shakky I'd get you back safely."
"Yeah, someone had to make sure Luffy got to Ace safely."
He stepped forward.
A Marine officer noticed him.
"It's Rayleigh!"
The surrounding soldiers froze.
"The Dark King is moving!"
Rayleigh lowered his stance.
His calm expression disappeared.
"I'm not here to fight a war." He glanced toward Luffy. "I'm here to make sure that boy reaches his brother."
Then he disappeared.
BOOM!
Rayleigh reappeared directly in front of a group of Marines attempting to intercept Luffy.
His Haki erupted.
Several soldiers immediately collapsed.
Others stumbled backward, their weapons slipping from their hands.
Sabo glanced over his shoulder.
His eyes widened.
"Rayleigh?"
The silver-haired man looked toward him.
"Glad you made it out of Impel Down."
"Yeah." Sabo nodded.
Rayleigh smiled faintly.
"Good. Then stay close to Luffy."
"I intend to." Sabo looked ahead at Luffy, who was already continuing forward.
"Then let's make sure he gets there." Rayleigh stepped beside him.
Sabo's expression hardened.
The two immediately pressed forward.
Sabo charged forward, striking down the Marines blocking Luffy's path, while Rayleigh stayed slightly behind him, preventing anyone from surrounding them.
A Marine attempted to attack Sabo from the side.
Rayleigh intercepted him.
Another rushed toward Luffy.
Sabo knocked him aside.
The three continued advancing as one.
Luffy remained at the front.
Sabo opened the way.
Rayleigh guarded their backs.
For a moment, Rayleigh looked at Luffy's straw hat.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
Just like Roger…
The thought crossed his mind.
Not because Luffy looked like Roger.
But because of the way he moved.
He never looked back.
He never questioned whether the path ahead was too dangerous.
He simply decided where he wanted to go—
and moved toward it.
Rayleigh tightened his grip.
"Keep going, Luffy."
Luffy heard him faintly through the chaos.
"Rayleigh!"
"Don't stop!"
"I won't!" Luffy grinned.
He accelerated.
Ahead, the execution platform grew larger.
And upon it—
Ace was waiting.
Rayleigh's eyes narrowed.
"Your brother is waiting for you."
"We'll get him there." Sabo glanced toward the platform.
"Then let's finish this part of the journey." Rayleigh smiled.
The three continued forward.
Luffy at the front.
Sabo beside him.
Behind them, Rayleigh advanced at a measured pace.
The former right-hand man of the Pirate King did not need to fight every Marine in his path. His mere presence was enough to make experienced soldiers hesitate before approaching.
A Marine officer stared at him in disbelief.
"The Dark King is protecting Straw Hat…"
From the Athena, Arthur watched the scene unfold.
He had not moved.
Neither had Hancock, Robin, Baccarat, Law, Bepo, Koala, Monet, Sugar, or the Angeloids behind him.
The ART Pirates remained outside the main conflict, exactly as Arthur had ordered.
"He's getting closer." Robin's eyes followed Luffy's progress.
Law crossed his arms. "And the Marines are beginning to concentrate around him."
Arthur said nothing.
His gaze moved across the battlefield.
Whitebeard's forces were still pressing toward the execution platform. Marco and Jozu were keeping the strongest Marine fighters occupied, while the allied crews continued fighting their way through the defensive lines.
The situation was changing by the second.
Then Arthur noticed something else.
The Marines were beginning to alter their formation.
Several units that had previously been engaging Whitebeard's forces were shifting toward Luffy's position.
"They've identified him as a priority," Law observed.
Arthur nodded. "They can't afford to let him reach Ace."
"Are we really going to keep watching?" Koala looked toward him.
Arthur's expression remained calm.
"We came here with a purpose."
"And that purpose isn't saving Ace?" Koala asked.
Arthur looked at her.
"That's not the top priority." There was no hesitation in his answer.
"We're here to observe what happens when the balance of the world is pushed to its limit."
Koala fell silent.
Arthur's eyes returned to the battlefield.
"But if someone attacks my crew…" His voice became colder. "…that's different."
No one needed further explanation.