"You laid a hand on Ace—how could I just stand by and do nothing?!"
Luffy's expression was solemn as he faced Aokiji head-on.
"Even if you're an Admiral, I'm not the same guy I was two years ago!"
"Arara…"
Aokiji scratched his head and turned to look at Zoro, Sanji, Franky, Brook, and Robin, who were deep in thought, as well as Nami, Chopper, and Usopp—now all teary-eyed.
"Oi oi… you lot, get your captain under control, will ya? Otherwise, don't blame me if he gets iced!"
"I already told you—this 'Ace' is a fake. Didn't you meet the real one back on the Sabaody Archipelago?"
"And you saw that tanuki, right? You know what his ability is."
"Ohhh! So this was one of Pato's illusions?"
The "think tank" group—Zoro and the others—suddenly understood.
"Amazing!"
The "scaredy-cats," however, were still skeptical.
"But didn't Pato say he couldn't transform into people? That kind of thing's too complex! Especially someone with such powerful abilities!"
"Mm… Anyway, we can explain later. They're just stalling for time."
"Hahaha… Luffy. I'm really glad to see you again. But this time… I'm afraid I can't let you pass."
The "Ace" adjusted his cap, flames igniting on his fists.
"My mission is to stop every single one of you… so Luffy, are you going to force your way through?"
"…"
Even Luffy, dense as he could be, got it this time. Aokiji wasn't lying.
"You really are a fake?! That's incredible! Can a tanuki really do this kind of thing?!"
"That's what I've been telling you—get lost already! You really think we're gonna let you walk away again?!"
Smoker gave a cold snort and charged straight at Crocodile.
"Damn it, I've had it! Last time I couldn't finish you off, but now I've got no reason to hold back!"
…
"Boss!"
Pato found Patrick Redfield, who was searching through ancient ruins. Redfield gave a faint smile.
"Ah, Pato. You made it… I'm impressed you found me. Come here, old friend."
"Yes, Boss!"
Pato leapt onto Redfield's shoulder.
"I'll always follow you, Boss! So please, don't run off on your own again, okay?"
"Boss, I've found an outstanding archaeologist. She'll definitely be of help to you!"
"Oh? You've done well…"
Redfield was quiet for a moment, then gently brushed Pato's head with his hand. The little tanuki let out a contented "nukiki-nukiki" giggle.
"You've brought me quite the promising youth, Pato. Looks like your luck is better than mine. Yes, she'll be very useful."
Redfield gave a wicked smile. "Now, Pato."
"Yes, Boss!"
Pop!
Pato leapt into the air and transformed into his true form—a pen. Redfield pulled out a handful of leaves and began scribbling furiously using the pen-form Pato.
Though Pato couldn't replicate humans or complex beings on his own, with Redfield's powerful Observation Haki, he could use Pato's transformation leaves to create highly capable combatants. He could even alter the terrain of entire areas.
It was like recreating memories from inside someone's mind.
Poof!
Redfield tossed a transformation leaf. In a puff of smoke, it transformed into the Straw Hat Pirates' archaeologist—Nico Robin!
"Ah… Might I ask a favor of you, Nico Robin-san?"
"Hehehe… Of course. What would you like?"
Poof!
Another transformation followed. Redfield's lips curled into a devilish grin. He took "Pato" from his shoulder—then threw it away.
Poof!
The pen returned to Pato's original form. He looked on in disbelief at Redfield and the "other" Pato still on his shoulder.
"Boss! What are you—?!"
"Thank you for everything, Pato…"
"To achieve my goal, I must cast aside 'sympathy' and 'naivety'…"
"From now on, I walk the path of the Asura… and there is no place for you on that road."
Redfield's hand rested coldly on the shoulder of the imitation Pato, even as the real one trembled, his eyes wide with heartbreak.
"This one… is all I need."
"Boss!!"
"Farewell… Pato."
"You bastard! You're the one who created the fake Ace, aren't you?!"
A roar echoed across the ruins. Redfield paused, cocking his head to dodge a fist radiating heat.
"Oh? You got here faster than I expected. And you, Marine Admiral—working with pirates now?"
Luffy landed beside the devastated Pato, as Chopper ran over and gently picked up the weeping tanuki.
"Pato! We're here to help you!"
"You… You threw away your own crewmate? And you made a fake Robin too? That's unforgivable!"
Luffy growled. Originally, they had just been searching the forest for Pato to check on him. But now, it was obvious—they, Aokiji, and Smoker all had the same goal: prevent Redfield from completing his plan.
Unfortunately, it was too late.
"Arara… Now that's slander, old man. I'm not with these pirates, you know."
Aokiji stepped forward, eyeing the tanuki now curled up beside the Straw Hats.
"This is your pet tanuki? Hard to believe, really… you, of all people, preaching solitude… isn't that a little, uh…"
"You mean 'twisted,' right?"
Franky's eyes gleamed, striking a pose.
"Say it loud and proud! Twisted as hell!"
"Are you trying to get yourself killed, Franky?!"
"Shut up, you idiot!"
Nami, Usopp, and Chopper rushed to drag Franky away before he could dig himself any deeper. Fortunately, both Aokiji and Redfield had more pressing matters on their minds.
"…Let's cut to the chase, old man. What's your goal here?"
Aokiji's tone turned grave.
"Nico Robin… I'm duty-bound to monitor her fate. And if these replicas hold the same memories and powers as the original… then I can't let you walk away."
He understood the severity of the situation. Just one Nico Robin was already a massive variable. If Redfield could extract forbidden knowledge from a copy of Robin—and combine that with his monstrous power—the consequences would be dire.
And if he started replicating the memories of powerful Marines… or legendary pirates…
Aokiji didn't dare follow that thought further.
Redfield gave a chilling smile.
"My goal? You'll see soon enough… but not just yet."
"Well then, since both Marines and pirates are here—why don't you all enjoy my hospitality?"
Fwoosh—
Redfield pulled out a stack of transformation leaves and scattered them into the air.
"Come now, Marines… pirates… Say hello to some 'old friends.'"
Poof! Poof! Poof!
One after another, the leaves transformed—and even Aokiji's pupils contracted in shock.
Marines:
Fleet Admiral-level forces:
"Akainu" Sakazuki
"Kizaru" Borsalino
"Fujitora" Issho
Pirates:
Emperors of the Sea:
"Whitebeard" Edward Newgate
"Kaido of the Beasts"
"Golden Lion" Shiki
The Seven Warlords of the Sea:
"Surgeon of Death" Trafalgar Law
"Thunder God" Enel
"Tyrant" Bartholomew Kuma
Aokiji cracked a wry smile.
"Well now, you really don't hold back, old man…"
Luffy clenched his fists, fired up.
"Awesome… Four Emperors? Admirals? Even if they're just copies, seeing them all here at once—this is exciting!"
"Same here…"
Zoro unsheathed his blade, eager for battle.
"Too bad there's no Hawkeye among the Warlords… But Golden Lion Shiki is a swordsman too. And his powers are just like Kuina's!"
"Yeah…" Sanji lit a cigarette.
"Missed the summit war, but I guess this is our shot at redemption."
"A real parade of monsters…" Robin murmured, her eyes watching silently as Redfield disappeared into the distance, his arm around the fake version of herself.
The others looked about ready to burst into tears.
What kind of god-tier lineup is this?!
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