Wano Country, the former site of Oden Castle, atop the mountain.
The sixteen members of the Straw Hat crew formed a circle, beginning their strategy meeting.
The topic: devising any viable way to intervene in the war atop the scaffold and rescue Ace.
"There's no time to waste here! Let's get moving. I'm telling you, if I could get back into Impel Down now, I could definitely rescue Ace this time!"
Straw Hat Luffy clenched his fist with confidence.
"Yeah, yeah, we get it—you're super strong now. You even defeated Kaido. But… how exactly do you plan to get into Impel Down?"
Nami questioned him seriously.
"Luffy, how did you even infiltrate that deep-sea prison two years ago?"
Usopp asked curiously.
"Oh, I met someone really nice. She snuck me into the prison by hiding me in her clothes!"
Luffy replied cheerfully.
"Wait… that really nice person wouldn't happen to be the Pirate Empress Boa Hancock, would it?"
Sanji's eyes gleamed.
"Yup, it was Hancock!"
Luffy nodded.
"Hiding inside the clothes of the world's most beautiful woman… Waaah!"
Sanji's eyes literally caught fire with envy.
"Uwooooh! So, Captain Luffy, may I ask… is the Empress… well-fed?"
BANG! SMACK!
With a single punch, Nami sent both "Second Yonko" Sanji and Brook crashing into the ground.
"Alright, let's get back on topic."
Nami dusted off her hands.
"We only have a week. Normally, a sailboat from Wano to Marineford might not even make it in time—let alone reaching the Calm Belt where Impel Down is!"
Robin analyzed the logistics.
"If it's about propulsion, leave it to me! I'll max out the speed!"
Franky struck a confident pose.
"Marco, Izou, where were you guys two years ago around this time?"
Jinbe asked the Whitebeard Pirates.
"Around now, we and Pops were probably getting the Moby Dick coated to dive toward Fish-Man Island."
Marco replied.
"From Wano to the coating site takes too long. By the time we get there, we'll already be submerged."
Izou shook his head.
"Then our only option is to head directly to Marineford."
Jinbe nodded.
"We absolutely must make it in time! At the very least, before that idiot Squad stabs Pops! We can't let the Navy's scheme succeed again!"
Marco clenched his fists.
"Yeah! If Pops hadn't taken that stab, everything could've changed."
Izou's eyes gleamed.
"Hey hey, I've got something to say too!"
Franky raised his hand.
Everyone turned to look at him.
"Right now, the biggest issue isn't time or how to get there—it's the ship! We need at least one proper ship. Building one from scratch would take too long!"
Franky pointed out.
Everyone furrowed their brows.
He was absolutely right.
That was their biggest hurdle at the moment.
"If shipbuilding takes too long, then let's just steal one! The Beasts Pirates' battleships have decent specs."
Yamato suggested.
That idea had definitely crossed everyone's minds.
But the real question was how to steal one.
If they were truly back in Wano two years ago, then the Beasts Pirates still existed.
If they alerted Kaido, the Yonko, they'd be in serious trouble.
Defeating him again with this lineup would be like reaching for the moon.
After all, they only won in the future with a lot of luck.
Sensing the group's hesitation, Yamato raised her hand again.
"Right now, that bastard Kaido and the Beasts' main forces are all away from Wano!"
"Really?!"
Everyone's eyes lit up instantly.
"Yamato! That's some vital info you should've told us sooner!"
Usopp exclaimed.
"Sorry! I just remembered!"
Yamato said sheepishly.
"Then the ship problem's solved! Let's go to Kuri and seize one!"
Marco declared.
"Yeahhhhhh!!!"
The Straw Hats cheered in unison, filled with determination.
"Also, I have one more request!"
Yamato looked directly at Luffy.
"Huh?"
Luffy blinked.
"Please come with me to Onigashima!"
Yamato said earnestly.
"I want to bring my past self along too—to join this mission. When I first heard about Ace's death, I regretted not being able to help. I want to change that."
Her expression was solemn.
"Alright!"
Luffy nodded without hesitation.
"Then let me fly you two there."
Marco spread his phoenix wings.
Even two years ago, Yamato wasn't weak.
Having her join the fight would be a major boost.
Right now, what they needed most… was more combat power.
Marco, having personally experienced the Summit War, knew:
Back then, the Navy wasn't even fighting at full strength.
Kizaru and Aokiji, the two Admirals…
Sengoku and Garp, the legends…
They were still holding back.
"If we need more firepower, then the Red Scabbards near Atama Mountain—Ashura Douji, Kawamatsu from Udon, and Denjiro from the Flower Capital—would be great allies."
Inurashi suggested.
"Speaking of Denjiro, Princess Hiyori is also at the Flower Capital. I really want to see her again!"
Nekomamushi added.
"No."
Izou firmly shook his head.
"Why not?"
The mink duo was confused.
"There's not enough time. And those three never sailed with Pops. They've always been wary of pirates. We won't be able to convince them that easily."
Izou explained.
"Izou's right. It took a lot of effort for us to win Shutenmaru over. As for Denjiro and the princess—if we don't show up, they're safer that way."
Inurashi agreed.
"Then it's settled. I'll head to Onigashima with Yamato to pick up the past version of her. You guys go to Kuri and seize a warship. We regroup in 2 hours!"
Marco concluded, then took flight with Yamato.
"Luffy!"
At that moment, someone who had been silent until now—Trafalgar Law—spoke up.
"Law? What is it?"
Luffy turned to him.
"Count me in on this mission. Our temporary alliance isn't over yet."
Law smirked.
"Ohhh! That's great! Okay, I'm off then!"
Luffy shouted, grabbing Marco's talon as they flew off.
"Captain... are we really going to join... that terrifying war?"
Bepo asked nervously.
"Of course we are! And not just us... even the us from two years ago will fight too!"
Law's lips curled into a grin.
He was excited to fight alongside his past self—
Together, they would hunt Doflamingo down.
And this time...
"I won't let anyone else do it.
I'll personally send Doflamingo to hell!"