Marineford – Marine Headquarters
At the very heart of the world, 100,000 elite Marines from across the globe had assembled.
Even now, every last soldier was brimming with fighting spirit, their battle cries echoing across Oaks Plaza.
The Navy stood united—one force, one will—ready for war.
Toward the reporters stationed at Sabaody Archipelago, they projected unwavering confidence.
They had prepared everything—absolutely everything—for the coming storm.
And yet…
In this very moment…
Underneath the feet of those 100,000 elite Marines...
Unnoticed.
Unimaginable.
Even the keen mind of Fleet Admiral Sengoku couldn't predict—
The most fortified stronghold of the sea, a veritable lion's den, already had intruders in its midst.
Beneath their feet…
A giant and a small team of humans were silently lying in wait.
—
At a hidden corner of the plaza, a thin slit formed in the ground—
A barely visible crack.
From the darkness beneath, several pairs of sharp eyes scanned the surroundings.
But when the nearby Marines with powerful Observation Haki glanced over—
The crack sealed itself again, as if it had never been there.
Unseen.
Undetected.
Below the plaza, a secret underground chamber built using the powers of the Oshi Oshi no Mi—a Paramecia ability user and commander of the West Army—Morley.
"Phew…"
Commander Lindbergh of the Revolutionary Army's South Forces wiped sweat from his brow. His fur was soaked through.
The expressions of those present were filled with tension—and awe.
"This is truly the ultimate display of Marine might!"
Even the usually composed Karasu, North Army Commander, was visibly shaken.
"If we fought them head-on…
There's not a single faction in the world that could stand against this force!"
Two years ago, Sabo frowned.
"The time to strike hasn't come yet."
Karasu turned to the Sabo of two years later—now more mature, yet still visibly troubled.
"We wait."
"I know."
Sabo clenched his fists, flames crackling around them—burning with determination.
He wasn't reckless like Ace or Luffy.
On their way here, he and his fellow revolutionaries had carefully reviewed every scenario.
In the end, they chose the best strategy for rescue.
Charging into battle shoulder to shoulder with the Whitebeard Pirates wasn't the first option.
They had another task.
To lie in wait, buying time—
For the Luffy of this era to rescue Ace.
And during the retreat...
At the critical moment—
Sabo would intercept Akainu's lethal strike.
If he could block that one crucial second…
Everything would change.
—
Meanwhile—
Karasu, Morley, Lindbergh, and the past Sabo had another mission: to rendezvous with Ivankov and rescue the fully brainwashed comrade—
Tyrant Kuma.
All preparations were now complete.
—
Meanwhile – Atop Marine Headquarters
The highest level of the main tower—Fleet Admiral's Office.
Only 30 minutes remained until Ace's public execution.
Sengoku sat in silence, his face hidden behind a cloud of smoke.
He reviewed the latest headlines from Sabaody Archipelago, his thoughts drifting.
Something felt… off.
His instincts screamed at him.
This war may spiral into something far beyond their predictions.
In the past—
He wouldn't have paid much attention to the rookie Supernovas caught in the chaos.
They were just pirates, fighting among themselves.
As long as they didn't harm civilians or Navy forces, let them kill each other—it only made the Navy's job easier.
But now…
Reports of a three-way clash in the New World had surfaced days ago.
Based on Admiral Zephyr's assessment, some of those involved bore alarming resemblance to Supernovas from this very year.
This was no longer a coincidence.
Still…
No matter how wildly Sengoku let his thoughts wander—
He couldn't fathom how a bunch of rookies could possibly sway the tide of this great war.
And yet…
Even beyond the Supernovas—
There was a far more outrageous rumor.
From Loguetown in East Blue, to a quiet food stall, to Water Seven—the whispers spread.
"Pirate King Roger… has returned?"
"Ridiculous."
Sengoku snorted, rubbing his temples.
"I'm getting too paranoid."
—
Sabaody Archipelago
"Everyone—get ready to cause some chaos!!"
bellowed Captain Eustass Kid, his voice booming across the harbor.
With that, his rugged, dinosaur-themed pirate ship set sail.
Destination: Marineford!
Elsewhere—
The Heart Pirates' pale yellow submarine sealed its hatch and began to descend quietly into the depths.
Target: Donquixote Doflamingo—Warlord of the Sea.
—
Finally, at Mangrove #12 River Mouth—
"Luffy! Everyone! Good luck!"
"Please, save your brother!!"
"We'll be waiting on Fish-Man Island!"
"Boss Jinbe, take care!"
Camie, Pappag, and Hatchan waved tearfully from the shore.
"AAAHHH!!!"
With infectious energy, the Straw Hat Pirates raised their fists as their Thousand Sunny surged forward.
Twelve crewmates.
Led by the Fifth Emperor—Monkey D. Luffy.
Their mission was clear.
As the Sunny sailed farther and farther from Sabaody—
Even the normally confident Usopp, Chopper, and Nami hung their heads slightly, sighing.
"…We just couldn't say it."
"If only Rayleigh had come with us—it would've felt so reassuring."
"Right? Absolutely!"
Their real goal in returning to Sabaody…
Had been to recruit Rayleigh to join them in the war.
The former right-hand man of the Pirate King—Dark King Rayleigh.
A living legend.
If he stood with them, it would change everything.
But…
On the way, Luffy had stopped them.
Just like back when Usopp had asked Rayleigh about shortcuts to Raftel—and Luffy had shouted at him to stop—
This time too, when Usopp tried to ask Rayleigh to join the war...
Luffy shook his head.
Rayleigh had already retired. He had no reason to join this fight.
This was their battle.
"…I wonder where Law and Kid are headed?"
Usopp muttered.
"Wherever they go, it's up to them.
We just need to do our part."
Zoro answered firmly.
"Exactly. Let's give it everything we've got."
Sanji exhaled a puff of smoke.
"Yohohoho! Then before we arrive at the battlefield, allow me to play a song!"
Brook climbed the mast.
The Pirate's Song echoed across the sea, both uplifting and somber.
—
Mangrove #12 Riverbank
Rayleigh sat casually, watching as the Thousand Sunny vanished over the horizon.
His weathered face betrayed mixed emotions.
"Ray, it's not too late to change your mind.
I can get you the fastest ship right now,"
Shakky offered softly.
Rayleigh said nothing.
He knew exactly why the Straw Hats had come.
At first…
He had fully planned to go with them.
But once he learned that his "disciple," Luffy, had risen above him…
That the boy had defeated Emperor Kaido in a one-on-one battle…
Rayleigh made his decision.
He would trust in the next generation.
Besides…
Luffy hadn't asked him to fight.
Without that request, Rayleigh had no right to step in.
"Let's head back. The war's about to begin."
Rayleigh stood, ready to leave.
Just then—
His footsteps halted.
He turned—
Slowly.
Deliberately.
Eyes fixed on a distant point across the water.
"What is it, Ray?"
Shakky asked, puzzled.
Rayleigh's gaze sharpened.
A small, drifting rowboat floated toward the river mouth.
That boat…
There was something strange about it.
"Rayleigh?"
Shakky followed his eyes.
But he didn't respond.
He just stood there.
Staring.
Waiting.
As the boat drifted closer, it gently docked at the riverbank.
And lying there—
A figure, back turned, straw hat covering his face, seemingly asleep.
And yet…
Even without seeing the face.
Rayleigh knew.
There was no mistake.
The aura.
The scent.
The very presence.
It was him.
The one he had yearned to see again, day and night.
The one he had lost.
His captain.
His friend.
His legend.
"Roger…"
"…Roger…"
Tears welled in Rayleigh's eyes.