Chapter 30: The Alliance Gathers
Year 1516 - Five Days Before Execution
The assembly point was a nameless island in a forgotten corner of Paradise—too small for permanent settlement, too remote for regular patrols. Perfect for gathering forces that couldn't be seen together.
Ships arrived throughout the day.
Revolutionary Army vessels flying no flags. Pirate crews with grudges against the World Government. Former Marines who'd quietly left service after hearing about the Snow Admiral. Even merchant ships whose captains remembered being saved from pirates by the Wandering Marines.
By sunset, the harbor was crowded with an impossible coalition.
Dragon himself arrived via Kuma's Nikyu Nikyu no Mi—the Paw-Paw Fruit that could teleport people across vast distances. The Revolutionary leader surveyed the assembled forces with his usual calculating expression.
"Two hundred and forty-seven Revolutionary soldiers," he reported. "Three pirate crews totaling one hundred and twelve fighters. Seventeen former Marines who resigned rather than hunt you. And..." He gestured to the harbor's far end where a massive ship was docking, "an unexpected ally."
The vessel was ornate, almost ceremonial. And standing at its bow was a figure that made everyone stare.
Red Hair.
Shanks—one of the Four Emperors—smiled his characteristic easy smile as his ship anchored.
"Sorry I'm late!" he called out. "Had to make sure Mihawk wouldn't interfere. He's neutral in your little war with the Government, by the way. Professional courtesy between Warlords and all that."
"You came," Robin breathed. "A Yonko actually came."
"Well, when a young Marine with Conqueror's Haki stands up to the World Government and manages to wound an Admiral, that catches my attention." Shanks walked down the gangplank, his presence making even Dragon unconsciously straighten. "Plus, I owe someone a favor. A Marine named Garp once let me escape when he probably shouldn't have. Figured I'd pay that forward."
"How many people did you bring?" Isra asked.
"Just me and Benn Beckman." Shanks gestured to the man beside him—his first mate, whose presence alone radiated competence. "Couldn't risk my whole crew on this. But trust me, we're enough to make a difference."
"A Yonko, his first mate, Revolutionaries, Marines, pirates, and a Warlord," Moria said, laughing. "This is either the greatest alliance ever assembled or the biggest disaster waiting to happen."
"Probably both," Franky agreed. "But it's SUPER impressive either way!"
Dragon called the meeting to order in a clearing that barely fit everyone.
"Current intelligence," he began, projecting maps via a portable Den Den Mushi system. "Akainu delivered the Snow Admiral to Marineford three days ago. He's being held in the maximum security wing—designed to hold even Admiral-level threats. Guards rotate constantly, cells are reinforced with layered seastone, and the entire section is monitored by Observation Haki users around the clock."
"So breaking him out before the execution is basically impossible," Benn Beckman observed, his tactical mind already working. "Which means we wait for the execution itself."
"Correct. The execution is scheduled for noon, five days from now. Video Den Den Mushi will broadcast it worldwide. The plaza will be packed with Marines—this is meant to be a display of the World Government's power."
"Which also means their forces will be positioned for show rather than defense," Lucci added. He'd been given freedom to participate in planning, though Isra kept a close watch on him. "I know Marineford's layout. During executions, most forces face the plaza to intimidate the condemned. The rear approach—from the sea—has minimal coverage."
"Most assault forces would have to cross the entire plaza under fire to reach the execution platform," Dragon continued. "That's suicide against three Admirals and the gathered Marine might."
"Unless we create multiple distractions," Shanks suggested. "I enter through the main gates—a Yonko showing up will grab everyone's attention. While they're focused on me, other teams infiltrate from different angles."
"Revolutionary forces can attack the outer walls," Sadi proposed. "Create the appearance of a full-scale assault while keeping casualties low. We're not trying to win a war—just create chaos."
"My zombies are expendable," Moria added cheerfully. "I can send hundreds as cannon fodder. They'll absorb attention and resources while the real strike teams move."
"And once we extract Aiko?" Robin asked. "We still have to escape. Through a base full of angry Marines who'll be pursuing with everything they have."
"That's where I come in," Franky said. "I've been building something. Called it the Super Mega Ultra Awesome Escape Vehicle. Or SMUAEV for short."
"That's a terrible acronym," Iceburg said.
"YOUR FACE IS A TERRIBLE ACRONYM! Anyway, it's basically a ship that can submerge. We use it to evacuate through underwater routes that Marines can't follow easily. I've been modifying the Hakusetsu specifically for this."
"A submarine ship," Benn Beckman mused. "Creative. But can it carry everyone?"
"Nope! Which is why most forces will need separate evacuation plans. The submarine is just for the critical personnel—Aiko, his immediate crew, anyone who absolutely can't be captured."
"Acceptable," Dragon agreed. "Revolutionary forces will scatter through pre-planned routes. Pirates have their own ships. The key is ensuring Aiko's extraction succeeds. Everything else is secondary."
"What about the Admirals themselves?" Yuki asked. "Even with all our forces, fighting three of them simultaneously..."
"We don't fight all three," Shanks said. "We occupy them. I'll engage Kizaru—light versus Haki should be entertaining. Dragon, you can handle Aokiji—ice and wind, poetic. That leaves Akainu."
"I'll take him," Isra said immediately.
Everyone stared.
"Commander Vex, that's suicide," Robin protested. "Akainu nearly killed Aiko at full strength. You can't—"
"I don't need to beat him. Just delay him. Buy time for extraction." Isra's expression was iron determination. "And I won't be alone. Marcus, Yuki, Aria—we hit him as a team. Use everything Aiko taught us about coordinated assault against superior opponents."
"It's still incredibly dangerous," Dragon warned.
"Everything about this operation is dangerous. But it's happening anyway." Isra looked around the assembly. "Aiko sacrificed himself to save us. Now we return the favor. That's what crew means."
Murmurs of agreement rippled through the gathered forces.
"Then we're committed," Dragon declared. "Five days to refine the plan. Train for coordination. Prepare for the possibility that some of us won't survive." His voice carried absolute conviction. "But we're going to show the World Government that their fortress isn't unassailable. That their authority isn't absolute. That people will fight for those who stand against tyranny."
"YEAH!" The assembly shouted in unified determination.
As the meeting broke up into tactical discussions and coordination planning, Shanks pulled Dragon aside privately.
"You know this is probably a trap, right?" the Yonko said quietly. "The World Government let us gather this force. They're monitoring us. When we attack Marineford, they'll be ready."
"I know," Dragon replied. "But sometimes, the trap is the only path forward. We walk into it anyway, because the alternative is accepting defeat without fighting."
"And if it goes wrong? If this coalition gets destroyed?"
"Then we'll have proven something important—that people from every corner of the world will unite to stand against injustice. That's a message worth dying for." Dragon's expression was grim. "Though I'd prefer we survive to continue the actual revolution."
"Fair enough." Shanks grinned. "Well, if we're walking into a trap, might as well do it with style. This is going to be one hell of a story, win or lose."
Marineford - Fleet Admiral's Office
Sengoku reviewed intelligence reports with mounting concern.
"Confirmed movements of Revolutionary Army forces," Tsuru reported—the brilliant strategist and Vice Admiral. "Estimated two to three hundred soldiers mobilizing toward Marineford's region."
"Gecko Moria's Thriller Bark has left the Florian Triangle," added another Vice Admiral. "First time in years. Heading this direction."
"And Shanks..." Sengoku rubbed his temples, "Red-Haired Shanks was spotted at the assembly island. A Yonko is involved in this rescue attempt."
"They're gathering everyone," Garp observed from his position by the window. "Every force that has reason to oppose us. It's impressive, really. The boy managed to unite people who'd normally never cooperate."
"It's also predictable," Sengoku replied. "Which is why we're ready. Three Admirals on high alert. Every Vice Admiral recalled to headquarters. The Shichibukai have been notified—though only Mihawk might actually respond to the summons."
"And if they succeed?" Tsuru asked. "If they actually extract the Snow Admiral from Marineford, it'll be a propaganda disaster. We'll look vulnerable."
"They won't succeed." Sengoku's voice was absolute. "Because this isn't just a trap—it's a purge. We're letting them gather so we can eliminate them all at once. The Snow Admiral, his crew, Revolutionary forces, sympathetic pirates—all in one place, all committed to one operation."
He pulled out classified orders stamped with the World Government's seal.
"Im-sama has authorized total response. If the assault begins, we don't just repel it—we annihilate it. No survivors. No prisoners. Complete extermination of everyone involved." Sengoku's expression was troubled. "I disagreed with these orders. Suggested they were excessive. Was overruled."
"By Im-sama personally?" Garp asked, surprise evident.
"Yes. The Eternal Sovereign wants this handled with absolute finality. The Snow Admiral's execution is meant to be more than punishment—it's meant to be a lesson that terrifies the world into compliance for the next century."
"That's..." Tsuru searched for words, "that's genocide. We're talking about killing hundreds of people, many of whom are only guilty of believing in someone's principles."
"We're talking about eliminating threats to eight centuries of established order," Sengoku corrected, though he sounded like he was trying to convince himself. "That's what Im-sama believes, and Im-sama's will is absolute."
"Even when it's wrong?" Garp's question hung in the air.
Sengoku had no answer.
Assembly Island - Night Before Departure
The coalition forces rested, each person processing the magnitude of what they were about to attempt. Morning would bring departure, then the assault, then either victory or extinction.
Robin found Isra standing alone at the shore, staring toward where Marineford lay beyond the horizon.
"Can't sleep?" Robin asked.
"Thinking about what happens if we fail. If this coalition gets destroyed tomorrow." Isra's voice was quiet. "Hundreds of people are risking everything because we asked them to. If we're wrong, if this is a mistake..."
"Then we'll die knowing we tried. That we didn't abandon Aiko to his fate." Robin stood beside her. "I spent twenty years running, never trusting anyone, never believing that people could be decent. Aiko changed that. He proved that some people are worth following into hell itself."
"Even if hell kills us?"
"Especially then. Because dying for what you believe in beats living as a coward." Robin smiled slightly. "Besides, we might actually succeed. Stranger things have happened."
"Name one."
"A former CP0 agent helping plan an assault on Marine Headquarters. A Yonko allying with revolutionaries. A Warlord working with people who despise the World Government." Robin's smile widened. "This entire coalition is a statistical impossibility. Maybe we'll be lucky enough for one more."
Behind them, Franky was giving the Hakusetsu final modifications, his cola-powered tools working through the night. Moria coordinated with his zombie generals. Shanks drank with his first mate, laughing as if tomorrow's battle was just another adventure. Dragon planned with Revolutionary commanders, marking positions and strategies.
And in the middle of it all, young Chimney—who'd somehow stayed with the crew through everything—watched the adults prepare for war with a child's simple faith.
"They're going to save the Snow Admiral, right?" she asked Aria, who was checking her equipment nearby.
"We're going to try," Aria replied honestly.
"Good. Because he saved me back in Water 7. So you have to save him now. That's how it works."
"Is it?"
"Yep! People who save people get saved by people. That's the rule."
Aria smiled despite the tension. "Out of the mouths of babes. Maybe you're right, Chimney. Maybe that is how it works."
As midnight approached, as the last preparations were made, as hundreds of people committed themselves to the most audacious assault in history, one thought united them all:
Tomorrow, they'd storm Marine Headquarters itself.
They'd face three Admirals, countless Vice Admirals, and the full might of the World Government's military force.
Many would die. Maybe all of them.
But they'd do it anyway.
Because that's what it meant to stand for something larger than yourself.
And in Marineford, in his cell, Aiko felt something through the seastone's suppression—a faint echo of Conqueror's Haki from somewhere distant. Multiple sources, all determined, all converging.
His crew was coming.
And they weren't coming alone.
END OF CHAPTER 30
Next Chapter: "The Battle of Marineford - Part I: The Assault Begins"