"Uh..." Luffy stared at the figure slowly emerging from the shadows, his expression frozen in shock. "Crocodile!"
"Heh-heh-heh... It's been a long time, Straw Hat." Dressed in prison grays and sporting his signature golden hook, Sir Crocodile stepped into the light. "I thought escaping wouldn't be much fun, but with Whitebeard going to war with the Marines, I might actually get a chance to take that old man's head. This war interests me greatly."
"What do you say? With my power, we can get out of here."
Luffy was initially against the idea—he hadn't forgotten how Crocodile had nearly destroyed Vivi's kingdom. However, at Ivankov's urging, he eventually agreed to release him. Joining them was another Warlord of the Sea who wished to do something for Ace: "First Son of the Sea" Jinbe.
With that, the ultimate breakout team was assembled.
During their ascent, they encountered Mr. 3 and the "legendary" Buggy the Clown. Together with over two hundred prisoners, they finally breached the surface. But after successfully seizing a Marine warship, Luffy and his crew faced a final, life-threatening obstacle.
The Gates of Justice.
Surrounded by a dozen pursuing warships, the escapees looked despairingly at the colossal gates looming ahead. The Gates of Justice were massive fortifications built by the Marines; even a giant warship looked like a mere ant before them. It was physically impossible to force them open; they could only be operated from the power room inside the stronghold. Without Marine authorization, no one left Impel Down alive.
"Right... I forgot about these!" As the massive gates—emblazoned with the Marine's seagull symbol—loomed over them, spirits sank. It seemed an impossible riddle to solve.
Behind them, the pursuing fleet opened fire, determined to sink the stolen vessel. But just as hope began to fade, the Gates of Justice slowly began to creak open. A sliver of light appeared, widening into a path of salvation.
"They're opening!" The prisoners shouted in disbelief.
Jinbe slowly revealed the truth: someone had stayed behind to open the way. That person was Luffy's self-proclaimed sworn friend—Mr. 2, Bon Clay!
In the final hour, he had used his Mane Mane no Mi powers to mimic Warden Magellan and order the power room to open the gates. Over the Den Den Mushi, Luffy couldn't hold back his emotions, screaming Bon Clay's name. The escapees shouted their heartfelt thanks as the ship surged forward.
Remembering everything they had been through, Luffy wept openly.
"Little Straw Hat, you must save your brother!" "In the depths of hell, the flower of friendship blooms." "Upon the surging waves, petals of memory drift." "One day, they shall bloom again—the Way of the Okama!"
Bon Clay's selfless protection brought a spark of warmth to the cold, dark waters of the Great Prison. As the ship cleared the threshold, the gates slammed shut, and the controls were destroyed, ensuring the Marines could not follow.
Thus, the Great Underwater Prison, Impel Down, recorded the escape of 241 prisoners—the most disgraceful stain in its long history.
Marineford.
The Marines had begun evacuating the civilian population. Vice Admiral Onigumo had already arrived, escorting Ace to the heart of the fortress.
12:00 PM.
The elite forces of the Marines began to gather. First were the Seven Warlords of the Sea: Bartholomew Kuma, Gecko Moria, Donquixote Doflamingo, Dracule "Hawk-Eye" Mihawk, and the Pirate Empress, Boa Hancock. Aside from Blackbeard and Jinbe, the Warlords were assembled at the harbor.
Then came the Marines' Greatest Military Powers: the three Admirals.
Aokiji, Kizaru, and Akainu.
Drake's intuition had been correct—Akainu had somehow clawed his way back from the depths of the sea. An Admiral was not so easily slain.
Meanwhile, Ace was led slowly up the steps of the execution platform. His mind wasn't on his own fate, but on his younger brother, Luffy. At this sensitive moment, the entire world was watching. The Whitebeard Pirates, currently the strongest crew on the seas, were famous for never abandoning a brother.
The news that "Fire Fist" Ace, Second Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates, was to be executed today had spread to every corner of the globe. Debate raged everywhere: Would Whitebeard actually show up to rescue him?
Some believed he would challenge the Marines, even at their headquarters. Others argued that no pirate would be foolish enough to wage war against the World Government. But the legend of "The Strongest Man in the World," Edward Newgate, had echoed for decades. Everyone knew how much he valued family. This battle was ordained by fate.
In the Sabaody Archipelago, crowds gathered before three massive screens broadcasting the events from Marineford.
BAM! In the Fleet Admiral's office, Garp slammed his fist onto the desk, his face contorted in pain. "Is this really necessary!? I cannot accept this!"
"This public execution is not just about one pirate," Sengoku said after a long silence. "It carries immense significance for the future direction of the world. Therefore..."
Garp turned away, storming out of the office. Sengoku looked up and added, "As a party involved in this matter, you bear an undeniable responsibility."
Garp didn't respond; he simply kept walking. Sengoku watched his retreating back and sighed deeply.
The military deployment of Marineford was now complete. The island was shaped like a crescent moon, with the central plaza at its curve. Behind it stood the Marine Headquarters building and civilian housing. Fifty warships lined the crescent, their sides bristling with heavy cannons.
At the very front of the line stood the Warlords. Guarding the area directly below the execution platform were the three Admirals. One hundred thousand elite Marine soldiers, along with nearly every Vice Admiral in the service, stood ready. Every ounce of "Justice" the world could muster was gathered here to prevent Whitebeard from taking Ace.
As Ace was forced to his knees on the platform, he entered the view of the visual Den Den Mushi. The world held its breath, staring at the man who had become the fuse for this global explosion.
Fleet Admiral Sengoku and Vice Admiral Garp walked slowly onto the platform. Before reaching the top, Sengoku spoke firmly.
"I am going to tell them everything."
"Do what you want," Garp replied gloomily, stepping down to sit on the level below.