Marine Headquarters. Oris Plaza.
The battlefield was in a state of absolute chaos.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Explosions louder than a thousand thunderclaps shook the world. It was the collision of the strongest: Yonko Whitebeard clashing with Fleet Admiral Akainu, and Fifth Emperor Luffy's Conqueror's Haki-infused Overleaf Kong Gun slamming against Fleet Admiral Sengoku's Golden Buddha Palm.
Amidst the falling debris of the execution platform and the blinding dust, a scorching Fire Dragon roared into existence.
After lurking in the shadows for so long, the Ryusoken finally made its grand entrance. Two flaming Dragon Claws lunged forward, catching the Armament Haki-coated execution blades of the CP0 agents just in time.
CRACK! SHATTER!
Even with Haki reinforcement, the blades couldn't withstand the crushing grip of the Dragon Claw. Before the CP0 agents could even gasp in horror, the flaming claws slammed into their chests, sending them flying hundreds of meters into the ruins of the central buildings.
Sacred Land, Mary Geoise.
"DAMN IT! HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE?!"
The roar of fury echoed through the halls of the Five Elders. Tea sets were smashed, and the five most powerful men in the world were trembling with rage. Their faces shifted from pale to red as if their hearts were about to explode.
"So close! We were just one second away!" the blonde Elder hissed, his eyes bloodshot. "One more second, and the heads of Straw Hat Luffy and Fire Fist Ace would have fallen together!"
"We cannot let this stand!" the Elder with the katana added, his aura radiating cold killing intent. "We must find out who dared to interfere at such a critical moment!"
All eyes turned to the screen, staring at the swirling vortex of flames.
The Battlefield.
"Who is that?!"
This question burned in the minds of over 100,000 warriors on the field.
"That flame... there's only one person who can control fire like that! It must be Commander Ace!" the Whitebeard Pirates cheered.
But the veterans knew better.
"Wait... Ace is still in Seastone cuffs, isn't he?" Future Marco narrowed his eyes.
"The dragon came from underground!" Jinbe noted.
On the Thousand Sunny, Usopp shouted through his goggles: "It's not Luffy or Ace! It's the other brother! The Chief of Staff of the Revolutionary Army—Sabo is here!!!"
The Reunion.
The flames swirled like a protective cocoon around Luffy and Ace. From the heart of the fire, a young man stepped out. He wore a top hat with goggles, a blue coat, and had a distinctive scar over his left eye. He carried a simple metal pipe, looking exactly like the boy from their childhood memories.
Luffy and Ace froze. Their minds flooded with images of the treehouse, the scrap heaps of the Gray Terminal, and the cups of sake they shared to become brothers.
"Sabo...?" Luffy's voice trembled.
The future Sabo looked at his younger brothers with a radiant, warm smile—the same smile he had ten years ago.
"Hey, Ace, Luffy. Long time no see!!!"
Luffy didn't hesitate. His eyes turned into fountains of tears as his arms stretched out, wrapping around Sabo in a crushing hug, snot and tears smearing all over Sabo's coat.
"SABO! IS IT REALLY YOU?! ARE YOU REALLY ALIVE?!"
"I'm back, Luffy," Sabo whispered, gently patting Luffy's head.
Ace stood there, his body shaking uncontrollably. The tough, stoic Commander of the Second Division was crying like a child. "Sabo..."
The flames dissipated, revealing the three brothers to the entire world. They were rolling on the ground, Luffy refusing to let go, laughing and crying all at once.
The Marines' Shock.
"Target locked: Straw Hat Luffy, Fire Fist Ace, and... Revolutionary Army Chief of Staff, Sabo!" a Pacifista droned, its laser charging.
Suddenly, a swarm of black crows descended, dismantling the machine in seconds. The crows reformed into a man—North Army Commander, Karasu.
"It's the Revolutionary Army!" "The Chief of Staff (Bounty: 550 Million) and the North Commander (Bounty: 400 Million) are here!"
The Marines were terrified. But the confusion grew even more when they saw the current timeline's Sabo standing next to the giant Morley.
"Wait... there are two Sabos?!" Luffy blinked, confused.
"Strictly speaking, that's the Sabo of this era," Future Sabo explained. "But he still has amnesia. I'm sorry we weren't here sooner."
The Counter-Attack.
The clash between Luffy and Sengoku finally ended. Luffy, exhausted from his Gear Fourth form, began to deflate.
"Now's our chance! Kill Straw Hat!" the Marines roared.
Vice Admiral Bastille charged forward, his massive Shark Cutter blade aimed at Luffy's neck.
"Dragon Claw!"
A black, Haki-clad hand intercepted the blade. With a sickening CRUNCH, the Shark Cutter shattered, and Sabo's hand slammed into Bastille's face, crushing his metal mask and knocking him out instantly.
"Don't worry, Luffy. I've got you," Sabo said firmly.
Now, they stood together: Two Luffys, two Sabos, and one Ace. The Five Brothers of the Straw Hat crew had gathered!
"This is a miracle!" Whitebeard laughed, his heart full.
Ace looked at his brothers and his "father," tears of happiness streaming down his face. "Pops... everyone... I'm so happy I was born into this world!"
"Ace, the cuffs!" Future Sabo reminded them.
Luffy fumbled with the key and finally... CLICK!
The Seastone fell away. The flames of the Mera Mera no Mi exploded with a fury that dimmed the sun.
"FIRE FIST (HIKEN)!!!"
Two massive fists of fire—one from Ace and one from Sabo—soared into the sky, incinerating Admiral Kizaru's laser barrage and lighting up the entire world.