The ceiling of Level 6 had already collapsed into sand and jagged debris.
Chunks of stone still crumbled from above—
Dust drifting through the dim torchlight like falling ash.
Without hesitation—
They ascended.
One by one, the strongest escape group Impel Down had ever seen climbed through the torn opening—
Leaving behind the deepest hell.
———————
The moment they emerged—
A violent gust of freezing wind slammed into them.
"Brrrr…!!!" Luffy shivered slightly.
Snow stretched endlessly in every direction.
A white, merciless wasteland.
But in the middle of that frozen hell—
Warmth.
Light.
Voices.
"STRAW BOOOOOY!!!"
A dramatic figure burst forward through the snow—
Arms wide open.
Bon Clay.
"BON-CHAN!!!" Luffy grinned just as widely.
They collided in a hug—
Spinning once like idiots in the middle of a war zone.
"You made it!!!"
"You too!!!"
Bon wiped tears dramatically.
"I thought you were gone forever!!!"
"I thought YOU were gone!!!"
Ivankov watched, smiling. "Fufufu… what a beautiful reunion."
Inazuma adjusted his glasses calmly. "…We don't have time."
The mood shifted instantly.
The wind howled louder—
A reminder.
They were still inside hell.
A heavy step forward—
THUD.
Bullet moved ahead, cracking his neck slightly.
"…We split here."
His voice alone seemed to silence the wind.
Ivankov crossed his arms, nodding.
"Fufufu… we'll stir up chaos from here."
"We'll release prisoners from the this level and turn this place upside down."
Crocodile narrowed his eyes, smoke curling from his cigar.
"…Then why not release the ones in Level 6 too?"
A pause.
Ivankov's expression hardened slightly.
"Too dangerous. Those down there aren't just criminals…"
"They're disasters."
"They don't follow anyone."
"They don't ally."
"They destroy."
Bullet added, his tone cold and absolute.
"…They'd betray us before we left the floor."
A brief silence passed.
Snow drifted between them.
Then Bullet continued.
"From Level 5 to Level 1…"
"…they're manageable."
"Cannon fodder."
"They'll obey if they fear us."
Crocodile smirked faintly.
"…Control through fear."
"…Simple."
"…Effective."
Ivankov clapped once. "Exactly~!"
He pointed dramatically at Luffy.
"YOU go ahead, Straw Boy!!!"
"We'll meet you up there!"
Luffy nodded without hesitation. "Yeah!"
Bon clenched his fists. "We'll hold the chaos down here!!!"
Bullet turned his back. "…Don't die before we get there."
Luffy grinned. "I won't!!!"
—————————-
Heat.
Blazing, suffocating heat.
The moment they entered Level 4—
It felt like stepping into a furnace.
Steam hissed from the ground.
Lava bubbled in the distance.
And chaos—
Was everywhere.
Escaped prisoners clashed with guards.
Alarms blared.
Smoke filled the air.
Then—
"YOU'RE ALIVE?!!!"
Buggy's voice cut through everything.
He and Mr. 3 stood frozen.
"Straw Hat?!!!"
Their eyes widened—
Then widened even more—
"JINBE?!!!"
"CROCODILE?!!!"
Buggy grabbed his head. "WHAT KIND OF MONSTERS ARE YOU HANGING OUT WITH?!!!"
Luffy blinked, confused as always. "What are YOU guys doing?"
Mr. 3 adjusted his glasses nervously.
"I… made wax keys…"
"We're freeing prisoners to build numbers…"
Buggy puffed his chest proudly.
"Yeah!!!"
"They're all gonna follow ME!!!"
"Captain Buggy-sama!!!"
Some prisoners behind him cheered.
"CAPTAIN BUGGY!!!"
Crocodile didn't even glance at them.
His eyes had already shifted—
Locked onto a cell.
A familiar silhouette.
"…Hmph."
Without a word—
He walked forward.
Snatched the keys straight out of Mr. 3's hand.
"H-Hey?!!! Those are—!"
Too late.
Crocodile tossed them into the cell.
CLINK.
Silence.
Then—
Footsteps.
A man stepped forward from the shadows.
Daz Bones.
Calm. Unshaken.
Loyal.
Crocodile spoke simply.
"Join me again. Mr. 1"
No hesitation.
"…Of course."
The cell door creaked open.
And just like that—
Another powerful piece returned to the board.
They moved toward the bridge leading to Level 3—
Heat rising beneath their feet.
Then—
BOOOOOOM!!!
A massive explosion echoed from behind.
Everyone turned.
A flood of prisoners surged forward—
Hundreds.
Maybe more.
At the front—
Ivankov.
Bon Clay.
And—
Bullet.
Buggy's jaw dropped so hard it almost hit the floor.
"Y-YOU FREED HIM?!!!"
"THAT MONSTER?!!!"
Bullet walked forward calmly—
As if leading an army.
Prisoners followed instinctively.
Fear.
Respect.
Submission.
Luffy stepped forward, grinning widely.
"After this—"
He raised his fist.
"We're going to Marineford!!!"
"To save Ace!!!"
For a split second—
Silence.
Then—
The prisoners erupted.
"MARINEFORD!!!"
"WAR!!!"
"LET'S GO!!!"
Even Buggy got swept up in it.
"YEAH!!!"
"WAIT—WHAT?!!!"
Ivankov laughed loudly.
"FUFUFUFU!!!"
"THE WORLD IS ABOUT TO TURN INTO CHAOS!!!"
Bullet smirked.
"Now this is getting interesting."
Crocodile exhaled smoke slowly.
"A war at Marineford…"
"Heh. That old fool Whitebeard will be there."
Jinbe stood firm.
"We must move quickly."
Luffy clenched his fists.
His eyes burned with determination.
"Ace…"
"We're coming."
And with that—
The army of escaped prisoners surged forward—
From the depths of hell…
toward the greatest war the world had ever seen.
—————————-
Inside Marine headquarters—
The heavy doors slammed open as a Marine rushed in, saluting frantically.
"F-Fleet Admiral!!! Urgent report!!!"
At the center of the room—
Sengoku sat behind his desk.
Stacks of reports.
Maps of the sea.
And at the center—
The execution schedule of Portgas D. Ace.
His eyes narrowed.
"…Speak."
The Den Den Mushi trembled as it relayed the message.
"It's… Marshall D. Teach, sir!!!"
"He is missing!"
Sengoku's hand froze mid-motion.
"…Blackbeard?"
A vein popped on his forehead.
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN—MISSING?!!!"
The Marine flinched.
"He's vanished from all Marine tracking routes!!!"
Sengoku slammed his fist onto the desk.
BANG!!!
Papers flew everywhere.
"The execution is in FIVE HOURS!!!"
"He's a Warlord!!! Where the hell is he?!!!"
Before anyone could respond—
Another Den Den Mushi rang.
"Sir!!! Another report!!!"
Sengoku grabbed it instantly.
"What now?!!!"
"An unidentified Marine vessel… is heading toward Impel Down!!!"
Silence.
Then—
"…Damn it."
His expression darkened.
"That bastard…"
"…That has to be him."
He clenched his teeth.
"What is he planning… in Impel Down at a time like this…?"
Behind him—
Monkey D. Garp laughed loudly from the couch.
"Bwahahaha!!! Things are getting interesting!!!"
"SHUT UP, GARP!!!" Sengoku snapped.
"This isn't a joke!!!"
———————
Impel Down — Control Room
Deep within the prison—
Alarms blared nonstop.
Den Den Mushis rang one after another.
Guards shouted over each other.
At the center—
Hannyabal slammed both hands onto the control panel.
"DAMMIT!!!"
His face twisted with rage and panic.
"Straw Hat… the Nyx Pirates… the Revolutionaries—!!!"
"LEVEL 4 IS IN COMPLETE CHAOS!!!"
A guard shouted.
"Sir!!! Prisoners from Levels 1 and 2 have been released!!!"
Hannyabal's eye twitched.
"That DAMN clown…!!!"
"Buggy…!!!"
Another report came in.
"Blackbeard has breached the entrance!!!"
"…WHAT?!!!"
Hannyabal grabbed the Den Den Mushi.
"Repeat that!!!"
"Blackbeard is inside Impel Down!!!"
His breathing grew heavier.
"…What the hell is happening in this prison…?"
He clenched his fists.
"…Fine."
"I'll handle this myself."
His voice hardened.
"If the Warden won't maintain order—"
"Then I will!!!"
He turned sharply—
"And Magellan…"
His expression darkened further.
"…Releasing Shiryu…?"
"That fool!!!"
"He'll betray us without hesitation!!!"
—————————
Level 4.
The escapees stormed forward—
Feet pounding against the burning ground.
Steam burst from pipes.
Firelight flickered wildly.
Then—
"STOP RIGHT THERE!!!"
Hannyabal stood in their path.
Bloodshot eyes.
Determined stance.
Luffy didn't even slow down. "Move!!!"
"Hell no!!!" Hannyabal roared.
Luffy's arm snapped back—
"GOMU GOMU NO—JET PISTOL!!!"
BAM!!!
The punch slammed into Hannyabal's chest.
He flew back—
Crashing into the stone—
Blood spilling from his mouth.
For a moment—
Silence.
Then—
"…I won't…"
He stood.
Shaking.
Bleeding.
"…I WON'T FALL!!!"
Everyone paused.
Hannyabal stepped forward again—
Each step heavy.
"This place…"
"…is necessary!!!"
He pointed behind him.
"To keep monsters like you away from innocent people!!!"
"If Impel Down falls—"
"THOSE MONSTERS WILL RETURN TO THE SURFACE!!!"
"The world—"
"WILL FALL INTO CHAOS!!!"
His voice echoed.
Determined.
Desperate.
For a split second—
Even Luffy hesitated.
Then—
THUD.
A brutal kick smashed into Hannyabal's side—
Sending him crashing across the floor.
Silence.
All eyes turned.
A slow, dark laugh echoed through the chamber.
"Zehahahaha…"
From the shadows—
Marshall D. Teach stepped forward.
Behind him—
Van Augur calmly loading his rifle.
Doc Q hunched over his sick horse.
Jesus Burgess cracking his knuckles.
The air changed instantly.
Heavy.
Dangerous.
Luffy's eyes widened.
"You…"
His memory flashed—
Jaya.
"…Are you… BLACKBEARD?!!!"
Teach grinned wide.
"You're Ace's little brother, huh?"
His grin grew darker.
"You should be thanking me."
"I was aiming for YOU."
"But Ace stepped in…"
"…and took your place."
Luffy's fists trembled violently.
"…You…!!!"
"GOMU GOMU NO JET PISTOL!!!"
BAM!!!
The punch landed clean.
Teach staggered slightly—
Then grinned even wider.
"…Zehahaha…"
"Not bad."
Suddenly—
Darkness erupted from his hand.
"BLACK HOLE!"
A vortex of black energy swallowed Luffy—
Pulling him in violently.
"GAAAH!!!"
Then—
SLAM!!!
Luffy crashed into the ground—
Blood spilling from his mouth.
Crocodile's eyes narrowed. "He made rubber bleed…"
Ivankov's eyes narrowed as he watched the clash unfold.
The darkness swirling around Marshall D. Teach…
The way it dragged everything in—
Even someone like Luffy—
"…That power…" Ivankov whispered under his breath.
"It's dangerous…"
His expression tightened.
He leaned slightly toward Bullet, voice low but urgent.
"Hey… Bullet."
"Should we stop him?"
"That boy can't take down someone like that right now…"
Ahead—
Luffy struggled against the pull—
Teeth gritted.
Fists clenched.
Rage burning in his eyes.
Bullet didn't move.
Didn't even blink.
He watched.
Calm.
Unbothered.
"Let him go."
Ivankov glanced at him. "What?"
Bullet's gaze remained locked on Luffy.
"He needs this."
A pause.
"He needs to let it out first."
Luffy roared—
Charging again despite the damage—
Driven by pure anger.
Bullet continued.
"If you stop him now…"
"…that fire just builds up."
"…and explodes later."
Ivankov exhaled slowly.
"Tch. You pirates really are reckless…"
Before he could act—
Jinbe stepped forward.
Calm and Grounded.
"I'll handle this."
His voice carried quiet authority.
Without hesitation—
He moved between them—
Facing Luffy directly.
"Luffy."
His tone was firm.
Not loud.
But it cut through everything.
"Stop."
Luffy froze mid-motion—
Breathing heavily.
Jinbe's eyes met his.
"This is not the time."
"You won't save Ace by falling here."
The words hit harder than any attack.
The chaos around them faded for a moment—
Leaving only that truth hanging in the air.
"…We're wasting time," Jinbe added.
"Every second matters now."
Luffy's fists trembled—
Then slowly—
Lowered.
The rage didn't disappear.
But it settled—
Condensed into something sharper.
More focused.
Jinbe nodded slightly.
"…Good."
Behind them—
Ivankov let out a breath.
"Fufufu… thank goodness…"
Bullet smirked faintly.
"Now he's ready to move."
Crocodile then exhaled a slow stream of smoke, the ember of his cigar glowing in the chaos.
His eyes stayed fixed on Marshall D. Teach.
"…Why aren't you at Marineford?"
His tone was cold. Calculating.
"You're a Warlord now, aren't you?"
Around them, the air was tense—
Heat rising from the floor—
Steam hissing from broken pipes—
Prisoners and guards alike frozen, watching the confrontation unfold.
Teach's shoulders shook slightly—
Then—
"Zehahahaha…"
A low, dark chuckle.
He lifted his head slowly, grin stretching wide.
"Because this…"
Darkness began to seep subtly from his hand again.
"…is part of the plan."
Crocodile's eyes narrowed further.
"…Plan, huh."
Ivankov clicked his tongue.
"Fufufu… I don't like the sound of that at all…"
Jinbe remained silent—
But his stance tightened.
Then—
A shift.
The air itself seemed to distort.
A pressure—
Heavy. Oppressive.
BOOOOOOOM!!!
The ground beneath them shattered violently.
Cracks spread like spiderwebs across the stone floor.
Everyone turned—
Too late.
A blur cut through the smoke—
Then—
CRAAAASH!!!
A devastating fist slammed directly into Teach—
The impact alone sending shockwaves across the chamber.
"GUAAAH—!!!"
Teach and his entire crew were launched backward—
Crashing through walls—
Debris exploding everywhere.
Van Augur was thrown off his feet.
Doc Q tumbled with his horse.
Burgess slammed into a pillar, coughing violently.
Silence followed.
Dust slowly settled.
Footsteps echoed.
Heavy. Deliberate.
From the smoke—
Douglas Bullet emerged.
Cracking his neck.
Rolling his shoulders like he had just swatted a fly.
"…Tch."
Teach slowly pushed himself up from the rubble.
Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.
But—
He was smiling.
"…You."
His eyes gleamed with recognition.
"They broke you out too…"
Bullet didn't even hesitate.
Didn't even glance twice.
"I've had enough…"
His voice was low.
Cold.
"…of looking at your ugly face."
He stepped forward.
Each step felt heavier than the last.
The ground creaked beneath him.
"Stay out of our way."
A pause.
His eyes sharpened.
"…or I'll crush you."
The air grew suffocating.
Even the surrounding prisoners instinctively backed away.
Ivankov raised a brow. "Fufufu… still as terrifying as ever…"
Crocodile smirked faintly. "That's a monster for you."
For a moment—
Even Teach didn't speak.
Then—
"Zehahahaha…"
He wiped the blood from his mouth.
Grinning wider than before.
"Fine."
He raised his hands slightly.
"We'll go our way."
His crew slowly regrouped behind him.
"But don't get in mine either…"
"…Bullet."
The tension lingered—
Like a blade hanging by a thread.
Then—
From the distance—
"MAGELLAN IS COMING!!!"
"RUN!!! HE'S RIGHT BEHIND US!!!"
The spell broke instantly.
Ivankov spun around.
"MOVE!!!"
He grabbed Luffy by the shoulder, shaking him slightly.
"Straw boy!!!"
"If you get poisoned again—"
His expression turned deadly serious.
"You're DONE!!!"
"No miracles left!!!"
Jinbe nodded firmly.
"We must leave. Now."
Crocodile turned, already moving.
"…This place is collapsing into chaos."
Bullet glanced once more at Teach—
Then turned his back.
"…Not worth the time."
As they rushed past—
Luffy slowed for just a moment.
His eyes locked onto Teach.
The noise around them faded.
"…I'll save Ace."
His voice was low.
But absolute.
Teach's grin didn't falter.
"I don't doubt it."
He tilted his head slightly.
"If Sky Island exists…"
"…then the One Piece does too."
His grin stretched wider—
Almost manic.
"In a few hours…"
"We'll give the world a show…"
"that will shake the entire seas."
A pause.
"Zehahaha…"
Luffy said nothing.
Didn't argue.
Didn't shout.
He simply turned—
And ran.
Forward.
Toward Ace.
Toward war.
Bullet walked past Teach last—
Slow. Unhurried.
Like nothing in that room could stop him.
As he passed, he glanced at Marshall D. Teach from the corner of his eye.
A faint smirk formed. "Good luck with that."
Teach chuckled lowly.
"Same to you—"
But before he could finish—
Bullet's voice cut in again.
Calm. Certain.
"Knowing our captain…"
A brief pause.
His smirk deepened slightly. "she won't be left out of this war."
Silence.
For the first time—
Teach's expression shifted.
His grin didn't disappear—
But his eyes sharpened.
"What did you just say? You're saying that woman…"
A beat.
"is going to Marineford too?"
Behind him, his crew stiffened slightly.
Even Burgess stopped grinning.
Van Augur's eyes narrowed.
Doc Q let out a weak chuckle.
Bullet didn't answer.
Didn't even turn back.
He just kept walking—
Steps echoing against the shattered floor—
Leaving nothing but that statement hanging in the air.
Teach watched him go.
Quiet. Thinking.
Then—
"Zehahahaha…"
His grin slowly returned.
Wider.
More dangerous than before.
"I see…"
He tilted his head back slightly.
"Then I just have to…"
A dark glint flashed in his eyes.
"readjust my plan."
His laughter echoed through the broken level.
"ZEHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!"
Around him—
Darkness flickered again.
The game had changed.
And now—
Even bigger players—
Were about to enter the board.
————————-
Hours later—
After fire, poison, blood, and chaos—
They finally burst out onto the docks of Impel Down.
The heavy iron doors behind them slammed open—
BOOM!!!
Fresh air rushed in.
For the first time since entering that hell—
They saw the sea.
Endless. Blue. Free.
The wind hit their faces as if welcoming them back to the world.
For a brief moment—
Everyone just… stared.
Then—
"WE DID IT!!!"
Buggy threw his arms up, laughing hysterically.
"WE ESCAPED IMPEL DOWN!!!"
"CAPTAIN BUGGY HAS DONE IT AGAIN!!!"
The prisoners behind him erupted into cheers.
"CAPTAIN BUGGY!!!"
"WE'RE FREE!!!"
"WE'RE GOING BACK TO THE SEA!!!"
Some laughed.
Some cried.
Some fell to their knees.
Freedom—
Was right there.
A massive Marine warship waited at the docks—
Already hijacked.
Sails ready.
Cannons loaded.
Everyone rushed aboard the warship.
Boots slamming against wood.
Chains dragging—
Voices shouting over one another.
"MOVE!!! MOVE!!!"
"CAST OFF!!!"
"RAISE THE ANCHOR!!!"
The once-ordered Marine vessel was now filled with chaos—
Prisoners flooding every corner—
Revolutionaries taking positions—
Former enemies standing side by side.
At the center of it all—
Luffy landed lightly on the deck.
Followed by Jinbe, Crocodile, Douglas Bullet, and Emporio Ivankov.
Buggy was already on top of a cannon—
Striking a dramatic pose.
"LISTEN UP!!!"
"I, CAPTAIN BUGGY, WILL LEAD YOU ALL TO FREEDOM!!!"
"CHEER FOR ME!!!"
"CAPTAIN BUGGY!!!" the prisoners roared.
Mr. 3 adjusted his glasses nearby.
"He's really running with this…"
Ivankov laughed loudly. "FUFUFUFU!!! What a lively crew we have here!!!"
Meanwhile—
Jinbe walked calmly toward the helm—
Grabbing hold of the wheel.
"We'll take control of this ship."
His eyes scanned the horizon.
"Prepare to depart immediately."
Crocodile leaned against the railing, lighting another cigar.
"Hmph. From the depths of hell… straight into the sea."
Smoke curled into the wind.
Bullet stood silently near the center of the deck—
Arms crossed—
Unmoving despite the chaos around him.
Like a pillar.
Luffy stepped forward slowly—
Moving past everyone—
Until he reached the very front of the ship.
The wind hit him.
Strong. Free.
The ocean stretched endlessly ahead.
No walls. No cages. No chains.
Just the open sea.
"We made it…" he said quietly.
Behind him—
The ship groaned as it began to move—
Water crashing against the hull.
Voices rising—
Hope returning.
But—
A voice cut through the celebration.
"Not yet."
Everyone turned.
Jinbe stood firm, arms crossed, eyes forward.
"The Gates of Justice are still closed."
The cheers slowly died.
The reality set in.
Ahead of them—
Towering above the sea—
The gigantic Gates of Justice stood sealed shut.
An unbreakable wall. A final barrier.
"No way…" someone whispered.
"We're still trapped…?"
The wind howled louder.
Then—
A deep, rumbling sound echoed across the ocean.
CREAAAAAAAAAAAAAK…
Everyone froze.
The massive gates—
Began to move.
Slowly. Heavily.
The chains groaned.
The sea trembled.
"They're opening…" Ivankov whispered.
"What…?" Luffy said softly.
No one had touched the controls.
No orders were given.
And yet—
The gates continued to open.
Light poured through the widening gap.
The path to freedom—
Was being given to them.
At the docks—
Magellan stood frozen for half a second.
Then—
"WHO ORDERED THAT?!!!"
His roar shook the entire area.
A Den Den Mushi in his hand responded calmly.
"You did, sir."
"…What?"
Magellan's pupils shrank.
"That's impossible…!!!"
"I gave no such order!!!"
His breathing grew heavier.
"…Who…"
"WHO IS IN THE CONTROL ROOM?!!!"
Without waiting—
He turned—
And rushed forward.
BOOM!!!
Doors shattered as he sprinted through the halls—
Poison dripping behind him—
Fury consuming him.
The control room doors exploded open.
Magellan stormed in—
Breathing heavily—
Eyes burning with rage.
Then—
He froze.
Standing at the controls—
Was himself.
Same massive frame.
Same horns.
Same uniform.
Same presence.
"You…"
The fake Magellan slowly turned.
A calm smile formed.
Then—
The face shifted.
Melted.
Revealing—
Bon Clay.
"…!!!"
Magellan's fury erupted instantly.
"YOU!!!"
Bon Clay stood tall—
Despite the overwhelming danger.
Despite the inevitable outcome.
He smiled.
"Sorry."
"I couldn't let them stop here."
Magellan's poison surged violently around him.
"You think you can fool me…?!!!"
Bon Clay laughed lightly—
Even now.
"Fufufu…"
"Just long enough."
He turned back to the controls—
Pulling the final lever.
"Straw boy…"
"…make it out…"
Behind him—
Magellan roared—
And lunged forward.
—————————
Back on the ship—
The sails caught the wind.
The ship began to move—
Slowly passing through the now-open gates.
The ocean stretched wide ahead.
Freedom was real.
But—
Luffy suddenly looked around.
"…Where's Bon-chan?"
Silence.
No one answered.
Not Buggy.
Not Ivankov.
Not even Bullet.
Then—
Jinbe spoke.
Quiet. Steady.
"He stayed behind."
Everything stopped.
The sound of the ocean—
The wind—
The celebration—
Gone.
"What…?"
Luffy's voice trembled.
"Stayed behind…?"
Bullet crossed his arms.
His tone firm.
"We can't go back."
Luffy turned sharply.
"Why not?!!!"
Bullet met his gaze.
"How many allies do you think we lost getting here?"
His voice hardened.
"If we turn back now—"
"We lose everything."
Ivankov looked down.
"Straw boy…"
Jinbe stepped forward—
Holding out a small Den Den Mushi.
"Talk to him. Before we lose the signal."
Luffy grabbed it instantly.
Hands shaking.
"BON-CHAN!!!"
On the other side—
Inside the control room—
Bon Clay froze.
Blood.
Destruction.
Magellan behind him.
And yet—
He smiled.
"Straw boy…"
"YOU WEREN'T SUPPOSED TO KNOW!!!"
Luffy's voice cracked.
"WE WERE SUPPOSED TO ESCAPE TOGETHER!!!"
His grip tightened.
"How many times…?!"
"How many times are you going to save me?!!!"
"…Say something!!!"
For a moment—
Only static.
Then—
Bon's voice came through again.
Stronger. Brighter.
"…Straw boy!!!"
"I'm fine!!!"
"You don't need to worry about me!!!"
Tears streamed down Luffy's face.
"LIAR!!!"
Bon laughed.
"…Maybe."
"But listen to me!!!"
His voice rose—
Filled with emotion.
"You can do this!!!"
"You've got so many allies now!!!"
"You're not alone anymore!!!"
The sound of destruction echoed faintly behind him.
But he didn't stop.
"Save your brother!!!"
"Don't look back!!!"
"Live forward!!!"
Luffy collapsed to his knees.
"…BON!!!"
The line—
Cut.
KRRRSHHHH…
Silence.
No one spoke.
Not Buggy.
Not Crocodile.
Not even Ivankov.
Tears fell quietly across the deck.
Ivankov wiped his eyes roughly.
"Bon boy. That idiot…"
Jinbe stood in silence.
Respectful. Heavy.
Bullet looked forward—
Expression unreadable.
"He made his choice."
Luffy stood slowly.
Head lowered.
Hidden beneath his straw hat.
His shoulders trembled.
Tears fell freely.
But his fists—
Were clenched.
Tighter than ever.
The ship passed fully through the Gates of Justice—
Leaving Impel Down behind.
Behind them—
Sacrifice.
Pain.
And loyalty.
Ahead—
The open sea.
Marineford.
War.
Fate.
And as the ship sailed forward—
One thing was certain—
The world…
Was about to change forever.