"Rolan! What are you doing? Let go! I need to see my companions!"
Luffy struggled in Rolan's hand, wriggling like a kitten caught by its tail.
Hancock watched silently from the side, a faint smile softening her usual stern expression. She couldn't help but think: both are from East Blue, and this Luffy is Rolan's disciple, yet the difference between master and pupil is staggering.
Her husband, Rolan, was calm, poised, powerful, and effortlessly commanding. His disciple, on the other hand, was impulsive, reckless, and a bit foolish—utterly driven by heart rather than reason.
The contrast only deepened her admiration for Rolan, and her gaze lingered on him, warmth and longing softening her normally icy composure.
Rolan lifted Luffy to eye level, his grip firm but not cruel. "You brat, calm down. There's news you need to read before running off to Sabaody Archipelago."
Luffy only struggled harder. "What news is more important than seeing my crew? Let go, Rolan! I need to get to Sabaody Archipelago!"
He had spent countless moments with his crew, each one forging a bond stronger than blood. The thought of them trapped or in danger under Kuma's paw filled him with guilt and anxiety. He blamed himself for not being strong enough.
Rolan, unperturbed, reached into his System Space and pulled out a folded newspaper, presenting it to Luffy.
Luffy glanced at the picture. His eyes widened, and his body froze—Ace's face stared back at him from the page.
The headline blared: Portgas D. Ace scheduled for execution at Marineford.
"What? Ace is going to be executed?!" Luffy's voice trembled.
Memories of Ace flooded back—bickering, shared meals, escaping danger together, and enduring Garp's strict training. The bond between them was unbreakable, a constant thread in Luffy's life.
Rolan loosened his grip, letting Luffy sit and absorb the shocking news. Luffy's gaze flicked to the next headline: Blackbeard had become a Shichibukai.
"Blackbeard? Who's Blackbeard? Did he defeat Ace?" Luffy's voice wavered. Panic and desperation mixed with clarity. He turned to Rolan. "Rolan, it's Ace… Ace is my brother! I have to save him first! Then I'll reunite with my crew; I know they'll understand!"
Rolan's expression remained calm, yet he anticipated Luffy's reaction perfectly. After all, Ace and Luffy had grown up together, survived danger, and shared countless hardships. Their bond was like Sea Stone, unbreakable.
Luffy scanned the newspaper for the execution time and location. He grabbed Rolan's arm, shaking him urgently. "Hey! Rolan, where is Marineford? How long to get there from here?"
"Marineford is the city itself. By normal sailing from Peach Garden, it would take about ten days," Rolan replied evenly.
The newspaper slipped from Luffy's hands as despair crept in. Ten days… the execution was in one week. Even if he left immediately, he would be too late.
"Then Ace… he must be locked up already, right?" Luffy asked, eyes wide.
"In Impel Down, the Great Underwater Prison," Rolan confirmed.
"How long to get there from here?"
Rolan counted slowly on his fingers. "From Peach Garden to Impel Down, at least nine days."
Luffy's face drained of color, as if the world itself had dimmed. "What… what do I do… Ace… Ace, what do I do?"
He pulled off his Straw Hat, revealing a Vivre Card tucked inside. Half of it was already burned, a symbol of Ace's diminishing vitality. Panic surged in Luffy's chest as tears fell freely.
Many had been kind to him over the years—villagers in Windmill Village, Sabo, Dadan's family, Oji-chan, and Rolan. But now Ace, one of the few he loved most, was in danger, and Luffy felt powerless once again.
Hancock, witnessing his despair, finally spoke to Rolan. "Husband, Ace is your disciple too. You'll save him, won't you?"
Luffy seized on her words. "That's right, Rolan! You have to save Ace! Ace is your disciple!"
Rolan, touching the corner of his eye as if to calm himself, smirked slightly. "You brat, of course I'll save Ace. No one in this world dares harm my disciple."
Luffy wiped his tears, determination rekindled. He remembered Rolan's ship could fly; days of normal sailing wouldn't matter.
"You have a way to get to Marineford faster, right?" Luffy asked eagerly.
Rolan punched his chest lightly, a controlled gesture of authority. "Of course. At my speed, we'll reach Marineford in at most one day."
Hope ignited in Luffy's eyes. "Then what are we waiting for? Let's go save Ace!"
Rolan nodded. "I'll inform the crew first, then we depart."
---
"Mr. Issho, once we leave, Peach Garden will be under your care," Rolan instructed.
Issho bowed. "Naturally. Peach Garden is my home too, and I'll ensure nothing disturbs it."
Rolan's plan was precise: he and Luffy would take Going Merry No.1 to Impel Down to rescue Ace. If they encountered Blackbeard along the way, he would deal with him.
Meanwhile, the Rolan Pirates, led by Enel on Breaking Sky, would head directly for Marineford to secure a strategic advantage.
---
"Rolan, is that Impel Down?" Luffy shouted from the bow of Going Merry No.1, pointing at the dark fortress looming ahead.
Rolan nodded. "Yes, that's Impel Down."
"Ace is there, right?" Luffy asked,
gripping the railing.
"Rest assured," Rolan said quietly, "we'll get him out."
---