The massive black arrow shattered into fragments with a single casual punch, splattering across the ice like drops of ink thrown against a canvas.
Gekko Moriah stood frozen, body trembling uncontrollably. That figure standing there was one he had seen in nightmares, the silhouette that haunted his sleep. Without that person's intervention, Little Oars Jr. would still be sprawled in pieces, lost to the sea forever.
"Straw Hat!" Moriah ground his teeth, fury and fear mingling in his voice.
And indeed, it was Monkey D. Luffy, brimming with reckless energy as he activated Second Gear.
"I really like this giant uncle," Luffy called back with a grin that defied the chaos, "I'm not letting you die."
Little Oars Jr.'s colossal form towered over the battlefield, drawing every gaze toward him. But then eyes shifted upward as everyone noticed Luffy darting across the frozen plain.
"Ace!" Luffy's voice cut through the roar of battle. "What are you doing here?"
Ace, kneeling on the execution platform, blinked in stunned disbelief. He hadn't expected Luffy to show up either. Marineford was no place for a reckless pirate, no matter how strong, and Ace's concern was plain on his face.
Luffy looked toward him with a bright, determined grin. "I'm here to save you."
As Luffy spoke, a vast shadow unfurled above his head.
Boom!
With a thunderous crash, a massive Marine warship landed upon the ice with earth‑shaking force.
"What? What's going on?" Marines and Pirates alike craned their necks upward.
Figures stood on the bow of the warship, unmistakable even from a distance.
In the center was a face painted with blue lipstick, to his left was a sturdy figure with deep conviction in his eyes, and to his right, a familiar clown with a bright red nose.
It was Ivankov, Jinbe, and Buggy the Clown, arriving together from Impel Down. Behind them, the deck was packed with prisoners in their striped uniforms, eyes shining with excitement.
"Th‑that's former Shichibukai Jinbe, and Revolutionary Army commander Ivankov!" someone whispered in disbelief.
And then:
"Who's that red‑nosed guy next to them?"
"Didn't even notice the clown before."
Buggy, indignant and unbothered, collapsed dramatically to the deck and boomed at the crowd, "Buggy! Buggy! I am Lord Buggy!"
The shocked gasps rippled across the field.
"Buggy? From Pirate King Roger's ship?"
"I heard he was aboard that legendary vessel!"
"A real legend?!"
For a moment, even hardened Marines stared in stunned silence at Buggy's claim.
Behind him, the prisoners cheered as though their idol had descended from the heavens.
"As expected of Lord Buggy," they chanted in adoration.
Buggy puffed up proudly, clasping his hands on his hips, chuckling loudly.
Luffy looked back at Jinbe and the others with a hint of an eye‑roll. "Hey, Jinbe, you guys are a bit slow."
"We're not like you," Ivankov replied warmly, amusement clear in his voice. "Jumping from that height would kill us."
His playful tone was familiar, almost teasing, and Luffy just shook his head with a grin.
Sengoku's gaze fixed on the newcomers, and he growled at Garp standing nearby, "Those scoundrels are clearly here to rescue Ace."
Garp frowned, eyes tired but discerning. "No matter how I look at it, this combination is strange," he murmured. "A former Shichibukai, a Revolutionary commander, a veteran of Roger's crew, and a whole bunch of escaped prisoners… and all of them erupt into battle together at Marineford?"
It made no logical sense, but all evidence pointed to one thing: they were following Luffy's lead.
Akainu's eyes narrowed as he watched Luffy emit a thin stream of white steam, his fury cool and sharp. "This man must die too," the magma Admiral muttered under his breath.
All eyes shifted to Buggy, who seemed oblivious to the tense atmosphere.
"Ya ha ha ha, where's Whitebeard? I've come to take his head!"
The prisoners behind him echoed their cheers, worshipping him beyond measure.
One pointed toward the Moby Dick anchored in the bay.
"Captain Buggy, that's Whitebeard."
Buggy spun around, staring in wide‑eyed terror as he saw a familiar figure standing tall on the bow of the giant whale‑shaped ship.
It was, of course, Whitebeard Edward Newgate, the most formidable pirate alive.
Buggy broke out into a cold sweat, quivering as though the very rooftop of the world had fallen on him.
"My subordinates, Whitebeard still has things to do right now. I'll go take his head after he's done…" he wheezed, voice cracking, though in his mind the brave words dissolved into sheer panic.
Jinbe watched Buggy's spectacle with slight exasperation, knowing full well the clown's bravado was always just an act.
But the prisoners didn't see through it. They saw a hero.
"As expected of Lord Buggy, truly merciful!"
"Lord Buggy!"
"Lord Buggy!"
"Lord Buggy!"
Their cheers filled the air like a chorus.
Whitebeard turned his gaze toward the warship and grinned softly, leaning forward to observe the chaotic spectacle below.
"Oh, it's the red‑nosed one from Roger's ship," he rumbled with amusement.
Buggy was visibly shaken, nearly falling over again.
"Oh… oh, White… Whitebeard, hello…"
The prisoners gawked at the interaction in disbelief.
"Lord Buggy is actually greeting Whitebeard!"
"Whitebeard knows Lord Buggy!"
"Who doesn't know Lord Buggy?"
Their adulation grew even louder.
Buggy panicked internally, tears prickling his eyes, "Please, stop talking, Whitebeard is right there!!"
Luffy, having heard the exchange, turned his attention from the crowd to Whitebeard himself.
"Oh, you're Whitebeard, right? I know you want to become Pirate King, but the one who will become Pirate King is me!"
Silence fell across the battlefield.
Even though the strongest man in the world right now was Rolan, and the most formidable pirate crew was the Lotte Pirates, Whitebeard was still one of the Four Emperors, one of the most legendary figures in existence. For a Straw Hat to declare such a thing right in front of him was bold beyond measure.
Whitebeard's rumbling laugh returned.
"Gurarararara, is that so? Then you must work hard."
His eyes flashed with red fire as a powerful aura erupted outward, expanding like waves across the battlefield.
A huge purple sphere of force radiated from him, pulsating with ancient strength.
Luffy's eyes also gleamed red as his own aura spread, forming a vast crimson globe that collided with Whitebeard's Conqueror's Haki.
The two titanic wills clashed in a thunderous battle of spirit, their Conqueror's Haki pushing outward and shaking the very air.
Weaker Marines and Pirates fell unconscious, overwhelmed by the pressure of two Conqueror's Haki clashing in the open air.
Boom!
The collision exploded in a burst of energy and sparks raining down from above.
"Conqueror's Haki!"
Shock rippled through every soul on the battlefield.
===
Look up "_Zeph" on Patreon to get access to chapters in advance.