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A figure waved at them from a distance in the shadows, like a ghost lurking in the darkness, appearing somewhat eerie.
The two exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with caution. Slowly, they moved closer.
"Is that the Straw Hat kid who fought Magellan?"
His hairstyle resembled the club suit from a playing card, with orange hair on the left and white hair on the right. A lightning-shaped scar ran from his forehead to his right eye.
"I'm Inazuma," he said quietly. "Come quickly. I can help you!"
"Revolutionary Army?" Jewellery Bonney was still suspicious, but Rayleigh spoke first.
"Dark King Rayleigh?!" Inazuma was shocked after getting a better look. "I never expected someone like you to get trapped inside Impel Down!"
"For the sake of my beloved disciple, it's worth taking a risk," Rayleigh replied with a smile.
"Your disciple? You mean the Straw Hat kid? He's certainly brave!" Inazuma nodded, glancing at the colourful Luffy slung over Rayleigh's back.
They had watched that battle from afar. Magellan's Venom-Venom Fruit was terrifying and not something to be underestimated.
"Come quickly. Otherwise, you'll be discovered soon," Inazuma urged again. Rayleigh nodded without hesitation and followed Inazuma into a hidden passage.
"Revolutionary Army?!" Bonney was overwhelmed with shock. She hadn't expected to encounter them here.
She had come secretly only to rescue Kuma, who had disappeared since the Sabaody Archipelago incident.
She suspected he had sacrificed a lot to save her, something only a real father would do.
She had even heard that he had intervened with Straw Hat Luffy afterwards. This made her even more certain that Kuma had been captured and imprisoned in Impel Down.
"Hey, you've been hiding here for a while, right?" Bonney asked urgently. "Have you heard anything about Bartholomew Kuma?"
Inazuma was startled and glanced back at her. "Kuma? What's your relationship with him?"
Bonney bit her lip, unwilling to reveal too much. "She's his daughter," Rayleigh said with a chuckle.
"His daughter?!" Inazuma was stunned but kept running, glancing back in amazement.
"I haven't heard anything about him inside Impel Down," he said, "but as a Warlord of the Sea, he's probably preparing for the upcoming war."
Bonney froze, feeling a mix of joy and disappointment.
"It seems that even hidden in here, you're well-informed about the outside world," Rayleigh remarked thoughtfully.
"We often intercept newspapers from the guards," Inazuma laughed. "We know something big is about to happen out there!"
As they ran along the secret passage, they soon reached a new area. "Welcome to the New World inside Impel Down: the Newkama Land!"
Emporio Ivankov winked and laughed loudly. "Inazuma, new faces?" he asked.
"The strength of our Kamabakka Kingdom grows! Our chances of escaping are getting better!"
"And who's that old man?" others chimed in curiously. "They need help. Straw Hat is in danger," Inazuma said seriously, pointing at Luffy.
"Save him?" Ivankov didn't seem interested at first, glancing over lazily. But when he saw Luffy's discoloured body, his expression changed slightly.
"Poisoned by Magellan... No one in the world could save him now," Ivankov shook his head grimly.
Rayleigh gently set Luffy down and stared at Ivankov. "If I'm not mistaken, you're Emporio Ivankov, a commander of the Revolutionary Army, right?"
"Hmm? Wait a minute, you're—Dark King Rayleigh?!" Ivankov gasped in shock.
Rayleigh's face stayed serious. "This boy is Monkey D. Luffy," he continued. "His grandfather is Marine hero Monkey D. Garp."
Ivankov didn't react much at first, simply watching Rayleigh closely. "And his father is Monkey D. Dragon," Rayleigh finished.
When Dragon's name was spoken, both Inazuma and Ivankov stiffened in complete shock. "What?!" Ivankov cried. "He's Dragon's son?!"
Immediately, Ivankov leapt into action, rushing over to Luffy. "Hurry, hurry, hurry!" he shouted. "No matter the cost, we have to save Luffy-boy's life!"
The entire Kamabakka Kingdom instantly boiled with tension, anxiety, and urgency.
Rayleigh stood quietly to the side, calmly observing.
Though he had no way to save Luffy himself, this strange kingdom seemed well-equipped for emergencies.
"How do you know so many people?" Bonney asked curiously.
"When you live long enough, you naturally see more and meet more people. Reading the newspapers also helps," Rayleigh replied with a chuckle.
"Revolutionary Army intel isn't just from newspapers," Bonney said, sceptical.
"Actually," Rayleigh said hesitantly, "your father Kuma might have some connection to them as well."
"What?!" Bonney exclaimed in disbelief.
"Ask them and find out," Rayleigh smiled. But Bonney stayed silent, sinking into deep thought.
Under Ivankov's command, Newkama Land became a flurry of activity, gathering long-stored medicines toward the centre.
Time passed silently.
Rayleigh patiently watched the situation, his expression shifting between calm and worry. "If we can't rescue Ace, what will you do?" Bonney suddenly asked.
"I'll look forward to Luffy's growth," Rayleigh answered. During the battle at Sabaody Archipelago, he had seen the boy's overwhelming potential—enough to call him a miracle.
If appropriately trained, Luffy might one day reach the heights of Pirate King Roger, or even challenge Arashi himself.
"I've heard recently," Bonney murmured, "that this war was set up by the Marines to trap Whitebeard."
"After that man showed up, nothing the Marines do surprises me," Rayleigh nodded.
"I don't want Whitebeard to lose. If I can help him, I will," Bonney sighed.
"Help him?" Rayleigh laughed gently.
"You're still too young. This era doesn't belong to you yet," he said wistfully.
The era didn't belong to the old either. Suddenly, recalling how they infiltrated Impel Down, Rayleigh's face shifted sharply.
"If the target doesn't resist your ability," he asked Bonney, "can you make someone younger?"
Bonney blinked. "Didn't you experience it yourself?"
Rayleigh's eyes gleamed. Indeed, he had once been rejuvenated by twenty or thirty years.
"If..." he said seriously after taking a deep breath, "what if that person is Whitebeard?"
Bonney's pupils shrank dramatically, and her whole body trembled. Excitement, anticipation, and shock flooded her, rendering her speechless.
From her expression, Rayleigh found his answer. A smile bloomed on his face. "You may become the key to changing the course of this war!"
He had little hope of saving Ace—he had seen the dates in Newkama Land's newspapers.
The execution was drawing near, and Luffy still hadn't regained consciousness, only stabilised his vital signs.
Meanwhile, at Marineford, "The Whitebeard flagship has disappeared! We believe their ships are coated and travelling underwater."
"Based on distance calculations, they'll arrive in three days, just in time for the public execution!"
In the Fleet Admiral's office, the voices of the Marines were firm and clear.
The three Admirals and the Fleet Admiral all looked up at once. "Three days?" someone murmured. "Time has passed so quickly!"
"The war... is finally coming," another sighed. Excitement, tension, and unease filled the office.
Sengoku's eyes gleamed with determination. "Arashi, head to Impel Down immediately," he ordered. "Transfer Fire Fist Ace and prepare for the execution!"
Hearing this, Arashi stood up. "Yes!"
Sengoku took a deep breath and looked solemnly at the Admirals before him. "Everyone, the war is about to begin. Prepare yourselves for everything."
"Let us win this war with dignity and honor!" At that moment, even the usually lazy Aokiji and the easygoing Kizaru showed rare seriousness on their faces.
Akainu's expression was filled with open killing intent. "I will take Whitebeard's head!!"
Arashi immediately headed toward Impel Down, and before long, he reached Ace, who was imprisoned in Level Six, the Eternal Hell. "Come with me, Ace!"
"The time has come." A calm voice echoed into the cell, stiffening the two figures inside.
"Finally... It's time, huh?" Ace murmured, slowly lifting his head. Jinbe, tense and anxious, kept his eyes on Ace. "Ace, brother!"
With a clatter, Ace stood up, the chains on his wrists and ankles clinking clearly. Arashi waved his hand, and the guards behind him unlocked the cell.
Ace stepped out, following Arashi closely. The corridors of Level Six were dark, the flickering torchlight stretching and distorting their shadows.
"There are three days left until the execution. You will wait at Marineford until then!"
"Remember our agreement! Ace! This is your only chance to change your fate!" Arashi's low and distant voice echoed as he walked ahead.
Ace slowly clenched his fists and, after a long pause, nodded. "Yeah!"
.....
Time passed quickly, and the day before the public execution arrived. At Marineford, the Marine Headquarters—
"Move! Move! Move! Quickly get to your assigned positions!"
"The war is about to start! No one is allowed to slack off!" Loud footsteps and urgent shouts echoed throughout the area.
Every corner of Marineford was filled with Marines. "Change into your uniforms at the training grounds," Rob Lucci said, standing tall and deep in voice.
"This special Ashura-level training ends here. Tomorrow, we have a greater task ahead!"
Before each member of the special training unit lay neatly folded Marine uniforms.
Clang! Koby gulped nervously, unable to speak for a moment. He understood clearly why the training was ending.
Vice Admiral Garp had visited him the day before and left him some instructions.
"War is coming!" His heart was filled with tension, strange excitement, and anticipation.
Soon after, everyone calmly and steadily changed into their uniforms.
"Our assigned position is at G-23 Defense Point, not far from Admiral Arashi," Rob Lucci said sternly once they were ready.
"Now, form up! Head to the target point immediately!"
Everyone nodded in unison. "Yes!"
Led by Rob Lucci, the members of the special training unit quickly headed toward the Marineford plaza.
The training grounds, which had been bustling moments before, fell silent.
"Roronoa Zoro," Bartholomew Kuma glanced briefly at Gecko Moria nearby, then fixed his gaze on the swordsman before him.
"I'm heading to the battlefield now. The Marine Headquarters has ordered the Seven Warlords to arrive in advance."
Zoro took a deep breath, his face filled with conflicting emotions. "What about me?"
For a moment, he felt lost. The days of harsh training, filled with blood and sweat, had been fulfilling.
Suddenly, everyone was leaving. What was he supposed to do next?
"Do you want to be part of this war?" Kuma asked slowly. "Or... do you want to witness a real battlefield?"
Hearing this, Zoro's pupils shrank. It was as if a bolt of lightning had struck him. He stood there in a daze.
A real war! That's right. Tomorrow, an event that would shake the world and define an era would unfold.
A grand, unimaginable war was about to begin—spectacular and overwhelming.
"Take me with you!" Zoro grinned. He felt an unexpected surge of excitement and anticipation.
Hadn't he decided already? He would witness this war—because there, he might see Luffy.
At Marineford Prison, not far from the execution platform, all the prisoners had already been transferred in advance.
The prison was now eerily empty, leaving only a handful of people. "With the war so close, a Marine Admiral like you must be busy."
"Yet you're still here with me," Ace said, lifting his head to look at the man sitting cross-legged across from him.
"My mission is to ensure that nothing happens to you before the war begins," Arashi replied, opening his eyes and smiling faintly.
"Is that so? Looks like I'm really important to you guys," Ace said thoughtfully.
"Important... and not important," Arashi said casually, closing his eyes again.
"Oh?" Ace asked, puzzled.
"The Marines have many ways to ensure you appear on the execution platform," Arashi said lightly. Ace frowned, not fully understanding his meaning.
"I have a subordinate with the ability to transform into anyone he touches," Arashi continued.
"If we used him to replace you, there would be even less risk of accidents." Arashi smiled calmly. Hearing this, Ace's eyes widened in shock.
"But I chose not to use him," Arashi said with a slight laugh.
"I decided you should be the one to carry out this role yourself—because it makes everything feel more real."
"More real?" Ace raised an eyebrow. But Arashi didn't answer.
Silence fell over the prison once more. Arashi walked forward, into the empty corridors where, every ten meters, a Marine elite stood like a motionless statue.
"Do the Marines really believe they can defeat Whitebeard?" Ace whispered.
"That's not something you should worry about, Ace," Arashi sighed.
He could sense that Ace still had the will to resist, trying to gather information to turn the situation in his favour.
"Just do your part. Don't let your reckless emotions ruin what we have carefully planned."
Ace fell silent.
"Even if you don't believe in this world," Arashi said firmly, "at least believe in my strength!" Ace took a deep breath, then slowly nodded.
As the time for war approached, the tension in everyone's heart grew unbearable, filling the air with anxiety.
Ace was no exception. Even sitting there with his eyes closed, he couldn't truly rest.
Uncontrollable images filled his mind—visions flashing vividly before him.
He saw the Whitebeard Pirates arriving and the fierce battle between the old man and the Marines.
He saw Whitebeard's face half destroyed, his body riddled with cannon blasts. He saw Oars, his dear brother, arriving—only to die before his very eyes.
Blood soaked the ground of Marineford, staining it red, both from Marines and Whitebeard's crew.
He saw Luffy fighting through countless enemies, eventually breaking through to save him. The cheers that erupted when Luffy freed him were deafening.
But then, a few taunts and insults enraged him. He turned back—only to be struck through the chest, protecting his brother.
The searing pain overwhelmed him, choking him with the taste of death.
Suddenly, Ace opened his eyes wide. Yet even with his eyes open, he couldn't see reality. The vivid hallucinations continued without pause.
He saw Whitebeard, furious beyond measure, battling the Marines.
Ultimately, Whitebeard died—not in glorious combat—but from Blackbeard Marshall D. Teach's cowardly, underhanded ambush.
Even the power of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit was stolen by that man.
"Teach!!!"
"Old man!!!"
Rage, sorrow, and despair flooded Ace's heart, making him writhe in agony.
This wasn't an illusion. It felt too real, like he had lived through it all himself.
Suddenly, the scene in front of him cleared. "Ace." A deep voice called out, causing him to look up sharply. Sitting cross-legged across from him was Arashi.
"It's you?!" Ace cried out in surprise.
"This isn't a hallucination," Arashi said solemnly.
"Nor is it a dream. This is the fate you were meant to experience."
"Fate?!" Ace gritted his teeth, his shackles rattling as he clenched his fists.
"But the gears of destiny are already turning," Arashi said. "Silently, things are beginning to change."
"Where it will ultimately lead... no one can say. The only real question... is about your choice."
Arashi let out a soft sigh. Ace bit his lip, understanding what Arashi was trying to tell him.
"Don't worry. I won't lose control," he said. Closing his eyes again, he tried to calm himself, but it was impossible.
The visions he had seen remained as vivid as if burned into his memory. Every expression and detail was clear as day.
If Arashi hadn't told him the truth, Ace would have thought he had truly travelled through time.
Time passed slowly, and soon, the next day's early morning arrived.
This was the day planned for his public execution.
In other words, the time had come. The greatest war the world had ever seen was about to begin!
In later generations, this war, which swept across the world and ended an era, would be known as the "War at the Summit."
And at this critical, tense moment, deep within Impel Down...
"Boom... boom... boom..." The heavy sound of drums suddenly echoed, stirring the hearts of everyone in Newkama Land.
"What's happening to Straw Hat boy? His heartbeat... it sounds like someone is pounding war drums!"
"He still hasn't woken up! His life is no longer in danger, but Magellan's poison isn't so easily purged. It'll take more time," Ivankov said, as he and Inazuma stared in amazement at Luffy lying on the bed.
Meanwhile, Rayleigh, quietly waiting, suddenly stood up and walked over.
When he saw Luffy's violently beating heart, Rayleigh's pupils contracted sharply, and a grave but expectant look appeared in his eyes.
"It's happening again... this incredible drumming sound. It's called the Drums of Liberation, isn't it?" he muttered.
Rayleigh remembered the same phenomenon at the Sabaody Archipelago, when Luffy's will had awakened inside him.
As the drumbeats grew faster and stronger, a new power would emerge.
"Will that unknown will from 800 years ago appear once more?"
Rayleigh spoke in a low voice, eyes fixed on Luffy.
"Boom... boom... boom... boom... boom... boom... boom... boom... boom... boom... boom... boom... boom... boom... boom... boom... boom... boom!" The sound continued, steady and robust.
Gradually, things began to change. "The poison in Straw Hat boy's body is receding!"
"It's incredible! His body has generated antibodies against the toxin! He's waking up!"
The speed of Luffy's recovery shocked everyone. In just moments, Luffy, unconscious, opened his eyes.
"Where... am I? Rayleigh, was it you who saved me again?" Luffy asked, confused.
"This time, it wasn't me. It was them!" Rayleigh said with a smile.
Ivankov and the others immediately crowded around, enthusiastically introducing themselves, and in no time, they had become fast friends with Luffy.
Rayleigh stood to the side, deep in thought.
He noticed that Luffy's heart was still beating with great strength. But this time, the hidden will inside him showed no reaction.
No... it would be more accurate to say it had fully fused with Luffy. "The awakening of the Gum-Gum Fruit, huh?" Rayleigh's eyes narrowed slightly.
"This truly is something miraculous!" It was said that inside every Devil Fruit lived a soul or a will, and when the user's strength reached a certain level and resonated with it, the fruit would awaken.
By all rights, Luffy's power hadn't yet reached that threshold. "Was it because of Joy Boy's appearance that he managed to grasp this power ahead of time?" Rayleigh wondered aloud, a faint smile on his face.
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