Rescue

"Change of plans, Admiral. Perform the execution immediately." Akainu said.

Judging by his face, he wasn't playing around. Diane couldn't wrap her head around why her superior decided to change his mind.

"But Admiral, we still need her. All the information she has in her mind hasn't been spilled yet. Wasn't that the plan?" Diane asked.

"We've decided that her existence is too much of a threat to be alive. Even if she knows secrets of the world, we must execute her immediately. That was the order of the world government." Akainu said.

"As you wish. Then I'll go now." Diane sighed before walking away. The documents in her hand were all pointless now that Imai was to be executed immediately.

The execution platform was already ready, there were two people standing on each side practicing their swing. They were told to slice her head off cleanly.

Imai's thinking was interrupted abruptly by the collar of her neck being pulled. She glanced up and noticed the frustrated expression on Diane's face.

"Why so rough, Admiral? Is there such a rush?" Imai asked.

"Yes actually." Diane said before dragging Imai with her. "You're to be executed immediately by the order of my superiors and the World Government."

"Already? Weren't you supposed to question me about the stuff I know? Maybe they don't even care about that anymore." Imai said with a chuckle.

"Even if we were to question you, what do you even know?" Diane asked.

"That the government system is full of corruption, nothing is as it seems on the outside. Inside it is just a group of people who only care for themselves." Imai said, locking eyes with Diane. "But it isn't as if you don't know that though."

Hearing this, Diane turned away, and led Imai outside to where the execution platform was. During this time, Akainu, and the other two Admirals were already standing on the frozen hill looking over at them.

They had a perfect view of Imai's execution.

The chilly breeze caused goosebumps on the surface of Imai's skin. It was a cold day, perfect for the execution. She didn't deserve the sun's warmth for all the sins she's committed.

"Quite an audience, are you sure I deserve this? There's so many fans waiting for me." Imai said.

Walking towards the platform, the lower area was filled with marines. Imai smiled and waved at them while they returned angry looks and words of hatred.

"Do those look like fans to you?" Diane questioned.

"Anyone willing to go out of their way to see you are fans, regardless if they come to express their love or hatred to you. After all, they're taking time out of their day to see me." Imai replied.

"It just sounds like you're delusional." Diane said.

Imai laughed. It's been a couple days since she's arrived at Marineford and judging by how long it's been. The others should be here soon, it was the perfect timing for everything.\

Her execution, rescue, and most of all.

The upcoming battle.

*CLICK*

The chains were locked onto Imai's wrist and the same were done to her legs. She stood at the center of the platform, looking over the hundreds of marines cheering for her death.

"Any last words?" Diane asked.

"You know, even during my last seconds of life. I still stand, looking down at these insects who follow the laws blindly." Imai said.

She felt a pair of hands trying to push her shoulder down and force her to get on her knees. However, she wouldn't budge.

"Obey and get on your knees. Don't put up a fight before your execution." Diane said before nodding at the executioners and walking away.

"You heard her."

"Then I guess you'll have to kill me standing up cause I'm not getting on my knees for people that are weaker than me." Imai said.

Suddenly, a figure flew through the air, and landed behind Imai. It was none other than the most famous Vice Admiral Garp.

"Quit stalling." Garp said.

"Try me."

Garp exerted a large amount of his strength on Imai's shoulder but still, she wasn't budging at all. Even using both hands, there wasn't anything he could do but embarrass himself.

Imai turned her head to the side and chuckled.

"This is raw strength, vice admiral. Something these seastone handcuffs cannot seal. I hope you understand now, Garp. The difference in strength between us." Imai said.

She spoke as if she was higher than everybody else in the world, an egoistic, and venomous tone that gave Garp shivers. He was starting to see the trail of blood that followed Imai endlessly, the amount of lives she's taken, and the spiraling red eyes that seemed to stare him down from above.

"GARP!" Akainu yelled.

This seemed to snap Garp out the trance. He was back in reality and was facing Imai who had a teasing smile on her face.

"What is it?" Garp asked.

"Execute her by any means." Akainu said.

The executioners nodded and raised their blades. She faced towards the open sea filled with pirate ships and smiled widely.

"It's a shame for you guys, I won't be dying today." Imai said.

Just then, a loud explosion occurred at the front gate.

Everyone's attention was redirected towards the front gate that now had pirate ships entering through. However, there were a few that were focused on the main task.

"Hurry! Execute her now!" Akainu yelled.

The executioners immediately held their blade up high and swung it down. During this moment, time had seemed to stop for a second as everyone watching was eagerly waiting for the outcome.

*CLANG*

A pair of hooded figures appeared from nowhere and blocked the swords. Due to the force from the clashing blades, the hood of the cloaks had fallen, and revealed the devilish duo.

"Red Oni Uta!"

"And Blue Oni Rei!"

Imai glanced over at the two and smiled from joy. This was a feeling those who weren't captains wouldn't understand.

"You two came." Imai said.

"Of course we would, captain."

"Did you think we'd abandon you?"

The two then kicked away the executioners leaving only Garp on the platform. However, he couldn't move.

A single mistake could cause major injuries or even his life.

Imai stretched as she was finally freed from the chains that were binding her.

"Don't forget this." Uta said, throwing the two katanas at Imai.

"Thank you, I hope you took good care of it when you were gone." Imai said, chuckling.

"I don't think you should be worried about your katanas. As of right now, there are pirates looking for you. Trying to save you or kill you, I don't know." Uta said.

"Who cares? Let's just destroy them all!" Rei exclaimed.

"Except for the ones that don't hold hostility towards us." Imai said.

Suddenly, Imai felt a heavy weight against her shoulders, and something extremely hot was coming their way.

In a second, she raised her hand high in the air, and brought down a large lightning strike before the ball of magma could make contact with them. Another striked at Fujitora who was then forced to release the gravitational force.

"I would love to fight you again, but it seems there's someone who wants to do that instead." Imai said.

Walking through the smoke, the infamous Red-Haired Shanks appeared at the scene with his crew following behind him.

"Dad?!" Uta exclaimed in surprise and confusion.

"Uta." Shanks said with a grin.

"Red-Haired Shanks, don't interfere with our business." Akainu said with his eyebrows furrowed.

"I think helping my daughter is more than enough for a reason." Shanks said before glancing at Imai. "The three of you can go now, we'll take care of the rest."

"Hmm, alright. We're equal now." Imai said, gaining a laugh from Shanks. "Then the two of you, follow me!"

A streak of lightning, blue flame, and a music note flew towards where the battlefield was taking place.

Thousands of marines and pirates had appeared along with the strongest figures in the world.

From this day on, everything will change.