Chapter 22:Marineford Escape

Akainu laughed maniacally, standing over Ace's lifeless body. He glanced at the battlefield, noticing the shocked faces of Itachi, Luffy, Jinbe, and the others. But suddenly, Akainu's eyes widened in disbelief. He saw Itachi standing near him and Ace—alive. His mind raced in confusion. "Why is Ace still alive?" he thought, before glancing to his right and seeing Ace's lifeless body, a gaping hole in his chest.

Akainu turned to Itachi, his anger rising. "You... what have you done?" he growled, clenching his fist. Without hesitation, he swung a molten punch at Itachi. But Itachi, activating his Susanoo, blocked the attack once again.

Frustrated, Akainu snarled and turned his attention to Ace. With a powerful punch, he aimed straight for Ace's face, his magma fist caramalizing his flesh. But in an instant, the scene shifted once more. Akainu blinked and saw Ace unharmed, standing beside Itachi. The second body of Ace was now lying on the ground.

Akainu's eyes widened further. "What... What is this trickery?" He looked at Itachi, his mind racing. "You... you're doing this, aren't you?"

Furious, Akainu lunged at Luffy, his fist aimed to kill. But once again, Ace stepped in front of him, taking the blow to his chest. Another hole appeared, yet the scene shifted again. Akainu could no longer comprehend what was happening. He screamed in frustration, his anger boiling over.

"You demon!" Akainu roared, his voice echoing across the battlefield. "I will hunt you down and kill you with my own hands!"

At Marineford, Itachi lay down, his energy drained. Ace's legs were burned and melting, and Luffy looked at him with fear in his eyes. He then turned to Itachi, noticing him sitting still, unmoving. Panic overtook Luffy, and he began to hyperventilate.

Ace, through labored breaths, called out to his brother, "Luffy… Luffy, calm down. Nothing has happened. Look… Itachi is still moving." He turned behind him and saw Akainu standing frozen in place, unmoving. From behind, Jinbe looked at Ace and shouted, "We need a doctor!"

A doctor came rushing over with his medical bag. As he began treating Ace's legs, he wore a grim expression. "I'm afraid… I have to amputate," he said sadly while bandaging Ace.

Luffy's eyes widened in horror, his voice trembling, "Ace…"

Ace, still smiling through the pain, reassured him, "It's okay, Luffy. It's just a leg."

Hearing this, Luffy was hit with a flashback of Shanks sacrificing his arm to save him. Jinbe moved toward Itachi and widened his eyes in shock. "Itachi… your eyes… They're white…"

Itachi, barely conscious, responded in a strained voice, "Don't worry… It's only temporary…I think…"

Hancock, from a distance, shouted, "You think?!"

Itachi looked at her calmly. "I think you should be with Luffy, not worrying about me," he said softly.

Hancock blushed and turned toward Luffy, who now had a faint smile on his face, though still tearful. She shot a glance back at Itachi, noticing his deteriorating condition. "What did you do?" she asked.

"Let's just say I cast an illusion. It's… difficult to explain," Itachi replied.

Scoffing, Hancock retorted, "Do you think I'm an idiot?"

Jinbe helped Itachi stand, his arm supporting him as he gave a nod of gratitude. "Thank you," Jinbe said.

Itachi nodded back and continued, "Ace needs to get out of here quickly. If Akainu breaks through the illusion, Ace could be in serious danger."

Jinbe glanced at Ace, and just then, Ivankov appeared. He quickly took Ace and said, "We don't have time—Itachi can't hold him much longer. He's completely exhausted!"

Ace looked at Itachi, his eyes widening as he noticed one of Itachi's eyes had turned white. "He sacrificed his eyesight for me…"

Luffy, hearing this, rushed to Itachi, tears streaming down his face. He saw Itachi's eyes, the weariness on his face, and embraced him tightly. "Thank you, Itachi… Thank you…"

Itachi winced in pain but managed to smile and hugged Luffy back. "You're welcome…"

Hancock, feeling jealous, muttered, "Luffy, hug me too…"

Itachi, sensing the urgency, turned to Luffy. "We need to go." And right after that, Itachi lost consciousness due to the execution. Luffy, with wide eyes, shouted, "Itachi…!"

Immidately Jinbe carried both him and Itachi. Hancock followed close behind. From afar, Whitebeard watched, tears of joy welling in his eyes as he saw his sons safe. Ace made his way toward Whitebeard, but Kizaru suddenly struck him with a beam of light, wounding him further.

Ace, exhausted and hurting, shouted, "Stop it!" But before he could react, Whitebeard lifted Ace and threw him toward the ship. Ace, eyes wide in disbelief, looked back at his father.

Whitebeard, with a proud smile, shouted, "Set sail for the New World!"

Ace, tears streaming down his face, cried out, "Pops…!!!"

Whitebeard turned, determined, toward Akainu, who was still frozen in place by Itachi's genjutsu. Hancock, seeing Whitebeard's resolve and fury, understood. "Let's get moving," she said, as Jinbe carried Itachi and Luffy away.

With all his might, Whitebeard unleashed a powerful punch with his Quake-Quake Fruit, shaking the entire island. The impact separated the path between Whitebeard and his crew. He turned one last time, his voice filled with love and command. "Go. Get on the ship. Set sail."

Marco, tears in his eyes, shouted, "Let's go to the ship!"

The crew, all crying and heartbroken, rushed toward the ship. Ace was already there, crying his heart out, filled with sorrow but grateful for his father's sacrifice.

As the pirates retreat to their ships, a shadow looms behind the ruined Marine Headquarters building. "What's that?" one of the Marines mutters, squinting at the figure.

A giant steps out from behind the rubble, his massive frame casting a dark silhouette. "There's more of them!" another Marine shouts, pointing to figures moving on the scaffolding of the building.

Doflamingo lets out a sinister laugh. "Well, well, things just got interesting," he says, his voice dripping with amusement.

Whitebeard's expression darkens as he recognizes the figures. "Blackbeard…" he growls.

Sengoku's eyes narrow, his displeasure clear. "So, he's finally shown his face."

Blackbeard, grinning broadly, steps forward with his new crew of notorious criminals, including Sanjuan Wolf, Avalo Pizarro, Vasco Shot, Shiryu, and Catarina Devon. "Yahahaha! Made it just in time to see you die, old man!" Blackbeard taunts, his laughter echoing across the battlefield.

Sengoku glares at him. "Blackbeard, you treacherous snake. You used the title of Warlord just to break into Impel Down and free those monsters?"

Blackbeard shrugs nonchalantly. "What can I say? I got what I wanted, old man. The title served its purpose."

Whitebeard's voice rumbles with anger. "You're no son of mine, Blackbeard," he says, the pain of betrayal evident in his tone.

Blackbeard sneers. "I respected you once, old man, but you're past your prime. Too old and too weak to even save Ace."

Whitebeard's eyes flash with fury. "You dare…"

Blackbeard's grin widens. "Yahaha! You should've let me kill Ace back on Banaro Island. Sparing him was a waste."

With a roar, Whitebeard swings his fist, aiming a devastating quake punch at Blackbeard. But Blackbeard counters with his Kurouzu, pulling Whitebeard toward him. "How does it feel, old man?" Blackbeard mocks. "How does it feel to be powerless, unable to create your precious earthquakes?"

Whitebeard snarls, refusing to back down. He swings his naginata, pinning Blackbeard to the ground. "You're nothing but a coward," Whitebeard growls, using his Gura Gura ability to choke Blackbeard, his grip tightening as he channels all his remaining strength.

As Whitebeard's grip tightened around Blackbeard's throat, the traitor gasped out, "Would you really kill your own son, old man?"

Whitebeard's eyes hardened, and with a powerful swing, he brought his naginata down on Blackbeard's skull, the impact cracking the very air around them. Blackbeard screamed in agony, cursing through gritted teeth, "You monster! You should have been dead already!"

Desperation flashed in Blackbeard's eyes as he shouted to his crew, "Kill him! Kill Whitebeard!"

The Blackbeard Pirates, filled with bloodlust, unleashed a barrage of attacks on Whitebeard. Meanwhile, Whitebeard's sons and subordinates watched in horror, their eyes filled with tears as they saw their father being overwhelmed.

Despite the relentless assault, Whitebeard's mind drifted back to a conversation with Roger, the Pirate King. He remembered Roger's words about his own death and the true meaning of "D."

As the Blackbeard Pirates finally ran out of bullets, their weapons clicking empty, Whitebeard, bloodied but unbowed, turned his gaze to Blackbeard. "You're not the one Roger was waiting for," he said, his voice a low growl.

Then, with what strength he had left, Whitebeard looked towards Sengoku and declared, "The bloodline of those who carry Roger's Will still burns strong. One day, a grand battle will engulf the entire world. When someone finds 'that' treasure, the world will be turned upside-down."

Whitebeard's voice grew louder, defiant, as he made his final proclamation. "The One Piece… it exists!"

The battlefield fell silent, every ear straining to hear his words. Sengoku's face twisted in fury, but Whitebeard's declaration had already echoed across the world, sealing his legacy.

As Whitebeard's life flashed before his eyes, he remembered a time from his younger days. One of his crewmates had asked him, "If you're not after treasure, then what are you interested in, old man?"

Whitebeard had chuckled back then, the memory of it still clear in his mind. "Family," he had answered, much to the amusement of the crew. The laughter of that moment seemed to echo faintly in his ears even now, as he stood on the battlefield, surrounded by his real family—the sons he had chosen.

With a final glance at his grieving crew, Whitebeard whispered his last farewell. Edward "Whitebeard" Newgate, the man who had once ruled the seas, died standing on his feet. His body bore the marks of 267 stabs and slashes, 152 gunshot wounds, and 46 cannonball impacts, yet he never once wavered. As his massive coat fell away, it revealed a back untarnished by a single wound of retreat.

Even in death, Whitebeard stood as a symbol of unwavering strength and loyalty, a legend who had never turned his back on his family.

Hancock stepped back to help them escape. He said, "Whitebeard is dead, and I don't like persistent men." Then she turned to Jinbe and said, "Hurry, Jinbe, give Itachi treatment."

As Jinbe carried Luffy and the unconscious Itachi, he pleaded desperately with him, "Hang on, Itachi!" Luffy also urged him to stay conscious! But just as Jinbe neared the safety of the boats, the water beneath them suddenly froze solid, courtesy of Aokiji. "The freezing cold gripped Jinbe's heart. Luffy asked, 'What should we do?'" but the danger was far from over. Out of nowhere, Akainu erupted from the ground, his voice booming with malicious intent, "Straw Hat and Demon-eyes isn't getting away, Fish-Man! Hand them over now!"

Jinbe's eyes narrowed in defiance. "I'll never let you take them," he vowed, bracing himself. "I'll keep Luffy alive, no matter what!" "Jinbe, let me go! I'll kick his ass for what he did to Ace!" Luffy exclaimed angrily.

Jinbe responded calmly, "No, Luffy. We have Itachi unconscious. We must leave before it's too late."

Just then, Ivankov burst onto the scene, his presence a whirlwind of chaotic energy. "Jinbe, step aside!" he commanded, before unleashing a powerful Hell Wink directly at Akainu.

While this was happening, over by the ruined Marine Headquarters, Blackbeard was busy fending off Marines. With a sinister grin, he unleashed the darkness power of the Yami Yami no Mi, knocking them out with ease. Then, to everyone's shock, he unleashed a massive earthquake, using the very power of Whitebeard himself. The battlefield fell silent in disbelief.

"How is this possible?" one of the pirates gasped. "No one can have two Devil Fruit powers at once!"

Marco, observing the chaos, grimly surmised, "Blackbeard's body… it's not normal. He must be able to withstand it somehow."

Blackbeard, reveling in the fear and confusion around him, bellowed out a declaration, "This world is mine now! It's my age!"

Meanwhile, back on the coast of Marineford, Akainu was relentless. He had already fought his way past Ivankov, Inazuma, and the others, their attacks bouncing off him as if they were nothing. He loomed over Jinbe, his eyes cold and merciless. "Hand over Dragon's son, and that demon Fish-Man," Akainu demanded, his voice dripping with menace.

Jinbe, still clutching Luffy and Itachi, glanced desperately toward the ocean. "If I can just get to the water… I'll have the advantage there." But his heart sank as he saw the frozen expanse before him, Aokiji's ice sealing off any escape route.

Realizing the gravity of the situation, Jinbe looked back only to find Akainu closing in. With a fierce leap, Akainu bridged the distance and delivered a devastating punch. Jinbe tried desperately to shield Luffy and Itachi, but the blow was too powerful. The force of the attack sent Jinbe crashing onto the ice, the searing magma burning through him and striking Luffy, leaving a deep, x-shaped scar across his chest. Luffy winced in pain, while Itachi bore a similar, though less severe, diagonal scar.

Jinbe, bruised and exhausted, slowly rose to his feet, his gaze fixed on the unconscious Itachi. Guilt weighed heavy in his heart as he whispered, "I'm so sorry, Itachi, Luffy. I only caused you more harm."

At that moment, Luffy stirred, the heat of Akainu's presence rousing him from unconsciousness. He could feel the Admiral drawing closer, his voice cold and unforgiving. "Leave the boys, Fish-Man," Akainu sneered. "He doesn't stand a chance."

As Akainu takes another step forward, Luffy's straw hat slips from Jinbe's grip and falls to the ground, its familiar shape stark against the ice. The Admiral's eyes narrow, but before he can close the distance, a massive wave of sand suddenly sweeps across the battlefield, cutting Akainu clean in half.

Crocodile, with his usual smirk, steps into view. "If you're going to protect them, do it right," he growls, summoning a powerful Sables to lift both Jinbe and Luffy into the air. The duo is hurled skyward, crashing into none other than Buggy, who had been desperately trying to make his escape. Buggy's eyes widen in shock, but his followers, ever loyal and ever deluded, cheer him on, convinced that their captain's actions were deliberate and heroic.

Buggy finds himself caught in the chaos, glancing nervously between the battles raging on either side. On one side, Sengoku and the Blackbeard Pirates clash ferociously, while on the other, Akainu and the Whitebeard Pirates are locked in a deadly struggle. Confusion and fear twist Buggy's face as he tries to decide where to go.

Amidst the turmoil, Jinbe, overwhelmed by his injuries, finally collapses, unconscious. Buggy, still panicking, suddenly notices a submarine surfacing in the waters just outside Marineford. His eyes widen as a figure emerges from the hatch, calling out to him.

"Hey, you!" the voice shouts, catching Buggy's attention. "Bring Straw Hat to me!"

Buggy hesitates, squinting at the figure in the distance. "And who the hell are you?" he demands.

The figure steps forward, revealing himself. "The name's Trafalgar Law," he announces, his tone sharp and commanding. "I'm a doctor, and I'm here to help Luffy!"

Buggy looked at him and saw that Itachi, Jimbe, and Luffy were in bad condition. He approached them and said, "Come here." Law took them inside the submarine and said, "Let's go." Before that, Buggy said, "Wait a minute." Law stopped in his tracks, and Buggy grabbed the straw hat and threw it towards Law, saying it was his property. Law nodded. Then, they submerged underwater and began making their way.

Meanwhile, Hancock reached the Marine ship, leaning back confidently. She pointed toward Luffy and Itachi, announcing, "As a Warlord, it's my duty to kill Straw Hat Luffy and Demon-Eye Itachi."

The Marines on deck, entranced by her beauty, stared with hearts in their eyes. "Yes, ma'am…!"

Hancock continued moving forward, her steps confident and graceful. The Marines, still spellbound, shouted, "She's so reckless and beautiful!"

Hancock, her cheeks faintly blushing, thought to herself, I'm coming, my honey…

At the submarine, Law was diligently treating the wounds of Itachi, Luffy, and Jinbe. After a while, he stepped out of the operating room, wiping his brow.

"It's a success," Law announced.

Bepo, lying nearby, noticed something unusual. "Law, Itachi's left eye… it's not opening. Why's that?"

Law frowned, clearly puzzled. "I don't know… it could be related to the strain from battle."

Bepo groaned, his body slumping. "It's too hot…"

Penguin and Sachi, two of Law's crewmates, glanced at Bepo. "Come on, Bepo…" Penguin began.

Sachi rolled his eyes. "Yeah, you're just being dramatic."

Bepo, sweating and panting, said, "I can't take it anymore… It's so hot! I hate it when we submerge."

Penguin snapped back, "Could you shut up already?! You're making me feel hot too!"

Sachi added, "You're so hairy, Bepo. I don't blame you."

Bepo, now drenched in sweat, pouted. "But this place is cramped… and we're stuck here with a bunch of messy people!"

Both Penguin and Sachi shouted in unison, "You're the messiest one here, Bepo!"

Slowly, the submarine surfaced, and Bepo rushed out, shouting, "Ahhhh! It's so refreshing! How nice it is outside!" He excitedly looked around. "Right side, okay! Left side, okay! Front…" His voice trailed off as he froze, eyes wide. "Snake okay! Snake?!" he stammered, spotting Hancock's snake.

Penguin and Sachi quickly followed him outside. "What the hell?! How did a snake get here?!" Sachi yelled.

Bepo, still in shock, looked to his side and gasped. "Oh no! A Marine ship!"

Penguin's face went pale. "The Navy ship! Tell the captain!"

Sachi added, "Someone's there!"

Bepo, trembling, whispered, "A Warlord… the Pirate Empress, Boa Hancock."

From atop the Marine ship, Hancock glanced down at them. "Don't worry, I've turned all the Navy soldiers to stone." She gracefully jumped down to the submarine.

Hancock, her face filled with concern, asked, "How are they both doing? Is it bad? Will they recover?"

Bepo, still nervous, asked, "How did you know we were going to surface here? I thought the Navy was still chasing us."

Hancock pointed to her snake, Salome, who had followed them underwater. "I made Salome follow you."

Bepo nodded, "I see…" But before he could continue, Hancock's tone changed.

"Don't change the subject, you fuzzy beast!" she scolded him.

Bepo, ears drooping, apologized. "I'm sorry…"

Just then, Law stepped out of the submarine. Bepo immediately noticed him and exclaimed, "Oh! Captain!"

Without any formality, Hancock looked directly at Law. "How are they? Luffy and Itachi, are they okay?"

Law, a bit taken aback, responded, "Luffy and Itachi? Yes, they're both doing fine. They're exhausted, but they'll recover. Luffy is healing quickly, but…"

"But what?" Hancock asked, her voice filled with worry.

Law hesitated for a moment. "Itachi's left eye… it won't open. It seems like he's lost sight in it."

Hancock's face paled. "His eye… it was white earlier, like he was blind," she said, trembling.

Law nodded. "When I examined him, I couldn't get the left eye to open. His right eye is fine, but I don't know if the left eye will recover."

Hancock, still deeply worried, nodded quietly.

Suddenly, a voice echoed from the Marine ship. "I could tell!" Everyone turned to see Ivankov standing there, waving. "Itachi-boy and Straw Hat-boy! After what they've been through, it's amazing they're still standing! They risked their lives for us, and we owe them!"

Bepo, confused, looked at Ivankov. "Who are they?"

Hancock, still watching the scene, explained, "They're prisoners and friends of Luffy from Impel Down."

Ivankov leaped down to the submarine and landed beside them. "I can't believe how hard they pushed themselves! That's how much they wanted to save Ace, and they succeeded. But honestly, it's thanks to Itachi-boy that Ace is alive…"

Hancock, with gratitude in her heart, nodded. Thank you, Itachi, she thought. Because of you, Luffy and Ace are safe.

But then, tears began to form in her eyes, and she turned away, trying to hide them. Penguin and Sachi, watching from the side, whispered, "I'm so jealous… Luffy's got the most beautiful woman in the world worried about him."

Ivankov turned to Law and asked, "By the way, are you friends with Straw Hat-boy?"

Law shook his head. "No. I just saved him, that's all."

From behind, Jinbe emerged from the submarine, still weak but moving. He looked at Law and said, "You're Trafalgar Law from the North Blue, aren't you?"

Law nodded, acknowledging Jinbe.

Ivankov looked at Jinbe with concern. "Hey, is it okay for you to be moving around like that?"

Jinbe replied, "I must. Thank you for saving my life."

Law, with a serious expression, responded, "You need to rest. Moving like this could kill you."

Jinbe shook his head. "I can't ease my mind. We may have won the battle, but at what cost…? I'm happy Ace is alive, but he's lost his leg. Itachi… he lost his sight in one eye. And Whitebeard… lost his life."

He looked at Itachi's condition and sighed deeply. "Luffy must be feeling even worse. He's probably blaming himself for what happened to Itachi."

Hancock, still focused on the situation, turned to Bepo. "You fuzzy beast, do you have a transponder snail?"

Bepo, startled, stammered, "Y-yes, ma'am… I do."

Hancock, taking charge, said, "I'm going to call the Kuja ship. We need to get across the Calm Belt. Even with the submarine, if the government finds out Luffy and Itachi are alive, they'll come after them. They're already after Ace…"

The rest of the crew looked at her in shock. "What?!"

Hancock, her resolve strong, continued, "If they see me as a Warlord, they'll think twice. We need to make it to Maiden Island, where they can rest in peace."

Inside the submarine, Luffy slowly awoke, feeling a sharp pain in his chest. His gaze drifted to his straw hat beside him, and to his left, he saw Itachi, who lay unconscious. Regret washed over Luffy's face as he murmured to himself, "It's all my fault... This happened because I was weak. If I were stronger, Itachi wouldn't have lost his sight, Ace wouldn't have been hurt."

Despite the pain, Luffy forced himself to stand. His chest ached, but he ignored it, driven by his guilt. As he began walking, those around him tried to stop him. "Don't move! Your wounds aren't healed! You'll reopen them!" one of the crew members shouted.

"I don't care!" Luffy yelled, pushing them aside as he continued forward, each step making his chest throb with pain.

When he finally made it outside, he saw Ivankov, Jinbe, Law, Bepo, Hancock, and two other people he didn't recognize. Hancock immediately noticed him and ran toward him, her face filled with concern. "Luffy! Why are you out here? You need to rest! You're still wounded!"

Law nodded in agreement. "She's right. If you keep moving, you could die."

Ivankov added, "Strawhat boy, listen to them. You're in no condition to be up and walking."

Tears welled up in Luffy's eyes. "I was weak…"

Everyone fell silent, listening to him.

"This… all happened because I wasn't strong enough," Luffy said, his voice breaking. "If I had been stronger, Itachi wouldn't have lost his eyes, and Ace wouldn't have been hurt. Itachi is strong... because of him, Ace is safe. But I couldn't protect them…"

As Luffy started to cry, Hancock's eyes also filled with tears. Without thinking, she pulled him into a tight hug. "No need to say that, my honey…" she whispered softly, trying to comfort him. "Itachi will be safe. His blindness is only temporary."

Luffy looked at her, surprised. "Really?"

Hancock nodded, wiping her tears. "Yes, really."

Jinbe, standing nearby, confirmed, "That's right. Itachi told us himself—it's only temporary…..he thinks"

Luffy, still filled with guilt, slowly nodded, his spirit lifting slightly as he wiped the remaining tears from his face. Hancock gently smiled at him, and soon after, she took out the transponder snail and made the call to the Kuja ship, instructing them to rendezvous.

It wasn't long before they joined up with the Kuja ship, preparing to head to Maiden Island. They needed a safe place for Itachi to recover, and Hancock knew it would be the perfect harbor.

As they boarded the Kuja ship, Hancock was greeted warmly by her sisters, Sandersonia and Marigold, along with the rest of the Kuja Pirates. Smiling, Hancock apologized. "I'm sorry for making you worry, everyone. But thank you for the warm greeting."

Sandersonia, her voice filled with relief, replied, "We were so worried, but we're glad you're safe, Sister."

Marigold nodded in agreement. "We'll make sure everything's prepared for them to recover properly."

With Itachi still unconscious, Luffy, Jinbe, and the others settled aboard the ship, heading toward the calm safety of Maiden Island.

As Ivankov stood on the Navy ship, he turned toward Luffy and Jinbe, raising his hand in a farewell gesture. "Alright, this is it for me, my role is done! I've supported Straw Hat boy and Itachi boy as much as I can. Hee-haw! The rest is up to you, Jinbe."

Jinbe nodded. "Yes, I can't swim as I normally would yet, but the least I can do is stay with them until they get better."

Luffy, smiling weakly, waved at Ivankov. "Bye, Ivan-chan! And thank you for everything you did for us."

With tears in his eyes, Ivankov shouted back, "Take care of yourselves, Straw Hat boy and Itachi boy! I'm counting on you both!" Luffy and Jinbe nodded, and their ship set sail.

As they made their way forward, Hancock turned to her crew. "We need to head to Maiden Island."

She then looked at Luffy, her face blushing slightly. "Honey, are you hungry?"

Luffy's face lit up with excitement. "Yes, I am!"

Hancock smiled and commanded her crew, "Get some food for him right now." Her crew quickly obeyed, rushing to gather food for the hungry captain. When the food arrived, Luffy devoured everything in minutes.

Jinbe, watching in amazement, shook his head in disbelief. How can he keep eating like that? he thought.

Hancock, her cheeks reddening as she watched Luffy, suddenly heard a growl. She turned to Jinbe, who was now sweating nervously as his stomach rumbled with hunger. "You'll get some food too," she said, her tone slightly frustrated.

Jinbe, relieved, smiled awkwardly as he picked up one piece of meat and began to eat. However, when he reached for a second piece, Hancock's voice cut through the air with frustration, "Jinbe!"

Startled, Jinbe straightened up and quickly ate the piece before sitting quietly. Luffy, now with a full stomach, sighed contentedly and promptly fell asleep.

Jinbe smiled as he watched Luffy, while Hancock, blushing, murmured, "He looks so handsome, even in bandages…"

As they neared Amazon Lily, the women of the island gathered, cheering for Hancock. "Snake Princess!" they shouted. "Finally, she's back! Thank goodness she's safe!"

However, their eyes soon fell on the strange ship behind Hancock's vessel, where men were standing. Immediately, the women readied their bows and arrows. "There are men aboard that ship! They must have snuck in!"

Just as they were about to fire, Hancock raised her hand and shouted, "Don't shoot! They are not enemies. Itachi is on that ship, and he's suffering greatly after the battle at Marineford."

Luffy, now awake, waved energetically from the deck. "Hey! Don't shoot! Itachi's still unconscious!"

The women hesitated, lowering their arrows as Marguerite, smiling brightly, shouted, "It's Luffy!"

"Hii Luffy!" the other women called out in excitement.

Luffy continued, "Itachi's still hurt! We need to help him!"

Among the crowd, Alephandra, one of the Kuja warriors, looked worried. Without hesitation, she jumped from the ship and made her way to the submarine. Hancock, confused, asked, "Alephandra, what are you doing?"

Alephandra kneeled before her. "Forgive me, Snake Princess, but I want to stay by Itachi's side. I want to help him."

Hancock smirked inwardly, though she kept her expression composed. "Very well," she said. "You may go."

Alephandra bowed deeply. "Thank you, Snake Princess." She moved swiftly to help carry Itachi to the Kuja Castle.

As they prepared to move Itachi, they heard a voice calling out, "Wait a minute, Snake Princess!" It was none other than Elder Nyon, who stepped forward, her tone firm. "It's fine if Luffy and Itachi come to the island, but we can't allow those other men to step foot on Maiden Island. It's against our country's policy."

Hancock protested, "Then allow the doctor to come with Itachi! He's the one treating him."

Nyon shook her head. "No. Even if he's a doctor, we can't allow any man onto the island."

Law, unfazed, shrugged. "I don't really care either way, but…"

Before he could finish, there was a sudden movement from the submarine. To everyone's shock, Itachi appeared, covered in bandages, his hand pressed against his left eye as he struggled to walk. Law's eyes widened. "How… How are you even standing?!"

Itachi glanced around, his sharp gaze taking in his surroundings. He saw Alephandra and Jinbe, the Kuja ship where Luffy, Hancock, and her sisters stood, and the women of Amazon Lily all around him.

With a voice full of pain and confusion, he asked, "Am I… in Amazon Lily?"

Elder Nyon looked at Itachi, her expression softening. "It seems we don't need the doctor anymore."

Law sighed, nodding in agreement. "I understand." He turned to Itachi. "You should head to the Kuja ship and rest."

From the Kuja ship, Luffy shouted, "Itachi!!"

Itachi, still weak but standing, glanced toward Luffy, who had tears streaming down his face. "Thank you… Thank you for everything," Luffy cried out, his voice filled with emotion.

A small tear welled up in Itachi's eye as he nodded in acknowledgment. Alephandra, blushing deeply, approached Itachi to carry him. "Hold on tight," she whispered, and Itachi nodded, though he noticed her blush as she jumped with him toward the Kuja pirates.

Luffy, now at Nyon's side, pleaded, "They helped us get here. Can't you give them permission to enter?"

Nyon sighed but was about to reply when Hancock quickly interjected, "Of course, my honey! I will grant whatever you ask."

Nyon, with a resigned expression, relented. "Fine, I'll allow them to stay at the bay, but they cannot go further into the island."

Luffy bowed gratefully. "Thank you, old woman!"

Hancock, her cheeks flushed, announced, "You can stay at the bay, and we'll provide food and refreshments before you leave."

Law, Bepo, and the others nodded in understanding as the Kuja ship sailed further into the bay. Once they docked, Hancock, Luffy, and Itachi disembarked, followed by the rest of the crew.

Hancock, still blushing, turned to Luffy and Itachi. "You should head to the quarters. There are rooms available for you to rest."

Luffy, his usual cheerful self, grinned. "Thanks, Hancock!"

Hearing him say her name, Hancock blushed even more, barely able to contain her joy. She glanced at Alephandra and said, "You should carry Itachi to his room."

However, Itachi gently waved her off. "There's no need. I can walk on my own." He turned to Alephandra and offered a soft apology. "I'm sorry for the trouble."

Alephandra, though disappointed, nodded with a sad smile. "It's alright."

Hancock then instructed Alephandra, "You should return to your team and prepare food for the doctors."

Alephandra and the others nodded and left to follow her orders. As Itachi began to walk with Luffy and Hancock, he suddenly stopped. Turning back to Alephandra, he spoke quietly, "I read your letter."

Alephandra's eyes widened in surprise. "I thought you wouldn't read it…"

Itachi shook his head. "I did read it, but…"

Before he could finish, Alephandra smiled softly. "I know your answer. You don't have to say it." She then turned away, her voice gentle. "You should rest now."

Itachi nodded, his tone respectful. "Thank you."

As Itachi and Luffy sat in the same room, Itachi lay down on the bed, glancing at Luffy. "What happened?" he asked, his voice calm but curious.

Luffy, looking a bit puzzled, replied, "What? What happened?"

Itachi sweatdropped, realizing something. "At Marineford," he clarified.

"Ohh, right! I forgot you were unconscious back then! Shishishi!" Luffy laughed softly.

Luffy's laughter faded, and he spoke more gently, "Because of you, we—"

But Itachi cut him off, his expression serious. "You don't have to say that again. And don't worry about my eyes. I still have a chance to recover them. I just can't use my Sharingan for now. That's all."

Luffy, now visibly relieved, nodded happily. "Yeah, but…" His face suddenly darkened with sadness. "Whitebeard is dead..."

Itachi wasn't shocked, simply nodding in understanding. "I see..."

Luffy continued, a deep weight in his voice. "This all happened because I was weak..."

Itachi looked at him silently, letting him speak.

"I was weak, and that's why our crew got separated. I was weak, and that's why Ace lost his leg. I was weak, and that's why you were injured…" Luffy's fists clenched as the guilt poured out of him.

Itachi finally spoke, his voice steady. "I'm weak too. If I had been stronger, I could've saved others as well. As part of the crew... If I had been stronger, I might've stopped the coup in my village. If I had been stronger, I could've saved my best friend. At every point, we all feel weak... I'm more pathetic than you."

Luffy suddenly glared at him, his eyes blazing. "Shut up!" he shouted. "If you ever say that again, I'll kick your ass!"

Itachi smiled softly, Luffy's determination touching him.

"We'll get stronger," Luffy declared, his voice filled with resolve. "We just need to work hard."

Itachi looked at him, his thoughts deep. The strongest ones are those who can overcome their own weaknesses...

But neither of them knew that someone had been standing outside the room, quietly listening to their conversation.

Itachi, still lying down, continued, "This was a lesson for us. We've seen what kinds of people are out there... and what they're capable of."

Luffy sat silently, absorbing Itachi's words. He nodded slowly. "Yeah, compared to them, I'm nothing..." He glanced down at his bandaged hand, feeling the weight of his recent struggles.

Itachi, noticing Luffy's moment of doubt, spoke again. "But we have a purpose now. We still have our friends."

Luffy's expression brightened, a small smile forming on his face. "Yeah, you're right... We've got to find them."

Itachi nodded, encouraged by Luffy's resolve. As Luffy's smile grew into his usual big grin, he said with enthusiasm, "Let's meet them at the bay!"

Itachi gave him a nod, but just as they were about to stand up, Hancock suddenly entered the room, her presence commanding attention. "No need to move!" she snapped. "You're both still injured, and your wounds might reopen if you're not careful!"

Itachi sweatdropped, realizing she had been eavesdropping. "You were standing outside, weren't you?" he said, somewhat exasperated.

Hancock immediately fired back, her cheeks flushing slightly. "What's with you, you... you virgin?" She then turned to Luffy, her expression softening as she blushed. "I would love to accompany you, but you shouldn't move, Luffy. Your wounds will open."

Luffy smiled at her in his carefree way, dismissing her concern. "I'm fine! We're just gonna give them a farewell and then come back."

Hancock's face turned even redder, her heart fluttering. "Whatever you say, my... honey..." she murmured, clearly smitten.

Itachi sighed, wincing as he pressed a hand to his chest. Despite the pain, he stood up slowly, determined. Luffy also got to his feet, his resolve matching Itachi's.

"I'll come with you," Hancock declared, still blushing furiously.

Luffy flashed her a wide grin. "Okay, Hancock!"

As they walked together, Hancock's thoughts raced, her blush deepening. So cute...

As they made their way, Itachi spotted Jinbe, Law, and the rest of the Heart Pirates enjoying their meal. Marguerite, Belladonna, Sweet Pea, and Aphelandra stood nearby, watching them.

Aphelandra turned to Itachi and said, "Why are you out, Itachi? You should be resting."

Sweet Pea nudged her and whispered, "Look, the Snake Princess is standing there." Aphelandra's eyes widened, and she quickly bowed.

Snake Princess Hancock glanced at Aphelandra and said, "You're very close to him, aren't you?" Blushing, Aphelandra said nothing in response.

Itachi sighed and approached Jinbe and Law. Bowing slightly, he said, "Thank you for saving me."

Jinbe smiled and nodded. "Because of you, I am safe as well. So, I think we're even now."

Law simply nodded in acknowledgment. Luffy, with his usual wide grin, added, "Thank you, guys! Shishishi!"

Law nodded again, acknowledging Luffy's gratitude with a brief smile.

Torino Kingdom:

In the bustling forests of Torino Kingdom, Chopper found himself in the middle of a peace negotiation between the island's natives and its massive birds. For days, the birds had been attacking the villagers, causing tension. But after some investigation, Chopper discovered the real issue.

"You see," Chopper explained to the village elder, "the birds thought you were stealing their eggs, but all you wanted were the plants near their trees."

The elder nodded in understanding, smiling at Chopper's deduction. "We never meant any harm. We just needed the plants for medicine."

Chopper grinned widely, proud of his detective work. "I'm glad we could figure this out. Now, both the birds and the villagers can live peacefully!"

As the birds and villagers reached an understanding, Chopper felt a weight lift off his shoulders. He had been anxious ever since hearing about the events at Marineford. But now, he knew Ace was safe—thanks to Luffy and Itachi. They had saved Ace in a daring last-minute rescue, and the thought made Chopper's heart swell with relief.

"I'm so glad Ace is alive," Chopper whispered to himself, feeling the warmth of hope return. "But I need to go… Luffy and Itachi might need me."

As Chopper prepared to leave, the villagers gathered to bid him farewell. He climbed onto one of the large birds, waving to the natives. "Take care, everyone! I have to go help my friends!"

As they flew over the island, Chopper spotted a newspaper bird. Reaching out, he grabbed a copy, eager to read the latest news. But when he saw a picture of Luffy on the front page, his heart raced. "What's this?! Luffy? What happened?!" Panic surged through him. "I have to get to Luffy right away!"

With newfound urgency, Chopper urged the bird to fly faster, knowing his friends were waiting for him.

Kuraigana Island:

On the desolate Kuraigana Island, Zoro slashed through the strange humandrills, each of them wielding swords with eerie proficiency. He grunted, the exhaustion of battle weighing on him, but he pushed forward. He had only one goal in mind: to reach the ocean.

Nearby, Mihawk stood with his arms crossed, watching the spectacle with interest. The world's greatest swordsman had just returned to his castle, only to find Zoro still battling the creatures. Perona, floating nearby, was sniffling as she read a newspaper about Moria's supposed death.

"Why are you even fighting these monkeys, anyway?" Mihawk asked, a slight smirk on his face. "You seem in quite the rush."

Zoro, panting and drenched in sweat, growled, "I need to get back. Luffy… Itachi… they saved Ace. I found out about the battle at Marineford, and I need to be there for them."

Mihawk raised an eyebrow. "I see. So that's why you've been destroying your own escape routes?"

Zoro glanced at the wreckage of the small boat Mihawk had previously given him. It was in pieces, no thanks to his earlier frustrations. He cursed under his breath.

"These humandrills won't let me get off the island," Zoro muttered angrily. "And I don't have time to waste."

Mihawk's eyes narrowed as he surveyed the scene. "Seven years ago, war broke out over this island. The humandrills learned swordplay from the warriors who fought here and grew stronger because of it. They're not as easy as they look, but I can tell you're improving."

Zoro tightened his grip on his swords. "I don't care how strong they are. I have to get back. That idiot finally did it."

Mihawk gave a small, amused chuckle. "You should rest at my castle before rushing off into another fight."

But Zoro, stubborn as ever, shook his head and refused. "I don't have time to rest. Luffy saved Ace, and I won't sit back while he keeps getting stronger. I need to catch up."

With that, Zoro continued to battle the humandrills, determination burning in his eyes. Mihawk watched silently, a flicker of respect passing over his face. The swordsman knew that Zoro's resolve wouldn't waver. And perhaps, Zoro would finally unlock the true potential Mihawk had seen in him from the very beginning.

As Zoro fought on, thoughts of his crew—and Ace's rescue—filled his mind. He wasn't just fighting to get off the island; he was fighting for the future, where he and his comrades could continue their journey together.

On Weatheria...

Nami sat in the small prison, staring at the walls as she held her knees to her chest. She had been caught trying to steal a weather ball and some weather knots for her own research. She couldn't help herself—these people were sitting on a treasure trove of weather knowledge! But now, sitting there, her mood had shifted. It wasn't just about the weather balls or her desire to control the skies. Her mind kept wandering back to Luffy, Ace, and Itachi.

Haredas, the old weather scientist who had taken a liking to her, wandered by. He looked at her through the bars with a concerned expression. "Nami, your mood seems different. Why the sudden change?"

Nami's lip quivered, and before she could stop herself, tears started spilling down her cheeks. "It's because… they saved Ace," she sobbed. "Luffy and Itachi, they did it! They saved Ace, and I wasn't there to help."

Haredas's eyes softened as he saw the raw emotion on her face. "Ah, I see. So that's what's been on your mind."

Nami sniffled, trying to keep her composure, but the weight of everything hit her again. "I should've been there... fighting with them! I'm so happy Ace is safe, but..." She broke down further, her tears genuine as her emotions overwhelmed her.

The residents of Weatheria, seeing her in such a state, couldn't help but pity her. "Let her out," one of them said quietly. "She's been through a lot."

As soon as they unlocked the door, Nami's demeanor changed in an instant. In a flash, she grabbed Haredas by the arm and snatched the weather objects they had confiscated from her. "Sorry, but I've got to go!" she called, already a good distance away from her surprised captors.

"Wait, what?! She tricked us!" one of the villagers exclaimed, rushing after her.

Haredas, held tightly by Nami as she dashed away, couldn't help but comment, "Your crocodile tears haven't stopped yet, you know."

"Shut up!" Nami retorted, not slowing down. But even as she sped away, her thoughts remained with Luffy, Ace, and Itachi. Ace was safe. That was all that mattered.

In the snowy kingdom of Baldimore...

Franky sprinted through the icy landscape, chased by Marines and mechanical animals. His eyes were focused on the large structure in the distance—Vegapunk's old laboratory. Both he and his pursuers were being careful, not wanting to damage the lab, a place considered a "treasure." Franky, however, had a mission.

"Hold it!" one of the Marines shouted, his voice barely audible over the wind and snow. But Franky wasn't stopping. He had overheard something from a conversation with an old man and his grandson earlier.

They had spoken of how Vegapunk had once built a massive heating system in the form of a mountain, but it was incomplete. The old man had also warned Franky not to enter the lab, but Franky couldn't let that stop him. After hearing that Ace was safe—that Luffy and Itachi had succeeded—his spirits had soared. He needed to help his crew as much as possible. And what better way than to find a ship capable of breaking through ice?

"Damn it, Luffy, you always get into crazy stuff. Now I gotta step up too!" Franky muttered to himself as he finally reached the lab. Inside, he marveled at the blueprints scattered across the tables. They were designs for machines and ships beyond anything he had ever imagined.

"These are incredible!" Franky exclaimed, his hands running over the papers. "With these, I can build the perfect ship for our journey!"

As he rifled through the lab, his eyes caught on something else. A switch with a skull and crossbones on it. He grinned. "Ha! A pirate symbol? That must be important!" Without a second thought, Franky slammed his hand down on the switch.

Suddenly, alarms blared throughout the lab. Franky blinked, confused. "Wait... what's going on?"

The entire lab began to shake. A voice recording from Vegapunk's long-gone era echoed through the halls: "Self-destruct sequence activated. Evacuate immediately."

Franky's face drained of color. "WHAT?! A self-destruct button?!" He bolted out of the lab, racing through the snow as the entire structure behind him went up in a massive explosion.

The people of Baldimore could only stare in horror as the lab—Vegapunk's prized creation—erupted into flames. News of the explosion soon spread around the world, earning the event a new name: "The Nightmare of Baldimore."

Franky, panting heavily as he finally stopped running, stared back at the burning lab with wide eyes. "Uh… my bad," he muttered, scratching the back of his head sheepishly. "Well, at least I got the blueprints! Sorry, Vegapunk!"

With a smile, he turned his thoughts back to his crew. Ace was safe. They had a long road ahead, but he was more determined than ever to help them get through it.

On the island of Namakura...

Brook stood tall, his bony fingers gently resting on the strings of his violin. The people of Harahettania cheered around him, celebrating their victory over the Longarm Tribe. Brook's music had given them the courage to rise up, and now the once-feared Longarms were imprisoned, their plans foiled. Brook smiled as much as a skeleton could.

"Yohoho! Well done, everyone! You showed incredible bravery," Brook said, tipping his top hat to the islanders. But deep down, his thoughts were elsewhere. Luffy and Itachi saved Ace... Ace is alive.

His heart—or rather, the memory of his heart—swelled with joy at the news. He had heard what had happened at Marineford and how Luffy, with Itachi's help, managed to rescue Ace. "Thank goodness," he thought. "Luffy, you've done it. You saved your brother."

One of the islanders interrupted his thoughts. "Now that we've captured the Longarms, we could turn them into a show, make some money off these guys!" The villager grinned, clearly pleased with the idea of exploiting the captured tribe.

Brook's cheerful expression vanished. He stepped forward, his hollow eyes narrowing. "That won't do," he said, his voice suddenly cold. "We're not turning them into a spectacle. No one deserves that." He turned to the Longarms in the cage. "If you ever come back to this island, you'll have to face me again, and I won't be as kind next time. Yohoho!"

The Longarms, clearly shaken by Brook's words, nodded vigorously. "We won't come back!" they promised. With that, the villagers hesitantly opened the cage, and the Longarms quickly stepped out. But as soon as they were free, they sprang into action, grabbing Brook before anyone could react.

"Wait, what?! Let go of me!" Brook shouted, but the Longarms were already running off with him. "We don't believe in devils!" one of them yelled. "You'll fetch a good price in our homeland, skeleton!"

The islanders gasped in shock, but before they could give chase, the Longarms had vanished into the trees. Brook sighed as he dangled helplessly in their grasp. "Oh, Luffy, Itachi... I hope you're alright. I could use a little help here. Yohoho..."

Meanwhile, in East Blue…

Robin sat quietly in a carriage, her eyes gazing out over the enormous bridge that stretched into the horizon. The Revolutionaries who had freed her from slavery were accompanying her, explaining the details of the bridge's construction.

"This bridge was ordered by the Celestial Dragons," one of the Revolutionaries explained. "It's been built using slave labor for centuries. Countless lives have been lost here."

Her mind was elsewhere—on her crew. On Luffy. On Itachi.

Ace was alive. That was the most important news she had received in days. Luffy and Itachi had managed to save him from certain death at Marineford. A part of her felt immense relief. Itachi... he must have played a huge role in this. Of course, he did. Her heart swelled, and she allowed herself a small smile, feeling warmth at the thought of Itachi's strength and unwavering resolve.

"Thank you for everything," Robin said, turning to the Revolutionaries. "But I must return to my crew. They need me, and I need them."

The lead Revolutionary nodded. "We understand, but if you ever need us, know that Dragon has given orders to protect you. We've been searching for you for ten years, ever since the destruction of Ohara."

Robin smiled softly, touched by their dedication, but she shook her head. "I appreciate it, truly, but my path lies with my crew. I'm grateful for the Revolutionaries, but I must go back to Luffy."

But then, her thoughts turned to him more deeply. She hadn't seen him in so long. Was he alright? Robin's chest tightened slightly. Itachi… Is he okay? Did he get hurt? Her mind drifted, and she couldn't help but feel a pang of longing and worry. Despite his quiet demeanor, Itachi had become someone she held dear, though she hadn't fully admitted it to herself until now. I hope he's safe...

Suddenly, the carriage came to a halt, and one of the Revolutionaries handed her a newspaper. She unfolded it, her eyes scanning the headlines. Ace was safe—there it was, in bold letters. But something else caught her eye further down the page. A report about Luffy, Itachi… and Boa Hancock?

Robin's brow furrowed as she read about Hancock's supposed affection toward Luffy. But what stirred her most was how close Itachi had been to the Pirate Empress as well. Hancock had been there with them, alongside Itachi… And she—

A sudden wave of jealousy surged through Robin, something she hadn't expected. Boa Hancock? With Itachi? She clenched the newspaper tightly, her knuckles whitening. A dark aura slowly began to emanate from her, unnoticed at first, but soon the Revolutionaries could feel it. They shifted nervously in their seats, glancing at her with growing unease. Robin's normally calm expression darkened, and her thoughts became sharper, more determined.

When I see him again... I'm going to kill him, she thought, a dangerous glint in her eyes. No one else gets to be that close to Itachi...

The Revolutionaries around her exchanged worried looks, feeling the sudden shift in her mood but unsure what had caused it. They gave her space, unwilling to disturb whatever storm was brewing in her mind.

One of the Revolutionaries, sensing her internal storm, stepped back slightly. "Are you... alright, Miss Robin?" he asked cautiously.

Robin offered a tight-lipped smile. "I'm fine, And now... I need to go back to them. My crew." she said, though the barely contained fire in her eyes said otherwise.

As the carriage continued, Robin forced herself to calm down, though the jealousy simmered beneath the surface. She knew she would confront Itachi the moment she saw him. I'll demand answers. He can't just get close to someone like that, not without explaining it to me first.

Back on the ship, far away from East Blue, Itachi stood beside Luffy and Hancock, his usual calm expression unchanged. However, a sudden shiver ran down his spine, causing him to glance around cautiously. What was that? he wondered, sensing an ominous chill that he couldn't place.

Even Luffy paused for a moment. "You alright, Itachi?" he asked, noticing his friend's unease.

Itachi nodded slowly, though his sharp instincts told him something—or someone—was thinking about him. A powerful presence, filled with emotion, was waiting for him somewhere in the distance.

Robin…? He couldn't shake the feeling that she was behind this mysterious feeling of danger.

On Peach Island

On Peach Island of the Kamabakka Kingdom, Sanji, who had finally snapped out of his Okama trance, was in the middle of an argument with Ivankov. He was desperately trying to convince the Revolutionary member that he was part of Luffy's crew.

"I'm telling you, I'm the Straw Hats' cook! Luffy's my captain!" Sanji insisted, holding up his bounty poster.

Ivankov squinted at the poster and then back at Sanji. "Hmm, the name says Sanji, but this picture! This curly-browed guy looks nothing like you! Heehaw!"

Sanji groaned, running his hands through his hair. "It's me! The picture's just messed up! Why would I make this up?"

Ivankov wasn't convinced and continued to laugh. "Trying to pull a fast one on Ivankov, are we?"

Frustrated and getting nowhere, Sanji decided to go for the bold approach. He lunged at Ivankov, aiming to steal a boat and make his escape. But before he knew it, he was knocked down effortlessly by Ivankov's counterattack. He lay on the ground, groaning in pain.

"Fighting me won't get you anywhere, curly-brow boy," Ivankov said, grinning. "But I'll give you this—you've got spirit."

Just then, Inazuma entered the scene, holding a newspaper. "Iva, we got news from Marineford," he said.

Ivankov glanced at the paper, then tossed it over to Sanji. "You want proof about your captain? Look at this."

Sanji took the newspaper, scanning through the pages. His eyes widened as he read the headlines. "Luffy... Itachi... saved Ace?! Ace is alive?"

Ivankov nodded, a smile creeping onto his face. "Yes, Ace is alive. Your captain, Straw Hat Luffy, and that Uchiha kid, Itachi, were able to pull off a miracle. They saved Ace at Marineford."

Sanji sat up, still in shock. "Luffy saved his brother... They're safe?"

"Yes, they're safe," Ivankov confirmed. "You should be proud of your captain."

Relief washed over Sanji, and he let out a sigh. "Thank god…" He clenched the newspaper tightly, thinking of his friends. Luffy had made it through, and Ace was alive. The weight of worry he had been carrying since learning about the war lifted from his shoulders.

Inazuma approached Ivankov with a more serious tone. "Iva, there's a call from Baltigo. It's from Dragon."

Ivankov raised an eyebrow, feeling a slight tension. "Dragon? What does he want now?"

Inazuma handed over the receiver, and Ivankov answered it. Dragon's calm voice came through the line. "Ivankov, I heard you're back. Don't worry about your identity; people knowing you're real has reassured a lot of our followers. We're in a time of change."

Ivankov chuckled. "Heehaw, I'm sure they're relieved to know I'm not just a rumor. What's this about change?"

Dragon's tone became more serious. "Whitebeard's death has shifted the balance of the world. The government is tightening its grip, and we need to gather our leaders soon. It's time to act."

Ivankov nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. "I see… But I've been wondering, what's happened to Kuma?"

There was a brief silence on Dragon's end. "Kuma... well, that's something we'll discuss when we meet."

Ivankov frowned slightly, not liking the cryptic response but knowing better than to push. "Very well, Dragon. We'll talk soon."

As the call ended, Ivankov turned back to Sanji, who was still holding the newspaper. "Looks like you're not the only one preparing for big changes, curly-brow."

Sanji stood up, more determined than ever. "I need to get back to Luffy. He'll need us all, especially now."

Ivankov, now convinced of Sanji's sincerity, grinned. "Heehaw! Alright, alright, I'll help you out. You're Luffy's cook after all, right? Let's get you a boat."

Sanji's eyes lit up with gratitude. "Thank you, Ivankov."