One Piece: Ulquiorra Template

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Shakky's Rip-off Bar was quiet. Shakky herself leaned against the bar, polishing glasses with a bored sigh. Days without customers were slow, and her gaze drifted to the newspaper in front of her.

"Then... we'll wait until this war is over!"

Over the past six days, Luffy, invigorated by the news that his crew was alive, hadn't been idle. Humbled by his encounters with Kizaru and Kuma, he was determined to grow stronger. The day he left Sabaody Archipelago, he'd asked Rayleigh to train him, a request the former first mate of the Roger Pirates readily accepted.

Rayleigh had begun teaching Luffy about all three forms of Haki. Combined with Luffy's natural fighting talent, he'd quickly grasped the basics and could even activate them sporadically, albeit with a low success rate. It was a start.

"Shakky, we're back! Get me a drink!" Rayleigh announced, plopping down at the bar. His eyes scanned the newspaper and landed on a headline screaming "Breaking News!"

"Big news, huh? What's happening out there on the sea?" Rayleigh asked with a grin. Shakky raised an eyebrow. "You haven't heard?"

"I've been busy training Luffy all week."

Rayleigh grabbed the paper. As he read, his eyes widened, and he let out a low whistle. "Whoa... I need a drink for this."

Shakky placed a glass before him.

He gulped it down.

"Hold on... is this for real? The Marines are going to war with the Whitebeard Pirates? Are they tired of having Marineford in one piece?" Rayleigh exclaimed, his voice laced with disbelief.

"Whitebeard... that sounds familiar." Luffy, who had been engrossed in his meal, tilted his head. Suddenly, his eyes widened in alarm. "Wait, that's where Ace is! If they're going to war, does that mean Ace will be there too?"

"It's not just about 'being there'. Portgas D. Ace, commander of the Whitebeard Pirates' Second Division, is the reason for this war," Shakky explained.

"Huh? What happened to Ace?" Luffy asked, his voice filled with concern.

"Fire Fist Ace has been captured by the Marines. His execution is scheduled in three days," Shakky replied.

"Say, Luffy, what's your relationship with Fire Fist Ace? Why do you ask..." Shakky trailed off, noticing that Luffy had dropped his bone-in meat, his face pale with a fear she hadn't seen even during the Straw Hats' crisis six days prior. It was a stark contrast to his usual carefree demeanor.

"Ace... Ace is my brother!"

Shakky and Rayleigh exchanged surprised glances. This was news to them. Luffy began to sob, his voice choked with emotion.

"Ace is so strong... how could the Marines capture him?" he whimpered, devastated by the news.

"Fire Fist Ace... your brother... well, that's certainly unexpected," Shakky said, stunned.

"Luffy... don't worry. I'm sure your brother will be fine, just like your friends," Shakky said softly, pulling Luffy into a comforting hug. Her maternal instincts kicked in at the sight of the distraught young pirate.

"But..."

"No buts!" Shakky interrupted firmly.

"A week ago, Bartholomew Kuma risked incurring the wrath of the World Government to save you all. He won't abandon his captain's other son now."

"If Kuma could send your friends flying to safety, he can do the same for Ace. And even if something goes wrong, your grandfather, Garp, is there. He wouldn't just stand by and watch his grandson be executed, would he?" Shakky reasoned, her logic surprisingly sound.

"Yeah, Luffy. That Kuma guy has a weird power, but it's perfect for rescuing people," Rayleigh added with a nod.

"But Ace isn't my dad's son," Luffy mumbled through his tears.

Rayleigh and Shakky froze.

"Ace... Ace is Gol D. Roger's son. We're not blood-related, but we're brothers. We swore an oath," Luffy explained, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. A heavy silence fell over the bar. Then, Rayleigh shot to his feet, his voice a roar.

"What?! Ace is Roger's son?! Luffy, are you serious?! Ace... is he really Roger's son?" Rayleigh, was utterly shocked. Luffy's revelation had hit him like a tidal wave, leaving him speechless and stunned.

His jaw hung slack.

"Ace... Fire Fist Ace of the Whitebeard Pirates... is Roger's son?! And he was raised by Garp, Roger's rival?!"

"What a tangled web..." Even Shakky was bewildered. "Rayleigh, did you know about this?"

"Roger having a son?! I had no idea! He never told us anything!" Rayleigh exclaimed, shaking his head. Then, a thoughtful expression crossed his face.

"But... there was something..."

"What is it?" Shakky pressed.

"Twenty-two years ago, the day the Roger Pirates disbanded, Roger, drunk as a skunk, mentioned a girl he loved in Baterilla in South Blue, someone he was looking forward to seeing again. We all thought he was just rambling," Rayleigh explained, his brow furrowed in thought.

"Could that pregnant woman in the South Blue have been Ace's mother? Shanks also mentioned searching for something Roger left behind in the East Blue. Maybe he mistook Luffy for Ace because of their resemblance, since Luffy didn't know Ace back then," Rayleigh added, piecing together the puzzle.

The truth began to emerge. "It makes sense. Only Garp could have been contacted in that situation. And I doubt any parent, even a legendary pirate like Roger, would want their child to follow in their footsteps. Fate is a cruel mistress."

"The priority now is Roger's son, Ace! I can't let anything happen to him!" Rayleigh declared resolutely.

"Rayleigh, you're going to join the war, aren't you?" Shakky asked, her voice filled with worry.

"Of course! Now that I know Ace is Roger's son, I can't just stand by and do nothing. He's family," Rayleigh replied, his voice firm. He had a responsibility to protect Roger's legacy.

"Rayleigh, I'm going too! I have to save Ace! I'm going now!" Luffy declared, finally snapping out of his shock.

"Luffy, that battlefield is too dangerous for you. You need to wait," Rayleigh cautioned.

"No! Ace is my brother! I have to protect him! Shakky, where is Ace now? I have to go save him!" Luffy insisted, his determination unwavering.

"Fire Fist Ace is likely imprisoned in Impel Down, the underwater prison known as the 'Great Tomb'. It's said to be inescapable. No one has ever broken in or out, except for Shiki the Golden Lion," Shakky explained, trying to dissuade Luffy.

"And even he paid a heavy price, losing his legs. He was one of the legendary pirates, alongside Whitebeard and Roger, known for his unique Devil Fruit. Rescuing someone from Impel Down is next to impossible. You should give up."

"Anyone who can't fly is trapped there. Even Kaido, one of the Four Emperors, couldn't escape. And remember, Ian wiped out a huge number of prisoners last time. You can't even start a riot. Even Ivankov, your father's subordinate, escaped. And now, Admiral Fujitora is there, a man with Admiral-level strength."

"In other words, any attempt to break into Impel Down is a suicide mission. A hundred percent chance of failure."

"I'll never give up as long as there's a glimmer of hope! If I can rescue Ace from Impel Down, the war might not even happen! I have to protect him! I'm stronger now!" Luffy declared, his voice filled with unwavering resolve.

"But Luffy, Impel Down is in the Calm Belt. It's practically impossible to even get close. If you're going to go anywhere, it should be to Marineford with Rayleigh!"

Rayleigh frowned, trying to reason with Luffy, hoping he would realize the futility of his plan.

"Speaking of Ian, when I talked to him about the Revolutionary Army, he said your father was waiting for the opportune moment to overthrow the World Government. He's probably waiting for this war. Ian and your father will likely join the fight," Rayleigh said, looking at Shakky and Luffy.

"The Whitebeard Pirates, Ian, possibly Shanks and the Red Hair Pirates, and even some of the Warlords like Buggy, Kuma, Jinbe, and Fujitora... they all have connections to each other. And then there's your grandfather, Garp, in the Marines..."

"This war... it has the potential to change everything. Ace's execution is just the beginning. It could decide the fate of the world."

"It feels like someone is playing a very elaborate game. The Great Pirate Era that Roger started..."

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Five days remained until Ace's execution. Tension hung heavy in the air at Marine Headquarters. Heavy artillery was being set up and tested, and Marine elites from all over the world were arriving in warships.

Nearly every Marine wore a coat emblazoned with the word "Justice". Only officers of the rank of Ensign or higher were granted the privilege of wearing this symbol of authority.

In the original story, one hundred thousand elite Marines had participated in the Paramount War, each one an officer of Ensign rank or higher. The sheer number demonstrated the vast power and influence of the Marines. And now…

With Ian among their ranks (Shichibukai), the Marine forces were even stronger. Five days before the war, over eighty thousand elite Marines had already assembled at Marine Headquarters.

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Inside the Marine Headquarters' high-level meeting room…

Sengoku, Garp, Aokiji, Kizaru, Akainu… the highest-ranking officers of the Marines were gathered to discuss the upcoming war.

Despite their overwhelming numerical advantage, Sengoku couldn't afford to be careless. Shanks, another of the Four Emperors, was also making moves. They might face more than just Whitebeard.

And even if it was only the Whitebeard Pirates, they were a force to be reckoned with. Sengoku, a veteran of countless battles against Whitebeard, knew the old pirate's terrifying power all too well. Garp remained silent throughout the meeting, neither sleeping nor speaking.

Aokiji, Akainu, and the other Admirals wore grim expressions. Even Kizaru, usually laid-back and nonchalant, seemed unusually serious. Only Garp and Tsuru, the strategist, remained calm.

Tsuru's gaze was serene, as if she had already foreseen the outcome. Garp's eyes, however, were filled with a deep, unreadable emotion.

He seemed torn between family and justice.

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Meanwhile, ten thousand meters below the surface, on the fantastical island of Fishman Island…

Pirate crews hoping to pass through Fishman Island on their way to the New World were informed upon arrival that the island was under lockdown. No ships were allowed to leave.

Normally, the fiercely independent pirates would never tolerate such restrictions. They viewed Fishmen as mere animals, and such a decree would have sparked a violent uprising.

But this time was different. Every pirate, no matter how unruly, had entered Fishman Island with their tails between their legs, not daring to utter a word of protest.

The reason for their unusual docility was the flag flying above Fishman Island, and the four pirate ships docked at the main port: the Moby Dick, flagship of the Whitebeard Pirates, and four of its escort ships. The Whitebeard Pirates' main force, which had mysteriously vanished from the New World…

…had arrived at Fishman Island.

"Oyaji, the Moby Dick's coating is complete. We're ready to depart at any time," Marco, the Phoenix, reported.

"We received word from Squard. Decalvan Brothers, Atmos, Little Oars Jr.... all 43 Allied Crews have safely crossed the Red Line and reached Foodvalten. They're awaiting your command," Jozu and Vista reported.

"Gurararara! What a bunch of good sons. I can't let them get ahead of their old man. Marco, inform everyone to board the ships. We're setting sail!" Whitebeard boomed, his laughter echoing across the island. The Moby Dick and its escort ships began to move.

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Inside the Ryugu Palace…

"Safe travels, Whitebeard-oyaji! May fortune favor you in battle!" King Neptune and the Fishman Island royalty bowed deeply towards the departing Whitebeard, expressing their gratitude for his twenty years of protection.

Marco stood on the deck of the Moby Dick, his arms crossed. At the forefront stood Whitebeard himself, Edward Newgate.

Though he knew this battle might not end well, he would not shy away from it. He was Whitebeard, one of the Four Emperors. Marco and the other commanders' spirits were linked to Whitebeard's; none showed any fear or hesitation.

Marine Headquarters? So what?!

Years ago, Shiki the Golden Lion had single-handedly destroyed half of Marineford.

Now, the tides had turned, and they would do the same. Whitebeard stood firm, his bisento gripped tightly in his hand. The wind billowed his captain's coat, emblazoned with the Whitebeard Pirates' Jolly Roger.

Jinbe stood among the crew. He couldn't ask Fishman Island or his people to join Whitebeard's fight against the Marines; that would only bring ruin upon them. But he himself had no fear. He owed a debt to Whitebeard for protecting Fishman Island, and he would repay it with his life.

He knew Impel Down was a lost cause, so he'd staked his life on joining this battle, come what may.

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