The Marine's operation at the Sabaody Archipelago was a complete mess. Even with two Admirals present, the losses were immense.
Over 400 marines were injured or killed. While that number might seem small, it represented the majority of the forces stationed at Sabaody—most of the Marine's strength had already been deployed to Marineford.
Akainu had been seriously injured, and the pacifista commander, Sentomaru, had his left arm sliced off by Shyriu. Just like that, another one-armed man appeared in these seas — but not every one-armed man is Shanks.
Akainu and the others were preparing to retreat, taking with them the corpse of the fallen Celestial Dragons.
Of course, having to retreat like this was humiliating. Akainu was furious and filled with frustration, especially because of his injury. Sentomaru wasn't any better. Only Kizaru, as usual, returned to his aloof, carefree state. Just like in the past—he had kicked every supernova, but didn't catch a single one. It was clear he was only here for appearances.
But just as they were preparing to leave Sabaody, something unexpected happened.
Twenty minutes earlier, Luffy had picked up a newspaper off the ground. Normally, he wouldn't even glance at it—but today, his brother Ace was on the front page. Shackled in seastone cuffs.
When he saw Ace bound like that, Luffy froze for a moment—and then the panic set in. As he read the article, his heart sank. It was as if lightning struck him five times at once. His mind went completely blank.
"Ace…"
"No way…"
"The Marine… Blackbeard…!"
Luffy roared, overwhelmed with rage and fear. He hadn't even fully recovered from losing his crew, and now this? Ace was going to be executed publicly in thirteen days. He was currently imprisoned in Impel Down, and in less than two weeks, he would be executed at Marineford — by beheading, no less.
Just like those Celestial Dragons… heads rolling to the ground.
Luffy couldn't accept it.
Blinded by desperation, he ran straight to the port, dead set on breaking into Impel Down to rescue Ace.
How would he get there? He had no idea. But it didn't matter. All that mattered was reaching Ace before it was too late.
Meanwhile, the badly injured Kuma was still searching for Luffy. He just wanted to tell him that his friends were safe.
But fate wasn't kind this time.
Back at the port, Akainu and his group were preparing to depart—when Luffy arrived.
"MARINE! GET LOST!"
"AHHH!"
Just the sight of the Marines set Luffy off. He hadn't been a mere spectator during the earlier battle—he saw it all. Though he didn't know Akainu was an Admiral, he could tell he was dangerous. To Luffy, they were all just Marine scum trying to kill Ace.
"DAMN YOU! YOU'RE NOT EXECUTING ACE! I'LL SAVE HIM—NO MATTER WHAT!!"
From a distance, the onlookers were stunned as they saw Luffy charging straight toward the Admirals.
Aboard the warship, Kizaru turned his head lazily when he heard the familiar, reckless voice. But Akainu—already filled with rage—ignored his injuries and leapt off the deck with a snarl.
"Great Eruption!"
BOOM!
An explosion of molten lava erupted as Akainu launched his attack. Luffy was sent flying, his body burned and writhing in pain. The heat and impact were far greater than any of Kizaru's kicks—and far beyond what Luffy could endure in his current state.
"Capture him. Send him straight to Impel Down."
"If the World Government approves, we'll execute both Fire Fist Ace and Straw Hat Luffy."
"Hmph."
Akainu gave the order coldly. Luffy, shackled in seastone cuffs, struggled weakly but was soon thrown into a holding cell aboard the ship.
"Sakazuki… won't Vice Admiral Garp be furious?"
Kizaru raised an eyebrow.
"Dragon's cursed bloodline is the greatest insult to justice among the supernovas. Even if he died ten thousand times, it wouldn't be enough."
"As for Garp—if he wants to retire, let him. I don't care."
Akainu couldn't be bothered. There wasn't a single person in Marineford that he feared. Not even Garp.
Justice must never tolerate evil. Garp's son was the leader of the Revolutionary Army. His grandson had been wreaking havoc across the first half of the Grand Line.
"…Fine."
Kizaru said no more. After all, Akainu and Garp had never seen eye to eye—they represented opposite sides of justice within the Marine.
But what would Garp do once he found out his grandson had been captured?
Kizaru hadn't even considered capturing Luffy when he came here. This whole operation had always been just for show.
But now? Luffy had thrown himself directly into Akainu's jaws.
Luffy was dragged away in chains. Kuma watched helplessly from the shadows.
Two Admirals… and he was severely injured. What could he possibly do?
"…Dragon. Forgive me, this time…"
News of Straw Hat Luffy's capture quickly spread across Sabaody. As one of the most notorious supernovas, his fall shocked everyone.
When Rayleigh heard the news, he simply shook his head with a sigh.
"There's nothing I can do now. I just hope that straw hat brings him the same luck it brought Roger—surviving against impossible odds…"