After escaping Impel Down the ragtag band of pirates, lead by Luffy, head into the belly of the beast to save Ace. The Marines are ready and waiting for them and anything White Beard will muster at their headquarters, Marineford. The ultimate showdown between the muscle of the World Government and the disparate forces of chaos begins here.
All of the strength of the World Government has gathered at Marineford, the headquarters of the Marines. The three admirals, seven Warlords of the Sea and a vast flotilla of Marines are prepared to face whatever attack White Beard is planning to rescue Firfist Ace. What was unexpected in all of the planning was a massive jail break at the nearby Impel Down to occur at the same time. Luffy failed to reach his brother in time and has now gathered with a large group of powerful pirates to attempt the rescue at the zeroth hour. Ace is put in position and the world is watching, the World Government is eager to wage this battle, confident in their successful outcome. They want to put the age of pirates to rest once and for all, killing off the last remnants of the days when Gol D. Rodger sailed the seas.
Garp, Luffy and Ace's grandfather, is present for the execution of his oldest grandson. He thinks back to how he came to be the care taker for the only son of the worlds most notorious pirate. Following Rogers execution, the World Government did everything they could to ensure that he sired no children. Keeping a watch on every known location he stayed at, for months, confirming whether any children born in that time period were his. A woman was pregnant and through crazy will power, she forced herself to care the child far longer than conceivable, giving birth to Ace and dying in the process. Garp is now to caretaker of the baby the world is trying to kill. He enlists the help of a mountain bandit woman named Dadan in both raising and hiding Ace. A number of years later Ace meets his adopted younger brother Luffy.
As Sengoku, the head of the Marines, is giving a speech regarding the execution, word comes in that the Gate of Justice has been opened and the closed without any authorization. He has been following the reports from Impel Down and is not exactly surprised when it is surmised that the prison escapee's are on the ship that passed through the gates. What does come as a surprise is the sudden appearance of White Beards flagship, the Moby Dick, suddenly surfacing in the harbor. The attack was anticipated but the method of infiltration was not. Using the resin from Sabaody Archipelago, White Beard is able to bring his ship as close as physically possible to the platform on which Ace now waits to be executed. The attack has begun and there is no turning back from here.
To show his intent, White Beard uses his Devil Fruit power to create a powerful earthquake, causing everyone to freeze in their tracks. White Beard announces his intention to rescue his underling and we see a flashback to how Ace joined the White Beard pirates. Admiril Akiji uses his Devil Fruit power to freeze twin tsunami's caused by White Beards power before the base can be inundated, The effort to protect the base leads to the creation of a large front for the pirates to attack the island and the charge begins. Vice-admirals, and some of the Warlords of the sea face off against White Beards division commanders. Everyone, pulling no punches with their Devil Fruit powers and raw martial prowess. Yet no matter the ferocity of the attacks by the pirates they struggle to make much headway into the island.
Out of frustration for the lack of progress and concern for a man he calls friends, the son of the legendary demon Oars, Oars Jr, makes his move. The massive pile of violence attacks the landing zone head on, determined to reach Ace, even if it kills him. Oars Jr. is successful at first, helping the rest of the attacking force to make it onto land. But before he can reach the execution platform he is cut down by successive attacks from three of the Warlords. Just as Oars Jr. falls a new attack force falls from the Bsky, Luffy and the escaped prisoners. Whitebeard recognizes Shanks' straw hat perched on Luffys head and puts the last peices of a puzzle together in his mind. After introductions and Luffys declaration to take the title of King of the Pirates some day, the young man rushes to save his brother.
Luffy is immediately set upon by Admiril Kizaru, who is saved by Ivankov who is in turn attacked by Kuma. Ivankov tries to reason with Kuma, who was once an ally in the past, but something is wrong with the giant man and he does not respond the his old friend. Luffy runs ahead but faces old enemies who had joined the Marines after being defeated by him. As Luffy struggles to reach Ace, the White Beard pirates in turn are struggling to fend off hoards of zombies controlled by Moria. Things are not looking good for the would be rescuers. In a desperate attempt to save his brother, Ace tells Luffy to go away, that he doesn't want to be saved by a weakling. As hope seems to be running out, Jimbei arrives and is able to defeat the zombie hoard with blasts of salt water. Before the tides can turn Sengoku grabs everyone's attention by declaring that Luffy is the son of the most wanted man in the world, the leader of the rebel faction, Dragon.
Sensing a trap about to be sprung, White Beard, convincing Buggy to work with him, orders the remaining pirate fleet to adjust their positions on the water/ice. Smoker almost succeeds in subduing Luffy but is stopped by an enraged Hancock. Ivankov continues to try to reach through to Kuma but is told by Don Flamingo that the Kuma they knew no longer exists. Kuma had recently completed his prolonged process of full conversion to a Pacifista and had removed his brain only a few days earlier, completely erasing the Kuma that used to exist, replacing it with an automaton for the World Government instead. Hancock secretly gives Luffy the keys to Ace's handcuffs but he is stopped by Don Flamingo before he can reach his brother.
Buggy and his ragtag followers inadvertently give Luffy an escape route and he reluctantly pulls back from rescuing Ace while he tries to rethink his plan. Buggy meanwhile had commandeered a transponder snail that was broadcasting the execution and is trying to use it to further increase his own profile. Sengoku had ordered the feeds to be cut when the situation started to show the Marines in a negative light. Yet Buggy's attempt at vanity allows for a feed to still spread to the outside world, continuing to show the battle for Ace. Sengokus trap springs and an army of Pacifista's attacks form the rear. Whit Beards suspicions and actions stop the attack from being as devastating as it could have been and the call to push forward goes out.
As White Beard is about to begin his assault on the platform one of his one allies stabs him through the chest, briefly persuaded by Aokiji that Whitebeard plans to sell out his allies in exchange for Ace. The attack force is suddenly demoralized, giving the Marines the upper hand. But White Beard is unwilling to let his men lose faith that easily. Shrugging off the attack and forgiving his ally, the old man jumps into the battle and rushes towards the platform. The Marines, desperate to stop this final push, raise a series of defensive walls, encircling the pirates. The segment leading to the execution platform is unable to rise due to the massive corpse of Oars Jr. blocking its path. In death Oars Jr. has been able to help save Ace.
Admaril Akainu unleashes a fury of meteor blasts, melting all of the ice in the bay, causing the water to boil. The pirates are thrown into chaos and despair and the Marines renew their attack, determined to kill every last pirate. Senguko, sensing the need for urgency, gives the order to execute Ace immediately. Jimbei throws Luffy at the platform, in the hopes that he can get there in time, as the three admirals bare down upon him. Just as Ace is about to be executed, Crocodile, who has been sitting on the side lines, decides to intervene. Having been punished for his failings by the World Government, he isn't exactly eager to see the Marines win this battle. White Beard as well unleashed a surprise attack by having a still submerged ship surface, landing on the platform. Garp and Sengoku are no the last defenses to stop Ace from being rescued.
Luffy, overwhelmed from the battle and facing multiple vice admirals at the same time, finally succumbs to exhaustion and his wounds. Attempts to reach Ace are fended off by Garp, who knows he has to choose his career over his family. The Pacifistas and Marines are encircling the pirates and everything seems to be failing for them. White Beard is gravely wounded by Akainu and Luffy begs Ivankov to inject him again with hormones that will allow him to push past his exhaustion. Reluctant at first, realizing it will more than likely kill him, Luffy convinces him all the matters is saving Ace. Ace is overcome by the sacrifices everyone is making for him and is determining to survive this battle, his will to live and escape restored.
Coby and Helmepo attempt to stop Luffy and Ivankov but are brushed away like insects. Hancock provides protection for Luffy from the Pacifistas, who are unable to attack the Warlord. Just as the executioners are about to kill Ace, Luffy digs deep into himself and erupts with a powerful haki, knocking out those with weak enough wills and caused those with strong wills to pause for a moment, taking in the incredible spirit in the young pirate. The Marines able to recover from the haki move to attack Luffy. White Beard orders everyone to defend him, seeing the future in him and recognizing the possibility of success. Luffy reaches the platform but has to face his grandfather. Garp is strong, but Luffy is able to withstand the assault and defeats him.
In a last ditch effort, Kizaru is able to melt the key with his light beam. Luffy find that Mr.3 has been hiding on the platform who quickly crafts a replacement key with his wax power. Ace is free at last and the platform collapses as the Marines unleash everything they can on him,. Not hampered by the sea stone shackles, Ace is able to use his Devil Fruit powers and retaliates with a massive fire attack. With Ace free at last the pirates only goal is escape. White Beard knows he is dying and gives one final order to his men...to run away and live another day having succeeded in their goal of rescuing Ace. he old pirate lord understands that he will be dead soon and uses the last of his strength to hold back the Marines so his men can flee.
The Marines, whipped up into a fervor, begin to indiscriminately attack the fleeing pirates. Buggy is able to revive his transponder snail, inadvertently broadcasting the slaughter to the shocked world. Akainu mocks White Beard as he dies, saying he never amounted to anything and failed to be as powerful s Roger. This provokes Ace, who turns to defend the honor of his dying captain. Akainu overcomes Ace's fire power with his own magma power. Luffy scramble to save Ace's vivre card only to expose himself to an attack by Akainu. Ace jumps to block the attack on Luffy moments before it lands, causing Akainu to punch a hole clear through Fire-fist. Luffy understands that his brother is dead and breaks. Before Akainu can kill the shocked Luffy, Jumbei jumps in to rescue him and escape with the remaining pirates. Fleeing into the bay and desperate safety. Enraged by the attack on Ace, White Beard uses the last of his strength to emit a powerful earthquake, almost destroying the entire island in the process. he quake creates fissures allowing the pirates to be physically separated from the pursuing marines, buying them some precious seconds to escape.
Amidst the chaos Blackbeard arrives with his crew. He tells White Beard that the entire point of becoming a Warlord of the Sea was to gain access to Impel Down with a plan to release some of the most dangerous prisoners for his new crew. The plan succeeded more easily than he expected and he is now on his way to take over the New World. Blackbeard delivers the killing blow to his old captain and begins a secretive process to absorb his devil fruit power. Armed with the powers of two Devil Fruit, something that is unheard of due to the fatal result in such attempts, Blackbeard makes his strength known to everyone watching. The world, through Buggy's broadcast, see's White Beards death and hear's his final words proclaiming that One Piece is real.
Before Blackbeard can destroy the entire island, Sengoku jumps to fight him. Jimbei is desperately trying to escape with the useless Luffy in his arms. Akainu punches through Jimbei with enough force to gravely wound Luffy. Jimbei dives into the water to keep the admiral at bay. Recognizing the need to protect the wounded Luffy, the other remaining powerful pirates do everything tney can to distract Akainu and the other Marines. Before they can figure out an escape route, a submarine surfaces, captained by Luffy's peer, Trafalger Law. Through Buggy's unwitting assistance, Jimbei and Luffy make it to the submarine and Law agrees to help his rival.
With the retreat in full effect now, the pirates scramble to safety, as the blood thirsty Marines hunt them down without mercy. Koby begins to have a mental breakdown in the middle of the carnage, receiving the internal dialogue of everyone around him. Their lust for destruction begins to chip away at his sanity as the trauma of the situation unlocks a latent power within him. He begins to scream to make the killing stop, before the overwhelming weight of the event destroys him. As if a god heard his prayer a new person appears on the island, someone able to command others to heed his words. Red-haired Shanks has arrived and through the shire will of his words convinces everyone to stop fighting. This allows Law's submarine to make its escape as he begins the intensive surgery on both guests. The war has ended and the Marines declare victory with White Beard and Ace dead.
The world celebrates the death of two notorious pirates and the resilience of the Marines. But the loss of such a powerful and influential element in the world of piracy exposes many islands to more brazen banditry and lawlessness, at the hand of those who feared upsetting the great old pirate. Is the supposed new found peace worth the sudden increased danger from less scrupulous pirates? Law was able to save Luffy, but he needs a place to recuperate and recover. The only option for safety is back at Amazon Lily. Hancock, still retaining her title of Warlord of the Sea, eagerly agrees to allow Luffy and Jimbei to stay on a neighboring island. As a surprise to everyone Rayleigh arrives as well, sensing the young pirate may need some assistance. Rayleigh plans to train Luffy in the ways of haki, to give him more control over this ability that is so powerful in him. Luffy struggles with the loss of his brother, the loss of his crew and his failure to accomplish any of his goals.
Luffy agrees to the training and puts off his plans to reunite with his crew at Sabaody. Instead he concocts a plan to send a secret message to his crew in a way that is sure to reach them, no matter where they are in the world. He, Jimbei and Rayleigh return to a devastated Marineford. While the Marines claimed victory they were somewhat weakened and have spread their power throughout the seas, particularly in the New World where Blackbeards actions pose a severe threat to global stability. The three pirates arrive unopposed, using the power of their identities to stave off any interference from the forces repairing the island. Everyone is too startled by the sudden reappearance of two of the central figures in the war while being accompanied by the most legendary living pirate. Luffy rings a symbolic bell to recognize the end of the war and has a code drawn on him, taking full advantage of crew of reporters also being there. The plan works perfectly and Luffy, with his hidden message, appears on the front of every newspaper, seen by every member of his crew. The message, meet again in two years time. The crew immediately recognizes the message and changes their resolve to focus on getting stronger and then meeting in the designated time.
This was an incredible end to a story arc that has been building since the Straw Hats entered the Grand Line. Between the events at Impel Down and the fallout of the war at Marineford, everything Luffy and his crew have encountered and overcome has culminated into this moment that the world of One Piece changes and everyone's attention shifts focus to the New World. We find ourselves at a crossroad though, the story has reset to something similar to where the story originally started. Luffy is on his own, without a ship or a crew. He still has his goal of becoming the King of Pirates in front of him without any really understanding of how that goal will be accomplished. He knows no more about how to find One Piece than he did in the beginning. In reality though, he has a ship and a crew and has set a plan in motion to reunite in two years time so they can pick up where they left off. Luffy has gained so much knowledge and ability in the months following Coby fishing him out of the sea. He has gained powerful allies, incredible companions and a greater understanding of the dangers that he faces. For once he has experienced devastating loss with the death of Ace and has to learn to overcome that grief so he can continue to push forward. et in spite of everything he witnessed his only fear is that he is not strong enough. He has no doubt that he can overcome the strengths of the people he will face but recognizes he is not yet at a point to ensure his success and it hurts him.
Following the bulk of the arc we get a multi episode flashback about how Ace and Luffy came to become brothers and the ordeals they faced as abandoned children in a cruel world. Experiences that imprinted them with their particular world view and the motivation it took to push them to the levels they achieved. In Luffy's case...he still has a ways to go before he can catch up to his brother, who will no longer be able to see that growth. It will be interesting to see how everyone has grown and changed in the two years they have before they meet up again to resume their voyage and finally head off to Fishman Island.
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