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[TIOP] Chapter : 92
🕑 Added 2025-04-12 05:39:28 +0000 UTC“So, kid… You’ve come to save your brother, huh?” Whitebeard asked with a broad grin, glancing down at Luffy beside him.
“Of course I have!” Luffy replied, as if the answer were the most obvious thing in the world.
“Gurarara! Then you’d better understand who you’re up against. This battlefield isn’t a place for reckless kids like you—one wrong move, and you’re dead!” Whitebeard said with a booming laugh.
But Luffy wasn’t fazed.
“Cut the nonsense. I know you want to be Pirate King, right? Well, too bad—because I’m the one who’s gonna be Pirate King!” He declared boldly, standing face-to-face with the man known as the strongest in the world.
Luffy might have said it without a second thought, but the people around him were stunned. Pirates and marines alike froze for a second. Was he insane? He was standing in front of Whitebeard and just declared himself the future Pirate King.
“What an arrogant brat! Gurarara!” Whitebeard laughed again, this time more amused than annoyed. Oddly enough, he didn’t seem angry at all—in fact, he looked entertained.
“Why... why is he talking to Whitebeard like an equal?” One pirate muttered in disbelief.
It baffled everyone watching. Most pirates wouldn’t even dare to speak directly to Whitebeard, let alone challenge him. Even that guy Rockstar from the Red-Hair Pirates was sent flying without a word. It took Shanks himself to speak face-to-face with the Emperor.
“Can I really kill them, Sengoku-san?” Admiral Kizaru said in his usual laid-back tone, glancing toward Sengoku while keeping his eye on the ever-bold Straw Hat.
"Of course." Sengoku, now in full command of the naval forces, had long cast aside personal feelings. Even knowing that Luffy was the grandson of his old friend Garp, he didn’t hesitate—he gave a firm nod in response to Kizaru’s request.
Moments later, Luffy charged toward the execution platform, determined to reach Ace. But this wasn’t just any battlefield—this was Marineford. And standing in his way were not ordinary marines, but the Navy’s elite. Every step forward was a struggle.
From above, Ace watched helplessly as Luffy pushed through the chaos. His heart ached, but he couldn’t hold back his anger.
“Luffy, stop! Don’t come any closer!” he shouted. “You and I—we’re both pirates! We each have our own journey, our own dreams! I’ve had my adventures… and my crew. I don’t need saving! Do you think I’d let a rookie like you rescue me? That would be the greatest shame of my life!”
When Jack had told him Luffy would come, Ace hadn’t thought much of it. But now, seeing his little brother charging through a warzone filled with legendary warriors, something inside him twisted. Luffy looked so small—so vulnerable—amid the chaos. In a panic, Ace forgot his promise to Jack and tried to push Luffy away with words.
But Luffy didn’t slow down.
“I don’t care about pirate pride or your rules!” he shouted, weaving through the hail of bullets and blades. “I’m your brother—and that’s all that matters!”
“Brother? That pirate is Ace’s younger brother? Then… he’s also Roger’s bloodline? That can’t be true!”
“Weren’t Ace’s mother supposed to have died when he was born? How could he have a younger sibling?”
Luffy and Ace’s emotional exchange sent ripples of confusion across the battlefield. Murmurs spread through both the Navy and pirate ranks like wildfire.
Just then, an eerie voice echoed through the chaos.
“Kishishishi! Zombies, rise!” Gekko Moriah’s twisted laughter cut through the noise as he unleashed a wave of shadow-possessed corpses—fallen pirates and marines turned into his undead army.
“Straw Hat! I didn’t expect to see you here! This time, you won’t escape!” Moriah snarled, eyes burning with vengeance. “Zombies, tear him apart!”
Luffy’s expression darkened. “Tch… Moria. What a pain to run into him now.” He had no time to waste—Ace was still up on that platform.
But before the zombies could even reach him—
SPLASH!
A surge of seawater blasted across the battlefield, slamming into the undead horde. One by one, Moriah’s zombies crumpled to the ground, their shadows released in a flash of light.
“Saltwater,” said a calm voice. “Your zombies don’t stand a chance.”
Jinbei stepped forward with a serene smile on his face. “You may have forgotten, Moria—but seawater contains salt.”
“Jinbei, you damn fish!” Moriah roared furiously.
Luffy, meanwhile, lit up. “Jinbei!” he shouted cheerfully, thrilled to see another ally at his side.
But their reunion was cut short.
“What are you fools doing, hesitating over a rookie?” bellowed a towering giant officer, stomping onto the battlefield. “Don’t let him dictate the course of this war!”
He raised his weapon and charged directly at Luffy.
"Headquarters! This is Sabaody Archipelago reporting in—Dragon’s son has been exposed!"
"Repeat! The son of the Revolutionary Dragon has appeared on the battlefield!"
The reporters stationed at Sabaody were in a frenzy. Today was a historic turning point. Not only had the world learned of the Pirate King's bloodline through Ace, but now the son of the world’s most wanted criminal—Dragon of the Revolutionary Army—had been revealed as well.
“Broadcast it! This is front-page, earth-shattering news! For the first time, the veil covering the Revolutionary Army has been lifted!”
But while the world reeled, Luffy was focused on just one thing—the fight right in front of him.
"Gear Third!"
"Gigant Rifle!"
With a burst of steam and a massive surge of force, Luffy’s rubber arm inflated to the size of a battleship. He spun and slammed it into a towering marine officer, sending the giant crashing into the ice with a thunderous impact.
“Ace!! I don’t care what you say—I’ll save you, even if it kills me! We’re brothers!” Luffy shouted, his voice echoing across the war-torn battlefield as he stood tall amidst the chaos.
Whitebeard, watching the scene unfold with a grin, turned to Marco.
“Gurararara… What a bold kid. Marco, make sure he doesn’t die.”
“Got it.” Marco nodded with a faint smile.
Meanwhile, Ace stood frozen on the execution platform, stunned. His mind spun as his heart caught up to the truth—the little brother he once knew was now fighting shoulder-to-shoulder with legends.
And on a rooftop behind Marineford, Jack had been watching silently. A breeze tugged at his coat. He stood, brushing dust from his shoulders, and threw on his Justice cloak with purpose.
“Yeah… We’re brothers,” he murmured to himself. “So how could I keep hiding?”
“I will accept whatever fate has in store for me. If someone reaches out to help, I’ll take their hand. And if justice demands I face a blade, then so be it. But if I just stand here, doing nothing… I’d be betraying everyone who risked everything to come here today!”
As Jack approached the war-torn plaza of Marineford, he could hear the heartfelt cry echoing from Ace’s soul.
“Tch. Still full of pride, huh? Guess I don’t need to rush in just yet.”
Jack eased his pace. He was still waiting—waiting for the right moment, for a piece of news that would let him step onto the stage without interference.
But right now, Marineford Square had descended into pure chaos.
It was nothing short of hell—a full-scale war between the Navy and the Whitebeard Pirates. Each of Whitebeard’s division commanders was being pushed back by at least two vice admirals, while the reinforcements led by Luffy were locked in battle with the Seven Warlords of the Sea.
Though Moria was no match for Jinbei now, defeating him still took precious time and effort.
On another side of the battlefield, Ivankov found himself cornered by Kuma, now little more than a mindless, robotic weapon. Despite Kuma’s transformation, Ivankov couldn't bring himself to strike down an old comrade from the Revolutionary Army.
Meanwhile, Buggy and Crocodile had set their sights on Whitebeard. Crocodile was poised to strike, driven by old grudges—but Buggy? He had the ambition but none of the nerve. As fate would have it, Whitebeard saw potential in the chaotic bunch of pirates Buggy had broken out of Impel Down.
So, he played along—pretending to approach Buggy to make a so-called alliance.
Flattered beyond reason by Whitebeard’s attention and cheered on by his deluded followers, Buggy—ever the showman—quickly dropped his fear and began “teaming up” with Whitebeard, completely forgetting his place.
Shameless? Absolutely. But effective? Time would tell.
Meanwhile, the pirate fleets under Whitebeard’s command began to disperse strategically, following his orders to gradually sweep through the navy forces stationed at the port—bit by bit, turning the tide in their favor.
"So he saw through it... As expected of Whitebeard. A cheap trick like this wouldn’t fool someone like him," Sengoku muttered, watching the veteran warlord with narrowed eyes. "Crude and far too obvious."
"Pffft—!"
Just then, Luffy crossed paths with the White Hunter—Smoker. Still lacking the ability to wield Haki, Luffy was quickly overpowered and pinned to the ground.
"You bastard! Who do you think you are, laying hands on my beloved?!"
In a flash of fury and elegance, the Pirate Empress and Shichibukai, Boa Hancock, delivered a devastating kick that sent Smoker flying.
"Huh… So this is the power of the Pirate Empress," Smoker growled, catching himself mid-air. "Hancock, are you turning against the Navy? Don’t forget—you’re still one of the Seven Warlords!"
"You're finished. I've never been this angry before," Hancock said, eyes blazing as she ignored Smoker completely. Her entire focus was on Luffy. "I’ll slice you into pieces and feed you to the wild beasts!"
"Hancock!"
Luffy blinked in surprise, then beamed with joy as he saw her standing protectively in front of him.
Blushing, Hancock fished out a small key from her bosom. "I knew you wouldn't fall here, Luffy... This is the key to your brother's handcuffs."
"Really? That’s amazing! Thank you!"
Luffy grinned ear to ear, throwing his arms around Hancock in a quick, joyful hug before charging once again toward the execution platform.
"Is... is this what marriage feels like?"
Overwhelmed, Hancock crumpled to the ground, blushing furiously, her mind spinning from the brief embrace.
"Oh no! The Pirate Empress Boa Hancock has been taken down by Straw Hat Luffy!"
"He defeated the Empress in a single move?! Just how strong is this Straw Hat kid?"
The marines gasped in disbelief, assuming Hancock had fallen in battle. None of them realized she was simply overcome with excitement—and love.
"Straw Hat! You're not escaping me again!"
Smoker recovered and prepared to give chase, fury in his eyes.
"Perfume Femur!"
A powerful kick landed in front of him. Hancock stepped between Luffy and Smoker, her gaze sharp and condescending.
"You impolite man... that’s far enough. I won’t let you lay a finger on him."
"Hancock, are you really prepared to turn against the Navy?" Smoker asked, eyes narrowing.
"It doesn’t matter what I do. I’ll be forgiven..." she said, striking a dramatic pose, "because I am simply too beautiful!"
With a flourish, she unleashed another attack. "Slave Arrow!"
Smoker was forced to hold his ground, blocked yet again.
Meanwhile, elsewhere on the battlefield, Ivankov had just learned the tragic truth about Bartholomew Kuma through Doflamingo’s cryptic explanation. Gritting his teeth, Ivankov threw himself into the chaos, targeting the emotionless "Pacifista."
"Everyone! Shield Straw Hat!"
With a wave of his hand, he called his followers to surround Luffy, providing him with cover as they pushed toward the execution platform through the storm of battle.
"Fufufufu... So, Crocodile, what do you say? Care to team up?"
Doflamingo crouched casually atop Diamond Jozu, effortlessly manipulating him with the strings of his Devil Fruit. His smile was as twisted as his offer.
Just moments earlier, Crocodile had launched an attack on Whitebeard—only to be intercepted by Jozu. But now, Jozu stood immobilized, a puppet under Doflamingo’s control.
"Are you insane? Meddling in other people’s business always gets you killed."
Crocodile’s voice was cold and dismissive, brushing off Doflamingo’s proposal without the slightest regard.
Meanwhile, Luffy was charging ahead toward the execution platform, protected by Ivankov’s fans. But another powerful figure stepped into his path—the sharp-eyed swordsman known as Hawkeye Mihawk, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea.
"Apologies, Red-Hair... my blade shows no mercy."
Mihawk drew the black blade Yoru with deliberate grace, eyes fixed on Luffy.
"Fate itself stands before us. Will the pride of the next generation fall here—or carve his way forward through my sword?"
"Hawkeye!"
Luffy recognized him instantly, the tension in his stance clear. This was no ordinary obstacle.
The gap in strength was immense. With just a few exchanges, Luffy was left wounded, struggling to keep his footing.
"Look up there—what the hell?!"
Gasps rippled through the battlefield as Mihawk casually swung his sword, cleaving a frozen tsunami in half.
"He sliced it like it was paper..."
"That's the world's greatest swordsman for you—absolutely terrifying!"
Both marines and pirates alike were stunned by the raw display of power, watching as the battle raged on with the fate of an era hanging in the balance.
