Chapter 332

Translator: PapaSmurf0700

"Qimen Art: Eight Gates Translocation!"

In the middle of the three brothers' joyous, tearful reunion, a brilliant golden formation flared to life beneath their feet. Ace instinctively moved to dodge, but Luffy grabbed his arm, his trust absolute.

"It's Bai Ye," Luffy assured him. "Don't worry, Ace." Sabo nodded in agreement, putting his brother at ease.

This was one of the higher arts of Qimen, a technique that allowed the user to instantly move targets within the formation's range—a power Hei Ye had only unlocked after his breakthrough. And the three brothers weren't the only ones caught in the light.

After a series of golden flashes, Zoro, Sanji, Nami, Franky, Kuma, and Marco were all pulled to Bai Ye's side. Brook and the remaining Whitebeard Pirate commanders appeared as well.

Bai Ye wasted no time. "Ace is safe," he announced, his voice cutting through the chaos. "That leaves only one objective."

"We withdraw."

With the three Admirals still engaged across the bay, he guided the gathered forces toward a large, shimmering portal that Merry had opened behind them—an air gate leading directly to the Sunshine Merry.

Though the battle had been full of harrowing twists, the outcome was a success. Ace was free. And while Luffy was gravely injured, the rest of their forces were still battle-ready. Retreat was the wisest choice.

By the time Bai Ye's group reached the outskirts of Marineford Plaza, the general breakout was already underway. The allied forces, following their orders, were gathering in an orderly retreat. Merry, darting through the chaos, opened several more air gates, creating a direct path for pirates to board the ship hovering in the sky.

Interestingly, there was a momentary lull in the fighting. The Marine warships, having narrowly avoided the worst of the earlier assaults, seemed to hold their fire, allowing the pirates to regroup with surprising speed.

But the peace was short-lived. As the last of the pirates began entering the portals, the warships received new orders. Their cannons roared to life, concentrating a blistering barrage on the Sunshine Merry. In the plaza, World Government agents renewed their attack, slashing and firing at anyone near the escape route.

Kizaru, fastest of the Admirals, appeared on the encirclement wall in a flash of light. He raised his leg, preparing to unleash a kick of pure energy at Bai Ye's group.

But in the next second—

"Fish-Man Karate: Sea Current Shoulder Throw!"

The calm waters of Crescent Bay erupted. A colossal stream of seawater surged upward, forming a massive, swirling shield that intercepted the entire artillery barrage aimed at the Sunshine Merry.

"Sables!"

Simultaneously, a furious sandstorm tore through the plaza, deflecting the agents' attacks.

"DEATH WINK!"

Kizaru's laser beam was blasted out of the air, intercepted by an unseen force.

The sudden, coordinated counterattack stunned everyone. Kizaru whipped his head toward Crescent Bay Port. A battered, unfamiliar warship had appeared there as if from nowhere, and on its bow stood several figures he knew all too well.

"Those people are…" a Marine officer gasped.

A blue Fish-Man in a traditional robe, his expression grim, a lightning-bolt scar by his left eye. A former Warlord of the Sea: "Knight of the Sea" Jinbe!

A tall man with slicked-back hair and a long scar across his face, smoking a cigar. A golden hook gleamed where his left hand should be. A former Warlord of the Sea: Sir Crocodile!

A towering figure with a massive, dark purple afro, fishnet stockings, and an impossibly large head. The former queen of the Kamabakka Kingdom: "Miracle Person" Emporio Ivankov!

Beside them stood their loyal subordinates, Daz Bonez and Inazuma.

"Shouldn't they be locked in the depths of Impel Down?!" Vice-Admiral Onigumo's face turned grim. Their presence here meant only one thing. The great prison had fallen.

"Jinbe," Kizaru's voice sliced through the din. "Are you prepared to fully betray us?"

"For the future of Fish-Man Island, I cannot allow either Ace or Pops to fall," Jinbe replied, his tone firm and resolute. "As of this moment, I am no longer a Warlord of the Sea!"

"And why have you broken out of prison again, Crocodile?" Aokiji asked, appearing beside Kizaru, his gaze cold. "Defeated by Straw Hat, and now you become his ally?"

"I am no one's ally," Crocodile sneered, his voice like grinding sand. "I only came for an old man's head. But before that, I have no desire to see you lot celebrating a victory."

"Kuma-boy! Sabo-boy!" Ivankov called out, waving cheerfully. "Looks like vee were a little late to the party!" Her eyes landed on Luffy. "So, that's Dragon's son? Vee can see the resemblance!" she said with a dramatic wink that sent a shiver of horror down Sanji's spine.

As the Marines reeled from the shock, an indignant voice bellowed from the new warship: "You ungrateful fools! Don't you forget who rescued you! If you want to pick a fight, at least give me a warning! Why are we suddenly fighting the entire Navy?!"

A figure with blue hair and a famously large red nose appeared at the railing: Buggy the "Joker" was here!

"Well," another voice piped up, "I used my wax to make the keys. They wanted out." A man with hair sculpted into a perfect number "3" came into view: Mr. 3 was here!

"Hey! It's the Sand-Croc and Red-Nose from back then!" Luffy exclaimed.

"Hmph. Straw Hat," Crocodile grunted, his deep-set eyes unreadable.

"WHO ARE YOU CALLING RED-NOSE?!" Buggy shrieked, instantly enraged. He pulled out one of his special Buggy Balls and hurled it at Luffy's group. "Disappear, you pathetic worms!"

A golden light flashed as Bai Ye effortlessly blocked the bomb. He then twirled his wrist, produced a worn notebook, and tossed it to the fuming clown.

"A thank-you for your previous gift, Buggy," he said meaningfully. "Without this, we would not have made it this far."

"A notebook?" Buggy caught it, confused. He looked down, and his eyes shot wide open in disbelief. "This… This is Captain Roger's Haki journal! The one he gave to me!"

At that moment, every single person within earshot froze, their eyes wide with shock.