Chapter 145 – Alliance
The First Half of the Grand Line
A warship led by Vice Admiral Onigumo (Ghost Spider) of Marine Headquarters sailed steadily from standard waters toward the Calm Belt.
This vessel carried a group of highly dangerous prisoners—most notably, Sir Crocodile, former Warlord of the Sea (Shichibukai) and ex-president of the Baroque Works organization.
Vice Admiral Onigumo's original mission had been to forcibly recruit Crocodile to fight in the coming war between Marine Headquarters and the Whitebeard Pirates. However, following Crocodile's defeat at the hands of the Straw Hat Pirates, and the exposure of his crimes in Alabasta, he was stripped of his Warlord title and captured. What was meant to be a recruitment mission had turned into a high-risk escort.
His destination was Impel Down, the impregnable underwater prison. But with the war imminent, there was no time for the standard route. Instead, the Marines would traverse the Calm Belt and use the World Government's exclusive Sea Current, which connected Enies Lobby, Impel Down, and Marineford via the Gates of Justice.
This special current allowed a week-long journey to be completed in just three days.
Since their current route placed them closest to Enies Lobby, Vice Admiral Onigumo's warship would first dock there, pass through the Gate of Justice, and then use the current to reach Impel Down. From there, they would make their way to Marineford, arriving just in time for the war.
What the Marines didn't know was that they were being tailed from the sky.
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High above, among drifting clouds, a lone figure watched the warship with intense focus.
Portgas D. Ace, First Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates, had been tracking the ship from the New World. He had finally caught up.
"There you are," he muttered, narrowing his eyes. His goal wasn't to hijack the ship—it was to use it as a way into Impel Down.
Ace descended silently toward the rear deck. During the sailors' shift change, he slipped aboard unnoticed, knocked out a crewman, disguised himself in a Marine uniform, and blended in with a patrol.
Below deck, deep in the brig, Crocodile sat cross-legged in a dark cell, staring at the floor.
"Who would've thought the infamous Desert King would end up like this?" a voice echoed mockingly.
Crocodile's eyes snapped open. "Who's there?!"
A man stepped forward from the shadows.
"That's the look I wanted to see," said Ace, grinning as he stepped up to the bars. "A man like you shouldn't break over a single defeat, Crocodile."
Crocodile's expression turned from confusion to surprise. "You… you're Fire Fist Ace! What the hell are you doing here?!"
"I'll explain, but only if we strike a deal first." Ace crouched in front of the bars, locking eyes with the former Warlord. "I'm offering you a chance to walk out of here, Crocodile. But in exchange, you'll fight for me."
Crocodile scoffed. "You're joking. A brat like you thinks he can command me?"
Ace pulled out a ring of keys, dangling them in front of the bars. "Which matters more to you: your pride, or your freedom?"
Crocodile's eyes followed the keys, but his smirk returned. "Heh. Even if I said yes, I'd kill you the moment you opened the door."
Ace grinned. "At least be serious when you lie. Your eyes say, 'I'll gut you the second I'm free.'" He tossed the keys into the cell.
"I'm going to Impel Down to rescue someone. You help me, and I'll let you out."
"Breaking into Impel Down?" Crocodile repeated, amused. He picked up the keys with his hook hand, then casually tossed them back. "Not interested."
Ace caught the keys, still unfazed. "You probably haven't heard the news while locked in here. The Whitebeard Pirates, and our allied crews—including mine—are about to go to war with Marineford."
Crocodile's smile vanished.
"What did you say?"
"I said," Ace repeated, stepping closer, "my crew and Whitebeard's are declaring war on the Navy."
Crocodile stared at him intensely, then suddenly stood up.
"If that's true…" He held out his hand. "Then I'm in."
Ace handed him the keys. "Glad to hear it. Let's talk strategy."
"One thing," Crocodile said, unlocking the cuffs on his wrists. "Our alliance only lasts until the battle begins. Once we're on the battlefield… we're no longer allies. I may become your enemy."
Ace chuckled. "If that happens, I'll go easy on you—just for old time's sake."
Crocodile let out a dark laugh. "You're cocky. I like that."
Their hands met in a firm shake.
The alliance had begun.
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