Battle of Marineford

Battle of Marineford

Chapters: 554- Place: Marineford Objective: Save Ace Result: Ace is saved but died, Whitbeard split the HQ into 2 and the Golden Age of Pirates is coming to an end.

The Battle of Marineford is the part of the Whitebeard War.

Preparation for War
Whitebeard Pirates' second division commander Portgas D. Ace's public execution is scheduled to take place here at 3:00 p.m. sharp. To prevent Whitebeard and his crew's attempt to save their comrade, all of the Marines, along with the Shichibukai, has been summoned here to prepare for war. This may be one of the world's most shaking events. Jinbei, however, caused an outbreak in the headquarters in his refusal to cooperate, and was transferred to Impel Down.

Marineford has been declared a target by Monkey D. Luffy in his attempt to rescue his brother, Portgas D. Ace from his impending execution. He and Buggy the Clown have caused a mass breakout within Impel Down and is currently on their way there, preparing for an imminent assault upon Marine Headquarters.

Prior to Ace's execution, the normal citizens of Marineford were evacuated from town, leaving only the Marines to prepare for battle. Sengoku announced Ace's origins of being the son of Pirate King, Gol D. Roger, in front of the entire Marine forces.

The War Begins
After Sengoku revealed everything to the world, Whitebeard and his entire crew arrived, along with 43 allied pirate crews from the New World. With Whitebeard setting off a massive earthquake that caused two giant tidal waves to crash at Marineford, the war begins. Aokiji froze the waves and the sea to bind the pirate ships with his "Ice Age", as well as to serve as the battlegrounds.

While Oars Jr. tried his best to reach to Ace, and defeating several members of the Giant Squad on his way, he was eventually defeated when Donquixote Doflamingo severed his leg, Bartholomew Kuma blasting him with the "Ursus Shock", and Gecko Moria piercing him with "Tsuno Tokage". However, his rampage did managed to open a clear path to the platform, along with Whitey Bay and her icebreaker.

New Allies Arrive
After a fierce battle between the Whitebeard Pirates and the World Government forces, Monkey D. Luffy and his motley crew of Impel Down escapees came crashing down with their ship, due to being caught in the frozen tsunami, which cracked. They joined the war against the World Government as well, most of them on Whitebeard's side. Ace then tries to tell Luffy to leave for his own safety, but Luffy retorts by claiming to be his brother, which brought the Marines to wonder how Roger can have a second son when he and Portgas D. Rouge already died after Ace's birth. Sengoku then revealed worldwide that they are adopted brothers, and Luffy is Monkey D. Dragon's son, and is as dangerous as Ace, much to the shock of many.

About one-and-a-half hour after the battle's start, Sentoumaru brought an army of Pacifista units as their master strategy to eliminate the pirates. However, they were ordered not to attack the Whitebeard Pirates themselves, but instead the allies, in order to make it look like Whitebeard has made a deal with the Marines to spare his crew in exchange of his allies, all according to Sengoku's plan. The Pacifista then began an encircling formation around Marineford, to prevent the pirates from escaping.

The War's Final Phase
After Akainu deceived Squad to stab Whitebeard, Whitebeard himself has joined the war. He launched a devastating quake that tilted the entire Marineford and the sea around it, but it was stopped by the three Admirals before it reached the execution platform. The "Encircling Wall" then rose, trapping the pirates. Even though one of the wall was damaged by Oars Jr.'s blood, Sengoku ordered Akainu to proceeded to launch his "Ryusei Kazan" to devastate the pirates, as well as to melt the ice floor, robbing their footings. Many pirates were running in circles in fright, as Whitebeard looked at the meteor rain.

After the Whitebeard Pirates tried and failed to destroy the Encircling Wall, Luffy, in desperation to save Ace, requested Jinbei to throw him over the wall with a stream of water. When Luffy bypassed the barrier and into the inner bay of Marineford, he landed right in front of the three Admirals, of whom he promptly challenged.

After challenging the Admirals and failing, Luffy once again collapsed. As such, the Whitebeard Pirates and their allies, with the help of Oars Jr., managed to use the small opening in the Encircling Wall to enter the plaza. Unfortunately, even the top commanders, Marco and Jozu, have been defeated by the Admirals, and Whitebeard succumbs to old age and further injuries. Luffy then requested Emporio Ivankov to give him one more Emporio Tension Hormone boost, despite the deadly risks, to fight for Ace's life. After the injection, Luffy charged at the execution stand, and released a burst of Haōshoku Haki throughout the entire Marineford plaza, knocking out the executioners and others, leaving the rest frightened and shocked.

As the others stared in shock and awe at Luffy's "gift", Vice Admiral Doberman declares Luffy would be a dangerous criminal one day, and that he is not to leave Marineford alive. Whitebeard orders his allies to back up Luffy, putting faith in him and expects to see the Will of the D.. Inazuma then emerges and cuts out a slab of rock into a makeshift bridge to the the execution stand for Luffy. Whitebeard and Vista blocked all incoming attacks from the Marines, as Luffy continues up the bridge. Suddenly, Vice Admiral Garp jumps in, crashing part of the bridge in the process. Despite Luffy's request for his grandfather to move aside, Garp refused, on the grounds of his Marine duties. Garp prepares to attack Luffy but falters at the last minute, allowing Luffy to knock him off the bridge. Luffy reaches the execution platform and is about to use the key to unlock Ace's handcuffs, but Kizaru destroys the key. Mr. 3, disguised as an executioner, regained consciousness. Sengoku turned into a giant Buddha figure and prepares to do the execution himself. Luffy stops Sengoku with Gigant Balloon while Mr. 3 protects Ace with Candle Wall. The execution platform starts to collapse and the marines fire their bazookas at the platform. Mr. 3 quickly makes a key using his wax powers and hands it to Luffy. Luffy frees Ace in mid-air and Ace in turn saves Luffy and Mr. 3 from the bazooka fire.

Escape from Marineford
After the Marines make several unsuccessful attempts at Luffy and Ace's lives, Squad comes crashing in with one of Whitebeard's black paddle-boat. However, Whitebeard orders the crew to return to the New World, and that he alone would stay behind to finish everything with the Marines. He then launches another shock wave to shatter the Marine Headquarters' main building.

As the pirates retreat on Whitebeard's orders, Akainu launches another "Great Eruption" at them, and insults Whitebeard for being a "loser" for calling this retreat. An enraged Ace stays behind to retaliate with his "Fire Fist", only for it to be consumed by the superior magma. Akainu then states that he will not allow Luffy nor Ace to leave Marineford alive no matter what, due to their bloodlines are the ultimate crime, and then tries to punch Luffy with a molten fist, only for Ace to intercept it.

As the entire Marineford sees how Akainu pierces Ace through his stomach and burned his innards, retaliation from the commanders begin, and Ace dies in Luffy's arms.