Chapter 557

Summary
Through an act of pure fortune, the battleship lands in one of the few spots of ocean that remains unfrozen. Although the impact splits the boat in two, those on board fall into the ocean unharmed. Jinbei dives underwater to rescue the fruit users, as the others make their way up onto the wreckage. As Luffy climbs out of the water, he and Ace spot each other. Ace calls out to Luffy, who happily responds that he got to see him again. Onlookers are shocked that Crocodile, as well as the other prisoners, have arrived in the middle of the war. Sengoku becomes even more infuriated at Garp and his accursed family, while Garp remains in shock that Luffy had made his way to Marineford.

The Shichibukai, Admirals, and others all look on at the odd group and comment; Mihawk shows subtle surprise, Moria shows frothing rage, Fullbody and Jango remark on how Luffy's normal crew isn't with him, Hancock blushes in relief that Luffy is all right, Koby and Helmeppo show amazement at the fact that Luffy had broken out of Impel Down and arrived in Marineford, Aokiji states that Luffy has brought along tough allies, Kuma remains silent, Kizaru remarks how he didn't think that they'd meet again so soon, Marco recalls that he's the one that Ace always talked about, Doflamingo says that all of Shichibukai, old and new, are together again, and shows interest in Luffy as a "famous troublemaker", Smoker and Tashigi wonder why Luffy and Crocodile are working together, and Akainu declares that Luffy must be disposed of (notably stating to himself that he is Dragon's son).

Jinbei declares to Sengoku that he has revoked his position of Shichibukai. As Ivankov looks around, he notices that Crocodile has vanished; having made the first move, Crocodile appears behind Whitebeard, ready to impale him with his golden hook. Before he can, though, Luffy activates Gear Second and intercepts the blow. Crocodile reminds Luffy that they had a deal, to which Luffy responds that because Whitebeard is important to Ace, he wouldn't let Crocodile touch him. Marco remarks to himself that Ace's brother isn't half bad.

As Whitebeard observes Luffy, he recognizes the Straw Hat as the one that Shanks used to wear. When he tells Luffy that he had seen the hat with "Red Hair", Luffy says that Shanks had let him borrow it. Whitebeard remembers the story that Shanks had told about why his arm had gone missing, that he had placed it on "a bet on the New Age". When asking if Luffy would rescue his brother, even knowing the odds that he's against, Luffy not only emphatically responds that he will, but also that he, not Whitebeard, would be the Pirate King, shocking all of the pirates. Admiring Luffy's tenacity, Whitebeard merely tells Luffy to stay out of his way, who states that he's going to rescue Ace on his own. Kizaru asks Sengoku if he can kill the intruders, which Sengoku allows.

Characters

 * Strawhat Pirates
 * Monkey D. Luffy
 * Brook
 * Whitebeard Alliance
 * Whitebeard Pirates
 * Whitebeard
 * Portgas D. Ace
 * Atomos
 * Whitey Bay
 * Oars Jr.
 * Shichibukai
 * Juracule Mihawk
 * Donquixote Doflamingo
 * Bartholomew Kuma
 * Sir Crocodile(revoked)
 * Jinbei(revoked)
 * Boa Hancock
 * Gecko Moria
 * Marines
 * Sengoku
 * Akainu
 * Monkey D. Garp
 * Tsuru
 * Ronse
 * Coby
 * Helmeppo
 * [|Smoker]
 * [|Tashigi]
 * Impel Down Escapees
 * Baroque Works(disbanded)
 * Mr. 3
 * Buggy
 * Revolutionaries
 * Emporio Ivankov