Chapter 549

Chapter 549 is called "Ship Sailing Forth".

Coverstory Summary
After running away from cyborg animals, Franky stumbles upon an abandoned lab, labeled "Vegapunk".

Impel Down, Level 4, the Blazing Hell
A voice tells the Blackbeard Pirates that they were lucky that he had brought the antidote to Magellan's poison. Each of the Blackbeard Pirates thank fate for sending the mysterious person here. Blackbeard rises and thanks the person, Shiryuu for saving their lives and that he should join the Blackbeard Pirates. Shiryuu gladly accepts, saying that his fate was obvious if he stayed in Impel Down.

World Government Route/Tarai Current
Ivankov, tells everyone to leave Inazuma to rest. A person asks if the poison was advancing in Inazuma. Ive replies with that he was able to counter his own poison using his Devil Fruit power. However, since it was Ivankov's own Devil Fruit, it wouldn't cut any life from him. Since this was another being, all they could do is wait. Ivankov states that Inazuma is an important asset to the NewKama part of the Revolutionaries and they could not afford to lose him. Luffy, Mr. 3 and other escapees are seen crying, mourning the loss of Mr. 2. However, Buggy, drinking beer tells them that they should lighten up and party, saying that it could be Mr. 2's funeral party. Luffy punches Buggy square on his nose, calling him names about Buggy's nose. While a fight erupts between Buggy and Luffy, Crocodile talks to Jinbei about the ability to talk to se creatures. He states the knew the Fishman ability to talk to fish, but not call sharks. Jinbei asks Crocodile if he thought that it was weird that Fishmen could talk to fish. Crocodile replies with "It certainly out of ordinary" and assumes that that was one of the reasons the violent Fishmen were secluded. Jinbei states that he would take "violent fishmen" as a compliment, saying that he could not deny they were certainly violent. Luffy jumps onto the deck where Crocodile and Jinbei are. Jinbei thanks Luffy for giving him another chance to save Ace, that he was in Luffy's debt. Luffy tells him not to worry, saying that Jinbei was "hell strong". However, Jinbei has a flashback of Arlong, thinking that he would let that occasion go for now. Jinbei introduces himself properly to Luffy, telling him of his possibly revoked Shichibukai status and that he intended to go all out at Marine HQ to honour Mr. 2's wish. This shocks both Luffy and Buggy for a reason each. First, Luffy is shocked that Jinbei is a Shichibukai, saying that that must've been the reason for Jinbei's immense strength. Second, Buggy is surprised that they were heading directly towards Marine HQ, reminding Jinbei of the upcoming Shichibukai-Whitebeard war. This also surprises a few prisoners. Crocodile tells Buggy that the moment they entered the Gates of Justice, they could only head towards Marine HQ, on the Tarai Current. Crocodile also explains that there was a giant "swirl" which connected Enies Lobby, Marine HQ and Impel Down together and that the purpose of breaking out was interest in the Whitebeard war.

This shocks all the escapees apart from the New Kamas, who already knew about the purpose. Buggy attempts to stop Jinbei but is stopped. Luffy suggests they jump off. Buggy tells Luffy that they would be dead if they jumped off and states that Hell/Impel Down was way better than the Shichibukai/Whitebeard War, getting agreement from escapees.

A Den Den Mushi rings and Luffy answers, introducing himself to the Marine HQ. A few New Kamas tell him not to introduce himself (too late obviously) as he is a pirate. The Marine on the other end states that this was a report from an Impel Down escort fleet and that they had established two primary masterminds behind the jailbreak: Luffy and Buggy. This surprises nearly all people apart from Luffy. The Marine states that they thought Buggy was an ordinary pirate but when closely investigated, they discovered he was formerly on Gol D. Roger's pirate ship and Buggy was almost like a brother to the mighty Yonkou, Shanks. This surprises everyone, even Buggy, as they found out his past. The Marine says that it was amazing that someone like Buggy had kept a low profile for so long and that first, they could not find a link between Buggy and Ace. However, he states that they had reached a conclusion, that by teaming up with Luffy, that he also intended to rescue Ace. The Marine reminds them that there were over 200 "villains" aboard their ship including Crocodile, Ivankov and Jinbei. He also reveals that they didn't intend to open the Gates of Justice for them, so that they could not reach Marine HQ and they could not break away from the Tarai Current. He sums that they were gonna die, when Luffy shouts that he will save Ace and says "JUST WAIT AND WATCH!". All the prisoners celebrate that their savior, Buggy, had a amazing past. However, the more stronger escapees, like Jinbei, Mr. 1, Mr. 3, etc. all are amazed at how weak he is for someone that was aboard the Oro Jackson. Suddenly, Luffy remembers Rayleigh telling the Straw Hat Pirates about the disbanded Roger Pirates in Sabaody Archipelago. Buggy asks Luffy how the "old man" was and asks where they met. The prisoners are once again shocked about the conversation, bringing important people like the Dark King.

All the prisoners congratulate Buggy about his "legendary" status. Buggy tries to tell them that he was only an apprentice but is bombarded with cheers. Buggy suddenly gets a brainwave, thinking that this could be the moment his reputation could sky rocket, planning to take Whitebeard's head. He tosses away the idea of a Yonkou position, saying it was too much power and decides Pirate King. He also thinks that the prisoners all had bounties higher than his but that he could control them with his new found "status". All the prisoners apart from the NewKamas say that they would follow Buggy and they would take the vessel off of Luffy, wielding swords. They circle around Luffy, counting on Buggy to defeat him. Jinbei comments that this was a problem but Crocodile finds a practical solution, saying that he could just kill them all. Buggy quietens the riot, saying that their only hope was to go to Marine HQ. He reveals his new plan of taking Whitebeard's head and that if they were real men, they would come with him to "fulfill" their dreams. All the prisoners agree and once again pledge their loyalty to him, saying that they would follow him anywhere. They head on to Marine HQ, continuing their journey.

Marine HQ, At Noon
With three hours to go, Ace is dispatched to the gallows, forced to climb a very long staircase, with a chain around his neck, linked to executioners, both holding large swords. As he climbs, he has a flashback where he and Luffy made a promise not to have a life without regrets. A guard opens the doors to the gallows. Ace soon steps out to face the music, to meet his fate.

Quotes
Let's set out to sea one day and live life the way, with more freedom then everyone else!

-Portgas D. Ace as a child to Monkey D. Luffy

Listen Luffy! Promise we'll live a life without regrets!

-Portgas D. Ace as a child to Monkey D. Luffy

Chapter Notes

 * Shiryuu joins the Blackbeard Pirates.