One Piece, Volume 56

Chapter 542
As Vice Admiral Onigumo escorts Ace to Marineford, he is informed that Luffy is leading a riot in Impel Down. Meanwhile, at Marineford, a panicked soldier informs Fleet Admiral Sengoku of Blackbeard's mysterious disappearance, a shocking event considering the danger of Whitebeard's imminent attack. He also tells Sengoku about a mysterious marine vessel with no deployment authorization that has arrived at Impel Down.

At the great prison, Impel Down, Blackbeard and his crew arrive and quickly defeat a group of jailers, claiming that they are on the same side. The rest of the facility is warned of Blackbeard's betrayal, and the pirates proceed into the prison.

Due to these events combined with the riots, Vice Warden Hannyabal is beginning to panic and suggests that he and some jailers escape, but Magellan contacts him, revealing that the riot on Level 2 has been stopped by sealing the entrances and exits. Magellan tells Hannyabal to stall on Level 4 until he arrives. Meanwhile, on Level 6, former chief Shiryu is being let out of his cell in order to help the situation. He is warned by Magellan that there will be no second chances, and is told to go after Blackbeard. As soon as the transmission is stopped, Shiryu slaughters several guards with his newly reunited blade, apologizing for his actions.

On Level 4, Luffy and his group are fighting their way through the guards, releasing many prisoners as they go. Chief Guard Saldeath attacks with his Blue Gorillas, but Ivankov beats them back. As they proceed, they find the path blocked by Sadi and the three Jailer Beasts. Many of their forces are defeated, but Luffy, Crocodile, and Jinbe defeat the three beasts with their individual attacks.

Chapter 543
The drawbridge is raised as an attempt to stop the Blackbeard Pirates from entering the Underwater Prison, Impel Down. Blackbeard is calmly walks while Van Augur and Jesus Burgess are fight jailers. Jailers are instructed to fire, stating that the Blackbeard Pirates are clearly traitors at this point in time. Suddenly, a man appears, saying that they are not traitors, that they were pirates and not to be trusted from the start. This supports Smoker's, Kizaru's, and Sengoku's view on the Seven Warlords of the Sea.

Shiryu appears as the man, studying the five intruders. Blackbeard simply stares at Shiryu, commenting that he looks like trouble. However, Blackbeard mistakes Shiryu for Magellan. Shiryu identifies Blackbeard as Marshall D. Teach, who simply laughs and asks who Shiryu himself is.

The number of Newkamas and freed prisoners head towards to the door of Level 3, where jailers are being heavily bombarded on by prisoners. Three Jailer Beasts are all bloodied up and unconscious. A number of prisoners are stopped by Sadi, who sends them flying, destroying a big portion of the bridge in the process. Monkey D. Luffy prepares to attack her but is sent literally flying by Emporio Ivankov, who then kicks at Sadi-chan.

Inazuma shows Luffy the stairs to Level 3. However, a mighty voice booms that Impel Down is the mighty fortress of Hell. This voice belongs to Hannyabal, who is spinning a staff with a sword on each end, defeating prisoners. At this point, the guards cheer on, saying that Hannyabal was someone they could truly rely on. Luffy faces up to Hannyabal who refuses to move out of Luffy's way. Hannyabal summons up a move called Hannya Circus, where the blades are set on fire and moves them in a very fast notion around his body.

Luffy states that he is here to free Ace where Hannyabal replies with that he is the Vice-Chief and that he could not be defeated. Luffy attacks Hannyabal with Gomu Gomu no Jet Gatling which looks like a clear defeat. Jailers rush Magellan out of the lift, saying that the perpetrators were on the Level 3 staircase. Magellan prepares to move to the location, while Hannyabal stands up, refusing to be beaten by Luffy, taking hit after hit. Hannyabal slumps to the ground and Luffy runs over him but is stopped by Hannyabal. Hannyabal says many words, saying that Luffy has no right to save his brother, and that pirates are the scum of the world. He goes on to say that many people are scared just by pirates being alive. Hannyabal describes Impel Down as the fortress of Hell, that if this place was to be destroyed, it would plummet the world in darkness, and that the ordinary people of the world would no longer be safe from pirates. Luffy refuses to give up, when the bazooka unit of Impel Down is sucked down into a familiar darkness hole. A foot appears in front of Hannyabal's face, with the owner saying there is no answer about justice and evil, no matter where you look in the world. Blackbeard then smashes Hannyabal into the ground, stomping on him.

Seeing the Blackbeard Pirates, Jinbe is furious. Blackbeard tells him not to point fists at people, that it was not his fault that Ace was being executed. A shocked Luffy looks at Blackbeard, remembering three occasions where Blackbeard was mentioned:

Ace explaining to Luffy about hunting the man named Blackbeard, who had apparently committed a treacherous crime.
Blackbeard himself, at Jaya, when he was talking about the dreams of men.
Elder Nyon talks about a man named Blackbeard filling the spot of Warlord of the Sea
Luffy is angry, while Blackbeard talks about Ace's execution. It appears to be that Luffy will try to engage in a battle with Blackbeard.

Chapter 544
On Level 4, Blackbeard explains that after Monkey D. Luffy brought down Crocodile and freed up a place among the Seven Warlords of the Sea, Blackbeard decided to bring in Luffy to the World Government as proof that he was strong enough to become a Warlord. During his talk with Portgas D. Ace on Banaro Island, Blackbeard revealed that he had planned to take down Luffy at Water 7, but Ace refused to let that happen to his brother.

Blackbeard states that fate was on Luffy's side: Ever since he had committed the most treacherous crime aboard the Whitebeard Pirates, Ace had been hunting him down. When Ace revealed that Luffy was his brother after he found out about Blackbeard's plan, this ultimately lead to Ace not being able to leave Blackbeard alone. Blackbeard says that if he was left alone by Ace, Ace himself would be bringing shame down onto the Whitebeard Pirates, as well as leaving Luffy in risk of being captured.

Van Augur says that fate is no coincidence, when Doc Q says that Luffy is a very lucky "kid". Laffitte also states that as Blackbeard is now a Warlord, they no longer desire to capture Luffy. Jesus Burgess comments on Ace's fighting skills, saying that he was a fighter.

Blackbeard remarks to Luffy that he should thank Ace at his grave since Luffy would have died had Ace not interfered. Enraged, Luffy shouts at Blackbeard to try killing him, activates Gear 2, and punches Blackbeard. Blackbeard is sent flying into a wall, breaking the wall on contact. Luffy states that he will not let Ace die and prepares to attack again, when Blackbeard uses Kurouzu. To Mr. 2 Bon Kurei and Jinbe's surprise, Luffy is pulled into Blackbeard's hand and then slammed into the ground. Crocodile is also surprised when he saw Luffy's blood, as Luffy is made out of rubber.

Luffy and Blackbeard both stand up and prepare to attack; however, Jinbe steps in and holds Luffy by the arm. He reminds Luffy of his priorities and states that even in Whitebeard's crew, Blackbeard was an unknown person and that whatever he did, Blackbeard was strong enough to take the down the likes of Ace. Jinbe asks Luffy not to waste his energy on Blackbeard.

Blackbeard himself simply comments that Luffy's Haki has improved and that Luffy was stronger than he previously thought. However, Crocodile talks to Blackbeard for the first time, asking why he would cast away a title that he had earned so quickly. Blackbeard simply replies with that it was all part of a "plan" and that he had no obligation to tell Crocodile.

Crocodile states that he has no interest in Blackbeard's plan, when someone shouts that Magellan has arrived. Magellan's Hydra sweeps through the prisoners, poisoning them. Ivankov, who is still in female form, urges Luffy to keep moving forward, saying that if he is to be attacked by Magellan's poison once more, he would not be returning again.
Numbers of prisoners hurry towards the stairway, while more prisoners are being attacked by another Jailer Beast: Minotaurus. This shocks Mr. 2, as they had defeated Minotaurus earlier. Crocodile then reveals that the Jailer Beasts were all "awakened" Zoan Devil Fruit users, saying that their extreme physical endurance and recovery point were their advantages. Crocodile states that the other three would soon awake and that the Boss of Hell would be arriving soon.

Magellan is running towards the bridge, when a jailer tells him that Blackbeard is also there. Magellan is surprises since he had sent Shiryu to deal with Blackbeard. Another jailer reports that the monitor room for the entire jail is going down and that they have lost communication with Marine Headquarters. The jailer is about to report that they have no way of communicating with the outside world, when Shiryu steps in and kills him, saying that he should not be "tattling" to superiors. Magellan orders jailers to get down to the Monitor Room and comments on the day, saying how when one intruder slips in and everything goes wrong.

On Level 2, Mr. 3 and Buggy are freeing more prisoners and leading them onwards to Level 1.

On Level 4, Luffy states to Blackbeard that he will save Ace. Blackbeard simply says that he will not say that Luffy is doomed as "nothing is impossible". Blackbeard asks Luffy if Sky Island did exist, saying if it did, then so does the great treasure One Piece. Luffy walks past Blackbeard as the great pirate says that in a few hours, the world would be shaken to its core by the Blackbeard Pirates. The escaping group heads onwards to Level 3.

Magellan finds Sadi, who was tied up by Ivankov. Magellan orders her to be released as he prepares to take the Blackbeard Pirates head on. Magellan identifies Blackbeard and then takes them all down with his Hydra move. The Blackbeard Pirates sink to the ground in pain as the poison slowly kills them. Magellan congratulates Hannyabal for holding out so long. The Chief Warden shouts that he will never let Luffy escape out of Hell alive.

Chapter 545
Buggy and Mr. 3 have reached Level 1 with their rebellion and are heading towards the Main Entrance to Impel Down.

On Level 3, Luffy and his group run from Magellan's Hydra. Determined not to let Luffy escape, the Warden pursues them.

Sadi moans about her back because Ivankov had bent Sadi over his shoulders. She stands up and orders the four Jailer Beasts to do so as well, and the four Beasts take the lift to Level 1.

Jinbe explains to Luffy that Impel Down is surrounded by Marine warships and that if they were to capture a warship, they would arrive at Marineford in time for Ace's execution. With four and a half hours remaining until Ace's execution, the Newkama army head towards the next level.

In front of the stairway to Level 2, Ivankov, who is still in female form, ushers prisoners and Newkamas into the stairway. After the last fighter is through, Ivankov spies Magellan in the distance, with his Hydra hovering above him. While Ivankov confronts Magellan, Inazuma runs up the stairs to Level 2 and using his Choki Choki no Mi to slice apart the walls of the stairway. The Newkamas are surprised that Inazuma destroyed the stairs and stranded Ivankov on Level 3. Inazuma urges them forward and prays for Iva's safety.

Magellan himself is astounded at Ivankov, asking what he was planning to do. Ivankov states that if Magellan did not know what was going to happen next, Magellan was more of a fool than previously thought. Transforming back to male form, Ivankov uses Death Wink on Magellan's Hydra, blasting a hole through it. Magellan states that time cannot be bought for Luffy, to which Ivankov responds that Magellan could not defeat him due to Ivankov's Newkama Kenpo.

On Level 2, Luffy notices that Magellan, Ivankov, and Inazuma are missing. Mr. 2 Bon Kurei tells Luffy that the two Revolutionaries had stayed behind at Level 3. Luffy attempts to turn back, only to be stopped by Mr. 2, saying that the "Miracle Worker" must be trusted. Crocodile notices that the entire floor is abandoned. Jinbe also notices, questioning if someone else released all the prisoners.

On Level 3, Ivankov is kneeling on the ground screaming about his face, which is melting. Magellan simply looks on. However, Ivankov stands back up with a normal face and tosses aside a mask of "heavy make-up". Magellan states that Iva is boring him. Ivankov attacks with 44 no Aesthe Ogi - Mudage Shori Ken, and Magellan prepares to retaliate.

In front of the sliced stairways, Inazuma waits for Ivankov. As the rubble shifts, Inazuma's face lightens up but then darkens as Magellan emerges out of the rubble via Venom Road. A shocked Inazuma prepares to battle; Magellan also does but has a stream of blood running down his face, presumably from Ivankov. Ivankov, however, is lying on the ground, soaked in poison. Inazuma cuts more floor out of the ground and uses them as a defensive stance as Magellan runs forward.

On Level 1, Buggy cries at the sight of the four Jailer Beasts in front of the gateway to the Main Entrance. The rebellion turns back, chased by the Jailer Beasts. Buggy runs into Crocodile, who tells a shocked Mr. 3 and Buggy to move it. Crocodile disparages Mr. 3's presence, while Mr. 3 is panicked by Crocodile being loose.

A prisoner runs up and tells Buggy that the Jailer Beasts have been defeated by Luffy and Jinbe again. Another prisoner reports to Buggy that a huge army of prisoners and "perverts" are surging up from Level 2. Mr. 2 jumps in and kicks Buggy for abandoning them in Level 5. The jailers report that the rebellions have joined together and inquire about Magellan's location. At the exact time, Magellan arrives and forces all the prisoners to keep running. Luffy asks about Ivankov and Inazuma and the two Revolutionaries, who are both lying in pools of poison. Mr. 2 stops Luffy from attacking Magellan and urges him to keep moving forward.

Jinbe overhears Magellan ordering the Marine warships away from the prison. Jinbe urges Luffy that they must get to the Main Entrance without delay, stating that there are bigger problems than Magellan. The Hydra prepares to strike but is stopped by Mr. 3's Candle Wall, which surprises Magellan and Luffy. Mr. 3 is motivated to help Luffy because Luffy accepted him as a friend after only one favor. He tells Luffy that he could only hold Magellan off for a while and to go on. Mr. 3 states that if he was to stay in Luffy's debt, he would be damned.

Chapter 546
Level 1, the Crimson Hell
Mr. 3 tells the prisoners and others to stop hanging about and to run, as he is using his Doru Doru no Mi to make a Candle Wall against Magellan's Hydra. As Mr. 3 explains his ability to Magellan, Crocodile says that he is still surprised the way certain Devil Fruits react to each other. The prisoners cheer Mr. 3 on as does Luffy, saying that he forgot that Mr. 3 had the Doru Doru ability. Mr. 3 tells them to hurry, stating that he wants to get out as soon as possible as well. Luffy turns to Jinbe and tells him to go get a battleship, saying that he could hold off Magellan for a bit. Jinbe reluctantly leaves, telling Luffy to be careful.

As Luffy says to Mr. 3 to get ready to fight, Mr. 3 instantly disagrees, saying that the only thing he can do against Magellan was to defend. A number of prisoners also decide to stay and help Luffy and Mr. 3.

Luffy is then seen with wax armor, crying because of the armour's coolness. Magellan then takes this chance and produces another Hydra and attacks, only to be stopped by another Candle Wall. Luffy jumps out of the way and uses Gomu Gomu no Champion Rifle on Magellan, hitting him directly. As Magellan shudders, Luffy celebrates as he can touch Magellan without getting poisoned. The prisoners that stayed behind had found cannons and Mr. 3 had used his power to create a wall with cannon barrels sticking out for cover. They fire upon Magellan who is then set on fire.

Impel Down, Main Entrance
Mr. 2 Bon Kurei is seen standing on a jailer's head, saying that there was no one to stop them now. However, Mr. 1 tells him that Mr. 2 is an amateur for letting down his guard so easily. As Mr. 2 asks why, Mr. 1 states that there were 10 battleships outside, with 800 Marines stationed on each one. Even if they were to take over one, they would be taking the other 9 at the same time. As the rebellion approach the doors to the outside world, everyone is shouting for freedom and that if they were free, it would be heaven whilst if they were caught, it would be Hell.
As they enter the outside world, there are no ships to be seen, only blue seas.
Every prisoner is surprised and horrified at the fact that they would end up in Impel Down after all. Crocodile says that the enemy wasn't as stupid as previously thought with Sea Kings in the Calm Belt.
Jinbe however points out that the Marine warships were still visible in the mist. A prisoner complains that they were too far away to reach, at which Jinbe tells them not to worry.

Outside Impel Down, Calm Belt
Jinbe hauls one of the doors of the gates to Impel Down, throwing in the sea. The prisoners cheer on Jinbe as Buggy, Mr. 1 and Crocodile jump onto the makeshift boat. A prisoner says that seeing a Warlord of the Sea raises their hopes of survival. Even though Buggy has a number of loyal supporters, he thinks to himself that he'd rather be safe with two Warlords of the Sea than be close to be Magellan. A cannon ball explodes in the water, right next to the door-boat.

As the Marines identify the Knight of the Sea, they begin to target him. To Buggy's surprise, Jinbe reveals he will be shooting the door-boat onto a Marine warship. Buggy begins to panic, believing that Jinbe had abandoned them. Crocodile tells him to shut up and be calm.

Underwater, Jinbe uses Fish-Man Ju-Jitsu: Mizu-Gokoro which appears to be a move that gives Jinbe to hold water and create a current using it. Jinbe uses the current to shoot the door-boat over in an arch, landing on a Marine warship. As Mr. 1 and Crocodile land on their two feet, Buggy falls down face first.
The Marines quickly surround the three intruders, stating that since they were all fruit users, if they were in the sea, they would be powerless. Mr. 1 and Crocodile give the Marines menacing glares. As the Marines prepare to fire upon them, Jinbe uses Fish-Man Karate: Spear Wave, which goes straight through one side of the ship and out the other in a diagonal. Jinbe apologizes for being careless and ends the chapter.

Chapter 547
On Level 1, Magellan closes in on the small force holding out against him and prepares to use a poison so powerful it had been forbidden, as it could destroy Impel Down itself. As Luffy attempts to fight Magellan even more, the poison crawls up Luffy's wax leg armor, but Mr. 3 removes the wax before the poison can reach Luffy. Magellan then creates a gigantic demonic figure made out of poison. Mr. 3 and Luffy flee from the figure as its poison rapidly spreads, even across wax and stone.

At the main entrance, Mr. 2 wonders about the safety of Luffy and the others and asks for progress on capturing a battleship. Someone replies with that they could hear cannons firing but had no idea what is happening beyond the mist. Mr. 2 grows worrisome as there is a distance between the warships and Impel Down and that they would not be able to hold off Magellan for so long.

Marines continue to attempt to throw Crocodile and Mr. 1 into the water but cannot succeed. The two men take down the Marines without difficulties. Other warships begin to fire upon the warship being captured but is stopped by Jinbe's water spouts, which cascade onto the decks and dampen all the gunpowder.

Luffy and Mr. 3 reach the main entrance but are closely followed by Magellan. Ivankov then launches himself up through the floor. Ivankov also brought Inazuma up with him. Jinbe makes contact with Luffy, stating the distance between them and Impel Down. Jinbe tells Luffy to jump into the water as soon as he reaches it, which angers many people as they are in the Calm Belt. Mr. 3 states that Jinbe could not be trusted as he is one of the World Government's Seven Warlords of the Sea. However, Luffy trusts Jinbe since he is a friend of Ace's.

As Magellan and his Venom Demon surge forward, Luffy and Mr. 3 throw an ultimate attack creating a gigantic wax wall with spikes on one side and pushing it into the Venom Demon, stopping it momentarily. However, the poison begins to eat through the wall. Luffy urges Iva to wake up and tells everyone to grab onto the Iva's face. With everyone holding on, Iva uses his Hell Wink to launch himself and the others out over the ocean.

Near the warships, Marines begin to notice that creatures have started to emerge from the oceans. Iva lands on a school of whale sharks, called by Jinbe. Jinbe asks the whale sharks to bring Luffy and companions to the warship. Luffy is awed by Jinbe.

Chapter 548
The escaped prisoners celebrate as they made it onto a warship safely. They all are told off by Jinbe, however, for celebrating too early. The escapees voice their gratitude to the whale sharks that brought them to the warship, while Emporio Ivankov orders people to find medication to heal Inazuma. A prisoner shouts out that he will never be setting foot in Impel Down again while another states that he will be turning over a new leaf and returning to his family.

Magellan is astounded that the escaped prisoners successfully captured a warship. He orders another ship to come and pick him up, saying that he will personally eliminate them since they are still trapped.

A Marine reports to a Rear Admiral that the damage done by Jinbe to the cannons has been fully repaired, so they commence firing on the captured warship. Akehende states that even though officers ranked Vice Admiral and higher have gathered at Marineford, anyone board a battleship is a formidable enemy. He then declares that the Gates of Justice will never open for pirates.

With the Gates looming ahead of the ship, the prisoners panic over how they will get past the Gates, but Jinbe calmly states that they will keep going. Luffy orders the men to protect the battleship, while Crocodile suggests they use the cannons on the warship, which Buggy steals and orders his loyal followers to man the guns. Crocodile and Luffy both use their Devil Fruit powers to fend off cannonballs. A Rear Admiral ponders why the prisoners are still heading for the Gates of Justice, when they can only be opened from Impel Down. Akehende orders the ships to keep firing and is shocked as the Gates open. Even though a warship has arrived for him, Magellan stares in confusion that the Gates opened.

In the Generator Room, a jailer questions the decision to open the Gates, but Magellan confirms his order and then adds that the Gates should be shut as soon as the prisoners' warship has sailed through.

At the Gates of Justice, the Marines are confused why Magellan would order the Gates opened. A Marine doubts that this could have been Magellan's doing as he had been standing at the dock, preparing to board a Marine Warship. Back at Impel Down, Magellan barges into the Generator Room and sees a double of himself standing there.

Jinbe reveals to Luffy that Mr. 2 stayed behind to open the Gates of Justice. Mr. 2 told Jinbe to not worry about him and to tell Luffy once communications cut out. However, Jinbe gives Luffy a Baby Den Den Mushi. Mr. 2 removes his disguise, which frustrates Magellan and shocks the other jailers. Luffy contacts Mr. 2 and goes on about how the duo were supposed to break out of Impel Down together. Luffy pleads with Mr. 2 to answer and soon, so does every other person aboard the warship, as they just discovered Mr. 2's inevitable fate. Before the Gates of Justice close, Luffy shouts out his gratitude to Mr. 2, at which point Mr. 2 finally responds, saying that Luffy better save his brother and averring that he cam do it; however, the Gates of Justice close, cutting off the call.

All the escapees cry for their friend, while Mr. 2 prepares to fight Magellan. 241 people escaped from Impel Down, bringing the ultimate disgrace upon the prison. There are four hours remaining till the execution of Portgas D. Ace.

Chapter 549
In Impel Down Level 4, Blackbeard thanks Shiryu for saving his crew's lives by giving them the antidote to Magellan's poison and suggests that he join the Blackbeard Pirates. Shiryu gladly accepts.

Meanwhile on the Tarai Current, Ivankov tells everyone to leave Inazuma to rest until he recovers from the poison on his own. A fight erupts between Buggy and Luffy over Mr. 2's fate. Crocodile questions why a fish-man has the ability to talk to sea creatures, but Jinbe counters that it is not strange for fish-men to be friends with other sea creatures, although he agrees with Crocodile that fish-men are more barbaric than merfolk.

When Luffy joins them on the deck, Jinbe thanks Luffy for letting him join in rescuing Ace. He also wants to thank and apologize about Arlong but keeps it to himself because the current target is more important. Jinbe then introduces himself properly to Luffy, telling him of his possibly revoked Warlord of the Sea status and that he intended to go all out at Marine Headquarters to honor Mr. 2's wish. Luffy is shocked to learn that Jinbe was a Warlord, while Buggy is surprised that they are heading directly towards Marine Headquarters. Crocodile tells Buggy that the moment they entered the Gates of Justice, they could only head towards Marine Headquarters on the Tarai Current and that the purpose of breaking out was interest in the Whitebeard War.

While the pirates are arguing, a Den Den Mushi rings and Luffy answers. It is a call from a Marine who 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. 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 is the sworn brother of the Emperor Shanks. This surprises everyone, and Buggy was shocked that the Marines knew all this. The Marine also reveals that they did not intend to open the Gates of Justice for them, so that they could not reach Marine Headquarters and they could not break away from the Tarai Current.

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 an idea, thinking that this could be the moment his reputation could sky rocket, even planning to take Whitebeard's head. He finally changes his mind and decides to go to Marine Headquarters too. All the prisoners agree saying that they would follow him anywhere.

Meanwhile, at Marineford, with three hours to go, Ace is escorted to the gallows, forced to climb a very long staircase. As he climbs, he recalls when he and Luffy promised each other to live lives without regrets, with true freedom. The guards open the doors to the gallows, and Ace steps out to meet his fate.

Chapter 550
South Blue
A group of people at the local market discuss the upcoming Seven Warlords of the Sea-Whitebeard war, claiming that Whitebeard is old and not really big news anymore.

East Blue
A number of farmers also talk about the war, saying that Whitebeard was sure to lose against the Marine Headquarters. However, a farmer comments that it would be best for everyone if Whitebeard did not show up and that the execution went as planned.

North Blue
A man is rejected by a bar, with the bartender saying that he would open shop tomorrow, if there was still a world by tomorrow.

West Blue
A man in a bar orders another drink and tells fellow punters not to underestimate Whitebeard, saying that he was as almighty as ever. He recounts a time when Whitebeard was in the bar and made a lot of people give up their lives, just by sitting there doing nothing.

Grand Line
A woman notices that even her children knew of the situation as they were playing with a skipping rope and singing "Old man Whitebeard, scarier than demons!". She looks up and says "What has this world come to?"

Marineford/Sabaody Archipelago
At Marineford, where most families of Marines lived, the place is empty as everyone had been evacuated to Sabaody Archipelago.

On the archipelago, the families watch on giant monitors that look to Marineford, monitoring the situation. Cameramen and reporters are also present, ready to deliver the news as soon as possible. Soon, a man shouts out that Ace had appeared.

Back at Marineford, Ace, flanked by two executioners, kneels down, ready for his fate which is to arrive in three hours. Also, Marine patrol ships head out to find Whitebeard, never to be seen again.

John Giant is seen telling the Marines not to let their guards down. With 50 Marine warships surrounding the crescent shaped island, the walls lined with cannons and 100,000 elite Marine troops, the Marines lie in wait for Whitebeard. Also on the walls are 5 of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, also waiting for Whitebeard.

At the execution platform, in front of Ace sit the three admirals of the Marines, Kizaru, Aokiji and Akainu.

The Tarai Current
The prisoners' ship reach the Gates of Justice. Luffy and Jinbe begin to plan on how to get through them. Meanwhile, Buggy is seen still rallying the prisoners.

Marineford
Sengoku tells Garp that he was "going to tell everything". Garp replies with to do whatever he wanted. Sengoku stands next to Ace, telling the executioners to move aside.

Sengoku stands up in front of the Marines and tells them that there was something crucial, the real reason of Ace's execution. Sengoku asks Ace who his father was. Ace replies with Whitebeard, saying that he was the only father that he ever had. Sengoku then goes on to say that for years, the Marines had been looking for a child, investigating every new born, every baby going to be born, mothers who were pregnant and tiny leads from Cipher Pol but had come up with nothing. However, Ace and his mother had escaped this investigation: Ace's mother, Portgas D. Rouge had gone to an island in the South Blue and kept him in her womb for 20 months. This resulted in her dying when Ace was born.

Sengoku then states that a year and three months after the father's death, a child with "the most accursed blood" had been born [Ace]. He tells Ace that he shouldn't claim he wasn't aware.

Sengoku then reveals the most shocking truth: Ace's father was none other than the late Pirate King, Gol D. Roger. Garp has a short flashback of Roger telling him to look after the unborn child.

Chapter 551
Sabaody Archipelago
Everyone in the world is shocked at the new revelation of Ace being the former Pirate King's son. Reporters scramble to get in contact with their office, while one simply drops his notebook and is shocked at the prospect that Gol D. Roger's bloodline had continued.

Marineford
All Marines are dumbfounded at the new information. Smoker appears to be shocked, Mihawk worried and Hancock ponders the fact that Luffy and Ace weren't really brothers. Ace keeps his head down while the three admirals have no expression. Moria claims that Ace was lucky as everyone associated with Roger had been prosecuted and that it was a miracle that he was able to leave behind a son, while Doflamingo just laughs. Koby and Helmeppo quietly whisper about Ace and Luffy and the two's fathers. Garp just looks out and enters a flashback.

Garp's flashback
In a jail cell, Gol D. Roger tells a younger version of Garp that he was about to have a child and that he would not be able to live long enough to see him. Garp demands to know why Roger was telling him, as he was a Marine and that any woman associated with the Pirate King would get capital punishment. Roger nods and states that was the reason why he was telling him. He also states that Ace's mother would be killed but asks Garp to protect the unborn child. He tells Garp to protect him, with a smile, resembling Luffy. Garp says that Roger does not tell him what to do and says that he would protect him.

On the island of Baterilla, Marines scour the island, looking for any pregnant women. One orders to kill any suspicious, stating that Roger's age was over and that his bloodline was to come to an end. Rouge is seen walking away from the Marines.
Later, Garp is seen present in a room with Rouge on a bed, holding a baby. She states that if the baby was a girl, it would be named Anne, while if it turned out to be male, Ace. So the baby was named Gol D. Ace. Garp looks on worried as doctors try to revive Rouge.

Garp is seen taking a younger Luffy into a forest, where he states that this was his new home. Waiting for him is a younger version of Ace.

More recently, in Impel Down, Garp remembers what Ace had said, saying that he had owed his mother a great debt while he did not care of his other blood/heritage, that Whitebeard was his only father.

Marineford
Sengoku states that two years ago, Ace had taken up "Portgas D" as his surname and conquered the sea with amazing strength and speed as the captain of the Spade Pirates. Sengoku then reveals that that was when they noticed that Roger's bloodline had not ended. He goes on to say that Whitebeard had noticed the same fact as well and states that Whitebeard had taken Ace on to make the young commander the next Pirate King. Ace shouts, stating that his goal was to make Whitebeard the Pirate King, not himself. Sengoku claims that was just a delusion and that the Marines had been careless earlier on. Sengoku states that if they had just left Ace alone, Ace would be standing the summit of a new Pirate Age and that his execution held a greater meaning. A Marine runs up, reporting that the Gates of Justice had been opened and they could not get in contact with the power room.

Tarai Current, Gates of Justice
Jinbe and Luffy look up in amazement as the Gates of Justice open up by themselves. Buggy is then seen standing in front of the Gates with his hands stretched, closing his eyes. The prisoners mistake this for the "next Messiah" and all begin to worship Buggy. Mr. 3 shouts at them for being crazy.

Marineford
Another Marine reports that the enemy had arrived, which shocks Sengoku as they had arrived so fast. The ships are then revealed to be a gigantic fleet of Pirate ships, all showing different symbols/flags. The Marines confirm some Pirate captains such as "Bohemian Knight" Doma, "Thunder Lord" McGuy, the Decalvan Brothers, the "Great Whirlpool Spider" Squard: all pirates and their captains achieving infamy in the New World. The fleet comes to a total of 43, all subordinate crews of Whitebeard, here to save Ace. Ace looks on, surprised that they had all come.
Doflamingo shouts, calling Whitebeard forth as he was getting extremely excited.

Suddenly, the admirals pick up something. Sengoku ponders a possible location, while Tsuru muses that they had chosen a bad formation and Garp states that Whitebeard had chosen quite a location. A shadow is seen in the water and it is soon revealed that Whitebeard had coated his ships and gone underwater. Soon the Moby Dick surfaces along with three other ships. Marines confirm that all commanders of Whitebeard's pirates were present, while Whitebeard himself walks on the whale masthead of his ship, happy that his son Ace was not harmed.