Two Days Later — Somewhere in the Calm Belt
The Calm Belt lived up to its name. The waters lay still like polished glass, undisturbed by wind or wave. Not even the cries of seakings echoed across the vast, flat horizon. The silence was absolute—until it wasn't.
A low rumble trembled beneath the sea surface, subtle at first, but quickly growing. Then, a sudden snap. The surface of the ocean began to freeze, a thin film of ice spreading outward in all directions. Within seconds, the still waters transformed into an expanding sheet of solid frost, stretching far and wide.
Then came a strange slicing noise from below—sharp, methodical, and rhythmic. The sounds rose steadily, climbing toward the surface. Without warning, a massive, mechanical pair of scissor-like blades burst up through the frozen sea, slicing a perfect circle open in the ice. Through the hole emerged a pair of arms, followed by the man himself.
Inazuma surfaced first, climbing out from the makeshift tunnel with a deep breath. Behind him, shadows followed—one after another, silhouettes stepped onto the solid ice platform: Zino, Ace, Jinbe, Crocodile, Ivankov, Inazuma, and the rest of the Level 5.5 escapees.
"Finally," Ace muttered, inhaling the cold, open air. His eyes scanned the vast blue sky above. "We're out. It's almost unbelievable."
The others shared similar reactions—relief, disbelief, quiet laughter. Even hardened criminals who had long given up hope found themselves stunned by the success of the escape.
"Where are we?" Crocodile asked, turning his gaze across the endless horizon.
Jinbe answered, still focused on the direction of the sun. "Hard to say for certain. But judging by the absence of sea kings and the stillness of the waters, I'd wager we're still inside the Calm Belt."
Zino, however, was already concentrating. His eyes narrowed as he extended his Haki, probing the area around them with precision. Within moments, his eyes lit up.
"There's an island nearby," he said calmly. "Follow me."
Without waiting, Zino stepped forward and began freezing a narrow path of ice across the sea, forming a walkway toward the island he had sensed. The others followed without hesitation. With each step, they moved farther from Impel Down and closer to unknown freedom.
After a quiet, steady march, the group reached the edge of a small island—a rugged landmass overgrown with thick vegetation and surrounded by rocky shores. It was clearly uninhabited, isolated, and untouched.
As the escapees gathered on the beach to catch their breath, Inazuma reached into his coat and pulled out a sealed Den Den Mushi receiver. Unlike ordinary ones, this model was tuned to bypass Marine frequency blocks.
He had hidden it deep within Impel Down. Now that they had already escaped, he wanted to know the prison staff's reaction there.
He activated the device.
Instantly, the snail's eyes sprang open and a storm of chaotic chatter poured from its mouth. Urgent voices layered over the wailing of Marine sirens.
"...all fleets on high alert! Mobilization orders confirmed! Fleet Admiral Sengoku has finalized the schedule! The public execution of Portgas D. Ace will proceed tomorrow afternoon at Marineford!"
The words rang out like cannon fire.
Ace, who had just been chuckling with Jinbe about their ridiculous journey, froze. His body tensed, and the smile vanished from his face.
"Tomorrow…?" Ace said in a whisper, his voice hollow. "But… I'm right here."
Crocodile's eyes sharpened. He reached forward and took the Den Den Mushi from Inazuma's hand, holding it closer to his ear as the voices continued in frantic detail. After a few seconds, he clicked the snail off and returned it.
"They're not executing you, Fire Fist," Crocodile said coldly. "The World Government is covering up your escape. They can't afford to admit they lost their most important prisoner from the world's most secure prison. So, they're going ahead with the plan anyway."
"They're going through with it…" Zino on the side chimed in. "They're planning to execute an impostor."
Everyone around him looked his way.
"It's a body double," he continued. "The World Government needs the world to believe that Ace is dead. They want to send a message, spark the war they've been preparing for. They don't care that the real Ace has escaped. As long as the public believes the execution happens, their plan moves forward."
Ace's face went rigid. They had broken free, but they hadn't stopped what mattered.
"This is bad," Ace said, his entire body igniting with flames as his frustration boiled over. "If they're going through with the execution anyway, that means Oyaji will come. Whitebeard will fall into their trap."
He turned toward the sea. "I have to go to Marineford. I have to stop him and the war."
"Hold it right there!" Jinbe barked, stepping in front of him. "Have you lost your mind, Ace? You just escaped the most secure prison in the world. You want to walk straight into Marineford—the heart of enemy territory? They'll capture you again, or worse."
"Don't stop me, Jinbe," Ace replied, his fiery eyes locked on the horizon. "I can't let Whitebeard fight for nothing."
"I won't let you throw yourself away again!" Jinbe snapped back, stepping closer.
Tension sparked in the air. The two glared at each other, their wills clashing silently.
"Calm down," Zino said, stepping between them. "Both of you."
He turned to Jinbe. "Ace is right. If anyone can stop Whitebeard from charging into Marineford, it's him. He has to be there."
Jinbe's frown deepened. "It's still reckless."
"Then I'll go with him," Zino replied. "Two Logia users are harder to take down than one. Our chances are better together."
Crocodile who was silent, suddenly said, "Count me in. Let me go with you guys."
Ivankov raised a curious brow. "Croco-boy, don't tell me you're planning to settle an old score with Whitebeard?"
Crocodile scoffed. "What are you talking about? I'm simply going along to… help. Three Logia are safer than two, right?"
Ivankov didn't buy the answer but let it go. He turned to Zino. "I'll come too. After all, I owe you my life now. Let me repay that debt."
More movement stirred behind them.
"W-we'll come as well," said a voice from the back. The Newkama troops, although hesitant, began to step forward one by one.
"You guys don't have to follow us," Zino said, facing them. "This mission isn't just dangerous—it's insane. We're heading into a war. It's safer if you guys stay here or find a way to scatter."
The Newkama hesitated, some nodding slowly.
Zino then turned back to the sea. With a swift motion of his hand, he formed a floating cloud. It hovered in place, steady and wide enough for several people to stand upon.
"Let's go," he said. "We head for Marineford now."
Saying so, he jumped up on top of the cloud. Everyone stared in amazement. This man already demonstrated the powers of ice, lightning, and observation haki. Now he summoned clouds?
The amazement was clear in their eyes. Just how many powers did this man have?
Ace was the first to hop aboard. Jinbe followed, though still looking conflicted. Crocodile stepped on with a smirk, Ivankov with a dramatic sigh, and Inazuma with quiet determination.
Once everyone was aboard, Zino directed the cloud upward. With a rush of wind, the floating cloud rose into the sky and began its journey across the Calm Belt, flying away into the distance.
...
Sabaody Archipelago, Grove 41.
The sky was painted in warm shades of orange and crimson as the sun dipped lower toward the horizon. Hidden discreetly behind one of the massive Yarukiman Mangrove roots, a single ship rested—The Silent Orca.
Inside the ship, tension hung heavy in the air. The crew gathered on the deck, each lost in their thoughts. Rumors had spread fast. News of Portgas D. Ace's execution had taken over every broadcast, and the world was bracing itself for the battle that would follow.
"Do you think the news is true?" Sanji asked, a cigarette slowly burning between his fingers.
Gin leaned against the railing, looking out toward the flickering twilight on the water. "Ace's execution? Probably. If it weren't real, why hasn't Zino come back yet?"
"Maybe..." Robin spoke softly, her calm demeanor unshaken. "Maybe he was captured in Impel Down."
"Hey, hey! That's not funny!" Usopp said, his voice rising as he flinched. "Don't just say stuff like that out loud!"
Nami remained silent for a moment, staring into the distance. A faint breeze lifted her hair. Then she said, "I don't know if the news is true or not. But... I have this feeling. Zino might show up... during the execution tomorrow."
Sanji raised an eyebrow. "You mean... he'll appear at Marineford?"
"Then should we head there?" he asked, eyes narrowing slightly.
"We should go," Alvida said suddenly, stepping forward. "From what I've heard, this won't be an ordinary execution. The World Government is challenging Whitebeard, wants to end his era. So, even the Shichibukai are gathering too. That woman Warlord, Boa Hancock, she'll definitely be there."
Zoro's eyes sharpened at the mention of the Warlords. His hand rested on his sword. "Hawk Eyes Mihawk... if he's there, I want to see him fight."
Friday in his red orb form spoke up, "I agree. If Captain Zino shows up, we have to be there. And this might be our only chance to witness what the strongest in the world look like—Marines, Pirates, Warlords. We might even awaken Haki just from watching them."
His words struck a chord. The thought of seeing such legendary figures clash stirred something in all of them. Even the most hesitant—Usopp and Stev—felt it.
"A war like this might never happen again," Stev mumbled, nervously adjusting his goggles. "Seeing it from the shadows… might not be so bad."
"I'm scared," Usopp admitted. "But... I want to see it too. I want to know what kind of battlefield we'll step into one day."
Robin gave a faint smile. "Curiosity is a powerful motivator."
Nami looked around at each of them.
"Then it's decided," she said. "We go to Marineford. But we won't interfere. We stay in the shadows."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
Zoro stretched his neck. "Just watching's fine… for now."
With the last sliver of sunlight disappearing beneath the waves, the crew began to move. Sails were adjusted. The anchor lifted.
Nami double-checked the updated log pose and charts while Kruz took the helm. Sanji, knowing the long journey ahead of them, moved to the kitchen to begin preparing substantial meals. Usopp and Stev were below deck, meticulously preparing their gear and weaponry—just in case of a Marine ambush.
The Silent Orca slowly drifted away from the shelter of Grove 41, the sails catching a faint breeze as they glided into the darkening sea. They were heading for Marineford.
While Orcas set a course for the Marine Headquarters, they were not the only ones with that destination in mind. Across the seas, other key players were mobilizing.
The Straw Clown Pirates were a mess of worry and chaotic movement. Luffy had just heard the news of his brother Ace's public execution.
"Faster! We have to go faster!" he worriedly yelled at Tensuro and Franky, urging the Thousand Sunny toward Marineford, completely unaware that his real brother was already escaping Impel Down.
But not everyone was converging on the warzone.
On another part of the sea, the Numbers Pirates were actually heading in a different direction. Mr. 1, Miss Doublefinger, and the rest of the crew plotted a course toward the massive fortress that housed the world's most dangerous criminals: Impel Down.
They likely sensed an opportunity amid the coming chaos, aiming to rescue Crocodile there in Impel Down. Very similar to the Straw Clown Pirates, they are also unaware that Crocodile had already escaped.