The preparations at the port were a whirlwind of activity. The air was thick with the scent of salt and the heavy weight of the coming mission. Every academy was finalizing their teams, and the tension between the students was as sharp as a blade.
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Final Preparations
At the UA camp, Aizawa stood with his arms crossed, his yellow sleeping bag tucked under one arm as he did a final count. "Have you all gathered your belongings?" he asked, his voice flat but focused.
"Yes, sir!" the fifteen students replied in unison, their voices filled with a mix of nerves and excitement.
Over at the Adventurer Academy, Dragon was finishing an urgent call on a Transponder Snail. Ivankov took charge of organizing their seven students, striking a pose. "Hey, kiddos! Have you finished preparing your things?" He-she gave a playful wink that made some of the younger students blink in confusion.
"Shishishishishi!" Luffy laughed, adjusting his straw hat. "Forget that stuff, let's just go!" "Luffy, pack your clothes properly!" Ace scolded, though he was grinning himself. Sabo ignored the chaos, grabbing a carton of milk from a small refrigerator to fuel up.
Nearby, Belo Betty meticulously arranged the fold of her Adventurer flag, while Karasu sat silently, polishing the metal of his beak mask until it shone. Kid and Killer were uncharacteristically quiet, both downing bottles of milk. Despite their rough exteriors, the spark of pure excitement in their eyes was impossible to hide.
Dragon clicked the Snail shut and whispered something to Ivankov. Ivankov's eyebrow shot up. "So... you won't be coming? Well, I guess your pops will be the one leading then."
Garp, who had just wandered over, overheard. "Hey, brat! Are you leaving?" "Yes," Dragon replied, his face a mask of stone. "An emergency happened, but I can take care of it. Old man... you take care of them." "Hahahaha! Who are you ordering around, you stupid brat?" Garp barked with a laugh. "Go on then! Don't waste time here!"
Dragon nodded once and used his wind power to propel himself into the sky, disappearing into the clouds. Luffy, Ace, and Sabo watched him leave, but they asked no questions; they were already focused on the sea.
At the Marine Academy, the five chosen students were moving under the booming voice of Zephyr. "Faster! Move faster, you lot!"
Smoker and Tashigi had already finished packing, standing stoically beside the veteran teacher. Coby, Hibari, and Ain hurried to join them, their gear neatly tucked away. Tsuru gave a sharp nod. "The time is now. Let's head to the port."
The Samurai Academy students were already there, waiting. Kiku and Kawamatsu occupied a wooden bench, watching the waves. Zoro and Kuina were deep in a familiar argument about the quality of their sword steel, their voices rising over the sound of the gulls. Trafalgar Law eventually joined the bench with the samurai, his long sword leaning against his shoulder.
Soon, Ashura and Denjiro arrived, acting as a living shield for Hiyori, who walked gracefully behind them. Fujitora approached, followed by Gion. "Are you all ready?" the blind Swordsman asked.
In response, the six students gripped their sword hilts and nodded. Fujitora couldn't see the movement, but he could feel the sudden surge of determination radiating from them like a physical heat.
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Docked nearby was the Kuja Ship. Boa Hancock stood at the prow, her bags already stowed. Shakky leaned against the railing near her. "Hancock... what did the Elder tell you about the whole writing?"
Hancock's jaw tightened, and she clenched her fist so hard her knuckles turned white. Gloriosa saw the frustration and sighed. "It must be something personal, right, Boa-chan?" she said, while the youthful version of Gloriosa stretched her long legs nearby.
Shakky puffed a cloud of smoke. "Well... I suppose I'll find out eventually."
Finally, the entire group converged at the main dock. Vivi and Shirahoshi walked down the pier, followed closely by their royal guards. Behind them came Nami and Nico Robin. The two had hit it off instantly, speaking in the hushed, rapid tones of scholars. Their shared intellect had already made them a formidable duo. Kaya and Chopper followed, designated as the primary doctors for the combined student team.
Zeff and sanji was already in the ships kitchen.
They stood before a massive Marine battleship. It was a marvel of engineering—packed with high-grade materials, advanced weaponry, and built for extreme speed.
Sengoku walked toward them, flanked by the three Admirals: Akainu, Borsalino, and Aokiji. Every head turned to the Fleet Admiral.
"I wish you all luck," Sengoku said, his voice echoing over the water. "Teachers, protect these students with everything you have. Do not forget the others you will meet on your way to the Red Line and into the New World. Your journey begins now!"
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To be continued