Upon discovering the truth, Luffy erupted on the spot.
He roared, "No! I'm going to save Ace right now!"
The anxious Luffy suddenly found meat unappealing.
Ace was truly family to Luffy, just like Garp.
If you were to ask Luffy, 'If your father Dragon and your brother Ace both fell into the sea at the same time, who would you save first?' his answer would undoubtedly be Ace.
Worry breeds recklessness.
Without a second thought, Luffy prepared to dash toward the sea.
At that moment, both Rayleigh and Zoro simultaneously unleashed sword slashes, blocking his path.
Rayleigh said helplessly, "I understand your desire to save your brother, but why don't you first listen to the plan Ray discussed with me earlier?"
Zoro frowned upon hearing this.
"Ray's plan?"
"Hmph, that seaweed-headed brain of yours just isn't cut out for thinking." Sanji had returned to normal after hearing about Ace's situation; during such critical moments, he could actually be quite reliable.
Lighting a cigarette, Sanji explained to Zoro and Luffy, "What Rayleigh means is that Ray has already prepared a plan to save Ace in advance. Luffy, don't get agitated now. You need to trust Ray."
The other Straw Hat crew members found this reasoning sound.
Ray had always been this type of person—making long-term contingency plans well in advance.
Robin smiled slightly, as if a light had dawned in her heart.
"It seems Ray already knew about Ace's situation when we first arrived at the Sabaody Archipelago. Perhaps even earlier."
Hearing everyone's comments, Rayleigh, Shakky, and Kuma exchanged knowing smiles.
"Come gather around," Rayleigh said. "Let me explain this matter clearly to all of you."
...
Half an hour later, everyone understood the full context of the situation through Rayleigh's explanation.
It turned out Ray had learned about this matter back in the New World, and he had already made numerous preparations.
He had contacted the Whitebeard Pirates, eliminated the Yonko Kaido who could have potentially affected the war and had Chouchou use his abilities to gather reinforcements.
He had even proactively sought out Rayleigh and the others on the Sabaody Archipelago, arranging for Kuma to send their group to Amazon Lily in advance.
Strengthening military power, enhancing everyone's capabilities, ensuring the crew's assembly—all these efforts were aimed at saving Ace at Marineford.
The more Luffy listened, the more moved he became.
He didn't blame Ray at all for not telling him about Ace's situation earlier.
Luffy himself knew that if he had learned about it beforehand, he would have certainly messed up the plan.
The other Straw Hat members listened to the strategy with peace of mind.
However, Hancock grew increasingly astonished the more she heard it.
'Just what kind of person was Ray?' S
he began calculating her own plans in her heart.
As a Shichibukai, she couldn't avoid participating in this battle.
But making enemies of the Straw Hat crew, who had defeated her nemeses—the Celestial Dragons—was absolutely impossible.
She would just go through the motions at the scene. If necessary, she would immediately switch sides to help the Straw Hat Pirates.
Of course, the precondition for switching sides was that the Straw Hat Pirates were strong enough to protect Amazon Lily in the future.
Otherwise, she could only help Luffy and the others through minor actions.
Meanwhile, Bartolomeo and Mikita, were extremely excited!
Following the Straw Hat crew was definitely the right choice..... because its so thrilling!
They had just finished fighting the Celestial Dragons, and now they were about to go war with the Marines.
This was equivalent to experiencing what it's like to be in a Yonko crew ahead of time!
No, what's the difference between the current Straw Hat Pirates and a Yonko crew now?
Their high-level combat power was already terrifying.
Ray was a solid Yonko-level powerhouse, and among the Yonko, he was a top-tier one.
Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji had all reached absurdly powerful levels; even if they weren't quite at Yonko level, they were not far off.
Luffy and Zoro had mastered all three types of Haki and had even learned Conqueror's Haki infusion.
Those who can master Conqueror's Haki infusion are among the top experts across the entire sea.
Sanji had mastered two types of Haki and possessed an iron body.
Mikita had tested this herself; when she kicked Sanji in the chest, he was completely unfazed, while her own leg, coated in Armament Haki, was left sore.
Robin, Nami, Chopper, and the ship spirit Merry all possessed combat abilities at the level of elite Vice Admirals.
Robin especially—if she had protection from her crewmates, her effectiveness in battle probably wasn't much worse than the three main fighters.
As for Usopp, he was practically a god among support fighters.
With his assistance, they could always achieve miraculous results.
Mikita remembered the Straw Hats also had a Dog named Chouchou— Ray-sama pet, who was probably ridiculously strong by now.
As for Franky and Brook, they were at least at her level.
It could be said that any single member of the Straw Hat main crew could become a famous pirate known across the seas.
Plus, with Mikita and Bartolomeo as subordinate captains who could directly confront Marine Vice Admirals... If the Straw Hat Grand Fleet isn't a Yonko crew, then what is?
They just haven't officially ascended to the throne yet.
If there was any shortcoming, it was their lack of military strength; a thousand subordinates was still too few.
Just then, a terrifying aura swept into the canyon.
Sensing this presence, Hancock immediately stood up and looked toward the sky, feeling a great threat.
But Luffy and the others looked up excitedly as a giant dog, nearly 15 meters tall appeared.
"Wow, Chouchou, what brings you here?"
Upon seeing the Straw Hats, Chouchou immediately transformed into his small white dog form.
He scampered over to Luffy and the others and began carrying out his mission.
"My time is limited. I'm here to convey my master's words".
"First, I've captured 100 Sea Kings nearby to serve as your transport for attacking Marineford. They're currently waiting near this island's west coast. When the time comes, Chopper, you just need to communicate with them and you can depart immediately. Under the control of my ability, they're very obedient. Feel free to use them."
"Second, my master says he will definitely return. But Luffy, you all must remember: The attack on Marineford must wait until Ace's official execution day. Don't be hasty."
"Third, I'm heading to the New World immediately to bring the others. The new Beasts Pirates have already assembled and now all of them serve my master. They'll participate in the battle at Marineford.
"Fourth, Galdino, Mr. 2, and Miss Goldenweek—my master wants your help. Come with me, I'll give you the specific details."
Chouchou left just as quick as he come.
His time was very limited; he had to return to the New World as soon as possible.
He appeared for just five minutes and delivered his messages.
Feeling hungry, Chouchou nibbled on Brook for a minute before activating his demon form and flying into the sky with Galdino, Miss Goldenweek, and Mr. 2.
Meanwhile, everyone else was immersed in the huge surprise brought by Chouchou.
One hundred Sea Kings as mounts? Beasts Pirates are ours now?
This reinforcement was just too insane!
As expected of Ray!
Not only did he kill their captain, but he also took over the entire 30,000-strong pirate crew...
The key point was that Chouchou said the Beasts Pirates' officers now followed his commands.
Clearly, they had all been collared.
"Wow, incredible!" Luffy, with his limited vocabulary, could only come up with such a line.
Rayleigh, Kuma, and Hancock's chests were heaving with emotion.
At this moment, the Straw Hat Pirates before them had undeniably become a true Yonko crew.
So, in one week, the Marines would face the combined assault of two Yonko pirate alliances.
And this time, both Rayleigh and Kuma would join the fight.
Having learned Ace's identity in advance from Ray, Rayleigh couldn't possibly remain indifferent.
How could he stand by and watch Roger's son die?
As for Kuma, he had already decided to follow either Ray or the Straw Hats—a life-saving debt must be repaid in full.
He just needed to ensure Bonney's safety first.
Mikita and Bartolomeo were even more ecstatic.
'Awesome! Now even our military strength had reached Yonko level.'
'Our decision to follow the Straw Hat crew was truly wise!'
'Once Ray-sama returns, Marineford will be nothing to worry about.'
The two lost themselves in wild fantasies.
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