Paper lanterns illuminated the early evening sky across Wano Country.
The day of the Fire Festival had officially arrived. Bustling with energy, the Flower Capital transformed into a massive, vibrant celebration. Food stalls lined the cobblestone streets. Citizens drank sake, played music, and danced under the falling cherry blossoms, briefly forgetting the harsh reality of their daily lives.
Down at the main port, an ornate galleon prepared to depart.
Boarding the vessel, Kurozumi Orochi looked back at the capital with a satisfied smirk. The Shogun wore a heavily embroidered purple kimono, anticipating a night of endless drinking and celebration on Kaido's island. Following close behind, Fukurokuju marched silently up the gangplank. The ninja commander brought a small contingent of elite guards, leaving the rest to secure the mainland.
Standing on the docks to see the Shogun off, Kyoshiro bowed respectfully.
"I leave the capital in your capable hands, Kyoshiro," Orochi called out from the deck of the departing ship. "Keep the peace. Crush any lingering dissent."
Rising from his bow, the tall yakuza boss offered a smooth, confident nod. "Have a safe voyage, Lord Orochi. The Mimawarigumi and the Kyoshiro Family will ensure absolute order remains in the capital."
Turning away, Orochi ordered the sails lowered. The galleon pulled away from the docks, catching the wind toward Onigashima.
Watching the ship disappear over the horizon, Kyoshiro's respectful demeanor shifted. The subservient posture vanished. Resting a hand on his katana, a sharp, dangerous glint entered his narrow eyes. Left in charge of the capital's defense forces, Denjiro now held the keys to the entire region. The long, twenty-year wait was finally over.
Far to the south, the Udon prison camp sat in silence.
The usual cracking of whips and shouting of guards had ceased. Eager to join the annual banquet, the vast majority of the Beast Pirates had abandoned their posts hours ago. Only a skeleton crew of low-ranking grunts remained behind to watch the perimeter.
Inside the dark, heavy iron cells, thousands of prisoners waited patiently. Sitting cross-legged on the cold stone floors, the warriors of Wano gripped the bars.
A sudden, sharp displacement of air echoed in the center of the main quarry.
Teleporting directly into the middle of the prison yard, Ben materialized from the shadows. The magician did not bother finding cover. Standing in the open dirt, he surveyed the few remaining guards patrolling the upper walkways.
Sensing the intrusion, a Beast Pirate raised an alarm horn to his lips.
Before the guard could blow the horn, a crushing wave of spiritual pressure erupted outward.
Expanding rapidly across the entire facility, the burst of Conqueror's Haki washed over the remaining sentries. The sheer weight of the invisible force struck the guards like a physical blow. Eyes rolling into the back of their heads, the Beast Pirates collapsed simultaneously, hitting the stone walkways with heavy, lifeless thuds.
The courtyard fell quiet.
Raising a hand, the magician snapped his fingers.
The sharp sound acted as a magical trigger. Across the sprawling facility, the heavy iron tumblers inside every single cell door clicked backward. Rusty hinges groaned as thousands of locks popped open in unison.
Pushing the heavy doors wide, the prisoners stepped out of their cages.
Walking into the moonlit quarry, Hyogoro and Kawamatsu led the vanguard. The thousands of men and women filled the open space, forming a massive, silent army waiting for their next command.
Waving his arm through the air, Ben tore the fabric of reality.
A wide, glowing spatial dimension opened directly above the dirt courtyard. From the magical void, supplies began to pour out like a waterfall. Dozens of wooden crates crashed onto the ground, shattering to reveal mountains of fresh clothing, armor plating, and protective gear. Bundles of high-quality swords, spears, and naginatas clattered against the rocks. Pots of cooked rice, meat and barrels of fresh water piled high.
Lowering his hand, the magician targeted the crowd.
With a subtle shift of his magic, the wide-area illusion shattered. The fake bruises, hollow cheeks, and emaciated limbs vanished from the prisoners' skin. The healthy, restored, muscular physiques underneath returned to full view.
"Listen closely," Ben instructed, his voice carrying clearly across the quiet quarry. "You have one hour. Eat the food. Put on the armor. Arm yourselves."
Pointing toward the center of the courtyard, he detailed the extraction plan.
"When the time is up, I will open a spatial gate right here," Ben explained. "It will connect directly to Onigashima. We are sailing there now. Be ready to march through the moment it opens."
Understanding the magnitude of the moment, a deafening, unified roar of approval erupted from the prisoners. Swords were grabbed from the piles. Armor was strapped into place. The warriors of Wano prepared to reclaim their country.
Satisfied with the mobilization, the magician activated his teleportation and vanished from the quarry.
---
Ocean spray crashed against the hull of the Thousand Sunny.
Sailing steadily through the dark, choppy waters of the inland sea, the galleon headed directly toward the skull dome of Onigashima. The deck bustled with activity as the pirate crew finalized their combat preparations.
Standing proudly upon the lion figurehead, the captain faced the biting wind. A long, heavy black cloak draped over his shoulders, billowing wildly. Beneath the cloak, a simple red shirt and dark shorts.
Walking onto the grassy lawn, the rest of the crew showcased their raid attire.
Adjusting a dark kimono, Zoro secured three swords at his hip, resting a hand specifically on the purple scabbard of Enma. Sanji wore a deep maroon suit over a crisp black shirt, slipping on a pair of black leather gloves.
Stepping out of the cabins, Nami sported a sleek, crimson kunoichi outfit lined with lightweight golden armor plates. Beside her, Robin wore a white kimono with floral patterns on it.
Franky displayed massive, spiked iron shoulder pads. Usopp adjusted a hybrid set of samurai armor layered over his usual overalls, slinging a large satchel of specialized ammunition over his shoulder.
Tying a small, custom-forged helmet onto his furry head, Chopper carried a medical pack strapped tightly to his back. Brook drifted across the deck wearing a black and white coat, his violin case resting against his skeletal spine.
Vivi emerged wearing agile combat gear crossed with lightweight Wano plating carrying her spear. Her trusted mount, Caroo, wore custom leather barding designed to protect his feathers without restricting his running speed.
Cracking her knuckles, Bonney stretched her arms in a dark jacket, suspenders, and heavy combat boots. Carrot secured her electrified metal gauntlets, wearing a Musketeer uniform heavily modified with local Wano fabrics.
Checking their own gear, Merry and Sunny wore matching dark combat jackets and protective goggles.
Taking up the rear of the ship, the four Elbaf giants stood ready. Dorry, Brogy, Oimo, and Kashii wore traditional, massive iron war gear, holding axes and shields capable of leveling entire buildings.
Teleporting back onto the deck, Ben appeared near the main mast.
The magician was wearing a high-collared, dark blue zip-up jacket, matching dark trousers, and dark combat shoes, he looked prepared for war. Adjusting a pair of dark sunglasses on his face, he scanned the crew to ensure readiness.
"Everyone is geared up," Ben noted, walking toward the railing.
Looking out over the water, the allied forces finally gathered.
Sailing through the fog, the small, ragged ships of the samurai alliance pulled alongside the Sunny. Kin'emon, Raizo, and the rest of the retainers stood on the bows of their vessels, wearing their traditional, heavy samurai armor.
Directly off the starboard side, the water began to bubble aggressively.
Breaking the surface of the ocean, a bright yellow submarine emerged. The Polar Tang stabilized in the choppy water, opening its top hatch. Trafalgar Law stepped out onto the metal deck, carrying his long nodachi. Wearing a dark, high-collared coat, the surgeon looked toward the allied galleon.
Bepo, Shachi, and Penguin followed their captain onto the deck, waving enthusiastically at the Straw Hat crew.
"The fleet is assembled," Law called out across the water. "We maintain this heading. The outer gates of Onigashima are just beyond the next fog bank."
A rhythmic, heavy bassline suddenly thumped through the air.
Standing near the helm of the Thousand Sunny, Sunny played a music in ship speakers. Cranking the volume dial to maximum, Sunny unleashed the music across the ocean.
A sharp, wailing vocal cry pierced the night, followed immediately by a driving, aggressive guitar riff.
Ah-ah, ah!Ah-ah, ah!
We come from the land of the ice and snow
From the midnight sun where the hot springs flow
The hammer of the gods
Will drive our ships to new lands...
The heavy, relentless beat of "Immigrant Song" by Led Zeppelin washed over the allied fleet.
Standing on the figurehead, Luffy immediately started bobbing his head to the heavy rhythm. Zoro tapped his foot against the grassy deck, matching the driving bass. Franky played a fierce air guitar, while Brook accompanied the track with his actual violin.
Leaning against the railing, Bonney chewed a piece of meat in perfect time with the drums.
Across the water, the reaction on the Polar Tang mirrored the galleon.
Bepo started nodding his furry head, catching the groove. Shachi and Penguin tapped their hands against the metal railing, bopping along to the aggressive rock music.
"This beat is actually incredible," Penguin noted, swaying his shoulders.
"It really sets the mood for a raid," Shachi agreed, tapping his foot.
Standing still among his dancing crew, Law closed his eyes. The surgeon pinched the bridge of his nose, pulling his spotted hat down lower over his face. The lack of tension baffled him. They were sailing toward an island controlled by Emperor of the Sea, and the entire alliance was treating it like a festival.
Opening his eyes, Law glared at his bobbing navigator.
"Are you serious right now?" Law muttered, his voice dripping with irritation.
"Come on, Captain," Bepo smiled, waving a paw to the rhythm. "You can't deny the bassline is catchy."
Sighing heavily, Law crossed his arms and stared out at the fog. The dreaded realization sank in. His own crew had finally been infected by the stupidity of the Straw Hat pirates, and there was no known cure.