Before the Admiral's fiery strike could reach its target, something completely unexpected happened.
A sudden and powerful force erupted between him and Luffy, shattering the air with a thunderous blast that sent shockwaves across the battlefield.
No one could tell what had occurred in that instant, but the next moment Akainu was sent flying through the air as though struck by a force of nature itself. His body crashed through what remained of Marineford's structures, disappearing beneath a mountain of rubble deep within the ruined city.
What was that…?!
That unspoken question tore through the minds of everyone present like a lightning strike.
Thousands of eyes whipped back and forth, first to the pile of rumbles where Akainu lay buried, then back to the pair of brothers, who appeared just as shell-shocked as the crowd. But it was not the brothers who held their gaze captive. No, it was the tall, striking figure of a woman who had materialized out of nowhere, standing protectively before Fire Fist Ace and his younger brother like a silent sentinel.
The woman had long, golden blond hair that glinted under the chaotic light, a high-collared white cape draped regally over her shoulders, fastened neatly at the front with a slender orange cord. Beneath her cape, she wore a sleek black turtleneck tucked into loose, black pants, secured by a vivid orange sash wrapped around her slim waist. But the most mesmerizing feature was the fox mask she wore. It was an intricate, elegant piece that concealed her face entirely, leaving only her piercing blue eyes visible. Those eyes were sharp enough to slice through steel or freeze a man's blood cold with a single glare.
Despite the mask, recognition rippled through the battlefield.
"T-That person is...!" one marine stammered, his voice trembling along with the finger he shakily pointed at her.
"It's Kitsune!" came the excited roar from the Whitebeard Pirates' side. Unlike the marines, whose faces darkened with anxiety, the pirates broke into cheers and waves.
"Kitsune!" several of them called joyfully. The woman gave a small nod in acknowledgment. Though her face was concealed, there was unmistakable warmth in her posture, as if she were smiling beneath the mask.
Whitebeard himself felt a wave of relief wash over him. Seeing that familiar figure, the weight on his heart eased. With that brat present, there was nothing left for him to worry about. His children's safety was now assured.
"What is she doing here? She isn't even a pirate!" Sengoku hissed in disbelief, his jaw tightening with frustration.
Meanwhile, Garp released a heavy sigh, the tension finally draining from his body. His heart steadied as he confirmed with his own eyes that both of his grandsons were still alive and safe.
When Akainu had been blasted away, Ace immediately scrambled to Luffy's side, collapsing onto his knees beside him. But instead of fussing over his brother like he usually would, his sharp gaze fixed on the back of the mysterious woman who had just saved them.
Ace's eyes swept over her, noting every detail such as the three vivid orange stripes lining the edge of her white cape, the long golden hair flowing like silk in the wind, and most striking of all, the bold red spiral emblazoned at the center of her back. Recognition hit him like a cannonball, and a wide, radiant grin spread across his face.
"Are the two of you alright?" the woman asked, her voice filled with genuine concern. She didn't turn to face them, standing tall and steady as she scanned the area for further threats.
"I-I'm fine! Thanks for saving us, unknown lady!" Luffy replied cheerfully, his tone far too bright for someone half-dead with exhaustion.
The woman let out a light, amused chuckle. One hand rested on her hip in that familiar, teasing way before she turned slightly to glance over her shoulder. Ace shook his head, both fond and exasperated at his little brother's cluelessness.
"Unknown lady? Oi, you little brat, don't tell me you forgot me already? It wasn't even that long ago that we last seen each other." she teased, her tone dripping with playful disbelief.
Despite her words, it had truly been a couple of years since they last saw each other. Luffy could hardly be blamed for not recognizing her immediately by voice alone, especially one that had grown deeper and steadier with age. Yet, despite the mask and the passing time, the bond that linked them as sibling, the bond that not even the sea could wash away, stirred back to life once again.
Recognition flared in Luffy's wide eyes. His grin grew impossibly large, brighter even than when he had broken Ace's chains earlier.
But before Luffy could shout her name, a sharp, ear-splitting screech ripped through the air, cutting across the battlefield like a blade. The sound was so piercing that even seasoned fighters winced, clutching their ears in pain.
"Look! Up there!" Buggy the Clown bellowed dramatically, waving the Den Den Mushi around like a madman while jabbing his finger at the sky.
Through the parting clouds, a dark shadow emerged, presenting a colossal bird-like silhouette circling overhead.
"That's a Giant Eagle!" someone shouted as the enormous bird descended, its wings spanning wide enough to block out the sunlight.
The majestic creature landed gracefully beside the masked woman, lowering its proud head as she reached out to stroke its beak affectionately.
"Cool!" Luffy yelled in awe, eyes sparkling with childlike wonder. If his body was not in a terrible state at the moment, he would've already jumped on its back without hesitation.
"Leader, how could you leave us behind like that?" a man's voice complained, startling everyone. It had come from the enormous eagle itself. "We nearly couldn't keep up with you!"
Gasps erupted all around as five figures leaped down from the bird's back. Two were women, three were men. One man towered above the rest, built like a mountain with a bald, shining head. The other two were leaner, tall and confident in their movements. Of the women, one had a long mane of silvery-white hair tied into a high ponytail, while the other sported short, rough-cut brown hair.
Except for one figure cloaked in a yellowish hood that obscured his face, all wore pristine white cloaks marked with the same red spiral as the masked woman. Their masks, unlike hers, were blank and featureless, giving them an air of ghostly anonymity.
With graceful precision, the five riders dismounted, and the eagle spread its massive wings once again before taking to the skies.
"Bird, wait!" Luffy cried out pitifully after it, reaching a hand toward the sky as if he could somehow call it back.
Just then, the hooded figure stepped forward, directing his gaze at Ace. Though his face was hidden in shadow, Ace recognized him instantly.
A flood of emotion surged through Ace's chest, but what actually left his mouth was a gruff, "Bastard, you're late!"
"Sorry, man. We had to make a detour and pick up this bastard," came another voice, belonging to the tall man with deep purple hair who stood just behind the hooded one.
"Yeah, well, I missed you too," the hooded man shot back dryly, his tone layered with warmth beneath the sarcasm. Then his head turned toward Luffy, nostalgia flickering in the shadow of his hood. "And Luffy… looks like you haven't changed at all."
Like Ace, Luffy recognized him instantly. Despite the years, the chaos, and the countless storms that had passed, some things could never be forgotten.
Before Luffy could even respond, however, a thunderous voice boomed across the field, slicing through the fragile moment of reunion.
"What is the meaning of this?!" Sengoku roared, fury radiating from every syllable. His piercing gaze locked onto the woman in the fox mask and her mysterious entourage. The veins on his neck bulged with restrained rage as he jabbed a trembling finger in her direction. "Are you working with a Yonko now, Kitsune?!"
She had, after all, she had just shielded Portgas D Ace from Akainu's merciless attack, and to make matters worse, the infamous Whitebeard Pirates appeared to be eerily familiar with her. A bitter taste rose in Sengoku's mouth.
Just what kind of relationship did she have with them?
All around the battlefield, marines exchanged uneasy looks while whispers rippled through the ranks.
"Those people… who are they?" murmured a young recruit, his voice trembling with confusion. He was new, barely a month into service, and had never seen or heard of warriors like them before.
Beside him, an older marine with weathered skin gave a low scoff, his expression dark with understanding.
"The one in the fox mask," he said, tone grim, "is the ruler of the Whirlpool Kingdom. They call her the Uzukage."
"Uzukage?!" The rookie's eyes widened as the memory clicked into place.
Although he had never seen her before, he had heard of her and her reputation when he first joined the marine.
Six years ago, without warning or fanfare, a new kingdom had risen like a leviathan in the chaotic seas of the New World.
There was an island, notorious among sailors, surrounded by countless small and massive whirlpools, hence its name, Whirlpool Island. It had long been deemed too dangerous to approach, much less colonize.
But then, on a fateful sunny day in the year 1516, rumors began to spread like wildfire that the island was no longer an abandoned, treacherous landmark.
A mysterious figure wearing a fox mask had claimed it, transforming the treacherous land into a sovereign kingdom now known as the Uzu Empire of the Whirlpool Island.
And that someone, who named herself the Uzukage, was not alone. She was always accompanied by four enigmatic companions, fierce and loyal, and later known across the seas as the Four Generals of Uzu. Like their leader, they hid their faces behind masks (though theirs were blank and unnervingly expressionless) and wore white cloaks emblazoned with a red spiral across the back, the proud crest of Uzu.
To this very day, the true names, appearances, and origins of the Uzukage and her Four Generals remained buried beneath layers of secrecy, adding even more mystique to their reputation.
But the kingdom of Uzu was famous for more than its masked ruler and her loyal generals.
And the reasons behind its renown? There were plenty indeed.
First, the citizens of Uzu included an astonishing number of fish-men and mermaids, a sight that drew the world's fascination like moths to a flame. Normally, such beings could only be found deep beneath the ocean's surface on the legendary Fish-Man Island, a place so perilous that few humans could ever hope to reach it alive. Yet, here on the surface, Uzu offered the rare and miraculous chance to meet these incredible creatures without having to brave the crushing depths of the sea.
Second, and perhaps even more daring, a large portion of Uzu's population consisted of freed slaves who had once been the property of the loathed World Nobles.
It was no secret that the Uzukage had made her grand entrance onto the world stage six years ago by seizing six ships owned by the World Government, ships carrying hundreds of slaves bound for Mary Geoise. No one knew how she accomplished such an impossible feat when witnesses swore she had only two companions with her at the time. Regardless, the outcome was undeniable. The slaves were freed, the overseers humiliated, and sent adrift on broken boats with spiral marks crudely drawn on their foreheads in permanent ink, a mark of shame that would never wash away.
But her defiance did not end there.
The Uzukage went even further, launching strikes on several notorious slave auction houses, liberating more captives, and offering them sanctuary on her growing island nation. The following day, Sabaody Archipelago was inundated with papers bearing her identity and the news of the former slaves joining her fledgling empire. And written at the end of the paper was a threat to those who wish to seek trouble with her or the people under her protection.
In the eyes of the World Government, and some powerful pirates with big influence, this unknown person simply didn't put them in their eyes! She neither respected their authority nor feared their power!
Those who sought to challenge her quickly learned the cost of underestimating her. Pirates attempted to raid Uzu, and the Marines sent forces to capture supposed criminals, but every attack ended the same way.
All cushed without mercy.
The World Government grew desperate. They wanted her head, and so they sent one of their strongest.
Admiral Akainu.
Yet, even he returned empty-handed, humiliated again and again by the woman who slipped through his fingers every time. For six long years, she remained the only criminal who had ever eluded his capture, cementing his burning hatred toward her.
It had to be said that even a Buster Call was triggered upon the island, but contrary to the World Nobles' expectation, they were also forced to suffer a huge loss when even a Buster Call was not enough to destroy her island due to a mysterious force like barrier that protected her island. Thus, they could only swallow their grievances and give up on their advances. Since the Uzukage was not pirate and was not affiliated with any crew, she was not yet to be considered an immediate threat.
That changed the day she crossed paths with Big Mom, and won.
The world was shaken to its core when news spread that the Uzukage had left Big Mom's territory without so much as a scratch. Only later did rumors surface that the Yonko herself had invited her to join her fleet, and the Uzukage had refused, stating simply that she had no interest in piracy.
Though relieved that she was not aligning with any pirate emperor, the Marines grew even more wary of her existence. It would be good if she would just stay still and stick with her words of not involving herself with piracy, because then the World Government would not have to worry that much about her. While she had a negative reputation among the World Nobles, she was seen as a 'savior' among the common people, making it difficult for the World Government to take overt actions against her without tarnishing its own reputation.
In short, the Uzukage was a living time bomb, a mystery wrapped in calm confidence and danger, capable of shaking the very world itself.
And now here she stood, calm and unbothered, in the middle of Marineford, of all places, casually interfering in the war.
"How could I?" the Uzukage replied at last, her tone as light and easy as a summer breeze, only fueling Sengoku's fury even further.
"Then what are you even doing here?! Do you even realize that you're helping a criminal?!" Akainu roared as he emerged from the rubble, his body still smoldering with residual magma and his bloodied face twisted into a mask of pure fury. His fists clenched at his sides, burning with the urge to strike, yet some deep instinct kept him rooted in place.
It was a silent, reluctant acknowledgment of the unpredictable, terrifying power she commanded.
How dare she? She had once declared that she would not involve herself in piracy! Was her word worth nothing?!
"A criminal?" a mocking voice interjected.
The man in the yellow cloak, silent until now, let out a low chuckle. Slowly, he reached up and pulled back his hood, revealing his face to the stunned Marines.
"I don't know what you're talking about," he said with a sly grin, his eyes gleaming with mischief. "We're just here for our brothers."
A ripple of shock spread through the battlefield like a crashing wave.
"Brothers..?"
"Hey, wait a second, isn't that Sabo from the Revolutionary Army?!" one sharp-eyed marine exclaimed, snapping the others out of their stunned silence.
"It really is him!" another cried. "What is he doing here?!"
"Did he just say brothers? Don't tell me he means—"
Ivankov and the other revolutionaries watched the blonde newcomer with bright, sparkling eyes full of joyous disbelief.
"Sabo-kun!"
"Yo!" Sabo grinned, casually holding onto the tip of the hat he somehow conjured out of nowhere, tipping it in a greeting as smooth as ever.
The infamous Sabo, No. 2 of the Revolutionary Army, had suddenly descended onto the battlefield like a thunderclap from a clear sky. If he was here… did that mean that Dragon himself and the entire might of the Revolutionary Army, was about to follow?!
The mere thought sent tremors through the Marines' ranks. The revelation that Straw Hat Luffy was Dragon's son was still fresh, and now, one of the most wanted revolutionaries stood before them, right beside him.
Sabo smirked, clearly enjoying the tension. "Relax," he said casually, "Dragon-san isn't coming."
The marines collectively let out a breath they didn't even realize they were holding, though Sabo's words did not fully ease their anxiety. The thought of who exactly these people were and how they were all connected, hung over their heads like a sword about to fall.
Then, the woman in the fox mask stepped forward. Her clear, commanding voice cut through the confusion like a bell.
"Sabo is right. We are here for one reason only. For our brothers."
As she spoke, she raised her hand to the side of her mask. In a soft puff of smoke, the mask vanished, revealing the breathtaking face underneath. Bright, piercing blue eyes shone like twin stars, and three delicate, thin lines etched across each of her cheeks added a wild yet ethereal charm to her appearance.
For the first time, the world saw the true face of the Uzukage, the woman they knew only as Kitsune.
"My name is Monkey D Naru!" she declared boldly, her voice echoing across Marineford. Her declaration crashed over the onlookers like a storm. For the first time, she cast aside her hidden identity and proudly revealed her true name to the world.
Her four companions followed suit, removing their masks one by one.
"Nikolas," said the man with dark purple hair, his tone cool and even.
"Yuzu," announced the brunette, her amber eyes glinting with confidence.
"…Nalan Yue," the third murmured softly, her silver hair dancing with the wind.
"Barlow," declared the last, his words crisp and firm.
They were unmistakably the same group who had accompanied Naru in that random bar just a few days ago.
"Monkey?!" someone blurted out, eyes nearly popping out of their sockets. "They're really siblings?!"
Confusion spread like wildfire.
"What the hell is going on?! The Uzukage is actually related to the Monkeys?!"
"Garp-san! Explain this right now!"
Poor Garp. Hundreds of accusing eyes drilled into him from every corner, practically strangling him with the silent pressure. No one more so than Sengoku, whose glare was so intense it could have incinerated a lesser man on the spot.
Garp scratched his cheek awkwardly, offering a shameless grin. "Ahem… well, it's not like I was hiding the fact that I have a granddaughter," he said lightly, as if discussing today's weather.
"But you said nothing about your granddaughter and the Uzukage being the same person!" Sengoku spoke through his gritted teeth. If it was possible, Garp would have died from his glare a long time ago! It had to be said that most of the troubles that the Fleet Admiral had to face were all caused by this darn old man ever since they were new recruits!
"Well, we haven't seen each other in ten years, you know?" Garp added with a nonchalant shrug, though inwardly he was sweating bullets.
Still, distance did not mean total disconnection. After all, Den Den Mushi existed for a reason.
Though they had not met face-to-face in a decade, Garp had certainly kept tabs on his little hurricane. She hadn not outright told him she was the Uzukage, but come on, Garp was not a dense old man. The moment the masked Kitsune appeared and began shaking the world, he had suspected the truth. And when Sengoku came storming into his office years ago, ranting about "another blasted brat causing chaos," Garp had laughed so hard he nearly cracked a rib.
"Dragon has another child?! And she's also a menace?!"
"Tch! Like father, like daughter, huh?"
"And look, Sabo's apparently on good terms with them too!"
"At this rate, nothing surprises me anymore."
"Good grief, Garp-san, your whole family are troublemakers!"
"What an entertaining family you've got, Garp!"
While Garp was being criticized by everyone else, the Whitebeard Pirates turned their attention back to Naru, Kitsune, Ace's mysterious sister.
Until this very moment, none of them had ever seen her real face.
"Shit. Who the hell said Kitsune was ugly?! She's a damn beauty!" one of the pirates blurted out, nearly choking on his own tongue.
Ace had always bragged that his sister was a beauty, but honestly, most of them thought he was just a biased little brother trying to defend her reputation. Even Naru herself had once joked about having "marks" on her face, which made everyone assume she was hiding scars or some kind of disfigurement.
They had been completely deceived.
Before anyone could properly digest the shock, a furious roar shook the air.
"UZUKAGE!"
Everyone's attention snapped in the same direction.
Akainu.
Unlike the raging inferno surrounding him, Naru's expression stayed as cold as winter steel. Her sharp blue eyes gleamed like blades forged from ice. "Oh, it's you," she said, her tone calm yet deadly. "You look absolutely pathetic right now. If I weren't so furious, I might have almost pitied you."
If she hadn't spent ten years sharpening her sensory abilities to their utmost peak, she would never have sensed the fading life force of her brothers. The moment she felt it, she had hurled herself from the back of her massive eagle, leaving her shocked team behind, then used her mastery of wind to propel herself across the sky.
If she had been even a few seconds later… she would have lost a brother.
And she would never forgive Akainu for that.
"So, you're Dragon's spawn too, huh?" Akainu growled, each step leaving behind a molten crater that hissed and bubbled. Magma streamed from his limbs like liquid armor, falling in blazing chunks that scorched the earth beneath him.
The sheer hatred on his face was enough to make the air vibrate.
To Akainu, it didn't matter if they were connected to Dragon, Roger, or Garp. In his eyes, every single one of them was the same—tainted blood that needed to be erased.
Seeing Akainu's approach, Naru's four companions tensed instantly, ready to throw themselves between her and the Admiral. But she lifted her hand slightly, a silent command that froze them in place.
This fight belonged to her.
Ace, Luffy, and the pirates clenched their fists, unease twisting in their guts. They knew firsthand how terrifying Akainu's strength was.
But the calm confidence in Naru's stance told them everything.
She could handle this.
"It seems you've chosen to side with Whitebeard," Akainu sneered, his fists seething with molten fury.
"Don't flatter yourself," Naru replied coolly. "Like Sabo said, we're here for our brothers. We have no interest in Whitebeard's business."
"Lies!" Akainu spat, stepping forward with murder blazing in his eyes.
A glint of amusement flickered across Naru's face. "Believe what you want. I'm not here to save Whitebeard. But my brother calls him captain, and that's enough for me. Family comes first."
Whitebeard burst out laughing, slapping his massive knee while his crew erupted into loud grins. They already adored her attitude.
"I mean, what did you expect? I'd be a terrible brother if I didn't come to save his sorry butt!" Sabo added with a sly grin, earning a groan from Ace and an enthusiastic cheer from Luffy.
On the marine side, Sengoku's face was a perfect portrait of outrage and despair.
"Seriously?! You let an entire group of future criminals grow up together, Garp?! What in the world were you thinking?! Every last one of them is a walking catastrophe!"
At this rate, Sengoku was certain his lifespan was being cut down by decades.
"Bwahahahahaha! Don't look at me!" Garp howled with laughter. "From now on, whatever happens to them isn't my problem! You wanna catch them? Go ahead, knock yourselves out!"
Akainu's eyes gleamed like embers.
"Good," he hissed. "Then I'll kill them all myself."
The moment Akainu lunged, Naru moved as well—faster than anyone could blink.
A blazing column of magma clashed violently with a burst of brilliant golden light, their powers exploding upon impact.
And in the midst of that chaos, a destructive wave surged toward Whitebeard himself.
With a thunderous roar, Whitebeard struck back, his quake force tearing through the air. The ground beneath Marineford quaked and splintered, the island trembling under the sheer fury of their combined power.