【One Piece】Dawn in the Darkness

Chapter 457 A Perfect Day in Marineford...?

It's 1:11 a.m., a very quiet night, a very relaxing and beautiful night. They have just finished their shift handover.

Coby looked at the empty Marineford Square and smiled. Just a few days ago, it was packed with naval soldiers from all over the world. Because of the war call a few days ago, officers from various regions led their troops to Marineford in a grand procession from all seas. But before they could do anything, they were told that the war was canceled.

Anger has shrouded Marineford ever since, and the officers' anger only intensified after the news of Impel Down's complete defeat was announced.

Although the atmosphere surrounding Marineford remains unsettling, today is undoubtedly a beautiful and hopeful day.

After the incident, all the most capable officers, with their anger and soldiers, went to various sea areas to hunt down Impel Down's escaped men. By yesterday afternoon, the officers who had temporarily stayed behind to maintain order had also left Marineford with their soldiers.

This means all the anger has left the building, so there is no doubt that today will be the first day in recent days that all the Marine Headquarters soldiers will feel an unusual sense of relief.

According to everyone, Impel Down's great defeat was the biggest and most devastating loss the World Government had ever faced since the Great Pirate Era began. Coby thought he should also feel angry and sad about the loss of Impel Down, but he wasn't actually sad.

One day, Mr. Garp casually mentioned to him Luffy's three brothers (one of whom was already dead). The other two were Lucci, the Dragon Prince, and Portgas D. Ace. So when he learned that the Whitebeard Pirates and Luffy had successfully rescued Portgas D. Ace and Lucci from Impel Down, Coby had never been so happy.

He was glad that Luffy and his master had not suffered the pain of losing their families. Coby did not want to imagine how heartbroken Mr. Garp would be if the execution had been carried out successfully.

He still remembered the expression on Mr. Garp's face when he returned to Marineford after inspecting the prison. He had never seen his master, Mr. Garp, so conflicted. Although Mr. Garp's expression looked gloomy, he could see a pure sense of relief hidden in his face.

So he was actually happy about all of this, even though these thoughts were essentially a betrayal, but he didn't care. He wanted to be happy for his master, and for Mr. Luffy. Even though Luffy was a pirate, he was still one of the most important people in Coby's life because he was the first person to believe in him, torn everything apart for him, and let him start his dream anew.

Mr. Luffy has become so strong. Seeing his hero grow, Coby was thrilled. He had to become stronger so that he could fight alongside Mr. Luffy and one day stand on equal footing with him. Thinking of this, Coby grinned. Just then, the chaotic shouts from the square interrupted his thoughts. He stared in disbelief at the intense shouts coming from the Den Den Mushi broadcast.

"Emergency! Intruders!! It's Rayleigh, Marco the Phoenix (first division commander), Thatch (fourth division commander), Harta (twelfth division commander), Jinbe (former Shichibukai), Ace the Pirate, Lucci the Dragon Prince, and Luffy the Straw Hat! They've hijacked a warship! Intrusion!! Intrusion!!"

The announcements echoed across the square. Coby froze completely. What were people like Rayleigh, the Dark Lord, and Marco, the Phoenix, doing in Marineford?! Coby thought frantically as he ran towards the square, closer to the source of the commotion, and then to his three brothers behind him. He couldn't understand why they were here. Hadn't they just escaped from Impel Down not long ago?!

Coby stared dumbfounded at the nine people standing in the square. Mr. Luffy was definitely the most chaotic person he knew. He should have expected that his brother couldn't be any better, so he shouldn't be surprised that they would break into Marineford.

The only thing that surprised him now was what they were carrying: buckets of paint in different colors. From the way they strolled through the streets of Marineford, he could tell they didn't care about their location. But their indifference still surprised Coby, after all, they were in none other than Marine Headquarters! The gathering place of the strongest Marines!

But... Coby knew that, like Impel Down, no one could stop them, because the Fleet Admiral and the Admiral were absent once again; they had gone to Mary Geoise yesterday for a meeting with the Five Elders and had not yet returned...

Mr. Garp? Who knows where he went? Anyway, Coby doesn't know, so another layer of defense has disappeared. There is no one here who can stop the most powerful and troublesome pirates on the Grand Line, as well as a blond youth... Coby doesn't know his identity, but judging from his aura, he is no weaker than the others. In fact, Coby suspects that he is a member of the Revolutionary Army. Judging from Lucci's identity as the Dragon Prince, this possibility is very high.

Just then, a hand landed on his shoulder, startling Coby, but he quickly relaxed as his friend Helmeppo yelled in a shrill voice, "Straw Hat!?"

"Kirby!"

Coby turned around with a smile, his cheeks slightly flushed, and waved somewhat awkwardly. "Hi, Luffy-sama... Straw Hat!" Coby had changed his address at the last minute when Helmeppo elbowed him. He smiled a little embarrassedly. Helmeppo reminded him that this was Marine Headquarters, and although most of the soldiers were sleeping, there were also soldiers on duty like them. Letting them know that he admired Mr. Luffy might not be a good idea.

Ace stared at Coby for a while, then looked at Luffy expressionlessly and said, "Really? Luffy, you actually have Navy friends?"

"Aren't you one too?" Lucci quickly exposed Ace's deception.

Luffy continued laughing, introducing his friend to his brothers, "Hehehe, this is Coby, he's very brave and strong!"

Koby's face turned even redder, while Helmeppo kept complaining to him about why he was always ignored by the Straw Hats, and Koby laughed at his friend.

“I’m not surprised at all that Luffy has friends in the Navy,” Sabo grinned.

"Luffy, our reminiscing is over. We have more important things to do!" Lucci grinned, his eyes gleaming with an evil light. "Are you all ready? I'm going to turn this entire base into a trap!"

"Don't forget our flashbangs, Lucci!!" Sachi grinned.

Ace grinned maniacally and cracked his knuckles. "I'm going to create a masterpiece for the Navy."

Sabo gave a sly smile, his eyes gleaming with an evil light. "There are a few rooms I'll be focusing on."

"Graffiti!!" Luffy laughed gleefully, suddenly raising his arm into the air, almost smearing the paint off his hand.

"Pink! Make all their uniforms pink!" Harta yelled frantically.