Author's Note: Welcome back to another chapter of Leader of the Family of D. Glad you all liked the last chapter, as I give you a small double update. Now, I don't have much to say so let's get into this chapter.

I don't own One Piece or any crossover elements from other anime's which all belong to the respective owners.

"..." Character P.O.V.

'...' Character thoughts

"..." Attacks

'...' Narrator

Chapter 20: An Unexpected Arrival

- Marineford -

Currently on the crescent moon-shaped island of Marineford which is home to Marine Headquarters, Fleet Admiral Sengoku was sitting in his office looking at a set of wanted posters while reading a report that troubled him. It was late at night, proving it had been a long day for the man as it would for any high ranking officer in the Marines. Though the report he was reading currently, detailed information on intercepted conversation. Well, what could be intercepted because the marines weren't able to get the whole conversation.

Though now, there was something that caught his eye further into the report along with a request as he already gave full permission to it.

'The Straw Hats Pirates are somehow involved with the current situation taking place in The Desert Kingdom of Alabasta along with the missing princess of the kingdom. As such, Captain Smoker has decided to pursue the crew to the country and handle them himself.'

'It's also worth noting to the Fleet Admiral, Sengoku and the higher ups of the World Government that the Nine Demonic Pillar Generals may be reuniting in the desert kingdom at some point. But it's mostly speculation at the moment due to not having concrete information on the whereabouts of the other pillar generals.'

'So in response to this and with the permission of Fleet Admiral Sengoku, Marine battleships from nearby bases have been dispatched to set up a blockade to stop them before they can even reach Alabasta entirely.'

As Sengoku read over the last part, he put down the paper and let out a long sigh as he spoke to himself.

"The Kingdom of Alabasta, huh?" asks Sengoku to himself, as he rubbed his forehead. "Just more problems being added to the fire at this point now." says Sengoku as he lets out another long sigh.

The reason Sengoku had been reading this report was because he wanted to read it over again for a final time. To him, Luffy and his crew were a problem and a very huge one at that. Considering the message he received from Luffy back in the East Blue via Den Den Mushi did shock him. And as it stood now, the Marines had lost valuable assets in the form of the pillar generals causing a great rift in their power.

The reason behind why, was because the Nine Demonic Pillar Generals were the ideal force that Sengoku looked to in giving out many of his orders while expecting full success. Not to mention leaving the Marines without a proper successor to the title of Fleet Admiral, as the current's choices were really unfavorable to Sengoku at the moment because none of them had the fierceness and determination like Luffy did. Which was why the Fleet Admiral had groomed the boy for the title as best as he could, only to fail.

When Luffy left in the way he did years back, it really caused a lot of issues to open up for the Marines as a whole. Along with opening up fresh wounds into the Marines credibility. As it led to a lot of questions being asked into why Luffy and the other eight pillar generals betrayed the World Government and Marines, and why they chose to burn Mariejois and cause a world wide panic. Leaving the Marines and both the World Government in a position where they couldn't give a straight forward answer as to why.

As it stood now, Sengoku wanted to be kept updated on the situation of this particular crew and where they were heading. As this information was at least a few days old and it only highlighted the current reasons behind why battleships had been dispatched. The Fleet Admiral knew one ship wasn't gonna be enough so he sent multiple battleships to handle the situation while feeling he used the necessary power to handle them because one ship against a blockade would prove useless.

So as he thought about this report while sitting at his desk, there was a knock at his sliding door that made him look up and speak now.

"Enter." says Sengoku as he straightened his body up fully.

Once the Fleet Admiral said this, two people entered the room. Sengoku looked upon those coming in while becoming very surprised at who it was that entered his office. The first was Vice Admiral Garp with the second being Vice Admiral Tsuru, both of whom joined the Marines alongside and also great friends to Sengoku. Though now, Sengoku knew this wasn't a friendly meeting as it would be more about business by the looks on their faces.

"I can see you both want to speak to me about something." says Sengoku in a matter of fact tone.

"Yes because it has a lot to do with the file we just got confirmation on to read." says Garp with a serious expression.

This got Sengoku to raise an eyebrow, as Garp went to throw the folder on his table. Sengoku looked down to see it had a red classified stamp on the front in big red letters as it had the title on the front. A title he thought, he'd never have to read again after the fiasco it caused years ago.

'Operation Firestorm'

As Sengoku read the title, he let out another long sigh with an irritated look on his face, as he spoke with a bit of anger in his voice.

"What do you want from me, Garp? This was an order that came from the higher ups, you know as well I do that I couldn't turn it down. Not to mention that this whole operation came as a suggestion from a certain branch of celestial dragons." says Sengoku explaining his reasoning with gritted teeth, as he continued. "Need I remind you that this certain branch of celestial dragons all shared your last name, and are now all dead because of your grandson's actions years before?" asks Sengoku.

"You don't have to remind me of anything on that matter because from my perspective, Luffy and those brats did what they had to do and executed it perfectly. To me they did the right thing." says Garp with an angry expression on his face as he continued. "Now as for your question, what I want from you is an answer." says Garp, getting Sengoku's full attention as he continued. "How far are you and the Marines willing to go to achieve this damn goal of Absolute Justice? Just how far? Where does it end?" asks Garp, being fully serious on this question.

Sengoku for his part was a bit confused now, but decided to speak anyway.

"As far as we need to Garp. I'm not a firm believer in it myself but-" begins Sengoku with a determined expression with narrowed eyes, only to have Garp cut him off entirely.

"Bullshit Sengoku. Don't even try that with me." says Garp fully throwing out the niceties with his old friend while continuing to speak. "You were always one to follow every single order ever since you joined up, as it is a testament to why you're sitting in the chair as Fleet Admiral of the Marines. So don't give me that." says Garp with a glare.

As Garp said this, Sengoku decided to narrow his eyes even further and speak.

"Oh? Then enlighten me on why I'm sitting in the position. Give me one reason." says Sengoku waiting for an answer, as Garp went to speak now.

"Ohara is a start." says Garp being very short in his answer.

This short answer in itself got Sengoku to widen his eyes. This was one subject that both Garp and Sengoku never agreed on. Not only because the Tree of Knowledge was destroyed in the process along with all the recorded history held within the library, but for the sole fact that Garp didn't like how the Marines willingly desecrated such a hallowed place and killed innocent civilians that inhabited the island. To Garp, the Marines and World Government were too hasty and went too far when they could have handled it a different way.

So now, Sengoku went to speak.

"That was different, and you know damn well it was." says Sengoku now standing from his chair with a glare as he continued. "You and I both know, we can't afford failure on any fronts. This operation on my desk, would have solved a lot of problems despite the methods." says Sengoku explaining his reasoning.

"And we both know it wasn't." says Garp walking up to now be in Sengoku's face as he spoke now. "Do you know the reason why I can't follow every order? Why I turned down every promotion to Admiral on multiple occasions for more than just because of the Celestial Dragons? And why Luffy decided to do what he did years back?" asks Garp.

"No." says Sengoku, answering the question as Garp spoke again.

"It's because in the head, we're mentally sane enough to know when orders go too far." says Garp as he continues for a final time. "And that detailed order in this file, draws the line on so many levels. In all honesty Sengoku, you've fallen low. Very low to agree with such an operation like this." says Garp finishing up now.

"Well unlike you Garp, I did and will do what's necessary. Which is why, I am the Fleet Admiral of the Marines." says Sengoku with narrowed eyes on the matter, as Garp spoke.

"That's already been made clear." says Garp with narrowed eyes of his own.

As this was said by Garp, Sengoku didn't back down from the glare he was receiving from the man. At best, It seemed like the two were close to fighting physically at this point. Tsuru for her part hadn't seen the two at odds like this for a while, considering the two had been great friends but that didn't mean work interfered with that relationship.

So now, Tsuru sighed a bit and decided to speak to break this up before it did turn physical.

"Alright you two. Calm down a bit." says Tsuru as she walked over to push them away from each other a bit to speak again. "Now Sengoku, who else exactly knows about this operation?" asks Tsuru who wanted an answer to this question.

Once this was said, Sengoku took a deep breath and exhaled before speaking to answer the question.

"Besides the Five Elders, the Nine Demonic Pillar Generals, myself, and you two included. Only Aokiji, Kizaru, and Akainu know of this." says Sengoku answering the question, as he continued speaking. "Aokiji didn't like it from the start just like the pillars generals did. Kizaru well, he didn't give his opinion on it for whatever reason of his own but for some reason I don't think he agreed with it either. As for Akainu, he was willing to go for it willingly." says Sengoku explaining, as Tsuru scoffed.

"Of course Sakazuki did. What did you really expect? The guy is an extremist, at best he's borderline, if not outright psychopathic. Willing to do anything to serve his own goals no matter the cost." says Tsuru thinking about it now for herself.

When Tsuru said this, it was clear to them and along with the proof that was in their faces, out of all the Admirals, Akainu otherwise known by his real name Sakazuki was for a lack of terms an outright ruthless man. Akainu's reputation as a Marine said it all considering that his ruthless adherence to Absolute Justice has made his colleagues fear and despise him, especially Aokiji, who called him a fool for taking things too far during the Ohara Incident when he was still a Vice Admiral. In all honesty, some believe that's what earned him his current rank.

"Sakazuki's methods were always too extreme. That was clear from the start, considering the man is so quick to violence. So it was only natural that he would agree to something like that." says Garp as he spoke again. "Another thing Luffy hated about the Marines as a whole." says Garp thinking about it now.

This last statement being said by Garp, got Sengoku to turn to him now as he spoke.

"What do you mean by that, Garp?" asks Sengoku with a raised eyebrow.

Once Sengoku asked this, Garp and Tsuru looked at each other with confused looks and then back to the man as Tsuru decided to speak now.

"I'm surprised you don't know. Considering Luffy held extreme hatred for the man, and openly at that." says Tsuru remembering it now.

It was a known fact in the Marines that out of all the Admirals, Luffy hated Akainu the most and for good reason. As Luffy in the past, may have been trained by the Admirals individually for a short time along with being trained by Garp and Tsuru mostly, and Sengoku rarely but it was clear the hatred for the man was always present. Sengoku may have not seen it but everyone else did, considering Luffy was the only one who could surpass the man in terms of ruthlessness, when he took on a certain form when he was still the captain of the Nine Demonic Pillar Generals.

"Seriously Sengoku, even I saw it a mile away." says Garp with a sigh as he continues speaking. "If you think about it now, it's not really all that surprising considering that Luffy played the World Government and Marines into thinking he would be a loyal asset to their goals, when in actuality he was using us to get power and information." says Garp as he continues further. "He fooled everyone, including us. Though, his anger isn't without reason either." says Garp as he finished speaking.

As Garp finished speaking on this, Tsuru nodded in agreement at the information as she thought back on the reason behind it. So when Sengoku heard the last bit of that, he decided to speak again only to be interrupted by a voice yelling out.

"Fleet Admiral, Sir!" says a Marine yelling as he came into the room, and went to salute the officers in the room before him

It was clear that the man was out of breath from what seemed like the after result of running. So as this happened, Sengoku went to speak calmly.

"Calm yourself, soldier. Catch your breath and then speak." says Sengoku, giving the man advice.

"Sir! It's urgent news from the New World. News that your need to hear." says the Marine catching their attention as Tsuru spoke.

"Elaborate." says Tsuru.

The Marine breathes deeply and begins speaking, giving the shocking news.

- With The Strawhats -

Currently with the crew, mostly everyone was asleep except for Luffy, Giyu, Agni, Inosuke, Alizeh, and Akeno. They were all sitting on the main deck while sitting around a small fire pit that Agni had set up on the ship for a night like this. As they were enjoying the night by drinking and trading stories.

"Wait, you actually dared Giyu to do that?!" asks Inosuke laughing as he had a bottle of sake in his hand.

"Damn right I did. The next thing you know, Giyu is so drunk off his ass he could barely stand." says Agni as he went to laugh along with everyone else, as Giyu looked embarrassed.

"Just means he can't hold his liquor. Shishishi." says Luffy chuckling, as Giyu went to speak.

"Yeah and I learned my lesson to never drink with you again, Agni." says Giyu with irritation present in his voice as he sipped from his mug.

"Oh lighten up!" says Agni, raising his voice as he went to slap Giyu on the back. "That was a few years back. As of now, I'm pretty sure you can handle your alcohol. Though, it does surprise me that you didn't use your Devil Fruit back then considering you are made of water." says Agni with a grin.

As this went on everyone was either smiling or laughing as they enjoyed themselves. Luffy for his part had his back to the railing as he sat near the fire pit with a content smile on his face. To him not only did he have his siblings in all but blood coming back to him but his entire crew was starting to become like family to him. So in the process, it brought a happy feeling, one that he had not felt in quite some time.

"You alright, Luffy?" asks Alizeh, who was sitting next to him.

"Yeah, I'm alright." says Luffy as he continues speaking. "Just enjoying myself and listening to the stories you guys are telling that's all." says Luffy as Alizeh patted him on the head.

"That's good. It's been a while since we could enjoy ourselves like this. Honestly, I'm glad we'll all be together again very soon." says Alizeh as she continued speaking. "We've been protecting each other for so long that we're practically family at this point. Considering all of us have lost something close to a real family, or haven't experienced it." says Alizeh as she sipped from her mug.

"Mhmm. Not to mention all nine of us have experienced a similar event years back." says Luffy as he looked on at everyone talking amongst themselves. "This right here Alizeh is what I want to protect the most, and I'll fight like hell to do that. You all said you'd follow no matter what, so in response to that I promise to keep you all safe." says Luffy as he turned to her with a smile. "After all, what kind of captain or brother can't fulfill that much?" asks Luffy.

Alizeh for her part was a bit surprised but went to smile all the same while pulling Luffy close into a one armed hug, as she spoke.

"Aww, my brother's become such a big softie with age." says Alizeh cooing at this while Luffy was a bit embarrassed.

"More like you're just seeing it now." says Luffy under his breath.

As this went on with the other enjoying themselves, it seemed like it was going to be a quiet night until they all felt a strong presence in the air through their Observation Haki. Upon feeling this strong presence, they all stood up at attention now.

"Luffy…" says Agni, a bit shocked now.

"I know. I know." says Luffy feeling it himself. 'I felt something like this before, but why does it feel stronger.' thought Luffy sweating a bit.

The next thing that happened was that the ocean around them started to get rough as well. The wind in the air as well started to pick up with everyone on guard looking around. Then all of a sudden, it started to thunder with lightning strikes appearing every few seconds. As Luffy, Akeno, and Inosuke went to use Observation Haki to track down the source only for one of them to find it the quickest.

"Found it! It's not just one but two." says Inosuke getting their attention, as Giyu spoke now.

"Where?" asks Giyu, wanting to know with the purpose of tracking it down now.

Inosuke didn't speak to respond to Giyu's question yet because he went to put a bit of wind around himself to fly.

"All of you follow me." says Inosuke, as he goes to fly up now.

This action alone caused everyone to nod, as Akeno went to act quickly by making individual thunderclouds as footholds for those that didn't have flight based abilities. The reason why was because she didn't want them wasting Geppo to keep up yet. Agni went to use his black wings to fly up and then turn his body into fire. Luffy for his part went to use Geppo high in the air and then turned into his dragon form to follow Inosuke with the others.

- A Few Minutes Later -

In the skies above, Luffy and the others were flying to track down the source of the strong presence. So now, Inosuke stopped flying and used his wind to stay in his spot in the sky as everyone caught up while at this point having their Haki and Devil Fruits activated fully. So now, Luffy decided to speak.

"Why did you stop?" asks Luffy in dragon form.

"Because the strong presence will pass through this area. No matter how we see it, they'll sense us considering this presence seems to be New World level." says Inosuke.

Once Inosuke gave his reason, Luffy nodded and looked forward once more. As they waited the thunder seemed to get louder along with the amount of lightning strikes became more frequent along with being more violent.

As they looked forward, they could see the outline of something very large and very long with something else flying next to it that had a glow. So as they continued to look on, a blue claw began to stretch itself out of the darkened clouds as a second one with it did the same. The snout of the creature along with it's mouth blew out steam as the rest of it's head descended a bit to be at a level with the crew. Only to make the clouds disperse a bit around to reveal a very large dragon, for which everyone knew exactly what this was.

"Just as I thought…" says Luffy now worried and fully on guard.

The reason why was because this wasn't someone, Luffy could play around with. Let alone even drop his guard as this was also an individual that gave him one of his scars. An individual whose very existence and reputation can be equal to a walking calamity of chaos.

"This isn't good." says Giyu holding his sword with a serious look while his hands betrayed him by shaking a bit.

"No shit this isn't good." says Agni, as his flames dropped just a bit in uneasiness as Inosuke spoke now.

"All of you need to get your shit together!" says Inosuke angrily yelling at the two while his body said it all too…with shaking.

As this conversation went on, Luffy stood ready while very worried for his friends. As Giyu's hand continued to shake, Agni's flames kept going from rising to shrinking, Inosuke's senses were going haywire. Alizeh was sweating heavily while Akeno was standing firm, but her hearts at the same time were pounding heavily all the same like everyone else's. And the reason why some of them were shaking with unease was because this was someone that none of them were ready to face yet nor was it someone they could make a dent on, even if they so well tried.

They all may have held power in their own right, but even this was someone none of them could fight all out. Put up an effort maybe, but it would require all nine of the pillar generals to do just that, as they were currently only six in total at the moment. An so with this thought running through their minds, they all turned to look at Luffy, who hadn't expected to face this opponent yet again so soon. As this same opponent was someone, who he too couldn't beat at all in his current state or any for that matter while also being the same person, who gave him one of his scars and was the first of two people to pierce more than two of his hearts. As this creature before them was able to pierce six of his seven hearts.

'After all these years, why now...?' thought Luffy as he looked upon the figure.

This compelling force before them that had them frozen in their spots right now, was one of the Yonko who ruled over the New World…

Kaido.

Done!, good, bad, don't like it that's on you. So yea, double upload here. Along with some insight to what Garp and Tsuru think about the whole situation surrounding Operation Firestorm. Now, as you saw here Garp and Tsuru don't agree with it while Sengoku thought it was necessary. It also shows how Garp and Sengoku are at odds for obvious reasons, as Sengoku also gave insight to what the other admirals thought about the Operation as a whole along with giving some hints to something that involves both Luffy and Akainu, which will be explained in the future soon enough. Also be prepared for the next chapter as this little surprise at the end of the chapter was a build up in a sense. I know small but a build up. So without anything else to say, please review and I'll see you guys for the next chapter after I finish my college work online.