Chapter 6: Amazon Lily, Paradise?
Luffy sighed for the umpteenth time since Kuma had sent him flying. If only he had told the rest of the crew what would happen to them in the Archipelago… Maybe then all of them wouldn't have tried so hard to avoid the Shichibukai, but that would've confused the hell out of them with those two Pacifistas.
He knew that he had done the best he could, but that didn't prevent him from feeling useless despite how much he had struggled to keep his profile low. It would be too shocking for his crew mates to accept that he had, somehow, traveled back in time. True, the Grand Line and the New World were crazy places where anything could happen. Damn, the Devil Fruits existed, didn't they? The proof was himself who had eaten the Gomu Gomu no Mi, or Robin with the Hana Hana no Mi, Brook with his Yomi Yomi no Mi and Chopper with the Hito Hito no Mi. Even Ace had the Mera Mera no Mi. He still has, damn it and I'll make sure it stays this way! The Straw Hat captain thought, scolding himself for his slip of tongue.
"Ah! So annoying!" he shouted as he kept on flying. He wanted this to come to an end, to land already. His stomach growled loudly. "I'm starving!" he whined as he folded his arms around his belly.
That fight had exhausted him and left him with no energy at all.
Things might've gone slightly better if he had, at least, told Robin about this whole incident, but he was afraid that things wouldn't have gone as they should if he changed that part too. He'd have his hands full just to infiltrate into Impel Down again and if he couldn't reach Ace in time either now, he'd have to go all the way back to the Marine's Headquarters in Marineford.
God, he hated that place. He had gone back with Rayleigh and Jimbei because it was the only way he'd be able to reach his nakama to tell them that they were taking a two year break to get stronger.
"Zoro, Nami, Usopp, Sanji, Chopper, Robin, Franky, Brook! I'm sorry! Just… hang in there!" he shouted as his eyes began to close up, feeling sleepy all of a sudden. He still had three more days and nights of this whole flying trip.
Right when he was asking himself when the hell he was going to land, he narrowed his eyes as an island came into his line of sight, then shut them once more as he awaited the arrival. Damn, he'd better watch out and not end up being found out by those women inhabiting the freaking island or he'd have to fight those snake-like sisters, again.
Once the paw-like bubble let him go softly, Luffy sat up and looked around himself. Where did he find that delicious-looking beast? The Straw Hat captain folded his arms onto his chest and tilted his head to the side. Well, he'd find it, eventually. He grabbed Rayleigh's vivre card, remembering that he'd been following it when he had ran into that animal. Grinning with satisfaction, the raven-haired boy jumped on his feet and began to follow the direction the paper told him to go.
Several minutes later he found himself in front of that dead end and he felt a presence behind him. His voracious grin widened as he turned around slowly, drool dripping from the corner of his mouth.
"There you are…" The poor animal looked at him as if he had just seen a demon and as it took a step back, Luffy flung his fist and swung it towards the giant wild boar.
Ignoring the mushrooms —he had sworn he wouldn't touch any of them—, he climbed on a tree and hid himself among the leaves so no one would find him.
It didn't take too long for the Amazon Lily warriors to find the extinguished campfire he'd started to roast the food and they began to speculate about who was on their island and why. Luffy guessed that they would be on guard so he stayed where he was until he felt they were far enough for him to come down.
He now had to find his way back to the city where those women lived and sneak into the bath house where he knew that Boa Hancock would be soon enough. He knew this plan was risky and he'd probably end up fighting those two again, but at least now the other three would be free and they wouldn't be turned into stone like last time.
"Well, let's get going!" he muttered as he stretched the slightest bit so the stiffness would leave his muscles alone after having been hiding in a weird position all those minutes.
He outstretched his arms to grab a hold of one of the high branches of a high tree and propelled himself forward and up. "There's the village," he said as he saw the high valley where he could see buildings and the fort that surrounded it. Luffy landed on another tree and jumped to another one, making his way to his destination.
It didn't take him long to reach the rocky wall and he climbed it without needing to worry about those snakes that had made him fall the last time he had been there. That would've been annoying.
Well, it'd be great if he could pass by unnoticed, but he seemed to be a magnet for trouble so he should hide himself before any of the warriors noticed him or spotted him. It'd be troublesome if he had to save them from being crushed while they were stone.
Luffy sighed again as he sat down behind the wall. He was so sleepy. It always happened after he'd stuffed himself up with meat, but dozing off was a bad idea. He had to be on guard until he knew for sure that Hancock was back in the island. Damn, just thinking about Ace being already in Impel Down made his stomach twitch with angst. But he wasn't going to make the same mistakes he'd made back then. Now he knew how to use haki and he'd be able to deal with that poison-snake with more accuracy. It didn't mean he'd get out of it unscathed, but he wouldn't be as wounded as he'd been back in the time.
A loud horn woke him up and he jumped on his feet. He tried to hear harder and listened as the women were yelling that it was bath time. So she was already here, huh? He smirked and stretched his arms to propel himself forward and towards the huge building in front of him. Time to make yet another visit to the Pirate Empress Boa Hancock.
As he landed, the roof gave in and he fell into the bathhouse, landing on his two feet rather than face-first.
The first thing he saw was the woman's back and that mark that told him, yet again, what life she'd been forced to face in the hands of the Tenryuubito. It wasn't as new as it once was to him. Now he knew the whole story and it would probably be easier to get to the point he needed to get to. No more beating around the bush.
"Who-?" Before she could even shriek, Luffy's hand stretched out to put it on her mouth.
"Don't worry, I'm not here to hurt you or reveal what I've seen. I know what that mark means and I'm on your side. I've hit one of those bastards three days ago. That gorilla-like Shichibukai sent me flying here and I've got a favor to ask."
Hancock's eyes widened even further as she felt as if her legs were giving way. Who the hell was this man? What did he know about that mark? And why would Bartholomew Kuma sent a man, of all things, flying towards Amazon Lily which was known for its rule to not allow any man inside the fortress of the island of women?
"I know this may sound unbelievable, but I've met you before, some years ago. Right here, in this similar situation," Luffy continued saying, "and trust me, back then it was kinda weird. But I've got an urgent request and I wouldn't dare to come if it wasn't something important. Not only for me, but also for you and your people."
The pirate Empress frowned. Her and her people? Luffy let go of her mouth and of her. She stepped out of the bathtub and pulled a towel around her body. As soon as she had done that, she pulled her hands forward in a heart-shaped gesture.
"Mero-mero beam!" Luffy crossed his arms in front of his chest as the beam passed through him with no effect at all. She might be beautiful but he had no desire for women. Any woman. It had always been this way and now it wasn't any different despite all the years that had gone by. In his mind, there was nothing but adventure and he hadn't, not even once, thought about having a family since his crew was like one already. "How's that…?"
"Possible?" Luffy finished for her, smiling widely. "Not interested. As simple as that. Look, we're short on time. I'm sure you already heard about Portgas D. Ace's execution, am I right?"
"The Whitbeard Pirate's Second Division Commander?"
The Straw Hat captain nodded.
"He's my brother. I know he'd get mad if he knew what I'm planning, but we've got to hurry. I need you to sneak me into Impel Down. It has to be you and this will save not only Ace, but also your people. They've told you that if you don't go to Marineford they'll take your title away, right? This is the only way you can keep that title and safeguard the well-being of your crew."
Well, I know this'll be short but, be patient. I've began to change a LOT from this part onward so it will not take long before we're at Impel Down and Marineford, because yes, due to me changing all of this will not affect the fact that Luffy WILL be late to get Ace out of Impel Down.
Now to answer my lovely reviewers:
scatteredPhilosopher: Why, thank you! I'm trying my best to convey them as if he has the knowledge of all those pirating years. I thought that detail was a given! He has to thank Kuma while he's still conscious of it happening. Thanks for reading and taking a couple minutes to give your opinion about it!
Ace Portgas D: Here's the update!
Bloodyrose: Why, thank you!
Pinkus-Puno: No esperes más, aquí está el nuevo capítulo y por lo menos ya se encontró con Hancock.
MegDBrew: Here's another chapter.
FanFictionAddict2.0: Here's the update. Thank you for your patience!
Bloodynightmares: Why, thank you!
