All right, almost finished I think. To Natylol: I am sorry that I didn't put Zoro's and Sanji's haki in. I didn't know they could use it, otherwise I would have written it in. Thank you for telling me though and I will try to incorporate it in the future.

Akainu watched Luffy's face carefully, for any sign of anger or brokenness.

Luffy dropped to his knees, surveying his crew. He shouldn't have left. He should have stayed and forced them away. Why didn't he stay and fight? Who the hell cares about injuries? He could have done something. The crew looked up and saw Luffy.

"Luffy, you shouldn't be out of bed."

The raven-haired captain stared at Chopper, who had also sustained burns.

"How…how long? How long have I been out?"

The crew glanced at each other. They didn't like the tone Luffy portrayed. It was blank. Almost unfeeling, but they could still feel the emotions bubbling in the undertone. Zoro sighed.

"About three hours."

Luffy winced and sat back on his ankles. His nakama had been going through hell through three hours, while he had been sleeping! What kind of captain was he? What kind of person does that to his nakama? He was no better then the captains he had despised. He stood, swaying slightly.

"Pirate king, I can't become pirate king."

The crew stared at him. Never in a million years would their strong willed captain utter those words. They stood, wincing at their injuries, but not caring.

"Luffy, what are you saying? You can't give up on your dream."

Nami whimpered. Zoro nodded.

"You promised Luffy."

Luffy turned to them with eyes as hard as granite. But it wasn't directed at them. If anything, it was directed at himself. He hissed.

"You want me to become the pirate king when I can't protect you, the thing that is most important to me?"

The crew looked at their feet, as they understood.

They had failed their captain.

He had trusted them to protect him and they failed. They had caused him to give up on his dream. Ussop looked up at Luffy.

"Forgive us Luffy."

"We are sorry Luffy."

Luffy blinked. Why were they apologizing? They didn't do anything wrong. He was the one who failed them as a captain.

Akainu watched Luffy with a growing interest. The boy was still a boy after all, and he was trying so hard not to sink beneath his captain's burden. Akainu felt an unfamiliar emotion rise in him.

It was pity.

He had dedicated his life to the eradication of pirates. He had seen all of the terrible atrocities pirates had done over the years. Destroying villages, holding everyone under their iron fist, and abandoning their crews to save their own skins.

But this pirate was different. He didn't seem to be the pillaging, violent pirate type. He had done things to liberate people from other pirates and other oppressions. There was Arlong, Crocodile, and even Hordy Jones at Merman Island. He had helped all of those people by beating the pirates who had terrorized them so long.

And he was standing there, defying him when he is half dead himself, to protect his crew. Even at Marineford, he had wanted to save Ace, not for political reasons, but because he loved his brother.

No, this was not a normal pirate. If he finally accomplished his dream, to become the pirate king, would the world change for the better?

But still, being the son of the revolutionary, Dragon, could pose a threat to the world. He could be easily corrupted, turned from the path he was on. A pirate is a pirate after all, and defying the government like he was would lead to inspiration in the wrong places.

So, the real question was:

Was it an act of justice or injustice to kill Monkey D. Luffy?

Akainu shook his head, clearing it of all thoughts of treason. No, what was he thinking. Pitying a pirate? He was getting old.

Luffy made his way over to the side of the ship. They hadn't left the dock of the Marine base yet, and Luffy didn't want to fight Akainu on his ship.

"Let's go Akainu."

He hopped off the ship, his sandaled feet slapping the ground. He felt refreshed after his rest, and the thought made him shudder. He had paid for that brief relief with his nakama's wellbeing. He called up to his doctor.

"Chopper, fix everybody up while I finish this."

Chopper nodded and gulped.

"Everyone let me bandage your wounds."

They walked over to him painfully and let him start treating them.

"Fix us quick Chopper. We need to help Luffy."

Meanwhile, Akainu jumped off of the ship, away from the straw-hat pirates. Luffy breathed a sigh of relief. He raised his fists, covering them once again with Haki.

"Yosh, let's go."

He suddenly heard a mighty yell from the base. He turned and saw wave after wave of marine running toward him, brandishing swords, guns, and spears.

Luffy watched them indifferently. He had no problem fighting them and Akainu. That was just how he is. Sanji looked up from Chopper patching up his arm.

"Yo, shitty marimo, Luffy needs help."

Zoro looked up from examining his new bandages and saw the marines. He stood.

"Let's go."

Nami nodded. It was time to redeem them for failing to protect their captain. They all abandoned the ship, walking toward the marines dangerously. They passed Luffy, whose mouth dropped open in surprise.

"Oi, what are you—"

"Concentrate on your fight Luffy. We will take care of these thugs."

Sanji's easy reply calmed Luffy's fear. Nevertheless, he watched carefully as his nakama dove into battle. Akainu stepped toward him.

"Ready Straw-hat?"

Luffy turned back to him, his eyes emotionless. He didn't answer, instead rushed forward, shoving his fists into Akainu's chest. Akainu glanced down at him but didn't seem to feel any pain from it.

Luffy felt the burning but he ignored it. It was like he turned off all pain receptors, not feeling pain, yet feeling pain all the same.

The punch seemed to thrust Akainu backwards. Akainu raised his arms, transforming them into lava, and thrust them down at Luffy. The raven-haired captain jumped backwards, but didn't react fast enough.

The magma caught him on his leg, grazing it enough to burn it badly. Luffy gritted his teeth in pain and growled to keep the scream in the back of his throat.

Luffy noticed the second fist coming and leapt up, vaulting and flipping the arm easily while yelling.

"Gumo gumo no pistol."

The fist splattered into Akainu's face, sinking it in like goo. Luffy retracted his fist and leapt back, ignoring his fresh injuries.

He couldn't beat Akainu like this. They would continue this forever, him throwing ineffective attacks and Akainu would keep injuring him. He would need a new strategy.

Then he got an idea.

A Luffy idea.

Luffy curled his fists and dove at Akainu.

"Gumo gumo no Bazooka."

Akainu sidestepped, the fists going right past him. Luffy retracted them quickly and began a combination of attacks.

"Gumo gumo no pistol. Gumo gumo no rifle. Gumo gumo no yari. Gumo gumo no gatling."

These attacks proved ineffective, but managed to push Akainu back toward the edge of the pier. Luffy threw himself into Second gear.

"Gumo gumo no jet gatling."

The blur of fists splattered into Akainu. Luffy quickly added a little spice to the mix.

"Armament hardening."

His fists turned black, pummeling Akainu even more.

Akainu felt the determination behind the hits, but knew that Luffy was getting desperate. Marines surrounded them on all sides, fighting the straw-hat pirates. Luffy wanted to end the fight and help his nakama.

Luffy finally pulled back his fists, breathing hard. His hands were having a melted appearance, and felt the same. His sandals had burned off of his feet. Luffy gritted his teeth against the raw, blistering feeling. Akainu stepped forward.

"You have to do better then that."

Luffy looked at him.

"Ace, avenge Ace."

He put his thumbs in his mouth.

"Third Gear."

Both arms blew up to the fists of giants.

"Nakama, avenge nakama."

He threw them forward. Akainu immediately put up two giant magma fists and deflected Luffy's attack. Luffy pulled back his fists and returned them to normal.

"Gumo Gumo no pistol."

Akainu caught his fist and flipped Luffy over his shoulder. Luffy coughed as he hit the ground with a loud smack. He pulled his feet up as Akainu stabbed downward with his lava, missing Luffy. The straw-hat captain kicked Akainu in the face and flipped upright.

He took a step backwards and felt his heel fall on nothingness. He glanced back to see he was on the very edge of the dock. If he took a step backwards, he would fall into the ocean. Luffy smiled at Akainu.

The fleet admiral saw the knowing look in Luffy's eyes, like he knew something the fleet admiral didn't.

"No where to run, Dragon's son."

Luffy threw back his fists.

"Who said I was running?"

He stretched them back as far as he could.

"Gumo gumo no."

He snapped them forward, burrowing them into Akainu's chest.

"Bazooka."

He grinned and glanced behind Akainu to see his nakama finishing their fight with the marines. They had won easily, even with their previous injuries. Please see this. Otherwise, I am dead.

Luffy took a deep breath and pulled back his arms, dragging Akainu with him. He used the momentum of the fists to throw himself backwards, over the ocean.