Luffy's POV

Luffy watching Dragon's chest raise and fall, it looked painful, the way it would heave unsteadily for a moment, then fall all too quickly.

Where was the old man? Couldn't he hurry up!

The younger raven prodded the older in the cheek, his skin was burning to the touch and the sweat drenching his face was making the not so smart boy wonder if he could drown in his own sweat.

For the sixth time in the last five minutes, he got up, peering out of the door, when nobody was there he wandered back over to Dragon and sat down again.

Come on! Hurry! Up!

Luffy had never been good at waiting, patience had never been his forte, though when in a situation similar to this one, he was a lot worse. The boy had to do something about a problem, if that problem wasn't being sorted, it got him riled up, then he did stupid stuff.

And the teenager was getting to that point too, he was seriously considering tossing Dragon on his back and going to find the mean old lady himself.

Thankfully Whitebeard reappeared, also Marco, which brightened Luffy up to no end. He felt guilty for ignoring him earlier, to be fair the raven hadn't heard him until he started walking away from the door. By that time it was too last.

The mean old lady came in behind them, she had a very angry face, the cigar in her mouth wasn't helping the already antagonist vibe she was giving off, however Luffy didn't care, he was just glad she had come to help Dragon.

"Move!" The old woman snapped, clicking her fingers in front of the boys eyes, Luffy gave her a unimpressed grunt, but got out of the way. He knew from Chopper that doctors needed space, the reindeer was much, much nicer about it though.

The straw-hat captain took a spot next to Marco, who gave him a sympathetic smile, Luffy returned the smile with wide grin. He was just happy that the blonde teen wasn't upset with him.

"How is he old lady?" The raven asked after a moment, the woman looked up at him, a irritated gaze fixed on him, Luffy ignored it and regarded her with hopeful eyes.

"He's got sea stone poisoning, if those handcuffs don't come off his going to lose his left hand." She answered without any remorse, shrugging her shoulders indifferently.

Luffy's expression dropped immediately, Marco patted his back gently, a comforting gesture, yet he didn't feel better.

"Well get'em off then!" The raven retorted without a second thought, he was bristling angrily. No way was he losing a hand! Dragon liked his hands!

The mean old lady opened her mouth, but was interrupted by Whitebeard, an attempt to calm the situation down a little.

"If it was that simple those handcuffs would have come off as soon as you both arrived. The problem is that those aren't norma-"

Despite the Yonko's best efforts to keep his answer nice and gentle, it really didn't stop Luffy from getting even more impulsively upset, he didn't wait for the man to finish.

"So those are stuck on him! He likes his hands! I won't let anyone else take stuff from him, he just got to be free now, he's going to lose his hand!"

Marco at this point was trying and failing to calm his friend down, the raven teen was getting way too wound up. Luffy was starting to look incredibly scary, his eyes weren't brightly cheerful, they were dark and menacing.

"Oi! Shut it brat, if I want to chop his damn hands off I'm going to, it's the easiest way!" The old woman growled, this really didn't help, it just made Luffy madder, in fact he was really contemplating punching her.

"Luffy calm down, yoi"

"How can I be calm! They're saying that Dragon is stuck in those chains and she's going to chop his hands off! Like hell she is! I'll get' em off myself!"

That was it the straw-hat captain leapt forward, he was going to break them off, nobody was going to stop him. That was until two giant hands grabbed him, restraining him from getting anywhere, they clamped his arms at his sides, trapping him in place.

"LET ME GO! OLD MAN LET ME GO!" The young captain was fighting against what felt like a metal brace, why was this damn man so strong, Luffy was strong and yet it was like he was a useless 7 year old again. This wasn't something the boy was used to, he was able to brute force his way out of most things and here he was unable to do anything!

"Will you calm down!"

Whitebeard's words fell on deaf ears, the raven wasn't listening, he was way to mad, his temper had surfaced and there was no way he was going to calm down.

If it was one thing that Luffy couldn't stand, it was being helpless, he wanted to protect his friends, that was his responsibility! He wasn't weak! He trained for two years, so he wouldn't be weak, he had promised himself that he would protect those important to him, he would protect what was important to his friends!

"Marilyn no one is having their hands chopped off!"

" Are you a doct-" The old woman sneered nastily, she was interrupted when the blonde man snapped at her much more severely.

"YOU ARE NOT CHOPPING HIS HANDS OFF!"

For the first time in a while, the old woman backed down, her face drawn back in a dark expression, yet she dropped it.

"So what do you suggest? Considering you seem to have so much more insight then a 76 year old woman who's been in the profession before you were even born. What is your suggestion? What is it Newgate!"

Whitebeard snarled slightly, he was tensed up, he didn't seem to have an answer.

Luffy was still struggling pitifully, however he had heard the angry row and was torn between punching the old woman or punching the Yonko. But he couldn't do either of those two things without his fists, which were still currently pinned to his sides.

"Sorry to interrupt, you. Why can't Pops just break them off, I've seen you do it before with sea stone, yoi"

Luffy for the first time stopped, looking towards Marco, he was hidden behind Whitebeard's leg, nervous fidgeting. The raven was much more inclined to hear his blonde friend's opinion, over the two arguing adults.

The Yonko sighed dropping his shoulders, he glanced down at Luffy, who was now fixing his attention on him expectedly.

"Before I was rudely interrupted, I was going to explain. The handcuffs Dragon has on are Recoil, which basically means that they have a mechanism inside, when a sharp movement or an attempt to break them is made they will snap shut on the whoever's wearing them. That's why Dragon's bones were shattered when he was fighting, he was lucky that they didn't completely sever his wrists. That is why I haven't gotten them off, one wrong move on my part..."

Luffy rage drowned, he slowly went still, no longer trying to fight his way out. After a moment the man, once he was sure that the teen had calmed down, set him down on the floor next to Marco, his eyes shadowed by his straw hat. His face unreadable.

The boy had no idea what to do, though another bit of anger bubbled to the surface, he was mad at his Grandfather.

How could he do that to Dragon?

Just like how he had let it happen to Ace... Luffy didn't like those feelings, but they were there, deep down inside, he tried hard not to think about them. However, he did sort of resent Gramps for not helping to save Ace, who cares if he was a Marine, Ace was Luffy's big brother and his Grandson. Even though he had let the young captain punch him so he could get to Ace, that was all he really did.

Family was what mattered, friends were important, who cares about a job.

He knew that he didn't. It didn't matter what it was, Luffy would never sell out a friend. It did not matter what it cost him, that was the type of man he was. Nothing was more important.

Because you only got one person, he learnt that the hard way with Sabo. He learnt it again with Ace, he should never take something for granted.

He didn't want to have that happen to Dragon. Despite only knowing him for a short time, Luffy had gotten very attached to the man. Maybe it was because he was his Dad or though the raven reckoned it was actually simply down to liking the guy.

If he wasn't in the current situation, the Straw-hat captain would have asked him to join his crew. Maybe he still would, no, Dragon wanted to be a revolutionary, that was his dream, there was no way he could take that away. Pirates and Revolutionaries didn't mix overly well.

It was a shame Luffy was going to really miss him when he went back to his 'now'. Though the teen trusted him to keep his promise, maybe he would see him much sooner.

The kid looked back to Dragon, his guts twisted, there had to be some way to help him.

He was kinda regretting letting the old hag near his future dad, suddenly very aware of why Marco and Dragon hated her some much.

He was really starting to hate her too, she was just sat there, looking away in annoyance, she had lit another cigar and was blowing smoke all over the room.

That couldn't have been good for a sick person, Chopper wouldn't let Sanji smoke near any of his patients, he made it very clear, that smoke was terrible for a recovering person.

Luffy was so tempted to punch her.

Whitebeard's POV

While the raven was pondering about Dragon, the Yonko had gotten an idea, one that he wasn't fond of, however if it was pulled off correctly...

Was it worth the risk? He also needed Luffy's help, he may not even agree to it.

Newgate had been hoping that on the next island they would have been able to find a locksmith, that was really the only safe way to get the shackles off without the kid having to lose his hands.

Yet, fate had decided otherwise, it was sometimes very cruel. Hadn't the brothers suffered enough?

He gazed down warily to watch Luffy, he was looking anxious, his face was terribly miserable.

Newgate couldn't fault him for his angry fit earlier, honestly he would have probably reacted the same way when he was younger. What the hell was Marilyn trying to do to the poor kid, he knew the woman had a sick sense of humour, but this time she really pushed it.

Then again was she even joking? Knowing her, she might have actually cut his hands off, just to prove so sick point. Or maybe she really believed that it was the only way.

Well Newgate was not letting her anywhere near a knife of any sort, if she pulled one out, this time he really would throw her off the ship.

Marco had been relatively quiet, the blonde man was thankful that his son was here, that argument may have gotten a hell of a lot worse if he hadn't butted in.

The Yonko did wonder if the brothers made a point of never letting him finish talking, every single time, without fail.

He rubbed his forehead, luckily his migraine was starting to disappear, hangover was steadily leaving the man. However he might still get another headache from the amount of stress this day had caused him.

Sighing a little, he needed to make his mind up, go through with his idea, which could end up being extremely bad or just- well no, he didn't really have a choice, this was the only way.

He just hoped it didn't backfire.

That was if Luffy was willing, Newgate had a feeling that he would agree even if it was a awful idea, the kid had no sense of danger, he was either very brave or very foolish and didn't care for consequences, just like him really.

Is this why his kids worried so much?

He didn't particularly enjoy this point of view, would he change his attitude, uh, possibly not. But he did understand it a little better at the very least.

Groaning again, he wished his hands weren't so damn big, but because they were, he was admittedly rather clumsy. This was the whole problem, this was why he needed someone else to help, it just so happened that said helper being made of rubber made it easier and he really hated it.

His idea was simple, Newgate would crush the handcuffs, but something needed to be rapidly moved in-between the metal and the wrist, once the man torn the things off it would trigger the chain instead the cuff to restrict it and in that moment something would need to block it. Since the Yonko's hands were too big, he couldn't get a good enough grip to actually stop the mechanism inside from snapping shut. It would have been some much easier if this was a bomb collar, at least it had a slight delayed response. Recoil cuffs, literally worked off, well recoil, the power you put in, was what was sent back. Sharp movements or pressure were what caused the internal chain to work, it was horrifying to think that Garp put something so disgusting on his own son.

Dragon was right, only those considered at such a lethal level were given them. They were used specifically for dangerous martial artist, who could easily break normal handcuffs.

He turned to the worried looking kid, again his stomach churning, he hated this idea so much, however Luffy was probably fast enough to actually succeed.

The other part of the idea required his devil fruit, though he was sceptical if he could do it, that was flatten his body or his hand anyway, so he could attempt to slip it between Dragon's shackles and his wrist, he remembered seeing the kid changing his shape when he was fighting Garp. He had somehow had himself much bigger and more like a muscular ball thing.

He knew that the boy knew Armament haki, that may at least save him from taking even more damage then he already would.

The sea stone was whole other problem on it own, if he managed to get his hand between the shackle and the arm, his devil fruit would be disabled and it wouldn't be flat anymore.

Would it even work?

Newgate was risking an awful lot for a sketchy idea that may or may not even work. If it didn't, not only would Dragon lose both his hands, Luffy might as well.

Closing his eyes, yup, another migraine was coming on. He shook himself, but if they didn't do anything, then Dragon might not just lose a hand, he could very well lose his life...

"Bra- Luffy? I have an idea, however it could end very badly, I need your help..."

"Okay, what is it?" Luffy agreed without hesitation, Newgate really wished he didn't sound so trusting.

"Now listen carefully, this is very important"

So the Yonko explained in the simplest possible way, hoping that the kid would listen, what was stunning was he didn't interrupt the man once, a look of hard concentration on his face, in fact he was turning red from it.

"Do you understand?"

Luffy nodded seriously, he was frowning slightly, Newgate could almost see the gears turning in his head.

"Do you still want to do it?"

The raven smiled brightly, not even an ounce of doubt in his voice.

"Yeah, of course."

The boy grinned broadly, lowering his straw hat, staring down on it with determination. For some reason, in that moment Newgate saw a much younger Roger standing in the boys place. It was almost uncanny.

" They're just my hands after all, Dragon is much more important."

Newgate stood there slightly stunned, he was right, this kid was a fool. A idiotic fool with more bravery then most men could only dream of.

"Isn't that counterproductive, considering you're willing to give up your hands for someone else's hands." Marilyn snorted bemused, which caused Newgate to glower at the woman with a irritation. Marco scowled as well, he had licks of flames rolling off his shoulders.

However Luffy burst out laughing, he turned the old bag, large amused grin in place.

" Yeah, but Dragon likes his hands. His fighting style revolves around them, he's proud of his power. Anyway I don't care if I can't punch people, I can always kick' em instead. Sanji kicks stuff all the time, he never punches anything and he's super strong. Anyway I'm not going to lose to pair of handcuff, me and Dragon will be fine."

"Who's Sanji, yoi?"

Marco queried, it sounded almost automatic, though Newgate doubted the boy would tell them. He often mentioned these people, when asked who they were, the boy would clap his hands over his mouth rather comically and then refuse to talk to them.

"Oh, he's a cook."

Both Newgate and Marco were slightly surprised that he had given them such a straightforward answer.

He hadn't done the odd covering his mouth thing, which either meant that he had told them willingly or that he had forgotten that he was unable to tell them anything for some reason.

The Yonko was betting on the latter, it was honestly annoying that he couldn't ask more, before the raven remembered, but they had a job to do.

Marco on the other hand was brimming with enthusiasm, he'd been trying to get Luffy to slip up for ages.

"Who's Nami? And Robin, oh and Zoro, yoi?"

"Uh, Nami's my Navigator on my ship, she really good! Oh, Nami can control the weather too, she really likes money, we always get stuck stealing treasure for her. Robin is the Historian, she's really smart and has this devil fruit power where she can sprout limbs from anywhere, she normally snaps people's necks and says really morbid stuff which freaks everyone out, it's really funny. Zoro was my first crew member, he gets lost all the time. Oh and he's a swordsman, he can use three Katana! He super strong, he's also likes sleeping and sake..."

Luffy suddenly broke off, he had been excitedly telling them all about his crew? That's what it sounded like, the fact that he had mentioned that it was 'his' ship and Zoro was 'his' first mate. Honestly, Newgate had been wondering what was going on with him, now he knew, the kid was a captain...

" I don't know when I'll see them again... soon I hope."

"Where are they, yoi?"

That was a very good question, why wasn't he with his crew, then again, what was Luffy doing with Garp and Dragon if he had a crew. Surely, if had come for Dragon, then wouldn't his crew have followed him?

"Not here. Dragon needs our help"

This time Newgate suddenly had lots of questions but he realized they were getting off track. Even though the Yonko really wanted to know, they still had to get the handcuffs off and Dragon wasn't getting any better.

"Yes right."

He turned to the impending task, the man had been glad of the distraction, but now he had this to deal with, he still hated the idea.

Luffy clicked his arms, getting ready for whatever happened next, he just hoped that everything went to plan. He longed for the days when the Yonko had been a much more normal sized human, at least then he could have done the job himself, instead of endangering a kid.

His stomach was turmoil, he was dreading it.

"Remember, you need to grab his wrists both at the same time"

Luffy nodded steadily, a clear look of concentration written on his face. God he hoped everything would work out, Newgate was going to hell for this regardless.

He took hold of the handcuffs, giving the young raven the signal and crushed them...