Aboard the Strawhat Grand Armada ship
To traverse the globe from Alabasta to Dressrosa, the crew took a very long time in going through the grand line to get to where they needed to go. What should have been a comfortable two month journey, turned into almost a year...and precious time was used to build some relationship, strength, and crew bonding,
As time ticked, Luffy was becoming more and more concerned. Not for himself, but for the kingdom of Dressrosa.
Based on his understanding from his timeline, the beginning of this year was when Mingo did the things he did to Dressrosa. But this time there was a difference, this time he wasn't going to just let him take what he wanted. This time he was going to stop Mingo before he took Dressrosa into his control...not this time Joker.
Mingo knows who he is, after breaking down the auction house in Sabaody and messing up his slaving business.
Otherwise, not a day has gone wasted for the crew though.
On the first two month of their travel, Robin and Hancock had been gossiping about Luffy as Robin was curious about him. He wasn't forcing anything between them, he just treated her like a person and that was such a refreshing feeling. Everyone else in the crew treated her with such respect that she couldn't have been happier to be part of this group.
"So what makes you like him so much?" Robin asked as they were helping each other with nail polish.
"No girl, the question is what is not to like?" Hancock stopped painting Robin's nail to give her some information about Luffy. "He is gentle but strong, loving but hot blooded, strong but caring, he is everything you would want in a man and he gives you the feeling that he will protect you until the day he dies...he has a way of making you feel a certain way. Specially the most amazing experience that words cannot really describe."
"Oh my, what is it?"
"I don't want to tell you, maybe he'll make you feel it one day?" Emphasis on the feel, just the thought of it made her shiver.
"Just tell me Hancock." She began to playfully hit her in the arm to get an answer. To which Hancock caught her hand and looked her directly in the eyes, squinting her eyes.
"Are you sure?" She replied half serious but mostly messing around as well.
"Yes girl, just tell me." Robin replied with a smile on her face. Hancock looked left, then right, then she slowly approached Robin's ears before revealing the truth, the best part of being with Luffy.
"He has a massive..." Though their interaction was interrupted by the arrival of said man.
"Hey girls sorry to interrupt." Luffy began with a blush on his face, seeing Hancock and Robin so close made him feel some type of way. "But dinner is ready."
"Sure babe, be there in a few!" Announced Hancock to which Luffy came by to give his lady a hug, and a brief but sweet smile to Robin, before exiting the room.
She then cleared her throat wanting to know what she would say before getting interrupted. "Well you were saying?"
Hancock once again lowered her voice and looked at her with a twinkle in her eyes. "Oh well... Luffy has a massive…"
"Dick. Dude acted like a pretentious dickbag!" Galdino was sharing a story about his time with Baroque works and how his path crossed theirs. They were now all in the cafeteria with Hancock and Robin joining last. Bentham and Brook had been assigned patrol that night, as it was two people's job during the meal to watch the perimeter. And the group rotated, including the captain.
"Wow he really did that huh?" Asked Brulee, who was eating a piece of chicken wing. Arlong grabbed a napkin and wiped some sauce that was on the corner of her mouth. To which she rewarded him with a smile.
"Yeah Mr. 0 was the biggest douche of them all. He thought we were all disposable unless we were strong. I mean my partner was on her first day on the job when Arlong came in with Laboon and knocked her out. So was Gem's partner." Galdino stated. To which had Gem perked up to add some more info to this.
"I only knew her by her agent name, but Miss Valentine was an idiot, more like someone who knew how to use a gun and had a little bit of aim, probably a marine dropout, but she was not very bright." Gem scratched his head as he spoke, then Galdino also had a comment about his former partner.
"My partner was definitely an idiot for freezing up from the whale. I feel like Mr. 0 just looked at people and gave them ranks. I mean I feel like I could beat Mr. 0." Galdino said confidently.
As they were conversing, Luffy suddenly formed a smile in his face, one in which indicated he knew something that no one else knew. Hancock looked at Luffy and held his hands.
"What is it babe?" To her touch, Luffy looked at her and just pointed at the door.
"Look over there, he's finally here." She looked at him funny but immediately understood what he meant. For ever since their time in Alabasta and their travel to Dressrosa, a certain stowaway got onboard their ship and has been hiding and recuperating. She then smiled but switched her grasp to Robin, who now had a confused look in her face.
"What's going on?" Robin asked but immediately dropped her fork, shocked at the man she saw on the doorway.
"Shut your mouth Galdino." A battered but otherwise well rested former organization leader walked into the dinning area of the ship. Everyone immediately became tense, everyone but Luffy, Hancock, Mihawk, and Katakuri. All four were proficient in observation haki, coincidence that they were the only one who knew? I think not.
"Mr…Mr...0 what the hell are you doing here, you were on your way to Impel Down!" Galdino trembled as he was talking so much crap when he didn't know the man was here.
"Hey Mihawk do something, that Crocodile guy is here." Arlong whispered to his friend who sat on his left..
"Nah." Was all he responded before continuing on eating his food. Then Arlong leaned forward to Katakuri and made the same request.
"Hey Katakuri, do something, sand guy is here." He tried to keep his voice as low as possible but Crocodile looked directly at him.
"Listen here sword nose, all you assholes would have been dead if it wasn't for these four." Crocodile pointed at Luffy who was happily eating his food. Hancock who was also eating. Mihawk who sat beside Arlong, and Katakuri who sat in front of him.
"Wait you guys knew?" Gem explained, joining Galdino in an embrace as they both trembled in fear of their former employer.
"Yeah no big deal, it's just Croco." Luffy shrugged it off, but to others, it was a big deal. "Nothing to worry about Robin, he won't do anything to you, not on my watch."
"What about us!" Galdino and Gem said at the same time as tears began to comically well up from their eyes like a fountain.
"I have your back." Lucci commented though a bit disappointed in himself for not being able to mark out that Croco-fucking-dile was onboard.
"I made a deal with your Captain..." Crocodile began as he made his way to a bench, plopping down as it took a lot out of him to get up to the dining area. He was definitely not 100% recovered from his beatdown from Luffy. "...as much as I hated Mugiwara...I hate that smug former celestial bastard even more." After Luffy found him on that first day, Luffy provided him with some items to help him heal sooner. Mugiwara didn't say anything, just continued to come back and give him some food, water, blankets, even clean clothes. This went on for months until finally, Luffy wasn't able to find him, then he knew that it was a matter of time before he popped up. Katakuri and Mihawk sensed him onboard, but knew well enough to not bother him if the Captain already knew he was there. Hancock was going to protest but she thought about it and she knew Luffy wouldn't put them in danger.
He then revealed his golden hook which caused Galdino and Gem to pass out. "What?" He stabbed an apple with his hook and began eating it. The rest of the meal returned back to normal with laughter and jokes, eventually Gem and Galdino got up, embarrassed from passing out.
"Alright guys, I'll be catching some air." Luffy gave Hancock a kiss before exiting the dining room. It was outside where a certain sand user followed him. He still had a suspicious look in his face, despite helping him basically get better. "Croco, what's up?" Luffy looked at the distance, enjoying the moonlight and the gentle breeze of the sea.
"Why'd you do it, why'd you help me? Why didn't you kill me when you had the chance?"
"Woah so many questions. Well first of all I helped you because you were injured what more reason do I need? I didn't kill you because I feel as if you can be redeemed. Was I right Croco?"
"Tsk...the things that I have done to become King of Alabasta. That's not redeemable Mugiwara." Crocodile took a seat at a barrel while Luffy leaned against the railing of the ship.
"What did you do exactly?" In this timeline, there's no way he could've done the things he did when he was 10 years in on the operation.
"Well I did everything that Cobra said, just that I had the goal to eventually overthrow his kingdom and take over. Eventually get my hands on Pluton with the help of Robin possibly aim to destroy the holy kingdom and say good riddance to those celestial dragon bastards."
"So what? Big whoop you wanted to be king. If I didn't come along I would have found a way to stop you eventually, just how the universe works." Luffy was confident in this, he defeated Crocodile, the sand logia warlong extraordinaire, when he was 17 years old back in his timeline, without haki. Beat that.
"So what then after Dressrosa?" Crocodile asked as he picked his teeth with his hook.
"Join my Armada, become one of my commanders." There was a pause, as wind passed through the duo. The offer was definitely calculated. From the time they met, to the time he stowed away, Luffy already had a plan for this, and Crocodile fell into his hands.
And so he laughed, grasping his forehead. "Sure but the first chance you drop your guard, I'll kill you...and I ain't calling you Captain."
"You just did."
"Fuck! Ain't happening again."
Meanwhile Bentham and Brook looked at each other as the whole interaction between Luffy and Crocodile took place, confused on what to do. As soon as they both came into agreement and retreated to their sleeping quarters, the two people on patrol shrugged their shoulders and returned to their assignment, still unsure what the hell Crocodile was doing onboard.
They will know later, that's for sure.
After their conversation, Luffy made his way to his sleeping quarter, it was there where he found Robin leaning against his bedroom door.
"Hi Robin." Damn she was pretty, now, then, forever, Robin looked amazing.
"Hey Captain...I just want to let you know that I trust you...you know with the whole Crocodile situation." Of course she had been listening, he should have expected that, her ability was really something else.
"I wouldn't make any decision that put our crew in jeopardy...well I mean we're going to Dressrosa but that's out of necessity."
"Of course Captain...well have a goodnight." He felt like she wanted something else. Like she was waiting for him to do something. He ignored the thought and let Robin pass as he prepared to enter his room. Though he felt soft hands grab hold of the back of his arms. He slowly turned and found himself encompassed in a gentle, yet sweet kiss with Nico Robin. It lasted for a few moments, and both people cherished each and every second of it. But alas the kiss broke to which Robin was blushing heavily. She never did that before, and it felt so right doing it with Luffy.
As they parted their lips, they looked into each other's eyes. Luffy had a confused yet gleeful look on his face. Robin with an excited, yearning look about her. They were silent for some time just looking at one another, not one saying something in anticipation of the other. But Robin...oh she was good.
"Well, Goodnight Captain." She said in the cutest most sensual way possible after stealing another quick peck on the lips of Luffy. And he froze in his spot, his heart fluttering at the exchange. He then entered the room to reveal Hancock, who was reading a book in their bed.
"Hey babe."
"Hey, so Robin just kissed me." Hancock jumped up at this revelation and kissed him as well. She genuinely looked happy.
"Yes! Now when can we have her join us?!" Luffy liked the enthusiasm, but she has...she has become hungry...and he was ready to feed her in every way she wanted it.
When time together aboard their ship turned into months, then a year, they had to stop constantly on what port they could find, and buy as much supplies as they could. And is was back to traveling once more.
Lucci in particular was picking everyone's brains, being the youngest commander so far, he was really serious in obtaining as much as he could with his crew members. Lucci and Katakuri had been having a friendly spar, where Lucci would lose every single time then he would move on to spar with Bentham who was an expert in hand to hand combat. Brook had been practicing with Mihawk, as they were both proficient with their blades. Hancock had been teaching Robin some of her kicking technique, in case she would need to engage in close combat. But her ability is particularly useful in espionage and eliminating multiple targets. Everyone else was training, sleeping, and work.
The two ladies have been spending some time together as noticed by Luffy, in fact he was starting to feel a little left out as the two would often go on their own mini trip together and would just talk about random things. Oh well, he was glad they were getting along well.
While they were busy bonding, Luffy had been giving his men little advice here and there to improve themselves.
On one of their traveling days, the Captain and his first commander were having a friendly spar. Katakuri has already reached the highest point of his mochi ability. In fact he was so close he can certainly…"You should awaken your ability." Stated Luffy as he stretched after a good sparring match with Katakuri.
"What is this awakening you speak of Captain?" Katakuri was so close to it and yet he didn't know it yet. Oh well he was ten years younger than where he was before.
"It is where you influence your environment with your devil fruit ability. Like so..." Suddenly, everyone who was doing something stopped. Mihawk looked down from his crows nest in order to see what this awakening was. Arlong jumped out of the back of Laboon and landed on the deck, also curious at what awakening was. The rest of the crew followed suit and Luffy was glad to show them what his awakening was.
Robin took notice of her new best friend, Hancock, who took a grip of her hand. She was so invested in him that Robin couldn't help but emulate her...specially after that kiss with him.
"Here it comes." Commented Brulee as she joined the other ladies.
Luffy began to steam from his body, his skin turning into a pink color. He then placed his hands on the deck of the ship seemingly cutting the air with his focus. Gem tensed up as he stood beside Brook watching every movement of the future King. Bentham and Lucci had been sparring but held off on it in order to watch. Crocodile stopped brooding to look over on what Luffy was doing now...awakening huh?
The deck of the ship was bigger than anyone needed so there were plenty of quadrants to train, and do whatever the hell they needed.
So there he was, now placing his fist on the deck of the ship. And if you asked anyone present, for a split second, just a moment, everyone felt like they were going to bounce off the floor and into the air. But then it was back to normal again.
"Sorry that's all I got." Luffy had the most serious look in his face as he looked at his crew members. They all dead panned into the ground.
"What the heck! Captain got our hopes up and everything." Exclaimed Arlong although he meant it as a good nature rib.
Mihawk smiled to himself and returned to overlooking the area through the crow's nest. This has been his primary post as he enjoyed the open air and time away from everyone else. He was a lone soul after all but though he would not admit it, enjoyed everyone's company.
Everyone had a good laugh about it, especially Luffy who was glad to make his crew laugh at his shenanigans.
It was just a matter of time before they would reach Dressrosa, and a matter of time before they put an end to Joker.
Time has flown by since Luffy arrived in place of his younger self. In this time, Luffy was able to create a powerful crew, consisted of;
'Dogtooth' Katakuri(the second eldest of the crew at the age of 38 who dropped his last name in spite of his mother),
Dracule 'Hawkeye' Mihawk(the third eldest at the age of 33),
Brook(the skeleton man at the solid age of 80),
Arlong 'the Saw'(31 years of age former human hater now lover),
Brulee(33 years of age, who also dropped her last name in spite of her mother and also dating a certain fishman),
Rob Lucci(the youngster who is 20 years old hungry to learn from the veterans of the crew, but more importantly revenge),
Galdino(25 years of age who was used to spawn training dummies for the crew to train, and he was happy to comply as long as it wasn't him getting beaten up),
Bentham(at age 22 who has yet to defeat Brook in battle so therefore is staying with the crew till then),
Gem(the baby of the group, no wonder he flicks his boogers with his ability, at the age of 16),
Their massive beast of a whale named Laboon(age 43),
Their newest recruit, Crocodile(30 years of age possibly gunning for Luffy's head)
Though more importantly his queens Hancock and Robin(Both of which are 20 years of age).
The crew now had a solid year of bonding. And they were stronger than when they first got together.
Dressrosa
"Viola, please finish your vegetables." King Riku had been eating his food, after all a healthy meal makes a strong king.
"Father, I am 19 years old and I can eat what I want." Protested the Princess to which Monet, the servant interjected. "Isn't that right Monet?" The one who was serving them food was a green haired beauty, wearing a black dress in order to look professional in her job.
"Why of course my Princess." She then gave Viola a wink as she removed the vegetables from her plate when King Riku wasn't looking.
"Fine I ate it, you happy father?" Viola exclaimed to which King Riku gave her an approving thumbs up. "Good, may I be excused?" To which he father nodded and Princess Viola left the dining hall and marched to her room.
"My King, may I be excused." Monet asked, taking a knee in front of the King.
"Of course Monet, please snap her to her senses, I don't know anything about teenagers these days and I'm glad you've joined my staff."
"I am just glad you helped me get off the streets my King."
"Be on your way then." King Riku dismissed her and she made her way to comfort Viola..
Monet took a courteous bow but as soon as she left the room, and nobody was watching, her entire mannerism took a whole new form. It was as if a new person took over her body and she became more confident in herself. She then took a detour to one of the empty rooms and pulled out a den den mushi, one of which had the face of Joker.
"Joker."
"Monet, how are things in the castle?"
"It's alright, when will it begin?"
"Fuffuffuf, what will you say if I said now?"
"Good." To this Monet formed a smile though she felt someone had been watching her and she heard noises from outside the room. Monet opened the door and revealed Princess Viola, who had been listening in on her entire conversation.
"Ah...Hi Monet, I was just looking for you, I didn't know you were in there."
"Is that right Princess." Monet grabbed her own green hair and tied it into a bun, suddenly the entire room became colder as powder snow began to blow out of Monet's body and into the room.
"Help!" She had one good scream in before Monet bounded her.
"No no my sweet, I need you to watch everything." Monet brought Viola into the front of the gate, not a single guard was able to stop her, for not a single one of them knew she was a logia.
"Please...reconsider this mutiny." Viola begged but to no avail, Monet simply smiled at the Princess and opened the door to the palace.
It was bright and blinding but Viola was finally able to make out the people standing outside the castle.
"Have at it boys." Claimed Monet as Doflamingo went to embrace her. Viola thought this was her opportunity as she began running.
Though she hit a person in her attempt to escape. He wore dark shades and a well trimmed goatee.
"Not today Princess." Commented Doflamingo as he put his arms around Monet before starting his invasion of the kingdom of Dressrosa.
King Riku and his royal guards were ready for war. They all had their weapon drawn when the intruders entered the throne room.
Though before any of his men could move, they were all suddenly killing each other, as if they were being controlled by something...or someone.
"What the hell is the meaning of this!" King Riku was able to see thread like substance controlling his men, so in one swipe, he cut the strings that were attached to them.
"Dangerous, to be able to see my strings..." Doflamingo tilted his head to the fighting king, he respected the tenacity, and he was a respectable warrior.
Though the king was massively outnumbered as Doflamingo had his entire family there with him.
Trebol, Diamante, Pica, Vergo, Giolla, Lao G, Senor Pink, Machvise, Gladius, Buffalo, Sugar and Monet. The main powerhouses of his family.
The King was by himself with his men defeated, but he was going out with a fight.
"Uh uh king." Doflamingo wagged his finger and Monet brought Viola forward. "If you resist she dies."
The King immediately dropped his sword. "Not my daughter, take me Donquixote!"
"Yes yes, now we're coming to an understanding. Listen here Riku, these lands belong to my family. The Donquixote family have owned these lands since the beginning of time...so I want it back."
"Fine, take it, just don't get my daughter involved."
"Tsk tsk Riku, that's too easy. I don't want the land, I want money. Let's say we're even at 10 Billion Beri."
"Is this some kind of game Donquixote." Just then, Doflamingo decided to plop himself down on the throne. "Go on then, I'll be off your back as soon as you give me my 10 Billion Beri."
"Damn you Doflamingo..." It was to this that King Riku embraced his daughter before going out to his people, begging them for as much as they could spare.
"Any chance we'll really leave if he somehow comes up with 10 Billion Beri?" Asked Pica in his unusually high pitched voice.
"No." And to this the room laughed and Viola could only cry in silence, here surrounded by her enemies.
A day passed and King Riku was able to return with the money that Doflamingo asked for. He looked tired from going around all day but Doflamingo did not care one bit.
"For your reward Riku, I will have you make a fool of yourself. In fact you can go now." Doflamingo flicked his finger and King Riku suddenly lost control of himself.
"Get away from me please!" He began to swing his sword randomly, nearly killing his own daughter with a swing of his sword. The action, even if it wasn't his own, made him tear up as he really wasn't in control of himself any longer.
Though as all hope seemed to be lost, his most precious son in law arrived into the scene, anger flaring from his eyes.
"Kyros...thank the gods."
But even his arrival was null, as Doflamingo was able to subdue Kyros and chain him against the wall, with no option of escape.
No matter how hard he tried he pulled, he could not break the chains.
King Riku now went on a rampage, with the control of Doflamingo.
Dressrosa Outskirt
"I think it's time to become heroes boys." Doflamingo proclaimed as he stood on the outskirts of the city of Dressrosa. It was him, Diamante, Trebol, and Pica.
"Finally!" Exclaimed Pica in his unusually high pitch voice.
"Doffy, this is what we worked for, for so long." Trebol was bouncing on his snot as he slid along with the group.
"Ew Trebol, you're getting your snot on me!" Diamante was trying to toss the snot away from him.
Though something unexpected happened. From out of nowhere, King Riku stopped his controlled terror. He fell on both knees and cried his eyes out.
Doflamingo had a confused look on his face. Especially now that there was someone standing in his path. One lone man who had a smirk across his face. As the dust cleared Doflamingo was finally able to recognize him.
A man wearing a strawhat. And with as much disdain in his voice as he could possibly muster, Doflamingo said...
"Mugiwara."
"Mingo, I can't let you get through." Luffy stood before the four members of the Donquixote family.
"Take care of it." Doflamingo said to his men as Trebol launched himself forward, molting his body into snot though Luffy simply clapped his hands together to blow the excess snot away from Trebol's real body. He was now a skinny man with a giant head. And Luffy sent him far behind from where Doflamingo stood.
"Ahh!" Screamed Trebol as he immediately retracted his slim to protect himself. Though he didn't feel right, he felt a bit like something mixed in with his snot. "What is this."
"Hello gross snot monster, the name is Crocodile, and I'm gonna kill you." Crocodile, the newest addition to the Strawhat Grand Armada, took on his first major opponent assignment.
Meanwhile Pica attempted to follow Trebol by jumping up with his massive sword and attempting to cut down the strawhat captain. Though Luffy deflected the strike with his arm, caught Pica by his face and tossed him to his right. Mind you Luffy has yet to move a step.
Pica finally stopped flying, slowing getting up. He found that Mugiwara has thrown him really far.
"Move and I'll cut you to pieces." Mihawk was the one to be assigned to deal with the stone bastard.
And last to attempt to attack Luffy was Diamante, and Luffy hated this man particularly as much as he hated Doflamingo. He attempted to turn himself into a flag but Luffy caught him mid transformation with a kick in the guts, before grabbing him by the collar of his shirt and tossing him far. Really far.
Diamante softened his landing by turning himself into a flag, though the floor suddenly became raised and he smacked against a hard candy like substance, mochi?
"Captain particularly wanted you to suffer. I can't disappoint him." The one to deal with Diamante was Katakuri.
"Sure you will Dogtooth." Diamante whipped out his blade from his pocket.
Then it was back to Luffy and Doflamingo.
"You can't beat me Mugiwara."
"I've heard it before."
"I have a fucken army."
"Where Mingo?" Luffy mocked him by placing his hands over his eyes and looked around. "That's what I thought. You're whole operation has failed today actually, my bad for being late because it should have ended much sooner."
"What do you mean you should've gotten here sooner? You got a mole on me? I got people everywhere!"
"Not anymore."
"The fuck does that mean."
"Call them Mingo." Luffy took a seat on the stone floor, waiting for Doflamingo to make the call. Which he did and after the call, he was angry. "What they say Mingo? Comeon Mingo."
Luffy was playing with him now, for his Armada has spread out their forces.
Brook has intercepted Lao G.
Hancock is in a face to face standoff with Monet.
Brulee was assigned to keeping Sugar in her mirror world, eliminate her as a factor in this war.
Lucci stopped Vergo from getting on his ship to return to his undercover work with the marines.
Gem faced against Gladius, may the better explosion win.
Robin has stopped Giolla from getting into her position.
Arlong has met a powerful but respectable new adversary, Senor Pink.
Bentham decided to beat the most disgusting looking one, but he was strong, Buffalo was strong, he could tell.
This left Galdino against Machvise, which he was scared shitless since this was his first ever new world opponent.
Laboon was assigned with destroying any Donquixote ships from leaving the port.
"Mingo, what's wrong, cat got your tongue?"
Dawn Island - Sabaody Archipelago - Fishman Island - Foolshout Island - Totto Land - Amazon Lily - East Blue - Alabasta - Dressrosa
