9 years later…

It was gloomy on a particular island. As waves crashed violently against the shores of Enland. A ship known as the Thousand Sunny was docked on the Northern Shore, where nine years ago, the Strawhat Grand Armada and the Whitebeard Pirates waged war.

Remnants of the past remained all over the island and yet it was all covered by thick ice that ultimately ended his life...

Every year, for the past 9 years, ten people visited the grave of their fallen Captain...to honor his bravery and his undying legend.

Roronoa Zoro did in fact grow to be the apprentice of Dracule Mihawk as the young swordsman finally earned his respect. He has a mastery of the sword that could compare with the World's Greatest Swordsman. His style was of the three swords, and his attire was a long dark green cloth along with his left eyes visibly scared. He currently laid along the hammock of the Thousand sunny as he awaited their arrival to Enland.

Nami, who's now grown into a fully grown lady, never really got over her childhood crush of the fallen Captain. Her body was fully developed as she wore an orange bikini top along with blue jeans. Her weapon of choice was her weather manipulating device known as the 'climatac'. Although if the enemy got too close thinking her main source of damage was her long range weapon, they were gravely mistaken. As she was a master of fishman karate taught to her by numerous fish folks. It helped that one of the masters of the art was on her crew.

Usopp has become a muscular warrior of the sea. His observation haki was par to none as he became one of the greatest users of observation haki. His teacher, Katakuri, would attest to this as he would say that Usopp probably surpassed him.

Sanji has become a powerful warrior in his own right. He has become a master of the black leg techniques as Zeff drilled him hard on training. It paid its due dividends though, and yet he was stuck deep in thoughts, not once did he try to flirt with the ladies of the crew for the past week. Something was up with him but nobody was able to get anything out of him.

Tony Tony Chopper has made friends with these crazy bunch of people, and he will die for any one of them as he learned to love his little family. He has become a very strong contender as being the best doctor in the world, infact, anyone could argue he was the best and nobody would question it.

Jinbei, the warrior of the sea, was dubbed as the second strongest fishman in the entire world. He was tasked by the fallen captain to tag along with Brook in ensuring that this specific group remained safe at all times.

Franky is a mechanical genius, who was responsible in building the Thousand Sunny. He also added many improvements on the magnificent vessel, and kept it in top shape for all this year.

Brook, the former Fifth Commander had relegated to a member of the Strawhat Pirates. It was in his final order to watch everyone in this group, so it was natural to stay with them.

Robin, a former queen of the Strawhat legend, did find enough poneglyphs to satiate her initial hunger for knowledge. But in their quest for the road poneglyph, disaster struck. And now, for the past two years, she had to live with her mistake. They all have.

And lastly, the Captain of the Strawhat pirates, Boa Hancock. She was a former Queen of the Strawhats now wearing the signature straw hat of the former captain. She was supposed to marry him, they were supposed to rule all the sea...but he's dead. She was here to honor the love of her life, along with the Strawhat Pirates.

What remained of the former, mighty Strawhat Grand Armada, was now reduced to these ten people. Their forces have scattered as not one man can hold everyone together, as that man was dead.

On the eve of the new year, they visited his grave to honor him. They would pay their respect and move on once more, going on their way.

This year was no different as per usual. Everyone made their peace and began to filter out. Zoro was the first to leave as he remembered the Strawhat Captain giving him a home with the people in this crew. He grew up with everyone and he would never have such an amazing growth period if he never met him. Plus he introduced him to Dracule Mihawk, the man who trained him to become the best.

Usopp noticed that Zoro was leaving and swiftly chased after him. If they weren't careful, Zoro would be lost in this massive ice land. "Zoro! Wait up." Zoro already began walking on the opposite way to the Thousand Sunny. It was lucky that Usopp would notice these things, no matter how little of a detail it may seem. He wrapped his arms around Zoro and teased the swordsman to which the swordsman playfully pushed him out of his way. They were brothers since the day that the Captain put them together, in fact they were all a family since the captain put them together. Usopp thanked the former Captain due to catching his natural observation skills, and allowing him to master it, own it at an early age.

Jinbei left shortly after, remembering all that the Strawhat Captain had done for him and his people. His undying loyalty for the man was unfathomable as he's done so much in the short amount of time that he knew him. Jinbei began to make his way to the ship as it was time to move on.

Sanji was next, as in his mind all he could think about was the burden which he would have to accept. He brought a letter from his back pocket, looked it over, and returned it back in his pocket. Sanji then threw his cigarette in the ground and stepped on it, putting the flames out. He made his way back to the ship, being the fourth to leave. In his mind, he wondered 'should I do it?'

Chopper noticed the Sanji was down so he hopped onto his shoulder. "What's wrong?" The little reindeer asked.

"Nothing." Replied Sanji with a weak smile as he walked away with Chopper over his shoulder. The reindeer had many things to thank the strawhat Captain. Giving him access to the best medical minds in the world, but more importantly, by letting him meet these people who have become his family.

Nami let a single tear escape her eyes as she reminisced her younger days, when the captain first arrived, she immediately fell head over heels for him but he never really returned the feelings. She thanked him for bringing her the best teacher she could get and learned to defend herself in any enemy in front of her. She made her way to the ship after saying her peace.

Franky was the next person to go as he too, thanked the strawhat captain in giving him this family. He would have most likely lost his life if he never saved him. But now here he was, with two bionic arms, the chief engineer of the crew.

Brook would let tears flow through his eye socket as he remembered the fallen captain. He would have rotted in the florian triangle if he was never saved. His adventures and friends that he made were all thanks to him and he would never forget that.

Then there were two. As Robin and Hancock embraced one another, they have not taken a lover in the past nine years as their heart only belonged to one man, and that man was dead. They focused their energy on other things, such as Robin's tenacious pursuit of true history. While Hancock had become one of the strongest women in the sea, though in her mind she regretted how everyone went their separate ways. A once mighty Strawhat Armada, had split into two factions, the armada, and their pirate crew. Though the alliance was still there. As Robin made her peace, Hancock did as well. And the two powerful women made their way to the ship, embracing one another.

On their way to reunite with those who survived the awful defeat 2 years ago...

As Hancock was leaving, with her grief filling her thoughts, she failed to notice that the strawhat which was once in her head flew away from her. Neither one of the ladies noticed that it was gone.

The strawhat flew for some time, finally landing on the floor of the frigid wasteland.


It must have been an hour when the Strawhat Pirates had left the land when a massive galeon arrived, crashing through the shores of Enland. The flag of the ship was that of the famed emperor of the sea, Red Haired Shanks.

He jumped over his ship and landed on the wasteland, his eye gleaming a certain way.

Nine years, he had been waiting.


...

"Ah yes, well if you wish to join us for the rest of the meeting, you are more than welcome to do so." King Neptune replied, although still a bit shocked.

"I'm okay King Neptune, thank you." He then looked at Shanks who seemed to be in awe at his boldness. "When can we leave?"

"Actually that was another thing I wanted to talk to you about, now that this is all out there. I can't take you to Whole Cake Island. I have some unfinished business I need to attend to...But Fisher Tiger has offered to take you there instead." (Chapter 6)

...

"Red haired." The room suddenly got cold and Shanks stopped in his footsteps.

"Vice Admiral Kuzan..." Greeted Shanks with the same tone.

"Admiral Aokiji to you pirate."

People in the surveillance room had been watching the entire exchange through some visual den den mushi. Though suddenly their feed got interrupted as all they could see was an empty screen.

"Five seconds." Kuzan walked besides Shanks and whispered.

"He's not supposed to be here yet. Take care of it."

"Okay." Kuzan immediately deactivated his abilities returning everything to normal. (Chapter 16)


And so per his request along with the perfect timing and execution, they were able to 'Take care of it.'

Shanks blocked the way of Admiral Akainu and Admiral Zephyr. And he allowed a small ship that carried Kuzan to get through.

He let Kuzan do what he needed to do. He let this whole thing happen. But it had to be done. It had to.

Now Shank's transversed the distance, knowing full well where he would be. Amazing how time did not put a dent in Kuzan's ice as it remained as solid as it was the day it was set.

Shanks sat on an ice shaped stool, curious that there was one there but he was more than happy to take it. He brought a large bag with him, filled with different meat and drinks. Now all he could really do was wait. As this was supposed to be the time.

Another hour passed until finally something happened. As the ice encasement began to shift, cracks began to form from all over the land.

It would only be a few minutes before the ground trembled and the ice shattered into a thousand pieces. The entirety of Enland, which has been covered in ice for nine years, began to melt the ice away.

On the tail end of the melting process, there came a loud gasp for air. "GAH!" Exclaimed a jet haired young man. Shanks approached the man slowly, though he had to quickly avoid an oncoming punch, much quicker than he anticipated. The punch managed to graze him over his right cheek. Though instead of being angry, he had a smile over his face.


...a strawhat man will have ice fill his veins as he will die from this very world...(Chapter 27)

...

Suddenly, something triggered in Luffy's head, his despair was replaced by hope even just slightly. '...by you being here...' How'd he know the exact time...well it was in Kuzan's words. He was a man out of time and he needed to return to the time in which he traveled from...so therefore...

...

Mugiwara's Final Will...

Hey guys...sorry I died." Began Luffy although he had a smile throughout the whole time...

I have been granted a last will before I died. So let me begin with Katakuri...

Am I deserving of your service Mihawk? I'm sorry but looks like I died...

Alive, stay that way Lucci, I hope you find who you are looking for...

Everyone, who would have thought Arlong and Brulee would be a thing?

Be it as it may Brook, I'm sorry buddy...

Back then Crocodile, I hated you, but you better not start a new crime syndicate, you hear?...

Real knows real, Gild. Make sure to keep doing honest work and earning honest money...

Soon, Hajrudin, you will achieve your dream of reinstating the Giant Pirates...

In spite of the current situation, Moria, we are your family...

Nine times out of nine, I would pick you Buggy...

Years, it took you years Enel to discover what it meant to have a family...

"Hey I am alive everyone, be back real soon. In Nine Years."


"You still have the same fire I see." Shanks crouched over the struggling figure of a certain raven haired warrior who hasn't moved his body in literally 9 years.

"Shanks..." He managed to cough up weakly. He recognized that voice as that was his hero. "...you betrayed me." The young man could barely move, he could barely speak, and Shanks tossed the bag full of food. The content spilled over to which the eyes of the young man lit up. He then started slowly, chewing delicately to a small piece of pork chop. Then he moved on to a drumstick, then into a steak. Until finally, the young man was scarfing down the food and drink. He was replenishing his body, seemingly catching up for all the lost time. His seemingly frail body had now become muscular once more. As the nutrients were filling in his depleted muscle. After consuming the entire amount of food that Shanks had brought him, he took a deep breath.

Shanks let him digest his food before finally answering his initial accusation. "I'm sorry Luffy...but by time traveling into the past, in your age that you were, you've messed up the timeline. Some good things came out of it, but mostly bad."

"Where am I?...What year is it?" Luffy immediately noticed the more rough look of the Emperor.

"Enland...1524." Answered Shanks. Both of his arms were still there, so there was really something good with his time travel. But still, he failed to understand why he had to be frozen for nine freakin years.

"What happened...what happened to everyone?" Asked Luffy, finally awake from his long slumber. He was truly worried about his people, what happened to them? Though specially, Hancock, Robin, and Viola.

"As far as your people goes, you'll learn soon enough. But the big picture here is that there are six...I mean five emperors that roam these seas, six admirals are on top of the marines, and the warlord system remains at seven."

"Who are...the warlords….admirals….and emperors?." Asked Luffy, he was sure Katakuri would be one of them, he'd put all of Gild's money in it...

"Kuma is the only remaining of the warlord of your time. He is now 90 percent cyborg with only 10 percent of his personality left. His paw fruit is still a killer though, I hate to see him in battle as he is a pretty strong guy."Without Kuma going against order and separating the strawhats to safety, he was never turned into a mindless machine and used as a slave.

"Weevil is one of the seven warlords. He made it his mission to single handedly hunt down members of the Whitebeard. The slimy bastard is able to avert Whitebeard's hunting party or single handedly defeat them." Luffy didn't speak as all he really did was listen. He let Shanks go on and list the seven warlords. As far as Weevil, no surprise there. He wondered if Whitebeard really was the father to that twerp.

"Orlumbus is a powerful new world pirate who managed to accumulate a fighting force of 8000 men, all under his flag. He took the deal with the marines as his goal in life is to explore all corners of the seas. The fighting explorer has earned his star as one of the warlords of the sea." Who would have thought that one of his former Fleet members would rise to the occasion. Orlumbus was of course a powerful pirate in his own right, but how different is he to be a warlord in this timeline?

"Foxy…" Began Shanks to which Luffy raised his eyebrows. The same guy who tricked people in stealing their crew members. How did that idiot become a Warlord? "...is a powerful paramecia whose abilities are mysterious in nature. I never really met the guy but I think he has the Noro Noro fruit that allows him to slow anybody's momentum for as long as he wants." Ah, the guy actually used his devil fruit to its full potential, maybe he wasn't an idiot afterall.

"Alvida…" Okay this was getting stupid, Alvida the giant mace wielding lady who tortured Coby for all his young life. How the hell did she….? "Her abilities have started a legend that nobody has injured her in years...Plus to earn her spot, she put your guy, Buggy, in Impel Down." Luffy noticed a change in tone from Shanks when mentioning Impel Down, what was that all about. But Buggy being there was an issue. Looks like he would have to go back and get him.

"Law has earned his spot as one of the warlords of the sea. He has used his position to target evil pirates and put them in prison." He was also a warlord of the sea during his timeline. But why would he join them if the Armada was still a thing, Law always had his own ambitions, if Doflamingo was dead...why did he join the marines as a warlord?

"The last member of the warlords is your brother...Ace" At this, Luffy couldn't believe what was being said.

"Ace became a warlord!?" Exclaimed Luffy.

"Uh yeah, Firefist took the position. Did you know the guy?"


Marineford

"I'm glad you all decided to show up." On the helm of the meeting, current Fleet Admiral Sengoku addressed the warlords of the sea.

Beside Sengoku, sat Vice Admiral Garp his gaze was focused on one particular flame user in the room.

"Go on with it then." Foxy said restlessly. The Captain of the Foxy pirates attended the important meeting when he could have been out there, stealing members from other pirate crews. He hasn't failed in doing so either.

"Shut your face Foxy or I'll do it for you." Threatened Garp as the disrespectful warlord was as mouthy as ever.

"Bah whatever old man!" Responded Foxy but he quieted down. Kuma remained his cybernetic self, looking into the distance with a blank look. One arm around his bible.

"Why is Alvida here with idiots anyway?" Alvida, the lone female warlord, asked. She referred to herself in third person because thats just the way she is. She didn't really care as she was busy looking at her smooth skin through a mirror. She was the fairest, anyone who disagreed, met the end of her sea prism mace. In all of her years rising to her status, she has yet to obtain an injury, making her seemingly invincible.

"That is no way to talk for a lady." Commented Orlumbus. The fleet commander has earned his spot for overwhelming enemy pirates with his massive fighting force. Though he was no push over either as his power was well known throughout all the seas.

"Hn." Law scoffed at the behavior of his fellow warlords. He didn't look an age older than twenty one which was peculiar in its own way.

Weevil was not present for the meeting, as he never was, though his mother put in that they will be there for the execution. Of who exactly?

Then there was Ace, who stared right back at Garp. If looks could kill, they would both be dead.

"Ahem, well I have summoned you all here today because of something coming up in a month's time. We require your presence at Marineford due to a high profile execution. We will use this spectacle to bring some dangerous people out of the shadow. More notably Whitebeard and Big Mom as well as the remnants of the Strawhat Armada."

"Count me in." Said Foxy before first standing up. "If it was just that, you could have sent a letter." Said the warlord in a snotty tune. He then walked out from the meeting, his confidence oozing. The Fleet Admiral and Vice Admiral wanted to punch the snot out of Foxy's face but they needed his particular talent, especially for what was coming.

"Alvida will attend." With that, Alvida left as well.

Orlumbus nodded his head signifying that he will be present for the execution and he left too.

"Trafalgar, you're with us right." Warned Sengoku, as Law had previous affiliation with the prisoner up for execution.

"Yeah why wouldn't I be?" Replied Law cooly as he got up, outstretched his hands and left the area with style. He activated his room and switched places with a loaf of bread aboard his submarine...miles from the meeting area.

"Ace…?" Asked Garp through his teeth. The old man was still sour that he chose the pirate life instead of becoming a marine.

"Fire Fist, your answer?"

"Akainu, Zephyr, Aokiji, Kizaru, Fujitora,Ryukugyu...Sengoku, Garp, nor five elder stars...doesn't matter who did it... I'm only here for one thing and you both know it. I'm gonna learn who ordered my mother to be killed...and I will kill them with my own hands. If I have to play for your politics, so be it." They didn't know, thought Ace, all they knew was he was after his mother's killer. But really, he was Roger's son. Garp knew, but Sengoku did not.

The fire logia disappeared in a whirlwind of flame pillar, damaging the meeting area.


Enland

Luffy tried to process the information dump that Shanks was giving. It was so much at one time. The Admiral were now six in numbers... Akainu, Zephyr, Aokiji, Kizaru, Fujitora and Ryukugyu.

"Well as far as emperors go...I am one of the six emperors of the sea as you already know. It's been bad Luffy, everyone is fighting for territory and a play for the One Piece…"

"Big Mom, Charlotte Linlin still holds her massive information network. She's still marrying people into her family to solidify some alliances...in fact I believe a marriage is coming up in a few months with one of her daughters." Fuck did the Germa get invited to join the Big Mom pirates again, which means Sanji...

"Kaido remains a beast, having a firm grasp at Wano. Last time I heard any news from there, there seems to be trouble brewing between the Shogun and some time travelers. It couldn't be you since you've been dead." Oh no, another problem, Momo and everyone have been trusted forward by Lady Toki. This was the time they were transported And that traitorous bastard…he needs to take care of him.

"Four years ago, Blackbeard became an addition to the rank as he successfully broke into Impel Down and took many Level Six Prisoners with him. He posed as a Warlord and broke powerful people out of the hellish prison." That bastard needed to die, fuck so Lucci failed to kill him back then.

"Whitebeard is still an emperor since you helped him return in his prime. Like I said, the warlord is after his legacy so he's been searching for Weevil, but other than that, he has been quiet lately ever since the capture of your guy, Katakuri."

"Wait, Katakuri was captured? Is he working for Whitebeard?" He couldn't help it anymore as this was crazy stuff that he was hearing.

"Dogtooth is actually...two years ago now...a former Yonko of the sea." To this Luffy smiled, so he did it huh. He knew he could, but what happened. "He took over your Grand Armada and ran with it. The reason he was a former Yonko is because he got caught, went into Big Mom's territory to challenge for her Road Poneglyphs and lost. Half of your former Armada is currently locked in impel down...execution date is in a month, and the marines are calling all their forces in Marineford expecting the Whitebeard pirates to retaliate as they are currently allied."

God damn it, it was happening no matter what. Someone was going to be executed, this time his most trusted commander, and friend. Most of his Armada was locked away and he did not know who was available. No matter what, he had to break out Katakuri and his people from Impel Down, even if he had to storm through the front door of the prison by himself.

Shanks noticed that he was deep on thoughts as it was a lot of information.

"Luffy, listen...I had you frozen in time because you are the promised one. The one who will put an end to these ridiculous political games and suffering. Back in Dawn Island, I was ready to sacrifice an arm for you because I knew you were the one. But Lady Toki sent you back because you failed the first time. I thought about it for a long time and I knew that would be her only reason to do it. My captain, Roger was too early for the One Piece and he wished he wasn't...so Luffy to simply put it, you would've been too soon to fulfill your destiny. This is why I did what I did."

Luffy remained pensive, looking out in the distance. It made sense but he hated the idea that it affected him so much. Why him? Why can't fucken Shanks be the chosen one...

Shanks got up and asked. "Did you need a ride somewhere. Like good old times?" He attempted to lighten the mood, but Luffy was pissed beyond words. Damn why does time travel have to be so damn complicated.

"I'm fine, go on then Shanks. I need to be alone."

Shanks tried to say something, but no words came out. He respected the request of the time traveler and moved on. He began to walk away, until he made it to his ship. He looked back for the last time before giving the order to depart. If he thought he knew Luffy, then he had to be somewhere. As the mind of the young man was mostly predictable….he would die for his friends.

Luffy was walking aimlessly around Enland. The ice was mostly melted around the island but Luffy did not really care for that. His mind was still in a mess as he could not process that he now went forward in time, back to his normal time but everything was fucked up.

The very first thing he needed to do was save Katakuri. There was no way he'll let him die. The execution was in a month but he would be found in Impel Down. Did he want to go in there to try and avoid a major war? Hell yeah.

Then he had to figure everything out as he went. From the reason why Ace is a warlord, to taking care of Sanji's family issues, and of course the other time travelers. In other words, he needed to challenge the marine for his crew, kill Big Mom, Kaido and lastly Blackbeard. Somewhere in the middle, he'll kill the celestial dragons somehow, oh those fucker in the underground world also.

Yeah solid plan, now he needed his man power back.

Luffy was deep in his thoughts walking aimlessly around Enland. He was planning his next course of action when suddenly, he stumbled upon a straw hat, the same one that belonged to him.

"Huh?" Said Luffy out loud. He curiously picked it up and looked it over, then his senses suddenly heightened at a certain smell belonging to one particular lady. Had she been keeping it all this time…how did it get here?

"That belongs to me." Said a voice from behind him. He immediately became stiff as that voice sounded very familiar. His heart began to jump out of his chest as he slowly turned around. And sure enough, there she was looking as stunning as the first day he fell in love with her.

"Hancock…" Luffy said slowly. He didn't know how she would take the news that he had returned, for all the world knows, he died nine years ago.

Tears welled up in Hancock's eyes as she saw his face. Was it happiness? Grief? He liked to think so. Her form became weak as she nearly collapsed. He was going to run and catch her before she fell, though she caught herself and wiped her tears. He wished he could go to her and hug her. He should just do it right?

So he did, slowly walking towards her, not once did his eyes leave hers. It was still there, the desire, and yet as he got close, her eyes became angry and her right foot was brought up and met him square on the face.

Luffy was sent right on the ground, the impact creating a crater on the floor. 'What…?' His body remained durable as ever, his amazing metabolism and recovery factor was a marvel.

"You fucken imposter! How dare you mess with my emotion!" Exclaimed Hancock as she attempted to follow up her strike with another leg drop.

Although Luffy rolled away in time. Of course, she didn't know it was really him. God she was hot when she was angry.

A pink humanoid figure shot out of Hancock, as she activated her secret awakening. Medusa escaped her body, complete with a spear and an orb.

Luffy beamed up at realizing that she finally mastered her ability. "You finally did it!" He exclaimed in happiness, despite being in massive pain from receiving her kicks.

It was too late, as Hancock was seething in anger, she looked into who she thought was an imposter and activated her ability.

Luffy loves Hancock to death...her amazing nature, looks, her talents, perfect goddess like figure...so of course he lusted for her. Especially after nine years in the ice, he could not wait to tear into her. But it became his undoing, as Luffy was instantly turned into stone, not another word out of his mouth.

Medusa was going to shatter the Luffy statue into a million pieces until finally Hancock finally realized something. Hancock's eyes widened as she processed what he said. Only Luffy would know of her awakening, how hard she trained for it. His voice was that of someone proud of another person...Then she finally realized, as tears welled through her eyes, that this was truly her one and only...

"Luffy…" The stone encasement crumbled, Medusa melting into the ground in a pink goo. And Luffy coming out with a massive smile over his face.

"Hey, it's been awhile." And just like that, Luffy was swallowed with an embrace so tight, he could feel their heart connect once more..no love lost between the two…

For this moment he forgot all his worries, planning, and lost time. For this moment all that mattered was the woman in his arms.


A/n: haha sorry I tricked everyone but the story is definitely not yet over. Gave you all a heart attack huh? Kudos to those who got it, as I only have one person IRL who I tell what's going to happen in this story.

Well here it is, a continuation on where I want this particular story to go. To clarify, it was never going to be over with just that, comeon give your boy a little more credit :D