Chapter Two: Rewrite
It was the first time Luffy felt emptiness.
He remembered when he was younger, asking Makino about what happens when a person dies. Makino smiled at him sympathetically, explaining that once a person is gone, no one could tell where they went. Makino taught him a valuable lesson that day. People need to make sure they spend time with their loved ones since no one knows when you'd be saying your goodbyes to them.
That was exactly what happened. Sabo died without Luffy being able to say his final farewell.
One moment, they were laughing and having fun finding scraps to repair their treehouse. And then the next, Bluejam and his men came, hired by Sabo's father. Ace and Luffy were too weak to do anything and Sabo was taken from them, as simple as that. It all happened in a matter of days and Luffy was having a hard time accepting it.
He was on the cliff, laying on the grass, weeping. He was clutching his straw hat, wanting to hide from the world. It was a beautiful day with clear skies and seagulls chirping but he couldn't find the energy to admire its beauty. This place was the same one where they all declared their dreams. Sabo's dream of sailing and living freely would remain unfulfilled, Luffy thought, adding another burden to his heart.
The memories they shared kept repeating in his mind. He drowned in them, whether it was a happy or sad one. Because the bitter truth struck him hard. All Luffy had of Sabo now was the memories. Those memories comfort him in these hard times, radiating on his bones and fueling him to keep going.
He heard familiar footsteps approaching but Luffy was too wallowed in self-pity to care. He heard a deep breath and before he could look up, a punch landed on his head. Luffy didn't react knowing that he deserved what he got.
"How much longer are you gonna mop there?" Ace asked in monotone.
Luffy bit down his lips, burying his face more. He didn't understand how Ace could be better now. He wanted to feel that too but he couldn't possibly lie to himself. He needed the time to mourn but didn't know how long it would take.
"The treasure we were hiding in the forest is gone now," Ace continued. "The survivor's from Bluejam's crew or the military probably found it. But I don't care about that anymore."
Luffy was still, silently listening to Ace.
"Sabo didn't need it after all so I'll just let it go, too. It's no use having a treasure if you can't protect it."
"Ace I-I…" Luffy whimpered as his whole body trembled. "I want to become strong!"
He was weak, that's why they lost Sabo. Guilt rang inside him, knowing that they never attempted to do anything to help their brother. They put all their trust in him but it's not enough. The truth was that they have forsaken him. Sabo died without anyone at his side, when he needed his brothers the most.
"...More and more, more and more, more and more…" Luffy gritted his teeth. "I wanna become even stronger! Then I can protect anything. I don't have to lose anybody ever again!"
Luffy hated this feeling of helplessness. He shed every last tear inside but regret still hangs on. Sorrow was ever-present and it would always be a part of him. He would forever carry it till his last breath. The pain was unbearable and it was hard to carry. And he wondered what his life would be like if he once again experienced something similar to this.
"I beg you!" Luffy cried out. "Ace, please don't die!"
Ace's reaction was instant and expected. He landed his fist on his little brother's head once again.
"Worry about yourself first! You're far weaker than me," Ace screamed, leaning closer to his face. "Listen Luffy, I'll never die!"
Somehow, hearing those words gave Luffy the light he needed to escape from darkness. Ace was all he had now. The once three brothers lost one of their own. It was just the two of them and they had to make sure they would live.
Luffy sat up, nodding.
"Sabo told me to take care of you," Ace added in a determined tone. "I promise that I'll never die. How can I leave a weak brother like you behind?"
"Mhm…" Luffy kept on nodding.
"I'm not smart so I don't know what killed Sabo but it's something opposed to freedom. Sabo died before he knew freedom. We exchanged a cup of sake and we're alive!"
Sabo was robbed by this world. He spent half of his life living to be the perfect son. His parents were not caring about what he really felt. Luffy hoped that the time they spent together would give Sabo the happiness he deserved. Sabo got the freedom into choosing who he would love and he chose Ace and Luffy. And for Luffy, that meant everything.
As the wind blew softly, cradling its freshness in. Luffy would never forget Ace's next words.
"We have to live our lives with no regrets!" Ace said firmly, courage inlaced in his voice.
Regretting their decisions won't change the past. Sabo was dead and he would never come back. All they could do now was honor his memory by living on his dreams.
Sabo's passionate will was passed on to them. Ace and Luffy will do everything to make sure his will lives on.
"Ace is gonna die…?" Luffy questioned in disbelief.
Luffy threw the newspaper away, not reading the rest of the article's content. He removed his straw hat, grabbing his brother's vivre card hidden on the back of the ribbon. As expected it's still burning, more than half of its original size. But for how long?
"Hey, Luffy." Sabo, his other older brother who he just learned was alive, put his hands on his shoulders. He held him securely. "Calm down."
Luffy was unmoving. He was staring at Sabo in a catatonic stupor. He gaped, not sure if he would breathe or rather scream. Luffy was sure it was happening again. He never learned from his mistake. His no concern over his brother's safety was a stupid decision. Luffy knew he was hurt for weeks now and he didn't do anything to help him.
"A-Ace…" Luffy mumbled, color fading from his face. "I've got to save Ace!"
He looked up at Sabo hoping for any help but he got none. His brother sighed, shaking his head. Luffy could feel the disappointment washed over him. Sabo's hold on him only tightened.
"What do I do? Where are they holding the execution?" Luffy demanded.
"It will happen in Marineford a week from now," Koala answered in a defeated voice.
"What!? But that's so soon! How long does it take to travel here to Sabaody?"
"More than a week." Sabo shuddered.
"I can't meet up with my crew at this point. It's all going to be over for Ace!"
"You are in no condition to rescue him. He's already in Impel Down." Sabo elucidated calmly.
"So what!?" Luffy rebutted as his fists clenched.
"Impel Down is the world's toughest prison. Once inside, there's no way that you'd be able to escape." Koala stated solemnly, looking down.
"Ace is from the Whitebeard's, right?" Sabo asked. "Whitebeard is known for never abandoning his men. I am certain he's on the move now to help him."
"No, no, no. I can't stand here and just wait!" Luffy insisted with a cry. "Please, Sabo, help me rescue him!"
"I cannot. I have my own responsibilities here…" Sabo closed his eyes. He refused, stubborn about his decision. "Revolutionaries do not work well together with pirates. It was too late for a rescue, Luffy. Koala is right. Impel Down is known to be impenetrable. All you have to do now is to have faith that Whitebeard will save him at Marineford."
"The last time I trusted my brother to get himself out of trouble, I thought he died."
Sabo's hazel eyes widened. He released his hold on Luffy. Luffy stared at him with willpower. He knew he couldn't do this alone. His crew was away from him, separated across the world. Sabo was all he had now. Luffy wanted to believe in Sabo and that everything would be alright. But he just couldn't stand still and wait for Ace's rescue. He had to do it himself if he wanted that outcome.
Because if he didn't chase after Ace, Luffy knew he would live to regret it.
"Please, Sabo…" Luffy pleaded in a heartful tone.
Sabo shook his head. With a heavy breath, he apologized. "I-I'm sorry, Luffy."
And those words devastated him.
For Luffy and Ace, Sabo is their brother whom they thought they had lost. They laughed, cried, and lived together. It was the three of them against the world, always having each other's back. Sabo is their everything and they would do whatever it takes to make sure he stayed in their lives now.
But for Sabo, Ace and Luffy are strangers. He has no memory of them. He didn't remember that time they exchanged sake and became sworn brothers. He didn't remember that time they built the treehouse together. He didn't remember that time he sacrificed himself so that Ace and Luffy could live.
The Sabo they knew was gone and he is never going back.
It hurts.
He found the brother whom he thought died long ago. In exchange, he learned that his other brother was about to meet his impending end. And what's more, Sabo didn't want anything to do with Ace.
"B-But…" Luffy mumbled, thinking of an excuse but his mind was blank.
Luffy didn't finish his sentence. He remembered his words earlier and it was hypocritical of him to force Sabo into doing something he clearly didn't want. He was the one who said that it was fine if Sabo didn't want them in his life. He was already happy here and Luffy can't take away that happiness.
He ran with no particular destination in mind. He could hear everyone calling him to come back but he paid them no heed. He let his legs take him wherever, as long as it would lead him to his brother. He allowed the vivre card to flow freely, letting it be his guide. He felt like the long gray corridors didn't end. He needed to get out of here as fast as he could.
But before he could get through the exit, he noticed the staircase they went through earlier. An idea came to his mind. Luffy sprinted up to the second floor. He remembered it being on the right-wing, last room. Arriving, he took notice of the door he destroyed earlier. It was still not repaired and Luffy easily slipped through inside the room.
His father stood on the balcony, long raven hair blowing alongside the wind. He immediately noticed him as if he was waiting for his arrival. Dragon looked back with the same neutral expression he was always wearing. Luffy's hands were placed on his knees as he breathed heavily.
"Dad…" Luffy called out helplessly. "I need your help."
"You consider Fire Fist Ace as your brother?" Dragon asked simply.
"Yeah." Luffy stood up straight, confused about how his father knew about the fact but he shrugged it off. "I wanna rescue him."
"I see," Dragon heaved a sigh. "I hope you are well aware of how great of a war it will be. You will just be an ant in the eyes of your enemies, easy to be eradicated anytime they want."
"Even if that's the case," Luffy bared his teeth, meeting his father's eyes. "I want to go. I already know what it felt like to lose a brother. I swear not to lose anyone ever again."
There was a deafening lack of noise in the room as the father and son stared at each other. The breeze blew more harshly, scattering some documents laying on his father's desk. Luffy could almost hear the beating of his heart, fast and clear. This was his last hope as he couldn't think of another way of getting off this island on his own.
"Very well," Dragon gave a proud smirk and Luffy's heart whooped in joy. "Sabo, I have a new mission for you."
Luffy peered back, not realizing that his brother had followed him here.
"What is it, Dragon-san?" Sabo maintained his cool demeanor.
"Portgas D. Ace is a commander of the Whitebeard Pirates. The World Government could easily use him as leverage against Whitebeard. In no time, it could be a major war, causing catastrophe everywhere. It could change the tide of the era as we know it." Dragon explained. "Infiltrating Impel Down is the only way. Contact Ivankov to create a plan together. It is time."
"I understand." Sabo nodded accordingly. A smile formed on his lips. "Thank you, Dragon-san. We will leave as soon as possible."
"Thank you, Dad!" Luffy shouted in joy.
Luffy felt Sabo's hand on his shoulders again. Luffy looked up at him, grinning ever so brightly.
"Let's go rescue Ace?" Sabo asked in a blissful tone.
"Yes!" Luffy jumped, hugging him.
The revolutionaries have an effective way of doing things. Communication was the main key as information easily traveled across their base. Each corps was working on providing things they would need for their rescue mission.
Luffy tried not to whine or complain to Sabo, not wanting to annoy him any longer. Sabo was already doing the best he could, grumbling would only make his job harder. He just watched sideways as Sabo kept giving orders to his colleagues. There was admiration in Luffy's eyes as he looked at his older brother. Luffy assumed that Sabo was the top personnel in their organization as everyone followed the order he was giving. There was an air of integrity and courage around Sabo that made him respectable. If there was an arising problem, Sabo was cool about it and immediately thought of a solution.
Luffy was glad to see that some things didn't change about Sabo. He was still great at analyzing problems and providing the best solution for things. He seemed to be more confident, too. Seeing him interacting with his comrades made Luffy think that he was made for this job.
As they went to the docks, Sabo still had time to explain everything to him. Luffy learned that he was already on the New World on the island of Baltigo. White soil surrounded the whole island and it's all Luffy could see as they traveled in carriages. Though, the thought of being in the New World without his crew saddened him.
Finally, after four hours of preparation. They were all on board a shipping vessel as big as the Going Merry had been. Luffy counted that there was a total of five people on board whom he had already met earlier.
"Are we ready to set sail?" Luffy asked in enthusiasm. He was on the deck, looking out to the sea.
"The anchor is being raised as of the moment," Koala answered. "If I were you, I'd go inside. A storm is on its way."
"Really? I'd like to see it. It can also help me wash away the dirt on my body."
Koala snorted. "Suit yourself." She looked over at Sabo with dead serious eyes. "Don't let him out of sight. Next thing we know, he's already thrown overboard."
"I know," Sabo chuckled as Koala rolled her eyes.
"So why aren't we leaving yet?" Luffy asked again, eying Koala who went inside the cabin.
"We're still waiting for Dragon-san," Sabo said.
"Oh, I didn't know he's coming with us."
Sabo smiled. "No, but he will help us. You'll see soon enough."
Luffy nodded, still confused. He held still on the railings once the ship started moving along the waves. He grinned brightly as their voyage was about to begin.
But before they could traverse a few meters away from the island, a storm began to form. Luffy was not a stranger when it comes to the Grand Line's weird weather habits. The dark skyline only became darker as the saturated clouds covered the bright moon. A sudden thunder was heard, deafening and piercing. The night sky lit up with lightning bolts flashing across. The angry waves smacked the side of the boat, causing them to sway. Luffy was almost thrown overboard until Sabo had held him in his place.
Gusts of strong winds became stronger, causing the boat to move on its own. Luffy closed his eyes, letting the rain drops hit his face and soak his whole body. It was a good way to wash away the sand he had accumulated on the way. Even in such harsh weather conditions, Luffy smiled and enjoyed the thunderstorm.
He remembered that time back in Loguetown before his crew finally entered the Grand Line. There was a storm similar to this and it made their journey much more exciting. The rain didn't stop them from declaring their dreams as they stomped their feet on the barrel.
"Look, Sabo! The wind is helping us sail away!" Luffy exclaimed, looking at his brother with a wide smile.
"This is Dragon-san's ability." Sabo wiped down his face after a splash of seawater was thrown into him. "This will help us terminate one day of travel time. He only uses it if it's really an emergency."
"Oh yeah? That's such a cool power! But mine's always cooler." Luffy looked back at Baltigo which was becoming smaller by the minute, waving his hands. "Bye, Dad! We'll see each other again!"
Upon uttering those words, Luffy heard a whisper in the wind.
Go and save your brother.
Luffy will make sure Ace will keep his promise. He had Sabo and his father to thank for that.
Luffy was bored.
He rarely felt this way when sailing. He was born to be a pirate after all. Back when he was still traveling in the Sunny, his crew was always there to entertain him. Usopp would tell endless unbelievable stories, Brook would sing lovely pirate shanties, or Chopper would play countless games with him. His journey to being the freest pirate of all was memorable because of them.
But now, after being away from his crew for a few days, Luffy was starting to feel the toll. He was happy he was with Sabo but his older brother was overworking himself into thinking plans on how to save Ace. Luffy didn't want to be called childish by Sabo. He had grown so much ever since they last met. Luffy was alright to be bored if it meant saving Ace. He just focused his mind on thinking about the future. The three of them together once again, causing havoc everywhere they went.
They were all inside the cabin except for the helmsman. Luffy was sitting in the far corner, slumped over the table. He had no choice but to watch the revolutionaries write and discuss things. He was only half-listening as he didn't understand most of their topics. He was feeling drowsy but didn't want to lie down.
"Luffy," Sabo called out, putting the papers he was reading down.
"Hmm?" Luffy hummed.
"It's inappropriate to stare at Hack or any person for that matter."
"Oh, I didn't mean to." Luffy blinked hastily. "I'm sorry, Mr. Fishy. I'm just zoning out."
"Mr. Fishy…?" Koala put a hand on her lips, hiding a smile.
"That's a weird nickname." Hack raised an eyebrow as he tapped multiple papers on the desk.
"He has a talent for giving people amusing nicknames." Koala snickered. "I'm surprised you didn't give me one, Luffy."
"Koala is already a cool name!" Luffy gave her a toothy grin.
"My, thank you."
"It just occurred to me that we haven't had the pleasantries." Hack cleared his throat. "My name is Hack. I teach Fishman Karate to the children in the army. I have taught your brother ever since he joined our organization."
"I'm Luffy and I wanna be the Pirate King!"
"So I've heard," Hack said. "I have been watching your escapades ever since you're in East Blue. I read that you're the one who defeated Saw-Tooth Arlong."
"Yeah, what 'bout it?" Out of the corner of his eyes, Luffy saw Koala shuddering and bowing her head.
"I am merely curious about what's the bad blood between the two of you."
Luffy's eyebrows furrowed, scowling. "He broke his promise with Nami and made her cry. No one gets away with hurting my friends."
"I see." Hack closed his eyes as if deep in thought. "And does that experience influence your views over Fishmen?"
"Nope," Luffy answered quickly, shrugging. "I met Hachi in Sabaody. He was super nice to us and even made us takoyaki! There's also Camie and Pappag who toured us in the archipelagos. Camie was kidnapped because of us. The slavers wanted her 'cause she's a mermaid. We had to rescue her. She doesn't deserve that."
Koala wondered. "You saved her? That's why you punched that Celestial Dragon."
"He had it coming! Camie is my friend and I want her to be happy."
"I wanna say thank you for your actions, Luffy." Koala's tensed body started relaxing.
"Why?"
"It just meant a lot to me…" She sighed heavily before smiling sadly. "Back then, a Fishman named Fisher Tiger saved me. Seeing what you did back there makes me think of him."
"Oh, you're welcome." Luffy grinned. "I guess I did it for Sabo, too!"
"First, that incident on Enies Lobby then punching a Celestial Dragon. What's next for you, Luffy?" Sabo questioned with humor in his tone, shaking his head.
Luffy laughed. "Breaking into Impel Down!"
They all shared laughter at that point. Luffy thought that maybe he would get used to this. There are still five days till they arrive at their destination. Plenty of time to get to know his brother's friends.
On their second day of travel, they already need to dock.
Luffy was still inside the room he shared with Sabo. He was laying on the bed, stirring occasionally. He had his eyes closed, trying to nap but it didn't work. He had too much on his mind. He knew they were already docked as the waves didn't sway the ship as much as before.
He heard a knock on the door and Luffy opened his eyes. Sabo entered, wearing more casual clothing than his usual one, still wearing his cravat. It looked like he just finished taking a shower as his blond hair was still dripping wet.
"Why did we stop here?" Luffy inquired, rolling in his bed.
"The food supply is running low." Sabo used his hand to comb his hair. He realized what he said and immediately reassured his brother. "It's not your fault. We're more than happy to feed you. These things normally happen when traveling."
"I guess so…" Luffy hugged the pillow closer.
"Hey, what's wrong?" Sabo went over next to his side. "I'm about to ask you if you want to sight-see the island. Hack and Delvin are already taking care of the food supply. We'd be back traveling again in two hours. Rescuing Ace is our priority after all."
Luffy pouted. "I don't wanna. You told me this is the New World. I want to be with my crew experiencing it for the first time!"
"Fair enough," Sabo smiled.
Luffy blinked. "Oh, wait a minute. Maybe we can so that we can spend time with each other."
"That's on my mind. But we can still have fun while—"
Luffy narrowed his eyes while looking at his brother. Sabo's reaction was instant as his eyes quickly stared outside. His whole body tensed up as if sensing danger nearby.
"Sabo, intruders!"
The two brothers jumped up from the bed upon hearing Koala's yelling voice. Once stepping on deck, they saw ten men holding arms and weapons. The bandits were laughing as if ridiculing them. Koala was in her fighting stance, ready to defend their ship.
"This seems to be a nice boat. Would you mind handing it over to us?" One of the guys said. He was holding a giant ax, bigger than his own body.
Sabo just smiled nicely, taunting them. "And what makes you think we would give up easily? You're the one who needs to be on the lookout."
"Here I go!" Luffy guffawed. His arms stretched as far as they could. "Gomu Gomu no… pistol!"
His opponent was too shocked to see his arm stretching. He didn't have time to react. Luffy's punch quickly landed on his opponent's face, throwing the man overboard. The other intruders could only look at him with wide eyes.
"Luffy, that's very inconsiderate of you." Sabo sighed heavily.
"But Sabo! They're trying to fight us." Luffy whined as his arm redacted back.
"Tsk tsk," Sabo smirked. "Leave some for Koala and me, will you?"
Luffy roared with laughter. "Will do!"
The fight broke out as soon as the bandits started squaring them. Without missing a beat, the two revolutionaries and the pirate attack. They may have the advantage in numbers but Luffy was sure they could easily handle them.
The next guy who charged Luffy was holding two guns in both hands. He had a smug look on his face. As the gunshots were heard, Luffy crossed his arms next to his face. With his body, Luffy caught the four bullets fired. It only bounced back, causing the bullets to be shot randomly. Luffy punched the guy, causing him to be unconscious.
"Oh no, you don't!" Koala yelled.
Luffy looked back, seeing that she had protected him from an incoming sword attack. "Thanks, Koala!"
"You're welcome. Now, let's beat these guys up!"
"I know," Luffy snickered.
In the corner of his eyes, he was still watching Koala fight. She was doing a great job all by herself. With two attackers incoming, she threw in a punch that caused a shockwave that sent them flying.
Luffy focused back on his own fight. The next guy who charged him was much bigger than the rest of them. Luffy could feel something different about him. He sensed that he was on a different level than the rest. As the guy threw his fist, Luffy dodged it but the next attack came faster than the first. His fist came in contact with Luffy's skin. Luffy was sent flying, hitting the wooden wall.
"You've gotta be kidding me!" Luffy gritted his teeth. He rubbed his abdomen, wondering why the attack hurt him so much.
His opponent chuckled. "What a catch! You're that pirate Straw Hat Luffy, right? Your bounty would be mi—!"
"I would appreciate it if you let him go." Sabo quickly appeared on his back. He karate chopped the back of his neck, causing the bandit to lose consciousness.
"Phew." Koala stretched her back. "So that's the last one? Pipsqueaks, all of them. We didn't even break a sweat!"
"That hurts," Luffy grumbled, pouting. He stood straight after recovering. "I'm made of rubber so why does that hurt!"
"Devil Fruit users are not invincible, you know," Sabo explained sympathetically. "He used Haki on you. Do you want a demonstration?"
"Sure."
Sabo started pinching Luffy's cheeks making the pirate yelp in pain. Luffy backed away, eyes closed. He started rubbing the affected area with a pout.
"Oww…" Luffy blabbered.
"Sorry, sorry." Sabo smiled apologetically as his arms turned back to normal. "Haki can bypass Devil Fruit's ability. It's especially an effective measure against Logias. But unlike seastone who nullifies, Armament Haki solidifies the body."
"That's awesome!" Luffy said in awe.
"Haki would really help you survive better in the New World." Sabo shared as he inclined on the ship's railings.
"Can you teach me!?"
"Woah, woah, one thing at a time. We still have things we need to deal with."
"I'm surprised there's little to no damage the ship has taken," Koala commented as she dusted the dirt off her hands.
"Hey now, don't jinx us," Sabo sighed.
"I thought the New World would be much more exciting," Luffy commented in a bored tone.
"You've barely scratched the surface. Most pirates coming from Paradise rarely last a week here. Thankfully, the bandits who attacked us were amateurs." Koala explained to him.
"I know that." Luffy bit his lips. He let out a yawn while stretching his back. "I think I'm gonna sleep now."
"Dinner would be ready in an hour once Delvin and Hack are back. Don't you want to wait for it first?" Sabo asked.
"Nope, just set aside food for me, please." Luffy managed to smile.
Sabo and Koala watched as the pirate went back to the room.
"If you were to go on a vacation, where would you want to go?"
The first one was Zoro. He was already hurt earlier from his fight with the Marine Admiral. And with one slap from Kuma, he seemingly vaporized, disappearing right in front of their eyes.
Brook stood up against the Warlord, sacrificing himself for Usopp and Sanji and he was next.
Usopp was riddled with fear. He still dared to fight as he tried attacking Kuma but he failed miserably.
Sanji couldn't take it anymore. He made a stand against him but was also quickly swatted away.
Franky was next after he used all his might to punch Kuma in the face. Kuma didn't even budge an inch.
Nami was begging him to help her. It was the same words she said back then. Only this time, Luffy was too late.
Chopper was on his Monster Point, uncontrollable. He was berserk but Luffy knew he only wanted to protect the crew.
"Stop it! That's enough!" Luffy begged. He could only clench his fists as tears stung his eyes.
Then the last one was Robin. She called his name, reaching out her hands. And as simple as that, she also vanished.
He fell to his knees, hitting his head on the ground multiple times. It hurts but not as much as the mental anguish he was experiencing. He wept, not knowing what else to do.
"What's wrong with me…?" Luffy bawled as questioned himself. "I couldn't even save anyone!"
One by one, he watched helplessly as his crew faded. They have come far on their journey, halfway through reaching their dreams. And yet, it ended right there, as simple as that.
A touch.
It took them just one touch to lose.
Luffy was weak, and that's the reason why he couldn't save any of them.
He made a promise to himself back then that he would be strong, that he would never experience losing someone ever again. He broke that promise and this time, it was a lot worse. He was right there with them and he had no excuse for not helping. He was truly alone now. A useless captain who could only stare as he lost everyone he cared for.
"This would be the last time we would meet. Farewell."
As the bubbles popped, so was he disappearing into thin air.
When Luffy woke up, his whole body was trembling.
His eyes fluttered open, trying to get used to his dark surroundings. It took him a minute to realize that he wasn't aboard the Sunny. There's no Zoro who was snoring or Franky who was mumbling about cola whilst asleep. It's been a week since Luffy last saw them. And it would take a while for them to set sail again as they were scattered across the world.
Luffy hugged the blanket closer to his body, wanting to feel warm. He wondered if they were near a winter island since he hadn't felt this cold for a while. He took in a few shivering breaths, wanting to calm down his racing heart. He closed his eyes once more, wanting sleep to take him back in but it failed. Premonitory chills sent shivers down his spine and his blanket was too thin to protect him from it.
He sat up, rubbing his hands against each other. He sniffed, wiping his runny nose. He let his eyes wander outside the glass windows. His hunch turned out to be correct. The snow fell silently. Luffy watched sleepily as the flakes descended, silver and dark. The moon was crescent, still bright enough to bring natural light. Thin gray clouds surrounded the sky and he was sad that the stars weren't visible to the eye tonight.
The cabin they were in was spacious enough for two people. On one wall, there was a small shelf full of dusty books. Two beds were placed on each side. In the middle, there was a nightstand. Luffy lazily stood up to open the lamp, allowing artificial light to lit the room. He went back to his bed, still sitting, legs crossed.
His black eyes fell on his older brother. Even in his sleep, his brother didn't seem to be at ease. Luffy knew there was something wrong with him at that moment. There's a frown forming on Sabo's face. Then he started stirring, back and forth. In an instant, Sabo's breathing was quick and he started mumbling before screaming. Seeing his brother struggling, Luffy immediately went over next to his brother, the blanket still wrapped around him.
"Sabo?" Luffy mumbled, tugging him slightly.
Sabo didn't wake up. His breathing became heavier as veins on his face and neck throbbed. Luffy continued shaking him, wanting to make sure he was alright. With one final slap on his face, Sabo's hazel eyes opened, shooting himself up.
Luffy released a sigh of relief. "Are you okay?"
His brother was still trembling as he gulped. Sabo stared at him with uncertainty before looking around the room with paranoia and suspicion. He took in more shaky breaths before finally calming down. Using his hands, he scrubbed his face, washing away the fatigue he was feeling.
"I'm fine now," Sabo answered in a low voice.
"What was that?" Luffy asked worriedly.
"Nightmares…" Sabo bit his lower lip. "Sorry about waking you up."
"You didn't. I was already awake."
"Why?"
"Same as yours…"
Silence engulfed the room as they were both lost in thought. Luffy did the one thing he could do. He wrapped his arms around his brother, embracing him. Sabo flinched but didn't say anything. It took Sabo a minute to give in, allowing his body to ease up, welcoming the heat Luffy was giving. Luffy closed his eyes, breathing in his brother's smell. It smelled like the sea and freedom, giving him the comfort he wanted. For both of them, that's exactly what they needed.
"Do you wanna talk about it?" Luffy asked after a while.
"Do you?" Sabo questioned back.
"I do. Makino told me that talking helps when you have a bad dream."
"I suppose that is true," Sabo said lethargically.
Noticing that Sabo was squirming, Luffy let go of his hug. He settled his head on Sabo's shoulders. Luffy patiently waited for him to collect his thoughts.
"Being a revolutionary is hard…" Sabo breathed. "I get assigned to countless missions and I get to see everything. And by everything, I mean, every single crime against humanity, there is. War brings out the worst in people and there are things I wished to forget…"
Luffy held his brother's right hand, squeezing it hard. He listened, letting Sabo voice out what he was feeling.
"It happened almost six months ago," Sabo continued in a quaky voice. "Vira was a country in the middle of a civil war. There I met a young boy no older than ten. He had no one as his family was killed in a conflict. He's always smiling but I knew deep down he was just trying to be brave. I made a promise to him that I will give him a home here in Baltigo once we win b-but…"
Luffy looked at him with worried eyes. His brother was trying his best to maintain his sangfroid expression and yet his emotions ended up being too much for him to handle.
"A military personnel that I thought I already killed took his gun out. He was shot right in front of my eyes. It was instant death— I believe it's much better than to see him suffer."
"You blame yourself…?" Luffy asked in a whisper.
"I do. His lifeless eyes still haunt me to this day. He's not the first boy who died in the middle of a war and certainly not the last." Sabo continued. "It is the ultimate goal of the Revolutionary Army. A future with no wars nor tyranny. It is the reason why I am still alive and fighting. Till my last breath, I will make sure that dream will come true."
Luffy finally let out a smile. "Your dream is too noble."
Sabo was holding too many responsibilities on his shoulders. Luffy wanted to help him even if it was just by talking. Maybe deep down, Luffy knew Sabo was never meant to be a pirate. He could never turn a blind eye to the inhumane things he had seen and experienced beforehand.
"So would you like to share about yours?" Sabo asked after a while.
"It's about Bear Guy," Luffy revealed.
"His name is Kuma."
"Bear Guy."
"Kuma."
"Bear Guy!"
Sabo sighed in defeat. "Go on."
"I dreamt of my crew..." Luffy nuzzled his face on Sabo's neck. "He defeated us with a touch. And I-I thought I lost everyone. When he's 'bout to touch me, I just accepted it. The last thing in my mind was how powerless I am and that I couldn't protect anyone."
He was weak and all his life, he wanted to be strong. First, it was to prove to Shanks that he could be the Pirate King. Secondly, was that he never wanted to lose anyone again after Sabo's supposed death. Thirdly, was that he's trying to ease Ace's worry as the older brother. Lastly, there are his comrades who have every faith in his strength.
He was weak but he needed to be strong. He's a pirate captain now in his own right. There are nine people who believe and will follow him till the ends of earth. All he ever wanted was to protect everyone he ever loved.
Luffy clenched his fist. "That's why I want to save Ace no matter what."
Sabo kept him close. He placed a palm on Luffy's back, rubbing it affectionately. "Do you hate Kuma?"
"Nope." Luffy suppressed a yawn escaping from his mouth. "If I'm alive and fine, I'm sure my crew is, too. I guess he made us realize that we're still not ready yet. I can still grow stronger."
"It's good to know that you're turning a negative thing into something positive." Sabo finally cracked a smile. "It's not that I am making excuses for Kuma but he is a man you can trust. He saved you."
"Yup, and besides," Luffy also grinned brightly. "Thanks to him, I learned that my brother is still around. He brought us together and I wanna thank him for that."
"Are you fine now? Is there anything you want to talk about?"
"No, why?"
"Well…" Sabo hesitated, eyes darting. "You're not worried about Ace?"
"I am but I know everything will be alright," Luffy replied with certainty.
"Why?"
"Because I have you," Luffy's smile widened.
Sabo's face mellowed and before he could reply, Luffy's stomach growled.
"Your stomach knows when to ruin a moment." Sabo chuckled.
"Wanna rampage the kitchen with me?" Luffy asked excitedly, eyes twinkling. "We can eat all the meat! I haven't eaten dinner yet!"
Food can taste so much better if he has company. The two brothers went to the kitchen for a midnight snack.
"Sabo? Koala is asking for you," Luffy said as he approached his brother.
Sabo was on deck, sitting with his legs crossed. It was a beautiful sunny day with gusts of wind giving them a cool atmosphere. Sabo was in a good mood but there were still bags under his eyes. He looked at Luffy, holding a den den mushi in his hand.
"What is it?" Sabo inquired.
"Koala said that Kara-something is making contact," Luffy explained.
"Karasu," Sabo corrected while snapping his fingers.
"Yeah, that guy."
"If that is the case, he already got my message. You ought to make things clear with him. Karasu will be your backup."
"Oh hi, Dad," Luffy greeted, immediately recognizing his voice.
"Hello, Luffy,"
"I'll leave you two alone to talk. As you said, I am needed elsewhere." Sabo stated mischievously.
"Okay," Luffy agreed, blinking.
Luffy could hear his father muttering under his breath. He watched as his older brother excused himself and went inside the cabin. Sabo had a wicked smirk plastered on his lips and Luffy didn't understand why.
And just like that, the silence was deafening. Luffy didn't know what to do. He stared at the den den mushi wondering if his father had already hung up. He didn't know how these transponder snails work so he didn't bother looking. Luffy closed his eyes, breathing in the fresh air. The sound of waves always gave him a therapeutic feel.
"Luffy, are you still there?" His father asked, breaking the quietness between them.
"Yeah,"
"How are you holding up?"
Luffy thought that they were going down that route. A simple chit-chat and Luffy liked it that way.
"I'm fine. I'm enjoying my time with Sabo and he's really helping me lots."
"That's good to hear…"
They were back to silence again. Luffy fidgeted, swaying his body back and forth. He was usually talkative but what does a normal father and son talk about?
"You've been in the news lately and your bounty is rising fast."
Luffy could hear a tinge of proudness in his tone. He laughed. "It's not my fault trouble is always following me everywhere."
His father let out a lone chuckle. "Tell me, what is your goal?"
"I wanna be the freest man in the seas," Luffy answered firmly as the wind gushed harshly.
"What a glorious dream, it is." Dragon enunciated with pride. "Tell me about your crew."
Ah, now they were talking.
"There's Zoro and he likes sleeping and drinking booze. Nami loves money and she's always making sure we're on a budget. Usopp is great at telling stories and…!"
They continued talking for an hour. Luffy would gladly share his adventures with anyone who wanted to hear it. He treasured it deeply and it was the proof of his existence.
Ace hated his father and Sabo ran away from his own. Luffy was happy Dragon turned out to be a great man. He would like to talk with him again someday.
A/N:
Luffy is such a fun character to write. He may be dumb but he's emotionally intelligent. I love me some whump and the brotherly bonding between the two. Also, 'grats to Luffy for being the only one among his brothers to not suffer from daddy issues lol.
This update took longer than I expected. I just graduated high school and am now on my summer break before being a freshman in college. Hopefully, I will be able to finish this thing before that. Wish me luck!