Prologue

The Gorosei had called him dangerous when they knew what Devil Fruit he had consumed. He was a rookie from the weakest of the four blues who had come out of nowhere and easily defeated one of the Shichibukai. Then months later, he attacked two government facilities, a Tenryubito and another Shichibukai, before leading a group of escaped criminals in an assault on the naval headquarters.

Even though he was grievously wounded in battle, the impudent brat returned to Marineford and declared war on the World Government in less than one year for the second time. The boy disappeared for two years after that stunt, only to return and pick up where he left off. He entered an alliance with the Trafalgar Law, at the time a Shichibukai, then the pair went on a wild crusade that saw the pair taking on another Shichibukai and two Yonko. The brat had amassed a grand fleet of over fifty thousand men from various nations, seas, and species under his banner. And his territories span from the East Blue into the New World with his influence, growing with each ship that carried his flag.

He was a man of destiny, the living embodiment of liberation Joyboy, and the second Pirate King, Monkey D. Luffy. Kaido grinned ruefully as he geared up for his final attack. Everything he had done and believed in was worth this moment if he died today.

Kaido, Captain of the Beast Pirates, was coming toward him with his iron club. Luffy drew back his gigantic swollen fist that dwarfed Onigashima, the odd rhythm of his heart, and a wild smile on his face. He leaned forward, his arms flying coated in Haki with Ryuo flowing through it was flying true and slammed right into the face of that weird pigeon guy from Water Seven.

Luffy blinked before rubbing his eyes, but when he opened them, nothing had changed. He was still in the tower at Enies Lobby. He could feel Robin on the other side of the large wooden doors, and Franky was coming toward him.

Luffy turned to where the pigeon guy lay in a heap of broken crates and boxes. He wasn't breathing, not that Luffy cared. The guy was a jerk. He had hurt Robin, so Luffy didn't like him.

Reaching behind him, Luffy grabbed his hat and placed it on his head, and started for the doors. He had just drawn his arm back when he heard Franky shout, "Captain?"

He turned around and smiled at the much smaller version of the man he had just been in Wano. "Franky, do you have the keys?"

"Aye," the cyborg told him. He glanced around, "Lucci?"

"Dead," Luffy replied grimly. "I was ready to punch Kaido, and then I was here. He never stood a chance." He turned back to the door and sent them flying with one kick.

"Good riddance to the bastard." Franky snorted as he followed his Captain.

On the staircase leading towards the Bridge of Hesitation, Robin was fighting for all her worth. She had just been on Wano with Brook, and then the next second, she was here with that wretched Spandam, and she was in those accursed seastone cuffs. Spandam had a remote den-den mushi in his hands, and he was screeching. Robin must have been speaking before she appeared in her younger body. She snapped her lips shut and charged Spandam. She threw her shoulder into his chest. It hurt. Her younger body wasn't as strong or conditioned as three years later. But she remembered what she learned with Revolutionaries and the self-defense training sessions Zoro insisted she and Nami have.

Robin followed Spandam down, driving her knee into his midsection and biting him. She dug her teeth into his neck like Koala had told her to do in this situation. She bit and tore through skin and muscle until she reached the jugular, and with a vicious tear, she ripped that vein open. Spandam has screamed and tried to fight her off, but Robin had resentment for this craven little worm.

Quite simply, she hated him.

Robin sat back and spat out the blood and gristle in her mouth. She didn't want anything of him in her body or her. Robin kept spitting until she began to retch. She didn't know how long she lay near her sick before she felt someone touch her shoulders. Robin jerked away, ready to fight once more, but she stopped when she saw who was behind her.

Arms were around her, and Luffy pushed a bottle of flat cola towards her mouth. Robin rinsed her mouth carefully; there were tender spots where she had been punched and kicked by that bastard.

She spat, and the bottle was pressed against her lips again. While she rinsed the blood and gore out of her mouth, Robin felt Franky undoing her cuffs. When she was freed, Robin threw herself into Luffy's arms. Franky patted her head as he wandered over to Spandam's dying body. He grabbed the sword Funkfreed. It was a rare oddity that Nami would be able to fetch a good price for it. They would need the cash since Luffy would have a party once they returned to Water Seven.

He looked back at his Captain and crewmate. Robin had wiped the blood off her face, leaning on Luffy. They made their way towards the bridge. Franky was talking to Nami. They were to gather at the Bridge of Hesitation immediately.

Zoro had quickly dispatched Usopp's evil twin and the stupid wolf. Nami and Usopp were with Sanji. Nami was going to raid the place while Usopp looked for unique ammunition. Sanji grabbed intel while leaving a dashing photograph of himself for his wanted poster with his moniker "' Blackleg' Sanji.".

It paid to be informed, and the information he was picking up would fetch them a pretty penny on the black market and give them several tactical advantages.

By the time he reached the Bridge of Hesitation, the rest of the crew had assembled. Sanji tossed Luffy a sack filled with smoked ham and beef shanks. He had gathered refreshments for the rest of the crew to enjoy while they waited for Merry to come for them.

"We came to the past," Zoro started during the conversation.

"It would appear so," Robin said while Nami checked over her injuries. "I am unclear as to how this happened."

"We can wonder about this later," Luffy interjected around a mouthful of meat. "We need to get in touch with Jinbei. I want to pick him and Brook up in the Floridan Triangle before we hit Onion and rescue Brook's soul."

"Aye, Captain," Zoro said, speaking for the crew.

Looking up at the bright sky, Franky sighed. "I will have to build us a new ship." He knew his crew would want the Sunny, but Franky didn't want to disrespect the memory of their beloved dream ship; Franky knew he could make them a better ship, one that was just as grand as their beloved Sunny. They needed more power, something larger with more space to have their rooms and workspace that they could call their own.

Luffy smiled as everyone gave Franky input for what they wanted and what they thought Jinbei and Brook would need. Monster Granny and the kids looked confused, but Usopp talked to them, so Luffy reckoned they would be okay. For now, Luffy ate while his crew reported in with Zoro. Luffy felt his physical limitations. He remembered some weird stuff Kaido had been rambling about during their fight. Luffy had managed to awaken his Devil Fruit after Kaido had knocked him out that last time (stupid Cipher Pol creep had grabbed him.), and Luffy had been doing some crazy stuff.

He touched a hand to his chest over his heart. His heart still followed that funny rhythm, but his body wasn't strong enough to handle his awaked fruit. He was too young, but his will was strong. He needed to train, but he refused to be separated from his crew again.

"We will save Ace this time," Zoro said, bringing Luffy's attention back to the present. When his young Captain looked at him, Zoro continued. "We will rescue Momo and the Samurai and stop Kaido. We will follow your orders, Captain."

Hours later, Merry was dead, Enies Lobby was destroyed, and the Strawhats were returning to Water 7 with the resolution to set the world on fire.