Now, Usopp's nerves decided to act up. They were horribly close to Impel Down, and while before he was fairly confident… now that the plan is seeing fruition... He most certainly was not! He felt jittery with each mile traveled, even more, horrified by each centimeter the boat took toward his eventual doom. But, it'd be even worse if he were to back down. As anxious as he may be, he just needed to puff his chest out and smile. That is what a brave warrior does. That is what Luffy would do for him.
'It is going to be worth it.' He told himself.
He checked his ammo over and over, to keep his hands busy. They were going to have to brute force their way in. There wasn't much of another way. Their ship wasn't exactly stealthy, and nor were they. When discussing strategy before, Sabo said that getting in was the first hardest thing, and getting out was the second. Usopp was not looking forward to that. He was given the job, along with Sabo, to get Luffy. It made him feel a little better, being put with someone like Sabo. The revolutionary always held himself in a confident, intelligent manner.
Taking in a deep breath, he left the crow's nest to join the others.
…
"The poneglyph is still there?" Dragon held his composure.
"Yes, but it's broken," Robin explained. "If we were able to bring it back here and piece it together... I could read it." She never thought that she'd be able to actually achieve her goal, but here she was. It was just barely out of reach and Robin felt excited. She only wished it was under different circumstances.
"I'll send a ship," His response was immediate. "I trust that you both will lead my men to its location."
"Of course," Zoro said. Robin only smiled, knowing that she would be in charge of the navigation.
"You'll leave this afternoon. We can't waste any time." With each minute that passes, it allows someone else to snatch up the poneglyph's pieces for themselves. Dragon could not afford for this to happen.
…
On a nearby, small island the Strawhats docked their boat. Sanji grumbled. It was no larger than the rock he was stuck on with Zeff, and no more life-like either. In the distance, he could spot the shadow that was Impel Down. The expressions on his companions' faces were dark as if they were heading to a funeral. Which is partially true.
They discussed the plan before. All of them were going into the submarine, except for one. Usopp had re-made the Strawhats flag, and now it was flying high instead of the white flag before. This one person was going to head to Impel Down's gates and be their distraction. No one wanted this job, yet all were eager to volunteer themselves for the sake of everyone else, and… of course… Luffy. They ended up drawing straws and as it turns out…
"Well." Sanji took a deep breath. He's pulled the shortest stick. "Seems like that's decided."
"Maybe we should send multiple people," Sabo suggested.
The cook just shook his head. "So we lose another one of our fighters? No. I can do it."
"…Then maybe you all should send me." Usopp suddenly said. Sanji whipped his head around at him.
"What're you saying?"
"I'm the weakest fighter. And the best at diversion. It… makes the most sense, doesn't it?" Usopp's knees felt like jello. He was already regretting speaking up.
"Usopp, I can't let you go." Sanji asserted.
"Why? Cause they'll eat me alive?" Usopp was shivering, "They'll eat anyone alive. It's best to preserve the best fighters for the- the actual fighting.."
Sanji hated that he had a point.
Franky burst into tears. "You're so.. manly!" He gave Usopp a quick, but a tight bear hug.
Usopp forced himself to puff his chest out. "Of- of course! I'm a brave warrior of the sea after all!"
Sanji lit a cigarette and offered it to Usopp. "I'll see you inside."
He took the cigarette. Usopp never smokes, but he took it as more of a good luck charm. He nodded, stiffly. "See you."
Each of them said their goodbyes- besides Law, of course, who was already waiting in the submarine. He seemed to be impatient now. Which, they all could understand.
As Usopp climbed onto the ship, he took one look back at his crew mates. His family. And he managed a smile. For their sake.
…
They all got into the submarine. There were two now because Franky constructed another, makeshift one. The makeshift one was surely less safe to be on, so the non-devil fruit users would pilot it. Leaving those who did use a devil fruit on the other. As Usopp set sail, they made their final preparations before following close behind Usopp, planning on getting inside while the gate was opened. 'God' Usopp himself being the bait, of course.
And it was all going to go to plan.
…
Luffy stared down at the cold, wet ground, shivering from the seawater that was poured onto him. It was a game some of the guards liked to play, and he did not care to indulge them. Who, first, could make the Pirate King crack? Gods, he hated that title.
He lifted his head up, staring the guard in the eye, but what faced back at him was not the guard that dumped the water on him… no. This person was larger. With a long, white coat and a smell of ash to him. A familiar, horrible smell.
"Akainu." Luffy hissed. While much about him changed, his hatred remained the same.
"Dragon's son." He said back, with a chilling calmness to him. He stepped closer to the pirate, and Luffy felt a wave of heat with each step. It was like the water was boiling off of his own skin. Sakazuki- known by Luffy as Akainu- picked Luffy up by the hair. He used his other hand to rip the shirt of Luffy's uniform, so he could eye his own handwork. His… artistry. His calloused hands ran across the 'X' scar that covered Luffy's chest. The boy flinched in response. "Your fear is satisfying."
"What fear?" Luffy spat on Sakazuki's hand. The saliva made a sizzling sound upon touching the man's skin.
He slammed Luffy against the wall, making him shake in response. "That fear." He dropped the pirate onto the ground. "Nothing, really, has changed over the years. Hm?"
He remained silent. Luffy was hunched over, his hands suspended above his back due to the chains.
"But all this news about... The fifth emperor of the seas... the 'Sun God'... The second pirate king..." He droned on, pausing the chuckle to himself for a moment. "It's a whole load of bullshit, isn't it?" He took a moment of pause, pressing his boot against Luffy's chest. "You're still the same boy that failed to save Gol D. Roger's son."
"Ace." He finally spoke up.
"Hm..?" Sakazuki pressed his boot down with great force.
Luffy winced, "His name… is Ace."
He laughed some more. Luffy could only wonder what was so funny. "As long as you're the one beneath my boot… I may address anyone as I please."
Satisfied with the boy's silence, Sakazuki continued. "I will see you soon… When you are led to an execution platform." The fleet admiral turned around and walked out of his cell, leaving Luffy in the cold once again.
And all Luffy could do was smile.
A/N: I stopped updating. Whoops. Thankfully I've been feeling motivation to write! Here's a short chapter. I hope to update soon.
