Elseworld

by BIGT707

In an Alternate timeline Monkey D Luffy and his alliance suffer a crushing defeat at the hands of Kaido. After a victory over Blackbeard a tragedy strikes at the end of the world war. These chain of events cause Luffy and his crew to separate leading him to become a ruthless governing body over the free world willing to break anyone standing in the Regime's path. (Secret War Arc)

3. Strawhat Alliance v Blackbeard Pirates

Weeks had passed since the crew's retreat from Wano. Sometime after the incident with his navigator the previous night, the rubber captain decided to change course to regroup with Trafalgar Law and the Heart Pirates. The crew was relieved to be seeing another pirate group after some time. It was sometimes refreshing to talk to people you didn't see everyday, especially when they were the caliber of pirates that followed Law, the former warlord. Each specially trained and hand selected by the surgeon himself.

Most of everyone has had some form of medical training. Law's ship, the Polar Tang, was not only a submarine, it was quite literally a floating hospital. Luffy remembered being told by Raleigh, the Heart Pirates worked tirelessly to save his life after the War at Marineford. Without them he would've died on the operating table. He was grateful Chopper would be getting some backup. They would need everybody to contribute to bringing down Blackbeard.

Luffy remembered the urgent call for help from his ally. Apparently most of his crew were still licking their wounds and Blackbeard was making his move on Law to obtain his Ope Ope no Mi Devil Fruit. Assuming Blackbeard could only want one thing;immortality. If he managed to obtain that he wasn't sure there would ever be a way to stop Blackbeard. The former third division commander of the Whitebeard Pirates had been the only person in known history to eat two devil fruits and successfully survive. He must be looking to eat more, Luffy could only assume. Trafalgar was also in possession of another devil fruit he claimed was of utmost importance. So here they were on their way to the rendezvous point to meet with the Heart Pirates.

Leaning on the wheel with a sigh he was hoping to get there as soon as possible. He needed a fight to get his mind right, he's been overthinking lately and it was starting to grow wearisome.

"Glad to see you came to your senses." A sweet voice pulled him from his thoughts.

The navigator approaching with a warm smile.

Luffy reciprocating with a smile of his own. "Yeah! Turns out you were right, it was a bad plan." He sheepishly grinned rubbing the back of his neck.

Nami just rolled her eyes. "Ya think!" She huffed. "I forgot you don't think before you leap do you?"

"Nope!" Was simply the captains response as he hopped off the rail flashing a smile as he headed towards the kitchen not missing the sound of his Chef calling for lunch.

"LUFFY!" Nami called out before he disappeared into the ship.

Giving a sigh she slumped forward on the wheel. She was glad things relatively stayed the same between them. Aside from occasional glances in each other's direction when the other wasn't looking, nothing happened. She assumed it was only natural to distance themselves for awhile, they still were on high alert at all times it was not a time for their own personal wants.

"LUFFYYY!" Chopper sang showing his large grin. He received a slight bump on his head.

"Ow Nami! That hurt!" Chopper cried comically rubbing his head.

"Well..." Nami said emphasizing her fist surrounded in a dark aura.

"I'm just teasing." Chopper said rubbing the sore spot on his head, his cheeks slightly pink. "I'm glad your happy Nami."

"Huh?" The orange haired woman couldn't stay mad at the cotton candy loving doctor for long he was too adorable.

"These past few weeks since we decided to change course, you seem..happier..I'm glad." Chopper added.

She was still confused as to what he was he was talking about. "This how I always am Chopper." She still sounded puzzled as to what he was alluding too.

Chopper sweat dropped, she was more like her captain sometimes then she lets on.

The reindeer wondered what to say next in order for him to make his point clear to her. It may cost him another bonk on the head or two but for the sake of his two dear friends he would gladly suffer a concussion. Maybe.

"I'm happy for you two really!" Chopper exclaimed. "I can tell you two care about each other differently then the rest of the crew. I didn't notice at first until Luffy and the others arrived at Zou. When Zunisha was injured during the attack you were first one he turned to let you know danger was coming. I remember him grabbing and holding onto you without a second thought like you were his treasure." Chopper finished looking up to see a crimson faced navigator. She knew exactly what he was talking about.

"I-I do really care about him. In my own way, I've always loved him." Nami confessed honestly clutching her chest. Besides Robin, there was perhaps no one better that read her like Chopper. He was one of her closest friends on the Sunny.

The doctor nodded. "I know. I'll always be here to support both of you!" Chopper said smiling holding a thumbs up. Eventually Chopper knew it was a possibility. It wasn't Luffy who invited him to join the crew; it was Nami. She'd been the only one besides their captain to recruit a member. He always wondered what the nature of their relationship was when he first encountered them. The reindeer was not there when the crew took down Arlong Park, so he wasn't sure what happened. But the doctor had could tell Nami's gratefulness ran deep towards the rubber captain for his actions. He remembered fondly Luffy had carried his friends up the treacherous snowy mountain trying desperately to save them at any cost.

"They're my nakama!" Luffy proclaimed grasping the doctor's arm.

Chopper smiled warmly at the memory. There was no doubt in his mind, it was them from the very beginning.

Nami quickly embraces the reindeer rubbing cheek to cheek with him. "Thank you, you brilliant doctor."

Chopper immediately flushed. "Ah stop it Nami, you praise me too much dummy." The reindeer continuing to happily prance as he soaked the compliment.

"Listen Chopper, that stuff you and I said will stay between us right?" Nami asked a little trepidation lacing her tone.

Chopper paused his dancing to give her an answer. "I'm a doctor Nami—patient confidentiality." The doctor gave his signature smile.

Nami smiled back. "Should we grab lunch?" Offering her hand to the short reindeer.

Chopper reached her hand. "Yay! Let's go see Luff-" another slight bump appeared on his previous one.

"Cut that out!" Nami yelled before grasping Choppers hand once again before making their way towards the kitchen.

Chopper couldn't help but chuckle through Nami's anger it confirmed everything he thought and she told him. She really did love her captain.

The doctor enjoyed the lunch more than he one he had in awhile. Not only had Sanji returned to his duties albeit with crutches, his food was better than ever. The crew was up to their usual antics. Luffy was stealing food from everyone as usual to the dismay of Sanji who was angry for him for eating most of the leftovers on the counter that was supposed to last them the whole day. The crew watched as Sanji hobbled to try and catch Luffy to no avail. Eventually Zoro and Usopp restrained Luffy on the ground long enough for Sanji to get in a few strikes with crutches while the other two got a few good shots in too for lurching their lunch. At the usual antics the rest of the crew laughed enjoying the company of one another. Whatever that was thrown at them they would overcome. With Luffy at the helm he knew it was possible.

The Heart Pirates and their captain Trafalgar Law had received the brunt of the damage from the battle with Kaido's forces. Out of his 21 crew members a few were still nursing wounds. They were lucky to all make it out alive. Law still was nursing his own injuries, he wasn't sure exactly how they escaped with their lives. Maybe they were just lucky The Beast Yonko didn't hunt them down one by one and slaughter them. He thought it was more than likely the fatigue Kaido suffered rather than damage from the battle with himself and the four other supernovas. He deduced Kaido would eventually retreat soon to an unspecified location; off the grid. They had to make quick of work of the other Yonko that was currently after Kaido's head as well.

The strength of Strawhat Luffy far exceeded the other's expectations.

He was the strongest in terms of sheer strength and durability among them all. If they were even going to have a slimmer of hope he would need to be at the forefront once again.

Kidd made an interesting comment on the straw hat captain drawing a smirk to the surgeon's face. 'That's kids so strong, it's actually really frightening, glad I'm on his side.'

It was one hell of a true statement. There was no doubt in his mind the young captain could become the King of Pirates.

Standing up from his desk he left his quarters heading outside to the main deck. His crew laid all about napping, chatting, and or just day drinking. Nothing out of the ordinary; he wondered how long this would last. These rare moments of peace. At any moment it could all be taken away.

The current threat at the moment was Marshall D. Teach. Blackbeard. He was currently after the devil fruit he acquired. It was rumored to be very powerful and of unknown origin. The fruit was a contingency plan to make sure Kaido doesn't win, Law would take the fruit himself to put the 6 billion beli beast down for good.

But first he had to deal with the leftover scum from Marineford. It wasn't right that someone that powerful was running around wrecking havoc, unaffected by the consequences of his actions. Just another crazy asshole who would want nothing more than for the world to burn and let the world know afterwards he was the cause of it.

Trafalgar limping slightly, walked over to stand next to Jean Bart.

"Its only a matter of time captain, we have to stop running eventually." Jean said keeping it honest with his captain.

"We're not running Jean-ya" pausing before continuing. "We are leading that bastard to an operating table." Law spoke with the slightest grin.

"So we just have to wait until Straw hats and the others arrived huh?" Jean says a questioning look to him.

"Yeah we need all the help we can get with this scum, he isn't worth much of our time." Law states with a bit of arrogance. It did not go unnoticed by his vice captain.

"He shouldn't be taken lightly captain.. Even still if he was forced to retreat by Kaido also. He's still a yonko, He has an uncanny bloodlust, and he's coming for you for your devil fruits, aren't you least bit concerned?" Jean asked.

"Not in the least bit Jean-ya, we got Strawhat Luffy." Trafalgar said reassuring his first mate.

"That sure makes things a helluva a lot easier boss." Jean finished turning around to see Bepo and Penguin barreling towards them. The pair out of breath as one of them tried to speak.

"Sir the Stra-" Peguin started But was abruptly interrupted by Bepo socking him in the back of his skull.

"Idiot I called it! Captain the Stra-" before Bepo could finish, Penguin's hand crashed into the polar bears face shutting his mouth.

"I-I'll kill you damn albino bear!" Penguin said now shouting in the bears face.

"Bring it wannabe mink!" Bepo challenged chuckling at the expression of his speechless crew mate.

"Bepo..I'm going to make you into a damn RUG!" Penguin shouted before leaping dramatically in the air to fight one another. Law and Jean put an end to the squabble pulling apart the kids. The four crew mates couldn't help but laugh at their ridiculous behavior. It was times like this they'd miss.

"Oi! Idiots!" A voice caught their attention. It was Ikkaku the female navigator of the Heart Pirates.

"Straw hats have arrived captain." She said smiling at the quadruplets.

"Good send out the flare prepare to disembark." Trafalgar ordered. With a simple nod from everyone his subordinates began shouting orders to the other crew mates. It was almost time to face that scum Blackbeard.

The Polar Tang met the The Thousand Sunny ship not to far off the coast of the red line. Dressrosa and Zou a couple days away respectively. A moderate island was located a few hundred meters away; the rendezvous point.

Thousand Sunny met Polar Tang at the Island shore not long after; the two crews meeting on the beach. The two captains stepped forward greeting the other with a handshake.

"Straw Hat-ya."

"Yo Tra-Guy!"

Law's crew collapsed face first the ground hearing Luffy tarnish their captain's name so causally much to the straw hat crew's amusement.

"It's almost time. It shouldn't be long before Blackbeard and his men appear over the ridge. What is your plan, we are short handed."

"I don't have a plan!" Luffy laughed out loud holding his sides. The Heart Pirates were belligerently yelling out that about their impending deaths flipping over one another. Even their captain was a little blue in the face.

"Y-you really don't have a plan?"

"Nope sure don't. My navigator does though." Luffy claimed with an all to big of a smile. Moving aside, Nami stepped to the forefront of the two crews.

"You boys mind if I take on this operation?" She asked knowing full well she was going too. Her tone was a question but it demanded attention and held respect.

Law glanced over at Luffy who possibly had one of the biggest smiles he's seen on anyone. Already knowing the straw hat captain's answer, he gave his.

"Floor is yours Nami-ya." Law said giving a nod for her to explain what she had in mind. Trafalgar could hear his crew shout in tears of joy screaming about the straw hat's navigator being their savior. Seeing the two together gave him one thought; 'quite a team.'

"Alright guys listen up!" Nami began drawing on the beach explaining to the two crews how they would gain the upper hand on the Blackbeard Pirates.

Marshall D. Teach was busy staring at the open ocean ahead approaching an island in the not so far distance.

"Just beyond that Island's ridge. Is that where your hiding Trafalgar Law? I will have that Devil Fruit at any cost." Blackbeard said to no one in particular. He was a very introverted thinker sometimes expressing his thoughts aloud to himself.

The Devil Fruit he was after was reportedly cosmic in nature. An unobtainable treasure somehow ending up in the hands of a brat. The fruit itself was not specified to a certain class: it wasn't a pure paramecia, nor a true Zoan, and not quite a Logia. He didn't think a fruit could transcend all 3 types to create an undetermined hybrid. Either way in order to consume the fruit ,he needed the surgeon of death's eternal life. Teach figured he would eventually get it, he always gets what he wants.

Straw hat Luffy was nothing more than a nuisance. The Boy was overrated in Blackbeard's mind. His bounty was 1.5 billion bellies, yet he was repelled by Kaido much more sure handedly than himself. The only living creature to strike any amount of fear in the cruel man was none other than the Eternal Beast himself. Gaining more resolve the captain quickly downed the rest of the bottle that was resting in his hand.

"This all end here, I will obtain that fruit and the eternal life. Nothing will stop me from becoming King of the Pirates, I'll kill anyone who gets in my way." Throwing the bottle watching as the glass crashed shattering on the mast. His crew just cheered, chanting his name. Blackbeard currently had four ships tailing his mother one, filled with soldiers ready to kill and die for him. His slaves and subordinates . There was no way he was going to lose, not to some snot nosed brats. He took made all the right moves to get here and played the world like it was his personal chessboard. His manifesto was to become Pirate King obtain the powers of an eternal god.

"CAPTAIN THE ISLAND IS ONLY A FEW CLICKS AWAY! WE'll BE LANDING SHORTLY!" One of the underlings shouted grabbing the captain's attention.

"It's almost time ... A mischievous grin appearing on his face. "To become a god."

Luffy, Zoro, Usopp, Law, and Jean all stood on on top of the mountain ridge in the center of the island awaiting the Blackbeard's crew who just reached the opposite shore.

"YOUR SHIT OUT OF LUCK NOW! THERE'S ONLY FIVE OF YOU! DID THE REST OF YOU RUN ON HOME!" The yonko states taunting the pirates to make the first move, they made none.

Blackbeard continued, " I WILL HAVE THOSE DEVIL FRUITS AND I'LL-"

"SHUTTTUPPP! The straw hat captain interjected much to the surprise and dismay of the Blackbeard Pirates.

"THIS IS A PIRATE BATTLE, LET'S JUST FIGHT ALREADY!" Luffy shouted causing a vein to grow on Blackbeard's forehead.

"INSOLENT FOOLS! THIS ISN'T A BATTLE! YOUVE WALKED INTO YOUR OWN SLAUGHTER!" Without another word, the yonko slammed his hand on the shore causing the island to shake violently. "Watch as I show you the power to conquer the world. Now Van Augur!" Blackbeard commanded his trusted marksman, considered the best in the world in his field.

Taking his sniper Senriku off his back the marksman smirked. "Good as dead." Noticing the other marksman, Usopp quickly pulled out two distinct capsules. Signaling his comrades with his distinct war cry as the capsules made their way toward the Blackbeard Crew.

The capsules exploded on impact causing smoke to leak block the vision of the crew members on the shore. Straw hats had the advantage out of the gate.

The marksman shot off a couple rounds in the direction he last saw his targets. "I missed." He simply said to the chagrin of his captain.

Everything was silent. Too silent. Something in the distance caught the Blackbeard Pirates' attention. A sword? It was coming straight to decapitate him. The Yonko swiftly moved his head to the side, allowing the sword to pass by him. Less than a second later he could see a giant form flying directly for him rearing back its first.

"GUM GUMMM..." the Fourth Geared Luffy rearing his fist back to strike.

"Pointless." Blackbeard stated holding out his hand surrounding it in darkness. Ready to strike the giant flying towards him.

Before he could reach the straw hat captain, Law's voice rang out. "ROOM!" Immediately the transformed Luffy vanished being replaced by a sword. The sword he saw earlier. It fell harmlessly to the ground. The group only stared at it in confusion for a moment before a voice broke out.

"Why are you focused on what's in front of you!" Law said smirking. Realizing it was to late, Blackbeard and his crew could only watch in shock as Luffy reappeared behind their captain still in Gear 4.

"KONG GUN!" The force of the impact from Luffy's fist to Blackbeard's face sent shockwaves through the island causing the Blackbeard ship fleet to fly back a bit despite being anchored down.

"D-Damn." Was all Blackbeard could utter as his crew looked on in horror. "CAPTAIN!"

Luffy made to sure to get the most out of the punch stretching his arm as far as it would go, sending Blackbeard flying to the other side of the island, secluding him from his crew. As the straw hat captain went after Blackbeard, his crew turned their attention back to their current situation.

"The captain can handle himself! Hold steady!" Jesus Burgess the 1st division commander holding firm to his ground. Looking around trying to spot any trace of movement or sound; there was none.

"Dammit! Augur can you take a shot yet?!"

"No not until this smoke clears out or we clear it ourselves, either way Senriku can't be fired here, it'd be a waste." Wordlessly the 1st division nodded trying to spot the enemy, still nothing.

"They must be setting a trap from our ships behind us or something. Lafitte, Catarina go guard the ships at all costs." Burgess commanded causing the two lower ranking captains to leave the formation.

The air was still thick with smoke, only now slowly beginning to clear.

"ROOM!" Law called out again. Before the remaining captains could blink the former pirate hunter, Zoro appeared in front the group picking the vacant sword still buried in the ground in between his teeth, the two other swords still in hands.

"Three sword style.. Black Tsumaki!" The five remaining captains. Jesus, Shiliew, Vasco Shot, Augur, and Avalo Pizzaro were sent flying a couple hundred feet in the air by the massive whirlwind.

"Massive Flame Star!" Usopp cried shooting a flammable capsule containing explosive material. No more than a moment later the whirlwind turned into a fire tornado sending the five captains flying in all different directions.

At this moment Trafalgar Law whistled signaling it was time the straw hats' navigator's turn to put her plan into action.

The Thousand Sunny and Polar Tang emerged from behind the Blackbeard fleet.

"Alright we all know the plan! We take commandeer their ships and take their reinforcements out to help Luffy and the others on the island. Our job is to keep his crew from getting involved in their captain's fight. Everyone got it?" The straw hats and Heart Pirates collectively nodded before getting ready to head out.

"Wait everyone hold up! One last thing." Everyone turned to look back at Nami who was smiling with a slight tint to her cheeks. "Remember What comes first.." her eyes turned into berri signs "the treasure!" She said slightly drooling at the prospect of all the treasure the Blackbeard Pirates had collected.

"THERE'S NO TIME FOR THAT!" Practically everyone shouted comical angry faces on all them.

Nami sighed slightly dejected. "Alright,Alright." She turned serious again. "Let's get moving!"

"Right!" They all shouted in union hopping to their respective positions.

All Nami needed to do was buy time. Even if they couldn't take the entire Blackbeard Crew down, they had to damn well try.

Catarina Devon and Laffitte were on the mothership currently assessing the situation. The two enemy ships had them flanked it was pointless to try and rotate their ships to return canon fire, it would be too late by then.

Catarina turned towards her crew mate before speaking. "We have to release the captured zoan fruit users from Kaido's army."

Wordlessly Laffitte tapped his sword on the ships upper deck causing a trap door to open up on the lower deck,allowing the brain washed prisoners of war to escape from the darkness of the bottomless

hull.

"Alright listen up you worthless sacks of crap! You want freedom kill the straw hats!" Laffitte commanded causing a riot among the prisoners. On command they all began to climb out of the deck onto the ship. Jumping over the next ships, Laffitte repeated the same process tapping his cane sword on the decks of the ship. Prisoners in greater numbers began to spill out overflowing the ships.

"Pull up all anchors were going on land!" As soon as captain Catarina gave the order the ships were slowly drifting back back towards the shore.

Nami could see her opponent clearly shouting orders. She was clearly an experienced commander, they were retreating to the shore. They would have no choice but to fight them on the beach.

As the Thousand Sunny smashed into the shore forcefully causing all the crew members they had on board to jump into the Fray. Catarina seeing her chance to jump onboard the Sunny took it. Landing in front of Nami with a slight crack to the ships deck.

"What do we have here? Another easy target." The elder woman spoke grinning devilishly.

Nami gave a smirk of her own before responding. "The way you dish it out, is the same way you have to take it, but I'm sure you know that already." The orange haired navigator said sticking her tongue out while pulling her bottom eye lid slightly downwards mocking the older female.

"You Brat! You and your friends die here!" Nami seeing Catarina jump towards here slashing downwards she was able to roll out of the way. Missing her first attack, the Blackbeard commander slashed again this time hoping to hit the navigator's exposed back. Instinctively Nami activated her Clima Tact to halt the incoming blade. This fight was going to be interesting

Fighting against Jesus Burgess was one thing. It was an entirely different animal to take him on and a group of ruthless zoan type users. He would need to use his best attacks right off the bat.

"Alright we had some fun, now it's time to get serious." Zoro states crossing his arms to change his fighting stance. The swordsman summoning his Busoshoku Haki. "Three Swords Style Ultimate Attack: Three Thousand Worlds!" Zoro began placing his swords in an inverse triangular formation before spinning them together. "Here I come!"

Jesus just smiled at the show of strength by the Straw hat's swordsman. "So you want to end this sooner than later huh?!" Burgess activated his own haki matching Zoro's. "Let's do this! Galleon Lariat!" The 1st division commander matching Zoro's speed, jumping up into into the air to get more speed.

The two warriors colliding, sending shockwaves across the island, briefly stopping the other battles due to the massive force emitted by the fighters.

Sanji was currently observing the battle from the air after taking out some zoan fruit users they were a lot tougher than he expected with one leg but manageable. The chef Sky ran to get a better view of the climax of the battle.

Zoro looked to have taken the brunt of the attack. His left shoulder would be unusable for the remainder of the fight. Sanji could already tell Zoro was badly hurt, he was getting up slower than the Blackbeard commander. This could go from bad to worse, Sanji knew he just needed to buy Zoro a few moments. Wasting no time he began to make his way down towards the moderately sized crater.

The cook knew he had to attack soon before Jesus fully recovered. Covering his still injured left leg with his Busoshoku Haki before continuing. "PARAGE SHOT!" Before Burgess could react every inch of his face was covered in fiery kicks. Sanji wasn't done; putting both hands on the ground he began another barrage this time to the enemies's chest. "I'll make mince meat out of you! Jabot Extra Hachis!" A series of kicks landed on the commander sending him flying out of the crater.

Sanji fell onto his right knee, the weight of his leg starting to take effect.

"D-Damn, even with my Haki.. I didn't think this soon." Not a second later the cook was on his feet.

"Oi you shit cook, appreciate the assist, but you should take it easy." Zoro patted the man on the back.

"Wow I can't believe I got a thanks outta you." Sanji joked pulling out a cigarette lighting it up.

"It's as close to one as you'll get. Now get outta here, I need to finish this ass clown." Zoro said with a slight grin.

"You better not lose, I gave you a hell of an advantage shitty marimo." Sanji smirked back.

Even in the middle of a battle the two would always be bickering brothers to the end. Both of them willing to die for each other to keep their dreams alive. That's part of what made all the straw hats bond so special. They all cared about the other achieving their dreams.

Zoro watches the cook ascend to a high enough distance he felt ready to finish Burgess. Jumping up out of the crater to confront and annihilate his opponent.

Jesus woke out of his daze remembering the shameful beatdown he got just now. Some would say a sneaky clever move, he would call it cowardice. His full attention now on Sanji who hovered a few hundred feet in the air.

"IT'S OVER FOR YOU COWARD!" Burgess screamed. "Get ready for my Hasshoken technique, YOUR FINISHED!" Burgess's right elbow became engulfed in powerful vibrations and shockwaves, while his left was gathering a huge amount of energy.

Zoro noted the commander's stance. His attention no longer on the swordsman.

"He's not going for me.." realizing what Jesus was aiming at he shouted, "Oi Sanji!" Desperately trying to warn the chef to dodge. In the blink of an eye Burgess was gone heading toward Sanji.

The green haired vice captain realizing he was not going to be able to dodge in time. He knew the destructive power of those Hasshoken attacks, he'd seen it first hand at the Coliseum in Dressrosa. Even Luffy and his brother Sabo had problems combating it. If it Sanji directly there was a good chance he wouldn't make it especially in his condition.

Without a second thought Zoro was trailing Burgess; one advantage he had over him was speed. 'I have to use it' It would be his last ultimate attack, his power was maxing out and his left shoulder was shot. His opponent was slow moving but smart; he took out his dominant arm. It would make things harder but the words of his captain about protecting 'his nakama' always at the forefront of his mind.

Zoro grabbed his sword from his mouth with his right hand preparing his attack closing in on Burgess, he had to make his move now.

"Black Blade! Shishi Sonson!" The blade Zoro held turned black as night, haki oozing off the blade.

Sanji didn't have time to dodge, this might be it. Still huffing his cigarette he charged up his right leg maybe there was a chance he could deflect most of it.

The first division commander grinned ready to strike. A voice rang out below him catching his attention, it was the swordsman, he didn't anticipate he was this fast in the air. It did not matter he still had time to change his target mid flight. The moment he made the move to aim for Zoro it was already too late.

Jesus could feel the sword cut cleanly through his left exposed shoulder blade down to his waist. There was a searing unbearable pain for an instant before there was no feeling at all, it was completely numb.

'Captain Blackbeard..forgive me..!' The commander flew towards the ground descending lifelessly.

Sanji helped Zoro get to the ground. Dropping him on his feet by the back of his collar.

"Damn that was a close one. Guess you really do give a rat's ass about me shitty swordsman, ya bastard! C'mere!" The chef couldn't help pull Zoro into a headlock rubbing his knuckles on his head comically earning a punch to stomach and a shove.

"Aye I didn't do it cause I care jackass! Truth is your the best damn cook in the world." Zoro confessed with a frown hating himself for admitting that he swore he'd take that to the grave.

Sanji kicked his cigarette out, pulling out another one, smoking it; he swore he took pride in being a chain smoker. "Don't repeat this but I admire your dedication to your craft, your inspiring man, best damn swordsman I've ever seen my friend." Sanji said continuing his smoking session.

The two men shared a nod of mutual respect. "Let me get one of those."

"Huh? Since when do you smoke?" Sanji asked handing him a cigarette and lighting it for him.

"I don't really. Only when after I conquer a powerful foe, it helps. In times like this in constant war, you need moments like this to reflect on your past triumphs if only for a few moments. It somehow pushes me forward in a way." Zoro scratched his head feeling the light headiness of the tobacco.

"That's why I admire you brother." Sanji added as the two men enjoyed their cigarettes in silence watching for any movement from the former 1st division commander of the Blackbeard Pirates; their was none.

"You better get back to it, I'm sure someone needs your help." Zoro said trotting towards the Blackbeard ships.

"Yeah, see ya when it's over." Sanji stomped his cigarette before heading off.

Luffy didn't see any of the battle between Zoro and Burgess, but he no doubt heard it. It nearly rivaled the battle between him and Blackbeard. The Yonko continued firing his darkness obtained by the Yami Yami no Mi fruit. This ability kept Luffy at at distance the only thing he could do was try and get close like he did with the first punch. To neutralize Luffy's close ranged combat, Blackbeard used his Gura Gura no Mi fruit; the power of quakes.

Each time Luffy was able to dodge the incoming projectiles and dash towards his aggressor just to be repelled by a powerful shockwave. The one time he managed to break through the wall Blackbeard created he was met with a swirling dark vortex. It was truly the power of the devil. Whatever he absorbed usually never was heard from again; people, ships, cities, you name it.

Blackbeard was the most unique opponent he's faced. Not only did he have an unpredictable offensive ability and an impenetrable defensive strategy. Blackbeard's greatest strength was also his greatest weakness. He saw the last time he hit Blackbeard when his darkness vortex was active. His Kong Gun had put the Yonko back on his heels. Whenever Blackbeard had his darkness out he was, as vulnerable if not more than a mere human when he took damage. However the darkness was proving to be unavoidable unless he had something like Law's ability.

Even if the straw hat captain wanted to, that wouldn't work twice on this Yonko. He was all too cunning and strategic; Blackbeard was an asshole not stupid. Not after all the chess like moves he made to get to this point in the Grand Line. Entering Impel Down, recruiting members from level 6 making themselves fight to death for membership in his crew. Joining the fray in Marineford, only to have a hand in the death of Ace and murdering Whitebeard, before stealing the Gura Gura no Mi from his corpse. He truly was the scum of the earth and at any cost he would make him pay for his sins.

Blackbeard also had another weakness; he wouldn't shut the hell up.

"READY TO DIE NOW STRAW HAT! It's pointless to continue this, if you surrender now I'll spare your life. All you have to do is kneel and proclaim me, Pirate King!" Blackbeard said smirking trying to get in his opponent's head.

Luffy had to keep him talking, what did Nami call it? A distraction.

"Why would I kneel if I'm winning this battle. My number one just beat your number one. I have no doubt my crew will come out on top. Your the one who should kneel to me!" Luffy was repositioning himself in order to get better angle to flank Blackbeard.

Blackbeard let out a loud wail of laughter causing him to bend on a knee. Luffy moves again positioning himself just inside Blackbeard's peripheral vision.

"You truly are a fool Monkey D. Luffy! But you're not stupid, I'll give you that much to make it this far." Luffy moved just outside the Yonko's peripheral finally bursting toward him at a great speed. "But now it's finished!" Blackbeard put both his hands behind his back to create a giant black vortex. He was planning on absorbing the Gear Fourth Luffy.

"Come to Papa." Blackbeard taunted readying his hands to ambush straw hat.

"Gomu Gomu no Double Cervin! Luffy screamed reeling both his hands ready to strike.

Blackbeard showing his hands to reveal a massive dark aura. "YOUR POWER IS MINE STRAWHAT!"

In a flash Blackbeard was knocked off his feet flying up in the air from the impact. The double cervin was slammed into the ground just out of reach of the vortex, the impact so great sending Blackbeard high up in the air and rendering his Gura Gura no Mi power useless while in the airborne.

Luffy wasn't done. " Gomu Gomu Rhino Schneider!" The massive kick juggled Blackbeard even higher. "One more. Gum Gum Python!" Luffy yelled sending his stretching fist flying straight for Blackbeard's back connecting with a thunderous thud. Once he felt the impact, the straw hat captain immediately jerked down to send his fist crashing back down to the island bringing the Yonko along with it.

Luffy was a fool, but he'd be a damn fool if he the thought the duel was over; he didn't. It wasn't nearly enough to finish a caliber of an opponent like one Marshal D Teach.

As if on cue Blackbeard stood up dusting himself with a laugh. "This has been a nice warmup Straw hat, but this battle is about to come to end. Your time is almost up."

Luffy began to grow tired, his time in Gear 4 was done. Floating to the ground landing on all fours heaving out steam quickly reverting to his original form.

"Crap-" he coughed out more steam. "Thought I had a little more time. Now I need to buy more!"

Luffy notices Blackbeard began to activate his quake abilities raising his defensive shields up again. There would be no way to get to him until he transformed again.

This battle was entering the home stretch.

Robin and Franky had their hands full dealing with frontline of the zoan fruit users. Different variations of animal hybrids were seen. From prehistoric animals like dinosaurs all the way to large sized serpents.

The former demon child was given the task by the navigator to take on the zoan user due to her Hana Hana no Mi fruit. It was a special type of paramecia-type fruit user, allowing her to sprout limbs and make them transform shape and size at will. Robin was perfect for the job, she was currently holding the army at bay with her thousand arms.

"Mil Fleur: Giantesco Mani!" A majority of of the arms began to transform into Giant hands smashing the surrounding area throwing many of the Blackbeard underlings into the sea.

Franky was doing his best to assist Robin, firing as many missiles and projectiles as possible. Mid flight he could see the entirety of the battlefield. Not a single fruit user has broken through Robin's barrier, he knew it wouldn't hold much longer though.

Bear witnessing Robin's true strength was something truly to behold. Having mastered her powers just after the age of eight. Franky knew despite the advantage they had right now, the underlings would soon counterattack; he didn't want Robin on the receiving end of that.

The Heart Pirates were using the slight advantage the straw hats provided them and began advancing further into the fruit users' formation. The white polar bear Bepo at the forefront of it.

Franky could see some of Robin's hands disappear, alerting him to her power fading. He needed to do something fast.

"Yo Franky, you need some assistance." Sanji's voice broke the shipwright out of his thoughts.

The cyborg relieved to see the chef yelled back. "Yeah I could use you here Sanji. Take Robin's place will ya!" Without another word. Franky bursted back to aid the Heart Pirates. If there was one thing he count on about Sanji besides food, it was protecting the women of the crew.

Robin could feel her powers starting to fade. The fruit users were desperate to counter attack after the assault they launched causing a lot of casualties on Blackbeard's side. The only real downside to her powers was her vulnerability from her arms. The arms were able to duplicate themselves, but they were still very much apart of her as her own two arms.

The dark haired female glanced up to see an incoming flaming projectile. She was about to project a hand to stop when she noticed who it was.

"ROBIN CHAAANNN! Your knight in shining armor is here! Sanji proclaimed landing dramatically next to her with pounding hearts in eyes along with a slight nosebleed.

A gracious smile appeared on her face.

"Thank you, I could really use your help here Sanji."

"Of course let me relieve you." Sanji snapped suddenly serious again. "If you need time to rest up for awhile you should head to the ship, Zoro is on his way as well." The chef said lighting a new cigarette.

Robin nodded after hearing this retracting all her arms to return to her original form.

"Thank you Sanji, I owe you one!" Robin winked before sprouting her wings, gliding off toward the Sunny.

The cook was busy hyperventilating with hearts in his eyes, dramatically on the ground. Robin just winked at him and said she "owed him one."

"I've been winked at by an angel.." Sanji spoke to himself sprouting blood out his nose as he watched Robin fly away.

Jumping back to his feet, remembering his friends were counting on him. He spoke to the first few underlings that approached him.

"I don't have time for you small fry, forget one leg, I could beat you guys dumb,deaf, and blind."

The cook ignited his leg causing a stir in the crowd of users starting to gather around.

"I will fry you all.." raising his right leg before continuing, "Diablo Jambe."

Usopp didn't expect this uncharted abandoned island to have a complex network of underground caravans. He could only assume the island was previously used for slave trading. The celestial dragons would come and go as they please buying people like cattle; it sickened him. If all those self righteous pricks were wiped off the earth he was sure no one give a shit. He could still see the chains and dried blood from all those years ago.

It was no wonder the Blackbeard Marksman led him to this place. He was cunning knowing full well to take advantage of the lack of visibility. The two shared more in common than Usopp was willing to admit. But he knew better to be the best, he had to beat the best.

Continuing to walk, the straw hat marksman, freezing mid stride to listen to rustling of rocks coming from the cavern up ahead. Looking towards the ceiling, he notices a crack shining a ray of light near the commotion.

The barrel of the rifle appearing just inside the ray of light allowing Usopp to dodge the incoming shots.

Quickly ducking behind a pile of rocks breathing heavy. He had to think of something fast or this fight was over. The greatest sniper in the world would not miss twice like that even with the lack of visibility.

"Okay get ready.." Usopp spoke pulling out a few items from his nap sack attached to his belt.

A puppy sized blackboard sat on the Straw hat marksman's lap. "Get ready. FOR THIS!" Usopp began furiously scratching the blackboard with his nails causing an unholy screech to reach Augur's ears causing him to step just enough in the light for Usopp to get a clear indication of where his target was.

He had to use this chance now. It might be the only one he'd get. "Flaming Star!" Usopp shouted shooting the ceiling of the cave,only to cause a large chunk of the ceiling to fall to ground creating a jumping point to close the distance. Not wasting his opportunity to reach his opponent Usopp took it. Running along the downed ceiling turned ramp, shooting another capsule, only for it to transform into a large venus fly trap.

Augur recovering from annoyance that was the chalkboard began firing away at the plant. If he didn't take it out now, the marksman would be dealt a lethal blow he could tell that much.

The plant lunged full tilt at the Blackbeard Marksman only to get shredded within a few seconds; it was all Usopp needed, he was in striking distance.

Realizing he only had a limited amount of time Augur pointed Senriku towards the younger Marksman preparing to fire. It was over, he would end the young man's life.

At the last second, Usopp casually revealed a large sized tone dial from under his sleeve. "IMPACT DIAL!"

Augur made the mistake of pulling his trigger causing a massive blowback sending the two combatants flying backwards a good distance from the other. Usopp could tell right away his right shoulder was strained and his forearm was badly hurt maybe dislocated. However the sacrifice was well worth it. Augur lay face down in a pool of his own blood with his legendary weapon Senriku by his side, broken.

Walking over to check to see if he was alive was a lot harder than he thought. The pain in his shoulder starting to emit from his shoulder down, the adrenaline was wearing off.

Augur began to stir immediately going into a sitting position. Looking over he saw his most prized possession, his life, now laying broken on the ground.

"Senriku..." Augur started to sob weakly. "Senriku..I'm so sorry." The man continuing to let his tears flow.

This caught Usopp off guard. "Hey buddy, take it easy you alright?" The curly haired marksman inquiring curiously. Augur has an interesting attachment towards his weapon of choice. Usopp understood it was a legendary weapon and all, but he was really broken over it, becoming a shell of himself; he pitied him.

"What the hell do you care.." Augur growled. "Finish me, what are you waiting FOR?!" The Blackbeard commander screamed showing anger.

"Did that weapon really mean that much to you?" Usopp asked not expecting much of a response.

Fearing he was going to die anyway he might as well say his final words. He owed the enemy who bested him that much.

"Senriku was my... wife.." pausing to compose himself once more before continuing. "When we were young she was with me everywhere, we were inseparable, she was always by my side. This was her weapon she handed to me before she passed. Our crew was ambushed by the Navy, who were looking for food to scavenge off of other ships. I vowed to avenge her by taking down the Navy with her by my side...Senriku.." Augur said trailing off with a far away Look in his eye.

Usopp asked another question that this time caught Augur off guard. "You loved her.. didn't you?"

Augur hesitates before responding, "of course I did.. more than anything.. the day she passed, a part of me did as well and forever remain that way." he was about to let his tears spill again. "She would be ashamed of what I've done to get here.. I've looted, betrayed, and killed all in the name of the Blackbeard Pirates.. if she were here.. how could she even look at me.." The greatest marksman in the world was really a broken person. It didn't click in Usopp's head right away but he understood what he needed to do.

"Finish me straw hat marksman.." Augur said barley audible. Usopp walks over standing between him and Shenriku.

Augur just looked on indifference not fearing his death, accepting it.

"What are you waiting for..?" The Blackbeard commander spoke barley above a whistle. "Do it...DO ITTT!" Augur shouted pointing to his forehead making sure Usopp got the message to end his life.

The straw hat marksman's eye were currently unreadable. Slowly he reaches for Senriku picking up the half broken rifle.

"So your Senriku.. it's nice to meet ya, how bout we get you all fixed up." Usopp spoke to the rifle.

Augur was in shock. What the hell was going on? This strange man was talking to his weapon.

"Don't worry Augur we can fix this up for you." Usopp said with a smirk. This only causes the commander more confusion.

"On one condition, you pledge yourself to our cause and redeem your past actions, we will get Senriku on her feet back in no time."

Augur could only render himself speechless after Usopp's spoken words. He had had an opportunity to turn it all around. All this sins he confessed to the young man could be somewhat redeemed. Even if he said no and somehow managed to beat his opponent, Blackbeard would kill him anyway for his Shenriku being in tatters claiming he was not fit to be apart of the Blackbeard Pirates.

"Well whatdya say buddy? I'm Usopp by the way." The young man smiles resembling his captain for an instant.

Augur looked at Usopp then back to his hand not seeing any intention to take his life. Everything he said seemed to be completely genuine. Wondering if his crew could really fix his weapon..his world. Finally Augur stood up to the surprise of Usopp.

"I'm Van Augur, and I pledge myself to your cause." Augur said standing up with a slight smile. The two men firmly shook hands.

It was the beginning of a powerful marksman alliance.

Robin making her way to the Sunny notices two figure emerging from a nearby tunnel. One she did not recognize and one was all too familiar.

"Usopp!" Robin said waving to the straw hat marksman.

"Oi Robin! Great to see you!" Usopp proclaims running to meet the archeologist.

"Good to see you as well! Ah your arm." Robin points out looking at the young man's bleeding arm.

"Oh this? Yeah it's nothing, even though I can't feel it anymore." Ussop said trying to laugh it off but soon grunting as the pain began to increase.

"We need to get you to the ship! Let's go." The archeologist didn't waste a second swooping up Usopp to continue her flight.

Van Augur looks upon the duo with indifference.

"DON'T WORRY AUGUR I'LL FIX SENRIKU! REMEMBER OUR AGREEMENT!" Usopp shouted audibly before disappearing nearly out of sight.

Van Augur just wordlessly sticks his hands in his pockets heading for the battlefield full of zoan fruit underlings.

One thought filling his head. 'Senriku I will redeem myself.'

Robin and Usopp landed on the Sunny to see the ship's exterior had been damaged all over. Nami was doing her best to keep Catarina from tearing the ship apart. Her crescent spear clashing with Nami's clima tact. Each blow the other dealt causing winds and lightning to rage throughout the air.

Catarina jumps back assessing the newcomers. "New players? How interesting this will be. Murunfuffuffu." Cackled the witch-like commander.

Robin jumping into the fray shouting "Giantesco Mani!" A large hand appearing to restrain the witch. Noticing the hand in time Catarina was able to dodge only to be hounded by Nami, who was summoning her weather eggs. Small thunder clouds surrounded the witch, large bolts of lighting struck the witch. Even then it still wasn't enough, the witch was able to fend off both her attacker's with her crescent spear.

"No matter what you all do, it's no use your captain will never win against Blackbeard! Murunfufu." The witch laughs. The group ignored the comment knowing they had to keep a cool head to prevail. Nami only had one chance to use her special attack but now wasn't the time.

Nico Robin began to chuckle causing the witch to turn saying, "just what the hell's so funny?"

"You'll actually find us a lot smarter than you." Robin said cooly.

"A lot tougher too!" Nami said grinning, juggling her clima tact in one hand.

The witch just stood there frozen as Robin pulled her ankles to the deck with her hands freezing Catarina in place. Usopp knew it was going down and he was just lucky enough to witness it.

"Hell yeah cat fight! You better kick her ass! You here me Nami! Robin!" Usopp said cheering his female crew mates on.

"QUIET!" Was the response from the three women on the ship.

Gulping slightly, Usopp slowly made his way to a far corner in the ship away from impeding cat-duel.

Ready for battle, the two straw hat ladies charged the lone Blackbeard commander, Robin coming from behind, while Nami from the front.

Catarina quickly got in a fighting stance ready to take on the two incoming women. Robin got there first throwing her hands in a flurry of fists to try and take out the witch in a hurry. Nami threw her tact in a spearing motion to try and occupy the woman's attention for Robin to get a few shots in. Catarina finally got her feet free from Robin's grasp. She was now able to fight the two evenly. All three's movement was hard to keep up. Catarina swings her spear, missing Robin who in return landed a left hook to the woman's jaw. Nami using this opportunity to strike the witch down, sticking her clima tact in the woman's stomach, sending a lightning jolt through her.

Catarina dropped to one knee; weakened. The three women were breathing heavy, each coming preparing their own strike. The moment the two women went to strike, the witch slashed Robin's left arm above her elbow causing her to stumble back.

"Robin!" Usopp and Nami said screaming at the same time.

"I'm fine." Robin says holding a hand up.

A dark look came over Nami's face her bangs covering her eyes. "You'll pay for hurting my nakama." The navigator squeezing her clima tact causing it to shrink, charging the witch once again.

Catarina looks at the Cat Burgler as if she's insane. "You sure got a death wish stupid girl." The Blackbeard commander preparing to ram her spear through the navigator.

Not showing an ounce of fear in the face of death. Nami remembering her captain; he would die to protect her family.

Before the spear could reach her abdomen, Nami was able to dodge the attack, sliding on her knees to slip past the blade. Keeping the spear at bay with her deactivated clima tact. Once the She was clear of the spear she was perfectly positioned directly underneath Catarina.

"Told you were smarter and tougher than we look." Nami said shadows still covering her eyes, squeezing the center handle of her clima tact causing it to extend well beyond the witch's chin. The three straw hats watched as the witch-like woman came crashing down on the grass field of the sunny.

Nami sat back with a smile and raised fist. "We did it!" The three of them cheering , running to greet on another. They couldn't give each other compliments fast enough.

"You guys were sooo cool! I wish the crew could've seen it. When Robin threw that left hook! WOAH! Nami, when you slid past her blade and you said that awesome one liner!" Usopp hugging himself and falling back. "That was so awesome I can die happy now."

Nami and Robin could only smile and shake their heads at the marksman's antics.

The ladies high five'd up top.

"Talk about girl power sister." Nami said earning a warm smile from the archeologist.

"Wedo make quite a team don't we?" Robin asked but it was clearly a rhetorical question. They made an unstoppable team when they put their heads together. The straw hats crew would be in disarray without their two lovely ladies and it shows on this day.

A voice broke everyone from their victory parade. "Oi we do make a good team don't we? Sounds like I missed a party." Zoro said finishing climbing onto the deck.

"Damn what happened to her?" Zoro asked regarding the still unconscious Catarina.

Usopp immediately stood up facing the swordsman. "Robin and Nami totally whooped on that creepy lady that's what! You missed a total cat fight dude!"

"Looks like one hell of a fight. Who got the k.o? I bet it was you Robin, it wouldn't surprise me with your left hook." Zoro said remembering his accidental bathroom encounter with Robin had him on the receiving end of one. He swore his cheek was still numb when he tried to sleep on it.

Robin just shook her head pointing at Nami, answering Zoro's question.

"Nami knocked out one of Blackbeard's commanders?" Zoro questioned. His eyes filling to the brim with tears while he was trying to simultaneously hold in a laugh. He couldn't contain himself. The swordsman was laughing on the floor kicking his feet up like a kid.

"No way Nami did that. AHAHA!" Zoro continuing to mock the navigator.

Robin and Usopp were slowly retreating away from Zoro. A hulking shadow appearing over the former pirate hunter. "I'll show you a left hook you rude bastard. LEARN SOME MANNERS!" Zoro was sent flying towards a now waking up Catarina.

Before the two knew what literally hit them their lips smacked into one another. Both inwardly screaming for it to end. As soon as it started it was over, both participants were throwing up their guts on the side of the boat.

Usopp, Robin, and Nami could only hunch over and laugh at the swordsman's display of disgust towards the witch he locked lips with. Maybe he finally found someone after all.

Catarina was having none of the Straw hats humorous antics. "I'm going to kill you all!" Catarina said taking a fighting stance ready to take on all four combatants; not one of them made a move.

"I'll handle this." Usopp simply said to everyone's confusion, even Catarina. Robin knowing what was coming covered everyone's mouth except Usopp's; for now.

"Try this!" The Marksman threw a small plain looking dial next to woman. Slowly it began to leak out smoke.

"Ha! You think this will stop me? A smoke bomb? Fool, I'm the crescent moon warrior!" Catarina said taking a deep breath before inhaling all the smoke emitted from the tone dial. Usopp smirked abeit behind Robin's hand.

"It's not smoke," Robin released her hands on everyone's mouth allowing them to breathe normally. "Its anesthetic gas." Usopp said finishing his statement.

The witch beginning to feel the effects of the gas,toppled over immediately passing out into oblivion. This battle was over, another one bit the dust.

"Sorry to do that to your girlfriend Zoro!"

Usopp said teasing the swordsman.

A large vein appearing on Zoro's head before responding, "I'll repay you for stupid comment after this is over."

The group of four stood on the front of the Sunny to check on the battle going on down the shorelines. It was still at a stand still, it seems like nothing changed; they would need Blackbeard to fall.

Out of nowhere a battered Luffy appeared flying through the mountain range to the shock of everyone on board close to the ship.

Blackbeard not far behind flying full speed towards the straw hat captain. Luffy stopping himself on his heels right before he was about to hit the water. 'That was a close one.'

Looking up at the last second dodge Blackbeard's quake slam. It would've been bad if he would've been caught. Knowing he needed to get Blackbeard away from his friends as soon as possible. Luffy could feel his haki coming back; third Gear was available. He could use the surprise attack to his advantage. He would disguise his attack to be able to nail Blackbeard with an original technique.

"No more Haki, Huh Straw! Looks like I'm going to kill you in front of your crew!" Blackbeard said dashing full speed once again.

Luffy stretching his leg aiming a kick towards his opponent, making Blackbeard dodge and reposition himself. Now was his chance. It was a tactic Raleigh taught him when he needed, an old school trick made for cunning opponent such as this was.

He could remember Old man Raleigh's words as if he was right beside him.

"Luffy... you know on your journey through the new world to become King of the Pirates, you will encounter enemies that not only have you outmatched in strength but also in strategic prowess." Silvers King Raleigh stated matter o factly trying to get the rubber boy to hopefully understand.

Luffy just continued eating not really taking his words words to heart. Having enough the old man got up grabbing the meat large meat from Luffy's hands causing the kid to jump up and grab it snatch it back.

"You won't do that again." Luffy snapped matter o factly. Raleigh could only smile, even after everything his strength and resolve is coming back. Overcoming the near death experience at Marineford and loss of Ace, the young man pushed on. He truly reminded the old soul of none other than his former captain Gol D. Roger, the Pirate King himself.

Perhaps Luffy would understand this lesson since Roger would become the master of this, even if knowing about it later in life.

"Luffy! You listening or am I going to have to.." Raleigh noticed Luffy had his attention in him. "Got it old man I'm all ears."

"Okay kid listen up. I've been teaching you all the forms of Haki, and helping you master your Gomu Gomu no Mi forms but... I need you remember something for me when your forms and haki no longer serve you to the fullest and your overcome with a difficult situation."

Luffy was still listening intently waiting for the master swordsman to continue.

"Remember kid, when facing an opponent, shake firmly with your right hand, but hold a rock steadily with your left."

"Huh?" Luffy simply said.

Raleigh face palmed, this went better in his head.

" Alright Luffy, let's say I attempt to strike you with a powerful attack that you can't dodge, and if you try your best technique, I would dodge it easily or counter it. However, if you hold one of your second or third techniques in your left hand while keeping your right hand engaged in combat with your opponent it will ultimately catch them off guard." Raleigh said with a sigh hoping Luffy got the message, if not he was calling it a night.

"So you think you got it?"

Luffy took another bite from his pile of assorted meats. "Yup got it."

Raleigh contemplated this before responding, "that so, in that case we'll begin now."

"H-huh? But it's night and it's dinner time,think of the Meat!" Luffy whined. Raleigh slightly frowned he was not yet a man but still a boy. The old man swears it will change in two years.

"You want to get stronger for your friends don't you? Think about em kid, they're all counting on ya."

Without a second of hesitation Luffy was back on his feet. "Teach me Raleigh, I need to get stronger." The straw hat captain was taking the right steps to becoming Pirate King.

'Roger your will lives on through this boy.' Raleigh thought before turning back to the young captain.

"Alright prepare yourself, I'll start with a basic attack." Raleigh said all to calmly ready to help the kid become the next king at any cost.

'Thank you, Old man.'

Luffy charged his left hand, haki surrounding the forearm. He kept it behind him as Blackbeard approached.

"Straw Hat! Get ready to die!" Blackbeard yells aiming his dark vortex right for Luffy's head.

"LUFFY!" He could hear Nami's voice break through everything calling out to him. He wouldn't die here, not with her here especially, his plan would succeed. As Blackbeard came within striking distance. Luffy finally activated his third gear elephant gun in his right hand aiming for Blackbeard.

"Ha! That's it! Your pathetic straw hat, that won't work!" Blackbeard said taunting Luffy. The captain's arm began to slowly enter the vortex being pulled in. It was unlike anything he'd ever felt before. The feeling was of pure evil, it unsettled him.

"I've got you now." Blackbeard slowly pulled Luffy In elbow deep.

Nami and the others could only watch speechless wondering what their captain was planning.

"LUFFY!" He heard her voice again. The voice pulling him out of the darkness.

"I got you now." Blackbeard's confident smirk went to a shocked one as he notices the strike come from behind Luffy's back. His fist balled up like he was holding onto a rock tightly; haki dripping from his knuckles. The yonko's eye's widened as he was completely vulnerable to Luffy's attack, his dark vortex was active now and it was far too late to withdraw it.

"RED PISTOL HAWK!" A fiery fist hit Blackbeard square in his sternum completely avoiding the vortex, sending the captain flying back through the mountain ridge to the other side of the mountain.

Everyone on the battlefield pausing to admire the moment and display of strength of their respective captains.

Not a second after the moment was over, the battles resumed.

Luffy was busy trying to regain his composure. That time was a little to close.

The rubber captain glancing one last time at the Sunny one last time roaming over his friends making sure they were safe for now. His eyes made brief contact with the navigator before taking off once again after Blackbeard.

Nami could only stand in her spot on the sunny, frozen in place by what she witnessed. The strength of Blackbeard was truly terrifying. With the power of two devil fruits he was a unique and extremely dangerous opponent; probably more so than anyone Luffy's faced previously.

Grabbing her clima tact she began to try and descend to the shore only to be stopped by Zoro.

"Hey Zoro wh-" Nami said stopping in her tracks.

"I know what your thinking, but he'd kill me if he knew I let you near his fight." Zoro said rolling bandages around his left shoulder.

Nami knew the swordsman has a point. It would only worry Luffy more if she was there.

"Yeah he'd kill me too," Usopp added. "We have to trust the captain will come out on top, like he always does."

Usopp has a good point. Luffy could handle himself throughly in a fight; he had prepared for this. Nami remembering the glance he gave her before disappearing. She understood now, he was trusting her with his nakama's lives. He was counting on her as she was him.

Robin finishing a bandage of her own said "Well what's the plan navigator?" Robin warmly smiles awaiting Nami's orders.

"Okay I got a plan, huddle up you guys." The four straw hats listening intently as the navigator barked out orders.

Brook and Chopper were having the most difficult time with their opponent. The 5th commander and navigator of the Blackbeard Pirates, Laffitte. The viciousness former sheriff hailing from the West Blue. Known throughout the world for his cruelty and viciousness, he was currently using that to over power the two straw hats.

"Surely you two must realize you two do not have the power nor the cruelty to beat me." Laffitte laughs tipping his hat towards the pair.

So far every attack was repelled no matter how close the duo got. Besides a few scratches this guy was relatively unscathed.

"Will you do what's necessary to defeat me, because one thing you should know about me, I don't end a fight unless my opponents are dead." Laffitte says tap dancing in shoes emphasizing his point.

"Shut up and fight already ya bully! This is a duel!" Chopper yells in his karate form.

"HA! You call this a duel?" Cockily the commander began to tap dance even more celebrating his victory a little too early.

A hand pushed the reindeer behind his him protecting him.

"You say you don't stop until your opponents are dead you say? Well today is your lucky day because... IM ALREADY DEAD!" Brook said rising from one knee, drawing his sword, suddenly charging ready to impale the commander.

Drawing a cane sword of his own, Laffitte calmly with a flick of his wrist decapitated the skeleton, his body crashing with an unceremonious thud.

"See I told you reindeer, no matter what you do, you'll end up like your friend here." The 5th division commander cackled.

"BROOK!" Chopper yells seeing his favorite musical corpse on the ground.

The Blackbeard commander approaching chopper slowly, dragging his blade along the deck menacingly. "Enjoy the terror reindeer as I kill you slowly."

Chopper just continued smiling not showing an ounce of fear which confused the former demon sheriff for a moment.

A familiar voice broke Laffitte mid-stride.

"Hey." Turning around instantly he was knocked upside the head with Brook's signature guitar sending him high in the air crashing into the upper deck.

"I told you...I was already dead. Yohoho!" Brook says with his signature laugh.

"Thanks Brook I owe you one!" Chopper said high fist bumping the skeleton.

A few hundred meters away Zoro, Nami, Usopp, and Robin made their way towards the battle field full of zoan users. They would need to hurry if they were going to take full control of the battle.

The four split off in separate directions heading off to different objectives. Usopp was going to back up Van Augur, his newest recruit. Robin went back to fighting alongside Franky who was combating the underlings with a unique wrestling style. Zoro was off to support Trafalgar Law and his vice captain jean to take down the three remaining Blackbeard commanders: Second Shiliew, Fourth Vasco Shot, and sixth Avalo Pizzaro. It shouldn't be too much of a problem. Nami was making her way as quick as she could towards Chopper and Brook hoping she could aid them in anyway possible.

Nami could see the two in the distance still engaging in a duel with the commander. Stopping the navigator in her tracks were were a group large fruit users looking for an opponent after defeating a couple Heart Pirates. Despite using her weather egg, she knew her power was limited. She didn't have time to fight these guys.

"Oi Nami Swan!" Sanji screams with his classic heart eyes. Landing a few kicks to the back of the users heads to knock them out cold.

"Appreciate the assist Sanji." Nami smiled gratefully. "Now I need your help again, help me clear a path to the that ship in the distance, Brook and Chopper are there!"

Sanji's heart eyes reappearing again.

"Consider it done! Nami Swaaan!" The cook sang charging the group blocking their path.

"Hey you punks! I'm going to teach you some manners! When a lady says she needs to be somewhere you MOVE!" Sanji says spinning his legs around into a fiery whirlwind, not before Nami adds a large lightning bolt to finish the underlings in her path off for good.

"Thanks Sanji for helping me out! I owe you one! Stay safe!" Nami says with a wink. With that the orange haired navigator was off racing once again towards her previous destination.

Sanji was once again on the ground an instantly clutching his chest. "First Robin..now Nami.. they both winked at me saying they owe me one.." the cook said slightly bleeding out his nose.

'My sweet Nami. My dearest Robin. They both said they owe me one.' He repeated in his head a little more perverse this time.

All of a sudden Sanji felt his heart stop to think of all the possibilities "owing him one" meant. Perverse thoughts of the two lady straw hats inviting him to their bath session together flooded his mind.

The battlefield froze seeing an enormous blood sprout shoot up high into the atmosphere. You could hear the cook's yell of a perversion shake the island for a few brief seconds.

Zoro obviously got lost looking for Law and his first mate. He was now in some uninhabited part of the island. The swordsman wondering how he would ever find his way back. Seeing the enormous blood sprout knowing immediately who it was and what was responsible for causing it.

"Fucking perverse moron." Zoro said grinning before sprinting in the direction of the blood sprout back towards the battlefield.

Nami made it to the Blackbeard ship finally climbing aboard. She could see the battle had recently come to a close. Brook and Chopper finally noticing ran to embrace the navigator.

"I'm glad you guys are ok!" She says happily dancing with the duo.

"Me too Nami. Now as a reward for defeating my opponent, may I see your-" Nami and Chopper both smacked the soul out of the skeleton for the audacious question.

"YOU!" The three shifting to notice Liffatte was not quite done. Despite having only one eye, he felt it was still enough.

"It's like I said, will you do what's necessary to protect what you care about!" The Blackbeard commander wasted no time charging towards Chopper, sword drawn ready to impale the reindeer. Nami instantly grabbed Chopper to protect him, shielding him with her body. She was willing to die to protect her friends. With no hesitation Brook knocked Liffatte off balance with a lunge of his own.

It all happened so fast. Nami and Chopper expecting to be impaled but it never came. Opening their eyes to see Liffatte with Brook's infamous cane sword prodding through his chest directly through the sternum.

The former demon sheriff coughed out large amounts of blood. Desperately trying to grip the railing but the blood quickly falling on it made it impossible. Collapsing to the ground with the sword still protruding through his chest. Each breath was getting shallower and shallower; it was a matter of time.

"I-I-see n-now... the bond you all share. I've been looking for something like that," the man now coughed up more blood, slightly bleeding out the nose. "To have a close family, to not just die for one.." the critically injured man gripping the railing standing on his feet. "Another but to live for one another...that's.. what I've been looking for." The three straw hats watching in silence at the man's confessions. Chopper knew there was a slight chance he could survive.

"Maybe...we can still heal you." Chopper says a little unsure.

Liffatte smiles coughing roughly.

"Why? So you can just throw me in prison? No... if there's one last thing I'm..." the man climbs on the railing standing fully on it. "Going to die, how I want!" With that he pulls Brook's sword from his chest releasing a large pool of blood out onto the deck. Nami pulling chopper to her preventing him from seeing the carnage, she was looking elsewhere also. Brook just watched with indifference as the man's body lifelessly fell into the water sinking below the surface.

Nami stood kissing chopper on the top his hat a few times before comforting him again.

"Are you okay Chopper?" She asked sweetly causing the reindeer to nod happily.

The trio now stood over the deck to witness the battlefield, A large majority of the Heart Pirates were still engaged in combat. Nami was impressed by the Heart Pirates dedication for their captain's cause and the medical expertise of the crew. Without them it would be hard to say she could see them winning this battle.

They were nearly just a bit more. Noticing the Heart Pirates start to beat their chests as a war chant. The crew was celebrating their captain, vice captain, and Zoro's victory over the other three commanders. Each dragging one of them by the collars throwing them towards the underlings. Still the small fry fighters continuing to battle like their commanders were still fighting. It was obvious the influence of Blackbeard was driving them. Law, Zoro, and Jean quickly jumping into the fight began to take down many users. The more they went down they would continue to get back up. The Pikan loving navigator had another plan. It was her last resort she was hoping to save but her friends were in trouble.

"Brook!" Nami yells catching the skeleton's attention. Shoving his trusty guitar into his hands. "Sing something! Get everyone, our allies on the ships!"

Confused as to what Nami was asking for a few seconds before breaking out into his signature yohoho's finally playing as the navigator instructed.

The Skeleton's voice rang out across the battlefield alerting the allies. The two pirate groups immediately recognizing it as Brook's infamous vocals.

"Hey I love this song! One of the Heart pirates said dancing while he and his other allies rallied around their captain.

"HEART PIRATES RETREAT!" Law said giving a rare shout. The crew immediately withdrew to the ships.

"Straw Hats withdraw!" Zoro and the others along with Van Augur made their way to the back to the Sunny. With the exception of Franky who made his way from picking up Nami, Chopper, and Brook. The underlings were stranded on the shoreline awaiting for whatever the allies had planned next.

The Polar Tang Submarine pulls parallel to the Thousand Sunny. Law and Jean the only ones disembarking.

The two groups met.

"What now captain?" Trafalgar asked looking Zoro's direction.

Zoro was looking to the side rubbing his head sheepishly. "Tch, don't look at me."

Law and Jean looks the crew over again to see the trusty navigator up front ready to take action.

Law's eyes hid under his hat for a brief second realization hitting him. 'I see' he gave a slight smile before returning his gaze to the straw hat crew and their captain.

"Floor's yours again,Nami-ya." Law said his hidden smile not leaving his face yet.

Nami gave a warm smile back. "Thanks I appreciate it Tra-guy."

Law and Jean sweat dropped. He really needed to write his name down and hand it to them next time.

"I need your ability to transport objects. I'm going to summon Zeus. I just need you to put sea water in him." Nami says knowing full well what she was doing. The crew believed in her wholeheartedly.

"Very well."

Wasting no time Zeus was summoned causing a moderately sized cloud to rest above the Sunny.

"ROOM!" A large portion of sea water was transferred into the cloud.

"What can I do for you Nami?" The cloud asks.

"We have our hands full, we are counting one you my friend." Nami says the last part softly causing the cloud to shed some happy tears. He was grateful to be away from his previous abusive master Big Mom.

The cloud thought she would be scary and as cruel as Big mom. However with the brief time he's spent as Nami's 'slave' he quickly realized she was worthy of his services. Her kindness, resilience, and strength was truly a one of a kind. The cloud would protect his new friends.

"Consider it done my lady." The cloud said happily accepting the task.

The zoan users were now desperately trying to reach the ship. It would have to be now or never.

"Nami we have limited amount of time here, might want to make it quick." Zoro said seeing the threats looming closer to the ship.

"We have to buy Nami some time while Zeus charges!" Usopp adds pulling out his trusty slingshot firing capsules into the incoming horde.

"Defend the Sunny!" Jean yells as his captain was already on their ship battling the underlings attempting to jump onto the vessel.

The straw hats and Heart Pirates were once again in an all out war battling for one another; yet another advantage against the opponents.

Nami wasting little time as possible, beginning to charge Zeus. Feeding him several black pellets, and a weather egg with a thundercloud inside. The cloud began to grow to a Massive size. Seeing that Zeus was ready Nami used her Clima Tact maneuvering Zeus towards the invaders.

The cloud now shadowing the Blackbeard's underling army. Nami used her tact to make Zeus release the sea water as rain on the zoan fruit users. The sea water immediately had the desired effect, the enemy was weakening significantly. With one last swing a Large thunderbolt opening he heavens rains down upon the army causing massive devastation.

During the commotion, Catarina woke up from her daze trying to escape her binds. Only to receive a right hook to the jaw immediately putting her sleep again.

Robin blowing on knuckles before smiling warmly, continuing to enjoy the rest of the show.

On the other side of the island, Luffy was still raging against Blackbeard unable to see an opening at the moment. Noticing Blackbeard's look of awe, turning he saw an enormous thundercloud and an even larger lightning bolt strike the island.

"Nami..." Luffy said in awe continuing to stare in the direction of his crew.

Blackbeard was in amazement at the sheer size of the cloud. There was only place where that cloud came from. His grin grew he would have that power as well. Seeing straw hat's attention was not on him he became quickly infuriated.

"We still have a duel going on jackass!" Blackbeard shouts readying himself. This was bad, though he was barking like a big dog, he only had one big dog bite left; his power was fading. He would try to end this with a single blow to put an end to the lucky rubber captain.

Turning his attention with renewed focus back to the battle. "Ready when you are." He spoke confidently.

"That so? Then let it all end here. With one final blow." Blackbeard said venom dripping from his voice.

"Fine by me! Let's go!"

The battlefield was now war torn, with shoreline being unrecognizable after the battle. All enemies on the ground began to shake uncontrollably before darkness slowly began emerging from their bodies. Quickly dispersing into the sky flying back towards the owner: Blackbeard.

Nami seeing the battle leaned against the railing. Breathing a sigh of relief as her crew and Tra-guy's seemed relatively unharmed. Everything seemed to be okay. Suddenly the ground began to shake violently then even causing the Sunny to start shifting in the water.

The other side of the island which held Luffy and Blackbeard began to emit energy so vast it could be seen very clearly from their perspective.

"Luffy..." Nami says softly before composing herself. She had to make sure he was ok.

"Franky give us a burst, we have to get to the captain."

"Yes Ma'am. I'm on it! Coup de Burst! Franky shouts sending the ship in the direction of the battle.

Bepo ran up to his superiors out of breath.

"What...do we-uh I'm so tired and h-" a fist to the head broke the bear out of his rambling.

"Shut up you overgrown heater! Ask the damn question already! Penguin shouts in the polar bear's face.

"Oh you want an ass whooping do ya?!" Before Bepo and Penguin starts the captain and vice captain pulls them apart by their collars.

"We help Luffy-ya see this battle to the end!" Law said pointing onwards. Less than a second later the Heart Pirates were dashing to the shore heading for mountain ridge to see the climax of the fight.

Before they were able to leave the shore they saw the zoan fruit users were starting stir standing up one by one.

"HALT!" Jean says turning towards the rising threats.

Before striking one of them spoke which they previously hadn't done.

"Where the hell am I?" She asks slurring his words. Clearly it wasn't a ploy.

"You don't remember lady? Damn.. it's a long story. Just tell your people to stick with us." With that the vice captain was off again trailing Law.

The man did as he was told telling his followers to follow the Heart Pirates! With a renewed purpose the fruit users jumped into fray.

Blackbeard feels his darkness returning to him granting a power boost.

"Now watch as I show you, the power to conquer the world. Blackbeard placing his palm on the ground began gathering haki, finally unleashing the untamed power of two devil fruits.

Seeing the danger everyone was potentially in Law made a bold decision. Turning to his crew mates he spoke only the way only a respected captain would.

"Heart Pirates, Zoan Users, we have to stop Blackbeard here and now, put your lives on the line ya!"

Jean let out a warrior screech with everyone else soon following suit. It if it was going to be their last day on earth let them go out with glory.

Without another word the Surgeon of Death made his way towards Blackbeard, crew mates and allies tailing right behind him.

Zoro noticing Trafalgar's crew mounting a full frontal assault, quickly deciding it was time for them to intervene. "Oi Franky, Cook, Usopp let's bring our captain home and finish this bastard." Zoro said hoping off the Sunny heading for their captain's position, the others unquestioningly following their vice captain.

Blackbeard noticing the full assault on him began to laugh. "It's too late for that." He said grinning sinisterly. Raising his palm in the air he began again , "May darkness consume the light! Darkness Falls!" Blackbeard said bringing his palm on the ground.

Immediately darkness began swirling out of the ground unpredictability shooting towards the assault's forces easily critically injuring some. Law could tell it was too late to get close now they would need to think of something else.

"Room." Trafalgar said trying to shield as many people with his ability. Slashing at the darkness as it tries enter the vicinity near his room technique. He knew it wouldn't hold out that long.

Darkness hit a lot of the zoan fruit users who were attempting to take down their former enslaver. They would be slaves no more; it was liberty or death.

For most it was in vein, Blackbeard was out to kill everybody. The straw hats were currently heading towards Luffy's position but were having a difficult time dodging the darkness.

Zoro couldn't keep slashing it forever, his energy would give out. Usopp was trying to distract the darkness shooting any capsules he could get his hands on desperate to reach the captain. Franky was unlucky being struck by the darkness as he tried shield a fruit user from getting killed. Sanji finally reaching the captain was relieved they had a chance now.

"Luffy! What's the plan we're here to help you!" Sanji said yelling out to his captain.

The captain remains silent; observing his opponent for any opening he could get, so far there was still none. Even if he were to get close he would obliterate in no time.

He was interrupted by a hand on his shoulder. Turning to see his chef who was asking what the plan was.

"Dammit! Luffy man what do we! Everyone will be killed if we don't do something! OI SHITTY CAPTAIN ARE YOU-"

Luffy clearly has enough of his bitching.

Grabbing the chef by the scruff of his collar pulling him so he could see the seriousness in his face.

"Get the hell out of here NOW!" Luffy screams. "While I figure out how to beat this bastard, get all the injured off the island."

"What? We can't just-" Luffy cut the chef off pulling his collar even higher his hat covering his eyes. "You want to save lives right?"

Sanji was at a loss for words. "Yeah of course-"

Luffy placing the chef back on his feet. "Then save one person." The rubber man said letting his cook's collar go.

"Save one person then what?!" Sanji said still not getting it.

"You'll know." Luffy says without looking back leaving Sanji to a realization. Save as many lives as he could was the plan, not trying to fight Blackbeard. He had to admit it was a great plan. Running as fast as he could the chef began his rescue orders.

Luffy knew without his Bounce man, or Snake man form it would be near impossible to take this guy down. He still had to try no matter, to protect his family.

Getting into his infamous stance, squatting down to a fist releasing his haki. He had to give it all he had.

"I TOLD YOU ITS USELESS STRAW HAT NOW WATCH AS I-" Blackbeard began to raise his fist ready to destroy everything and everyone. Luffy rears back ready to spring at any moment.

"ULTIMATE ATTACK: RYUSOKEN FIRE FIST!" A great flame broke through the darkness creating an incredible white light engulfing the entire island.

The battlefield was frozen in time. One moment everyone was expecting doomsday the next, salvation had come.

Luffy blinks a couple of times only to hear the same voice.

"Well good thing I showed up when I did huh brother?" Sabo says appearing with a grin.

Luffy was still in shock only responding with "Y-Yeah." It was truly like Sabo was truly looking out for him. He could've sworn the man has more pressing commitments being the Chief of Staff in the Revolutionary Army.

"Why are you here brother?" Luffy said simply, it was all he could manage.

"Now what kind of older brother be if I didn't look out for my baby brother." Sabo beams with a smile reminding Luffy of their older brother Ace.

"Thanks you, Sabo." Luffy said embracing his long lost brother.

"Anytime Luffy, now what'd ya say we finish this bastard huh? For Ace!" The heir of Flame Fist turning his attention to the still stunned Blackbeard.

"You... Without your intervention I would've achieved victory." Blackbeard said still stunned about his ultimate attack being negated.

"Yeah...well I'm here now! Let's finish this!" Luffy yells preparing to finish Blackbeard once and for all.

Trafalgar couldn't believe the what he witnessed. Blackbeard's attack was negated by the Mera Mera no Mi Fruit. That fruit was truly spectacular to witness up close. The only person more in shock than Law was the fourth yonko himself. He had believed he earned total victory.

"Everyone! We finish this!" Jean yells earning a nod from Law. The captain releases his barrier allowing the warriors to make their way to Blackbeard.

Turning around Law could see a lot were injured. Not any of his but zoan fruit users desperate for help. Noticing the straw hat's he could see they were desperately picking up survivors. Calling on his ability once more to transport the survivors within support distance of the straw hats.

Law teleports next to Sabo and Luffy joining them. "His power has faded, it won't be long until he's flanked right to us." Trafalgar states raising his sword over his shoulder.

"So the Surgeon of Death! Nice to meet you, I'm Sabo." The tall blonde man said offering his hand to shake.

"Trafalgar Law." The Surgeon says simply accepting Luffy's brother handshake.

"Uh... Tra-guy. I can dig it!" Sabo says laughing while hitting his knee.

Luffy starts bursting out laughing as well. It doesn't take much but Law assumes that their brothers. Law was seriously considering accepting Surgeon of Death as his first name after all the disrespect thrown his way. He couldn't help but laugh as well after glancing at the brothers who were still gripping each other laughing as if there wasn't a serious situation at hand.

Law stops laughing as he notices the brothers now looking at him strangely.

"I never heard Tra-guy laugh before." Luffy says to his brother.

"Ah, that explains it, Tra-guy's laugh did sound a little weird." Sabo adds.

"ALRIGHT THAT'S IT!" Law shouts losing his cool. Before he was able to say anything further, their target was on the move.

Blackbeard uses his final quake attack to make an escape back towards his ship. He was aiming for the mountain ridges knowing if he made it there was a chance. As the three men gave chase, they saw Blackbeard stops in his tracks. The entirety of the remaining zoan users, Heart Pirates, and Straw Hats all stood ready to fire on the Now desperate yonko.

He was running out of options.

Quickly he drew his firearm aiming it directly at the crowd firing randomly hitting anyone in the way. The crowd dispersing trying to dodge the psycho's killing spree.

"Sabo, Law Get everyone to safety, I'll handle this." Luffy says trailing the murderous yonko in a tunnel leading into the mountains. It was just them two Mano y Mano, a fight to death.

The caverns in the mountains were completely dark with only minimal sunlight being the only way to see anything.

"Straw Hat!" Blackbeard's menacing voice came from behind. Luffy dodges the three shots fired at his face looking for anything to throw. Noticing three jagged pieces of metal, he picks them up throwing it at Blackbeard with two grazing his chest cutting him but the last one darts, lodging itself in his right eye.

"Are you out of your mind?!" Blackbeard says stepping back in agony.

"I'm done playing your games Blackbeard!" The rubber man said chasing the yonko out of the cave back onto the battlefield.

Seeing four zoan users and a heart pirate blocking his exit. Blackbeard mercilessly guns all of them down all while making a mockery out of it.

Stepping onto the battlefield he could see all the bodies around, Luffy became enraged. Blackbeard ran further until he saw the straw hats blocking his path. He rose his gun ready to fire but was knocked off the ground by his feet before he had a chance.

Luffy knocks the gun out of Blackbeard's hand all while punching him in his face. Throwing a lot uppercuts and hooks sending Blackbeard tumbling on his heels. Luffy pounces on Blackbeard knocking him down further, grabbing him by the scruff of his shirt.

"No more!" Luffy said picking the yonko up tossing him over his shoulder in the air, before jetting over and kneeing him in the chin before he had a chance to recover.

"All the people I buried over the years.." The rubber man punches Blackbeard hard knocking him on the ground. "By letting you live."

"I never kept count." Blackbeard said grinning about his past sins with no remorse. Lifting him up by his collar again and responding to the madman. "I did."

"It's over, Blackbeard." Luffy said still holding him up.

Blackbeard's expression was unreadable but there was a slight hint of amusement.

"Its finally here isn't it? The moment we've both been dreameing about...which one of us will be King of Pirates! There can only be one!" Blackbeard laughs even harder now.

"ITS OVER!" Luffy repeated raising him higher off the ground both hands gripping the madman.

"Yes, your certainly right about that." Blackbeard says activating a black vortex with his right hand aiming towards the straw hats.

They were a good distance away but not far enough to where they were out of range. The crew starts feeling the growing pressure of Blackbeard's power and started being pulled in.

Luffy reeled his fist back as far and fast as he could striking the yonko to no effect. So he did it again. Again. Again. Again. And again. Now continuing to punch rapidly at Blackbeard's face to force him to stop the vortex to no avail.

"STOP NOW!" Luffy says screaming at the top of his lungs.

"Never! You see what I'm willing to do to achieve my dreams? What are you willing to do? You can't have it both ways!" Blackbeard yelled out making the vortex grow bigger.

The straw hats were now struggling with everything they had to hold on.

"Nami!" Franky says grabbing the featherweight who nearly flew off. "Franky!" Nami holds on for dear life.

Franky reaches out grabbing the back of Zoro's collar as he places his three swords in the ground to act as an anchor. Zoro and Chopper desperately holding onto the others.

Luffy's fist now bloodied and battered to the point he wasn't sure if he could hit Blackbeard anymore.

"It's like I said boy, you can't be a good guy and be King of the Pirates. That's how you get people killed!" Blackbeard continues his vortex only gets stronger.

Sabo finishes taking the last of the injured to Polar Tang. Not realizing Luffy was in danger until now. Quicker than a flash he was off to the battlefield again.

"This is kind of boring to tell you the truth, in the end you disappoint me." Blackbeard said the left side of his face battered unrecognizabley, yet he still continued his attack.

"Don't worry though, we can still end on a high note!" Luffy's eyes widened slightly as he felt Blackbeard plunge his knife in his abdomen causing him to slightly loosen his grip.

"LUFFY NO!" Nami cries out not bearing to watch him get hurt like that. The rest of the straw hats could only look on in horror still trying to hold on.

Blackbeard stabbed the rubber man once more causing Luffy to put his hands on Blackbeard's face. His body screaming to collapse but he refused to listen.

"Y'know after this I'm going need a new navigator. I wouldn't mind killing you and the rest of your crew. But that sweet sweet navigator of yours..." Blackbeard trailed off stabbing Luffy a third time. "I'll take her as my own zehaha-"

Hearing enough, Luffy's grip tightens on Blackbeard's face as he threw his neck in a twisting motion causing a thunderous crack to be heard. He twisted the yonko's neck, not enough to kill him, but he lost the ability of feeling below his shoulders.

Instantly the vortex disintegrated into nothing. Blackbeard fell on a nearby boulder leaning against it.

Blackbeard just laughs at his situation. Looking directly at Luffy.

"Someone's in trouble now." The yonko says almost in a mocking tone. Luffy groaning stood to his full height making his way over slowly to the fallen Blackbeard.

"Go ahead, say this never happened to you before." Blackbeard says a smile on his face.

"Shut up." Came the rubber man's simple yet effective response.

"I only have one question for you..." the straw hat captain says gaining a slight look of surprise by Blackbeard.

"How were you able to eat and survive eating the two devil fruits?" Luffy asks hoping to get a clear answer.

Blackbeard though barley alive contemplates his answer before speaking. "Who knows. Some say it was my unusual body type, some say it's the power of my Yami Yami no Mi fruit, I can't say for sure. But I know this, that devil fruit I was after has the power you seek to defeat Kaido. If you are a lucky enough bastard to survive the process that is." The now rapidly fading man began to cough blood now, knowing his time was near.

"Why should I trust a word that comes out of your mouth?" Luffy asks hoping to get a better answer than the last. Blackbeard didn't disappoint.

"Because I had the exact same dream as you. Regardless of how we got here, we both deserved to battle it out for the title of King of the Pirates on this day. That cosmic fruit that the surgeon of Death has in his possession combined his with the Ope Ope no Mi fruit will rule the world for an eternity, as a pirate god king, that was my dream." The shell of a man finishes glancing once up at the sky.

Luffy knew Blackbeard is wrong, they didn't have the same dream. Blackbeard wanted to be a God, he just wanted to be King nor did he have the desire to live forever.

A few silent moments pass.

"Come on, finish me." Luffy makes no move. Breathing a deep sigh Blackbeard continues, "it doesn't matter, I made you lose control, and they'll kill you for it." The yonko says with an all too terrifying smile.

"See you in hell...Strawhat... Zehahaha-AH!" Blackbeard cracks the rest of his neck ultimately breaking it and killing him instantly.

It was finally all over, Blackbeard had finally fallen. Someone who he thought he wouldn't see until he reached the One Piece itself.

Walking slowly up to sit next to Blackbeard's corpse looking at the now deceased yonko's face.

"You always talked to damn much, bastard." Luffy said his final words before clutching his right side. He was stabbed three times by Blackbeard and was now bleeding out not sure if he would die or not. Even if he did at this point, he felt he's lived a fulfilled life. He's had great adventures, he's lost, he's loved. Had he truly loved? He loves his nakama that was clear but there was something else. Maybe he was starting to understand it finally.

He was starting to feel himself slip into unconsciousness, It was inevitable. A voice kept him awake the first one to his side clutching him calling his name.

"Luffy! Stay with us! Luffy!" He could hear Nami's voice again. It kept him clinging on for life.

He heard another voice. "Medics! Chopper!"

No more than a second later, Luffy faded into oblivion.

The battle was finally over, the Blackbeard flags were burned along with their ships. The revolutionary army did not usually engage in pirate affairs, they felt as it was beneath them. However the caliber of the fight between the two heavyweights for the future pirate king title was not something they could pass up.

Monkey D. Dragon was adamant about not getting involved in his son's affairs letting him live his own life. It was only until he heard reports his son and Blackbeard were on a collision course. He owed the bastard one for destroying an old headquarters.

Dragon knew this battle could decide the fate of the world ultimately. If Blackbeard was indeed successful then the world would be worse off; especially if he got his hands on the Ope Ope fruit in the process. Seeing no other way, Dragon gave Sabo the orders to assist in the battle.

A telesponder snail began ringing off the charts.

"Boss it's me." Sabo's voice raining through the snail.

Dragon picked the phone up immediately.

"I see my son was successful, you did well Sabo."

"Yes. He's currently still being treated in the Polar Tang's med bay, he's been out all day. It looks like he's going to be alright." Sabo said a hopeful tone in his voice.

His injuries were severe but he was sure Luffy had been a lot closer to death. They wouldn't know until he woke up.

"Good Sabo. Make sure he recovers properly for the next few days. Now that Blackbeard is dead, we can finally make our move to on the holy city to face our true enemies, and we will need Luffy to do it." Dragon said grinning. The time for the wait was finally over, he would begin preparations for the impending invasion.

"Glad to hear it boss, can't wait. I will update you on your son when he awakens." Sabo said standing getting ready to hang up.

"One more thing Sabo," the second in command froze. "You must convince him to join our cause, it is very critical. We will protect his crew, but he is essential to our success."

"I understand completely Dragon. I will relay what you told me to him when you wake up, count on me." Sabo said brimming with confidence.

"I always am." With that Sabo was disconnected from the Commander in Chief of the Revolutionary Army. He thought back to what Dragon had told him. Luffy was vital to their success but would he want to join in a cause he had no stake in. The Revolutionaries sought to overthrow the political, religious, and social system that supposedly held the world in place. It was all bullshit. The celestial dragons refused to even breath the same air as them, all the royal families of marijeos acting like gods among humans. They were nothing more than social status. Sabo was disgusted with the idea of social status being an of indicator of an individual's importance. It's the reason he denounced his nobility, despite being born a noble himself.

Leaning back in his chair he began to think of the battle between the two titans today. It was truly a sight to behold. He did not expect Blackbeard to so willingly destroy everything to achieve what he called a victory.

When Sabo reached Luffy in the closing seconds of the battle. He was close enough to see the two engaged in a battle of wills. Blackbeard taunting his brother before Luffy unmercifully snapped Blackbeard's neck. Sabo had no problem with it, fucker deserved it for all he cared.

He cared about how Luffy would feel afterwards. Though he did the right thing, taking a life was taking a life. There was no in between, once you kill it will continue to haunt you until you die. Once that line was crossed, it was a gray area to find your back. If there was anyone Sabo had more faith in it was Luffy. He did not believe this would change his brother.

The sky was now dark, it was getting late and the crew on the large revolutionary ship began to retire resting from assisting the pirate crews and the journey over.

Sabo stood on the deck of the Revolutionary ship overlooking the no name island. If he hadn't seen the legendary battle with his own eyes, he would've never believed it happened in a place like this.

In the not so far distance he could see the Thousand Sunny resting next to the Polar Tang. Sabo flew towards the Polar Fang in a furry of flames reaching it in seconds.

The ships were mostly empty and shutting down for the night. Heading towards the entrance he was greeted by none other than the Surgeon of Death himself.

"Ah Trafalgar right? How is the crew holding up?" Sabo asks with a grin.

Law smiles slightly appreciating the remembrance of his name.

"Great. Thanks to your assistance with medical supplies and helping hands we were able to save a lot of lives. Again thank you, Sabo." Trafalgar said to which the Revolutionary Chief of Staff just nodded in approval.

"So your here to see your brother then?" Law said reading Sabo's mind. He could see the two had an unshakable bond due to their loose behavior even in a life or death situation.

"Yup! Is he awake?"

Law's contemplates for a moment before answering, " we checked on him hours ago, he could be awake you should check anyway." Law said with a slight smile. "Follow me."

Wordlessly the two men made their way down into the depths of the Polar Tang.

Sabo had to admit this place was incredible. It was a floating medical institution with cutting edge technology. If there was one medical team you wanted on your side it was definitely the Heart Pirates.

Finally after a few minutes the two stop at a random door. "He's in here." Law said pointing to the door in front of him. "Although he may already have a visitor." The surgeon of Death added before disappearing down the corridor.

Confused by what Trafalgar meant, Sabo shook his head entering the room his brother was in.

Stepping in he could see Luffy was all bandaged up covered from head to toes on bandages still unconscious.

However he noticed he was not the only one in the room. Next to Luffy an orange haired woman he'd never seen before was sitting by his side. He didn't see her at Dressrosa when he assumed he met the entirety of the crew.

She seemed to not notice him enter the room. He could see now why, she was hard at work sewing Luffy's infamous straw hat. Sabo saw the woman's concentration on her work, she was trying not to make a single mistake.

It was only until Sabo closed the door softly the woman stopped what she was doing to see who entered the room.

She immediately stood still clutching his brother's hat. "Your Luffy's brother aren't you? The Chief of Staff of the Revolutionary Army.. Sabo right?" Nami asks a little amazed by the new fire fist. She was shocked to know Luffy had another brother, but also happy as it gave Luffy another chance to defend Sabo in a way he never could with Ace. She was sure Sabo felt the exact same way as Luffy.

"Ah so you know me. Well yes, it's nice to meet you miss. I assume your part of Luffy's crew?" Sabo asks highly curious as to why she was here.

"Yes, I'm Nami, navigator of the straw hat Pirates." She said offering her hand for Sabo to shake which he took happily.

"Well Nami, it is a pleasure to meet you. Im grateful for you looking out for my younger brother it means the world." Sabo said a smile to his face.

Nami offers a warm smile back continuing her work as she took her seat again. "If anything we should be thanking him, he's always looks out for everyone even if he ends up like..." Nami said trailing off looking towards the unconscious body of his brother.

"Woah." Sabo said to himself. He wondered if this woman really did have it that bad for his brother.

"I understand Nami." The navigator stops for a second to wonder what he would say. "Ever since we young kids Luffy would try and follow Ace and I around. We thought he was annoying even going so far as to let him get kidnapped after finding out where our stash of treasure was.." he saw the slightly agitated mood growing on the young woman's face wondering where he was going with this so he continued, "until we found out they were beating him demanding him to tell him where the treasure was even threatening him with death. Still he spoke nothing but denial. In that moment it changed Ace and I's destiny forever. That day Luffy earned our respect and made his way into our brotherhood. We've been bonded from that day forward as brothers. He truly is a great person and I'm sure he's a great captain. Sometimes." Sabo said finishing with a smile all to similar to that of Ace's and Luffy's.

Nami was still recovering from the tale Sabo told of their childhood. Luffy had been that way since his younger days back in his village. It was no surprise to her that it happened that way. In turn it reminded her of when they first met. She wasn't annoyed of him but she didn't want his help either. But regardless she needed it. For the first time in her life she had to rely on someone else to carry her burden and Luffy was always willing to do that. She wanted to be able to do that for Luffy all the time. To show him she's there for him like he is for her; to let him know he always doesn't have to carry his burdens alone, that she would carry them with him.

Seeing the woman in deep thought while fixing his brother's hat. He had an accurate guess what she was thinking about.

"You two seem pretty close. Is there a reason the others aren't here and you are by his side working tirelessly to fix his beloved hat?" Sabo asks breaking the navigator from her thoughts. He was truly curious about the nature of their relationship.

Nami hesitates before answering the captain's older brother. She recounts her story to Sabo telling him how Luffy freed her and her village after having her childhood stripped away. Telling him of the sacrifices Luffy has made for his friends over the years.

Sabo listened intently to Nami tell him all that Luffy had done for her and his crew. It made sense now why she was doing this for him. Nami was trying to still repay him for all that'd he done even it was something as simple as this. She knew how much sentimental value his brother held for that hat. It her small way of saying she was grateful. Sabo's heart slowly began to warm as he started to sweat.

" I'm glad my idiot brother is a great captain even if it's only sometimes. I'm sure he's just as thankful for having you, as you are to him." Sabo said a slight grin etching his features.

A blush spread across the navigator's cheeks.

"W-What do you mean?!" She asks nearly messing up the current stitch she was working on.

Sabo rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. "Well since I assumed your going to be my future sister-in-law and all." Sabo said beginning to laugh uncontrollably.

Nami with a flushed face was up an instant giving a hard punch to the back of Sabo's head.

"YOU..." a devilish face appeared on her. "It's too early to say crap like that, the nerve of you. You guys really are brothers." Nami sighed returning to finish her stitching.

Sabo still slumped on the floor like a worm could feel a large bump on the crown of his head with steam coming off it.

"Ow jeez, you hit like my girlfriend." Sabo said dusting himself off putting his top hat back on his head. Even if he never met Luffy he would've sworn they were long lost brothers just by their taste in fiery women. Nami and Luffy sort of reminded him and Koala albeit when they were younger.

"Good! I hope she hits you again for saying stupid stuff like that!" Nami barked the demon face returning briefly. Sabo smiled to himself, Koala would've punched his lights out for that previous comment, those two were really alike. Despite knowing next to nothing he already felt like Nami was family just how they way they acted, he couldn't have been happier.

A moment later Nami finished the hat holding it up to the light, it looked good as new. Standing up before handing the hat to Luffy's brother who took happily took it.

"Thanks Nami, he'll be happy to have his hat, I'll tell him to say th-" Nami cut him off holding her hand up showing a warm smile.

"That's okay Sabo, I was happy to do it, he will never have to say thank you." Nami said glancing towards the still unconscious Luffy. A moment later she was out of the room leaving the two brothers alone.

Sabo could see it now. The two really did have a close relationship. Even if they considered themselves family, close friends, or something more, the lines were always blurred. In Sabo's experience it was never that black and white, nothing ever was, that was the way of the world. He was sure the two had a special bond, that was unique only to them and only time will tell if it withers or blossoms. Knowing his brother, and now meeting Nami, Sabo chuckled to himself holding a hand to his face in amusement.

Walking over to Luffy, he took the seat Nami was previously in, holding onto his brother's hat.

Still chuckling the Revolutionary chief spoke, "So what really have you been up to when I wasn't around..Luffy.. you lucky dog."

Soon after Sabo fell asleep by his brother's side, waiting for him to wake up never letting go of his straw hat.