A/N: Everything up until this point in the story was an introduction. Shit gets real. Enjoy!
Luffy, Garp, and Sabo arrived at
Momoiro Island, Kamabakka Kingdom, the temporary base for the revolutionary army. It had only been three days since the destruction of the Holy City Mariejois. Monkey D. Dragon was adamant the revolutionary soldiers' job was not yet finished. A new city will rise upon from the ashes of the once holy city. One where freedom, liberty, and justice stood at the forefront. They would not make the mistake of repressing the people's rights or freedoms. With the celestials now all but obliterated, legal slavery was abolished in the world. His son Luffy truly gave the world a second chance to enter an enlightenment age. An era in which people were free to practice their own religion without persecution. One where people didn't fear the oppression of politics interfering with their lives. Also regardless of economics and social standing everyone would be treated equally.
Dragon dismissed his revolutionary commanders leaving all but him, Silver King's Raleigh and Marco the Phoenix.
"So the plans for the new capital of the world is laid out. The plans are in place for a new government to replace the old one—now all we need is our leader." Raleigh said scratching his beard.
"Yes my sons should be here soon." Dragon stated taking his seat on a nearby couch. Marco stood by listening to every word since he got there. Being the former first division commander of the Whitebeard Pirates was one thing. Conquering the world and helping rule it was an entirely different thing. He wasn't sure of it was the right move but he owed Luffy for killing Blackbeard. Even if he didn't totally agree about the annihilation of the Celestial Dragons. Luffy had avenged Pops and Ace, he swore to repay that favor.
Emporio Ivankov, the transvestite queen burst through the double doors of the room.
"Dragon your sons are here." Ivankov said moving so the family trio could make their way in the room.
Dragon went up immediately wrapping the trio in a hug.
"Hey you jackass son of mine, let me go Dragon!" Garp said bonking the Revolutionary leader in the head causing him to fall in the ground with swirls in his eyes.
"Cheeky bastard." Garp smirked rubbing his fist.
Luffy and Sabo helped the fallen commander to his feet.
"Good to see you my sons, it seems grandpa over here is cranky over from the flight over." Dragon sneered causing Garp to roll up his sleeves.
"Listen you snot nosed brat I'll—"
"Or what? You'll what fall asleep on me before the fight even starts!" Dragon shouted.
After a few seconds of silence the father and son couldn't keep it in laughing like the whole thing was a big joke. Luffy could've sworn they were some of the greatest actors he'd ever seen. It makes sense since in their profession, they always had to act professional wether they agreed with a decision or not. He was wondering if he could acquire this skill.
Raleigh and Marco could only watch with shock and slight amusement. This family was a peculiar one.
Father and son hugged it out before pulling their sons into their hug.
"That was a great family moment, as much as I'd like for it to continue—we have a lot business to get to." Dragon said breaking up the huddle.
All the men took their seats on the couches leaving the center seat in the room vacant. Everyone looked to Luffy who was just siting there looking back at everyone.
"Take your seat son." Dragon said pointing to the chair. Luffy sighed audibly standing up. Just as he was about to take his seat the double doors barged open.
"Forgive the intrusion, but there is an intruder at the gates! He's looking for the high councilor!" A young revolutionary soldier yelled.
Without a second to waste everyone left the room heading to the entrance of the fortress.
The revolutionary group pushed their way past the massive crowd gathered at the courtyards.
"What a warm welcoming, I wish I was this popular in the navy." The group recognized that voice.
Borsalino Kizaru stood in the center of the crowd, handcuffed by two soldiers.
Luffy and company met the former navy admiral in the circle causing the crowd to grow silent.
"Long time no see straw hat huh?" Kizaru said. "We're old friends right? Are these handcuffs really necessary."
Luffy was having none of it. "We're friends huh? Why should I not kill you right here, right now?"
"Ah you're a vicious one aren't you? Back in Mariejois I let your friends go when I was ordered to kill them. Also... I have something you want to know about Akainu." Kizaru grinned devilishly.
Luffy was curious at first but now the sharply dressed man had his attention.
"What is it? He asked.
"I know where Akainu's family is." Kizaru answered.
" Take those cuffs of him." Luffy ordered.
The soldiers took the cuffs off without hesitation.
"Ah thank you, this was really bothering me." Kizaru said straightening his tie out before continuing. "I also have this for you, as a show of good faith." The man reached into his jacket causing everyone to raise their weapons.
Luffy held his hand up signaling to hold their attacks —they all waited on command.
Slowly but the surely the former admiral pulled out a familiar straw hat. Everyone's guard immediately dropped.
"I thought you might want this back." Kizaru stated dusting the hat off and handing to a bewildered Luffy.
"Thanks I appreciate it welcome—"
Kizaru interrupted shaking the high councilor's hand firmly. "I am honored high councilor, on one condition I'll pledge fully."
"Whatever it is we'll make it happen." Luffy said.
The former navy admiral smirked adjusting his tie once more. "I need a new suit." He simply said grinning.
Luffy returned the slight grin. With Borsalino Kizaru joining him team his confidence only grew. This man could prove to be an invaluable ally.
"Done. Now come on you're late." Luffy said walking back into the castle with Kizaru lingering behind the group.
Back in the meeting room everyone took their seats.
Luffy took a look around the room a final to make sure everyone was there. An unusual collection of legends old and new from across the world were gathered here. Former allies, enemies, and even his blood family were joining his cause. The hole left in his heart was still just as large. He could only wonder what Nami would think about all this. Or if she would approve of what he was doing.
Coughing loudly to stop the low chatter among the peers, Silver King's Raleigh stood up.
"Well seems we're all here, regardless of how, we all share a common goal— To make the world enlightened once more, no longer living under the tyranny of false gods. This world belongs to the World Regime led by our high councilor. Gentlemen, welcome the first day of your new life, high councilor floor is yours." The silver swordsman stated taking his seat.
"Dramatic as always huh, Raleigh." Garp snickered only receiving a death glare. These two old men could fight to the death at anytime, but they were fighting for the same cause now.
Luffy spoke earning everyone's immediate attention.
"As you all know, I used to be the captain of the straw hats. I lost my family, so I destroyed everything. After that I didn't care wether or not I lived or died up until now. Not until I seen everyone here for one purpose bigger than myself. To enlighten this world, to make it safer than it ever was— I accept this as high councilor. But I'll tell you this, my word is final. If you accept me now you pledge your life until the day you die. Stand up if your with me, leave if you're not." Luffy said standing from his seat. It was simple he wanted absolute power to be unquestioned. They would be his council but it would always be his final say.
One by one everyone in the room stood up still glaring at him. It was only now he accepted the position he was in. These powerful men and the revolutionary army selected him as their King.
"Very well everyone but Sabo, Marco and Kizaru take a seat." He said and they did as they were told. "You are my three emperors now."
The trio nodded expecting they would be given those respective positions.
"We need to distribute their territory." Dragon added. "The only territory we have yet to acquire is in possession of the three remaining old world yonkos. Red haired Shanks, Big Mom-Charlotte Linlin, and Kaido's territory— The land of Wano."
"That all fine, our territory is big enough to where they can stay in their land for now. I can't imagine them joining together and throwing the world into a war. They're probably fighting amongst themselves right about now." Garp said hoping his hunch was correct. If the former yonkos combined their forces to face them, it could spell trouble for everyone.
"High counselor if I may, Ive heard reports remnants of the Navy still remain under Fujitora's command. It seems he's also housing CP0, along with Celestial Dragons. I suggest they be dealt with soon before they become a problem." Kizaru said giving up his former comrade furthering securing his loyalty to their leader.
Luffy heard all of this and silently contemplated his next move. The withering Navy could wait, he wanted to secure his fourth emperor.
"Im going to Totto Land the next chance I get." Luffy stated folding his arms, he was determined to make this happen.
"Luffy why the hell would you want to go to heart of enemy territory?" Sabo questioned. Not that he was against it but he had to have a good reason other than to kill Big mom.
"I need my fourth emperor Charlotte Katakuri." Luffy stated causing the room to look among themselves.
"The minister of flour who governs over Komugi Island?" Raleigh scratched his beard in thought. "I can't imagine why'd he want to leave where he's at."
Marco was appalled by Luffy's statement. Kizaru was one thing, but trying to bring in one of Big Mom's sons—one of her three sweet generals. It was unheard of, but if that's what Luffy decided to do, who was he to deny him. Though he would admit there was no need for friends here, just allies.
"So that's our next move huh? You know Big Mom won't let him go so easily, even if he's willing. If he attempts to escape she'll kill him." Marco said drawing everyone's eyes awaiting the high councilor's word.
"Good then our priority is to kill Big Mom and her crew. They're probably still reeling from me humiliating her and ruining her chateau. The sooner we do this the better. If you guys are truly my emperors this will prove it, we sacrifice for one of our own. Katakuri is not here but he's one of our own already." Luffy responded. It was true he promised to return to Totto Land to defeat Big Mom. His main purpose was to help Sanji free Pudding before, but now his priorities changed. His friends would never want his help again. If he could defeat Big Mom and set Pudding free, maybe he could help them in some small way again. His mind was made up from that point on.
"Well no complaints from any of us, we'd be happy to do it." Sabo said grinning.
Dragon looked pleased. "Excellent looks like we found a short term goal while the new city is being built. Workers from around the world are being shipped to the former holy land as we speak. They're trading work for land, first come, first served— it's fair this way." The commander couldn't keep his excitement down.
"So this city of ours, it welcomes all people right? No matter religious,social, or economic standing?" Kizaru asked now curious to Dragon's idea.
"That's right, it will truly be the enlightened epicenter of the free world. The Celestial dragon enslaved and spit on people, especially with the name D like most of us have. They branded us devils because of our devil fruit abilities. The World Government has long suppressed peoples' need for freedom of expression. No more, we have to make the world better, we will be better." Dragon said taking his seat once more. The free thinking ideals that the revolutionary army fought for would be influential through out the world.
"All of this is great it really is, but we need a long term plan. If we take out Big mom, it still leaves Shanks and Kaido." Garp said trying to bring the situation at hand to the forefront of the conversation.
"Forget about Shanks for now, if he resurfaces I have no doubt he'll join. We need to take down Kaido later. Let's unite the world first before we start making preparations. Just know unless he signs a treaty, which I do doubt— we will make our move then.
Satisfied the others began chatting to themselves discussing what they just went over.
After a minute or so, Garp, Dragon, and Raleigh stood up to leave.
"Just you youngsters leave the planning to us." Garp yelled grinning to others.
"We have far more battlefield experience then any of you, even you Borsalino." Raleigh added.
"No arguments here." The sharply dressed man said holding his hands up in defeat.
"Son, just leave all the politics to us, I know it bores all four of you so we'll handle that while you handle the battles, our job is easy." Dragon smiled heading for the door with the other two.
"Time to get drunk eh?" Garp said before slamming the door behind him leaving the high councilor and his emperors in the room.
"Damn geezers." the four said in unison.
Sabo leaned over to his brother. "I got word before we came in, your friends are on your way to my territory; Dressrosa. I can go check on them before we meet up on Komugi Island."
"I would appreciate that brother. By the way have you heard anything about Akainu's condition? Luffy asked hoping the bastard was awake.
"Sorry but no. It could be a day or two at the most." Sabo said shaking his head.
"It's fine, I have something to do anyway. Kizaru!" He said grabbing the emperor's attention.
"Hmm, oh yes I almost forgot." Kizaru spoke pulling a piece a paper from his jacket pocket. "Here it is." The former admiral handed Luffy the note. Written on it was what he was waiting for this whole time.
Luffy stood up immediately planning to leave. "I'll be back in a few days, your all dismissed until then." The high councilor made his way to the courtyard with the emperors still on his heels.
"Brother there is no coming back from this, but if you do it I'm still with you, always." Sabo grinned.
It was all he needed. In a second his devil form appeared and was gone in an instant shredding the clouds open with a furious wind.
Marco the Phoenix could only look on with a mix of awe and horror. Seeing the young kid who came so desperately to save Ace was turned into that creature.
"What have you done?" He asked turning to his enemy turned comrade Borsalino.
Kizaru regarded the blonde man for a second before answering. "Secured our future." He answered walking back in the castle muttering something about a new suit.
Marco just shook his head. What the hell was that supposed to mean? He couldn't help but have a bad feeling. However he wouldn't betray Ace's brothers and Blackbeard's killer, this was his new family now.
Luffy landed on the private island in the middle of the night, somewhere in the north blue a day later. The island itself was large and looked about half the size of Syrup Island. Hard to miss if you weren't looking for it. Taking flight once more he could see a large mansion near the back end of the island.
Landing inside the wooden fences he could clearly read the sign on fence.
'Sakazuki Residence'. Luffy had finally arrived and after waiting nearly a week he would finally have his vengeance.
The winged Luffy stalked over to the porch, knocking the reinforced door down with ease. The House was immediately filled heavy footsteps from everywhere. The entire family must've been there— it was all the better.
Preparing for the assault Luffy covered his forearms with hellfire. As much as he wanted to burn the house down, that would bring no satisfaction.
The first man that approached him was a man he could've sworn was Akainu but he looked slightly younger.
"W-what the f-fuck are y-you." The man could barley speak filled with fear. A second later the high councilor shredded his stomach open with a simple strike.
"You damn bastard you killed him!" Another man even younger than the last screamed at him.
"When my father gets here! He'll rip your head off!" The young man spoke again.
Luffy pointed his index finger directly at the man's torso.
In a heartbeat the man lay on the ground, half a dozen burning holes through his chest.
The footsteps upstairs could be heard softening. Luffy slowly walked up the steps. Opening each door one by one he would find different family members— some he assumed were aunts, nephews, and uncles. He slaughtered them all with no mercy ignoring their desperate cry's for him to stop. The anger and pain of losing everything he'd ever loved consuming him.
Once Luffy reached the last bedroom he knocked it open with a flick of the wrist, breaking the lock. On the bed there was a mother holding a child in her arms with a large kitchen knife.
"Stay back you fucking devil or I'll slit your throat."
Luffy examined the two. Her daughter was crying for her father.
"Mrs. Sakazuki?" Luffy's demonic cold voice said sending chills down the woman's spine, silently wishing her husband was there.
"Y-yes, I'm her." She said unsurely.
Wordlessly the demon approached the two. The mother began stabbing the high councilor to no effect. He simply continued his movement snatching a golden heart locket from her neck. The mother continued to shrink back in fear holding her child.
"Do you know my dad?" The child asked innocently. Luffy ignored them using his hellfire to weld the window shut.
"Your dad is dead, you'll see him soon." Luffy said turning leaving the two to scream after him.
"Have you no mercy! We know who you are and we're so sorry for what happened! You don't have to do this!" The woman pleaded on her knees crying and begging him to spare their lives.
"Your wrong, I do have to do this." He coldly replied before he shut the door, flicking hellfire onto the bed immediately setting it ablaze—there was no way to stop it. His hellfire burned until the selected target is nothing but ashes.
Shutting the door he could hear them banging on it screaming to let them out. He simply welded the bedroom door short before exiting the house. Turning back to the house he could still hear the bloodcurdling screams fill the night sky. Eventually they died out and the flames burned the hollow mansion to the ground.
Grasping Akainu's daughter's necklace he flew off towards the revolutionary base.
Akainu woke up in a daze trying to remember the last thing he saw before the blackout. It was all hazy after he saw Monkey D. Luffy take that form, after the death of his pirate girlfriend.
The massive headache was killing him. Trying to move he realized he was missing his right arm and left leg. All the memories came rushing back to him in an instant. He needed to escape— the former admiral tried to activate his fruit to no avail. His body was still wracked with pain and felt weaker than he had in his entire life.
Just then the door opened revealing his comrade Basalino Kizaru.
"Borsalino! Never had I been happier to see you! Help me escape!" Akainu yelled trying to get Kizaru to help him break his chains.
The sharply dressed man in his new black suit made no move to help him.
"Kizaru what are yo—" he was cut off.
"Fucking disgrace." Kizaru said dropping his usual carefree goofy attitude. "I suggested you focus on straw hat and you murder his girlfriend—You reap what you sow Akainu." Kizaru ignored the man's desperate screams to explain himself.
"I pledged myself to the high councilor's cause. I no longer serve your so called bullshit justice." Kizaru stated ready to leave.
"After all you did, he trusts you?! How?! What the hell did you do?! KIZARU!" Akainu screamed thrashing himself in his chains.
" Have a good trip, so long, Sakazuki." Borsalino said slamming the door behind him.
Akainu could slightly feel his power coming back. Just barley the lava within his body burned like a dying candle.
The door opened revealing the former straw hat captain. He was back to his original form just staring at the former fleet admiral.
"I'm sure your pleased you recruited my former subordinate. Just know I'll never join you, I'll never follow scum like that treacherous bastard." Akainu said with disgust.
Luffy just put his hands in pockets starting to heartily laugh at the former commander.
"I would never allow cripple scum to follow me. As a limbless deaf, dumb, and blind souvenir maybe. I'm here for retribution." Luffy said plainly.
It was now Akainu's turn to laugh.
"You came for an apology huh? Your girlfriend was a Pirate, she deserved death."
Luffy lost his cool throwing two hard punches to Akainu's face shutting him up.
The hat covered the former straw hat captain's eyes. "I told you to let her go, to be a man and fight your own battles. Like a coward you went after her." The memories suddenly coming back to Luffy.
Putting his forearm to Akainu's throat and pushing him into the wall.
"You say she deserved death! That's my family you son of a bitch! Did you know she was carrying my child?! Did you have any idea what you've done?!" The fury was starting to get the best of the high councilor.
"Like I said, she was no different from any Pirate, she deserved it." Akainu repeated causing Luffy to drop him to floor.
Luffy pulled a chair from the corner of the room placing it a few feet front Akainu so he could see him clearly.
The high councilor taking a seat reached into his pockets pulling out a familiar locket. "This is what becomes of blood for blood." Luffy said holding the necklace in front of Akainu.
The former fleet admiral's eyes were wide with tears starting to fill his eyes.
"H-h-how did you get...this." He stirred loss for words.
"Your family's dead. Your father, mother, aunts, uncles, cousins, brothers, sisters, your wife, your daughter, all dead." He spoke causing Akainu to finally break into loud sobs. Luffy's job was complete, he had shattered this man's world.
Luffy could see the man breaking down right before his eyes. The pain he was experiencing reminded Luffy of his own—he had not an ounce of pity.
"Do you understand pain a little now? If you don't share someone's pain, you can never understand them. You understand mine now don't you? Even if it's a little bit." Luffy said sticking the locket into the man's shirt pocket.
Akainu just continued crying furiously snot continued to run down his nose.
"I-I- Ahhhh!" The man screamed in pain mentally broken now. "K-kill m-me Please." He sobbed.
"No. You don't get to decide anything, I won't kill you, your pain and sorrow will first—or the world will." Luffy said standing up knocking on the door. Within a few seconds, Akainu had a bag over his head and was knocked out cold.
"Are you sure this is the Island sir? This island is home to the worst of worst." A revolutionary soldier spoke.
"Yeah this is defiantly the one, let's get this over with— I don't want the high councilor coming for me next." The other soldier spoke grabbing the body of Akainu.
"Are you just gunna stand there or help me?" The older one asked.
"Y-yes sorry sir."
"Don't apologize just help. Jeez kids these days." The two grabbed the body of Akainu running him to the first tavern they saw.
"Come on kid, we have a world and grand city to help rebuild let's leave this piece of shit." The older soldier said heading back the way they came.
"Right sir." The boy through the crutches on the body, taking the bag off his head, and spitting on the man's face.
"Fuck the Navy." The soldier said before running back towards the ship.
Akainu stirred starting to heavily breathe. He could barley move as he noticed the crutches laying by his sides.
The former fleet commander could've sworn that he was dead. His powers were still faded.
Slowly but surely he clutched both the crutches slowly hooking his underarms pushing himself forward into the loud tavern.
Things were more lively in the tavern than they sounded. Everyone was on their feet dancing back and forth to live music being played at the far end. The bar which extended across the whole tavern was empty except for a few men spread on drinking to themselves. He could really fit in here.
Hopping over to the bar he sat down a seat away from the next person. A young lady asked him if he would like something to drink.
"I don't have any money on me, I'm sorry." Akainu said just content to sit there without being bothered.
The bartender could see he was an amputee. She assumed he was a war
veteran for the revolutionary army.
"Oh it's one you!" She exclaimed happily.
Akainu looked up to her confusion on his features.
"You must be a war veteran for the revolutionary army. In that case, this ones on house." She said smiling heading him a mug of beer.
He took it greedily drinking it.
"Woah slow down, I can only give you one." The bartender spoke with a slight smile.
"So you like the revolutionary army huh?" Akainu said with a neutral tone.
"Yes! My fiancée is a soldier, he's part of the construction of the new capital city in an exchange for land. When it's finished we'll finally be married." She said with a gleam in her eye.
Akainu had no idea there were there kind of crazy ass people who pulled for the revolutionary army. For a long time he didn't take them seriously believing the Navy was the supreme power in the world. He was a fool to think that. Now he went from a chancellor to sitting in some backwashed bar in on some backwater Island.
"Congratulations." He simply said sipping his mug.
The bartender left to go take another order. The man sitting a seat away from Akainu slid another mug of beer towards him.
The former fleet admiral questionably glanced at the man to see he'd taken the seat next to him.
"I couldn't help overhear, your a veteran of the revolutionary army." The man said smiling before continuing. "I just wanted to thank you for your service."
The man was about to return to his group when Akainu turned to look at him to nod a thanks.
The guy couldn't believe it, he recognized that face anywhere. It was put in the paper a day earlier. There was no mistaking it, Akainu Sakazuki the former Navy Fleet Commander and self proclaimed chancellor.
The random patron whistled to his nearby group of five sitting at a table coming to stand behind him.
"Am I supposed to be scared of your girlfriends? Get the fuck outta my face." Akainu said still drinking.
The leader of the pack smacked the mugs violently off the bar causing the owner of the bar and his daughter to come with loaded guns to the commotion.
"What the hell's going here?" The old man asked pointing the gun at all of them. Nobody else in the bar seemed to notice this—they were partying like their was no tomorrow because to them there wasn't
"Not your business old man." One of the men said causing his daughter to respond. "Show respect or get out!"
"Of course it's my business it's my bar you idiots now I'm going to ask one more time before I blow somebody to hell. What is going on?" The owner asked once more.
"You got Akainu the former Navy Fleet Commander sitting in your damn bar that's what!" The leader said starting to grow more infuriated.
"There will be no violence in here!" The old man said firmly. "Do it outside, now get him the fuck outta my bar before I blow his head off my damn self." The owner said walking away with his daughter.
Akainu attempted to call forth is lava but it wouldn't flow. Standing up on his crutches he began to try and fight the five men.
"You got balls I'll give you that. But your still a gimp." Without another word he was mercilessly taken outside and beaten—stripped of his crutches.
The men continued kicking, punching, elbowing, kneeing, anything they could attempt. The navy had long suppressed them and now it was a chance to take down an oppressor. One that killed associates, friends, family all alike and had no remorse. The men felt justified.
"You all are only as good as the world allows you to be, just a bunch of rats." Akainu spoke on the ground not feeling the pain. The emotional pain of losing his family long since numbed him of any physical pain he endured.
The punches came with more curiosity as he was lifted upside down into the air being dunked into a barrel of water. He would certainly welcome death if this was it.
Thinking back to his childhood he could remember how his life got him here. He supposed the root of all his nightmares started when his father who was Pirate, beat his mother to death when he was a young boy. It started out a normal day, his father came home shouting he and his crew split up because they were beaten by the so called Pirate King Gol D Roger.
His father came home drunk and angry when he was playing with his toys on the floor. The boy was helpless as his parents argued. He tried to interfere but was hit by his father. For protecting him his mother was pushed onto the coffee table hitting her head hard. There was so much blood he couldn't believe it was all real.
From that moment he vowed to kill his father and every Pirate like him. He wouldn't get his chance to kill his father. The bastard was shot after a robbery a local food shop; simple Simon ass motherfucker. Akainu wished he could've killed his father that night. The night that made him into a ruthless pirate killer— he couldn't help it he's saw his father in every pirate. Thinking they had no responsibility in life, as of rules had no bearings on them.
The leader finally head butted the helpless captain breaking his nose before he and his group threw him into a nearby pig pen. Before they left he could feel hot liquid covering his entire body, the smell repulsing scaring the nearby pigs away. The men were humiliating him by urinating on him and leaving him for dead in slop.
"Come on guys we'll come back tomorrow morning if he's still there will drown his ass." One of the men said as they disappeared back into town.
Akainu rolled over onto his back shaking from the sudden coldness and his nose was hurting from the stench. He slowly pulled out necklace from his shirt pocket placing it around his neck. Once more he reached into his pocket pulling out half a cigar still barley intact, it would have to do.
Desperately he tried to light it with his powers to no avail. The tears returning remembering everything he'd been through. His messed up abusive childhood, and his families murder at the hands of straw hats.
He finally admitted to himself that killing the straw hat's navigator was a mistake. The first time he ever admitted his fault.
Slowly a spark of lava sparked the cigar causing him to finally take a drag. Akainu started laughing to himself scaring the pigs away. "Some how some way, I'll kill you Straw Hat... and those fuckers." Akainu said referring to his assaulters.
He began to laugh as smoke began to fill the pig pen. This was his new beginning.
Luffy landed on cocoyashi island he hadn't been to in ages. In fact he never expected to ever come back here without her.
He wasn't sure if he was ready to see her yet. In his mind she was still with him. He missed her light touches to his lips when she spoke softly to him—only for him. Luffy even missed the light kisses they planted on each other before going to bed. Nami would always ask him too. She felt so comfortable some nights he would kiss her so gently she fell asleep. His heart shrank as it nearly popped out of his chest. The pain still very much in him, it would probably always be like this. Continuing his walk to the gravesite he came upon a familiar scene. It was almost like all those years ago. Reverting back to his original form he continued walking towards the gravesite to recognize a familiar figure.
The figure didn't hear him it all. Luffy listened closely to hear the person talking to someone or rather them self.
Walking up behind the figure he finally spoke.
"Pops." Luffy said simply waiting for a reply.
The man immediately recognized the voice, he froze. "Boy." He replied not yet getting up from his crouched position.
"Why weren't you here with your friends. Why did you miss her burial?" Genzo asked now standing up still having his back turned towards the man.
It took Luffy a few seconds to respond.
"I didn't mean too, I had obligations to—"
"I know I heard, your the high councilor now, leader of the free world." Genzo said. He knew what those responsibilities entailed. Luffy had lost his freedom to his new duty.
"It means nothing without her." Luffy stated without hesitation causing Genzo to turn and look at him for the first time.
"I could tell she loved you Y'know. From the first time you set foot on the island. There was something different about her." Genzo said turning back to the grave smiling warmly.
"I won't ever be the same again. I loved your daughter more than anything, she was with child." The tears were threatening to spill from both of their eyes remembering Nami.
Genzo faced the high councilor once more approaching the younger man. He stopped before a few feet in front of him.
"Did you punish the son of a bitch that did it?!" The older man practically screamed.
"He's alive,but I made him an two limbed amputee and slaughtered his entire family—so you could say he's barley alive." Luffy spoke coldly.
Genzo was speechless at first before muttering good riddance.
"Pops.." Luffy spoke his hat covering his eyes.
"I truly did love her with all my heart and I won't again for as long as I live. A part of me died with her, I couldn't save them." The high councilor said through gritted teeth.
"I know you did Luffy. She sent us letters over the years. In all of them she made to mention you and how you did everything you could to make her smile." Genzo stated with a slight grin.
"Did she mention how much she hit me." Luffy slight returned the grin remembering Nami's beatings of his spirit and how much he wished he was on the receiving end of one right now.
"In every single one." Genzo spoke smiling.
"Good." Luffy answered somewhat feeling alright in this moment.
"You never broke your promise boy." Genzo spoke. When Nami first arrived for the open burial he could've sworn she looked alive. Not a single hair was out of place as she was laid to rest. A small smile could be seen on her features, arms wrapped around her stomach.
Luffy remained silent still feeling the grief return to him. "Here, She would want you to have this." Luffy was shocked Genzo was handing him Nami's log pose. Placing it in his hand he said, "she'll always be with you boy, but she'd want you to find happiness and move on from grief—you know that don't you Luffy? It was a rhetorical question but he got what Genzo was telling him.
"Luffy I have to ask you not return here, ever." Genzo spoke not looking directly at him.
"If it's true you did kill that man's family it makes you a murder. I would hope you respect not setting foot on this village ever again out of respect for..." Genzo feared to say her name. "Her."
"Of course. I'll never return. Just let me say goodbye." He said turning toward the grave away from the older man.
"Take your time."
"Pops!" Luffy yelled catching the pinwheel man's attention. "When the capital city is done, you and your village welcome to stay in the royal city. You'll never see me again, you have my word." Luffy said.
"I'll give it some thought." The older man said bidding the high councilor farewell.
Luffy turned towards the grave still not sure what to say.
"Nami... for what I've done, I don't think you would ever look at me again. I've become a monster since you left. I keep convincing myself I'm in a nightmare and will wake up next to you and Eddy but...I miss you guys so damn much." The tears were starting to flow slowly onto the grave. "You believed in me up until then end, I failed you. It will be different this time, I will make sure nothing like this happens to anyone else. To make this world better than it ever was, like you and Eddy would've wanted." The rubber man rose to his feet finally looking at the log pose in his hand.
Anger started to rise rapidly throughout his body making his transform into his devil form. Letting out a loud roar before jetting off into the sky faster than a bullet creating a thunderous boom from exertion of force created by Luffy.
A terrified and tearful Genzo finally broke down seeing everything unfold in-front of him. The man couldn't begin to understand how hurt the how truly was. It wasn't just some random lustful love he might've assumed it was. Luffy truly loved his adoptive daughter for her spirit, for who she was in every sense of the word—true love. Now it was taken away, and had turned the innocent, childish, moronic boy into a monster. The older man fell on his knees sobbing.
"Nami... please watch over him...Luffy is lost without you." Genzo continued to sob weakly as he didn't notice a woman watching from a distance. His other adopted daughter Nojiko.