A/N: Quick shoutout to the reviewers: Ax Deros Kuro, .98, & Firestorm337 I appreciate it a lot, truly inspiring. For all the readers, I will NEVER demand an (x) number amount of reviews, follows, favorites, or reviews to update this story. I write for the admiration I have for this great anime. Enjoy the chapter.
The hellfire flames engulfed Big Mom sending her reeling on her heels.
She was unable to recover before her assaulter prepared another attack.
"Lanza Del Infernio!" The hellfire lance struck the large woman's torso sending her tumbling backwards.
Big Mom caught her momentum, hardening her arm with haki, skidding herself to an abrupt halt.
She looked around frantically hoping to catch a glimpse of the high councilor.
Directly above her, Luffy inflated his fists to rival her size.
"Elephant Gun: Hellfire Gatling!" The fiery punches slammed Big Mom into the ground. His fists repeatedly smashed her deeper into the soil.
Luffy jumped back to send another hellfire lance, aiming for her head.
Big Mom stood up barley scathed. Luffy threw the spear before she could regain her balance.
The former yonko caught it with her haki infused fist swiftly.
"That's it?" She taunted.
"Wait for it." He responded. In a flash the spear detonated throwing the nearby allied forces back.
Big Mom was sent through the air towards the castle to the amazement of everyone.
The high councilor wasting no time, held up a coded hand, signaling to his forces their priority orders.
Wordlessly the Regime forces retreated to the ships in a hurry. Sabo barked orders making sure their forces were all on the same page.
Germa 66 and the reformed Big Mom crew mates looked on the scene with awe.
Regime soldiers opened the hulls of the ships, bringing out their Skypien based rafts. Their priority was the protection and evacuation of the citizens of Totto Land, not watching the fight.
With his Regime soldiers in the air, the high councilor and his emperors pursued Big Mom.
The former yonko rebounded, stomping her feet to the ground, creating a large crater.
Big Mom leapt into the air, gliding over the high councilor and his emperors.
Katakuri used his haki to predict his mom's next move. Big Mom was going to summon Prometheus, she planned to destroy the island to achieve victory.
"High Councilor, we'll buy you time, she's going to take out the island. You need a counter measure technique." Katakuri said calmly.
With no time to waste the four emperors went for Big Mom. The former yonko reeled her hand back to summon her sun homie.
Katakuri threw the trident Mogura from a great distance. Sabo encased the spear with his red flames. Marco snatched the spear using his momentum, increasing the velocity and force of the spear before sending it out at a greater speed towards Big Mom. The fearsome ruler of Totto Land smiled hardening her torso with haki, the attack would never work. Quicker than the speed of light Mogura was impaled through her back causing blood to slightly leak out her mouth.
"Hmm.. the years are catching up to you it seems." Kizaru smirked coolly, pulling the spear from her back.
This only angered her further. She began releasing, haki flames from her hands and mouth unpredictability forcing the emperors to retreat behind Luffy—their time was up.
Big Mom summoned Prometheus in her right hand. Immediately commanding the homie to metamorphosis into a supernova. The sun homie obeyed, expanding to an impressive size rivaling her castle.
"It all ends here." Big Mom grinned devilishly sending the attack towards the five men.
Luffy's attack was nearly complete, but it was nowhere near the size of the supernova—it would have to do.
The supernova Prometheus sluggishly made its way towards the group, it was now or never.
"Hellfire Monarch!" The high councilor sent the moderately sized flaming meteor towards the supernova.
Big Mom could only cackle as the attack seemed to have no effect.
"What?!" Her cackling stopped as the supernova split in half unceremoniously evaporating. The hellfire monarch exploded on impact causing a large blowback felt across the entirety of Totto Land.
The Regime, Germa 66, the Whole Cake royal family, and the citizens watched as the magnificent glow basked the land.
Luffy nodded to the emperors signaling he would finish this alone.
"Watch for Napoleon, her hidden blade." Katakuri warned.
With a final nod the high councilor sped towards his downed opponent.
The hellfire blades ignited the high councilor's hands extending to an impressive length.
Big Mom countered his blades with her own. The two combatants engaged in a brutal clash, slashing each other's bodies.
Big mom stepped back slightly as Luffy continued backing her down. Her blade Napoleon had never met an equal until now. The hellfire was unlike she ever encountered. Wounds that normally healed continued to sear into her flesh. Big Mom's durability was at it's limit as she parried his attack, only for him to transform his hands once again.
"Hellfire Gatling!" The fierce punches landed on her weakened torso forcing her once again on her heels.
With an enraged swing she took off one of Luffy's wings, blasting a hole through his side exposing his ribcage.
Again the wounds healed up instantly as he began an enraged assault once again, not batting an eye.
Big Mom had never been more bewildered in all her experiences in battle. Shes seen almost every devil fruit on earth. Each with it's own unique ability; only belonging to three subgroups. The fruit in the high councilor's possession was cosmic in nature—almost otherwordly.
Katakuri noticed his mom's frustrations immediately using his ability to find out her next intentions.
"Sabo, we have to protect the citizens, she's going to scream—everyone is in danger." Katakuri spoke evenly.
"Then let's not waste time, the high councilor can handle this." Sabo said nodding to his comrades. They grabbed ahold of Barsalino, vanishing in a beam of light.
Big Mom could see her opponent without a scratch. His rage was evident in his eyes. The last time she fought him it wasn't a contest. He was nothing more than a harmless flee in their last encounter— now he was on the verge of beating her.
Enraged she let out a fearsome scream vibrating the island.
The citizens were successfully evacuated with the Regime in the air out of range of the fearsome scream. Germa 66 provided specially crafted headphones to women and children putting them first; the Regime respected that.
The emperors watched from a distance, wondering how their leader attempted to counter the fearsome ruler of Totto Land.
Luffy stood his ground inching his way closer to the screaming lunatic. Slowly but surely his clawed feet dug into the ground, approaching Big Mom.
Once in range, he drew his hellfire blade once more slicing her throat slightly bringing an end to her scream.
Big Mom immediately grabbed the incinerated skin on her neck to stop the slight bleeding—the wound was partially cauterized. Taking rapid steps backwards, Big Mom was running out of options. Luffy continued to make his way towards her causing another wave of fear to grip the usually stoic ruler.
"You can't kill me Straw Hat, I'm a living god!" Big Mom angrily shouted earning a grin from her foe.
"Haven't you heard, I'm the god killer." Luffy said smirking still approaching Big Mom leisurely.
"Even someone like you fears death." She cackled activating her ultimate ability; the Soru Soru no Mi fruit—the ability to eat souls.
Luffy stopped a few meters away. "It's like I said before, take your best shot."
"You truly are a fool." The former yonko surrounded the high councilor in darkness. Everything became faded around the two combatants. They were locked in an entirely different world from where they previously were—no connection to the outside world.
It was completely silent. No movement from anywhere. Luffy was trapped inside a dark place, no walls, no floor, no ceiling— just him.
Directly ahead Big Mom's massive red and yellow eyes glared through the darkness. Her laugh rung through his ears.
"You're totally helpless, you will die here."
Luffy wasn't sure what this was, nor did he see any escape. His situation was completely hopeless; he was trapped.
Big Mom appeared in front of him suddenly showing her monstrous form. A large majority would've been long gone by now, begging for their life. Luffy ignored his surroundings keeping his eyes shut.
"Look who's cowering like a child, shutting your eyes now are we?" Big Mom taunted approaching the still figure.
Luffy remembered his past life. The memories of his crew, his family—the pain he felt when he lost his world. He wished to be back on his ship tending to his mikan trees. It truly gave him a certain peace, even if death knocked on the door. Then he heard her voice.
"Wake up Luffy..."
"Wake up..."
His eyes shot open coming face to face with his fearsome foe. The intimidating stature of her would've made anyone run like hell, yet he stayed— a small smile on his features.
Big Mom attempted to consume his soul to no avail. The man stood there unfazed staring straight into her eyes. The eyes he held made her nervous, he was enjoying this.
Luffy put his hand in directly in front of him, igniting it in hellfire before swinging it to his side. In an instant the dark dimension shattered like glass. Fragments broke off sending the two combatants back into reality. The Island came back into view.
Big Mom didn't waste time, charging her foe aiming to decapitate him. The high councilor ignited his hands expanding them to a larger size, grabbing the blade in the time.
The hellfire heated the blade, basking it in remarkable flames. In one swoop Luffy used his opponent's momentum against her slipping Napoleon from her grasp. Snatching the blade, he cleaved her right arm off with one mighty swing before she was able to use her haki armor.
The fearsome woman could do nothing but scream in agony shaking the island. Her arm continued to burn as she slumped forward slightly off balance. Luffy plunged Napoleon into her stomach making sure it exited out of her back wound.
Big Mom let out another anguished wail finally feeling pain. She grabbed the high councilor's wing slamming him repeatedly into the ground before sending a large haki blast his way, attempting to disintegrate him.
Still the attack had an effect on him, his damaged limbs recovered instantly. Brushing himself off he began to grow weary of the fight.
Big Mom was at her limit as well. It was time to finish the fight. Removing Napoleon from her stomach she began to surround it in her haki.
"I will take your head and put it on a spike. Then everyone else on this damned Island." She taunted, venom dripping from her voice.
Luffy could tell what she was planning, it was her only move. Flying high above her he began surrounding himself in hellfire readying himself for his final attack. From head to toe she was covered in haki, his only move was to aim for her vulnerable wound on her stomach.
Using his rubber body he began twisting his body into a corkscrew. His body contorted, building pressure and velocity.
Big Mom leaped into the air heading straight for him. Luffy charged aiming for her weakened spot.
The moment before she swung, Luffy released his wings slightly increasing his speed at the last possible second. Big Mom misjudged her timing, barley missing his nape. The pain seared through her as she felt the high councilor tear through her stomach wound, exiting out her back.
The high councilor crashed into the ground creating a large crater from the impact.
Katakuri could sense his mother's fading life force. The high councilor had been successful. Sabo whistled loudly signaling the soldiers to rally to their leader. The Regime, Germa 66, and the inhabitants of the island made their way to the battlefield.
Luffy stood up slowly fatigued from his attack. The large gash on his back healed as he made his way toward Big Mom.
The large woman covered the gaping hole in her stomach struggling to breathe. Dropping to a knee she knew her strength was all used up.
Luffy came to stand in front of his downed enemy. The giant coughed out a pool of blood while attempting to stand, quickly falling back to her knee.
"I told you...you would not live to see the end of today. It's a shame, all that power and you use it to cause devastation, killing what you mean to protect." Luffy stated eyeing Big Mom's fatal injuries.
The former yonko just cackled uncontrollably at his statement.
"From what I hear, you're a much worse monster than I am. I know all about the skeletons in your closet." Big Mom said grinning.
Luffy could not see any contrast between him and the fallen god. "I seek to protect my loved ones, not rule—We're nothing alike."
Big Mom just shook her head still keeping her intimidating grin. "That's where your wrong high councilor... I see you for the monster you've become. We share the same pain, the feeling of being abandoned; alone. No matter how many people you claim you love...you couldn't save the one life that made you whole, and for that you'll always feel alone." The former emperor coughed out blood once more covering her mouth with her hand to halt it.
Luffy stood there frozen at her words. More than anything he wanted to deny her and tell her she was wrong. But she understood his pain, she understood the reasons behind his actions. Despite overcoming enormous obstacles as the leader of the Regime, the hole in his heart remained— it only got bigger as time passed.
Big Mom noticed his hesitation causing her to gleam a monstrous smile. "You'll be consumed by vengeance for the remainder of your days. Never knowing true happiness ever again... But you know that already don't you?"
Luffy stood in his spot unmoving. Big Mom read him like an open book. Every word she spoke was true. Everything she said he'd already confirmed in his mind. The duty of protecting the world for a greater purpose than yourself, yet it felt meaningless.
The look his friends gave him when they saw him was a look of fear. Despite the words Sanji spoke to him about it not being his fault and the crew didn't blame him. None of it mattered, it did not bring any solace or closure. He knew Sanji spoke out of gratefulness for his assistance in their rescue mission. If his crew intended to seek him out, they would've. The pain and guilt remained in his heart only building by the moment.
Big Mom was at a loss for words herself. This powerful man had conquered a god, yet he stood with a saddened gaze lost in his own thoughts.
Big Mom coughed roughly clutching her wound in agony bringing him back to reality. "D-do you it see now? We are the same—I have over a hundred family members, and still I feel hollow. That's why I didn't care if I destroyed everything, nothing mattered without Mama Caramel." Big Mom confessed.
Luffy seen the devastated state she was in when Brook destroyed the picture frame of the elder woman. It made sense to him now.
"You see it now...don't you?"
"Yes." He simply said bowing his head. Luffy knew she was right, they were alike more than he admitted. He slaughtered an entire city, an innocent family, brought genocide to the mink tribe, and alienated his family. He tried to convince himself, it was for the protection and betterment of the world—The old him wouldn't have believed that. His soul was conflicted, had he really become what he sought to destroy.
Looking at his hands, he could see the black claws for how fearsome they truly were. Reverting to his original form he began to approach Big Mom.
The calvary arrived, circling around the fallen god. The Charlotte siblings stepped to the forefront to meet their mother.
Big Mom was fading fast, her time was near. Glancing around she could see the terrified faces of the citizens. The years of torment she caused them was unforgivable. Looking at all her traitorous children, she could only slightly grin at Katakuri.
"So you finally decided to grow a pair Katakuri. I always looked down on you. All that power and you subjected yourself as the ruler of Komugi Island—now that Totto Land is yours, you finally are a son of mine." She said placing her hand on his head before continuing. "As for the rest of my children, rule in peace...Put Totto Land and the family first, especially against him." Big Mom glared at the high councilor not taking her eyes off him.
Big Mom coughed violently nearing her end. "Smoothie...Pudding? Where did they go?" She asked, a softness accompanying her usual gruff tone.
"They joined the straw hats, they will live their lives free." Katakuri states folding his arms.
"I see...good." She smiled blood starting to leak blood from her lips—her lungs began to fill with blood.
"High councilor..." Big Mom spoke looking directly at him. "Death is not final, there is a way...to bring your loved ones back..."
Before she could finish Luffy gripped her collar bringing her eye level to him.
"Tell me! How?!" He screamed frantically trying to make her finish her thought.
Big Mom cackled lightly. "Secret of the dead." She said smiling slightly before coughing violently, her eyes rolled to the back of her head.
"N-No...HEY! TELL ME! TELL ME!" Luffy screamed desperately thrashing her around to tell him. Her lifeless body just slumped to the ground unmoving.
Luffy fell to his knees still clutching her shirt. The words she spoke replaying in his head.
"Death is not final... bring your loved ones back...secret of the dead."
The high councilor couldn't hear the massive cheers from everyone around him. They were drowned out by his sorrow. He did want to kill Big Mom, but he didn't want her to die without telling him. For a moment a spark of hope flew through him, only for it to be snatched away abruptly.
Luffy felt Katakuri's hand on his shoulder.
"It's over high councilor. Allow us to bury her. She was a monster, but shes still our mother." He spoke calmly. Luffy joined The Regime and Germa 66.
The citizens all leaped for joy cheering and dancing with the Regime soldiers celebrating their independence. The Charlotte family silently picked their mother up heading for the castle.
"Never doubted you for a second brother." Sabo exclaimed excitedly patting his brother on the back.
Kizaru and Marco joined the pair with satisfied smiles of their own.
"High councilor that was most impressive." Kizaru smirked holding a thumbs up.
"Hell yeah it was! One step closer towards our goal." Marco said joining Sabo in praising the young man.
Luffy wasn't listening to anything they had to say. It was all drowned out by the dying words of his enemy. He wanted answers and all he had was questions. What should've been a major victory for him felt like a defeat.
Sabo noticed his brother's lack of acknowledgement at their praising words. He seemed to be shutting down. Quickly Sabo shook his brother's shoulder.
"We won brother! It's time for a celebration." Sabo said trying to gain a reaction from his sibling.
Luffy simply nodded. "You all should celebrate, I'll be on the ship." Without warning he sped off towards the Regime mother ship.
"What's up with the high councilor?" Marco asked scratching not quite getting it. This was one of his first goals he set out to accomplish, now he flew off without so much as a smile; it felt odd.
Kizaru was equally as puzzled but he offered a theory. "It could've been the lies that demon told him before she croaked. Those were the words of deceiver." He offered.
Sabo and Marco contemplated for a second before Sabo decided he would check on him.
"Go on ahead, we'll catch up." He nodded towards the other two. The Regime along with everyone made their way to the castle.
"Emperor!" Vinsmoke Judge called out halting the man.
"I'm busy at the moment, whatever it is, can it wait?" Sabo asked impatiently. The last thing on his mind was to unnecessarily discuss politics.
"We would like to thank my son's friend, personally." Judge offered. The entirety of his family nodded in agreement.
With a wave of his hand he gestured them to follow him.
Reaching the ship they found the high councilor in his favorite spot.
Carefully Luffy examined the baby trees making sure they were tucked securely into the ground. He began watering one only to sense he had visitors behind him.
Sighing audibly he turned around to greet his guests.
"Brother, and..." He couldn't remember any of their names or their regiment name, "Sanji's family." He concluded.
"I'll let you guys have some time." Sabo spoke heading towards the front of the ship.
Germa 66 were truly grateful for Luffy's intervention. He gave their Sanji a real shot at happiness.
Vinsmoke Judge approached the now standing high councilor with his children in tow.
"We want to show our gratitude for helping Sanji, and freeing us from Big Mom's tyranny." He spoke kneeling with along with the rest.
Luffy looked away a little awkwardly before signaling them to stand up. "Don't mention it, I don't break promises." The high councilor glanced at his garden hoping to continue that, then this conversation.
They didn't fail to notice his lack of attention on them.
"We are glad to join the Regime."
"Good to have you guys." Luffy firmly shook all their hands. "Now if you don't mind, I was in the middle of something." He said abruptly turning on his heel to continue his farming.
Judge, Niji, Ichiji, and Yonji rubbed their necks uncomfortably by the coldness shown by the high councilor. He blew them off to continue his farming. They knew what tragedy befell the man before he destroyed Mariejois, it was no secret. The last time he came to them his eyes were filled with an unnerving amount of resolve and hope. Now pain and sorrow filled his eyes, radiating off his very soul.
"You should celebrate, you did well today. You guys have a lot to be thankful for." Luffy spoke not bothering to spare any of them a glance.
The Judge could only slightly frown. One of the most powerful men on the planet who managed to bring down Big Mom could not care less. He just wanted to be left alone to his own endeavors.
"Thank you again, High Councilor—its an honor." Judge said slightly bowing before flying off, his sons following close behind.
Reiju remained behind watching him work intently.
"What are you still doing here? You should join your family." He stated not taking his eyes off his task.
The pink haired woman kneeled right beside him.
"Do you mind if I have help?" She asked politely.
"No" He simply said continuing to dig holes next to the completed ones.
He gently handed her the infant tree. Reiju noticed the look of delicacy he placed on the trees. The care he had for each one of the them, they were very precious to the high councilor.
The pair planted a few more before he spoke.
"I appreciate your help, but you still didn't tell me what you're doing here." Luffy stated now looking at her.
Reiju nearly gasped at the sight of his eyes. The light that gleamed in his eyes when she first met him was gone. The look of uncaring indifference only remained on his features.
"I just wanted to personally thank you for helping my brother. I thought in some small way I could return the favor." She answered giving him a smile.
"You don't owe me anything." He deadpanned returning his attention to his man made garden.
Luffy glanced at her to see she was lightly touching the orange tree leaves. "She loved these, didn't she?" Reiju asked not looking directly at him.
Luffy didn't mind talking to her about it, she knew Nami after all. He supposed he could tell her if she felt the need to reach out to him.
"Yeah, they were her favorite...they became my favorites too. These trees is how I remember her." He spoke glancing over his moderately sized garden.
"I think it's beautiful. You must've loved her."
"She was everything."
Reiju couldn't help but feel for the man's pain. "I'm so sorry." Reiju said leaning her head on his shoulder. "She's still with you."
Luffy supposed she was right. During his fight with Big Mom, he heard her voice, causing him to reach out, breaking Big Mom's soul fruit ability.
"I could tell right away she loved you." Reiju said breaking him from his thoughts.
"How?" He asked simply turning to look at her.
She leaned back to warmly smile, recounting when she first encountered them. Explaining that she extracted the poison he contracted through lip contact. It brought a small smile to her face remembering how infuriated the orange haired woman was toward the situation.
Luffy listened to the story intently almost trying to picture it. He inhaled the pikan's scent rolling through the breeze. A sudden rush of happiness flooded him. He took a moment to feel his surroundings.
Reiju could only watch in awe as the memory she shared brought a genuine smile to his face.
"Thank you Reiju...that meant, more than you know." Luffy spoke glancing towards the night sky. It brought him contentment hearing a pleasant memory he wasn't aware of from someone else.
"Of course. I'm glad it helped in some small way." She said dusting herself off preparing to depart. "Luffy..." he turned to look at her before she continued, "she's still with you."
Luffy just nodded with a slight smile. Satisfied she flew off heading towards the Charlotte Clan fortress.
The high councilor dusted himself off as well heading to meet Sabo, who waited patiently on the deck.
Sabo turned towards the high councilor watching Reiju fly off in the distance.
"Brother you ready to go? They're probably all feasting by now." Sabo could tell he was in no mood to join in the victory celebration.
"Na, you can go on ahead—"
"Luffy were in this together now, you guys are all I got now." Sabo said not looking at him.
"You don't mean..."
"Yeah" came his reply.
"Brother I'm sorry, truly I am. You don't have to stay you can leave." Luffy was willing to let his brother pursue the love of his life over his ambitions.
Sabo held a hand up shaking his head. "It's too late to go back, long as I got my family—I'll manage."
"I'm glad to hear that." Luffy said grinning. It gave him a slight bit of hope to see his brother's spirit thrive even in a trying time.
"If you don't want to celebrate I understand. Just had to check on my baby brother, even if your the high councilor now. I took the liberty of putting the latest reports from home base on your desk; they're interesting, to say the least. You lead we follow—I'll see you tomorrow."
"Yeah, see you then brother."
Sabo quickly turned around to address the retreating form of his brother.
"Hey Luffy! Did Reiju ask about me?" Sabo asked rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly.
"Huh? Oh yeah, she couldn't stop talking about you." Luffy smirked seeing his brother start to sweat profusely.
"Alright see ya!" Sabo exclaimed disappearing in red flames.
Luffy sighed after finally earning a few peaceful moments to himself. The sorrow mood returned, guiding him to his private office.
Luffy sat at his desk flipping through policy documents monotonously. He wished nothing more for Nami to be with him right now. She always made complicated matters simple for him with her intellectual explanations. Luffy was lucky his dad and grandpa left simplified annotations on the side of the documents, so he could skim through most of it without fully reading it.
He came across an interesting report: Five men were reported dead in a small backwater Island off the coast Whiskey Peak. The cause of death; lava burns. All their bodies were melted almost beyond recognition. Luffy had a feeling that bastard would resurface soon. He had purpose once again, to personally find and torture the man. The rage burned in the high councilor wishing he could hunt him down sooner than later. As long as Akainu walked the earth, Luffy would live on it. He roughly jammed the report in his drawer putting it on the back burner for now.
Dragon had an fascinating report: CP0 along with Celestial Dragons were sighted at the Entertainment Capitol of the world; Grand Carina. Not only that, Fujitora was set to visit later that week. Turning the report over, he noticed a gold envelope; an invitation. Carina had personally invited the Regime. She must want to strike an agreement to keep her business legal under the sanctions of the new government. It was all fine with him as long as she cooperated with them and handed over the fugitives willingly. Sighing audibly while rubbing his temples he stood up to flip to the last report.
Garp reported The Regime raided the former max security prison Impel Down to find it abandoned. There was no surprise there; the odd thing was the lone prisoner Donquixote Doflamingo vanished without a trace. His prison bars and chains were covered in permanent frost. It could only mean Aokoji Kuzan was out there gathering an army. He was a former navy admiral and Blackbeard subordinate. If he hadn't sided with the Regime by now, he was an enemy. Luffy figures it could wait as well, he didn't have time to chase irrelevant players.
Though personal vendettas intrigued him, Luffy tucked the gold invitation into his red cardigan. Pulling open the desk he snatched the his fire whiskey before chugging it wholeheartedly. After his throat began to burn, he set the bottle down roughly, plopping in his chair. Less than a minute later he got up stretching, heading over to the mirror.
Luffy could only stare at his hollow reflection gazing back at him. He looked the same except for his eyes. His soul was damaged beyond repair. Snatching the bottle he began to drink greedily ready to head to bed. A familiar voice stopped him in his tracks.
"I told you Straw Hat, you can't be the good guy and be King of the Pirates Zehaha."
Luffy turned to see Blackbeard staring back at him in the mirror. He shook his head a few times but the image remained.
"Your dead."
"Your in trouble now, I made you lose control, and they'll kill you for it Zehaha." Blackbeard laughed.
"Your dead!" Luffy repeated.
He picked up his whiskey bottle to throw it at the mirror. The mirage of the deadman was gone. Luffy approached the mirror slowly looking for the image to reappear.
His own reflection contorted into Big Mom.
"We are the same straw hat, you will be consumed by revenge, never to find happiness again...but you already know that don't you?" The deceased witch cackled.
"Your dead!" Luffy shouted chugging from his bottle again.
The reflection contorted to King Neptune backing away in fear.
"W-what kind of monster are you?"
The mirror reflected the slaughtering of the minks. He could clearly hear the screams as they filled his head. Finally it showed the innocent family he slaughtered. The mother and daughter begging for him to spare their lives. He could see his crew sailing away on the Sunny as he helplessly watched from the other side of the mirror. Luffy's heart sank as he shouted for them to come back, he was abandoned;alone.
Shutting his eyes tightly, he opened them to see Nami staring back at him. He missed her gaze so much.
"NAMI!" He desperately shouted gripping the edges of the mirror.
"Luffy..?" She asked softly.
"That's right it's me! Nami I—"
"That cant be you, you would never do those things..." she began to back away.
He could see her features were laced in fear.
"N-no Nami, it's me please..."
"Luffy?" She asked even softer, her eyes now showed terror. She began to run away from him. He could only look back at the mirror to see his own reflection of his demonic form. He glanced at his hands glowing in hellfire; he frightened her.
Luffy could see Nami retreating farther and farther out of sight.
"Nami wait...I..." it was far too late, she was long gone.
He looked at his hands again too see they were human. The mirror only showed his damaged reflection, silent tears flowed down his face;he was alone. Luffy violently slammed his forehead into the mirror shattering it—blood leaked from his forehead dripping on the mirror and the ground below.
The high councilor jolted awake from his seat in a hurry immediately standing up. His breath hitched from the heavy imagery he witnessed. Looking at the mirror he noticed it was unscathed. The bottle of whiskey sat half empty on his desk; he blacked out. The visions were returning and it was the complete opposite of his last one. His last one was his fantasy, this one was a nightmare.
He reached into his desk putting an item into his pocket before grabbing his bottle heading for the door; he couldn't sleep peacefully in his office.
The next morning four hungover emperors found the high councilor sleeping peacefully in his mikan garden clutching an empty whiskey bottle in one hand and a new world log pose in the other.
The four emperors couldn't help but smile at the scene. Sabo grabbed the golden envelope loosely hanging out of his cardigan.
"Looks like we got our orders." Sabo hiccuped barley standing.
"It's about time you do something right. You made an ass out of yourself last night." Katakuri said hiding a grin under his mask.
Marco and Kizaru were busy trying not to burst out laughing remembering the scene from last night.
Sabo boastfully bragged about his exploits on the battlefield. Getting handsy with the Germa 66 princess after Luffy told him she couldn't keep his name out her mouth. It earned him a swift knee to crotch earning laughter from everyone. None harder than her brothers or his fellow emperors.
"Yeah, Yeah she's crazy about me I know." Sabo said hobbling towards the front of the ship with a slight limp and a bag of ice. The three emperors barked orders to the Armada, it was time to head out.
They were content to let their high councilor sleep, he earned it. The wide smile on his face gleamed as he nuzzled the orange trees. It was the first peaceful sleep since he lost everything.