The council gathered on the Regime mothership as it sailed towards the Gran Carina. The Entertainment Capitol of the World looked like a normal island during the evening. Nearly impossible to deduce two giant sea turtles carried the large land mass.
Katakuri folded his arms frowning at the place. "I hate casinos."
"Same here, I just want to hunt those CP0 bastards down and go home." Marco complained crossing his arms.
"I've had a long overdue vacation." Kizaru said lounging on a beach chair while puffing a cigar.
"You said it! This place is so COOL!" Bartolomeo cheered comically as he waved in excitement.
"See barrier boy has the right idea." Kizaru smirked seeing a one eighty shift in the super rookie's enthusiastic mood.
"How we doin boys? We almost ready? This is the entertainment capitol of the world, however this ain't no vacation." Raleigh exclaimed stroking his beard.
The four men gathered around him.
"What is the plan exactly?" Marco asked.
"Aside from the obvious, we need this place as an offshore account for our funds. The high councilor needs to strike a deal with the owner to secure this place as Regime territory."
"That's right!" Garp snapped walking up to the group. "Gin Tesoro was able to buy off the Navy with his immense wealth and the Navy feared his devil fruit so they wouldn't dare enter here unless for gambling reasons. This woman is different, she's seeking our protection." Garp couldn't help but whistle impressed at the view, as the ship entered the tunnel leading to the front gates.
Dragon, Sabo, Luffy, and Bartholomew Kuma joined the others admiring the view of Gran Carina.
It felt like yesterday since the Straw Hat crew visited there. After regrouping with his forces in Wano at the edge of the massive country. The alliance needed a month to prep their attack. With nothing better to do they sailed for a nearby allied island to resupply. The crew got more than they bargained for, meeting a two hundred year old girl named Olga and the discovery of pure gold—which eventually lead them to this place.
Sighing Luffy folded his arms, it was not his preferred destination at the moment. His time would better be served hunting down Akainu. A rush of excitement hit him thinking of the ways he would utterly humiliate the man who stole everything from him. It would be too easy to waste him right away, he wondered how the former fleet admiral would fair without the rest of his limbs.
"HALT THIS IS PRIVATE PROPERTY, IDENTIFY YOURSELVES IMMEDIATELY!" The voice from the megaphone boomed towards the mothership.
Sabo commanded his soldiers to unveil their universal symbol. A large red triangular flag dropped from the mast— A dragon with the letters R and E were plastered on it.
The guards immediately withdrew their defensive stances.
"T-THE REGIME, WELCOME! YOUR IN DOCK ONE, ENJOY YOUR STAY AT GRAND CARINA." The voice boomed again—the sound of a dropped mic echoed throughout the docking station.
The Regime mothership nestled comfortably on the first station. The council took notice of the lack of ships in the harbor. Since it was just past mid afternoon, close to evening— it was understandable if it wasn't booming with business yet, the entertainment didn't start till later that night.
The Regime council made their way into the elevator ascending to the floor level of Gran Carina.
Reaching the top they came face to face with the welcoming party. Carina stood with her guards piled around her awaiting their arrival.
The councilmen had no need for guards. Besides the officers commandeering the mothership all the soldiers were on construction duty—building the capital of the world, the new royal city.
"Welcome Gentlemen to Gran Carina." The purple haired beauty smiled warmly. She looked confident as ever having ownership over her former employer's resort.
The high councilor stepped forward leading the group.
"Carina it's nice to see you again." He offered his hand to shake.
She shook it firmly. "It's an honor High councilor, is this your infamous council I heard so much about?" Carina inquired eyeing the group of warriors behind her. The woman lightly gasped at the sight of Katakuri, he looked more fearsome in person. The guards beside her could be heard mouthing "you gotta be fucking kidding me." At the sight of Totto Land's new ruler.
"Yeah let me introduce you." Luffy said acquainting his councilmen with Carina and her group properly.
Carina introduced her lawyers and accountants to the council. She couldn't help glancing at the high councilor. His outward demeanor changed dramatically. No longer did it reflect hopefulness, it reflected pain and indifference. The woman couldn't help but feel for his troubles; she was close to Nami as well.
"Well lets discuss business shall we?" Carina asked rhetorically heading toward the heart of the entertainment center.
The group wordlessly followed taking in the sights of the massive buildings and casinos.
Bartolomeo's attention shifted to a gentlemen's club sign. His tongue wagged out dramatically dangling out his mouth, drool pooling on his shoes.
Katakuri noticed the super rookie's disappearance. He roughly grabbed the man by his collar dragging him back towards the group.
"B-but Katakuri-sama! Think of the alcohol!" Bartolomeo barked like a bloodhound trying to unsuccessfully break free.
Katakuri launched the man in the air sending him flying toward the group. Quickly he activated his barrier to catch his fall. The council didn't pay his situation any mind, they simply continued to follow Carina's guards.
"Hey next time you do that I'll—" Bartolomeo froze at the stare Katakuri gave him—changing his tone immediately. "I'll just laugh ahaha, that was fun let's do it again ya?"
Katakuri continued to walk catching up to the group with a trailing Bartolomeo shouting apologies. The ruler of Totto Land couldn't help but grin under his mask at the apologetic pleas of the young rookie; having fans was nice for a change.
Catarina turned around to address Luffy and his council.
"The administration building is in the back of the resort, it will take a while to get there—just follow us." She said gesturing toward a large car.
Carina's group piled into the lead car, revving the engine signaling they were ready to go.
Luffy's council piled in their car as well. Katakuri sat in the passenger seat comfortably draping his feet over the large hood of the car, leaning back in his chair.
"Dammit, can you scoot your seat up?" Marco asked nearly hunched over.
"No." Katakuri smirked as Marco devilishly screamed about murdering him when they got out.
"What are you waiting for brother? Let's get moving." Sabo gestured toward the driver's seat.
Luffy looked at the waiting faces of his group back to the driving seat.
"Don't tell me grandson, you don't know how to drive?" Garp asked palming his forehead.
Dragon couldn't help but let out a series of chuckles, which ended up being contagious to the rest of the council.
A vein appeared on the high councilor's head. "So I'm the only one here that doesn't know how drive?" Luffy asked crossing his arms.
"Yes." They answered in unison.
Luffy could only stare at the drivers seat puzzled. The contraptions all looked complicated to him.
"Don't worry son, it's easy. It's like riding a bike— once you learn, you never forget." Dragon smirked.
"A what?" Luffy asked clearly not knowing what a bike is. The councilmen with the exception of Dragon face palmed.
"I suppose I walked right into that one." Dragon said rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly. "Get in, we'll teach you, it's easy."
Truth be told the councilmen were shaking in their shoes sweating. At any moment the high councilor could swerve into a building abruptly ending their lives. Even the unusually calm Raleigh was unnerved.
Luffy sat confidently in the seat as if he'd been driving his entire life. Luffy stepped on the pedal only for nothing to happen. Katakuri sweat dropped before starting the ignition for him. The vehicle roared to life, as the turtles began shuffling on the engine.
"Alright son, put the same foot you used to accelerate on the other pedal. Yes, good that's the brake, it's how we stop." Dragon said imagining Luffy forgetting about the brake and them horribly crashing into a building.
"Keep your foot on the brake, while you use the throttle to your right to put this thing in motion." Garp added nervously biting his nails.
Luffy did as he was instructed. He could feel the power of vehicle shift under their weight.
"Now slowly...press the gas." Dragon said calmly sinking into his seat.
Bartholomew Kuma who remained mostly silent up until this point spoke quietly. "High councilor their seems to be a miscal—"
The car sped backwards at a high speed throwing everyone for a loop. Bartolomeo screamed bloody murder at the top of his lungs.
"WERE GUNNA DIE!" The council screamed in unison.
The car came to an an abrupt stop, jerking everyone forward.
Katakuri shifted the throttle to forward, a vein appearing on his forehead.
"Alright that was my fault, now...slowly, press the gas." Raleigh said sinking back in his seat. He was positive Luffy couldn't mess up this time.
Luffy lightly tapped the pedal before slamming the brake rapidly, causing everyone to jerk forward.
Another vein appeared on Katakuri's head as he glared at the high councilor.
"Easy..." he spoke trying to get the young man to calm down.
The driver slowly stepped on the pedal firmly easing the vehicle toward the awaiting escort car.
The councilmen shared high fives and whistles as their leader had successfully driven a car.
Luffy thought it was a complicated process to begin with, but once eased into—it was simple.
The vehicle pushed forward to pull up right behind the awaiting car. Carina gestured for their car to pull up right next to hers.
"So how bout it high councilor, should we race to the administrative building?" Carina smiled warmly. For a brief second Luffy could've mistaken Carina for his navigator.
"Your on!" Luffy smirked revving the engine.
The council were considering to walk at this point; their lives weren't worth it. However there was a catch.
"If you win, dinners on me—If we win dinner on you." Carina said smirking while gassing her engine up.
"Piece of cake." Luffy said returning her smirk. He couldn't help lock eyes with her for a brief second before turning towards the open road.
A female guard stepped in front of the two cars holding a checkered flag. Raising it above her head, she nodded towards both the drivers before dropping it.
In a flash the two racers were off. Luffy slightly swerved before regaining traction trailing behind Carina's caravan.
Luffy's car lagged slightly despite him pressing the petal down fully. Gran Carina's road was a straight away the entire way through. The width of the pavement made it impossible to pass without driving on the sidewalk.
Katakuri desperately held onto to the wheel out of fear Luffy would lose control. The vehicle sped slightly faster still tailing the leader.
As they neared the finish line the council's car had gotten farther behind. Luffy called on Bartolomeo to do something. The super rookie against his better judgement placed a ramp barrier in front of their car.
Their vehicle flew higher than anticipated soaring through the sky. The men shouted their last prayers as they sailed over Carina's car skidding to a halt. The rubber tires nearly caught fire to accommodate the force of the landing. The councilmen exited the car touching the high councilor's shoulders as they passed him; they truly almost lost their lives.
Luffy could only mutter something about piece of cake before slumping on the wheel.
"Way to think on your feet, I've never lost a race before." Carina smiled offering her hand to him. Luffy glanced at her face, he could've sworn the woman had orange hair as the evening glow illuminated her features. He took her hand as she pulled him to his feet.
"Told ya it'd be a piece of cake." Luffy exclaimed puffing his chest out.
"Ya uh huh, without your buddies you would've been toast shishi." Carina chuckled placing her hands on her hips, leaning toward the high councilor.
Luffy couldn't help draw parallels between her and Nami. It was a given they were close in their days back in the East Blue. She had known his navigator before he had. He wondered if she knew about the incident; if the woman did, she showed no outward indication of it.
"This better be all you can eat." Luffy said sticking his hands in his pockets heading to join their combined forces.
"You bet your rubber ass it is shishi." Carina couldn't help showing him a smile. She defiantly reminded him of her, it brought a slight smile to his face.
Carina gave them a tour of the bottom floor. It wasn't anything too fancy, most of this building was dedicated to running the large facility. However the private dining hall was impressive to say the least.
Rows and rows of food piled on the grand dining table making the council salivate.
"Ok so why don't we get down to...to.." Carina couldn't finish as the Regime leaders chomped down the nearest tray to them.
Carina's group could only watch in horror as hours worth of food preparation was scarfed down within minutes.
"O-our food.." one of the lawyers said trying in vain to grab the tray Luffy had snatched away.
Katakuri looked around at the gluttonous way the council ate, no manners, no holds barred. He slowly lifted down his mask to start eating as well; they could care less about his appearance.
"Such animals.." an accountant could barley speak trying to unsuccessfully grab at a plate.
After the meal the group were literally stuffed, slumping in their chairs.
"Um...are you guys ready to talk business now?" Carina asked awkwardly organizing her papers. They nearly cleaned out their administrative kitchen in less than a half an hour.
Sabo burped loudly gulping his drink.
"Let's get to it." The council haded the documents to the lawyers on the right side of the table.
After reading the documents they shouted in surprise. "You want us to keep half your earnings here?!" One of them shouted.
"Why not? It's secure enough." Garp said picking his nose to the disgust of the lawyers, in return he flung it at them causing them to squeal.
"The problem is we'll have enemies attack this place. My customers, and employees will be in danger, I have to protect them!" Carina said raising her tone.
Luffy understood her position. They could provide them Regime forces if Carina's camp agreed to something else. "We can give you everything you want. I trust you, so the Regime would like to invest in Gran Carina." Luffy exclaimed scouring the table for more meat.
"Why would you want to invest in us?" Carina asked, curiosity getting the best of her.
Raleigh adjusted his glasses before explaining their position. "It's actually quite simple Ms. Carina, we want you guys to expand as we do. We've grown exponentially since the previous government's demise. We want you to open more locations of your remarkable resort all over the world. Also to keep our money flowing by keeping it tucked away in your vaults. This is the best option for both parties." Raleigh concluded sipping his tea.
Carina listened to the wise man speak about their investment plans. She couldn't deny, it was a very savvy plan. But she needed the Regime's absolute protection at a whim—she wanted in on their club.
"Okay, I'll sign these papers agreeing to your terms. But I want to be an honorary member of your council. I want in the loop." Carina smirked knowing she had them handcuffed.
Barsalino could only wear a stupid grin. "Hmm...I like her, I say we vote yes." He spoke smiling warmly towards the group.
"Shut up! It's not a vote!" Marco shouted.
"My instincts tell me she's being truthful." Katakuri stated to no one in particular.
"Don't say stuff like that out lo—" Sabo started but quickly changed his stance when he saw the man's glare. "I agree with Katakuri, his instincts are always correct." Sabo said giving him a cheesy smile, forcing Katakuri to grin.
"You want to be our financial advisor and official Regime treasurer to the council, that's fine with me—no one here will object to that. On top of that our original deal stands, you'll have it all." Luffy grinned gulping down his sake.
Carina leaned back in her chair satisfied. Her team got everything she sought, especially after the meeting they held that morning and more. She was technically a member of the Regime council; an equal of sorts. Military strategy was off limits, but she had no interest in that field. Carina was right where she wanted to be.
Everyone in the room stood up shaking hands like old friends.
"Private golf course..." Kizaru said traiing off with rare stars in eyes listening to an accountant speak.
Kizaru, Kuma, and Dragon all followed the business man and his associate out the door heading to the course.
Marco, Sabo, and Bartolomeo eagerly ran out the door shouting something about a gentlemen's club.
"Well what should we do big guy?" Garp asked folding his arms.
"I hate casinos." He simply said. It wasn't much to go on.
"May I suggest our executive private luxury mermaid pools." A guard stated causing the men to leak blood out their noses.
Without another word they pushed the guard out the door demanding to escort them there.
Luffy stood alone with Carina in the middle of the room.
"I like your council, I'll fit in well shishi." She noticed he was lost in his thoughts not quite in the moment. His eyes reflected an unyielding constant pain.
"You don't want to join your group?" Carina asked trying to bring him back.
Luffy looked at her with a slightly surprised look before calming. "Na, I'd much rather be at my garden." Luffy said backing away slightly. He didn't know why he was so honest with her. He supposed because she was a link to his past life. Carina's hair had grown slightly longer only reminded him of her more.
"You have a garden? That sounds nice." Carina slightly smiled. She had a pretty good hunch as to why he had one.
As much the high councilor wanted to talk privately he figured the new navy would arrive late that night when the entertainment started. He shouldn't interfere his emotions with his work, but he needed talk to this woman who was the link to his past.
As if reading his mind she asked. "Would you like to eat more, we have all types of meat."
Carina ordered more meat for him while the two sat at the empty table. The woman watched him with wonder as he dug into his plates unmercifully. If there was one thing that hadn't changed about him, it was the appetite.
"Everything went well today, I'm glad." She offered.
"Same." He wasn't much of a conversationalist.
Carina couldn't believe the news when she first heard about the incident at Mariejois. The straw hats were an impressive bunch, especially their captain—their last time on Gran Tesoro proved that to her. She seen first hand the lengths this man would go to save his friends. She could only imagine the grief he was still feeling; The Straw hats attended the funeral but he was nowhere in sight.
"Hey Luffy?" She asked immediately causing his heart to stop. The meat dropped from his hands, he quickly looked to her hoping to see his navigator; it was just Carina—it sounded so much like her, his heart sank.
"Yes." He answered continuing to eat his fill.
"It's none of my business, but why weren't you at the funeral?" Carina asked staring right through him.
"I couldn't... I just couldn't, I still see her ya know. To me she's not gone...she's..still with me in a way." Luffy grimly said, looking to her briefly before standing to get up.
Carina grabbed his hand urging him to sit back down. He obliged taking his seat once more.
"I was her friend too, tell me." She urged.
Luffy sighed before continuing. "Nami was..." he couldn't quite find the words. "The navigator of crew, and my life—without her, I lost my way. With the unforgivable sins I've committed, she would never want to see me again." The sorrow hit him like a ton of bricks. Just talking about her was painful. In his mind she should still be here; scolding him, hitting him, loving him, guiding him. More than anything he wished to move on from this life to be with her, even if the world needed him.
"That's not true Luffy." Carina said shaking her head. "We may have been separated for awhile, but I could tell the moment we met her possessiveness of you. I was always out to get her treasure, and the night we met was no different; You were her treasure, she was smitten with you."
Luffy smiled slightly thinking back to that moment in time. The high councilor continued to listen to her tales about her experiences with his navigator in their earlier days. Luffy swore he could listen to her go on forever as the time passed. Eventually he opened up about the stories of him and his crew, sharing the good times. Luffy began to miss those times, reminiscing with fondness. The time passed to the late evening with the two fondly sharing stories.
"Hey Luffy, would you mind following me?" Carina asked standing from the table.
"Sure." He said simply, he trusted her completely.
He followed her to the elevator. The two ascended to the top floor. Carina's office overlooked the entire resort.
Luffy whistled proudly. "Best view on the island."
"Damn straight." Carina snapped pouring both of them drinks.
The pair enjoyed their drinks in comfortable silence watching as the night sky illuminated the few visible stars.
Luffy stood admiring the view, he was pulled from his thoughts when he felt Carina hug him from behind.
He turned to face her and she refused to let him go.
"Carina..." he said softly trying to pry her off.
"Your so hurt, I can feel your pain. Let me help you..." she said still not looking at him. She lightly pushed him against her desk propping her leg across his lap, he had no external reaction.
Despite her disappointment she leaned up to kiss him. He stopped her pulling her shoulders back.
"Don't get me wrong, you're a beautiful woman, but this won't help me." Luffy stated prying her leg from him to stand up fully. She reluctantly let him go still not taking her eyes off him.
"Why won't you let me heal you? I can help..."
"NO!" He harshly shouted a flash of anger on his features. Carina distanced herself from him to stand a few feet away.
Luffy felt guilty for his outburst, she didn't deserve that. "I-I'm sorry Carina, but I can never be healed. I'll never get her back or my son, without them, it's all meaningless." Luffy said downing his cup of alcohol in one swig.
The realization hit Carina in the heart like a bullet. It all made sense to her now. She knew the two were intimate based on what he told her earlier—but the way he pushed her away just now confirmed it; the man lost the love of his life. Her former rival and friend was the mother of his unborn.
Tears streamed down the woman's face as the glass nearly slipped from her hand. Feeling the urgent need to sit, she sat at her chair behind her desk, shakily drinking from her glass.
Carina could barley look at the high councilor who studied her. "I'm so sorry for your loss, I-I didn't know... You must've truly loved her." Carina said releasing an audible sob.
"It's fine, you didn't know." Luffy offered leaving it at that. He approached the distraught woman placing his hand on her shoulder.
"Thanks for the concern Carina. But don't worry about me, I have my council." Luffy half smiled pulling her up into a hug.
Luffy could feel his empty glass, he went to refill it, releasing his hold on the shaking woman.
"Luffy?" She asked causing stop in his tracks. Carina got closer standing arms length from him. "You exude so much pain, your sorrow is patchwork of blackness with no time for joy. How do you cope with it?" She asked glaring at the back of his head.
He turned around to face her before answering, "I have a mikan garden."
A satisfied smile reached Carina's lips before the transponder snail at her desk rang of the hook.
"What is it? Already?! Alright we're on our way." Carina said turning to the high councilor.
"The guests of the evening are here earlier than expected."
"That's fine." Luffy responded tapping his black den den mushi on his wrist to alert his council.
The two made their way to the ground floor meeting with their respective groups.
"We will meet with them first. Intervene when you feel free." Carina said to the council before heading out the door, her posse following close behind.
The council put their plan into motion. Once Fujitora and his group made it into the heart of the island they would take them into custody or execute them based on their foe's actions.
"High councilor." Kuma spoke calmly gaining his leader's attention. "CP0 is dangerous as you know, but our scouts picked up something interesting. The celestials that accompany them are in an occult. They use magic as their primary source of weaponry. I advise extreme caution, even you are not immune despite your remarkable resistance to nearly everything."
Luffy nodded approvingly for the invaluable information. "Thanks for the heads up Bartholomew." The android slightly bowed showing his appreciation.
The group went over the plan one more time, dispersing to their positions.
Carina approached Isshin Fujitora, Ryokugyu Greenbull, former marine captain Coby, Rob Lucci, Spandam, Kuku, Stussy, three tall masked CP-0 assassins and a host of former marine soldiers; a formidable group.
"Welcome to Gran Carina gentlemen and lady." She smiled at the woman who just glared.
Fujitora came here to strike a deal with this woman. He needed a place to rebuild the new Navy and restore justice to the world. In their minds Monkey D. Luffy and his Regime were throwing the world out of balance with their dangerous ideology of freedom of expression. The blind samurai lived long enough to sense a corrupt ruler.
"We plan to give you eight billion beli, all our remaining funds from the Navy reserve. In exchange we would like to seek refuge here to rebuild our government." Coby spoke stepping to the forefront.
Carina smirked at the sum of beli they were offering. "I can do that, though.. you need to provide protection against the Regime."
Greenbull spit his chewing tobacco on the ground at the mention of the Regime. "Rahahaha! The Regime won't last sweetheart, they gotta broken leader; bunch of pussies." He stated continuing to obnoxiously chew and spit his tobacco.
Carina didn't appreciate his foul language or insults toward her business partners. She just had to keep them talking a little longer. It was strange, she didn't see any Celestial Dragons in sight. They must be tucked away on their ship.
"But you guys CAN handle them right?" Carina asked folding her arms over her chest noticing Greenbull's stare.
The cocky former admiral laughed again. "We'll kill em all, just agree to the terms of our investment." Rob Lucci added stepping forward.
"Why don't you guys come to a ceasefire, I'm sure there's no need to kill each other." Carina said trying to talk them down.
"Even if we wanted too, they killed the sworn people we promised to protect. The Regime must fall, for all they've done." Fujitora stated. He was out for blood, there would be no ceasefire from him.
Carina disagreed emphatically with the new Navy's views. To her they seemed to possess an outdated philosophy that the world had not agreed with anymore. The Regime offered freedom of expression in all aspects of life. The World Governemt oppressed and allowed slavery to persist throughout the world; the Regime abolished all that.
"Hey you! You don't agree with the Regime's ways?" Carina asked glaring at the pink haired captain. He looked like the only one who was unsure about his position.
"I- uh—" sensing his hesitation Rob Lucci spoke again.
"We don't have time to waste, is it a deal or—" he paused to see the Regime council approach stepping past Carina's posse.
"There will be no deal. You will bow down or face the consequences of your actions." The high councilor commanded.
The Regime didn't try to hide or sneak attack. They would take this group head on ready to take them down in an instant.
Greenbull pushed past his group to stare down the high councilor.
"I've been waiting for this for a long time. I've killed a lot of people to get here, all that death—just so I could kill you." The sadistic former admiral said licking his lips.
Borsalino looked over his former comrades. "Hmm... Ryokugyu, good to see you're still a prick." He turned his attention to Fujitora. "Oh my, this year has not been kind to you Isshin." The sharply dressed man just shook his head.
"Borsalino you're a traitorous coward" Fujitora said placing his hand on his hilt.
Garp could only stare at his former pupil Coby who had his attention focused on the high councilor. He was really planning to kill him; the young man was a fool.
Rob Lucci's pigeon Hattori flew away sensing the impending battle.
Sabo ignited his flames ready for his rematch with Rob Lucci. The last time they battled it was interrupted by the possible annihilation of the island. There would be no interruption this time, he would finish him.
The two factions stared each other down intently waiting for the other to make the first move. Carina and her group watched from a safe distance away. They could only pray the Regime were victorious.
Kuku used his Ushi Ushi no Mi fruit transforming into a giraffe hybrid, while Rob Lucci did the same tearing out of his suit—turning into his leopard form.
Luffy and Greenbull charged each other like street brawlers throwing punches rapidly toward one another. The others joined in swinging furiously at their foes. The two groups pushed into each other creating a mob of fighters.
Sabo struck Lucci's leg before sending his flaming pipe toward his chin knocking him backwards. The emperor used his tiger fist to combat the immensely powerful Rokushiki attacks put forth. The two exchanged hooks nearly knocking one another out.
The cowardly Spandam did not want to fight Luffy. He got knocked out in one hit the last time he was here—even with Luffy trapped in sea prism chains. Smartly he engaged Bartolomeo, who waved his hand urging him to come forth. Surrounding his hands in impenetrable barriers the two engaged in a brutal fist fight. The second division commander broke Spandam's nose off the bat. Angrily the man responded by pulling his sea prism chain, whipping Bartolomeo unmercifully and temporarily disabling his ability.
Katakuri, engaged the giraffe hybrid eyeing it with curiosity. Even with the animal standing eighteen feet at its full height. Katakuri stood tall not backing down an inch. "Stop this boy, I don't want to end your life like this." He spoke predicting the man's next move. As the giraffe charged with all its might. Katakuri didn't feel anything as the spikes from its head pierced his adhesive like body. In one motion he summoned Mogura the trident, stabbing the animal right through the gut causing it to let out a blood curdling scream. Using his strength he pushed the hybrid on its back pushing the trident deeper, slashing all the way to its neck killing him instantly.
The new navy flinched at the brutal nature of the Regime leaders. They had no mercy to people who opposed them. Katakuri gutted one of their youngest members like a fish, no remorse in his eyes.
Luffy slashed his foe across the torso using his chaos flame. He was holding off his dragon form, he couldn't afford to destroy his investment. The two engaged in a brutal combat to the death as Greenbull kicked his chest sending him to a knee before sending a follow up one to the back of his neck, stunning him temporarily.
Barsalino teleported around Fujitora rapidly, toying with his opponent. The blind samurai stuck his sword out cutting his opponent's side. In a flash Barsalino plunged his light sword toward his foe only to be parried.
"Your getting a little sloppy Borsalino." Fujitora smirked.
"No, I'm still simply in golf mode." Kizaru calmly stated manifesting his light sword once again, clashing with Fujitora. The two gave each other a slash on the arm before circling around one another.
Garp blocked every punch thrown by his former student. This kid wasn't ready for this stage yet, he was clearly outmatched. The older general quickly kneed Coby in the stomach before hitting him in the nape putting the young man to sleep. Garp could only shake his head moving onto to assist Dragon, Marco, and Katakuri who were battling the mysterious masked assassins.
Kuma stood in his sumo stance waiting for his opponent to charge him. The android wanted nothing to do with her fighting him. There was only one option and one only. Stussy charged him, rearing her powerful fist back. Activating his Nikyu Nikyu no Mi fruit he pushed the woman to another location as she disappeared from the island; vanishing from sight. "May you not pursue a life of misery and despair." Kuma spoke softly sending a prayer to the woman. He had no desire to end her life when she was following around people; never having the true experience of choosing her life—he freed her.
The Gran Carina guards held the Navy at bay, inspired by the Regime Council's brutal brawl. Silver Kings Raleigh battled along side them making sure they were protected. Despite his desire to assist his comrades, they still had an obligation to protect Carina's officers like they were their own; Raleigh was truly, the brilliant thinker of the group.
Bartolomeo summoned a barrier around Spandam before he slowly started to draw the walls in from every direction. Spandam smirked slashing the barriers with his prism chains knowing it could cut. Much to his surprise and confusion his chain had no effect, the barrier remained undamaged.
"Sorry pal, your gunna need something stronger. Too bad you won't get the chance, this is it for you." Bartolomeo said blood leaking from his wounds.
"Wait! Wait! I'll join you!" Spandam begged seeing what the super rookie's intentions were. The man desperately clutched the barrier pleading for mercy.
"The high councilor would never accept a coward like you, you lost your chance bud." Bartolomeo brought his hands together slowly closing the barrier around the man.
"N-no, A-argh!" The man screamed as the barrier became small enough to contort the man's body in an unnatural formation. Releasing the barrier, Spandam fell out with a soft thud—every bone in his body was broken.
The masked assassins found themselves stuck in Katakuri's adhesive body. It gave Dragon an opening to punch one of them causing their neck to snap loudly. Garp rose his hands above his head before slapping his palms together, the force exerted smashing the assassin's skull like a watermelon. Marco finished the last one impaling him through the torso with flaming talons, burning them to ashes. The Cp-0 assassins were all but dead.
Fujitora sensing the shift in battle pressed the small den den mushi on his wrist activating his contingency plan. Losing his concentration for a split second was all Borsalino needed knocking the sword from his hand. Before he could make a move he was pounced on by Kizaru. The man infused his fists with light speedily punching the downed samurai's face. Once his face was bloodied, Kizaru could only use his hands for one thing, they were too bruised for anything else. He wrapped his hands around Fujitora's neck squeezing with as much pressure his body would allow.
"S-scum!" Fujitora spat at Kizaru who only tightened his grip. The air began leaving his lungs as he kicked his legs desperately trying to reach his sword which lay inches away. Kizaru applied more pressure causing him to choke on his own air.
"I told you I would kill you with my bare hands." Kizaru said as Fujitora clawed at Kizaru's face knocking his shades off. The samurai gave out one last desperate gasp finally laying still.
Rob Lucci and Greenbull noticed the deaths of their comrades realizing they were being surrounded. Enraged Lucci slashed Sabo's side causing him to bleed, he fell on a knee in pain. Katakuri noticing Sabo's situation, summoned his adhesive once again— sticking the leopard man on the wall. He struggled in vein to free himself despite his best efforts. Katakuri calmly walked up to the hybrid placing his hands on his face.
"W-wait, please No!" Rob Lucci begged before Katakuri snapped his neck unceremoniously bringing an end to his life.
Luffy could see Celestial Dragons finally appearing, firing different colored incantations at him. He assumed it was the magic Kuma had warned him about earlier. They were heading for Carina, he ditched his fight with Greenbull to keep her out of harm's way.
A mysterious figure watched from the shadows luring the high councilor into a trap. "Thats it you son of a bitch just a little further."
Luffy yelled at the accountants and lawyers to find safety; they quickly obeyed. He noticed four celestials standing in four corners of the road, evenly spaced out.
"Come and get her demon." The Celestial taunted holding a knife to her throat.
Luffy could hear the four celestial dragons in the formation chanting loudly in sync to themselves. Before he could move a crowd of celestials charged him, throwing spells in his direction. The magic users damaged him more than he thought. It hurt more than an ordinary haki blast. Without his dragon form he became overwhelmed being stomped on as he lay on the ground.
"Luffy!" Carina screamed worrying for him.
It reminded him of Nami's voice. The pain caused him to rise up enraged igniting his forearms with chaos flames. The group continued to kick and stomp him.
"Motherfuckers!" He shouted incinerating one of the celestials leg off. Luffy hopped to his feet bringing his flaming blades out. Rapidly stabbing one in the torso brutally, before slicing an approaching celestial's arm clean off.
As one rushed him from behind bravely, Luffy instinctively jammed the blade through the man's skull. He continued slaying the celestials, sparing no one as they desperately sent more spells at him.
Greenbull was being tossed around like a rag doll by the council. They beat him to a pulp until he could barley stand.
He spit out a pool of blood before sticking a handful of tobacco in his mouth.
"You guys really are monsters, I hope you realize your not making the world better your— uh, uh." He couldn't finish his thought, Marco shot a flaming bullet through the back of his skull making sure it exited his forehead.
"Yeah, yeah we heard that played out shit before." Marco said sticking his hands in his pockets.
"Sabo!" Luffy yelled after killing Carina's captor. He threw her towards his brother. Sabo swiftly caught her despite his injury.
Luffy realized his situation. The four celestials were continuing to chant despite their comrades being slaughtered. His legs were bound to the spot on the ground, he was stuck. Before he could blink a red large symbol glowed around his legs extending to the four chanting celestials.
"What the hell?" Luffy asked himself trying desperately to escape.
"We have to get to the high councilor!" Katakuri snapped forcing the council to trail him.
"It's too late to run! So long, high councilor!" Mr. Tanaka shouted slamming his hands on the large glowing symbol.
A large portal opened beneath Luffy drawing him in. Desperately he tried transforming to his dragon release state, only for it to have no effect. The bottomless pit was sucking him in. It felt completely different from the last one him and Franky got pulled into.
Katakuri ignored Mr Tanaka activating his adhesive form, slithering toward Luffy. The portal's barrier sent him reeling in pain. He stretched his arm to grab Luffy only to be repelled a second time.
Borsalino desperately tried to teleport himself to get to the high councilor only to get the same result. "This is impossible, not even light can penetrate this." He spoke evenly.
Sabo and Carina ran to the outside of the barrier seeing Luffy now falling into the pit. "BROTHER!" Sabo shouted trying to teleport to grab him. He was repelled swiftly, being sent back by the forcefield.
The council could only watch helplessly as Luffy fell further and further. They desperately tried to break the portal's defenses to no avail. A moment later the celestials who were chanting disintegrated into dust and the portal closed.
The council stared back at the pavement and a crazed Mr. Tanaka who could only cackle uncontrollably at their expressions.
"Where is my brother?! Tell me or I'm going to burn a hole through your god damn face!" Sabo yelled grabbing the sorcerer's collar.
"Hehehe, your brother... he's somewhere he'll never escape. For what his crew took away from me, I put him where he belongs." Mr. Tanaka laughed once again. Sabo raised his flamed fist to end his life.
"Sabo, don't." Carina said placing her arm around his.
"Luffy will get out of this, wherever he's at— this piece of shit is not worth it." She spoke. Reluctantly he let the man go throwing him on the pavement.
Katakuri approached the crazed man.
"Where did you send the high councilor?" He asked calmly.
"Somewhere you can't even fathom. Somewhere the celestials send the most powerful enemies they deem immortal, or too powerful to kill." Mr. Tanaka spoke rubbing his eyepatch.
"Well what do we do with him?" Raleigh asked looking back towards the council.
"We don't have a use for him! He just sent the high councilor somewhere we don't even know! We should just off the fucker!" Marco yelled fed up with the current situation.
"I agree." Sabo added.
"Sabo, please promise me you won't kill him, I know him." Carina begged still holding his arm.
"Carina but he..."
"I didn't kill him..." interjected. "If he truly is to be the ruler of the free world, this should be nothing to him but a vacation."
The group could only stare at him, they still wanted to end his life.
"We can't take him with us..." Garp said slinging a still unconscious Coby over his shoulder.
Carina stepped up once again. "He can work for me, please he lost everything. Please." She pleaded again looking to Sabo.
"Alright Carina." He agreed. She rushed in his arms hugging him tightly. He released her after a few moments to turn his attention back to the crazed sorcerer.
"If he isn't back in a week, we're coming for you." Sabo exclaimed. With one more warm hug, Carina kissed him on the cheek bidding the council farewell.
"Thank you for trusting me Sabo." She said softly.
Sabo could only smile slightly before turning his attention back to Mr. Tanaka who was being detained by her officers, his attitude turned serious.
"One week Mr. Tanaka." He stated turning on his heel back toward the Regime mothership.
The council walked in silence, their minds drifted to their leader. He could be anywhere in the world by now. As they sailed away from Gran Carina, they could only wait, hoping he would return.
"Luffy, wake up"
"Nami?"
"Wake up.."
"Nami.."
Luffy jolted awoke in a daze, his breath returning to him as he gasped for air. He rubbed his head from the soaring headache and blacking out. The last thing he remembered was his councilmen unsuccessfully trying to pull him out of the portal. Examining his surroundings he found himself in a small cave, the walls were basked in a red glow. The temperature unusually hot, resembling the hottest days in the Alabastan summer. The only light came from the torches lined high on the wall. Darkness surrounded the area in the farthest corner of the room.
Before he could focus up ahead he heard an all too familiar laugh behind him.
"Zehahaha!" The voice laughed.
Turning around he snatched one of the torches from the wall approaching the laugh.
A large man was tied from the neck down in chains hung up on the wall like a decoration trophy. Luffy held the torch up to the man recognizing him immediately.
"Blackbeard."
"I told you I'd see you in hell, Strawhat. Zehahaha!"
A/N: Next Hellverse Chapter, Luffy enters the 9 stages of hell.