A/N: Even though I could care less about how many people read this story. I'm truly blessed and humbled receiving 4,750+ views on this story in a month. On AO3 & Wattpad it barley got 400 combined. So a thank you to everyone who has bothered to give this a try, and as always enjoy the reading.
It had been nearly ten minutes since the high councilor arrived on the mysterious island surrounded in mist that supposedly held the last remaining remnants of the old world government. Navy personnel, Celestial Dragons, and supposedly a host of slaves still under the tyranny of their masters. The only information obtained in their recent discovery was the island abandoned factories were only a front. The heart of the island laid dormant underground possibly housing hundreds of citizens at a time. Other than that anything else was a shot in the dark, besides the obvious s.o.s call. The ominous message was an automated emergency broadcast meaning all the citizens could've died due to the what was reported as a 'biohazard or chemical spill.'
Luffy reached the Regime ship towed in the pristine dock. He landed on bridge of the ship returning to his human form. The navigator and a few ship commanders greeted him relieved that he showed up.
"H-high councilor thank you for coming we didn't think—"
"It's fine, just fill me in on what's going on?" Luffy said wanting to get right to business.
A petite blonde woman spoke up taking charge. "We landed here two days ago. It was supposed to be a simple retrieve and rescue mission like you requested. Apprehend the old government supporters and rescue the captives but something happened they—" she shook her head trying to speak through her tears.
"So you sent in the forces and not one has returned huh?" Luffy questioned putting his hand under his chin in contemplation.
Hearing their leaders voice she regained her composure. "Yes thirty soldiers went in and all we have left is the s.o.s transmission being broadcasted deep in the underground facility." She answered hoping the high councilor would have a solution.
"Sir should we wait for reinforcements?" the frantic young man shouted breaking him from his concentration.
Luffy glanced at them all before responding, "I am the reinforcements, I was sent here personally because of the potential danger of this mission."
"We think it could be that bastard Cesar who led the soldiers in leading the liberation. He claimed the underground facility had a large portion of the old world government's publications, balance sheets, and other top secret knowledge held there." The woman said holding her gaze on their leader.
"It's not him, he would do that just to be hunted down, he's too much of a coward for that," he turned towards the door to leave, "call home base and tell councilman Garp I've made contact." Before long he was off flying toward the distant factories disappearing into the mist.
A short while later he burst through the fortified factory gates smashing through the building's solid bricks walls landing in the middle of place.
Nothing out of the ordinary, besides the silence and lack of light it looked like an ordinary abandoned factory. Luffy made his way to the elevator as the emergency yellow light blinked rapidly nearly blinding him.
He pressed the panel button a few times as the elevator doors opened immediately. The lift made its way down numerous floors taking a minute; Luffy opted to pull out a cigar, smoking to pass the time.
The doors opened revealing a white hallway leading to a long winding stairwell at the end. Floors and walls looked in pristine conditions as if never being touched.
Luffy extended his wings gliding down the flights of stairs into the depths of the underground labyrinth. At the bottom of the stairs he could see numerous hallways leading in all different directions. There were four paths heading off into different sectors. The high councilor approached the one to the left heading down that way leisurely.
It was only a short walk until he turned right leading to another flight of stairs leading into the men-women dormitories along with a gymnasium and pool. The lights were still intact with no sign of malfunction meaning the generators were running just fine; something in the place felt off.
Luffy walked through the dorms searching for anyone to no avail. Hallway after hallway there was no movement or sound. It wasn't until he walked past the gymnasium doors he could see shadowed figures move to the corners of the room. He smashed through the doors only to have roughly twenty guns aimed at him from a distance, at the helm of the group stood Cesar the Clown.
"H-high councilor?!" Cesar squeaked forcing the Regime soldiers to immediately lower their guns apologetically.
"What the hell's going on here? Why are you guys hiding like this?!" Luffy asked seeing the frightened expression on everyones' faces—they all stood consoling one another.
"Cesar!" Luffy spoke louder forcing the man to look at him directly. "What the hell is going on here?" He repeated, the cigar continuing to burn from his frustration.
The former pirate avoided his eyes looking anywhere but him. "I-I don't know...I...I don't know high councilor." He states glumly.
"You don't know? Why hide here? Where is everyone else, the people of this facility? Answer me!" He was losing starting to lose his patience.
Cesar looked like he was about to answer before tears threatened to spill from his eyes shutting his mouth once again. He opened it again only for no sound to come forth.
The high councilor rallied everyone together forcing them to follow him despite their trepidation. Despite their fear of talking they were still willing to follow him, which was a good sign.
'What the hell is wrong with everybody?' Was the only thought that rang through his head. Everyone trailed his pace as they went back the way they came.
"H-high councilor... we mustn't go this way." Cesar said almost too quietly to hear. Luffy ignored his nonsensical statement wanting to guide the surviving soldiers and Cesar to the exit before proceeding further into the facility.
"The hell are you talking about Cesar this is the way to the exit." Luffy said halting his stride. He noticed the haunted looks accompanying the parties' expressions as they started rapidly taking steps backwards.
Luffy turned his head toward the hallway noticing a downed figure sitting on the opposite wall unmoving. He wondered how the figure got there since he just came from that way not too long ago.
"We need to get out of here." Cesar said quietly shrinking back toward the cowering group of soldiers. Luffy frowned at the group although he couldn't blame them. They were obviously new recruits who hadn't the slightest clue what they got themselves into; the rookies just wanted to go home.
Luffy held his hand up signaling them to keep put to which none of them objected. He continued approaching the downed man slowly calling out asking if he was alright. Standing a few feet away he examined the fallen man's injuries. His body covered in a rash resembling hives. Blood leaked from his mouth slightly.
The man's eyes shot open darting around the room rapidly before settling upon Luffy who stood there with a blank expression.
"Hey buddy, you alright?" Luffy asked again approaching the man to stand a few feet away as he stood up slowly. The groans resembled wails he heard back in hell during the arrival.
The high councilor took a few steps back himself seeing the man's blood stained teeth as they clamped together rapidly creating an echo that bounced off the walls.
"Look I don't want to kill you, I'm here too—" before he could finish the man grabbed Luffy. The high councilor pushed the man's shoulder's back keeping him at bay, his strength was far superior to a normal humans. The man's milky white eyes glared at him menacingly as the blood stained teeth chomped towards him.
After narrowly dodging a bite to the head, he disintegrated the man in seconds using his chaos flames. Luffy's heavy breathing was the only sound that filled the ominous hallway.
"What the hell was that about?" He asked to himself before numerous groans coming from down the hall opposite of the group could be heard.
"N-no, this is the end." Cesar gasped pushing the soldiers back behind his arms protectively. "High councilor we have to run."
Luffy stood unmoving from his spot seeing people emerge from the darkened rooms ahead resembling the man he just slain.
"These are no different from hell spawns—"
"No! Don't let them bite you!" Cesar spat out unmoving from his position.
Luffy backed up towards the group seeing the slow moving biters stalk toward them. They struggled to walk through the crammed doorway, nearly tripping over one another, standing shoulder to shoulder as many made their way toward them.
"We have to run..." Cesar repeated barley above a whisper.
"Screw that! Regime soldiers, we put our lives on the line, we fight till the death." Luffy said igniting his forearms in cerulean and black flames, as haki surrounded his body.
Only a few soldiers stood beside their leader as he showed an acknowledged nod of respect toward the brave warriors.
"Aim for the head sir." A soldier spoke readying herself.
The three began hacking their way through the mob of biters as they lunged toward attempting to grab one of the members of the trio. Luffy defended his soldiers slicing arms off, and plunging his bladed arms through their skulls.
Even with their valiant effort the horde's hunger was endless as they pressed the group back even more.
"Cesar a little help!" Luffy asked glancing back. The clown and the rest of the soldiers were long gone.
"Fucking coward." Luffy spat becoming enraged. The flames burned brighter igniting the darkness of the hallway. These enemies confused the hell out of the high councilor. During his adventures he has run into every type of enemy. Including those that defied comprehension and bordered in the supernatural— servants of the almighty, hell-spawns, and zombies in Thriller Bark.
These biters were far different then recent enemies he faced; and especially the reanimated corpses from nearly three years ago. The enemies were relentless showing no outward fear of death, nor anger toward their fellow kind being slaughtered. Their pattern was unnerving as all they sought was to devour them. The biters white eyes bored into the trio as they slowly retreated on their heels as the horde made their way closer to them.
The female soldier screamed in pain as a biter got her on the forearm squirting blood on the wall. Luffy pulled her to him continuing to torch the approaching horde. The woman began bandaging her arm muttering she was okay.
Another blood curdling scream broke the high councilor out of his thoughts as the male soldier got grabbed by a biter roughly. Luffy grabbed onto his uniform collar pulling with all his might. With their combined strength, the horde held him in position long enough to sink their teeth into him.
"Go...Go N-n.." Luffy took rapid steps backwards releasing the fallen man's collar as the horde consumed him in an instant sinking their teeth into his flesh spraying blood all over the hallway. A pool of blood leaked from his body towards the high councilor's feet.
Luffy slaughtered and killed before in some brutal and savage ways. But this was far different; even he flinched when he heard the rough crunch of a bone coming from the group of biters eating his soldier. There was something that unnerved him about the human teeth eating another live human like that. He concluded no living person could stand that, no matter how much death they'd seen or caused.
The horde became satisfied with the corpse in a matter of seconds aiming to devour the pair that stood only feet away. Without a second thought the high councilor did something he never thought he'd do. He picked the petite woman in his arms, running off to find Cesar and his soldiers.
Luffy darted towards the gymnasium noticing the area was empty. 'Where did that coward run off too.'
"I think I know where they went." The woman said jumping from his hold. "This way." She said running toward the indoor pool area. Luffy sensed the horde was a good distance away due to their slow movements, it was the only advantage they had.
The two ran past the locker room doors reaching the a large laundry chute with Cesar waiting for him.
"I told you we had to run!" Cesar shouted at the pair.
Luffy roughly grabbed the man by his collar lifting him off the ground. "You leave my sight again like that and I'll kill you myself." He said dropping the man back on his feet.
Cesar could only glance at the ground in shame before snatching the woman's arm before she was able to jump into the large chute. "What happened?" He asked examining her bandaged arm as blood began to soak through it.
Loud crashes broke the trio out of their conversation as the horde managed to catch up to them. Their white eyes flashed in the dark reaches of the massive locker room.
"Go" Luffy commanded to the pair.
"GO!" He repeated yelling louder breaking them out of their stupor. Cesar picked her up before hopping down the extensive chute.
"T-he th...the al-almighty..." one of the biters croaked out spitting up a mixture of blood and unknown black bile.
The high councilor could see the endless horde crap through the doors filling the locker room to maximum capacity. Surrounding himself in hellfire the dragon form emerged incinerating the biters nearest to him. For everyone that burned two replaced them as they continued to pour into the room.
Luffy stopped his attacks recognizing the biter approaching him. The soldier who was eaten gruesomely just minutes earlier. His left cheek dangled off his face dripping blood, while his right leg was stripped to the bone yet he walked fiercely toward him as if not feeling the pain.
The situation was even more dire than he ever imagined. "Hellfire Elephant Gun Gatling!" The large flaming fists smashed the horde backwards causing them to halt their advances briefly. The high councilor considered using his hellfire lance before denouncing that idea. His best attack would destroy the facility unquestionably and he didn't want to risk being trapped underground with more of these things.
The doors on his far left and far right burst opened as the locks flew on the ground. More biters piled atop each other trying to flank the man. For the second time in minutes he retreated jumping into the large chute.
He returned to his human form rendezvousing with his rookies and Cesar. The clown was arguing with the female soldier he rescued shouting in her face while the others looked on.
"Back off, we don't have time for this!" Luffy spat pushing the two apart glaring at Cesar.
"Why didn't you tell me they could turn into those things after being eaten? That would've been nice to know asshole." Luffy growled still furious seeing one of his bravest and brightest rookies eaten savagely before resurrecting into a biter.
"There's no point, we are all going to die anyway. I was sent here with over thirty strong and now we're down to less than half that." Cesar said crossing his arms.
Luffy ignored the cowardly man turning toward the injured woman who continued to rub her arm. He noticed it hadn't stopped bleeding and it started turning purple.
As the group huddled together a soldier came up to the high councilor breaking him from his thoughts. "Sir we have the schematics of this place. We are on the fourth lowest level. In order to get back to the surface we have to reach level zero before ascending." The man spoke handing Luffy the map of the place.
The layout wasn't too complicated. They just need to descend four stair wells, cross the elongated hallway, and ascend the large staircase leading to the other side of the facility.
"I'll lead you guys here, but I can't leave without the survivors." Luffy said to the shock of the room.
"Survivors?! What fucking survivors?! WE are the survivors!" Cesar screamed once again irking the high councilor.
A loud crunching sound broke the group from their thoughts. One of the soldiers held a light up to towards the sound. A biter fell face first on the ground cracking its skull open bleeding out on the floor. Then another fell breaking its neck rolling in front of the other. Bodies continued falling at a more rapid pace causing the group to back towards the exit.
"We have to go now, toward the exit." Luffy gestured causing the group to flee down the hallway leading out of the laundry room.
"Remember what I said Clown, you leave me again your dead anyway—might as well go out like a man." Luffy smirked as the piled up bodies began to stir rising to their feet groaning as they approached the pair.
"I guess if I die next to you it will be an honor." Cesar smirked.
"Can't say the same." Luffy retorted surrounding his hands in chaos flames. "Do you know where the library is?" He asked as he shot his flames toward the incoming horde as they began to fall from the chute at a frenetic pace.
"The center of the facility, I am NOT going there."
Luffy only shook his head at the man's continued cowardice—He turned his attention toward the incoming horde.
The two began working tandem with Cesar using his scientifically enhanced blue sword and his flintlock pistol creating openings for Luffy to incinerate nearby foes. A biter nearly latched itself on Cesar's arm before he turned gastric causing the teeth to harmlessly pass through him.
The clown gunned a few more down before noticing their dire situation. No matter how many they destroyed, the enemies wails grew only louder as more appeared nearly overflowing their position.
"Let's regroup, our best chance is to outrun these slow fuckers." Cesar suggested to the high councilor as he continued brutally executing the biters; grabbing one by its throat, tearing the creature in half with his bare hands. Any other enemy would've flinched or backed off completely after seeing that happen to their comrade—but no, the horde continued on chomping at the bit to devour the pair's flesh.
"I'll be right behind you." Before Luffy could finish Cesar already ran down the hallway, descending the staircase in a hurried manner. Luffy could mutter about how much of a sissy the gaseous clown was.
Luffy gathered condensed his hellfire onto his index finger summoning a small cerulean and black sphere—the orb blasted from his finger tip incinerating the room full of biters.
The high councilor peered at the destruction of the room. The bodies laid still unmoving. Before he could celebrate his inward victory more bodies started falling from the chute landing onto the corpses; he only bought time. Luffy wasted no time heading off to regroup with his team.
The team were waiting patiently at the bottom of the flight of stairs ready to proceed through the third lowest floor.
"Hurry sir, the hallway up ahead leads to warehouse sector. It's where the people stored their belongings and valuables. The stairwell is only a couple hundred meters away—" the female soldier coughed loudly clutching her arm.
A loud guttural growl up ahead caught the group's attention. A lone biter with a Regime uniform sprinted toward them with inhuman speed. One of the soldiers on the front line stuck her pipe into the running biter's mouth preventing it from biting her. The woman threw the biter back violently causing it to put up its hands defensively before the Regime soldiers could advance with their weapons.
"D-don't... it's me... please, help me." A human female voice rang out from the biter.
Luffy was now becoming baffled by the situation. These variation of biters ran and talked in human voices. The dire situation was becoming worse off.
"B-baby, its me." A male soldier said taking his helmet off approaching the woman who moments earlier spoke despite being a biter.
"H-help me.." She said softly. His comrades held his shoulders protectively to which he shrugged off.
"Try to remember me, we joined up together, moved to capital, we plan to start a family, we can find a way." He said approaching his companion. The woman did not move keeping her hands up in a defensive position, cowering from the group.
His words brought Luffy painful memories as his life flashed before his eyes. The pain surged through his heart replaying the words the soldier spoke. He nearly hunched over from the wave of sorrow that hit him.
Cesar glanced over to him briefly seeing his distress start to take him over. The clown knew in order to survive they needed their leader at full capacity. He placed a hand on his shoulder causing him to open his tightly shut eyes, bringing him back to the moment.
The pair snapped their heads at the scream the soldier let out as the biter turned on her former lover brutally tearing his jugular from his neck, basking the crammed hallway in blood. The soldiers gunned the couple down; as they laid there together in a pool of blood, Luffy couldn't help but stand over them.
The pair went out together, like he should've. Or at the least it could've just been him.
As the soldiers silently moved on Cesar stopped once again bringing the high councilor back knowing he was still caught up in his head. Cesar guessed what he was thinking about. The words the Regime soldier spoke hit home for the leader of the free world.
Loud footsteps and wails broke them from their daze as the horde still pursued the group.
"After you." Cesar gestured making sure the high councilor was back to his senses. Wordlessly he followed the group heading into the massive warehouse. More runners appeared to the Regime camp's right bursting through chained double doors screaming.
"RUN! Get to the second floor!" The high councilor yelled falling back to take on the horde.
Cesar attempted to outrun his own group as two running biters circled him ready to strike at any moment. Once they charged he turned into his gaseous form causing them to bite into each other before pulling back. The clown put two shots in their head before they could recoup. Despite being able to run at high speeds he concluded they were still retained very low intelligence.
The three sprinting biters pursued the group of soldiers that ran for the stairwell. One of the soldiers branched off trying to shoot one of the runners. The bullet missed grazing the forehead of the creature as it ran after him snarling. The soldier screamed for his life desperately shooting while sprinting down an endless hallway. He continued shooting in all directions hoping to hit something but all his shots missed the elusive biter.
The soldier screamed his lungs out as he mentally willed his legs to push faster. His lungs began to tire even after all the work he put in at basic training. A normal human's stamina was no match for the biter who never tired, as it continued to make ground up on him.
His legs tired out as the biter pounced on him clawing at his face. He desperately tried to pull out his knife but he was outmatched by the quickness of the biter as it clawed at his face shredding his eyes leaving its rotted nails in his skin.
He screamed in agony as it sunk its dull teeth into his neck. The man faintly chuckled as he laid bleeding, popping the top off a grenade.
"So long...ya ugly fuck.."
The explosion signaled it was time to go for Cesar and Luffy as they took out the remaining running biters legs rendering them useless as the horde descended upon them easily overwhelming the warehouse.
"One more floor and we can access the library." Cesar spoke.
Luffy ignited his fists in flames, "chaos flames gatling!" He yelled as the flaming fists incinerated the front lines of the pack. A lone biter grappled the high councilor from the back.
Before it had a hands to open its mouth Cesar put a bullet between its eyes killing it. With a respectful nod the two were off retreating into the lower levels.
The injured woman soldier who was bitten earlier was shaking uncontrollably as Luffy took ahold of her shoulders.
"It's alright, let me see." He said a little forcefully, pulling her sleeve up. Luffy took a slight step back seeing the wound. The once white bandages were soaked in blood as puss began to leak out. The once tan skin was now a grotesque purple with her veins pulsating around the bite mark.
"We have to leave her she doesn't have much time." Cesar said pulling the high councilor aside.
Luffy contemplated for a second before responding, "I can't do that, you may leave your comrades behind, but the Regime is different." He stated steadying the woman so she regained her balance.
"You hanging in there?" The other female soldier asked comforting her friend. The injured woman could only nod furiously.
"Keep her steady, we'll find a cure." Luffy said addressing his squad. The soldiers picked supported her weight as the group continued to the second lowest level; one more to go before they could take the access elevator to safety.
The second floor flowed with a swarm of biters; roamers and runners alike piled around the medical room. The stench from the bloodied beds and rotting creatures nearly made the soldiers spill their boules.
Luffy stepped in front of the squad holding up a hand signal getting them into formation. The eight able bodies did as they were told, placing the injured woman in Cesar's arms. Four soldiers stood while the others bent on a knee in between them— their pipes were drawn.
Luffy knew the horde on their trail would arrive in minutes, they had to hurry. While Cesar and Luffy watched the backs and peripheral of the group, Luffy whistled catching the attention of the biters in the room. Snarling saliva out their mouth the two runners were the first to start sprinting towards the squad.
The high councilor could sense their trepidation as they were waiting for his command.
"Hold" he commanded seeing them shift slightly at the approaching runners.
"Hold" he repeated as they closed the distance.
"Hit!" Luffy yelled as the standing soldiers stabbed the jagged ends of their pipes downing the incoming hostiles.
"Heave" Luffy commanded as the soldiers on a knee jabbed their elongated pipes continuously at the swarm's legs and midsections keeping them at a distance and giving the standing soldiers a chance to rest and reset.
The high councilor waited to until the roaming biters staggered backwards briefly before marching forward.
"Hit!" He commanded again as the four soldiers roughly jammed their weapons through the biters' skulls.
Despite holding onto to the sickly woman, Cesar nonetheless took many out creating more space for the soldiers—Luffy did the same as the horde started staggering backwards once again.
"Reset" Luffy said calmly and the soldiers obey switching positions with the person to their immediate right. It was the soldiers' who knelt earlier to stab the incoming horde.
The biters wailed loudly craving their flesh as it's teeth chomped furiously creating a sickening sound.
Once they approached Luffy gave the repeated the orders three times driving the horde down to a manageable number.
The soldiers dispersed on their own taking down the remaining foes smashing their heads in.
"Hell yeah, we might actually make it." One of the soldiers commented as the group continued on. Luffy sensed the horde behind them were nearing their position, they would have to keep moving.
The woman began coughing violently slumping from Cesar's arms, falling on onto the floor. She started to wheeze as her arm was now bleeding more profusely than before.
"Come on we have to move, on your feet soldier." Luffy commanded attempting to pull her up.
"I can't..." she said snatching her hand away roughly. The high councilor nodded towards one of his soldiers as he came and picked her up wordlessly.
More biters started surrounding them from all sides while the massive horde arrived cramming through the exit door on the side of the room—they were trapped.
"Circle up" Luffy said drawing his forces to him as they all stood back to back making their way back into the middle of the large infirmary. The swarm started closing in from all sides slowly, their white eyes seemed endless to the survivors.
The squad slashed through a good chunk of the horde nearest to the escape route. Luffy and Cesar did their best keeping the endless swarm of biters off the soldiers.
Luffy bladed his hands stretching it through several biters' heads at one, then slammed his arm violently between the wall and the middle platform that sat high in the center of the med-bay.
One of the soldiers ran off seeing an opening for the exit. He was roughly grabbed by his wrist as the biter's strength proved too much. His wrist detached from his arm as he lay on the ground attempting to stand up, slipping on his own blood. It was all for nought as the biters descending on him in an instant.
"Hold formation." Luffy commanded hearing the screams of his comrade. The soldiers pipes began to dull as the biters endless durability started to wear on them. However they seen the path their teammate sought; the path to freedom was in sight.
The lead female soldier was about to strike when she hesitated for a brief second seeing her former comrade slowly stalking his way over to her. It was all a biter needed as it snatched her arm, roughly biting into it, she became overwhelmed as more swarmed onto her dragging the woman from the group.
Luffy seeing the loss still gave his soldiers orders to stay put, the horde would have to end sooner or later; it wasn't endless.
Hellfire consumed large portions of the biters as they continued pouring in rapidly through the doors.
The remaining weakened female soldier fought with all her strength the incoming horde before resting on one of her comrade's back.
"Don't worry, just hang on we'll find a cu—argh!" The soldier yelled as the woman bit into his neck, gruesomely tearing the flesh. Blood splattered over the soldiers causing some to turn their backs to the horde. The ones that remained facing the horde were overwhelmed in seconds with the loss of their comrade's attention.
Wordlessly Luffy took action scooping Cesar and a soldier with him onto the platform. He pulled another one up quickly before the horde could get to him pushing him towards Cesar and the other soldier.
"Give me your hand!" Luffy shouted to the lone soldier battling the incoming swarm. Cesar shot a few creating an opportunity for him to grab onto Luffy's hand.
Just as the Luffy started to yank the horde grabbed his legs matching his raw strength.
"H-high councilor, fell my family...I love them..."
"Don't let go...don't let go.." Luffy repeated to the frantic man.
"Don't let me go high councilor...", he sobbed " don't—" The man's arm ripped violently from its socket as the horde descended upon him.
An enraged high councilor ignited his blades once again slashing at the arms reaching for him; only four survivors remained.
The four huddled together back to back, slashing at the roamers' arms as they stretched out to grab a hold of them.
A soldier was violently jerked by ankle falling flat on his back busting his head open, before being dragged into the swarm of creatures that devoured him swiftly.
Cesar began to grow fearful accidentally bumping into Luffy who lost his balance falling into the remaining soldier. Luffy turned swiftly reaching out for the man's hand. By then it was too late he fell into the horde being eaten in an instant. Luffy could only take a few demoralizing steps back watching as his remaining soldier was helplessly torn apart.
Luffy and Cesar stood back to back facing an endless horde as they continued pouring in through the entrances to the infirmary; the pair had truly walked into a death trap. Luffy couldn't help but feel responsible leading his soldiers to their gruesome fates, especially after they entrusted him to guide them safely.
The enemies snowy white eyes in front of him only angered him further. His thoughts filled with his garden, council, family and Nami.
Cesar sensing the high councilor's intentions to leap into the horde ready to battle them to death, prevented him from jumping by sticking his hand in front of him.
Luffy turned his head to see Cesar pointing up at a moderately sized vent just above them.
Wordlessly Luffy stretched his arm up tossing the vent plate aside into the swarm of biters before climbing in. Cesar grabbed the outstretched hand as Luffy pulled him into the vent.
"T-thanks." Cesar managed.
Luffy waved him off before moving away to give themselves some space. He severely underestimated the circumstances of this distress call. Never in his life did he imagine going up against enemies like this. It was truly a hopeless situation— if he used his dragon form to obliterate the enemies he risked losing the valuable library, and bringing down the entire facility with it.
The wails with sounds crunching of flesh and crunching bones was an unpleasant one that made the two men flinch.
Luffy ignored his left hand and pulled out the photo of the straw hats Zoro gave him before he left the games.
It was Ironic he found himself in the worst place on earth while everyone was off having the time of their lives. Taking a deep breath he examined the photo once again admiring everyone's expressions; a look of hope, something he needed more than anything right now.
He couldn't help but reminisce about happier times back before the incident happened.
A few days before he took the cosmic devil fruit granting him the power to conquer the world. He sat alone in the crows nest looking at the starry night sky. His thoughts on Blackbeard's words thinking of how to successfully assimilate the second fruit with his Gomu Gomu no Mi one.
His thoughts were interrupted by a voice as he sat up staring at his navigator who climbed the long ladder to sit next to him.
"There you are, haven't seen you in awhile." She said offering a smile. Usually when Luffy wanted solitude, his crew gave it to him willingly not wanting to disrupt his process. Despite the change in their relationship, Luffy respected Nami enough to recognize that she'd always be his navigator first and foremost—besides asking if the ship was on course or weather reports he left Nami to her own accord.
Nami couldn't help but smile seeing his serene expression as he studied her. He had been distant the past two days as they went back to their somewhat normal routine.
"Its nothing to worry about just checking out the stars shishi! Like that one, it looks like a Ram!" Luffy said excitedly pointing to the distant star formation.
Nami followed his hand toward the sky seeing the formation that resembled a ram. "You're right it does." She giggled.
"Does it have a name?" Luffy asked not taking his eyes off the magnificent skyline. He knew Nami was smart she knew most of everything, at least to the questions he asked.
"Aries." She answered before looking for another one. "How bout that one Luffy!" She said pointing to the far right. "It's name is Volans."
Luffy followed her outstretched arm squinting at the stars. "Woah cool, it looks like a pair of flying fish!"
Nami couldn't help smiling at his innocence, he was infallible and was a force of the ultimate good in her eyes, she couldn't live with it any other way.
Luffy leaned closer to her pointing at another one. This one's beauty caught Nami off guard as she slightly gasped taking in the sight of the impressive star formation.
"It looks like a unicorn." Nami spoke slightly astonished at the constellation.
"Menoceris" Luffy said staring up at the starry unicorn. The two watched the star formation for a few more moments before Nami's chuckles broke him from his thoughts.
"What's so funny?" He asked arching a brow at her.
Nami showed him her signature smile before resting her head on his shoulder. "Its Monoceros, idiot." She said wrapping her arm around him. Luffy could only grin at her content placing in arm around her waist.
The navigator placed her hand on his scar causing him to look at her.
"Your the best person I've ever known, a purely good man that makes allies out of almost everyone you meet; you give people hope, don't ever change." She stated causing Luffy to tighten his grip slightly.
"Long as I have you, I won't ever change." Luffy said placing a soft kiss on her forehead.
The pair interlocked hands as Nami continued to try and teach Luffy constellation names to which he just named whatever animal it resembled.
"Nami—"
She leaned off his shoulder to look up at him.
"I know you don't want to hear this, but I'm taking the devil fruit, the one Blackbeard told me about...I know I promised but, its to protect our family, our future." He said softly placing his hand over her flat stomach. Luffy was expecting the worst the process could very well end him.
More than anything she would've loved to pounce on him and talk him out of it with a punch to the head. This time was different; she could see that his mind was truly made up. He gave her the freedom to leave the crew to raise their child on her hometown, she wanted to give him the same.
"I don't agree with your decision at all. Your always so reckless, and I just want to protect you... but, I understand. I want you to have the same freedoms I do, it's only fair." Nami said much to the relief of the straw hat captain. He let out a breath of relief before she turned her scolding voice on.
"But we're taking every precaution! Chopper needs to research this and monitor you before it's set in stone, so don't celebrate yet." She said crossing her arms, there was no way past that.
"Fair enough." Luffy said pulling her closer.
"Just in case I don't make it, we should take advantage of the time we have." Luffy stated playfully tackling her to lightly rest above her. She laughed as he tickled her, holding her sides while kicking her feet rapidly.
"S-stop L-luffy, stop that...enough! Nami shouted bringing her fist down on the back of his head. "Jeez you know I'm super ticklish."
"Y-yeah I know." He said resting on her lap.
She noticed his hands hadn't left her body. They made their downwards as he lightly stroked her sensitive spot.
Nami opened her legs more as he moved her panties to the side as slid his index finger in her. The navigator softly moaned his name as he stretched her slightly with his two fingers increasing his pace.
Luffy slowly slid her panties off, while keeping her mini skirt in place. Before he could place his head in his favorite spot she halted him with her boot to his face.
"A Queen commands her King." She stated removing her boot from his face. "Only when I say so."
Luffy was being driven mad by her devious tactics. He was like a bull trying to be locked in a cage.
"Y-yeah" He said quickly trying to bypass her and dive in. Nami's hand halted his actions as she gripped his hair pulling his head back.
"Ah ah ah, only on my command Luffy." She repeated. Sighing heavily Nami began to pull her lingerie up before Luffy clutched her wrists softly looking into her eyes.
"I'll listen." The Straw Hat captain said in a tone of yearning.
"Good boy." She smirked.
Nami stuck her leg towards him as he slowly but surely took off her leather boots placing them on the other side of the crow's nest.
The navigator grinned seductively as he sat kneeling before he exposed legs still begging to reach her spot. Nami knew she tamed a wild animal named Luffy; one of the most powerful men on the planet was at her command.
"C'mere." She purred gesturing with her index finger to approach—he obeyed.
She nearly met his lips before pulling back abruptly. Luffy slightly frowned before leaning forward again—he opened his eyes to see Nami leaning back from him once more leaning away from his lips.
Before he could protest or question her actions she roughly sucked on his neck leaving a bruise before kissing it softly.
"Nami—" Luffy groaned placing his arm over his neck to shield her from it.
An amused grin showed on the navigator's features. Nami leaned close to his ear whispering, "don't be shy Luffy, you don't like me doing this because the guys will give you a hard time, but you want me to do this." She removed his arm from his neck before attacking it once more.
The kisses came fast and rough as she repeatedly gave him hickey marks all over.
He had been so lost in bliss he didn't notice that Nami was scooting away from him placing the captain's head near he stomach. Luffy was halted again by Nami's hand as she prevented him from going any further.
"Wait." She commanded and be obeyed staring into her eyes. Nami could see the need in his eyes, the need for her. She couldn't help giggle as he looked like a sad puppy being denied its food. His mouth began salivate as her aroma filled his vernacular.
Nami..." he whined, his husky voice filled with yearning.
She finally loosened her grip allowing him to seek his prize for his good behavior.
"Luffy..." she whimpered grasping his hair tightly as his tongue darted through her folds causing her to gasp out his name a few times.
He unmercifully ravaged her clit with his mouth. Luffy let out a few satisfied groans as his tongue continued pushing deeper into her. Nami gave a few soft whimpers as he flicked his tongue on her clit before loudly moaning as he dipped his tongue in roughly. Luffy lifted her by the lower back so her hips were off the ground not bothering to stop for a second.
Nami's mind was going blank as her head thrashed around from the mind numbing pleasure he was giving her.
She arched abruptly orgasiming into the captain's mouth to which he moaned softly sucking the juices from her greedily, holding her thighs in his arms tightly.
All the navigator could do was keep her attention on the stars as her mind drew a blank. Luffy did not stop his licking as he continued kissing her inner thighs.
Nami pulled his face up to her so they were nose to nose. "You're really good with your mouth Luffy." She said as the two crashed their lips together roughly. Nami couldn't help falling for this strong, good man as he kissed her neck softly.
"Nami..." he could barley breath as she took his earlobe into her mouth sucking slowly. Nami couldn't help glancing at his flushed expression as he had his eyes shut tightly lost in the pleasure causing her to smirk victoriously.
"Since you've been so good, you can have me anyway you want." She whispered in his ear seductively.
Luffy slightly jumped back in surprise at her words; he figured he must've heard his navigator wrong.
Nami noticing his hesitancy placed her hand on his face. "Well captain, you shouldn't keep a girl waiting." She said awaiting his answer.
"From the back." He answered placing his arms around her waist.
It was Nami's turn to become flushed as she nodded understanding what he meant. They had done it numerous times but never like this; it would be a new experience for both—her heart raced in excitement as they were about to enter uncharted territory together. The two quickly discarded their clothes in a pile.
The navigator flipped over as Luffy glided himself toward her entrance. He paused for a second asking her if she was sure. Nami gave him her reassured answer by claiming his lips in a fiery kiss.
Luffy slowly entered her folds starting to move his hips slowly. It took almost a minute until he found a comfortable rhythm.
Nami was in bliss; though it wasn't close to the first time they had sex, this position differed greatly from their normal one—it was far more primal. Luffy nuzzled into her hair whispering sweet words into her ears as he increased his pace slightly.
"How long have you wanted me like this Luffy?" Nami asked lost in pleasure as she placed her hand on his scar, also rubbing his abs that she loved so much.
"Since when you wore that dress on Zou and ran to me, how dare you greet me with a dress like that—and expect me not to want you." He said hungrily as she raised her hips off the ground laying her face and upper body on the ground, as he began to hit a spot Nami had yet to feel.
A loud lustful wail left her mouth causing Luffy to look at her as she continued to throw his hips into his, matching his rhythm and pace.
"Luffy," she wailed loudly again, "that spot right there, yes right there" Nami said holding his shoulder as he thrusted in the spot Nami was talking about.
The navigator was losing herself to a pleasure unlike any other. Robin told her there was a spot that caused them to experience the pinnacle of ecstasy. Both there moans became louder as she turned her head to his kissing him hard while grasping his hair.
"Right there baby don't stop." She moaned.
"Alright, but I want to see you babe, I'm close."
They both chuckled as Nami flipped around quickly throwing her arm around his neck as their tongues wrestled for dominance; she surrendered to him placing her hands around his back attaching roughly causing him to groan lustfully.
Luffy placed his hands on Nami's cheeks causing her to stare back at his; onyx eyes met chocolate ones. Nami could see his eyes roaming every feature of her face—as if he was searching for something. If she could grow anymore crimson at that moment she did.
"L-luffy What is—" he cut her off abruptly as he shut her up with one of the most passionate kisses he'd ever given her. She figured this had to be what true love is, the kind of stories Nojiko told her about to which she would always roll her eyes and laugh it off as stupid and childish.
The couple matched each other's thrusts as they climaxed intensely laying into one another softly, staying like that for a few minutes.
Luffy pulled Nami with him as she draped across him nuzzling into his chest. The pair stayed silent for a period just listening to the sound of their partner's breathing.
The captain noticed his navigator hadn't stopped shaking.
"Oi Nami you're still shaking, are you cold?" Luffy asked innocently wrapping her tighter to him.
Nami could only laugh covering her mouth at his moments of foolishness that she loved so much. Luffy could only look at her with a puzzled expression.
"No you dummy." She huffed nipping him on the chin with her knuckle. "I'm shaking because you made me feel good and happy."
"Oh," luffy couldn't help but laugh as well at his simple-minded question. "That's all that matters to me." He said hugging her even tighter to him.
"How did this happen Luffy? Y'know you and me? I imagined it someway, but never like this, I love it" Nami stated tracing her finger across his infamous scar.
"I guess I finally realized what I care about most, and that I can't do this without you." Luffy said placing his forehead to hers.
"I love you."
"I love you."
The two whispered softly kissing one another content to hold one another for the night.
Nami would always start their intimate game giving him a kiss on his face wherever she desired; this time it was on the cheek.
He responded placing one on her nose to which she giggled softly kissing him on his chin.
Luffy kissed her brow softly as she released a soft sigh of contentment. The couple continued for a few minutes as Luffy waited for Nami to continue—it never came.
The navigator was fast asleep breathing softly and evenly. Luffy's heart nearly stopped seeing her sleeping peacefully next to him. He couldn't have been more happy that she was comfortable enough to allow him to sleep with her.
Luffy gently brushed the hair off her face before he wrapped the blanket and her clothes around her naked form before getting dressed.
He didn't want her getting sick sleeping out here so he stretched onto the ship, landing right outside the girl's dormitory.
The captain softly knocked at Robin and Carrot answered the door. They both smiled warmly at him moving aside for him to lay Nami in her bed.
"Goodnight." He said gently placing a kiss on her forehead even with the two woman watching, it mattered none to him.
"You can tell Sanji we already ate." Robin said offering a gleaming smile towards him. "Oh and captain, I would grab a scarf before you go to dinner." She said bidding him goodnight.
Once the door closed he panicked internally. "Shit." He muttered trying to sneak off to his bunk to grab a scarf.
"Hey idiots dinnertime!" Sanji shouted bursting from the kitchen door. "Dinner is served my sweet angels." He sang towards the girls' dorms.
"Luffy was about to reach for the handle before everyone came bursting out meeting him on the deck.
"There you are Luffy, come on let's grub!" Usopp said wrapping his arm around his shoulder leading him down the steps before he could protest.
"Damn where ya been captain?" Zoro asked Luffy arching a brow, a slight smirk accompanying his face. Luffy hurriedly told his cook the girls were staying in for the night much to his chagrin, there went his mood.
Once in the kitchen Luffy covered his neck eating slowly much to annoyance of his crew mates.
"Take your arm away from your neck you look ridiculous like that." Zoro spat guzzling his sake.
"Seriously Luffy bro, Zoro's right." Franky said continuing to eat his soup.
Luffy ignored them continuing to eat while conversing like he didn't have his arm around his neck.
"Alright seriously that's it!" Zoro stated standing from his seat. "Usopp, help me out here."
"No hold up guys—I'm your captain, I order you to— Chopper, Sanji, Brook, help your captain!" He shouted to which they continued eating thinking Luffy was hiding a bug bite or something minuscule.
"Just let up Luffy, we don't hide shit remember!" Zoro said as the pair finally wretched his arm from his neck revealing light purple marks on his collarbone up to a few spots on his neck.
The room was silent for what felt like a full thirty seconds before they all burst into uncontrollable laughter.
"Ha! So that's where you were, I fucking knew it." Zoro bragged folding his arms.
Usopp just shrugged, "we'll know we know who wears the pants." He teased seeing Luffy's expression.
"Boy you should see the look on your face—" Sanji paused his teasing before slamming his fists on the table comically tears flowing from his eyes. "Luffy you lucky bastard, why do they grow up so fast!" He cried before smirking lighting a cigarette. "You should really see your face though." He chuckled pointing to Luffy's sour face only causing the group to laugh even harder.
"Damn Luffy bro you must have it bad for the navigator for you to let her do that to you." Franky laughed elbowing Brook.
Brook just dipped his tea calmly. "Luffy-san, you should consider relinquishing your captaincy to Nami-san, if it already hasn't happened already yohoho!" The skeleton chuckled pointing towards Luffy who took his roasting with a grain of salt.
Chopper laughed because everyone else did. He didn't quite understand the intricacies of the purple marks. He'd only seen them on a patient with an extreme rash. "Luffy, I could check up on you if you want, but you would just get this illness again won't you." The reindeer laughed joining in.
'Not you to Chopper.' Luffy inwardly sighed chuckling in relief he was getting this over with.
The crew continued roasting their captain well into the night, loudly laughing at his expense. It mattered none to him, this was a small price to pay to give Nami what she wanted—he would sacrifice everything for her.
Across the way in the girl's dormitory Robin laid in her bed reading her book but she was trying to muffled her laughs at the crew's reaction to Luffy's predicament. She glanced over to see Nami still fast asleep, a large smile on her face as she heard most of it before drifting to sleep.
Luffy woke up abruptly as Cesar shook him on his shoulder roughly.
"The horde's movements have died down, we should proceed, to the center of the facility as planned."
"Right." He answered running his eyes while getting into a sitting position. He wished the memories of his previous life were still happening—Instead he woke into a nightmare. He searched his coat rapidly slightly panicking that the photo was gone.
Before he could say anything Cesar held out the photo to him. "Sorry, you were resting, didn't want in flying off." He said handing it back to him.
Luffy gently grabbed it, before placing it back in its previous spot.
"You miss her don't you?" Cesar asked catching him slightly off guard.
"Every second of every day." He answered causing the clown to smirk.
"She hated my guts, told me to go die somewhere. That woman had every right, for what I've done in my past. I could tell she was good, and she wanted nothing more than to help people—it was...admirable." Cesar stated as the high councilor lit a cigar.
"You sure it's the best time for that?" The clown asked raising an eyebrow at the rubber man.
"It's never a bad time. Cesar...thank you for your words. You're not cowardly or useless like I previously thought, you're alright in my book. I've done terrible things too, it's to not late to turn it around. That good, admirable woman you spoke about was my everything and I'm making the world better in her remembrance." The high councilor spoke puffing his cigar before offering it to Cesar.
He took it graciously puffing on the pristine tobacco. "Damn good stuff sir."
"The best, now let's get movin." He said taking his cigar back.
The pair of former enemies made their way through the ventilation shafts climbing carefully over the endless amount of biters. The wails and bone crunching could still be heard as they journeyed further on.
Cesar took the lead remembering the layout of the place he took a mental image of.
"It's dead ahead." Cesar said pointing toward the end of the shaft. The pair could see a bright light at the end of the vent, it contrasted the dim lights of the other rooms.
The grate fell loudly on the ground as Luffy kicked it forcefully. A moment later the pair jumped to the floor examining their surroundings.
It was a smaller room compared to others but still large enough to roam freely.
"My god, look at all these books... these must include the history of the entire world, even the hundred year void." Cesar spoke shoving interesting books into his endless bag.
Luffy approached the only book that mattered; The holy bible. It stood placed on a golden stand with a light shining down to extenuate its holiness.
The high councilor moved to grab it before a male voice caught their attention.
"I see you finally made it." The figure said appearing from the door behind them.
"Who's this weirdo supposed to be?" Cesar said barley acknowledging his presence still trying to collect books.
"Who are you?" Luffy questioned glaring at the tall man.
"My name doesn't matter, I am simply nothing but God's holy servant." He answered holding a distress beacon up to them.
'Emergency broadcast... all citizens...stay away...biohazard...requesting assistance...chemical spill...Emergency broadcast'
"So it was you who sent the beacon, what was the point of all this?" Luffy asked crossing his arms. "You got a lot of good soldiers killed today."
The man simply grinned stepping into the light. He wore only white pants and boots with his exposed torso and neck covered in handmade cross marks.
Man this guy really is a freak."
"What's your guess on him?"
Cesar contemplated for a second before responding, "he's obviously not a celestial, probably some crazed ex-Navy soldier who fed into the bullshit of the celestials' beliefs, contorting them into his own fucked up ones."
"Makes sense." The high councilor concluded.
"I didn't expect you to bring an intellectual friend, he's right you know." The man's expression grew dark as he dropped the carefree attitude. "Did you know you killed my family that was staying in Mariejois, I'll take a wild guess and say you didn't. You destroyed God's holy monument and established yourself as a deity to the world—for that and murdering all I care about you will die." The man cackled stepping further into the light.
"I understand your pain. The reason I destroyed that place was because of what I lost. I get your need for revenge all to well, but it doesn't explain your reasoning for turning the entire facilities's survivors into those things, that's a far worse than anything death could offer." Luffy said approaching the man to stand only a few feet away.
"Ah, those are God's creations... his will so to speak." The scarred man spoke raising both his hands in the air. "These magnificent creatures will start the word again anew, cleansing the world of its impurity."
"Convert to the Lord's will high councilor and be redeem your sins and you just may get into heaven."
"How do I get there! What do I need to do?!" The high councilor shouted earning a laugh from the deranged ex-Navy soldier.
"It's impossible unless HE allows it. If you are truly worthy, the new gods will seek you out during judgement day allowing your entrance into heaven. It's either that or you die while your soul is purified, only the purest of the pure get in. Other than those two ways are the only way, now repent your sins." The scarred man cackled.
"I'd rather reign in hell than serve in heaven." Luffy smirked earning a frown from the religious nut as he grit his teeth in anger.
"You devil scum, the almighty one would never accept the likes of you." He spat charging the duo.
Cesar pulled out his revolver shooting him square in the chest while Luffy ran him through with his flaming scimitar-like blade.
"See you in hell." Luffy said matter o factor as the man sunk to the floor.
"You got all the essentials?" He asked over his shoulder to the clown, receiving a thumbs up.
"Good make sure to grab that one." Luffy said pointing to the grand Holy Bible. Cesar snatched a dozen or so more valuable books before heading toward the exit. Luffy made sure to stomp on the distress beacon laying on the ground before exiting with Cesar.
The scarred ex navy soldier hand twitched slightly toward the destroyed beacon.
"What way?" Luffy asked incinerating a host of biters as they lunged toward the duo.
"This way." Cesar said running down a hallway leading to a stairwell. The two leapt by the railing landing on the ground below.
"The elevator should be dead ahead." Cesar stated as the pair made their way into the large room.
"Woah, this place...this level one— the reactor room." Cesar couldn't believe the large drop below them descending into nowhere— he would hate to fall into the abyss.
Luffy led his ally past through the maze of the machines as they were about halfway to the other side. Loud yells and wails caused the duo to turn around.
The biters pursued relentlessly entering the machine maze, runners growled furiously trailing them.
Luffy's dragon form made its presence felt, pushing the runners back with a flap of his massive wings. Wasting no time he slashed the runners legs off before impaling them through their skulls now shifting his attention to the incoming horde.
Cesar created space for the high councilor dual wielding his firearm and blue sword. Biters dropped like flies around the clown as he shot the swarm down like target practice.
A loud roar broke the pair from their slaughtering. They took to the air escaping the horde for now.
The ex navy soldier with scars appeared in a monstrous form dwarfing the horde. He stood about fifteen feet having a heavy build with one of his eyes sewed shut. His large eye glared at the pair as it rested on his shoulder taking up most of the room.
"Do you see now what God's blessed me with? He's chosen me to lead the world into enlightenment, judging the worthy and unworthy—not you!"
"You belong in hell, I'm going to send you there." Luffy said charging with a flaming gear third fist.
The monstrous form caught it as the fist incinerated his flesh. Feeling no pain the monsters brought the razor-edged tentacles from his hand toward Luffy.
The high councilor was able to negate the sharpened tentacles surrounding his free forearm with armament haki. Luffy roughly grabbed the tentacles in his arm incinerating them in seconds —still the monster had not moved.
"You don't get it, I don't feel pain high councilor. God commands me to condemn you to hell."
"Been there before, wasn't a fan." He retorted flying toward the high ceiling of the dome-like room. Before he could dodge the hand from the scarred monster slammed him into the wall.
"You don't get it, with this eye here I see all—your transgressions stop here, I will avenge my family."
Cesar stopped battling the incoming swarm, floating into the air; he knew what was required from him.
"It's over—" out of the corner of his eye the scarred man saw Cesar dart at him at an incredible speed.
"Interference with God's work, I don't think so!" He shot sharpened tentacles toward Cesar.
The clown smirked fazing through the attack plunging the sword deep in the large eye. Finally the monster staggered back in pain letting out a painful cry.
Luffy now freed from his entrapment flew at a great speed toward the vulnerable spot. Noticing his intentions the monster lunged its arm intending to impale the high councilor who swiftly dodged the attack spinning out the way expertly, while continuing to gather speed.
Grabbing the sword Luffy jumped back, out of the way of the hand that attempted to crush him against its body. He stretched his hand holding the arm in place using Cesar's sword to stab the monster through the heart while incapacitating its left arm. Cesar held the right hand stretching it out while Luffy cleaved it off using his hellfire blades.
Luffy flew back to the large eye snatching the eyelid that attempted to shield it. In one swing he cut off it off before digging his flaming clawed hands into the hole in the middle of the pupil ripping the eye in half. Luffy slashed his way inside the monster's body as he surrounded his body in hellfire.
The scarred monster roared as steam exited out of his mouth, ears, and gaping eye-hole. A flaming blade emerged from his chest slicing it open as Luffy emerged letting out an enraged yell.
The ex-navy soldier turned monster could only stare in horror at what unfolded. The monster fell back onto its back defeated.
Luffy tossed the sword to Cesar, before they turned to head to the exit.
"Where do you think you're going... we're not finished, I'll make you pay—"
The high councilor impatiently signaled Cesar to throw him his sword to which the clown obliged.
Luffy cut left arm off tossing it nonchalantly into the gaping eye hole as the monster laid on the ground beginning to heal slowly. Luffy's severed arm was quickly replaced good as new.
The biters recognized the smell of flesh rushed toward their creator turning away from duo.
The crazed monster felt curious bites on his body before they became violent and aggressive; the horde began to frenzy feed trying to get to the dismembered arm trapped in his body.
"Stop you foul creatures! I'm your creator! Don't you ever stop eating!" He couldn't kill them fast enough as they began digging into his flesh tearing him apart quickly.
The pair flew towards the exit wanting to get far away from the horrific screams of agony as the crazed man screamed for mercy from his unresponsive Lord.
Luffy and Cesar finally made it to the short hallway leading to the elevator that went straight to the surface.
"Wait... high councilor." Cesar said halting the rubber man's stride.
"Whatever it is it can wait."
Cesar shook his head rolling up his left sleeve. "No, it can't... one of the fuckers caught me napping when I saw you get plastered on the ceiling." The nite mark already began to bruise as the blood dropped onto the ground.
"I'm sorry." Luffy offered.
"Don't worry about, I saved the leader of the free world— a small redemptive act I'd say." Cesar smirked showing a thumbs up. The clown tossed a sack of books at his feet. "You'll need those, they'll prove invaluable to you on your journey forward."
Luffy pulled out another cigar as Cesar slumped against the hallway wall.
"Take this, figured you like 'em." Luffy smiled taking a seat next to his former foe as the clown happily smoked the cigar.
"I hope you find a way there, to reunited with that woman." Cesar spoke while staring off at the distant biters who feasted on the corpse of their former master.
"I hope so too." Luffy sighed leaning his head against the wall.
Cesar pulled out his revolver checking the chamber; one bullet left.
"You should get outta here, I want to end it before those things get me— I ain't becoming one of em." Cesar said glancing back at the high councilor.
Luffy stood up abruptly. "Enjoy the cigar, and Cesar, thank you—your not all that useless." He smirked before grabbing the bag of valuable books heading for the elevator.
"High Councilor!" The Clown shouted catching his attention. "See ya in hell."
"Yeah." Luffy smirked back entering the elevator.
Once the elevator door closed Cesar was grateful to have his last moments on earth in peace. The horde began to stalk their way towards him after finishing the latest meal.
The clown continued to smoke the cigar inhaling his last few puffs nearly finishing it. Putting the gun to his head his life flashed before him. The pain of being abused early in life, being experimented on for entertainment, bringing his pain to others, the inexcusable sins he committed— he truly deserved to rot in hell, right now he wouldn't want it any other way.
The biters were now only feet away as the Cesar said his last thoughts thinking of his loved ones and the respect he earned from his former enemy turned ally. The last three months under the Regime rule were some of the most peaceful he'd ever lived—he wouldn't have wanted the outcome to be any other way, he deserved death. However he saved the high councilor knowing full well the world needed its leader to continue prospering. Perhaps he had changed, it was a shame it was too late and he was about to die.
His cigar finished as it fell to the ground. The bite wound pulsated as he started coughing, his time was near. The horde approached him as they made their way into the hallway now standing above him.
Cesar raised his gun to his temple once again. "You won't get me you ugly motherf—"
Luffy's eyes remained hidden under his hat as the elevator made its way up to the surface. A loud bang rang echoed through out the facility signifying Cesar had taken his life—it was an honorable death rather than becoming apart of the horde.
The elevator didn't take much longer to get to the surface. Luffy slung the large bag of books over his shoulder flying out of the same hole in the wall he made on his way in.
Flying past the mist he could see the skyline started to come into view. It was barley dawn as the sun just started to rise. At least ten Regime ships waited behind the one he previously visited when he first arrived.
Luffy landed on the head vessel meeting with the commanders from the ten ships.
"High Councilor's back!" The room rushes to him bombarding him with questions.
He held his hand up silencing them.
"Set explosives on every corner of the island, and in the two service elevators, after I'll take care of the rest. Also hold these." He said tossing a heavy bag on a commander causing him to wheeze as he caught it.
A lone commander questioned the high councilor stepping up to him.
"What about the survivors sir?"
"There are no survivors."
"B-but sir we can't just—" Luffy grabbed him by the collar lightly slamming the commander into the wall not intending to hurt him but to intimidate.
"When I tell you to do something, I mean that shit." He said releasing the man.
"Yes sir." He bowed slightly before heading out with the other commanders following his orders.
He stopped the commander holding his books. "Send those to the council chambers in the royal city." He commanded and the soldier nodded hurriedly exiting the room.
Hordes of biters crowded the elevators waiting to get on. Their attention was caught by glowing dynamite as the timer counted down with only seconds remaining. The swarm let out loud wails before being consumed in flames.
The island went up in flames as it started to slowly descend into the water.
Luffy in his dragon form once again put his hands together before spreading them apart. "Lanza Del Infernio!" He shouted chucking the cerulean and black sphere toward the center of the island.
The Regime ships watched as the island became engulfed in hellfire intensifying the explosions. Luffy watched satisfied as the island crumbled sinking into the depths of the water.
The former straw hat captain knew those biters were a serious threat. He never feared an enemy but he did fear their capabilities on other defenseless people. In a matter of hours those things could take out the world's population. They were truly the ultimate killing machines; they never slept, ate, showed fear, and had superhuman strength and stamina. In a horde it was almost like he was powerless, he wasn't even sure hacking off a limb and his healing factor would save him from a bite. If it was true that they were the almighty's creations, he would have to research and find a way to the afterlife sooner then later.
Without a second thought he flew back toward the capital, creating a boom in the clouds.
A/N: Next— An unexpected vicious enemy challenges high councilor Luffy for the throne.