In the first time in awhile the leader of the new gods was surprised greatly. The leader of the free world had somehow made it into Paradise; no mortal it its existence had ever succeeded in that venture. Now here the man stood with a new gaze in his eyes, it slightly unnerved him. The movements Alpha's opponent made were calculated like a hunter covering its prey. If he held any animosity toward Luffy, the god didn't let it show.
"Well isn't that sweet, the captain found his navigator again—have you finally found a reason to live again, or gained some semblance of direction in your life mortal?" Alpha questioned pacing toward the high councilor. The god sought to play mind games like the previous duel hoping to rattle the high councilor's psych.
Luffy's eyes remained focused on Alpha ignoring the arrogant god's taunts. His mind was sharper than ever, the normalcy he felt back before Mariejois rung prevalent in his emotions. With his navigator back, he had everything to lose now instead of nothing like before. The layers of his heart strengthened knowing she didn't blame him for what happened; he vowed to never let it happen again.
Alpha closed the distance between the two coming to stand only feet away from his foe. "This time, I will destroy you. Call it my greatest achievement. I will become the high councilor of your realm and claim the throne for myself." Alpha boasted raising his arms up to sky basking in his arrogance.
"You aspire to be a ruler of earth, yet your reign is ending Alpha." Luffy remained still studying his fierce opponent, not backing down an inch. The last battle he faced the god their was still hesitation within himself, a certain anxiety that plagued his thoughts. Now the rain had stopped pouring in his inner world, he didn't feel like a useless failure anymore—the old him was returning.
"We'll see about that." He responded squatting down to an outstretched fist summoning chaos flames and haki amongst his body. The power illuminated the beyond anything he summoned before; he wound need everything to defeat the foe that stood before him. Vengeance the furtherest thing on his mind, he had a much more profound purpose to fight this time around.
The power emanating off the pair sent shockwaves through out Paradise. Citizens had long since evacuated into their homes vacating the large streets of the One City.
"For what you did, I'm going to kill you." Luffy spoke as his eyes held the same sinister look he'd seen back at the capital on earth.
Alpha's eyes widened slightly as the same wave of fear gripped his psyche just before he left the mortal's realm.
"Good luck."
In a flash the pair exchanged vicious blows to one another's cheeks staggering them both. Luffy recovered first blowing air into his thumb, expanding his fist to gear third.
"Chaos Flame Elephant Gun!" The large strike collided with Alpha's chest sending him tumbling and crashing speedily into the golden street.
He stood up virtually unscathed, gathering blue lightning between his fingertips, before charging toward the high councilor.
Luffy wasted no time slamming his fist into the ground stretching it beneath the surface. In an instant he ripped his arm from the ground throwing the golden surface upwards sending Alpha's movements backwards.
Alpha shielded his body from the golden plated ground that threatened to bury him, able to jump out of the way in time. He whipped his head in every direction; the ground beneath his feet shook for a moment before Luffy burst through in his dragon form, aiming his hellfire lance toward the god.
Luffy jammed the lance in Alpha's chin sending him crashing through the tall golden and jeweled laden buildings. He pursued his foe clutching his throat before he could recover, holding him up as the pair broke numerous walls from their flight.
The high councilor slammed Alpha into the street creating a moderately sized crater. Luffy's horns gathered hellfire as he pointed them directly at the god's face. Deadly flames swirled rapidly, gathering in a sphere; Alpha barley had time to widen his eyes as the flames from the blast consumed them both.
Luffy expanded his wings clearing the dark smoke as the cerulean and black flames continued to burn into the crater.
"Where did that came from?" Alpha questioning hopping out of the crater barley scathed, wearing two familiar lion headed gauntlets. "If it weren't for these two, I would've been in a bit of trouble."
Luffy didn't waste any time throwing his hands together, calling forth another lance; twirling the spear expertly between his clawed fingers.
A loud roar from above caught the combatants' attention.
Katakuri hung from his trident dragging the golden dragon toward the surface with Epilson standing on its back. He continued pulling downwards with tremendous force, digging Mogura deeper into the plated dragon's snout.
Luffy and Alpha's eyes widened as they realized they were heading directly for them. Alpha sprinted toward Luffy throwing a gauntlet strike which he parried with his lance before reciprocating with a strike of his own from the hellfire lance.
The enemies barley dodged the dragon as it skid through the golden streets destroying exquisite houses, shops, and restaurants all alike.
Katakuri removed his trident noticing the high councilor appear next to him. Wordlessly the two bounded on top of the downed dragon confronting the lone Epsilon still attached to its back.
Epsilon's golden lances surrounded him as the duo threw their gatling fists toward him. The god tried to deflect the fists, however his defense wasn't enough, the combined armament mochi and hellfire broke past his wind barrier. He staggered back rapidly feeling the fists engulf his body.
Katakuri's eyes lit up; Alpha descended rapidly toward them rearing his gauntlet fist back. Katakuri activated his supreme armament haki expanding his bludgeoned fist to negate Alpha's gauntlet strike.
Alpha's eyes widened in rare amazement seeing as one of the high councilor's emperor's sensed and successfully halted his teleportation technique—he was impressed.
Mochi and electric clashed in a gigantic force felt throughout paradise. Alpha's eyes widened in surprise at his powerful attacking being canceled out.
Epsilon commanded his dragon to rise into the air, calling forth a gust of wind pushing the duo to the edge of the golden nape of the beast.
The god's dragon let out a colossal roar shaking the ground before taking flight with the four combatants clinging into its back. Luffy and Katakuri dug their heels into golden plates trying their best to keep their footing.
High above the city Marco clashed with Upsilon; The emperor slashed his flaming teal talons at the god's wooden vines that attempted to entrap him long enough for the god to use his scythe.
The battling foes turned their attention to the incoming dragon that directly aimed for their position. Before Marco could move Upsilon tackled him in the air forcing them to free fall landing on the tail of the dragon.
Alpha, Epsilon, Katakuri and Luffy noticed the new pair that stood at the tail end of the beast. The dynamic of this encounter was going to be far different from any before, every move would be crucial.
"High councilor, can you buy us a few moments?" Katakuri asked glancing toward his leader. During the week of preparation before their entrance to paradise the emperors discussed war tactics, sharing valuable information in their opponents. The leader of Totto Land had a plan to take down the beast; it would take a dual effort between him and the flaming phoenix.
"Do what you have to." Luffy responded stepping toward the brothers. The high councilor didn't bother to learn his emperors' battle plans during the preparation week, he was simply going with the flow; if they asked something of him he would get it done willingly, like they did for him.
"Marco!" Katakuri shouted. In a flash the flaming phoenix grasped his shoulders flying off in the distance past Luffy. He paid no mind to them continuing to dig him clawed feet into the golden plates, making his way toward Alpha, Epsilon, and Upsilon.
The trio of gods stood amused at the handicap situation upon them.
"Well looks like your comrades ran off scared, your road ends here—you'll die alone high councilor." Alpha smirked banging his gauntlets together.
The three brothers stopped in their tracks seeing Luffy's hands expand to an impressive size. "Hellfire Elephant Gatling!"
His two flaming fists rapidly punched at the god's forcing them on their heels as the dragon roared from the commotion on its back. As quick as the assault began it stopped suddenly as Luffy jumped off to the side of the dragon, hovering mid-air.
The trio of gods turned their attention from Luffy to directly in front of the dragon, their eyes widened at the sight. Katakuri and Marco flew at high speeds directly toward their position.
"The fools, must have a death wish." Upsilon spoke. The brothers activated their abilities ready to strike the incoming emperor duo.
Katakuri's eyes lit up sensing the god's counter measures and evasive maneuvers. "It's time." He calmly said to Marco glancing up at the half- transformed phoenix.
"Alright, here goes nothin." Marco increased his speed, rotating a few times before sending Katakuri toward the beast.
"He's not aiming for us..." Alpha said barley audible to the others earning uneasy glances from his brothers.
Katakuri's gargantuan bludgeoned fist collided at a high speed with the dragon's mouth crumpling the gold plated beast, crushing its body into the gods.
Luffy grasped Marco's arm launching him higher into the air. The phoenix now fully transformed, began rotating at an unbelievable speed pursuing the crumpled dragon and the trapped trio.
"FLAMING WINGS OF THE PHOENIX!" Marco shouted descending toward the surface. He crashed powerfully into the crumpled dragon forcing it into the ground below.
Marco emerged a split second later with a screech scooping up Katakuri as he timely fell into his talons when the phoenix ascended into the air.
Luffy hovered low in the atmosphere watching the dust settle from the massive crater formed by Marco's efforts.
The high councilor grunted loudly letting the hellfire flames surround and charge his body with energy. He placed his fingertips together longer than usual before pulling them apart revealing a heftier hellfire lance. Luffy examined his spear for a moment, aiming it toward the crater; the second the smoke clear he chucked it at a high speed toward the crater.
The three Regime councilmen watched as the blast shot out of the crater exploding into the sky nearly reaching their position. The shockwave could be felt across the battlefield and the flames burned so hot, the heat could be felt by everyone.
Luffy, Marco, and Katakuri descended toward the crater watching the black smoke and flames emit from the giant hole.
"Is it over?" Marco asked glancing at the two men standing at his sides.
"No, not yet." Katakuri answered still glaring at the smoking crater.
—
Nami, Ace, and Scarlett landed in front of the New God's palace being confronted by a fallen guards. Scarlett took on three guards by herself fending them off expertly.
Ace possessed the nearest one using his logia flames to incinerate the two that stood behind him.
A lone one flew toward an unarmed Nami who could only put up her guard due to not having a weapon. The deadman instinctively exited the fallen's body entering the navigator's.
Nami dodged the incoming spear, leaping over the warrior grabbing its throat flipping it over her should and onto the ground. As the other one approached she stopped the incoming spear with her foot kicking it from the creature's grasp into her hand. Using the spear expertly the navigator twirled it around a few times in between her hands and around her back taking out the fallen creatures in a flash.
"Wow, I-I can't believe I did all that." Nami smiled holding the spear in her hand proudly. She shook her head examining the two slain warriors sprawled out across the ground; it was strange, she never fought like that before.
"That's because you didn't." Ace said appearing out of her body showing his signature grin.
She had a bewildered expression for a moment, "Huh? So you mean you...you...YOU." She growled as her features turning to anger.
"Yeah we sure made a good team didn't we?" Ace pushed his hat back laughing loudly with his hands on his sides resembling Luffy.
Nami punched Ace the top of his head putting a stop to the deadman's laughter and sending him face first into ground.
"I don't care if you were trying to help, next time you possess my body before a fight at least give me a heads up next time next time got it?!" She shouted with a steaming fist and a familiar demon face.
Ace forgot she was in the somewhat same predicament as him; an existence that wasn't entirely earthly—he hadn't anticipated she'd hit him or the amount of force behind it.
"Man you sure hit hard, now I defiantly know I'm related to Luffy." Ace spoke rising from the ground while rubbing the bump on his head.
"Oh yeah, how so?" Nami asked folding her arms.
"Well were both into fiery women who know how to hit a man." Ace laughed louder holding his sides tightly—he was messing with her.
"Y-yeah and you guys are idiots too." She said turning her back to him with her arms still folded albeit a slight tint accompanying her cheeks. She fought the smile that played at her lips thinking of the straw hat covering her head.
Ace sheepishly rubbed the back of his neck, "that's something you love about him huh? You probably think you compliment each other pretty good with him being a dummy." Ace laughed placing his hat over his brows, observing the orangette's behavior.
Her blush deepened as she rose her fist toward the deadman. "Keep it up and you're going to get another one!" She shouted.
"No, no I'm good," Ace chuckled mockingly put his hands up in defense.
"Are you two done?" Scarlett asked placing her hands on her hips with a wide smile.
"You're already won?!" The two asked bewildered Scarlett finished the warriors off so easily.
Scarlett chuckled, "Yes awhile ago actually I just didn't want to interrupt the sweet bonding moment." She smiled.
"Ah I know, its great to finally talk to my sister-in-law again." Ace smiled placing a translucent arm around her shoulder.
"Will you cut that out!" She yelled loudly causing the deadman's hat to fly off his head and into its string.
Nami couldn't help smile of Ace's teasing of her, she knew it was his way off showing his approval and affection toward her. She was more than grateful he cane along and saw her as good for his beloved brother.
"Let me help in anyway I can." Zeta called appearing in a flash of light behind the trio. He clutched his side limping slightly over to the group, he was badly hurt.
Scarlett ran over throwing his other arm around her shoulders supporting him.
"Are you alright Zeta?" Nami asked placing a hand on his shoulder.
"I'll live, thanks for asking." He said grunting to stand up, Alpha really did a number on him. The young god noticed a familiar straw hat on the navigator's head and a wide smile came to his face.
"I see, so you reunited with your captain." Zeta chuckled as Nami stepped back clutching the hat with a tint on her cheeks. "Good, I'm a fan of your relationship by the way, you two are quite adorable together."
"E-eh?!" Nami questioned taking another step back. She couldn't help wonder how he knew about them. Her face soon turned to anger as she rose her fist toward him, "I'd hit you if weren't injured right now." She growled.
"See sis, you two are a cute couple—I think a good majority of people would say so." Ace laughed along with the rest of the group leaving a tomato faced Nami.
"I said will you cut that out!" She yelled at Ace who continued holding his sides trying to contain his laugh. Scarlett and Zeta could help but chuckle along with the deadman.
The group soon turned their attention toward the entrance to the fortress. It was time to put their plan into motion.
"Lead the way Scarlett." Nami stated turning toward the pink haired woman.
—
Luffy and his two emperors approached the crater as the black smoldering smoke dispersed into the air. His gaze was fixed on the hole awaiting the gods to emerge.
"We have to finish them off as soon as possible." Katakuri spoke glancing at his two comrades.
The trio's attention turned to the god's emerging from the crater with burns marks surrounding their bodies—it appeared they had limits as well.
"If it hadn't been for me, we would've been fried by now." Upsilon growled staring down the foes that nearly ended them.
"I know, shut up—its time I end this." Alpha lit up in blue energy slamming his gauntlets together charging for the high councilor.
"I'll take him alone, make sure you win your fights." Luffy said surrounding his body in hellfire and expanding his fist to an impressive size.
His emperors went after the Alpha's weakened brothers who were struggling to regain their bearings.
Upsilon turned to his brother Epsilon who still rested on a knee staring at his broken weapons lances. He kept repeating the word impossible as if unable to grasp the reality of his situation.
"Come on brother, this ain't the time to pout, we—" Upsilon couldn't finish his statement as his scythe clashed against Katakuri's trident.
Epsilon picked up my eyes of his broken spears throwing the pieces toward the flaming phoenix that charged at him from a distance.
The phoenix swiftly dodged the golden spears ramming its flaming beak into the gut of Epsilon. He gripped the flaming feathers keeping them in place as his heels skid against the street and his hands burned from the heat. The god rose his spear above the phoenix's head ready to impale him.
With a loud screech the flaming phoenix rotated rapidly flying at high speeds toward the nearest building.
Marco reverted to his original state as the flames dispersed from his body. He grabbed Epsilon's shoulders picking his body off his own. Marco's eyes widened seeing Epsilon's jagged spear exiting out the back of his neck by his own hand. The repercussions from his attack must've caused the god to accidentally mortally wound himself.
The emperor lowered Epsilon to his knees then gently onto his back as he coughed forth blood from his mouth. Despite being enemies it was impossible for him to kill and enjoy doing it; he wasn't that type of person.
Epsilon struggled to cough as the spear protruded through his neck. He grasped Marco's hand pointing to the tightly lodged spear—he wanted to end his suffering.
Marco nodded understanding what the dying god wanted, the least he could do was finish what he started and grant him his final wish. The emperor grasped his hand back tightly before roughly pulling out the spear.
Epsilon wheezed softly feeling his life force pour onto the ground as the blood started to deep into his cloak. He looked up at the sky before closing his eyes one last time as his breathing came to halt.
Upsilon witnessing his brother's death disappeared from Katakuri's sightline. He didn't need his ability to glimpse into the future to know his opponent's intentions—he had far too much battle experience. With Mogura in hand he aimed for Marco chucking the trident with all his strength.
Marco glanced up seeing Katakuri's trident coming directly for his head, he wouldn't have time to dodge—confusion written all over his features. He shut his eyes expecting for his life to come to end.
After a few moments of feeling nothing he shot his eyes open turning his head toward the gasping and wheezing sounds over his left shoulder. Upsilon hung impaled with Mogura through the left side of his chest on the nearby wall with his scythe raised above his head.
Upsilon kicked his feet rapidly letting the scythe fall to the side. The trident had pierced through him the moment his body rematerialized from teleportation, it took impeccable timing for that to happen. The god struggled trying to wipe the blood from his mouth as it leaked into his chin and drenched his coat. He desperately reached out to his brother's body before letting out a last gasp, finally falling still.
Marco let out an audible sigh of relief finally having defeated their opponents. He turned his attention to glance at Katakuri who stood above him.
"Watch where the hell your throwing that thing next time, you almost took my head off bastard!" Marco yelled waving his hands in his fellow emperor's face.
"But it didn't hit you, stop whining." Katakuri stated crossing his arms.
"Whining?! You're not the one that almost got decapitated!"
Katakuri rolled his eyes pulling the trident from Upsilon's corpse causing it to crash on the ground with a thud.
"Hey, should we help the high councilor?" Marco questioned turning his attention in the distance.
Katakuri contemplated for a few moments before answering, "No, he'll win we should regroup with the others."
Marco nodded clutching Katakuri's shoulders with his flaming talons. "Sounds good to me." He said before taking flight toward the others who were converging toward the center of the city.
The pair's eyes widened seeing an enormous figure's height towering toward the clouds. From the looks it stood about one hundred-fifty meters or roughly five hundred feet—far bigger than any being they faced back home.
"That can't be good." Marco said still in awe at the being's height.
Katakuri was just as bewildered as his comrade, "no, no it can't."
—
Alpha tried to break Luffy's defensive stance to no avail; the man was far more determined than the last time.
He charged once again aiming a charged gauntlet fist toward his opponent only for it to be negated by another hellfire elephant gun.
The anger and desperation began to show on his face sensing his brothers' life forces dissipate.
"I'm going to beat you until you can't move then let you watch as I bury everyone you ever loved." Alpha spoke igniting both his gauntlet fists charging once again.
Luffy remembered the move he used against Blackbeard charged his right fist expanding it to an impressive size before charging toward Alpha. He coiled his left arm into a spring holding it to his side.
Alpha's left fist collided with Luffy's right as they came to a standstill. The god brought his right fist toward Luffy's head; uncoiling his fiery arm, the rubber man latched onto the electrified gauntlet tightly, spinning out of the way of the attack managing to slip the gauntlet from Alpha's hand.
The god's eyes widened seeing Luffy slip the gauntlet on his left hand igniting it with chaos flames. They stared one another down knowing their battle was coming to an end.
Luffy charged first rearing the newly acquired gauntlet back striking Alpha's gauntlet forcing the god on his heels. The high councilor stretched his leg kicking Alpha in the stomach before wrapping his free arm around the other gauntlet, wrenching it forcefully off his fist. He slipped the other one on feeling the power of the god-like weapons flow through him.
Alpha frowned seeing his weapons in possession of a mortal, the sight sickened him. The god switched up his tactics as the high councilor charged the gauntlets toward him. He snatched the high councilor in his arms bear hugging the mortal attempting to snap his spine. Luffy grunted in pain, punching Alpha's head rapidly causing the god to tumble over and release his hold.
Alpha's head dripped blood covering his left eye. He wiped it away staring at the red liquid that he'd hardly seen before. His wounds weren't healing correctly after being struck from the gauntlets—he was vulnerable.
The god ignored his pain snatching the high councilor by the neck attempting to snap it. Luffy was able to strike him with a few gauntlet strikes forcing Alpha to release his death grip. The being stumbled back in pain, feeling his body's healing factor and durability drain from the gauntlet strikes.
Alpha attempted to put distance between himself and his opponent. He roughly grasped the street beneath his feet tearing underneath the foundation with his bare hands.
Luffy stumbled back nearly losing his balance from the street being lifted off the ground. His eyes widened realizing the god was attempting to crush him by folding the ground atop him.
He quickly surrounded his body in chaotic flames running toward Alpha on the diagonally rotated street, jumping in the air; his flaming gauntlet fist struck the top of the street where the god lifted from underneath.
Even with his unbelievable strength, Alpha was no match for the gauntlet strike that struck above him. The section of the street he held collapsed on the lower half of his body.
Luffy struck the street again making sure the god couldn't escape. He quickly kneeled next to Alpha's torso staring him down; he finally had him where he wanted him—at his mercy.
"You don't have to do this...I can be useful to you...help you overthrow my father.."
Luffy didn't speak a word only continuing to glare at the weakening god.
"I know you signed a blood contract with my uncle...I can help you defeat him, he will betray you the moment he can..." Alpha said indirectly begging for his life.
The high councilor considered his words for a few moments. The words Alpha spoke to him a little more than a week ago still rang in his mind never leaving.
"You know, that pretty girl of yours. She'll bear me beautiful children. I'll have them come and kill you in the years to come after we rule this place. The children that were supposed to be yours will be calling me father."
"Don't worry, I'll be sure to take good care of her."
Luffy couldn't shake the thought out of his seeing Nami's bruised cheek at the hands of him. Despite the possibility of him being a monumental ally he would never forgive him for what he did and the what the disrespect he threw around with his careless words.
"No," Luffy glared into Alpha's eyes seeing his rare fearful expression return, "besides, I already made you a promise."
Alpha's widened feeling the gauntlet strike his crossed arms guarding his face. Luffy quickly broke through his guard hearing seeing his bones snap forcefully from the strikes.
Luffy reared his right gauntlet fist high in the air, bringing it down on Alpha's face repeatedly. His anger knew no bounds as his fist bounced the god's head off the ground. After the fifth strike Alpha's face began to cave in from the ferociousness and velocity of the strikes. By the tenth his face was nothing but a pool of blood on the crackled ground.
The high councilor stood up standing over the headless corpse of Alpha, he did what he had to. He burned the body with his hellfire before ascending into the air to assist the rest of his forces.
—
Nami's group came upon the old man sitting at his desk awaiting their arrival.
"Zeta! What is this meaning of this?! Alpha knew you would do something stupid like this!" He shouted jumping in their path.
"You three go, this is my fight." Zeta stated as the other three ran off down the large hallway.
"Well now, I can't allow this. Its a shame I used to consider you a son. Alpha was right, you are a disappointment." He said grunting loudly expanding muscles around bony frame. The once frail looking man looked fit to be a world class body builder in his prime.
"Oh be still my beating heart," he said sarcastically, "its a shame gramps, I just always saw you as a dirty old man." Zeta charged his knives with electricity between his fingers ready for the fight.
The trio made their way down the spiraled staircase leading to the dungeons of the One City fortress. Soon they came upon a large door gated door.
Scarlett kicked the door in as they made their way inside. They descended another flight of stairs before coming to large sets of cages. Inside were woman slightly below and above her Nami's age.
"Look its Scarlett, let us out please." One of them shouted causing the rest to surround the cages pulling on the steel bars.
"Alright just hold on, you'll be out soon." Nami spoke pulling out the key Zeta given them. She unlocked the gates being swarmed by numerous women who hugged her and their cell mates happy to be out.
Nami tossed the key to Scarlett for her to open the other cage.
"What happened to your leg?" The orangette asked looking toward one of the woman who hung on the cage tightly.
"One of the bastards upstairs hurt her last night, she can barley walk." One of the women spoke.
"Ace can you help her out?" Nami inquired glancing toward the deadman.
He nodded, "count on me." Ace knelt next to the woman placing at hand on her shoulder. She didn't seemed to be bothered or disturbed by his translucent appearance like most would; he couldn't help but wonder what horrors the monsters put her though.
"You won't feel a thing, trust me." He spoke before possessing the young woman's body.
"Is it safe? If we escape won't those monsters come after again?" A woman asked clutching Nami's arm.
"No, my friend is taking care of them as we speak—we'll be fine I promise." She said toward the woman. The woman didn't know why but hearing the words from the stranger gave her great reassurance.
Nami couldn't help notice a young girl emerge from Scarlett's cage. She knelt next to the dazed girl clutching her wrists.
"How old are you sweetie?" She asked gazing in her eyes.
"I'm twelve ma'am." Came the soft reply.
Nami's heart clenched remembering the time she spent at this young girl's age working as a servant for a monster.
"It's alright you're safe now." Nami said brushing the hair from her face.
"B-but those monsters, they're upstairs..."
"No," she shook her head, "a really good friend of mine is fighting them right now, he'll protect you with his life and make sure they'll never touch you again."
"I-I'm really scared." The young girl said again wanting to let the tears fall. There was no telling what she'd been through in her time here.
"I know honey, its okay to be scared. You'll be safe—do you trust me?" Nami asked pushing the straw hat above her eyes to look in the girl's face.
"Yes I trust you." She said after a few moments of contemplation.
"Good now come on lets get out of this place." Nami said picking the young girl up so she rested on her back.
"What the hell? What's going on? My chest feels really weird like its heavy all of a sudden? My back's killing me." Ace groaned leaning over the cage.
"All right that's it, I can't take this anymore!" Ace said grabbing onto the hem of the shirt attempting to yank it off.
The woman lined up with blushes to watch the shirt come off.
"Nami grabbed onto the possessed woman's arms stopping her. "Get ahold of yourself!" She yelled with a demon face.
"Let go! I'm not gonna make it!" He shouted knowing he'd never make it back up the staircase in her body.
"Taking her shirt off isn't going to help anything!" Nami released her hold as the deadman calmed down.
The women couldn't help but chuckle at their behavior. Even Ace held a smirk trying to bring levity to the heavy situation knowing these women hadn't laughed since god knows when.
"Who's this idiot?" The young girl asked from Nami's back.
"Oh him, he's my idiot brother-in-law." She stated with a warm smile.
"Damn straight, now let's get back to your husband." Ace said with a teasing grin.
"Will you cut that out!" Nami yelled with a slight blush, before jogging toward the staircase leading the exit.
The large group ran up the staircase as fast as they could go with Nami, Ace, and Scarlett leading the charge.
Ace's attention shot up toward the entrance high above their position—Nami took notice of his quick change in attitude.
"What is it Ace?" She could tell whatever he was stressing about wasn't good.
"Zeta's not looking to good, we might not make it in time." Ace said not taking his eyes off the exit.
"Then save him Ace, we'll be fine." Nami said not breaking her strides up the steps.
"Count on me sis." He said turning toward the pink haired woman. "Scarlett!"
Scarlett scooped up Ace into her arms before they group witnessed the deadman fly off in toward the exit in flash, his power was truly bafflingly remarkable.
Zeta rested on a knee after being tossed around like a rag doll. After his fight with Alpha he wasn't sure how long his body would hold out.
"I will end your suffering son, it seems Alpha already did a number on you." The geezer spoke approaching the downed god.
Zeta lowered his head taking a deep breath expecting his long life to come to end and gramps to deal the fatal blow.
Loud bangs and shouting caused him to snap his eyes open. Gramps clutched at his dislocated wrist before his fist rapidly hit him in the face and his body returned to his frail form. The old geezer wheezed out a help to Zeta as his arms snaked around his neck snapping it sharply.
Ace appeared from the body approaching the god who staggered to his feet.
"Thanks." Zeta wheezed clutching his side. The damage he received from both the battles took their toll.
"Don't mention it." Ace said as they both regarded the old corpse for a moment.
The large group of women met the pair heading for the exit.
Nami immediately accessed the corpse of the old man on the ground seeing his neck twisted in a grisly fashion.
"Coming along?" Scarlett asked with a smirk toward their pair.
"Its not safe yet we need to stop the rest of my brothers, it should be easier now though; your boyfriend defeated Alpha, I can't sense his energy anymore." Zeta said with a grin.
"Well I'll be, my brother did it again." Ace laughed draping his arm over his hat in relief.
"He actually did it, wow Nami your captain is amazing!" Scarlett squealed in delight clutching the woman in her arms tighter.
The group chatted excitedly hearing that the leader of the monsters they feared was dead after assuming he couldn't be defeated.
"Luffy..." Nami said softly with a warm smile placing a hand on the straw hat covering her head. She wanted to find him again but they had to get everyone to safety first.
"Don't worry sis, I'll make sure he's alright; you're still not done yet." Ace said earning a nod from her.
"Come on everyone, let's go!" Nami shouted sprinting toward the exit to the fortress.
The duo watched them go before they disappeared in a flash of light heading toward the Regime's battlefield.
—
Gamma's psych cracked after witnessing his army and brothers Omicron, Beta, and Xi; become overwhelmed by the Regime forces. The god revealed the true nature of the true nature of his destructive powers. He grew to a size amassing to five-hundred feet towering over everything in the vicinity and forcing the Regime back on their heels.
The alliance huddled at a distance trying to formulate a plan to take down the god. Zeta and Ace appeared behind the group drawing the attention to them.
"Hey its one of those bastards, we haven't finished em off yet." Marco growled standing up to attack Zeta.
"Stand down, he's the ally I was telling you about—we can trust him." Luffy spoke placing his hand out to keep his alliance from ambushing the weakened god.
"We need a plan to take down this guy down, nothing has worked so far." Dragon said slamming his hand on the ground in frustration.
"Don't be surprised, there was a reason Alpha didn't allow Gamma to invade earth. He's the Armageddon bringer destined to destroy the world at the end of days." Zeta stated earning glares from every person in the group.
"Then we've hit a dead end." Katakuri said looking toward Gamma who approached them slowly but surely; each step he took shook the ground. "We don't have much time left."
"We've got one shot at this so gather around, I have a plan." Zeta said as the group huddled tighter listening to the youngest new god speak.
Gamma raged loudly smashing the One City's luxurious buildings with each step. The death of his brothers drove him over the edge; If necessary he would destroy everything until there wasn't anything left, even Paradise.
A lone voice caught his attention standing in the middle of the road. "Hey asshole!" Bartolommeo whistled waving his hands. "Down here!" He shouted throwing a Molotov cocktail at the giant god's foot incinerating the skin briefly flaming out quickly.
Gamma yelled angrily raising his foot to crush him. Zeta teleported to Bartolommeo picking him up before disappearing in the nick of time as the foot came crashing down.
Zeta reappeared moments later with Kuzan who placed his hands on the ground summoning the ice.
"Ice Age!" He shouted surrounding the foot in a block of ice freezing it to the ground.
"It won't hold much longer unless everyone else does there part." Kuzan stated watching the god vanish before his eyes.
Doflamingo called forth his supreme bullet strings on Gamma's arm pulling with all his strength. Buggy aided by Crocodile and Marco's captains grabbed the fingers keeping the arm in place. Crocodile impaled the hand with his golden hook as the others grabbed around him holding the god down.
On the other side Gamma fought against the rest of the alliance with his free limbs. He let out another massive roar not willing to go down easily.
"YOU'RE IN MY DOMAIN!" Gamma growled shaking the ground with his voice.
Katakuri successfully latched onto the left arm with his Mochi seeping between the fingers; once the arm was captured Sabo, Marco, Jozu, Dragon, Raleigh, Borsalino, Luffy and a few of Marco's captains jumped onto the body of the massive Gamma.
Raleigh, Sabo, and Borsalino landed on Gamma's half frozen foot stabbing it into the ground holding it in place. Raleigh and Borsalino took out both achilles with their respective blades as Kuzan increased the ice from his hands starting to fatigue.
The secondary group assaulted various parts of the upper body with Marco, Jozu, and Luffy closing in the on the head.
"Don't worry, I got this." One of Marco's subordinates dashed for the head of Gamma ready to take him out.
Before Marco could react his captain lay in between Gamma's teeth. He desperately tried to push his legs out of Gamma's mouth before swiftly being swallowed whole.
Marco's eyes widened in anger ready to seek vengeance for his loss. The flaming phoenix nearly dropped Jozu from his talons from the anger consuming him.
"Marco stick to the plan, don't be a mortar!" Jozu shouted toward the emperor.
"He's right Marco, let's end this and avenge your comrade." Luffy added as the trio ascended into the air.
Gamma roared once again threatening to break through the Regime's defenses despite being severely weakened from their efforts. The alliance were driven to the point of exhaustion trying to hold the Armageddon bringer down.
Marco reappeared moments later, diving toward Gamma's face. "Eat this!" Marco shouted tossing Jozu toward Gamma's open mouth.
Gamma bit down hard on Jozu only to have his teeth crackle off the impenetrable diamond that sparkled off his body.
Luffy brought his fist back behind his head charging the gauntlet with flames and electricity.
He felt the flaming fist shrewd through Gamma's forehead as he stretched it his arm until the gauntlet burst through the god's skull.
Luffy snatched Jozu from Gamma's jaws as the giant fell onto its back causing a mini earthquake to shake the foundation of Paradise—the battle was over.
The alliance gathered around the god's body as it slowly started to fade into dust. Luffy found the deceased body of the ex-Whitebeard captain torn in half. He removed the gauntlets from his hands letting them clang loudly on the ground before getting to work.
"Thank you high councilor." Jozu said watching the man finish welding his friend's body back together with his flames.
"Don't mention it, he died a hero and will remembered as such—I will make sure of it." He said earning a nod from the former Whitebeard third squad commander.
The alliance gathered around letting a moment of silence pass for the only casualty of the day. Marco silently picked his brother-in-arms up placing him on the sidewalk gently and laying a cloth over his face.
Regime members from every walk of life shook hands with one another relishing in the hard fought victory.
Zeta appeared in the center of the crowed interrupting Luffy's conversation with his father and brothers.
Luffy's eyes lit up as he remembered to get his straw hat back. Zeta sensing his intentions halting his actions.
The alliance around him tensed up preparing to attack the new god if he tried anything.
"I helped you take out my family and you still doubt me?" Zeta questioned as the group continued glaring at him unwilling to lower their hostility.
Luffy lowered his hands causing them to lower their guard. Zeta could see how deep their loyalty and respect ran for the high councilor, he couldn't imagine someone openly attacking him on earth—he was an untouchable in his world, a god in his own right.
"There's still one enemy left, my father." Zeta said earning a nod from Luffy. The Almighty One he's heard a lot about still awaited a challenge.
"Alright, let's go." He said preparing to leave.
"One more thing," zeta picked up the gauntlets turning them back into cuffs, "You'll need these."
Luffy regarded the cuffs for a moment before slipping them over his knuckles as they settled snugly on his wrists.
The Regime alliance walked farther into the center of the city coming up the tree of life. Its vast roots spread farther than the eye could see and branches spread higher than the clouds.
Zeta placed his palm on the center of the tree as a spacial rift opened up. Its yellowish glow gave out almost an inviting allure.
"Give me a minute." He said earning a nod from the god who told him to take his time.
"What is it brother?" Sabo asked with a smile. The emperor couldn't have been happier for his little brother finally vanquishing one of his most loathed foes that threatened everything he held dear.
Luffy exhaled loudly, "in case I don't make it back, just..."
"I'm not doing that brother, " he clasped Luffy on the shoulder, "you're coming back—you have to, you've come to far not to." Sabo exclaimed patting his brother's shoulder.
"You will come back Luffy, I believe that, and so does she." Ace said with a smirk.
The Regime members gathered around the high councilor tapping him on the shoulders wishing him luck in his next battle.
"I will be back." Luffy spoke with a slight grin earning cheers and whistles from his subordinates.
"Luffy-senpai! You're the greatest of all time!" Bartolommeo shouted with tears of happiness.
"I'm ready."
"Activate the gauntlets first, you'll need them—good luck to you high councilor." Zeta said earning a nod from the former straw hat captain.
With a last look toward his alliance, he entered the portal disappearing from sight.
Within a matter of moments Nami and the others ran toward the group meeting them underneath the large tree.
"We need medics!" She shouted causing them to stir into action once again.
After the women began to get treatment Nami met up with familiar faces and some she didn't recognize.
Bartolommeo's eye's lit up with sparkles from a mile away as he was the first to greet her, "I-I-I C-Can't believe I-I-It's actually her. N-N-Nami-S-senpai, L-Luffy-senpai's navigator and F-F-Future Q-Q-Q-Queen." He stammered with excitement awaiting his day for a long time.
"W-what the hell are you saying? Wait, who the hell are you?" She asked bewildered that he seemed to know a lot about them.
"Don't mind him, he's a big fan is all."
"Sabo!" Nami said excitedly embracing the emperor.
"Good to see you again ms. Nami, by the way nice hat." He said hugging her back.
"Thanks," She said breaking the hug with a smile. "Where's Luffy?" She asked looking around the group.
"He went to face my father." Zeta said appearing next to her. She noticed the portal at the top of the staircase.
"Alone?! We have to help him!" She shouted dashing past them toward the open rift. The god appeared in front of her halting her advancement.
"Don't let your feelings cloud your judgement, only one person can go in and out; anyone else will be vaporized in seconds—he must accomplish this alone. If you truly love him then believe in him like you always have. There's a reason you have his straw hat, he'll come back, believe that Nami." He exclaimed holding arms out to the sides preventing her from passing him.
After a few moments of resistance she finally relented taking a few steps back.
"You're right Zeta." She said softly letting out an audible sigh.
"It's alright Nami, he'll be fine I can assure you, he's been through a lot since you've been separated."
"Dragon-sama!" She shouted gleefully embracing the former leader of revolutionary army tightly.
"Nice to see you as well." He said slightly surprised returning the embrace.
Raleigh smiled offering a wave, "Nice to see you again ms. Navigator." He smiled getting a surprise hug also—it felt like a family reunion.
Marco and Bartolommeo offered a wave and smile happy to see she was alive after everything that their leader suffered through, maybe after this it would be different.
"Its nice to see you again Nami!" Buggy laughed standing next to the councilmen.
"Same to you Buggy." She offered with a smile.
"Just remember who hooked you guys up." Buggy said smugly turning his back with crossed arms.
"Will you cut that out! If killing us is called hooking us up then you really are a moron!" She yelled with her fist raised.
"Why you!" Buggy glared before being shoved roughly out the way by a presence that made Nami take a step back with fright.
Katakuri nearly stood three meters towering over everyone. She couldn't help remembering when him and Luffy fought back in Totto Land. The gaping hole he left in Luffy's side, the amount of blood he lost, the amount of time he spent in the infirmary because of him. Now he was supposedly apart of Luffy's alliance, she wondered how much things must've changed since she left.
She took another slight step back even while trying to hold her ground seeing his hand reach out for her.
Katakuri stuck out his index finger offering it toward the Organette to shake. Nami understood he was apologizing for his actions with this simple gesture clearly regretting the actions he took all that time ago.
She slowly returned the handshake offering a smile toward the leader of Totto Land. Despite having wrappings over his face she could notice his slight smile underneath. The navigator truly wondered how Luffy gathered everyone to strive for this common goal, she figured there was a lot to catch up on.
Nami conversed with the councilmen making sure to catch them up to speed with her actions in freeing the women locked up with the aid of Deadman Ace. Meanwhile the peaceful citizens of Paradise emerged after some time passed of not hearing the furious battles taking place.
The people of Paradise shared food and beverages to their saviors and among one another as everyone gathered around to celebrate the victory. However there was one more battle to fight; Nami was glad to catch up with everyone but she eagerly couldn't wait to reunited with Luffy again.
Luffy couldn't tell what was happening after he entered the portal. He opened his eyes and closed them only to be enveloped in darkness awaiting whatever came next.