A/N: Finale to part one and the ending will set the stage for the future. As always thanks for read, enjoy.
Trafalgar Law and his newly formed alliance known as the Insurgency awaited the arrival of the disbanded Straw Hat crew into their top secret headquarters.
Law's right hand man Jean Bart frowned staring at the large metal entrance to their meeting room. "Can we still trust the straw hats, you don't think they're still loyal to their former captain?" He questioned crossing his arms turning his attention to Law who sat idly in his chair.
The leader of the Insurgency peaked his eyes out from under his hat to glance at Jean. "No, word is they haven't seen him for a long period of time; have faith in my plan Jean-ya, I haven't steered you wrong yet." He said placing the hat over his eyes to guard his expression.
"Damnit captain! We're risking everything we planned for a year at risk and endangering our allies lives!" He shouted earning everyone at the gargantuan round table's attention.
The large metal doors at the far end of the room slid open revealing a platoon of Insurgency soldiers escorting the former straw hat crew catching the table's attention.
Law and the Insurgency leaders seated at the table stood at attention showing their respect at the arrival of the crew's arrival.
"I brought them as requested Law-san." Brook said coming to present the new straw hat crew in front of the table of Insurgency leaders.
"We can trust them?" Basil Hawkins questioned eyeing the green haired swordsman knowing his dedication for his former captain after their encounter in Wano. Even after their uneasy alliance he didn't really trust the samurai.
"Why the hell did you drag us out of our comfortable lives to middle of no where Traffie?" Zoro asked to the leader earning a small grin from him.
"I'm not going to sugar coat it; we need allies to take down your former captain and the Regime." Law stated earning a loud laugh from the samurai.
Zoro crossed his arms, "if that's the case forget this shit, I got a class to run and am here wasting my damn time."
"Wait!" Koala called as he turned to face her. "Do you have any idea what he's done? I know you do!" Koala pointed directly at Wanda.
"You guys are going to blatantly ignore he slaughtered the mink tribe who were his former allies..." Koala said only earning silence from the group.
Wanda and Carrot glanced at their feet knowing she had a point even if he tried to right his terrible wrong.
"Brook why the hell did you bring us here?!" Sanji shouted earning a sigh from skeleton.
"Because Sanji-san Luffy isn't well, he murdered over three hundred people at a party I was entertaining and covered it up as a house fire."
"What?!" The straw hats shouted in horror besides Zoro who didn't bat an eye.
"Who was it?" Robin asked turning her attention to Koala.
"Bankers, Lawyers, Investors, Politicans, some of the most influential and important people in the world disappeared overnight. I'm not saying they were angels but he didn't have to execute them unmercifully." Koala exclaimed beginning to sweat from the exertion.
"Maybe we should hear them out..."Franky suggested earning gasps from the others.
"Oi Franky think about what your saying!" Usopp shouted with a demon face.
"No no no! It doesn't matter, Luffy's given us great lives we can't just turn on him." Sanji shouted earning nods from the others.
"He slaughtered the Sakazuki family...I know what Akainu did but, a mother and child...his old parents..." Koala trailed off as the straw hats glanced at one another. "He even turned Akainu into a cyborg after cutting off his limbs and scarring half his fac—"
"Save that shit! I don't care what happens to that fucker." Zoro shouted crossing his arms.
"Yeah good riddance honestly." Sanji added.
Koala let out a deep sigh, "then I guess you forgot about King Neptune..."
The straw hats all shifted uncomfortably hearing the story of what happened between them. They couldn't imagine what he put the princess Shirahoshi through.
"The princess..." Chopper said softly thinking of the young mermaid who had to bear with her father's death and witness her home being taken hostage by the Regime.
"Straw hats...you know what he did and is doing is wrong. He needs you guys to stop him maybe there's a chance he'll listen to—"
"That's enough Traffie! I ain't going against Luffy this is a waste of our time...we're leaving everyone." Zoro said before noticing his crew with the exception of Sanji remained unmoved.
Robin stood next to Brook followed by Carrot and Wanda.
"Robin-chawn! My ladies why?!" Sanji dramatically cried earning sweat drops from the room.
"I can't leave Brook alone, besides if there's a chance to talk to Luffy about these recent events we have to take it." Robin said trying to get them to see the opposite side.
Zoro nodded at Wanda and Carrot already knowing they had their own reasons to pursue Luffy.
"Sorry bros I can't leave Robin, this overrules the bro-code. Besides we should look into Luffy if he's feeling troubled he may need us." Franky said standing next to his crew.
Before Chopper could take a step forward Zoro snatched his wrist firmly.
"Zoro what gives? The reindeer asked looking toward the samurai.
"Not you Chopper, anyone but you." He said the last part softer than the first.
Chopper shook his head, "but Wanda and Carrot need me."
"They're grown women they'll be fine." Zoro stated as Chopper remained by his side. In truth Zoro couldn't watch Chopper walk away he would've been forced to stay with the reindeer at that point.
Van Augur stood next to the group inside the facility.
"Van Augur what the hell are you doing?!" Usopp shouted angrily feeling betrayed.
"When I first joined you guys I felt like I was redeeming myself into doing something good. Now that I've digested what she said about your former captain...your loyalty blinds you guys. I once served under a tyrant and I vowed never to again so long as I lived—I hope you come to change your minds." Van spoke standing firmly with the Insurgency straw hats.
"So this is it then? This is how it ends?" Zoro growled gritting his teeth together.
"If you aren't intending to stay I need you to leave." Law finally took his seat. "Zoro-ya... Luffy is a monster now, there will come a day you must choose between him and doing what's right; it's inevitable. I just hope your on the right side." Law said glaring straight at ahead before signaling the guards to shut the gates.
Chopper, Sanji, Usopp, and Zoro stared at the Insurgency straw hats backing away as the large metal doors closed cutting the others off from view.
Chopper sobbed falling to his knees hitting his fist on the ground. "Why the hell did this happen?" He shouted pulling at the grass.
The others remained speechless unsure how to proceed after losing crucial members. Perhaps the crew needed Luffy and Nami to exist, without them they held no substance.
"We should go..." Sanji said gesturing them to follow him as the rest trailed behind.
Zoro couldn't help thinking of Law's final words to him. He believed he'd never betray Luffy, and if that scenario presented itself what would he do. At this moment he wasn't sure; he picked the reindeer onto his shoulders as the four glumly made their way to Sanji's yacht.
—
The capital city's evening was like any other ordinary one, bustling with citizens going about their daily business or simply enjoying their hard earned days off. Tourists stood out like sore thumbs taking pictures of every major landmark while asking locals for the best hotspots to stay overnight or eat out every other street.
"Are you kidding?! My boss would kill me if he knew I charged you!" The chef on the outside barbecue grill laughed handing the cloaked high councilor a grilled meat leg.
A few screams and shouts halted the high councilor's movements as he glanced up where the pedestrians were pointing on the streets. Luffy could barley see a woman standing near the edge of the tall building behind him. He quickly ditched his cloak flying up toward her position before she did anything rash.
The woman stood glaring down below to a crowd of concerned people telling her to stay put.
"Let me help you..." the high councilor said firmly causing the woman to whip around to face him holding the bundled baby close to her.
"It's not my fault...I've given birth to devil...the devil..." she sobbed weakly staring at the few month old infant like it was a plague.
"You're tired give me the baby, you don't want to hurt her." Luffy stated closing the distance between them while ignoring her hysterics. Something was obviously wrong with her if she intended to drop her child off of one of the tallest buildings in the capital city.
A contemplative gaze reached the young mother as she stared at the ground beneath her feet. She looked softly to her newborn trying to see past its flaws before screaming in fright tossing the infant off the building.
Without hesitation Luffy leapt from the roof pursuing the small child as she fell toward the gasping onlookers watching from the crowded streets. He caught the infant gently before ascending to the other side of the buildings trying to soothe her crying.
Louder screaming brought his attention to the streets below as the mother lay sprawled out across the pavement causing panic in the nearby vicinity.
The high councilor let out a deep sigh turning back to the small baby in his arms, "I'm sorry." He said softly rocking the infant in his arms. Luffy couldn't help slightly smile thinking that Edward would've been born a few months earlier and been around the same age.
Luffy glanced at his wedding present from his wife of nearly three months, Boa Hancock; a pristine platinum watch that was useful for tracking time throughout his busy schedule. He still had time to make a few stops before being where he was needed.
The high councilor landed softly on the outskirts of the high rise city heading inside the gates of the Foosha community. A medium sized area with enough acres to house the citizens from his small village in the blue seas. The orphans on Curly Dandan's property noticed his appearance immediately running circles around him wanting to see the bundle cradled in one arm and grab the large basket of Mikans in the other.
"Okay okay kids one at a time you know the rules, the youngest gets one first and you only gets seconds and thirds when everyone has at least one, promise?" He said with a wide grin holding the oranges above the smiling children's faces.
"We promiseeee!" They sang as he set the basket down before quickly side stepping out of the way before being mauled by the hungry orange loving kids. His eyes became glossy thinking if Nami would accompany him down here; he let out a chuckle knowing these kids would've loved her like he did and she would've gave them her heart. Come to think of it she probably would've spent all her time here, more than he could say for himself.
The moment he walked towards the house, he could feel a hard tug on his high councilor coat.
"Oi Dalton, how are you today?" The high councilor asked turning around to see the spiky blonde haired kid that adored him so much.
The kid grinned widely, "shishishi, I'm good! I was wondering if you'd take me on your adventures soon." He said with an excitement dripping from his tone.
Luffy smirked turning around to continue his path towards the house. "I told you before Dalton, you're just a kid your not ready quite yet to go out there." The high councilor chuckled as the kid jumped in his path to halt his tracks.
"Ahh you said that last time, I'm stronger now! Just you wait, I'm going to sail outta this place and see the world and become a great fighter!" Dalton proclaimed standing proudly with a raised fist toward the high councilor.
Luffy let out a sigh but couldn't hide his grin. "Is that so? I'll tell you what; promise to keep getting stronger and in two years when you turn fourteen you'll be able to get into the Navigator academy. If you work hard you'll set sail as early as sixteen, a year younger than I did."
Dalton's eyes lit up, "the navigator academy! Woah that sounds really cool!" The kid never imagined being able to become one, he'd commit to anything in order to achieve his dreams.
"It's cool, but one the toughest jobs on a vessel but—if you master it, you'll set sail wherever you want and the sky's the limit kid. So whadya say you promise me you'll work harder and set a good example for your younger brothers and sisters?" He questioned with an arched brow trying to hide his smirk.
"Hell yeah I promise are you kidding?!"
"Good, and watch the language kid." Luffy said continuing his strides toward the house.
"What?! But that's not even a bad word—"
"Is Dandan around?" He asked to the hyperactive boy that reminded him of Ace, Sabo, and himself albeit when they were his age.
"Ah, she's around back probably doing laundry." Dalton deadpanned picking his nose.
"Thanks Dalton remember our promise, see ya around kid." Luffy waved with his free hand watching his biggest fan sprint toward the orange basket joining his siblings with joy.
"Hey Dandan!" Luffy called waving toward the woman after coming around the back of the house. "I got another one I need you to take care of!"
Dandan tore the shirt she was hanging on a clothesline falling onto her back. "OH HELL NO!" She shouted standing up in a hurry.
After making tea the pair sat on the front porch watching the orphans playing childish games with one another and enjoying their oranges. It was good for the both of them to witness kids just being kids.
"Thanks Dandan." Luffy said breaking the comfortable silence while sipping on the freshly made tea.
"You're welcome." His stepmother spoke softly gazing at the sleeping infant in her arms. Dandan never wanted to know about an orphan's background, their past didn't matter to her. However it was peculiar Luffy showed without giving a heads up; something awful must've happened but she assumed the news would come out eventually. With Sabo in control of the media throughout the world, the transparency between the people and government had never been better.
"I can't thank you enough for the money you donated to our community...with so much money the orphanage and every child that comes through here will be guaranteed a bright future—hell I'll even retire early on some beach." She laughed rocking in the chair watching over her children that ran about the property.
"You're welcome, I was happy to do it. I just want what's best for these kids. Even if they don't know their real families they'll be fine; they have a family here, thats what's important to me." He said sipping the tea from his cup while stretching out on the chair.
"I know you do and trust me they know it too." Dandan said with a warm smile turning her attention to her stepson. "Have you heard from grandpa?"
"Na, he only sent a couple postcards. He's enjoying a well deserved vacation; I can't get the old man away from Gran Carina, he's probably at the mermaid pool now." Luffy said letting loose a few chuckles picturing his grandpa being denied by the mermaids who were only trying to do their job. At least he wasn't alone; he took his protégée Coby, Kuma, and Bartolomeo.
"Dirty ol' bastard." Dandan chuckled as the pair shared a laugh enjoying their rare moment together.
Dandan couldn't help glance at the man she'd raised since Garp brought him back to Foosha Village all those years ago. Even when she'd seen Luffy come back from destroying Mariejois after the death of his girlfriend. He different from then, matured to the point of adulthood but holding onto to the pain to the point of wanting to go back to that moment—he still wished for those simpler times when the whole world didn't depend on his leadership.
"I know I told you this before," Dandan made sure he was paying attention to her before continuing, "I didn't know the woman who stole your heart in your crew but she would've loved and been very proud of what you're doing right now, everything—especially this." She said turning toward the massive front yard filled with exhilarated orphans.
Luffy smiled warmly hearing her words looking up towards the clouds. "I know Dandan, I know..." he said softly grasping his stepmom's opened hand silently letting her know he was doing alright.
"So what's her name?" Dandan asked turning toward the sleeping infant and changing the subject seeing Luffy's high councilor mask slip back on after a few moments of vulnerability.
"I'm not sure..." he spoke setting his finished teacup on the table before standing. "I'll send you her files when I get to the bottom of this." He waved toward Dandan stepping off the porch.
The orphans ran after him waving and shouting as he took off to the sky back toward the capital city in the distance. Dandan couldn't help but stand from her chair watching him go; a silent tear rolled down her cheek knowing he was still in great pain from his loss despite getting better at hiding it.
—
The twelve Regime law enforcement commanders of each security squadron from various sectors of the island argued over the first reported suicide at the capital in history and what could've been the cause. Everyone had lived a near utopian lifestyle with the newfound wealth reimbursed into society by their leaders. After this incident if they didn't find the cause it could threaten their peaceful existence.
They abruptly halted their shouting as the high councilor stepped into the room sitting at the far end of the table.
The commander at the front cleared his throat, "the victims of these crimes and the ones that were committed were done by law-abiding citizens." He said addressing the room trying to get them organized in the presence of the government's unquestioned leader.
A lady commander stood beside him, "many claim to see hellish nightmarish visions before committing the crimes." She added reading from a list in the latest crime report.
Any clue what's causing?" A seated officer questioned to the pair.
"No idea." He responded as they all turned their attention the large world map behind them.
"This phenomenon is repeating around the world, perhaps there's an overriding factor, maybe paranormal elements." She suggested looking at the drawn red marks located on various places on the map earning raised eyebrows from around the room except the high councilor.
"Are you talking about magic?" Luffy inquired earning attentive eyes from the table.
"You've come up against magic before high councilor; the new gods, the celestials, the reports you detailed in Paradise." She stated knowing that his revelations about his past missions had forced a lot more people to become believers in that type of stuff.
"With as much as you've seen high councilor—can you rule it out?" The head commander asked placing his hands on the table as the attention shifted back to head of the Regime.
"Yeah I can. All that shit is over with I destroyed every last one of those types. A woman committed suicide today because her husband left due to her having another man's baby. A combination of that reality and drugs led her to believe her infant was the spawn of the devil, that she had to throw her off a building before jumping herself." Luffy exclaimed earning hushed chatter from around the room. He wanted to end the mass hysteria of their being any supernatural, paranormal, or magical beings with the exception of classified devil fruit users. He regretted ever opening the floodgates when he leaked the information to the public—perhaps somethings were better left unsaid.
"The criminally insane, don't need magic as an excuse." He said sharply causing the room's attention to draw back to him as he stood up scooting his chair back. The horrors of what he witnessed at the world elites' party that night showed him a far different darker side of humanity. He used to think flesh eating corpses, arrogant unmerciful gods, were bad; up until that night three months ago. At least with the latter you knew what they desired, humans were far less transparent being more deceitful and conniving.
"I recommend you spend more time talking to citizens and on the streets rather than just patrolling over them." He spat leaving the room as swiftly as he entered.
"He's even friendlier than they say." An officer said feeling a chill run down his spine after being berated by the high councilor.
—
Luffy landed at the back of the newly constructed main building of the new institution deep in the heart of the city nearly knocking Sabo off balance from his abrupt arrival.
"There you are brother you're almost late." Sabo scolded dusting his brothers clothes off and straightening his tie. "Where the hell were you?" He asked patting his shoulder a few times indicating he was ready to go.
"I had to get to the bottom of what happened earlier outside of town square." He said honestly earning a nod from his brother.
"How'd that go?"
"It went fine, I have it handled."
"Good, now lets go If you would've been late I would've had to have vamped, and we all know how that would've went." Sabo chuckled as they approached the stage placed in front of the newly built academy.
"I would've thrown your ass off the stage." Luffy laughed before they took their seats next to the council who held curious gazes about his late appearance especially his wife.
Raleigh glanced out the corner of his eye noticing the high councilor's arrival while addressing the press and crowd of citizens that stretched farther than the eye could see.
"Without further ado, the high councilor would like to say a few words." Raleigh said gesturing toward the council's row of seats behind him.
The crowd cheered and whistled as the high councilor stepped up to the mic thanking everyone for graciously showing up to the opening ceremony.
"I don't like talking too much but I just wanted to say a few words about my friend and navigator that got me to the place I am now." Luffy spoke glaring out into the sea of endless faces and cameras pointing toward him. He could see the press members leaning their notepads and recording transponder snails towards the podium wanting to hear every word.
"As you all know by definition a navigator is a guide; A person who must stay vigilant, composed, and steady through all that life throws their way on the open seas. They must be a sturdy rock in a flowing river letting nothing break or move them. A dependable, responsible, and overall remarkable person. These are but just a few qualities my friend and comrade exemplified throughout our journey..." He trailed off unsure wether to continue his speech.
Luffy glanced behind him looking at the council who gave him waves, smiles, and thumbs up urging their leader to continue. With a large smile he began to speak again, "her name was Nami," the press looked at one another scribbling the name down on their notepads, "without her my former crew wouldn't have been able to sail anywhere—we would've been sucking our thumbs laying on ground waiting for the ship to move on it's own." He joked scratching the back of his neck sheepishly bringing levity to the crowd as the press laughed at the humor.
Boa Hancock crossed her arms listening to the intense speech with a frown and roll of her eyes. When she first heard about his plans to dedicate an institution to his fallen friend and former navigator she had been more than thrilled. But here he was with a stupid wide grin on his face having a field day with the media talking about her like she was his wife. Her frowned deepened hearing the press laugh again and a few chuckles emerge from the council as he recounted a shortened version of their astonishing adventure from Whole Cake Island.
"She truly was a great comrade, navigator, and overall amazing person. Now—" he paused being handed a large pair of scissors by an assistant staff member. "I declare the first of many Navigator academies, open." He cut the ribbon happily as the crowd and council stood cheering in bliss. Hancock remained sitting before abruptly leaving the stage heading for her private carriage.
The press immediately surrounded Luffy bombarding him questions regarding his former navigator. He gave a small wave to his wife who half-heartedly returned it before leaving the area. He shrugged continuing to answer the questions leading them into the first grand room of the state of the art facility.
The media members gasped snapping photos of the room seeing a large bronze statue of his navigator in the center. She stood staring at her log pose on her left wrist while holding the clima-tact in the other hand. In glass cases around the room her belongings included the new world log pose, original journal full of handwritten notes, and a replica of a tangerine tree. On the wall above the statue stood the original world map that was finished by his councilmen that she worked on up until her death. Written below it was her favorite quote by him immortalized in bronze. 'Life is like a pencil that will surely run out, but will leave the beautiful writing of life.'
"Now I'd like everyone to meet the dean of the academy." He said motioning the press to meet Nojiko. Luffy gave her a warm hug before letting her lead them on the rest of the private tour. He couldn't have been more proud to provide a place to raise the next generation of diligent navigators. Wether they were part of the Regime, or not he would ensure people would have an opportunity to pursue their dreams sailing on the open seas freely—it's what she would've wanted.
The councilmen waited for him outside heading toward the nearest tavern before their next meeting. Nearly all their enemies had perished and there was no major battles left to fight. For the first time in a long while, no one on the council felt on edge.
—
Pierce smirked seeing the two delivery ships behind his private vessel. They would deliver the teleportation devices constructed by Dr. Vegapunk himself on schedule. He conversed with his trusted shipwright and navigator confirming they were a little over an hour from the capital.
"You heard about that new navigator academy? Ain't that somethin? The navigator asked tearing his gaze away from the paper looking toward the pair.
"Sounds like you could use it." The shipwright smirked causing Pierce to chuckle.
"Regardless of the reason it's pretty genius if you ask me. Wether he's using it to better train his military personnel or giving people more freedom, it's a smart ploy." Pierce offered exhaling the cigar smoke from his nostrils.
"Damn straight, I can only imagine how many he plans to open. The high councilor really is something—" the navigator paused his speech seeing Pierce's attention shift to the carrier vessels.
"What's up Pierce?" The shipwright questioned urgently seeing his shift in mood.
"Keep on pace, I'll deal with this." He said swiftly drawing his dual revolvers from his gun-belt. Pierce flicked his cowboy hat up hearing a crash and shouts coming from the farthest carrier ship.
"Stay on course!" The cowboy yelled to the pair running across the water ending up on the ship in the blink of an eye.
Pierce came face to face with Scratchmen Apoo, Eustass Kid, and his crew mate Killer. He drew both his guns at the trio aiming at their heads.
"Woah this is quite unexpected, to what do I owe the pleasure to draw three of the Worst Generation members to my humble fleet?" He asked intending to kill if they made a move toward him.
"Who the hell are you?" Scratchmen Apoo asked as the trio glared at the cowboy speedster.
"It doesn't fucking matter who this asshole is! We gotta a job to do!" Kid shouted summoning the metal parts on the ship to his left arm creating a barricade from the speedy bullets.
Pierce was unrelenting in his rapid firing despite Kid creating a metal shield deflecting the bullets back toward the cowboy. He swiftly dodged the bullets using his otherworldly speed before placing his revolvers in their respective holsters.
He dodged Kid's dangerous arm as it slammed violently into the wooden deck of the ship. Timing his attack Pierce zoomed up to the captain's face unloading a flurry of blurry punches staggering Kid on his heels.
"How the hell—" Kid gripped his jaw feeling the weight of the speedy blows.
Kid felt a tap on his right shoulder taking a fierce uppercut the moment he turned his head toward the culprit.
"You're a fool to try and think you could steal from me? You realize I work for the high councilor, he will hunt you down wether your successful or not." Pierce offered placing his hands in his pockets watching the struggling Kid rise to his feet.
"That's the point dumb fuck..." Kid spat as his eyes widened realizing the speedster vanished pursuing the other two.
Apoo fought the guards protecting the expesnsive investment below deck placing the heavy crate on his shoulder.
Meanwhile Killer deflected Pierce's bullets with his dual swords as the speedster ran along the surface of the water surprising the hell out of him. Whatever devil fruit the man had, he'd never seen it nor heard of it before.
Pierce watched as the three regrouped standing with the crate in hand. "Guess I don't have a choice." He spun his arms in circles creating lightning in the mini tornados dripping from his fingertips. Before he could start his sprint the trio along with the crate vanished into thin air as if never having been there.
"The fuck...?" He questioned scratching his hat. The cowboy sprinted toward onto the boat examining the spot where they vanished.
"No trace of teleportation, and they didn't fly...I only know of one ability able to do that at such a long range distance." He spoke out loud scratching his chin in confusion. He could see no sign of another boat for miles all around.
"I just hope he ain't pissed after this...Guess I'm lucky they only wanted one.." he said as the boats continued toward their original destination.
Up in the air on a sky boat a comfortable distance away from Pierce's convoy the trio met up with the leader of the newly formed Insurgency Trafalgar Law and his number one spy Koala.
"Well here it is." Kid said placing his hand on the large crate.
"Alright, now we have a chance." Law said showing his first smile in what felt like years.
—
The council met Pierce's convoy at the city docks after receiving an urgent call about an unusual ambush.
"Any idea who it was?" The high councilor asked watching the crew unload the crate onto the shore carrying it toward the palace.
"Your old Supernova buddies from your alliance against Kaido, I don't know about their names." Pierce answered lighting another cigar to calm his nerves seeing the fearsome glare of Katakuri.
Dragon handed Luffy the booklet of their unregistered pirates or better known as the council's most wanted list. "Which ones?" Luffy showed the open journal to Pierce as he pointed the three that attacked him.
"Ah those lackeys," Raleigh chuckled, "Eustass Kid, his first mate Killer, and Scratchmen Apoo." He stated folding his arms remembering them from the Navy invasion on Sabaody years ago before the Paramount War.
"Tch bunch of punks those three couldn't plan something like this, let alone wipe their own asses." Marco spat with an impassive tone.
Katakuri only glared at the council with an impatience weighing him down. "So are we going to handle it ourselves or send Borsalino's suicide team?" He questioned turning his attention to the former Navy admiral.
"Just say the word high councilor, I'll have my team—"
"No need Kizaru, I know who did this and we're going to handle it ourselves." Luffy spoke turning to face the council.
Ace smirked widely, "now that's what I'm talking about."
"Who is it brother?" Sabo asked meeting Luffy's gaze.
"We'll discuss it in our meeting, we should go now." Luffy suggested as the council turned away to head to throne room to discuss the matters privately.
Pierce took a step forward calling out to the high councilor. "You aren't worried about the secondary teleportation device?"
Luffy looked contemplative for a moment before shaking his head. "No, they don't have the Dyna stones. We collected all of them in the world starting from the day you told me. You will be paid in full, check your bank account tomorrow at noon and we'll send over the paperwork for what you requested at the end of the week; you'll be paid in full." Luffy exclaimed before turning around to follow his council.
"High councilor!" Pierce shouted halting the man's strides as he glanced at the cowboy with a questioning look.
Pierce stuck his hand out, "I'm at your service if there's a job you need me to undertake. I'm grateful for any opportunity to prove my worth to the Regime."
Luffy shook the man's hand firmly. "You already have, but there is something I'd like you to look into." He said with a smirk.
"Anything." The speedy gunslinger stated with a determined glare causing Luffy's smirk to grow wider.
"Trafalgar Law huh? Tell me why that doesn't surprise me." Marco said leaning back in his chair.
"So the Surgeon of Death is amassing some sort of resistance to challenge our authority over the world—good luck with that shit." Ace added placing his translucent hands behind his head.
Raleigh scratched his chin in deep thought. "I knew they didn't register but this is truly unexpected..."
"We shouldn't waste time with this high councilor, any resistance should be met with lethal force. Our powers are more than enough to take them out." Katakuri suggested earning silence from the others.
"I'm in agreement, however I wonder why would they go after a teleportation device? Are they trying to escape this world?" Dragon questioned earning quiet chatter amongst the council.
"I doubt it, knowing the Surgeon of Death he's unlikely to run from a fight. It's all too possible he's trying to bring other fighters from alternate worlds to do his dirty work." Raleigh spoke earning nods from a majority.
Borsalino crossed a leg over the other in contemplation, "Yes that's a high possibility but without any Dyna stones their efforts are futile."
"The question is where the hell have they been hiding all this time? We've had eyes everywhere since we came to power, it had to be an independent territory off the grid from our control for the most part." Sabo stated folding his arms.
"I think I know." Luffy said catching everyone's attention as they held their breath.
Luffy dismissed his garden workers for the day examining the sunset as it shined on the rapidly growing mikan trees. His smile grew knowing how far the garden had come since they'd been burnt down by the deceased fishman bastard that terrorized his former navigator.
He shut his eyes feeling the familiar tangerine scent fill his vernacular relaxing the hardened leader.
"What are you staying at?" A familiar voice came from behind as he felt warm arms encircle his back.
"Nothing, I'm just thinking." He smiled looking out towards the shore and the boats docking in and out of the city's harbor.
"You think too much captain." Nami giggled turning him around to face her. He could see her hazelnut chocolate eyes clear as day. "You look tired you should get some sleep Luffy."
"I can't, not without you by my side Nami." He said with a small smile wrapping an arm around her waist.
"Idiot," She said with a warm smile, "I'm always going to be with you." He could feel the soft touch of her hands on his chest.
"Luffy dear." Hancock's voice came causing his eyes to snap open and throwing him back into reality. As quick as it came her presence receded into the recesses of his mind.
"Yes Hancock." He said shaking his head from his stupor meeting her at the entrance to the orange garden.
"Sabo told me you called for me." She said with a small smile examining the private garden. It had been the closest she'd been to it since staying at the palace.
Luffy's attention was still on his memories that he tried to distinguish from reality. "Of course, can we talk in our chambers." He said politely tucking his arms under hers.
"You wouldn't rather talk in your garden? You never showed me it before?" She asked with a smile.
"No, I'd rather talk in our room." He said pulling her along with him. She couldn't help hide a displeased frown as they walked in silence to their private chambers.
The moment their chamber doors closed she kissed him with an unbridled passion wrapping her arms around his neck. He pulled back looking into her dark eyes before kissing back trying to return it.
Hancock smiled in the kiss satisfied. "That's what I wanted...but I want more." She said with a sly grin.
"What do you mean?" He asked with furrowed brows placing his hands on her sides. He'd never seen her like this before the curiosity was getting the better of him.
You know..." she rubbed a hand along his crotch. "I want you." She whispered seductively kissing his neck before claiming his lips again.
Hancock wrapped her arms around his neck pulling him with her to the bed as he crashed on top of her not breaking the kiss for an instant. "I want you...to fuck me Luffy, hard." She said with a smile before going back to kissing his neck.
"A-alright." He said as she unbuttoned his shorts. The kisses came more furious as the empress pulled up her dress laying on all fours.
"I'm already ready for you Luffy. Don't keep your wife waiting anymore, fuck me hard and make me yours." She said with a groan feeling his hardened length against her round smooth ass.
Luffy became almost animal like feeling a familiar arousal he hadn't felt in what felt like ages. "You want me to fuck you Hancock." He growled near her ear gripping her raven locks.
"Yes, I want it give it to me—you've made me wait long enough." She shouted with urgent yearning.
He aligned himself along her wet entrance before entering slowly letting her walls clench at his hardened member. His mind began to instantly drift memories of his previous life flashed before him even in this moment of intimacy with his wife.
"Luffy...when I was a little girl, I was told I couldn't bear children—I'm not sure I'll be good enough for you." Nami spoke softly with tears spilling on her cheeks.
The straw hat captain furrowed his brows cupping her soft wet cheeks. "Who told you that?" He whispered against her lips.
"Some old shaman in a dusty old shop." She sniffled unable to look at him. The navigator couldn't stand to look at the disappointed face of her captain, she just wanted to make him happy.
Luffy lifted her chin with his fingertips staring at her lips. "I still really want to try, besides we don't let other people make our destinies, we make our own..." he said quietly gazing into her eyes.
"You're right, I want to try for us who cares what some crazy old lady said right?" She said as he wiped the tears with his thumbs continuing to trace her cheeks.
"That's right," he chuckled kissing her forehead, "we can do it over and over as many times as we want until it happens shishishi."
"Idiot." She said with a smile pulling him on top of her as they laid on the couch in the Sunny Go's observation room.
Eventually the room became filled with their moans and shouting of one another's names. "Luffy..." she moaned breathlessly. "If you keep this up, you will surely get me pregnant." She said softly squeaking as her words made him stroke into her faster, harder, and deeper.
Luffy gripped the back of her head nuzzling into her ear. "I love you so damn much Nami, I want to give you the world." He growled nibbling on her earlobe.
"Yes, yes, yes just like that Luffy, don't stop, don't stop." She moaned claiming his lips as their hands gripped each other tightly. "Ah, I love you Luffy."
"I'll never love another woman as long as I live even if we're somehow separated forever. But I will never let that happen, I want you by my side forever my queen." He said lowly thrusting deeply arching his hips into her quivering ones.
"Oh my god Luffy," she whined, "you're the only man that can have me like this my king. I want to be by your side so we can raise a family..." she said breathlessly clutching his cheeks to stare into his onyx eyes.
Luffy's eyes widened hearing her declaration he claimed her lips furiously as their orgasms spilled over but they didn't dare stop their love making. The pair would always remember their second passionate night together and the unique smell of their sex inside the heated observation room for the rest of their lives.
"Yes Luffy just like that harder, faster." Hancock commanded turning her head to look at him. She couldn't see the hidden gaze as he kept his head ducked low.
His hips came to an abrupt halt as he pulled away from her heated core. Hancock moaned feeling the loss of him from her body. She held a bewildered expression wondering if he had finished already but it seemed unlikely.
Luffy placed his member back into his shorts sitting at the edge of the bed exhaling loudly. Hancock's eyes widened realizing what happened between them, she quickly pulled her dress back down scooting away from him.
An uncomfortable silence filled the room for a moment before she broke it. "I fucking knew it..." she growled refusing to look at him. "You still love her."
Luffy remained silent rubbing his eyes from the sudden fatigue he felt. He couldn't deny Hancock was wrong he still had immense love for his former navigator.
"You couldn't even fuck your wife Luffy, what kind of man are you?" She questioned throwing an unsure glance his way which went unreturned.
The empress continued her anger, "First you honor her like she's some goddess today, then you refused to show me your garden and never bothered to bed me after we first got married. The times we've spent in bed sleeping together I can count on my fingers when all you do is sleep in your office!" Hancock shouted trying to earn some reaction from the unresponsive man who stared at the wall; she wasn't even sure if he was listening to her.
"Did she really navigate for your crew or did she spend all her time whoring herself out for you." Hancock said coldly with a
smirk knowing he'd react to that.
"What did you say to me?" He said whipping his head around throwing an unfamiliar glare at his wife. His eyes reflected a deeply seeded anger rising to surface.
"You heard me." Hancock said standing to her feet. Luffy rose from the bed standing only feet from the empress.
She could see his anger spread across his features. "You wouldn't dare hit me. You're a monster but not dishonorable, you couldn't live with yourself if you did that."
"Don't be foolish woman I'd never hit you, so don't even say that. But If you ever say something like that about her to me again you can pack up and go back to Amazon Lily." Luffy said with a coldness that earned a deep sigh from the empress.
Hancock sat on the bed with a huff wondering if this had been what she truly wanted. Perhaps she'd rushed him into this before his heart was ready to move on or maybe he would never be ready for another intimate relationship. She gave her whole self to Luffy just now and he'd rejected her making the nearly flawless woman question herself for the first time.
"I'm your wife Luffy," she said seeing him take a seat on the foot of the bed, "you're supposed to love me, we took vows. I mean, any man would kill to have me, bed me, love me. So why can't you?"
"Most haven't lost what I have." He said glancing at her with a hint of anger still present in his eyes.
"That doesn't excuse you treating me like this! I'm your wife and you love a woman that's no longer—"
"ENOUGH!" He shouted standing from bed losing cool causing her to jump back slightly at the tone of his voice, he'd never spoken to her that way.
Luffy sighed loudly placing his hands on his sides. He came to sit close to the empress reaching an arm to touch her arm. She shrugged away from his touch earning another sigh from him.
"I'm sorry, you didn't deserve that." He said softly letting another uncomfortable silence pass through the room. "You still would never betray my trust right? Even if you don't love me, you won't betray me correct?" He asked staring into her eyes.
Hancock barley could return his look wondering who the hell sat on the bed next to her, she refused to believe it was the Monkey D. Luffy of old.
"No I won't betray your trust." She said after awhile.
"Good," he said with a smile standing up, "I know you and Trafalgar Law were close after the Blackbeard fight up until a few weeks before you came here." Luffy kept his gaze on Boa examining her surprised expression getting the confirmation he wanted.
"I know you care for him deeply, hell do I know? You probably still love him. But regardless we're married now and you won't betray my trust. With that said, we found where he and his little Insurgency are hiding." Luffy stated matter-o-factly folding his arms.
Boa's eyes widened holding a hand next to her heart. She remembered the blissful months together they'd spent on Amazon Lily. She'd been able to see first hand who he truly was; A kind, misunderstood, and gentle person who was misperceived by his reputation as the Surgeon of Death. To the people of her nation he was the bringer of life, he'd been able to heal people in intensive care units, disabled citizens, and war veterans all with debilitating injuries. The alliance he housed were more than gracious for her hospitality. A small blush spread across The empress's cheeks remembering their secretive passionate late nights when everyone was asleep—Their thrilling sexual encounters were impossible to forget.
A small hidden smile reached Luffy's lips knowing this could work in his advantage. The old him believed in friendship while the new and improved version of himself believed in leverage. Getting people to act against their own interests for his own personal gain was what he does for a living.
"What are you going do?!" She asked regaining life in her strained voice staring into Luffy's eyes.
"The same thing that happens to everyone that opposes our Regime. He and his alliance had their chance for peace and they refused, they'll be dealt with like the rest." He spoke coldly turning to leave the room.
"You can't!" Hancock shouted earning an arched brow as he turned around to face his wife. "You were friends weren't you? Surely there's another way, you don't have to do this."
Luffy shrugged, "the council voted on it, we're making our move immediately."
"The council voted! Why was I not notified?"
"Because feelings shouldn't be involved in business and politics Hancock. Remember don't betray my trust, I'll see you in a few days."
When the door shut Hancock sank onto the bed trying with all her will power not to cry. She couldn't help as silent sobs wracked her body hearing about the council's agenda. She knew what Luffy and the council were capable of; he'd mercilessly slaughter everyone that Law held dear to him.
The more she thought about it the more her heart began to clench, nausea filled the empress's lungs as she went to empty throne room to think. She sat holding her knees on an unoccupied seat frowning up at the high councilor's throne remembering the harshness he spoke to her with and his unrequited love.
"Law..." she said softly burying her face in between her knees trying to control the tears that flowed down her cheeks. She felt a soft hand on her leg and glanced at
The person that snuck up on her.
Elder Nyon gave the empress a small smile rubbing her knee soothingly.
Hancock just rolled her eyes wiping the tears away from her face. "Here to tell me you told me so?" She questioned sarcastically placing her cheek on a knee.
The elder chuckled placing her arms around the empress's neck. "No, just that I'm here for you and I know you'll find it in your heart to do the right thing." She said before swiftly leaving the throne room.
Hancock noticed a small amazon lily den den mushi, she gasped lightly standing from the seat. Her heart quickened as she paced the room contemplating her options.
She grabbed the transponder snail standing by the throne room's large glass windows overlooking the beaches, and harbors as the sunset reached the end of the horizon.
Hancock ran the words of Luffy through her head and the words of Law when he left her on Amazon Lily after begging him to stay. Gathering all her courage she made her decision.
—
The night air briskly blew through the forest while the moon illuminated the nearby area revealing the Regime council and their localized militia that met them on short notice from the nearby inhabited islands.
"This is it." The Regime section commander of the area said pointing toward the large facility doors hidden in the side of the mountain range.
With a nod from the high councilor Katakuri summoned a giant mochi bludgeoned fist sending it toward the doors knocking them down with ease.
The high councilor signaled the soldiers to clear the area as they made their way into the darkened facility. The council followed soon after entering through the secondary doors anticipating the ambush they were about to unleash.
The group came upon a massive room with a large table chairs lined all around. "What the hell?! They're supposed to be here!" Marco shouted kicking over one of the chairs.
"You're positive they were here?" Dragon asked looking toward the commander of the militia.
"P-positive, we had confirmation only a few hours ago..." the commander gulped seeing he had the attention of earth's strongest warriors.
"A few hours? How is that possible, there's no way..." Ace said trailing off scratching his translucent hat in confusion staring at the still unmoving form of his brother.
"That's because its not Ace. They knew we we're coming; whoever told them knew of our plan ahead of time." Sabo stated folding his arms.
Katakuri frowned, "that's not possible none of us would—"
"I know who did it." Luffy said cutting his emperor off gaining everyone's attention. He drew his hellfire blade igniting the darkened room as he slashed the table furiously letting his rage out. The metal melted clanking against the ground from the force of his strikes. He grunted loudly losing his calm demeanor as the table collapsed burning with cerulean and black flames in the center of the room.
The soldiers began to back away leaving the council to their private discussions, it wasn't worth their lives to overhear something they shouldn't. The high councilor was much more fearsome in person than the stories they'd heard from word of mouth or then the media portrayed.
"Who did it high councilor?" Borsalino asked staring at the heaving rubber man as stood up straight.
"It's all a diversion, they're after the Dyna stones. I need you take me back to the palace right now Kizaru." He said earning a nod from the sharply dressed emperor.
"Brother who is it?" Sabo inquired placing a hand on the tense man's shoulders.
"You know who it is." He said sharply earning a surprised look from the Dressrosa emperor before he composed himself nodding firmly.
"We'll stay here to investigate and track their trail. We'll be sure to sniff out their new hiding spot, we will report back when we find something." Raleigh said leaving with Dragon, and Marco.
Luffy, Sabo, Deadman Ace, and Katakuri remained behind grabbing ahold of Borsalino as the five vanished in a ray of light.
—
Hancock slept peacefully nuzzling into her pillow as she felt a warm hand on her shoulder. "Not now Elder give me five minutes."
"Empress."
"Not now." She whined turning over onto her back before gasping in surprise.
"Law!" She squealed hugging tightly around his neck. "Is this a dream?" She asked softly holding onto him tighter.
"Apparently not, I'm very real Empress." He chuckled lightly holding her hand using her index finger to poke his grinning cheek.
"I-It really is you." She placed her hand on his cheek seeing his familiar face as she removed his zebra printed hat running her hands through his spiky black hair.
"Hancock, I missed you." He said quietly before she pulled his head toward hers claiming the captain of the Heart pirates's lips. Even with his brown jacket on she could feel the anxious beating of his heart; there wasn't any hesitation when he pulled her waist to place her body against his—he truly missed being with her.
The empress couldn't help letting out a whimper as their kiss deepened and she allowed him entrance into her mouth. "I've missed you too Law...so much."
"Then come with me..." he said placing his forehead on hers.
"Law I-" she said letting out a soft sigh.
"Please let me take you away from here." He said cupping her cheeks placing a soft kiss on her forehead. She let out another sigh, being truly wanted was the best feeling she could've imagined, how could she deny his request after helping him and his friends escape the clutches of the Regime.
"Okay take me away." She whispered latching onto his neck causing him to lift her bridal style earning a gasp from the empress as the leader of the Insurgency carried her out the chamber doors descending down the staircase.
The pair made it to the rendezvous point at the bottom of the palace passing unconscious soldiers on their way there. Law set the empress on her feet when they heard screams coming from above, his crew mates were in trouble.
Law pulled on Hancock's waist teleporting to the sounds of the screaming placing a hand on throne room doors.
"Don't—" Hancock protested latching onto his arm.
"I have to, my crew mates need me." He said causing her to reluctantly release her firm hold. She interlocked their fingers together as he pushed the heavy doors open stepping into the darkened room.
"Captain!" Penguin yelled tied up in the center of the massive room. "Don't come in here it's a trap!"
Law and Hancock's eyes widened as Katakuri's appeared behind the pair slamming the door shut. The Insurgency leader placed the empress protectively behind him as the pair backed towards Penguin.
Hancock ran over to Penguin untying the thick ropes around his torso and legs. "Empress thank you." He smiled standing up to address his captain. "Captain, you shouldn't have come here the high councilor is—"
"Law!" Luffy's voice called from the high sitting throne. "It's been awhile old friend, you were trying to leave with my wife." He stated standing from his seat.
"Luffy! Stop this! Let them go, it's me you want, just let them go." Hancock shouted tightening her grip into Trafalgar's hand.
"No it's not," He said turning his attention to the empress with a deep frown, "I told you to leave your feelings out of business woman." He descended the steps halfway to stare down the leader of the uprising against his Regime. To think only a year ago they were a fearsome alliance willing to take down the likes of Warlords and Emperor's alike—now all that was ancient history.
"Where are my crew mates?" Trafalgar asked returning the high councilor's glare. His suspicions about the former straw hat captain over the past year were correct. He had indeed changed from someone who valued relationships as the center of his world to having a cold calculated killer attitude reflecting a burning anger for the world to bear.
Borsalino appeared in a ray of light throwing a battered and bruised Jean Bart next to the trio in the center of room.
"Jean-ya!"
"I-I'm alright captain..." Jean groaned standing steadily to his feet to stand next to them.
The emperor threw the bag filled with Dyna stones toward the high councilor which he caught swiftly.
"What use do you have for these?" Luffy asked pulling out a canister containing the rare stones.
Law snapped his mouth shut unwilling to the give the leader of the free world anything about their future plans.
The high councilor gritted his teeth tossing the bag to Borsalino who vanished moments later with the prized stones earning a frustrated grunt from Law.
"Why did you register like everyone else Law? Now you're endangering your Insurgency and everyone you love." Law followed Luffy's gaze landing on the empress. He placed Boa farther behind him allowing her to use him as a shield.
Luffy began to grow impatient knowing that the Surgeon of Death wasn't one for words. "Very well, I'm going to end this once and for all and finally perfect this world—"
Bepo appeared in his enraged heavy form crashing into the high councilor sending him into the nearby wall beginning to maul the rubber man.
"Go! Get out now!" Bepo shouted continuing to roar fiercely and smash the high councilor into the cloud of debris.
"Do you trust me?" Law asked turning to face the empress when he noticed Sabo, Ace, and Borsalino appear in the room.
"Of course—"
Law cut her off with a fierce kiss placing his hands towards the trio. "Shambles." He called as the empress reached for him before they vanished into thin air.
The emperors in the room surrounded the Insurgency leader Ready pounce on him at moments notice.
"Bepo-ya! Let's go!" He shouted before nearly gasping when seeing the high councilor in his dragon form holding Bepo's by his collar lifting him off the floor.
The polar bear mink held his hands in front of his face, "I yield I yield..." he said sniffling from the fear of the high councilor's wrath.
Luffy turned his attention to Law who only watched with an unsure gaze awaiting his next move; he didn't disappoint the surgeon.
"No! You don't get to yield! No more mercy for cancers posing like innocent civilians!" He yelled striking the bear with such force causing him to draw out blood.
"Bepo-ya!" Law unsheathed his sword dashing toward the pair. His actions were abruptly stopped at the Mochi attached to his legs. The substance collapsed onto his body pinning the Heart pirate captain to the ground.
Sabo appeared grabbing the blade placing it back in it's sheath twirling it between his fingers. "Now now we wouldn't can't have you interrupting the show now would we?" He asked rhetorically with a smirk watching his brother brutalize Law's crew mate.
"BEPO!" Law struggled underneath the weight the Mochi collapsing on his body. His mind raced trying to find a way out of this, even if he did manage to escape the emperors would be right on top of him.
"H-have mercy..." Bepo said letting out a huff of air feeling his battered body nearly give out from the massive flurry of attacks.
The high councilor snatched the bear collar's once again leaning him on his heels until he was only a few feet above the ground.
"Last chance Trafalgar, what's your endgame here. There's still a chance to walk away from all this with your buddy intact." Luffy offered tightening his grip on Bepo's jacket collar.
Law opened his mouth only to be interrupted by his first mate. "Don't captain...don't give him what he wants...we've come too far..."
"Bepo-ya—"
"Captain..." he said trying not to cry his eyes out but he needed to stay strong. "Captain," Bepo regained his composure staring into his captain's eyes, "its been an honor, I love you."
"Bepo," Law's eye's widened realizing what was happening, "STRAW HAT WAIT!"
His pleas fell on deaf ears. He watched helplessly as the high councilor smashed Bepo's head into the marble floor instantly killing him. Blood seeped from the crater flowing through the cracks in the floor.
Law didn't hear himself scream his lungs out not caring that he let tears fall freely from his face. The loud screaming caused the emperors to raise their brows at the attachment the man held to his mink friend.
Luffy approached the hysterical leader. "Now you know what's it's like to truly lose what you love; now you share my pain, can you understand me a little better now? Love breeds sacrifice which in turn breeds hatred, then you can know pain." The high councilor smirked turning his back to Law who hadn't calmed his hysteria, he was still grieving thrashing around helplessly in the Mochi.
Law couldn't find that damn town he'd been searching for, it'd been a day since he'd left behind his ship, he wondered how far inland he'd have to travel.
He nearly tripped over a crying rock while crossing a trail.
"Wait this isn't a rock..." he could hear quiet sniffling and sobbing coming from the furry rock.
He poked the furry white rock as it uncurled to reveal a small frightened polar bear.
"D-don't hurt me please." The bear begged backing against a nearby tree.
"I won't hurt you, I promise." Law smiled petting the mink's head.
"How'd you end up here?" He asked the small bear watching him with a curious softened gaze.
Bepo recounted becoming lost from his ship during a storm before ending up here not remembering where his guardians were.
"Well, I'm putting together a crew and I want you to be my first mate." Law stated happily with a chuckle.
Bepo's features brightened, "really?! Oh boy, I can't wait we're going to have so many adventures!"
Law picked Bepo up placing him on shoulders carrying him down the trail towards the town.
"That we will my furry little friend, now what do you want to eat?"
Law sniffled at the memory of his first encounter with his pure hearted friend. Bepo was the best of them, a truly kind soul who just wanted to protect his loved ones and yet he was mercilessly killed by him. Law couldn't have been happier when they reunited in Zou with the polar bear being the first to greet him hugging him tightly.
"You'll be avenged I swear it my friend, it wont be in vain." He growled opening his eyes to release his hidden haki release. "Room!" The emperors were caught off guard as Law charged their leader with his sword in hand.
Luffy negated Law's cursed blade slash aiming for his head with his own hellfire blade grinning at the emotion showing from the Insurgency leader.
"Oh, where did find this strength?" Luffy chuckled in amusement seeing the seriousness of Law's expression. The force of Luffy's blade began to slowly overwhelm Law's own.
"I wouldn't tell you!" Law shouted placing a hand on his chest. Luffy's eyes widened feeling the arm enter his chest and Law's hand gripping his heart.
The high councilor held out his hands stopping his emperors from making any critical move that could cost his life. Blood sprouted from Luffy's mouth when when Law's grip tightened causing him to forcefully step forward.
"I'm going to crush your heart and end your tyranny so you'll never hurt anyone again." Law said death glaring at the high councilor. He'd been right from the beginning, true pain made the person stronger.
Luffy chuckled loudly coughing more blood from his mouth.
"What the fuck's so funny?!" Law spat staring into the equally fearsome gaze of his foe.
"You should've cut my head off." He said being consumed by hellfire. Law pulled his hand back screaming in immense pain feeling the hellfire burn his hand.
The moment he released the high councilor he backed away toward Bepo's lifeless body just as the emperors surrounded Luffy making a second attempt at his life impossible—he missed his chance. Without a second thought he teleported Bepo and himself out of throne room leaving the remaining council members.
"Should we pursue him brother?" Sabo asked coming to stand next to his brother who remained on a knee. Ace appeared out his body confirming no damage was done that his healing factor couldn't reverse—he had the luck of his devil, at any given moment he could've had his heart crushed irreversibly.
"No we don't pursue them, let them go." Luffy said standing up with the help of Borsalino and Katakuri.
"Hmm, I don't mean to be that guy but why high councilor?" Borsalino asked placing his hands in his pockets.
"He's right Borsalino, we can't take them out—any of them. The empress is with the enemy, she could tell them our secrets. At any cost we have to get her back, she wouldn't want her friends hurt or she could expose us." Sabo exclaimed earning nods from the huddle.
Katakuri grunted at the political aspects of the situation, "we should keep this from the public. There would be no benefit to reporting the empress missing it would only cause mass panic among the people." The leader of Totto land stated folding his arms.
"Perhaps we should use this to do it." Borsalino suggested bringing a familiar Amazon Lily issued den den mushi.
Borsalino handed it to Sabo and with a confirmation nod from his brother the emperor got to work immediately.
—
Trafalgar Law and Boa Hancock sat in silence on the bed; the empress draped herself across his back letting him release all the pent up pain from losing his first mate. The entire way back to their temporary base on an abandoned isle he hadn't spoken a word immediately retreating to his office before burying his friend's body. She stood by his side the entire time.
"I'm so sorry..." Hancock whispered nuzzling into his neck. Law kept her hands hands on his chest feeling his beating heart, it was a good sign for her.
The sound of a beeping snail on the nightstand broke them from their embrace. Law grabbed the snail picking it up letting the voice from the other side come through: "Trafalgar Law, you and your Insurgency are wanted by the Regime for your crimes..." Sabo's recorded voice spoke through the snail.
"It's a recording..." Hancock said letting out a sigh of relief.
"Return the empress by sunrise or we will use the full extent of our power from every corner of the globe and use lethal force. You were lucky to make it this far, don't push it—"
After the snail shut off the two sat in silence once again not wanting to separate.
"You don't have to go—"
"Yes I do! Don't be a fool those men out there believe in you, they're willing to follow you and put their lives on the line. You can't let them die for me...please I can't have another life on my conscious..." she said trying to unsuccessfully hold back her sobs.
"It's on mine too empress..." he said wrapping his arm around her shoulders, his eyes widened slightly realizing she discarded her dress. "Empress..." he nearly lost his breath seeing her naked body once again. He didn't protest when she claimed his lips pushing him below her to lay flat on the bed.
"Empress..."
"Please let me have this...don't stop me. I want you...I need you right now." Hancock spoke in between their passionate kisses.
"I need you too." Law said grabbing ahold of her slim waist crashing his lips against hers quickly switching their positions.
She placed her hands on both sides of his face making sure he was listening, "even if I'm going back I want you to know...my heart stays here with you, I love you Trafalgar Law."
He gripped her waist pulling her tighter to him "I love you too Empress Hancock." The pair held one another lovingly taking away each other's pain. They'd missed each other greatly and couldn't have been happier reuniting in this heated moment.
The empress held Law to her chest after their love making session had ended and he'd fallen asleep. She chuckled when he nuzzled deeper into her breasts wrapping his arm tighter around her warmth.
She sighed softly wiggling out of embrace softly making sure not to wake him up. Once she got dressed she made sure to grab the transponder snail from the nightstand.
"I meant what I said, I love you. Thank you for coming for me it means more than I could ever express." The empress leaned down placing a longing kiss on Law's lips. "We'll see each other again, I believe that...with all my heart." She left before being tempted to stay after pouring out her heart. Once she exited the building and put out a beacon at the edge of the nearby shoreline the cold hearted ruler of Amazon Lily returned. Trafalgar Law had given her a part back to her that she felt she'd lost and Boa was more than grateful for it.
Law groggily woke feeling the loss of warmth from the missing empress. He couldn't help sigh knowing he had to let her go to ensure the safety of the Insurgency and her as well. The last thing he wanted was her to be involved in his and the high councilor's future war. Still it would be a long time before they could gather enough allies to challenge the might of the Regime. He needed to find a way to get the Dyna stones which would be impossible; they'd have to wait for the government's next vulnerable moment.
The leader of the Insurgency tossed and turned unsuccessfully trying to shake the thoughts of the empress he held dear. He swore he could still taste the sweet strawberry rose flavor from her lips, he vowed he would see her again and take her away from that monster—having her heart with him was good enough for now.
"Empress Hancock." Raleigh said with a smirk seeing her emerge from the shadows as she met him, Dragon, and Marco on the beach.
"Let's get going already." She said stepping past the trio hitting Marco's shoulder on the way.
"Your welcome for the ride by the way." Marco snapped as they followed her onto the Regime boat farther down the shore.
Just before sunrise the four reached the familiar palace doors earning a frown from the empress, this wasn't a home to her anymore.
As soon as the doors opened Elder Nyon hurdled herself at the empress throwing her around her neck weeping softly. The others walked ahead not willing to wait until the reunion ended.
"Where were you?! I was searching for you all night!"
"It's alright Elder I've never been better." Hancock said with a warm smile placing Nyon on her feet.
"Huh? What do you mean Empress?" The elder asked bewildered at her bubbly attitude, she hadn't shown it since the wedding.
"I'll explain everything later now go I have a meeting to attend." She said striding toward the stairs heading for the throne room. The elder couldn't help shake her head with a wide grin watching the revamped empress go.
Hancock opened the throne room seeing the majority of the council awaiting her arrival she stood tall avoiding their judgmental gazes.
"Ah Hancock good of you to join us." Luffy smirked from his throne staring down at the empress as she took her seat.
"I am glad to be back, now shall we get down to business." She said addressing the room.
Luffy nodded, his smirk growing wider at the empress's lack of eye contact as she stared at her feet. He knew they didn't have to find the Insurgency, as long as Hancock stayed with them their leader would eventually come for her.
'The fool.' He thought thinking of his old comrade that was in love with the empress. Although it had worked out in their favor; if he focused on his mission he might've been successful in capturing the necessary Dyna stones to power the transportation devices and possibly kept Bepo alive. However he let his feelings get in the way, not that he had any complaints about it.
"We made a major break through early this morning with the transportation devices designed by Dr. Vegapunk, it may take awhile but the potential to travel to other worlds sooner than later is all too possible." Sabo stated from his seat crossing his legs.
"However we have to put that on hold for now; even this little...Insurgency on the rise." Luffy said grinning at the empress who frowned at his words. "We need to call our banners, we're finally going to war with Kaido; scouts finally found him and his massive armies in the underground fortresses off the far coasts of Wano—no man's land."
The council nodded in agreement at the sudden announcement knowing they were going to finally hunt down the immortal beast after a year of precise planning.
Luffy continued keeping his hands folded over his face to contain his excitement. "Once I collect Kaido's head, we'll take down the Insurgency, and then we use the transporter to find other worlds and conquer them as well under the flag of our Regime."
With the exception of Hancock everyone in the room stood up cheering his title.
"High councilor!"
"High councilor!"
"High councilor!"
Hancock looked in terror at the council who stood before her cheering on the tyrant they worshipped. She glanced at the man she used to know as Monkey D. Luffy; now she wasn't sure who he was. The man that stood before them now was the high councilor—nothing more nor less than a tyrant.
"It's about fucking time!" Ace shouted with a grin while Sabo nodded in agreement. The council smiled as their leader rose to his feet.
"We will control everything." The high councilor said admiring his plans to rule over everyone that kneeled to him and slaughter those that opposed his reign. From his point of view he was just getting started.
A/N: End of Elseworld Part One, High Councilor Luffy will return. It took all awhile but I figured this was the only possibility (for me) to convincingly turn one of the most optimistic, enthusiastic people in OP into a vicious tyrant. I thought it was a pretty decent turn into an anti-villain while introducing some interesting concepts. Let me know what you thought of this chapter, the story of the whole, or the fresh take on main character of OP. Part two will debut before the new year definitely. Thanks for all the views, reviews, and encouragement.