Hi guys Azza here!
So I just want to say sorry for taking so long to upload but things are pretty rough at the moment. I've got a lot going on with my family and I haven't really had the ability to do much more than try to respond to reviews via PM or do some slight touch-ups to my account.
I'm going to keep the ON HIATUS bit on the story for the moment just because I don't want to say I'm definitively back and good to go because things are still very much rough for me at the moment however, I will once again say that I am not going to ever abandon the series, I'll find some way to do it like I have with this chapter!
So, that's basically it guys other than I'll respond to any reviews I can via PM.
Anyway, on with the story!
I do not own Fairy Tail, One Piece or the Nasuverse.
The Last Step To Ace – Luffy's Charge
/Execution Plaza/
"Come here Dragneel," Tiberius snarled as two of his tentacle arms shot out to grab him whilst his other two kept up the rapid advance toward Natsu's position. "I'm gonna enjoy snatching away every last scrap of power in that pathetic form of yours!"
Natsu evaded the two strikes from the tentacles by weaving side to side, swatting away the left tentacle as it tried to follow up with another attack before leaping further away from Tiberius. The Demon God clearly wasn't in the mood for games as he suddenly dropped to the ground and retracted all four tentacles into his back with his arms now morphing into a set that began to glow ominously.
"You think I'm gonna just let you get an easy kill on me like that!? You're even dumber than I thought, some Demon God!"
"You won't be laughing for long Hybrid," Tiberius shot back as his left tentacle arm smashed into the ground below. "Let's see how you handle this!"
Everything started to shake as the ground around them started to collapse in on itself, deafening explosions rocking the earth below as Tiberius' arm fired off dozens of the explosions Demon God Pillars were so famous for.
"He did an attack like that back on Earthland, remember Natsu!"
"Yeah. That's the one he did when his eyes would lock onto a single spot and a sea of explosions would wash across a target area. Not good if he's now able to pull of the same area of effect attack with one arm, not good at all."
Despite this however, he wasn't overly concerned. Though the attacks were certainly powerful, they weren't anything he wasn't capable of enduring. The only issue really was the Allied Forces being within the vicinity as collateral.
"All right, I'm gonna go on the offensive and see if I can't work out what makes him tick," Natsu said as he took flight with the four tentacles sprouting from Tiberius' back and lifting him high into the air once more.
"You think being in the sky will save you?"
Using the bottom set of tentacles as legs, the two at the top opened up at the tips and started firing condensed blasts of energy at him as he retracted his main arm from the ground. Extending both his main arms, Tiberius also added a barrage of much smaller blasts of energy that left little room for evasion.
"Natsu! Crash Barrier should be enough to ward off the smaller blasts, their energy readings aren't anything notable!"
"Probably just distractions," Aava sniffed as she locked onto the larger tentacles firing the bigger energy blasts. "Those on the other hand are packing power, enough to blow up an island at least."
"Noted," was all Natsu said as his Crash Barrier formed around him and he charged through the endless stream of energy blasts, spinning and swerving out of the way of the larger blasts as he closed the distance between them rather quickly.
Seeing that his current strategy wasn't working, Tiberius snarled and ceased firing all the attacks and rose up even higher, clenching his fists as Natsu cocked back to strike him.
"Hybrid's Aura: Fire Dragon Monarch's Demolition Fist!"
Throwing the punch, it was instantly intercepted by the upper set of tentacles on Tiberius' back, dealing little damage as they shielded him from harm. Quickly moving to retaliate, he lashed out with the same set which Natsu easily dodged before moving in to engage him directly.
"Damn you," Tiberius snarled as he blocked several swift punched with his regular tentacle arms before lashing out with the upper two on his back.
"I don't think so!"
"What-!?"
Tiberius' upper tentacles were suddenly held in place as Ahnk partially manifested behind Natsu and intercepted them, grabbing a hold of them by the ends as Natsu rushed forward and slugged the Demon God.
"Tch-!"
Ahnk yanked on the two tentacles in his grasp and pulled Tiberius back in so Natsu could deliver another punch to the face which seemed to anger the Demon God enough to release even more power.
"You think that I'm going to lose to trash like you," Tiberius snarled as his entire body started to glow a bright green colour. "I'LL DESTROY YOU AND EVERYTHING YOU CHESRISH!"
Ahnk immediately dispelled himself and Natsu threw up a Crash Barrier at maximum power right as Tiberius seemingly blew himself up. The explosion quickly engulfed a large section of the plaza which brought yet another halt to the battle as the Allied Forces scrambled to avoid being caught up in the attack.
As for Natsu himself, he was still sent flying and crashed into one of the wrecked ships that had been washed ashore by all the seismic activity. The entire ship folded in on itself and exploded, leaving many shocked and worried for him.
That worry would only increase however as a solid bright green beam of light shot down from the sky right onto Natsu's impact zone and set off an even larger explosion. Many of the Servants, as well as Ritsuka and Mash, knew exactly what kind of attack that was as they had dealt with it before.
"Allowing Dragneel to attain victory … IMPOSSIBLE! I am Tiberius, my will is to shatter Balance itself!"
The smoke cleared and many on the Allied Forces side knew they were in trouble as a towering form rapidly grew and wrapped itself around the Execution Platform itself. There, in his true form, was Tiberius, and all eyes on the Demon God Pillar rested solely upon the Allied Forces.
"Well, that hurt," Natsu huffed as he regained his bearings, yanking a piece of wood out of his side and tossing it into the water. "Strange he decided to enter his Pillar form so soon though, isn't it?"
"He's playing the endgame Natsu, he knows that if Ace is freed then it will revitalize the Allied Forces will to fight," Ahnk chimed in as Natsu clasped his hands together and surrounded the entire wreck around him in a purplish Aura.
"Also keep in mind that he's a being of Anti, his way of thinking isn't by logical standards. For all we know, Tiberius might actually have a greater plan in store we are yet to be aware of."
Floating upward, along with half the destroyed fleet of Allied and World Government ships, Natsu grit his teeth and met the gaze of the pillar. Hurling the ships in its general direction, Tiberius' voice rang out across the battlefield.
"Is this truly the best the King Of Balance can offer!? It will take far more than mere wood and metal to destroy the likes of me!"
"Good thing it isn't meant for you then, huh," Natsu smirked as all the eyes on the pillar locked directly onto Natsu's form.
Suddenly, all the debris began to tear itself apart, blocking out the sky with a sea of broken material. Only those with Haki or vastly enhanced sight could even see Natsu zipping through the material.
"You think cover will save you," Tiberius' voice roared as he started firing energy-based projectiles from his eyes up at the debris field. "I WILL REND YOUR BODY INTO LESS THAN ATOMS!"
It was then that Tiberus felt it, a sharp stabbing pain at the base of his Pillar shaped body. All eyes looked downward and, to the shock of everyone present, Natsu had stabbed Tiberius with a Piercing Claw, his arm sunk in up to the elbow.
"I-IMPOSSIBLE," the Demon God Pillar gasped as it's gaze shot back upward to see the Natsu zipping around wave before fading away. "IMPOSSIBLE!"
"That's what arrogance gets you Tiberius," Natsu snarled as he started moving his arm to the left whilst it was still fully submerged into the Demon God Pillar. "You thought you knew everything about me, thought you knew the way I think!"
From the point Natsu had plunged his arm in, Tiberius was sliced leftward as his Pillar shaped body started to shake. Like a tree that had been cut halfway, his body began to topple over, all eyes oozing blood as he went.
"The Natsu you have data on … and the one before you now," Natsu panted as he rose to his full height as Tiberius re-entered his base humanoid form. "We're two entirely different people. How we behave, how we think and plan, all of it is totally different."
Tiberius lay on the ground with his side blown open, panting heavily as he watched Natsu slowly advance on him. The multitude of calculations the Demon God Pillar had done hadn't accounted for what Natsu had said, they hadn't even predicted that there would be a difference at all.
"Even if that is the case, I'll come back stronger," Tiberius snarled as Natsu prepared to stab the downed Demon God. "Telling me that will be your downfall!"
"I don't think so Tiberius," Natsu replied with a shake of his head. "Because next time-!"
Plunging a Piercing Claw into the Demon God's neck, he swiftly severed his head as the entire body started to collapse into a gross, mushy black powder. Natsu shook the powder on his hand away before getting back to his feet.
"Next time, I'll be stronger too."
Suddenly feeling his legs shake, he dropped to his knees and coughed up blood. His whole body shook violently as the weeks of no rest, torture and near constant battle damage continued to catch up with him.
Panting heavily, he looked around and noticed he was right before the Execution Platform, in the heart of enemy lines. Gritting his teeth as he wiped some blood away from his mouth, he prepared himself as he was promptly surrounded by World Government troops again.
"We need to try and end this war quickly Natsu, your body is beginning to fail you," Ahnk muttered quietly as he prepared to fight his way back to the Allied Forces. "There's only so many times you can regenerate from fatal wounds without proper rest."
"Just do what you guys can," Natsu sighed as his senses alerted him to the arrival of another powerful foe.
"It pains me seeing you struggle like this," a feminine voice sighed as many of the troops before him began to part. "Seeing you crush the weak and feeble dregs always brings a smile to my face, but this …"
"Esdeath," Natsu muttered as the Caster General appeared, an elegant rapier having been drawn and pointed directly at him.
"Natsu."
"You really plan on fighting me now?"
"I have little choice in the matter, the next part of the plan has been activated now that you have temporarily removed Tiberius from the battle," the Caster sighed as her eyes started glowing Crimson Red. "No hard feelings, but this is the way Fate has decreed our meeting to be, so I must play my part!"
It was then that he felt it, powerful and malicious Devil's Aura that flooded the battlefield. What was strange however was that it wasn't solely coming from Esdeath herself, but rather, and area behind her.
"It is time to begin pushing the rebels back out of Marineford," Esdeath snapped as she suddenly rose up on a pillar of ice. "Forces of Whitebeard and Eden, prepare to face true despair!"
It was then that Natsu noticed many of the World Government troops were falling back, making room for something as the malicious Aura grew stronger.
"Esdeath, what are you doing!?"
"I want you to watch this, Natsu," Esdeath replied with a gentle smile. "Watch and be awed by my power!"
Opening her arms outward, he felt her Devil's Aura output drastically increase as the temperature across Marineford dipped substantially. It was at this moment that he realized what she was doing, as the walls behind the Execution Platform lowered, he knew the Allied Forces were in trouble.
"That's … not good," Aava said as all three were simultaneously stunned.
"To create even one of that strength would have been taxing …."
Behind Esdeath and the pillar she stood on; another army had emerged. This army however was made entirely of ice, large ice centaurs wielding various weapons that all had Crimson Red eyes.
"Every single one of them … has Devil's Aura," Natsu gaped as the army of ice centaurs began to charge forward. "Unbelievable! There's got to be at least three thousand of them!"
"Devil's Aura: Noble Phantasm Release – Demon God's Manifestation – Ice Cavalry!"
"A Noble Phantasm, now it makes sense," Ahnk sighed as Natsu's eyes met with Esdeath's, the Caster seemingly seeking something from them as she slowly lowered her ice platform back down to his level and took several steps forward.
"How did you pull this off," Natsu asked, the ice centaurs seemingly not interested in facing him as they sprinted directly past the pair and toward the Allied Forces. "The amount of power necessary to create even one of these things would have drained you for a day at least, yet you've made thousands of them. How?"
"You are correct that to even make one it would drain most of my power," Esdeath replied neutrally as she lazily swung her rapier at her side. "However, the World Government has access to certain … benefits, ones that allowed me to make far more than normal. Over the course of two years, I managed to create all the ones you see here."
"I can see now why you've been made one of the Three Generals," Natsu sighed with a tired smile. "Such a powerful ability, you're practically an army factory in addition to being a one-man army."
"S-so," Esdeath stuttered as a tinge of pink crossed her cheeks. "Y-you thought it was … impressive?"
"Oh yeah, of course it is. Anyone who isn't impressed is probably over there shitting themselves knowing that they're about to get completely demolished by one of those things."
Esdeath's blush turned scarlet as she turned and looked away. She was about to say something when Natsu continued.
"But I think that both you, and the World Government, have made a grave error."
"W-what!? What are you talking about, what error!?"
"Excluding myself, there's someone else here who can just blow all of these things away in a single hit," Natsu explained as Esdeath's blush faded, replaced with narrowed eyes as she fully turned back to face him.
"Explain!"
"Esdeath, I'm not calling you stupid," Natsu began as the Caster took a rather menacing step forward. "In fact, I can tell you're actually probably one of the smartest people on the World Government's side. But the thing is, you've all overlooked one thing that can undo all that hard work you put into making the Ice Cavalry."
"And what exactly would that be," Esdeath hissed as she got right up into Natsu's personal space. "What is it that we 'supposedly' overlooked that would embarrass me?"
"I think you're about to see it," Natsu replied simply as he motioned for Esdeath to look over at her Ice Cavalry.
Watching them charge, she couldn't see anything that would indicate what Natsu was talking about. Then she blinked, and they all suddenly shattered.
"What …"
Looking between Natsu and her now completely destroyed Ice Cavalry, she couldn't help but begin to feel rather angry. After all, she had actually worked hard to forge them and a lot of her time as a Servant had been spent being overly tired because of it.
"What did you do!?"
"It wasn't me Esdeath," Natsu replied softly as he motioned for her to look back over at where her Ice Cavalry had been. "Look."
Looking back where Natsu had indicated, it was the moment that what he'd said made perfect sense. There was, in fact, one fatal flaw with their plan to use the Ice Cavalry to try and push back the Allied Forces.
Whitebeard.
Despite having a hole blown through his chest by Akainu and despite being worn down a bit from the fighting, the Emperor had easily blasted apart her entire Ice Cavalry with one swing of his outstretched naginata. The Quake Quake power was still coating the blade as he returned it to his side, the eyes of the old man meeting her own before moving back toward the battle at large.
"Of course," Esdeath muttered darkly as she gripped her blade tighter. "That damnable Quake Quake Fruit!"
Natsu was about to speak when Esdeath took a swipe at him with her blade. Barely avoiding it in time, he weaved past several more slashes before jumping back and entering a defensive stance.
"Esdeath!"
"This is … unacceptable! All that work only to be embarrassed right in front of you," Esdeath snarled as her body became coated in small ice shards around her ankles and wrists. "I won't allow this to stand!"
Watching as Esdeath started to float upward, she suddenly turned and shot toward Whitebeard's direction which left him alone for the moment. Sighing, silently thankful he had a moment to catch his breath, he looked over the battle and noticed Luffy was still somehow charging toward the platform.
"How is it that I keep getting held up yet Luffy is able to charge ahead of me like that," Natsu huffed as several explosions went off around him.
"I would say that the answer is fairly obvious, wouldn't you?"
Turning to face the direction of the explosions, Natsu narrowed his eyes as Akainu walked toward him, one of his arms expelling raw magma. He immediately assumed a defensive stance as the Admiral stopped several metres before him with a neutral gaze.
"I'll admit that I was wrong about you," Akainu began as the battle around them seemed to die out with many looking at the pair. "Initially, I had presumed you to be another upstart Pirate who simply had powers beyond what the first half of the Grand Line could handle. After the reports from Enies Lobby however, I quickly deduced your true level of power and I can say with absolute certainty that you are a threat to Justice."
"All rather interesting, I'm sure," Natsu countered evenly as Akainu narrowed his eyes in response. "But you see, I can't seem to find myself too concerned with the notion of what the World Government decries as 'Justice' since it is nothing more than a bastardization of a concept that already found itself questionable."
"You seem confident that you're going to win here," Akainu noted, ignoring Natsu's jab for the moment as the smoke coming from his magma based left arm increased in its intensity. "But to the more perceptive, it is clear that you are on your last legs."
It wasn't really a lie. Even now, he could feel his body trembling, begging for rest. His reaction time had drastically dropped since he broke out of Impel Down and even that was worse than when he was at Sabaody. His body was battered and his mind strained.
"What's your point? You think that just because I'm tired that I'll just keel over and let trash like you win and execute a guy who's only real crime is being born to a notorious Father?"
"There is no innocent Pirates in this world Dragneel, nor are there any deserving of quarter. In the face of Justice, those who defy the World Government are less than human and shall be dealt with as such!"
Natsu tensed as he felt heat explode from Akainu, the man charging up an attack as his fist quadrupled in size. Clenching his own right fist, fire exploded out of it as he cocked back into an offensive stance.
"In the name of Justice, I'll kill you, Dragneel," Akainu roared as he cocked back and threw his punch. "Magma Magma: Major Eruption!"
"Hybrid's Aura: Fire Dragon Monarch's Reverberating Demolition Fist!"
Throwing his own punch, the two attacks smashed into one another as the entire area began to shake violently. Just like when Whitebeard clashed with Akainu earlier, dozens of child explosions started going off around them as the island protested their clash.
Natsu knew that his fire by itself wouldn't actually be enough to stand up to Akainu's magma-based attacks. Magma was, more or less, a direct upgrade from fire and by infusing Crash Magic he would be able to level the playing field.
"H-how," Akainu snarled through grit teeth as his attack was halted in its tracks, forcing him to actively push against Natsu's punch. "How are you able to match me with raw fire alone!?"
"What's that? I thought you said I was on my last legs," Natsu taunted in response which only seemed to anger the Admiral further. "Come on, try harder!"
As Natsu and Akainu clashed, Luffy couldn't help but gape at how hard Natsu was fighting in the war. He knew full well that Natsu had to be tired by now, far worse than even he was, and yet he didn't relent and fought against top tier foes without flinching.
He was suddenly broken out of his musing as he felt a hand on his shoulder and spun around to strike the person trying to grab him, only to find that it was Ivankov.
"Ivan!"
"Straw Hat boy," Ivankov panted as they charged past the distracted World Government troops. "We're almost there, are you doing alright!?"
"Yeah!"
"We've probably only got one real shot at this you know, one chance to get you up there to save Ace," Ivankov continued sharply as some of the troops noticed they had rushed past and began to give chase. "I hope you're ready for this!"
"Ready for what," Luffy asked only for his eyes to widen as Inazuma came out of Ivankov's hair and started running alongside them like it was a perfectly normal occurrence.
"What the hell!? Why were you hiding in Ivan's hair!?"
"That isn't important right now," Inazuma replied sharply as he looked back toward Ivankov. "I'll need a distraction if you want this to work you know?"
"Of course I know that," Ivankov snapped as he suddenly jumped whilst spinning around and turned to face their pursuers. "This is your chance Straw Hat!"
"What are you talking about Ivan," Luffy snapped back as Inazuma's hands morphed into a set of scissors.
"Get ready Luffy, this is your only chance!"
Before Luffy even had a chance to ask what the hell Ivan and Inazuma were on about, the man started cutting into the ground like it was made from paper. Behind him, Ivankov was tearing into their pursuers as a group of the Allied Forces managed to break through the enemy lines and join him.
"Luffy!"
Spinning back around, Inazuma was back and had successfully cut through the ground and was now standing back at his starting point, seemingly waiting.
"Are you ready?"
"For what?"
Instead of replying, Inazuma jabbed his scissor hands into the ground and flicked up the ground he'd sliced open, forming a massive platform that went right up to the Execution Platform itself.
Just as he was about to jump onto the platform, an explosion went off behind them as a sea of magma washed over the area before reforming into Akainu who looked pissed off.
"I won't let you reach that platform, Straw Hat-!"
Akainu's declaration was cut off as Natsu appeared in front of Akainu and booted him in the side of the head, sending the top half of his body flying into a group of World Government troops who were melted by his magma body.
"Natsu!"
"Luffy," Natsu panted as he dropped to one knee, blood escaping from the corners of his mouth which had the young Captain taking a step toward him in concern. "Don't bother about me!"
"B-but-!"
"Don't stop moving forward Luffy," Natsu snapped as Akainu reformed and started charging toward them again. "We all fought hard to get here, your Brother is within reach!"
"I know, but-!"
"Get up there you idiot," Natsu roared as he shakily rose to his feet. "Don't worry about us, worry about Ace!"
"There won't be any need to worry once I kill you both," Akainu shouted in response as he appeared in a semi-liquid state and tried to punch Natsu who leapt back at the last moment. "Stop resisting the inevitable!"
Luffy was torn as he watched Natsu stagger backward before coughing up some more blood. On one hand, he wanted to help the man who got him all this way, but on the other he knew that Akainu was simply far beyond anything he could handle.
Wincing as he watched Natsu get slugged across the face by Akainu before spinning around and kicking the Admiral in the ribs, he spun around and started to sprint up the platform Inazuma made.
"I'll do it Natsu, just don't go out to a piece of shit like him!"
As Natsu was struck in the head again, his head conveniently snapped toward where Luffy was and he couldn't help but smile at the young man's declaration. A second blow to the head reminded him he was busy however and he shifted his full focus back onto Akainu.
"Get out of the way Dragneel!"
"I'm not about to let you World Government dogs win," Natsu huffed as he wiped the blood from his mouth and clenched his fists. "Whatever it takes, I'll get Luffy to Ace!"
"And die trying," Akainu snarled in response as he and Natsu locked hands, the ground around them cracking from the force as the pair struggled to gain dominance over each other.
"Greater beings have had a much harder time with me," Natsu said through grit teeth as his Aura flared and Akainu found himself being overpowered gradually. "Don't get presumptuous and assume that I'm the type to cower before death, boy!"
Akainu suddenly lurched forward as Natsu kneed him in the gut.
Hard.
The blow was so hard that Akainu actually cried out in pain as blood escaped his opened mouth, a mouth that was smashed shut as Natsu swiftly performed an upward kick on his jaw which had the Admiral bend backward.
"This isn't my first war and it certainly won't be my … LAST," Natsu snarled as Akainu moved to deliver a fierce rebound headbutt.
The pair smashed their foreheads together as a large crack appeared in the ground between them. The pair paid it no mind as they glared at one another in defiance.
Akainu had magma oozing from his eyes and mouth, no doubt the source of his moniker as the 'Red Dog' of the Navy.
As Natsu and Akainu struggled against one another, Luffy continued to sprint up the platform and tried to ignore the sounds of battle behind him.
Suddenly, he skidded to a stop as a bright light momentarily blinded him. Before he even had a chance to blink, Kizaru had appeared with his Light Sword already poised to strike at him.
"Oh dear … I'm honestly rather frightened by the tenacity of you guys," Kizaru hummed as the tip of Kizaru's blade started to glow. "Still, that doesn't mean I'll just let you reach your goal though."
"Shit-!"
Luffy winced as Kizaru moved to stab him however out of nowhere, Mordred suddenly appeared in a flash of golden light and intercepted the attack.
"Mordred!"
"Get going!"
Not even considering arguing, Luffy sprinted past Mordred's position and continued upward, leaving Mordred and Akainu locked in a fierce clash.
"Wow, you certainly got rather strong since Sabaody," Kizaru said in what Mordred assumed was a mocking tone. "Personally, I thought a gaping hole in your torso suited you better, didn't you like it?"
"I'll be paying you back for that one," Mordred replied with narrowed eyes as she activated her God's Aura. "Several times over, in fact."
With a sudden surge of power, Kizaru's body turned into pure light and was shot straight into the middle of a group of World Government troops, setting off a sizeable explosion. Kizaru reformed immediately as Mordred floated down to meet him.
"Oh wow … I'm actually getting a bit scared!"
"Don't lie," Mordred said with narrowed eyes as both of them vanished and appeared high above the battle, exchanging a fierce flurry of blows.
As Mordred and Kizaru fought fiercely, Luffy finally managed to reach the halfway point and could see Ace clearly. His Brother was gaping in disbelief at what was happening however he could also see the hope shining within his previously dead eyes.
"Don't worry Ace, I'm almost there," Luffy cried out as more explosions went off across the battlefield. "I'm gonna save you, no matter what-!"
Luffy was halted in his tracks as something landed right in his path, shaking the entire fragile construct and forcing him to a halt. The smoke quickly cleared and Luffy's eyes went wide as he slowly started shaking his head.
"No …"
The person who landed on the platform rose to their full height, fists clenched and the symbol for Justice firmly on display at his back. The person grit their teeth and took a step forward, prompting Luffy to immediately take a step backward in response.
"Did you really think … it would be that easy!?"
Many of the combatants around the area ceased fighting and looked up at the confrontation on the platform, shocked at what they were seeing.
"Look! It's him," one of the Whitebeard Pirates cried out. "Garp The Hero!"
"Grandpa," Luffy muttered before shaking his head and steeling himself. "Grandpa, please get out of the way!"
"There's no way I'll just step aside," Garp snapped back in response which almost seemed to physically hurt Luffy as he took another step backward. "I am a Vice Admiral Of the Navy!"
"But-!"
"I've been fighting Pirates long before you were born Luffy," Garp continued as he raised his right fist threateningly. "If you plan on getting past me then it'll be over my dead body!"
"But Grandpa-!"
"Straw Hat Luffy," Garp snapped, cutting Luffy off before he could even plead to his Grandfather. "That name, that moniker, is proof that this is the path you've chosen for yourself!"
Luffy paled as he met Garp's gaze and the steely look his normally cheerful and affectionate Grandfather had for him.
"Grandpa … please," Luffy muttered as the ground around where Garp stood started to crack thanks to the force of his earlier landing. "Please … just let me past!"
"I just told you, it'll be over my dead body," Garp snapped in reply as Luffy took one last step back before clenching his fists.
"Grandpa … I can't … I can't fight you, just move!"
"If you don't kill me here, Ace will die," Garp roared which stirred something within Luffy as he took an immediate step forward. "No matter how much you hate it, this is the path you chose!"
Something seemed to snap within Luffy as the platform started to give way thanks to the damage it had sustained. Knowing he had to make an immediate decision, he crouched down and grit his teeth.
"Gear Second!"
"From this moment on," Garp began as Luffy shot toward Garp's position as fast as he could. "I regard you as my enemy!"
Luffy cocked back his right arm, stretching it as he shot toward Garp's position as the man threw a punch. Luffy knew he'd probably die to this punch but he didn't even care. He had to try. He had to get past his Grandfather at all costs.
As Garp inched closer to striking his Grandson, he felt something twinge within him.
Grandpa!
Gritting his teeth, he tried to force the feeling out however then he saw Luffy's determined face and it was back again, this time with another, much younger voice accompanying it.
Grandpa!
Old man!
He felt his strength begin to leave him as his eyes wandered to Luffy's face, the young man before him slowly regressing into a brat no higher than his knee with a goofy grin on his face. Next to him was another, slightly edgier brat who smirked in his direction as all three shared a good laugh.
'Luffy … Ace …'
"Gum Gum: Jet Pistol!"
Garp didn't even flinch as Luffy slugged him across the face as hard as he could and was sent flying right off the platform, much to the shock and horror of the World Government forces. As he fell, his mind slowly began to wander back to a particular memory.
Even if we become Pirates, we'll still love you anyway Grandpa! Right Ace!?
Heh. You really love blurting stuff out like that, don't you? No shame at all!
Come on Ace!
Shut up Luffy!
Both of you are dreaming if you think I'll let either of you become Pirates! I'm gonna knock that nonsense out of both of you and make two fine Marines!
No way!
As if!
Wahahahahahahaha! You've both got plenty of spunk still, time for more training!
Aww!
Come on!
I'm hungry!
Looking over toward Luffy as he reached the Execution Platform, Garp couldn't help but sigh. His eyes wandered to Ace and he knew that things wouldn't ever be like they once had been.
'I hope you're ready for this … Luffy.'
Garp crashed into the ground right as Luffy reached the platform itself, finally touching down right in front of a completely shellshocked Ace.
"I did it … I made it!"
"L-Luffy," Ace gaped in disbelief. "You actually …"
"I'm here to save you Ace," Luffy said firmly as he knelt down in front of his Brother. "I wouldn't ever let them execute you!"
Before Ace could respond, the sound of someone clapping drew both of their attention to the right which immediately prompted Ace to pale and Luffy to narrow his eyes.
Fleet Admiral Sengoku stood there with an impassive gaze. Clearly, he wasn't the least bit concerned with Luffy's presence whatsoever. The General next to him however, was slowly clapping, which made Luffy rather angry.
"The hell do you think you're clapping for!?"
"I figured some congratulations were in order," Rider said smoothly as he clapped one last time before ceasing. "Out of all the possible people I'd marked to reach the platform, you most certainly were not on the list."
"Who cares about that," Luffy snarled in response which earned him nothing more than an amused twitch at the corner of Rider's mouth.
"You have a drive within you I haven't seen in a long time, Monkey D Luffy. Not surprising that Dragneel's protégé has such a fire within him though, all things considered."
The entire atmosphere shifted drastically as Rider pulled out a handgun from his coat and pointed it at Luffy, the amusement gone from his demeanour now and replaced by a cold and calculative glare.
"However, this is where your little advance ends. This war has dragged on far longer than any of us would have liked, both sides suffering substantial casualties as a result. Master?"
"Yes," Sengoku hummed as he nodded his approval. "He is a threat to Justice as much as Portgas D Ace is due to his parentage. He can die here, alongside his sworn Brother."
"Understood," Rider nodded as he walked up to Luffy and pressed the gun up against his head. "You didn't even try and get away when I did this, do you believe your rubber intangibility will save you?"
Luffy's eyes widened at that. Was this man able to actually shoot him, or was it a mere bluff?
"I am a Servant, capable of tangling with the likes of you Devil Fruit Users," Rider explained as he pressed the gun into Luffy's forehead. "This is the end of you, Monkey D Luffy."
Luffy grit his teeth as he glared up at the man who apparently was about to kill him. He knew he couldn't out speed the man since almost every Servant seemed to trounce his abilities, but he had to do something if he wanted to live.
It was then that he saw it, a faint glow in the sky that seemed to zip between the clouds for a brief moment. Suddenly, Luffy's face was covered in blood, a blade mere inches from his left eye.
"Noble Phantasm Release: Zabaniya – Starlight Actuation!"
There was a deafening silence as everyone froze from what had just occurred.
From the corner of his eye, Luffy could see the shocked look of Sengoku and quickly pieced together that whatever happened it wasn't in their favour. His eyes drifted back to the blade momentarily before moving up to see the passive gaze of Rider.
"So," he sighed as blood escaped through his lips. "It appears that my hunch was correct."
Now it was Luffy's turn to gape at the man who was just standing there with a blade through him, not even looking like he was bothered by it at all. If anything, this actually unnerved him somewhat since the only other person he'd seen do something like that was Natsu himself.
"Master, I'm afraid that we'll need to shift our plans now," Rider said calmly as he withdrew the gun from Luffy's forehead and gripped the blade sticking out of his stomach with his free hand. "It appears that King Hassan has now taken an interest in this war."
Before anyone decides to say it in a review I want to say this is not the end of Tiberius' involvement. I won't say how, why or when but you'll see by the end of this arc.
Anyway, hope you all enjoyed and I'll see you in the next one!