Luffy knelt facing Zoro, his face for once without his usual cheerful smile. His eyes strayed down to where Zoro's right hand sat in a sling, crushed beyond any hope of repair, completely unable to hold a sword. Unable to look at it any longer, Luffy eyes dropped to Zoro's sword which lay sheathed on the floor in front of him.

"You don't have to do this," said Zoro seriously, his own voice dull. "I promised I would follow you to the Grand Line. I made my decision that my dream could come second to yours."

"No," replied Luffy, taking his hat off and placing it in front of Zoro before picking up the sword. "I made a promise to you, that day when you agreed to join me. That if being in my crew ever stopped you from achieving your dream, then I would end my life on your sword. I will keep my word. Will you do me one favour?"

"Of course," said Zoro.

"Take my hat and make sure Shank gets it back," said Luffy, a determined look on his face, as he unsheathed the sword. "I want him to know what happened."

"Of course," agreed Zoro, wanting very much to turn his head away, but knowing it would be an insult to what Luffy was about to do. Luffy placed the sheath on the floor and raised the sword level with his chest. As he plunged the blade into his body, and saw his vision go blood red, he died with the knowledge that at the very least he had in the end become King of the Pirates, even at the cost of Zoro's dream, which he knew would never be worth it.