A/N: CPR keeps blood flowing throughout a unconscious body, prolonging the time it takes for brain death to take place. After 4-6 minutes (can vary) without a heart beat, brain cells begin to die. 10 minutes without a heat beat is when these cells stop functioning all together. Just for those who might not have known.

Disclaimer: I do not own One Piece. Duh.

Two minutes. Two whole minutes before anyone spoke. Two whole minutes before anyone looked away from Luffy.

"He's breathing," sighed Zoro in relief, sitting back on his hunches. Everyone in turn breathed out a breath they didn't even know they were holding. No one spoke after though, there was only one thing on everyone's mine but it was going to be sensitive. At this point some of the mist had cleared but only enough to see what was happening on the ship. Also didn't help that afternoon had turned into night thirty minutes ago. It was Usopp that finally shattered the silence.

"Are we going to talk about those scars on Luffy?"

Nobody attempted to make eye contact. When they had removed the captain's clothes to patch up his wound, even in the dim (nearly nonexistent) light, the scarring was very visible. It must look horrendous in full day light. Yep, not one soul spoke up on the matter, leaving Usopp to drop the subject in it's entirely. Zoro had something to say though.

"I don't want anyone to mention this when Luffy wakes. What...whatever happened is probably something he doesn't want to talk about. If he did, he would have brought it up. I really don't want to hear anyone speak about it. Cook, I don't know if you know anything about this but do not let me hear a word spoken. Am I understood?" Zoro's tone left absolutely no discussion on the matter.

Nami was sitting in the circle with the crew, crying and inconsolable. So many emotions building up and pouring out, it would have been impossible to keep quiet. Maybe going into her room to cry would have been better, but Nami could not bring herself to move from the rubber man. Her strong defender was currently looking so fragile right now, almost weak. The feeling to reach out and touch was overwhelming, but at the moment one hand was over mouth and the other was wiping away tears.

Usopp was not as bad off as Nami but similarly was very upset. Luffy had become a very close friend to him at this point and seeing his dear buddy in such a state was saddening. Then those scars kept coming to mine as well. Whatever happened, no normal human could have gone through that and lived. Those burns were old but in a way that made it worst. Just thinking of a young kid going through that seemed evil on a basic level.

Sanji lit a cigarette and sat against the railing of the Merry, looking up at the layer of mist still blocking out the sky. He thought back to what little Luffy had said to him about those scars. Clearly it was a sensitive topic and he wasn't going to talk about it without permission from Luffy. Period. Unlike the others, the cook was not worried about Luffy's current health at the moment. He would pull through easily.

Sanji got up and began to walk towards the kitchen. "Luffy will be hungry when he wakes up," spoke the cook without turning around. His words had a double meaning. First was just to tell where he was going, but also it reassured everyone that Luffy would be alright and return to his normal self. Zoro of all people actually took that message to heart. Yes, the captain would be fine and everything would return to normal soon. Laying back on the deck, the first mate and swordsman dozed off.

Somewhere beyond the mist

Hawkeye sat in his small coffin shaped boat, headed back to the Grand Line. The master swordsman couldn't help still thinking of the young rookies he had just met. The pirate hunter, who he hoped would one day take on the Greatest Swordsman title and Shank's bet on the new era. Although something was troubling him a little bit.

I hope that straw hat boy doesn't die. No, he's stronger than that.

Then another thought crossed the Warlords mine, although it wasn't as troubling.

I wonder what that Navy ship is telling HQ right now? A smile formed on Hawkeye, in fact the man almost laughed at what those fools must be doing right now. Probably losing their shit. He actually laughed a bit, then he laughed a lot. It was utterly hilarious.

Marine Branch #77

The information coming in from Purinpurin was being transferred to Navy Branch #77 then directly to Navy HQ. All the while, the account being told was heavily analyzed and observed because of the complete outlandishness surrounding the story. First of all, people were running around like chickens trying to confirm whether or not Hawkeye had even been in the area. The back and fourth between Purinpurin, Branch #77, and Navy HQ was causing the Den Den Mushis to ring off the hook non-stop.

Ships were already being deployed toward the East Blue to check out the disturbance. Other Navy bases, actually all marine bases were being alerted that a major threat may be in the area and they should be on high alert. The situation was tense, but it wasn't entirely because of what had happened. Marines were trying to rack their brains together and figure out who might have done this. Wait no, that isn't right. Who could have done this. Especially considering this perticular sea was considered the weakest.

Based on the information, the man fighting had been incredibly fast. Fast enough to dodge Hawkeye's attacks at least. Also amazing cutting power, able to break a slash preformed by Hawkeye. A nearly impossible feat. The ending of the fight, if it even had ended, was inconclusive. Apparently the battle of power had caused enough heat to boil the ocean and create a very thick sheet of mist. Currently Commodore Purinpurin was broadcasting this in complete darkness. Only one person that had evaded capture, even evaded identification came to mine. The Red Phantom.

The only description they had was bits and pieces from eye witnesses, which there were many. In fact it was amazing that with the literal hundreds of witnesses that spoke directly to him, an accurate face could not be pieced together. The many who were interviewed had said it was impossible to look the Red Phantom in the face because of a oppressive spirit weighing them down. The older members of the Navy took this as a clear sign of Kings Haki. A very developed form at that. Even the gender was shrouded in mystery because some said they heard a female voice speak, while others said it was a very deep masculine voice. Either it was a conspiracy or the Red Phantom had the ability to manipulate their voice.

The attributes continued to pile up as well. Some eye witnesses said he could run extremely fast, while others said he possess the ability to teleport. Because there was no known teleportation devil fruit, marines went with the former. This directly paralleled Commodore Purinpurin's statement that the one battling Hawkeye was impossible to follow with human eyes. Also he was able to dodge all of Hawkeye's attacks. A feat impossible for any current pirate in the East Blue. A feat impossible for anyone in the East Blue period. Once again the Commodore had to clarify there was no exaggeration in any of his statements.

After the Red Phantom had completely leveled the Goa Kingdom and killed a Celestial Dragon in cold blood, nobody knew what to do. What to expect. Then two days later nearly all of Marineford descended on the East Blue. Admrials, Vice-Admerials, Captains, Privates, everyone. But somehow the trail went completely cold. Everyone in Dawn Island was interviewed, including Dadan and the mountain bandits. Garp had personally searched Dawn Island and found nothing of interest, including Luffy who was gone completely. When asked, Dadan and Makino alike claimed Luffy had left four days ago, two days before the Goa Kingdom Massacre. That sounded sketchy as hell but there was no proof against it.

Apparently the entire Grey Terminal along with the poor residents of the Goa Kingdom had been evacuated one hour before the massacre began. This guy seemed to only have a grudge on the wealthy, going to individuals in person and telling them to leave before the fires started. This usually wouldn't rouse people to actually leave but after the Grey Terminal Fire, warnings didn't go unheeded. Especially not from a crazy man wearing a long black trench coat who couldn't be looked in the face without passing out. It was actually the people who saw him fleeing the scene that gave a almost decent description. However, because it was night time nobody could see that well.

Three eye witness saw him leap over the kingdom walls and begin sprinting into the Grey Terminal. Of them, all said that his outfit was completely red with blood yet left no footprints. One said that his hair was black like midnight, though in the dark it was not confirmed. He was then last officially spotted near the middle of the Grey Terminal where one women said that he jumped 10 meters in the air and disappeared. Like, into thin air disappeared. That was the last official place he was seen. Though he was allegedly seen in over one thousand places.

The main reason for all of these reports was that the World Government tried to speed up the search by rewarding anyone 80 million berries who gave information that led to a arrest. The actual capture of the Red Phantom would result in a reward of 180 million berries. This bounty sent countless men to the seas, leading to the Great Bounty Era! Come aboard and bring along all your hunting gear. Together we will find the bounties that we're looking for. We Are!

The only problem was that once again, nobody knew what he looked like. So basically everyone in the East Blue claimed they saw him after the Goa Kingdom Massacre. This lead to some of the most outlandish stories the marines had ever heard. Here is a example of one of the more believable stories that came from Syrup Village:

"Yea, he just appeared out of nowhere. Right from the black sky and landed right over there in the middle of that rocky shore." The long nosed man pointed from the cliff he was on to the rocky shore below. The marine official was skeptical at best. This was the 589th story he heard this week.

"So what were you doing out so late sir?"

"Well, I was doing my nightly patrol around the island to make sure any danger had not penetrated it's defenses."

"Very admirable." Usopp visibly swelled with pride and even appeared to grow taller.

"Well they don't call me o'l sharpshooting, brave warrior, Captain Usopp, for nothing.

"Yes, very impressive. Did you get a good look at the guy?"

"Um... yea, yea I think so. Guy was kinda shorter than you think right? Let's see, his clothes were completely red, like blood red. His hair was raven black. Um, lets see...his aura, oh the aura. It was like a demon that had come straight from Hell. It was actually kinda hard to look at him because of it."

"I see," spoke the investigator, starting to get a little more convinced. No citizen had been told about the blood covering his clothing. "See anything else?"

"Well, actually now that I think back, he had something long and green in his hand. It might have been a bl-"

"Usopp! What do you think you're doing?"

Some of the villagers had come out shouting curses and what not. "Don't believe a word he says! That kid is a lair through and through."

"Oh I see. Thank you for telling me."

"Wait! I'm not lying! I promise I recall-"

"Stop your stories Usopp and leave. You could get locked up for lying during a official investigation." The townsfolk eventually succeeded in silencing Usopp before he could tell anymore "lies".

This was the story about how Usopp saw the Red Phantom and missed out on 80 million berries. The marine investigator had put the story under inconclusive and gave the sniper 500 berries.

Luffy's Dream/Flashback

Luffy walked through Foosha Village, enjoying the feeling of being back. The samurai's had just dropped him off a few minutes ago and to be honest, he had missed this place. Somehow he ended up at Makino's Bar, but that was fine. Luffy had planned to come here anyway. Not one second after walking into the establishment, he was tackled to the ground by the local bar keep.

"Luffy! Your home!" Makino buried her face in Luffy's chest as he lay on the floor. The rubber man hugged her back, happy that she had missed him so much. Poor girl probably thought he died in that gigantic storm three months ago. They stayed on the floor for like another minute before Luffy stood back up and helped up Makino, who had always been like a older sister to him. She walked back behind the bar and pulled a bottle of sake out from behind the counter. Luffy walked over and sat on one of the bar stools.

"I know you usually don't drink alcohol, but this is grounds for celebration," said Makino with a smile. He smiled as well and downed the liquid, letting a nice buzz form. It was impossible for Luffy to get drunk, so a buzz is all he would be getting. Makino leaned on the counter, "So, tell me everything. I'm really interested in the fact you're wearing a suit now instead of your usual apparel."

"Shishishi, it's a long story so I guess I better get started," laughed Luffy, getting right into it. As the story continued, other townsfolk came in and started to listen. As Luffy neared the end, basically the whole town had gathered around the bar, small kids were sitting on Luffy's and on the counter. By the last sentence, it had become afternoon and everyone was sad it ended.

"Well I really should be heading up to see Dadan and the other mountain bandits. Sorry everyone." Many within the bar moaned and groaned at the fact that the story was over, but did go back to their houses. A lot of the children started playing with sticks, speaking of the adventures they to would have one day. Luffy bid farewell to Makino and walked to the outskirts of town, eventually entering the forest. The afternoon light casting long shadows on the ground, creating a bit of a spooky atmosphere.

Through the shadows, Luffy saw enormous yellow eyes staring back at him. He quirked a smile as a massive tiger walked out the darkness and lowered it's head so that him and Luffy were eye level, a low growl emanated deep from the animals throat. Primal, but yet submissive. Luffy reached out and rubbed the tiger behind it's ears, getting a very loud purr from the animal and getting licked in return.

"Shishishi, missed me huh? Come on buddy, take me to Dadan." The tiger bent lower, allowing Luffy to climb aboard it's back. Then it took off deeper into the woods, trees flying by in a blur. The wind ruffled Luffy's hair and tugged at his hat strings. He closed his eyes and instead used observation to feel the surrounding area. Luffy knew these mountains like the back of his hand, so when he neared the old tree ASL house he knew.

"Wow, stop right here." Luffy stretch an arm out and grabbed on to a branch in the upper canopy, slowly retracting and pulling up to the tree house entrance. It was a bit on the small side now, but that was okay with Luffy who too deep in nostalgia at the moment to notice or care. Memories of Ace and Sabo ran rampant in his mine. He reached a had out and touched the wood softly, finger accumulating a fine layer of dust. But something was wrong.

Looking around, Luffy noticed a silver case at in the back of the room and everything went cold. For some reason, as he stared at this case, pure and unbridled terror attacked him at his core. It was almost like the case had a aura of it's own, this oppressive feeling was physically suffocating Luffy who found it very hard to get air. Falling backwards on his butt, the straw hatted teen scrambled away to the edge of the tree house.

After sticking his head between his knees, Luffy slowly calmed down his breathing to a normal rate. Then, after a unknown period of time, he crawled towards the case, sweat raining off in bullets. Night had fallen at this point, but the case was illuminated in a unearthly light. Why I'm I so scared of a fucking case?!

Getting close, Luffy saw that that their was a note laid on top of it. Quickly snatching off the piece of paper, he scrambled back again and began to read. Eyes widened at it's content:

Dear Luffy,

It's good to see you're doing well, growing up big and strong just like your brothers. Like a caring father, I wish for you to be safe and sound in your adventures. Stronger and stronger opponents await you, true monsters. That is why I left you this gift. I'm sure you have noticed that your healing speed is much higher than a normal human beings. This is thanks to my special serum that was injected into you during week 2 of your treatment. Sadly before I could give you the next injection, you decided to leave. This next stage will increase your already enhanced healing 5 fold, above the point of an awakened Zoan.

Take care Luffy and if you ever need help just call.

With love,

-Doctor M.

Luffy eternally screamed, eyes darting back to the case. What the hell was going on. The rubber man's eyes went bloodshot, he clamped his hands over his ears, attempting to block out the sound of the Docter's voice in his head. This was impossible, a joke. Yea a joke! But that didn't make any sense, only a few love ones knew where this tree house was and even less knew the name of the Doctor. Everything in Luffy's brain unraveled into a jumbled mess until it formed into one chant.

I killed him! I killed him! I killed him! I killed him?! I killed him?! I killed him?

Luffy woke up with a gasp, startling everyone on deck. Nami was the first react, falling forward and tackling her captain to the floor before he could sit up. The navigator buried her head into his shoulder, murmuring how worried she had been. Nobody attempted to remove Nami, even though her weight might irritate his wound.

"Did miss anything?"

Zoro stood from his seated position. "No captain, we been sitting in this mist the whole time waiting for you to wake up." Luffy nodded and stood up as well, carrying Nami bride style. Usopp followed suit, wiping away a stray tear. The Straw Hat captain looked at the upper layer of mist, then to left. Luffy sighed in frustration.

"I can't locate the Baratie, not when I'm this drained anyway. Zoro steer the ship to the left, Usopp go tell Sanji that we may have to leave before saying goodbye to Zeff and the others. The marines will probably be here in a few hours. Lets move." The two crewmates went to work while Luffy walked below deck and into Nami's room, placing the orange haired in her bed. Still she was clinging to him though, not willing to let go. "Nami, sweetheart, you need to let go," said Luffy, stroking her hair a little. Wow, he was getting really good at this comforting rubberman mentally patted himself on the back.

Tears threatened to leak out of Nami again, "I thought I lost you."

"Baka, I won't die that easily," spoke Luffy with a smile. Remembering something he read in a book once, the raven lead down a kissed the troubled girl's forehead. "Get some sleep Nami, I'll call you when we get out of this mist or find the Baratie. Which ever comes first." Then the captain left the room.

If he had stayed, maybe Luffy would have heard Nami whisper into her pillow a soft, "I love you."

Leaving the room, Luffy walked into the floor above Nami's room, which was the storage area. It was now he noticed that his shirt and jacket was gone, his upper body currently only being covered by bandages. This could only mean everyone had seen the scars underneath. Fuck it I guess.

After a few second of locating, he saw the bag he had used at the start of his trip, tucked in the corner. Reaching inside, he pulled the last content from inside; a small, silvery case. Opening it, there lay a single syringe filled with a multi colored liquid that looked quite thick. In fact it almost looked alive, glowing mostly red. The last time he had been injected with this stuff it felt like bees and fire ants invading his veins and nervous system. The pain had been worse then anything imaginable. But he would endure it again.

I must be stronger. For my friends.

With that thought in mine, Luffy jammed the needle in his arm and injected the liquid.

Somewhere in the New World

"Wow, the marines are going crazy. Serpico, you have to listen to this."

The man who had just spoke was currently intercepting messages from the Navy, which was currently transmitting messages back and forth about what was happening in the East Blue. The one he addressed rolled his eyes and went back to reading in the newspaper despite the low light. They sat comfortably on plush top of the line couches, a large chandelier adorned the high ceiling. Hard to believe this was a ship used for bounty hunting. The younger of the two who read the newspaper sat on a love seat adjacent to the older one on the large couch listening to marine chatter. Serpico unconsciously touched the sheath to his sword laying beside him at the sound of someone walking down the large stone stairs.

"One of Kaido's men finally showed up," spoke the women who had just walked in. She wore a green hooded cloak that appeared to have been made of leaves with antlers on each side. A bow and arrow rested comfortably on her back, along with a full quiver of white feather arrows tipped with jagged heads that ripped flesh when pulled out. On her feet were soft soled moccasins. Standing only 5 foot 3 inches, she was rather short but it did nothing to diminish her hidden strength. Her eye color was a deep aquamarine, which appeared more animal than human.

"Oh, which one?"

"I think that idiot Jack."

"Oh, he isn't the negotiating type. Serpico you thick you can handle him?"

"I'm sure it wouldn't be a problem," spoke the dark haired man, "But I did the last transaction. Wouldn't want you to get soft would we?" The girl laughed a bit at the brothers bickering.

"Listen, Issac and Jason are currently up there saying god knows what. I would rather not have to take down another Kaido pirate this month," spoke the women again, getting a bit impatient.

"Fine, fine, I'll go if it will make you happy Nimrod." The venta black haired man rose and walked up the stairs, Nimrod and Serpico following behind. The long, spiraling, stone staircase broke off to other rooms and corridors, but the group only went straight up till reaching the deck. Two men were already there, both turning to see their captain. One having a large, black cloak on with a hood that covered his face from view and was holding his cherished sythe. The sythe seemed to glow with a spirit of it's own, murderous in intent. It's owner held it tightly with a shockingly pale hand. The other man had on a blue three piece suit, violet wavy hair, and a weapon being that appeared to be a enlarged tennis racket. Most likely because it was. Everyone seemed pretty chill considering Jack's fleet currently had them surrounded. The leader of this bounty hunting group spoke up.

"Jack the Drought! Have you come to negotiate the release of one of Kaido's commander? The bounty for him is 400 million, but I hate dealing with marines, so you can buy him back for 300 million. Sound good?" Jack visibly shook with rage.

"YOU DUMBASS! DO YOU HONESTLY THINK I'M GOING TO NEGOTIATE! YOU'RE SURROUNDED AND DEFENSELESS! NEW PLAN! I TAKE MY CREW MEMBER, THEN SINK YOUR LOUSY ASS, DELTA X!"

Delta X sighed. "So that is a no then huh? Okay, this is called negotiations after all."

Black ooze began to drip off his right arm until it took shape in the form of a giant, jagged, curved black blade. Ooze also poured out the top of his head, spreading over his body until it covered him entirely. It quickly took shape, molding with him completely and taking on a look of pure black armor. To say it shined would be a lie. No, the color actually absorbed light, making it nearly impossible to tell where a person began. Delta X looked like a hole in space and time. His pale gray eyes were the only thing still visibly.

"Let the negotiations begin."

A/N: So the crew saw Luffy's scars apparently. Nami is in love. Hope she doesn't get jealous when Robin shows up ;). Na, women never get jealous. Sounds like the Marines are losing their shit for the 100th time. Ya'll learned more about the Red Phantom, so I hope you liked that. Who is this Delta X guy?

The Doctor is...alive?

So many questions. The East Blue will be wrapping up in the next...five chapters maybe? Still a lot of things that need to be done before the Grand Line. Lets say the next seven chapters tops.

Also, go re-read the first sentence in the letter. I know you probably missed the big part in there.

Self Promotion: Go read my new story Darkest Day. It's about if Dawn Island was destroyed by a accidental Buster Call and Luffy grew up in the ruins of his home. Very dark by the way.