Based on One Piece Chapters 843, 844, and 845.
This will be a tragedy. You have been warned. Also, Character Death. Again, warnings now.
Luffy just stared at his crew for a minute. He didn't feel any of the tension or dread that they did. He didn't realize for a second he'd been projecting it. If he had, he probably would have flashed a light-hearted smile and tried to set them all at ease. He liked his crew, a lot. They were his nakama. They were important to him; the most important.
They were all he had left in the world, after Ace died.
Them, and now Sabo. He'd regained his dream, had forged forward even after he thought it was impossible. What had kept him sane, though, when he had lost his whole world, was his nakama. That feeling, that surety that they would always be together, had been shaken when Sanji left him. He'd taken it for granted once, having someone in the world that would always stand by his side. He'd been so sure that Ace would always be there. He'd believed that promise made when they were kids, that he would never die. He didn't want to make that same mistake a second time and be blindsided.
"While we were apart, for two years, I got stronger. Stronger and stronger and stronger. I'm stupid and an idiot so I can't really do a lot of thinking but I wanted to get stronger. I wanted to be able to protect you all. I didn't want to lose anyone ever again."
Never again. Not like Ace. No. Never.
"I'll fight for you. Each and every one of you. I may be stupid but you're my nakama. I will always come and I will always fight for you."
Please.
"If you want to leave in the future…"
Please…
"You can. I won't stop you."
Please, don't.
"I want you to be here by choice. I want to go on lots of fun adventures together because we all want to."
"Luffy, we do! We do want-" Nami tried to interrupt but Usopp patted her arm and shook his head slightly. She cut off and Luffy continued, as if she hadn't spoke. Inside, everything in him was trembling. He had a dream, a dream he would keep running toward, no matter what, but he didn't want to think of doing it alone. He didn't want to think of doing it, missing any of the people here.
"If you ever want to leave, if you ever get tired of the adventures, just tell me. I'll let you go."
Please, don't leave him.
Luffy turned his back on his crew, unable to look at them anymore, and stared out at the vast ocean. He'd made a mistake once, which cost him everything. He'd believed Ace would always be there, would always be by his side. He wouldn't make that mistake and assume again. This time, he wouldn't lose everything. He'd only give up a small portion of his heart, that was all…