Restructer Revolution
I don't know if the CMOA of Tv Tropes requires a page or not, but I know that Soul Chess, a Bleach X Code Geass crossover, is not complete, and yet it has a place on the CMOA page despite not having a page in TvTropes, or at least I haven't seen it yet. Anyway, publicity means reviews. Reviews means happy writer. Happy writer, readers get more. So, I need publicity!
Thanks to Autumncomet for pointing out the mistakes. I originally fixed Yusei's bounty at B110 million, and Aki's at B90 million, but then I realised that a man who can seemingly revive the dead at will as Yusei seems to the World Government, and a woman who can take on an Admiral and win, would command a far higher bounty than that, rookie or not.
Edited 27 May 2012: Thanks to PlumageFox for pointing it out!
Enjoy!
XXII: Aquamirror Cycle
Previously:
"For the girl... Kurobara Maju 'Black Rose Witch' Izayoi Aki, one hundred and ninety million Beli!" Sengoku decided. "And, for the boy... Two hundred and ten million Beli! Nagareboshi 'Shooting Star' Fudo Yusei!"
"But, Fleet Admiral! To have a rookie immediately gain a bounty of over one hundred million Beli, that'll make him more infamous!"
"This will mean that we have two new Supernovae to contend with!"
"Forget about that! This means that the Straw Hat Pirates would have four Supernovae, and Strawhat Luffy ends up being a major threat on the high seas!"
"Then," Sengoku sarcastically rebutted, "Can anyone think of a better bounty for a man who not only proves skilled in tactics to outwit our Great Tactician, but also in engineering to stop the weakness in all Pacifistas, not to mention assisted his captain in attacking Marineford with only one other support and not only succeed, but live to tell the tale?"
"Like a shooting star, he fell from the skies, and granted a single wish to the own who wished upon the falling star," Garp whimsically murmured, laughing. "Truly, a shooting star that grants wishes to those who needs it. Luffy, my boy... you've found yourself a truly reliable one this time... as expected of my grandson! Bwahaha!"
"Shut up, Garp!"
"Regarding the war occurring at Marineford being waged by the Whitebeard Pirates and we, the Navy HQ," DenDen Mushi across the world announced. "The process took longer than anticipated because of the enemy's persistence, but the Navy soldiers all fought with a sense of justice and defeated all the Whitebeard Pirates and their allies and now we are happy to announce that the Navy HQ has defeated Whitebeard!"
Across the Marines bases dotting the New World half of the Grand Line, Marines began to celebrate.
"However," the celebrations were cut short as they waited for the other shoe to drop. "In the destruction, Portgas D. Ace escaped, assisted by the infamous outlaw Monkey D. Luffy, epithet 'Strawhat', Captain of the Straw Hat Pirates.
"Furthermore, the Navy HQ was destroyed by a rookie pirate identified to be affiliated with the Straw Hat Pirates, a man who constantly wore a red helmet to conceal his identity. Despite this, we have identified this man's name to be Fudo Yusei. By the authority of Fleet Admiral Sengoku, Fudo Yusei is to be issued a bounty of two hundred and ten million Beli upon Fudo Yusei, epithet 'Shooting Star', and a one hundred and ninety million Beli bounty on his associate, 'Black Rose Witch' Izayoi Aki, to be effective immediately."
"That bastard messed around with the Pacifistas..." Sentomaru growled, somewhere with the ruins of the broken Pacifistas "Fudo Yusei... you bastard... you intelligent bastard... never again... never again will you mess with them!"
In Sabaody, there were no celebrations.
Throughout the four Blues and the Grand Line, the people stared blankly at their DenDen Mushi and the televisions. The conclusion of the Whitebeard War, and the defeat of Whitebeard, should have brought about celebrations. It should have resulted in the common folk cheering, partying, anything but this. Yet, the traitorous words of the Red Admiral and the screams of the poor Marine deserter haunted them.
The seeds of doubt had been planted. The Marines had won this battle ultimately, but... a miracle had come.
"A sign has come," a woman prayed in West Blue. "The dragon of salvation... a star of hope..."
"Whitebeard's dead..." the murmur went up in Sabaody.
"Was all of that... a lie? Or was it true?"
"Is Fire Fist Ace dead?"
"That man... is he a god or a demon?"
At the scene of the war, Marineford, there are seven ships out at sea around the island at the centre of the world. Those who would take part in the new era are there, to witness this great turning point in history. Staring at the dust rising above Marineford, evidence of the workings of Justice in the Great Age of Pirates... they sense the restlessness of the changing of the times.
The Drake Pirates...
"Captain Drake."
"Finally... it's over."
"The Navy has to change as well," 'Red Flag' X Drake commented. "Kizaru... no, Borsalino, is arrested... Sengoku and Garp is sure to resign... that leaves Sakazuki or Kuzan to take over as Fleet Admiral. Depending on how they handle the case of the deserter now, either one of them can become Fleet Admiral...! With a single stroke... the future is decided."
The Fire-tank Pirates...
"In no time, Whitebeard's territory will sink in a sea of blood in this whirlpool." Capone 'Gang' Bege muttered.
The Fallen Monk Pirates...
"Blackbeard is the key," 'Mad Monk' Urouge murmured. "He's gained new followers. I'm sure they're gonna reign for a while!"
The Bonney Pirates...
"It's all... his fault!" 'Big Eater' Jewelry Bonney growled. "I'll track him down soon enough! Let's go! To the New World!"
The On Air Pirates...
"What the hell is going on...?"
"What are you talking about, Apoo San?"
"That guy will become his enemy, is he really gonna save him?" the captain, 'Roar of the Sea' Scratchmen Apoo, muttered.
"Eh?"
"I'm talking about Trafalgar Law. He's known for his brutality. He wouldn't save Strawhat Luffy if there wasn't some catch."
The Hawkins Pirates...
"It's odd."
"What's wrong, Captain Hawkins?"
"I've been trying to see the odds that Strawhat Luffy is still alive." The 'Magician' Basil Hawkins monotonously replied. "But it never reaches zero. And the other..."
"Yes?"
"The same card appears," Hawkins examined the card. "The Star..."
The Kidd Pirates...
"To be honest, I was scared when the war started, but now the great pirate Whitebeard is dead."
"So it's really over, isn't it?"
"Yeah, it is."
"Hahaha!" Eustass 'Captain' Kidd laughed as he walked towards the stern. "What's over? The new force who emerged during this war – that Blackbeard is quite a guy! The New World is ruled by the Four Emperors. Whitebeard, Red-Hair, Kaido, Big Mom. But, since one of them is dead, the world is out of balance and no one can predict the consequences! This is the beginning of a new era, the likes of which no one has ever seen!"
"Fudo Yusei," 'Massacre Soldier' Killer considered.
"Huh?" Kidd growled. "Ah... the new Straw Hat...yeah?"
"If the Miracle of Marineford was true..." Killer began slowly. "That change won't last long."
Silence reigned.
"He wouldn't," Kidd growled. "Right, let's make sure he doesn't. Men, set out! We've got ourselves a shooting star to hunt!"
The news of the Navy's victory in the war at Marineford, the biggest war since the start of the Great Age of Pirates, spread all over the world in the blink of an eye and people celebrate the news everywhere... almost everywhere.
Like most of history, some facts are trimmed off as the news goes around... but this time, most of the truth actually made it out. The people, in their excitement, failed to notice a few things... yet,
After all, the public destruction of Marineford before the entire world could hardly be covered up.
Navy victory. The result is not necessarily peace... with the loss of a deterrent, namely, the threat of Whitebeard, the world of the seas has become very unsettled...
This time, beside the two words 'Navy victory', two more words stand out as a curse or a hope to the world.
Shooting Star.
Having to break the news of Luffy's injuries to Boa Hancock was a lot like a soap opera, such that Aki was thinking of searching for a candid camera around.
"It's no wonder!" Iva boomed from above.
"Shut up, okama!" Aki retorted up. "The acoustics could interrupt Yusei!"
"Strawhat-boy couldn't even stand up at Impel Down once!" Iva continued, albeit at a lower volume.
"Strawhat was risking his life!"
"We got out of prison thanks to him!"
"Because of him, we can make our dream come true – to go to the Kamabakka Kingdom!"
"Let's go!"
"To the New Kamas' home from New Kama Land!"
"What are they?" one of the Heart Pirates commented.
"They are prisoners of Impel Down," the Pirate Empress answered. "Looks like they're Luffy's friends. They have snuck into the ship."
"Hai!" Iva landed on the sub's deck with a flip. "I can't believe that he pushed himself that hard! I also can't believe the miracle Yusei-boy pulled out! That's how much they wanted to rescue Ace!"
"That's right! We know how much he pushed himself to do it!"
"That brother is now keeping vigil," Aki replied. "Luffy himself is still unconscious. I am Izayoi Aki, second doctor of the Straw Hat Pirates. Nice to meet you."
"How are they?" Iva asked quietly.
"Both of them are unconscious. Yusei himself contracted hypothermia, and we're currently trying to stop his body from dying," Aki replied monotonously.
"There's no justice in this world!" Iva was almost crying. "That brother Strawhat-boy almost died in his arms to protect him... then Yusei-boy pulled a miracle... and now Yusei-boy is about to die!"
"Damn it all! Hang in there, Strawhat, fallen star!"
"You got to live! You got to, Strawhat, miracle man!"
"What a tragedy..." the surprisingly gentle Pirate Empress was crying. "I wish I could take his place...! Poor Luffy!"
"I'm jealous... it must be nice to have the Pirate Empress care about you that much..."
"Yeah, yeah..."
"By the way, are you a friend of Strawhat?" Iva asked.
"No, I didn't have to save him at all," Law answered. "If you're wondering about my motivation I can come up with a reason."
"No, that's okay," Iva shook his/her head, "Sometimes your instincts tells you what to do."
Aki turned around and glared. "Jimbe San. You can't walk around yet."
"You're... Trafalgar Law from North Blue, aren't you?" Jimbe ignored her to question, panting as he clutched at what looked like a shirt made completely out of bandages.
"Uh huh," Law nodded.
"Is it okay for you to move around like that?" Iva muttered.
"Thank you!" Jimbe lowered his head. "You saved my life!"
"Rest. It could kill you." Law sharply replied.
Jimbe shook his head. "I can't ease my mind. It's impossible! To see Ace San that broken... to see Luffy Kun so vulnerable...!"
"Rest." Aki took over. "Or the doctor enforces bed rest. You can worry about him while you rest. Even if Luffy survives, there's still the moment when he wakes up to consider."
"Intra-cranial haemorrhage, or bleeding in the brain, caused by hyperpyrexia," Law nodded in seriousness at the red-haired doctor. "It could lead to death. We're trying to cool him at the moment, but there's only so much ice available..."
"Luffy... will die?" The declaration galvanised the Pirate Empress into action. "You, fuzzy beast," She ordered to Bepo. "Do you have a DenDen Mushi?"
"Yeah, I mean, yes ma'am!" Bepo saluted. "I'm sorry!"
"I'm jealous. He's like her servant..."
"Yeah, yeah..."
"I'm going to call the Kuja ship so that we can go across the Calm Belt even with this submarine," she decided. "If the Government finds out that Luffy is alive, they're going to come after him! Let us harbour him at the Maiden Island!"
Jimbe stared.
"What!" Iva started.
"If they still see me as a Shichibukai, Luffy can rest safely!" Hancock declared.
"I have to attend to them," Aki turned to enter the sub.
"Wait, you girl!" Boa Hancock demanded. "Why is a strange woman like you-?"
"I am a doctor of the Straw Hat Pirates. Furthermore, the captain is under the care of Dr Trafalgar," Aki nodded to the hatted doctor. "My speciality lies in pharmaceuticals, not surgery, therefore any and all questions regarding the captain's care should be relegated to him. Surgery aboard the Thousand Sunny is overseen by Doctor Chopper, who is a male reindeer, and thus not my purview yet. Therefore, my actual patient is Fudo Yusei and Portgas D. Ace. If you'd excuse me."
"She stood up to the Pirate Empress!"
"I... see..." Hancock lamely replied as the Black Rose Witch walked back into the submarine.
"Izayoi! Don't leave me here!" Law snapped.
"Again?" she looked at the terrified Heart Pirate once the gloom of the submarine's interior enfolded her. "I'll handle it."
The pirate gratefully scarpered.
"You really shouldn't starve yourself, Ace San," Aki commented as she entered, the room quiet save for the continuous mechanical beeping from the life support.
"No appetite," Ace growled. "Seeing Luffy like this... makes me recall what a terrible big brother I am... Luffy...!"
"We're heading towards the Maiden Island," Aki told him. "Boa Hancock has kindly allowed us access."
"Amazon Lily?" Ace looked up. "Why...? Isn't that forbidden to all men...?"
"Luffy," Aki nodded to the sleeping captain. "It appears that Boa Hancock and Luffy San has met before."
More cheers from outside.
"Prisoners from Impel Down are wishing you well, Luffy San," Aki whispered as she moved to the next bed, bearing a sleeping mechanic. "That's why, you and Yusei have to wake up, Luffy San."
As she spoke, her hand glowed slightly violet in the gloom as the rubber man's wounds began to seal up together.
He rose like a zombie from the grave, hands out, eyes blank and white and unseeing, mouth drooling onto his shirt. "Food..."
"Even in his sleep..." Jimbe sighed as the table of food disappeared in a flash. "And then..."
"Luffy..." the black-haired man went back towards the sub.
"It's been going on for a week already," Jimbe muttered, poking at his own not insignificant wound that had been healing up under some magic from the Straw Hat's second doctor, or magician, as he'd labelled in his head. "Are you sure that's healthy?"
"Dr Izayoi is the only one who can do anything to that man, and that's only by stringing him in vines," Trafalgar Law muttered in reply on land. "Somehow, she manhandles him onto land for an hour, then he sneaks back and plants himself there and I can't do a damn thing against someone I can't cut. Right now, she's at the palace, giving the Empress an update of Strawhat-ya. Apparently that's the only way Boa Hancock can get any peace or appetite."
Jimbe frowned. "Yusei Kun hasn't woken up either..."
"At least the hyperthermia and hypothermia is over," Law muttered. "If that fever had risen any more, we'd had a mentally retarded idiot on our hands." He then reflected. "Come to think of it, I can't imagine any difference. But that bro-con might kill us all in a fiery death if it does happen."
"..."
The submarine began to rock, increasing in intensity before it burst open and something, no, someone, came flying out to land, bouncing on the ground.
"What...?" Law got up, running towards the man.
"Luffy!" Ace landed in a burst of fire. "Oi!"
"Luffy Kun!" Jimbe stared in shock.
"Ace..." the nearly mummified Luffy groaned. "Ace! Where is Ace?"
"I'm right here!" Ace whacked the rubber man on the noggin. "Dammit, Luffy! Look at your surroundings before you charge out!"
"Ow!" Luffy winced, before his expression went blank and he keeled over.
"I forgot to mention this," Law was grinning. "He's suffering from intra-cranial haemorrhage, so if you hit his head, he might continue bleeding out within and die."
"Why didn't you say that earlier, dammit!" The older D. was carrying the younger bridal style back to the ruined submarine.
"-.-... brother complex...?" Jimbe muttered. "He's... woken up, at least..."
"The line of D is weird..." Law shrugged, staring. "At least... what strong will to live..."
"And the other...?"
"Yusei-ya still hasn't woken," Law grimly replied. "Still... considering what he did, it'll be a miracle alone that he manages to live after this."
"The News Coo released the bounty posters yesterday," Jimbe mumbled. "Two hundred and ten million Beli."
"The highest for a rookie and a completely new class of its own," Law wryly muttered. "It's the epithet that's interesting, though."
"Shooting Star, Fudo Yusei," Jimbe turned towards the submarine. "A fallen star..."
"Ah, it seems that Luffy has awoken," Aki strolled back into the enclosure where the Heart Pirates had set up camp. Having changed into a Kuja attire of the usual bikini-style and a cloak, she drew the eye of almost every man there. "My apologies, the captain is an idiot. I'll go check on Yusei immediately."
"Doesn't it take three hours to walk to the palace?" Law grumbled as the red-haired doctor headed for the submarine. "She couldn't have been gone for more than an hour..."
"My ears picked up drafts," Jimbe commented. "She must have flown."
"...well, why not," Law shrugged. "Black Rose Witch, Izayoi Aki... one hundred and ninety million Beli... another broken record..."
"What do you think?" Jimbe muttered.
"If what she says is true, and Yusei-ya really dragged Fire Fist back from the dead, then it's a gross underestimate," the Surgeon of Death muttered, amused. "Even the most powerful must bow to death one day... but this is a man who can create the ultimate miracle, revival from the dead. How many people would kill for a second chance at life...? Even then, how many people would wish for their enemies never to rise from the dead...? An enemy that death cannot take is most frightening... an enemy that can truly perform resurrection is only a step below that. And if she holds this same power... I wouldn't want them as an enemy, or I'll be fighting on two fronts."
"Two...?" Jimbe raised an eyebrow.
"One of my crew, Jean Bart, owes the Shooting Star way more than me," Law wryly smirked. "If Yusei-ya asked, I imagine that he'll switch crews in a hurry, and bring my head along. Even if Yusei-ya dies, I'll benefit the most, but... there'll always be suspicion. Therefore, it's in my best interests that Yusei-ya wakes up as well."
"There's more than those reasons," Jimbe noted.
"True," Law chuckled. "But I don't have to tell you."
In comparison, his own return to consciousness was relatively peaceful, as blue eyes snapped back open into the waking world.
"I'm trapped in a cocoon?" Yusei muttered through dry lips as he struggled, hauling himself back up. That was before rubber arms encircled him and there was a rib-cracking hug that made the mechanic wince in pain.
"Yusei~!" Luffy cheered. "Yusei, Yusei, Yusei! You're awake! I just woke up too!"
"Ribs..." he groaned.
"Oh! Right!" Luffy let go.
"Yusei!" Aki charged into the room, red hair askew and eyes shining. "You're awake!"
Yusei winced as she then slapped him. "Ow!"
"Don't ever do that again!" Aki then grabbed his throat. "You hear me? I don't want to live through another week of hell waiting for you to wake up, never knowing if you'll actually open your eyes or not! Promise me you won't use that card or anything like that again, Yusei! Yusei!"
His dry throat moved as he swallowed nervously, having just managed to glimpse in the gloom her new attire in red and black. The fact that she was a bit too close for comfort was also another factor.
"Aki!" Luffy cried, flailing around despite his injuries. "You're gonna kill him!"
"Water..." he croaked.
"Ah, yes!" she fetched a glass from a nearby pitcher, helping the mechanic to slowly drink. "Are you... feeling better?"
He blinked, shifting around slightly. "Everything present and intact... Aki, where is my deck?"
"Here," she extracted the deck case from her cloak. "I kept it safe for you. We're at Amazon Lily. We were right... Shakky San's intuition is scary."
"Ah," Yusei groaned as he hauled himself up to a sitting position. "Did we...?"
"We won," Aki nodded. "Well, technically, we lost, but... you know. That hint about the Phantom of Chaos cleared everything up."
"Wha?" Luffy cocked his head to one side. "Yay! Yusei's woken up! Ace! Yusei woke up!"
"Ehh..." Ace yawned as he strolled into the room. "Oh, you're alive."
"Ah," Fingers scrabbled to undo the case quickly, the cards spilling out into his hands to light up in a flash.
"YUSEI DONO!" Hane squawked, crying as it appeared, flapping around the infirmary. "YUSEI DONO! YOU'RE ALRIGHT!"
Yusei winced. "Volume..."
"Ah!" Hane squawked as the cards flashed again and nearly every tuner monster in the deck swarmed the mechanic, all crying in a cacophony of tears.
"Carry him out already," Aki motioned to the monsters.
"Yes!" the rushed to comply with the orders.
"Oi, wait a minute-!" the mechanic was bodily lifted out of the bed to be marched towards the door of the infirmary, Ace laughing as he made way for the whole mob of monsters to storm the submarine.
"Oh," Trafalgar Law commented as a horde of monsters bearing Fudo Yusei aloft in their hands crashed out of the submarine and onto land. "You're awake, Yusei-ya."
"Fallen star, I have returned the favour," Jean Bart saluted. "Should you require my assistance once more, you need only find me."
Yusei blinked at the sudden change in light. "Ah... yes, Sabaody... Ow!" he landed on the ground, wincing. "Ribs..."
"Idiots!" the Sonic Chick raged at the cowering tuners. "Don't drop Yusei Dono!" This apparently sent the monsters into a frenzy as they rushed around like headless chickens, making for quite a sight.
"Those monsters really like him, huh...?"Trafalgar Law sighed.
"How cute..." Jimbe sighed.
A roar sounded as the white dragon appeared in a flash, landing on the ground with a thump.
"And... then it's scary," Law finished as the Stardust Dragon did a passable imitation of a crying puppy despite its reptilian features. "No matter how you look at it...damn, I want one..."
"Yusei! Meat!" Luffy held out the offering, grinning. "It'll fill you right up! We did it, Yusei! We did it!"
"Ah, thanks?" Yusei gingerly took the offered meat. "Luffy San... you're..."
"We're fine!" Luffy grinned. "Thanks to my miraculous handyman, we're all safe! That's why, Yusei's gotta heal fast so that we can all go to Sabaody and meet everyone quickly!"
"You're in no condition to travel either, Strawhat-ya." Law warned. "Take it easy for two weeks, no training. Izayoi is going to enforce that." He turned to the ruined sub which was being slowly fixed by the Heart Pirates, glancing at the Straw Hats in contemplation. "Ne, Yusei-ya, are you interested to switch crews?"
"Law, stop trying to poach my crew!" Luffy whined as he stuffed himself with more meat.
Yusei began to bite into the meat. "At least, nothing worse could happen."
"Ah, about that..." Law's expression was positively gleeful as he produced the two new wanted posters. "You and the lady both have bounties now. Oh, and... congratulations, Yusei-ya. You, along with Dr Izayoi, have joined the ranks of the Supernova."
Wanted: Dead or Alive
'Shooting Star' Fudo Yusei
B210,000,000
Yusei's picture featured only his lower jaw, the rest of his face and his distinctive hair obscured by the red helmet. It was taken when he was flying, apparently, since a wing of Saviour Star Dragon could be glimpsed in the background. He was yelling something, and it looked like a very different man altogether from the normally quiet Yusei.
Wanted: Dead or Alive
'Black Rose Witch' Izayoi Aki
B190,000,000
Aki's own was far less glamorous, her long bangs askew and fluttering in the winds, eyes sharp and cold, and around her vines of thorns tangled and snapped as rose petals of red and black fluttered around her.
"I'm sorry, Aki," he murmured.
"It's a good, fear-striking epithet," she answered. "Is it not?"
"If you ever meet Kidd, I imagine he'll be interested to test your mettle, Yusei-ya," Law smirked. "Of course, with your abilities, I imagine it'll be a cinch, right?"
"Not in my current condition, Doctor," Yusei nodded his thanks to Junk Synchron as it brought over a bowl of fruit. "I don't think I'll be going anywhere yet."
"Sad," Law sighed. "I wanted to offer you a place in the Heart Pirates too."
"Trafal-guy, stop trying to steal my crew!" Luffy pouted.
"So, you're alive," Ace growled, plopping himself next to Yusei. "Must be a new guy. Luffy, you really hit the jackpot with him, you know."
"He fell from the sky!" Luffy grinned.
There was no time to ask for clarification as a giant Sea King leapt up from the waters, bleeding as it thrashed about.
"A huge Sea King!" Luffy cheered. "Cool! Meat!"
"I- Is it fighting?"
"It's dead! Something managed to kill it!"
"A thing that huge?"
"I couldn't see its opponent!"
The opponent in question burst through the waters up to the coast, climbing up the coast to land. "Phew, I'm beat..."
"H- Hey!"
"The D- Dark King, Rayleigh?" Bepo yelled.
"What?"
"Oh, it's you?" Rayleigh blinked. "We met back on the Sabaody Archipelago, didn't we?"
"Rayleigh San!" Yusei waved.
"Eh!" Luffy started. "Old man Rayleigh!"
"I saw your miracle in the Grand Line Times," Rayleigh chuckled. "I can't believe you... Ace too... I'm glad I was able to find you easily."
"Ah," Ace was sullen now, until Luffy landed on him, grinning. "When did you get here, Rayleigh San? Ah, yes, I forgot to introduce myself. I am Portgas D. Ace, Luffy's brother. Nice to meet you, Dark King Rayleigh."
"What a polite young man," Rayleigh smiled in reply. "Very much like Rouge. She was a true lady. Ah, you see, my ship sank in a storm, so I had no choice but to swim here."
"A storm? The Calm Belt never even has a light breeze! There are no storms!"
"That means, you must've shipwrecked on a distant sea, and swam all the way here from there?"
Rayleigh was wringing seawater from his clothes as he answered. "I'm good at the breast-stroke, after all."
"That's not the issue here!"
"Does that mean the thing fighting the Sea King earlier... was you?"
"That's a legendary pirate for you!"
"Alright then," Rayleigh turned to them. "Luffy Kun..."
"Well, since this doesn't involve me, I'll be leaving already," Trafalgar Law stood up.
"That fast?" Luffy blinked.
"Things to do, places to see," Law shrugged. "Strawhat-ya, your doctor's fee is covered by Yusei-ya here along with the chance to visit the legendary female-only island." He then smirked. "But, I can take further payment in the form of your handyman-"
"HE'S NOT FOR SALE!" Luffy, Aki and Jimbe yelled back, Law laughing as he jumped onboard the submarine the Heart Pirates had already loaded.
"Take it easy for another two weeks," Law chuckled. "If we may meet again on the seas!" He walked into the submarine, the submersible sinking into the waters quickly.
"Next time!" Luffy hollered. "And no, I'm not giving you Yusei!"
"Cheeky bastard," Ace commented.
"How are the others?" Luffy changed the subject.
"They aren't back yet," Rayleigh was cleaning his spectacles. "I left my Vivre card with Shakky. If I hadn't one that, I wouldn't be able to move around freely."
"Are you really the Dark King, Rayleigh?" Jimbe groaned. "What a surprise!
Rayleigh considered him. "Aren't you that former Shichibukai...?"
"He's Jimbe. I'm indebted to him," Luffy grinned. "Well?"
"Well, I never thought I'd meet a living legend in this place..." Jimbe mumbled.
"Here..." Rayleigh caught the hat that was about to be blown into the island. "Isn't this your treasured hat?"
"Right, thanks," Luffy caught it as the hat was flung over, plopping it onto his head. "I just don't feel right unless I'm wearing this."
"Still, you guys have done something unbelievable..." Rayleigh sighed. "An interesting fact; apparently people are claiming that the dragon that hit Sengoku was a sign that the gods have appointed their own agent on earth. When I left Sabaody, there was a growing religion already."
"Religion...?" Yusei paled, sighing.
"The price you pay for success, Yusei Kun," Rayleigh chuckled. "But, the rise of the Star Dragon isn't why I'm here."
"Rayleigh? You are Rayleigh, are you not?" the elder exclaimed.
"Oh, if it isn't Gloriosa! This sure takes me back!" Rayleigh smiled.
"Rayleigh!"
"Ray San!"
"Oh, if it isn't you two!"
"Luffy~!"
"Hey, Ane Sama! That is no way to act in front of a man we're indebted to!" the other Boa sisters scolded.
"Do you know old man Rayleigh?" Luffy blinked.
"Yeah," Boa Marigold nodded. Her large frame would have been daunting if not for her expression.
"It's a long story..." Boa Sandersonia explained.
"Luffy, I see you are awake... I haven't been able to sleep from worry... you must be hungry... I brought you food...so, just dig in..."
"-.- How can you talk of marriage? You cannot even look him in the eye!"
"Get to work..." Hancock smashed the watermelon attached to her finger from playing around nervously. "Get to work preparing Luffy's meal!"
Yusei and Jimbe looked down as they stomachs began to rumble uncontrollably.
"Jimbe!" Hancock raged. "This food wasn't meant for you! You may have a little of it..."
"-.- oh, right... Luffy Kun, Ace San, let us begin eating the food that they brought us."
"Yusei has to eat!" Luffy plopped the entire, forty-centimetre radius dish of fruit piled high in front of the man. "You missed three meals a day, for seven days... that's twenty-one meals!"
"... Luffy San, not everyone has your appetite..."
"Eat!" Ace grabbed a hunk of meat.
"Oi, don't take all the meat!" both brothers laughed as they fought over the meat. Everyone laughed at this brotherly interaction, smiling.
"Jimbe! I only said you could have a little, did I not?"
"Aw, don't spoil the mood, Hancock!" Luffy triumphantly bit down on the spoils of the Ace vs Luffy war, first battle. "Yusei!"
"Like I said, not everyone eats so much in one sitting," Yusei noted as he ate his way slowly.
"I'll turn you into compost if he chokes!" Aki threatened.
"Oi, Luffy, how did you get permission to enter the female-only island anyway?" Ace asked.
It was Hancock who, in a fit of light-headedness, answered dreamily, "We're getting married~! Luffy~!"
Ace took the news better than Yusei would have thought. That is, he only took a deep breath, got out of the vicinity of anything else that was sentient and flammable, and only then did he begin to blow up.
"MARRIAGE?" A pillar of flames formed, as tall as the sky itself as Fire Fist Ace stood up to grab onto Luffy. "NO WAY IN HELL! Luffy's too stupid for that!"
"How dare you deny my love for Luffy!" Boa Hancock retorted, glaring at him, or more accurately his close proximity to Luffy.
"How dare you pursue my little brother!" Ace bit back, holding Luffy close to him. "He's too young! And innocent! And stupid! Are you a cougar or something?"
"Grr..."
"Grr..."
"But I love him~!"
"LIKE I CARE!"
"...Perfume Femur!"
"HIIKEN!"
And so began the soon-to-be established rivalry between the Pirate Empress and the Fire Fist, neither willing to give in as the beaches of Amazon Lily turned into glass between their fights. All the while, the person they were fighting over giggled, stuffing himself with meat.
"Please stop..." Yusei sighed as he watched the literal fireworks between the Shichibukai and the son of the Pirate King.
"So, you are the one behind the miracle of Marineford," the Elder Nyon looked at him discreetly, a letter in her hand. "The one who created a miracle..."
"You don't know the half of it," Rayleigh shook his head as then rest of the crew were distracted. "This man... despite the disappearance of his crew, despite having no obligation to do so, he worked for five days straight to plan for and invade Marineford..."
"You... your captain didn't ask for you to do this. With them gone, you have no obligation to remain, do you?"
"Does it matter? Luffy San would ask me anyway if he could, if he knew. That's why I will do this."
"You don't even have a hint that he'll come."
"He'll come. He will. I believe in the bonds between people that he will come, and I trust that he will. If he does not, it does not matter. I will do so anyway... because I'm sure this is what Luffy San would do."
Rayleigh sighed in remembrance of his conversation with the stone-faced handyman. "True, he has great power... but, he has the will to act just on the one-in-a-million chance! To have such unshakable faith in the bonds of the crew... to believe in the bonds between people enough to create a miracle...! This convinces me more than ever... the battle of the best is over, the Marines may have won the Battle of Marineford... but, the Straw Hat Pirates will win the war!"
"You said that you plan to go back to Sabaody, right?"
"I want to see my crew," Luffy replied.
Rayleigh looked at him. "Are you sure that's what you should do?"
Luffy face set.
"The Sabaody Archipelago..." Rayleigh continued. "Do you remember what happened to you on that island?"
"Stop," Aki raised a hand as Luffy began to pale. "Luffy San, stop. Stop thinking."
"Aki San?" Ace blinked.
"The bleeding in his head..." Yusei realised.
"Do you think that you can withstand such overwhelming power in your current state?" Rayleigh asked.
"But... I..."
"Don't," Yusei held Ace back. "This... is a matter for him to decide alone."
"Are you going to reassemble, just to repeat the same tragedy?" Rayleigh continued. "I have a suggestion. Of course, it's your choice whether you want to accept it or not."
Luffy only clutched onto his hat.
"I think it's what you... or rather, what all of you need the most right now." Rayleigh continued.
"But what Luffy Kun truly needs now, is to heal his body and soul, don't you think?" Jimbe defended.
Ace shot the Fishman a grateful look.
"But... what about my crew?" Luffy muttered after a few debilitating moments.
"I'm sure they'll be heading towards Sabaody," Rayleigh answered. "News about what you and those two did has spread all over the world. So your crew-mates have probably heard it as well."
"All the more reason why I have to go..." Luffy murmured. "I promised them... I have to go... I'm going to Sabaody, too!"
"That-!" Ace was about to stand when a gloved hand held his shoulder.
"Wait," Yusei told him.
Rayleigh had a small smile. "I have a second suggestion to deal with this problem."
"Before that..." Luffy grinned. "Oi, Yusei, what do you think?"
That guy... he makes the world look simple. You feel like you want to become part of that world. Yusei sighed. "It doesn't hurt to hear Rayleigh San's proposal first. But, Luffy San... I just have one piece of advice. Trust in the bonds of our crew. Whatever you choose yourself, I will support you."
"So, what are you going to do, Luffy Kun?" Rayleigh questioned once his suggestion had been outlined.
"Okay." Luffy nodded. "I made up my mind. I'm going back! To Marineford!"
"T- This is Navy ship #204. We request permission to enter."
"You're right on time. Okay, may I have your code number?"
"The code number... is 5963."
"The code number, confirmed. Open the Gate of Justice."
"Alright, well done," Jimbe rumbled as the terrified Navy private hung up the DenDen Mushi. "Luffy Kun, how are you feeling?"
"I feel fine now," Luffy airily declared. "Not bad at all."
"That makes one of us," Ace sighed. "A two-year training break... to begin even with those injuries... Luffy, you must be a medical miracle."
"Your body itself is a medical miracle..." Aki muttered. "Yusei... what should we do?"
"This ship was hastily assembled," Yusei tapped one of the floorboards with his boot. "Such shoddy craft would sink sooner or later... Aki, I was thinking... what do you think about a trip around the Grand Line?"
Aki sighed. "I think... that might be quite exciting. But, we don't have a navigator, or a ship."
Rayleigh laughed. "Ah, perhaps your friends amongst the Grand Line could help you there."
"I can navigate around," Ace nodded. "I'll just send a message to Marco that I'm tagging with you guys. He won't mind knowing that I'm with the Shooting Star and the Black Rose Witch on their honeymoon around Paradise."
"Please stop that," Yusei muttered, frowning.
"The former Shichibukai, Sea Knight Jimbe!" the private muttered. "The former first mate of the Pirate King, Dark King Silvers Rayleigh! The son of the Pirate King, Fire Fist Ace! Straw Hat Luffy! Black Rose Witch Izayoi Aki! And, the Shooting Star Fudo Yusei! What do they want?"
"The Gates of Justice," Yusei looked up as the massive gates opened. "Six stories high, twenty-five feet per door, a total of fifty feet span. When you think about it... it's almost overkill."
"You sure you'll be okay?" Yusei called down.
"Yeah!" Jimbe rumbled.
"Okay," Yusei fired, flicking down the visor of his helmet. "Make it flashy and loud..."
"We're being fired upon," Ace smirked as cannons fired off. "How fun."
"Fishman Jujutsu: Kairyuu Ipponzeoi!" the sea waters lifted to block the shots.
Rayleigh smiled as he threw the bullets to stop the next cannonballs.
"They look terrified," Aki commented, as a rose danced on her shoulder. "That's their quota for now."
"We're circling around..." Yusei observed. "Ace San."
"Got it!" Ace grinned. They sailed a circle around Marineford, before finally sailing into the bay.
"Attack from all sides!"
"Enkai!" the widespread fire blocked all the cannonballs.
"Fire Fist Ace!"
As the warship went down in flames, a winged beast and a dragon glided across to drop six cargo onto the bay.
"Why don't you go ahead and go all out?" Rayleigh smirked.
"Yeah!" Luffy ran ahead.
"Decline," Yusei shook his head. "I'm a pacifist at heart."
"If I moved, there shall be nothing left," Aki shrugged, before both of them moved after the captain with Ace.
"Stop Strawhat!"
"You guys are gonna have to deal with me first!" Jimbe stepped forward.
"I cam here looking for some fun, too!" Rayleigh wielded his own sword.
"Gomu Gomu no... Muchi!" one wave swept away.
"What's he doing? He's heading west!"
"His plan... isn't to take down HQ?"
"Quickdraw Synchron!" Yusei summoned. "The holy light of protection, shine now and become eternal life! A regal birth, Ancient Fairy Dragon!"
"That dragon again!" A Marine screamed as Ancient Fairy Dragon spread her wings. "Is he intending to destroy the island this time?"
They finally stopped before the Ox Bell, the dragon curling out to protect the Signers as Luffy tolled the ancient bell for a total of sixteen times. At last, the tolls were over, and Luffy landed on the ground to walk, both Signers and dragon following along with a horde of reporters. The sight of the Straw Hat captain, handyman and second doctor, as well as one more notorious pirate, was enough to paralyse a Marine swordsman as all three strolled past him towards the large crack running throughout Marineford as a result of Whitebeard's last stand, where all three produced flowers to drop into the void.
Sighing, Yusei lifted off his helmet, ignoring the reporters taking photographs of his face and the last of his anonymity as he, Luffy, Ace and Aki paid their respects. It was two minutes of silence later that they ran.
"We got a shot of his face- Ah!" they stared at the Polaroids. "It's covered in shadow!"
"Chase them! Don't let them get away!"
"And, we're done," Yusei sighed as they escaped.
"And he's gone..."
"What just happened...?"
"Dark King Rayleigh, Jimbe, Fire Fist... they've become Strawhat's allies?"
"Rayleigh was a member of Roger's crew, and Ace is Roger's son... does that make Strawhat Roger's successor?"
"Wait a sec! Strawhat is Dragon's son! If that was true...!"
"Whatever the case, this is big news!"
"Honestly...! He's not a man of small actions...Strawhat Luffy... If you consider the fact that he's Garp's grandson, then it's not so surprising."
"I wonder what his connection to Rayleigh is... I don't believe Rayleigh wishes to return to the limelight..."
"And Jimbe has finally turned his back on us. His status as a Shichibukai was a symbol of inter-racial peace. What a shame...!"
"The balance of the Three Great Powers is now off-kilter. How do you propose we deal with the three vacancies amongst the Shichibukai?"
"We need to wait first and see how this affects the New World. The balance of power within the pirates should be shifting right about now. We have to pick the ones with the most influence."
"Blackbeard has already started to move in the New World, and took out one of the rookies with a bounty of over one hundred million."
"He knows everything there is to know about Whitebeard's territory. He's probably one of the likeliest candidates as the final Yonkou."
"The only people capable of dealing with him are the Yonkou, or maybe Marco the Phoenix and the remnants of the Whitebeard Pirates."
"...or it may not."
"Hmm?"
"If another miracle like Marineford happens..."
"That was not a miracle!"
"Portgas lived when he should be dead... isn't that enough?"
"And, your meaning is...?"
"The Shooting Star, Fudo Yusei... I believe that he'll be the final Yonkou."
"A rookie... as one of the Four Emperors?"
"He was recognised by Whitebeard before the latter died. Would that not make him..."
"...!"
"One way or another, capture Fudo Yusei... and make him join us."
"The Straw Hat Pirates..."
"Those with the name of D. are always especially troublesome, including Portgas... it seems these guys are hitting news stands a bit too frequently these days."
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