Sorry, my cliffhanger subscription is not working very well. I will look into getting a new one. And oh my goodness another update. Lol, let's see how long this keeps up.

I visibly deflate. The admirals are all looking at me, well Fujitora isn't, but the other two are looking at me with interest.

"Ah, you have made it far."

Kizaru stated in his lazy manner. Fujitora remarked gruffly.

"Yes, you are quite skilled."

I gulped. My bravado vanished in a tenth of a second, and suddenly I am back to being that terrified girl that stood in front of Z, with no strength or skills. Holy crap I am screwed. I only know enough about Kizaru, and a little about Fujitora. I know absolutely nothing about Ryokugyu, so therefore cannot fix a strategy that could take care of him. Yep, one hundred percent screwed.

The strong part of my mind shoved hard against the weak part, taking over.

Rose, what are you thinking? It's the end of the race. You can't give up now. You need to hurry up. Luffy needs you. I glance up at the wall and the executioner's platform and sigh. Yep. But still.

Nope, no buts. Come on, you defeated them, you can defeat these guys. I sigh again, and decide to be polite.

"Hello admirals."

Ryokugyu cocked his head.

"Do we destroy this girl?"

Fujitora glanced in his general direction.

"It's a girl?"

I give a sweeping bow mockingly.

"Rose of the Strawhats, at your service. Now if you don't mind, I'm going to get my captain back."

There is a flash of light and Kizaru has suddenly flashed in front of me, his long leg raised back in a kick.

"Go back Rose."

I hit the deck and the kick goes over my head. Before I can congratulate myself or will the sudden adrenaline in my stomach to go away, I roll over and somersault away from his finger about to spear me through.

I was about to stand when something heavy hit me right in the ribcage. I bite back a scream as I fly backwards, skidding on the ground. I take a few seconds to allow the pain to leave, then stand. Ryokugyu lowered his foot.

"You are strong built."

I am literally a plaything with these guys. That's not even the fact that it is three on one. I blow a thick stream of air out of my nose. I twirled my quarterstaff in my hands, changing the ends to blades. Yes, this will get me a better edge, hopefully.

I race toward Ryokugyu, trying to figure out what to hit first, when Kizaru once again appears ahead of me.

"You have a strong will, but no real strength to back that up."

I duck him and suddenly am reminded of his words, said once before, on this very battlefield, to the future pirate king. I am going to make him eat his words again.

I was just about past him, when I see him stiffen slightly. I ready myself for an attack, but was not prepared for what happened next.

The very thing I had felt tiny samples of, haki, descended on my mind, although this time, it is not softened by Luffy. This time the pain is real.

I am dimly aware of me stopping abruptly, of my knees hitting the ground, my eyes rolling back in my head. It was like Kizaru had literally stripped away my will to fight. Is that what haki does? Does it take away the weaker wills?

I fall forward, but my hands catch myself. There has to be something, something to anchor me to reality. To make me fight again.

'Don't worry, you can do this-Nami

You are braver then I will ever be-Usopp

Don't worry, I will protect you Rose-swan-Sanji

You aren't alone-Chopper

You have a family here-Robin

We will stand behind you-Brook

You are super Rose-sis-Franky

Be brave. You are stronger then you think you are-Zoro

You will always be my nakama-Luffy

Gosh darn it Rose, pull yourself together. They are counting on you. So painfully, barely, I push myself to my feet. Kizaru remarked carefully.

"What a strong will you have Rose."

I cough, and shake my head, childishly hoping that would dispel the haki. I don't particularly care, but as long as I am distracting these guys, surely someone will slip past them. Kizaru tries to stomp on me again, but I roll away once more, avoiding Ryokugyu this time.

I look up and realize I landed right in front of Fujitora. He raised his sword, bringing down with a speed that it felt like Mihawk didn't have. I instinctively block the weapon, and let loose a slight breath. Then I feel it. The intense pressure. I grit my teeth as I am pressed further into the ground. I strain against it, trying to keep him from completely shoving me to the dirt.

"Hold her still Fujitora."

Ryokugya stated, holding his hands like he was going to straight up punch me. Kizaru nodded, pointing his finger straight at me.

"Yes, right there."

I try to parry the blow so I can dodge, but as soon as I try, the pressure increases so much I feel the concrete buckling beneath me. I am stuck in between a rock and a hard place. I close my eyes, waiting for the inevitable pain, and ready to cope with it.

"Rose!"

Suddenly the pressure decreases dramatically, and I fall to my knees, gasping for air to try replenish lack of oxygen supply. I look up and smile with relief.

Zoro is blocking Fujitora's sword with Wado, a dangerous smirk alighting his lips.

Sanji is kicking aside Kizaru's finger with his already aflame foot.

Sabo is facing down Ryokugyu with his arms also aflame, a determined look on his face.

I slump, so very grateful for my saviors.

"Thank you, all of you."

Sanji turned to me, and for once didn't flirt with me.

"Get to Luffy Rose."

Why? Why is everyone trusting me with Luffy's safety. Doesn't matter right now Rose. Ask later. I glance up at the platform. I'm going to need a boost to get up there.

"Zoro, can you do that thing you did in Alabasta? The one to Vivi and Chopper to get them to the top of the clocktower?"

Zoro grinned, setting his three swords together.

"Be my guest."

I leapt lightly on the swords, ignoring the protests from Kizaru and Ryokugyu which are stifled by Sanji and Sabo. Zoro bends down and I feel the sheer power building up in his arms and torso. He whispers.

"Good luck."

I nod my thanks.

"You too."

Then I am flying up with the speed of a bullet. I focus on the bottom of the platform and when I reach it at the apex of my leap, I reach out and grab it, pulling myself close. I take a second to make sure I was stable and survey the battlefield.

It was different from a higher vantage point, and I could see that the pirates were still holding thier own. Several saw me, and pointed and shouted, although I couldn't hear them over the gunshots and cannonfire. I make sure there are no other problems, before I start climbing.

I use all of my skill and my longingness to climb again push me upward quickly and efficiently. I remember all those times I played with Usopp, climbed up to the crow's nest, tied down rigging in storms. Climbing is something I can do, not fight admirals.

I grab the studs and haul myself hand over hand, my excitement keeping me going. I was so close now. I heard Kizaru and Sanji fighting literally right behind me. Seems like the admiral tried to follow me up here. I didn't care. I trusted Sanji to take care of him.

I was so close, so close in fact, that I heard Akainu talking to Luffy.

"Dragon's son, I have to rid you of the world before your allies come and save you. Prepare to die!"

I grab the tough wood beneath my fingers and haul myself over the edge just in time to see Akainu draw his magma fist back to shove through Luffy's chest.

My hands are moving before I can even register the action, one hand grabbing and swiping out my slingshot, while the other reaches for a canister. No, Akainu, I will not let you. Ace help me protect your brother. I have come too far for my dreams to be murdered before my eyes. I slide it open, loading the entire container into my rubber band. There isn't time to grab just one. I hope this works. Please work. Akainu's fist is moving in perfect slow motion. I open my mouth to scream.

"NO!"

As I draw back my ammo and let it fly.

The canister flies so slowly I am terrified it will not reach him in time, so I follow it instead, running after it. I see the canister hit him in the back, just as he is about to punch Luffy, and in that split second, I see the fleet admiral tense and his arm changes back to normal, giving Luffy just a regular punch to the chest. Luffy coughs in pain , but is not dying and for that I am grateful.

Relieved, I let loose a heavy breath. That was way too close. I'm very lucky my hypothesis worked. I am already taking off the caps. I need them now, and I am guessing a hundred or so is more effective then just one. Akainu whirls around, but I am ready for him. I shove one of the canisters right at his chest. It connects with a hiss. He groans and staggers.

Yes, I can do this. With a bodily shove I shove him toward the edge of the platform. I need a few minutes to free Luffy, and the farther away he is the better.

Suddenly, he grabs me, his hand once again turning into magma. I grit my teeth in pain as it feels like my arm is literally melting. Once again, my instincts save me by thrusting my last container into his chest. His arm turns back to normal and I ignore the blistering heat in my arm as I swing my sword, already unsheathed at his chest. It cuts, actually cuts the fleet admiral, and he flies backward, off the platform.

I stand there, breathing hard, my weapon held loosely in one hand. I turn and see Luffy staring at me in shock, surprise, and awe.

I did it. I saved my captain.