Chapter 8: Impel Down's Infiltration

Just as they had planned, Luffy and the Kuja Pirates headed to the Marine ship that was waiting for Hancock's definitive answer. It would be dangerous to, once again, infiltrate the prison, but he had to try to reach Ace before he was brought to Marineford. If he didn't go, he wouldn't know if it was possible to correct the mistake he'd made twenty years ago.

The plan was the same they used back then. He'd hid within the folds of the Pirate Empress' coat and stay hidden in her "quarters" of the Marine ship until they reached their destination. Once there, he'd go back to hiding within the clothes of the female pirate until they reached the inspection room where she'd petrify the guard so he could hide somewhere else until he could get out of the room.

The Straw Hat pirate felt giddy. It was strange enough that he'd gone back in time but to revive all these memories right now was weirder. There were so many "what ifs" running through his head… but he couldn't let any of this affect him or he would fail once more and all the efforts he'd made up until this very moment would be meaningless.

He had to convince himself that Ace would survive, that he would make it possible even if it meant for him to kill someone for the very first time. Akainu, that bastard, would pay for what he had done to his brother. And now Sabo wouldn't stay silent. He knew him well enough to know that he would show up, eventually.

The black-haired young man stood up and went back where Hancock was. The Marine ship couldn't be much farther and he needed to be close to the Shichibukai to conceal his presence before they were on ship's sight.

Things went smoothly on their trip to Impel Down. What had happened twenty years ago wasn't a repeat this time, so Luffy could call it an absolute succeed. Once Hancock, Vice Jail Head Domino and him enter the searching room, the Pirate Empress petrifies her and the vigilant den-den mushi, allowing him to slip off her and get out of the robe she's wearing.

"Thank you, Hancock," he whispers with a slight grin, making the female pirate blush at hearing him call her by her name.

"Just be careful to not get caught, understand? Don't be too reckless."

"Got it!" Luffy stretched his arms and grabbed onto one of the ceiling joists and propelled himself up and out of sight right when Hancock undone her ability.

Once the two women were done and were exiting, Luffy slipped out of the room through the ceiling and advanced through it until he was sure everything was clear of personnel. He landed on the floor again, knowing full well where he was going and once he reaches Level 1, he remembers that there he met Buggy and curses under his breath as the red-nosed pirate appears running and being chased by the Blugori guards.

"S-Straw Hat?!" Buggy yelled in shock.

"Oh, it's Buggy…" He said nonchalantly. "Damn it, don't come my way!" the raven-haired young pirate retorts as he began to run as well. There went the promise he'd made with Hancock about to not cause any ruckus. "Can't be helped…" Sighing, Luffy turned around and imbuing one of his arms in Busoshoku Haki. "Busoshoku: Koka… Gomu Gomu no…" Stretching his arm as far as it could go, he launched it forward towards the group that were coming their way. "Pistol!" As it impacted, all the guards were sent flying back.

They both skidded to a stop as another group appeared in front of them. It was such a pain to be spotted while he didn't need the extra attention, but it couldn't be helped. This had also happened in his other time, so maybe there were things that couldn't really be changed.

"I didn't know you had been caught, Straw Hat," the other pirate said as his hand came back to his body and reattached itself.

"What are you talking about?! I came here of my own free will!" Luffy responded as he took care of the rearguard.

"What?! Don't lie!"

"I'm not lying!"

It was such a mess. He shouldn't have bumped into Buggy, no matter how much he thought about it, everything had gone from bad to worse the last time he had infiltrated Impel Down and ended up stuck with the damn pirate clown. And, despite all that, the fact that he had ended up down in Level Four twenty years ago had been, mostly, thanks to that one pirate.

With a sigh, the both of them managed to get down to Level Two. Luffy kept on running, still being chased by one of the beasts guarding the floor. He felt as if all of this was way too familiar and the awkwardness of the whole situation was making him feel agitated. Too many things were happening the same way it had and he didn't like that feeling. At all.

He turned around, stretching his arm back while imbuing it with Haki just to let it snap forward and collide with the hippo-like animal, sending it flying back.

He needed to reach Level Three as soon as possible. Ace's life was on the line and he had no time to linger around like this.

"What the hell are you doing, Straw Hat?!"

"Shut up! I'm in a hurry! I'm here to save Ace!" the raven-haired pirate yelled back as he kept on going.

"What…? How do you know him?!" Buggy asked in disbelief.

"He's my brother." It was all the reason he needed to risk his life once more for the sake of Portgas D. Ace. However they didn't have blood-ties, they did have a bond. They spent too much time together back at Dadan's hideout to even think about abandoning the other. He knew full well that Ace was stubborn and he'd get mad for coming to try and save him but he was also aware that Ace would've done the same if it had been him in his shoes.

"Bro…?! Seriously?!" the blue-haired man asked in a high-pitched shriek.

"Yeah. So, you gonna help me to reach Level Five or not?" He knew he couldn't trust the other man but he had to try.

"Stop joking around! I'm trying to escape from here! I'm breaking out not in!"

"Fine, then, good luck with the dozens of battleships stationed outside." How annoying.

Meanwhile, on the sea, Sabo was trying to decide the best route to reach Marineford. It was imperative for him to get there safely if he was going to be of any use to Luffy. He knew that his interference could result in a disaster, but he just couldn't sit around and be confident that Luffy, this time, would succeed in rescuing Ace alive and on his own.

Yes, the Whitebeard Pirates would help him but he knew how things turned out in the last moment and he had to give Luffy a hand with Akainu. That man had to die. It was his revenge for what happened twenty years ago and what would come after that. Those years were a hell for anyone sailing. Be it Pirates or anyone other than Marines or World Government officials. Things went from bad to worse and Luffy obtaining his title as Pirate King in itself was a sheer miracle. How did he get it? He still didn't get it at all. Akainu had been at Raftel and Luffy had almost died. If it hadn't been for those Sea Kings appearing out of nowhere…

Not only that, there had been another situation where that bastard almost got Luffy cornered. It was decided. Fleet Admiral Sakazuki couldn't be left alive in the Whitebeard War. For the sake of the freedom in the sea and for the sake of Luffy's crew and Ace.

"I'll make sure he pays for everything he'll do if he's left alone and about."

Well, way too short, I know, but I'll advance a bit further in the next chapter. I think I'll go straight to when they get to Level Four and his fight with Magellan or it will be way too boring since they can't change much of the Levels Two and Three incidents.

By the way, head to my profile, I've left a poll there about something that concerns Sabo. I've got an idea for him and I need to know if you guys agree since it will be important for the plot of the story.

Now to answer to my lovely reviewers:

Myra the Dovahkiin: Why, thank you! Here's the new update. And yes, she already is in love with him but there won't be more development on the matter since Luffy is not interested in her here either.

TBDawnWMPC: Here's the new chapter. Short, I know, but is all I could think off.

XxFire-PhoenixxX: Thanks! And a hurray for Sabo! Yes. Marco will appear, he has to since he's part of the Whitebeard Pirates and we'll go to Marineford. Here's the next chapter. Enjoy!

JoshRand1982: You're welcome! Yes, I thought it was necessary and she's someone who can be trusted. I won't spoil you the plot but that person did try something. You'll have to keep on reading to find out who and what he is. As for if Luffy and Sabo will be ready? KEEP READING. Lol.

MonkeyBoy87: I know! I always cry and bawl my eyes out when I rewatch/reread that part D: No worries. I'm glad you left a comment! I'm satisfied with you reading it and enjoying it. Reviews are overrated. I'll try to take a look into it but can't promise much. My mouth's shut!

Strongmayhem: Aww, why thank you! (Review 1)

Thanks a bunch! (Review 2)

Lany-chan: You'll find out about it in the story. Keep on reading!

Horizon-Dawn: Thank you.

Ichigo1508: Glad to know.

Strongmayhem: He did. I just had to summarize the fight but he used it almost since the beginning! (Review 3)

Aww, you should have me some patience. This is a re-write so is complicated to get the character well. I'm sorry you thought of it as an annoyance, though! (Review 4)

Here's the next chapter! Hope you can forgive me for putting in such a "boring" chapter, but things will be set into motion from now on since we're skipping ahead in the Impel Down Arc.

That's all for now! And sorry again!

P.S.: Remember to go to my profile and leave your vote!