Chapter 16: What Has to be Done
Luffy cracked his knuckles as he stared at Akainu. He knew that after all this was over, he'd have a lot of things to explain to Ace and the people that had, once again, helped him to get to Marineford, but he couldn't be distracted now. The look in his eyes said that he was dead serious and only a few had seen him like this in his life.
The man he was facing was worse than anyone he had met before. Crocodile and Arlong were mere kittens in comparison to the Admiral and if he didn't finish him off here, he'd become Fleet Admiral and he was going to ruin too many lives. What he had seen in the future… the way he had burnt Amazon Lily down when he had finally managed to abolish the Shichibukai entitlement… he couldn't forgive that. A lot of the women that used to live there were either slaughtered or sold as slaves to the Celestial Dragons. The Gorgon Sisters and Boa Hancock had lost their lives trying to keep their nakama save.
"Are you sure you can take care of this, Dragon's son?" Akainu mocked him with a smirk that made Luffy feel sick.
"I'm not letting you do as you please," the raven-haired teen said in a low tone. No, he shouldn't hesitate here, he couldn't let him live. It was against his principles to kill anyone, but he was going to make an exception right here and right now.
"Oh, you've got balls…"
"Luffy, what the hell are you doing?" Sabo said as he got beside him.
"None of your business, Sabo." Yes, this wasn't like him, it wasn't like he wanted to be mean to his brother, but damn… he wouldn't get any better opportunity than this one. If he waited as he had done in the future, the troubles this monster would cause would be irreparable. "I'm doing what I have to do. What I should've done long ago."
And Sabo knew exactly what he meant. Even for the Revolutionaries it had become too risky to move around too much. The surveillance Fleet Admiral Sakazuki put up on every movement they made was a pain in the ass. Not like they couldn't take care of all those Marine ships running around the ocean but with all the Vice-Admirals and Admirals always mobilized… yeah, it wasn't the best scenario ever. Sabo was still wondering how Luffy did manage to obtain the Pirate King's title with all that was going on with the World Government and Marines.
Luffy and Sabo saw Akainu's movement out of the corner of their eyes and the blond was quick to protect them both with one of his water shields. Luffy took advantage of it, activated his Gear Second and launched one of his haki imbued Jet Pistols at the other man, letting it impact on his face and sending him stumbling backwards.
Ace looked at his brothers with awe. When did those two become so strong? When was the last time the three of them had fought together? And, why were they so synched with each other? He watched as Sabo melted into his water form and surrounded the Admiral to his calves, nullifying his powers as Luffy launched his Jet Gatling Gun attack non-stop. The Second Division Commander looked around and saw how hard his own crewmates were fighting and keeping anyone else away from Luffy and Sabo's confrontation against Sakazuki and he decided to go and help the Whitebeard Pirates to it. After what Luffy had told him —or rather, what he hadn't— he knew that he would only get in his way. Of course he was worried about his siblings but he also understood that if he joined them, they would only end up being distracted.
"Ace!" he spun his head around to look at his baby brother. "Keep an eye on the old man! Blackbeard is going to appear and try to steal his Devil Fruit powers!"
The look on the Second Commander's face was one of astonishment as his eyes went back and forth from Luffy to his old man. What the hell did that mean? Nevertheless, the oldest of the three brothers nodded once and went about on his own Marine spree. Marco joined him not long after he joined his crewmates on the defense.
"You okay, yoi?" the blond asked as they both swept the floor with a crowd of enemies.
"Physically? Sort of," the black-haired young man answered. "We've got to watch out for the old man," he pointed out as his eyes turned towards Whitebeard.
"I heard what the Strawhat said. What's all that about, anyways, yoi?"
"I dunno. He's been acting strangely. Like… he knows more than he lets on…"
Marco gave him a single nod. His expression one of concern. Everyone in the Marineford platform was fighting. Be it Marines or pirates, none of them seemed to lose ground in this all-out battle.
Luffy knew that the Whitebeard Pirates should escape from here, this would be the most feasible path to take, but seeing as the old man was injured and still willing to fight, there was nothing he could say to make Newgate give those orders. But, their mission had been accomplished, Ace had been rescued alive.
Despite all that, the young pirate captain had other things to think about. He managed to dodge one of Akainu's punches and responded with another one of his own. That man, the one that many years ago had killed his foster older brother… was now on his hands. He would avenge the Ace that died years ago, he would also take revenge on what he did on the Kuja village. There was nothing else he had to do right now. As Sabo immobilized the Admiral, leaving him powerless thanks to the new power his brother had gotten his hands on, Luffy stretched one of his arms and grabbed a discarded sword that was lying on the floor. It was time to finish this before Teach made his appearance.
"Strawhat!" he heard. He looked up to see Kizaru trying to get to him just to be sent flying away by Marco.
Luffy closed his eyes for a second, concentrating on his haki to coat the blade of the sword. It was hard since he had never done it, not even back in his time, since he never used anything but his own fists and legs to fight… but this was the end, if he wanted to get rid of Akainu, this was his last chance. When the raven-haired young pirate opened his eyes again, the liveliness in them had vanished, all he had once believed in had been buried deep within himself.
"Goodbye, Akainu," he mumbled as he stepped forward in a flash and sunk the haki coated sword onto the Admiral's chest, right through his heart as Sabo let go just in time to avoid being stabbed as well.
The whole battlefield seemed to stop as everyone saw the blade go through the Admiral's flesh, piercing the live-giving organ as he coughed up blood. Luffy jumped away as he noticed one of Akainu's magma punches coming his way as Sabo nullified it with his ability, allowing them both to get as far away from him as they possibly could.
It was then, just when Sakazuki let out his last breath, that Blackbeard's irritating laughter filled the platform. There was another one that Luffy hated with all his might. As he saw him, Luffy's eyes locked with his and before anyone could even move, he was already launching himself forward.
"Get the old man out of here!" he shouted towards Marco and Ace. "Protect him!"
He didn't need to repeat himself. All the Whitebeard Pirates were already moving. Luffy grabbed Blackbeard and sent him flying as far away from Edward Newgate as he could. He was soon joined by Hancock, Jinbei and Ivankov as they engaged Blackbeard's crew to try and buy time for the Whitebeard crew to take their leave.
I know this is short, but I'm on a writer's block and I promise that, from here onwards, the story will definitely drift away from the canon. A lot of people have criticized the fact that I've mostly "copy/pasted" what happened in the manga. I've told you why it was like this. But, now this will become my story, which I can guarantee you all.
Now to answer those lovely reviewers:
F.A.M.4Life: Here you go!
MinamiJSakuya: Why, thank you! A lot of people have criticized the fact that is a water-based DF…
OfMoonsAndStars: That wasn't what I intended and I've explained why I did that this way. But I promise that from here onwards, this will be ABSOLUTELY original from my part.
Guest 1: Here is the next chapter. Sorry for the delay!
Iitrnr: Well, sorry if you felt that way, but from here on this is going to change 100%.
I'm iam: Hope this one chapter makes you think it's improving.
Chrisfragger: Why, thank you! Hope you stick around!
Chrisfragger 2: Well, he has the same weaknesses as any other DF user. Just because is a Water-based logia DF, doesn't mean he is immune to the weaknesses of other DF users.
Chrisfragger 3: Aww, sorry for the shortness of the chapters, but I can't help it!
Chrisfragger 4: Aww! Well, if I'm writing about a fandom which has NO real pairings, I don't really get any characters involved unless I can explain why or how it happened. I specially don't like all those One Piece romantic-story based fanfiction since OP is all about the action and adventures the OPverse goes through without even taking into real account any kind of relationship. I prefer nakamaship than romance in these kind of fandom.
Chrisfragger 5: I know I've been sticking too close to canon, but it was necessary. From here onwards is going to go another way than the original story from Oda-sensei. And yes, I'm planning to continue it since I've got most of it planned out. But you know, when a writer hits a blocking, it's hard to get back on track even if you know what exactly you want to write in a story.
Chrisfragger 6: I know exactly what you mean, but I love setting the things in a story straight right from the get go. What's the point in writing a story if you're just going to put down whatever is in your head without taking into account those who're going to read it? That's not my style and I like to have people understand what and why I'm writing.
Dragonfox123: Thank you!
Guest 2: Here's another one.
PortgasDAnne01: Of course, and I promise I will from here onwards. Thanks for reading and I hope you stick around!
Ninuhuju: Here's the next one!
Edboy4926: Here's the next one, once you get here, you'll know the answer to your request!
Zenaku8yoru: YAY! Cheers for the ASL monster trio!
Aamaterasu: The point was to get where we are right now. I know all of you have been hypercritic with the way I've been doing this, but bear with me. Right now, this story will take the real turn.
Guest 3: Yes, I know, but the story will take the real turn now.
Lolotte: Why, thank goodness someone finally has understood me! And don't worry, you've got no mistakes in your comment!
Ashielle: Aww! *grabs the cookie and noms on it* Thank you! Well, this is one of the most awesome comments I've got so far. I'm glad you're enjoying it! Keep on reading!
Crazzyredhead: Why, thank you! I just love cliffhangers, can you tell?
A Brilliant Loser: Oops! My mistake. I always try to proofread everything, but sometimes things can slip through my eyes… Cliffhanger for the win!
Lany-chan: Why, thank you!
Balrock: Haha, because I love letting you guys hang on the edge of your chair!
Bloodynightmares: Why, thank you!
Little Lady Slytherin: Hehe *winks*
Alexandria Ackerman: Here's the next chapter, sorry for the delay!
My Lunatic Crow: Why, thank you!
JoshRand1982: Thank you! And, indeed, they do! Once everyone has left Marineford will come the explanations, or will they? *wink, wink*
And this is it for this chapter, I hope I can have a speedy update from here onwards but I can't promise you anything. Thanks for everyone who has been sticking around… We're up to 171 comments, unbelievable! Thank you so much for your continued support, for your criticism and for wanting me to improve. I don't mind if you guys come and complain, but please, be understanding and don't be rude, that's all I'm hoping for.