*Disclaimer! I do not own anything One Piece related that belongs to Oda*
"What the hell?" Marco shouted as the screen faded to black, "You can't leave off there! What happened to Luffy?! Is he alright?!"
That's what Law wanted to know as well, he was on the edge of his seat waiting for Straw Hat to get back up only to be utterly disappointed. He didn't know why he expected the teen to beat the Warlord so easily. These viewings were altering his perspective of Straw Hat, he has to remember that this isn't a comic like "Sora, Warrior of the Sea" and the 'main character' can't always win. He was getting wrapped up in this being a tale of a hero when it's only a true story of a rookie pirate. He has to remember that this is reality.
"Marco, calm down," Rayleigh addressed the teen, his voice controlled into a soothing manner. Marco looked at The Dark King, opening his mouth to retort but only for Rayleigh to continue, "I am sure Luffy is ok. We know he will survive in the future, so we don't need to worry. He is a strong boy, he will push through." Rayleigh smiled reassuringly, and the teen mulled over the older man's words, and eventually, he nodded relaxing into his seat. Though he still looked pretty miffed in Law's eyes. Whitebeard nodded in thanks to Rayliegh, and The Dark King nodded in acknowledgment at the Emperor.
"Now that I think about it," Shanks started as he shook his head at himself. Roger and Rayleigh turned their attention towards him, curious. "I think I overestimated Luffy."
Roger nodded along with Shanks, "Yeah, I understand. I thought that Luffy would have been able to crush this Warlord, with no problem. I think I got so caught up on Luffy and his adventure that I forgot that he is only a rookie pirate." Shanks nodded in agreement.
"I'm pretty sure we all did that," Marco huffed, before warily glancing at the other side of the room. "Well, some of us."
"Gurararara! We just have to see the brat turn the tide then! Don't we!" Whitebeard laughed in good spirits. Marco lightly chuckled at his captain's words and settled in his seat, ready for the subsequent viewing.
"All of you have entirely too much faith for a reckless fool." Doflamingo scoffed.
The past pirates and Shanks all simultaneously raised their brows at the Warlord in disdain. Although a little comical, Law could tell that they did not want to engage in an argument, so they ignored the blonde and focused back on the screen, and he found great amusement when Doflamingo frowned at being ignored. Law followed suit with The past pirate's example, facing forward when the screen slowly began to start.
Nighttime is shown throughout the desert, and there is movement in the sand. Luffy's head pops up from the sand, and he grunts in pain.
Law grimaced at the amount of blood, although he shouldn't be surprised since Straw Hat was impaled.
"MEAT!" Luffy screams.
Law felt all his pity fly out the window when he heard Straw Hat yell for food instead of help. He doesn't understand how the younger man's mind works and doesn't know if he ever wants to. Hopefully, by the time he is done watching these viewings– however long that may be –he will have a better understanding of Straw Hat for his plan to succeed. Although, so far that will look like a difficult feat.
"I'm not sure whether I should be grateful that Anchor is ok or concerned that all on his mind is meat." Shanks sighed as he shook his head in disbelief. Roger laughed at his cabin boy's worry and patted him on the shoulder.
"At least the boy knows what he wants."
Shanks looked at his captain incredulously as the older man laughed. Rayleigh sighed before shrugging to himself, the man clearly used to Roger's antics.
He shifts his head around to get out of the quicksand but causes the sand to swallow him up.
"Well, that wasn't smart." Marco huffed.
White boots walk toward the scene, and the person raises their hand.
Law warily observed, wondering if this newcomer was a friend or foe. Straw Hat certainly can't defend himself in his current condition, so if this person is no friend then the teen will be in a tight pinch.
A bunch of arms manifests and push Luffy out of the sand.
That looked familiar. He has seen that devil fruit power before. From these viewings or in the past he isn't sure, either way, he wasn't getting a good feeling from it.
"Are they saving Luffy?" Marco asked warily.
"It looks that way, but we shouldn't trust them just yet," Rayleigh advised. Marco nodded and focused forward.
Luffy is lying on the sand, bloody and breathing heavily.
"Th-ank-k- you.." Luffy looks over at his savior.
Miss All Sunday stares down at Luffy.
"Nico Robin?!" Several voices exclaim.
Now he knows why that devil fruit power seemed familiar.
"Why is she here?" Marco shouts as he points accusingly at the frozen image of Nico Robin.
"That's what we all would like to know," Eustass grumbled.
"Well, she is a future Straw Hat," Shanks started slowly, gaining the attention of the other occupants in the room, "So, she might not hurt Luffy, but she also killed that other guy on the boat. I'm not sure where she stands in this fight, but we know that Luffy survives. I don't think she will hurt him."
Red Hair's couch partners nod in agreement at his assessment of the situation. Law also agreed with Red Hair's words, but he was more curious about Nico's actions towards Straw Hat.
"I still don't trust her," Marco said defiantly, "She is clearly an enemy who also blew up that nice guy from before." Marco glared at the image of Nico Robin and Law huffed in amusement at his childish views. Although Nico is an enemy, she becomes an ally in the future– erh the past?- and he is very interested to see how that will play out.
"It's good not to trust someone Marco, but at least get to know her more before you judge her too harshly for her actions," Whitebeard advised wisely to his son. Marco looked thoughtful as the giant man continued, "You don't know what the young lady has gone through, so we shouldn't assume things or divulged ideas about her before we understand her."
Marco seemed to consider his words and slowly nodded. "Yeah, you're probably right. I don't know what she has gone through." Marco looked up at his father and smiled brightly at him, "She joins Luffy eventually, so she can't be totally bad." Whitebeard grinned lightly before gently patting Marco.
"Now I'm curious why she is helping Luffy." Roger scratched his chin, looking up at the screen interestingly, "Miss Robin looks like an ambitious young woman, I wonder what her plans are." Raleigh nodded in agreement while Shanks had a pondering look as he observed the image of Nico Robin.
"Why do you fight?" She asks.
Law raised his brow at the out-of-the-blue question, what was she trying to get at?
Luffy continues to stare at her, breathing shakily, while Miss All Sunday says,
"You people who carry the name D."
"D?" Luffy questions before he goes into a coughing fit.
"D?" Several people question.
"Why does she mean, 'D'?" Eustass asked with a raised brow.
Law was also curious. He has heard many things concerning the will of D, the ones that will take storm in the new era, enemies of the Celestial Dragons. He forgets that Straw Hat is a D, but now that he thinks about it, all that the teen has been doing on his adventure is going against the world government and nobles.
"Roger, do you know what she is talking about?" Whitebeard inquired.
Roger? Why would he know- oh right. He's also a 'D'. He forgot that Roger's name isn't Gold Roger but Gol D. Roger. Just another thing to blame the world government for, he guesses.
"No," Roger starts as he stares interestingly at Nico Robin, "Even though I am a 'D', I personally don't know what it means or why certain people have it." The man tilts his head slightly and smiles, "Although now that Miss Robin points it out, I am curious about the meaning."
"Hmhmhmhm." A low laugh emits from the right side of the room. Law slightly glares at the tall blonde, knowing the man has an idea about what the will of 'D' is since Cora knew it as well. He slightly smirks when he remembers that Doflamingo has no idea that he is a 'D' himself or anybody for that matter. Although, if they continue to watch these viewings he wonders if his full name will be revealed and wonders how that will play out, probably nothing good…Oh well, that's a problem for future Law.
"Just what are you people?" Miss All Sunday thinks.
Law is slightly offended by the accusatory tone in Nico's voice but brushes it off and focuses more on Straw Hat's condition. The teen still has not had any medical help, and he isn't getting any better by lying on the rough sand.
"It seems I shouldn't have asked." The woman says as she uses her devil fruit to throw Luffy's straw hat and catches it. She then throws it on Luffy as he lies there, and the scene fades to black.
"Huh, that's it?" Marco blinks in surprise at the short viewing.
"I guess," Shanks shrugs.
Law sighs and decides to forgo the thought that Straw Hat will get professional medical help and move on. The teen seemed fine whenever he meet him at Sabaody, so he shouldn't worry about his health. He doesn't care anyway; he just wants his plans to go smoothly.
Before a conversation could form between the occupants in the room, the screen lit up and words started to appear.
Before y'all start the next viewing, I will give context. The Straw Hats made it to Alubarna and each one of them is fighting a high-rank member of Baroque Works, while princess Vivi is trying to find a way for the rebellion and royal army from fighting. Unfortunately, Vivi is unsuccessful and the fight starts. I will now tell you the outcome of each battle of each Straw Hat member.
Law raises his brow in interest at the information.
"Why aren't we going to watch them?" Marco asked curiously. The Roger Trio also looked curious as new words began to appear on the screen.
It will take too much time, and you guys will mostly be watching Luffy not so much his crew. There are a lot of viewings to get through and I don't think some of you want to stay here longer than you want to.
"Hmph! That's for sure! I could care less about this brat!" Big Mom huffed.
"That's something I can agree on Linlin," Kaido grunted.
Law stared warily at the two emperors, not knowing they were on a first-name basis. He heard shuffling next to him and made eye contact with Eustass. Law could tell the younger man was uncomfortable sitting so close to the larger woman when he grumbled in disdain and shifted away from her.
"I guess that makes sense," Roger said before he slightly frowned, "Although it would've been nice to see Luffy's crewmate's strength." Rayleigh patted his back comfortingly.
Battles of Alubarna, each Straw Hat member battle, and outcome…
Battle 1
Usopp and Chopper Vs Miss Merry Christmas and Mr. 4…
Law heard shifting throughout the room, everyone antsy about the outcome.
Victor: Usopp and Chopper
A breath of relief was heard from the left side of the room. Law may or not be one of them.
"Nice! The first round was a win!" Marco exclaimed.
"Yeah and Mr. 4 is pretty high up on the list, so it was probably a challenge for the two." Rayleigh pointed out. Roger and Shanks nodded in agreement.
Battle 2
Sanji Vs Mr. 2…
Victor: Sanji
"Yes! Another win!" Marco smiled at the outcome.
"Wasn't Mr. 2 the guy Luffy made friends with?" Shanks inquired with his head titled.
"Oh yeah, I think you're right, I guess their plan for him not using his devil fruit against them worked." Roger shrugged.
"Sanji must be strong to fight that high rank of a person," Rayleigh observed.
He was just thinking the same thing, although Mr. 2 did look a bit ditzy, but looks could be deceiving.
Battle 3
Nami Vs Miss Double Finger…
"Weird choice of name, but ok," Marco said, before a raised a brow, "What is her rank compared to the others?"
She is Mr. 1's partner.
Law felt a sense of forbidding at the high rank. Nami isn't known to fight, he is a bit cornered about the outcome of this fight.
"Oh," Marco blinked owlishly at the information, "I hate to say it but this might be the first loss for the Straw Hats."
"Don't write her off just yet Marco," Shanks grinned, "Luffy wouldn't have just anyone on his crew." Roger smiled at his cabin boy's words.
Victor: Nami
"Yes! I never doubted her for a second!" Marco exclaimed. Everyone deadpanned at the teenager.
"Seems Young Nami is stronger than she looks," Whitebeard smirked good-naturedly.
"At this rate, everyone is going to win their fight." Roger laughed.
Battle 4
Zoro Vs Mr. 1…
Victor: Zoro
"Looks like everyone on Luffy's crew has potential," Rayleigh commented.
Battle 5
Round 2
Luffy Vs Crocodile…
Wait, why aren't they showing us Straw Hat's battle? The anonymous person just said that they would show us his fight. Something doesn't feel right.
Victor: Crocodile
"WHAT?!"
Law hates when he's right sometimes.
"You jinxed is it!" Marco shouted at Roger. Rayleigh smacked the back of The Pirate King's head, "Way to go Roger."
The captain only pouted before his brows furrowed in confusion, "How did Luffy lose?"
There was a beat of silence, no one knowing the answer.
"The boy was in over his head when he stepped foot onto the island," Kaido said nonchalantly, "It's no surprise that a rookie was defeated by a Warlord, even if Sandman is weak." There was a pause as everyone listened to the Beast Pirate. "Although since the brat is alive in the present he somehow defeats this Warlord. You guys should think of the facts and common sense to know that Straw Hat isn't defeated yet."
Surprisingly a reasonable take on the situation. Law didn't know whether Kaido wanted to reassure them or to get them to shut up, probably the latter.
"I guess you're right…" Marco agreed reluctantly. Kaido grunted at the teen's words and a bottle of booze appeared in front of him. The giant man grabbed it and gulped down the whole bottle in a few seconds. Kaido seemed satisfied with his fill and Law pretend he wasn't gaping at the man and turned away. Before anyone could start a conversation, words started to appear on the screen
The next viewing you will see is Crocodile Vs Luffy round 3.
"Straw Hat better win this time," Eustass grumbled.
"Of course, he will!" Garp exclaimed, "He's my grandson!"
Everyone collectively ignored the marine as the screen lit up.
An architectural structure is falling apart.
"Whoa! What the heck is going on?" Marco shouted, his eyes wide at the extreme start of the viewing.
He was also startled by the chaos but soon calmed down in favor of figuring out what was happening.
The unstable ground shakes while the sound of running feet is heard from a distance. Luffy is running through the halls, barefoot, bloody, and with no straw hat.
"Why does it seem like Luffy is always bloody." Red Hair said in defeat, before he furrowed his brows, studying the frozen screen. "Where is Luffy's Straw Hat?"
Now that Red Hair points it out, Straw Hat is just missing that, his straw hat. A strange look, since that hat is what makes Straw Hat so identifiable.
"Maybe he lost it?" Marco suggested uncertainly.
"Well he still has it today, so it's not damaged," Law commented, and Red Hair acknowledged his words.
A giant pillar falls just where Luffy was a few seconds before, but a doesn't spare a look as he sprints toward his destination.
"Man, Luffy isn't even fazed about what is going on around him," Marco said, concerned.
"Looks like Luffy is in a rush." Roger looked thoughtfully at the screen, "Probably on his way to fight the Warlord." Shanks and Rayleigh nodded in agreement.
"Although, I am curious why the place is collapsing." Whitebeard voiced.
Miss All Sunday's white cowboy hat looks worse for were as it lays on the ground, abandoned.
Well, that is an ominous image.
The owner, Nico Robin is laying on the ground not looking much better than her hat.
"What happened to Robin!?" Marco exclaimed, "She was just fine in the last viewing!"
Law was also a little disturbed by how quickly the mood changed just from these viewings. Nico looked to be in rough shape, but he knows things will turn out fine, even if it doesn't feel like it right now.
Crocodile stands in front of her, facing the King of Alabasta, who is on the ground leaning against a wall.
"It took me so long to get here." Crocodile smirks, "But, it's finally time! Time to end it all! This land is MINE!"
Shanks, Rayliegh, and Whitebeard all collectively raised their brows in skepticism at the egotistical man's words.
Crocodile laughs as the surrounding building falls apart. Luffy suddenly brakes through a wall and Crocodile looks over confused. After the smoke clears, the Warlord's eyes widen in recognition. Luffy breathes heavily as the two stare at each other.
"Yes! Come on Luffy! Defeat this Warlord!" Marco shouted bouncing in his seat.
Law smirked at his enthusiasm. He could feel the adrenaline rush starting to surface, especially when Straw Hat made that grand entrance. The others seem to feel the same way by the way they shifted in their seat, and focused on the screen. Even the right side of the room seems to pay close attention to the viewing.
"You!" Crocodile snarls.
"You're trapped, Croc!" Luffy exclaims.
"Why are you alive? Why do you stand up to me every time I kill you!?" Crocodile asks before he shouts in frustration, "WELL, STRAW HAT!?"
"Why did he come here?" The king of Alabasta curiously looks at Luffy. "He would have survived… Who… is he?"
Robin's hand twitches and she lifts her head. "Straw hat…"
"At least Miss Robin looks alright," Roger smiled before he looked closer at the screen, "Well, for the most part."
"How many times do I have to kill you until you're satisfied!?" Crocodile shouts.
"Too many times, that's for sure," Eustass huffed, smirking at the screen, "Knowing how stubborn Straw Hat is." Law also smirked, remembering Sabaody.
"You haven't returned it… What you stole." Luffy states.
Law raised his brow. 'Stole'? What did he steal?
"What I stole?" The Warlord questions, "Money? Fame? Trust? Life? RAIN!?" Crocodile laughs. "What do you want me to return? I've stolen more than I can count!"
"The country," Luffy says firmly.
Ah, that's what Straw Hat meant.
"The country?" The older man mocks, "That's a funny thing to say. I am just about to take this country! I will become King of this land and rule it!"
"When we came to this land… it was already gone." Luffy says, "This country wasn't hers!" Crocodile raised a brow and Luffy's words. "If this was really her country… she'd be able to smile more!" Luffy screams and charges toward Crocodile.
"That's right Luffy!" Marco shouted, "Do it for Vivi!"
"After that impressive speech, what do you expect to do without any water?" Crocodile smirks.
"Water?" Roger questions.
Rayleigh sighs at his captain, "Water is Crocodile's weakness. When Luffy first fought him and got impaled the water from the canteen spilled onto his arm and Luffy was able to grab him."
Roger blinked at his words, "Oh, I guess I was too distracted that Luffy was impaled to see that."
"But just like Crocodile said," Marco voiced, gaining the attention of the other occupants in the room, "Luffy doesn't have any water."
That's true. Straw Hat doesn't look prepared to fight the Warlord. He wonders how he will defeat him.
Luffy sticks his foot out and kicks Crocodile in the face and the man is sent flying and crashes into a wall.
"What?!" Marco exclaims.
Law's brows furrowed at the screen, trying to understand how Straw Hat was able to hit Crocodile. Unless the teen unintentionally used haki- which was highly unlikely- he somehow used water.
"Ah, I see." Whitebeard voiced, nodding in understanding, which frustrated Law. Seemed the Emperor figured out how Straw Hat was able to hit the logia user.
"Did you know how Luffy did it Pops?" Marco asked Whitebeard eagerly.
"Yes, it sure is a clever idea." Whitebeard smiled at the screen. Marco frowned at not getting an answer.
"I have to agree," Rayleigh smirked. Roger looked over at his first mate, a betrayed look on the Pirate King's face. "Although a little extreme, it gets the job done."
"I concur." Shanks smiled raising his hand in agreement. Roger looked at his cabin boy with the same expression as he did Rayleigh. Ok, now Law was getting a little pissed off that he didn't know how Straw Hat hit Crocodile.
"I would have to say Straw Hat's idea is pretty sick if you ask me," Eustass commented. The redhead glanced at him and smirked, obviously catching on that he didn't know how Straw Hat hit Crocodile. Law gritted his teeth and glared at the younger man and faced forward, trying to ignore the way Eustass snickered at him.
Impossible, Crocodile thinks, How did he kick me without using water!?
Luffy cracks his knuckles as he stares down at Crocodile. "Crocodile!" Luffy screams as he stretches his arm back.
"Wa-!" Crocodile starts before Luffy's fist connected with his face and sends him flying into the same wall.
"Bastard…" Crocodile says weakly as he stands up, "Was that… your blood?"
Blood…
"Blood hardens sand too, right?" Luffy rhetorically asks.
Blood was the answer. Law felt so stupid that he wanted to hit himself.
"Oh! It was his blood!" Marco said, "That is smart!"
Whitebeard chuckled at his son, while Law wanted to die in a hole.
Crocodile breathes heavily, then starts laughing, "Rainbase… The Royal Palace… And now in this underground chamber." Luffy raises a brow. "You've seen Hell twice and still come back to challenge me. I will repay your tenacity…"
"Damn you…!" Luffy stretches his leg to attack Crocodile, but the man dodges, and Luffy crashes into the wall. Crocodile takes the cover of his hook off and purple gas comes from the holes in the hook.
"That looks concerning," Shanks commented.
"... as a pirate!"
Luffy's eyes widen at the new development.
"It seems no matter what I do, you'll keep trying to defeat me. I think it's time I treated you properly as the nuisance you are."
"He took it off…" Luffy looks uncertainly at the Warlord's hook, "What is that?"
"A poison hook."
"Great, just what Luffy needs," Marco says sarcastically, "poison."
"Oh."
Law blinked. He knows Straw Hat is simple-minded, but he at least thought that the teen would be a little worried about the poison.
"As you are a pirate like any other… I expect you to know this well. A duel between pirates is a battle to the death. There is no such word as 'unfair'!"
Hmph, that's for sure. Law glanced at the other Warlord in to room a glared at the indifferent expression. He huffed and turned away, not wanting to waste any more time on the insufferable man.
Luffy gets into a fighting position and the two men face each other off as the building collapses around them.
Shifting was heard throughout the room, as the danger of the fight became more serious.
"When the explosion happens in the Square above us," Crocodile says, "this place will be destroyed with it! This is the end. We'll decide the victor once and for all!"
"Woah! Wait what?" Marco shouted, eyes going wide in shock at the news, "Explosion!?" The Past Pirates had grim looks on their faces at the new threat.
"How will Luffy stop the explosion if he is fighting Crocodile?" Roger wondered aloud. No one knew the answer, and there was an awkward silence when nobody answered.
"Maybe if you watch you will find out," Kaido grunted. Roger and Marco gleaned at the emperor before shrugging, facing forward, ready for the fight.
Luffy stretches a fist, Crocodile dodges, and Crocodile aims his hook for Luffy's arm and nicks him when Luffy tries to move his arm out of the way. Luffy jumps back and the two breathe heavily staring each other down.
"Gomu Gomu no Pist-!"
Luffy aims his fist at Crocodile, but the Warlrod raises a hand to block him. Luffy stops his fist from meeting Crocodile's hand, jumps sideways, and kicks a stretched leg toward him.
He has to admit that Straw Hat has a high battle IQ, he was impressed with his quick thinking in a fight. Although the same couldn't be said for his intelligence.
Crocodile dodges and nicks Luffy's leg with his hook.
"Ah! Shit! He scraped Luffy's leg!" Marco gritted his teeth.
Law narrowed his eyes. Straw Hat better get real medical attention this time, and not just eat some meat as 'medicine'.
Luffy stretches his arm to grab onto a wall and rests there looking at what Crocodile's hook damage did to a rock. The rock partially melted from the poison.
"Luffy got lucky that Crocodile didn't do that to his leg." Shanks sweated at the sight of the rock, his brows furrowed in worry. Rayleigh and Roger nodded in agreement, also worried for the rookie.
Luffy jumps down, while Crocodile smirks. A pillar breaks and falls between the two, but they only stare each other down. The two start running toward each other and Luffy stretches his leg out to break the pillar blocking their path and hits Crocodile in the face. Luffy quickly regains the normal length of his leg and grabs Crocodile's hook arm, spins around on his arm, and kicks Crocodile in the head. The Warlord falls to the ground and crashes into a wall.
Law grinned at the damage Crocodile is enduring. It was satisfying to watch Straw Hat beat down an egotistical Warlord.
"Just who is this man?" King Cobra asks watching the fight, "The Kingdom's greatest warriors were like ants before Crocodile, and yet…"
"Luffy's no ordinary warrior," Marco smiled, proud of his brother, "He is a pirate!"
"Ha! That's for sure!" Roger laughed.
Crocodile laughs, "Impaled… Buried alive… Dried out…" The man slowly looks up at Luffy, "You may have been able to come back from all that…" Crocodile raises his poisoned hook, "But you won't stand again after this one. The fight is over. The poison is already spreading through your body."
The grin slowly faded from his face at the grim reminder. He realizes in hindsight that he shouldn't be worried about Straw Hat since the teen is fine in his present, but it's hard not to control his instinct when he sees someone in need of medical attention.
"You don't understand anything!" Luffy raises his fists.
The architecture in the chamber starts to deteriorate and Crocodile laughs, "At long last… The new era has begun."
Luffy is laying on the ground unconscious from the poison.
Law's eyes widen in shock at the scene that was portrayed before him. This doesn't seem right. Straw Hat is supposed to win, not lose. Law narrowed his brows in anger at the development. Did this anonymous person trick them into thinking that there will be only three fights between Straw Hat and Crocodile? If so, what a waste of time, and emotions. Law scoffed at the unconscious body of Straw Hat, disappointed in his abilities.
"WHAT?! What happened to Luffy!?" Marco shouted, "This wasn't supposed to happen! Luffy is supposed to win!"
That's what Law's saying.
"Not everything goes your way, Marco." Whitebeard started, Marco looked over furious that he was about to be lectured, only to see the seriousness in his father's eyes. Marco calmed down and listened to what his captain had to say. "In a fight, you always have to expect the unexpected and be ready for any variable that may help or hinder you. Don't let these viewings change your view of reality. The fact that Straw Hat is a rookie and Crocodile is a Warlord shouldn't be a surprise if the rookie loses. What you have watched so far has shown Straw Hat have consecutive wins, so it may seem like he is indestructible, but you have to remember that he is still just a rookie, with little experience." Marco looked down and pouted at the man's words. "Not everything goes your way, but Marco" the teen looked up and Whitebeard smiled down at his son. "That doesn't mean you can't use the power you have to change that." Marco smiled and nodded at his father's words.
Law was left a little speechless by the wise words of the Emperor. He looked away, feeling like he was intruding on something personal. Cora would've liked him.
"Couldn't have put it better myself!" Garp exclaimed.
Whitebeard huffed in amusement at the Marine but otherwise didn't comment on the matter.
"I'm still wondering how Luffy will beat Crocodile if he is poisoned." Shanks voices aloud.
Roger nodded in agreement. "The boy has spirit. He will get up and finish what needs to be done." Roger said firmly. Law wonders how the man was so sure Straw Hat could get back up again when the teen is unconscious on the screen. Shanks smiled at his captain, "I'm sure he will." Rayleigh watched the exchange with a content look, not minding that he wasn't involved in the conversation.
"Can all of you shut up so we can continue this fight!" Eustass exclaimed, "Have your sentimental moments when we have a break!" Law slowly turned his head toward the redhead, gritting his teeth. Eustass is getting too comfortable and doesn't like it. Everyone in this room thinks that he is affiliated with this idiot and whatever he says reflects on himself. He sighs, trying to let go of his anger, and focuses more on the Past Pirates' reactions to the rude behavior of his couch mate.
They seemed more shocked than anything if their owlish blinking went anything to go by. He was pleased when they complied with Eustass's words and turn towards the screen, waiting for the viewing to restart. Law glanced at Eustass only to see the younger man smirking at him.
"Don't get so cocky Eustass," Law mumbled quietly to the redhead. Eustass only smirked and faced forward.
He lets out a long exhale and looked at the screen. He wondered how long he could do this.
"The day my ambition becomes a reality!" Crocodile smiles wickedly, "This country is MINE!"
Luffy's finger twitches.
"Seems the brat isn't out for the count." Doflamingo sneered.
"Yes! Let's go Luffy!" Marco shouted in encouragement.
Crocodile remembers what Luffy shouted earlier, "I DON'T WANT HER TO DIE! WE'RE NAKAMA! That's why as long as she doesn't give up on her country… We won't stop fighting!"
He had to admire Straw Hats' morals, fighting for someone else, especially someone you meet recently.
Crocodile slowly turns his head, only to see Luffy standing, breathing heavily. Crocodile has a shocked look on his face which soon morphs into anger. King Cobra stares at Luffy with awe and fear.
"You… can't…" Luffy starts, and Crocodile grits his teeth, "... defeat me!"
Law could practically see the sparkles in Marco's eyes as he watched Straw Hat challenge Crocodile again. He huffed in amusement at the teen's excitement, he too was starting to get antsy from all the build-up.
Crocodile smirks, "Are those the only words you can squeeze out?" The Warlord starts walking toward Luffy, "A bluff from a dog about to meet his death… How fitting. Groundless!"
Luffy glares at the man, and exclaims, "I am…the man who will become the Pirate King!"
He heard a scoff from the right side of the room, but the sound of Marco cheering covered most of it up.
Crocodile laughs, "Listen, boy. The more you get to know the sea, the more you learn not to make impudent statements like that." Crocodile raises his hook. "I already told you… There are so many rookies just like you on this sea! The more you learn about the level of this sea… " Crocodile makes a dead sprint for Luffy. "THE MORE YOU LOSE SIGHT OF THOSE DREAMS!"
Crocodile aims his hook at Luffy, but the rookie twists his body and uses Crocodile's momentum against him by putting his foot on the base of his hook and slamming it on the ground. The hook breaks off and flies away from them. Crocodile's eyes widen in shock.
"OH HELL YEAH!" Marco shouted in glee.
"Good job Luffy." Shanks praised. Roger looked up at the screen with a gleam in his eyes, his finger twitching, a tick Law recognized. Seems The Pirate King is a little battle hungry.
"Smart," Rayleigh commented as he casually leaned over Shanks and tapped Rogers twitching fingers. Roger looked down and noticed what he was doing and sightly frowned before he tapped Rayleigh's hand in thanks. Shanks watches the scene nonplussed, seemingly used to seeing the interaction many times before.
"I am… the man who will surpass you!" Luffy declares.
Luffy yells as he stretches his arm back and flings it forward to punch Crocodile in the stomach. Crocodile coughs up blood while Luffy kicks him in the head. Crocodile goes flying and Luffy quickly follows and slams his fist onto the side of the Warlord's head, breaking the ground from the impact. Luffy grabs the front of Crocodile's shirt and brings him forward while the older man grunts in pain, Luffy flings him into rumble as the chamber around them continues to crumble.
He winces from blow after blow but feels no sympathy for the Warlord. He brought this upon himself.
"Man Luffy is being brutal!" Marco said with a smile, "Not that I'm complaining!"
Crocodile struggles to get up as he thinks, "The scorpion poison… should have taken effect. Where's this kid… drawing all this power from?"
Any normal person would have been out for the count, but Law's come to terms with that Straw Hat isn't a normal person.
Crocodile looks over at his shoulder as Luffy glares at him. Crocodile grits his teeth in anger and a knife pops out where the broken hook was.
"Oh come on!? Seriously?!" Marco complained.
"You're just some kid who showed up out of nowhere!" Luffy stares at the man as he shouts, "JUST WHO THE HELL DO YOU THINK I AM!?"
Crocodile jumps up and aims for Luffy's head, but the teen ducks.
"I don't give a shit who you are!" Luffy exclaims, "I WILL SURPASS YOU!"
Luffy kicks Crocodile's stomach and the Warlord goes flying into the air. King Cobra looks up with shocked eyes. Crocodile slowly starts to descend as he declares, "I'll destroy you along with this temple! SABLES!"
A sand tornado forms from Crocodile's hand and he shoots it down toward Luffy
"PESADO!"
Luffy barely dodges but the attack destroys more of the chamber.
"Shit!" Marco exclaimed.
Damn, that would have been fatal if that attack hit Straw Hat.
"Come on Anchor, you can do it," Shanks quietly encouraged Straw Hat.
Luffy inhales, making his stomach stretch like a beach ball, and starts twisting. Luffy exhales down, which lifts him into the air, toward Crocodile.
Law raised his brow at the absurdness of Straw Hat's fighting style, at least it's effective.
"GOMU GOMU NO…!" Luffy stretches his arm back.
"DESERT…!"
"STORM!"
"LA SPADA!" Crocodile makes four sand blades rain down on Luffy.
There was silence as everyone paid close attention to the screen, wanting to know the outcome of the fight. He also heard Big Mom stop eating her snacks to observe the events that were about to unfold.
Luffy yells and punches the blades, destroying them. His punch reaches Crocodile and the Warlord grunts in pain. Luffy sends a series of punches at Crocodile, pushing the man to the ceiling. Luffy yells as he continues his attack. The ceiling cracks and Crocodile slowly get pushed further in.
"Don't tell me he is…" Marco trailed off, in awe of the spectacle.
The buildings outside start to shake, and the ground forms large cracks. Buildings start to fall over. The ground rises as Crocodile is punched through the ground. Crocodile is sent flying through the air as Luffy's arm stretches back to its original length.
"HOLLY SHIT! He actually punched him through the ground!" Marco shouted in shock.
He was also a little disturbed by the power of Straw Hat this early in his career. To think that the teen becomes even stronger is a scary thought.
"Now that's what I'm talking about!" Eustass grinned.
"That brat is pretty strong for a rookie," Whitebeard smirked.
The Roger Trio smiled in pride at the display of strength of Straw Hat.
"I knew he could do it!" Roger exclaimed. The happy atmosphere was contagious, and Law found himself smiling at the scene.
"Hmph!" Big Mom huffed, "It's nothing special to beat a Warlord."
The happy atmosphere suddenly dissipated at the Emperor's words.
"Want to run me by that again, Old Hag?" Doflamingo gritted his teeth in an almost uncontrolled manner. Big Mom sneered down at Doflamingo in distaste, while the Warlord had a strained smile on his face glaring up at her. Law was honestly considering giving Big Mom a standing ovation, but decided against it, knowing the rumors about her eating habits. As the two seemed to size each other up, the left side of the room seemed comfortable watching the scene play out- is that popcorn? He had to do a double take to see if what he saw was correct, Marco excitedly watching an Emperor and Warlord possibly fight, eating popcorn. Law sighed and ignored the teen in favor of watching the tense scene unfold.
"Joker," Kaido said dismissively.
Doflamingo sneered at The Beast Pirate before standing down, Big Mom smirked.
"Linlin, don't antagonize my subordinate," Kaido commented half-heartedly. Big Mom frowned at his words but otherwise didn't comment, and continued to eat her sweets.
Law felt his shoulders relax from the tense atmosphere and looked over to see Marco frowning at his empty bucket of popcorn.
King Cobra looks up at the scene, "Incredible! There is only pure bedrock between this room and the surface!"
That's for sure. He wonders how strong Straw Hat is now.
Crocodile is unconscious as he flies through the air. The Straw Hats are seen trying to stop the Royal Army and the Rebels from fighting.
"Wow! There is a whole war going on out here!" Marco said with wide eyes.
Sanji notices something in the sky and points,
"Oi, look! Up there!"
The rest of the Straw Hats look up in shock.
"CROCODILE!"
Vivi looks up at Crocodile from the clocktower in shock, "Luffy…"
"Hopefully Young Vivi can find peace for herself and her kingdom." Rayleigh smiled. Roger and Shanks nodded in agreement.
"Not sure how he got blasted up over there…" Sanji commented.
"HOW ELSE!?" Usopp shouted, the rest of the Straw Hats smile, "I never doubted in my mind… but now…"
"HE WON!" They all shouted in victory.
The scene fades to black.
Almost everyone had smiles on their faces at the victory.
"Wait," Marco said suddenly with a confused look, "Whatever happened to the explosion that was supposed to happen?"
There was a beat of silence, then words started to appear on the screen.
The Straw Hats helped Vivi stop the bomb from going off, but the bomb had a set timer anyways. Pell, and close friend and Royal guard for princess Vivi used his Zoan Devil Fruit, Model: Falcon, to fly the bomb to the sky and sacrificed himself.
That brought down the mood a few notches.
Fortunately, Pell survived the explosion.
Nevermind then.
"Well, I'm glad everything worked out ok!" Roger smiled. The Past Pirates and Shanks nodded in agreement. Before a conversation could start amongst the occupants in the room, more words started to appear.
To give context, the Straw Hats are now leaving Alabasta. They gave a choice for Vivi to either join them on their adventures or stay with her kingdom. This next viewing will show her decision.
"Oh really!" Marco said excitedly, "I hope she joins!"
Law didn't want to burst his bubble and decided not to deliver the sad news, they would watch her decision anyways.
"She doesn't join dumbass," Eustass said nonchalantly. Law saw the grin slowly fade away from Marco's face.
"What…" Marco's voice cracked, and Law winced at the sad look on his face.
"We would have said if she was a part of the Straw Hat crew like Nico Robin if we recognized her," Eustass informed.
Marco looked down, "Oh."
Whitebeard patted his son's head, comforting him, while he lightly glared at the redhead. The Roger Trio warily looked at the father-son duo but decided to face forward and let them be by themselves.
Marco seemed to recover after a minute or two, and the screen lit up.
Luffy turns around and notices Vivi and Carue on the shore.
"VIVI!" Luffy shouts as he jumps on the railing of The Going Merry in excitement.
"CARUE!" Usopp yells in glee.
The princess and duck wave at them.
"Vivi!" Nami smiles.
"See, she's here!" Luffy said.
"Vivi-Chan!" Sanji exclaims with heart eyes.
"Turn the ship around! Hurry!" Usopp shouts.
"The Marines are almost here!" Chopper yells waving at them in joy, while Luffy jumps down from the railing.
"Marines?" Roger inquired.
"Probably thought the Straw Hats were involved in the civil," Shanks suggested, before he furrowed his brows, "Well, I guess they kinda were, but not in the way they're thinking."
Vivi smiles at them and shouts, "I'm here to say goodbye!"
Luffy laughs before he understood what her words meant, "What'd she just…?"
"Carue, give me the receiver," Vivi says. Vivi grapes the transponder snail and speaks into it, her voice broadcasting throughout the kingdom.
"I… cannot go with you! Thank you for everything!"
"It's kinda sad that we won't see Vivi anymore." Marco frowned.
"Who knows, we might in the future," Rayleigh smirks mischievously.
Marco laughs at the Dark King's playfulness and smiles facing forward.
The citizens and Marines are confused about what the princess is talking about as Vivi continues.
"I want to have more adventures, but…" Vivi smiles, "I can't because I love my country! That's why I cannot come with you!"
"I see!" Luffy smiles
"It's good that Luffy understands." Shanks smiled.
"I…" Vivi starts, flashbacks of their adventure going through her mind, and tears start to form.
"I-" Vivi's voice breaks as she starts to cry, "I WILL STAY HERE…"
The flashback of wrapping their arms with white cloth, to identify each from Mr. 2 devil power is shown. "This is proof that we're nakama!"
"Even if it was a boring idea to identify each other from Mr. 2 it was effective." Marco shrugged.
"But if we ever meet again, will you still call me your nakama?" Vivi cries.
"Anytime-!" Luffy starts only to be slammed to the ground by Nami.
Law almost flinched from the violent act but was able to contain his instincts.
"What the hell Nami!" Marco shouted.
"I'm sure the navigator has her reason." Whitebeard comments.
"DON'T ANSWER!" The navigator shouts, "The Marines have seen Vivi already. If they get any proof of Vivi's affiliation with us… She'll become a criminal." The Straw Hats lower their heads. "Let's just make this a silent farewell."
"Oh," Marco said sadly.
They turn around and Vivi cries with a silent response.
Even if this isn't the desired farewell, it's the most practical. It would be a dumb idea to say goodbye and possibly put the princess in danger.
Luffy grabs his arm and looks at it with thought. Vivi looks up and notices something, and smiles.
Law raises his brow at the princess's turn of behavior.
All the Straw Hats hold up their arms marked with an 'X'. Vivi starts to cry with happy tears, understanding their actions. Vivi and Carue lift their marked arms as the Straw Hats sail out to sea.
Well, he guesses that is another way. Law smiled at the bittersweet farewell.
"From now on, whatever happens, this left arm is proof that we're nakama!"
The scene fades to black.
"I take back everything I said about that being a dumb idea," Marco exclaimed, sniffling, "That was awesome!"
Whitebeard and the Roger Trio laughed at the teen's actions. The screen lit up catching the attention of everyone in the room.
"The Marines aren't chasing us anymore!" Zoro commented while whining is heard from the rest of the Straw Hats, "We shook them off, didn't we?"
"That's good…" Shanks starts, "But why does it sound like the rest of them aren't happy?"
"Hey now…" Usopp, Luffy, Sanji, Nami, and Chopper, have sorrowful looks on their faces as they hang between the railing bars of the second level of the ship. "What's with the lifeless responses?"0
"WE MISS HER!" They all cry out to Zoro.
"Oh," Shanks said surprised, "Well, that answered that question."
"I miss her too." Law heard Marco say quietly.
"Quit whining about it!" Zoro shouts, "If you didn't want to leave her behind… you should've just taken her by force!"
"AH!" Chopper shouts, "You neanderthal!"
"You suck!" Nami exclaims.
"Moss-head." Sanji deadpans.
"Three swords," Luffy adds.
"Wait, Luffy Three swords isn't an insult." Usopp reprimands.
"Four swords." Luffy changes.
There were some laughs at the comical scene.
Zoro walks away from them, and a door opens and a feminine voice speaks, "So we finally got away from the island."
There was a beat of silence at the new voice.
"Uhh…"
"Yeah," Zoro says offhandedly.
Nico Robin walks out of the door, "Well done."
"Of course it's her." Eustass grumbled, "Why does she have to be so mysterious?"
"I knew she wasn't bad!" Marco grinned, his spirits lifted from earlier.
"Looks like we get to see how she joins the crew." Roger smiled. Kinda anti-climatic, but at least his curiosity was satisfied for now.
Zoro looks shocked as the others freak out and bang their heads on the railing.
"Here for revenge!?" Zoro shouts, grabbing the hilt of his sword, "bring it on!"
"Why are YOU here!?" Nami yells.
"Take cover!" Usopp cries, speaking through a megaphone, while Chopper runs in a panic.
"Oh yeah, they think she is an enemy," Marco said.
"Well from their point of view, she is." Rayleigh pointed out.
The Straw Hats surround her ready for a fight.
"Who is she?" Chopper asks.
"It doesn't matter who she is!" Sanji says with heart eyes, "She's a beautiful lady!"
Law narrowed his eyes at the cook's comment.
Robin calmly walks and uses her devil fruit power to knock Zoro's sword and Nami's staff out of their hands, "Don't point those dangerous things at me. I told you that before, didn't I?"
"How long have you been on this ship?" Nami demands.
"The entire time. These clothes are yours, aren't they? I'm borrowing them." Robin says as she grabs a chair.
"What do you think you're doing, Baroque Works!?" Nami shouted.
"Monkey D. Luffy." Robin addressed Luffy, "You aren't forgetting what you did to me, are you?"
"Huh!?"
Sanji looks incredulously at Luffy, while Luffy himself looks confused.
"LUFFY!" Sanji grabs Luffy by the collar and shakes him, "What the hell did you do to this beautiful lady!?"
Robin walks and sets down her chair and sits down.
"WHAT- DID- YOU- DO!?"
"Everyone please disembark the ship at once!" Usopp speaks into the megaphone in the background.
Law sighed at the chaos. If he didn't know Nico was a Straw Hat member he would be tenser, but thankfully he knows the outcome of this viewing.
"Oi, you!" Luffy exclaims at Robin, "Don't lie! I didn't do anything!"
"Yes, you did." Robin calmly states as she lounges in the chair, "You put me through some very excruciating treatment. Take responsibility."
"Who is that?" Chopper asks hiding behind the mast, "What's going on?"
"'Excruciating treatment'!? What the hell did you do to her!?" Sanji screams at Luffy.
"Get out of here! I'll call the Marines!" Usopp says quietly, "Serious! Usopp is serious!"
"Did long nose forget he's a pirate?" Eustass grunted in annoyance, "Calling a Marine would be counterproductive."
"You'd better take responsibility!" Sanji shouts, continuing to shake Luffy.
"I don't know what you're talking about!" Luffy says frustratedly.
Robin rest her head on her hand,
"Allow me to join your nakama."
"HUH!?"
"SURE!~"
There were a few laughs at the reactions to the Straw Hats.
Flashback
Robin rolls the antidote for Crocodile's poison hook to King Cobra. King Cobra gives the antidote to Luffy while the two discuss why Robin lied to Crocodile about the Poneglyphs. She responds by saying that she never intended to give Crocodile the weapon inscribed on the poneglyph, what she wanted was the Rio Poneglyph, the True History.
"The True History is her ambition?" Roger inquired curiously, the man having a thoughtful look on his face.
Robin says that she has been searching for 20 years and this was the only lead she found. This place was her last hope, and it was a failure. She says if she dies here, that is fine by her. All she wanted was to learn True history. Luffy suddenly picks up Robin and the King. Robin protests and says she doesn't have a reason to live. Luffy rebukes her statement by saying that he doesn't have to listen to her.
End of Flashback
"Back then, you forced me to live when I wished to die. That is your crime." Robin states, while Luffy blankly stares at her. "I have no place to go or return to. So, are you going to let me stay on your ship?"
"I get it," Luffy says simply, "Guess that's that. Okay."
"Well, that was probably the easiest recruitment so far." Shanks laughed.
"LUFFY!"
'LUFFY~!"
"Don't worry! She's not a bad person!" Luffy smiles at his crew.
The scene fades to black.
Law sighed in relief when the lights turned up, they can finally have a break. His eyes were getting tired, and now that he thinks about it his whole body felt exhausted. He wonders if the day is almost over.
"That was awesome!" Marco exclaimed, "Metting Ace was cool, and Luffy's fight was amazing!" Whitebeard laughed good naturally. "I am proud to have them as my brothers!"
"Yes, it was," Roger grinned, "I am curious about what the next adventure is."