Apologies for the wait, this chapter was difficult and needed rewrites as it talks about the world after seven years, so I was trying to make sure I chose things that wouldn't be complicated or out of the realm of possibilities. Hope you enjoy though.
Chapter 3: New World
"L-L-Luffy-san! I knew it! I knew you were alive this whole time!" Koby cried as he was on his knees.
"Shishishishi!" Luffy only laughed at his reaction.
"Koby-san...I'm so happy..." Hibari couldn't help but cry along side the person she loved. She was so glad his friend was alive. She was so glad that Koby could now find peace in knowing he was alive. Of course, she was also a bit mad. Koby had suffered a lot after the events seven years ago, desperately trying to find his friend. She had half a mind to yell at him for making Koby depressed for such a long time, but for now she was just happy for Koby. She wanted to get answers about his whereabouts for all this time, but right now she was just too happy for her Admiral.
Mary and Cheryl felt like they outcasts, in their own homes no less. Mary was glad that the man who saved her daughter regained his memories, but at the same time, if it was true, she felt conflicted. She knew her husband wouldn't make the choice that he did unless he was convinced it was the right choice. She should be mad at the World Government for using her husband as a marine, but she would be lying if she didn't feel a little angry at the Pirate King.
She knew it wasn't fair. He fought for his beliefs and it was her husband's choice. However, deep down she felt sick to her stomach at the thought that if he didn't join with the pirates side during the middle of the war, would he be alive? She didn't know and frankly, for all she knew, he could have died either way. However, she hated feeling this way. She was just so conflicted.
Cheryl was just confused on what happened. She was watching the man who she bonded with slam his head on the wall and floor and then suddenly hug the pink haired guy. Now he was standing beside him laughing, while the pink haired guy cried. She also caught the name he was calling her mother's patient. Luffy, to her, had a funny ring to it. She liked saying his name.
Luffy laughed at Koby's reaction and then stopped when he caught a whiff of the smell of food. He turned his head and saw the food on the floor and grinned widely, sticking his tongue out. "Fooooodddd!" He exclaimed in excitement as he started eating all the food.
"Ah wait..." Luffy stopped for a moment to look over at Mary and Cheryl. Mary stopped and felt a little fear when he looked over at her, She hugged her daughter tighter to her.
"Ah! Mary! Cheryl! Look, I got my memories back! Thank you for helping me!" He grinned at them and the two felt themselves calm down. He acted just like he did when he had no memories. Cheryl grinned back and finally was able to get loose from her mother's grasp and ran over, giving Luffy a hug and laughing along with him.
"I'm glad you got your memory back!" She told him.
He grinned. "Right? Thank you, Cheryl! For taking care of me when I was hurt." Cheryl smiled and blushed at the praise.
Mary's conflicted feelings were still there, but they were not as severe. This man didn't feel dangerous. This man didn't feel like a pirate. No, he brought joy and happiness with just a smile. This man was not evil. If this was the man her husband decided to follow, she understood why now. He brought back her daughter's smile...he brought back her smile. This man was the new Pirate King.
She felt tears well up and she lost it as she cried. Everyone turned to her and started to worry, "Okaa-san! Why are you crying?" Cheryl asked running over to her.
"I'm sorry...I just...I just..." She looked at her daughter and pulled her into a big hug. "I'm just so happy right now." She confessed as her daughter began crying with her. No one else in the room knew why, but gave them a warm smile as the mother and daughter both cried happy tears with each other. She opened her eyes to look at Luffy and just smiled at him. "Thank you."
Luffy wasn't sure why she was thanking him, but he could tell whatever he did made her happy. "No problem!"
~OP~
Once everyone calmed down, they all sat at the table as Luffy had Cheryl on his shoulders and swaying back and forth, playing with her. Koby was incredibly happy that he went with his gut. He knew it was a hail Mary, but he had to try. However, he had so many questions for him. He wanted to tell him everything that has happened in the world the past seven years, but he waited as Luffy just regained his memories, so who knows how good they were at the moment.
Mary just smiled as the two of them playfully played. She now realized the truth about the type of person the Pirate King was. She always wondered. Why when she was told her husband died fighting with the Pirate King. Now she knew. He was a man that brought both her daughter and herself from a long period of grief. They may only have known each other for a day, but it felt like she'd known him for months.
"I'm sorry for all the trouble." Koby told her as she looked away from Luffy and her daughter.
"No...I should be thanking you. I know you have a lot to talk about with an old friend. If you don't want my daughter and I to be he-"
"No, it's fine. In fact, you can probably help us out." Mary blinked at him curiously and just nodded.
Koby nodded back before turning to Luffy. To see his old friend again felt like a dream. If it was he didn't want to wake up. He liked watching the two of them play, but he knew they also had to get down to the important questions. Not only his, but there's no question that Luffy probably had some of his own.
"Look." Luffy pulled his cheeks back and snapped them back to his face as Cheryl laughed at his antics. Koby smiled.
"Luffy-san..." Luffy stopped and looked across the table. "...I'm glad you're back. It's been seven years since everyone reported that you died. We never could find your body so there was some chance we could find you...but in the end, we couldn't find a body. We've searched for over a year and then we...we all assumed that you...you know, died."
"I see." Luffy looked at him seriously.
"But you're alive and that's great news!" Luffy smiled and laughed.
"Shishishi!"
"Ah, but you're probably wondering what happened these past seven years, right? I also have some questions." Koby told him truthfully.
"Huh? Like what?" He asked, tilting his head, which Cheryl mimicked. Mary smiled at that.
"Luffy-san...your battle with Imu...what happened?" Koby asked. They knew both Luffy and Imu fought high up in the sky, right above the red line. At the end of the battle, they both came crashing down with enough force that they slammed straight through the red line. An event that changed the landscape of the entire world.
Luffy looked at Koby and then frowned. "I...I don't know..."
"Huh?" Both Koby and Hibari were surprised to hear this.
"I don't remember anything about that. The last thing I remembered was...the night before.." Koby blinked in confusion.
"The night before?" Luffy nodded. "So, everything after that, you don't remember?"
"Nope." He told them with a serious look. The three all looked at him with slight concern. How could he not remember anything about that day? He was front and center of the entire conflict. It was weird, but Koby knew one thing about Luffy. He was a terrible liar.
"I see..." Koby sighed, giving up on that talking point.
Luffy smiled. "I might not remember, but you said I beat someone right? Then I'm glad. I won, shishishi. " He was happy to hear he was victorious.
Koby smiled.. When he found out the truth about what the World Government was hiding, he got pissed. The organization that he always believed saved lives and served the people, arrested criminals who hurt people, was behind some of the most terrible war crimes he ever heard about. He hated the truth and vowed to make sure that when a new World Government was created, he'd make it in the vision he believed to be righteous. That's what the New World Government was about. He cleared his throat to break the tension in the room.
"Okay, do you remember what happened to you? You disappeared for seven years. Do you know by any chance where you have been all this time?" He asked his next question.
"I don't know." Hibari felt a little annoyed at his answer.
"Do you not know anything!?" Koby chuckled.
"Now, now Hibari-san...it's possible those memories of Luffy-sans haven't returned...unless..." He paused as he didn't want to speculate something that wasn't true. It did make him curious why those memories didn't come back. Did he not have them at all? Did someone erase them? It was a possibility, but who could do that. Either way, he had no proof of this so he dropped the subject.
"I do have a question." Luffy suddenly said.
"Huh? Oh, yes. What is it, Luffy-san?" Koby knew he had questions and he was more than glad to answer.
"What happened to my crew? Are they okay?" Koby figured that be the first question he asked.
"While we aren't sure where all the members of your crew are, we do know that they are still alive. They did split up after the war though, but I'm sure they will be thrilled to hear that you have returned." Koby said with a wide grin.
Luffy released a huge sigh in relief that he had been holding back. He was incredibly happy that his crew was okay. "Shishishishi, that's great! I can't wait to see them!"
Koby nodded. Mary looked at Luffy and started wondering what his crew was like. If they were his crew members, they too must have been amazing people.
"We'll definitely help you find them. We can leave as soon tomorrow morning. Well, as long as your doctor says it's okay." He looked over at Mary.
Mary felt a bit conflicted, but deep down she knew what the right thing to do was. "Since he got his memory back, I can release him from my custody. I hope you find your friends, Luffy."
"Ahh, thank you, Mary! Shishishishi!" They both smiled at each other. The only person who wasn't thrilled about it, was Cheryl as she frowned and pouted.
"Do you really have to go?" She asked. Luffy tilted his head up slightly and smiled.
"Don't worry, Cheryl. I will be back and next time it'll be me and my crew and we can have a lot more fun!" Cheryl still wasn't a hundred percent happy, but she smiled anyway, knowing Luffy will definitely keep his promise.
"Okay! That's a promise!" Luffy chuckled as he swayed back and forth again to earn a giggle from the younger girl.
The other three felt a smile grow as they watched the two play for a bit. However, there were still a lot more questions Koby had. "Luffy...I know you probably don't know this but...there is something I should tell you." He turned serious for a moment as Luffy stopped playing. "Luffy...you truly did it...you became the Pirate King...I'm so happy that you did it!"
Luffy's eyes widened when the realization hit him. "W-What...?" Koby nodded.
"Hai. You found the One Piece, right? Yoiu may not remember, but the moment you beat Imu, you found the One Piece. You became the Pirate King." Luffy looked at Koby to see if he was bluffing. However, he saw nothing of the sort. Was he really the Pirate King...? However, something didn't sit right with Luffy.
"No..." He said, surprising everyone. "I'm not..."
"Huh? But you found the One Piece. Your dream..." Koby was surprised by his reaction. He thought Luffy would be happy.
"Hmmm...you say that, but I don't remember anything...I don't even remember what the One Piece was. It just doesn't sit right with me." He responded with a frown. Koby had understood why Luffy would think that. He truly believed Luffy did it, but if he couldn't remember, then it made sense why Luffy didn't like the idea. Koby believed he was, but in the end, what mattered was what Luffy thought. He sighed. Koby didn't want to press the issue further. Something told him Luffy wouldn't budge anyway. "Besides, being the Pirate King means I'm the freest man in the world. I don't feel like I am, especially since I came back, so yeah, I'm not the Pirate King."
"I see..." Koby knew how stubborn Luffy could be and probably understand better than anyone what it meant to be Pirate King. He didn't believe he had a place to say so he accepted his answer. "Well, regardless, you did find it and people will call you the Pirate King now, Luffy-san. Even if you don't want them too." It wasn't that Luffy wasn't happy about being the Pirate King, but he didn't remember it. He just felt it was wrong to call himself that. Nonetheless, they dropped the subject and moved on. "Do you have any other questions?"
"What happened to Sabo?" He asked about his brother. Koby smiled.
"Well, after the fall of the Old World Government, people from many different countries didn't want there to be no large scale governing body. So, they decided to create a New World Government, but this time, it would be democratic." Luffy narrowed his eyes.
"Demo-what? I don't get it...what does this have to do with Sabo...?" He slouched his face down on the table.
Hibari sighed, while Mary only giggled. "Hahaha, sorry. What I mean is, the people now are able to vote for is in charge of the New World Government. They wanted someone who could right the ship and bring proper justice to the world. Luffy-san, Sabo-kun became that. He became the leader of the New World Government."
Luffy's eyes widened. "Sugoi..." He couldn't believe Sabo became someone that important.
"Un. While there is a whole new voting system put into place and new political system as well...but I'm gonna assume you don't care about all of that. You only need to know that Sabo-kun is running things now. He's my boss essentially." Luffy chuckled.
"Shishishi! I'm glad Sabo is doing good." Luffy wasn't entirely sure what any it really meant, but he was happy that his brother was okay. At the end of the day, that's what mattered to Luffy. As long as Sabo was alive and well, he was happy.
Koby figured as much. "Now then, let's talk about what you did."
"Huh?" He blinked.
"Luffy-san, the fight you had with Imu changed the world. The red line is no longer what you remember." Luffy gasped softly. "With your fight, you both slammed straight down onto the red line, shattering it in half and the impact broke the Red Line. It caused all the major seas to converge on the spot. Do you know the old legend of the All Blue?"
Luffy's eyes widened. The All Blue. "All Blue...that was Sanji's dream!" That meant that Sanji's dream was...it was complete. He gained a very wide smile that one of his friend's dreams was found. He was incredibly happy. "I'm glad, Sanji. Shishishishi!" Koby smiled, knowing that one of Luffy's friend's dream was to find the All Blue.
"Also, that area of the Red Line that you destroyed? It's named after you." Luffy blinked in surprise.
"Huh?"
"Hm. It's called Luffy Gorge. It's where the All Blue rests. Your crew I believe gave it that name." He told him with a smile.
Luffy didn't know how to feel about having something named after him, but smiled at the gesture by his crew to remember him by. He really couldn't wait to see them again. He missed them so much. "Shishishi." He couldn't help chuckle bashfully.
"Aside from that, Fishman Island is now above water and has stayed like so for seven years." Luffy smiled thinking about Shirahoshi.
"Oh, that's right. I owe her a walk, shishishishi!" He blurted out, surprising everyone.
"Huh? What are you talking about?" Hibari continuously finds him too confusing to understand.
"Shishishi, it's nothing." Koby didn't pry, so he changed the subject.
"Wano is now fully open and working with all other nations." Luffy smiled, thinking back about his adventures in Wano. "Alabasta is still ruled today by Queen Vivi-san."
"Sugoi, Vivi became the Queen." He chuckled as he thought back to the blue haired princess.
"Mm. Let's see what else..." Before he could continue, the sound of a transponder snail rang, alerting everyone in the room. Hibari took out the transponder snail from her pockets and lifted the receiver.
"Hai? Commander Hibari here." The den den mushi opened it's eyes as someone spoke over it.
"Commander Hibari-san." Another female voice spoke over it. A voice Luffy thought sounded familiar but he couldn't place who it was.
"Ah, Vice-Admiral Tashigi-san. Is something wrong?" Luffy recognized the name and was slightly surprised by her new position.
"We have new information to report from the former Celestial Dragon you apprehended." Koby and Hibari looked at each other for a moment. "After interrogating him and running some tests, we found out he's infected with the Imunemia." Both marines widened their eyes.
"Looks like we were right to come here." Koby commented.
"The what?" Luffy asked.
"Huh? Who is that?" Tashigi heard a voice from their end.
"Ah, we'll inform you later, Tashigi-san. Thank you for the report. We'll return shortly." Koby told her.
"Hai." With that last response, the den den mushi shut down as the call ended.
"It's spreading quicker, Koby-san." Hibari told him as he nodded.
"It seems so." Luffy looked between them in complete confusion.
"What's Imu-zebra?" He asked, butchering the name. "Is it tasty?"
Hibari sighed as Koby chuckled. Mary frowned as she looked down at her hands. She was the one who answered.
"Imunemia...it's a incurable blood disease that started appearing after the Great War." Luffy looked over at her.
"We don't necessarily know where it came from, but what we do know is that it came from Imu." Koby continued. Luffy furrowed his eyebrows. "When we found their body, we did tests and found something strange within their blood." He explained further. "It's unsure how, but we discovered some sort of pathogen inside him. Some of the marines that brought his body on board suddenly grew ill. We then discovered this new disease we never seen before. Despite the best efforts of our doctors and from even Chopper-san, we couldn't find a way to cure them." Luffy perked up at the mention of his friend. "It's a terrible disease that spreads with being in contact with a person and getting their blood mixed with your own. It starts going through your body and attacking your organs. Some die within days, others within a year or so. Some lucky few were able to live for 5 years. In the end though, they die."
Luffy wasn't exactly sure of all the medical terminology Koby said, but understood that it was a very bad thing. "I see..." He simply only commented.
"Luffy-san...despite your victory against Imu, it also caused the disease to spread." Luffy's eyes widened. "W-We're not blaming you, of course." Koby reassured him. "However, when you defeated Imu, his body was a bloody mess and that blood spread into the water. The pathogen inside of him somehow survived in the water and because now that all the seas were connected, it began to spread across the world. Good news is that the water is no longer contaminated with the pathogen. Now it's all spread by making contact with blood and unfortunately, we haven't had a good time trying to stop the spread."
Luffy frowned as he understood what Koby was saying. "Because of me..."
"No, Luffy-san. It's not your fault. You...none of us had any idea that Imu had any sort of pathogen inside him. I guess you can say, that was their last ditch effort to curse the world you created." Luffy felt himself get angry. He knew he shouldn't blame himself, but Imu still managed to find a way to get the last laugh. It pissed him off.
Mary noticed the guilt on his face and tried to calm him down. "Your friend, Chopper-san?" Luffy's anger lowered at the mention of his friend's name. "He's that amazing Reindeer Doctor, right?" Luffy felt a little pride at his crew mate being called amazing.
"Yep, that's him!" He grinned widely. Mary smiled.
"He really is an amazing doctor." She complimented him again with a smile.
"Huh? You know, Chopper?" He asked excitedly.
"Oh, no. Sadly I haven't ever met him. I did hear some amazing stories and the things he has done in recent years have inspired not only myself, but Cheryl as well."
Cheryl grinned. "Doctor Chopper-chan is incredible. He helped find cures for so many diseases! I wanna be a great doctor like him one day!" Luffy chuckled at the praise of his crew mate. "I want to meet him one day and give him a biiiiiiggggg hug!" She exclaimed with her arms wide open.
Everyone aside from Luffy, who was chuckling, all looked at her and just had the same thought. 'Cute...'
'I wonder if Koby-san and I...' Hibari peeked over at the man who she loved and imagined kids with him one day. She blushed and shuffled back and forth in her seat. Her hands clasped against her cheeks, flustered at her day dreaming. Koby only eyed her questionably.
"Shishishishi! I'm so glad Chopper! You became a great doctor!" He was so happy to hear his nakama being able to achieve their dream. He really wanted to go see them.
"Indeed. Chopper-san is an amazing doctor. Without him, we never would be able to find so many cures for so many illnesses. Thanks to him and his organization." Luffy looked over at Koby and tilted his head.
"Organization?" He asked.
"Ah,r ight. After the war, Chopper-san apparently traveled the world and met so many doctors that wanted to help him find cures for so many different diseases. Together with them, he created the organization knows as Sakura." Luffy's eyes widened as he remembered the scene of Drum Island. "Together, they manage to fight against diseases and find cures and help anyone inflicted with said diseases."
"Sugoi...Chopper is so cool!" Koby nodded in agreement.
He then looked at his watch and noticed the time. He wanted to spend some more time with Luffy, but knew they had to get back. He then looked at Luffy. "Luffy-san, I want to keep talking, but we need to head back."
"Ehhhhh..." He pouted, wanting to hear more about his friends.
Koby chuckled. "We unfortunately have to leave this island early tomorrow morning. With the news that we have someone infected with Imunemia, we have to take them over to Sakura so Chopper-san and the other doctors can start his treatment. If you want to, you can come along." Luffy's eyes widened and he got excited at the thought of seeing Chopper again.
"Can I? Hurray!" Luffy exclaimed loudly. Both Mary and Cheryl frowned, but knew they couldn't stop him. He was gone for so long, his friends must have missed him and they didn't want to hold him back.
"I'm glad. We have to make a stop first at Neveria first before we head to Luffy Gorge and then head to the North Blue where Sakura is located." He informed him that the trip would be long.
"I see...so it'll be a while before I see Chopper..." Luffy pouted.
"I wouldn't be too sad, Luffy-san." Koby told him as he stood up and grabbed his coat from the chair. "You might get to see an old friend at Neveria."
"Huh? Who?" He asked, tilting his head. He never visited it or even knew of it's existence.
Koby chuckled. "I'll keep it a surprise. It's also possible they're not there at the moment, so I don't want to get your hopes up."
"I see." Luffy responded.
"Meet us at the docks early in the morning." Koby told him. "I will have a pair of marine outfits for you to wear so you can blend in with the others."
"Huh? Why?" He asked.
"Luffy-san, it's better if we keep the fact you're alive a secret for the moment. We don't want anyone to tell the world that the new Pirate King is alive yet. Also, it'll be a better surprise for your friends when they see you." He suggested.
Luffy didn't say anything for a moment before he grinned widely. "Okay."
Koby smiled and along with Hibari, lowered their heads to Mary. "Thank you for the dinner and your hospitality. As well as taking care of Luffy-san." Mary smiled.
"Only doing what any doctor would." She told them. They smiled at each other before Koby and Hibari took their leave.
Mary sighed. She felt extremely exhausted with everything that occurred. She then turned to look over at Luffy who was looking back at the door. She wondered what he was thinking. What would any person think when they were told that they changed the world. That they've been dead for seven years. His mind must have been all over the place.
A yawn interrupted both of their thoughts as Cheryl rubbed her eyes and rested her soft head on to Luffy's black hair. "...sleepy..." She muttered. Luffy chuckled a bit. Mary sighed once again and stood up from her seat. She walked over and took Cheryl from Luffy's shoulder and nestled her daughter into her arms.
"Looks like I'm not the only one who is tired..." She giggled at her daughter. She looked over at Luffy and saw him smiling. "What?"
"Shishishi! Nothing. Just really happy." Mary wasn't sure the exact reason he was happy, but it didn't really matter. At the end of the day, he remembered who he was, found out his friends are all alive and now has a chance to meet them. She should be happy for him. Yet, she felt a small tinge in her chest. A sudden sadness. "Hm? What's wrong?" He asked her suddenly, surprising her.
"Oh, nothing." She told him. "I'm going to take Cheryl up to her bed." She told him. "You can use the guest room of you'd like." She offered.
"Thanks...but I'm gonna go sleep on the roof." Mary was surprised by that.
"Huh? The roof?" Luffy grinned.
"Shishishi! I wanna make sure I get up in time." He stood up. He then looked at her and gave her a smile. "Thank you."
Mary blushed a little before giving him a smile in return. "Only doing what a doctor is supposed to." Luffy smiled and turned around to walk out of the building. Mary watched his back until he closed the door behind him. 'You're friends...are really lucky...Luffy...' She looked down at her daughter and smiled, before she slowly took her towards her room.
Luffy stretched his arms up and landed on the roof. He plopped down and stared up at the night sky with his hands behind his head. Luffy didn't usually think too much, but there was just so much information he received today that he couldn't process it all. However, the most important information that he cared about was that his friends, his crew, his brother, they were all alive. They were able to find their dreams, accomplish them. While he only managed to get information on two of them, he was so proud of what they were able to accomplish.
"Chopper...Sanji...Brook...Jinbe...Robin...Zoro...Usopp...Franky..." He paused in silence for the last member of his crew. "...Nami..." He closed his eyes as the last memory he remembered flashed in his mind. A memory of a promise he made to her. He frowned. He broke that promise. "Nami...I'm sorry...hopefully I can still help you fulfill your dream..."
Luffy...promise me...after all this is over...you...you come back...i still need a map to draw remember...hehehe...
She said those words, but deep down, he knew she wasn't being honest. He just couldn't figure out what it was. The sound of her voice trailing off at the end...the faint sound of her laugh...she was holding back something, but he didn't know what. Either way, he felt disappointed in himself.
He promised to come back, but he didn't. He died. He wanted to keep his promise, but he had no recollection of what happened after he delivered that last blow to Imu. It's like he just lost consciousness. Then all he remembered next was hearing Koby's voice. It was all so strange to him.
He hoped Nami was able to finish her map, her dream. At the same time, he also hoped she didn't. Not because he didn't want her too, in fact he would love to hear her say that she finished. However, he would feel guilty. He promised her that he would help. He wanted to help. He just hoped that he still could is all.
Luffy closed his eyes and just tried to fall asleep. He didn't know what to expect tomorrow. He didn't know who it was that Koby mentioned was at Neveria, but it made him both excited and a bit nervous. Regardless, he was not going to back down. He was going to find his friends once again. Then they'll set sail once more and go on adventures again, just like old times.
Right...?
~OP~
Mary woke up the next morning and the first thing she did was check on Luffy. However, he wasn't there on the roof. She frowned and felt sad. Did he leave already? Did she just miss him? She sighed, knowing that this was the right choice. She just hoped Cheryl wouldn't take it too hard that he left without saying goodbye.
"Oh, Mary." Mary's eyes widened when she whipped around and saw Luffy walking out from the side of the building.
"Huh...wait...you didn't leave yet?" Mary asked, surprised.
"Shsihsihsi! I didn't want to leave without saying goodbye. Where is Cheryl?" Mary couldn't help the smile on her face.
"She's still asleep. What were you doing over there?" She asked, pointing to the side of the building by the shrubbery.
"Oh, I fell. Shishshi!" He laughed at his own clumsiness. Mary sweat dropped at him.
"W-What?" She didn't even know what to say to that.
"I saw a shooting star so I wanted to get a closer look and I slipped on my hair and just landed there. I then just fell asleep. Shishishi!" Mary face palmed at this. She didn't know him long, but already he felt like a handful.
"Okaa-san...? Ah, Luffy-Oniichan!" Cheryl opened the door and ran over to give Luffy a hug. "You're still here!" Luffy laughed as he gave the hug.
"Yep! Didn't want to go just yet until I said goodbye." At this, Cheryl's expression turned upside down.
"Do you really have to go?" Luffy smiled softly at her and gently placed her on the ground. He squatted down and looked at her in the eyes.
"Sorry, Cheryl. However, I have to go see my friends. They're waiting for me." Cheryl looked at him. She felt conflicted, but deep down she knew this was the right choice. So, she mustered up the courage and gave him a salute.
"Okay! I hope you get to see your friends soon!" She told him, holding back tears. Luffy chuckled and stood up before giving her a salute.
"I will! Thank you, Cheryl." She grinned widely at him.
Mary looked on with a warm feeling in her chest. She was so glad to see Cheryl smile again. She really couldn't help but thank Luffy for what he did.. Luffy looked over at her gave her his famous grin.
As if it was infectious, she imitated both him and her daughter and gave Luffy a salute, along with a grin of hers as well. "Good luck, Luffy."
He nodded. "Thank you...for everything." He lowered his hand and turned his body sideways. "Well, I'm off. I promise I'll be back. Hopefully with my crew too." Cheryl smiled as she nodded. Mary did the same as he laughed one more time before running in the direction of the ports.
"Ah, wait! It's that way." Mary pointed to her right. Luffy stopped and turned a new direction, earning a laugh from Cheryl. "Geez...what would he do without us...right Cheryl?"
"Mm!" Her daughter agreed as they watch Luffy run from their sight, hoping they'd meet the man again in near the future.
~OP~
Koby waited patiently as he stood in front of the large battleship they were gonna be traveling in. He looked in different directions every few second to see if he could spot Luffy.
Finally, after a while, he heard the familiar voice of his friend. "KOOOOOBBBBYYYY!" He turned to his right and smiled widely as he saw his friend running towards him with a big goofy smile, and his hand waving back and forth.
"Lu-" Koby stopped himself as he realized he almost spilled his identity. "It's you! You came!" He replied as Luffy stopped in front of him.
"Of course! I can't want to see my friends! Shishishishi!" Koby smiled before handing Luffy a normal grunt marine uniform.
"Put these on and stick close by me." He told him. "As long as you're with me, no one would question you."
Luffy nodded. Koby pointed him to go behind some boxes to change and he did so. Once Luffy was done, he walked out while wearing the uniform. It looked very similar to the old marine outfit except for the light green tint and the symbol of the New Marines on the left shoulder. The new symbol was very similar to the sun except with a shield in the center and the letters NM on them for New marines. Luffy of course paid no mind to it.
"Yosh! I'm ready!" He said posing in his new clothing. Koby nodded.
"Alright, follow me." He told him and Luffy did just that as the large battleship came into view, ready to take Luffy on a new journey, to reunite with his nakama.
End