The dim alleyway echoed with the heavy, uneven footfalls of a young boy running for his life. Luffy's breaths were ragged, each one a sharp stab in his chest as he pushed his exhausted body forward. His right arm hung limp and bloody, staining his shirt with a deep crimson. The wound wasn't the worst he'd ever had, but it was enough to slow him down. Sweat dripped down his forehead, mixing with the grime of the city streets as he skidded around a corner, nearly losing his balance.
He couldn't afford to stop. Every second he hesitated, the gap between him and his pursuers closed. Focus, focus, he chanted to himself. His vision blurred slightly, whether from exhaustion or blood loss, he couldn't tell. Just keep moving.
Behind him, he could hear them—the two CP9 agents, relentless and methodical. Their footsteps were steady, unfaltering, and growing louder with each passing second. Luffy didn't dare look back. He knew what they were capable of. His gramps had taught him how to fight, how to survive in the harsh world of the mafia, but these agents were a different breed. They were strong, ruthless, and trained to kill.
His mind flashed back to the start of the chase, remembering how he'd barely dodged a lethal blow from one of them, the shockwave alone knocking him off his feet. He had to keep moving. Stopping meant death.
"Damn it," Luffy muttered under his breath, his eyes darting around for any escape route, any place to hide. The narrow streets of the city felt like a maze, and his mind was spinning with a combination of fear, adrenaline, and fatigue. He was outmatched, and he knew it. His only advantage was his speed, but even that was dwindling.
He winced as he turned sharply into another alley, his injured arm jostling painfully against his side. Gotta find somewhere safe, somewhere to hide. But each turn felt like another step into a labyrinth with no way out.
As he stumbled through the maze of alleyways, a sudden turn led him crashing into something solid. He staggered back, nearly falling, and looked up to see two men standing in front of him. They were tall, with broad shoulders and a confidence that radiated danger. The one with the freckles on his face scowled, while the blonde beside him raised an eyebrow in surprise.
"Hey! Watch where you're going brat" the freckled one scolded, his voice filled with irritation.
Luffy didn't have time to answer. The sound of the CP9 agents' footsteps grew closer, echoing in the confined space. Panic surged through him, but he forced himself to stay calm, taking a deep breath to steady his nerves.
"Please," Luffy gasped, his voice barely a whisper. "They're after me."
The blonde, Sabo, exchanged a quick glance with his freckled companion, Ace. They recognized the uniforms of the CP9 agents as soon as they turned the corner into their territory. Luffy's heart raced as he watched the two men, his eyes flicking between them and the approaching agents.
Who are these guys? Luffy wondered, the question barely forming in his tired mind. He didn't know if they were friend or foe, but he didn't have the luxury to think about it. The agents were almost upon them, and he had to make a choice.
Sabo's eyes narrowed, assessing the situation, while Ace's lips curled into a grin. Luffy could see the shift in their stances—ready, poised to strike.
"Well, well," Ace said, cracking his knuckles. "Looks like those CP9 bastards are getting bold, coming into our territory like this."
Luffy watched them closely, noting the lack of fear in their eyes. Instead, there was a kind of excitement, a thrill that he couldn't quite understand. Are they really planning to take on the CP9?
The agents slowed as they noticed the two men, their expressions hardening. One of them, a tall man with slicked-back hair, sneered. "Stay out of this, Whitebeard's dogs. The kid is ours."
Ace's grin widened. "I don't think so. You see, you're trespassing. And I don't like uninvited guests on our turf."
Without another word, Ace lunged forward.
The narrow alleyway exploded into chaos as Ace and Sabo clashed with the CP9 agents. The sounds of fists meeting flesh and the clash of metal echoed off the brick walls, drowning out Luffy's ragged breaths. Ace moved like a whirlwind, his fists blazing with power as he landed punch after punch on the agent closest to him. The agent tried to dodge, but Ace was too fast, too skilled. His grin never faltered, growing wider with every blow he landed.
Sabo, on the other hand, was a picture of calm precision. He wielded his metal pipe with a practiced grace, each strike purposeful and deadly. The other agent swung a kick toward him, but Sabo deflected it effortlessly, his movements fluid and controlled. A quick counterstrike with his pipe sent the agent staggering back, a look of surprise flashing across his face.
Luffy stood there, his body trembling with exhaustion, but he couldn't tear his eyes away from the fight. They're incredible, he thought, awe filling his chest despite the pain. He watched Ace and Sabo move in perfect sync, their attacks complementing each other in a deadly dance. It was clear they'd fought together countless times before.
But as skilled as they were, the CP9 agents were no pushovers. The taller one with slicked-back hair recovered quickly, his face twisting into a snarl. He lunged at Sabo with a flurry of rapid strikes, each one faster than the last. Sabo blocked the first few but struggled to keep up with the sudden increase in speed.
Luffy's heart pounded in his chest. They're strong, but these agents… they're dangerous. He knew he couldn't just stand there and watch. His gramps didn't raise him to be a bystander, and even though he was outmatched and injured, he wasn't going to let these guys fight alone.
Gritting his teeth against the pain, Luffy forced himself forward. His legs were shaky, his arm throbbed with every step, but he pushed the pain aside. He had to help, even if just a little.
Just as the second CP9 agent, a stockier man with a scar across his cheek, swung his leg in a sweeping kick toward Ace, Luffy saw his opening. He leaped forward, ignoring the sharp pain in his arm, and aimed a wild punch at the agent's side. It wasn't his best punch, not by a long shot, but it was enough to throw the agent off balance.
The agent stumbled, and Ace took the chance, delivering a powerful uppercut that sent the man crashing against the wall. "Nice one, kid!" Ace shouted over his shoulder, a grin on his face.
Luffy nodded, breathing heavily. He could barely keep his eyes open, but adrenaline was fueling him now, pushing him past his limits. He turned his attention to the taller agent, who was still focused on Sabo.
"Luffy, right?" Sabo called out, parrying another rapid strike from his opponent. "Cover me while I take care of this guy!"
Luffy didn't hesitate. He stepped forward, positioning himself between Sabo and the agent, raising his good arm defensively. He wasn't sure how much help he'd be, but he was determined to do whatever he could.
The agent sneered at him, clearly unimpressed. "You think you can take me on, kid?" he taunted, his voice dripping with disdain.
Luffy grinned despite the pain coursing through his body. "I've taken on worse," he shot back, his eyes blazing with determination.
The agent lunged at him, but Luffy was ready. He ducked under the first punch, twisting his body to avoid a kick. He felt the wind from the missed strike brush past his face, but he kept moving, kept dodging. He knew he couldn't match the agent's speed or strength, not like this, but he could at least be a distraction.
And it worked. With the agent's attention on Luffy, Sabo found his opening. He swung his metal pipe with a burst of speed, catching the agent square in the side. The agent gasped, doubling over from the impact, and Sabo didn't give him a chance to recover. He followed up with a spinning kick, sending the agent sprawling to the ground.
The alley fell silent for a moment, the echoes of the battle still ringing in Luffy's ears. He stood there, panting heavily, his vision blurring from exhaustion. His arm felt like it was on fire, and he could feel the warmth of blood trickling down to his fingertips.
Ace and Sabo regrouped, both of them slightly out of breath but grinning triumphantly. Ace clapped Luffy on the back, almost knocking him over. "You've got guts, kid. I like that."
Sabo nodded in agreement, his expression softening. "You alright? You're pretty banged up."
Luffy managed a nod, swallowing hard against the pain. "I'll be fine," he said, his voice hoarse. "Thanks for helping me."
"No problem," Ace replied, still smiling. "But now you owe us one. You mind telling us why CP9 is after a kid like you?"
Luffy hesitated, glancing down the alleyway where the agents had come from. The fear he'd felt earlier began to creep back in, but he shoved it down. He needed to trust these guys, at least for now.
"It's… a long story," Luffy said slowly, wiping the sweat from his brow with his good arm. "But I promise, I didn't do anything wrong. They just… they want me for something."
"And care to tell us what that something is?" Ace probed.
And then stated reluctantly, "Not for anything good", and didn't explain further.
Ace sighed, "Kid we just saved you, you need to give us more than that if you want us to help you," he stated exhasperatedly.
Luffy looked to the ground and kept silent.
Sabo exchanged a glance with Ace, a silent conversation passing between them. Finally, Sabo nodded. "Alright. You don't have to share with us right now. We'll take you to Pops. He'll want to hear this."
"Pops?" Luffy echoed, confused.
Ace chuckled. "Yeah, Whitebeard. You've heard of him, right?"
Luffy's eyes widened in recognition. "The Whitebeard? The head of the Whitebeard Mafia?"
"That's the one," Ace confirmed. "Come on, kid. Let's get you patched up. You're safe with us now."
Luffy hesitated for a moment, then nodded. He didn't have anywhere else to go, and for the first time in what felt like forever, he felt a glimmer of hope. He was still on the run, still injured and exhausted, but at least now he wasn't alone and in danger. For the time being that is.