CHAPTER FOURTEEN

"The seconds of courage you created by betting on your life, both for good and for evil..." Shanks remarked with a calm but firm voice. "Have just changed the fate of the world! Quick! Come!"

All over the island members of the Red Hair Crew intervened in battles that had continued, despite Coby's yells.

Kizaru, the Light Admiral, was launching devastating beams of light towards the retreating pirates. His attacks were precise and relentless, showing no signs of stopping.

Just as another beam of light was about to strike a group of fleeing pirates, Ben Beckman appeared, his rifle trained on Kizaru. "Kizaru, that's enough," Beckman said, his voice steady and commanding.

Kizaru paused, raising an eyebrow. "Beckman, you always show up at the most inconvenient times," he said with a smirk.

Beckman's eyes narrowed. "This war is over. Stand down." Kizaru's smirk faded as he assessed the situation.

Yasopp, the sharpshooter of the Red Hair Pirates, spotted a group of Marine snipers taking aim at the retreating pirates from a high vantage point. With precise and rapid shots from his own rifle, Yasopp neutralized the snipers one by one, ensuring the safety of those below.

"Sorry, boys, but we can't have you taking any more lives," Yasopp muttered as he took aim at the last sniper. The Marine snipers, realizing they were outmatched, quickly retreated, allowing the pirates to continue their escape.

Lucky Roo barreled through a group of Marine soldiers who were relentlessly pursuing the injured pirates. His sheer strength and speed were overwhelming, and he effortlessly incapacitated the soldiers, creating a safe passage for the wounded.

"Anyone else want a piece of me?" Lucky Roo called out, his voice booming with confidence. The Marine soldiers, seeing the ferocity of the Red Hair Pirate, paused, wondering which action to take.

Aokiji, the Ice Admiral, was trying to maintain order amidst the chaos, using his ice powers to immobilize pirates. Limejuice intervened, his agility and quick reflexes allowing him to dodge Aokiji's attacks and counter with precision strikes. "Aokiji, it's time to let go," Limejuice said, his tone firm.

Aokiji, recognizing the determination in Limejuice's eyes, sighed and lowered his hands. "I suppose it's time to end this madness," he agreed, stepping back.

Shanks sword was against Akainu's lava-covered fist, the intense heat radiating from the Admiral's attack. The tension between them was palpable, the air thick with anticipation.

Coby finally gave into his wounds and fainted. Shanks moved back a step. Akainu's eyes burned with rage, his clenched lava fists trembling with unspent fury. For a moment, it seemed as though he might continue the fight, but the unwavering resolve in Shanks' gaze gave him pause.

A short distance away, Jinbei's determination navigated him through the chaos, finally reaching the deck of the Polar Tang. Law's crew moved swiftly, assisting in lifting Ace and Luffy onto the submarine.

"Get them to the medical bay," Law ordered, his tone authoritative. "We need to stabilize their conditions immediately."

The polar bear on board approached Law, his expression a mix of concern and curiosity. "Captain, do you think they'll make it?"

Law glanced at his companion, his expression unreadable. "They will. We've come this far. We won't let them die now."

"Submerge!" Law commanded as everyone entered the submarine. The Polar Tang submerged once more, its mission to extract and stabilize Luffy and Ace successfully completed.

The objective of the Marines was lost. "I came to put an end to this War!" Shanks declared.

Author's Note:

I'm posting Chapters 12-14 all at once. Shanks was a bit difficult. I'm going to end the Marine Arc here. I'll be marking the story complete as well. I'm not sure exactly where I would want to go with it. Luffy and Ace made it off with the best medical help they can get.

Luffy would be healed, just like before. He would be offered training again. He must somehow realize this isn't a dream. I'm not sure how to do that. He likely wouldn't repeat the two years, but I bet Raleigh could convince him to give his crew the two years again.

But would Luffy hide out? Go on the same adventures? Heck no. What that means for that one movie that happened during his training time, no idea. How would his presence out in the world during the two years affect things? No idea. He'd probably stick with Ace. And would Sabo remember them again? I'd like to think so. But then he'd probably track a living Ace down if Ace was active with the Whitebeards.

And then you have Luffy hanging out with Whitebeards. They'd totally adopt him as a little brother, but you have to deal with the grief of the lost Captain and their still dead cook. And then they have the war with Blackbeard. No way would Luffy stay out of that.

So much potential, but I stopped watching the main story sometime in the beginning of Wano. I know some pieces shared by other fans, but I never made it to when Luffy was sent to prison so I have zero true knowledge that might help me figure out how all the changes Luffy might make in two years could echo down into his future adventures. I'm sure they would.

He could grow so much more too. He has no knowledge of any of the new world, but wouldn't Whitebeard pirates take him over there? He'd probably refuse to go – maybe that could limit the butterfly wing affect. Not sure.
See – not sure sums up my feelings perfectly. I'm going to complete this story here and call it a win. Enjoy your own imagination on what Luffy might do. He's completely unpredictable after all!

Reader's Response (3/11/2025):

None. Posting Chapters 12-14 all at once.