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Endings and beginnings
It was such a large crowd there was almost no space to breath. Loguetown had never been a big city, but it seemed smaller with all the people around. In one dark alley a beautiful woman in a Marine uniform left out a sight, turning back to look at her boss.
“Are we really doing this?”
The silver haired man grunted, but remained silent. Tashigi sighed again, looking at the same cartel her boss was looking at with a disgusting feel in her stomach. The familiar face in the picture smiled back at her with the same big happy grin its real life version gave them a couple days ago when he arrived.
Above the picture in big black letters was a message by the World Government.
SENTENCED TO EXECUTION: “STRAW HAT” MONKEY D. LUFFY.
In all those years they had been chasing the man, she never actually believed this day could come. She also never thought it would feel so wrong.
“Move, Tashigi”
“Yes, Vice Admiral”
The couple disappeared into the crowd.
**
The cell was cold and dark, made entirely of seastone and carefully buried under the Marine Base, and it was guarded day and night by armed marines with specific orders to kill anyone stupid enough to get close to the bars.
Still Sakazuki wished they would just have killed the bastard the moment he was in their power.
It was impossible to escape, the World Government and the Marines took care of it, and yet the Fleet Admiral felt he could not rest until that the idiot stopped breathing for good. He had learnt long ago that there was nothing like the impossible for Monkey D. Luffy.
“The Cyborg and the Fish-Man were sent to Impel Down” he spoke to the man in the cage, chained to the seastone floor “they are most likely going to be executed after you”
There was no response from the pirate but Sakazuki wasn’t expecting one. The kid hated him as much as he hated the other.
“We have not yet found the rest of your dammed crew, but we will” there was still no reaction from the younger boy, not even a look. Sakazuki tried to not be bothered by it “this is the end of the line, Son of Dragon”
The man looked at his fallen enemy one last time and this was the moment the pirate finally decided to raise his head and look at the Fleet Admiral.
He had bruises and cuts in his still very young face, the pale skin of a man who was not worthy of even one last meal before his death. Sakazuki enjoyed his defeated image, the sweetness of victory almost in his hand. Then those dark eyes found his, a smile forming in the pirate’s face.
And he laughed.
**
Unconscious bodies covered the floor as a man and a woman walked by the corridor. They approached one of the control panels and the blonde man began to work on it, under the careful vigilance of his companion.
“This will be considered treason” said the young woman in a quiet tone, looking at the other with apprehension in the eyes “when they found about it”
“They won’t”
“They will” she insisted, keeping the vigilance while her partner worked.
They had to be fast, that was the order given to them. Prepare the panel to be remote-controlled, get in and out of the Base with no witness, all before the big show the World Government wanted to do of the future King of the Pirate’s execution.
“I just don’t understand” Hibari spoke again, as the other finished the last touch to his job “you had always been one of the most loyal marines, why are you doing this?”
Closing the panel again, Helmeppo fixed his gaze on the woman. The distant sound of steps was getting closer and they should move quickly, but nor he or Hibari seemed willing to do it.
“Marines were never the ones I was loyal to” Helmeppo finally said, taking his baby Den Den Mushi to notify of their success as he began to walk away from the corridor.
Hibari followed him in silence with no other response than an agreeing nod. She felt exactly the same.
**
Loguetown was pretty much the same Luffy remembered from the beginning of his adventure, except this time it seemed as if every high official in the Marines was present. That’s what Luffy thought as he was forced to climb the same ladder Roger did, the one where Buggy had threaten to kill him years ago. The marines that held his chains made him kneel, shackles on his wrists.
Then Sakazuki climbed on the platform, tall and mighty, and spoke to the crowd.
“This is the day the true justice is finally going to be delivered” he spoke beside Luffy “this man is going to pay for all his crimes, just like Gold Roger did”
Sakazuki kept talking and talking, but Luffy was not paying attention. This was the same view that Roger saw before his death, and Luffy respected the man enough to enjoy it without that justice bullshit distracting him.
When the screams begin, they were subtle.
So subtle Luffy almost didn’t heard them, while Sakazuki remained completely ignorant. But the screams gradually became louder and louder, more desperate. And Luffy’s face turned into a smile.
Screams of agony, pleadings for help. The sounds of a battle increased its intensity at the same way Luffy’s smile grew bigger and bigger until nor the Marines or Sakazuki could ignore it anymore.
By the time the first explosion came the place erupted to chaos. Gangs of pirates under different flags appeared out of nowhere, killing and destroying everything at their path. He recognized the Tontatta Pirates Jolly Roger, the Beautiful Pirates and the Barto Club, but also the Bonney Pirates and the Fire Tank Pirates.
Banners of the Wano Country, Elbaf Island, the Fish-Man Island and the Mink Tribe were present as well, and at the distance, conveniently on shooting range, the Wind Granma floated accompanied by other Revolutionary ships.
Then the laughter came, and it was so intense it could be heard even above the screams.
**
“It’s The Demon of the East Blue!” somebody screamed as Zoro landed on the area, quickly cutting some idiot by half.
He was really pissed. Not only because the marines actually believed they could kill his Captain without their intervention, but also managed to capture Franky and Jinbe. Zoro was not worried about them, tough as they were, but someone has to teach those morons no one could mess with his nakamas without suffering the consequences.
Robin would take care of that, she was even more frightening than Zoro when she was pissed. And Zoro had never saw her this pissed before.
As he slashed some idiots that were stupid enough to try to surprise him, he got distracted with the sound of a loaded gun aiming at his back. His distraction was fast eliminated by a familiar leg in flames, as his owner quickly took his rightful place at Zoro’s back.
“Nami and Usopp have already made contact” Sanji said as he kick another idiot in the head “so we just need to kept them entertained a little longer”
“I could do that by myself, Shitty Cook”
Sanji ignored him as always. As much as Zoro complained about being paired with the other for a mission he could very well do alone, the swordsman appreciate the blonde’s help and the way his fighting style seemed to be as much an extension to Zoro’s as Zoro’s was an extension to his.
“It’s Vinsmoke!” someone screamed and Zoro saw red. He was just about to cut the idiot’s head when Sanji’s gloved hand stopped him. The poor bastard seemed ready to piss himself at the blonde’s furious face. It was one of the hottest things Zoro had ever seen.
“Now listen, you shitty excuse for a marine” Sanji spat in a cold voice that made even Zoro shiver, but for a very different reason “is not Vinsmoke, you get it? It was never Vinsmoke”
The marine didn’t even had time to react before Sanji’s foot landed on his face. Zoro felt like he had fell in love all over again.
“Let’s make a bet, Curly” Sanji sent him a curious look as he lighted a cigar “the one who defeats more of this bastards wins”
“Interesting” Sanji agreed, humming “and what are we going to bet?” Zoro smirked, letting his eyes roam on Sanji’s body. The blonde laughed at that as his cheeks turned a pretty shade of pink “fine, the one who defeats more wins”
The level of aggression that Zoro displayed that day became legendary on the years to come.
**
They were hiding in a small, almost invisible space under the platform. Their contact had warned about it before but Usopp was having troubles controlling his anxiety. He knew he was not the right choice for this job, but this was their only chance and he was not fucking going to mess it up.
“Not yet” he tells to the woman at his side, her hands clinging to her Clima-Tact “wait until he’s distracted”
In front of them Sakazuki seemed to finally get a grip of the situation, as he furiously yanked Luffy’s hair. He looked out of his mind, all his frustration directed to Luffy in a way that was obviously dangerous. Nami sent him a nervous look but Usopp shook his head.
“This is your fault” the man accused, furious as he raised his fist ready to hit the pirate. Luffy’s smile only grow and Usopp finally gave Nami a nod.
“Gust Sword” the Fleet Admiral was directly hit by a powerful gust of pressurized air, who send him flying to the chaos. The woman then threw herself at Luffy like her life depended on it “Luffy!”
“Nice shot, Nami” their captain congratulated as she hugged him, hiding her face on his shoulder as the warm feeling of relief wraps up Usopp’s body. Around them, the smoke bombs Usopp had planted beforehand with their allies help began to explode “What took you so long?”
“Not the time for that!” Usopp said as he quickly ran to Luffy to help him get out of the shackles “we must go like right now or we are going to be killed!”
Usopp managed to release him and soon the three of them were ready to run, ignoring the frustrated scream Sakazuki left out from somewhere on the battlefield.
The future Pirate King laughed again and Usopp felt for the first time they could actually make it.
**
As the sound of the battlefield intensified Koby found himself more and more nervous. There was no such thing as a foolproof plan, as much as they had follow all of Smoker and Tashigi’s instructions about the Loguetown’s Marine Base, so he could do nothing more than hope.
This had to work because if it didn’t all of them were already dead, and Garp would be royal pissed if Koby managed to get almost all his team dead on their first mission.
A closer explosion startled him as the shadows of the three pirates got closer. They stopped in front of Koby, who was left breathless at the image of the man he was risking everything to save.
“Luffy-san”
The pirate gave him a smile and the Rear Admiral felt like he could breathe again. The days since Luffy’s capture was announced had been the worst in his life, with the fear of not seeing the man he loved ever again shaking Koby’s entire world.
It was not until he and Helmeppo had finally reached Zoro and the rest of the Straw Hats that Koby was able to regain a little bit of hope, if short-lived.
Their plan was suicide, even after multiple revisions done by both Koby and Trafalgar D. Water Law. But it was the only one they had and Koby really shouldn't have been surprised by the large number of friends, pirates and even marines that were willing to risk their lives for a chance to save Luffy’s.
It was the effect the man had on people.
“It’s here? Please tell me it is here” Nami’s urgent tone brought Koby back to reality
“Yes, Helmeppo-san and Hibari-san successfully got into the system and the Sunny’s already in position, Nami-san, they’re just waiting for you and Usopp-san to take Luffy-san back” Koby looked at Luffy’s face with a pang of guilt. He could identify the sigs of torture very clearly “are you okay to go?”
“You are not coming” Luffy spoke and it was not a question. The pink-haired man gave him an apologetic smile, ignoring Nami and Usopp’s visibly concern as the battle sounds came closer.
“No, not right now” he confirmed as the pirate came closer to him. Dark eyes faced lighter ones, no one of them backing out “I still have things to do here”
“I want you with me, Koby”
It was a demand, not a petition, as both Luffy and Koby were aware of. Monkey D. Luffy did not ask for things, he took them. Especially when said thing was already his.
“Just a little more” the marine begged “I just need a little more time, ok? Then I’ll be yours”
Screams and explosions filled the silence between the two of them as Nami tried to contact with the Sunny on Den Den Mushi. It was not wise to have this conversation in the middle of the commotion, but not the future Pirate King or the Rear Admiral seemed to care about it.
Luffy took another step towards Koby, close enough to take the back of his neck with a hand and close the distance to join their foreheads.
“Silly Koby” the pirate said, his eyes looking directly to Koby’s soul “you are already mine”
Koby only had time to gasp before clashing his lips with Luffy’s. It was not the first time they kissed each other, but there was a feeling of urgency and desire that made it felt like if it was. The Straw Hats still had to escape from Loguetown and Koby still had to go back to Garp’s ship without anyone noticing to be safe, and only the Seas knew when they could see each other again.
So Koby kissed him, again and again, with his hands on Luffy’s hair and the pirate’s arms around him, pressing against his body. The sound of an explosion too close made them break away, both out of air.
Luffy gave him one last kiss before completely separate and go back to where his nakamas pretended not to stare. As they prepared themselves to run back to their ship, the man that will become the King of Pirates looked at Koby one last time and the marine’s heart almost stop.
“I’ll wait for you in the New World”
A cannonball crashed against the building next to Koby and the dust cloud that resulted prevented him to look the man run back to his beloved freedom.
“You have to go now if you want them to believe you were never here, Rear Admiral Koby” the silver haired man said at his back. Koby turned back to him, ashamed of what he could have seen.
“Of course. Thank you, Vice Admiral Smoker” he said “I was just…”
“There’s no doubt he is going to make it” Smoker interrupted him, impatient “you, on the other hand, need to be as quick as possible if you actually want to survive the tantrum the Fleet Admiral is going to make after this”
Koby lowered his head in a defeated nod. His superior was right, and the Rear Admiral still had some things to do before he could reach Helmeppo and Hibari on the ship. He gave a last look at the way Luffy and the others disappeared, before walking behind Smoker to the hidden location.
**
Being back at the Sunny felt wonderful. Luffy had never been scared of not doing it again, of course, but it was good to be back on board with so many familiar faces. As soon as he had his two feet in the deck he was tackled by a crying Chopper and an equally crying Vivi, who were apparently in charge of the ship on their absence.
“Don’t do that again, okay?” the blue-haired queen told him in a plea as Luffy hugged her back. It sucked that after all this time, he made her cry on their re-encounter “never, ever again”
Chopper’s cries were more difficult to decipher but Luffy understood the feeling, taking the reindeer in his arms as he looked at the rest of the crew. Yamato smiled at him from his spot, just returned from the battle as seem by his bloody clothes.
Zoro was next to him in similar shape, arms crossed with a warm smile that was usually reserved only for Luffy.
“You can be a real bother sometimes, Captain” he said, affection written all over his face.
Luffy was ready to throw himself against the man and involve him in a hug when Sanji came back from the Galley, a Den Den Mushi on his hand and a tired sigh.
“Robin-chan and the others seems to be doing well” he reported, letting out a cloud of smoke “Law said Jinbe and Franky are already with them and they are moving quickly to our meeting point”
“Did you spent half an hour talking to Torao for that?” Zoro asked with a raised eyebrow and Sanji shrugged.
“He felt the necessity of bitching 20 minutes about Kid ruining his meticulous plan because he is an impatient idiot or something” he explained as he looked at Luffy, a smile appearing on his face “hope you are hungry, because I already started cooking the food for your welcome back party”
“Can we do not do this until we are like, far enough from this stupid island?” Usopp nervously interrupted “seriously man, he was so pissed I’m sure he’ll kill us the moment he sees us again”
“Also we have to meet with Robin and Brook and bring Franky and Jinbe back, and we don’t know for how long Koby’s team can keep the system down” said Nami moving to her place at the wheel “so everybody take your position now!”
As most of the crew ran to fulfil Nami’s order Luffy came to the ship's railing, Zoro following close. His eyes soon became fixed back at Loguetown, that was still burning and in chaos.
“I’m sorry Koby didn’t came” his first mate said also looking at the city.
“I guess it’s still not the right time” Luffy conceded “I'm losing my patience, though”
“Heh, didn’t know you had patience to begin with” the swordsman smirked and Luffy grinned in response “we can always just kidnap him and end with this”
The future Pirate King’s smile turned dangerous. His grandpa will be pissed and they’ll probably had to kidnap Helmeppo as well, but the idea seemed more and more appealing as the seconds passed by. Kidnapping a respected hero would be just the perfect way to get payback from Sakazuki and the Marines.
“Robin should know a way”
Zoro laughed at that, walking back with the others as Luffy sent one last look at Loguetown. The town of the beginning and the end was covered in a cloud of smoke illuminated by what appeared to be two human figures wrapped in fire flying above.
He knew the Marine’s efforts for capturing him will do nothing but increase after the fiasco, and Luffy felt the expectation burnt inside his skin. He was getting really tired of the World Government shenanigans, anyway.
It seemed like the beginning of one last adventure.