Some time passed.
Sabaody Archipelago, shore of Grove 44.
A submarine slowly surfaced.
The hatch opened. Luffy was the first to come out.
"Oh, I did not expect to be back here."
Looking at the nearby giant island, Luffy was somewhat emotional.
It had only been a few days, but it felt like an eternity.
So much had happened in that time.
He stretched and moved his body.
Law's treatment had been very effective. Though he could still feel aches and pains throughout his body, at least he could move freely.
The problem of the two Devil Fruits conflicting had been resolved. How to develop them now was a troublesome matter.
The sunlight shone on the giant Yarukiman Mangroves of the Sabaody Archipelago. Bubbles floated in the air, refracting colorful light.
When he had left a few days ago, this place had been a chaotic battlefield. Now, it had regained its former bustle.
At least, that was how it looked on the surface.
"Thanks, Tra-guy." Luffy said. "Sorry for making you go out of your way."
"Jihahaha! This old man owes you a favor too, Tra-guy."
Golden Lion followed him out. His head was wrapped in thick bandages, but he looked to be in good spirits.
He laughed and patted Law on the shoulder. The force of it made Luffy worry he might tear open his wounds.
"It is Trafalgar Law."
Law emphasized, coming out of the submarine. His face was expressionless.
He looked at Golden Lion and Luffy, somewhat resigned.
He had no idea how these nicknames had started, and he could not be bothered to make them change his name.
Regardless, the trip had been very rewarding.
He had secured Luffy's favor and even gained Golden Lion as a bonus.
He shook his head. Law looked at Golden Lion and said, "And remember the precautions I told you. No strenuous activity for at least two weeks. If your wounds open, I will not take responsibility."
"I know, I know." Golden Lion waved his hand dismissively.
He had agreed readily enough, but then he looked up and saw three people. His eyes widened.
Three people were standing on the shore.
No, to be precise, two people and one ghost floating in the air.
"Luffy!"
Perona floated over.
She wore a black Gothic dress. Her pink hair fluttered behind her.
"Yo. I am back."
Before Luffy could finish speaking, Perona rushed toward him. He quickly reached out and put his hands on Perona's shoulders.
If she crashed into him, it might cause more damage than a Vice Admiral could.
Vice Admiral: "???"
"I am sorry! I really tried my best, but I could not find anyone's contact information."
Perona's eyes were slightly red. "Shakky said everyone might have been sent far away."
"It is fine. It is fine."
Luffy smiled and cut her off. He reached out and rubbed her head. "I have already contacted Vivi and the others. Everyone is probably fine."
He had a rough idea where the others were.
With their skills, there was no way they would not survive.
This kind of stroking was comfortable, reminding Luffy of Merry.
But Perona was clearly not used to it. She stiffened.
Then she relaxed.
Perona looked up at Luffy, then stammered, "I thought you would blame me."
Luffy smiled.
How could he blame a crewmate?
Perona had only been so anxious because she cared. She already considered herself part of the Straw Hat crew.
Luffy was nothing but happy.
In this state, Perona was quite a contrast to her usual noisy, slightly tsundere self.
Her hair was silky smooth. For a moment, Luffy did not want to let go.
Perona did not resist. Her stiff body quickly softened. She was probably enjoying the feeling, as she could not help but stand on tiptoe and rub back a little.
Not only was the air quiet over here, but it was also quiet over there?
Their gazes were not on him and Perona either.
He turned to look.
What was going on?
Shakky stood to the side, a cigarette between her fingers, an amused smile on her face.
And Rayleigh...
Rayleigh was looking at Golden Lion.
Golden Lion was also looking at Rayleigh.
The gazes of the two old men met in the air. The atmosphere suddenly became a bit strange.
"Oh, it is Shiki. I did not recognize you, hahaha. How did you get that big bandage on your head?" Rayleigh greeted Golden Lion casually.
Golden Lion's mouth twitched. And twitched again.
He looked at Rayleigh, then at Shakky beside him. The veins on his head began to throb.
"Rayleigh!"
Golden Lion forced the words out. "Shakky?"
"Hm?" Rayleigh raised an eyebrow.
"You two... when?!" Golden Lion suddenly pointed at them.
"Many years ago." Shakky exhaled a smoke ring, smiling.
Rayleigh laughed. "What, Shiki, do you have a problem with that?"
Golden Lion opened his mouth to say something, but then suddenly remembered the battle at God Valley years ago.
Back then, the Rocks Pirates had come in force. One of their targets had been to take Shakky, who was still under the control of the Celestial Dragons.
And what had happened?
The Roger Pirates had shown up and held off several of them, including him, letting Rayleigh rescue Shakky.
There had been no news of them since.
Now, seeing them together, they probably even had children.
Golden Lion was so angry his hair stood on end. "Rayleigh! What did you do after you rescued Shakky back then?!"
Rayleigh rubbed the stubble on his chin, looking thoroughly pleased with himself.
"Mm, everything?"
"Ha?!"
"You Rocks guys were having plenty of fun grabbing treasure, were you not?"
"I will kill you!!"
Golden Lion roared and started to charge. But the pain in his head made him wince, and he froze.
"Shiki-ya, I recommend against getting excited."
Law's voice came from nearby. "If your wounds open, you really will die."
He had not expected to hear some of the old-timers' stories before leaving.
This trip was even more worthwhile.
Golden Lion: "..."
He glared at Rayleigh. Rayleigh smiled innocently back.
Shakky watched, amused. "Alright, alright. That is all ancient history. Shiki, what is with your head?"
"That is a long story."
Golden Lion put on a smile and walked toward Shakky.
"Then make it short. Or do not bother. We are not interested." Rayleigh reached out and grabbed Golden Lion by the face.
Luffy watched the three old-timers bicker and could not help but laugh.
He turned to Perona. "Have you been here all this time?"
Perona nodded. "I found Rayleigh at Shakky's bar on Grove 13. We have been waiting here ever since. We watched the broadcast of the Impel Down War."
At this, her eyes lit up, full of admiration.
"Luffy, Luffy! You were amazing! That white form, that black blade, and the Gura Gura no Mi... did you really take Whitebeard's power?"
She had found Rayleigh and Shakky there, and they had watched the Impel Down War together on the Sabaody Archipelago's giant screen.
She had seen Moria-sama's image flash by. He had barely any presence.
He was a Warlord... but at least he was safe.
But her current captain, Luffy, had been very present.
"Ah, something like that."
Luffy scratched his cheek. "But I still cannot control it very well."
He raised his hand. A white orb appeared in his palm.
The orb vibrated slightly, sending ripples through the air. But it soon dissipated.
"It will take time to get used to." Luffy said.
The Gura Gura no Mi was not like the Gomu Gomu no Mi, which he had eaten as a child.
"So cool! That is the power of the World's Strongest Man!"
Perona was already excitedly floating around. "Luffy, you will definitely become the Pirate King!"
"Of course!" Luffy grinned.
Just then, Rayleigh walked over.
"The war is over. Thanks to you, Luffy." Rayleigh said.
"Hey, Rayleigh. That was your captain's son. Did you Roger Pirates not do anything?" Golden Lion said, somewhat dissatisfied.
Throughout the entire Impel Down War, aside from the two former apprentices, not a single Roger Pirate officer had appeared.
They were enemies, but Golden Lion still admired Roger.
Otherwise, why would he have gone to Marineford to make a scene for Roger's sake?
"Ah. We knew that child was our captain's son. I am ashamed."
A glint passed over Rayleigh's glasses.
Both Garp and Shanks had mentioned it.
But Roger's final order as captain had been that the Roger Pirates would disband the moment he was executed.
They had thought Ace would become a Marine under Garp's protection. They had not expected him to become a great pirate who would give the World Government headaches, just like Roger.
At the time, Rayleigh and the others had considered whether to come out of retirement.
But soon, Ace had answered for them. He had boarded Whitebeard's ship.
Roger's old crew had no position to help Ace.
Not until this time...
"It was an unexpected situation. The Roger Pirates' old crew are scattered across the world. The Marines were prepared for the Sabaody Archipelago. They left not a single ship. You would have had to swim there, and the war would have been over by then." Shakky tugged at Rayleigh.
She had been the one to stop Rayleigh.
And from Perona, they had learned that Luffy had already used Hancock's ship to enter Impel Down. He might be able to save Ace.
And indeed, he had.
"Hmph. So, times like this are when this old man's Fuwa Fuwa no Mi is useful. You non-Devil Fruit users are helpless against the sea." Golden Lion mocked mercilessly.
Rayleigh did not argue.
He looked at Luffy. "You saw Shanks there?"
"Ah. I saw him. But we did not have much time." Luffy said.
That was probably not the right place for their promised meeting.
Everyone had their own journeys.
Like Ace. Meeting again on the journey was the romance of pirates.
"I know. That boy finally fulfilled his mission."
"Mission?"
"Ah."
Rayleigh looked out at the sea, his gaze deep. "To entrust the new era to someone worthy... that was Roger's mission to him."
He paused, then smiled at Luffy. "Are you ready to become a new Emperor?"
The atmosphere quieted.
Even Perona covered her mouth, not daring to make a sound.
Was her captain about to become an Emperor?
"A new Emperor?"
Luffy thought of his crewmates' faces. He smiled. "My crewmates are not with me right now. I am not interested in fighting for that position."
And the title of Emperor was just a stepping stone. His final goal was to become the Pirate King.
He was not really interested in being called an Emperor.
"Crewmates?"
Rayleigh smiled, very happy. But he shook his head. "The Marines will give you that position. It can only be you."
Five Emperors? Was that not normal?
After the Impel Down War, Luffy already had the qualifications to be called an Emperor. If the World Government did not acknowledge it, they might be planning something else.
Anyone with eyes could see the terrifying web of connections behind Luffy.
He had already achieved the most important thing for becoming an Emperor: influence.
And his strength was there for all to see.
"Tch. That will be troublesome." Golden Lion curled his lip.
A steady stream of pirates would target Luffy's head.
It was not about being strong enough.
When they landed on God Valley, ordinary pirates had been shouting about cutting off the heads of Big Mom, Kaido, Whitebeard, and him.
Whether for the bounty or for fame, it was in a pirate's nature.
Some pirates would be afraid of an Emperor's title, but many others would covet an Emperor's head.
"Hm? Did the Marines come after us this quickly?"
A red glint flickered in Luffy's eyes. Then Rayleigh and the others also looked up behind them.
In the distance, the sound of a warship's horn suddenly came.
Everyone looked. A Marine medical ship was heading toward them at full speed.
On its bow stood a tall figure. Long black hair danced in the sea wind.
"That woman..." Perona blinked.
Luffy saw her too.
He was stunned.
When the ship was still a few A dozen meters from the shore, the figure on the bow leaped.
Her long legs traced a graceful arc through the air. Her high heels stomped on the air, creating the effect of Geppo.
In a few bounds, the figure crossed the sea and landed lightly in front of Luffy.
It was Hancock.
"Hey, hey. A Warlord chasing us so closely? Did she come to fight?" Golden Lion grinned. "Good. This old man has not had enough fighting."
Seeing Luffy, Hancock herself was immediately captivated by Luffy-sama's peerless features, unable to tear away.
Then she heard the rude words. Her expression changed. She got right in Golden Lion's face. "Shut up! You cripple! Do not interrupt this lady's reunion with Luffy-sama!"
"Ha?!"
Golden Lion, with his hot temper, was not the type to be stunned by a woman at his age. He rolled up his sleeves, ready to fight.
"Friend! Friend!"
Rayleigh pulled Golden Lion back.
Luffy also pulled Hancock back. Because of their height difference, he could not reach her shoulders, so he had to put his arms around her waist.
Hancock, who had been fierce, felt their bodies touch. Her breath quickened. Her chest heaved.
No, she could not take it.
She remembered their close contact on the way to Impel Down.
Was this... were they going to have a child?
Her cheeks flushed. She covered her face, lost in fantasy.
"D-Does this woman have some kind of illness?!"
Perona watched Hancock, her mouth slowly falling open.
"She seems to be ill."
Shakky raised an eyebrow as she walked over. "Little Monkey, leave Hancock with me."
"Oh, is Hancock okay?"
When Luffy tried to hand Hancock to Shakky, his expression suddenly darkened.
He could not... he could not pull away?!
She was holding on too tightly.
"She should be fine. I have been through this." Shakky smiled. Then she whispered something in Hancock's ear.
"Th-This lady was rude. Luffy-sama, I am fine." Hancock immediately stood up, brushed back her hair, and regained her previous dignified Warlord demeanor.
"Hey, hey. What is your problem? Is she not a Warlord?" Golden Lion curled his lip.
Rayleigh stroked his beard and smiled knowingly.
So this was the fate that even the king of Amazon Lily could not escape?
As if sensing something, Shakky's gaze fell on him. Rayleigh coughed and quickly looked away.
"Hm? It is quite lively here."
Luffy looked up at the distance.
The peace of the Sabaody Archipelago had been broken again. They had only just returned.
"The gunfire is coming from Grove 1." Shakky glanced over.
Like falling dominoes, after the first deafening cannon blast, more followed. Explosions lit up the sky above the mangroves in the distance. Smoke spread quickly.
Then, sporadic gunfire, shouts, and the rumble of collapsing buildings came from all directions.
"I did not expect it to start so quickly."
Rayleigh watched the direction of the disturbances calmly. "The Marines' losses at Impel Down were severe. They do not even have enough people to maintain basic order on the Sabaody Archipelago."
The bubbles of the Sabaody Archipelago still refracted their dreamlike colors in the sunlight. But beneath that dreamlike surface, the pot was already boiling.
The signs of the collapse of order were coming faster than anyone had anticipated.
The outcome of the Impel Down War had been broadcast around the world via video Den Den Mushi.
The Marines had suffered a crushing defeat. The Whitebeard Pirates had broken through. And most shocking of all, a rookie named Monkey D. Luffy had stood shoulder to shoulder with legends and declared war on the World Government.
As he had expected, pirates around the world watching the broadcast on their own video Den Den Mushi had smelled opportunity.
The Whitebeard Pirates had certainly taken losses, but Whitebeard himself had survived, and Ace had been rescued. For pirates, the war was more of a morale-boosting victory.
On the Marines' side, Admiral Akainu was seriously injured, the fleet was badly damaged, and Fleet Admiral Sengoku's authority was being questioned.
More importantly, the whole world had seen that the Marines did not have an absolute advantage in top-level combat.
Were the Marines the strongest force on the sea?
Now that this belief had been shaken, more and more people would challenge the Marines.
The pirates would take advantage of the Marines' weakness. The seas in the coming year would be stormy.
***
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