Renata Araya was one of the few citizens that knew about the crimes of Doflamingo. She tried so hard to make a point that she got hunted down by the family and then Sugar had touched her 6 years prior to this.
"I told you I told you all that she was a tyrant I told you."
She raised a Red Cross that she had fashioned as the symbol of her movement, and sympathizers had joined with her and who are now criticizing the citizens that had all but forgotten her and their movements against the king. The city burned as she and her followers felt vindicated as the Dressrosian livelihood and their beliefs were crushed right last moments she chose to criticize those who didn't even raise a voice, she knew that tyrants were always wrong, she knew that Pirates Who fashioned himself as a savior to this land I had made a conspiracy all along, now that their memories are turned of the soldiers of that day they knew that the flamingo had lied to them all along.
"Why aren't you helping us? Weren't you against Doflamingo all this time?"
"Why didn't you help us then? when we were persecuted by the king when we warned you all the time you kept asking for your supposed enriched lives. Now you suffer for your own actions. We tried to help years ago and nobody listened. We were slaves for YEARS. AND NOBODY TRIED TO SAVE US."
Now the Red Cross Saints were going to enjoy this kingdom falling to its knees. Their group was celebrating their 'I told you so' to the fullest. Ransacking the restaurants and drinking the olive oil and wines that were calling to them after so long. Their lives as slaves were cruel and now they were basking in their freedom once more.
All sorts of groups and individuals were also euphoric as they finally attained their freedom, and many basked in the downfall of Doflamingo happening before their eyes. And the damn money prize?
Only fools would go after that, those intelligent knew that Doflamingo never kept his promises, he was a traitorous snake, and only looked after himself. He would never ever pay for those bounties, those who thought he would were fooling themselves.
The Red Cross Saints were a small group of toys that formed from the dejectedness of Dressrosa after the incident, a group formed of those who knew what happened behind the conspiracy that overthrew King Riku. Sugar, afterwards, turned them into toys themselves. Some tried raising their voices, but were silenced. Others tried to tell their families in secret, only to be snitched. They worked as slaves underground and despised the humans, enjoying the bright sun and colorful streets the toys built. And now, as the world knew of Doflamingo's sin, these select people just laughed at their suffering. Viola watched this group raise themselves in the middle of town, asking for the birdcage to end their lives.
Viola walked forward, and then a hand closed on her shoulder. She looked to see who it was, and her tears couldn't stop shedding. Behind her was King Riku, her father. They needed no words to each other as they walked into the light. As king and princess, they needed to have an honest discussion with their citizens. Red Cross Saints included.
X❖X
After a few bouts of battle since this morning, the battle between Fujitora and Zoro remained without a victor. It was an inconclusive battle with no clear upper hand. There were massive injuries on both sides. With Zoro having cuts and bruises on his legs, and one hand had a dislocated knuckle. With Fujitora having a horizontal cut through his belly and a cut through his arm. All superficial injuries without a damming final strike made. They arrived at the middle of the plaza as Zoro's swords went against Fujitora, and the man tried using his power over gravity to push Zoro or break his bones and bleed his organs. However, Zoro was now smart towards Fujitora's power, once you were fighting for the whole morning, you tended to understand how the opponent's power worked. And since both of them were equal and there was no clear superior fighter, the battle often took a turn for trump cards being used, and once those were used and barely hurt the other, the battle then turned into one of pure endurance.
Fujitora felt himself as a failure since he threw most of what he had, and still couldn't kill the Pirate hunter. This individual was the one who killed one of his friends Momonga, the Vice Admiral. Fujitora felt compelled to at least kill the Pirate Hunter so his friend's spirit could be at rest, but now Fujitora was forced to realize his opponent wouldn't lie down and die so easily. It was a battle to see who tired first.
One warrior was looking for the other, signs of fatigue, or not paying attention due to lack of focus. Muscles not working well. It was then that Pica, the stone man, rose from the crust. Dragging a whole district along with his body. Whole cities on his arms as the stone construct reached half-way to the Birdcage. Zoro saw a presence going as fast as possible, picking up people who were caught, it was like that person moved as fast as lightning. Luffy… Zoro saw his captain saving people, along with a golden fairy following him, keeping people alive. Luffy gave a pointed look at Zoro, and motioned towards the large stone man. You want me to kill it, huh? What a tough order. The stone statue, hundreds of times the size of a Giant, raised its fist. And then struck towards Zoro and Fujitora, separating them from their fight. Zoro cut the arm before it could land, and parts of it fell down and created clouds of dust. However, Pica was connected to the floor, this statue could instantly regenerate.
Zoro looked towards where that admiral had gone. The Admiral made a quick escape from an eternally tied fight, probably to do Navy-like things, the fight was tiring. I guess I need to train more, if I'm only tying against an admiral, then that's a failure towards my captain.
X❖X
"Hey… Hello, you're one of the new Navy guys at the top."
"I didn't want to face you." Fujitora complained.
Before him was a very dangerous individual, she was the Bloody Regicide. She was known for killing kings all over the world with her cruel hands. She had lilac hair and a steampunk dress. She breathed fire and laid on the rubble—her companions no doubt were right in this country. She was the second-in-command of the revolutionary army. "I'll never forgive the Navy for what they did to both my brother, and Kuma. Therefore, it's best if you don't try to fight too hard."
"…" Fujitora knew she was an enemy that you could not underestimate for even a second, or else she'd lop your head and spine with a backhand.
"My little brother is in this country—I know you came to face him and his crew but I don't care about that. It's best if you die quickly, my attacks are made to cripple people for life."
"I guess it's good that I'm already crippled." Fujitora opened his blind eyes.
"I guess so. Hopefully you don't lose your leg, or arm." The fires in her hand, they were the owners of her brother Ace. Annabelle looked at those flames as they heated up, enveloping her fingers until they formed dragon claws of fire. As always, different users who had the same power would often use their powers completely differently than the other.
X❖X
"It seems people are suffering. We need to help them quickly now, no time for a grandson and a grandma meeting for the first time."
Sengoku said and jumped towards the island with two following him behind. Both of them were superhumans that could possibly end the conflict that was before them, however one thing was certain that the Straw Hats' presence made even them nervous now. Straw Hat powers and mood were unknown and posed quite a bit of a challenge to any Marine that's approached him carelessly.
And with all the confusion that was happening with all the people running around you could say that there was no way to find even the most dangerous person here in mere seconds. First they needed to help the people around that were suffering and sure enough, their hated enemy Straw Hat was doing the same thing.
She was watching them arrive with his observation, they possibly knew that where he was but he wasn't using that much power, she was only helping people survive this conflict well the rest of the straw hats worked to destroy the rest of Doflamingo's family and was watching weather other agents from cp0 would make a move, however if you met any Marine in town then there would be a problem so he avoided it.
Luffy's motto was to save everyone this day without any civilian casualties, that was what a honorable man will do but he wasn't honorable, he was a pirate however he hated seeing uninvolved people dying due to the consequence of oppressors roaming in their lands.
You could say that morality was shared by the two elderly marines that had arrived with their crew, they were all there just to help people of course the two elderly Marines are looking for their respective charges, Sengoku was looking over the legacy of that's whitestown, and Tsuru was looking for the legacy that was thrown out of "heaven."
"I know you don't need to tell me that, let's go there are people that need to be saved, you're not going to say that your status as an instructor is going to hinder your ability to save people, yes? You should be better than that, you still have that power of Buddha."
"Hahaha sure you are tough, you are always tough on your best friends aren't you"
"If I am not tough on them, who will be?"
X❖X
Luffy sat on the rubble floor, with the Princess over his shoulder and Baby 5 as well. Laid on the ground were sickly individuals and elderly whom the stone guy had hurt. Luffy had burst as lightning to save those who had been in trouble and did not let anyone die since the start. Now, he could sense a few marines and powerful presences that reached the island. "Things are getting more and more complicated."
The Happosui army arrived in front of Luffy. He looked down at the injured as many influential people crowded around him. Pirates, mercenaries, warriors, and more. "Have you come here to speak or fight?"
A very handsome and pretty man walked forward. "While I'd like nothing more than to kill you, I am indebted to your subordinates. I cannot be ungrateful. It's not in my genes. My name is Cavendish. Someday I'll repay this debt, Straw Hat."
Similarly, brawny warriors come forth to discuss with him. Then it turned into a full-blown party as the little Princess from the Tontattas used Luffy's life force to heal those who needed it. It amazed her he lasted this long and still looked ready to fight. She had even recovered more than dozens of thousands of injured, some critically so. Some had already had their hearts stopped when they got to them. Still, Luffy resurrected them with his rudimentary knowledge. He talked about how much he knew about the human body and how to kill it, but perhaps he had saved many more victims today than he had killed.
"That's not true, Mansherry. I killed hundreds of thousands until today. Saving these people was my whim. Whether I kill or save someone is all because I want to or not. It's all about leaving a foul taste in my mouth or not."
Other than his desire to kill marines on sight, he didn't have any rule or moral compass that he followed religiously. It was all his whims. Mansherry and Baby 5 felt that he was lying somewhat. They heavily doubted he would kill innocent people. The pirates next to him listened to his stories, and they ingratiated themselves with him. These people are fun. There were martial artists, terrorists, and executioners. Explorers turned pirates, and a prince turned pirate. Luffy loved these moments where people told them their stories. Different countries and conflicts, cultures, and mindsets are what his adventure to be the next Pirate King was all about. Dressrosa was a beautiful land with the tastiest food and passionate people. They did not deserve the oppression Doflamingo gave them.
It seems Law's fight is going well.
Soon, Luffy enchanted this ragtag group with his charisma and stories. Some even challenged him to games of their making. Though from behind a pillar, Bartolomeo was watching his idol discuss things like some prominent leader.
And then there was the Happosui army. The ground had stopped them from ever looking forward—they were nervous about what would happen next. Their grandfather was there by their side and was the source of their nervousness. "We won't interfere with your fight, but you might die, you know?" Sai said to his grandfather. The man stroked his beard and nodded. He went forward. There was still something he'd settled on with the grandson of Garp. Both brothers knew this might be the last fight their grandfather would have.
"Do you want to fight?" Luffy asked as he took a sip of his vast beer. He sensed the older man's killing intent from the beginning.
"My name is Don Chinjao. Have you heard this name from your grandfather?"
"Garp-jiichan? No, I never heard of you." Luffy drank more of his beer before the older man's huge hands swatted the drink away, staining Luffy's shorts with beer. Baby 5 turned murderous as the other assortment of people went away. Luffy saw the stain, and the lost drink with a sight. Baby 5 aimed a gun at Chinjao's temple, but the older man never budged. His will rose higher and higher.
Luffy was sad about his drink, but even angrier. This idiot old fossil was going to fight right here in the middle of all these injured, sickly, and elderly people he had saved!
"Are you going to use your King's Haki in the middle of this many injured people?" Luffy's face grew bleak, his eyes drooped, and death embraced his back, almost like the ground. The sun and the skies turned black and white in his general vicinity. Chinjao looked at that intimidating sight and took three steps back before Chinjao realized his body was fleeing in terror.
"Do you have something to say?"
"I am very indebted to your subordinates, however I still have my grudge against your grandfather to deal with no matter what. One of us shall leave here alive and one of us will die."
"Did I ever do something to you? You should know that I wasn't responsible for anything my grandfather did to you."
Sometimes there were pirates that came to him over the years wanting to have revenge against his grandfather however Luffy wasn't even concerned about what his grandfather did in his life and did not care about any grudges that were carried over doing that time.
In any case this didn't change. The old man was quite tough but very weakened, compared to when he was in his prime. Nevertheless, Luffy went about to lower his guard to any opponent challenging him. There was a group of injured civilians as houses fell when that Stone vibrant raised himself, and Luffy had his hands full saving all the victims from just that stone idiot. One could say that a battle wasn't on the menu for Luffy right now, and he aborted anyone trying to pick a fight right as he was saving innocent people.
"I don't care about any innocent person, all I care about is my vengeance." Don Chinjao rushed faster than a rocket, with his head in the front.
"Go back to whatever old care you came from, old man. You're too old to ever think about facing me."
Luffy blocked his body strike with Haki and the survivors were all incredibly shocked by the confrontation happening in front of their eyes. There were black shocks piercing over the rubble as the clash of two Haki from Supreme Kings happened. However Luffy pressed his body, and won in the physical battle, before pummeling the man's head. Before literally crushing the man to the floor and then elbowing him deep into the crust for good measure.
For such a tough physical guy, that might have been a survivable attack, but Luffy didn't care. Don Chinjao was sunk into the crust without any remorse.
After that, Luffy was able to gather a name from the rabble, Sugar, the one who had turned half this country's population into toys. Luffy climbed towards the castle, while Baby 5 and Mansherry kept company to the rescued people.
X❖X
As the stone statue was blown away by the help of many warriors that were currently present in this kingdom. Zoro went forward and struck at the living parts of stone up in the sky before the damn high-pitched man went out from under his cover of rocks and stone.
"There you are..."
"You idiot, just die already!" Pica exclaimed a battle cry and raised his massive sword up in the air, coating his whole body in a dark metallic sheen. His armament was certainly powerful, however covering your whole body weakens the overall strength of armament, while focusing on a single point strengthens it.
Zoro focused his Haki one single blade, and then in a flash, Pica's head was separated from his neck, the wind blew apart Pica's chest, breaking his sternum and smushing the organs located in his chest. But as his neck was already separated, the wind generated by Zoro's attack was too slow to have killed Pica.
"Another worthless opponent..." Zoro said with a glare. His fight with the admiral was a much better test of skill… however this damn stone idiot had separated them in their fight.
X❖X
Before all this happened. Trebol had taken Sugar to the Palace, to rest, one of the unused rooms was used as the battles below raged on. Then Sugar woke up, reminding herself of her failure. She had lost in a battle with the hated Straw hats. Sugar bit her own lips so hard it bled. And the tears from her eyes kept falling down.
Why am I like this, why can't I get any of them? I want to seek revenge for what they did to you, sister. And yet...
Doflamingo had saved the two sisters from a dire situation—they were persecuted in their old kingdom due to their heritage. A dictator wanted the daughters of the previous magister on display. And yet, Doflamingo had swooped in at the last second and took over. Saving them from execution. Horrific things happened to them in captivity, so given a chance to be free, and to taste the outside air was a blessing. a blessing was given by a Heavenly Demon. But it didn't matter to the sisters, they wanted to be of use to him, and serve him for the rest of their lives to pay this debt. And now, the Straw Hats threatened everything and even killed her dear sister. And it was all out of Sugar's control.
I...I just wanted to have my fury known. that we two sisters had a desire to live.
Sugar walked over the hills, the sunflowers all surrounded her as she watched the unimaginable destruction below.
The tears just couldn't stop, she lost control over all her toys, even the battle-ready ones. She'd have to do all the work again. She would have to go through everything again, to prove herself worthy to be a family member of Donquixote Doflamingo.
I felt like there was something that I could have done better but still, I feel like I completely failed in everything, the demon child and that long-nosed man got the better of me.
Doflamingo was a kind leader to her. Doflamingo was quite a cruel tyrant at times, this was the truth, all the family members knew it. And yet, in the years she served on the term he tried his best to bring welfare to Dressrosa. Dressrosa was a capital of pure wealth due to the arms trade, weapons production that disseminated throughout the new world it was all due to Doflamingo's guile that the people of Dressrosa were able to enjoy such healthy life and such a happy one, of course there was her power making people slaves, most of the criminals were either thrown in the Colosseum or made toys or both. Normally when gladiator was too crippled to continue and was nearing the end of his life Sugar would extend that life by making him or her a toy. Toys had eternal life and yet they complained their work was too hard even though it was making the people of Dressrosa have a better life.
Of course their invasion of Dressrosa was a very cruel one, still it was in line with what pirates do so it wasn't that concerning, actually. The fact that they made life better for most of the citizens, was something that was overlooked by everyone now in this confusion. Sugar felt angry that magic her Lord's kindness and years of making this country a better place were being squandered in just a day. Just like Doflamingo made a better life for the two sisters, even though they were the last members to join their family. He also made a better life for this country. Now with the war with the Straw Hats, they needed the country's support even further but now everything was ruined.
And for the toys that worked and had eternal life, sure they had their families they had their friends. But, they were forgotten by everyone, even Sugar forgot all about them. There was no cruelty if it was forgotten, so why were they complaining now that their memories have been restored?
Even though they forgot about the lovers and friends this whole time.
I guess that isn't fair to them, still they survived 10 years without their loved ones, forgetting all about them. Why are they complaining now?
Sugar did understand it, but it was her inherent power. It was hard swallowing that your own power was evil. She tried her hardest to make her power work for this Kingdom, the toys toiled their days to make this a wealthy state, they worked minimum wage jobs or jobs that nobody wanted to do, they cleaned the streets, they cleaned everything. They worked at the factories that produced the products that the Kingdom enjoyed such as ceramic products, produce, metallurgy and other dangerous industrial jobs were also performed by them. There was no injury in the industry for over 10 years because of this.
This was supposed to be a utopia built up by the family, with everything being handled in the darkness, they only needed to enjoy light and they would have died happy. when many other people didn't have that choice, the sisters didn't have that choice either. He suffered and suffered until they were saved. If Sugar and Monet lived a life where only light shines upon them they would be grateful every day. These people were rioting for no reason at all, making things bad for Doflamingo.
Sugar couldn't forgive them, and she couldn't forgive that her failure caused all of this as well.
She had an exceedingly difficult road to redeem herself in front of the Doflamingo's eyes and she would be ready to do it. Firstly by turning every single citizen as well as the Straw Hats into toys, make an eternal army that could not be killed and throw them all at their enemies, Monet was now dead, it was up to her to repay the debt that the two sisters had accumulated under Doflamingo's graces.
"Don't worry, we'll get out of this situation, don't worry." Her sister Monet was saying this with a smile, but the tears streaming down didn't fool Sugar one bit, they were being abused everyday in the corner of a cell. Creepy men entered the jail to do things to them and Sugar felt that this was the end. Monet had already tried to commit suicide, but it didn't work. Sugar knew that her sister was under more considerable stress than she was.
Sugar did not smile, but she did not cry either. She was just existing, unable to live or die. She looked at her dirty leg, they had broken her ankle by pressing on her foot too hard, and it was very inflamed. There were many horrible shades of purple and red on it. Still, Sugar did not cry.
"We'll get out of here, you'll see, we'll get out." Monet trembled and held her palms on her face.
And it came true, they had been saved by Doflamingo, a great pirate. An evil pirate that slaughtered those who got in his way, a dirty pirate who cheated and worked in the deepest pits for the Underworld. But that evil pirate had rescued them, while not looking for any reward. Monet was taken with her new savior, and Sugar was content to watch his back, as he led them to glory. For the first time in her life, Sugar felt like she was needed by someone when she acquired her devil fruit. Doflamingo always praised her for a job well done, hadn't he?
Pica was also one of her best friends, and Sugar could see the stone giant, unmoving and cut in all different places. From here, it was hard to tell if there was a family member still alive and kicking. Maybe they were all dead and she was the last one.
"Doflamingo saved us, we'll definitely repay our debt, we're not some ungrateful pair of sisters that'll let a few icky jobs get in the way. We're stronger than that, right?" Her sister often said that, as they submerged themselves in underworld work, often doing the same evil that was done to them. And even more, killing, killing so many people. But the sisters were more interested in their devotions to their leader.
"Why did you have to die, why didn't anyone save you?" Sugar would never hear her sister speak again, she would never spend time, and hug her again. Monet was murdered by the hated Straw Hats, even though the Doflamingo Family never did anything to them. Sugar trembled in rage and sadness. Sugar still could see in her mind, her sister's wavy green hair, and her amazing hugs. And now, there was nothing, just the cold air of this hill. Maybe it would be better to just take a step forward and die?
Maybe that was the better path now—Sugar had to work so hard, if it meant having her revenge, maybe just giving up and committing suicide would be better, she was tired. Revenge against the Straw Hats seemed impossible, bt she would love it if someone, anyone would just murder them all. And drag all their souls to the deepest hell.
Sugar wanted to see her sister again and play with the kind Pica, and maybe just taking a step forward was the solution…?
She started breathing hard, as she sobbed without any noise. She pushed her foot forward and felt an unimaginable pain in her heart. Something horrible had happened, something she wasn't prepared for. Her head twisted in shock, and her small body was raised upwards into the air, she saw blood spurting and a large knife going through her back to the front, she looked behind, with her frail body hurting from this unexpected strike.
It was, one of the Blackbeard subordinates wasn't he…? The one that…
"You bitch, I finally caught up with you. Think you can just walk away with what you did to me?!"The man yelled and raged, Sugar knew he was looking for revenge, she had turned into a toy and had insulted him.
"I won't let you walk off and die on your own, I wanted to kill you so ba~ad. You bitch, remember what you said to me…? Who's the one laughing now?! Wihaahahaha Wihahahahahahahahaha!"
He swung her tiny body like a prize that he won, it was a macabre sight as her limbs grew cold and her blood spilled onto his arm. Sugar tried laughing one more time, but she couldn't because she was hurting so much. Sugar didn't realize there was someone pettier than even her in the world. Instead of letting her die in peace, this brute wanted to have the last laugh, it was frustrating that this idiot got what he desired.
The world really wasn't fair, why was her wish of revenge never realized while this idiot got his revenge so easily?
Sister… I'm going where you are…
Sugar suffocated on her own blood as her body grew limp and as Burgess swung her body around like a prize.
Sugar had died.
X❖X
"Where is it, where is the fruit?" Burgess was searching through the sack of common fruits he had bought to hunt down Sugar's toy powers—he used this hunting technique to bring many devil fruits onto Backbeard's crew. However, there were no devil fruits inside of the sack. Burgess was sure there were many shapes and types of fruits inside, he wasn't searching well enough. Burgess gave up and wielded a knife, he was going to cut her liver instead, maybe the fruit's power was still inside her guts.
"It doesn't matter, idiot." Luffy said. Sometimes the original fruit was so exotic that the shape was not found in the island, or even nearby islands. The devil fruits were tricky to hunt down. If a sack of fruits doesn't have that fruit transformed, it's safe to say you'd never find it. Common shapes and sizes were used, so the original fruit would use one of them to reincarnate into the world. A banana devil fruit only needed a banana nearby to reincarnate. The devil fruits used the closest fruit of their original design, closest did not mean near for a devil fruit hunter, sometimes the closest fruit was in another island, or another ocean, or even in a deserted island on the ends of nowhere. Trying to gather the power from her guts after that was sheer stupidity, but that had been done before, hadn't it?
Luffy had climbed up within the reaches of the palace and met with a terrible sight. A man who killed a child, or a woman with the build of a child. Luffy was also looking for Sugar, but it appeared he arrived to late for that, he couldn't prevent this murder for m happening, though he was not sad about it for a second. After all, his crew had bought into the fight with Doflamingo and his family back in Punk Hazard, it wouldn't end until one crew was finished. Sugar was not going to survive past this day no matter what happened. So that was Monet's sister. It is quite sad to see this as the result of a war my crew is waging. There were probably many family members who weren't deserving of death. However, they couldn't betray the Doflamingo family and were loyal to it until the end, Sugar was one of those people. It would not be the last time Luffy would face such a loyal group of enemies, and that made Luffy have a somber feeling. Though that was only a momentary lapse.
Luffy faced the damn idiot, Jesus Burgess, the champion from back in Mock Town. He was in Blackbeard's crew.
"Wihahaha, so the Straw Hat arrives too late to be the hero?" Burgess swung the dead girl's body—the visage. Burgess had killed a child and was mocking Luffy for not saving her. Burgess threw Sugar's body.
"I was going to give a choice to Monet's sister—but I hesitated to arrive here. If she were to deny it, then I would have ended her life all the same."
"Oh, Ace's brother is quite the cold young man. One of your crewmates took great care of me during the tournament. Unfortunately for you I am fresh out of mercy, and I won't be satisfied with just your death." Burgess bashed his own fist onto his palm and made whirlwinds of air blown back from the power of his arms.
"Not going to run away. Isn't that the specialty of the Blackbeard crew?" Luffy taunted Burgess.
"Grrr! What did you say?!"
"Aren't you the champion? Come defend your title and die a tragic death for your captain." Luffy said as a matter of fact.
No matter what Burgess did, he could no longer hit Luffy as the man dodged every little strike, if he lost against Franky who just discovered Haki, there was no way that he could beat Luffy in a fight. Luffy was looking forward to this, killing one of Blackbeard's crew, this would be a wart for the ages. Long has it that Luffy was searching for a way to get revenge for Ace, and the death of Blackbeard would certainly fulfill his duty to his dead brother, as well as killing Akainu, the current leader of the marines.
"Zehaha, you should join me Burgess, together we will face the world, those bastards will never know the storm that's coming."
Burgess had no aim for his life, honestly being stuck where he lived made him feel like there was no salvation coming for him. Just another day without anything ever happening or changing. Burgess really wondered if he would like decades in his small town in the mountains, but one day his captain had arrived. And he enchanted the island with his stories of the Whitebeard pirates.
From that point on, the gifted and strong Burgess followed Teach, with the hopes of becoming the world's strongest man.
It was a difficult journey for him. Burgess never knew the world had so many strong people that could finish a fight within seconds. Different from the pub fighting back in his old town. He lost countless times, and yet kept trying his hardest. Some were born with all the fighting talent in the world, others like him had to try over and over, work their hardest and even then be unrewarded.
"This fight isn't about the death of the girl isn't it?"
"Of course not, I just wanted to kill you." Luffy said so seriously after looking the kneeling Burgess, the man was bleeding all over from the strikes that broke the skin and crushed the soft muscles that were underneath, most of Burgess' bones were now fractured and had hairline fractures all over, fuel liquid yellows were leaking from I was very bad wound on his jaw. And yet the man still continued to speak despite his jaw being busted open.
"It's time to go to the afterlife, you're the first of many Blackbeard commanders that I will personally kill. and then when every crewmate of his is murdered. I will take everything from him."
"Wihahahaha, good luck with that, unfortunately for you our captain is quite crafty and more dangerous than you realize. Things will not go your way for long."
Burgess laughed even after Luffy slashed diagonally with his hand and this first part of the throat was cut right until it reached the middle part of the throat making Burgess' head go behind his back and still stay attached to the neck. It was a macabre corpse nearby the body of Sugar who had been stabbed earlier on by Burgess.
"The two sisters end up like this, their only mistake was serving the wrong man, huh? Well that's not true at all."
Luffy spoke about some stray thoughts and did a critical laugh at himself, as he descended the flower field towards the center of the disaster, the fight between the Doflamingo and Law was still raging on and he wanted first seats to spectate everything.
X❖X
Rebecca had arrived on the floor of the colosseum, by the side of it… standing there overlooking the sky was her archenemy. The one who killed her mother, and killed Toy Soldier as well. Rebecca steeled herself to this fight. She had been training and had learned Haki just for this moment.
This monster was the only one she would kill.
Some said she was weak for not even trying to injure most of her opponents.
"So, this is it… the daughter comes to avenge her family?" He smiled and drew his broadsword, taller than even her. It could probably slice this colosseum in half with a competent wielder.
Diamante was there, to meet her challenge.
Rebecca frowned deeply. Now, after all these years she remembered who the Toy Soldier was. The Toy Soldier who had died 5 years prior was her own father, she knew it to be true. However, she had forgotten all about him, she had cried for her mother, and cried for the Toy Soldier, but never for her own father.
Now, tears were falling from her face, her expression was in a horrid state between rage and sadness. Still, she had to fight this. This was a fateful fight in the making ever since that moment ten years ago. That moment when Diamante had shot her mother. To add insult to injury, he had broken and killed the Toy Soldier five years back. Both her mother, and father had been killed by this man. There were no words to describe her desire for revenge and retribution for their deaths. This was her fight to win, or to lose and die. There was no one here, but she has been alone for five years. It was due to the friendly android named Franky, and his crew of the Straw Hats that made this chance possible. Now, she would hunt down Diamante, and after Doflamingo would pay.
X❖X
Luffy watched the fight, before someone landed in the middle. The whole family was either dead or fighting, so who else would support Doflamingo on his death throes against Law?
It was revealed to be someone from Luffy's past. Bellamy…
Luffy had a violent flashback to Jaya, and there were complicated feelings swirling around, the tattoo now made sense, the man was a subordinate of the Doflamingo Family all along. Luffy was just watching their fight and saving any innocents caught in the crossfire. Now all that was needed was for Doflamingo to fall, but the arrival of Bellamy made virtually no sense.
"Please, Doflamingo, leave this island at once sir. There are many enemies here that want to take your life. Even the marines who aided you are just waiting for one side to fall so they can capture the other."
"You'd think I'd run away, after my whole family is still fighting out there?" The nerves on Doflamingo's forehead wrinkled even further.
The marines did really work like that, Luffy knew it, everyone knew it. If Doflamingo ever thought they were on his side because he had some sort of leverage, then he was dead wrong. There was virtually no leverage you could have against the core of the core of the government. Bluntly display their crimes on screen for the whole world to see?
It wouldn't work… Only violent uprisings actually worked, and that was why his father was the most hated man.
"Hey, Bellamy, it has been two years." Luffy talked amicably, sitting on one of the rubble and just watching the standoff.
"Straw Hat, hehehehe… It has been two years, I went up to the sky after that conflict."
"Hmmm, and what did you think of Skypiea?"
"Maybe I hated it, maybe I killed everyone there up in the sky." Bellamy tried to taunt him, but Luffy just smiled and the world turned black and white.
"If you did, then I'd have to kill you. Hahaha."
Law and Doflamingo were there, and Doflamingo just smiled.
"Hey. The presence of Straw Hat is starting to become annoying, don't you think so, Law?" Doflamingo chuckled, but he wasn't happy.
"Keep your thoughts to yourself. This battle is almost over."
"Oh it's just beginning."
He'd been trying to get a hostage or kill some civilians to demoralize law, or get him mad that he made a mistake, but with Straw Hat's presence, there was no way that he could do it, the man was saving everyone else. Like some goddamn hero, when he had murdered hundreds of marines, and had killed Doflamingo's family.
Doflamingo then summoned a clone, something he'd never done before in front of Law. Law just paled, as both of them approached. And one used his fingers like a marionette, and then Bellamy felt loss of control over his actions.
Bellamy was controlled and started to fight Luffy, however Luffy was just sitting there, taking all the punches without taking any damage.
"This is as ridiculous as it gets."
Bellamy started to cry, having his control taken away from him.
"Bellamy, get rid of Straw Hat for me, if you do, I will definitely make you one of my family, now that there are so many empty spots to fill." Doflamingo made his closed mouth laugh again, as both clones kept attacking Law.
Even after being unleashed from the marionette spell that was upon him Belamy still faced Luffy.
"So that's what you chose to do with your freedom." Luffy silently stated.
"Sorry, Straw Hat. My pride demands it. My mind and heart can't admit I followed the wrong guy all this time. It's this or nothing..."
"I see… I respect your decision. I won't criticize a guy who fights for what he wants. That is your choice, and your freedom. Though if you attack me one more time, be ready to see the afterlife." Luffy sat on the ground, with a fist holding his cheek in boredom.
"Here it comes!"
Sometimes, the freedom of one leads to the deaths of others. Luffy knew of this, and yet still kept pursuing the ideal freedom, knowing that many would die on this road and on this goal of his. Similarly, he was also ready to die for his own freedom of choice. Bellamy also knew this, and also knew he was throwing away his life for his pride. Worthy of respect?
Such an illusory thing doesn't exist. The only thing that exists are dumb and stubborn people, there is no respect. In the end, the situation boiled down to one man throwing away his life for his beliefs, and another man throwing the lives of others for his beliefs.
If you think this situation is worthy of respect, then there is no salvation.
All that was the result was the first caving the skull of a man named Bellamy, that skull breaking and bursting with blood, like a rotten tomato being smushed, the eyes popping from the sockets, the ear being pushed into the skull, and parts of the brain being cut by the hard broken skull, the pieces of blood, meat and skin meeting the dirt and being mixed in with filth. With the man named Luffy thinking that he honored the decision of the other man like a dumb fool.
Of course, Doflamingo did comment and laughed, but his capital lay in ruins, and there were only a few family members left. Anything and everything the Heavenly Demon had built up crumbled in an afternoon. Any laugh coming from his mouth was just front.
Luffy with his bloody hands sat down again, signalling for Law to end this fight. By his side was Bellamy's corpse, with the head removed and bashed a few meters from the body.
Only a few could guess at the emotions Luffy had when he killed the foolish idiot who threw his life away for nothing.
Don't ever die for nothing.
Otherwise they'll call you a fool in your grave.