Chapter - 3

Less than two months ago..

The theory which Luffy had evolved in his vagabond days in Foosha Village with his two brothers Ace and Sabo and never forgotten— that the way for a revolutionary movement was to ally itself with some of the most powerful institutions in the known world. Knowing this the straw hats smartly allied themselves among the Ninja-Pirate-Mink-Samurai alliance. Still, it was all for naught and yet Kaido was too strong. The combined strength of Monkey D Luffy, Trafalgar D Water Law, Eustace Kidd, Stratchmen Appo, and Basil Hawkins did not come close to putting a dent into Kaido's true strength. Unimpressed the emperor grew disinterested ultimately allowing a retreat. It was the most shame Luffy had felt as a pirate that day. Giving the signal to tell everyone to retreat felt like death but he knew regardless he was responsible for the well being of not only his crew, but the pirates in his alliance.

As the Sunny disembarked from the Land of Wano, Luffy was still staring off into the distance until ultimately the land disappeared. 'Worth 1,500,000,000 huh? I don't deserve it.' Feeling his blood boil he began to head for the middle deck to see where his crew was. They were all probably up to their own business, it was none of his. Taking a few steps forward he nearly fell over a pair of outstretched legs.

"Oi watch where your going yo- Ah captain, thought you were shitty cook." Zoro said yawning loudly before shifting his attention back to his captain. He immediately could tell the solemn look in the young man's eyes. It hurt him as his vice captain to see the first retreat effect his captain.

Clearing his throat the green haired samurai spoke. "Look Luffy, I don't disagree with what you did, but when remember what I said before, don't waver or who can we trust?"

The rubber man contemplated before answering. "I know but-" He was hesitant. "In my gut, it tells me I made a mistake."

"I want you to remember what I'm saying Luffy so listen up." Luffy leaned closer eager to hear the rare advice Zoro dishes out. Usually his vice captain's advice was golden, it wouldn't fail him this time. "Being a good leader doesn't predicate itself just on good or bad decisions. Every good leader makes a questionable decision, the difference is a bad leader will not take responsibility for his mistakes and will not admit he's wrong. That's not you captain, so if you felt you messed up, accept responsibility and move on. We will have another crack at him and his crew, that's a promise." Zoro finished glancing to see the captain's hat covering his eyes.

"Whenever I need some sage advice, I can always count on you vice captain." Luffy grinned. " I appreciate it Zoro."

Zoro just waved his hand shooing his captain away. "Ah you give me to much praise captain, but it ain't free, I need sake." The swordsman started drooling a puddle around himself thinking about sweet sake.

The captain just wiped his tears of laughter with his red charigan. Zoro was truly his brother, always having his back in the best and the worst of times, he had a natural bluntness to his words that he needed to hear. It wasn't some over dramatic monologue or utter nonsense. It was the right mix that he felt Ace or Sabo would've given him the same speech.

"Oi then Zoro, I'll find some Sake and bring it to ya!" Luffy stated heading to the upper deck.

"Good! Don't wake me tell you find some idiot captain!" Zoro said smirking back into his slumber.

Luffy could only shake his head at his vice captains antics before wondering who he should check in with first. The one thing they always had while traveling one place to another was time. After making his decision to retreat he wondered if his crew would think any less of him. Zoro certainly didn't so maybe there was hope they all would feel the same. It was doubtful though, the one eyed swordsman was one of the most carefree members of the crew when it came to Luffy's decisions.

A yell from inside the infirmary broke him out of this thoughts. Heading inside the cabin, Luffy continued down the hall passing a few doors tell he turned left down another hallway to the end of it which lead to Chopper's infirmary. Luffy entered the moderately sized room seeing what was happening. Immediately a familiar sing song voice rang out.

"Namiii Swaaan! Robinnn Chaaan! Thank you two beauties for visiting me!" Sanji proclaimed to the two ladies who wore relieved smiles their beloved cook was feeling better.

Luffy could see that Sanj's dominant left leg was incapacitated, hanging tightly at an upwards angle to help it heal. Luffy could see the sweat dripping from Chopper's forehead as he tirelessly worked to secure his patient.

"Sanji! Try not to bleed too much I just changed the sheets!" Chopper yelled trying to shake Sanji's head to grab his attention to no avail.

"Sanji you have to stop putting yourself in danger for us, we can take care of ourselves." Nami states crossing her arms while knocking on the hard cast.

"Yes, Sanji. You have to trust us to handle ourselves we feel guilty over what happened." Robin said crossing her arms to not taking her eyes off the cast that engulfed Sanji's left leg.

Choppers head snapped up at the sight of Sanji breaking free of his love struck trance at the two beauties before answering seriously. "I'm sorry ladies, but I cannot, it is a man's duty to always protect the loves of his—"

"Sanji!" Both the ladies screamed causing the heart eyes to reappear.

"Yes whatever you say! I love you guys!!" Sanji says excitedly trying to desperately to grasp onto the two beauties.

Luffy continued to watch from the door with an amused silence. It was good the crew supporting each other when the other was down. It was the kind of positive reinforcement Luffy knew his crew needed right now. The four occupants were to busy to notice a certain straw hat captain knock on the door.

The group turned towards the door to see Luffy grinning slightly hoping to continue the mood. "Hey guys." He simply said rubbing the back of his neck.

Nami was taken aback by the sudden appearance of their captain. She shifted slightly on her heels. "Luffy.." was all she could manage a slight smile tugged on her lips.

Robin beamed her captain a warm smile. It was good to see he was in a somewhat better mood then he when first returned to the ship. It was a good sign.

"Hey Luffy!" Chopper smiled getting a wave back from Luffy.

"Oi shitty captain! Thanks for coming to see me finally." Sanji said giving a genuine smile making Luffy beam his own. " ah come on, I couldn't let Zoro beat me here." Luffy laughed scratching the back of his head.

"Ah, shitty marimo! I hope he doesn't visit!" Sanji yelled comically waving his hands.

Robin noticed out of the corner of her eye Nami couldn't keep her attention off of her captain. Not that she minded it, but this wasn't exactly the ideal place to be eye hustling him.