Chapter - 62
The kid was speechless. "I see." Came his reply. The high councilor puffed on smoke patiently waiting him to speak his mind further.
"So your doing all this to protect not rule. You don't want it to happen to anyone else."
The high councilor simply nodded his reply.
"Would you have done all this if she was alive?"
Luffy would've lost his temper on anyone else but he was still only merely a child. He wondered that same thing himself.
"No...no probably not. I imagine I'd still be running around, not a care in the world."
Momonosuke could see the man was deep in thought as if wishing to go back to that time. The kid decided to ask something hoping to see if his humanity truly remained.
"Did you love her?" He asked.
"I still do and I always will." Luffy answered looking towards the night sky. For the first time in awhile he was able to show a true smile before hiding it quickly.
With a satisfied look the two made there was back to rest of the group.
"You two lets head out." Luffy said meeting the pair.
"High councilor!" Kin'emon said. The samarui all bowed to him respectfully. "Thank you for protecting us."
The three nodded and waved goodbye before they disappeared with the Flaming Phoenix disappearing high into the night sky.
Once they were gone the remaining samurai looked around at the endless carnage.
"We have a lot of work to do, but I'm the first time in awhile I feel like it won't be for nothing." Momonosuke said earning nods from his family. They were just proud their leader was growing into a man already. In a matter of minutes he went from a snot nosed brat into a mature young man no longer naive to the world. After everything he went through with the loss of his family, land, and his time at Punk Hazard—he finally took a step towards reclaiming that power aligning himself with the high councilor. The Kozuki clan peacefully watched the stars for a moment before returning home.
On the opposite end of the massive land animal. Wanda and Carrot were planning to descend the elephant.
"Wanda I-I can't.." Carrot was afraid to jump off Zunisha into the darkness below.
"We're dead either way, do you trust me?" Wanda asked grabbing both sides of the rabbit's face.
"Of course Wanda.."
"Then, hold on tight." Wanda removed her cloak waving in the wind before tying it to her wrists. Carrot held onto to her friend's waist for dear life before she jumped off the elephant.
The two held onto each other tightly as the wind picked up the cloak allowing them to glide off into the distance far away from their home into the darkness of the night.
The high councilor along with his two emperors arrived at Ivankov's fortress bypassing the gates.
The emperors excused themselves for the night retiring to their respective chambers.
Luffy went to his own ready to collapse on his bed. He'd nearly been up a week straight unable to close his eyes. In his most private moments he was still haunted. Him screaming to Akainu to let Nami go, and to fight him alone. Holding her lifeless form in his arms, abandoning his position as the straw hat captain, destroying the holy city Mariejois, taking his vengeance against Akainu's family thus ending his bloodline.
Now the events today were on his conscience—It was all necessary. Only one life was taken away from Fishman Island. The minks has been a different story, he obliterated them as he had the Celestial Dragons. The high councilor couldn't help but feel remorseful about the two minks he recognized. Wanda and Carrot were watching from a distance. He chose not to pursue them. In the end it was only a matter of time before they came for him for vengeance of their own—the cycle never ends.
Yawning he headed over to his nightstand to find a stack of papers with a note.
'Read all to prepare for tomorrow's meeting.' -Raleigh
He sighed audibly skimming through the pages quickly he could already see most of it was policy for the regime and his council's ideals he had to either approve or disapprove of.
Nothing caught his eye until he reached a document signed his grandfather Garp. It was a few locations being reported by citizens of Navy activity. No sign of Fujitora or Green Bull so he wasn't too interested.
Another document showed reports of hidden Celestials Dragons coming the Entertainment World of Gran Tesoro. Once the place reopened the place continued to harbor anyone, even fugitives. He really hated places like that and wanted to avoid going back there for now.
Finally he flipped to the last page to see a handwritten letter from his brother Sabo. Quickly reading the note Luffy got to his feet.
An emergency meeting was called waking up the council. Each yawning loudly piling in the room dressed only in pajamas. The high councilor had still yet to arrive.
"Is that really necessary?" Marco said sleepily pointing the stuffed teddy bear Kizaru was holding onto.
"Hmm? Oh you mean Teddy, yes it is, it helps me sleep." The former admiral smirked half asleep.
"Fucking idiot." Marco facepalmed.
On cue the high councilor appeared stalking slowly towards his chair.
"This couldn't wait until morning son?" Dragon asked pouring himself and a few others cups of coffee.
"No, we are heading off to war tomorrow." Luffy stated.
"Not Kaido already is it?" Raleigh inquired sipping his coffee.
"No were going to invade Totto Land. It's about time I collect my fourth emperor and kill Charolette-Linlin." Luffy spoke to the room.
"We'll start making preparations right away." The council all quickly got up heading off to gather their forces until it was only Luffy.
Sinking back in his chair he pulled Sabo's letter from his signature red charigan, rereading it to make sure. There was no doubt about it now, his friends were heading off to fight Big Mom on their own. He had to help them at any cost. Standing up he tossed the letter aside. Soon he would see the straw hats again.
A/N: Next are episodes of Sabo showing his exploits during the events detailed in this chapter. Also the straw hats are back in action! Thanks for reading —All hail comments, follows, and Power Stones! Thanks for reading!