Demon-Eight

Atop a pedestal of ten feet high, a throne towered, its imposing structure carved from the bones of ancient sea beasts, bleached white by the relentless sun. Sat upon the throne was a man, his presence filling the space with an aura of untamed power. 

His eyes were as dark as the deepest trenches of the ocean, holding secrets of countless battles and victories. His hair, long and unruly, danced in the salt-laden sea breeze.

A straw hat, rested on his knees.

His face was hard, with cheeks as rough as the sea-washed rocks, upon which he planted his fists in a display of quiet contemplation. His shirt, dark as a moonless night, clung to his muscular frame, revealing a large, X-shaped scar that crisscrossed his chest.

Beneath the towering throne, swords of varying lengths and make were thrust into the wooden platform, their gleaming blades a token of fealty from kings and rulers across the world.

Only his name, enough to send chills down the spine of marines and pirates alike. He was Monkey D. Luffy, the King of Pirates. 

A silence hung over the scene.

Bartolomeo entered, his face grave under the harsh sun. "The pirate code has been broken," he announced, his voice echoing across the deck.

Luffy, seated on his throne, remained silent for a moment. Then, a small smile played on his lips. "And the one who broke it is..."

"Zoro," Luffy finished the sentence, his voice steady.

"I knew this day would come," Luffy added, reclining against the back of his throne. His eyes were far away, lost in some distant memory.

Bartolomeo shifted uneasily, "What shall we proceed?" he asked, his voice strained with concern.

"We created the pirate code," Luffy said, his gaze returning to the present. He picked up his straw hat and placed it on his head, shielding his eyes from the blazing sun. "He destroyed it," he continued, his voice hardening.

Luffy's fists clenched, his knuckles turning white. His teeth gritted, a grimace replacing the smile that had been there moments ago. His expression was dark, a storm brewing in his eyes. "He didn't honor the last thing that made us one," Luffy sighed, his voice heavy with disappointment and betrayal.

"But I will honor the pirate code," Luffy's voice rang out clear and strong, cutting through the silence. His gaze hardened, his resolve unwavering. The King of Pirates would uphold the code, no matter the cost.

"So, how should we proceed here?" Luffy asked, his voice echoing in the silence.

"Father!" He called out, and a hologram flickered to life a few feet below his throne. It was a figure that was both stern and formidable, an image of Monkey D. Dragon.

The hologram began to speak, its voice resonating with the authority of the Holy knight's leader. "Killing within the Straw Hats is forbidden," he stated, his tone leaving no room for argument. "And so is violence in the safe zone," he continued, his gaze unwavering. "And going against the brand is too."

The Dragon's hologram didn't falter, his words echoing the age-old laws of the sea. "Going against the pirate code, formally, would result in execution," he said, his voice steady. "The final decision is still on you," he finished, his image flickering like a ghostly apparition under the harsh sunlight.

Luffy didn't hesitate. "He made the rule," he said, his voice ringing out clear and resolute. "Let's kill him."

As he spoke, Luffy crossed one leg over the other, his body language displaying a mix of casual ease and steely determination. His decision was made, and there would be no turning back.

***

Hawkins was a streak in the sky, flying on his jetpack at top speed. His face was a mask of terror, his eyes wide and frantic. He crashed hard into a building, the impact sending shockwaves rippling through the structure. But the crash didn't deter him, and he immediately scrambled up, running down the narrow pathway inside a dungeon. His footsteps echoed off the tough stone walls, a frantic tempo in the eerie silence.

The prisoners who had managed to escape their cells turned their heads towards the direction of the crash. They saw Hawkins running towards them, his unsteady gait betraying his fear. Terror gripped them, and they started to scatter in all directions, their screams echoing through the dungeon.

Hawkins stopped, seeing the chaos that his entrance had caused. Hundreds of prisoners were running around, their faces masks of fear. He gritted his teeth, and shouted. "If you move, you die!"

His words cut through the air like a knife, and everybody froze. Amidst the crowd, a young girl named Hana strained to see what was happening, but her view was blocked by the adults around her.

"There should be a green-haired girl around here somewhere," Hawkins shouted, his eyes scanning the crowd. "Find her, and I'll let you all live,"

His words sent a shockwave through the crowd. The man standing beside Hana turned to look at her. A smile stretched across his face as he shouted, "She's here," pointing towards her in the crowd.

Hawkins made his way towards her, pushing through the crowd with a desperate run. The prisoners parted, and the way cleared. Surrounded by the crowd, stood Hana.

Hawkins, looking at her, breathed a sigh of relief. His features softened as he extended his hand, "Let's go to Papa," he said, a hint of fear seeping into his voice.

A chariot, grand and imposing, strode towards Zoro. At the sight, the Straw Hat pirates raised their light sabers, their weapons glowing with a menacing light.

Smoker, the White Hunter, had just managed to arrive at the scene. Before him were Zoro and a chariot that had just come to a halt. The most surprising part was that the driver of the chariot was Hawkins.

Hawkins nodded at Zoro and gestured towards the chariot. Zoro's grim face softened, and he sheathed his sword. Slowly, he took steps towards the chariot, his every move watched by scores of eyes. Soon, he was before the chariot gate.

This scene was being projected throughout the safezone. Every pirate and marine present wanted to see why the demon they once thought dead had returned.

The chariot door burst open, and Hana stood there. She was covered in dust and dirt, her clothes were torn, and she had wounds on her hands and legs. But despite her condition, she stood there with a proud look on her face.

"Hana!" Zoro exclaimed.

"Papa!" She jumped towards him and they embraced. Zoro held her tightly in his arms, and she clung to him.

Her proud expression melted away as she buried her face in his chest. Tears began to roll down her cheeks.

"Now... Now, don't cry," Zoro said, trying to comfort her.

Then, a thought struck him. "Ahh, today's your birthday, right?" He asked, trying to distract her from her tears.

"You're already six years old," Zoro said, his voice soft. "We should be celebrating, not crying."

"Papa... Papa!" She tugged at his clothes, her small hands gripping the fabric tightly.

"Look at the..." Zoro began, turning his head to point at something, but stopped. All around them were the bodies of the fallen.

"Nevermind," Zoro said, his voice heavy. "Cry as much as you want." Zoro had given up on trying to distract her.

***

Author's Note: Man, I am Lazy. I have plot in mind, only god can motivate me though. SO PRAY!!