Four years later
Somewhere in the East Blue
Luffy POV
It's been four years since Luffy come back to East Blue. Since then, he has been training even more and of course, trained Usopp and Kaya. He didn't have luck finding Zoro in that time, so, we if the timeline follow his course and he didn't screw up anything, he will be in Shells Town. As he had guess, the credit for defeating Kuro was given to Morgan, who was close by when Luffy took care of him but as Morgan is a coward, he didn't even mention Luffy at all. Well, time to meet Coby. This he will take him with him and turn him into his apprentice. In the last timeline, Coby at some point was brainwashed by the absolute justice followers and was the one that killed Nami and in turn Luffy was the one that put him down. Luffy could see he didn't know what he was doing and there was no way to save him. He won't let him be turn into a drone and as for the son of Morgan, he heard Coby killed him as a test to his new way of seeing things.
"I am seeing a ship attacking a civilian cruiser!" Said Mari "your orders, captain?"
"Let's see who it is, shall we?" Luffy said "after all, today we start to conquer the East Blue?"
"Ohh, that's sounds like a challenge" said Hancock "besides, I think our dear Nami is having fun robbing whoever is captain of that ship". So, for now the timeline is playing the same way. Nami hasn't ask him for help yet and Luffy knows is because she thinks Arlong is unbeatable. Well, he will wait until she is ready. The only thing that changed, is that they hadn't use Merry, as they had the Sunny with them from the beginning but Franky been Franky, had make it part of the Sunny. It was a ship they can use for emergencies, which was amazing
"Get ready to battle!!!!" said Luffy as he started to took out Ace and all the pirates in Alvida's ship froze in an instant
"Holly shit!!!" Said one "is Monkey D Luffy!!!!"
"What the fuck is he doing in the East Blue!!!!" Said another "but who cares!!. Every man for themselves!!!!"
"Stop right there!!!!" Said Alvida but the crew was still running like headless chickens "why are you afraid of a brat!!!!"
"This brat has a bounty of eighty five million, hag" said Hancock. Alvida was pissed off and Luffy saw as she try to attack Hancock but she just kick her away, sending her flying far away
"Well, that was easy" said Luffy sweet-drooping. Alvida's crew froze at what happened. He then felt Coby with his haki and he had forgotten how weak he was "you, the one with the pink hair"
"Me???" Coby said shaking in fear
"Well, I am for an apprentice and you are perfect" Luffy said smiling. Coby's eyes widened at that and he just went to Luffy "Nami, I know your there" Luffy said "come on, we will take you with us if you want"
"How did you know?" Nami ask annoyed
"Well, if you had come to train with us, you would have known" said Sonia
"But you decided reject our offer, remember?" Mari ask
"Yeah, yeah" said Nami "I accept your offer of going with you for a while". Luffy knew what was going to happen. Although her chances of stealing the Sunny, were very low for her and besides, she knew Luffy was very strong and probably didn't want to piss him off, even though Luffy would never hurt her, but it didn't mean he couldn't punish her with what hurt her the most. Money. Luffy chuckled when Nami shivered
"So, what's our next destination?" Luffy ask
"Shells Town, Captain" said Nami "I will take you there, no problem". Did she just call him Captain?. Luffy saw Nami blushed a crimson red "I mean, Luffy!"
"Then let's go" said Luffy "we have been training for four years and my last picture was when I was fourteen"
"They could still recognize you if you aren't careful" said Coby shyly
"You are right" said Luffy "as I am the only one with a bounty, I will be wearing this wolf mask and let Hancock-chan here take care of my hat". Hancock blushed a crimson red when Luffy put his hat on her head
"Take care of it for me, will you?" Luffy said smiling
"Sure thing, Luffy-kun" said Hancock smiling.
A few hours later
Shells Town. The small island where Morgan was ruling with an iron fist and letting his son do whatever he wants. Well, he won't allow him to do it anymore. That corrupted monster had to go to jail. Maybe a beat down will be good. When they landed on Shells Town, Luffy could see the scared faces of everyone and it wasn't because of Luffy. They had hide the Jolly Roger in the guise of a supplies vessel.
"Mari, Sonia" Luffy said "help the people"
"Yes, Captain" said Mari and Sonia
"Coby, you are coming with me to look for Zoro" Luffy said. As he had expected, the people jumped in fear
"Told you there was a reason why Morgan arrested him" said Coby but Luffy saw the teen's face turn to horror when the people jumped even more scared than when Luffy said Zoro
"And didn't I tell you not all marines are good?" Luffy said "come on, I can tell him he is this way". Coby nodded and then follow him to where Zoro was. Luffy smiled at seeing Zoro. Still in the same position, waiting for Hellmepo promise to free him. He felt little Rika going to Zoro to give him food. She was trying to hide from them but was failing miserably, seeing as Luffy didn't need any of his abilities to see her
"Luffy-san, do something!" Said Coby "he will kill her!"
"No he won't" said Luffy "I want you to watch this. You will see how some marines truly act"
"What do you mean?" Coby ask. Apparently, he still has hope that marines were not evil
"Tell me Coby, if marines were good, why don't they stop slavers from kidnapping innocent people?" Luffy ask "or let those pigs do whatever they want?". Coby didn't say anything else and just stayed quiet, making Luffy worried about his friend. He hasn't say anything about joining the marines yet as Luffy has declared him his apprentice. Luffy started to teach Coby about haki and how to use it. The look of confusion of Coby's face was the same Luffy made when Rayleigh explained him about haki at the beginning, until he demonstrate by knocking out a big elephant without even touching it. So he decided he is going to use Morgan as an example
"Luffy-san, Zoro is probably in a cell" Coby tried once more to convince Luffy of trying to recruit Zoro
"Then who is that?" Luffy ask
"That's him!" Said Coby "Roronoa Zoro, the bounty hunter!". Just as last time, Rika raised a ladder, climbed and then went down with a rope and offer Zoro her rice balls. And Zoro, been the protective guy he was, try to scared her away. That's when Hellmepo arrived and did the same he did last time. Eat the rice balls, spit them out, insult Rika and order the marine to throw her. It was the first time Luffy actually use his devil fruit for something. He normally uses his sword, gear second for speed and his flying technique "You just stretched!!!" Coby said surprised
"That's because I eat a devil fruit" Luffy said. The next time his bounty appears, the name of the fruit would be there "the gomu gomu no mi"
"They are real!" Said Coby surprised
"Very real" Luffy answered as he went to Zoro "take Rika to her home". Coby nodded at that but he was still looking at Luffy with confusion
"Who are you?" Zoro ask "get out before you get hurt". Luffy removed his mask a bit, so Zoro could see who he was. Zoro's eyes widened completely
"Your....." Zoro started "but why are you here???"
"I am here to recruit you" said Luffy "you see, I am looking for the best people in East Blue to come with me, so we can conquer the Grandline. So, what's your dream?"
"To become the best swordman in the world" Zoro answered
"Then you have to defeat me and Mikhawk" said Luffy "it may not be written in the papers but I am the second best swordman in the world, after I defeated Shanks". That was something that happened when he was still a Whitebeard pirate and the battle was done in secret, so the World Government didn't find out. It was done on Fishman Island, one month before he left the Whitebeard pirates and his fight with the magma mutt
Four years ago
One month before Luffy left the Whitebeard Pirates
Ryugu Kingdom
"So, you want to fight me Shanks?" Luffy ask surprised
"I want to see how worthy you are of that sword" said Shanks "I want to see why Rayleigh gave it to you"
"But if I defeat you, I would be the second best swordman in the world" Luffy said
"If you defeat me, anchor" Shanks said laughing
"Then bring it on, tomato head!" Luffy said. A tick mark appeared on Shanks forehead as a all his crew and the Whitebeard pirates burst out laughing
"Well, played, Luffy" said Shanks "so, where can we have a spar without the World Government knowing?"
"Well, they will find out eventually" said Whitebeard "but you have guts challenging one of my children, red hair brat"
"Like I said, I want to see if he is worthy of carrying Ace" said Shanks "even if he loses, I know he will surprised me"
"So, what are the rules?" Luffy asks
"Only haki and a sword can be use" Shanks said "don't think I don't know what can you do"
"Very well then" said Luffy "but we need to be careful or we can knockout everyone here"
"Fight here?" Shanks said "can you give us the permission to fight here, King Neptune?"
"Of course you can" said the king "Luffy-san is more than one of Whitebeard children. He is my daughter's protector and he is guest of honor. You can fight in the guards training grounds". As they went to the training grounds, Luffy was thinking what to do. If he flights without holding back, he could kill Shanks by accident and he prefers to hold back a bit. Thankfully, the battle was with a sword and haki only.
"No holding back, Luffy" said Shanks "I will known if you do"
"But I will seriously hurt you or even kill you" said Luffy. Much to his annoyance, Shanks burst out laughing
"Very funny, anchor" said Shanks as he took out his sword, Gryphon. He could feel the conquerors haki of Shanks instantly. Luffy smirked, so he wants to fight that way. Very well, Shanks. Luffy started to take out Ace, leaking his conqueror's haki as well. He was controlling it, so no fishman would lose consciousness "may the best swordman wins". And in a fast speed move, Shanks come to him and Luffy block it. The crashed alone make the floor crack a bit "not bad, anchor" Shanks said
"Not bad for an old man with a tomato head" Luffy said smiling. A tick mark appeared on Shanks forehead as he heard laughter. And so the dance of blades began. Thanks to the sword style of Anakin and the one Luffy created since the day he began training after he woke up in the past, he was blocking and attacking perfectly. The king had put Den-Den mushis around the arena but many had passed out because of the conqueror's haki that was leaking of Luffy and Shanks. The fight lasted three hours, with Luffy was not getting tired at all, even though he was using his full haki power, while Shanks started to get tired. Soon enough, he disarmed Shanks and he put Ace on his neck
"Holy shit!!!" Said Yassop "Luffy actually did it!"
"He has become worthy of that sword" Benn Beckam said
"More than worthy" said Shanks "I suggest you to make everyone think you are the third best swordman for now. The day you feel ready, tell the world and I will confirmed it"
"Okay" said Luffy
End of flashback
"Your what now?' Coby said, holding Rika, his eyes almost coming out of his sockets
"Second best swordman in the world" Luffy answered "I only use my devil fruit powers when I have to". He was strong in the original timeline but like many devil fruit users, he got too cocky and he had relaid on his devil fruit and didn't do anything else else. That got him the stink eye of Zoro when Luffy got a sword in Wano and didn't even know how to use it. He should have learned how to use a weapon in case he was in a cell of seastone. That way he would have escaped in Alabasta and not allow that bastard of Crocodile destroyed Vivi's home even more. That make Vivi cry and he hates when people make his friends cry like that, especially a girl who fall in love with him and he was to blind to see it
"Defeating my future Captain sounds like a challenge" said Zoro "tell you what, after I am freed, I will join you"
"You do know that little shit isn't going to fullfil his promise, right?" Luffy said
"Damn that bastard!!!!" Said Zoro
"I will find that blond bastard and ask him "nicely" where did he put your swords" Luffy said cracking his knuckles "think you can hold on until then?"
"Of course, Captain" said Zoro. Luffy will make sure that Zoro is number one this time. Luffy will keep his second place and not let anyone else have that title unless he seems worthy. As they went to the bar to eat. And just like last time, they learned the truth about why Zoro was tied up in the cross and Hellmepo once more said he will kill him just because he was bored. But it wasn't Luffy who punch him or in this case, kick him where the sun doesn't shine. Hancock was the one who did the deed. Luffy, Usopp and Franky shuddered while the girls cheered. Damn, that has to hurt.
"You will pay!" Said Hellmepo with a high pitch voice. He quicky left alongside his bodyguards, who were more scared of their Captain than the one who kick their Captain's son.
"Well, I guess we need to go and rescue Zoro" said Luffy cracking his knuckles "girls, do you want to join me in kicking this corrupted marine?"
"Well, this could be fun" said Hancock
"We will get the ship ready" said Sonia and Mari
"It's better if not all of us are seeing attacking marines yet" said Ussop
"I agree" said Kaya "you have the highest bounty in the crew, Luffy. The next one is Robin and the more of us have bounties, the more they will come after us"
"Well, that's true" said Luffy "let's go then Hancock-chan"
"Right" said Hancock
"Coby, please wait on the ship" Luffy said
"Yes, Captain" said Coby
Next on the king is back and it's here to conquer: Luffy and Hancock attack the marine base. Later the Straw Hats go to Orange Town to give a certain clown a lesson
Timeline:
68 YBRD: Brook is born
53 YBRD: Gol D Roger is born
14 YBRD Franky is born
1 YBRD: Luffy, Hancock and Robin are born
0: Roger is executed. Ace, Zoro, Sanji, Sandersonia and Sabo are born
2 YARD: Nami, Vivi, Chopper and Marigold are born
7 YARD: Luffy, age eight awakens from the time travel and later meets Ace and Sabo, both age seven. Luffy begins his training
10 YARD: Sabo is supposedly killed by a Celestian Dragon but he is saved by Dragon. Luffy meets his father ask him to take him to attack the Holy Land.
a) Same year/one month later: Luffy and the revolutionary army attacks the Holy Land where he helps free slaves, including the Boa sister's and kills a Celestian Dragon
11 YARD: Luffy is part of the Sun Pirates
a) Koala returns home. Tiger Fisher dies
b) Jimbei Becomes a Warlord and Arlong leaves the Sun Pirates
c) Unknown pirate comes to offer Luffy an offer to join his crew
d) Luffy joins the Whitebeard pirates
e) Whitebeard pirates and Luffy rescues Shirahoshi from slavers
Between 11 and 13 YARD: Luffy attacks a slaver house and free the slaves, earning a higher bounty
13 YARD: Luffy fights admiral Sakasuki Akainu and wins, leaving the admiral without an arm. Admiral Sakasuki is demoted to Vice-admiral by Sengoku for insubordination
a) Whitebeard takes Luffy to Water 7, so he can have his ship build. Luffy convince Franky to build a ship and later, join his crew as the Shipwright
b) Luffy reunites with Hancock, her sisters and Robin. They start their journey by going to East Blue, where he goes back to his home island
c) Luffy sees Makino, Ace and everyone else after three years
d) Luffy sees Hachi again and informs him that Arlong knowns he is in the East Blue. Luffy sees Nami once again and tells her he will help her if she asks but won't get involved if she doesn't want him to.
e) Luffy and his crew go to the Gecko islands to meet Ussop, on the way, the Black Cats attack them, thinking they are weak but Luffy quicky eliminates Kuro and wipes out his crew movements later. He finds out Kaya has a Devil fruit, the Inu inu mythical Zoan model: white dire-wolf with the extra ability to freeze things if she wants to. Luffy decides to stay on the Gecko islands to train Usopp and Kaya
AN: Yes, I made Luffy the second best swordman. Why?. Because it's my story and because I want him to be overpowered and not just cocky to only use his devil fruit. He will use them as they are important. Besides, there are many stories where he uses a sword and has the same devil fruit or a different one. in some, he even uses guns. Anyway, thank you for reading. Also, the reason I take time publishing, is because I want the chapters to be long and short. I am sure you have read fanfictions where the author publish a new chapter and they are very short, which is is very annoying.