The cannonballs were fired at the Sunny, causing everyone on board to panic as they realized the inevitable. That is until a huge hand grabbed your ship and pulled you under the water before the impact.
Wadatsumi brought the Sunny into his mouth and began to swim away from the enemy. But the Charlotte Pirates weren't that easily deceived from the Sun Pirates's plan. Oven boiled the water to even deeper levels, sending tunnels of fire underwater. One of them pierced Wadatsumi straight in the chest, and the fish-man had no choice but to spit the Sunny back on the surface.
"WADA-KICHI!" Luffy cried out.
The enemy began to fire at you once more, but the fish-man was adamant to protect his Boss until the very end. He stretched his arms wide, and shielded you from the cannons' blasts.
"Just go, you guys!" Wadatsumi groaned in pain. "I was a bad boy at the Fish-Man Island...I'm sorry! But Boss Jimbei let me come along with him...I-I thank him for that!"
Wadatsumi cried out in pain when Oven attacked him once more, the fish-man engulfed in flames. Jimbei screamed his name in panic.
"Since Boss said that he wanted to join the Straw Hats...We were determined!" the Umibozu continued to speak meanwhile. "WE MADE UP OUR MIND!"
To avoid getting himself killed, the rest of the Sun Pirates pulled the giant underwater before the next cannon ball could hit him. Then, one by one, they all came out of the water to form a chain that separated the Sunny and the Big Mom Pirates.
"Go, Jimbei! Straw Hats!" shouted Aladdin as the Queen Mama Chanter sailed closer and the fish-men roared their battle cry. "We celebrate your departure!"
You could only watch the two factions fight each other while the Sunny drifted away safely. Your allies were actually creating currents that allowed you to sail faster on the sea and away from Big Mom's territory.
"...Flooding is a sailing ship's weakness...Bail the water out quickly!" Jimbei spoke. "The ship is getting heavy and slow...Repair the holes in the sails and catch the wind at a proper angle, and advance as fast as you can! It'll still take several hours to get out of their territory!"
"What are you doing, Jimbei?! What are you trying to say?!" Luffy demanded, frowning deeply.
"Luffy...I can't leave them behind!" the fish-man stated.
"...Okay, I got it! The we'll stay too!" your captain decided, struggling to stand up while trying to ignore his injuries.
"I'll bring up the rear to cover you. If you're chased by that mother ship and the fleet now, you'll never be able to get away! Let me bring up the rear! I'll pull it off and come back alive!" Jimbei said.
Both him and Luffy stared intensively at each other for a short time. Your captain knew how his newest member to his crew could be as stubborn as him.
"Don't forget, Jimbei! I'm your captain now! I won't stop the ship. I'll be waiting for you at the Land of Wano! Come at any cost!" Luffy instructed.
"...Thank you!" Jimbei bowed his head.
"Don't die no matter what!" the young man ordered, causing the fish-man to smile.
Jimbei was off the moment he heard those words, assisting his former crew to fight off Big Mom's children while the ship finally retreated from the battlefield. Shouldering the hopes of your allies, you crew made it out of Big Mom's territory around the middle of the day. During this, you learned about Pedro's death from Carrot, who tried to remain strong despite the fact she was crying her eyes out. Those news brought you an empty feeling. While you weren't that close with the Mink, it still stung a bit.
The sun was shining brightly as Chopper continued to take care of Luffy and Nami gave directions to Brook. When Sanji offered to cook something, your comrades threw themselves at his feet while crying tears of joy. It has been a long time after all that you had a decent meal, and you would lie if you told that you weren't eager. As he prepared the food, you sat alone at the table while holding your chin, looking bored. You didn't want to work on the Sunny's reparation for the moment, not on an empty stomach and without a good night of sleep.
"You know, Sanji-kun...I'm glad that you are back with us" you suddenly said, causing the male in front of you to stiffen in surprise at your statement.
"And I'm glad to see your beautiful face again, (y/n)-swan~" the cook blushed brightly, limbs turning into noodles.
"I almost missed that" you scoffed, your lips pulling into a smirk. But it soon faded when your lids felt heavy.
"(y/n)-swan? Are you okay-?"
You suddenly slumped forward, head banging into the table as you fell unconscious. Sanji began to panic, pulling out the stove before it went to your aid. He blinked in surprise when he realized that you were actually sleeping. Perhaps you really needed it, but he didn't want to take any chance. Lifting you bridal style, he headed to the infirmary while having Chopper look at you to make sure you were alright.
Every four years, kings and queens gather at Mary Geoise for a seven day conference to discuss current events and debate plans for the future. What can be discussed there at the Reverie could affect the entire world. The council formed by the World Government consists of 50 leaders out of the 170 nations affiliated with them.
And this year was no different, with the chairman being King Ham Burger from the Ballywood Kingdom. Few of the attendees who participated had met the Straw Hat Pirates in one or another, being former allies or enemies. And Straw Hat Luffy was a heated subject of discussion among the leaders of the world.
But none of them expected the incoming events that would shake the balance. A war was yet to be declared between the Revolutionaries and the Celestial Dragons, with their top officers currently infiltrating the Domain of the Gods where the superior beings live, and Pangaea Castle, the location of the World Council.
Do you still dream of me as I do for you?
I saw many faces, but none were yours.
I erased them, knowing it was useless to let those impostors live.
Even if they held a part of you...
But now?
Is it...you?
For hundreds of years, I've waited.
My dreams are now becoming reality.
We will see each other again...
...One day...
A dark figure stood at the center of a room filled with life. Many colorful butterflies were seen roaming around the flowers and the trees, while others hid themselves in the tall grass that was the floor. One of them decided to fly closer to the mysterious person, who stretched a long finger to the courageous butterfly.
The figure was holding a picture in their other hand. However, only them could decipher the person in the photo. This room was made for the two of them, a lost and sacred sanctuary that not many were allowed in. Their hand gripped the paper harder, before they knelt down to place the picture delicately on the grass.
Footsteps echoed behind them, a servant having entered the Room of Flowers. The cloaked woman bowed to the dark figure, stating loud and clear:
"Im-sama. They are all here"
They headed to the exit of the room, revealing at the same time a sabre where few bounties and more pictures laid at its tip. The photo pierced by the blade was one of Princess Shirahoshi, the Mermaid Princess and the current form of the Ancient Weapon Poseidon. The bounties of Straw Hat Luffy and Marshall D. Teach were ripped into shreds. The figure only left the room while holding one picture: Nerfetari Vivi, the princess of Alabasta.
It seems like the conference has begun...
During this congress, Cobra, the king of Alabasta, is requesting to see us, too.
The Nefertari Family...was the only family of the First Twenty, who stayed in the lower world 800 years ago.
In a sense, they're betrayers. Has he noticed something? Let's hope things don't become complicated.
You can say the same about Big Mom and Kaido's problem. It's been two years since the Paramount War...The swell is unstoppable now.
The balance of the world can't be maintained forever. We need to clean it up thoroughly soon.
A historical seat was located inside Pangaea Castle, called the "Empty Throne". It is said to be located at the very center of the world. Ornamented in red and yellow, the seat bears the symbol of the World Government, with the armrests designed to look like lion head statues. The throne is kept on a three-level platform with several swords and axes planted in the floor of the first and third levels, with the ones in the first being rusting relics of the twenty founding kingdoms.
It has existed since the Void Century. Each weapons symbolize their protection over the seat. No one is allowed to sit on this throne since its vacancy means that the world is not ruled by a single figure, sending a message of peace by making all royals equal before it with none greater or lesser than the other. Kings and queens must pledge themselves in front of the throne to take it out of greed, just like the twenty founding kings once did. At least, that was everyone believes.
The Five Elders approached the throne at the same time Im climbed the staircase leading to it. Once they arrived at the top, the dark figure took place in the vacant seat. The Elders bent their knees, bowing their head in reverence.
"Have you decided which 'light' needs to be extinguished..."
"...From history this time?"
"If so, share the name with us!"
Red eyes began to glow, a rumble escaping the dark figure. A single name was uttered, a light to be lost to history. As it fades, the darkness grew thicker.
The light in your eyes, I want to see it again.
I will wait for your return.
Together, the heavens will fall.
Nothing of this foolish world will remain after.
The mortals will finally realize of your divinity heritage.
My love for you is strong.
You are my moon, my stars...my light...
A light that always flickers.
A light I want to keep to myself.
They don't deserve your kindness or your love.
Filthy creatures like them are parasites.
Just like that spiteful man who tried to take you away from me.
I won't let it happen again.
I will...protect you with all my might.
Even if it means I need to devour you.
A gasp left your lips, eyes blinking wide open. A strange feeling remained in your chest. You couldn't recall your dream, and you felt like it was something important you couldn't forget. You lifted yourself in a sitting position, shaking your head to get rid of the dizziness. You were back in your room, the last thing you remembered being falling unconscious in the kitchen.
Light sounds echoed from your nightstand, and your eyes wandered to it. You were surprised to see Steven there after such a long time. The wooden doll was staring up at you, carved eyes glowing a purple hue.
"Steven...?" you mumbled, sleep laced in your tone.
The light in its eyes faded, suddenly becoming motionless. The wooden doll suddenly fell forward, landing on the floor with a loud thud. You scrambled to retrieve Steven, eyeing it in disbelief. While at first glance there was nothing wrong with it, you could tell that Steven used a lot of energy these past days.
"What have you been up to?..."
Your ears perked at the sound of screams resonating from outside. You threw the covers aside, and made a run for the door, bursting it open. On the deck, all members of your crew stood there with shocked looks on their face. Brook was holding Luffy's newest bounty between his bony fingers, the amount now 1.5 billion berries.
Eyes bulging out of their sockets, you let out an unrefined scream, too:
"WHAT THE REALM OF HELL?!"
"(Y/N)! YOU'RE AWAKE!" your comrades exclaimed in happiness.
"AM I REALLY?! IN WHAT WORLD DOES LUFFY HAVE A BOUNTY OVER ONE BILLION?!"
"WHAT'S THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN?!" cried out your captain, indignant.
"(y/n)-swan, my bounty is now 330 million berries! Right above that stupid moss head! Are you impressed?" Sanji cooed with hearts in his eyes.
"It's just a number..." Nami sweatdropped.
"Hmm...Where is (y/n)-san's bounty? It's been a while since I last saw a photo" the musician questioned.
"It's true now that you mention it..."
"Ever since Dressrosa it has been that way" you stated, frowning deeply. "It's...weird"
"Maybe they don't know what value to give it? You are so strong, after all!" Carrot smiled.
"Or it's something else entirely..." you thought, gazing down at the newspaper.
I dreamt of a world unified.
A single light in the dark for anyone to turn to.
Is it wrong that I wanted them to worship you?
You were above everyone, and yet you tried to lower yourself at their level.
Bridges will be constructed across the seas.
And once done, maybe I will see you there?
For now, I will continue to dream of us.