Chapter 76 - A safer world
The plan went just as, well, planned. When Fujitora arrived, the forces of Luffy, Whitebeard, Shanks, Odin, and Dragon were all in one place. The two sides began a negotiation scene they planned ahead of time and in the end, the pirate alliance left which resulted in Fugitora getting praised to high heaven by the masses as aside from a select few, no one knew what had truly happened during the invasion. Revealing that the leaders of the World Government and all of its nobles were dead would certainly spell the end for it.
Just as Luffy predicted, the Nefertari Family was called by World Government executives to serve as World Nobles and become its leaders, at least of the surface. Unfortunately, Im hadn't died in the invasion, so he was still an obstacle Luffy had to overcome in order to succeed in his plan. He was sure that Im would try to get ahold over the Neftari Family, seeing that that would be his only way to continue his rule since all the higher-ups who knew of his existence died. He needed a new puppet, desperately. And Luffy would use that to end him.
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"Relax, King Cobra, I'm sure the captain knows what he's doing," Law said while in the heavy armor of the guards of the Celestial Dragons. Luffy had revealed Im's existence to them, and he warned them about them in advance. Luffy knew that Im needed King Cobra else his rule that lasted who knows how much time will crumble. Another thing they had to their advantage was the element of surprise. Im kept his existence as a secret so high only the five elders and a few select others knew of him. As a result, he expects that no one knows of him. So Luffy gave Law a simple order. He told him to kill Im immediately, no matter what he tries to say. Im was a strategist, and a brilliant one at that, however, he lacked personal power. There was a reason that he didn't participate in the original battle on Laugh Tale all that time ago. {i.e chapter 1}
"Welcome, King Cobra." A lone figure welcomed Cobra and Law as they entered the room of the empty throne. Standing far above them, sitting majestically, was a figure enveloped by shadows. "So you're Im?" Cobra asked. "Indeed... Wait, ho-" Im couldn't finish his sentence as Law switched his place with the air near him, and quickly beheaded him. And so, the secret ruler of the World Government came to a quick end.
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"So, what'll you do now, Dad?" Luffy asked Dragon as the two met in one of the Sky Islands. "I'm not sure. King Cobra is the ideal leader, so I and the rest of the Revolutionary Army don't have any complaints. I was thinking of disbanding the Army, but Sabo proposed a very nice idea, so I'm currently thinking which one is better." Dragon informed.
"What did he say?" Luffy asked curiously. "He said that we should support the World Government since King Cobra and Sengoku are in the middle of some pretty large reforms. He said it's better to use this chance to have our men as World Government higher-ups and keep it clean. I talked about it with Cobra, and he said that as long as we can provide proof that we are loyal to the World Government he can help us. It also doesn't hurt that each and every one of our men has proven to have a righteous heart and enough determination to act even against overwhelming odds. I think that we'll be able to fix the World Government for good if this goes through." Dragon said.
"But... Aren't you all criminals? How is this going to work?" Luffy asked. "Please, the World Government excused worse crimes all the time so this isn't that big of a deal as long as it's kept a secret. Plus, it's the perfect agreement. We help keep the World Government clean, and the Revolutionary Army disappears from the map. We'll also make a secret unit to combat the still existing corruption. Overall, this cooperation is in everyone's best interest." Dragon explained.
"By the way, what'll you do now?" Dragon asked his son. "Probably sail for a bit with my crew, maybe make a couple stops to recruit some people," Luffy replied. "What about that girl? Can I get a name yet, or do you want to surprise me later?" Dragon smirked. "Fuck off," Luffy chuckled. "Oh, right. King Cobra asked me to tell you something. Basically, he said that as long as you won't turn hostile towards the World Government, we won't stop you from expanding your empire in the sky and some parts of the New World. Though islands from Paradise and the Four Seas are off-limits." Dragon relayed Cobra's words.
"Sure, I'm fine with taking the sky. However, speaking of Cobra, I'll have to tell him not to touch my islands. I'm sure other executives will want my Dials and other special things found in the Sky Islands," Luffy said. "Don't worry, we'll take care of that." Dragon replied was the two parted ways.
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'Ugh!' Luffy mentally groaned as he flew over the Calm Belt with a passed-out World Noble in a cage that he carried with him. As Luffy neared a lone island, he started to slow down. Sometimes, he suddenly stopped sharply or tried to turn around, yet in the end, he continued on his way. 'This is too nerve-wracking! I already have everything one can dream of, and I prepared the best gift I could dream of, so why am I so scared? She doesn't have any reason to reject me, does she?' Luffy thought as he descended into the docks of Amazon lily, much to the surprise of the warriors.
He remembered the time after he lost most of his crew. He tried to spend as much time as he could with the remaining members, but it was never the same. Especially when the others started to reach the end of their lifespans, making adventuring practically impossible. Luffy grew depressed and he began to push everyone away, however, there was one person who even in her dying hour still tired to reach him. Hancock never faltered even when he pushed her away. At the time, he found it troublesome, but only after a couple of years did he realize that the fact that he was forced to interact with her was something that helped to ground him in reality again, and her commitment and love towards him did affect him somewhat. Sadly, he realized that fact too late. Now, however, he had a second chance. "Oh well, guess there's no turning back now," Luffy said after a deep breath as he walked forward.