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Flashback (6 months before Luffy and Nami meet on the street)

"We got everything. All we need to do is go." Sanji concluded. He took another puff of his fading cigarette. He studied the younger man with a slight frown. Sanji opened his mouth to talk, but found it best to remain silent.

Zoro burst through the beautiful wooden double doors, his swords drenched in blood. Zoro opened his mouth prepared to yell, but stopped himself at the sight of Luffy. Shaking his head he informed the two. "They are back! Not just them … all of them!" he yelled as he adjusted his grip on his swords. "I don't know how much longer the others can hold them off for," Zoro cautioned. Hearing yelling in the other room, Zoro and Sanji shut the door behind them.

As the door slammed shut, the sound of gunfire began anew. This time, the noise came from every direction. Bullets pierced through the walls, tearing up the faint luxury room.

Rushing to the sides of the walls, the two taller men braced themselves. Seeing what would occur, Zoro yelled, "We have to go now!"

Luffy opened his eyes distinguishing Zoro over the constant gunfire. Wiping away the remains of his tears, he closed his tired eyes. His head pounded from the loss of his friend Brook long crying session.

"No…" Luffy whispered, opening his lazy eyes again. He placed a hand to the top of his strawhat, feeling a thin layer of dry blood on the brim of it. Taking a deep sigh, he took off his prized treasure, putting it on his side. Gazing upwards, he could see tiny holes letting in light from the faint fire fight.

"Look there's just no more time!" Zoro ordered. Though his words had no effect on the man.

Taking another look around, Luffy watched everything he worked to achieve crumble and fall around him. The golden medieval chandelier, the ancient porcelain, exotic animal furs. His hands fell to the side as his priceless ship in the bottle The Thousand Sunny crash to the floor.

"No … I told you I am staying here," Luffy spoke up. Reaching for his hat, pieces of the hand crafted chandelier drop to the ground near him.

"And I am telling you. If you don't get the hell out of here, you will die!" Zoro yelled.

Not even attempting to dodge the incoming rubble, Luffy stared at the disappearing ceiling. Blinking his eyes, a familiar painful sound went through his ears.

"As much as I hate to say it, mosshead is right. We're out of time," Sanji said. Tossing his cigarette to the side.

"I can still make it better …" the young man reasoned as he reached to his feet

"What part of 'it's over' do you not understand?" Zoro snapped. A repulsive fume came into the room.

No one had enough time to react. "Luffy!"

"I …" Before he could finish what he wanted to say, a fire consumed his vision.

He attempted to raise his head, though his chest inflamed from the painful heat. Grunting hard with teeth clenched, Luffy laid his head back on the ground. Turning his head to the side colors of red and blue lights flashed around his vision as he attempted to make sense of the situation.

"Take the money Luffy … we will cover your escape," Sanji said, shoving a case into his abdomen.

"Money? Escape?" Luffy questioned aloud, attempting to understand what had happened. He could tell that they had just entered a small garden shed.

"You heard the shitty cook … we got your back," Zoro huffed, placing a third blade in his mouth.

"What are you guys talking about?" Luffy muttered. Peering out the door, he saw a fire loom over the great structure.

"Are you that dumb, Luffy? Get out of here before they catch you," Sanji ordered, turning his back on him.

Grunting through the pain, Luffy sat up. Glancing down he saw a large metal briefcase along with bloody wrapping.

"Please!" Luffy cried out. Though the two stood like stone walls, neither of them changing face.

"It's too dangerous to do that with all the shitty cops and shitty government mobsters―," Sanji stopped to take out a cigarette. "Just take your money and go," he said, putting the cancer stick in his mouth. "You earned it," he finished, blowing a puff of smoke into the dark night.

"What do you mean? All of us earned it!" Luffy reasoned, though this only received disagreeing shakes of the head from the older men.

"Let me go! Let me fight!" Luffy yelled, through his resistance lacked much power. Every time he moved, his chest would burn in pain.

"Don't put everyone's sacrifices in vain," Zoro scoffed, giving one last smirk at the young man.

"Yeah the shitty swordsman is right! Besides we will meet again. Just like we planned right?" Sanji proclaimed, raising a curly brow.

Nodding his head, Luffy stared up at the two with admiration. Luffy opened his mouth to say goodbye, only for exit to shut close.

"Good bye guys …" Luffy muttered as he turned around to face the dirt cave in front of him. Tightening the grip around the suitcase handle, Luffy limped his way forward. Pieces of the ceiling would crumble to the ground as the sound of gunfire, resounded yet again.

There it is, he thought when he saw a small opening. Approaching it, he breathed in the cold night air. Gazing upwards, he could see his childhood dream burn and crumble to the ground. The smoke rose into the dark storm clouds above.

Tearing his eyes away, he began to follow the path he had followed as a child. Struggling to get over the fence he and his friends would squeeze through.

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"One day I am going to live here!" the young lad said, turning towards his crew, "I want you guys to live here with me too!"

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Hours later

Luffy pulled the brim of the straw hat towards his nose, entering a busy street corner. Making his way through the jam packed street, he kept his eyes glued onto the ground. When the footsteps around him became faint, he breathed a deep sigh.

"Are you alright?" a sympathetic voice called out right in front of him.

Luffy quickened his pace along the sidewalk. "I am fine." he muttered, tightening his grip around his briefcase.

"Well you don't look great," the person replied. Turning towards the warm voice, Luffy had a slight scowl on his face.

"Why do you care―!" he scuffed, but held his tongue when he saw who it was.

"Long time no see, Luffy!" an older green haired women cheered, "I haven't seen you since you were in high school! That must have been 2 years ago!"

Luffy came to a halt, his mouth agape in wonder. He stared at the woman, feeling guilty and remorseful at the sight of her.

"Why are you standing there like that? Why don't you come in here and have some coffee?" she asked, stepping more out of the door she held.

Speechless, Luffy nodded his head, watching her go back into her shop. The tight grip on the suitcase couldn't be more strenuous.

When he made his way to the door, it brought back old memories. The place had a faint warm glow that only someone who had been there could describe.

"Oh! Just take any seat down, I was about to close up for the day," she exclaimed while looking back towards the cabinet. "I will get you something in just a minute!" she announced, moving over to get some ingredients. Taking her suggestion, Luffy strolled over to the nearest small table, taking two chairs off of it. Sitting down, Luffy placed the grief case between his legs.

Luffy observed her, watching her quick, cheerful, movements as she prepared the drinks. "Here is something to keep you busy," she said while turning on a nearby television. Turning his head to the side, he could see the small television flicker to life.

The news anchor spoke towards the camera. "They only play what people want to hear to make money …" Turning back towards the table, he could see the green haired woman approach with two hot cups of coffee.

"I hope this is enough," she spoke warmly, placing a cup of coffee in front of him. "It's been two years! You must be nineteen now! How is college going? And what have you been up to?" she asked.

"Well I went into the military ... and now I am unemployed," taking a quick sip of his coffee. He kept glancing at the door, waiting for the inevitable. "What have you been up to?" Luffy asked after looking away from the television.

"Well after Shanks passed away…," she stopped, gripping her blouse and turning away. Taking a deep breath, she started, "After selling the bar … with what little money I had, I decided to open up a cafe." Luffy's lips parted, finding no remorse on her face, instead he found a warm smile.

"I mean life is tough, but we always have to move on … right, Luffy? she asked while looking him in the eyes. "I don't know if you know this but there is a reason Shanks gave you that hat," Luffy found himself without words once again, but manage to breath out a "Why?"

"Mommy!" a child cried behind the counter.

Luffy gasped at the sudden intrusion. "Oh! I didn't show you me and Shank's son, did I?" Makino asked with a smile. Getting up, she made her way towards the crying kid. Once he caught sight of the child, his eyes began to tear up. Gritting his teeth hard, he attempted to drink his coffee, concentrating everything he had on the small cup.

"Who is this?" the child asked with a finger outstretched.

"That's uncle Luffy! Say hi to uncle Luffy for me!" Makino asked, looking at her child with motherly love. Luffy's grip on the cup became restless as silent tears rolled down his face.

"Hi uncle Luffy!" the small child cheered, turning back to his mother. Luffy forced his head to the side as the tears began to free fall.

Luffy brought a restless hand to the top of his strawhat, raising it off his sporadic hair. Though the feeling of dried blood still resonated on the hat. Forcing his eyes shut, he tried his best to prevent his eyes from giving way. Placing it right over his eyes.

"I can't even give his son his strawhat!" Luffy muttered, his face winced between gritted teeth and endless tears. Prying his eyes open, he gazed at the young boy.

"Before Shanks passed away, he got me pregnant with this little sweetheart. I decided to name him Shanks after his father. Look he even has the same hair as his dad!" she said, brushing the young boy's red hair.

A large grin appeared on Luffy's behind the strawhat. "It's nice to meet you Shanks! Shishishishi!" Luffy laughed unable to remove the new mask.

"It is confirmed that the infamous ex-strongest fighter in the world and mafia kingpin―"

"I have to go," he announced, grabbing the briefcase between his legs.

"Where are you going? Luffy you don't look to good at all! Please stay here with me a little longer! And besides you only just met your nephew!" she pleaded, watching him step away from the chair.

"... The motive for the conflict is unclear, but government officials have determined that―"

He made a step towards the door, though he paused in his tracks when he caught sight of the young boy's eyes. Stepping forward, Luffy placed the briefcase on the chair he had sat on a moment ago.

"That's my payment for the coffee" Luffy muttered as he stepped away from the two.

"... What we do know is that the suspect is still on the run. Police and federal officers have started a massive manhunt for the main suspect. Buster Call. If you or anyone you know sees this suspect please contact the police im―"

"Luffy you don't have to pay! Please just stay for Shank's sack!" she pleaded with a deep frown.

"I am sorry but I have to go … I never came here and we never had this discussion," he ordered, rushing towards the entrance. As he turned the doorknob, he felt himself break down for a second time since meeting the boy. "Hide the money and spend it discreetly".

"Bye uncle Luffy! I'll miss you!"

Turning away from the warmth of the past, he entered the cold night of the present. Shutting the door behind him, he lowered the strawhat down his face once again as he made his way down the crowded street.

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6 Months later (Present)

"There she is! After her!" a street thug yelled. A van's lights turned as the car started. "Quick the boss is going to kill us if she gets away!"

The street gang's target ran into a side street. "Get the hell out of the car and chase her down. I'm going to drive around, it looks like she is heading downtown."

"We can't go there! If we get caught will get killed―"

"And the boss will kill us if we don't get her, shut up and grab her before she gets there!"

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"Where the hell did he go?" Nami asked herself as she sprinted through the side streets. "Why the hell did he leave, I never got a chance to say…"

All of sudden a flicker of light entered her view. "She is this way after her!"

Shit! Not this again! She screamed in her mind as she dodged down another alleyway. I don't know if he will come back and save me like last time … Hearing the voices getting louder she booked in another direction. Luffy if your there … "please save me".

As she peered out of the side street and into an open street, with more people nearby, she calmed her nerves. "I should be fine for now, all I need to do is get to him". As she ran across the street something hard pierced her in the side sending her flying onto the pavement. "Shashashasha!" A voice rang out in the rainy night. The car that struck her stopped, as other thugs peered out of the street. "So this is the infamous cat-thief, Nami. Where were you off to?"

"Struggling to her feet as the pain seeped in," Nami turned to face the strange man. "I don't go by that name anymore." Seeing how she was surrounded, she played her final card, "you're in danger you know."

"You don't think I know the cat burglar who stole millions from me, starting a successful business with my funds, and acts like a hermit now do I? Puny women," the giant growled, "the only one is in danger is you. Men throw her in the van."

"Wait!" she screamed, struggling to put her arms up. Seeing as her fate would be sealed if she didn't buy some time, she cried, "You don't want to lay a finger on me."

"Oh yeah what's stopping me from getting my money's worth?" he grinned.

"Because I know Straw Hat."

The giant fisherman and his crew paused scanning the street for an entire minute, "you're bluffing."

"I never fold" collapsing onto her knees from fatigue. Lightning struck nearby, as an ominous figure emerged from a nearby alleway.

"What the fuck? That can't be." Arlong muttered. "Forget the girl, kill that man!"

The gang drew out weapons but a swift sound cracked the night. A swift bullet zipped past Arlong, as bullet stroke the man beside him in the chest.

"What are you doing you fouls! Kill him!"

As the man closest to the shadow, raised his gun a fierce canine came out from under some rubble ripping apart someone from behind them.

"What the hell! Shoot the dog!" the man screamed in pain.

A gun fired for a second before flying into the air from a swift kick, breaking the thug's wrist. "Not today shitty asshole, not after what you did to this lady."

Will someone kill something!" Arlong yelled as he lunged at the new advisory.

A blade stopped him. "Not so fast fish for brains."

One by one all the men around them got knocked out or killed. A blade stuck to the giant's throat as the man from the shadow's re-emerged. Walking up to the giant the man drew his fist back before launching it as his grinning face strong enough to shatter his nose. "You killed my old coach two years ago and now you tried to kidnap or kill the only person who gave me any sympathy on the street." Uppercutting him hard enough to dislocate his jaw. "Look what you did to my girl."

"You speak as if you don't know who I am," Arlong grinned through the pain, "how much should I pay you?"

"I made the mistake of sparing your life because I needed to keep my family safe from an all out war. Unfortunately, when you want peace you must prepare for war. You're scum that only sees how much people are worth." Luffy turned around walking back to the girl.

"So you're giving me mercy?" Arlong cried. "You know the Yonko will end you, they won't stop at burning down your mansion. They will kill until everything you love is dead! Shashashasha!"

Walking over to the girl and examining her wounds, Luffy frowned. Turning around, Luffy gestured for his crewmates to back away. "For today consider this a form of justice."

"I knew you would never put a finger on me, everyone fear's Arl―" a huge semi truck smashed into the giant, splattered across a concrete wall.

"Everyone it's time to go. It looks like we're back in business."

A stream line of flashing blue and red lights could be seen, as the group dispersed. They arrived at a nearby train yard into the dead of night.

"How's the girl?" the long nosed sniper asked.

"I don't know."

"So she's the girl you were thinking about this whole time, good job taking care of her shit head."

"Yeah. I know."

"You know she can't walk away from this anymore right? Cipher Pool, yonko, everyone wants her dead or imprisoned."

"..." Luffy didn't respond, instead looking at her cold face. "Then were going to kill them all. Starting with the yonko."

"That's my old captain," the swordsman smirked. "Your the most wanted man of all time. At this point more than Gol D Roger."

"This shitty captain shouldn't worry about that. Take the girl to safety, Chopper can lead the way."

"Guys …"

"Don't say your sorry. You're only sorry you couldn't get to her quicker. Make it up to her by being a better man and ending this once and for all."

By this point the crew stood on the opposite side of this track.

"Fortis Fortuna Adiuvat." Fortune Favors the Bold.

A train passed through the group, and as it roared by, the strawhats disappearing into the night. One by one.

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