The Devil's Grin - A One Piece Fanfic (Snail-like Updates)

Even If It Kills Me

Ace tried to wrap his head around D's words. What price could be worse than a million souls, so much that he may not be able to bare it?

"What do you mean by your words, Demon?" Fleet Admiral Sengoku growled as he and Gramps moved into a fighting position.

But D ignored them, his eyes never leaving the battlefield.

"Sengoku," Gramps suddenly spoke up. "Let's calm down."

Sengoku looked at him strangely.

"The soldiers below are getting antsy."

Sengoku immediately realized what he meant. Their sudden actions had caused those below to become concerned. It became quite apparent that the Demon had only revealed himself to those on the platform. He immediately resumed his original position beside Portgas while pulling a snail phone out of his pocket. "Once in position enact the plan immediately."

Boom! An explosion sounded above while load screams rang from the same direction. Everyone on the battlefield froze as a large marine ship fell from the sky, crashing into the one section that was no longer ice. Everyone stared in shock as men in prison garb climbed out of the ocean, giving thanks for surviving the fall. Ace's eyes widened as Jinbei pulled the familiar kid out of the water.

"Luffy!" He shouted. Even if D had told him he was coming it was still a shock to see him here.

"Ace!" Luffy shouted excitedly. "I finally found you!"

"Another one of your family members, Garp?" Sengoku roared.

"Luffy!" Garp was shocked. While he had known the boy had become a pirate, he never expected to see him here. This was the worst place he could have shown up at right now.

D grinned as he watched those familiar with Luffy take note of his presence. This kid was going to take world by storm whether he helped him or not. He couldn't help but chuckle as he spoke. "The kid has really started to fill that hat."

Sengoku and Garp glanced at him with concern but kept their focus on the new arrivals.

"Is this your answer, Jinbei?" Sengoku shouted.

"Indeed," Jinbei stood proudly. "I resign as a Warlord."

Suddenly Crocodile tried to attack Whitebeard only to be stopped by Luffy. D grinned. The two seemed to have a prior agreement on the matter, but as usual, Luffy was doing things his own way. Luffy then moved to stand beside Whitebeard, ready to fight. The scene reminded him of the one time he had seen Roger and Whitebeard standing side by side in a similar fashion. Ironically it was little Ame they were up against. The scar over Whitebeard's heart had been from that fight.

Ace saw the two standing beside each other ready to come rescue him and tears welled up in his eyes. Oars had already fallen for him. And his other brothers amongst the crew were also becoming bloody from the fighting so far. They pretended like he hadn't earned this fate himself and selflessly rushed headlong into death just to save him. This wasn't fair. Why did they have to be so willing to throw their lives away for him. How had he earned such faithful companions? The world saw him as the son of a monster, so what made him so different in their eyes?

Suddenly another figure stood beside Luffy and Whitebeard.

Tempest stood tall next to Whitebeard on the opposite side from Luffy but still seemed small compared to Pops. Her hair seemed to crackle with lightning as it waved about her head furiously. "Where's the Moss at?"

"Not sure," Luffy replied. "But safe."

Neither of them had taken their eyes off the platform as they spoke. Whitebeard was surprised to see that they were familiar with each other before his eyes caught sight of the Mark on the boys arm. It was pulsing slightly. Things made more sense now.

"Are you going against your agreement as well, Tempest of the Seas?" Sengoku roared furiously.

"I just happened to get caught up in a fun wave and didn't think I'd arrive here where you decided to have your little war," Tempest lied while grinning. "But since I'm here anyways there just happens to be a few people who owe me money. I can't let them die before paying their debts now can eye?"

"Can we talk about debts later," Garp suddenly spoke up while rubbing his head embarrassingly. "I havent gotten my paycheck for this month yet."

Sengoku glanced at him in a moment of surprise before looking back at the powerful girl. If she really got involved their chances of victory here would plummet, even if their plan succeeded.

A cloaked figure suddenly appeared on the platform beside him. The blonde hair peaking throw the cowl shadowing the figures face revealed Current to those who new of her. Sengoku clenched his fist with concern. He hated those Ancestors that had tried to tie such beings to them as if it was simplicity to control them. Things could only get worse if Tranquility decide to go back on her word as well.

"I can't let you get involved anymore sister." Current spoke up surprising both Sengoku and Tempest. "Your presence has already set the clocks askew. Things must play out as Fate has decreed. Please don't make me act."

D sighed on the side. The matter had already been taken out of his hands. Only Ace could change things now.

Ace shook at Current's words while remembering D's and that strange women's. His living or dying had already been set and the price was more than he could bare. He looked down below where everyone he knew stood and his eyes widened in realization. Down below stood two of the people he loved most in this world. Losing one or the other would wreck him. But losing both would destroy him. And here they stood on a battlefield where death came at a moments notice.

Suddenly Luffy began running forward before anyone else could act. Marines quickly tried to obstruct him but somehow he, what seemed slowly, drew closer. He was already covered in wounds but more began to pile on.

"Stay away Luffy!" Ace screamed. It took all his will power to not begin crying. "You should know better! We both have set sail on our own! I have my own adventures! My own friends! You don't belong here! Don't butt in here! Your such a weakling! Do you think I'll forgive you for rescuing me? This is humiliating! Go home Luffy! Why did you come?" More words raged to come out but if they did he would end up crying. Don't die here for me! I don't want you getting dragged down because of me!

Luffy paused his fighting and took a big breathe.

"I'm your little brother!!!"

He continued trying to get closer to the platform. "I don't care about the rules of a pirate!" More marines went down to his fists and he made more progress towards Ace.

Sengoku stepped forward with the loud speaker snail. "What are you all doing letting a single pirate defeat you? That young man is another danger to the future of this world. While he is not the blood brother to Ace he was raised beside him. Not only that but he is the son of the Revolutionary Dragon!"

These words shocked everyone in the crowded. Garp sighed on the side and mumbled to himself, "No point hiding it anyways. He's gained enough power and infamy that such labels don't really make much of a difference now."

A giant marine stepped forward to stop Luffy only for him to get struck down by a Third Gear fist.

Luffy stood tall as he looked fiercely at Ace on the platform. "Ace, I don't care what you say! I'm going to aave you even if it kills me!!"

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Short chapter but long overdue. Hope you guys enjoyed it.