Episode 1

Prologue : Rebirth

On board the submarine of the Heart Pirates, docked on the the gulf of the famous 'Island Of Women', Amazon Lily, we find the captain of one of the most infamous pirate crews in the world, Monkey D. Luffy. After fighting numerous grueling battles from Impel Down to Marineford, his body is in tatters. If that wasn't enough, he also suffered the heartbreaking loss of his beloved older brother Portogas D. Ace who died at the hands of Admiral Akainu and in the process saved Luffy's life. They say a miment is all thats needed to change history. A single moment can upset the balance of the world and give birth to hope. However, hope can only be born in the face of despair. The question remains, can our young hero come back after such a crushing defeat and devastating loss...

"What are his chances of survival?". Jinbei 'The Sea Kinght', former Shichibukai, posed this question to the savior and fellow rookie of Monkey D. Luffy, Trafalgar Law. After a miraculous breakout from Impel Down and fighting side by side in the war at Marineford, Jinbei has come to respect Luffy and now considers him a friend. Therefore the situation is troubling to him and he's getting a little impatient to know of his new friends chances.

"I've donr all that I can under the circumstances. He's somewhat stable foe now, however it all depends on Mugiwara-ya. His will to live will be vital in his survival. All we can do is wait and ho-"

"Captain, his pulse is dropping like a rock!". Law was interruped mid sentence by his frantic crew mate bringing bad news.

Law and Jinbei hurriedly made their way to the medical chambers of the submarine to check the situation. Luffy lay on the operating table, still heavily banaged and in some cases bleeding. He was not resting peacefully though, his body was heavily convulsing and his pulse was erratic. The situation looked dire. A look of dread crossed Jinbei's face at the scene and he was frozen on the spot. Law however sprang into action and started issuing orders to his crew.

"Hurry an hold him down! Damn this Isn't looking good. Inject him with a shot of sedative and prepare for manual resuscitation"

The situation looked grim and the atmosphere was suffocating. The seconds that ticked by felt like hours and everyone held their breath as Law did his best to stabalise Luffy. In the end however he failed as Luffy's heart rate moniter flatlined. Silence descended upon the occupants of the room as the harsh reality they were faced with dawned upon them. Regardless of their best efforts the outcome was still failure.

"Dammit!". Law swore as he punched the wall in front of him. He prided himself on his skills as a doctor and this was a severe blow to that pride. He hadn't know Luffy long or all that well but something seemed to draw him to the carefree captain of the Straw Hat crew. He was an enigma and that interested Law. He hoped that he could be of help to his plans in the future but that didn't matter now.

"Luffy-kun...". Jinbei uttered under his breath as tears streamed down his face. He grew quite fond of Luffy in their time together and considered him a good friend, similar to his brother Ace and Whitebeard. His losses today seem to be piling on and for once Jinbei cursed his bad luck. He had lost 3 friends today and right now he was inconsolable.

It was a sad day indeed. The world has witnssed the death of the son of the 'Pirate King', 'Fire Fist' Portogas D. Ace as well as the legendary pirate hailed as the strongest man in the world 'Whitebeard' Edward Newgate. But in a little gulf on the coast of Amazon Lily, only a select few witnessed the equally tragic death of a young man brimming with potential for greatness. A man who had the potential to change the course of the world. On this day the Heart Pirates witnessed the death of 'Straw Hat' Luffy.

(Scene Change)

Darkness...

That's all that could be seen. From every angle nothing could be seen but darkness in this place that seemed like an endless void.

"Where am I?". A weak voice uttered. The voice belonged to an adolescent boy wearing light blue denim shorts that reached his knees and a sleeveless red vest thats open at the front exposing his lean yet somewhat skinny torso. Needless to say the young man is none other than Monkey D. Luffy. Right now he seems to be floating in this endless void, his eyes are bearly open yet one could clearly see the empty look thst they carried. Different from his usual expression which is filled with so much warmth and so much life. The Luffy right now seems just an empty shell.

"Oh right, Ace is dead...". Was the monotonous reply of the self imposed question.

"I dont remember what happened after. How did I get to this place? Did I die? I probably did. I'm weak and pathetic so its no surprise. I could'nt help my nakama escape Kizaru, Bon-chan sacrificed himself to give me a chance to escape and now I lost Ace too. All that talk about being Pirate King but I failed when it mattered. What good am I?". Was the uncharacteristic monologue from the usually lively and confident Luffy. The events the last few days seem to have taken a toll on his psyce. He seemed to have lost the will to live.

Unbenknownst to Luffy though, he wasn't as alone as he thought he was. A young man with long black hair that curled at the end that reache his neck. He wore black cargo shorts and flat black slippers. He also had what seemed to be a necklace compose entirely of red beads and few freckles on his face. Oddly though, the man was shirtless. He was none other than Portogas D. Ace, Luffy's dead older brother.

"That's not like you at all Luffy. What Happened to being the Pirate King? The little brother I know would never give up so easily."

"ACE!". Luffy exclaimed in schock which slowly transmuted to joy upon seeing his older brother. He couldn't contain the tears that spilled from his eyes as he ran forward to embrace him. "You're alive! You're OK! I'm so happy!". He shouted.

"Whoa whoa whoa! Calm down Luffy". Ace tried to placate his little brother however he just kept the hold while muttering incoherently. Ace decided to let Luffy have this moment and just patted his head. After a few minutes Luffy finally regained his bearings and broke the hold and took a step back, a look of confusion on his face.

"Ace what's going on? I thought you were dead?". Luffy asked tentatively.

"Hahaha did you forget your rambling a few minutes ago? Never mind, its just like you to be forgetful. Anyway, I hate to break it to you little bro but I am dead. And since you're here it seems you are too". Ace told Luffy with a gentle smile on his face.

"Then is this the afterlife?" Luffy asked as he looked around him. A little dissapointed that the afterllife looked so boring.

"Who knows?". Ace shrugged uncaringly.

"Wha- What do you mean by that". Luffy asked, a liite confused at Ace's 'dont care' attitude.

"It could be the afterlife or this could just be a figment of your imagination. Your subconcious way of dealing with the recent events. Whatever it is, it doesn't matter right now. The question is Luffy, what are you going to do now?". Although his reply started out flippantly he grew serious towards the end as his black eyes bore into Luffy's.

"What..do you mean by that? I'm dead arent I? What else is there to do?". Luffy asked with a resigned look in his eyes.

"*sigh* I'm a little dissapointed in you Luffy. I never tought you would be one to give up in the face of hardsip. However the recent events may have taken their toll on you so I'll spare you a boring lecture. Let me put it in perspective for you Luffy. You are dead right now\, only because you chose to be". Said Ace in all seriousness.

"Wha-". Luffy started but was interrupted.

"Be quiet an let me finish. To put it simply Luffy, you gave up. You stopped fighting. You stopped caring. And you forgot all the things that made you the person you are. You lost the will to live". Ace toldhim with a bit of sympathy in his eyes. Luffy looked down at the ground when he heard that and he realised what Ace was saying was true. He did give up. For the first time in his life he felt absolutely helpless. He had nowhere to turn to.

"I..I dont know what to do Ace. I lost my nakama...Bon-chan is dead and now you are too. I feel like a failure. All of my boasting about being 'Pirate King' and I failed the people who really matter to me. How can I ever face them again?! How can I go on knowing I'd never see you again?!". Luffy asked as he failed to hold back his tears. His eyes where shut tight and he still faces the ground as he sobbed in grief. However a gentle hand laid itself atop his head and eased away his grief like a sooting summer rain.

"Its ok to be sad Luffy and its ok to make mistakes too. Nobody can be perfect. However its important to learn from those mistakes. Its important to rise up after we fall to our lowest. Its those moments who define who we truly are. I know it hurts. I know you're in pain but you have to push on. You have friends who care about you dont you? You still have people who wouldbe sad if you're gone. You have nakama who look to you for support. And most importantly, you have a lot of things left to do. Its not your time yet Luffy. You need to stand up tall face this storm head on. Your fearlessness has always been your best trait. So dont worry about me Luffy. I've lived a good life, I've seen the world and I've had the privelage to have family who loved me enough to fight a war for me. My time is over now but your era has just begun. Become the man I know you can be. If you feel week, train hard so you'll never feel that way again. If you feel helpless, then all you have to do is look around you to know that your friends will always have your back. Even in the depths of despair, hope can be found if you look hard enough otouto".

Luffy couldn't help but look at his brother with misty eyes filled with love and admiration. As he listened to the words being spoken to him, he felt his hope renewed. He saw the faces of the many friends he's made from Dadan,Makino, The Mayor, Sabo, his Jii-chan,Coby,the chefs at Baratie, Nojiko and the residents of the Cocoyashi Village, Crocus and Laboon, Vivi and Carue as well as the people of Alabaster, Iceburg and the residents of Water 7, Hacchi, Camie, Pappag, Shakki, Rayleigh, Iva-chan as well as the Kuja Tribe and Boa Hancock, he also saw the face of his friend Bon-chan along with Whitebeard. And most importantly he saw the face of the man he looked up to, Shanks, as well as his beloved nakama,Zoro,Name,Ussop,Sanji,Chopper, Robin, Franky and Brook. He remembered all the adventures they had together and the fun times still to come. They all had their own dreams to be achieved and they promised to achieve it together. He realised how selfish he was to give up on them like he did. His brothers words and the memories of those he holds dear was like a shot of adrem=naline directly into his veins. His hope was reinvigorated and his spirit restored. He finally looked his brother in the eye, his determination burning fiercly. Ace couldn't help but feel proud.

"There's the look I wanted to see. I've always known you'd do great things Luffy, you have that aura about you that draws people in. It happend with Shanks and your crew, it even happened with the prisoners at Impel down and Whitebeard himself. These events that transpired are sad, but dont let it weight you down. Use it as a stepping stone to become the person you were meant to be. I may not be with you physically but I'll always be with you in spirit, watching over you. So go now Luffy, and claim your destiny, if anyone gets in your way then crush them. If you cant take it normally, then steal it. We are pirates after all, the rules dont apply to us". Ace told his brother with a gentle smile on his face. He was happy that Luffy was finally out of his depression and back to normal.

"Shishishi, thanks Ace I really needed that. You're right, I have a lot to do, many promises to keep and dreams to fulfill. I cant stop now. Although I'm sad I promise to keep moving forward and live for those who I've lost. I've been a little reckless in the past and have done some stupid things that could have been avoided. Looking back, my ingorance cost me alot...but no more. Right now I'm making a promise, not just to you but to myself as well, I'll be better. I"ll train harder, I'll try and read more as well, even though I'm geting a headace just from thinking about it. I'll be a better man and a better captain, I'll vow to become stronger and smarter not just for me but for my nakama who depend on me. Just you watch Ace...soon I'm going to be the Pirate King!". Luffy exclaimed with fierce determination and willpower. Ace couldn't keep the proud smirk off his face. Luffy's hope was renewed and his will was restored.

"I'm proud of you Luffy. Always remember that. This is where we say goodbye. It's time to make good on those promises. I'm sure your friends are waiting for you. Fulfill your dreams Luffy and never be ashamed of who you are. I'll be watching over you and rooting for your success. So go out there and kick some ***!". Ace told Luffy with a smirk on his face as he watched Luffy slowly fade away. He said his bit, all that was left was for Luffy to claim his destiny.

"Bye Ace! I promise I'll make you proud!". Were Luffy's last word to his older brother as his vision went black.

(Scene Change)

Meanwhile back in the world of the living its been almost 12 minutes since Luffy's death. The Heart Pirates moved him out of the ship and onto the shore. In that time the 'Dark King' Silvers Rayleigh arrived having swam to Amazon Lily to find Luffy. He arrived at the scene of the lifeless boy being laid on the shore and felt his heart break a little. The young man who reminded him so much of his deceased best friend and captain, former 'Pirate King' Gol D. Roger, had so much potential for greatness. He planned to offer to train the young man to harness his power and reach new heights but that all seemed to be irrelevant now that he is gone. A single tear slid down his face as he remembered the fearless young man.

Around the same time Boa Hancock as well as her sisters, Sonia and Mari arrived with Nyon-baa and a few Kuja warriors who were close to Luffy. They brought an assortment of foods and fruit as they hoped the energetic young man would be awake, however they were not prepared for the heartbreaking news of his death. Hancock was inconsolable as she stared at the lifeless body of the man she loved. She felt as though her heart broke into a million pieces. Just when she found a man she could love and maybe finally attain happiness it was snatched away cruelly. The other Kuja warriors also grieved the loss of the fun and energectic boy that they knew.

Jinbei was much the same as he silently grieved the loss of his friend. While Trafalgar Law stood there awkwardly, not knowing waht to do in this situation. But while the silent, and not so silent, grieving was going on around him, something akin to a miracle was taking place withing Luffy. His mind, his spirit and his will to live that defied common sense was fully reinvigorated.

THUMP...THUMP...THUMP...

His heart pounded againts his chest.

THUMP...THUMP...THUMP...THUMP...

His breath slowly hitched and everyone stopped what they were doing. The silence was deafening so much so that you could hear a pin drop. But there were no pins dropping, all that could be heard now were the loud beats of the supposedly dead Monkey D. Luffy.

Jinbei couldn't believe what he was seeing. The impossible was happening right before his very eyes. This just solidified his belief that Luffy was no ordinary man.

Hancock was overjoyed. Her beloved showed signs of life and there was hope for him again. She couldn't contain the tears of joy that flowed down her face.

Rayleigh on the other hand had a completely different reaction. The quietly chuckled to himself and shook his head, admonishing himself for ever doubting a man he compared to his captain to give in to death so easily. He should have known better. He now knew for a fact that Luffy is the man he believes him to be. He made the right decision in coming here.

Trafalgar Law was flabbergasted. In all his years as a doctor, never has he seen such a miraculous event. This man Monkey D. Luffy, he defied common sense to an extreme degree. He too like Jinbei and Rayleigh confirmed his belief in Luffy to be the kind of person he was looking for. He needs to start setting his plan into motion. But for now he sprung into action and with the aid of his crew worked on treating and stablising Luffy.

After almost 30 minutes of waiting, Jinbei, the Boa sisters, Nyon-baa and Rayleigh recieved confirmation that Luffy is in the clear.

"He'll need a few days of rest and recuperation to mend the damage that was done, but my team and I have fully stablised him and his life is out of danger. He should be awake in a few day. Have some food ready just in case, he's gonna need the energy when he wakes up". Law told the eagerly waiting group. Cheers went up as Luffy was confirmed alive and safe. Hancock cried happily while embracing her sisters, Jinbei too shed a few tears while smiling brightly. Rayleigh too was happy his young charge survived, however he had a look of contemplation on his face as he snuck a look at the pile of fruits brought by the Kuja warriors.

'Hmmm I wonder...' . He thought to himself as he made a prediction in his mind. Then he smiled as he spotted what he was looking for. 'The coming events are sure to be interesting. And I have a feeling Luffy is going to be at the centre of it. The question is, is he prepared? I'll have to wait and see when he wakes'. Were his final thoughts on the matter as he joined the others in celebrating the survival of their friend.

But little did they know the coming events would drastically change the world, be it for better or worse depends on who you'd ask but Rayleigh's hope and faith in Luffy was not going to go unanswered. For this day saw the death of the reckless and ignorant 'Straw Hat' Luffy, and like a phoenix rising from the ashes...Monkey D. Luffy was reborn.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***