Chapter Text
Luffy surveyed the scene before him. He had just defeated Im and he lightly smiled at the victory even as he pressed his right hand into the stump that was now his left arm. He fell to his knees, the wound at his gut contributing to the pool of blood created by his missing arm. He used the last wisps of his strength to use observation haki and check his nakama. They’ll make it. He assessed with relief. His attempts to shield them had paid off. He stretched out his remaining arm and picked up his fallen comrades who were scattered among the battle field and gently placed their unconscious bodies behind him. The bursts of conqueror’s haki pulsing from his previous fight had knocked out all life in the city save for Zoro and two of the Gorosei and all three had been struggling to stay upright as they battled it out during his own fight.
Zoro was being worn down slowly, his strength and skill may have been superior, but not by much, and he was losing out against the multiple opponents, freshly enraged at the death of their leader. Luffy watched as Zoro defended against barrages of attacks from his opponents, but he had no opportunity to retaliate without leaving himself open to the lethal blows he was barely managing to block now that one of his swords was broken.
Luffy stumbled to his feet ignoring the blistering pain and how his vision was going dark at the edges. He glared at the blondie, concentrating the full force of his haki on one target, he wasn't able to hold it for more than a few seconds in his current, withered state but it ought to be enough. Thankfully, the man fell on all fours, struggling to remain conscious and Zoro seized the opportunity to cut him down. Beardy also took advantage of the situation and as Zoro cut down his comrade he vanished and reappeared behind Zoro, his broadsword raised for the finishing blow. Luffy didn’t know how he could still move but somehow he managed to place himself in between the deadly slash and his first mate. The blow slashed his chest, adding another severe injury to his already battered body. He wasn’t going to make it out of this one alive but as he fell to his knees, the Pirate King was smiling. He had succeeded in protecting his nakama and their dreams.
“LUFFY!” He heard Zoro howl out and felt a horrible energy pass through him. Shit. Zoro had opened his eye. The others were far enough away not to get consumed by the initial wave but that wouldn’t be the case for long unless the swordsman got himself under control. Luffy saw Beardy go up in flames and he wouldn’t be surprised if he himself was as well. Luffy was lucky he couldn’t feel a damn thing. He knew these would be his last moments and he had to make them count.
“Zoro, stand down!” He ordered as sharply as he could muster. But the energy was still there and growing. “Captain's orders!” That seemed to get through to him and the energy retreated. A heaving Zoro was suddenly right in front of him and Luffy smiled, wide and satisfied, before allowing himself to fall back as his vision completely blacked out. He could hear Zoro shouting for Chopper and calling his name but the voice was getting further and further away.
And then there was nothing.