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Sacrifices By a Good Friend

Summary:

Set after Episode 451 "Cause the Last Miracle: Breaking Through the Gate of Justice". Monkey D. Luffy reflects on the sacrifices that Bon Clay made for him in order to allow him to escape Impel Down to go to Marineford and save Ace.

Notes:

These characters belong to Eiichiro Oda, and the Funimation English Dub series. Also, I just wanted it to be known that I watch the show in the English dub, so those are the voices I imagine for the characters. No monetary gain is being made from this drabble. Set after Episode 451 “Cause the Last Miracle: Breaking Through the Gate of Justice”.

(See the end of the work for more notes.)

Work Text:

Luffy sits on the cannon of the Marine ship, his thoughts racing wildly and his face devoid of any expression. It just doesn’t make sense for the Captain of the Straw Hat Pirates and it probably never will. Why do the people he considers his friends always have to sacrifice themselves for his dream of being King of the Pirates? First Shanks had rescued young Luffy from drowning and was rewarded by losing his left arm to a Sea King. Then the entire Straw Hat Pirates crew stood between Luffy and Kuma only to be transported to who-knows-where by the warlord. Most recently, Bon Clay had selflessly stayed behind under the guise of Magellan to allow Luffy a chance to escape Impel Down and chase after Ace. Why must such heavy sacrifices always follow in Luffy’s wake?

“Straw Boy! Find Ace! Save him and don’t look back! I know you can do it,” were the last words Bon Clay had shouted over the baby transponder snail.

Those words cut Luffy to his very core.

Those words meant Bon Clay wasn't planning on coming back nor would he ask for Luffy to come to rescue him.

Why must these sacrifices continue to be made in his place?

Once he reunites with Ace and then the Straw Hat crew, Luffy has plans to address this phenomenon with those he holds dearest.


            As Impel Down slips further and further behind their stolen ship, Luffy’s thoughts turn more and more negative. Bon Clay is strong, as proven by the former Baroque Works member’s plans to save Luffy from the Marines and then from Impel Down. No one can deny that fact. However, no matter how strong Bon Clay is, no one could survive the rage and punishment that Magellan would surely dole out. Poison has that effect on people… Yet, there is one phrase uttered by Bon Clay that gives Luffy hope for his unlikely ally and friend.

“Swans never die and never say goodbye.”

As long as that phrase is true, then Luffy has hope he will see Bon Clay again.


 

Notes:

This episode broke me down into a sobbing mess when my husband and I watched it at the end of 2023. I did not expect to become as attached to Bon Clay as I did, but his goodbye speech to Luffy ruined me. I just started watching Wano not too long ago, as I’m only on Episode 20, but I’m loving all the extra interactions with the crew running amok in Wano as they plan their raid against Kaido. I hope you all enjoyed this little one-shot. If you did, please take a look at the rest of my One Piece series where I write the Straw Hat crew as a family as well as several pairings, notably Sanji/Nami, Zoro/Robin, and I’m currently working on a Law/OC storyline to incorporate into this series as well. Although I have a preferred reading order for my stories (which changes constantly when I write new ones), they really can be read in just about any order so long as you read the ones about the couples in the order I specify.
If you enjoyed, I’d love a kudos or a comment to tell me what your favorite part was or what prompts you’d like to give me for more One Piece stories. I will not write explicit material, as I’m more of a “fade to black” type writer by personal preference because it’s harder for me to write it than it is to read it. Until next time, dear readers! Have a wonderful day, afternoon, or night!