Chapter 49: Shackles Broken
Time passed and the party ended
The 8 crews separated and went different ways.
Zeus and the crew went to Bartolomeo's boat and Zeus chuckled looking at the ship. Bartolomeo was really.. Special.
Zeus sat down and looked at Persephone on his shoulder, he felt she was being strange today. Ever since he stopped dancing with Luffy and Cavendish, she had been acting weird, often in a daze sometimes a panicked and confused look in her eyes.
Other's might not notice it, but how could he not? He knew her the best out of anyone in this world, he decided to ask her later.
Zeus sat at a table with the crew and explained what happened to him over the 2 years and till now. He told them everything.. Well except the sex. That was his own personal thing! The crew displayed various emotions as he talked sometimes laughing, sometimes gasping, sometimes sighing in amazement.
Zeus finished his story and rubbed Persephone's head as he said "You didn't meet Luffy yet." Persephone jumped off and reverted before smiling and saying "Hi, I'm Persephone. Nice to meet you."
Luffy wrapped his arm around her shoulder and laughed "I'm Luffy! Welcome to the family! You already met Sabo?" Persephone nodded and Zeus gave them cups to drink from before looking at the others and saying "I saw the Mosshead had Geppo and Soru, but I didn't see anything else. Did you all learn everything I put in the books?"
Robin smiled and said "What you recommended." Zoro grinned and rubbed the hilt of his katana as he said "Why don't you try it out?" Zeus grinned and said "You want to go toe to toe with me? Are you strong enough?"
Zoro grinned and had a crazy look in his eye as he said "Let's find out." Zeus chuckled and lightning arcs crackled over his fingers as he started to get excited, Bonney elbowed him and said "Not here. There won't be a ship left."
Zeus looked up and said with a sneer "How good is your Geppo?" Zoro immediately disappeared into the air and said from above "Better than you." Zeus had the same look in his eye and he fizzled away before reappearing in front of Zoro.
Zeus cracked his knuckles and said "I'll fight you without powers. How's that for a handicap?" Zoro's grin widened as he said "I'll make you eat those words, mask boy." before his only eye glowed and Zoro slashed out.
Zeus' eyes exploded with red light and he grinned excitedly as he dodged the slash and kicked the air, flashing in front of Zoro with his leg swinging at his head. Zoro ducked and spun, slashing at Zeus' leg.
Zoro's swords were coated in Haki and Zeus' leg was as well. If any of them hit, it was game over. This was a real battle! Zeus bent his knee, dodging the sword before extending it out again even faster this time.
Zoro blocked Zeus' kick with his swords crossed and Zeus grinned before pulling back and shooting forward again, hitting the sword cross and sending Zoro flying backwards. Zeus flashed behind him and said "Tsk, hasn't changed since Sabaody. I heard that the tree is still dented."
The crew flashed angry smiles and joined in on attacking Zeus, while Luffy was still talking with Persephone, interested in learning about his new sister.
Zeus dodged the plant star from Usopp and the laser beam from Franky. Black arms sprouted from Zeus' body and locked him in place as they all shot together. A big cloud of smoke appeared and when it subsided Zeus was standing there in his hybrid form, lightning arc'ing from his horns.
Zeus clicked his tongue and said "If I didn't know better, I'd think you were trying to kill me. Dress Rosa would've gone by a lot faster if you just stormed the palace." the crew chuckled and Law was stunned, where was this before? Any one of these guys were stronger than Pica.
Zeus cracked his neck and said "But.. Maybe a few more years of training, if you want a piece of the champ!" before disappearing, he reappeared in front of Zoro and threw a punch covering in black lightning and coated in Haki.
Zoro didn't even have time to react, before going flying into Bartolomeo's ship. Luffy didn't even look and caught Zoro before putting him down as he spoke with Persephone.
Zeus didn't look either and flashed in front of Usopp. He grabbed Usopp's overalls and kneed him in the stomach before sending him flying with a kick and flashing away.
Luffy caught Usopp as well.
Zeus appeared behind Robin and squeezed her sides while chuckling and disappearing. He reappeared on Franky's shoulder and pointed "Over there!" Franky punched out a black fist and shot an air fist before realizing and looking up but it was too late. Zeus locked his feet under Franky's neck and flipped in the air while spinning before letting go, sending him flying towards Luffy.
Once again, Luffy caught Franky like it was nothing. With one hand even!
Zeus flashed next to Robin and wrapped his tail around her waist as he leaned his elbow on her shoulder and said "Tell me, clone. Where's your real body?" Robin was startled before smiling wryly and turning into petals. Robin walked out from the side of the ship and sighed "I can't fool you."
Zeus flashed back to his seat, already reverted, and snickered softly. Bartolomeo had never seen such excitement before and was currently staring at the crew with shining eyes, he ran up with a paper and said "Zeus-senpai! Can you sign this paper?!"
Zeus chuckled and said "Isn't your mural for Straw Hats?" Bartolomeo was confused and said "Aren't you?" the crew was silent and looked at Zeus, even Luffy stopped talking and looked over at Zeus.
Zeus smiled wryly and rubbed his palms nervously "I don't know. I was never invited, I just kinda hung around..." Bonney and Persephone were startled, was this still Zeus? The extremely confident guy? He looked like a little kid asking to have a candy right now.
Persephone smiled softly and strangely in her mind the little boy and the current Zeus overlapped. She quickly shook her head in confusion, she didn't know what was wrong with her. Zeus would definitely know, but she didn't say anything.
Bonney smiled and rubbed his leg.
Zeus paused and put his hands down saying "Maybe it's not appropriate. I have things to do and I'll leave in a while to go back." he closed his eyes but sadness flashed in his eyes before they fully closed. What was Tartarus made for if not to support the crew? Why did he work so hard for 2 years and a couple months, if not to protect them?
Zeus stood up and snapped his fingers while chuckling "Oh right I forgot to make a call. I'll be right back." before disappearing. The crew was silent and Bartolomeo scratched his head and said "Did I say something wrong?" Robin shook her head and sighed "You're fine. It's him that has the problem."
Luffy was silent and Persephone said "I'll go talk to him." she looked at Luffy and Bonney and said "Maybe you two should come as well?" the duo nodded and followed Persephone.
Bartolomeo was still confused and said "Zeus-Senpai has the problem?" Robin sat down and said "Today was the first time we've seen him without a mask on. He's been behind a mask for so long, how can I be easy to come out of it?" Bartolomeo was enlightened and left the paper on the table next to Zeus' Bounty poster.
Robin was exactly right, Zeus was currently sitting on the railing at the back of Bartolomeo's ship, staring into his reflection in the water. The three looked at his back and had never seen him so vulnerable. Persephone felt her heart hurt as she looked at him, Bonney was the same, Luffy was staring at Zeus quietly.
He had never seen Zeus like this, except for the one time when he got bitten by a snake and Zeus cried on his bed at Dadan's. All of his other memories, Zeus had supreme confidence and was a happy and playful person, seeing him like this made him feel sad.
Zeus was starting to regret coming. Maybe he should've just stayed in the shadows as he always was, maybe he was better off behind a mask. Arms appeared around his neck in the reflection and Bonney, Persephone, Luffy's faces appeared behind him.
Zeus was startled and Bonney said "It's okay honey. We're here." Luffy and Persephone nodded, Zeus chuckled and said "I really do need to make a call... but thank you." Bonney sighed and decided to ask later, Luffy frowned and Persephone clamped his lips shut whispering "I'll talk to him."
Luffy nodded and whispered "Please bring back the old Zeus sis." before leaving. Zeus really did take out a snail and just held it, Bonney kissed his cheek and said softly "Coming out of the shadows was always the plan, Honey. I'll support you no matter what."
She paused and kissed him again saying "I love you, what ever you want to do I will be with you." Zeus smiled slightly and turned to kiss Bonney's lips softly, he looked into her eyes that were full of concern and love before saying "I love you." Bonney kissed and kissed him one last time before walking away saying "Don't make me wait too long~"
Zeus smiled and and chuckled as he said "I won't." before turning back to the sea, his smile smoothing out into a line. Persephone sat next to him and said "Does it feel good to lie?" Zeus said "I feel terrible. I just don't want her to be worried. I love her to death."
Persephone sighed softly and leaned her head on his shoulders as she said "What do you see?" Zeus said "A scared little boy." Persephone flipped a coin and it fell in the middle of the reflection scattering it and causing ripples "And now?"
Zeus smiled and said "A beautiful girl and a handsome guy." Persephone giggled and sighed "You came all this way. Did all these things, for what? To hide in the darkness all your life? Why did you fight the government? Why did you create an entire Island? Why did you build the world's biggest and strongest underworld organization?"
Zeus sighed and said quietly "For them. It was always for them." Persephone shook her head and said "Then why are you hesitating now? Everything is waiting for you, all you need to do is ask. Why are yo-"
Zeus cut her off with a shout "Because I'm scared! I always have been! Everyday, I passed by them, I knew where they all were! If I wasn't scared then why would I hide for two years?! I went to see him of Rusukaina with the intention of telling him I was alive but I was scared, I would hurt him instead! I... I was scared they wouldn't want me.."
Persephone was startled, he was finally unloading everything he's been holding in. She smiled and kept silent, closing her eyes and listening attentively as she leaned on his shoulder. Bonney as his wife, but he didn't want to worry her. Luffy was his brother but he didn't want to make him upset. She was the only person in the world Zeus could probably vent to and it made her feel warm, even if Zeus wasn't doing it intentionally.
Zeus paused and clenched his fists, lightning crackling around them sadly as he continued "I've always been in the shadows.. For 12 years, I've been behind a mask. It's where I belong! In the shadows no one can see my face, there's no emotion! There's nothing to think about, I don't need anyone to consider my feelings, it's all cold and dark."
Zeus let go of his hands and said "Without a mask, I'm nothing." 'PAH' Zeus caught his hat that flew off his head and his hair spilled out onto his face and back, covering his eyes. His cheek was red and his face was turned to the side.
Zeus was silent and Persephone still had her hand up, she was breathing heavy and her expression was fierce and enraged. She growled angrily "Don't you EVER say that about yourself. You are not your father!"
Zeus froze and looked at Persephone in shock, Persephone was confused at her own words before shaking her head and continuing "You're not nothing. You're a strong, handsome man that built everything from the ground up. Who cares if you're in the dark or the light? Do what YOU want to do!"
Her expression went back to fierce and she said "You have been planning and doing everything for other people! Why don't you do something for yourself for once! Where did the confident, flirty, perverted, bastard that I fell in love with go?" She stood up and turned around saying "This has always been your dream, go and grab it." before disappearing completely.
Zeus looked at where she disappeared and his eyes fluctuated between fear and shock. He looked down at the sea and saw a face that he hadn't see for a long time. He grit his teeth and threw a thunder spear at the face, blowing a huge hole in the sea and abruptly pushing the boat forward as an explosion of water occurred behind the ship.
Persephone reappeared next to Bonney and transformed into a cat before sitting on her head silently. Bonney looked over at the back anxiously and Persephone said "He's fine." Bonney nodded and rubbed her hands silently, still quite nervous.
Luffy looked to the back and left by himself, Persephone closed her eyes and said nothing about it. She had her own issues, like what she said when she slapped Zeus. It came from deep inside and she was scared what would happen if she continued digging deeper.
Zeus was breathing heavy, he thought he would never see that man's face again. He was already so far away from him, why did he follow him everywhere he went?! Zeus was having a hard time when Luffy said "Yo." from behind him.
Zeus turned around, his hair covering his face almost completely as he said "Hey Lu." Luffy nodded and said "You okay?" Zeus was silent and Luffy walked up to Zeus.
Luffy patted his shoulder and said with a smile "Others might not know what you're feeling but I do. We grew up together and we look the same! The last time you were like this was when we were still at Dadan's house a long time ago. When I got bit by the snake, remember?"
Zeus nodded and said "That was all my faul-" Luffy cut him off and said "I don't care. I only care about you, do you remember what you told me after I woke up?" Zeus nodded and said "I said I would protect you for the rest of my life."
Luffy smiled and said "I don't need it anymore. You protected me before, from the marines, from Aokiji, from everything." Luffy got uncharacteristically serious and said "Let me protect you now. Even if you don't need it. Even if you're stronger than me. Even if you don't have anything to be scared of!"
Luffy lifted Zeus hair off his face and looked in his eyes as he said "Even if I have to protect you against yourself." Zeus trembled and clenched his fists, Luffy added with a smile "Plus you've been gone so long and you haven't seen the others yet!"
Zeus looked at Luffy in the eyes and Luffy said seriously "Join my crew." Zeus trembled, if he had to be honest with himself, this was the only thing he ever wanted, but he was blocked at every turn. Every decision and action was only for the crew and even when he was following all he ever wanted to was to be a normal part of the crew.
He gained one of the invincible devil fruit and became a monster, too strong for them, due to his own over confidence and naiveite he lost one of the people close to him, believing himself to be invincible and unrivalled in the world.
The price for learning that he wasn't almost crushed him and he realized he was just an ant who thought himself to be god. He wasn't special because he got reincarnated, he was just like everyone else.
Now that he was finally prepared to join them in the light again he was scared, scared they wouldn't accept him. He felt like he was back to his previous life as a child. It was a place he never wanted to go to again.
Now as he looks at Luffy, he realized that his friends and family were always waiting for him to come back. He was a part of them before even if nobody said anything about it. All that he needed to do was walk out of that man's shadow, out of HIS OWN shadow, and finally do what he wanted to do. All he needed to do was take the first step and break the shackles.
Zeus looked at Luffy silently for a moment before finally smiling happily and saying "Okay." Luffy brightened up and laughed happily before hugging Zeus tightly and screaming "LET'S PARTY AGAIN!"
(Author's Note)
Here ya go! I realized that the story was developing into something more and made the executive decision to slow things down. I estimate with my plans that the story so far is only 60% finished. If you care about what's for the future, I can only say that there will be more memories, character development, and interactions between people. Of course, your fluffy, confident, and flirtateous Zeus will be back in action!
You can check out my OTHER books while you wait:
One Piece: Another Chance (Completed)
Saiyan in Marvel (Completed)
My Hero Academia: Quirkless
One Piece: Price of Freedom
One Piece: Shadow King
Another Dragonball Adventure
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https://www.pat.reon.com/MonkeyGodking (Remove the . between Pat and reon)
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