Luffy knows pain.
He knows the crushing weakness of being helpless, of people risking their life for you and watching them get hurt beyond repair.
He knows the bitter loneliness of being alone in the world, of having no one to turn to and no one to create memories with.
He knows the throbbing agony of spiked gloves and the increasing reality that no one cares enough to save him.
He knows the sheer terror of being thrown around in a jungle, his rubber body forced into a mould of a marine.
He knows how people can be ripped from your grasp by the world and having to wonder if rescuing them is the best course of action to take.
He knows the overwhelming heat and despair that penetrates his thick skin and turns men insane.
He knows the crushing reality of realising he made the wrong decision, and that people's smiles and happiness can be fake.
He knows the strain in his cheeks, as he curves up his mouth, waving goodbye as his heart breaks within.
He knows the exhilarating burn of conditioning his body to get stronger, of trying to ensure he never loses anyone again.
He knows the overwhelming desire to stop someone's pain, of watching them stab their shoulder and scream to the sky.
He knows the moment that you accept death is imminent, and that nothing but fate will stop the sword from taking his life.
He knows the bone chilling cold, the unrelenting wind and the unforgiving mountain; of hearing his nakama's breaths start to slow.
He knows the way white hot poison laces through his body, as the roof caves in and a woman says she does not want to be saved.
He knows the immediate regret of saying words he can never take back. Of having a friend forced away from him over a dying ship, and the realisation that happy memories can be the most painful things you own.
He knows the feeling of pushing his body far past it's limits, of tearing himself apart even though he can't move a muscle.
He knows the heart stopping feeling of his nakama slipping through his fingers, of them asking for help and him not being able to give it.
He knows how mind shattering emotions can break you apart, as his trembling hands hover over his dead brother's body.
But he also knows the all consuming joy of reuniting with his crew, of establishing old routines and the promise of new adventures.
He understands the fulfilment of knowing that every day on the sea is one step closer to achieving his dream.
He knows the feeling of freedom the sea breeze gives him, of staring at where the ocean and the sky meet and appreciating that it is all for the taking.
He knows the exciting prospect of finding new nakama, of making better, brighter memories and creating unbreakable bonds.
He knows that living in the present is better once you've made peace with your past.
Not sure what I think of this, perhaps it's too repetitive. If you are confused, then ask so I can tell you which parts are which - all are cannon though.
Anyway, thank you for reading and any constructive criticism is extremely valued :)
K. S x