Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Garp could only blink at his only blond grandson. Ever since Ace and Luffy had brought the blond along, he took the child in as one of his own (he had done the same with Ace after all. And knowing that he had three grandsons who would be marines was a very comforting thought).

Only, none of them wanted to become marines, and for the longest time he was sure that they would start to turn around. After he trained them up a bit, and told them all these amazing stories about his own glory days.

Yet, here his blond grandson was, glaring at him.

“What did you say?”

Sabo bit his lip, but the glare didn’t leave his face. He was looking Garp right in the eyes, when he repeated.

“You don’t know that they will just let us be marines! You keep pushing us to be marines, and I get it, you think you can protect us better when we’re in the same organisation as you are.

But Jiji, you don’t know we’ll end up under you, or even on the same ship as you’re on. What if we end up with someone who hates pirates, or revolutionaries, or just the Pirate King himself. How do you think people like that will act once Ace and Luffy’s parentage is revealed?

Not to forget between the three of us, we look alike enough that people will assume I’m related to them. I’d get killed just the same, we’d all get killed just the same. For something none of us even has in hand.”

Sabo took a few deep breaths, “If we were to join the marines, it would be signing our own dead warrants. Because even if our superior wouldn’t kill us that same moment, you can bet that the moment the Elder Stars find out about Ace and Luffy’s dad, and my connection to both of them, we’re screwed either way.

We want to be free, and have adventures on the seas. Not be restricted by the rules the marines have to follow. Especially not when as pirates we’d at least have our freedom, we’d get to choose how we live and hopefully how we die.”

Garp gaped at the blond, his brothers nodding along with what the blond was saying, but he knew his dark haired grandsons weren't following the conversation. Not the way Sabo had prepared his arguments.

He looked the blond in the eyes, “How can you be so sure?”

Sabo rolled his eyes, “I read, probably books I shouldn’t, but I read anyway. Just as much as I heard the nobles talk among themselves in High Town.”

He took a deep breath, before he whispered, “I know what the marines did in the search for Gol D. Roger’s son, the people they killed. The children that were killed or taken away from their mothers for no other reason than they were seen close to the pirate king and had a child not too long after.”

He looked at his brother, at Ace, before he added; “What do you think they’ll do once they find out that he lived. That the child they were looking for is still alive. Not only that, but that he lives in the company of the son of Dragon the Revolutionary?”

Sabo shook his head, “I know Ace and I aren’t blood related to you, but Luffy is. Would you let us be killed like that? Would you just stand there and watch?”

The fact that Garp couldn’t just answer that was enough for the boys as they looked at him with wide eyes. The knowledge that he would put duty before family something that they didn’t understand. They shouldn’t have to understand, yet Garp knew he needed to explain to them just why he wanted them to join the marines.

Now however, he wasn’t so sure. Sabo brought on some very convincing arguments. He was indeed not sure who they ended up with, if it was someone like Akainu, they’d be killed the moment the secret came out (and with Luffy’s name that revelation wasn’t that far off). But could he really just stand aside as they killed his grandsons.

Would he be able to not retaliate the moment he heard that one of his grandsons was hurt, or worse killed. The answer to that question was ‘no’, he wouldn’t be able to just leave it at that. If he had to be honest to himself, he wouldn’t even be able to do so when it was his son, for all that he and Dragon were estranged, he wouldn’t be able to just stand there in the event that Dragon would be arrested.

He sighed and stood, his heart hurting at the fact that the three boys in front of him took a step back, Sabo and Ace both pushing Luffy behind them as they got ready to defend their youngest brother.

“No training today, boys, I need to think. I’ll be seeing you in the morning.”

With that, he turned and made his way back to the ship he had used to get to Dawn Island. His haki extended, he could feel all three of them going to their treehouse. He might know where it was located, but would never just go there - it was their sanctuary, in a way that Dadan’s hut wasn’t.

He sighed again, what was he going to do. He had assumed that them becoming marines would be enough to protect them from whatever wrath the Elder Stars wanted to rain down on them for who their parents were. Even if he knew that nothing he did or said would stop those old men from ending Roger’s bloodline, just as much as they would stop Dragon’s (and in turn his own - in fact, had he not been so high ranked, chances were that he would be killed for his own connection to his son).

Not even his grandsons becoming vice-admirals would be enough to keep them safe. His own title would be stripped away if he tried to interfere. And while Senny would be willing to turn the other way, the moment there was another fleet admiral he’d have to watch his grandsons be killed either way.

---

In their treehouse Ace and Luffy turned to Sabo, with the oldest asking their blond brother what that all had been. Why he had gone against Jiji, and apparently had made the old man stop and think about everything.

“I’ve never seen Jiji like that. It was like you destroyed his whole worldview.”

Sabo looked at Ace, kind of impressed with the way the oldest was talking. When he voiced that opinion, the oldest of them blushed, “I know that I need to  know a lot more than I know now. So, I’ve been asking Makino for help; she’s been giving me lessons, or making me read books.

I know I’ll never be as smart as Sabo, but I can try to make up for what I lack with doing as I have been doing recently.”

Luffy, because of course Luffy would go with the change of subject so easily, “Ooh, that’s where Ace kept disappearing to! I thought you went and ate without us, meany.”

Rolling their eyes at the way their youngest brother seemed to think everything had to do with food, Ace looked at Sabo again, “Spill, because I know I only understood about half what you were talking about, while Luffy understood even less.”

Sabo sighed, even when Luffy pouted and tried to tell them he totally understood anything that had been said between Sabo and Jiji. Both Ace and Sabo knew that this wasn't true, but didn’t point it out.

Looking at the grey eyes of his older brother, Sabo took a deep breath, before telling his brothers about the books he had read about the execution of Gol D. Roger and the infanticide it brought along.

Someone had tipped off the marines that Gol D. Roger had a child, or was expecting one at the time of his death. There had been a woman out there who was either pregnant, or had a baby that was his descendent.

He took a deep breath again when he told him rapidly paling older brother what had happened to those children, those newborns and those pregnant women, who were unlucky enough to have been seen in the presence of the Pirate King. The only women who were spared were those that were married and had their husbands with them (but in a world where there were a lot of fishermen, marines and pirates, not a lot of women were that lucky).

“I told Jiji, that even if we joined the marines, the moment someone found out about who your dad is, or who Lu’s dad is, and how much I look like the both of you, they’d kill all three of us. Regardless, of our rank, or the fact that we’re marines. They’d want to please the civilians, and the Celestial Dragons with the fact that both Dragon and Roger’s bloodline was eradicated.”

Luffy blinked up at them, “I have a dad?”

Ace facepalmed at that, the paleness of his cheeks still there when he turned to their youngest brother.

“Everyone has a dad, Lu, some of them just aren’t there for their children. Mine died, and yours is too busy leading a revolution of some kind.”

Sabo nodded along, before filling Luffy in on what his dad did on a daily basis, and why he was being raised (even if raised was quite a big word) by Garp, and before that Makino.

Luffy pouted, “I don’t want to be a marine anyway, at least my dad is cool. Not as cool as Shanks, or any pirate really, but he’s not a marine.”

Ace and Sabo sighed, trust Luffy to take something like that away from all this.

“We know that you don’t want to become a marine, Luffy, we don’t want to become one either. But the problem with that is convincing Jiji that he stops pushing us to become one. With the arguments I brought up I hope that at least he considers all of this.”

Talking to Ace more than he did to Luffy, as the younger had gotten distracted by the large caterpillars crawling over the floor of their treehouse; “I mean Jiji is a great marine, and a marine hero at that. But I don’t know that’ll be enough to protect us, and I don’t want to find out, not when the odds of us being killed are so much higher when we join the marines then when we become pirates.”

Ace nodded as well, “Not only that, but I kind of don’t want to push Jiji to have to choose between us, between family, and between his duty. Plus, if Dragon ever succeeds in his revolution, we might just need the old man in the event that the world still needs marines after all that.

I’d rather they imitate Jiji, instead of some of the monsters I heard about in the higher ups in the marines.”

Sabo nodded too, “For all that they keep preaching justice and the positive influence Marines have on the world, there are some rotten people in the top too. But then again I guess you’ll have good marines, and good pirates. Just as much as you’ll have bad marines and bad pirates.”

Ace hummed at that, his eyes trailing Luffy where the youngest was crawling after the caterpillars, “So you think he’ll change his mind, about us becoming marines?”

Sabo shrugged, “I really don’t know, Ace, but this is the best I could do. None of us want to become marines, maybe added to this, he’ll see that us becoming marines will become our deaths instead of the glory fueled days that he keeps talking about. There is no future there for us, none whatsoever, and I know that none of us will be happy there either.”

Ace hummed again, nodding, “Do you think he’ll come and look for us once he makes his decision.”

Sabo nodded, “I think so, worst case scenario there’s the training again. We only need to keep doing that until we’re 17 and able to set sail. Just 7 more years for us, 10 more for Luffy - we’ll make it, and we’ll become pirates.”

Chapter Text

When Garp returned to them the next morning, his face alone was enough to let the boys know that something was very different from the man they had gotten to know these past few years.

For once, the old marine just sat down close to them, without saying anything, or even looking at any one of them.

It put them on edge, especially Ace and Sabo, who both had the idea that this was Garp’s way of surprising them with extra training. Make them let down their guard until such a time he leaps at them. After yesterday, they weren’t all that keen on getting a few more ‘Fists of Love’ on their heads.

Plus, after Luffy fell asleep yesterday evening, Ace and Sabo talked a bit more about everything that happened. And everything that Sabo said to keep Garp off of their backs. They just had to wait until they were 17, but Garp couldn’t see that. Didn’t realise that his plans for them would end in their deaths just the same, they might just needed to set out sooner than planned.

Luffy but his lip, “Jiji?”

The man looked at his youngest grandson, before turning to the older ones, all three of them looking very on edge. Not that he could blame them.

“Yes Luffy?”

“Are you alright, jiji? You don’t look so good.”

Garp sighed, shaking his head, “I needed to think about the things that Sabo told me yesterday, and the truth in his words. If, and this would be a big if, you became marines - all three of you - chances are I would lose you as soon as someone higher in rank discovered your parentage.”

Sighing once more, he started speaking again, “The marine system is corrupt, this is something I knew longer than today. I should have known it was like that the moment they started hunting every pregnant woman, or recent mother, who had, could have or was assumed to have contact with Roger.

As Sabo said yesterday, they were all killed, or had their child taken from them. All to make sure that the Pirate King’s legacy didn’t live on. So many women had to go through something that was traumatic at the hands of the marines, and for what.

Because the Celestial Dragons, and the Elder Stars, are afraid of what he found at the end of the Grand Line, what it was that is called the One Piece.”

A pained look appeared on Garp’s face, “I became a marine to fight corruption, and to become strong. And for a long while it was like that too, I was able to fight for what I perceived as Justice. But as soon as I reached the rank of rear admiral and was posted in the Grand Line, it faded slowly.”

He looked at his grandsons, seeing all three of them looking at him as if this was the first time they ever saw him. And he guessed in some way, it was. He’d always been this tough, harsh, strict Marine grandfather, who wanted the three of them to become Marines as well. But now, he was well aware that signing them up to be marines would be the same as signing their dead warrant.

“I should have realised something was wrong when Dragon deserted.”

Sabo blinked at that, “Your son, Dragon, the revolutionary?”

Garp nodded, “My daughter-in-law was pregnant at the same time as my niece, only Rosa couldn’t hide it as well as Rouge could.”

Sabo gasped at that, followed not too long after by Ace, both older boys realising what he was trying to say. And how Ace and Luffy were still blood related, even if they weren’t actual brothers, but cousins.

Garp took a deep breath, “Luffy should have had an older sibling, but they were killed in the womb by a marine that hit her in the stomach. She gave birth to a dead baby not long after. 

Dragon was furious, and had taken this up to his superiors, especially since Rosa was on file to be his wife. They had killed his unborn child for no reason, except their love for violence.

No one acted on it, if anything, he was told that they had heard rumours of his wife lying with pirates, so they couldn’t take any chances with that. 

He lost it, and killed his superior officer for calling his lovable wife a whore and a traitor. That she deserved what she got, and he just had to look down and nod at what was happening.”

Looking at his youngest grandson, who true to character was distracted by a butterfly flying around, Garp gave a wry smile, “Luffy was an accident, and one they didn’t believe to be possible. However, with the complications after a stillbirth, it became obvious that this viable pregnancy was taking its toll on Rosa.

But like my niece, she’d rather give up her life to make sure her child lives, then to choose her own life and miss out on the wonder that is giving birth.”

He grimaced, “She died, not too long after Luffy was born. Same as with Rouge, with complications related to the pregnancy. Dragon contacted me not too long after that, telling me what had happened, and how he didn’t know if he could actually change the world if he had to look after a newborn.

I went and took Luffy with me, to give him a chance at a normal life on the same island I grew up on. Hoping to at least make sure that Rosa and Rouge’s children could grow up together, as they had dreamed would happen.”

Garp shook his head, “I have been willing to look past the shortcomings of the Marines, even if it already cost me a best friend, a daughter-in-law, a niece and a grandchild. But I’m not willing to do that anymore.

The three of you deserve a chance to live, and I know now that it won’t be living you’ll be doing if you join the marines. So that is off the table, I want all three of you to be able to have your freedom, and to explore.”

---

The silence that ran through the clearing at their grandfather’s confession had all three boys staring at the older man in front of them.

Even Luffy, who hadn’t been following the whole of the conversation, was looking at his grandfather as if not believing that this was really happening. That they wouldn’t need to hide their dream of becoming pirates from their grandfather any longer. That the man was even supporting them in these dreams.

“Why suddenly change your mind, jiji?”

Garp looked at the youngest, before softly admitting, “Because the Marines have cost me enough already. I’m not going to let them take you boys away from me too.”

Luffy beamed at that, hugging Garp close to him as the older man opened his arms when he approached. Before he didn’t like hugging Garp, even when he asked about it, for the sole reason that it never felt like the man liked hugs all that much. It felt like something that needed to be done, and not something that was enjoyed.

Sabo and Ace, never the hugging types, did come close to their grandfather, leaning against his sides as he hugged their younger brother. Garp was well aware that the two of them needed time to be affectionate, usually only showing off that side with Luffy - but never with him. Which he could understand, maybe with time, that would be a possibility.

Sabo frowned, “What happens now?”

Garp hummed, “Now I try to give you all a headstart in Haki - which is something used in the Grand Line a lot, both by marines, and by pirates. If you all end up there - which I am assuming you will - you’ll need that to defend yourself.

I might give you a crash course in marine techniques, but am not quite sure if you’ll be able to learn that fast. I’m not that great at it myself, and between haki and maybe a devil fruit along the way, you three will be fine without it.”

Reaching into his pocket, Garp took out what looked to be snail shells.

“These are baby den den mushi, it’ll take a little while longer before they wake up. But they’re the offspring of my own snail, and a while one we have on board. For the longest time, I wanted to give them to Marine HQ, as they look like normal den-dens, but have attributes of the white one as well.

Meaning that they can’t be listened into, or tapped into with a black one. For all intents and purposes these will make it possible to contact each other, and me, no matter where you are on the ocean.”

Taking out two more, he added, “I plan on getting these to Dragon, and Shanks, as your father/uncle and in Shanks’ case, your cousin-something, I think it might be a good idea to have people out there who’ll watch out for you. 

These seas aren’t mild for rookies, especially pirate ones. Even less so once it gets revealed just who you really are. It would make me feel better if this is how we deal with that.”

As expected, Luffy’s eyes started to shine at the prospect of keeping in contact with Shanks. The fact that it was Garp who suggested this, revealed that the old man was totally serious in his claim to let them become pirates. 

The direct line to his father was a little different, as he had never met the man, and didn’t know what to think about that. He was happy to have grown up here in Dawn, as without it he would have never met Ace and Sabo. But in a way it made sure that he never met his father.

Being able to call Jiji was something odd too, as they didn’t know what to do with that. For years, Garp would show up once or twice a year, train them in his own way, and leave again. Making them all wonder when he’d come back again.

“Jiji, if they find out what you did…”

Looking at Ace, Garp smiled, “If they ever find out anything of this, I know where it’ll end up for me. And I don’t care, I gave them so much of my life, and they just keep on taking. I mean what I said, I want you boys to be prepared and to be able to take on whatever it is that you will face.”

All three of the boys smiled at that, knowing that this would really be a turn of the tide. And while they didn’t know it yet, it would also change a whole lot in their future. With three notorious men just a phone call away, it would give them an edge that no one would expect from a rookie pirate.

“Alright, training time, I only have a week of vacation time left, and I need to make it into the New World to look for my troublesome son and that red haired brat. I’ll be leaving again tomorrow, so show me what you got!”

The three boys jumped up, yelled out an attack cry and dove straight at him. Attacking with a feriousity that made Garp glad he came to this decision, his grandsons would have a long life ahead of them if they kept on growing like they did, or like they do, these past few days.

Part of him was looking forward to Dragon and Shanks’ reactions to all of this. Especially once he could tell the red haired brat what really happened to his captain’s child.

Chapter Text

Their goodbye for once was filled with all of them agreeing that they were going to miss their grandfather, before all three of the kids were glad to see the old man go. But now, thanks to Sabo, he knew what it was that they wanted to achieve, and how if they did follow his directions of becoming Marines, their lives would be cut short before they even began - all because of who their parents were, or presumed to be (in Sabo’s case) and the way the World Government dealt with that.

Garp on the other hand, didn’t know how to deal with this. The way he had been able to bond with his grandchildren - be they by blood or not - was something he had wished for so long, but had never accomplished. To know that they had been all that he needed to do, made him think that had he done things differently, he and Dragon would have a very different relationship too.

In fact, Dragon had been a marine once upon a time, until such a time when he realised just what it was that Marines did - and had nothing to do with justice or protecting the innocent. In fact, the corruption inside of it all had been why Dragon had deserted and had become the criminal - in the eyes of the government - that he was today.

Waving at the three specs on the docs that were his grandchildren, Garp looked at the last of the baby snails he had. Two more - one for Shanks (the little brat that he was) and one for Dragon, who he hoped would be open to communication, even after everything that happened.

Nodding to himself, Garp made the promise to himself that he would put family first now, after all; they were the most important thing in life. Not even his career in the marines was this important, not when too many family members had been killed, or died, at the hands of marine officers. He wouldn’t add his grandsons to that number.

---

Back on Dawn Island, Garp had made sure to tell his grandsons to keep their snail on them at all times. To make sure that they had them with them in the event that something happened where they needed help sooner rather than later.

Even more so as he knew that there would be a Celestial Dragon coming to Goa Kingdom sometime in the next 6 months.

He had taken all his grandsons by the shoulders, one after the other, and told them they needed to keep hidden when this happened, as well as the period just before - as no one had any idea just what the nobles would do to prepare for such a visit.

Glancing at Sabo, he added, “It wouldn’t surprise me if they started looking for you, in the off chance of getting to talk to the Celestial Dragon and wanting to present the idea of a perfect family. So promise me, all three of you, that you won’t be going to the Terminal the month before, and not to High Town.

If you do need something, go to Makino and ask her for help. Promise me!?”

All three of them had nodded, their eyes for once serious as they took in what their grandfather was telling them. Sabo in particular had twisted and turned that piece of information in his head, before telling his brothers that his parents were indeed still alive, if nobles.

He didn’t want to have anything to do with them, not when his life - in their eyes - was so they could get higher in society and make sure that they became wealthier, marrying the princess of Goa so they could brag about that. Which wasn’t something that he wanted, not in the slightest. He felt like that life was a cage - a gilded one - but still a cage.

Ace and Luffy had stared at their brother at that, the blond looking down as if he expected to say he needed to go back.

Ace, as the oldest, had been mad that Sabo had lied to him, telling him for the longest time that he was an orphan. However, he also told the blond that he understood his reasoning and couldn’t stay mad about that.

“But Jiji knows, right?”

Looking at Luffy, who asked the question, Sabo nodded, “He figured it out the first time he saw me, as the clothes I wore were something he recognized. He never asked, but I know he did his own research about me and the Outlook family.”

Ace tilted his head, “Which wasn’t the best thing to find out, I take it?”

Sabo shook his head, “No, they’re guilty of quite a lot of blackmail, whitewashing and embezzlement, but as they know the right people Jiji knows there is little he can do about that. As it is with a lot of marines, even if they wanted to do something, nobles - in any sort or size - are regarded as better people then pirates or revolutionaries - even if the crimes they have are worse than a lot of pirate crews.

But so corrupt is the system, that the higher ups are willing to look the other way of it means that nobles and regular people are seen as ‘good’ and ‘kind’, while pirates and revolutionaries are seen as something ‘bad’ and ‘evil’, even if some people know the reverse is true.”

Sabo sighed, “Jiji told me about Dragon, and I think… that when I set out, I want to see if I can find him, become a revolutionary and try to change the system that way. I can still write my book full of adventures like that.

I don’t think I’d be able to do that as a pirate, and with the both of you becoming pirates, I wouldn’t need to be one as well, to make sure that change is coming after all.”

The two oldest looked at Luffy with a smile on their faces, they were quite sure that once Luffy set sail it would bring with it a wave of changes no matter where he went. After all, look at the changes he brought to their lives, and even indirectly to Jiji. 

If there was one person who would start a revolution without leading one, Luffy would be the one to do it. If both of them had a high position either with another organisation - like the revolutionaries - and with either their own pirate crew, or in alliance with a yonko or something, who knows what would be possible.

Luffy looked at them, tilting his head, making them both grin. Right now however, the three of them could enjoy being children for a little bit longer. Times would be changing soon enough.

---

Tracing Shanks had been the easiest, not that it was that hard. He knew well enough what was dubbed as the redhead’s territory and where he would be most likely after coming back to the New World.

To see the brat that had been Roger’s cabin boy make it to the same rank as Newgate, Linlin and Kaido was impressive all on its own. The fact that the same man sacrificed his own arm to save his youngest grandson was reason enough to look for him.

Adding to that, that he felt he owed it to the man to at least tell him that Roger’s child had survived it past birth, and was well on his way to become a terror on the seas just as his father had been, was a minor thing.

What he however wanted to give Ace, and Luffy in a way too, was a way to connect to the red haired man. He was after all the best person to tell Ace about Roger and Rouge, in a way that paid tribute to the both of them. Garp, for all that he tried, had been influenced by the marines when thinking and talking about Roger - even if he and the former Pirate King had been some kind of friends, it wasn’t the same as the person who had seen Roger as a father before Ace had even been in the picture.

Finding the Red Force wasn’t a problem, especially not for a seasoned marine such as himself.

No, the problem lay in making sure that none of the people on board of his own vessel were around when he told Shanks about Ace. Because he wasn’t sure if these people were loyal to him - Garp the Fist - or to the Marines as a whole, and if they fell into that last category, Ace’s life could be in danger before anything could be done.

Which was why he dropped down onto the Red Force without announcing himself, much to the shock of the pirates on board, and the disbelief of his crew members.

But seeing their superior held at knife and gunpoint had them backing off, all the while Garp kept his eyes on Shanks. The youngest Yonko was in no way threatened by the Vice-Admiral dropping out of the sky in his ship. But then again, he had been there with the whole situation with Rocks and after, he knew that Garp was one of the few marine officers who wanted justice in the true meaning of the world.

“Garp the First, to what do I owe this pleasure.”

Garp grinned, “I heard I ought to thank you for saving my grandson.

This seemed to shock the man, so he hadn’t known Luffy’s last name, or hadn’t made the connection, “Luffy’s your grandson? No wonder he’s so reckless then, if he takes after you and his father. I was already looking forward to when he sets out, but this makes it more interesting.”

Garp nodded, “All three of them refuse to become marines, and maybe in the end that would be for the best.”

Shanks tilted his head, “Three, you have three grandchildren?”

Garp nodded, making Shanks frown, “Why are you telling me this?”

Garp grinned, “Because the oldest is the child of my niece, Portgas D. Rouge, and I do believe you would want to know that he lives even after all the efforts of the marines to make sure that he didn’t.”

This had the man getting up from where he was sitting, approaching Garp with something unreadable in his eyes. A look that where this any other subject, Garp might just be on guard for the youngest Yonko - as in this moment he looked too much like Roger when the man was getting serious, everything playful making room for the bearings of a conqueror, and someone who would do just about everything to protect that which was precious to him.

“The child survived.”

Garp nodded, before handing Shanks a snail phone, the thing starting to ring before Shanks could do anything, the ‘ka-cha’ sounding as the person it was calling to picked up, before a young voice sounded.

“Jiji? Is everything alright?”

Two more voices sounded in the background, one of those being recognized as Luffy, making Shanks smile, before Garp spoke again, “Ace, meet Red-Haired Shanks, and tell your brothers I’m giving him a snail, just to be sure. He knew your parents way better than I ever did, and would love to tell you about them.”

Silence came from the other end, until Luffy’s voice crowned through the snail talking a mile a minute about his brothers, and how he missed Shanks, but would keep his promise of giving the hat back when he became a great pirate.

That alone was enough for Garp, especially as the guns and knives pointed at him were lowered, only the first mate - Benn Beckman - kept his directed at him, not that he minded, the man was fiercely loyal to his captain and wanted to protect the man. He knew he did the right thing in making sure that Shanks also had a snail - he was the kind of pirate he hoped Ace and Luffy would emulate. Him or old Newgate, the last he was sure would try to win both his grandsons for himself - and if he was honest, Ace could use that, when he was older.

Chapter Text

Shanks couldn’t do anything but stare at the den-den mushi in his hand ,the fact that the child of his own captain had survived despite the marines doing their utmost best in making sure he didn’t, was a miracle enough.

He and Buggy had known Ms. Rouge was pregnant, but with everything happening so soon after Roger’s execution they were also quite certain that the babe, and Ms. Rouge didn’t survive. There was no way they could have survived with the way the Marines were going after each and every pregnant woman, or one who just had a baby - and who had been in contact or known to be in contact with Roger.

But to know that it was one of their own high ranking officers that had the reason the child of the Pirate King survived baffled Shanks, which was something he couldn’t hide. Not while looking at the vie-admiral standing there in front of him.

“Why?”

Garp shook his head, “A child shouldn’t have to worry about their parents' crimes. I wish I had been able to do more, to save those poor women who had just been at the wrong place, at the wrong time and paid the price for that.”

Shanks nodded, still mourning the women he had known, who had either lost their lives, or who had to go on without the beginning of life without them. The way the marines dealt with it meant most of the times that the possibility of getting pregnant after was significantly smaller because of that too.

“And why this?”

Mentioning the den-den in his hand, Shanks tried to get a read on Garp. Even more so when the other side of the still open line went quiet.

Garp cleared his throat, “Because all three of them want to be pirates, which is something I can’t teach them. I can make sure they know how to defend themselves, and how to outrun marines who would catch them for the sole reason that they are pirates.

But how to be a pirate, and how to prepare for their own journey. Especially Luffy with his goal, they need someone who can help them with that. To be fair, it was between you and old Newgate - even more so as the both of you would be able to tell Ace stories of his parents without the baise of the world government attached to it. But let’s be fair, we both don’t want them to set out as Whitebeard Pirates.”

Shanks barked out a laugh at that, he was indeed well aware that should Newgate ever run into Luffy, or his brothers - from what he had heard (and knowing who their grandfather was) they were all a blast to be around - the old man would try to adopt him into the crew. 

Luffy would never accept that, wanting to get to the end of the line, and be crowned the next king more than he would need a family like Newgate could give him.

“I can see why you picked me then, Garp, but that doesn’t explain why you’re making this choice now. Luffy’s is 7 from what I know, so Ace must be almost 11, or even 12 if I count back the years.”

Another voice piped up from the den-den, “That would be my fault. I'm Sabo, the middle brother. I reminded Jiji of the fact that if we became marines like he wanted us to be, he’d essentially be sending us to our deaths.

I don’t have the parents Ace and Luffy have, but between their two dads and the fact that I look like a blond version with both their characteristics, I’d be killed as well. On the off chance that I was blood related to any of them.

I think you know better than anyone else the effort the marines put into silencing something that went against the dogma, or which was seen as a threat by the World Government. Should it become known, either now, or when we become marines - all of us would be executed on the spot. As pirates we’d be free to go wherever we want to go - and we’d have a crew that would support us, allies that would come to our aid.

On a Navy ship, the people would believe the dogma over everything else, even the friendships forged for years prior.”

Shanks could only nod to that, he was well aware of the toxicity that lived on navy ships, even having never been a Marine himself. They had fought with them a lot on the seas, it was only now with his title as yonko that people did back off.

Looking at Garp, he could see the man’s eyes reflect what his grandson was saying. That the Marine hero hadn’t even thought about the implications of that, that if they joined he could keep them safe and that was that. He was sure that in having heard that, Garp started to doubt a part of what Marines did - especially the part where infanticide and genocide was involved.

“That still doesn’t explain why you gave me a den-den, Garp-san.”

Garp startled, before answering, “You saved Luffy. And even if most don’t, I do know the significance of the hat he carries now. He could use a bit of a head start before he sets out and conquers the Grand Line.

Plus, I recently realised that Ace never had someone speak well about his parents - as much as I wish I could, I didn’t know Rouge until the end, and Roger - while somewhat of a friend - wasn’t the person I could talk about without the baise laid down by the World Government. He deserves someone who knows them, the people they were, and who is able to tell him about them.”

Suddenly his stance changed, “Plus with whatever is going on between you and Makino, I guess that would make you their cousin-in-law soon enough anyway.”

Shanks blinked a few times at that, before the realisation seeped in that Makino was indeed related to the man in front of him (no matter how distantly), which made sense seeing as she had taken care of Luffy for as long as he’d been visiting Dawn Island. He had just never made the connection that Makino was indeed blood related to Luffy like that (and through Luffy to Garp).

Garp looked at him with an unreadable look in his face, before saying, “I spend too long trying to either convince family to join the marines, or have one of them leave the organisation - and for a good reason - or watched as people I saw as family, or were married in, had to die for something they did to be free.

Family is important, and something I want to start honouring, without fearing what the Marines will do if any of this ever comes to light. I need those boys to have a backing, the Marines will be scared off, and I think you fit the bill just fine.”

With that, and a goodbye to the boys over the den-den, Garp turned around and made his way back to his own ship - directing them all towards the New World, last he heard his troublesome son was active there.

---

Looking at the now quiet den-den in his hands, Shanks swallowed, “I’ll call you boys again soon enough, alright? Tell Makino I said hi, when you see her again.”

Luffy was the only one who confirmed, even if Shanks was aware that the other two were there too. Smiling slightly, he ended the call before looking at his crew - or more specifically Benn.

“Was that just Garp the Fist telling me he doesn’t believe in the Marines anymore?”

Benn nodded, “And the man giving you his own weird blessing for whatever it is you have going on with Makino-san. I would be careful how you deal with that after this, captain, as I fear we might just take on more than you can chew should you break that woman’s heart.”

Shanks paled at that, nodding his head a little bit too quick to disguise that he wasn’t terrified of the thought of that happening. Not that he planned on breaking Makino’s heart, but knowing this he might just need to make time to visit more often. Sea knows that woman was a gem for being willing to wait for him.

---

Garp knew it would only be a matter of time before Dragon realised that he was making his way towards the Revolutionaries. As such, he wasn’t surprised at all to find his son coming out of the shadows in his own quarters on his vessel.

The look in Dragon’s eyes telling him that he needed to start talking, fast, before his son used his devil fruit to sink the ship - crew and all - to make sure that they didn’t threaten what he was working for. What he had given everything up for, and why he was willingly standing on the other side of his own father.

“I’m not here for that.”

Dragon’s eyebrow tilted upwards, “Then why are you here, father?”

Garp sighed, “Because I finally realised the reason why you left. The reason why you’re doing this, and the good that it would bring not only to our family, but also to the world, once the World Government is taken out of the equation and the Celestial Dragons are treated just as any other person.”

Dragon blinked at that, “And just how did you come by that thought? As I tried to get you to see it like that for more than a decade without much success.”

Garp looked away, before telling Dragon about Luffy, Sabo and Ace. And how it had been Sabo who had posed the question what Garp would do if all three of them were to join the marines, and the secret of their parentage would come out.

What he would do if another one of his family - if his three grandsons - would need to die for the sake of the world government, for no other reason than who their parents were - or who they were believed to be. It started a chain reaction where the older man was finally confronted with what exactly the marines had taken from him - from their family. 

“So you finally realised that they take a lot more than they give back, father?”

Garp looked at Dragon, “I… I still want to work towards a Navy that does keep the Justice in check, but not in the way that has been done the last centuries. Not with the World Government and the Celestial Dragons still in power and able to do just what they want. As such, I won’t be resigning. I will however change it from the inside.

I am sorry, Dragon, for what happened to Rosa, for what happened to your firstborn. For what would happen to Luffy, for no other reason than who his father is.”

Garp shook his head, “They want to be pirates, Luffy and Ace that is. Sabo, however, I think he’d be a great addition to your cause. He wants to change the world after seeing the way his biological parents use their status to get away with everything. He wants a system where he, and his brothers, can be free to be whoever they want to be.”

Dragon nodded at that, “That does sound like someone I could use. I was planning on making my way to Dawn in time for the Celestial Dragon to arrive, I’ll make sure to check upon them.”

Garp nodded, “Maybe it would be a good thing to introduce yourself to Luffy while you’re at it. He only recently realized that he even has parents, and I think he’ll only benefit from knowing what happened for him to be given into my care.”

Holding out his hand, Garp put something in Dragon’s outstretched hand, “My white den-den had little ones with a wild den-den, they look like regular ones, but are unable to be tapped into. I already gave one to each of the boys - as well as Red-haired Shanks.“

Chapter Text

Dragon couldn’t help but look after his Father’s retreating ship, looking at the den-den mushi in his hand. How long had he pleaded and tried to talk to his father to explain why he did what he did. To tell the man that very people they were protecting were the cause of death of his first born - of Garp’s first grandson - and it had seemed like the man didn’t care.

When Rosa became pregnant again, he considered it a miracle - the way the marines had handled the last pregnancy had left behind their scars in a way that most doctors told would never become pregnant again - they were in essence baren.

But then Rosa had jumped on him one morning, telling him she had been feeling off for quite a number of days. Showing him the positive pregnancy test after that - she had managed to become pregnant, showing that D determination, Rosa persevered with the pregnancy.

Even more so when it became obvious quite early on that this was taking its toll on her - after finishing her first trimester, she was put on bedrest by the doctor in their hideout. Benched from any and all missions until after she gave birth - if she came out of that alright (which it would seem wouldn’t be the case).

Dragon had talked with Rosa about all of this, wanting to make sure that this was what she wanted. He would miss his wife, but this was her choice and something she needed to decide for herself - he couldn’t do that for her, nor was he going to make decisions for her.

As such, at her passing mere hours after birth, he had called up his father to let him know that he had a grandson, and that the boy would be taken to their cousin on Dawn Island. To be raised away from the revolution, and to give the child a better chance in the event that Dragon’s mission failed after all.

It had hurt, to leave Luffy behind, but he would do so, to honour Rosa’s sacrifice he couldn’t keep his son close to him. A babe would be too easy a target, and then what - he would never be able to face Rosa in the afterlife.

---

Looking at the den-den in his hand once more, he was reminded of the fact that not only had his son grown up - and wanted to become a pirate - but the son of his cousin, and Gol D. Roger had survived. Had been found and taken care of by his own father, as a last request by the late Pirate King.

Gol D. Ace, even if he went by Portgas, would be able to grow up into a young man because of Garp going against the dogma and beliefs of the Marines. Wanting to make sure that a child didn’t need to carry their parents’ sins with them.

“Set sail to Dawn Island, I have family to meet.”

Iva-chan, who had been there when Rosa died, couldn’t help but smile at the knowledge that Dragon was finally willing to seek out his son, for so long they had feared that Dragon would keep pushing that back until such a time that Luffy would never be open to meeting with his father.

It was admirable that Dragon wanted to do this, to make sure that Rosa’s last wish was honoured - that their son could live his life in a world not ruled by the Celestial Dragons, and on his own terms, which they were working towards.

But to let bonds of blood dissipate as other bonds were formed was too sad for words, and not at all what Rosa would have wanted for her husband and son.

---

Finding out that Shanks was interested in Makino, and that the woman was more than returning those feelings made the three boys seek her out a lot more.

The fact that Makino was able to talk to Shanks thanks to the Den-Den they all carried only endeared them to the woman. She was touched that they would do something like that for her, and was more than willing to do something back for them in return.

Helping Ace and Luffy catch up with reading and writing, with the help of Sabo, when the boys weren’t hiding in the forest. Them hiding was almost always consistent with people from the Goa Kingdom making their way through the little town, warning the people who had no choice but to listen that a Celestial Dragon would be making their way to their amazing Kingdom - and to make sure not to set out to sea on that day, lest the World Noble shoot at them, or worse turn and never come towards the Goa Kingdom.

Makino had caught on early that Sabo shouldn’t be seen by someone of the Goa Kingdom and made sure to hang a white or red sheet out of her bedroom window. A red sheet was for them to not come and visit them, while a white one signalled that the coast was clear.

When Sabo told her why he needed to stay hidden, she had been horrified that these people would treat their own son like that. But then again, seeing the blase way they informed the fishermen of Foosha village that they would be shot at - by them, or by the people on board the vessel carrying the Celestial Dragon - if they crossed the ship on the sea.

Instead she had hugged the blond close to her and informed them that the Portgas-Monkey would be his family from now on. He would be safe with them, and they were quite willing and able to stand against a bunch of nobles.

“I don’t care what they say, you’re not one of them - no matter who your parents are - you’re Garp’s grandson, so that makes you one of us. The fact that you call Luffy and Ace brothers only adds to that.”

Neither Ace nor Luffy said anything about Sabo's reaction to Makino telling him that. For all that Ace hated cry babies, he was slowly coming to hate Celestial Dragons a lot more - going by the way they seemed to expect certain things. 

“You’re much too wild to be one of those prissy nobles anyway. None of them can hope to keep up with us, so we can conclude that you’re not one of them, right?”

Looking at Ace as he said this, Sabo only rubbed the tears out of his eyes, nodding and smiling at the oldest of them as he said this.

Makino on the other hand couldn’t help but look on as the boys grew and learned as they visited her. She was sure that all of them would be amazing at what they did, even if it was quite a few years before they would be setting out to sea.

---

Makino blinked a few times at the man standing in the door of her bar, she hadn’t seen the man in question for a number of years. The last time she had been a little Dragon, having just seen the fight between Dragon and Garp - the outcome of what had happened to Dragon’s oldest son and his wife. While Garp seemed to be indifferent to the loss his daughter-in-law had to go through.

But here he was standing again, her cousin Dragon - looking almost the same as she remembered him being. The only difference being the tattoo now adoring his face.

“Cousin.”

The man nodded, “Makino, I was told I needed to speak with you if I wanted to see the boys.”

Makino blinked, “You want to see the boys?”

Dragon nodded, taking out a den-den mushi, almost identical to the ones the boys had with them at all times.

“My father appeared to give this to me about 2 months ago. He told me that the middle child, Sabo I believe, was the reason why he finally realised that making his family members join the Marine will only end in bloodshed. For one, I want to thank the boy for making him see that finally.

On the other hand, I think it is high time I introduce myself to my own son, and see what became of Rouge’s little boy. If they are anything like her, Rosa, Roger and me, I know the world had better be prepared.”

Makino gave a soft smile, “They’ll be by in about an hour. If you don’t mind waiting for them to appear.”

Dragon nodded, settling down at the bar to wait for the boys that had started this chain of events that would change the world one day. Most of them were D.’s who, if nothing else, were known to bring change with them wherever they went.

---

Ace, Sabo and Luffy couldn’t help but look suspicious at the man sitting at Makino’s bar. Their cousin/older sister figure was talking to him, a smile on her face that she usually reserved for when she was talking to family members - was this another cousin they didn’t know about.

Noticing them, Makino smiled, “Boys come meet Dragon. He’s Garp’s son and Luffy’s dad. He also got a den-den from the old man and wanted to meet all of you.”

Ace seethed at the man, but before he could say anything, Luffy was in the man’s face, standing almost nose to nose, “So, you’re my dad?”

Dragon nodded, “That I am.”

Luffy hummed, “Where were you?”

Dragon sighed, before explaining that he was working towards a revolution against the Celestial Dragons. To make sure that they couldn’t keep a hold of the world like they were doing right now. He wanted to stop the way things went right now, where they had free reign to do whatever it was they wanted to do - with the support, help and protection of the Marines even.

He added to that, that he had left Luffy with Makino, and in a way with Garp, to protect him from the dangers of his mission. He had already lost Rosa, Luffy’s mom because of what happened to her by Marine officers in the search for Roger's child. Explaining that Luffy should have had an older brother was a tough one - and convincing the oldest now that this wasn’t even close to his fault for who his father was, was even worse.

“I chose to put my mission above raising you, to be able to fulfill my promise to Rosa, to work towards a world without the Celestial Dragons ruling it. I’ve been told you want to become a pirate?”

Luffy grinned, touching the hat on his head, before saying, “I want to become Pirate King.”

Dragon just nodded, “A noble cause, and one befitted of a D.”

Luffy only beamed at that, not knowing what he needed to think about his dad and the easy way the man supported him with his dreams for the future.

Even Ace warmed up to the man, once he told him about his mother, and kept on convincing that just because of who his parents were - he wasn’t any less worthy of being a great person. He wasn't a burden, and even less of a demon.

“You need to understand, kid, the things they tell you about Roger. These are things fabricated and pulled out of proportion by the World Government - they aimed to make him appear less human, and as such an example of what not to do, or what not to follow.

From the few times our paths crossed I can tell you he was a very caring man - when it came to his Nakama. I am sure he loved Rouge, and he would have loved you. He was a strong pirate, true, one needed to be that to become Pirate King, but he was not even close to being a demon or devil.”

Chapter Text

As time passed; and they had people who could tell Ace about his parents without the misinformation given to the general popance by the world government. Both Sabo and Luffy could see the change in their older brother, the way the burden on his shoulders seemed to lessen with each story that had been told. With each recount of how Roger really was, and how he was willing to do anything and everything for his Nakama

And how, just like Ace, Roger never ran from a problem. He faced it head on - able to take on each and every obstacle he found on his path.

It was also Shanks who told Ace that his old man had been ill when he left Rouge and their unborn child alone in this world.

“He had been ill for a long time, incurable. As far as I know he made a pact with the marines that they would leave his nakama alone in exchange for him coming quietly. He was after all a threat to their way of running the world.

I know there was an agreement as most of us were there when he was executed, known throughout the world, but willing to be able to leave after he died. Had he not done that, we would have been captured even before our next adventure started and that was something he didn’t want to happen.”

Shanks sighed, even if the boys couldn’t see that, “I am sure that because he never explicitly said something about his wife and child, that the marines sta”rted hunting for his child. Not willing to let his blood live for longer than it was needed. How Rouge managed to keep her pregnancy a secret for so long, and keep you safe like that - at the cost of her own life - was how the marines had to leave it all alone.”

The silence kept going for a while, “Just know, Ace, that without a doubt your parents loved you to the end of the world and back. Both of them did what they believed they needed to do to protect you. Even if it meant leaving you alone, as long as you were able to live, that was enough.”

Ace sniffed at that, Sabo and Luffy seeing their normally so tough big brother crying silent tears. How long had he been stuck with the feelings of hate for his father at the fact that he had left them all alone. Just as he had been the reason Ace knew that he would be haunted to the end of the world.

At the same time, he was feeling so very guilty at the fact that his mother died because of him. But Shanks, who had known that both of them were able to lessen that burden, let the freckled boy know that he was allowed to live and should be happy that he got this chance.

“They would be so worried and hurt knowing that you feel like this because of the choices they made. Try to think about the positive things, alright? You deserve to be here, and you deserve to be able to walk your own path.”

Ace nodded, knowing that his snail would be doing the same - showing Shanks what he was doing.

“How, enough of this. I heard Dragon was around there, and that something happened with a Celestial Dragon, what was up with that.”

All three of the boys told the story at the same time, making Shanks ask them to slow down and tell him what had happened - one at the time. He couldn’t understand as they tried to talk over each other. He was especially worried for Sabo, as word got to him that the blond had gotten hurt.

Sabo, talking first, explained that they had been on the grey terminal in an effort to get things for the treehouse they lived in when they weren’t staying with Makino. One of the guards had seen Sabo and had assumed he was just a noble scion kidnapped by Ace and Luffy. In an effort to get the kid away from the ruffians they had shot once.

Sabo had been caught in a blast when it hit a stray gunpowder canister. The blast giving the impression to the guards that all three boys had died (which made it better to them, as now Outlook was told that his oldest son had died - making Sabo safe for whatever the bastard had planned). But caught in the blast as he was, Sabo had sustained a few burns, one of them in his face close to his eye.

Ace had carried him to Makino, happy to know that Dragon and his crew were still close and equipped with a doctor who could deal with this. Sabo’s eye was saved, but the scars would stay around his eye and on his shoulder and ribcage.

But as this was the only wound, he could live with it just fine. He was already on the ment, willing to train extra hard. 

The celestial dragon on the other hand, had arrived in Goa kingdom, which they had known ahead of time because of the revolutionaries. Dragon had told the boys to stay in Makino’s apartment above the bar for that week. As rumors were going around that the nobles were lighting the Grey Terminal on fire - preferably with everyone still in it - Dragon was there to make sure that everyone that was still there would be saved.

But he wanted to make sure he didn’t need to save his son and nephews while he was at it. 

All three had promised and kept to that promise, even when the ship carrying the Celestial Dragon had started shooting at the small time ships that had been out on sea. The fishermen catching the morning fish had been caught, but saved by the revolutionaries too.

The nobles on the other hand had almost caught the boys when they came to rant at the people caught in the blast. Saying that they had been warned to stay off of the water while the World Noble was arriving - never once asking if the fishermen were alright.

All three of them had stayed hidden even if the word out of the street had reached them too, wanting to give these idiots a taste of how they dealt with those kinds of people. They couldn’t believe that there were people out there who cared more about status than another human life.

Which had led to Sabo sharing how his home life had been up until he had left Upper Town, wanting to get away from that way of thinking. It led to Sabo sharing with them that he wouldn’t leave to become a pirate. Not after meeting Dragon, he would leave and join the Revolutionaries, making sure that people like his parents would get to dictate what happened to the world.

Even more so when he realised that Celestial Dragons had the same mindset, just worse. They didn’t carry about another human life, which was why they used others as slaves and killed them. Made a sport out of all that, even - because they perceive themselves as more than human.

So while Luffy and Ace would deal a blow to them with their names alone, and the will of D the both of them carried. He would work behind the scenes in making sure that the current system fell.

Shanks could only tell them he was proud of their goals in life. He shared with them certain tips he had learned as a cabin boy on the Oro Jackson. Things he believed every beginning pirate had to know, as someone who had grown up on the waters of the Grand Line, he had quite a lot of knowledge to share with them.

All three of them were glad for the information they got, preparing them for life outside of East Blue.

---

Disconnecting the call with the three boys, Shanks couldn’t help but sigh. So far, so good. All three of them were taking this seriously. And had listened to Dragon when the man told them to keep out of sight with the Celestial Dragon running around - he didn’t want to hear that something had happened to one of them. Even after only ever seeing Luffy, he had a general image of how the other two looked - with Ace being the easiest to picture.

Talking about Ace, there were people he needed to inform that he had survived. Now that it had been proven that his snail couldn’t be tracked, he could call Buggy and the Old Man. They too had known that Rouge had been pregnant, but feared that the child had indeed never made it past birth.

Calling Ray first, he was very proud of the fact that he could get the old man to become speechless, it had been quite a while since that happened. Especually as before it had been the Captain who had been able to do that to his first mate. He was glad he had been able to learn that from Roger.

“Say that again, boy.”

Shanks grinned, “The babe survived and is a teen already. Captain and Rouge lives on in him.”

Rayleigh sighed, “And you’re confident?”

Shanks hummed, “Talked to him myself, and got to know his cousin rather well in my trip to East Blue. I’m sure you’ll get to see them soon enough, they both set out in 7 and 10 years, just… Look out for Rouge’s face and a boy wearing His hat.”

---

Calling Buggy after, he had to smile at the knowledge that his friend had been happily making his name in East Blue. He warned the man that there would be kids setting out in a few years that he should at least recognize - especially once he said that one was their captain’s kid, and the other was his nephew - the last one wearing the Hat as a crown.

Buggy had stammered a bit, before he hung up on Shanks. The redhead just laughed, knowing that he would hear it from the boys once they ran into the blue haired man.

---

They kept in contact with the three men keeping an eye on them all - even from afar. Garp tried to come by whenever he had enough vacation time saved up - he tried to make it once a year to train them. He wanted to make sure that they were able to keep in front of the Marines that were going to be coming after them.

As long as they stayed in East Blue, they would be more than strong enough to keep ahead, it was the Grand Line that he was scared for. Especially his fellow vice admirals, not to forget the actual admirals. Once one of them heard that they lived, that there was such a thing as a child from either Roger or Dragon, they would do anything to kill them.

“Boys, I mean this and want you to listen and do as I say. If by chance, you ever come across Akainu, you run. And no, Ace, I don’t care that you don’t run. You take your crew or your group, you turn tail and you run like the hounds of hell are after you.”

He shook his head, “Akainu lives by ultimate justice, no matter how. If he were to find out that Dragon or Roger had a child, he wouldn’t think twice in killing you and your whole crew in an effort to stop it in its tracks.

I know this seems odd coming from me; seeing as I wanted you to become marines not even a year ago. But he won’t stop at anything, he never liked me either, so… Promise me.”

All three of them nodded, even if Ace did so reluctantly, he still nodded and meant it. If at any point he was opposite Akainu, he would run. All three of them would take their crew and run.

Garp nodded, a relieved smile on his face, not knowing that by making them promise this, he had made sure that all three of them would be spared in the future. They had a support system that would make sure that they were saved and that their lives were spared.

Chapter Text

The years passed fast after that, and within the blink of an eye both Ace and Sabo were close to turning 17, both of them would leave - separately as it was - to look for their own dreams on the sea.

Ace, as he had been proclaiming for a long time, was setting out to sea to look for his own crew. To make sure that the name he now carried, even if he went by Portgas over Gol, meant that he could be the living legacy his parents had left behind.

It had helped to have people close, a call away really, that had known and loved his parents for who they were. And who were able to tell him stories about the two of them without the dogma surrounding his father taking over. Talking with Shanks about Roger had taught him one thing. That the world government was willing to depict a person as the devil himself, as long as civilians didn’t think that whatever he really stood for was something they couldn’t let the world know.

Roger was a strong man, and one who was willing to go to the ends of the world to prove that he needed adventure, the sea, and his nakama to have a fulfilling life - not whatever it was the World Government were telling the Marines or civilians they needed.

It had also helped that Garp came to Dawn Island at least once a year, putting in his vacation time to spend it with his grandsons and to make sure that they were ready for whatever was out there. Even if they weren’t going to be marines, he didn’t want to let them leave without being prepared.

Despite the survival training the three of them had gotten from living in the woods for most of their lives, and basic first aid and culinary skills they had picked up from Makino, Garp was the one who prepared them for the physical challenges out there. As a Marine officer, he was well aware of what marines alone could do and achieve once at sea - as such, he prepared his grandsons to counter those moves.

Together with Shanks he also made sure that the boys at least had the basics for haki down, telling them that while it was unheard of in the blues, and a rarity in the Grand Line, it was a must to have in the New World.

---

With Ace having left the day after his birthday, waving off everyone that came to say goodbye and making sure that he had everything - but most importantly his snail - to set out to sea and see just what he could make of himself. 

He wanted to let the world know that there was such a thing as the legacy of the Pirate King, but needed to wait to be strong and famous enough where saying something like that wouldn’t get him killed on sight. He was here for a reason, and he was damn sure he was going to figure that reason out.

Aside from looking for a crew for himself, Ace was looking to enter the New World as soon as he was able to, to find Shanks and thank the man in person for saving Luffy. And to get to know the man face-to-face after everything he had done for all three of them, just as much as for what he had done for Ace in telling him all about his parents.

He also hoped to run into Silvers Rayleigh before that - seeing as Shanks told him his father’s former first mate was living on Sabaody right now, which was just before the New World. He wanted to talk to the man who had been his father’s closest confidant, and friend, to see if he knew more about the illness that had been plaguing his father 18 years ago.

It made him excited, knowing that he would be setting out to sea right now - to look for the meaning of his life here - and to make sure that the World Government was surprised with the fact that he had survived. He already had plans to coordinate with Sabo, to let the world know just what they had done to try and make sure the child of the Pirate King wouldn’t see the light of day.

That was until his little boat capsized in front of an uninhabited island - or so he found out once he crawled onto the sandy beach of the little thing - not a soul insight. Even if his still meagre haki pinged to let him know that he wasn’t totally alone here.

Sighing, Ace promised himself not to tell Sabo or Luffy about this, as he would never hear the end of it.

Sighing, he went on to look for the other person, maybe they would be of help in getting off of this pile of rocks. If not, he could use the track around the island to look for any way to either get off, or gather materials needed to make a raft and get off.

What he didn’t expect was to find both his first crew member, and first mate, as well as a devil fruit - but then again, sometimes life just threw things at you and you had to accept it. Deuce didn’t seem to think so, but he soon learned that Ace really knew what he was doing with this and had a lot more experience in this whole piracy gig than he had.

Deuce had never expected to become a pirate of all things, but with Ace he didn’t care what he needed to become, as long as he could be at his side, he’d be happy. For so long he had been discarded and looked ast in his family, but here, with his new captain he knew that this new life would bring him a lot more joy than he ever felt at his home island.

What he didn’t expect was for Ace to voice out that he wanted to get to the New World as soon as possible - in part to meet with two of the emperors sailing there, and in part to be sure that they could have the higher ground should he announce his heritage to the world.

---

Sabo on the other hand, wouldn’t be setting out to be a pirate at all. He had made his choice in becoming a member of the revolutionary army. Having been in contact with Dragon for quite a number of years, he had found that Luffy’s father and he had the same view on what needed to happen with the world.

The fact that because of this connection he could just apply instead of stumbling upon them as most of the other officers had done, was something of an inside joke to them all. Garp especially, as he had been the one to suggest him doing so, and would be the one picking him up and dropping him off in Logue Town - where Dragon would be waiting.

Listening to the stories from all three of the men watching over them was enough to make Sabo aware that the world needed to change, and that he was all too eager to do so. He wanted to work towards a world where it wasn’t possible to get away with just about anything just because of your status.

But when lowly pirates were executed the moment they joined the quest for freedom, it started to become more and more obvious that the World Government wasn’t a fan of freedom and wanted to keep each and every person aside from themselves under their thumb for however long they saw fit. And when that person became to knowledgable or out of control, that’s when buster calls and public executions were called into play.

Hugging Luffy close one more time, he promised his baby brother that both he and Ace would be in contact, and that they would see eachother again out there on the sea. Not only that, but their snails would keep them in contact just fine too. 

Getting on Garp’s ship, Sabo made a fine impression of a Navy recruit, which was what Garp’s underlings had been told he would be. Their grandfather had even given him a disguise to work with and one that Sabo was planning on keeping close in the event of having to get into a Navy Base as soon as he joined up with Dragon.

Slipping away from the other recruits was something that took no effort at all. Most of them had been handed to Garp to make them tough enough to withstand the sea for a longer period of time. None of them had any prior training however, not in the way Sabo had.

Slipping away and taking off his disguise, he made his way to the agreed upon meeting point. Grinning up at the tall robed figure that stepped out from in between the buildings. Dragon looked just as Garp had described him, which made this all so much easier.

Getting to know the other man, better than before at least, had to wait until they had boarded the ship waiting for them. Which would take them back to the New World and to the base of operations the Revolutionary Army had right now. More and more people were joining, and the chance of them starting and winning this revolution was getting closer and closer.

---

Luffy had been sad for most of the day, today Sabo had left, after Ace had left 2 months earlier. Meaning he was all alone on their home island, waiting until it was his time to go out and explore the world out there.

He knew why he needed to wait, just as well as he knew that he could go and look for Makino whenever he wanted. Their cousin was more than happy to take him in, as long as he helped out around the bar while he was there.

Not the most exciting job, but with the number of sailors that passed by, it was a great source of information about the sea and a way for him to prepare for his own start as a pirate.

He couldn’t leave the island until he was 17, and with both his brothers out at sea Garp had said he wouldn’t be coming down to Dawn all that much anymore - as he was sure he could use his vacation days when he ran into his brats of grandsons.

All three of them had grinned at that, knowing the old marine loved them, really he did.

---

Garp didn’t know what he had to do when his officers came to tell him his grandson wasn’t on board with them anymore. Part of him wanted to laugh - loudly - at the fact the blond had managed to give them the slip not even 5 minutes into Logue Town.

But as that would gather too many strange looks, he settled for getting angry and going to look for Sabo by turning each and every inch of the ship inside out. It also helped in finding those recruits that were too bloodthirsty, or too anti-piracy, so he knew just who he needed to keep an eye on.

In the comfort of his own cabin however, he made sure to check in on his three grandsons, to know that they were indeed alright. He couldn’t help but worry, something which would continue for as long as he wasn’t sure that the three of them could hold their own. Ace and Sabo, he knew, would find people who would be able to protect them - a part of him was telling him to keep an eye on the Whitebeard Pirates, and as soon as Newgate figures out who Ace was he would try to adopt his fiery grandson.

It was Luffy however, who he worried about, Luffy had the ability to get the best out of people and would most likely start with a rather down-powered crew. Together they would learn, adapt and become a crew Roger himself would nod towards in terms of strength. But that would take a while yet.

Chapter Text

Ace knew that most of his crew must think he was nuts, and in a way he was - he blamed the D genes for that one - for he and his crew had made it to Sabaody in record time. All of them already more than willing, and able, to stand up to whatever they encountered in Paradise.

The fact that Ace had this gift to make sure that they all were guided to be the best version of themselves, and with the warm and amazing way their captain was taking care of them, they wanted to make sure that their captain reached the New World as soon as possible - even if they had no idea why he wanted to get there so soon.

Standing at the groves in Sabaody, they couldn’t do anything else, but follow Ace as he led them through the island. Stopping at a bar, which going by the look of it, catered to pirates more than it did to world nobles or marines.

The woman behind the counter grinned as they entered, her eyes widening as she took in Ace, before a soft smile took over her face.

“You must be Ace-chan. Ray said that you’d be dropping by one of these days, he should pop up any moment now. Take a seat, do you want anything to drink?”

Ace ordered a bunch of things for all of them, taking a seat closest to the bar, keeping on talking with Shakky - for that was her name - until the door opened again, and someone every sailor worth their gold knew. Silvers Rayleigh - the first mate of the former Pirate King.

The man stopped as he took in Ace, before he took a few brisk paces towards him, making the whole of the Spade Pirates prepare for whatever confrontation would follow. Which never happened, as Ace stood before he was pulled into a hug - by the Dark King. Whatever was going on here.

Ray grinned, “I didn’t want to believe that brat when he told me you were still alive, but it is good to see you, kid.”

Ace just grinned, “You too, I didn’t know if you had the time to see me. But I came here anyway - I hope you don’t mind.”

Ray laughed, “Mind? Kid, I believed you were dead for almost 20 years, I would drop whatever it was that I was doing if I heard you were coming to visit. I take it you’re planning on going into the New World soon enough, you’ll find that brat not that far. Last I heard he was on the first winter island you’ll come across.”

Deuce didn’t know who this brat was they were talking about, but the way Ace started to grin made him suspect that they would be stopping at the first winter island they came across once they went under the Red Line. He should have known that Ace would know the Dark King.

He was the only one of the crew who was aware of who Ace’s father was. So, in a way, he should have suspected Ace to know Rayleigh - his father’s first mate would have known of the Pirate King having a son, right?

Only, from the way the two of them were talking, this seemed to be the first time that they had ever met. Which only made this more odd. Not that he minded, but he could see the little hints Ace had been dropping this last few months, was he planning to reveal his parentage to the rest of the crew and was this why he wanted to get to the New World as soon as possible?

---

Finding Rayleigh was something he hadn’t known how to prepare for. He had been aware of what Shanks had told him about his Father’s first mate - that the man had been hit the hardest with the loss of their captain, and hadn’t been able to join another crew - Shanks had asked - instead the former first mate of the pirate king had taken refuge in Sabaody, to work against the World Government and the Celestial Dragons frequenting the island in an effort to free as many slaves as he could, while also working as a coater for those crews wanting to enter the New World.

“I’m really glad to have met you, if you want, could you tell me about him, about them?”

Rayleigh had smiled softly, “I’d like that, but it’ll have to be by den-den. There is a huge event coming up here, with more than a few Celestial Dragons joining. I don’t think it would be a good thing for you to stay here long.”

Ace frowned, but nodded, taking out his den-den, to Rayleigh’s surprise.

“That’s a special snail you have there.”

Ace grinned, before telling the man all about his family, starting with his brothers and grandfather, and the way Garp had finally seen that making them become marines wouldn’t save them in the end. He had however gifted each of his grandsons, his son and the man married to his cousin a snail so they could all be in touch.

Rayleigh had to grin, bugging Ace for more information on the woman Shanks had married. For the longest time he has been sure that Shanks’ love was for the sea, and not for someone else - until Benn called him to tell him that the redhead had married a Monkey D. at that.

Writing down his number and promising Rayleigh he would get all the information he needed about Shanks and Makino, Ace got up to leave, saying his goodbye to Shakky and Rayleigh before gathering his crew and leaving - the ship already coated, courtesy of Rayleigh before he met them inside of the bar.

---

Shivering as they made their way onto the winter island, Ace did so out of habit - not because he was actually cold. But from the look of his crew it was extremely cold here, cold enough that he was almost feeling bad for leading them up this mountain.

But Shanks was here, and after so long only hearing a voice, he wanted to make sure that he met the man who had made sure he had some amazing stories about his parents, as well as enough trips and tricks to survive all the way to the New World. 

Not only that, but this was still the man who was to thank for the fact that Luffy was still here with them. Thanks to him, Luffy had been in their life to make it that much more joyful.

“Captain, are you sure you want to do this now?”

Ace nodded, persevering through the snow towards the top, “Red Haired Shanks is here, I need to meet him before we go further into the New world. I hope you all don’t mind, I’m sure we can warm up in the cave they are in - and wait until the storm has passed before coming down again.”

Banshee and Agie moaned from behind them, “Captain, you’re not going to look for trouble right. This is still an emperor, we can’t handle that!”

Ace laughed at that, “Don’t worry, I am not looking for trouble here, promise. I just need to see him - Red Haired Shanks.”

Arriving at the mouth of the cave, they were met with quite a number of Pirates, Shanks sitting at the end of the cave - protected by his crew, even if Ace knew better than anyone else that the man didn’t need it. Having sailed with the Pirate King, there was not a lot here that could take on Shanks. Even with one arm, he was still a terror of these seas.

“So you’re the rookie that has been looking for me, I’m warning you - I hope you don’t plan on going for my head. I can take you and your crew with ease, so don’t make this hard on yourself.”

Ace chuckled, knowing that while Shanks had heard his voice, he had never seen him before. With the shadow over his face, he knew that his features weren’t seen right now, taking a step forward, he shook his head.

“I’m not here for that. I didn’t think I needed an invitation to see the man my cousin married, or who sailed with my father.”

Shanks laughed at that, standing and making his way towards Ace in a fast tempo, all while the spades were trying to wrap their heads around what Ace had said. Wrapping his one arm around the captain in front of him - younger that he was - Shanks grinned, “I should have recognized that voice, glad to finally put a face on that voice I’ve been hearing for so long.”

Pushing Ace back a bit, a soft smile took over Shanks’ face, “You really do look like your father, just with your mother’s freckles and eye colour. They would be so proud to see where you are, a Pirate Captain in your own right.”

---

Sabo didn’t need a lot of time to adjust to life in Baltigo, if anything this was a lot more relaxed than surviving in the jungle, all the while making sure that no one from Goa found out that he was still here - that he still lived.

Here, at least, he could be himself - for the most part - he trained with the other recruits, even if he could see that he had a huge advantage on most of them. None of them looked to know what fighting for your life looked like. They just agreed with the way Dragon was trying to handle this and make the current regime fall. 

He was also aware that a lot of the new recruits, as well as the induced agents, didn't know what to think about him. They were almost all aware that Dragon had gone to pick him up himself, so he had to be someone important. Yet, none of them could put their finger on it - why would Dragon do something like that.

Dragon and Sabo however, had so much fun keeping their relation a secret, even if it wasn’t by blood, Dragon had made it clear that they were all a family. While Luffy was his blood related son, Sabo and Ace were as good as. They were family nonetheless, especially Ace as he did hold a blood relation to the Monkey clan. That didn’t mean that they looked at Sabo any differently - he did indeed look like Ace and Luffy enough, even more so when they grew older, that it was easy to mistake them all for the brothers they claimed to be.

The confrontation came when some other recruits couldn’t deal with the fact that Sabo was so much more able than they were. They couldn’t see that he had lived in a situation where learning to fight and to take care of oneself was vital to being alive.

“Oi, Newbie, what makes you so special that Leader-Sama gives you special attention?”

Looking at the boy that said that, it was obvious that he came out of the slums of some kind. His stance alone was enough to deduce that. The fact that Sabo had seen him stare at his higher quality clothing more than once was also telling - as was the sneer that was on the boy’s face most of the time.

Shrugging, Sabo went back to practicing his katas, he needed to get this down as Dragon had promised to show him the Dragon Claw fighting style. With his budding haki, this would be a perfect way of fighting and defending himself - and when the time came, for the protection of his brothers.

The way he ignored the other boy was the drop, it would seem. As he attacked, in a way that was rather cowardly - a honourable man didn’t attack from behind - not in the way they did, with three at the same time.

Sabo prepared to intercept, but didn’t need to as Dragon himself appeared on the training field, looking at the trio of boys in front of him. The look in his eyes one Sabo was familiar with, that look of disappointment.

“I don’t think I need to explain myself to you, I chose Sabo as the successor of my fighting style and as my second in command. After all, family sticks together.”

With that he turned and guided Sabo with him, the second in command was something new even for him. Not that he minded, it just meant that he and his uncle-figure were indeed on the same time of thinking.

Chapter Text

Deuce, and the other members of the Spade Pirates couldn’t help but look on in slight fear and awe at the knowledge that Ace knew Red haired Shanks. Their captain was related - even if it was by marriage - to Red haired Shanks.

That, and he knew Silvers Rayleigh, who was known throughout the seas for him being the first mate to the former pirate king, Gol D. Roger. In fact, any sailor - pirate or marine - was aware of just who Silvers Rayleigh was. Just as they were aware of just who Red Haired Shanks was. One didn’t just enter the Grand Line without knowing at least the basics.

But to know that their captain already knew these people, together with the weird den-den he kept carrying around. It was all leading up to something that only Deuce seemed to know the details of.

“Captain… How do you even know all these people?”

Ace blinked, before turning to Banshee, who had asked the question. His face palig for a little, before he seemed to muster up the courage, “Because of who my family is. Portgas is my mother’s name, but her sister was married to the person we now know as Dragon the revolutionary.

His son is my youngest sworn brother, while his disciple and second in command is the middle child of the three of us.

Dragon’s father, Gard the Fist, is the one who mostly raised us, and who gave us those Den-dens I saw you all looking at last time I took it out.”

He took a deep breath, “As for Shanks, he married Makino, who is a Monkey D. cousin and someone else who had a hand in raising us. But beside that, he was also a cabin boy on my father’s ship - which is also where I know Rayleigh from - even if we never met before.”

Several of the Spades tried to fit the pieces together, until several of them seemed to repeat, “Portgas is my mother’s name.”

Banshee, ever the outspoken one, asked, “What of your father’s name?”

Ace licked his lips, “His is a dangerous one to have, even if my mother gave it to me when I was born it was easier and safer to go by Portgas at least until I was in the New World.”

Looking at his crew, he smiled, “I was born Gol D. Ace, son of the Pirate King. And no doubt, big brother of the second Pirate King.”

Shanks, keeping an eye on his nephew’s crew, grinned at that, “Hear, hear, there is no doubt in my mind that Luffy is going to make it to the top. It’s why I gave him that hat in the first place.”

Ace nodded at that, taking his mind off of the secret he just told his crew - and the possibility that they either left the Spades, or would even rat him out to the Marines - by gushing over his youngest brother together with the yonko they were accompanying.

---

Sabo had to shiver as he looked towards the light coming from the cave in front of him. He had been sent here to gather information on whatever had been going on, on this island.

Only to find out that Shanks had either passed, or was still residing on, said island making whoever was taking advantage of the poor people living here had fled before they could do anything else.

Meaning that he was on an island in the middle of a snowstorm, without shelter. Hoping that the person residing in the cave up front was welcoming enough to let him warm up and stay the night.

Appearing at the entrance of it, his eyes locked with grey ones on the other side of the cave. His older brother, accompanied by Shanks - their uncle figure - who were both all too happy for him to huddle up between them.

Ace even took it a step further and pulled him into his lap - which heated him up quite nicely (he did remember his older brother eating the mera mera no mi from what his bounty poster said). Shivering, he felt someone pull off his shoes (which were soaked) so his feet could heat up too.

Moaning lowly, he drifted off not soon after, knowing that Ace and Shanks - as well as their crews - would keep him safe.

---

Deuce couldn’t help but look at the blond that had come stumbling into the cave, drenched and looking to be half freezing, before he threw himself between Ace and Shanks. The Spades almost jumped up to defend their captain. Until said captain pulled the blond in his lap, feeling his forehead and whispering “Sabo”.

Shanks had hummed, taking off one of the boots on his feet, before Deuce did the other one, as they looked at the blond still lounging on Ace’s lap.

“So this is the mysterious middle brother, then?”

Ace nodded, “I think he must be on a mission someplace close. Sabo hates the cold, so he wouldn’t be here if he didn’t need to be. What worries me however is how cold he is to the touch.”

Shanks hummed, before putting a hand on the blond’s - Sabo’s - head and pulling it back with a sigh, “I think he’s coming down with something. If he spends too long in the snow, it could become pneumonia, so he does have to be careful.”

Deuce hummed at that, before turning to Ace, “Maybe best if he comes with us then, so we can keep an eye on him. I know we still have the needed medicine from when Saber came down with pneumonia last month.”

Ace hummed, before he was fishing out his den-den and pressing a few numbers. The snail was ringing only once before a deep baritone voice answered it with a curt ‘Ace’.

“Dragon, I’m calling to let you know I am kidnapping your second in command for a little while. He most likely got pneumonia from walking in the snow for too long. Letting him get back to wherever you are hiding, alone, would be too much of a risk.

I’ll keep you posted and you can send Koala or Hak to come and pick him up in a few days.”

The man, Dragon, hummed from the other side of the line, “Ace, you wouldn’t happen to know what happened to the lowlives on the island you are on right now? I sent Sabo to it to deal with them, and to make sure the people living on that island were free to do whatever it was they wanted.”

Before Ace could answer, Shanks spoke, “I dealt with those thugs, they shouldn’t be bothering anyone else, anytime soon.”

Dragon hummed again, before he agreed to what Ace had said and thanked Shanks for what he had done. Disconnecting the call after that, no doubt to go and inform Koala that Sabo was alright and in the care of his older brother.

---

The rest of the Spades, not knowing what they needed to think about all the revelations that had been shared with them, did know one thing. That Ace was the reason they had a new chance at life. Even if he was the son of the former Pirate King, they had learned first hand that the rumors spread about either of them were just that - rumors.

In fact, one of the so called terrors of the seas - one of the Yonko - was sitting not two meters in front of them, fawning over Ace and his brother as only an uncle could do. Which, given the information they now had about the man, wasn’t that far off.

They had also seen the way Ace had tried to keep his eyes off of them, not willing to see them leave his side.

All the while, Deuce had also kept his eyes on them, a light in his blue eyes telling them that if they did leave, he would make sure that they weren’t able to tell the world about their captain’s real name. Not until such a time when Ace felt comfortable sharing it with the world - which, as things were, might never be.

They did look up when Shanks stopped fussing to look at Ace with worry in his eyes, “Now, what is this I hear about you wanting to take on Whitebeard. I know your strong kid, and in a few years you might just rival your father in strength. But Whitebeard was in a class all on his own, and called the Strongest man on the Seas for a reason.”

Ace waved his hands in front of him, shaking his head as he explained that while he did want to fight the other captain, he had no plans of taking on the man - or even looking for trouble within the man’s territory (which was what the Spades had feared their captain wanted to do by the way he was talking about the legendary man).

Even Deuce, who normally had a much better image of what was going on inside their captain’s head let out a sigh of relief. He too had feared that this was what Ace wanted to do, instead of what he was telling Shanks.

Gaping at his crew, Ace shook his head, before turning to Shanks.

“Uncle Ray - Rayleigh - he told me that dad asked Whitebeard to be godfather of his child. Should he ever be born, I don’t know if it is true, but I don’t think Ray would lie about that to me. And I want to ask him that, I want to know if he would have taken care of me despite the rivalry he and dad shared. If his crew might have been a second family for me, had gramps not found me.”

The Spades, and the Red Haired Pirates blinked at that, before Shanks grinned down at his nephew, “I wouldn’t call it a rivalry what they had going on, but more of a friendship where they loved to one-up each other. Where we all tried to one-up each other.

I don’t know so much about the godfather part, but I probably wasn’t around for that conversation anyway, so if Ray told you that - you can bet on it, that it is the truth.”

Ace nodded at that, looking down at his blond brother who was still sleeping away in his lap. Shivering now and again, but not yet running a fever.

“I want to meet him, and we’ll see what happens after that. I’m well aware of Whitebeard's habit of taking on people he finds interesting as his sons, or at least as his allies. I don’t think I would mind, even if you and the Monkey D. 's will always be my first family.”

He looked away for a bit, lost in thoughts, “I know we’ll be entering Whitebeard territory soon anyway - so I can ask that the next time the Moby Dick sails past.”

Shanks shook his head, “Good luck with that, and with staying out of the man’s grasp. I know he tried to persuade me to join his crew for quite a number of times - bad enough that he and Roger had a fight over it one time.”

Grinning sharply, he added, “Which is why I keep pestering Marco to join my crew, because I know it reminds him of Roger and me whenever I do that. He hasn’t asked me to stop yet, so I think I’m good.”

Ace laughed at that, soon joined by the Red Haired Pirates, and kind of belatedly by the Spades. It was very obvious that their captain had quite a few ideas on what he wanted to do now that he was in the New World. Just as it was obvious that this was a whole different league they had entered. But with Portgas D. Ace at the helm, they would be fine - of only because of the connections he already held before entering this part of the Grand Line.

Chapter Text

Saying their goodbyes to Shanks, Ace was happy that after everything the only thing Sabo had from his walk in that snowstorm was a cold. He was a bit lethargic and cuddled up to Ace for warmth whenever he could. But he wasn’t really sick, much to their relief.

Shanks waved them off, telling them both good luck with whatever they were going to do next. And to let them know that he too would be keeping his eye on the Newscoo for any news on Luffy. Knowing the youngest of the trio, they were all very much aware that Luffy would be making waves even in East Blue.

Waving goodbye to their uncle-figure as they sailed into Whitebeard Territory, Sabo asked Ace what he was planning on doing. Making the oldest of them explain what Rayleigh had told him and what he wanted to ask the Strongest man, in part to know for sure he would have family waiting for him if Garp hadn’t taken him away.

Sabo had only hummed, nodding with a knowing smile, before retreating into the captain’s quarters to get some more rest. Koala and Hak would be meeting up with them on the next island to take the blond off their hands.

Shaking his head as his brother left his side, Ace looked on over the ocean as this next chapter was starting. Part of him was really glad that none of his crew had reacted badly about the news that he was born Gol D.Ace. Deuce had told him as much when they had a moment alone.

Most of them were shocked, but hadn’t given a damn as they did know him better than that after almost a year on a ship together. Not only that, but becoming pirates themselves had given them a very good look at the way Marines and the world Government treated them and tried to depict them towards the civilian population.

Sighing, Ace grinned as they entered open waters, no island in sight, but the wind in his hair and the smell of the sea all around him. This alone would have been worth it, to set out as a captain in his own right. To sail over the same waters his parents had done - way before he was even a thought in their minds - making their own adventures as he was doing right now.

“You did mean what you told Shanks, right?”

Humming as Deuce came to stand next to him, Ace nodded, “I did, I don’t want to pick a fight with the world’s strongest man. I do want to measure up on where I stand compared to such a living legend.

I also want to see what he has to say about my parents, and the part that uncle Ray told me, as I do genuinely think that he and my father had a very different relationship then the world was shown. I want to know if I really did have a family waiting for me, had my dad not asked Garp to take care of me and why he had done so - when I had a godfather out there waiting for me.”

He hesitated for a moment, “And while I do enjoy being a captain, I don’t have any large ambitions for myself; I don’t want to become a Yonko or find the One Piece. I just want a chance to sail these seas until I die. Which is something I can also do on someone else’s ship.

Of course, that all depends on how Whitebeard takes all this and how he reacts to the fact that he does have a godson out there.”

Deuce just nods, “I’ll tell the crew then, that you don’t want to leave us behind. Because a few of us did get that impression.”

Ace gasped, “What!? No, that was not my intention at all, I love the Spades and I want to be a captain on one hand. But on the other, this was family - or this could be a family, which is something none of us really have. Not the way it should be, in fact, I think I’m the only one on this ship (apart from Sabo) who can say they still have something of a family out there.”

---

After letting Sabo off at the first island they encountered, Ace had to stifle a laugh at the way Koala started to yell the moment Sabo came near her. Sabo might not see it, but Ace could see it clear as day that Koala had quite the crush on his blond brother. It would only be a matter of time until they were together, something he was looking forward to. Koala was the perfect kind of woman for his brother.

Their own next stop would be an island just a bit further, one quite far into Whitebeard territory and one - if he had to believe the rumours, the Moby Dick docked at often. That would be their best bet at getting to see, and speak to, Whitebeard without actively looking for the man.

What none of them expected was to be met with a Fisherman who, after all the rumours about Ace that had surfaced, believed that they were there to go after Whitebeard’s head. The man, Jinbei, as one of Whitebeard’s allies, wasn’t about to let that happen. Challenging Ace to a fight, no matter how many times Ace, or the Spades, tried to tell him that this wasn’t what they were trying to do.

In the end, accepting the fight seemed like the better option, even if Ace didn’t want to and as such didn’t go all out on his punches.

When after several days of fighting, the Moby Dick showed up, the Spades didn’t know what to do.

They were well aware that their captain didn’t want to anger the Whitebeard Pirates, but to see Ace swaying on his feet. Unable to keep going, or to even defend himself against Whitebeard and to see the man get knocked out - just like that. They attacked, and were beaten down just as hard.

Deuce, when he woke up, having blacked out after that last punch, didn’t know what he would tell the other members of the Monkey D. family if they called to ask about Ace. He wouldn’t be able to answer that one, as he had no idea where Ace was. Only assuming that the Whitebeard Pirates had taken him onboard the Moby, but even that he wasn’t sure of.

---

When Ace woke up, it was with a headache like the ones he had after Garp had come by to visit. As children they hadn’t known, but as the old man came by after the revelations, he had told them all about haki and how it could even hurt a devil fruit user.

Ace knew, without a doubt, that Whitebeard had hit him with a haki coated fist to make him have a headache the very next moment he woke up.

Groaning, he tried to rub his eyes, only to find that one of his wrist was chained to the bed he was laying on. Seastone cuffs, what were these pirates afraid of that they needed to chain him to a hospital bed.

Using his free hand he patted his pocket and paled, his snail was gone. The same snail that he had carried on his body ever since Garp had given them to all three of them. To know that they had taken it. Suddenly it made sense that they chained him down, after all, he was carrying a marine colored snail with him, passed out as he most likely had been they had assumed him to be a marine spy or something like that and hadn’t wanted to take any chances.

Footsteps made him look up to see a blond doctor entering, looking surprised at the fact that he was awake. 

“I didn’t think you’d be awake already -yoi.”

Looking at Marco the Phoenix, Ace nodded, “I had some training with haki as a child, as such getting hit with a coated fist isn’t that strange to me. How long was I out?”

Marco hummed, but didn’t give an answer, checking his vitals and the wound he was starting to feel on his head. 

“How long was I out?”

The blond looked at him, but still didn't answer, “Oyaji would like to talk to you, I suggest you leave the questions to us -yoi.”

Taken aback by the hidden hostility he found on board the Moby Dick, Ace was second guessing his decision to come here. The fact that Deuce also hadn’t appeared made him realise that the Spades weren’t even here right now. He didn’t even know where they were, and if they were alright.

Sitting up, he looked on as Whitebeard entered, swallowing thickly as the man held up his snail, the white and blue one, which was ringing quite constantly.

“Part of me doesn’t want to let you answer this call, but the other part of me wants to see just what you’ll say to the people on the other side of the line. So go ahead, pick up the call.”

Licking his lips, Ace took the snail and answered, relief flooding his body as he heard Shanks on the other side of the line calling out to him a few times to make sure that it really was Ace there.

“Ace, Ace, you there?”

Humming, Ace looked at the snail, keeping an eye on Whitebeard before confirming that it was him.

Shanks sighed, “Great, because Deuce called me that you were taken by the Whitebeard Pirates and didn’t know what to do. They had been following you for a while, but as expected couldn’t keep up with the Spadille.

Sea, kid, you worried us. Luffy especially after three days without a call, he was about to call your grandfather to see if he couldn’t come and make sure you were alright.”

Ace winced, so he had been out for three days, “Tell me jij isn’t on route here?”

The snail shook his head, “Nah, we managed to talk the old man out of it. Well, Dragon and I did. As well as Makino, so be sure to thank her the next time you call in, alright!”

Ace nodded, “Shanks, can you… Can you tell Deuce that I’m fine. I’m still on the Moby Dick, and I think they assumed I was a navy spy, because of the snail.”

Shanks hummed, “Whitebeard there with you?”

Whitebeard for the first time after giving Ace his den-den, spoke up, “Hello brat.”

Shanks hummed, “Be glad you didn’t do something you couldn’t reverse old man. I’m not going to be spilling secrets as I’m sure you know better by now. Just as I am assuming you’ll start to string together the pieces soon enough. But be very glad you didn’t hurt him, or god forbid kill him.”

The other captain’s voice changed as he directed this last to Ace, “And you, make sure to call everyone to let them know you’re alright. I wouldn’t put it past Sabo to sneak onto the Moby and we don’t want that.”

Disconnecting the call, Ace rested the snail on his leg as he looked at Whitebeard still standing next to his bed. His first division commander, Marco the Phoenix, was still in the infirmary trying to act as if he was busy tidying the room. But Ace knew better, the blond had followed each and every word from the conversation making sure that they weren’t sold out by a navy spy under their noses.

He had also seen the way both Marco and Whitebeard had relaxed as soon as Shanks voice filtered through the snail. Their worries laid to rest as Shanks would never work together with marines, not after everything that it had cost him before.

Looking at Whitebeard, he could see the recognition starting to seep in.

“Your poster gives Portgas as your last name, but I am taking a wild guess that it wasn’t the one you were born with.”

Chapter Text

Marco blinked as Oyaji posed his question at the rookie still tied to the infirmary bed, now that was a question he hadn’t expected to hear. Least of all after hearing Shanks on the other side of the Den-den.

Blinking a few more times, the pieces started to fall into place. The reason they had never heard of someone else's name being Portgas before, at least not since Hibiscus Rouge disappeared from the face of the Earth.

The fact that Shanks, of all people, was calling in to check on the kid. Eluding that there were others also looking out for him. People that might just give their crew a hard time - which already narrowed it down quite a bit.

And now Oyaji’s question, and the way the rookie just shook his head. Keeping his eyes locked onto Oyaji’s as if trying to get the old man to figure it all out.

Looking at the rookie in the bed, he took in the black hair, the grey eyes and the freckles adoring his face - and those were just too cute - thinking away the freckles and realising just which last name he actually carried.

“Shit -yoi.”

The kid had the nerve to grin at him, before he turned to Oyaji, who was also looking at the kid with wide eyes, “Uncle Ray did say that something like this might happen. I… Jiji is a marine, and the one who made sure that I had a chance to grow up when the whole world would rather see me dead.

He is the one who gave us that snail when his own had babies with a white one, to make sure that we could stay in contact with the others. That’s how Shanks knows how to call me, he has one of the other snails - even if I have no idea how Jiji found him in the first place.”

Oyaji suddenly burst out laughing, “I should have known… Roger really played the world by asking Garp the Fist to look after his son, no one would expect that to happen.”

Marco turned wide eyes towards the rookie on the bed. He really was doing that a lot lately, “You were raised by Garp the fist -yoi. I didn’t think that man was allowed near children.”

Ace shrugged, “He had Dragon didn’t he, he wasn’t all that bad. Took some convincing to let us become pirates, but in the end, he saw that forcing us to become marines would only mean that we’d be killed as soon as they found out.”

Marco frowned, he couldn’t argue with that. Seeing the way a lot of people had celebrated the death of the Pirate King, he couldn’t begin to imagine what they would do if it became known that the child they had hunted, and killed for, had survived to adulthood. Nothing that could be said or done would stop them from making a spectacle out of this and out of Ace, for no other reason than his bloodline (and wasn’t that just sad, to know that as a marine he could have done a world of good and still be condemned because of his father).

Glancing back at the door, he noticed Thatch and Haruta trying to keep a low profile, “Stop pretending -yoi, and come unlock these cuffs.”

Huffing at that, Haruta did as asked, glancing at Ace every few seconds with a twinkle in his eye. Part of Marco was scared what would happen if Ace felt comfortable here, as one of the youngest he and Haruta would get on best (he suspected) and with the commander's penchant for pranks and general mischief, he was kind of scared what that would bring.

Looking at Ace, who had turned rather closed off as soon as the other two entered the room, he hoped that the fire logia wanted to stay. After all, they handcuffed him to a bed the first thing as he was brought on board.

Wincing, and looking at Oyaji, he also suspected that his Old Man had already adopted the firecracker, whether he wanted to or not. Which might just make it that much more difficult to get the other man to stay. Their first impression had been less than stellar.

Rubbing his now freed wrists, Ace looked at the commanders, and the captain, in front of him, “Where is my crew?”

---

The way none of the people in the room could look him in the eye as he posed that question was more than enough for Ace to know that they had done something they were already regretting. From what happened before he guessed they had assumed his crew were in league with him - and being a marine spy wasn’t something good in these waters.

“Where. Is. My. Crew?”

Glaring at them all, Ace crossed his arms as he got up from the bed. Using his observation haki, he could deduce that they were all being kept in one of the lower rooms in the Moby Dick - far away from him - and far away from the piece of spadille, which was being pulled by the much larger ship.

Huffing, Ace walked out of the room towards the other Spade Pirates. Showing those that didn’t want to let him pass that he was more than just your everyday rookie by getting to his crew in no time flat (without hurting anyone), although the conqueror's haki he let out might have helped with that.

Letting out a sigh of relief as he unlocked the door to find his crew on the other side, their tired faces telling enough that they hadn’t been getting too much sleep since they had been taken on board the Moby.

“Captain!”

Banshee’s exclamation had the other members of the Spades looking up, the relief in their eyes at seeing him standing in the door opening enough for Ace to know that they had feared the worst.

Deuce coming forward to hug him tightly made it even more believable.

“Let me guess, they made you assume the worst?”

Deuce nodded, “They found the den-den, and kept asking us to tell them who you were in contact with. None of us told, even if they tried more… desperate measures… Although it might be that this was a part of the crew acting independently, as I did hear someone getting yelled at in the hallway not that long ago.”

Ace scowled, “I woke up in the infirmary, chained with sea stone. Got the drop onto them when they tried to get me to answer the snail in an effort to know who I was in contact with, only for Shanks to answer.

Pieces fell into place and I am quite sure Whitebeard and Marco the Phoenix know who I am now. They looked properly shocked at the revelation too.”

Shaking his head, he went crew member to crew member to see if they were all alright. Leaving Kotatsu for last, as the lynx just curled up in his lap the moment he sat down.

“So, tell me who roughed you up so I know the person never to get friendly with.”

Deuce winced, but gave a description of a tall, rather bulky build man with black hair and several missing teeth. 

“I don’t know for sure, but I do believe the person yelling at them called them Teach.”

Ace nodded, keeping the description and the name in mind.

“So, what do you want to do now? As this went very differently from what I expected it to go. I never realised that the den-den Jiji gave me looks a bit too much like a marine snail to be getting away with it. Part of me is glad we had this run-in with the Whitebeard Pirates and not with Big Mom or Kaido - rumour has it they are much less lenient with suspected spies.”

Stroking a purring Kotatsu, Ace looked at the Spades one at a time, trying to see through the masks of indecisiveness they had put up. None of them had been all that excited to see the Whitebeard Pirates, more than happy with being a part of the Spades. After the welcome they had received this was more than understandable. Given that this was something Ace wanted to do, he was more than willing to ask his crew what to do next, as they were just as much hurt in these proceedings as he had been (both by the actions of the Whitebeard Pirates and the way his crew had been handled).

Deuce was the one who spoke, “I think we would all like some time alone, to adjust and to get over what happened here. This was the action of just one man, and from what we heard it wasn’t what Whitebeard wanted to do.

Let’s just take some time to come to our bearings and see what happens now. This is after all one of the strongest crews around. If they are as amazing as we’ve been hearing, they deserve a second chance. Especially given the connection they have to you, captain.”

Looking around the room, he saw all of the Spades nodding in agreement to that (all except Kotatsu, but he was a cat and probably didn’t know what was going on in the first place). It brought a smile to Ace’s face, as some of them did want to give the Whitebeards and his godfather a chance to redeem themselves. But the man who had hurt his crew wouldn’t be forgotten.

“I guess we can just keep to these rooms for now then, or go back to the Spadille for the time being. She’s being pulled along anyway, so we wouldn’t need to actually steer her.”

This got some murmurs of agreement, to which Ace realised that none of them had gotten a lot of sleep in the last few nights (he must have been out longer than he realised). But seeing him here, alive and whole, eased their minds enough to let them go to sleep.

Maybe a nap wouldn’t hurt, not with the way they had barricaded the door as soon as they started talking. There wouldn’t be anyone getting in these rooms for the time being, giving them all some peace and quiet, and a well needed rest.

---

As Oyaji looked after the rookie captain that left the room, Marco couldn’t quite hold the wince he could feel coming over him. That was not the way you wanted to get to know a possible family member - least of all since Oyaji had been prepared to get the kid off of the path of the marines and into their fold. 

Only to realise that this was more than just another rookie captain, and that Oyaji already was godfather to Ace. Not only that, but there was no need to persuade the other man out of the grasp of the marines, as he had never been a part of them anyway.

“That went well -yoi.”

Haruta and Thatch looked at him, almost as if asking themselves if he went mad. 

Rolling his eyes, Marco sighed, “That was sarcastic -yoi. you’d think that after so many years at sea you’d know me better by now.”

Thatch sighed, shaking his head, “It might get even better. I found Teach yesterday coming out of the room we locked his crew in, blood on his hands and at least one of the Spade Pirates knocked out. I have no idea how that kid is going to react to that.”

Marco cursed, getting up, but finding himself stopped by Oyaji. The old man was still looking at the door.

“There is not a lot we can do right now, boys. Let’s see what Ace decides to do with his crew first. If they’re still on board tomorrow we can open communication, but I don’t think it’s a good idea to go after him right now.”

As he said that, a wave of rather strong conqueror's haki came their way, “Case in point, it looks like Ace looks like his father, and both his uncles for that matter, more than he realises if this is the way he gets to his crew.”

Marco could only agree to that, having been on the receiving end of Roger, Rayleigh and Shanks using conqueror’s haki before.

Chapter Text

Even with Shanks’ reassurance that Ace was indeed fine, and that despite being roughed up a bit the Whitebeard Pirates hadn’t actually done anything to Ace, or the Spades. Sabo however, wanted to check on his older brother for himself, after everything that had happened and the way Ace had been looking forward to meeting his godfather, the strongest crew in the world had messed up with their introduction.

The fact that Ace was still on the ship however, meant that he hadn’t given up on getting to know the Whitebeard Pirates, or even Whitebeard himself. Which was something that worried the blond. He knew his older brother, knew how stubborn the dark haired man could get and because of that he wanted to make sure that he, or the Spades, weren’t kept on the Moby Dick against their will.

Finding his way on the ship was easy, especially with Karasu willing to drop him off. As long as he stuck to the shadows, he was also aware that the odds of them finding out they had a stow away were slim (and maybe he had done something like this before, on numerous other ships).

Using his - rather bad - observation haki, he was able to find Ace rather easily. Even if he sucked at using observation, he would always be able to find his brothers. He made sure that he would always be able to find them, no matter where they were.

When trying to open the door didn’t work, he walked around and with the use of his dragon claws climbed on the outside of the ship to get to the one windom inside the room he could feel Ace in. 

Getting inside was the easy part, staying quiet as he saw Ace asleep with Kotatsu in his lap, and Deuce leaning on his shoulder was just too cute for words. He cursed himself for forgetting a camera den-den, as he knew Jiji, Shanks and Uncle Ray would love to have a picture of that.

Approaching the sleeping captain, he had to smile when Kotatsu woke and started hissing at him. Until the big cat recognized his scent and purred, the noise getting louder - and waking up the Spades - when Sabo scratched him behind the ears.

“Sabo?”

Looking at his older brother, the blond smiled, “Hi Ace, I know Shanks already checked in on you. But I was close by and wanted to make sure you and your crew were alright.”

A blush appeared on freckled cheeks, even if a smile appeared with it, Ace looked at the only blond brother with a tilted head, “We’re fine. There was some commotion and I know not to get close with one of the people on board. Especially not given that they were willing to rough up my crew outside of Whitebeard orders at that.”

Sabo scowled at that, knowing that there was someone on this ship that was brave enough to go against Whitebeard’s orders, meaning they needed to watch out for the man. If he did so now, who knew what he was willing to risk in the future.

“Do you have a name? I know Koala loves you and would gladly do some digging on this person.”

Ace nodded, “Teach, but that is about all I have on him. As well as a description; rather bulky with longish black hair and several missing teeth.”

Sabo nodded, making sure to remember that and to tell Koala as soon as he reunited with his partner.

“Are you all okay, and I mean more than willing to wait for this to go over?”

Ace grinned, nodding, “We’re going to wait and see what they will be doing now. Are they going to apologize, or are they going to force us to join. Or will they just wait and see what will happen. There are too many variables on what will happen, but we decided to give them another chance and see where we’ll go from there.”

Sabo bit his lip, “Are you sure that’s a good idea?”

Ace frowned, “What do you mean?”

Sabo sighed, “I didn’t want to tell you this. But if there is already someone willing to toe the line with Whitebear’s orders, what’s to say no one here will react badly if your parentage gets revealed? I don’t want to discourage you from doing what you want to do, Ace, but I also don’t want to lose you.

Especially not after everything all of us have done to make sure that you’re loving life in the way you should be doing. And the convincing of Jiji to train us like marines, even if we never become ones ourselves.”

Ace smiled softly, taking Sabo by the shoulders and looking his blond brother right in the eye.

“Not going to happen, I want to see where this goes. But if things do go south, or I don’t feel safe here anymore I’ll call up Shanks and go to his, alright? He’ll be more than able to protect us in the event we need it, and do so until we’re ready to protect ourselves.”

It still didn’t sit well with Sabo, but he was willing to let it be for now. He knew better than the Spades when Ace had made up his mind and wouldn’t be persuaded otherwise. Sighing, he nodded against Ace’s shoulder from where the older had pulled him into a hug.

That didn’t mean however that he wasn’t going to keep an eye on the Moby Dick, or have Dragon, Koala or Hak do the same thing if he was unable to. Just to make sure that Ace, and the Spades, were alright.

---

Marco had been the one sent to check up on the Spades the next morning, kind of fearing they had left throughout the night, he was pleasantly surprised to find that they were indeed still on board. If hidden behind a door he couldn’t open.

Knocking, he announced who he was and waited for the sounds behind the door to stop before it was opened; by a blond he was sure hadn’t been a part of the Spades last time he checked.

The cheeky grin on the younger blond’s face told him that he was very much aware of that and was almost gloating - without verbalizing it - about it to the First Division Commander.

“Sabo, please stop antagonizing him and let the first division commander enter?”

Looking at Ace as soon as he entered the room, Marco was pleased to see the younger man quite a bit more relaxed than he had been the night before. If anything, he seemed to be seated with his vice captain on one side and the blond named Sabo on the other. His cat, or lynx more like, was purring in his lap.

“You can call me Marco -yoi.”

Ace tilted his head, “I guess, seeing as First Division Commander is quite mouthful. What can I do for you this fine morning?”

Marco frowned, trying to form an explanation that didn’t sound condescending towards the crew in the room with him. All the while making it clear that they weren’t planning on keeping them here if they didn’t want to stay. No matter how much Oyaji would pout at the knowledge that his godson had left them, he wouldn’t do that to this crew. Nor would he want to break someone as interesting as Ace, his terrifying connection notwithstanding.

“I came to apologize for the way we treated you, and your crew, after we picked you up -yoi. There was no need for such violence, nor was there any reason we needed to tie you up. Had we just picked up the den-den, I’m sure Shanks would have been more than happy to explain what was going on, but we didn’t -yoi.”

Sabo, the still unknown blond, had haki spasming over his hands and disappearing again, before turning to Ace, “They tied you up!”

The way Ace sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose made Marco think back about all the times he had the exact same reaction when one of the other commanders lay into him. Suddenly it made sense who Sabo was, he was most likely one of the people Shanks had mentioned would make life very, very hard for their crew if something happened to Ace. From the way the rookie captain acted however, it was obvious that the blond was his younger brother. Given that train of thought, he could see the similarities between the two of them clear as day.

“We did, assuming that he was a navy spy after finding the den-den you both carry around -yoi.”

Sabo sucked in a breath between his teeth, glaring at Marco, before a smile took over his face, “I like you, take care of Ace for me or I’ll be coming back to burn this place to the ground.”

Ace just rolled his eyes, grinning as Deuce leaned in to ask Ace if he was sure that Sabo didn’t get a fire based fruit either. The blond did so like fire for one reason or another.

Ace had snorted, looked Marco in the eye, before saying, “Nah, that’s Dragon influencing him, he just wants to burn down the world government and it shows. That’s what you get for being the second in command of the revolutionary army after all.”

The way Sabo grinned proudly, Marco had a feeling the younger blond didn’t mind that his identity or his relation to the RA had been revealed. Which was a very odd way of going at it, as all the other members of the RA Marco had ever met were willing to kill to keep it quiet.

Shaking his head, and trying not to think about Ace’s connections to the RA, or Shanks for that matter, Marco looked at the rookie captain and his crew again, “Can we expect you to stay, or will you be leaving at the next port -yoi?”

Ace shrugged, “I’m willing to wait and see, actually. I came here for a chance to meet my godfather and to make sure that I have a place to hide when it eventually comes out who my parents are. The New World seemed like a good place to do that, as there is little to no active Marine base here and even if they get ideas of grandeur they’ll back off soon enough when facing two Yonko.”

Marco blinked at that, not knowing what to think about the fact the kid wanted to use their name in his own protection. But then again, he might be keeping secrets and just spilling this part of his plan to gauche at Marco’s reaction. Which, he had to admit, was a good tactic to see what an unknown thought about you.

More than willing to play along, Marco smiled, “I’m sure we can make you warm up to us -yoi. Oyaji was impressed by the journey you made to get here, and the way you held your own against Jimbei. Again, we are sorry for what happened after that, and would like to have you on board -yoi.

Especially Oyaji, seeing as the Old Man already adopted you the moment you stood your ground against him. And yes, he does that -yoi.”

Ace just smiled, while Sabo looked a bit uncertain and the majority of the Spades looked at Marco as if he had lost his mind. They would soon find out that all the good pirates, especially in the New World, were a little mad. You didn’t survive out here otherwise.

Chapter Text

Leaving the room the Spades, and Sabo, had taken over as their own with a feeling of relief flooding his very being. Marco couldn't help but be happy that they had still been on board when he went out looking for them. The look on Oyaji’s face when he said he would let them go should they so choose was something that Marco didn’t see often on the man.

In fact, it was the exact same face he had when news reached them that Roger had met his end on the execution platform. A message to the world that even the Pirate King would meet his end at the hands of the World Government (even if Roger had done so, dying as he was, to give his crew a chance to scatter into the New Word and be safe from persecution until they were strong enough to handle the Marines).

Knocking, he opened the door to Oyaji’s room. Smiling slightly at the disgruntled look on the man’s face from where he was sitting up against his headboard. Oyaji hadn’t been feeling all that great the last couple of days, so Marco had put him on bedrest. The previous day had been an exception as they had suspected something going on with Ace waking up and them wanting answers about what was going on.

Seeing the captain looking at him the moment he entered, Marco had to laugh, “They’re still here, which you already knew most likely -yoi. They also plan on staying, at least for a little while and see where that gets them.”

Looking away for a bit, Marco added, “What I figured out, Ace was really looking forward to getting to know you -yoi. As such, his crew was more than willing to give us another chance, even if I do think that we’ll have our work cut out for us to make sure that they keep wanting to stay.”

Oyaji gave a small smile, showing that Marco had been right in his assessment that while the captain had known Ace and the Spades were still on board, he had feared that they had wanted to get off as soon as possible. Given what had happened with their captain, and what Thatch had told them Teach had done, it wouldn’t be that odd if they decided to leave.

“Even after everything?”

Marco nodded, “It would seem that all of them were looking forward to meeting the crew, and are willing to give a second chance -yoi.”

Shuddering, he added, “But I do know what Shanks meant by saying that if something were to happen to Ace we’d find ourselves with quite a few enemies -yoi. There is a revolutionary on board, Ace brother if I am right, all the while none of us even noticed him coming on board -yoi. Should something happen he’d be here before any of us would notice and I don’t really like the implications of that.”

Oyaji nodded, a stunned look on his face.

“So, that’s Rayleigh, Shanks, Garp the Fist and a couple of revolutionaries?”

Marco nodded, “Dragon himself and his right hand, if the introduction Ace did was true -yoi.”

Oyaji hummed, “Well, that is something to keep in mind, no matter what happens after this and whether Ace stays on the Moby with his crew or not. I fear his name might come out at one point, and he’ll need all the allies he needs to get through that.”

Marco nodded, he couldn’t help but think about that too. Once Ace’s true last name, and his relation to the late pirate king became known people from all over would go after the fire loga. And not because of things he had done. No, knowing the World Government, they would make a whole spectacle out of it just because of his father.

“So we just leave them be -yoi?”

Oyaji nods, “Check in on them now and again and let the other commanders know that we will be welcoming the Spades onto our ship. To treat them like we do any other recruit, they deserve that much.”

Marco nodded, “You take some rest then -yoi. I’ll know when you don’t, Oyaji!”

The blond first division commander had to chuckle as he heard Oyaji grumble at him from the other side of the door. His old man should know better by now, especially after making first mate, first division commander and head doctor - he took his jobs very seriously and wanted to make sure Whitebeard lived for a very long time.

---

Sabo stayed until the end of the day, and after about 10 calls from Koala to get his butt moving to where she and Hak were waiting for him. They had gotten another mission, and while the redhead wanted to give him as much time with his brother as possible (especially seeing as they would only be able to see Luffy once he entered the Grand Line) they also had a job to do.

“Sabo, if you wave off Koala one more time she’s going to hit you the moment she sees you again.”

Pouting at his older brother, Sabo sighed, “I know, I just… I want to make sure that this isn’t the last time I see you.”

Ace laughed at that, “I’ll be fine. As long as I watch out for this Teach character and keep my mouth shut about my parentage to some of Whitebeard’s allies I’ll be just fine. Go, and prepare for the revolution, we both know that as soon as Luffy appears on the Grand Line things will enter a faster pace - I still don’t know how that is happening, but Luffy will bring change wherever he goes.”

Sabo chuckled at that, “Don’t I know it. I'm looking forward to it.”

Ace nodded, “We’ll go and see him once we’re sure he has entered the Grand Line, alright. But now you have to go, trust me to look out for myself.”

Sabo rolled his eyes, turning to Deuce, “You keep an eye on him, seeing as he’s not able to do that himself.”

Deuce laughed at that, even if Ace cursed at his younger brother, “You got it Sabo. You know we’ll keep an eye on the captain at all times. Even if we were to join the Whitebeard Pirates, he’ll be our Captain for now until the end of time.”

Sabo nodded one more time, hugging Ace close for a second, before he was off. Karasu had been waiting close by to take him to a nearby island. Waving from the back of his subordinate, Sabo couldn’t help but feel like Ace would forget them while on the Moby Dick. After all, that would be a family he would be able to see each and every day.

He was dreading seeing Koala though, knowing that the redhead would be pissed off at him stretching out his visit to Ace. It was worth it though, his brothers would always be worth it.

---

Most of the Whitebeard Pirates didn’t know how to react when Fire First Ace appeared on the deck, they kept their distance and waited to see what Oyaji or the Commanders would do. After all, last they heard the man was a Navy Spy sent to find out Oyaji and their crew’s weak spot. 

However, seeing him just casually walking out to stand at the railing, looking at the sea with a small smile on his face made them doubt that statement. The fact that his crew wasn’t with him, but that Marco was at his side in a moment talking about one thing or another made them all realise something else was going on.

“Everything ok -yoi?”

Looking up at the blond next to him, Ace nodded, “Yeah, needed some fresh air. Most of the others are looking for food, but I wanted to come out here and let them have their meal.”

Marco blinked at that, “And why aren’t you eating with them -yoi?”

Ace blushed, “Because I eat a lot, and I don’t mean a huge portion. I mean enough to feed several grown men, already did it before my devil fruit and it only got worse because of all the energy I burn though being a fire loga. At least that’s what Deuce told me, after he saw me eat a few times.”

Marco hummed at that, before looking around and waving at the fourth division members over, asking the man to go and get Thatch for him.

Ace looked at Marco with his head tilted, “Who is Thatch?”

Marco just grinned and pointed at a man with an impressive pompadour making his way towards him, an easy grin on his face, “That’s Thatch, he’s the head chef, and the commander of the Fourth Division - our cooks -yoi.”

Thatch grinned at the blond and dark haired devil fruit users as he stopped in front of them, “Marco, don’t tell me you’re already mother henning the new recruit. I mean, I know your devil fruit turns you into a bird but this is taking it a bit too far.”

Ace blushed at that, almost wanting to say that everything was alright and seeing if he couldn’t eat something else - raid the storage cupboard while he was at it, or fishing to make sure that he didn’t eat them all out of supplies.

Marco, as if sensing something going on, put a hand on Ace’s shoulder stopping him from leaving. Leveling an unimpressed look at Thatch, he kicked the other man in his shin, seeing the grimace appearing there knowing that message was received.

“Ace is a D -yoi. As a chef I do hope I don’t need to explain what that means, or do I?”

Thatch shook his head, knowing well enough that Teach - the other D on board - could eat his own body weight in one sitting. Seeing Ace standing there, almost looking embarrassed about that part made him wince again. It would seem that some of them kept on making a bad impression on Fire Fist Ace, and his Spade Pirates.

“I know what it means, Marco, but thanks for telling me. I’ll take it from here.”

Ace was surprised to find the cook’s hand on his shoulder as he was led inside - presumably towards the kitchen - all the while the cook, Thatch, kept up chit chatting the whole way. Once in the kitchen, he turned to the Logia, “So, any idea how much food you eat? We don’t have a lot of D’s on the crew - well you make two - nor in the alliance. But I do know that you can eat your own weight in food, that about right?”

Ace hummed, “Bit more than that, I think, I used to eat less. But after eating my devil fruit I ate a whole lot more to keep up with the energy I burn through.”

Thatch hummed, “Right, I should have known that too. Can you hold out for a bit, I’ll make sure to cook you up enough to keep you satisfied until dinner. If you want to, that is?”

Ace beamed at the other man, grinning as he nodded. More than willing to wait a bit if needed to be. The smell that had come from the kitchen and galley was enough to feel bad about eating as much. Leaving his crew to eat now while he would find other ways to fill himself up. He really should have guessed that one of the oldest active crews around had seen their fair share of people with a huge appetite and could plan their meals accordingly.

What did bother him was the thought that the other D on board was the same man who had roughed up his crew, without Whitebeard’s orders at that. He wondered if they would be introduced, seeing as that was something he wanted to postpone as long as possible.

Other than that, it would seem that the Whitebeard Pirates were really trying to make them stay. He and the Spades had agreed to a 3 month trial period - of sorts - before they would accept staying.

Chapter Text

As agreed upon they would give the Whitebeard Pirates a trial run, one that ran smoothly for all of the Spade Pirates. After the initial first few days where the others on board didn’t know how to deal with all of them, that had been cleared out when Marco had talked to all the division commanders, and gave the same announcement to the first and second division, about Ace and how he had a marine den-den on him.

The fact that he was Garp’s grandson suddenly made sense to all of them. For one, most of them had seen the crazy marine vice-admiral at least one time in their career. To know that the man had three grandsons - all who didn’t become marines - was terrifying enough. 

To know that the man had gone against regulations to get his grandsons, as well as his son, and cousin-in-law (who was Shanks) a den den so they could all stay in contact was something admired by most of them.

Garp might be crazy (but then again, the best ones often were) but he was one of the marines none of them minded to run into. Because of his honor bound ethics, and the fact that just about everyone on the seas knew that while the man could be an admiral, he refused to get promoted as it would bring them too close to the Celestial Dragons.

And while this was rumors, it was said that he refused to be close to them because of what they did to the people he had vowed to protect. Garp was, first and foremost, a man of the people instead of the World Government (something only strengthened after rumors started to surface that he had lost a grandchild because of the ridiculous way the WG tried to deal with Roger’s offspring - if there had even been any).

Soon after the announcement, more than a few people started to come and introduce themselves to Ace, and the Spades, starting with the Division Commanders and the nurses. It was always handy to know who was in command after Whitebeard and who they could turn to if one of them was ill. 

After about a month, most of them had been approached by close to 80% of the crew. Slowly but surely it was also very obvious as to who would fit in with what division (even if this would pull them apart) and who was being approached with the question to join (even if it was just on a trial run).

It was on one of these moments, with Ace being the only one of the Spades not really fitting into one division (or not realising just where he did fit in) that Marco and Whitebeard realised that the Fire Logia was an amazing navigator (he had to be for leading his crew into the NEw World within the year of them entering the Grand Line).

While cleaning the deck and talking with Marco who was helping, the freckled man had stopped and stared out into the still clear sky, a frown forming on his face.

“There is a storm brewing, it will be on us in less than an hour.”

Not even 10 minutes later, one of the navigators - the second division - had come running to Marco to warn him about the exact same thing.

The blond had turned disbelieving eyes onto Ace, before nodding at the second division member, asking if he knew of a way they could either avoid it (or at least the higher and more deadly waves) or if possible go around it.

The nervous look on their face made it clear that he didn’t know, expecting the Moby to have to brave the stormy weather even if it was in moments like this that it became dangerous. Especially for their Devil Fruit users, more than one had been lost to the sea on moments like this.

Ace cleared his throat, “There should be an island about an hour west from here, it isn’t a big one. And I doubt that you’ve been there before; but it’s large enough to have it’s own bay. If we can anchor there and use the bay to our advantage we can ride out the storm without too much trouble. That is of course if you are in agreement with this.”

Marco had looked at the Second Division member, who did indeed confirm there was an island like that. However, it was one without an actual gravitational pull (and such not easily found by crews) but it was on one of the maps he got. 

From the looks of it, it did indeed have it’s own bay - one large enough to fit the Moby in even - but it would be a race against time to get there in time.

Ace grinned, “If I may?”

Marco nodded, leading the dark haired man to the navigation room, as well as tell him how he could let the helmsman know how he needed to steer the ship. If he was on time, it should be Haruta at the helm too. The 12th division commander was known to be quite nimble with the steering and able to make the Moby make movements that not all of them were able to get done from their amazing ship.

Leaving Ace alone with the rest of the second division, Marco wasn’t all that surprised when not 5 minutes after the Moby started to speed up and go off the course he had planned out (not that he minded that much, his course didn’t matter if this could save them the danger of a heavy storm).

As the first bigger waves were catching up on them, and the sky turned black, green and grey they could see the island on the horizon. It’s bay indeed came closer and closer before the biggest waves caught them.

---

The anchor thrown out and everything that could move on deck tied down, Marco went to look for Ace. Finding the other man still in the navigation room checking, and double checking maps he had found laying around Marco was impressed to see the other changing them.

From what he could see next to that the man had also drawn several maps of the East Blue while he was at it. Not that they would ever come in one of the smaller Blue seas, it was nice to know that they at least had those on hand.

“That was some nice navigation there, Ace -yoi.”

Ace had looked up, an easy grin on his face, shrugging, “I like it. I was the navigator on the Spadille and I enjoyed doing it. Sabo thought it to me when it was obvious that we wouldn’t set out on the same crew - he’s an even better navigator than I am.”

Blinking and remembering the blond he had seen on the first few days on the Moby, Marco had to admit that he would love to speak to the younger blond again, if only because he loved to discuss that with someone who knew about it as Ace, and apparently Sabo.

He had developed a fascination with navigating, and he wasn’t all that bad at it. But that didn’t mean he actually had time to do it all as well as it should be done. If they had a second division commander again, and he knew just who he needed to push forward if Oyaji ever asked and the man in question decided to stay, they would be able to cover more distance and be aware of storms like this one popping up much sooner.

Exchanging some small talk, Marco left the navigation room again. Ace joined him to make his way to the room the Spades were still using. They usually kept on gathering together again, instead of staying with the divisions they were slowly but surely joining.

He hoped that would soon change, as the Spades found their own place here on the Moby. Neither he, Oyaji or the other division commanders wanted to see them go. But they were well aware that they hadn’t made the best first impression. Right now, all they could do was wait and see.

He knew that he wasn’t the only one on the Moby who was anxiously waiting for the three months (two more to go) to be over and see if they would be able to call the Spades their new brothers or not.

---

Close to the three month mark, Marco was surprised to find Ace waiting for him when he came out of the infirmary. There had been some wounded after a surprise attack by the marines, so he had been in there for a long while. To know that Ace had been standing here for a while only made him impressed with the Fira Logia.

“Something I can do for you, Ace -yoi?”

Ace nodded, handing him a folder, “Sabo just dropped this off, I think… I really think you and Oyaji need to look at this.”

The familiar address of their captain made Marco perk up, it gave him a very good idea what would happen in another week or so. He was glad about that, as he liked the man in front of him (more than he ever did any other of his crew mates). The fact that he and his crew participated in their crew as much as they could without actually joining was also something that the other division commanders had commented about. Adding to their hope that the Spades would stay.

Opening the folder, Marco let his eyes glide over the entails. Before he snapped the folder close and mentioned Ace to follow him; leading him to Oyaji’s room where the other commanders were waiting for him to join them for their commander’s meeting.

They all stared as Ace entered the room after him, until Marco gave the folder to Oyaji who looked it through, his normally kind eyes turning hard in a way that made them all fear what was described in the folder.

“Is this legit, Ace?”

The Fire Logia nodded, “Sabo wouldn’t give me faulty or incomplete info. It’s why it took so long for this to get to me. Me and my crew were on guard about Teach since he roughed up the Spades at the beginning of our stay here, leading to me asking Sabo to look into it.

He and Dragon could give me this information, which I realised I needed to get back to you and Marco as soon as possible. Especially given the way you see the crew as family, and the values the person in question has as such stepped upon.”

Oyaji sighed, “This is troubling.”

Giving the folder to Marco, the blond passed it to Thatch who was standing next to him. The man had Izo and Haruto reading over his shoulders; all three of them palling at what they were reading. Handing it to Vista next, it went from commander to commander until all of them had read it and were disgusted by the dealings and underworld practices, as well as the information dealings with the marines, that Marshal D. Teach had been doing this for almost as long as he had been on board the Moby Dick.

Least to say they had the man brought before them where they confronted him with the facts, giving him a chance to prove them this wasn’t the truth. Ace had been taken aback by that, but understood that they believed him but that this was still one of their brothers.

In a fit of trying to cover for himself, Teach had tried to get to Ace - and he got one haki coated fist in, before he was pulled away by Marco and Vista. Both of them were disgusted by this man they had known their whole piracy career. As per their laws, he was dealt with soon enough; as soon as his body was disposed of they charged his bunk, gear and belongings - finding enough evidence to show the others on board to let them know just what had happened to the man when he wasn’t seen anymore.

The very next week, the Spades stepped into the dining hall with their heads held high and the Whitebeard Jolly Roger displayed on their clothing or tattooed on their bodies. Ace had by far the most eye-catching one, taking over the whole of his back.

Chapter Text

Luffy was almost bouncing where he was standing as he realized what the day was, his 17th birthday had come around much faster than he anticipated. Of course he had been looking forward to this for quite a while. The fact that he could finally set out like his brothers before him, was like a dream come true.

Even if he was sad that Makino had been left behind, he was the last one to leave their cousin. And with only here in East Blue, the only one who would come to visit her was Shanks at times; but then again, now that he would leave, maybe she could finally join him on the Red Force (he assumed that she would like doing that).

Speaking about Makino and Shanks, with him leaving he had called Gramps months ago to make sure that Makino had a snail of her own. Even if she decided to stay on Dawn Island, she could still get in contact with all of them - so she wouldn’t get lonely. Not with Dandon not able to make the trek from the bandit’s cabin to the village - and back again - to visit the woman who had helped her raise the boys.

Makino grinned from where she was standing behind the bar, Luffy seated at the counter looking at his snail, hopeful to see who would call first to wish him a Happy Birthday, and to wish him lots of luck as he made his own journey into the sea.

“Luffy, they’ll call when they do. You know as well as I that Ace and Shanks sleep late most of the time. Sabo on the other hand might not even have been to sleep since he joined that one mission with Koala - he’ll call later on the day.

Garp on the other hand will most likely terrify the new recruits, he’ll call when he finds time in between his exercise regimes. Have a little patience.”

Luffy pouted at that, “But it’s my birthday, I swear that all of them are so concentrated on their own crews (and they aren’t even captains) that they forget about me.”

Makino laughed, “You know as well that they don’t forget about you; Ace and Sabo make a habit of calling you at least 2 times a week - and if they aren’t able to do so, Marco and Koala will give you an update so you don’t have to worry.”

Huffing at that, and not wanting to prove her right, Luffy knew that his brothers were happy with the things they were doing right now.

Sabo had always said he wanted to be a revolutionary after hearing about his dad from Jiji. He wanted to change the world for the better, and while a lot was being done in secret, he was sure that his blond brother and biological father were getting there little bit by little bit.

It was also in the Revolutionary army that he had found people who had the same motif and goal in life. Including friends that helped him in so many ways that Ace and he had never been able to do.

Not to forget Koala, who had been his long term partner before romance started to blossom between the two of them. Right now, they were together for almost 2 years, and Luffy couldn’t help but be happy for them every time he heard Sabo, or on a rare occasion Koala, talk about the other person as if they were the one for them - and he didn’t think otherwise.

Ace on the other hand, didn’t want to be a captain per se, he just wanted to make his mark on the world. Especially in a way that wasn’t connected to his late father, he wanted to do it because of who he was.

In a way, joining the Whitebeard Pirates was something that Luffy and Sabo had expected to happen after the first few times Shanks told them about the rivalry/friendship between Roger and Whitebeard.

Luffy had been somewhat disappointed that Ace didn’t join his crew, but then again, he knew that his brother would never be happy on his crew for the long run. He liked his freedom too much, and having to listen to his little brother (who he would try to protect even if Luffy ordered him not to) would bring friction and end in an argument.

He knew that Ace had been happy with the Spades, but he blossomed on the Moby Dick. In such a way that Luffy was certain that the lingering doubts and black thoughts his oldest brother was prone to were almost totally wiped away. It might also have something to do with the fact that the whole crew (especially after the death of Blackbeard) knew his real last name and didn’t react to it.

Marco the Phoenix had also played a large part in that, he and Sabo had read into the signals early on when Ace was on the Moby Dick, knowing that the older blond was harboring some kind of feelings for their hothead brother. It was only about 6 months after the Spades had officially joined, that Ace had seen it too, and had returned those feelings.

The few times he had spoken to Marco, he knew that the blond was head over heels for his brother, and would do anything for the other man. Just as he would do a whole lot for Sabo and Luffy, because they meant so much to Ace, and in turn, a lot to the Whitebeard Pirates.

—

The whole of his family had called within 2 hours of Luffy pouting at Makino that they hadn’t done so, wishing him a happy birthday with their lover, and the whole of their crew, in the background saying the exact same thing.

Dragon had told him that he would be meeting up with him, and whoever was on his crew at that point, in Logue Town. He needed to be there for business anyway, better to combine the two events.

Sabo and Ace however didn’t promise him that, but told him that they would run into him in the Grand Line - which was easier for the both of them. Especially Ace as he was part of a well known New World Crew and being seen in Paradise might bring chaos with it that they couldn’t predict.

Shanks on the other hand, didn’t make any such promises, but he did tell him that he would make sure that Makino wasn’t alone for long. Planning to ask his wife to finally join him on the Red Force after so long apart.

It made Luffy happy, knowing that Makino wouldn’t be alone for a long time, she didn’t deserve that after everything she had to endure raising 2 D’s and a third honorary D. She more than deserved to have a better chance at life with Shanks.

Packing the last few things he needed in the knapsack that Makino had gotten him (she had done the same to Sabo and Ace - with a dark blue and a watermelon painted one respectively). His was yellow, like Hat, with a blue and red pattern intercrossing on it; it represented the bonds he had with his brothers.

“Luffy, are you sure you have enough provisions? We both know how much you eat.”

He hummed, “I do, and Jiji sent me some extra gold so I should be alright until I get a cook.”

Feeling Makino behind him, she pressed a coin purse into his hands, “Good, because Shanks left this the last time he came by. I know you want to do this all on your own. But humor us, alright.”

Humming, he put the purse away in his bag before shouldering it.

“All ready!”

Makino smiled, hugging him close for more time. He knew that in a way he and his brothers were somewhat more to her than just the cousins she looked over. They were her adoptive sons as much as they were Dandan’s. Wrapping his arms around her a couple of times, he hugged her close.

“Thanks for everything, mom, you never had to. But I am glad we had you in our lives. I hope Shanks comes to collect you soon, so I can see you on the seas again!”

Feeling her hug tighten, Luffy knew he said the right thing, he, Sabo and Ace had talked about it a few times before - and with him now leaving it was high time that she knew what she meant to all of them.

“You be safe out there, you here, and call me at least twice a week like your brothers promised to do now that you’re not here anymore. And don’t you dare get into trouble you can’t get out of, or I'll come get you out of it and you won’t like it when I do.”

Grinning as she went off on a rant, Luffy knew she’d be okay. Just as he would be, they were D’s after all, not a lot out there could get to them. Least of all with the kind of support system they had built up over the years. They would be alright, and out there changing the world in a way that only a D could.

—

After the confrontation with Alvida - who was a no-name pirate in Luffy’s opinion. After all, only those too scared to bet their lives were the ones who willingly stayed in the Blues. Everyone knew that the real adventure lay in the Grand Line.

Anyway, dealing with her was easy, and getting a temporary shipmate in Koby was nice - in that he wasn’t alone right now. Other than that Koby wasn’t much of anything, he was scared of his own shadow and had appeared on Alvida’s ship after mistaking it for the merchant ship he had been on at first (and just never had the nerve to get up, or to stand up to the woman).

At least, that had been the case until Luffy showed up and didn’t keep to the rules Alvida’s crew ran on. He wasn’t scared of her in the slightest either; this was an East Blue Pirate - while he had been trained by Garp the Fist and Shanks. He knew what he was getting into going to the Grand Line as it were.

“So, Koby, what is it you want to do once we get to Shell’s Town?”

The pink haired boy seemed to gather up his courage, “I want to become a marine, catch people like Alvida, and I guess other pirates. Unless they act like you, Luffy-san, you don’t act like a pirate at all.”

He laughed at that, “That’s what you think. There are plenty of pirates like me on the Grand Line; they just look for adventure more than they do wealth or status. Even if those still follow them because of the name they make by climbing up the ladder.”

Koby didn’t seem to believe him, but that was alright, if his plan worked and he could get in touch with Jiji he knew that Koby would grow under Garp’s tutorage and he would see the kind of pirates this world really had to offer. Garp, for all that he was a vice admiral, was known to have dealings with Shanks, Whitebeard and the RA - which were covered up visits to his family (but other than Sengoku, no one ever noticed that).

He wouldn’t tell the pink haired boy that, as he had the thought the younger man would faint if he heard that. But he did know that living with Garp would do the other some good, not only that, but he was sure that with Garp supporting him they would have a future admiral (maybe even fleet admiral) that was willing to look past someone being a pirate as long as they were the adventuring kind.

Once docked, Luffy frowned at the almost eerie silence in the town. He had heard about a Pirate Hunter being around some time ago and thought it would be nice to meet and maybe invite the man to his crew. But if he wasn’t here anymore, maybe they were wasting their time.

Chapter Text

Luffy frowned as he took in the state of the village they were in. The fact that all of these people were very wary of them, but even more so of the marines that could be seen walking the streets. The way that people pulled their children away was never a good thing, and while Luffy was aware that corruption, greed and sadism could be found anywhere in the world - he was sad to see it happen in East Blue, not even an hour from his home island.

If Jiji knew this, he would be ashamed of that. And if he wasn’t close already, he would hurry here to set this all right. 

Looking on, he wandered away from Coby for a moment, and took out his den-den. Calling a familiar number, and hoped that Jiji was close to East Blue - or preferable in it already. So he could come and clean up the mess made here, and even more - the mess Luffy was surely to leave behind.

“Luffy, I didn’t expect a call this soon. Don’t tell me I need to come and bail you out already.”

Sticking out his tongue knowing that the den-den would do the same thing on the other end, he shook his head. 

“Nah, they can’t catch me this fast, jiji. You wouldn’t happen to be in East Blue, though, would you?”

The snail grinned, “Of course I am! I wouldn’t be surprised if you needed some help from your grandfather this early on in your journey!”

Rolling his eyes, Luffy kept on grinning, “I don’t need help. But this island I am on, does. It’s got a corrupted Marine base on it, going by the reactions I get from the civilians. I mean, I haven’t made it a secret that I am a pirate - or am on my way to become one - yet they seem much more scared about the marines then they are about me.”

Garp huffed at that, before asking for more details as to where Luffy was. As soon as he got that, he promised to make sure to get there as soon as possible. Most likely missing Luffy by a day or two (as he didn’t want his crew to realize he wasn’t at all against the dreams his grandchildren had).

“Ah, Jiji. Before I forget. When you get here and I won't be here anymore. There will be a pink haired teen waiting for you, his name is Coby, and he wants to be a great marine, I’m sure that under your guidance he’ll become just that.”

Grinning as he disconnected the call, Luffy hurried back to Coby - for all that the pink haired teen wanted to become a marine, he was a bit of a scaredy cat at the moment. So he couldn’t leave him alone for too long.

However, he did know that Coby would get far in life. Far enough that if he wasn’t so set to become a marine, he would recruit him as a member of his crew. But already, he was quite aware that this wouldn't work. Coby wasn’t fit to become a pirate, but he could become a marine that like Jiji wanted to protect the people instead of the system.

—

Looking down at the green haired man tied to a post on the courtyard, Luffy couldn’t contain his grin. This man would become his first mate, he was sure of it.

He never believed Ace, or Shanks, when they told him that you knew. That as a captain you would recognize the person that would become your first mate even if you didn’t know it yourself then, it would become clear as you traveled together.

Ace had it with Deuce, and Shanks had it with Benn, and both of those first mates are some of the best ones Luffy knew about. According to both of them, both Roger and Whitebeard had also known with Rayleigh and Marco respectively - so he wasn’t going on a rumor.

Looking on as the girl they had seen in the village climbed over the wall to bring Zoro - the tied up man - a rice ball. He could see that the harsh way the man talked to the girl was an act, a ploy to try and protect her in a way that wouldn’t damage her too severely.

When the green haired teen asked him to give him the fallen rice ball after the spoiled son of the marine captain manning this place stepped on it, settled it for Luffy. This was the man he would take as his first mate, no matter what he needed to do to make it so.

—

Walking towards the docks after dealing with Axe-Hand Morgan, they stopped as Coby let out a yell for them to stop. To hide, as a vice-admiral was docking and would never let a couple of pirates leave the island.

Zoro got ready to take on whatever was thrown towards him, but seeing as the only one who got off the ship was a man with a dog-themes hat, he held out his hand to stall his first mate.

“We’re going to be just fine.”

Coby shrieked behind him, “Luffy-san you can’t be serious, that is Garp the Fist, there is no way you’ll be able to deal with him.”

Luffy just hummed, taking a step forward to the shock and bafflement of the people watching. Even Zoro seemed to be on edge, willing to jump in the moment he realized Luffy was in trouble. And wasn’t that some loyalty - he was looking forward to Zoro’s growth already.

Turning towards the hulking figure that was approaching, Luffy grinned wider, “Hi Jiji!”

The collective what-the-fuck look on all of the people behind him was only made worse when Garp started to laugh, “I swear I should have seen this coming, you’re by far the worst out of the three of you! Neither Ace nor Sabo made this much of a mess when they left home, yet here you are!”

Luffy just grinned, before introducing the old man to his first mate (much to said first-mate’s shich) and to Coby, the pink haired man gaping at the vice-admiral standing there in front of him. A true marine hero right here, this was a dream come true. Even more so when Luffy made sure that his grandfather would be taking him on as an apprentice on his ship (dreams do come true in the end).

—

Sitting in their little dingy, Luffy looked up as Zoro cleared his throat, “So, Garp the fist is your grandfather? Any other relations I need to know about, so I know we’re not in danger when we cross them?”

Luffy grinned, “My dad is Dragon the Revolutionary, and my brother Sabo is his second in command. My uncle is Red-haired Shanks, and my oldest brother and his boyfriend are the first and second commander of the Whitebeard Pirates - Portgas D. Ace and Marco the Phoenix. Ah, and my grand-uncle type of person is Silvers Rayleigh, the Dark King.

Not that any of those names hold any relevance here in East Blue, you’ll find that they are quite big shots in the Grand Line, which is why I am telling you. If everything goes alright we’ll be meeting them when we get to Saboady - if they all keep their promise to be there in time.”

Zoro’s stunned look was more than enough to know that Luffy had shared something the swordsman wasn’t expecting. But that was alright, he had the idea that he and Zoro would get on amazingly. He only hoped that the man was up for the task of traveling with a D, but they would find that out soon enough. Even if he wasn’t he was sure the green haired man would adapt soon enough.

—

Meeting Buggy hadn’t been what he had expected it to be. The blue haired man was aware that there were promising pirates on the seas, just as he was aware that the man had a run in with both Ace and Sabo. 

But comparing Buggy and Shanks was like comparing night and day. While they had both grown up on the same ship, and under the same captain, Buggy had chosen to keep to the East Blue - his captain’s home sea - taking advantage of its weak reputation to stay safe.

Shanks on the other hand had achieved emperor status not even 10 years after Roger had been killed. Getting his title around the same time the others had been given them, and while not flaunting it, you could see the pride the man took in that title.

When he told Buggy as much, and how much of a let down it was to see this happening, the man had gotten angry and tried to blow him up - much to his surprise Luffy was more than prepared and took on the cannon ball like a pro (and didn’t have Garp the First for a grandfather without learning to deal with cannon balls), shooting Buggy off into the sky without any trouble. What a let down, Buggy it seemed was still like Shanks describes him, willing to keep his own hide safe instead of taking a chance and leaping into danger.

—

Clenching the paper in his hands, Luffy couldn’t contain his anger at the knowledge that his navigator - and no matter what Nami told him, she would always be his navigator - had been abused by fisherman almost all her life. This Arlong had taken everything he knew about fishermen and spat into it like it meant nothing.

Like the efforts of Tiger Fisher and Queen Otohime didn’t mean a thing, and knowing both those people died for their efforts to achieve closeness and equality between fisherman and humans, it hurts to think about.

Looking at his crew, to a wounded Zoro, a freaked out Usopp and a still distant Sanji, he knew that he needed to do something to make sure that this didn’t escalate. That the people of Nami’s village didn’t hold a grudge for fisherman all because of the actions of one of their kind.

Frowning, he took out his den-den, and dialed his oldest brother. Waiting until Marco picked up, and wasn’t that convenient, explaining to his brother-in-law what was going on and how he needed Jinbei’s approval to deal with this. To make this right and make sure that this didn’t keep escalating.

Sanji and Usopp seemed to be stunned at the way Luffy was talking to the man on the other side of the line. Knowing him in a way they didn’t know their captain yet. Not that this deterred them from believing that Monkey D. Luffy would indeed become the Pirate King and would go any length to make sure his nakama were safe.

Strolling into Arlong Park after having found Nami on the ground mutilating herself and the tatoo she had of the Arlong Pirates, asking for his help in a way that he knew hurt the orange haired women. That  the hurt, the betrayal and the way she had been worked to the bone was taking its toll on her.

Kicking the shark fisherman in the stomach to get his attention, Luffy leveled a glare at the man, “You hurt my navigator.”

The shark laughed, almost as if he couldn’t believe a human was here to tell him what he could or couldn’t do. Like he had anything to say about this matter, and a lesser man wouldn’t have been able to do so. But Luffy was more than capable of doing so, even more so, he had gotten permission from the former captain of the Arlong Pirates (well technically Jinbei was still a captain - of the Sun Pirates - of which the Arling Pirates had split off from).

“There is nothing you can do, little boy! She’s my navigator, just as this is my kingdom. What I say goes!”

Luffy tilted his head, before taking out his den-den, “Enough convincing?”

The voice coming from the other side of the snail had a number of fisherman flinching at the harsh edge coming from it, “I heard enough, Luffy-san. Do what you must, the Sun Pirates will not seek retribution against you and yours.”

Several of the fisherman, including Hachi (luckily) backed off after that, disappearing into the sea. No doubt to distance themselves from Arlong and the way he went against Jinbei right now. The way they had seen the human boy in front of them preparing himself to go toe to toe, and win most likely.

Chapter Text

The looks of awe on the faces of both the Strawhat Pirates and the inhabitants of Cocoyashi Village at the way Luffy handled Arlong was something that would stay with the Strawhat captain for a long time. He and Zoro had been on equal footing ever since their first few days together.

And while he could still stun the green haired man, the swordsman had gotten used to just going with the flow. Luffy was a force of nature, as was expected of a D, and didn’t abide by the normal way one went to become a pirate. 

After meeting Garp, and getting to know who else was a part of the extended Monkey family, Zoro knew better than to think that Luffy wouldn’t be able to deal with a fishman. Least of all one that left the Grand Line and settled in the East Blue. Where, even if Luffy’s family proved otherwise, the weakest pirates residented. 

It was proving to be satisfying however, to see these arrogant fishmen taken down a peg or two, even more so when Nami’s relief was felt all the way to where they were standing. The knowledge that she was once again safe, and that the captain she had grown attached to. The captain who had worked for her friendship and who would let her go should she so ask (and mean it). Monkey D. Luffy was her captain in the way that Arlong couldn’t even dream to be.

The relief they all felt when Arlong fell that last time and didn’t get back up again erupted cheers from all the townsfolk. Finally, after so many years, they too would be free. Free to live once more, by their own rules instead of the rules of a tyrant.

All thanks to this young man, who, like the fishman, was a pirate. But had done more for their village than any marine had ever done.

Speaking about marines, a rat faced little dweep came strolling past them; glee and greed on his face at the knowledge that the Arlong Pirates had been taken down by a rookie. A rookie who in his eyes had gotten himself is a whole load of trouble given that he had attacked a group under the Sun Pirates. And one could only guess how The Knight of the Sea would react to that.

“I will be taking all the gold on you, boy, and be glad that you can leave with your life. After all, you attacked members of the Sun Pirates; whose captain is a shichibukai. He’ll be coming after you soon enough.”

Luffy turned to the man speaking, his head tilted to the side as he saw Nami flinching away from the man. So this was the lowlife that had been dealing with Pirates instead of taking his duty as a Marine seriously.

The same marine who had taken Nami’s hard earned money she would use to buy out her village and who had taken it as blood money. Who had put money and gold in front of the people he was meant to protect - the same people that were taken left and right, be it by pirates, or by Celestial Dragons and who were left for dead, or left to rot. All in the name of justice.

Cooking inside, Luffy scoffed, “I don’t need to give you anything, marine. Least of all the gold we earned. Didn’t you know that it is a bad habit to take from Pirates, and these kinds of pirates at that, while never looking out for your people.

What would happen if someone from higher rank came by and found out this had been happening all along? I mean, I wouldn’t be there when that happened.”

The marine scoffed, “The only one who comes by these parts is Garp the Fist, you little lowlife. And he never was very interested in coming to see what I was doing, as long as it appeared that I was protecting these waters and these islands.

Pray tell you never meet the man, Pirate, for it will be your last. Garp the Fist is known to be the Pirate to take on the Pirate King and live, and more so; for being the man who brought in the Pirate King. He’s a hero, even if he got old and senile in his old day.”

Zoro leaning against what had been Arlong Park snorted, the wounds on his chest courtesy of Mihawk pulling painfully. Yet he couldn’t stop the next snort from making his way past his lips. If only this man knew who he was talking to.

The only thing better would be if Garp also showed up here, but he wasn’t counting on that. It would be amazing though, to see this rat soiling himself when he came face to face with the man he was insulting. Whose grandson he was trying ,and failing, to intimidate.

“Hey Luffy, do tell the good marine here your full name. Maybe that’ll help him in realising just how much he screwed up - the only thing better would be for your grandfather to actually show up here.”

Luffy grinned, looking from Zoro to the marine, before turning to Zoro first, “I already know he’s almost here. Ace called him after I talked to Marco before. Giving me the time to take care of the fish.”

—

Zoro snorted again, seeing the puzzled looks on the other Strawhats' faces. They were going to realise that they had picked the perfect captain to sail with. Luffy was not who he appeared to be, and Zoro would enjoy looking on as they all realised just what they had gotten themselves into.

The only thing better now, was if they ran into other members of Luffy’s family. Which, he was sure, they would do at one point or another.

Looking on as Luffy turned back to the marine, tilting his head and grinning, “Monkey D. Luffy, I'm going to be the next Pirate King.”

Seeing the look of disbelief enter the maine’s face because of the name, the same thing could be said about the villagers at the casual mention of what Luffy wanted to achieve. Even the cook and Usopp seemed to be considering the mental state of their captain when he said this.

Himself, and Nami, on the other hand, didn't. They had realised just what Luffy was capable of and how far he was willing to go for Nakama. It wasn't a matter of if, it was a matter of when Luffy became Pirate King.

The marine started laughing suddenly, “That's a good one, kid. I almost believed you, there is no way that you’re the grandson of Garp the Fist. He would sooner kill his own child for becoming anything other than a marine, than let his grandson become a Pirate.”

Luffy tilted his head at this, “Well he didn’t did he, I mean… My dad is still alive, and the farthest thing from a marine he could be.”

This had the marine thinking some more. But from the look on his face, he had no idea that Garp even had a child around. Most likely because he didn’t believe Luffy was indeed the man’s grandson - which might just be better, as none of them wanted to deal with the fact that Luffy was casually proclaiming who he was related to.

Zoro almost feared for what was to come, but he knew that Luffy would be able to handle it. Even more so with the Cook and himself as back-up there would be little here in East Blue that would harm them. The only thing he could think of was the man making his way through the crowd as they spoke, his marine uniform pristiline and the hat on his face telling.

Telling enough that the marine in front of them was paling, before he looked at Luffy and grinned ratlike, “Vice-Admiral Garp, sir! This pirate is proclaiming to be your grandson, I was just about to arrest him and deal with the fishman I single handedly took out!”

Garp, for this was indeed Garp the Fist, looked at the fallen fishman, before turning to Luffy and the marine who had spoken. His eyes lingering on the marine in question, and the way the man’s eyes seemed to dull each passing moment. 

“The fact that you’re willing to take credit for another man’s job speaks ill of you, Nezumi, least of all when I am well aware of what you condoned of these men in exchange for gold and what-not.”

Looking at Luffy again, Zoro could see the rest of the crew fearing for their captain’s life, only to see a grin appear on Garp’s face, “As for this young man, he’s indeed my grandson. Be glad you ran into him instead of the other two, they would be much less mild towards you.”

This had Nazumi palling at the knowledge that Garp the fist had three grandchildren, and not just the one here, the fact that the man was willing to admit his relation to a Pirate of all things was even more shocking. And had Nazumi any more standing he knew he could use this knowledge against the man in question. Now however, no one would believe him.

“My men will make sure these defeated souls will be taken off of the hands of the villagers. While you can come back just the same for some re-education. I have another few strapping young men on my ship who will show you the ropes. Even more so as you’ve been doing a terrible job at it.”

While Nezumi protested, he was soon led away much to the joy of the villagers. This had been the man who had also made their life a living hell for looking the other way. The fact that it had taken a Pirate launching an attack to deal with their tyrants (and win at that) was remarkable. Even more so when said Pirate made sure the marine enjoying their troubles was taken away too, setting them free all together.

—

On their ship after leaving Cocoyashi, most of the Straw Hats didn’t know what to think about all this. Not what they needed to think about their captain, and certainly not what this meant for them as his crew.

All this time, Luffy seemed like a lovable idiot. A strong one, but an idiot nonetheless.

However, seeing him prepare to take on Arlong. Cover himself, and them, by making sure that the captain he still officially sailed under was aware of what was happening and wouldn’t come after them. As well as make sure that the marine captain who took advantage of Cocoyashi village just as much as Arlong had done and made sure he too couldn’t harm the villagers anymore.

Hell, now that Usopp and Sanji thought about it, they could only agree that things always turned out the right way when things got rough. Almost as if Luffy was more than prepared to take on whatever it was that came upon his path (and with a Grandfather like Garp the Fist, they could understand why).

Looking at Zoro, they all realised that the first mate knew what was going on. Knew more about their captain then they did, but he didn’t see it fit to share. No matter, they would discover it all on their own. It couldn’t possibly be worse than Garp the Fist.

As if knowing what the other members of his crew were thinking, Luffy tried to keep a smile in. He knew that his crew wasn’t even slightly prepared for the Monkey family; and while jiji was quite mild in that regard, he couldn’t wait until they met the other members.

Sabo, Ace and Shanks, as well as uncle Ray, had promised to be in Sabaody around the time he was there. And even if he missed them, he knew Ace could make Fishman Island anytime he wanted.

His dad however, was a whole different kind of story. Especially since the man called the day he was leaving to say he had some business to take care of in the East Blue and that he would be waiting in LogueTown for a couple of days. If Luffy made it, they could meet again then and Dragon would make sure his son’s crew was prepared to sail into the Grand Line. He even promised to have a logue pose ready for them, as a gift for his son taking his role in the world.

Luffy couldn’t wait to see the man again, even if their relationship was still a bit strained, it wasn’t by far what it could have been had Luffy not known who his father was. But hearing Sabo talk about Dragon-san all the time meant that Ace and Luffy could appreciate their uncle and father respectively.

Chapter Text

Setting sail from Cocoyashi was met with a ship stocked to its full capacity - there was no way they wouldn’t make it to the Grand Line on this alone, however that wouldn’t do. Not when Luffy knew who would be waiting for him in LogueTown.

“Hey Nami, can we stop in LogueTown?”

The navigator hummed, “I guess, but why would you need to stop there?”

Luffy grinned, “Well, my dad is going to be there, and he promised to make sure we had everything we needed to get into the Grand Line. After all, we don’t have a Logue Pose yet and buying one in LogueTown will be super expensive.”

Quieting a bit, he continued, “It’s also the place where Gol D. Roger died. If anything, I want to be able to pay my respects.”

The crew nodded at that, very much aware of the fact that Luffy wanted to become Pirate King. To want to be able to give his respects to his predecessor was something they could make a stop for. After everything which had happened, there wouldn’t be a lot that could stop them in the end after all.

Nami took the helm, “I’ll navigate us there then, however, I don’t think it would be a good choice to stay there longer than a couple of hours. I heard there’s a marine captain in LogueTown that’s been able to stop a lot of pirates from making it to the Grand Line.”

Luffy nodded, another time he might have wanted to see the execution platform uncle Roger died at. However, now, after hearing all about it from Shanks, he didn’t think he wanted to see it. He wanted to gaze at it from afar but not from on top of it. Even less then he wanted to get caught by a marine that was rumored to be a handful (and a half). Even Jiji had only good things to say about Smoker, which was something that spelled trouble if the man realized that he was an aspiring pirate.

“We’ll stay two hours, that should be more than enough time.”

The rest of the crew nodded, “Aye, Captain”.

Luffy sighed, he was quite looking forward to seeing his father again. While they didn’t have the best relationship, the man did his best to keep in touch and to call at least once a week. If he was close by he also did his best to make a stop with Makino or Dadan - to see him, and to tell him about what was going on with the Revolutionary Army and Sabo, and in a lesser way about Ace and Garp.

Times were very different, even more so because of the support all of them had right now. There were people out there who were looking out for Luffy in the same way that they had looked out for Ace and Sabo - they weren’t that alone anymore.

If there was anything that Luffy had learnt from growing up on a trash heap, and the harsh way he had been brought up, it was to take the opportunities that presented themselves. The life on the sea was harsh, and more than one person had lost their life there already - he didn’t want to end up like those, nor did he want to lose crew when there was a way to prevent it.

Jumping up to the figurehead of Merry, Luffy took in a deep breath as the seagulls above them cooed as they flew along. There was no better way to describe that he was free and happy, with the start of an amazing crew if he read the signals right.

At the smell of Sanji’s cooking, he jumped off of the sheep’s head, making his way to the kitchen for lunch. LogueTown was making an appearance on the horizon, not long now and their real adventure would start - the Blues were very calm in comparison to the Grand Line (and he planned on keeping the harshness of the New World a secret a little longer). But he was sure his crew could handle it.

Bursting into the kitchen, he yelled, “Sanji food!”

—

Dragon couldn’t help but feel anticipation building as he kept to the back alleys of LogueTown. Luffy would soon be here, and after quite a while without seeing his son and a second in command who kept him updated - almost religiously - about what Luffy was up to, he couldn’t help but feel bad that he wasn’t there for his son.

For all that he had the best intentions in mind for his son, even more so after Rose’s death, he couldn’t help but feel slighted with the way that Luffy talked about his brothers, or Shanks, in a way that he never talked about Dragon.

He did what he had to, and doesn’t regret it perse. But if he could have done anything differently it would be being there for his son, to make sure that the boy was more prepared for what is going to come. He would never stop his plans, or put them aside for anyone - not even his son.

Feeling his observation haki ping, he grinned, it would seem that East Blue would be without Monkey D. Luffy soon enough. They wouldn’t know what they would be missing, but he was sure that the Grand Line also wasn’t ready for the natural phenomenon that was his son.

Stepping out of the shadow, he was glad that he, Garp and Shanks managed to get the basics of haki into all three boys even before they left Dawn Island. It had to be nurtured of course, but at least they had a head start on the others that became rookie pirates.

“Luffy.”

The straw hat wearing teen looked up, his signature grin on his face, “Dad, I hope your business was concluded successfully.”

Rolling his eyes, Dragon grinned, “What did Sabo tell you?”

Here the teen pouted, “Nothing, he actually keeps to the general rule of no information on missions. I asked him a few times, but he threatened not to call anymore so I stopped asking. I just, I hope you or he tells me if it has something to do with my crew.”

He looked away, “Ace told me about his former crew member that was dealing on the blakc market and whatnot that Sabo helped to uncover. If that were ever the case with mine, you’d let me know.”

Dragon just shook his head, before putting a hand on Luffy’s shoulder, “When it pertains to family, we’ll be sure to let you know, Luffy. I know that the only reason Sabo doesn’t tell you, or Ace, any details is so you don’t worry too much. But if it were the case that one of your crew was a traitor or something else that we think you need to know, I’ll make sure Sabo comes by to tell you personally, alright.”

Luffy just nodded, looking relieved at that knowledge.

And after what happened with Ace and the Whitebeard Pirates, Dragon couldn’t fault him. With everything they had uncovered about Blackbeard it wouldn’t be that far a stretch that the man would be more than willing to kill members of his crew, or sell them out.

Something which frightened each and everyone of them; for if the marines got wind about who Ace was before they were all ready for that news to be shared they knew that nothing in the world would stop the Elder Stars from executing Ace. Just as the Monkey-Portgas family would do whatever it was they could to make sure Ace survived (no doubt aided by the Whitebeard Pirates at that).

Retrieving a package from his cloak, Dragon handed it to Luffy, “I did promise, didn’t I?”

The Pirate captain nodded, taking the package with a big smile on his face. He was looking forward to what was in there; the logue pose he knew. However, knowing his older brothers, and even his dad, he knew that there would be a lot more in there.

“So, Sabo told me that you wanted to see the place where Roger was executed?”

Luffy nodded, “It’s the least I could do, to pay my respect. He’s still family, even if the world government was more than willing to paint him as a monster he was just a man. And he’s missed by quite a few people around the world.”

Dragon nodded, “I see, let’s go then, I can’t go out onto the square as I would get recognized too easily. But we could look at it from one of the side buildings.”

Nodding once more, Luffy took a hold of his dad’s arm when it was offered. This was a feeling he would never get tired of, and one that was almost as great as it was to be out on the sea.

His father had a storm based devil fruit and could use the wind to fly himself up a building. Or even use it to make a journey a lot quicker then it would normally be; making it something he used frequently as he went on a mission alone.

Luffy also believed that it was because of the devil fruit that he would be able to see his father just about everywhere he wanted to. The man could get there in a fraction of a second, as storms could indeed appear in a second or even less.

“Isn’t it odd that they executed the Pirate King, the pirate able to get to the end of the Grand Line, in East Blue. Think it was a ploy to undermine uncle Roger?”

Dragon hummed, “Most likely. The Elder Stars aren’t above making use of a situation to get what they want. It wouldn’t surprise me that executing Roger in East Blue was to send a message that he wasn’t as much of a daredevil as they wanted you to believe. Getting killed in the weakest of the Blues is after all a blemish on one’s reputation.”

Luffy scoffed, “That’s just sad really, that the Elder Stars are willing to kill those of us that just want to be free.”

Dragon shook his head, “No it isn't. In the end, they fear those that want to be free as they aren’t as easily contained as the general populace. Pirates, especially of the calibre Roger was, and Shanks and Whitebeard are, they have a name that is known and that name alone holds power over the masses.

If you are powerful enough you’d be able to challenge them. Which is what they fear even more, they want to make sure that no one can undermine their own power, or that of the Celestial Dragons.”

Luffy frowned at that, but it did make sense even to him (and he was well aware he wasn’t the smartest one out there - in fact, he was well aware that both Ace and Sabo were smarter than him). But it was sad that these were the things they were punished for, for wanting freedom.

“Then it’s a good thing that you’re working to be able to give everyone their own freedom, isn’t it, dad.”

Dragon grinned sharply at his son, “Isn’t it just. I know we’ll achieve it too.”

Luffy grinned, “I know you will, you and Sabo and Koala, and all of the others. You’ll be doing a marvellous job at it and I can’t wait to be there to see the aftermath of it all.”

Dragon smiled, a softer smile, “Your mother would be so proud of you right now. I know she always dreamt of becoming a pirate herself - she even joined Rouge on Roger’s ship at one point - but she never got to actually joining a crew, or starting her own. To know that you, and Ace, have set out, I know she couldn’t be prouder.”

Grinning at that, Luffy couldn’t help but feel like they were both here with him. That his mom was looking over him, that she was indeed so very proud of him, which gave him all the more reason to chase after his freedom.

Chapter Text

Getting back on the Merry, well within the two hour limit, Luffy grinned at the package he held. He was really curious about what was in it now, but he would wait until they were on the open sea once more before opening it.

He was well aware that the logue pose in it would benefit Nami a lot more than it would him. He was passable as a navigator (one couldn’t not be after living with Ace and Sabo for so long, both of whom were amazing navigators), but Nami would definitely be better than him.

Looking back, he grinned at the dark cloak he could see disappearing around the corner. His dad would no doubt tell Sabo all about their meeting, which in turn would make its way to Ace when his older brothers had their weekly call to gush about him (even if they denied such things, he knew that both his brothers were proud of him).

Looking up, he saw Nami and Zoro get on the ship as the last ones, Sanji was already in the kitchen taking inventory of everything that they had still and everything he had brought - no doubt to make a menu for the coming few weeks. Their sea cook was always well prepared and nothing short of an emergency would make it possible for them to get by with the menu Sanji made weeks in advance.

Usopp on the other hand was making some adjustments to Merry before they went up Reverse Mountain - she had after all been a small time merchant ship, nothing that had been made to get them into the Grand Line. Knowing this, Luffy was hoping they could get to Water 7 before they had to replace her - she would never survive the New World (only he hadn’t figured out how to tell Usopp this part, especially with the way the sniper saw the ship as a presentation of his bond to Kaya to just toss the ship to the side was not done).

Grinning as his last two crew members boarded, only for Zoro to loosen the rope tying them to the docks, and pushed them off while Nami went to the helm and steered them away from LogueTown with a frown on her face. She hadn’t even put away any of the things she had brought while out.

“What’s going on? Did something happen?”

Nami huffed, while Zoro grimaced. His first mate told him about the marine he had encountered. A woman who looked a lot like the friends he had lost as a child, also a swordsman and someone who had recognized him after she had put on her glasses.

“I didn’t mean for that to happen, captain, especially with the way we dealt with Arlong and Buggy it would seem that our bounty posters are getting out much sooner than we anticipated.”

Luffy only had to grin at that, patting Zoro on the shoulder and telling him that it was no problem. Even if they were followed, they would deal with it as soon as it became a problem. With the fact that these marines were stationed here it would take some paperwork and convincing before they were allowed to leave their posts and give chase.

Om open water once more, Luffy grinned as he got out the package his dad had left him. Opening it up, he found, as suspected; a logue pose which he handed to Nami with the explanation written in Koala’s neat handwriting.

He also found a map for some of the islands he was sure they would be encountering, as well as a flag with the Whitebeard Pirates, and the Red Hair Pirates jolly rogers on, he secreted those away. He didn’t suspect he would need them, but one didn’t know when you ran into the wrong people and being able to claim alliance to either crew would save their hides in a lot of cases.

Humming at the medication he found at the bottom, he was glad that his brothers had remembered to send him some.

As soon as they found out Ace had narcolepsy, Luffy had gotten himself tested - and while it wasn’t as severe a version as his older brother had, he still had it bad enough that it could be dangerous when he set out to sea.

As no one in the Blues was able to make those medications, he relied on his brothers or grandfather to send them to him. Something which they had remembered, rummaging further he also found the medications that someone in the revolutionary army had invented. A drug that countered the D appetite to a more normal degree (he would still eat more than a normal human because of his devil fruit), however now it would be manageable.

“Luffy, are you ill?”

Looking up to see his crew looking at the medications still in his hand, Luffy shook his head, “Not really?”

He pondered on how he could word this correctly, “I have narcolepsy which runs in the family - it isn’t that bad of a versio, but it’s bad enough that it could hinder me out here on the sea. My older brother had a much more severe case and takes medication for it, which he now sends to me too so I won’t fall asleep and fall into the water or something.”

Tucking that case into his pocket, he held out the other one, “This one on the other side is to manage my appetite. I’m sure you’ve noticed that I eat a lot, and in preparation to the fact that food could be scarce for a while they send this to me too. It manages it to a more normal level - because even without my devil fruit, I would be eating a whole lot. With these meds however, it negated the extra food I would need if I didn’t take them.”

Sanji hums at that, “I think I heard about these, they help in making sure that the nutritions you take up aren’t burned down as fast as either a devil fruit user, or a D - I guess - so you can last longer. Most senior pirate crews have a little stock of them on board, if only to make sure that their devil fruit users don’t starve when they can’t just stop at any island.”

Luffy nodded, taking back the pills and putting them away with his narcolepsy medication.

“It’s because of that they sent it to me. We’re about to be entering the Grand Line, if we can use some of this to our advantage why not do this.”

His crewmembers nodded at that, happy that he was taking this all so serious. He had proven to be prepared while dealing with Arlong, but this was again showing them that Luffy really knew what he was doing and how he needed to go about all of this.

—

Their first couple of islands into the Grand Line proved to be very exciting right off the bat.

For one, they managed to meet Crocus, who Luffy knew had sailed with Roger once upon a time. He didn’t tell the man that, but from the way the man with his flower hat looked at the straw hat and looked at him, he recognized him.

They also managed to take away a princess from an island full of bounty hunters. Promising the young woman help in taking care of the shichibukai who was trying to take over her kingdom with the support of the World Government, even if they didn’t know that yet. Seeing as it was because of them that she had spilled her secret identity of Princess Nefertiti Vivi, it was the least they could do.

Even more so when Nami managed to have Vivi agree to pay them if they dealt with Crocodile when they arrived in Alabasta. They had several run-ins with members of Baroque Works, but managed to shake them each and every time. Luffy, Zoro and Sanji were quickly setting themselves up to be the heavy hitters of the crew and it showed in the way they were making their way through adversaries they ran into.

The only downside had been Nami getting infected by an illness on a prehistoric island and needed help as soon as possible. When she started to get ill more and more, and the way that they couldn’t find an island soon enough Luffy had almost called either of his brothers for help.

Luckily, they didn’t need that, as they found an island soon enough. The luck continued as they found their doctor in the form of a reindeer who had eaten a devil fruit and could turn into a human (or as close to with hooves and fur still present).

Nami had been healed soon enough, while Luffy dealt with the former king of the island who had been more than willing to leave his people to die by buying off each and every doctor on it. With the exception of the late adoptive father of their own doctor, and Doctrine - who had taught Chopper everything he knew.

—

Sailing away from Alabasta after freeing it from the grasp of both Crocodile and Baroque Works, Luffy couldn’t help but look at the woman now seated on their figure head. He had heard about Nico Robin from Sabo, Koala and his father. They had been looking for the woman and had Luffy not decided to want her into his crew he knew that the RA would gladly take the woman into their organisation.

Tilting his head, he grinned as the woman accepted even before he posed the question. The fact that she had robbed Crocodile’s hideout after Luffy had saved her life after Crocodile had tried to kill her together with Nefertiti Cobra and Luffy himself.

He was intrigued by the woman, and by the way that she was able to read a script that had been lost with the fall of Ohara. He was also very sure that she was meant to be on his crew, the way that her soul cried out to him in a way that only true crewmates would do.

With her history, he was sure that she would have been alone for so very long and longed for company. Something which he was more than happy to provide, it was something similar that had made him want to extend his hand to the others now on his crew - they needed something only he could provide, and was already providing. 

Zoro wanted companionship, and those around him that wouldn’t make fun of his dream to be the greatest swordsman in the world. He also sought to better himself, and knowing he couldn’t keep doing that in East Blue he needed someone, or several someones to help him in accomplishing that on the Grand Line.

Nami wanted a family, not unlike the one she had already lost. But also one who would support her in whatever it was that she wanted to do - in this case, be free and make a map of the whole world.

Usopp was easier, in that he wanted to become a brave warrior of the sea. Usopp was a coward, but wanted to be something more, he just never got a chance to accomplish that. Hearing tales about his father he was well aware he wanted to do that as a pirate, but didn’t know how to do it - not without help (which again, was where Luffy came in).

Sanji was the only one who was still kind of a mystery. He wanted to find All Blue, and wanted to make sure that his crew never grew hungry. However, there was something else there. Something Luffy hadn’t figured out; but he would in time, when Sanji was ready to share he would hear about it.

Chopper was again more easy, his adoptive father had been a pirate reclusive and as such the reason why Chopper had wanted to set out to sea. Adding to that, that he wanted to be able to cure each and any disease it was a given that he would only be able to do so after seeing the whole of the world and encountering illnesses that weren’t seen anywhere else.

It was the great start of a crew, and one Luffy looked forward to expanding on even more. He never did want a large crew - not like the Whitebeard Pirates - but the exact number wasn’t something he was sure about (at least 9, but he was willing to think about that when they approached that number of people).

Turning his back to Robin, he couldn’t wait to get to Water 7, which should be one of their next stops. Even if he had to break the news to Usopp that Merry was wearing down and would never make it much farther (never mind survive the trip to the New World).

Chapter Text

Their start at Water 7 started with the news that Merry was indeed over her limits, her bow was cracked and soon she would succumb to that and sink. Something no one wanted for their ship, least of all a ship - like theirs - that has a klabautermann like Merry had.

However, here is where the trouble started. Usopp stormed off in a fit of anger at hearing they were just going to replace Merry. Even when they could never replace her, she had brought them this far and saying goodbye to her was as bad as saying goodbye to a crewmate.

As much as it pained him, Luffy knew that sailing a ship with a cracked bow was a death sentence to every crew. Shanks had told him about a crew who didn’t heed the warnings when their own ship’s bow was cracked. It had cost them - or almost all of them - their lives when their ship took water and was swallowed by the sea. Not wanting that to happen to any of them, Luffy found it the best possible way to say goodbye to their ship was at an island known for its shipwrights.

He had known that they wouldn’t be taking Merry into the New World, as even better and younger ships didn’t make the right. So to take an older, smaller ship was almost suicidal. Only, Usopp didn’t seem to think like that, which brought tension with it.

Shaking his head at the sniper’s back, Luffy sighed as they started to take all of their possessions out of Merry. If it was up to him, and it was seeing as he was captain, she would be getting a sea burial.

No way was he going to let her sink to the bottom of the ocean. She didn’t deserve to be there for the rest of her life, better to make sure that she was free to roam - and if he had to believe Ace and Shanks - ships given a sea burial were known to stick around their captain (or one of the crew) for a long time.

Ace told him he could still see the Piece of Spadille, his Spade Pirate ship, following behind the Moby Dick. Just as Shanks swore he could see the Oro Jackson at times, especially when he was missing the Roger Pirates, or was thinking about them - the Red haired man loved his crew, but they would never be to him what the Roger Pirates had been once upon a time.

To know that they would need to say goodbye to Merry, after the journey she had taken them on was something very hard for all of them.

Luffy could see it in the way that his crew was packing up. The way they touched Merry’s woodwork, or how they would take so long to do these tasks they did each and every day.

Part of him was feeling bad at the way that Nami couldn’t seem to pull out her tangerine trees. Which he could understand, after all, tangerines had been Bel-Mere’s trees - Nami’s adoptive mother - and now, just when her trees had taken root (and in a way so ahd she) she needed to uproot them to change their home once more.

Sanji and Chopper, both when clearing out their own work space - the kitchen and the infirmary - had a lot of trouble with taking those things that made it a home away. Without the cooking utensils and the herbs laying around it was very bare in all. 

Zoro seemed to be having a lot less trouble with all of this, but his first mate was someone who dealt with things differently. The swordsman had the odd quality of dealing with it all at once - which would most likely happen with this too. That didn’t make it any easier for any of them in the long run, though.

Seeing as Zoro managed to get ready before any of them, Luffy asked the man to pack Usopp’s stuff for him. When it seemed Zoro was going to protest, Luffy explained that he believed that their sniper would be back before too soon. Not only that, but telling the others too, he reminded them that for Usopp this was more of a home. Merry was a memory about Kaya and about his home island - in a way it felt like burying his crush, or not being able to return home.

This had most of them looking sympathy in the direction Usopp had gone. Almost as if they suddenly remembered that Merry meant even more to him than she had to all of them.

“Now what’ll happen, Luffy, it isn’t like we can move further down the Grand Line without a ship?”

Luffy hummed, “But we’re in Water 7, which is like the island known for its shipwrights. There has to be someone out here who can build us a ship - or maybe even, the ship.”

Looking around at his crew, Luffy added, almost absentmindedly, “I heard the Oro Jackson was built here, so they have to be the best if they managed to build the ship that made it all the way to the end of the Grand Line.”

—

Usopp had returned to them, but wounded as he was: he had been no match before getting captured by a local gang in town who had tried to rob them of their money earlier that day. Seeing as Luffy was in no way amused enough to entertain them it had ended in a fight.

Which ended in Usopp being kidnapped for money - as if they didn’t have enough problems already. It was bad enough that this was all happening while they were hopping ships. Which might not even happen with the way they needed to collect enough money to buy a ship first.

For a moment, Luffy contemplated calling Shanks, Ace or Sabo to see if there was a possibility they could help in paying for a new ship. Only to discard that idea, Ace had brought his own ship and Shanks had done the same thing - both when they had just set out as a real pirate. Luffy didn’t want to be anything less, so he would find a way to deal with this and get the needed funds.

The news not long after that, that Robin had disappeared while she and Sanji had been out shopping was even more disturbing. Had something happened, or was the woman not happy on the ship anymore.

Not too long ago she had told him she was happy to be having a crew again, to the feeling of being welcomed somewhere again. Something which had been quite a while - for the longest time she had been so very alone, so to have people to depend on was amazing.

Luffy grinded his teeth, something was going on here. Something which he was overlooking, something which made the city restless and which made Robin abandon them when she had told him she wasn’t planning on doing that.

“Did anyone see something out there? We’re overlooking something and I want to know what it is that is happening here.”

Zoro and Sanji shook their heads, until Sanji recalled someone who had been talking to Robin. Someone with a mask over half their face, who had been gone before Sanji had really gotten a look at him. Almost as if the person wanted to make sure that Sanji couldn’t recognize him.

It had been after that confrontation that Robin had left, had run almost into the direction in which the mysterious man had left. Like she was running after him, even if the tears on her cheeks proved that something else had been going on.

Shaking his head, Luffy sent out Zoro and Sanji to go and look for any more clues while he did the same. Nami and Chopper were to wait at the room in the inn they were staying at, to make sure there was someone there should Robin or Usopp return. With two members missing, they were feeling bad already - they were at a disadvantage that had them watching their back even more.

In town, Luffy hummed as his den-den rang, blinking at the features of Sabo appeared; “Sabo?”

His brother hummed on the other side of the line, “Luffy, what are the odds that you aren’t in Water 7?”

Luffy blinked, “None existent, we arrived two days ago. Why?”

Sabo cursed, “Because there have been CP9 agents sighted on the island. Especially with Nico Robin with you, I was hoping that nothing had happened to you, or your crew.”

Moaning at that, Luffy exclaimed, “That’s what I have been missing. Government dogs, they would recognize Robin just about anywhere. And with the way they have been chasing her for so long they would know what to say to her for her to leave us.”

As he was ranting, Luffy suddenly remembered something, “Sabo, are you on Water 7?”

The snail shook his head, “No I am now, I’m on my way to Enies Lobby after hearing someone looking like Nico Robin was taken there. I wanted to make sure it wasn’t her - even if I know now that it was - and to check up if you were close by or not - which you are.

Lu, please look out. This is still CP9, they won’t think twice about taking you out.”

Luffy hummed, even if he could feel the tension from the other side of the line. Sabo did know him too well to know that Luffy wouldn’t keep to the sidelines in this one. Not with one of his Nakama on the line.

Sabo sighed, “I know I can’t stop you, but please be careful.”

Luffy hummed again, before disconnecting the snail. He needed to find the rest of his cres to tell them what he had found out, and to tell them of the dangers that followed by doing this. CP9, or any CP really, were the hunters of the World Government - they were hired to find someone, or to kill someone without the marines dirtying their hands.

The few times that Garp had talked about them, he had told them that the people on those teams were amoral, not caring what they did in the name of ‘justice’. 

To know that one of those groups had gotten their hands on one of his own - it hurt in a way that he couldn’t even explain. If they hurt her, he would burn down Enies Lobby, or at the very least remind them - the World Government - that there were still people out there who wouldn’t just bend to their will - like Uncle Roger - who would go down resisting the system.

That was what he needed to remind Robin off, that they were already living outside of the system. She deserved better, and she would get it too. He would go and look for her, making sure that she could come home with them. That she had a home with them, and that no one or nothing was taking that away.

Making his way to the others, he even used his haki to find each and every one of them - starting with Zoro and Sanji, before they made their way towards the Inn. He needed to tell his crew about what was going on, and what was going to happen now.

As he walked their way, he was going to make sure that he started giving them haki exercises. It was something that they would need to know before they entered the New World, as it was something regularly used there.

Sighing, he took a hold of Zoro’s wrist when the man almost ran the whole opposite direction, taking point as Sanji made his way behind them. Even Sogeking (and if he didn’t know haki he might be fooled, but right now he knew that it was Usopp the moment the man appeared).

Entering the room, he started, “You’re not going to like what I am going to tell you. But the World Government took Robin, and we’re going to take her back.”

Chapter Text

Their faces when he told them what was going on, was something he had prepared to see. It was after all one thing to have a wanted poster, and a totally other thing to have to fight against assassins from the World Government. All because their crew members had the ability to read a dead language.

“So, wait, they took Robin because of what she can do?”

Luffy nodded, “The island Robin hails from, Ohara, it doesn’t exist anymore because the World Government called for a buster call to be performed on the island in question. All because the people on the island were able to read poneglyphs which could uncover the truth about the void century. Which is something they want to avoid at all costs.”

Frowning as he continued, “Robin had a wanted poster as a 7 year old, and doesn’t that strike you as odd. What could a 7 year old have possibly done to deserve a wanted poster, only it wasn’t because of something she had done. More because of something she could do.”

Nami gasped, “That’s just awful. Why would they do such a thing?”

Luffy shrugged, “Dunno, it’s the World Government, who knows what they are capable of. And even more why they would do things like this. I mean, we didn’t really do anything wrong either, but  because we aren’t abiding by their rules we have bounty posters.”

Sighing, Luffy shook his head, “Anyway, they’re taking her to Enies Lobby to take her to wherever she needs to be transported to. Given that there is a chance they want to take her to Marigeose, we need to intercept them then and there.”

Zoro and Sanji, but knowing what it meant, paled at the knowledge that once Robin arrived at Marigeose they would lose her forever. The Celestial Dragons wouldn’t give her back, and as much as they were willing and able to do to get her back, there was no starting at that shitshow.

“So this is what we’re going to do.”

While explaining, some of the local crime family approached, telling them their boss - Franky - had been taken too for the knowledge he had about the ancient weapon Pluton. They didn’t know what would happen to him, but hearing that they planned on going after one of their own they had hoped that they would bring Franky back with them as well.

Luffy thought it over, looking at Usopp, still wearing the disguise of Sogeking, to ask if the man cared that they would go and retrieve the man that had beat him up.

Keeping up appearances, Usopp denied knowing Franky, and didn’t care what they did with the man. Whether they saved him or not, but they might as well if they made their way towards Enies Lobby anyway.

The Franky family seemed to be overjoyed at the knowledge that their boss would be brought home safely, even offering the sea train to help get to the island of justice to retrieve their nakama.

Luffy could only think about the chaos this would surely bring with it. After all, he was a D, and as such an enemy of the Celestial Dragons. One he planned to exploit to the fullest; they would remember why it was that they were scared of the will of D.

—

Taking the seatrain was a whole other experience, and one Luffy enjoyed immensely. But then again, he did like feeling the wind around him - and with the speeds the train could go, it was better than any ship in that regard.

Looking towards the island in front of them, it was time to get their archaeologist back from the people that stole her. She was their nakama, and was allowed to roam free as she desired - not locked up for knowledge she possessed that threatened the World Government.

“Let’s go and get her back.”

The resulting fight took way too long in Luffy’s opinion and was a test of strength and his endurance. Especially since the operatives of CP9 just kept on coming, what made it even worse was when Spandam called a buster call for Enies Lobby, preferring to lose the island in its totality instead of admitting he had been defeated by a rookie pirate.

Looking back when Merry, of all things, came to get them; Luffy felt for the operatives left there. Those that might just lose their lives for something they didn’t do. He wasn’t going to go back and save them, but chances were - if they survived - his dad and Sabo might have some new recruits after the group realises how little they actually meant to the World Government.

Resting on the deck of the Merry, his back aligned with the wood and his hand feeling the warmth beneath him. However, the warmth was slipping away, their ship had gone beyond what they could expect of her in an effort to save her crew in the only way she knew how she could.

“You shouldn’t have come.”

“You know as well as I do, Captain, that I always will come for you. This is my Nakama as much as it is yours, so why wouldn’t I come.”

Luffy swallowed, “Because your keel is broken, you’re dying.”

“That I am, Captain, but it gives me a chance to die on the seas you and I love so much. To do so, while also saving my Nakama. There is nothing I would rather be doing.”

Feeling tears streaming over his cheeks, Luffy nodded, he had expected something like this to happen. Merry was as much a part of their Nakama as the people sailing with her were.

“We’ll be missing you.”

He could feel the wood crack underneath him, “I’ll be missing you too, captain.”

—-

Standing on the little dingy on Water 7, a torch in his hand as he gave Merry her burial. He knew he wasn’t the only one who had tears streaming over his cheeks. Even more so when Merry called out to them to say her own goodbye, to thank them for the time spent with them and the adventures they had.

Even the Franky family, as well as the shipwrights and Iceburg - the Mayor - were looking on as they gave the right burial to their ship. To make sure that she wouldn’t be lost on the bottom of the sea, this way she could be free.

Making their way to shore, Luffy sniffed and rubbed at his eyes. While he was so very happy to be together with all of his crew, he didn’t want to start looking for a new ship to go on the rest of their journey. Even with them being here to get a new ship it hurts to do so now.

Tugging behind Iceburg to stay at the man’s mansion, finding out that he and Franky had grown up together under the tutelage of Tom, a fishman who had been killed for making the ship of the former pirate king Gol D. Roger. It was because of the Oro Jackson that built a ship with Adam’s wood, which had proven to be too strong to break or damage compared to regular wood.

Luffy, after having heard that piece of information, and later learning that Shanks’ Red Force and the Whitebeard’s Moby Dick, were also made (in part) from Adam’s wood.

Voicing that thought, Iceburg told him that while they did carry the wood, he didn’t have any shipwright who knew how to handle it. Not only that, but he didn’ want to get marines putting their nose in things that didn’t involve them (and after CP9, he was skittish at best at the thought that people would come back to bring trouble). 

Franky spoke up about that, telling them that he was able to do so. That he also wanted to build a ship from Adam’s wood, that it was his life’s dream. With Luffy having saved him and the way the Strawhats stood for things he also cared for. He was more than willing to build the ship for them.

Luffy agreed, on the condition that Franky join them on the newly built ship as his shipwright. Something that the others of the crew could agree with, even if Sogeking (or a still disguised Usopp) was rather cold about all that.

The Franky family seemed to want to protest at first, but stopped soon after, seeing their boss achieving his dream with their help. Their time spent with the Strawhats showed them that they were the perfect crew for Franky to join. They looked forward to the things he could accomplish while on a real crew, and able to see a lot more about the world.

—

After staying on Water 7 until the Thousand Sunny was finished, they set off on an early morning. Acquainted with Franky for now, and able to set off on the last part of their journey - given that they were closing in on the New World, Luffy was quite looking forward to reaching Sabaody.

Usopp had also come out of the woodwork, apologising for what he had tried to do to Luffy. He wanted to make sure there was no more bad blood between the two of them, as it had taken a lot of time for the sniper to see that Luffy didn’t want to switch ships just like that - but that Merry had a broken spine and wouldn’t hold on much longer. It had been a miracle and a half that she had survived coming to Enies Lobby and back, without breaking down.

Luffy had forgiven him, even if Zoro and Sanji weren’t that easy on the sniper. Usopp had left the crew for a stupid reason, he had hurt their captain, and for something that could have been resolved if he had listened to Luffy. They told the sniper as much, who only agreed with everything they said - he had seen the way his actions had hurt Luffy.

Their next adventure, it seemed, didn’t even wait for them. As they sailed into a fog not too far from Water 7, seeing nothing wrong with it - until they stopped on an island and found it infested with all kinds of zombified people and animals.

Usopp, Nami and Chopper were scared out of their minds because of this. While the horror tpe decor didn’t help all that much, Luffy could see that this was a devil fruit at work, he just didn’t know (nor did he care) which.

It was an adventure and a half, something that made it even more rewarding to know that they had another member of their crew at the end of it. 

Brook joined them after getting his shadow back from Gecko Moira letting him leave the island he had been stranded on for 60-something years. You could see on the man’s face that he was happy to finally be on the sea again - to feel the wind again, to feel the sun and to once again be free like he wanted to be.

Setting sail once again, Luffy was looking forward to the next island they would stop at. While not knowing for sure that everyone would be there, he was still looking forward to meeting Uncle Ray face to face this time around. The others would either already be there, or would arrive shortly after he arrived.

The way Luffy couldn’t sit still as they anchored the Sunny in Sabaody let his crew know something would be going on for all of them. With the way their captain had never led them astray, they were quite looking forward to what this was going to be. It couldn’t possibly be that bad, now could it.

Chapter Text

The strawhats knew something was going on with their captain, and not just because he couldn’t sit still and kept staring at the approaching island.

No, they were tuned into their Captain’s moods enough to know that something else was about to happen on this Island. The last island of the first half of the Grand Line. Once they left here and made way to the New World they would find themselves in a whole different world all together.

“Captain, what’s so special that you can’t keep still?”

Luffy looked towards his crew, and especially to Zoro who had asked the question, a wide smile on his face. The mischievous look in his eyes would be enough to make them worry, but Luffy wasn’t a prankster so what could make such a look appear in his face.

“Secret, you’ll see soon enough.”

Even if they didn’t know what to expect about all this, it wasn’t too much yet. They did have to watch out as they entered Sabaody as it was the last stop before entering the New World, but it was also close to Mary Geose meaning a lot of Celestial Dragons were there too. As budding pirates one didn’t want to get in an altercation with one of them. Even looking at them could mean one’s death.

Nami sighed as they threw out the anchor, happy to know that they had found a spot to put the Sunny while they went to explore the island. The one they found was rather towards the back of the island, hopefully meaning that no one would hurt their new ship.

Coming off of the Sunny, they looked surprised when Luffy suddenly looked up with a wide grin on his face as he was off towards a man that came out of the plants surrounding the groove they had picked.

It was only when the man came into full view that Nami and Zoro paled at who it was they were seeing there.

“Luffy, wait! That’s Silvers Rayleigh.”

The name alone had some of the others palling, it was one thing to hear about the former first mate of the Roger Pirates. But it was a whole other thing to meet the man. The fact that their captain was just running towards the man was giving them cold sweat.

Until they saw the man open his arms and hug Luffy.

Zoro and Nami looked at each other, a look passing between them that had them slowly approaching. Sanji came to walk next to Zoro in an effort to stave off whatever it was that would follow. Luffy would never consciously put his crew in danger, but meeting one of the most dangerous men on the seas put them a little on edge.

“Luffy, what’s going on?”

Turning to look at Zoro and Sanji, Luffy grinned, “I was just happy to see uncle Ray, we’ve only spoken on the den den before now. So when I recognized him walking towards us I just couldn’t help myself.

So yeah, Uncle Ray meet my crew; This is Zoro, Sanji, Nami, Usopp, Chopper, Robin, Franky and Brook. Crew, meet Uncle Ray!”

They stood there stunned, trying to make sense of the things they were being told. The knowledge that the Dark King Rayleigh was indulging Luffy like this. Still keeping a loose hold on their captain as he looked at all of them with something knowing in his gaze.

“I take it Luffy never told you he knew me, given the looks on your faces.”

Zoro shook his head, “No, we know of his two brothers, but we don’t really have any idea who they are. Haven’t met them either.”

Rayleigh let out a deep laugh, “You little shit, you look so much like him it’s uncanny. I didn’t even want to believe the Brat when he told me, but seeing this and seeing you I can see why he gave you the hat.”

Luffy just grinned widely, “Are they all here?”

Rayleigh nodded, “They’re waiting with Shakky, it was getting a bit too crowded with pests to make sure that they were all staying under the radar. They all wanted to come and meet you out here, but knew that it would be too noticeable. Given the state your crew is in after seeing me that might just be the best possible way of doing this.”

Luffy just grinned sheepishly, even if the mischievous look didn’t leave his eyes. Meaning he was most likely not willing to part with the information of who his brothers were, and who else was waiting for them at Shakky’s - whatever that was.

Nami bit her lip, “Rayleigh-san, do you perhaps know where we can find someone who can coat the Sunny for us? We plan on making our way to the New World soon, but know we need to go under the Red Line.”

Rayleigh grinned, “I’ll do that, I’m quite the coater in my old day. Most Pirate Crews end up at my door anyway, so we’ll just skip that part where you look around and I’ll agree to do it for you. It’s the least I can do for the crew who want to keep sailing with the Future Pirate King.”

The Strawhats looked stunned at that notion, given that this was the first person outside of their crew who was at ease with admitting that Luffy would be Pirate King. He even said it in a way that only the Strawhats ever said it, like the sky is blue or the ocean is rough - a statement that everyone knew was the truth. But coming from the first mate of the former Pirate King it felt a definite statement.

“Let’s go to Shakky, I’ll fill you in with what goes on, on Sabaody, with the number of high ranking marines and the Celestial Dragons running around it is best you are prepared. More than one crew had their journey end here because they weren’t careful enough.”

As Rayleigh turned and made his way back to the greenery, Luffy on his tail, the rest of the crew followed soon enough. Listening attentively as the older pirate explained the workings of the island to them.

Nami and Robin came walking a little bit closer to hear what Rayleigh had to tell them. They had heard things about Sabaody before, but now one of the locals could give them a rundown about what they needed to watch out for.

—

Making their way to Shakky’s they were looking around in wonder at what was happening around them. The fact that humans and fishmen were going around on the same island. As well as Pirates, marines and regular civilians. They were all here together, in a way it seemed like the perfect island.

Except for the fact that the Celestial Dragons and their influences were here too. Slaves were seen being tugged along by slavers, or by a lone Celestial Dragon. The looks on their faces showed true despair and had Rayleigh explaining that while slavery was outlawed - there was an exception of Sabaody - as it was the true lawless island. Everything was allowed here, except of course gazing upon a Celestial Dragon.

Nami gasped, “That sounds awful, I never thought that such things were still being done. I mean, we all know about Celestial Dragons but to know they are actually so cruel is just… I can’t understand it.”

Rayleigh looked back, “There is nothing in this world that is truly forbidden, if you know where or what you need to do. In fact, the Celestial Dragons manage to keep this much leeway because of the blood they supposedly carry. According to them, and to anyone willing to believe them, they hold the same blood as the people who took over after the Void Century. 

Given that we don’t know what the Void Century was about there is no way we can verify that. As such, most people believe what it is they tell them. Which is also the reason they were so afraid of the Scholars in Ohara. And are so afraid of you, Nico Robin, for you could make sure their whole dogma is shattered.”

Robin hummed at that, seemingly interested at a glimpse as to why her home island had been subjected to a Buster Call and why she had been hunted ever since she was a child. To know that it could possibly take away the power the Celestial Dragons had was a piece of knowledge she could cherish. Even if it was because of that, she would always be on their radar.

Rayleigh just smiled at them, leading them towards a bar - or something that looked like a bar - called Shakky’s rip-off bar, where he opened the door and let Luffy run past him. The laugh their captain let out enough for them all to follow him. Leaving Rayleigh to close the door behind them all as they stared at the people in front of them.

Zoro and Sanji, as well as Nami and Robin startled at the people standing inside of the bar. Looking at the group where Luffy was being hugged by. In fact, if they hadn’t met Rayleigh yet they might just think that their captain was in danger from those in front of them.

To their surprise however it was Usopp that took a step forward, running into the arms of a Red Hair Pirate with dreadlocks. Hugging the man close in a way that they had never seen the sniper do to anyone. 

The name on the bandana the dreadlock man wore gave them a clue, ‘Yassop’ was the name of his father wasn’t it. So to see him here must have been a welcome surprise for their sniper. Who hadn’t seen his father in years, so to suddenly be able to hug the man was something special.

“Luffy, what is going on?”

Turning back to his crew, Luffy pointed to the three men around him, “Shanks was the one who gave me the hat. He and my dad, as well as Rayleigh, have been preparing us to become pirates for a long time. 

Ace and Sabo on the other hand are my older brothers, Ace is the second division commander of the Whitebeard Pirates, while Sabo is the second in command of the Revolutionary Army. We always said that we would meet up again in Sabaody, meet with uncle Ray, before going to the New World.”

His crew, with the exception of Usopp who was still hugging his dad, was looking at Luffy with disbelief in their eyes. After all they had known Luffy was someone quite prepared for the Grand Line. But to know that some of the most well known groups were the reason he did that was mind blowing.

The man without a shirt on, and the Whitebeard jolly roger on his back, turned a grin on his face which turned into something softer as he took in the looks on the Strawhats’ faces. Sighing he turned back to Luffy with a fond, if knowing, look on his face.

“Let me guess, you never actually told your crew just who you know on the Grand Line. Meaning they all had a heart attack when uncle Ray came to find you in the grooves. This is just so much like you.”

Turning to the others, he grinned wider, “Thanks for taking care of my little brother. He’s kind of an idiot, but he has a good heart. I look forward to getting to know all of you, people willing to follow Luffy have to be quite special.”

The blond next to him snorted, “Same can be said about us, Ace. After all, we aren't all normal either. Luffy is just the last one to get here, so his crew isn’t used to that yet. I’m quite sure Deuce kept wondering why he decided to follow you at the start of your own journey.”

Ace only grinned wider at that, looking up as the door opened and another blond, as well as a redhead woman came in. The woman wasn’t someone the Strawhats recognized, but the blond with his chest tattoo was hard to miss - Marco the Phoenix, Whitebeard’s first division commander. Who also knew Luffy from the fond smile on the man’s face.

Chapter Text

Ace and Sabo beamed as their significant others entered Shakky’s bar, given that together they would stand out too much Koala and Marco would do a lot less (in part because Koala wasn’t recognizable as a revolutionary and Marco was able to close his shirt and hide his tattoo.

Not that the blond liked doing that, but with the number of people on this island who would get a kick of getting the first division commander of the Whitebeard Pirates captured or executed, he was more than willing to do so.

Seeing both of them zero in on Luffy, before letting their eyes roam over the rest of the Strawhats, it was almost comical to see Luffy so relaxed in the presence of big names. While his crew was on edge enough that if anything were to happen they would be able to react instantly.

It was a good thing to do, especially with a captain like Luffy. Not only that, but it was a good attitude to take with them into the New World. There was after all a reason that this part of the Grand Line was referred to as Paradise.

On the other side of the Red Line it was a whole lot harder to survive if one wasn’t prepared for what could happen. 

Shanks looked at Luffy and the way he was talking animatedly to his brothers, Marco and Koala. Knowing the teen, he would have started his crew on haki exercises already, to make sure that they had at least a passing grasp on it before making their way into the next part of the sea.

It was subtle, but he could sense armament haki from both the swordsman and the guy in the suit. They must be Zoro and Sanji, the other parts of Luffy’s trio of strong fighters. Given the way the both of them were trying to keep the crew together and keep an eye on all of them, he was sure that this was those men.

Shanks shook his head as he took in the Strawhats, they looked like a lively bunch. Very different from his own crew, but then again all of them were quite different. A good crew was very mismatched at first glance. It was a great way to surprise those that thought of them as only rookies, they could use that.

Speaking about rookies, “Marco, is it true that most of the Rookie crews are gathering here right now?”

The blond Whitebeard Pirate turned and nodded, “Yeah, I saw quite a lot of them while we were walking through the city -yoi. I think that this batch even has a chance to actually make it, they seem prepared in a way I haven’t seen a lot of crews, even veteran ones.”

Luffy perked up at that, and even the rest of the Strawhats were taking in this information with interest.

“There are other rookie crews?”

Ace nodded, holding out his hand and taking what Sabo handed to him, “There are 11 supernovas in total, all captains of their own crews who started out recently. Only two members are first mates, the other 9 are captains - as I said before.”

Putting out the wanted posters, he kept two to the side, which once the Strawhats looked were the ones from Luffy and Zoro.

“There’s, of course, Monkey D. Luffy and Roronoa Zoro. You both are the only ones from the East Blue.

From North Blue we have; Trafalgar Law, X Drake and Basil Hawkins. All three of them are Captains.

From South Blue there’s Eustass Kidd, Killer and Bonney Jewelry. Killer is the other one, not the captain. He’s Kidd’s first mate.

The others are Bege, from West Blue. Apoo from the Grand Line and Uroge from Sky Island.”

Luffy was looking at the other wanted posters, curiosity in his eyes the same way it had been that handful of times they got the paper at Dawn Island. Looking at the wanted posters and dreaming about a time that his own would be in it.

Tapping the one with Law, he hummed, “That one looks interesting, I’d love to meet him.”

Marco snorted, “I’m sure you’ll meet him soon, Luffy, after all they are all gathered here too -yoi. We’re just waiting until a large part of the Celestial Dragons and their guard dogs leave, then we can go and have some fun.”

Looking at the younger man and his crew, he added, “That is, if you’re up to that -yoi. We’ll be getting a lot of stares as soon as people realise just who is on the island. Even more so when a total rookie is seen in the presence of so many emperor crew members.”

Luffy hummed, “I don’t know. Even if I don’t think we’ll be here for long. As soon as uncle Ray coats the ship we’ll be moving on. I don’t like this island that much, nor do I like the World Nobles, stuck up bunch that they are.”

Sabo snorted, opening his mouth, but closing it as Ace glared at him. Looking down he knew why the oldest was looking at him like that. He almost told Luffy he’d bet on it to see Luffy say that to one of their faces (and they didn’t need a celestial dragon calling in an admiral).

Marco however nodded, “That’s a wise decision, and the main reason none of our crews come here a lot -yoi. I just followed Ace to finally meet you, there is no need to come here again. Not for a long while, at least, maybe after the revolution finally takes off -yoi.”

Sabo gave a sharp grin at that, “I’m looking forward to that too, not long now. We’ll reveal ourselves to the world soon enough, that is if Ace doesn’t do something stupid first.”

Luffy looked at his oldest brother, “Finally going to go by your own name?”

Ace nodded, “It’ll come out soon enough. You don’t hide yours either, so that would be the same thing - they’ll figure it out eventually. Even more, rumour has it they noticed, or are starting to notice. Only took them 3 years since I set out, too.”

If the Strawhats were curious, they didn’t voice it out loud. More than willing to wait until Ace was willing to tell them (even if that never happened, they had just met after all). They would find out, anyway, and a little patience would bring them a long way.

—

Staying in Shakky’s bar until word came that there were a lot less celestial dragons had the group going outside again. The older pirates were more than willing to show the rookies the ropes of what had been going on on the island. To relax for a little while more, before they all dived under the Red Line and made their way into the New World.

Ace and Sabo stayed close to Luffy, and for those that knew at least one of them, it was nice to see them all so relaxed. So well adjusted to having the others close again, Marco, Koala and Zoro were wondering how a fight with the three brothers on one side would end (badly for their opponent most likely).

Their group was getting a lot of looks as soon as people realised who was in it. The fearful looks Marco, Ace and the Red Hair Pirates were getting was enough to tell them that they weren’t here often - even less so together - never mind in the presence of unknown and rookie crews.

“So what can we do around this place, at least until Ray is finished.”

Looking at Zoro, Sabo started to explain that just about anything was found here. This was in essence a lawless zone, as they couldn’t put a stop to these activities as the Celestial Dragons used them too.

“Gamble, go to a slave auction, or just enjoy yourself at the amusement park.”

In another time they might have gone to an auction house, even if it was just to save a friend they hadn’t made this time around. This time they kept to themselves and enjoyed the theme park situated on Sabaody.

The only ruckus started when news reached them of something going South in one of the auction houses. A supernova had managed to piss off a Celestial Dragon and the world noble had called for an admiral. News that Kizaru was set to arrive within the hour.

Shanks sighed, “Well go on then. We all know what is going to come of this, might as well join in on the fun.”

Marco titled an eyebrow, “Getting responsible in your old age, Shanks -yoi?”

Shanks grinned, “Kind of have to, with a kid on the way.”

This had the three brothers freezing before they looked at the redhead, “Makino is pregnant?”

Shanks nodded, laughing as he was hugged by the three brothers. Only paling when they reminded him that he had to tell Garp the news too. Mortification didn’t cut it when the yonko realised that, but he would manage - he had managed Garp since he was a cabin boy on Roger’s ship after all.

Not only that, but he had been a captain for close to 15 years by now, he would be able to handle Garp just fine. Even if this meant that even his niece wasn’t going to be a Marine’s wife, or related to another marine but him. Even if it seemed the man was more than okay with his grandsons becoming pirates, and a revolutionary, instead of the path he had envisioned for them.

“Let’s keep Garp a problem for another day, alright, I know for a fact that the man isn’t even close to Sabaody right now so no need to think about that.”

The fact the other Strawhats shuddered just as much as the three brothers did, made Shanks feel bad for the rookie crew, Garp the Fist was quite the presence if you weren’t used to him. To know that they had already met the man several by now, if he had heard the rumours right.

As all of them walked in front of him, Shanks couldn’t help but think about his lovely wife waiting for him back in East Blue. Maybe after Luffy entered the New World he could go and visit her - convince her that her place would be on his ship, so she could see him and their nephews whenever she wanted.

Nodding to himself, he made plans to do just that once they were all in the New World once more, with the ways the marines were behaving it would be some time before they were ready to make the move towards the last half of the Grand Line.

Right now that was territory of the Yonko, and between him and Whitebeard their family would be just fine. Linlin and Kaido knew better than to pick a fight with either of them, and they would soon learn that picking a fight or forcing a fight with Luffy wouldn’t bring them far either.

“Let’s go and have some fun, men.”

Benn shook his head, but followed the red head as the others followed the younger crew into the theme park. Better enjoy it while it lasts, as Sabaody never stayed quite long, even less so when a lot of the rookies were gathered here. Something was bound to happen sooner or later.c

Chapter Text

As expected on Sabaody, it didn’t take long for things to go south. Even with a large portion of the Celestial Dragons gone, that didn’t mean there weren’t a few left who loved to get in trouble with the local pirate crews.

As had been the case now; a slave auction had gone heywire when someone tried to rescue a meremaid that had been captured. The resulting altercation with a World Noble had made them call in an admiral. Which, given the rookies here right now, was a bad thing to happen.

None of them were even close to being able to deal with an admiral. Shanks, Marco and Ace were, and if Luffy were to guess, so would Sabo and Koala. But he and his crew, as well as the other rookies were not. Given the effort they had done to get here, he didn’t want his adventure to end.

“What do we do?”

Marco frowned as he exchanged looks with Ace and Shanks, “Depends on who they send -yoi. If it’s Aokiji, we’ll be fine. He’ll make it look like he’s doing something before going back aboard his ship to take a nap -yoi.

Kizaru, while a pain in the ass, will retreat once he sees us here together. If I remember he hadn’t been all that found of Benn since that bullet hit him last time he ran into the Red Hair Pirates -yoi.”

Given that Benn took a better hold of his gun, they knew the first mate of Shanks’ crew would love to lodge another bullet in the Light logia.

“If it’s Akainu, we can’t really do anything. The man doesn’t carry the title of ‘mad dog’ lightly, even less so when he tries everything in his power to stop those that he sees as injustices -yoi.”

Luffy worried his lips between his teeth, “Which would mean Ace, and me, as he won’t wait to see if the rumours prove correct.”

Shanks shook his head, “For whatever reason, Akainu holds a grudge against your father, anchor. And given the circumstances, he just hates Ace on principle of who his parents were. Given the chance to take you both out, he will, even if it gets him in trouble.”

Sighing, Luffy looked back at his crew, “We dive then, got to Fishman Island as soon as possible. If I am not mistaken that’s Whitebeard Pirate territory - he won’t try to get us there.”

Ace shook his head, “We can’t bring such a foe onto King Neptune’s doorstep like that, Lu. The man is like a bloodhound, he won’t stop until he either gets what he wants - which is us dead - or when he is hurt enough to stop his pursuit.”

The Fire Logia sighed, “Last time it took Shanks and Oyaji to knock him unconscious. And no matter how much I want to believe we can do the same thing, that isn’t something we can make a bet on. Not at Sabaody, and especially not so far away from any potential back-up.”

Sabo frowned, “So, we wait.”

Ace and Marco nodded, “We wait, and hope it’s one of the other two admirals they sent out here.”

—

Luckily, or unlucky, it was indeed Kizaru who was dispatched to Sabaody. And him, they could all handle it. Even more so when the man made a tactical retreat when he noticed the number of more experienced crews close by. 

The way his eyes lingered on Benn and Shanks, followed by Ace and Luffy wasn’t all that promising. But it made it easier for all of them to make sure they could pack up and leave for the New World anyways. Kizaru wouldn’t give chase, not when he knew he was outnumbered.

As it was, the other rookie crews seemed to be of the same mind. Gathering their wounded and getting out now that Sabaody was getting calm. Making sure they could lick their wounds and make it out of there alive. Going into the New World as the Straw Hats were thinking about doing.

Meeting some of the other rookies was fun, in a bizarre kind of way. For one, Kidd seemed to be holding a grudge against the Straw Hats because they had started out with a much higher bounty than he had (even if they were from East Blue) and we're adding to that number at a pace he couldn’t seem to match.

Not that either Zoro or Luffy were paying any attention to that, both had experience with people who talked big but didn’t act on it. Even with Kidd’s reputation, he just kept yelling at them and stuck to that (which might be because of the number of other crews/big names in their presence).

Law on the other hand, was quite the figure to meet. The man was a doctor, so got on rather well with Marco and Chopper - even if they had just spoken very superficially while they were making their way to their ships. Shanks had gone the other way, back to the Red Force, with a promise to meet up in Fishman Island.

Marco, Ace, Sabo and Koala would be joining the Straw Hats for a while, at least until they made it to the island on the bottom of the ocean. Once on the other side, they all had means to transport themselves back to their crews/groups. Shanks had gone to pick them up the first time, given the close relations Shanks and Whitebeard held this wasn’t even frowned upon (even if it made the Marines tense up).

—

Once at the Sunny, they waved off the Heart Pirates (who entered their submarine - which alone was a reason for Luffy to run into the other pirate crew once more, even if Law was indeed interesting to talk to), finding that the ship was indeed coated and that Rayleigh was waiting for them.

Hugging his nephews close, he whispered something to Ace, before taking a step back to wave them off. He was well aware he could go and see them all at one point or another, and with the revolution approaching it might just happen that soon - they could come and go as they pleased - but for now, he would stay behind on Sabaody and talk to them on the den den. They were growing out to be amazing pirates, just as he has hoped to be seeing when Roger called the New Pirate Age to begin, and when Shanks told him that not only had he found a successor - but that the captain had indeed sired a child with Ms. Rouge.

It might just be time to prepare for the revolution, as he was certain he wouldn’t be able to wait on the sidelines when they went after Ace. Not when he had been powerless to help his captain, he would do his utmost best to help the man’s son, as well as the man’s successor.

—

“You know, this is not like any ship I ever saw. And I’ve seen my fair share of ships on the sea.”

Ace was going around with Sabo and Luffy, letting the youngest of them show his older brothers his ship.

Marco had been whisked away to the infirmary with Chopper, the two doctors talking business while they had a chance to do so with a doctor they were on friendly terms with.

Koala on the other hand, had been pulled away by Robin and Nami. The two women of the Straw Hats are happy to have another woman on board after being alone for so long (Vivi still counted, but she wasn’t on the ship with them). Even Koala, who kept on a brave face, seemed to look forward to some women only time - given that there weren’t a lot of those in the Revolution Army either, maybe she could bond with her youngest brother-in-law’s crewmates and have the friends she wanted that way.

The revolution would end at one point, and while the RA would stay; that didn’t mean that they wouldn’t need to keep living as they had all this time. Having friends, and others they could fall back on was also important.

Back to the boys, Luffy was beaming at Ace, “Franky made her. His dream was to make a ship out of Adam’s wood, like his mentor had done. His mentor made your dad’s ship, Ace, isn’t that neat.”

Ace nodded, given that he had met his fair share of people who had met and actually knew Roger his resentment towards the man had gone away (even if it took a few years). Now he was just sad he hadn’t been able to meet the man that had sired him, given what Shanks and Rayleigh told him it was obvious that he would be an amazing father.

Resting his hand on the wood, Ace nodded, “She’s amazing, Lu. The perfect ship for the future Pirate King.”

Sighing after that, the oldest of them sat down; “Our lives are going to get harder started from here. You know that, right?”

Luffy nodded, “I know, you all prepared me enough for the New World that I know what will be coming, Nii-chan.”

Ace shook his head, “That wasn’t what I meant, Lu. I mean that with the rumours spreading it’s going to be a matter of time before they start the manhunt for your head and mine. This could lead to an all-out war.”

Sabo huffed, “There might be rumours, Ace, but that doesn’t mean that this is the end of the world. The marines aren’t even half ready to make their way into the New World. That’s why they have the Shichibukai, and I don’t think they are planning on stopping that path soon.

We’ll be safe a few more years before they can persuit us as they claim to want to do. They might want to do that, but as long as we all stick to the New World it won’t be that easy for them.”

Looking at Luffy, he added, “Not only that, but the moment rumours start that they want to start hunting either of you, Dragon-san knows I’ll be right there at your side. And he won’t be that far behind me. He’s failed his son and nephew once, he isn’t going to do that a second time.”

Ace hummed, sitting down in the aquarium room as his brothers cuddled close to him. All three of them enjoy the closeness of the others as they usually did before when they still lived on Dawn.

“How is your crew’s haki, Lu?”

The youngest pouted, “Not as far along as I wanted it to be. So we might take the Old Man up on that offer of staying on one of his islands for a while to make sure they are able to keep up. We’re going to need it soon enough.”

Ace stood and stretched, “We can get them started on the basics at least, that much can never hurt. We’ll have a few more hours before we get to Fishman Island - we can be productive while we travel.”

Beaming up at his brothers, Ace and Sabo had to smile at the easy way they could make Luffy happy. Except that they were on a ship, instead of Dawn Island, it was almost as if they were back home.

“With thinking about home, how do you think Jiji is going to react when he finds out Makino is pregnant?”

Sabo snorted, “He’s going to come blazing into the New World to have a few words with Shanks. Knowing Makino-nee she’ll be on his ship, in an effort to keep her safe he’ll keep that as a cover to be able to get her to Shanks and the Red Hair Pirates before it comes out just who the father of her baby is.”

Luffy and Ace nodded at that, flinching as they thought back about meeting Garp. Especially a Garp running on protective urges for his family.

Chapter Text

Once in the New World, it was easy to see that the Strawhats were a bit intimidated at seeing the full crew of the Whitebeard Pirates. The fact that Luffy didn’t seem to share their opinion, and even tell the older captain that he was going to be Pirate King was something they had been fearing ever since realising that this was the start of the next leg of their journey.

Whitebeard just laughed it off, telling them all that he had no ambition to get the throne. He just wanted to be able to keep sailing on the seas, and enjoy his home built family while he was at it. He did look forward to seeing Luffy’s journey to the top.

The fact that his eyes strayed towards Ace as he said that he wouldn’t mind supporting Luffy and the Strawhats was telling enough that the oldest of the brothers never shut up about his youngest brother.

Which wasn’t easy. Even the Strawhats could see why Luffy would get very far in life. He might not be the brightest light in a lot of things, but he was charismatic all in his own way. In a way that won all of them for him in a matter of days. Seeing the same thing happen with one of the Yonko (given that Shanks had been firmly on Luffy’s side ever since he left his hat on the Monkey D’s head).

Later that night, Whitebeard and Shanks could be found reminiscing over the former Pirate King around a fire. Their crews, as well as the rookies were asleep around them or on the ships docked close by.

“If I didn’t know better, I would think that it was Luffy that was his son instead of Ace.”

Shanks nodded, “You have no idea how shocked I was to know that captain had a child. Even meeting Ace, I agree that Luffy looks more like Roger than Ace ever could. For all that he has his father’s colouring, he is without a doubt his mother’s son.”

Whitebeard chuckled, “That he is. If Luffy was older that might just be a doubt. But he was born a full 4 years after Roger was executed, there is no way that he is related to him.”

Shanks shook his head, “He is related to Roger, just not in the way that anyone suspects. His mother, from what I understand, is Rouge’s younger sister Rosa. Both Portgas women lost their lives protecting what was most important to them.

Rosa lost her oldest son to the marines when they went around looking for Roger’s child. It’s the main reason Dragon left the marines, and even Garp thought twice about forcing his grandchildren to follow in his footsteps. Because of that however, she was rather frail and grew weaker as her pregnancy with Luffy progressed.”

Shanks sighed, “From what Dragon told me, she breathed her last the moment Luffy breathed his first. Given what was going on already at that time, he said goodbye to his son and gave him to Garp - who in turn gave him to Makino to raise - to keep him safe. He didn’t want to lose another child, the fact that his son and nephew grew up together was a happy coincidence.”

Whitebeard hummed, his eyes sad as he thought back about the best friend that chose to die so his crew might live, as well as the two spitfire women he had known once upon a time. They had seemed like the people willing to go that extra mile to make sure their loved ones were alright.

“He’s going to make it too, to Laugh Tale.”

Shanks Laughed, “I am sure of it. He has the same conviction Roger had, and the same drive to be free like the captain was known for. I don’t think anyone else could make it there, and with Nico Robin there is no way he won’t be able to read the poneglyphs - he was Oden, he has Robin, it’s almost meant to be.”

Whitebeard nodded at that, “I much rather he makes it, instead of Kaido or Linlin - they are too greedy for the throne.”

Looking out over the sea, Shanks nodded absentmindedly, “We’ll need to protect them until they are ready for that horde though. Luffy isn’t able to take on Linlin or Kaido as he is now. None of his crew will be able to take on those two.”

Glancing towards the Thousand Sunny, Whitebeard grinned, “I know one of my sons will be overjoyed to be spending some more time with his brother. If we make sure some of our men are here to oversee their training they will get ready for the New World in no time.

We both have enough favours to  cash out on to prepare the new King for his throne. I don’t mind using them for that. They deserve something like that, as long as I get bragging rights that I met both Kings in my time.”

Shanks started laughing, “I guess we can do that. Our time at the top is coming to an end as it is. The marines will start making their way into the New World, especially with the rumours of Ace’s parentage. We won’t be able to keep it quiet for much longer. As soon as someone like Akainu gets wind that Dragon’s son lives too, he won’t stop until they’re both dead.”

Pondering on something, Shanks voiced, “Mihawk has been pestering me about an East Blue swordsman that he was sure would be his successor. How much do you want to bet it’s the green haired man Luffy has on his crew? I’ll give him a call, maybe the man will come to train - Zoro was it - him, we just need to make sure the others are taken care of too.”

“We’ll manage, as I said there are more than enough favours we can use. Not only that, but a good portion of the people we’ll call on will do it just to spite Linlin and, or Kaido. Neither are well liked for the way they rule over their own domain.”

Shanks looked at the older man, “Not to forget that a large part of your fleet still hasn’t forgiven Kaido for what he did to Oden.”

Glancing at the red haired man, Whitebeard hummed, “I know you haven’t forgiven him either. None of us did, not really, for taking Oden from all of us.”

—

Luffy was all in agreement with the plan that Shanks and Whitebeard were suggesting to him. Given that he was well aware that his crew wasn’t ready for the New World as they were now, not really at least, and with the support of the Red Hair and the Whitebeard Pirates at least they had that going for them.

His crew was a bit sceptical about this, even with the older crews so friendly with them it almost seemed like there was a catch about this.

Shanks shook his head, “Not really, just… Both Newgate and I aren’t overly fond of Kaido. When the time comes to take him out, you can count on us to support you, as long as he falls from grace. That’s the only catch if that's what you want to call it.”

Several of the crew were won over by that, Zoro and Usopp agreeing if only because they would have quite the teachers lined up for them. Zoro was shocked to learn that Shanks had been stronger than Mihawk for the longest time, the only time that the yellow eyes man had beaten him had been captured and gotten him his title of Shichibukai, as well as the strongest swordsmen in the world. 

Now, given that Shanks lost his arm, the other man doesn’t feel like fighting his best friend anymore. Feels it would be an unfair win should he win this time around, as Shanks isn’t at full strength. The fact that Shanks was sure he would win again was left unsaid.

Mihawk was also sure to turn up, as he usually did when Shanks stayed somewhere for a longer period of time. It would give Zoro the needed time to get stronger, and to try out his new moves or strategies against someone like Dracule Mihawk. The thought alone was enough for the swordsman to agree to this whole plan.

Usopp on the other hand, would be left in the tender mercies of his father, as well as Izo of the Whitebeard Pirates. Given that they were both known as amazing snipers and gunsman, it was enough for the sniper of the Strawhat Pirates to agree to their training. Spending time with his father wasn’t bad either - he had missed the man, leading to the both of them grieving for Banchina who had died without Yasopp ever knowing.

—

It gave Luffy a safe feeling that he wouldn’t need to train his crew on his own, he would have done it. He had started on their haki training just after Thriller Bark, but was aware that he wasn’t the best teacher. 

He wasn’t bad at it, but as a very instinctive person, he couldn’t find the words to describe what it was they needed to unlock their haki. His haki had come almost on its own, without any explanation (which had been a challenge, as Shanks and Dragon had tried to explain, only for it all to go over Luffy’s head when they had done so).

With people like Marco and Benn there, who were used to explaining things to their crew.captain a lot of times, explaining to a crew of rookies how haki worked, and what they needed to take into account when working to unlock their own haki and how to use it (given that armament and observation haki could be thought they concentrated on that for now. Conqueror’s haki was something you were born with).

Mihawk, as speculated, didn’t take long to show up. Dragging Zoro and Shanks into the woods further down the island. The three of them stayed away for close to 3 days, before they emerged again, all three of them smiling and littered with cuts.

Whitebeard, much to their surprise had connections reaching to the weather wizards and even Vengapunk (even if the inventor didn’t admit to it to the marines as it would bring himself in danger). Giving Nami and Franky help in reaching their own potential.

Robin was the only one who actually left the island they had made their home base for a longer period of time. She would join Sabo and Koala on missions with the revolutionary army. Dragon was more than content to leave Robin on his son’s crew, but that didn’t mean he wouldn’t ask for her help now and again. 

Brook didn’t need any of that, given that he was already dead, he instead kept everyone entertained with songs and concerts. He gathered some followers with the people in the village on the other side of the island. Enough that he brought in quite some money while doing gigs in the bars, or on neighbouring islands.

Chopper found a mentor in Marco, and a fellow mentee in Trafalgar Law when the surgeon came looking for Luffy not that long after they all made their way into the New World. Interested in the other captain, he had made his way onto the island and found friends in the two other doctors. From the looks of it, the North Blue native wasn’t used to something like this happening, but he went along with it anyway. Happy to be able to talk business with other doctors given the chance - even more so as neither Marco or Chopper wanted anything more from him, just listening to his ideas and joining their discussions was enough.

Sanji had been the Strawhat left alone for the longest time, until Sabo and Thatch took him under their wing. As a cook, Thatch could teach him a thing or too, especially with the way the New Word wasn’t that giving in terms of food - unless one was a fan of seaking meat.

And while neither was a fighter in the way Sanji used his feet, they were both more than adept at fighting. Able to keep up with each other, it was a matter of time to give Sanji the chance to work up to that speed and way of fighting - and join in when he reached that.

There wouldn’t be a whole lot of fairness going on, so other crews ganging up on you was something that happens too often. Thatch also shared that Linlin and Kaido did that too, given both their enormous crews at this point, they would give anything to stay on top. As usual it didn’t endear them to the others roaming the seas.

Chapter Text

After the first couple of weeks where just about everyone stayed on the island Luffy had picked to train on it became obvious that the other crews couldn’t do that. Not when they had their own territories to look after.

Even more so when knews reached them that Linlin and Kaido were thinking of launching a combined attack against Shanks and Whitebeard. Maybe this was just Marine Gossip, or a way for the marines to play them out against each other. But with the two other emperors you could never know for sure.

Ace stayed on the island longer, but eventually had to leave too. He had a division to lead after all, he also needed to watch his step seeing as the whispers about his true heritage were getting louder and louder. If he wanted to get one over the Marines he would have to make his parentage public soon or they would do it for him - in the marines’ benefit of course.

Six months after leaving Sabaoby, all three of the brothers, as well as Shanks were on the island again. Sabo and Ace in a way to keep track of Luffy and his crew’s process, Shanks because he had been close and wanted to check in on them. It didn’t help that Ace had recently announced to the world just what his real name was, so in part he was also in hiding so they couldn’t catch him alone.

He had promised Marco and Oyaji that he would let Shanks give him a ride back to the Moby Dick, just to make sure he wouldn’t be taken by surprise by more and more marines that were making their way into the New Word.

Usopp yelled at that, “I see a marine vessel on the horizon.”

Yasopp, who had been close, looked at the approaching ship, anticipating a good fight on his face. That was until he recognized the figurehead.

“Captain, Garp incoming.”

Shanks paled, but gathered himself. He would be able to take on the marine if it came to that. After all, he and the old man had been almost amicable ever since the marine had come to find him to tell him about the three brothers. He also knew that even if the man knew about Makino, he would be happy for them, really. 

“I wonder what the old man wants, he stays at Marineford most of the time. Last time he came into the New World it was to make sure we got that den den, but that’s been years. I wonder what made him do so today.”

Luckily they didn’t have to wait long. For all that Garp was one of the older marines around, he wasn’t there to hurt them or to take them. They would have noticed; and after everything the man had done for his grandchildren it would be counterproductive if he came to arrest them now. 

Ace was the first one to notice her on the ship, blinking as he snatched Usopp’s telescope to look at the approaching ship, “Is that… Shanks, Makino is on that ship.”

The Red Haired Captain took the telescope from the oldest brother, looking through it to see that his wife was indeed standing next to Garp. A hand of her extended stomach told him that she had progressed rather far in her pregnancy. He almost winced, if Garp was here with Makino something must have happened on Dawn Island. Makino had been safe there, so what changed for her to not be.

Making his way down to the beach, the boys rather close on his heels, followed by his and Luffy’s crews - even if they stayed a bit further away for now. Once on the beach, they could see Garp helping Makino in a dingy as they made their way to the island. The grim look on the old marine’s face was enough to tell them that something really was going on.

Before they arrived, they noticed that the ship turned and made its way back into the direction of Sabaody. They were just going to leave Garp there, especially with Sengoku there to keep a hand over the man’s head no matter what he did.

As the dingy slid over the beach, Shanks was helping Makino out of it, hugging her close as he noticed the tears on her face. Checking her over, putting his remaining hand over her bump he was glad to feel his child kicking at a steady pace.

Grinning, he looked at the old marine, before the smile ran away from his face. The old marine had an ugly burn on his face. Right over his previous scar, all the way down his cheek. In fact, the ear on that side of his face was just an unrecognisable stump of flesh.

“Sea old man, what happened to you?”

Luffy, Sabo and Ace approached too, shocked to find themselves drawn into a tight hug by their grandfather. While they had never been super close, the man had been there for them whenever they needed him. He also stopped pushing them down the path of marines, instead choosing to protect them in any way that he could.

Luffy stared at the scarring that hadn’t been there the last time he saw the other man, “Jiji?”

Garp turned to them, looking at Ace, “They found out about all of it. After you came out with that statement of your real last name it became easy to see just how it had been possible for you to survive.”

Touching the scarring on his face, he scowled, “This was the new fleet admiral telling me that he would let me leave with my life. If only in the hope that an infection sets in before I could get anywhere else.”

He shook his head as he looked at Luffy, “Coby and Helmeppo got me out. They loaded on the ship and set course for your last known location, asking Rayleigh where you would have gone. They left again in an effort to stay as insiders in the Marines.

Dragon already knows, he is glad that I got out safe, but it isn’t endearing the marines to him. Not after everything else that happened between the marines and the revs.”

Seeing Ace look down, he cuffed the oldest around his head, “Don’t you dare. I knew that was a possibility ever since I told Roger I would look after his brat. Nothing, and I mean nothing, would prevent me from protecting you.

All three of you have come so far. I’m proud to tell people you’re my grandchildren and maybe that’s how it got out so fast. But I don’t care, really I don’t, I had been having doubts ever since Sabo posed me that question. But I wanted to believe that change was coming - and it is! It’s just a lot slower than I would have liked.”

Shanks scowled, “So that’s one more thing to keep in mind than. Ace, better tell the old man that. He needs to know that we’re not dealing with Sengoku anymore. If anything, we're dealing with the boiling rage that is Akainu.”

Ace nodded, taking out his own den den to call Whitebeard. Telling the man what they knew so far. And to warn their allies of what was coming for them. After all, Akainu had been relentless in his ‘ultimate justice’ now that he was fleet admiral that wouldn’t change. In anything it would strengthen it, the man wanted to eradicate pirates and revolutionaries. He wouldn’t rest until he managed that.

Sabo looked at Makino, the glassy eyes and the pinched lip on their mother/older sister figure worrying him.

“How come Makino is with you?”

Garp sighed, “Because the last thing Senny told me before he was discharged was that they knew who she was. And whose child was growing in her womb. He also told me that Sakazuki didn’t make it into a secret that he wouldn’t hesitate to end her life, and the baby’s with her in an effort to stop one lineage from spreading.”

Shanks paled at that, pressing a hand to Makino’s stomach as if fearing that the marine had succeeded at that. Even with feeling his child move not two second before. 

Makino burst into tears at that, turning her face into Shanks chest as she sobbed that the people at Dawn island had done everything they could to get her out. They had made sure that Garp could get away with her. However, the last view she had of their village was of sky high flames and a marine admiral making his way through the village with a lava coated fist.

“They’re all dead. They died for me, for us, and I… I don’t know how to feel about that. I knew there were good and bad marines, just as there are good and bad pirates, but this. I can’t believe they would put someone like that in charge.

Look at what he did to Garp-ji-chan. He must be hurting so much, and we couldn’t even get it treated right, because we needed to make our way here as fast as possible. For now the New World is still Yonko territory, even with the movement with the marines, he can’t start an all-out war with all of them.”

Before Luffy could turn around, Chopper was next to him, pressing against Garp’s burn with the gentle hands of a doctor. As he did that, the Red Haired Pirates Doctor looked over Makino. Trying to get her to calm down, trying to tell her that this kind of stress wasn’t good for the baby.

Makino was still sobbing, her face hid in Shanks’ chest. The look on the captain’s face mirrored on Ace, Sabo and Luffy. To know that the marines were going after their home village. That the village that had protected them since they were children might as well be wiped from the map - it hurt.

For now, the three brothers stayed silent, watching over their family as it crumbled. It wouldn’t fall, it would never fall, but that didn’t mean they didn't hurt. That knowing that because of their parentage, or they assumed parentage, they had painted a huge mark on their back.

Shanks cleared his throat, “Sabo, I think you need to call Dragon. This is still his home, and knowing the man he has enough ears and eyes on Dawn to at least be able to tell us about who we lost and who made it out.”

He sighed, “Part of me hopes some of them were smart enough to make it to Goa Kingdom, as one of the known royal cities they would have a better chance of surviving there. Sakazuki might be mad, but he wouldn’t attack a royal without any connection to any of us.”

The mood turned sombre after that, Chopper and Limejuice taking care of those that needed the medical attention. Garp was obviously the worst of it, the burn had healed over, but without medical attention it had done so very harshly. The scar tissue was harder than the rest of his face as was pulling down his eyelid. It was something obviously done to leave a mark, to remind Garp of something, or to make sure that marines knew just what they were dealing with.

Chopper had put some ointment on the burn before bandaging it. Telling them all that it would loosen up the skin somewhat. As the burn was already healed there wasn’t a lot they could do at this time. But he would look into finding a solution. He might even ask Law and Marco if they knew something - anything - that might help.

A bit further down, Makino had calmed down and was hanging limply in Shanks’ arms. The older captain stood suddenly using his one arm to keep his wife steady as he made his way to the Red Force so Makino could rest some more. She certainly seemed to need it after everything she had been through.

Chapter Text

After everything that happened on Dawn, and what was done to Garp, the news that Sengoku had been slacked over the news that he had known who Ace had been, and never acted on it was something that hit all of them hard.

While no love was lost on marines, they did think that Sengoku was at least fair and wanted a better world in the end. He might not have done all good things, but then again; none of them did.

To hear that Sakazuki of all people had been nominated to take over was something that made them all fear for the future. The magma logia was known to execute ultimate justice and had been the one most adamant about capturing and killing Ace, and Luffy, now that the truth about them had come out. 

Ace had been the one to tell his own story, rubbing it into the marines’ faces that he was still alive even after everything they had tried to do to prevent that. Together with Sabo and Dragon he had spread rumours about what had happened to women all over the world when news broke that Roger had an heir out there. Adding to the shame when more and more civilians told their own stories about losing a sister, a daughter or a child themselves. All because marines would target women with a child or pregnant at the time of Roger’s death and about 9 months after.

Luffy's heritage came out not long after the Strawhats went under. Given that they had taken refuge in the New World there weren’t enough marines around to catch them, but that didn’t mean the marines didn’t try when Luffy’s father was revealed to be Monkey D. Dragon.

Now, with Sakazuki at the rear, the marines were going to move their HQ from marineford - just outside of the New World - into the New World, to try and compete with the emperors that now rule those seas. 

Even with Linlin and Kaido not being their allies, nor prefered allies in the slightest, that didn’t mean that Newgate and Shanks wouldn’t put those troubles aside if it meant that the Marines would be dealt a devastating blow. The peace between them all had been kept because the Marines did everything on their side of the Red Line and the Pirates had almost free reign on the other side - given that the territories there meant that they could be watched over by the four of them.

With Sakazuki now moving the Marines into the New World, and closer to Laugh Tale in an effort to stop any of them from reaching it was a very clear show of how fucked the world was if the lead marines was more concerned with keeping pirates from the One Piece. Instead of making sure that none of his men were corrupt and let the power they wielded go over their head (which had been proven to happen more times than they could count). 

Everything in the first half of Paradise would become a lawless zone because of that. It would happen gradually, and in the end it would prove to make it easier for the revolutionaries to get a headstart in doing the Marine’s job for them - winning them more support from the civilian population.

It also meant that they had to watch their every step now that the marines were settling in the New World. Under Sakazuki’s rule they would be ruthless in a way they had never been before, the Mad Dog wouldn’t stop until all of them were dead. Until the devil’s spawn was killed and the bloodlines of Roger and Dragon were put to rest.

Given that information, Newgate, Marco and Dragon had agreed on making sure Ace, Sabo and Luffy stayed together on the island the Strawhats were training on. To make sure that Garp had a moment to breathe before hell broke loose - as it would soon enough.

Between Shanks, Newgate, Dragon and the Straw Hats they were andament to make sure that Luffy made it to Laugh Tale. That he would be crowned the new King and that the Marines, the world government and the Celestial Dragons found out that their reign would come to an end. 

After the Void Century, that was long enough for them to be in power. A new regime was building up in the shadows, and given the connection that were between pirates, revolutionaries and even civilians, it would only be a matter of time before they were able to take over anyway.

That didn’t mean that any of them were glad to be coped up again. Least of all with their grandfather who, once he was healed more, took great pleasure in training his grandsons and whatever crew was on the island together with the Straw Hats, in ways that not a lot of them had seen.

Marco and Thatch, being that they had been on the Moby for a long time, slumped down next to Ace one evening, “Is he always like this -yoi?”

Ace beamed at his boyfriend, “He’s actually taking it rather easy right now, given his injuries and age. He used to be a lot worse, it only changed when Sabo confronted him about wanting us dead. This is him taking it easy, be glad he changed for the better all those years ago.”

Marco stared wide eyed at his lover, before turning to Luffy and Sabo, both who nodded alongside their older brother - telling Marco that this was indeed the truth, given that Luffy couldn’t lie to save his life. It made Marco glad that all three of the brothers were so strong and resilient, as anyone else had died by now.

Thatch was also gasping, “Did he want you all dead?”

Luffy laughed, shaking his head, “Jiji never wanted us dead, he just wanted us strong enough to survive. He hoped, for the longest time, that this would be with the marines, but now he just wants to make sure that we survive this.”

Sabo shook his head, “I also think that part of him is scared of what Sakazuki will do once relocated in the New World. Given that none of us have heard about Sengoku, we fear that he was killed for treason because of what he knew and never shared.

Some of us think that Sakazuki did the deed himself, given that he wants to uphold ultimate justice. Which wasn’t something Sengoku did, if only for his fondness for his best friend.”

Marco and Thatch looked away at that, Haruta had heard something similar over the white den den they had around. It never called the person by name, but it did say something about a high ranking marine who had been executed for the knowledge he possessed but never shared.

Looking at Garp where the man was sitting a bit away, talking to Makino who was very pregnant right now; the baby due any day, a soft smile on his face as he looked at his niece. That didn’t take away that even from this side all of them could see the hurt in his eyes, the hurt at the knowledge that Sakazuki was fleet admiral right now and that the man had killed his best friend for something he, Garp, had done.

“I can’t imagine what he goes through with this, no one likes Sakazuki, but I guess that’s why they made him fleet admiral in the first place. With Sengoku dead and Kuza out of the navy that leaves Borsalino as the only one from the old set-up. I wonder who will join him there, and who will be willing enough to listen to the Mad Dog when he shows his true colours.”

They all had to shake their heads, not wanting to think about the implications of that. Least of all when their lives would be getting a lot more difficult because of it. Once they were done training, and they were making good progress but it would end at one point, they would all be roaming the seas again. Running into Sakazuki was a matter of time, and when that happened they had better be ready for it - for it was either them or him that was leaving the battlefield.

Hearing Makino gasp suddenly, all of them were on edge and halfway at her side when she grinned, “My water just broke.”

Marco, as a doctor (and the one longest in the progression) made his way to her side with Chopper. A couple of the Whitebeard nurses joined them as they prepared for the birth of Shanks’ child.

It could still take a little while, once your water broke it could take up to 48 hours before the baby came (even if it was better if the baby was born within 24 hours after it).

Luffy was sent to get Shanks, the man was on the Red Force as they had arrived not too long ago (and just on time too). Ace, Sabo and Garp were on Makino duty to keep their niece and aunt/older sister calm and ready to push when she was dilated enough to do so.

Given the heaviness of the subject that had been talking about, they were glad that the day would most likely end on a high note. That they would be able to welcome a new family member into the world. That despite the bad news of what was happening with the marines hanging above their heads, this could also be enjoyed and celebrated about - a new life, and a new family member for all of them.

—-

It took almost 12 hours, but they had something to celebrate after that. Makino was sitting, exhausted beyond belief, propped up against Shanks’ chest as the both of them looked at the bundle of joy in their arms.

Mariette, their little sea child, was finally with them. Finally she had been ready to meet the world and all the people in it that would go to the end of the world to see her thrive and grow. To be there when she needed it, but most of all they wanted to make sure that Mari would have a world to grow up in. That she wouldn’t be hunted for who her parents were, nor would she be hunted like an animal when she decided to become a pirate like a large part of her family had chosen to become.

Shanks, given that he was still getting used to the idea of Makino pregnant, couldn’t fully wrap his head around the fact that his daughter was already here. That he could hold her, that she was a new face in this enormous world. It showed on his face too, with most of his crew and a large portion of the Whitebeard Pirates teasing him about it.

Even Mihawk, when he returned from training Zoro on the other side of the island, had been speechless at the fact that his best friend had procreated. He was happy for Shanks and Makino though, telling them that their family was one he would never raise his sword against (the only exception was Zoro, but he would be able to take it).

With Mari’s birth they were all more than willing to put in an extra effort to train for what was to come. It wouldn’t be long now until they were forced out of hiding, forced to take up arms and to make this into a war that they would either win or lose. 

Sitting close together as Makino and Mari were put to bet in the Red Force, Ace, Sabo and Luffy watched as the fire burned away at the wood they had just thrown into the bonfire.

“Did you ever think we would get so far?”

Sabo laughed, “I never even believed I would get off Dawn for the longest time. Meeting you, and meeting Dragon and the Revolutionaries, working my way to a new world order, it’s been incredible. But it is nothing against the bonds we all forged on Dawn and beyond.”

Luffy, biting his lip, whispered, “I’m scared to lose either one of you in the coming conflict. Akainu made it no secret that he wants to see us all dead, and I’m scared that he'll partially succeed.”

Ace shook his head, pulling the youngest closer to him, “That won’t happen, Lu, we’re stronger together and we will win. It will be though, and I don’t know if we’ll come out of it whole, but we will win. I’m sure of it.”

As Luffy nodded, Ace and Sabo looked at each other and nodded, promising to each other that they would do whatever was possible to make sure they could keep that promise to each other and to Luffy.

Chapter Text

The announcement of their return was something that shook the foundations of the world, quite a number of people had believed that the Strawhat Pirates hadn’t truly disappeared, but without any kind of work about where they were they did wonder if it hadn’t been wishful thinking.

Some, like those who had known where the Strawhats were training and growing stronger, just had a secretive grin at the knowledge that this wouldn’t be the same team that had left Sabaody. In fact, between the people they had called in to train the crew, it would be quite the shock for people to see all of them together again.

Between the connections of the already established New World crew they were allied with, as well as Dragon and Garp, it hadn’t been that hard to find people who were willing to come and help while never saying a word about just who they were training. Even if getting a hold of several of them proved to be quite hard, it paid up as the Strawhats grew and got stronger.

Garp, Rayleigh and Whitebeard could be found laughing and joking around the fire more than once. Telling each other that this would be a whole new generation of terrors for the marines to fight (none of them were going to go down without a fight).

“They are going to make it to the end, aren’t they?”

Looking at Garp, Rayleigh couldn’t help but snort in response, “You knew that for years already, Garp. Despite not being a marine, he is without a doubt your grandson.”

The former marine smiled at that, “Isn’t be just, he’s going to take the world by storm. Even if I hope to not see him clash with Sakazuki, I know he’ll come out on top. He has to come out on top, given what a wonderful crew and amazing allies he had rallied behind himself.”

The former first mate of the Roger Pirates nodded, “He’ll make a fine Pirate King, even better than Roger ever was. He’ll make it to Laugh Tale on his own accord, and when he does, I think the world will be reminded of just what the Will of D can accomplish.”

Talking among themselves, they watched as the Thousand Sunny left the shores where they had all spent 2 years training. The Strawhat Pirates were ready for this, but the world would never be ready for them.

“Let’s all set out too, sea knows the kids will find a way to get into trouble soon enough. I for one want to be there when it happens.”

Rayleigh was the only one who left, going back to Sabaody to keep an eye out for the changes that were coming now the Marines were operating from the New World. Even if they did relocate, it became quite obvious that none of them were truly ready to conquer the seas that housed the Yonko. None of the Marines, not even the admirals, knew what they were up against and how moving to the second part of the Grand Line would bring them more stress and less possibility to keep an eye out for the common folk in the Blues, or the first half of the Grand Line.

Something that Rayleigh and Dragon were taking advantage of. Given the little group of marines still operating in those waters it became much easier for the Revolutionaries, as well as those allied with Pirates, to spread the word that there was such a thing as help from outside of the Marines.

Given that Dragon, or one of his officers, were able to dissolve several large conflicts in the marine’s absence. Making allies wherever they went, and taking power from the World Government and the marines as they went, when the ruling body started to notice it would be too late.

Glancing at his grandson on the horizon, and smiling as both Ace and Sabo came to say their goodbyes before their own crews were departing, Garp made his way to the Red Force to prepare for whatever it was that would come now. A new era was starting, and despite when he had believed, he was still right in the middle of it.

Smiling at Makino as his niece appeared with Mariette in his arms, he pressed a finger to the toddler’s cheek.

“Who would have guessed that we’d be here. After so long, and after all the waiting, we’re almost all together again.”

Makino grinned, “Those boys are going to take the world by storm, I just know it. Luffy will be on the forefront of it all happening, making it all the more glorious.”

Garp laughed at that, “Isn’t that right, Makino-chan. I never thought I would say this, but I am proud of them - of all three of them - for what they managed to achieve. Sabo was right all those years ago, had I forced them to become marines, none of them would have managed to come this far. 

And even if they did, there would be no joy in that; as the moment anyone found out about their heritage it would all be taken away. I would have lost everything that was so dear to me, and for what. For a couple of god-wannabees up their mountain, and a group of old bastards that think ruling by fear is the way to go.”

Leaning against her uncle’s side as her husband manned the ship, Makino sighed, “We didn’t know that for the longest time, uncle, we were all trying to do our best in a world that was more than willing to push us aside. The will of D is something they don’t understand, or don’t want to understand.

They only want to use it if it gets them somewhere; which will be in part why they let you get away with so many things. The only thing they weren’t willing to let slide was you choosing the life of a child over your career in the end. Wishing that aunt Rouge’s child lived on even if Roger and she didn’t.”

Garp just nodded, pulling her closer as they arrived in open water. The two of them waved at the Moby Dick and the Revolutionary Army ship as they each went their separate ways.

—

News of what the Strawhats were getting into was soon broadcasted, given that they were making their way through the New World at a fast pace, finding confrontation at several places.

Most notably was in Dressrosa, where they went after being asked to help Law. Given that the older Pirate and Luffy had something going on, it came as no surprise to any of them to know that Luffy agreed to it. The alliance that was founded because of that, and the subsequent prayers for the remaining sanity of the surgeon of Death was something they all took into account.

Law, having visited them a few times, and growing close enough to get to know Monkey D. Luffy for what he really was, should know that once he entered an alliance with the rubber man he wouldn’t be getting out of there soon. That was, if he wanted to end said alliance at one point (there was a betting pool that he really didn’t, as well as one that tried to predict when Law and Luffy realised their feelings for each other).

The winners of the bet, Sabo and Ace shockingly, were there when the older supernova threw caution to the wind to pull Luffy close as a thank you for dealing with the advisory of his youth. Doflamingo had been the person responsible for killing Law’s father - even if they weren’t blood related - when the man had been trying to make sure that Doffy never set food in Dressrosa again (never mind taking over the country).

Luffy had just kept on grinning as Law pulled him close by the lapels of his shirt, to press his chapped lips to his own. Not even minding that his older brothers were there looking on as their younger brother kissed his boyfriend (he didn’t know if this was official or not, but he was calling Law his boyfriend after this).

“I guess that settles that part, then, I’m sure Jiji and Shanks will be moaning for ages to come at losing this bet.”

Law, having pulled back from the kiss, turned to them,”Bet?”

Ace nodded, a sharp grin on his face, “You aren’t at all subtle about liking Lu, Law. In fact, all of us were aware that it was only a matter of time until you too finally acted on it. Jiji and Shanks just forget that Luffy is amazing at pushing people’s boundaries until they break. Which is what happened to you.”

Law blinked a few times, before shrugging and pressing another kiss to Luffy’s lips - part in thank you for the help, and part because he had wanted to (had wanted to do so for ages already) and as a pirate he just took what he wanted as his. Luffy didn’t seem to mind either way, going by the way he was enthusiastically returning the kiss.

Glancing at Ace and Sabo, he could see the both of them not looking at them. But neither seemed upset this was happening. Luckily, as Ace and his boyfriend had a much larger age gap than he and Luffy had going on.

Pulling back, he leaned his head on Luffy's forehead, “Thank you for this, Luffy-ya.”

Luffy, cheeky bastard that he is, just grinned, “For the kiss? Or for kicking a flamingo's ass?”

Law chuckled, “Both, thank you for both.”

Luffy just beamed at him some more, before he smiled at his older brothers who were still standing there.

“Did they send you, or were you nearby?”

Ace and Sabo exchange looks, “Bit of both, plus you told Jiji and Shanks that you were planning ons going to Zou after this. Given what is going on, or what went on in Wano, we want to be there to see Kaido meet his end.”

Luffy just grinned, “We’ll see what is going on in Zou first. Sanji, Nami, Chopper and Brook went ahead when they were attacked by Big Mom’s ship. We still need to find another ship to take us there.”

Ace grinned at that, “Marco is waiting not too far out. We got access to a Mini Moby in case we needed it, so we can take you there.”

Law sighed in relief, “Good, because our other option would be someone from the Strawhat Grand Fleet and I don’t know if I, or Zoro, could take it.”

This had both Sabo and Ace blinking, “The Strawhat what now?”

Law laughed, “Strawhat Grand fleet, they’re all pirate crews that have been around for a while yet never reached the status Luffy has. They all plan on swearing their allegiance as soon as this was cleared up. It might come in handy once we need more people when the final confrontation comes around.

However, that does not mean I want to be around Bartholomeow the Cannibal, any longer that I have to be. That man is obsessed with Luffy, and I do mean fanboy obsessed, his ship head is Luffy instead of an animal or whatever else you can think of.”

Luffy just kept on grinning, while Ace and Sabo were also disturbed at the image that was presented. They loved their brother, very much even, but obsession was a very thin line to walk on. To know that someone was like that with their little brother was odd, and creepy.

When they met the man, they found that his obsession partained to anything even remotely connected to Luffy, including the pair of them. Making them both stick to Law, Marco or any of the Strawhats just to be safe. At least familiar people helped in keeping the over-enthusiastic responses at bay. Making them able to concentrate on Zou, and Wano, as well as predict that as soon as they laid waste to Kaido, Big Mom or the marines would come knocking.

Chapter Text

As expected, the fallout of whatever happened at Dressrosa travelled fast. That was without counting that as soon as they arrived at Zou, they got told that Sanji had been taken away from all of them by Bege (one of the other Supernova’s).

From what Nami understood it had something to do with Big Mom and whoever Sanji’s real family was. Nothing that either of them accepted to be held back by. After all, this was one of their own. Luffy in particular wouldn’t make it to the end of the world without his cook at his side. They had come too far for that to just happen now.

Given that this was still Big Mom they were up against, Marco, Ace and Sabo had agreed to join Luffy’s search party to make sure that they got Sanji back. And took Big Mom down a peg or two. The other Yonko had been creeping up on Whitebeard territory ever since the Moby Dick stayed off the seas for a little while when the commanders and Whitebeard were looking over Luffy and his crew.

She managed to take over some islands, only for Shanks to take them off of her without much problem, giving them back to Whitebeard without issue. Shanks was a wandering emperor, one who didn’t claim actual island - he just claimed establishments, and used Whitebeard island to do it.

That alone was reason enough for Marco and Ace to mingle in this. Big Mom had tried to trick Oyaji, which was something they weren’t going to let slide. Not when they were busy making sure that the next Pirate King was ready for his throne. None of them doubted that Luffy would claim the throne, it was just a matter as to when instead of how.

—

“So, we’re taking the Sunny as we leave for Whole Cake Island to get Sanji back?”

Luffy nodded, “Yeah, the others are taking the Polar Tang with Law, and I think Neko-san had a ship they used before. Anyone else that makes it to Wano needs to take their own ship, but I guess we’ll have to wait and see just who that will be.”

Ace and Marco almost couldn’t keep a snort from coming out. Knowing that both Oyaji and Shanks were planning on coming, if only because of their connection to Oden. The fact that Kaido killed him in cold blood was not something they were willing to forgive. Not when Oden only did what was right, Kaido was the one who invaded and who made sure that the people of Wano were left to their devices instead of taking care of them. Given the chance to change that, all of them were taking up arms to make it come through.

If one of the other, less pleasant Yonko fell, they wouldn’t complain about that.

Preparing for this, and to make sure that Big Mom knew that she was outnumbered was quite a nice way of looking forward to all this. Given that she had taken a crewmember of Luffy’s - well, that alone was enough to make sure that she was taken out of the race before it even started. Given the time she had spent on the seas, she had already lost, she had been looking for the One Piece for 20 years already. If neither she nor Kaido found it by now, they would never find it.

—

Finding out that Sanji belonged to the Vinsmoke family had come as a shock to a lot of them. Only Ace and Luffy had taken it all in stride, the two of them were more than happy to just let it be. Knowing better than anyone that you choose your own family, no matter what blood ties you still had.

When they told Sanji as much, the blond had broken, telling them that while he had an amicable relationship with his sister. It had been his mother he had been closest too, but with her murder at the hands of his father, he needed to get off. He wasn’t meant to be Gemma 66 pawns, not in the way his siblings obviously were. He strived to be different from them, only to have the past caught up to him anyway.

Ace had scoffed, “The past caught up to me too, in fact I announced it to the world to make sure that they knew what they had underneath their eyes the whole time. I wasn’t going to keep living in my father’s shadow, I wanted to become my own person.

Maybe it’s time you did that too? Your father never raised you. As far as I know Zeff did that, Zeff was the one who made you into the man you are today. And as for siblings, your sister is alright I guess. But you found those all on your own too, the Crew is as much your family as they are. When given the choice, who would you choose?”

Sanji opened and closed his mouth a few times. Betraying whey they all already knew. That in the end, he never would have stayed. Sanji wouldn’t be happy here. Even less so when he was nothing but a bargaining chip for a family that was happy to leave him alone for almost 15 years. His real family, the Straw Hats and their allies, were there for him when it counted the most.

Getting off of Whole Cake Island proved to be easier than anticipated too. Given that both Sanji’s bride to be, and several of Big Mom’s sweet officers (her eldest children, especially her first mate and eldest - Katakuri) were sick and tired of the way they were treated. Big Mom’s time was over, and had been over for a long time, she just hadn’t been willing to see it.

While the Straw Hats got off of the Island, Katakuri and Reiju, as well as Pudding, banned together against both their families to make sure that they realised that a new era had started. 

Judge and Big Mom were both killed, in an official statement because of an attack of the other leader/captain. Unofficially, it was because their children were sick and tired of the way they were dealt with. Even the rest of the quadruplets couldn’t see Judge as the leader he once was. Sanji found his true self while on the seas, the others were still looking for theirs. 

Luckily, they had managed to strike an alliance with Luffy before leaving. Making both the Sweet Pirates and New Genma aware that they weren’t alone in this. They would have a new place in the new era that was coming, the era that they had all been hoping for.

—

Arriving in Wano was met with a whole different kind of problem. For one they needed to hide in plain sight, which knowing Luffy was an impossible task. No matter what happened, the future Pirate King would act out no matter what was agreed on.

Sabo and Ace, having the most experience with dealing with him, knew to just go along with whatever Luffy had going on in his mind.

Trying to get the rubber captain to agree on a plan was stress inducing, as he never stuck to it. He always did his own thing, much to the irritation of all those who never met the other man. His crew, as well as Law, and most of the Whitebeards and Red Hair Pirates, knew how to deal with him. Others, not so much, but they would learn and soon.

Seeing Luffy take on Kaido had both Ace and Sabo rubbing their forehead. Especially when the Yonko defeated their younger brother without any problem, leaving Luffy to the tender mercies of the prison on Wano.

“Well, we know that Luffy will win his next battle. Sea knows that he never lets someone defeat him twice. Especially in this case, I do believe that we will see him improve drastically once again. It’s going to be quite the show.”

Several of the Samurai were looking at Ace and Sabo as if they were nuts, thinking that as the older brothers of the captain had just been taken away; they would be furious.

Koala and Marco, standing close to their lovers, were giggling, “Oh they are furious alright. But both of them are well aware that Luffy can take care of himself. At least by now he can do so, when they were younger this would have been another scenario. 

But we know what Luffy is capable of, just as we know that a stronger opponent is not going to slow him down. If anything it will show the world the will of D and how they grow and adapt. Given that the WG tried to erase any knowledge about them, they have to make sure the world remembers in another way.”

Marco just nodded along, pulling Ace with him when he noticed some of the other Straw Hats not far from them.

“Let’s go -yoi. Hell will be arriving sooner rather than later, we better be prepared for when it does. Luffy will find us, he always does -yoi.”

Ace nodded, letting himself be pulled along to where Zoro was waiting for them. Grinning as he saw O-Tama again, the little girl had grown, even if he had to remind her that she wasn’t quite old enough to travel with him yet.

Before storming the Rose Capital, Luffy had joined them again, Kidd in tow as the other captain seemed to be in debt to the Straw Hat wearing man. Given how Luffy went about making friends, they were all just accepting of what was coming now. The people joining them from the prison would help too, as they were all more than willing to take Kaido down for all he had done to them, and to Wano.

—

Kaido’s defeat came at the hands of Luffy. While his lieutenants; Jack, King and Queen were taken down by Zoro, Sanji and Kidd. The others were held of by all their crews working together, the numbers at the end of it was enough to make those of a weaker mind back off before the conflict even started.

Given that there were rumours of Shanks and Whitebeard aporaching Wano just the same. None of them wanted to deal with such a powerbase connecting with Kaido’s. Even if he was immortal, or perceived himself to be immortal, he would be hard faced to deal with Whitebeard, Shanks and a bunch of supernovas.

In the end, neither the Moby Dick nor the Red Force made it to Wano before Kaido fell. When it was revealed that Kaido planned on dropping the fortress on the Flower Capital, all because Wano wouldn’t give him what he wanted - more devil fruit powered people to fight for him - he would take them all out and show the world what he was capable of.

When news of Big Mom’s demise hit him, he became ruthless. The story of how he and Linlin had made a promise to support the other in the search for the One Piece, yet never actually found it, found its way past his lips.

Luffy, nor the others, cared for that. They were of the old era, and would have no place in the new one. Had they been shown to be willing to adapt, and to make sure that they were happy with what they had (like Whitebeard and Shanks) it would be different.

Here however, Kaido would fall, and his crew would disperse into others. Or be left to the life of a slightly overpowered civilian. Kaido’s child, Yamato, didn’t want to be a captain. They just wanted to be free - which wasn’t something they could be if they took on the role of captain for a crew that had been so hell bent on killing off whole villages for the fun of it.

Instead, they had told Ace, and later Luffy, that they wanted to travel the seas. Which was something that could be done with either of the crews now coming to lead them into the New Era.

CP0 was accounted for, but never able to take a shot at either Luffy or one of the others. Sabo and Koala made sure that they weren’t able to get anywhere near them. Given that they were the WG’s best assasination team, the revolutionaries were rather disappointed in their way of handling things. None of them even posed a real treat, and the only one that did - Lucci - was the only one not among them.

Chapter Text

The collective sigh of relief that came from Wano after they learned that Kaido and Orochi had been defeated would be remembered by all of them for a long time to come. Realising that they didn’t have to put on a front anymore, and that Oden’s children had survived to claim Wano for their own - and to make sure that it was opened up to the rest of the world, as their father would have wanted, was indescribable.

To know that one Pirate, and his crew, had been willing to kill them all. While another and his allies had done everything in their power to keep them all safe and set them all free was mind blowing. 

The exclamations of their freedom were yelled all around the island. Almost as soon as Momonosuke made sure that the people he would watch over were taken care of. That they were given food, and shelter, and didn’t need to belong to the upper class living in the capital to have a good life.

Given what they had been through all these years, that alone put him in good graces with most of the population. His retainers all kept a close eye on his back, even with Shinobu ageing him up, they didn’t want to see anyone taking advantage of his still present naivety to keep Wano under their thumb.

Kin’emon was the one who gave their guest a place to rest. He knew at what ends the pirate crews had gone to make sure that Wano went back into the hands of the Kozuki family. With Momonosuke taking his place as Shogun. 

Hiyori, having been left behind in Wano all this time, wanted out. Like Yamato, she didn’t care on which ship she did so. But she wanted to have a life outside of her duties as a Kozuki. Her brother would be handling all of that, and while she had no trouble aiding him at first, she didn’t want to be chained to Wano any longer than she had to be.

They all needed the rest, as the moment the Moby Dick and the Red Force arrived on the shores of Wano, accompanied by a whole fleet of allies, neither of the two Yonkos on their side made it a secret that Sakazuki was on his way with the full force of the Marines.

Given that Big Mom and Kaido’s Demise made it to his ears, he wanted to make sure the other Yonko, or Yonko hopefuls were taken down when he had a chance. On the orders of the Elder Stars the Shichibukai were discontinued. He had already sent people after them, which had made its way back to all of them.

Not that he knew it, but in doing so, he had given the Straw Hat Alliance even more people willing to join. None of them were fans of the WG, the Elder Stars or the Marines; there was too much bad blood with all of them. Before they had shouldered through, but given this betrayal, none of them were willing to stand aside or stand with the marines.

Talking about marines, Garp informed them that Coby and Helmeppo found others who were doubting the true morals of the Marines. All of them were much more comfortable with the way Garp had handled it for so long. 

The two of them, and whoever else they could find. Along with, to their surprise X-Drake, were working from inside the Marines to bring about a revolution. That was if Sakazuki didn’t find out before then, he had been keeping a close eye on both of them after everything that happened with Garp.

—

“We won’t have a lot of time. Sakazuki comes with the equivalent of 3 buster calls. If he feels, at any moment, that he cannot take us on. He’ll make a buster call on Wano. I, for one, don’t want to see that happen.”

Looking at his grandsons, he grinned, “I say we take the battle to him. He is willing to go to war with the future pirate king, let him feel it as it is.”

Luffy just grinned at that, prompting everyone around him to start calling on allies left and right. This would be the final battle, and the start of a New Era - without a doubt - as they were all aware that Luffy and his alliance were walking away from this one.

Luck would have it that with the size of the fleet Sakazuki was travelling, he would make a rather slow process. Compared to the single pirate ships, or even several, like the three Mobies, would still make it to Wano before any of the Marine vessels did.

Given that news of Big Mom had travelled before they had been locked into Wano, people were making their way to them as they were speaking. Several, like Mihawk, Barto and Cavendish, knew to just make a call to the Straw Hats, Shanks or Whitebeard to verify what was happening. All three of them were one of the first ones to arrive too.

They were followed not that long after by Whitebeard Allies, one after the other, as well as other former Shichibukai. Buggy and Hancock to name a few, neither had any connections (or none that they kept well enough to be called allies) to the crews waiting there. But both of them were self-preserving enough that they didn’t want to end in a world where Marines took the upper hand.

They kept to the side, with Buggy only approaching to sneer at Shanks and insult the other captain under the guise of catching up. The Straw Hats, especially those starting in East Blue, were happy to see the Clown again. Given that he had stayed in East Blue after the Death of his Captain, they had run into him a few times before making their way to the Grand Line.

Funny thing was, when Rayleigh showed up, both Shanks and Buggy referred to the older man as someone above their station. With Rayleigh never making a captain, it showed the respect both Buggy and Shanks had for the former first mate they sailed under.

Luffy just greeted the old man with a hug, babbling a mile a minute to his teacher, to the shock of all those that hadn’t gotten the memo that the Straw Hats were very well connected. They were after all the ones that were going to change the world, that much was certain, the other crews were just there as back up. To make sure that no marine would get a lucky shot at the New Pirate King.

—

Sakazuki’s arrival to the part of the ocean where Wano was located was accompanied by Lava fists raining down on them. The man didn’t seem to think that hurting civilians was all that bad, least of all when it dealt with the pirates cluttered together.

As agreed on, they took to the sea, took the fight to Sakazuki and his fleet. Making sure that they were at a disadvantage. Even while used to the sea, it was something else to be a pirate or a marine while on her waters. In a fight on the water, marines were often the losing party, which was something they all wanted to use to their advantage.

It was also something Sakazuki hadn’t expected, as he waited just a tad too long to call to arms. By them, his smaller ships were overrun by crews more than willing to stake their life on this fight. They would win, or die trying.

Sneering as he looked on to see Garp standing there, the fleet admiral yelled out, “I should have known you were like that trash you call family, Garp. A great Marine they once called you, and look at you know. Consorting with pirates, ultimate justice will come for you, it will come for all of you.”

Luffy, as expected, didn’t take well to his family being insulted, even less when they were threatened. His attack was devastating, and made it a victory when Sakazuki started sprouting all the things he had done in his career (most of those involved some sort of genicide or mass murder) to the point that several marines abandoned ship to be away from someone who was supposed to be leading them. And he was, no doubt, leading them somewhere (most likely hell).

Once the ship was clear, Luffy didn’t hold back. This was a man who wanted to take away his family, who had tried to kill both his brothers, his grandfather and the cousin who had raised him. He wasn’t getting off of this ship alive, be it by his fists, or by the water that would take him. Sakazuki wasn’t making it out of here, not today.

—

The defeat came when one of Luffy’s punches broke the ship they were on. And while Law, and several non devil fruit users were on standby to get Luffy out, no one made an effort to get Sakazuki.

Not even Kizaru made an attempt. All of them just looked on as the man sank under the water. Taking by the one thing he believed he was protecting from pirates, the sea that favoured those free spirited in a way that he never understood.

Several marines gave up before the fight even began, with several others surrendering when they saw what others were doing.

Some of the higher ups were willing to drop it all and walk away. They had become a part of the marines to protect, to serve, and to help make a better world. Given that this hadn’t happened under the current lead, maybe it was time to try a different approach.

Garp was pushed forward to take that role, and to be the one to tell the WG to stick to it. They weren’t in power anymore, not when they were all too willing to turn a blind eye and let the civilians rot. 

Marines like Kizaru were well aware that they wouldn’t have a place, too much bad blood with the new world order. They went quietly, accepting a sea stone the were given in a way they couldn’t access their devil fruit anymore. What happened after was anyone’s guess, but most likely they were found by others at a wrong time and never survived that encounter.

Others, like Smoker, Coby and Helmeppo, were given a chance under Garp. To help shape this new word that was starting to form.

—-

After resting some more, and saying goodbye to those that had the delightful task of informing the WG and Celestial Dragons that they were on their own from now on, Luffy set out again. Taking his original crew, joined by Yamato and Hiyori, to the last part of the Grand Line.

Making his way to Rafter with Whitebeard and Shanks roaming not far behind. Making sure that Law and Kidd, initiated as the new Yonko, were well on their way to claiming their own territories. Given their close relationship this time around, they had a feeling that this would be much better in the end.

They could keep an eye on the New World while the Marines took care of the Grand Line’s first half and the Blues. Like it should be, and how it could be made sustainable.

Luffy’s arrival on Laugh Tale was anticlimactic to say the least. It looked like any other island, and only showed the ancient history as well as the One Piece when they got closer to the heart of the island. When all the treasure of the world couldn’t compete with the knowledge that the will of D, and Joy Boy, had been willing to give it their all for the betterment of the world. When they died with a smile, because living with no regrets was the greatest treasure of all.

Luffy’s reaction to being the reincarnation, for a lack of better word, of Joy Boy and Roger, was shocking. Yet, to those that knew him, it wasn’t that unexpected. Monkey D. Luffy was made to change this world, and he did it. Or he had started it, now came the journey of watching it take form. 

Later, when explaining it all to Shanks and his brothers, Luffy grinned, “And to think this all came to be because of Jiji’s gift to all of us.”

As he said that, he took out the Den den Garp had given him when they were younger, the others doing the same as they smiled at the snails. They had come this far, all that remained was watching the world change and enjoying it. All the while enjoying the time spent together.