Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

They were on edge as soon as they saw the Melody on the horizon, shocked to see the ship appear as nothing had happened to warrant a visit from the old man. Jiji didn't visit that often, if Ace had counted right it was about once every couple of years.. In fact, the old man hadn't even seen Sabo before now. So why was it that he was making his way here now , what could have happened for the man to appear again after an absence of so long.

Ace, having told Sabo about his grandfather and the man's insistence of making him a marine. In fact, all Garp ever talked about was how Ace had to become a marine and do good in the world. It didn't take a genius to see that Marines didn't always do good, there were enough to turned to the other side or who were more than willing to ignore the shit going on around them.

Garp and his crew might be one of the good marines, but that's where it ended for now. Most of the other instances they met marines weren't good ones.

Goa Kingdom was a good example, they were willing to do away with everything unwanted, be it belongings or people. No one ever did anything about it, in fact, the marines stationed here were often seen leaving the castle with a large bag full of coins.

If that wasn't enough to be wary of marines, Ace had every intention of making sure they never found out his father's name. There was a reason he used his mother's everywhere, but once he joined the Marines he was certain someone would find out. Once that happened he was doomed.

Garp had made it clear what kind of man Gol D. Roger was believed to have been. He also shared part of what happened to so many other women and children who had been believed to be Roger's. The fact that Ace's mother was able to live and prolong her pregnancy was a miracle. However, even with Ace somewhat in hiding, as soon as the World government found out they would sentence him to dead for not other reason than who his father was.

“What do you think the old man wants?”

Looking at Sabo, Ace shrugged, “Who knows, you never can guess with the old man. Not even Boggard knows what he's up to half the time and this is his right hand. Maybe he had the idea to come and visit or something happened and he wants to make sure we're not involved?”

Sabo chuckles, no doubt thinking back to the stories Ace had told him about his grandfather and the people on the Melody. Garp wasn't that bad of a man, but he interacted with them too little to mean anything. The few interactions they did had were harsh and involved the man 'training' them to become marines and get stronger.

He wanted them, or Ace up until he met Sabo, to be a Marine but never gave him the basics to become one. Leaving him with mountain bandits also didn't help there.

“Let's go and see, if we don't show he'll come find us anyway”, Ace shivered, thinking about those times he didn't go to greet his grandfather.

With slumped shoulders they made their way into Fushia Village, waving at the people they knew and stopping briefly to hug Makino when she appeared, looking to be in a hurry. Ace went ahead, with Sabo following behind him as they approached the harbor.

“Jiji?!”

It wasn't Garp who appeared, but Boggard, who seemed relieved to see him. Mentioning Ace to come onto the ship. Not even blinking twice as Sabo followed him. Then again, this man was used to Garp, so crazy wasn't that odd for him.

“Ace, your Jiji is a bit busy right now, come on, follow me.”

Apprehensive, they followed after Boggard, on edge as Garp wasn't there to greet him. The old man was always there, had something happened to him? Was that why he wasn't there to greet him and come by Dawn Island?

A lot of thoughts raced through his head, from some of the worst scenarios possible until Ace felt like he couldn't breath. That was until Ace heard a sharp crying through the air. It was unlike anything he had ever heard, so when Boggard opened the door to Garp's room Ace didn't know what to think about the baby laying on the large bed. Crying his little heart out for one thing or another.

“It's ok, Luffy, Jiji is here with a bottle.”

They heard him before they saw him, Garp appearing seemingly out of the corner of the room. He was a large man, so missing him wasn't an easy feat. What had happened for this to have happened? Or had Garp been standing there the whole time and had they not seen him until he spoke?

Which is when they noticed that the baby, Luffy, was boxed in by a lot of pillows so he couldn't just crawl out of the bed. It did seem like this wasn't the first time that Garp had done this, his actions were familiar and fast. Not at all uncomfortable or uncoordinated.

Garp settled on the bed and picked up the baby, laying him on his arm, before giving him the bottle. It was clear to see the little guy was famished. Drinking down the bottle which prompted Garp to take a hold of the other one he had prepared.

Once the second bottle was empty, Garp laid the baby over his shoulder and burped him. Cuddling him close and cooing at the little human in his arms as a smile appeared on the baby's face.

“Jiji, who is that?”

Garp blinked, looking up to see Ace and Sabo standing there, a soft smile still present on his face.

“Ace, who is your friend?”

Scowling at his question being answered with a question, Ace sighed, “This is Sabo, he's my brother now.”

It showed that Garp was used to craziness as he didn't even blink, nodding, “I see, welcome to the family, kid.”

Sabo nodded in response, his eyes still on Luffy. Fascinated by the little human in Garp's arms, “It's nice to meet you, sir.”

Garp laughed at that, before glancing back at Ace; looking down at the baby in his arms, he smiled, “This is Luffy, he's my grandson from my no-good revolutionary son. Things... happened, which made Dragon unable to look after him. So I took him, he's going to be your little brother from now on.”

Gaping at the baby, neither Ace or Sabo knew what to say to that. Looking at each other before looking at Garp, “You can't just leave a baby with us!? He needs care and milk and... I don't know how to care for a baby, Jiji!”

It was with a small voice that Ace admitted to that, he didn't like admitting he couldn't do something. But this was another human being, his baby brother even, he couldn't just fuck around and find out with this.

Coming closer, his breath is stolen as he sees big brown eyes looking at him, a smile on the baby face before a small hand wraps around his finger. It's clear that Ace ahd never felt like this, like there was someone out there who would love him unconditionally. He didn't believe he deserved it, but here was a small child, a baby, holding his finger and looking at him as he was the most precious person in the world.

“Hi Luffy, I'm Ace, your big brother.”

Luffy cooed in answer, the sounds he made sounded like the letter A and for once Ace hadn't heard anything better.

Sabo pressed into his side, “Hi Luffy, I'm Sabo, I'm also your big brother.”

Big brown eyes turned to Sabo, before the S started to be spoken out loud. It was adorable to say the least, before a knock on the door sounded. Once it opened, Makino was standing there, “So that's my baby cousin. He looks adorable.”

Garp huffed, puffing up his chest in pride, before turning to Ace and Sabo, “Makino will be there to help you both. She'll take care of all the necessities, all you two need to do is take care of Luffy.”

Sighing, he added, “I don't think I can ask Dadan, she's already going gray from everything Ace put her through.”

Ace grinned at that, the old hag never stopped reminding him what a terror he had been as a baby. Much younger than Luffy was now, when he came into her care, he was certain the woman would turn gray instantly if Garp asked her to take care of Luffy as well. Especially as he was a Monkey D.

They were a special kind of human, ones that could turn chaos to their hand. Much more than other people carrying the D-initial could.

“Jiji, what happened?”

The old man looked away, “My daughter-in-law got into some trouble and wasn't able to take care of Luffy anymore. Additionally, someone in my son's inner circle was a mole, who tried to kill Luffy. He called me, begging me to take my grandson and look over him. As much as I disagree with my son, he's still my boy.”

Another knock on the door had Boggard appearing, calling on Garp as HQ was calling to see where he was. As the man laid Luffy into Makino's arms, he grumbled as he followed his second in command. It left Ace and Sabo with Makino, still looking down at the little baby now part of their unconventional family.

“He's so small.”

Makino laughed, “All babies are this small, Ace, you were once this small as well.”

Flushing at hearing that, Ace still didn't pull his finger out of Luffy's grip. Despite the way the baby was slowly falling asleep, he couldn't help but marvel at this.

“He'll grow so fast, don't worry. I know you were so small when Uncle Garp showed up with you, but look now, you're already ten years old.”

Puffing up his chest, kind of in resemblance to Garp not too long ago, Ace didn't know what to think about that. He knew he was getting older, knew he was ten already. Sabo was the same age as him, after all.

However, that didn't mean that he knew how to handle babies, Luffy was looking so cute right now. But he had heard the kid scream and cry when he was hungry.

“Do... do they always cry as much?”

Giggling, Makino shook her head, “At times, Luffy should start to be able to talk or babble soon enough. Right now though the only way he can communicate is through crying. Don't worry though, you'll be able to distinguish the cries as to what they mean soon enough.”

Ace wasn't really convinced, looking at Sabo showed him his brother also didn't know what to think about this. But they were together and they would figure it out.

It seemed that Makino was of the same thought, as she smiled softly at the two of them. Having them sit down on Garp's bed before placing Luffy in their arms, “Let's start with how to hold a baby. Luffy is old enough that he can support his own neck, but still, you should give as much support as possible to kids. They are curious to a fault and would just tumble out of your arms or off of the seat they are in because they are looking at something.”

Adjusting his hold on Luffy, Ace was careful his grip wasn't too hard. Giving the baby to Sabo as soon as he was certain he knew how to hold Luffy, and Luffy didn't show any sign on discomfort.

“That's good, boys, you're both a natural at this.”

Beaming at her, they were overjoyed to hear that. Wanting to take good care of the precious cargo that was their baby brother now.

Chapter Text

They were spending most of their time at Makino's now, given that Luffy was staying there, both Ace and Sabo spend most of their time there as well. Where before they stayed with Dadan more often then not, never quite used to the number of villagers that came to check up on Makino in a good day.

Wanting to be there for every little thing Luffy did. It was precious to see him growing in front of their eyes. They would take that with it, if it meant being there for all the special little moments. It was so precious to have someone to care for. To have a little, tiny, human, who needed them and loved them.

“He's growing so fast”, Ace's voice was filled with awe as he looked over Luffy sleeping in his crib. He had taken to doing that a lot, not quite used to the fact that someone out there trusted them with a baby.

She also looked over him every moment she could, knowing just how fast it could go. Makino looked at Ace, remembering when he was little more than a baby, so small and precious. Now he was ten years old, almost a teenager and so very different (and yet the same) from the little baby she had known before.

Luffy would be the same, she was certain.

The baby had indeed been growing very fast, in fact Makino was switching out the clothes in his closet right that moment. As he hit the three month mark he would need bigger clothes and it was both amazing and sad to see.

To know that he had been here for several weeks, and they had seen him growing almost in front of their eyes.

Chuckling, she set down the basket full of too small clothes, “Babies do a lot of that, grow. It's almost as if they manage to double in size every time you look at them. He's staying here all the time and even I feel like he's growing as I watch. I'm glad he's doing so well, but at the same time it feels like there is too little time to take in everything.”

Sabo and Ace both nodded to that, as they still lived with Dadan most of the time, they weren't there every day even if they tried to come down as much as possible. Not wanting to miss too much of his process, but for once not liking the fact that they stayed away before. No one in Windmill Village did know them and them spending all of that time with Makino would get them too many questions.

So, they compromised and tried to spend as much time with Makino as possible, making sure to help her out when they were there.

Holding Luffy and looking after them, especially when Makino mentioned that babies needed physical contact especially at the start.

“As they can't speak, as small as they are, a lot of children learn to know who their caretakers are going from scent and feel. If you hold them enough, they know you're their family.”

Especially Ace seemed to love that part, given that he didn't like himself all that much (even if that hurt her heart so much) so to have someone willing to love him just because he was there also helped.

As if knowing his brothers were there again, Luffy opened his eyes, glancing around before they landed on Ace. Reaching out towards him as much as he could, which he did almost every day. Blowing a raspberry into Sabo's direction, Ace picked up Luffy and settled in the chair next to his crib, letting his eyes wander over the baby's face and grinning the whole time.

The change in Ace at having Luffy there was something that neither Makino or Sabo would forget. He was suddenly so much softer, more gentle, and it did good to see him like that. Ace almost seemed to keep this barrier up to protect himself, but for some reason he didn't see a reason to do so with Luffy.

While otherwise Sabo would be mad, you had to be blind to see the weight that lifted off of his shoulders since Luffy arrived. Makino especially, given that she had known Ace the longest, was so glad that there was something helping him with those dark thoughts. Where before Ace's eyes were dark, just like the thoughts running through his mind, they were bright now. Twinkling as he looked at the baby in his arms, seemingly seeing the light in this world once more. A baby could do a lot of good things, but the boy who didn't think he deserved to live, that meant he found his reason to at least keep trying.

It's the main reason Sabo doesn't mind it that Luffy seems to prefer Ace, as much as a baby can prefer anyone. The light that comes to his brother's eyes is enough for him. He can deal with this, and it isn't like Luffy choses Ace all the time.

There were more than enough times that the little boy grinned at Sabo, reaching out and hanging off of the blond as if he was the most amazing person in the world.

In the short time they had been here, it was clear that Ace was Luffy's favorite. They also looked alike enough that if people did ask questions, they could pretend to be brothers to keep noisy gossips away. Sabo, while not too alike, was alike enough to both Ace and Luffy to mention that he took after their other parent. But that was only when all three of them were together. If they were more sepparate, this was the easiest option.

Maybe not in the way Luffy knew what was happening, but Ace liked it so they kept on mentioning it to him a lot. The smile that brought forth was amazing to see each and every time.

With Ace preoccupied with Luffy, his eyes roaming over the baby's face as he took in the changed since the last time they saw each other. Makino and Sabo knew he would be taking care of Luffy, it was a silent agreement that the person holding him after a nap would take care of everything. As such, Ace stood again to change Luffy's diaper, with Makino looking over his shoulder to assist should it be needed. As soon as Ace was seated again she went to heat up a bottle before handing it to Ace. Taking a hold of the bottle Makino handed to him, Ace settled down before guiding the sucker into Luffy's mouth and looking on as their little brother drank to his heart's content. Meanwhile Sabo started tidying up the bar. It wasn't open right now, but with a baby and the two of them to take care of, Makino didn't always have a lot of room to clean up and keep the bar as presentable as it had been before. He and Ace had agreed to do that, to try and make it a little easier on Makino too.

“Oh Sabo, you don't have to.”

Shrugging, the blond smiled at Makino, “I want to, you always take care of us and Luffy, this is the least we can do. It's really no bother!”

While she didn't look all that convinced, Makino left him to it, instead going around the back to check the inventory. She didn't want the boys to do too much work, but if they offered she wasn't going to deny them. With Ace taking care of Luffy for now, and Sabo helping to clean, she might actually be truly ready to open up later tonight.

“He really likes you, Ace.”

The dark haired boy grinned at Sabo, “I know he does, it's in his eyes. I... I never thought someone could look at me like that. But he does so every day.”

Laying a hand on Ace's shoulder, not knowing how to respond as Sabo was certain he also looked like Ace like that, he just joined his brother in staring at their little brother. Grinning when Luffy grinned right back at them.

A hand waving in their direction, a toy in the shape on a Monkey in his hand. It was cute, given his last name.

“He's precious in the most adorable way, I never thought babies could be this cute.”

Sabo didn't add it, but the few babies he had seen before were those in High Town. Spoiled little brats that had his parents cooing at them, while after they saw them he'd get reprimanded for not being so proper.

Shivering at the mere thought of the life he had left behind, Sabo waved off Ace's concern. Smiling before their attention was brought back to Luffy, he was adorable and a real treat to watch. While they both still wanted to leave Dawn at seventeen, they had been talking about taking Luffy with them. He'd be seven by then, but leaving him behind was out of the question.

Neither of them had the answer as to how to do this, but they would manage by then. They still had time to figure things out.

Preoccupied as they were with Luffy, neither Ace or Sabo had to go to High Town or the Gray Terminal all that much anymore. Everything they did want was found at the Party Bar, with Makino and Luffy. The did venture into the forest and up the mountain now and again, but in keeping low they never did get into trouble with the Outlook Family or with Bluejam.

Although, the light of the fire at the Gray Terminal was seen all the way in Windmill, Makino, Sabo and Ace staying up to make sure the fire didn't spread. Never happier at seeing a ship in the bay, waving a red flag, that seemed to be evacuating the people could in the flames.

Giving a wry smile, Makino looked at Luffy, “It seems your daddy will come for a visit after all.”

This had Ace and Sabo on edge, who was Luffy's father that he had left his son with virtual strangers after his lover or wife had been harmed. Why was he so well known too, Garp had mentioned that he was a notorious person so why had no one heard of him.

The answer came at dawn, when a tall man, dressed in a long green cloak entered the bar.

“Makino...”

She sniffed, “Dragon...”

He sighed, “I know, but I couldn't let him get caught into all of this. It's bad enough that Wani was hurt, I almost lost them too. I couln't...”

Sighing, Makino turned to pick up Luffy out of his crib, the little guy had slept through and didn't wake up even now. The smile appearing on Dragon's face made it clear that he meant them no harm. The way his eyes also lit up at seeing Luffy was telling enough, he didn't leave Luffy because he didn't want him. He left Luffy to protect him.

“You all take care of him for me, and if you ever need anything, come find the Revolutionary Army.”

With that and a subtle blast of wind, he was gone. Luffy back in his crib as Makino shared just who the Revolutionary Army was and what it was they did. Adding that Dragon was the founder and leader, fighting for freedom of all people.

“He opposes the current government, and they didn't like that. It wouldn't surprise me if they came after Luffy, a little baby unable to protect himself, to try and get the upper hand on Dragon.”

Knowing all of that, they could both agree that Dragon wanted to protect Luffy so that made him a good man. Sabo even mentioning that he could agree with that, maybe his future lay with the Revolutionary Army.

His admission prompted him to share that he was originally born in High Town but hated the way people acted. He wanted freedom just as much, which is why he ran away.

Patting him on the shoulder, Ace grinned, “We both want to be free, the way how we do that is up to us.”

Chapter Text

Knowing that Luffy had a father just as infamous as his was, Ace liked the baby even more. For the first time he believed he had someone who understood and who loved him regardless. Sabo did too, but Ace had seen the ltitle signs that told a wholly different story. He wouldn’t hold that against Sabo though, everyone went through their own troubles and his brother would come clean once he was ready.

Having seen Dragon, having seen the way he loved Luffy, it made it clear that he did to protect his son and not because he was a deadbeat father. He truly cared for his son and his partner, if what they had heard was true. Wanting to protect your children was the best a parent could do. It also had Ace thinking about what his parents had done, he wondered about that at times. Remembered Jiji telling him how his mom had given it her all in an effort to protect him. H'e’d also heard the old man mentioned that Roger had been sick and that was the only reason he had given himself up. There had been no cure for whatever he had, no he made certain that his Nakama and those he loved would make it out of this alive.

Biting his lip as he confided in Makino who his parents were, the young women didn’t even blink twice. She mentioned meeting Rouge once, when she was a little girl herself, “She was this spitfire of a woman so I don’t see her doing anything she didn’t want to do, Ace.”

A tear ran over his cheek, “Do you think she loved me?”

Makino hugged him close, “I know for a fact that she did. Even in the one instance I met her she was talking about having children. How she would do anything and everything she needed to do to protect them. She also loved danger, so it’s no surprise she went and fell in love with the Pirate King.” Her face fell a bit, “She would have been so brave, to keep you a secret. Lots of things happened during the first year after Roger passed, there had been rumours of a child and people were dissapearing left and right. More specifically pregnant women or those with newborns, when they returned it was either with empty eyes and without a baby or not at all.”

Hugging Ace closer, she whispered, “I wish I could tell you they had a happy ending, but you know what happened to them. I’m not telling you this to make you feel bad, I’m telling you this because the World Government will tell whatever it is that makes them look good to the masses. They killed more than once island in whatever caught their fancy or for whatever reason the higher ups came up with and lied to the public as to why it happened. I’m quite certain that everything about Roger people were told was a lie, he wasn’t like that. He couldn’t be like that if Uncle Garp was his friend."

Taking a hold of her, Ace started crying as the implications of what he had been told were realized. He didn’t even know his parents, not really, but he had been willing to take the opinions of strangers over those that had known them.

It was Luffy’s sharp cry that had him pulling himself together, looking up to where Sabo was standing with their little brother in his arms, smiling sheepishly before holding the toddler out to Ace, “He wouldn’t settle down, almost as if he knew our big brother needed a cuddle.”

A small smile appeared on Ace’s face as he cuddled Luffy close, grinning when the toddler stopped crying and went back to cooing as he looked at his big brother and older cousin. Smiling a toothy little grin as he snuggled close to Ace’s chest.

He could walk now, toddling around as he explored the world like only a toddler could. Yet he didn’t seem to care about all of that, most comfortable in the arms of either of his brothers and in tune with their moods or their grievances to the point they assumed there was more going on. Learing to thrust in Luffy whenever he started crying or smiling when someone entered the bar.

The three of them learned to listen and see how Luffy reacted and took their cues from him. Never happier to keep an eye out on this one guy, Bluejam, when he entered the bar and almost robbed them. Luckily Garp came home for a visit a the same time and he took care of the thug that had tried to harm his niece and grandsons. Last they heard the man was on a one way trip tp prison.

Knowing what they did, Ace looked up when Makino started speaking to continue their conversation from here; “They’re going to say the same things to Luffy at one point, Ace, and it’s up to us to make sure that he knows his parents loved him to hell and back. Wani, she… he didn’t feel good in a woman’s body but he wanted a child so he perseveired but it gave them mental issues enough that they needed a break. Dragon on the other hand lead the revolution and with a mole in the organisation there was nothing stopping them from taking advantage of his one weakness”, Makino sighed, “Wani was caught in it all too, but he managed to get out thanks to his devil fruit. Luffy doesn’t have that advantage and keeping him close at all times wouldn’t be healthy for either Dragon or Luffy.”

Hearing that, Ace and Sabo were once again reminded of what Dragon had lost. For all that they had believed him to be a bad dad, there opposide was proven again and again. Additionally, the man did try to stop by whenever he was near. To check in on Luffy and on them, making it clear he had adopted them as his kids too.

Sabo bit his lips, “They’re nobles…”

At Ace’s questioning sound, he continued, “My parents, they’re nobles in High Town. My father owns a shipping business that does quite well and has made him quite rich. He married my mother to take over her family’s business as a woman couldn’t possible run it. They’re both obsessed with gaining even more standing, as they believe that would make them happier. I was misserable there, always being presentable to their standards, tutors who did whatever they wanted as long as I listened and learn what they were hired to teach me. It was horrible and I just wanted out. One of the maids told me to get out now that I still could, run away and try to make a life for myself, which is what I did when I ran into you.”

Shaking his head, Ace could remember running into Sabo that first time. How out of place the blond boy had looked. But there had also been this fight in him that he recognized in himself, to the point that they started to rely on each other to the point they became brothers. Luffy was added into that mix now too and Ace couldn’t imagine anything else.

With a wobbling lip, Sabo looked at Ace, who just shook his head and pulled his brother close, “You’re ours now and I don’t plan on letting you go. They didn’t care and they lost you. I plan on doing everything I can not to lose you now or forever.”

They stand there, hugging, with Luffy in between them. Thanking the Seas and the Gods for making them heat and having such great brothers to live with. They aren’t aware that if things had gone differently, Sabo’s father would have found them and tried to take Sabo back. He never thought about the little town on the other side of the island and never went to see. It was what saved Sabo, what saved all of them.

Dragon visited them again, which is when Ace asked him about his parents. It was a long shot, but as Makino had known his mother and had heard of his father it should be easier for the leader of the revolutionary army to dig up what had truly been going on.

To their surprise Dragon was able to do that, having been able to meet Roger more than once. Mentioning that his father-in-law had been Roger’s best friend so he had more than enough storied about the man. Adding that he had some connections too, to former Roger Pirates, they would be thrilled to hear a part of their captain had survived. He promised Ace he’d reach out and let him know.

Ruffling their hair, he added, “It’s the least I can do for the both you. You’re taking such good care of Luffy, for one, and you’re making sure that the world will have a reminder of the New Generation being just as fearless as the old one. You’ll both be great once you set out, I’m certain of that.”

Smiling widely, Ace nodded, “You can count on that, I plan on making sure the whole world knows my name.”

Sabo giggled, “I want to write a book about my adventures, but even more, I want to be able to make sure that everyone in it is able to live their own life. Kind of like what you’re doing.”

If he was shocked at Sabo saying that, Dragon didn’t show it. Ace wasn’t surprised either, Sabo had a very strict moral code. Enough that he wouldn’t be able to thrive in a Noble Household. It came as no surprise to Ace that Sabo wanted to continue that line of work. On top of it all, he had known Sabo wouldn’t be joining his crew, they were too alike to work like that. However, that did mean that he would be able to see his brother whenever he wanted, as the Revolutionary Army was in a lot of places. Might also help in looking after Luffy, as there was no way in hell they were leaving the now four-year old behind in three years.

Pitching that idea with Dragon, he chuckled, “Dad is going to hate that, so I’m all for it. As much as I think Makino can deal, I don’t thrust him to keep them both safe. She can handle her own, but Luffy even at seven will be a hand-full.”

Exchanging a look, Ace and Sabo nodded, “He already is, which is kind of why we want to take him along. I know how people will react once they find out he’s your son, or our brother, and I want to be there to protect him from that.”

Sighing, Dragon nodded, “Let me see if I can gather us some allies, some of the old Roger Pirates and maybe even Wani now that I found them again. Just to make sure you have allies on the Grand Line and beyond.”

Agreeing, Ace and Sabo would be willing to wait. Telling Dragon they didn’t plan on setting out until they were both seventeen. That seemed to bring some comfort, the man telling them as much as he left.

His promise coming back about two years later, when they saw sails appear on the horizon, a jolly roger they had seen before. Red-haired Shanks was said to be an appreintice on Roger’s ship year ago, it made sense that he would be the one making his way into the East Blue as the other former Roger Pirates would bring too much attention to themelves. Still, it was nervewracking that such a pirate crew docked at their small island, just in case he hadn’t heard from Dragon about them being there.

Luffy didn’t care, too awazed at the pirates, hurrying outside and waiting for them on the docks to bombard them with questions as soon as they appeared. Ace and Sabo making their way to them to keep their younger brother out of trouble when Shanks looked up and paled at the sight of Ace, “He wasn’t lying.”

Chapter Text

Ace was on edge about the redhead that stood before him, he knew what Dragon had promised he’d do but it was one thing to hear him saying it and another to see someone who had sailed with his father standing in front of him.

He had heard of Redhaired Shanks, who hadn’t at this point, but that didn’t mean that he knew what to think of the man. Not when most of the news was somewhat edited in ways that he couldn’t quite get. The older he got, the more Ace could see where the World Government had a hand in several things. But he had no way of knowing what was true or false about his own parents. Asking around wouldn’t get him a lot, as most people who knew them were either dead or at least in the Grand Line. He wanted to set out, but he couldn’t do that right now, he wasn’t seventeen yet and setting out before he was seventeen just for that didn’t seem like the best thing to do.

Shanks looked on in awe, before he shook his head, “I… Ah, Dragon told me there was a child, but I didn’t expect you to be a teenager already.”

Tilting up an eyebrow, Ace hums, “Why is that?”

Fidgetting, Shanks sighs, “I was just shy of seventeen when Da- Captain Roger was killed on the execution stand. I heard there had been a lover, but we were all told not to go looking as to make sure the World Government didn’t catch on. Which was a bust, of course, with everything going on I believed you to be killed.”

Flinching, Ace looked away, “Mom extended her pregnancy to be 20 months so that there couldn’t be any possibility of people believing I was his. It cost her, her life in the end.”

There is a sad smile on Shanks’ face as he looks at him, “That sounds like something Rouge would do, she had a great control over her conquror’s haki. I don’t doubt that she could use it internally to make her own body listen to her in an effort to make sure you were born.”

He’s hesitant as he reaches out to Ace, but Ace lets him close, looking into red eyes as a heavy hand settles on his shoulder, “They would both be so happy that you survived, so don’t every doubt that. He… Captain, he always wanted a son to spoil ever since he found me in a treassure chest at a year old. Rouge and Roger would keep on talking about what they would do if they had a child and had life not given them this hand you would have been the most loved child on all of these sea.”

There is a soft smile there as Shanks explains that Roger and Rouge were the only parents he knew, or cared about, “Not that it matters, but they already loved me and Buggy so much, without being our biological children. I know what I’m talking about and I can’t help but feel bad about the fact that you never got to experience that.”

Ace is just about crying at hearing that, at hearing about someone who knew his parents. Who had been raised by them, when he hadn’t had a chance to have that. There was a certain kind of kinship there, no doubt why Dragon had let Shanks know in the first place. Dragon had mentioned that he needed to hear it from others. To know his parents, even if it was from second hand stories. If they all reacted like Shanks did, Ace couldn’t help but look forward to that.

Shanks smiled softly, “I would love to tell you about them while I’m here, we can’t stay stationary for long but I’ll come back here every once in a while. We were thinking about taking a small break anyway, have Yasopp check in on his son and see what his sea can give us.”

Exchanging a look with Sabo, Ace mentioned that he had every intention of setting out when he saw seventeen, which would be in just over a year.

Laughing at that, Shanks agreed that seventeen was a good year to set out at. He would be able to stay close until such a time and see Ace when he made it into the Grand Line and the New World after that. Beaming at the man who could have been his big brother in another life, Ace lead them inside. Looking on where Sabo had already gone in with Luffy in his arms to get their baby brother fed now that the novelty of a pirate crew was fading. Given that there was only a year until they were setting out, they did need to come up with a plan on what to do with Luffy after that. He would be seven when they set out and that was way too young for a child to be on a ship.

Feeling eyes on him, he could see Shanks looking when he glanced back, there was something soft in his eyes as he looked from Ace to Sabo and Luffy, before his eyes came to rest on Ace again, “You look just like your father looked when he picked up Buggy and me, or so I’ve been told. You won’t be able to leave him here, Ace, I can see it in your eyes.”

Looking away, Ace bit his lip, “Sabo and I have been taking care of him for almost half our lives and I for one can’t imagine a life without Luffy in it. I… I wan’t in a good place as a teenager and he helped in soothing those troubles. I don’t… He’s everything to me.”

Sighing, Shanks shook his head, “I don’t think having kids on a ship is a good thing, but that’s because I grew up on one and I know what that could entail. But with you, it’s between you and Sabo, and I’m guessing he doesn’t want to become a pirate?”

Ace shook his head, “He’s joining Dragon after I drop him off at an arranged point around his seventeenth, so there would be both of us to share looking after Luffy. Dragon especially seemed keen on this, as he had people he can thrust now where before he didn’t have that. He also mentioned that Luffy’s mom, even if they aren’t identifying as a woman now, settled down in Alabasta and wants to see him again too.”

It seems that Shanks knew who that was as he started laughing, “Wait, what!? Luffy’s Dragon’s kid?”

At Ace’s nod, he seemed to go over the other things Ace said before he added, “Dragon had a kid with Wani? Oh god, Newgate is blowing a casket once he finds out about that one”, he laughs a little louder. Almost hysterical, before trying to get himself under control. It’s bad enough that his officers come to see if he’s alright. No doubt never having heard him laughing like that.

Ace doesn’t know what’s so funny, he’s aware of who Newgate is. He had made sure to start reading up on whose who on these seas. Dragon had offered to help him with that, as he was planning on going to the New World eventually and it would be better to know who it is that’s ruling there. He knows Shanks is a Yonko, and having him here because he had heard about Ace felt special.

“What does Whitebeard have to do with all of this”, he asked.

Shanks grinned widely, “Wani is Newgate’s child, so that makes Luffy his grandson. The whole of this familytree is going to be something if we ever do draw it out.”

Grinning still, he explains that Roger, Newgate and Garp exchanged cups of sake to proclaim themselves brothers at one point. Roger married Rouge and had Ace at one point, while already having adopted Buggy and Shanks. Newgate had Wani, as his biological child, and a whole crew of non-biologcal children. Garp, as they well know, had Dragon. To know that Dragon and Wani had a child, while that child was being raised by Ace and Sabo, it just felt like such a mess if one knew about it. For Ace though, it did make sense now why his dad asked Jiji to look after him. There had been a connection there he didn’t know about. One Garp no doubt kept quiet to protect those he could still protect.

Snorting, he nodded, “That’s wild.”

Sabo had come back to sit by them, Luffy drinking from a glass of juice under Makino’s watchful eye at the bar, “What’s wild?”

Without thinking, Ace shared what Shanks had told him, seeing Sabo’s eyes growing big the more he is told. It does explain a couple of things, as well as why Dragon had be so open to offering them aid when he first arrived here. Looking back at Luffy, Sabo had to agree that it would be hard in leaving him behing in a year’s time.

Sighing, Sabo looked at Ace, “We’re not leaving him behind, are we?”

Grinning, somewhat sheepishly, Ace shrugged, “I don’t think I can, plus once we both make a name for ourselves people are goind to tie him together with us. I know what name I’m using to set out, but chances are people are going to see the connection with my dad anyway. Once that happens, we all know the three of us are looking alike enough to be mistaken for siblings and if they didn’t know who my mom is the chances are they’ll assume she got together with Dragon and had Luffy or something like that.”

Paling at the mere thought, Shanks and Sabo shared a look before realizing that this was indeed the truth. If someone were to connect the dots, and as much as he wished it wasn’t, Shanks knew there were enough people around who would know about that and act on such information if they knew. Luffy couldn’t stay in the East Blue in the end, not with the connections he had even if he didn’t know about them.

“Well, shit, that means he’s going to come along even if you didn’t plan for it”, sighing, he added, “I’m willing to have him on the Red Force for a limited period of time as well. I normally don’t allow it, but with everything we’re uncovering here, chances are that you’ll be needing that regardless.”

Looking at Shanks with gratitude in their eyes, both Sabo and Ace exchanged another look realizing that they hadn’t known they would have such support out there. Even less so from one Yonko already. They hadn’t know Shanks for that long, but he was proving to be every bit the man they expected him to be by what Dragon told them.

This was proving to be an easy planning session, all things considered.

That statement would come to bite them in the ass a couple of months later when Shanks had returned from a raid with a devil fruit. None of them had been paying attention, only for Luffy of all people to eat the fruit and become an Anchor as he was so aptly named. Sabo and Ace tried to get Luffy to spit it out, but once a fruit was bitten into you were bound to the devil it harbored. Shanks was just as shocked and tried to apologize but neither Sabo nor Ace wanted to hear it, mentioning they were just as much in fault here.

“Another reason to take him along, there aren’t a lot of devil fruit users in the East, if the wrong people find out they would try to take him and sell him off as a freak or a special being. We can’t let that happen”, Ace uttered. For all that the East was generally quiet, they had heard more and more rumors about slavers slinking in and taking those that stood out.

At the same time there were also rumours about fishmen on an island several days travel from them. One couldn’t be too careful after all.

Chapter Text

Shanks had known that his stunt at Marigeose with Tiger Fisher would have concequences. But to have it impact even the East Blue didn’t sit well with him. Often regarded as the Weakest Blue, it was left alone most often. People feared Garp too much to try and run amok there, but that also seemed to have changed if what Ace told him.

He also promised he’d stay here until the boys set out and he intended to keep that promise.

Luffy eating a devil fruit wasn’t the intention, but he knew this particular devil fruit had been eluding the World Government for centuries. If it wanted Luffy to eat it, it would have done everything possible to make that happen. People didn’t know this, but there was some truth to the ‘devil’ you ate when eating a Devil Fruit. He knew from Uncle Mo that an awakening happened when you were able to speak to and interact with your devil fruit devil. They were scentient to a certain degree, so there was that to keep into consideration.

Knowing slavers were making their way into the Blues wasn’t a good thing. He hated it, and knew all of the Roger Pirates felt the same way about that. It’s one of the main reasons Rayleigh settled on Sabaody, he loved chaos and making it in front of Admirals and the Elder Stars only added to that. His own rebellion for what they took away when they killed Roger.

“Luffy, I need you to listen to me”, Shanks said in the end, after a moment to consider, “You are a devil fruit. You know what that means, right?”

The youngest boy nodded with tears in his eyes, “Means I can’t swim anymore…”

Shanks nodded, “Among other things, yes. But it also meant that you get the ability of that devil fruit.” To prove it, he took a hold of Luffy’s hand and stretched his arm until it was longer than Luffy’s body. Making Luffy freak out, while Ace and Sabo looked on without knowing what to do. They hadn’t encountered devil fruits before, except with Dragon but he didn’t use it except for travel.

As if suddenly realizing that, Ace and Sabo swallowed thickly, not knowing how they would explain this to Dragon next time they saw him. He would be waiting on Loguetown, which is where Ace and Sabo would split most likely. Shanks seemed to be of the same mind, as he paled all of the sudden, “Fuck… They’re going to kill me.”

Snorting at that, Ace nodded, “Yeah, probably. Hey Lu, let’s not tell your dad, ok?”

Luffy blinked, as if he suddenly remembered, “Papa also has a devil fruit, I can be like him now! This is so cool.” Gone was the fear, replaced by awe and the ability to look more like his father. While Luffy hadn’t known who Dragon was that long ago, he looked up to the man once he found out that Dragon had left him with Garp (and subsequently with Ace and Sabo) to protect him from people who wanted to stop his plans in making a revolution happen.

Shanks winced at that, he had known who contacted him to come and check up on the youngest in their little family. He didn’t often speak about it, but there were ties to those that dwelled in the New World. Dragon was going to be pissed about this, he was certain, he had been asked to keep the kids safe not make sure that they got an even bigger target on their backs. Once word got out about Luffy the World Government would connect the dots and none of them wanted that too happen too soon. Looking at Ace and Sabo he could see that both of them were of the same opinion, they wanted to keep Luffy safe no matter what and here he had gone and made their job even harder.

“That shouldn’t have happened”, he uttered, to which Ace and Sabo sighed with a resigned look in their eyes, “If it partains Luffy, we realized long ago that he does not abide to the normal laws humans are tied to. It’s hard to explain, but it’s almost as if the world itself wants to make sure that he makes the absolute most of it.”

Biting his lip, Ace shares that even as a child, he was quiet but observant. On top of that, despite everything going on, he managed to grow up so strong, resiliant and happy. Ace especially shared he had been so scared to take care of another human being. Sabo was the same age as he was, but Luffy had been a baby when he was put into their arms by Garp.

Glancing at the chest that had held the devil fruit, Ace added, “Something wanted Luffy to eat it and I think it has something to do with how the world bends around him. Dragon noticed it too, but he can’t stay here for long periods of time. He promised he’d make sure we’d have others to kee pan eye out. To help up, as there is going to be so much chaos arround Luffy that it won’t even be funny in the long run. He’s… He’s something else, Shanks.”

Sabo and Ace remembered a conversation with Dragon they had when the man had been on Dawn. Before he had to leave again, they had all looked over Luffy and mentioned the feeling they got off of him at times. Dragon had shared that he had been able to do that as a baby, that he had been so different from what he expected but it was that difference that made him act when it became clear that Luffy’s life was in danger. His mother had been too out of it to act and hadn’t been in the right headspace at the time to take care of a newborn to Dragon took on that part, at least until Wani left and a mole in his organisation had tried to kill his son.

Shanks sighed, “I need to make sure the both of you have some understanding of Haki when I leave. When we part ways, as I think you’re going to need it. It’s another ace against devil fruit users and people in the Grand Line in general. Luffy is going to attract attention and I think it’s a good thing what Dragon is trying to do. We can call some other people, Roger’s people, as well as Wani and the old man. Just to make sure there are others out there who can keep an eye out as I do believe we’re going to need it.

Looking at the still sleeping child, Shanks couldn’t help but wonder if Luffy was the person who Roger had been waiting for. He and the crew had mentioned several times that they were too early to do something. So what was it that they couldn’t do, was it tied to Luffy and the way he was so in tune with the world around him? Shanks wouldn’t be surprised if he had the Voice of All things going by what he heard and experienced. It was still awakening, but it had been present since he waw a newborn if he had to believe Ace and Sabo. That alone was enough to make sure they were all prepared for what was coming.

Time was also running out, the twins were turning 17 soon. They would be setting out in less than three months and Shanks knew he could give them the bare basics in that time frame but they would need someone else to build on that.

“Fuck…”, he uttered, before he looked at Ace, “How long do you think you can keep your father a secret?”

That was obviously a question Ace hadn’t expected. Looking at Sabo and back at Shanks before mentioning that he assumed he’d be able to keep it under wraps at least until the New World. If he didn’t gather too much attention in the Grand Line he’d make it there safely, “I will be going by mom’s name, just to kaap me safe or I can use Monkey as an extra fail safe. It’s when the three of us are together that people are going to connect the dots. Luffy, from what I’ve been told, looks a lot like Gramps did once upon a time. As far as the Marines know, there is only one child there, Dragon. At first they might not care, but once they know it’s the three of us and they start digging…”

Ace doesn’t finish that scentence, he doesn’t have to. He had been thinking about it ever since Shanks arrived on Dawn and he realized they would be taking Luffy with them. Sabo was of the same mind, had agreed with him even if they would each go their own ways. Shanks had offered to babysit but they would need more people in case they needed it.

Nodding, Shanks sighed, “When we set out, let’s pass by Orange Town first. Blue… Buggy, my brother lives there after everything with Da- Roger. He has a white den den mushi he can use to call everyone else. The rest of the crew are going to be so relieved you survived, Ace.”

Flushing, Ace grinned widely. Since Luffy came into his life he looked forward to life as a whole. But knowing there were others there that wanted to see him grow and succeed, those that had sailed with his father and made the best of it all. That they would be stunned to know he lived, it was almost the complete opposide of what he had been told for so long.

“You think?”

Laughing, Shanks nodded, “They will be falling over themselves in trying to get the favourite Uncle roll claimed as soon as possible. They’ll also be open to looking after Luffy, not for a long period of time but at least long enough for the both of you to have options if you need it.”

Sighing he added, “Buggy would also have Wani’s number to tell them what had been going on. I don’t know what happened between them and Dragon but I do know there was love at one point. As Dragon said they weren’t in a good mindspace at the time of Luffy’s birth, had never been able to cope with the fact they were born as a female and felt more male all the time. That isn’t to deny that they would have loved Luffy, so I do wonder what happened there.”

Sabo spoke, “What Dragon told us they were given a bull shit story that the baby died during childbirth and when Dragon didn’t deny or verify that thye ran after talking to one of the revolutionaries to get their wish of getting another body. They ran into the night and it was because of that, that Dragon knew there was a mole in the organisation. Everyone who mattered knew what Wani meant to them and how much they wanted a family.”

While he didn’t say as much, Shanks knew that Wani’s relationship with their own family was troubled. Newgate never could see past his daughter and he pushed her away to the point that they cut off their own hand to get rid of the mark of the Whitebeard Pirates. That was the only thing stopping him from reaching out to the man he had once called Uncle Ed. It wasn’t his place and he hated that the didn’t have another Yonko to support him here, but he would make due. Newgate would find out eventually and when he did, it would either shift his entire worldview or he would be left behind when the new era started.

Thinking about the Whitebeard pirates, Shanks touched the scars on his face, “In regards to someting, if you ever run into a Whitebeard Pirate by the name of Teach, run. He’s been playing the innocent son for way too long when he’s anything but. If he were to know your real name or see what Luffy could do, he would act without question and I know he’d hiding a lot more than he seems.”

Chapter Text

Telling Ace and Sabo about Teach might not have been the best thing he had done, but he felt that they both needed to know. Chances were they would run into Newgate at one point and sadly that also meant Teach. The man had been posing as the ‘Loyal son’ for decades now that Shanks was certain no one would suspect him. Which could be dangerous, especially if the fucker found out about either Luffy or Ace’s parentage.

“He’s an oportunist and I wish Newgate would have seen that ages ago”, Shanks said while touching the scars on his face, “Roger warned him about Teach ages ago and I did too after I got these in a ‘friendly’ fight that had Beck raising hell on whoever had been there with the bastard. We couldn’t messure up against a Yonko back then, but I am wary of the man and I want you both to be too.”

His eyes are intense as he looks at Ace and Sabo. He hates that he has to do this, but both young men are setting out soon enough and he won’t be able to look after them all the time. Right now he can and he’ll make the most of it. In part it’s because his ties to Luffy, and in a way to Ace if everything had turned out differently. But it’s easy to see how much Sabo cares for his brothers, so the least Shanks can do is prepare them as much as he possibly can.

He doesn’t have to worry, as both Ace and Sabo nod and promise him they’ll make sure that they keep their eyes out. Sabo even making an actual note of it, enough that Shanks shakes his head knowing that Dragon was lucky Sabo wanted to join his revolution, there was bound to be something there in the future that made him a threat to those that came close to his family.

Glancing at a still sleeping Luffy, Shanks checks with Makino if she’s up for looking after him while he sets Ace and Sabo up with the basics of Haki. It might not be all they need, but it would get them started. He’s certain that once they have it figured out they can grow in it on their own, that’s how he managed after all and he’s done quite well for himself.

Leading the both of them towards the forest, he gives the basics first. How Haki is tied to your will and devided into three sorts. Giving examples of Observation, Armament and Conquror’s as he does so, explaining that not everyone has Conquror’s but Observation and Armament are things you can learn. It should take some time, but it will benefit them in the lond run. Part of him winces as he thinks back to his own haki training, Rayleigh had been brutal about it, but it worked, so after explaining what it was he wanted to do and how he didn’t mean for that to harm either of them in the long run both Ace and Sabo agreed.

Eventually, to settle it, he had one of them trying to intervene as he went to hit the other one with a stick while they were blindfolded. Sabo was the first one to agree to be blindfolded, with Ace intervening as he tried to get Armament to unlock before getting to Shanks.

It seemed to be working extremely well, enough that they set out a time every day to practice as both of them seemed to get a hang of it almost too fast. Ace was able to get his arms up in armamant for a little while longer each time. It wouldn’t stop anything higher than a rear-admiral, but it was a start nonetheless. He did however manage to unlock Obversation somewhere after the first month, only not dogging when he was distracted by checking up on Luffy during their training.

Sabo on the other hand had managed to get much further with his Armamant Haki, able to coat his arms and any part of his body sepepratly and for longer periods of time. He managed to hold it quite long too, enough that Shanks had to go and look for another stick soon enough. His Observation wasn’t as advanged as Ace’s, but he was getting there. He had feelings now ang again, especially when it partained Luffy. Not that surprising to Shanks, as he did mentioned that as kids he and Buggy were able to tune in on each other much easier than on others.

“It’s your bond with each other, I’m able to hone in on my crew just as easy, especially as I’m close to them all the time. The both of you and Luffy are always together, you raised the kid more than I or Makino did and that creates a certain kind of bond, it’s cute to see”, he grins as he explains.

Ace and Sabo grin at that, before telling him that neither of them are cute.

Shanks laughs as the way they say it is cute as well. He knows they’re both close to seventeen and not at all the kids he’d like them to be now. But he can’t help it. Especially with Ace, as part of it does stem from wanting to make up for the time lost where they would have a different relationship should Roger or Rouge have survived and introduced them to each other earlier one. At times when he’s thinking about that, Shanks catched himself on not wanting that to happen. As much as he would like his parents to be there, he also can’t imagine his life right now without Sabo or Luffy in it. In a way he had been given exactly what he needed and that had to be enough.

Glancing at Ace, Shanks knows that he can’t share what he’s thinking there. In the time spend with the younger man, he knows the duality of how Ace feels about the passing of their parents. He knows that Shanks being glad this is how things went isn’t something he can share right now. What he can do however is tease him like the little brother he is, which he does, or plans to do if Ace didn’t freeze all of the sudden.

“Something is wrong with Luffy”, he utters, before he’s turning on his heels and dashing into the directiong of Foosha.

Sabo and Shanks follow not even a moment later, the both of them reaching out and sensing that indeed Luffy is emmitting worry, rage and uncertainty. Which is so very unlike him, it also makes Shanks wonder where his crew is as he doesn’t think any of them, but especially not Beck, would allow someone to make Luffy feel like that.

Dashing through the woods, they’re in Foosha in a moment, with Shanks taking point and letting his eyes take in what’s happening. His crew is at the docks and while Beck noticed someting going on he also sensed Shanks approach and didn’t act. Makino and Luffy are outside the bar with a group of thugs who seem to be willing to do anyting to get a hold of Luffy even if the youngest of their group hides behind Makino and seems to be on edge the moment one of those thugs comes close.

Ace takes a step to stand next to him in an instand, “What do you think you’re doing”, haki coloring his voice and making more than one thug drop while others sway.

Glancing back, Shanks can’t be surprised that Ace has Conquror’s Haki, not when both his parents had it. But right now is not the place to address that. What does need to be addressed in the thugs who seem to want to get a hold of Luffy with that sinister smile on their faces. They’re not slavers, as those people know the Red Force and wouldn’t give anything to get close. But they can be supliers who want to test their hand and see a child with a devil fruit sitting around.

His hand is on Gryphon in the next moment, his own haki coloring his voice, “What he said.” A number of those swaying fall over foaming at the mouth, yet neither Luffy, Makino, Ace or Sabo flinch at the haki surrounding them. Shanks hates that he can’t even feel proud about that right now.

That gets the attention of his crew, and they all drop what they’re doing to join him and freeze at the band of thugs close to Makino and Luffy. Glancing at Shanks, Ace and Sabo to take in their stances and knowing that whatever happens now, they’re dealing with this is in the best way they can. None of these are leaving here with Luffy and even less are leaving with their lives.

Luffy lets go of Makino’s skirt to run towards his brothers instead, which is when one of the thugs seems to regain his baring to snatch him up and hold him off of the ground so he can’t make a run for it. Which sets all of them on edge, most of the Red-Hair Pirates directing their weapons onto the man foolish enough to take their precious anchor.

Ace and Sabo hiss softly, taking a step forward, only to stop when the thug holds a gun to Luffy’s head, “One more step and the brat gets it.”

There is a grin on his face as he knows they won’t harm him when he has a hold of Luffy, Shanks’ heart just about stops as he doesn’t know how to go about this. If they move, Luffy gets shot and even with him being rubber they have no idea if that won’t harm him. On the other hand, there is no way that they are going to let the thug leave. Not now, not ever, not with Luffy on the line.

What he doesn’t expect is for Luffy to use the hold the thug had on him to his advantage to kick him in the nuts. Making the thug collapse into himself and let him go to cover his nuts with both his hands, allowing the gun to slip from his fingers and for Luffy to get free. Without hesitation, the youngest runs to cover behind Ace and Sabo, both who pick him up and make sure he’s alright. Moving back slightly so they’re behind Shanks so he can deal with the bastard who bared to get to their little brother.

Standing at his full height, every part of the Yonko Red-Haired Shanks, he steps forward, “That was a foolish move and one that you’ll pay for.”

The thug is still groaning after that hit to the balls, not that Shanks cared for that. Grasping the man by the hair, he has him up on his knees in an instand, “You certianly have a deadwish if you do this in my presence, scum.”

The man spits at his feet, even if one of his own stammers that it’s a Yonko in front of him. The man doesn’t seem to get that, boasting that he’s the Mountain Bandit Higuma, worth a wopping 8 million Beri. A no name pirate isn’t even close to that.

Any other time Shanks would have let it slide, hell, if the man had come up to him he’d have laughed and let him dig his own grave. But he had tried to leave with Luffy, had tried to hurt Luffy and that was something no one would walk away from.

Ace or Sabo snorted, and Shanks can hear Yassop and Beck follow, allong with Luffy’s childish voice asking if that wouldn’t mean that Shanks is worth at least 500 times the bandit and the reveal of his own new wanted poster of just over 4 billion Beri, he supposes that has some truth to it.

The same henchmen that had tried to stop Higuma pipes up, “He’s a Yonko, boss, that means he rules the New World. You’re not even known here in the East Blue so how could you compete with that.”

It seems at least one of those thugs keeps up with the news, not that Higuma seems to appriciate it as he gets a hold of his gun and goes to shoot his subordinate. He doesn’t manage, as a shot from Beck and a swing from Gryphon get him bisected and shot in the head at the same time for what he had done and tried to do. Flincking the blood off of his sword, Shanks looks a the band of bandits cowering away, humming he tells them to up and leave.

Sabo adds they could look for Dadan to take them in, after sharing they did try to harm Luffy. It didn’t seem to deter them as they made their way to the Bandit’s hut regardless, with Sabo and Ace muttering that Dadan would set them straight. For all that she didn’t aks to care for them, she did so regardless and would keep them close to her heart like any Aunt would.

Chapter Text

Shanks is happy for what he did manage to teach Ace and Sabo. They aren’t ready for the New World yet but given that they both plan on taking the long way around, he knows they’ll have time to hone their haki before getting there.

Still, time has gone by so fast and before he’s able to comprehend that, they’re getting ready to set out. He’ll be joining them at least until Orange Town so they can meet Buggy and some plans can be made for further down the line. He did call his brother and told him what was going on, in ture Buggy style he didn’t believe it right now but he was willing to see Shanks and have him explain face to face. He also verified that he still had a White Den Den Mushi and that he was in regular contact with Uncle Mo so calling him wouldn’t come out of the blue. He did mention that if Shanks was there all of them would look forward to hearing from him, as it had been too long.

A wave of wind has Dragon standing there, Sabo grinning at the man whose organistation he was going to join at one point. The agreement was that he would sail with Ace until Loguetown. However, that didn’t mean Dragon wouldn’t be there to see them off. In a way they were his kids too, Luffy was as much without a doubt, but he had grown fond of both Ace and Sabo in the time he had spend here.

It was clear to see at the way he was relaxed, nodding at Shanks and his crew before stepping forward to sweep Luffy up in his arms and greet the older two boys. Warning them that Garp was on his way back, but that if anything worked out they would stay out of his sight and gain on him before the old man realized where they had gone.

Sniggering, Ace shook his head, “I still don’t know where the man got the idea of us being Marines. They’d rather see me dead then let me join and I don’t know if he sees that.”

Sighing, Dragon hums, “It’s because I was once a marine, set to become an Admiral even. But I fell in love with Wani, back when she was still on board of Newgate’s ship and they weren’t about to let that pass. I had to choose between my carreer or the person I loved, making me choose the later. I never wanted to become an Admiral either, they’re much too close to the Celestial Dragons and that was one more pot I didn’t want to stir.”

That has the kids all looking at him in awe, knowing that the biggest rebel and outlaw the world has ever seen used to be a Vice-Admiral. It kind of tracks too, they know that Admirals are almost always Devil Fruit Users, it’s a way of making sure that regardless of what happens there are people there to keep those in line that walk outside of the law. Them being the personal lap dogs of the Celestial Dragons isn’t something well known, unless you have insider information. Dragon had shared that long ago, wanting to make sure that they knew to keep an eye out especially once they reached Sabaody.

Patting Luffy on the head, Dragon added, “When Wani got pregnant they tried to get to her and the baby, which is part of why everything just fell apart after that. He goes by Crocodile now as he never did feel good as a woman and I’m glad they have that securety in their life now. Ciphel Pol managed to infiltrate the base and harm Luffy, which is when Wani just freaked out and killed the man with their sand but the damage was done.”

Turning to Shanks, Dragon adds, “I hope Buggy is able to call on them, to make it sure they at least know. I don’t want them to feel any obligation whatsoever, but they do need to know now that Luffy will set out to sea.”

Shanks nods, “I’ll make sure of that, we wanted to let the Old Men know and if I know Buggy he stayed in contact with Wani all this time so he’ll be able to call on him regardless of where he is. I never expected anything from his side either, I just want him to know, he deserves to know.”

Running a hand through Luffy’s hair, Dragon nodded, “That he does.”

They prepare for when the boys set out, even with Shanks trailing after them until Orange Town it is something they want to make sure they’re well prepared for. The sea can be futile and no matter how much luck they had or how well they would manage in the East, that doesn’t mean they should let themselves be surprised.

As soon as the boys were inside of their boat, Shanks stayed on the docks to wave them off. Promising he’d catch up to them in no time and would keep Luffy on the Red Force for a little while as Ace and Sabo tried to get used to everything. Even if the sea was calm, he wanted to give them a chance to get this done before joining them.

Luffy was overjoyed at the aspect, running around the Red Force all the time as if it was his own ship. He even started proclaiming to be Pirate King and it was the way he said it that made Shanks realize what he was seeing in front of his very eyes. He had been aware that despite it all, he wouldn’t be the one to get to the One Piece, he didn’t want that kind of Fame. But Luffy, the longer he spend with him, the more he realized that Luffy was the one Roger had been waiting for. Luffy would be the one to become Pirate King soon enough. He was convinced enough that he didn’t even thing twice about parting with his hat and setting it on Luffy’s hat, “How about you keep this safe for me, hm?”

The starry eyed look he got in return was well worth it, for all that Shanks had come to care for Luffy last (and was the oldest) he couldn’t help but feel like all three of those youngsters had taken over a piece of his heart. The part that he had burried when the Captain died and he had to fend for himself for a the longest time felt that it was on the mend. Luffy looked and acted more like Roger did, odd as he wasn’t even slightly related to the man. Ace, on the other hand, was all Ms. Rouge, down to the fact that he would do anything and everything to protect those he held dear. Once on the Grand Line that might be a problem, even if Shanks was aware that they were all making sure they had quite the group to fall back on. They didn’t have to worry too much, but he couldn’t help himself in wanting to see these boys succeed.

“Let’s go and see where your brothers are at, Anchor”, he said as he made his way to the helm. Nodding to his crew as they all started to prepare for departure. Makino was waving them off on the docks, yelling that they had to be careful and to keep in touch so she knew how they were doing.

Luffy yelled back he’d make Ace or Sabo call as soon as they caught up to them.

Shaking his head, Shanks had them set out and knew from the start that things had happened and he didn’t know how to deal with that. In the three days the boys had left to go to Orange Town, they had somehow drifted off course with Ace even falling overboard.

Luckily, nothing had happened, except that he had gotten stuck on an island known to have contradictory currents which made it very hard to get off of. As such, Shanks pulled up next to the little ship Ace and Sabo were using, with only Sabo on board as he looked at an island in the distance and shared, rather dejected, what had happened and where Ace was now. He had been wondering for three days on what to do and how to get his older brother off of that island.

Blinking once, Shanks sighed, “You have got to be kidding me.”

They weren’t, in fact, Sabo was close to just taking his ship to the shore even if they couldn’t get off of it. Sixis was known to be a shit show and a half, he knew Ace was fine and while there was someone else there too they didn’t seem to keen on doing harm. Part of him even joked that Ace had found his first crewmate already.

Laughing about it, none of them expected it to be true when all of the sudden a flume of fire was released from the island and a ship, more of a raft, made its way to them propelled by fire. As soon as the raft was close they could see an unknown man with blue hair sitting on the front of it while the back held Ace with a grin on his face. Looking closer, Shanks snorted when he realized that the fire was Ace. It seems he had eated a devil fruit while on the island was now held fire powers.

“I don’t know if you’re lucky, or just insane, bro”, Sabo deadpanned as he helped both the blue haired man and Ace on board. Looking on as the raft stayed floating for a little while before sinking as it hadn’t been made to be durable.

Ace grinned, “Little bit of both! But I managed in the end, this is Deuce, by the way, he’s joining my crew.”

The now named Deuce looked terrified when he looked at Ace and Sabo, before his eyes fell on Shanks and they just about fell out of his head, “That’s Red-Haired Shanks.”

Patting his new crew member on his shoulder, Ace hummed, “Yeah, around here he’s known as a Mother Hen though. He’d our big brother…”

It filled him with joy to hear that, a large grin creeping over his face as he kept a hold on Luffy so the younger wouldn’t rocket towards Ace or Sabo now that they caught up. The movement of doing so had the attention of the others on the little ship, though, which is also when Ace and Sabo noticed the absence of the strawhat on Shanks’ head and it being on Luffy’s.

“Lu, did you steal Shanks’ hat again”, Ace asked, his head tilted.

Luffy grasped a hold of the strawhat to pull it down while his lips pulled into a large smile, shakign his head as Shanks shared it had been time the hat got a new owner. Glancing at Deuce, he could see the sheepish way Ace smiled, which made him sigh, “It used to by Dad’s hat, his crown before he became King in a way. I had my time crowned, but I have no need for the One Piece. Luffy on the other hand”, setting his hand on the hat and grinning widely, “We all know Luffy is going to be Pirate King one day.”

Sabo laughed at that, taking a hold of his own hat and grinning as they matched in that regard. Glancing at Ace he grinned wider, “I guess that means we just need to make sure you have one too.”

As if he had been anticipating this, Ace ran inside of their ship before returning with an orange cowboy hat, “Way ahead of you, I saw this the last time we were in Goa and had to have it. Didn’t think I’d wear it but it fits now, don’t you think.”

Deuce, now that he had gotten over the fact that he was safe (somewhat) looked from one to the other before turning to Ace, “What exactly did I sign up for?”

Chapter Text

Shanks felt for Deuce, he really did. The blue haired man had no idea what he was getting himself into that much was clear. The was he looked at Shanks and his crew was obvious, just as much as he didn’t know what to think about Sabo or Luffy. But he adapted, Shanks could tell that much.

“Ace”, he called out, “Did you at least tell Deuce what he was signing up for?”

The dark haired teen looked up and blinked two times, before he sheepishly smiled. Shanks sighed at that, mentioning to Deuce, “Shouldn’t you do that.”

Listening in, he was happy to note that Ace was telling Deuce everything he needed to know. From his relation to Shanks, Sabo and Luffy, as well as how Sabo would only be sailing with them for a little while before heading off to their father/uncle figure.

When Dragon’s name was shared, it was more than clear that Deuce hadn’t been expecting that. Leading to a whole explination as to how their family tree worked (newsflash, it didn’t, it anything it looked like someone took a twig and nailed extra branches to it). It wasn’t like a normal family tree, not in the slightest, but it worked and that was all there was to it.

Chuckling, he could see the way Ace charmed Deuce into just accepting it as it was. From what he could decude, it was clear Deuce was running from something. Taking on a name that wasn’t his own in an effort to stay hidden and quite smitten with Ace from what he could tell.

Sabo leaned in, “So, Ace has a first mate, then?”

Laughing, Shanks nodded, “Looks that way, he seems to be having a good head on his shoulders though from all the questions he is asking Ace. We can’t ask for more, as he’ll need it once we’re both not at his side anymore.”

Sighing, Sabo agreed with that, not saying anything as they both saw Luffy going up to Deuce and staring at him. His head tilting a little befor ehe grinned, “You’d be good for Nii-chan…”

Deuce sputtered at that, blushing as he stared at Luffy. The others didn’t even blink before they were laughing, more than used to Luffy doing things like this. Shanks was well aware that Luffy had the Voice of all Things, he just knew too much at times. It was also clear that he loved his brother very much and wanted to make sure that whoever he picked up as his crew would be safe to travel with. All three of them, Shanks, Ace and Sabo, had made it clear that Luffy could tell them if he noticed something off about a member of the crew. His safety was why they were doing this in the first place, so his word was law in a way.

It did make Shanks and Sabo relax, as he had passed the Luffy test and that was they needed right now.

“Let’s make out way to Orange Town then, I’m sure Buggy has to be worried by now”, Shanks winced as he knew his brother would be beside himself right now. But he needed to be there, there was a lot they needed to talk about and he was happy to make sure Ace and Sabo knew they weren’t alone in this.

Once in Orange Town it wasn’t a surprise that Buggy was waiting for them on the docks. He always did have exceptional Observation Haki, no doubt having senses Shanks since he was in reach. Grinning as he disembarked, he opened his arm and hugged Buggy when his brother welcomed him. It felt like ages since the last time they hugged, making it clear that their last meeting in Loguetown hadn’t ended in a pleasant note.

“I’m sorry, Blue”, Shanks whispered.

Shaking his head, Buggy hugged him back, “We needed to go our own ways, Red. I know that now, and it’s so good to see you again.”

His voice is soft when he said it, every inch the Blue Shanks remembered instead of Buggy the Clown which was a mask he showed to world to keep himself safe. Not a lot of people were able to look past said mask; in fact the only people able to do that were Wani, Shanks and Marco. Even then, it took a while for both Wani and Marco to be able to do that.

Pulling back, Shanks knows the moment Buggy sees Ace. It’s the same feeling he had when he saw him for the first time. Chuckling, he told Buggy as much, who nodded before addressing Ace, “You look just like your parents, I’m glad a part of them survived against all odds.”

Ace looked just as shocked as he had before, but smiling slightly as he thanked Buggy for that. Looking quite excited to know he had other family out there. The look Buggy shoots him has Shanks nodding, they had already put Garp on their shit list but for the man to not tell anyone of the Roger Pirates and filling Ace’s head with lieas hit even deeper then that. He would have grown up so loved, but that had been partially negated and for what.

“By the sea, you do look just like Wani”, Buggy whispered when he saw Luffy appear. Waiting a moment before sharing, “I managed to contact them and they weren’t pleased. They honestly did believe their child had died and ran into the night. He wants to have words with Dragon at one point, but for now he’s just so happy to know you survived, Luffy.”

Luffy tilts his head, “I knew baba didn’t mean to leave, we can always go visit him, can’t we?”

If the easy acceptence shocked him, Buggy didn’t show, before he nodded, “Your baba would love to have you visit, Little One. They told me as much themselves, your brothers are more than welcome as is Shanks if it’s needed.”

Smiling a that, Shanks shook his head, “I do need to make my way into the New World soon enough. I know your network is more than vast enough to hook the kids up to whatever they need from here on out. Po- Ray needs to know too, just because of what had been once upon a time and to prepare for when Ace makes it to Sabaody. We don’t know what will happen until then, and I want to make sure they all have the chance to scatter if needed.”

Holding up his hand when Ace went to speak, Shanks explained, “People are going to notice and if the wrong people do you need to make your way out of there as soon as possible. As dangerous as the New World is, there are others there that can protect you. I can protect you there, and I’m sure once the Old Man knows he’ll throw in his two cents too.”

“Wani doesn’t want to tell him”, Buggy says quickly, looking from Shanks, to Luffy and back, “Told me that too much has happened for the Old Man to know he has a grandkid now. Aparently he’s going back to his roots and throwing haki around like it’s candy. Marco has been in contact and even he is at the end of his wit.”

Eyebrows climbing up at that, Shanks gives a short explination as to who the old man is that they talk about. Edward Newgate, or Whitebeard, was Luffy’s biologican maternal grandfather. He had also been an ally once upon a time. However, if even his oldest son had his doubts that also meant something. Sighing, he explained that Newgate didn’t want women to fight for him, that was the main reason Whitey Bay left to form her own crew and why Wani never stayed on the ship past adulthood. But to hear that this hadn’t changed was troublesome.

“Shit”, Shanks said instead.

Buggy shook his head, “He’ll protect you, Ace, but he’ll be just as fast to surprise adopt you and we don’t want that. Marco told me he has a habit of finding rookies he things are interesting onto the Moby and never letting them leave under the guise of being a part of the family. He never did forgive dad for taking Oden to Laugh Tale and I doubt that stopped now.”

—

Deuce had no idea what he had gotten into. Ace had been nice, and he was his ticked off of Sixis where they were both stranded. Finding out that both of Ace’s brothers travelled with him, where one of them was only seven, and he had connection to people like Red-Haired Shanks and Buggy the Clown, he was on edge ever since they arrived in Orange Town.

Finding out that neither Sabo or Luffy were biologically his brothers was another shock as all three of them did look alike enough to be mistaken for brothers. Shanks explained that this is why Luffy was going along on Ace’s journey. As once word got out, and sadly that would happen sooner rather than later, he’d be in danger if they traced Ace back to Dawn. Luffy being the kid of the Revolutionary Dragon and the Warlord Crocodile had him holding his heart, and he just about fainted when it ws explained that Whitebeard was Luffy’s grandfather on Crocodile’s side.

Ace grimaced when he saw the look on his face, “Sorry for all of this, Deuce, I know it’s a lot…”

He looked so defeated when he added, “I totally understand if you don’t want to sail with me anymore.”

Blinking, Deuce shook his head, “Not going to happen, you saved me, Ace. In more than one way, I would have died on Sixis if you hadn’t arrived and everything is a lot to take in now, but then again I never expected to become a Pirate much less on a crew like yours.”

Taking a hold of Ace’s hand, he grinned, “Doesn’t mean I’ll just bail on you though. It’s been fun up until now and it’s kind of reassuring to know that we won’t be totally alone from now on. There are enough people we can call, people who can look our for us but who can also look out for Luffy when we can’t.”

He doesn’t want to say that some parts of the Grand Line aren’t meant for a child, but it seems that more than one person knows that which is why they’re planning the way they are doing now. In fact, if he understands well, Sabo will be leaving them in Logue Town where Dragon will be waiting for them and after that they’ll be making their way to Alabasta and meeting with Crocodile. There is enough going on that Deuce thinks they’ll be fine at least for a little while.

Luffy beams at him as he thinks that before looking at Ace, “Deuce has a good head on his shoulders and he’s right that there are enough people around to babysit me if something were to happen. You and Sabo already agreed to take care to swap at times so I get to spend it with both of you and papa. Shanks will be there too, even if it’ll never be long.”

They all laugh at that, happy that this is happening now. They still need to figure a lot of things out, Deuce is sure, but they did make a great start so that’s something for now! They’ll deal with the rest once it presents itself.

Clasping Ace on the shoulder to share as much, he grins, “Besides, what’s life without a little adventure. I know that piracy is something else, and I might need some help in getting that settled in my head, but that’s what I have you for, Captain.”

Ace beamed at hearing that, no doubt realizing that his true journey had begun from now on. Deuce saw the looks Sabo, Shanks and Buggy were exchanging, but they looked pleasant so that was at least something. He just hoped he wouldn’t turn grey from all of this, as he had a feeling this wasn’t even as chaotic as it could be seeing as they were just starting out. Once in the Grand Line he was certain he would need all of his wit to keep it together. He liked that challenge though, and looked forward as to what happened now.

Chapter Text

The rest of their journey through the East Blue was peaceful. There were some marines that tried to get to them, but Ace took care of that without even blinking. They also picked up some more crew members. All of who hadn’t known what to think about Luffy on board, but none of them mentioned it.

Deuce could see where this was coming from and part of him wanted to see how they would change their perspective of Ace once Sabo left the ship or when they realized just who Ace was connected to. Nothing was said about it, so Deuce didn’t feel like saying something about it either. He was the first mate and he was aware of it all. Other then that, they’d deal with problems as they came along.

Luffy listened when they asked him to move into the ship, as to make sure no one could see him and report back to the wrong kind of people. Sabo usually went with, as he still wanted to join the Revolutionary Army and as such could do without too much attention. He wanted to be a spy and all, so he kept Luffy entertained on the few times a Marine got too close or they needed to have all possible hands on deck to deal with whatever was getting to them.

As such, none of the Spades were prepared for Monkey D. Dragon appearing on the Piece of Spadille one morning. His face covered by the hood of his cloak as he stepped onto the ship and had everyone halting.

Ace was called and he stopped and stared at the man before grinning, “Hi, Uncle Dragon.”

Most of the crew did a double check before Luffy was there, running towards Dragon with a yelled ‘dad’. Being picked up and hugged thightly by one of the most wanted men on the sea. The Spades didn’t know what to think of this, Deuce didn’t budge and Ace had called him uncle. What the hell was even going on here.

Chuckling, Dragon looked at the crew, “You picked well, Ace. They have no idea what to think of me.”

Luffy hummed, “But dad is dad, it isn’t like you’re going to hurt us…” It was said with such childlike innocense that no one could pop his bubble. Until Sabo appeared on deck and heard him say that, mentioning that Dragon was known as someone to be wary off.

“Not everyone has those connections, Lu… If this were any other ship we’d hope they acted when a stranger suddenly appeared. We don’t need to do that, but still”, he grinned as he stopped at Ace’s side with some hesitation.

Taking a breath, they hugged one another. Both were aware that this day would come and Ace especially was aware that Sabo was meant for much more than being an extra on his ship. Still, that didn’t take away that he had to miss his ‘twin’. They would see each other often enough, as Luffy would spend time with both of them and whoever it was that came by to see him. Ace especially planned on making his way to Alabasta, aware that Sabo would turn up there too. Yet, nothing could prepare either of them for having to say goodbye for now.

Pulling back, Ace smiled, “Take care of yourself!”

Sabo nodded before he stepped away and turned to the Spades, “It was lovely to meet you all, please watch out for my dofus of an older brother.”

Skull looked between the two of them, “You’re leaving, Sabo?”

Nodding, Sabo explained that this had been the plan all along. He had every intention of joining up with Dragon which is why the man was there. Well, that and seeing his son again, to give him a ride to their headquarters. “Don’t worry, I’ll pop in now and again, Luffy will be spending some time with us too, just in case it’s needed and because he’s never been without either me or Ace for a long period of time.”

Luffy came bounding around to hug Sabo close, tears on his cheeks at the goodbye. At least until Ace came to take him and set him on his hip so they could wave Sabo and Dragon off. Asking Dragon (once again) to take care of Sabo and for his blond brother to not be as reckless as he often was and to check in as much as possible.

Throwing his arms around Ace and Luffy once more, Sabo pulled back, “I’ll be seeing you in Alabasta, stay safe!”

Taking a hold of the hand Dragon reached out, a sharp wind suddenly came over the Spadille before Sabo and Dragon vanished. Luffy started crying in earnest at that, but was soon soothed by Ace who kept saying that Sabo was off on his own adventure. Even for Deuce, who had known somewhat of what was happening, it was clear that this had been a long time coming. With everything he did know, he was once again glad that they had quite the following around. However, he did look forward to how the other Spades would react to Shanks, or even to Crocodile, once they found them on these waters.

Glancing at Ace, he could see the same question being reflected in the Captain’s eyes but nothing being said about it. Nodding once, Deuce readied them all to take Reverse Mountain onto to Grand Line and begin a new chapter of their adventure.

—

The whale on the other side of the mountain didn’t seem to be a surprise for Ace, mentioning he had heard talks about that. He also mentioned an uncle of him lived here and they would be passing by him just to be sure.

Grinning at Deuce, he mentioned that while Deuce was an amazing Doctor he didn’t know anything about D’s. With both Luffy and Ace being one, he figured it would be best to head over to one of the best on these seas who would also be able to teach Deuce a thing or two. Seeing the man with the flower hat standing there, calling out to Ace and Luffy, that made it that much easier to know what was going on.

Crocus, as the man introduced himself, mentioned he had sailed with a number of D’s in his lifetime (all on the same ship but as he knew Ace wanted to keep his last name a secret for a little while longer he didn’t mention that) he was able to teach Deuce some about it. Mentioning some of the signs he needed to look out for, as D’s were prone to Narcolepsy and if you didn’t know what it was it could be quite scary. Ace mentioned he already had a mild case of it and expected it to become worse with age. Luffy just had sleep attacks, but young as he was those could be counted as naps as well.

“Just keep an eye out and make sure you see someone on land to get the needed medication, Ace”, Crocus said as he handed a bottle of pills to Deuce, “These are the most common to treat it with but you’ll have to see what dosage you have to give him if need be.”

Deuce nodded and thanked the man, before they all settled in for the night. Making sure to be ready to set out again in the morning.

Crocus lingered behind and asked to speak with Ace, which is when Luffy was given to Deuce as he lead the Spades back to the Spadille. He had an idea as to what Crocus wanted to talk to Ace about. Sabo mentioned once that Ace’s dad had been ill and as the former doctor of the Roger Pirates it was obvious that Crocus wanted to check if Ace had the same illness or not. He hoped not, as that would be a though one to explain to Luffy.

Looking at the sleeping kid in his arms, Deuce couldn’t help but think back about the absolute chaos his life had become, as well as how much he loved it.

—

“No tightness in your chest or a cough that doesn’t go away”, Crocus asked as he pressed a stetoscope to Ace’s chest.

Ace on his turn shook his head, “None, I haven’t even gotten a cold so that’s a good thing, isn’t it? Dad was a lot older when he got ill, or so Shanks told me.”

Sighing, Crocus nodded, “He was and Red did well to remember that. But I can’t help but want to make sure it isn’t that, Ace. I was helpless to save Roger and I never quite forgave myself for that. All of you deserved more, as I don’t think he would have gone to his execution if he had known he would be cured. If anyting that had been a last stand to make sure all of us were safe and Rouge could have you in peace on Baterilla.”

They both got quiet after that, as none of those things happened. For all that Roger went to his dead willingly, they still hunted for the Roger Pirates and tried to get them to either end up dead or in prison. Most of them managed to stay out of the hands of the World Government, the only one incarcarated was Bullet. Everyone else managed to stay in hiding, with Rayliegh having Shakky as backing and Gaban living in the middle of Shanks’ territory in the New World they wouldn’t be able to get to either of them.

Crocus was much more at rist, but no one who could want to take him in ever saw him. Having Laboon to hide in helped a lot when an Admiral or a Celestial Dragon came through.

“I just worry, we all do, given that until three months ago we didn’t even know you lived”, Crocus said as he looked at Ace.

Ace nodded, “I know, and if I had known…”

He often thought about that, about how his life would have looked like if there was someone else to look after him. If Garp hadn’t been the one to take care of him when his mother died. He had a whole crew of uncles out there and more if one counted Dragon and Crocodile, but Ace hadn’t even known the true story of his parents and that hurt more than he wanted to admit.

Pulling him close, Crocus whispered, “Let the past be the past, as we cannot change it. Just keep heading towards the future and watch your back. If at any point you need help don’t be scared to ask for it. We’re always here for you, I hope you know that.”

Agreeing, Ace hugged back before mentioning that he was setting course to Alabasta after this. Planning on making his way slowly to Sabaody after and meeting Rayleigh face to face. His father’s previous first mate had called in quite a lot of times, but he wanted to meet the man before they made their way into the New World. Depending on what happened in Alabasta that could mean going to meet with Whitebeard or not. Ace hadn’t known for sure, right now.

At any other moment he would be making plans to take Whitebeard’s head, but he knew that wouldn’t be manageable right now. The man was known as the Strongest man on these seas for a reason and he didn’t think he’d meassure up to that just yet. Plus, and he heard this from a lot of sides, the man had a habit of ‘adopting’ those rascals that went after his head which was something Ace didn’t want. He had parents, even if they were dead, and that was goog enough for him.

“I’ll reach out if I need it, to any of you. I still have the numbers Shanks got me from Buggy and I’ll check in as much as possible. Might need to call for help regardless once we enter the New World as there are places I don’t want to take Luffy along”, as much as he wanted Luffy close, he didn’t want to bring his little brother into danger so he wouldn’t be doing that if he could help it.

But that would be for later, after they left Alabasta and made their way to Sabaody.

Chapter Text

Alabasta wat hot, that was the first thing Ace noticed when they arrived at the port of Nanohana. He could manage quite well with his devil fruit, but the crew and Luffy were having a hard time managing all of this. Biting his lip, he handed Luffy to Deuce and told them to go and look for some shade while he went to arrange everything he needed to with the harbor master. Where otherwise he couldn’t be bottered to follow the right protocol he had no intention of stating off on the wrong foot with Luffy’s biological parent.

To his surprise, the harbor master informed him that everything was taken care of, “Master Crocodile was here to arrange that for you, he must be quite fond of you as he doesn’t often do that.”

Smiling, Ace didn’t give it any more explination. He knew these types of people, complimenting him so he gave away too much so they had new gossip to share. He didn’t want that, so he settled with a nod and turned to make his way back to the town itself. Blinking once when someone fell into step with him, only to look up with a smile, “Sabo!”

His brother was grinning, looking good although also feeling the heat. Bumping into his shoulder before he was pointing out a small ship not far from the Spadille, “Dragon came with too. Apparently he wanted to talk to Wani before Luffy arrived and it’s been a thing or two.”

Blinking, Ace leaned in closer as Sabo shared that there had been a fight, one where Wani accused Dragon of lying and keeping things from them. Only for Dragon to let them know he hadn’t been aware and in his perspective Wani had left. It was only when the mole had been found and she confessed that Dragon started looking for Wani but hadn’t been able to find them as things had already been changed.

“There were a lot of tears and yelling, but I think they’ll be ok from now on. Maybe not back to being together, but everything has been talked about and I know Dragon well enough by now to know he still has some feelings for Wani”, Sabo ended his overview.

Ace just nodded, it was nice to know Luffy’s parents made up again. He knew their little brother was scared that Wani wouldn’t like him, just as much as he hadn’t really known how to address Dragon at first. But with time he did call the other man dad, so there was a big chance he’d call Wani something similar seeing as mom wouldn’t be on the table.

Letting his haki roam, he found Deuce and the crew fast enough. Taking a hold of Sabo’s hand to lead him through the masses as they arrived at the marketplace. Grinning still as they fell back into old habits. At least, until they felt a flare of haki that neither of them would ever forget, “Luffy…”

Without thinking both of them sprinting towards the feeling of the destressed haki. Barging through groups of shoppers and jumping over some stalls to make the time they needed as small as possible. Barging into the pub his Spades had been in, his face paling at the sight of most of his crew laid out cold and Luffy in the hands of some no-name pirate who seemed to be facinated by the kid with the devil fruit powers.

Ace steps forward, Sabo at his side, “Let him go.”

The pirate grinned as he took in Ace, no doubt thinking about the bounty he could cash for bringing him in. Not that Ace, or Sabo, would let that happen. Not when this thug had hurt the Spades and their little brother. If they had been out in the open, Ace wouldn’t have any trouble firing off a fire fist. But there were too many civilians here and he didn’t want to hurt them.

Before they could deside on what to do, Luffy’s haki fluctuates once more so if there was someone else out there keeping an eye out they would come running at that very moment. Knowing who else was on the island, Ace and Sabo didn’t need to wait very long before the door was thrown open and Dragon stood there looking on and making the same deduction Ace and Sabo did. His eyes roaming over all three of them, relaxing slightly when no one was seriously injured.

However, he also didn’t do anything, which was odd. Instead a stream of sand made its way to the thug where it took a hold of Luffy to press him into Ace’s arms (as he was closest) before solidifying into Crocodile who didn’t waste any time in hooking his hook into the thug’s clothing to pull him off the ground without any trouble, “Didn’t anyone tell you, you don’t piss off the host of the island you land on?”

It was clear that this thug had no idea who they were talking to. While Ace hadn’t seen them before, he knew this was Wani. Looking on as the thug was schooled, violently, before being thrown out of the establishment.

Meanwhile, Ace was hushing Luffy. Looking from his younger brother to his crew, before Sabo stepped forward to check on the Spades and help them up and away from Wani still making sure the thug and his crew knew not to mess with them on Alabasta anymore. It was quite entertaining to see, especially as it took one of the merchants in the pub to call out Crocodile for the thug to realize he had fucked up big time.

While he was taken care of, Ace could see Deuce going over all of the Spades to see how hurt they were. Luckily it seemed to be alright, that thug had just gotten the drop on them which made him feel a little beter. His eyes following Deuce as he checked on each of them, before going back to hushing Luffy and making sure his little brother was able to calm down with everything that happened.

Luffy had calmed down too, looking over Ace’s shoulder to see Dragon standing there, before he turned back and beamed as Sabo and Deuce came to stand on either side of Ace. It was only then that his eyes found Wani and he gasped as they were shown the thug flying (with Dragon holding open the door so nothing got damaged), looking at Wani with stars in his eyes.

“Luffy”, Wani got out, emotions clear in his voice as he stepped foward, “And Ace, Sabo has been telling me all about you where Dragon couldn’t give me the details.”

Grinning, Ace poked Luffy’s side with a soft grin as he pointed at Wani, “You know who that is, right?”

As he looked at Ace, Luffy slowly turned to look at Wani, his head tilting before he gasped. It was clear he wanted to say something but didn’t quite know what to call Wani. Looking lost as he did so, before Dragon stepped forward, “Luffy, this is your Baba.”

“Baba”, Luffy got out, his eyes shining as he took it all in. It was something amazing to see. When Wani reached out, Ace didn’t even think twice about stepping closer so Luffy could be taken from his arms. For all that he was protective of Luffy, there were a few people he would always trust with the life of his little brother. Sabo was a given, as was Deuce (given that something more was growing there then just them being members of the same crew), Shanks was trusted too, but the two Ace would hand Luffy over to without a thought were his parents.

He can see the gratitude in Wani’s eyes, and grins brightly as he lets Luffy leave his arms. The youngest of them clutches his Baba as soon as he’s able, his head hidden in the crook of Wani’s neck. It’s as soon as he settles that his shoulders begin to shake and they all seem to be on edge as to what was going on. Dragon presses closer, a hand on each of Ace and Sabo’s shoulders with a soft smile, “I think… I think Luffy was scared about meeting Wani.”

Ace remembers the conversation they had before, how Luffy knew that Wani hadn’t known he had survived and only found out after they met with Buggy. But he was also scared of meeting the man, in the off chance he wouldn’t like him. Luffy hadn’t truly been alone since meeting Ace and Sabo, but that didn’t take away that he was scared of losing those that loved him now. His parent, the one he hadn’t met yet, was a big part of that. But the easy acceptence would make him break a little, realizing that this was how it would be from now on.

—

Wani softly crooned as his son cried on his shoulder, babbling about how he was scared and how he believed he wasn’t wanted. If he hadn’t had a conversation with Dragon beforehand he would have been livid at the thoughts his son carried with him. Now, however, he knew that Dragon had kept Luffy close for as long as possible, but with the mole being discovered and the information they passed along he didn’t think it safe so he left Luffy in the care of his grandfather.

“Everything is quite alright, Hatchling, you’re with me now and I am so very glad to have a chance to meet you”, he whispered. It had been true, ever since Blue called him, he couldn’t help but look forward to this day.

His gaze fell onto Uncle’s son, Ace, who had done everything in his power to get to Alabasta as soon as possible. It showed in the way his crew weren’t all that up to par for the Grand Line, but they will be once they leave here. It’s the least he could do.

Hitching Luffy a little higher, he smiled at the other around him, “Let’s make our way to Rainbase, it’s where I live, it might be easier to talk.”

Nodding at Dragon to lead the way out of the pub, Crocodile made sure to leave the owner a stack of coins for dealing with all of this. It would also buy his silence, he was certain, as he brought up the rear of his ex-lover, nephews (or whatever else he needed to call Ace and Sabo) as well as Ace’s crew.

Knowing how far Rainbase was on foot, he huffed, “Don’t move.”

Without further explination he used his devil fruit to catch them all in a sandstorm to transport them to his base. Grinning a little at the annoyed look Dragon leveled him as he shook sand out of his hair. Chuckling, Luffy pulled away his attention, “You have a devil fruit too?”

Nodding slowly, he was shocked when Luffy pulled at his cheek and was able to keep pulling. Blinking once, he looked at Dragon, Ace and Sabo, “He’s seven, how the hell did he eat a devil fruit?”

Ace and Sabo exchanged a look, before looking back at him, “Shanks…”

Sighing, it didn’t even surprise him. Shanks had been the reason Buggy was a fruit user as well and while Crocodile ate his own his own, he had no doubt that if he had run into Shanks without one the redhead would have a hand in that too, “Should have known, stupid idiot.”

Concentrating back on Luffy, he explained that he had a logia fruit. Which is when he found out Ace also had one, fire based as it was, so that was easier to explain. They worked on the same principle after all, except that he was sand and Ace was fire. In a way it was a crash course in everything that he had missed about his family. It’s nice, in a way he hadn’t expected. Part of him had expected that despite what Dragon told him he would need to prove himself to be loved. It was nice to know that wasn’t the case, that love could be unconditional.

Chapter Text

Crocodile had a lot of feelings about what was happening, least of all with his son (the hatchling he had been sure was lost) in his arms. Luffy clung to him, still shaking a little and the knowledge he had been scared to meet him hurt his heart. To know that his own child didn’t know him, but was still willing to meet him and to call him Baba.

He didn’t know what to say when Dragon just said it when he met Ace and Luffy. When Luffy called him that. They had talked about it, he and Dragon, given that the man came all this way to give him an explination what really happened on that May 5th seven years ago. How the World Government had managed to sneak a spy into his ranks and said spy made sure Wani couldn’t bare to stay there. To hide away from the world and use their insecurities against them to the point they ran without looking back.

“I forgive you, between Shanks and I, as well as our contacts it was easy to find out what really happened and how you didn’t deserver any of it”, Dragon had said, “I should have tried harder, I should have been there when you gave birth. They didn’t harm Luffy, our hatchling was safe until he was harmed while I tried to keep him safe and contacted my dad.”

Dragon didn’t say he didn’t contact Newgate, they both knew that the crew was too large to keep moles out and a child there would be a recipe for disaster. On top of it all, there were enough people on board the Moby Dick that gave Wani the creeps even then. If Dragon had dared to leave Luffy with them they would have been fighting still even if Dragon came to explain.

Garp wasn’t his first choice, but knowing that Dragon’s cousin (or something) took care of Luffy together with Ace and Sabo helped. The boys had been mostly raising Luffy he had been told, with Dragon checking up on them whenever he had a chance. Adding Shanks to the mix and through Ace and Shanks the whole of the Roger Pirates helped too. Wani did have a lot of fond memories of his uncle Roger and aunt Rouge. Knowing they were gone hurt, but their son was still there and that had to count for something.

Snapping out of his memories, Crocodile smiled softly at seeing Luffy leaning on his shoulder. It was clear the excitement of it all was getting to him, but seeing his son on his arms was more than enough to get him going still. Walking into Rainbase with his held help high, despite the child on his arm, leading Dragon, Sabo, Ace and the Spade Pirates towards his office where he noticed Luffy fell asleep so he laid him down on the couch.

It was then he turned to Ace, “I already talked to Sabo about this, but thank you for what you did for Luffy. I… I really wasn’t in the best headspace after his birth, so the chance to have this means more to me than you ever know.”

Ace shrugged, “I’d do anything to have my parents back at my side. If this was something I could do for Luffy, especially after Uncle Dragon explained what happened, I was glad to do so.” There is a thight smile on the young man’s face as he continues, “Sabo or Uncle Dragon probably told you, but I didn’t have the best idea of my parents growing up. At least not until Dragon and Shanks came into my life. I hated everything they stood for, for so long, and I didn’t want Luffy to go through the same thing.”

Humming, Crocodile stepped closer to put his one hand on Ace’s shoulder, “They loved you, so very much, Ace. Shanks probably told you, but Uncle Roger was ill and wouldn’t live until you were born anyway. Instead of slowly succumbing to his illness in his bed, he choose to go out with a bang and hopefully bring the attention of the world on him for that last hooray as to protect those he loved. I don’t know what happened to Aunt Rouge, but regardless of that, she would have done anything and everything like the stubborn D she was to protect you.”

Sabo is the one who speaks, as Ace is overcome with emotions, “She extended her pregnancy to last 20 months to make sure no one could possibly think that Ace was Roger’s. In doing so we think she used her own lifeforce or haki, and didn’t live long after giving birth.”

As soon as he spoke, Sabo looked around, seeing Dragon and Crocodile do the same. All of them are happy to see that none of the Spades look surprised, if anything they feel sorrow for thier captain. Deuce even steps closer to wrap and arm around Ace’s shoulder, which is something they all notice.

Snorting, Sabo grins brightly, “Took you guys long enough.”

On cue, Ace snapped out of his funk and blushed, while Deuce did the same just less noticable because of the mask. Stammering for a moment, before Ace sighs, “I never could keep anything from you, Sabo.”

The blond grins brightly, “You do have a habit of projecting, dear brother. Even Luffy could see through it all and he’s seven.”

Grumbling, Ace turns back to the matter at hand and explains to Crocodile what he used to think about his father in particular and how he believed the man abandonning them had lead to the dead of his mother. That it was meeting Dragon and Shanks that gave him another narritive as Garp hadn’t been very forthcoming except that he needed to become a Marine.

Barking out a laugh at that, Crocodile shook his head, “That’s what he used to tell everyone, when we did meet up with him on friendly terms. For us to become Marines so he could protect us, but we were known and linked to Pirate Crews already. There as nothing he would have been able to do about protecting us. As much as it saddens me to say this, if you were to become a Marine he wouldn’t have been able to do anything if they found out who your father was.”

Nodding at that, Ace agreed, mentioning he liked his freedom too much. Additionally, he didn’t do well with rules in general, pointing at Luffy as Garp had been quite clear that Luffy was not to be taken out to sea, “We weren’t going to leave him on Dawn, as amazing as Makino is, she is busy with the bar most of the time and Dadan only just put up with me. Taking him to see, despite it being dangerous, seemed like the better option. Sabo and I will meet up at certain points and have joint custody or whatever. I wouldn’t mind, and I know he wouldn’t either, if we add you in that mix too.”

Stunned, Crocodile nodded, “I’d like that…”

Sabo and Ace nodded, “Uncle Dragon sees him when it’s my turn and while I still work for the revolutionary army at those points, I’ll be mostly doing desk duty or he’ll be keeping an eye on Luffy if I do have to go on a mission. It’s only fair that if his dad gets to spend time with him, that his baba also gets the same curtsy.”

Dragon laughed at that, “I was thinking someting along the same lines, especially with my means of travelling large distances in the blink of an eye. He deserves that much, especially as I know his greatest fear is being alone, now he doesn’t have to fear that.”

A wounded sound escaped Crocodile at hearing the biggest fear of his son. He couldn’t believe that the little ball of sunshine feared that. The lost look in Sabo and Ace’s eyes made it clear that was the main reason they took him along. Dragon also looked conflicted, as he had left Luffy, for his own safety, but he had still left him.

—

Ace hadn’t known what to think of Wani at first. For all that he was telling Luffy that his parent hadn’t chosen to abandon him because they didn’t want him, but rather because they had been told the baby had died that didn’t take away that he had a lot of mixed feelings regarding parents. He never had one as a child or a teen, had been suspicious and not at all friendly towards Dragon when he did show up. Additionally, it took Dragon, Shanks and Buggy talling him about his own parents before he realized that he was making assumptions over people he had never met, based on the opinion of people who had never met them.

Wani wass different in that regard, it was clear they were looking out for Luffy as soon as they were aware he lived. On top of that, they also took care of Ace and Sabo without prompting. They didn’t need to prove themselves, they didn’t need to make sure this person would take Luffy away from them.

Despite how Wani clutched Luffy close, he hadn’t even thought twice about pushing him into Ace’s arms when he was in danger and dealing with said danger very efficiently.

He trusts Dragon and Wani with Luffy, but Ace had always been a bit suspicious so sue him that he kept that going on to make sure he didn’t get hurt this soon in his journey. The relevation to his Spades about who his parents were stung a little bit but none of them seemed to hold ot against him. In fact, they seemed relieved to know that Ace had such prolific allies even if some of those allies (like Dragon) couldn’t just come out and say it.

Mentioning that Wani could join whatever wierd custody thing they have going on with Luffy is out before he can stop it. Making Ace realize that he does feel safe with Wani, something is there and he finds that he likes to have an other adult there to consult should he need it (he and Sabo, despite being seventeen, aren’t adults and Shanks doesn’t count as he would forever remain a man-child). The trust placed in Wani is noticable and they thank him for it too. It’s beyond clear that a lot of things still need to be resolved, that Wani has their own trauma to deal with but they too are being reminded that they aren’t alone in this and that has to count for something.

As they go over a few details, Ace is shocked to find Wani offering to train his crew, “As amazing you are, it’s clear that you rushed to get to Alabasta and your crew isn’t quite up to par to your strenght, Ace. Make use of the time here, of an ally within the Grand Line, to give your crew to grow as well.”

Wani sighs, “There will be enough other crew out there who either want to have a fight or who think you are weak because you are from the East and a Rookie crew. I want to prevent someone from taking advantage of that.” There is a smile there, something parental without a doubt, so Ace finds himself agreeing. Knowing he made the right call when his crew relaxes that little bit and Luffy jumps in joy at the notion that they will be staying in Alabasta for a little while.

Additionally, Dragon and Sabo will be staying there too. Not as long as the Spades, but long enough to have some time together. Ace realizes that Sabo had a point in mentioning that Wani and Dragon still had feelings for each other and might just be working things out between them. Being able to co-parent, especially on these seas, counted for something too. If he could benefit from it as well, that was for him to know (and secretly enjoy).

Chapter Text

Ace liked Alabasta, it was hot, but being in Rainbase meant that they were cooled by whatever Wani used to keep the building cool in that sweltering heat. On top of that, he was able to just relax, with Dragon, Wani and Sabo there he didn't need to keep an eye on Luffy every moment of every day. Additionally, because they were there as Wani's guests no one could harm them in fear of getting on his bad side and he realized after that first day that it was a bad thing to get on Wani's bad side.

"How come everyone is afraid of you here", he asked one evening.

Wani blinked once, before he shook his head with a smile on his face, "I wasn't at first, most people I had been in contact with had known I was a woman at one point and despite who I was related to they thought I was an easy target. No one knew of my connections to the Revolutionary Army either, but I managed just fine even after I left. I also made sure to show them I was not in fact an easy target and I could take them quite easily. That of course also brought on the invitation to be a warlord, not that I like it all that much, but it does give extra protection in case I need it."

He went on to explain that he started a network that worked well with Blue's, as well as Momora of the Roger Pirates, establishing himself as an asset for a lot of people. He eventually settled in Alabasta as this was just about in the middle of the first half of the Grand Line. The Marines and the World Government knew he had connections, but they had no idea how deep those went and he loved to keep it that way. Being a warlord was a means to an end, not in any way a means to get closer to whatever they expected of Pirates.

"I have everything that I want right now, and with finding out Luffy is just fine and thriving I don't think I need anything more", Wani confessed, although Ace and Sabo both saw the look he directed at Dragon. Something was certainly growing there, which might be a good thing.

Ace hadn't been on the Grand Line for long, but he did notice that those with connections were able to get further. Crocus and the former Roger Pirates were somewhat of a given from his own parents, as well as their connections to Shanks. Dragon and Wani, who if he had to give them a role were uncles in the grand scheme of things, could help as well. He had been pushing his Spades to get to Alabasta and he knew not all of them were ready for the next part. Wani had mentioned that as well, stating that after Alabasta a lot of those who wanted to gain entrance to the New World thrived and would do quite a lot to get what it was they were after. Deuce and he had talked about it too, what they wanted for their crew, so Wani's offer to train them came as a welcome gift. While he didn't know what he wanted to do, Ace knew he couldn't stay here for too long. The New World would be safer, as there was less Marine Presence and both Shanks and Dragon were stationed there.

Deuce had joined the conversation after making sure the other Spades were settled, given the down time they now had it might be best to use it to the best of their abilities. Ace was well aware he had been pushing them, so they deserved the rest. With Luffy also asleep, although in another room, he was certain that regardless of what happened now there were enough people there that they could have this talk and the smallest one of their family was protected.

Taking a hold of Ace's hand, Deuce spoke, "We need more training, Ace, I can see it in the way you and Sabo are able to use haki. I am just gaining an understanduing of it but I am not a seasoned user and I think we'll need that in the New World. You also mentioned wanting to stop at Sabaody to see family, but given what I heard about that haki would do us a world of good."

Dragon, Sabo and Wani nodded at that, all three of them had been there and could tell them they would need at least a basic understanding of Haki with how close to Marineford Sabaody was. If something happened an admiral would be called upon and you couldn't keep those at bay without haki.

Grimacing, Ace agreed, "I just wanted to get here for Luffy and I have been pushing you all to do that. I just... Crocus told me Marines are laying in wait at Reverse Mountain so I wanted to make sure that even if they say Luffy we had enough people to protect him."

Looking at Sabo and Dragon, he added, "There has been this Marine Girl that's been following me around trying to arrest me because I am a pirate. She's nice enough, but she did see Luffy on deck and I don't know who she reports to or what she puts into her reports and I don't want Gramps to suddenly appear."

Everyone familiar with Monkey D. Garp shudders at that, the man still didn't know they all left Dawn. In fact, he probably would arrive there and expect at least Luffy to still be with Makino. When he wasn't he'd start scouting the seas to get to him, no matter that he hadn't checked in with them once before. Dragon even mentioned asking Garp to watch over Luffy but he never got an update which is why he went to look for him and found Ace and Sabo taking care of him most of the time.

"Who is Gramps", Deuce asked, looking scared of the answer.

Running a hand through his hair, Dragon answered, "My father, Vice-Admiral Monkey D. Garp. I asked him to look after Luffy after he was injured because I feared for his life. I never thought he had dropped my son with two kids of only ten years old, so I did my best to support them as much as I could. Especially given Wani's relationship to Shanks and Buggy, it was the least I could do to try and give them as much support as I could from within the Revolutionary Army." He want on to share a little bit more, bringing Deuce up to speed on what their family entailed, and to make sure he knew what was happening. He and Ace weren't really suptle with their affections to each other, so to make sure he was aware of what had been really going on this seemed like a safe bet. Ace nodded along, mentioning he hadn't told Deuce the full story as not everything had been his story to tell.

--

At the end of the evening they agreed that the Spades needed training, Wani and Dragon offered to get them on their way in Haki. Making sure that regardless of what happened now they had this going for them. If they did make their way to Sabaody and still needed extra training Rayleigh could help there.

Settling down the night as well, Deuce whispered, "I never knew you were so well connected, Ace..."

Grinning slightly, Ace answered, "I didn't either until Dragon and later on Shanks, told me how it was all tied together. None of them knew I survived or I would have a whole band of uncles there to help me and Sabo as we grew up. They all want to make sure they make up for lost time and I would be stupid not to accept that. Ray already asked me to drop by, I spoke to him on the den den mushi several times, so I knew he's genuine. His wife, Shakky, also has a vast information network that works together with Blue, Wani and Uncle Mo so we can see what she can give us before we make our way into the New World."

Deuce agreed, mentioning that they would have to keep an eye out for Isuka, as it wouldn't be too far-fetched to expect her to make an appearance here to. She had started catching up to them once Sabo left, so that was one connections she wasn't aware of. But she had indeed seen Luffy, so there was some speculation if she reported it or not.

Wrapping an arm around Deuce, Ace whispered, "If she did report it, Gramps will be catching up to us before we know it which is another reason we need to make way to the New World. It's why I have been pushing us so much and I know now I was wrong in doing that."

Hushing him, Deuce shook his head, "You tried to do what was right for everyone, Ace, don't blame yourself for this. We're making sure to keep a level head and I know we'll manage just fine after some training. Plus we always have you to take the front attack, you hot head."

Chuckling, Ace didn't say anything but did nod as he snuggled closer to Deuce. Falling asleep to the feeling of accomplishment as a Captain. He might not say it all the time but he did wonder if he was good enough. Some of those thoughts he had as a child stayed on the forefront, until a moment like this where he was reassured that he was doing just fine.

The morning came with a meeting between the Spades where Luffy was being watched by his parents and Sabo as Ace and Deuce explained what they had agreed on the night before.

Ace rubbed the back of his head before speaking, "I have been pushing us to get to Alabasta as I knew Luffy would be safer her with Isuka seeing him before. What most of you don't know is that Luffy isn't biological my brother and that his grandfather is a high ranking marine who would hunt us down if he knew I took Luffy with me on the Grand Line. Wani, Crocodile, and Dragon are his biological parents and while I wasn't anticipating Dragon I knew Sabo would be here with Wani which would make it easier to take on whoever it was that came after us."

Shaking his head, Deuce explained that Dragon and Luffy's last name was Monkey, giving them all the notion who the grandfather in question was. Ace didn't think Isuka had made mention of a child on board the Piece of Spadille, but he didn't want to risk it. He did also mention that they were thinking about leaving Luffy here for a little while longer once they moved on and to meet up with either Dragon or Sabo to exchange custody (as they had mentioned it being).

Licking his lips, Ace sighed, "I want to get to the New World as I know Marines aren't that active there, once the wrong kind of people start to look into me they will be making the correct assumptions and I want to be as far away from a large marine presence as possible then", Looking at Deuce who nodded, Ace shared who his birthparents were and why it was that he had such connections both through Luffy and Dragon, and through the former Roger Pirates who called themselves his Uncles (with the exception of Shanks and Buggy, who preferred brothers).

"That's it", Skull exclaimed, which had Ace freezing for a moment, not knowing what to do. Skull continued, "I knew your face reminded me of something, I didn't know it could be Gol D. Roger seeing as you aren't old enough."

Looking down with a sad smile, he shared that his mother had done the impossible and extended her pregnancy so no one could think he was his father's, "It killed her though, she lived long enough to name me Gol D. Ace before passing away. To keep me safe Garp, who took me in, told me to use her last name and I plan on doing that until I have no other choice."

Chapter Text

Ace hadn't quite known what he expected from his crew once he started to share his secrets, but the way they just accepted it made him glad he had chosen them. Deuce had told him he was worrying for nothing, but he wanted to make sure that he could share things like this. Just as much as he wanted to have back-up in case one of them turned rouge and tried to harm him.

None of them did, some of those older than he was just expressed their shock at knowing what his mother did to keep him safe and alive, while others just told him that he was himself and being someone's son wouldn't change that. It helped a lot in putting it to rest, knowing who Roger was without the propaganda the World Government spread about him also helped, but still he wasn't that keen on giving it away to just anyone.

If anyhting, his crew became even more close now that several of the missing pieces were falling into place. They started to understand what he did and why he did it. Why Luffy, a child, was with him and how he was rather well connected in the grand scheme of things.

Skull pulled him aside after all of that, looking worried, "You've been carrying all of that alone this whole time? That can't be healthy, cap."

Shrugging, Ace turns to look back at Deuce, "Deuce knew, he was there where Shanks came after us when we stranded on Sixis. He didn't know the whole story but Sabo and Shanks did." He smiles at his crewmember, feeling relieved at knowing that one of the people he liked most seemed to genuinly care for his wellbeing. It helped a lot, even in ways he couldn't begin to describe. Skull pats him on the shoulder, "He's a good one, Deuce, I'm glad the both of you found the other as I know you both needed that. I'm sure that whatever comes out way, we can deal with it if we have the two of you."

Grinning widely, Ace nods and agrees. He knows he's able to be the man he is because Deuce is there at his side. Despite knowing some of his deepest, darkest secrets, the man doesn't let that scare him away and Ace adores him for it. Even now, knowing all the connections he has, Deuce treats it like it's just another day. It helps, being regarded as 'normal' and to know and see his crew members doing the same now, it helps more than he could say.

Several others change places with Skull once he pulls back, and Ace finds that he has never come to expect something like this. Even after seeing the Red-Hair Pirates and how close all of them are, he never expected his rookie crew to have the basis to become the same thing. Part of his past will always follow him, he's afraid of commitement, of baring his soul, and he finds that while there will be enough people out there who don't deserver it, there are just enough people out there who do. Those that join you and keep supporting you for as long as you need it. A crew, Nakama, that ties you together in ways that blood or oath can't do. Despite hearing about it, it's only now that he realizes that he can made that Nakama himself. That there is more out there then he should believe and his crew is showing it to him in front of him very eyes. He's just not looking forward to Sabo telling him 'I told you so', as his brother is prone to doing when he's certain of what he's saying and Sabo was right in this regard. Still, Ace didn't look forward to that conversation right now.

Now that that was over, they joined the group once more which is when Ace gave them the basis of haki and what it meant, how it would help and what they could do in the long run to keep strengtening it. Mentioning that they were going to need it in the New World, but that he still didn't want to take them there unprepared. Least of all as the truly strong ones would be waiting for them there, even with Shanks as an ally he had no idea how the other emperors would react.

Sighing, he adds, "I have another reason to make it into the New World, as chances are Isuka spilled that she saw a child on my ship and Luffy's grandfather might come looking for me", he shuddered before telling them exactly who he was. Mentioning that the man was mostly harmless, but he had been adamant that he, Sabo and Luffy become Marines despite wanting to be Pirates.

"I don't know for sure and I don't want to find out if she did put it in her report or not. She's nice enough, but I don't trust her with this and even less with Luffy's safety." He couldn't really explain it, but the fact that Isuka seemed to want to catch him just because he was a pirate didn't sit well with him, he knew that the Marines were corrupt to their core and he didn't want anything to do with that unless it was on his own terms. He was scared that she'd pop up here, she had managed to pop up everywhere they went up until now. Hell, she had been following him since the East so that had to say something.

His crew comforts him, stating they would be keeping an eye out, but she'd be really stupid if she tried to do something on Crocodile's turf, marine or not, that wouldn't look well for her in any regard.

Ace agreed, going back to his explination, as much as he could, stating that Wani, Dragon and Sabo would be helping him train them all before they were moving on. He really did hope he would manage to make it to Sabaody soon, he wanted to talk to his father's first mate now that he knew the man was open to communication and he felt that it could teach him a thing or two. On top of it alln, going by what he had been told, it's clear that there was more going on between his parents, Shakky and Rayleigh. He didn't want to know the details, but people who knew them intimetly would know even more than Shanks for example. He didn't share that with his crew, but he did think about it more than once. Especially as he saw how much he shared with Deuce who was more than just regular Nakama.

--

The following morning starts their journey into haki training, Ace joins them, not to learn but to strenghten and to maintain his haki. Explaining it like a muscle, that it needs to be maintained like you maintain your muscles and train it in specific ways. He mentions that he has all three forms of haki, that not everyone has that, but that they can train two out of the three regardless. Some people just have some stronger affinity with one form or the other.

His happy to see his Spades are picking up on the training soon enough. He can see some armament flickering on some of their skin, as well as Deuce and Skull evading several of the pebbles that are thrown at their heads while they're blindfolded. It brings him a sense of peace, knowing that they can do this, that he's preparing them for the worst and with the help of allies so that's all he needs right now.

Sabo comes to stand next to him as he overlooks his crew, "They're good, for being without training. Especially Deuce seems to pick up on things quickly."

Grinning at the mention of his partner, Ace nods, "He saw me using it a couple of times and took his cues there. We also talk about it a lot when it's just the two of us."

There is a grin on Sabo's face, to which Ace sighs, "Yeah, yeah, we're together. He hasn't gone running for the hills yet and I think that's what I need right now. I need someone with a level head now that you're not always by my side. I don't know what's out there and I want to make sure that whatever it is, I'll come back to my family at the end of it all."

His brother pulls him close, Sabo had been worrying about that as Ace is well aware. Despite being Ace's impulse control, Sabo is just as much a gremlin as he and Luffy are. But, Sabo hides it better, he was also the one with the silver tongue which helped in getting them out of trouble. He might be relying too much on what he knows, but Ace is aware that he needs a strong team to get to where he wants to be. He doesn't want to be Pirate King, never did want that, but he does want to make sure the world knows his name. Additionally, he wants to be there when Luffy rises to the top, as no one even midly believes he won't make it. Luffy is going to shake the foundations of the world and Ace wants to have a front row seat to that show.

"I'm happy for you, you know", Sabo offers as he wraps his arms around Ace, "I was worried at first when our paths split, but you're happy and you're thriving and that's all I could want for you. I just... worry."

Wrapping his arms around Sabo in return, Ace nods as he rests his forehead on his brother's, "I know, and thank you for that but I am not going anywhere. I don't plan on taking a dangerous path, even if I do want to make sure I get to the New World in record time before my name gets out there."

Agreeing, Sabo sighs, "It's really only a matter of time before someone starts to notice, indeed. We've been lucky thus far and I get your worry about that Marine that keeps chasing you. A word to the wrong person can start a chain reaction we don't want now."

They both talk about that a little more, about a plan B or what to do if someone does find out or someone makes the connection. Even what would happen if Isuka shows up here, he hopes she doesn't as he doesn't have the patience to deal with her right now, but Ace is happy that there is someone else out there to plan with. Even more so when he can do so without taking Luffy into account for now. Sabo and he agreed that Luffy would be staying with Wani for the time being, at least until Ace reaches Sabaody so Rayleigh can meet the little man. But also to give Wani a chance to get to know their son, and for Luffy to have moments with his parents now that there is something there one more.

Talking about Dragon and Wani, Ace nods over to them, "Found anything out yet?"

The grin on Sabo's face as scary, but not as scary as he mentions hearing them talking a lot of the times, on top of that, he has heard them do other things (which he won't repeat) so they're obviously very much on the mend relationship wise. "I don't know what they're going to do once Dragon goes back to Baltigo, and I don't see Wani joining us, but whatever it is I'm sure it'll survive it all."

While he doesn't want to know the details, Ace can admit he is also happy for them. He can see the way they fit together and knowing he has two uncles to call upon brings him a little more peace of mind. He can't explain it, but things would most likely go into a faster pace soon and he wants to be as prepared as he can be right now.