#and not luffy.... because of ace you know... i still wonder how did sengoku know who ace's father was... there is only one man who knew....

[hauntingblue]

Gear 5 luffy's laugh is so contagious I just hear the drums and go insane how does this work. What did he do to me

[abbythewritor]

"Fairness" One Piece x Saitama reader, Six.

"Just a Normal girl looking for an everyday life. At least, if you call sailing across the seas with idiots with useless dreams a simple task, then you might wanna see a doctor. Seriously."

Warnings: Blood, gore, mentions of Luekimia, and heaps amount of blood and strength. It might be a little cursing, but not bad, and maybe some flirting in there, but it's mostly clean.

Other things:

-You didn't get bald due to your powers; you got bald to an extreme illness.

-You part of the straw hat crew, but others are interested in you and your power.

-Everyone that is a male is taller than you.

-Monsters from the OPM world will appear in One Piece, and I'll make some new monsters you will fight.

Enjoy the sixth chapter, everyone. :)

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"S-She's the girl...the marines were talking about..." Some whitebeard pirates spoke, as they couldn't believe I stood up to their captain like that. While glancing around the battlefield, some marines needed clarification on how I had a simple conversation with the strongest Yonko. "H-How does she know Whitebeard?! Who even is she!?" They questioned, as Koby and his partner were glancing at me, too, wondering the same thing. "I don't get it. A girl like her escaping from the prison should hide! Why bother coming to this living hell!? I wouldn't do that if I was even a girl!!" Kobi gulped slightly, looking at the blonde boy. "Because of what some of the marines said, they described a cute yet powerful girl whose punches can wipe out a whole army!" The blonde's eyes widened. "A-A WHOLE ARMY?! But look at her! She looked nothing like a warrior!" Koby's teeth gritted. "That's what the impel guards said, but look, she's here now..."The two kept staring me down, as Ace did, as some sort of pain and worry was in his eyes. "Pops....Cutie..." He whispered.....as we cut back to me, as Whitebeard was still eying me from behind. 'So this girl is what the marines were talking about...this is the girl arrested with Ace...' He thought as I put my wig in a ponytail until I turned to him. "Old man." "Hmm?" "I don't know if this is true, but when arriving, I heard one of the Navy's say Ace's execution is being pushed earlier. Is that true?" He was silent for a moment before smirking. "So they're gonna execute Ace immediately?" "AH, so you didn't know either?" He chuckled. "Of course not. Sengoku is always one step ahead..are you telling the truth, brat?" I shrugged. "Dunno, but they said they're going with the plan after setting something up; Luffy doesn't know about it..." "I see." "I know you want to rescue Ace, too, so I thought that information could be useful to you." He turned from you to the battlefield. "I see. That was important information. Thank you." I nodded with a smile. "Yeah, no problem." Buggy and Ivanka's eyes and mouths shot open. "HOW CAN SHE TALK ON EQUAL TERMS WITH WHITEBEARD?!" Buggy questioned as I got in stance and glared at Ace's platform. "Don't worry, Ace...we'll save you! Be safe, old man!" Whitebeard nodded, watching as I hopped off the ship, running in Ace's direction.

"H-How is she not scared?!" Mister three-spoke as a shit tone of Marines came my way, as I jumped super high in the air. "Impact Smash!" I slammed my fists onto the ground, spreading them like flies as I ran through the smoke, not stopping whatsoever.

Whitebeard was impressed with my simple attack, as one of his crewmembers ordered others to follow and keep up with me, as they all yelled in reply.

Jimbei stepped forward. "We should go, too! Luffy's already ahead, so If we follow her, we'll catch up to him in no time!" As did Ivanka, he began to jump off, and Buggy was shocked they were doing this.

As I kept moving forward, I dodged more marines' attacks, easily defeating them with punches and kicks, Ivanka and Jimbei aiding me as the three of us continued on, Luffy way ahead in the distance. "We need to get close!" I stated, hopping over a stumbling marine before sliding through another one's legs, kicking him in the but as I jumped back up, simply grabbing a wrist and holding a sword, as I needed him out of the way. "Who knows what trouble Luffy may run into-" "ACK!" "AUGH!" "WAHH!" The three of us looked in the direction of the screams, as a tall man in a yellow striped suit was moving very fast, like light, as explosions came from his foot.

I was slightly impressed with his power as I kept eying him. "He looks strong!" I spoke as Jimbei looked annoyed. "That's Admiral Kizaru; he's a pain in the ass with his devil fruit power." I nodded. "I see, so he can kick explosions, correct?" "Close, little one, but not close enough!" My eyes widened when he was in front of us, light coming out of his feet as he kicked us, but I moved Jimbei and Ivanka out of the way, us barely dodging it. "I didn't believe my ears when they said a tiny, bigger girl was escaping impel down, but I have to say, I am shocked that the words were true!" He spoke, his hands going to his pockets. "Don't push your luck. Even if all of you escaped the prison, I won't let you invade that easily." He simply spoke, and my eyes glared up at him until Luffy ran past us, as Kizaru saw. "YOU'RE THE GUY FROM SABAODY!!!" He screamed, as Kizaru only kept looking at him."I would ruin you there because the Celestial Dragons wanted it." He got into a stance, and his foot lit up brightly again as a creepy smile that pedos lined his face. "Straw Hat Luffy..." And that he began to kick Luffy. My eyes widened, and Ivanka acted as if she got in front of him, but I got in front of her, pushing her out of the way. "TWISTED KICK!!" I yelled, clashing together, deflecting the explosion easily, as Luffy lunched back. However, it still didn't affect how big the blast was, as a giant ass amber circle formed through the battlefield, the ground shaking rapidly. Buggy and the pirates with them had their arms up and back, crying with fear as the wind subsided; I slid back on my feet, as did Kizaru, Luffy smiling up at me. "Y/n-chan! Thank you!" "DON'T BE SO RECKLESS NEXT TIME IDIOT!" I snapped as he ran to go to Ace more and heard Kizaru sigh. "Man, you deflected it...I'm surprised, little one.." My teeth gritted, turning to him. "Don't think I'd let you get Luffy so easily...we both have a common goal." One of his eyebrows rose. "Really? And what is that?" "To save Ace! Isn't that Obvious-" I was interrupted when another bright light was shown in the smoke, Ivanka's eyes widening as she saw a familiar figure. "Kouma!" she yelled, as a man with a panda hat on had his mouth wide open, as something inside of it was charging and locking on to Ivanka. "IVAN-CHAN!" I yelled as this man blew lasers at her, which she dodged as she looked at him with disbelief. I sighed with relief, knowing that She was okay as Kizaru was in front of me again, about to explode me more until I dodged, kicking him in the back. However, before he could tumble, he teleported, his hands still in his pocket as he went to my right, about to slam his foot into my side, before I grabbed it, launching him away from me quickly, running to him as he got back up, both my fist and his foot clashing with each other again. He smirked down at me. "You strong, little one; too bad you're on their side; you'd make a good marine.." My teeth gritted. "Does it look like I want to be one of your snot-nosed undergrads who doesn't grant freedom?! No thanks!" I pushed his foot off, both of us charging at each other multiple times, quick, faster than lightning, as no one else saw what was going on, as all we did was attack and block each other.

But, as he tried to do another explosion to me, I blocked it again, the blast affecting everyone else but not me as I stood there blankly, holding the wig on my head.

Realizing my power, he whistled before setting his leg back down. "Man, you deflected it again! I'm impressed." My head tilted. "Is that all you got, striped man?"

He smiled smugly at my comment. "Not at all, but You're strong and wasting my time; I won't bother you anymore, Little one, so I must kick some other people to the curb. Good luck getting Ace,, if you can make it there!" He suddenly left, and my eyes widened. "HEY GET BACK HERE!" I yelled, not liking he just went into our little fight, as Luffy was worried about Ivanka, who only had a hole through her hair. "DON'T WORRY ABOUT ME YOU TWO! LEAVE KUMA TO ME AND JUST GO AHEAD!" Luffy nodded. "Got it!" He bolted to where I was, grabbing my hand and pulling me with him as we headed to continue to Ace, trying our best to not keep our guard down.

As we continued forwards, some weak marine man and a clueless marine women tried to stop us, but we simply got passed them easily.

Running forwards more, Luffy dodged a man with a spiked club, his leg stretching and kicking him like a whip, before ducking from a sword, punching him out of the way as he gritted, looking my way as I slammed my fist in the ground, scattering more Marines. "These guys are stong!" He spoke, as I nodded. "Yeah! But we need to keep moving forwards!" I spoke, not noticing certain people watching us fight off others as well, as one of the warlord brought the dead back to life?!

My eyes widened with shock. "OHH THEY'RE ZOMBIES!!" A fat creature had a wide grin to his face, bringing the Zombies to us. "Moria! We can't deal with him now!" I turn to him. "You know this fat creature?!" He nodded. "yes! I defeated his ass!" I snorted. "Be the thinks he can defeat you again." As some of the Zombies jumped up in the air, one of them punched to me, as I jumped, simply hopping on his back, pushing him to the floor, as Luffy did the same, but one of them knocked him down, as he moved out of the way quickly, looking back up.

A weird looking Half horse half zombie man shot his guns at me, as I jsust stood their with a tilted head, myself jumping high, as my fingers went close to it's face. "Simple flick." I stated, my fingers flicking onto it's head, as it suddenly launched backwards, crashing into more of the Zombies as Moria's mouth opened with shock. "HE WAS FLICKED?! YOU WERE DEFEATED BY A FLICK?!" Landing simply, the Zombies we thought we defeated got back up, soon surrounding us as I gritted my teeth with annoyance. "Should of learned from the walking dead! These guy's can't die!" I tried to think of something, as some marines ran towards us as well, aiding the Zombies.

Thinking and dodging with Luffy, I looked to the Moria guy, as he probably is the cause.

But, the more we tried to get to him, the more we both got hit, as Ace couldn't take it anymore. "CUTIE!! LUFFY!!" He yelled, making everyone stop, as we both turned to him. "I KNOW YOU BOTH KNOW IT! LUFFY, YOU AND I, WE'RE BOTH PIRATES!! WE BOTH SAILED ON THE SEA AS WE LIKED! I HAVE MY OWN ADVENTURES!! I HAVE MY OWN FRIENDS!! I WANT YOU TO...KEEP YOUR HANDS OFF OF THEM!!" His words shocked us, as we didn't listen and kept moving forward. "DO YOU THINK A WIMP LIKE YOU, LUFFY, AND A GIRL LIKE YOU, Y/N, WANTS TO SAVE ME?! DO YOU THINK THAT I'LL ALLOW YOU BOTH TO DO THAT?! LUFFY! IT'S SO HUMILIATING!!" I know what he's doing; he's worried for Luffy and me as well, as I could sense the lining pitch into his cry to us, which made us not stop but keep going, confusing him more. "DON'T YOU HERE ME?! GO BACK YOU TWO! WHY DID YOU BOTH COME HERE?!" He closed his eyes, his teeth gritting with total regret as my heart broke then and there, myself kicking a marine away from me and ducking a sword.

I can tell he was blaming himself for all of this, as it all wasn't true.

He doesn't deserve this..

He doesn't deserve to die for living his life.

He deserves fairness, as of the rest of us do.

"ACE!!" I screamed as his eyes shot open, Looking straight at me. "I DON'T CARE IF YOU DON'T WANT US TO DO THIS!!! YOU SAID BACK AT IMPEL DOWN YOU WERE GETTING REVENGE FOR A CREW MEMBER!! I DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU, BUT GETTING ARRESTED FOR THAT IS SUCH BULLSHIT!" I broke a sword quickly with my hands, and he kept staring at me as I continued. "YOU DYING ON THAT PLATFORM GIVES THESE MARINES A WIN, AND YOU DON'T DESERVE TO DIE BY JUST LIVING YOUR DAMN LIFE!! SO STOP BEING IDIOTIC TO YOUR BROTHER AND LET HIM AND I HELP YOU!! LET US GIVE YOU THE FAIRNESS YOU DESERVE!" I finished, himself not believing your words as they struck his heart, Garps as well, as he had a memory of him and Luffy, cheering and pressing their glasses of Liqued together, forging their brotherhood. He also remembered you, sitting in the cell with him, a smile on your face as you were chained up, not caring about what was going to happen to you; he knew when he talked with you those five hours, something was different, as he has never seen any girl like you, with a strong heart, and a pride so rich.

No one else could believe my words either, not believing that Luffy was his brother, as Gold Roger and his wife died when Ace was born.

As they kept wondering, me and Luffy kept running, towards Ace, as his eyes never left me, as we kicked the shit out of more marines, not bothered by our scratches and bruises.

But, as we kept fighting our way through, Moria sent more of his zombies to surround us, before a huge stream of water went in front of us, onto the Zombies.

Eyes widened, and Luffy and I turned to Jimbei, who landed beside us. "Jimbei!" I spoke, smiling, as he turned to Moria. "If I remember correctly, Moria, your zombie soldiers can't take salt." Moria's eyes widened with shock as Jimbei turned to us. "Luffy-Kun, Y/n-san, let me handle them!"

I nodded. "Got it, be careful." Luffy smiled. "Thank you!" As we continued forward, he ran to follow me, and Jimbei turned to Moria again.

As Sengoku grew annoyed watching us, the marines were shocked that Jimbei was with us. "DON'T LET THE ROOKIES GET AWAY WITH THIS WAR!" With his words, A Giant stood before us, causing us to stop as I looked up at it. "GOT IT! I'M GONNA CRUSH THEM UP!" He lifted his giant club, and I quickly Zoomed, moving Luffy out of the way. As I jumped high in the air before his club hit the ground, his eyes widened in shock as I wasn't there.

My face was blank, my wig staying on my head and blowing with the wind as I zoomed to him, as I was right in front of his face.

Getting ready, my arm went back, and my face turned serious. "NORMAL....PUNCH!!" My left fist slammed into his face as wind and some energy came out of me, blasting throughout the area. Shocked from the amount of current, Luffy, as well as some marines and pirates, covered their eyes with debris as I pushed my fist more onto the giant, his body soon exploding.

Eyes widened, Buggy and Mister Three's mouths widened as blood splattered everywhere, concrete exploding while his guts fell down, as some marines and pirates took cover, others vomiting at the sight. In contrast, others just pissed their pants, as I landed on the ground simply, not a single drop of dirt or blood on me.

Ace's mouth was wide open, but Sengoku's was broader, as he and Garp could not believe how I defeated the giant with just one punch. "H-How..." Garp gulped, underestimating a girl like you, as Whitebeard saw the whole thing, not fearing but showing emotion of proudness, as a smirk was on his face. "I underestimated the brat...she's stronger than she looks."

Kolby, some of the Admrials, and even warlords were shocked as they all eyed me, as my eyes were darkened. "Send all the fucking people you want ... kiss ass..." I spoke, looking up at Sengoku. "BECAUSE NO MATTER HOW STRONG YOU THINK YOUR MEN ARE!! I WILL ALWAYS BE STRONGER, AND I WON'T STOP UNTIL ACE IS OUT OF THOSE CHAINS!!" I snapped, Sengoku's teeth gritting with mixed fear and annoyance as he knew he had to be careful about the men he sent to me.

But, my words didn't affect him; it affected some of the Warlords, as a particular blonde male with a devilish smile chuckled, his outfit looking like he came from a local Zoo. "Man...that's what the marines were saying when describing her as powerful; I'm glad I got to see it in person...just one punch took one of us out, yikes...she's also cute too, with that serious look onto her face FUFUFUFU~ Am I right Mihawk?" A swordsman beside him glared at me, slight sweat dripping down his forehead as the cross on his neck glimmered. 'This girl...is strong....' He thought as he misunderstood me as well but kept his composure. 'No normal human woman like her can do what she just did..and she didn't even change a shade of emotion when killing her opponent; there's not even a scratch or ounce of blood on her....they're fools if they aren't going to be serious now.' Thinking more, the male leaned closer to Mihawk with the same stupid grin."Aww, come on, why the blank face? I know you watched her too; you gotta be impressed with this mystery girl, huh?" The blonde's question made Mihawk glance away. "She just got Lucky; we need to up our game now that we know her true power. Besides, I'm no fool like you to fall for the opponent at hand, flamingo." The man laughed again. "What can I say? She's adorable, trying to be all serious after she punched that giant to death., but we both know under all that adorable exterior, she has a strong demeanor; sucks we are on the opposite side...."

Ace's heart races as your body shines in the sunlight, as did buggies, as your eyes still were glued to Sengoku, no one attacking you right away.

"Marco," Whitebeard spoke as the pineapple turned to him, smirking still. "We can't let that brat or the kid die." He said as Marco nodded, impressed with my attack, too. "Alright." He simply stated, looking to the battle as I was still standing there, marines soon starting to charge at me.

"GET HER AND THEM!!" A marine yelled as Ivanka's crew and some pirates from Whitebeard and Impel Down surrounded me as we all charged toward each other, continuing the war.

Some cannons fired at Whitebeard, which he easily deflected, as everyone continued to fight alongside you and Luffy, protecting and wanting to help save Ace.

It was a madhouse again, and Ace even felt more guilty, his eyes looking to the floor.

"Slash him to pieces!" Someone ordered marines heading to Luffy, and he easily dodged them, taking them down, as well as us, until they started firing cannons, which made Ivonka's crew scatter.

Me and Luffy still ran for it, towards Ace, I deflected the cannons with my fist, as Luffy just blew up like a balloon, both of us reflecting them back to where they came from.

Buggy and Mister Three were impressed, but instead of Luffy, they were watching me with a red face, but lined with slight purple with how powerful I was, some of their allies getting pissed I was getting the attention.

"Buggy! Let's show the world how powerful we are!" One spoke, another one agreeing with the pirate. "Yeah! Let's go to Whitebeard and defeat him!" Many thoughts ran through his head if he managed to beat Whitebeard, wondering what his thoughts would be.

Will you think he's strong? Will you think he's arrogant? No, No, maybe handsome or scared. His thoughts were running wild as a derpy smile pressed his lips, thinking of the reactions you may make.

But, as Buggy was thinking those things, Whitebeard's fleet was still moving forward, trying to get to Ace, as a certain captain Squidward was gone, as Whitebeard got some other fleets to bring the pirates to full force, as he wanted them to Sink the navy ships.

They agreed and followed his orders.

Confused about why all the pirates, except Ivanka's crew, moved left and right, away from heading to Ace, you and Luffy ignored it, as you two continued forwards.

Ivanka's crew struggled against the Marines, they being quite strong without devil fruits as you all did your best to power through.

But, it seemed the marines surrounded us more and more until a familiar voice was heard. "DEATH WINK!" A powerful blast was in front, marines scattering everywhere, and Luffy looked behind to see Iva-chan all healthy and well. "IVAN CHAN!" I smiled as she landed in front of us with her usual smile. "Can you help us clear the way to Ace?!" I asked, turning to Jimbei as well. "Jimbei! Can you help as well?" He turned, and both nodded while more marines charged at us.

Jimbei got an instance. "Fishman Karate!!"

Ivanka got in stance, too. "DEATH!!"

Luffy flew his arms back. "GUM, GUM!!!!"

And I shot up in the air, forming a tight fist with my left hand. "FIST POUND!!!!"

"5000 BRICK FIST/WINK/BAZOOKA/SMASH!!!" We all attacked our special moves, causing a big blast/explosion in front of us, scattering all marines who stood in our way.

It allowed us to clear the way, as Ivanka. Yelled to move forward; as we did, my eyes locked on Ace again. 'We're coming...Ace...' I thought, never leaving my Gaze as a marine captain grew annoyed. "STOP STRAW HAT AND THE OTHERS!" made Moria step before us, laughing. "MUGIWARA!!! I WON'T LET YOU GET THROUGH-EH?" He paused when I jumped in the air to him, and I slammed my fist into his face, causing the warlord to launch back pretty far, not allowing him to do anything.

As he gritted his teeth while landing, Jimbei ran to me. "Go Y/n-san! Don't waste any time! I got Moria!" Unsure of how safe it is for him to fight this guy alone, I knew Luffy needed my help to get to Ace, so I nodded. "Right, be safe, thank you Jimbei." I ran past, heading to catch up to Luffy.

But, my eyes widened when a devil fruit user, who seemed to possess smoke, attacked him with his weapons; as my eyes widened, Ivanka called to him.

The man who attacked him was pretty handsome, as his hair was spiked up slightly, he had cigars in his mouth, and a jacket only hugged his torso, which revealed his abs.

I don't understand why people show off their bodies like that, but I knew this guy was a marine, as his jacket red 'Justice' on the back.

Luffy went to his second gear, attacking him with his arms. Gatling attack, which the man was able to avoid as he was able to launch in the air, before a woman with a sword was about to slice him, until I quickly went in front of Luffy, as he disappeared and I bit the woman sword, breaking it with my teeth.

Her eyes widened with shock, fear lining her face as she looked at me, The man Noticed too, but was cautious as Luffy was now behind him, giving the man the same attack, as he dodged it into the air.

But, more smoke arose from his body, forming long lines to Luffy, taking the shape of tentacles, which he got a hold of as he was now on Luffy, pressing his weapon against the boy's throat slamming him into the ground.

"Luffy!" I yelled, worried as I hit the girl's weak point with my hand, causing her to pass out as I bolted to the both of them, the Marine sensing as he glanced my way, launching smoke at me, as I dodged it quickly. "LEAVE HIM ALONE!" I snapped, slamming my fist into his cheek; he got knocked back but landed and slid on his feet.

Gritting his teeth with annoyance, he should have deflected your punch easily, as it would have had no effect, but as his eyes looked at you, you showed anger and blankness as you stood in front of Luffy.

"You the girl they were describing.........you were able to punch me, that usually never happens...who are you, Kid?" My fist and teeth clench. "It doesn't matter who I am!! Ace's life matters, and I won't let you or any opponent get in my way because..."

Looking up from the ground, my eyes darkened, and glaring at the man, as I got instant, ready to fight my first person with real powers.

"FAIRNESS CAN BE BROUGHT TO GOOD PEOPLE! NOT THE ONES WHO PICK ON THE WEAK!!"

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Author: Sorry if it was short today; wanted to get something out before my motivation was lost. Another chapter should come out sometime next week, but work has been so crazy, so I have no idea when I'd be posting another chapter of this. I hope you enjoyed it, and I'll see you all in the next one.

BYE!!

[harudnae]

Draft purge will resume soon. For now: angsty fic written between a fever and disappointing news on a very meh day 🤷

Basically: Rayleigh's internal monologue after the war in Marineford, with spoilers up to Wano, heavy feels included, hurt no comfort.

(I post this immediately after writing it because it hurt me enough that I don't want to read it again. We're all different, but a warning can't hurt. Ha. Hurt. I'm going to nest under a blanket once I'm done.)

Also posted on AO3 on 2024.01.31

Rating: General

Summary: Rayleigh, after the war.

Content warnings : angst, hurt no comfort, 3 out of 5 stages of grief (anger + bargaining + depression), Roger x Rayleigh if you squint (platonic works too, either way it's not the main focus), sad ending, I repeat: it starts bad and it ends worse

Word count: ~700

☠️ Gloom and doom

Rayleigh will never forgive Sakazuki, and vows to kill the man on the spot if he ever gets the chance. If he can't he'll die trying, and he'll make sure the bastard is permanently incapacitated.

Rayleigh will never forgive Teach, more so since he was a Whitebeard Pirate for decades. Rayleigh always had a bad feeling about him, even back when he was a rookie, but he went far beyond unforgivably despicable and dragged too many people down for him to rise with his dark schemes.

Rayleigh will never forgive Sengoku, even though he knows that the Fleet Admiral had his hands tied and the Five Elders have been ordering him around for a long time.

Rayleigh will never forgive Garp, even though he knows that he did whatever he could considering his rank and fame in the Marine.

Rayleigh will never forgive Whitebeard, to think that after all this time, the friendly rivalry, their epic battles, the feasts and drinks shared... He never told Rayleigh, or anyone else for that matter, never mentioned who he chose to replace Oden as Second Division Commander.

(Newgate entrusted Roger with his brother and took in his son in turn, he traded a brother for a son and they were family, but Roger's family was still there too–)

What was Roger thinking? He trusted Garp to a fair extent, but Rayleigh is the one with whom he raised two sons, and he could have raised another one, had Roger given him the chance.

And Rayleigh knows, has known for so long, that Roger didn't really think everything through, but this is just fucked up. Leave it to Roger to take the absolute worst decision of his life when Rayleigh isn't there to do anything about it.

Rayleigh will try, but he doesn't know if he can forgive Roger, either.

But above anyone else, Rayleigh will never forgive himself for not recognizing the rising pirate he met in Sabaody a few years ago.

His damn freckles were enough to distract him from the same eyes, same smile, same threatening Haki, even the fact that he had the same name as Roger's goddamn sword.

Ace. And his first mate, Deuce.

How could Rayleigh be so blind and absolutely out of his mind not to see how similar they were?

Ace died smiling.

So amazingly alike, until the very end...

Rayleigh buries his head between his hands and closes his eyes, heart heavy with the growing void inside it.

"The One Piece, huh... I wonder who will find it."

"My son, obviously!"

"You don't even have one!"

"I'll have one! Just you wait!"

Tears spill from Rayleigh's eyes, and heavy sobs shake his shoulders.

He was so focused on meeting the boy that Shanks entrusted the straw hat to, that he never even considered that Roger's biological son could be somewhere out there.

How stupid was he not to recognize the fire in the teenager's eyes? Devil Fruit aside, Rayleigh should have known. Should have, could have– and now it's too late.

How cursed is the Gol D. bloodline that Ace met Roger's nakama but none of them could do a thing to prevent either deaths?

How ironic that Rayleigh kept tabs on Shanks and Buggy as if they were Roger's only sons, but he never knew who Ace truly was...

How unfair is it that Ace grew up with Luffy – Garp's own grandson, of all absurd coincidences – who inherited Roger's dream and his straw hat, while Ace only had profound resentment towards the infamous reputation tainting his birth name?

How unforgiving is fate that Luffy is now the one going after the One Piece, while his sworn brother never even dreamed of going to Laugh Tale? His sworn brother, the son of the King of the Pirates, heir to the one that sent all these sailors on the Grand Line and without whom the title Luffy wants to claim wouldn't even exist!

How painful to lose a part of himself that Rayleigh didn't know existed until now...

Nothing makes any sense and everything's bitter.

Rayleigh doesn't even know what to believe in anymore.

Let's hope Shakky will let him drink her bar dry this time, too.

[tooweirdforyou]

It’s Fate » Captain Koby

event request for » my sister

pairing : Marine Captain Koby x Fem! Reader

prompt : #1 [ Red String of Fate ]

Trope? / Specifics? : fem! Reader.

note : I did the editing myself on the photo. Yes I know it’s not good.

Summary : On a walk with Koby to get some lunch, a small incident occurs and a moment of realization happens.

“Old man, why don’t you leave Luffy alone?”

Fiddling with a pen and balancing it on your nose, you were just lounging around in Sengoku’s office on his couch, no one else but Garp in the room. Sengoku was currently out.

“What was that?” Garp’s voice rang in the room, him on the other side, across from you on the couch there.

“You keep attacking Luffy whenever you get a chance, reprimanding him for not even seeking you out to converse with, or just bond with.” You point out, sitting up and the pen dropping to the floor.

“I’m just saying, you’re yelling at him for not doing those things, even though he’s a pirate and you’re a marine. Sengoku wouldn’t be too happy.” You sang, picking up the pen again and placing it onto the table.

“Regardless of that fact, I’m his grandpa so he should show some respect and reach out to me.” Garp scoffs, his grin overtaking his tone as he looks over at you.

“Do you do the same to Ace?” You cross one leg over the other and smile at the famed old man. Garp, knowing where you were getting at, just chuckles. “I’ll beat the crap out of him if I ever see him.”

“Heard he’s a division commander for Whitebeard.” You hum. You then grin a bit. “Ace is cute. Too bad he’s a little older. Much more, a pirate.”

“I’ll be damned if you ever date him.”

Laughing softly at Garp, you lean back on the cushion of the couch and lift your hand and look to the faint red string around your finger.

“Speaking of which...”

Garp, who had his eyes originally closed, merely opens an eye at your quietness, before seeing what you were staring at.

“..You’ve yet to meet them?” He guesses, even though he knew.

“I’m eighteen now.. it’s a little more brighter and visible but there hasn’t been any progress.” Pouts can be seen on your face.

Garp just listened intently, because he knew how important the red strings were.

It was a custom of sorts, to be given a red string tied around your finger, and only be visible when you were closer to your destined soulmate. The closer you were, the more visible and brighter the red string would become, and linked right to your given fate.

It was extremely rare for the red string of fate to be wrong, but there were some occasions where the string was cut and eventually, tied once again to another given soulmate though.

“I guess I thought it would be one of the straw hats, when we met them at Island of water, Water 7, since it started to become visible there, but it didn’t fade away once we left. Which sucks, because that swordsman was pretty cute.”

Garp playfully rolls his eyes at your statement, shaking his head as he stands up, his tone calm and serious.

“Give it time. You got plenty of years ahead of you. Besides, you aren’t the only one. That chore boy is the same age as ya and he hasn’t found the one either.” Garp states, picking his nose with his pinky.

“Chore boy? You mean Koby? That apprentice you took in?” You question and Garp nods. “Him. He’s a potential one. Heard he saw it getting a little more brighter too around here.”

“You really are old. You’re losing your memory already, gramps. Koby’s a marine captain now. If you’re losing your memory, you might already be on deaths door.”

“Is he? Boy’s grown fast.” Garp says before he stands up and raises his fist, punching the top of your head and successfully knocked you off the couch.

“And what’s that about my age? I may be old but I’ll still outlive you, you damn brat!” He smirks, seeing the bruise forming on your head, and your teary eyes glaring at him as you held your head at the pain.

Doing your best to ignore the pain, your mind drifted to Koby. You remember seeing him two years ago, when he first joined. The kid was so small, you mistook him for a 10 year old.

But as he continued to train along with the blonde he came with, under Garp, the pinkette was slowly growing more and more taller and much stronger and soon enough, he was taller than you.

He was still the same shy boy that you met though. You haven’t seen him lately other than through a little bit of passing, but you worked in different areas anyway so it made sense it wasn’t often you see him.

“Tch. You damn old man..” you curse under your breath, Garp ready to deliver another punch, when a knock interrupted him.

“Sir? You wanted to see me?”

The voice was soft, sounding familiar.

“Come on in, this isn’t my office.” Garp says, and slowly, the door to Sengoku’s office opened to reveal the voice owner.

“Koby, we were just talking about you.”

Koby blinks for a moment, having just poked his head in before hesitantly stepping fully inside and closed the door behind him.

However, he seemed startled to see you.

“A-Ah, Commodore [Name]!” He quickly saluted to you, fixing his posture as he stood straight, the smallest blush on his cheeks.

“Koby, you don’t have to do that.. we’re the same age.” You sigh, rubbing your head for a brief moment longer and then pulled it down to your lap.

“Right.. haha..” He sheepishly smiles, feeling a bit embarrassed before he widens his eyes a bit.

His eyes seemed focused on a particular thing, glancing back and forth from your hand to his, but he said nothing, just staring wide-eyed.

You didn’t seem to notice, too focused on trying to ease the pain from your head, courtesy of Garp.

Garp, glancing to Koby, notices his shocked expression and smirks when he realized what he was reacting to.

Unfortunately, it seems you’ve yet to notice, despite how vibrant the string was becoming.

“What a coincidence..” he thought, eyeing Koby carefully. He trusted Koby enough to do well with you, and seemed almost relieved that your soulmate was Koby.

“Koby, why don’t you go take [Name] out and eat something at the cafeteria. We’ll discuss our meeting and training another time.”

“Huh?” Both you and Koby look over at Garp, blinking confusedly in unison, causing him to laugh.

“Just go eat something. You can’t train on an empty stomach.” You eye Garp suspiciously, wondering why he was acting strangely suddenly but you couldn’t go wrong on some food at the moment.

“Alright then. Let’s go.” Standing up straight, you offer a smile to the younger rank and began heading to the door.

Dumbfounded, Koby just nods slowly and stares questioningly at Garp as you opened the door and headed out.

Once you were completely out of the room, Garp held his usual grin but his tone went low.

“Good luck.. treat her well.”

Koby widens his eyes once again and felt his blush creeping back onto his cheeks. He rubs the back of his neck a bit shyly as he nods.

“Yes sir.”

With that, he exited the office as well and closed the door behind him, leaving Garp alone.

“These kids are growing up fast..” Staring over at the closed door, Garp sighs as he thought about Ace, Luffy, and even Sabo.

-

“So.. it’s been a while. How’s your training?”

Koby, lost in thought and staring down at the ground, mostly his fidgety hands, and the red string tied around his finger, didn’t seem to hear you.

“Koby?”

Gently nudging him, Koby blinks as he turns beside you. “Y-Yes?”

“You okay? You seem off.” You say, sparing a glance to him before turning back to the pathway, humming softly to yourself as you thought about what to eat.

“I’m fine!” Koby assures a little quickly before he kept quiet again, turning back to his red string.

Silence overtook the two of you, leaving you to think. You started to think about Koby beside you, and the red strings, even more about what Garp said.

Then, you focused on Koby himself. It’s been a while since you’ve seen him and you had to admit, he grow up well. He was handsome, indeed. Much different from the little boy you recognize just a little over two years ago.

You were busy thinking about how handsome Koby was, you almost didn’t hear Koby call you.

“Hey.. [Name]?”

“...Yeah?”

“.. Did you.. happen to meet your soulmate yet? I mean, do you know who your red string connects to?” Koby asks softly, shoving his hands to his sides and looks at you.

You listen to his question and smile meekly. “I haven’t. You haven’t yet, either. Right?” About to raise your hand to see your string, you and Koby turn the corner.

Just to bump into some people.

“Wa—!”

“[Name]!”

Quickly reacting to catch you, he ended up pulling the big marine coat off your shoulders instead and the two men that walked past also bumped into Koby.

“Woah!-“

The two of you both ended up falling to the ground with a thud, Koby hovering over you.

Koby winces at the pain, opening his eyes just to be face to face with you down below him. His eyes immediately widen as his cheeks began to flush and darken as he quickly jumped back away, his glasses flying off.

You didn’t seem to notice, eyes shut and rubbing your head.

Recovering from the fall, you groaned slightly and shake your head lightly to ease the slight dizziness forming.

“Hey, you alright?” Turning over to Koby, who was turned away from you, you watch him rub his head and sit up. “I-I’m fine.”

Since he was rubbing his head, he seemed to realize something was missing. “Ah!- my glasses are gone.” He voiced, no longer feeling the frames on his forehead.

You awed in realization, also noticing it was missing, and began to look around the ground.

Crawling around, you found the familiar navy blue pair of glasses and pick it up, inspecting it closely to make sure it wasn’t broken.

Using the ends of your shirt to wipe it off, you smile softly to see it was clean and hum. “I found them.”

Koby turns around from where he was searching and smiles a bit in relief. “Did you? Thank you.”

He was glad, because he wasn’t sure if he had time to get a new pair around, especially the customed ones made especially for him.

“Here.” Seeing Koby opening up his hands out for you, you move to kneel in front of him.

Handing it into his opened hands, you gently place it onto his palm and smile softly. “There, I just cleaned it so it should be good.”

Koby felt his glasses and opened them up, before slipping it onto his face, adjusting it.

“T-Thank you.” He shyly expresses, an embarrassed smile forming along with his already flushed, pink cheeks.

He stares up at you, blinking for a moment.

“Your glasses okay? If they don’t work, I can get you some new ones.” You say, still kneeling in front of him and waiting for his answer to see if his glasses were still in good condition.

Hearing your offer, Koby immediately shakes his head, frantically waving his arms.

“No need, these glasses still work just fine! In fact,” he clears his throat as his blush darkens ever so boldly.

“I’m able to see my future wife right in front of me.”

... Huh?...

The pink hue that crept onto your cheeks became much more darker each passing second, all from just the twelve words that Koby said.

It was only then, while you were staring wide-eyed at Koby, did you notice his red string around his finger.

It was knotted around his index finger, and out of instinct, you glance down to see where it led to, just to see your red string exposed, bright as day.

And connected right to him.

Koby seems to have already known this, not seemingly surprised at your blinking reaction to the strings.

Instead, he only kept his brave, yet shy grin, his cheeks still coated with pink as he brings his hands down from the side of his glasses.

“Looks like my statement might be true. It’s fate after all.”

A/N : my first event request done, woo! •u• hope it was good!! :D .... I keep reading this and the more I believe it’s not good :((

this isn’t TOO related to the event prompt but I’m sure my next event post should be more focused on the prompt.

either normal request or event request next, Hmm..

[chenziee]

hello, can i request lawlu and frobin from outsider pov? thank you

Thank you, anon, for giving me an excuse to write this xD I hope you don’t mind some absolutely ridiculous, silly first dates with non-consensual meet-the-family.

This fic is the continuation to my Lawlu fic [Good friends (don’t) kiss] that I have wanted to write since publishing the original fic. It is absolutely NOT necessary to read the prequel to understand this fic :)

Enjoy~

Boyfriends (do) kiss

The innkeeper sighed as he leaned against his broom, looking around the mess that his cozy little inn had become. And the day began so innocently; quiet and slow like any other day. But now there was a charred table and burn spots on the floor, several broken chairs, with cutlery and shattered plates scattered all over. And that was him being lucky. He had been kindly informed some places hit by a similar disaster ended up with broken walls or windows—or both.

It all started a few hours ago when a couple of pirates came in. It was nothing to fret about; once in a while those sea rats would dock at this island and have a meal, then they would run off. None of them tended to stay very long or cause any trouble because of the small navy base just outside town, and even if they did start something, they were usually dealt with quickly. This was no backwater island with no police or competent security, after all.

So, when the two pirates entered, the innkeep paid them almost no mind. That is, until one of his regulars who had been eating his lunch at the counter whispered, "Hey, aren't those two…" He let his sentence fade out, only gesturing frantically in the direction of the two young men, making the innkeep frown and finally take a good look.

They were sitting at a table pretty much at the centre of the room, as if uncaring if anyone noticed them. That alone was not exactly normal in a marine town where pirates tended to keep low and hide in dark corners. The louder, seemingly younger one of them was stuffing his face with gusto, even stealing all the bread off of the other's plate while laughing and teasing his companion, who ate at a much slower pace.

The other one wasn't laughing along, having a much calmer and quieter demeanor, but there was an undeniable, if small, smile on his face. There was also a really familiar, yellow Jolly Roger contrasting against the back of his long, black coat but the innkeeper couldn't for the life of him place it. Narrowing his eyes, he wrecked his brain for where he had seen it, and for just who these people were.

And then his eyes fell on the straw hat hanging on the younger one's neck and it clicked.

Fucking Straw Hat Luffy and Trafalgar Law were casually having lunch in his goddamned inn. He really hoped they weren't going to be planning some big raids while at it or he would have to call the marines. Which he absolutely didn't want to do; there was always so much paperwork involved.

Praying to all that was holy that it wouldn't come to that, the innkeeper observed their interactions, watching for any suspicious movements. After all, two of the Worst Generation captains starting a fight with each other would be just as bad as them planing coups or navy base raids, as well as it was the last thing this old building needed.

Thankfully, it seemed like they were getting along just fine. They were both smiling, speaking quietly with each other and… holding hands? Ah no, that was just Trafalgar handing over the salt. Good. That would be awkward. The touch did seem a little bit too long for a casual contact though.

Just then, the door to the inn opened and in came a couple, a man and woman. Or a giant robot and woman? The robot had his arm placed gently around the woman’s shoulder so it looked like they were together at least.

“Oh! Robin, Franky, are you here to eat, too?” Straw Hat called loudly, waving at the newcomers enthusiastically, and only then did the innkeeper make the connection—they were two members of Straw Hat’s crew, the ‘Iron Man’ Franky and the ‘Demon Child’ Nico Robin. The innkeeper really didn’t like where this seemed to be going.

“That’s right, Luffy,” the cyborg said, equally loud, when the couple reached their captain’s table. “How’s the food here?”

“It’s great! Their bread is amazing,” Straw Hat replied and the innkeep made a mental note to relay the compliment to both his cook and the the town’s baker.

Nico Robin chuckled. “Torao-kun looks like he doesn’t agree.”

Trafalgar made a disgusted face before he looked at her and spoke up, “No, I don’t. But this bottomless pit ate all of my bread anyway and the rest is pretty good.”

“Of course I ate the bread for you, you hate it,” Straw Hat stated matter of factly before he grinned and leaned towards the other captain to give him a long kiss on the cheek, a gesture that earned him an embarrassed click of the tongue from the other pirate.

Oh. Suddenly, the innkeep remembered the newspaper article from three days ago, the one which had claimed the two were dating and which he had discarded as ridiculous and promptly forgot about. Maybe it wasn’t so ridiculous after all.

“You two are super cute,” the cyborg announced, making Straw Hat laugh and Trafalgar roll his eyes.

“Wanna join us?” Straw Hat gestured to the two other, currently empty chairs at the table. “We could make it a double date,” he suggested then, glancing to his boyfriend who only shrugged in response, apparently not caring either way.

The other two, however, shook their heads, and Nico Robin spoke up, “It’s your first proper date. You should enjoy it, just the two of you.” She smiled warmly at the two of them before she glanced up at her own huge companion and placed her small hand over his large one which was still resting against her shoulder. “We’ll get another table and we can meet for deserts later?”

“Sounds good!” Straw Hat and the cyborg agreed, both grinning, while Trafalgar only nodded silently at her suggestion.

The innkeeper couldn’t decide whether he was glad the four of them weren’t going to be a concentrated in one place, smack in the centre of the room no less, or if he was annoyed he would now have to keep an eye on two tables with high bounty pirates.

He barely managed to take notice of where the mismatched couple of the Iron Man and the Demon Child—who looked more like an elegant, beautiful lady than either a demon or a child—when someone at the counter called him over. He wondered when this young man got there; he hadn’t noticed him coming in or sitting down. Maybe because he was so preoccupied by the cursed sea dogs.

“Thank you for waiting, sir. What would you like?” the innkeeper asked the man with blond, wavy hair and what looked like a burn scar over his eye. There was a black top hat with a pair of goggles around it lying in the counter next to him.

The man smiled, putting a ten thousand beri bill on the counter. “When Trafalgar Law asks for a drink, can you add this into it?” he asked, pulling out a small bottle.

The innkeeper blinked, staring at the bottle for a moment before slowly looking up to meet the stranger’s eyes. “Are you asking me to poison a man worth 500 million beri?”

“It won’t kill him.” An unhappy, maybe even angry expression appearing on his face before he continued, voice lowering dangerously, “It will just make him regret every decision he had ever made that led to him being here.”

The innkeeper scowled, folding his arms across his chest as he regarded the man. “There will be no poisonings in my inn, lethal or not. I don’t care what your issue with him is but settle it somewhere else.”

“Damn,” the blond cursed, pocketing both the bottle and the bill. “Guess I’ll have to light his face on fire after all. Thanks anyway.”

As soon as he was done speaking, he turned around in his chair to glare at the table where his apparent nemesis was now ruffling his boyfriend’s hair while Straw Hat giggled, trying to push his hand away. When he finally succeeded, he didn’t let go; instead, he laced their fingers together and mumbled something that made Trafalgar look away in obvious embarrassment.

Suddenly, something bright caught the innkeeper’s eyes and when he looked what it was, he gasped. “Sir, you’re on fire!” he cried in alarm.

The blond startled, looking at his hand as if he only just realized it was engulfed in angry, crackling flames. “Whoops. Sorry,” he simply apologized, shanking the hand until the flame died down to nothing. After a mere second, it was as if there was no fire at all. “Glad to know Ace is angry, too.”

“Sabo! What are you doing here?” Straw Hat cried a moment later, jumping up and basically bouncing in place, and the blond cursed at being spotted.

He waved at the pirate awkwardly. “Hey, Luffy. Just—” he paused, seemingly wrecking his brain for a plausible answer— “passing by.”

That was the worst excuse the innkeep had ever heard, and that was counting all the excuses men have ever given to their angry wives who came to pick them up after a night of drinking.

But Straw Hat grinned, nodding happily as if it made perfect sense. Trafalgar Law, on the other hand, eyed the man suspiciously. “Your brother probably came to check up on you, Straw Hat-ya. Since the papers wrote about us,” he said flatly, making the blond glare at him.

Wait. ‘Sabo.’ Straw Hat’s brother. The Chief of Staff of the Revolutionary Army? That Sabo? This day was getting seriously ridiculous. What was next, a Celestial Dragon?

He barely managed to finish the thought when the entrance door burst open and in came two old men and a goat. The innkeeper couldn’t believe his eyes. They weren’t Celestial Dragons but at this point they might as well be. The goddamn Hero of the Marines Garp and former Fleet Admiral Sengoku had just walked into his inn and he felt like he might faint. Between four infamous pirates, number two of the revolutionary army, and two legendary marines, it would be a miracle if his inn was still standing by the end of the day.

“Luffy!” Garp roared, stomping forward.

Straw Hat flinched in response, immediately raising his arms in a attempt to block the fist that was coming at his head from above. “Gramps! What are you doing here?”

“Dating a pirate? You brat, you’re a hundred years early to pull something like this!” Garp growled, hitting Straw Hat once more.

“Ouch! Why does it hurt even when I use haki?” Straw Hat whined after taking a step back at the impact, his chair clattering to the floor. “And what do you care who I’m dating?” He went to punch back.

Garp side stepped him, grabbing his arm and stopping it from hitting some of the innocent customers who were scurrying to get out of the inn. “Because it’s a fist of love,” Garp said, as if that explained anything.

The innkeeper really wanted run away like his customers did but he was frozen in place, watching the scuffle happening. This was honestly the most bizzare pirate versus marine fight he had ever witnessed, possibly the most bizzare one anyone had ever witnessed. Neither was trying to beat the other, there was no attempt at capture or escape—if you didn’t count Trafalgar quickly backing away from the screaming duo in the direction of cyborg Franky and Nico Robin, who both looked entirely too entertained. At least Trafalgar’s face said he was about as happy about the turn of events as the innkeeper himself was.

A second later, in a flurry of flames, the revolutionary at the counter jumped forward, standing in between Straw Hat and Garp. “Gramps, wait. You should be beating up him,” he said sharply, pointing at Trafalgar, who was by then lounging in the chair next to Nico Robin, coffee cup he was offered by the woman in hand.

“Leave me out of this,” he called back, raising his free hand in a vaguely threatening motion, the air swirling around under his palm with in devil fruit power.

“Yes, leave him out of this!” Straw Hat snapped, throwing a punch at Sabo instead.

The bartender watched in horror as the punch went through the blond, spitting flames all around and setting a table on fire. At least the man quickly put out the flames but the damage was done and the table charred black.

Garp’s attention turned to the revolutionary then, his hand landing on his shoulder and squeezing until Sabo hissed in pain. “Hello, Mr Revolutionary. Do you care to explain?”

“Why are you so angry, we told you we didn’t want to be marines right from the start!”

“Baa!” The innkeeper’s gaze followed after the sudden sound, dropping from the scene of disaster to his knees where Fleet Admiral Sengoku’s goat was gently chewing on the wash cloth he had hanging from his belt. At least someone in here looked like they couldn’t care less about whatever it was that was happening around them. The innkeeper let go of a long, deep sigh, and stroked the goat’s head.

“Thank you,” he said to the goat earnestly, to which the animal only blinked and continued chewing.

Raising his eyes to look for the goat’s owner, he found the man slowly approaching the remaining three outlaws, dropping in the last available chair at their table—after turning it around to get a better view of the fight at the centre of the room. The three visibly tensed up at their new company, but Sengoku only looked at them blanky before raising the packet in his hand.

“Want a rice cake?”

The pirates stared at him, the cyborg moving forward a little to shield Nico Robin from the old marine.

Sengoku, however, only crossed his legs and leaned back in his chair, looking as uncaring as could be. “Relax. I’m retired. I have no obligation to keep up with any new wanted posters so I have no idea who you people are. I’m just here to enjoy the show.”

It was a transparent lie, there was no way the man didn’t know he was sitting at the table with a former Shichibukai and a woman who had been hunted by the world government for twenty-something years, and the innkeeper couldn’t help but stare at the scene before him with an open mouth. Was this seriously, seriously happening? In his inn?

When it became apparent that Sengoku wasn’t a threat to them right then, the strange couple and Trafalgar slowly relaxed and the marine smiled, gesturing with his packet again. Finally, Trafalgar reached forward, grabbing a rice cake and tentatively taking a bite.

Soon, he was followed by Nico Robin who pulled out two, handing one of them to Franky who thanked her with a quick kiss before he took it from her hand. For a moment all four of them simply munched on their rice cakes in silence, watching while Straw Hat, Sabo, and Garp bickered and wrecked the whole goddamn inn while at it.

The entire thing was so ridiculous, so completely absurd, that the innkeeper wanted to cry.

It took them almost an hour after that to finally file out of the inn, leaving behind only absolute mess and destruction. At least Sengoku had assured the innkeeper in passing that the Navy would pay for the damages while he had ordered a tea.

He really hoped the marines wouldn’t complain about it since he would be forced to bill them eight people worth of food on top of all this, as the four pirates didn’t even pay for their own food or drinks.

Pirates, he thought to himself, finally tossing his broom aside and opening a bottle of rum instead.

[yukipri]

RE: the ask about how ASL would change if Ace was separated (honestly love the concept so much.) But how do you think Ace would get his memories back? I can't imagine Sabo ever leaving Luffy behind so I think it would take a lot for a similar situation to happen where he would die like Ace did. So how do you think his memories would return? Would they show up at his front door in the marine version? Or maybe Sabo gets a tip while they're pirates or still on Dawn Island and they head his way?

Hey there!!!! Before I answer, just wanted to say thank you SO much for always putting such wonderful comments in the tags when you reblog! I always notice and read them and they make my day because I LOVE hearing your thoughts!!!! SO THANK YOU!!!!!

Okay to answer your question, I think it’d really depend on the scenario. I think it might get a lil long to answer for all three scenarios, so here’s the one you mentioned being your favorite route! (I can defs answer for the other scenarios too on separate ask responses if you or anyone else is interested!)

>> The original ask response for those who want to know what this is about. Should be read first

For Route 1, Pirates: 

I think this one is closest to canon for obvious reasons. And in this scenario, I think Ace would regain his memories at Marineford.

Marineford, of course, has some major differences.

Without Ace, Blackbeard goes after, and successfully captures Luffy to turn over to the Marines instead. Sabo of course desperately goes after him, all the way down to Marineford, but doesn’t make it in time.

Marineford in this route isn’t the Marines vs. Whitebeard pirates. Whitebeard laments Blackbeard’s role in the war, but he has a bad feeling about it, and without a hot-headed 2nd Division Commander getting captured, the Whitebeard Pirates can afford to stay out of it. It’s not their fight.

Instead, it’s the Marines attempting to use Luffy as bait to lure out the Revolutionary Army for a confrontation, including revealing Luffy’s lineage to the world.

While the Revolutionary Army has significant firepower and numbers, they aren’t a massive pirate empire like Whitebeard’s fleet. No matter how much it pains Dragon, he can’t pull out all their forces from operations around the world in order to protect his son. It would be playing completely into the World Government’s hands by gathering, identifying, and possibly eliminating all of their key forces in one fell swoop. Secrecy is key to their success. If they want to end the Celestial Dragons, they can’t afford to give it all up now, not even for Luffy.

But neither is Dragon heartless. He may have only met Luffy once since he was born, but Luffy does not deserve to be killed solely for being of Dragon’s blood.

So he sends his right hand man, the Revolutionary Army’s Chief of Staff and second in command: Ace.

Ace is told to do as he sees fit, but to do his utmost to extract Luffy safely. With only a small team backing him up, he doesn’t have the manpower to wage an entire war on the Marines, but the marines don’t know that. They think the Revolutionary Army is coming, but they don’t know who or what they are. Ace hopes they’re enough.

Ace doesn’t know why it’s so important that Luffy be extracted, and is shocked when he hears Sengoku’s announcement from his hiding spot surveilling the plaza.

Today, Monkey D. Luffy will be executed for being the son of Monkey D. Dragon, Supreme Commander of the Revolutionary Army, the worst criminal in history.

He who has evil blood must be eliminated. The son of the devil.

The son of...

The son of--

And then Ace finally gets a good look at the young man, no, boy who is on his knees, staring out defiantly into the sea of marines all screaming for his blood, and then--

~~

(alternatively, Ace gets his memories back when he sees Sabo take a magma fist through the gut protecting Luffy. Whichever shock factor you think is enough to wake him up ^ ^;)

Again, lemme know if I should answer for the other scenarios too ‘cause I defs can! ^ ^

❀ ❀ Send YukiPri an Ask! ❀ ❀

[cienie-isengardu]

K, O, P?

Thank you for the lovely ask, it was fun to write! :D

K - What character has your favorite development arc/the best development arc?

Hard to pick the one character, even more since the best of character development I love so much are not tied to one arc but happens through the whole story. But since I’m on OP kick lately, Roronoa Zoro gets all the honor. 

I love how at first he promised to follow Luffy as long as the rubber-man didn't get in the way of his goal (and threatened him with death otherwise) but took his commitment very seriously from day one. And somehow through the relatively short journey, Zoro literally threw away his ambitions, pride, life, everything for Luffy’s sake. And not only for Luffy, but for the crew as a whole, because  Roronoa is always ready to stay behind, to be left behind, to protect nakama at all cost. And the best part of this development is that, Zoro’s priorities changed from carrying the burden of promise and shared ambition with a dead friend being the best to giving everything to Luffy, while it does not change what Zoro is at the core. It doesn’t make him a better man in the sense of an improved attitude or outlook on life. Hell, I would say it makes him more workaholic with the need to get stronger, pushing himself harder than before once he gets to know the wider world better, but Zoro is ruthless and rude as he was. He is born killer and monster in human form that don’t give a fuck about the world, politics, what society thinks while his own moral sense does not budge at all. He was and is willing to kill, he enjoys fighting and drinking, has this ambitious as hell goal of being the best. The development does not change who Zoro is, but what matters to him the most and this growing loyalty and trust can be seen through the whole story and I don’t know what would need to happen for such dedication falter even for a bit.

And like I said, this is not something that happened in one arc, but was happening through the whole story, from earlier little occasional clashes with Luffy to being of one mind with his captain while always ready to carry the burden when Luffy can’t do it, ready to stay behind and protect nakama. What makes the final of Thriller Bark one of the coolest pledge of loyalty but not the best development arc itself, really, because Zoro’s character develops in that direction from day one and the decision made in Thriller Bark is just a result of all the previous adventures.

O - Choose a song at random. Which ship or character does it remind you of?

I’m going to cheat with that and instead of a random song, I will give you two I have on loop already for several days: Broken Crown and I gave you all by Mumford & Sons, because both suit Donquixote Brothers so well and could tell the same events from two different perspectives. In advance sorry for ranting but these two songs kill me emotionally so much, I must talk in length about them!

Broken Crown is all about Rosi rejecting the “crown” given to him by brother (“I'll never be your chosen one”) and yet… still caring and sadly, knowing it too well he wouldn’t pull the trigger (“but oh my heart, was flawed I knew my weakness. So hold my hand consign me not to darkness“) and the final lines, gosh:

So crawl on my belly 'til the sun goes down

I'll never wear your broken crown 

I took the road and I fucked it all away 

Now in this twilight, how dare you speak of grace 

So crawl on my belly 'til the sun goes down 

I'll never wear your broken crown 

I can take the road and I can fuck it all away 

But in this twilight, our choices seal our fate

And then, I gave you all is just so Doffy about Rosinante, it hurts. Seriously. Like, I really believe he never meant to hurt his brother (and maybe never understood he did), and the whole last lines are just so on spot:

But I gave you all 

But you rip it from my hands 

And you swear it's all gone 

And you rip out all I have

Just to say that you've won 

Well now you've won

It’s just so, so about Rosi stealing Law and Opi Opi no Mi even though Doffy already “gave [him] all” what he could. And the most ironic thing? When people usually think about their last meeting, we remember that Doffy killed his younger brother, but in fact, Rosi DID WIN in the long run. He cured Law and saved him from Doffy, he stole Opi Opi no Mi and took away from brother a chance for immortality, even if just for a while. Which is like three main victories in one strike and he did sort of say it to Doffy’s face (“[Law] is already free!!”). 

Just… so many feelings from two songs that fit well two brothers so different from each other. And the regrets and hate, and lack of understanding and spite. Seriously, it makes me think about their last meeting so much :(

P - Invent a random AU for any fandom (we always need more ideas).

I have three major growing ideas, but since I’m in a good mood, I will share the happiest AU in which Donquixote Rosinante never played the role of spy and confronted Doflamingo in the open sea as a Marine Officer. 

Or more like: Doffy found out his bro is alive but part of Marine, so of course he couldn’t leave him in peace and like the maniac he is, chased after Rosinante across all the sea to recruit him into the Family - to no avail. So Doffy’s main reason to become Shichibukai was just so he could jump on Rosi’s warship and annoy the fuck of him, like an older brother should. And Rosi can’t kick him overboat, since as a Warlord Doflamingo is untouchable by Marines. Or at least in theory, because Rosi serves under Garp’s command*, and the old Vice-Admiral does not mind to punch some sense into Doffy (and Rosi) with fist of love, cause no punk like Doffy will tell Monkey D. Garp  what he should or shouldn’t do on his own ship and if bros are lucky, Tsuru may save them from this madman… or not). Despite that causing ruckus between sailors is much better than boredom, and Doffy seeks out his younger brother under all excuses and more often than not, visits just to rant about all annoying people and bitching on Kaido or Sengoku or Nobles or really, everything and maybe for a drink or two and napping between one and another business meeting, because there is no better nap than under Rosi’s silencing powers. It is worth, no matter that more often than not Garp is kicking his ass, even when in fact he acts as a good boy should. And maybe, just maybe Doffy is so bored with all his underground business going well that he is actually doing “government dog” work of hunting down random pirates. Or more likely, slaughtering every asshole who dare insult his clumsy brother.

Because no matter what, Rosi is his baby bro and he belongs to Doffy even if the dumbass stubbornly refuses to join the Family. Which is fine, one day Doflamingo will find a way to change his brother's mind and until that day comes, he will mess with Marines as much as he can. Which is all fair, because Rosi too does mess with Doffy’s underground business whenever he has a chance and the klutz set on fire accidentally himself AND so many Doffy’s stuff one may wonder if he really is that clumsy or does he do that on purpose. Trebol thinks the latter, cause somehow Rosi always drops things on him by stumbling or spilt hot tea in his face. Doffy finds that amusing as hell, even more when his little bro uses his devil fruit powers to mute half of the Family just to piss them off. At least, as long as Rosi remembers to unmute them before leaving (sometimes the lil shit does not unmute them on purpose and Doffy is forced to chase him around the sea to undo the damage. Younger brothers can be a really pain in the ass).

So Doffy & Rosi kinda have this I-hate-you-but-I-love-you-dumbass relationship over the years until Law comes into picture and of course, Law stab the younger Donquixote and of course, Rosinante kidnap the kid to find a cure and maybe, just maybe, kidnap his brother along the way, and drag Law and Doffy on forced family vacation that involves burning a few dozens of hospitals, a lot screaming at each other and some terapeutic honest talks that no one really wants but everyone needs. Law gets the Ope Ope Mi, Doffy and Rosi kinda explain to each other all the traumatic shit from childhood and made sort of peace.

So, in the end, Doffy does not take over Dressrosa but is still doing his shady business and just being himself, just with better mental stability (cause Rosi keeps muting Trebol and all his shitty talk about what king can or cannot do on every occasion). Rosi has a brother that is not complete monster but not the good man either, but he isn’t ordered to kill him or lie to, and even though they are on opposite side, Rosinante can always call Doffy on den den mushi and shout at him for hours for all the stupid shit he pulled without any regrets or fear (and sometimes, Doffy does listen). Law is saved but still decides to sail and causing havoc as pirate captain while both Donquixote brothers are doting on him and of course, allying himself with Monkey D. Luffy, while the poor Sengoku just gets constant migraine for dealing with all the nonsense of Monkey D. and Donquixote family drama (but secretly feeling relieved that his son is finally doing fine). Garp on other hand, find it hilarious as hell. The World Government does not find it hilarious at all.

 *Sengoku doesn’t like putting his precious Rosinante under Garp’s command because the Hero of Marines of course drags the poor kid into all possible troubles and chaos, but since Rosi is brother of Doflamingo and Doffy is hated by Nobles, Garp is the best protector for younger Donquixote. He will punch everyone who would dare to hurt the kid of his closest friend, including World Nobles and their armies. The side effect is that Rosi is looking after Ace and Luffy, once they set sails, because they are uncle Garp’s grandkids and he will happily save Ace’s ass before Blackbeard get his hand on him and be even kind enough to give the kid a choice: either he comes back to Whitebeard or Rosi takes him straight to grandpa Garp and so Ace ends safe under pop’s watchful eyes once and for good.

Here, a happy Donquixote Bros AU. You’re welcome!

ask meme

[where-s-all-blue]

Post Apocalyptic AU LEASLC

An AU where Law, Eustass, Ace, Sabo, Luffy and Coby became brothers and the civilisation fell. Everything is slowly getting better, but the boys still need to survive and find their way to the only country that hasn't fallen yet: Wano. Where they encounter and become the older brothers of two very special girls. On the way, they also manage to pick up quite the fleet of other people who have also lived and survived the apocalypse.

Law

Law is the oldest brother and as such he has deemed it to be his duty to be the responsible one. He was dropped on the Romance Dawn Island by Sengoku after the death of Rosinante Donquixote. He's the one who has the most knowledge of how to deal with things like wounds.

After they've grown up, he assumes the role of the doctor without any fail as he has no intention on letting any of his dear people die ever again.

Eustass

Eustass is the second oldest of the lot, nobody knows for sure how he ended up on the island, but boy is he a trouble maker. Though thanks to his often uncredited wits, the brothers have been able to get multiple things work again and he's been the expert at making shelters for them.

Upon growing up, Eustass became the one to build them a sturdy ship they used to search for better life.

Ace

It's not a wonder that Ace is the one who knows how food works, he was the one who fully mapped out the island regarding its food sources, as he'd been on his own until he was seven years old. Though quite as responsible as Law, Ace makes an effort in being a good brother.

Nobody is surprised when Ace becomes the food expert of the brothers, though what does surprise them is the fact that both Law and Eustass also gave the mantle of the captain to him.

Sabo

The booksmart runaway Sabo is something between Law and Ace when it comes to responsibility, though his nose is always on the books. He soon starts to study maps and how they work along with joining Ace on hunting trips in order to draw a map of the island.

Grown up Sabo is the navigator of the bunch, his academic mind capable of handling strategy with ease along with the maps and keeping track on their resources.

Luffy

It's not much, but this kid has an amazing aim and a great ability to understand others. However his honesty often gets him in trouble. Law, Eustass and Sabo all try to school him but he can't quite concentrate on it.

Older Luffy is the best at handling negotiations funnily enough and he's great at making allies. People just see him and want to protect him with their life and this turns into them creating an armada to protect the brothers and giving them supplies. Nobody knows how it works and the older brothers of Luffy are too scared to ask.

Coby

Much like Eustass, how he ended up on the island is a mystery, but he's very quick on his feet, and has smarts. Sabo immediately took onto him with Law while the rest had doubts because of how wimpy he is. However, he did prove himself to be quite the information broker and a great lock picker with a good left hook.

Older Coby is still a crybaby, but he'll be damned if his brothers end up hurting or go hungry. He might be the youngest, but he's also by far the wittiest. If Sabo creates a strategy, Coby is the one to perfect it. He's quick on his feet and has a will of iron.

Honest talk here: I kind of view One Piece itself as a Post Apocalyptic world already and personally I find it very hard to come up with headcanons for an AU like this, because most things that people slap into their headcanons about this setting are... Basic survival skills? That I learned from my own old man and that literally everyone I know how to do?

Like... I know how to build myself a small wooden cabin? I know how to make wooden cutlery and plates? I know how to hunt and cook? I know how to make a fire and what I need to survive? I know how to make clothes? I know which plants are edible and which parts of them? I know how to make soap?

Hell, the only thing I can't do myself is effective pain killers so I guess that I'd have to lay down or ignore the headaches I tend to get. But yeah, you might see why this one is a bit odd to me.

Post Apocalyptic AUs are pretty much extreme Cottage Core AUs with dash of relearning how to do things like grow edible food to me with the potential occasional whatever enemy it is you might come across (most often a zombie, a deadly disease or another survivor).

[inupibaldspot]

Saviour : Chapter 20

Emilia sighed as she approached Garp. It had been a week since they left Fuusha village,Goa Kingdom. And when they finally did reach marine headquarters after they reached the first half of Grand Line, Emilia learned that she could not enter the marine until she was 13 years old.

Emilia,who was 10 years old gave a look of disappointment towards Garp and it seemed even the old man didn't know that there was such a rule. Apparently people could join the marine at any age if they were in the four blues but then if they were going to be a marine in the Grand Line, a minimum age of 13 necessary with no exceptions.

Garp did ask "Do you want to go back home?" when he heard the rule but then Emilia refused. She decided that it was better if she stayed in the Grand Line and improve herself in many field such as strength, navigation and medicine. Garp happily accepted that decision, without asking Sengoku ,the Fleet Admiral of course.He would probably shout at Garp while the latter won't care and start digging his finger deep into his nose.

"Garp-san." Emilia said making Garp look at her with a frown.

"Call me Grandpa."

Complete ignoring the request she continued, "Can you introduce me to the navigator? I would like to learn from him."

The old man stared at the girl with a questioning face. "Are you that knowledge starved?" Garp asked folding his arms on his chest with a huff.

"Should I do something else then?" Emilia asked with a smile on her face. The smile dropped a few seconds later and then she sighed.

Garp flinched a bit. It seems that the girl was still quite angry at him and honestly it was down right depressing. It made the old man sad. "As long as you're not doing any action in the ship, anything is fine."

With that he looked over to his left and called over a tall man with a hat,who was in a marine uniform. And when the man reached Garp,he saluted. The old man laughed a bit and pointed at the other guy with his thumb.

"This is Bogard. Just ask him anything you need." With that Garp made a swift turn and walked away. Emilia sweat dropped as she watched Garp, noticing how smoothly the old man dumped his duty on his right hand man and ran away.

Emilia then turned her head and looked at Bogard,bowing a bit as she introduced herself. "My name is Ainsworth Emilia. I'll be in you care from now on." However the man didn't say anything and just stared at the girl,making Emilia sweat nervously. And after minutes which seemed like eternity the man nodded.

Emilia later asked Bogard to help her in training (which made Garp sulk since she didn't ask the Vice-Admiral instead) but she still didn't get a navigator and doctor to teach her.

Turns out on contrary to Bogard's cold and quiet appearance he helped Emilia a lot. He would help her train her swords and sometimes Garp also helped her in her 'training' which mostly ended with her having various bruises.

Bogard also introduced her to the ship's navigator named Zack, who was quite quite but really knowledge guy. He had dark hair accompanied with dark eyes with glasses, a stereotypical must have item for smart characters. He would teach her every details needed in determining the weather like the wind,the direction of clouds and even the directions fishes were heading.

Emilia could say she liked the guy.He was always friendly towards her, a bit clumsy and weak but he was a nice person.She could draw out that conclusion without a doubt.

....

It was again one of those mundane days of patrol. Garp was no where to be found probably sleeping somewhere- and the responsibility of running the ship was taken by Bogard.

Emilia followed Zack quietly and he started to explain about the weather as she nodded,taking in those information like a sponge.

"A pirate ship has been spotted at the east!" A marine shouted. "Its headed straight for us!"

Before any marines could do much preparation the enemy had already started to shoot out of their cannons making the marine ship shake.

The enemy ship had come much closer where even the pirates now started to jump in the marine ship causing havoc inside.

"Emilia-chan, head inside and hide!" Zack said and rushed ahead.

Nodding the girl ran towards one of the doors which led inside and only when she did step inside she realized it was Garp's room. A book shelf on one of the sides with various documents and a picture on its opposite containing a picture of five people. Garp in the center with Luffy in front and next to him was Emilia and finally Ace and Sabo on both ends.She would have taken time to observe the picture if it weren't for the enemy attack.

Emilia took one step forward when she realized she wasn't alone. A body laid on the floor behind the table.She rushed forward and gasped as it was Garp on the floor.

Did the enemy already come and knocked down Garp-san?-

However she trail of thoughts where cut of when she heard a loud snore coming from the old man making her eyebrows twitch with disbelief. How is the man not awake from the noise? The whole family were so similar remembering how Ace would suddenly fall asleep even when a tiger would attack them.

"Garp-San...Garp-san" she poked at him as she sat down next to him. The bubble coming from his snot blasted making the old man stir and slowly open his eyes.

"Huh? Brat? What are you doing here"

Emilia's eyebrows knitted and pointed towards the door. "Pirates are attacking the ship, Garp-San..."

"HUH?!" The old man exclaimed and quickly stood up. "WHY DIDN'T YOU WAKE ME UP SOONER!?" With that the Vice-admiral went and punched the door and went outside.

Emily sweat dropped at his action. Why didn't he use the door like a normal person and not break it to go outside... If she was going to stay with Garp, she hard to get used to this.

I wonder what Ace and Luffy are doing? Emilia thought as she sat down. Suddenly a body came flying inside the room from the hole Garp had previously made.

"Damn those marines..." a man,Emilia think is a pirate, cursed rubbing his head while he stood up. Turning his head he saw a small child sitting down .

Frown turning into an evil smile, The man stood up and walked towards Emilia stretching his hands out attempting to grab onto her. "Lucky! This child can be my shield! Hahaha".

When the hand was a few inches away from Emilia, the girl activated her armament haki making her hand turn into a dark color, and grabs onto the man's hand.

"Huh?! What's with this brat?!" The man shouted.

"Unlucky for you , I'm not really an easy target.." Emilia with an emotional face pulled the man towards her and punched him across the face making him fly off through the same hole he came from.

"GAH! Emilia!" A shout was heard making Emilia flinch. "You aren't allowed to fight!" Zack came in the room. Noticing the girl's unapologetic expression the man just sighed.

"What happened to the pirates?" Emilia asked walking towards the man.

"Vice-admiral Garp destroyed them. I came to check up on you but the you..." The man sighed as he brought his hands up towards Emilia's head.

Emilia closed her eyes and prepared to be hit on her head but the hand simply sat on her head. She opened her eyes and looked at the man with a confused stare as he simply smiled at her gently. The hand slowly rubbing her head. "Turns out you didn't need my help at all haha."

The confused expression on her face slowly turned into a smile.

.....

"Ughh! I don't want to do this!" Garp complained as he walked off the ship, followed by Bogard and tiny Emilia.

They were currently in the marine headquarters and to say Emilia was taken aback would be an understatement because this place was huge! The island had a large field, the Japanese styled building on a huge concrete foundation with the marine symbol in the middle, which were probably the offices surrounded by residential area for marines  and four tall peaks at the edge of the island.

"It is a must for you to send the documents regarding your recent works including documents regarding the recent bold pirate attack." Bogard said. It was quite unusual for pirates to come and attack marines after all. Perhaps they didn't know who they were dealing with.

"Sengoku's just going to complain about how I destroyed the ship and how he won't be giving me my pay." The man continued to complain but never the less walked towards  the main office.

Bogard stopped outside of the entrance of the building and saluted and then turned towards Emilia. "I will train you while we wait for Vice-admiral." With that he started walking towards the field with Emilia following him closely.

...

Akainu walked towards Sengoku's office with a marine following him. The marine continued to read the details of the documents which contained the places he patrolled, pirates he captured or any big news happening in this vast world.

As the man continues to walk two figures captured his attention making him stop in his tracks. A rather tall man,who he saw with Garp, was there in the vast field training a small child.

The small girl had quite fast reflexes and a speed to cooperate with it but what really caught his eyes were that the girl's hands and legs were completely dark. That tiny child can use haki?

"Who is that child?" Akainu asked.

The man who was busy reading the documents stopped and looked at where his Admiral was looking. "Ah...I assuming that girl is vice admiral Garp's grand daughter. Apparently she is training under his care until she reaches 13 years of age and then later join the marine herself." The man explained, abit confused as to why his scary Admiral was paying such attention to the girl.

"What's her name?"

The man was even more surprised but nevertheless he replied "I apologize but that's all I know about her,sir."

Akainu then faced forward and continued to walk. "See what her name is and when she does turn 13 make sure she joins my team."

[sweetscentences]

Small Changes: Chapter 3

On AO3 here. Thanks for being patient with me formatting this for tumblr <3

The sun set, and Rosinante was getting worried. Law hadn’t come back yet. Rosinante knew that Law could handle himself, knew he told him to take as long as he needed. But an old paranoia was creeping up on Rosinante. It didn’t help that this was the longest he’d been separated from Law in over half a year. 

Garp dragged him down to the docks to watch the sunset when Rosinante’s anxiety started to grate on him. But the sun finished sinking below the horizon, and there wasn’t any sign of Law. Rosinante gnawed, absentmindedly, on one of his nails. 

Garp smacked his hand from his mouth and hauled him to his feet. “Come on.”

“Where are we going?” Rosinante asked, but followed after Garp. 

“My grandsons stay with me when I visit. We’re going to go grab them.” There was an uncharacteristically soft smile on Garp’s face. “Besides, they know those woods better than anyone. Maybe they’ve seen your brat.” 

Rosinante wasn’t sure if he would describe Law as any sort of brat, let alone his. He mellowed out while they traveled together- partly because he was dying, partly because he had someone to care about. But even when he first joined the Donquixote Pirates Rosinante would have described him as a homicidal little shit before he called him a brat. 

He didn’t bother nitpicking though. Garp considered anyone younger than him a brat, and Rosinante… 

Lying was his livelihood. Sometimes, it came easier than breathing. But calling Law his son was the easiest lie he ever told.

The best lies were the ones a person desperately wanted to be true.

Garp lead them through the forest confidently, even though they quickly deviated from the path. Before too long, they arrived at the base of a massive tree. A treehouse the size of a small cottage was braced in its branches, and the sound of young voices floated down from it. 

Young voices cursing. In Northern. Garp shot Rosinante a look. 

“What are they saying?” he asked, just as Law’s voice reached them. He was slowly working through the pronunciation of a particularly graphic threat involving ice picks and vital organs. 

Rosinante heard it many times after he dragged Law away from the Donquixote Pirates. Back then, Law actually following through wasn’t out of the question.

Rosinante thought it best not to share that much. “Nothing good,” he said simply. 

Garp looked like he might press for more information, when loud laughter from above them distracted him. Garp’s soft smile turned into something sharp. 

“You brats!” he bellowed. Silence fell immediately, and three boys poked their heads out of the treehouse’s window. There was a mix of horror and excitement on their young faces. 

“Hi Gramps!” the smallest one, with a straw hat balanced on his head, called cheerfully. Rosinante had seen that hat before, on wanted posters. Which meant this must be Luffy- Garp’s grandson who had been charmed by Red-Haired Shanks.

“Hey Gramps,” the only blonde of the group said with a wave. Garp regaled Rosinante with enough stories about his boys that evening for him to know this was Sabo- a street rat from the other side of the island who often served as a ringleader in the boys’ schemes. 

Which meant the last boy, grinning sharply down at them, had to be Portgas D. Ace. Rosinante wasn’t sure how Garp handled two boys who inherited the will of D. He barely managed with one. 

Then Rosinante remembered Garp was a D. himself. No wonder he wore Sengoku out so easily.

“Hey. Gramps.” Ace’s voice was more a challenge than a greeting. “Go fuck yourself.” 

Rosinante fought the urge to choke on his own tongue. Garp’s face went red. Even if he couldn’t understand the words, Ace’s tone and smug grin were painfully clear. 

Rosinante was distracted from Garp starting a tirade by a figure making their way down the treehouse’s ladder. 

It seemed Luffy noticed the same thing. “Be careful, Torao!”

Rosinante’s hands twitched with the effort of keeping them by his sides. Law wouldn’t appreciate Rosinante stepping up to help him. Wouldn’t appreciate being coddled, even if Rosinante could see his legs shaking. But he wasn’t going to grab Law, not when he didn’t know if his touch would be welcome. 

When he didn’t know if his presence would be welcome.

A few agonizing minutes later, Law was on solid ground and staring up at Rosinante. He scratched a faded pale patch on one of his arms- the only nervous tic Rosinante ever saw from him. 

Neither of them knew what to say. 

Law settled on saying nothing at all, instead taking a deep breath and opening his arms to Rosinante. He didn’t hesitate before dropping to his knees and pulling Law into a fierce hug. Law’s arms wound around his neck, and his head tucked against the hollow of Rosinante’s throat. 

Law trembled slightly, but Rosinante didn’t acknowledge it. His hands were shaking too, after all.

There were so many ways he could have lost Law. To Doflamingo. To the Amber Lead. To the fact that he was a Marine. 

(There were so many ways he could still lose Law.)

“I knew for awhile,” Law admitted, his voice muffled by Rosinante’s shirt and the rounded shape of Northern. Garp somehow made his way into the treehouse to give them space, but Rosinante taught Law to be wary of prying ears. “I knew back on Minion. But I wanted to pretend I didn’t.” 

“I wanted to pretend too,” Rosinante said, holding Law a bit tighter. The fact that Law allowed it, that he squeezed Rosinante back, told Rosinante more than words could. 

“There are things I need to tell you,” he said. “About how I grew up. About being a Marine.” He hoped, desperately, that his birth as a noble wouldn’t be what drove Law away from him. He felt Law tense in his arms, and ran a careful hand up and down his back. 

“Nothing like that,” he promised. “Never anything like that.” 

For all that Rosinante had done for the Navy, lying and killing alike, there was never anything comparable to Flevance. He would die before aiding a genocide. Would die before killing children.

Law relaxed again with a shaky exhale. Nodded. His arms loosened a bit, and Rosinante took that as his cue to let go. Law stepped out of his arms, but didn’t go far.

“I meant to come back sooner,” he said. “I got distracted.” 

Rosinante shook his head. “I told you to take as long as you needed.” He smiled at the treehouse, where Garp was herding his grandsons down the ladder, keeping a tight grip on Luffy. “It looks like you made some friends.” 

Law shrugged and scratched his arm again. “They’re weird, but funny. Luffy ate a Devil Fruit too.” 

“Oh.” Rosinante sat back and watched Garp try to corral his other two grandsons as Luffy wrapped strangely long arms around his neck. That explained some of Garp’s worry over the boys, as well as his resentment of Shanks. A Devil Fruit wasn’t likely to end up in a village as small as Foosha without a pirate’s involvement. 

Garp successfully caught Ace and Sabo in something that looked half like a hug and half like a wrestling move. He straightened out and marched towards Rosinante as the boys resigned themselves to their fates and slouched against his chest. 

“Let’s head back into town. Something tells me the boys haven’t eaten yet.” 

Apparently food was the magic word with Garp’s grandsons, who burst into an intimidating round of cheers. Law shot Rosinante a helplessly confused look. Rosinante couldn’t help but throw his head back and laugh. 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Law took hearing about Rosinante’s past better than he hoped. He half expected his childhood as a noble to be the final straw for Law. Instead, Law told him he couldn’t help where he was born, and that he didn’t act like a ‘complete bastard,’ so it didn’t matter. 

They both knew it mattered. 

Law traced the scars on Rosinante’s hands and arms with careful fingers and burning eyes. Rosinante wouldn’t be able to tell him they hadn’t hurt. Law understood the body far too well to believe that. Rosinante resolved, then, to never tell Law about his knees. Law would worry over them, over him, far too much. But there wouldn’t be anything he could do. Every doctor Sengoku took Rosinante to said the same thing: they healed wrong when he was too young, and his body developed around the mangled parts. Any surgery would be more risk than it was worth. 

It wasn’t so bad, in the temperate East Blue. They didn’t ache or lock up the way they did in the Northern cold.

After a few minutes of cataloguing the wounds on Rosinante’s arms and grinding his teeth, Law softened. 

“That language you whisper in sometimes,” he said. “What is it?”

Rosinante was surprised Law noticed. He either had incredibly sharp ears, or he wasn’t asleep half the times Rosinante thought he was. 

Sadly, Rosinante was certain it was the latter. 

“It’s the language of Marie Geoise,” Rosinante sighed. “The language of my family.” 

All his family but Senoku, that was. Sengoku and now Law. 

“Even Doflamingo?”

Rosinante tried to swallow around the lump in his throat. “Even Doffy.” 

Law stared down at his lap. His hands squeezed Rosinante’s.

“Will you teach it to me?”

Rosinante’s eyes widened. An old taboo stole the breath from his lungs. 

To the Celestial Dragons, teaching a commoner the Holy Tongue would have been the greatest sacrilege. A betrayal like no other. One so severe that even Rosinante’s parents never did it. 

But Rosinante hadn’t been a Celestial Dragon in a very long time. 

“I’d be happy to,” he breathed. 

Law released his hand, only to shuffle closer and lean against his side. He even let Rosinante wrap an arm around him.

After that, Law took the news of Sengoku’s visit significantly worse.

He shut down, briefly, his breath catching and his hands curling into fists. He didn’t look up at Rosinante when he told him he needed to leave. Told him that Luffy and his brothers invited him to go fishing, and that he would be back after sundown. 

It seemed he was trying to handle his anger, his grief, without lashing out. Rosinante wouldn’t stop him. Instead, he did his best to stay busy around Makino’s bar on the off chance that Law came back early and needed him.

It was a bit before midnight when Law returned, creeping into their room and pressing himself wordlessly against Rosinante’s side. 

For awhile, the only sounds were the rumbling chatter of the bar below and the cricket song from outside.

After a few minutes, Law spoke. “He’s the Fleet Admiral.”

“He didn’t know.” 

“How?” Law snarled, an old, familiar anger sharpening his voice. “How could the Fleet Admiral not know?” 

“Because the government is corrupt and cruel,” Rosinante said. It wouldn’t be good to lie to Law here. Not again. Not about this. “There are people in power who know what Sengoku would never approve of, so they do it behind his back. They do it, and they burn records, and send bribes so he doesn’t find out.” 

Few people knew how little Sengoku actually controlled. So much of what he did was standing as a figure-head. 

Law made a pained sound. Covered his face with his hands and ducked his head to his chest. Rosinante pressed on anyway.

“I spoke to Garp about it. Sengoku tried to run an internal investigation, but with the ruling family dead there was no one to fund it. Not that they ever would have.”

He took a shaking breath. Reminded himself that not knowing would only hurt Law more.

“There were only a few, vague records left. As far as Sengoku could tell, all the others were burned.” 

That, it seemed, was too much for Law. He started sobbing, curling in on himself and Rosinante’s side as Rosinante dragged him into his lap and against his chest. 

“So that’s all it took?” Law hiccuped, one of his hands twisting to grab Rosinante’s shirt. Anchoring himself against Rosinante. “A few burnt papers and it- it never happened?! We never happened?!” 

He made a sound like a dying animal, pressing his face against Rosinante’s chest and quickly soaking his shirt with tears.

Rosinante didn’t try to hush him, didn’t offer any meaningless platitudes. Law would never accept them, in the same way he would never accept pity. 

“It happened. Nothing can change that,” Rosinante growled, fighting to keep his voice steady. He was angry, so soul-burningly angry about what Law was forced to endure.

It was the same anger he wielded as a weapon, when he wasn’t much older than Law. The same anger that drove him to burn the hospitals that turned Law away, that made Law cry. 

The anger he wished he didn’t have. The anger he shared with Doflamingo. 

“The people who did it will be punished. In this life or the next.” 

Rosinante didn’t believe in fate as an unknowable, intangible force. He believed in fate as something that was made, something resting in a person’s hands. Something that depended on the strength of a person’s will. 

Law was the most strong-willed person he’d ever met. 

“What if I don’t believe in another life?” Law asked, breathless and horrible.

This was dangerous territory, Rosinante knew. But he promised himself he wouldn’t lie to Law again. 

“Then we work to see them punished in this one.” 

Law stilled for a moment. Took a deep, shuddering breath.

“I won’t ever be a Marine,” he said. 

Rosinante ran a hand through Law’s wild hair. He didn’t take his hat when he left that morning. 

“I wouldn’t ever ask you to be one,” Rosinante told him. He meant it too. 

He knew Sengoku would want Law to join the Marines. Rosinante would make sure he never brought it up in front of Law. 

Sengoku wouldn’t like it. He would think Rosinante was encouraging Law to be a pirate through inaction. But Rosinante didn’t think he was being that passive. Law would be whatever he wanted to be. Rosinante would watch over him as long as he wanted it. 

Sengoku would just have to make peace with his grandson being a pirate. 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rosinante sent Law off to Ace, Sabo, and Luffy’s treehouse the moment he spotted Sengoku’s ship on the horizon. (Apparently Law had been sparring with the boys. They showed their bruises off to Rosinante and Garp proudly. Law was a far gentler teacher than his were.) Law didn’t hesitate or complain, he only grabbed his hat, gave Rosinante a quick hug, and waved to Makino as he swept out of the bar. He wasn’t comfortable being around Navy ships. Wasn’t even comfortable seeing them. 

Rosinante watched the ship approach from his window over Makino’s bar. When it docked in the harbor, he slipped out of the bar’s back door and into the woods, silencing himself as he went. 

He trusted Sengoku, and he trusted Garp, but he didn’t trust the men Sengoku would be bringing. Not implicitly. 

Not again. 

He settled himself down on a fallen log and braced his head in his hands. His Observation Haki was good enough to cover the village and the nearby coast. He could recognize Law, a bright spot a few miles away, moving with Garp’s boys. Sengoku and Garp were forceful presences, making their way through the town to the woods. Closer and closer to Rosinante. 

It was only a few minutes before Rosinante heard their voices. 

“If this were anyone but you, I would be suspicious, Garp,” Sengoku said, his voice tense. The sound of it made a pit grow in Rosinante’s stomach. 

“Is that a compliment or an insult?” Garp laughed. 

“It’s simply a fact. You don’t have a scheming bone in your body,” Sengoku told him. “It’s a wonder where your son came from.” 

With that they walked into a clearing, and Rosinante’s line of sight. 

Sengoku looked tired. He had clearly lost weight, and there were bruise-dark shadows under his steely eyes. Rosinante never thought of him as an aging man. He held himself too proudly for that. But now his features were haggard and worn- grief etched into every line of his face Rosinante never noticed before. Garp held up a hand to stop him, and he nearly stumbled. 

Rosinante ignored the way his hands shook. Ignored the way his stomach rolled. Ignored the horrible, choking lump in his throat. He let his bubble of silence grow to cover the clearing. 

“Garp, what are you-“ 

Sengoku’s eyes landed on Rosinante. 

His mouth dropped open. 

Rosinante was up and crossing the clearing before either of them could blink, dragging Sengoku into a smothering hug. 

“I’m sorry,” Rosinante said, and Sengoku’s arms snapped around him like a vice.

Sengoku held him bruisingly tight. It sent twinges of pain through Rosinante’s still healing wounds, made his ribs ache. He didn’t care. Sengoku had thought he was dead, and now he was crying against Rosinante’s shoulder. 

Rosinante had never seen him cry before. 

“How?” Sengoku asked, his voice shaking as much as his body. 

“I don’t know,” Rosinante told him, just shy of hysterical. “I thought- I knew I was…” he took a deep, heaving breath. Pushed the thought of dying out of his mind. “Law saved me. I don’t know how.”

He knew, generally, that Law saved his life using his Devil Fruit, but he still refused to share any details. Just like he refused to tell Rosinante how he healed himself. 

Law told him about Flevance. He wouldn’t say anything about this. 

Rosinante wasn’t sure he wanted to know. If it was bad enough for Law to keep it from him, he didn’t know if he could stomach it.

“Doffy has spies in the Marines,” Rosinante said, before Sengoku could press about Law. There would be time for that later. He pulled back just enough to look Sengoku in the eye, but didn’t let go of him. “I don’t know how many, but at least one is a Lieutenant called Vergo.”

Sengoku’s teary eyes hardened. “Vergo? You’re certain?”

Rosinante wasn’t going to tell Sengoku any details. Wasn’t going to tell him how he was beaten. How many times he was shot. Wasn’t going to tell him how certain he was of his own death. 

Instead he said, “he’s Doffy’s man through and through.” 

“He’s been following me around lately, insisting on ‘supporting me through my grief’,” Sengoku snarled. Rosinante’s blood ran cold. 

Sengoku saw the fear in his eyes and softened. One of his hands came up to cradle the back of Rosinante’s neck- a familiar gesture from a time that Sengoku’s hands dwarfed his. 

 “I haven’t let him anywhere near me,” Sengoku promised, and Rosinante could breathe again. 

“He’s probably waiting to see if I’ll get in contact with you,” he said. “...Which means Doffy isn’t sure I’m dead.”

That was a terrifying thought. 

Rosinante knew it would happen sooner or later. Knew that Doflamingo wouldn’t be able to write off his disappearing corpse as the work of wild animals for long. He was too paranoid for that. 

But still, imagining Doflamingo tearing through North Blue looking for him, looking for Law, leaving his dog to follow at Sengoku’s heels… 

“I’m glad you’re safe,” Rosinante said.

Sengoku laughed- a sharp, waterlogged sound. He cradled Rosinante’s face in his shaking, calloused hands. “You? I’m the one whose son has come back from the dead.” 

Rosinante made a noise embarrassingly close to a sob. “I never meant for you to think I was dead,” he promised. “But it wasn’t safe to contact you. I needed-“

“You were looking out for more than just yourself,” Sengoku cut him off, idly brushing a tear from Rosinante’s cheek. “You were looking out for that boy. The one with the Amber Lead.” 

“He doesn’t have it anymore,” Rosinante said, finally stepping out of Sengoku’s hold. 

“The Devil Fruit?” Sengoku asked, his expression serious. 

Rosinante nodded, trying not to tense too much. This would be the moment that decided if he would go back to the Marines, or be forced to run from two powers. 

He didn’t want to lose a father again. But he would do it, he would walk away, if it meant saving Law’s life.

Sengoku sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. He ground his teeth. Rosinante held his breath. 

“We could spin it in Rosinante’s favor.”

Garp’s voice was an unexpected shock. Rosinante had half-forgotten he was there. Sengoku had too, if his widening eyes were any indication. 

“What do you mean?” Sengoku asked, unexpectedly eager. The fact that he was entertaining the idea at all...

“The Donquixote Pirates stole the Devil Fruit,” Garp said, spreading his hands. “How could we know which member did it? Commander Rosinante had reason to believe he was compromised, so he escaped and took the kid and the Devil Fruit with him.” 

None of it was even really a lie- Garp simply moved some things out of order. It could work, Rosinante realized, if people didn’t dig too deeply. There was only one problem.

“How do we explain the boy eating the Devil Fruit?” Sengoku asked, frowning the way he always did when he was deep in thought. 

Garp grinned. “An accident!” he laughed. “The brat was too sick to realize what he was eating.” 

Rosinante’s eye twitched. 

Sengoku glowered at Garp. “Who would believe someone ate a Devil Fruit by accident?” 

“My grandson did it,” Garp said with a shrug. 

“Is your grandson an idiot?” Sengoku snapped. Rosinante burst out laughing as Garp’s face reddened. 

“It could work,” he said, before Garp could start a fight. He didn’t think Foosha Village could survive one of Sengoku and Garp’s brawls. “Late stage Amber Lead poisoning can cause hallucinations. Who could know that it didn’t for Law?”

It was hard to mention that fact so casually. There was more than one time Law tugged at Rosinante, asking him to describe the world around them so he could be sure the poisoning hadn’t reached his brain. His mind was all he had, towards the end. He was so afraid of losing it. 

Garp grinned, triumphantly spreading his hands. “There we go! An easy solution.” 

Sengoku closed his eyes in a lightly pained expression. Rosinante chewed on his lower lip. 

“I wonder if we even need to say that much,” he said. 

“What do you mean?” Sengoku asked, his voice stern. 

He was speaking as the Fleet Admiral, then. Not as Rosinante’s father. 

Rosinante straightened up. “I took a sick child and a Devil Fruit away from the Donquixote Pirates. I was caught, and in that confrontation the Devil Fruit was lost. What more do I need to say?” 

He didn’t want the Navy focused on Law. He didn’t want anyone in power focused on Law. It wouldn’t lead to anything good.  

If it came out that Law was a survivor of Flevance… 

(A memory came to Rosinante’s mind of the Ohara incident. Of a little girl’s face on wanted posters.)

“Does anyone but you know that Law had Amber Lead specifically?” he asked Sengoku. 

Sengoku’s shoulders slouched. “I doubt it,” he said, dropping the authority in his voice. “Piecing together the boy’s origin was… difficult, to say the least. It’s unlikely anyone will investigate him to the degree I did.” 

“Why?”

“Because I thought he might be the answer to what happened to you.” 

Rosinante’s mouth went dry. His heart stuttered. 

Sengoku smiled thinly. “If nothing else, it seems I was right about that,” he said. “I never recorded anything I found about the boy. You don’t need to worry about that.”

Sengoku closed his eyes and took a deep breath, grounding himself the way he taught Rosinante to. 

“Could he keep up a lie you told him under scrutiny?” Sengoku asked. 

Rosinante’s mind came to a screeching halt. He could barely believe Sengoku was considering this. That he was planning for it. Rosinante did his best to gather himself, and focus on the matter at hand.

“Easily,” he told Sengoku.

He decided to leave out the fact that Law would take any opportunity he could to spit in the government’s face. Lying would be nothing for him. 

“What’s the plan, then?” Garp asked, a rarely heard seriousness in his voice. 

“We’ll deal with Vergo first,” Sengoku said with a nod. “We’ll try to bring any other spies down with him. We can spin Rosinante not checking in as intentional rather than him going AWOL. The boy…” he trailed off with a sigh. “We’ll work the boy into it.” 

“Law won’t go into Marine custody.” Rosinante decided now was as good a time as ever to bring that up. 

“Why not?” Sengoku asked, his voice sharp. That commanding bark never intimidated Rosinante as much as it did Sengoku’s troops. 

(Maybe it was because none of them ever found Sengoku sprawled out on their living room floor, singing nonsense songs to his pet goat as he fed her treats. That kind of thing softened one’s image of a man.)

“Flevance,” Rosinante said simply. “It’s a minor miracle that Law forgave me for telling him I wasn’t a Marine. Another miracle that he agreed to be civil with you.” 

“Civil?” Sengoku asked. 

Garp cut in. “Means the kid won’t pull a knife on you.” 

Sengoku stared Garp down. “Did he pull one on you?”

“Nah,” Garp said. “Only ‘cause he didn’t have a knife to pull. But your kid gave him one the other day.” 

Sengoku shot Rosinante a look. He raised his hands in defense. “I’m not leaving him unarmed when Doffy’s after him.” 

“How many years has Doflamingo spent grooming him?” Sengoku asked, and Rosinante grit his teeth. “How sure are you that he won’t go back to him?” 

“I’m very sure,” Rosinante hissed, his voice hard as he rolled his shoulders back and straightened up. 

(Like a cobra rising to strike, Doflamingo laughed, once.) 

He might not have been certain a few months ago, but any good will, any tolerance Law had for Doflamingo died when he shot Rosinante. He was probably higher than the average Marine on Law’s shit list, at this point. 

Sengoku had never quite figured out how to deal with Rosinante when he was angry.

“I didn’t mean to… doubt either of you,” he said. The lie was so bad he flinched as he said it. 

But Rosinante recognized the intention, and forced himself to let it go. “Just… just don’t say anything like that around Law.” 

“I won’t.” 

Garp grinned. “This is going to be a disaster, isn’t it?”

Rosinante sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. He didn’t want to admit out loud that Garp was certainly right. 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Garp was mostly right. 

Predictably, Sengoku had no idea how to act around Law. 

Even more predictably, Law hated Sengoku on principle. 

Rosinante was sure the only reason he didn’t bolt or try to attack Sengoku was because he attached himself to Rosinante’s side. He was intent on keeping his promise to be civil. Rosinante wouldn’t admit it out loud, Law would smack him if he did, but it was painfully endearing.

To Rosinante, at least. Sengoku looked just as ready to run as Law did. 

The meeting was agonizingly awkward and stilted. Thankfully, Garp brought Luffy to ease some of the tension. He was currently chatting Sengoku’s ear off in barely passable Grand, telling him a story about almost being eaten by crocodiles. 

Rosinante hoped it was just a story, but considering the alarmingly proud look on Garp’s face, it wasn’t. 

Luffy was simultaneously providing a distraction for Law, having offered Law his hand when everyone settled in Makino’s closed bar. Law was carefully experimenting with seeing how far he could stretch Luffy’s fingers, and trying to feel the rubbery bones beneath the skin. He was clearly having a wonderful time with it, if the grin crawling across his face was any indication.

The light in his eyes visibly unsettled Garp and Sengoku. Rosinante knew Law noticed this, and was fairly sure he was playing it up. 

“Luffy-ya, do you bleed?” he asked. Sengoku looked at him sharply. Luffy barely paused in his storytelling. 

“Just if I get cut!” he chirped, before launching into another story of almost getting eaten- this time by a large wildcat. 

Law only hummed, stretching Luffy’s skin and holding it up to the light to see the veins running below the surface.

Rosinante leaned down and whispered to Law in Flevean, “don’t be creepy on purpose.” 

“It’s not on purpose. I’m just curious,” Law said, which was a weak defense, seeing as he stared Sengoku down every time he asked Luffy a strange question. 

Rosinante raised an eyebrow at him. Law caved, and heaved the most put-upon sigh Rosinante ever heard. 

“Hey, old man,” he called to Sengoku, which was hardly polite but definitely better than however Law was thinking of him. Sengoku’s eye twitched a bit at the disrespect, but thankfully he didn’t say anything about it. 

“You raised Cora, right?” Law asked.

If Sengoku was confused by the name, he didn’t show it. Instead, he nodded. “I took him in when he was young.” 

Law stared at him for an uncomfortably long minute. Even Luffy fell silent to watch. 

“Then thanks,” Law said. 

Rosinante wouldn’t have been able to stop his smile if he tried. 

“I should thank you as well,” Sengoku told him, his lips twitching. “It’s my understanding that you saved his life.” 

Law nodded, shifting in a way that made it clear he was uncomfortable. Not with the praise, Rosinante knew, but with the reminder. 

“I’m a doctor,” he said, simply, and went back to playing with Luffy’s hand. 

Rosinante shot Sengoku an approving look, both to thank him and to keep from pushing his luck. Luffy helped that as well, poking at Sengoku and asking him if he’d ever seen a Sea King. Garp took over answering that, tugging Luffy out of Sengoku’s personal space before he could start climbing on him. 

“Are you doing alright?” Rosinante asked Law. 

Law shrugged. “I don't like this. Or him. But I get to kill two birds with one stone.” 

Rosinante did not get a chance to ask what, exactly, Law meant by that.

“Luffy-ya,” he called, waiting till he had the other boy, and everyone else’s, attention. “Does this hurt?”

He brutally bent one of Luffy’s fingers until it touched the back of his hand. 

“No,” Luffy said, oblivious to the horrified adults around him. “Should it?”

“Yes.” Law smiled, all bared teeth. “Do your bones break?” 

“I don’t think so,” Luffy shrugged. Law lit up. 

Before anyone could stop him, Law braced Luffy’s arm and twisted his hand completely around. It was a clear, practiced movement that would break any other person’s wrist. Luffy laughed. 

“Can you move your fingers?” Law asked, briefly meeting Sengoku’s horrified stare. 

“Yup!” Luffy chirping, obligingly wiggling each one. 

“That’s fascinating,” Law muttered. Luffy grinned at him, as if he understood the compliment. It absolutely was a compliment, coming from Law. 

Law pinned Luffy’s wrist down and continued twisting it, like he was turning a corkscrew. Luffy went back to his conversation with Garp.

Rosinante looked at Sengoku. He was staring at Law, one eye twitching, with a concentration similar to when he was putting together a puzzle. 

A slightly disturbing puzzle, in this case. 

“Cora, do you have a notebook?” Law asked, finally letting Luffy go and watching his wrist spin back into place with an almost manic fascination. His fingers twitched lightly. 

Rosinante knew all about Law’s hobby of small animal dissection. If it were anyone else Rosinante would find it unpleasant, but Law got so excited when he talked about veins, and nerves, and the way tendons strung a body together. It was a good thing Law had enough manners not to ask if he could cut Luffy open. Rosinante wasn’t sure Luffy was sensible enough to refuse. 

There was a small notebook and a pen in Rosinante’s pocket. He pulled them out and handed them to Law, who started writing frantic notes. 

“Is this… normal? For him?” Sengoku asked, watching Law write. 

Rosinante wished he could tell him it wasn’t. 

“Pretty much.”

It was better not to tell Sengoku this display was tame by Law’s standards.

But Law’s curiosity was satisfied. Sengoku was deeply unnerved. Two birds with one stone indeed. 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“The boy is certainly… unsettling,” Sengoku said, staring up at the windows over Makino’s bar. Law went to bed hours ago, and Garp left with Luffy not long after. After that, Rosinante and Sengoku settled behind the bar, passing a flask of rum back and forth. 

Rosinante looked at Sengoku, accepting the flask when he was offered it. He would wait to be offended. Sengoku might have a point beyond insulting Law. 

He could almost see why some people thought Law was unsettling, but he didn’t agree. Law was too easily flustered, too easily riled. Too fascinated by the most surprising things. Too genuine in his rage and his joy. Too small. Rosinante struggled to see him as anything other than endearing. 

“But he’s your son.”

Rosinante struggled to swallow the lump in his throat. “I don’t think he sees me as a father. I don’t think he could.” 

From what he told Rosinante, Law’s father was an incredible man. A man that Law loved and admired. A man he had, at one point, wanted to be like. It wasn’t Rosinante’s place to compare himself to him. 

“It’s obvious that he loves you,” Sengoku said. He snatched the flask from Rosinante before he could knock the rest of the rum back in an impressive display of self-pity. 

(He knew Rosinante’s habits well. Half the reason they ever drank together was so Sengoku could be sure he didn’t drink too much.)

“He does.” Rosinante meant to agree, but the fear crawling up his throat turned the words into a question.

Sengoku knew Rosinante well enough not to call it out. Instead he stood and grabbed Rosinante’s arms to haul him to his feet, and into a hug. Rosinante melted into the embrace. He clung to Sengoku like he did as a child. It was difficult, now that he was taller than Sengoku, but they managed.

“I have a week in Foosha,” Sengoku said, his voice rough and unsteady. 

Rosinante swallowed a sob. Nodded against Sengoku’s shoulder. 

“We can make a plan in that time.” Sengoku squeezed Rosinante sharply, then pulled back just enough to cup Rosinante’s face in his calloused hands. Tears ran tracks down his face, even as his lips curved up.

“You’re alive.” 

Rosinante hiccupped. He tried to bite down the feeling rushing up his throat before he remembered this was Sengoku. This was his father. Rosinante sobbed. He clung to Sengoku and wailed, breaking down in a way he hadn’t since he was a child. Since the first time Sengoku made him feel safe. 

It had been too much. 

Everything with Doflamingo. Living when he should have died. Law drifting every day between death and life. It was too much. 

It was all too much.

Sengoku was steady as ever, holding Rosinante upright. Running a hand over Rosinante’s back, a hand through his hair. Taking clear, long breaths that were easy to match. Easy to fall into rhythm with, even if Rosinante’s chest rattled as he did. 

Sengoku didn’t try to soothe him. To hush him, or promise everything would be well. It would only set Rosinante off again if he tried. Instead, he held Rosinante close for as long as it took his grief to run dry. For as long as it took him to gather the pieces of himself together. 

When he straightened up, his hands stayed- balled tightly in the fabric of Sengoku’s coat.

Sengoku was wearing a smile Rosinante had never seen- the smallest tilt to his lips, his eyes pained and warm all at once. Rosinante untangled his hands from Sengoku’s coat, squeezing his shoulders before letting his arms fall to his sides.

Sengoku reached up to wipe the last tears from Rosinante’s face.

“I’ll be back tomorrow,” he promised. Rosinante could only nod and watch him leave, too choked up to speak. 

Rosinante stood alone in the dark for a long time, breathing deeply and grounding himself as best as he could.

Once he felt he wasn’t about to start crying again, he slipped back inside. He made a bubble of silence around himself as he snuck into his and Law’s room. There was barely enough moonlight spilling in from the window for Rosinante to see where he was going. He used the small washbasin by his bedside to clean the makeup from his face.

He knew he should regret the tattoos. But instead he found, time and time again, that he didn’t. They were a reminder of something wonderful just as much as they were a reminder of something awful.

There was a rustling sound behind Rosinante. He turned to find Law sitting up in his bed. 

“Cora?” he asked, his voice thick with exhaustion. 

“I didn’t mean to wake you,” Rosinante said, stepping forward to ruffle Law’s hair. 

He lazily slapped Rosinante’s hand away. “I was already awake. Mostly.” 

Rosinante hoped Law would sleep better once he was cured, but he didn’t really expect it. Amber Lead was far from the only thing that plagued him.

“Insomnia again?” 

Law didn’t answer. Instead he ducked his head, his clenched fists twisting the bedsheets. 

“Law?” Rosinante prodded, kneeling by his bedside. 

“You’re a fucking idiot, Cora,” Law snapped, so sharp that Rosinante flinched back. 

“Wh-”

“You’re an idiot.” His voice was a hiss- sharp and cold. “You’re an idiot who’s so used to his Devil Fruit he can’t tell how damn loud his voice is.”

Rosinante’s mouth went dry. He took a shuddering breath.

He almost didn’t notice Law start to cry; his shoulders shaking, his small chest heaving.

“I already said we’re family, didn’t I?” 

Rosinante’s body moved before his mind could catch up, opening his arms for Law to fall into. 

“I’m sorry,” Rosinante breathed, as Law’s arms wound around his neck. “I’m sorry for not listening.” 

“Just don’t do it again,” Law snarled, but the sound was softened by the way he clung to Rosinante. 

He let himself relax into the hug. Let himself trust that Law wasn’t going anywhere. Wouldn’t be lost to him in the night- to sickness or to Doflamingo. 

“I love you, Law.” 

Law’s hold tightened. 

Rosinante had a son.

[my-muses-in-op]

Conversation in the night

Ann sighed and looked out the window. Another night where her mind wouldn’t give into sleep. It happened frequently, still it annoyed her. The lack of sleep made her vulnerable and while she was safe here, she still didn’t like it.

She pulled her knees to her chest and hugged them, as she stared at the darkness outside, though it wasn’t as dark as part of her heart. The moon and stars shined brightly tonight, making the dark seem less scary. It was actually a beautiful and breathtaking sight, one she often saw thanks to her insomina.

Suddenly a blanket was pulled over her shoulders and she looked at Marco, who gave her a soft and understanding smile. He sat next to her, putting his arm around her shoulder and pulling her closer. Another sigh left her lips, as she let the safety of Marco embrace her. He knew just what to do and say. Sometimes it could be harsh, but in the end it was for the better and helped her.

“Wha’s on you mind, yoi?” His soft voice broke the silence, worries clearly in his tone. She leaned her head onto his shoulder. “Everything and nothing. Mostly my regrets though...” She trailed off. It was bitter to admit she had regrets, as she had sworn with Luffy and Ace to live without regrets and yet she had them. Not just one or two, but a few.

Marco hummed lightly. “I can relate to that. Even if you intend on not having any regrets, you can’t go through life without having some. Based on decisions you made, but in hindsight could have made better. It’s part of life, Ann. You know this, so why does it bother you, yoi?” His blue eyes shined lightly in the light from the sky outside.

She closed her eyes. He was right, she knew this and yet she couldn’t find a solution to why her heart and mind kept her awake over regrets. “I ... I should have told him...” She mumbled, making Marco look curious at her. He got a feelig she wasn’t talking about Ace, as her twin knew almost everything about Ann.

Marco caressed her cheek gently, letting her take the time she needed. He knew she wouldn’t be able to sleep, unless she had talked through this, but he didn’t want to froce her either. Progress came when you were ready. If you weren’t ready, you couldn’t move on.

“Do you know I think that I am not worthy of romantic love? That I feel that the cursed blood in my veins, the blood that keeps me alive, makes me unworthy to have any romantic relationships? How can I be so selfish and endanger another person, by being my significant other?” She shook her head lightly. “I never wanted to feel that kind of love... Still ... It happened. I fell in love.”

Marco had to fight hard not to show his anger at her words. He hadn’t thought her selfhate and insecurity were so deeply roothed in her. He had known she hated her father, but never would he had guessed she doubted her own existence or her own worth. Had Ace felt the same? Probably. It angered Marco to know that such wonderful people as Ann and Ace, had suffered so much because people were evil shits that knew nothing about life.

“Ann... I know you won’t believe me when I said you are worthy of any kind of love, but you are. Whoever taught you otherwise, were people who doesn’t understand life or love at all, yoi.” He wasn’t sure if he should ask her who she fell in love with. It probably was one from the crew, but who could it be? Marco wasn’t sure he wanted to know, though a part of him already had a feeling who it was.

She shook her head lightly. “Didn’t you see it for yourself, Marco? What the world truly think about Ace and me? We shouldn’t have lived at all. Sengoku told that to our face and people fucking agreed with him.” She growled lightly, not liking how Sengoku had made her feel, how he’d meade Ace feel, by revealing who their father was.

Marco held her a little tighter. “Even so, remember all the people who kept fighting, so Ace could get free. Not everyone thought you unworthy of their devotion. They fought with their lives to save your and Ace’s life. We failed on saving Ace, but you’re still here and I know for a fact everyone is thinking about how you are and if you’re okay, yoi.” The letters sent to him, once Ann showed up in the newspaper again, was enough proof. He would show them to her later.

A sigh left her lips. “Maybe ... That’s why I regret not telling him how I felt and now it’s too late. I can’t stop loving him and my heart is bleeding, because I will never know how he feels... Did he think about me that way? Or was I just a sister?” She started to sob and it dawned on Marco that his intuition was right. That made him hold her tighter, rocking her softly.

“I’m so sorry, Ann. Had I known back then, I would have told you to not overthink things, yoi.” He would have, as he knew more about life and love than he would let others know. “Even so, I wouldn’t have told him... I’m just happy I can remember his smiles. They warmed me on days that felt cold. He was special.”

Marco nodded and kissed her head lightly. “That he was, yoi.” He didn’t let go of her. She was crying now and he kept holding her, rocking her soothingly. At some point, he noticed how her sobs were reduced and a little while after, she had fallen asleep. He picked her up and brought her to her bed. Gently he tugged her in, before sitting at the edge, watching her sleep for a little while.

“You should have told him. Even if it would have been short, you two would have been happy together, yoi.” He whispered softly, hoping that her dreams would be happy, if her uncoscious mind picked it up and converted it into a dream. Marco had known that that man also had been in love with her. However, due to Ann’s rejective nature when it came to romance, that man had never acted upon his feelings. If only Marco had known this sooner...

[neverwatchedonepiece]

483-484: ‘Looking for the Answer! Fire Fist Ace Dies On the Battlefield!’ and ‘The Navy Headquarters Falls! Whitebeard's Unspeakable Wrath.’

...

Actually watched these on Friday but was too bummed about what had happened to post. Turns out one of the spoilers was real, after all. Joy of joys. One more to go and then all I’ll have floating around my head is that Sanji has a sister.

Annoyed at the spoiler-tastic title, though. Thanks, Toei, for ruining that in advance. I was also unwittingly spoiled by the latest Uniqlo/SJ 50 t-shirt drop (but didn’t know it at the time because I was clueless about the panel’s context).

Yes, I am delaying the inevitable...

Better get on with it.

R.I.P. Fire Fist Ace

I am sad and mad at the waste of life.

Ace had so much to live for, but he had no regrets, so from his perspective, it is okay. I mean, the old cliche is true, right? Death is easy for the dead. Those they leave behind have to deal with the fallout. And Luffy is... beyond distraught. Catatonic with despair, actually, to the point Jimbei had to step in or else he would have been fried by Akainu.

Picking up where 483 left off, despite the Big Damned Spoiler Title, I knew Ace was not in a good way. If that title hadn’t ruined it, I might have thought even then that Ace would make it through. If Whitebeard can fight on with a hole in his chest, why couldn’t Ace? And the Pirate Alliance had Emporio Ivankov on their side, right?

There were a few final twists and turns, a few flashes of drama, before the quiet, sad moment happened. Garp rushing down to Ace, Sengoku having to pin him to stop Garp killing Akainu (I wish he hadn’t. I still want that Garp Monkey D. Family Team to happen). The nightmare fuel scene when Akainu was shot point blank by bazooka fire and walked back through the flames like a zombie with parts missing. The moment when Jimbei stood between Ace and Akainu “You will not touch him again! I have been ready to die since the beginning!” with Akainu retorting, “Looks like I need to execute a traitor.” Marco breaking free courtesy of Mr 3, enabling Luffy to take Ace away...

Damn, I really didn’t think Oda would have the cajones to kill off Ace. The moment was done well, though, so at least there’s that. Weirdly, the scene reminded me of Mufasa’s death (from The Lion King). Just Luffy’s fragile, tentative questions, “Hey. Hey... are you alright?” mixed with the horror of realisation something was terribly wrong when he placed his hand on Ace’s back and it came back thick with blood.

But still, he could deny it then. Ace could be treated. Ace could be cured. Emporio Ivankov was on his side!

Unfortunately, the damage was irreparable. Ace’s organs had been completely burned away. The moment Ivankov had to break that news was horrible. I felt so bad for Luffy. He tried to bargain desperately: “You can’t die! You promised you would never die, no matter what!”

Knowing he didn’t have much time left, Ace took advantage of the quiet moment to have a last talk with his little brother. I liked how Toei froze the battle, cast everything and everyone but Ace and Luffy in greyscale, because for that moment, the only alive people in the world were two brothers. 

“I wouldn't even have had a will to live if it weren't for Sabo and a high maintenance brother like you. If you see Dadan someday, say hello for me. When I face my own death, I even miss a woman like her. There is one thing that makes me wanna stay. That is my desire to see you fulfill your dream. But I'm sure that you can do it. Because you're my brother. Like we promised that day, I have no regrets in life. Something tells me that what I truly wanted was not fame. Did I deserve to be born? What I wanted was the answer to that question.

I can't raise my voice to let anyone hear anymore, Could you tell them what I'm about to say now? Old man, everyone, and you Luffy. Thank you... for loving someone like me: a good for nothing who has such bad blood in his veins... Thank you!”

Yeah, so at that point, I was just staring at the screen, watching Ace die and labouring under the same haze of denial as Luffy. It still wasn’t real. Then Ace’s eyes glazed over, the little flame inside him finally winked out and he slumped to the ground with a smile on his face. Even the vivre card burned to ashes.

Watching Luffy realise his brother was dead was worse than Ace’s last words. Eyes wide, he just stared at his blood-soaked hands and shook. “Ace...? Ace...?”

Then he screamed. The grief was too much and he shut down completely.

This is the second gut-wrenching loss Luffy has suffered in quick succession. As far as he’s concerned, he’s lost his crew. Now, he has lost his only brother. I wonder how this will affect Luffy going forward? I’m assuming Luffy will use Ace’s death to swear vengeance on the Marines and World Government. Take note, Marines: this is how you create a mighty enemy. Luffy does need to be stronger. But, damn, if that is not a harsh way to learn that lesson...

Oh, and I don’t ever want to see Jimbei sobbing again. That was too much on top of everything else. ;_;

Akainu Is Not A Good Person

He’s behind me, isn’t he?

That shot is honestly the only thing that cheered me up over these two episodes. I watched it three times and laughed like a drain every time.

Then it just got better because Oda let Whitebeard loose on Akainu and it was glorious! It’s as if Oda realised, “Yeah, the fans will be grieving and seething, let’s give them an outlet for their feelz.”

Akainu made another swipe at Luffy, but Marco stepped in. Unfortunately, Marco was wearing sandals. (Not the most effective footwear for facing off against Akainu. You’d need steel toe capped boots or special heat-entry PPE for that. Marco, you must update your look. Function over fashion. I know it will sting but it is for a good cause.) He couldn’t hold off Akainu completely. But someone who could rumbled up behind him.

Man... Whitebeard was mad. Beyond mad. “I will hammer you into the ground like a tent peg” mad. “I will punch you to pate” mad. I actually cheered when that first punch connected. The best part was when he grabbed Akainu by the collar, tossed him in the air and broke him with a devastating punch. I’ve never been happy to see someone bleed before. That was new.

But Akainu did get a hit in. Note to All Pirates: Do not let Akainu anywhere near your torso. Reblog to save a life!

It’s maybe too late for Whitebeard, though. I am not going to jump the gun again because Oda has subverted tropes before, but it seems like Whitebeard is intent on Marineford being his last stand. He split the battlefield so the Pirate Allies could escape, trapping himself on the other side with all the Marines. 

It was also satisfying to see Marineford sinking into the sea along with Akainu! I may also have cheered at this and laughed: “YES! BYE, SAKAZUKI! SINK INTO THE OCEAN AND DROWN!” A measured response? Absolutely not. Do I think he will be saved? Hopefully not!

Then Teach appeared.

This is the first time I was not excited to see him and his crew. I thought, “Come on, mate. There’s a time and a place...” 

But clearly, for Blackbeard, this is the perfect time and place.

Not Even In The Mood For Blackbeard

Teach has the chutzpah to turn up at Whitebeard’s last stand and advertise his new crew. I might be going off them. There are now ten Blackbeard pirates, so that’s my Individual Blackbeards vs Individual Strawhats theory up in smoke.  (Unless Luffy recruits another crew member. Then it’s back on!) 

So far, we have:

1. Blackbeard 2. Van Augr 3. Jacques Laffite 4. Jesus Burgess 5. Doc Q 6. San Juan Wolf 7. Catalina Devon 8. Shiryu of the Rain 9. Vasco Shot 10. Guy With Horns I Don’t Remember

Now it makes sense why Teach was sniffing about Impel Down. He was recruiting! Still don’t know what his game is, though. Why is he here now? What’s the point in having a chuckle at Whitebeard’s expense? Why advertise your new crew? I don’t think the Marines will be impressed that you took time off to recruit while there was a big battle going on.

I also have questions about San Juan Wolf.

How does San Juan Wolf fit on any ship? He is so massive he barely fits into shot and suffers from goddamned distance fade. Does he just trail after Teach’s ship like a massive, violent puppy? Where did they keep him in Impel Down? Would Ikea be interested in such space-defying dimensions?

I’ll have to stay tuned, I guess.

No, thank you, Ace. You’ve been great. ;_;

[petite-neko]

Chapter Characters: Law, Sengoku Pairing: LawLu Rating: T Warnings: Swearing, Universe Alteration, angst, canon-typical violence A/N:  WEDNESDAY UPDATES!

Also:  For my friendo MM: This is the chapter I've talked to you about. For the rest of you: Have fun :D PS: This is how I decided Law and Sengoku meet :D

.xxx. > Time/scene skip

.+++. > PoV change

(Wanna buy me a ko-fi? Link in blog description!)

Chapter 15 || Chapter 16: Strength || Chapter 17

Three days. It had been three days since the battle, and that was how long it took for Luffy to wake up.

Coincidentally, that was how long it took for the Marines to mobilise.

And, also, for how long it took for Doflamingo’s escort to arrive. And with that escort…

“The Buddha himself has also been spotted!”

Law felt himself stiffening.

How long? Just how long had it been since he had actually conversed with him...? By the time he had become a Warlord, the Buddha had retired. And, Law had made no actual effort to locate him. Had never sought him out, never indicated any interest in interacting with him…

And the war – it didn’t count. They didn’t really interact. Just two people on the opposite ends of a battlefield. One trying to kill Ace, another trying to save him.

It had been… well, ever since Doflamingo had become a Warlord. Of course – he hadn’t said anything about it except to increase security around him. To increase his solitude. Doflamingo couldn’t know.

Of course, that was only, really, an excuse to let him run away. Because, with Doflamingo being a Warlord – Law was not safe anymore. Not safe and…

Well pissed. And, so, after being left in the care of another Law took the first chance he could and ran. Ran away from the protection he once had, but had no longer. Away from the books and the training and the equipment he had been given. Away from the man who had taken him in…

”...So you are that child from that decimated city...”

The voice had caught his attention and he had looked up from what he was doing. That voice... yes, he recognised it. This... this was the man that Cora-san had been working for. This was the Marine.

“...And you, the marine.” He said bluntly before turning back to his work.

Truth be told, he didn’t know if he would have even succeeded - he was weak and feverish, the ground cold and hard, and... – but he was trying. Trying because it was the right thing to do and…

“I think Roicinante deserves a better resting place than here.”

The then-fleet admiral had found him alone.

(No, not alone. He had been accompanied by a frost-speckled corpse. One he had stolen from naval troops. Covered in the very blanket he had given Law to keep out the cold. To keep out the patches of white snow from sticking to his skin. To keep out the memories.)

Found him digging into the frozen dirt with scrap metal. Weak from the amber lead. Weak from the beatings. Weak from grief and guilt and gratitude. Ready to collapse with only determination driving him forward. Forward and… downward.

The marine had settled in - silently watching as he dug and dug and dug.

Time had meant nothing to him, he couldn’t stop. Because, if he did, their faces flashed into the forefront of his mind. The people he had left behind: the Sister, his friends, his parents, Lami. He had left them behind, left them alone and exposed and to the mercy of the elements and to those monsters.

He couldn’t - couldn’t - leave Cora-san behind like that.

Couldn’t leave him there, cold and alone and forgotten and….

Couldn’t leave him like he had left everybody else.

“He told me about you child.”

The noise, after so much silence, had jolted him but he did his best to ignore the old man.

“He cared very much for you.”

He didn’t want to think about that. Think about the way Cora-san had smiled at him and uttered those words and drew his hand up and made those stupid promises and… Law fought the sobs that threatened to overwhelm him. Couldn’t this bastard just shut up?

“As did I, him. He was like a son to me.”

Shut up, shut up!!!

“What gives you the right to burry him here?” He pressed, either ignoring, or oblivious to, the way his words were affecting Law. “Alone. Cold. Far from those he cares about? To take him away from his family?”

And that - those words - snapped something within him. The something he was trying to keep at bay. The something that he was trying to burry along with Cora-san...

His head violently jerked up towards where the man was sitting, out of the hole he was digging, yellow eyes narrowing into daggers and he jabbed the scrap metal into the ground.

“I should at least be allowed to burry one member of my family!”

Because - because Cora-san was the only one he had left. Everybody else... He had left them there. Hidden under their bodies... Used them…

He owed at least one of his saviours the proper respect...

Those eyes - they changed at his words. Softened and the marine approached his hole, reaching into it. Reaching towards him. “Then come with me child. Come with me and we can burry him together. In a place surrounded by those who loved him.”

Sengoku had found him, and welcomed him with open arms. Taken him under his wing. Protected and shielded him. Provided him with books and education...

And just what had Law done to reply him but to run away and become a pirate? Foiled his plans to execute Ace. And, then, his ungrateful ass hadn’t even bothered to seek him out while they still could meet under amicable terms.

Perhaps, perhaps, it had been cruel, to never seek him out …

But, no. No, all he had done was visit Cora-san’s grave. Visit it and leave the rim of his hat, and apologise for taking too long, and talk to him, and catch up, and....

”I’ll be seeing you again soon...”

Perhaps - perhaps that was why. He didn’t want to feel the guilt Sengoku’s gaze would have given him. He didn’t want to remember the mantle that had been placed on his shoulders...

He was like a son to me.

Law was afraid he would back out. Back out and never fulfill Cora-san’s mission. The mission he had compromised and failed in exchange for his life...

And now - now that man was here. Was here, looking for them.

For him.

.xxx.

“...Law.”

He turned at the voice.

“I see you’ve changed your hat.”

Law swallowed - because of where the remnants of his hat was.

“...And you, your position.”

Sengoku sighed and sat down on some rubble.

“You know that act won’t work on me Trafalgar. It didn’t all those years ago, and it won’t now.”

---Tch. Sengoku always used his surname when he was displeased with him.

“Well - at least that hasn’t changed.” He scoffed but found himself leaning against a taller piece of rubble.

“...Are you satisfied now?”

Law closed his eyes. Closed his eyes as he remembered his lash outs. Remembered the scoldings. Of Sengoku telling him to concentrate on his devil fruit. Concentrate on his studies. Of shoving books into his face when he found him sulking or brewing off in a corner...

Sengoku had never approved of his path of vengeance. He had never agreed with following in Cora-san’s footsteps...

Satisfied, was he?

Cora-san’s mission had been fulfilled. Doflamingo had been defeated and was now under the custody of the Marines. (Just like Cora-san had wanted...)

Cora-san would be -- but was he?

He had wanted blood. Blood and --

Peace.

Instead, what he got was a damn Strawhat interfering with his plans and --

“...Perhaps.”

A fucking kiss.

(Law pushed that thought from his mind once more.)

Silence had fallen between them as it normally did. Until Sengoku had decided to break it, like always.

“You do know I am disappointed in you Law.”

--What?

“You were planning on joining Rocinante, weren’t you?”

“Gwuah-?!”

How did he---

The Buddha sighed. “...When I heard you had become a Warlord, I suspected that you would visit Rocinante’s grave.”

“Tch - so I take it you overheard me then...”

God damned nosy bastard. Every fucking time...

“...He wanted you to live Law. Your life meant more to him than stopping his brother.”

That made him pause. Pause and wonder. Because he remembered: he remembered the only reason that Cora-san had drawn him away was after he told Baby 5 and Buffalo his full name. He held out his hand - held it out and stared at it. Was that it? What that truly it?

“My... life?”

He clutched his fist and closed his eyes.

“...Was that really the reason?” Because every single day he still found himself doubting. Despite the smile. Besides the admission of love. Besides... everything just... just how could somebody... “I had been with the Donquixote family for awhile before he had even bothered... It was only after he had found out that I was a D....”

“A D.?!”

So - Sengoku knew too?

Law looked up at the clouds and closed his eyes. “--Yeah, just like Luffy-ya. Cora-san... he told me to keep it a secret. That if Doflamingo had ever found out...”

Another sigh left the man that he supposed was his grandfather in a way...

“No. No Law. That wasn’t it. I am certain that he knew no details involving the name.” There was a pause, and Sengoku approached him slowly. “Rocinante saved you Law. Not a D. but a person he loved. So live. Live and remember him. You’ve lived for him. Lived to fulfill his purpose. And, now that you have - you’re free. Free from the amber lead. Free from the pain. Free from any grief. Free from any debt…”

It was weak - but Law nodded as he clutched into the brim of his hat as the emotions threatened to overwhelm him, just as they did before. When he tried to burry Cora-san, and Sengoku had reproached him for it.

Just like he was reproaching him now.

“I’d never thought I’d say this - not after they followed in your footsteps - but I’m glad I introduced you to those brothers Law.” A smile, now, was gracing those wizened features. “Tell them hello for me - hello and my apologies about the war. I was... only doing as I was ordered to Law. Unfortunately – you are pirates, and I a Marine…”

“Y-Yeah…” And – really. He didn’t blame Sengoku. Didn’t blame Garp, and he didn’t think Luffy or Ace did either. They chose this path… They chose it and the consequences that came with it.

And this time – this time – it wasn’t a hand reaching out for him, but a hand being placed on his shoulders. Acceptance. Acceptance and support. Acceptance and… a farewell.

“So stand strong now Law. Stand strong and live. Just like he wanted you to.”

[tooweirdforyou]

Hiiiii hope ur doing well❤. I was wondering if i could get Shanks with a female who he leave at the village the same day he leave luffy. And after a few year s/o was done waiting and decided to leave and become a pirate captain of a very dangerous crew with a very high bounty has all three Haki types [ A bout a Billion]. And s/o meets Shanks at the Marineford but s/o is all cold hearted and bitter. She still loves him but would never forgive for leaving her.

Have a good day/night❤❤❤

Shanks With An Old S/O From Years Ago

A/N : Oi, I hope y’all aren’t expecting an angsty ending 😖 no way am I going to do that.

note : originally, I was going to make this two parters, or at least begin with reader and Shanks before he left, but then it’d take even longer and I still have tons of requests to do.. and this is pretty short.

I changed it a bit too—

warning : MARINEFORD SPOILER * also, this is pretty different from the actual scene, I wrote my own scene because I can’t remember nor did I want to search it up.. so it’s my own scene but still contains spoilers!

Summary : Once lovers, now strangers, Shanks meets his significant other once more in a unexpected time and feelings are returned from the past.

-

Why now?

The old sinking feeling of your heart dropping down to your stomach was enough to make your blood run cold.

The sight of one of the four powerful emperors made you frozen in the spot.

Eyes widened in shock with mixed feelings bubbling up inside you, lips parted but no words could even begin to form. Not with him around, no.

Thoughts were interrupted by a deep voice.

“I think we’ve shed enough blood. Why don’t we end this war?”

Saving the young and brave, pink-haired marine from a tragic death from Akainu, Emperor, Akagami no Shanks had his signature smile present, hand gripping his sword and successfully blocking Akainu’s fist.

“I-It’s Red-Haired Shanks!”

“What is another Emperor doing here?!”

“Emperor, Red Hair Shanks. This war has nothing to do with you. What is your reason for your arrival?” Akainu scowls, raising his fist that was currently boiling with magma.

Shanks takes a small look around to see the damage done from the war that has just occurred, and amidst his scan, his eyes fall onto you.

His eyes turn wide from shock, while yours quickly turned away from him, to avoid his lingering stare and attention from the others.

Before anyone could notice the sudden awkward silence in the air, you began to walk off, your crew following suit.

Clearing his throat, Shanks turns back away, recovering from the shock of seeing you at a place like this before speaking.

“I believe we have had enough of this war. Many lives have been lost. What do you say, Sengoku?” Shanks then pulls a smirk on his face as he pulls back his sword from Akainu and held it out suggestively.

“Unless, you truly would like to continue it?”

Behind Shanks was his entire crew, Beckman smoking, Lucky Rue eating meat, Yasopp with his gun rest on his shoulder, etc.

Sengoku closes his eyes and remained silent before turning away. “We shall call it an end.”

Shanks nods as he sheathes his sword. “Very well. At least allow his family to give him and his son a proper burial as well. It’s the least you could offer.”

Referring to Whitebeard and the fallen Ace, you pause in your tracks after hearing Shanks.

Sengoku ponders for a minute before sighing. “I’ll allow that. But nothing else. Now, leave. Before I find myself a reason to start attacking you now.” Sengoku commands.

With that, the marines began to gather the injured, with the command of Sengoku, whilst the Whitebeard Pirates started to retreat, a few lingering back to recover their fallen people and the now deceased.

“[Name]. What should we do? The war has ended, and Straw Hat Luffy has retreated and being saved by Worst Generation Pirate, Trafalgar Law.” Your first mate reports, walking up to your side.

You look around the navy headquarters, seeing the mass destruction that has been caused and the pained and tearful expressions of the Whitebeard Pirates.

Though relief filled you from the thought of Luffy being saved, the overbearing pain you felt from seeing someone was taking over.

“..We’re done here.. let’s get—“

“[Name].”

That voice.

The familiar voice was nearly enough to make you stop, to think back on the many memories you had with him, to actually wait and see what the man wanted to say.

But you didn’t. You didn’t stop. You kept walking.

“[Name], wait. Can we please talk, for even just a minute?”

Reaching for your wrist, you instinctively tried pulling back but the Emperor’s grip was tight. But almost immediately, he let go and pulled his hands back to his sides.

You look at him, staring at his eyes that were filled with hurt and even the smallest hint of regret.

The sound of a blade un-sheathing from its scabbard interrupted your thoughts and you put a hand out, successfully stopping your first mate from harming the Red-Haired.

“Don’t. You’ll only cause unnecessary trouble.” You tell them, making them exhale and reluctantly turn away.

“What should we do, Cap?”

Exchanging glances with Benn and Yasopp, you receive a nod from the two of them and Benn faces the Red-Haired Pirates.

“Let’s head back to the ship.”

You turn to your own crew and directed your head in the direction of your own vessel. “We shall as well.”

Just as the others began walking, you stop, feeling Shank’s eyes lingering on you, waiting for your answer.

“.... Let’s talk then... we’ll talk on my ship and I’ll take you back to yours afterwards.”

Though you couldn’t see it, you could see the grateful smile that was forming on Shank’s lips as he nods at you. “Thank you.”

-

... Tension was eating away at the silence.

The two of you sat alone in the office. Your office. You stood behind your desk, next to your chair while Shanks stood in center of the room.

However, fortunately Shanks cut the silence by speaking.

“You’ve grown.”

“I have..”

Nodding once absentmindedly threw Shanks off for a second before he recovered.

“.. you’ve made quite a name for yourself. I’m surprised you became involved with this war though.” Shanks starts and you sigh, turning away.

“Someone had to watch over Luffy. Otherwise he would have gotten himself killed. God knows he needs someone to look after him after the person he idolized so much left him.”

You didn’t mean to start off so blunt and rude right off the bat, but it seemed to slip out.

However, Shanks wasn’t fazed but his expression merely softened and saddened at your words.

“Look..I didn’t have a choice, I-“

“Don’t give me that, you know damn well you perfectly had a choice.”

Shanks stammered for a second before letting out a heavy sigh. “[Name]. You have to understand..”

His gentle tone.

The way his body was striding over to you.

The way he slowly raised a hand to bring to your face.

And the way you just let him do as he pleased.

And you wish you didn’t feel it. But you did.

The same sparks.

You wanted to jump into his arms. Lean into his touch and let him hold you for all the years that went by.

But you couldn’t. You didn’t. You weren’t willing to make the same mistake twice.

You pulled away and pushing his hand aside, you walk around the desk and away from Shanks, arms at your side and practically hugging yourself.

Pain was evident in the two of you.

“Shanks, stop...”

Looking up at Shanks sorrowfully, you feel your chest ache and you knew Shanks did too. He felt the same sparks after all.

He knew he wasn’t the only one who was still having feelings.

“[Name]..” Shanks spoke in a hushed tone, carefully making his way around the desk to go back to you. This time, you didn’t stop him.

“Hey, look at me.. please.”

And you did.

“Believe me when I say this, I have never stopped loving you. You are the only one that has been on my mind all these years. I watched your bounties rise.. I checked in on the news on your growing fame and powerful crew by your side.. there has never been a time where I stopped thinking about you.”

Cupping your cheeks gently, caressing your skin with his thumbs, he leaned closer and closer until your noses touched together.

“I still love you, [Name]..”

He whispers out, staring into the abyss of your [ e/c ] just seconds before closing in on the space between you both.

Pressing his lips to yours, you felt the aching in your heart start to swell and fill it’s emptiness with the tiniest bit of warmth Shanks offered.

And you couldn’t help but kiss him back. Wrapping your arms around him, you let yourself just lean into his hold and all the pain you felt disappeared in seconds. You couldn’t even tell how much you longed to feel his lips against yours once more.

Eventually, you did pull away and look down, but felt Shanks press his forehead against yours and moved his hands down to intertwined them with your hands.

“You felt it too, right?..”

You couldn’t tell if you what you were feeling but regardless, you knew what he meant.

Nodding slowly, you breathe out softly and close your eyes.

“Still.. I can’t do this.. I’m afraid it’ll break again.”

“I promise I’ll fix it enough so it’s unbreakable. This time, I’ll make sure to stick around, and never leave your side again.... what do you say?”

Whether you were going to end up regretting it or not, you just couldn’t let this opportunity slip. Especially knowing Shanks was being genuine on his part.

“Fine.. Don’t ever leave me again.”

Feeling a uncontainable grin spreading across his face, he holds your hand tight and pulls them to his lips to kiss gently before smiling softly at you.

“I’m truly one lucky bastard, if I get another chance from you.”

-

A/N : hope you liked it and it was okay!! Thanks for requesting!

definitely rushed, I’m losing some motivation, and stressing from school ;-; soo, yeah. I’ll try to keeps these long but I’ll mainly be doing headcannons now ( sadly ) and they might be short.

Thank you for continuing to being supportive of me and I wish you all a great day / night! :)) 🤍

[victorie552onepiecespeedrun]

Reading One Piece pt 304: Whitebeard Arrives

Chapter 551

Thoughts:

- Fpos/cs: “Fat Usopp” that’s… that’s exactly what we get, yes

- Ace’s parentage is now known to the whole world and everyone is LOSING THEIR SHIT

- “It still exists! The bloodline of the Pirate King!” …ok? Who cares about BLOODLINE, that’s ONE GENERATION

(me: ‘ignores title of my last recap’)

No, I really think you need more than father and son to create that feeling of glamour we give important families. Either ridiculously long family tree or a LOT of kids will suffice for a “bloodline’ to make sense but this here doesn’t really count in my book

- but yeah, Ace being Roger’s son is a BIG THING. Do they expect Ace to be a Pirate King too? I mean, it was just a title. AND we still don’t know what Roger actually DID that made him so cool. He didn’t even told anyone what’s on the end of Grand Line goddammit. Was he disrupting WG’s work like Luffy does?

- at Marineford, everyone is like “holy shit” but in a very quiet way

- “He isn’t Luffy’s… brother by blood?” no, Hancock, he isn’t. Smoker and Mihawk are singled out and I don’t know why

- “His son was alive all this time! It’s incredible! Everybody associated with Roger was executed!” shut up, Moria. This continues to be horrible. Why? Because Roger’s crewmembers we know are all fine: Rayleigh, Crocus, Shanks, even Buggy. What Moria means is that everyone too weak to fight WG was executed. Their association with Roger was probably brief at best. This is disgusting

- “I thought his father must be Dragon too, since he’s Luffy’s brother!” “So did I! What’s going on here? They aren’t really brothers?” Coby and Helmeppo are confused. I love the gossiping :D I should be more curious about Ace and Luffy’s brotherhood but I’m fully expecting a big flashback that will Explain Everything at some point

- GARP FLASHBACK EVERYONE QUIET

- …

- so Roger and Garp were friends? Or enemies who respected each other. And Garp really didn’t want an innocent child to suffer. I can deal with that

- …I can’t deal with that

- Garp DID help her!!! (Ace’s mother Rouge)

- “If you’re a girl, I’ll name you Anne. If you’re a boy…” poor woman

- “You’re going to raise them, Dadan.” I heard that name before! Looks like Garp took Ace to his friend to raise him after Rouge’s death

- mini Luffy!!!

- end of flashback

- …ok, Garp probably didn’t raise Ace in the same way he didn’t raise Luffy but at least he kept him safe for 17 years. Then Ace went to the sea and, well, Ace’s an adult now. It’s his business to become a pirate or to be captured and/or killed. Garp still could have done something but still. Innocent child was protected. Not-so-innocent adult should live in a better world but that’s what you get when you have a totalitarian government looming over everything

- the point is, Garp gets a “There was an Attempt” Gold Star for his troubles and I’ll continue to like him very much. He got depths to him I don’t associate with Monkey name (maybe I should)

- Sengoku is still speaking

- “We weren’t the only ones who learned the truth. Whitebeard took you, a son of his former rival, aboard his ship… so that he could raise you to be the next Pirate King!” I LOVE THE DRAMA HERE

- “No! I joined Pops to help him become the King Of Pirates!” “You’re the only one who believes that.” Oh shit

- “Don’t you know why we were never able to touch you? Because Whitebeard was protecting you!” OH SHIT ACE’S FACE

- while I believe everything Sengoku says is true, I wonder where and how did he learnt all of that. Cipher Pol is that good?

- “But you had to be stopped. In time your abilities would eventually allow you to lead a new generation of pirates on a reign of terror! For this reason, your execution today is necessary!” what abilities, his fire power is great but not exactly stronger than other powers we saw. Or did Roger had a superpower he passed on to his son? Maybe the hearing voices thing? …Why am I thinking of Ohara?

- “Even if it means an all-out war with Whitebeard!!!” …I both understand and I don’t. This is the most honest reasoning on starting a war I ever saw. But honestly, WG wants to hide things that much they start a (World) War?

- what?

- The Gates of Justice are opening! On their own! (???)

- It’s Luffy!!!

- AGHDJHDHGS BUGGY

- no but seriously, who opened it

- !!!!!!

- It’s a pirate fleet! It must be Whitebeard!!!

- “… …You guys are here too?” I’m sorry, too? Does Ace knows something? Or did he not expect Whitebeard to come? He knows about Luffy? What

- Warlords are excited. This will a FIGHT

- Admirals collectively woke up from their naps

- …underwater?

- YES, UNDERWATER!!! Whitebeard’s ships are in the harbor!

- Ga ha ha ha… How long has it been, Sengoku?”

- THERE HE IS! WHITEBEARD!

“I’m coming, Ace!” “POPS!”

rOP 303  rOP 305

[imaginemarcothephoenix]

Imagine marco as a detective

Ask box is open!

Marco assumes that the business degree is what throws off most of his customers. It's framed neatly and put to the left of his desk, kept underneath the certificates that allow him to practice as a private detective in the tri-state area and a provisional license in a few of the neighboring states in case he had to do some traveling. But he's sure that his clients were expecting something more along the lines of criminal justice or law perhaps.

But it's just a bachelor's degree in business and Marco's rather proud of it, so he keeps it up and pretends not to notice the way that everyone's eyes linger on it like it makes him less qualified than the other people that came up when they googled for a detective. He wasn't even the first name that came up.

He was the most professional site that came up on the second page and one of the few that actually had some fairly decent reviews from the majority of the clients that they had. Marco made it a habit of trying to keep his clients satisfied, since he needed to keep them happy if he wanted to get paid at the end of the day.

However, most of Marco's clients were still passed to him by word of mouth, from one satisfied client to another, which is how he had ended up with Monkey D Garp seated uncomfortably in the chair directly across from him, his shoulders up and his mouth almost pulled into a frown.

"My name is Marco Newgate," he says politely handing Garp one of the embossed cards that his father had given him when he had first jokingly stated that he was going to open up a detective agency. "You're Garp, correct?"

"That's correct," Garp states calmly, his shoulders relaxing slightly. "I was recommended to talk to you by one of my college's, Sengoku says that you are trustworthy. That you're discreet and willing to work within the boundaries set by your clients."

"To an extent," Marco agrees slowly.

"I think my grandson, my youngest grandson, is getting into trouble. The older two brats are already getting into trouble. The oldest has gotten into something with one of the bigger crime families in the area," Garp shakes his head like he's upset and Marco wonders if he is or if he's suppose to be because he's a marine. "And the other one is involved with my anti-government son, Dragon."

"Dragon's in country again?" Marco asks curiously. He hadn't heard that, he would have thought that Ace would have mentioned that when he had mentioned seeing Sabo last, since his brother was Dragon's Chief of Staff, one didn't always mean that the other followed. "I hadn't heard."

"I want to make sure that my youngest is still on track to become a marine and not another disappointment like my other two grandsons."

Marco drops into his seat, "You want to pay me to find out what's going on with your grandson, the youngest of the three, because he's suppose to become a marine and you want to ensure that he's not going to have done something to ruin his chances of being that?"

"That's correct," Garp agrees. "Normally I would have asked one of my own men to look into it, but Sengoku recommended you after your work with the several of our civilian contractors, including Trafalgar Law."

"I was a pleasure to work with Law," Marco lies, because Law was a grouchy man who preferred to deal less with people and more with animals, except for his own surgical team, including Bepo, Sachi, and Penguin, who Marco did like. "He's been one of my favorite people to work with thus far. What is your grandson's name?"

"Luffy. Monkey D. Luffy," Garp states watching something behind Marco, Marco stares steadfastly past Garp, pretending that he didn't know what was going on. "There's someone outside your window."

Marco hums, "One of my siblings, I'm sure. Luffy, you said?"

"That's correct."

"I'm sure that I can look into what Luffy is currently doing. Would you like photographic evidence of what he's been doing? That does cost extra, since that would be printed out onto paper to avoid it being accessed any other way."

"That's fine."

Marco kneels down to the left of the puddle of something that smells disgusting as he angles his camera through a gap in the warehouse's siding, zooming in on the ring as the two fighters circled each other.

Monkey D Luffy was bouncing on the balls of his feet, opposite his opponent, smile bright and wide, eerily like his grandfather's.

"You do know that you are up to fight next," Izo states leaning against a wall, nose wrinkling as he frowns at the puddle. "What is that?"

"I don't want to know," Marco answers, shifting to balance himself better to take another round of pictures. "But Garp requested pictures of what his youngest is doing and I did agree to deliver. Just because we are in the same fight club doesn't mean that I am going to take pictures from inside the building."

"Not to mention Garp is expecting shoddy pictures like the old fashioned movies from when we were kids? Like the hard boiled detectives?" Izo says wiggling his eyebrows.

Marco snorts, "Exactly. He said that the website was part of why he hired me. The other was because Sengoku recommended me."

"I always feel so proud when my websites get you jobs," Izo says proudly. "Well finish up. You have fights and I want to see the pictures. If there isn't at least a few blurry ones than we will have to ask Luffy to go another round, we wouldn't want to disappoint Garp."

"We wouldn't," Marco agrees smirking as he takes another photo and struggles to his feet. "Alright. Let's go see what we're going to get out of this and if we need to convince him to go another round."

"Just one?" Izo teases.

Marco laughs, "Convincing him to stop is the real issue."