Chapter 12
The two pirate crews looked out at the vast, seemingly endless, white of clouds.
Meanwhile, back on the Sky Islands with the Strawhat pirates and the heart Pirates the two crews looked out at the vast, seemingly endless, white of clouds.
The two ships were slowly sailing closer to the entrance of the Sky Islands. Chopper was using binoculars to look around when he noticed another ship in the distance, and what seemed to be a guy on a… hoverboard? “Hey guys, there’s a…” he trailed off and screamed when the guy on the hover hoverboard destroyed the ship.
“Say, what’s wrong Chopper?” Sanji asked nonchalantly as he walked up beside Chopper, a cigarette dangling from in between his lips. “What’s the deal, did you see something out there?” He took a drag from his cigarette and exhaled a plume of smoke into the air, watching the clouds drift lazily around them.
“Yeah! There was another ship out there, but then something destroyed it!” Chopper squeaked, his eyes wide with shock.
“Say what?” Zoro drawled, stretching his arms out as he approached the pair. He squinted into the distance, not quite believing what he heard.
Chopper screamed again, pointing frantically. “And there is a bull with wings and he’s running around the clouds, he’s coming straight for us!”
“What’s gotten into him?” Sanji mutters to himself, eyeing Chopper, before looking up and noticing a shirtless man, dressed only in a skirt that looks like it’s made out of… leaves? The guy has wings, long black hair, and a weird bull mask covering his face. And he’s holding a shield and something that looks like a bazooka. “Check it out, Chopper’s right. There’s a guy running around out there.”
“Hey, stop! What do you think you’re doing! What do you want?” Sanji called out to the mysterious figure.
“TO DESTROY YOU!” The man on the hoverboard shouted, his voice echoing across the clouds.
“Oh? Is that all?” Sanji asked nonchalantly, but his eyebrow twitched in annoyance. The man on the hoverboard had to be out of his mind to think he could take them on. But then again, they’ve encountered stranger things in their travels.
“Hey, who’s that? what’s going on?” Luffy asked at the same time the man on the hoverboard flung himself onto the Going Merry. Kicking Sanji in the face so hard it sent him flying back and slamming into the door that led to the mess hall, just to drop low to the floor, before doing a handstand as he threw himself towards Zoro, dropkicking Zoro.
The man flipped in the air and tried to do the same to Luffy, and well, Luffy hadn’t really figured out what was going on when Chopper started screaming, so Luffy screamed bloody murder in surprise and socked the guy in the face so hard that she heard bones crack. He went flying across the ship like a ragdoll thrown by a toddler.
“What the hell is going on?” Luffy bellowed, her fist still outstretched from where she’d punched the guy.
Her brothers Ace and Sabo exchanged bewildered glances, both of them looking as confused as she felt. The guy groaned and pushed himself to his knees, one hand cradling his bruised jaw.
The man forced himself to his feet, shooting into the air on his Hoverboard thing and pointing the bazooka at the going merry and the polar tang.
“AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH! HE’S GONNA BLOW US UP!” Bepo screamed, clinging onto Law, who was equally surprised by the sudden turn of events.
“That’s enough!” A different man’s voice, a voice that belonged to an old man, shouted as a man clad in Knight‘s armor appeared out of nowhere on a pink bird thing with purple dots covering its entire body and Red feathers scattered about. The old man charged after the other man, jabbing a weird cylinder sword at the Man on the hoverboard.
The man on the Hoverboard made a noise and threw up his orange shield to block the attack, The attack sending the man on the hover board into the sea of clouds below as the Man clad in the Knight’s armor landed on the railing of the going merry.
“Oh, Great, now who’s this guy?” Ikkaku grumbled, squinting at the newcomer. The old man in the knight’s armor straightened up and hopped off the railing of the going merry, and very calmly and nicely said. “Miss, you may call me the Sky Knight.” He said, and the giant bird made a squawking noise, that was anything but a squaw it kind of sounded more like a wheeze. “You need not worry now, he’s gone.” He turned to face the crew of the going merry, and peered over the railing slightly to look at the heart Pirates on the polar tang.
“What the hell’s going on? Who the heck was that guy?” Deuce asked, his eyes darting back-and-forth in between the sky knight and the area of the clouds where the other guy disappeared as Monroe scrambled up the side of him to perch himself on his shoulder. The Mink-human hybrid looking at the sky Knight curiously.
“You saved us, thanks a lot!” Chopper looked relieved as he bowed slightly to the Sky Knight.
“I’m just doing my duty. This one’s on the house.” The sky knight responded with a tip of his helmet. His giant bird looked equally curious, tilting its head as it observed the pirate crew. “You must be blue sea people.” The sky knight said, tilting his head to the side slightly as he looked over both crews.
“Blue sea people? What the hell is that? And who are you?” Penguin asked, scratching his head. The Sky Knight chuckled under his helmet, his deep voice resonating with a hint of amusement.
“As I said, I am the sky knight. And ‘Blue sea people’ is what we call those that live underneath the clouds.” The sky knight replied, his eyes peeking out from underneath his helmet. “I’m assuming you all traveled here from the blue sea? And if you have traveled here from the blue sea you have reached the white sea, 7,000 meters in the air. The white-white sea where I assume you’re heading is still further up, about 10,000 meters higher.”
“Yeah, we are, we’re from the blue Sea. A family… friend came here once and told me and her, and those four.” Law began, pointing at Luffy, Ace, Sabo, Robin, and Chopper. “Stories about the sky islands. I never truly believed them until now though.”
The Sky Knight nodded. “Ah, I see. Well, welcome to the world above the clouds. I must admit, it’s not every day we get visitors from down below.” He studied the group of pirates, his eyes sparkling with curiosity. “We don’t get many blue sea visitors up here, and you said someone you knew had been here before?”
“Uhmm? Yeah. Gol D. Roger.” Ace spoke up, looking at the sky Knight with a mix of curiosity and weariness. “He told us stories about the people he met, especially about some guy named Gan Fall, and a whole bunch of other stuff.”
The Sky Knight's expression shifted to one of surprise, his eyes widening slightly. “Ah, so you know of the legendary pirate king. It’s been quite some time since his name has been spoken in these skies. I knew him well, a great man with a heart of gold and a spirit that soared as high as these clouds. But enough of the past, what brings you here? Your journey seems... unconventional for blue sea pirates.”
Luffy took a second to gather her thoughts before she let out a breathy chuckle. “Hey! You can never go wrong on a good adventure!”
The Sky Knight, or rather, Gan Fall, watched the young pirate with a knowing smile. He had seen that spark in many adventurers' eyes, including his dear friend, Roger. “Indeed, young lady. But the skies are not as welcoming as the sea. Tell me, do you have any idea of the dangers you’ll face?”
Luffy waved her hand nonchalantly in the air, her expression unchanged. “Ah! But that’s the thing about adventures, if it’s not dangerous it’s not a real adventure, right?” she quipped, her eyes sparkling with excitement. Ace and Sabo exchanged a look that was a mix of admiration for their sister's bravado and a silent agreement that she was indeed a few cannonballs short of a full arsenal of crazy.
“So, mr. Knight why was that guy running around on the clouds attacking people?” Monroe asked, his claws digging into Deuce’s shoulder slightly as he wobbled, trying to keep his balance on the teen's shoulder, making the teen wince slightly.
“Now, now, not so fast. No doubt you have many questions, but we have business to discuss.” Gen Fall said calmly, his eyes still focused on Luffy. His gaze was piercing, but it wasn’t hostile. It was as if he was sizing her up, trying to figure out if she had what it took to survive in a world that was vastly different from the one she knew.
“Business?” Shachi echoed, raising an eyebrow as he Took a step closer to the railing of the polar tang, eyeing the knight.
“You see I am a soldier-for-hire. The white seas can be quite dangerous. There are guerrillas lurking about, like the one you just faced would like nothing more then to turn you into food for the sky fish.” Gen Fall’s expression slipped into one of serious as he continued. “But if you purchase a five million extol whistle, I'll protect you all?”
“Huh?” Johnny tilted his head to the side slightly, “what are you talking about?”
Gen Fall spluttered slightly, waving his arms around. “Now listen, That price is quite reasonable. I can’t afford to lower it a single extol more, I have to earn a living too!”
“Yeah,” Hakugan began, leaning his hip against the railing of the polar tang, crossing his arms over his chest. “But what the hell is a ‘extol’ and what’s this ‘whistle’ thing or whatever?” He asked, looking at the knight with skepticism.
Gen Fall looked surprised, blinking at them. “You don’t know? I don’t understand, you came here from the summit of Hight-west, did you not? Surely you must have passed an island or two?” He looked over the pirate group, his expression confused.
“Wait! let me get this straight! You’re saying there’s another way we could’ve got up here were we would have ‘passed an island or two’? As in there’s more than one sky Island?” Nami’s eyes widened as she looked from the knight to Luffy and then back again.
“What? Don’t tell me you traveled here by of of…” Gan Fall trailed off, and Robin answered for him. “We rode up on the knock up stream.” She said calmly, looking at the knight with a serene smile.
“My word! That monster is current!?” Gan Fall’s eyes widened in astonishment. “So there are still souls brave enough in the world to try and make the attempt with the knock up Stream. And you’ve survived it. That’s quite the feat!”
Nami looks like she’s about to burst into tears as she covers her mouth with her hand. “I knew it, so we risked our lives for nothing!” She yelled, before her hands shot out to grab Luffy by the shoulders and shake her vigorously. “Are you happy! All of us could’ve been killed! If we would’ve just asked around for a little bit longer, we could’ve found a safer way to get up here!”
Gan Fall Watch the two of them for a second longer before speaking up again. “Did either of your crews lose any of your members?” He asked, a hint of concern in his voice.
“No, no casualties, our ships are fine… mostly… and no one got hurt.” Law assured him with a wry smile.
“Then you all can consider yourselves fortunate. if you would have taken a different route one or two of you would have survived the Journey, but the rest of you would have perished. That’s the gamble, by way of the knock up stream, either everyone dies or everyone survives. Those are the only two possible outcomes, not many can accept that all-or-nothing bet, especially these days.” Gan Fall said, his voice carrying the weight of experience and the wisdom of his years. “If nothing else, I see now that you have navigators of exceptional bravery, and skill.”
The two ships went quiet for a long second, the air thick with tension, and then. Luffy laughed, it was a laugh of pure, unadulterated amusement, it was her normal laugh, her normal laugh that was filled with amusement and a hint of insanity that made everyone who didn’t know her hair’s stand on end. She clapped her hands together as if she had just heard the best thing in the world as she spun around to face Law, who was leaning over the railing of the polar tang slightly, a look of amusement on his face. “You hear that, Law. Apparently, we just pulled an all or nothing!”
Law couldn’t help but chuckle at her enthusiasm, shaking his head slightly, “Yeah, Luffy, we sure did. And now we’ve got a knight in shining armor to escort us through the skies for a small fortune. How delightfully adventurous!”
Luffy’s laughter grew louder, and Gan Fall eyed the two pirate captains, then the rest of their crews. Most of the pirates he’s ever met that had actually made it up the knock up stream were either dead or so terrified that they could barely speak. Yet here these two young pirate captains were, smiling and joking around like they just got off a roller coaster ride at the fair.
He sighed, and tossed a whistle too Nami. “This is a one whistle, it is yours as you see fit. If you find yourself in danger just to blow it and I’ll come to your aid.” Gen Fall’s eyes gleamed with a hint of amusement, watching her catch the whistle with a confused expression, as he turned away from the pirates. “As I said, normally, I would charge you five million extol, but as for today, please accept this as my gift to you.”
Nami spluttered, putting the whistle around her neck from where it hung from a chain. “But wait, we don’t even know your name!”
Gen Fall looked over his shoulder, looking over the pirates. “My name is Gen Fall, The Sky Knight. And this is my partner Pierre!” He said, pointing towards the giant bird beside him. “Despite appearances, Pierre is no ordinary bird.” He said at the same time the bird, Pierre, transformed into a Pegasus with sickening cracks and snaps. “Long ago he ate a devil fruit called the Uma Uma no Mi, and gained its powers. He is able to transform from a bird to a horse with wings!” He said as he hopped on the weird looking Pegasus that was previously a bird and flew away.
The two crews watched them go, The silence thick before Sabo broke it, “what the actual fuck was that monstrosity?” He asked, tilting his head slightly as he scratched the side of his head. “That was not a Pegasus, I don’t know what the hell that was.”
Ace looked over to him, raising an eyebrow, “Don’t you know?” He teased, a smirk playing on his full lips. “It’s a bird, a plane, no! It’s super grandpa to the rescue with his flying bird-horse thingy!” He said dramatically, throwing his arms into the air, his eyes sparkling with amusement.
“Is it just me and Sabo that find that… thing… bizarre?” Sanji questioned, looking at the disappearing figure of Gen Fall and his Pegasus-like steed.
“I don’t get it, was there even a reason for the transformation?” Nami asked, her arms crossed over her chest as she stared at the now distant figure of Gen Fall and Pierre.
“Good question…” all of the Strawhat pirates, and the heart pirates said in unison, looking at each other.
“In the end, he really didn’t tell us anything did he?” Clione asked, as he squinted at the bright light from the sun, turning away when the figures of Gen Fall and Pierre fully disappeared into the distance.
“No, nothing actually.” Usopp said, scratching her chin.
“Well, back to square one I guess.” Gen sighed, taking a seat on the stairs of the going merry that led to the upper deck.
“Yeah, where the hell are we supposed to go from here?” Yosaku asked, mirroring the confusion of the group.
“I’ll tell you what, for now, let’s just keep on moving.” Zoro walked over to the railing of the Going merry where chopper and Robin were peering into the distance.
“Hey, look over there guys!” Chopper pointed at the horizon, where a waterfall going upwards made of clouds was.
Robin took a step closer to him, following his hoof. “What is that?” She tilted her head slightly, leaning closer to the rail. “It looks like a waterfall?”
“Okay, that settles it. we go that way towards the waterfall.” Zoro decided, crossing his arms over his chest.
—————————
And that’s what they did, they got closer and closer and closer to the upwards water, until they got to a gold and marble gate with a sign that said heaven’s gate on the front.
And they were met by a tiny, short, old lady with pale purple hair styled into space buns, dressed in a pink sundress with wings on her back. She was wielding a camera, taking pictures of the going merry and the polar tang as she walked out of a room that was connected to a building that was holding up the sign that said heaven’s gate.
The crews of the going merry and the polar tang stare at the old lady, and the old lady stares back.
“Uhmm, hello?” Nami broke the silent stare off, approaching the peculiar old lady with a mix of caution and curiosity. The old lady looked up, her camera clicking away as she captured their bewildered expressions.
“I am Amazon, the heaven’s gate inspector.” The old lady said. “State your business: sightseeing? Warmongering? Other?”
“I-I-I… I guess it’s kind of like sightseeing…” Nami stammered, trying to process the surreal encounter.
“We wanna go to the sky Islands, they’re past this gate, right?” Luffy spoke up, her confidence unshaken by the old lady's peculiarity.
“Can we choose all of the above from your options?” Zoro asked, stepping closer to the railing of the going merry with his usual nonchalance.
“It makes little difference.” The old lady said nonchalantly, “but if you wish to proceed, you must pay the entrance fee of 1 billion Extol Per person. That is the law.”
“What! 1 billion!” Uni exclaimed, his eyes bulging at the ludicrous amount. The entire crew of the Going Merry and the Polar Tang burst into a cacophony of shocked exclamations, their expressions a mix of disbelief and outrage.
“1 billion per person?” Robin says calm, tilting her head to the side as she points to each person on the going merry, and the polar tang. “That would be 22 billion for the 22 of us to pass.”
“Something’s fishy here, 22 billion just to pass through a stupid gate? I think the old bag of bones is trying to scam us?” Usopp grumbled, and Nami slapped her hand over Usopp’s mouth as she spoke to the old lady. “Listen… About the money… what if, you Know, we don’t have it?”
“You may still pass.” The old lady spoke calmly. “The choice is yours, I certainly won’t try to stop you. My job description does not actually require me to guard the gate, I am merely here just to ask your intentions.”
“Then that settles it, we wanna go to the Sky Islands!” Luffy said, leaning over the railing of the going merry slightly. “But we don’t have the funds so we’re not going to pay you!” Usopp quickly added.
“Very well, the 22 of you then?” The old lady asked casually.
“Yeah,” Law confirmed, leaning against the railing of the polar tang. “But we still need you to tell us how to actually get up to the Sky Islands.” He said at the same time as four claws from a giant red lobster claws with purple speckles shot out from the cloud, grabbing the sides of the going merry and the polar tang.
“The white seas famous express lobster, that’s how you’ll get to the sky Islands.” The old lady said as the lobsters emerged from the clouds, and shot forward, dragging the ships towards the giant waterfall cloud thing and up it.
“EVERYONE, HOLD ON TIGHT!” Law yelled as the ships lurched forward. The lobsters pulled them closer to the base of the cloud waterfall, pulling them up the waterfall in a similar fashion as they had rode the knock up stream up to the white sea. Until they popped out the other side, shooting through a layer of clouds and landing on something that looks like another cloud of ocean but this time there was an island in front of them, and everyone felt like they had just gotten whiplash with how fast they were moving, and then abruptly stopped.
———————————
The two crews were running around a beach made out of clouds. The sound of laughter, voices, and waves crashing filled the air as everyone enjoyed themselves.
“LAW! We actually did it! We made it to the sky Island!” Luffy yelled, throwing herself at Law and wrapping him into a tight hug, before planting a firm kiss on his lips. He chuckled, wrapping his arms around her waist, not breaking the kiss, if anything he deepened the kiss.
Ace and Sabo, who were not too far behind, looked utterly scandalized by someone kissing their older sister like that. They stopped in their tracks, Ace's eyes widening, and Sabo's jaw dropping. "Luffy! What the hell are you doing?!" Ace shouted, his voice echoing across the cloudy beach.
Luffy didn’t break the kiss as she waved a hand in their direction, shooing them away as she pressed her body against Law’s, her hands slipping into his hair, their kiss deepening.
Sabo looked away, a hint of a blush creeping up his cheeks, while Ace's eyes narrowed, his fists clenching and unclenching at his sides. He was about to charge over when Nami stepped in, grabbing his shoulder. "Leave them be, Ace," she said with a knowing smile, "they're dating after all, they’re going to kiss."
"But she's our sister!" Ace protested, still not used to the idea of his siblings having romantic relationships.
“And she has a boyfriend.” Nami said, rolling her eyes at Ace's outburst, trying to lighten the tension. “But we’ve got more important things to do than spy on your big sis making out, right?”
Sabo nodded, still a bit flustered but ultimately agreeing with Nami. Ace took a moment to process, then sighed and turned away, his cheeks a bit red. “Yeah, whatever.” He grumbles, turning and stomping away.
Nami rolled her eyes and grabbed Sabo by the elbow, pulling him along with her as they followed Ace further down the beach.
Luffy completely ignored the three of them as the explored more of the beach, continuing to kiss Law, her tongue slipping past his lips as she kissed him deep and slow, her grip tightening in his hair.
Law chuckled into Luffy's mouth, his arms wrapped firmly around her waist. They broke the kiss, both panting slightly. "You're insatiable, you know that?" he murmured.
——————————
(This, until the fanfic goes back to the sky Islands, takes place through multiple days.)
In the blue sea on a neutrality island called Chō Island Borsalino stretched out on the bed in the inn he was in, his back popping as he yawned. He lay there for a moment, just looking up at the ceiling, before sitting up. He had gotten a message from the marines, something about the Strawhat Pirates and Heart Pirates forming an alliance and heading towards the Sky Islands. Honestly, he didn’t really care, Luffy and Law could do whatever they wanted as long as they didn’t cause trouble, which he’s known these kids for years now so he also knows it’s a losing battle to think they’re going to not cause an immense amount of trouble.
He sighed and felt the familiar warmth of Marco beside him. They’ve been in a weird situationship-relationship-type-thing for the past seven years and nine out of 10 times if they are anywhere near each other they’ll end up on some small island, or a neutral island and get a inn to spend the night together.
He looked over to Marco, seeing her sitting up in bed, dressed in nothing but a pair of short booty shorts, his shirt, and her Red glasses as she read a book with the covers pulled over her. She had her knees tucked up to her chin, her bare feet hanging off the side of the bed. The early morning light cast a warm glow on her tan-golden skin, making her blonde hair almost shine.
Borsalino sat up, rubbing his eyes and mumbling something under his breath about the damn early hour. He throws his legs over the side of the bed and stretches them out, rolling his neck to pop it. “Marco baby?” He mumbled, his voice a mix of sleepiness and affection.
Marco’s eyes flicked up from her book and over to Borsalino. She had to admit, he was a sight to behold, even in his half-awake state. She couldn’t help but smirk at his lazy greeting. “Good morning, Borsalino,” she said sweetly, setting her book down on the bedside table.
Borsalino yawned again, rubbing at his eyes as he stretched out his legs. His back muscles tensed as he arched his back, stretching his arms over his head. “As much as I love pissing off Sengoku and Akainu. I do need to give them something about whatever damn alliance Luffy and Law are forming. Do you know anything I can tell them?” He mumbled as he stood up from the bed and started to get dressed in his usual attire.
Marco smirked, tucking her legs underneath her as she pushed herself up on her hands and knees, before flopping down on the bed on her stomach, facing Borsalino. “Oh, no alliance… or well, no piracy alliance is going on in between those two-yoi.” She winked at him, her eyes sparkling with amusement.
Borsalino paused, his pants halfway pulled on. "What do you mean 'no piracy alliance'?" He cocked an eyebrow at her, his curiosity piqued.
Marco's smirk grew wider. "They've got something else in mind, something... more personal." She said it in a way that made Borsalino's heart skip a beat. He knew that look. It was the look she got when she knew something he didn't. And it always meant trouble.
“More… personal?” He echoed, his curiosity turning into concern as he finished pulling up his pants. “Care to elaborate?”
Marco chuckled, propping her head up with her hand. “Let’s just say they’re playing a game that doesn’t involve ships or treasure, darling.” Her teasing tone was matched by the mischievous glint in her eyes.
Borsalino’s mind raced, or well, as fast as his thoughts usually raised so as fast as a sloth climbing a tree as he buttoned his pants, and started looping his belt through his belt Loops. "A game that doesn’t involve ships or treasure?" He repeated, his brows furrowing as he tried to piece together what Marco could be referring to. "What kind of game are we talking about here?" He couldn't help but feel a tingle of excitement, knowing that when Marco talked in riddles, it was usually something big.
“Well, Law went out of his way to ask all the big dogs of the family so, crocodile, pops, and everyone in between if he could… date… Luffy… and I heard from a little birdy that Luffy said yes.” Marco spoke with a smug smile, watching Borsalino's reaction closely. She knew she had him hooked now.
Borsalino’s laid-back expression morphed into one of surprise. “Date? As in, romantically date?” He scratched his head as he processed this unexpected piece of information. The idea of the two young pirate captains in a relationship was... peculiar to him. Law was… well he was Law, and Luffy… well she was Luffy, they were both a unpredictable whirlwind that even he had a hard time keeping up with. “Well, Sakazuki’s going to have an aneurysm when I tell him, Kuzan, and Sengoku there’s no alliance, they’re just dating.” He chuckled, shaking his head.
Marco’s smile grew wider as she watched Borsalino’s reaction. She knew the news would be entertaining. “Yeah, imagine that. The future Pirate queen and the Heart Pirate captain, going on dates, holding hands, all that romantic shit.” She winked at him, her eyes twinkling with amusement.
Borsalino couldn’t help but laugh, the image of Luffy, the unpredictable and fearless pirate, holding hands and being all lovey-dovey was too much. “Fuck, that’s priceless. I can’t wait to see their faces when they find out it’s not about power or wealth, but about love!”
Marco nodded, her eyes sparkling. “I know, right? And just think about the shitstorm it’ll cause. The World Government will be scrambling to figure out how to handle this one.”
————————
And that’s how Borsalino ended up in a meeting room with Sengoku, Sakazuki, and Kuzan when he made his way back to Marineford. He had said goodbye to Marco hours ago when they parted ways, him going to do his marine duties, and she going back to the whitebeard Pirates until their next meeting. And well… Borsalino’s been trying to fight a smirk off of his face for the past 30 minutes that he, the other two Admiral’s, and Sengoku had been talking. The room was filled with the heavy aura of high-ranking officials discussing important matters, yet all he could think about was the fact that Luffy had agreed to date Law.
“So, what’s the alliance in between the Strawhat pirates and the heart Pirates about, Kizaru.” Sengoku asked, leaning back in his chair, his expression expectant. “Did you figure out why they are traveling together? What are they planning?”
Borsalino took a deep breath, the smirk he’s been trying to fight all threatening to spread across his face. “Ah, no… there is no alliance.” He managed to get out, having to bite his bottom lip so hard it nearly bled so he wouldn’t laugh.
“No alliance?” Sengoku echoed, looking confused.
“Nope… n-no alliance.” Borsalino nodded, his eyes glinting with amusement. “It’s just… uhhh?… they’re dating… Monkey D. Luffy and Trafalgar Law, that is… no alliance, they’re just dating each other.”
The room fell into a stunned silence as the words sank in. The tension built like a crescendo in a symphony of shock and disbelief. Sengoku’s eyebrows shot up so high it looked like they might leave his forehead permanently.
"Dating?" he spluttered, the color draining from his face. "Luffy... and Law?"
Borsalino nodded, leaning forward, his elbows on the table as he buried his face in his hands, his shoulders shaking in barely contained laughter. "Yes, they are dating… apparently Mr. Trafalgar even went as far as to ask Whitebeard for his blessing to date his granddaughter. There’s no alliance, it’s just some rookie pirate kids dating.”
The other marines in the room stared at him in complete astonishment, their expressions a mix of shock and confusion. Sakazuki's eyes narrowed, and he slammed his fist down on the table, the wood cracking beneath the pressure. "This is not a joke, Kizaru!" he bellowed, the intensity of his voice rattling the windows.
Borsalino’s chuckles grew louder, he couldn’t give less of a shit what Sakazuki thought about it. Kuzan slowly, completely sat up in his chair, his eyes wide. His niece was dating the surgeon of death? He did not know that one. And it was the most entertaining thing he had heard all week. He had always liked Law, ever since he was a kid. Plus, Luffy had always had a soft spot for the quiet, brooding type. “Luffy’s dating Trafalgar Law? She’s dating the Mr. Surgeon of death himself?” He said with a smirk, “Well, she’s always had a taste for the dramatic.”
That only seemed to make Sakazuki more angry. "This is not the time for jests, Aokiji!" he shouted, his fist still on the table. "We need to focus on the implications of this... this... scandal!"
“Scandal? Where do you see a scandal?” Kuzan leaned back in his chair, his tone filled with genuine curiosity. He found it amusing how Sakazuki was so easily riled up over something as trivial as a romantic relationship between two young pirates. “Last time I checked, they’re both pirates, pirates dating each other isn’t going to make a scandal for anyone.”
Sengoku sighed, his eyes scanning over the room before they rested on Sakazuki. “Calm down, Akainu. The boy’s right. They’re not forming an alliance; they’re just kids in love. Or something like that.” He paused, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. “Besides, we have more pressing matters to discuss than the love life of a pirate girl and her beau.”
And with that, that seemed to be the tipping point for Borsalino, he snorted and the laughter spilled out of him like a dam breaking, his face still buried in his hands.
Sakazuki's fists clenched at the sound of Borsalino's laughter, his expression darkening like a thundercloud. "This is no laughing matter, Kizaru!" he bellowed, slamming his fist on the table. "The daughter of Dragon, consorting with an infamous pirate? It's a disaster waiting to happen!"
Borsalino didn’t stop laughing, if anything it grew louder and even Kuzan started laughing. “Dude, you’re asking the wrong people to care about this problem.” Kuzan finally spoke up, wiping a tear from his eye. “We’re not exactly the poster children for proper relationships.”
Sakazuki’s glower grew even more intense, but it was clear that the room wasn’t on his side. Even Sengoku was now smiling, his stern expression from before gone. “Akainu, let it go. They’re young, they’re pirates, and they’re in love. It’s not going to bring down the world.”
Sakazuki looks like he was about to set himself on fire with how angry he looked. “Why the hell aren’t the three of you more worried! Pirates are pirates, they don’t fall in love, they make alliances, they don’t get married, they make pacts!”
Borsalino finally looked up from his hands, one hand falling to his side while the other slid down his face to cover his mouth as he stared at Sakazuki, curiosity flickering in his eyes. “Man, do you not know?” He asked, his voice a mix of amusement and confusion.
“Know what!” Sakazuki roared, his fists clenching tightly, his knuckles turning white with the force.
Borsalino’s eyes sparkled with amusement as he sat up, his eyes flicking to Kuzan, who was also looking at Sakazuki with a mix of confusion and amusement. Borsalion cleared his throat and took a deep breath, trying to stifle his laugh.
Sengoku sighed, turning his attention to Sakazuki. “Akainu, you’re fighting a losing battle with the two of them. Kizaru and Aokiji are a part of the sandstorm family, just like Garp, Corazon, and a few other marines as well. They march to the beat of their own drums, and that’s what makes them such formidable leaders.”
Sakazuki's anger only grew more intense as he stared at Sengoku, his fists trembling with rage. "What are you talking about, old man? The Marines and Pirates are sworn enemies! There is no place for love between them!"
Sengoku slammed his fist down on the table hard enough to nearly crack it. “BOY! Leave it the fuck alone! They’re just dumb ass kids dating each other! It’s not like big mom and Kaidou are fucking each other and are planning to have kids, it’s just a couple of dumb ass kids who think they’re in love!” He exclaimed. “No, I don’t know what got your panties in a twist but you need to stop and understand the sandstorm family has more influence than the entire world, and government combined! You go after some kids all because they’re dating you’ll have more than half of the entire pirate world, a good chunk of marines and navy, including Garp, Corazon, Kizaru, and Aokiji! The entire revolutionary Army! And every goddamn assassin, mercenary, ninja, Samurai, and every other kind of shit you can think of that Lady Crocodile has in her arsenal coming after your dumb ass! So no, we’re not going after two dumb ass kids that are dating each other all because it pisses you off! If you do that you and every fucking marine that has ever interacted with you will be dead by sundown! You can’t just go after whoever you want, these kids do not only have the protection of a warlord, two out the protection of two out of the four emperors of the sea, the entire sandstorm family, the entire revolutionary army, the strongest man ever to exist, and a good chunk of the marines as well! You can’t just go off and attack whoever the hell you want without thinking of the consequences!” He yelled at Sakazuki.
Sakazuki looked at Sengoku with a look of pure malice, but he knew that the old man was right, he took a deep breath and let it out slowly trying to calm his nerves. “Fine, but if she fucks this up for us, I will kill them both and I’m not going to ask for anyone’s permission!” He said through gritted teeth.
Kuzan lunge across the table to Sakazuki, scattering paperwork, pins, and everything else in between, and before anyone could react Kuzan coded his fist in ice and slammed it into Sakazuki’s face so hard it shattered his nose, and snapped his head back, and he didn’t stop, he didn’t even stop when Sakazuki started making lava, Kuzan continue to slam his fist into his face, not giving the older man time to breathe or think.
“Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh! How delightful!” Borsalino clapped his hands together, a wide grin splitting his face as he watched the chaos unfold before his eyes. “It’s been too long since we’ve had a good ol’ fashioned throw down in this stuffy room!” He leaned back in his chair, his eyes sparkling with mischief as he watched Kuzan and Sakazuki brawl and roll around on the floor like two schoolyard bullies who hadn’t had their afternoon nap. The sound of bone crunching and ice shattering filled the room, and the smell of burnt oak wafted through the air as Sakazuki’s lava clashed with Kuzan’s ice before falling to the floor.
Sengoku sighed heavily, rubbing his temples with his thumb and forefinger as he watched the spectacle before him. The once orderly conference room had devolved into a battleground of ice and lava. He knew the tension between Kuzan and Sakazuki had been simmering for years, but he never expected it to boil over so dramatically.
————————————
Thriller Bark, Perona didn’t know if she wanted to cry, laugh, scream, throw up, or all of the above. She’s not really one to look at the news or really anything, she's more into those cutesy books, and cute stuffed animals, and cute bedroom decor, and cute TV shows, and movies. But sometimes she does read the newspaper, just once in a blue moon. And today was that blue moon.
Perona had wandered around the Thriller Bark mansion for a couple hours, went and bothered Dr. Hogback, and snatched the daily Mail from Gecko Moria when he was done with it before she had scampered back to her room to look over the magazines and other stuff. And she had started boredly sifting through the bounty posters that get shipped out every couple of days, until she landed on one specific bounty poster of One specific person she never thought would ever be a pirate.
Her baby brother, her little Zoro, is a pirate. A pirate with a 60,000,000 berries bounty on his head.
Perona gripped the bounty poster like it was a lifeline, her eyes wide with shock and disbelief. The image of Zoro, her cherished younger sibling, now a pirate, was burned into her brain, it was a stark contrast to the carefree boy she had known. The image of Zoro holding his sword up and close to his face, his face which has blood splattered across it, and his entire body from his elbows down is drench to the bone in blood, the pointy end of his sword pointed to the sky, licking a stripe up his sword, licking the blood off of his sword with a serene expression on his face, the corpses and or cut down figures of marines scattered around him. The Little detail box that told you about the pirates origin in the bottom corner of the page read. ‘The Demon Pirate Hunter Roronoa Zoro of the Strawhat pirates, formerly known as the untouchable Demon Pirate Hunter before joining the Strawhat pirates. Roronoa Zoro Is one of the original four of the Strawhat pirates, which just started their pirate journey four months ago in the East blue, Roronoa Zoro is 19-years-old, and his list of crimes are: piracy, theft, destruction of property, assault of a marine, assault of a officer, multiple accounts of murder, first-degree murder, second-degree murder, third-degree murder, mass murder, terrorism, breaking-and-entering, trespassing, assault, mutilation, mass destruction, infiltration, arson, homicide, aggravated assault, assault with a deadly weapon, mass stabbing, resisting arrest, allying with pirates, corporal injury, genocide, manslaughter’.
Perona's heart raced as she stared at the bounty poster, the reality of Zoro's life crashing over her. The quiet cabin of the Thriller Bark echoed with the silent screams of her thoughts. She had always known her brother was a skilled swordsman, but to see him labeled as a demon, a killer, was more than she could bear. Her fingers traced the crimson stains on the paper, her mind racing with questions she had no answers for.
————————————
On an Island called Kuraigana Island Dracule Mihawk was sitting in the lounge room of his castle, looking down at a stack of papers.
Shanks had gotten a stupid little idea in his head that had peaked his interest like a cat with a laser pointer. Shanks had said. “You know, Hawky-baby, Luffy’s little swordsman looks a lot like you, only with Green hair and eyes, and tanned skin. But besides that he looks exactly like you, The pretty effortlessly-flawless skin, the perfect hair, the exact same bill, the exact same facial features… do you got a secret you wanna tell me, do you have a kid out there you didn’t tell us about?” Shanks had asked him weeks ago, his tone teasing.
And well, Mihawks might be a stoic man, the world’s strongest swordsman, a comment collected man, a strategic man, but he has the curiosity that could rival a fucking kitten. So he May or may not have pulled some strings, some more illegal than others, and asked Miss Lady Crocodile for some assistance. And he may or may not have gotten his hands on some of Mr. Roronoa Zoro’s DNA to compare it to his, to prove or disprove Shanks's wild theory.
But as of now, he sat with a glass of wine in his hand, the papers with the DNA results sprawled out in front of him. He read and re-read them, hoping he had made some mistake. But every time, the results came back the same. There was a 99.99% match between him and the young swordsman.
Mihawk felt his stoicism crack just a little. The thought of having a child, a son, was something he had never considered. His eyes searched the documents for any sign of a mistake, any loophole that would let him dismiss this as a fluke, but there was none. The evidence was as clear as the day.
"Fuck," he murmured to himself, his mind racing with questions. How could this be? He doesn’t remember sleeping with anyone with the surname Roronoa, was his first thought, then soon after followed was the thought of “fuck, Shanks was right”, and then then one thought crashed through him like a meteor, "fuck, I nearly killed my own son."
Mihawk had to sit down as the revelation hit him like a ton of bricks. He had fought Zoro, had nearly killed him. His thoughts swirled, a tornado of confusion, anger, and a strange sense of pride. This was something he never expected.
He sat there, looking off into the distance, the shadow of his figure looming over the polished floors of his castle. His mind was racing with a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions that he hadn't felt in years. The silence was deafening as he tried to process this new piece of information.
Mihawk took a deep breath, his eyes flicking down to the documents and papers in his hands Crocodile had procured for him. He hesitated for a second before flipping through them. The papers and documents were more stuff about Zoro, the fighting style he created, etc, etc, etc, until Mihawk got to the last document folder.
It was a simple and normal orange document folder, but it had the words. “Roronoa/Dracule Zoro’s Family tree/lineage.” Scrolled on it in Crocodile’s handwriting.
Mihawk stared at the sealed orange document folder, his mind racing with a multitude of thoughts. The revelation of Zoro being his son had thrown him off-balance, a sensation that the stoic swordsman was not accustomed to feeling. The room was eerily quiet, the only sound being the sound of Mihawk opening the document folder, his hands trembling slightly as he pulled out the papers inside. He looked over the family tree, tracing the lineage with his eyes, trying to comprehend the gravity of what he was seeing. “Shimotsuki Ryuma married a woman named Okasake Nemisa. Mr. Shimotsuki Ryuma and Mrs. Okasake Nemisa has two children, a son named Shimotsuki Furiko and a daughter named Shimotsuki Ushimaru. Mrs. Shimotsuki Ushimaru married a man named Roronoa Pinzoro. Mr. Roronoa Pinzoro and Mrs. Shimotsuki Ushimaru had one Child named Roronoa Koushirou.”
“Mr. Roronoa Koushirou, once a woman who transitioned into a man at the age of 30-years-old, had three children named Roronoa Perona, Roronoa Kuina, and Roronoa Zoro.”
“Roronoa Perona, Age: 23-years-old, Height: 5 ‘3, Hair color: Pink, Eye color: Black, Other Parent: Unknown no documents nor records nor paper trail, Birthdate: June 7th, Blood type: XF, Status: Unknown. Roronoa Perona went missing at sea 9-years-ago at the age of 15-years-old, has not been heard from since.”
“Roronoa Kuina, Age: Deceased at the age of 11-years, Height: 4 ‘11, Hair color: Dark blue, Eye color: Black, Other Parent: Unknown no documents nor records nor paper trail, Birthdate: September 17th, Blood type: S, Status: Deceased. Roronoa Kuina died at the age of 11-years-old 9-years-ago, had fallen off of the second story of her father, Roronoa Koushirou, dojo, instantly killing her by her neck snapping and her skull cracking open.”
“Roronoa Zoro, Age 19-years-old, Height: 5 ‘10, Hair color: Green, Eye color: Seafoam green, Other Parent: Dracule "Hawk Eyes" Mihawk, Birthdate: November 11th, Blood type: XF, Status: Alive, currently a member of Monkey D. Luffy’s crew, the strawhat pirates, Roronoa Zoro left his father, Roronoa Koushirou, dojo at the age of 17-years-old to become the world‘s greatest swordsman to fulfill his older sister, Roronoa Kuina’s, dream for her. As a bounty hunter Roronoa Zoro was known as the untouchable Demon Pirate Hunter before joining the Strawhat pirates, now known as The Demon Pirate Hunter Roronoa Zoro of the Strawhat pirates.”
Mihawk's hand trembled as he read the words, his eyes scanning over the paperwork with a mix of disbelief and horror. The revelation of Zoro's lineage and his own possible parentage had thrown him into a tumultuous storm of emotions. He looked up from the documents, the weight of this newfound truth heavy on his shoulders.
Mihawk and… well on auto pilot as his mind raced. Mihawk stood up, and walked out of the lounge room of his castle, down the various corridors until he made it to his bedroom. He walked into his room, tossed the papers and documents onto his bed and grabbed his Den Den Mushi from his nightstand, dialing his father’s number.
The Den Den Mushi rang for what felt like an eternity, the shrill sound echoing through the quiet room. Finally, it clicked. “Hey, Mihawk, long time no talk.” The deep, gentle voice of his father, Silvers Rayleigh, came through the line.
“I have a kid, a son to be exact.” Mihawk said before he could even process what he was doing.
The silence from the other end of the line was palpable, thick with shock and disbelief. And Mihawk could hear his mother in the background of the call swearing as she dropped her cigarette.
"What did you just say?" Shakky's voice cut through the air, a hint of skepticism lacing her words.
“I just found out I have a son.” Mihawk repeated, gripping the receiver of the Den Den Mushi tighter.
Shakky’s laughter, light and airy, filled the room. “Mihawk, you’re pulling our legs, aren’t you?”
Mihawk took a deep breath through his nose, looking out one of the various windows in his bedroom. “No, I’m not… pulling your legs.”
Shakky’s laughter abruptly ceased, and the line was silent once again. Then Rayleigh’s voice, a mix of curiosity and confusion, filled the void. “Mihawk, are you serious?”
“Yes.” Mihawk sighed, looking up to the ceiling. “Crocodile got me the information, she personally got me all the information. So you know it’s all 100% correct.”
Rayleigh cleared his throat, the silence on the line stretching for a moment longer before he spoke, “Well, congratulations, son. This is certainly unexpected news, but it seems the sea is full of surprises after all these years. Who’s the mother?”
Mihawk’s eyes cut to the papers and paperwork that he had haphazardly thrown on his bed. He cleared his throat and picked up the papers Crocodile had given him all of the information on Zoro’s lineage on, The sound of papers rasling filling the air. He hesitated for a second before just deciding fuck it and reading the documents. “I’ll just reread everything to you.” He cleared his throat, laying out the papers in front of him.
“Shimotsuki Ryuma married a woman named Okasake Nemisa. Mr. Shimotsuki Ryuma and Mrs. Okasake Nemisa has two children, a son named Shimotsuki Furiko and a daughter named Shimotsuki Ushimaru. Mrs. Shimotsuki Ushimaru married a man named Roronoa Pinzoro. Mr. Roronoa Pinzoro and Mrs. Shimotsuki Ushimaru had one Child named Roronoa Koushirou.”
“Mr. Roronoa Koushirou, once a woman who transitioned into a man at the age of 30-years-old, had three children named Roronoa Perona, Roronoa Kuina, and Roronoa Zoro.”
“Roronoa Perona, Age: 23-years-old, Height: 5 ‘3, Hair color: Pink, Eye color: Black, Other Parent: Unknown no documents nor records nor paper trail, Birthdate: June 7th, Blood type: XF, Status: Unknown. Roronoa Perona went missing at sea 9-years-ago at the age of 15-years-old, has not been heard from since.”
“Roronoa Kuina, Age: Deceased at the age of 11-years, Height: 4 ‘11, Hair color: Dark blue, Eye color: Black, Other Parent: Unknown no documents nor records nor paper trail, Birthdate: September 17th, Blood type: S, Status: Deceased. Roronoa Kuina died at the age of 11-years-old 9-years-ago, had fallen off of the second story of her father, Roronoa Koushirou, dojo, instantly killing her by her neck snapping and her skull cracking open.”
“Roronoa Zoro, Age 19-years-old, Height: 5 ‘10, Hair color: Green, Eye color: Seafoam green, Other Parent: Dracule "Hawk Eyes" Mihawk, Birthdate: November 11th, Blood type: XF, Status: Alive, currently a member of Monkey D. Luffy’s crew, the strawhat pirates, Roronoa Zoro left his father, Roronoa Koushirou, dojo at the age of 17-years-old to become the world‘s greatest swordsman to fulfill his older sister, Roronoa Kuina’s, dream for her. As a bounty hunter Roronoa Zoro was known as the untouchable Demon Pirate Hunter before joining the Strawhat pirates, now known as The Demon Pirate Hunter Roronoa Zoro of the Strawhat pirates.” Mihawk paused, the weight of his words hanging in the air. “Roronao Zoro is the great grandson of Shimotsuki Ryuma and Okasake Nemisa, and the grandson of Shimotsuki Ushimaru and Roronoa Pinzoro on the Roronao side of his lineage. And Roronao Zoro is the grandson of Silvers Rayleigh and and Shakuyaku on the Dracule side of his lineage. Making Roronao Zoro the biological son of me, Dracule "Hawk Eyes" Mihawk and Roronoa Koushirou.”
The other end of the line was absolutely silent as Shakky and Rayleigh processed the revelation. The tension in the air was palpable, the weight of the information thick and heavy like a fog that refused to lift. Shakky was the first to speak, her voice measured and calm despite the turmoil of emotions that were surely coursing through her. "So, this Zoro is our... mine and Rayleigh’s… grandson," she said, the words foreign on her tongue.
“Yeah…” Mihawk sighed heavily. “… he’s my son… your grandson…” he paused for a second before continuing. “And… before you ask, I do not know who Zoro’s sister‘s fathers are besides Koushirou. Crocodile couldn’t find any information on them.”
The other end of the line was silent for a moment before Rayleigh spoke up, “well, this is… unexpected, to say the least. But I guess not… unwelcome?” He chuckled. “So… uhh? Who exactly is this Roronoa Koushirou, I’ve never heard of him?”
Mihawk sighs, sitting down on the edge of his bed. “Honestly, I have no clue.” He glanced down at the paperwork again reading Zoro’s age again. “I don’t remember anything about anyone I slept with 19-years-ago. The only reason why I found out Zoro was even my son was because Shanks started annoying me telling me that Zoro was the exact spitting image of me if I had Green hair and eyes, and tanned skin. So I asked Crocodile for help so Shanks would shut up about it… and well, one thing led to another… and now here we are.”
On the other end of the line, Shakky and Rayleigh remained silent for a split second before Rayleigh spoke up. “Well, I guess that’s one way to find out you’re a father, huh? Your boyfriend nags you until you check it out?” He laughed lightly, he sighed before continuing, his laughter subsiding completely. “So, you said he’s got two sisters, right? You said their names were Perona and Kunia. One of them passed away and the other is?” He paused for a second before continuing. “… and Crocodile couldn’t figure out who their other fathers are? Now that’s something I never thought would happen, Crocodile not being able to dig up dirt on someone… they’re not yours, right, Mihawk?” He asked, his voice filled with both curiosity and a hint of concern.
“Oh, no, no, no, no. Perona and Kunia aren’t mine, only Zoro is.” Mihawk replied with a sigh, running a hand through his raven hair, his grip on the receiver loosening slightly.
On the other end of the line, Rayleigh sighed. “Okay, so the three of them are not full siblings, they're half siblings who have the same… birth giver… but different fathers.” He nodded to himself, piecing the information together. “Okay, so we’ve got a grandson, and you’ve got a son running around somewhere. Okay…” he trailed off again before clearing his throat and. “You said one of his sisters was dead, Kunia. And his other sister, Perona was missing. Did the Intel you got from Crocodile say what happened to Perona?” He asked, his curiosity piqued.
“Uhh… no, it didn’t say anything about what happened, just that Perona went missing 9-years-ago.” Mihawk’s voice grew grim as he relayed the incomplete information about Perona’s fate. “But that’s all the information Crocodile had given me, I don’t know anything about who her other father is besides Koushirou, and that she’s Zoro’s half-sister.”
On the other end of the line, Shakky sighed. “Well, that’s unfortunate.”
“Yeah, it’s a fucking mess.” Rayleigh chimed in, his usually calm demeanor slightly frazzled by the news.
Mihawk nodded, even though his parents could not see him. “… well… I guess I should go and try to figure out how to deal with this.”
Shakky’s voice was firm, yet filled with a hint of concern. “Mihawk, don’t push yourself too hard, okay? Remember, we’re here for you. If you need us, just call. We’ll handle it together, as a family.”
“Take your time, son.” Rayleigh's voice echoed with a mix of solemnity and reassurance. “We'll sort this out. We've faced tougher storms together before, and this is no different.”
“Yeah… okay… bye.” Mihawk murmured as he hung up the Den Den Mushi.
Mihawk stares off into the distance for a second, his mind racing, before he lets out a long, suffering sigh and dials Shanks' number.
The line rings for a few seconds before Shanks picks up. "Yo, Hawky-baby, what's up?" Shanks' jovial tone pierced the tension in the air.
“You were right, Zoro’s my kid.” Mihawk grumbles, leaning his elbows on his knees and rubbing his eyes with the heel of his palm.
There was a long pause on the other end of the line, and Mihawk could just see Shanks pulling the receiver away from his ear to stare at it. The silence went on for what felt like an eternity before Shanks let out a loud, amused laugh.
"Well, I'll be damned!" He chuckled, the sound of his amusement echoing through the Den Den Mushi. There was the sound of rustling before Shanks voice was back, but he was talking to someone else. “HEY! Beckman! I was right about Zoro being our Hawky’s baby!"
The background noise grew louder as Beckman and the others in the Red Hair Pirates' ship reacted to the news. Shanks' boisterous laughter was contagious, and soon the room was filled with the sound of the crew's excitement.
—————————
on Sabaody Archipelago in Shakky's Bar Rayleigh and his wife, Shakky, stare at each other for what felt like an eternity, barely even blinking as they tried to process what they had just heard.
Slowly, Rayleigh put the receiver back on the Den Den Mushi, never breaking eye contact with Shakky.
“… so, we apparently have a grandson, huh?” Rayleigh spoke up first, his face a mask of astonishment and a hint of amusement.
Shakky nodded, still in shock. “Yeah, it seems so.” She murmured, her mind racing with questions and emotions she didn’t know she had.
The room was quiet for a moment as they both digested the news. Then, as if a switch had been flipped, they both burst into laughter. It was the kind of laughter that bubbled up from your gut and made your eyes water—a mix of surprise, joy, and the sheer absurdity of it all.
"A pirate hunter as our grandson?" Shakky managed between giggles, wiping at her eyes. "Or well, an Ex pirate hunter, I guess."
Rayleigh chuckled, leaning his elbows against the bar and burying his face in his hands as he took a deep breath. “Oh my dear lord, the irony!” He exclaimed, his mirth still evident in his voice. “The son of a legendary pirate turned into a pirate hunter, then turned into a pirate! And now, to think he’s our kin. I can’t believe we missed all this drama unfolding right under our very noses!”
“To be fair Mihawk didn’t even know he had a son until now,” Shakky said, her laughter subsiding into a warm smile. She picked up her drink, taking a sip before continuing, “But you’re right, the universe does love a good twist, doesn’t it?”
Rayleigh nodded, his own smile widening. “Indeed, it does.” He leaned forward, rubbing his palms over his face before they fell to rest on the bar counter. “Jesus, what’s gonna happen next, huh? Are we gonna have to deal with another big secret like when Newgate found out little Crow was getting down and dirty with Dragon?”
Shakky snorted, her eyes glinting with amusement. “Oh, god! Let’s hope not. That was one hell of a mess to clean up.”
Their laughter filled the quiet tavern, drawing the curious glances of the few patrons scattered around the room. The atmosphere grew thick with the promise of a good story waiting to be told.
———————————
On the Kid Pirates ship, Victoria Punk. Kid’s eyes twitched, and he felt like he was about to pop a blood vessel because of what was in his hands.
He had gotten the daily mail, just looking through it, looking through the newspaper until he got out a certain article in the newspaper that said. “Captain of the Strawhat pirates, Monkey D. Luffy, and Captain of the Heart Pirates, Trafalgar Law, are now in a relationship! The two separate pirate crews are now conquering the seas together!”
The article was accompanied by a photo just below the text. The photo was of Law and Luffy of course. Law was sitting in a barstool at some fancy schmancy, like Jesus fucking Christ the gambling tables are made out of diamonds, jewels, and gold fancy schmancy, bar-casino-thing, his seat swivel to the side. Luffy was standing behind Law, her hands on his shoulders as she peered over his shoulder looking at him, her head tilted to the side as she peered at him, her eyes half lidded, a siren-like smile playing on her lips. Law’s Head was tilted to the side slightly, and turned slightly as he looked at Luffy, a grin playing on his lips as he was mid chuckle, a pink lipgloss kiss mark on his cheek.
The article was a fucking… GOD! Kid didn’t even know how to explain the article. It had been plastered on every newspaper, every wall, every building, every goddamn billboard across the whole Grand Line. It was like someone had painted it with their blood. It was everywhere. The whole Grand Line had gone absolutely fucking bonkers over it.
Kid’s eye twitched again, he was pissed off, fucking fuming. He and Killer had been listening to the voices in their goddamn heads telling them that Luffy was supposed to be theirs, that the two of them needed Luffy to live, to survive, all that shit! And now this shit? Law? Law, the goddamn Trafalgar Law? He threw the newspaper across the room, watching as it fluttered down like a bird with a broken wing.
He took a deep breath, eyeing the newspaper, his eye twitching again. He was fucking livid, but to his surprise and bafflement the voice in his head wasn’t, if anything, it sounded like it was purring like a content cat, like it was happy, fucking happy about this. Happy about the fact that Luffy was with Law? No, that couldn’t be right. That fucking couldn’t be right. He didn’t know what to do. He didn’t know what to think. He didn’t know how to feel.
Kid growled, his hands going into his hair and he yanked on the strands, looking over his shoulders and making sure none of his crewmates were around as he sped walk to the front of the ship, sinking to the deck ones he got there. The sea was calm, but his mind was anything but. “WHAT THE HELL!” He whisper-yelled. “I don’t know who the fuck or what the fuck is in my head, but you’ve been moaning and groaning about Luffy for months and we haven’t even met her! So why are you so happy she’s with Trafalgar?”
The voice in his head, chuckled, a deep rumbling sound that sounded a lot like a real purr. “Oh, Kiddie. You’re so predictable. It’s adorable…” the voice trailed off into a sigh, and yeah, Kid’s not hearing more things and he already is, the voice is definitely purring. “Trafalgar Law, The Surgeon Of Death, I never thought his vessel would end up looking so much like him though.” The voice mused, and Kid felt a cold chill run down his spine. “Usually he doesn’t try, or care to alter or persuade his vessel’s appearance so much. My love must’ve gotten bored and decided to play with him.”
Kid froze, his mind getting to a halt. “Him? Your love?” He whispered, his mind staying blank for a few more seconds before 100 thoughts hit him at once. “What the fuck do you mean by your love?! I thought it was just Luffy, or whatever Luffy is the vessel of, and Killer! Not— not Trafalgar!”
The voice in his head chuckled once more, a sound that sent goosebumps over Kid’s body. “I have many love’s. Though they are technically not mine, they and me are My goddess’s beloved’s, her… well, her husbands, for lack of a better term. She’s quite the romantic, you see. She enjoys the thrill of love and companionship in all forms. And Law, he’s one of the ones to be chosen by us, her beloved’s that is, like how you and Killer were chosen by me and another one of her love's. Me and you are one, we are the same person but completely different, we are two halves of the same coin, the same soul, yet we were split two, we are the same person but we are two completely different people at the same time. It’s the same for Law, Luffy, and Killer to their vessels, and it’s just a matter of time until you’re a goddess, your Luffy, finds all of her beloved’s ones again. My goddess has always been a possessive little thing, always having her vest when she chosen one to find her love’s again. But you need not worry your pretty little head Kiddie, your Luffy will eventually find you and Killer as well, and when she does, oh boy, she’ll love you both like nothing else in the world.”
Kid was utterly lost in the revelation. He didn’t know what to make of it, and honestly, he couldn’t keep up with whatever the fuck the voice was saying in his head. “What the actual fuck are you yapping about?” He whispered, his nonexistent eyebrows scrunched together in confusion.
The voice sighed, sounding slightly exasperated. “You, Eustass Kid and he are one in the same, the same exact person but also two completely different people at the same time, and that applies to my goddess and Miss Luffy, they are the same exact person but also two completely different people at the same time. My goddess had many beloved’s, but nowadays, the world calls them us her husband’s…” the voice trailed off, giving Kid some time to process the mind-boggling information before continuing. “My goddess has 10 husband’s—” Kid nearly chokes on his tongue when he hears that, but the voice continues like nothing had happened. “— and since my goddess and Luffy are one in the same, it means she has?…” the voice trailed off again, prompting Kid to finish the sentence.
“Ten husband’s?… Ten partners?” Kid managed to croak out, his voice barely above a whisper.
“Yes!” The voice praised, wrapping around Kid like a warm blanket. “Though, technically not a husband since none of you are married to her. But you might feel jealous, even angry now, but I promise as soon as you and Killer lay eyes on Mr. Trafalgar Law, the both of you will want him just as bad as you want Luffy, and that goes with all of her beloved’s, you feel my emotions, and when I’m linked into your mind, I feel your emotions, the emotions of love and want, and need, and just wanting to belong to Luffy is caused by me being with my goddess for centuries, my love for her, the love all of her beloved, feel for her had grow so intense that our vessels started feeling it, so trust me, little Kiddie, once you and Killer lay eyes on Law in person, even just for a split second, the both of you will need and want him just as bad as the two of you want Luffy. You and Killer will want Law just as much as the two of you want and need each other, it’s like love at first sight, but it’s love at first sight with someone you already love, your mind and body just doesn’t know it yet.”
Kid was left speechless by the voice's revelation. The concept of love and destiny twisted in a way he had never anticipated. He felt a mix of emotions: anger, confusion, and an inexplicable sense of longing.
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Garp blinked slowly as he sunk into the plush of the circle booth, in the VIP lounge of Rain Dinners, he was in, sipping his whiskey neat as he looks at the two sitting at the circle booth with him, the one and only Rocks D. Xebec and Gol D. Roger. “… what’s the actual fuck is wrong with this family?” Garp finally says something after an hour and a half of being silent as the other two yapped on and on like two old fishwives at a market. “Hero of the Marines.” He points at himself, before pointing at Xebec and Roger. “And the, supposedly deceased, King of the world, and the, also supposedly deceased, king of the Pirates. Where the hell did I go wrong?”
Xebec let out a chuckle, leaning over the circle table slightly that separated him and Garp. “Oh, but you’re the one who put yourself in this hell, Foxy, me and Roger would’ve been dead if you would’ve actually killed me and let Roger’s execution go ahead as planned. And look at us now, enjoying whiskey together. Ain’t that just a riot?” He took a sip from his own glass, his eyes gleaming with a mix of amusement and something that looked a lot like affection for the man in front of him.
“… I couldn’t let either of you die, the two of you are my… friends… my family, even if not by blood.” Garp grumbled, and he might be a little, a whole lot drunk, to be admitting that out loud. He sat down to the rest of his drink, gently placing the glass on the table in front of him. “I was taught, and beaten black and blue by my old man until I believed that pirates were the scum of the Earth, and now here I am, with two of the most wanted pirates in the world ever to exist, and… you’re my family…”
Xebec chuckled, a sound that was surprisingly warm and gentle for a man with his reputation. “Well, we do say that blood is thicker than water, don’t we, Garp—”
“WAIT!” Roger spoke up, choking on his drink slightly as he spluttered. “Did you say you were beaten black and blue by your old man?!” He wiped at his mouth with the back of his hand, his eyes wide with astonishment as if he couldn’t fathom the thought of someone’s father beating their child.
Garp looked surprised at the sudden yell, his eyes widened and he took a deep breath through his nose as he looked over at Roger, looking at him, even in his drunken state, like the last marble in Roger’s head that was fighting to keep him sane had just rolled away. "Well, yeah, I did," he said, his voice gruff with alcohol. “My old man wasn’t exactly the nicest guy to be around, and fine being honest he should’ve never had children.”
The room was silent for a moment, and then Xebec burst out into laughter, slapping his hand on the table. “Now that’s a good one!” He said, his eyes watering with mirth. “The hero of the marines with an abusive upbringing! Who’d have thought it?”
“Yeah, hooray, right?” Garp mumbled, his voice thick with sarcasm as he leaned forward, placing his arms on the table and resting his head in his arms. “I guess getting the shit beat out of me didn’t work, huh? I still ended up gallivanting around with pirates and ended up with a bunch of hell-raising kids. Go figure.”
Xebec’s laughter slowly subsided, and he looked at Garp with a, to say the least, weird look. “You’re not… you’re not joking?” He asked, his tone a mix of disbelief and concern.
Garp mumbled and grumbled, his words slurred as he moved his head from his arm to press his forehead into the cold table beneath. He waves one of his arms around in the air, the sleeve of his marine uniform sliding down slightly to reveal something that made Roger have to do a triple take. Roger snatched Garp’s wrist, and Garp was too drunk to protest or really do anything else besides let it happen as Roger forced to sleeve down more to reveal dozens, on top of dozens, on top of dozens, on top of dozen of old cut-like scars, some nasty looking others clean and precise, that started from wear his wrist and palm meet all the way down to the crook of his elbow.
Roger’s eyes grew wide with horror as he took in the sight, his heart breaking for his friend. He knew Garp had had a tough time growing up, but he never knew it was like this. Xebec’s face was unreadable as he studied the scars, his expression not giving anything away. But then again, Xebec had always been good at hiding his emotions.
Garp grumbled and half heartedly tried to pull his wrist away from Roger’s Iron tight grip, but soon giving up, too drunk to care about anything that’s happening around him.
Roger's grip on Garp's wrist tightened as he processed the sight of the scars. Despite the noisy din of Rain Dinners, the VIP lounge felt eerily silent, the gravity of the revelation weighing heavily on the two pirates. Xebec finally broke the tension with a sigh, his eyes lingering on the marks etched into Garp's skin. "Well, that explains a few things," he murmured, his usual sarcastic tone replaced by a rare solemnity.
Garp just grumbled and gripped under his breath even more, his forehead still pressed to the cold boot table. He tried to pull his wrist away from Roger one last time before he let out a defeated, drunken sigh as Roger’s free hand, his free hand that was surprisingly shaking a lot, came up and his pointer and middle finger traced over one of the scars.
Roger’s touch was gentle, almost tender as he traced the path of one of the scars, feeling the unevenness of the skin beneath his fingertips. His eyes filled with a mix of anger and sadness, not just for his friend but for the innocent child Garp had been. He felt the urge to apologize for not knowing, for not being there, for not being able to save Garp from his hellish past. But he knew that Garp wouldn’t want that. Garp was a man of strength, a man who had overcome everything in his way and had become one of the strongest in the world. An apology would be a slap in the face to all that Garp had accomplished.
So instead Roger brought Garp’s wrish to his mouth, and kissed the pulse point there, right on top of one of the scar.
"What the fuck are you doing!" Garp yelled, jerking up right and pushing Roger away from him, "Why the fuck are you kissing me, you fucking moron!"
Roger put his hands up in a peaceful gesture, and Xebec snorted, rolling his eyes as sat his drink down, and without any preamble pushed himself up and crawled over the table to Garp and Roger. Sandwiching Garp in between himself and Roger as he slid into the booth seat on the other side of Garp. Xebec sighed, and wrapped an arm around Garp’s shoulders, sagging in the seat slightly. He reaches out with the arm slung around Garp’s shoulders, grabbing Roger by the back of the neck and pulling the other man closer to the two of them, all but squishing Garp in between them.
“Chill out Garp, he’s just being a sentimental old fool," Xebec murmured, resting his head on Garp’s shoulder. Xebec’s grip loosening on the back of Roger’s neck, but his hand never leaves it. “But he got it, old man, shitty parents and all that, I know I've seen my fair share over the years. And… we love you too, you old fool…” he said, a slight smile playing on his lips as he watched Garp’s reaction to Roger’s gesture.
The room was tense for a moment, the only sound being the crackling of the fireplace. Then, Garp barked out a laugh, a single tear escaping from the corner of his eye, which he quickly brushed away. “You two always knew how to cheer a man up, didn’t you?” He said, his voice thick with emotion. “But let’s not get too sappy, I don’t think my old heart could take it.” He sighed, slumping back in his seat, feeling the warm bodies of Xebec and Roger on either side of him.