Chapter 11
Sasuke raised an unimpressed eyebrow at Garp, who was standing there with his usual wide grin, holding a seven-year-old boy by the scruff of his shirt.
The boy, with his messy black hair and a straw hat perched on his head, looked strangely familiar, but Sasuke ignored that for now. His focus was entirely on Garp, who seemed far too pleased with himself.
Garp caught Sasuke's stare and gave a hearty laugh, as if he was thoroughly enjoying the situation. "Oi, Sasuke! You look like you're already judging me. Don’t worry, Luffy here’s a handful, but he's a good kid!" He gave the boy a slight shake, which caused Luffy to let out a surprised laugh, his arms flailing as he tried to right himself.
“Jiji, did you steal a child?” Ace shouted, his eyes wide with surprise as he pointed at the boy in Garp’s hand, his voice loud enough to draw the attention of everyone nearby.
Before Garp could even respond, Sabo whacked Ace on the back of the head with a playful but firm strike. "Don't be stupid, Ace. Why would Jiji steal a child?" he scolded, though his lips quirked into a smirk as he shook his head.
Ace rubbed the back of his head, pouting at Sabo. “It was just a question! You don’t know, maybe Garp went rogue!” he grumbled, clearly not convinced by the situation.
Garp, still grinning ear to ear, let out a hearty laugh at the exchange. “Ah, Sabo’s right. I didn’t steal him! This here’s my grandson, Luffy,” he said, lifting the boy higher so everyone could get a better look.
Luffy, ever the ball of energy, waved enthusiastically at Ace and Sabo, shouting, “I’m gonna be Pirate King!” His voice was filled with so much excitement and confidence that it almost sounded like a promise.
Sabo tilted his head slightly, inspecting the boy closely. “Pirate King, huh? You sure about that? You look like you’re still learning how to tie your shoes, let alone conquer the seas.” he said, but his tone wasn’t unkind. He couldn’t help but be curious about the boy’s bold declaration.
Luffy puffed out his chest proudly, completely unfazed by Sabo's comment. "I don't need to tie my shoes right now to be a Pirate King! I'll figure it out when I get there!" he declared with a grin that seemed to stretch from ear to ear.
Ace, who had been quietly watching the exchange, let out a low chuckle. "You sure about that, Luffy? What if you trip on your own shoelaces when you're out at sea? The seas are dangerous, you know,"
Luffy shot him a confident thumbs-up. "I won't trip! And even if I do, I’ll get back up again and keep going! That's what pirates do!"
Ace’s eyes narrowed in challenge as he crossed his arms. “That’s funny, you sound just like me. But I’m gonna be the greatest pirate, not you.”
Sabo shook his head, still amused. “You two are both way too confident for your own good. It’s going to be a long road if you really want to reach those goals.”
Garp, who was enjoying the teasing, grinned even wider. “The kid’s got a heart, don’t worry! He’ll grow up to be a handful, just like his old man.” He winked, clearly referring to his own wild past.
Sasuke sighed, knowing full well that Garp had brought his grandson here for him to take care of. With a reluctant glance, he turned and walked into his house, leaving behind a few words. “Let’s go inside and talk.”
Garp left the three children outside as he followed Sasuke into the familiar house.
Sasuke poured tea for Garp, who sat across from him, and then asked, “So, what’s the real reason you brought Luffy here?”
Garp grimaced for a moment before replying, “I want you to train Luffy. He’s dead set on becoming a pirate, and once that kid gets something in his head, he won’t stop until he gets it.”
Sasuke raised an eyebrow. “Didn’t you want them to become Marines?”
“Hahaha, of course I did,” Garp chuckled, “but after our talk, I thought about it and realized you made a lot of sense.” He laughed heartily, recalling their conversation. At first, Garp had been dead set on making Ace and Sabo Marines, but after Sasuke explained why, and how the two of them couldn’t realistically become Marines for several reasons, Garp had come to a different conclusion.
He could still remember Sasuke’s words from before. “Considering that Sabo comes from a noble background and Ace has the Pirate King as his father, it wouldn’t exactly make things easy for them if they joined the Marines.”
Sasuke nodded, feeling a sense of relief that Garp had changed his mind about wanting them to become Marines. He didn’t want his students to be forced into that path, especially to serve a corrupt government.
“So, you want me to prepare him for the sea?” Sasuke asked, smiling at the old man in front of him.
Garp’s grin widened as he nodded. “There’s no one better than you when it comes to handling kids like Ace, Sabo, and Luffy.”
Sasuke sighed in response. “God! Another gremlin.”
Garp laughed out loud at the defeated look on Sasuke’s face. He could faintly hear the excited voices of the three brats from outside the house, eagerly talking about their future.
“So, why does Luffy want to be Pirate King?” Sasuke’s curious voice brought Garp’s attention back to the man he considered a second son.
Hearing Sasuke’s question, Garp snorted, then reluctantly said, “It’s all because of that bastard, Akagami Shanks. He put the idea into Luffy’s head.”
Sasuke raised an eyebrow at the mention of Shanks' name. The memory flickered in his mind—he remembered that man telling him how he had lost his arm to save a boy.
“Huh, so that’s how it was. Never thought the boy he saved would be Garp’s grandson! What a small world.” Sasuke thought with a small smile on his face, finding it a bit amusing.
Garp spent the day with them, and Sasuke watched with a gleam in his eyes as his three students were tossed around by their grandfather. When he heard their cries for help, he simply ignored them, going inside to prepare a large amount of food—various types to satisfy the appetites of the four humans who ate like there was no tomorrow.
Sasuke watched as the kids, still a bit messy from their training, sat down at the table with big grins on their faces. Luffy was the first to dive into the food, not even bothering to wait for anyone else. Ace and Sabo followed suit, clearly hungry after all the running around.
"Eat up, all of you," Sasuke said as he served the food. "You’ll need the energy for the training ahead."
The kids didn’t need any more encouragement. They ate quickly, talking excitedly about what they wanted to do next, and even Garp, who had been sitting back with a big grin, joined in.
"You’re a good one, Sasuke," Garp said with a smile, looking at the kids with pride. "I think Luffy and the others are in good hands."
Sasuke just nodded, watching the kids. They were all talking about their dreams—Luffy’s dream of being Pirate King, Ace’s dream of becoming the best pirate, and Sabo’s plan to change the world. It made Sasuke smile a little, but he wasn’t sure what to expect just yet.
Luffy looked up from his plate, his mouth full, but still managing to say, "When I’m Pirate King, I’ll come back and visit you, Sensei!"
Sasuke raised an eyebrow but smiled. "I look forward to it," he said, though he was pretty sure Luffy had no idea how hard it would be to actually become Pirate King. Still, there was something about Luffy’s confidence that made him think maybe the boy could do it.
The next morning, day one since Luffy was left in Sasuke’s care.
Ace and Sabo were in the middle of their usual daily match, their wooden swords clashing with each strike, each of them pushing the other to their limits. They had been sparring for years, and their rivalry was filled with mutual respect, each trying to outdo the other. It was a sight to behold—Sabo’s calculated, precise strikes against Ace’s raw power and unpredictability.
“Keep up, Sabo!” Ace taunted, a wide grin on his face as he ducked under Sabo’s swing and delivered a quick strike to his side.
Sabo grunted and swiftly blocked, retaliating with a swift kick that sent Ace stumbling back. “Not bad, Ace, but you’ll have to do better than that.”
The two were completely absorbed in their battle, their movements fluid and coordinated despite their competitive nature. They pushed each other harder each day, always striving to improve, always trying to be better than the other.
Meanwhile, Luffy was still working with Sasuke, trying to catch up with the basics while the two older brothers continued their battle. Luffy’s focus was divided between watching his new brothers’ impressive match and the stern instruction from his sensei.
Sasuke had just finished explaining the importance of balance and control to Luffy. “You’ve got spirit, Luffy,” Sasuke said, his voice calm but firm. “But you need to control it. Power without control is like a ship without a rudder—it won’t go anywhere.”
Luffy nodded, his eyes full of determination. “I get it, Sensei! I won’t just charge in recklessly anymore!”
Sasuke raised an eyebrow but couldn’t help the small smile that tugged at his lips. “Good. Now, let’s try that again, but this time, focus on your stance. And remember, it's about precision.”
Luffy went back to practicing his footwork and strikes, still clearly frustrated by his own clumsiness, but he was determined to improve. As he took another swing at the air, his eyes wandered back to Ace and Sabo, who were still locked in their match, their combat much more advanced.
“Those two are so good,” Luffy muttered to himself, his eyes following their swift, seamless movements. He was in awe of their skills.
Sasuke noticed Luffy's distracted gaze and followed it. He gave a slight nod. “They’ve been training for longer than you, Luffy. You’ll get there, but it takes time. Don’t rush it.”
Luffy nodded, taking the advice to heart. He could see how hard Ace and Sabo had worked to get so good, and he was ready to put in the same effort.
The training session continued with the boys, with Ace and Sabo still sparring in the background while Luffy practiced his stance and footwork under Sasuke’s watchful eye. Luffy’s enthusiasm was impossible to miss, but Sasuke could tell there was a deeper hunger to improve in the boy’s eyes.
After a few moments of quiet training, Sasuke crossed his arms and regarded Luffy thoughtfully.
“Luffy,” Sasuke said, catching the boy’s attention. “You’re doing well with the basics, but now it’s time to learn something new. Something that will give you an edge. We’re going to start learning chakra.”
Luffy blinked, his expression puzzled. “Chakra? What’s that?”
Sasuke gave a small, knowing smile. “It’s the energy that flows through your body, the source of many of the techniques I use. Learning to control and manipulate chakra will give you the ability to do things beyond just physical strength—like creating fire, summoning creatures, and even controlling the elements.”
Luffy’s eyes lit up at the mention of fire and creatures. “Sounds awesome! But… how do I learn it?”
Sasuke knelt down to Luffy’s level, his gaze serious. “It’s not something that can be mastered quickly. It requires focus and patience. First, we need to help you find your chakra and learn how to control it. It’s like a hidden power inside you, but you have to learn to tap into it.”
Luffy’s usual confidence returned in full force. “I can do it! I’ll get stronger! Show me how!”
Sasuke nodded, his expression unreadable but approving. “Good. First, sit down and relax. Close your eyes and focus on your breathing. We’re going to start simple—just feel the energy inside you.”
Luffy immediately dropped to the ground, sitting cross-legged as he followed Sasuke’s instructions. He closed his eyes, trying to focus on his breathing. He was used to physical training, but this felt different—this was something inside, something he couldn’t see but had to feel.
Sasuke stood back, observing the boy’s attempts. “The chakra inside you is always flowing, but it’s easy to get distracted. Focus on your body and clear your mind. Don’t force it.”
Luffy’s brow furrowed in concentration as he sat still, trying his best to do what Sasuke said. He felt strange—like there was an energy inside him, but it was faint, like a whisper. He wasn’t sure if he could even control it yet, but he wasn’t going to give up.
After a few minutes of silence, Sasuke stepped forward and extended his hand toward Luffy. “Now, try gathering your chakra into your hands. Just like a simple movement—concentrate.”
Luffy extended his hands, palms facing upwards, and focused hard. For a moment, nothing happened. But then, to Sasuke’s surprise, a tiny spark of chakra flickered at Luffy’s fingertips—a faint blue glow that only lasted for a split second.
Luffy’s eyes widened. “Did I do it? I felt something!”
Sasuke gave a slight nod, his tone firm but encouraging. “That’s your chakra. It’s just the beginning. The more you train, the easier it will become to control.”
Luffy grinned widely, the excitement in his eyes clear. “I can feel it! I’ll keep practicing until I can do it really good, Sensei!”
Sasuke couldn’t help but chuckle, knowing that the boy’s determination would serve him well. “Keep going, Luffy. But take it slow. Chakra isn’t something that can be rushed.”
With renewed energy, Luffy continued his training, his focus now on learning how to feel the chakra more clearly and concentrate it into his hands. Meanwhile, Ace and Sabo had paused their sparring to watch, and they exchanged glances before turning back to the younger boy.
Sabo gave Ace a small grin. “Looks like Sensei’s starting to teach him the real stuff.”
Ace nodded, a thoughtful look on his face. “Yeah, he’s got potential. If he can control that chakra… he might actually be able to do some amazing things one day.”
Three months had passed since Luffy started his training under Sasuke, and the growth in both the ASL trio and Luffy himself was noticeable.
The trio of Ace, Sabo, and Luffy had grown closer than ever, their bond strengthening with each passing day. What had once been the awkwardness of newly-found brothers had transformed into a tight-knit connection.
They were no longer just friends or fellow students—they were brothers in every sense of the word, supporting one another through the tough times and sharing the laughter in the good ones.
Sasuke watched them with a sense of pride, though he never let it show too overtly.
It wasn’t his style to openly express his emotions, but seeing the kids grow, both in strength and character, made him feel like he was doing something right.
They weren’t just learning how to control chakra or improve their combat skills—they were learning how to trust one another, to look out for each other, and to push each other to be better. These were the lessons that would serve them the most as they grew up.
Luffy, despite his usual carefree nature, had become more disciplined under Sasuke’s tutelage.
He was still the energetic, cheerful boy he’d always been, but there was now a certain focus to his actions.
When he’d first started learning chakra, he was all over the place—excited, eager, but lacking control. Now, after months of steady practice, he could concentrate his chakra with precision, using it to enhance his speed and strength. His stubbornness was still a part of him, but he was learning when to temper it and when to push through obstacles.
Ace and Sabo had made incredible progress as well. Ace, who had once been reckless, was now learning how to think before he acted, to strategize in battle, and to use his element jutsu in ways that made them even more powerful.
Sabo, too, had grown stronger, mastering his own techniques with the same level of dedication. His desire for justice and change hadn’t dimmed, but Sasuke could see that his training had given him the strength to pursue those ideals with more wisdom.
The two older brothers had mastered the healing ninjutsu, they both now can heal themself or even successfully got 100 healing marks on their forehead, which they decided to hide.
Their taijutsu has also improved a lot, so did the swordsmanship.
Ace and Sabo were now at the warlord level.
Luffy, despite his boundless enthusiasm and energy, wasn't quite at the same level as Ace and Sabo when it came to his training.
His development in taijutsu had been impressive, however. The little boy had an innate sense of rhythm, which made his movements fluid and natural during sparring sessions. He still struggled with some of the more advanced techniques, like walking on water or climbing trees, but he was a fast learner when it came to physical coordination, and Sasuke couldn’t deny the boy's determination.
Luffy’s battles with his older brothers, Ace and Sabo, were often chaotic, yet somehow always ended with a sense of growth.
Ace and Sabo were patient with him, making sure to hold back enough so Luffy could improve, but the kid’s sheer spirit made him a hard opponent to face in his own way.
However, Sasuke had noticed something else: Luffy’s aversion to healing jutsu.
The young boy had struggled with chakra control and concentration since the beginning of his training, and the very idea of sitting still for long periods to heal felt like torture to him.
Sasuke had tried to teach him the basics, but Luffy’s mind was always on the move, constantly thinking of new ways to improve himself or seeking the next adventure. The notion of sitting still and meditating on his chakra was completely foreign to Luffy’s hyperactive nature.
When Sasuke mentioned the 100 healing jutsu, Luffy’s face had scrunched up in distaste. He had no interest in a technique that required sitting down in one place for hours, meditating and controlling his chakra. The thought of doing something as boring as “not thinking” for long periods seemed like the worst kind of punishment.
He had made it clear, with his usual bluntness, that he wasn’t interested.
“I don’t wanna just sit around!” Luffy had protested with his typical exuberance, throwing his hands up in frustration. “Pirates don’t sit still! I’m gonna be the Pirate King, not a healer! I’ll fight my way through everything, and if I fall, I’ll just get back up and keep going!”
Despite Luffy’s words, Sasuke wasn’t surprised by his reluctance.
He was a young boy full of ambition and fire, and the very idea of being still—especially for something as mundane as healing—felt like it went against Luffy’s core beliefs. He wasn’t ready to understand the importance of being prepared for the future, for the times when one had to heal and recover after a battle, or even the need to take care of oneself beyond just the fight.
Sasuke didn’t push the matter further, knowing that Luffy wasn’t ready to take in that kind of lesson just yet. The boy had to experience failure and pain in his own way to understand that there were more ways to grow stronger than just relying on his unyielding willpower.
Instead, Sasuke focused on honing Luffy’s physical skills, making sure that his foundation in taijutsu was solid. With Ace and Sabo as his sparring partners, Luffy’s speed, reflexes, and endurance had all improved significantly. His older brothers were patient with him during sparring, offering tips and advice when necessary, but they also let Luffy fight his own battles and figure things out on his own.
The real challenge was going to come when Luffy encountered his first real test of endurance and self-discipline. When that time came, Sasuke knew that Luffy would be ready to understand why healing jutsu—along with all the other aspects of training—were necessary to be a complete warrior.
But for now, Sasuke watched Luffy with a quiet sort of patience, allowing him to figure out his own path. After all, everyone had their own pace when it came to growth, and Luffy, with all his stubbornness and passion, was no different.