Chapter 12
Luffy adored his sensei.
To the seven-year-old, Sasuke was nothing short of amazing. The man could do everything Luffy thought was cool and then some. Whether it was cooking meals that made Luffy's stomach feel like it would burst from happiness, teaching him how to fight with moves that made him feel like a real strongman, or showing off incredible abilities that seemed straight out of a dream, Sasuke was a hero in Luffy’s eyes.
“Sensei is so awesome!” Luffy would often declare to Ace and Sabo, his grin stretching from ear to ear as he stuffed his face with Sasuke’s food. “He can do all those ninja things, and he makes the best meat! What can he not do?”
Ace and Sabo, who had been with Sasuke earlier than Luffy would join him to praise their sensei that takes care of them.
Sasuke wasn’t just a teacher; he was someone who gave Luffy direction, a sense of purpose, and encouragement when he needed it most. Sasuke’s patience, even when Luffy struggled with tasks like controlling chakra or staying focused, never wavered. And his kindness—hidden under his cool and reserved demeanor—was something Luffy treasured.
Whenever Sasuke ruffled his hair after a successful spar or praised him for a job well done, Luffy’s heart soared. It was these small gestures that made him feel cared for in a way he hadn’t experienced often. To Luffy, Sasuke was more than a teacher; he was family.
And then there was the cooking. Sasuke’s meals were something else entirely. The man seemed to know exactly what Luffy loved most: big portions of juicy, flavorful meat that always left him licking his fingers and asking for seconds (or thirds).
“Sensei, you’re the best cook in the whole world!” Luffy exclaimed one evening, his cheeks stuffed like a chipmunk’s as he grinned up at Sasuke. His voice was slightly muffled by the sheer amount of food in his mouth, but the sentiment was clear.
Ace and Sabo, equally enthusiastic about the meal, made agreeing noises as they shoved more food into their mouths. They didn’t even bother to speak, too engrossed in devouring the feast Sasuke had prepared.
Sasuke chuckled softly, shaking his head as he brought another tray of steaming food to the table, greeted by the shining, eager eyes of his students. "If you three keep eating like this, I’ll have to start cooking for an army," he said, his tone carrying a hint of amusement.
“That’s fine!” Luffy declared, barely pausing between bites. “We’ll be the strongest army ever!”
Ace and Sabo nodded vigorously, their mouths too full to contribute verbally.
At Foosha Village
“I heard that Garp left Luffy with Sasuke-san,” Makino said, her voice carrying a mix of joy and relief as she chatted with the other villagers at the bar. Her kind smile lit up her face as she cleaned a glass, her tone warm with affection for the boy.
The villagers, equally fond of Luffy, nodded in agreement. “That’s a good thing,” one of them said. “Sasuke-san is a good man. If anyone can keep Luffy out of trouble—or at least teach him some discipline—it’s him.”
“Discipline, huh?” Another villager chuckled, leaning back in his chair. “I’m not sure even Sasuke-san can manage that. After all, he’s already got his hands full with those two students of his—and they’re just as much troublemakers as Luffy.”
The small group of villagers broke into laughter at the remark.
“That’s true,” an older woman chimed in, shaking her head fondly. “Ace and Sabo are a handful on their own. Adding Luffy to the mix? Poor Sasuke-san might just have his work cut out for him.”
Makino smiled, but there was a twinkle of amusement in her eyes. “You’d think that, but somehow Sasuke-san makes it work. Those boys adore him, and they’ve already learned a lot from him.”
Another villager grinned. “Oh, I don’t doubt it. I saw Ace and Sabo the other day, practicing with those wooden swords. They’ve gotten sharp—too sharp for kids their age. Sasuke must be one hell of a teacher.”
“Still,” the first man said with a laugh, “three troublemakers under one roof? I bet Sasuke-san is secretly questioning all of his life choices.”
Makino’s laughter joined the others, though it was warm and full of affection. “Maybe. But I think he enjoys it. He’s got a way of turning all that chaos into something good. Those boys might drive him crazy, but they’re lucky to have him. And honestly,” she said, her voice softening, “I think he’s lucky to have them too.”
The room fell into a thoughtful silence for a moment, the villagers fondly picturing the bond that had grown between the mysterious teacher and his three mischievous students. Finally, one of them raised his drink in a mock toast.
“Well, here’s to Sasuke-san—and his incredible patience. He’s going to need it!”
At the Grand Line.
The atmosphere aboard the Red Force was unusually lively. The Akagami pirates had gathered around a stack of newspapers, each headline fueling their growing amusement. Benn Beckman, the ever-composed first mate, held one such paper in his hand, his sharp eyes scanning the words.
Unlike the rest of the crew, Benn’s demeanor was calm, though the faintest hint of a smirk played at the corner of his mouth. The paper in question wasn’t an ordinary newspaper—it was a coded message written specifically for them, cleverly hidden within the guise of a mundane article. The details were subtle, but to those who knew the cipher, it was as clear as day.
“Captain,” Benn called out, his voice laced with both amusement and exasperation. “You might want to hear this.”
Shanks, lounging casually against the ship’s mast with a bottle of sake in hand, perked up at Benn’s tone. “Oh? Did another Celestial Dragon get tossed into the sea?” he asked with a smirk, taking a sip from his bottle.
Benn shook his head, though his lips twitched with restrained laughter. “Not quite. It’s about Sasuke.”
That caught Shanks’ attention immediately. He sat up straight, his grin widening. “Sasuke? What about him?”
Yasopp snatched the paper out of Benn’s hand, laughing as he skimmed it. “You’re not going to believe this, Captain,” Yasopp said, his shoulders shaking with mirth. “Turns out your crush has taken in none other than Garp’s grandson, Luffy, as his student!”
Shanks blinked, momentarily stunned, before his laughter erupted like a tidal wave. “You’re kidding!” he exclaimed, slapping his knee. “Luffy? My Luffy? With Sasuke? Oh, this is too good!”
Benn raised an eyebrow, his smirk mirroring the crew’s collective amusement. “Guess Garp figured Sasuke was the only person who could handle that little troublemaker.”
Shanks leaned back, still laughing. “Sasuke’s patience must be legendary by now if he’s teaching Luffy! I can only imagine the chaos that’s going on there.”
Lucky Roux chuckled, his face red from laughing. “Sasuke with Luffy, Ace, and Sabo? That’s like trying to train three hurricanes!”
Shanks waved them off, a dreamy look replacing his grin as he leaned on the mast. “Still, I bet Sasuke is doing an amazing job. He’s… well, you know, incredible. I mean, Luffy’s lucky to have him.”
Benn rolled his eyes at the obvious admiration in Shanks’ voice. “You know, Captain, if you’re that interested, maybe you should visit instead of mooning over him every time we get news.”
Shanks grinned cheekily, though his expression softened with genuine affection. “Oh, we’ll visit eventually. But I’m giving him some space. Let him bond with Luffy.”
Yasopp smirked, folding the paper and tossing it onto the pile. “So what you’re really saying is, you’re too chicken to go see him right now.”
Shanks pretended to be offended, clutching his chest dramatically. “Me? Chicken? Never! I’m just… waiting for the right moment!”
The crew burst into laughter, the teasing relentless, but there was an undeniable warmth beneath it all. Even as they joked, they knew their captain’s feelings ran deep, and they couldn’t help but wonder how this new development would unfold.
“Mark my words,” Shanks declared, raising his bottle of sake in a toast, “Luffy’s going to be a great pirate, Sasuke’s going to be even more incredible than he already is, and one day… I’ll tell him how I feel.”
“Sure, Captain,” Benn said dryly, though his smirk softened. “We’ll hold you to that.”
As the crew’s laughter echoed across the deck, Shanks leaned back with a contented sigh. Things were changing, and though he missed Sasuke more than he’d admit, knowing they were connected through Luffy made the waiting a little easier.
Benn kept reading the rest of the information, “This is… creative,” Benn remarked dryly as he flipped the page.
“What does it say?” Yasopp asked, leaning over Benn’s shoulder, his curiosity evident.
Benn chuckled, shaking his head slightly. “Looks like we’ve got an update on Sasuke and his little band of gremlins. Apparently, Ace and Sabo have reached what they’re calling ‘Warlord level.’ They’ve mastered some impressive techniques, but they’re keeping most of it under wraps.”
“Warlord level?” Lucky Roux chimed in, laughing as he popped another piece of meat into his mouth. “Not bad for a couple of kids. Sasuke really knows how to train them, huh?”
Benn continued, his voice even but his amusement growing. “Luffy’s mentioned too. He’s still working on the basics—water walking and tree climbing—but his taijutsu is coming along fast. Apparently, he’s stubborn as hell about anything that involves sitting still, so healing jutsu isn’t exactly his favorite.”
Shanks burst into laughter at that, leaning against the mast with his arms crossed. “That sounds about right for Luffy. Sitting still never was his strong suit. Still, if anyone can get through to him, it’s Sasuke.”
Yasopp snorted. “And if Luffy gets any more determined, he might just drag himself through it by sheer force of will.”
Benn’s smirk grew as he reached the end of the coded article. “There’s one last thing here. Sasuke apparently cooked a feast for the kids, and Luffy declared him the best cook in the world. The other two agreed, naturally.”
The crew erupted into laughter again, Shanks shaking his head with a fond smile. “Of course he did. That kid eats like a storm.”
Benn folded the paper neatly, setting it aside. “It’s subtle, but there’s also a mention about Garp. Seems like he’s been checking in every now and then. And judging by the tone, Sasuke’s handling all of it just fine.”
Shanks grinned, his expression softening. “That doesn’t surprise me. Sasuke’s incredible—patient, strong, and way more organized than Garp ever was.”
Yasopp raised an eyebrow at him, his grin sly. “Sounds like you’ve got it bad, Captain.”
“Yeah, yeah,” Shanks said, waving a hand dismissively, though his grin didn’t fade. “Say what you want, but Sasuke’s doing something amazing out there. Teaching those three? That’s no small task. Makes me admire him even more.”
The crew exchanged knowing glances, the teasing light but ever-present. “You’re gonna tell him one of these days, right?” Lucky Roux asked, his tone deliberately casual.
Shanks chuckled, leaning back against the mast. “Eventually,” he said, his voice filled with warmth. “But not yet. Let’s see what kind of chaos those kids cause first.”
As the Red Force sailed on, the laughter of the Akagami crew echoed across the waves, their thoughts drifting to the enigmatic teacher and the trio of wild students making waves back on Dawn island.
“LUFFY, ACE, SABO!! YOU THREE BRATS COME BACK HERE!” Sasuke’s enraged voice thundered through the forest, sending birds scattering from the treetops. The sheer force of it carried all the way to the Foosha Village, where the villagers continued about their day without even glancing up.
It wasn’t that they didn’t hear it—it was impossible not to—but they had long since grown accustomed to such scenes. Sasuke’s booming shouts and the ensuing chaos had become a normal part of their lives.
Makino, standing behind the bar at her tavern, chuckled softly as she wiped a glass clean. “Looks like they’ve done it again,” she said, her voice filled with amusement.
Nearby, a fisherman adjusted his nets and grinned. “It’s those kids, no doubt. And poor Sasuke-san, trying to keep them in line. He’s got his hands full with that trio.”
“Wonder what they did this time,” another villager mused, shaking their head with a smile.
In the forest, the trio in question—Luffy, Ace, and Sabo—were sprinting through the trees, laughing as they darted between branches. Luffy, as usual, was leading the charge, his arms flailing wildly as he laughed. “We gotta move faster, guys! Sensei’s really mad this time!”
“You think?” Ace shot back, a wicked grin on his face as he kept pace. “What gave it away? The vein popping out of his forehead?”
Sabo rolled his eyes but couldn’t suppress his own grin. “You know we’re dead when he catches us, right?”
“But he has to catch us first!” Luffy yelled, his laughter ringing out as he pushed himself to go even faster.
Back at the edge of the forest, Sasuke stopped for a moment, his Sharingan blazing as he scanned the area. He took a deep breath, his frustration evident but tempered by a small, begrudging smirk. “They’re fast but they should know better than to think they can outrun me.”
In a flash, he disappeared, reappearing ahead of the trio with an almost predatory grin. The three skidded to a halt, their eyes wide.
“Oh no,” Luffy muttered.
“Oh yes,” Sasuke said, his voice dangerously calm. “You brats are in so much trouble.”
The villagers in Foosha Village heard the distant sound of the boys’ panicked yells and Sasuke’s authoritative bark. Instead of concern, fond smiles spread across their faces. This was just another day with Sasuke and the ASL trio—a chaotic, noisy, and oddly heartwarming routine they had all come to love.
Three years had passed in what felt like a blink of an eye.
Luffy was now ten years old, full of energy and brimming with curiosity, while Ace and Sabo, both thirteen, had grown into strong, capable young men.
A lot of things changed, Luffy ever since they kept going on their monthly week trip to random island to heal people had become interested in learning medical nin, Ace and Sabo made a lot of contribution on saving other people without Sasuke needing to be there.
The whole world has been silently notified that the doctor from nowhere had a third apprentice who is now 10 years old while the other two apprentice had grown into healthy and handsome 13 years old boys now they can heal just like their teacher the doctor from nowhere.
And then there was the doctor himself. Despite the passing years, the enigmatic "Doctor from Nowhere" hadn’t aged a day.
If anything, he seemed even more captivating, his features carrying a natural elegance that left those who met him in awe.The once stoic man now carried a gentler air about him, a softness that only made sense to those who knew he was raising three young, lively students.
The change wasn’t dramatic, but it was enough to notice in the way he smiled at their antics or the patient tone he used when teaching them.
Yet, for all his brilliance and growing reputation, no one dared to capture his image—neither in photographs nor portraits. The fear of such a likeness falling into the wrong hands, be it the Celestial Dragons, the government, or anyone with ill intentions, was too great.
The whole world civilization who knew him, as well as his students, respected this unspoken rule between them. The doctor from nowhere’s life wasn’t one to be turned into a spectacle, and those who admired him understood that his safety, and the safety of his students, came first.
However, the world’s admiration was not without a selfish edge.
The civilizations that knew of him clung to the hope that the doctor and his apprentices would continue to heal those who were severely ill, regardless of who they were or where they came from. This silent dependence on the enigmatic healer and his protégés became a lifeline for many—a beacon of hope in a world often plagued by sickness and despair.
“Our youngest finally realizes the importance of medical jutsu?” Sabo raised an eyebrow, his arms crossed as he leaned against a nearby tree. He watched their sensei patiently guide Luffy through the basics of healing jutsu. The youngest brother's hand flickered green for a moment before the glow disappeared, leaving the boy frustrated.
Ace, sitting nearby with his experiment results spread out in front of him, glanced up with a wide grin. “So it seems,” he teased, his gaze shifting between Luffy and Sasuke. “Pretty sure last year’s surgery left a deep impression on him.”
“I guess that was bound to happen,” Sabo said grimly, his arms crossed tightly over his chest. “It was really bad. If we were even a second later, she wouldn’t have made it, considering she was shot in the head.” His voice carried a hint of disbelief, the memory still fresh and unsettling even though two years had passed since then.
Ace hummed in agreement, not looking up from the documents spread out in front of him. He was meticulously going over the details of the experimentation, trying to pinpoint why one aspect of their procedure had faltered. “It was a miracle she was still breathing. Good thing we found her in time.”
“Before her villagers started digging her grave?” Ace’s tone is flat but edged with dry humor. He glanced up from his work just in time to catch Sabo’s grimace. “Yeah, that was one of the most dramatic saves we’ve had.”
Sabo nodded, though the memory made his stomach twist. “They thought she was gone. Her pulse was so weak they couldn’t even tell she was still alive.”
“It wasn’t just weak,” Ace added, leaning back and folding his arms behind his head. “It was a miracle she made it through. If Sensei hadn’t acted as fast as he did…” He trailed off, his expression briefly clouding before returning to his usual grin. “Well, good thing we don’t believe in impossible odds.”
“Every time we heal people, we learn new things from our teacher,” Sabo said with a thoughtful smile. He glanced over at Sasuke, who was calmly preparing another batch of medical supplies nearby for Luffy to study. “He shows us that nothing is impossible, even when the odds seem stacked against us.”
Ace nodded in agreement, a spark of admiration in his eyes. “Yeah, Sensei’s the kind of guy who makes miracles look like just another day at work. It’s crazy how much we’ve learned just by watching him.”
Sabo smiled, his eyes reflecting a mix of gratitude and awe. “It’s crazier that we became his students among all those people.” He glanced at Ace, then at Luffy, his voice softening. “Out of everyone, he chose us. We were just a bunch of kids with nothing but dreams and the will to survive.”
Ace put down the document in his hands, he looked at Sasuke who was patiently teaching Luffy a wide smile appeared on his face. “Then I guess I did the right thing when I decided to take in our sensei who was passed out in the forest.”
Sabo glanced over at Ace, his expression softening as he nodded in agreement. "Yeah, you did. If you hadn't found him, none of this would have happened." His gaze flicked over to Luffy and Sasuke, watching their youngest beam finally succeed in mastering Reiki -the green light.
Ace chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly. "It was a bit reckless at the time, but it turned out alright." He turned back to the documents on his lap, his grin never fading. "I guess it was a good decision."
Sabo smiled, his tone playful. "A good decision? It was a life-changing one. You gave us a chance to learn from the best."
That was true, if Ace hadn't acted, if he hadn't found Sasuke in that forest, their lives might have turned out completely differently. Instead of the safe home they now had, filled with the warmth of food and the strength they were building, they could have remained lost, hungry, and struggling to survive.
“AH, so that’s what was missing!!” Ace exclaimed, his eyes lighting up as he finally figured out why his experiment had failed. He had been trying to create an immortality pill after hearing from his sensei that someone had succeeded, which sparked his curiosity. Ace wasn’t using any forbidden jutsu, though. Instead, he had been working to find a way to create the pill without resorting to dangerous methods or human experiments.
Sabo raised an eyebrow, clearly impressed but amused. “Have you finally figured out the missing piece?”
“Yeah, it seems I have to use alchemy to process the herbs into the pill, not just other medical tools.” Ace excitedly said while he gathered the scattered papers before running into the house towards the lab that was specially made for him by Sasuke.
“Alchemy, huh? That’s a whole new level of complexity,” Sabo muttered, raising an eyebrow as he followed Ace into the house. He couldn’t help but feel a bit intrigued. “But then again you are an expert in alchemy.”
Ace grinned at Sabo's comment, looking over his shoulder with a spark of excitement in his eyes. “Well, I wouldn’t say expert just yet, but I’ve learned a lot from the books Sensei gave me,” he said as he practically bounced toward his lab. “It’s all about applying the right principles and techniques. If I can combine the right elements, I’m sure I can make something amazing!”
Sabo rolled his eyes with a small smile. “Just don’t blow up the house, alright? Sensei will never let you live it down.”
Ace waved him off, already opening the door to his lab and setting the scattered papers down on his desk. “Nah, this time it’ll be different. I’ve figured it out!” He began rummaging through the shelves, pulling down vials and ingredients as he muttered to himself. “Alchemy is all about the balance of things. It’s not just about mixing things together, it’s about understanding their nature...”
Sabo leaned against the doorway, his arms crossed, but he couldn’t help the slight admiration in his gaze. “I’ll be here if you need a second set of eyes, or, you know, a fire extinguisher.”
“Got it!” Ace happily said before incrossing himself into his experiment.
Sabo chuckled and shook his head, watching Ace dive into his experiment with the usual intensity. He knew his friend well enough to understand that once Ace was focused, there was no stopping him.
Sabo turned to leave, giving Ace some space to work. "Alright, I'll be in my office if you need anything," he called over his shoulder as he walked out of the lab.
Ace barely acknowledged him, his attention fully consumed by the collection of herbs, vials, and alchemical tools now spread across the table. With a determined grin, he began the delicate process of combining ingredients, carefully following the principles of alchemy he had learned.
“Time to make this work,” Ace muttered to himself, a spark of excitement in his eyes.
Sabo smiled to himself as he entered his personal office, the familiar smell of old books and parchment filling the air. The room was organized in its own way, with shelves stacked high with various books, scrolls, and documents. His desk was cluttered with reports, journals, and notes, all evidence of the countless hours he'd spent studying and refining his skills.
He walked over to one of the shelves, running his fingers along the spines of the books, each one holding valuable knowledge on a variety of subjects. From the basics of herbology to advanced combat techniques and strategies, Sabo had made it his goal to be well-versed in many areas, always seeking to improve himself and help his family.
Though Ace was the one who had the talent for creating potions and alchemical concoctions, Sabo’s strength lay in his knowledge—his ability to understand the intricacies of combat, medicine, and the world around them. It was a balance they had perfected over time. Ace would experiment and push the boundaries of science, while Sabo would provide the knowledge to back it up.
Sabo glanced at the window, watching the sun begin to set. With a content sigh, he settled into his chair, picking up a book on advanced ninjutsu that Sasuke had lent him. He was always fascinated by the possibilities of blending the old methods of combat with the newer, more scientific approaches they had developed over the years.
"Guess it’s time to keep learning," he muttered to himself, opening the book to continue his studies.
Back to Sasuke and Luffy, the mentor and his youngest disciple.
“You did an amazing job in learning Reiki, but Luffy do you want to learn all the way up to your brother's level or just enough with being able to heal yourself and others?” Sasuke ruffled Luffy’s hair, it’s not that he didn’t want to teach Luffy but he can see that Luffy wasn’t really interested in 100 healing jutsu at all.
Luffy grinned widely as he scratched the back of his head, his usual carefree attitude shining through. "I just want to be able to heal myself and help my friends when they get hurt! I don’t need all that fancy stuff like my brothers. I wanna focus on becoming the best pirate!" He jumped up excitedly, his hands mimicking the motion of steering a ship. "Pirates gotta be strong, right? And I wanna be strong enough to fight and protect my crew!"
Sasuke nodded his head in understanding, he had long figured it might be that case and he wasn’t going to force Luffy into learning but that doesn’t mean Luffy won’t be learning it because Sasuke was going to use it as the punishment for Luffy when he causes trouble with his siblings.
At that time Luffy didn’t know that his fate was sealed, he had no choice but to sit down and practice 100 healing jutsu whether he wanted to or not.
Luffy happily begins his sparring with his sensei, he used his gomu-gomu no mi when he spar while using ninja jutsu.