S.R: I'm not going to spoil any of this story by telling you all about it. Just read it. All you need to know is it's rated M.

DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN ONE PIECE OR ANY OF ITS CHARACTERS!


"Sir! We've just received a report that 'Red-haired Shanks' is in the East Blue!"

"What the hell is he doing in the East Blue?"

"We don't know sir! Captain Nezumi himself sent the report however."

As the Marine waited for orders from his superior another man walked into the room.

"I couldn't help but overhear the shouting and sadly, the report is true. I just received word from an agent of mine saying something similar though my agent said Shanks is reported to have been saying his crew had decided it was time for a break."

"So they want to take it easy for a bit, is that why they've gone to the East Blue?"

"Probably."

"Get me Vice Admiral Sakazuki. He's on the fast track to being Admiral, and the Gorosei are strongly recommending that when I step down I name him Fleet Admiral in my stead."

"Yes sir!"

After the marine left the room to find Sakazuki, the leader of the Cipher Pol Aigis Zero nodded to Sengoku before following the marine out. Sighing Fleet Admiral Sengoku spoke to himself…

"Even though the Gorosei want Akianu to be the next Fleet Admiral, I can't help but wonder what they'll say when I name Aokiji instead…"

MEANWHILE

"It's going to be a good day isn't it?"

"Well considering we are in the weakest sea it'll be an easy day at least."

"Hey, Captain I just found an island not too far off. What's the plan?"

"Let's stop and enjoy ourselves. Hopefully they've got a bar."

With that the Red haired captain smiled at his crew as they adjusted everything they needed to sail to the nearby island with a practiced ease. His first mate was right that even if the day wasn't a 'good' day it'd be a simple one with no challenge. Though Shanks found himself unbothered by the thought. Instead he found himself getting excited without knowing why. Eventually his ship sailed into port on the island. He and his second mate Benn hopped down onto the dock, the rest of his crew waiting on-board but listening close as they waited to find out what would happen.

"I'm the mayor of this village. I have to ask what your intentions are!" a shorter man with a red and white strapped hat said as he approached the two.

"Ah, well mister mayor my crew and I had decided we needed a break. I give my word we will not harm your village. We just want to rest and enjoy ourselves for a while."

"Mister makes me feel older than I am, but since you say your crew won't harm us I have no issue with you staying."

"I thank you." With that he nodded to Benn who gave the crew the okay to finish docking the ship. After they had finished they all gathered behind their captain and first mate in a rather relaxed way.

"Hey mister mayor, do you have a bar in this town?"

"If you aren't going to just call me mayor, then call me Woop Slap… Anyway yes we have a bar but I do need to warn you. The current owner Makino is the adopted daughter of Garp the hero."

"I understand."

With that the mayor led the crew towards the bar known as "Patty's Bar". As Shanks walked in he saw a trio of little boys sitting at the bar eating excitedly as a dark haired woman hummed to herself as she was cleaning a mug. The trio of boys noticed the new comers instantly, however before they could say anything the mayor explained the situation. Once Woop Slap finished speaking Shanks introduced himself to the woman. However the two black haired boys and their blonde friend had something to say, jumping between him and Makino.

"Hey you! Tomato head! Don't you try anything with our aunt!" (Luffy)

"Leave Makino alone you bastard!" (Sabo)

"Try anything and we'll kill you!" (Ace)

Shanks had to hold in his laughter at the fact he was being threatened by children. Despite the fact that he thought they couldn't do anything to the weakest member of his crew, he didn't want to just laugh in their face and embarrass them. He instead gave them credit for standing up to him, and smiled at the boys as he held his hands up in acknowledgment.

"Alright, alright I get it. We're just here for a break anyway." Shanks chuckled to the boys as Makino started preparing to serve Shanks and his crew. As he kicked back and started to relax he found himself befriending the three boys.

A FEW DAYS LATER

Shanks and his crew had rapidly bonded with Luffy, Ace, and Sabo as he learned their names. The trio of boys looked up to him as he told them his stories about sailing in the Grand Line. Luffy was especially close with Shanks though, as after having stuck up for him against a mountain bandit and almost getting killed Shanks had saved him. Not only had he saved the boy, but Shanks gave his arm to a Sea King, while he made sure Luffy was safe after the mountain bandit had tried to escape to sea with a kidnapped Luffy. Ace and Sabo were not quite as close to the man, but they wholeheartedly respected him for saving their "little brother". Shanks had found out one night as he stayed up chatting with Makino that the three were not related by blood, but still regarded each other as family. In his talks with the bar maid he had learned that Luffy was the actual blood grandson of Garp, but she refused to tell him about Ace's parentage and the boys had yet to tell her who Sabo's true family was. But his interactions with Luffy reminded him so much of his former captain, that he had given Luffy his treasured straw hat. Since the trio had been telling Shanks they'd be pirates like him one day he handed Luffy his precious straw hat in response to Luffy stating he'd become a pirate greater than Shanks, so great that he'd become the Pirate King.

"You're going to be the Pirate King right? Well this hat is my treasure. It was given to my by my former captain. I'm counting on you to become a great pirate like he was. This hat is your promise to me. Your promise to become a great pirate and meet me again on the seas one day."

With Zoro

A small green haired boy was being pulled along towards a ship that was evacuating the island his dojo was on. His teacher and the father of his dearest friend and former rival before an unexpected accident had been giving all of the students of the dojo an order to find a safe place. But that didn't matter to the green haired boy. The marines had suddenly attacked the island, unknown to him the reason behind it was no one on the island was able to help the marines in their search for a certain man. All that mattered to him was his rival was now dead, having fallen down the stairs and broken her neck after an explosion outside the dojo shook the building so hard she lost her footing. His goal of beating her and becoming the best was now impossible because of this incident.

"Master Koshiro… please. Please let me honor Kunia's memory by wielding her sword!"

"Zoro… I understand you desire something to help carry on her memory but, her sword the Wado Ichimonji is a family heirloom. What reason do you have to give me to entrust you with it."

"Kunia had always been better than me, yet she always told me that just because I was a man I would become stronger… If I can, I want to honor her by using her blade to become the worlds greatest swordsman."

Koshiro was silent at Zoros words. He could feel the sincerity and intensity in Zoro. The older man instantly understood Zoro's conviction and drive would allow him to one day make it to the top. Sighing in response he held out the sword, it's hilt decorated in wrapping the same white color as it's scabbard.

"Very well. I accept your words as an oath. I entrust the Wado Ichimonji to you."

With Nami

"Genzo, why can't Bell-mere come with us?"

"Well Nami, she is a marine. She has to help the other marines look for whoever it is they are looking for."

"Does that mean she won't come back?"

"No! Bell-mere loves you and Nojiko. She wouldn't leave the two of you forever. But she has to help the other marines search for this person."

"So she'll come get us right? When she's done looking she'll bring us home right?"

"That's right Nami. She'll let us know when it's safe to come back."

"Is the person they are looking for a bad man? Is that why we had to leave?"

"Yes, we had to leave so that we would be safe from the bad man."

Once Genzo had managed to calm the little orange haired girl down he began telling her and her older blue haired sister Nojiko about the place he was taking them. The two listened with complete attention and awe, as he told them that they were going to visit the home town of Garp the hero.

With Usopp

A small boy with a long nose was standing next to a bed in the medical bay of a ship. He had tears in his eyes as he looked at the woman on the bed. She had grown severely ill, just a few days ago. While the villagers in their town had tried to take care of her and her young child Usopp, they struggled as there was no doctor in the village any more. The reason they no longer had a doctor tied into why they were now on a ship sailing for a safe island. Two days ago the marines had landed on their island and began asking questions. Anyone that didn't answer in whatever way the marines wanted was "jailed for hindering the investigation" but the villagers had seen the truth. Those people had been taken away and executed in secret. This caused a massive panic that lead to the people fleeing the island.

Most were worried about the bed ridden woman and her son, but they had done what they could by getting them off the island. They were good people that wouldn't leave a sick woman and a child to the mercy of the marines after what they had seen. But they also had nothing to offer to the table so to speak. Now that they had left their island they were all homeless, and jobless. They couldn't support themselves at the moment let alone the woman and child, even if the sick mother didn't have much time left. All the people formerly from Gecko Island would be able to do now would be to find someone willing to take care of the young Usopp.

DAWN ISLAND

Thanks to his exceptional Observation Haki Shanks was able to notice several ships heading towards the island he and his crew were currently vacationing on. Since he could feel the potentials of several people making their way to the island he and his crew decided to hide their ship just in case it was a small fleet of marines. While he and his crew were busy moving their ship the boats coming towards Dawn Island arrived and large groups of civilians departed the ships, key people like Koshiro, and Genzo moving to speak with the mayor about why they had come to Dawn Island. To his credit mayor Woop Slap was silent about Shanks being on Dawn Island as it could be very bad if these people found out and attacked him. Or worse they found the nearest marines and brought them to the island. Either scenario would turn the island into a battle zone, and the mayor refused to let that happen. He welcomed the people to Foosha village and allowed them to stay before returning to his house to contact Monkey D. Garp, the marine Hero and possibly the only one that could handle the current situation without risking innocent lives. Picking up a small snail that Woop Slap left sitting on the desk in his office, he used it to make a call.

"Woop Slap, good timing with your Transponder Snail. I was just about to call and let you know I'm on my way home for a week long Vacation."

"Garp we have a huge problem…"

While Woop Slap was informing Garp about current events, Garp's grandsons had met up with some of the children around their age that had come to the village. Thanks to Luffy's infectious energy they quickly opened up and started playing together. As they played and chatted with each other under the watchful eye of Makino, Nami and Nojiko revealed why there were so many people that had come to the island after Sabo started wondering why such a large group of people had come to Dawn Island.

"Hey guys, do you know why so many people have come to this island?"

"The marines are looking for a bad man. We had to leave our home while they search for the bad man."

"Don't worry about that. You're my friends so I'll protect you. After all I've got a punch as strong as a pistol!"

"Luffy's right. Even with the small amount of training we've gotten from gramps we're pretty tough."

"Just don't tell the old bastard that I'm thankful for his training."

Makino cut into the conversation for a moment to scold Ace for his language, but the children continued talking happily. Zoro spoke up saying that he'd also been training so if they needed to fight he'd be right by their side. Usopp was cowering at the thought, but he did say that if he really had to he'd use his slingshot to defend anyone that was with him. Nami and Nojiko both teased him for being a coward but they agreed that as the three of them were probably the weakest they'd use their skill with staves to support him. While she was happy they all were rapidly becoming good friends Makino couldn't help but feel worried about them when the topic of fighting came up. But she knew that when Garp was training Luffy, Ace, and Sabo that it was very harsh. So she kept her mouth shut even as she made a mental note to ask Shanks to protect them if something were to happen.

"You said the marines are searching for a bad guy right? Do you know who the bad guy is?"

"When they asked our mom Bell-mere to help them search I think they said the bad guys name was Shanks."

"Shanks isn't a bad guy! He gave me this hat, and lost his arm protecting me!"

Luffy cried out, slightly angry that someone would call his hero and idol a bad guy. Unknown to him, there was a tall man in a white suit, with a mask hidden just out of sight but still within earshot. This man however had to think the situation over. Despite being an agent of CP0 and normally being allowed to act however he saw fit, this man was given orders to let the marines handle the situation. It went against his instincts after the training he had gone through to become a Cipher Pol agent, but he retreated and using his Transponder Snail gave his report to his boss. The results of this call were that marine Vice Admiral Sakazuki Akainu had been giving the authority to request a Buster Call, which upon locating Shanks was exactly what the over zealous marine did.

Luckily at this point Shanks had discovered that it wasn't marines, but a large group of now homeless citizens of the East Blue. Knowing something wasn't right he ordered his crew to remain on standby back one the ship as he brought his first mate with him back to Foosha. At this time the two men had entered the bar through the back door since they new Makino would be able to tell them what was going one, thankfully for them she had decided it was time for lunch and brought the kids in to eat.

But, just before Makino could explain what was happening the front door of the bar was violent shoved open and Garp walked in followed by a tall man wearing a cloak. Shanks knew both men, though he was surprised at the cloaked figures presence. Garp held a hand up in a gesture that they weren't around to confront him, though he did have a steely gaze.

"We've got a huge problem. I was already on my way home for a vacation, when Woop Slap told me you were here Shanks… He also told me that people from other islands were showing up after fleeing from their homes because the marines were searching for you."

"Shit… Something tells me even if my crew and I were to leave now it wouldn't matter."

"That's right. Thankfully I got here the same time father did and was able to tell him… They found out you were here on Dawn Island, and gave the marine in charge the authority to place a Buster Call. Unfortunately for us that marine is Sakazuki."

"Makino take the kids and get ready to evacuate the island."

"What can I do to help?"

"Well I know for sure I'm evacuating the people."

"I'm going to try and rescue those you can't."

"Should my crew and I hold them off long enough for you to get the people off the island?"

"That's what I was going to suggest Red Hair."

"Father, you do know you can't take Luffy or Ace with you."

"The hell I can't!"

"Neither one of us can. It won't be safe for them to stay with me, and Sakazuki will be watching you like a hawk after this so any, and I mean any slip up will give him all the info he'll need to execute the two of them. At least to get off the island they'll be safer with Shanks and you know it."

"Thanks to chatting with Makino I know Luffy's your son Dragon, but they won't tell me much about Ace."

"His father was your former captain."

"… With that being the case, Dragon is right. Neither one of you can get them away safely. So long as they stay under the deck they'll be perfectly safe."

After Shanks agreed with him, Dragon found a piece of paper and wrote the number for his transponder snail on it before giving it to Shanks. Garp did the same, though he gave a slip to Dragon as well commenting that they should memorize it and destroy the paper afterwords as a precaution.


S.R: There is a reason that Sanji is not being included with them right now while they are still children. That reason is that I'm treating the time that Shanks was on Dawn Island as the same time that Sanji and Zeff were stranded on that island and Zeff sacrificed his leg so Sanji could survive. Because of that, and the fact we'll have to come back to the East Blue for the Going Merry anyway Sanji will be joining the crew similarly to how he joined in canon. Side note, there will be a few new crew members but for the most part the Straw Hat Pirates will still be a small crew. Also Luffy will have a different Devil Fruit, and everyone on the crew will be taught haki earlier than in canon.

P.S -Why, just why does Fanfiction hate me and my formatting? If this doesn't get posted with the spacing I wanted I will cry.