Disclaimer: I don't own One Piece.

This is my first ever story, so please give me some feedback. No flames please, constructive criticism is welcome.

On the deck of Moby Dick

Ace was in a bad mood, had been in a bad mood ever since it was debated if they should get Monkey D. Luffy to join their crew. After seeing his impressive first bounty, Whitebeard and the commanders (other than Ace) were talking about getting him to join.

Ace knew this would not work for many reasons:

Luffy would not accept being on a pirate crew and not being captain.

Luffy saw no need for a father.

If Luffy was taken against his will he would fight tooth and nail and probably kill himself in the process to get back to his nakama.

He loved being free, taking away that freedom was suicidal.

If his otouto's nakama was threatened like his were Luffy would kill - no, completely annihilate - anyone who hurt or threatened his precious people whether they be his brother's nakama or not. Because Luffy certainly wouldn't hurt Ace after he said he didn't want to do this.

Even though Ace would love for his little brother to be on his crew, Luffy wouldn't be happy (understatement of the year) and Ace wanted his otouto happy. But did everyone else take his advice to leave Luffy alone. No, they were being idiots and would pay the price for it later. But for now...

Time to write a letter to Luffy! Probably should tell him about the planned recruitment too!

On the deck of Going Merry

It was awhile after Luffy's first bounty was issued and all the Strawhats were anxious to reach the Grand Line (well, maybe not Usopp). Nami (who was sunbathing) saw a seagull coming towards Going Merry with a letter.

"Hey, letter arrived!" The crew gathered outside to see that, yes, a letter was currently in the hands of Nami. "It's for Luffy." "Eh? Me? Lemme see!"

Everyone watched anxiously as Luffy opened the letter. "Ah, it's from my brother, Ace!" "Eh!" Came the collective shout, "You have a brother!"

"Yeah, Portgas D. Ace."

"So what's in the letter?" Zoro asked.

"Oh, yeah, Nami set a course for another island, okay, Ace said the Whitebeard pirates are trying to recruit me, so we gotta stay away from their territory for awhile."

"Fine, Sanji-kun, come help me."

"Ne, Nami help me write a letter saying I refuse!"

"Hai, hai, what do you want to say? And I'll pay to deliver the letter but you have to return it at 50% interest!"

On the deck of Moby Dick

Ace smirked, Luffy sent them a letter saying he refused if his guess was correct. Ace couldn't wait to read it! When Ace got the letter finally he collapsed on the ground laughing.

"Ace, what's so funny? We just lost the chance to gain a new brother! You should be unhappy, if anything!" Thatch complained.

"You mean you lost the chance. I on the other hand, got the laugh of a lifetime! And a letter just for me from my otouto."

Because the letters in his hand read,

To the Whitebeard pirates,

I ain't joining, I can't become Pirate King if I'm not a captain! If you want we can be friends. But you have to stop asking if I want to join your crew! I don't know anyone in your crew but Ace (Hi Ace, there's a letter for you too), and I would have to follow orders. I'm a pirate and we're free! Even in my crew, I don't normally give orders.

From,

The man who will become Pirate King,

Monkey D. Luffy.

And Ace's letter was all about Luffy's adventures up to that point, his crew members and what had happened in the three years he was gone.