I'm terribly sorry it took so long to get a chapter out. This is a difficult story to write for me; it requires cross-referencing the manga as well as the anime, and even then it's difficult. One Piece is a fantastic, but LONG, story as you all know. I won't say anything about a schedule because it's almost a given I won't be able to deliver on time. But I intend to keep it going, and I promise I'll come out with chapters a bit quicker.

I do want your thoughts on something. While I really like the story, there are some arcs I just don't care for as much as others. Would you all mind if I go through those quickly? Or would you rather I go as deep as possible on all of them?

-o-

"Great. More of Garp's insanity," Nami said, facepalming. She had some choice words ready for the next time they came across him; she vowed to make him relive at least some of Luffy's pain.

"He's already thrown him into a ravine, into a jungle, and let balloons carry him into the sky. I wonder what he has planned next?" Robin asked, slightly worried but mostly curious. Garp certainly had an interesting way of showing that he cared for and loved his grandson.

"You're way to calm about this," Nami deadpanned.

"We know he makes it out alive. And I don't think Garp would kill him. He might be a bit insane, but he loves Luffy… in his own way," Robin said, adding the last four words for good measure. She couldn't deny that Garp loved his grandson, but there were indeed much better ways to show it.

"What way do you think that is?" Zoro asked, only the slightest hint of humor in his voice. Robin shrugged as she tried to think of an answer.

-o-

Luffy was fighting the monkeys that he sparred with before, but this time the matchup was a bit more even. He managed to get a few attacks in - but at the expense of a still significant amount of bruises. Garp looked a bit more impressed than he had last time; it was apparent to him that Luffy had improved somewhat throughout the previous year.

Finally, Garp put an end to the fighting and Luffy went over to his grandfather, a smile on his face.

"Grandpa, I've decided! I'm not going to be just a pirate anymore!" Luffy said happily.

"That's great, kiddo! You've finally decided to become a Marine!" Garp said with a huge grin, happy that Luffy finally saw things his way.

"Nope! I'm going to be KING OF THE PIRATES!" Luffy declared, loud and proud, hands on his hips as he yelled for the forest to hear.

The grin on Garp fell as he loomed over Luffy, dark and imposing.

-o-

"That… might not have been the smartest thing to say," Usopp said weakly.

"Definitely not," Nami deadpanned.

"That's our captain. Just says what's on his mind without thinking of the consequences," Zoro sighed, although he had a small smile on his face - that was one of the best things about Luffy. He never minced words and he always gave it to people straight.

"If he thought of the consequences, we might not have had so many interesting adventures," Robin said as she noticed Zoro's smile.

"Can't argue with that," Sanji said as he drew a long smoke.

-o-

Garp picked Luffy up by his stretchy cheek and began walking through the jungle.

"I'm gonna be Pirate King, grandpa!" Luffy said as he tried to slap Garp's hand away.

"Not on my watch, kiddo! Not only did you eat a Devil Fruit, but now you wanna be Pirate King?! That damn Red Head…," Garp trailed off as he thought of Shanks. Finally, he brought his attention back to Luffy.

"You and Ace are going to be Marines, Luffy! The strongest Marines that ever lived!" Garp yelled as he continued to make his way.

"Owww! Why does it hurt if I'm rubber?!" Luffy cried out.

"I shouldn't have left you in the village," Garp said as they finally came upon a house.

-o-

"He said Ace! Think we'll finally get to meet him?!" Chopper asked excitedly.

"I think so," Nami said, watching on with interest.

-o-

"DADAN! GET OUT HERE!" Garp yelled as he knocked loudly at the door.

"G-Garp! You need to give me a break, you know. Ace is already 10! I can barely handle him now. Soon enough, I won't be able to handle him at all!" said Curly Dadan as she answered the door. A large woman, wearing an orange button up shirt, a large pearl necklace, and green and black striped pants, with a cigarette in her mouth - Curly Dadan acted as the stepmother for Ace and Luffy. A mountain bandit of the Mt. Corbo Mountain Tribe, Dadan usually stuck to her home, never going to Luffy's village. She was flanked by two other bandits.

-o

"What is Garp doing here?" Nami asked in surprise.

"I'm not sure. We'll probably find out in a little bit. She does seem to be an interesting character, though," Robin observed.

"You sure she's a she?" Franky asked as he looked closely at Dadan. He was wondering why Garp would bring Luffy here of all places.

"She talked about Ace as well! Does he live with her, you think?" Chopper asked.

"That seems to be the case," Brook answered, although he could see no sight of the young boy.

-o-

Finally, Dadan looked down, and her eyes widened in terror.

"WHO IS THAT LITTLE RUGRAT?! YOU'RE BRINGING ME ANOTHER?" Dadan asked.

"This here is Luffy. He's my grandson," Garp said, grinning.

"GRANDSON!?" Dadan exclaimed, along with her subordinates.

"Yup. So, choose. Live the rest of your lives behind bars, or raise this little guy. I'm keeping the Marines eyes closed to your crimes, which, I might add, number more than the stars in the sky," Garp said.

-o-

"Garp… is blackmailing bandits… into taking care of his grandson?" Nami asked incredulously.

"That seems to be the case. I didn't expect that" Robin added lightly.

"Garp really is insane!" Usopp added, terrified at the thought.

"Well, at least we know where Luffy gets his manners from," Sanji sighed.

"But… it's his grandson! Shouldn't Garp be taking care of him? Or even better - Makino!" Nami yelled.

"Maybe he felt this was best?" Brook offered.

"IN WHAT WAY IS THIS BEST?!" Nami yelled. Brook, Chopper, and Usopp held on to each other in fright.

-o-

"I don't want to be arrested, but sometimes I wonder if the slammer might be a better option then raising these kids. I'm already at my wits end with Ace… and now you want me to take care of your grandson?! He's a monster just like Ace, huh?" Dadan asked. Suddenly, a wad of spit went flying at Luffy and connected with his cheek.

"Spit! Gross! Who did this?" Luffy asked angrily.

"Hey, Ace!" Garp said.

"You came home, Ace?!" asked one of the bandits.

There, sitting on a kill was Ace. Holding a long stick, wearing a white tank top, black shorts, and a frown, Ace was a far cry from the always smiling man the Straw Hats knew.

-o-

The Straw Hats were surprised by the appearance of Ace.

"He looks angry," Nami said quietly.

"I wonder why? He and Luffy seem to love each other so much," Chopper said, slightly afraid.

"This is when they first met, so it's probable that they didn't get along initially," Robin said as she carefully observed Ace. She could see some cuts and bruises on him. She could tell the expression on his face - one of detachment. She knew it well, for she had worn it for much of her life - at least until she met Luffy and the others.

"He does seem rather… frightening," Brook observed. He, Franky, and Robin were the only ones that didn't spend any time with Ace before his end, so didn't have anything to measure him with. From what they learned from the Straw Hats, Luffy and Ace loved each other a tremendous amount - proven when Luffy fought so diligently to save him.

-o-

"That's Ace. He's 3 years older than you. You're gonna live with him from today forward, so you two better get along, got it? Dadan?!" Garp asked.

"What?!" Dadan replied.

"I'm entrusting him to you," Garp replied.

All the while, Luffy and Ace simply stared at each other - neither backing down.

Finally, Garp left, and the boys went inside. Luffy took a seat on a cushion.

"I hate mountain bandits," Luffy declared, not batting an eyelash at the stronger and motley bunch around him.

-o-

The Straw Hats erupted into laughter at this. Leave it to their captain to be blunt when surrounded by the people he claims to hate.

"That's our Luffy," Franky said as he wiped away a tear.

"You'd think he'd be a bit more appreciative considering that they've taken him in," Nami said, smiling as she shook her head.

"Luffy appreciates what he wants to," Zoro said with a grin.

"Looks like even as a child, he wasn't one to shy away from danger," Robin said.

"Remember how he treated those bandits when they insulted Shanks behind his back? Luffy never learned to bow away," Brook added with a YOHOHOHOHOHO.

-o-

"Shut it, brat! We're already tired with kids like you. If you don't like it here, get out and starves!" Dadan yelled.

"Calm down, boss!" one of her subordinates told her.

"This is too little! I want meat too!" Luffy declared as he observed the small cup of rice and glass of water before him.

"This meat is from the buffalo Ace captured. He gives us some, and that goes on our plates. You'll have to start working tomorrow! You'll clean, do the laundry, polish our shoes and weapons - as well as rob, steal, swindle, and kill! And you won't tell Garp a damn thing!" Dadan yelled at him.

Luffy simply glared at her as she continued to talk.

"A bowl of rice and a cup of water a day. That's all you can have. Anything else you want? You'll have to go out and get it!" Dadan yelled.

-o-

"Those assholes are gonna starves him!" Sanji growled. They weren't giving Luffy close to enough food.

"He needs a lot more than that, nutritionally speaking. He's still really young," Chopper said worriedly.

"Garp really screwed up here," Nami said as he brought her hand to her forehead, not believing how Garp could do that to his grandson.

"You never know. This kind of stuff builds character," Zoro said, shrugging.

"Aren't you Mister Optimistic," Nami said, rolling her eyes at him.

"Perhaps Dadan will end up being a good influence on him?" Robin offered, although her tone implied that she wasn't a big fan of the treatment Luffy was receiving. Nami shrugged at that, and they went back to the memory.

-o-

"Alright!" Luffy declared, his voice rather calm.

"You agree?! You're supposed to cry!" Dadan yelled.

"Grandpa abandoned me in the jungle plenty of times. I can eat worms, frogs, snakes, and mushrooms for as long as I want. If I'm gonna be King of the Pirates, I need to be able to do that by myself!" Luffy said happily.

-o-

Hearing his dietary choices made the Straw Hats wince a little.

"Man, that's disgusting," Franky said.

"Terrifying," Brook agreed.

"Still building character?" Nami asked Zoro, who merely shrugged in response.

"If I ever find those bandits, I'm going to give them an ass kicking they won't forget. Starving someone, much less a child, is an unforgivable sin in my book," Sanji snarled. The others nodded in agreement; they could've been kinder, especially to someone as young as Luffy.

-o-

At Luffy's declaration, Ace got up and began to leave.

"Where is Ace going?!" Luffy asked, getting up.

"Wait, where are you going… wait, did you say King of the Pirates?" Dadan asked, aghast.

Luffy continued to follow Ace outside as he went into the woods. Ace looked back and gave him a disgusted look as Luffy waved his hands.

"Hey, I'm Luffy! I'm not angry about you spitting on me anymore!" Luffy said.

Suddenly, the memory flashed back to when Shanks was sitting on the floor of Partys Bar, soaked and covered in sake. He was telling Luffy not to get worked up about the small stuff.

-o-

"What was that?" Nami asked, talking about the flashback.

"A flashback within the memory, it seems. It looks like Shanks's influence on Luffy has already set to his heart. Even after Ace spat on him, Luffy quickly forgave him - just like Shanks would," Robin said, smiling.

"He's growing up," Nami cooed happily.

-o-

"It's nothing to get angry about! Let's be friends! Hey, where are you going?" Luffy asked as he went after Ace.

Suddenly, Ace kicked a tree. It snapped at the base of the trunk and began to roll downhill - colliding hard with Luffy.

-o-

The Straw Hats were shocked by the display of power and brutality from Ace - much more so, considering how friendly he was to all of them at their first meeting.

"Damn! He IS a monster. Talk about power!" Franky said, shifting his sunglasses above his head.

"Why did he do that?" Chopper asked fearfully as he clutched Robin's leg. She had no answer for him as she impassively watched the scene, although she couldn't deny the moment of shock that coursed through her as the tree hit Luffy.

"He could've killed him!" Usopp yelled, terrified at Ace's behavior. It was completely opposite of what he had seen in Alabasta. That Ace defended Luffy against Baroque Works - while this Ace was trying to end him before he grew up!

Brook, Zoro, and Sanji watched impassively - however, the others noticed that Brook and Zoro were holding on to their swords tightly while Sanji rotated his foot, getting it primed.

-o-

Luffy quickly recovered from the tree trunk and continued to follow Ace onto a wooden bridge.

"Ha!" Luffy exclaimed as he caught up. Ace looked back, surprised that Luffy was still following him. Luffy had a look of determination on his face - one the Straw Hats knew well. He wasn't going to give up without a fight - and even with a match, the chances of him giving up were zero.

Ace looked at Luffy for a moment before turning and facing him. He gripped his stick tightly and brought it up - before bringing it down hard on the bridge. The bridge broke, and Luffy went tumbling down into the river below.

-o-

The Straw Hats continued to look terrified - mostly Chopper, Usopp, Franky, Brook, and Nami.

"Wow… he's… not very nice," Usopp said weakly.

"I'm really, REALLY surprised that he and Luffy get along so well. If someone did that to me, I could never forgive them," Nami said with a hard look as the memory began to change.

"We'll likely see happened that brought them closer together. We know it comes, so there's no reason to be afraid," Robin said. She knew Luffy and knew that he would forgive Ace - if he hadn't already. After all, he had forgiven her even after she helped bring Alabasta to its knees. Luffy always looked for the good in people, and she was confident he'd find some in Ace.

"I'm really interested in seeing that," Zoro said.

"If Ace keeps this up, he's gonna really hurt Luffy," Chopper said softly, still clutching Robins' leg.

-o-

"Boss Dadan! Luffy came back alive!" one of the bandits yelled as Luffy came into view. He was bloody and bruised, his shirt ripped. The straw hat, however, was uninjured on his back.

"He's still alive!? WHERE THE HELL WERE YOU?!" Dadan asked Luffy.

"I was being chased by wolves and fell off the cliff," Luffy answered as he went to his bed.

"The cliff?! Why did you…? Hell, nevermind. Sleep for now. Tomorrow, you're gonna work hard for us!" Dadan said. Luffy quickly fell asleep.

The next morning, Ace began to leave - with Luffy right behind him.

"Hey, Ace! Take me with you! Let's be friends!" Luffy said happily, grinning ear to ear.

-o-

"There's the Luffy we know and love!" Franky cried out.

"Even after Ace hit him with a tree and sent him into a ravine, he's still so cheerful," Nami said, smiling at kid Luffy.

"What a tremendous spirit!" Brook yelled out.

"Can't keep him down," Usopp said, smiling at his captain.

"I'm still surprised that they get to be so friendly after all this," Chopper said.

"It's one of Luffy's greatest traits. You can't help but eventually like him," Robin said, smiling.

-o-

"Hey! Wait for me! This time I'm not gonna lose you!" Luffy said as Ace broke into a run.

"Hey, Boss! He ran after Ace!" one of the bandits said.

"DAMN IT LUFFY! YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BE RUNNING ERRANDS FOR US! DAMN KID, WON'T LISTEN TO A SINGLE WORD!" Dadan yelled as Luffy entered the forest.

-o-

"Definitely the Luffy we know and love," Franky said, grinning.

"Following orders really has never been his strong suit," Nami said.

"Yeah, except now he gets his bounty raised when he does something the world tells him not to," Usopp said.

-o-

The memories shifted in rapid order as the Straw Hats continued to watch. Every day, Luffy would disobey Dadan and the others and venture into the jungle after Ace. He survived crocodiles, alligators, rock slides (courtesy of Ace), poisonous snakes, huge birds, piranhas, the inability to swim and drowning, massive tigers and other monsters - all in the hopes of winning Ace as a friend. Unbeknownst to him, each and every time - Ace was watching him.

-o-

"Damn, look at the forest! Those HAVE to be some of the biggest monsters I've ever seen!" Franky said, eyes wide. Usopp and Chopper held on to each for the entire montage as the monsters just grew bigger and deadlier.

"Jeez, no wonder he's so strong. Anyone would be if they had to survive in a place like that!" Nami said, also terrified by the number of things Luffy had to survive at such a young age.

"No wonder he's a monster himself," Sanji said, lighting up another cigarette.

"It is quite impressive. This explains why he was so easily able to beat everyone in East Blue. It likely plays into the other fights that he's been in. He was truly forged in fire," Robin said, impressed by the number of things Luffy had to escape at such a young age. Even his Devil Fruit powers - which he couldn't control yet - didn't help him much, so he had to do so on his own instincts.

-o-

"Huh. Is this the end of the forest?" Luffy asked as he finally came to a place where the trees ended.

As he observed the sight before him, the pungent and horrible smell hit his nose with an unrelenting force. Before him was trash - parts of ships, boats, signs, bricks, ladders, and everything in-between; all piled up in a huge trash heap.

"What the hell is this place? God, it stinks," Luffy said as he observed the Gray Terminal. A raggedy man approached Luffy and pushed him out of the way. Luffy's mouth was open as he kept on looking on.

-o-

"What the hell is this place?" Franky asked as he covered his nose. The rest of the Straw Hats followed - the smell, for some reason, reached them as well.

"Why can we smell it?!" Nami asked as she coughed a bit.

"Perhaps the smell of the place was so pungent, that Luffy remembers it?" Brook asked as he covered his own skeletal nose hole.

"This is the Gray Terminal. It's a junkyard on Dawn Island, the same island where it seems Luffy is from. From what I know of it, it's a fairly dangerous place - ravaged by disease and no medical care. Most of the people here are refugees, making their living by selling the trash they can find. It's quite a terrible place," Robin said. Suddenly, Chopper broke away from her and descended down a small pile of trash.

"Chopper! What's wrong!" Nami asked. They followed him and soon gasped in horror.

Before them was a small child wearing raggedy clothing. His entire body was ravaged by small bumps - numbering in the hundreds. His face, his hands, his feet, arms, legs - everything. Hardly an inch was left. The cigarette fell from Sanji's mouth as Usopp vomited, unable to keep it in. Sanji, Zoro, and Brooks' mouths were open slightly as they surveyed the child; while Nami buried her face into Robin's shoulder, unable to stand the sight. Franky looked away, unable to bear it.

"Chopper… what's wrong with him?" Nami asked, still not looking.

"He has smallpox. It's a contagious viral disease that strikes the victim with fever and pustules like this all over their body. It's almost impossible to find a case anymore… it's been eradicated worldwide. Or… I thought it had," Chopper said sadly. The child wheezed in pain; no one was around to help.

"The kid…," Usopp said, finally getting up - although refusing to look.

"He'll die," Chopper said sadly. He went back to Robin and hugged her leg tightly before he began to cry. Seeing someone - especially a child - in this state and not being able to help them was one of the worst things that he could imagine. His life as a doctor imbued in him a deep and vast respect for life - all life -, and he tried to save it when he could. Robin leaned down and picked Chopper up, holding him tight as he continued to cry. Nami rubbed his back gently; they knew that seeing things like this and not being able to do anything about it hurt Chopper the most out of the group. The youngest of them, he was also the most innocent and impressionable (although, the smartest alongside Robin) - he wanted to help everyone.

"We should go back up. There's nothing we can do here," Zoro said firmly, although he too felt sad at what he saw. The others nodded and headed back up to Luffy, who was still observing the Gray Terminal.

Soon, the memory shifted, and they saw Luffy standing at the base of a tree. They could hear voices coming from the top.

-o-

"Awesome! You got more than me. This is a lot of cash. Where'd you get it?" asked one of the voices.

"I took it from a bunch of people near the gate. Probably carriers for some merchant ship," came the younger Aces voice.

"Damn it, you beat me again!" said the other voice.

"Who cares about winning? It's our stash of pirate savings we're gonna use one day. It's been five years since we started saving. We went through hell to gather this much…," Ace trailed off.

"Yeah. I wonder how much we need to buy a pirate ship?" the other voice wondered.

"Who knows? We still have a long way to go. Hurry up and close it, who knows who'll see us…," Ace said, but was cut off by Luffy below.

"Pirate ship?! You guys wanna be pirates?!" Luffy yelled at them, smiling.

Ace and the other boy gave him an angry look as they were discovered.

"Me too!" Luffy said brightly.

"So this where you come to every day, Ace?" Luffy asked, looking around.

"Shut it!" Ace said. He and the other boy quickly climbed down with a long line of rope. They tied Luffy to the tree, yet that did nothing to dampen his mood.

"So, this is the Luffy guy you were telling me about?" the boy asked. He wore a top hat with glasses on top and dressed well in a black suit with a bowtie at the front. He notably had a single tooth missing.

"So, you finally came all the way here. And you did it using a path a human couldn't walk through?" Ace asked. Luffy, of course, ignored him.

"Hey, are you a friend of Ace? Let's be friends?" Luffy asked happily.

"Shut it!" Ace replied.

-o-

"Who's this kid?" Zoro asked gruffly.

"No idea. Luffy never mentioned him," Nami replied.

"Looks like Ace has a friend at least. So we know he's not mean to everyone. Looks like there is a heart there," Robin said.

"I'm more interested in the fact that Luffy is tied up yet doesn't seem to notice it," Brook said. The others help back a laugh at that. Of course, he didn't notice it - Luffy hardly noticed things like that - which was surprising considering how strong his instincts were.

-o-

"And this is the reason I told you to live with me. That so-called "mountain path training" truly bit you in the ass," the boy said sideways to Ace.

"He knows our secret. If we leave him, he'll tell someone. Let's kill him," Ace said darkly.

"I agree," the other boy said.

There was a pause.

Another.

Another.

"WHAAAAAAAAAAAAT?!" Luffy cried out.

-o-

The others couldn't contain themselves as they heard that.

"Oh God, Captain. You're killing me!" Franky said, laughing at Luffy's delayed reaction.

"How long did it take for the sound from their lips to travel to his brain and register?" Nami asked, although she too was laughing hard.

"A while," Usopp sputtered.

"They said they're gonna kill him. We should… be a bit more serious about this!" Brook said, laughing just as hard as the others.

"They're children. I highly doubt they'll be able to," Robin said.

"I dunno. Ace seems pretty capable," Chopper said as he finally calmed down.

"I don't think he's tried to kill Luffy; perhaps just testing him," Robin said.

-o-

"I didn't think you were gonna kill me! HELP ME! I don't wanna die!" Luffy cried out.

"Don't move, you idiot!" the other boy said, trying to shut him up.

"Sabo, do it!" Ace said to his friend.

"WHAT? YOU DO IT!" Sabo replied.

"I've never killed anyone!" Ace said.

"Same here. I don't know how to do it!" Sabo replied.

-o-

"Like I said. Ace might be a handful, but he's not that cruel," Robin said, smiling.

-o-

"HELP!" Luffy continued to yell.

"Shut up!" Sabo and Ace said together.

"Hey, I heard voices from here. Children's voices!" a new voice suddenly came from the tree-line.

"Crap! Someones coming!" Sabo said.

"Take the ropes off him. We have to get away from here, or they'll find our treasure!" Ace said.

-o-

"He could be your brother, Nami. Treasure before peoples lives," Zoro said with a grin. This earned him a slap across the head from Nami, who seethed comically at him.

-o-

Ace and Sabo didn't have time to untie Luffy. They quickly made a break for it as a new man showed up. With long blonde hair and a massive upper body, he brandished a sword as he looked around.

"Those children - Ace and Sabo - you told me about are famous around here. You sure it's Ace that took the money?" the brutish man asked. He wore a black vest that was too small to cover him, as well as tribal tattoos down his left arm. Around his waist, his large black belt held up his khaki's.

"Yeah… I'm ashamed, but he got me by surprise," answered one of the other men with him.

"What a stupid child, taking money from us. If Captain Bluejay hears about this, he'll kill us both," the brute said.

Nearby, Sabo and Ace observed the scene. The incoming pirates were closing in on Luffy.

"Damn! That guy was a trader for Bluejam. I got some serious cash, it seems," Ace said, scolding himself.

"That guys got a real sword… No way. That's Porchemy! You ever heard of him? He's insane! He scalps his opponents!" Sabo said, terrified.

-o-

At this, the Straw Hats tensed up. They knew something was about to go down. Otherwise, they wouldn't see this. The question was: What?

"I don't like this," Zoro said as his hand was on his sword.

"Nor do I," Brook said, eyes narrowing.

"No… Luffy!" Nami cried out, remembering that he was still tied up.

"Those idiots!" Sanji cried out, referring to Sabo and Ace - who left Luffy tied up.

"He… scalps them!" Chopper said, terrified.

Suddenly, they heard a cry - Luffy. The rushed over to see what was happening to their kid captain.

-o-

Porchemy held Luffy up by his body - which he could easily grip in his hand.

"Where is he?" Porchemy asked.

"LET GO OF ME, DAMN IT! HELP ME, ACE!" Luffy cried out.

"Damn it, he said my name! What an idiot!" Ace exclaimed as he and Sabo ducked even further.

"Did you say Ace? You know him?" Porchemy asked, surprised.

"He's my friend… although, he did try to kill me just now…," Luffy deadpanned.

"I'm going to ask you one thing, kid. Ace took our money and ran away. Do you know where it is?" Porchemy asked.

"Aww man, they'll find it!" Sabo hissed to Ace.

"He better not say anything…," Ace growled.

"No…," Luffy said, looking sideways.

"YOU SUCK AT LYING!" Porchemy yelled at him.

-o-

"Can't argue with him there…," Sanji said.

"See, Nami. Just like you," Zoro said, earning himself another slap.

"WE HAVE MORE IMPORTANT PROBLEMS ON OUR HAND. NAMELY, OUR CAPTAIN!" Nami yelled at him.

-o-

"You leave me no choice, kid. I'll make you tell us, don't worry," Porchemy said with a vicious smile.

"HEY! WERE ARE YOU TAKING ME! LET GO!" Luffy said as he flailed around. As the pirates left, Ace and Sabo looked horrified at what just transpired.

-o-

"I don't like this," Usopp said, sweating bullets.

"Luffy's a kid… what can they do?" Chopper asked. No one answered as the memory shifted. They were inside a small shack in the Gray Terminal.

-o-

Luffy was tied up and hanging from a chain.

"LET ME GO! IM NOT SAYING A WORD!" Luffy yelled.

"Little shit!" Porchemy yelled. He brought up a massive hammer - almost as big as him - that he crushed viciously on Luffy's head. Luffy's body contracted before it bounced off of him.

"I told you, I ate the Gum Gum Fruit!" Luffy cried out.

"A Devil Fruit… looks like you're telling the truth. Bring me my gloves," Porchemy said. One of the men went away as Porchemy looked at Luffy.

The man returned - holding in his hand two spiked gloves.

"Listen up, kid. Ace stole a lot of money from our crew. You know where it is. You're gonna tell me," Porchemy said as he donned his gloves. Suddenly, he brought a spiked fist down on Luffy's cheek striking him hard.

-o-

"LUFFY!" Nami screamed in horror, her hands flying to her mouth and her eyes wide. This grown man - a pirate - was punching a seven-year-old kid with spiked gloves.

"STOP IT YOU MONSTER!" Chopper roared as he shifted into Horn Point and charged Porchemy. He went right through; at that, he began to cry. He would have to watch his captain suffer and abide by it, for he could do nothing.

"This guy is the lowest of scum," Zoro snarled. He had unconsciously drawn his sword and was preparing to leap. If it weren't a memory, Porchemy would've been fish food at this point.

"If I ever come across him again, I'm going to tear him apart," Sanji said as his foot erupted in fire. He struggled to light another cigarette, his hand shaking in uncontrollable rage. First, Luffy was denied food; then, Ace tried to kill him; and now, it seemed as though this ape might actually succeed in doing so.

"Just tell them something Luffy… anything," Usopp said, tears starting to well. Chopper went over to him, and they held on to each other in fear for their captain, hoping that the torment would end soon.

Brooks' hand tightened on his cane-sword so hard, the bones actually began to crack. His eyes narrowed viciously as he saw the spiked gloves tear into Luffy's skin and send blood flying. The sword started to tremble as he slowly withdrew it, wanting nothing more than to cut down his captain's tormentor.

Franky had already aimed a weapon at Porchemy, memory be damned. No one treated a kid, let alone the man he called captain, like this and could get away with it. He would blast that bastard into the next century.

Robin's eyes narrowed as a pang of rage and hatred went through her. She wanted nothing more than to clutch Porchemy and snap his neck and spine into multiple pieces for what he was doing to her captain. She put an arm around Nami who was shaking in fear and anger.

The hits kept on coming.

-o-

The hits kept on coming.

"It worked on him!" one of the pirates said.

"You don't want to make a pirate angry. Especially Bluejam. He's a bit of a brute," Porchemy said.

-o-

"SO ARE YOU, YOU BASTARD!" Chopper cried out, tears down his face.

-o-

Luffy hung from the rafter, his blood dripping on the ground. Porchemy reared and hit him a few more times. Finally, Luffy spoke.

"IT HURTS SOMEBODY, PLEASE HELP! I'M SCAAAAAAARED!" Luffy cried out, his voice echoing throughout the Gray Terminal.

"You guys, go look for Ace and Sabo," Porchemy said.

"Y…yes sir!" his subordinates said, not wanting to suffer the same fate.

-o-

Nami felt her heart break in two at the pleading, knowing that she couldn't do anything because this moment had long passed.

"Please.. stop… please, just stop," Nami said as tears began to fall. She buried her face in Robin's shoulder and began to sob wholeheartedly. Chopper and Usopp did the same for each other, while Franky, Brook, Sanji, and Zoro grew angrier and angrier with each passing hit that Porchemy inflicted on Luffy. Franky and Brook looked down, trying to suppress their anger as best they could - both failing to do so.

The memory went dark. When it came through again, Luffy was still hanging from the rafters, his face bruised, bloodied, and holed as blood poured out. Nami glanced at it but immediately turned to Robin again, who hugged her. Robin looked uncomfortable as well as she saw Luffy's state. The beating took a significant toll - and yet, he still hadn't cracked. Even now, Luffy would die for his friends if he had to. Finally, she closed her eyes - unable to watch anymore.

"DAMN IT!" Sanji roared as everyone turned to him.

"I… I can't stand by and do NOTHING!" he yelled helplessly, hands running through his hair, as he looked down at the floor, unable to watch anymore.

"I know. But we have to. Trust me, I want to gut this guy as bad as you do. I just hope he's the thing we have to fight," Zoro said. He alone continued to watch the memory. If his captain could have suffered this first hand, the least he could do was watch it.

-o-

"Porchemy… it's no use. He can't even speak anymore," one of Porchemy's subordinates said.

Blood continued to drip from Luffy as he hung from the rafters still. It began to pool below him. At this point, even his breathing was laborious.

"I don't think he'll say anything. And to be honest, sir, this is getting a bit brutal for me to watch," the pirate said.

"If you've got the energy to stand out for the kid, go and find Sabo and Ace. We're the ones in danger!" Porchemy roared as he hit his own man with the glove.

"TELL ME!" Porchemy roared, losing his cool.

"I won't say," Luffy whispered.

"STUPID BRAT! YOU THINK YOU'RE GROWN UP BECAUSE YOU CAN PROTECT SOME SECRET?!" Porchemy roared as he gave Luffy one more vicious blow.

"I won't say… I won't say," Luffy said, his tears mixing with his blood.

-o-

"Just tell him, Luffy!" Chopper yelled, his fur soaked with his and Usopps tears. Although he knew that Luffy would never do such a thing.

"Why doesn't he tell them?!" Usopp asked puffy eyed, looking to Robin for answers. She took a moment before opening her eyes and answering; the hits finally stopped.

"I believe it's because he's still hoping to become friends with Ace and Sabo. He likely believes that if he says anything, he'll lose his only chance at becoming their friend," Robin said.

-o-

Porchemy stopped and pulled out his sword.

"Fine, then. Die," he growled.

-o-

"NO! STOP IT!" Nami yelled at the memory.

-o-

Suddenly, the walls collapsed. Sabo and Ace came flying in, fury in their faces as they brandished their pipes.

"STOOOOOOP!" they roared at Porchemy as Ace struck him. They began to go to work, unloading their attacks on the pirates.

"It's him, Porchemy! He's the one who stole the money!" one of the pirates roared.

"AAAACEEEEE!" Luffy cried out.

-o-

"Thank God!" Nami said, clutching at her chest - happy that someone finally stopped the brutality.

"Ace and Sabo!" Chopper cried out, leaping to his feet - now intently watching.

"They're still kids, though," Usopp said as he got up.

"I just hope they put the hurt on these scumbags!" Franky yelled as the others nodded in agreement.

-o-

Porchemy quickly got up and grabbed Ace.

"They came straight to us? That makes it easier. Your friend's mouth is so tight, I was starting to get worried," Porchemy said.

Sabo came up from behind and struck Porchemy hard across the back of his head. He fell forward as blood mixed with his hair.

Sabo quickly took a knife from one of the other pirates which he used to cut the ropes that bound Luffy. He slung him over his shoulder and began to run.

"Let's run, Ace!" he cried out to Ace who was staring down Porchemy who had just gotten up.

"You go ahead!" Ace said.

"You idiot…," Sabo said.

"Once I face an enemy, I never run," Ace declared.

"He has a sword! He's different from the others!" Sabo yelled back.

-o-

"Ace is pretty tough, even when he's a kid," Usopp said.

"COME ON ACE! SHOW THEM WHO'S BOSS!" Chopper cried out.

"I hope he cracks some heads here," Franky said, agreeing with Chopper's sentiment.

-o-

"Don't you think you're giving in to your urges a little too much? Just hand over the money, nice and easy," Porchemy said.

"We can use the money better than you," Ace said.

"ENOUGH!" Porchemy yelled as he swung at Ace but missed.

"If I lose to a kid, I'll have to give up piracy," he said with a sadistic smile.

-o-

"He's barely a pirate, anyway. No great thing lost," Brook snarled, his eyes narrowing.

"I agree with that," Robin said coldly as she looked at Porchemy. She knew that most were like him and had no qualms with violence. But, only the lowest of the low stooped so low as to torture children.

The memory changed and Luffy was sitting on the ground as Ace and Sabo were nearby.

-o-

Luffy was crying uncontrollably - understandable, considering the ordeal he had just gone through.

"Man, that's one bad habit you have Ace. Saying 'I'm not gonna run' to a real pirate like that. Why do you wanna die so much?!" Sabo asked Ace angrily.

Ace remained silent, eyes closed.

"Now that you've done that, there's no way Bluejam is gonna forgive us. We're gonna be chased," Sabo said as he leaned across a small outcrop of rocks.

"That was scary… I thought I was gonna die," Luffy cried.

"Shut up! Just how long are you gonna cry, anyway? I hate weaklings and crybabies! You're really pissing me off, you know!" Ace shouted.

Luffy suddenly stopped crying and sucked in his lips.

-o-

"That was harsh," Nami said, an edge to her voice.

"I'd say he's earned a cry!" Usopp said to Ace's memory.

"I think he knows that. He's just dealing with it his own way," Robin said.

-o-

"Thank you. F…for saving me," Luffy said as he bowed.

"DAMN IT!" Ace growled, looking as though he was about to punch him. Sabo quickly grabbed his arm, stopping him.

"Hey, hey! He's just thanking you!" Sabo said. Ace looked at Luffy for a moment before he began to scold him.

"I don't get it! Why didn't you just tell them?! Those men are criminals who can easily kill anyone they want!" Ace yelled at Luffy, trying to get a sense of understanding from he young straw hat boy.

"But… If I told them, then we couldn't be friends anymore," Luffy said.

-o-

"You were right, Robin," Usopp said.

"Of course she was! That's my Robin for you!" Sanji said dreamily as Robin smiled at him. his antics earned him a slap from Nami.

"NOW IS DEFINITELY NOT THE TIME, LOVER BOY!" she yelled. Zoro snickered and shook his head at his rivals weak resolve when it came to women.

-o-

"That's better than dying, isn't it? Why do you wanna be friends with me? Do you know how much shit you've put me through after following me all the way here?" Ace yelled.

"But I have no one else to rely on! I can't go back to the village. And I hate the mountain bandits. If I didn't chase after you, I'd be alone. And being alone hurts worse than pain!"" Luffy roared back at him, surprising Ace.

-o-

The others looked on sadly at their captain.

"It's… true. I don't think we've seen him really hang out with anyone his age," Usopp said.

"Luffy…," Nami said quietly and tearfully. She had Nojiko as she grew up. Luffy's own grandfather barely took care of him, it seemed. Her heart went out to him - wishing she could just hug him and make his pain go away, let him know that he had friends that loved him now - friends he could rely on.

Robin could tell where Luffy was coming from - feeling the same way for most of her life. It wasn't until she met Luffy and the Straw Hats that she felt as though she had finally found her place in the world (although, there was undoubtedly an adjusting period).

Brook closed his eye sockets as the words left Luffy's mouth. With 50 years spent in isolation, he knew what it felt like to be alone - to not have anyone else to rely on or call a friend. It was much tougher for Luffy as a child - he needed interaction with his peers for development as a human being.

Chopper looked on sadly as Luffy said that. He knew where Luffy was coming from, much like Robin. Before he ate the Human-Human Fruit, he was ostracized from his herd of reindeer because of his blue nose. After he ate it, he couldn't talk with humans because they all considered him a monster. Until he met Dr. Hirluk, he had no one. Even then, it was a father-son relationship. He didn't feel as though he had friends until Luffy brought him on board the Going Merry.

Sanji was in the same boat. He had peers on the Baratie, but until he joined Luffy and the crew, he didn't have anyone that he really could call a friend. Zeff was a father figure and mentor, but not exactly someone that he could have sailed with. He knew the pain of nothing having someone to share in his joys and sorrows.

Franky had his bros back on Water 7 that he cared for and loved deeply. He never felt as though he was alone - but it startled him how quickly he fell in with the Straw Hats. The atmosphere was so far removed from Water 7, he might've hitched a ride with aliens to another planet. These guys were now his best of friends - and he would lay his life down for each of them.

The words touched Usopp as profoundly as they did the others. He had the Usopp Pirates who were his friends and comrades - as well as Kaya, who he got along with very well. There wasn't anyone like Luffy or the others in the village, though - and although he missed them, he wouldn't give up his current life for anything.

Zoro closed his eye at Luffy's cry. At the dojo, he didn't spend much time becoming friends with anyone - he was solely dedicated to and focused on becoming the worlds greatest swordsmen. He often interacted with Kuina - mostly through their matches - as well as her father, but he didn't hang out with the other children. If he wasn't sleeping, he was training; if he wasn't training, he was challenging people; if he wasn't challenging them, he was asleep.

-o-

"What about your parents?" Ace asked.

"Just grandpa," Luffy said.

"So if I'm with you, then it doesn't hurt. And if I'm gone, it'd be a problem for you?" Ace asked quietly.

"That's right," Luffy replied.

"You want me… to live?" Ace asked, still quiet.

"Of course!" Luffy replied.

-o-

The Straw Hats saw Aces face change ever so subtly - as though a wall had been broken down, revealing the soft interior.

"I think we might be seeing a change in Ace soon," Robin said, smiling. Perhaps not at the very moment, but she thought that this incident would be the beginning of the turning point in their relationship.

-o-

"Huh. But I hate spoiled brats like you, you know," Ace said with a sigh.

"I'm not a spoiled brat! I'm strong!" Luffy yelled back.

"Strong? What's strong about you? You're a boy, but you cry like a baby girl!" Ace sneered.

"You ever been punched by a spiked glove? I'm seven years old. When I get to be 10 like you, I won't ever cry, and I'll be even stronger," Luffy yelled.

"I never cried, even when I was 7, dumbass! Don't lump me in with you!" Ace yelled back. The two were having their first brotherly rivalry.

-o-

"Intent on surpassing each other, even at a young age," Robin said.

"That applies to Luffy more than Ace. Remember what he said? He could never beat Ace when they were younger," Usopp said.

-o-

"I'm gonna become stronger than anyone! Because I promised Shanks, I'd become King of the Pirates!" Luffy yelled.

"A pirate?! You?!" Ace replied. Their heads were touching as they seethed at each other.

"By the way, you guys… I have a little problem here. I've lived in this trash heap all my life. But from now on, all three of us are going to be targeted by pirates. So, I'll be moving in with you," Sabo said, making the decision for everyone.

-o-

"Looks like this kid takes after Ace and Luffy. Making decisions instead of asking permission," Nami said, smiling.

"I still wonder who he is, though. And why Luffy's never mentioned him to us. Their not blood brothers, but it seems like he and Ace were pretty close," Usopp wondered.

"We'll likely find out as we continue watching the memories play out," Sanji said.

The memory shifted again, and they were at Dadan's house.

-o-

"WHAT THE HELL IS THE MEANING OF THIS?! ACE! LUFFY! WHO IS THAT?! WHY IS THERE ANOTHER OF YOU RUGRATS HERE?!" Dadan yelled.

"Yo! You're Dadan, right? I'm Sabo," Sabo said, shaking her hand.

"Sabo! I know that name. I've heard that you're a troublemaker!" Dadan yelled.

"Oh, really? Well, I've heard you're quite the old hag yourself!" Sabo replied with a grin.

-o-

"Probably not the best way to talk to your caretaker," Robin said, smiling at the bluntness of the boy.

"It's banditspeak," Zoro observed.

"Banditspeak?" Chopper asked curiously.

"Different groups have their own way of talking and interacting," Zoro said, not taking his eye off the memory.

-o-

Ace, Sabo, and Luffy were inseparable from that point on - raising hell as brothers do. Each cared deeply for the other and made each other better. They spent their time fighting wild animals in the jungle, villains in the Gray Terminal, and pirates in the inlet. In not a long time, their names became known throughout the Goa Kingdom.

-o-

"Those monsters are HUGE!" Usopp and Chopper shouted in unison as they witnessed Ace, Sabo, and Lucy slay and cook an alligator.

"Jeez. They're pretty young, but these kids are the real monsters here," Nami said, impressed but frightened at what they were able to achieve at such a young age.

"I must say, I'm quite impressed. They each made the best of the situation they were in, and they care very deeply for each other," Robin said. Nami noticed a sad smile on her face and put her arm around her, giving her a warm smile. Robin touched her hand and leaned in, happy that her captain had found peace in his early years and wasn't doomed to walk alone.

She did have an uneasy feeling about Sabo - not in a negative way, but in that something might've happened to him - something that made Luffy not want to talk about him. She couldn't blame her captain - after all, she told the others about her past in its entirety when she was on the cusp of the end.

Zoro and Sanji were both grinning wide at their captain and his friends. Even from a young age, Luffy was a hellraiser, continually pushing himself by fighting the biggest and baddest thing that he could find. Ace and Sabo had his back, and he had theirs - inseparable brothers.

Franky and Brook were crying alongside Usopp and Chopper, who joined in - all four happy beyond words that their captain had found his place with two de facto brothers.

"It warms my heart to see our captain so happy… IF I HAD ONE! YOHOHOHOHO!" Brook cried out.

"I hear ya, man! I hear ya! It's just… so beautiful!" Franky said through his tears.

"Awww, captain!" Usopp cried out.

"We're so… happy for you!" Chopper added. Nami and Robin couldn't help but smile at the reaction of the boys.

The memory changed again. Ace, Sabo, and Luffy were standing in a clearing, training.

"This should be good," Zoro and Sanji said in unison. They looked sideways at each other, eyes narrowing.

"You copying me?" they said in unison to each other. Pause.

"Stop that!" again, in unison.

"I'm not doing it! You are! Stop it! I said stop! Damn it, you wanna go?!" they said - still, surprisingly, in unison.

"You two have been spending wayyyy too much time together," Nami said, slightly unnerved by how perfectly in sync they were. With one more nasty look at each other, they turned back to the memory.

-o-

Luffy was winding up his arm, ready to throw a punch.

"GUM GUM PISTOL!" Luffy roared. The punch ended up going at the ground, rebounding, and hitting Luffy in the face.

-o-

Everyone burst into laughter at that.

"Oh, God!" Franky cried as he clutched his sides.

"Oh, captain… you're too funny," Brook said as he was on all fours, pounding the ground with a bony fist, unable to keep it in.

"That's gotta be the greatest thing I've ever seen," Usopp said as he tried to hold back a laugh, but failed. He loved Luffy like a brother - and this was one of the reasons why.

"It appears as though Luffy still doesn't have control over his powers yet. Quite adorable, I think," Robin said, giggling.

"I'm adorable too, Robin dear!" Sanji told her. Zoro rolled his eye at the comment but snickered at the memory as well. Luffy obviously still had a long way to go before he became the man that could stand up to the World Government unflinchingly.

"So cute," Nami cooed and giggled as she saw the punch rebound back into his face.

-o-

"What do you think you're doing?!" Ace yelled as he gave Luffy a missile dropkick right across his face. Luffy went flying into a tree as Sabo updated the scoreboard.

"And match! Ace is the winner!" he said. Each brother fought 100 rounds per day. Ace beat Luffy 50 times and Sabo 26 times. Meanwhile, Sabo beat Ace 24 times and Luffy 50 times. Luffy was so far 0-100.

"Is that ability of yours any good?" Ace asked, exasperated.

"Ugh… it's not working properly yet! Once I get this attack working how it should, you guys won't know what hit you, alright!?" Luffy yelled, still flipped over.

"One more round!" he yelled as he got back up, steaming. He refused to go down like this.

"Sorry, but it's only 100 rounds per day, per person. You can try again tomorrow," Ace said.

-o-

"Man, that's intense. They're pretty young and already fighting a hundred times a day," Franky said, surprised by their training regiment.

"This certainly explains Luffy's high tolerance for pain and his strength. It's surprisingly intense for someone so young," Robin commented.

Zoro looked on in interest. He had fought Kuina 2,001 times and lost each one - and he had fought his other classmates to many times to count. He knew that Luffy was a monster, but didn't know how he trained to become one - and now he had an inkling of an idea. Fighting Ace and Sabo and the rest of the monsters in the Goa Kingdom was undoubtedly an excellent way for him to train; it explained why he was so unflinching when it came to fighting - because those animals and monsters were humongous, to the point that he didn't need to fear anything by the time he left.

Zoro wondered how Luffy handled the losses on a personal level. He knew that while he was stronger than almost everyone in the dojo he trained in, the losses to Kuina overtook everything else - the mark they left on him was far more significant than all the victories that he had earned. Every foe that he had been up against, he had overcome - except, at this point, Hawkeye and Kuina. He wondered how this would all change after he surpassed his tutor of two years?

As if understanding what he was thinking, Robin answered.

"It's amazing how well Luffy got along with Ace. One would think, after losing to someone so much, they would bear even the slightest bit of a grudge. But not Luffy," she said, smiling at her captain. His heart was indeed a kind and gentle one - unable to bear a grudge against anyone at all (or, rather, for very long).

-o-

"As usual, Luffy lost to Ace and me 50 times each. Ace and I are 24-26, to Ace. Damn it… next time, I'll beat you, Ace," Sabo said.

"WELL, WHEN I'M 10, I'LL BEAT BOTH OF YOU UP!" Luffy exclaimed vigorously.

"When you're 10, we'll be thirteen. Come on, let's go catch dinner," Ace said lamely. The three boys picked themselves up and went over a riverbank where crocodiles were lounging lazily. They licked their lips excitedly and grinned down on the reptiles.

-o-

"Well, this can only end one way," Nami deadpanned.

"It's gotta be better than whatever he serves up," Zoro said as he stuck his thumb at Sanjo.

"What did you say, mosshead?!" Sanji exclaimed, getting in Zoro's face.

"You heard me!" Zoro retorted. They glared at each other for a moment before turning back to the memory.

-o-

"Crocodile sure is tasty," Luffy said, holding his pipe like Ace and Sabo.

"Try not to get eaten this time, alright Luffy? It was blind luck that it swallowed you whole last time!" Sabo said with a grin.

They all leaped down into the killing grounds with gusto and excitement, the smiles never once leaving their faces.

"Nice one!" Sabo exclaimed to Luffy, who bashed the crocodile hard on the head. Sabo and Ace joined in; the other crocodiles began to comically back away in fear.

-o-

"Man, these kids are monsters!" Franky exclaimed.

"Even the monsters are afraid of them!" Chopper exclaimed, slightly terrified at how powerful the three brothers were.

"You know, considering how strong he is, I'm surprised he lets us push him around so much," Usopp said as he looked on.

"He sees us as a family more so than friends. Most captains would have us killed if we talked or treated them like we do Luffy. He loves us dearly, though," Robin said with a smile. The others grinned at the statement; beyond all else, they knew that to be true. It deepened their resolve to help Luffy through this ordeal.

The memory changed again; the three were walking around the Gray Terminal again.

"Why do they keep coming back here?" Nami asked uneasily as she saw all the trash.

"It's here, Luffy's village, the jungle, or Dadan's house," Zoro replied.

"Why can't they just go to the village, then?!" Nami asked.

"Probably too boring," Usopp said.

-o-

A mysterious figure was wobbling through the Gray Terminal, towards the Great Gate - a might and large gate in the middle of a large, impassable, stone wall. This gate was only opened when trash from the city needed to be brought out to the Gray Terminal - twice a day. The routine was a great deal amongst people - who immediately began to scrounge around, looking for any valuables they might be able to find. This was what they considered their treasure - and it was the life that they were used to. Food, clothes, gold - anything they could get their hands on.

Occasionally, they would gather up enough recycled goods and head into the city to sell them - yet none thought to actually live in the city.

The mysterious figure entered the Gate and was stopped by a guard.

"Stop. What's your business here?" the guard asked, suspicious -as he was of everyone that entered.

"It's crocodile skin. I'm going to go sell it," the figure replied. The guard allowed them to pass and they began to make their way around the city, which was a far cry from the Gray Terminal and indeed the rest of the village.

The Goa Kingdom was set up in such a way: on the edge of the island, on the harbor was Fuchsia Village - Luffy's hometown. Ascending into the hills was Mt. Colbo, the homeplace of the Dadan Family of bandits. Slightly southwest of that was the Gray Terminal - or the trash heap. West of the Gray Terminal was the wall that encircled the capital of the Goa Kingdom. The wall began and ended on the edge of a beach. Entering the wall, one came to the outskirts - a still dangerous place of the Kingdom, although safer than the Terminal. Moving further west, one would come to the Central District - a respectable place in the Kingdom, one that was clean. Beyond that was the Elite District and the Palace - the cleanest of all. The Kingdom itself was considered to be the cleanest place in the East Blue, as well as the most beautiful.

"Oi, you're from the trash heap, ain'tcha?" asked a hoodlum, stopping the mysterious figure.

"What's that you got there? Let's see it!" another asked. The mysterious figure was now in the outskirts - still not safe.

Suddenly, the jacket opened - and three children popped out, each with a sure smile on their face.

-o-

"Of course it's them. Who else would it be?" Nami said, exasperated but smiling at their ingenuity.

"Man, what's up with that wall?" Usopp asked.

"It separates the capital of the kingdom from the Gray Terminal. The 'elite' don't like to mix with the others," Robin said, ending in a scathing tone. The others nodded.

-o-

"No! Not them!" one of the hoodlums cried out as they saw Luffy, Ace, and Sabo.

-o-

"Looks like our little captain is famous," Robin said fondly.

"Little hellraisers," Nami said, smiling at the antics the kids were getting up to.

"You know, I can understand why nobody likes them," Sanji said, flicking some ash off his cigarette.

"Yet you can't understand why nobody likes you?" Zoro asked mockingly. They began to go at each other, missing some of the memory.

-o-

The three leaped out of a building that they had entered, shooting glass and splinters everywhere.

"Leave without paying, will you?! Somebody catch those little brats!" yelled the restauranteur.

"Man, that was good!" Sabo said, grinning wide.

"What'd I say!?" Ace yelled, grinning as well. Luffy, meanwhile, was still trying to scarf down the food.

As they descended, Sabo grabbed a flagpole and hung on while Ace and Luffy bounced off an awning.

"THOSE DAMN KIDS AGAIN! THEY'RE KNOWN CRIMINALS, WHY'D YOU LET THEM IN IN THE FIRST PLACE?!" yelled a police officer. Meanwhile, the three were making a break for it as onlookers angrily looked on - tight rods up their asses, no doubt.

"DON'T LET THOSE BRATS GET AWAY! SOMEBODY, HOLD THEM DOWN!" yelled the officer.

Suddenly, another man called out.

"SABO?! SABO, IT'S REALLY YOU! WAIT RIGHT THERE! YOU'RE ALIVE?! I DON'T BELIEVE IT! YOU HAVE TO COME BACK HOME!" yelled fat man wearing a top hat and an otherwise elaborate get-up.

Sabo looked back in shock and horror.

"Hey, Sabo! Someones calling for you!" Ace cried out as they all continued to run.

"Who is that guy?!" Luffy asked, still eating.

"He must be mistaking me for someone else! Let's go!" Sabo yelled, not looking back again.

-o-

"I get the feeling that Sabo isn't telling us everything," Franky observed.

"I agree. That man seemed fairly well to do. I wonder who he was? Perhaps his father?" Robin wondered.

"Looks like we'll find out now," Nami said, nodding as the memory changed and the three were back in the jungle.

-o-

"What?! I'm not hiding anything!" Sabo exclaimed.

"Oh, really?" Luffy asked.

"Don't be stupid, of course, he is! Let's hear it, Sabo! We shouldn't have to keep secrets from each other, right? Spill it!" Ace said.

Sabo was silent - giving Luffy and Ace carte blanche to get more hands on.

"JUST TELL US ALREADY, OR I'LL KICK YOUR FACE IN!" Ace said as he and Luffy comically choked Sabo.

"GAH! A-A-ALRIGHT! I'LL TALK, I'LL TALK!" Sabo said. They let him go, and he massaged his neck, wondering what the best way to go about this was. He was silent for a moment longer before he spoke.

"I'm the son of a noble," Sabo said, sighing.

"Who is?!" Luffy exclaimed.

"I am!" Sabo said.

A pause. Luffy and Ace both began to pick their noses.

"So?" Ace deadpanned.

"YOU'RE THE ONES WHO WANTED TO KNOW!" Sabo exclaimed.

-o-

The others were shocked by the revelation.

"A noble? That's surprising! Why would anyone want to give that life up?!" Nami asked, incredulous.

"Have you forgotten the Celestial Dragon already? Most of the nobles are like that, it seems," Zoro said, his eye narrowing. Nami looked down in shame a bit. Wealth was a contentious point for her - Bell-mère had done her best in raising her and Nojiko, but they were always a bit short. She had always wanted a life of wealth and luxury - a significant force in driving her to obtain the treasure. Her eyes misted at the thought of the things she said to Bell-mère during some of their last moments. Her heart dropped as she thought about what she would have to relive during these memories - Arlong Park, her stabbing her shoulder, and more. With a gulp, she brought herself back to the moment at hand.

"Indeed. He certainly doesn't act like one. Usually, they're far too afraid to do anything difficult or taxing - like walking through the Gray Terminal, fight monsters, or spar with each other. If he didn't say it, I wouldn't have believed it," Robin said, just as surprised as the others by the revelation.

"I love how they took the news, though," Franky said with a hearty laugh. The others joined in. It was just like their captain to wave it off like nothing.

"I'm surprised that they weren't more surprised," Nami said.

"That's Luffy for you, though. He doesn't care about where people come from; just where they're going," Zoro said with a small smile.

"That's true. I'm sure most captains are like that - in that, they don't care where their crews are from or what they've done in the past. However, very few are like Luffy in which they bring on those that they have fought," Robin said.

-o-

"The truth is… both of my parents are still out there. I'm not really an orphan, nor was I born and raised on the trash heap. The man that was calling to me was my father," Sabo said.

-o-

"You called it, Robin," Nami said, surveying the memory interestedly. Sabo was leaning against a tree, obviously uncomfortable at the information he just shared. The others were curious about how Luffy and Ace would react further, although they had a good idea of how.

-o-

"Sorry I had to lie to you," Sabo said, shifting a bit.

"Well, if you're sorry, then that's fine! I forgive you!" Luffy said, smiling at his brother.

-o-

"You're killing me, captain!" Franky said as he began to tear up with Usopp, Chopper, and Brook.

"Such… a forgiving man!" Brook cried out.

"He's way too trusting," Nami sighed.

"If he weren't like that, more than a couple of us wouldn't be here right now. Would you have it any other way?" Zoro asked. Nami smiled at that as she shook her head.

"Not in the slightest. It's what makes Luffy, Luffy," she said fondly.

"It is one of his greatest traits - his compassion for people. Even those he defeats in battle, he respects - unless they're truly terrible, like Eneru," Robin said.

"Who is Eneru?" Brook asked through his tears.

"A megalomaniac. We'll probably see him eventually," Zoro said, cringing a bit; Eneru was one of his worst memories thus far in how he had single-handedly, and without breaking a sweat, destroyed them all.

'If I had Haki back then, I would've cut him up into little pieces,' Zoro thought bitterly.

-o-

"I'm actually pretty shocked by this. If you were into a noble family, why'd you end up in the trash heap?" Ace asked as he began to pace away from Sabo. Sabo looked down on the ground, obviously thinking about something. He waited a bit before replying.

"All my parents ever cared about was having an heir to protect the family status and fortune. They never cared about me. The way they saw it, if I couldn't marry into a royal family, I was worthless. All my days were spent to improve my chances. They fought all the time because they thought I wasn't good enough for them. There was never a place for me there. I was always alone, even though I had a family. The nobles scorn and despite the trash heap and the people there. But compared to that horrible elite district, it was a Godsend. My entire life was planned out, without any care about what I wanted," Sabo said scathingly.

-o-

"Is that really all they care about?" Chopper asked, looking to Robin for an answer. She gave him a sad smile and nodded softly.

"Unfortunately, it's been the case for a long time. There are a few Celestial Dragons and World Nobles - so there is a considerable amount of intermarrying. There are chances you would end up marrying a relative of yours, close or distant, just to protect your fortune and status. It's a doomed system - inbreeding will eventually cause them to die out, and then no one will be left to protect their status. That's why so many of Nobles and Celestial Dragons look the way they do - genetic defects from birth, which will carry into the rest of their lives," Robin said.

"What they do to people? They deserve it, I'd say," Usopp said coldly. The others didn't correct him - they all felt the same way to their own extents. Chopper looked at the ground sadly - no matter who it was, he wanted to help people. Robin knelt down and rubbed him gently, bringing his mood back up.

Nami thought about the life she could've had had she been born a noble - and if it was like anything that Sabo described, she shuddered at the thought. A life that she wasn't allowed to live how she wanted might as well not have been living at all - regardless of the trimmings that came with it. Freedom - something so paramount that the entire crew was willing to die for it - could never be bought. Otherwise, it would be no more than slavery or servitude.

-o-

"So that's how it is, huh?" Ace asked thoughtfully. Sabo looked at his brothers and got up.

"Ace! Luffy! WE HAVE TO MAKE IT OUT TO SEA SOMEDAY! WE'LL LEAVE THIS PLACE BEHIND AND GAIN OUR FREEDOM!. I want to see the world in all its glory and write a book about all the things I find. If it's sailing I'm studying for, then I don't care how hard I have to work! We've got to get stronger and become real pirates!" Sabo yelled excitedly.

"Ha! I don't need you to tell me that! I'M GONNA BECOME A PIRATE! I'LL BEAT EVERY LAST PERSON WHO STANDS IN MY WAY AND EARN MYSELF THE KIND OF GLORY THAT DREAMS ARE MADE OF! I'M GOING TO HAVE A LIFE WORTH LIVING! IT DOESN'T MATTER IF THE WORLD REFUSES ME! THEY CAN HATE ME ALL THEIR LIFE! I'LL BECOME A GREAT PIRATE AD PROVE I'M BETTER THAN THEM ALL! I WON'T EVER RUN! I'LL NEVER LOSE! I DON'T CARE IF THEY END OF AFRAID OF ME! I'M GONNA MAKE SURE THE WORLD KNOWS MY NAME!" Ace roared into the sky and out to the ocean. The wind carried his words throughout. Luffy grinned and came up to bat.

"I'M GONNA BE KING OF THE PIRATES!" Luffy roared. Short, simple, to the point. Ace and Sabo looked on in surprise.

"Huh?" they asked, flabbergasted - unable to believe if he was talking seriously.

-o-

Everyone couldn't help but smile at that. These three - restless, powerful, courageous. Each of them had the same goal in mind, but they knew only one could reach it - and they would be happy, whoever it was.

"These kids, man!" Franky yelled out.

"I love them so much!" Usopp cried, holding Chopper who held on as well.

"They're certainly not afraid to let the world know what they want," Nami said with a smile.

"They've never been afraid of anything," Zoro corrected. Nami nodded at that; he was right. Luffy - as well as Ace and Sabo from what they saw and knew - feared nothing. As far as they were concerned, the world was theirs to do with as they saw fit - and what they saw fit was becoming the greatest of pirates.

-o-

"Really? Of all the things you could come out with…," Ace deadpanned.

"Ahahaha! Man, you're one crazy guy! We'll have to keep an eye on you for sure," Sabo said with a hearty laugh. Suddenly, his face grew serious.

"Isn't it gonna be a problem if all three of us want to be captain?" Sabo asked.

"Yeah, that could be an issue. I always thought you were gonna be my navigator, Sabo," Ace said.

"What?! You guys should join my ship!" Luffy said.

"Well, we can decide that when the time comes. Who knows, maybe we'll end up forming our own crews. Anyways, come here you guys," Ace said as he led them over to a tree stump. He pulled out three cups and a bottle of sake that he placed on the stump.

"You stole some of Dadan's booze?!" Luffy asked.

"Did you know, if you exchange drinks, then you can become brothers?" Ace asked, grinning as he opened the bottle and poured them all a cup.

-o-

"Hear, hear," Zoro said, nodding wisely.

-o-

"Brothers?! Really?!" Luffy asked excitedly.

"When we become pirates, we may not be able to end up on the same crew. But, the bond of brotherhood we share will never die! No matter where we are, or what we do… this is one bond we can never break! Starting today, we…!" Ace began.

"ARE!" Sabo yelled.

"BROTHERS"! Luffy ended.

"YEAH!" All three yelled, grinning.