Chapter 3 - Coming on Board

"HOW MUCH LONGER?!" Luffy yelled again for the hundredth time.

Both Marco and Ace sighed tiredly at the boy. They had been sailing again nonstop for six days, making it day seven.

"JUST A BIT LONGER LU!" Ace yelled back but only Marco could hear the unsure in his voice.

There was just a slight problem. They left without a Den Den Mushi so they couldn't contact anyone and know where they were.

Marco had guessed they were either still in the same spot in the ocean where they left, or the next island. So they agreed to go where the Moby last was and if not there then the island.

Luffy moaned in hunger and wrapped himself tighter around Ace. He was soooo hungry!

He hadn't eaten much due to them sailing on Ace's skiff, which had no food, and he couldn't eat the flying turkey cause that was Ace's brother.

Ace rubbed his thumb along Luffy's wrist soothingly. He too was extremely hungry and every other moment both his and Luffy's stomach would grumble together.

"Ace yoi, we got incoming," Marco spoke suddenly. Ace looked to see Marco half transformed and staring straight ahead.

Ace followed his gaze and soon enough a Marine ship was appearing. But thankfully it wasn't Garp's, because that would have been bad.

Ace and Marco both slowed down which confused Luffy but then he too noticed the ship.

"Let's go around it and see what happens. I don't want to fight it but if they strike then we'll take action." Marco smiled slightly and nodded, proud of Ace. To which the man saw and groaned.

"Seriously, you're such a sap," he joked. Marco narrowed his eyes at him and felt his eye twitch for the hundredth time.

"I will dunk you in the ocean, don't tempt me," he warned with a dead set expression. Ace sheepishly chuckled and stuck his tongue out.

Together the Commanders began to move again but carefully. But a second later, a cannonball was heading straight towards them.

Ace expertly dodged and growled. Marco looked at him and nodded.

"Luffy, hold on tight, alright? I'm gonna be moving really fast and I would love to make sure you don't fall into the ocean," Ace warned.

"Don't worry Ace!" Luffy assured and stretched his limbs to wrap more securely around his big brother.

Ace craned his head to give Luffy a smile which the boy returned brightly. Ace then looked at Marco with a gleam in his eyes.

"Can you distract them for me?" he asked. Marco snorted and rolled his eyes.

"Of course, yoi. Be careful," The older man said before he transformed.

He flew up high and straight in front of the ship. Ace let loose more fire and zoomed around.

Luffy yelped in shock but that quickly disappeared as a excited grin lit his face up. He was going to see his brother in action!

Ace turned sharply as another cannonball aimed at them. Ace then heard a terrified scream from the ship and instantly knew that Marco was taking care of it.

Ace maneuvered Striker to face the side of the ship and let one hand go of Luffy's thigh. Fire blossomed and Luffy stared in awe.

"OI TURKEY! MOVE IT!" Ace yelled at Marco, who was currently dropping a Marine into the sea.

With a powerful flap the Phoenix was out of there in a second. Ace let his fire grow and grinned.

"Man I love this." Was all he said and then shot his hand forward, releasing a massive column of fire.

The whole Marine ship exploded beautifully and Marco looked at Ace in concern who cackled madly.

"ACE THAT WAS AWESOME! YOU'RE SO COOL!" Luffy cheered in pure excitement and awe of his big brother.

Ace tossed his head back, narrowly missing smacking his head against Luffy, and laughed.

It sounded so happy that it brought Marco to a halt. He's heard Ace laugh before, but this was different.

"Aw thanks, Lu! Now let's go!"

~oOo~

It was fours hours later and Ace were sure they were back on the right path. They had gotten lost twice and so far they were sure they were heading in the right direction.

Luffy moaned and stirred in Ace's arms, making Ace glance at him in worry.

They had stopped at an abandoned island they ran into and made a hunt. They only slept one night and stayed half the day there before heading back out. That was three days ago.

Ace and Marco had regained their bearings there, and were sure they were heading right back to where the Moby Dick was when they had left.

While Ace indeed had an enormous appetite, he could handle not eating better than Luffy. For example his early days on the Moby Dick he didn't eat what he should have but handled it.

But Luffy wasn't him. His appetite was bigger than Ace's and he couldn't handle it as well. So Ace was worried and decided that Luffy should just get some sleep and held him in his arms.

Marco flew closer beside him and without even having to transform Ace knew what he was suggesting.

"No I can still carry him. I'm fine, really! I haven't had a sleep attack since yesterday," Ace said with confidence and worry blending together.

Marco was about to transform to give Ace a talking but stopped short once he caught glimpse of a blob of a ship forming in the distance ahead.

Ace noticed also and slowed his skiff to a leisure speed. Marco looked at Ace and nodded, then took off ahead.

The two men had agreed that whenever a ship was in the distance, that Marco would scout ahead and come back to tell if it was the Moby or not.

Just then Luffy woke up and blinked sleepily. "Ace? We there yet?" he asked quietly.

Ace looked down at his brother and smiled softly. "Not sure, Marco went to check up ahead so we're waiting right now," he explained.

Luffy nodded and yawned. "Can we eat when we get there? I'm sooo hungry!"

Ace chuckled and nodded, "Sure thing Lu. I'll have Thatch make you food as soon as we get there." Luffy grinned happily and then gasped.

"Oh! Turkey's coming back!" he pointed up at the sky and Ace followed where his finger pointed. Indeed Marco was heading back and no doubt heard Luffy.

He slowed down and transformed with smile appearing. "We're here, yoi."

Both brothers cheered. "Finally! I never mind giving Luffy piggyback rides but I think I might have a hunchback!" Ace chuckled and groaned at the same time.

"Shishishishi!" Luffy laughed with no pity for his brother.

~oOo~

Ace had Luffy climb back onto his back as they sailed to the Moby Dick. It would be easier to place Striker back than try and do it with Luffy in his arms.

Loud cheers were voiced as the Whitebeards saw their brothers return. Ace gave a wave and a bright smile as he passed by.

As Ace went to put Striker away, Marco flew to the deck and transformed. He was given loud greetings and Thatch appeared, wrapping an arm around him.

"Hey Marco! How was the trip?" he asked cheerfully. Marco groaned and pinched the bridge of his nose.

"It was...interesting. Luffy was probably the only one who had the most fun, yoi," Marco said dryly. It was definitely true, poor Ace was looking so worried and tired that Marco was worried he would keel over any second.

Thatch laughed and said, "Well that's kids for you. So what's he like?"

But before Marco could say anything, a loud voice yelled, "Woah Ace! You know a lot of people!"

Everyone turned to see Ace smiling while walking hand in hand with a boy. Who was staring at them in awe and wonder.

"Yep! This is my other family, and everyone, this is my little brother Luffy," Ace introduced with a warm smile.

Luffy chuckled and gave a big wave. "Hello everyone! Also thanks for letting me stay with you guys!"

Instantly everyone thought the same thing. Luffy was adorable and must be protected at all cost.

"So this is Luffy, eh? Nice to meet you!" Thatch greeted and stuck a hand out. Luffy shook it and giggled.

"Nice hair! Who are you?" he tilted his head as he asked. Ace rolled his eyes and placed a hand on Luffy's shoulder.

"Lu, this is Thatch. Our head chef," Ace explained and instantly Luffy's eyes widened.

"Food man!" he beamed. Immediately Thatch laughed at the name.

Oh yeah. This kid was adorable as heck.

"Hey Ace, where's your Captain?" Luffy then asked. Ace steered him around and pointed at Whitebeard, who was sitting on his chair.

"Luffy, this is Whitebeard, my Captain and father." At that last part Luffy raised his eyebrows and his eyes widened.

He stared at Ace and then back at Whitebeard. He did that two more times until he finally snapped out of it and walked up to the strongest man.

Whitebeard looked down at the boy and smiled warmly. "Hello Luffy, it is nice to finally meet you in person."

"You got a cool banana moustache!" Was the first thing Luffy said.

Everyone's jaw dropped and looked dumbfounded at him.

But Whitebeard just laughed loudly. Ace shook his head and gave a breathless laugh, Marco looked like he was done with everything.

But the next thing Luffy did shocked everyone. He bowed so low that his hat almost fell off.

"Thank you for taking care of my brother!" Luffy exclaimed, loud and clear. Poor Ace had a blush dusting his cheeks.

"Of course, he is my son after all," Whitebeard said kindly and honestly. Luffy beamed brightly and went to say something else but Ace interrupted.

"Hey Luffy! You hungry?!" Ace yelled. He did want his brother to eat but to also shut up.

"FOOD!"

Poor Thatch was going to have a heart attack.

~oOo~

So far Thatch was still standing. But that was debatable for how long.

Everyone watched in fascination and horror at the amounts of food the two brothers were intaking. But no one was having it as bad as Thatch.

Marco also was eating a lot which surprised Thatch but was reminded that the three traveled for a long while without that much food.

So Thatch had turned into a ball of worry and fed them with no more fuss.

"I can't believe we got a new brother!" Haruta squealed excitedly. Luffy paused eating, surprising many, and tilted his head confused.

"New brother?" he asked curiously. Ace choked on his drink and coughed.

"Yeah! You're joining our crew," Haruta explained flippantly. "Remember what I said Lu? You'll be joining our crew, until your seventeenth birthday that is until, you know, want to leave," Ace whispered the last part so no one but Luffy heard.

Luffy turned around to see everyone looking at him, but Luffy was looking around seeing more than them.

He could see and feel the love and care everyone had for each other. It was incredible and beautiful, and with startling realization, he realized he wanted that too.

He wanted to be with the Whitebeards, to share their love that he saw all around. It was a powerful thing, because it had changed Ace. So he knew this type of family he looked at was strong and powerful.

Luffy turned to face Ace completely and tugged on his hand. Ace wrapped his hand around his and rubbed his thumb over his knuckles. He could clearly see that Luffy was troubled.

"Ace, would it be ok if I...joined the crew?" he whispered. Ace felt surprise flicker over him but focused on Luffy.

"Are you thinking about our promise?" he asked, he already knew he was right but still asked.

Luffy nodded and said, "Would it be breaking it? I want to become the Pirate King but, I like it here already."

"Lu, it wouldn't be breaking it. You'd still be becoming a pirate and you can still become the Pirate King. We'll help you reach your dream," Ace hooked a finger under Luffy's chin as he said this, and looked at him with seriousness.

"But wouldn't Banana Stache get upset?" Ace shook his head, though amusedly at the nickname.

"No, he'd actually be really happy. He doesn't care about becoming the Pirate King, he's content with this. So, if you want to join, you can, and it's ok," Ace took a deep breath and waited.

Luffy held his gaze and then grinned, making Ace grin.

"I'm a Whitebeard!"

Authors Note:

Hi. So to make things clear Luffy is a Whitebeard pirate and staying as one because that's what happens in this story.

Lots of love!