Hey you guys! This update is slightly late and I am sorry about that! I have had a busy couple of days, so I hope you guys understand. Anyways, Mina is gonna finally meet the three brothers! it's a much longer chapter, with a lot of details. I've been waiting for so long to write this chapter an can't for you guys to read it! I don't wanna bore you guys with another long Author's note so let's just get on with the story! I really hope you enjoy this chapter and if you did, please do review and tell me your thoughts!

WARNING: Hasn't been edited yet!

STELLIFEROUS

be careful

who you make your

memories with.

- Unknown

The young girl had spent every last minute of her time with the Red-Haired Pirates whenever they visited. Mina had grew close to them, especially Yasopp and Benn. Yasopp had basically become like a second father, always seemingly there for her when she gets injured when she was playing, or trying and failing at hunting an animal, usual the local bear. Benn always sat with her when she stayed back, and while he didn't talk much, he listened to her talk about anything, since that girl can talk until you tell her to stop. Hell, one time when they were visiting the then seven year old, he even allowed her to braid his hair once, and while the crew didn't let a moment go by without reminding him of this, no teasing mounted to the happiness the young girl had on her face and the little muffled giggles as she did her so called 'masterpiece.'

"Hey Mina," shanks said as he pouted, as he sat next to his daughter who was almost done braiding his first commander's hair, "Why don't you braid my hair?" shanks' whined, causing Benn to shake his head slightly and for Mina to look at her father. She blinked three times before saying, "Because you refuse to teach me Haki," she said, "besides, Benn's hair is better than yours, and your hair is too short to be braided," she finished, sticking her tongue out before going back to her work, ignoring her whining father. She had begged and pleaded Shanks to teach her Haki, but he always used the same excuse, "I'm not always here, and when I am, it's not for long, so I don't think that training you right now would be beneficial to you at all." His refusal to teach her really frustrated her, because even Yasopp had taught her how to hit a target perfectly using daggers, much to the frustration of her father. Benn, who although wasn't a swordsman, had taught her how to protect herself and one simple attack using a sword. But because of her father's refusal, she had no one to teach her haki, and had to try to teach herself haki, but it seemed to be a slow process. A very very slow process.

Now at ten years old, Mina was able to sense someone if they were about five footsteps away from her, using Kenbunshoku Haki. She was also able to create the black armor of Busoshoku Haki on one hand. As for the third type of Haki, Haoshoku Haki, well, she had no way to know if she had it. It's not something that can be attained through training, and it's not something that many people had, hell there are only ten people who have this power if she remembers correctly. Shanks has it, that's for sure, and if what he had told her, her mother had it too. According to Shanks, Kanna had achieved her vice admiral position a couple of years ago by defeating a hundred of no name pirates using the emperor's Haki. While she knew that this type of Haki is not something that you can gain from being born to two people with that power, she had prayed and hoped that she did have it, because having such powers will make it so much easier to help her friends and family.

While she did know she had the Will of the D, since her full name was Akasuki D. Mina, taking it after her mother. And while she had no idea what the Will of the D. really meant, it obviously meant something, since everyone seemed to associate danger with anyone who had the Will of the D. Being dangerous and having Haoshoku Haki would make it so much easier to do many things. It will make it so much easier for her rid this world of Blackbeard.

She shook her head, a soft growl leaving her lips as she slapped her cheek. She had promised herself, she will not let her new life revolve around trying to save everyone, because even though she will try her best to achieve that, she promised herself that she will not forget to try to achieve her dreams. She smiled at the ground before she looked up as she felt a pat on her head.

Mina looked at her father, smiling sadly as he cried comically, rubbing the big droplets of tears away with his cloak, "I am going to miss you so much baby, please take care of yourself and stay away from that damn bear!" Her father said, before he took a deep breath in, calming himself and giving his daughter a wide grin, spreading his arms, more like arm, out, waiting for his daughter to give him a hug. His precious straw hat wasn't in its' place. Mina's smile dropped as tears streamed down her face, before she started running to her father and gave him a really tight hug, "I'm really going to miss you too, dad. I would tell you to take care of yourself too, but I don't think you need it, the grandline wouldn't know what hit it," she said with a grin, tears still streaming down her face. Her comment made her father's head fly back, a loud laugh bloomed out of him, "You bet your ass I don't!" His crew laughed, Benn and Yasopp approaching the two redheads. Yasopp had a sly grin and Benn had this usual smile that he had for the young girl he had now considered family. "Mini! Guess what Benn here and I got you?" Yasopp asked the young girl as he crouched in front of her. Mina's eyes twinkled, "Crepes? Wait no, ice cream? Macaroons?" the young girl said hopefully, mouth watering just at the thought of the desserts. Yasopp face planted into the ground comically, while Shanks laughed at his daughter's antics.

Benn crouched in front of the young girl, handing her a small box. Mini, as Yasopp liked to call her, stared at the box, it was neatly wrapped in purple and green paper, probably done by a Yasopp. She was about to peel the paper away, but Yasopp stopped her, handing her a plastic bag as well. She stared at the two gifts in her hand before she looked in the bag, gasping loudly as she pulled out a white cowboy hat. It had a long string with a purple and silver dagger and a little bead that had the Red-haired pirates flag symbol at the end of it, as well a line of small red roses that decorated the inside of the crown of the hat. She placed it on her head, and while it was large on her, she knew she'd grow into it. She then unwrapped the other gift just to spot two new daggers. They were identical, with a black hilt, and a single, reddish brown gem right in the middle of the hilt. "Benn had someone he knows in Logue-town personally make these for you," Yasopp grinned. "While I had made those beads and roses myself! I had someone who knows what they are doing attach it on that velvet hat," he said proudly. The young girl pushed the hat down to hide the tears that had started to escape her again. She ran and hugged their legs, surprising the two pirates. "We'll miss you too kiddo," The two said, not waiting for the younger one to say it. "Oi, stop hoarding my daughter and let me have moment with my little sunshine," Shanks said, pouting as he tugged his daughter away from his two crewmates, who just laughed at their captain before going onto the ship.

Shanks smiled at his daughter, as he uncapped his black cloak, wrapping it around her small body. "Dad, what are you doing? You can't give me that!" Mina exclaimed, causing her father to stare at her in shock and confusion, "and why is that?" "You aren't going to look cool anymore, like you will have no coolness to you at all," She said, as her father shook his head, as he stood up. "The strawhat was given to that Luffy boy," Mina said, a smile appearing on her face, "Luffy really is something else," Shanks laughed, "I am sure you two would get really along when you meet in the future."

"Yeah I think we would, but that's beside the point. You are now missing the straw-hat and the cloak, you look like a bare and uncool rooster," Mina said bluntly, causing Shanks to fall into the ground comically. "I'll just get a new cloak, dammit! Just keep it ok? Whenever you miss me or the crew just remember you have that, okay?" He said as he sat on the ground with a smile. His eyes then widened and he put his hand in his pocket, pulling out two pieces of paper and a mini Den Den Mushi. "You can communicate with me, or your mother through this little fellow," Shanks said, as he gave Mina the snail as well as one piece of paper that had both his and Kanna's numbers scribbled on, "and when you do become a pirate, this will lead you to me," Shanks explained briefly, handing Mina a vivre card.

Mina nodded, already knowing what both of those things are. Her father gave her one last smile, giving her forehead a kiss, before going onto his ship, leaving the young girl behind by herself, surrounded by the things she was given by the Red-Haired Pirates. Her eyes were shadowed were shadowed by the hat that Yasopp got her, but tears hit the ground quickly as her father and his crew sailed away. A sudden boost of energy hit her and she ran to the very edge of the docks, she placed her hands against the side of her mouth, and she shouted, "When I get strong enough, I will go to the Grandline and find you, and you guys better be waiting for me!" She screamed, "I will become the strongest and the freest woman alive!" She declared loudly, and all she got in reply was the crew's laughs and her father's, "We'll be waiting, honey!"

Almost three months after her father had left, Mina got a visit from a very old friend, the forgotten but loved, Angel of Death.

"Mina! How is my favorite dead but alive girl doing!" The now young, handsome male said to the ten year old, hugging her tightly. If it wasn't for the voice, Mina wouldn't have had recognized the angel. She didn't say anything as she stared at him, "It's so weird seeing you here, you know that?" She finally said, setting down her daggers that she was using to practice target hitting. "Aw, I missed you too babe!" He exclaimed. Mina sighed and laid on the grass, staring at the cloudy sky, it seemed like it was about to rain. Jack, just like how the angel of death liked being called when he was in this form, smiled at the girl. He had been watching her for the past ten years, and he had noticed that she hides her emotions some of the times when she doesn't it's necessary to convey it, so he didn't feel offend by her lack of surprise or happiness to see her. "How has life been, hm?" He asked, sitting next to the young girl. "Well, i-" she started but Jack interrupted her, "Yeah, I already know all of this, plus we don't have time, your mom and Garp will be here soon. I saw their ship dock about an hour ago, anyways, I got you gifts! I have never done this before and don't think I will ever get you another gift again, okay?" He said quickly, dropping a heavy bag on Mina's stomach, causing her to groan.

"Wait! Why don't stay for a bit? My mom usually goes to get me some dessert from the cafe in the village, so she takes a bit of time to get here," Mina said as she pushed the bag off her, "Sorry kiddo, I know for a fact that they will be here in five minutes. Don't worry though, I'll visit you soon after you get to Dawn Island," He said as he walked away, "I recommend you eat the fruit before your mom gets here, cause I really doubt she'd let you eat it, the bag is part of the gift by the way!" He said before disappearing, leaving nothing but dust behind.

Mina stared at the spot he last stood, before she grabbed the purple satchel bag. It was smaller than what it felt like, so she opened the bag, placing her hand in there, but it seemed like the bag didn't have a bottom. She felt two things in there, but not the bottom of the bag. Her eyebrows furrowed, before she quickly grabbed on of the items when she remembered that her mom will be here soon. What she had pulled out wasn't what she was expecting at all. A fruit the size of her head was in her hand, and if it wasn't for the unusual colours, Mina would've thought it was an enlarged peach. It was a dark blue in colour and was covered in swirls on one side, but the other side was covered in shapes that looked like lightning bolts. Mina recognized the fruit in front of her almost immediately. A devil fruit.

She broke out of her surprise by hearing Garp call her, "Mina! Come greet your gramps!" She looked at the fruit one more time, million of thoughts running through her head, and in the spur of the moment, she ate it. Mina gagged. She knew devil fruits were supposed to taste bad, but fucking dammit, why hadn't they mentioned that it tasted like moldy cheese with shit.

She placed her daggers in the bag, before she swallowed the fruit whole, gagging even more, just in time for Garp and Kanna's figures to appear from above the hill. Yumi, her caretaker, appeared out of the small cottage they had lived in, a suitcase in hand, as she walked up to Mina's mother and Garp. Yumi and Mina were never really close, The caretaker was a quiet middle-aged woman who always allowed Mina to do whatever she wanted as long as it didn't cause the young child any harm. Mina never bothered the caretaker, hell she didn't talk to her a lot either, but they both do care about each other a whole lot.

Yumi smiled at Kanna, bowing to her slightly before handing her the suitcase, which Mina had assumed was hers. Yumi had asked her this morning if there was anything she wanted to take with her to Dawn Island, and while Mina's answer was she wanted Yumi to come with her, the caretaker laughed, before picking up Mina's little stuffed dog that her mom got her when she was younger, and placing it in the suitcase, knowing that the ten year old will not be able to sleep without it, no matter how many times the brat denies it. Kanna wasn't home a lot, hell, she might've been away as much as Shanks is, which is why Mina treasured the times her mother came to visit. While she did love her father and his crew, she always felt a void being filled whenever she was around her mother. Maybe it was from her past life since she didn't have a mother-figure after she lost her mother died when she was four years old, but whatever it was, Mina really did love her mother, even if she was barely around because of her job as a marine.

"Mina!" Her mother exclaimed as she ran and gave her daughter a tight hug, knocking Mina's hat off, causing it to hang against her back, being supported by the strings. Mina wrapped her small arms around her mom, a wide grin on her face, momentarily forgetting that she had just eaten a devil fruit. Mina let her mother go, before running to Garp, giving him a tight hug, just for her to get his iconic 'fist of love.'

"Do you know how I felt when the mayor had told me that my dear granddaughter wanted to become a pirate?" He said, a look of slight disappointment appearing on his face, as Kanna walked up to the two, cigarette now in her mouth. "That red-haired bastard contaminated your and Luffy's brain, next time I see him I swear I will make him regret messing with my grandchildren!" Garp exclaimed, fire almost exploding from him. Mina just laughed at the old man, him and her mother can complain and nag her to be a marine all they want, she just refused to be one, "You're gonna become a great Marine, just like your mother!" Kanna said, grinning at her daughter, before looking at the sky, putting her hand out, "I thought it was supposed to rain, that's what our navigators said anyways,' she said, causing Mina to look at the now clear, blue sky. She furrowed her eyebrows, it was supposed to rain, hell even she noticed that.

She then remembered the devil fruit, her eyes widening as she stared at her mother and gramps, who were talking how if the weather stays like this, they can leave to Dawn Island almost immediately. Mina contemplated her options, tell the two about her powers, or not tell them and risk the possibility of her drowning at any time during the trip?

"Mom? I think I ate a devil fruit," Mina said immediately. She'd rather not drown before she meets the famous ASL brothers. Her mother and gramps froze, slowly turning to the young girl. "You ate what?!" Her mother exclaimed, grabbing her daughter's arm as she dropped her cigarette . "I have no idea what type of devil fruit it was," Mina continued as she looked at the two adults. "When did this happen?" Garp asked the young girl as he crouched in front of her. "Um, about five minutes ago?" Mina said, causing Kanna to rub her face in frustration. "You know what?" Kanna said, letting out a deep breath, "It's okay, it's okay," She said, trying to calm herself down. Mina knew her mother was slightly panicking, but she had no idea why. "You know what? I am pretty sure I have a book about devil fruits back on our little ship," Garp said as he picked up Mina, who grabbed her bag, and placed her on his shoulders, causing her to giggle loudly. "How about we get on our way now, so we can see what fruit you have, and we can get to Dawn Island in the next three days," He said, causing Mina to nod. Garp looked at at Kanna, who had calmed down now, another cigarette now in her mouth. She smiled slightly at the two before walking up to Yumi, thanking her for taking care of Mina and giving her a slightly big, brown bag filled with what Mina assumed with beri's for taking care of her. Garp started to walk down the hill, Kanna right behind him, causing Mina to , waving one hand while shouting, "Bye Yumi! Thank you so much for taking care of me!"

Yumi didn't say anything but a rare but beautiful grin appeared on her face and she waved at the young girl, causing the younger girl to smile widely, before she looked ahead, the impossibly wide grin on her face as she pointed ahead and said, "Let's go!"

Mina sat on Garp's lap as her mom stirred the small marine boat, her eyes scanning over the book that Garp had given her. It was the book about all the devil fruits. He said she can keep it, saying something about having another copy in his main office, but the young girl didn't hear him well, not after he said he can have it. She was so excited about being given the book, she had totally ignored Garp and started flipping through the book. Ever since Yumi had taught her to read, she always read whenever she had the time, since she spent most of her time playing or training.

She had been reading through the large book for the past day and half, which meant they were half way through their journey to Dawn Island. She grinned widely to herself, her body almost vibrating from the excitement she is feeling. She continued to scan the book, when her eyes landed on a very familiar fruit. It was the devil fruit that she had eaten. The Ara Ara no Mi. It's a Paramecia that allows its' user full power over the weather. "Gramps," she muttered, her eyes not leaving the page as she tugged Garp's shirt, causing him to give her his full attention, "This is the fruit that I ate," She said causing Garp to scan over the page. "Controlling the weather, hm? If you are able to have full control over it, you might even become an Admiral one day!" Garp said, fantasizing about a day where all of his grandchildren become honourable marines, a day which will never come. The young girl sweat-dropped at Garp, just when her mom said, "That's a great power honey! It's extremely helpful, especially when you're at sea!" She called out from her spot behind the steering wheel.

Mina nodded, she knew it would be extremely helpful, whether during a fight or on a ship, so she was happy with her power, and was very glad she had trusted her gut, because if she had ended with a really bad power and the inability to swim ever again after doing what she felt was right, she would never trust gut when making decisions ever again.

She sweat-dropped even more at her thought process before her ears perked and her nose flared as the smell of food hit her nose. "Oh the chicken must be done! Come you two!" Her mom said as she left the steering wheel after she made sure they were on the right direction, going into the small kitchen, Mina running in after her while exclaiming, "Food!"

It has been six hours since they had arrived to Dawn Island, arriving right at the start of the afternoon, and they've been climbing this mountain for so long, the sun was setting. Mina had wanted to go visit Foosha village before the went to meet the brothers, wanting to meet Makino, but she didn't say anything, not being able to think of a reason on why she wanted to go into a bar, besides, she knew that the young bartender visited Luffy once a month, so she'll meet her sooner or later.

A while ago, her mother had decided to carry her after the young girl tripped over the rocky mountain for the tenth time, Garp slightly ahead of them as he carried the young girl's suitcase. "We are almost there," Kanna said to her daughter with a chuckle as the girl grinned widely, her excitement radiating on her face. Her mom knew that the younger girl never had friends her own age, so she understood why she was so excited. While that was somewhat right, Mina just couldn't believe she is about to meet the legendary ASL brothers.

"We are here!" Garp said with a wide grin as he sped up and went up to the Mountain Bandit's House, causing Kanna to hurry up as well and for Mina to squirm in excitement, and drop to the ground, running to Garp as he knocked on the door. Mina looked around in fascination as Garp continued to knock on the door, the knocks getting louder by the second. Mina looked at the door as it was bursted open by Dadan, who had a piece of meat in her mouth instead of her usual cigarette, "Stop it!" she screamed, "Whoever you are, do you want to get killed?!"

Garp stared at her in distintrest, "it's me," he said plainly, causing Dadan to gasp and walk back a bit, just for Mina to get a glance of what's going inside. There was a half eaten, cooked crocodile by a fire, as well as a bunch of bandits, including Dogra and Magra. "G-Garp-san!" Dadan exclaimed. "You're looking good," Garp said just as Kanna got to them. "Give us a break! You just came here three months ago!" Dadan exclaimed. "Oh yeah! How is Ace and Luffy?" Garp said before he laughed. "It's not funny! Now we have a third kid named Sabo who we have to take care of as well ever since yesterday!" Dogra exclaimed as he cowered next to Dadan. "Putting that aside…" Garp said, "Don't put it aside!" The three bandits screamed. Garp then grabbed Mina by her green hoodie and lifted her up, "Look after her, too," He said, causing everyone in the cottage to freeze. Mina grinned widely, her eyes turning into small as raised she hand in a salute, "Yo, I'm Akasuki D. Mina! Nice to meet 'cha!" She exclaimed. Mogra was the first one to be able to say anything, "Who's that kid?"

"She's my daughter," Kanna said at the same time Garp said, "My granddaughter," while the young girl just grinned even more. "Another one!" The three bandits screeched as Garp set Mina down just in time for the three trouble makers to poke their heads out. Garp stared at the three with a wide grin, "Ace! Luffy!" he said with a grin, causing the two to freeze in fear as they stared at their Grandpa while Sabo stared at the old man in confusion, "I will be coming again later for a long training for you guys to become marines!" He exclaimed, causing Luffy and Ace to say at the same time, "I will become a pirate!"

Garp grinded his teeth, "Like hell you will!" he said while punching the two boys and Sabo, before taking his attention back to Dadan, "You will not say no, unless you want to get sent to prison for the rest of your life," he said, causing Kanna to nudge him playfully, "I don't think it's a good idea to blackmail the people who are taking care of your grandchildren, Garp," She said causing Dadan to nod quickly before looking at Mina, who hadn't stopped staring at her. "What the hell are you staring at kid?" She snarled causing Mina to point at her and look at her mom, "Ma, why does she look like an uglier, fatter version of you?" Mina said without thinking twice of her words. Garp's and Luffy's laughter filled the air as Ace and Sabo stared at the new girl. Dadan shook in anger, "Do you wanna fight kid?!"she screeched. Kanna ignored Dadan and answered her daughter, "That's because she's my cousin, which is why, Dadan, you will make sure my Min is not dead the next time I come by, or I will kill you before Garp is able to send you to prison, understood?" Kanna said darkly, her cigarette still in her mouth. "Kanna, I don't think it's a good idea to threaten your kid's new caretaker, hm?" Garp mocked Kanna before saying, "it's not a choice."

He continued to argue with Dadan while Kanna noticed the three boys, a smile appearing on her face as she walked up to them, she crouched in front of them while Mina stayed next to Garp, staring at her black shoes awkwardly. Luffy gave Kanna a toothy grin as she placed her hand on his hat, "Shank's gave you his hat, eh? So you are that Luffy kid," She said before she grinned, cigarette still in mouth, "Take good care of it, will you?"

"You know Shanks?!" He exclaimed, eyes widening as his grin widened as well, "Know him? You could say that," Kanna said with a smile before her eyes went to Ace and Sabo, who were staring at her, but looked away immediately when they realized she had caught them. She just gave them a wide smile as Luffy seemed like he was about to say something when Dadan exclaimed, "Fine! She can stay!" She said, causing the three kids and Kanna to look at them just to see Mina celebrating by jumping up and down, "But she'll have to help around!" Dadan exclaimed. "Sure," Kanna, Garp, and Mina said at the same time. Dadan comically fell to the ground, "Why do I feel like she won't be helping around at all?" She muttered to herself as Mina gave Garp a hug and then went up to her mom, giving her a big hug, "See you soon mom, gramps!" She said as they waved goodbye before she turned around, suit case in hand, following Dadan inside, just to see that the three boys went back to their food. From their injuries, and how they interacted with each other, she would say it's probably the day after Luffy got taken by the Blue Jam Pirates.

She ignored Dadan's speech about having to take care of herself, and how she would have to basically raise herself, as she went up to the three boys. "Hello, I'm Akasuki D. Mina!" She introduced herself, putting her hand out for a handshake. Ace ignored her while Sabo just smiled at the girl while Luffy grinned, taking her hand in his and shaking it, "I'm Monkey D. Luffy!" He exclaimed. She nodded, "I know who you are, dad talks about you all the time!" she said with a wide grin, causing everyone to pay attention to the girl, "Who's your dad, kid?" One of the bandits asked, "Red-Haired Shanks," She answered.

At that, she got mixed reactions, some bandits froze, while Luffy's eyes turned into stars while Sabo and Ace stared at her in either shock or confusion, she couldn't tell. But the worst reaction was from Dada, who fell onto the ground, "you are literally a walking target," she cried.

Mina grinned, "My dad always talked about you Luffy, he told me about everything you guys went through together," Mina said as Luffy grinned, pushing his hat down with both hand, "Shanks..." he muttered.

Mina then looked at Sabo and Ace before smiling at them, causing Sabo to finally introduce himself and Ace, "Hi! I am Sabo and this is Ace," he smiled, as he pointed at Ace, who just huffed and continued eating, "don't worry, he'll warm up to you soon," he grinned as he stuck his hand out, causing Mina to grin as well, grabbing his hand and shaking it.

"It's nice meeting you three, it really is."