CHAPTER 7: The surgeon of death arrives, Jeleousy
The moonlight danced on the ocean waves, which gently rocked the Thousand Sunny. It was a dark night and the Captain of the ship was having a little trouble sleeping. This wasn't anything new though, as Luffy almost never got any sleep these days. There were just so many thing that were always haunting the older boy's mind. With a small sigh, Luffy looked down at his hand, remembering how he had held Ace earlier that day. He was really growing attached to this kid.
It was horrible because he knew that sooner or later he would have to let him go back to his world or timeline. But deep down, even if Luffy hated to admit it, he really didn't want Ace to leave. He loved being an older brother, and during their time playing almost all day, he couldn't help but finally feel complete. Like everything was perfect, and that nothing could ruin it for him. Except for himself that is. The Pirate king clenched his fists dwelling back on 'that'
day. The day that he would never forget, despite how much he tried.
"I really can't do anything by myself... Isn't that right, Ace." Luffy looked up at the sky, remembering his older brother who he wished so much to still be alive, but he was only able to look up for a good few minutes before he heard a sound coming from the ocean. However, Luffy didn't budge at all, instead using haki to see just who or what was nearing them.
[SPLASH]
Something surfaced. Even though it was dark it was still fairly easy for Luffy to spot the heart pirates submarine that was docking onto their ship.
"It's Torao!" Luffy exclaimed, but tried to be quiet since everyone was asleep and waking them up just because Law had arrived would be worst thing he could do. The surgeon made his way onto the boat as if he owned it, not really caring if anyone was awake or not. "Hi Torao!" Luffy whisper shouted, getting the older man's attention. He forcfully waved in return and Luffy made his way over to him.
"Good morning Luffy-ya." The doctor stated. Luffy greeted him with a long hug before asking.
"Why did you come so early? It's 2am and no one's awake. How did you know I would be up?" The surgeon pried the younger boy off him, before simply saying,
"I know the sleep schedual of all my patiants. You never got much sleep when I looked after you so I assumed it would be the same now. It seems I was correct." Luffy smiled at the sugeon who he was so fond.
"Where's your crew? In the sub?"
"Yea, they weren't really wanting to barge in uninvited, but because I had been here before I didn't really care." The captain grinned once more, wanting to explain so many things to the surgeon, but before be could start he was cut off by a serious voice.
"Luffy-ya. I know that you've probably got some weird crazy story to tell me, but you have to explain that voice I heard on the den den-mushi yesterday." Silence followed. Luffy was never good at explaining things in a serious manner. He had to try sound more adult like when talking to Law but it was a very hard thing for him thanks to his never ending supply of energy.
"I told you on the den den-mushi. We just found him."
"Who exactly?" The man demmanded in a sarcastic tone.
"Ace of course." Law wasn't impressed with that answer. The boy did say that his name was Portgas but both the surgeon and Luffy knew very well that Portgas D Ace was indeed dead. They were some of the few people to witness it first hand.
"Luffy-ya, you do know that Ace-ya is dead right?" Law hated himself for being so upfront with his friend, but there was no other way to say it.
"Yea, but." Luffy started, not sure how to describe the situation. "It's not 'that' Ace. Torao, the Ace that's with us,
he came from the past somehow. He's only 11 years old." Law was shocked but didn't show any signs of it. What did he mean that Ace was a kid? There is only one Portgas D Ace. And really, time travel? The whole idea just seems to stupid to believe. The man gave an annoyed sigh and looked at the younger who looked up at him with determined eyes. He was serious about this wasn't he.
"Is there any proof that he 'is' Portgas?" Law pressed, not satisfied with Luffy's responce.
"Well, he does have all of his memories from when we were kids. And he knows who I am, but dosn't know anyone else he met when he was older. Um... He acts exactly like Ace and on top of that he looks identical to him." That was far more than enough proof, but Law simply couldn't accept that something so ridiculous could happen.
"So, to sum it all up. You're telling me that you made me and my crew cross almost the entire new world, just because you happened upon you brother who traveled through time, and is now an 11 year old with no memories of his adult life?" That had to be the most stupidest thing in the world. Where was the connection? There was none! It was just just like someone had wrote a crap story without even thinking about the storyline at all. Useless.
"Yep!" The boy replied happily. oblivious to what he was implying. Another sigh was heard from the doctor.
"You expect me to believe that?" Luffy nodded his head happily in return.
"Trust me Torao! Once you see him you'll know that it's him!" He made it sound like the surgeon had sat down and had a coversation with fire fist. Which never happened, he only went to go save Luffy from Marineford, he can't even recall what sort of person Ace was supposed to be. Law was frustrated with the straw hatted boy. Wait, straw hat? Now that Law thought about it, there was no straw hat to be found on Luffy's head. that was odd.
"Where is you're straw hat Luffy-ya?" It wasn't any of Law's buisness, but it was a little strange seeing Luffy without his hat.
"I gave it to Ace." Luffy deadpanned, not wanting to try and explain another thing.
"I see."
"Anyway, I'm going to try and get a little sleep. Sanji will be getting up in a few hours to make breakfast so I'll get up then." Law nodded and headed back to the submarine, seeing as there was no other reason to stay aboard. Luffy gave the surgeon a hug before going to bed which was annoying but he didn't object, just grumbled to himself as he normally did. Luffy sure was a pain when he wanted to be.
The sun made it's way into the men's room slowly, but surely. The freckled boy squinted his eyes at the light, it always seemed so bright in the morning. turning over Ace noticed that he was alone in Luffy's bed, which was a little disappointing as he was used to having either Luffy or Sabo with him when he would wake up at Goa. Ace slowly sat up walked to the door, picking up his pipe on the way out, you'd never know when someone could attack.
"You're leaving already?"
Ace stopped before he opened the door, pressing his ear against it. Luffy was speaking but who to?
"Sorry Luffy. We've gotta get going. But it was awesome catching up with you." It sounded like Shanks? The young boy opened the door that revealed a bright sunny morning. It would have been around 8am for it to be this bright. Ace walked a few steps before someone all too familiar shouted his name.
"OI ACE! Come say bye to Shanks!" His older brother waved at him and Ace did as told, walking up to Ace, making sure his straw hat sat on his head properly.
"Bye Shanks!" The boy said with a faint smile. Not being too fond of the man for his antics but wanting to be polite since it was 'his' hat that he was wearing.
"See you Ace. Make sure you look after that hat. It was a gift after all." Ace gave a slightly confused look but Shanks simply laughed. He couldn't believe that Ace was actually wearing Roger's hat. He was sure that his Captain would be proud if he saw him now.
"I will!" the boy said a little too loud. Luffy smiled and gave Shanks a hug before he left, leaving Luffy and Ace alone on the deck.
"Where is everyone?" Ace asked, wondering why no one else had given the red haired man a farewell.
"Their inside, eating breakfast I suppose." Ace looked back out onto the ocean as Shanks's ship departed, barely taking notice to the dark shade of a certain submarine that loomed just below the surface.
The two D brothers entered the kitchen as they normally did, taking a seat at the counter where the wonderful chef served them some super amazing pancakes! It was like heaven! Ace bit into his first properly made pancake and savoured the taste for once in his life, barely taking notice of the surgeon who sat, slightly shocked, while looking at the younger boy.
"It is Portgas. Damn that Luffy-ya, why are always his stupid theories correct and never my logical ones?" Law complained quietly to himself, his voice barely audiable.
"YO ACE!" Turning the boy saw the stupid pineapple act slightly mor friendly this morning.
"Hey Pineapple-Bastard." Ace deadpanned, earning Marco a tick mark. There was no way he would ever drop that nickname.
"What was that?" The scary blonde pressed, fed up with the boys comments.
"I said what the hell do you want!? PINEAPPLE-BASTARD!?" The freckled boy sent the man a glare and recieved one from Marco in return. Luffy was oblivious to thier conversation, obviously eating far to much and being scolded by Sanji.
"Y'know, I've tried being nice but you're just a little brat!" Marco shouted, frustrated to the max.
"I CAN SAY THE SAME HERE!" Ace growled, keeping his pipe close in case the damned Pineapple tried anything. Law watched from the distance as a full grown man agrued with that of an eleven year old. Sighing he decided to intervene,
"Phoenix-ya, please be a little more, dignified." 'If that's even possible you stuck up prick.' Law added mentally. He never enjoyed the blondes company, he hated being around those with who wanted to prove themselves for no apparent reason.
Most members of Luffy's crew being an exception. A steaming Marco turned to the surgeon, who gave him a glare and shouted proably much too loud.
"Keep you're goddamn nose out'a other peoples problems! Y'here you crap surgeon!" Yep, that was it. That was the litteral last straw. This is why you don't screw around with people who can mess up someones body.
"You, wanna repeat that?" Then there was glare that could have probably come straight from your deepest nightmares. The reciever would end up going to hell for making such a face be directed at them. [Poor Marco] Ace watched as the blonde man who was so cocky only seconds ago was now about to crap himself. Hopefully not in Ace's opinion.
"Wait a second." The freckled boy looked at the surgeon, then at the pineapple, and then at Luffy. His vison switched between the three and it took a few minutes for him to notice something out of place. He suddenly pointed at Law whilst shouting,
"YOU! WEREN'T HERE THE OTHER DAY! WHERE THE HELL DID YOU COME FROM!?" The boy got into a defencive stance, which Luffy noticed and saw how it was directed at Law, who the Captain hadn't even realised was in the room.
"TORAO!" Was litterally all the older brother could say before he hand flung himself at the surgeon. [ROOM] Law called out but it was a little late to save himself from the flying Luffy cannonball given the fact that they were only like, five meters apart. Luffy ended up shotting him and Law right through the wall and out onto the deck. Yep. Franky is going to kill them.
'Phew' Was all Marco would think. Luffy really pulled through when he needed him, saving him from the surgeon was a good call. Ace on the other hand was down right confused.
"What the hell!?" The boy shouted, running after the two who were now covered in ship wreckage. Ace paused when he stood on something though, at he swore it moved. With all the dust it was hard to see but as it cleared, The younger D that he had stood on. An arm?
"TORAO!" Was all Luffy could shout! He sounded like he was pouting. And when Ace looked up, he saw A very mad surgeon,
and... Luffy. BUT WHAT THE HELL!? WHERE THE HELL IS HIS ARM!? A burst of realization hit Ace hard as he looked back down at the hand near his feet and then back at his brother.
"AHHHHH!" The boy screeched, litterally at tears for no reason. "YOU BASTARD! YOU CUT MY BROTEHRS ARM OFF!" Looking past his own tears, Ace swung his pipe at Law, only for it to be cut in half.
"What are you talking about?" The surgeon inquired, not sure what he had done wrong.
"Torao, Ace doesn't know." Luffy giggled, Which Ace thought was the worst thing he could do in this situation, since his arm had just been cut off and all...
"L-Luffy? Wh-What are you talking about?" The smaller boy quivered. Frightened for his brothers life. Looking at his brothers missing arm, Ace noticed that there was no blood? But how?
"Ne, Ace. Torao can cut people up but they still don't die. It's his devils fruit ability. Isn't it so cool! Law simply smiled at the remark while Ace remained confused.
"Eh?" Not a sedond later, did Luffy's once cut off arm return to it's original form.
"See! It's all better!" Ace still wasn't getting it and Luffy suddenly fekt horrible as he noticed that Ace had shed a few tears, which was new.
"L-Luffy.. Y-You're ok?" The Pirate king stood up and wlaked over to his brother, giving him a gentle hug.
"Sorry for worrying you. I was just being a dumbass and Torao got annoyed. Don't worry though, he does that a lot. Law scoffed at the comment but it wasn't long before he was dragged into the hug un willingly.
"LUFFY-YA! LET ME GO!" He struggled but freeing himslef was impossible. He could probably just room out but was honestly not bothered and enjoyed the attenyion, since he never got much of it. Ace was still confused, so much to handle all at once.
"Luffy, you're sure that you're ok?" Ace asked, inspecting the older brothers arm that had been seperated mere minutes ago.
"I'm fine. Sorry for making you cry." Luffy patted Ace's head but it wasn't long before Ace realised his actions.
"IDIOT! I WASN'T CRYING!" Luffy simply smiled as Law made his way out of the hug and headed to the exist, honetsly not wamnting to be at the ship another minute.
"Bye, Luffy-ya. You damn idiot now I've got a headache. This is why I don't visit you..." Luffy looked up and simply waved goodbye to the surgeon as he left, wanting to huf the smaller boy more. It would only be a little longer, then Sabo would finally get there and they could all be together again.
"Who even was that?" Ace questioned and Luffy gave him anothe indirect answer sayinf he was 'friend'. Ace was seriously sick of being lied to. That was it. Tonight he would ask his brother why the hell there were so many secrets. And this time, he would make sure to get all the answers he wanted.
TBC.
[AUTHORS NOTES] Lol I kinda dissed myself in this chapter. Eh, who cares. Also I really didn't want Law on the ship for too long which is why I did a longer chapter about him. To make up for it. Well, he got more screen time then Shanks so thats good I guess. I was a little late with this update which I apologise for, not sure when the next one will come out but hopefully soon. Can't wait for Sabo tpo get there!
