Chapter 20

Understand that the universe
is giving you challenges to
help you to become the
greatest version of yourself.

- unknown

The Whitebeard pirates once again left New World to check up on a few islands in Paradise. They sailed here and there, to different islands to make sure there were no trouble caused in their territories. Months later, they were ready to head back.

This is the fifth time Ace, Sabo, and Luffy had been here at Sabaody, the first for Law. Just like the few times they've been here, the four of them had to stay on the ship in fear of one of Doflamingo's men spotting them. The Warlord had his hands in slave trading after all.

At least this time they were hidden at grove 89, in the uninhabited area. They were at least allowed to walk on land, as long as they stayed within grove 85 through 89. Three members from Division 2 stayed with them to watch over the ship and the four teenagers. The rest of the crew split up to buy supplies and find Rayleigh.

"I wish we could go to this amusement park everyone keeps talking about," Ace said as he kicked a random rock in his path. "Sounds like fun."

"Oh, right," Blist said from behind the four teenagers, "You brats have never been to an amusement park before, have you?"

"No. Some of the books we've read talked about them. Sounds like fun," Sabo sighed wistfully. "I want to ride one of those Ferris Wheel. I heard the view from the top is beautiful."

"I wanna ride a jet coaster," Luffy made a sound effect of a fast moving object while moving a hand in a motion of a roller coaster.

"I'm almost sure being flung by your rocket is about the same," Law deadpanned. "Fast and dangerous."

The Division 2 members laughed. "Yeah, but at least jet coasters have brakes, and you wouldn't have to worry about landing on your head," Henry commented in between laughs.

"That's right," Prem agreed.

They talked and walked around while waiting for Rayleigh, always keeping Moby Dick within sight. The ship coater came after they finished their lunch.

"You know," Blist said thoughtfully as Rayleigh worked in the background, "We could put you guys in a disguise. That way you can walk around, and no one would recognize you."

"Unless you're Luffy," Sabo grumbled, remembering the time he lost his sight.

"Oh, come on," Prem smacked the blond on the back. "There aren't that many people with that kind of skill. I think it's a great idea. Sabaody is a place you have to see. Besides, when Luffy decides to sail off on his own, he's going to have come here eventually to get to New World."

"I don't think it's a good idea," Henry said. "We're going to get into so much trouble. Marco specifically said to not let them go anywhere near the towns."

"But he didn't say we couldn't go if we weren't us. Can't get in trouble if they don't find out," Ace grinned.

"Jet Coaster!" Luffy cheered.

"Law, you're sanest of the four. Put some sense into them," Henry begged, not wanting to get in trouble with Marco.

Law tried to weigh the pros and cons but was only able to think about how happy Lu would be. "Why don't we ask Rayleigh-ya to take us after he finishes? It'd be safer with someone who knows the area."

"Rayleigh!" Luffy took off to find the old ship coater.

Rayleigh agreed to guide them after he finished under the condition that they listen to him. If he says they have to leave, then they leave.

After he finished, he found all four boys, now in dresses and wigs, disguised as girls, waiting for him with the other three pirates. He needed to drop off his tools first, so he led them towards Shakky's at Grove 13. As soon as they stepped onto the first grove into lawless area, Luffy paused.

"What's wrong, Luffy?" Ace asked.

"I don't know. Feels weird here," was all he said before continuing walking.

As they walked closer towards the middle of the archipelago, Luffy started to walk slower.

"Luffy, you okay?" Ace asked once again.

"There're lots of people crying," Luffy said quietly, tears slowly coming down. "Can you hear them?"

"We don't hear anything, Lu-ya. Are you sure?" Law asked.

Rayleigh stopped a few steps ahead of the group and turned back around to walk back towards them. "Maybe this isn't a good idea. Let's get you boys back to the ship." He's met a few people like Luffy, who can hear the voices of people's heart. Sabaody, where slave trading is legal, isn't a place for people like them. If he'd known Luffy was one who could hear the voices, he wouldn't have agreed. The kid was too young to be able to control his emotions.

Luffy nodded as he shook. He didn't like it here where he can hear so many people crying, pleading to be freed. The longer he stayed there, the more he could hear. The boy sniffled and tried to stop his tears, but they kept on coming.

Law picked him up when he noticed Luffy's crying wouldn't stop.

"They want to be free," Luffy sniffled, burying his face into Law's shoulder. "Why can't they be free?"

He didn't know how to answer, instead looked to the older, more experience pirate.

Rayleigh sighed and placed a hand on Luffy's head. "There are things we can't change. There will always be people who thinks they are above others and nothing we do or say will make them change their minds. This is the world we live in."

They were nearing Grove 20 when someone ran towards them and the many people walking around. He ran around, asking people, begging for someone to get his collar off, that he had a family to go back to.

Luffy turned his head to see what was going on and tensed and shook even harder at what he saw. He knows how that man feels. He was angry that someone would do something like this to someone else.

Rayleigh, sensing Luffy's mood, turned to Law. "We have to get him out of here quickly before he does something stupid." The old coater could feel small amounts of haki seeping out of the small boy. Not just any type of haki, but one that few people have mastered, Conqueror's Haki. Things could get a little troublesome if that was released in a place full of people. Not to mention, if that slave was here, it means the Tenryuubitos aren't too far behind.

But it was too late. The bomb collar went off, killing the runaway slave. Luffy stilled in shock as he saw the whole thing. Law swore could feel the boy in his arm stop breathing for a moment.

"Boy, don't do anything. All you can do is cause trouble, and that's something I would like to avoid," Rayleigh said in warning.

Two Tenryuubitos, an older male and a female, came before they could get far enough away, causing them to hide in between two buildings. The Tenryuubitos didn't seem to care that the man died. Instead they just belittled him and called him names, even kicking the dead man.

Law held the boy even tighter when even he felt the rage boiling. Luffy couldn't see anything that was happening from his position, but he could hear them. Law had to do something soon before Luffy does "something stupid," as Rayleigh said.

"Rayleigh-ya, I'm taking him back to the ship right now. Room. Shambles," he didn't even wait for a reply and just disappeared.

They landed on Grove 83, not too far from Moby Dick. It wasn't a moment too soon as Luffy lost control over his emotions and let out his Conqueror's Haki, shaking the whole mangrove around them. Law was sure he even heard the one under them creak from the pressure that was released by the boy.

The older boy felt weak in the knees and knelt down to keep his balance and shake his head to clear the black spots from his vision after having to put Luffy down. The poor boy looked so lost and sad, with his tears pouring out as he cried and lashed out at anything and everything in his path.

Law just leaned back into a tree, leaving the boy to relieve his frustration. That is until Luffy managed to take down one of the tree with one punch. The older teen groaned, realizing that he has to somehow calm his sister down before some curious idiot comes by to see what happened.

He thought about how to stop him. What can he do by himself? Hell, even some of the commanders admitted Luffy is stronger than them when he goes all out. Another tree went down, and he shakily stood up and called out to his sister. There was no way in hell his conscious would let him cut his sister, even knowing it wouldn't hurt her.

"Lu-ya! Calm down before someone comes by!" Luffy continued on, not hearing him. Law ran towards the boy to try to pin him, but Luffy evaded him and continued to vent his frustration at the world on another grove.

This continued for another ten minutes before Ace and Sabo showed up. They yelled Luffy's name as they also rushed at him at the same time, only to be punched by a haki infused fist, sending them both back into a tree. The impact caused the grove to flame up, burning the poor tree.

They got back up, and the three of them fought their brother. Rayleigh and the three Division 2 members showed up not too long after and joined in. Eventually, the old coater managed to kick Luffy in the back of his head, knocking him unconscious.

Once they were sure the boy wouldn't get back up, they all slumped down in relief. Rayleigh took a look around to survey the damage. It looked like all of Grove 80-89 were gone. Even some of the roots have sunken, leaving a few small lake-like areas. From where they were, they can see their ship in plain sight, no longer hidden behind the tall trees.

It didn't take long before Whitebeard's crew slowly showed up to see what had happened. The commanders and Whitebeard being the first as they had a head start after sensing the strong haki coming from the direction of their ship.

Under his captain's command, Jiru quickly called everyone back to the ship. They had to leave soon. There was no way the government is going to let this one go. Someone would be here soon to investigate.

Blist, Prem, and Henry apologized profusely to Marco and Whitebeard, only to be cut off by Rayleigh.

"No. It's my fault for agreeing to take them. I thought it wouldn't hurt if it was just for a few hours. I apologize for the lapse in judgement."

Marco just heaved a sigh with a hand to his forehead. "No-yoi. This was bound to happen. They're teenagers who just wants to go exploring. I should have expected them to want to take a look around-yoi. We also should have warned you about Luffy's ability."

They were deep under the sea, half way to Fishman Island, when Luffy woke up to seeing Whitebeard sitting on the edge of his infirmary bed, with Law, Ace, and Sabo sitting on the next bed over.

"I heard what happened," the old man said softly, signaling the three boys to stay where they were to give their brother time. "Do you want to talk about it?"

Luffy stared at the ceiling for a minute before saying anything. "Grandpops. Why?"

"Why, indeed," Whitebeard sighed as he looked out the window, thinking of how to answer Luffy's many question. "The Tenryuubito believe themselves to be higher than the rest of the world. They believe themselves as gods. As a matter of fact, the government itself works under them. If anyone were to attack a Tenryuubito, an Admiral would come. That is something even I would want to avoid. Everyone, even pirates, are afraid to go against a Tenryuubito because of that."

Luffy nodded in understanding, even if it didn't make much sense to him. Are the Tenryuubito that strong?

Whitebeard continued. "You should never think of the strength you have as a curse given to you by Doflamingo. Think of it as a gift to protect your friends and family. The world may think of you as a monster because of your ability and your blood, but what they think should not matter. What matters is what we, your family, think of you.

"Just as you can't change the color of the sun, there things you can't change: People fear the Tenryuubito, there will be slaves you can't save, marines will always chase pirates, Fishman Island will always be under the sea, you will always be my son even when you set sail with your own crew. You need to learn to control that temper of yours. You will see many things that you won't like in the future, things you can do nothing about. We won't always be there to stop you the next time you have temper tantrum," he winked at the boy who blushed.

"Sorry."

"Also, by recommendation of Rayleigh, you are not to set foot on Sabaody again for your safety and for the safety of your future crew. When the time comes where you have to stop there to get your ship coated, stay on your ship, do not get off. Rayleigh can be very scary if angered." Whitebeard chuckled.

"Grandpops, will I be a good captain like you? Will I be strong enough to protect my crew like you?"

"That all depends on you. You are a good person with a very big heart. You are smarter than many people give you credit for. I, personally, think you will be a great captain. Just remember that we all have weaknesses. In order to be strong, you have to learn your weaknesses. Even I have many weaknesses. As a matter of fact, I have over a thousand of them," Whitebeard laughed. "We, as captains, must protect our friends and family as best as we can."

Luffy shifted to the side of the bed to hug Whitebeard's knee. "You're the greatest. I hope I can find a crew as great as my brothers and sisters and be a great captain like you. If I can do that, then I know I can find One Piece and be the freest person in the world."

Whitebeard placed a large hand over the boy's back. "I know you will. You are my grandson." The fact that he has grandsons still brings him joy. "I don't doubt that you will achieve your dream. Now, why don't you cheer up and go see your siblings. They're all worried about you. Prem, Blist, and Henry all blame themselves for what happened, you know."

"Why? It's not their fault. They're not in trouble are they?" Luffy looked at the man with worried eyes.

"No, of course they're not in trouble. They just feel responsible since they were put in charge of watching over you four."

Luffy hurried and scrambled out of bed and dragged Ace and Sabo, leaving Law to follow them, to find his other brothers to apologize to them.

The whole ship heard what had happened and felt bad for the boy. They understood and didn't blame the him for the temper tantrum. No one on board likes the thought of slavery.

Once Luffy came out of the infirmary, everyone cheered and turned down his apologies since there was nothing to apologize for. Instead they partied their way to their next destination to cheer the boy up. It didn't take much for their sun to shine brightly again.

They were all laughing and joking about what the newspaper would say about the missing groves.

-*/-*/-*/

A day after their week-long stay at Fishman Island, the newscoo delivered them the newspaper with the latest update on Sabaody Archipelago. What was written was nothing anyone guessed.

Apparently there was one very brave, very curious, and very stupid news reporter that was able to witness the destruction that took place but got knocked out by a fallen tree before the rest of the Whitebeard crew arrived. He luckily was hidden behind a downed grove, or the pirates would have taken him with them to avoid having a witness.

There were pictures of Luffy knocking down a tree with a single punch, Law slicing down a tree (in an attempt to trip Luffy), Ace burning down a tree with a fiery punch (also in an attempt to stop the out of control boy), and Sabo burning down a tree with flames coming out of his back (after being knocked into the tree by Luffy). Their faces showing up clear in the pictures, with their wigs haven fallen off some time ago. There was also a picture of the aftermath, after a marine found the reporter and woken him up.

Someone in the marine had recognized all four of their faces and claimed that it was the doing of ASL, although he was pretty confused as to why they were wearing female clothing this time around. The marine's speculation was that the boys were okamas.

There were no mention of names or Whitebeard. Now the world has a clear picture to go with their wanted poster, though there were no names. Their bounty has risen again, to an amount of 60 million beli each. Though they couldn't figure out if it was all four that were part of the ASL group or just three Children from Hell. ASL only had three letters after all.

"Trao is one of us now," both Ace and Sabo declared at that section of the article.

"He and Lu can both be L," Sabo concluded.

The article went on to speculate that the reason for their destruction on the mangrove is because the four of them were having a competition as to who could take down the most grove.

"Well," Thatch laughed, "if things didn't go the way it did, I'm almost positive that'd be something you four would do."

"Did they have to use that picture?" Sabo whined. "A dress! They have a picture of me in a dress!"

"Aww, but I think you look cute," Izo assured him. "You boys should follow Lu's example and wear dresses more often."

"Someone get a camera, quick!" Ace demanded. "We're sending them a better picture."

"Give it up, Ace-ya," Law sighed. "This is a week-old newspaper. The whole world's already seen it."

"Then the next time I see one of those shitty reporter, I'm going to demand they do a retake," Ace said as he raised a flamed fist.

"A dress," Sabo moan as he slumped to the floor. "A dress. The whole world has a picture of me in a dress. I've lost all manliness. Me, a gentleman, in a dress. Okama…"

"I think the worst part is now the whole world has seen Lu-ya in a dress," Law said with a scowl.

"I don't understand," Luffy said, looking to Izo. "What's wrong with wearing a dress? Is it wrong for me to wear a dress?"

"No, Lu," Izo smiled at the boy, "Law's just worried that people will think you're too cute and will kidnap you for themselves."

"Is that why Ace and Sabo want to change their picture?"

"No, they just have no backbone. They don't understand the beauty of feminine wear. Just because you're a man, does not mean you can't wear a dress," Izo glared at them, in which the two returned.

"Luffy is allowed to wear dresses because he wants to, and he looks good in them," Ace crossed his arm.

"I think you look good too," Luffy smiled at him, causing everyone to laugh at Ace's blush. "What's an okama?"

"Okama is a man who wants to be a girl," Law gave a simple explanation.

"Oh, then it's okay," Luffy nodded. "I'm not an okama. I like dresses. I don't want to be a girl. I like being me."

-*/-*/-*/-*/-*/

A/N: I'm so happy with all the reviews, favs, and follows~ Thank you! Criticism is welcomed, I like to hear what you think.

FYI: I wanted to fix this chapter more, but I'm so tired, and I really wanted this out as soon as I could. :P Sorry.

Also, I'm all better. Doc gave me more meds on top of everything else I already have. - the reason why I'm so tired.