"If you don't want the girl hurt, stop right there, Fire Fist!"
Patience had never been her strong suit as she took a single step forward.
BANG.
...
...
...
...
...
"So let's go find my ship."
Ace shook his head slightly as he watched Luffy walking backwards, her head inclined to the direction she wanted to go.
Side stepping the 'leader' Ace made his way to her side, the anger slipping off his shoulders.
Well, that was stupid... of course she wasn't in danger.
The sizeable crowd stood motionless as the last thirty seconds processed in their minds.
"Hey you two! Hold it right there!"
"Boss! That ain't just some girl! It's Straw Hat Luffy!"
Most of the Billions paused for a second time. Finally understanding what they had been trying to process earlier.
"Well then, if it isn't our lucky day. The Boss will be promoting us for sure, boys."
Luffy's eyebrows quirked slightly as she took in the hoard of cheering men.
Guys.
So weird.
Her family and nakama were the only exceptions...although she did sometimes wonder about Sanji and his not so normal tendencies of heart shaped eyes and pirouette-y things.
Grabbing Ace's wrist slightly Luffy began tugging him along ignoring the bunch of Luffy-proclaimed weirdos.
Ace followed beside her, picking up their conversation as if they hadn't just been attacked.
"So we'll try the beach?"
"M'kay."
"HEY! YOU THINK YOU CAN MAKE FOOLS OUT OF US! KILL 'EM"
Luffy's eyes widened minutely as she twisted sideways to avoid one of the sword-wielding pirates.
After being pushed back a few steps, Luffy shifted her right foot using its new position to spring backwards, her foot slamming into the advancing billions' face.
More continued to attack as Luffy ducked and weaved letting the uncontrolled men run into each other like angry bulls.
Meanwhile Ace had taken an offensive stance, precisely swiping the legs out from under those unfortunate enough to have thought they could beat a Whitebeard Pirate.
The majority of Billions mistakenly expecting Luffy to be the easier target, closed in around her. Swords held high, they swarmed in forcing Luffy into a crouched position.
Energy flowing within her legs, Luffy pushed rapidly through the circle bowling men into the sky before they had time to register what was happening.
Thuds filled the air as men rained to the ground with limbs twitching wildly from the impact.
The groups' leader was also twitching. His face distorted by his squinting eyes and scrunched nose. Feelings of humiliation overcoming any level of rational thought he may have held prior forced the leader to charge at the unsuspecting Luffy.
Slicing madly at Luffy, she could only shift out of the way hurriedly to avoid being cut.
As the next swing came Luffy's footing slipped as she stumbled on a lose rock.
Following the momentum of her slip Luffy continued to fall, stretching her hand out at the last minute to flip herself sideways.
Having landed on her feet, Luffy skidded to a stop as she watched Ace catch the blade between his fingers.
"Show off." She muttered lowly.
Clearly not low enough as Ace shot a smug smirk in her direction.
Taking it as a direct challenge, Luffy ploughed forward and slammed her fists into the leader's exposed chest.
Ace's smirk shifted into a smile as he watched the guy sail from sight.
He knew Luffy was more than capable of taking care of herself, but he couldn't help but be over-protective when she was around.
She was his only sister.
Not to mention she had the strangest ability to attract trouble from miles around.
Fixing her hat Luffy walked next to Ace only to sprint ahead as she saw the ocean.
"We made it!"
Ace leant against the stone wall as he caught up, subtly trying to regain his breath.
"Can you see your boat?"
"Yep there it is!" She whooped and scampered off.
Ace's focus however was latched to the sound of heavy footfalls heading their way.
"Luffy you go on ahead. I'll take– She ain't listening..."
A sweat drop appeared as Ace noticed that she was not only, not listening but was already laughing onboard her ship.
Realising the rather large body of sea water separating himself and Luffy, his eyebrows creased together.
"How did she–"
Never mind.
Sometimes it was just easier not to question the oddity that made up his sister.
Making quick work of the remaining idiots Ace looked to the sun. He had spent longer in Alabaster than he had intended.
He had to leave.
Blackbeard was out there somewhere and Ace WOULD find him.
Even, if it was the last thing he did.