Hiya, back from vacation and ready to go! Thank you for the reviews and keep writing them! I appreciate them a lot and it always motivates me :3

Enjoy reading ^^

Twenty-sixth Chapter:

The days are getting warmer and Luffy is enjoying his time with his friends and family. Sabo comes by more often to visit him and the others. It's been quiet the last few days ever since the battle and no one really minds that it seems. Luffy and his Nakama, as he likes to call them, spend a lot of their free time on the beach. They all love the sea a lot. The salt you taste on your lips, the wind that rushes through your hair, the hot sand you run on to reach some shade and the waves that pull you back and forward all the time. They love all of it and when they go, they spend the entire day there. They arrive in the morning. Sanji prepares the food and barbeque, Franky drives and takes a tent along with him, Usopp brings pillows, chairs, sheets and towels, Nami has the suntan oil, Zoro brings a lot of alcohol, Luffy borrows a sunshade from Shanks and Robin has a radio and a ball she takes along with her. They lay out everything and are free to do whatever they want the entire day. Some play football, others go swimming, take a walk with only their feet in the water, sunbath for a few hours or play tennis. Robin even goes to search for shells in rocky places with Luffy. Once it's sunset, they all stand in a row by the water to watch the sun go down. Afterwards, they prepare a camping fire and start a huge barbeque with fresh fish that Luffy and Usopp catch. They start the music and party all evening, enjoying the booze, food and the sound of the water that has a calming effect. When Franky drives them back, most of them are sleeping in the car while Franky takes them home one by one.

One day, Luffy is telling Shanks and Sabo about the days he goes to the beach and shows them how good he is becoming at surfing. Nami is trying to teach him, but Luffy just can't seem to get the hang of it. ''...And then you do this and that, and somehow, like a mystery, you're riding a huge wave of almost 5 meters. Nami is really good at it, but I always fall into the water and almost drown, so Zoro has to save me all the time..heh..''

'' Just admit that you're terrible at it Luffy. '' Sabo chuckles and takes a draught from his coke.

'' No! I'll learn it! no matter what it takes. '' He looks stubbornly at his older brother with his arms crossed. Sabo knows he won't give in, so he changes the subject.

'' Did you notice that no one has written anything yet about the fight? ''

'' I've been trying to get more information about it, but I can't find anything anywhere. No one wants to say anything. As if they're waiting for something to happen. '' Shanks looks troubled at his laptop and hasn't been paying attention to Luffy who is still showing them how to ride a wave properly.

'' So you do think they're preparing something, right? ''

'' Oh definitely. I won't believe the Gorosei wants all of this covered up. It's Teach after all. He is one of the biggest criminals these days and the citizens are asking questions, so they have to reveal something soon. '' He scratches his cheeck. '' Ah, I need to shave. '' He continues his search on the laptop.

While they make small talk and after Luffy steals both Shanks' and Sabo's snacks, someone knocks really hard on the front door. Shanks looks up suspiciously. '' There is only one person who knocks that way...''

He turns off his laptop and walks to the window next to the door. He looks from behind the slightly transparant red curtains and confirms his suspicions. '' Yup, I remember I had some chores to do, so I'll go to Yasopp to get the necessary stuff Makino-san told me to buy, see ya! '' And within seconds he disappeared into the kitchen to the back door, into the garden.

Luffy gulps and stops in a weird looking position that's supposed to expose another move for surfing. Sabo seems to be angry with Shanks. '' YOU TRAITOR! Don't leave us alone with Ji-ji! You're supposed to be our caretaker! '' He knows it's futile to scream after Shanks who is already gone, but he can't help it. He turns his head to the door, and before long, the so called Ji-ji starts bouncing on the door.

They hear cracking sounds and a sort of Plof. At that moment they both know they're doomed. The person breaks the door and comes in walking with a door that's been broken in half. '' Oh great, Makino-san won't like this. '' The man says with a heavy old voice. He walks into the living room and takes his time to look around. His eyes rest on the two shaking boys who wouldn't dare to look him in the eyes. '' Long time no see you two! How are my favourite grandsons doing today? '' He stares at them waiting for an answer, but when the answer doesn't come he continues. '' So I heard a lot happened lately. I just came back from my last mission aboard and got a lovely present which included mostly bad news about you two. '' He is still staring at them, but the more he talks, the grumpier his face looks. When the boys still don't say anything, he goes on. '' A late edition has been released an hour ago. I thought I'd bring a paper and let you read it yourself, so I won't have to spell it out for you. '' He throws a news paper on the small table next to Sabo's chair.

Luffy is the first to grab it after concluding his granddad won't do anything just yet. The front page already reveals it. Huge black letters say: Monkey D. Luffy, son of Monkey D. Dragon? Biggest criminal in the world! Read more on page 4!

Another title reveals as follows: Government succesfully disposed of Marshall D. Teach! A full description is right under it, but the attention is being drawn to Luffy's name.

Luffy tries to think of a reason why his granddad could possibly be angry about this, but can't come up with a reason. '' But I already know this Jii-chan! ''

'' You idiot! Of course you know, but the rest of the world doesn't! And what is that thing about Teach?! Why the hell are you two involved with this?! And what happened with Ace?! '' The old man's face is turning red and it won't take much longer or he'll explode of anger.

'' Why don't you ask that beloved Government of yours? Surely, they'd tell you the truth? '' Sabo looks straight at him.

The grandfather responds with an unusual calm voice. '' I'm asking you two, not them. '' You can see that this man is already really old. He has grey hair and wrinkles all over his face, but other than that, he actually still looks really strong. His muscled arms look like they're ready to kick-ass. Especially when Sabo and Luffy see their grandfather called Monkey D. Garp cracking his fingers into fists. He doesn't move a single step and is getting angrier by the second. The boys know he already has all the information he needs to get to a conclusion. He knows what the boys have been up to and is waiting for them to confirm it.

Of course, Luffy is the one to speak first: '' If you already know what happened, then why ask us, Jii-chan?! '' Garp always wants the boys to use the japanese terms for Grandfather. Sabo always uses the translated version of Gramps, which is: Jii-ji. Luffy however, always calls him granddad (Jii-chan). They have never known why their grandfather wants them to use the japanese terms, but they don't mind. They think Japan is a cool country and have always wanted to visit it at least once. Sabo has even taken lessons to learn japanese and he is getting pretty good at it.

'' Jii-ji, we don't regret anything we did until now and we're not gonna quit either, if that's what you want. '' Sabo stands up while saying this and fears the worst already.

As expected, Sabo's fears being right, the granddad finally explodes in anger and starts his, what seems, never ending lecture. They both hold their hands over their ears, because the lecture could possibly be heard at the other end of the city. '' HOW DARE YOU JOIN THE REVOLUTIONARIES! HOW COULD YOU TWO GO AFTER THAT MAN! AND WHY DIDN'T YOU JOIN THE ARMY, BOTH OF YOU! YOU NEVER LISTEN TO ME AND NOW LOOK WHAT YOU'VE DONE! DON'T REGRET ANYTHING? ALL THESE THINGS THAT HAPPENED AND THE LOSSES YOU HAD TO ENDURE AND YOU STILL DON'T REGRET ANYTHING?! WHY DIDN'T YOU COME TO ME BEFOREHAND HUH? I COULD'VE HELPED YOU, PROTECTED YOU FROM TEACH AND THOSE WHO WANT TO CAPTURE YOU, BUT DO ANY OF YOU EVER LISTEN TO ME?! OF COURSE YOU DON'T... ''

While he keeps on raging Sabo and Luffy look at each other and both think: He really knows how to scream.

The lecture goes on for hours until late at night. Makino walks down and tries to calm Garp, but nothing works. Finally, the boys receive on of the most painful punches on their heads that even Nami couldn't outmatch and go with a headache to bed. The next morning Luffy is still feeling dizzy and he has a bump as big as an orange on the top of his head. He pouts at Makino when they sit in the kitchen eating breakfast.

'' Poor you, wait. '' Makino feels sorry for him and gets up to give him a lotion.

Meanwhile Sabo is still in his room, lying on his bed staring at the ceiling. He is thinking about what he should do. What the newspaper revealed yesterday will have its consequenses. He'll have to wait until his gramps is gone and Shanks coming back before he makes a move. Garp always stays for about three days. Those three days are always three days of survival for Luffy and Sabo. The old man will keep on trying to get them to join the army or the police. Sabo wonders what Garp is going to do with Sabo now he knows that he is part of the revolutionaries.
The blonde gets up and hides everything that has to do with the Revo's. At least he won't give his gramps the chance to get to know more about Dragon. He also needs to make sure the government won't target Luffy, which means he has to protect Luffy until he knows what Shanks is going to do. Their caretaker won't be safe either. Now that all three of them have been revealed to the world they may have to go into hiding. He is sure that Dragon would give them a place in his villa.

The article says that Luffy has been in the same league with Teach and his gang. Admiral Sakazuki has been targeting Luffy all this time for that reason, he explains in the paper. He shoots Teach while the boy escapes from his grasp after finding out who exactly Luffy is.
This is the story that's been published in the newspaper. Sabo could have expected this. There is nowhere written directly that Akainu killed Teach. They put Luffy in the bad spot, which allows the police to arrest Luffy at all costs. This gives the Gorosei the chance to have a hostage and use him against Dragon.

Sabo can't come up with a good plan and decides to wait for Shanks. He'll know what to do. Sabo needs to speak to Dragon about this too. He can't walk outside freely anymore because he's become a wanted man now too. The newspaper also reveals that Shanks is Roger's adopted son. Many people will hate him for that reason only. When he's finished hiding everything he puts on a shirt and trousers and walks down. He is being welcomed by the delicious smell of baked eggs, roasted bread and bacon. The sight of his grandfather sitting at the table is less welcoming. '' 'Morning.. ''

He takes a seat next to Luffy and starts eating as soon as Makino gives him a loaded plate. Both Garp and Sabo stubbornly ignore each other while Makino tries to cheer everyone up. it only works for Luffy who starts telling all kinds of stories about his little careless life. This goes on for all three days including the many punches and lectures they receive from their beloved grandfather. Though, they feel relieved when the old man finally leaves and are surprised to see Shanks a mere minute later standing behind them. '' Ah, such a great grandfather, how is he? As grumpy as always? Still has enough energy to wake the entire neighbourhood though. Yasopp swore to me he could hear him screaming sometimes. '' He stares at the door with a smile on his face.

'' How do you always manage to disappear and appear right after he's gone?! '' Shanks always does this. He never tells them why he hides from Garp but Sabo can think of plenty reasons. One of them is that Garp doesn't like Shanks. He thinks Shanks influences luffy too much in his habits. Another could be because of Shanks' past.

'' What can I say? Maybe it's experience? '' He makes one of his proud faces and continues. '' I remember Ace trying to do the same! He followed me and tried to hide, but Garp found out and punched him for trying to hide for his grandfather.. Poor guy.. May he rest in peace. ''

'' He's probably turning around in his grave right now. '' Sabo answers.

'' Captain! Sabo! What is this kind of talk? '' Makino walks in the hallway with her arms crossed.

Sabo can't believe it. '' Why am I getting the blame here? '' Luffy chuckles.

'' Hi sweety, how are you? '' Shanks swings towards Makino and gives her a kiss on her forehead. '' How is out little Albert doing? ''

'' WHO THE HELL IS ALBERT?! '' Sabo really doesn't get Shanks sometimes with his weird sense of humor.

'' Our son of course. Or did you think I wouldn't pick a name for him? ''

'' You're actually serious? Wait! Makino is only 8 weeks pregnant! You can't even know yet whether it's a boy or a girl! What if it's a girl? ''

'' Then he'll call her Albertina. '' Luffy answers and he bursts out in laughter together with Shanks.

'' We have the same thoughts matey! '' Shanks says to Luffy.

'' Just ignore them Sabo. Captain has probably been drinking, that's why he's like this. '' Makino chuckles. '' He will have to quit drinking soon though, since he has to take care of the baby too. '' She puts her hands on her belly and looks at it. '' I really can't wait.''

Sabo smiles at her. They deserve this after all. Luffy is already bragging sometimes about how he is going to teach the baby how to fish and play basketball.

'' Back to business. I'm sure your gramps has told you about the newspaper? Is he going to do anything Sabo? '' Shanks suddenly looks very serious and walks to the living room. They follow him and sit at the dining table.

'' Well, not really.. He hasn't mentioned anything about me or Dragon. He was mostly raging about our careers.. He seems to think we can clear ourselves if we choose the army now. How are we going to protect Luffy? '' Sabo looks eagerly at Shanks. He has been waiting for this. Now they can finally take measures.

'' Hey! I can protect myself you know! '' Luffy crosses his arms and refuses to look at him.

'' I know that luffy! But you're basically a criminal now too. Just like me and Shanks isn't loved by the folks either. ''

'' Then what are you going to do Luffy? '' Shanks asks him with a curious look in his eyes. ''

'' What I'm going to do? I'm going to be a famous basketball player! I'll have to join college though and get high grades and hope for a manager to find me.. '' Suddenly the hope he had has vanished and Luffy pouts. '' I'm not good at school. ''

'' You can always cheat on Nami-chan's tests! '' Shanks answers, hoping that would cheer Luffy up.

'' No cheating! Captain! Stop teaching him bad habits! ''

'' That's right, no cheating Luffy! You hear me? You have to do this the hard way or else you'll never fulfill your dreams! '' Shanks looks really serious and feels the burning look from Makino in his back.

'' We were talking about us being criminals remember? Not Luffy's future career, which is kind of impossible right now anyway. '' Sabo rests his head on his hand and looks at Shanks.

'' You killjoy. '' Shanks and Luffy both answer.

Shanks turns back to the subject and answers Sabo's worries. '' I think we have to gather at Baltigo and discus this with Dragon. I think it's time for the revolutionaries to make their move. ''

Nakama = Comrades. Luffy doesn't just think of them as his friends. To Luffy, the word Nakama means a lot more to him. They're closer than family. This was if I'm right somewhere confirmed in the One Piece Series.. Either in an SBS corner or in an interview..