Chasing dreams: Chapter 26
Summary: During the encounter with Admiral Aokiji, he leaves Luffy with a parting gift that shocks the Monkey greatly. "No matter what you do in the future, Straw Hat Luffy, take care of her and give her the one thing I could never give her…happiness…" The cards of destiny are changing. But to what extent?
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Days passed with Luka closing in on her-self once again. Only being opening up around Luffy and Ace. Yet the two knew Luka's trust was flown out of the window all because Smoker made the wrong move at the wrong time. She had gotten a letter from him but she never read them. Just leaving the two that were sent over the two weeks gather dust on the kitchen table.
Ace had grown over protective of her whenever they would go near the city limits. She somehow reverted back into the extremely cautious girl after the freezer incident. Her innocent face attracted perverts of all ranges since she refused to let her hair grow out. Slowly, bit by bit, did Luka come back out of her shell. She apologised to Ace and Luffy and said that she couldn't handle everything at once and had to slowly heal. Luffy understood with Ace still being protective over her. Luka didn't have the heart to tell Ace about her disease and made Luffy promise not to tell anybody. Especially Garp.
Luka had looked around to her surroundings before she slipped into the Marines office in Goa and slipped out with their Den-Den Mushi. She didn't know whether it was coincidence or fate that made her wonder into town and just so happen to pass by the marine's office when she overheard her Grandfather's name. It was a conversation with a tall man dressed head to toe in black as they spoke to the snail. An old voice coming over the snail. Her instincts kicked in when the man left and snuck in and stole the snail. Running into the forest and into a hidden cave.
She heard the two talking about Garp having a Grandson that would be suitable to break, reprogram and train into become an agent of the World Government, considering Garp's track record, his Grandson would be a fine addition to them. The only thing was they didn't know what the kid looked like or the name. Just that the kid was living in Garp's home ocean. They had been searching all over East Blue for a good 6 months for him. Little did Luka know that she stole the snail from a CP9 agent named Blueno.
Luka swallowed hard and picked up the snail and dialled the only number on it. Hearing the line pick up with her breath hitching. "That was quick. Did you find the boy?"
Luka swallowed the rising fear and cleared her throat. She needed to speak clearly. She needed to make this man believe she was Garp's Grandchild. "No. But I overheard your earlier conversation…" 'Luffy forgive me.' "I'm sorry to say, but, Ji-san doesn't have a grandson…he only has me…his Granddaughter…" Luka could hear shuffling going about over the room when the voice returned.
"State your name, date of birth, place of birth."
"Monkey D Luka. May 5th XXXX. Fuusha village, Goa Kingdom, Dawn Island, East Blue." She didn't hesitate. It was like the freezer incident all over again. She wouldn't let the sun cloud over. She wouldn't. She would protect him…she would protect Luffy and Ace no matter the cost.
"Affiliation."
"Monkey D Garp. He's the only one I have." Luka answered clearly. She wouldn't let the government know Luffy existed for as long as she could. It was a good thing Ace had a different last name. "Why? What do you want with me?" It was her turn to question. Garp was never the one to turn a blind eye for his gut feelings like this. Luka looked startled as a man appeared before her in thin air. Like he came out of a door and dropped the receiver.
"She doesn't seem to be lying, sir." Blueno voiced as he picked up the receiver and looked over the girl and to the photo of Garp and another photo of what they assumed Garp's grandson…well Granddaughter in this case, looked like. "It's her, sir. It's Garp's Grandchild."
"Good. Luka was it?" the voice called out to her in a soothing grandfatherly voice. But Luka knew better.
"H-Hai…?" she answered.
"I have a proposition for you, my dear. Listen to what I have to say please." The man was using formal language on her. But, she listened. "There are many bad people in the world that wish to harm innocent women and children like you. I'm sure you've seen many bad people hurt the people you care about. Am I correct?"
"Hai…" The Celestial Dragons.
"Good. What I'm offering you is a chance to help those innocent people by protecting them from the bad people. The bad people are the pirates that sail everywhere and hurt nice people like you and I. I work here at the World Government HQ and work with other people who train hard every day to protect the world from these monsters. Do you have somebody that you care about that you want to protect? Grandfather? It must be hard being away from your only family while he's out protecting the innocent."
"Hai…I have people I want to protect." She said. She had to play her words right. The man didn't know that she knew he was feeding her words. "But…I'm not strong enough…" Luka wobbled. Knowing she was playing right into their hands.
"It is okay, Luka-chan. We at the World Government can help you with this. We can help you grow strong so you protect the people that mean something to you. Is there somebody else you care for?"
Luka knew she had to answer honestly. Well as honest as she was going to give. If Luffy was going to be a pirate at 17, then she'd have to start planning ahead now. "My adoptive big brothers. I have two. There not really smart so I have to protect them. I can protect them, right? Ace-Nii-san. Lu-Nii-san." Playing safe by not saying Luffy's entire name. Their names were almost the same. She'd suffer the punishment later. Blueno detected no lies and confirmed it to his boss. Luka spent the next half hour pretending to be under the man's influence when he finally asked her if she wanted to join him. "Hai. It would be an honour, Mister." Luka grinned when her face faltered.
"But…"
"I know I must sound rude right now to make a request, but, if Ji-san and my brothers knew what I was doing, they'd never allow me to go…could you…can you perhaps…make me…disappear?" Luka held her breath and waited for the answer.
"If this is all, then I can arrange this for you. Blueno and you will leave tonight. I'll stage everything as a missing child and keep your existence under wrap for the standard 3-6 months before we declare your official death. This is for a good cause, Luka-chan…and welcome aboard. I look forward to seeing you soon." The snail going to sleep as Luka looked up to Blueno.
"Could I see my brothers one last time before we leave? This is my final request." She asked desperately and even went so far as to pull the puppy dog eyes on him with jutted lips.
"You have one hour. Then we leave. Meet me at the coast of the west side of this island." Blueno said in a frustrated voice before picking up the snail and disappeared in an air door.
As soon as Luka saw the door shut…she ran. Making a run deep into the forest till she found a suitable place. It was an old willow tree at a small lake and treaded under the drooping leaves till she came to the opening of the tree and shimmed on in. Lifting up the rock in there and deposited everything in the box that was in there. All the weapons she had on. The photo of herself and her brothers and last but not least, the log book of Gol D Roger and sealed the secret box off. "I'll come back for you. I promise." Leaving the tree and looked to the skies. It was nearing 10 and Luka called upon a boar to take her to Ace and Luffy's tree house. Scaling the tree and found them sleep. She felt a pang in her heart as they were draped over each other. She didn't want Luffy being turned into a thoughtless machine or for the Government to find out about Ace's heritage. She would hold them off.
Luka lightly landed between her brothers and kissed their foreheads and pulled the blankets over them. Seeing them stir and clamed them down by stroking their hair and humming a light tune. "Hey Ace, Luffy. You would never believe what happened…but, I just saved your asses." A tear falling from her eye and landed between the brothers. "I'm still going to keep my promise to Sabo. I'll still watch over you guys…" turning to face Luffy and muttered. "Who knows? Maybe these guys have a cure for my disease." Facing Ace and said. "And you…you have to live Ace. One day, you'll find your reason why you were brought into this world. I've already seen it, but, you have to figure this out on your own." Looking outside and knew she was running out of time. The last time she talked to them was this morning. Talking about this super cool ring she saw in a catalogue that could expand into a bracelet or retracted into a ring. It'd fit perfectly. Luffy was talking about how he wanted a main outfit for when he was a pirate and Ace wanted a cool hat. Luka kissed them one last time and left quietly.
"Just in time." Blueno voiced as Luka emerged from the shadows and gestured her to get on the boat. "We'll be heading to Lougetown before we head over Reverse Mountain to get into the Grand Line. A World Government ship will be awaiting us there." He informed as Luka headed into her cabin. Looking out of her window and hadn't blinked till her peaceful island of Dawn Island was out of sight. She felt a wall build up in her. She would protect the ones she cared for. Luffy. Ace. Makino. Woop Slap. Garp…and actually Dadan and her crew as well. They were the exception to her bandit disgust.
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Luka reached Lougetown within 4 days with Blueno handing her over a cloak to conceal her identity. Luka had already begun feeling Luffy's desperate pleas in her head and forcibly shut him off. It was all just a soft hum in the back of her head that she could easily ignore. Walking close to Blueno's side before she got distracted by the executioner's platform and left Blueno's side and moved over to the platform. Resting a hand on the steel and looked all the way up. This was where Gol D Roger was executed. In his own hometown. 'Don't worry Gol D Roger-chan. I'll keep an eye out over your son.'
Spotting a Pre-teen out of the corner of her eye being chased by a bunch of boys that were throwing insults at her. Before Luka knew it, she had the girl pressed up against an alleyway and covered her mouth as the boys ran past. Dropping the dark-blue head girl and picked up her glasses that fell before her and placed them on the older girl's head. "Are you okay?" Luka asked in a distant voice as she noted the kendo stick by the girl's side.
"Hai. Thank you." The girl bowed before Luka and looked to the petit girl in wonder. "Oh! Where are my manners? I'm Tashigi." Bowing once more.
Luka nodded with a grunt and said. "Get stronger, Tashigi-chan. Show those boys something…great." Leaving the alleyway as she heard Blueno calling her by her undercover name. Victoria. Meeting up with Blueno in the town centre and walked beside him as they head back to their ship when her eyes widen as a gust of smoke rushed by her, yet she didn't stop walking and only listened as she heard the ever so-familiar baritone voice.
"Tashigi. What have I told you about leaving the base without permission?" Smoker scolded as he led his underling back to the base. She was very clumsy, but she had potential.
"Sorry Smoker-san." She mumbled her apologies as she followed her mentor. She could see that her mentor was tense and knew not to push to an explanation. She respected his privacy.
Luka and Blueno stopped by a vendor when a marine rushed past and over to Smoker. Both listening in as the tired man spoke. "Smoker-san. There's still no sign of her. They've searched high and low for the girl, but nobody can find her. An order from higher up is ordering a wide spread search of all the islands and ships in East Blue…"
Luka didn't hear the rest as she pulled Blueno along to leave. If they didn't, they were going to get caught…unless Blueno killed them and she couldn't allow that.
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Her experience over the Reverse Mountain…had her laughing the entire way. It was fun and Blueno just shook his head with a mutual face. She was an odd kid. Landing on the other side and saw an old man with what looked like a flower on his head and shook it off as she was soon boarded onto the large World Government ship. It had been another 3 days since she left Dawn Island. 3 whole days she had ignored Luffy's pleas. She was determined to allow Luffy and Ace lived their dreams of being a pirate and having freedom.
She settled in her new room as the ship took off and resisted the urge to reply to Luffy. She shut him off for a reason and knew he would stop in the near future. She couldn't help but feel that she was going to miss it. It was like a reminder to her that she had a home. She had a family. Like Luffy was smiling widely with his arms out stretched saying 'Come on home' with Ace keeping a triple eye out on her. (A/N: listen to: Come on Home by Titanium. It sets the 'mooood'.)
Luka didn't cry. She refused to. Her brothers were alive and kept safe from the World Government. She wasn't as ignorant as Garp though her to be of the world. She knew somewhere out there, there was a child that had suffered more than her and that the World Government and Marines weren't all that good and obeyed the laws. That was a fool's way of thinking that every marine was a good person. She was going to use them. Use them to get stronger. Use them to help the 'real' innocent. She was, of course, Garp's granddaughter after all.
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It had been two weeks when Luka stood before 5 really old men and felt the power they held roll of them in waves. It didn't affect her and didn't show fear in front of them. She knew she was being evaluated as soon as she stepped into the room. Though she did wonder if one of these old men were the ones who spoke to her.
"Monkey D Luka. We are the Gorosei." the oldest looking one said. He had no hair and wore glasses. The only one of the five not to wear a dark suit and reminded Luka of Mahatma Gandhi. The sword in his hand made Luka gives him a good once over and already knew…she didn't like any 5 of them. The five of them seemed to notice and cracked a small smile in approval. She was wary of them. Good. She was perfect. "From tomorrow onwards, your training will be nothing you have ever experienced. You were brought here to serve justice over the five oceans and to protect what is needed. From the moment you leave this room, your real name shall not be uttered. Not even among us. Do you have a name in mind, Luka?"
Obviously that old man wasn't the one who addressed her over the phone. He was blunt and straight to the point. She had to give him points for that. "Victoria. Blueno-san has been using that name ever since we left my home island. But I request that he loses the memories of me if you want my name to be kept sealed. Even the most loyal have their slips. I'd rather not be caught so early in the game." They seemed impressed. Luka didn't let them know of her true feelings of her dislike for them. Instead she acted cautious and mapped out her escape routes. It was a habit that had yet left her.
"Understood." The same bald man answered. "You shall only receive orders from the five of us. No other. Your training begins tomorrow. For now, retire to your quarters in Mariejois. You shall be living here from now on under our supervision. It is for the best if you do not wish to get caught by your Grandfather." dismissing Luka as she bowed respectfully and left the room.
Luka sighed in relief once she left the room of the Gorosei. It was the beginning. The beginning to get stronger and to deceive. She'd have to watch every move she made. She couldn't risk daydreaming now.
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A month had passed and Luka had passed the evaluation test…except for her health test and appeared before the Gorosei again. This time it was a tall and thin bearded man that spoke to her. "Young Victoria." Holding up papers before him. "It seems there is a problem with your health." Waiting for her to answer.
"I've known for several months, sir." Luka bowed. "The doctors in my home island say I have an average of 10-12 years, but, I have been creating my own elixir to prevent this disease from taking over for a further 5 years. My time may be short, but I will give you all I have to the very end. I will continue fighting till my last breath, sir." Keeping her head lowered in submission.
They were impressed. She was very much like her Grandfather when it came to seeing things through. "Very well. If you insists. But a scientist of ours is curious of your disease and would like to run a few tests. His name is Vegapunk." Handing Luka over a mask and said. "To keep your identity sealed. You will only remove this mask on our order or when you are alone in your quarters. Otherwise this is sealed to your face."
Luka picked up the mask and looked over it. The mask was made out of black steel and looked like a tribal mask with two thin eye slits that would barely show her eyes with a distinctive Red Crescent moon on the mask's forehead. She traced the moon with her finger and accepted the mask from her bosses. Leaving the room and placed it on immediately. Surprisingly her sight wasn't hindered, but would have to train herself to use her senses to make up for her lack of side-sight. Breathing was easy too and walked down the large hallways till she found her room. Luffy was still trying to call to her, but, she ignored him. She found out whenever she was sleeping, she was vulnerable to Luffy's voice wafting through and had to guard herself in her sleep too.
Entering her room and making sure nobody was about did Luka remove her mask and sighed heavily. This was her only safe place that had no snails about watching her. Her room was large. She would have to leave soon. She had one last test to pass.
She soon found herself with her mask in place and in one of the training rooms. It was an indoor grassy plain and resisted the urge to tense. There were agents lining the walls as the Gorosei were standing behind her as large doors opened. Luka's eyes widen as she recognised that man anywhere. He was the one who stopped her Ji-chan from going on a murder spree when she was 5. Hearing one her bosses say. "Sengoku. You may start."
Luka felt the ground tremble as the man before her began to shift into a large shinning golden Buddha. What as this test supposed to do? Luka was in a marvel of the figure when suddenly a fist was aimed at her and saw something flash in her head and instead of running on the ground she leapt up high and landed on his arm. The ground beneath her was destroyed. For some reason, she could predict his moves and growled when she knew he wasn't taking her seriously. She leapt off his arm and stood before her bosses and clenched her fists. Were they playing with her?
"That's enough. We've seen what we have needed." The Gorosei that had a scar on the left side of his face and wore a hat over his grey dreadlocks, and wielded a walking cane stood forward and looked down at the angry child. He smirked a little. "Impressive for a young age, Victoria. There is nothing to be angered at." Dismissing Sengoku with a wave with the Fleet Admiral leaving with confused sigh. Luka looked up at him and he could see into her masked eyes that she wanted an explanation. "This was a test to see if you had already unlocked your Haki. Haki is a power that lies dormant in all the world's creatures... 'Presence', 'fighting spirit' and 'intimidation'..." he listed with his fingers as Luka took an interest. "It's rare for most people to ever awaken that ability. Intense training can awaken it, as can extreme shock or they can be born with it. Haki originates from one's spirit, not body. Broadly, there are two types of Haki common to everyone, given the proper training; however, there is a third type that only a certain group of 'chosen ones' are said to possess."
"Are you saying I have this…Haki, sir?" Luka questioned. She was beyond confused.
"Yes. More specifically Kenbunshoku Haki, presence. This allows you to sense the presence of others, predict moves, empathise with the emotion and natures of others and sense the strength of others. But this is for those who have mastered this form of Haki. It appears you can only predict moves for now." The Gorosei answered for Luka and could see that she didn't like it. "Why so negative about harbouring a great gift that can help you protect?"
"It's because I don't understand it, sir." Luka replied. "I'm sure I'll get used to the idea after I know more about this…Haki."
"For now, you will train with this Haki before we test you have the Busoshoku Haki, fighting spirit. The Haki that defends…and then we shall see if you have the final Haki. Haoshoku Haki, Conquerors or intimidation. The final Haki is rare and cannot be attained from training. Only one in a million people have this."
"What makes you believe that I have this…this Conquerors Haki?" Luka questioned suspiciously. "What does it do?"
The youngest looking of the five elders, he sported blond hair, a beard of the same colour, and had a scar on his chest. He also wore his suit with the shirt buttons open, and without a tie. He placed a hand on Luka's shoulder and felt her tense under his touch. She didn't relax. "Haoshoku Haki allows the user to dominate the will of others. Knocking the victim out."
"I see." Luka muttered and hid her surprise. She wouldn't tell them. It would be her trump card. Though she wondered if Luffy was born with it…and Ace. She wouldn't be surprised if they were. It would be awesome but dangerous at the same time. Having a family filled with Haoshoku users. At least the Kenbunshoku Haki made her understand how she could feel the life around her and what they were feeling. She wouldn't tell them this either.
"Your training starts in 5." The Gorosei said and left the room with Luka alone with the agents. She could feel the jealousy roll of the agents at having the Gorosei's attention. She didn't care for them. They could all jump off a roof.
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The Gorosei were back in their room with the oldest looking one saying. "She doesn't trust anybody. For a child, this is very unusual. I can feel the faint Killing Intent rolling off of her small frame whenever a male agent is near her and along with a few of the females. It seems we are harbouring a lone wolf."
"For the better it is." Another one answered. "She's determined and wise beyond her years. I believe if she has the Haoshoku Haki, it will be easier to take down the Yonko and pirates that litter the world. That is…if she lives to see the day."
"Vegapunk is a scientist. Not a doctor. I wouldn't place my bets on him just yet. Young Victoria seems to know what she is doing. We should start her training of in Rokushiki (CP9 fighting style) as soon as possible. Her stats show that her stamina and speed are her strength. We can't stunt her growth by applying too much training. Her body is weak as it is, but her will is strong enough to overpower it. She will be a valuable asset to us once her training is complete."
"But it is best we give her more of a world Experience to build up her mind." Another Gorosei plotted. "The blood tests show that she is in fact, Garp's Granddaughter. She should be able to pass this training just fine."
"Are you sure this is wise?" the oldest looking one mused. "She is still a child that has thrown away her life to be here. So quickly to toss her under the ship."
"Yes. Once she starts taking on missions, she will have no choice but to muse over them quickly and absorb the experience. When the time comes, a marine will take her, without her mask on, into Sabaody Archipelago when there is a Celestial Dragon there. They will undoubtedly want to take her as a slave. She will grow there. If she doesn't break under the pressure, her mind will strengthen and she will return to us undoubtedly loyal."
"Then we must place the mark of the Gorosei on her as soon as possible for when she returns. The Celestial Dragons won't care for this, but, if she escapes from them then she has a ticket back here."
"Then it's settled."
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5 months later:
Luka found herself in cuffs as the marines that found her dragged her towards Mariejois. Everything had been a blur to her and felt her heart close of even more to the surrounding world. Everything was so sudden. On minute she had landed on Sabaody and the next she was in a dark cell. She could only remember the scream of her voice as a branding iron was plunged into her shoulder blade. She tried not to cry, but it was impossible. Before she knew it, she was a slave to the people she hated the most for killing Sabo. The celestial Dragons. She never felt so humiliated, broken and blood thirsty in all her life.
But her patient is what saved her.
She was trapped with the Celestial Dragons for a good three months and spent that time figuring how to get the brace off her neck before she escaped out the trash shoot and found herself drowning in the ocean. She never bothered learning how to swim. She survived thanks to a Fisherman named Jinbei and celebrated her birthday with them. She cried. It felt so warm with them. They even went so far as to cover her slave mark with their own. She cried more…but her time was cut short when she could hear a Marines ship approaching in the distance and snuck off at night. Only Arlong saw her leave. He didn't care and she didn't either. She stole a row boat and found the marine ship. She never let her training go to waste as trained her observation Haki till she could hear all within her range. The marines took one look at her wrist that had the mark of the Gorosei and cuffed her. She grew cold again.
She soon found herself inside the large building of Mariejois and resisted the urge to run. The Dragons lived here. They lived with her in another section. She needed to reel in her emotions. As soon as she was led through the large doors she was greeted with the Gorosei and bowed respectfully to her bosses as the Marines that brought her in were shocked. "Forgive me. I am still not strong enough to go outside. I will train harder."
"How is your body fairing?" one of them asked as they gestured for her to be released and handed her over her mask that she put on immediately. She felt safe behind it. Nobody could touch her.
"Fine. I will just need to triple my supplements for a while, sir." She went down on one knee with her head gazed to the ground. She had to show them that she was willing to comply to them from here on out. "Please teach me further. I am still weak." She could feel that they were impressed. For what, she didn't know. "I pledge, under the five elder stars, that I, Victoria, shall never lose again." Her fist clenching. She was disappointed that she couldn't take out the men that captured her. The Grand Line was on a whole other level than the bandits and animals back home. "For as long as my body responds, I won't lose."
"Stand." One of the elders ordered as the Marines were still in shock that a small girl like her was working directly under the men that practically ruled the world. They felt a bit envious of her. "Head to the infirmary to remove 'that' mark off your shoulder. You have a week off before you resume your training…" seeing her shoulders tense. "What is it?"
"I'd rather keep this mark. It will remind me of my failures. That I have to get stronger." The Gorosei said nothing as they left Luka. Standing up on shaky feet and walked calmly to her room. She couldn't show any weaknesses around the other agents or marines. She waited till she was in the safety of her room before she dropped her mask and bolted to her bathroom and threw up. Blood was in the mixture and hacked up more. "Damnit!" she hissed and marched into her kitchen area. Seeing that all her food was mouldy and tossed them. Hearing a slight rumble and stopped what she was doing and looked around her large room before looking back at the empty fridge. "What the?" she mumbled and moved the fridge out of the till she saw a small air duct and bent down to it and listened. "Voices?"
"We were correct. She came back stronger. More cautious. More distrusting."
"Faster than I expected."
"She will be fully under our command soon enough. Loyal to the end that she will even take out her family if we allow the words to touch out lips."
"With the Celestial Dragon's knowing her face, she will never take her mask off outside. A bonus. But this disease of hers worries me."
"We shall worry about that when the time comes. For now we have to train her into the ground. We need her out in the field as soon as possible."
"Though now is time to tell Garp to stop his search on Victoria. It has almost been 7 months since her disappearance."
"We'll dispatch Sengoku with the news. By now, the world shall know that Monkey D Luka no longer roams the world."
Luka pulled back from the grate and ran to the bathroom once more and threw up more blood and stomach acid as the tears suffocated her. She couldn't breathe and stumbled into the shower and flipped it on as she sat there. The colour in her eyes losing their life as blood trailed form her mouth. She needed to wash herself. Wash the fear away. The hatred. The blood. She needed something…she needed help…she needed to be Victoria. She felt her heart close of completely as a surge of power ran through her body and held herself with confidence. She was Victoria. Not Luka. Victoria.
She was Victoria.