Title: No Matter What

Characters/Pairing(s): Luffy, Nami

(Pre/Post) Time Skip: Post Time Skip

As the year neared to a close, Luffy couldn't help but think of Ace. Whenever a year neared its end, Luffy thought of nothing but him. He remembered way back when they were younger, on his special day, Ace would always act odd. He'd be in a tempered mood and his actions would be more aggressive. They'd go up to the mountains just to relieve his anger. When Ace reached the big one-seven, they had a huge party that involved a lot of hunting, food, a bonfire, and unexpectedly a forest fire.

The Straw Hat captain chuckled and rubbed his chin at the memories. After his big brother left the island, Luffy only celebrated the new year with the bandits like any normal person would. He always had the most fun with Ace. Now, it's been three years since his passing. Tomorrow, he would've been twenty-three years old.

"Luffy, do you see an island up ahead?" Nami called out from the deck. Luffy quickly wiped away the tears and jumped to his feet. He squinted his eyes to get a better look, but his vision was still blocked by a few tears that escaped. Nonetheless, he could still see a small brown figure just up ahead.

"Yeah. I see one." Luffy made sure to be careful with his words. A small crack in the voice would let his crew know that he had been crying, and he didn't want that.

When they finally docked on the island, Luffy was the first to set foot.

"Wait, Luffy, don't you want some money?" asked Nami.

"Uh, no. Just get whatever we need for the party later. I'm just going to go explore."

"Okay, but we're starting the fireworks with or without you." Nami eyed him when he turned around and continued walking. He's been acting strange all day.

As Luffy walked further, he could feel the soft petals brushing his skin as it flowed in the wind. There were tons of them coming towards him. He looked up and saw the source of it coming from on top of a hill. As he got closer, he could see various colors of flowers surrounding something.

When he finally reached the top, he couldn't believe what he was seeing. Different colored flowers were planted everywhere and there were swords over them. All of it surrounded two tall tombstones standing before him. One of them, he couldn't believe to have existed.

Portgas D. Ace

He was standing right in front of his tombstone. Luffy fell to his knees in shock. There was a new bouquet of flowers and a box holding an empty bottle of sake and three empty cups just in front of it. A ripped page of a newspaper of the Straw Hats' reunion was attached right under his name.

Luffy felt tears flowing down his cheeks. He didn't even bother to wipe them away. He couldn't believe where he was at. He slammed his fist on the grass in rage.

"Ace, you idiot! Why'd you have to go and protect me till the end?! Why couldn't you have just ran away?! You should be alive and older! Not here..."

Suddenly, Luffy heard an explosion followed by a bright light high up in the sky. He looked up and realized that the others must've started the fireworks. Its a new year. A new day. Luffy reached for the tombstone and ran his fingers across his name. He sat back on his legs, then turned to the empty sake sitting next to him. He smiled slightly and shook his head. For the first time since he left the island, he finally got to spend his birthday with him.

"No matter what, you're still my brother. Happy twenty third birthday, Ace."

Happy Birthday Ace! Annnnd.. Happy Birthday Oda!

Still, imagine what Luffy would feel if he ever lands on this island in the New World. I'd be heartbroken if Oda ever shows it.