Unknown amount of weeks later…

Yamato had drifted in and out of consciousness, maintaining a steady will to attend to Luffy rather than worry about her own well being. She had managed to rip the sleeve from her kimono to close the wound off Luffy. Her right sleeve went to cover the burn in his shoulder, and her left sleeve wrapped around his right leg.

The ship that she had stolen had shattered into a million pieces upon impact, but Yamato had managed to gather enough driftwood to keep Luffy from hitting the ocean water. As nothing is more dangerous for a fruit user than hitting the sea.

As she had expected death, for god knows how long she's been drifting in the open water, a familiar, gentle voice gave her hope once more.

"Yamato?" The voice called out. That voice was so familiar, she had missed it so much. Was it her imagination, was she going to die?

"Help..." She uttered weakly, before a gentle hand reached down for her face, caressing it.

Yamato reached over, feeling a weak pulse coming from Luffy, he was going to die if he did not get help. "Help him..." She uttered to the familiar stranger disregarding her own life. I'm sorry Luffy. She thought with the tears flowing through her eyes.

They were going to die and their noble escape from her father would be all for nothing. And then darkness, she had no more fight left in her.

She had awoken with a jolt, her body felt heavy yet she felt light. Yamato had immediately observed her surroundings, as her father once taught her. It's best to understand where you are before springing into action. She recognized that she was aboard a ship for the swaying of the hanging lamp above her bed. She then observed her body, which was covered in bandages, found that someone had cared for her. Who was it? She slowly got up, the injuries of her survival remained french all over.

She found her kanabo sitting next to a wooden barrel. She picked it up, cautiously opening the door to her room.

Outside she could hear two distinct voices, both of which were male. One older than the other.

"She is the daughter of Kaido yes, but I guarantee Shanks, she is a good person."

"When you brought these two to me, I thought you had been insane, but you are my ally and I could not deny assisting your shipwrecked friends." Yamato leaned in closer, getting a good read of the voices. It was then that she recognized his voice, tears welled up in her eyes as that voice could only belong to one man.

"The other man I don't have a single clue..." But the man could not finish, as he was engulfed in a tight embrace. Yamato had barged through her door and into the main deck, embracing the young man that she knew as...

"Ace." She let the tears continue to flow from her eyes, it was him that saved them from death.

"Missed you too Yamato." He chuckled, bringing his hands around her and giving a non verbal cue to Shanks that he was okay. Shanks placed his sword back into its sheath and settled back down.

"Ace, where is...where is Luffy?" Yamato looked deep into Ace's eyes, trying to find an answer, but luckily, she did not have to wait for long for another member of the ship pointed at the direction of the infantry. "Thank you." Yamato went to the direction that the plump man had pointed, descending down the stairway and into a series of rooms.

"Your friend is very energetic Ace." Shanks commented, his left hand slowly brushing the scar under his left eye. It was a habit he had developed ever since he received it.

"That she is Red Haired." Ace said as he leaned against the railing of the ship. The last time he spoke to Yamato, she had been bound to Onigashima in Wano. He had tried to convince her to leave with him but she refused, citing a little brother figure that would miss her if she had disappeared. If Ace had to guess, this Luffy must be the brother that she cared so deeply about.

Below the deck inside the infantry, Yamato found Luffy covered from head to toe in bandages. He had been hooked into countless raised fluid, a mechanical object attached to his chest and monitoring his heart rate.

"He has sustained a level 3 burn on his back and shoulder. He had a gaping wound on his thigh. It was a miracle he had survived." The man who had been caring for her friend was fairly tall, he had a tired look under his eye but Yamato knew he was a powerful person. His long black hair had been tied behind his head. He had white surgical glove in both hands and a mask to match his gear. "I am going to change his bandage once more, you will have to leave to keep any unwanted bacteria from entering his open wounds."

"I understand, thank you for caring for Luffy Mr…."

"Benn, my name is Benn Beckman." Yamato took a bow before exiting the infirmary, returning to the deck.

"So what business do you have in Dawn Island?" Ace had asked Shanks, with Yamato joining the conversation.

"I have a certain bar owner I wish to see before I enter the Grand Line once more. She...is something." Shanks said, his eyes never leaving the ocean water below them. "You?"

"I am going to visit my friend's grave." Ace then looked towards Yamato. "I don't know if you remember this as we were both completely hammered, but I have a brother who..." Ace trailed off as Yamato recalled their drunken conversation.

"Died due to a celestial dragon right? Wrong place, wrong time." Yamato added.

"Yes, exactly. I'm surprised you remembered that." Ace then had a bright idea, to pry for who this mysterious Luffy figure happened to be. "So Yamato, we know who you are..." Shanks then tipped his straw hat over his eyes, finally gazing into the eyes of Yamato.

"So who is your friend?" Shanks' gaze was powerful, his aura could rival even her own father. She did not know how such a strong figure exists in this open sea, but she dare not test the patience of their saviours.

"He is Luffy, my salvation from the wretched land of Wano. He freed the both of us from my father and sustained those injuries from doing so."

"I see." And the tense conversation ended there, as the large round man who assisted her in locating Luffy, joined the trio and lightened up the conversation.

They had then moved to drinking, partying as to celebrate almost arriving at Dawn Island.

But then again, when do they ever not celebrate?

It was pure emptiness. It wasn't even darkness, just empty lifeless nothing. Sweet nothing. The boy stood in the middle of nothing. He assumed that he was in the middle of nowhere but he was unsure. A light began to appear slowly. It was of his parents, who are they? Blood covered the woman and the man casted him away. Why? The man no longer a boy found himself in the middle of emptiness again but another light engulfed his vision. This memory was when he was much older. He did not feel like a child anymore. He was currently in his secret location where he would go when the members of the beast pirates were not watching what he was doing. It was a place where he had found solitude. As a child, he did not understand the necessity of meditating but now, as a grown man, he knew that it helped. It was a step toward something greater, and the young man recently learned that it was the way the warrior trained to obtain a power that grants the user an invincible armour, as well as the ability to sense those around him. This is what he would learn in the forest along with a mammoth, brachiosaur, and a pteranodon.

No longer was his vision that of emptiness, for his vision was filled with fire.

"If you are not the strongest, then you are as good as dead." He was massive, the man who commanded, no, demanded the attention of those around him. He was a dragon, one that rained terror throughout the whole world.

The dragon held a man by the skull, laughing as the fallen warrior squarm for its life. Then the dragon squeezed his hands causing a splatter of blood.

The boy, no, the man blinked several times before accepting the situation. He no longer wanted to be part of this. And so he demanded his release.

"I will only grant your request on your birthday, if you can escape Onigashima before sundown, then I will let you be."

So the man trained countless hours, rising swiftly through the ranks. Until only a few people stood above him.

"I believe that before the end of the year, you will be the strongest of the beast pirates. Even over me. So Luffy, submit to my will, and let go of these childish desires to be free."

"Fuck you Kaido, I'll do it on my own."

In the dead of night, massive waves of energy erupted from the infirmary. Shanks was the first to arrive, having sensed the impending power surge, he had arrived before anyone else.

He had observed the young man, he remained unmoving but he was radiating so much haki, that even Shanks had to recognize the young man.

Suddenly, the surge of haki died into nothing, and it was peacefully quiet for a moment before the wave exploded into a supernova, destroying cabinets, beds, equipment and anything that was in close contact with him.

Shanks covered his face, protecting himself from the debris. He was flabbergasted by the raw display of untapped power. Then as the explosion ended, Shanks slowly removed his hands only to see the young man on his feet, a confused expression about him.

"That hat..who did it belong to?" Asked the young man, his eyes were half unconscious but he was still able to weave words together.

"Captain Roger, why?" Shanks had placed his hands on the handle of his sword, ready to strike if the young man did anything.

"To be the pirate king...I want it..." But Shanks did not have to retrieve his blade, as the young man fell forward, turning limp in an instant. Shanks instinctively caught him, placing him gently on the floor.

Coincidently, members of the Red Haired pirates, along with Yamato and Ace, joined them.

"I think I might need to buy some new beds." Shanks jest, causing a laughter from his crew, though everyone's eyes were fixated on the young man, the one who cost of the explosion, the one who almost made Red Haired Shanks draw his blade.

Infirmary

Yamato had been sitting by her friend's bed ever since he had an episode, one that destroyed the infirmary in an instant. She had been there to watch him, and try to stop him if he ever had another one of such explosions.

"We've arrived at Dawn Island Yamato." Ace had popped in the room, letting her know of their arrival. "I have been meaning to ask..." Ace seemed to be nervous, his face was blushing, his freckles more visible with the rosiness of his cheeks.

"Go on Ace." She urged him to go on.

"Of course you are more than welcome to say no since you're watching your friend and all so anyway, Will you come visit my friend's grave with me?" Ace finally spat out, his rambling at the beginning was cute, at least Yamato thought so.

"Ace...thank you, I would but I have to..." Though Yamato never got a chance to decline the invitation as Luffy had grabbed her by the hand.

"You should go." He said horsley, he found his voice and yet he had felt so tired.

"Luffy, you're awake!" Yamato embraced him, she was flooded with relief as to finally see that he was okay.

"Ouch...Yamato..." Luffy did not have the power to push her away quietly yet.

"Sorry, sorry, I'm just glad you are okay."

"Go on Yamato, I can take care of myself." It was one of those unwritten understandings between the two. When one of them says that they are fine, they are fine. So Yamato did not protest.

"Alright Luffy. Don't get up yet. The rest of the Red Haired Pirates have gone into Foosha Village to grab some drinks." Yamato then followed after Ace, glancing a worried look at Luffy. Ace approached Luffy, extending his hand as Luffy had finally sat up on his bed.

"My name is Portgas D. Ace, pleasure to meet you Luffy. Yamato has told us a lot about you."

"Pleasure is all mine Ace." Luffy took his hands, shaking it. But what he found was that Ace had a very strong blood running through his veins, he could sense it. This man was strong.

"Well see you in a bit Luffy." Ace followed after Yamato, with the child of Kaido waving goodbye to Luffy before disappearing out of sight.

Luffy was left to his own thoughts. His body no longer ached as much as before, but he could still feel that he needed more rest.

Kaido would have killed him if he showed such weakness, reliance on others. Queen would have tortured him for being a burden, and King would have put another hole through his legs. Jack was a bit more understanding but he would pummel him out of Kaido's orders.

Good times.

Regardless, he could not sit on his ass any longer, it was against his code. So Luffy forced himself on his own two feet. Being in bed for so long caused his muscles to relax, that is unacceptable.

When he was finally on his feet, he grabbed his attire, a black trouser, black slipper. He also had a cape and horns but he decided to ditch those, electing for a black vest for his top. He then retrieved his sword, sitting by his bedside. Shodai Kitetsu, the first of its kind. It's hilt was black in color with several stripe patterns of golden thread. Its blade was slightly curved, black in color as to respond to its wielder's will.

He then walked out of the infirmary, the first time in several days. He felt like going to this Foosha Village.

Foosha Village- Makino Bar

"You are always drying my stock Shanks, everytime your crew stops by this island." The green haired bar maiden poured another drink for Shanks, causing a round of laughter to erupt.

"Would you rather not have business?" Shanks teased, laughing along with his crew.

"I'll take the business, thank~you." Responded Makino, winking at the red haired man.

To the surprise of the group, a familiar young man entered through the double door of the bar, he walked slowly, but his posture remained confident.

He then took a seat right next to Shanks, causing a sea of confusion in the entire room.

"A whiskey for my friend here." Shanks ordered from Makino, though Luffy raised his hands, declining the offer.

"Milk is fine with me." Luffy said, causing an uproar of laughter throughout the entire room. Though they stopped, realizing that the man was serious. Makino provided the man his glass of milk, giving Shanks a confused look.

The red haired man could only shrug in confusion. He was quiet in his time there, the conversation along the tables of the bar resumed to how it was before he arrived. Shanks reverted to conversing with Makino and letting Luffy drink his milk in peace.

That was until a group of mountain bandits barged into the bar.

"I had wanted to get some drinks before heading back to the mountains. But some stupid pirate crew drank all my alcohol!" The mountain bandit was tall, tan skinned, black hair, and a matching goatee along his chin. He then took out his sword, pointing it at anyone who would listen. "I am Higuma the Bear! You fucken pirates drank all my booze!"

"You tell 'em boss! An 8 million beri bounty such as yourself is unmatched in this part of the East blue." His croanie commented, causing the mountain bandits to laugh, they felt that they were at an advantageous position with the 8 million beri bounty man on their side.

Shanks was going to grab the last barrel to present it to the troublesome bandits, but Luffy beat him to it. Hopping over the bar and taking the last of the barrel. He then went up to the bandits and gave them the last of the alcohol.

"Sorry about that, my friends enjoy their alcohol. As a token of apology, here is the last of the drinks on me." Luffy presented the barrel, despite being a bit shorter than Higuma, he was carrying the heavy barrel with one hand.

"I don't want your leftovers pirate!" Higuma kicked through the barrel, causing the content to douse Luffy from head to toe.

Shanks noticed Benn and Lucky were about to spring into action. But he ordered them to stand down, wanting to see what would happen next.

"Get out of my town before the day ends, or else I'm going to kill all of you." Higuma had a serious expression about him. The red haired crew were awaiting what Luffy would do to respond, but he continued to just stand there.
Higuma and his cronies finally left the bar, with Luffy returning to the bar.

"Hey lady, you got some rags? I seem to have made a mess." Makino remained confused as to why this man didn't retaliate, but it was Shanks who asked the question.

"Training under the strongest beast, why didn't you retaliate?"

"I didn't want to cause trouble for the bar owner, if I had reacted, this bar would be destroyed." Responded Luffy, getting on all fours and scrubbing the floor of the alcohol spillage. Though to his surprise, Shanks got down and started to help him as well, and in little to no time the floor was as good as new.

"I respect that Luffy."

Here lies Sabo, he died a free man.

They were quiet, enjoying one another's company in the presence of Ace's dear friend. Time wasn't a factor as they were in no rush.

"He loved to catch golden beetles, the idiot nearly died trying to catch one." Ace finally broke the silence, with Yamato grasping his hands.

"From your stories, he seemed like an excellent human being."

"Well we should probably head back." Ace touched the gravestone for the last time before turning away, leaving the gravesite of Sabo.

They were silent once more, letting nature fill the emptiness between them. Once again Ace spoke first.

"So what now?"

"I am to follow Luffy in his quest to be the King of all Pirates. To spite my father. And you?" Yamato asked, wishing that he would say that he wanted to go with her.

"Before finding you, I was headed here to Dawn Island, I happened to run across Red Haired and well it all worked out." He paused contemplating whether he wanted to say his true goal. "What I'm really after is...well I am going to challenge Whitebeard and take his seat as an emperor of the sea."

To this Yamato couldn't help herself. But she laughed, with confusion filling the face of Ace.

"I'm serious."

"Ace, I admit, you are strong. But Whitebeard is a different league. To prove my point, I am but in the top ten of my father's Beast Pirate, with my father being comparative to Whitebeard, I wish to battle you." Ace was taken aback, but found the challenge to be intriguing.

"Fine, but if I win you come with me."

"Fine, but if I win then you have to come with me." Retorted Yamato.

And thus the spar between Yamato and Ace was underway.

Foosha Village

Two men walked side by side with one another, not a single word has been spoken between them since leaving Makino's bar.

Though the red haired man decided to break the silence. "What you did in there was admirable. You could have murdered the fool without breaking a sweat."

"I suppose, or he could've killed me." Responded Luffy, shrugging his shoulder.

"A bit modest I see." Though Shanks realized that they were surrounded. For about a hundred mountain bandits, Higuma himself were waiting for them.

"We'll see." Replied Luffy with a smile, although his focus was in Higuma.

"I told you to leave before the day ended." Higuma said, his cronies were snickering, and trying to look as intimidating as they possibly could. Luffy looked at the sky, the sun barely setting.

"It is barely sundown, we still have a good 4-5 hours before the end of the day."

"You talk back to me kid?!" Threatened Higuma, walking towards Luffy with his sword pointed. "I'm gonna show you why I'm worth 8 million beri!" He charged forward, thinking that it would be an easy demonstration, yet the boy never moved, not even a little bit.

But Higuma found himself on both knees. He was never struck, but he found his knees getting weaker. He looked up to the red haired man but found him looking at the young man with a look of disbelief. "What the fuck did you do to me?" Though his vision began to tilt sideways, for the last thing he saw was a quick glare and then nothing.

Luffy had retrieved his blade, cutting the head of Higuma clean off his neck. Hundreds of mountain bandits screamed in fear. Full grown criminals plopping down on the ground with white foam escaping their mouths. Not a single mountain bandit remained standing.

"Luffy did you just use King's Haki?" Shanks had to admit it was strong, well refined even at such a young age.

"This haki does not belong to King, this is mine, and mine alone. I use it to conquer the will of others. You must be pretty strong to remain unfazed despite being so close to me." Luffy used the kimono of Higuma, wiping his blade clean of the fresh blood. He then took a slight bow in front of the corpse of his enemy before returning his gaze onto Shanks.

Flashes of his old captain, the King of Pirates, Gol D. Roger filled the mind of Shanks. This young man reminded him so much of Roger. It was crazy how they resembled each other in both confidence and character.

"Something wrong, Red Hair?" A sudden surge of black cackles and swirling red flame erupted from a distance, somewhere far up the mountains. Luffy and Shanks shared a look.

"Yamato!" Exclaimed Luffy.

"Ace!" Shanks said in unison to Luffy, before the duo rushed to the battle site.

Mountain of Dawn Island

"Give up yet?" Yamato had unleashed a powerful strike with his kanabo, though Ace deflected it with a flame wall. The fire logia then followed up with green sprites, all of which were terribly hot to the touch.

Yamato had to jump back several steps before using her kanabo to generate enough wind to force the fire onto the ground. She then pursued Ace only to connect with nothing but flames after images, the real Ace floating above her, both hands extended out like guns.

'Higan'

Ace unleashed multiple flame bullets at Yamato but she was quick enough to jump out of harm's way. Though he wasn't finished there, unleashing his signature strike.

'Hiken!' A three massive flame fist made out of fire escaped the hands of Ace and made its rapid descent toward Yamato. She took two back flips backwards, the flame fist etching themselves onto the floor. But the last of the flame fist was gaining on Yamato, so she had to smack it out of the air with her kanabo.

"Eat this!" Yamato tossed her kanabo at Ace, causing a momentary distraction. He caught the kanabo and was dragged through the air by its momentum. To the surprise of Ace, it was very heavy. And even more surprising, was Yamato had gotten faster appearing above him and dropped kicking him straight to the gut causing him to fall straight to the floor. She then finished her attack by grabbing her kanabo mid flight and pointing it at the neck of Ace. "Yield."

"Nope." Ace boosted his legs with flames and aimed for the legs of Yamato. She jumped up as expected, freeing himself by pushing himself away from her. "Can't underestimate you." Ace then prepared himself by covering himself in blazing flames.

"No you cannot." Yamato responded, grasping the kanabo with both hands. The duo then collided causing an explosion of black energy along with flaming red fire to create a pillar to the heavens.

Shanks and Luffy finally arrived in the area of the battle. What they found was Ace and Yamato, both passed out from dueling one another.

Though funny enough, they had both fallen beside one another, his hands intertwined into hers.

"We were worried for nothing." Shanks said though he was a bit worried on how Luffy would react.

"I can't wait till she wakes up." His face was dimented, laughter couldn't be contained any longer. Just like any other sibling. Luffy was going to tease Yamato to death.

Shanks couldn't help but smile, from a stoic, the young man was just like any other teenager. Just trained by an efficient killing machine and his crew.

Port of Dawn Island

"So this is goodbye then." Yamato had been blushing feverishly to match that of Ace. Luffy had been teasing her non stop about how they looked so romantic and it made his heart flutter. What a jerk. Regardless she was face to face with Ace, she would never forget his face, the way he smirked slightly at her demeanor, the way he would brush her hair out of her face just out of habit.

"I will see you when our paths cross once more." With a final smile, Ace boarded his waver board, fueled by his own logia abilities. He then released a large wave of flames as he left the area before he could change his mind. He wanted to be with Yamato, but he also had other goals in mind.

Yamato watched as Ace was finally out of her visual range, behind her, Luffy was making some faces, mocking the exchange.

He decided that it would be clever to implore the acting chops of Shanks.

"This is goodbye then." Luffy exaggerated the kissing faces to which Shanks feigned passing out.

"Oh yes but I love you so much muah muah." They made such a great comedic team that it even caused Yamato to snicker slightly.

Their attics finally ended which resulted in a more serious conversation between the two.

Shanks then looked at Luffy, with the young man wondering what the hell was up with that look.

"You mentioned how you wanted the hat that once belonged to Gol D. Roger himself. So here..." Shanks removed the hat from his head and attempted to place it to the head of Luffy, but he dodged, moving his head to the side.

"I don't want your flea ridden hat fucken Red Haired!" Luffy responded to which Shaks deadpanned.

"You freakin idiot! I don't have fleas! This hat belonged to Roger! You have to inherit it as it is my will! Fucken brat!" And Shanks chased after Luffy, forcing him to inherit the straw hat that will soon define him.

At the end of the day, Luffy and Yamato were left on their own, with Luffy having a pout over his face.

Shanks insisted that he return the Strawhat once he becomes a great pirate. Whatever that means, he was already great. Yamato could only laugh at Luffy's predicament as she found it to be retaliation for making fun of her about the whole Ace thing.

"So just you and me then." Said Luffy.

"Yup, so where to Captain?" Yamato asked, to which Luffy placed his right hand over his eyes to block the sun.

"A ship over there looks like a good start, how about it?" Luffy's wings erupted from behind him. His western dragon devil fruit might as well be put into good use.

"Captain's orders." Yamato embraced Luffy and braced herself, as flight was never a pleasant experience. Then Luffy flapped his mighty dragon wings and flew towards the pink pirate ship.

Its flag was that of the side of a skull, a heart embedded where the ear would be.

Aboard the ship, several pirate members had been pushing around a young boy.

"Who is the fairest of them all Coby?" Said a plump woman, her looks were just as bad as her attitude.

"You are Captain Alvida!" The bloodied boy said through his teeth, barely able to make out the words as blood continued to fill his mouth.

A/n: Thank you all for giving my story a chance. Now this last section will be my interaction with my reviewers. I am aware that Ace was already part of the Whitebeard crew when he met Yamato but for my story sake, I just moved some stuff around.

CatViper: Thank you for reviewing my story. And yes he does have Conquerors I just was very vague about it hehe. Hope you enjoyed the read!

NoaRien: Hope I didn't disappoint, I felt pretty clever with the twist.

Triton1313: Oh crap your wish came through, he is currently in the East Blue and he's gonna wipe the floor out of everyone, but then what could happen then can be a challenge? Hehe only time will tell. Thank you for reviewing.

Guest1: Well I hope I didnt make you wait too long!

Guest2: Here you go!

DarkKnight2000: Yo thanks for always supporting my stuff, it's your fault I wrote this so better take responsibility by always reviewing! Thanks bro, I appreciate it.

MrBigBottoms: Thank you

DarkPirateKing69: If you were to check out some of my stories, I'm pretty sure I will put that amount of effort into this story, unless I get writer block, then those mean death haha

ChunkyFunkyMunky: Thank you for reading, and yes I debated whether to give him a sword or not but thing of it like an entry level fight, where he will use his sword first and devil fruit second if need be.

The Eternal Winter: Yessir, it was help from a friend that helped me come up with the concept. And yes I will definitely do so!

Nero: Unfortunately no Harem for Luffy as this one will stick to LuffyxHancock. Though other characters will have fun time as well ;)