Prologue
Red-Haired Pirates
In a small humble village, with fields, forests and windmills surrounding it, a group of pirates unwind and drink in a bar. This bar is owned and run by a young woman by the name of Makino who is currently giggling to herself watching the antics between the pirate captain and a young rowdy boy.
"Come on Shanks! Let me go out to sea with you guys next time!" The boy pestered the captain, Shanks, who just laughed and raised his eyebrow in amusement. Shanks is a tall well-built man with dark red hair, and a scar on his left eye. At this point in time he wears a simple straw hat with a red ribbon around the base, a simple white button up shirt and slacks.
"You?" Shanks said incredulously pointing to the boy with the hand holding his beer, "You can't even swim kid much less fight back anyone who'd pick a fight with pirates."
"So what if I can't swim! I just need to not fall of the ship!" The young boy stood up on the barstool he'd been sitting on before continuing, "And I CAN fight! My punches are like PISTOLS!" punching the space in front of the captain in demonstration
"Like pistols eh? Yeah sure I believe that" Shanks said non-committedly as he turned back to face Makino. This the young boy did not find amusing and opened his mouth to retort if not for a rather rotund pirate with goggles, a bandana, and a stick of meat. "The sea isnt a place for little kids to play in Luffy much less slow ones like you." The rest of the pirates roared in laughter at their comrade's jab.
"SHUT UP! I'M AN ADULT AND I CAN FIGHT!" The boy yelled, his face somehow now having shark teeth. "Not denying your slow Luffy?" Another pirate with dirty blonde hair asked, his eyebrow quirked in amusement. Luffy didn't seem to respond for a second, seemingly confused before he'd understood what 'slow' meant in the context of this conversation "HEY IM NOT STUPID!" The bar was filled with more laughter as Luffy was in fact slow on the uptake, even the barmaid had laughed at her "little brother's" expense while handing a glass of juice to Shanks.
"Ok, ok, calm down Luffy" Shanks pushed the glass towards the young boy with an impassive face save for his eyes which twinkled with mischief "Here, drink some juice." His crew calming down to watch what would happen next in expectation as they recognized the look in their captain's eye except for one man who shook his head in exasperation at his captain's antics. The boy's mood turned a full 180 upon being offered the glass "Thanks Shanks!" He said before drinking the glass.
"HA! WHAT KIND OF PIRATE DRINKS JUICE!" Shanks grinned as Luffy fell for his trap, his crew minus the exasperated man roared in laughter once again. "THAT WAS A DIRTY TRICK!" And the Shark Teeth come out once more as Luffy voices his displeasure at falling for the prank. Shanks just laughs louder and sticks his tongue out and pulling his eye at Luffy childishly. Luffy grumbles before getting up to leave.
On his way to the door the exasperated man sighs before calling out to Luffy "He may seem childish but the captain's just looking out for you. A pirate ship is the last place a child should be on." Luffy stopped and looked at the man, Shank's first mate, Benn Beckman, a tall man with long black hair pulled back in a ponytail, a cigar in his mouth and his rifle forever at his side. For once there was a contemplating look on Luffy's face before turning back to bar where Shanks once again pulled his eye and taunted him. "Pretty sure he just wants to make fun of me Benn." Luffy deadpanned as Benn face palmed at his captain's antics.
"Luffy would you like some food?" Makino asked bringing out some food, mostly meat. All his anger and displeasure forgotten Luffy returned to the bar quick as lightning grinning ear to ear "Thanks Makino you're the best!" He said before digging in. Makino giggled amused at how quickly her "little brother's" mood changes when foods involved. Shanks raised his eyebrow is amusement as well before turning his focus back to his beer and his plate.
A little while later the door's to the bar were kicked open as a tall man with black hair framing his face and a x-shaped scar above his left eye in walked in with a smug expression on his face. The mood in the bar suddenly became quiet as the pirates observed this newcomer and his group bandits. Luffy peeked at the obvious bandits before turning to look at a chest with a weird fruit with swirls 'Dessert?' was the only thought that went through his head before he started eating it with a scrunched up face 'Blech.' "How can I help you, sir?" Makino asked politely, a bead of sweat the only indication of her nervousness. The man regarded her with a bored look before replying
"Why else do mountain bandits come down to villages like this? Alcohol."
"Unfortunately we are out of alcohol, sir" The man turned from her to look at the pirates around the bar "And what are they drinking? Water?" he sneered with disgust in his eyes. "Ah no they are drinking alcohol but it's the last of our stock. I apologize, sir" Makino said bowing her head slightly as more sweat beads appeared fearing this man would start a fight. The man opened his mouth to say something before a bottle of beer was gestured towards him from Shanks, "It aint much but you could have this bottle. I haven't opened it yet." Shanks smiled at the bandit "No need to grill the barmaid. Aint her fault we pirates came and drank all her alcohol away."
The bandit took the bottle from Shanks seemingly calmed before he grinned maliciously at Shanks smashing the bottle on the pirate captain's head. Makino gasped fearing the pirate captain may retaliate while Luffy turned his attention to the fight still reeling from the unpleasant taste of the weird fruit. "You think that small bottle of beer would've been enough to satisfy me?!" The bandit sneered "I AM HIGUMA THE BEAR, LEADER OF THE HIGUMA BANDITS AND WORTH 8 MILLION BERRIES YOU PATHETIC PIRATE."
Contrary to Makino's expectations however Shanks just sighed "Aw man now the floors wet." He looked up to Makino getting of his seat "Sorry about the mess Makino" Shanks then bent down and started picking the pieces up "Ah no its fine captain. Let me clean that up" Makino said flustered as she went to grab a mop as well as a broom and dustpan. Higuma drew his blade and smashed the meal shanks had been eating "Since you like cleaning Im sure you'll love this" he mused before turning to walk away. "Idiotic useless pirates" Higuma grumbled before he was hit on the head with glass.
"APOLOGIZE TO SHANKS, YOU JERK!"
Makino gasped as she stared at Luffy in horror while Shanks and his crew turned to the boy with looks ranging from impressed and amused to disappointed and exasperated. Shanks watched Luffy from the corner of his eye contemplating whether he should be amused or reprimanding for his behavior. Higuma turned to the boy with a glare "YOU WANT TO DIE BRAT! YOU DARE THROW A GLASS AT ME!" he roared clutching his sword, his group of bandits grabbing their swords as well sneering at the boy.
"Lets rip him apart captain!"
"Tear him up and get rid of these lousy pirates as well!"
"The barmaid's pretty cute why don't we show her why bandits are better than pirates"
Shanks' eyes were shadowed by his hat as he heard Higuma and his bandits jeers 'Some things I can laugh off but this?' gone was the cheerful and easy going captain his eyes hardened in a glare as he turned to his first mate signaling to prepare for confrontation. Benn didn't disappoint as he tightened his grip on his rifle but before any of the pirates could move Luffy jumped towards Higuma pulling his fist back shocking them all. Now Luffy jumping wasn't the shock. The shock was that he destroyed the barstool he'd stood on when he jumped and Shanks, Benn, Lucky Roo, and Yassop were the only ones who could still see him as sailed through the air to punch Higuma, contorting the bandit leader's face when his fist made contact before sending him flying through the door. To everyone else Higuma was gone and from where he stood Luffy looked shocked and confused. The sound of wood breaking and something smashing through ground brought the attention of all the occupants of the bar to the entrance where they could see the bandit leader with a fist imprint on his face… or what was recognizable of it and his body sporting wounds, bruises and even a dislocation of his left shoulder.
"BOSS!" The bandits cried before running towards their leader leaving Luffy to blink at his fist in confusion. The pirates who weren't Shanks or his top members were equally confused and looked between the young boy and the bandit leader he'd wrecked. "Luffy how did you-" Shanks stopped his sentence there before turning to the chest and, upon finding it empty, was filled with dread.
Luffy turned when his name was called but didn't have any chance to ask Shanks what was wrong before the man grabbed Luffy by the shoulders "LUFFY DID YOU EAT THE FRUIT!" Shanks yelled while shaking the boy. Swirls appeared on Luffy's face as he was throttled "Huh? Uh yeah it wasn't good but it was there and I was hungry." Luffy said as he watched Shanks eyes fill with horror 'Wait how am I able see that?'
"LUFFY THAT WAS A DEVIL FRUIT! ONCE YOU EAT ONE YOU LOSE THE ABILITY TO SWIM EVER AGAIN!" Shanks yelled expecting Luffy to follow up with realization and horror of his own but contrary to that Luffy stumped him "Shanks why are you scared? Why was I able see it in your eyes?"
"It isnt really hard to see he's shaken up Luffy." Benn said equally confused by the young boy's out of character question. "No not that. I saw something forming in his eyes. I felt something before-" Suddenly Luffy's hand shot up and covered his nose "UGH WHY DOES EVERYTHING STINK SO MUCH!" he cried. Some of the pirates chuckled to themselves at Luffy's blunt comment before they shut up and stared in shock as Luffy's form began to change.
"AGH!" Luffy cried in pain as his body seemed to break from the inside "Shanks what happening to me?! Help me!" Shanks let go of Luffy's shoulders as the boy's form suddenly burst with fur and became smaller and smaller, his ear becoming triangular in shape and his mouth elongating into a snout. When the transformation ended, in Luffy's place was a wolf pup with jet black fur and a white mark on his chest wearing the boy's clothes, golden eyes blinking in confusion as it turned to look at the occupants in the bar who were frozen staring at the canine. The pup stopped to look up to Shanks whose eyes were wide with disbelief and fear yet a flicker of amusement was starting to take shape behind them. When the pup whimpered its eyes bugged out in shock before looking at itself and promptly started jumping around confused and scared.
The flicker of amusement became a raging wildfire as Shanks busted out laughing pointing at the pup "YOU LOOK LIKE A STUFFED ANIMAL FROM A CARNIVAL LUFFY!" Lucky Roo had joined in his captain's good mood as well as the more relaxed and easy going members of his crew. Benn, Yassop, and the others seemed to still be in shock while Makino made a dash to the wolf pup who'd began to whimper and cry.
"Luffy? Is it really you?" Makino asked as she brought the wolf pup to her chest running her fingers through his head in an attempt to calm him down. "Its ok Luffy, Its ok we'll figure this out." She whispered clutching the puppy closer to her as he calmed down a bit more. "Captain what happened to Luffy? Can you turn him back?" She asked Shanks who'd calmed down and took a seat in front of the barmaid.
"Well like I said earlier he ate a devil fruit and it looks like it was the Inu Inu no Mi; model: Wolf" Shanks said scratching the back of his head looking at the wolf pup who stared back still sniffling from time to time "To be honest Makino we had no idea what the fruit was when we'd gotten it. We'd known it was a devil fruit but we couldn't find it on any encyclopedia or journal about them." Makino frowned at the lack of information but supposed she'd have to take what she could get considering she herself didn't know squat about devil fruits to begin with.
"It's a Zoan fruit, meaning it grants its user the ability to transform into the creature the fruits modeled after." Benn added much to Makino's relief "Theres also two rare subclasses of Zoan fruits, Ancient and Mythical. Ancient Zoans are modeled after animals that have long gone extinct such as dinosaurs while Mythical Zoans are modeled after beasts from myth and legend like dragons." He said as he watched the bandits outside the bar get up in rage before turning back to the bar. Shanks had also noticed this and nodded to his first mate to deal with them.
Shanks turned back to Luffy who'd escaped from Makino's arms and now sat in front of him making growls, yelps, barks, and whatever else he could sound out trying to communicate with the man. "Calm down Luffy. Think about what you once looked like and you should be able to return to normal. The wolf pup stopped and seemed to close its eyes in concentration.
'Well either this is a completely coincidental string of surprises or Luffy is a lot more talented than I gave him credit for' Shanks thought at as the wolf pup grew in size once again slowly returning to the young boy he'd grown to love like a little brother 'Then again he's young enough where he could pass as my son instead.' Shanks mused as Benn returned inside the bar leaving the bandits sore and out of commission outside.
"Thanks Shanks" Luffy said albeit distractedly as he stared at his hands deep in thought. "Shanks how much longer are you going to stick around in the village?" He asked somberly for once taking pirate captain off guard before Shanks sighed "Probably two or three more voyages around before heading back to the Grand Line."
'I'm sorry Luffy but even with this fruit it isn't safe for you, hell I'd wager it just made your already dismal chances non-existent.' Shanks thought standing up and ruffling the boy's hair before walking out the bar, his crew following in suit.
Luffy watched them go with sad look in his eye before he too walked out and into the forest to think.
A few days pass and Luffy sits on the barstool once again drinking juice from a glass with a pouty annoyed face watching Makino giggle at him. "It's not funny Makino." He whined but the barmaid just laughed before scratching his left ear that had turned into its wolf form. "Sorry Luffy but it is funny and honestly adorable." Makino said watching the pouty face melt into content before laughing as a tail popped out and started wagging uncontrollably. The wagging stopped as the tail stood on end and Luffy turned to face outside his ears alert. "Whats wrong Luffy?" Makino asked before gasping as she saw Higuma coming in, his face heavily bandaged, sword drawn in one hand and a bucket in the other and a manic look in his eyes.
"There you are." The veins of Higuma's neck bulged as he walked closer to the bar his goons remaining at the door blocking the exit. Makino tried to grab Luffy so she could take him and run but before she could he jumped off the stool and raised his fists towards Higuma growling as wisps of dark flames flickered around him. "What do you want dumb baboons!"
"You threw a glass at me, punched me out the bar imprinting your fist on my face, and worst of all you've tarnished my reputation! A CHILD WRECKING A 8 MILLION BELLI MOUNTAIN BANDIT?! I'M HERE TO KILL YOU!" Higuma yelled running towards the boy throwing the bucket at Luffy. Instinctively Luffy jumped to get away from the bucket but some of its contents splashed unto him and the effect was instantaneous, his ears reverted back to normal human ones and his tail vanished his strength leaving him. "Wha?" Higuma kicked Luffy across the face sending him crashing into the bar "Seawater supposedly makes devil fruit eaters weak brat."
Makino gasped in horror trying to get to Luffy but one of Higuma's men grabbed her and held her back. Luffy coughed out some blood and groaned in pain, gritting his teeth as Higuma grabbed him by the hair and dragged him out the bar into the streets. "DOUSE HIM SEAWATER! I WANT HIM WEAK AND PITIFUL!" The bandits poured their extra buckets unto the boy completely drenching him. Makino screamed for help pleading for them to leave Luffy alone but the bandit who'd been holding her just threw her against one of the tables before following his leader out.
Gathering her bearings Makino ran out the bar and into the streets coming across the mayor who'd come to see what the commotion was about. "Makino? What's wrong? Are you hurt?"
"ITS LUFFY, MAYOR WOOD SLAP, THAT BANDIT HIGUMA GRABBED HIM AND WANTS TO KILL HIM!" Makino cried as the mayor's face paled considerably. "EVERYONE! FIND THEM! LOOK FOR THOSE BANDITS WHO TOOK LUFFY!" The Mayor yelled as he himself along with Makino began running searching for where the bandits had gone. "THEY'RE HERE MAYOR WOOD SLAP!" A villager said pointing towards the edge of the village. Soon the whole village arrived at the edge where Luffy was battered and bruised lying pitifully on the ground gritting his teeth as Higuma pressed his face deeper into the dirt.
"Let this be a lesson to all of you! Cross me and I will beat you and execute you! Just like this runt." Higuma sneered raising his sword to sever the young boy's head.
"NO! SIR PLEASE STOP!" Mayor Wood Slap begged "Whatever that boy has done he still just a boy! Please don't hurt him any longer! Spare him!" bowing his head on the ground Mayor Wood Slap continued to plead with them to leave Luffy alone. Higuma regarded the mayor with a cold look before grinning like a madman his eyes gleaming with malice "No, I don't think I will." The village screamed in horror and Makino stared unable to turn away at the blade began its descent unto Luffy's neck.
CLANG
Higuma's eyes widened in disbelief and shock as his blade was intercepted by red-hair's sword before it could touch Luffy's nape. "I thought your punches we're as strong as pistols Luffy?" A good natured voice mused as Mayor Wood Slap breathed a sigh of relief at the appearance of the pirate captain, Makino's eyes watered as Shanks appeared and saved Luffy before they turned into confusion 'Wait where had he-'
"Sh-Shut up Shanks!" Luffy grumbled into the dirt before Higuma pushed him back down into the ground with his foot "WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE INTER-" Shanks grabbed Higuma by the throat and lifted him off the ground freeing Luffy in the process.
"Listen well bandit." Shanks spat, his eyes shadowed by his straw hat "Whether I'm splattered with alcohol, food or even spit on, most of the time I'd just laugh and forget about it." Shanks looked up at the man he held up "But, no matter the reason" Higuma wheezed as the pirate captain's grip tightened "If you hurt a friend of mine" Bringing the bandit scum down to eye level "you'll pay."
Luffy's eyes watered as Shanks words struck a chord in him 'Shanks'
"OI! LET GO OF OUR BOSS!" One of the bandits yelled
"DON'T GET INVOLVED PIRATES! THAT'S PLAYING DIRTY" Another bellowed
"What you thought you were fighting saints?" Benn Beckman said smirking "WE'RE PIRATES!" Leading the charge Benn and the rest of the pirate crew brought the bandits down. Higuma struggled to get out of Shanks grip as he watched his men being taken down only to be thrown down the road, his sword clattering out of his hand as he rolled to a stop.
"Pick up your blade bandit" Shanks stated coldly pulsing with energy. 'What is that?' Luffy thought as he watched waves of raw power emanated off of Shanks. Growling Higuma stood up and grabbed his blade before he charged at Shanks. Raising his blade to finish off the scum raising towards him Shanks was caught off guard as the bandit grinned and threw a pellet on the ground that erupted into a smokescreen. "A smoke bomb?!"
'Coward' Shanks recovered quickly and seemed to focus even harder sensing Higuma coming to his side reaching for something '
No, not something!' "LUFFY!" Shanks reached to pull the boy out of the way with his right arm before Higuma could reach him only for the bandit to change targets and aimed to slice Shank's arm off instead.
"STAY AWAY DUMB BABOON!" Luffy yelled as he heard the blade moving towards Shank's arm. That was when, once again, Shanks was dumbfounded. A faint silhouette appeared behind Luffy, a massive jet black wolf the size of a sloop, snarling as a wave of energy slammed outwards knocking the bandit leader out.
'CONQUEROR'S HAKI?!' Shanks thought as he caught Luffy who'd collapsed after exerting his will, the silhouette of the massive wolf had vanished as quickly as it came as well. Benn approached Shanks as the pirate captain held Luffy with eyes that now shined as if he'd just found a storehouse's worth of well-aged sake. "Captain… that was Conqueror's Haki wasn't it?" Shanks nodded in confirmation taking his eyes off Luffy to face his first mate. "This kid just keeps getting more and more interesting doesn't he, Benn." The tall raven haired pirate just smirked in response before a more somber look on his face took hold.
"To think after all these years we'd be the ones who would find that devil fruit." Contrasting his first mate's take on the appearance of what had to be one of the most ridiculously powerful fruits out there Shanks' grin just widened. "He's definitely going to be making waves when he sets out to sea." Raising an eyebrow Benn turned his focus from Luffy back to his captain "You're not taking him with us?"
Benn was well aware he seemed contradicting with that statement but at the same time he could not help but think Luffy would end up being an undeniably powerful pirate when he got older and much that would benefit the crew. 'Not even mentioning the fact that, genetics aside, he could pass as your son.'
"No" Shanks said firmly but still with a smile on his face as he stood up carrying Luffy as he walked back towards the villagers. "He needs to make it on his own, with his own adventures and experiences, trials and tribulations." Benn didn't say anything in response waiting for his captain to finish knowing he had something else to add. "Besides, I don't need an anchor like this brat on my ship." Benn shook his head in exasperation and amusement 'So he does acknowledge it after all' seeing what his captain truly meant through his choice of words.
Another day goes by before Luffy stands on the docks watching Benn and the others packing up and heading back to their boat. Shanks walked from where he'd been talking to the Mayor and Makino towards the docks to stand next to Luffy ruffling the young boy's head between his wolf ears that had popped out again, his tail downcast reflecting his gloomy mood.
"Not gonna ask if you can join us on our voyage?" Luffy just shook his head
"I know you're not going to bring me and…" Noticing the young boy trailing of Shanks looked down before prodding him to continue "And?"
"And I want to make my own crew. I want to go on adventures with them and show you what I achieve when I meet you again." Luffy said his tail now wagging as he work an ear-splitting grin. Shanks eyes widened briefly before he decided to take a jab at Luffy
"Ha! You don't have what it takes to be a pirate!" Shanks said sticking his tongue out at the boy whose tail now stood straight as he glared at the older man. "Yeah I do! I'll get a crew better than yours and find the world's greatest treasure! I'll roam the seas as the freest man in the world, THE PIRATE KING!"
The Red-haired Pirates had stopped to watch and listen their captain and his, in all but name, son's conversation, smiling widely to themselves at Luffy's final exclamation. Their smiles didn't hold a candle on Shanks' however who took off his hat, the straw hat with a red ribbon at the base, "In that case…" Luffy's eyes widened in shock as the straw hat was placed on his head "I'll leave this hat to you. As you know it's very important to me." Shanks walked away towards his ship leaving Luffy who began shedding tears "Give it back to me someday, when you've become a great pirate."
It wouldn't be until many years later where Luffy returned his hat to the man who'd stopped by his village and changed his life forever. A pirate, someone who he'd always been told was evil incarnate, became more than just someone he'd strive to become like. He'd found the one person in the world he would ever acknowledge as his father.
ASL
"…"
Mayor Wood Slap was anxious as he watched the man hailed as the hero of the marines read the letter Red-haired Shanks left for him. An elderly man built like a pro wrestler famous as the marine who'd cornered and fought against the late Pirate King, Gol D. Roger on numerous occasions as well as being the one to put down the infamous Rocks D. Xebec.
"…"
Beads of sweat began rolling down the Mayor's face as he watched the vice-admiral finish reading the letter. Yelling, Screaming, Fists of Love, those were reactions he'd expected from the man who'd learn his grandson, who he'd been 'grooming' to be a marine, had spent an extensive amount of time with an infamous emperor but resignation? That was the last thing he'd expected to see on the old man's face. "I know pirates are a malicious and ruthless bunch… but Red-hair is one of the more tame ones more out on the seas for adventure and alcohol rather than slaughter, rape and… well carnage."
For the first time since he sat down to read the letter Monkey D. Garp looked straight at the Mayor's face. "A pirate is still a pirate…" It didn't matter to the old marine what the pirate did they'd still be a pirate… the degree of his delivery on punishment if he came across them may vary of course but once again a pirate is still a pirate. "But that isn't what's bothering me… it's the fruit my grandson has eaten." Mayor Wood Slap was not expecting that to be what weighed on the man's mind and clearly his confusion was evident as Garp continued. "Its not a standard zoan fruit variant like Red-hair and his first mate first assumed it to be." As Garp continued his explanation the Mayor's face paled further and further until he was white as a sheet. "My God…"
Garp hummed in acknowledgement of the shorter man's shock and disbelief. "I'll be taking Luffy with me to the mountains. Foosha Village won't be able to cope with this." Ending the discussion there the old marine left to take his grandson away… 'With this Luffy will never be able to become a marine… Well if I can't protect him that way I'll just have to prepare him for when he sets sail.'
6 days later the two Monkey D.'s started their trek, filled with a grandfather punching his grandson with fists of love and tossing said grandson around like a baseball a couple of hundred times the pair before finding themselves at a somewhere house on Mt. Colubo "Hey Gramps, why'd you bring to a house with bandits?" Garp stopped blinking in surprise before turning to his grandson who'd been sporting wolf ears and a fluffy tail since he'd landed in Foosha Village almost a week ago. "How'd you know that?"
"I can smell them. They smell like alcohol, steel and cigarettes… *sniff sniff* and blood." Garp opened his mouth probably to question why those things equaled bandit when his brain processed that last word. Many screams were heard as the Marine busted through the wall on the front of the house yelling for someone named 'Dadan'. 'Probably should have clarified I smelled animal blood' Luffy sweat dropped
"You gonna come down from there or what?" Luffy asked turning to his upper right at a boy a little older than him with freckles and eyes filled with hate… although at the moment they were filled with shock 'That's a real common feeling huh' Luffy mused to himself. "I'm a wolf man cause' I hate the Inu Inu no Mi; model: Wolf. That's why I was able to figure out where you were as well as who was in the house." Luffy said to the older boy with a smile before turning to fully face him "My names Monkey D. Luffy! Nice to meet you!" Luffy exclaimed his tail wagging playfully behind him.
The older boy blinked before muttering "Portgas D. Ace…" before shaking his head and glaring at Luffy. He jumped down from his boulder and regarded Luffy with once over before walking towards the house where Garp now stood arms crossed waiting for himself and Luffy who followed after.
Next to Garp was a tall rotund woman who one could not exactly call a beauty or kind but Luffy's instincts told him she wouldn't harm him. "Luffy, I see you've met your older brother Ace." Luffy looked confused. Sure they both had black hair and similar eyes if you discounted the shape but they certainly didn't smell anything alike. "Adopted older brother" Garp amended seeing Luffy's confused look. Dadan and Ace blinked at Garp's correction. 'Why'd he bother mentioning that?' Dadan thought before realizing there was something wrong with the new kid she'd be taking under her wing.
"WHY THE HELL DO YOU HAVE DOG EARS AND A FLUFFY TAIL?!" Luffy just stared at her slack-jawed expression before picking his nose "I ate a devil fruit and became a wolf man." The deadpan response was more than enough proof that this was indeed Garp's grandson and the orange haired woman groaned thinking of all the suffering she'd have to endure with another demon running around.
"I'll leave him here with you for now, Dadan." Garp said giving Ace a head pat and ruffling Luffy's hair between his ears before starting descent back to Foosha Village. "Oh and you can stop trying to convince them to be marines. It won't work anymore." Dadan's eyes bugged as Ace's jaw dropped 'S-S-STOP TRYING TO MAKE THEM/ME MARINES?!' Garp paused his walk and turned back to Ace "You can thank Luffy for that one Ace. I'll be back to train both of you to be ready for when you set sail."
"Goodbye Gramps!" Luffy yelled his tail wagging but pointing downwards reflecting his mood that while happy was also slightly sad, in other words, bittersweet. Ace turned to his 'Adopted Younger Brother' too shocked to mad at the world "How'd you convince him to give up making me a marine?" Luffy turned to Ace a contemplative look on his face before smiling "Well you are my older brother so I guess I can tell you."
That night Ace still wasn't sure what to make of the young boy especially after learning what his devil fruit entailed. 'He looks like an idiot, and can act like it sometimes too' Ace sweat dropped as he recalled the ridiculous dance he'd somehow convinced the bandits to join him do over dinner. 'But he's a lot more perceptive than you'd think'
"Why are you sad?" Luffy asked Ace who'd walked out after having dinner to watch the moon. Ace glared "I think you need your eyes checked." For god's sakes he'd been glaring the whole day at Luffy, Dadan and… well everyone and everything for that matter. "Yeah you glare like your mad a lot and you definitely are but you're more sad than mad" Luffy said somehow struck a balance between extremely competent and downright underwhelming with his statement. "Why would I be sad huh?" the freckled boy said. "I don't know. That's why I asked you." The boy with a straw hat on his back held by a string said. A tic formed on Ace's head as he'd unwittingly backed himself into that corner. Sighing Ace just stared at the night sky 'Wonder what Sabo's doing.' Since Luffy hadn't said anything for a few moments Ace turned to see if he'd gone 'Like everyone always does' he thought bitterly before coming face to face with a young wolf that would have stood up a bit higher than his waist. Instead of screaming which he'd honestly have done, because who wouldn't when they turn and suddenly see a predatory animal staring at them, he scrunched up his face as the wolf licked him playfully, circling around him once, and finally plopping his head on Ace's knee.
"… Luffy?" Ace questioned the wolf who he'd now realized was wearing what the boy had been wearing straw hat still secured thanks to the string around his neck or chest now that he was a wolf. The wolf made a growl that sounded suspiciously like a hum before closing its eyes and cuddling closer to the freckle faced child. Unaccustomed to contact of any kind Ace shifted around awkwardly for a bit before realizing he'd effectively been locked in by the boy turned wolf. "You looked like you needed a friend." The wolf said a deep rumble completely different from the boy he'd conversed with earlier who had a rather high pitch voice. Ace stiffened momentarily before biting his lip and just laying back unto the wolf. "You're not as annoying when you're basically a pet." A snort was the only response Luffy gave to that comment.
The next day Ace made his way out of Dadan's house to meet with Sabo like he usually did and probably should have done yesterday. Unlike usual though today he was accompanied by a jet black wolf with a white fur underbelly wearing a blue sleeveless shirt, cut up shorts and a straw hat.
"… Remind me why I'm not ditching you again."
"You tried to earlier, and even broke down a tree in attempt to stop me but I just smacked it away and caught up to you anyway." Luffy said as if describing the weather instead of an attempted homicide.
"Right…" Ace said with half-lidded eyes, resigned to his fate of dealing with his new younger brother
They walked in silence a bit longer before they reached what could only be described as the largest filthiest junkyard in the world… well that's what Luffy and Ace thought of it since it was the only junkyard they'd ever seen. "… This is a dump, Ace." Luffy deadpanned and Ace snorted "No kidding Luffy, I never noticed." Ace walked away from the scrapyard back into the forest.
Sniff sniff… sniff sniff… "… Ace?"
"Yeah Luffy?"
"I smell belli on top of that tree."
Ace just nodded somewhat expecting it, "Yeah that's where were headed and hopefully Sabo is already waiting there too."
'This is gonna be a fun explanation' Ace though sarcastically as he spotted Sabo peering down at him eyes bugged at the wolf by his side.
(One Long Explanation Later)
(A/N: Yeah to be honest I'll go more in depth on the ASL Brothers Arc in a different chapter or even make it a side story. This prologue is long enough as it is without the changes I plan on adding)
Many days later Ace, Luffy and Sabo are sleeping in their room at Dadan's house. Luffy slept in his wolf form acting as a pillow and blanket for his two older brothers who had snoring bubbles as they slept cuddled into their younger brother's side. This peaceful sleep would be the longest most fitful rest the three brothers would get for a very long time.
CRASH!
"LUFFY! ACE! GET YOUR LAZY BUTTS OUT HERE NOW!" Monkey D. Garp bellowed after he crashed through Dadan's front wall… again.
"… Luffy whats the fastest you can run while carrying Sabo and me?" Ace said now sitting up wide awake
"'Sabo and I', Ace it's, 'Sabo and I'" Sabo reprimanded half-heartedly as he glared at the door wondering who was shouting so early in the morning.
"Correction, Luffy whats the fastest you can run while carrying me alone?" Ace asked smirking at Sabo's glare before face palming at the wolf who'd somehow slept through the crash and yell.
"A run might not be a bad idea Ace. 10km should do well for a start." A gruff voice said from the door staring down at the freckled child who suddenly paled white as a sheet. Sabo turned to look at the Vice-admiral he'd heard a lot about and could honestly say he wasn't liking how accurate Ace and Luffy had been so far. "Who's the blonde twerp?" Garp asked picking his nose 'Well now I know where Ace and Luffy got that habit from' Sabo deadpanned in his thoughts before standing up and dusting his clothes off. Walking up to the man he greeted politely "Good Morning Sir, My names Sabo." Garp just looked at him for a moment before asking "You wanna be a pirate too?" Blinking and wondering if that was a trick question considering he was a marine vice-admiral Sabo decided to throw caution to the win and nodded affirmation. The old man hummed briefly before smacking the blonde boy down unto the floor with a fist of love. "Another idiot eh?" Ace sweat dropped as he watched this before turning and started shifting his younger brother trying to wake him up before the geezer-
POW!
'Too late…' Ace stared at his youngest brother with half-lidded eyes before flicking to his 'Gramps' who stared back at him. Garp turned his attention to his fist before going back to Ace who was now wide eyed as he realized what the geezer was planning. Fast enough to escape a Fist of Love, Ace is not. With all three brothers now sporting similar bumps on their heads Garp nodded to himself in satisfaction before grabbing all three of them to start their training.
The three brothers wake up to find themselves in a clearing in the forest their abductor sitting on a tree stump with two long bamboo sticks leaning against his shoulder. Garp stood up and tossed one of the bamboo sticks to Sabo who reached out to grab it before it sailed past him.
"Starting today and until the end of the week I'll be giving you foundational work. After that its up to you three to progress further." Garp said as he grabbed Luffy by the back his shirt, the boy having turned back into his complete human form knowing what his grandfather was probably going to start with. "Luffy take a cross-sitting position."
Not in the mood for another Fist of Love Luffy obeyed the command and took a sit after his grandfather put him back down in front of his older brothers. "Ace and Sabo you'll be taking turns doing to each other what I'll be doing to Luffy so pay attention yeah?" the old marine said tapping the bamboo stick unto his shoulder like it was a sword.
"Yeah yeah"
"Understood"
"All right, so Luffy close your eyes and try to avoid being hit." Was all the warning Luffy got before he got smacked on the head with the bamboo stick.
WHAM!
"OI!" Ace and Sabo cried as they stood up tensing their muscles preparing to charge the old man when Luffy just grumbled "You didn't even let me close my eyes first Grandpa…" before returning to his cross-seating position like he hadn't just got whacked or was sporting a bruise.
"Gramps basically wants us to learn how to sense something coming towards us by forcing us to rely on every other senses aside from sight." Luffy said now closing his eyes with a serene expression on his face as if he were meditating.
'Lu-Luffy?!" Ace thought incredulously staring, left eye twitching at his hyperactive, loudmouth younger brother who was somehow sitting still with a face like a monk.
'It's like he's become a completely different person…' Sabo thought watching as Garp raised the bamboo stick again to strike Luffy. Still tense the two older brothers watched the bamboo stick sail through the air like a blur but instead of the sound of bamboo meeting skin the two brothers watched Luffy tilt backwards to avoid it, his eyes still closed and his face still impassive. From there for the next minute or so Garp continued his assault with downward slashes, forward thrusts, side way sweeps but Luffy dodged them all still closing his eyes and monk-like face still present on the normally rambunctious child's face.
Pausing for a moment Garp raised his face to stare at the gaping boys, "You waiting for a First of Love?"
Getting the message Ace and Sabo decided to play Rock-Paper-Scissors for who'd get the chance to whack who first.
"Shoot!"
30 minutes later Ace's eyes gleamed as he took the bamboo stick from the blonde boy. "Now it's my turn" the freckled boy said sporting several bruises and bumps. Gulping Sabo wondered if he got a bit too into it.
Luffy himself was sporting a few more bruises but it wasn't as many as Ace's so the wolf boy chalked that up as progress considering the one who'd been trying to smack him was grandpa. "While Ace take his turn at whacking Sabo why don't you go grab lunch Luffy." While phrased like a question Luffy knew it really wasn't.
"Use your haki to find something to eat. After lunch and a 1 hour nap we'll begin sparring for Armament training." Garp walked towards the tree stump to take a seat while waiting.
"Ok Grandpa." Luffy ran off to find something to eat popping his wolf ears out so he'd be able to hear more, his tail… well that just popped out with his ears not really contributing anything. Eventually after running through the forest for a while Luffy found a massive boar that he observed from a small ledge above.
"Chi o abita" Luffy's body morphed and he cried silently to himself 'Damn it. I haven't morphed in so long it actually hurts!' bones breaking and mending Luffy grew bigger and bigger until he was 182 cm tall, robust muscles all around gleaming in the small rays of sunshine peeking through the trees due to the sheen of sweat from the transformation. Luffy's irises gleamed like gold as he peered down at the boar that had become alert and skittish, sensing a predator nearby. "Tengoku no…" Luffy crossed his arms over his chest his eyes closed in focus as wisps of black flames coated his arms "botsuraku" Luffy's eyes opened his sclera pitch back, his irises glowing like moonlight, his pupil narrowed into a fine point, and his fists coated in black tendrils. The boar only glanced up to see a blur before a fist penetrated its skull, decimating its brain, and it knew no more. Luffy pulled his arm out of the creature's skull as it toppled onto its side. Licking his fingers coated in brain matter, Luffy dragged the creature by the snout back towards the clearing. His brothers too beat, bruised and exhausted to comment on Luffy's new form just stared before shrugging accepting this was just another thing their monster of a little brother was capable of.
Days went by following this trend. Wake up early in the morning to practice and enhance Observation Haki, Luffy leaving to hunt something down for lunch, cooking and eating whatever creature Luffy drags back, sleeping for an hour to regain energy and let the meal digest, and spending the rest of the afternoon training Armament Haki. The only shift in the schedule was the addition of lessons from Sabo in the evening after Grap learned that one of his grandchildren, yes he considered Sabo his grandchild at this point, actually had a brain.
On the seventh day Garp bid his three grandchildren goodbye and left to return to his duties as a marine. With Garp gone it was decided that both Ace and Sabo would attempt to whack Luffy in the first half of Observation Haki training and Luffy would dual wield the bamboo sticks afterwards for Ace and Sabo in the second half. The three of them all decided they'd venture out for food together from now on and after their nap it would be Ace and Sabo against Luffy in his "Chi o abita" form.
Soon the three brothers would face off against crazed pirates, corrupted nobles, and family drama and three brothers wishing to become pirates became two. Their blonde brother finding a different calling in life and while disappointed they wouldn't be able to set sail with each other as pirates they were happy and proud that he'd found his own dream. About seven years later Ace sets sail to form his own pirate crew, Sabo tagging along before he can regain contact with a certain beneficiary.
"Take care Ace! Sabo!" Luffy waved his tail wagging in similar delight as he watched his two brothers getting ready to set sail. Dadan's bandits smiling behind him as they watched the little boys they raised leaving to start their journey at young men. Makino smiling as she watched her "brothers" leaving while the Mayor frowned disapprovingly 'Garp may have accepted they'd become pirates but still…'
"Yeah. See you Luffy! I'm going now!" Ace yelled back grinning ear to ear wearing a yellow dress shirt unbuttoned, his signature orange hat with blue smiley and frowney faces on top, and black shorts with a knife strapped to his side. Standing beside him was Sabo sporting a similar grin in a black long coat, a deep blue suit with a cravat, light grey dress pants and his top hat sporting goggle on the base. "Remember to read up more Luffy! Don't want your crew to think you're nothing but brawn!"
"Uh-huh! I'll be stronger and smarter when I leave here in three years!" Luffy said just smiling at his brother's jab. Ace and Sabo chuckled to themselves before they pushed their vessel onto the open seas.
"Goodluck Ace! Sabo!"
"Take Care!"
"Don't catch a cold!"
"Just you wait! I'll make my name known to all soon!" Ace yelled back to the farewells before turning to face the front of the ship while Sabo waved back one final time before joining him. Soon they were but a dot on the horizon and then they could be seen no more.
3 years later on the shores of Foosha Village Luffy bade his own farewells to his hometown, hugging his 'older sister' and rolling his eyes as the Mayor gave him stinkeye. He wore a coat similar to the one Gol D. Roger wore only black instead of crimson, red sleeveless cardigan buttoned up, torn up navy blue jeans with a hunting knife strapped to it, dark brown hunting boots, a large leather backpack, and his hat resting on his head for once as he kept himself in full human form. He grinned facing a seemingly random alleyway between buildings and waved hearing his adoptive mother bursting into tears as her bandits attempted to console her while shedding tears of their own. While it probably would have been smarter to take the old fishing boat he was offered his gut told him the small dinghy would be more fun. Undoing the ties, Luffy rowed away from his hometown grinning and waving goodbye to his village and family. 'Just you wait Ace! Sabo!' Luffy thought while tensing his body as he sensed movement underneath the waves. 'I'll catch up to you both soon!'
The waters in front of the boat burst upwards as a massive Sea King roared, the villagers and bandits gasping and watching the Lord of the Coast in horror as it towered over Luffy in his dinghy. Luffy clenched his fist and his muscles bulged as he tensed "Soru!" Luffy yelled as he jumped from the dinghy closing the distance between him and the beast in an instant. "SORA-" Right fist cocked back, he had his left hand palm forward towards the monster who roared undeterred from the young man's feat "-BEIN!" Throwing his right fist forward is came to a stop only a tiny inch away from the monster. The Village cried in terror thinking Luffy had just cost himself his life only to see the boy flash back to his dinghy unscathed, the Sea King frozen midroar. "Splat." Luffy pulled out his hunting knife as the true outcome of Sorabein was revealed.
SPLAT!
The Lord of the Coasts head exploded like bloody fireworks backwards and its body began floating to the surface, the surface turning a dark crimson as it bled from where its neck once was. A beat of silence passed through the village before cheers erupted for their hometown troublemaker's first victory as it were. Some of the fishermen ran to their boats when they spotted Luffy taking some meat and rushed to catch up and grab some Sea King meat as well.
Now having sealed the meat in plastic he kept it in his bag, pulling out a map and compass. "First stop…Shell's Town"
Notes:
Sloop - Small Sea Vessel
Chi o abita - Bathed in Blood, Picture Luffy taking on Sett's body physique from League of Legends
Tengoku no Botsuraku - Heaven's Downfall, Luffy's eyes look like Ichigo's (Bleach) Hollow Mask Form, and his arms are basically wreathed in Getsuka Tensho
Sorabein - Solar Bane – Imagine a luminescence, similar to the one Whitebeard has when he activates his powers, that explodes outwards like a shotgun blast with the end of Luffy's fist as the barrel