Oyaji, We Shrunk Our Parents

Author's Note: Hey everyone and welcome back to Oyaji, We Shrunk Our Parents! I hope you are enjoying this so far! This one has been something I've wanted to write on for a while now! I hope you enjoy! On with the fic!

I do want to note that a lot of the Post Marineford events that happened in They Don't Know About Us didn't happen here. Like the MihawkShanks wedding, Teach kidnapping Shanks, etc. They pretty much just went straight to Sabaody and went into the New World.

Chapter Warnings: None

Chapter Three: The Straw Hat and the World's Strongest

Summary: Shanks discovers that Buggy damaged his straw hat. Meanwhile, Mihawk discovers his title as the Strongest Swordsman and his vow to Roronoa Zoro. Later, Ace accidentally makes Shanks and Mihawk think that Luffy and Ace are someone else's kids.

Food had been passed out almost immediately and Ace didn't miss the way that Shanks had practically glued himself to Rouge's side. "See, they'll be okay." Marco whispered into his ear.

Ace hummed. "I hope so."

"So, Commander Ace," Shanks started. It felt so weird hearing that come from Shanks of all people. Ace looked up from his meal, eyeing the smaller version of his Omega father. It was nostalgic to see the straw hat back on his head, but he was so young. "How long have you been with the Whitebeard Pirates?"

"Three years." Ace stated. "Before then I was the Captain of the Spade Pirates."

Shanks snickered, muttering, "Ace of spades. Of course."

"Okay, no need to call me out like that." Ace mumbled. "I liked playing poker as a kid."

Shanks smiled leaning back to where he was leaning against Rouge's arm. It was a silent gesture. Shanks was actively seeking out comfort. Only people who knew how Shanks was would know that. Ace could tell by the look in his eye. He was still grieving. Which only made sense since Shanks would be the age when Roger was executed.

"He's stupidly good at poker." Thatch stated. "The only person who has won against him is Oyaji."

"That reminds me of someone." Mihawk grumbled, sending a sharp glance at Shanks from where he was sitting by Luffy and Zoro.

Shanks laughed, waving his hand, "You're just mad because it took you five rounds to realize I was hustling you."

Ace and Luffy shared a look the second they saw the vein in Mihawk's forehead pop out. The snarl of his teeth. "You have to teach me your tricks." Haruta whispered, leaning in by Ace. "You learned it from him. Didn't you?"

Ace nodded, grinning, "Apparently, it's how he paid for a lot of stuff. He spent almost all the money he had on a ship. It does come in handy when people don't realize anything."

"Teach me your ways oh mighty one." Haruta snickered, poking at his cheek before he was taking a seat back down.

"You wish."

Shanks was laughing, hiding his mouth behind his hand to conceal the fact that he was. His attention moved away from Ace for the time being, moving over to Luffy. "You said you were a Captain?"

"That's right." Luffy confirmed. "The Straw Hats is my crew. My crew is so cool. Zoro is my Swordsman. Sanji is my cook. Nami is my navigator. I even have Usopp who is my sniper!" He exclaimed, "Though you won't remember him, but he's Yasopp's son… I have Franky who is our shipwright. Robin who is my archeologist. I also have a reindeer for a doctor and a skeleton for a musician!"

Shanks just blinked as Luffy kept getting closer and closer to him with each excited shout. The Omega was leaning back until he had slipped off of the log, his hat flying off and landing on the ground. Shanks groaned, rubbing at his hip before he was turning and reaching for his hat.

He paused as his eyes landed on it, hand stopping just short of actually grabbing it. "What happened to my hat?"

Ace looked over to Luffy, seeing the frown settled on his Alpha brother's face. "I'm sorry, Shanks, but it got damaged."

Ace felt the chill go down his spine, seeing the anger that came to Shanks' face just a second later.

X

It felt like his blood was boiling. Seeing the three sown up marks on the top of the hat. The air had caught in his throat as he whispered, "Who did this?"

Luffy blinked at him, frowning before he said, "Buggy. He was a total ass about it."

Shanks looked up, eyes landing on the blue-haired Alpha. The anger flooded through his veins as he handed his hat back over to Luffy. "How dare you!" Buggy's gaze snapped over to him just as Shanks swung. If Buggy hadn't detached his own head, Shanks would have hit him.

"What the hell is your problem?!" Buggy screeched.

Shanks let the haki come to his hand. His nails piercing into the skin of his palms. Sharp enough that it was cutting into the skin, and he could feel the blood surfacing. "You're my problem, you big nosed clown!"

Buggy's face instantly turned red as he reached out, grabbing Shanks by the collar of his shirt. Hauling his feet off of the ground. "What the hell did you just say to me?!"

"You heard me, clown." Shanks hissed. The sting behind his eyes as his teeth scratched against his cheek. "Why the fuck would you damage my hat?!"

"Because I can." Buggy retorted, jerking Shanks forward so they were nose to nose. Shanks was sure his face was just as red. The anger coursing so much through his veins. "What makes you think that I wouldn't want to destroy something you treasured after you ruined the chance for me?!"

"Because unlike you, I have respect!" Shanks screamed, slamming his fist up and hitting Buggy in the jaw. The Alpha stumbled, dropping Shanks down to the ground. Shanks landed on his feet, walking forward as he felt the frenzy full starting to take him over. "You hate me that much you will destroy the one thing I have left of my father?!"

Buggy seemed to freeze for a second, eyes widening before the snarl was back on his face. "Who cares about a dirty old hat?!"

"I do!" Shanks screamed. "That hat means more to me than anything in this world! It was given to me by the Captain!" Shanks felt the tears sting his eyes as he looked to the ground. Roger's face flashing before his mind before he saw him on the execution platform. The distress was rolling off of him now. He curled his arms around himself as his knees gave out. His forehead hit the dirt as the tears fell from his eyes. "It was all I had of him. I lost my father, and you damaged the one thing I had left. Why do you hate me so much?" He felt like he couldn't breathe anymore as he heaved, clutching at his shirt. "I lost everything that day. I lost my father… my mother returned back to her crew… you left me alone. I was alone. I had no one. All I had was that hat and the promise I made to the Captain."

"Shanks—" He heard Buggy whisper.

Shanks snapped his head up. "You were so bitter for so long that you held onto that for so long?! That you would do that?! Why, Buggy?!"

Buggy had frozen completely, eyes wide as he looked down at Shanks. The Alpha didn't say a word as Shanks pushed himself up, walking past the others. "Red-Hair?" Mihawk questioned.

"Leave me alone!" Shanks snapped, side stepping around Mihawk before he was taking off.

X

No one could say a thing following Shanks' outburst. Rouge looked down at Buggy, giving him a soft smile for a second before she was following after her son. She barely caught Mihawk saying, "Last time I saw that look on his face was just after Gold Roger's execution."

She initially paid it no mind as she walked in the way that Shanks had gone. By the time she had found him, he was sitting at the edge of the shoreline. Bare feet in the water as he looked out at it. Hat sitting on his head again. Her heart broke noticing the tears in his eyes. "I didn't mean to go off like that." Shanks whispered. "I was just so… angry."

Rouge smiled as she walked over, slipping her boots off and sitting down next to him. Letting her feet sit in the water next to his. The Omega woman reached out and rolled up the bottom of her pants to keep them from getting wet. "I know, sweetheart." Rouge muttered, reaching out and pulling Shanks into her side. "You have every right to be."

"It's Buggy." Shanks stated, hand gesturing as he looked over to his mother with tear filled eyes. "Why would he damage something so precious to me?"

Rouge hummed. "I can't say."

"I knew Buggy was angry over the whole Devil Fruit thing… but was it really worth it?"

Rouge sighed. She wasn't sure exactly what to say. She knew Buggy and Shanks' relationship had gotten rocky following Buggy accidentally eating the Devil Fruit. It wasn't Shanks' fault. Rouge knew as much, but Buggy didn't see it that way. It hurt knowing that the two boys were at odds. They were always so close.

She placed a kiss on the top of her son's head, pulling him a bit closer. There was nothing she could say that would make him feel better. Instead, she would just be there for him.

Like she should have for all these years.

X

Mihawk sighed as he watched Shanks storm off, Rouge following closely behind him. He crossed his arms over his chest, sending a quick glare at Buggy. "What stick got shoved up his ass?" Buggy huffed.

Mihawk snarled, turning to face the older? Alpha. "You have some nerve, big nose."

"Who the hell are you calling big nose?!" Buggy screamed, getting nose to nose with Mihawk.

"Aren't you supposed to be his brother?" Mihawk questioned. He watched as Buggy recoiled, the shock coming to his face before he was grumbling and turning to face away.

"You know nothing about us, bastard." Buggy hissed.

Mihawk hummed, turning to face the others. "You." He had motioned to the one who introduced himself as the Second Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates. Something was off about this one. He couldn't place it no matter how hard he tried to think about it. All he knew was Shanks seemed to think he was somehow related to this boy. From what he heard, his name was Ace. This one also seemed to be keeping secrets from them. Choosing to silence the other boy each and every time he attempted to speak. "I want some answers."

"Depends on what it's about." The Omega Commander immediately stated.

Mihawk narrowed his eyes. "Who exactly are you?"

Ace's gaze narrowed in on him as well. "Like I've said, my name is Ace and I'm a Commander among the Whitebeard Pirates."

Mihawk didn't say anything else, but he could feel the tension coming off of the Omega in front of him. He sniffed, catching the cherry blossom and sangria scent coming off of him. It was a sweet mixture. Floral and fruity. This boy was somehow related to Shanks. This must have been how Shanks pieced it together. Scents could be a dead giveaway. "I need to know any vital information. If we are supposed to be older like you said, what exactly is going on here?"

Ace sighed, looking over his shoulder to Whitebeard before he was looking back. "Mihawk, you are supposed to be one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea."

Mihawk paused. What the hell was a Warlord? "And that would be?"

"Essentially, you have a frozen bounty and ally with the World Government when they need you." Ace explained.

Mihawk gritted his teeth. That sounded horrible. "Why would I do that?"

Ace shrugged. "You were one before I was even born."

Mihawk hummed. He didn't get an deceit off of that statement. Though, he was getting answers now. "Anything else?"

"You're the World's Strongest Swordsman!" It was the other boy. The one that Ace kept silencing. Luffy, he believed his name was. Mihawk felt the air catch in his throat. Eyes widening.

He was known as the strongest? He had done exactly what he had originally set out to do?

"The sword on your back is what you currently carry." Ace continued, "It's named Yoru. It's one of the twelve supreme grade swords. Only the finest for the World's Greatest."

Mihawk reached around him, pulling the sword from his back. It was heavy. Heavier than he was used too, but it was beautiful. Finely crafted. It was an excellent sword. Something that he would hope to carry. Though, with his power level now, he wasn't actually positive he could use it.

"I really did it, huh?" Mihawk muttered, gliding his fingers over the blade.

"You did." Ace confirmed.

"We have to make you big again so you can duel Zoro!" Luffy exclaimed.

Zoro?

Mihawk looked up, placing the blade back on his back. "Zoro?"

Luffy grinned, moving forward and motioning to the green-haired Alpha. "That's him. You vowed to keep the title as the Greatest in the World so he could take it from you one day."

Mihawk smirked as he looked over to the Swordsman. He was strong. He could tell as much. They were probably on the same power level at this moment. He could only imagine how strong he was at the age he should be. Someone who was strong enough to protect others. "You must have really impressed me if I would say that." He stated.

Zoro smirked. "Once I'm strong enough, I will take that title from you."

It was like they were feeding off of each other. "I would love to see you try."

X

It had been close to night fall before Shanks and Rouge had returned back to the camp out. Fires already going. Dinner long since cooked and eaten. He seemed like he was in a better mood. Back to smiling as he walked alongside Rouge. His sandals in his hand before he was slipping them back onto his feet. Not even missing a step as he got them back on. As the two walked over, Shanks gave him of soft smile before turning his attention back onto his conversation with Rouge.

Robin had spent most of the day in the cave. Continuing to research the walls for any more possible information that they could get from it. She essentially came back with the exact same information. Nothing about how the two could be turned back. It almost felt impossible now. There had to be something. It couldn't just be like this now.

There was something definitely off about Shanks from what Ace was able to deduct. Over the years he had been able to pick up on his small tells that he always seemed to have. The most shocking thing was to see his outburst on Buggy. That was something Ace had never seen before. He was always so calm and collected, even when he would get lost within instincts. Even Mihawk was a bit different. It was so odd seeing them around this age.

Shanks paused as he got up to Buggy. The two looking at each other for a moment like they were both unsure of what to say before Shanks mumbled an apology and moved to go where Ace was sitting.

"You good?" Ace questioned, dropping his voice.

Shanks nodded, flashing him a smile again. "Yeah, I am." The red head sighed, leaning back on his arms as he added, "Do you know when we are heading out?"

"Tomorrow afternoon." Ace replied. "Our crews are going to stick close by to each other while we work to figure out how to get you two back to normal."

Shanks hummed, looking off in a different direction. Ace followed his gaze, noticing that he was looking straight at Mihawk and Luffy, who were talking together off to the other side of the fire. Their conversation was half Luffy talking excitedly and Mihawk just watching and paying attention. "Commander Ace." Ace made a noise, so Shanks knew that he had his attention. The red head looked back at him, almost with a deadpan face as he questioned, "He said his name was Monkey D. Luffy. Is he Uncle Dragon's son?"

Ace was pretty sure his mind short circuited for a moment. The Omega choked on the air in his throat as the area around them quieted down, eyes turning to them in a mixture of amusement and shock. "Umm…"

Shanks blinked, "What?"

Ace looked around, trying to think of anything he could say. Just tell him the truth. It will be better that way.

"Sure." Ace grumbled the second he locked eyes with Dragon. He froze as he realized what he had said as he turned his head again to look at Shanks. Seeing the shock on his face.

"That is actually something I wasn't expecting." Rouge and Dragon shared looks. The Omega woman's jaw dropping as Ace noticed Marco slapping his own forehead with his palm. Shanks was humming again as he leaned in towards Ace's face, frowning as his gaze lingered on Ace's freckles. "You never did tell me your family name." Ace exhaled sharply, realizing the deeper hole he was starting to bury himself in. "You look like my mom." Shanks said, continuing to lean in. Shanks was close enough now that Ace could see the light dust of freckles on his tanned face, almost concealed more by the sun-kissed skin. "Those freckles. That's a Portgas trait."

"My name is Portgas D. Ace." If he was able to actually slap himself in this position, he would.

Shanks inhaled sharply, turning his head to look at Rouge. "You didn't tell me you got pregnant again."

This time, Rouge slapped her own forehead.

"Um, that's not exactly—" Ace started, only to get cut off by Shanks.

"I knew I was somehow related to the two of you." Shanks immediately said. "The cherry blossom scent on both of you is also from the Portgas family." He looked at Luffy this time, "You look like a picture of Gramps I saw once." Before he was looking at Ace, "You look like my mom. There's no way I'm wrong."

You absolutely are.

Ace sighed. There was no way he was getting out of this one without fully telling Shanks that they were his kids. Yet, Ace still couldn't figure out exactly how to say it to them. "Shanks—"

An arm slipped over Shanks' shoulders, seeing Thatch right there with a grin on his face. "You know, Red-Hair, there could always be a chance that they are yours."

What Ace didn't expect was to see Shanks' face turn red and denials fly from his mouth. Ace shared a glance with Luffy, seeing the curiosity on his face. No one had expected that reaction from Shanks. The red-haired Omega sighed, whispering, "I know what it's like to grow up on the sea… I don't think I would ever have the heart to have children and still be a pirate. Honestly, I don't know if I ever would want kids. I don't know. Kids would be nice, but I'm Roger's son… I would be giving any children I have a death sentence just for existing. The World Government already tried to find me once." Shanks scratched at his cheek for a second. That sad gleam in his eye for a moment before he added, "I just… I just don't know if I could be strong enough to protect them."

Every part of him wanted to break down and tell him he had done an excellent job over the years. Practically raising him and Luffy alone. That he had gotten everything he ever wanted. Why they were going under other names was because of their connection to Roger. He wanted to take it all back, but he couldn't find the words to say as he watched Shanks stumble over his own words.

Shanks looked like he was on the verge of panicking. Thatch's arm had loosened, an apology falling from his mouth. The red-haired Omega reached up, grabbing the brim of his hat. Fingers gliding over the straw. Ace was only snapped back to reality by hearing Mihawk say, "Children are a blessing. Rather you have one or not. Decided to have one. The Red-Hair I know would never give up on anything. The sins of a parent doesn't define their children." The Swordsman paused, standing up and stretching his arms. "From what I can tell, you don't have any so there is no need to send yourself into conflict. You found your answers. Don't think of something that may have not happened."

Shanks was looking over at the Swordsman now, a smirk on his face, "What? Might be jealous that I could have had one, but it wasn't with you?" The Omega inhaled sharply, covering his mouth. Mihawk looked stumped for a second, cheeks dusting over pink as he looked away. "Kill me now." Shanks whispered through his hand.

"Don't talk such nonsense, Red-Hair." Mihawk stated. "My goal is to be the strongest in the world. I would never allow a child to be brought in the middle of that if I can help it."

Shanks grinned, laughing for a moment. Rather it was from being nervous or because it was the mask what he had said before, Ace couldn't know for sure. "Seems like you have your priorities straight."

"I just understand the cruelty of the world." Mihawk hummed.

Shanks smiled. "Even then, the world is full of beauty."

"That it is." Mihawk replied.

Ace looked away from the two as Luffy took a seat next to him. "So, how are we supposed to tell them that we are their sons?"

"At this point…" Ace whispered back, "No idea."

Ace smiled, leaning his head on Luffy's shoulder for a second. They would figure it out eventually. Once Ace stopped panicking each time he thought about telling them.

An arm looped around his shoulder, turning his head to see Rouge smirking at him, "You get to explain this to them, son."

Ace groaned, "I'm sorry, okay?"

Rouge laughed, pressing a kiss into his forehead, "We'll figure it out." She stood up as Whitebeard did.

"Alright, let's head off to bed." Whitebeard announced. "We sail out tomorrow."

Ace pushed himself up, stretching his arms and back.

This only got more interesting by the moment.