One Piece: Truly Precious
Glad all of you liked the previous chapter, I was a bit worried I was rushing things too much and I was having trouble thinking up material to keep things going. As it is, I'll have to review the Sky Island arc to make sure I have the plot planned out and I'll have to actually research the Water 7 and Thriller Bark arcs too.
Wish me luck.
Funny side note: I just realized that I have semi-popular fanfics out for each of the members of the Anime/Manga Trinity (Pre Bleach ending) published on this site. Funny how things work out.
Disclaimer: One Piece is owned by Oda-sensei
"Ace…" said Luffy in surprise at seeing his older brother standing there.
"Yo, Luffy," said the smiling man in question, "it's been a while."
"ACE!" cried out Luffy as he threw himself at the older pirate and hugged him for all its worth as tears leaked out of his eyes.
"You haven't changed a bit Luffy," said Ace with a smile, "you're still the same old crybaby."
"Care to fill us in?" said Nojiko, "Is this another time displaced comrade?"
"Right," said Zoro, "introduction time. This is Ace, Luffy's brother and the Second Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates."
"Well now," said Ace as Luffy released him and composed himself, "I never realized you'd tell your crew so much about me Luffy. And what does she mean by 'time displaced?'"
"It's kind of a long story," said Luffy sheepishly.
"Give me the short version," said Ace as he crossed his arms.
"Well," said Luffy, "I'm from a future where I found the One Piece but lost everything getting there."
"…Maybe I need the longer version after all," sighed Ace.
So Luffy told him. He explained what his crew had done the last time around, leaving out some of the more intimate details, and how far they had gotten on their quests. He also explained for the first time to an outsider, what exactly had happened during their last stand at Raftel.
"That's…wow," said Ace, as he was at a loss for words, "the Navy came down on you that hard? They must have seen you as a bigger threat than Dragon or Pops."
"Yeah," chuckled Luffy sheepishly.
"So where was I during all of this?" asked Ace, "I know I wouldn't be sitting idly by while my baby brother was attacked by the Marines."
"You weren't," said Luffy grimly, "Ace, you died…. long before our last stand."
"What are you saying?" said Ace in surprise, "Is that why you seemed so happy to see me? How did it happen?"
"To start with," said Luffy, "I know why you're headed to Alabasta, and it's not just to see me."
"So, you know about Teach," said Ace seriously.
"Yeah," nodded Luffy, "Ace, he's not someone you can take lightly. His Devil Fruit can nullify the powers of others, forcing you to deal with him without your powers. Last time you fought, he beat you and delivered you to the Marines in exchange for a Shichibukai title."
"He's that good?" asked Ace grimly, getting a nod from his brother, "Damn. This doesn't change anything though. He still needs to be dealt with for betraying his crew and captain, but now that I know about what he can do, I'll be ready for him."
"Ace…" began Luffy, but his brother shook his head.
"Don't worry," said Ace, "I'm a lot tougher than you think. Besides, I wasn't looking for you just to find that bastard."
"Why then?" asked Zoro as he crossed his arms.
Ace simply smiled and handed a piece of paper to Luffy with some text written on it, "You guys have a Den Den Mushi, right?"
Usopp nodded, "We managed to pick one up in Logue Town."
"Then you can use this to call Pops," said Ace, "he's been wanting to have a word ever since seeing the news about you and your bounties in the paper. If you could give him a call, I'm sure you won't regret it."
"So, you're still headed to Alabasta then?" asked Zoro, getting a nod from the other pirate, "Well, why not come with us? We're headed there as well."
"Is that so?" said Ace.
"Yup," said Luffy, now returning to his normal cheery attitude, "we're on our way to free the kingdom from a criminal organization."
"Well then why not?" said Ace, "I wouldn't mind hitching a ride with you guys."
"Right," said Luffy, "but first, let's party!"
xXsceneXx
The next day, the Straw Hat crew made ready to depart from Drum Kingdom. Doctrine Kureha had been injured by Wapol in the fight, but thanks to the newly reformed Isshi-20, the twenty doctors that formerly worked for Wapol, she was up and about in no time at all. While the old witch was sad to see her apprentice go, she knew that he had outgrown her and that there was nothing more she could teach him, so she sent him on his way with the best gift she could.
As the Going Merry sailed away from the island, a voice called out to them across the water, "OI CHOPPER!"
"Doctrine?" said Chopper as the crew ran to the railing.
Sure enough, the old doctor was smirking at them across the waves with her hand on her hip. Raising her right hand into the air, she snapped her fingers, and that's when it happened. Several cannons positioned on the Drum Rockies all fired off shots upwards into the clouds, causing the snow clouds above the island to be tinged pink, and as the pink flakes fell over the land, the island now resembled a large Sakura tree in full bloom.
"So, this is Sakura Kingdom," said Vivi in awe, "it's beautiful."
"Doctor Hiluluk's life work," murmured Chopper.
"I'd never thought that I'd see something like this on a winter island," said Ace with an impressed look.
As the crew sailed farther away from the island, they decided that it was now a good time to give Whitebeard a call, and so, Usopp pulled out the Den Den Mushi he had bought and punched in the number.
"Eh?" said the voice on the other end once it had connected, "Who's calling-yoi?"
"Marco," said Ace, "put Pops on the line. I got my kid brother and his crew here, and didn't the old man want to talk with them?"
"Right right, hold your horses-yoi," said the voice, and after a bit of clattering, an older, gruffer voice spoke through the snail, "Yes who is this?"
"Pops," said Ace, "It's Ace. I've got my brother here too. You said you wanted me to have him call you."
"Hiya," said Luffy, "I'm Monkey D. Luffy, the man who will be the King of the Pirates."
"Gurararara!" laughed Whitebeard across the line, "you've got spunk kid, I'll give you that, and from what I've read in the papers, you can back up those claims as well."
"Yup," said Luffy, "in fact we're on our way to free a kingdom from a criminal organization and kick the ass of the Shichibukai running said group."
"Gurararara!" laughed the Yonko again, "I like this kid, Ace. Straw Hat, how would you feel about an alliance between our two crews?"
"Does that mean I'd have to answer to you?" asked Luffy, conveniently ignoring the gasps from his crew behind him.
"Of course not," chuckled Whitebeard, "it just means my fleet would be there to aid your crew if you need it. You'd be expected to do the same for us, of course."
"Sure," said Luffy, "I mean you're not really aiming for the One Piece, so I don't see anything wrong with that."
"Gurarara," laughed Whitebeard, "I look forward to seeing you in the New World, kid."
With that, the line went dead and Luffy turned to see the looks of shock on the rest of the crew's faces…including those that had come back in time with them.
"Did you just…" began Gin before trailing off in shock.
"…make an alliance with one of the most powerful Pirate fleets in the New World?" said Nami in equal shock.
"Did any of this happen to you guys last time?" asked Nojiko in a weak voice.
"Not one bit," groaned Usopp, "Luffy didn't even meet Whitebeard until he went to rescue Ace from the Marines. Now we'll have even more dangerous guys after us."
"Well," said Zoro, "what's done is done I guess. We should be getting on our way."
"Right!" said Luffy, "Nami, set course for Alabasta! But first, Sanji! Food!"
"Right right," chuckled the blond chef as he snuffed out his cigarette in the snow on the railing, "Ace, since you're new, got any requests?"
Unfortunately, all he got in response was a loud snore, causing the crew to turn and see that the Second Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates, fast asleep while still in a standing position.
"HE'S ASLEEP?!" exclaimed the members of the crew, minus Luffy of course.
"Should've known," groaned Nami.
"Looks like narcolepsy runs in the family," chuckled Zoro.
"You don't have much grounds to talk," muttered Usopp as he remembered all the times Zoro was found sleeping during various situations.
"Wha? Whazzat?" muttered Ace as he abruptly woke up.
"Shishishi," laughed Luffy, "it's great to have you back Ace."
"I'll be in the kitchen," muttered Sanji, "make sure our Captain doesn't come in to sneak tastes or raid the fridge or I'll kick his lights out. Dinner will be ready in a bit."