Wake Up
Author's Note: Hey everyone and welcome back to Wake Up! I hope you are enjoying this so far! Not much of an author's note today! On with the fic!
Comment Shoutouts to: MrBizman, ChocoCookie24, TheSkyIsMyHome, Kamonrak_1108, HO3_4ANIMEDILFS, AveryKirigaya, Elie_Esne, HibiscusAndrew, MarinaLucci, and Crazy_Maya! Thank you all so much for leaving comments on the last chapter! They make my day so much when I see them! Thank you so so so much!
Chapter Warnings: Canon Violence
Chapter Eleven: Intertwined Paths: Toki's Wisdom
Chapter Summary: With Toki aboard the Moby Dick, Ace gets a moment to speak with her. Shanks' conflict with Teach starts to come to a head as the Moby Dick comes in contact with enemy pirates. Meanwhile, the Strawhats and the Roger Pirates have reached Yuba and a fight breaks out between Luffy and Vivi. Later, a life is on the line.
Shanks had to admit that he felt a lot more calm the second that Toki had showed up. A feeling of relief knowing that the woman was here with him and that the others would also be coming for him too.
It was dinner time and he had sat between Toki and Ace. Eating in silence as he listened to the Whitebeard Pirates and Toki catch up. There was a small moment there that felt like when he had arrived. How they kept trying to make him feel comfortable. There was also another feeling there. Knowing just how truly the Whitebeard Pirates still held that same love and care for Toki and her children all these years later. It made him happy.
He had taken a moment to excuse himself, putting his dishes away before he was heading outside. Letting the fresh air clear his mind a little bit. It was so comforting having Toki around. It took that bit of his guard that he had been keeping up down and letting him relax. Just knowing that he was in good hands.
It would be nightfall soon and the side of the ship that he was on didn't have the sun. Leaving him in the shade. He reached up, pulling his hat off of his head. The purple band with the Whitebeard Pirate's mark was still there. He had never taken the band off after that meeting with Dracule Mihawk. He frowned slightly, messing with the band, seeing the red peeking out now.
That man knew him somehow. Respect, maybe? Friends? He had asked him point blank, and he never confirmed or denied anything. One thing he had picked up on immediately was how the man seemed to care. His ankle was still slightly bruised from that incident. Mihawk had figured out who he was almost too quickly. He didn't recognize him, but he recognized him. Even being so young. Even made sure he got back to Ace and Marco with no issues. Making sure that they had not been seen. When he messed up, Mihawk helped him in the situation.
For some reason, it felt like he could put his trust into him. Ace and Marco had explained what it meant to be a Warlord. Mihawk was their enemy in more ways than one.
He paused, getting pulled out of his thoughts as he felt the hairs on the back of his neck standing and he looked up to see Teach standing there. Something about this man made him uncomfortable. He wasn't even sure what it was. Teach seemed so nice when the others were around, but for a split second, he would see it. An entire change in his demeanor and his eyes. It made him put his entire guard back up as he looked Teach in the eyes.
"What are you doing out here alone?" Teach questioned. It seemed innocent enough, but Shanks wasn't believing it.
"Just needed some fresh air." Shanks replied. He wasn't sure if Teach could tell that he put his entire guard up, but he wasn't about to let it show. Everything that Roger and Rayleigh ever taught him, he would use.
Teach chuckled for a second, putting on a fake smile. "You need to be careful." He stated, for a second his gaze changed again. "You never know what might be lurking around the corner."
Shanks hated to admit that his heart was racing. That everything in him was telling him just to head back inside. "You don't need to be concerned about me. I know how to handle myself."
Teach smirked, lifting his hand up that had Shanks pressing his back into the cabin wall. His fingers just millimeters away from touching his left eye. "Do you?"
Shanks didn't want to pick a fight. He would rather just walk away and not deal with this. He activated his Observation haki. For a second, it made his heart skip a beat. Teach was powerful. His demeanor didn't show of someone who had the power to back up his words, but there was an aura around him that put Shanks on edge. "I'm confident that I can." Shanks choose to say instead, peeking through his bangs to make eye contact with the older pirate. "Don't underestimate me."
Teach chuckled, using the same hand that he was originally taunting him with to grab the straw hat from his hand. "Don't let this Whitebeard mark fool you. Anyone could turn around and use this for their own personal gain." The anger in him spiked as he eyed his hat in Teach's hand.
"As if I would let that happen." Shanks hissed, "Give me my hat back."
Teach was still chuckling taking a few steps back as he twirled the hat in his hand. "This hat means a lot to you."
"It's my hat." Shanks growled. "Give it back."
Teach shook his head, reaching up and practically slapping the hat back onto his head before he was walking away. It felt a sour taste in Shanks' mouth as he watched Teach walk off. He was already around the corner by the time Shanks heard a soft, "Shanks-kun? Are you okay?"
He turned, looking over to see that Toki was standing at the door. He smiled, feeling all the tension leaving his body as a smile slipped onto his face. "I am." He replied.
Toki smiled as she walked over, turning to lean on the wall next to him. "Why don't you tell me a bit about what's been going on?"
Shanks sighed, looking out to the ocean. Out there somewhere right now was the Roger Pirates. Toki said they were here, now it was a waiting game. They would find him. He knew it. So for the time being, he turned to face the Wano woman and started talking about his experience so far.
X
Traveling in the desert was definitely showing its signs on everyone. The Roger Pirates had extended out their own supplies over to the Strawhats to make sure that they had everything that they needed. It was the least that they could do for helping them through this journey. Buggy was trailing behind them now. Eyes landing on Luffy's back. So, he grew up and knew this brat. Not that he could really talk, it only seemed like Captain Luffy was just a bit older than he was now. Maybe four years at most. He was a rookie from what he could tell.
Buggy had still been carrying Shanks' bag this entire time. They had been told they could live some of their belongings back on the Going Merry if they wanted to, but Buggy didn't want to risk finding Shanks and not having his bag with him. It had everything that Shanks needed inside of it.
He hated every single second of this. All of it. Why did Shanks have to get himself sent to the future? When so much could be at risk? At the same time, if was absolutely something Shanks could find himself in. Then there was the guilt that came next. The guilt that he felt knowing that it had been because of him that Shanks was even in this mess to begin with.
It almost felt like that guilt was overshadowed by the anger that he felt finding out that Shanks was the biological son of their Captain. They had both grown up on the ship together. He didn't have one memory that Shanks wasn't also a part of. It felt like it was an important piece of information that he should have known about. It looked like he was the only one aside from Oden who didn't know. Why didn't they tell him? What about that very important piece of information did it feel like they couldn't tell him. Was it because he was just a cabin boy? Just an apprentice?
That anger almost completely overshadowed any guilt and worry that he was feeling. There was a part of him wishing that they wouldn't find Shanks. A part of him wished that Shanks had just died within the time gate, or he had fallen into the ocean.
How could Shanks lie to him for all these years?
Acting as if their Captain – no his Captain – wasn't his father. They had all been lying to him. Not one of them deemed fit to tell him. Shanks was supposed to be his friend, and now all he could see was blinding rage at the mere thought of him. Yet, there was the other part that was begging to know if he was okay. If he was truly alive. That he had somehow gotten himself into a safe place. He was still so angry at him. On top of causing him to eat his Devil Fruit, losing out on treasure that could have set him for his own pirate ship, now there was this. He was furious.
They were getting close to Yuba. They would arrive at any time, and Buggy was counting the seconds. The more areas they search, the more that they would get closer to finding Shanks and being able to go home. There was one thing that he was interested in since they ended up here. He wanted to know more about himself. What he had accomplished. What kind of pirate that he was?
From what he had learned from these pirates, he was operating in the East Blue but there were a few things that they said that stuck out to him. He still had his love of treasure. He had a crew that followed him. He seemed like he was living his dream out. Though, he wasn't all the way there yet from the sounds of it. That there was still more that he was needing to accomplish. From the newspaper, he would be thirty-seven right now. He still had plenty of time to do everything he wanted. Maybe even find the One Piece for himself. All that treasure would put him at the top of the world, and it was something that he wanted. He wanted all the riches, and no one would stop him on his way there.
Not even Shanks.
Anything that Shanks could do, so could he.
He was only pulled out of his thoughts by a hand landing on his shoulder. He looked up, seeing Rayleigh looking down at him with a soft smile. "You good, Buggy?"
Buggy huffed, rolling his eyes as he looked back out at the desert sand. "I'm fine. If we don't find that red-haired bastard soon, I'll kill him myself."
Rayleigh chuckled for a second, shaking his head. "You two have one of the strangest relationships I have ever seen."
Buggy's frown deepened as he crossed his arms, huffing as he looked away. "So what?" He snarled. "It's not my fault that he's a moron."
"Didn't you say you were the who pushed him?" Rayleigh shot back.
Buggy felt the vein pop out in his head as he gritted his teeth and looked over to the First Mate. "He rarely ever falls, and he chooses that moment to fall?!"
Rayleigh shrugged. "Shanks is actually quite clumsy. You just never notice since you've always been the one who made sure he didn't fall." Buggy paused, looking up at the man for a moment. Rayleigh wasn't looking down at him anymore, instead looking out at the sand.
"You have to be lying to me." Buggy grumbled. "There's no way."
Rayleigh shrugged. "Maybe you just don't notice since it's just what the two of you always do. You have each other's backs even when you are both at each other's throats."
Buggy growled, letting his nails dig into his palms as he balled his fists. "He lied to me."
Rayleigh sighed. A small sound like he knew what Buggy was going to say. "I know that the news about who Shanks' parents are came as a shock to you, but we didn't tell you because to them… you are also their son. It's easier as a parent to hide your child instead of letting their existence be known and possibly used against you." Buggy looked to the ground, shaking his head as he felt the anger going through him a bit more. Rayleigh's words only seemed to be making his mood worse. He stopped as he felt Rayleigh's hand land on his shoulder. "It was Shanks who didn't want to tell you. He never lied to you about it. He can't lie if you don't ask. He didn't want to tell you because he didn't want to make you feel like you were less in Roger's eyes."
Buggy just huffed, pushing Rayleigh's hand off of his shoulder before he was marching ahead. He would rather stick by Luffy instead of the others in that moment.
X
They had set sail almost immediately after receiving the message from Mihawk. It all started to make sense. The intense headaches. The ache in his arm. The strange dreams he had been having whenever he was able to close his eyes. The younger him being in the future was changing time as they knew it. Even if it was just small interactions. Part of him was glad that Ace had been the one who his younger self found. Knowing that Whitebeard couldn't and wouldn't let anything happen to him.
It also meant there would be more repercussions. From Mihawk's explanation, the him who came into the future wasn't the one from after Captain Roger's execution, but the one from before. His age alone told him that.
Which meant, it wouldn't just be him who would make the journey through time.
It would be all of them.
The seas were about to turn upside down.
Yet, somehow, it brought a smile to his face.
He had no fears that his younger self wasn't safe or that something would happen. His fear resided in the fact he knew what he would do. Especially meeting Ace. There had been many times he questioned why Rouge had passed. If the rumors had been true that Gol D. Roger had a child before his death, only for nothing to be found to confirm it. It had been stuck in his mind for years before Ace's first bounty poster came out. Giving him all the answers that he needed to know.
If he didn't get to himself quickly, he was almost positive that he would make a decision that he would go in search of Ace. So many things could go wrong. Emotions flaring. There was even the thought in his mind that he could go back in time and give up his own identity just to protect Ace and Rouge. That he could go in search of Rouge on Baterilla to find her and Ace before Garp did.
If this happened, many different possibilities could occur.
Shanks was standing on the deck. Looking out to the sea with a new determination. He wasn't standing there alone for long before Benn walked up beside him, cigarette in hand. While his First Mate didn't look at him, he did address him almost immediately, "Do you really think you'll be able to stop him from doing anything?"
Shanks knew exactly who Benn was referring to. It wasn't a hard guess. He sighed, shaking his head, "I know myself and I know how stubborn I can be."
"Yourself will be blinded with guilt." Benn replied. "I think trying to reason with him will be futile."
"Maybe." Shanks hummed, turning, and leaning against the rail. "Any decision I possibly could make can drastically change life as we know it."
Benn took a puff from his cigarette, releasing out the smoke a second later as he sat down on a nearby crate. "Would it really be so bad?" Benn questioned. It was an innocent question, and Benn knew what could possibly being going through Shanks' head in that moment. "We can see all the negatives, but there is always the slim chance that there would be a positive." It was odd for Benn to actually be bringing it up. He could only guess that Benn was trying to probe his thoughts to see what he truly wanted to do when they arrived.
Shanks smiled for a moment. "I know." He whispered. "I don't think I can risk it. Even though I've had all those thoughts for years. Why our mother had to die? Why she died. It had taken seventeen years for me to get that answer. I missed everything with Ace, but I can't risk wanting to change his life. He had his own life. Protection. As much as I used to wish it was different, I knew wishing I could change the past would never be an option." He sighed, shaking his head, "I don't know how this is happening and I don't even understand why I wouldn't remember something like this. There had always been that thought the rumors I heard were true, but when nothing was found… I relented and went on with my life. There was a reason she didn't tell me, but I still never got to say goodbye."
This wasn't something that he liked to talk about and only a handful of the Red Hair Pirates actually knew about it. Through the corner of his eye, he could see Benn smile. "I know, Shanks." The older man stated, turning his head to look out to the sea. "We can't live in a world of what ifs. It happened and we can't change that. Even if we have the chance too."
Shanks let out a shaky breath, shaking his head. He could feel the emotions getting the better of him, "So much could go wrong if I allowed it." He muttered, "Say, even if it worked out, Ace wouldn't know Luffy. Their brotherhood would be gone. I may have not formed the Red Hair Pirates and met all of you." He shook his head again. He hated the thought. The thought that everything could change. He loved his life. Even if he and Ace didn't know each other, they both had lives. Both had bonds they held close. He couldn't risk it. Even if he wanted too.
Mihawk had departed from them with the promise that the Marines would never hear about this from him. Shanks had no concerns. There was no possibly way that Mihawk would hand over that information. Not when it came to him.
X
"Fleet Admiral, sir!" Sengoku turned, watching the approaching Marine soldier dashing down the hall towards him. The panicked look on his face was enough to catch Sengoku's attention completely.
"What is it?" Sengoku questioned.
The Marine stopped, huffing as he kneeled over to catch his breath. "We've just received word that yonko Red-Haired Shanks is moving in for a meeting with yonko Whitebeard, Edward Newgate!"
Sengoku's eyes widened for a moment before he was gritting his teeth. "What did you just say?!" He sucked in a deep breath, shaking his head, "And you're positive that Red-Haired Shanks is heading for Whitebeard?"
The solider nodded. "Yes, Fleet Admiral sir. We confirmed it by tracking the Red Force. Their ship is heading straight for Whitebeard territory and the last known location of the Moby Dick."
This was not good. Not at all. What could Shanks possibly want with Whitebeard? Something that was important enough that they would be holding a physical meeting with one another face to face. This was something that he would need to notify the Gorosei of immediately. This was huge. Shanks and Whitebeard were two of the most peaceful, yet strongest and most notorious pirates on the sea. If these two managed to get in contact with one another, and without a clear resolve of their plans, who knew how the balance of the seas would play out. Both had massive fleets under their command. Even if Shanks did operate mostly in the shadows. Laying back and observing.
There was also another major issue.
Shanks was not the pirate they wanted to pick a fight with. They learned that pretty quickly. Now much his anger could demolish the seas as they knew it. Whitebeard was on the same level when it came to anger. Though, only one of them held the word of the Gorosei wanting to keep one of them completely content.
If these two allied with each other, if that was what this meeting was about, they would be considerably outnumbered. This was beyond worrisome. Life on the seas could change as they know it. Whitebeard's crew was known for, while being peaceful, running wild. Shanks' stayed quiet. Making their power known without having to get involved. Just the presence of these two men alone was enough to make any man quake in their boots. Hearing their names. Whitebeard especially. His track record had enough to make his very name be something to spook another.
They had two unspoken rules.
Don't mess with the Whitebeard Pirates.
Don't anger Red-Haired Shanks.
How could they do this without possibly causing a stir?
They had to do something.
"What should we do, sir?" The soldier questioned.
"For now, send out a fleet to block the two away from one another." Sengoku ordered. The more he thought about it, the more he did not like these odds. The more he hated what could come from this.
"Yes, sir. Fleet Admiral, sir!"
Sengoku huffed, thanking the soldier for notifying him before he started for his office. He was going to have to request his meeting with the Gorosei. See what the best course of action would be.
A part of him almost would rather deal with Gol D. Roger again.
X
It almost felt as if they were the Red Hair Pirates at this point. Whitebeard had announced not long after the arrival of Toki and Oden's retainers, that there would be a banquet in their honor. A large party that would be thrown. Izou and his sister were practically glued to each other, spending almost the entire time speaking to each other since their arrival.
Shanks had also stuck close to Toki. Momonosuke and Hiyori were running around with the Whitebeard Pirates that they recognized.
He felt so out of place. This woman was Kozuki Toki. The wife of the Second Division Commander before him. Kozuki Oden. Ace could recall exactly how that conversation went when he found out what happened to Oden and how angry that he felt knowing that someone his nakama – his family – treasured would be killed in the way that he was. Protecting the same men and women who were standing with them now. He couldn't even imagine not knowing that his loved ones were going to die within a few years of what they knew.
His gaze had fallen onto Shanks, where he was fast asleep with Momo and Hiyori. The two children practically clinging to the red head. He had watched them play most of the day. Seeing how great Shanks truly was with children. There was that ping of wonder that hit him hard. What it could possibly be like to know that feeling for himself. Momonosuke looked shy at first but the second he recognized someone; he had opened up. Especially around Shanks.
When it had came time for them to talk about the events leading up to Toki's arrival, Shanks had taken it upon himself to watch the children, playing with them with a smile on his face.
Ace hated the fact that he wished he had that. That he knew what it was like to have his elder brother around. Though, if he did, he never would have met Luffy. He never would have known Dadan, who was the only woman he could even classify as the closest thing to a mother that he had.
He hadn't heard a word of what was said between the newcomers and his nakama. He had been so lost in his thoughts, sitting there, and picking at his nails as he tried to keep his mind off of it. He knew he was selfish and the reason that he was wanting to protect Shanks so much was because of Luffy. It felt selfish that there wasn't that feeling that he wanted to protect Shanks because they were brothers. Sure, they shared blood and he cared for him, but they didn't truly know much about each other. He was learning more now than he did within the small time frame that he had been with this time's Shanks. It made him want to know more about him. It felt almost impossible now. They were brothers but apart of rival crews. There wasn't much he could do there. If he was spotted going in search of the Red Hair Pirates, all eyes would be on him. Wondering if there were alternative motives to their meet up.
He had also seen the way that Toki and Shanks reacted to each other. Toki had been acting very motherly to Shanks ever since she stepped foot on the deck. Sure, Dadan was the closest thing he had to a mom, but she had never been like that to him. At least, what he could recall. He was just a feral child of the woods of Mount Colubo.
The party was in full swing now. Dinner already being done, and the drinks being pulled out.
Ace sat back with his tankard in hand, finally deciding to look up now and actually speak to his peers. He had been left in a state of confusion within the last day that he just wasn't sure what to do at this point. Toki had given them confirmation that she knew the others were here which meant he was here.
Ace had no idea if he was ready for it.
With Shanks being with them, he would have no choice but to come face to face with the man himself.
Out of everything, he wasn't sure if that was the one thing he was truly prepared for. He didn't know what he would say or do the second he saw him. What could possibly happen. Hell, there was no chance in hell that Roger would recognize him. Roger had died over a year before he was actually born. There were so many questions that he had, but there was also that pint up rage that was bubbling to be set free. After going so long thinking his very existence was cursed. Bad blood. Hearing many things about Roger, even if he refused to stand for it happening in his presence, he didn't have any idea what he could say to him.
There was one thing he was sure of.
That he would never truly be prepared for it. Truly prepared to meet the man that was responsible for his existence in this world.
Even through all of this, what would come out of all of this? His very identity was on the line. He had been keeping his parentage a secret for so long, only letting a select few know who he really was. He felt like there was going to come to the point that he wasn't going to be able to hide it. That he would have no choice but to come clean to everyone. He knew that Roger didn't have a good track record with many people in the world.
He didn't know if he was ready for people to actually know. He didn't even like the fact that Luffy knew. He had told Whitebeard out of respect, not knowing how the man was going to react. There could be that chance that no one reacted badly, but there was also that chance that everyone would hate his very existence.
It was not a situation he ever wanted to be in.
Maybe he could get out of this without seeing Roger's face. Without actually meeting the man.
As if.
Knowing his luck, he would run right into the man.
"Ace?" The soft voice pulled him out of his thoughts, and he looked up to see Toki standing in front of him. A gentle smile on her face. She motioned towards the spot next to him, giving him the best smile it looked like she could muster. "Can I sit?"
Ace nodded, straightening his back, "Yeah, of course."
Toki was still smiling as she turned and took a seat next to him, looking out towards where the others were away from them. Ace had purposely picked a spot away from others. He just wasn't in the mood to socialize at the moment. He wasn't going to tell Toki to leave him alone. That would be ill mannered of him. He didn't know this woman, but she was the wife of a former Division Commander. She deserved his respect. Especially after the things the others had told him about her.
"I know you don't know me, but Shanks already speaks so highly of you." Ace paused at Toki's words. She wasn't looking at him, but at where Shanks and her children were fast asleep. That soft smile remained. A second later, she turned her head to look at him. It practically made his heart stop as she muttered out her next words, "You can't be faulted for what you feel. He knows, Ace."
"He…" Toki hummed, nodding as Ace felt the guilt slip onto his face. He gritted his teeth as he placed down his tankard, moving to place his head in his hands. "He wasn't supposed to know that. He must think that I'm some sort of monster."
"Why would he think that?" Toki questioned, "He told me everything, Ace." She paused as Ace forced himself to look up. Eyeing the woman for a second. That smile still never faltered. Ace didn't know what to expect. He was expecting some sort of scolding whenever she spoke about Shanks. Ever since she arrived, she seemed almost overly protective of him. Checking him over herself for any possible injuries, making sure that he had eaten dinner that night. Everything that Ace figured a mother would do. "You see, I notice a lot more than most people think. Especially after I became a mother. I started noticing things. They were so small. Something that you wouldn't be able to notice right away. I think it's how they are able to get away with it."
Ace had to admit, he was intrigued. He wanted to know more. He was almost positive that he knew what Toki was talking about. He let his gaze move from Toki, over to Shanks now. His eyes were concealed by his hat and Momo and Hiyori were using his body as a pillow. It reminded him of the nights back in the forest. When him, Luffy, and Sabo would be fast asleep on the floor of their tree house. "You know?" He whispered.
Toki made a noise of confirmation as she reached over and placed her hand over Ace's. "He confirmed it for me. He looked so proud to be able to say it. I think it had been so long since he had actually admitted to it that he was excited to be able to express who his parents are. Oden-sama and I both believed Shanks and Buggy were both orphans."
Ace felt the anger hit him. People who were supposed to be Roger's nakama didn't even know about the two of them. That Shanks had to confirm it for her. "He—"
He wasn't even able to get it out before he realized that Toki was looking at him again. It was a calculating look. That smile that she had remained which had all the anger in him disappearing. "You can't blame either of them for it. They are both in dangerous positions. More so for Shanks." She paused for a second, laughing slightly as she shook her head, "Maybe it's also about Buggy. Sometimes it's hard to tell what is going on with all of them. Could have had me fooled if I didn't notice those small things. I've also noticed them with you. Shanks isn't the only person. He told me a bit of who you are."
"What are you trying to say?" Ace questioned. He was confused. He wasn't sure what Toki was trying to get at here. Maybe it was the fact that he wasn't the best at reading people, but she was being so gentle with her words. Like she wasn't trying to overstep.
Toki looked back over at him, tilting her head slightly and moving some of her hair back over her shoulder, "He overheard that conversation between you and Marco." She stated, "He doesn't hold that against you. You are allowed to be concerned over the people you care about. Shanks is connected to your brother, right?" Ace nodded, unsure of what to say to her again. "So, I guess, I'm trying to say… don't blame yourself for feeling like you need to protect your past. You can't change the past, but in this case… I think there might be that chance."
Ace nodded, looking down at his hands. "Toki-san… what do you think I should do?"
The woman hummed. "It's not for me to decide." She said after a moment. "The question is, what do you want? You keep thinking about others, but what about you?"
Ace froze. Honestly. He didn't know.
He didn't think about it that way. He had been so focused on making sure that Shanks remained safe and unknown to the world and about Luffy that he never took into account of himself.
Either way, it made a smile come to his face.
X
It was nightfall by the time they got to Yuba. The one thing that Roger realized immediately upon getting there was majorly wrong. He didn't even have to set a foot into the town to realize something was terribly wrong about the place.
It was abandoned.
Except for one person.
The Roger Pirates hung back, watching the exchange between a man named Toto and Vivi. Roger could feel Vivi's heart shattering. It was written all over her face. The mission that they came to accomplish in Yuba had failed. The Rebel Army that were supposed to be here but had already moved onto another town.
Roger couldn't imagine what pain that young woman must be going through. Seeing her country tearing apart at the seams. She was a true leader in his eyes. She had so much compassion and loyalty to her people. It wasn't something that he saw often. At least among his time.
It had been decided that they would be staying the night in the deserted town.
He had used his Observation haki the second they had gotten here and had seen no signs that Shanks had been here. He doubted that if he had been here that he would have stayed for very long. Not with a way to get no water or even food here. He would have moved on quickly to a new location. His fear was, if Shanks was in Arabasta, that he was unconscious somewhere in the desert from dehydration and exposure. The clothes that he had been wearing would not be proper for travel within a desert.
Roger would not lose faith in where Shanks could possibly be. He would stop at nothing to find him. It would remain the same even if Shanks wasn't his son. If they had no relation to each other. Shanks was a Roger Pirate. A part of his crew. That meant that he would do anything in the world to make sure that he was safe and well taken care of.
All they could do for the night as settle in and get some more sleep.
The next morning when they woke up, they were preparing to leave. Toto had gifted water that he had managed to get out of the sand to Luffy. They all still had a long way to go. The Roger Pirates had gone through Yuba that night just as precaution to make sure that they weren't missing anything, and Roger was confident that Shanks had never been here. Toto didn't seem to see any sign of Shanks being here and since he was the only one left, he would have been the only person Shanks could have spoken too.
Upon leaving, it had came as a surprise to him when Luffy had suddenly sat down by a near by palm tree. Leaning back with his arms crossed behind his head. It had caused all of them to stop as Usopp yelled out, "Hey, Luffy?! What are you doing over there?!"
Luffy frowned, closing his eyes as everyone started to question what he was doing. Roger hummed, looking at Luffy and over at Vivi. "Luffy?" Nami tried.
"Is everything alright?" Vivi questioned last.
After a moment, Luffy looked up and said, "I quit."
It brought the shock and confusion to all the Strawhats. Even some of the Roger Pirates looked confused at the sudden change of heart that Luffy was showing. Roger wasn't so sure about that. Luffy didn't seem like the type of person who would just up and quit something. Just from the little bit of time that they had been together. There was more to this. He was sure of it. The Strawhats had started to question Luffy's words. Sanji jumping in to mention the people of Arabasta if they didn't get back to the location where the Rebel Army was.
When Sanji had approached Luffy, going to grab him from the front of his shirt with, "Let's go." Luffy just merely grabbed his arm and threw him to the side. Sending the cook face first into the sand. Which in turn, immediately had the anger showing on Sanji's face. "What is wrong with you?!"
Luffy moved his gaze over to Vivi. Looking at the princess with a stoic look on his face as he said, "Vivi, all I want to do right now is kick Crocodile's ass. You understand?" There was a tone to his voice that even had Roger interested in what he was going to be saying. "Maybe we can stop the people from starting a rebellion, but that won't stop Crocodile. Besides, we won't be able to accomplish anything in Katorea." Roger recognized the name. It only took him a moment to realize what Luffy was getting at already. Instead of heading for the Rebel Army, he wanted to go after the source of the issue. "We're pirates. Everyone knows they are better off without us around."
"You have to admit, he has a way of getting straight to the point when he really wants to." Sanji stated as Luffy had paused speaking for a moment.
"Well, yeah, not often." Usopp added.
Vivi looked taken back as she stared down at Luffy, shaking her head, "What?! That's not true."
"You want it to work out where nobody dies in this fight. Isn't that right, Vivi?" Luffy questioned. That serious tone was still there. This seriousness had not been something he had seen with Luffy the entire time. It was a nice change. It also showed that Luffy did have a level of maturity that a Captain needed. He had no questions to why this boy was the Captain of this crew. He obviously had the respect of his crew, but he also was showing that he could be serious when he needed to be. It brought a smile to Roger's face. It reminded him of, well, him. "None of the citizens. None of us either. We are up against one of the seven Warlords of the Sea and a million of your own people on top of that and you still want everyone to end up all safe and sound." Roger had a feeling about where Luffy was taking this. It was one of the things that seemed to be holding Vivi back. Her kindness and compassion were main things for her it seemed. She wanted no harm to come to her people. While it was something anyone in a leadership role would want, it was a farfetched dream. Roger didn't see an outcome where people didn't lose their lives in this situation. "You'll never win that way."
Luffy's words were angering Vivi. Roger could see it all over her face. It wasn't something she wanted to hear, but it was something she needed to hear. Roger could feel his respect for Luffy going up.
Nami had been the one to speak first, "C'mon, Luffy, can't you try to show Vivi a bit of sympathy?!"
Sanji had reached out, stopping Nami from approaching Luffy, muttering, "Wait, hold on, Nami."
"For what?!" Nami snapped back.
It was clear that the anger had gotten to Vivi as she ripped off the hood of her cloak, "What's wrong with that?! What is so wrong about not wanting to see people die or get hurt?!" There was nothing wrong with it, it was just an impossible thing. Something that couldn't happen in this case. Still, Roger could sympathize with her. Roger would love to see all the innocent people of the world being left unharmed and untouched. It was just a dream that could never be achieved. Though it was obvious to him now that Luffy was right in his thought process. Vivi wanted to speak to the Rebel Army to get them to stop the war on Arabasta, but their main source of the issue was Crocodile. It wouldn't matter if they did stop the Rebel Army, they had to stop Crocodile if they truly wanted to save this country. Vivi's compassion for her country and people was overshadowing it all.
"Cause people die. That's why." Was all Luffy said in return. It angered Vivi even more.
Rouge had came up next to Roger, the empathy on her face as she shook her head. "C'mon, Vivi. See what he is talking about." She whispered.
Roger's eyes widened as he watched Vivi's hand connect with Luffy's cheek as the denials flew from her mouth. "Stop talking like that! I won't listen to it! Say that again and I will really hurt you!" Vivi's anger had taken complete control. Roger sighed. She would see it. Hopefully. "That's the point of what we're doing! No one here in Arabasta, the Rebel Army, or the Royal Army are to blame for this! None of them have done anything wrong! Why should any of them have to pay for what's happened!? Every last bit of it is Crocodile's fault!"
Roger's gaze moved from Vivi over to Luffy. The Captain was pushing himself off of the ground, his anger showing clear on his face as he moved forward, and his fist connected with Vivi's cheek. Also sending her to the ground. Roger blinked. Well, this was unexpected. "So, you are saying it's only alright for you to die?!"
Roger saw it all now. He didn't even think of Vivi wanting to sacrifice herself completely for this cause. "Oh, Vivi." Rouge whispered.
"They both have points." Rayleigh stated. "Now, it's to see if Vivi can get out of that mindset."
The fight was leaving a mixture of shock and anger among the Strawhats as Usopp yelled out in concern, "Luffy, you've gone too far!"
"Damnit, Luffy!" Sanji also shouted in anger.
Vivi had lurched forward, shoving Luffy to the ground on his back with a fist raised in the air. She only stopped short as Luffy hissed out, "Just being in this country for one day and taking a look around… even I can tell!"
Within seconds Vivi's fists were coming down on Luffy's face with each word she started to say. "Tell what?!"
"You think that just putting your life on the line will stop this from happening?!" Luffy snapped.
"Well, what else exactly should I be putting on the line?!" Vivi shouted back. She continued to shout before Luffy reached out, grabbing the woman's wrists, and forcing her to stop before she muttered out, "I have nothing else that I can put on the line. Just me."
Luffy threw Vivi off of him, looking her square in the eye as he shouted, "You could at least put all of our lives on the line together!" There was a determination in his voice now as Roger's face broke back out into a smile. This kid was certainly something else. He knew now why he wore that straw hat. What Shanks must have seen in him. "Aren't we friends, huh?!" Luffy's words had immediately made Vivi stop completely, tears coming to her eyes. "We are friends, right?" He whispered, reaching over, and picking up the hat that had fallen from his head. "There… now you see. Now you understand." Even Roger was getting a bit more understanding for this young lady as she kneeled over, the tears streaming down her face. "You can't cry. I know how much you hate this. You want to get Crocodile the most. Luffy stood up, placing his hat back on his head after it was free of the sand, looking out at the desert, "Now tell me, where can I find Crocodile?!"
He had watched the change come to Vivi's face. The way that everything changed in that split second. Roger laughed slightly, crossing his arms as he looked down at Buggy to see his eyes had widened and his mouth had dropped open. "All that… all that for a friend?" He whispered.
"You don't turn your back on your friends, Buggy. You are there to help them when they need it." Roger stated. "The bonds that you carry over these seas can last for a lifetime. No matter what happens between someone, they always have someone they can rely on. Just like you do, Buggy."
Buggy gritted his teeth, curling his hand into his fist as he looked away. "I could care less what happens to him."
Roger felt the fond smile come to his face. That wasn't the truth. Roger knew it.
He turned his attention back to the Strawhats, seeing them changing their plans from heading to Katorea to head to where Crocodile was located. It had been decided that they would be heading to the Rainbase. A day's journey from where they currently were.
"Well, you heard them." Roger stated, "Looks like we are heading to Rainbase."
As the others went to move out, heading for the direction of Rainbase, Roger stayed behind for a moment, pulling Shanks' vivre card from his pocket. It was still fighting in two different directions. It was hard to tell where it wanted to go. Which meant that Shanks was still out there somewhere. There was no burning on the card. No signs of injury that would be causing him to lose his life. It was enough to assure him that Shanks was safe for the time being.
X
He didn't stay in Nanohana long. He had stopped long enough to get supplies, gain some more information from a few of the Revolutionaries that were in Arabasta before he back on the back of his bird and had started into the skies. There was a Rebellion going on this country and he didn't believe that there was a reason for Rouge to get involved so it had to be something else.
The restaurant owner had mentioned a boy she was looking for.
He was sure there was another person from the past within the world now. He just didn't know who.
He did have information that the leader behind Baroque Works was Sir Crocodile. They had been keeping an eye on Arabasta for a while now.
There was also another factor at play. Straw Hat Luffy was involved somehow. They had been keeping an eye on him too. Dragon had an interest in him. Even going as far as to go to Loguetown when the Strawhats were present there. Sabo had been with him. It was the first time he had seen him, but there was something so familiar about him. Sabo couldn't place it, but he was also in Arabasta from what he could find. Gaining the attention of Smoker, the Marine, who had followed him all the way from Loguetown.
There were so many events going on all at once.
Going through a quick deduction of the events of Nanohana, Sabo was confident that Rainbase would be the best place to look for Rouge. He wasn't interested in stopping whatever brought her hear, but he did need to get recon on how a dead pirate was in the future. His intel had showed that Rouge had made contact with Straw Hat and then wasn't seen again. His best guess would be, she was with him. If he somehow ended up in the future, he would want to find someone who knew the time and could be trusting. Dragon seemed to think Straw Hat Luffy was a good person. Especially from his actions in the East Blue so far. Sabo was sure that's where Rouge would be. Instead of checking the desert, he would skip straight for Rainbase. Where Crocodile resided.
He pulled out the bounty poster of Straw Hat Luffy. Which he had acquired from his informant. He had a strange feeling. Like something in his mind was trying to tell him something but couldn't. Maybe he would take a detour if he couldn't find Rouge just yet and speak to Luffy himself.
He was curious to know more about this pirate.
X
The next day was not uneventful as Shanks heard the announcement of, "Approaching enemy ship!" Which immediately had Ace shoving Shanks into the seclusion of the cabin. He had been forced to stay hidden within the confines for the entire day. He spent most of his time within Ace's quarters. Preferring just to stay in there and read up a bit of the current events of the world from the newspapers that Ace had in there. He had to wait for Ace to tell him to come out again.
Thatch's division had been sent out to handle it, but Ace had gone to give them back up. He wasn't told who the enemy was or what was actually happening. He didn't want to give Ace a reason to be angry at him again. He already messed up a few times, he wanted to keep it as calm as possible for the time being. Ace definitely showed a bit more of Rouge's anger than that of Roger's. Surprisingly, he didn't see all that much of Roger in Ace. There were a few glimmers, but the rest was all Rouge.
It was close to sundown before Ace had came to get him. It had given Shanks plenty of time to go through all the newspapers. Even start in a book that Ace had. He was beyond bored, and the excitement went through him as he came out. Toki and the others had spent their time in the dining hall. Allowing the children to play. He could have, but he didn't want to. After the day before, he wanted to be alone.
Teach's words had him weary. Like something was going to happen.
The deck was covered in loot. Thatch was standing there going through it and Ace had returned back to his spot where the Second Division was. Shanks made eye contact with Teach for just one moment before he was looking away to see what Thatch was doing.
Toki and the others were also back on the deck. Marco was preoccupied with helping her with the children, so Shanks chose to walk over to where Ace was. Ace smiled at him, slapping him on the back as he looked back at Thatch just as Thatch said, "Hey, Ace, look at this."
Shanks looked over, seeing a Devil Fruit in Thatch's hand. He blinked. It looked familiar to him. He just wasn't sure which one it was. "Is that a Devil Fruit?" Ace questioned, shocked for a moment. "It's shocking to see it just in a treasure chest."
"Devil fruits are really valuable. They can go for a lot if you find the right person." Shanks stated, for a moment, thinking back to when he told Buggy how much he thought he could get for the Bara Bara no Mi. Well, before everything went downhill. A huge issue with Devil Fruits was eating one without the knowledge of which it could be. They didn't know which one they had when Buggy ate it until after. When Roger decided to go looking into information about it. Roger had possession of a book with all the known Devil Fruits and their powers. Shanks had read the book more times than one at this point. It was really interesting seeing all the different ones. There was something about this one that was bugging him.
He stopped as he felt the shiver go down his spine and he looked over to see the shock on Teach's face before it quickly warped into nothing short of a sinister grin. It set every alarm bell in his mind off. He reached out, going for Ace's arm before he stopped. What if they didn't believe him? He wasn't one of them. Sure, they were ensuring his safety, but this was different. Teach was a nakama. Shanks turned his gaze back to the Devil Fruit.
Teach wanted the Devil Fruit. It was the only thing that came to mind for him.
He reached out, grabbing Ace's wrist, bringing his brother's attention to him. "What is it?"
His heart was racing as he leaned in, muttering, "Don't trust him."
Ace gave him a confused look, looking over his shoulder at Teach before looking back at Shanks, "What's going on?"
Shanks shook his head. "Something's wrong." Shanks couldn't be sure what exactly Teach wanted, but it seemed like the only possible reason to see that look on Teach's face. Thatch was looking at him now and so was Teach.
"You're spooking yourself, Little Red." Teach stated. It made Shanks' stomach curl.
Shanks glared. "Maybe." He muttered before looking away. This didn't sit right with him. He shook it off for the time being. In favor of helping out the Whitebeard Pirates with starting to take what they had looted down to their storage. No matter what he tried. That feeling would not go away.
X
It was well into the night and Shanks still couldn't shake the feeling. It was keeping him up. Sitting on Ace's bed, he flipped through the book in front of him. Not caring to actually read what was on the pages. According to Ace, whoever found a Devil Fruit among the crew got to decide what to do with it. If they would eat it, give it away, sell it.
Something about the look Teach had made him wonder exactly what the fruit was. He stood up, going over to the desk, and pulling out a writing utensil and paper, starting to sketch out the fruit. He had almost completed the drawing when it hit him.
Yami Yami no Mi.
The Dark Dark fruit. It held the power of darkness. It was a logia type, but it wasn't the same as the others. It was unique if he remembered right. Thatch and Ace both had no clue what the fruit was when they found it. Shanks grabbed his drawing and started for the door.
He had to find Thatch. It would give Thatch more of a choice if he wanted to eat it or not. From what he could remember, it was powerful but there was still that feeling he had.
It only started to get worse as he rushed through the halls, heading to where he learned Thatch usually was around this time.
When he got around the corner, gasped as his feet slipped out from underneath him. He managed to get his hands out in front of him to catching himself. His hip hit the floor as his foot slipped out from underneath him completely. He froze as he felt liquid against his hands. He looked down, air catching in his throat as his eyes landed on Thatch. Laying face down on the floor, covered in his own blood.
He lifted his hands, noticing how they were shaking. Covered in blood from where he had caught himself. "Commander Thatch?" He questioned.
He was almost scared that he wouldn't get an answer back. A second later, Thatch wheezed. "Little Red?"
It almost felt like a sense of relief as he screamed out, "Oh seas!" He moved forward, getting to his knees and checking over Thatch's body. Finding a stab wound to his back. "What happened?" He could hear the panic in his own voice, "There's so much blood. Oh my God." Was he even breathing right now? He ripped the sash off of his waist, moving to press his hands over the stab wound to put pressure on it.
"Teach… it was Teach." Thatch muttered, each word breaking through a breath he was trying to take. "He took the fruit."
"Don't talk, Commander Thatch." Shanks muttered. "You're losing a lot of blood." He looked up, looking around for any signs of well, anyone. He needed to get someone to Thatch but he needed to get pressure on the wound if he had any hope of making sure someone got to Thatch in time. How could he alert someone to get here in time? He could try calling for help. The halls were pretty much empty when he went through them, and this room was pretty far from the cabins where people slept. He wasn't sure if they would be able to hear him.
Thatch moved his hand, gaining Shanks' attention back. He's never had to face something like this before. Thatch was somewhat of a friend now. He's never had blood on his hands like this. He could see Thatch's face, the way his eyes widened. "Shanks, run."
Seconds later, he felt the hairs on the back of his neck standing. He turned to see Teach standing there. Devil Fruit in hand and a gun in the other. He could feel all the anger bubbling through him now. "What the hell are you doing?! He's supposed to be your nakama!"
Teach cackled, that mask he had been wearing long gone. "I have my reason I was here for. Now it's time to go." Teach stated. Shanks glared as the gun was leveled with his forehead, pressing into his skin. "And you are my ticket to getting the rest of what I want."
Shanks wasn't going to get out of this unscathed. He knew that much. What he could do was at least made sure someone found Thatch.
He did the only thing he could think of.
Activated his Conqueror's Haki.