They Don't Know About Us

Author's Note: Hey everyone and welcome back to They Don't Know About Us! I do hope that you are enjoying this fic! Thank you all for all the comments and kudos! I really do appreciate them all!

So, this story was originally just supposed to be told from Ace's POV, but yeah… that didn't happen xD we've been through an Ace arc, a Shanks arc, and now we are moving in Mihawk's! I hope you are enjoying what I'm doing here and if there is anything you might want to see, let me know down below! I'm always welcome to suggestions! Honestly, Shanks' arc happened because I was personally in a bad place mentally and going through a lot at the time and I was self-reflecting onto Shanks during the entire arc. If I could go back and redo it, I absolutely would and I would just scratch off the entire last twenty or so chapters, but that is so unfair to everyone who has stuck it out with me this far.

For Teach, I kept thinking like I could just kill him off, but I had already done that with using Ace, but it also felt wrong to just have him be revived to help with one fight just to die again. I also wanted to do something with Shanks to have him regain everything that he had before and honestly, the last chapter I was content with. It seemed like the best route. I hope you enjoyed it!

Just a random thing: LuLaw is still getting their spin off! The MarAce prequel will be orked on again, but I might also do a sequel of the events following this fic. The MiShanks prequel is also going to go ahead. Honestly, at this point, I love this family dynamic so much and I don't really care much of "more? Really?" It's my world and I just keep expanding or doing alternates xD as long as if one person reads, I'll continue xD but I do this mostly for myself because it's self-indulgent of basically wanting to do a Momma Shanks fic where he's Ace's Omega father and that's how this started xD I'm not even sorry xD

Anyway, enough of my rambling!

On with the fic!

Chapter Warnings: Mentions of Character Death

Comment Shoutouts: TheAlien20,

Chapter Forty-Seven: Start of Something New (by the HSM Cast)

Chapter Summary: As the pirates are set to return to Sabaody, Mihawk has been hit by a revelation that his mother is alive. Shanks is concerned about his future with Mihawk. Later, Whitebeard takes a moment to speak to Luca.

Stunned was a complete understatement. Mihawk was in a state of shock that he had never found himself in before. His mother was… alive. How could that be possible? Mihawk felt like he couldn't breathe for the moment before he shook his head and brought himself back to reality. The woman who brought him into this world was out there somewhere. Somewhere alive and breathing.

"You're sure?" Mihawk found himself questioning, his voice almost inaudible as Luca even looked surprised.

The other Alpha nodded, "If she had ever passed on, even for a moment, there would be a trace of her within the afterlife or within the Middle. She has never been there. Her soul has never left her physical body."

There were so many things going through Mihawk's head. So many questions. Many emotions. He couldn't even explain them. He was sure it was written all over his face at that moment. Everything had felt like it might just be falling back into place, and then he was hit with this curve ball from a moment of curiosity.

Shanks had seen their little girl. His father. His maternal grandmother. People who were significant to him that had passed on. People who had direct or indirect influences on his life.

Mihawk had seen his father and his daughter. His father being the person who had made his existence possible, and the little girl they never got to meet. That was until Luca sent the both of them into that purgatory.

He had came out with more questions than just seeing people he never would have thought to meet.

There was a moment that his instincts flared. Screaming at him to try and find her. If the stories about how she was as a mother were true, something would have to physically stop her from finding him. It made him so sick to his stomach to think about it. It was because of what happened to them that he thrived to be the greatest in the world. To be the strongest.

Yet, his mother was alive and out there somewhere.

He couldn't even – didn't in reality – want to imagine what she must have been going through for all these years. Did she know of him? Know that he had accomplished great things?

"Hawkeyes?" Luca's voice cut through all the thoughts as Mihawk blinked and looked back at him. "You seem… troubled."

"I need to find her." Was the thing that immediately came out of his mouth. He didn't even know where to begin. How to even think of starting a journey to try and find her. She could be anywhere within this world. His reaction must have brought the attention of those around him because it only took a moment before a hand landed on his lower back and he was looking over to see Shanks looking at him with a fond look. "Shanks, I…"

"If it was my mother… my Captain… even my Grandma Shay… I would do anything to find them." Shanks muttered, reaching up and placing his hands on either side of Mihawk's face. "Go for it. You are one of the best people on these seas to find someone. I know that."

Mihawk let out a small laugh, shaking his head. Shanks wasn't wrong. "I don't even know where to begin."

"I could help with that." Luca interjected. Mihawk turned his head looking at Luca. The Alpha was wearing a sincere look on his face as he nodded. "My Devil Fruit allows me to connect with the lives of those I come across, which means, I have your bond signatures now." This Alpha was probably the most confusing person he had ever met. Earlier, they were fighting against one another and trying to take each other's lives, and now Luca was offering him help. He could say that his own experience involving this man had led to some enlightenment, but he couldn't say the same for him. Maybe, there was an ulterior motive there, but his judgement was being clouded. He could tell.

"Why would you decide to help me?" Mihawk questioned.

Luca smirked for a second, "We are far more connected than you know, Hawkeyes."

While, Mihawk had no idea what he meant by that, he looked back at Shanks and nodded. "I need to find her." It seemed to be the only thing that he could say. He kept thinking back to what he knew about the day his parents died. His father died protecting the people and his mother supposedly died protecting him. There was something else they weren't telling him. It made him wonder what the people of his home village were not telling him.

"And we will." Shanks muttered, leaning in, and pressing a kiss against his cheek.

Mihawk sighed, raising his hands to grab ahold of his husband's and pulling them away from his face as he looked back at Luca. "How exactly can you help me?"

Luca chuckled for a moment, pulling himself up onto the rail as he held out a glowing hand. His eyes flashing into bright blue as they did. "As you know, I'm connected to the afterlife with a direct link to souls. It's how I can find anyone in this world. It's how I found all of you back on that island. Nothing is a better tracker than having a creature straight from the afterlife with the ability to hunt down any soul in this world." He smiled for a moment, that sharp glance that Mihawk recognized coming to mind. The one that was always kill or be killed. "Would you risk pain for a chance to meet her again? You never knew her. Didn't you? But yet… you want to risk it."

Mihawk didn't know how Luca seemed to know what he was thinking. Shanks had always been the only person who could look at him and just know. There was a chance now. He didn't feel like this was something that this man would lie about. Not when he seemed to treasure life. Even if he gave out death sentences. There were so many questions regarding if he could trust this Alpha's word, but a part of him was screaming to believe it.

"Papa?" Mihawk was pulled straight out of his thoughts as he looked over to see Ace, Luffy, and Sabo standing there. Ace had been the one who had spoken. There had been so much going on that they hadn't even really had a moment of just solidarity. Now they had the chance, but this was thrown on them. This was something that Mihawk was going to have to do alone. He couldn't drag his family into this. Though, the sharp glance that came from Ace had him even stopping. "You aren't thinking of doing this alone, are you?"

Mihawk sighed, raising a hand to rub over his eyes. Ace had so much to concern himself with. Not chasing around the possibility that Mihawk's mother was alive out there somewhere. "Ace—"

"Cut the crap for once, Papa." Ace snapped, "You said… you said you wanted to be a better father!" Mihawk felt the air catch in his throat as he looked over to his eldest child. Ace had the same look that he would wear. For a moment, Mihawk could see himself in his son. It wasn't often he picked out the pieces that was himself. He always saw Shanks reflecting in Ace. Then a second later, that flash of himself was gone and he was seeing Shanks again. The soft smile that came to his Omega son's face. "Let us help you find her. She's our grandmother, isn't she?" Luffy started laughing as Ace shuffled, nudging his shoulder against his brother's. "You don't always have to do things alone. You have us. We're family." Ace finished.

Mihawk felt the smile tug on his face as he reached out and let his hand settle on his son's shoulder. "When did you become so much like your mother?"

Ace grinned, tilting his head to the side, "Helps when you grow up with him."

Luffy was still chuckling, bouncing on his feet as he looked over to Luca. "You're a weird guy."

Luca snorted, shaking his head, "I don't suppose you're wrong." The Alpha male sighed for a second, shaking his head as he looked down at his hands. For a moment, Mihawk could see the sadness in his eyes. "Who would have known. All it took was one fight, and it was like my eyes were opened. I will do anything in my power to make this up to you, Hawkeyes. You as well, Red-Hair. In all technicality, I owe you, my life."

Shanks' face tugged in a smile, placing a hand on his hip, "We're pirates. It's just how life works. We're used to people trying to kill us. We just have to be a few steps ahead of them." For a second, Shanks' gaze turned sharp, "If you so much as try to hurt another person on any of these ships, I will not hesitate to kill you."

Mihawk smirked.

Shanks really wasn't fooling around anymore. He had Teach quite literally in the palm of his hand. Regaining everything that he would have theoretically lost whenever he was kidnapped. Taking back years of uncertainty and hatred towards the man in just a moment. Now, he was standing toe to toe with a man with the ability to kill him with a touch. The fearlessness radiating off of him that seemed to push them all forward.

"If I fall into that mindset again…" Luca started, looking Shanks in the eye, "I want you to dispatch me from this world. My goal in life is to protect the innocent, and I have seen I have failed that."

Luffy laughed for a moment, popping up in front of Luca again, "So, you can bring people back to life, right?" Mihawk blinked. Where was Luffy getting at? Luca nodded, looking uncertain for a moment. "So, you could bring back anyone?"

"Technically, yes." Luca replied, still just blinking at the sheer excitement that was coming from the younger Alpha. "Though, it takes much more of my power and strength depending on how long they have been in the other world. Taking a soul from the afterlife and bringing them back is not an easy feat on myself or them. Not all people adjust well." He sighed for a second, "Most of the time, I use that ability only when someone has been pronounced death within a day. It makes their journey back much easier.

That's really all it took for Mihawk to understand what Luffy was doing. He was digging for information. What for? He wasn't sure, but it was information that was good to have about this man. That hit from him before, the one that had technically killed him, had been an experience. He couldn't even form it into words what he actually thought. Ace and Shanks also looked interested in what Luca was saying. They weren't the only ones, gaining the attention of the others who were working on fixing the deck.

"Does it just work on humans?" Luffy shot out another question.

Luca chuckled for a second before shaking his head. "Anything that is a living organism. Plants, animals, humans. I awakened my Devil Fruit years ago in a fight against…" He stopped for a second, shaking his head, "Anyway, it's how I have the power of eternal sleep and a few more tricks. Devil Fruits truly are amazing when you think about it."

"So, like Mother Nature." Shanks hummed.

Luca belted out a laugh. "Pretty much, Red-Hair."

Mihawk was shocked with the sudden change in this man. How much different he was compared to before. His guess, Law was right about this man. He must have a sort of split personality between his abilities. His softer side belonged to him essentially, but lost in his emotion and bloodlust, a darker side would come forward and take over. In all, it was really intriguing. He had to say, he preferred the nice version. At least, he wasn't trying to kill him and destroy his family.

Luca sighed, looking back at Mihawk, scratching at his head almost nervously, "Uh, sorry about the hand, Hawkeyes."

Mihawk looked down at his bloodied, cut hand. It was an annoyance and would take time to heal properly, but it was fine. "It's not an issue. Though, I will cut you in half if you try anything again. Meet me a place that isn't the home of my son and I'll go with my full power."

"I bet you would." Luca replied.

"I don't really care for holding grudges. There's really not a point, but your name is one I'll remember." Mihawk retorted. "But if I ever catch you doing something that I hate, I will come for you."

He was sure that he could see the sweat drop on the other Alpha's forehead. Their fight would have ended completely differently had he been in a place where he could go full out without worrying about sinking a ship with a number of allies on it. Plus, Ace might actually attempt to kill him or would go back to not talking to him if he did.

Luca smirked. That almost sadistic smirk coming back for a second. "I wonder what a fight with you at full power would be like?"

Mihawk narrowed his gaze. "Don't test me."

"Never said I would."

"Alright, boys. Calm down." Rouge stated, marching forward and placing herself between the two. Though, her gaze stopped on Luca for a second, "You tried to kill me too, and sorry about you, I do hold grudges." She finished. Mihawk had to bite down on his tongue as Rouge pulled her arm back, hitting Luca in the nose with a haki covered fist. Luca stumbled back, holding at his nose for a second with a shocked look on his face. Rouge exhaled sharply, a smile coming to her face, "I think we're even now."

"I deserved that." Luca groaned. He tried to look like the punch hadn't effected him, but he had barely caught Luca saying, "Oh, yeah, she's definitely Garp the Fist's daughter."

Shanks choked down a laugh next to him, bringing his hand to cover his mouth. "Well, this is going to be interesting."

X

Ace had broken away from the others, leaving his parents to come up with their plans once they got to Sabaody. Finally, they could rest. Honestly, Ace was really interested in that much needed vacation that Shanks was talking about. They really did deserve it at this point. They all did. They needed time to rest and heal. He also needed time to go through a pregnancy that was still completely new to him and have his pups.

Though, there was a part of him wondering if he should just leave the life of piracy behind. Start fresh somewhere and raise his pups away from the life of the sea. At the same time, it felt so wrong. His life was the sea. His home was the sea. It's all he had ever known and wanted. Being a small kid with dreams of making a name for himself. That was just his name. Not connected to his parents. Not connected to Rouge or Roger. Just him. To show that Omegas could do everything someone else could do.

This had never been on his mind. Having children. Becoming an Omega father, but with Marco, it felt like it was right.

Marco had been keeping a sort of distance. Giving him time with his family. Ace wasn't even sure what to say to him. He had broken a promise he technically – kind of? – made. He had left and went out on his own again. He had been so driven to get to Shanks that nothing else mattered. His pups were okay, and so was Shanks. They all were. It all worked out. It could have turned out so much worse and he knew it.

He almost hesitated to walk up to Marco but exhaled sharply before walking completely up to him. Marco turned to look at him, a smile on his face as the others who had been with him excused themselves to other parts of the ship. Ace shuffled on his feet, shoving his hands into his pockets for a second. "Marco—"

Marco didn't let him finish as the Alpha reached forward, his arms wrapping around his shoulders. His hand curling into his hair. "You sure know how to scare me shitless, Ace."

Ace let the smile come to his face as he reached up, letting his hands fall onto Marco's back as he turned his nose into his scent gland. Rubbing at the surface for the second as he inhaled Marco's scent. Letting it comfort him for the moment. "I don't think saying sorry is going to work this time."

Marco chuckled, shaking his head, "I understand everything, Ace. I do. I don't think I would have done anything you didn't do. You just… really like trying to give me heart failure."

"My bad." Ace whispered.

"Stay with me. Stay with me and let's raise our children to love the sea. See the beauty this world has." Marco muttered.

"Of course, I will." Ace smiled. This is where he was supposed to be. He knew he had so much to still learn. Room to grow still. Learn from his mistakes. Become more of the person he wants to be. He could do that. Right here with Marco by his side.

X

Panicking was probably a complete understatement to what Law was thinking and feeling. That man had went to attack him, but hadn't. It was what he had said. He had said he shouldn't be in that fight. It made his heart race to think of the reason to why he would say that.

He didn't want to think about it.

He just wanted to help his patient and then be back on the sea with his crew. He had an obligation as a Doctor to see his treatment of Portgas D. Ace through. He still had some of the others following the war to check on.

He didn't need this added into the mix. Whatever it may be. He honestly didn't want to know. Maybe, Luca just didn't want to kill him. There could be many reasons to why he had been thrown out of the fight. Luca never harmed him. His expression had changed in an instant.

Still, he had forced himself to calm down as he saw Luffy approaching him with a smile on his face. A bounce in his step as the Alpha placed his hands behind his head. "Straw Hat-ya." Law muttered.

Luffy grinned, tilting his head, "Hey, Traffy… I've been meaning to ask." Law cocked his eyebrow, waiting for what Luffy might say. Luffy was a man of mysteries, but at the same time he wore his heart on his sleeve. It was hard to calculate what might exactly come out of his mouth. It was just all surprises. "When I'm done with my training with Ray-san… can we meet again in the New World?"

Law felt the smile tug on his face. "In your dreams, Straw Hat-ya."

Luffy just laughed at his response and for a second, Law found himself placing his hand on his stomach. The twist that came next from hearing the Alpha's laugh. Luffy was already doing a number on him. The strange pull to him that he felt.

Even though he had said differently, he really wanted to say that he couldn't wait for the day. They had completely different lives and wants. Law still had to defeat Doflamingo and avenge Cora. Luffy wanted adventure and to become the Pirate King. Two completely different paths, but in the end, Law was sure their paths would cross again sometime.

X

It was nighttime now and Shanks had retired to his room. His nakama had already fixed everything up for him, making sure it was back into place before he had gotten back. His nakama were amazing. Making sure he always had everything he needed.

There were so many questions going through his head. Wondering if he had made the right decision by allowing Teach to live. Leave and go on with his life. He was sure Teach knew that he would make good on his world if he did try and do anything. Though, he didn't have a clear answer to why he did it.

Finally, he had taken back every piece of dignity that he had. Just about everything that Teach had taken from him. Mihawk was in the infirmary. Getting help from Hongo, Aki, Law, and Marco about the injures he sustained during their altercation. Shanks almost couldn't even breathe from the thought that he was part of the reason that Mihawk had an injury to his hand. He had not been in control of his body at all when he attacked his mate.

No, Mihawk technically wasn't his mate anymore.

His bond had been broken.

He reached up, placing a hand on his neck, feeling at where the mark should be. While he could still feel an indention on his skin, the emotion bond was no longer there.

But there was a good thing that he learned.

In the final moment before they both lost consciousness, he had felt it when he looked in Mihawk's eyes. The fear that he had felt that he was about to watch Mihawk die. It was like gravity itself had changed to just the two of them. That nothing else in the world had mattered in that moment.

He had seen the splash of color in Mihawk's eyes. How they had changed like they normally would when trying to go through a bond with him. They had no bond, but it was there.

It was a rare phenomenon.

Mihawk was always meant to be his mate.

They were always meant to find each other.

It gave him such relief.

Still, he couldn't stop feeling guilty for what happened. How he let himself get controlled to the point of attacking the older pirate. He couldn't get it out of his head. He didn't deserve Mihawk.

He pulled his legs up to his chest, letting his arms settle over his knees. He wanted nothing more than to lay here with Mihawk, but another part wanted to beg for his forgiveness. The tears came to his eyes as he shook his head. He couldn't think like that. He blamed everything from the traumatic experience he had just been through to hormones flooding through his body. He felt almost like a teenager again from when he first met Mihawk.

He had so many failures in his life.

Failures as an Omega father.

Failures as a Captain.

He never thought he would fail as a mate too.

Maybe, he had gotten too content with his life. That he wasn't showing what he was truly made of. He wondered what Roger would say to him now. He wanted to see him again. Roger was the person he needed right now. Roger always knew what to do.

He sighed, groaning as he threw himself back on his pillows. He lifted his hand, looking at the ring that was there. He was still married to Mihawk. That was something that Teach could never take away from him. Did he really deserve this ring now? After everything? He didn't want to think about it anymore.

Shanks was so angry at himself for allowing this all to happen. Why didn't he just let out his Haki on Sabaody? None of this ever would have happened. There were so many things that he could have done differently. He couldn't waste his time thinking about the what ifs, but it continued to go through his mind.

His conversation with Buggy had been enlightening. They had worked out their issues. Buggy's supposed confession. Where they went from there. Now, he just had to do the same with Mihawk. There was so much they still had left to do together.

This induced heat was coming to an end and soon enough, his cycle would try and fix itself, sending him back into one when he was supposed to have one. He knew it would be worse next time because of his bond being broken, and he hoped Mihawk would be by his side for it.

Even if he felt like Mihawk deserved better at this point.

X

If Luca was being completely honest, it had felt like all the anger that he had been feeling towards people like Dracule Mihawk and Portgas D. Rouge had dissipated. It was like his eyes had been opened the second that he had almost effectively taken Hawkeyes' life. It had became pretty clear that the Alpha Swordsman was not fighting at full strength. He had been holding back while still putting up an effective fight. Though, because of it, he needed the assistance of Teach.

It was an effective plan, but that had also meant that Shanks had given Teach his ability to move his body again. Teach would have been dead if it wasn't for that. Though, in the end, he could see why Shanks did what he did. Teach had spent years taunting the Omega. Trying to make him submit under him. It never worked, and Shanks showed it in the end. Shanks had Teach's life in his hands at any given time. One step out of line and he would be dead.

Hell, Luca knew very well that Shanks could kill even him at any time. Shanks didn't even need to lift a finger to kill him. Honestly, he had been waiting for Shanks to turn it on him. Take his life for what he had done. Though, Shanks probably in fact didn't want that. He never just took matters into his own hands in that way. Not unless if he had too. He had respected that Luca wanted to fight Mihawk, and Mihawk had agreed. Though, Shanks had been under his control. He had been surprised that Shanks hadn't broken himself out. The Omega could have easily done it, but he didn't. It made him wonder why. Shanks' willpower had been strong enough that he could have done it almost instantly. Luca summed it down to going through an induced heat, a forced bond break, and overall, the stress of being kidnapped and drugged. It was pretty reasonable. Luca would admit, what he did had been shitty. He had been waiting years to finally have Teach where he wanted him.

He made good on his promise to the other. Having promised him many years before if he had ever tried to go after Shanks, that he would get involved. Luca was a firm believer in not forcing anyone into doing something they didn't want. Shanks was clearly meant to be with Mihawk. More than one sign showed it. He had definitely seen it at the end of their fight.

Their eyes. He wasn't even sure if anyone had seen it or not. If they even knew what had happened in that moment. Bond or not, those two were meant to be together.

There were many things that he had learned in the little bit of time that he had been watching these pirates. This family. They truly were just one giant found family. Even if some of them were biologically related to each other. Ace, Sabo, and Luffy worked like a cohesive unit. Being able to react together without even saying a word. He could be sure that even if there wasn't blood relation between two of them, that their bond of brotherhood would still be just as strong. The Commanders of the Whitebeard Pirates had reacted to Shanks' control and prepared to fight to save him. They had came all this way to begin with. He had known Ace had gone on his own, keeping an eye on the young Omega as he laid in wait. Waiting for the proper moment to make his strike. Ace had never been in any harm despite leaving on his own.

Luca was good at getting any information he needed. Keeping track of where certain pirates and criminals were. Marines even. It was good to have in his arsenal when the World Government wanted his Devil Fruit. Everything that happened had always meant to happen. Teach's initial betrayal, Ace getting captured, the war of Marineford, the revelation of Ace's biological family. Shanks' kidnapping. They were all connected.

Though, he hated how they were connected by one simple reason.

Teach.

It was like they were all a piece to a larger puzzle. He would need to keep a closer eye on Teach in the future. Especially now that he was under Shanks' control. Teach was still manipulative in the end. He could very well use this to his advantage if he could. Though, it gave him great joy in knowing that Shanks had finally stood up and told off Teach. That Teach was being forced in the same position that he tried to put the Omega Yonko under. It was well deserving. Teach could be a valuable asset. If used properly.

There were a few deductions that he could make pretty quickly. After having Shanks within the Middle – or purgatory as it could be called – he had access to all his memories. Seeing moments in his life that made him understand the complex dynamics of his family. It also made him understand Rouge a bit better.

He didn't want to admit that he saw his own mother in Rouge. Maybe he had been projecting when he had seen her. Maybe not. He did always hate hearing when a parent would be away from their child. It was another reason that the burning hatred for Hawkeyes grew. Knowing that he had two children and didn't bother to be there most of the time. In the end, it had been Mihawk's memories that gave him the most shined light.

The first thing he had felt, which had hit him full force, was the love for his family. His need to nurture and protect them. The need to stay the strongest to make sure no one dared to go near them. The promise between Shanks and Mihawk when they were just teenagers. Teenage parents who had no idea what they were doing with a child.

Sometimes, it felt like a curse that he could do this. See into the lives of those he used his abilities on. It felt so invasive. He supposed, it's what truly changed his mind. Made him see there was so much more that he didn't actually know.

Their linage would just continue to grow. Getting stronger with the generations that past. With the convictions that they all held. Even with their own hopes and dreams, they still would come together as one in the end. They would be one – if not, the most – dominate family on the entire Grand Line. Their connections held even more significance. The Marines. The Revolutionary Army. Pirates. They had someone in each of them. Each with their own mindset of what they wanted.

But there was another thing about Mihawk.

Something he could never tell him.

It almost made his blood boil.

They were far more connected than he could ever have dreamed of.

This could either be a really good thing, or a really bad thing. Only time would tell. For the moment, he would continue doing this. Working to fix his mistake, and hopefully reunite yet another family member. One that was long believed to be dead. Mihawk had no true memories of his mother. Believing she had died. It honestly had surprised Luca when looking through the souls of the afterlife that he hadn't found her. She had never even breached into the Middle. She had been alive this entire time. It only brought the question of what had happened to her. Luca was willing to help Mihawk get that answer.

It was late into the night now. Everyone had pretty much retired to their rooms and within a few days, the ships would be back at Sabaody Archipelago. From there, Luca would help Mihawk on his journey. Truthfully, he didn't need to be here. He could send help with him and take his own leave, but he wanted to see this through.

The more he thought about it, looking back at all the times he had used the Death aspect of his Devil Fruit, it had always felt like something – or someone – else was in control. Like he was there, but he wasn't truly in control of his own body.

That a bloodlust would completely take him over, and all that mattered was taking the life of his target, no matter what happened to him or anyone else. He had a strict moral code that he lived by. The lives of the innocent were to never be harmed. That would include anyone who was their protector. Their caregiver and nurturer. His heart would break whenever he would have to guide the souls of young ones into the afterlife. The souls of those who never did any harm. Lives that were taken too soon because of someone else's selfishness. It was in part because he had picked up going after those that he deemed unworthy.

Maybe, he truly had been playing life like he was the judge, jury, and executioner. Even if he didn't believe it entirely himself. All the signs were there, and he had been blind to his own wrongdoings.

He had been ripped out of his thoughts by feeling the hairs on the back of his neck standing with the echoing sound clicking behind him followed by the heavy footfalls. He peered over his shoulder, seeing the man himself, Whitebeard standing there. The Alpha didn't look pleased in the slightest. His pheromones working to try and make Luca submit to him. The sharp glance that he had.

He couldn't even get a word out before Whitebeard was hissing out, "If I so much as suspect that you might harm a hair on any of their heads, any one of them at all, any reason at all to believe that you might hurt them… I will not hesitate. I will stop at nothing to dispatch you from this world."

Luca could only swallow the lump that came to his throat. Whitebeard was a very intimidating man, even if he wore a happy smile. His presence enough truly was enough to make Luca quake in his boots. Whitebeard was an entirely different man than what stories made him out to be. Even if he saw the kindheartedness in small moments. The love and care that this Alpha had for his family showed that he had every reason to be called a true Alpha. The head of his pack. A Captain of an infamous pirate crew. Marineford was enough to show that no man was left behind. No man was allowed to be harmed.

Luca believed every word he said.

He also knew that Whitebeard could do it.

Either way, a smile came to his face, "I would give myself up on a silver platter if that was the case."

Whitebeard's gaze narrowed. "Your sudden change in your resolve is not going to make many people trust you. Especially after that bastard Teach showed his colors again. No one will trust you."

"I don't expect them too." Luca retorted, also giving back a sharp glance, "All I will do from this moment on is help Hawkeyes find his mother."

Whitebeard didn't look certain of his answer, but his grip on his weapon loosened, his back going a bit straighter. "What is it about him that makes you want to help him now? Just hours ago, you almost killed him."

Luca sighed, slipping his hand into his pocket as he looked back out to the sea. "You're a man of many experiences. I'm sure you've witnessed or discovered things that just… change you."

Whitebeard took another step forward, coming up next to the younger Alpha. "Ace and Rouge have both told me what happened to them on that island involving you." Luca hummed. "You tried to kill Rouge, but Ace…"

"His pups deserved a chance. He didn't know about them, right?" His question had thrown off Whitebeard for a second, but the elder Alpha recovered quickly. "They are also your adoptive son's children. Which makes them your grandchildren. Either way, they are completely innocent to any actions that Fire Fist Ace has done. Ace's conviction to protect his family had gotten the best of him. Making him make the same mistake that he had once before. Either way, he was never truly in danger, though his body might not say the same thing." He sighed as he shook his head, "Rouge… there are many reasons to why my judgement is clouded with her. In the end, it wasn't truly anything that was about her."

Whitebeard grunted, turning to start walking away, "Just remember, brat. I will not hesitate."

"I know." Luca whispered.

Honestly, he couldn't have it any other way. He had no reason to have any trust of any of them. For any of them to believe him. All he could do was repay for his mistakes. Atone for what he has done. Then, he would take his leave again.