How the Red Hair Pirates Acquired A Baby

Summary: Benn was in shock when they stopped at Baterilla, and Shanks came back with a baby. Or, how Ace was brought onto the Red Force.

Author's Note: Hey everyone! Welcome to yet another random series I decided to start! I've been having trouble with my One Piece vibes lately and have been writing for the My Hero Academia fandom. I got hit with a random idea for this and just had to write it so I hope you enjoy! Anyway, on with the fic!

Warnings: Canon Divergence, Canon, who's she?

How the Red Hair Pirates Acquired A Baby

When Shanks had announced they would be heading to the South Blue, this wasn't what he had imagined would happen. Though, with Shanks, just about anything was possible at this point. He had learned that much from his bit of time traveling with the Red Hair Pirates.

When Shanks put his mind to something, he did it. There was no swaying him. The second they had arrived at Baterilla, a tropical island in the South Blue, Shanks had taken off from them the second his feet hit the dock.

They had looked everywhere for him with no clue where he had gone or what he was doing. The panic had set in when they had seen the Marine vessel not far from them. He couldn't see it clear enough in the night to know who it belonged to, but he could see the World Government flag on it. The Marines had left this island months ago. There shouldn't be one here.

Something was wrong.

Though, he felt like he shouldn't be surprised anymore when it came to Shanks. Not when a few hours later, he came back with his cloak over his shoulders, arms curled in front of him, and a visible lump where his arms were.

He had barely caught a glimpse, but he knew exactly what was in the young Captain's arms.

Benn knew Shanks wasn't one to make rash decisions. He thought things out. It was something that he liked about the red head. He thought this through, but it still didn't explain why.

Shanks had clearly been worried about something on their venture here. Keeping tight lipped about why he wanted to come here. Just saying they had to come.

Benn could only blink as he turned to face the man that was their Captain. Well, almost a man, he was still only seventeen. He was getting there. Shanks was full of surprises, ones that Benn could deal with on a good day.

This…

This he wasn't expecting.

"Uh, what do you got there?" Benn questioned.

Shanks gave a sheepish grin as he curled his arm a bit more underneath the cape that he was wearing. "Nothing." He stated, shrugging, and giving a carefree smile. "Absolutely nothing. Nothing to see here. It's not like I'm hiding… I dunno… a baby under this. Nope, not at all." Shanks was nervous. That much was obvious. Benn could see it written all over his face.

"Shanks." Benn clapped his hands together in front of his face, tilting them down as he added, "Do not tell me you kidnapped a baby."

"I did not kidnap a baby." Shanks shot back immediately, moving the cloak as he grinned, "I stole a baby from a Marine."

"SHANKS!"

"I'm a pirate! We take what we want!" Shanks whined, "And this baby is my Captain's!"

Benn had to control every fiber of his being as the rest of their small crew congregated around Shanks, all of them cooing down at the baby. Benn watched them for a second. Seeing that soft, yet determined, look in Shanks' eyes. The soft smile as he spoke down to the infant. This baby couldn't be that old. A few hours at most. Shanks never gave the reason to why they were on this island or why he wanted to come here so bad.

He just never expected that they would lose their Captain, and he can back with a freaking baby.

Shanks was just a chest full of different mysteries and surprises.

Benn was going to go grey before he hit fifty. He could feel it.

"Shanks, we can—" Before he could finish, he noticed the look in Shanks' eyes. The desperation. The concern. The protectiveness. Shanks was only seventeen, but he couldn't be easily swayed. He was not the average seventeen-year-old rookie. He already acted like a veteran pirate. He already had the complete respect of the men on board his ship. Sometimes, it was hard to remember that Shanks was in fact still so young. Benn sighed, "What happened?"

Shanks looked back down at the baby, his soft smile returning as he started to recount what happened the second that he had stepped foot on the deck and had taken off. What he had seen and who he had ran into. It ended with him saying, "This little guy's… my little brother. His name is Ace. That's what they named him, so that's what we will honor."

"Raising a baby won't be easy. Especially as pirates." Benn stated.

Shanks shrugged. "Captain did it for me. Took me in without a second thought. Him… my nakama… they were my family. I can't leave him now. Not when I know about him." Shanks muttered.

Benn walked forward, making sure to drop his cigarette on the ground, crushing it under his foot before he got too close to Shanks and the baby. Ace. His name was Ace. Benn looked down at him. He was so small compared to them. Whisps of black hair on his head. Light grey eyes peeking out from small eyelids. Little tongue darting out on his lips. Freckles dusting his face.

Benn hummed. "Why do babies always look like giant potatoes?"

"BENN!"

Shanks looked flabbergasted as he stared up at Benn with wide eyes and his jaw dropped. "He's a baby! Babies are cute and cuddly and everything that you are not at this moment!"

Benn snorted, rolling his eyes, "Don't be petty. It's not a good look on you."

"You're one to talk." Shanks hissed. Benn almost couldn't believe how offended Shanks looked from his comment.

He chuckled, shaking his head as he held his arms out, "Can I?"

Shanks pouted, curling his arms around Ace, and turning his back to him, scoffing over his shoulder as he sent a glare. "You called him a potato. He's perfect just the way he is. So, no. No baby for you."

"Shanks." Benn drawled, "You're impossible."

"Bite me."

Benn laughed, shaking his head, "I was kidding. He's a cute…" He let his sentence trail as Shanks started to relax and turn back to face him. "Little potato."

Shanks shot him a look, shaking his head as he started towards the ship. "I'm the impossible one. Yeah, right. No, my First Mate is an asshole."

"Potatoes are useful! And delicious!" Benn shouted back.

"Still in the doghouse!" Shanks exclaimed.

Benn laughed, looking to the others, "I guess we need to go get supplies for a baby."

Yasopp shrugged. "There won't be changing Boss' mind."

"Oh please." Benn grunted, "You heard him. That baby belongs to his Captain. Nothing short of death will pry that baby away from him."

As they moved to head back into the town, Benn stopped to look back at the ship. Letting the smile come to his face. Gol D. Roger really had effected Shanks in a good way. That baby couldn't be any safer than with them. It made him wonder where the Marine was taking him. Benn had heard all the rumors. The World Government had been looking for a baby that belonged to Roger. They had found him. He could see why Shanks did what he did. He also now understood why Shanks was so adamant about coming to Baterilla.

He smiled, turning back towards the town, and starting on their next task.

They had a lot to do now. This wasn't going to be easy, but Shanks was not alone in this. Anyone Shanks cared about; they would fight for. That's just what they did.

X

When they had returned to the ship with everything – probably over – what they needed, Benn had went in search of Shanks and their new nakama. Ace was nakama now. Nothing would change Shanks' mind. There would be no reasoning with him. Not after Benn saw that look in his eyes.

So, Benn would watch him. Guard him. Fight for him. Be everything that Shanks knew he could be and would do. Ace was now under their protection, and the only way to stop them was by death. If anyone could do this, it was Shanks.

There was a part of him that wondered if Shanks was so willing to do this, to put everything on the line, because of debt. To Shanks, he was in debt to Roger for everything he had done for him. Though, it was obvious to him how much Shanks cared for and treasured Roger. The straw hat he wore had belonged to his Captain. It was his most prized possession that he was willing to fight anyone who dared to touch it. The anger that he would see flash on Shanks' face if someone did anything to it. No one was even allowed to touch it.

When he found Shanks, Shanks was fast asleep. Curled up with baby Ace on his chest. The baby also fast asleep. Little fists clinging to Shanks' stripped shirt.

Benn kneeled down next to them, wondering if he should risk attempting to wake up Shanks. It would also mean waking up Ace. Babies were a huge adjustment for anyone. This was going to be new territory for all of them. Benn was willing to do it. Shanks' arm was curled almost like a protective barrier around Ace, part of his body facing towards Benn like he was using himself as a shield. Shanks didn't go into full detail, but it made him wonder what really went down in that hospital room. He had been very vague when he had spoken. Benn was sure that Shanks would tell him everything in confidence later, but it still had him curious. It could even be summed down to knowing the World Government was willing to kill a mother and child just to stop a blood line.

If anyone could protect this baby, it would be Shanks.

Benn knew that for a fact.

He had seen Shanks fight. He could take on men twice his size, probably even larger. Not go down easily in a fight against a person stronger than him. With each passing day, Shanks got stronger. He would only get stronger.

Now, he had even more reason to be.

Benn stood up, opting not to wake them up as he shrugged off his jacket he had been wearing, throwing it over the two of them, careful not to cover the baby's face. Shanks stirred for a second as Benn paused, holding his breathe. A second later, the red head had settled again, his eyes not even opening. Benn smiled. Shanks knew he was here. Even if he wasn't awake.

Benn sighed, turning to look behind him. Looking out to the night sky that he could see through the window.

Where would life take them now?

All he knew was, it just got a bit more interesting.