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! Alright so we are ending this arc! Hopefully you all are enjoying! Anyway, not much to say this time! I hope you enjoy!
So, when I was writing the last chapter and I thought I had liked the outcome, but then I decided I didn't and deleted it and went a different route. Sorry guys! Anyway, I hope you enjoy this!
On with the fic!
Chapter Forty-One: How To Save A Life (by the Fray)
Chapter Summary: As the alliance gets away from the Marines and are heading towards safety, realization dawns on them that they truly didn't succeed when it's discovered Shanks is under the influence of a Devil Fruit power. Marco comes up with an idea that might just help.
The Marines had let them sail right by. Each of the ships had gone between two Marine ships. The anxiety that had went through the crew as they bypassed the enemy. Waiting to see if they were actually allowing them to just go by or create a sense of comfort to create a surprise attack on them.
Much to all of their surprise, the Marines in fact let them right through. The Oro Jackson was sailing ahead of all of them. The others lined up behind and ready to take action if they needed to.
It finally felt like a calm was settling over them as they went through the Marines and were watching as the ships started to appear smaller and smaller over the horizon. The only thing that many of them could see was the smoke that was coming from the island that once existed.
Marco dropped onto the deck, switching back to his complete human form as Rouge slipped off of his back. Grimacing as she held onto her arm. Marco turned, kneeling down by her to survey to wound. Through and through. That was good, but she had suffered from a good amount of blood loss. Which was evident in how pale she was. He lit both of his hands in his blue flames, placing them on either side of her wounds.
They had worked on attending to the wounded. They would all meet officially back up when they were a safe enough distance away from the Marines. They didn't know for sure if the World Government would actually take the change to fight them or not. Even the court of public opinion might not help them here but allowing them to live only cemented the idea that the Blackbeard Pirates were the true targets of the Buster Call.
Now it was just a waiting game.
X
He was in disbelief that they had gotten through the Marines without so much as an issue. Ace had been prepared to have to fight their way through, but the Marines had stood down. As they got further away, Ace finally got a sense of relief as he let the smile come to his face.
He couldn't believe the news from Law. He wasn't sure if he wanted to believe it. He was pregnant with twins. Two small lives that would be relying on him now. He wasn't sure what to tell Marco. Though now, he was sure that he had lost them back at the island. He was so sure of it. It felt like a hazy dream now that he thought more of it, but he couldn't be dreaming it. It just didn't seem plausible that during a time when his adrenaline had been pumping that he would imagine something like that. It just didn't make sense to him.
He was just thankful that all of them were alive. That they had accomplished what they had set out to do. He would take whatever criticism he got from the others for leaving out on his own. Shanks was back with them. Teach was dead.
It was over. They could all finally move on.
He moved his gaze to where Mihawk was still crouched down, but what he noticed immediately was that the fact that Shanks hadn't moved at all. That Mihawk was practically using himself to shield their view of Shanks.
Ace frowned, moving across the deck of the famed ship, stopping short of when Mihawk looked over his shoulder. The Alpha had never had that look on his face before. "Papa… what's wrong?" His voice had caught the attention of the others, bringing them over to where they were. His eyes went wide as Mihawk finally moved, showing Shanks' face to them. Ace placed a hand over his mouth as he muttered out, "Momma."
Shanks was deathly pale, but the thing he noticed immediately was the way that his veins looked black. Every single blood vessel that was in his body could be seen. It was so abnormal. Unnatural looking.
What the hell happened to him?
"Papa, what the hell happened?!" Ace exclaimed.
Mihawk shook his head, "I don't know. I found him like this."
Law had rushed forward, dropping down on Shanks' other side. Guiding Mihawk to place Shanks on his back. He held his hand out despite clearly looking like he was about to collapse himself and activated a room around them. The Omega Doctor moved, reaching up for Shanks shirt and unbuttoning it.
"What's going on, Traffy?" Luffy questioned, coming up next to Ace's right side.
Sabo came up on his left, inhaling sharply as his eyes went just as wide as Ace's were. "That… I think I've heard of something like this."
Ace turned his head, looking over to Sabo, "What? You know what this is?"
The Beta shook his head, "Possibly? Dragon-san warned all the Revolutionaries of a man who had dangerous powers. The fact that this man was dangerous himself. He had the power of life and… death."
The Omega felt the air catch in his throat as he looked back at Law. Seeing the Doctor cursing as he opened up Shanks' shirt completely to show the black mark that was settled directly over Shanks' heart. Like he had been stabbed.
"That man you were talking about, Freckles-ya." Law stated, peeking up at Ace. "I don't think you imagined it."
The shock had came next among them as Ace felt his knees give out and he was collapsing down to them. Life and death. Did that man save his pups only to turn around and do this to Shanks? "Is he alive?" Ace muttered, barely finding his voice.
"Traffy, please, is he okay?" Luffy begged, his hands landing on Ace's shoulders.
Law's attention was back on Shanks, but he had nodded. "He is, but just barely." The Omega Doctor stated, "His haki… well, what's left of it, is around his heart, keeping it pumping blood, but his brain, all the neurotransmitters to keep him awake aren't working properly. This isn't something natural. There's nothing I can do."
Denials immediately left Luffy as he fell down by Ace. "Please… there has to be something."
Law shook his head again, leaning back, "I'm sorry, Straw Hat-ya, there is nothing I can do."
Ace crawled forward, keeping his eyes locked to Shanks' face. Trying to fight the urge of the tears that were coming to his eyes. "This can't be happening." Ace felt the anger flare through him as he turned his gaze towards Mihawk, "Why didn't you say something?!"
Mihawk gritted his teeth, "What could we do? There is nothing we could have done on that island except to leave. Your judgement would have been clouded. Focus is what we needed in that moment. You run purely off of instincts most of the time that you don't even think of repercussions at times. Shanks would say the same thing if he was conscious."
Ace paused, nodding as he looked back at Shanks. Reaching out and moving some of his air from his face. Mihawk was right. He couldn't say how he would react back on the island if he had known. Mihawk had made the right call. The Omega sighed, using his thumb to wipe at the blood that by Shanks' lip.
"What happened to you, Mom?" Ace whispered.
X
They had sat like that for hours. Unable to move or focus on much of anything else. Buggy had been controlling the ship the entire time. They had finally come to a stopping point to rejoin the others. Ace had a pit in his stomach as he looked at the Moby Dick. The Red Hair Pirates were on that ship. They didn't even know how to explain this to them.
He could see the excitement ranging out on the deck. The cheers that came when they saw Shanks' hair. The gangplank was thrown across and the first to cross was Sabo and then Luffy. Ace moved across, getting claps on the backs and side hugs. His ears were ringing as Mihawk carried Shanks over. Being as gentle as possible.
It had only taken seconds for the excitement to come to a complete halt. For them to see exactly what was going on.
"Wait, what's going on?" Yasopp questioned, "Boss?!"
"BOSS!" Shouted the Red Hair Pirates.
Benn didn't say a word, but his cigarette had dropped from his mouth. His eyes going wide.
Rouge broke through the crowd, her smile dropping almost immediately. "Shanks…. SHANKS!" She screamed, rushing forward to get to her son's side. "Oh God." She choked down in a cry. Shaking her head in denial.
Marco rushed across the deck, his eyes wide as he stopped by Ace, "What happened?!" Then realization came to his face, "The man that attacked Commander Rouge."
"Wait, what?" Ace replied, looking over to Marco now.
"A man attacked Commander Rouge back on the island." Marco stated, his eyes now locked to Shanks before he was looking back at Ace, checking him over for injuries. "Are you okay?"
Ace nodded. "Yeah. A man…" His voice trailed off as bright blue eyes flashed before his mind. Just seconds before he had lost conscious before. "Bright blue eyes."
Marco looked up as Rouge also looked at him. "You saw him?" Rouge questioned.
Ace nodded. "He did this. He did this to Mom."
"Well, can we just wake him up?" Lucky questioned. "There has to be something."
Ace didn't know what to tell them. None of them knew what this was. Just that it was something serious.
Benn walked forward, guiding Mihawk to the nearby table that he could place Shanks on. "This is a Devil Fruit power. Isn't it?"
"We believe so." Mihawk replied, his voice cracking. Ace had never seen Mihawk like this. The Alpha looked like he was ready to break down. It was something that he never thought he would see Mihawk act like. This wasn't like him. Mihawk had always been the one who didn't necessarily show all of his emotions. Now, he was wearing it clear as day.
"Papa." Ace muttered.
For so long, he didn't believe that Mihawk actually cared this much about them. Now, he looked torn apart at the seams even though Shanks had a pulse. This situation wasn't normal. It wasn't foreseen. No one saw this coming. Ace had been so angry when Teach had stabbed Shanks, but now some unknown man had gotten him. It just reminded him more of how they were all still human. No matter how strong they were.
Footsteps caught his attention in time to see Dragon walking past him. "He's under a power known as eternal sleep."
The Omega froze, looking over to his Great Uncle in shock. "What are you talking about, Dragon?" Rouge questioned from where she was still next to Shanks. Her fingers running through his red hair. "Eternal sleep?"
Dragon had a somber look on his face as he looked down at Shanks, reaching over and lifting the part of his shirt to show the large black mark over his heart. "This is where the power originated on him."
"How do you know this?" Mihawk questioned, gritting his teeth.
Ace rushed forward, stepping up next to Dragon. Luffy came along with him, looking just as surprised, "Uncle Dragon?" Luffy went on.
Dragon sighed. "The holder of this power is a man known as Azazel D. Luca." He explained, "A long time ago after the death of Gol D. Roger, I started hearing stories of a man who played with life and death. So, I investigated into it. I discovered a Devil Fruit called the Hito Hito no Mi: Model: Osiris. Essentially, this power is that of the fairy tale of the Grim Reaper."
Ace exhaled sharply, looking over to Luffy in complete shock. "What does that mean? We can still fix Dad, right?" Luffy went on to question.
"Wait a moment." Robin, stepping out of the crowd, added, "I've heard of that. It's a rare Devil Fruit. One that was believed to not actually exist for its abilities. I remember reading about it back on Ohara. The only thing known about it is the fact that the user can bring to life people who have passed on, and… cause the deaths of others. It's dangerous."
Dragon nodded, "That it is." He confirmed. "The only person alive who can fix Shanks was left back on that island. Knowing the stories of his silent escapes, he departed from the island."
"You mean…" Ace whispered, looking back at Shanks, "We have to find the man that did this to him?!"
"Unfortunately… yes." Dragon replied. "I spoke to him." Ace was shocked as all eyes completely turned to Dragon now. "He said he was seconds away from waking Shanks up before Mihawk intervened. Though, I don't blame Hawkeyes for reacting. A strange man with a strange power over his mate. I would react too."
Mihawk had frozen, his hand tightening over Shanks'. "He would have been awake if I was just a few seconds slower?" Mihawk questioned. Ace was positive that Mihawk was speaking to himself, but if that was true, why did the man – Luca do this to Shanks in the first place?
"After speaking to him, I don't think it will be easy." Dragon added, the Alpha turning to face them all. "He told me what he had done. I would say he is on par with an obsession as Blackbeard was. He had zeroed in on one person."
"Who?" Whitebeard questioned, finally speaking for the first time since they had boarded the ship.
"Hawkeyes." Dragon replied.
Ace looked over to Mihawk, eyes going wide as Mihawk even turned his head to look at Dragon. "Papa? What would he want with him?" Luffy questioned.
Dragon shrugged. "This man is sadistic. Unforgiving. Honestly, we should be thankful that he only put Shanks to sleep rather than kill him. He took advantage of the fact that he had been knocked unconscious. It was a cowardly move. Yet, there is nothing we can do here. His power can only be reversed by him."
Mihawk turned his attention back to Shanks, running his fingers through his red hair. He shook his head. "This is Shanks. He wouldn't give up." He paused as he let his fingers glid over Shanks' cheek and jaw. "If this was any of you, he would stop at nothing until he could bring you back."
Marco hummed, stepping forward as he looked at Shanks with a calculating look on his face. "That man is obsessed with life and death, huh?" The Alpha walked the rest of the way, picking up Shanks' wrist and surveying the veins that were there. "It's almost like a poison running through his very veins. His pulse is there, but it's weak. Every second counts right now."
"What do we do then?!" Ace snapped, "We can't just turn around and hope that the man who did this to him will fix him!"
The blonde Alpha sighed, placing Shanks' hand back down gently. He turned, leaning against the table as he looked like he was going into thought. "There has to be something. Devil fruit powers all have weaknesses. Such as sea stone or ocean water."
Nami and Sanji moved forward, looking surprised for a second, "Like when we fought CP-9, Kalifa. Her bubble powers washed away with water because of the soap!" Nami exclaimed.
"She's right, I could only move because water got dumped on me." Sanji confirmed.
Ace bit down on his lip, thinking back to Arabasta when he fought Smoker. Then Marineford when he was versing Aokiji and Akainu. "Like Smoker, Aokiji, and Akainu for me. I was able to come to a standstill with Smoker. Overpowered Aokiji's ice but Akainu could overpower me because magma burns hotter than fire."
Marco turned his head, looking at Robin, "Do you remember anything else about that Devil Fruit?"
Robin shook her head, "It was a long time ago, but I remember the book didn't say anything about weaknesses because it was all speculation."
The blonde Alpha huffed, groaning for a second as he looked back to Shanks before he stopped. "That's it!" He exclaimed. Ace was confused now, but whatever it was, Marco was excited about it. "That man asked Rouge what her life meant to her. He is obsessed with the concept of life and death that he basically told us the answer!"
"I don't understand." Ace muttered, "What are you saying?"
Marco was laughing in disbelief as he turned to look at his mate-to-be, "Ace, think about it. All the elements of the world hold symbolism in their meaning. Multiple meanings, but all of them are needed in a form to sustain life. Fire, earth, air, and water."
Law looked up now, a smile coming to his face, "I see. You're thinking that the symbolism of the elements is actually the weakness to the powers of this Devil Fruit."
Marco nodded, "That's exactly what I'm saying!"
Marco was getting even more excited by the second as he moved, rushing around Shanks, "Wait, what are you doing?" Mihawk exclaimed, reaching out to stop Marco from grabbing ahold of Shanks.
"Hawkeyes, you have to trust me on this." Marco muttered.
"I don't get it, what's happening?" Luffy questioned.
Honestly, Ace didn't completely understand either, but Marco seemed like he had it figured out. Robin gasped, turning to look out towards the ocean. "I see now! The symbolism of water is normally classified as purity. While it has more, I see now. Shanks appears to look like there's a poison going through his body and the ocean is a weakness to Devil Fruit users."
"So, the ocean could fix this." Mihawk whispered. The Swordsman nodded. "Do it."
Marco was already moving, pushing his arms underneath Shanks' shoulders and his legs and pulling him up. "Jinbei! Namur!" He exclaimed, he exclaimed, ushering others out of his way as he started for the rail.
"Wait! Bird guy!" Luffy shouted, "What the hell do you think you're doing?!"
Ace felt the panic go through him as Marco reached the rail. He rushed forward, his heart beating against his chest, "What if this doesn't work?!"
"That's why I'm sending in Namur and Jinbei." Marco explained, "It has to work. By the looks of it, Red-Hair doesn't have much time left. We have to act now." He turned to look at Ace, giving him a soft smile. "Trust me. Trust the strength of Red-Hair."
Ace exhaled and nodded, "Okay." He whispered.
Buggy had also pushed his way through, eyes wide as he watched Marco, "You can't be serious! The bastard is unconscious! He can't hold his breath!"
"I know, but it's a chance we have to take!" Marco shot back, turning back towards the ocean before he was hauling himself up, careful of Shanks before he was looking down. His arms erupted into flames, his feet being replaced his his talons before he was pushing up and heading towards the water.
Ace felt like he couldn't breathe as he watched.
"Please work."
"I have a feeling this might work, Ace-san." Jinbei said, bringing Ace's attention to him momentarily. "Moira's zombies were weak to sea water just like he was. That must mean this power might work the same way."
Ace nodded. He looked around and everyone else seemed confident in what Marco was saying. He looked back down at the ocean. Holding his breath.
Water did hold great symbolism. Not only as the weakness to a Devil Fruit user, but the fact that water was needed to even survive. This had to work. It had too.
"C'mon, Mom. Fight it." Ace whispered.
When Marco got close enough, both Namur and Jinbei jumped over. Diving into the water just as Marco let go of Shanks and he went crashing into the water. Ace bit down on his lip, reaching out for Luffy and Sabo's hands that were on the rail.
Please work. Please.
X
The second that she had set eyes on her son again, the fear had started to course through her. Seeing the color of his skin that had turned almost a deathly pale. The black of his veins. The fact that he couldn't wake up. She was terrified. Everything that she had ever done within her life had been for him. Even if at times, she felt selfish for wanting to return to the Whitebeard Pirates.
Shanks couldn't lose his life. Not now.
She had rushed over to the deck as Marco explained his idea. His plan to break this power that was currently holding her son's life. She clutched onto the rail, watching as Shanks was dropped in. This had to work. It just had too. That man already had tried to kill her, and now has done this to Shanks. They couldn't trust him. They couldn't trust him to try and fix this.
They had to do it, but they were running out of time.
"Shanks…" She whispered. A large hand landed on her back, and she looked up to see Whitebeard giving her a soft smile. "Eddie, he has to be okay. He just has too."
"He will be." Whitebeard murmured.
She looked back to the water, hoping with everything that Whitebeard was right.
X
Mihawk had to place his trust into Marco. He couldn't even think straight now. He just wanted Shanks to be back here with him. He could feel Shanks' life slipping away. That couldn't happen. They couldn't lose him. He still had so much life to live on the sea. He had to see their grandchildren be born. He couldn't let himself fall now. He had gone through so much in his life. He just needed a moment of prosperity. A moment of quiet.
Mihawk gritted his teeth. He felt helpless in this situation. There was nothing that he could do.
Give him back to me.
He pleaded. Pleaded with anyone who would listen. He already had to watch his son almost be executed multiple times. His mate and husband being kidnapped. His bond being broken.
He didn't think he could make it through this if Shanks lost his life when he was just trying to protect his children. He could hear his children muttering. Sabo pleading. The Red Hair Pirates were deathly silent. It was like no one was breathing. Each of them holding their breath to see if this would work. All of them at squeezing at the rail to try and look over to where Shanks had been thrown in. Namur and Jinbei were already under water as Marco came back up to the rail, perching on it and watching.
This had to work.
Shanks' life was worth every bit of pain that Mihawk had ever gone through in his life. Ace and Luffy's were. Mihawk couldn't lose him.
Wake up, Shanks.
X
Marco was sure that this would work. It was the only logical thing that he could think of that would work. When he had picked up Shanks, he had seen just how terrible he truly looked. The mixture of scents and pheromones that should be there that were gone. Only lingering on his clothes. The way that his veins looked like it was full of a type of poison that was moving throughout his body, trying to shut down everything in his being.
Water was the weakness to a Devil Fruit user. He had heard of multiple times where sea water had counterattacked Devil Fruit powers.
The symbolism of water alone was enough to tell him that this had to be the right course of action. Ace would be devastated if he had lost Shanks. Ace had gone off on his own when Shanks had been abducted with the sole purpose of bringing Shanks home. He had defeated Teach once and for all. He had gotten Shanks out of his captivity. He had gone through a war where his life had been spread out for all to know. They deserved one good shot here.
He had thought of all the meanings of water and one in particular had come to mind.
Purification.
If anything, it might buy them time. He couldn't be sure. Hell, he didn't know if he was positive that this would work, but it had too.
They had to get Shanks back.
This sea would never be the same without him if Shanks were to die here or if he were to never wake up.
The man that caused this had an obsession with life and death. So, why wouldn't the symbolism of the four elements of nature not play a part in the powers that dealt with life.
C'mon, Red-Hair. You've always been stubborn, work that magic.
He could only hold his breath. He had sent in Namur and Jinbei since both of them could breathe underwater. They could make sure that nothing happened to Shanks while he was in there.
This would work.
Marco could feel it.
He paused as he noticed the soft glow that was in the water. His eyes widened. He had been right. A smile slipped on his face.
"Make a show of it, Red-Hair." He whispered.
X
Shanks froze as he looked out at Lacey running around the field. The sudden warmth that moved over his body. He blinked as he looked down at his hands. What was going on? Lacey looked over to him, smiling and giggling as she rushed over, falling straight into him as he pushed himself up. Hooking one arm underneath her legs as he looked over to Roger and Shay.
"It looks like it's time for you to go home." Shay stated. "It was a pleasure finally getting to meet you, Shanks."
Shanks smiled, "Like wise."
His eyes turned to Roger to see the proud smile on his face. "I'm so proud of you and of Buggy. You are both living out the lives you wanted. There's nothing more I could ask for." He reached forward, pulling Shanks into his side. "I love you, son."
"I love you too." Shanks muttered.
"Go home, Shanks." Roger stated.
Lacey laughed again, wrapping her arms around Shanks' neck, nuzzling her nose against his scent gland. "Bye, Momma! I love you!" She said as she moved to go to Roger.
Shanks almost didn't want to let her go. He couldn't take her with him. He felt tears come to his eyes as he smiled. He took a step back, noticing the way his hands were starting to turn transparent. "I guess this is goodbye." He whispered. "I love all of you."
"Bye, honey." Shay whispered, "My love will always be with all of you. Even if you can't see us. We are with you."
Lacey was waving with another yell of, "Bye bye, Momma!"
Roger was waving to him, keeping the girl secured in his arms. It felt like everything was moving far away from him, before the feeling of wet was touching his skin. The veins in his arms turning black for a moment. It felt like he was in water.
His eyes closed and suddenly he felt water coming into his mouth as he forced his eyes open again. Panic setting in as he felt the water go into his lungs before he forced his mouth shut. He looked around, feeling the sway of his hair in the water. His clothes not actually touching his skin anymore as he noticed that his veins were glowing. The black color that they held disappearing by the second before they were back to normal. He looked around, moving his legs.
He was in the ocean.
He strained his eyes, catching the sight of Namur, one of Whitebeard's Commanders, and Jinbei the former Warlord.
He was awake.
He was back in his own body.
They had seen him, and he could see their mouths moving. He could barely catch hearing Jinbei say, "It actually worked."
Shanks felt weak, but he had enough strength. He looked up to the surface, seeing the shine of the sun against it. Was this all over? He swam up, breaking the surface of the water as he heaved. Letting his lungs fill with much needed oxygen before he was sputtering and coughing out the water that had originally filled his lungs.
He felt hands grabbing onto his back, arms keeping him above water. "That's it, Red-Hair. Let it out." He heard Namur mutter. "LET DOWN A LADDER!" The shout came next.
"You're back." Jinbei stated. "It's good to see that you're alright."
"I feel like shit." Shanks muttered.
X
Ace almost couldn't believe his eyes as he saw the glow in the water. One second it hadn't been there before it was. Just where Marco had dropped Shanks. He felt like he could breathe again when a second later Shanks popped out of the water. Coughing and sputtering as his shoulders shook.
Shanks was alive.
He was awake.
He was back.
"MOM!" Ace screamed out just as the cheers broke out among the deck. The cries of happiness and claps on the back as the pirates rejoiced.
"Holy shit." Sabo whispered. "It worked."
Luffy laughed in disbelief before he was cheering. "IT WORKED!"
Ace laughed, shaking his head, looking over to Marco before he was mouthing, "Thank you."
As ladder was thrown over the side, but before the others could move, Buggy had. Detaching his feet and keeping them on the ship before he was floating down towards Shanks.
Ace didn't think twice before he was throwing his arms around Sabo and Luffy in celebration. This had too finally be over.
"Take my hand, Shanks." Buggy stated.
Shanks looked up, his eyes going wide as Buggy held his hand out. "Buggy?"
Buggy looked annoyed, trying to look anywhere but Shanks, "We'll call it even. Just take my hand."
Shanks smiled, reaching up and letting Buggy pull him out of the water and towards the deck. It was making it more real as Shanks was pulled over the rail and his feet touched down on the deck. Ace was grinning as he rushed over with Luffy, his arms wrapping around Shanks' chest as Luffy got his other side.
"I'm so glad you're okay." Ace whispered.
Shanks' arms came up wrapping around the two as he pulled them close. "We need a vacation."
Luffy laughed, burying his face in the other side of Shanks' chest. The two pulled away as Shanks swayed on his feet slightly and Rouge came up. Both of her hands coming to either side of Shanks' face, "Oh, my beautiful boy. You gave us a scare there."
"Can't be Roger's son if I'm not causing a stir, I guess." Shanks whispered.
Rouge laughed, shaking her head as she placed a kiss against his forehead. They were swamped almost immediately by the Red Hair Pirates as they cried in joy to see their Captain. Shanks was laughing slightly, but his body was still trembling.
It had taken a few moments before they finally moved and Mihawk was now standing there before Shanks. Neither man moved as Shanks looked like the air had caught in his throat before a smile broke out. "Mihawk." He whispered.
Mihawk had moved first, his arms wrapping around Shanks' waist as Shanks' arms around his shoulders. Shanks pressed their lips together a smile on his face as they reunited. Ace was grinning, hands in front of his face to hide his smile as Marco came up beside him and slipped his arm over his shoulder.
"It actually worked, Marco." Ace whispered.
"I had a feeling." He replied. Marco grinned, using his thumb to make Ace turn his head and pressed their lips together. When they broke apart, Ace was still grinning. "Welcome home, Ace."
Ace sighed, leaning his head against as he looked back over to Shanks. Shanks and Mihawk had broken apart as they looked over to him and Luffy. Ace shared a look with Luffy before he was rushing forward straight into the arms of his parents.
Maybe, the hell would finally be over.
Author's Note: a href=" /zbaUczAYwb" The Moby Hangout /a
So, you may have noticed I deleted off this chapter because I decided at last minute, I wanted to take a different route and I was panicking about it. So, I deleted it. I'm sorry and I hope you enjoyed! See you next time!