A/N: This chapter is about Sakura's meeting with Anya.

-Marine HQ—

Garp laughed up a storm. "He just let them go just like that?"

"Shut up!" Sengoku roared. "Your grandchildren now have that woman. The sooner we get her the sooner they don't use her for something will jeopardize the marines."

"They aren't interested in stuff like that."

"Doesn't matter, if they... strawhat is anything like you he'll basically go where the next thrill is. They don't need to have an ally in that woman."

"It'll all work out in the end." laughed Garp.

"Work out huh." Snorted the Fleet Admiral. "You said the same thing when you bumbled your way to Xebec."

"He's dead isn't he?"

"You would've died if you did not have help."

"But I didn't." Garp started chomping on rice-cakes. "Now his crew is either separated, locked up, or dead." He laughed again.

Sengoku stared unamused his colleague and 'friend'. "Idiot."

A sudden ring was heard in the pocket of the Vice Admiral. Garp immediately took out his Den Den Mushi and answered the call. "Hello?"

"Hey, Garp!"

Garp smiled widely at the familiar voice while Sengoku grimaced. "Sakura!"

"You busy?"

"I'm talking to Senny?"

"Sengoku? How's the fiercest genius of the marines!"

"I'm not in the mood 'Cherry Blossom'." The man scowled. "Garp, go talk to her in private."

"Love you, buddy!" Sakura called out as Garp left the room.

Sengoku grasped his head. "Idiots."

"It has been nearly two months since I have last spoken to you. Let's meet to get drinks."

"Sure, but I'm sure there is another reason you called."

"Yep, the bounties on those kids. It got bumped up from last I saw."

"You are aware they were with the Alabasta Princess and on Crocodile's radar?"

"Alabasta is still standing. I hear his Warlord status has been revoked because a Marine discovered the plot. Should I believe that or did the kids have a hand in it?"

"They stuck their nose where it did not belong." Garp formed a smirk. "They managed to defeat Baroque Works. Wish they were Marines when that happened, but that takes care of one headache."

"Letting pirates beat a warlord must be a pain to your superiors."

"They're angry about him plotting behind their backs and a pirate stopping him. They had to get Smoker to agree with taking the credit." Garp laughed. "But Smokey hated the idea of it."

"Huh, does he have a smoke fruit? I think I ran into him two months after I left Anya."

"That brat does." He scratched his head. "Ah, they also have Nico Robin with them."

"The so-called Devil Child. You worried she might be using the crew for her gains?"

"The kids will take care of it. Luffy will toss her overboard." Garp laughed at the thought.

"If Anya doesn't toss her first, you know she's kind of a prude."

"As she should. I made sure Luffy keeps an eye on her dignity and she will make sure any man cries in pain."

"Uh huh, all that matters is they're strong, right?"

Garp snorted. "That's why I brought you to train her. I knew my style did not fit her for long."

"Garp, leaving people in pits for days and floating by balloon isn't good training… you're welcome. We owe each other after all."

"Unfortunately, Red Hair corrupted them. If I knew that jackass was there, I would've gone there and arrested him."

"You keep telling yourself that, but I trained her based on my debt to you more than being interested in her."

"You didn't have to, you warmed up to her."

"I did it because she had some drive. Yes, I was skeptical about training her when you invited me to Fuushia Village 10 years ago."

-Flashback, 10 years ago, Fuushia Village—

Sakura arrived at the village just as Garp had pulled up. After a small greeting, the woman followed the man to a bar. She quickly squashed the idea of getting hammered due to this being more business than personal. She followed into the bar and got a gaze at the interior. Her attention landed on Garp approaching three people at the bar. The hostess with green hair and a kind smile. Sitting in of the hostess were two children she hoped were drinking something non-alcoholic. They instant turned around to gaze at them

The boy with black hair wore navy blue shirt with red letter reading anchor and gray shorts. A noticeable strawhat, while many wore, gave her a familiar feeling. The girl with purple hair donned a green dress and same colored bow in her hair. Both were shocked to see the old man.

"Grandpa!" They shouted in shock and fear. "You're here."

"What's this about Red-Hair being here?" Garp shouted at them. "Is that his strawhat, Luffy?"

"Ah!" They screamed in fear and ran out the room. Garp began to chase them out the door, leaving Sakura to stare at the bar with a smirk on his face."

"I think that's why his son left." She spoke.

"Oh?" the woman at the bar perked up. "Are you his friend?"

"Eh…" she waved it off. "Friend is a strong word, we owe a debt to each to each other in a way."

The woman smiled. "As long as you're a companion to him, he trusts you enough. I'm Makino."

"Sakura."

"Do you want anything?"

"Just some scotch."

Sakura sat at the bar as bar maiden poured her drink, not fearing her in the slightest. Sakura herself wasn't just some run of the mil old woman. Her spear and chest armor should've indicated to not think twice about her.

The door opened revealing Garp dragging the kids and lecturing them along the way.

"You're not going to become King of the Pirates!"

Luffy crossed his arms. "Yes, I am, right Anya?"

"Right!" She finished as she puffed her cheeks.

He grumbled and threw them in front of Sakura. The kids fell on their faces and looked up at the old woman.

"Luffy, Anya. This is an old co-worker of mine. Her name is Sakura."

Luffy waved. "Yo."

Anya nodded. "What's up?"

Garp punched them both on the head. "That's not good manners!"

"Crappy! OLD MAN!" They both shouted.

"Who taught you that?"

"They are in a bar." Sakura commented with coy grin. "What did you think would happen."

Her response was more of a statement than a question. Garp frowned slightly and crossed his arms. "Tomorrow, I'm taking them to Dadan, but today we're training."

Luffy grumbled. "Not your way."

Garp narrowed his eyes at the boy.

"Garp." said Sakura. "Your plan is already falling apart."

Garp chuckled. "No, it's not. Anyway. Luffy, you are with me. Anya, stay with Sakura, get to know her."

"But why?" Anya frowned. "She's old."

"Little girl." Anya froze as she slowly turned around and at the feeling of killing intent. She smiled weakly at the woman glaring down. She spoke in a sweet voice laced with venom. "Do you always run your mouth at your elders?"

"A…" She lost her voice at the strange dark aura. She gulped down and quickly regained her voice "You're a beautiful old lady!"

Sakura faltered a bit, staring at the girl for a few moments. She then chuckled. "Cheeky little brat. Trying to flatter me is wasted."

"She tried."

"Tried… yep." Sakura said. "I'll stay here a few days at most before venturing. Once every two months, depending on my mood. Come on." She picked up the girl roughly and dragged her out the room.

"Hey! Let go!" She started kicking her the woman

"I could drop you in ocean."

"I can swim!"

They shouted as they left, leaving the others behind.

"Uh… why her?" asked the boy as he stared in confusion.

"Because then I can focus on you!"

"WAH!"

Out in the field, Sakura placed the girl on a log. Sakura approached a tree and leaned against it with her arms crossed. The woman turned around to face her. The little girl puffed her cheeks at the older woman with in defiance, but shrunk when the woman's glare got more intense. The bounty hunter wondered if she could back out of this after causally accepting. Does she want to babysit a child?

"You're scary." spoke the girl

"When I want to be." The older woman gave a smug look. "Okay, brat. Your grandfather tells me he's training you to be a marine."

"I don't want to." The girl scoffed

"Why?" the pink haired woman raised her eyebrow.

"Because Shanks is cool so being a pirate is cool. I decided to be pirate if my brother wants to be one and he does."

She rolled her eyes at her reasoning. "Do you really want to? Pirates aren't the friendliest bunch."

"Shanks is cool."

"'Red-Hair' is an odd case, not all pirates are like him."

"I just want to be with my brother…" She lowered head as if she was remembering something. "I want to be strong, so I won't slow him down." She looked up at the woman with confidence. "I don't want to be… weak. I want to be strong enough to protect him, to help him find One Piece and see all the awesome animals and creatures of the world.

The girl deserved some points in wanting to protect someone and had her own ambition instead of just helping her brother. Sakura didn't mind the girl wanting to help her brother, but to be so reliant on him. That what she feared; she probably figured that was why Garp asked her to train his granddaughter... that or to give her a different style of fighting or something. Only he knows what goes on his head.

"So, you desire strength." She said sternly. "You want to protect him? Is that right?"

"Yeah, I have his back and he has mine. Family covers each other. That's what gramps says."

She contemplated her next question. Perhaps Garp did not want them to be too alike, but still be together. Twins grew in the same environment yet, have different personalities.

"Do you love your brother?"

"Yes! You're stupid for saying that question."

"Hmm." She quietly moaned. Obviously Garp did not discipline the kids correctly, she needed some manners instilled into her. She furthered wondered if she could back out. If she did then he won't pay off tabs at a few bars across the world. That and their history gave her some form of bonding between the two. She mentally sighed at taking up another apprentice after the last ones she had.

"They weren't bad kids, but had different paths... one of them fell in love and settled on a dangerous island in 'Paradise'. He's crazy for doing that, but that's him. The other is dead and the last is..."

She popped out of her musings and glanced at the girl. She covered her mouth before she could chuckle. The girl had fallen asleep standing up. Ah, so that was an inherit trait. Can't fix that.

"WAKE UP!"

"AHH!" Anya popped out of her slumber. She looked at the older woman groggily. "Yo."

"It's Hello." She smiled slightly. "Alright, I'll train you."

Anya eyes widen. "Really?"

"I'm doing this out of respect for your grandpa, not you." She said. "It's going to take time. What are you good at?"

"Um… eating, sleeping, dancing, reading, animal liker…"

"Liking animals is not a hobby."

"I love them!" The young girl puffed her cheeks with defiance.

"Hmph… you like dancing or do you like to dance?"

"Yep," She smiled widely, not understanding the question. "I don't sing nor am I good at playing music. So, I dance to it."

"Well, well." She smiled as an idea started forming. "Dancing can be another form of combat. Alright, come at me with the intent to kill."

The little girl's eyes widen at the command. "I… I don't want to kill you."

"You won't. I want to see how good you are so far with Garp's training." Sakura pulled a piece of branch from a tree. "Now come on!"

Anya clenched her fist and charged. "YAHHHH!"

-later—

"Hey grandpa!" Anya waved at him looking a bit bruised and bloodied.

Garp gazed at the girl and back at the older woman. "Huh? She's not actively trying to run away or unconscious?"

Sakura gazed deadpanned at the man, then at the tuckered out Luffy lying on the flood and then back at Garp. "Who taught you?"

"I'm self-taught." He laughed at her. "Nature was my trainer."

"You're an idiot. I've decided to train her to be the nimblest fighter when she grows up… and be a dragoon."

"Ah, you're going to recite the oath?"

"It's going to be drilled into her constantly when I deem it as such. She can throw a punch and strong for her age. She can throw when angered. I can use that when she throws her spear and shield in the future."

"You agreed."

"I said I will." Sakura rolled her eyes. "Does not mean I have to like it."

"Great, come with me tomorrow."

"Where? To this Dadan?"

"Yeah, but there is something else I want to show you."

The next day was eventful. Sakura met the Dadan Gang at this crappy little shack. She felt sorry for them to be caught up in Garp's threats, in another scenario it would have been funny. During the visit, a kid named Ace caught her attention when Garp pointed him out. The look on that kid was something she never wanted to see in a child. Severe Anger, with some hatred. She felt a familiar vibe as she gazed at his features. Where did she see him before? A sudden image of the late Pirate King occurred in her mind. No… it couldn't be. Could he? Perhaps?

She confronted Garp who basically told her in confidence about what she thought were rumors. She was shocked that Roger had a child with another woman. Let alone a woman with the same D. initial as Garp, Roger, and others. Disgust over how the government 'removed' woman and children who thought were connected to Roger. Another reason to not join other than she hated the uniform. Yes, she was that shallow.

That night, she sat in the room just as Garp finished explaining.

"Now that you dragged me into this, I will have to keep my mouth shut."

"Does that change anything?" Garp gazed at her intently

Sakura shook her head. "The world hates the very idea of Roger spawning a child." She drank some water. "That idiot knew that, but still insisted on bringing a child into the world."

"Roger wanted the child to have a better life."

"I..." She groaned. That idiot knew, but he had to be wishy washy and this idiot had been equally wishy washy. "I don't want to know how he got you do it. You D's always go in with reckless abandon." She sighed and muttered. "That may be why I assisted you then and respect his strength."

"Great, nothing to worry about." He dodged a cup thrown at him.

"Don't act like you're off the hook." She yelled out angrily with eye blazing like fire. "I'm showing her the ropes before I leave. Dancing will help her move faster and keep up her endurance. Maybe she can use it for fights when she's older."

Garp laughed. "Both have the drive to be strong." He frowned slightly. "She wants do something outrageous too, like open the most dangerous animal farm. Luffy's ambition is to be the King of Pirates."

Sakura contemplated. "You want something that doesn't involve a bunch of dangerous beasts roaming around and people paying to see said exotic beasts. Un huh." She shrugged. "She's going to be a Dragoon might as well tell her about the order, maybe the birthplace."

"The birthplace of the order is lost to history and might as well be a myth."

"Who's to say it's unlikely." She smirked. "Myths … might be true." She took a sip of alcohol. "Who's to say the birthplace of the order does not exist. A place where the Dragon Knights were a strong force once upon a time ago." She spoke fondly of the idea. "Now just a bunch of scattered idiots."

"…" Garp sighed. "Just make her strong enough."

"I will."

The next day Sakura took the kid outside in the woods

Anya was given a long wooden stick for children. "A rod?"

"A bo staff." The older woman said. "I'm not giving you something sharp until you at least show the grace of a swan." She held up a small wooden rod "Now then I'm going to teach you some basic stuff. You're going to try to work on your legs as you get older."

"Cool." She twirled the staff slowly, before picking up speed. Unfortunately, she ended up hitting her head. "OW! That hurt!" she cried out as tears started forming.

Sakura sighed. "Just don't be stupid okay." She caught something in her Color of Observation. She looked up to see Ace in the trees staring at them. Anya followed her gaze and looked at him. "Oh hey!"

Ace scoffed and leapt away.

"Rude!" The girl shouted.

Sakura did not like the look. Knowing who his father was, made her wonder if it was wise for Garp to even tell the child. She shook her head. That was not her problem and if he became a terrible threat later… hopefully not, then she needed to make sure someone would take him down a peg.

She gazed down at the girl. "Anya, that boy..."

"Luffy-nii and I decided to be his friend."

"Wha!" She lost her her train of thought, shocked at what the girl said. "Ah… huh?" She looked on in shock. "You did?"

"Luffy thinks he's cool. I think he just needs a friend. Nobody should be that mad."

The spear user stared awkwardly at the girl for bit. She took in air and breathed out as she let out a light chuckle. "Just be careful. Whoever you're going to run out there you will need to defend yourself, got it?"

"Yep!"

"Now then, do some squats!"

-9 weeks later-

She arrived back 9 weeks later where she immediately went to Dadan's house and learned about what the twins had been up to. She smacked her forehead at them following Ace around and getting into trouble. She stayed at the house, waiting for them to get home.

Late in the afternoon the twins appeared looking a bit ruffed up. They seemed startled by her appearance.

"Ah! The old lady."

"Sakura!"

The woman's eyebrow twitched. "Manners, Luffy. Anya, call me Master Sakura or Sakura-sensei. You kids have been busy, huh?"

"Uh…" The twins looked at each other and back at the older woman.

She sighed. "Tomorrow you're with me all day Luffy. No butts!" She warned.

Luffy pouted. "What? Why?"

"I want to see how far you are in your training."

…Next Day…

Sakura had gotten them up in the morning and forced them train with her. She caught a glimpse at Ace, who scowled at her before leaving to do who knows what. Around noon was when she stopped.

Luffy huffed and puffed as he was finished training. Anya learned on her staff she too was tuckered out.

"Huh…" hummed the older woman. "I can see your more… dexterous."

"What does that mean?" They shouted.

The old woman shook her head. "So, tell me something. Why are you following Ace and getting yourselves nearly killed?"

"He looks lonely." said Luffy. "We know how he feels."

"Are you sure?" Sakura gazed at them with curiosity. "How he feels may be different from how you feel. You don't know how he feels, in fact he obviously does not want you around."

"He looks mad." spoke Anya, looking at her with resolve. "We want to be his friend."

"Both of you?"

"Yes!" the twin declared in unison.

Sakura chuckled softly. "I see. No matter what I say, you're going to do it. Just like him. Welp, that's fine. Just don't end up getting killed."

-2 months later-

The Bloody Cherry Blossom arrived back at the island. She arrived at Makino's bar first to make sure the kids were there, then to Dadan's house. The woman told her the girl and the boys were out exploring. She used Observation to locate them.

"Brats!" The woman dropped down before them.

"Wha!" She smirked at startling Ace and the strange blonde boy by dropping down from the sky. Once they recovered, they pointed an accusing finger at her. "WHO ARE YOU!?"

"Oi, granny!"

"Hi, Sakura!"

THWACK!

The old woman smacked both kids upside the head. "Oi, that's rude Luffy. Anya you are my apprentice, refer to me as someone you respect."

"Fine!" The girl pouted. "Master Sakura."

"Good," She gazed at the two boys. "Ace, stand up straight!" she barked at him.

Ace promptly stood up obediently, then realized what he was doing before yelling at her. "HEY! I'M NOT YOUR SOLIDER OLD H-!" His mouth was covered by the little. The boy glare at the girl, who shook her head, pleading for him not to finish it. Ace gazed at the old woman, feeling uncomfortable at the eerie smile she displayed. Promising to teach him 'manners'.

He pushed away the girl's hand and scoffed. "Hn."

Sakura chuckled and then glanced at the boy. "And? Who might you be?"

"Ah… I don't have to tell you."

"Sabo." replied Luffy.

"Luffy!" shouted the blonde.

"It seems like you all formed a little clique."

"We're siblings now." Anya smiled brightly at the words she said. "They're all my brothers."

The way they smiled and how she said it was so disgustingly sweet she thought blood sugar increased. Something about this group made her feel they would grow up to be a dangerous quartet if given the proper training.

"Alright, come on Anya, let's go."

"Okay." She waved at the boys before running off.

The boys watched them go before Ace turned to Luffy. "For moment I thought she was going to force us train each other."

"Me too." Sabo sighed in relief.

"Her and gramps are friends." Luffy turned to them. "She's a dragoon."

"A what?"

"Knights that command dragons." Luffy answered unsure. "At least I think that's what she said."

"Dragons don't exist." Sabo muttered.

"Exist or not, it's not important. Come on, I spotted something on the way here." Ace gestured to them to follow."

Sakura faced the girl. "I see you finally befriended him, but where did Sabo come in?"

She relayed the story. At one point she had the urge to murder both kids for letting Luffy get captured and the girl getting lost trying to save him. But then they managed to break in and save Luffy from this 'Bluejam' idiot.

"Glad that sorted out." She said with a little venom. She won't kill the duo, but she could 'train' them. A dark smile formed on her lips.

"Are you plotting something bad?"

She was snapped out of her thoughts by the young girl. "Huh?"

"You have a wicked smile on your face, that means someone is in trouble."

"I do?" She smirked at her. "We've only known each other sparingly, how can you know that?"

"I… just know I guess." The purple haired girl shrugged.

Sakura stared at her for a pregnant paused before laughing. "'Just know?' Ha, I guess I lowered my guard around you constantly. Well then brat. Show me your progress and I'll teach you something new. Heck I'll tell you story about tale later."

"About what?"

"The Order of Dragoon."

Later in the day, over lunch. Sakura sat with the kids and Dadan where she began to tell a tale.

"According to the legend the Order existed through history. A group of Guardians capable of defending the world against all who choose to threaten it."

"Like a superhero team?" awed Luffy.

"They can be seen as heroes. Always active, always ready, always strong."

"If they're so mighty, why aren't they around?" asked Ace

"They disbanded 800 years ago… maybe some time before that. Something happened that made them want to dissolve the group and to abandon their meeting place. Some people I talked to think there was a disagreement among them that made them dissolve or… they were forced to."

"Wait… who or what could force a mighty organization to shut down."

Sakura had an idea, but the idea was a theory. "Who knows, maybe they weren't force to. Maybe they disassembled willingly."

Dadan frowned. "Who knows what happened. Maybe there was some force that caused their group to break up."

Sakura shrugged. "Some people think the order is a myth after all. All the Dragoon in the world are just individuals relying on an old myth. Much like the mythical Paladin."

"But what if there was an order." Anya stood up. "What if all they need to find the old meeting place?"

"That meeting place and location have been lost for a long time. They say you would need artifacts to find it or some other trinket."

"What kind?"

"Don't know, might be a key or some coin." Sakura sighed. "All I know is its location has been lost and other treasures of the Dragoon along with it."

"… then… maybe I can find it?"

"That's up to you kid." Sakura stood up and stared at her intently. "Before you decide on doing that, making that kind of declaration will spell out a lifetime of failure. There are those who sought it out and only end up either losing their life or time."

"If Anya-nee can find it, then she can." Luffy shouted. "It's going to be an adventure on the path to become the King of the Pirates."

Anya smiled further at her brother's conviction. "It might be out there. When I find it, all the Dragoon will reunite!"

"Even if they are enemies?"

"Uh… I'll make a rule so they don't fight each other when they visit. Like that?"

Sakura laughed her head off at the child-like idea. This made Anya mad.

"You meanie!"

"Sorry, kid. I admire that. You want neutral ground? That's fine, if I'm alive by then I'll be there with you."

"You will be there and I will make you proud." Anya glared at the woman. "Is that how Master and Student works?"

Sakura smile fondly at the girl. "If you find it then you'll be the best disciple I ever had."

The group talk animatedly until sleep overtook them.

Sakura had left and came back over the course a few months. Sometime after the 9th month she learned a World Noble arrived at the Gao Kingdom. Something told her to go back now. She arrived just as Garp was leaving. He relayed the news to her.

Anger boiled over hearing about burning of the trash yard to appease the cockroach and now Sabo being killed by that cockroach just because he was sailing next to it. They had to stop Ace from trying to get himself killed just because said cockroach would overkill for a small child. She was horrified learning Anya witnessed the cockroach destroying the ship and tried to also get herself killed by throwing a rock. Luckily someone stopped her from doing it.

She arrived at Dadan's place and instantly felt the intense mood. She did not need CoO to know how they were feeling. Dadan told her the kids were out back if she wanted to see them. Not missing a beat, she went over to them. Their mood made her heart further break for them.

All three looked at her with varying looks. Ace was surprised, but his mood was still angry. Luffy looked like he was crying. Anya, her stomached churned at the dark look she had. These kids were too young to face anything. The girl witnessed the murder and how said murderer continued to walk freely.

She stood up and waved. "Hi."

"Granny."

"Hi."

"Master…"

Luffy, Ace, and Anya greeted in their own way. The later sounded more morbid.

"I heard."

"Yeah, gramps told us everything." Ace scowled. "Told us someone like that gets to do what they want and not get in trouble." The older boy growled out as he kicked a rock.

"Not fair." Luffy cried out

"…" Anya looked away. "Bastard."

She frowned at their misery. She moved aside some hair before talking. "Sorry."

"I guess you can't do anything either." Ace said. "You're not with the government, but you help hunt pirates."

"You're right."

"But you're strong." shouted Anya. "You could go there and fight them."

"That would be suicide." She said sadly. "They would get someone higher ranking than your grandpa on my ass that it would be impossible to evade. I don't know what Garp said, but the truth is that the reality of this world is messed up and the only thing to do is get strong enough to keep living."

"Sabo tried." Luffy whimpered.

"Yes," She wanted to choose her words carefully. "Sabo… died doing what he wanted to do… be free."

"I…" Anya muttered. "He promised we would reunite in the seas." She looked at the older woman with a hollow look. "It feels like he broke it."

"No…" She walked forward and bent down in front of the girl. She gazed at the boys. "He did not break it, it was stolen. The only thing you can do now is remember him and keep moving forward for his sake. All of you must keep living even if the world throws everything at you to make you feel you want to die. You all must live. Even if you're killed you won't die. The dead are forgotten by those who don't know. He's not to you three or me or Garp or Dadan or anybody here. He's in here." She pressed against the girl's chest where the heart is. "Also in all of your noggins."

Anya nodded. "I.. get it."

"Yeah!" Luffy frowned

Ace humped. "Uh huh."

Sakura gazed at Ace. "That includes you."

Ace eyes widen at the look. She knew, she all along. Of course Garp would tell her.

"I don't care what you become in this world, but make them know your name and never forget yourselves." She stood up. "If you all feel up to training, I'll come back tomorrow."

Anya nodded, shedding tears down her face. "I… yeah."

That did not sound like she accepted, but it took time.

The next night Anya came up to Sakura.

"Master Sakura."

The woman looked over at the girl from her cot. "Yeah?"

"… I… hate being on this island. I want to come with you."

The woman frowned slightly. "I can't take you with me."

"Why not?"

"You want to leave your brother?"

"But… he can come and Ace too."

She groaned and sat up. She gazed down at the girl with a frown. "Listen, I don't have time to babysit you. I got a lot of things on my plate and I can't have you in danger constantly. Not as you are at least."

"But…" The little girl started to tear up. "I feel like I'm trapped. I just think about everything that happened and nobody outside of us caring. I don't want to be angry; I don't want to be in a cage, I want to be free. Free of from this cage and hatred."

Sakura eyes widen. What kind of thoughts has this girl been thinking about? She had to think about what to say next or else...

"Anya, how about this. When you turn 13, I will take you away from this place. I want you to train hard, in the basics, to know what you are doing. After that I will train you out at sea."

"Um… my brothers and I planned to leave when we turn 17. Ace will leave as soon as he turns 17."

"Yeah, I get it." She contemplated. "Hmm, there is an island in the East Blue that has dangerous terrain. Not as dangerous as the toughest threats out in the seas, but just enough for you to get training."

"Really?"

"Yeah." She smirked. "When you turn 13, I'll come back, take time off hunting dangerous outlaws and stick around the East Blue until you're seventeen then… I'll drop you off somewhere." She placed a hand on the girl's shoulder and smiled warmly. "Can you endure it? Don't let hatred fester in you. This is going to be a challenge."

She frowned. "Will Luffy-nii and I reunite?"

"Yes, if you're a marine or pirate, I guarantee you'll meet again. Right?"

"Right!"

-6 years later—

At the docks, a group of people assembled to wave the girl off. Dadan and the bandits already waved her off earlier, pretending to not care about her departure. They did. Garp, was hesitant at first, but gave in. Last time he arrived he told Anya to train to become a strong marine. The girl shrugged it off with a 'sure'.

Anya, donning a green t-shirt, jeans, and sandals, hugged her brothers tightly. They were not leaving each other forever; it was more of a 'catch you later'. She ran to Makino and hugged the sister-like person tightly. Sakura watched on with sigh, something about long goodbyes made her irritated. Just say bye and leave. Simple. The bounty hunter watched the girl walk to her twin again to hug him once more. They pulled apart and trainee boarded the woman's ship.

"Bye everyone!" Anya waved to them as their ship began to pull off.

Ace smirked. "I'll be out at sea next year. Maybe we'll run into each other. If not then we'll see each other later."

"Right!"

"Make sure you don't get into too much trouble." Makino waved.

"Sure!"

"Don't make lots of noise!" Mayor Woodslap shouted. "Sakura, don't let her do anything illegal!"

"Right, pops!" Sakura shouted back

Luffy looked on with a frown, a tear about to be shed. He rubbed it away and took a deep breath as the boat floated further away.

"ANYA! WHEN WE SEE EACH OTHER AGAIN! I'M GOING TO ASK ONCE MORE TO JOIN MY CREW!"

The girl smiled brightly and took a deep breath. "WE'LL FIND EACH OTHER SOMEDAY! I'LL BE THE BEST DRAGOON ON YOUR CREW!"

Luffy nodded sharply, feeling excited. "ALRIGHT!"

-end Flashback—

-Middle of the sea-

Sakura sat on her ship at sea while talking to Garp.

"Despite all the circumstances of their… profession they have gotten stronger."

"I still blame 'Red-Hair', but they're doing okay." Said Garp over the Den Den Mushi. "I'm proud of their conviction, even if I don't agree with Luffy's goal. I still think it's a little crazy you encouraged Anya to chase after the birthing place of the Dragoon Order, even if it's myth or not."

"Eh," She shrugged. "I wanted to give her something to be independent from him. Besides they'll help each other accomplish their dream, maybe help with the dreams of their crew."

"We'll see, they will have to not get caught or die. I'll meet them soon and lecture them about their choices. I don't know when, but hopefully they won't get caught up in an event with all eyes on them."

"Bahahaha! I can imagine. You did something that caught the world's attention, so why not them?"

"… damn."

-Merry Go, deck—

Nami perked up, having a feeling of dread. "I felt a chill in the air."

Anya yawned. "Maybe you ate something that did not agree with you."

"No." The navigator rolled her eyes. "It's like someone talking about us and predicting our doom."

"If something doom related happens, I will be sure to defend you ladies." The chef spoke to them. "Or maybe you need some soup

"Maybe you do have a sense of danger. Sounds like another adventure is approaching." Luffy spoke out. "Shishishi, I'm excited."

"If you feel anymore chills, come tell me." Chopper walked up to Nami. "Hopefully you don't have a cold or some other illness."

"A chill down your spine is the first sense of danger." Usopp. "That is a foreboding sense.

"We'll be fine, Usopp." Said Zoro.

Robin giggled. "I'm sure things will turn out alright."

Luffy jumped on the figurehead with a smile. "King of Pirates here I come!"

A/N: Water 7 is up next. One of my favorite arcs. Wano seems to be winding down. Luffy vs. Kaido and according to some leaks there might be a lore dump soon and then Big News after the Wano.