Slowing down and resting after the war, a little a bit on what was going on at Moby DIck.


Kiropiiii - Glad you enjoy it that much, its good to know. Stay safe too and thank you for the review!

Hi, hi, HollowSea here with an update. I have posted like all the prewritten stories so subsequent chapters are going to take longer. But here's a chapter.

Enjoy~


Chapter 14 ~ Recovery (After the war)

Once they boarded the ship, the nurses dragged the two brothers down to the infirmary, ignoring their protests. But eventually they gave in since Luffy was already on board and safe.

While some of the newer and younger nurses were left on one of their islands in the new world for safety. Their head nurse and older, longer members insisted they came to help with the wounded pirates.

Sabo was mostly tired due to his endeavours in Impel Down with cuts and bruises from the war. Ace, however, was in an uglier state thanks to his one week imprisonment. He had lost quite a lot of weight and had bruises and cuts from both the torture and war. Finally, both of them had horrible burns from Akainu's magma.

But they were allowed to leave the infirmary under the condition that they take it easy and rest since there were so many wounded people with worse, life threatening wounds.

Though, right when they're about to leave, Marco comes in carrying Luffy. He had the raven in his arms, bridal style with his head on the blond's shoulder. Blood was still dripping from the severe wound around his midsection from the seastone 'javelin'-thingy but it had slowed significantly.


After oyaji passed Luffy to him, Marco had to get someone to help him remove the many holsters and weapons attached to the raven. Luffy's soft snoring could be heard through his shallow breaths and honestly even though he's bleeding had slowed, Marco is still worried his breathing might just suddenly slow to a stop.

So once they got every weapon off, he ordered them to keep it in his room (if it still exists) and rushed to the infirmary.

On the way there, he met many of his brothers who had been treated and were safe enough to leave the infirmary. Jozu was one of them, walking past and greeting him, looking happy even though he lost an arm. Some regarded the raven in his arms with appreciative or curious looks. Now that he thinks about it, a lot of them don't know who he is while the commanders probably wanted to know who he is.

Once Marco arrived at the surprisingly intact infirmary, he kicked the door of the infirmary open, revealing many wounded patients and busy nurses. There were more wounded compared to usual yet they had less nurses present for this war. The instant he entered, his senses were immediately bombarded with scents of blood and disinfectants. Orders from the head nurse and moans of pain from the patients could be heard.

""Luffy!"" Marco heard before two of his brothers were standing in front of him looking worriedly at the raven in his arms.

"Is he okay?!" Ace asked urgently.

"He won't be, if you two don't leave NOW!" Whiskey, the head nurse shouted from behind them as she approached.

Ace winced at that, the head nurse was scary, really scary. Even the first mate would do his best to not trigger her ire but it was what made her suitable to handle oyaji.

"But-" Sabo started, ignoring his fear. Marco's brain uselessly supplied him with a memory of the two of them being strung up like clothes to dry by Whiskey after they wounded each other severely in a fight.

"No! Get out!" She ordered, frowning, "I don't have time to argue with you two about this!"

"He'll be fine, go wait outside and rest yoi," Marco told them firmly. They reluctantly left the infirmary, pouting. Knowing better than to argue with the first mate and busy nurses.

Marco laid Luffy down on a new bed which was already lined with plastic. Whiskey then came back with a scissor to cut open the shirt Luffy was wearing to reveal a huge puncture wound and other small ones from stray bullets and Kizaru's light beams. Shallow cuts were mostly gone, but deeper ones like stab wounds only stopped bleeding. Whiskey frowned at the scars already littering his body for a while before she started working with the speed of an experienced doctor.

"He heals fast, 3 times faster than normal human yoi," Marco informed, "you just need to reduce the bleeding at least and it should be fine." She nodded in response before calling another nurse over to take over for her. Giving the younger nurse direct orders on what to do before moving away.

"How's oyaji yoi?" Marco asked while he put on blue latex gloves. He had a pretty extensive medical knowledge, not as good as the head nurse but good enough to offer help.

"Surprisingly well," Whiskey said distractedly, "nothing serious besides his old age, some gunshots, cuts and burns," she said with a sigh. No one can fix old age after all, it was an inevitable thing.

"He should already be resting in his room for now," she continued. Oyaji's room had all the medical equipment required to help him as long as it's not a surgery. "He really scared us all when he said 'last order'," Whiskey said solemnly while stitching up one of his brothers with several stab wounds.

Marco hummed noncommittally while wrapping a bandage on Haruta who he was glad only had minor injuries.

"Yeah, I sort of expected it but I still don't want to hear that," Haruta admitted, "I was really glad he decided to come with us at the end," she smiled, glancing at Luffy who was still asleep several beds away.

Marco's pretty sure they felt grateful for Luffy's help, him included. He's really glad that he decided to get Luffy's help in this war after all. Even though this meant the whole world probably knows that the raven exists now.


The whole day was spent settling down while Marco and the nurses worked to make sure everyone they saved, stays alive. Oyaji remained in his room per doctor's orders to rest even though Marco's sure he wanted to do nothing but sit outside and drink.

Thatch was luckily well enough to cook, so that's what he spent the whole day doing, cooking to drown his worries and sadness for those they lost. He had visited the infirmary with food for them at lunch and later with drinks and snacks. The chef had a cut on his back and leg but nothing serious besides stinging. He updated Marco on what was going on, important and unimportant, outside the infirmary until Whiskey kicked him out.

By the end of the day, everyone was patched up and resting. The nurses looked like they're about to collapse and Marco himself looked about ready to sleep.

"Good work girls!" Whiskey congratulated as they slump on the wall, "but we're not done yet, keep monitoring the patients in shifts. Make sure to get enough rest though." A resounding okay was heard before she moved towards the first mate, "and thanks for the help, Marco."

"No problem yoi," he replied with a loud snap as the bloody gloves finally came off. Just in time, there's some groaning from a bed by the corner.

Both of them quickly head over just in time to see Luffy jerk awake before wincing in pain from the sudden movement.

"Fuck!" Luffy gasped, "hurts like a bitch." The nurse chuckled at that while Luffy shot her a weak glare.

"Luffy, you're awake yoi?" Marco stated obviously.

"No, I'm asleep," Luffy deadpanned with a raised brow, causing tick marks to appear on Marco's head and the raven to giggle at that.

Marco rolled his eyes and flicked the raven's head not noticing the smile spreading on his face. Whiskey's eyes widened at the interaction and couldn't help blink several times before snapping herself out of the daze.

"How are you awake? You should be asleep for longer," the head nurse said, starting to inspect the raven, somehow sitting on the bed.

"I'm fine," Luffy grumbled, frowning at the hands prodding him.

"Let her do her job yoi, Luffy," Marco said. Luffy pouted at him in betrayal.

"Huh," the nurse, who had been ignoring Luffy's protest said in amazement, "your wounds really heal fast, maybe another 3 days and you'll be fully healed." His bandages were undone to reveal his mostly healed organs and red blemishes at what used to be cuts.

"Thanks," Luffy said dryly, "can I go now?"

"Go where?!" She frowned with her hands on her hips, "you're not going anywhere! I don't even know how you're not feeling pain."

Luffy raised a brow at her, to which she responded with the same. So he whined while looking at Marco pleadingly instead, the blond only chuckled in response.

"You're staying here yoi," Marco said, ruffling his hair, "I can't argue with Whiskey, no one can."

She scoffed smugly, "exactly, so you're staying here till I say otherwise!" The nurse said and walked away.

Luffy decided not to waste time arguing with her, only rolled his eyes but snuggled back on the white bed, grudgingly. It didn't take long for him to fall back asleep and Marco, still stroking raven hair gently off Luffy's forehead, finally noticed the dark circles surrounding his eyes. 'Doesn't he get enough sleep yoi?' The blond thought, brushing a thumb over his eye bags, filing the information to ask the raven later. Luffy had always look tired for some reason like living was tiring but not physically tired, like now. Though, he should be tired since they just came back from war, it doesn't explain the dark circles.


Marco waked back up towards the deck, greeting his brothers. He noticed that there was a big hole cutting through several levels but thankfully it didn't reach the bottom where the foundations of the ship are. So, this way their beloved ship, home, could still be fixed.

Blamenco and Fossa, along with helpful crew members had already fixed up a lot while he was busy in the infirmary. The lower levels were fixed with pillars and new floors already placed, while currently they were working on the 2nd level. He assumed Thatch wasn't the only one distracting themselves with work.

Marco walked past his cabin and opened it to find his room intact, thankfully, albeit a mess with everything strewn everywhere. Some of his brothers weren't as lucky, Vista and Namur's cabin were totally burned through while Thatch's was missing half. Many wounded pirates were taking refuge on the deck, laying all over the area since their shared cabins were probably destroyed.

Looking at the sky, Marco deduced that it must be around dinner time and he was right too. Soon enough, chefs, mostly Thatch's fourth division members came out carrying food for the wounded who couldn't move and those in the infirmary. Pirates who were healthy enough to walk began moving towards the galley, greeting him as they went.

Marco was heading towards oyaji's cabin when he noticed Ace and Sabo talking, leaning on the railing and each other;s shoulders. Looks like they were taking the doctor's advice to rest, at least. It didn't take long for them to notice him and quickly jumped on their feet, the older blond held back a groan as they walked towards him.

"How's Luffy?!" Ace asked, looking anxious, feet vibrating on the spot where he stands. Even the cool headed Sabo was vibrating with eagerness and Marco couldn't hold back the groan this time.

"He's fine yoi, Whiskey told him to stay in the infirmary, he's asleep," Marco told them and watched as the tension left both their shoulders. He shook his head in fond exasperation and ruffled both their hairs roughly, ignoring their indignant squawk, "go eat yoi, you must be hungry." Ace looked skinny, his high metabolism must've made it worse for him.

Ace smiled a little, "yeah, I a-" he began before slumping over like a dead man while Sabo jerked to catch him with practised ease.

"He's feeling guilty, isn't he yoi?" Marco asked with a slight sigh in his voice.

"You know how he is," Sabo said as he shrugged. Marco nodded slowly in understanding and worry. Sometimes they really need to smack his head to put in self worth.

Ace had always been this way since they were young until Luffy came barging into their lives. Luffy had a way to make him and Ace feel loved and wanted. They were really happy, until the boy was taken from them again for the same reason Ace hated himself. It had made his self love plummet down the drain and Sabo tried his best to help. Although, with how much he also hated himself at that point for failing to save Luffy, he wasn't much help. Though going out to sea gave them a purpose, ending up with the Whitebeard helped them, especially Ace, a lot. Not that any of them knew about Luffy since they avoided the topic like a plague.

"Don't worry, we'll just have to beat the fact that he matters into him later yoi," Marco smirked.

Sabo winced slightly, "haha… I don't know if getting a beating from you would make it better or worse."

"-am hungry," the raven continued, waking up from his narcolepsy attack. He looked at the two blonds, one with an exasperated look and another amused. "Did I miss something?"

"Nope, nothing at all," Sabo said, grinning.

"Okay, Food Now!" Ace said, tugging his brother's arm

"You not joining us, Marco?" Sabo asked, slowing down Ace's march.

"I'm getting oyaji first yoi," Marco said as he waved and walked away.


"Enter," Oyaji's voice boomed through the huge door of the captain's cabin as soon as he knocked. Marco entered the room and frowned minutely at the many IVs attached to his father. Worry spiking in him without consent.

"It looks worse that it is son," the captain said. Marco smiled in appreciation for his father's effort to ease his worries. The huge man was now sitting on the huge bed, taking out the many needles embedded in him.

"Are you sure you should be doing that yoi?" Marco asked. the head nurse wouldn't be happy to find out oyaji plucked out the IVs without permission.

"I'm alright, Whiskey said I could take it out by dinner," he said, "I assume that's what you're here for?"

Marco smiled and nodded, "but, I'm also here for a report yoi," he said. Whitebeard sighs quietly, knowing what's coming but nodded anyway. It is his responsibility to bear the weight of his decisions after all.

"We lost 26 people yoi," the blond reported, heaving a deep breath at the end, "there's 12 severely injured and 49 mildly injured while everyone else have some sort of a wound."

Whitebeard nodded gravely, "we will bury them and give them a proper send off once we reach a suitable island," he said with another sigh. The old man stood up and left the room, prompting Marco to follow his father quietly by his side.

"How's the cheeky brat? Is he okay?"

"Huh?" Marco said smartly, until his brain caught up, "owh, Luffy yoi? He'll be okay."

"That's good," oyaji grinned, eyes shining with a familiar look.

"Interested already yoi?" the blond smiled at his captain.

"Gurarararara, I have been interested since you were interested son," the old man said amusedly. "Though, I am more interested in how Ace and Sabo know him now," he continued thoughtfully. Marco hummed an agreement. In all the rush, they had all forgotten about Luffy's weird connection to two of their younger brothers.


Whitebeard's POV

Once they entered the galley, it went still. Whitebeard entered and gave his children a calming smile before proceeding to sit on the head of the table. Everyone seemed more at ease at the sight of their father alive and present, continuing their meal with a lighter heart.

At the commanders table, Whitebeard was extremely satisfied to see that all his commanders were safe. Thatch is alive and healthy, Marco back home and safe, and Ace here and saved. Sabo is also here albeit only temporarily, he had left them to be a revolutionary a few years ago and who was he to stop his son from doing what he wants. Besides, the revolutionary army isn't a bad bunch.

His 2nd division commander is currently asleep on his food while his blond brother steals his food. The others were talking and laughing at their antics.

Suddenly, Ace jerks up, food covering half his face. He continued eating like nothing happened until he realised his meal had decreased by half. Turning to look at his overly innocent looking blond brother, he narrowed his eyes.

"You stole my food, didn't you?!" Ace accused.

"Whatever are you talking about, dear brother?" Sabo asked, politely. Too polite. The blond grinned and said seriously, "besides, you shouldn't eat that much, you'll get a stomach ache."

Ace grunted and grudgingly agreed that eating that much after being starved would upset his stomach but smacked the blond's head anyway.

Whitebeard couldn't help but laugh at them, he was worried about how Ace would be after the war but having Sabo here might be helping him after all. Though, his laugh attracted the hot head which turned his head at him before his grey eyes were flooded with appreciation and guilt.

Ace then proceeded to bow his head and thank everyone for saving him. It was responded with cheers, insults and laughs causing him to cry, in what could only be happy tears as he clumsily tried to rub them away. Sabo looked satisfied as he bumped the hothead's shoulder with his own, teasingly. Marco smiled, sighing and shook his head in fond exasperation, it looks like he won't need to beat his younger brother up after all.

By the end of the day, Whitebeard decided to not question them about Luffy today since everyone seemed really tired. Marco's lazy eyes looked even lazier, he was probably really tired from working non stop after the war. Ace had fallen asleep again after his meal while Sabo had yawned almost 10 times by now. Izo kept pricking his fingers on his needles, trying to sew his kimono. Thatch is washing dishes with a dazed look, he's pretty sure that dish has been washed thrice. Jozu is smiling sleepily while daydreaming on his seat. Vista's finger kept getting tangled in his own moustache and Namur had his head on the table while some others leaned on their elbows or talked softly between each other, yawning occasionally.


That night, Curiel and Rakuyo offered to do watch in shifts since they haven't done much during the day so the rest may rest. The sea king pulling them had stopped earlier today since it had no destination. They hadn't discussed their destination or any decisions for that matter. Oyaji had ordered everyone to rest for the night and to have the commanders meeting the next day after breakfast. Oyaji himself, had been ordered by Whiskey to sleep earlier to get more bedrest while she and the other nurses reattached the IVs he had removed earlier and only allowed him to remove it the next morning.

Ace and Sabo shared a room while Thatch went to bunk with Izo. Vista shared with Haruta and Namur opted to sleep outside with the rest of the crew members, in case anyone went overboard. Marco walked into his room and sigh at the sight of the mess but he was too lazy to care, heading directly to the surprisingly still functioning toilet to clean himself as quickly and simply as possible. After that he instantly collapsed onto the comfortable bed and buried himself in his blanket, sighing in satisfaction before falling asleep.


Luffy's POV

That night, just like the past few days Luffy couldn't sleep well. Not with the nightmares that kept haunting him. Several hours past midnight, he woke up with a start for the 2nd time that day, looking around all he could see was white curtains and walls in the dim lighting. The smell of blood and alcohol wafting all over the room accompanied with the steady beeping of machines, didn't help. He had spent a lot of his past in infirmaries just like this, getting prodded and tested all day. The raven could feel panic rising in him as his breathing sped up, goosebumps spreading. Luffy closed his eyes and did his best to convince himself that he wasn't in that place anymore, he was free. He's free. He is FREE!.

He is free to do whatever he wants and he wants to get out of this damn white room. So Luffy slowly removed the needle that connected him to some sort of fluid and shifted himself slowly to the edge of the bed. Once he was sitting on the edge of the bed, he paused, where could he go? He was trapped in a huge ship with severe wounds, surrounded with strangers that could attack him at any time.

Marco, he could find him… but Luffy's haki wasn't that good. He can't distinguish people's presence and besides, even if he tried there's too many people here right now. Then an idea came, he tried to bring out one of his tails but it wouldn't work. He tried several more times, sticking his tongue out in concentration. This is usually easy to do, a natural thing, but Luffy must've exhausted his powers in the war with all the powers he used. In the end he could only transform into a fox, but it was good enough.

As a tiny black fox, he could easily walk around, hiding in the shadows. Putting his skills as an assassin to use, he managed to reach the infirmary door. Wondering how he could open the door without having to transform into his very naked human form. He had been stripped off his clothes and put into a hospital gown which Luffy had abandoned along with his bandages near the bed. It wasn't comfortable or useful since the back was very much exposed with only strings holding it together. If his powers were working, he could use his tangible fire but it wasn't.

Luckily the infirmary doors were those swing doors with handles for easy access, but it opened inwards and not outwards. Luffy growled softly in frustration and decided he couldn't care less. Sharpening his claws, the fox stuck them into one of the doors and swung them open like his personal handle. The action itself was unfitting of an animal and human-like, as the fox pulled the door and moved his body through the opening, which was big enough for him yet small enough to go unnoticed. Then he pried his claws off, not forgetting to slow the door down to prevent it from slamming close, loudly. Leaving 4 puncture wounds on the wooden door that no one would notice unless they look down.

Once he was outside, Luffy could breathe easier and his panic died down to an almost ignorable nagging. The tiny fox then moved along the shadows, sniffing the air. Ignoring the smell of sea, burnt wood, sweat and blood wafting everywhere, to follow the scent of the blond he was looking for. Marco had this slightly bird-like smell combined with fire, it was hard to explain. But he also smells like sea breeze and clouds~, at least that's what Luffy thinks it is.

Thankfully, it was dark and late and many of the pirates were asleep. Though, Luffy almost got lost after having to avoid a large hole in the hallway he was walking through. Eventually, he reached another door which he was sure was Marco's, but this time the thicker wooden door had a handle and a lock.

Luffy whined in defeat and annoyance before he proceeded to bang his head on the door and scratch it incessantly with his claws. Marco being the light sleeper he was (Luffy learned from the time they spent together) didn't take long to wake up and open the door grumpily and confusedly.

It's probably bad, but Luffy feels amused by the fact that the blond looked about ready to kill someone. 'Marco must be really tired if he didn't notice me,' Luffy thought and gave a short yip to attract his attention. Well, until he saw the fox that is and understanding dawned on his lazy face.


Marco's POV

Marco woke up to the sound of soft banging on his floor, too low to be a person knocking. Then followed by continuous scratching. If this is a prank, Marco swears he will kill whoever it was. Grudgingly, he got up, avoiding the mess in his room again, expertly and opening the door. There was no one, no one! He was about ready to kill someone until he heard a soft yip.

Marco looked down to see a familiar raven fox but instead of the huge killing monster they saw before, it was smaller, cat-sized with all five tails swishing gently. Those familiar golden eyes made him realise quickly, it's Luffy. His Luffy.

The fox licked it's snout and looked up adorably from where he sat, golden eyed glinting in the darkness. Marco squatted down and looked the fox in the eyes.

"What are you doing here yoi?" he asked, reaching out to pet it's head. Only realising now that he had never touched Luffy's fur and how soft those black fur actually are. It purred and leaned against his hand before hopping onto his lap, yawning widely.

"Alright yoi," Marco said, allowing the fox to enter before he shut the door, "Whiskey's going to kill you tomorrow." Luffy seemed unimpressed at that as he puffed his chest and huffed, looking away.

Marco couldn't help chuckle at that, the fox was tiny and adorable. "Yes I know you don't care yoi," the blond said, lifting the fox onto the bed as he laid back down. Luffy, the fox sniffed his neck, nuzzling his head before curling up beside him with his tiny head on the blond's shoulder.

"Can't you turn into a human so I can kiss you now yoi,"he told the fox. It chuffed as if scoffing at him but proceeded to yip and hop onto his chest eliciting a grunt. The fox then gave him a short lick near his lips before snuggling its head on the man's neck and falling asleep. Marco sighs fondly, resting a single arm on the fox in a weak embrace before succumbing to the tiredness.


Sorry, I know this chapter doesn't have much and everyone's eager for the ASL reveal but It's going there.

Honestly, Whitebeard have so much commander that I kept forgetting who is who, I only several like Izo, Thatch, Haruta, Marco, Ace, Namur, Vista and Jozu. The rest is a little touch and go so excuse me for the lack of use. Rakuyo, JIru, Bleinheim, Blamenco, Kingdew, Curiel, Fossa, and Atmos. I had to search Atmos up, totally forgotten he existed lol, escuse me.

In the next chapter, Luffy would be joining the pirates (still not sure as a fox or human). Whitebeard finally asking who the heck is Luff to them 3

(4419 words)