Title: Of Dreams and Desires
Pairings: Smoker x Ace, Sanji x Zoro, and other side pairings
Ratings: T - NC-17
Chapter: 46 of ?
Summary: The road to One Piece is a dangerous one and each individual begins at different times and places. Some paths cross for a fleeting moment but the encounter could be so great that it can alter the initial direction. Every meeting is important and is planned by the souls long before the bodies see each other. Follow everyone's story and see what path they take.
Disclaimer: I do not make any profit from this story; all props go to Eiichiro Oda.
Author Note: Whew, so I wasn't going to post anything until I got done editing the past chapters but I made it to like chapter 7 and was like…nahhhhhhhh. Lol. The next couple chapters are going to be pretty short but they are crucial. Enjoy!
Shout Outs: Thank you AugustSins for adding my story to your favorites list! ReizaChan thanks for adding the story to your alerts list! Also huge thanks to choiteng and PMMM WalpurgisNight for adding my story to both your alerts and favorites list. I'm happy you guys are enjoying it so far!
Beta Reader: descriptionsalive21, thank you so much!

Sengoku

The fleet admiral watched on as the black ink dried on the paper in front of him. Once he was sure that his signature wouldn't smudge, he placed the document aside and pulled another towards him. As he read over the paperwork, the massive elder mushi sitting on his desk rang. Sengoku glanced up at the clock on the wall and sighed before answering the device, "Sengoku."

"Fleet Admiral Sengoku, this is Rear Admiral Kadar."

Said man hummed in recognition, "Kadar, to what do I owe this call?"

"Dispatchers received word from Vice Admiral Garp's fleet that he's returning to Headquarters from Water Seven."

Thick eyebrows furrowed, "Did he apprehend the Straw Hat Pirates?"

There was a shuffle before Kadar spoke, "No reports, sir."

Sengoku rubbed the bridge of his nose, trying to fight back the headache already creeping up on him, "Thank you for the information."

The commissioned officer replied with a "Sir" before the line was disconnected. Sengoku eyed the large snail on his desk before dialing a code on its shell. When the line was answered, he spoke, "Akainu, what's your location?"

"Mariejois."

"What are you doing at Mariejois?"

The admiral huffed, "It's almost time for the yearly slave auction. The nobles want an escort."

Sengoku's lips curled, disgust lacing his voice, "Ridiculous."

"My thoughts exactly. What did you need?"

"I need one of you three to go to Water Seven. Where is Borsalino?"

Sakazuki pulled from his cigar, "Last I heard he's making way to Sabaody Archipelago on stand-by."

The fleet admiral ground his teeth, "The Marines are not their personal guards! They have CP-0 for that nonsense!"

Akainu snorted, "You tell them that."

The fleet admiral sighed, "What about Aokiji?"

"No clue."

"You and Borsalino keep your mushis near. There are more important happenings in the world other than a slave auction."

"Sir."

Sengoku put the snail to sleep only to wake it again, dialing another code. The mushi rung for a while before Kuzan's voice was heard, "Hello?"

"Aokiji, what's your location?"

The snail yawned, "Not sure."

Black orbs rolled in their sockets, "Make your way to Water Seven. Garp is under command to capture Monkey D. Luffy and his followers."

"After everything he's already going through?"

Sengoku tugged on his plated beard, "He knows his duties. I want you to make sure he at least attempts to fulfill his orders."

"Yeah, yeah."

The call ended and the fleet admiral let out a loud sigh as he laid his head down on his desk with a thump.

Hito's soft voice whispered to him. You're uneasy today.

Sengoku lifted his head and took off his glasses, digging the heels of his palms into his eyes. Yes, old friend. The same feeling I had when I received word of Rosinante's death, I feel today.

The spirit made a noise of agreement. Yes, today has a certain air about it. Perhaps there is something we can do this time around.

I'm not sure what I can do. The final decision is out of my hands.

Before the devil could respond, the muffled brupa of a den filled his ears. Sengoku pulled open the top drawer of his desk and stared at the ringing snail. Multiple mushi's sat sleep in the drawer but the purple snail in the center caught his attention. He glared hard at the communication device. That was the one he'd programed specifically for contact with the Blackbeard Pirates.

The Buddha slowly reached in and pulled the snail out. He held his breathe as he clicked the answer button on the side of the shell.

A soft voice sounded from the speakers, "This is Laffitte from the Blackbeard Pirates. I'm confirming our capture of Portgas D. Ace. We are awaiting further orders."

The fleet admiral's head hung and his hand covered his face. Ace was captured. War was on the horizon. He cleared his throat, "I'll contact you." Without waiting for a reply he hung up the snail and stood to his feet.

Sengoku swiftly exited his office and entered the hallway. His hurried footsteps echoed off the walls and other lower ranking Marines cleared way for him. When he reached his destination, without bothering to knock and with more force than necessary, he slammed open the door to his friend's office and stormed in.

Kong's head shot up at the sudden noise and his brows furrowed at seeing the distraught man, "Sengoku, what's the matter?"

Said man shook his head, "They've got Portgas."

The commander in chief hastily gathered some items from his desk and made his way towards the other man. "Come. We go to Mariejois."

S

The men walked up the stairs to the Gorosei's private chambers. Sengoku paused when they came upon a break in the stairs, "I just sent the order for Garp to capture his other grandson."

Kong stopped on one of the stairs and looked back at his colleague, "I've never seen you this distraught."

Sengoku looked out one of the massive windows and sighed, "I feel like I'm getting too old for this."

The commander in chief motioned for the other to catch up, "You are. Hell, we both are. I think it'll be time to pass the reigns soon."

As they continued climbing the stairs, Kong voiced his thoughts. "Garp's grandchildren are interesting."

"What do you mean?"

The commander chuckled, "One is the second commander of a Yonko's crew, and the other is a part of the super-rookie generation."

"Let's not forget the fact that they were both trained by Garp. That alone causes enough worries."

The men reached the top of the stairs and before the tanner of the two could retort, a guard approached them, "Fleet Admiral Sengoku and Commander in Chief Kong, state your business."

Kong's eye twitched, "We need to speak with the Gorosei."

Another solider off to the right of them stepped forward, blocking their entrance to the door as the other disappeared behind it. Their wait wasn't long. The other heavily armored guard opened the door and motioned for them to approach, "The Gorosei will see you now."

The Marines walked into the room and were instantly met with questions. "Sengoku, why are you here?" One asked.

"Have we received news from the pirates?" The scarred one questioned as he stroked his long mustache.

Kong looked at all five men hard before he answered, "We've received the confirmation."

Sengoku took a step forward, the worn soles of the black dress shoes had him sliding slightly on the slick polished floor, "What would you like our next actions to be?"

The kimono-wearing Gorosei gripped his sword, fingers dancing over the sheath, "Hmm, this is perfect."

The Elder Stars spoke as if the Marines weren't there; contemplating next moves. The tall thin one stood from his seat on the couch and went to pour himself a drink, "Let us make an example of him."

The youngest nodded his head, "What would be the punishment?"

Silence filled the room as the executives thought. A tapping sound drew everyone's attention to the one seated near the window. His cane stilled as he pulled on his dreadlocks, "What do the both of you think the punishment should be?"

The fleet admiral's eyebrows furrowed as he thought of an answer. He glanced over to Kong before he spoke, "Life in Impel Down."

Kong nodded in agreement, "A just punishment. And it'll avoid our forces having to meet with Whitebeard and his allies."

"Whitebeard wouldn't dare go near Impel Down. It'll give us less casualties."

The five men stared at the Marines before the blond spoke, "You two have gotten soft in your old age."

Sengoku glared down his nose at the man, "Being old has taught me not to act before thinking. Especially without considering of all the consequences."

"Regardless, life in Impel Down will make us seem weak."

"And weak, is not something we can be." The dread-haired one commented.

The head of the Gorosei stood and walked to the Marines, "Command a warship to transport Portgas D. Ace to Impel Down." He stared Kong in the eyes then his lips morphed into a smile, "There he will be held until his execution."

"Execution?!"

Sengoku shook his head, "You'll lead us to war."

The thin Gorosei opened his squinted eyes, "War is needed for peace."

Before the fleet admiral could retort, Kong's hand grabbed his arm, silencing him. The commander glared at the men, "Your orders will be followed."

Each man nodded their heads, "You're dismissed, soldiers."

Kong tugged on his friend's sleeve and they bowed before exiting the room. Neither spoke the entire walk down the stairs and back to the loading docks. It wasn't until they boarded their ship was the silence broken.

"Thousands will die."

Sengoku watched the Marines run around the deck to make sure everything was set for departure. He sighed as he rubbed his eyes, "Marine… Pirate… it doesn't even matter anymore. Death has us in his sight and, if left up to them, he won't stop until we all are dead."

Stuffing his hands in his pockets, Kong whispered, "Assemble everyone. All hands are to report to Marineford. The Shichibukai are to travel from Mariejois to Marineford after the meeting and wait there for further orders. Failure to comply will lead to imprisonment in Impel Down. Make sure that is clear to them."

With his orders given, the commander in chief walked away from his colleague without waiting for a response, with the weight of the world on his shoulders.

Ya know, I've never imagined it until now, but could you be in a position where you held a friend of yours family member's life in your hands? That's gotta be the most shitty position to be in. I hoped you all enjoyed and stay tune for the next chapter: Kuzan Aokiji - Huredhiel