Impossible
Author's Note: Hey everyone and welcome back to Impossible! So, we are FINALLY wrapping up with Shanks and I'm going to do Mihawk's next instead of after Ace and Luffy like They Don't Know About Us. I did want to expand more and give more within the background unlike before. I do hope you enjoy. On with the fic!
Trigger Warning On: "They had taken to visiting Party's Bar…" and "They had been back on the Grand Line…"
Chapter Warnings: Non-Consensual Touching, Attempted Sexual Assault, Murder, Violence, Non Canon Character Death
Chapter Six: The Yonko of the Sea: "Red-Haired" Shanks
Chapter Summary: As Shanks tries to get normalcy in his life, he returns back to the Grand Line. Deciding that his kids were being too reckless, he decides to go to the East Blue where Luffy's life will forever change. Returning back to the Grand Line, Shanks is crowned a yonko of the sea.
Following Luffy's birth, Shanks had decided that they were going to head back to the Grand Line and that's where they would stay for the unforeseeable future after traveling around the East Blue for a little. For now, they were just going to travel around and see the world. There were so many places that Shanks wanted to show his children. He wanted to put the last year in the back of his mind and forget about it.
Though, he knew that he never would. Not when whenever he looked at Luffy, the lingering thought came to the forefront of his mind. The what if. Mihawk's words had been comforting, but there was what he could only explain as a wedge placed between them. Shanks still didn't understand how Mihawk could so easily put Luffy's paternity on the backburner. Honestly, there was still so much he didn't know about Mihawk. They were both so young when they were thrown into parenthood. Shanks was only sixteen and Mihawk was twenty. Their relationship had only started the year before in Loguetown. With the sporadic visits, it was somehow a miracle that their relationship was as strong as it was. Still, he wouldn't change it for anything. All he knew was, he was stupidly in love with the Swordsman.
Even if he wasn't here, he saw him every day within Ace. There were even times he could swear that he saw him in Luffy. Luffy's forest scent factor was getting stronger by the day. It was still overshadowed by the cherry blossom scent he gained from Shanks. It made it hard to tell exactly which woodsy type aroma it was. Mihawk had brought of the consideration of doing a blood test on the newborn, but Shanks couldn't find it in himself to go through with it. Each time he thought about asking Akito to do it, he froze completely. His heart would race, and he would find himself unable to breathe. He wasn't even sure what he would do if Luffy's blood results came back, and he wasn't Mihawk's. Akito had tried to assure him that there shouldn't even be the possibility that Teach was Luffy's father, but it was too close to be sure. Even with the emergency contraceptive that he had taken. He hadn't seen Mihawk after that morning. Akito had told him the possibility the contraceptive would have failed was if he was already pregnant when the assault happened since the contraceptive wouldn't have harmed a fertilized embryo.
Even with that in mind, Shanks couldn't bear the thought. He didn't want to go through with it and his fears be answered instead of quelled. That it would come back and say Teach. That he would grow to resent Luffy in some form. He would rather never know and just love his son for being his son. He didn't want to have to think that every time he looked at Luffy that it was Teach. Closure didn't sound good to him. This sounded better. He had already felt torn following Luffy's birth. After some time, he found himself falling even more in love with his newborn baby. Luffy was his. To him, it didn't matter who his father was because of the simple fact that Luffy was his baby.
For that, it made him want to show his children the beauty of the world. All the wonderful and great things that this world had to offer. That even through all the darkness, there was always a light waiting to fill the void. That no matter how many tears were shed, there was always a way to overcome it. This was the biggest obstacle that Shanks would ever have to overcome, and he would do it. Ace and Luffy would never feel the fear that he felt growing up. He may have never been truly in danger, but he would make it his mission to make sure that they grew up to have childhoods even if it was on a ship. Just like Roger had done for him after he left the care of his mother.
What he did know was if one hand was ever laid on either Ace or Luffy, there would be absolute hell to pay and nothing would be able to stop him.
X
The years had started to pass, and Shanks' heart had been so full of joy the entire time. Watching Ace and Luffy grow. With each passing day, the thoughts of Teach slipped into the back of his mind. Concealed by all the good memories that he was gaining with each moment. Watching his boys blossom and grow. Mihawk's visits had started to become more frequent, even with his responsibilities as a Warlord. He had always made the time to stop by at least once a month and stay for a week.
One thing he had noticed was how Ace would react the second that Mihawk had to leave. Ace like always would instantly run up to his Alpha father the second he arrived before slowly it started to dwindle, and he was sticking behind. Waiting for Luffy to approach first before he would. Honestly, Shanks understood Ace's feelings. His pup never had to tell him what it was. Ace was missing Mihawk whenever he was gone. Growing bitter for the following day or two after Mihawk's departure until he would be back to his old self. Shanks had never thought that when he had his own children, that they would face the same thing that he had as a child, but Mihawk did everything in his power to show Ace and Luffy just how much he loved and cared for them. He could see that Ace was trying to conceal it, especially around Luffy but Shanks could see right through it.
Another thing that he had noticed was Mihawk treated Ace and Luffy exactly the same. Which he absolutely adored. He would hope that Mihawk would never treat Luffy any different from Ace just because of what happened to him. Luffy adored Mihawk just as much. Old enough now to communicate easily with them. Always asking him about his adventure that he had been on, and even going as far as to ask him to take him with him just one time. Mihawk obliqued once, taking both Ace and Luffy on a small trip to a nearby island for a couple of days before they were back at the Red Force. It was all the boys could talk about for the weeks following. How excited that they were that Mihawk had taken them on the trip.
Even after everything that he had been through, his life felt perfect.
Even through all the times where he would get harassed on an island just for being an Omega or people thinking he wasn't as strong as he actually was. Booze getting split on him. Food. It didn't matter. If it happened to him, he would just laugh it off. Nothing anyone could put him through would ever compare to what he had gone through in the past. He could easily just laugh it off. It wasn't worth getting angry over. Especially in the moments that he knew he could easily take care of it. Fights weren't worth it. He just wanted a peaceful life, and for the most part, he lived it. His crew even were at the point where they would do the exact same thing. They would react if they needed to. React if Shanks' life was in danger, but other than that, they let him handle it. He didn't like resorting to violence if he could help it. It was a lesson he wanted to teach to Ace and Luffy. That fighting wasn't always the answer. That sometimes being the bigger man was by simply not reacting at all. That they could win a fight without ever lifting a finger.
Even with his want to make sure that Ace and Luffy had a semi-normal childhood, he wanted to make sure they knew how to fight and defend themselves. It was one thing that he was thankful for growing up as a pirate apprentice. They had started out with haki. Which could turn out to be their most valuable asset. Shanks was almost positive that both of his boys would end up with Conqueror's Haki. There was no way to train someone to have it, they just had to have it. Only time would tell. Until then, he trained them with Observation Haki and Armament Haki. Ace seemed to handle it better. Luffy always leaned more towards wanting to be a physical fighter. Which Armament Haki would be his best friend for. Ace was already being taught in swordsmanship, while Luffy had to wait a little bit longer until he was a bit bigger. They were taught gun safety and control alongside it. Just to make sure that they covered all of their bases. He wanted them to be strong, but he wanted them to live their lives the way that they wanted to.
They had traveled most of the East Blue at this point and into Paradise. Shanks wanted to show them all four seas before eventually taking them throughout Paradise and into the New World. Showing them everything that Roger had showed him over the years. One of the things he loved the most was that his children got to meet Yasopp's son, Usopp. A sweet young Beta boy who was born only a month before Luffy was. Usopp would ask him and Yasopp what it was like on the sea, but he never did get to come along, instead staying with his mother until he was old enough to travel. Usopp always looked torn between wanting to be with his father, but also staying in his village with his mother. Shanks couldn't even imagine what it was like being in Yasopp's shoes. Being away from his son. There was more than one occasion that both Ace and Luffy asked if Usopp could come with them, but it was ultimately Yasopp who said that Usopp needed to be with mother. That he couldn't place why he was having that feeling, other than he needed to stay. It reminded Shanks of his mother. It made his stomach twist. In the end, Luffy stated that Usopp would one day be a part of his crew.
That had been the start of Luffy's proclamations to be a great pirate.
What Shanks feared? Luffy's recklessness. It was something that he couldn't seem to break no matter what he told him. Even tried to take a softer approach to make sure he didn't break his spirit. Luffy had a heart of gold and Shanks absolutely would not be the one to ever break that. He never wanted it to break. Even with the doubts in his mind and what could possibly be, Luffy was like… sunshine. One thing that he did see in Luffy was how much the two of them were alike. The more the days passed, the more he saw himself. Even if there was that small tug in the back of his mind. A cloud trying to come over that bit of sunshine that Luffy had given him, just seeing Luffy's smile had told him that he had made the right choice. At least, for him.
It all started to spiral when they had gone back to the East Blue just after Ace's tenth birthday. Stopping by Syrup and seeing Usopp before heading back to Dawn Island. Usually making a stop there a few times before they would head back to the Grand Line. Shanks had made the decision that they would make Dawn Island their base of operations for a year. Working to train the boys even more. Give Yasopp a chance to see Usopp more. As well as give Shanks some time with his mother.
He hated to admit that he was avoiding the areas that the Whitebeard Pirates were in. Rouge was no longer actively sailing with her nakama, so he didn't have a reason to go and see them. Not that he would want too now. He wanted to avoid Teach at all costs. That fear that was implemented into his mind. That Teach would do it to him again. He was sure the stronger that he got, Teach was too. Teach was hiding in Whitebeard's shadow and he was positive that the now known yonko of the sea had no clue who was aboard his ship.
It was just one of many things that made Shanks want to make sure that Ace and Luffy had everything that they needed to make it on their own.
Well, once Luffy got out of this stage of not realizing just how dangerous living the life of piracy was.
X
Despite having come to accept his son over the situation that had happened prior to his conception, there was a few things that he had noticed. He still never could understand just how Mihawk could so easily accept everything, but he was grateful. He never wanted Luffy to be treated differently than Ace. They were his children. No matter what.
Late one night after Luffy and Ace were put to bed, fast asleep, Shanks had brought it up for the first time, "Mihawk, how can you accept this so easily?" Shanks, himself, was still having nightmares. The feeling that Teach was right around the corner. That a blade would be put to Ace's neck again. That his pup would have threats against his life once more. He had come to terms with what happened, but it didn't mean he was just over it.
"Somethings in this world we just have to accept." Mihawk stated, not even looking up at him from his book. A wine glass in his other hand as he flipped the page.
"Why didn't you leave me?" Shanks questioned on, the fear still in the pit of his stomach. It had been his biggest fear when the assault happened. That Mihawk would realize that he wasn't strong enough. That he couldn't protect himself. That he couldn't protect Ace. That he would be someone that Mihawk didn't want to be with.
That had brought the Alpha's attention to him. The sharp glance and snarl coming to his face as he slammed his book shut. "What makes you think I would cast you aside because of what that bastard did to you?"
Shanks sighed, burying his face in his pillows. "Because I'm weak."
"You are far from weak." Mihawk immediately interjected, using Shanks' shoulder to flip him on the bed. "You did what you had to do. I can't fault you for the actions of others. I would never fault you for what he did. Luffy included. Luffy is my son."
Shanks let the soft smile come to his face as he reached up, placing his hands on either side of Mihawk's face. Leaning up and pressing his lips into the Alpha's. He pulled away as Mihawk leaned his forehead against his, thumbs rubbing circles into the back of his hand. "Thank you." Shanks whispered.
"You and our children are the most beautiful thing within this world. Greater than my title as the Strongest in the World." Mihawk murmured, with each statement, he was pressing a kiss along a part of Shanks' exposed skin. "Nothing will change my mind."
For the first time in a long time, Shanks actually believed it.
X
The excitement was going over the ship. All of them were happy to be heading back to the East Blue. They had made a quick pit stop at Syrup Village to see Usopp and Banchina. They had stayed for a week with promises that Yasopp could travel to see them again before they left back for the Grand Line. Once this was over, they had plans to head North for a while. Usopp was a really good kid. Shanks adored him. He couldn't wait to see who he ended up being one day.
With their trip to Yasopp's home finished, they had headed straight for Dawn Island. Their arrival had been met with the villagers and Rouge standing at the port waiting for them. Ace and Luffy were the first off of the ship as Shanks made his way down the gangplank. Smiling as he watched Ace and Luffy wrap their arms around Rouge's midsection. The Omega woman laughing as she wrapped her arms around them.
Rouge looked up at him as he approached, a smile flashed at him as he reached her. She brought one of her arms up, bringing it around his shoulders and pulling him into her side. "Hey, baby boy."
"Mom, I'm literally twenty-seven." Shanks groaned.
"You'll always be my baby." Rouge replied. "No matter how old you get."
Shanks smiled as he pulled away. Both of the boys pulling away as well as Rouge reached over and motioned to a blonde-haired boy that was standing off to the side. "Who's this?" Shanks questioned.
"This is Sabo." Rouge said.
Shanks smiled as he kneeled down to Sabo's height. He was an Alpha from what Shanks could tell. Short curly blonde hair and stormy colored eyes. If he gave a rough estimation, he would put Sabo about Ace's age. "Hi there, I'm Shanks."
"You're a pirate." Sabo said.
Shanks nodded. "I am. I'm the Captain of the Red-Hair Pirates." He confirmed. He turned slightly, motioning to Ace and Luffy. "These boys are my sons. Ace and Luffy."
Sabo gave a few pleasantries, bowing slightly. "It's nice to meet you."
"Like wise."
X
Shanks had learned that Rouge had met Sabo five years prior. Meeting him at the entrance of a cave near Gray Terminal. Ace, Luffy, and Sabo had hit it off almost immediately. Shanks had noticed a few things about him. Certainly in the way that he acted. He acted a lot like a noble would. This boy wasn't just any boy. Rouge had told him she was positive Sabo was the reason that she had stayed. Even if it had taken two years to meet him.
Rouge had always been one to follow her instincts, and it seemed this time that it was working out just like she had hoped it would. Arriving in Foosha, they had spent the majority of the time with Rouge. They did leave at some points to travel to nearby islands and a new place called the Baratie. Taking Rouge and Sabo with them to dine at the new founded restaurant by a former pirate known as Red-Legged Zeff. Shanks couldn't say he was surprised to see that Zeff had adopted a young Omega boy named Sanji. The little boy working as a cook within the restaurant. Luffy and Sanji had hit it off pretty quickly. Well, more Luffy was telling him that Sanji would one day be his cook and Sanji telling him no. Luffy didn't seem to take the hint.
Before heading back to Dawn Island, they did stop to see Usopp once more, letting Yasopp stay and giving him a small boat in case he wanted to come back before they made a circle back through.
It hadn't taken long for Yasopp to return back to Dawn Island though. Banchina telling him to be with his crew and that they were fine. Shanks had made a mental note to make sure they stopped at Syrup again before heading out North.
It was peaceful at Dawn Island. They had started a training regime for Ace and Luffy. Teaching them most of everything they needed to know. Sabo had been brought into it. Their weapons of choice always seemed to be a metal pipe, which was fine. It gave him a bit of comfort for them to try out a metal pipe over immediately picking up a sword. One thing he had noticed immediately was Luffy and Ace's reckless streak. More so for Luffy. It had placed a fear inside of him. It was something he had decided that he needed to put a stop to. Choosing to start teasing Luffy about his want to be a pirate like him. Sure, Ace and Luffy were technically apprentices. Learning the ropes of everything it took to be on the sea, but Luffy didn't seem to grasp the concept that his recklessness would be a downfall. He didn't seem to understand just how dangerous it was despite seeing it time and time again.
Shanks was pleased with their progress. It gave him comfort knowing that they would all be able to defend themselves when they needed to.
Though it always seemed with everything was finally starting to settle, it would change all over again. Some things about this world would never change.
X
"Luffy?! What are you doing up there?" Shanks questioned, arms crossed over his chest as he noticed Luffy standing on the top of the Dragon figurehead. Luffy's face was contorted in anger as he held a knife in his hand. Ace stood next to him alongside Sabo, grumbling that this wasn't going to end well. Shanks had pushed the unsettling feeling to the side.
"I mean it! I am really pissed off!" Luffy shouted.
Shanks laughed. It wasn't the first time that Luffy would get angry at him or act like he was a lot stronger than he truly was. "Go for it! I don't know what you're gonna do thought!" Shanks exclaimed, chuckling as he pushed his hands into his pockets.
"I don't think this is a good idea." Ace muttered.
"What stupid thing is he going to do now?" Sabo questioned.
"It's Luffy." Ace merely replied.
He should have known. The second his eyes fell back on Luffy, the Alpha pup was turning the blade on his face and plunging it right into the skin underneath his left eye. The panic had set in immediately among all of them. "Ouch!" Luffy screamed.
"You idiot?! What did you do that for?!" Shanks shouted, rushing forward, and pulling Luffy down from the figurehead. Grabbing a nearby piece of cloth and placing it against his face.
His heart was racing. How could he let this happen?!
X
They had taken to visiting Party's Bar just about any time they were actually in the village. Spending time with Makino, the barkeep, who his children adored. Makino adored them just as much. It was nice. Rouge was even with them, conversing among the crew with a large grin on her face. Sitting not far from where Shanks and the children were.
Following the incident with Luffy, they had gone to the bar like normal. His face patched up by Akito, but the Alpha pup had tears in his eyes as the four of them set at the bar. The children to his right as he ate on his plate of food.
"That didn't hurt at all." Luffy mumbled, tears in his eyes as he placed a forced smile on his face.
Shanks snorted, shaking his head. "That's a lie if I ever heard one."
"What made you think that was smart, Luffy?" Ace questioned, drinking on the cup of juice that was in front of him.
"I'm not afraid of getting hurt!" Luffy snapped. "I'm going to be a great pirate! Just like you!"
Shanks sighed. This was a task and a half trying to teach Luffy that this wasn't a correct mindset. It was perfectly fine not to fear getting hurt, but it was his recklessness that was the problem. The fact that he hurt himself to try and prove the point. He was taking things too far.
"As if you could ever be a pirate." Shanks muttered, watching the anger flare on Luffy's face. "It doesn't help if you sink like an anchor."
Luffy huffed, crossing his arms, "I've been practicing! Just because Ace is a really good swimmer doesn't mean anything!" He snapped. "I just won't fall off the ship!"
Shanks cocked his head to the side, giving Luffy a look. "You've fallen off multiple times. This is why I'm so adamant about you learning to swim."
Luffy growled, throwing his arms up as he shouted, "I'll prove it! My punches are even like pistols."
Shanks could hear the snickers coming from Ace and Sabo as the two boys listened in on their conversation. The Omega couldn't help but chuckle as he replied with, "Oh, really now?"
"What's that supposed to mean?!" Luffy screeched.
Shanks chuckled, reaching for Luffy's glass of juice, and placing it in front of him. "Have some juice and calm down, Luffy."
"Oh, thanks!" Luffy exclaimed quickly, the anger gone from his face as he grabbed the drink and took a sip. Sometimes it seemed like something small could distract Luffy. It was almost too easy.
Which only gave Shanks the fun, "I've never seen one pirate who drinks juice."
"You tricked me!" Luffy immediately screamed. The others howled in laughter. Ace and Sabo both cracking up as Ace placed his hand on Luffy's shoulder.
"It's okay, Luffy." Ace stated, the grin on his face either way.
Shanks paused as he felt the hairs on the back of his neck standing. With the use of his Observation Haki, he had picked out what it was that was sending up the red flags at him. The person wasn't particularly strong, but he could feel the malicious intent coming off of them. A second later, the door to the bar was kicked in. While eyes turned to the newcomers, Shanks simply turned back to his meal. It wasn't worth the trouble.
"Excuse us." Shanks chose to just listen, keeping on with eating his foot as he heard them approaching. None of them were necessarily powerful, but he had caught the Alpha Pheromones immediately of the one speaking. "So, these are what pass for pirates around these parts? Looks rather sad to me."
The Omega was forced to lean to the side as the Alpha pushed past him, a hand landing directly next to his plate on the bar. He could hear the small growl leaving Ace almost immediately. Through the corner of his eye, his gaze connected with his son. Hopefully giving him the message not to react. It wasn't worth it.
Makino walked over, only stopping when she got to where the Alpha was. "Welcome, gentlemen. What can I get for you?"
"We're mountain bandits, but we didn't come here to tear your place apart." The Alpha stated. "All we want is some sake. I say… ten barrels should do."
"I'm sorry." Makino replied. "But we are fresh out of sake."
The Alpha hummed. "Interesting. These pirates still seem to be drinking. Is that water in their glasses?"
"No. It just happens to be the last of what I had stocked up." Makino replied, keeping the smile on her face despite the fear that was starting to show up within her voice.
Shanks placed the best smile that he could on his face, looking up with a wave of his hand. "My apologies gentlemen." Shanks said, gaining the attention of the Alpha. A chill had gone down his spine from the mere look in the Alpha's eyes. It wasn't a look he liked to see. The flash of Teach coming to the forefront of his mind for just a moment. He pushed the thought away, laughing as he added, "Looks like me and my friends drank the whole place dry." He paused as he reached over and grabbed the unopened sake bottle that had been next to him and held it up. "But you can have this if you want. It hasn't even been opened yet. Go ahead."
His Observation Haki had notified him immediately of what the Alpha was about to do as the Mountain Bandit raised his hand. Shanks tilted his head, using his hat to shield his eyes just as the bottle broke over his head. Spraying him completely in the sake. He just sat there for a moment. Hearing the stunned sounds coming from the children and Makino.
"I'm wanted. There is an eight million berrie bounty on my head. One bottle isn't enough for a night cap. So, don't insult me." The Mountain Bandit growled, lifting up a bounty poster. Higuma. Shanks had seen it through the corner of his eye. It was almost laughable. This man had nothing on his bounty.
Shanks sighed, choosing to ignore Higuma as he placed his attention to the broken bottle on the floor, "Oh, great. Now the floor's all wet." The red head got out of his chair, kneeling down as he reached for the glass. Gathering up as much as he could before he added, "Sorry about that Makino. Got a rag I can clean this up with?"
"Oh, don't worry about it! I'll take care of it!" Makino exclaimed as she started around the bar. The green-haired Omega's footsteps ringing out as she came rushing around.
Once again, his Haki was going through the roof. Shanks ducked just in time, twisting his body as a sword came by his head. Swiping his plate directly off of the bar. "Since you like cleaning so much, maybe you'll find this mess more fulfilling." The laughing caught his attention next as Higuma kneeled down in front of him, a smirk on his face. "Just like the Omega bitch you are." Shanks didn't even let it faze him. He was used to hearing that same line time and time again now. He froze completely as he felt the hand moving up his thigh. Moving through his open leg. Creeping up higher and higher on his thigh. "Instead of a worthless bottle of sake, why don't you come join us for the night if you are so apologetic." Shanks' heart was beating hard against his chest, eyes widening as he kept his eyes out of sight.
When he had his first heat coming back to mind. When Teach attacked him on his own ship. The way he didn't want those hands on him. Yet, he couldn't will his body to move as Higuma leaned in. Lips ghosting over his ear.
"It'll be worth your time." Higuma drawled. Shanks knew that this Alpha would never be able to overpower him. That fighting with him wasn't worth the task. He may have had insults thrown his way over the years, but this was something he dreaded. This had always been something he had been warned about over the years. That Alphas like this man never took Omegas seriously just because they believed the Alpha dynamic was superior. Thinking they could use Omegas in any way that they liked. Thinking that Omegas want it.
Shanks felt like he couldn't breathe as the hand tightened. Gripping harder against his clothed skin. "Leave him alone!" Ace's voice came next.
"Ace!" Rouge snapped, "Calm down!"
"No!" Ace screamed. "Don't touch him! You worthless sack of shit!"
Higuma chuckled, sheathing his sword back into place as he stood up. Shanks felt like he could breathe properly again as the Alpha's hand left. "A place with no sake is a place not worth our time. Let's go men." He stated instead, turning on his heel and starting for the door. Higuma never even knew the second that Shanks said a word, he would be dead.
Makino finished coming around the bar, dropping down to her knees with a rag in her hand, "Captain, are you okay? Are you hurt?"
Shanks raised his hand as he replied with, "Not a problem in the world, Makino." Just a few seconds later he made a tsking sound, a smile coming to his face. His crew had burst into laughter. Smacking at tables. Stomping their feet. A few even falling out of their chairs as they howled in laughter.
"That fella really got you good, Boss!" Yasopp exclaimed through his own laughter.
"Talk about a loser!"
Shanks pulled his hat away from his head, letting out his own laugh as Makino was wiping at his skin. Rouge had started laughing too, shaking her head as she got out of her own seat, kneeling down in front of Shanks. A soft smile on her face as she reached out and started knocking food off of him.
"Why are you all laughing?!" Luffy shouted, causing them to quiet down immediately. Shanks turned to look at his son with wide eyes. He wasn't even sure what prompted this outburst. "How could you just let him touch you like that?! What's so funny about that?! You are the strongest person I know, and you were just going to let him do that to you?!" Luffy screamed, his face getting redder by the second as he stood on the top of his stool.
Shanks smiled, crossing his legs in front of him as he looked up at his son. "Luffy, you know some things aren't worth getting bend out of shape for. It was just some booze, and you know I would never let someone do anything to me. I'm alright, Luffy."
"That's not the point!" Luffy fought back. "He still laid his hands on you!"
Ace sighed, bringing Luffy's attention to him, "You know how Mom is." He smiled as he added, "Mom won that fight without ever lifting a finger."
"He's right, you know." Rouge added, "There's no point in being angry over it."
Shanks grinned, flashing Luffy a smile. Trying to tell him that he was okay. "I understand how you feel, but it's not worth it."
Luffy huffed, turning away with a, "Whatever."
Shanks shook his head, looking over to Makino and giving her a smile as he slipped his hat back onto his head. "Uh, Luffy—" Ace muttered.
The Omega's attention was brought back to Luffy as he heard the crunching sound, seeing Luffy eating in anger. Which was something that Luffy was notorious for. Nash, their cook, could barely keep up with his appetite sometimes. "You shouldn't eat out of frustration, Luffy."
"Shut up!" Luffy fought back through a mouthful.
The smile dropped from Shanks' face the second he realized what Luffy was eating. His heart was racing harder than before as he pushed himself up, "Wait, what are you eating?!" His eyes had landed on the small, opened chest that they had placed on the counter. Keeping the chest close by since inside held a Devil Fruit that they had acquired from raiding a Marine vessel. Luffy looked over at him in shock, swallowing what he had in his mouth as Shanks added, "No! You didn't! Please tell me you didn't eat the fruit inside that box!" Before Luffy could even answer, he grabbed his son by the arm, flipping him over, "Spit it out! Right now! Every single bit!"
"What are you doing?! Why are you shaking me?!" Luffy exclaimed.
"Luffy!" Ace shouted, "You idiot!"
"What was in the box?" He heard Sabo question softly.
"Oh no." Rouge muttered from behind him.
Shanks felt his heart fall to his stomach as Luffy's legs stretched, his face hitting the floor. The anger flared in him. Luffy knew not to touch that chest. He knew what Devil Fruits were. At least, he was supposed to.
As Luffy's body returned to normal, he whispered, "What's going on?"
Shanks lifted him up, bringing him to eye level as he exclaimed, "Luffy! You just ate the Gomu Gomu no Mi! One of the Devil Fruits. Eating any of them takes away your ability to swim, but the one you ate also turns your body to rubber!"
"No way, it can't!" Luffy screamed back.
"You dumbass!"
Why the hell did Luffy have to be so much like him?! It almost infuriated him how alike they were. Luffy was going to kill him one day with all the stunts he pulled.
X
That hadn't been the last time they had seen Higuma. Shanks and his nakama had decided to plan out the next voyage, staying at the ship to do so. The boys had wanted to go see Makino again, which Shanks had granted them permission to do so. They were at Foosha, there shouldn't be anything that happened to raise concern for him.
He sat on his bed, various maps sitting around him, his logbook in his lap as he looked it over. Rouge was sitting at his desk, humming to herself before his attention was pulled to her by her saying, "That look in your eye. A few weeks ago…" He knew exactly what she was referring to.
He sighed as he threw his logbook onto his bed, giving her the best smile that he could muster, "It was nothing, Mom. I promise."
Rouge made a noise, the one that she would always give whenever she didn't believe him. "If you say so."
Rouge had always known when something was off. It used to infuriate him back in the West Blue since he could never get away with anything. She always just seemed to know.
"Baby, if you need to talk, you can always talk to me." Rouge stated, pushing herself up from the desk and moving around to sit on the edge of his bed. Her arms wrapping around his shoulders. "I love you, sweetheart."
"I know." Shanks whispered, "I love you too." He sighed as she pulled away and he stretched his arms. He could use some exercise right about now. "Let's go see what the boys are up too."
"Probably up to mischief." Rouge replied. Ace, Luffy, and Sabo had taken to going up the mountain to see Dadan and her pack. Dadan was a friend of Garp's and Rouge's. Rouge spent quite a bit of time with Dadan from what he had learned. Shanks liked her well enough. She had a soft spot for his kids even if she tried not to show it. The boys really liked to spend time in the woods by her house. Often coming back late at night. It was comforting to know that they finally got to have some sense of what it was like to just be a child. This was one of the best decisions he felt like he could make. Now, he just had to make adjustments because Luffy had unknowingly consumed the Gomu Gomu no Mi. Shanks had just come to the conclusion that he was cursed when it came to Devil Fruits. Whenever one came near him, someone around him would accidentally consume it.
"I hope not. They are with Makino." Shanks stated, readjusting his hat, and grabbing his cloak as he made his way out of the room with Rouge in tow. They had walked mostly in silence towards the bar.
What he found, he hated. His heart had practically stopped seeing the bar completely destroyed. His ears ringing as he shared a look with Rouge and started for the village square. He could already hear the shouts from Ace and Sabo. Makino and Warp Slap following close behind, begging for Luffy to be let go. He gritted his teeth as he got up behind Makino, "I was wondering why the bar was empty." He chose to say out of all the things that he could. The anger was coursing through his veins from seeing Luffy pinned to the ground underneath Higuma's foot. The Alpha having his sword leveled on Luffy's face. Two other Mountain Bandits were holding onto Ace and Sabo as the two boys screamed for Luffy. Only stopping once they realized Shanks was standing right there.
"Captain Shanks!" Makino exclaimed. The Omega shocked to see him standing right there.
"It looks like it's the mountain bandits from before." Shanks stated,
Higuma turned his head to face him, letting out a growl. "Captain!" Luffy shouted. That seemed to catch Higuma's attention because the Alpha's face changed for a second before it was masked.
The smile on Shanks' face got bigger as he said, "Luffy, I thought you said your punches were stronger than pistols?" He started to walk forward, seeing the anger come back to his son's face. The others holding onto the other boys had dropped the two in shock from his appearance. Ace and Sabo both growling as they lifted their arms up, ready to fight.
"Shut up!" Luffy shouted. His shout being muffled from the way that Higuma had him pinned to the ground.
"I don't know why you're here, but you'd best leave before you get hurt." Higuma hissed. Shanks ignored his words, continuing to walk forward as the Alpha added, "Any closer and he'll shoot your head off."
The Omega paused the second the gun was leveled on his head. The clicking sound that followed, signifying that the chamber was now loaded. Everything in him wanted to tear these men apart limb by limb with his bare hands. Though, this seemed like the perfect opportunity to teach Luffy that very lesson that he needed to learn.
"He said no closer! Don't make me blow your head off!" The mountain bandit who had the gun to Shanks' head exclaimed. It was a Beta male. Not very strong. The Omega could tell he was mostly all talk and no action.
The Omega's smile turned into a smirk, tilting his head to shield his eyes with the brim of his hat. He had picked up on his pack approaching. Their bonds notifying him that they were getting closer by the second. "Would you risk your life?"
"Huh?"
"Now that you've drawn your pistol… are you willing to use it?" Shanks questioned.
"What the hell are you talking about?" The mountain bandit questioned.
Shanks finally looked up, pointing at the gun as he said, "I'm saying, that guns aren't for threats. They're for actions."
Just as Shanks finished speaking, a gun went off and the mountain bandit fell towards the ground. The Omega hide his eyes again, looking down at the Mountain Bandit. This was a part that he hated about this life. Death. It was an unfortunate part of wanting to be free. Wanting to sail the seas. No matter how many times he had seen it within his life, he never liked it. Hated it even. Lucky Roux was next to him now, gun still in the air as he took a chunk out of the meat that he was carrying.
"You! You're a dead man!"
"These guys fight dirty!"
"Dirty?!" Yasopp exclaimed, arms crossed in front of his chest as he took his place to Shanks' left. The others were now lining up behind him or next to him. All of their eyes on the Mountain Bandits and Higuma.
"Who do you think you were dealing with?" Benn questioned, now standing next to Shanks' right. "We never claimed to be saints."
The smirk was back on Shanks' face now that his men were standing behind him. Pulling his cloak closer to him for a moment as he lifted his gaze. "You are looking at a crew of pirates."
"Shut up! You got nothing to do with this in the first place!" One of the mountain bandits shouted back.
"Listen up bandits," Shanks said, "Rather I'm sprayed with alcohol, or doused with food. Hell, even if I'm spit on… most of the time I'll just laugh it off and forget about it." The smirk turned into a sharp glare as he added, "But, if you hurt a friend of mine, my family, you'll regret it. Regardless of your reasoning."
"Dad…" Luffy whispered. It didn't seem like the Alpha had heard Luffy. Shanks looked to Ace and Sabo for a moment, motioning for them to move out of the way. Ace had reached out, grabbing Sabo's hand and dragging him off to the side.
Higuma cackled. "So, we're gonna pay? Lousy pirates! Kill them all men!"
The mountain bandits rush forward, but his crew didn't react. Benn stepped forward, a hand on his gun. "I'll handle this. Should be easy enough." The Alpha First Mate stated. He lifted up his gun with a growl, using it as a club to knock out the Mountain Bandits that were running towards them. Making quick work of them. Once they were all unconscious, he turned the gun on Higuma. The bullet loaded in the chamber. "You shouldn't get too cocky. If you really wanted to fight us… you should have brought a warship or something more useful."
Shanks watched the way that Higuma seemed to panic. The Omega let the smirk come to his face as he lifted his hand. "This one is mine." He felt the sting behind his eyes as he let his own instincts take over, watching as the Alpha backed away from Luffy. The fear in his eyes as he realized that he was outmatched by a long shot. "Don't you know what happens when you mess with an Omega's pup?"
"Pup?!" Higuma put two and two together this time as he looked between Shanks and Luffy. "I didn't know. He insulted me."
"That doesn't matter." Shanks stated. He let his nails extend as he surged forward, nails digging into Higuma's neck. He almost took pleasure out of feeling the fear underneath his hands as Ace and Sabo moved forward and grabbed Luffy away from the Alpha's reach. "You signed your death wish the second you touched him." He let his claws do the work, relishing in the feeling of the blood that covered his hand as Higuma's life was literally in his hands. It only took a few seconds before he had cut the vein in his neck and let him drop to the ground.
Without another thought, he turned to his children, dropping down and pulling them into his arms. Bringing Sabo along with them. "Thank the seas you're safe."
He might hate killing, but he wouldn't hesitate for his children.
He eventually found out from Makino what had happened in the bar. Higuma and his men had showed up and gloated about what had happened the weeks before. Luffy had reacted purely on instinct before Ace and Sabo had gotten involved. It was noble. Luffy had stood up for him whenever Shanks didn't think it was the place.
Luffy was becoming a man.
X
Mihawk had eventually found them on Dawn Island. Coming to see them as their training continued. Luffy had seemed to take the lesson to heart. Becoming more and more understanding of what it truly meant to be a pirate. Shanks had made sure over the years that Ace and Luffy weren't subjected to seeing the violence like he was. Wanting them to stay as innocent as possible. It was a harsh reality check to give to Luffy, but it was what he needed. As the time passed, he was starting to see more and more of Roger in both him and Ace. Seeing small details about them that they inherited straight from their grandfather.
More so with Luffy.
Especially the day that he heard Luffy utter the words, "I will find the greatest treasure in the world and become King of the Pirates!"
It had placed a smile on his face knowing that Roger lived on. Directly in the life of his own child. It had been the moment that he had decided to pass the hat on. Placing the hat directly on Luffy's head with a smile. Seeing the tears fall down his son's face as he realized exactly what Shanks was doing.
That had been the start of their promise. The promise that Luffy would become a great pirate one day. That he would return the hat back to him whenever he achieved that goal.
Shanks now understood that it wasn't just him that he had been seeing in Luffy for all these years. Why he was getting so frustrated. He was seeing Roger.
He could only wait for what their lives would hold in the future.
X
Ace and Luffy had formed a bond with Sabo while they were on the island. Taking a bottle of sake from Shanks' room to do the old tale of brotherhood. Creating a bond within the forest. Sabo had integrated into their family without even trying. Getting closer and closer to Ace and Luffy has the days passed. They were inseparable. Shanks was starting to believe that he was going to gain another apprentice at this point. He knew that he would never be able to leave the East Blue without Sabo on his ship.
That was until he discovered what the kids had been up too. During their time away from their training, they were going to Gray Terminal and into the nearby town. Getting into trouble with the Bluejam Pirates. Sabo had returned back home to his noble family. Shanks had his suspicions, but Sabo was nothing like what a noble would be.
Gray Terminal had been burnt to the ground when they had discovered it. Days later, they would discover that Sabo had tried to leave the island on his own. Running directly into a Celestial Dragon. His small ship being shot down. Mihawk and Rouge had attempted to find his body but had nothing to bring back. It was believed that his body had been destroyed in the initial blast. There was nothing that they could do.
Shanks had wished that Sabo had asked him to come along with him. Instead of trying to go off on his own. He had thought that what he had been teaching all of them had stuck, but Sabo had been desperate. So desperate to get away from the life that he had and leave out on the sea. Ace and Luffy had taken it hard. Ace had to be physically restrained to keep from going after Sabo's killer.
One day, he had found them on a cliff that overlooked the sea. Hearing Ace vow to Luffy that he would never die. That he would never leave behind his weak little brother. It was a big promise. A vow that no one would ever be able to actually make. Life was always uncertain, but something about it had made Shanks' heart fuller. The boys were closer than ever following that. Working together and working to get stronger instead of allowing this to break them.
When the year came to a close, Shanks had decided that it was time to leave the East Blue behind. Until the day that Ace turned seventeen, they would travel other parts of the world. Ace and Luffy had no objections to it. Also, ready to leave and get back out on the sea.
As they were leaving, Rouge had given Ace her prized hat. One that Shanks had worn in the past before he had ever met Roger. Her signature hat that was in her bounty posters. It was fitting. Luffy inheriting the hat that Shanks had gotten from Roger, and Ace inheriting Rouge's hat.
With a final goodbye, they departed from Dawn Island. Mihawk had gone his separate way from them. Heading off before they had. It was when he first started noticing the anger in Ace's eyes. The hurt as he watched the Alpha leave. It was starting to get worse now. He was no longer trying to hide it anymore. Instead, leaving it out in the open.
There was only so much Shanks could do.
For now, they would travel the world. That's part of what he could do. There was no getting Mihawk to actually stay. Shanks understood the feeling. He wanted Mihawk with them just as much. He understood what it was like only having one parent around permanently. He never thought his kids would face the same thing he did, but he had to find a way to get through to Ace. It seemed like Sabo's death had sparked Ace's anger even more. Making his emotions more known. Time would heal those wounds. Ace just had to see for himself.
X
They had been back on the Grand Line for three years at this point. Gaining even more power and notoriety over the years. Higher bounties for many of his nakama. Gaining new nakama. The one thing that he was able to do was keep Ace and Luffy's existence hidden from the sights of the World Government. If they knew about them, they didn't put bounties on their heads.
One thing that Shanks never expected was the betrayal of one of his very own nakama. Royce had been a member of the original crew. Joining him from the East Blue as one of the first fifteen members that he had. It had taken him completely by surprise when he was rounding the corner of the hall, coming across the distressed pheromones from Ace.
His worst nightmare was coming true the second he heard Ace screaming for help. His hands on Jules' stomach. Another nakama who belonged to the start of the crew. Being the third to accept his invitation to join his crew. The blood was pooling over the wood as Ace screamed. "Someone help!"
Shanks rushed forward, ripping his sash from his waist as he looked at Ace. He dropped to his knees, replacing the Omega pup's hands with the fabric. "What happened?"
"It… it was Royce." Ace whispered. "He stabbed Jules."
Ace was panicking. Tears running down his face. Practically hyperventilating. What he noticed immediately was the state of his clothes. They were messed up and and his shirt was torn. It made the bile come up his throat at the mere thought that one of his nakama had done this. "What else?"
Ace shook his head, wiping his face with the back of his forearm. "Nothing." It was a lie. Shanks knew as much. He could tell. He had been there. He had done the exact same thing when it had happened to him.
At the moment, they needed to get Jules help or he would bleed out. He could hear the hoarse breathing of the Beta as he struggled to breathe. Wheezing as he grimaced in pain. "Ace, I need you to run and go get Akito." Ace nodded, pushing himself up before he was taking off. Shanks leaned over, putting as much pressure as possible. "Jules, stay with me."
Jules reached up, a bloody hand landing on Shanks' forearm. "Boss… he was trying to rape Ace." Shanks felt even more sick. He was hoping with everything that it was far from the truth. That Ace's clothes had just been messed up because he had gotten into an altercation. Shanks could feel the anger coursing through him now. The one thing that he wanted to protect Ace most from… happened. "I saw his face first. I've never seen Ace look that scared before. All I could think about was what happened to you."
Shanks felt the air catch in his throat. "What?"
"We all know, Boss." Jules wheezed, coughing as blood came out of his mouth. "We've known the entire time. When I saw Royce attacking Ace… I couldn't even think anymore. All I could think of was I was failing my Captain again."
Shanks shook his head, "Don't talk right now, Jules. You just focus on breathing."
The Omega was stunned. He thought he had hidden it well enough. That didn't matter right now. What mattered was finding Royce and ending him. "Boss, I'm so sorry."
"It's not your fault." Shanks stated, "You saved my son. I'm in your debt."
Jules shook his head. "Whenever he would drink… he would talk about how beautiful Ace is… I should have known. I should have said something."
"It's alright, Jules." Shanks muttered. "We'll finish this."
It hadn't taken long before he heard the footfalls coming next. Ace coming around the corner with Akito, Benn, Yasopp, and Lucky in tow. Akito had his medical bag, ushering Shanks out of the way as he grabbed everything he needed. "Get him to the infirmary!" He shouted. The four had immediately scooped the Beta off of the ground.
They had gotten him to the infirmary. Leaving him in the care of Akito and the other doctors that they had recruited over the last few years. Shanks leaned back against the wall, cleaning off his arms and hands of Jules' blood. Ace stood not far from him, tears still in his eyes as he stared at the closed infirmary door. "Is he going to be okay?"
"He's in good hands, Ace." Shanks stated, reaching out and pulling Ace into him. Fingers carding through his black hair. He could feel the Omega teenager trembling against him. The involuntary flinch that had Shanks' heart breaking. He understood exactly what was going through Ace's head in that moment. The fear that he must be feeling. The waves of emotions that would be taking over. "I know what happened."
Ace tensed, the air catching in his throat before a sob ripped from his throat, "I'm so sorry, Mom." His arms curled around Shanks' torso, hands curling into his shirt. "I tried to fight him off, but I couldn't."
"It's not your fault, firefly." Shanks muttered. "It will never be your fault."
X
Royce had been found quickly. Currently, he was kneeling in front of Shanks, arms bound behind his back as he pleaded for his life. Shanks' mind was already gone the second he had laid eyes on the Alpha. Jules had barely made it through the surgery to save his life and was recovering in the infirmary. Royce had broken two of the main rules of the ship.
Don't attack nakama.
No assaulting others.
Those were the two rules that Shanks was strict on. That would never waver. He kneeled down, claws tracing over the pulse point in Royce's neck. "You disgust me." Shanks hissed.
He had done it personally. Instead of making it quick, he had taken his time. Basking in each second that he was taking Royce's life. He had relished in each second as he watched the light leaving Royce's eyes. The man begging Shanks to spare him.
There was no way in hell that Shanks would.
Royce had done the unthinkable. Unforgiveable acts.
It felt like a piece of him had broken the second he had seen Ace. The way he had broken down. Cradling his son in that hallway as he cried and begged for forgiveness. That he was too weak to fend off the Alpha. He never wanted his son to have to feel that kind of pain.
He took pride in the fact that he had ended the life of the man that had hurt his son. Tried to kill the man who saved him from what Shanks had gone through.
With the deed done, Shanks simply stood back up and walked away. Turning his back on his former nakama.
No one should ever have to feel that pain. Now justice had been done.
X
At the age of thirty-one, Shanks and his nakama had traveled most of the Grand Line. Conquering parts of the New World. Ace and Luffy had loved it. They had gained more and more power to the point that Shanks had been announced as the newest addition of the Yonkos of the Sea. Becoming the fourth to be recognized as one of the most powerful pirates on the sea. Joining the ranks of Whitebeard, Kaido, and Big Mom.
He was the only Omega within those ranks. The other three being Alphas. It said numbers in just that. People mostly left him alone now. Not truly knowing the extent of his power but respecting him enough to leave him alone. He never got involved in conflict unless he was provoked into it. Something he wanted to teach Ace and Luffy. He spent his time traveling the seas and enjoying the world. Just like he wanted to do.
Now he was completely doing just that. Just like he said he would.
Mihawk had shown up that day, congratulating him on his new title. A large banquet had been organized by the crew in his honor. Which he gladly celebrated too. This was a huge achievement in his eyes. Despite everything he had gone through in his life. He had respect from just about anyone he could come across. The World Government included. Something that most people couldn't say they had. From the horrors of his past, to the beauty of the present, Shanks had everything that he could ever want. Now, it was just time to watch his children grow and become whatever they wanted to be. Both of them had told him they wanted to be their own Captains of their own crews. Shanks couldn't wait for the day to see what they could do.
He had a wonderful mate. Two beautiful children. A fantastic crew and pack.
He had everything he could gain in the world.
Despite everything, he could say his life was perfect.