Happy Birthday to Whitebeard!
An orphan who dreamed of making a family of his own. Who, in pursuit of his dream, sailed with some of the fiercest pirates of the pirating era. His strength rivaled that of the Pirate King and was widely recognized as "The Strongest Man in the World." He died at the age of 72 during the War of the Best but his legacy lives on through his surviving children. He was called many names, pirate, emperor, father... but what if there were more things to call him?
This is a goofy little cannon divergence story about the Strawhat Pirates meeting the Whitebeard Pirates. To justify this meeting, there are two major changes to the cannon story.
1. The Strawhats managed to escape Sabaody instead of being tragically separated.
2. Thatch survived Blackbeard's attack, resulting in Ace never going after Blackbeard.
4/6/2022
That time Whitebeard was called...
The ocean waters in Paradise were gentler in comparison than the ones in the New World.
Marco took this moment as a respite and let the wind wash over him, fluttering through his hair and around the sails of the Moby Dick. He sunk lower against the mast and took a deep breath. The sea salt stung his nose but it was soothing to his mind. As tempting as relaxing sounded, he couldn't give in. They were here in Paradise for a reason.
Marshall D Teach.
Once a man they called brother but now traitor. He lied to them, stole from them, and hurt their brother before fleeing to Paradise. The Whitebeard Pirates wouldn't stand by as Teach trampled on their treasure - their familial bonds.
Teach would pay.
Teach had fled to the Paradise side of the world so the Whitebeard Pirates pursued. They made it to the other side of the Redline with little complications and while the desire for retribution was great, the pirates knew they needed to exercise some amount of patience while they waited for their informant who would guide them through this part of the ocean.
Marco wasn't sure who but someone suggested they have a feast ready for their informant. So his brothers were bustling down below, moving supplies from the ship to the beach under the first commander's watchful eyes. It was obvious that the preparations were slowly changing from a feast to a party. Marco did think a party is what they needed; it has been a little too somber on the ship as of late.
A certain crew member caught his eyes struggling to get down from the Moby.
Marco stood up and jumped from the crow's nest. Transforming his arms into flaming phoenix wings allowed him to coast down to the deck. He landed quietly behind his brother, fire dispelling as Marco spoke, "And where do you think you're going, yoi?"
Thatch seized in his escape attempt and sweated profusely.
Because the crewmembers of the Whitebeard Pirates were taller than the average man, the majority of the ship was built to accommodate for the crewmembers in the middle of the height scale. While it meant somethings were a bit short for Whitebeard and some of the taller men, the top of the railing was closer to the height of Thatch's neck. So there the four division commander was, his boot was half way hooked on the railing, awkwardly stretching out his body as he tried to get a better footing to climb on top. The man looked like a burglar caught in the middle of robbing a house.
Thatch glanced cautiously over his shoulder to look at his brother. He smiled innocently at him, "Heeey Marco. You were in the crow's nest, weren't you?"
"Yep,"
Thatch carefully slid off the railing with Marco hovering nearby, concerned how he winced and grasped at his torso.
"I'm fine Marco, stop worrying." Thatch said.
Marco grunted. "Let's go."
"Go where?"
"The infirmary, yoi."
Thatch groaned but followed after Marco. "I'm fine. Look! My stitches didn't open up!" To this, Thatch tore open his shirt to show the pristine bandages underneath.
"And the nurses said no physically activity." Marco replied.
"I was hanging on a railing. That's not even strenuous!" Thatch argued.
Marco gave Thatch a sideways glance of disbelief.
Thatch took the brunt of Teach's betrayal, getting knifed in the back by the traitor and nearly dying from blood loss. All over a stupid devil fruit. If Ace hadn't found him…..
Marco didn't want to think of that kind of future.
Whitebeard was sitting in his chair out on the deck, hooked up to a multitude of machines and contently watching his children mull around. Seeing Marco approach, Whitebeard quickly placed his bottle of sake behind him before his son could see.
"POPS! Marco's making me go to the infirmary!" Thatch shouted as they walked by, flinging his shirt open again towards their fatherly figure. "BUT LOOK! My wound's healing, I'm fine! He's overreacting!"
"Gurarara!" Whitebeard's hearty laugh echoed around the ship. "Can you blame him, son?"
"But I can't even take a leak without someone following me, let alone handle a couple of paradise pirates!" Thatch whined.
Whitebeard smiled. "This is about the skirmish yesterday?"
Before arriving on the island, there was a rookie crew that made the mistake of challenging the Whitebeard Pirates. They sent the greenhorns packing with their tail between their legs and their confidence shattered. The crew was probably licking their wounds at Sabaody.
Due to his injuries, Thatch wasn't allowed to fight and was forcibly tied down to the infirmary bed by the nurses when he protested. Thatch, to say the least, was aggravated for being sidelined.
Marco didn't see the problem. Crewmates who were seriously injured are forbidden from fighting. The last thing they wanted was for them to get hurt again or worse. Still, it was easy to agree with the idea until you were stuck on the deck, watching your brothers fight.
"YES!" Thatch exclaimed dramatically.
"Can you blame them?" Marco pointed out. "You almost died."
"Almost! I almost died." Thatch countered.
"It has only been a few weeks." Whitebeard said. "Let them coddle you for a bit."
"Can I leave without being supervised?" he asked.
"No."
Thatch groaned dramatically. He whirled around to the rest of the crew to show them the bandages. "I'm alive! I can walk, talk and fight!"
"Stop flashing everyone!" Izo called, walking by with Curiel.
"You just want my body for yourself!" Thatch shot back to which Izo rolled his eyes.
Marco sighed.
Haruta came over and slung his arm over Thatch's shoulder. Since Haruta was shorter, Thatch was pulled down to his level. "Obviously something's wrong in your head. Let's go to the infirmary!"
Thatch didn't even get a chance to protest as Haruta dragged him off.
Seeing sons wander off, Whitebeard reached behind his chair to get his sake but found nothing.
"Looking for this, yoi?" Marco asked, landing next to him with the large sake bottle with him.
Whitebeard frowned, "Give it here."
"No." Marco stated firmly. "The nurses said your health's getting worse."
Whitebeard narrowed his eyes. "Are you disobeying your captain?"
"I'm taking care of my Pops and avoiding the wrath of the nurses." Marco replied diplomatically with a grin.
Whitebeard grumbled under his breath and conceded.
With his Pops taken care of, Marco turned to his next problem who was trying to sneak off the Moby Dick. "Ace."
The freckled fire man who had been casually walking towards the edge of the ship paused. He turned to his crewmate, "What's up Marco?"
"You didn't do your paperwork, yoi."
Ace groaned. "I'll do it later. I was just about to head out and look for Jinbe."
"Are you going to town to find Jinbe or looking for information on Blackbeard?" Marco asked.
Ace chuckled nervously. "Nothing gets past you."
"You promised you won't run off on your own."
"I know, but we haven't heard anything about Blackbeard since we got here." Ace reasoned.
"Be patient. It was difficult enough to cross the Redline without alerting the World Government. The last thing we need is for you to go off on your own and start causing trouble."
Ace grimaced, realizing he no longer had an excuse so he moved to make an escape but Marco grabbed him by his ear. "Ow, ow, ow!"
"It's three days late, yoi." Marco stated, guiding Ace into the ship and towards his office. "You're going to work until you finish."
"I said I'd do it later!"
"I don't believe you." Marco said flatly.
Marco took Ace to his office and stayed with him to ensure that the young man finished the paperwork. Since the Whitebeard Pirates left the New World and their territory, there were arrangements needed from every division and their allies to ensure peace while they were away. Marco needed the paperwork to confirm that all the islands in their territory were being watched over while they hunted Blackbeard. When Ace finished, they both walked back up to the deck together.
"Have either of you seen Commander Haruta?" a crewmember asked.
"Not since he took Thatch to the infirmary." Marco replied and frowned.
"Thanks."
Marco watched the retreating back of the crewmate and pondered what he said, "It shouldn't have taken him long. What could Haruta be up to?"
"Hey… where's Pops?" Ace asked, looking at the large, empty chair.
"He was here…" Namur muttered. "He mentioned he was going to see how the party preparations were going." Marco looked out onto the beach, the crew was moving and organizing their supplies but there was no sign of their captain.
"Bad news!" the crewmember who went to find Haruta shouted as he ran back towards them. "Commander Haruta and Commander Thatch never went to the infirmary!"
"What?"
"Thatch and Haruta? Oh, I saw them walking towards town." Vista mentioned.
Marco sighed and pinched between his eyes.
Jozu laughed. "Could you expect anything less? Thatch has been going stir crazy."
"He could have the curtesy to not disappear on the first island we land on." Marco grumbled.
Ace grinned playfully. "Like Pops?"
"We better go look for everyone before the stir up some trouble." Vista offered, looking to the first commander who nodded.
"You search from the ground. I'll search from the air." Marco transformed into his phoenix form and took off towards the town, Vista wasn't far behind him.
"I'll go too!" Ace volunteered but was stopped by Izo who had a frightening gleam in his eye.
"Hold up, Ace! Haruta was supposed to help me set up the party. Since he's not here, you're coming with me!"
Ace opened his mouth to protest but suddenly fell to the ground – fast asleep.
Izo sighed dramatically but left the commander to snooze on the deck. Ace's help would have been appreciated but at least he was sneaking off to fight Blackbeard on his own. Blackbeard's betrayal hit everyone hard, no one more so than Ace. Ace has been wracked with guilt ever since Blackbeard stabbed Thatch and took off with the devil fruit. Izo was sure Ace would have tried going after Blackbeard if he hadn't been by Thatch's bedside at every moment he was allowed.
Despite Thatch's slow but steady recovery and the entire crew of the Moby Dick sailing to Paradise to take care of Teach, Ace wasn't acting like himself. Despite it being beyond his control, Ace felt responsible because Teach was from his division. It didn't matter that nobody –not Pops or the Thatch– blamed Ace for Blackbeard's betrayal. Ace felt like it was his obligation to make the bastard pay.
Izo hadn't even heard Ace rant about his baby brother in weeks which is very telling of his downcast mood. Ace's brother had recently become a pirate and Ace was very proud of the fact and would shove the newspaper in their faces whenever he appeared in them.
Ace may have been feeling too much guilt but Izo took solace that they would find the traitor who nearly killed Thatch and make him pay. Then Ace could go back to his carefree nature and ranting about his apparently adorable brother. Perhaps after Pop's made Blackbeard wished he was never born, they could go see Ace's infamous little brother for themselves.
Izo chuckled at the image of a wet behind the ears crew freaking out at the sight of the great Moby Dick approaching them.
It was too good of an opportunity to pass up.
POPS
Across the harbor, hidden from the town by a cove was a ship with a smiling sun decorating its helm. The ship's sails were in tatters and there were a multitude of scuff marks that scarred the hull.
"The Sunny's definitely seen better days," Franky conceded. The shipwright was standing at the edge of the cove so he could completely assess the damage the ship had sustained.
Adam wood was the stuff of legends. The Thousand Sunny had gone through a harsh bombardment and, while the sails were wrecked, there was no lasting damage to the hull. A ship built from average lumber would have splintered under the abuse that the Sunny went through.
They got lucky.
Franky pushed back his sweat drench hair. The heat was killing him. They were on a summer island during its summer season. Not only that but it was a desert island and the arid climate was unbearable. There was a large port town but since the island was only a day and half away from Sabaody, they anchored the Sunny out of sight civilization. Between the twiggy, dry shrubs and the island's red sand and rock, the land looked like it was on fire.
Franky was done sweating buckets and hopped back onto the Sunny. "Ow, even the grass is hot!"
Not wanting to suffer anymore, Franky marched right into the galley. Sanji was standing in the kitchen preparing dinner. The cyborg had no clue how Sanji could stand weather in addition to the heat radiating off the grill. Sanji's eye flickered at the sound of door opening but continued searing the meat.
"How's the ship?" He asked.
"Give me a day and the Sunny will be as good as new." Franky replied as he retrieved a cola bottle from the fridge. He frowned at seeing only one bottle left. He took a seat at the counter and took a large gulp. The cool liquid was refreshing but left him craving more.
"We're going to need new sails. I sent Usopp out to get more material so it should be fine. Speaking of which," Franky glanced around the galley. "It's pretty quiet around here."
"Everyone went into town." Sanji explained, swiftly swiping the sweat from his brow with a towel.
"Even Chopper?" Franky asked. "I can't believe the little guy can move in heat like this."
"He was in the fridge for a while but I needed room for the pudding." Sanji replied.
Franky arched an eyebrow at that, "Not super bro."
Sanji shrugged. "Nami scoped out the island last night and said the locals use breath dials to cool down their buildings so I had him go with Brook and Luffy. Shopping will be more fun than being stuck in a freezer the entire time."
"Speaking of fun. I think I'll go into town and resupply on cola." Franky said, standing up. "If the Navy caught wind of our location and send marines after us before I can get more, we'd be screwed."
"The locals said marines don't come here unless someone stirs up trouble." Sanji said.
"Can't be too careful." Franky muttered. "Don't get me wrong. I'm glad we finally can catch a break. But being so close to Sabaody's got me antsy."
Sanji scoffed, turning up the heat. "We deserve a break after all the shit we went through."
To that, Franky could agree.
CAPTAIN
Chopper relished in the cool breeze rippling passed his face. The little reindeer had situated himself in front of the large breath dial the moment Luffy carried into him the clothing store. The shop owner seemed peeved but kept his mouth shut. Chopper was just happy to be out of the heat and find some relief. Finally feeling comfortable enough to move away from being in the direct flow, Chopper looked for his companions.
Brook was being a responsible customer, humming as he looked at their selection of fabrics. He was stuck between a bright pink fabric decorated with green sharks and a purple and yellow striped one. Brook shrugged and placed them both in his pile.
Luffy was running up and down the isles trying on various clothing he managed to find. The owner was frantically following him, trying to keep some semblance of order and organization to his shop. Seeing the havoc Luffy was causing, Chopper was sure the owner wasn't just annoyed at the reindeer. Chopper grinned, some of the clothing Luffy was tossing into the air looked cool.
"Hey Brook!" Chopper called minutes later. Brook glanced up from the fabric rolls as Chopper ran over. The young reindeer had found a child sized blue rabbit onesie to wear.
"You look marvelous. I'm glad you're feeling better." Brook said as Chopper climbed up onto the bench and took a look at what was in Brook's pile of potential purchases.
"Found anything you like?" Chopper asked.
"There's nothing in my size but I've found some wonderful cloth that would make excellent pants and shirts." Brook replied happily.
"I didn't know you could sew."
"I can't," the skeleton admitted. "Back in the day, there weren't stores like this one," Brook gestured to the shirts nicely organized by size. It was amazing how times had changed. Brook could barely keep up with it all but he took it one step at a time. "Back then, I had to find a tailor. The tailor would take my measurements and alter any suits I ordered to fit me like a glove."
"Huh,"
"Of course, my height is above average anyway so I didn't think I would find anything in my size." Brook added. "But Nami offered to sew for me if I purchased the fabrics."
Luffy bounced on over and his crewmates didn't even question the pair of pants upon his head. "Nami offered to help? That doesn't sound like Nami."
Brook laughed. "I think she's tired of my ratty clothing." Brook fingered his torn sleeve between his boney fingers. He's worn the same outfit for fifty years after all. "She said it smelled though I don't have any body order! Yoho!"
"Skull joke!" Chopper and Luffy cheered.
The shop keeper coughed, getting all three pirates attention. "Are you ready to check out now?" he gritted out.
"I believe we are." Brook said, scooping up the rolls of fabric. Chopper pulled up the hood - the ears flopping over his face momentarily - and followed his companion to the counter.
The shop owner looked eager to get them out of his shop. "Payment please."
Brook patted his pockets and his jaw dropped down. "Ah…"
The shop owner lips pressed into a long and distasteful frown. "Is everything alright, sir?"
"Yes, yes, yes of course." Brook said quickly. "One moment," he turned around and beckoned Luffy and Chopper into a closed huddle. "I forgot it."
"Forgot what?" Chopper asked.
"My allowance!" Brook said in a hush voice. "I forgot to get it from Nami."
"YOU FORGOT THE MO-Mmpf!" Brook and Chopper quickly covered their captain's mouth before he alerted the shop owner.
"Is there a problem, gentlemen?" the shop owner said a little more forcibly.
Brook cleared his nonexistent throat and turned towards him, "I'm afraid I forgot my wallet."
The shop owner let out an irritated sigh and threw up his arms. "You forgot your wallet. Silly me! You made a mess of my shop, why did I think degenerates like you would have your money! Out! Out of my shop!"
"I'm terribly sorry," Brook said, attempting to mend the situation. "I can bring the necessary beris, if you allow me."
"I don't want your money. I've had all sorts of strange customers, fishmen, long armed men, pirates, but you are the worst!" the shop owner turned to Luffy. "Take you freakish buddies and get out of my shop. I don't want to see you here again!"
Brook sighed. "I don't think any other shops around here sell fabric rolls."
"That's not my problem!"
Luffy wrinkled his nose in annoyance. "You're a jerk."
"And you're a nuisance," the shop owner snapped back.
Luffy frowned deeply but then grinned. His rubbery arms wrapping around the fabric rolls to the confusion of everyone else, "Wrong, we're pirates!"
The strawhatted pirate took off at a sprint, two large bundles of fabric under each arm. The other three watched him, gaping with mouth wide open. Realization hit the pirates first and they ran off after Luffy. The chime on the door broke the owner out of his stupor.
He leapt over the counter, shouting, "STOP THEIVES!"
"Yohohoho!" Brook half laughed, half screamed. Adrenaline pumped through him although, like sweat glands, he had none for adrenal. Running at top speed with his long and lanky legs, Brook easily overtook Luffy and zoomed off ahead of them.
Luffy threw his head back and laughed wildly. A flicker of blue and gold in the sky caught his attention. It sailed over the tops of the buildings. It was a strange chicken. Luffy veered off onto another street to keep it in his sights. He had never seen such a bright blue chicken before. The gold accents only added to its mysterious aura.
Luffy bet it tasted good too.
The large bird disappeared over the roof tops. Luffy knew he couldn't lose it. He turned a corner to the next street to follow the mystery chicken, not the rolls of fabric or the unbearable heatwave couldn't slow him down.
The heat, on the other hand, was greatly slowing Chopper down. The poor reindeer was pants harshly and sweat profusely just from the short amount of time they had been running. The angry shouts from the shop owner signaled the man was right on his tail and Chopper couldn't stop running anytime soon but he wanted to so badly. He was feeling nausea and his legs were starting to cramp. The doctor in him told him if he didn't stop soon he would collapse from overheating.
Lifting his head, Chopper planned on asking Brook for a ride but the road ahead of him was absent of his nakama.
"WHERE DID YOU GUYS GO!" Chopper wailed.
"GET BACK HERE YOU PIRATES!"
"AAAHHHH!"
GRAMPS
"Ahhh!" Nami sighed, fanning herself with her hand to find a little relief from the heat. "How do people live here?"
Robin tipped back her wide brimmed hat to observe the town folk went about their daily lives without being fazed by the temperature. She was particularly interested in the overall tallness of the average civilian and their long lanky limbs. "Long arms and legs provide more surface area for heat to be released from the body. Sweating is also another important to keeping cool."
Nami stuck out her tongue, "That's just gross."
The two strawhat pirates were walking along the shopping district, several shopping bags of goods secured under their arms. Nami shuffled the bags around to check on the herbs they purchased for their infirmary, "Did we get everything?"
"We just need the food for tonight."
Nami sighed. "We could be rich if Luffy didn't eat enough to feed an army."
Robin chuckled.
Suddenly a man ran by, bumping into Robin by accident. She stumbled but caught herself before she smashed her face on the cobblestone road.
"Watch it!" Nami shrieked at the man, who briefly turned around to apologize before continuing on. Nami kneeled down. "Are you okay, Robin?"
"Yes, though I can't say the same for my glasses." Robin said. Her sunglasses had fallen from her head and the lenses were absolutely shattered. Nami was more concerned about her injuries. Robin noticed how the navigator was staring at her and smiled. "If Kuma couldn't keep me down, certainly one rude man won't either."
Nami didn't say anything as she helped Robin up. While the locals were about as hospitality as their climate, Nami was grateful they were able to find this island especially after what happened just a few days ago.
When they first arrived on Sabaody, the Strawhat Pirates were excited. They had made it halfway around the Grandline and they were literally on the doorstep of the New World. Sure, there were a lot of strong pirate crews just on the archipelago but that couldn't dampen their anticipation for the next part of their adventure. To be honest, strong pirates made Luffy more excited. Nami thought everything would be fine. They had Luffy after all.
Signing on to be a Strawhat meant accepting you were going to be serving a captain who was always going to make the worst trouble and pick a fight with terrifyingly strong enemies. As a part of the crew, you just had to roll with it. What happened at Sabaody was not so different to what Luffy would usually do, he antagonized the local authority and brought hell down on them.
Expect this time, the former was a Celestial Dragon and the latter was an admiral. Kizaru was too strong for them. Hell, even his subordinate guy far outmatched the Strawhats. The Pacifistas were mechanical monstrosities, but they were essentially foot soldiers, and not even with the Strawhats' combined effort could they bring the android down. There was nothing they could do so Luffy told them to run. And they ran. But that didn't even matter.
Kuma wasn't going to let them escape. Nami remembered seeing the giant devil fruit user loom over Zoro while he was keeled over, suffering from his wounds. She feared Zoro would meet the same fate as the pink-haired ghost girl on Thriller Bark. In a flash, Zoro would have been gone, but Kuma took his time to reel back his hand and paused. That pause was all the time Robin needed.
Hundreds of arms sprouted around the men. While the majority connected together to hold Kuma in his place, the rest carried the swordsman away.
Kizaru had been displeased with Robin's interfering. The admiral may have been engaged with Dark Knight Rayliegh but he still shot out a beam of light and it pierced through the archeologist's chest. Robin collapsed. Luffy screamed.
The scream shook the entire area. Nami remembered the immense pressure that washed over her that made her feel weak in the knees, all she and the other Strawhats could do was to ride out the quaking. The effects hit the marines harder, causing them to stumble in their attack. The feeling suddenly disappeared. Luffy scooped up Robin and they were all running. Nami didn't know what Luffy did but it gave them an opening - a small opening - but the opening they needed. They made it back to the Thousand Sunny together, set sail and didn't look back.
They didn't leave Sabaody unscathed, many of the Strawhats were severely injured and everyone was ready to collapse from exhaustion. The sail was destroyed and, as the navigator well aware of the dangers of the Grandline, Nami knew their situation was precarious. If she was a person of faith, she would have said that the summer island they were on was a blessing. Not only was it small and far enough away for the marines to overlook the backwater sizzling frying pan of an island, but the magmatism of the island wouldn't reset the log pose for weeks. It was the perfect island for the Strawhats to recover and come up with a plan for their next steps.
Nami realized just how close she was to losing everyone she loved and it scared her. She was also painfully aware of how little she was able to contribute to the fight. She never wanted to experience that loss. She needed to get stronger. Maybe she could get Usopp to improve the climatact. Nami was so lost in her thoughts that she walked right into a very solid trunk of fabric. "OW!"
Nami clutched her nose and glared at the offending obstacle. She realized that she didn't run into a weird fabric covered tree but a leg. That leg was next to an identical leg. Nami craned her head back to look up at the giant old man with long white hair.
"Hey you!" Nami yelled up. "Watch where you're going!"
Glad to see the navigator was not hurt and still as feisty as ever, Robin examined the man. He was taller than the average island native. While certainly in his senior years, his bulging muscles and scars decorating his skin hinted that he was not a man Nami should be crossing.
Perhaps if the sun wasn't reaching its midday height, shining behind the man's head, and his large tricorne wasn't tipped down, and Robin's sunglasses didn't break she would have been able to recognize the Emperor standing before them.
Whitebeard glanced down at the two women with a critical eye. With their short stature and bright clothing, it was clear that the women were travelers. By the way the orange haired one was growling in anger up at him, they didn't recognize him.
If travelers didn't recognize him that would likely extend to the islanders as well. This pleased Whitebeard because if the townsfolk didn't recognize him then there was no need to worry about the Navy learning of the Whitebeard Pirate's location and he could complete his mission. First, he needed to deal with the women. The orange haired one's shouting was already starting to attract attention from bystanders.
"Are you listening to me?!" Nami shouted up. "Or are you not getting enough air up there?!"
"Gurara," Whitebeard chuckled. "You ran into me!"
Nami's already red face burned brighter. "Y-you!" she stuttered out, clearly flustered. "You're standing in the middle of the road!"
"I apologize," Whitebeard replied, genuinely.
Nami huffed, folding her arms. "Like I'll settle for an apology. At least include some form of compensation!"
"And what kind of compensation do you have in mind?" Whitebeard asked, humoring the women. She hesitated, clearly realizing she was trying to extort from a man who physically had the upper hand and Robin was content to observing the interaction.
Trying to act aloof, Nami waved her hand. "How much money do you got on you?"
"I doubt enough to satisfy you," Whitebeard admitted, but still reached into his pocket as he said, "If you could direct me to a bar, you can have this." From his pocket, Whitebeard pulled out a ruby, pinched between two of his fingers. Looks like it was lucky that he kept forgetting to take it out of his pants because of its small size. Nami's eyes shined.
"There's a bar back that way. It's got a wooden sign of a purple wine bottle. It may be across town but I scoped the place early, drinks aren't half bad." Nami said and pointed down the street. Whitebeard dropped the gem into her hands. While it was small to the giant pirate, the ruby was the size of Nami's fist. Nami smiled gleefully. "Thanks Gramps! You're not half bad."
Whitebeard side-eyed the woman while her companion just giggled under her breath. Robin briefly glanced up at Whitebeard with an amused smile on her lips, "Thank you, Mr. Grampa."
The women continued on their way with Nami's spirits clearly high, practically skipping away as she admired the gem. Whitebeard chuckled and continued on his mission to have a drink in peace.
MR. GRANDPA
Luffy remained in hot pursuit of the blue chicken. Quite literally in hot pursuit, he was sweating buckets but he was able to endure the long chase because of his experiences traveling and fighting in Alabasta. He lost a couple of the fabric rolls along the way but he proudly kept the rest secured under his rubbery arms. As much as he wanted to stretch his limbs to catch the bird, he didn't want to lose Brook's fabric.
The bird was well aware of Luffy hunting it and he knew this because it kept taking sharp turns around the terracotta buildings to lose him. He nearly did too. It was worthy prey. Maybe when he caught it, he wouldn't eat it. With how big the bird was, Luffy was sure he could ride it. That would be so cool.
If only he could catch it.
The bird turned his head to look down at Luffy with an unamused look, flapping its massive wings to try to leave Luffy behind but the pirate wasn't going to let something this cool get away. Since Luffy refused to take his eyes off the bird, he ran straight into an unsuspecting passerby. The unfortunate soul yelped in surprise but his solid build kept him up right.
Luffy grinned at the man, "Zoro!"
"Luffy?" Zoro questioned, surprised to have run into his captain. He glanced down at the rolls up fabric. "What are you those?"
"Here, we're going to lose it!" Zoro found his arms full with half the fabric rolls as Luffy dragged him down the road. Shouldering himself free, Zoro ran in perfect stride with his captain.
"Leave it to you to find trouble." Zoro remarked, Luffy switched to run down another street and he followed effortlessly.
"Didn't Chopper tell you not to move?" Luffy countered with a smile.
Zoro let out an annoyed scoff. Like he would his injuries slow him down, the bandages were constricting as is. "I wanted to get a drink but this town doesn't have a damn bar. Where are we going?"
"After the bird!"
Zoro grinned. "Are we roasting it?"
Luffy nodded his head excitedly, "After I ride it!"
Lengthening his stride, Zoro overtook Luffy and yelled, "If I catch it, we eat it first!"
"Then I can't ride it!"
Luffy and Zoro continued to banter as they ran. With the bird so high in the sky, neither saw it glance down at the growing number of its pursuers and let out a very human sounding sigh.
All Marco wanted to do was find his captain, return to the ship, be with his brothers and party all night. He didn't think that was too much to ask. He thought flying over the town looking for a goliath of a pirate would be easy, he didn't expect to get an overly enthusiastic Paradise dweller to chase him. Marco planned to just out fly the teen, but by some unnatural means, Marco couldn't lose him. Now a green haired one was following him. Marco contemplated how to get rid of them.
The green haired one stumbled suddenly and fell to his knee. The other one quickly back peddled to check on his companion. The former grasped at his bandaged chest as he wheezed in pain. Marco was surprised to see the man so injured to say the least but took this opportunity and dove down into town.
"Zoorrrooo! You okay?" Luffy asked as he came to a stop.
"I'm fine." Zoro grunted and stood up. "Like hell will I let my injuries slow me down."
Luffy grinned. "I know…. We lost the blue chicken."
"This way." Zoro said, walking forward. "And it's more like a turkey."
Luffy laughed, "You're stupid. Turkey's don't fly."
"Yeah they do!" Zoro replied defensively. "For a little bit."
Thinking for a moment, Luffy asked. "How long is a little bit?"
Zoro shrugged. "I don't know."
"Is it like post-haste?"
"Where did you even hear that?" Zoro asked.
"My brother." Luffy replied, briefly a fond memory of Sabo and the few attempts he tried to teach Luffy to read.
"Didn't know you had a brother."
"He's dead."
Zoro nodded in understanding. "It's closer to a jiffy."
"What about two bakes and a ham stick?"
"What does that even mean?
Zoro and Luffy continued to their "conversation" on units of time as they continued their search for the mystery blue bird. They turned a corner and nearly bumped into a man in a purple button up and a tuft of blond hair on his head.
"Hey Pineapple guy." The man looked mildly offended to be singled out but was caught off guard by the name. "Have you seen a giant blue chicken?"
"It's a turkey." Zoro chimed.
The man carefully looked at the two young men who had sweat pouring down their brows and a bunch of fabric rolls clutched in their arms. They were certainly quite the idiotic and tenacious pair. Pineapple man pointed off towards the inland, "That way, yoi."
"Thanks!"
"I'm going to find it first!" Zoro challenged and took off at a sprint.
"I won't let you!" Luffy declared and chased after his swordsman.
Marco watched them go. He was glad he got the opportunity to get out of eye sight and transform to his human shape. It was probably be more efficient searching from the ground so Marco walked off in the opposite direction of the two troublemakers.
MUSTACHE BASTARD
Chopper felt like he wanted to die. His heart was ready to explode. A couple more steps and he would pass out from a heatstroke. The shop owner, used to the heat and in surprisingly athletic shape, was still chasing after him.
Shifting to his brain form, Chopper staggered forward, feeling the coolness of shade on his skin and his hazy vision darkening, he collapsed.
Right on a leathery rock.
Two giant fingers pinched the back of his bunny hoodie and lifted him up into the air.
"What do we have here?" a voice like thunder questioned and placed Chopper in his large palm. Chopper felt tickled when a finger scratched his stomach. "You have ears and antlers…. A jackelope?"
"Definitely not a tanuki, bastard." Chopper grumbled into the finger. The man holding him had a huuuuuuuge white mustache that looked like a banana.
"Gurararara," came a throaty laugh that make Chopper quake like jelly, "Certainly not a tanuki."
"Dammit, Mustache Bastard," Chopper murmured. "Knowing you know I'm not a tanuki doesn't make me happy at all."
Whitebeard didn't know what to make of this blue jackalope wiggling like a worm while calling him a bastard. He chalked it up to be one of the oddities of the Grandline. He stepped out of the way as an angry shop keeper ran by who didn't spare the pirate a glance. Moaning from the strange creature took up the Emperor's attention. Whitebeard wiped a finger over the creature, coming away with layer of sweat. "You could use some cold water."
"Cold sounds nice." Chopper replied. Whitebeard place Chopper on his shoulder and draped the tail head of his scarf over him to provide a bit of shade. Chopper signed in relief. With his new companion settled, Whitebeard traveled through the streets, following in the instructions of the orangenette.
Eventually Whitebeard found the bar with the purple wine bottle sign above the door. Since the average townsfolk was on average taller, he only had to duck a bit at the threshold. A blast of cold air hit the pirate from a large air dial situated on the ceiling, it was refreshing. The bar had a few patrons taking shelter from the midday heat with their drinks but only one man with broad shoulders occupied a stool at the bar. Whitebeard sat next to the occupant.
"A bottle of your best sake," Whitebeard asked the bar keeper. "… And a glass of water."
"Uhahaha!" The patron beside him laughed, pushing back his floppy mullet to get a better look at Whitebeard. "Starting early?"
"Gurarara, you're one to talk." Whitebeard replied. The barkeep returned to place a large bottle of a dark, carbonated drink in front of the other occupant.
"Sake's good." He said, "But nothing can beat cola." After taking a large swig of the cool drink, the blue haired man turned to Whitebeard. "What brings you to this watering hole, if you don't mind me ask'n?"
"Easier to get a drink when the brats aren't around," Whitebeard replied as the barkeeper put the two drinks down in front of him.
"Got a wife and kids waiting at home?" The barkeeper asked out of curiosity.
"Not that kind of family," he replied evasively.
The man Whitebeard sat next to added his thoughts to the conversation with a sentimental laugh. "Just a ragtag group of fella's then? I know what that is like."
"You speak from experience?" Whitebeard prompted.
"I have some bros back in Water 7 I used to look after. They're a bunch of lowlifes and like to cause trouble but…" The man smiled fondly at the family he left in the city of water and canals. "But they can do a lot of good. They just needed someone to believe in them."
Whitebeard raised an eyebrow, "You're from Water 7? What brought you to this island?"
"Joined a crew. They wouldn't take no for an answer."
"And your family remained behind?"
The man chuckled. "They were all for it. Even conspired with my captain." He gently rotated his wrist and watched the cola swirl in the bottle. "My home is the sea now. And the crew is like my family. We come from different walks of life but we've all united under our captain's flag."
Whitebeard could tell by the shipwright's tone that he was just as fond of his crew as he was with those he called family. It was a sentiment akin to Whitebeard's own crew.
"The greatest treasure is family. I have many who I call my sons. We may not be related by blood, but each of my sons are very dear to me." Said Whitebeard.
"I'll drink to that." The men clanked their glasses together. "I'm glad I got a chance to talk with you. Super Whitestache."
"Edward." Whitebeard stated firmly, for the sake of needing to establish a standard of silly names he was willing to be called today.
The man from Water 7 flashed him a toothy grin. "Franky,"
"Sooo…per… Chooo…per…" A slurred and muffled voice came from Whitebeard's shoulder, reminding him of his extra passenger.
"I'm sorry, friend." Whitebeard picked up the jackelope and placed him on the glass, letting him bend over the rim so that he could get a drink.
Franky leaned over and said in surprise, "Chopper!"
Chopper craned his neck to look up at the call of his name, "Oh, hi Franky." He promptly dropped his head into the water to guzzle down as much water as he could.
"You know this little fella?" Whitebeard asked.
"He's part of the crew I was telling you about," Franky explained. "You're looking bad, Chopper-bro."
Bubbles breaking the surface of the water were his reply.
Franky reached over and pulled his nakama out of the water before he drowned, and felt the heat radiating from the small body. "We should put you in the freezer."
"That sounds nice." Chopper muttered, muzzling Franky's forearm.
The barkeeper came back around, rolling three barrel across the room to Franky. "Here's your order, three large barrels of cola."
"Super," Franky put the barrels in a rope net and hauled them over his shoulder. Franky scooped Chopper into his other hand, expertly cradling him in a way that will shield him from the heat. "Thanks for helping Chopper."
"Thank you for the company." Whitebeard replied.
"And on my behalf," A voice said behind the two large men, Whitebeard turned to look at his irritated, drowsy-eyed son. "Thank you for keeping him out of trouble."
"That had nothing to do with me," Franky replied. "If you don't mind, I'm going to get this little trooper cooled down."
"We should be going as well," Whitebeard said as he stood. Without break eye contact with Marco, Whitebeard drank the rest of his glass, taking large, long gulps of sake until it was empty. He placed down the glass and headed towards the door. Marco could only shake his head in displeasure and follow after him.
Marco quickly took a glance behind them. Seeing Franky exit the bar and turned away from them - making a beeline for the opposite side of the island - he spoke, "I don't want to be regulating your alcohol but the nurses are concerned about your health."
"I'm old, Marco. Someone would say I'm a relic of an era past."
"They're wrong." Marco grumbled under his breath.
Whitebeard chuckled fondly, "My treatments are merely slowing down the evitable fate everyone shares,"
Marco knew this to be true but it was a truth he and his brothers were not ready to face, and Whitebeard understood.
Bending down, Whitebeard placed a large hand on Marco's shoulder, its massive size essentially cloaking the man, "I am a fortunate man. I spent many years with those I treasure dearly. For me there is no greater accomplishment then the family bonds we forged through hardships, challenges and adventure." Whitebeard stood tall as a serious frown crossed his expression. "Teach has perverted my treasure. Regardless of hard truths, I will not draw my last breath until I know my sons are heading towards a better future."
"Okay Pops." Marco whispered.
"Then there won't be an issue if I indulge in my sake tonight." Whitebeard added.
Marco nearly tripped and shook his head. "I won't say anything but the nurses might, yoi."
Whitebeard continued to attempt to persuade Marco to assist him in retrieving alcohol for him as they headed back towards the Moby Dick. Neither noticed Haruta and Thatch duck into an alley as they passed by.
"I think we're in the clear," said Haruta.
"That was too close."
Haruta grinned. "Where to next?"
Thatch grinned back. "There's got to be a seedy bar around here."
"With questionable patrons?"
"And 'basement brewed' specialties." Thatch added, turning down the alley. "HOLY SHIT!"
"What?! HOLY SHIT!" Haruta tentatively approached the body sprawled out over a pile of garbage bags.
"That's a skeleton!" Thatch shrieked.
"He's been completely stripped of his flesh," said Haruta, poking at its afro, "Weird that it's not mummified with this heat."
"That's gross."
"How long has that guy been dead?"
Thatch shifted uncomfortably, "Stop poking at it,"
"It's not going to bite." Haruta stated. "It's dead."
A heavy hand landed on Thatch's shoulder, "Just like you'll be."
Thatch leapt into Haruta's arms screaming and they both screamed at the man who entered the alley. "Not cool Vista!"
Vista had the largest shit-eating grin, wholly satisfied with himself.
Thatch clutched his chest and gasped dramatically, "I think you reopened my wound."
Vista scoffed without sympathy. "That's from all the hoops you went through to avoid Marco."
"He's been such a mother hen since we got to Paradise."
"Rightfully so," Vista glanced passed them and to the skeleton, "Did you two rob a grave?"
"We found it like that!" Haruta replied. "He's just some bum that died."
"I could have ended up like him. Dead in an alley, alone." Thatch said quietly. The atmosphere became somber.
"Thatch, I…" Haruta trailed off.
He gave a small smile, "It's fine. Like you said, he's just a bum."
Vista was thoughtful for a moment, "Be it as it may, every man deserves a funeral." He walked over to the skeleton and tossed it over his shoulder.
Thatch's demeanor visibly lifted. "Vista! You always know what to say."
"It's his mustache." Haruta piped as they walked out of the alley. "It's full of wisdom."
"Pfft. It's like a baby version of Pops'."
"You wish you could have a mustache like Pops,"
"Would I be Brown-Mustache Thatch then? Doesn't really have a ring to it."
"How about Brownbeard?" Haruta asked
"I believe there is a pirate by that name," said Vista. "Why Brownbeard?"
"Well it's what happened with Pops."
"White-Mustache just isn't as threatening." Thatch acknowledged. "What if they described the shape instead? It does look like a crescent moon."
"Does it really matter?" Vista asked.
"Yes!" Thatch and Haruta shouted.
"I believe you are trying to stall the inevitable talk you'll get for sneaking off." Vista remarked and the others made it a point to look in different directions. "Then I shall return and drink your share of the sake."
Thatch gasped. "You can't hold our sake as hostage!"
"We will have our revenge!" Haruta shouted.
"Yeah!"
Vista shrugged without a care, "You cannot stop me if you're not there. I have a skeleton to bury."
Thatch and Haruta shared a silent look and quickly ran after their companion. The townsfolk naturally parted for the pirates to pass by. The pirates were comfortable being loud and were less concern of their presence being noticed because they were in the first half of the Grandline but their confidence lead them to be less aware of their surroundings.
One meek individual that flew under their radar was the Strawhat's very own sniper.
"Why is this happening?" he whimpered to himself.
Since their close call at Sabaody, Usopp was hyperaware of potential trouble and what spelled trouble more than three imposing individuals walking out on an alley with an unconscious Brook. Instincts told him that he should avoid being noticed by these men so he only approached close enough to where he could overhear a few words. His stomach churned at what he heard. Crescent Moon, hostage, revenge, skeleton to bury. An image formed in his mind at the name of Crescent Moon.
Not long ago, Luffy had eaten all the food on the ship. As punishment he was sent out on a grocery run but he got lost. By the time they found him he somehow ended up in the middle of a town during a pirate raid. Of course they obliterated the pretty forgettable crew but Usopp still remembered their name, the Crescent Moon Pirates lead by Captain Galley. Taking note of the direction the pirates travelled, Usopp ran back towards the Sunny.
"Hang on, Brook! The cavalry is coming!"
SUPER WHITESTACHE
At the Thousand Sunny, the majority of the crew had returned to rest. Franky returned with Chopper shortly.
"Hey Franky! Oh, and Chopper," greeted Nami before returning to her card game with Robin.
"Sanji," Chopper whined. "Freezerrrrrr…"
"There isn't space." Sanji said but handed him a cold popsicle. "Here, this should help. Where's Luffy and Brook?"
"Don't know." Franky replied. "I only found Chopper when I was out."
"Maybe they are still shopping," Robin offered.
"They're probably causing trouble." Nami said, holding up a wallet with little blue whales decorating the outside. "This is the allowance I gave Brook. Since it's here, they won't be paying for anything."
"We stole stuff." Chopper confirmed.
"They better not come back with a mob at their heels." Sanji said.
Nami sighed. "I'm more concerned about Zoro. He's injured enough as is but he keeps picking fights."
"Same can be said for Luffy."
"It's in their nature." Robin said. "It is unfortunate that we're in such a weakened state, we would be in real trouble if the Navy found us. We may even be wiped out."
"Let's look at the positive that there is no trouble," said Franky.
"TROUBLE!" Usopp shouted as he scrambled up onto the deck. "We've got big trouble!"
Sanji sighed. "What did Luffy do now?"
"My money's on Zoro." Nami deadpanned.
"Neither! Brook got kidnapped by the Crescent Moon Pirates!"
The Strawhats stared at Usopp blankly, "Who?"
"From the We'll-never-send-Luffy-out-for-groceries-even-as-a-punishment incident,"
"Oh, those pushovers?" Sanji asked. "We kicked their asses while hungry."
"They got some stronger crew members now!" Usopp exclaimed.
Robin frowned. "They could have picked up new crewmembers at Sabaody. That is concerning, especially if they were able to subdue Brook. Out of all of us, he was least injured from our run in with Admiral Kizaru. Where were they heading?"
"In the opposite direction of our ship."
Nami cleared the card game and pulled out a map of the island. "There's a cove on the other side of the town. It's much bigger than this one. We didn't dock there because it was too out in the open. Either those pirates feel confident or they're just dumb."
"Guess we have to get our skeleton back." Said Sanji,
"Right behind you," Franky said, grabbing a bazooka.
Chopper wobbled to his feet. "We have to save Brook!"
Nami caught him before he collapsed. "You're fighting your way to a heat stroke. Chopper and I will find our two boneheads, we may need them if this turns into a fight."
Usopp pointed an accusing finger towards her. "You're just trying to get out of fighting!"
"Of course I am!" Nami stated, sticking her tongue out.
"You can stay here," Robin suggested. "Alone."
Usopp pumped his fist into the air. "Let's go save Brook!"
The six pirates took off into town. They may be injured but they would not rest until their nakama was safe. They almost lost each other at Sabaody and the Strawhats refused to lose Brook now.
MR. CAPTAIN WHITEBEARD, SIR
Across the island, Ace moped that he wasn't able to get into town. His brother's refused to let him go. They wouldn't believe him when he said he wanted to go look for Jinbe and Izo kept him busy with party preparations as soon as he woke up. All of the work made Ace feel tired again. Ace watched his brothers put in place the finishing touches such as moving Pop's chair to the beach so he could be comfortable.
"Skipping out on work, yoi?" Marco asked as he arrived with their father in tow.
Ace grinned and sat up. "Pops, Marco, you're back! How was the town?"
Marco pressed his lips together, holding back the urge to rant about the frustrating paradise brat that relentlessly chased him around the town, bring him unwanted attention. Whitebeard on the other hand, was happy to share, "I met a blue jackalope."
"A jackalope?"
Whitebeard nodded. "A strange little thing. He couldn't stand the heat despite being native to this dust bowl."
"Huh." Ace turned to Marco with a grin. "Looks like you found a kindred spirit."
"Very funny, yoi."
"Gurararara!"
With the return of their captain, the pirates began their festivities. Whitebeard sat in his chair, appreciating the small joyful moment he had with his family – and the briefest of moments when he could sneak a cup of sake when Marco chatted with the nurse.
A while later, Vista returned with Thatch and Haruta.
"Welcome back, sons." Then Whitebeard noticed the dead body and gave his sons a questioning stare.
Marco frowned. "Please tell me you didn't, yoi."
Vista shook his head. "We found him as he was. A man of an unfortunate fate who no one cared to bury, I thought we could give him a sailor's funeral."
Whitebeard nodded in approval.
The news traveled through the crew and jovial atmosphere quieted as they prepared a small funeral. A small life boat was brought to the shore and the skeleton was placed along the bottom. Several crewmates placed food and a few bottles in the boat. With one shove, Namur and Benham pushed the boat out past the waves and let the momentum carry it out to sea. Everyone spared a moment of silence.
Whitebeard stood at the back, watching the boat get smaller, the telltale red flame erupted from the front of the crowd as Ace readying his signature move to set the life boat ablaze. Before Whitebeard could signal his son, he became aware of several presences approaching. He turned to see Franky with three other normal sized humans.
Their intentions radiated hostility and tenseness as a blond haired man stepped forward, "Hey shitheads."
The Whitebeard Pirates near their captain shifted their attention from the funeral to the four unwelcomed individuals.
Sensing a disturbance with his fledging Observation haki, Ace craned his head, trying to get a look at the commotion at the back. He glanced over to Marco. "What's going on?"
"I don't know…"
Franky sized up Whitebeard, surprised to see the man he met at the bar amongst their opponents. "Quite the party you got."
"One you weren't invited to." Jozu stated, stepping forward.
"We'll be out of your hair shortly." Sanji pointed his cigarette at them. "As soon as we get what we want."
"You can't talk to Pops like that!" Thatch said in dismay.
"The crew has certainly grown." Robin frowned thoughtfully at the smiling whale figure sculpted into the large ship but without wind, she was unable to see the pirate symbol.
Whitebeard didn't bother to stand at the arrival of the four newcomers. Franky and that jackalope were friendly at the bar but perhaps it had been a ruse of ambitious bounty hunters, thinking they had a chance of taking on an Emperor. "Your threat is empty. Do you know who you face?"
"Don't care. Just give us Brook." Sanji demanded.
"You'll need to be more specific. We have a couple of Brooks in our crew." Vista remarked with a cheeky smile.
Sanji huffed in annoyance and replied with equal snark. "Tall, got an afro, real thin, kidnapped by you assholes. We know you have him. Usopp saw you carry him off."
"Don't single me out!" Usopp wailed, hiding behind Robin.
Izo leaned in towards Thatch and whispered, "Do you think these are the ones who killed your skeleton?"
"It's likely. Maybe they wounded him but lost him in town." Thatch said thoughtfully.
"He's been put to rest." Whitebeard replied. The four Strawhats tensed fearfully at the statement.
"You're lying!" Usopp exclaimed.
"I am not."
"Bullshit." Sanji snarled. More Whitebeard Pirates stepped forward, readying for the impeding fight. "Where's your crappy ass captain?"
In response, Whitebeard rose to his full imposing height and slammed his bistro into the sand causing a small shockwave. "I am the captain."
The wind stirred from the shockwave and it rippled through the ship's sails, allowing for Robin to get a clear view of the Jolly Roger. "I suspect we dove right into the sea king's jaws." she said quietly to her crew. "This isn't the captain of the Crescent Moon pirates."
"Who is he then!?" Usopp asked.
"There's only one crew I heard that addresses their captain as their father. One of the four Emperors of the sea who was considered the Pirate King's rival and the strongest pirate in the world," Robin said gravely. "Whitebeard."
"I had a cold one with an Emperor," Franky said in shock, realization slowly registering the dire situation they were in.
"We're screwed!" Usopp wailed and hid behind Franky for more cover. "We didn't mean any offense, Mr. Captain Whitebeard, Sir! Please don't kill us!"
"It's my fault. I should have recognized him in town." Robin said. "At the very least I should have been aware of the crew's movement."
Sanji whirled around and said in a soothing, singsong voice. "It's definitely not your fault Robin-chwan!"
Thatch watched in mild amusement as the intruders realized who they were challenging but chose to ignore his captain in favor of bickering amongst themselves. These people certainly were strange.
Whitebeard's patience was running thin the longer they ignored his crew. "If you understand what you're up against, then it must be obvious that if you fight, you will die. So get lost."
Sanji glared up at him. "Not a chance, Shitbeard."
The Whitebeard Pirates bristled at the insult. There were plenty of furious shouts that he couldn't talk about Pops in such a manner. The news of the confrontation traveled all the way to the crewmembers at the shore.
Hearing there were people threatening Whitebeard, Ace looked to Marco with worry. "What the hell is going on?"
"I'm going to find out," With a flourish, Marco activated his devil fruit and took flight. Ace cursed under his breath and started to push his way through the crew towards the front. Marco landed next to Whitebeard and the four intruders were wary of his arrival but determined to fight him and every single pirate on the beach.
The silence was broken by distance screaming.
SHITBEARD
Zoro and Luffy were lost. One would never admit it and the other would not realize it. They had left the town and climbed up the various plateaus in search of the mystery bird. The constant running and unrelenting heat forced them to eventually take a break at a ledge. Luffy wanted to rest there because there was a happy whale in a cove down below.
Zoro leaned back on his hands, sweating. "I don't think we're going to find the bird."
"We weren't fast enough… or strong enough." Luffy replied.
"We'll catch it the next time it shows up." Zoro promised.
"But what if there isn't a next time."
Luffy sat pensively and Zoro knew he wasn't talking about the bird. "Then we have to get stronger before that."
Luffy nodded in agreement.
"We'll all have to do some training." Zoro said, pulling his swords out of his haramaka and laid them on his lap, "If we want to be ready for the New World."
"It'll work out." Luffy replied with a smile, "As long as we're together."
"Luffy! Zoro!" Nami called out in a huff. Chopper was tucked under her arm, still weak from the heat. Reaching the ledge, she bent down to get her breath back.
"Nami! Chopper! What are you guys doing here?" Luffy asked.
Nami stood up in frustration. "Looking for you! And I wouldn't have found you without Chopper! Why are you even up here!?"
"We're chasing a bird." Zoro replied.
She shook her head. "Guess I should have expected it to be something weird."
"Brook is in trouble!" Chopper exclaimed. "He got kidnapped!"
"What?!" Luffy jumped to his feet. "Where?!"
Nami pointed down into the cove. "Down there!"
"Where the cool whale is?"
"That's obviously a ship!" Chopper said.
Nami squinted her eyes, singling out a small group separate from the rest of the mass of people. "The others are already there. We have to get down there!"
"Who kidnapped Brook?" Zoro asked.
"Crescent Moon Pirates."
Luffy and Zoro looked blankly at them.
"The weird mustache guy we fought recently when you ate all the food." Chopper clarified.
Luffy laughed. "I don't remember. I sure everyone can handle them." A flash of bright blue travelling over the cove caught Luffy's attention. He light up in elation. "Zoro! I see the bird! We can catch it!"
Zoro, Chopper and Nami froze as Luffy's arms wound around them and reached out to nearby trees, forming a taunt slingshot.
Zoro looked at his captain nervously. "That's a little far. Don'tcha think?"
"I'm too young to die." Nami sniffed, clinging to her captain's neck.
"Luffy!" Chopper wailed.
Everyone screamed as they were sent flying off the ledge and straight at the cove. Neither the Whitebeard nor Strawhats Pirates were able to react before Nami, Zoro, and Chopper hit the ground, sand spraying into the air. Luffy flew a bit further, diving right through Marco and into the crowd. Luffy scrambled to his feet, over the limbs and prone bodies, searching around wildly. "Where's the bird?! I swear I saw it. AH! It's you!"
Marco gave a tired sigh.
Zoro pushed himself out of the sand and eyed the large crowd of pirates, sizing them up, but a black shoe pushed him back down as Sanji ran him over to help Nami out of the ground. "Nami-swan!? Are you alright?"
Nami nodded, fixing her clothing and hair. "As alright as I can be."
Sanji helped Nami brush off the sand and was unprepared for Zoro to take his revenge and drop a hand full of sand down the back of his shirt. He shuddered at the uncomfortable feeling, "Real mature!"
"Can't handle a little dirt?"
Zoro was horrified when Sanji stretched his haramaka enough to pour a good helping of sand down. He smashed a fist full of sand into Sanji's face in retaliation. Letting Sanji and Zoro tumble around, Nami called out, "Luffy!"
Luffy bounded over with an innocent grin and received a punch for his troubles. "OW! Nami!"
"Are you guys okay!?" Usopp called, not daring to get any closer to the Whitebeard Pirates.
"Yeah… oh shit! Where's Chopper!?" Zoro shouted. Whitebeard watched as the young adults frantically dug through the sand until Luffy yanked Chopper out of the ground. He held him up successfully and shook the sand from his fur and jumper.
The others applauded.
"I hate this island." Chopper said with a cough.
Whitebeard frowned. "Will you continue to prattle like children or will you fight?"
Luffy waved an absentminded hand at him, "Hold on a second."
Whitebeard snorted indignantly, "I will not."
"He said hold on, Old Man." Zoro replied.
Whitebeard let his haki pulse. Zoro immediately sensed the hostility and shifted into a position on his knees, prepared to lunge, unsheathing his sword slightly.
Usopp gave a quiet squeak as the anger of the Emperor's crew grew, clearly furious that every person who arrives disrespects their captain. "Pleeeee-he-he-ase! Stop making them mad!"
"But aren't these guys the ones that took Brook?" Luffy pointed out, seemingly unfazed. He turned to face Whitebeard's crew, "Gimme Brook back."
"Luffy, it won't be that easy." Robin warned.
Luffy nodded and turned back to Whitebeard, "Please."
"Being polite won't help!" Nami exclaimed.
Whitebeard took note of the straw hat hanging on Luffy's back. "Oi, brat. That hat looks like one that Red-Hair was once wearing."
"Shanks left it to me. Do you know Shanks?"
Whitebeard took a more careful look at the young man in front of him. How the seven others gathered around him as if he was the center of the universe. Whitebeard knew he had seen this face before, on a bounty, one of his crewmembers showed it to him. The crewmember who showed it was Ace and he remembered his son was proud because….
"What is going on?!" Ace yelled as he finally pushed his way through the crowd, "LUFFY!?"
All Strawhat Pirate heads swiveled, most in confusion and one in pure joy.
"ACE!" Luffy mouth broke out into a wide grin and leapt at him, arms winding around him as he stumbled back. His crew ready for an attack but were not ready for Ace to laugh and hug him back.
"You know them?" Izo asked.
"Don't you recognize him?" Ace said with a large smile, pulling at Luffy's rubber cheeks.
Izo mouth dropped in astonishment, "Don't tell me…."
"GUYS!" Luffy shouted. "This is my big brother!"
The Strawhats shrieked in surprise.
"Oh no, there's two of them." Nami said in dread.
"Is this your crew?" Ace asked.
Luffy nodded excitedly, "Yeah. They're the best."
Ace smiled at them and bowed his head, Luffy laughing as he hung from him like a sloth. "Thank you all for taking care of my little brother."
"Eh?" Everyone bowed back, "Oh, not at all."
"He might be a bit much for you all to handle too but…"
"No, not at all."
Ace smiled genuinely. "Then take good care of him, please."
"He's so polite." Sanji murmured.
"I would've expected him to be as reckless as Luffy…" Usopp said.
Franky sniffed, wiping away tears. "Brothers are the best!"
A ripple of chuckles went through the Whitebeard Pirates, seeing their brother put his best foot forward. Remembering the firecracker attitude they first got to know Ace by and his determination to murder Pops. Knowing that the crew belonged to Ace's little brother eased the tension a bit but the pirates kept their weapons drawn.
"What are you doing here?" Luffy asked.
"This is my crew." Ace replied. "I want you to meet my captain. He is the greatest man I've ever known."
Luffy studied his brother, longer than what he typically does before following Ace's gesture to Whitebeard. For the first time, Luffy truly looked at the man who commands his brother's respect. Sliding off of Ace, he approached. The two captains silently judge one another.
Luffy turned back to Ace, "This old guy?"
The Whitebeard Pirates were furious at the continued disrespect of their captain as Ace shook his head with a smile. "This 'old guy' is Whitebeard. He's like a father to me."
Luffy blinked. "Oh," he grinned and looked back at the Emperor. "You're not bad, Old Beard. But I want my musician back."
"You're a cheeky one," Whitebeard remarked. "You're musician's name is Brook, correct?"
"Yup,"
Thatch chuckled awkwardly. "I thought you guys were bounty hunters."
"Nah, we're pirates…. Hey," Luffy said, annoyed. "Not cool. Ace may like you but you can't have my musician."
"I can't believe Luffy's talking casually with an Emperor." Usopp said to himself.
"You can have your musician." Whitebeard said. "But know this, my sons brought your friend here in the condition I'm returning him to you."
"Stop being cryptic. What's wrong with Brook?" Zoro demanded.
"He was found dead in an alley."
Once again the fear was palpable in every single Strawhat Pirate.
"Brook can't be dead." Luffy stated firmly.
Thatch stepped forward. "I hate to be the one to say this but I found his body. It sucks since we just meet Ace's baby brother's crew but your friend is dead."
"You're lying!"
"We're not!" Haruta defended. "There's no way to mistake it."
An epiphany hit Nami. "But with Brook, it's an easy mistake-"
Jozu folded his arms. "Face the truth! YOUR FRIEND IS DEAD!"
"….um, I'm not dead." A faint voice called.
A wave of heads whirled across the crowd and to look out at sea. The Whitebeard Pirates were familiar with death and its finality but the dead man, the dead man who was just bare bones, was sitting up in the dinghy.
Their screams could be heard across the island.
"BROOK! HEEEYYYY!" Luffy called, waving his arms wildly.
Brook waved back in confusion.
"The skeleton…" Izo uttered. "Is moving!?"
"It's alive!" Haruta shrieked.
"Duh," Luffy laughed. "You guys are dumb."
"IT'S UNNATURAL!"
"I don't suppose you left the oars in the boat." Robin asked to which Marco shook his head.
Zoro walked towards the beach, saying. "I'll go get him."
"I'll go with you!" Thatch volunteered. "I feel bad for almost killing your friend… for real."
Zoro shrugged and followed Thatch.
"Now that we found everyone, we should party!" Luffy said.
"It's convenient that a party is already setup," Nami added.
"Are you really going to invite yourself to an Emperor's party?" Vista asked amused.
"Emperor?"
Usopp pulled Nami aside and whispered. "That's Whitebeard, one of the four Emperors. He's the strongest pirate alive!"
"That sounds terrifying but…." Usopp swear he could see the moment beris signs appeared in her eyes. "If he's an Emperor, that must mean he's loaded."
"Nami, I need you on my side!"
"It's fine." Whitebeard said. "I would like to know more about your brother."
Ace merely grinned.
"Before festivities truly begin," said Robin. "What brings an Emperor to this side of the Grandline? It's fairly unnatural for an Emperor's entire crew to leave your territory unless you're preparing world changing events."
Jozu frowned solemnly, "We were betrayed by one of our own and we nearly lost another because of him."
"Killing nakama is unforgivable." Ace said, gritting the words through his teeth.
Luffy instantly gauged his brother's mood and stated. "Then I'll beat the crap out of him."
"This is a personal matter." Whitebeard stated. "My crew and I will handle our own."
Whitebeard and Luffy stoically stared down at one another, neither backing down from their position. Ace pulled at his brother's cheek, "I'd never live it down if my baby brother took care of my division's problems. You've got to focus on becoming the Pirate King." Luffy huffed under his breath. "What could a crybaby who could never beat me as a kid do?"
"I've gotten a lot stronger!"
Ace grinned. "Oh yeah!?" Luffy yelped when Ace suddenly dropped him and ran off into the crowd. "Prove it!"
"Ace!" Luffy chased after him.
Whitebeard and the Strawhat Pirates watched him go and Robin said. "At the very least could let us know who your traitor is. Perhaps we may have information that could assist you. You did just arrive in this first half of the Grandline and we have been here for a while."
"Trust me," Vista said. "If you crossed Teach, you wouldn't be standing here today."
"Do you have his wanted poster?"
"Teach never got a bounty."
Robin pulled at her small notebook, "Describe him."
After several minutes, Nami peered over Robin's shoulder and grimaced, Robin's malevolence showed through the drawing, the traitor looked more like a troll... "Ah! I've seen this guy before!"
"What!?" Vista exclaimed.
"Where?" Whitebeard asked.
"He was at Jaya! His crew tried to pick a fight with us!"
Izo frowned, "It's concerning Teach sought out your captain. He can't just be after his bounty."
"We can't tell Luffy!" Usopp stated. "He'll want to go after him!"
"Speak a little louder. Luffy might hear." Sanji replied nonchalantly.
"Noooooo-ho-ho-ho!"
"Stop whining. We can beat the crap out of that shitty pirate."
"But didn't we think we would be fine in Sabaody?" Usopp said pointedly. "We were lucky we got out at all."
"Way to ruin the mood," Nami muttered.
"You are young, you have time to learn and grow stronger." Vista offered.
"We don't have time and we can't fall behind." Usopp said and Nami nodded in agreement.
Vista took a moment to observe the conditions of the young pirates, the bandages around the swordsman and the archeologist or how he could see the wiry insides of the cyborg shipwright or the way the sniper tenderly moved his sprained arm, and he remembered that these individuals were still willing to confront an unbeatable enemy like Whitebeard if it meant protecting their friend, Vista realized that they may never learn their lesson. But they were determine to succeed.
Franky smiled comfortingly, "Let's leave those thoughts for the future. We got a chance to party with the captain's brother and some super cool dudes."
Sanji fished through his pockets for a new cigarette, "Franky, come with me. I need to get my kitchen supplies."
The other crew seemed unimpressed by the idea of a single greenhorn pirate cook able to accommodate for such large numbers. Izo was quick to dissuade Sanji and Franky from leaving, since it wouldn't make a difference. Sanji was equally quick to refute that they serving not only Ace but his brother as well. They would need all the help they could get. At the mere thought of two bottomless holes eating their way through the Moby Dick's food supply, the others sent them off with their blessing.
OLD MAN
Brook was confused.
Just this morning he was on the run from a very angry shop owner and now it looked like he was at a funeral, and he was the "buriee." The people on the shore were already partying before they even burned his dinghy which Brook found equally offensive and jealous. If they were going to give him a sailor's funeral, they could have the decency to finish it.
He also had to consider how he ended up in this predicament. Brook remembered running and panicking and then there was no ground. The town roads utilized the roofs and Brook had the misfortunate of running right off the street and down to the alley below. He didn't remember anything afterwards.
A boat operated by Zoro and another man approached. Zoro was grinning while the other stared at Brook in curiosity.
"Zoro! My goodness. You would not believe the day that I have had!"
"It's only going to get crazier from here." He replied. "Luffy has a brother and he challenged his brother's captain as soon as they met."
"How thrilling! …. " Thatch shifted uneasy under the eyeless gaze of Brook. "Are you a new crewmember?"
"No!" Thatch exclaimed, "The only captain I have is Pops!"
Brook and Zoro cocked their head.
"… Whitebeard."
No reaction.
"Edward Newgate! How can you guys not know!?"
"I'm afraid I'm a bit behind on current events," was Brook's excuse. "Though the name sounds familiar."
"You have to meet him." Thatch said as they reached shore. "It's not every day you get to meet an Emperor."
"Pass," Zoro said, disappearing into the crowd.
Brook followed Thatch, still quietly thinking to himself, trying to place the name Edward Newgate. They arrived just in time to see a barrel shatter, a result of an arm wrestling match between Ace and Luffy. Usopp hovered nearby, vigilant of any mentions of Blackbeard around Luffy. Haruto noticed their approached and went to greet them. "You're a real skeleton."
"Yes, I am."
"I want him to meet Pops." Thatch explained with a grin.
Haruta grinned back. "A walking, talking skeleton walks up to the Strongest-man-alive. That sounds like the start of a bad joke."
Luffy ran over. "Brook! You're finally here."
"Yoho, I took a bit of a tumble, you see."
"I got you fabric!" Luffy said, pushing the fabric rolls into his hands. "I only dropped a couple."
"Thank you!" Brook said, and noticed the dark haired, freckled covered man standing close to his captain, "You must be my captain's brother."
"Ace, this idiot's brother." He greeted.
"My name is Brook. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. I'm glad we have this chance to meet instead of on the battlefield."
Thatch laughed. "You guys really jumping at a chance to fight. Take a load off."
"Perhaps not today but I imagine we'll fight in the near future." Brook insisted. "When Luffy challenges the Pirate King for his crown."
Everyone around him stared at the skeleton which Brook began to feel self-conscious.
"… Brook. What do you think it means to become Pirate King?" Usopp asked.
Brook cocked his head. "If Luffy is to be Pirate King, I would imagine we must seize the Raftel Kingdom from the current Pirate King and claim the One Piece."
"…"
Brook looked across their faces. His captain had been ignoring the conversation but the rest were very expressive. Luffy's brother looked very conflicted on how he should be feeling but Thatch and Haruto were happily confused.
"Is… that not right?"
"No!" Usopp exclaimed. "Why do you even think that?!"
"Well no one explained it so I inferred from our conversations." Brook explained.
"Ah…" Usopp nodded sagely. Sometimes it was easy to forget their newest crewmember was isolated from the rest of the world for fifty years. "The Pirate King isn't actually a king and the Pirate King doesn't actually have a kingdom-"
"The Pirate King's the freest in the world!" Luffy declared as he bodily slammed into his sniper.
"Oh…" simply said Brook. "That makes more sense. I thought it was peculiar pirates had kingdoms of their own."
Thatch opened his mouth to correct him but Ace shushed him. This was a time of celebration, not a time to explain the political situation on the other half of the Redline, they'll ease the Strawhats into it later.
Haruto pushed through the group to ask his question. "And you were down to join a crew of less than ten people who you thought were planning on going to war with a kingdom?"
"Naturally. Luffy told me it was his dream to be the Pirate King."
Ace's stony expression broke as he grinned at his little brother. "Luffy, where do you find these guys?"
"Shishishi, aren't they cool!"
Thatch slung an arm around his brother's shoulder, "You have to meet our captain."
They walked through the party with Haruta because he "wanted to see Pop's reaction." The majority of the Strawhats were nearby when they approached Whitebeard. Upon arrival, he quickly took in Brook's appearance and upright nature.
"The power of devil fruits is something to behold." Whitebeard acknowledged.
Brook nodded. "I'm Brook, the musician of the Strawhat Pirates. I ate the Revive-Revive Fruit."
"And that made you look like skeleton?" Haruta asked.
"No, but when I died, I couldn't find my body right away."
"You actually died!" Thatch exclaimed while Haruta was much more focused on, "You're skin rotted away!?"
"Yohoho. Why yes."
"So you're not as old as you look then and you still haven't heard of Whitebeard?" Ace asked.
"The mustache looks very familiar…. Oh!" Brook exclaimed in remembrance, "You're that rookie who ran around with the Rocks Pirates. You were always causing trouble."
Everyone in earshot paused.
"…."
"…. Wait."
"What?"
Brook took a step back when the other two pirates rushed into his personal space with an excited gleam in their eyes. "Rookie!?"
"Well yes." Brook said awkwardly. "It's rare for me to hear about a crew from my old pirating days. I was able to recall him because Newgate would often clash with another pirate, Gold Roger. Have you heard of him?"
"Have we heard?" Ace echoed, dumbfounded.
"Old pirating days," Thatch said.
"How old are you!?" Haruta asked.
"Excuse you. That's very rude!" Brook replied indignantly. "I'll have you know, I am at the ripe age of eighty-eight."
"But Pops is only… seventy…" Haruto let out a breathless gasp, "He can call him brat."
Ace, Haruta and Thatch shared a look before breaking into fits of cackle. Thatch laughed so hard he collapsed, clutching at his chest and wheezing for air.
"I mean no offense!" Brook said, frantically trying to mend the situation. "I have the upmost respect for the Emperors and their accomplishments, even if they are my junior."
This only caused the pirates to laugh harder. Brook stood troubled as Haruta, Thatch and Ace ended up rolling on the ground with laughter while Usopp shook and yelled at him. Letting his crewmates devolve into unbridled chattering and laughter, Marco settled down next to Zoro who was gracious enough to pour him a drink. He could tell it was going to a long and peculiar night.
Whitebeard finally spoke in a thoughtfully but amused tone. "I have been called many things in this day alone but never would I have thought I would be called a rookie."
OLD BEARD
Late into the night, it quieted down a bit as pirates passed out from drinking and dancing but the party continued strong. The moon had reached it peak and the waves gently rolled against the beach. Emerging from the dark waters was a large figure, swimming straight for the shore.
Jinbe, Warlord and friend to the Whitebeard Pirates, was expected. He spent the past week observing and distracting the Navy to ensure that Whitebeard could enter without being detected. The plan was for Jinbe to meet them on a small island outside of normal jurisdiction and guide them through Paradise, avoiding marine patrols as they hunted Blackbeard.
What Jinbe found at their designated meetup spot left him puzzled.
Whitbeard planned to only bring the Moby Dick so Jinbe did not understand why there was another ship anchored in the same cove. He didn't recognize it which made him feel uneasy. It would be unlike Whitebeard to risk Jinbe's status as a Warlord by bringing along an ally who was unfamiliar with their relationship.
His feet found solid ground and he walked out of the water. Most of the pirates were too busy to notice the fishman expect for one.
"JINBE!" Ace called, mouth stretched into a wide and happy grin as he ran over. "You're finally here!"
"Sorry friend, I was delayed. You seem to be in high spirits. Did you get a lead on Blackbeard?"
"I'll tell you about it later." Jinbei's arm was grabbed and he was led deep into the crowd of pirates. "But right you have to meet my little brother! I know you're gonna love him!"
ROOKIE
One of the funniest lines Brook has said in One Piece is his very casual remark of remembering Gol D Roger as a rookie when the Strawhats are talking to Rayleigh on Sabaody. I liked that man out of time aspect Brook had in his early chapters as a Strawhat Pirate.
Then there is another pirate from the same era that could have been a rookie on Brook's radar and this pirate was still alive (for a bit.) So this entire story was inspired by my intense desire for Brook to call Whitebeard a rookie. For that to happen, Whitebeard would have to meet the other Strawhats and the premise of each Strawhat Pirate calling Whitebeard something weird took over the plot.
-DigitalGuardian
