Author's Notes:

.

This Chapter was beta'd by the amazingly awesome scl04 and Black' Victor Cachat, they did the greatest job on editing and sharing ideas with me and very importantly keeping me motivated and inspired. Thank you, you rock!

.

I don't own One Piece. No duh.

.

.

The Spade pirates will be given the awesome voice that was created by Stormy1x2, especially in her story The Ten Years Difference (if you haven't read her stories, then do yourself a favour and go read them) and in addition, we have more information about the crew that can be found in the wiki of the Spade crew. I am combining the "two crew" to the one that I want, because I can (and I am a badass and an evil Genius mwahahaha.)

.

Warnings:

Spoilers to the latest manga chapters! Ace's self-worth issues, cursing, and English is my fourth language (and the uncontrollable urge to knee slap in laughter XD). Warnings may change in the future.

.

Guest reviews

.

1995hzq

Thank you for your review and support:)

"Crazy observation haki training." Indeed! It's crazy, Shanks doesn't do things by half! ;)

Hope you enjoy the new chapter! Looking forward to reading your thoughts!

.

VisitorNo.18

Thank you for your review and support:)

Keys, what keys… I know nothing about keys….

"Your version of the Spades are incorrigibly hilarious! Seriously, don't change them! "

Thank you! I will not! I like them like this!

Hope you enjoy the new chapter! Looking forward to reading your thoughts!

.

Kat

Thank you for your review and support:) You make me *blush*

Hope you enjoy the new chapter! Looking forward to reading your thoughts!

.

justperson

Thank you for your review and support:)

"but there's something bugging me, if I remembered right Ace had first awakened his conqueror haki when he was still in dawn. he and Luffy were fighting bluejam and his men if I'm not wrong. ace's haki knocked most of the men unconscious and bluejam got mad or something like that."

You are right! But Ace didn't know that then. He was busy saving Luffy and himself. Later when he learned about Haki (at least in my opinion) he didn't make the connection but now things are a bit different with Shanks explaining and giving examples and showing him.

Hope you enjoy the new chapter! Looking forward to reading your thoughts!

.

Soravi

Thank you for your review and support:)

XD

"Stupid me didn't check the date of the latest update, goddammit, I was liking this way toooooo much .-."

Sorry, I laughed so much, reading this! If it's any consolation, I was writing this chapter when I read it, so it was motivating. I hope you continue to like it.

Hope you enjoy the new chapter! Looking forward to reading your thoughts!

.

.

.

Please, read the notes at the end!

Hope you enjoy,

.

.

.

.

.

It had been a month, three weeks and two days since Shanks had brought him to this island.

He knows this for sure because Shanks himself had told him so.

It had felt way longer. Much, much longer.

He wasn't sure when he had lost his grasp on the passage of time. Maybe when the herbal cure for his narcolepsy had run out three weeks into the training when he was still alone in the forest, trying to find Shanks for the first time.

In the week he had gone without his pills, he hadn't had any sudden sleeping attacks, but he wasn't sure if it was due to the lingering effect of his meds, or the sheer stress of the situation he was in. After he had found Shanks, the first thing the Yonko had asked was if he still had enough of the herbal cure. He had thought he had given Ace enough for a month, not three weeks. Shanks had been pretty distressed about it.

It didn't matter much to him, he had survived with his narcolepsy for this long. But Shanks seemed adamant to find something to help. Every morning he would question him about his sleep, and every night he would make sure he took his medicine.

Ace's eyes were tracking every little movement of said man. Shanks was sitting on the other side of him, using his one hand both to eat and drink in a masterful way, of someone that had done it thousands of times.

Ace had begun, without meaning to, to grasp the different sides of Shanks.

The red hair pirate was like an onion with so many different layers, and unlike Ace he didn't use those layers to protect and hide himself. They were just different parts of his personality and character.

Shanks was a playful guy, loved to drink, to party, and joke. He was also responsible and a worrywart. He was loyal to those he thought as his. And for now, Ace had realized Shanks considered him 'his'.

Those different and colorful layers could make you underestimate him, and forget who he was.

A Pirate.

But Ace would never forget the other side he had seen first-hand.

Shanks was strong. Scarily strong.

While he wasn't a showoff, Shanks was still the youngest to become Yonko. The only one of the four that didn't have a devil fruit.

Even if he had forgotten, there were times when they fought or trained together that he would somehow, rudely be reminded of that fact.

Ace stares at his empty plate as he ponders his stay here so far. While using his Observation Haki to keep an eye on Shanks. Not closing his eyes, yet not looking at his target.

It has taken him a month and a bit to find Shanks for the first time.

He had felt so much relief, so deep-seated and complete, when hearing Shanks's cheery voice and laughter that he had almost tickled him, capturing him in a one-armed bear hug.

He had to physically restrain himself. He had grabbed the cuffs on his hands to center his thoughts, and to stop himself from attacking the man and embarrassing himself. Ace was almost sure that he would be the only one embarrassed if that were to happen. Ace wasn't sure if Shanks knew the meaning of the word. That didn't mean he wouldn't make fun of Ace until a better thing popped up for him to use to rub in Ace's face.

Being in the wild on his own, had brought a lot of his insecurities rushing back to the surface. With no sounds and voices around him to keep his mind occupied, hundreds of negative thoughts had drifted freely through his mind; his ability, his promises, his purpose, his existence.

He knows that he tends to put himself down too much and slowly sows the seeds of self doubt in his mind.

But even when he was alone as a young child, he had never felt this lonely. Maybe it was the accumulating effect of trying to survive alone in the wild without all his senses, and with those bloody seastone cuffs that seemed to suck the will and joy of everything.

Or maybe the company of just oneself was like facing your worst enemy.

He hated being on his own. He always tried to tough it up, and had complained aloud like the brat he was when Luffy wouldn't leave him alone. He was in denial then. In an ocean of it.

Even now, he would never admit it out loud. He would never show his weakness.

It had taken him lots of time and maturity to admit it in his own lonely mind. Sabo's death was a big push for him to face these kinds of fears. As Luffy had said: 'Being alone is more painful than being hurt.' Much more.

That's why he surrounds himself with people, the noisier the better. When he was with his brothers he had forgotten about those dark thoughts, just by being together, and with choosing a goal. Something to aspire to.

Even when they had lost Sabo. Luffy by his side had anchored him, and Sabo's death had made it more important for him to achieve his goal. To set sail. To see the world. To be free.

Right now, Ace is taking his brother on this journey with him. He unconsciously touches his forearm.

Whenever dark thoughts had come close to swallow him when he was in the forest, he forcefully steered his thoughts to his brothers, his crew, Shanks, his goal. Anything and everything to keep them at bay.

Finding Shanks and hearing his self-assurance was a slap in the face. A wake-up call. Because Ace had realized that what he sorely lacked was a healthy dose of self-confidence. He calls himself a pirate, captain, a challenger, then he should stop acting like a timid little child.

Of course, easier said than done.

But as Deuce, the first person to join his crew and the self-appointed chronicler to their journey, liked to say, half the solution is finding the real problem.

Another problem was, Ace had thought amusedly to himself; he's touch-starved.

One doesn't appreciate the powerful nature and psychological effect of simple hand-to-hand greeting, pat at the shoulder, accidental touch when you share the same space until you don't have it. Finding Shanks had helped a bit, but really he wouldn't mind having a puppy pile with his filthy, unhygienic crew right about now.

And yet despite everything, it was still better than any of Gramp's 'training' sessions!

After he had found him for the first time, Shanks had made him do it again, it had taken him 11 days this time.

And again, 5 days.

And again.

Then Shanks had changed the rules of the game.

Shanks had stopped staying still, and he also began to move.

From Hide and Seek, the game had been upgraded to Tag.

But once Ace had gotten the hang of it, it was easier. Now it would only take him a few hours, sometimes even less.

Those last few days they had a rhythm, a routine.

In the morning they played Tag, until Ace had to catch him a few times, and then they would have a small break and eat together.

Ace couldn't see Shanks's face. He was still blindfolded, but he could hear and feel how horrified Shanks had been when he found out how Ace was finding food and eating it.

It had seemed he hadn't considered the logistics of eating/finding food/dining when he considered this kind of training for Ace.

Ace did prefer cooked food way better than the alternative. And the fact that now he didn't need to put some on the side in case he couldn't find more, was a relief.

'You don't appreciate something until it's gone' ponders Ace to himself again.

Shanks had not remarked anything the first time they ate together after Ace had 'caught' him, he just kept filling Ace's plate, until he was full.

While he stuffed his mouth with food, he felt relief but also guilt. Tama and her village didn't have even the little that Ace had in the forest alone. He will get stronger, and keep his promise to her. When he returns back to Wano, he will make sure her home becomes a place where she can eat as much as she wants without being afraid or guilty. For that he needed to be much stronger. So for now, he will stuff his mouth with more food so he can keep training. For her too.

Afterward, they were supposed to rest for a bit. 'Supposedly' was a very important keyword.

Shanks would randomly attack him with anything and everything, an empty bottle flying to his head, sword, kick, stone, a punch… and Ace needs to fight and dodge.

The first time Shanks had attacked him, Ace had taken a few stones on the head and face, while Shanks laughed, before Ace was able to use his Haki to dodge and attack. Now, he knew to never let his guard down. Ever.

Yesterday, Shanks had broken the rhythm (once more) and had made him take off his blindfold for the first time. He had gotten so used to darkness, that seeing the rays of light had almost literally blinded him.

He had spent the next half an hour blinking his eyes, and rubbing them. And Shanks of course was being very helpful. He wasn't laughing or poking him with a stick.

Nooo, of course, he didn't.

Ace had struggled to get used to colors again, but soon enough he got used to it. Another thing a person doesn't appreciate until it's gone.

The problem was that now that he could see, the sensory overload was making him struggle to concentrate enough for his Observation Haki. He ended up closing his eyes to be able to use it.

Shanks has said it was to be expected, and he knew a few people that did that.

Haki was supposed to add to all your other senses, not to replace them. According to Shanks closing your eyes to be able to use your Haki wasn't a good habit, and they were going to break Ace from it in the next few days, before they moved to other things.

Ace didn't ask about what he planned next, and especially not if he would take the cuffs off.

The seastone cuffs didn't only nullify his Devil Fruit power but also drained his stamina. It was a struggle to wake up, to move, he felt tired and without energy, everything felt like too much hassle. His body was in a state of 'laziness'.

Shanks had confessed to him that seastone could also interfere with using haki. So he was hesitant at first in using them when training Ace. But he rationalized that if Ace was able to use it in the worst situation possible, then he would be able to use it anywhere.

Still, those cuffs, especially now that he can actually see them with his eyes, had reminded him of Yamato, and his promise to defeat Kaido. He didn't tell Shanks about this promise and his plan to take care of Kaido. Shanks's reaction would be the same as when Ace had told him of his plan to go after Whitebeard. Still, Ace wondered if he should tell him. Maybe Shanks had some insight about Kaido and Wano.

Dusty at least will be proud. 'Finally not doin' everything alone, but seeking help, our idiotic moron Cap'n had grown up'.

A few days ago was the first time that he spoke to someone other than Shanks. The red-headed captain had suddenly suggested Ace call his crew. Ace had been surprised, he hadn't known that this option had even existed.

Ace had been busy with other things, that he hadn't considered the logistics of their stay here. And Shanks hadn't mentioned anything. When Ace had complained, the Yonko had laughed it off.

They had supplies that never seemed to end. Well, he eats without holding back. Shanks hadn't batted an eye at Ace's huge appetite. And of course in case of emergency, they needed to reach him or Shanks.

The Yonko had on him a small Den Den Mushi, that he had used to keep the crew updated, and to make sure they never ran out of supplies (ahem sake ahem). Shanks had given it to Ace to speak with his crew and check on them. He only spoke with Masked Deuce for a few minutes before Ray crashed the call shouting about the hat, and something about bet, and nothing is orange as the holy treasure (he keeps reminding him of Luffy).

Dusty was not to be found, so Ace ended the call just to get Ray to shut up. Really though, Ace was laughing himself silly at the entirety of it, even in his worn-out state. Although as much as he missed the ruckus and voices, he could only handle so much of Ray's chatter and brightness. Shanks wasn't helping matters either. He was listening in, and the two of them kept looking at each other and bursting into laughter. At one point Shanks laughed so hard that he collapsed on the ground, his head flung back, hooting.

Afterwards, Ace had felt the same urge to rub his eyes after taking the blindfold off. He needed small doses to get used to the 'Ray' of sunshine again.

His crew was all alive, and from Ray's bubbling, it seemed that as usual his crew was up to no good, and was having that time of their life without him. Dusty and Deuce were there, and the scary First Mate of Shanks was there too, so it should be fine. He was almost sure that they wouldn't light the ship on fire.

It's kind of ironic, he's literally a Fire-man, yet his crew had more chance of burning everything down.

Ace assured himself that it wouldn't happen. His crew would prefer to drink sake and alcohol instead of using it to burn the ship.

Was this better?

Right.

Still eyeing Shanks from the corner of his eye. The man was busy sipping from a bottle.

Ace was waiting.

Readying himself.

He knew it was coming.

Ace absentmindedly wonders what kind of folly was his crew up to now! And when can he finally join them as he dodges the incoming attack.

An empty bottle.

Typical.

..

.

XXXXX

.

..

"They are soooo pretty!"

The man those words had been directed to merely raises an eyebrow, while sitting comfortably on the deck of the ship, sipping on a glass of wine.

"But my precious is prettier. It's the best. Lookkkk...Her holiness shines brighter than the sun."

The younger man twirls around, grinning widely, showing off a very orange hat on his head, a jingling necklace of keys around his neck, adding to the dramatic effect.

"But don't be sad your eyes still pretty 'cause they are orange."

"Yellow," someone shouts.

"No, are you blind? They're orange." The man with the orange hat corrects. He scowls at the offender, who dares to interrupt him.

"That makes them pretty?" The man with a glass of wine asks, with slight amusement and curiosity. The chaos and loudness spread all over the ship didn't seem to bother him, or diminish his enjoyment.

"Yes, orange is the best! How can anyone be depressed when facing orange," the man with the orange hat declares, his hands on his waist giving the impression of a preacher ready to give a sermon. The young man despite the loudness around him had effortlessly made his voice be heard loud and clear. And sooo very bright!

"Please stop Ray!"

"Ugh...gag... Some..ugh… stop...cough...HIM!"

"Someone stop him!"

"How many times? Stop already!"

"Can't!"

"Please!"

"Ray nooooo..."

"I can't hiccup."

"Where are Tyger and Spooky when you need them?"

"The two terrors!"

"Heroes!"

"Dumb and dumber!"

"Which is Tyger? The one with turban?"

"Without it maybe!"

"You sure?"

"Who cares! I will forgive them anything if they stop him!"

"Did any burp found what's burp under the turban?"

"Anyone seen them?"

"Spoookyyyyyyyy ?"

"I beg you, glug STOP!"

"NO!"

"Aren't they making more necklaces?"

"Not necklacess… it's a loop..."

"Yeah, you just put it in the neck..."

"Necklace for girls… loops for men..."

"Pirates!"

"They p hiccup retty!"

"I wanna one!"

"Here is mine! Spooky, give it to me at a discount for 30 beli!"

"Ohhh…. Shiny.. "

"Huh, I got mine for 10 from Tyger."

"50!"

"STOP!"

"15!"

"Gold..."

"Beli..."

"The coals one are better!"

"Coal loops?"

"Sto burp ppp Rayyy…."

"Yeah…. Sooo burp blackkkk!"

"So many …."

"Not again, we can take only so much!"

"Aren't they keys?"

"Nahhhh…. Moron..."

"Yeah, nooo… they shaped this way….cause hiccup...they open the road to h...burp...paradise..."

"They lucky talis...burp...mentt…or something…"

"Lucky break..."

"Protect you from...evillll…."

"What evil?"

"No more….I can't!"

"They don't work!"

"Huh?"

"Loook…. Here is evil…." Everyone stares at where an accusing finger points at. It's a beaming Ray.

They all nod as one.

"Orange is evil!"

"The ultimate evil!"

"Yeah, ask for your money back!"

"It doesn't hiccup work!"

"Where the bloody burp morons….Tyger and Spook!"

"Maybe they used the keys and went to… road...paradise."

"Who wanna go to paradise?"

"Nahhh… New World is the best!"

"Aren't you supposed hiccup to throw them overboard and make a wish?"

"Throw what?"

"The keys!"

"Necklaces!"

"The beli!"

Unable to stand up, but with somehow still working hands, some tried to throw them away. Them included: bottles ('No, give it back...this is a hiccup half full!''), clothes, beli, and necklaces of keys.

"No, No, No…."

"Where's Dusty?"

"Yea, we need him!"

"Dusty can stop Ray!"

"Is he in Paradise?"

"For the love of ...Orange, STOP!"

"Yeah, Ray… if you love Orange...stop hiccup talking!"

"Yeah...like… burp … please."

"My hiccup head!"

"Not again!"

"No idea. Maybe our first mate made good on his threats and jumped into the sea."

"Nooooo Dusty..."

"No, no, no, no..."

"Take me with you! Dusty…."

"Dusty, take me to Paradise!"

"Isn't he in the sea?"

"Take me burp seaaaaaaaaaaaaa…"

"I can't take any more of this!"

"S...hiccup...to...hiccup..pp..."

"Wait for me, Dustyyyyy!"

Shrill shrieks, groans, Loud, ceaseless howling, cries, and piercing moans.

All screaming: Despair, despair, despair, and some more despair!

Thick and indistinct murmurs of "not again," "let's run," "my head," and shuffling of feet as people tried to run are filling the air.

Amid all of this, the man is sipping slowly from his glass of wine, savoring each sip like others relished their popcorn when watching a good show. He knew he had chosen right, his boredness had abated from the first step he took aboard this ship.

A pity, he hadn't brought with him a better selection of wine. Maybe the flavor of dry and crisp with Sauvignon Blanc, or the deep and intense versatility of Pinot Noir. The drink he's sipping now is Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon which has a bold, rich and intense flavors. A fine vintage to be sure from Tajine Kingdom. It's an incredibly full-bodied wine, boasting a dark red colour with an entire bouquet of flavors. Fitting of the occasion, he muses to himself.

Those present on the deck are either in some kind of pain, haziness, confusion, drunkenness, or unconscious state, except for him and another five people (of course, not counting the young man with an orange hat named Ray, who scholars are still debating if the use of 'person' applies in his case).

These five people were all sitting along the rail opposite to where all the others were gathered. Just like the wine lover, they were enjoying the show to different varying degrees.

Filling his glass of wine, he eyes each one of them speculatively. Two he recognizes.

One had spiky red hair that joined the Red Hair crew not long ago, he was half sitting, half laying down, and was amusingly surveying the scene. Near him was the sniper Yasopp, he had in one hand a rifle which he was scruinity examining, and in the other a bottle of sake. He had another rifle on his back too. Resting on his leg was a man with unusual sleeping habits. He kept drawing a telescope and trying to shoot with it. Sometimes he drew only empty air, and tried to shoot with that too, to the amusement of those around him.

Near those two sit another three people clustered together, who the newcomer had no recollection of ever meeting before. One had a skull mask on his face, and his clothes were littered with skulls. Around his neck were several necklaces with keys, similar to the one Ray was wearing. He was relaxed, observing the going around him, and letting out a loud, menacing laugh whenever something caught his fancy. A few had come to him asking to buy one of the necklaces/loops around his neck. To throw to the sea? He saw people pooling their money to be able to buy one. How much was he selling them for? The man with 'orange' eyes wonders. Judging by his loud laughter, it was a hefty sum.

Next to the skull man, was another person in a blue mask to go with his blue hair, who kept looking around and furiously writing down in a small book in his hand, muttering and cursing, sometimes crossing out things in irritation. The skull man would look over his shoulder and point things out to him. The last man was the only one that would sometimes stand up and move around, checking on people, examining eyes and checking pulses. He heard a few calling him Doc Biggie. Just like the Espectacle del Montsant wine, brilliant acidity keeps everything in harmony. On his way back he should stop and stock it.

Those five were the only ones that were what you would call somehow 'sober'. Ray was clearly drunk on orange.

The young ecstatic man reminds him of Friuli Pinot Grigio. A tangy white wine, it offers floral flavors of peach and pear mixed with aromas of stone fruit and honeysuckle. It has a very expressive character. And also reminds him a bit of Cabernet Sauvignon with its smooth crispness of red fruit and orange peel combined with a ripeness that's only deepened over time. Cause of Orange.

When he had arrived aboard the ship, the orange obsessed man had demanded he offer up something orange, or precisely more orange than his hat. Apparently, it was a bet of some kind. When he had failed to produce the item (he hadn't even tried), the young man had sighed in despair and delight at the same time and was about to leave until the color of his 'eyes' had caught the young man's attention. Which brought him to the fun situation at hand.

From the drunken chatter around him, he had pieced a few facts about the very entertaining and mysterious Ray. No one is sure if Ray is oblivious, doesn't care, or is just an idiot. There is even a bet about which one it is, and most had bet on the latter. But none had found a way to prove it. Which had brought another bet to existence, as to what would be the thing that would make Ray snap. Nothing had worked so far. These bets had gotten so big, that if it was converted to beli, the quantity of it could sink the ship.

The man sipping his wine, focused on the sermon Ray was delivering in never seen before enthusiasm. The sobs, grumbling, wails and complaints were to him just like pleasant background music.

"... Orange just screams look at me. It has an endless array of shades," he began counting loudly and brightly. "Peach, coral, poppy, tangerine… your eyes are just like juicy delicious tangerine!" Ray beams, staring adoringly at the unflinching 'juicy delicious tangerine' eyes of the sitting man, who merely raises an eyebrow encouragingly, enjoying his tangy wine.

Not stopping to take a breath, Ray persists, "Even the names sound happy and summery! Orange goes well with many colors! There is no blue without orange, no pink without orange. Because orange makes other colors stand out. Orange is just great like that. Orange just livens up any room he is in, and any company even if they are grey and black... just like you lot. Ahemm.. Orange is really, realllllyyyy, happy color~" Ray singsongs.

"It's a powerful and cheerful color that encourages communication, which you all need in your life. Say yes to orange, no to violence."

"Yes to violence!"

"Yeah someone beat me up."

"Sure," his neighbor answered, with a punch.

"...Orange is about concentrating…."

"A what?"

"conce...ting?"

"Hiccup..."

…...intelligent, and rebellious free spirit. Just like us pirates! Orange signifies warmth. Can't you just see it. All of us gathered around a roaring fire of orange flame. Just beautiful!"

"Nooooo..."

"Yeah, I can see it. Captain on fire."

"Let's go find him!"

"Gather around him!"

"Yeah, but when Ace is on fire, no one wanna be near him."

"Run before booooooommm."

"Stop."

"Poor ..hicc..up...cap."

"Fryer, fryer, Ace on fire."

"Orange can also be seen as energetic, cheerful, and brash. It is just friendly, lively, and enjoyable. It says I want to be your friend."

"I ...gag...don't."

"NOOOOO…"

"With friend like you burp… who need enemies!"

"Me too."

"Me three..burp..."

"Just noooooo."

"My head..."

"Stop."

"Pleaseee...slurp..."

"Orange is the best color. It just makes even the most gloomy person come to life and appear energetic and healthy. It blends the rebelliousness of red with the friendliness of yellow to create the awesomeness of Orange. A bright and warm color.. So don't be sad. You have Orange in your eyes, which means you have fire, sun, fun and warmth. You are precious person that was blessed with orangesss!" Ray points at the man with flair as he ends his declaration.

Not waiting for any reaction, Ray with a grave voice announces.

"Bbbbuuuutttt Captain's hat is the best! It's the whole sun. You look at it, you just want to jump out of joy!" Ray twirls around showing off the orangness of the hat once more.

A few claps, and Doc Biggie is one of those applauding. Idly the newcomer wonders if he should do so too, except that means he will have to put his glass down. Yasopp toasts with his bottle, while snickering at the suffering of others. He decides to follow suit, and raise his glass in salute. The man with the blue mask seems to be writing even faster. He had even given a few papers to the skull man, to help him on his endeavor to record this holy(?) event.

Several were still asleep even with Ray's loud and bright (orange?) speech. Most were clutching their heads begging for mercy, others were drunk out of their mind. Unexpectedly, even with the dire state, they were all in, their mouths functioned perfectly. Too perfectly?

One can't help but wonder, if their words made no sense cause they were drunk, or if it was always like this.

"YES!"

"AMEN!"

"I want to jump alright!"

"Hallelujah!"

"Delivery me to the orange!"

"Let's jump!"

"Delivery me from this hell!"

"Yeah, to the sea."

"Dusty..hiccup... I am coming!"

"Wait for me!"

"My head!"

"Drowning sounds like a great plan right about now."

"Follow me guys. For Dusty!"

"It was a good plan an hour ago"

"Still is."

"Isn't Dusty in Paradis?"

"Yeah let's do it...slurp..."

"Jump...hiccup."

"Sea!"

Few men tried to stand up without much success, others tried to crawl. Fortunately or not (time will tell) they were too drunk to endeavor on such a high risk adventure.

"Shit I can't move."

"Hee…..lp...burp!"

"Save me..."

"My head."

"Someone carry me and dump me in the sea."

"Yeah hiccup throw and make a wi hiccup shhhh…."

"Wish?"

"Please grab.. glug... him and throw him over."

"Who?"

"The orang...hiccup..obsessed..hiccup..fool...hiccup."

"Ethan shot him!"

"ETHAN!"

"Yeah, this time it's okay."

"Yeah!"

"We will stop complaining about hiccup shooting in your sleep..."

"Shot me instead..."

"Louis, where's Louis?"

"Looooooooouuuuuuuiiiisssssss~~" Ray loudly called.

"Please shut up, hiccup...I beg you."

"You shut up."

"Lois!"

"Yeah, Louis threw me to the sea!"

"Louis burp...we need you!"

"He was with Gerkin."

"He always is."

"They are twins!"

"I thought they were lovers!"

"HUH?"

"Wh...hiccup...at?"

"This explains so much!"

"Sea here I come."

"Dusty!"

"Deliver me to the sea!"

"AMEN!"

"What did you say your name again?" Ray had suddenly appeared in front of a tangerine eyed man.

"Dracule Mihawk," the man answered nonchalantly, not bothered that this was the third time that he had answered this question. Taking another sip of his wine, as he wonders if he should open a new bottle. Maybe Sine Qua Non, velvety tannins and dense, with layered flavors. He had picked up a good batch of it from some merchants he had saved from some pirates. Well, 'saved,' 'cut those pirates down because they were literally in his way,' same difference.

"Dracule?"

"Mihawk?"

"What weird name."

"It sounds familiar!"

"Hawksyyyyyy!"

"HOW HOWaaa"

"I bet kids made fun of your name as a kid."

"Tsk, tsk."

"Poor you," shouts Yasopp giggling.

"Kids are such meannn.. they made fun of me too!"

"Don't cry!"

"Let's go...gulp.. beat them up."

"Yeah!"

"Follow me, we will beat the meaney kidesss "

"What was your name again?"

"My name… ohhh. I don't remember wahhhhhhh…"

"Poor baby.."

"Don't cry. Here ...slurp...drink this..."

"I heard the name Mihawk before," someone keeps murmuring.

"Hey Drucala, we should give you new name!"

"New name!"

"Hiccup...Name!"

"Yeah, then people will stop being mean to you."

"We'll beat them up."

"A nickname."

"Oh, orange!" exclaims Ray.

Groans.

"Orange is a great nickname," huffs Ray.

"Pretty eye."

"Mac."

More groans.

"What? He looks like a Mac!"

"Ace!"

"Deuce!"

"HEY!" the man with the mask stops writing to shout at them.

"Trey!"

He was speaking and writing.

"Quad!"

"Jack!"

"Queen!"

"King!"

"Goatee."

"Pleaseeeee no."

"Der?"

"Derry dear!"

"Der short to Drucala?"

"Duree hiccup?"

"Dle?"

"Drucal...burp..aishi?"

"Oh I remembered that one of the Seven Warlords was named Mihawk!" cries a very tall guy banging his double jointed hand down upon the deck. Getting the other's attention.

"What?"

Everyone stops. Just stops. Except for Yasopp and the one with spike red hair both of them were howling with laughter.

"Yeah, Dracule Mihawk ,just like your name man!"

"OHHH?"

"That's weird!"

"Exactly..burp.. the same?"

"Noooo!"

"What a coincidence!"

"Yea..burp.. coincid...dddence!"

"Poor you!" shouts Yasopp between fits of manly giggles. The sleeping man shot right above him. Just missing Yasopp's head. A pity he was only using the telescope, since right now the sniper was very reminiscent of sour wine.

"What. Tsk tsk."

"To be named after those dogs."

"Government licking dogs."

"Yuck."

"Traitors...hiccup!"

"Garbage!"

"Rats!"

"The warlord's nickname is Hawkeye."

"Damn!"

That's a good one!"

"A bad one!"

"Yeah, really bad!"

"Oh, bad, sorry!"

"The worst!"

"Don't worry we will find you a cooler nickname!"

"Yeah!"

"Hawkeye shamkeye."

"Hawkeye screwfly."

"Not Hawkeye but magpie!"

"What rotten luck!"

"On pie!"

"Hawkeye is a poor pie."

"Cutie Pie!"

"Ugly pie….glug!"

"Uneatable pie!"

"Blueberry pie!"

"Tangerine pie!" (guess who said this one?)

"Pumpkin pie."

"Meat pie...gulp."

"Apple pie."

"YUM."

"Damn gulp….I am hungry."

"Don't take to the sea, take me to the kitchen! Loooiissss!"

"Myboi lois! Where are you?"

"Food!"

"PIEEE!"

Dracule Mihawk forces himself to relax as he feels something touching his head.

"Here, you can wear it for a few seconds. I promised the captain I would protect it, but I think he will agree to lend it to you. Such a poor soul!" Ray's eyes are full of deep seated pity.

Ray had bestowed on Dracule Mihawk's head the orange national treasure of the Spade and Red-Hair Pirates. In fact, according to Ray's" very accurate information, it's a national treasure for the Four Blues, Grand Line, New World and...well in short the whole bloody world and beyond.

"Cheer up!"

"Do people mistake you for him?"

"That sucks!"

"Glug...Wait. Which of the bastard warlords is this Mihawk?"

"I think… it's the swordsman."

"Oh, yeah, supposed to be the strongest swordsman in the world."

"Psssttt..."

"Yeah, lie!"

"No way."

"He wishes!"

"I bet our Derry dear here is better than him."

"Our Miha..hiccup..wk will beat him!"

"I mean our captain beat the shit out of them when they send him an invitation."

"Which captain?"

"Yeah!"

"Our captain got invited to join the Warlords? When did that happen?."

"You remember the accident with that Draw bastard?"

"HUH?"

"Who is this ...burp...Draw?"

"In Sabaody Archipelago?"

"Where?"

"He was drunk."

"He's always drunk!"

"Your captain got an invitation to become a Warlord?" someone whistles.

"Nice!"

"Yeah, our captain is awesome!"

"Imagine if we joined.."

"Oiii nooo… hiccup..."

"No way!"

"Hey Dracula you know how to use the sword?"

"A bit," Dracule allows. As he takes out a new bottle at random, and examines it. Malbec. A nuanced and detailed wine from Bourgeois Kingdom, promising depth and character from every sip.

"Good!"

"Let's go."

"Someone give this man a sword!"

"Good sword!"

"Better than the loser shamkeye!"

"Yeah!"

"OHHH, we can ask captain to teach him!"

"Which captain?"

"Our captain."

"Which crew are ...you from?"

"Shanks!"

"Ace!"

"Our captain uses a sword?"

"Red-hair!"

"Your captain doesn't have a sword!"

"Cap Ace had once, but it burned to crisp, you know cause...burp… fire!"

"Really?"

"Huh huh huh! That's what somebody told me somebody told 'em!"

"Yeah, Shanks beat the ass out of the greatest swordsman of the world," Yasopp supplies loudly, having a great old time. Worse than sour wine, he was vinegar.

"Yeah!"

"Captain rocks!"

"Stron..ggggg."

"We will have the captain help you!"

"Worry not, hiccup...Red Hair Shanks for the….emmm"

"Help?"

"Win?"

"Beat the shit out of that loser!"

"Our Derry dear is gonna beat that fake swordsman and take his title!"

"You want him to be a Warlord?"

"Nooo..."

"What?"

"Tsk..tsk...burp..."

"Where is captain?"

"We are with you!"

"Yo can do it Dracula Der!"

"Yeah, lets go!"

"Hiccup G burp oooo! "

A few brave souls tried to stand up. Tried very hard.

"Beat up the fake bastard!"

"Take back what's yours."

"Fake, fake, fake burp fake…."

"Fake, fake!"

"Sorry to cut on the fun.." a dry voice which was not apologetic at all says, "Hawkeye, I finally found the Den Den Mushi. Would you like to come with me while I make the call to Shanks?"

"Good going Benny!"

"Yeah, our first mate came just in time!"

"We need cap Shanks, to teach Der here how to use the sword!"

"Yeah, hurry up!"

Whistles and cheers fill the air.

"Yeah, we need a captain to teach our Dracula Der!"

"Draulcaua Bear!"

"So we can beat up the fake!"

"Beat him up hicc uppp."

"You lot, stop using the Den Den Mushi in your damn bets!" the First Mate of the Red Hair crew threatens. Despite his words, Benny's voice had the resigned tone of a man who knows his order would not be followed but had to say them nonetheless.

Dracule Mihawk leisurely stood up, sipped on his wine, grabbed the bottle of the newly opened wine, gave them a nod and followed the first mate as the others called their goodbyes and promised vengeance in his name on the fake pretender.

.

.

.

It was a few minutes later when someone had shouted in despair, "The poor bastard, even his nickname is the same as the fake!"

….

.

.

.

"My precious" wailed Ray in panic, running like the chicken on his panda after the disappearing Orange.

.

.

.

.

.

"Dammit! He finally snapped, and it was because of this Hawkeye newbie!"

"How much was the bet? Like, how much did we lose?"

"Emmmm…. We are screwed, let's fleeee ... kind?"

..

.

XXXXX

.

..

"Shanks… when I was in the forest I got to think about what you said and I …." Ace starts and trails off. Shanks looks at the young man in front of him, and raises his eyebrow encouragingly, waiting patiently for Ace to share what was on his mind.

They were taking a short rest between training. Shanks had found that he needed to be strict with enforcing those breaks, as Ace never voluntarily asked for one. Too prideful? Too eager? Maybe just simply too unaware of the dangers of pushing himself too hard?

Ace's eyes turn unfocused as he stares in front of himself. He clears his throat but says nothing more.

Shanks says nothing as well, shifting his gaze from his fellow pirate, and looks at the darkening sky.

The young pirate had taken some time to get a hang of how to use observation Haki, but once he did, he kept improving in a rapid manner.

The young captain had embraced a single-minded focus when he had a clear goal in front of him. Full attention is on the task, and any and all irrelevant thoughts are blocked out. His entire mind and being focused entirely on creating plan after plan to remove the problem, or just plain old stubbornness until he wore the problem down, to the exclusion of all else.

Of course, a single-minded focus could also be self-destructive. Especially since 'exclusion of all else' seemed to also include his personal safety.

The two brothers Ace and Luffy were a lot alike. Luffy's persistence to join Shanks crew and sail with them despite being seven years old, had gotten so intense he had scarred his own face before they realized he was not bluffing. At first, Shanks had had no idea what to do to get the kid to ease off (what did he know about kids besides they drank juice?). Fortunately, with the interference of that bandit, Luffy had developed a new fixation.

Now Ace was showing the same bull-headedness. He had a feeling that Ace was even worse as a child then Luffy was. Especially with stories Ace had been telling him, while most of them were about Luffy's adventure and mishap as a child, he did get a glimpse of Ace as a child, and as a big brother. Lots of time, he felt that Ace was leaving something out. He usually had a far-off look in his eyes; almost sad. Except it would pass as quickly as it appeared. Although Shanks noted Ace tended to rub the tattoo on his arm at those times.

Shanks didn't think it was his place to ask.

Regardless of how his adorable student was doing mentally, in terms of physical and haki development, Ace was improving at a rapid pace. If he kept this up, Shanks would run out of things to teach him considering Observation Haki, and he might even soon reach Charlotte Katakuri's level by seeing a bit into the future.

Since the first time Shanks had attacked him with stones, taking him by surprise, Ace had almost always been able to dodge, and sometimes it had even felt that he was anticipating the incoming attack. The young captain still has a way to go to master his Observation Haki fully, however that in itself isn't enough. Knowing that an attack is coming does not automatically mean you will win. You have to know how to use this knowledge to your advantage. First, it's critical to be able to make the best decision in mere seconds, or even less. Second, your body needs to have the speed and reflexes to actually use the knowledge.

What Ace needs more than anything is lots of experience. And Shanks knows that he will not be able to give this to Ace, with only himself as an opponent, no matter how many different and varied methods of attack he uses.

He hopes that after he leaves, Ace will continue training and improving himself before he heads to his 'ultimate' goal. It would be a pity if he doesn't first reach his full potential.

Ace seems to be struggling with how best to share some kind of realization he had reached.

Shanks merely waits patiently. Rushing people tended to bring the opposite results. Ace would likely clam up, and never mention whatever is in his mind ever again. Ohh the pride of the youth.

Ace clears his throat, looking at Shanks straight in the eye as he blurts out, "I think I used Conqueror's Haki before."

That wasn't what Shanks was expecting. He merely lets out, "Oh?"

"You remember when I told you about…. "

Purururur pururururur

Both he and Ace startle at the sudden unexpected noise coming from one of Shanks's pockets.

Smiling sheepishly Shanks apologizes, "Sorry Ace."

Ace gives a faint smile, shrugs.

Shanks notes that his shoulders had relaxed.

Only a few people had his Den Den Mushi number. Few handpicked of his allies (the usually called Benny), and of course the crew, mainly Benny.

Just yesterday he had received a report about their territories and how things were going with the crew. And of course how Ace's crew was doing. From the first report, he had received the two crews seemed to be getting along like a couple on their honeymoon. He got the impression that it was actually a bit too well for Benny's liking.

The problem, according to his dear First Mate, was that the honeymoon was not ending after a month as it should be. In fact, it seemed to get extended more and more. Personally, Shanks saw nothing wrong with that, while he amused himself listening to Benny's ranting and raving. Benny had seemed to be near his breaking point; just yesterday he had suggested replacing Shanks in the training, and for the captain to come and deal with the madhouse that was their ship.

Shanks had wholeheartedly agreed, which made Benn stop, and say, "No! wait, you will only join them!"

"I would never!" Shanks had shouted indignantly.

"You're right," Benn had said. "Instead you will burn down the ship, so then there will be no ship for it to be a madhouse."

"Great idea, Benny. I'll do it!"

"The scary thing that you would probably do just that," Benn had sighed.

"Well, I was thinking we need a new ship, and it will be a learning experience."

Benn had kept quiet for a while, before he said, ''Can't wait for the Autumn of the relationship to be here yet."

Shanks didn't point out the deliberate shift in the conversation.

"With your luck, they will be just like this rare couple blessed with true springyyy love."

True love, hmmmm.

Back to the present, and with a wide mischievous smile on his face, and winking at Ace, Shanks answers.

"Captain."

"Hello, love, anything burning?"

Ace shook his head in amusement. He had heard a few conversations between Shanks and his first mate that had left him almost choking and breathing hard, and other times clutching his stomach in pain of laughing too much.

And Dusty and Deuce complained that he was too much! Shanks is a master, and Ace was noting down pointers.

"Love my ass," came the immediate answer.

"You mess my ass Benny bear? Aweeeee how sweet!"

"You need to come back here!"

"Ohhhh so you missed me… oh Benny bear you shouldn't have! I miss you too!"

Ace wondered what Dusty's reaction would be if he ever tried to speak with him like this. Dusty bear… he should try it in front of the whole crew.

"But, you have to be patient sweetheart, your dear husband is very busy right now, okay darling? For me, be a bit more patient. Oky, sugar!"

"The Love of your life wants to speak with you!"

"But I'm speaking with him right now, ain't I? Dumpling!"

"Red Hair," a deep voice cut in.

Shanks freeze.

"Hawkeye?" disbelief could be almost touched in Shanks's voice.

"Just one word and you recognized him. Love of my life tsk, you cheating bastard," Benn's voice sounded very blessed with himself.

"Come, I need a sword lesson!" Hawkeye intones.

Clank.

.

.

.

"Shit!" Finally, Shanks let out. Why and How run in lobs in his head. Hawkeye shouldn't know about this island. And sword lesson? What the hell, the man had refused dueling with him when he had found he lost his arm, and now he was demanding this!?

Ace burst out, "Wait... when you say Hawkeye, you mean the Warlord?"

Shanks says "Yes!" without much thought.

Ace jumps to his feet, his voice angry.

"Damn, they sent a Warlord after me because I refused to join them."

Shanks's mind came into focus. He notes that Ace's eyes are on the wild side. Ace had told him about the invitation he received not long ago. But….

"Emmm .. I don't think this is about that...l" He tries to calm him down. The young man was ready to spring into action. But why was Hawkeye here?

Ace's look told him clearly that he didn't believe him.

"I don't think it's about you..." he tries again. "Hawkeye is ...kind of a friend," he lamely finishes. It's a complicated relationship they had.

Ace relaxes a bit, but he's still on his feet. He seems to be conflicted. Wondering if it is okay to ask, muses Shanks, and wondering maybe if Shanks could be wrong.

Shanks let out a sight. He has a bad feeling.

"We better go and check it out!" he says in a forced cheery voice. A really bad feeling.

"Alright," Ace answered him instantly.

"Yeah, we will take a break from the training, see what's going, then get back," Shanks says out loud. Telling Ace and himself the plan at the same time.

"Let's go," Ace says, waiting for Shanks to lead the way. And Shanks does. Neither of them tries to pick up anything of the items scattered around them.

Ace's voice makes him stop in his tracks.

"Shanks, what about the cuffs?"

Shanks freeze and turns slowly to face him.

Ace sheepishly explains, "If there is fight..."

"Oh," Shanks let out. Right, the young captain wanted to be ready, for the worst possible scenario. Smart!

The problem is: "Emmm… it isn't. Here."

"Huh?" Ace let out. A frown gathering between his eyebrows.

"The key… is...in the sh..ip." I really really hope so.

"Oh, smart! You didn't want the key to get lost here in the wild, so you kept it on the ship. I did the same with my hat, since I was afraid it will get damaged here," divulges Ace, moving to stride beside him.

"E...Exactly!" Shanks says. Thankful that they are moving, and he doesn't have to make eye contact. He adds, "Let's hurry up."

.

.

.

.

.

So thoughts? Hellllllllllllloooo…. Anyone is out there?

Disclaimer: I know nothing about wines.

.

It has been a while, I know. Again. I won't abandon my stories. It just would take me a while to update (a loooooooong while sometimes). But sometimes that's a good thing as we do keep learning new things even about dead characters (curse you Oda, I am still living in denial!) so the plans for this story changed a bit, for the better if I may say so myself. ;)

.

.

.

Leave me a review and you get to Hug poor, poor Dusty (where is he anyway? Who cares... Bepo~~ come here I am coldddddddd…. Don't run… I just want a huggggg…. Come back I won't hurt you… I swear… no… I am not crossing my fingers… you are seeing things.. Anyway… where is my review?)