Ace looked over at Izo his eyebrow raised as he pointed with his thumb to the large man behind him and the woman looking up to him.

"We're guests? Then why was he following us?" Ace asked moving to fit his hat snuggly on his head a smirk growing across his face as he watched the two figures continued to talk.

"To bad she stopped him, He looked like he wanted to play too." He stated his tone growing serious as Izo rolled his eyes readjusting the groaning Thatch.

This man was heavy not going to lie.

Izo glanced back at the two that changed direction and went wide eyed at the mark on the tall mans back. It was clearly something similar to the Hoof of the soaring dragon that Domino had however where the three arrows had been, Three lines jetted into the original circle.

Two on the opposite sides seemed to be longer and decorated with designs while the middle one that went directly center was a sword stabbing through the circle and the other two designs.

The line on the right of the circle was clearly a blooming and burned on rose that crossed above the blade and jetted out the left side of the circle. While the Line on the left seemed as if it was a rolled up parchment that similar to the rose crossed the blade and stuck out of the other end.

It was as if each mark was its own person.

Izo tilted his head. "He looks very familiar." He murmured while Ace shrugged "What does that lady mean by Madam Domino? Who, would address that crazy hag as Madam?" He asked to which a hard slap to the back of his head brought his attention to Izo's stern face.

"Count yourself lucky it was me who did it and not Marco." He stated while nodding towards the open path of buildings before them.

People who had busied themselves with decorating in Reds, Greens and blues had now begun to open their doors wider with big smiles on their faces. As if trying harder to welcome anyone and everyone.

Ace rolled his eyes not noticing the peoples body language. And continued towards the ship.

Izo followed cautiously behind him. He eyed the people who ran the store fronts idly pull at their scarves as if eager to get rid of them but unable to.

"Did Marco do something to you guys once?" Ace asked his eyebrow raised as Izo gave a half scoff remembering many occasions where someone dare utter a disrespect towards Domino.

"Once doesn't even cover it. Let me put it this way, How would you feel if someone disrespected Luffy?" Izo asked while dragging the limp sack of Thatch behind him.

The sense of woe and worry now gone as the two made it closer towards the docked ship.

Ace clinched his fist then dropped it and nodded. "I see," he stated while Izo nodded "Now imagine if Luffy was a marine and a natural enemy to your friends and family?" He asked while the two now walked up the boarding ramp.

Ace laughed imagining the thought of the old man finally getting his way at a least one of them becoming a marine.

"I'd beat the crap outta him!" He cheered while Izo rolled his eyes.

"Yes, and I love the dear pineapple however, he feels the same about his marine. He can fight with her or against her at any moment he wishes but dare someone else slander her name?" Izo asked shaking his head.

"Just ask Kato what happens when you hurt Domino." He stated with a slight smirk.

Ace raised an eyebrow and tapped his chin. "Kato?" he asked himself not bringing a face to a name.

Izo nodded and slight smile on his face as they finally reached the edge of the deck. He took in a deep breath and tossed Thatch over some random barrels as they moved to arrange the man openly under the evening sun.

It was only natural they would let the chief bake in the heat. They had did their part he could get up and do the rest himself.

"Yes, he's always been a worthless fighter, but he did have some useful skills as a chore boy, Well man," Izo smiled looking across the deck not seeing the very man they talked about anywhere.

"He was stranded on a beach by a marine captain he tried to sabotage, We, saved his life and he pledged his allegiance to Pop's. Which was all in good fun however, Marco never forgave him. He still assigns Kato the worst jobs he can." Izo laughed "It's not a surprise the man makes it a point to stay out of the limelight."

Ace looked away from Thatch as a group now began to eye the fourth commander passed out and send questioning looks as the two continued their conversation.

"If it was a marine captain then why would Marco care?" Ace asked not noticing the shadow that grew from behind him.

"Because that captain was Domino-yoi." Marco stated his smirk audible in his voice as he perched himself on the railing just behind Ace.

Izo who was familiar by now with Marco perching himself wherever he damn well pleases, nodded and turned to put a hand over his face.

"Yeah well speaking of your red flag..." He started when he watched as Marco turned serious and moved over to inspect Thatch.

Not by any medical way of course but by simply tapping his forehead. "What happened to him?" He asked lightly pointing down at the passed-out man.

A light relaxed smile on his face having realized that he wasn't injured in any way. Besides he was happy right now? Why because well, he was.

Ace shrugged and wiggled his eyebrows. "I don't know why don't you use your magic hands to wake him up?" He asked before frowning at how those words came out.

Ace quickly looked down thinking to himself.

Marco raised an eyebrow and moved to comment before holding out his hand to stop himself and just turned towards Izo who sighed away his giggle.

"Well, first of all he's in shock." He stated sternly causing Marco to stare absently at the cross dresser as Ace nodded a smile on his face.

"Why would he be in shock-yoi?" Marco asked. Ace smiled thinking of erupting a 'because he saw Domino naked' joke, but before he could spring his master joke Izo stepped in.

"Well, because he's a dad now." Izo stated calmly.

"What-yoi?" Marco asked simply his head tilting unsure of the wide smile Ace held and the defeated stare in Izo's eyes.

Suddenly a loud boom erupted from behind the three men startling the now forming group of on lookers.

"Already? We just docked!" Whitebeard seemed to yell his face full of complete shock.

Ace and Izo losing it at the sight of their fathers Jaw hanging so low.

However, Marco took in a deep breath and put a hand to his head, "The wisest one of us all-yoi." He mumbled while Ace burst out laughing harder leaning on to Izo for dear life as he began to wheeze.

"That's my thoughts exactly pops!" Ace cheered as Whitebeard had now rushed over to Thatch and began shaking the poor passed out fool vigorously. His large hands clasped around the mans body. Trapping the man in his grip.

Marco took a step back smiling as he watched the lifeless Thatch now having his body flung around like a rag doll. "Not to hard pop's-yoi you don't wanna break him, let his kids do that instead-yoi." He sighed while he moved over to Izo motioning towards the small pool of water that collected at the man's feet, and his loose hair clinging to his still done up face.

"Let me guess, you three went to the bathhouse and Domino and Adaline were there-yoi?" He asked with a slight smirk on his face. Of course, he was feeling cocky, He already knew the answer.

Izo closed his eyes and nodded, "Correct, that is where we heard Adaline discuss her twins to be." He stated closing his eyes as another reverberating laughter was heard growing distant. "Gurhahaha Double the trouble!"

The two more collected commanders looked around curiously to see Ace had now pulled out a marker and was drawing along Thatch's face while Whitebeard in his tall stature vanished entirely.

"Ace, where's pop's going-yoi?" Marco asked holding out his hands not having time to think about the newest events he had just figured out.

In-fact out of everything he had discovered today, the old man seemingly vanishing was the worst. And the only thing he should focus on right now.

"He said we need-"

"Don't worry bout me Boy! Help me get these barrels out!" Whitebeards light childlike happiness absorbing the whole crew with pure joy.

Suddenly the crew that was hanging around on the deck including Jozu had now followed in Pop's footsteps and begun to roll out large barrels that brought about a sense of familiarity to the first division commander.

Marco quickly went wide-eyed and threw his hands to his hair fully recognizing where he'd seen those barrels before. "Pop's that's for medical use-yoi!" He shouted rushing towards the large man with a defeated sigh as Whitebeard nodded.

"This is an emergency, after all it's not everyday your son gives you grandkids!" Whitebeard smiled happily.

Meanwhile Izo looked back over towards Ace who had begun working his magic marker around the almost nude Thatch.

The black marker covering the man's bare chest leaving a colored-on bra and a very fancy mustache to go along with his goatee.

Izo blinked at the smiling teen and shook his head in both amusement and disappointment, this kid really was a ball of energy.

Whitebeard looked over at his past out son and suddenly went serious.

"Ace stop drawing on him!" He called before waving him over, "Bring the man of honor over here!" He changed a wide smile across his face as Jozu's cheeks blushed red, with the images of Thatch and Adaline's kids toddling around the deck.

Maybe he'd get them a baby club to battle the evil marines with. That would be so cute~!

"To think they grow up so fast!" He cooed in an uncharacteristic way. His normally stern face pulling into a small smile as he and the other men wiggled in place. "We're gonna be uncles." They collectively cheered.

Izo took in a deep breath watching as Marco was still shaking his head at Whitebeard trying to lift a barrel up to his lips.

To which Marco quickly plopped himself on the lid crossing his legs and staring firmly at his father who tried to pull it free from Marcos forceful hold.

"Save one for real emergencies -yoi" Marco stated verbally putting his foot down towards the large man who gave a very visual pout.

Ace nodded while he slung the half nude Thatch beside pop's. Propping him up against the barrel Marco sat on. The blue sash around his waist dangling in the brunette's face as he now sported a solid black monocle to go with his mustache and bra.

"Yeah, you'll need it. Especially after you see Domino's burns? Damn." Ace stated nonchalantly as he moved to take a mug that was gingerly handed out to him.

Izo froze and shook his hands in the air rushing towards Marco who's passive eyes had a glint of true anger in them. "What do you mean burns?" He asked his voice trying it's hardest to hide the threat in his voice.

"Wait Marco it's not what you think." Izo started when Ace shrugged.

"The ones all along her stomach. Do you have a thing for scars, if so she's got some new one's." He smiled proudly unintentionally misleading the poor blonde fool.

Whitebeard raised an eyebrow he himself growing serious at the proud tone in Ace's voice.

The kid should know the rules by now, it was against his law to kill a fellow crew member. Not that he would expect Domino to be injured so easily. However it was safe to assume she too was a child of the sea.

"Wait Marco, let me explain." Izo started jumping in front of the blonde's very death glare towards the smirking teen.

"We saw her naked in the bath house," Izo blurted out while the crew collectively gasped.

Marco tilted his head a sadistic small smile growing across his lips. And here he thought just one brother would die tonight. No, no all three clearly signed their death warrants.

"Oh?" He asked his head tilted lightly as Izo held out his hands and nodded, "I understand how that sounds but see, we did not know they were in there at first." He smiled as Ace nodded.

"Yeah but when they found out they had to go get a look." Ace smiled as Marcos eyes shifted from Ace's smirk to Izo's sheepish smile.

Izo wasn't used to this feeling of anxiety. He was normally not one to be put in this role. He was the calm and collected one however, Thatch, who was normally the scape goat, was well unconscious still.

So naturally you couldn't blame a man who wasn't able to defend himself. (At least that's what Thatch thought.)

"We had to look to make sure the voices we heard were correct, you have to understand Marco Domino' didn't sound like... Domino. She was...Different." Izo nodded trying to explain to Marco that his 'girlfriend not girlfriend' was really an amazing singer but an unhinged alcoholic trying to sober up at the worst time possible.

And quite possibly still suicidal. No, surely suicidal.

"She was sober." Ace chirped which snapped Marco out of his anger as he took in a deep breath. Waving his hand for the two to continue and releasing the sigh.

He would need to listen with a clear mind in order to finish putting the puzzle pieces together.

Whitebeard took in a breath as well however he narrowed his eyes as he noticed Thatch open one eye and glance at the sash that hung in face, swatting away at it and then closing his eyes again.

The old man leaned in closer to the barrel while Izo continued explaining the problematic situation.

"We didn't mean to at first, in fact we all thought she was a famous singer." He started when Ace nodded "Yeah some dude name Russel had tried to shut off the whole place just for them, so we snuck in." He smiled while Izo rolled his eyes noticing Marco tilt his head and rest his hand on his chin.

A sign that while he cared for what the kid was saying he was contemplating smearing Ace's freckles across the deck none the less.

"Let me explain Ace." Izo interjected as the kid crossed his arms impatiently waiting for Izo to continue.

"You're leaving out the best parts." He murmured while Izo just responded with a hand held out in a silence motion.

"Anyway, there we may have overheard the two marines talking about these guys. Then we may have had to look over the rocks to clarify it was in fact the sadistic woman, and well apparently, while doing so we noticed that Domino had gotten more scars from what we can only assume was..,"

"SHE CHOKED AKAINU FROM THE INSIDE OUT!" Ace shouted to everyone's surprise.

Marco however looked on unfazed and in fact beamed with pride. "Of course she did-yoi." He stated before sighing and shaking his head pointing down at Thatch.

Who had once again faked lifelessness?

"So, long story short, he saw Adaline pregnant, passed out? And Domino's sober because they have some pact during the pregnancy-yoi?" He asked as the two nodded.

"Yeah, if you leave out the fact SHE CHOKED AKAINU!" Ace shouted once more before he dropped his shoulders, "that about sums it up." Ace nodded.

Whitebeard now noticing Thatch once again push the blue sash out of his way moved to grab his weapon using the long handle to poke at the 'lifeless Thatch.' The brunette however was committed to the act and slumped over in a position that a 'lifeless' body would slump over in.

That is, if it had been poked the other way.

"Wait how did you know she was on the island?" Izo asked curious as to why Marco has not taken to the sky in search of his loving unloving marine the second, he heard her name.

Not only that but he had guessed with amazing accuracy the whole ordeal. Was he in that astute at reading minds?

"I already knew sh-"

"AHH! I CAUGHT YOU!" Whitbeard's booming voice interrupted the small group and in fact the sudden outburst causing Marco to look up in annoyance while Ace had jumped from his very spot. Cursing at the booze that spilled across his lap.

The commanders who were not pretending to be asleep all looked over at Whitebeard leaning over his knees and poked the lifeless Thatch harder.

"He's faking it!" Whitebeard stated with a stern concentrated face. He expected Thatch to jump, however he did not. He was playing hard to get. Well obviously or else he would have had kids earlier in his life.

Marco lifted his legs and leaned over the barrel carefully inspecting Thatch's monocle covered face. The playful blonde smirked then nodded quietly while waving for Pops to poke him once more.

"Pop's he's not faking it-yoi leave him alone." He stated with a believable tone while his face was just inches away from Thatch's.

This is what the marker covered fool gets for even accidentally catching his marine naked.

Whitebeard raised his weapon and continued with the ploy as Izo tapped Ace to move back seeing the knowing smirk the two powerful man had on their faces.

Ace made a face of disgust and refused to move when suddenly Whitebeard thrusted his weapon forward with all intents of death.

Suddenly Thatch opened his eyes and dodged the weapon coming his way.

His body sprung towards Ace, gripping at the towel around his waist and standing before the small group. His eyes looked on in horror at the indent of the wood from the force of Pop's blow.

Ace however was knocked out of the way and in the process had the unfortunate sight of looking up at Thatch...Underneath the towel.

Quickly the teen pushed away at the man's legs desperately clawing himself free while gagging and throwing himself to the rails crying about his eyes.

Why didn't they take the time to dress the man? Was this karma if so he would never do anything bad ever again.

"Wha, what happened-" Thatch looked down. "Why am I naked!" He yelped just now noticing that his partially covered body was in fact just a towel.

He tapped his chest making sure his clothes were not just invisible and made another face of wonder at the boobs on his chest. He had woken up once Ace dropped him among the barrels the second time, however he did not remember putting on...Boobs.

"Wha-why...Ace!" He yelled with anger seething from his spread-out form. However a large shadow began to loom over him. His eyes frantically searching the crew noticing the important person missing.

Whitebeard.

Thatch swallowed a lump in his throat at the shadow that grew hungrily devouring his own.

Marco laughed to himself enjoying every sense of fear that washed over Thatch's face while Whitebeard wrapped him up in a hug almost squeezing the life out of the man.

Izo did the same as Marco turning towards the blonde to continue the conversation when the audible sounds of bone cracking made the men who watched cringe in pain.

"Pops- can't bre-"

"I'm so happy! But I don't understand why my son would Pretend (Crack) To pass out because he didn't(crack) want to tell everyone he was a father! Surely,(crack) you're not a coward. Correct?" Whitebeard asked with a yet another finishing blow.

Thatch nodded coughing as Marco motioned towards Pop's. "Leave the man alone pop's his wife will be pretty mad if she finds out you hurt him-yoi." He stated with a smug smile.

"Yeah pops what he said, please I freaked out that's all!" Thatch stated through gritted teeth as Whitebeard soon dropped the man and made a slow turn towards Marco.

An uneasy smile in the old mans eyes.

Marco leaned back lightly an unsure small smile on his face at Pop's approach. "OH? And when do you plan on getting me some grandkids there, Commander old maid?" Whitebeard asked with a quick smile.

Marco sent unwavering raise of an eyebrow in response. The first division commander knew how to handle his father by now. And the trick was to show indifference. So that is what he did.

Ace moved to speak on the matter when Izo and Thatch both sent the kid a side glance and a shake of the head.

That wasn't their place to comment.

"Whenever I feel up for it-yoi." Marco shrugged looking straight into the eyes of his father.

The two remained in their staring contest when Jozu looked over at the practically naked Thatch and asked the real questions. No one wanted to ask.

"Why are you still naked?" He had already put aside his images of baby's first club and now was raising his eyebrow at how proudly Thatch stood in all his glory. Which he shouldn't be standing so proudly in Jozu's opinion.

Thatch looked down and shrugged. "Dunno, but what I do is I'ma be.." He stopped thinking of the words he was about to cheer before the world began to swirl around once more.

Whitebeard pulled away from Marco's unwavering face laughing as the Thud of Thatch's body filled the empty sound on the deck.

The old man quickly turned around and lifted the lifeless passed out fool and raised over his head.

"This mans a father! Let him be proud." He cheered while the crew either mumbled their approval or disapproval.

"Those poor kids,"

"That poor woman,"

"Hey you think we can load them up on sugar?"

"Oh! Hell yeah, Oh and their birthday parties will be epic!"

Marco smiled at the commotion as Whitebeard continued to toss the lifeless Thatch in the air singing "Thatchys a daddy~" To which the crew followed in single line behind him.

All kicking out their legs and singing with Whitebeards loud booming voice.

Izo leaned into Marco's barrel and shook his head watching the sight as now Ace had forced other crew members to grow the line.

"So your love's so strong you can tell where she's at now?" He asked calmly while Marco moved to cross his legs again and shook his head. Now pulling something out of his pocket to hand to Izo.

He wasn't going to comment on the love part. "See this picture?" Marco asked as Izo looked over at the three smiling teens.

One was clearly Domino in the middle, the chains around her wrists still broken but her smile wide. Yet the eyes of the three looked distant as if they didn't want to be smiling.

But that wasn't important, what was, was the shorter boy beside her, the pattern of blue splotches on his arm matching the one on the man he and Ace had following them earlier today.

"I know that guy. He was following Ace and I before he disappeared." Izo stated pointing at the kids as he handed the picture back to Marco, The blonde nodded.

"That's Domino's brother, She called him Rappy, but he's known as 'Raphael The Crimson Tie'.-yoi." Marco nodded while flipping over the picture in his hand in an absent way.

He had put together Domino's brother pretty quickly after looking back at the newspaper and comparing the two pictures when he first got the hunch that this was all connected.

Imagine his surprise when he figured out that the man known for leaving islands bloodied and destroyed was the little kid Domino spoke so fondly of. It was almost hard to comprehend that Domino would still willingly be around him expect for the fact that there was something else going on.

That much he had figured out by just exploring the island. However, he still didn't understand what the small circle with two lines sticking out, on the back of the photo meant .

Izo tilted his head a face of complete shock. "Wait,wait. wait.. so you're telling me one of her brothers is that emperor that everyone's talking about?" He asked in disbelief. Of course he was how could he not be.

She seemed like a better person then to ally herself with someone like that. Not that he could talk but still, this marine was certainty well connected to say the least.

"It seems so-yoi." Marco hummed counting to flip the picture over in his hand. He didn't care for the realization to much now that he had focused his attention on the pictures mark.

There was something similar in the way the island was designed as well. He just couldn't put it together.

"There's more to the story I know it-yoi." He murmured poking the mark absently as he held it out before him.

"I saw that mark on Raphael's back." Izo gasped tapping the faded edges of the picture before frowning. "But it's not exactly the same, isn't there more?" He asked when Ace peered over the two's shoulders.

Both men making room for Ace to get a better look as he tapped the mark. "Oh, hey that looks like the smudge that was on the back of that paper with the log pose doesn't it?"

Marco nodded piecing together the puzzle and moving to grab the paper. Luckily he kept it on him so it wasn't far to go.

"Thanks Ace-yoi." Marco smiled before holding out the blank piece of paper that came with the enteral pose and placed both marks on top of each other.

The two lining up to make the perfect recreation of the mark that Izo had now seen twice.

Ace gave a light nod "Welcome, this makes us even." He called walking away as Marco gave a curt smile.

"No-yoi." His mischievous aura growing around him as he sent a quick glare to the retreating kid.

Ace chuckled nervously before disappearing into the Thatch parade that had begun.

Izo let out a light whistle and took in a deep breath. "Wow... so what does it mean?" He asked with a raised eyebrow.

Marco nodded holding the picture closer to him. "I didn't put it together till earlier today-yoi, But I think she's on this island to meet her brothers." He stated his hand moving to rub his stubble before he shook his head.

Trying to think to himself on what to do.

Izo frowned "So what does that mean about this?" He pointed towards the mark.

Marco shrugged, "I'm pretty sure this is their abilities, to give us a clue on who to watch out for." He stated with a frown. "However I only have seen the one brother-yoi."

Izo nodded "I think I can help you there, Domino said that she calls him, Adler but his name is really Russel... and from what I've gathered he's the one who rules over this island." Izo then furrowed his eyebrows.

"But is that really important right now? Why would they want us here? Wouldn't you think this is a family matter?" Izo asked lightly as Marco tilted his head.

"We're known for meddling-yoi." He gave a light chuckle as Izo nodded with a smile looking on at the group that continued to parade Thatch around the deck.

Izo then frowned and looked over at Marco, "Do you think Domino's the one that sent the pose then?" He asked while Macro nodded.

"I do, I just don't know why." He sighed once more. She was really playing a tough game this time.

However, Marco was sure to win. He had to.

Izo went wide-eyed and then looked over at Marco who was clearly lost in thought. "Could it be, they've finally made their decision and plan to come aboard with us?" He asked causing Marco's face to flash with a smile of hope before he quickly dismissed it.

He scoffed, "If that was what they decided then she would have just up and challenged us-yoi." His voice dropping for a second before he smiled at Thatch who had now woken up again and began squirming against the hold of his father.

"So? She clearly sent us a warning, but invited us here anyway, what does it mean?" Izo asked his eyebrows knitting together in confusion as Marco shrugged holding out the palms of his hands.

"Dunno-yoi." He gave a light smile in response his eyes glancing at the glass building in the distance. A sense of excitement and dread building up as he watched the smoke bellow from the building.

He was excited because he could finally see Domino again, but dread because he knew something was changing.

Meanwhile Thatch had squirmed out of Whitebeards hold but unfortunately his towel did not make the fall, so the poor naked fool lay sprawled out against the deck as men now cursed at the sight and threw clothes at the man.

Izo sighed to himself burying his face in his hands while Marco winced at the growing pile of shirts burying Thatch underneath the growing hill.

"Red flags." Izo mumbled once more. "That's what it means."

Spoiler. kind of.

Sorry, if the 'realizations' happened without me writing it out, but anyway also Whitebeard may be crazy OOC, as well as Ace, which sucks because I feel like I didn't do him justice but I feel like they would be excited and wouldn't mind kids because well they've had kids on the ship before.

Anyway it's weird. But Thank you for reading, anyway have a great day and stay safe.