A/n: Well hello again lovely readers! Sorry it's been a while, someone in my life recently passed away and I've been all over the place. Sorry again, and thanks for the continued reviews & support!
-Ryan Sensei
xX~OP~Xx
Days had passed and Luffy adored the pirates' company. Shanks was still his favorite, but he loved the crew very much. From each pirate, he learned many useful things.
Benn taught him many things about the world, including navigation, the government, yonkos, warlords, the gods, revolutionaries, and many more. Naturally other practical skills like reading, writing and math skills were added in the lesson.
Luffy also learned that despite appearances, Benn was among the most protective in the crew. The first mate was constantly looking after him, and making sure he wasn't getting into any trouble.
It was a first for Luffy, well besides Makino, for someone not blood related to show such care for him. The concept was all too foreign and he had no idea how to handle such affection. In the past, Garp was somewhat affectionate, but one wouldn't be able to believe an idea like that at this point.
The ship's doctor told Luffy about basic first aid and what herbs to look out for in nature that are commonly found and effective. He paid especially close attention to these lessons; the boy just knew that somehow he'd need to know these things in the future.
Lucky Roo gave more insight on food to Luffy. The importance of it, the requirements that needed to be met before consuming it, and where and how to find food. Sure Luffy knew most of the things Roo taught since there was no way he could survive in a jungle without understanding the basics to survival, but he now knew new methods for hunting his prey. Creating small traps and later eating the catch brought a feeling of pride with it.
Yasopp spoke tons about his son Usopp, who was the same age as the raven haired child. Which only made him quite reluctant to teach Luffy about weaponry, but the man eventually caved after seeing how excited the boy became after hearing about different weapons and how to use them.
In no time, Luffy became affiliated with multitudes of different weapons and how to use them; he knew them so well that he could reconstruct most weapons provided the proper parts.
One afternoon, Yasopp glanced at the ship's jolly roger before firmly looking back at the raven eyed boy.
"Hey Luffy, you said you want to get stronger… so why don't you try having matches against everyone on the ship every day to improve your skills?"
The boy stared wide eyed for a moment before looking at the broadsword in his hand, his gaze drawn to his partial reflection before smiling and fixing his gaze back at Yasopp with a determined look.
"Bring it on!"
The training was definitely difficult, but Luffy could handle it. Anything was better compared to training with Garp. Plus, although they thought he didn't notice, Luffy could tell they weren't even close to using half their strength and they still posed quite a challenge.
By the end of each day, Luffy would be covered in bruises and bandages, but was rewarded with a banquet each time.
Shanks leaned against the mast of his deck while holding a bottle of sake. His men cheerfully danced around as they ate, temporarily forgetting about the world and its hardships.
Using a slight burst of observation haki, the captain located and quickly caught the happily running child and protectively placed him in his lap.
Only briefly surprised, Luffy nestled closer to the man's chest and pressed himself closer to the redhead while softly uttering his name.
Shanks loved moments like these. The kid was the adorable son he never had, just being near the ball of sunshine brought him joy.
"Shank's crew really is the best! When I get older, I wanna be a pirate!" Luffy said to Shanks while giving a D-shaped grin.
The redhead's eyes widened for a bit before ruffling the kid's hair. "If you say so Anchor, but I can't picture you taking orders from someone-"
"Of course not! If anything, I'd be the captain! My crew would be amazing and strong! We'd even have an amaaazing musician too! Shishishi! Just you wait!"
"Uh huh, sure thing Anchor. A pirate captain that can't swim? How reliable," the redhead mocked.
Luffy could sense Shank's mocking tone, but decided to ignore him for now.
Just you wait Shanks, I'll show you.
Within no time the bundle of energy fell asleep on the pirate captain's lap.
Lowering himself to sit with his captain, Benn sipped his beer bottle in silence as he looked off at their crew.
"Ne Benn, Luffy said he wants to be a pirate captain! Just like me!"
Said man paused his drinking to look at his happy captain, then down to the sleeping boy in his lap.
"Well, he's still young, he could still change his mind. I know we're training him and all, but I just don't feel right. Sending a boy as innocent and lovable as Luffy into the many terrors at sea…"
"I know what you mean, but in the end, it's Luffy's decision."
Benn sighed in defeat before continuing his drink and mumbling a barely audible 'I guess'.
xX~OP~Xx
Months had passed and to say Luffy became stronger was an understatement. As a fast learner, he picked up many things including fighting techniques. Crushing a bolder was something Luffy could handle with ease, but what he couldn't handle was how much Shank's was teasing him, and his desire to become a pirate.
Standing on the bar counter top, the seven year old held up a dagger to his left palm, gaining the attention of his desired audience.
"YO SHANKS! YOU KEEP SAYING I'M NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO BE A PIRATE, BUT LOOK!" Lifting his palm and dagger so all could see, he continued. "I'LL PROVE TO YOU THAT I CAN HANDLE PAIN, CAUSE I'M STRONG!"
While Shanks laughed at the statement, his fellow crew members were giving worried and concerned eyes for the boy.
"Uh huh, sure go ahead. You're too chicken to actually do it anyways."
Benn leaned closer to his captain and whispered, "Oi Shanks, I don't think you should encourage him, he looks pretty serious to me…"
"Relax Benn, he wouldn't," Shanks whispered back. The first mate gave an uneasy look as he lowered himself back into his seat. Everyone was so occupied looking at Luffy that no one realized the presence of a hooded figure.
From where the cloaked man sat at the bar, he was only three stools away from his target. Though killing someone in his bloodline left a sour taste in his mouth, he had to do whatever he could to prevent the tragedy that occurred long ago from happening again, or worse.
Quickly thinking of a plan that would cause the least amount of trouble for him, he uttered the words, "let man see no light" in the direction of the boy with a dagger, about to slice his palm.
Luffy quickly brought the dagger in one swinging motion from above his head to across his hand; only right before it could hit his hand, it was as if Luffy became blind and only saw only darkness.
The sudden change in setting caused the onyx eyed boy to miss his target and slice across his wrist instead. There were a few seconds of stillness, where no one dared to move. It was only when Luffy's head began to throb that he said "Huh? I don't feel too good.."
Screams of panic filled the bar, along with Shanks' overpowering cry for a doctor. Only Benn noticed the cloaked stranger leave his seat and say the words, "let man see the light," and Luffy's screams only worsened.
Acting out of instinct, Benn grabbed the man's cloak and got a good look at his face. The man was handsome with short brown hair, a short beard and mustache, and chiseled features. The first mate's eyes widened when he saw the large sun birthmark printed across his left cheek.
The stranger yanked the cloak out of Benn's grasp before sprinting off. Just as Benn was about to chase after him, he heard another pained shout from his captain.
"Benn! QUICK! GET A DOCTOR! LUFFY'S LOSING TOO MUCH BLOOD! PLEASE! HE'S GONNA…" The first mate looked back at the man he trusted with his life. Shanks's new white shirt was tainted red as he held the small boy all while frantically trying to stop the bleeding.
Looking back towards the door, the stranger was no longer in sight; deciding there were more pressing matters at hand, he gave a nod to his captain and ran back to the ship to fetch their doctor.
A/n: side note, just letting uk that just 'cause Luffy is a demi-god doesn't mean he's gonna get some bs op powers. I'm thinking realistically if he was another greek god what kinda stuff he'd be able to do. That doesn't get introduced for a while, but watev I said it now. :P
-Ryan Sensei