Warnings: Dark themes, lots of mentions of death, strong language, human experimentation, experimenting on children, child abduction, graphic descriptions of experimenting, lots of needles, lots of violence, poor descriptions of panic attacks, descriptions of blood, rated M for safety.
*If I need to add anymore warnings please tell me in the reviews or a PM and I'll be sure to add it!*
Chapter 99: Leaving the Whitebeard Pirates
The morning light was bright, birds were chirping cheerfully above them, and the sky was a clear blue that only added to the picturesque day. It wasn't too hot out, and a light breeze was blowing, helping cool down anyone who needed it.
Luffy's birthday was still two months away, and Sabo's was only a few days away, but today, they were celebrating the both of them.
Sabo had finally decided on joining the Revolutionary Army, telling Whitebeard as much, and it was decided that he would leave along with Luffy. Because Luffy wanted to set sail on his seventeenth birthday back on their home island, they would be leaving today after lunch to ensure they got there slightly before, or on, his birthday. Ace, Sabo, and Marco would all go along with him, and once there Sabo would be picked up by Koala while Luffy went off on his own and Marco and Ace went back to the Moby.
Of course, they were going to make sure to say hello to Makino, and even Dadan, while they were there.
Although many had wanted to come along on the journey, Whitebeard had decided Marco would be enough, much to many of the commanders' disappointment. Both Luffy and Sabo were highly encouraged to bring along mini den dens, everyone insisting they just needed to call if they needed help. Despite Luffy's adamance that he would be having his own adventure and how he wanted to do things his own way, without help, he still ended up conceding and packing the mini den den with a similar mustache to Whitebeard in his bag.
Sabo hadn't put up any fight, telling everyone that asked that he would bring one along as well. He'd already been planning on doing so, so there was no reason for him to argue otherwise.
The bell for lunch began going off, everyone making their way into the kitchen where there was a giant feast laid out. Thatch and the chefs were going all out, because not only was this an early birthday party for Sabo and Luffy, but it was also they're going away party, and according to him, he wanted it to be not only perfect, but memorable.
Ace and Luffy charged into the galley, the two bickering over who could eat the most, while Sabo watched them with a smile, following at a much more lax pace, in no rush. There was plenty of food for everyone, and even if there wasn't, Thatch was sure to make more.
Luffy and Ace began piling food high on their plates, many cheering them on and placing their bets on who would win the contest. After Sabo got his food he opted to not sit at the table where his brothers were flinging food, instead going towards the commander's table and sitting with them.
"Ah, Sabo, welcome to the civilized table." Izo greeted with a smile. Sabo chuckled as he sat in his seat, plate in front of him.
"You don't want to sit with Ace and Luffy?" Vista asked with a smile. Everyone took a quick glance, watching as a bone flew from the table his two brothers were occupying and flying across the room.
"You know, I really like this shirt and I'd rather not get it dirty sitting over there," Sabo said, everyone turning away from the table.
"Ah, Sabo, I can't believe you two are leaving already! It feels like just yesterday we were welcoming you aboard with open arms!" Thatch said dramatically as he walked up to the table, arms open wide as he began smothering Sabo in a hug.
"Ack- Thatch- gotta breathe!" Sabo said, pushing on the chef's chest in an attempt to get out of the hold.
"Thatch, let him go, yoi," Marco said with a sigh.
"But Marco~! You're only saying that because you get to go drop them off! This is the last time I'll see him in a while, and that means I have to get all my hugs in now!" Thatch told the first Commander with a pout, hugging Sabo harder.
"I'm not rubber like Luffy!" Sabo squeaked, practically feeling his bones getting crushed beneath Thatch's grip.
"Thatch," Jozu said with a hint of worry, concern on his face as he watched Sabo's face begin to go purple.
"Oh, fine." Thatch said, finally letting go of Sabo who gasped for air.
"Geez, Thatch, are you trying to kill me?" Sabo asked in a joking matter, but only barely.
"Of course not!" Thatch said in a slightly offended tone, sitting across from Sabo now.
"Coulda fooled me," Haruta muttered from his spot.
"Hey! I'll have you know-"
"No, Luffy, just because you eat the plate too doesn't mean you get bonus points. Don't do that." Sabo called out to Ace and Luffy, interrupting Thatch.
"Aww!" Luffy whined but was quick to dig back into his food, not wanting to fall behind. There were a few whines from the crowd watching the two, probably from the ones rooting for Luffy, and Sabo shook his head, turning his attention back to the Commanders.
"It'll be weird to not have your all hearing ears listening in everywhere," Haruta told Sabo, propping his elbow on the table and resting his cheek in his hand.
"I thought you hated my ability to overhear you come up with new betting opportunities," Sabo said with a smirk, Haruta glaring at him.
"Only because you told Marco every time and he shut it all down before I could even start!" Haruta accused. Sabo began eating, putting on an air of innocence.
"What do you mean? I never told Marco anything. Just because Luffy just so happened to overhear me talking to Ace about it, and then he told Marco doesn't mean I did it purposefully." He said, still smirking as he ate.
"I can't wait for you to be gone," Haruta said, still glaring, which only made Sabo laugh.
"I'll miss you too," Sabo told the Commander, deciding to stop teasing now.
It was bittersweet, knowing this would be the last day with the Whitebeards. He wasn't sure if Luffy was feeling the same way or not, but he was sure he was at least a little sad that they would be leaving. Not only would they leave behind the pirates they'd been apart of for years, but they'd also be leaving Ace behind, they're brother that they hadn't separated from all their life. For the most part at least.
Sabo pushed away those thoughts. There was still another two months until they were truly going to be apart, so for now, he should enjoy the festivities while he could.
Ace and Luffy's contest went on until Ace had a narcolepsy attack, knocking him out and allowing Luffy to get ahead of him. Ace fought about how that was unfair, and before a true winner could be declared the two had dissolved into a fight amongst themselves on who was the rightful winner, Ace arguing that even if Luffy won, it wasn't a true win, to which Luffy argued it was.
In the end, it became a stalemate, everyone who had bet on one or the other losing their money to those who had bet on the two ending in a tie.
Meanwhile, Sabo had actual meaningful conversations with the Commanders and Whitebeard, all while eating peacefully. Sure, he could hear the arguing going on behind him, but years of training allowed him to ignore it and let the two handle it themselves.
Until they dragged him into it that is.
"Sabo, tell him, I was winning fair and square!" Luffy said, pointing to Ace accusatorily as he shouted to Sabo from the table he sat at.
"No way! Sabo, tell him I can't help that I fall asleep so he should have stopped and waited till I woke up!" Ace shouted, pointing to Luffy in the same way the youngest was doing to him. Sabo pinched his nose, the commanders smiling, and some even laughing, as they watched.
"You both lose," Sabo told them, making them gape at him.
"What?!" They asked in surprise.
"Yup. You both stopped eating at the same time. You both lose." Sabo told them, not even looking at them. Honestly, he didn't even know if that was true, he hadn't been watching, but he was just fine with telling them that. Luffy wouldn't feel a lie either, because, for all he knew, it was the truth.
"Rematch!" The two yelled in unison, getting cheered on by both the losers and the winners of the previous betting match. With that announcement, another food eating contest commenced, Ace and Luffy going in full force as they shoved and elbowed each other, each trying to out-eat the other. Sabo shook his head at his brothers' antics but went right back to actively ignoring them.
Lunch went on and all the while the atmosphere remained cheery and light. It was a party after all, so there were plenty of drinks being had which only elevated the mood more. Ace and Luffy continued to have their contest until both were too full to continue eating anymore, another argument starting on who won that round starting while those who had bet on them argued with each other as well, all of them wanting to be winners.
Sabo and the Commanders, as well as Whitebeard, all listened on with smiles and laughs, not getting involved in the drama of the betting tables. Overall, it was a fun-filled afternoon, everyone eating, drinking, laughing and having fun despite the arguments.
Once the majority of the room had finished eating their lunch, Thatch and a few other chefs disappeared into the kitchen, Sabo already knowing why. He stood from the table and went over to Ace and Luffy, sitting in between them and pushing them apart.
"Alright you two, calm down." He said, confusing the two with his sudden appearance.
"Sabo? Hey, you were listening, right? Tell him I won!" Ace said, getting over his confusion rather quickly as he remembered what he had been arguing about moments ago. Sabo sighed, and before Luffy could pipe up with his own argument, he spoke.
"Actually, I wasn't listening, I was ignoring you two children. Besides, I'm not here to settle your argument." Sabo told them, once again confusing them.
"What? But why not?" Luffy whined, obviously thinking that Sabo should be the one to do so.
"Not only because it's not my issue, but also because Thatch and the others seem to be bringing out the-"
"Cake!" Luffy cheered happily, smelling the sweet treat coming his way, eyes widening as he turned to look for it. Sabo smiled at that, nodding.
"Yes, cake." He said, not even mad his excitable little brother had interrupted him. Ace seemed pleased with the idea of the dessert as well, argument forgotten as even he turned to watch the cake being brought over to their table. It was tall, had many layers, and was artfully iced and decorated with two hat toppers that looked like Sabo and Luffy's hats, along with a big Happy Birthday spelled out on the front of the cake, candles decorating the many layers.
Immediately the galley was singing the familiar tune of Happy Birthday, Luffy basking in all the love and happiness in the room while Sabo smiled and accepted that there was no getting out of having his name thrown into the song. He, like Ace, had never been too fond of his birthday. He'd always remember his days of being trapped with his parents in stuffy parties that were too uptight and being smothered with expensive gifts. Here, though, there was no stuffiness, or expensive gifts, or snooty looks as everyone watched your every move. Here, it was only filled with love, and well wishes, and maybe a few inexpensive gifts here and there.
As the song came to a close and the cake was set on the table in front of Sabo and Luffy, the two stood, each taking half as they blew out the candles. Applaud rang throughout the room and more drinks were gotten as everyone celebrated.
"I hope you two made your wishes!" Thatch told them, beginning to take the candles off so he could slice the cake.
"Mm! I made the best wish ever! Sabo, did you make a wish too?" Luffy asked smile stretched wide on his face in his typical D fashion as he looked to the blonde.
"Of course. Remember Luffy, you're not supposed to tell your wishes or they won't come true." Sabo said, accepting a plate of cake from Thatch.
"Right!" Luffy said firmly, determined not to say his wish aloud now as he also accepted a plate, a much larger slice of cake on it. Even though he'd been full from lunch only minutes ago, he was ready for more and was quick to dig into his dessert.
Cake was passed out, songs were sung, and many laughs were shared. Eventually, though, lunch came to a close and everyone slowly milled out onto the deck, everyone already knowing what was coming next.
Ace, Sabo, Luffy, and Marco all went to their rooms to grab their things, and soon enough they were at the railing, the mini Moby they would be using tied to the railing so it wouldn't float away. It was time for them to leave after being with the Whitebeards for three whole years.
"You two better take good care of yourselves! And Luffy, make sure your chef knows about how much you eat!" Thatch said, sniffling as he dabbed tears from his eyes with a handkerchief.
"And make sure you have someone who can stitch! You have a habit of ripping things." Izo said, pointing a finger at the teen who nodded.
"And a swordsman!" Vista piped up, Haruta shouting a noise of agreement with that.
"A navigator too, your direction sucks!"
"Doctor! Doctors are important!"
"What about a shipwright? Luffy would get his ship destroyed in seconds without one!"
The list went on as the worried crew thought of things Luffy would need, and Luffy nodded along to every suggestion, smiling wide and eyes sparkling at the idea of how much fun he was going to have.
"Luffy, Sabo, good, you haven't left yet." Whiskey said as she walked over, two files in hand as she did.
"Whiskey. No, we haven't, we're just about too though." Sabo told the head nurse.
"Well, before you go, Luffy, these are a copy of your medical records. When you find a doctor you trust, give them these. They detail everything, from the state you were in when you first arrived here, to your abilities, to every cut scrape and bruise you've had since you've been here." Whiskey said to Luffy, handing him one of the files filled with papers. Ace took them, putting them into the teen's bag.
"If you lose them or they get destroyed, give me a call when you find your doctor and I can tell them about it that way. Sabo, these are yours. I expect you to give them to your doctor as well." She said, handing Sabo a similar-looking file which he also packed away in his bag.
"Thank you Whiskey," Sabo said with a smile.
"Yeah, thanks Whiskey!" Luffy chirped happily, almost bouncing in anticipation to head off. Marco, who had been on the Mini Moby making sure things were all set to go, flew back now, landing beside them and smiling.
"Ready to go when you are, yoi," He said to them. Sabo nodded, looking to Luffy who began laughing to himself in excitement.
"See you guys later!" Luffy called out to everyone, waving as he did and still grinning his D smile.
"Bye Luffy! Bye Sabo!" The crew called back, loud and rambunctious as they all began waving back. Whitebeards laugh was loud and rumbling over all of them.
"We'll see you again soon my sons. Have fun on your journeys." Whitebeard said to them.
"Bye Oyaji." Luffy and Sabo said simultaneously, though Luffys was much louder than his due to his brother's excitement. Farewells said, the group of four began gathering their things and making their way to the Mini Moby, the others still calling out their goodbyes and well wishes as they did. Now onboard the mini Moby, with one final call of farewell, they were heading off towards Goa Island all the way in the East Blue.
Finally, Luffy and Sabo's journeys were going to be starting. They were finally leaving the Whitebeards, finally going to fulfill their dreams.
It was bittersweet watching the Moby slowly grow further away from them, and eventually, they couldn't see it any longer. After a two month journey, Sabo and Luffy would be watching the Mini Moby drift away as well, and then they would be on their own. It was exciting to think about, but Sabo knew he would miss the constant rowdiness of the Whitebeards, the unique personalities of the commanders, the friend's he'd made in the second division, and Whitebeard himself. The man was truly a father figure for all three of the brothers now, and time after time he had proven to them that they could come to him about anything and he would sit and listen without question.
To leave that all behind was sad, but Sabo had to look to the future. He was going to start helping make a difference in the world, start liberating facilities and actively working to take down the Marines. Luffy was going to become a pirate like he'd always dreamed of doing, one that Sabo knew without a doubt would cause all sorts of trouble for the marines.
If he didn't know how scummy and corrupt the Marines were, he might actually feel a bit bad for them. As it was now, though, he hoped that Luffy gave them hell with every island and every adventure he had.
Knowing Luffy, that was definitely going to be the case.
And so, the brothers are leaving. They had a send off from the Whitebeards, and in two months time, they will be setting off for real. There's not much I can say that hasn't already been said. So I'll just leave it at this.
Next chapter will be the finale, the big 100, the ending. I'll have a ton to say at the end of that chapter, so I'll just wait until then to say everything it is that I want to say. Until then, I will once again thank you all for everything you've done to support this story. You all are just as much responsible for the continuation of this story as I am.
Now, for the final time, I will see you all on Monday with the last chapter of The Devil Wears White.