~.~

Garp's face barely contained his smile. He got another vacation, it's been more than a year since he saw the small rascals. Thinking about it still made the large man depressed. Makino said Luffy was acting more normal and that he even made a friend, but what was normal behavior for that boy? He knew the kid was a troublemaker not to mention he got in fights daily with the villagers and their children. The boy was more trouble than Ace and that was saying something. Then back at it…just what kind of friends could he make with such a character? Yeah he got Woop Slap letters alright, doesn't mean he read them all. The man was always going on about some red-haired devil and some cat. He swore the man had gone senile but why did the mayor need to write him of all people complain letters?

The man sighed again before placing a hand above his eyes. Oh he could see Party's Bar already, he couldn't help but smile fondly. Finally he could visit his cute grandchildren. He entered the bar with a loud cheer only for silence to reign for a few second.

"Makino?!" he asked slowly before the young women peaked up from behind the bar.

"Garp-san you're finally back?" She asked with a beautiful smile making the man feel a bit flustered "I'll be damned, you became a beautiful young women… ah if only your father could see you now. He'd be damn proud."

She blushed prettily at the compliment "Thank you Garp-san."

"So where is that troublemaker?" The marine finally asked looking around suspiciously.

"He's… well training..."

"Ohh he finally decided to become a marine?"

"I wouldn't say that…" She said with a small troubled smile.

~.~

"LUFFY!" The cry of furry was enough to make the mini pirate cringe.

"I guess grandpa's back…" the boy said with a resigned voice. Garp would found out sooner or later so it didn't make that much a difference still he wished he would have enough time to prepare himself mentally.

"Luffy!" Garp voice sounded from behind him making the boy looked at the older man with a strained smile.

"Hey grandpa…" he said quietly.

"Don't hey grandpa me!" The man shouted, the boy who had no chance whatsoever to dodge the Fist of Love Garp throw his way. "What is it that I heard that you made friends with the red-haired brat?"

Luffy being the person he is got to his feet quickly while trying not to wince as he touched the large bump on his head. "You mean Shanks… mm yeah… I guess so… so you're back… "

"Of course I am did you miss me wait... don't try and mislead me you brat; you better explain!" Garp said pointing at the small boy who looked at the marine with bored eyes. "If HQ finds out you became friends with a pirate they won't let you join the marines! Just what were you thinking?!" the man asked unruffled by the glare sent his way. The boy had a lot of practice to do if he wanted to scare him.

"There's nothing to explain." Luffy leveled with the man who looked at him with a disgruntled expression. Luffy cut in before Garp could question him further. "I want to challenge you."

"What?" The man yelled shocked.

"It's simple a battle you win I do one thing you want. I'll answer any question you want." Garp nodded. There were plenty questions the man wanted answers to.

"And if you win?" The boy smirked unnerving the marine. 'The arrogant little shit; does he really think he had a chance against me?'

"The same. I get one thing I want from you."

"Hmph. Fine. The faster we finish the sooner you'll have to tell me everything that happened." Garp said with a smirk. He wanted to wait for Luffy to open up and not to force him but he couldn't pass up this chance.

"No backing out of it. You must give me your word. Still I thought you'd force me to become a marine given the chance."

"Brat you will become a marine and I already agreed." The boy only give him a dry look making him sigh annoyed. "I swear happy now, let's start!"

"Good. After today you won't be ever telling me to join the navy." Luffy said taking off his hoodie while the man snorted. The old war hero took a second to catalog all the changes in the boy since the last time they saw each other. Apparently he still wore those awful hoodies to hide himself in, which was understandable given his devil fruit powers. He truly wanted and wished the boy to outgrow them together with the mentality that he had to hide himself, the paranoia and the idea that he wasn't safe anywhere. The boy was small and thin for someone his age making the man wondered if it was normal for a 7 year old to be so short. His black hair was still unruly and reached his shoulder already. Again the boy was long overdue a haircut. But at least they weren't in his eyes instead were held back in a small ponytail. With a simple white t-shirt, black shorts and combat boots. As weapons he had small throwing blades hidden on his person an a long sword on his back . He had a vague idea who to thank that for. Damn pirate corrupting his grandchild. It didn't matter in the end though. He will make Luffy into a marine no matter what. There was just no way that he will lose this fight. The boy let his neko features out making Garp ready himself. He was kind of interested what the cute little bugger was up to. Luffy let his particles dance around the clearing making the marine eye him suspiciously.

Eh well since he didn't attack. "The chances of you winning are 0." Garp said as he ran toward Luffy who raised an eyebrow and made his particles form a wall in front of Garp who run through it like it was simple glass. He kept raising them but it didn't even slow the man down. The boy jumped back repeatedly as the man smashed the ground where he was just standing a few seconds ago leaving behind quite deep holes in it. If he got hit by any one of those he will lose on spot. "I thought you were smarter than this… " Luffy made another platform that hovered in the air and he jumped on it. "Like I said your chances of wini-"

"I'm not worried about the chances… I just have to make sure I win. That's all there is." Garp snorted again and jumped into the air while the boy jumped toward him. The boy quickly made an overhead turn and hit his grandfather with an axe-kick, the man moved his head slightly so it hit his shoulder instead. Normal people would have fallen long ago to the ground in pain but all Garp did was raise an eyebrow.

"That all?" Luffy swore under his breath and kicked himself back with his other leg. He was almost out of the marines reach when his leg was grabbed and spin around like a in a stupid hammer throwing competition. He was nearing the ground at breakneck speed. Luffy's made use of his unnatural flexibility and curled his hand around his knee before turning in midair and landing on all fours making Garp nod approvingly. "Nice acrobatics, maybe you should join the circus instead of the marines." The man teased him fondly. "You won't be able to beat me like that."

"I'll make you eat those words gramps. Besides I'm gonna be a pirate and not a marine." The boy said as he righted himself before disappearing with a quiet "Soru".

Garp smiled fondly as he saw Luffy use the technique he showed him. Still slower than his but it was impressive the boy came a long way. But the idea that his own grandson would use the technique he thought him on him… "Like hell you will" the man shouted while stomping on the ground with enough power to split it in two. Luffy fumbled in his run and barely managed to stay on his feet.

'Geez there should be a limit of how strong a gramps can be'. The boy ducked under as a pebble was sent his way, and more followed. The nekomimi boy easily danced out of their way. Garp was admittedly proud of the kid. He was growing up strong. Too bad he had to go through what he had for that to happen.

Even so "You're still hundred times too young to challenge me." The boy kept throwing and making those shields hoping to slow him down and it started to make the marine annoyed. What was the kid scheming? There was no way they could stop him, yet why was he still making them unnerved by how seemingly useless they were. "What are-" before he could have finished it the transparent glass become ablaze. Garp jumped back but his shirt still caught flames. Luffy grinned satisfied at the marine.

"You little brat!" the man said before two more glasses were raised on either side of him he jumped back barely missing their collision upon which they exploded in blue fire. Luffy trust his hand out and the fire followed his gesture and rushed forward. Garp jumped back. "Why didn't you just do that from the beginning?"

"I'm still trying to get the timing down. Controlling the flames is troublesome, unlike the particles."

"Hmm… is telling me that really alright? I'm your opponent now."

"Just be shut up and be amazed then." Luffy said as he thrust his hand out and a column of particles erupted around Garp who narrowed his eyes they were nearing him. The man closed his eyes and with let out a deep breath and simply forced the particles to scatter by a push. The nekomimi boy gaped. How the hell did he do that? How did someone push away something smaller than sand dust that ignited in collision, by force alone?

"Hmm. That better not be it." Luffy gulped, his chances of winning had gone down dramatically. But he had to win, there was just no other way. Duck, jump, dodge, attack, counter and repeat it all. Luffy tried everything he could think of. Used his devil fruit powers to the limit, and passed them long ago. Fighting against wild animals and stupid villagers daily was nothing in comparison to this. He hated the feeling of being pushed back and swatted away like an insignificant insect. But that all he amount in the eyes of his grandfather no in the eyes of a marine hero. He bit his lips as he was slammed into the ground to stifle a scream and quickly pushed himself up and away.

Garp had to admit the brat was resourceful. He wasn't overconfident in his ability like most devil fruit users were instead seemed dare he say cautious of it. The boy packed quite a punch, under his frail looks he hide quite an enormous strength. Some day he knew the boy will surpass even himself in raw power and strength. He smiled to himself. The boy was going to be a riot when he grows up. All the more reason he should become a marine but his belief in that started to diminish with every punch the boy throw his way. He was dead set on becoming a pirate, he realized it already. Luffy decided and there was just no changing his mind no matter what Garp tried. The boy would rather die than to give up on becoming a pirate. The little rascal.

"Why do you want to become a pirate?" Garp asked.

The boy looked at him with serious eyes. No more joking around. "I won't become a marine. It's just more fun to be a pirate." The rascal said with a wide grin starling Garp and getting a lucky punch in before the man swatted him away like he was an annoying fly.

"What!?" The marine asked half gaping. What in the name of sweet lady justice did Shanks do to his grandson? While yeah that grin was something the marine would pay for to see again he did not like the way the boy was talking. It reminded him too much of the irresponsible red-head. Why did the boy have to adopt one of the worst criminals in the world as a role model?

Luffy hit the back of a tree with a small cry of pain. He wobbled as he stood up again. "Because than I'll have the most freedom in the world!"

"Huh?!" After being a slave the boy probably wished for nothing else but freedom. But there was no need for him to become a criminal for that. "You don't have to become a pirate for that!"

The boy smirked as he rushed forward and kept throwing punches Garp's way. "I decided... I won't be bound by any shackles ever again. I'll take their dreams and bring them all to life! For that I will be next Pirate King!" Luffy using his agility and flexibility managed to keep up with the marine's overwhelming strength. His small stature made him a hard target to hit since he was always in motion compared to the marine who barely moved at all since the battle started.

A giant popping vein appeared on the old war hero's head as he processed what his dear grandson just said. "P-pirate King?! Do you even know what you're talking about?" The man asked furiously as he kicked the boy away, the nekomimi boy managed to land on his feet even though he skidded a few more meters before stopping.

"Shishishishi yes! That's why train me!" Luffy shouted as he lunged again.

"What?" Did he just hear what he thought he did?

"Train me." Luffy repeated his request scratch that demand as he attacked again. The boy was becoming faster even as they were sparing. The last attack managed to even scratch him but unfortunately for Luffy he was wide open the marine sent a punch in the boys ribs before grabbing him by the cloths and bringing him closer.

"I'm a marine brat, and you ask me to train the next Pirate King!" The man asked before punching the boy in the face all while trying to stop himself from laughing because really who the hell would do that, and on the hand he couldn't help but be sad because he knew there was no back-paddling from this. He knew the boy will become a pirate, and there were no good endings for pirates. He wished he could deceive himself for just a bit longer. A few more years, but the kid wasn't going to let that happen.

"I just did." the brat even had the guts to roll his eyes at him after he set up.

"And why would I do that." The man asked curiosity eating at him.

"Because you care for me." That was a thin reasoning. True but still thin. Luffy let his body relax from his ready to attack position. There was no more fighting going to happen. At least not with fists. "Besides I already decided. The best chance for you ensure my safety if you accept it and help me stand on my own." The boy pointed out smartly making the man sigh as he crossed his arms.

"I could force you to become a marine." No way he could do that. The boy had the right to choose his own path. That didn't mean that Garp had to just accept him becoming a pirate with a nod and a smile.

"No. You care more for family than to do that." Luffy reasoned and the marine lost it.

'Screw it'. Garp was laughing with tears in his eyes. Meanwhile Luffy patiently waited for him to stop. "Fine. Fine, you win. I know there is no changing your mind once you decided. The best I can do is make sure you're strong to face whatever gets in your way. But are you sure this is what you want?" the boy had the urge to once again roll his eyes. "Once you step on this path you can never look back, never walk away, never be dissatisfied with the way people look at you or talk about you."

"Like I care what they think of me."

"The Pirate King is the man who had everything in life, that's true but many misunderstood that. You know that no matter how much wealth power or fame he had Gol D. Roger faced sadness, danger and carried incredible hardships and pain too. It's two sides of the same coin."

"Ah, but it was all for his nakama and his dreams." The boy said with a satisfied nod. "Besides if it would have been easy to achieve I wouldn't even want it." Garp chuckled hearing that.

"I see. But I don't want to hear you whine about how unfair or hard my training is either." The man said with a weird gleam in his eyes that made Luffy shiver slightly.

"As long as I don't hear about me joining the marines again." Both man nodded reaching an understanding.

"I… understand but let me ask you this one last time why don't you want to join the marines?"

"When I was smaller before it happened I didn't really care about it, as long as I didn't have to listen to rules…but now I can't stomach the idea of serving the World Government, those pricks protect people that have no consideration of human life. When I was captured by those pirates" the boy spit out the last word like it was venom. His idea of pirate was so far from what those man were that he could barely call them pirates. "I wasn't waiting for them to release me or save me maybe a marine, a police officer but not a pirate… I would have never imagined it. But he did… Do you know what the soldiers, the guards or the so called marines did while I was dragged through the streets full of people to become a slave?" the boy waited for something but there was no answer. "Nothing. They did nothing." The boy said trying to suppress the shiver running through him. Those memories were just too vivid sometimes. "They didn't do anything." Luffy shook his head. "I was branded as a slave, they took away my freedom without giving it a second thought and nobody lifted a finger. Yet a pirate… how ironic, he gave it back to me. He erased the shackles that made me into a possession and gave back my freedom."

"Luffy…" Garp said with a strained smile. "You must hate me but believe me when I tell you this. No matter what happened I never give up on finding you."

"I don't hate you… You fight for something you believe is right. Protecting the innocent and weak. Those are good ideals. But… I'm not such a good person I'm too selfish to live like that. I don't want to be a hero nor do I fit the reqi… reu…reqient…"

"Requirement?"

"Yeah that to be one." Luffy smiled amused by his grandfather's shocked expression.

~.~

The twitching of his eyebrows might have given away the annoyance the old war hero felt that moment. But it only grow in strides the more he stayed with his grandson and Makino . The brat had her wrapped around his little finger. And yes the boy was admittedly cute but that give him no excuses. She were worse than just doting and overprotective. Had the boy any whim she was at it like hawks on prey. Well no sir no grandchild of his will become a spoiled little brat.

Leaving aside the fact that Luffy rarely if ever wanted something and wouldn't whine no matter how many times he failed. The nekomimi boy was after all determined to dirty his hands for a good cause. Which showed in his training, he had yet to complain once. No matter how hard or harsh Garp treated him the boy didn't give in or up. Those words didn't even seem to exist in his dictionary. But he still wasn't satisfied. There was no way Luffy could grow up with a healthy ego in such an environment. Which is exactly why the last day of his short vacation he grabbed the boy by the back of his cloths. He admittedly startled the kid who was looking up at him with big questioning eyes. Damn the kid for being so cute.

"Ahm… you need a more…" He pondered what to say so the boy would understand him "manly environment." He settled for that and Luffy nodded although not quite understanding what Garp was trying to tell him.

"Can I at least grab my things?" The boy asked with those big eyes making the man crumble. Kami those eyes were strong enough to warrant world domination.

"Sure." The boy nodded cutely before rushing up the stairs. Makino chuckled from behind the bar.

"It's not funny." The man countered.

"The faster you admit it, the faster you can salvage whatever is left of your pride Garp-san."

"Admit what?" The man asked cautiously, he wasn't too sure he wanted to know the answer to.

"That you're a sucker for those eyes. So where are you taking him?" She asked with an aura that promised certain pain if she didn't like the answer.

"Close-by…but you shouldn't visit him."

"Why?"

"Is for his own good." Makino nodded while Luffy ran down the stairs with a bag over his shoulder. Garp took it from him and frowned. "What do you have in this ROCKS?"

The boy shook his head "Books." He said without missing a beat. The war hero sighed he forgot about Luffy's new hobby.

"Makino would you-"

"Right…" the women said with a small smile before walking upstairs in a few minutes Makino returned with a gigantic bag at least 5 times bigger than the one Luffy prepared making Garp sweat-drop as she started to list everything she packed and fret over the boy. Overprotective indeed.

~.~

"So where are we going?" Luffy finally asked. They were traveling for a good couple of hours now. He had always been told not to go too far into the forest behind the small village. Of course he did venture deeper and deeper but had yet to climb to mountain they were on yet. was described as a dangerous place with one single law, survival of the fittest. The strong ruled and the weak found only death in this place.

Garp raised an eyebrow as he continued walking. He actually thought the boy wouldn't ask, since he was silent all this time. "We'll be arriving soon." Just as he finished saying that they neared the location they've been walking to making Luffy sweat-drop slightly. The house… if he could call it that was barely standing, patches all along the roof and sides it had a weird tower on the other side. He wondered how it didn't crumble yet. The marine hero knocked on the door insistently. Luffy was silently asking himself how it didn't broke down yet from the force Garp used on it.

"Stop it! Whoever you are, do you wanna get killed?" The guy… women? who opened the door shouted in annoyance until her eyes fell on the marine.

"It's me." Garp's don't mess with me voice was enough to make the women pale. It was funny, really. Luffy smiled slightly behind his hoodie. The women took a few steps back with a terrified look in her eyes.

"G-Garp-san!" Just as she finished saying two more funny looking guys popped out from behind, one was quite small with a Dictionary in his hands and a turban on his head while the other was taller with a weirdly styled red hair and beard.

The marine spoke slightly amused "You seem to be doing well."

"You gotta be kidding me! Seriously I wish you'd just leave me alone for a change! Ace is already ten years old!" Who was Ace? Luffy wanted to ask as he looked up at the marine's back; he was still hidden by his grandfather's towering figure plus bag pack.

"Oh yeah he's ten already, has it really been that long? How's he doing" The man asked with an easy going laugh.

The smaller of the two bandits frowned as he spoke up. "It's not funny he's totally out of control! We can't handle him anymore! You have to take him!"

Garp smiled again. "Putting that aside…"

"Don't put that aside!" the small bandit shouted annoyed just to get ignored. Now he could see where he got his awesome ability to ignoring others.

"Look after him, too." The marine said as he picked him up by the back of his cloths. And why was everyone doing that? Luffy raised an eyebrow as he-she gapped at him. Ah well he couldn't really blame him… or her. From there it probably looked like the man took him out of nowhere.

"Huh?!" the three asked dumbfounded.

"Hey Luffy, say 'Hello' to them." His grandfather scolded him while said boy only rolled his eyes. Not this again…

"Yo." The boy muttered in a monotonous voice before the war hero let him down.

"Who is that kid?" The tall man behind the she-man asked cautiously.

Garp looked them dead seriously in the eyes. "He is my grandson."

"What?!" the resounding cry shook the whole mountain. The smaller one shook his head in disbelief as he cried a loud "One more?!"

"He's Garp's… I mean Garp-san's grandson?!" the man she asked terrified.

"We can't!" The three objected while in dogeza.

"Alright then, make your decision. Do you want to spend the rest of your days behind bars… or raise him? There are many crimes you committed that I've overlooked." Since negotiations failed bullying the others into doing what he wanted was it?

"Well is true, I don't want to go to prison…" the large male that reminded him of a rooster started talking while the small one nodded in agreement before he took over.

"But sometimes prison seems tempting, our hands are full with just Ace…" the other two nodded and Luffy was a bit amazed by how easily they completed each other's sentences. Were they a comedy duo well with three of them it would be a trio wouldn't it?

"And now you want us to take care of your grandson too?!" The male she asked in disbelief. "I'm sure that kid's just as much of a monster, isn't he?" Luffy sighed as his grandfather looked at him with curios eyes. He was probably waiting for him to protest or something. Ah but like he told him already he didn't care what other people thought about him as long as his nakama believed in him.

"How is this crappy shack still standing?" Luffy asked in disbelief making the other's eyes widen slightly.

"You wanna fight, brat?!" The orange haired wo-man shouted just to get ignored and fall head first into the ground. "He's not listening!"

"Boss! Are you alright?!" The other two asked worried. Luffy smirked as he walked closer to the house… and kicked it once.

"Hoh… it's still standing." There was mock amazement in his voice making Garp sigh. The boy was already picking a fight with them.

"You trying to bring the whole house down?!" One of the three shouted making the boy smile innocently.

"Of course."

"Luffy!" His grandfather said with a warning tone.

"Hai, hai…" the boy muttered as he walked closer to his grandfather only to stop in place but too late. The spit landed on his shoes.

"Gross…" the boy said before sending a glare toward the one who dared to dirty the gift he got from Makino.

"Oh! Ace!" Garp greeted the punk cheerfully.

"Are you back, Ace?" Rooster spoke up.

"Oi… apologize, right now." Luffy said fixing the boy with another death glare.

"Luffy, this is Ace. He's 3 years older than you. You're gonna live here with them from today on." Garp explained as he placed a pacifying hand on his shoulder.

"What?! You can't just do that!" The three protested.

"I gathered… still" Luffy glared at the older boy who was still sitting on the large animal carcass. Garp punched his head when his eyes started to glow making him wince slightly.

"Try to get along!" The marine clarified when meet with the boy's questioning eyes.

"You think this is settled?!" The large orange haired wo?man shouted only to be meet with one of Garp's famous glares.

"What?!" The man asked making them all straighten out.

"We'll take care of him!"

"Then my business here is done, I'll come visit when I have time."

"Umm… what about child support?" Dogra asked carefully.

"put it on my tab."

"This ain't a bar, you know!"

"Huh?"

Dadan practically crumbled under those eyes. "You're always welcome here!"

Luffy ignored them as he looked at the boy in front of him "Still didn't apologize…" the boy mumbled as Ace walked past him. "…" the twitching of his eyebrows told Garp just how annoyed the small pirate truly was. Luffy followed the boy inside the house and raised a curios eyebrow when somebody tried to grab his neck.

He grabbed the man's hand and spin them around so the man was in front of him before kicking the man in the back of his knees. The man fell to his knees and hand. Luffy meanwhile twisted the hand he still had to relinquish his grip on making the man let out a yelp. He looked behind him and kicked the approaching bandit in the stomach. He used the kneeling man as a pivot to make a handstand for a second before letting his feet fall down on an unsuspecting bandit that approached the boy in haste. Luffy ignoring the fact that he just landed on downed bandit's back kicked the kneeling bandit so the man fall over the ones rushing his way now. The boy ducked under one of them before he kicked the feet out from underneath the bandit making the man fall over.

It didn't take long for those outside to hear the loud noises and rush inside but by then all the bandits were laying in a heap on the floor. Ace was gaping just like the rest of them. Garp seeing Luffy throw the last bandit in to the pile let out a loud booming laugh.

"Who is this kid?" One of the bandits asked as they all struggled to stand up.

"Garp's grandson." The small bandit holding the dictionary said making everyone sober up.

"This brat is?" Another one called out in disbelief.

"He's gonna live with us from now on."

"Eh?!"

"Then one last thing you should know before I leave." Garp said with a smirk which was directed mostly toward Ace. "Aside from me, the strongest person on this island right now is Luffy. Better not make him angry."

"Say that first!" The bandits cried out in disbelief. While Ace's eyes widened as he looked at the small boy in an entirely different light.

Luffy sighed as he watched Garp disappeared in the woods from where he was sitting from. After letting his stress out he was not quite that angry at that prick Ace. He was still angry, don't be mistaken just not that angry. He sighed as he watched the bandits pounce on food like starving wolves. Did they even feel the bruises he left on them, they truly didn't act like it. There was a small portion of rice and a glass of water placed in front of him.

"…pops" he turned his expressive eyes toward the man-she demanding an explanation.

"I'm a women!" the now identified lifeform known as a women shouted in annoyance "I'll have you know this meat is all from that buffalo Ace brought us. He shares it with us so he gets to sit at our table. The life of mountain bandit is harsh. Starting tomorrow, we'll work you half to death! Cleaning, laundry, shoe polishing and weapon polishing! Theft, looting, swindling and killing. And listen you're not gonna say a single word to Garp about the stuff we make you do!" She saw what he was able to do and still wasn't scared to talk to him like that. Man she got balls. "One bowl of rice and one glass of water a day! That's all I'm giving you. Anything else, you'll have to get for yourself. You'll have to raise yourself to be strong."

"Alright." He said as he turned his eyes back to the window.

"You're fine with it?! You should be crying by now!" Did people really think that he was just a spoiled crybaby that got everything without lifting a finger for it?

"…I'm used to it." He said before standing up bringing everyone's attention to himself. "If either of you touches my stuff… I'll kill you." The boy said curtly lacing the last word with killing intent he learned from watching the red-haired pirates before walking away leaving a bunch of terrified and curios people behind. He saw the boy called Ace finish his dinner and follow after him shortly but he was already a good distance away from the boy.

He explored the nearby forest and tried to familiarize himself with the terrain. Cats were territorial creatures. The fact that he was taken from his territory and showed into the big unknown did not appeal to his feline side meanwhile his adventurous and playful side was jumping up and down from joy and excitement. That sense of duality let him somehow messed up inside while outside he adorned the mask of boredom.

He explored the whole day, hunted down a large snake and only got back around dusk. As soon as he neared the house sounds of disbeliefs followed.

"He's… he's alive!"

"Why wouldn't I be?" He asked slowly as the bandit took a fearful step back. What he didn't even glare at the man, he asked purely out of curiosity.

"We gathered a spoiled kid like you couldn't survive in the forest alone even for a day…"

"… is that so…"Luffy said in a monotone voice as walked by the covering bandit. The man looked more startled by the fact that he didn't do anything than if he would have hit him. Judging from his expression he was expecting the petite boy to hit him. As he neared inside he could distinguish a couple of voices.

"Why do we have to look after Garp-san's grandson in the first place? This isn't kindergarten, dammit! He should look after his own grandson!" Dadan's said, and by the way she slurred she consumed more than enough alcohol. Makino used to say people like that often said stupid things they didn't mean and would regret later. He slightly wondered if they truly didn't mean it and if they didn't why didn't someone stop them.

"So why didn't you tell him that?" Rooster asked silently but she heard him well enough.

"What was that?!" The man covered slightly while Dadan over go the cup of sake in favor of the whole glass. "Besides, I've had enough of that Ace, too! In my opinion, it'd be best if he just went somewhere and died. Then we could tell Garp it was an accident! That is what they mean by 'A devil's child has a devil's luck.' He is the child of a devil, phagh!" The women and everyone gaped at the young hooded boy that stood over the now wet mountain bandit boss with an empty glass of water.

"Cooled yourself off yet?" He asked in a monotone voice.

"You brat!" The women shouted in furry as sprung up to hit the boy only to get dizzy and stumble.

"Go ahead…try and judge me too, call me a spoiled stupid brat or whatever you want but before you do… try and walk a mile in my or his shoes, walk the path that I have traveled, live my sorrow, my doubts, my fear, my pain and my laughter. When you've lived a day in my life then you can try and judge me. You may know him but you're far from understanding him." Luffy said before he turned around and walked away leaving them all gapping. They were all unaware of the freckled boy who overheard the whole conversation and was now standing frozen in place just behind the thin walls, or how the boy's whole world and belief was shaken by those few words.

~.~

Luffy had the feeling someone was trying to kill him … scratch that. He knew someone was trying to kill him. It started with a random tree breaking and falling down on him… he dodged of course. Then stones followed… he was suspicious by then, but he give it the benefit of doubt since he was right next to the rocky part of the mountain. Stone avalanche was possible… improbable but possible. But this… he glared at the ground as he neared it, someone tossed him of a bridge… he pushed out his hand and made a hovering platform, he forced his body to turn which thanks to his flexibility was easily accomplished and landed on the platform, it didn't stop his fall all together but it lessened it. He groaned as he picked himself off the ground after the bumpy landing… falling for only kami knows how many kilometers was not fun at all.

The nekomimi boy sniffed the air and had to stifle another groan. Why did fate have to be such a bitch? A pack of hungry wolves liked their lips as they neared their small and injured prey… Today was just not his day.

Dogra and Magra had to collect their jaw from the floor as the youngest resident of their shack stumbled back two days later riding on a wolf.

"Thanks guys…" Luffy said silently to the white canine that give him a ride as he jumped off his back. The wolf only nodded before the boy bumped his head against the wild animal scaring the bandits shitless. Again jaw unhinged, by whatever sorcery the wolf actually nuzzled against him and even growled at them protective of the small hooded figure as they tried to rush to the boy's side to help. They both took a step back wary of the wild animal.

"Go back to the pack." The boy commanded and the wolf bowed his head in resignation and in a sign of submissiveness before turning tail and disappearing in the woods. Luffy nodded to himself satisfied before he walked inside leaving the two sit there shocked.

"What just happened?" Dogra asked his friend who looked just as lost as him.

"I… don't know… I don't want to know." The man said quite wisely for once.

~.~

Of all the attempts on his life, he hated the one including the beehive the most. He still didn't understand it… he dodged the falling beehive why did the bees still attack him? And how did they get through the square structure of walls he put up? He learned something new yet again, to never underestimate mother nature…

It has been three months already he thought with a sigh. He had yet to master the move Garp showed him, although thanks to his rambunctious lifestyle he was progressing in leaps in terms of raw power, stamina, flexibility, speed, dexterity and agility. Spending so much time in nature helped him to come in terms with his wild nature. He was no house cat after all, his hunting instincts were put to test and so did he realize he had prey instinct as well as predator ones. He learned that fear was a survivor instinct that kept him on his toes so he learned to sense danger to keep himself alive. He learned how to track in ways impossible for normal humans. He developed cunning, trapping and even hording skills thanks to his pack friends. He wasn't spending every day in their midst because he was a lone hunter but he did go with them every now and then on hunts or just to play with the cubs. One of the she wolfs seemed to 'adopt' him after she realized that he was apparently just a cub which made it weird and awkward sometimes not to mention the other wolfs were still acting submissive around him. Which apparently pleased his feline side all while his normal human side wished they would just stop doing that, he regarded them as friends after all. Oh and he also had a rival now. Garp was a sneaky old man. He did say that he was probably the strongest human on the island but that didn't include Boss which was a large tiger. If he was truthful the tiger was probably even stronger than him at the moment. The only thing that allowed him to fight on somehow even grounds was his great speed. He greatly admired the feline for being so strong for living powerfully yet solitary as she did. The large feline seemed to inspire the one living inside him thanks to his devil fruit.

While he was getting used to this lifestyle he couldn't help but miss his old one a bit so he threw himself in training. Admittedly he might have exaggerate a bit since he barely slept anymore. The boy kept reading books well he needed every advantage he could get. Hunting and refining his skills; he sneaked away all the time nights included. After all him having nightmare disorder was too big of weakness to reveal to someone he didn't trust. But he did take naps and sometimes even managed to sleep dreamlessly just not at Dadan's place. Thinking about it, more times than not did he do so when he was around people he trusted. When Shanks asked Doc why he didn't set him on fire the ship doctor said it was because he tried to protect them even subconsciously. Shanks Benn and Makino gushed over it for hours when they found out.

The small black cat yawned and stretched as he heard sounds from underneath the tree he was resting in.

"Amazing you got more than me! This is a lot of treasure! How'd you get it?"

"I stole it from some guys near the main gate." Oh this voice Luffy recognized. The annoying prat that targeted him.

"Damn… you beat me again."

"It doesn't matter who wins, does it?" the small cat blinked. Who knew Ace could talk and act so… nice? "We're gonna spend the Pirate Fund together one day. It's been five years since we started saving. We've worked hard."

"We sure have! To leave East Blue and head into a world these islanders don't even know about… I get excited just thinking about it!"

"Hurry and close the lid. We don't know who might be watching." Oh so they wanted to keep it a secret, he could use that.

"I wonder how much we need to buy a pirate ship?"

"Who knows… Hundreds, thousands maybe even millions… Whatever we still have way to go."

Time to have some fun. "A pirate ship? So you guys want to be pirates." Luffy asked from where he was sitting. "Yo Ace!" The boy greeted them with a small wave.

Yeah I know Luffy didn't have a chance against Garp in the fight, and true to be told there was no way he could have won even with his Devil Fruit so I decided instead to let Garp witness his determination and let that convince him. As for Ace yeah no way he could beat Luffy who already knows Soru even if it's not a perfected move yet.

Review please and see you again Bye! ^.^