IIRoxaII: Thank you! Yeah, Luffy is embarrassed, but Zoro's there for him, Best boyfriend ever.

izzywolf22: Yeah, I changed some things up a lot in some of the arcs in this. Especially Amazon Lilly and Impel Down.

Wishfull-star: Always. :)

This chapter is family drama. Luffy gets really emotional and a bit out of character, but it fits the situation. Enjoy~

Luffy heard the echoes of people, and turned around and said a ship was coming at them. Everyone gathered, Nami looking tired and leaning against Robin. Usopp, still as Sogeking, was in the background. They saw the flags to find it was the Galley-La Company's ship!

"Wooo! It's the Straw Hats!"

"You're safe!"

"Yay!"

Iceberg was injured still, but was standing with them as the men from other docks cheered them on for their success in sailing off through the aqua laguna. Luffy wasn't impacted by that storm so much as the others were, though. He missed a lot, didn't he? Well, there was no point in brooding about it.

Brooding about the past will do nothing other than worsen the future… right, Sabo? He smiled lightly. "Hi Tyrannosaurus!" Luffy cheered, seeing the brave little mouse on his shoulder. Iceberg shared a look with Franky. Maybe they were friends, or enemies? After all, the Franky Family did cause trouble for Water 7.

Chopper asked who he meant. "There's a mouse that wasn't afraid of me when Lucci's pigeon was!"

"Wow! What a brave mouse!" he agreed. While they were talking, it happened so fast Luffy didn't even hear it begin, the ship cracked in half in the front. Luffy and Chopper hit the Merry's figurehead with an "oof!"

"What's happening all the sudden?!"

Sanji sighed and helped Franky, Chopper and Luffy off the broken part. "It's not 'all of the sudden'. Remember, Merry shouldn't be able to sail anymore. It's some miracle how she and we have made it this far before this happened." Everyone on the ship was sad at the inevitable passing of the Merry.

Most of them just weren't going to be the ones to see it. They planned on leaving their dying ship to Usopp like he wanted. Luffy turned to Iceberg and asked if there really was no way to fix her. "She isn't ours anymore, but we don't want her to die! She's done so much for us, she saved us even just now-"

"Then let her sleep," Iceberg said kindly, though his face wasn't. His face was hard, but his voice held kindness and sympathy. He had to have seen lots of ships die before, and seen their crews' reactions to it. And he knew what he was talking about. Everyone knew that, too. Any resistance was fleeting. Even Usopp said nothing behind his Sogeking mask. "We've done all we possibly can."

His face softened and he said, "I'm seeing a miracle right now… a miracle. From a ship that has reached its limit long ago. I've been a shipwright for many years, but I have never seen a more incredible ship. It lived a very admirable life. I understand."

Luffy swallowed thickly and nodded, looking to the broken Merry. Putting her to sleep is what was kind now. She was hurting, being pulled apart. Knowing she could sink at any moment and kill her crew. They all silently vacated their home, even if she was now Usopp's, she was still the Straw Hat's home. Usopp said nothing, did nothing to stop this. He knew. By now he knew and he had no choice but to accept it right now.

They got any remaining personal belongings off of the ship, but most were already long gone from their first vacating of the ship. They stood on one boat, while Luffy was on the smaller one, directly in front of the Merry. He was captain, it was his burden to let his crew member go. He had the torch, and made sure his crew were ready before he said, "Merry, the sea bed is dark and lonely. We'll stay with you until the end."

His voice was surprisingly firm. He didn't hear any crying from behind yet. He was doing his best to stay in control. But he'd said goodbye to the Merry already. This was just giving her the respect she deserved and needed. This time, she was gone for good. Sailing on her own adventure while the rest left and remembered her forever.

"Thank you for carrying us all this way. You made our lives into a true journey, Merry," he said as she burned. The flags burnt away, and the ship made creaking noises as it's old and tattered wood bowed and accepted the flames. Putting her to sleep.

Snow started to fall, lit a pretty orange glow in front of the blazing fire. It was an uncomfortable silence. Luffy wished somebody would make a sound. Just something. On the surface, the cracking of the ship in the fire was calming. But the more the fire spread the more Luffy heard. Everything burning and breaking. Hearing glass shattering inside… he wished he couldn't hear it.

Like hearing somebody's body fall apart from the inside. Luffy balled his fists, clenching his eyes at the noises of his home just dying. Tears were in his eyes, but he didn't let them fall, even as he heard Chopper and Nami crying, and light sniffles of everybody else. He could wait until he was alone with Zoro to show the pain, whenever they'd have the time for that.

"I'm sorry. I wanted to carry you… just a little bit further. I'm sorry. I wanted to go on more adventures with you."

It was Merry's voice, the one he'd heard in Enies Lobby. The one that told him to jump into the ocean. Everyone could hear it, it wasn't just Luffy.

"But I…"

"We're the ones that have to apologize, Merry! I'm not good at navigation, and I crashed you into an ice berg! I even ripped the sails sometimes! Zoro and Sanji are idiots and broke things all the time! Usopp always tried to fix you everytime, but he wasn't good at it! We're so sorry!" Everyone but Zoro and Sanji were at least tearing up. The snow was falling thicker now, storming.

"But I was happy. Thank you for taking good care of me up till now. I really was happy!"

Luffy was crying openly now, too. Usopp, Nami and Chopper were sobbing though Usopp was trying to keep his in. Franky was crying, too. Though he didn't have the emotional connection that the others did.

"MERRY!" Luffy shouted. They watched her disappear completely. Even watched the last dregs slowly sink or float away from them. Once it was over, and Merry's spirit was in the sea and not in a ship, they got onto the Galley-La Company's ship. The rest of their allies had made it back to Water 7 on the Puffing Tom, thank goodness.

Luffy stuck with Zoro and Chopper, carrying him around like a stuffed animal. The Straw Hats were quiet and resigned on the ship on the way back to Water 7. It only took a couple hours, but there were hours where the Straw Hats wished they could just be left in quiet instead of everyone amazed by their defeating CP9.

Luffy was sitting on their yardarm next to Zoro and Chopper in the crowsnest. "I could hear it all. I heard the upholstery burning, the glass and mirrors shattering, the things detaching from the walls while she burnt," Luffy said suddenly. "I never thought the sound of breaking could be so sad."

Chopper and Zoro said they were sorry. It must have been pretty bad. "I know that she couldn't have gone much longer in the Grand Line. And I know it was the best to lose her at Water 7, but I wish I could have kept her healthy longer." He got up and sat next to Zoro.

"It's not just you that did stupid stuff," Chopper said simply. They all knew it was true, and most of her damage was done by enemies, but still. It was from all of them. It was their ship. Not just Luffy's and so only his to mess up or take care of. Chopper got down when he saw Sogeking talking with Franky.

Luffy sat in Zoro's lap in the crowsnest, leaning back against his chest and looking at the sky. It was still snowing, but not cold. "Usopp told me to 'come home'."

"Yeah, he did."

"I… don't know if I want him back. After the things he threw at me. He went after my sore spots. Do you think he meant them all?" Luffy asked. Zoro was careful with his response.

He said, "I think he tried and succeeded in saying hurtful things. Usually someone acting to the captain like he did to you would earn them a bullet to the head or being dumped off the ship." Luffy sighed.

"I don't know how to argue well. I didn't know what to say. I just let him walk all over me. I didn't want to be mean to him either. I just wanted the argument to end, but it kept getting worse and worse until I snapped," Luffy expressed. "I was the captain. But I don't know how to punish my friends."

Zoro nodded. He could see how that would be hard. He would just beat them up. But Luffy didn't beat them up, he was the one that got beat up for mistakes. "Shishishi, yeah. But I get better fast. Even when I don't need you."

He wrapped his arms around Luffy's waist, leaving kisses on his neck. He had a Galley-La shirt on. "Ne, we need a shipwright. I have an idea who."

"Franky?"

"No, Zambai." Zoro was just silent. "Shishishi, Franky, yeah. He was so chill about my thing! Though you guys told him first."

"Had to when he asked how you were getting medical attention for six gunshot wounds. He's an annoying guy, but I think he's a good man. No matter what he did to us in the past. Maybe he'lll join, maybe not, but we do need a shipwright."

"Though we need a ship first. Did the aqua laguna take that hotel? Is all our stuff gone?" Luffy asked, worried about bringing it up. "We just chose a random hotel. I don't know what the real aqua laguna was like." He was afraid they'd have nothing left. No money, no tangerine trees, nothing. No ship, either, of course.

Zoro said they had to hope. They didn't know. Luffy slouched and took his hat off, holding it. How did it get hurt from Buggy, but no other enemy? "So, were you still going to have your way with me? That was pretty embarrassing you know?" Zoro said slyly. He ran his fingers under Luffy's shirt. "You can't say such things as a joke."

Luffy's face turned red. "It was more like… Zoro could have his way with me. If he wants… I won't know what to…"

"Zoro wants. And he'll take care of you how you deserve. Maybe on our new ship, if I can wait that long," he said, chewing on Luffy's rubber earlobe.

"Shishishi, you shouldn't get so excited here," he said wiggling in his lap, unashamedly.

"It'll go away, just you wait. I have perfect control of my body," Zoro bragged. They waited quietly for a few minutes. "See?"

"Ne, are you thinking of dead puppies?"

"No! I just have full control. And I'll show you that personally later." Luffy giggled again, feeling better. He said he needed a nap. He was still tired. "Sleep as long as you want, captain," Zoro whispered, kissing his head and rubbing firm circles on his chest, lulling the younger captain to sleep.

When they got back to the hotel, among a crowd cheering their safe returns, they found the place was flooded, but not destroyed. Most of their furniture was ruined, all of the clothes were soaking wet, and a handful of Chopper's medical books were destroyed. Considering it wiped out much of that area, the fact that almost everything else was fine was amazing. Thank goodness they had the highest floor and the one to the south, away from the direction the waves came from. The money was safe in its quality case.

It was a huge relief and Nami broke into relieved tears. They needed a new hotel now, though. And they were brought to the Galley-La Company hotel itself. There were other tenants as well, including Franky and Tyrannosaurus. And Iceberg, too. Chopper forced all of them to rest for a full day. Not including him and Robin, as they both went to treat Sodom and Gamora, who would be fine with rest.

The island was very damaged, but apparently it was usually that way. The aqua laguna was gradually eating the island, consuming it more every year. The island would eventually be destroyed by the storm, but they were used to repairs and helping one another. Maybe that was why everyone seemed to be close to one another there. At least, very friendly.

Even the giants Usopp made friends with helped repair the city. Who knows where Usopp was, Luffy wasn't paying attention to his voice or scent. The whole place was fresh with smells, having been wiped out most of them with the storm. If you could describe the scent of Water 7, it was no longer with good food and trash, but just life. Lots of moving people and new things.

He would look forward to being out to sea for an extended period of time.

Luffy was bright red all day the next day, seeing Zoro bringing back certain supplies to the hotel room that he hid under the blankets. Nami teased Luffy about it. "Somebody doing something new tonight?" she taunted when Zoro came back shopping with a bag that had a big red X on it.

"Yup. You're all expected to leave soon. Go do something else," he said blunty, making Nami's face bright red. "Did you not expect an answer?"

"Ah, nevermind. We'll look through the ship catalogue tomorrow morning, yeah?" She and the others left in a hurry, Sanji scowling the whole time. They let the two teen have time to themselves, which they both enjoyed for a very special and successful first time.

-x-

The next morning Zoro kept grabbing Luffy's butt around the hotel room that they shared with bunk beds. "Stop grabbing his ass!" Sanji snapped at the breakfast table. Zoro asked if there was a problem. "It's gross!"

"So, it would be fine for me to grab Nami's or Robin's ass?"

"Of course not!"

"But it would be okay for you to, right?"

"Well…"

"You're only grossed out cause it's two dudes," Zoro accused. Nami interrupted. She said it would be polite to everybody if he and Luffy kept the more explicit parts of their relationship to be private. "Then we need a bigger ship."

Robin giggled, and Chopper was flustered. "So, what are we gonna do about a ship? Buy a used one? The money Franky took really is long gone," Sanji said. Luffy and Nami drooped. "We should leave once the log pose sets in case the marines decide to come after us. They've strangely left the place alone for a while. Considering how many people of Water 7 invaded."

Luffy pouted, "Well, I wanted to have Franky as our shipwright, but I don't want to ask outright. I mean, he beat up Usopp and everything. I don't know. But we do need a ship soon. And we have to have it built, and all. We do have enough for a nice ship with 100 million. We should get a new catalogue."

Robin pointed out that the island is more focused on rebuilding itself than a new ship. "They may put us on hold. We should ask about that first. See how long we'll be stuck here for. And we'll have to furnish it. The furniture from the Merry was ruined."

"Mmmmm, don't say that! I don't want to have to stretch the money after losing two thirds of it," Nami whined. "Ahhh, we should have taken that whole golden bell." Chopper said the Shandorians deserved that bell!

Robin pat his head. "I don't think she meant it," she said sweetly. "We just wish we had gotten more money. Though even if we had 500 million berries in three cases, still, two thirds would have been stolen. So, what you might mean is you hoped our money wasn't stolen."

"Shishishi, Robin's smart," Luffy said brightly before stuffing another pancake in his mouth. The room was quiet a bit before Luffy was asked about Usopp. "I don't know. It might just come down to a vote between all of us." Sanji and Zoro were silent. Robin also didn't say anything, not having been there for any of it.

Nami wondered how she'd vote when the front door was knocked and then busted open, successfully taking them off a sore topic. "Yow! You all being super?!" Franky shouted. "Meh, not all of you are here, but guys! I've got something to tell you, listen!" he shouted, striking multiple poses with his two square sisters, Kiwi and Mozu. They and Nami got along well after their mutual crooning over a certain adorable pirate couple.

Luffy tossed Franky a bagel, who sat on the floor and ate it wordlessly before beginning. "So, on an island with a never ending war-"

"If it's some stupid story, I won't listen," Sanji said, serving Nami more orange juice. Franky told him to shut up and listen. He did, going to pour Robin some more as well. Luffy raised his own glass and was handed the juice pitcher. Well, Sanji didn't serve the guys like the ladies unless it was something for Luffy with blood on it.

It was weird how he enjoyed but detested cooking with blood. Loved finding successful recipes, but also hating dealing with the blood and cooking with latex gloves on.

"There was a huge 'tree' that never fell. Even if people started a war with raining bullets, or if everyone died and left the island in ruins, people still went back to the tree. They used it to rebuild nations and towns. There are only a few trees like that in the world. That strongest tree's name is the treasure tree, Adam."

Luffy shared a look with Chopper in interest. "A tree?"

"Must be a really big one," Luffy stated.

Franky continued, "The wood of it turns up on the black market every now and then. I've always wanted to have them, but I couldn't because they cost nearly 200 million berries. And then appeared a group of pirates with just that much, more than that much."

"BASTARD! DON'T TELL US YOU BOUGHT THAT CRAP WITH OUR MONEY!"

"Shut up and listen!" Franky said in irritation, shoving Sanji away. "Once… I had decided to never build a ship ever again. But before I knew it, I was drawing up blueprints! Because I wanted to catch up to the person I look up to the most. My dream is to make a 'dream' ship that can cross any sea! Made of the treasure tree wood!"

Luffy's eyes were wide, and he hoped he was right about where this was going. "Now that I have the blueprints I need ready and the treasure tree wood, I'm ready to build that ship! When I finish it, will you guys sail with that ship I've built?"

"Yay! We get a ship!" Luffy cheered.

"You're giving us that ship?" Sanji asked. Zoro made a motion for some of Kokoro's just opened bottle of booze and spiked his orange juice with it, though he was wearing a satisfied smirk. Franky said that it had been their money in the first place.

"The ship that managed to go around the whole world, the 'Oro Jackson' that the Pirate King Gold Roger had was made of Adam's wood. I'll make a terrific ship!" The room was quiet before the Straw Hats to just start laughing. The hat, the dream, the mysterious condition, and now a ship.

"I swear, how are you not his son or something?" Nami asked with a snicker. Franky and the others were confused. "We'll be so happy for a ship like that. It's an inside joke," she added in an explanation. Well, he'd know soon anyways, once he joins. Then the mystery will be passed onto him. They all laughed before Luffy grew suddenly angry. Angry and cold. The change was swift, and Zoro asked what was wrong.

"Someone is here who isn't welcome," Luffy said in a surprisingly cold voice. He walked to the window and opened it wide so he wouldn't smash through the wall. He would definitely do that and then not pay for the damages. Luffy stared up at his detested grandfather. He had that awful smile on.

"Yo, Luffy. I heard about your reckless stunts, huh?" Garp asked, voice upbeat as if he thought it was some joke and something he wouldn't get yelled at.

"Ace has already scolded me. What do you want?"

"Brats, give me some time with my grandson."

"GRANDSON?!" his crew and friends shouted in shock. Garp walked in and closed the window so the other marines couldn't hear. Still wanting to hide Luffy away. Keep him from being a nuisance.

Luffy looked at them all and told them to leave. "Luffy?" Zoro asked. The others knew who he was, he was a famous marine. 'The marine hero, Garp the Fist'. AKA, the world's worst grandpa.

"Grandpa, can I go outside? It's not raining anymore."

"Grandpa! I want to train, too!"

"Ace, why doesn't grandpa like me? Is it because I drink blood?"

"Why does Ace get to be a marine but I can't leave the island?"

"It's not fair! I never want to see him again!"

"Grandpa… am I a monster? Wait!"

Luffy told his crew they could leave. They weren't comfortable with this, but Luffy said it would devolve into family issues. They nodded, and hesitantly left the room. When the room was empty, he could hear everyone listening in. Luffy and Garp stared at one another.

"What were you thinking? You're not even wearing your contacts, and everyone at Enies Lobby saw your markings!" Garp scolded. "I told you not to leave for this reason! You have a bounty, and now the marines have a special interest in you. I can't believe how foolish you've been!" Luffy glared.

"I wanted to have a life. And I know a lot more about what I am now that I ever would have trapped on some island in a bandit's hut! I'm not the only one, and I'm not a freak and I don't deserve to be hidden inside!" Garp narrowed his eyes. He was interested in what Luffy knew, since if he knew anything, he never wanted Luffy to have any clue.

"Did you not know about Roger?" Luffy demanded. "You were friends, weren't you?"

"What does Roger have to do with anything?"

"Roger was like me. He had contacts on and dyed his hair. He was never hidden away, he lived a happy life. And obviously good things came from his life. And no, it's not hereditary. Ace has nothing to do with this." Luffy didn't want to be anywhere near him. If he was going to arrest them, Luffy would fight back, he didn't care. Not about his relationship with his grandpa.

Garp seemed shocked and asked how he knew. "I went on a journey, I learned things on my way."

"Is there a cure?"

"I'M NOT SICK!" Luffy shouted back. "There's nothing wrong with me! There are a lot of people like me!"

"Then have they been hiding under a rock? Of course there's something wrong!" Luffy scowled. Garp had never wanted Luffy to exist. He just fed him with bags and bags of donated blood. He never showed any sort of care to Luffy or gave any sort of value to his existence. Luffy was always an eyesore. He had to wear sunglasses inside when he was at home. When he was young and had to live with Garp at their island for a while. Luffy remembered all of that time. Most strongly, the feeling of self hatred and denial.

His grandpa cared about him! He had to. After all, he kept Luffy alive. That had to be care. But when he found a real family in Ace and Sabo, and saw the difference between Ace and Luffy's relationships with their grandfather, he realized he was just a burden.

"You should be happy I left the island. Now you don't have to send blood bags there and I can't burden you anymore," Luffy said coldly. Garp frowned deeply at him.

"I'm not happy that you've plastered your existence all over the place." Luffy's jaw clenched. "It's dangerous for you! Are you out and attacking other people? Where are you getting the blood?" he demanded. Luffy said he had someone on the crew who donated. He wasn't a monster going around eating people. "You tore apart Rob Lucci. Wearing handcuffs. They also said you were thrown out of a sea train window for attacking government officials."

"Yes, I'm a monster, are you happy?"

"Why are you acting this defiant?"

"Because I know I should be alive! I should be able to be happy. I should be able to have friends and someone who loves me. I'm worthy to be happy just like everybody else is!"

"I never said you weren't. I never said you shouldn't be alive! Why are you insinuating I did?" Luffy thought he was stupid. He didn't even know what he did to make Luffy feel wrong? Luffy didn't want to put it all out out there. He didn't want to. He just wanted to hear about Franky's dream ship and nothing else.

"You always showed you thought I was wrong! You ignored me unless it was to keep me from seeing any other living person! I was left all alone in the house while you were away because I was too scared to have anyone see how wrong and ugly I am! I only left when Shanks saw me trying to wash the kitchen window and invited me to hang out with him. I was always treated like a burden from you. I can still remember a conversation we had word for word!

"I asked you if you thought I was ugly. You told me I just 'looked better when nobody could see me.' Ace wanted to be a pirate, but you wanted him to be a marine and tried to make him stronger. You never wanted me to be a marine, you wanted me to just disappear on Dawn Island and not bother you. Maybe find a cure for whatever the hell was wrong with me. You have been the worst grandfather I can imagine anybody having, especially an insecure little boy," Luffy said, wiping his eyes and running out of the building.

He heard his friends calling after him. He didn't listen and went to the top of the island and shot himself up onto the fountain. He looked over the island and saw where Garp's boat was docked. That weird one with the dog face. Luffy had never been invited on board. He wanted him to leave quickly.

Luffy was happy now, his life was fun and meaningful and rewarding. He didn't want Garp there fucking it up. If he hurt his crew then Luffy was going to trash his ship and leave him stranded.

He listened in and heard Garp was no longer at the hotel. He wanted Zoro and Chopper. Well, he wanted Ace, too, but he wasn't there. Luffy went back through Water 7 and back to the hotel, and was embarrassed since everyone had heard his outburst. Garp wasn't there, and the stench of the marines were faint.

He walked in and everyone was quiet before Zoro gave him a letter. It was accompanied by a den den mushi. "What is this?"

"Garp said he knew you wouldn't want to see him any time soon, but he had some important stuff to tell you, so he'd planned on calling to explain at 7:30 tonight. He also wrote this letter." Luffy took the letter and tossed it in the trash bin. "Are you sure?"

"If he only just realized anything cause I yelled at him, it won't change anything." Sanji told him he should really read it.

"There were also two marines he brought to meet us, but it sort of turned into a mess, and he didn't want to piss you off even more," Zoro explained. "So they're coming tomorrow. Then he'll leave without seeing you again."

Luffy was humiliated. "Sorry for the outburst. It had to be really awkward, huh?"

"We all had childhood issues," Chopper said brightly. "Didn't know much about him, though. You mostly talked about Ace and Sabo and Shanks." Luffy nodded. He talked about them because those were the people he liked and felt impacted him more.

"Garp was just the bad spot."

"I'm not saying this to be patronizing, but good on you for not wearing contacts or sunglasses in public. Going out and living your life despite his attitude," Sanji said. "Parent figures are the worst sometimes. I'm not gonna talk about my own stuff, but still, I understand what you feel about being the disappointment."

Luffy hurriedly said he didn't want them to talk about their pasts if it was out of pity. "That was out of respect," Sanji said back simply. "Just know none of us think you're a monster or don't deserve happiness and respect." Luffy smiled and nodded.

They went to talk briefly about the dream ship, but not directly invite Franky yet. Though he had dinner with them, but left before Garp called. Luffy and Robin went book shopping for a while, looking for anything that might have any sort of root in supernatural or old, old history. It was fun.

"I'm sorry I went out shopping with Chopper instead of you," Robin said honestly while they carried the bookbags back. Luffy had a slushie in one hand with syrup all over his mouth and a blue tongue.

"No problem! That's all behind us," Luffy said brightly. Robin smiled, and when they got back to the hotel, Sanji was making dinner already. Zoro was napping against the wall, and they set their books down. Nami was looking through a thick book, smiling. A furniture book so they could fully furnish the ship, though Franky wasn't sharing what the ship would look like.

It was his dream ship, so he was designing it how he wanted, which they agreed on. It wasn't a free ship, but it was a wonderful offer. So he could have fun with it. Luffy had a feeling it would be a fun ship. He was so excited for it. Before they had dinner, Chopper was checking on their wounds, just to make sure they were healing. Luckily, nobody had permanent damage.

During dinner, Luffy was pleasantly quiet, just glad to listen to his friends talk with one another. They were all tense about the den den call that would happen that night. Not knowing what to expect. Luffy didn't know either. He was still embarrassed about blowing up and then running away like a little kid and not a powerful pirate captain.

He tried not to think about it and wear a cranky, sour face. He wished he liked his grandpa, but he just didn't. Too much or too little had been done to Luffy by the man. There was no fixing it by now. But Luffy was glad he didn't need to see him again. At least he understood that much.

After dinner, Luffy was in Zoro's lap on one of the bottom bunks, everyone else gathered on the surrounding beds. This was the bed he and Zoro were intimate on. It had been so special and romantic. Luffy blushed when thinking about it, but it filled his heart with warmth and a fuzzy feeling.

The den den rang, and Luffy picked it up quickly. "Luffy?"

"Yeah," Luffy replied in a clipped voice. Then he added his friends were around. Garp asked if he read the letter. "No."

"I see. Well, please read it later. Anyways, since you're getting closer to the next sea, I planned on telling you about it, preparing you," Garp said, thankfully getting to the point quickly. Everyone leaned forwards without noticing. "You mentioned Shanks. Do you know anything about him now?"

Luffy said he didn't.

"In the Grand Line, there are numerous powerful pirates, but there are four that are the most powerful ones. Shanks is one of them, along with Whitebeard." That was Ace's captain! "We call those pirates, that rule like emperors, over the latter half of the Grand Line, 'yonkos', the four emperors." Everyone was very interested. "The marines and Seven Warlords exist to counterbalance the yonkos! Should one of the three balancers be gone, their power is so influential that the world would fall into chaos!"

"I'm happy to hear Shanks is doing okay!" he said, taking off his hat and looking at it fondly.

"By the way, I heard you met your dad." Luffy was confused. He met his dad? He had a dad? "I guess he didn't introduce himself! He met you at Loguetown." Luffy looked to Zoro in confusion. They had been there together the whole time. Luffy didn't remember meeting anybody. But then he remembered.

"I smelled someone that smelled like you! I don't know anything about him, though," Luffy said.

The den den took a deep breath. "Your father's name is Monkey D. Dragon," Garp said simply. Everyone in the room was shocked, but Luffy didn't know who that was. But Dragon was a cool name. "He's the leader of the Revolutionary Army." Luffy didn't know what that was.

"Ne, who's that?" His crew were shocked at him not knowing. "Is he a big deal or something?"

"Yes! He's the most well known criminal in the world, and not a pirate!" Sanji said. Robin calmly explained he was the leader of a large force trying to take down the World Government. They were impossible to catch. He was the most wanted man alive, and caused a lot of trouble for the government.

"Since most pirates don't attack government agencies and strongholds, they stand out more as those that do. Propaganda is spread through the world, and provokes many revolutions, destroying countries. The government got angry with them, and named him the one pulling the strings. He's now said to be the 'the most wanted criminal alive', but little is known about his identity."

Garp said, "Ah, maybe I shouldn't have said anything. I'm not surprised you don't care. Well, I was planning on leaving today, but I still have two who want to meet you. I won't be capturing you on this island, since you're my grandson, and I'll tell the marines you were already gone. Feel free to stay here as long as you like! I'll be leaving tomorrow. Bye."

"Bye," Luffy said simply, and hung up. "He just doesn't want to catch me cause he feels guilty," Luffy said. He didn't know, but it sounded how things would be.

Chopper said it was a good thing. They wouldn't be arrested. Luffy agreed with that. "I wonder who wants to meet you." Luffy had no idea. He smelled a faintly recognizable scent, but didn't know who it belonged to. After dinner, they went to bed late, Luffy snuggling with Zoro on the nicely sized bed. They could spoon more comfortably than on the small couch.

In the morning, Garp didn't come over, but a guy with pink hair and a guy with long blonde hair attacked Zoro and Luffy, who beat them easily. Luffy smelled the pink one was recognizable. They were wearing marine outfits, so it was easy to know they were those Garp brought but Luffy derailed the plan.

They both smelled like the bad grandfather after all. "Who're you?"

"Wow, you really are strong after all! I give up. Luffy-san, Zoro-san! Long time no see! Do you know who I am?" the pink haired one asked. The blonde with weird glasses on was let up by Zoro, who took the swords from the guy's necks and sheathed them. Luffy had no idea who that guy was.

Luffy smelled. "Coby?!"

"You remembered me!"

"Yeah, you smell the same! But you look totally different! What happened to you?!" Luffy asked. Coby blushed awkwardly. He just said a lot changed. He was more confident now. "Yeah, I can tell! Hey, who's that guy, though?"

Zoro was smiling at seeing Coby again, too, even though he didn't spend a lot of time with him. The blonde said he was Helmeppo. Luffy and Zoro cocked their heads, having no clue who he was. Luffy didn't recognize his smell or appearance at all. "The marine kid? I sentenced Zoro to death!" Still, neither had a clue. "I was the kid that rode on his father's coat tails."

"Oh," they said, and walked away with Coby. Helmeppo was upset. Did he think they wanted to be friends with him? Coby looked at Luffy closely, now, and the captain realized why. He explained he wore colored contacts when he was with Coby, but had lost them along the way.

"Oh, I see. Did you get a tattoo?"

"Actually, we found this weird rock at Sky Island, and it stabbed me and left some mark." Coby was shocked. "It didn't hurt too bad, though."

"Wow! You've had some adventure!"

"Hey, hey, so you know Alvida? She came after me, and lost all the weight! She followed me to Loguetown and said she liked me." Coby looked mortified. "But I told her I was already taken and she got upset. Shishishi!" The pink haired teen's demeanor collapsed immediately.

He said, "I see. A new crew member?" His face was red, and Zoro frowned slightly. Luffy nodded and took Zoro's hand. "Ah, I see. Well, you guys did click immediately." The captain nodded cluelessly. He said it had been a fun journey, and they went through so many adventures together. Coby looked more and more uncomfortable, so he released Zoro's hand.

Zoro asked how he'd come to the Grand Line so soon. "Garp-san took me in. I'm a marine officer now, and when I heard Garp-san was coming to see you, I just had to come! I didn't expect what happened yesterday, though." The oldest teen gave him a warning look when Luffy's face went blank and disinterested. "I didn't mean to be nosy, but we just had a plan! We were going to attack you and Garp-san would see-"

"Let's talk about something else. I don't want to talk about him," Luffy said, uncharacteristically interrupting somebody like that.

Coby smiled and moved on quickly, much to Luffy's gratitude. Zoro went back to the hotel to let Luffy catch up with Coby. He gave Luffy a quick peck on the cheek for some reason, making Luffy giggle. Coby and Luffy went to a secluded area and sat on a pile of rubble that was a building destroyed by the aqua laguna.

The younger was fascinated with Luffy's trip through the Grand Line. But Luffy was surprised to hear Coby never crossed Reverse Mountain. He missed an amazing experience! Though it was scary, so he would have cried if he did it. "I'm not the same as I was, though!"

Luffy beamed, and said he could tell. "So how did you get to the Grand Line ?"

"Marine warships can cross through the Calm Belt."

"What?! How! When we got there it was a nightmare, there were sea kings everywhere!" Apparently marine warships had seastone bottoms that kept the sea kings away. They gave off the same energy as the sea, so the sea kings didn't notice them. "Heh, sea kings are stupid, huh?"

"The technology is just too advanced for sea kings to know! The man behind it all is Dr. Vegapunk, the military scientist. He's brilliant! Truly, he's amazing! Hey, do you know the devil fruit that you ate?"

"Yeah, the gum gum fruit."

"Vegapunk knows so much about devil fruits! Recent studies have shown so much progress in figuring out what they are and how they exist." Luffy was amazed. He wanted to know. "Even I don't know, but the higher ups know and are buzzing with it! There are some amazing people out there, truly!

"I thought the sea I was living in was so small in this big world. If you hadn't jumped out of that barrel on that day… I'd still be a slave cabin boy on Alvida's ship, sucking up to her. But I was saved!"

Luffy laughed, and said, "Haha, you were stuck there. It was so funny how you got stuck there! Shishishi!" Coby looked awkward but both laughed. Soon, though, Coby said he should leave. They were enemies now, after all. "In jobs only!" The other laughed and admitted that was true.

Then Coby's face lit up. "Luffy-san, do you know what the latter half of the Grand Line is called?"

"Grand Line Part Two?" Zoro snorted, as they were back at the hotel to say goodbye.

Coby said, "No, the second part that goes beyond the Red Line is called the New World!" Luffy thought it sounded awesome. Was it very different from the first half? What was it like there? But he didn't want any spoilers, and didn't ask. Coby briefly told him that it was where those starting the next generation gathered. "Whoever conquers that sea will become the Pirate King!"

"Neehee, so me, then?" Luffy asked confidently, arms crossed. Coby beamed, but then looked awkward.

"L-Luffy-san, let's meet over there some day! And I'll capture you then! Next time we meet, I'll be much, much stronger. One day, I'll become a m...marine admiral!" he said, voice wavering and unconfident. Then he got embarrassed and took it all back. Definitely not the confidence Luffy had in becoming the next Pirate King. And not just because of his similarities to Roger. He would become the Pirate King on his own, only encouraged by the similarities.

There would be no cheat sheet on becoming the Pirate King. "Coby!" Luffy interrupted his rambling. "You wanna fight me, right? Then you gotta be as strong as them!"

"B-but a marine admiral?" Coby asked, sounding hesitant and voice showing disbelief that anyone would believe in his dream. Luffy simply said the next time they'd meet, both would be stronger.

"The Straw Hats will be much stronger!" Tears started to drip from Coby's eyes. Zoro grinned and asked if he was still a crybaby. Coby wiped his eyes and smiled. He was so glad to see them again that day. "Me too! Do your best, Coby!"

"You're right, we'll definitely be much stronger when we meet again! So let's meet in the New World!" Coby declared more confidence in his voice this time. The two young marines left, and Zoro was grinning. Did Luffy just make another great enemy?

"Coby will keep his word, I know it! Shishishi!" Luffy said happily.

Later that night, Water 7 had a huge party, including everyone who accompanied the Straw Hats to Enies Lobby, even the giants. They all ate the water water meat of the city, which was absolutely delicious. Even Usopp as Sogeking was there. Luffy didn't feel so angry at him anymore, but was still hesitant about what to do next.

Luffy really wasn't sure, but he pushed the thoughts away for now. He wanted to enjoy the party, and he did. The music, food, fun and games. The joking and happiness. Everyone was happy, the adventure and ordeal over and done with. Luffy stopped in the middle of eating a full leg of water water meat, and jerked around only to see Robin come over.

"It's all good," she said with a smile. Aokiji had been there just now! Luffy trusted Robin's smile, and nodded, returning to the feast and fun. He convinced Robin to do the chopstick nose, which was an amazing feat despised by Sanji. Everything really was fine, wasn't it? For now.

Heh, the New World? What kind of place was that?

Poor Luffy and dumb Garp.