"You idiot!" Ace hit Luffy over the head, causing him to let go of Sabo and yelp in pain. "You're not supposed to show your Devil Fruit!"

Luffy's eyes went wide and he gasped. "Oh no! I forgot!"

The two brunets continued to yell at each other and Sabo shook his head and sighed.

I knew about Luffy's fruit already, and I knew about Devil Fruits in general. Definitely more than these three... though, seeing the rubber fruit was certainly the sight to see. However, I was more awed than shocked

"Devil Fruit huh, I'm surprised to see a user in the East Blue. I usually only see that on the Grand Line "

Everyone turned to me in shock. "You sailed on the Grand Line?!" Sabo shouted.

I nodded slowly, regretting my choice of words. "Yes, I did. I've seen plenty of Devil Fruit users, its stupid not to have at least one per crew. You'd never survive."

Ace folded his arms. "Luffy's power is useless."

"Hey, it is not!" said person retorted.

"Luffy's right," I interjected, catching everyone's attention. Sabo looked interested, Ace glared, and Luffy was clearly caught off guard by my statement.

I continued. "It may seem useless, but his fruit–"I gestured to Luffy–"The rubber fruit, is actually a great fruit. Sure it's not the strongest, but almost every fruit has its personal strengths. It takes years of training to be able to unlock a Devil Fruit's full potential."

My words seemed to confuse Luffy and even Ace. Although Sabo, unsurprisingly, seemed to catch on.

"So you're saying that Luffy's fruit is more than meets the eye?" I nodded, smiling.

"Yes, I'm sure as Luffy trains more and more he can fully use his powers. Though a fruit is very hard to control, so it'll likely take time," I turned towards Luffy. "Say... when did you eat that fruit?"

Luffy tilted his head in thought. "Uh, about a year ago? Shanks had it!"

"So not very long. I doubt you can even throw a proper punch with your power," I remarked offhandedly.

"Can too!" "Sounds about right." the three boys spoke at the same time

I chuckled again, shaking my head. "If Luffy wants to become stronger he should definitely learn to use his fruit and it's abilities. It takes creativity and imagination too, otherwise, you'll never get anywhere. You need technique."

Luffy paused, walked over to me much to the confusion of his brothers. He pointed at my face. "You!" I tilted my head in question. "Teach me how to control my Fruit!"

His brothers gaped at him in surprise. I blinked several times before chuckling quietly. "Give me a reason."

"I need to become stronger, and stronger, and stronger, and stronger to become Pirate King!" I stared into Luffy's determined Onyx eyes and knew that even if I refused he wouldn't give up. In the end, he would have his way.

Smiling I answered softly. "You won't take no for an answer will you," Luffy said nothing "Yeah I'll teach you."

The two older boys finally snapped out of their stupor, and Ace looked angry. He stepped between Luffy and me, glowering. "No way in hell!"

Luffy pouted. "Why not?"

"Because we hardly know him, idiot!"

Sabo seemed to be thinking. "It should be alright, as long as we are there." he reasoned.

He received a look of betrayal from Ace and a cheer from Luffy.

I smiled, clapping my hands together. "Great! When shall we start Luffy?"

Before Luffy could answer, Sabo interjected. "Tomorrow, same place, and in the afternoon. It's getting late, so we are going to head home."

I nodded, glancing towards the darkening sky. "I'll be there." And I turned around, heading back to where I came from. I'd have to stay at Dadan's tonight, as I didn't have any other shelter.

"Bye Luca!"

I smiled at Luffy's fading voice. It seemed things were going well, far more than I could have expected.

Dadan wasn't very happy with my arrival and tried to pull the "We are bandits" talk. I ignored them and joined them for dinner, it was hectic, but nothing I wasn't used to. Pirates could be just as bad.

I bathed before going to sleep and imagined how hard it was going to be in gaining the brothers' trust.

But there was nothing I could do right now, besides sleep and be ready tomorrow.

I left the early morning after stealing food from the bandits, it was probably around 7:00 am so I still had several hours till I had to meet the brothers. So I decided to get familiar with my surroundings. I also knew the place was dangerous, so I would need some way to defend myself from the animals. Garp had taken my weapons away and didn't give them back, so I would need to get new ones.

And what better place to get them then in town?

Finding the Grey Terminal wasn't very hard, though I was careful not to run into any suspicious people. I knew I would have to have some reason to go into town, so it was lucky that I still had my noble crest. I just hope no one recognized it as my family.

Getting in was easy, and no questions were asked. Though it was apparent I would have to put more Noble attire on before anyone did ask.

I easily obtained a cloak, it was forest green and matched my eyes. It certainly made me look more like a noble's son, so I knew I wouldn't attract much suspicion. It was time to go get some coin.

I pickpocketed the Noble's easily, and no one even noticed. I would be needing their money more than them after all. After I got a reasonable amount I headed out in the search of a weapons store.

I stayed in middle town, looking for a place that I could go with little questions and not attract much attention. I soon found and entered a blacksmiths shop and was greeted by several weapons on display. They seemed to be made well and with care, so I knew that whatever I got would be a wonderful new weapon.

A woman appeared through a door in the back, her red hair was tied back in a messy braid and emerald green eyes landing on me. "What are you doing here kid? This place is the real deal, not some playground."

Her words surprised me. No one talked to Noble's like that, not unless they wanted to get in trouble.

I smiled politely, I liked this woman already. "I'm Lucas ma'am and Id like a sword. The real deal please."

Suprised eyes met mine but I remained smiling. I knew she was surprised at my polite response, but that didn't bother me, I was getting my sword.

"And why do you want a sword?" She inquired, her eyebrow raised.

I grinned. "Because I love sword fighting, and it's my dream to become a pirate."

She blinked several times. "What?"

"I wanna become a pirate," I repeated.

"But you're a Noble."

"So?"

She burst out laughing, clutching her stomach as she tried to muffle her laughs with her fist. I waited patiently, keeping a grin on my face.

When she calmed down she stared straight into my eyes with her own. "You've got spunk kid. Tell you what, I'll make you a sword of your choosing, custom made."

I blinked in surprise. "Wait, really?" she nodded. "Wow, thank you miss."

She waved me towards the room she came from and I followed. "My name is Lily," she walked towards the smither. "Why do you want to be a pirate, Lucas?"

"To be free." It was true. I had escaped noble life to be free, and the only good option was to be a pirate. It truly seemed that privateering was the only way for me to be free in this world.

"Free, eh," she smiled as she worked, though I had zero clues of what she was doing. "That's a fine reason."

"Thanks," I peered over her shoulder. "What are doing?"

"Heating up the metal. How about you have a look at the swords and see what you want." she gestured to the back wall, where several swords were placed.

I examined them carefully, admiring the craftsmanship. "These are wonderful," I whispered.

"Well thank you." Lily had joined me now. "See anything you like?"

I spent the next half hour conversing with her about what I would like and what she could do.

"Well, It should be done by tomorrow afternoon."

"Okay, then I'll be back sometime late afternoon. Is that okay?"

"Yeah, that's perfectly fine."

I reached for my pocket. "So how much will it be?" I was slightly nervous about the cost, I didn't know if I would have enough for such a fine sword.

Lily paused. "I would normally charge you for it, but I have a feeling if your parents found out they wouldn't be too happy about it. So its free of charge."

I blinked. "I- thank you, Lily... I'll try to make it up to you somehow."

She smiled wistfully. "Its no problem kid, though, its probably because you remind me of my brother..." she trailed off with a faraway gaze.

"Your brother?" I wondered if I should be asking this.

"Yeah, he passed away a couple years ago."

Nope, definitely shouldn't be asking. "Oh... I'm sorry for your loss. I didn't mean to bring back painful memories."

She shook her head. "No, I was the one to bring it up. I just wish he couldn't grow up, and accomplish his dream," She smiled at me. "Besides, its kind of refreshing. I bet you two would have been great friends."

I decided not to ask anymore and instead mirrored her smile. "Thanks again, Lily... I should get going now."

"I'll see you later kid."

I ran through the streets, the Grey Terminal, and into the woods. It was roughly around 11:00 or so. But I wanted to be early, in case I got lost or something. I first decided to hide my cloak at Dadan's and quickly headed to the meeting spot.

No one was there yet, thankfully. So I sat down on a rock and waited. And while part of me was scared they wouldn't show, I knew Luffy wasn't going to miss this. Once he set his sights on things, you couldn't change his mind.

"Luca!" I startled and nearly fell from where I was sitting. I turned to see Luffy running towards me with a big grin on his face, with his two brothers tagging behind. Ace was glaring at me, of course, and Sabo was watching me with an unreadable expression.

"Hello, Luffy." I smiled at the straw-hatted boy. "Are you ready?"

"Yep!" he replied, popping the 'p'.

"Great, let's get started," I bent down and picked up a rock about the size of my palm. Behind Luffy, I could see Sabo sit down and Ace lean against a tree, the two observing us.

"First, we are going to work on coordination and aim," I instructed.

Luffy frowned. "Huh, why?"

"Becuase you have to be able to aim before we can work on power and technique. It doesn't matter how strong you are if you cant hot your enemy."

Onyx eyes lit up. "Oh, okay! Let's start!" He wound up his arm and shot at me. I panicked slightly but didn't move because I knew he wouldn't hit me. His arm snapped back and hit himself in the face, making him stumble.

"Idiot! I haven't explained anything yet!" I yelled and held up the rock I picked up. "You see this? I want you to try and grab this from my palm, okay?"

Luffy stared at the rock before exclaiming. "Okay!"

Again, he wound his arm and aimed for me. Missing me, and the stone, by several feet.

"Again! We won't stop until you grab the stone."

Luffy obeyed but he never got the rock, much time passed and he started to complain.

"I can't get it!" He cried out in frustration, clutching onto his straw hat.

I stared at him sternly. "If you say you can't do it, then you won't. So don't ever say you can't. You can," I smiled and walked over to him. "Don't wind up so much, and adjust your stance. Like this."

I demonstrated for him and he copied me, and it looked so much better. He didn't hit himself in the face either.

"Great, now try grabbing the rock." I went back to my spot and held out the stone.

Following my instructions, he adjusted his stance and shot at me. I had to move slightly as he nearly hit me in the face, but he was so much closer to the stone.

"That's great Luffy, you were really close. Now aim little lower and to the right."

Luffy nodded and adjusted his aim, and shot for the rock. For a second, I thought he would miss, but he somehow adjusted his aim and grabbed the stone.

Luffy cheered and I blinked in surprise. Luffy had used his body, mid-grab, to adjust his aim.

Ace muttered, "He finally got it." which started a bit of a fight between the brunets. Sabo shook his head at their antics.

I interjected. "Luffy, that was amazing!" All brothers turned their heads to me. "You changed your aim mid-grab! That is a very hard thing to do. Well done."

Luffy grinned, but it fell into a frown when his stomach growled.

"Meat!"

Sabo sighed. "Yes, yes, we will go get food now," he looked over to me. "Would you like to come with?"

Ace glared at Sabo and then to me but I ignored it. "Yes, of course."

My presence was soon forgotten as we hunted, I mostly kept an eye on Luffy as he was prone to getting into trouble. Though the two older boys mostly ignored me, despite sending glances towards me every so often.

We ended with little incident, besides Luffy falling into the river and having to fish him out.

We found a place to set up camp and Sabo started a fire to start cooking the meat.

"Meat! Meat! Meat! Meat!" Luffy chanted and Ace groaned.

"It has to finish cooking, you cant eat raw meat!"

Sabo ignored the two in favor of watching the meat in case Luffy tried to take any.

I cautiously approached him, his eyes followed my movements. My chin pointed to the log beside him, and he only nodded. I sat down beside him, also watching the meat.

"Thank you," I whisper just loud enough for Sabo to hear, despite the yelling behind us.

He glances towards me. "For what?"

"Giving me a chance."

Suprise flickered over his face before he frowned and turned away. "Don't read to much into it."

I smiled slightly. "I won't hurt anyone here, and I'm glad that I can help Luffy with his fruit. It will surely help when he leaves to become a pirate."

Sabo turned back to face me. "You seem to know a lot about the Grand Line." He observed.

I chuckled. "I was born on the Grand Line after all." His eyes went wide at the new information.

"Woah, really?"

"Yeah, plenty of people live on the Grand Line. As long as you have the right equipment and navigations everything's fine," I paused. "The weather is really unpredictable, so you need a good navigator."

Sabo seemed to be soaking up the information, and time passed as we talked. Luffy had joined in asking questions about my adventures, however, Ace refused to join in but seemed engaged despite trying not to look at it.

For whatever reason, it was decided that we would camp out here. I supposed they didn't want me to see where they lived, so I didn't ask. Ace was on watch first, and the two other brothers fell asleep long before me.

I stared at the night sky, despite so many trees I could see so many stars.

"Why are you still awake?" Ace asked, or rather growled at me. I glanced towards him but the lack of light hid his face.

"Insomnia." I wasn't lying, I truly had insomnia it used to be worse though. I was sure that I would fall asleep in due time.

I could feel him glaring at me. "Then why didn't you volunteer for a watch?"

"Because you don't trust me."

Silence.

"What would you say if you met the son of the Pirate King?"

I blinked, surprised that he would ask me this.

"Say hello I guess."

There was silence again.

"But why?" His voice was only above a whisper but I could feel the anger and surprise behind it. "He's the son of the Pirate King! Why would you just say 'hello' to a son of a devil!"

I answered carefully. "Someone evil can have a child that is pure, and someone pure can have a child that is evil," I took a deep breath in. "What would you say?"

Without missing a beat he answered. "That he's the son of a devil and shouldn't be allowed to live."

Anger boiled inside me at his words. "What right would you say that? Choices are what defines a person, not someone's parentage!"

I could feel Ace's surprise but he didn't get to say anything else.

"What are you two yelling about?" Sabo's asked between a yawn.

"Nothing!" Ace shouted. No wonder Sabo had woken up, we weren't exactly quiet. It was a miracle that Luffy hadn't woken up.

I sighed, trying my best to get comfortable again. Though, it seemed Sabo wasn't going to let up. I had a feeling that he heard parts of our conversation, if not all of it.

"Ace," Sabo paused, and no one spoke for a moment. "We will talk about this in the morning," he stated.

I ignored their exchange and tried to fall asleep. The two quieted down, and I pretended to be asleep. I didn't want to talk to Ace again after that, not tonight at least.

I'd deal with all that in the morning.

Thank you for reading! Please leave reviews, since this is my first fanfiction I really welcome constructive criticism and what you say! I'll answer reviews at the end of each chapter. This chapter felt a bit fast paced, but I really wanted things to get going. Also, Lucas is from our world. He has seen One Piece (the anime) so he remembers some things and he's gonna know things that others don't. Though its been years since he watched it (at least 9) so he's not gonna remember everything.

I have some questions.

Should Sabo have conquerors haki?

Should Lucas teach Luffy observation haki?

Reviews:

An Bouwer- I'm so glad you enjoyed it! I like the idea of Ace x Sabo x OC so I might do it. Though I won't have any pairings until later in the story. I'll try to keep a steady update schedule.