It was still cold, but the snow was gone for the year.
Luffy raised his arms over his head, stretching; his body felt so light without Ace hooked onto him.
Dropping his arms he glances towards the forest, the new green leafs were growing nicely, making the five year old smile.
"Hunt!" Luffy cheers to himself, he had already gotten his hunting gear ready and was ready to leave.
"Lulu!" A small voice calls making him turn round, he watches Ace crawling to him. Reaching him the baby grabs his shorts and tugs until he stood on his own two feet.
"Little Ace is fact learner." Luffy told the boy as he grins, the one year old baby boy shows his a toothless grin in return.
Luffy spins on his heels and heads for the trees, he was going to catch a wolf today, they had come to fear him ever since the winter.
During the snowiest storm, he had been out hunting, only for game. When the wolves came for him, with Ace still on at the time, he fought long and hard.
The wolves had endless strength and in a large group, could take turns to him on.
At the end of it Luffy was breathing hard and bloody, Ace had gotten a cut on his leg by a claw.
Enraged Luffy battled harder and ending knocking one down, killing it. The wolves continued on at him. Three days and two night he fought and in the end they left.
Luffy was told not to eat anything had was not drained of blood right away, so left the body of the wolf he killed to other animals of the forest.
After he recovered, Luffy made it his main goal to fight the wolves. Battling wolves on a daily basic caused Luffy to be become stronger faster, not only for his own life's sake but Ace's life as well.
Luffy stops he hiking to glance behind, he sees Ace walking very slowly.
"It would be faster if Little Ace crawls." Luffy told the baby, who did not understand. Ace had a scold on his brow, so focused on putting one foot in front of the other.
Luffy waits wordless until the younger was standing behind him, staring up at him with a smile.
"Hold Luffy's hand." Luffy says gently, holding out his hand for the little one to take.
Ace took the outstretched and giggles in delight. Grinning also Luffy starts walking again, this time much slower with Ace's pace.
"Lulu!" Ace laughs out as he walks with more balance now that he was holding onto the older's hand.
"Mmm, Luffy wonders when Little Ace can start eating meat?" Luffy questions, he had been following the picture book his grandfather had left still, he was use the old man had mentioned about eating solid food, "Maybe Luffy visits Dadan? ..."
Luffy stares through the newly grown foliage, he changes direction, heading towards the mountain bandits.