Author's Note"

Hey all of you who got to this chapter without completely abandoning this story. As you can see from the name of this chapter, I am not the most enthusiastic about naming things. This chapter will reveal what changed Devil Fruit Luffy will have, as well as have elements from the original story as well. Sorry about how slowly it's moving along, but that's just how beginnings are. Yeah, that's about all I have to say about it.

As for updating the story, I try to write as much as I can, since I spend most of my time these days waiting and basically doing nothing, but there is a slight problem. My writing process starts with physically writing down a chapter, then typing it onto the computer. Unfortunately, I always grip my pencil too hardd and it ends up causing me pain. So, depending on how inspired I am, I might update more than once a day.

In addition, I would really like some feedback from those of you who like this story. Tell me what you like, what you don't, and what you think I could improve on. I already have most of the story line planned out (That's a lie, I'm basically making this up as I go along) so tell me anything you want. I thrive on criticism of all kinds, guys. That's not an exaggeration. I'm really lazy and seeing reviews helps me motivate myself to write more of this. Go full ham!

OBLIGATORY DISCLAIMER: People be asking me if I own this shit, and I be like "Hell nah!" I only own the idea and the words I am writing. The characters and original One Piece story belong to Oda, ya fucking dingus. I wish I owned One Piece.

ON WITH THE STORY!

CHAPTER 2: SOMETHING SOMETHING DEVIL FRUITS

10 years ago

BANG! BAM! THUD! "Owwww..."

These were the sounds that filled Party's Bar on an early Monday morning. Many of the bar's patrons watched the scene before them with barely-hidden amusement. One man even fell backward out of his chair after laughing so hard. After all, it wasn't a sight they were treated to every day.

Lying on the ground, next to the bar stool he'd just been sitting on, was Luffy. Two large lumps sprouted from the top of his head as he whined in pain. His face was flat against the wooden floor, arms and legs sprawled out to the sides. He remained still, save for the steady flow of groans that escaped his mouth.

The reason for the boy's current state was standing over him, a steaming fist held out where his head used to be. It was a small girl with flowing pink hair, a green fleece hat, violet eyes, and a furious expression that only a woman could make. She glared down at her immobile friend, as if daring him to get back up.

"Bonneyyyyyyyy," Luffy sobbed pathetically. "What was that for?"

Bonney kicked him in the ribs, just hard enough to roll him over. "I did it because you're a complete idiot!"

"I think you're gonna need to be more specific," a voice said from behind her.

The man in question was Shanks. He was an average looking fellow, aside from his bright red hair and the three scars over his left eye. He wore a white, button up long sleeved shirt, brown trousers, a red sash around his waist, and a straw hat with a red ribbon around it. The sly smile on his face said he knew why Bonney had beaten down the poor boy, but he remained silent on the matter as he leaned back and drank his sake.

Bonney turned to glare at him. "Like you don't know," she growled. "I blame you more than him!"

Shanks sputtered in surprise. "What? How is it my fault?"

The pink haired girl stomped up to him and, despite their obvious differences in size and strength, grabbed him by the collar of his shirt and pulled him close to her. "Because he did it to try and impress you!"

"How was I supposed to know the anchor would stab himself with a knife?" the man tried defending himself.

"It's Luffy! How can you not expect him to do something stupid?!"

As the two argued back and forth, much to the entertainment of Shanks' crew, the subject of their conversation was just getting to his feet. The bumps on his head were gone, but there was an obvious cut under his left eye that wouldn't disappear so easily. Any doctor could tell that it would eave a scar. He was just lucky he hadn't stabbed himself in the eyeball.

"She's got you there, Shanks," Yassop, the sniper of the Red Hair Pirates, called from another table, which was followed by a chorus of laughter.

Hanging his head in defeat, Shanks raised his hands in surrender. "Fine, fine. He hurt himself on my watch, so I take full responsibility.

"Does that mean I can join your pirate crew?" Luffy cut in, eyes shining like stars.

BAM! Once again, Luffy hit the floor, his best friend's clenched fist steaming. "Stop asking that, you moron!"

Shanks chuckled. "Don't sweat it, Bonney. No matter how many times he begs me, the answer will always be no."

"Give me one good reason I can't join!" Luffy shouted, already standing again.

"Reason number one," the man began, holding up a finger. "You can't swim. In fact, you sink like a rock, which is why we call you an anchor. Swimming is vital for any kind of sailor."

Luffy faltered for a second, before regaining his vigor. "So what if I can't swim? I'm an amazing fighter! My punches are like pistols!" He punched the air for effect.

Bonney sighed, climbing up one of the bar stools to sit on it. "There he goes again. Why can't I have a normal friend who doesn't try to get himself killed every five minutes?" she thought out loud.

From behind the counter, Makino giggled at her exasperation as she set of piece of pizza in front of the girl. "Well, you gotta admit, things are certainly more interesting with Luffy around."

A small smile graced the child's features. Yeah, she thought.

Over the past year, Bonney had really come out of her shell. Only someone like Luffy could turn that cautious, timid girl into the brash tomboy she was now. His overwhelming happiness and inability to give on her had a serious impact, and by now the two were practically inseparable. It was only right that she look after the idiot she called her best friend.

Speaking of the devil, Luffy took a seat next to her and pouted. "Stupid tomato head," he grumbled, reaching for a piece of meat on the plate in front of him. "Who cares if I'm only seven? I'm old enough to sail. *chomp*"

Bonney reached over to flick the boy in the ear. "Stop whining, moron. No matter what you do, you're not gonna get him to say yes, so just give up already.

"Why would you say something so mean? It's my dream to become a pirate!"

"Well, dream or not, you're not going with them any time soon," she replied before digging into her pizza.

If one thing could be said about the duo, it would be that they sure could eat. Not a single person in Foosha Village understood how two small children could pack in so much food in a single sitting, yet not show any adverse side effects. Any other children would be obese after one day's worth of the food just one of them consumed. It was fortunate that Makino was more than happy to sate their ravenous hunger, and Shanks was kind enough to pay the tab.

After plowing through about five meals worth of meat and pizza, they paused to look around the bar. Shanks was drinking like there was no tomorrow, Yassop entertained villagers with tales of their travels, Benn Beckman cleaned his rifle off to the side, and Lucky Roo seemed to have passed out.

"Hey, Bonney," Luffy whispered, drawing her attention.

"Yeah?"

"Ready for dessert?" he asked mischievously, reaching into his pockets, which were both bulging comically. From them, he retrieved two odd looking fruits. The first resembled an apple, only it was blue and had strange swirling lines all over. The other had a similar pattern, only it was grey and had more of a pear-like shape. He offered her the grey one with a grin.

"Uh, Luffy," she wavered as she took the fruit. "These look really weird. Where did you get them?"

He shrugged. "They were in that unlocked chest on the floor," he stated, jerking his thumb in its direction. "I was just thinking: if Shanks won't take me seriously, he doesn't need his dessert!"

"I don't know," Bonney mumbled, looking all over the pear. "I've got a bad feeling about this."

Luffy grinned evilly at her. "Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't know you were a chicken! Feel free to give it back."

The accusation brought a red tint to her cheeks. "I'm not a chicken! I'll eat the stupid thing!" If there was one thing she hated, it was being called a coward.

"Okay. On the count of there," he started, prompting both of them to raise their respective fruits to their mouths. "One...two...three!"

CHOMP!

Both of their faces scrunched up at the indescribably horrible flavor of the fruits. Bonney's tasted like ashes and old dirty socks, while Luffy's tasted like raw fish and was extremely watery. However, neither kid wanted to show weakness, so they both chewed, swallowed, and took more bites of the rotten food. It took every ounce of willpower Luffy had not to throw up, and Bonney's eyes were visibly watering. By the time they were done, both of their heads came down on the counter, their tongues hanging out.

"Worst...desert...ever," they said in unison, neither having the strength to look up.

Just as they were recovering, the front doors of the bar slammed open, silencing everyone. Through them stepped a tall man with black hair and an X shaped scar on his forehead. His hand rested on the hilt of the sword strapped to his waist as he strolled into the building, followed by a group of similarly dressed me.

He approached Makino, a smug look on his face. "My name is Higuma, and we're mountain bandits. We're not here for trouble, we just want ten barrels of sake. Make it snappy, wench."

The woman smiled apologetically. "Sorry, but we're all out of sake."

"What are they drinking? Water?" Higuma demanded, gesturing to the pirates.

"No, it's sake, but that's the last of it."

"Hey," Shanks called out, catching the bandit's attention as he held out a bottle. "Sorry we drank all the rest, but you can have this one. We haven't touched it yet."

Higuma walked over to the smiling pirate. With a scowl, he grabbed the bottle and smashed it over the man's head. Glass and alcohol fell to the floor. The temperature of the room seemed to drop as Makino looked on with horror.

"Just who do you think I am?" Higuma growled. "Don't take me so lightly. One bottle isn't enough. See this?" He held up a wanted poster with his face. "My head is worth eight million bellies. I'm one of the prime fugitives here and I've killed fifty-six people, you cocky bastard. Now that you know who I am, don't mess with me again."

There was a moment of pause as Shanks looked back at him, but it passed when Shanks leaned over to pick up the shattered glass. "Sorry about that, Makino. Do you have a mop?"

"Nonono, it's alright," she stuttered. "I'll clean it up."

Becoming even more pissed off, Higuma drew his sword and slashed at Shanks, barely missing and catching the plate and cup on his table, and leaving a gash in the wood. "Well, it seems you really enjoy cleaning. Now you can enjoy it more!" He declared as he turned to leave. "Later, you bunch of losers."

The bar was quiet once again as Makino rushed around the counter to help shanks up. "Are you alright, captain? Did you get hurt?" she questioned frantically.

"No, I'm fine," the straw hatted man replied before cracking a smile. "Phew!"

In an instant, the room was filled with laughter, the captain's included. The pirates howled about how the bandits really humiliated him, but no a single one seemed upset. Neither Luffy nor Bonney could understand it.

"Why are you laughing?" Luffy yelled at Shanks, jumping down from his stool. "That was disgraceful! Why didn't you fight him? So what if they have more people? Who laughs after getting hurt? You're not a man, and not a pirate either!"

Shanks gave him a thoughtful smile. "Look, Luffy. I know how you feel, but it's just a bottle of sake. You shouldn't get all worked up over it."

"Just calm down," Bonney interjected, hopping down next to Luffy and grabbing his arm. "I don't really get it, but if Shanks isn't worried about it, you shouldn't be either."

"Who's side are you on?!" he asked as he jerked away from her. "If he was a man he...w-would...AAAAAAAAHHHHHH!"

What could possibly stop him in the middle of his tirade, you ask? Well, just the fact that his right arm, the one his friend was holding, had liquefied all the way up to shoulder. Said liquid was clear and splashed onto the floor, leaving the two children to scream as they stared at the undulating liquid that clung to where his shoulder once was.

"Your arm is gone!"

"I know!"

"It turned into water!"

"I know!"

"We need to get you to a doctor!"

"I kn-"

"Captain! The chest we got from the enemy ship is empty!" Lucky Roo shouted from across the room.

"What?! You mean the one with the Devil Fruits in it?!" Shanks asked, already getting an idea of where they went.

"Yeah!" Roo replied, running up to the frightened kids. "Luffy, did you eat the contents of this chest?!"

Luffy and Bonney both gulped, not even thinking about the former's missing limb anymore. "Um...I ate one and she ate the other. Weren't they dessert?"

Shanks grabbed both of them by the front of their shirts, his expression manic. "You idiots! Those were Devil Fruits! Fruits cursed by the sea devil! In exchange for the power they give, you'll never be able to swim at all! Period! We don't even know which one either of them those were!"

The true horror of the situation sinking in was enough to make Luffy drop to his knees, an expression of hopelessness on his face. Bonney wasn't fairing much better, either. She had eaten a cursed food because of Luffy, and now she was a freak! This had to be the worst day ever!

Strangely, a light seemed to turn on in Luffy's mind. He looked up hopefully at his hero. "Uh... Shanks?"

"What?"

"Does this mean I can join your crew?"

BAM!

Ten minutes Later

Shanks grumbled to himself as he walked through the forest outside of Foosha Village. His hands each gripped the collars of one of the two trouble makers, whom were being dragged behind the exasperated man. Both were conscious, and Luffy had regained his arm, but neither made a move to resist their fate.

"Luffy?"

"Yeah, Bonney?"

"I just wanted you to know before we die: this is all your fault, and I hate you."

"Yeah..."

...

"Bonney?"

"Yeah, Luffy?"

"I think I screwed up."

"What was your first clue?" she retorted sarcastically, gesturing to the man dragging them.

"Would it help to say I'm sorry?"

"'Sorry' won't help me when I'm dead, moron."

"Yeah..."

After about fifteen more minutes of silence, the trio came upon a clearing with a single stump in the middle. Dropping his passengers, shanks sat on the stump and covered his face with his hands. He remained quiet as Luffy and Bonney stood up and faced him. They were clearly nervous, so he decided to open with something safe.

"I'm not going to punish you guys, so you can calm down," he began, lowering his arms to his knees. "To be honest, this is all my fault. I should've locked that chest, knowing how Luffy would grab any food in sight, and for that, I'm sorry."

The two children sighed in relief.

Shanks frowned, reaching into his pocket and pulling a small book. "However, that isn't to say that either of you is safe. Devil Fruits are serious business, and the ones you ate are no exception. This book contains all of the known devil fruits in existence, from what they look like to the powers they give. Most Devil Fruit users know the name of the one they've eaten immediately after consuming them, but I suspect this is being delayed with you two because you're so young. I want you to look through this book and tell me when you find the fruits you ate. Understood?"

Bonney took the book as he handed it to her, quickly opening it to the first page. Knowing the gravity of her situation, she began flipping through the pages. Luffy was looking over her shoulder the whole time, entranced by the colorful rainbow of fruits that whizzed by. It was quite amusing for his simple mind.

"There!" the little girl shouted, pointing at a picture that looked exactly like the grey pear.

Shanks grabbed the book and examined the page. 'The Age-Age fruit,' he read to himself. 'A Paramecia type Devil Fruit. Documented users of this fruit have shown the ability to manipulate their body's physical age without affecting mental function. No other information is known. Well, damn. That's a dangerous weapon in the hands of a woman.' "Alright, we'll dog ear that page. Now find the other one."

Once again, the duo went about searching the many pages for a single fruit. Minutes passed without a peep, and when twenty had gone by Shanks started getting impatient. He was rewarded for his patience when Bonney closed the book and handed it back.

"Sorry, but it isn't in there," she said sadly.

"...What?"

"She said the book didn't have it," Luffy replied, wondering if Shanks had somehow gone deaf.

Time seemed to stop for the red haired man. Not only had Luffy eaten a Devil Fruit, but it was one that had never even been identified or catalogued. For all he knew, the seven-year-old could've gained god-like powers. This was really, really bad.

"Shanks!" Luffy shouted, breaking him out of his stupor.

Shaking his head, the man glanced at the small boy and smiled. 'Well, whatever fruit he has, it's not like he's going to destroy the world with it...right?'

POST NOTE:

That's a wrap for that chapter. In case you were wondering, the fruit our favorite Doofus ate was the Water-Water Fruit, a Logia and a powerful one at that. It will effect his journey in a huge way, but mostly his personality will stay the same. That's all I'm saying on that matter...for now.

I decided I was going to skip over the Higuma incident where Shanks loses his arm and gives Luffy his hat, because it would basically be the same as every other person who wrote it. Just know that it happened almost exactly like it did in the anime and manga, and that it will still be alluded to in future chapters. The only really difference would be Adding Bonney, but we all know this story is going to have more of her than most of you can handle.

Questions? Comments? Concerns? Complaints? Leave them all in a review or even PM me. Like I said before, always up for criticism. COME AT ME BRO! or, don't, you know, it's your choice.

This is Gambler signing off until next time.