Summary: I don't know what's worse…being thrown into this dog eat dog One Piece universe or growing up with the three terrors known as Luffy, Ace, and Sabo. Someone please kill me. Self-Insert/OC, Rated T for Language

Flashback= italics

Disclaimer: NOTHING BELONGS TO ME EXCEPT FOR MY OC'S


Chapter 3: Step Two: Avoid Red Heads at All Costs

Many months had passed since Shanks's first visit and since then, they had visited multiple times. I didn't really understand why they kept coming back so many times. Did they not have things to do? Was Shanks not a Yonko yet? I guess not…

But anyways, Garp and I were about to finish the training for the day and it was almost dark out. Even though it was considered "winter" at the time it was still not that cold outside. The good thing about this island was that its weather was pretty constant. It never got too cold in the winter and it never got too hot in the summer.

Today's training included the rest of the members of Garp's crew. Usually, when Garp came, he would pick a day where I would specifically work with his crew, and today was that day. And sometimes they would help me when Garp randomly fell asleep. Rosendo (remember that guy that was super nice to me back when I still lived in the cottage?) would help me with swordsmanship. I didn't understand why I needed to learn how to use a sword when I didn't plan to use it, but Rosendo said that it wouldn't hurt to learn. It could be a useful skill to have and I agreed.

Rosendo was a pretty average guy. He looked to be in his late 20's or maybe early 30's and had long black hair that he would tie in a low ponytail. Rosendo wasn't extremely tall but he wasn't exactly short either. He was average height I suppose. His best attribute I believe, is his ability to always be cheerful. I don't think I've ever seen him angry or in distress. I feel like he would be really scary if he ever was.

There was one thing that really confused me though… Rosendo, as well as the other marines, had a weakness toward my uh "cuteness". Well that's what Garp told me at least. I've only seen them a handful of times but apparently I already have them wrapped around my fingers. Honestly, it feels pretty empowering; like they wouldn't even dare hit (more like touch) me during spars. I didn't necessarily mind when they did hit me but they would freak out.

The only exception to this was Bogard (he was one emotionless bastard). He normally went all out like Garp did. Every time I sparred with him, it felt like it lasted a lifetime. And it left me with literally no energy left. But still, I appreciated that he didn't hold back like the rest of the marines.

Luffy normally didn't show up to these practices. Mostly because I didn't tell him about them but even if he knew I doubt he would come to them. He didn't really like hanging out with Garp and the marines; claimed he didn't want to fraternize with the "enemy." He still trained with Garp once in a while but I could totally tell that he wanted to be anywhere but there. I'm not really sure what he did during the times that I was away for training.

Maybe Makino was teaching him how to read and write. He was 7 now and only had the basic components of Japanese down but Makino and I are helping him out so it shouldn't take him too long to learn. He keeps complaining that a pirate doesn't need to know how to do this kind of stuff so I kicked him and explained to him that everyone should at least have some basic knowledge. Like seriously, how he expected to survive without knowing how to read I don't know.

Training was now complete for the day, so I proceeded to lie on my back. Today's training was particularly difficult. Garp was sitting silently on a tree stump as peaceful as ever. I wasn't able to lay a single scratch on him. But don't worry, one of these days I'll eventually get him. Even if it's only one hit, I'll get him.

The silence from the night was filled with the sounds of my erratic breathing and crickets. I should probably start heading back, since it was already so dark, but I literally had no motivation to move what so ever. Since I was already here, I might as well start a conversation with Garp. We don't usually talk about each other too much, we kind of just punch at each other. Now that I think about it, that's a pretty unhealthy relationship…

"Oi, Oji-san."

"What do you want Squirt?"

"How did you and Obaa-chan become friends?" Garp was silent for a while. When I glanced in his direction he seemed to be deep in thought. Probably reminiscing, hopefully I didn't bring out bad memories or something. Suddenly, the corners of his mouth slightly turn up erasing my previous worries.

"Well your Obaa-chan was a stubborn one. Even more than you, which is saying a lot," Garp says with a rambunctious laugh. I frown at his tone. I'm not stubborn, it just makes me mad when people make me do things I don't want to.

"Just get on with the story," I mumble finally moving into a sitting position. I shifted so that I was leaning on my hands, not the most comfortable position but whatever.

"Well we grew up together on an island far away; not many people have heard of it. I haven't visited in a while, but it was very much a port town like Fuschia Village. Anyways, Nora would beat me up occasionally because she used to bully me…" At this I start to crack up.

"Hahaha you sure were a loser back then weren't you Oji-san?" I cackle out. Garp glares at me and I'm pretty sure he'll punish me later but I don't regret what I said. It was definitely worth the extra bruises.

"Just shut up Squirt. You're being annoying. SO like I was saying, she would beat me up but other than that we always used to play together. However, I moved away when I joined the marines and the contact between us ceased to exist. We didn't write any letters to each other, we weren't close like that…" I nod at this. I didn't understand why he would go to such heights though to take care of her then…or me.

"We met again here in Fuschia Village because my troops and I were stationed here at the moment. At that time Shinko—your mother—was just a child and your grandfather was still alive. Nora seemed to be happy so I guess I was happy for her. I was pretty surprised that such a rash girl could raise a family but she surprised me."

Garp uncrosses his legs and stands up from the tree stump. He must have gotten tired from sitting so long (lucky bastard). He stood in front of me and literally towered over my slouched figure. I'm sure he could've punted me like a football if he really wanted to. Good thing he didn't, I didn't want to die yet.

"Don't get me wrong, Nora wasn't my closest friend. But she was still a friend, and I didn't have many of those. If there was anything that she needed, I would definitely help her. Kind of the reason I came when she sent the letter. That and the fact that she never asks for help. So when I got the letter basically begging me to come back, I couldn't ignore it. I know she would do the same."

I know that she would too. Despite what Garp said about Nora, I know that she would always offer help to a friend in need. She was kind (even if she could be terrifying at times). I was kind of tempted to ask him about my parents as well but decided against it. Not that I wasn't interested in the past of my parents or anything, I just felt like I would be sadder if I were to know how my dead parents used to be like. I already knew some from Obaa-chan so that should be enough for me right now.

With his story finished I got up and bid goodnight. It was late and I needed to make sure that Luffy wasn't running amuck ruining the village or something like that.


Garp watched Rexi leave with a blank look. He thought of today's training and couldn't help but be impressed. The squirt was learning faster than he expected. She had a lot of potential trapped in that tiny body and Garp wasn't sure if he should try to mold that power.

"That Squirt would make a great marine."

He was particularly hesitant to allow Rexi to become one because she was related to both Shinko and Nora. Assuming that she got their genes, he wouldn't be able to force her to do anything that she didn't want to.

He'd just have to wait and see what Rexi chose to do…


It was a couple weeks after Garp left that Shanks showed up. Shanks and his crew had shown up a couple times throughout the past year but this visit showed some concerning aspects. It all started with Luffy's antics (but let's be real here, when doesn't Luffy's antics start something).

It was a normal day at Partys Bar, Shanks and his crew were being as obnoxious as usual. Luffy and I were sitting at the bar with Shanks because Luffy wouldn't leave him alone. And I was with him because I has nothing else better to do.

"Then take me on your next voyage Shanks! I wanna be a pirate too!" Luffy exclaimed. His back was turned to me while he gave Shanks his full attention. Shanks just laughs like he usually does when Luffy begs him for this kind of stuff. Nothing out of the usual yah know.

"As if you could ever be a pirate!"

"Why not?"

"Luffy!" Yasopp calls from one of the tables. I don't know if you remember or not but Yasopp is Usopp's father. They don't even have the same nose… "Just bein' a good swimmer doesn't mean you'd be a good pirate."

"I'm good at fighting too! My punches are like pistols!" Luffy responds. Now this is probably the time that I should've realized that the first canon event was occurring, but I'm stupid so I didn't. I remember Shanks briefly mentioning Luffy's punches being like pistols in one of the episodes but I never wrote anything about it in my journal.

"Oh really?" Shanks replies as he picks at his food. Luffy turns to him angrily.

"WHAT'S THAT MEAN?"

"He means you're too much of a kid Luffy," Lucky Roo joins in. Lucky is big and by big I mean huge. He has a round shaped body and always seems to carry around a stick of meat with him everywhere he goes. He wears these goggles around his eyes at all times and I don't think I've ever seen him not smiling.

"Seriously, you're as old as my kid," Yasopp says. Wow this is totes foreshadowing. Now that I'm experiencing the events first hand I'm catching all these hints that I had previously overlooked. Luffy slams his fist on the counter.

"I'm not a kid! I'm a grownup!"

"Now, now. Don't get so mad. Here, have some juice," Shanks says as he slides Luffy a glass. I sigh to myself already foreseeing what's going to happen.

"Wow thanks!" Luffy replies as he chugs down the juice. Shanks then proceeds to slap the counter.

"See! You are a kid!" Dick move Shanks…dick move.

"THAT WASN'T FAIR SHANKS!" The whole bar explodes into guffaws while I just shake my head at their foolishness. Pretty sure Shanks mental age was way lower than Luffy's (his crew too). "DON'T LAUGH! Stupid cheapskate Shanks!"

Makino and I couldn't help but chuckle a bit at their stupid antics. Although it was loud and annoying in there, I knew that Luffy was having a good time. He was always in a better mood when Shanks came to visit (god knows why). Shanks hadn't really stopped treating him any differently than before. The only thing that changed was that Luffy saw Shanks as more of a role model.

All laughing stopped however, when the doors to Partys Bar were kicked open breaking one side of those flappy doors. Wow how rude (kind of scared me because I thought it was Garp for a second).

"Pardon us…" Everyone was staring at the mysterious intruders, waiting for them to either show themselves or introduce themselves. The only sound that echoed throughout the room was the sound of Shanks eating. It was painfully loud for me considering that I was literally sitting beside him.

"Ohhh so these are pirates. Look pretty damn dumb," the guy said—I had an inkling feeling that I knew exactly who it was. The guy walks right up beside Shanks while a bunch of other guys (his minions?) come tumbling in after him.

"We're mountain bandits," OH MY GOD OKAY NOW I KNOW EXACTLY WHAT PART WE'RE AT WHAT DO I DO. "But we ain't here to tear up the place. Sell us some booze, 10 barrels ought a do."

"I'm sorry but I just ran out of alcohol," Makino said in that kind voice of hers.

"That's odd. These pirates seem to be drinking something…what is it? Water?" Oh no, the guy seems pissed. I shift my body a little towards Luffy, my body tensing.

"No, what they're drinking is the last of it," Makino explained. Shanks joins the conversation as well.

"My apologies, looks like we've drank the whole place dry. Sorry!" The silence in the bar was extremely awkward. Shanks offers his bottle to the man, "You can have this if you'd like. It hasn't been opened yet."

The guy looks like he's going to reach for it but instead punches it out of Shanks hand, completely shattering out. Makino gasp and I get up and stand in front of Luffy (who's still in shock). I knew that's he's going to butt in any moment and I'm going to make sure that doesn't happen (wait maybe he isn't?).

"There's an 8 million Beri bounty on my head, you know. One bottle ain't even enough for a bed time drink! Don't insult me," the bastard replied. I scowl at him from my position on the ground. How rude can he be? Shanks isn't getting angry either because he's irrationally stupid.

"Tch, now the floor's all wet. Sorry about that, Makino-san. Do you have a rag?" Shanks asks. He kneels down and starts fixing up the shards of glass.

"Oh, I'll do that!" Makino exclaims as she moves out from behind the bar to help him. However, before she could reach him the guy draws his sword and knocks down everything on the counter too.

"Seems like you like to clean. Then maybe you'll find this more fulfilling," he says. Wow, dick move you idiot. If I was older and not afraid of being beaten up, I'd probably kick his ass. "Not worth our time if they're out of booze. Let's go!" he says as he walks out with his gang or whatever follows behind him. Makino kneels down beside Shanks and tries to clean the booze off of him.

"Are you all right, Captain? Are you hurt?"

"Oh, I'm fine. No problem at all…" Shanks says. Everyone suddenly bursts out laughing. Wow I love this crew so much. They get how stupid their captain is and I love that.

"He got you good boss!"

"Talk about lame!"

Shanks is still laughing while I just stare at them. I get that the situation is kind of humorous but I think these pirates forget that we're not used to evil big guys picking on us. Makino was still cleaning him off, as serious as ever.

"WHY ARE YOU LAUGHING?!" Luffy screamed from behind me. Oh I forgot he was back there. "That was so uncool! Why didn't you fight them?! No matter how many there are or how strong they seem, you're not men, or pirates, if you laugh after something like that!"

"I can understand how you feel, but he only spilled some booze on me. It's nothing worth getting mad over," Shanks replied.

"Whatever!" Luffy exclaimed. I see him grab something from the counter. I couldn't see what it was because I was too short but I knew what it was… It was his Devil Fruit. The Gomu Gomu no Mi. I was definitely not going to say anything about it though. If he were to not eat it, it would screw up everything. But my inner fangirl was freaking out. Here I was, first hand experiencing the start of everything. It's pretty cool, but I know that bad things were about to happen.

"Eating out of frustration Luffy?" Shanks asked.

"Shut up!" I cringe, anticipating what's coming next. I'll pray for Luffy.

"Wait, what're you eating?!" Shanks says as he scrambles onto his feet. "That box! Did you eat what's in that box?!"

"Y-Yeah…" Shanks grabs him upside down and starts shaking him.

"Spit it out right now! Every last bite!"

"W-What're you doing Shanks?! Rexi-nee save me!" I whistle and walk away, not really interested in getting between the two. Mostly because I was afraid I'd change something. Suddenly Luffy's leg stretch out and he hits his face on the ground. I'm tempted to laugh at him, but I think he would cry so I'll restrain myself for now. Everyone stares silently as his legs finally become their normal proportion.

"What…what was that?" Luffy asked clearly shocked. Shanks pulls him up so that their faces were level.

"What you just ate was the Gomu Gomu no Mi, it's a Devil Fruit! Eating it turns your body to rubber, and makes you lose the ability to swim for the rest of your life!"

"EHHH? NO WAY!"

"YOU DUMBASS!"


All that nonsense happened about a month ago.

At the moment I am taking care of the garden while Luffy was safely at Partys Bar. I was really reluctant to leave him by himself. I have been like this for the whole month that Shanks and his crew have been gone. I know that any day now Luffy is going to get into trouble with the bandits, and I was on edge trying to guess when it was going to happen. I had been neglecting my garden for the past month and I was getting worried. Weeds were growing out of places that I didn't even know was possible and some animal was eating some of the vegetables that I planted.

I was worried about my mother's garden. But I couldn't leave Luffy by himself. If I could prevent him and the bandits from meeting then Shanks won't loose his arm, but on the other hand (haha you get it), Luffy might never receive the straw hat from Shanks…WHY DOES THIS HAVE TO BE SO CONFUSING? I finally convince myself that my luck can't be that bad so I decide to leave Luffy with Makino and go tend to my garden as soon as possible (why am I so stupid).

And that's why I'm here now. I am trying to finish everything as soon as possible but it's hard to do that in only a couple of hours. I had to remove the weeds and walk all the way to the stream for water. And I had to make that trip multiple times. By the time I was finished with everything an hour and a half had already passed which was perfect.

The walk to the village was like 20 minutes so I think I'll get back in good time. I wonder if Luffy and Makino are still at Partys Bar. Wait, what if Luffy went to the bathroom and Makino left him unintended? What if Luffy (being the baka that he is) sneaks out like a rebellious teenager? WHY CAN'T I REMEMBER WHAT HAPPENS? God this is so frustrating. I remember Makino running for help and Shanks's crew showing up but were they already on the island at the time? Was it soon after their confrontation with the mountain bandits in the bar? Not remembering was killing me to be honest.

With only my thoughts and worries to keep me company, I finally reach Fuschia Village. I knew something was wrong when I saw a bunch of people standing together. They all seemed to be watching something while commenting in hushed voices. A feeling of dread made my stomach drop, because I knew exactly why they were like that. Of course it would be my luck that the one day I choose to leave Luffy alone was the day he got in trouble. But seriously, this is the One Piece world, I should've seen this coming from a mile away. I run towards Makino and the Mayor. The Mayor was on the ground and was saying something but I couldn't hear him. All I could look at was Luffy. That guy from the bar had drawn his sword at him and looked like he was about to cut him.

I stood right between Makino and the Mayor and was still breathing heavily from running there. A surge of anger washed over me. How dare this bastard draw a weapon against my brother. I'll fucking kill him. With that that thought, I charge towards him with every intention to kick him in the face. Before I could even run a couple feet, a hand had clenched onto the back of my shirt and pulled me back.

"What the hell? Let me go!" I growl out as I try everything I can to get out of the person's grip. "My brother's in trouble, I NEED TO HELP HIM SO LET GO DAMN IT."

"Calm down, Rexi-chan."

That voice. I turned around and saw Shanks. My eyes widen, I had completely forgotten that he was going to be there… Still this didn't make the situation better. I was supposed to stop this not make it worse. I stop struggling.

"Let me go," I still insist. He doesn't. Instead he turns his attention to Makino and the Mayor.

"I was wondering why the bar was empty…looks like it's those mountain bandits from before." Makino and the Mayor looked relieved at the sight of Shanks and his crew.

"So you pirates are still here? Have you been scrubbing the village clean this whole time?" the stupid bastard asks. Shanks was still holding me back, but if he wasn't I would've punched his ass into next week.

"Luffy! I thought your punches were as strong as pistols?" Shanks exclaims.

"S-Shut up!" Luffy stutters out from under the bastard's foot.

"I don't know why you're here, but you'd best leave before you get hurt," the mountain bandit says. Shanks pushes me toward Rockstar and he automatically holds me just like Shanks was. I glare up at him briefly before turning my attention back to Luffy.

"Any closer and he'll shoot your head off, wimp," the bastard says as one of his men points a gun straight at Shanks face.

"He said not any closer!" the guy holding the gun exclaims. I scoff at this, remembering what I wrote down about this moment. I had no memory about it from my old world but I had written everything I remembered down so I had an idea. "Don't make me blow your head off!"

"Put your life on the line," Shanks said, not even having to raise his voice to be heard from by everyone. "Now that you've drawn your pistol, put your life on the line."

"What the hell are you tallkin' about?"

"I'm saying those aren't for threatening people," Shanks replies while pointing to the gun. Before he can even reply Lucky pulls out a gun and shoots him. I tense up at the loud sound and just stare in silent shock at the now dead guy on the pavement. I should look away…but I can't. I could hear Makino gasp and I couldn't blame her. If I wasn't so shocked I'm sure I would be freaking out right now.

Rockstar had the decency to cover my eyes so I didn't see it happen. Who knew he could be so considerate?

"N-Now you've done it!"

"These bastards fight dirty!"

The mountain bandits were outraged. But what gave them the right to say that we fight dirty? They were the ones beating up a 7-year-old.

"Dirty?

"Cut the crap."

"What, do you think you're dealing with saints or something?"

Shanks crew were totally roasting them.

"You're looking at pirates!" Shanks says cockily.

"Shut up! You got nothin' to do with this in the first place!" one of the mountain bandit responds.

"Listen, bandits. Whether I'm splattered with alcohol or food or even spit on, most of the time I'd just laugh or forget about it. But! No matter what reason, anyone who hurts my friends has to pay!" Shanks says. When I see it up close and personal, Shanks is pretty cool. I can see why Luffy looks up to him, I was starting to myself. His morals were good for a pirate. The bastard mountain bandit however, laughs at Shanks awesome speech.

"Has to pay, huh?! Lousy pirates! Kill them, men!" he commands. The other bandits stupidly charge straight in our direction.

"I'll handle this. Should be easy enough," Ben Beckman, Shanks's first mate, says as he pulls his gun out of it's holster. He doesn't even shoot any bullets, he just takes the butt (or is it called head?) of the gun and hits them like a baseball bat hitting a baseball. "Don't get cocky, bandit. If you want to fight us, then go drag a warship here or something."

"So strong," Luffy mumbles. I couldn't agree more.

"H-Hold on! The kid attacked us," the bastard bandit replies suddenly very panicked.

"You are a wanted man," Shanks replies with a smirk remembering the words the bandit spoke at the bar last time.

"Damn it!" he screams while putting off a smoke bomb or something. My eyes widen and I start to panic. I get out of Rockstar's arms and run towards them.

"LUFFY!" by the time I reach them the smoke had cleared and Luffy and the bandit were gone. Oh no no no no what do I do? Shanks I guess, is feeling the same as me.

"Crap! I let my guard down! Luffy's gone! What do we do, guys?"

"Quit freaking the hell out boss! It won't take us long to find him!" Lucky said trying to calm down Shanks. I turn back towards them having a full on panic attack. I know exactly where they are so I start running towards the water. I need to save him before he hits the water. But how am I supposed to do that?

"God damn it! Just wait Luffy, don't you dare drown on me," I mumble under my breath as I continue running. I can hear the crew behind me telling me to stop but I'm not listening. I need to get there. I need to get there. I need to get there.

When I finally get there, I see that the sea king was just about to eat the mountain bandit. That didn't concern me too much but the fact that Luffy was drowning did. I continue running toward the water but before I could even consider jumping in after him, Shanks pushes me back hard and jumps in faster than I could comprehend. I fall on my butt from the force of his push and could only stare in horror as the sea king approaches Luffy. And you guys know what happens next. Shanks looses his god damn arm and it turns out that I can't do a god damn thing right in this world.

I should've never left Luffy alone.


*a couple weeks later*

Shanks and Luffy were talking while I helped the crew board everything onto the ship. They were about to depart after staying longer than normal. Shanks needed some rest, especially after loosing an arm, so they decided to stay for a couple more weeks. I hadn't talked to very many people after that incident. I was upset with myself. While the crew and Luffy rested, I trained my ass off. I was still not strong enough. Even after all this time.

I watched as Shanks gave Luffy the infamous straw hat. After declaring that he was going to be the Pirate King, Shanks was moved. Their relationship made me very…envious. I was jealous. Luffy looked up to him so much and I could see why. I don't know why I feel jealous; I have no reason to be…

As Shanks start to walk away, I call out to me. He stops walking and turns around. He lifts an eyebrow silently asking what I wanted. I instantly go into a 90-degree bow. I stay in that position as I say what I want to say.

"Thank you for saving Luffy! Next time, I'll be strong enough to protect him and I'll be strong enough to pay you back. I PROMISE!" I exclaim. I hear Shanks laugh.

"Stand up darling," he says. I do as he says and look straight into his mirth filled eyes. "Those are big words for a kid. Come and find me when you can actually fulfill that promise!"

I wasn't sure if he actually meant that last bit but I nodded anyways.

"Aye Captain," I say, trying to act as serious as possible.

But I couldn't help but smile. Because even though I couldn't change anything, things were going to be alright (well until everything crashed and burned in a few years).


A/N: Thanks for all the reviews, favorites, and follow. I hope you guys like this chapter too (:

Guest1: Yeah I specifically chose Rexi's name so I could make dog puns (i'm really excited to add more hehe). Thanks for your suggestion, but I'm not sure yet if I'm going to give her devil fruit powers. Even if I did, I have no idea what it would be haha. But I hope you like this new chapter!

Guest2: Thanks so much! I hope you like this chap as well (:

Sorry for any grammatical errors!