: He will! But not as a phoenix :)
Chapter 2: Push me hard, and I'll push you harder…
… … … … … …
It was funny how he ended up with a boy nested on his arms.
Early this morning, he was offered a job by a Noble. As, in this time, no one recognizes him as the "Dark King" nor by his other alias as the "Right hand man of the Pirate King" anymore─ save from those close to him and a few handful veterans who he had the honor of clashing swords with before. As, in this time, the infamous Silvers Rayleigh had blended well into society who knew him as a 'harmless' coating mechanic that goes by the name of "Ray".
Usually, he would prefer not to accept the job out of pride and his innate dislike of nobility. But as words had reached him about the inhuman operations going down on that part of Sabaody, he can't help but be a little curious as to how he can provide help for the victims. He had done so plenty of times in the past and this would be just like a routine for the former pirate.
As expected, his employer's residence was massive. The garden was very spacious as well as beautiful but what caught his eye amongst this display of grandeur was the tall narrow cage planted in the middle of it all . From where he was standing, he saw a boy of about nine or ten years of age, idly sitting inside the confinement.
Rayleigh was only but a human so it was quite obvious his heart ached for the boy. This is a common case in their island where child slaves sometimes lost their self as their fragile young mind are exposed to extreme cruelties.
But then, it was only a split of a second when their eyes met and The Dark King want to slap himself for being stupid.
Those eyes. They weren't broken. They were still determined.
Those eyes. They were hurt but nevertheless they were still strong.
The job was pretty much mundane. The noble called for him to fixed a few leaky pipes. Of course when Rayleigh found out, he wanted to sock the fat man in the face.
He wasn't an ordinary mechanic he was a freaking coating mechanic for frickin' ships! There is a huge difference between the two!
But in the end, he still did it because he was using his kenbunshoku haki to tally down the number of slaves in the house. And he was oh so surprised when he found out that the boy was alone. Or rather, the boy was what's left of the slaves
Really, it didn't take much for Rayleigh to use his haoshoku haki when the job was finished and he was on his way home. A quick swipe to the man's pockets and he found a key that was made of seastone. In a minute, he unlocked the boy's restraints and picked him up from the ground.
The boy who was at most amazed was looking at him with disbelieving eyes. He smiled gently and nodded to the boy, silently confirming that he was indeed, upto this day a free man.
He wasn't really much of a softie but as the boy spoke, he felt his eyes moistened a little.
"Thank you mister…Atlast… I'm free…" it was barely a whisper but he caught its magnificent sound. That sound that can turn the tides of battle at a moment' notice.
It was the sound of Hope…
Rayleigh smiles as he looked into the boys warm brown eyes and he himself hopes that his wife wouldn't chop his head off when she find outs…
… … … … … … …
Of course Shakuyaku was not happy when she saw the former slave!
He was only a kid! He didn't even look ten years old! He was thin and fragile and hungry. And she was angry because it hurts to see a child in that position!
And of course, she can't stay angry at the man she chose to be married with. This was one of his virtues that she admires very so.
She then looked up at the kid with big warm eyes who was meekly eating his first hot dinner for god knows how long. Silently analyzing what is to be done for the poor soul.
"Boy, Do you still remember your name?" She bluntly asks and was met with a small grin from the boy who nodded.
"Yes ma'am! I'm Monkey D. Luffy!" He replies politely.
There was an eerie silence that followed.
The boy flinched at the lack of sound and went back to his dinner, worried if he had offended his saviour's family. But after a few seconds he heard the woman let out a shaky breath. Looking up, he saw the woman had a confounded expression.
"Luffy, do you still remember where your home is?" She asks with a poorly concealed pain in her voice.
The boy in question nodded again and stated that it was in the East Blue but he didn't know the island's exact name.
Another bout of silence followed as Shakky took a puff of her cigarette.
"Well if that's the case then, from today onwards, you're staying here with us." The woman declared her statement with a tone of finality that leaved no room for argument as she picked up her fork and started eating from her own plate.
He can tell they were kind people. But he can't help but wonder why Shakuyaku-san sounded affected when he told her name. He didn't want to upset the woman any further so he answered the statement with a nod.
He hopes when they knew what he really is, they would still accept him in their home for his own was far from here and they were the only people that he got.
… … … … … … … … … … …
The next day , the couple found out how Luffy was very different from other kids. And while they knew that he was once a slave. This level of difference transcends those of whom they have helped before who were past slaves themselves.
For one, he didn't act like someone who was once robbed of freedom. Smiling widely to the costumers as he took down their orders and even as to have a small bounce in his steps as he moved around the bar.
Two, speaking of which, both Rayleigh and Shakuyaku wonders how the hell could the boy be so energetic. They were sure that he has a handful of injuries around his body. They treated it last night so they are aware of how hurt the boy was. So how can Luffy move without aggravating his body?
Realization both dawned on the two.
Oh!
Oh.
This boy had eaten a devil fruit. But as to what kind, they'll eventually identify it as to what it is. For the meantime, they were atleast thankful that the boy's fruit allows him to have accelerated healing.
A few weeks rolled and they let the boy do what he wants as long it wasn't dangerous. It was the least they can do as Luffy was cooped in a cage for a long time. They settled to observe him as he spend his day helping out at the Rip Off bar.
He was strong and agile for his age though he lacks basic academic knowledge which they were certain was from his time in a cage. 'Aunt Shakky' as she was called by Luffy noted that fact and decided that she will soon start teaching Luffy in various branches of knowledge.
They also noticed that he was animalistic at some point as they sometimes 'see' him sniffing some common household items . They concluded that it hints on the boy's devil fruit which was probably a Zoan.
But what tops everything off is the boy's fondness for the moon. They sometimes sense him by the window sill, sitting on the wooden ledge and doing nothing but stare at the moon until it reaches its zenith to which the boy would go back to sleep.
Their questions were soon answered when one day, a small fight broke out in the bar. No one saw him transforming but the temperature in the room dropped a few tens of degrees. From where the boy originally stood was a wolf with snow white fur and icy blue eyes.
Rayleigh notes that the boy was emitting water vapors that is condensing to a fog making him look like he was smoking
It was indeed a Zoan but not the ordinary kind. This was far more special than that. This kind of Zoans were said to be the first to walk the earth and was the topic of stories for millenniums that came. They took the form of animals but carries within them a power of a god. And as proven by Whitebeard's First Division Commander Marco's form, they were undenyingly a sight to behold.
As the Phoenix took hold of the flames, Luffy's devil fruit took hold of the ice.
Realization already settled with Shakky and she rewarded herself with a cigarette. There was no denying who this creature was.
"Born from the god that was prophesied to bring the end of the world, he was tricked by the other gods to wear the most unbreakable chain and sent him to his cage below the earth. Legends state, that when the 'End' came, he broke free from this chain and exacted his revenge, killing the god of the gods in the process and in turn, fulfilled the prophecy which the gods had feared in the first place." She incites from memory for everyone to hear.
"What the fuck are you talking about you crazy bitch?" One of the foolishly brave men sneered.
Shakky chuckled and pointed at the wolf which gained the attention of everyone else in the room. "Okami Okami no Mi, Model: Fenrir"
Wolf Luffy growled and stomped his way to the huddle of men that were in a brawl, effectively pushing them to back away in fear.
"Take the fight outside you shitheads!" He ordered them in a cold warped voice prompting the others to run away, even those who were just watching fled the scene too.
When everyone left, the wolf turned to the couple with sad eyes. Now that they had seem him, he was sure that they don't want him anymore.
"I'll leave…" he says as he shrunk back to his ten year old body.
Rayleigh let out a loud hum before crossing his arms. "And why would you do that?" He asks which caused the wolf boy to flinch.
"Be-because, I'm a monster! I'm pretty sure I'll get you in trouble sooner or later!" He resignedly announced which caused Shakky to laugh.
"Brat! If you haven't figured it out already, Me and my husband were in deep trouble long before you came!" And it was the truth. Shakuyaku wasn't just your ordinary sexy barmaid. "We were well known pirates back in the day you know!"
They weren't sure if they saw it right but Luffy's eyes seems to have sparkled at the sound of pirates or at the sound of being accepted. Bah! Whatever, atleast the boy was happy.. "Re-really?"
The couple nodded.
"See my worthless husband?" The woman pointed to the said worthless husband who chuckled. "He was the freaking first mate of the Pirate King!"
"Whaaaaat!?" Luffy's eye even widened further as he found out that Ray wasn't just a perverted coating mechanic.
"Uncle Ray! Tell me stories!"
… … … … …
Months flew by and things couldn't get anymore better for Luffy. He no longer needs to hide his identity and thus, shifts partially whenever he needs to, he has a soft warm bed to sleep in, three square hot meals a day and he no longer needs to fight just to survive. He has found a home with Rayleigh and Shakuyaku who treated him like their own. But, but… there was something gnawing in his heart. A mission that he has almost forgotten. A promise that was nearly broken.
He was really thankful to the kind couple who saved him in more than one ways and was quietly worrying how to tell them that he has to leave in seven years.
"What's wrong Luffy-kun?" Shakky asks as she leans her arms on the bar opposite of the boy.
"Uhm… Aunt Shakky, I have something to tell you and Uncle Ray later…" he stammers as he admitted his feeling yet didn't look at the barmaid's eyes as he found the table much more intriguing.
"What is it Luffy?" Rayleigh asks as he timingly walks in with a small sea king hanging on his broad shoulders.
"That was way too convenient!" Luffy nervously thoughts and musters up his courage by breathing heavily."I-I'm planning to leave Sabaody and become a pirate when I turn seventeen!"
"Okay!"
"Sure!"
Luffy openly gaped at the two who went back to their individual errands.
… … … … …
That night during dinner time.
"So Luffy-kun, what made you want to be a pirate?" Shakky asks as she was curious. Rayleigh seemed to have been curious as well so he turned to the boy in question.
"Well…" Luffy dragged on with embarassment in his voice."I once made a promise to a pirate when I was seven years old…"
The two remained quiet as to let him know they were listening.
Luffy's will hardened as his heart and brain reminded him of that promise. "I once promised Shanks that I will become the Pirate King because at first, I thought it was cool. But now I'm gonna do it because I…" he paused as memories of his personal hell broke through.
The beatings, the torture, the fights, the people he had killed.
"I WANT TO BE THE SYMBOL OF FREEDOM! I WANT TO FIND ONE PIECE TO PROVE THE WORLD THAT NO ONE CAN TAKE FREEDOM AWAY FROM ME! I'M GONNA BE THE MAN WITH THE MOST FREEDOM ALIVE!" He shouted in a voice full of unwavering confidence that Rayleigh ended up dropping his fork while Shakky's cigarette fell from her lips.
The silence dragged on as the two continued to look at Luffy with awe and amazement.
When the Dark King heard what the boy said, he didn't hear the voice of Luffy, in his ears, he heard Gol D. Roger, his best friend as well as his captain.
When Shakuyaku heard what the boy said, her brain kind of haywired from surprise. She heard a lot of pirates said the same thing but there was no conviction in their voice, only greed and excitement at the thought of the waiting reward at the end of the line. But this ten year old boy… he wants to have the grandest of treasures to claim the title that comes with it not the riches.
A set of hands entwined on the boy's collar and gave it a harsh tug.
"Oi…" Rayleigh coldly threatens. "Do you really mean every word that you said?" He asks as his eyes locked in with Luffy's.
"I do." The ten year old boy answered without even hesitating. "Right now, I'm weak… but I'l get stronger…"
Silence.
"And stronger and Stronger and STRONGER AND STRONGER AND STRONGER AND STRONGER AND STRONGER AND STRONGER UNTIL NO ONE CAN TAKE WHAT'S LEFT OF ME! And with that strength… I'll protect those who I see as my Nakamas. I'll protect those who can't protect themselves. Like you and aunty Shakky have to me…"
The hands gripped around his collar slowly uncoiled and it went to his shoulders. Before the crying Luffy can react two sets of hands entwined around him. It was both Rayleigh's and Shakky's
"If you promise to do all of those things that you have said, then I'll train you and make you stronger like you want. Tomorrow! I will see how badly you want it! Okay!?" The dark king strongly yelled as tears streamed down his aged face.
Luffy can only mutter a muffled yes as he too was overwhelmed with his tears.
… … … … … … … … … … … … … …
The following day came and Rayleigh had indeed meant what he said. He didn't hold back as he assessed Luffy's strengths and weakness.
He pushed Luffy hard but Luffy pushed harder.
The kid was already fast, but Rayleigh wants to make him faster. He ran and ran and ran until his lungs were literally out of air
The kid was already strong yet Rayleigh wants to make him stronger. He punched trees and boulders until his knuckled were bloodied.
His will strengthened and within the coming of time, his Haki was awakened.
If anyone could see them, they would have thought that the seasoned pirate was making an army out of a boy who recently entered puberty. But that was the point. Both the man and the boy had seen the darkness of the world with their own eyes. Even some of those who sailed under the banner of justice was under the hold of this darkness. Luffy certainly needs to be the army himself if he really wanted to be embroiled in the mess between pirates and marines.
His body, mind and devil fruit was put under to test by the couple who had took him in.
Impossible tasks became possible.
If the Dark King wants the mountain to be pounded then Luffy would certainly have to destroy the mountain for them to move on with their training.
If Shakuyaku would asks about certain illnesses then Luffy must provide her with the possible correct treatments.
The wolf in him was also challenged as he and Rayleigh explored his potentials. And to say that they were both amazed at what Luffy can possibly do with his devil fruit was an understatement.
The now fourteen your old boy holds an array of deadly arsenals but they weren't complete, not yet. Not until Rayleigh and Shakky were satisfied. Not until they were sure Luffy becomes the next Pirate King.
The thought was eventually cemented when Rayleigh gave the boy a pair of dadao broadswords that belongs to the 50 skillful grade swords. The twin blades whose name was Skoll and Hati had caught his attention a year back at an arms shop but decided to delay his 'purchase' as he kept an eye for other possible potentials.
But alas!
Fate couldn't be any more agreeable and had proven him that these swords which resembles a pair of butcher's knives that goes broader as it reaches a blunt tip was the weapon that fits Luffy. It was heavy which made it an impractical weapon for common swordsmen but 'just right' for the boy as he was strong enough to carry them both like ordinary swords and fast enough to wield it at a moment's notice. The surrounding folklore about the swords also amplified the Dark King's belief that Luffy is the perfect person to wield the swords.
His wife, Shakuyaku said that the inspiration for these blades was based on an old tale about two wolves names Skoll and Hati, the sons of Fenrir. The former chased the sun and the latter chased the moon. It was said that during the End of times did both of the wolves finally captured their respective preys and plunged the world in darkness while their father devoured everything in his path.
Now, how can he not run to the weapon store and steal the two swords after knowing that the sword were affiliated with the boy's devil fruit?
And thus, after perfecting what is to be perfected, Luffy was now seventeen years old and was only waiting a couple more of hours tills his departure. They had quite the party last night which he assumed was the cause why everyone was still asleep. As to why he was up this early was because he never did truly sleep in excitement.
With nothing else to do, he resigned himself on the window ledge in his room and sailed his gaze towards the horizon where the early tails of the sun is peeking through. His seventeen years of existence had been truly very interesting.
By birth, he was condemned by many for being the son of the world's most wanted criminals.
By the age of three, he met the kind people of his home island back in the East Blue.
By seven, he met Shanks and his crew.
After that, he went through an eye opening experience for three years.
By ten, he met two people whom he owes the world to.
And now that he's seventeen, he's going to go out and see the world and become the Pirate King!
Maybe, just maybe, when he sees Ace and Sabo. This time, maybe they could be friends. It was through them that he experienced the most painful of times but through them, he learned a lot of things that he knew he could never learn in a lifetime.
He was once shackled by the Gods with the strongest of chains.
And now that he's free, it's time to show them Gods just how they screwed themselves!
… … … … … … . … … … … … to be continued
Oh my god! I cried while writing this!
The inspiration for Luffy's devil fruit is norse mythology. It's Fenrir the wolf. I think no one has done any story with the same fruit. And while I could've just used any fruit that is in demand in the fanfic universe, Fenrir and this Luffy went through the same experience.
Chained by the gods blah blah… set out for their own revenge blah blah. You know the routine (wink*)
So next chapter will be a little of Ace and Sabo.