Live, Luffy! Chapter 3

Hello people! Sorry for the long delay. I had a massive writer's block. Anyway, enjoy reading, and don't forget to RnR. Please go easy on me if there's a slight drop on quality with my writing, I'm pretty out of practice. Criticism is appreciated (I haven't been writing for some time). Anyway, I must say I was really pleasantly surprised at the reception this story had. You guys are absolutely fantastic. If I meet you all, I'll hug all of you.

"Shanks..?" Luffy muttered dizzily as he slowly woke up.

"Anchor! What happened?" Shanks asked, worried for the boy.

Before the boy could answer, there was a loud bang as some men entered the bar. Luffy recognized them as the mountain bandits who had indirectly cost Shanks his left arm. Anger began to rise as he remembered all the incidents caused by this band of mountain bandits. While the bandits began humiliating Shanks, they did not notice the look of anger that was emanating from Luffy. While Shanks just took it, deeming the bandits not to be worth it, Luffy snapped, unable to see his idol getting humiliated by a bunch of weaklings and cowards.

"You will not disrespect this man." Luffy whispered dangerously, leaking his Haki as he became angrier at those bandits.

It was there Shanks felt the pressure. He could only look in shock as he saw the 'Anchor' send a powerful wave of Haki to the bandits. However, what truly shocked him was that the bandits were not knocked out. They were instead convulsing on the floor, muttering gibberish and crying on the floor while Luffy looked at them with hatred and anger. Luffy then slowly rose from his seat, and threw all the bandits out. Shanks shuddered. It was a long time Shanks had seen that specific effect of especially potent Haoshoku Haki. To overcome men so thoroughly that they are driven mad.

"How did you do that…? That was Haki… That was Haoshoku Haki! And so potent! How did a kid like you do that…?" Shanks whispered to the boy, he hadn't gotten over his shock.

Luffy cursed quietly, knowing that now he had no choice but to tell them about his past. That potent form of Haki could not have come out of a seven year old. He knew that Shanks and his crew wouldn't leave until they got their answers, and Luffy could only sigh as he started telling them his story. Shanks could only frown in disbelief as he listened to Luffy, and eventually in sadness as he listened to the boy talk about how he lost his crew and fell into depression. When Luffy finished his story, Shanks and his crew couldn't help but be convinced. Luffy had told no lies, physically at least. Also, technically speaking, that was the only explanation to how Luffy got his monstrous Haki. A controlled, potent blast like that would take years of training to achieve.

While Luffy grimaced at the fact that he told his secret to someone else, he could not help but feel a great weight lift off his shoulders. Shanks had not ridiculed him or laughed at him; he had simply listened and comforted Luffy for his loss. Luffy smiled his first true smile in a long time as he scolded himself for even having reservations trusting Shanks about his secret.

"Although, I don't recommend you showing that power anytime soon, Anchor. And don't lose your temper like that. Many other men are not as weak as that bandit." Shanks sternly said, knowing how relentlessly he would be hunted by many figures in the Grand Line if he was deemed as a threat. Not to mention he was a D, which amplified his threat. His temper wouldn't help him in anyway. Shanks was also uncomfortable with Luffy's clear hidden hatred, but decided not to press it - he heard enough to understand what happened.

"I know, Shanks. I have a reminder about that anyway... Hey, YOU'RE STILL CALLING ME ANCHOR!" Luffy shouted. Shanks simply snickered as he observed Luffy rubbing his chest.

"Hey, what's wrong with your chest, Anchor? You've been rubbing it since we started talking…" Shanks asked, curious.

"This… Is a reminder of what I lost, and the cost of my mistakes," Luffy said darkly as he pulled up his shirt, showing a brutal X-shaped scar which covered much of his chest.

Shanks grimly nodded as he forced himself not to press Luffy on the details. Luffy noticed his look of concern and laughed.

"Don't worry Shanks, I won't make the same mistakes! I will not let them die again! I will become KING!" Luffy shouted, with a voice full of conviction.

Shanks fingered his hat, remembering what his old captain told him. Perhaps, it was his time to pass on the hat to someone who would lead a new era. Looking at Luffy, he was convinced he had found just the man. However, Shanks was also worried about Luffy. He felt the hate and need for revenge which emanated from the boy. Shanks could only shake his head as he thought about what Luffy would try to do. However, he recognized that it was not his place to say anything. An idea, however, came to Shanks.

Luffy, who was waiting for a response, didn't expect what was coming. He could only look up just in time as Shanks pounced on him.

Shanks started to laugh uncontrollably, along with his crew members, and began to tickle Luffy while saying, "How can you be pirate king when you can't even beat this? DAHAHAHAHA! "

"HAHA.. SHUT UP.. HAHAHA!" Luffy continued to laugh as Shanks relentlessly continued to tickle him.

After a while though, Benn forced Shanks of the poor boy, who was already in tears from Shanks's merciless tickling. Luffy then made a serious face and said, "Well.. Don't tell anyone about this, okay? I have no intention of being hunted now…"

Shanks nodded seriously, and did something he had been planning to for some time now. He gave Luffy his hat. The crew was stoned. They knew that hat was beyond treasure for Shanks. It was a memento and gift from his previous crew and captain. Luffy could only stare in wonder as he held his old hat, the hat he wore to so many battles, including that last battle. It was then he made a promise. A lifelong promise which had pushed him in his previous life, and a promise that would continue to push him in his second life. The promise to protect his friends.

"OK LETS PARTY! IN CELEBRATION FOR LUFFY!" Shanks shouted to his crew, who cheered.

"Captain, did you forget? You drank all the remaining sake," Makino said kindly, while Shanks instantly grimaced and moaned, much to the mirth of his crew.

Seeing his chance, Luffy began to slip out of the bar, hoping to avoid more questions about his crew. He shuddered to think what would happen if Shanks knew about his previous relationship with Robin.

"Hey, not so fast Anchor! There's still questions we want to ask!" Shanks called, dragging Luffy back into the bar.

"DON'T CALL ME THAT!" Luffy shouted.

"You said there were hot girls in your crew, right? So how were they..?" Shanks asked cheekily while his crew intently listened.

"NOOOOOOOOO, I CANT LIE FOR SHIT, HOW AM I GONNA DO THIS?!" Luffy frantically thought.

Shanks smirked at Luffy's face, which started to go red.

(1116 words)

OK done! Anyway, I must say. I'm pretty impressed with this chapter, considering how out of shape I was at writing. If you wanna know how out of shape I was, read 'Failure' in my profile. Anyway, please comment on my writing style. That way, I can find ways to improve it. Everything except that sweet haki ability to drive people crazy belongs to Oda-sensei!

Review replies.

Doubledamn : Thank you so much mate! I agree, Once Again is to date, one of the best Time-Travel fics out there in IMO.

Bloodyflower : Well thank you, and here's ur update! =))

Guest : well, you'll find out later, won't you? ;)

Gordon72 : haha, you're right! In fact, this story is inspired by Once Again.

Thank you for everything guys, hope you enjoyed your day, RnR, and toodles!~~~