DISCLAIMER: I don't own One Piece
The Straw-Hat Boy and The Demon Child
The last thing that Luffy remembered was screaming out to his brother as the waves was pushing further apart. He knew there was nothing he could so that's why he slowly sat down, and hugged his knees as he began to cry as what seemed to be hours before he fell asleep.
The boat that Luffy was on spent the entire night of that unfortunate day gently bobbing against the waves when the storm calmed down till the morning until it finally washed up against an island. Hitting the land with a harsh thud was more than enough to jolt Luffy awake; the boy began to yawn as he stretched his limbs. Suddenly, he noticed the boat was moving backwards, looking around he saw the waves pulling the boat into the sea again; this caused him to go to the front of the boat and jump onto the sandy beach of the island. When he landed, he looked back and saw the boat was back again in the sea surfing against the waves; breathing a sigh of relief he tried to walk. Tried being the keyword here. As soon as he began walking, his feet gave away causing to fell face down onto the sand.
Moments later, Luffy managed to regain his strength and he stood up sporting a huge toothy smile, "That's nice. I'm alive." He said as he began to walk into the distant investigating the new island he washed up on.
However a realization just hit him, "Ace." He said in a sad tone. He was about to begin panicking until he remembered Ace's promise to him that he won't die. Seemingly satisfied with his brother's promise adding to that that Ace was much stronger than he was, his mind told him that Ace was alright, probably got washed up on another island like, and is trying to find him so they can go to the grand line together. With that kind of logic, Luffy couldn't be worried anymore, he simply trusted his brother to be ok.
As Luffy began to explore the island he was currently on, he noticed that it had a very huge forest just like the one on Dawn Island. What really stood out for him is that one tree he could see even through the forest. It seemed colossal and very huge, even the tree in which their home resided on was tiny compared to it. He didn't know if it was his imagination, but if he squint his eyes really hard he could even see windows on it as if the tree was hollowed on the inside with people living in it.
He continued exploring the island until he came across a bush of shrubbery, pushing them aside he entered an opening inside the thick forest. His eyes began to scan the area until they fell on something or rather someone. He saw a small dark- haired girl with sea blue eyes wearing an old tattered brown dress sitting on a stump in the middle of the opening reading a book she had. He noticed that she didn't notice him yet, so he decided to talk and maybe ask her where he was, "Hi there, can help me and tell me where I am?"
The girl obviously surprised jumped a little, and then looked in his direction. She simply quirked an eyebrow and started looking around clearly he wasn't talking to her, no one her age talks to her. She even looked up to the sky to make sure that he was actually talking to her seeing no one was around expect them; she finally looked at him thoroughly and what she saw was a small boy wearing a rather old tattered straw-hat sporting a scar under his left eye with raven dark hair. She eventually gathered her courage and asked him, "excuse me, but you are talking to me aren't you?" She asked confusing him.
"Well, you are the only one here, aren't you?" now it was his turn to look around. This caused the small girl to giggle a little bit seeing how they were both confused. "No, I guess I am the only one here." She said.
Unknown by the 2 children, the 4 kids from earlier were curiously watching them from behind the bushes though they were looking evilly at the little girl.
Luffy hummed a little, "So can you tell me where I am?" he asked her.
"Of course, I'm sorry;" she apologized then continued, "This is Ohara the house of tree of knowledge." She concluded smiling a little at the end.
"You mean that big tree over there." He replied.
Though inwardly a bit insulted that he called the" tree of knowledge" that big tree, the girl nodded. Then the girl stuck out her hand and began to talk again "Nice to meet you, my name is Ro…. Ouch!" the girl suddenly screamed as she felt something hard hit her forehead.
"Stop right there you freak, don't you dare hurt him." The 4 children who were watching them burst out of the woods shouting at her causing the girl to give them a hurt look for a fraction of a second before she assumed a blank look as began wiping off the blood that fell from her forehead as the kids began laughing at her.
Meanwhile Luffy was boiling with anger over how they hurt this little girl though she didn't do anything to them or him for that matter. What drove him over the edge was the hurt look the girl gave though brief it almost caused a blood vessel to pop. The final straw was when the girl began to wipe her blood; the children laughed at her this finally caused him to snap.
"What is wrong with you throwing a stone on her like that, she wasn't hurting me!" he bellowed in anger causing the children and the girl to look at him with confused looks.
"Talk about ungrateful, we saved him from a monster yet he is shouting at us" the girl of the bunch spoke.
"What monster?!" Luffy asked clearly still angry.
"That one" all the children pointed in one direction.
Luffy looked where they were pointing, and saw the nice girl that helped him; no it can't be her he reasoned. Then continued to look around, even looked at the sky stretching his neck slightly, albeit the children didn't notice, but the girl did and her eyes' widened.
"What are talking about, there is no monster."
"Are you blind, it's right in front of you!" the kids' patience was reaching its end clearly, maybe they should leave him to meet his end.
"I'm the monster." The girl stated emotionlessly.
Looking at her, "No way, you are a girl and you are nice. You told me where I am." Luffy finished. Though not showing it, she was inwardly touched by the boy's kind words.
"Yes, she is. She does those weird things with her hands." One of the boys said clearly frustrated that someone was standing up to the so-called "monster".
"Hands, you are afraid of hands. You have hands just like her." Luffy retorted.
"That's not what we meant" a boy with glasses this time spoke. This boy to them was as dumb as they get.
"They mean I can do this." The girl spoke up, and suddenly a line off arms jolted from the ground till they met Luffy. Luffy only stared at them, the girl didn't care what he thought she was used to that; the children were waiting patiently wanting to know what he will say.
"So what that doesn't make you a monster…" the boy's words caused the girl to make a double on his words and look at him with wide eyes. The children were flabbergasted, even after seeing it he didn't think she was a monster. There was something definitely wrong with the world today.
"In fact, this makes you awesome," the boy cheered as he began probing the arms and asking questions like a machine gun, "that's so awesome. How can you do that? Can you show? Can you do more than hands? How about eyes..."
The girl clearly became uncomfortable with all the praise she was receiving; no one ever praised her like this. She came out of her thoughts as the final boy of the group screamed "Have you lost it? This makes her a monster."
The straw-hatted boy stopped stared at him for a little and made the girl wonder what he will say this time. He took a bad breath and began
"You;" pointing the girl "You look like a small piglet." Said girl cried at hurtful name.
"And you;" pointing this time at the boy with glasses "You look like a shiny egg with eye glasses." Who retorted with a "hey"
"You look like you are growing a bush over your head," pointing at the third boy who threw him a scowl.
"And finally you look you have horns on your head." Luffy finished as the boy who just called out gave him an angry look.
"Compared to her, you look like the monsters here." The children's minds know were blasted. The girl was shocked that boy actually defended her.
"Horn- head" made his way to Luffy grabbing his shirt before he said, "who do you think you are to talk to us like that?"
Luffy smirked before pointing to himself "I'm Monkey D Luffy, Future pirate king."
This was meant laughter from the kids. The girl merely stared dumbfounded at him, he just talked to her like she was a normal person, defended her, called her bullies names, then to top it all he stated something so ridiculous with so much conviction. Who was he?
"Look at him. What an idiot?" "Piglet" said
"A freak and pirate wannabe. What a pair?" "bush-head" spoke.
"They truly deserve each other." "egg-head" chimed.
"horn-head" now came to Luffy who didn't budge a bit although the boy by all accounts was bigger than him. He stared at him then shoved him saying "You don't what you are talking about. Get lost."
Though the shove didn't cause Luffy to move, his hat fell off causing to boy to go into panic as if he lost a limb of his. Running toward it, he picked it up, checked it for damage, put it on his head tightly as if to never lose it again, ad turned to the boy who was laughing at what he did and said "You asked for it."
All the eyes now were pointed at the straw-hatted boy who was now readying a fist. Then he began to rotate his arm in a circular motion. "Gum Gum…"
The boy stamped his foot on the ground, and then threw his fist forward as if he was pitching something only for it to stretch. "Pistol"
The fist flew straight at "horn-head" merely grazing his head though it did cause him to fall. It then started to ricochet off trees before it finally went up in the air and landed on Luffy's head, "Ouch"
As the boy was rubbing his head, the others were dumbfounded as they watched the arm slither among the grass back to its place. The boy looked at them and said "What?"
The children all screamed "Run for it." Crying blooding murder all the way back from where they came from.
As they left, the straw-hatted boy and the dark-haired girl were left alone. A soft breeze went by, that's when the girl broke the silence "thanks you for standing up for me." The girl thanked him as she bowed holding the book she had with her.
"No problem, I hate jerks like that and you didn't anything for them to hurt you like that." Luffy said.
Now the girl looked at him with curiosity in her eyes, "How did you get your powers?"
"Oh, yeah I ate the gum-gum fruit;" he said as he stretched his cheeks, "So I became a rubber boy." letting go of them as they slapped back into their place making a rather painful sound though it didn't bother a bit.
"Really I ate a devil fruit too, the hana-hana fruit" the girl explained.
Both children started laughing as they thought how strange the odds are to meet someone else with a gift as weird as they have.
The girl stepped forward as she put her hand on the air, "my name Robin."
Luffy took her hand and shook it. "My name is Luffy and it is nice…"
A loud grumbling sound made its way to Robin's ears, she noticed it came from Luffy stomach, and the boy started complaining "Man, I'm so hungry I can't move."
Robin looked with concern at him and she thought of something, but it was risky. Looking at Luffy again, she knew it was worth the risk giving that Luffy was the only kid her age who would speak to her so she said, "if you can stand, I can give you food."
This had a simultaneous effect as Luffy jumped on his feet smiling with a very large toothy grin, "Really thanks." The girl merely nodded silently worried about the boy's mental health.
As the two made their way back to Robin's house, the girl used her powers to check the coast is clear before entering. Seeing that no one else is in, she told Luffy to follow her.
When they entered, Robin motioned to him to take a seat while she made him something to eat. Luffy did as he was told and sat patiently in a chair and waited for Robin to make him something.
Robin crossed her arms over her chest causing a multiple of hands to sprout out of everywhere; each one of them grabbed something from the bread to the knife to the jam and finally started working. Luffy meanwhile was having a field day seeing Robin using her powers; they just seemed so cool.
As soon she finished making Luffy a sandwich, her arms started shoving everything away, putting all the ingredients where they were in the first place. She walked to Luffy with his food and a plate and presented it to him.
As he dove in munching every last bit of the sandwich, Robin sat across him on the table and put a hand to her chin and asked, "I presume aren't from here are you Luffy?"
"What do you mean?" the boy asked as took another mouthful of food.
"Well, I mean that most children my age are downright terrified of me, but you aren't." the girl answered him
"Ok, no I came to the west blue with my brother but we got separated during the storm yesterday, then I washed up on Ohara this morning." The boy explained.
"Wait, if you aren't from the west blue, from where are you then?" she inquired ignoring the obvious issue being that Luffy's brother was lost.
"East blue"
"Wow" was the girl's only reply. Luffy and his brother came all the way from the east to west blue. In her eyes, they were so brave to venture into the world like this then she shook her head a little when a question popped into her head why did they leave in the first place.
"You seem shocked. Is there a problem?" He asked her breaking her line of thoughts.
"No, but if you came from the east blue, you must he crossed through the grand line right." She told him.
Luffy's eyes widened as the realization hit him, he sailed through the same sea that gold Roger sailed through. He suddenly spat out his food and began to scream "This is so awesome. I sailed… Humph" he was abruptly silenced by multiple arms sprouting from the chair and table closing his mouth.
"Hush, be quiet." Robin ordered with a sad look on her face.
Luffy looked at her with sympathy in his eyes, "What's wrong Robin?"
"It's just that no one can know I brought you here or that I fed you." She began explaining, "My aunt Roji hates me and she always hits me, barely feeds me, and gives me old tattered clothes." She finished as she pointed at her dress.
"Wow, kind of reminds me of grandpa," The boy said, "except the whole clothes thing." The he gained a thoughtful expression. "Then again, Makino is the one that usually bring me new clothes so there's that." He finished
"Your grandpa also hits you." Robin asked kind of surprised since the boy was always smiling she didn't imagine he was abused like her.
"Yeah, he always yelling at me, throwing me into the jungle alone, and every time I say I want to be a pirate he hits me although I'm rubber so his hits shouldn't hurt me, but they do." He said as he rubbed his forehead as if to show her the pain he endured countless times.
"That's horrible," the girl said, "but aren't pirates all a bunch of murderers and thieves?"
"No, Shanks isn't like that." Luffy spoke up defending his idol taking robin by surprise. "You see Shanks is one if the coolest pirates out there, even though I ate his devil fruit;" shocking Robin on that last bit of information, "he was more worried about me not be able to swim than about it," she than noticed his face taking a form of guilt. "one day, a mountain bandit attacked so shanks risked his life for me by fighting a sea king that almost eat me when the bandit took out me to the sea to escape from him," she was more than astonished by now, "in the end he lost his arm for me. But then he helped me learn how true pirates acts; that they only risk their lives for their friends."
Luffy then proceeded to lower his straw-hat looking at it with a small grin on his face, "before he went away, he made promise to become the greatest pirate out there and gave his hat as a sign of our promise." He then broke a trademark toothy grin. "That's why I am going to be the king of the pirates one day." He said unaware of how angry Robin has become.
"How can you be so happy after all these things happened to you?" She said as she slammed the table shocking Luffy enough to make him fall out of the chair. She couldn't get it he was abused by grandpa, almost ate by a sea king, and watched a man lose a hand, but he looked so happy. She had been abused since she was 2 years old and for him to just come with this ridiculous amount of trauma and not care was mind shattering.
Luffy shrugged as he came off the floor then said, "Well, I'm going to grow one day, so when I do I'll just simple stop them from happening." He said flashing a toothy grin.
Robin was filled with awe by this, never in her life had she heard something so inspiring.
So lost in her thoughts, she didn't notice Luffy come up to her and bring his face into hers. "Hey robin, want to go outside and play?"
Noticing the close proximity they were in, her cheeks reddened a little. However, she was beyond happy right now, he actually asked to play with her; this was a dream come true.
As both kids exited the house through the backdoor, Luffy closed the distance between him and Robin causing her cheeks to redden again. He looked her in the eyes then poked her nose, "Tag, you're it." He said as he ran giggling all the way.
Angry she was caught off guard, she ran after him though inwardly she was so happy right now. She always wanted to do this, but no one else wanted to play with her. She spent the rest of her day playing with Luffy till noon came where she went to her home though bit worried about Luffy since he said he would sleep in the forest.
Sleeping on Ohara was by all accounts was a pleasant change, though it was a forest the wild life here wasn't as threatening as the ones back on Dawn Island. Luffy enjoyed his sleep very much that night, but come morning he was awaken by what seemed to be someone crying. As he opened his eyes and began to rub them, he noticed a small figure running his direction. As it got closer, he noticed it was Robin and she seemed very distraught, so he ran over to her and asked he feeling unexplainably worried for his new friend, "Hey Robin, what's wrong? Why are you crying?"
"What? Luffy, you are here. I didn't notice you." She said quickly wiping her tears away. She didn't want to tell him in fear that she might scare him away, so she tried to play it off, "No, there is nothing wrong. Why would you say that?"
"But why are you crying? Did those bullies hurt you again? Do want me to beat them up for you?" Luffy asked looking suddenly serious and totally different from his cheerful attitude. Though she was put off by the violence relating beating up part, she was actually quite flattered that he truly cared about. It was rather refreshing from her point of view.
Trying to change the subject, she remembered something for their conversation yesterday, "Wait Luffy, you said that you came with your brother yesterday, but where is he?" Could he be still watching the boat they just came in? She reasoned since was the only possible explanation.
"Hmm, you mean Ace. Yeah, I don't know; I already told you we got separated by a storm the first day we came." Luffy said in such a causal, it almost made Robin feel he didn't care about his brother.
"How can you be so causal about this? He can be dead you know." She told him in reprimanding tone.
Luffy's eyes widened then screamed, "No, he can't be;" he suddenly sat on the ground with a depressed look causing the girl to feel worried, "he promised that he won't die not after what happened with Sabo that he will always be there for me." Luffy finished as he sniffed a few tears that was threatening to fall.
Robin was intrigued by this Sabo person; she wanted to ask Luffy about him if was he another sibling of his , but felt really bad for hurting Luffy's feelings. "I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings Luffy. I can go away if you want." Robin told him with a sad tone thinking she chased away the only person who would talk to her.
He looked up at her as if she was crazy, "What? Why would I want that? You're my friend. Why would I want you to go?" he asked genially confused why his new friend thought the he wanted her to go away as he stood up.
Robin couldn't believe her ears. Did he just say that she is his friend? No one ever called her that; they only called her a monster or a freak. These 2 days were beginning to be the best days of her life. Inwardly she was making a wish she knew was a very selfish one, she was wishing whoever Luffy's brother was he won't find his way to Ohara so Luffy can stay here with her so she wouldn't be lonely all the time.
"So what do you want to do Luffy?" she asked in very excited and happy tone.
Seeing that his friend was now in a better mood, "How about we play hide and seek?" he suggested.
Nodding her head excitedly, they decided that Robin would count, for Luffy didn't know basic math. As she began searching, she looked everywhere in the forest, but couldn't find him. That's when she went to the beach only to find Luffy standing and staring at something.
"Luffy, you are supposed to hide. Did you forget that?" she asked him clearly annoyed that he wasn't even putting an effort into it.
"I know, but look at that." He told her.
Once she put her eyesight on the direction Luffy pointed at, she was also interested even though her face didn't show it. On beach, there was a giant man washed, he was wearing a worn out clothes and a tattered cowboy hat. As they approached the figure, it suddenly rose up and roared at them only to receive two different reactions. The straw-hatted boy laughed his head off while the girl simply stared. Trying again to make the girl laugh, he roared once more only to receive the same result he finally spoke, "At least someone is entertained." Then he promptly collapsed.
"Waa… Waa" he tried to speak. Both kids looked at each other confused and said at the same time "Worms"
After a few moments, Robin was finally able to understand that he wanted water. She directed him towards a running river to which he started drinking from greedily. He then fell onto his back on some trees using them as a pillow. "I'm alive, this is a miracle."
He looked at the two children, he saw one of the children was a little boy who was beyond excited by seeing him, and the other was a little girl who wore a very impassive look on her face.
"Does this place have town?" he asked them not that he really cared he wasn't going there in the first place. Robin nodded.
"If you are waiting for something to happen, then you are going to be disappointed. I hurt my leg so I won't be able to do anything." He told them disappointing Luffy a little.
"Ahh, but you are so cool."
"First time you both see a giant." he was met by yes from both of them in different tones.
"Now, I need to ask you two to not tell anyone about me."
Luffy given the fact that he was planning to stay in the forest till Ace came wasn't a problem unless someone came by him. Robin replied, "Okay, we won't tell anyone." She was unsure about Luffy.
"Luffy, I want a favor from you."
"What?" he asked her
"Promise me you won't tell anyone about him." She told him.
"What? But, but…."
"Luffy" she said in a scolding tone.
"Fine, I promise I won't tell." She giggled a little as she achieved her goal. "See we won't tell anyone."
"That's too easy; you're children you must be lying." He said.
"No, I'm not. I won't tell anyone and so will he." Robin said pointing to herself and Luffy.
"I'm sure you're lying you are children after all. The moment you go away from here you will tell everyone." The giant replied.
"But I'm not that really interested in you." Robin stated plainly only to be interjected by Luffy who was over the moon, "How can't you be Robin? He's a giant." He finished then looked towards the giant; Robin couldn't help but feel a little excited, truly Luffy was already beginning to rub on her; then he asked him. "Can you poop?"
Robin stiffened at this question; hoping that it won't cause the giant to get enraged. Her worries were all put to rest as the giant exploded into a weird form of laughter and crying, "Dershishishi"
As the giant began Luffy followed him laughing in trademark laughter "Shishishishi"
Robin looked with confusion at the two and asked them "What are you doing?"
"We're laughing."
Robin couldn't help it but began to laugh herself and told them, "Your laughs are very funny."
The giant replied by saying that Robin's laugh was nice causing a small blush to appear on her, and then Luffy agreed with him causing it to deepen.
"You are funny little guy aren't you?" the giant asked him as he finished laughing looking over to the little boy.
"Shishishishi," Luffy laughed a little, "You're funny too. You are a giant so do you get into fights?" Luffy asked excited about hearing stories from the giant.
"What? No, not all giants are monsters like those from Elbaf. Don't put me in with those trouble makers, they are peaceful giant clans." The giant answered disappointing Luffy a bit.
"By the way, I guess I haven't introduced myself yet. My name is Jaguar D Saul." The giant introduced himself.
Robin was shocked by his name for her to meet two Ds two days in a row was quiet interesting as if fate itself was trying to tell her something.
"My name is Robin, and this is my friend Luffy." She said only for her face to take a very displeased look. "Actually, he is my only friend." This caused Saul and Luffy to both look at her. "Don't worry Robin, you'll make friends eventually." Luffy said trying to put her mind at ease.
"Why's that?" Saul asked only for a row of arms to sprout on his entire arm. Robin was shocked when Saul didn't yell at her and only said "So you have a power, that's no reason not to have friends. I've been to the grand line and saw people with a lot of strong abilities."
"Actually, we both have them." Robin said. Saul then looked at the boy who stretched his arm till he grabbed his beard and slingshot himself towards him only to land on his hat; this caused the two Ds to start laughing again.
However this stopped as they noticed Robin was still depressed a little, so Saul came up with an idea. "Come on Robin, laugh with us."
The girl looked at him confused, "Laughing makes people feel good doesn't it. That's why when you are hurt you must laugh." He reasoned.
"But laughing when I am hurt makes me look stupid." She argued. "Come on Robin, at least try." Luffy chimed in this time. Not wanting to be left outside the of fun Robin began, "Dershishishi"
"That's good Robin, do it some more." Saul said as he returned to laughing with children.
For the next 4 days, Robin hang by Saul and Luffy even smuggled some food for them. Knowing the consequences of her actions, she opted to stay with them. The three would stay together talking, laughing, and the children would watch Saul build his raft. None of them was prepared for the craziness that was about to unfold on Saul's fifth day of arrival.
Garp was confused. He remembered the call from Sengoku about Saul going AWOL. At first, he didn't believe him, but the moment he arrived at marine ford he finally had to admit it. The grounds was cracked showing signs of a struggle and the prison was ruined as one of the cells was bust open, to top it all a vice admiral was heavily injured; he was supposed to go with Saul on a very important mission whatever that was. He then left in a hurry opting to follow Saul and get to the bottom of this. Sengoku tried to stop him, but he didn't care.
Now he was on course to Ohara, he suspected that if Olivia and Saul were to meet, it would be on her home island. He tried to find a reason for Saul's actions, but none could come to his mind. Saul was model of justice always there to do the right thing, and most important of all he wasn't blood thirsty as some marines were; he would usually give suspects the benefit of a doubt, but for him to actually help a criminal escape it was outrageous.
He looked into the distance and saw his destination grow closer, he was nearing Ohara Island. He told his men his orders, "Men, as you know from recent events, one of our own went AWOL helping a criminal escape. That person is vice admiral Jaguar D Saul…" he was interrupted by murmurs from his men. One death promising stare was enough to shut them down.
"As I was saying;" he cleared his throat and continued, "Saul helped a criminal escape from our custody. I guess I don't need to give introductions about her but for who doesn't know she is Nico Olivia." the men eyes went wide as they registered this new information.
"Your orders are simple; if you were to see any of them, you are to arrest them and I will take it over from there." He finished as the lookouts told him that they arrived at Ohara. Telling them to dock, he looked over to the tree of knowledge and mentally said to himself that if someone were to know about Olivia or even Saul, it would be the scholars of Ohara.
Now Robin was currently taking Luffy to meet the scholars; albeit both were reluctant. Luffy was afraid that his brother would come and won't find him so he will leave, Robin was afraid that the scholars was going to tell the marines about Luffy and they will take him back to his family leaving her alone again. In the last days, the scholars noticed that Robin was spending more time out; they began to worry that the incident that happened when she received her scholar certificate has caused the girl to enclose on herself and shun them out making her truly lonely. When they finally confronted her, she began dodging questions which didn't ease the scholars' worries, but this only helped raise more red flags as a new issue aroused being what she was hiding. When lead scholar Clover told Robin to confess; she finally broke and told them about Luffy and his story, and that she was spending time playing with him opting to leave Saul out. The scholars were happy that Robin found a friend, but weren't too pleased with the notion that he was sleeping in the forest so they asked her to bring him here; she agreed very reluctantly.
As they approached the tree of knowledge, Luffy asked, "Is this really necessary? I mean my brother and I always slept in the forest before we went sailing." This little remark caused Robin to feel more worried about her friend.
"Yes, the scholars want to know you and give a place to live, until your brother or your family comes and takes you back home." She said though a bit sad at the end.
As she reached the door, she knocked. The door was opened by a man who hair was styled in such a fashion it looked like clover leaf, this caught Luffy's attention quickly.
"Robin, you're back, did you bring your friend with you," said man asked the girl kindly.
"Yes, professor Clover." Robin replied.
"Good," he told her and then averted his attention to Luffy; "Luffy I presume? My name is Clover."
"Nice to meet you" Luffy said as he shook the old man's hand.
"Robin told me you're from the east blue, right?" the boy replied by saying yes.
"Why did you come to west blue?" the old man asked him.
"To escape from our grandpa" was the boy's reply, Clover then asked him why.
"Well, he wants us to be marines, and we want to be pirates; so we ran away."
Then Luffy suddenly asked a question that made a couple of the scholars to start laughing in the background, "why does your hair look like a leaf?" this caused Clover to blink a little.
Robin gasped fearing that Clover might be offended and kick Luffy out. She was surprised when the man just laughed and said, "I like it this way." The old man started to scan the little boy then he saw something that intrigued him, "Now, how did you get this scar under your eye?" the old man inquired though wondering how the conversation took such a weird turn suddenly.
"You mean this," Luffy said as he pointed to his scar. "I stabbed myself to prove to Shanks that I'm strong so he can take with him but it didn't work." Luffy explained.
The scholars and Robin were shocked to know that this wound was self inflicted by the boy himself. Robin stepped forward and asked him, "Did it hurt you?"
"Yeah just a little, but I've been through worse."
This caused the scholars to raise an eyebrow and Robin innocently asked "Like what?"
"Let me think a little," as he put a hand to his chin but suddenly his face turned red. Concerned Clover asked if he was ok. "Yeah, I'm alright, but thinking hurts." The boy told him as he rubbed his head.
All the scholars now were interested in Robin's friend since he was clearly out of place and had quite the character on him. No wonder Robin liked being around him; he seemed like a social butterfly. Finally he remembered something, "Yeah, I remember. One time gramps tied to bunch of balloons and send me flying, when I came back down Makino said I broke all my ribs and a hand too." The boy finished causing the scholars to pale at the story and Robin to tear up a little for her friend.
"Why did he do that to you?" Robin asked him as tears threaten to fall.
"He said he wanted to train me to become a strong marine."
The scholars were truly disturbed by this account; no wonder the boy and his brother ran away. "Did anything else happened Luffy?" Clover asked concerned for the boy's health, he was planning to tell the marines but maybe the boy would be better off if he stayed here with them, add to that Robin seemed to enjoy his presence.
Luffy hummed for a bit, "Well, Makino said that he set me to fight trained fighting monkeys as soon as I began to walk. One time he threw into a pit full of tigers, another into a bottomless pit. Oh yeah, he also threw into the jungle alone for 4 days before I found my way back home…" as he went on recalling the training his grandpa has out him through, Robin was visibly trembling at the idea of sending him back, if she didn't know any better she could say his grandpa was actively trying to kill him.
A knock on the door brought out them of their talk, Clover went to the door wondering how did this 7-year managed to survive all that "training" his grandpa put him through; he was very strong for his age if anything. He opened the door with a smile and said "I'm Clover. Welcome to the tree of knowledge, how can I…"
His eyes were greeted to a less than a pleasant sight, the hero of the marines Garp with right-hand man stood in front of him with marines entering and 2 remaining outside.
"help you?"
"May I come in?" Clover wanted to say no but this would raise suspicions so he nodded.
As Luffy looked at the newcomer, he greeted him causally "Hi, gramps." Then a few seconds later, his senses told him something was wrong until he finally processed what he saw and said so he began to trying to escape.
Garp replied as casually as Luffy, "Hi Luffy, when did you get…" Garp mind stopped a little processing what he saw; Luffy was here. No way, blinking and wiping his eyes, the same straw hat, same shirt with anchor on it, and same scar was all there. Yup that was his grandson alright. He calmly said, "Luffy how are you here?"
Luffy glanced in fear as his attempt to escape failed when tried to run to a window and jump from it so he can avoid detection. Steeling himself he began, "Ace and I escaped from Dawn Island after you left. We tried to find a way to the grand line but we ended here in the west blue."
"Ok, where is Ace then?" Garp asked as calmly as possible although the vein on his forehead told a different story.
"We got separated by a storm, I don't know."
The scholars could hardly think as they were worried for their own lives and one thought on their head did they find out about us. At the same time, the situation between the 2 siblings was tense. Not a moment passed, as Garp finally gave into his rage and punched Luffy so hard he cracked the floor a little and yelled at him, "Are you insane? You could've died."
"Well, you threaten to take us to that Impel Down place so we didn't have a choice." The boy replied as he rubbed his forehead to ease the pain a little.
The scholars all went white as they heard what Luffy said, and looked at Garp as if he was insane or out of his mind.
Garp noticing the bewildered looks he was receiving quickly defended himself, "No, wait. It's not what you are thinking."
"It was just part of my plan to make him into a marine. I threaten him with jail or marine ford; he'll beg me to be a marine in case I kept on his home island." Garp explained the truth of the situation.
Some of the scholars were mind blown while others faceplamed on the craziness of his plan. True Garp might be the hero of the marines, but thinking wasn't his forte.
Garp was left angry and embarrassed as he was put in a very weird situation; his right-hand Bogard was merely shaking his head at how things have escalated so quickly into such a awkward situation. Garp then shifted his attention to the reason of his current predicament; aka Luffy.
"Luffy…" he was about to punch him when Clover interjected. "Mr. Garp, I respect your relation with your family, but I must insist that you refrain for hurting anyone here due to the possible damage you might cause to the books here."
Garp looked around and saw how tense the situation has become, so much for a smooth and subtle. He needed to find a way to ease the atmosphere so he can begin investigating.
"Luffy," he then saw a small girl run to Luffy and ask him if he was okay.
Seeing his chance, he assumed a more friendly tone, "So Luffy, I guess I can see why you came here after all, hunting girlfriends aren't you?" he said with a cheeky smile.
The effect was immediate as both children faces redden considerably; Robin took to lower her head to hide her face, while Luffy denied the accusation.
"Now, go play along with your friend, while I have a word with the scholars." He said as he ushered him toward the door. Robin followed suite when Clover told her to go with the boy.
"Oh and Luffy, when I'm finished here, we are going to have a serious talk." Garp said ominously as Luffy gulped in fear as he went outside.
"Now given that the introductions were clearly thrown outside of the window, I have one question. What do you all know about Nico Olivia?" Garp spoke sternly.
When the woman's name was mentioned, the scholars especially Clover all started to sweat bullets.
As the children went outside, Luffy was considerably boomed out by the turn of events. Robin tried to comfort him, but nothing worked. She was also sad knowing that when Garp leaves so will Luffy. Well, at least he doesn't have worry about going to prison anymore he thought.
As they reached the forest, they went to the beach where Saul was still working on his raft. When they came out of the forest, they were on a hill; Robin began calling out for Saul. Finally, her eyes caught what they're looking for.
She saw Saul tying knots on his raft. He then came towards them and said, "So what do you think kids, pretty nice, huh?"
When he received no answer, he looked over to them closely and saw that both were sad. "What's with the long faces?" he asked him.
"Nothing, my grandpa came and I'm sure he wants to take me with him." Luffy replied first followed by Robin, "and you're both going away so I'll be alone again."
"Well that's a problem, but why don't you go with him, Robin?" Saul tried to offer a solution.
Though she was captivated by the idea, she shook her head, "My mom is at the sea, so I'm waiting for her so I can go with her next time."
"Hmm, I see." He looked over at Luffy. "Why are you sad Luffy? Shouldn't you be happy you're going home?"
"No, I'm not." Luffy said
"His grandpa is really mean, Saul." Robin said seeing firsthand how violent Garp was.
"Plus he wants me to be a marine, but I want to be a pirate." Luffy added.
Saul wanted to tell them about how the marines were good, but remembering recent events he wasn't so sure himself. Now, he was currently on a mission to reach Ohara to prevent the attack, thousands of lives depended on it. In summary, it was a life or death mission.
He pushed this to the back of his mind trying to find a way to cheer the kids up a little. "Come on; remember what I told you about laughing when you're sad."
Both children started laughing, though it didn't do anything to cheer them up. Noticing this, Saul looked Luffy in the eyes and told him, "Why don't you stand up to him Luffy? Tell that you don't want be a marine. Fight for what you believe in."
Luffy looked up at him not convinced, "I don't know about that, gramps is a really strong and is also a marine that's why he is hell bent on making me one; he wants me to be like him. I mean I want to be free; not tied down taking orders from everyone. " Robin couldn't agree more with him remembering how the scholars prevented her from joining their research; something she really wanted to do. She didn't study that hard and pass an archeology test with flying colors only to be left out and shunned by them; it was unfair.
This new information caused Saul's eyes his to widen. A marine here, this could jeopardize everything he's trying to do; then a small voice in his head told him that he might be able to help him avoid the oncoming massacre. It was worth the shot.
"Luffy, what's your grandpa's name?" Saul suddenly asked him out of the blue.
"I don't really know." The boy said confused why that would matter.
"I think professor Clover called Garp, right?" Robin stated.
Suddenly the hill the children were on shook as Saul slammed his fists on it "Garp as in Monkey D Garp the vice admiral" Saul exclaimed breathless.
The children were shaken by Saul's change of attitude, but managed to nod their heads.
Saul stood there; this is what he needs to save Ohara. If he can manage to bring Garp to his side given his history with Sengoku, Ohara will be saved from destruction. Looking back to the children, "Listen kids, I want you…" he stopped noticing how there were frightened by his outburst.
Taking a deep breath and letting it out, he started again "I'm sorry I scared you guys, but it is very important that I talk to your grandpa now Luffy."
Luffy nodded his head in understanding and Robin said, "It's alright. We know you won't hurt us." They trusted Saul, but the way he acted was truly terrifying.
As the children turned to head back to the library, Saul stopped them; "Wait. I need to tell something very important to tell Garp when you see him, so come closer." The children went over to him to hear what he had to say.
Meanwhile on the distance, a small rowboat could be seen coming closer to Ohara, the sole occupant was currently praying, "Please, let me make it on time."
At the same time a large marine ship was making its way to the west side of Ohara, a man on its deck was smiling menacingly and had devilish look in his eyes, "Finally the world will witness the power of the world government,"
He then looked at something in his pocket and started to chuckle darkly.
"And know who their masters are." He said as he looked towards Ohara.
Author's notes:
Hi guys, welcome back. Now, I just want to point out something someone mentioned about the first chapter that the reverse mountain only goes one way, so I would like to apologize for this mistake and it will be taken into account for future fanfics.
Now regarding my story I just want to state 3 things:
This is most definitely a LuffyxRobin pairing for those who don't know yet. That's why I made her 10 years younger; I wouldn't go with such a plot to bring Luffy to Ohara just to make them meet earlier. There are many different ways to do that
Now regarding why I didn't go with the original plot like "Altered Tides" that Garp was the one who brought Luffy. Simple, I wanted to test out my own ideas whether they are bad or good; it is for the best that I put my own ideas into it and see other reactions rather than copy pasting what was already written. Though just for clarification , the only way to save Ohara is by Garp's intervention so there is no changing that.
I would just like to clarify that this fanfic will most likely be divided into 2 parts pre-time skip and –time skip.
As always take care, and please do tell me in the reviews which arc you are most excited for. Personally, I'm excited for water 7 because there where most changes will happen from the original canon.
Finally, I hope all look like my work.