A/N: Hi every one! I didn't post last week cause I've started crossposting on AO3, and I wanted to close the gap between the two site without putting five chapters all at once.

Also, I might be posting every two weeks from now on. I have less time to write, and I'm taking my time to work on the storyline. So if you notice I'm slower, know that it is not by lack of interest on my part.

Currently working on chapter 8.


Chapter 6: The Stakes

Garp stormed out of Sengoku's office. He was livid. The old marine was going to break something. Someone, though he doubted the two men he had in mind qualified as anything other than "piece of trash". After he was done with them, he would send them to rot in the worst place he could find. If there was anything else left of them to be sent.

He had been waiting on the dock when Momonga's ship had arrived, and had jumped on it before the gangway was set. The other Vice-Admiral had had the intelligence to not stand between Garp and his grandson. He even had accompanied, briefing his colleague on what had happened during the trip.

Well, Momonga had been rough with his boy, but he could understand. He had always been a man true to his word, focused on his duty. However, when he had told him about the incident, or what was most likely two incidents, his blood had boiled inside his veins hotter than three pissed off Akainus.

Apparently, one of the two culprits had tried to run away after discovering Luffy was related to him. They knew what was coming. Dark thoughts and promises of pain crossed his mind, drawing a smirk to his lips. He would make them pay, that was for sure.

But first, he needed to focus on his grandson. After taking him up from the brig, he had immediately thrown away the cuffs and seastone bracelet. He wanted the kid to walk freely into Marineford. It was his new home after all. They had walked directly to his office, from where he had ordered someone to bring a lot of food, and only had left to talk to Senny when he was sure Luffy had been distracted by his meal. Knowing his grandkid, he had a good thirty minutes ahead of him before he ran out of food.

The discussion with Senny had been... somewhat tense. He was still a bit bitter his friend hadn't tipped him off about Luffy being arrested before it was too late.

The Fleet Admiral hadn't had Momonga's report yet, which was normal considering the marine had docked only twenty minutes ago, but had fully agreed on granting permission for Garp to deal with the two assholes, however, he saw fit. Then they had talked about the near future, where Luffy would stay, what he was allowed to do.

The conversation had derailed when Sengoku had mentioned the kid's status. Garp had hopped they would keep Luffy's father a secret, giving him a chance to exist on the base without having to carry the stigma. Apparently, it wasn't in the Gorosei's plan. He's identity would be public knowledge, and the old man knew a lot of people would consider him a criminal by association. Of course, being the grandson of the Hero would protect him from most, but not all of them, and he wouldn't always be there.

So now he had to take Luffy to Senny's office, but before that he needed to have a word with him. He knew the kid and the load of troubles that seemed to often follow him. There were many things that he would have to hide, if he wanted to have a chance at a somewhat normal life in the future.

Food. Lots of food.

Luffy wasn't... happy to be here. But he was glad to be out of the brig, out of the ship, out of the bracelet, and surrounded with food.

He hadn't spent a lot of days down in the damp and dark cell, most likely two and a half. The regularity of the meals had helped him keep track of time. Makino-Marine had been the one bringing it to him. They hadn't talked much. When they did, she was always a bit awkward and he didn't know what to say. It was fine, though, he enjoyed these moments as it broke the monotony of his imprisonment.

He had been surprised when the last time someone had come down to visit, it hadn't been the sound of Makino-Marine's light footsteps that travelled the corridor, but two pairs of loud ones. Before they had even arrived into view, the raucous voice of his Gramps had reached him and every hair on his body had stood on end. Old reflexes forged in countless escape attempt from Garp's fist-of-love.

It had been a relief to see a familiar face, though.

His Gramps had barely talked to him, when he had brought him to the office he was now gorging himself in. Luffy hadn't asked for anything, he could sense the raging fury hardly contained within the old man. He didn't want to be at the receiving end.

For now, he was content to just enjoy the opportunity to relax eating fancy meat.

The door opened at the exact moment he was licking the last plate clean, and a serious Garp entered. Luffy had rarely seen such expression on the marine's face, it usually didn't bode well.

His Gramps closed the door and walked towards him, raising his hand. Luffy shut his eyes in preparation for a blow... that never came. Instead, a soft hand landed on his head, as another found its way to his back, and he was pulled into a hug.

He was stunned. It was so out of character from what he was used to. And yet, passed the initial surprise, it felt oddly comforting. So he stayed still, his face pressed in the broad chest of his grandfather.

"I am so sorry for what happened to you on that ship." Luffy tried to look up, but the hug was too tight. "I'm sorry I couldn't protect you, or to prevent the Marine to take you away from your life."

His voice had a mournful edge to it. Luffy didn't know how to respond. He didn't blame his Gramps for things he had no control over.

The embrace was finally broken, and his Gramps sat across from him. Only now did Luffy notice how old the man looked, how worn. The marine sighed.

"Luffy, I have to bring you to Sengoku, it's my boss. He wants to meet you. But beforehand, you need to understand why you are here, and what is at stake."

His interest was picked, he had wondered about that a lot on his way here. He had had nothing better to do after all.

"Your dad..."

"I have a dad?" Luffy interrupted. He never knew he had one. He remembered a mother, just barely. She was kind, and smiled like Makino. Or maybe the memories of Makino had replaced the ones of his mother, but thinking that made him sad, so he preferred to say that they looked alike. Anyway, he remembered having a mother at some point, not a father.

"Yes, you have. He's my son, Dragon..."

"My dad is a dragon? Wait, am I a dragon? No, wait, what kind of dragon, the one that breathe fire, or the mean jerk noble one?"

His Gramps was massaging his temples.

"Neither, he's not an actual dragon, it's just his name."

"Oh." He was a bit disappointed. Having a fire-breathing dad would have been awesome.

"Your dad, Dragon, is a criminal. His is one of the most wanted men in the world."

The image of Ace flashed in his mind. So he too was the son of an infamous criminal. Did he also have to hate him? He didn't care after all.

"Is he a pirate?"

"No, he is the leader of the Revolutionary Army, and a thorn in the World Government side. He hasn't made his end-goal public yet, but it is likely to overthrow the Celestial Dragons."

"Oh, good."

His Gramps fist came crashing down his head, making him cringe in pain.

"You brat! Remember where you are! I don't want to hear you approve your father's ideas while you're here, you're in enough danger as it is..." He calmed down.

Fine, he would approve privately, then.

Garp let out a sigh. Well, he couldn't blame his grandson really. He too wasn't a big fan of the World Nobles. But they weren't in a position where they could express any political view on the matter.

"Listen to me. You are now in the custody of the Marine and there's nothing I can do about it. Being my grandson barely protects you. At least you're not in prison, not yet, but that could change..." The kid's big brown eyes were boring into him. He had his full attention, perfect, cause he needed him to grasp what was at stake for him to be on board with his plan. "If you don't behave, if you rebel or try to escape, they are liable to make your life hell. They don't care that you're a child, innocent, or a civilian." He lowered his voice, just in case anyone was listening. "You know what would have happened to Ace, had his mother not done what she did, and had I not hid him away."

He felt a bit bad for putting all of this on Luffy's shoulders, especially after the month he just had, but if he weren't clear he knew his grandson would do something stupid.

"Unlike Ace, though, your father is still active, which means you are more valuable alive than dead. Right now, you make a good hostage. That's what we need to change, and I have a plan. Everything will turn out okay. Luffy, you're going to become a marine!"

"Like hell!"

For the second time, he experienced his Gramps' fist-of-love.

"Don't be a brat!"

No! No way he would join! How could his Gramps even suggest it after everything he just said? After he was taken forcefully from his island? It made no sense at all.

"I'll never join the Marine! I'm gonna be the King of-..."

His Gramps' big hand stopped him from finishing his sentence.

"Shhhhh! Do you want to be locked up? You can't scream things like that anymore! You'll need to use your brain a lot more if you wish to stay free..."

He tore away from the hand.

"Stay free? I'm not free! If I were I'd be back in Foosha already!"

"That's... You know what I mean!"

The old man had deflated a bit. He took in a deep breath and shut his eyes, as if thinking carefully what he would say next, or mustering the courage to say it.

"You can't be free. Not anymore. Maybe not ever. And I'm so sorry about that."

Every word was like a punch in the guts to Luffy. It had the finality of a cell door being locked. He felt trapped suddenly, as if the walls all around were closing in on him.

"You won't be free, but it could be much worst. I just want to keep you safe. I'll do everything I can to do that."

"Then let me go." His voice was barely above a whisper. "Help me escape."

"I- I can't. They would stop me. And you would be chased by the Marine and bounty hunters. You're too young to survive alone in the Grand Line. And once they get you back, it would be over. You'd spend the rest of your life in a cell here, or worst, in Impel Down. I can't risk that."

It was so unfair. To Luffy, being free was definitely worth the risk. But he knew he wouldn't change his Gramps' mind. Though it was painful to admit it, he was right on two points, he was still too young to set sail, and from now on, he needed to use his brain more.

"I won't become a marine. Ever." He raised a hand to stop his Gramps from interrupting him. "But I get it. I'll keep it a secret."

"Well, I guess it's a start."

A silence stretched between them.

"I- There is something else I wish to discuss."

Luffy watched as his Gramps seemed to grow uncomfortable. He wasn't quite meeting his eyes anymore.

"You see, since you were pretty young when you started expressing yourself as a boy, and I didn't know you existed beforehand, I've always talked about you as my grandson. Which is good for you. Nobody here knows about... your condition. And it needs to stay that way. It's not... people don't do that in the Marine. Same for the relationships. The only one that exists is between a man and a woman. No marine will say or show otherwise..."

This conversation was deeply uncomfortable. It wasn't as if he didn't know that already. Once again, he wondered how on earth his Gramps could entertain the idea that he could join the Marine. At least nobody knew. But it was so fucked up. Against his will he thought of Jerk, and how Meany had just brushed off his actions and ordered him to stay quiet.

"But it'll be all right, as long as you are discreet, no one has to know. You look the part so it's good, they won't suspect a thing. You just look younger than your age but it happens sometimes. And your voice is deep enough..."

Luffy tuned his rambling out. He didn't need to hear his Gramps tearing him apart and rating each aspect of himself on the scale of 'Man Enough'. He knew it was his way of expressing his support, but it felt wrong. It only reinforced his difference, and every time his Gramps did it, he felt abnormal, like a fraud, like he didn't belong. It was depressing, so he had learned to stop listening.

Garp clicked his tongue in annoyance. His grandson was zoning out on him. He had half a mind to give him a good fist-of-love, but decided against it. Both weren't cut out for drawn-out conversations like that. It was a miracle he had been attentive this long.

Anyway, they had to wrap it up. Senny was waiting for them. They'd have time later to discuss about the rest. For now, he was satisfied that Luffy had understood and agreed about the discretion part.

He stood up, and his grandson blinked a few times before focusing back on him.

"Come, I'm taking you to meet the Fleet Admiral."

The boy followed without a fuss. As they both made their way towards Sengoku's office, Garp silently prayed the Sea that Luffy would cooperate during the meeting.


A/N: Thanks for reading!

Until next time folks!