"Can I show you something?"
Marco looked surprised at the sudden reappearance of Ace.
"God Ace, where have you been? I've been looking everywhere." The young man had been gone for over a day without a word. Marco had begun to think the worst. He would have been even more worried if this wasn't a common occurrence for Ace. He had the tendency to get wrapped up in things pretty quickly.
"I got lost," Ace said and there was something hollow in his tone that set Marco on edge. Something happened that was for sure.
"Where in a sinkhole? What's going on Ace?"
"We don't have a lot of time," Ace told him. "Just come on…please."
And for a second he sounded so scared that Marco had no choice but to give in. Sometimes he forgot just how young the commander was.
He followed Ace through the town and back into the outskirts. He didn't know where Ace was leading him and he refused to tell Marco anything else. It looked like they were going back to the harbor but at the last second Ace took a turn that led them through the forest. Marco had no clue what could possibly be so important way out here.
After nearly half an hour of running they broke through the trees into a field. It was hardly used by the looks of it. There were a few overgrown paths that zigzagged through the grass. Marco knew they were on the edge of the island. Past the field was a cliff overlooking the sea. The sun had set hours ago turning what was usually a beautiful sight into an endless black pool. The moon was partially obscured by clouds making it dark enough so that it was impossible to tell where the sea ended and the sky began.
"Please help me!"
Marco turned sharply, "Someone needs help."
Ace said nothing, and Marco was already running toward the distressed cries. Ace had no choice but to follow behind.
"Help me!"
"Hold on!" Marco called to them although it was doubtful his voice carried.
The distress call sounded like it was coming from the docks. Or more specifically an old boathouse. The screaming rose in intensity as he got nearer. He could hear Ace calling him to wait up but he was too concerned about whomever was in trouble. The voice sounded young and scared.
The doors had rotted off long ago. One lay at the entrance as a welcoming matt of sorts while the other was nowhere to be seen.
As he reached the entrance he slowed down glancing around.
"Where are you?" Marco called out looking around the room. What used to hold boats was now full of trash and scrap metal. No doubt it had been out of use for many years.
"I'm here! Please it hurts."
Not wasting any more time Marco made his way to the back, dodging the empty crates. Ace was close behind him. His Haki sensed the presence of not one person but in fact two. One was in front of them and the other…
"Ace," he murmured and Ace seemed to understand. "Yeah, I'm on it."
Satisfied Marco turned his attention back to the task. Stepping around rusted metal on the ground he made his way to the back corner. There was a boy there, it looked like he had somehow managed to get his foot caught between a crate and some rusted metal. As Marco knelt before him he looked up.
"Please can you help me?" He hissed through gritted teeth as he tried once more to fruitlessly pull his foot free.
Marco gingerly inspected the foot. It wasn't bleeding so that was good. He might have to move the entire box to free the foot.
"Stay still." He told the boy who was doing his best to keep his breathing level.
"Easier said than done." He panted as Marco picked up the huge crate. He lifted it up and a few feet to the side.
"Thank you," The boy said as he reached down to touch his ankle and grimaced.
"Do you need a doctor?"
"I think I might." He hissed as Marco helped him up. He leaned heavily on the man's shoulder as he led him towards the door.
"Ace?" Marco called out. He began to worry when the young man didn't respond. Ace was still here. Marco could feel it. But whatever he was doing he was unable to answer back. A feeling of urgency prickled his neck and Marco turned, setting the boy down against one of the boxes.
"Where are you going?" His eyes were wide with fear.
"I will be right back. I need to find my friend. Stay here." When Marco tried to turn away the boy grabbed for his arm, tripping on his bad foot as he did so
"Wait don't leave me here alone."
Marco tried to push him off, not in the mood to deal with this boy's fear. "Look kid, I will be back just stay here."
"I'll come with you." He said, his face pleading, "Please." Their eyes met and Marco had to hold in a sigh. He always had a bit of a soft spot for kids and younglings, especially when they were scared or hurting. He didn't use to be like this. Dumb Thatch was rubbing off on him.
"Fine, but we need to be quick."
He slipped his arm around the boy's shoulder and helped him stand. But when he started forward the boy remained still, refusing to move.
"Listen we …" Marco began again but he never got to finish.
In an instant, the young man's aura changed from scared and in need to bloodlust. The change happened so fast that Marco only had a split second to pull away. His instincts took over as he pushed the boy away, just in time to deflect what would have been a fatal blow to the heart to a graze on his arm.
Marco's eyes gazed from the knife to the young man's face, raising his eyebrow.
The boy... young man, stood strong on both og his legs, apparently, there was nothing wrong with his ankle at all. It had been a trap. One Marco had walked right into.
"Dammit!" The man hissed inspecting the blade of the knife. There was a small smear of blood on the edge where it had nicked his skin. But it was hardly deeper than a paper clip.
"Nice try kid." Marco meant it too. The way the kid had managed to hide his intent was pretty masterful. No doubt he was fairly competent as an assassin. But Marco didn't have time for this right now. He needed to find Ace and get to the bottom of this. "But I don't have time to play with you right now." He growled as some of his irritation crept out in his voice. He turned to leave hoping the boy would take the hint and count his blessings. Once more the killing intent had flared up so suddenly Marco only had a split second to move aside as the knife embedded itself into the wall, right where his head had been.
Marco frowned as he reached up and pulled it out of the wall. While annoyed part of him was impressed. The kid had managed to plunge it nearly four centimeters into the cement. That took some serious muscle and precision. Clearly, he wasn't dealing with an amateur despite his young age.
"I see you're pretty set on doing this," he said tossing the knife back to him. Blade first.
The kid didn't look surprised that he dodged, nor taken back by his laid-back attitude. Rather a wild smile spread across his face as he caught the dagger between two gloved fingers.
"I am," He agreed and for a moment all Marco could think of was Ace. Rather than the blonde-haired boy it was Ace standing in his place, with the same untamed smile as he stared down an opponent who hopelessly outclassed him. A brave idiot. Oyaji's favorite kind.
"Fine." He agreed motioning for him to attack.
To his surprise, the young man tucked the knife back into his belt, instead pulling a pipe from his back. He charged without warning as Marco brought up his hand, blocking him easily. But the boy didn't let it distract him as he jumped, surprisingly nimbly, over Marco to attack from the back. The older man easily blocked that one as well as he forced the blond back.
"Do you really know what you're getting into kid?" Marco asked as he attacked with his own blow. The young man grunted as he ducked just in time to avoid what would have been an incapacitating blow. He rolled away as a well-aimed kick from Marco grazed his legs. "You are still a little young to become an assassin and die for an unjust cause."
Marco had seen this before. Far too many times. Boys on the cusp of manhood were drafted into battles that weren't theirs to fight and die for the benefit of others. He had also met many young would-be assassins in his life. Many of them misguided and brainwashed. Although he always tried to dissuade them most were too far gone.
To his surprise, the young man smiled at that as he switched to the offensive charging Marco once more in a flurry of attacks much too fast for the normal eye to keep up with.
"First off no one is too young to die," He said as he ducked another blow. "If I haven't learned that yet then I am in trouble." The way he said it had an edge of joking but in that second as his next attack brought them face to face Marco could see his face clearly for the first time. A large scar covered most of his left cheek that, up until that point, had been concealed by his hair. It looked like a burn. A very serious burn. He was lucky he still had use of the eye. The kid understood the finality of death all right. Most likely better than men three times his age.
"Secondly it's a little presumptuous of you to assume my motives isn't it? You don't know anything about me."
"That's a two-way street," Marco told him as he avoided a swing of the pipe. "Yet it didn't stop you from trying to kill me."
"Third…!" The blond said ignoring him as he slammed his staff into the ground pausing in his attack. Marco stopped as well confused. "Stop pulling punches. I'm not going to stop until one of us is dead and if I'm not a big enough threat then you are going to have to prove it to me. He held out the pipe as darkness began to engulf his hand spreading up his arm and onto the metal. Busoshoku Haki, it looked like he had pretty good control of it as well. Despite himself, Marco was starting to like this kid.
"Fine," he agrees as his phoenix flames sprouted up over his body and two large wings extended from his back. He really couldn't afford to waste time. He was still worried why Ace hadn't reappeared. He knew Ace could take care of himself the same way he knew something was wrong here.
Haki-coated steel meant the brunt of his phoenix flames and the other man growled under the intensity of his power. He was forced to pull away as Marco came at him again and again. One of his dodges was a second too slow and in an instant, the flames engulfed his arm. But the next second his entire arm was coated in Haki and the fire was out. Still, it had undoubtedly hurt. Marco could tell from the way he kept that arm close to his chest.
"Ouch," He told Marco understating the pain of having your skin on fire. Even if it was only a split second.
"You're not a fan of fire I take it?" Marco asked as the staff came down on him again. He was referring to the scar tissue on his face.
The boy raised a hand instinctively to push his bangs over his face once more. Although his answer surprised Marco.
"Fire is an element, just like everything else. Being afraid of it is like fearing water because you are scared of drowning. It's irrational."
"Fearing death is irrational now?"
The boy transferred his grip to both hands as he stood strong in front of Marco.
"Yes," he said simply before he charged.
This time it was Marco who uncharacteristically reacted a second too late as the metal caught him just above the knee with enough force to shatter bone, had he been someone else. He didn't know if the other was getting faster or if he was simply slowing down. Either way, it mattered not as the bruise was already healing thanks to his phoenix flame.
As Marco came at the boy again he noticed Ace's force was growing stronger. He was coming back from whatever he had been doing. But so was the other person. The feeling that something was wrong grew stronger as he turned his attention back to the fight. Just in time to notice the next attack. The young man faked a right swing before turning left at the last second catching Marco off guard. He turned to move but something odd happened. His arm didn't obey him fast enough. It was a delayed response unusual for his highly trained reflexes. Once again the mistake cost him as the staff hit his arm leaving another vicious bruise. He backed away looking Sabo over. Devil fruit? It certainly didn't look like it. But what else? He needed to end this now.
Rolling his shoulders behind him the wings reached out from their folded position to an impressive ten-foot wing span. The blond grit his teeth as he looked between the flaming appendages and then back to Marco.
He had already made up his mind, he wasn't going to kill the boy. Not if he could help it. As a general rule, Marco tried never to kill younglings even if they were technically adults. Even though he was a pirate in a world so full of injustice he didn't like to add to the tragedies. Somewhere somebody probably cared about this kid and would mourn his death. They would turn that hatred onto Marco and a never-ending cycle would start.
Although He was less merciful of adults and even less of those who were cruel and didn't understand the toll of taking a life. Besides he was starting to like the kid. He was gutsy that was for sure. Self-confident with the skills to back it up. And in an odd way, he felt familiar. But not so much so that Marco thought he had met him before. In a more abstract way that confused him. Still, though, this was a fight between pirates and someone was going to get hurt.
In the blink of an eye and a single flap of his wings, he threw himself forward toward the unprepared blond. His foot struck his side and he heard the crack as his flames erupted around them.
The boy gasped as he pushed away, caught up in the blaze of the flames as they engulfed him. For a moment Marco worried he had overestimated the teen, that the attack would do him in.
But the next second he watched impressed as he used his staff as a spring to hurdle himself over the flames as he crashed to the floor into a double roll to shake off the heat. He had pulled off his coat as well which had taken the brunt of the flames but he had still gotten some burns. Marco could see the black spots on his shirt where the fire had burned through to his skin. Nothing permanent but it no doubt hurt. He coughed the smoke out of his lungs holding the broken ones as he did so, all the while watching Marco through eyes squinted in pain. He straightened immediately when the man moved, ready to fight on a second's notice.
"Ouch?" Marco guessed mirroring his previous complaint.
Blue eyes searched his face and a hint of a smile graced his lips. "Ouch," He agreed.
It was odd but Marco couldn't sense any ill will coming from the blond. At every attack, there was an element of concentrated violence, like he was ready to kill Marco or be killed at that same moment. But that was more to do with his fighting style than anything else. Aside from that, he didn't seem like he wanted to hurt Marco any more than Marco wanted to hurt him. Which begged the question of why were two people who didn't want to fight, fighting? He needed to get to the bottom of this before …
"Ace," He said as the young man returned. He looked very pale but other than that unharmed. The blond also looked up at the arrival of Ace.
"What happened?" Marco asked as he turned his attention back to the fighting teen. He had proved too dangerous to be ignored.
"I'll tell you about it later," Ace said as he too turned his attention to the blond. He sounded uncharacteristically hollow. Very unlike the expressive young man Marco knew. Although he had become a lot more serious and closed off since his little brother was taken.
Marco knew how heavily it weighed on him at all times.
"Do you need help?"
"No," Marco said seriously as the blond charged, apparently losing patience with their talking.
As the two traded blows Marco once again felt the odd sensation of his body being disconnected from his brain. On two of the attacks, Marco was too slow and was hit with the pipe. A solid hit to his chest and another that scraped his cheek drawing blood. He retaliated strongly as his flames leaped forward. The blond was forced to break away as the flames covered his hand. He pulled off his left glove with a gasp as he cradled his hand to his chest.
Marco's eyes widened a fraction as he saw the burns that covered his hand as well, spreading up his wrist. No doubt about it, the young man knew the risks of playing with fire. But as he turned his eyes to Marco, more determined than ever, Marco knew he didn't care.
He came again, faster than before as his blows seemed to come out of nowhere. Marco negated them the best he could but one after the other found its mark on him. Hitting him faster than his flames could heal him. His fire surged up to his anger and the boy was forced back, springing back onto his unburned hand before landing on his feet a few meters away, already in a defensive stance waiting for more.
"What did you do?" Marco said eyes narrowing. Something was wrong with him all right. But he didn't know how the other was doing it.
The boy remained silent glancing from him to Ace. Marco felt his temper boil over as he attacked once more. This time though he wasn't going to give the boy an out. He would finish it now.
He felt the staff dig into his side in an explosion of pain. It was worth it for the chance to sweep the man's legs out from under him sending him crashing to the floor. Marco could see the fire reflected in his eyes as he stared up at the man. Marco opened his mouth to ask one last time what the hell he had done. But he never got the chance.
The second the boy hit the ground Ace had moved. So distracted by the fight Marco hadn't noticed until it was too late. Something snapped around his wrists as a familiar feeling of cold rushed through him. His fire disappeared in a snap and a rough kick shoved him backward. It happened in an instant, too fast for Marco to realize until it was too late.
He had been an idiot. He had forgotten about the other presence. The one Ace had gotten tied up with. Although it wasn't exactly a familiar aura Marco should have figured it out. When Ace returned they had moved as well. Marco was so distracted with the kid he hadn't paid enough attention. It was going to cost him.
"Burgess."
Ace stared impassively back at him. He was standing over the blond boy in a protective stance. He didn't confirm it but then again Marco didn't need him to.
Ace had planned the entire thing. His disappearance, his odd behavior. He was working with that boy. One of Teach's maybe? To take him down. And Burgess was watching the whole thing smug as a bug and safe from the fighting. It was an elaborate trap and he had fallen right into it.
"Ace don't do this." He said as he watched his friend pull the blond boy to his feet.
"You're better than this."
"I'm not," Ace said turning to Marco once more. The pain was evident on his face.
Marco pulled on the cuffs experimentally, knowing that without the key he wouldn't get them off. And without his powers, he would have a hard time taking on three of them. But that was the plan all along. They never expected the blondie to win on a one-on-one with him.
"Ace," He kept his voice calm, fixing his intense gaze on the boy. "I know why you are doing this." His gaze flickered up to the ceiling with a glare before turning back to his friend's face. "You have to trust us. We can help you, not these guys."
Although Ace hadn't been with them long it was long enough to know exactly what kind of person he was. From the first day they had met him, even while trying to take Oyaji's head, they had known everything they needed to about Ace. Despite being constantly surrounded by friends he was alone. He was a hothead and didn't always think things through. But he was brave and strong and from the bottom of his heart couldn't stand by and let injustice happen. He was also loyal to those who were special to him and he would do anything for them. That was the trait that Oyaji had admired the most about him. It made Marco sick to think how it was being used against him. He wished he could make Ace understand that loyalty worked both ways. All of his sisters and brothers would gladly protect Ace as he did for them. If only he would let them. But in all the months they had been together Marco had failed to get Ace to understand that.
His voice dropped lower as he tried to keep the sound from carrying. He didn't want the monsters getting anything else to use against Ace. "You're our little brother." He said giving him a soft smile. "There isn't anything we wouldn't do for you."
"And he's my little brother," Ace said his voice hardly louder than a whisper as it shook. His eyes were begging Marco to understand. "And there isn't anything I wouldn't do for him."
Ace had never looked more frightened than he did now. In fact, Marco couldn't remember him ever looking frightened. It reminded him of that first few weeks while he was a prisoner on their boat, constantly trying to kill Oyaji. When Marco looked into his eyes he saw so much pain and betrayal. He had looked lost. As he did right now.
"I can't…I can't lose him." Ace said trying to somehow make Marco understand. "If anything happened to him…" He took a shaky breath and from beside him, the blond squeezed his arm. "I don't think I could live with myself."
Marco didn't like where Ace was going with this. All this time they had believed he was alone in the world except for his friends. Apparently, they had been very wrong.
"It's okay." He said looking into tormented grey eyes. "I understand." And he did. Marco never wanted to be forced to choose between his family. Or god forbid his brothers and sisters and Oyaji.
"It's going to be okay." He promised.
The blond boy squeezed his hand tighter and Ace turned his attention from Marco to look at him as they shared a silent conversation.
Marco furrowed his brow in surprise wondering what he was missing. Maybe the newcomer wasn't part of the Blackbeard's? Ace sure as hell didn't act like it. But if not that then what? And why did it seem like the two knew each other? Whatever the answer was it would have to wait as Ace seemingly won the unspoken argument and the blond nodded stepping back. Ace turned to face Marco once more as he tried uselessly to pull on the cuffs.
"This plan," Marco said looking between Ace to the other boy. "It doesn't seem like something you would come up with." He glared at the blond who stood strong under his gaze. Ace stepped between them once more."
"Just tell me what you did to me." Marco's body seemed like it was getting slower by the minute. Something was really wrong.
Ace remained silent but the blond drew the knife from his sleeve. "It's a poison." He told him with no hint of emotion in his voice. Marco looked down at his arm seeing the small spot of blood. "It's jellyfish poison. Fast acting and is incredibly powerful. Even a drop is enough." He tucked the knife into his belt perhaps for later use. "It's strong enough that even you won't be able to heal fast enough." He looked between Ace and Marco for a moment before continuing. "Even if you beat us and get free it will be too late ….I'm sorry," he added a minute later.
Marco gritted his teeth. One thing was for sure, they had thought this through. "We won't know until we find out."
"Right," Ace growled. And that's when he attacked. Fire burst from his body in tendrils of heat burning so bright he was blinding. Marco barely deflected the first attack, as he kicked Ace aside feeling the intense heat burn his shoe. Taking on a fully charged Ace without his powers wasn't going to be easy. And the poison didn't help either.
He jumped into the air avoiding another blow that would have shattered his jaw. He twisted in the air to avoid another attack, landing on shaky legs and panting heavily.
Ace glanced at him and his expression was heartbreaking.
"I'm so sorry," He whispered.
"None of this is your fault." Marco hissed as his gaze once again looked up at the ceiling where no doubt Burgess was watching the entire exchange.
Ace shook his head, "You should have just fucking killed me when we met. At least then I wouldn't have to hurt you. To betray you guys and Lu would still be safe."
"Ace…" Marco tried again but he was cut off as Ace's temper snapped.
"Stop saying it's okay! None of this is okay." He gestured around them. "You, Thatch, Pops, all of you guys deserved better…"
Marco realized that Ace's gaze had shifted to over his shoulder the same second his haki flared in a warning. But it was too late. He felt the cold sensation of steel plunge into his skin. Slipping in just under his shoulder blade. Ace had been distracting him.
As black spots danced in his vision he looked up at his friend's face one last time. He looked like the world was ending.
Marco was overwhelmed by the horrible feeling of failure He had failed his father who had always trusted him unconditionally, his brother Thatch who he couldn't save, all of his brothers and sisters who relied on him, Ace's little brother who had given up his life and by extension Ace's to save the life of Thatch and finally he had failed Ace, who had been desperate for help that Marco couldn't give.
A burst of dark laughter filled the room from a point he couldn't see. He felt his knees buckle and the ground rushed up as everything around him erupted into blazing fire.
'Sorry, everyone.'
XXX
I don't have a lot to say about this one. Hopefully you guys like it. I had a lot of fun writing it. I think Sabo is a really interesting character and I like writing him from other people's point of views. I know I haven't focused on him enough and what mental processes he's going through in finding out he in fact has a family (which he is still coming to terms with). But hopefully the next few chapters I will. I'm glad you like Luffy and Thatch. They are super cute together. They will be in the next chapter as well. I meant to put them in this one but it was getting way too long.
It cracks me up but you guys can't seem to decide if this story is super dark or super cute. I always get really mixed reviews saying either how fluffy it is or how I need to take it down a notch because it is too dark. Either way I really appreciate all the feedback and support from you guys. Thanks for sticking with me
XXX ReviewsXXX
(Once again I know I sometimes forget to reply to your review, I promise it is 100% accidental. I really appreciate all you reviews and read each one. (multiple times)
Wordlet: Thank you! I'm glad you liked it. I don't know if this one is exactly fun but it was something! Teach is definitely a jerk. More on this in chapter 16!
Ariana Deralte: Haha thank you. And who wouldn't be happy to have Luffy? He is a cute little ball of sunshine and Thatch is getting super attached.
Atedesrosiers: Thank you
Kitsune Foxfire: Aww thank you so much. I'm glad you liked it. I'll do my best.
Excalibur98:
Typhlosion8: Aww thanks. That's so sweet. Sometimes I worry.
Jordansdevil: More Luffy-Thatch bonding to come Thnx
yuzukikuran476: Not fast enough unfortunately
Angel Of Darkness 2004: Aww thank you
MelodiofHope: Luffy and Thatch are so cute! I love them. They are all going to save them. But only in a bit unfortunately.
madworld27: Haha in a bit. Some excitement happens first. But eventually Teach gets what he deserves (probably). Thank you for reading!
Flufflez McSugartop: Soon. I promise. I'm planning next chapter. Luffy was too upset in 15 for him to communicate. And thank you
Mel72000: Haha thank you. I'm glad people think they are cute together.
GreenDrkness Yes! Things look up for Luffy and Thatch. At least their together again. Lots of Sabo in this chapter and more Sabo and Ace next time. Writes I shall.
DemonKittyAngel : Aww, I'm glad you liked it. Pshh like Blackbeard could ever hurt Luffy enough for that. In Luffy's hierarchy he is at the bottom. How dare Teach hinder Luffy's fashion accessories? That's how you tell a true villain.
Oh yea, that is going to be awkward. Poor Marco. I don't think he would have been jealous though. More relived that Ace had someone watching his back that he trusted unconditionally. That's true that the WB's deserve more of Ace's trust. Maybe after they get Luffy and Thatch back (wink wink)
I am glad you liked the fluff. It was super fun to write. Even if it was kind of sad for little Luffy. Unfortunately more angst on the way. But I promise the story will end in lots of fluff. Actually the reveal I know a lot of people have been waiting for is probably going to come next chapter! So yea!
Thank you so much for the review! It made me so happy to read. Keep being awesome.
Klanglilie: Aww, that's so sweet. I'm so happy you think so. Personally I am super dyslexic so I have to write in a way where when I'm reading I can skip lines without missing a lot of info. I'm really glad you like my story
Canadas: AWW merci. Je suis heureux que vous ayez aimé. Un autre chapitre émotionnel.
HNovion:
YJV: Yes! Just not so quickly. But they are working on it. They are going to be together again soon! So true, Teach sucks.
Luffys wife: AWWWW thank you! That's so sweet. I love you too Sorry if this chapter was scary poor Marco…and Ace.
MayaHikari: Seriously. If it happened once shame on Teach but you would think Luffy learned his lesson the second time.
Insomniac Dormouse: Thank you I love getting compliments that's so sweet. Thank you Soo much for reading it!
Astoria Lilika: Haha what happens next isn't great. But hopefully you liked this chapter as well. Even if it was a bit sad. Thank you for the review! That's so nice of you!
Blackluna: Well I'm glad you liked it. I love that feeling of fanfics of immersed reading. I am so happy this story was able to inspire it in others. I'm really glad you like the bonds as well. Its always the best parts of FF (for me at least) And to answer your question of what Marco was up to in that time, mostly looking for Ace. At least Ace now has Sabo to take on some of the weight.
Guest #992 : That's so sweet. I'm so happy you like my story. I shall keep updating as best I can so don't worry.
Randomly Talented: I know, what a jerk. And he just keeps getting jerkier. But I'm really glad you like the story! Such a nice compliment I think.
Guest #5,896: Aww, I'm glad you like it. Haha I think that's more times than I've read it. (because then there wouldn't be so many spelling mistakes). But thank you! That's so kind. Go you!
yuzukikuran476: I promise they will get on it. Just not quite yet
duda15: More Luffy Thatch next time (probably.) I think their bond had a lot of potential to be so cute because they are both sunny goofballs. Next chapter I think is when Thatch finds out about Ace. Thank you for the compliment!
leafpool5: Glad you liked it! Soon is a strong word but eventually! Hopefully the wait will be worth it.
Nala1220: Yea, unfortunately not even. But I promise I have a lot of plot planned. Including reuniting with Luffy. (The story doesn't end when they rescue them). I agree Teach is the worst. I hate him in the cannon so much. Glad you liked the fluffy chapter! And yes, Luffy is selectively smart!
JInJIn: That's so sweet. Thank you for the compliment. If it matters I would write all day and night if I could but if I did that I would flunk out of school, lose my job, and get evicted. But it would be almost worth it?
Bunnyprincess90: Thank you! That's so true. In the current timeline he is so strong and brave always trying to protect his friends (like his brothers did for him). I think Ace also mentioned he was surprised to see how tough Luffy got since his days where he would hide behind them. So I thought it would be interesting to have fifteen year old Luffy in the transition phase between the two. Yea, he still needs his paren… I mean brothers. I promise they will bring all the fluff once reunited. Thanks for the review
xXxWolvesInTheNightxXx: Tadaa! Wait no longer. Murder attempt in hand. In their defense I think a lot of people were expecting it to be a much bigger failure then it was.
Blackthorn Ashe: It's so freaking good! I love all her stories.
I got the idea from when Nick pretends to go crazy and snap Judy's neck for show. I love that scene!
Yea Luffy is having a rough time. But it will get better! Eventually. Thank you for the review