Warning for swearing, blood, violence, and mentions of suicide.
XXX
The room- or rather the cave was huge. It made Teach's stupid throne room look small by comparison. You could fit three of those huge marine ships in here side by side without their masts touching the top. The cavern was made from the same sleet grey stone that everything was carved from. But unlike the rest of the catacombs the walls and ceiling weren't built from bricks but jagged stone, carved smooth by the influence of the ocean. The floor Luffy stood on was similar to a dock, only made from stone. It extended several yards into the humungous room before dropping off into the dark water that filled the cave. Luffy knew that it must be ocean water, it smelt like it. It was nighttime outside, that's why the ocean was so dark. But moonlight must be coming from somewhere because the room wasn't pitch black, rather dimly lit.
As far as he could tell this place was empty.
"Hello," he called, not surprised when there was no response. Maybe this was just part of the not-quite-right-in-the-head thing Sabo had told him. He was hearing voices again.
The water sparkled, occasionally catching glitters of light, making it look like it was made from diamonds. It had been so long since Luffy had seen the ocean. He didn't realize how much he missed it.
Luffy walked to the edge of the stone floor, dropping to his knees as he dipped his fingers into the water. His wrists were still bound, separated by several links of chain that rattled when he moved too fast. It kept getting in the way. Annoyed Luffy bit the chain again, moving to the sea stone cuffs and then his own wrists, as he had been doing for days. The skin there was already rubbed raw by the metal and now covered in little teeth marks. Lately, he had been biting harder and harder, debating how hard it would be to chew off his hands. Did people really need them? They had feet right.
Luffy missed his devil fruit powers, he missed being stretchy, but more than anything he missed being warm and not so tired and sluggish. He wanted them off- even at the cost of his hands. But every time Sabo and Ace caught him biting they would take his hands and hold them in their own, stopping him in his mission.
Ignoring that now, he dropped his hands back in the water. He felt the coolness of the ocean first, then the stung of salt against his wound, and finally, the bone-aching weariness that came with the sea.
Luffy fell to the side with a sigh, catching his breath on the cold stone floor. He was getting sleepy again, that wasn't good. He tried to fight the feeling. Luffy had spent most of the last few months by himself, all alone in a dark cell, chained to a post. It had been very lonely, and cold. But more than anything it was boring. Unless the doctor, Teach, the Marines or the creepy guy was harassing him them there was nothing to do but sleep. And when even sleeping got too boring Luffy would have to resort to something he had never tried before- thinking. All alone with his thoughts.
At first, he kept seeing the bad memories, playing over and over in his head. There had been no shortage of that recently. But he quickly decided that was a waste. He had lived them once, what use was thinking more about it. Luffy made his decisions, so did everyone else. That was it. So instead, he tried to focus on the good ones.
Luffy thought a lot about his little island, how warm it was there. He used to see the sky and the ocean every day and spent his days running through the woods. He thought a lot about that. How happy he had been. What the sun felt like against your skin. It used to be so easy to smile, easier than breathing. Nobody controlled what he did or said. Well… they still didn't. They kept trying but he wouldn't let them. Not now, and not ever. Luffy couldn't stop them from taking everything they wanted. But he sure as hell didn't have to do what they said.
He rolled onto his back and kicked off Sabo's socks, letting his legs hang off into the ocean, bare feet disappearing into the cool water. He was so sleepy. Worn out from all the running and fighting. The waves lapped at his skin, gently, like they were welcoming him home. His eyes slipped closed, exhaustion overtaking him.
Two years ago, he used to follow Ace to the river so he could swim upstream. There was no point for Luffy to go. It wasn't like he could do it too. But that didn't stop him. -They liked to do everything together. So Luffy would sit on the shore, kicking his feet into the water.
And so long ago, Sabo used to go with Ace, into the water while Luffy watched them. All the while thinking how unfair it was that he couldn't swim. He hated being sidelined.
And back before his devil fruit, he remembered what the water used to feel like. Shanks had tried to teach him. Luffy remembered frantically flailing in a paddling motion in the water, trying his hardest to swim to two feet where Shanks was waiting. He was awful at swimming.
And before that, when Luffy was really- really little, his grandfather would take him out to the ocean and hold him- dipping his feet into the water.
Then most recently- a couple of months ago when Luffy had managed to escape Teach, hanging on the top of the mast. He remembered thinking at that moment that it was better to die than lose your freedom. That same thought had been floating around his head when he hit the water.
-Footsteps-
Somebody was coming.
Danger-DANGER-DANGER!
He was coming. Luffy didn't know how long he had been out, but he had passed out at some point, and now he was here. He had to run, hide, get away somehow. He moved to his knees, but his legs gave out when he tried to stand. That man was going to catch him!
-it was better to die than lose your freedom
Luffy shook his head, clearing those ugly thoughts. He didn't want to go with the man. He didn't want to be kept in the dark and cold, where people hurt him again and again. He wanted to feel the sun on his face and see the sky. But he knew life was funny in the way it twisted and turned. He always believed anything could happen- but not if you gave up.
And Luffy hadn't given up so far. Not even when things had gotten really bad. So he couldn't start now- not when his brothers and Thatch's friends had all come for them.
He rose to his knees again, forcing his body to listen to him as he began to crawl towards the other end of the room. He didn't know where the corridor there led but it had to be better than here.
He remembered long ago, it felt like another lifetime now, he and Thatch talked about what they would do once they got out of here. Luffy had just wanted to eat. He had a new list of things now, as he rose to his feet, his brow furrowed in the effort it took to stay there.
"I don't know what's going to happen in the future," he told the room. "But I'm not going to stay here." He wanted more than that. This was something he hadn't thought about in a while, not since he woke back up in that dark room all alone. He thought about it now.
"I want to get out of here," Luffy said, as he stumbled a little bit. "I want to leave here with my brothers. I want to go with them! I want to see the sky, and see the ocean and I want to be hungry again." Luffy's legs gave again, and he fell back onto his butt, his vision swam. But it couldn't keep him down for long. He didn't have long before that man arrived.
"I want my body to work right,'" he said getting up again. "And I don't want my stupid heart to stop again. Not until they save me!" Preferably not ever! Or at least anytime soon. But Luffy was already asking for alot and he didn't know how the universe worked.
"What about revenge"
Luffy did stop then, completely forgetting about the terrifying man chasing him. He looked around the room. The voices were back. That was probably bad. Sabo told him it was just his stupid broken head. It was probably just that.
"Don't you want revenge cub? On those that did this to you?"
"You're not real," Luffy told the voice. "My brother says I'm sick- cause I'm hurt and stuff. So my head's hurt too. So, you're not there."
"Oh, but I am."
"You're not!" Luffy insisted, getting frustrated the stupid voice wouldn't take his word already. He didn't have time to argue with anything. "Stop distracting me! I need to get away before he finds me."
"Don't you want revenge! They hurt you, they killed you, they put you in a cage."
Luffy huffed in annoyance. This thing would not be quiet. "No!" he told it. "I just want to be free."
"Then you won't seek revenge?"
Luffy had never really bought into that. It took too much time. "That's not how things work," he tried to explain. You won't get it. You're just a voice. But people hurt people. It's just how life is. But I don't have to hurt them back. That's not my job." And honestly, it was way too much effort.
"You're interesting"
"Your imaginary," Luffy froze as footsteps echoed from the hallway. Shit! He was out of time. The stupid nothing had distracted him. He felt his breath hitch in his chest.
"You are frightened."
Luffy didn't try to deny it this time. Not to his own head. He would be caught again. He didn't want to go back there! He didn't want to be alone anymore-
"Don't be."
The surface of the ocean rippled, swirling together like the sea during a storm. Luffy turned to look, just as a giant claw extended from the water. His eyes widened and he tried to push back but only managed to fall back. The wrist that it was attached to was massive, the arm of a giant as it came towards him. The monster's hand closed around him, snatching him up and dragging him under the surface. Leaving a puddle of water in the spot Luffy had been sitting.
The ocean surface stilled.
XXX
"If you want to touch a single one of them, especially Luffy, you're going to have to kill every last one of us first."
"Yeah, you dick!" Thatch was equally angry and less eloquent.
"What they said," Izo said.
The man's smile grew, an unpleasant sight. "That can be arranged." He lunged but Luffy was already moving.
His hand had found what it was looking for in Sabo's pocket, and he broke free of his brother, elbowing him roughly to let go as he charged at the man. He got within a couple of feet of him when Jozu grabbed him, holding him back.
"Whoa kid, I don't think so."
Luffy snarled in his grip, trying to lunge at the man, but Sabo had caught up to them. Jozu passed him off, lunging at the man himself when he tried to attack.
"Lu Don't!" Sabo snapped as he held him back. "That's what he wants. Don't fall for it."
Ace charged the enamy as well, summoning his fire from thin air as he directed his fury of attacks onto the man.
The man dealt with Jozu with a firm hit to the chest, sending the giant man flying. He dodged Ace's fire expertly, grabbing the other leg as he went to kick him and pulled him off balance, sending him crashing into the ground. Ace yelled as he hit the ground, having a millisecond to roll away as the man descended down on him with a knife from his sleeve. It sunk several centimeters into the floor before he pulled it out. He didn't get to try again as Marco caught up, kicking him firmly in the chest and sending him stumbling back.
"Oh, if it isn't the phoenix, Whitebeards loyal dog." He laughed, rising to his feet again. "I wouldn't trust this one." He told Ace. "He carries out Whitebeards orders, unquestioningly. He's your friend now sure- and he will be right up until Whitebeard gives the order to off you. Which we both know is coming, after what you've done. Don't think this truce is going to last. If you really want to protect your brother, you should take him and run. Sure, I'll catch up, but it will buy you some time."
Marco frowned, turning to look at his friend. "Ace," he tried but Ace shook his head, not taking the bait.
"If Whitebeard kills me, then I guess I'll see you in hell."
The man smiled. "Not if I kill you first."
Ace lowered his stance again, inviting the man to try as he raised his fists, fire running along his skin. The man-made to charge him but quickly veered left, breaking away from him as he instead targeted Luffy.
Sabo swore, throwing Luffy onto the floor as he retrieved his pipe, blocking the man's knife as it came down on him.
"I know why you're here," he smirked.
"Trust me, you don't." The steal of Sabo's pipe met his knives, which cut a couple of centimeters into the metal.
"Does everyone else know?"
"Know what," Sabo hissed as he stepped back, turning the block into a strike as he swung the pipe. The man ducked under, coming for him again and the teenager was forced to take a step back.
Izou had caught up at this point, sword is drawn as he came at the man's back. The man stepped away at the weight of the two oncoming attacks.
"Your outnumbered," Marco reminded him.
"Do I seem worried to you?" He answered back and Marco frowned. He didn't. Which meant for whatever reason the CP-0 agent had a plan. He started over. It was time to finish this.
"Do you know who this is?" The man kept going, gesturing to Sabo. The blond scowled.
"He's a revolutionary," Haruta said. "We kinda got that."
"Yes, but not just any revolutionary he's the second in command in the revolutionary army. Second only to Dragon himself." The man's smile grew as the pirates momentarily stopped. That was news to them. "He's not here to help you. He's here to help his boss, Dragon. Don't kid yourselves into thinking he's on your side. Revolutionaries are on whatever side they need to be for their agenda."
"So what?" Marco asked. "Dragon has some evil plan for all of us, to do what exactly? Even your lies are pathetic."
"Oh, it's no lie," he gestured to Sabo. "Ask him. Ask him why the military is so interested in some nobody little boy from the east blue. Why they would risk an entire army to get him back. Why that-" he pointed at Luffy. "-That thing can't be allowed to live."
Thatch shook his head. "What are you talking about."
"Don't you think it's odd? How much effort the military is putting into this kid."
Marco had thought it was odd, as did Thatch, Whitebeard, and the rest of them. What was stranger was how Teach could trade just Luffy for the resources, wealth, and power he was in the process of attaining. Powerful haki aside, and D. levels of stubbornness when it came to surviving, there was nothing that special about Luffy. Not to warrant all of this. Throughout the whole thing Teach, the Admiral, and the higher-ups in the navy had been insistent about killing all of them except Luffy, who they were desperate to recapture. They had tortured him, why? It was so obvious he didn't know anything.
Luffy rose to shaky feet, his stare fixed on the man. Knife still clutched in his hand. The man's cold gaze moved to him. "I know you have no idea what I'm talking about. Don't you of all people want to know why? Why did all of this happen to you."
Luffy stared at him, his big eyes dark, face pale. He shook his head. "I don't care." His voice was soft and broken from the abuse.
"You don't care?" The man repeated. "Not when your whole family lied to you? Even him." He pointed to Ace. "The one that was supposed to be your friend lied to you, your whole life. Everything that happened to you- it's his fault. It was because of him."
Luffy just shook his head again. "It's not. Ace didn't make you do anything. Ace didn't make any of you do that stuff. You did it because you wanted to. Stop blaming him. Nobody lied to me, except you."
That hadn't gone his way for sure. Despite himself, Marco smiled. He didn't know Luffy very well but he already knew Luffy wouldn't react as people wanted him to. And he certainly wouldn't turn on his brother. Marco was pretty sure that if Ace told him to fight this man to the death right now Luffy would do it. He had this unwavering loyalty to Ace. It would be kind of worrisome if Marco didn't know that Ace's main goal was to keep him safe.
"You obviously have something to tell us," Marco said. "So spit it out."
The man looked a little annoyed now. His anger directed at Luffy. He took a step towards him but Sabo blocked his path. "You don't get to hurt him anymore." His tone was absolute.
"Why don't you tell them then," the man snarled.
"I'm not playing your stupid head games," Sabo said.
"Tell us what!" Haruta was impatient. "If you have something to say, say it already, otherwise let's get this over with."
"It's not my secret to share." The man said.
"Try," Marco said, tired of this man's theatrics. "We're going to kill you anyway."
His grin grew, realizing he had gotten the pirate's attention. Ace snarled at him, fire rising from him once more as his anger grew. "Don't!" He warned.
"All this time, Ace D. Gol, still so mistrustful. The secrets you are keeping. You really can't tell anyone anything huh?"
"That's not my name!" Ace snapped. "And I mean it- shut the fuck up. You talk way too much."
Izo's grip tightened on his weapon. "You do, let's just kill him now."
"Fine by me," Marco said as he joined the circle around the intruder.
The man pointed his dagger to where Luffy stood, and Sabo stepped in front of him, warning the man not to try that again.
"That kid isn't an innocent. His blood is almost as dirty as that one," he gestured at Ace. His capture is the military's strongest chance of taking down the revolutionaries right now. That's why the little revolutionary is here. To save Dragon from the immediate surrender we imposed on him. Which would most likely bring about the fall of the revolutionaries."
"Dragons not going to step down," Marco said. "Not in this lifetime." He had founded the organization after all. It was his life's work.
"Not if he had any other choice." The grin was back. "But to save his son…"
"His son?" Jozu echoed back stupidly.
"SHUT UP!" Thatch hissed, losing his temper as he started in on the man again, but Marco held him back. It wouldn't end well for the injured Thatch to attack in anger right now.
The agent pointed to Luffy, who was staring at him over Sabo's shoulder. The pirates followed his gaze, staring as well. As if expecting to see someone over Luffy's shoulder. When they didn't his words began to sink in.
"Luffy?" Thatch asked, breaking the tense silence. "Really?"
Luffy frowned, seemingly more confused. "Who?"
"Dammit Ace!" Marco said, turning to the boy who was glaring daggers at the agent. If looks could kill-
"I'm sorry, "he told Marco. Not sounding sorry in the least.
"You were supposed to tell me these things! I swear to god! We just went over this!"
"That's it!" Ace told him. Seriously this time."
"I don't believe you!" Marco said. "What's Sabo! Like the long-lost heir to the ocean gods? Why would you keep this from us?" A great many things made sense and the entire picture fell into place before him.
"Who?" Luffy said again.
"The revolutionaries," Thatch told him softly. "The boss is your dad. You didn't know huh?"
"What's that?"
"They're the… revolutionaries. They rebel. You've never heard of them?"
Luffy shook his head.
Fight momentarily forgotten, all eyes turned to Luffy.
"Dude, your brother works for them," Haruta told him. "We just said that like ten times."
Luffy's eyes went to Ace.
"Not me!" Ace said, halfway between exasperated and anxious.
Luffy's questioning gaze turned to Jozu next, who stood beside Ace. "I thought you were a pirate?" he said.
"Do I look like your brother?" Jozu asked, sharing Ace's annoyance. "No! I'm not a damn revolutionary."
Luffy's eyes went back to Ace in surprise. "You?!"
"God Luffy!" Ace snapped, before Luffy could go down the line. "We don't have time for this! I told you it's not freaking me! It's Sabo!"
"Oh," Luffy looked back at his other brother who hadn't dared to look away from the agent. "Why didn't you just say that!" He defended himself. "Stop speaking in riddles! This is really serious!" He meant the agent, who was staring at all of them like a cat, waiting to pounce.
"Okay, we're going to explain it to you later." Thatch decided for the group as it was obvious Luffy was still lost.
"To what end?" Izo asked, shrugging off his surprise after the tension had been broken up by Luffy's stupidity. "So you kidnap him, Dragon steps down. Is that it?"
The agent smiled. "-the revolutionaries fall, the Whitebeards after them, the military rises up in the power vacuum it creates to put an end to this useless pirate era."
Haruta growled at the threat leveled against their father. "Yeah, right you kill pops."
The others were angered by the suggestion, but Marco knew there was more logic in this plan than he wanted to admit. If that was true- if things did indeed go their way. Then the fate of the world could very well be changed by the outcome of this fight. But for them and the three kids behind him. This could be very bad.
But-, "The universe never goes the way you expect." He warned the man. "Fools who think they can shape the future by forgetting the past, seal themselves into a coffin of their own design."
"Right back at you," he said. "I have no intention of controlling outcomes. I just carry out my orders." He smiled at Luffy who stepped closer to Sabo, clearly terrified despite the brave front he was trying to show. "-and I take joy in doing so. Who was it, I wonder? Who allowed the offspring of the two worst criminals of this century to grow up together? You two should have never been born, let alone formed an alliance. The government is taking this threat seriously."
Ace was glaring at him again. He looked like he wanted to say a great deal of things, but he didn't. "We never even met them," he finally said. "They all died or abandoned us before we were born. We don't have any answers for you or your stupid government. There is no secret plan or alliances. And I don't have a shred of fucking obligation to Roger. If you kill us or fail, it doesn't matter. It won't change anything in the world. You're still going to have all your crap to deal with."
"Well said," Marco stepped forward. "I think we've talked enough. You came here to kill us right! Why stop now?"
"Yes let's," the man's eyes moved to Sabo. "You've been awfully quiet. What do you think your boss would say about all of this?"
Sabo motioned for Luffy to step away from him, still firmly in between the younger boy and the man. "I'm going to say this one more time," Sabo said. "If Dragon wants to save Luffy so bad, then he should come and do it himself. What I want right now is to make sure that you and your marine friends don't get the chance to hurt Luffy anymore. And I am going to make sure of it, even if it's the last thing I do. That and- your information is pretty outdated for Cipher-Pol. If you had been paying attention you would know that I'm not a revolutionary any longer."
That got everyone's attention as all eyes turned to Sabo.
"Six days ago, I stepped down from my position."
"Sabo?" Ace's eyes were wide, but the blond cut him off.
"I don't know if I will be able to act in the revolutionary's best interest during the fight. So I'm on indefinite leave and I can do what I want. Maybe for a week, maybe a month, maybe forever. So no, honestly, I don't have anything better to do other than take you down," he told the agent.
"Well, you're an interesting one," The man said. "That's almost sad that you won't be there to see the revolutionaries fall. -You'll already be dead."
But Sabo wasn't listening anymore, his head turned to the entryway. "The marines are coming." He looked back at the man. "You were buying time."
The man's smile told him everything he needed to know. That came as no surprise to anyone. But Marco had hoped they had more time. From the corner of his eye, he saw Luffy break away from the others, heading towards the back of the room. He didn't pay it any attention until Luffy yelled, breaking up the conversation.
"HEY STUPID JERK!"
On cue, the cipher-pol agent turned to look at him. Luffy kicked one of the flood grates with his foot, revealing another sewer pipe.
"Luffy wait!" Thatch, one step ahead started towards him.
"Leave Them Alone!" Luffy told the man. "If you're here for me then come and get me!"
That seemed to do the trick. Thatch's attempt to grab him was stopped as the agent realized his intentions. Thatch instead blocked him, grabbing him as he tried to grab the kid. They both went down, and the agent kicked Thatch right in his deeply injured stomach. He yelled in a stifled pain, letting go of the other as he rose.
The agent honed in on Luffy as the kid ducked into the sewer, crawling along it. The agent might have caught him if not for Sabo, the next closest who attacked him when he tried to grab Luffy's ankle and pull him back.
"I Told You Not To Touch Him!" Sabo growled as his pipe flew furiously at the man's back. He rolled onto his side, blocking with his boot as he managed to push Sabo back a step. When he turned back to the sewer Luffy was already gone.
"Damn You!" He cussed, as Sabo came again.
"No!" The furious blond corrected him. "Fuck You! I know what you did." He grunted as the man landed another blow on him, managing to sneak under his guard. The agents' attacks were so fast they were nearly undetectable. "I'm going to kill you for that," he promised.
Marco knew what Sabo was talking about, and he understood.
As the group rounded up on the man, he reached into his coat pocket. "You can certainly try," he showed them the grenade. "But that would be a trick."
"DOWN!" Marco yelled as the man threw it. Ace was already running forwards. Marco thought for a moment he was going after the man but Ace dove to Thatch, throwing his body to cover him as they braced themselves for the explosions. Marco did the same, shielding whatever brothers were closest, knowing that he would heal whatever the damage was. But the explosion never came.
Instead, the room was filled with a blinding light and the group closed their eyes. It lasted for several moments until Sabo, managed to destroy the device, crushing it under his boot. When they looked up the room was empty- the man was gone. It was just a flash bomb."
Shit!" Sabo cussed as he looked around. "He's going after Luffy."
Where the boy went was anyone's guess. There was no way to tell where the pipe let out if at all. Luffy knew the man would follow him and leave the rest of them alone. Although the kid was the last person Marco wanted to leave with the cipher-pol agent.
"We'll find him first," Marco promised.
"Thanks, Ace," Thatch said as the other boy got off him, pulling him to his feet.
Ace was looking at the tunnels, his eyes dark. He cussed, turning towards the hallway.
"We split up," Marco told the rest of them. "Avoid the marines and find Luffy. Quickly and quietly yeah."
"Or die trying."
XXX
Following first the boy's haki trace, and then the dripping blood trail the agent made his way down the maze-like corridors of the catacombs. It was an unpleasant place to be and he wished to leave as soon as possible. But his previously flawless reputation had been damaged once already when he failed in his torturing of the kid. He wouldn't allow a second blemish in being unable to recover him.
Agents like him, the elite of the elite didn't fail.
He heard a noise at the end of the tunnel, a muffled yell and he hurried along. Knowing he would find the boy in the cavern.
But when he arrived the room was empty. The blood trail ended in the center, amidst a large puddle of water on the stone steps. With no sign of the boy or where he could have went.
He was just gone-
XXX
Wishfull-star: Thank you! Stay safe as well and take care!
Azreal9576: Don't worry, everyone will be okay. Eventually. Luffy is really sick but he is hanging in there. No ASL will die if I have a say about it! Ace's death was way too sad!
Dragonalw: That's so sweet to hear. I might be slow to update sometimes but I don't plan on abandoning it! Especially with the end in sight. And thank you, it's a lot more spreadsheets than expected haha.
iyulia juuzou: Ace is doing better now that they are all together. But he is still stressed about Luffy, his lil bro. He still has a lot to talk about with the Whitebeard pirates before he can be good, but Ace is getting better.
RainbowFatCat: Thanks!
Urutiyori: Wow, that is a long time. Luffy has always had good instinct in the canon! He is smart enough to outwit CP0! That's why we love Luffy. Sorry I didn't get to it in this chapter but WB will be addressed next time! And thank you! I love Kiku, and I was excited about the parallels between Izou and Ace. More on that later. Oh, that sounds exciting! I wish you the best of luck. Collage can be a lot of fun, but also stressful. Make sure to get enough sleep! I actually just graduated a couple months ago, so time for my to finally use that fancy degree. Best of luck to you!
Pause143: So Luffy is dying, just not actively. Not at this exact moment. His health is just declining. But don't worry. I'm not going to kill an ASL brother after everything they have gone through- well not permanently at least. And that is so nice of you. Thank you.
Mel72000: Yes! Of course.
A6r6o6k: Thank you! It was nice not to be in summer classes for once. The Whitebeards are great, they could really help Ace if he only let them! Haha I am very busy now but I manage to have time for writing by waking up at 5:00 so I can fit everything into the day! And ff course! Thank you for reading.
Criis46: That's so nice! It is so grea that people enjoy reading it so much. Ace is my fav too (probably). I love all the ASL but he is the most fun to make angst for. The Whitebeards are also so cute and understanding.
XxWolvesInTheNightxXx: Sorry Whitbeard will be in the next one. He is here to help! Just in time for Luffy's aid. Haha, I feel so bad for Ace too, in story and in the canon. Poor thing. The next part of the story will be all about Ace and his relationship with the WB's.
samantha. 4: Don't worry, Marco isn't giving up on Luffy. He is going to continue to fight for him. He is just worried as a doctor as he is the only one who recognizes how bad Luffy is getting.
The Whitebeards choosing not to betray Ace meant the world to him! Hopefully I remember to circle back to that haha. If not in the next chapter then the next part is going to focus a lot on their relationship.
Starlightjuice: Hello, that's very flattering. Go for it. I'm really glad you like them. They are my longest so that might be a lot of work but yes of course. Any story you like as well. That is so nice to hear! What a lovely compliment. Best wishes for the translating!
I love Ace and Luffy as well and the inner workings of Ace's head, poor thing. Garp will appear at least at the end. I don't know if he will say he is sorry or just hassle them, I'm still thinking. But either way it will be some light fun! Of course not! Excuse my grammar mistakes, my language is English but I still can't type haha.
MR97: Aw, I'm glad you liked it. Sorry to make you sad. Ace's thoughts always make me a little sad for him as well, poor thing. I am glad you approve. It can be hard with Ace and his personality as he has a bit of a range from super guarded and unfriendly to Luffy like in how he acts. You are so kind! I am so glad you enjoy it.
Stay Safe! Greetings from the States!
SarcasmRocks: Yes! The story is going to take a really action packed turn in a little bit. I am so glad you like it and Ace. That is so sweet.
I3L: OF COURSE! Take care of yourself as well!
Crazykittylover: Thank you for reading and reviewing! The next few chapters are going to be a bit heavy but hopefully Luffy can lighten the mood. The showdown is right around the corner. I haven't figured it all out but hopefully it will be! I will try my best. Draogn will be involved.
Luffy won't set sail from the east blue only because I think too many stories I read have him doing that. He is going to still get the same crew though. I'll have to figure that out. I read that story.
I did really like it but I don't think I am going to do a second part about Luffy, only because it would be too close to the cannon. Although I do have one of two chapters planned for in the future when Luffy has his own crew, hopefully they will be good.
Stay Safe out there!
3D.2why: Sorry to make you sad. That whole little chapter section got kind of intense.
NeverTooMuchInspiration: Of course, and thank you. It's mostly a lot of spreadsheets and paying bills. And thank you again! These stories will always be a really fun hooby, and a great way to practice! Thank you for reading!
Hiraya1998: Yes! Thatch teaching Luffy to cook/ or just cooking for him would became a great asset to Luffy's never ending quest to get all the food. And of course, Thatch trying to take care of him as well!
killdie22: Yes! Here is an update, that is even more of a ciffhanger, haha sorry. Wow, that sounds like quiet a commitment. I think this story is like the length of one of the longer Harry Potter books! Way to speed read! It's really nice to hear you liked it.
Sakihinata: Haha, calm would be one word for it! But yes, their hiding days are numbered.
Cassie: Here is more.
buseiyulia juuzou: So Luffy's shadow counts separately, when I was doing it I figured he was counting heads.
Irene Sharda: Major help is on it's way! Especially for poor little Luffy. But theWB's will defend them to the end. I can promise some WB, and a bit of Shanks and Dragon.
Aquarica: Luffy will always put people first. (As long as it doesn't involve sharing his food.) Luffy isn't doing so hot but he has a lot of support. And his brothers know not to under estimate him. Ace will be able to sort through everything!
ThePansexualFish: Thank you!
yukino76: Thank you.
RozenDark: The chapters will pick up a bit as the action really starts unfolding. Haha, I'm glad you like Sabo. I have a soft spot for him. They all wills top suffering once the big fight ends! Then just lots of talking and hugs.
And of course. That is very flattering. Thank you. I hope you liked the chapter as well. Luffy's haki will be mentioned there.
Masofi: I promise not to kill any ASL brothers! I will also be so sad. Promise!