[Belle-mére residence]

Main pov

"Ahhh"

nom*nom*

I scooped out another spoonful of hot curry as I blew on it. The sweet aroma entered my nostrils and excited my mind. The curry was a beef thigh curry which was recently cooked by Belle-mére using some ingredients that she got by bargaining in a sale.

Gulp*

"Ahhh"

After making sure that the spoonful of curry rice was cool enough for consumption I moved my hand towards my chest and fed Stella, yes Stella.

Stella was now sitting in my lap as she made me feed her. She was nestled into my body as if it were a soft couch. One might wonder how I got into such a bizarre situation.

Stella was pretty mad at me for scaring her with my 'death' and would get upset if I moved even an inch away from her, which I noticed when she hissed at me when I broke our hug at the shore.

I had to talk with everyone at the shore while Stella was still clinging to me like a koala. Belle-mére and boss joked around and teased us but Stella didn't seem to budge.

Even when Nami and Nojiko were curious about our situation and asked innocent but embarrassing questions Stella just answered them while tightening her grip on me.

But the person that I least expected to meet today was Dragon. It seemed that the person boss was referring to was him.

He was curious as to what my powers exactly were and how it could work even while I was under the ocean. Devil fruits aren't suppose to work under water until it does, or it gets weaker under water until it doesn't.

I just made an excuse that it must have been a special devil fruit that I was really lucky to have eaten. He didn't buy it but stopped asking questions when he was met with Stella's glare as she wanted to go away from the shore.

That brought us back to Belle-mére house. She had informed me that Stella hasn't eaten properly in the previous days, thus we were offered to eat at her house.

We were in Belle-mére's kitchen where I thought that Stella would finally let go but it didn't happen.

I just smiled at her antics as I made her sit on my lap and started feeding her, I didn't want her to use her hands anymore as she should give them some time to heal.

I learned from Belle-mére that Stella had injured herself when she tried to save me but was blocked by the agent who prevented her from doing so. I felt more guilt as I indulged Stella more and more.

I had no problems listening to her requests and her weird childlike behavior every now and then was a bit cute. I had no problems whatsoever... but the people in the kitchen staring at us made it difficult for me to keep a straight face.

"Will you guys stop starring!! ", I scolded as my cheeks reddened from embarrassment.

"SASASASA"

"You have to excuse us but these kind of scenes are really hard to turn away from", boss replied as his laughter reverberated throughout the house.

"Yeah, I don't think I've seen any person feed their loved one like a child before", Belle-mére chuckled.

"Hey, uncle Tesoro why are you feeding aunt Stella?", asked Nami as she sat in her chair at the table while she drank a warm glass of milk.

"Nami it's rude to ask that, you should be able to see that aunt Stella's hand is injured. She can't use her hands to eat.", Nojiko reprimanded her younger sister as she ate her share of curry rice.

"Ah I see"

"Hey uncle Tesoro can you feed me as well?", asked Nami with a wide smile.

My lips twitched as I answered, "S-sure I'll feed you"

"Say cheese"

click*

My eyes were flashed for a moment before it adjusted and I saw boss with a wide grin on his face holding a camera.

"OI! DON'T CLICK A PICTURE!", I will the metal in my coat to grab the camera and brought it towards me.

"Hey be careful! It was very expensive. It's the newest model and very hard to get in the market", boss tried to reason as he did not want to lose his precious camera.

The camera in my hand now sent messages to my brain as I instantly knew how it was made and every little detail about it.

'A very useful power indeed just a shame that I had to near death to unlock it', I thought as the camera finished processing the picture.

The picture showed me with a very funny face, Nojiko beside her sister feeding Nami every now and then and Nami laughing as she drank her milk. Belle-mére was behind me laughing at our antics while doing the dishes. But my eyes was captured by Stella who looked very happy and peaceful in my lap as she smiled and ate the curry I was feeding her.

The picture warmed my heart as I couldn't see the scene from another point of view. It reminded me of my original family before my had father passed away.

I smiled as I slid the picture into my pocket before handing the camera back, "You can have the camera but I'll be keeping the photograph", I chuckled.

"Hey, Ahhh", Stella nudged me with her head as a signal that she wanted more.

"Oh yeah sorry here", I took another spoonful and blew at it before feeding her.

"Hey boss where did Dragon head off to?", I asked curiously. He was with us a moment ago before excusing himself and heading out.

"I don't know, he's always been a very busy man", replied boss as he started playing around with his camera.

"I see", it must have been a revolution related business I thought as that could be the most probable reason for Dragons early departure.

After supper I was carrying Stella to go back to our boat to rest but Belle-mére stopped us before we could leave. She insisted that we spent the night as an apology for her previous out burst. I tried to refuse but she wouldn't take no for an answer.

So now Stella and me were sleeping in one of the spare rooms in her house. Stella was resting her head on my chest as she dozed off. I stared at the ceiling thinking about my plans for the future as I heard a knock near the window.

After I careful escaped from Stella's clutches I opened the window the window to come face to face with the most wanted man in the world.

"I hope you weren't disturbed", he said with a grin.

"No, I wasn't able to sleep anyway. What do you want?", I was curious as to why Dragon was here, he could have waited till morning.

"I just had to give you an offer, I couldn't have done it in the morning as something came up and I have to move soon", he replied as he reached for something in his pocket.

It was a dendenmushi but it looked a bit different as it had the initials of the revolutionary army,

"I ask you right here right now whether you want to join me in my endeavour to stop oppression of the government around the world", he extended his hand offering me the dendenmushi.

I already saw this coming when I saw that Dragon was here. The revolutionary army must still be growing and needed more members, I seemed like a suitable candidate as the world government is also my enemy.

I only saw benefits from joining the revolutionary army as they can help me hide until I'm strong enough to face the world and can even help train me into becoming strong.

I could even ask them to train me further in haki and teach me the dragon claw fist fighting technique which will be used by Sabo in the future.

Since Sabo became one of the top contender in one piece under the guidance of Dragon and the revolutionary army I also have a chance of becoming one of the heavy hitters.

They will only get stronger in the future as they liberate more kingdoms.

With all these thoughts in mind I finally gave Dragon my answer.

[Marine fort, restaurant]

Kuzan pov

slurp*nom*

I stuffed my face with the hotpot meat in front of me. Crouching on the floor, I was seated on a soft and fully cushion in a restaurant with red interior and dim yellow lights.

I was lost in the pleasures of taste that one wouldn't normally get in the cafeteria at the headquarters.

I had almost finished my serving when I felt someone enter the establishment, it was a familiar feeling. I smirked as I raised my hand and called out to the waitress,

" Hey sexy lady, can you get two more servings of the same thing for this table"

The waitress who seemed to be talking orders of some other customer turned around, she was wearing a white apron over a light green dress with white frills at the ends.

The cute waitress with a nice pair of ballistic missiles seemed to blush a bit as she nodded before completing taking the order of the other customer and heading back to the kitchen.

footsteps*

" Good morning, Admiral Aokiji", The man called out from beside me as he saluted.

I sighed as I turned towards him, "How many times have I told you Tadaka that since we are friends you can call me Kuzan", I always hated how formal he can be sometimes. I then motioned for him to sit in front of me

"Ah, I'm sorry Kuzan", the man apologized as he took up my offer and sat down.

The man was Rear admiral Tadaka, a rather large and muscular man. He had a rugged looking face with sharp jawline and a black curly mustache that seemed kinda funny to me.

We had become acquaintances when we were both sent after some wannabe big shot pirate in the grand line who had apparently kidnapped two princesses .

The island where the pirate was last sighted was the furthest from the headquarters so I had no intention of reaching it fast. But that's when Rear admiral Tadaka came in, he claimed to be able to reach there in hours.

I was at scrutiny of his words and didn't wanna trust him, but when we got aboard his ship my disbelief was totally gone. The ship sailed through the sea as easily and fast as how a hot knife would cut butter.

The ship's speed was almost out of control but the way how Takada controlled the ship we didn't crash into anyone or anything, it was almost inhumane. He managed to fulfill his promise as we reached way early than I expected and were able to apprehend the pirate.

Since then we got to know each other a bit better and became friends.

"I hope you like hotpot because this place serves the best ones in all of grandline", I exclaimed with full confidence.

He chuckled, "I'm not really hungry right now but if you insist I won't refuse a free meal".

The waitress then brought over our food for which I gave her a wink as I flirted a bit with her. She blushed a bit before nervously heading back.

"You always did have a thing for girls with nice….. assets", Tadaka started to grab a bowl of meat before dipping it in the boiling broth.

I did the same and grabbed the pork strip , "Well I hope you didn't come over here just to shame me for my tastes".

Tadaka shook his head before inching his head closer as he whispered, "It's about the thing you told me when you returned my boat. You said that you might have met the person who build the boat."

I dipped the pork strip into the boiling broth as I answered, " I might have, it depends is he a rather muscular bearded man possessing a devil fruit that makes platforms which can teleport people?".

I looked up to see a bewildered Tadaka, 'It seems I hit the nail on the head'.

"H-how… where was he?", he stammered as his chopsticks fell into the broth.

"Ara~Ara~ you should be more careful. Oi sexy lady can we get an additional chopstick over here", I raised my hand and called out.

"Well he was there on the most recent mission that I was given, you know the celestial killer case", I blew on my well cooked pork.

"The… celestial dragon killer?... No…. He would never…"

'It seems he's shocked as well, that's good I don't want to distrust him', I thought as I smiled.

"Hey no need to worry, he wasn't seen by anyone so he won't be mentioned in any newspapers. Besides he might not be directly involved with the incident at all, I mean there are no evidence against him", I tried to make him relaxed and to calm his head I lied a little.

'I took care of all the evidence so as to not give Tadaka kun any migraine', I thought while eating the pork.

Slurp*nom*

"It's goooood", I exclaimed as the rich flavor filled my mouth.

"Sorry for the delay", the waitress then placed the new chopsticks on the table and bowed before leaving.

Tadaka kun still didn't seem to have touched his bowl of meat and just sat there in silence.

"You shouldn't leave your meat out like that, it'll get col-", before I could pester him into trying the hotpot he stood up and exclaimed,

"I'm sorry Kuzan but I will have to eat with you some other time, I have some business to sort out", he seemed very angry and distressed at the same time.

He got up to the counter as he paid for his share of the food before thanking the owners and leaving.

'I hope I didn't start a family drama, oh well let's just focus over here', I kept inhaling the hotpot like there was no tomorrow. I even took Tadaka's share and just prayed that he will forgive me for it.

Two days later

[Reverse mountain ]

Dragon pov

The wind blew fast and strong and tried to rocked my ship as I rode up the reverse mountain.

My boat, which was modelled after a dragon, withstood all the problems that the storm threw at me. It was due to me using my devil fruit that the storm did not affect my ship and It managed to avoid crashing into the rocks.

Pere, pere, pere*

Katcha*

I picked up the dendenmushi , "Vyo dragon, Vwhere are Vyou right now? ", the voice on the other end of the dendenmushi asked.

"Just climbing up the reverse mountain, I'm gonna enter the grandline soon", I answered as I felt a tapping on my shoulder.

I turned around to see that it was Takezo who seemed to be carrying some boxes.

"Where should I keep them Dragon?", he asked as he gestured towards the boxes. He was sweating a bit while carrying the boxes that were much smaller than his height.

"Just keep them in the back but be careful while placing it", I ordered as he went away.

"I see vwell Dragon what about the boy did vyou manage to get vhim?", I just grinned at their question.

"No, Ivankov. ", I answered as I shook my head.

"NO!!?, How can vhe reject such a good offer? Isn't vhe afraid of the vworld government?", Ivankov sounded shocked and worried.

"It's ok Ivankov, I don't think he has to worry about that for a while", I grinned as I grabbed a news paper with a familiar picture on the front page.

It read, "Celestial Killer put down, Justice reigns supreme", with a cross over the bounty of Tesoro.

"And on top of refusing my offer the kid made me an offer instead", I chuckled as my mind tried to recall what happened that night.

Two days ago.

[Belle-mére residence]

I extended the dendenmushi towards Tesoro as I hoped that he would take it.

He reached over and placed his hand on the dendenmushi as he pushed it back towards me.

"I'm sorry Dragon-San I will not be joining the Freedom fighters.", he said as he gave me a soft smile.

I was a bit disappointed but accepted his decision as not everyone wants to face off against the government,

"I understand, you shouldn't apologize. You have another chance at a peaceful life, you shouldn't throw it away. Just remember to stay away from the eyes of the government".

After giving him my final advice I turned around to move away but was stopped.

"Wait Dragon, you still haven't let me finish", Tesoro exclaimed from behind me.

I turned around a bit curious as to what he had to say. I hoped that he changed his mind as his skills would really be helpful in the army.

"I don't want to join the revolutionary army but how about a deal instead or rather a proposal ", he grinned as I saw a cunning glint in his eyes.

"What would the deal be about?", I was a bit curious now.

"Instead of me joining it, how about I become an ally that you can call whenever you require my assistance and I in turn get you to train me in haki", he grinned mischievously.

I starred at his face for a moment as I thought, 'This seems like a good deal but'.

"What if I refuse?", I pretended to see his reaction.

"Well I got just the thing for that", he laughed as got out of the window and touched the ground.

The ground suddenly shook and dust started swirling around his hands. He lifted his hand as a mini tornado of minerals formed below it. He then clutched his hand as something formed. It was a block of something.

I immediately felt a bit weak and sweat formed on my head.

"Is….that…How?", I muttered in disbelief.

He just chuckled, "It's just something that I realized while deep at sea, I couldn't just sense metal I could sense almost every mineral around me so I just thought to be creative with this new discovery".

If what he just did was normal for him than he would be a great ally to have. No, we would be lucky to even have him as an ally.

"So… deal?", he moved his hand forward to confirm the deal. The look on his face was devious, it seemed like I was making a deal with the devil.

But I couldn't reject this chance as it was equivalent to a miracle.

"Deal", I immediately shook his hand and a deal between a dragon and devil was made that day.

Early morning

[Cocoyashi village shore]

"Uncle are you leaving?", asked the small orange haired girl who's name I came to know was Nami. She was clinging to her mother as she was carried in her arms.

"Yeah, but don't be sad. I'm just going to the sea to beat up bad guys and help people like you", I ruffled her hair as I tried to console her.

"Oh I see, *giggle* beat em up good", she made punching motions as she smiled.

I grinned and got lost in my thoughts as she reminded me of someone just like her, 'He will be around a year old now'.

"I have packed all the tangerine boxes for you guys", said Belle-mére as she broke me out of my trance.

Boss picked up the said boxes and placed them on the ship, "Yeah it's all set now, thanks for the tangerines Belle-mére-san".

"Nah, nah it's the lest I could do. Since boss has set up several altars in the backyard it will be easier to sell tangerines around the different markets of the world", Belle-mére laughed as she referred to all the teleportation altar that was set up in her backyard.

It was one of the request that Tesoro made when talking over the deal.

"I hope we aren't late"

'Think of the devil and he shall appear', I grinned as I thought.

"Are you sure you don't wanna leave with us?", I asked Tesoro who was now here with Stella besides him.

Stella who had just woke up must have not know about what we were talking about as she looked up to Tesoro with raised eyebrows.

Tesoro just smiled as he replied, "No we are going to roam around the world for a bit and enjoy ourselves.", he pulled Stella closer to himself as he held her hand and starred deep into her eyes.

"Besides a honeymoon trip always follows a marriage", he said as our eyes went wide open.

Stella gasped as Tesoro immediately went on his knee.

"Stella, the love of my life, you have given me a ray of hope in my darkest moments and given me a chance to turn my life around and pursue my dreams. I want nothing else in this entire world than to have you join me as we both fulfill our dreams. Stella will you marry me? .", Tesoro asked as he raised his hand and a golden ring with a bright sapphire formed.

Belle-mére gasped and covered her mouth. Nojiko widened her eyes as she knew about marriage. Nami just tilted her head as she asked her mom what marriage was.

The scene played in front of my eyes as my mind was reminiscing of a similar scene when I was still in the marines.

Stella stood there dumbfounded for a moment as I could see sweat forming on Tesoro's forehead. Stella then immediately smiled as she said "Yes" and kissed him and linking their souls and fate together.

Tesoro must have been over joyed completely as immediately several musical instruments were formed as they placed some music.

We had to stop them before the situation got out of hand as Tesoro had started to form fireworks that had the capacity to become a fire hazard.

I smiled as I placed my hand on the shoulder of boss who now had red eyes and a runny nose.

"Come on big guy it's time to go", I said cheerfully.

I then congratulated the soon to be wed couple and gave Tesoro the special dendenmushi that was made to intercept tracing of call by the government or marines.

He could contact us when ever he wanted me to fulfill my side of the deal. In exchange he obviously has to use his powers to give us the goods.

'Seeing this young couple reignited some old memories', I thought with a grin as the island grew smaller and smaller in sight.

[Present, reverse mountain]

Boss came up behind me as he sighed, "I still can't believe that Tesoro managed to create seastone with his powers. Who knew you could create a devil fruits worst enemy with a devil fruit? Although his powers seem less and less like a devil fruit with each use".

I just grinned at his words. I was curious about Tesoro's powers and what exactly it did, I even asked him but he just told me that he himself doesn't know what he's truly capable of doing with his powers.

I sensed that he was telling a half truth but didn't care to ask further as until he provides us with his assistance I am pleased to not know his secrets.