Another 3 years
"After another three years of daily training, the children had made many new discoveries. One stormy day, Kaseki attempted to generate a powerful magnet using electricity. However, Luffy, known for his impulsive nature, grabbed the piece of iron and was struck by lightning.
"LUFFY!" Kaseki and the two other kids screamed, fearing the worst. To their surprise, Luffy waved back at them, seemingly unharmed.
At that moment, Kaseki realized there was much he still didn't understand about Luffy's abilities. He made a note in his notebook that electricity couldn't pass through objects created by imagination. To simplify things for the kids, he decided to tell them that Luffy had a 'rubber quirk'.
Perhaps when they grew older, Kaseki would explain the true extent of Luffy's powers to them. However, he remained uncertain, especially regarding the mysterious white hair mentioned in the blueprints and Luffy's ability to influence others when his current powers seemed to only be influenced by others, not vice versa.
The three kids, Ace, Luffy, and Sabo, were engrossed in their daily training routine, the crisp morning air filling their lungs as they pushed themselves to their limits. Despite their age difference—Ace and Sabo being 12 years old and Luffy merely 6—they trained together tirelessly, each driven by their own ambitions.
Ace and Sabo, being older and more experienced, often teased Luffy affectionately about his 'quirk', the unique abilities bestowed upon him by the mysterious power of rubber. Despite Luffy's determination, he struggled to fully harness his powers, often leading to playful scuffles where he inevitably found himself on the losing end.
During a break in their training, the trio sat down to enjoy a meal together, with Luffy eagerly devouring his favorite dish, a hearty plate of meat. Between mouthfuls, Sabo couldn't help but question Luffy's frequent mentions of a mysterious figure named Sanji.
"Luffy, why do you always mention weird names like Sanji?" Sabo inquired, a bemused expression on his face as he glanced at Ace for confirmation.
"I dunno," Luffy replied casually, his cheeks bulging with food. His response drew a chuckle from Ace, who playfully swiped a piece of meat from Luffy's plate.
"I knew you were a bit of an idiot, but this is a whole new level," Ace teased, grinning mischievously as Luffy pouted in mock indignation.
As the day progressed and the sun began its descent, the trio found themselves sprawled out on the grass, gazing up at the twinkling stars above. Luffy, feeling the weariness of the day creeping over him, soon drifted off to sleep, his steady breaths punctuating the quiet night air.
It was in this tranquil moment, with the sky painted in hues of purple and gold, that Sabo and Ace began to share their dreams and aspirations. Their voices, soft and filled with determination, carried through the stillness of the night as they spoke of their desire to become heroes—individuals capable of making a difference in the world.
"Luffy, Ace," Sabo whispered, breaking the silence that enveloped them like a comforting blanket. "What do you dream of becoming?"
Ace's eyes sparkled with unwavering resolve as he revealed his aspiration to become a hero, someone who could protect the innocent and stand against injustice.
"I want to be a hero" Sabo chimed in, his voice tinged with passion. "But not just any hero. I want to be a craftsman—a creator of wonders who leaves behind a legacy of beauty and innovation. " the last line he quoted from a comic book he and Ace read.
Luffy getting hit in the head, he slowly wakes up as they question him about his dream, a sleepy grin spreading across his face as he listened to their dreams in exchange. "Alright then! I'll be the king of heroes!"
His statement met was met with laughter from his friends. As Ace and Sabo exchanged amused glances, they couldn't help it.
"You too, Luffy? You want to be a hero?" they asked, their curiosity piqued by his unexpected declaration.
Luffy shook his head, his expression thoughtful. "Nah, i don't want to be a hero. I wanna live more freely than that."
Though his friends didn't fully grasp the depth of his words, they respected his individuality and shrugged off his unconventional response. Sabo, ever the optimist, offered words of encouragement.
'' how are you going to be 'The king of heroes' and not be a hero'' Ace said raising his eyebrows
"I don't know if you're going to be the king of heroes or whatever that means," Sabo chuckled, a fond smile playing on his lips, "but I know you'll make it big someday."
as Ace, Sabo, and Luffy shared stories and dreams beneath the twinkling stars.
Sabo, his eyes shining with determination, turned to his companions with a wide grin. "You know, guys," he began, his voice filled with excitement, "we're more than just friends. We're like brothers, aren't we?"
Ace nodded in agreement, a soft smile playing on his lips. "Yeah, we are," he affirmed, casting a fond glance at Luffy, who sat beside him, wide-eyed and eager.
Luffy, ever the carefree soul, grinned widely. "Yeah, brothers," he echoed, his voice filled with warmth.
And in that moment, as the weight of their newfound bond settled upon them, Luffy's eyelids grew heavy, and before he knew it, he had drifted off to sleep, his rhythmic breathing the only sound in the quiet night.
Sabo and Ace exchanged bemused glances, their amusement quickly turning to mild irritation. "Luffy, seriously?" Ace muttered, shaking his head in exasperation.
Sabo's lips twitched with annoyance as he nudged Luffy gently. "Hey, wake up," he urged, his tone tinged with frustration. "We're having a moment here."
But Luffy remained blissfully unaware, his dreams carrying him to a world of adventure and excitement.
With a resigned sigh, Ace and Sabo exchanged a knowing look, their irritation melting away in the face of their friend's undeniable innocence.
"Well," Ace said with a wry smile, "I guess we'll have to continue this conversation in the morning."
Sabo nodded in agreement, his annoyance dissipating as he settled back against the soft grass. "Yeah," he replied, his voice soft with affection, "in the morning."
And as the night stretched on, the two brothers sat in companionable silence, watching over their slumbering friend beneath the blanket of stars, their bond stronger than ever before.
As the harsh midday sun beat down upon them, the trio of exhausted boys—Ace, Sabo, and Luffy—sought refuge under the shade of a nearby tree. Their bodies ached from the rigorous training session against Kaseki's combat robots, leaving them drained both physically and mentally.
Amidst their fatigue, Luffy suddenly sat up, a determined glint in his eyes. "Guys," he announced, his voice firm, "I've finally figured out what's been missing all this time."
Ace and Sabo turned to their friend, curiosity piqued by his sudden revelation. "What is it, Luffy?" Sabo inquired, his brow furrowing with interest.
Luffy took a deep breath, his gaze unwavering as he declared, " A hat, how can I be the king of heroes without a hat"
Sabo, wanting to become a craftsman, seized upon the opportunity to fulfill his friend's wish. With deft hands and a heart full of determination, he set to work, fashioning a hat out of straw-
After a few minutes of concentrated effort, Sabo presented the finished hat to Luffy, a proud smile on his face.
"There you go, Luffy," he said, his voice filled with satisfaction. "Your very own straw hat."
However, as Luffy examined the hat in his hands, a frown creased his brow. "I don't want it," he declared, his voice tinged with disappointment. "its just a hat."
Sabo's smile faltered at Luffy's rejection, a pang of sadness tugging at his heart. He didn't quite understand at first what he meant. But then everything clicked.
"Alright, Luffy," Sabo said, his voice thoughtful. "How about this? You keep the hat, and when you've achieved your dream of becoming the king of heroes, you give it back to me."
Luffy's eyes widened in surprise at Sabo's offer, a flicker of understanding dawning in his gaze. Slowly, a smile spread across his face, his determination reignited by his friend's words.
"YEAH" he replied as he put the straw hat on and began to smile.
And with those words, Luffy accepted the hat.
A couple of days later
As scorching sun beat down upon them Ace, Sabo, and Luffy seized a rare opportunity to sneak away from their mentor's watchful eye. Kaseki had fallen into a deep slumber after a particularly exhausting day of experiments, leaving the trio with an irresistible urge to explore the bustling city beyond the confines of their training ground.
With a mischievous glint in their eyes, the three friends tiptoed away, their footsteps barely audible against the soft earth. as they left the lab, they began their jouney towards the city
For Luffy, it was a thrilling adventure unlike anything he had experienced before. He had never been to the city. His eyes widened in wonder as he took in the sights, his heart racing with excitement. However, as they wandered deeper into the labyrinthine streets, their carefree exploration took a dangerous turn.
They found themselves in a dark alley, far removed from the safety of the main thoroughfares. Suddenly, a group of menacing figures emerged from the shadows, their intentions clear as they advanced upon the unsuspecting trio.
Ace and Sabo sprang into action, their instincts honed by years of training. But the villains proved to be too numerous, their strength overwhelming. In the chaos of the ensuing struggle, Ace and Sabo were grievously wounded, their bodies battered and broken.
"Luffy, run!" Ace cried out, his voice filled with urgency as he fought to protect his younger brother.
But Luffy refused to leave their side, his determination unwavering as he stood his ground against their assailants. As the battle raged on, Luffy's heart pounded with fear and desperation, his mind racing for a way to save his friends. but he was stopped by a hero their figure a beacon of hope amidst the darkness that threatened to engulf them. With a swift motion, the hero dispatched the remaining villains, their movements a blur of speed and precision.
But to Luffy's horror, the hero merely glanced at the fallen brothers before turning away, leaving them to their fate. Anguish washed over Luffy as he watched the hero depart, his heart heavy with grief and disbelief.
"They were quirkless anyways," the hero remarked casually, their words cutting through the silence like a knife.
The callous indifference of the hero's words only added to Luffy's anguish, his fists clenched in rage as he struggled to comprehend the senseless cruelty of their fate. Tears streamed down his cheeks as he cried out in anguish, his heart torn apart by the cruel twist of fate that had robbed him of his brothers. as he was about to say something, he was stopped by none other then Kaseki, awakened by an alarm of danger, arrived on the scene. He rushed to Luffy's side, gathering the devastated boy into his arms, his own eyes brimming with tears.
( He put a tracker on them btw)
"Luffy," Kaseki whispered, his voice choked with emotion. "I'm so sorry."
Luffy's tears flowed freely, his grief overwhelming. In the embrace of Kaseki's comforting arms, he trembled with the weight of his sorrow.
"I couldn't protect them," Luffy cried out, his voice thick with anguish. "They're dead because of me. I'm too weak."
Kaseki's heart ached at Luffy's words, his own tears mingling with those of his young charge. But he knew that he couldn't let Luffy succumb to his despair, not when there was still hope to be found.
With a determined resolve, Kaseki pulled away from Luffy's embrace, his hands gripping the boy's shoulders with gentle yet firm strength. And then, with a swift motion, he delivered a stinging slap across Luffy's cheek.
"Don't you ever think they are dead," Kaseki admonished, his voice sharp with urgency. "A man never dies until he is forgotten. As long as there's someone in this world who's able to fulfill their dream, they are not dead."
Luffy recoiled from the force of the blow, his cheek stinging with the imprint of Kaseki's hand. But as he met Kaseki's unwavering gaze, he saw the truth in his old man's words.
Slowly, the storm of his emotions began to subside, replaced by a flicker of hope that burned bright within him. With Kaseki's words echoing in his mind, Luffy took a shaky breath, his resolve strengthening with every heartbeat. he was always called a crybaby. so he wiped his tears in bravery as he passed out from the injuries he recieved.
Yea I'm sorry, I had to kill them off
Anyways it was fun to write this chapter
word count: 2K