Author Notes:

So, before you read this chapter I'm gonna let y'all know I made an…interesting choice regarding Luffy's powers. Some may like it, some may not, and some just might not care! Either way, I hope it doesn't deter you from the rest of the story. Apologies in advance for any grammatical errors or anything else related to writing. Please enjoy!

Warmth. Gentle all-encompassing warmth is the first thing Luffy's senses picked up. Then, sounds came forward. The chirp of the birds and haunting echoes of wildlife blended seamlessly to create a cacophony. Luffy felt momentary peace before he suddenly remembered where he was and how he got there. He forced his eyes open despite wanting nothing more than to keep them closed and enjoy the warmth a moment longer. The light bombarded his vision and he reflexively covered his eyes and let them gently adjust. After doing so he pushed his body up, shifted his weight into a sitting position, and clutched his temple as his vision swam around and dizzied him.

"Oh, gods. My head…"

Luffy finally managed to voice a small portion of his discomfort. He looked around at his surroundings and he felt his temple begin to pulsate as memories flooded his mind. They were the memories he accumulated since coming back. Despite not being in control of himself the memories were now fresh and clear as if they happened only yesterday. One of which was especially fresh. Luffy gently touched his skin which he had stabbed just under his left eye. He winced at the fresh sting, yet another pain to add to the list.

"He did it. Just like he said he would."

Luffy spoke aloud as he recalled what U had yammered on about. He thought for sure that the strange being didn't truly possess the power to restart his journey but it seemed he was mistaken.

"Uuuggh."

Luffy groaned in annoyance but he soon felt his temple stop pulsating and the dizziness leave him and finally clear his senses. He slowly stood up and dusted the loose dirt and grass bits off his small body as he sighed and thought about what all this reset business meant for his journey.

I guess I'll just have to find everyone again and start over. Still, it feels kinda like cheating. Although Yamato being here is different, maybe everything else will be different enough too. It'll be like a whole new adventure!

"Luuuuffy…"

The faint voice calling for him pulled Luffy from his inner musings which in themselves were new to the boy. He stood still and listened intently.

"Luuuffy!"

He turned to a break in the tree line and moved toward it. As he did so the voice grew louder and closer.

"Luffy!!"

Luffy was about to cross the tree line and make his way into the deep forest when he suddenly bumped into a wall or rather a person built like a wall. Luffy recoiled and rubbed his nose as he looked in front of him and saw a very stout young girl standing much taller than himself. He recognized her instantly and this time he could say it proudly.

"Yamato!!"

Luffy quickly latched himself onto her horned head in a rather funny-looking full-headed embrace. Despite her tough and sturdy build she stumbled and nearly fell over.

"Agh! Gods, Luffy!"

Yamato yelled out in surprise as she attempted to pry the boy off her face. It was a surprisingly tough struggle but she managed to yoink him free and held him by the scruff of his shirt as she huffed his exhaustion.

"Hoooo boy. We really need to work on how you greet people, Luffy."

"Shishishishi!"

Luffy's laughter rang from his chest as he dangled by Yamato's hand. He waved his arms at his side as he was finally let go.

"Yamato!"

"Me!"

"It's you!"

"It's me?"

"It's you! I remember you!"

"I'd certainly hope so. You ran away from Makino only a few hours ago."

"What? No! I remember everything, Yamato! I remember the Raid, I remember fighting Kaido, and I remember you helping me out! We won and got to enjoy the festival!!"

Luffy chattered off all the highlights of his time in Wano as he ran ever low on oxygen and upon finishing his rantings he took a very deep breath and bounced around excitedly.

Yamato stood ever still and simply stared at the widening grin growing on Luffy's face. She felt a wave of happiness and relief wash over her. She quickly reached out and grabbed the boy as if he were a large plush toy and pulled him into a warm bear hug. Luffy was never one to shy away from hugs, cuddles, or just invading his friend's personal space so he welcomed the affection and hugged Yamato back as best he could. Yamato felt a few tears slip loose from her eyes as she sniffled gently and buried her cheek into Luffy's raven locks.

"I'm so happy that you remember. I was sad that you didn't but still fully prepared to stay by your side regardless." Yamato admitted.

"I'm sorry I didn't remember sooner either but at least I remember now. There's a good chance that the others remember as well!"

"That's true," Yamato let go of Luffy and let him slide down onto his feet, "that'll make things easier for us!"

Luffy stretched himself out and looked around the forest as he remembered why he was there.

"Oh, yeah! I forgot. I need to apologize to Makino." Luffy rubbed his arm in shame. He remembered storming off on Makino rather rudely. He wanted to make it right.

"Yes! That. Let's head back and after you apologize maybe she'll cook us something to eat!" Yamato spoke happily as she rubbed her tummy.

"FOOD!" Luffy exclaimed while running for the break in the tree line.

"No, wait! Wrong way, Luffy!!" Yamato yelled as she chased after the rambunctious boy.

"I'm sorry for rudely running off like that, Makino." Luffy bowed his little head at Makino.

The two children had managed to make it back to the Party's Bar only after Yamato spent an extra fifteen minutes tracking Luffy down and dragging him in the correct direction. Immediately upon returning Luffy had run up to Makino and apologized.

"It's okay, Luffy"—she bent down and tousled his hair—"I'm just happy you're okay." She was referring to his having been found safely but it also doubled for his injury under his left eye.

Luffy smiled, happy that he was forgiven. He didn't doubt he would be but better safe than sorry. Luffy tapped his hands together as he looked up at Makino when she moved to stand up straight.

"Um, Makino?" Luffy spoke out softly.

The greenette waitress turned her eyes to the boy with curiosity in them.

"Yes?"

"Can you please cook us some food?" Luffy managed to ask.

Makino smiled warmly as she reached down and rubbed his cheek with her thumb.

"Of course, sweetheart. Grab a seat at the bar, it'll be ready shortly." Makino spoke warmly as she tightened her apron and walked into the back to start cooking.

Yamato smiled at Luffy and patted his back as the two jumped up onto the bar seating and sat patiently for their food.

"Told you she wouldn't have a problem Luffy," Yamato spoke as she pointed her fork at the boy.

"I know, but still, apologizing for doing something wrong is always a little nerve-wracking."

As Yamato nodded her head in agreement the entrance saloon doors swung open to show Shanks and crew piling inside to enjoy some adult beverages.

"Oho! Oni Princess, it seems you found Mr. Grumpy pants eh?" Shanks spoke teasingly as he took up a seat next to Luffy.

"I did! He is fine by the way. He just needed to clear his head!" Yamato smiled.

Luffy was about to speak up but felt a tap on his back. He turned and saw Uta standing before him sheepishly looking everywhere but at him.

"U-um. Luffy? I'm so sorry for being mean to you and making you hurt yourself. She apologized as she tapped her pointer fingers together and looked up at Luffy.

"You didn't make me do anything, Uta." Luffy clarified.

"Well, no but I—" Luffy patted her head from atop the bar seat.

"I chose to stab myself to prove I'm manly. My decision so don't worry so much about it! I accept your apology." Luffy smiled at Uta causing her to ease up and feel better.

"Okay! Can I join you guys?" She asked with renewed energy.

"Yeah! Get up here next to me!" Yamato chimed in as she patted the seat to her right.

Uta obliged and crawled onto the seat and grabbed some utensils of her own. Makino emerged from the back with three plates of food despite only being asked by the two children.

"Here you all are! I heard you enter Uta, so here's a plate of your own."

The three children cheered happily as they all yelled in unison: "Thank you!" and began digging into their food.

Makino smiled at the three children and walked up to Shanks.

"What can I get for you and the boys, Captain?"

"All the booze you have and some meals would be lovely, thanks." He spoke to her gently as they smiled at one another.

"Aye aye." Makino turned away to serve the bar.

"Oh!" Shanks spoke up quickly, catching Makino's attention.

"Could you take this and put it behind the bar over there? Please and thank you." He asked as he handed Makino a small wooden chest.

Makino eyed the chest and nodded as she did just that, setting the wooden chest on a lower counter behind the bar.

Luffy, Yamato, and Uta ate their food in earnest all the while batting away Luffy's stray grubby mitts. Luffy was annoyed that both Yamato and Uta were so proficient at staying his hungry hand. He grumbled to himself as he eyed his empty plate and pushed it forward. He sat for a moment poking his fork against the counter until a stray remembrance graced his mind.

Makino has a candy jar stashed behind the counter!

Luffy smiled devilishly as he looked to his right at Yamato. She was busy eating and was in the moment. He turned to his left and saw Shanks being gross with Makino. Prime opportunity. The stash was as good as his. Having a moment of opportunity Luffy didn't pass it up. He slipped off the bar stool and made his way past Yamato and Uta and walked around the bar island and behind the counter. He saw a myriad of things he didn't recognize seeing as he had never actually been behind the bar before. He took a moment to scan the items but stopped on a small amber-wooden chest.

Ah! Candy is as good as treasure so it must be in there!

Luffy's logic was as astute as always. He made a b-line for the chest, snatched the item off the shelf, and set it down on the floor. He sat down cross-legged before it and took a moment to admire the craftsmanship. He then placed his hand atop the chest and pushed the top back attempting to open it but it wouldn't budge.

Oddly guarded.

Luffy mused as he put a little more force into his push and snapped the metallic latch clean off the wood. Success. Luffy pushed the chest open and as nonexistent golden light flooded his vision and ethereal voices echoed in his ears. All of this grandeur to reveal…a fruit.

Fruit?! "Eegh…" Luffy groaned in disappointment.

He eyed the purple fruit and took note of the swirls that peppered the entirety of its body. A bright red exclamation mark practically fizzled to life above his head as he recognized the fruit.

"Hey…" He spoke out softly as he reached into the chest and hoisted the surprisingly hefty fruit up out of its container.

"It's no candy but I love my powers so, bottoms up!"

Luffy moved the fruit to his open mouth anticipating the nasty flavor he knew it had but he was caught off guard by Yamato's voice bellowing from the counter above him.

"Hey!! Share, Luffy!"

Luffy was lost enough in his moment that he forgot he wasn't alone. In his moment of surprise, he shoved the fruit into his mouth, whole. He attempted to swallow the fruit and normally he would have had no issue inhaling the fruit in its whole form, after all, he had inhaled food of greater quantity before. This time, however, something interfered. The fruit made it halfway into his throat and stopped. He attempted to swallow harder but it wouldn't budge. He felt his face grow hot with panic as he grabbed at his bulging throat and desperately tried to swallow or hurl the damned devil fruit.

Yamato watched from above and noticed the panic in his eyes and the color draining from his skin. She didn't yell out and quickly leaped over the counter and landed by his side. The motion caught the immediate attention of everyone at the bar and they all turned to see Luffy choking.

"Luffy! Luffy!!" Yamato screamed in fear as she too attempted to help him but was getting nowhere. Her eyes began to blur with tears as she struggled against her powerlessness.

Luffy's vision became splotchy as everything around him blurred and grew darker. He felt his hearing become muddled and could hear his slowing heartbeat echo in his ears. He felt his strength leave him and he could only look at Yamato and see the heartache in her eyes. He felt horrible that he was leaving her. He felt sad that his journey seemed to be ending before it even got to start, again. His entire body was on fire from the oxygen starvation. He had experienced some serious pain in his life but this was agonizing. To feel every cell in his body scream out for something all around him, unable to receive it, was torture. His vision finally failed him as his heartbeat slowed and slowed.

'Ba dum.'

'Ba..dum.'

'Ba…dum.'

'Ba…..dum.'

'…'

'…'

He was gone.

"LUFFY!! Oh god, Luffy!! Please, please!! Don't go!"

Yamato screamed out in all-encompassing sorrow as her eyes flooded with raw pain. Shanks and Makino gathered behind Yamato and stared in horror and sorrow. Uta stood beside Shanks and clutched his shirt for comfort as she wept into him. Every other person in the bar had gathered as near as they could and simply stared on through the scene, not completely registering it.

"No. You can't go. Not like this..please..!!" Yamato spoke through strained tears as she desperately clung to Luffy. She felt herself grow angry. Angry at everything. At U, at his bullshit meddling, the world, at anything she could direct her anger at. She eventually landed on Luffy and felt herself grow uncontrollably angry with him. How could he die like this? After everything he had gone through and after all the strength he had gathered. He died choking on his devil fruit.

"Damnit, Luffy…you…you fucking IDIOT!!" Yamato roared as she struck his lifeless head and stared daggers at his lifeless face. The force of the hit seemed to be enough to jog the fruit loose from his throat and allow it to slide down his gullet and into his stomach successfully. A lot of good it did him. Yamato felt her anger subside and could feel it being replaced by sorrow. She buried her head against his chest and wept openly and painfully.

'Doom…dut..'

'Doom…dut..da..da..'

'Doom ..dut da da.'

'Doom dut da da.'

'DOOM DUT DA DA!'

Yamato recoiled upon hearing the fierce hammering resonate from Luffy's chest. The roaring of his drum-like heartbeat echoes out loudly and proudly throughout the walls of the bar. Her eyes locked onto Luffy's face and saw a silent toothy grin spread across his once lifeless features. She let go of him and took a step back which everyone copied.

Luffy's once raven locks suddenly washed out and became a radiant white. His straight hair flowed with a strange billowing effect making it look as though white flame danced atop his head. His eyebrows followed suit and thickened and swirled tightly as his eyes changed as well. They dilated and turned a deep crimson-red color. Fierce and piercing. Most notable was his smile. It never left his face. A cream-yellow sash of smoke billowed up from under his arms and wrapped around his head, a hagoromo, a symbol of divinity. His clothes were the final thing to change as they became all-white to seemingly match his newfound transformation.

"Hahaha!! I died! Though here I am!" Luffy exclaimed joyfully as he flopped onto his back, clutched his stomach, and palmed his hand over his eyes as if he had just heard the funniest joke of his life. The wooden floorboards beneath his back started to wobble fluidly like an ever-flowing trampoline as he dipped further and further into the ground until the ground rebounded and shot Luffy upward with gentle force. He continued this way while holding his hands behind his head in pure relaxation even adding a few somersaults for flare.

"EEEEEHHH?!?!" Everyone in the bar yelled out in unified shock and confusion as their eyes took on a cartoon-like property and exploded from their heads in a way that should not be possible.

"L-Luffy?! What the heck is up with that look??!" Uta exclaimed in surprise as she forcefully shook Shank's entire body. Shanks himself ignored the shaking and stared quietly at Luffy in all his bouncing glory. He stared with a cold, hard intensity unlike him almost as if he were bothered by what he was seeing.

Makino sobbed softly and attempted to wipe away her flowing tears of relief but they would not subside. She leaned into Shank's shoulder for support once Uta had stopped rattling him.

Yamato's sorrow and grief had subsided internally but externally she still looked as though she was in a great deal of pain and confusion.

Gear Fifth. That's the form Luffy took to fight Kaido. Why?…this doesn't make sense. Is dying the key?

Yamato contemplated for a moment before attempting to stand up. Her legs shook as she stood but she soon righted herself and walked toward Luffy. The newly revived lad took notice of this and changed his positioning to a cross-legged sitting position as he grabbed onto his ankles and continued bouncing up and down.

"Yamato! You remem–" *SMACK*

Luffy couldn't finish his sentence as his face was met by a fist. His entire body soaked the blow and he was sent flying backward into the wall only for it to rubberize and send him into the wall on the other side of the bar, and the next, and the next all the while destroying all furniture in the open area. His bouncing mimicked that of a pinball machine only he seemed to possess no way of stopping.

Every other occupant in the bar suddenly went blue in the face with fear as they witnessed Yamato belt Luffy into next Tuesday.

Luffy continued to bounce around as his yelling voice moved in and out of auditory range. Yamato took a deep breath and walked toward Shanks, Makino, Uta, and the whole crowd of people blocking the way out from behind the bar. She shoved past everyone and moved to stand in the middle of the now torn-apart bar. She watched Luffy bounce uncontrollably and she eventually looked to her right and with impressive swiftness and strength she snagged Luffy clean out of the air before he could bounce any further. Luffy's entire body flew forward in a cartoonish fashion while his head stopped completely in Yamato's grasp. His body recoiled and he was left dangling in Yamato's firm grasp. His eyes devolved into swirls of dizziness as stars and birds materialized into thin air dancing around his head. His head then shook back and forth and became a momentary blur as he shook the stars and birds away and stopped, having cleared his dizziness. He struggled in Yamato's grip and for a moment felt uneasy at how quickly Yamato had subdued him. He was bracing for the inevitable verbal assault that was to come but he was instead surprised by a rib-crushing hug.

Yamato pulled Luffy into a tight embrace and heaved a sigh of relief as she took a second to enjoy the presence of her very much alive friend. Luffy hesitated for only a second before he too returned the embrace and felt his Fifth Gear fade from his body leaving him feeling exhausted and wiped out. Not to mention his hurting esophagus and slightly upset tummy. Yamato felt Luffy's head slack against her shoulder and she smiled with love.

Of course, he's tired.

She turned around to face the occupants of the bar.

"I know you're all worried about him and I know he should see the doctor to make sure he's all good but I want to take him home to sleep."

She spoke unwaveringly implying there was no room for anyone to argue otherwise. Uta broke off from Shank's side and ran up to Yamato.

"Can I come with you?" She asked hopefully.

"Can we come with you?" Shanks corrected as he approached Uta with Makino in tow.

Yamato could see the worry on their faces and decided it would make Grandpa's house feel livelier with guests.

"Okay."

She spoke gently as she turned around and began the walk home. Uta followed closely behind along with Makino. Shanks turned to Benn and gave him a look that seemed to convey all it needed to. Benn nodded and with that, Shanks turned and exited the bar.

Luffy's eyes fluttered open as he was greeted by the oh-so-familiar ceiling of his shared bedroom. He felt his neck aching as well as his cheeks and he soon realized he was smiling. Had he woken up smiling? Seems that way.

"You laughing in your sleep is new."

The familiar voice broke Luffy from his stray thoughts. He turned to see Yamato sitting on a stool at his bedside.

"What?"

"You were laughing in your sleep and smiling. Does Gear Fifth just make you constantly happy?"

Luffy rubbed his face up and down and realized just how heavy he felt. He felt weighted down as if he just took a quick dip into the sea. Gear Fifth was stamina-heavy before, using it now killed his stamina altogether. He tried his best to sit up and answer Yamato's question.

"No, at least not this much. When I unlocked it before, it was a great feeling. It made me feel whole and made me realize anything and everything I could want to do could be done. This time it feels like an overload. It's like a constant warm buzz inside my chest. I want to laugh and I want to be in that form again! I'm so tired though."

Luffy finished speaking as he slid back down into a flat position and exhaled exhaustively.

"Makes sense I guess."

Yamato responded as she tapped her fingers against her knees and returned her attention to Luffy.

"You died."

Luffy winced at the wavering sound he could hear in her voice. It sounded as though she might burst into tears if she spoke another word.

"Yeah. I did. I'm okay now though!"

He attempted to reassure her.

"Death by choking. It feels so outside the realm of how you'd go but still feels on par. I don't know. It scared me, a lot."

"I know, and I'm sorry you had to go through that. I'm here now though alive and well! I also get Gear Fifth early!"

"You're way too happy for someone who had to die to get his power up."

"Hehehe…"

Yamato let out a sigh as she bolstered herself and stood up.

"Alrighty, if you think you're up for it you have guests that want to see you."

"Guests?"

Luffy asked as he watched Yamato walk toward their door and flung it open to reveal Shanks and Makino standing worriedly behind a tear-stained Uta.

"LUFFY!!"

"AAAHHHHH!!!!"

Uta spear tackled the poor boy off the other side of his mattress into a chokehold of a hug causing Luffy to tap on her elbow for mercy. She did not relent.

Laughter could be heard echoing from the room as Shanks attempted to peel his daughter off of Luffy and keep her calm and collected. The effort soon dissolved into a pile of people on top of a poor rubbery boy.

"You little punk."

Luffy turned to see a rather ugly-looking bandit standing behind him. He was a lanky-faced rat-like-looking man. He had a greasy beard and ears much too big for his narrow face. He had a large scar across his forehead and stood in such a way that one could tell he thought himself to be hot shit. He was confronting Luffy and Yamato after having heard what Luffy said under his breath.

"You hear me, punk? Say it to my face?"

Higuma spoke through grit teeth as he fingered his cutlass blade hungrily.

"I said you're a loser. You can only dream of amounting to Shanks. I mean, you didn't even have the steel to say what you said to his face!"

Luffy roared as he pointed at Higuna accusingly.

Yamato watched passively as she stood near Luffy's arm and readied herself for the man to blow a gasket. It didn't take long.

"You fucking twerp!!"

Higuma unsheathed his cutlass, wound it up high above his head, and brought it straight down on Luffy with enough force that it seemed like he was hoping to sever the boy in half. Yamato moved back as Luffy dodged the wild slash and stood atop the bar which now held the blade. Higuma struggled against the embedded steel as Luffy pounded his fist into his palm.

"Alright then. Get loud, heartbeat!"

Luffy declared as he placed his hand over his heart and heard his favorite beat roar to life. He transformed into his Fifth Gear and let a cracked crazy laugh out of his small frame.

"What the fu—"

"Ahahahaaa!"

Higuma was unable to finish his sentence seeing as how his jaw was now on the floor with a wild Luffy hanging off of it.

"EEEEGGHHG?!!?"

Higuma exclaimed as his eyes popped free from their sockets.

Luffy didn't let up as he stood firm and gave Higuma a solid yank causing the man to fly around like a ball on a rubber chain. This continued until Luffy threw the bandit toward the exit and roared at the funny face Higuma was making. Higuma struggled to his feet as he shook in fear of this insane child. He pointed his cutlass with a shaking hand at the nonchalant bouncing boy.

"Y-you're a monster…!"

Luffy stopped his bouncing and gripped his shoulder as he cocked his fist back and yelled out:

"Gomu Gomu No…" just as he was about to let his fist rip a blur took him by surprise. Out of his peripheral vision came Yamato, with speed faster than he thought she had. She cocked her fist back and buried it into the greasy bandit's face as he caved under the force and flew out the double saloon doors. Yamato landed on her feet with narrowed eyes as Luffy whined out loud catching her attention.

"Yamatoooo! I had my move ready. You gotta respect the gomu gomu no!!"

"Oh, sorry Luffy. I just really wanted a solid hit in."

"Mmmmnnneeeehhhhg…"

Luffy spoke as he deflated from his Fifth Gear and flopped down onto the floorboards in a heap of exhausted elderly-looking exhaustion.

Yamato laughed at Luffy's dramatics and skedaddled over to him and lifted him into a sitting position.

"We should figure out a system to determine how you and I fight people."

"Nyeah…"

Luffy retorted as he fell limp once more. The double saloon doors whipped open and Makino stood in the doorway with Shanks. She clapped her hands on her cheeks in surprise as she ran over to Luffy.

"Oh no! Luffy!! You're old!"

She exclaimed with such genuine worry but it was enough to spark a laughter fit between Yamato and Shanks. Makino scolded the two and demanded they help Luffy out this instant. They both obeyed for neither was brave enough to stand against an angry Makino.

A few months had passed for the rambunctious rowdies as they all filled their days with play and fun. Uta was present nearly all the time and the tight-knit group solidified and became a terrible force to be reckoned with. They terrorized the town, Shanks and his men, the bar, and of course their favorite, the mayor. All was sweet and peaceful until the fateful day came. A day Luffy knew was approaching and by extension Yamato knew as well. The day Shanks had to leave. For good. It was a bittersweet day. It started with a heavy feeling in the three children's guts. Uta was especially upset. She had grown incredibly close to Yamato and Luffy and didn't want to leave them. So much so that she had argued on their behalf for Shanks to bring them with. His reasoning was annoyingly sound.

"They can't come with us, Uta. You're the only kid for my crew. Besides, they have their paths to forge. I may not know what they are but I know they'll be great no matter what."

Uta sniffled heavily as she attempted to quell her aching heart and stifle her tears but it proved too much for her. She could not contain herself and started to sob, deeply, and with enough anguish she could fool someone into thinking she had just lost a family member. Shanks could feel his heart quiver at the sight and quickly pulled her into a tight embrace. Her hair loops sunk as she cried and cried.

Shanks noticed the approach of two children. The reason for Uta's sorrow. Yamato and Luffy stood at the dock with looks of sorrow on their chubby faces. Yamato looked down at her fingers as she fidgeted with them uneasily and Luffy had a calm look. He looked as though he knew this day was coming and accepted it long ago. Shanks pulled away from Uta ever so gently so that she too could see her friends and she pulled away and ran over to the both of them. She ran headfirst into Yamato and clung to the taller girl's abdomen much like a koala bear clings to a tree branch. Yamato couldn't stop her tears from forming as she pried the girl free from her midsection and pulled her into a proper hug while being sure to mind her horns.

"I'm gonna miss you so so so much, YamYam…" Uta whimpered out in stifled sobs.

"I'll miss you too, Uta. You be safe out on the seas okay? You take charge of that ship…you mini marvel." Yamato spoke in a strained tone. She was desperately trying not to cry her own eyes out of their sockets.

Yamato let go of Uta and set her back down on her feet. She smiled as best she could at Yamato before turning to Luffy. She looked like she was finally all out of tears to cry but seeing Luffy smile at her crushed her resolve very quickly.

"Waaaaaahhhh….Luffy!!!" Uta pulled the rubbery boy into a bear hug as she continued her fit of crying. Luffy smiled gently as he rubbed her back lovingly. She pulled away from her and looked up at her eyes as she tried to hold herself together.

"I'll miss you a lot, Uta. Don't worry though, I know for a fact we'll see each other again. It might be years from now but it will happen. I'll be so strong by then! Just you wait!" He beamed proudly at the girl as she returned the smile and the two embraced once more before Uta pulled away and looked back at Shanks. He had approached the children while they said their goodbyes and now stood at the bottom of the steps leading to the dock. Luffy puffed his chest up slightly as he turned his strong-willed eyes to Shanks.

"You! Don't get too comfortable out on the seas. I'll be on them in a few short years and I'm going to hit the ground running! I'm going to put together a crew so strong, even stronger than yours. I'll sail my way through thick and thin to the top! I'll find the legendary treasure, One Piece, and I'll be the King of the Pirates!!" Luffy exclaimed for the not first time and left the entire dock speechless.

Luffy let his signature smile grace his lips as he let his laughter escape his lips. He felt good having declared his goal aloud once more since being sent back. Yamato put her hand on Luffy's shoulder seemingly absorbing some of the boy's infectious energy.

"I'll be with him as well! I'll experience all this world has to offer and learn what it means to live life unchained!"

Shanks smiled at the two children before him. He could feel the power in their declarations. He knew beyond a doubt that they would do exactly as they said they would. He took a singular step up the stairs as he removed his straw hat.

"Oh? You want to be bigger than us? Well then. I guess you'll need this."

Shanks placed his hat atop Luffy's raven locks and smiled with strength.

"This hat is precious to me and I'm gifting it to you. Return it to me once you've become a great pirate, Luffy."

Luffy stood still and remained unflinching.

"Yamato. Take good care of your brother."

Shanks spoke warmly.

Yamato felt her heart swell at the word choice and nodded with affirmation. She turned to Luffy who had looked up with the hat on his head. He adjusted it and smiled brightly as his eyes creased with tears. Even though he had experienced this moment before it still managed to move him. Shanks waved the two goodbye and set out for the ship. Uta was aboard and looking over the side with tears pooling down her face. Shanks patted her head as he walked by and signaled for the helmsman to begin their castoff.

The Red Force cast off from the docks of Foosha village for the last time as Luffy and Yamato stood in place waving until the ship had sailed from sight off into the horizon.

"Aaahh! Let go, Grandpa!"

"Yeah! Let us go! Let us goooo!!"

"You damned brats! I leave for one year and return to Luffy being a devil fruit user AND you two spouting nonsense about being pirates? Not just any ol' pirates, The King of the Pirates and a crewmate to him! Ridiculous. After all the trouble I went through to make you two strong Marines, you're going to renounce your own Grandpa's hard training and teachings?!"

"Yes." "Yes."

"Well let's see how a few years with mountain bandits cleans you up. You damned goblins."

The two children struggled against their Grandfather's iron grip which was far more painful than it had any right to be. If they didn't know better they might assume he had magic powers capable of harming only them. Garp dragged the two ragamuffins against their will to a rundown yet sizable shack. He kicked the door a few times bellowing out for someone named, "Dadan". A strange name to Yamato but Luffy could be seen smiling absentmindedly. He seemed lost in a daydream, perhaps reminiscing. After a few more hardy and persistent kicks a large rounded woman with a head of twisted orange hair opened the door and stood in surprise at who she saw before her.

"Garp!? What's the meaning of this?!"

The woman bellowed rudely and unceremoniously.

"Hm? Is that how you greet me you damned bandit?!" Garp retorted as he kicked the woman back into the building seemingly knocking over a great deal of dishes and other assorted cutlery if the noises were of any implication. The woman returned shortly and held her hands up in defeat.

"I'm sorry, Garp! I was just surprised to see you! What can I do for you?" The woman spoke her question with a hint of fear edging her voice.

"That's more like it! I'm already turning a blind eye to the crimes you commit here. The least you can do is show me some respect, lest you see iron bars and stone for the rest of your life." Garp spoke with a threatening tone as if to make his point crystal clear.

"Of course! Of course! Now, what can I help you with?"

"These two"—Garp hoisted the two children up to view—"I need you to look after them for a while. They're brats who take Grandpa's kindness for granted. This is my Grandson, Luffy."

"Yo."

"And my Granddaughter, Yamato."

"YoYo."

Garp very unceremoniously dropped the two kids like yesterday's garbage and turned to walk away before he heard Dadan exclaim aloud: "B-but Garp! We already have our hands full with Ace. Is this one even a kid? She's huge!" Dadan yelled accusingly as she pointed her grubby finger at Yamato.

"You'll be fine!" Garp answered nonchalantly as he left his grandchildren in the care of this strange woman.

Dadan was at a loss for words as Yamato and Luffy both stood up. They dusted themselves off and looked to survey their new surroundings. All completely new for Yamato and all nostalgic for Luffy. Luffy was momentarily lost in nostalgic thought as he eyed the old building he once called home, completely unaware of a new presence having set instead down on a nearby tree. Yamato felt her body tingle as she quickly held out the back of her hand and stopped a lob of spit from hitting Luffy's head. She eyed the person it came from and recognized him instantly but couldn't stop the words from escaping her mouth.

"Don't spit on my brother."

Luffy was pulled from his trip down memory lane as Dadan spoke up behind the two just as their eyes met those of a very angry-looking boy with freckles.

"That's Ace. He's a real contributor around here so show him your respect and maybe you could learn a thing or two from him." She spoke coldly as she noticed Ace had returned from hunting having brought his haul of a whole Oxen. She waved at her men to haul the beast inside for meal preparation and told Ace dinner would be ready soon. She didn't fail to mention it to the "brats" as she so plainly put it. With her piece being said she returned to the wooden shack with a heavy thud of the front door, thus leaving the two new children in a sudo-stare down with the angry boy named Ace.

Luffy could feel his little heart working overtime as his eyes met those of his future brother. They were twisted in anger and pain. He didn't yet know Luffy and to a degree that alone hurt the rubber boy deeper than he cared to admit. He saw flashes of the hell that was Marineford. The War of the Best. Ace's death. The smell of charred flesh and boiling blood. His brother, dead, with a smile on his face and a hole in his chest. It was almost too much. He hadn't expected seeing Ace again to any degree would cause these unpleasant memories and sensations to re-emerge. He wasn't prepared.

Ace took notice of Luffy's gaze upon him. He interpreted what he saw and felt as sadness. Sadness for him. Pity for him. He thought the straw hat wearing boy was looking down on him. He felt his temper boil to the surface and hopped off the branch with a huff and quickly began stomping his way toward the boy fully prepared to cuss him out. He, however, was stopped before he got the chance. The very large horned girl stood in his way and peered down at him with an even fiercer look deep in her gilded irises. Ace would normally never back down, not to anyone his age or older, but this girl held a threatening presence. That of someone not to be trifled with. A sister, protecting her brother. Ace felt his temper leave him as his body cooled off. His gaze didn't waver from Yamato's as he noticed her hardened eyes soften into the expression of someone in pain. She was hurting while looking at him. Why? He hated the looks these two gave him. He felt scrutinized. He had his fill of their presence, pushed past Yamato, and made his way through the front door of the shack, slamming it shut very hard behind him.

Yamato let out a breath she wasn't aware she was holding. Her body calmed in relief but her mind wouldn't settle.

"He looked so angry."

She all but whispered to herself but Luffy caught what she said.

"He was– is very angry at this point in his life." He spoke softly as he pulled his hat down and rubbed his eyes gently.

Yamato took notice of this and lifted Luffy's "shield" and saw his eyes were downcast with tears unevenly dropping from them. He was clearly in a lot of pain, emotionally speaking. Seeing his brother again after what happened during the war. Most likely wanting nothing more than to run to him, hug him, and never let him go, only to be met with that angry younger version. That wasn't Ace, his brother, not yet anyway. That was Ace, the angry at-the-world boy that Luffy wanted nothing more than to reach out to and tell him it would all be okay.

"You okay, Lu?"

Luffy looked up at Yamato. She unknowingly spoke that nickname. The nickname that only two other people had ever called him. He felt a familiar warmth spread over himself. It was the same warmth he had felt from his brothers during their rare moments of vulnerability. He basked in the sensation as he quickly threw his arms around Yamato's midsection in a deep embrace. Yamato knew he needed it and returned the gesture. Luffy took his time with the hug but as soon as his Touchmeter was filled he pulled away and wiped his face of any remaining tears and smiled a small and gentle smile. He looked up at Yamato who returned the smile.

"I'm okay now. Thank you. I want to talk about this…but later, alright?"

"Of course. I'm always here for you when you need me, Luffy."

"Good! Now, let's go get some food!" Luffy roared as he ran through the front door.

Yamato laughed to herself as she spoke.

"Aye aye, captain."

"A single bowl of rice?!" Yamato exclaimed.

"Yup. That and a glass of water is all you're guaranteed here. If you want more you're going to have to hunt for it." Dadan was explaining this to Yamato as she ate a hunk of meat herself. Luffy had inhaled his bowl of rice and decided to try and take Yamato's unguarded bowl. His hand inched slowly across the table toward her bowl and just as he was within reach a fierce and powerful smack cracked him across the top of his hand causing him to recoil in pain and rub his red skin. Yamato stared at Luffy with intense eyes and quickly ate the bowl of rice and drank the water. Upon finishing she stuck her tongue out at him and he laughed sheepishly.

"Sorry…"

Yamato smiled playfully at Luffy to which he returned the smile. The two of them were pulled out of their grinning when they noticed Ace was standing up to leave. They both watched as he grabbed a metal pipe from its resting place against the wall by the front door and left promptly. Yamato looked at Luffy and the rubber boy nodded in affirmation. She stood up and along with Luffy the two both followed after Ace. When they exited the building they looked around and caught a glimpse of Ace's retreating form disappearing into the forest and they both quickly ran after him to not lose track of him. To maximize their movement as best they could, Luffy hopped onto Yamato's back and let her take charge of keeping up with Ace. It was no easy feat. After they caught sight of Ace again they noticed he sped up and began jumping and weaving through difficult paths deliberately trying to lose the two of them. It took Yamato a moment to adjust but she did so and was gaining on the hot-tempered boy. Ace looked back at the two, visibly annoyed by their persistence, and decided to up the ante by breaking free a piece of rock from the ground and sending it barreling down at the two pursuers. Was it overkill? Yes. Did he care? No.

The rock rolled toward Yamato and Luffy with the force of gravity aiding its speed and it looked to Ace as though it would hit its mark square and true but at the last second Yamato weaved out of the way and continued running after him. Ace grumbled in annoyance as he saw ahead of him the old rickety wooden bridge used to cross the gorge of the forest.

If I can't lose them here then I can't lose them at all! Ace thought to himself as he quickly sped across the bridge.

The gorge was a wide one so the bridge was long enough that Yamato started her crossing just as Ace was reaching the other end. Ace turned to the two and smirked viciously as he smacked the bridge posts out of the ground on one side causing the bridge to lurch unevenly, halting Yamato's pursuit. He aimed at the other one readying a swing and looked away from the two as he knocked the final post out and watched the bridge and the duo fall into the darkness of the gorge. As he turned to walk away he heard a strange stretching noise and turned back to see a pair of hilariously stretched-out arms emerging from the darkness and clinging onto the cliffside for support. Ace jumped back in surprise and gripped his staff reflexively.

"What the hell?!" He exclaimed as he heard the strange hums of the arms retracting and likely pulling the two pursuers with them. Ace braced himself but a familiar sound caught his attention over everything else, cracking rock. He noticed the cliff below where the hands were gripped was cracking apart and fell free from the rest of the ground causing the stretchy arms to flail wildly as they retracted back into the darkness followed by silence.

What the hell was that?' Ace wondered as he let his pipe rest at his side. 'Whatever. I lost em' so that's all that matters.

Ace turned away from the gorge and disappeared deeper into the forest.

Unbeknownst to Ace, the dynamic duo was far from defeat. Luffy suddenly emerged from the gorge with his lower extremities becoming Wheel O'Feet as he sped across the open air like a bat out of hell, leaving behind him a trail of smoke. He, in his Gear Fifth form, carried Yamato by the hand as he safely reached the side from which they saw Ace heading and let his sister down on the ground. He did a few playful tucked rolls through the air before rolling onto the ground and transitioning back to his normal self as he lay sprawled out on the forest floor huffing and puffing heavily with sweat caking his forehead.

"Your Gear Fifth never fails to impress me, Luffy. Who knew you could run on literal air!" Yamato praised as she laughed with excitement laced in her voice.

"Yeah..*huff*…it's pretty…*huff* *huff* sweet right?" Luffy responded through heaps of huffing as he attempted to catch his breath.

"The drawback seems pretty severe though. It eats your stamina like crazy, and you're not even incorporating Haki into it yet." Yamato observed with a concerned expression.

Luffy finally managed to get his breathing under control as he wiped the sweat off his brow, sat up, and let out a deep exhale. He hopped up to his feet and gave a thumbs up to Yamato.

"Don't worry! If I keep training it then it'll get easier to use and the stamina drawbacks will get shorter and less severe." He gave Yamato a reassuring smile.

"Fair point. We can train it a little here and there but the real work starts once Ace leaves right?"

"Yup! I know I should be training as often as I can now but I just want to enjoy this time I've gotten back."

"I get it. No need to try and explain it to me. I'm happy to be here with you this time around."

"I'm happy you're here too."

The two smiled at one another as Yamato patted Luffy on his straw hat and turned to face the forest.

"Now, let's go find that hothead."

Yamato and Luffy were on the hunt once again as they attempted to track where Ace had gone. What this meant in practice though was Yamato was searching while Luffy was playing with a beetle. After a small argument, Luffy agreed to keep close to Yamato so long as he got to keep the beetle. The two children made their way onward until they saw a large tree in a clearing from the rest of the forest. It was mighty in size and the branches were incredibly high up so it couldn't have been easy to climb. Nonetheless, atop one of the branches there sat Ace and an unfamiliar blonde-haired boy wearing a large top hat with goggles overlaying on top. Yamato did not recognize this boy but Luffy sure did. He found himself smiling without realizing it. The two quietly made their way around the edge of the forest and settled into a spot closest to the branch so that they might hear what was being said.

"Wow, very impressive Sabo! That's a great haul to add to the stash." Ace commended his partner in crime.

The boy, now revealed to be named Sabo, was smiling as he rubbed the back of his head, "Thanks. Took me a while to get it but I'm feeling good about it. What about you? Did you manage to snatch anything before meeting here?" Sabo questioned the freckled boy.

"Tsk, no." Ace crossed his arms.

"Okay? What happened?"

"My Gramps came and dropped off these two new kids at Dadan's. One is this short dorky boy who wears a straw hat that's too big for him. He had this look about him that I couldn't quite place. Like, he was giving me this look of sadness, I think. I don't know, it annoyed me." Ace huffed in annoyance at the recollection of the memory.

"Why must you always pick fights with people, Ace?" Sabo asked tiredly as he rubbed his temples.

"I don't know! Don't worry about it, I didn't get to tell the kid off anyway because his sister stopped me."

"Woah. Hold on a second, you got stopped? In all the time I've known you I've never seen you back down from anyone, you even tussle with adults! Who was this girl?" Sabo asked with surprise as he shifted himself closer to Ace, eager for the details.

"I don't even know, man. For starters she's huge! Like, I'm pretty sure she's older than us by two years at least or something. If you were to stand on my hand I think she'd still be taller." Ace waved his arms around in an exaggerated way to simulate the height difference.

"Damn.."

"Exactly. Oh, and she's super beefy too so she's likely strong as hell. She's got white hair with some weird bluish-green action going on at the ends. She seems pretty protective of the dork but I guess that's to be expected."

"She sounds like a tough customer."

"Yeah, and there's one more thing too." Ace leaned in closer to Sabo to speak his piece.

"I think she has devil fruit powers."

"What?!" Sabo yelled out loudly right into Ace's ear.

"Gods, Sabo! Take it easy man my ear!" Ace clutched his ear in pain.

"Hehe, sorry. I'm just surprised. What makes you think she has devil fruit powers?"

"Well, on the way here she and the dork were chasing after me so I was trying to lose them and we made it to the gorge so I waited for them to get on the bridge and I broke it–"

"Stupid."

"–And they fell into it. I turned to walk away and these pair of arms came flying out from the gorge, I mean man they were stretching and everything like rubber or something. They latched to the cliff edge but the edge broke and I assume they fell."

Sabo sat in silence for a moment as he rubbed his chin and tipped his hat upon his head a bit.

"You just assume it was the girl?"

"Well, I mean…I guess it could've been the dork who has the powers but I don't know. It was rubber I think so it probably was him, it's a lame power."

"You sure looked excited recalling a lame power, Ace."

"Shut it."

"MY POWER IS NOT LAME!!"

Both Ace and Sabo jumped out of their skin as the loud voice scared them silly enough that they fell from the branch down onto the ground with a heavy thud. The two boys frantically looked up to see Luffy standing with his arms crossed and an annoyed look on his face. Emerging from the bushes behind Luffy was, of course, Yamato.

Ace brandished his metal pipe and pointed at the two interlopers. He noticed Sabo wasn't following his lead and nudged him in the ribs causing the boy to jump from his stupor and aim his pipe.

"Looks like they've seen us, Sabo. They know where our stash is…you know what that means right?" Ace stared coldly at the two rival children.

"Yup. We gotta kill them." Sabo spoke with his best icy tone as he stared daggers at Yamato.

A long pause of silence enveloped the four as no one made a move to fight. It wasn't until Yamato suddenly stepped forward and jerked her upper body going for a fakeout flinch test. Ace and Sabo both flinched and took a step backward and this reaction caused a wide shit-eating grin to spread across Yamato's face as she looked down at the two boys. Of course, they wouldn't go through with the killing.

Ace felt his temper flare up and his body did much the same. An anger mark bulged on his forehead as his eyes became white with fury and his teeth seemed to become razor sharp. His head burst into flames as he roared defiantly and ran at Yamato throwing caution to the wind. Yamato quickly braced herself and put her fists up by her face. Ace, fortunately, didn't make it to Yamato as he was suddenly halted by Sabo as the boy grabbed his waist and hoisted him off his feet.

"Knock it off, Ace!! She's just messing with you!" Sabo pleaded.

"RrrAAGhhgh!!! COmbebe hebreeebeeb RAtaiii!!!" Ace yelled out in a strange unintelligible gobbledygook as he held his hands out toward Yamato trying to will her throat into his hands so he could squeeze.

While the shenanigans ensued there was a strange lack of straw hat present. Luffy had mysteriously disappeared for the moment.

"You're quite literally a hot head it seems. C'mon, blondie! Let him go. I wanna see what he can do!" Yamato challenged as she planted herself firmly ready for a fight.

Just as it seemed that Sabo was no longer able to hold back the fiery-headed goblin a large amount of water was suddenly tossed onto Ace, and subsequently, Sabo, as the two boys were doused from head to toe. Ace shook his head like a dog and Sabo finally let him go. They both looked to the culprit and saw none other than Luffy, standing with a smile as he wiped his mouth and chin free of the water that lingered. Ace knew the nearest water source was a fair bit behind the tree line and Luffy did not have any buckets. The reality seemed to hit him as he pointed his finger at Luffy redirecting his fury to him. Luffy laughed gently as he spoke.

"You were on fire, so I put you out!"

A pregnant pause seemed to pass between the four as both Yamato and Sabo suddenly burst into a fit of belly laughter as their voices echoed out against the forest trees creating a warm harmony. Luffy joined in swiftly with his laughter as Ace felt the tension drain from the air. His raging temper had cooled down to a simmering annoyance. He crossed his arms defensively as he turned away from everyone and tried to play his "I'm too cool to show anyone my emotions" card but the laughter of the other three children was obnoxiously infectious as he felt a grin force its way onto his freckled face. He chuckled aloud as he thought to himself.

Idiots

Destiny at work it seems, or rather just Luffy's antics lightening a heavy mood. Whether Luffy meant to or not he inadvertently bridged the gap between all four of them and a beautiful friendship blossomed. Over the next three months, the quadruple terrors would wreak havoc on the Goa Kingdom. No one was safe.