Sakazuki splayed his hands on Crocodile's belly, turning his haki towards the baby nestled so comfortably in her womb. There was the barest flutter of consciousness, not quiet awareness, but the sense that the baby's mind was starting to become something. She, because Crocodile insisted the baby was a girl, kicked near to where Sakazuki's palm rested. He smiled, rubbing the spot softly. Crocodile barely noticed, annoyed as she was with whatever spreadsheet she was nose deep in, reclined on the bed, a mountain of pillows behind her back and even more all around her. Her shirt pulled up, baring her stomach to his curious gaze.

And he didn't know why he was so curious. He'd been around pregnant women before. Not like female Marines were barred entirely from duty when they got pregnant. Hell, he'd had to deliver Dalmatian's oldest son years ago after their only medic had gotten tossed overboard during a typhoon, and the baby had decided to make her arrival a month and a half early. He'd only ever been politely interested in their health.

But it was different, actually getting to touch Crocodile's belly.

And given he'd missed a good chuck of her pregnancy, the differences were even more stark.

She'd growled about stretchmarks and had been getting Sakazuki to rub vitamin E oil on the tight, oddly firm skin. Her nose crinkled in annoyance when she felt Sakazuki scrutinizing her belly, huffing whenever he assured her that she was beautiful and, no, not at all fat.

He was sure she wouldn't appreciate it if he told her he found her even more beautiful than usual. There was no telling what would set her off. Sakazuki couldn't blame her. Her due date was looming ever closer, and she seemed so very uncomfortable.

"She's been restless all night," Sakazuki noted, another firm kick landing against his hand.

Green eyes narrowed, and she glanced down at her belly, "Yes, she has. Luffy was the same around this time. She wasn't sleeping so neither was I."

"Sounds like Luffy."

Crocodile snorted, "This one isn't nearly as violent, though." She dropped her papers onto the mattress beside her, "And she seems to calm down even more when she can hear your voice. Also, not unlike Luffy."

Sakazuki huffed a soft laugh, leaning down and pressing a kiss to her belly.

"Speaking of, where is she?"

"Luffy? Putting Drake through her paces as a big sister. Luffy's have a ball. Drake's…frazzled."

"After babysitting Luffy, every other kid she meets will be a breeze. Ace and Sabo?"

"Pretendin' like neither of 'em has anythin' to say to the other."

Crocodile's mouth twisted and she flapped her hand at Sakazuki, her signal for him to help her up, "Are all teenage boys so weird?"

Pulling her out of her recline, Sakazuki opened his mouth to answer that they were, but Crocodile raised her other hand, "Actually, never mind, I'm pretty sure I know the answer."

He grinned, his expression making him look ten years younger. "If ya think that, yes, all teenage boys are weird, suppressed, hormonally driven monsters, you would be correct."

"Good," she kissed the corner of his mouth and chuckled, "because so are teenage girls."

"Oh, I knew that already. I have an older sister and raised one into adulthood already."

–

Sabo was being stupid. It wasn't unusual for him to be quiet and in his thoughts. But usually, those moments only last a couple of days at most. But this time, it had been going on for weeks since Sakazuki returned to Rain Dinners with his sister and daughter in tow.

Sabo had been talking to Sakazuki. A lot.

Like any time Sakazuki wasn't with Crocodile, Sabo was attached to his side, jabbering away with a furrow between his eyebrows and sad puppy dog eyes.

And boy, oh boy, did it piss Ace off.

What the hell could Sabo talk to their mom's boyfriend about that he couldn't say to his own damn brother.

Ace and Sabo were brothers. They weren't supposed to keep secrets from each other. And sure, there was shit that neither of them told Luffy, but Luffy was their baby sister, and some things were weird to talk to her about.

"Ace, he'll tell you what's on his mind when he's ready," Mama told him, one hand supporting the heavy swell of her belly as she waddled down the hallway towards the back offices of the casino and looking testy as hell.

Ace hovered near her worriedly but let her be, "He's talking to Saka, though."

"Sakazuki's not his brother, and maybe that makes him a little easier to talk to while Sabo figures things out."

Ace stopped short and asked her, voice cracking, "What's he got to figure out?" Ace was his mother's firecracker, more inclined to anger and excitement than either of his siblings. But not at that moment. Right then, he felt a hurt little knot in his chest and a tightness in his throat.

Crocodile looked at him softly. Patiently, she told him, "I don't know, baby. But you've got to let him." Ace's grey eyes were uncharacteristically anxious.

–

For his part, Sabo was conflicted.

When they'd been younger, he, Ace and Luffy promised to sail as Pirates when they were old enough. It was Luffy's dream to be The Pirate Queen, and Ace, although he'd never admit it aloud, wanted to sail the grand line to experience what his biological father did in an attempt to learn more about the man behind the legend.

Sabo wanted...he sighed. It had started with him just wanting to leave Dawn Island to get as far away from his birth parents as possible. Recently, and as he got older, the desire had evolved. He wanted to make a difference. And having met Sakazuki, he had started to believe that joining the Marines would be his chance to make that difference.

"I just don't know how to tell...well, Ace, especially." Sabo frowned, tugging a few blades of grass up. He and Sakazuki were sitting outside, near the lake and watching Luffy drag Drake this way and that, the older girl looking exasperated but oddly determined as well.

Sakazuki hummed softly, his arms stretched across the back of the bench, and his eyes shadowed beneath the brim of his hat. He had a speculative look in his eyes, glancing at Sabo patiently. "Ya won't know how he'll react until ya tell him, Sabo."

When Sabo first approached Sakazuki tentatively about the possibility of joining the Marines, Sakazuki simply listened to what he had to say and neither encouraged nor discouraged him from making a decision.

"I won't tell ya to go for it." Sakazuki had told him, "It's a decision only you can make." And he'd been more than happy to let Sabo talk his ear off and ask him about the Marines and their duties. Which Sabo had appreciated; he would hate to make a decision without all the information.

–

Both Ace and Sabo were dumb, Luffy decided. She watched them avoid each other's eyes, which was pretty hard while they sat on opposite sides of the table, right across from each other.

Her dark eyes darted between them, frowning faintly around the bite of food she'd just shoved into her mouth. She missed the amused look Crocodile and Sakazuki exchanged.

She figured it was because Sabo was thinking about joining the Marines. And Ace didn't know and thought Sabo was just keeping a secret from him.

"Why don't you guys just talk?" Luffy asked, gesturing at both of them with her fork. She blinked when they both jerked to look at her, staring at her in surprise. "What? You both want to say something to the other. Just do it."

Sabo gets over his shock, smiling at a now pouting Luffy. He dropped his eyes to the surface of the table, taking a deep breath. Once he feels steadied, he meets Ace's eyes. "I want to join the Marines."

Ace opened his mouth and closed it just as quickly. He blinked rapidly, his grey eyes confused. Then he opened his mouth again, "Dude, that's what you've been worried about?!"

It was Sabo's turn to blink, startled by Ace's loud amusement, "Well, yeah! I didn't want to break our promise." Sabo scowled when his brother started laughing. Cackling wildly, really. Luffy, adjusting her too-big straw hat from where it had tilted in front of her eyes, gave Ace an annoyed look.

"We made that promise when we were, what, seven." Ace grinned reassuringly. "I figure, no matter where life takes us, we're always going to be family."

Sabo huffed, grinning back, "Plus, one of us was going to have to do it," He started.

"Otherwise, Gramps would lose his mind," Luffy finished, the small scar beneath her eye curling with her broad grin.

Everyone jumped when the heavy doors at the top of the stairs leading down into Crocodile's lair slammed open. Drake, who'd been dozing against Sakazuki's side, jerked awake. As one, they looked up.

Jamieson Munro squinted down at them.

"Jamie? What are you doing here?"

"Heard you were knocked up, figured it was as good a time as any for a little visit."

Crocodile raised one eyebrow, "And where did you hear about that?"

"From your daddy, duh." He descended, taking two steps at a time and stopping in front of Crocodile, hands on his hips, nodding cheerfully at Sakazuki. "He sends his love, by the way, wishes he could be here, but some shit came up, and he has his hands full."

"What sort of shit?"

"No idea. Didn't ask." He shrugged, looking down at her, "Geez, you're huge."

Crocodile scowled, "I wonder, did my grandmother enjoy hearing that…ever?"

"Dove? God no, she punched me in the balls the first and only time I tried it."

"You want to get punched in the balls again?"

Jamie blinked, then smiled at her, smitten, "Have I ever told you how much you remind me of her?"

Crocodile sighed and nodded, "Every chance you got after I bit you when I was three."

"You were a feisty little thing." Glancing around, his eyes lit on each Ace, Sabo, Luffy and Drake. He leaned down and whispered, "I thought you only had three."

Crocodile snorted, leaning back on her hand, nose wrinkling at her grandfather. "Drake is Sakazuki's daughter."

"Ah. That explains why she's," He flapped his hand, "Y'know, not a child."

Luffy asked, "Who're you?"

"He's my gramps."

Drake's eyebrows jumped up in surprise, and the kids tilted their heads. Sabo cleared his throat, "How can he be your gramps? He doesn't look much older than you and definitely looks younger than Gramps and Oyaji."

Crocodile pursed her lips and looked up at Jamie. He put one hand on his chin, "When I was, well, not much older than your mom, I met a woman who wanted me all to herself. When I wouldn't leave my wife and child to be with her, she killed my wife and cursed me with immortality to punish me for denying her."

Sabo gaped, "I've read about that! It's called the Perennial Youth Operation. It can only be performed by the wielder of the Ope Ope no Mi." He blinked, staring at Jamie, "I thought that Operation used up all of the user's life force?"

Sakazuk's brow furrowed, arms crossed over his chest, "It does."

Jamie nodded, face sombre, "Correct. You see, this particular Ope Ope no Mi user was batcrap crazy and was happy to kill herself if it meant me being miserable." He blinked, "I suddenly realize I'm telling this to three children and will now stop talking. About that. Heavy topic and all."

They stared at him.

He stared back.

"…I would have absolutely slit her throat if she hadn't died."

"Jamie."

"Yes. Yes. I'm done."

Crocodile's lips compressed.

Jamie's widened his eyes at her, "I'm done."

Luffy tugged on the leg of his pants, and he looked down at her. She beams at him when he looks down at her, full of sunshine, for a moment before she becomes serious, "You still seem mad."

"Oh, I'll always be angry about that. The same way that I'll always be pissed at former Fleet Admiral Kong for killing my daughter."

"Grandma Raven?"

"Yep. Raven was my baby, just like you're Crocodile's."

Luffy nodded, "I'd probably be pretty angry too."

Crocodile chuckled, freezing when she felt a sudden gush of liquid from between her legs. She looked down at her lap. "Oh."

Sakazuki leaned over the back of the chaise Crocodile was sitting on, "Did yer water just break?"

"Yes."

Jamie looked thrilled, "I have fantastic timing!"

–

Forty-six hours.

It takes forty-six hours for their daughter to make her appearance in the world.

Their baby girl is practically a kitten, with golden peach fuzz all over her head, a gentle little face and blue eyes. Crocodile had been almost shocked to discover what a delicate creature had come from her and Sakazuki's union.

All the kids stared at their baby sister in fascination, watching her nervously, while Sakazuki helped Crocodile get cleaned up, Drake sitting next to them, amused by their reverent silence. Jamie was in the next room, calling Whitebeard at Crocodile's behest to let them know mother and daughter were doing well.

Crocodile's exhausted and hormonally weepy, but she's enough herself to tell Sakazuki, "We need a name for our little kitten."

Sakazuki helped her dress in a light nightgown. A heatwave was rolling over the desert kingdom, making even her lair warm and sultry. "I've been thinkin' about it since ya told me ya were positive it was going to end up bein' a girl." She leaned on him as he led her back to bed, helping her get settled before he told her. He scooped the baby up carefully, painfully aware of just how tiny she was.

Crocodile relaxed into her mountain of pillows, accepting the baby from him, resting her in the crook of her arm. She ran one finger over the chubby curve of her cheek, "And what did you come up with?"

"I was thinkin' about Hibari."

Crocodile tests the name, liking the sound of it, "Why Hibari?"

Sakazuki exhaled softly, eyes barely leaving his daughter, "It was my mama's name."

Luffy followed her sister, crawling across the bed to nestle herself next to her mother, "That's a pretty name."

Crocodile met Sakazuki's eyes and smiled, "It is very pretty, and I think it suits her. Little Hibari…huh, we never talked about a last name."

Jamie pokes his head into the room, "Munro!"

"I've got three cousins carrying on the Munro name. I'm not even a Munro," Crocodile told him, frowning.

"Boo."

Another voice chimes in from the next room, all melodic and raspy, "Harmon then."

Jamie snorted, looking at Sakazuki, "By the way, your old man just showed up."

Sakazuki stared at Elias when he appeared at Jamie's side, "I didn't call ya."

"Ya didn't. Miss Crocodile's lovely doctor did."

"Nikita's married."

Elias smiled, "Shame."

Crocodile narrowed her eyes at the two men in the door before she grabbed Sakazuki's attention, pointing at Elias, "You share his last name?"

"Not professionally. Sengoku thought it'd be pretty weird for three admirals to all go by the same name. But yeah, it's my name."

"Ah, nepotism."

"Can it, Munro. My kids are fuckin' monsters. They didn't need nepotism to climb the ranks." Elias side-eyed Jamie, "You still haunting Kong?"

Jamie smirked, "Until one of us dies."

Elias nodded, satisfied, "Good. The old bastard deserves it."

Crocodile ignored them. Testing the name, "Hibari Harmon." After a long moment, she nodded. "It works." She handed Hibari to Sakazuki, "Now, hold your daughter so I can take a nap."

Sakazuki isn't ashamed to admit that sitting next to Crocodile, holding his infant daughter, his oldest daughter pressed against his side, three more kids he considered his around them, he got a little misty-eyed. Drake noticed and pressed a kiss on his temple, not saying anything.

–

Hibari was almost six months old by the time Whitebeard met her, the family back in the East Blue once more.

He fussed over Crocodile, carefully cradling Hibari in one massive hand. He apologized for not being there for his granddaughter's birth. Hibari babbled up at him, earning a chuckle, eyes somehow even bluer than when she'd been born.

"Why weren't you? Jamie had no clue." Crocodile wasn't hurt; she didn't doubt Whitebeard had a good reason. He looked up at her, eyes suddenly tired. "What happened?"

He told her everything: Thatch finding the fruit, trying to decide whether to eat it or not, Teach's attack, Thatch's slow recovery and the hunt the Whitebeard pirates had gone on, trying to track Teach's movements.

Crocodile listened quietly, her eyes intense.

Whitebeard sighed, "We couldn't find a damn trace of him. It was like he disappeared into the void." One corner of his mouth quirked down, "After what he did to Thatch…he deserves to be torn to shreds. But that devil fruit…it's dangerous."

Crocodile took in Whitebeard's hesitance, her eyes darting briefly to Sakazuki when he brought a tray with her lunch. She smiled at him, her nose crinkling when he dropped a kiss against her forehead.

"Saka! Can I have seconds?!" Luffy yelled, and Sakazuki grinned.

He heads back out, telling her calmly. "How about we let Ace and Sabo have their firsts before you take more?" Luffy awed loudly, and Crocodile snickered lightly, picturing Luffy's pout.

She looked back at Pops, "I could put some feelers out, see if I can find him." With the skill of a mother of multiple children, her attention refocuses on her conversation with her father as though there hadn't been an interruption.

Whitebeard considered it, "I don't want you to put yourself in his sights. Teach wouldn't hesitate to hurt you or the kids. " He watched in fascination as Crocodile's eyes turned glacial. A sneer twisted her mouth.

"I fucking dare him," She growled, her scar giving her fierce energy. It was a strange contradiction to her soft, maternal appearance. A vase full of colourful, fragrant flowers is on her nightstand. "He comes after my babies, and his fucking Devil Fruit won't make a lick of difference." She jerked her arms up, her hand clenching into a fist, the dishes on the tray on her thighs clattering when she moved.

Sakazuki poked his head back into the room, curious about what had Crocodile audibly angry. "What's up?"

They gave him a brief rundown.

Sakazuki snorted, "Marshall D. Teech would have to be suicidal to go after any of them. It'd be like getting between a mama bear and her cubs." He smiled fondly at Crocodile, who was fuming. "You'd tear him to pieces."

She relaxed, smirking, "You say the sweetest things." Her eyes fell on Hibari a half a second before she woke up, "She's hungry. Pass her here, Oyaji." Whitebeard did as she asked, watching her settle the baby to nurse her.

Crocodile wiggled into a more comfortable position and smiled up at Whitebeard. "It'll be fine, Oyaji. I'll ask my contacts to keep their ears open for any word of him."

Sakazuki leaned against the door jam. "And the navy has forewarning; any move he makes out in the open will be heavily scrutinized." Whitebeard stared at the Admiral, squinting at the tugging movement of the man's clothes, which turned out to be Luffy scaling him like a tree, his sweet granddaughter giving him a broad grin, her straw hat hanging around her neck by its drawstring. She kissed Akainu's temple, the Admiral huffing, his eyes sparkling brightly.

"What are you guys talking about?"

Sakazuki hummed, "How your mama would tear apart anyone who tried to hurt you or your siblings."

Luffy propped her head on Sakazuki's shoulder, rubber legs wrapped securely like a ribbon around his waist so she wouldn't slip down. She nodded sagely, "Like the mama bananawani at Rain Dinners. Bite their faces off." She snapped her teeth playfully, breaking out into laughter.

Sakazuki smiled at her, "Did you need something?"

"Dessert!" She exclaimed, adding quickly, "Please." She made a freefall from Sakazuki's back, landing on her feet with a grin. Sakazuki followed after her, chuckling.

–

Sabo left Dawn Island when he was sixteen, accompanied by his Gramps, to go and join the Navy with letters of recommendation from Monkey D. Garp, Admiral Akainu Fleet Admiral Sengoku and even former Admiral Kuroyu in his possession. Letters that he'd only use if there was any fuss kicked up about his name.

Sabo Newgate.

Crocodile had spent a good ten minutes cackling when she'd considered the potential shitstorm that it was going to cause. Sakazuki had been equally amused, even if it had been in his normal subdued tone over a DDM call.

He, Ace and Luffy said goodbye at Foosha's docks. Crocodile is in the background, frowning at Garp. Three-year-old Hibari was in a sling in her back, waving at him happily.

Sabo let Luffy hug him, her arms coiled around his middle too tightly. But he wouldn't tell her that. He grinned at Ace, who was pretending he wasn't upset, "I'm sure we'll meet again soon." His grin turned sly, "By the time we do, though, I'll probably be stronger than you, and our fight finally won't end in a draw."

His words had the desired effect on his fiery-tempered brother, who sneered playfully, "I'll be the stronger one! I already am since I'm the oldest."

Mama sidled closer, Garp half a step behind her, raising one eyebrow at Ace's words. "Sabo's months older than you, Ace."

"So why am I taller?" He snorted at her, a grin playing at the corners of his mouth, the joke a long-standing one.

She didn't bother to answer; she just patted his cheek lightly. She looked at Sabo, emerald eyes sparkling, "You sure about this, love?"

Sabo nodded, steadfast in the decision he'd made when he was thirteen. "As sure as ever, ma." He reassures her, and while he'd never say it out loud, maybe he's reassuring himself, too.

Becoming a marine felt right. Sakazuki had explained more than once what the Marines stood for.

Justice.

Sakazuki always said the word with an almost reverent tone —not worship, but deep respect. Garp and Sengoku said it the same way.

Justice was the heart of the Marines. It was their guide and teacher, the very thing they embodied. All Marines believed in it, whether it be the ambiguous Moral Justice or the stark Absolute Justice. Neither was wrong, but belief in one over the other created a regrettable divide amongst the Navy ranks.

Sabo wanted to learn more about it. He wanted to see both sides. And he wanted to erase the divide.

He heard Sakazuki's voice somewhere in the back of his mind. "Grey Justice. Neither moral nor absolute. Not black or white. Justice should be circumstantial; the punishment should fit the crime. A man who steals to feed his children and a man who steals because he wants to should not be tried in the same light."

"But how do you know? Both men are caught stealing." Sabo had grumbled, and Sakazuki ruffled his hair, a small smile flashing across his face, eyes crinkling at the corners.

"It shouldn't be easy," Sakazuki teased. "It's why there are marines whose jobs are to investigate the whys. And a lot of hints are in front of your eyes. The man stealing to feed his children is only stealing small things, probably even just stealing food. He wouldn't steal a woman's necklace off her neck because it isn't a game to him. The man stealing for pleasure; he steals whatever catches his eyes, even if it means risking it to try and steal that necklace."

Sabo grinned at Crocodile, clarifying, "Surer, even."

–

Ace left the following year. He had planned to do it just after he turned seventeen, but he'd dawdled, hemming and hawing about it not being the right time yet.

But eventually, he was ready.

He left Dawn Island early one spring morning.

Ace tried to pry Luffy off of him, but his sister was gripping him stubbornly. Hibari had already given Ace his hug and said goodbye. She was trying to help Ace by unravelling Luffy's arms, giggling whenever their sister opted to just re-coil her rubber arms back around Ace's middle, golden hair bright under the sun.

"Come on, Luff, we'll meet again before you know it." Echoing Sabo's own parting words from the previous year.

He'd thought about what he wanted to do.

He wanted to make a name for himself.

He knew Gol D. Roger's shadow still lingered, and Crocodile ensured he understood that people knowing Ace was Roger's child was dangerous.

"They called Roger a demon. For reaching Laugh Tale. For learning things that were hidden there. They call him a demon for prompting our Golden Age of Piracy." Crocodile frowned. Her eyes were dark. "He was a great man, kind and charming. But he was a monster, too."

She stared at him, lifting her hand and brushing her thumb over his cheek, across his smattering of freckles. "He made a lot of very powerful enemies. And just as many powerful friends." Mama's eyes had softened, "Silvers Rayleigh knew him as a brother. Your Oyaji knew him as a friendly rival." Her hand stayed against his cheek, and Ace found himself leaning into the warmth of her touch.

"Be careful, Ace. And find good friends to watch your back."

Luffy pouted at him, "Three years is a long time."

Ace grinned, "Before you know it." He squeezes her face between his hands, then stretches her cheeks out.

He looks at Hibari, "Keep her outta trouble, yeah?"

Hibari smiled up at him, her accent all Sakazuki when she told him, "I dunno if that's possible."

Luffy puffed out her cheeks after he let go and finally released her hold. Crocodile nudged her, resting her hand on Luffy's head, fingers sinking into her hair.

She looked at Ace, "You sure you don't want something more than a dinghy to get out of here?" Ace turned and looked over his shoulder at the small boat loaded with his supplies.

He shrugs, "Nah, this is fine." Crocodile just sighed. "I'll find something better later."

–

When it was finally her turn to go to sea, Luffy was anxious to get going.

She was excited to catch up with Sabo and Ace, almost desperate to start her adventure, and eager to gather a crew.

She stood on the docks, her arms crossed, looking out over the ocean.

She was going to be the Queen of the Pirates. She was going to sail the entirety of the Grand Line, from the Reverse Mountain to the mystery-shrouded Laugh Tale.

She would see it all and have the best crew in the World.

And she had to keep her promise to Shanks. She puts one hand on her head, the familiar texture of her Straw Hat soft against her fingers. She'd meet Shanks and return it to him. Briefly, she wondered why she had never told anyone about that promise. She'd tried once or twice, but something had always stopped her.

"Hibari, you aren't going to leave me too, are you?" Luffy smirked at Crocodile's playful whining. She glanced over her shoulder at her approaching family.

Hibari rubbed her eyes, blinking up at her mother, confused. "No?"

Crocodile stopped walking, pulling the girl into a hug, kissing all over her face. Hibari squealed with laughter. "Good. You stay with me forever." Her voice was teasing, but Luffy could tell her mother was hiding her sadness.

Crocodile cuddled Hibari close and looked up at Sakazuki when she felt his hand on the top of her head. "You gonna be okay, darlin'?"

Crocodile smiled faintly, gazing at her oldest daughter fondly. "I'll be fine. I knew it was coming since she was five and decided she wanted to be King of the Pirates. Of course, that changed to her wanting to be Queen of the Pirates."

"Because Queen's are so much better!" Luffy said for what must have been the millionth time.

Hibari looked up at Crocodile, blue eyes unlike either of her parents or her sister. "You're still sad, though." She nodded her head sagely, "S'okay to be sad, mama."

Luffy smiled at Crocodile, "I'll be seeing you soon enough, mama."

"You sound sure?"

Sakazuki snorted, passing Crocodile a look, "You don't think she'll want you to meet her crew? You don't think she'll make her way to Alabasta, hoping to see you the first chance she gets?" From behind her, he wrapped an arm around her shoulders, brushing a kiss against her temple. She leaned into him, Hibari moving with her, trusting her mother would never let her fall.

She pursed her lips, "I know, I know." She grumbled a little, loving the warmth of him holding her against his chest and Hibari's warmth at her front. She looked at Luffy, admiring what she'd grown into. No one would call Luffy anything but what she was: a bombshell. Short, because Garp's mother hadn't been very tall, but she was all buxom curves like Crocodile: just a lot less femme fatale and a whole lot more girl next door.

When she'd started developing at eleven, Crocodile had mentioned in passing, that she was on track in her development with where Crocodile herself had been at the same age. If Sakazuki, Ace and Sabo had all looked vaguely alarmed at the prospect, Crocodile hadn't said anything. She had had a good laugh about it, though.

Like Ace, Luffy was leaving in a little dinghy with a few days of supplies. Crocodile had offered, more than once, to just buy Luffy a small sloop. Her daughter hadn't been having it, though. "Where's the adventure in that, Mama?!"

Hibari wiggled out of her mother's grasp and launched herself at Luffy, face pressed against her stomach. Luffy hugged her back firmly,

"Cause more trouble." She presses her cheek against the top of her head, letting her go after a moment. Hibari grinned up at her. Luffy knew just how much chaos potential was hidden behind that sweet face. After all, Luffy had been the same.

But where Hibari hadn't realized it about herself yet, Luffy had firmly embraced the chaos. Hibari would learn, though. Chaos was just so much more fun.

Luffy jumped up and wrapped her arms around Sakazuki's neck, pressing a kiss against his cheek and grinning when he told her, "Try not to get arrested; I can't bail you out if you get in trouble."

"You say that like I go looking for trouble." She teased back, and he snorted, not buying the innocent act.

Crocodile shook her head, "You may not go looking for it, Luffy, but you sure as hell attract it."

"You are a trouble magnet," Sakazuki nodded, smirking when Luffy giggled, not even attempting to deny it. Sakazuki watched fondly, eyes soft, when Luffy eagerly went into her mother's waiting arms. Crocodile held her oldest daughter tight. They don't say anything because they both know they'll see each other sooner rather than later.

"Time to go."

–

Crocodile had been a shichibukai for ten years, and never in that time had she been so giddy to attend a meeting.

Because there was so much happening right now.

And she did not doubt that it all stemmed from one Monkey D. Luffy beginning her grand adventure.

Because Luffy was nothing if not a catalyst. A catalyst of chaos. A catalyst of change. A catalyst of…well, of a lot of things.

"We've had an influx of notable rookie pirates entering the Grand Line from all of the Blues. Hell, even on from the sky islands," Sengoku sighed, looking at the board where someone had stuck all the wanted posters. Basil Hawkins, Scratchman Apoo, Mad Monk Urouge, Capone Bege, X Drake, Jewelry Bonney, Eustass Kid, Massacre Soldier Killer, Roronoa Zoro and her capricious granddaughter, the harbinger of chaos herself, Monkey D. Luffy. Staring at Luffy's grinning portrait, Sengoku once again questioned her decision all those many, many years ago to not only marry Monkey D. Garp but also to have a child with him.

Had the headache ever been worth it? She snuck a glance at Garp and grudgingly admitted it was.

Looking back at the inhabitants of the table, she cleared her throat.

Seven warlords. Finally, they were back up to full strength after Boa Hancock, Khan of Amazon Lily and the most beautiful man in the world, had accepted the role two years ago. Hancock was the youngest in the room, not even thirty years old, but had the air (and arrogance) of a man twice his age and twice his experience.

Three Admirals. The strongest generation of admirals ever raised by the Navy. Even with Aokiji's shift in behaviour, the three stood firm.

"And perhaps it's just a coincidence, but with the influx of rookies, we've also reported increases in activity from the monitors around the Beast Pirates, the Big Mom Pirates, and the Red-Haired Pirates." Sengoku looked between Crocodile and Jimbei, "The Whitebeard Pirates aren't making any moves beyond their clashes with Blackbeard and his crew, but that doesn't surprise me."

"At Crocodile's recommendation, we've also installed monitors on Blackbeard." Sengoku nodded at the woman, whose eyebrows lifted in acknowledgement, her face remaining stoic. "He's planning something, and we hope to stop whatever it is before it can happen."

She looked at Gecko Moria next, "Moria has reported rising tensions in Water 7."

"Can't pinpoint where, but Iceburg's been on edge the last few times I saw him."

"CP-9, no doubt." Admiral Kizaru tilted her head, arms crossed on the table. When Sengoku cocked an eyebrow at her, she smiled, "Whispers the last time I had a few agents on board. They seem to think the rumours of the ancient weapons are worth looking into, and they seem to think Iceburg has information regarding it."

Mihawk snorted softly, "Do Cp-9 agents not know how to keep their mouths shut?"

Akainu rolled his eyes, "In my experience, no."

Sengoku hummed quietly, "In any case, Moria, keep your ear to the ground."

"Always."

"Reported increase in Bounty Hunter activity. Reported increase in Revolutionary Army activity. Reported increase in activity from this Joker character." Tsuru tapped a finger against the table, "A storm is brewing. We must all remain vigilant."

Doflamingo grinned at the mention of Joker, and Sengoku felt the sudden desire to strangle the bastard. They knew. They knew it was him. But they would need a mountain of evidence against him before they could act.

Sengoku nodded, eyes closing for a moment. "Keep your eyes and ears open. Anything – anything – out of the ordinary, report it. No matter how small it seems. Tsuru's right; something's coming. And it's just a matter of time before we find out what that will end up being."