Thank you to everyone giving this story a chance. Updated 25/08/2024
Shanks arrived at dawn, his ship instantly identifiable on the dock. Makino who heard from the locals that her beloved had returned and rushed to the harbour, keen to see the man she missed dearly, while also concerned at his sudden appearance.
Shanks was tense as they pulled into the familiar island, his frayed nerves slightly eased at the sight of the green haired barmaid who held a special place in his black heart.
"I thought you couldn't return." Makino muttered happily, her arms coming around to hold the captain.
"There are some things that apparently needed my attention." Shanks replied, his arms returning her hold, while he placed a loving kiss to her head.
"You and your cryptic ways." Makino sighed melting into his touch.
Shanks leaned back to grin at the young woman. "Would you have me any other way?"
Makino shook her head lovingly at the pirate.
"I need to see Luffy. Where can I find him?" Shanks enquired, reluctantly releasing his hold.
"Shanks if Garp found out..."
"It's important Kino." Shanks urged gently, his smile shaky and unsure. " You know me better than that, I wouldn't break a promise on a whim, now, would I?"
Makino bit her lip, she could see how serious Shanks was, she connected it to Luffy's odd behaviour, and well, it worried her. "He's probably at his treehouse in the forest, would you like me to take you?"
Shanks shook his head almost urgently before softening at her startle "I wouldn't make a good captain if I couldn't find a measly kid, would I?" he grinned his signature grin raising a hand to gently cusp his loves cheek. "Men, finish docking up the ship then please escort the lovely lady back to the bar, where you can all enjoy some well-earned shore leave."
The men cheered at Shanks words, tying up the rigging as Shanks left with a lingering kiss to Makinos cheek.
Shanks was halfway through the forest when he felt it, Haki. The tenuous force tickled against Shanks senses, sending a trail from the depths of the forest that urged Shanks to follow.
Shock gripped Shanks, the only person he knew from the East Blue who had this kind of power was Garp, but this certainly wasn't him. It was warmer, friendly buzzing with an undercurrent of excitement but also an almost sadness.
Shanks followed cautious despite the haki not setting off any negative or threatening feelings, he knew better then to give any advantages to the unknown.
"You came!" an excited voice rang through the forest as a swinging figure appeared through the trees. The figure collided with Shanks who was surprised by the direct hit. The momentum throwing them both to the forest floor, even in his shock Shanks found himself automatically protecting the boy as they rolled to the floor, cradling him.
"What the...? Luffy?" Shanks questioned looking over the boy in his arm, finding he had grown in the time the pirate had been away.
The boy grinned maniacally at the older pirate; happy to see the someone who didn't remind him of death.
"Sorry Shanks-San I've been practising with my haki since I got back, I wanted to impress you." Luffy smiled down at his mentor.
"Wait, what, Haki Luffy?" Shanks questioned surprised.
"Yup, of course Shanks!" Luffy exclaimed his smile growing wider as the love and appreciation Luffy felt for his mentor flooded every pore. "After all it is important for any new world pirate, especially the King of the Pirates."
"New world pirate?" Shanks spluttered.
"Don't be silly Shanks we already went over this remember, big war, lots of death, the future sucked so we are going to change it." Luffy said his grin falling from his face as he once again faced the truth of what had been.
"Change the future?" Shanks queried, his hand itching for a drink as his heart broke at Luffy's expression.
"It was all you" Luffy looked into Shank's eyes, his expression desperately imploring the red head to listen so he wouldn't have to repeat himself. "You said if I used the one piece, I could go back and change what happened. You told me you believed in me, you saved me so I could save everyone. Help me Shanks, believe in me once more to stop the stupid dragon people who think they run the world."
"You're planning to stop the world government?" Shanks questioned, his brain clinging terrified to the titbit of information.
"If that's what it takes to save my Nakama." Luffy nodded his eyes becoming like fire, an unstoppable force.
"Luffy I'm sorry, I can't help you.."
"Because you're a celestial dragon" Luffy asked bluntly, barging to the truth of the matter.
Shanks spluttered his face white.
"It's okay Shanks." Luffy forced the elder pirate to meet his eyes. "Just because you are doesn't mean you have to let the world burn. You're not your blood. You've already lied about what happened to the devil fruit they wanted, all to protect me! You care Shanks, even when the worst had happened you still cared." Luffy implored his mentor eyes desperate, if he failed at this it would all be for nothing. "We both watched as everyone died. In the end pirates, the government and nobles all bleed the same. Countries burned for just for who was born there. This one was one of the first to go before anyone knew to protect it, I don't know what happened to them, but you told me a piece of you died with it. At the end you could have killed me, I wouldn't have put up a fight, but instead you helped me, kept me alive when I gave up, you brought me back to life, after it all you told me I can use the one piece, to change the ending." Luffy met Shanks eyes, tears glistening but not yet overflowing. "Regardless of what you were born as, you make your own choices, you can choose to be free." Luffy implored as a single tear running free down his small face, echoed by Shanks own.
"I've never been free, Luffy" Shanks muttered the painful truth one he had spent years trying to drink away. "It's all an illusion."
"Shanks, you can be." Luffy determined his natural grit shining through. "Gramps chose for me to be a marine, but I still became the king of the pirates, now I choose to save my Nakama, I choose you, and I hope you choose me."
Luffy held Shanks to him tightly imploring him silently to make the right choice, to break free of the shackles of his birthright. To finally put his chosen family above his blood relatives. Shanks stayed frozen in Luffy's grip tears streaming from his eyes, this was it the moment he had been running from the moment Luffy had eaten that cursed fruit. The boy he felt a fatherly bond with or the family he had already stained his hands for.
Shanks took a deep breath allowing the oxygen to clear his mind and his airways, in the end it had never been a real choice, slowly reaching into his cloak he withdrew three cups and a coin. He sat up against the forest floor placing the coins under one of the cups and laying the others by its side.
"You want to join my crew Luffy, the tell me, what cup is the coin in?" Shanks challenged, tears still rolling down his face.
"The middle one." Luffy said meeting Shanks gaze with his own, a small smile breaking through on his face.
Shanks turned the cup over revealing the coin underneath.
"No tricks?" Luffy enquired, knowing the words held more weight than it seemed.
"No tricks, Pirate king"
Luffy tackled Shanks into a hug, holding each other on the floor both lost in their own thoughts. Luffy glad he had broken through, that he could at least ensure Shanks hand wouldn't become more stained with the blood of friends. Shanks feeling a pit of fear, he had never found the courage to say no to the demands of those in charge but one boy had made him throw all caution to the wind, he would make a great king.
Luffy and Shanks headed back to Makinos bar, Luffy clinging to the older pirates' hand and yapping on a mile a minute, purposely giving Shanks a reprieve from his thoughts. When they arrived they would have to face the wrath of an angry Makino, something Shanks was not looking forward to.
Shanks pulled Luffy aside as they approached the bar. "Now Luffy we must be careful how we approach this with Makino, okay? We need a plan."
Luffy nodded briefly, before winking at the elder pirate, taking a deep breath and bellowing.
"Makino, I finally found the coin, so now I'm going to sea with Shanks!" Luffy exclaimed loudly, his tone purposely carefree and happy. "He said I could join his crew, but I don't want to do that because I'm going to be my own captain and king of the pirates, so instead I'm just going to let him teach me how to beat people up." Luffy grinned at the barmaid as he entered.
Shanks spluttered behind him comically in the doorway, as both the pirates and the normal patrons in the room jaws fell in shock. Makino's face slowly turned to a fiery red in anger.
"Can the ridiculous, stupid, regrettably handsome pirate captain who keep stealing young kids please meet me in the back for a little chat."
"I don't keep stealing children." Shanks grumbled unhappily as he followed the raging Makino.
"Once is an accident, two is a habit" Makino snarled at the man as the two disappeared from sight.
"Well now you've gone and done it kiddo" Benn grinned from his stool.
"Oh well, Shanks can handle it." Luffy smiled hoping up on the empty stool next to Shanks first mate. He had to shake himself mentally as he saw a flash of future, Benn's body his eye bloodied from the shot he had taken to the head. He reached for a carton of milk trying to organise his thoughts, act normal he commanded himself.
"It's going to be so cool learning from some of the best pirates on the sea, I wonder if I can convince Ace to talk Whitebeard into giving me some lessons." Luffy pondered as he pulled the milk to him sucking down the contents quickly.
"Whitebeard?" Ben queried, an eyebrow raising, curious where a child could have learned the name.
"Oops, Ace won't be there yet." Luffy groaned aloud. "Whitebeard? Never heard of him!" Luffy exclaimed unconvincingly whistling.
Yassop laughed carefree, "lesson number one should be how to lie." He was looking forward to having the young shark bait on board, the kid was an endless barrel of laughs that made him wonder about his own child.
"That is, of course, if the kid actually gets to come with us." Benn nodded towards the closed door where smashing could be heard behind.
"Eh, Shanks has got this" Luffy grinned helping himself to some meat, determined to keep his hands busy lest they start shaking.
"You've a lot of faith, I'm pretty sure that barmaid is the only one Shanks takes orders from."
"I think we both know she's not." Luffy muttered for Benn's ears only, his eyes darkening. He raised his voice grinning brightly. "Shanks promised, he never breaks a promise"
Benn looked calculating at the rubber boy, confused at his comment, what did this boy know?
Before Benn could pursue his curiosity Makino stormed from the room, shortly followed by a distressed looking Shanks.
"I want this on record, I am very against this, and the first opportunity I have I will be telling Garp-san exactly where you are." Makino looked at Luffy in exasperation, her eyes begging him to change his mind.
"Thanks Makino, you're the best, I was wondering how to get a message to Gramps." Luffy grinned brightly.
"You sure this is wise?" Benn questioned looking to his captain.
"Nope, but we're doing this anyway." Shanks let a half smile come to his face directed at his second in command, before allowing it to fall away as he looked to Makino. "we'd best put some distance between us and the island if we want to get away before Garp learns we are here."
"Do as you wish Shanks, you always do!" Makino snapped before turning her attention to the bar busying herself with cleaning glasses.
Shanks sighed looking longingly towards the barmaid before turning to his crew and instructing them to move out.
Makino focused on the glass as the room emptied only pausing when she felt familiar rubber arms wrap around her.
"I'm sorry Makino, but I need to get stronger, to be strong enough to protect everyone." Luffy said his voice small, he was upset that his actions had put a wedge between her and her love, but better she be angry then dead.
"Luffy... I just want you to be safe." Makino sighed her hand coming up to pat the boy's hair.
Luffy smiled sadly. "I want you to be safe to." Luffy muttered.
"Shanks will protect me, I promise." Luffy stretching to plant a kiss on the woman's cheek. He placed a hand on his ever-present straw hat before handing it to the bar matron. "Can you look after this for me till I get back? It's one of my treasures, so only the best can take care of it."
"Oh Luffy, of course I'll take care of your treasure" Makino smile was wobblily as tears filled her eyes.
"Your my treasure too Makino, so you need to stay safe, okay?"
Makino was surprised to see how serious Luffy was, his eyes fixed to her own imploring her to agree. She nodded softly watching Luffy brighten at her agreement.
"Here I thought you'd be running to the ship before captain changed his mind" The grinning face of Lucky Roux peered around the door.
"Sorry! See you in three years Makino" Luffy grinned before shooting out of the bar embarking on a new adventure.
Luffy was relieved to be back at sea after two weeks trapped on land, the itch of wrongness that he felt being chained to one place, the bone gripping fear that he wasn't working towards changing the future. The smell of the ocean greeting him every morning and the soft hum of the sea life below soothed him through the sleepless nights, familiar with the ship he had called home while he recovered enough to make the journey to the past. The familiarity allowed Luffy to feel more free then he had in awhile, his joy bursting through him, he was finally on the right path and had Shanks at his side.
It was strange to be under another captain's rule, but Luffy had no problem disregarding orders, much to Shanks frustration. Shanks left Luffy to the laborious tasks around the ship, advising that it was to ensure the boys muscles grew from the arduous movements, but every task given was somehow returned in a worse state. Swabbing the decks ended up with a slip and slide made from Roos supply of grease, which of course led to Shanks fishing Luffy from the sea.
"I would have thought, Anchor, you would have gotten a bit wiser with age." Shanks groaned as he deposited a soaking Luffy on the deck, honestly was this kid really a grown adult in a child's body, he couldn't find this adult anywhere.
Luffy recklessly grinned up at Shanks even as the sea water sapped his energy. "Where's the fun in that?"
"You asked me to train you but every time I give an order you do what you want." Shanks pulled at his hair, exasperated by the unruly child he had invited on to his ship.
"Chores are boring! I came here to train, let's spar." Luffy clenched his fists, frustrated at being treated as the chore boy.
Shanks shook his head concerned, the constant pressure to spar pressed against Shank's frayed nerves. He had thrown caution to the wind for this young boy, but he still didn't trust himself to draw a weapon against him, unsure if he would be able to fight the monster that laid dormant within. No matter if Luffy was king of the pirates, in his current state he was nothing but a child, easily defeated, maybe he needed an example.
"I'm not sparring with you Anchor, not until you are ready, but, tell you what Monster!" Shanks shouted to the monkey softly playing music in the rigging. "Give the kid what he deserves" Shanks settled back against the mast ready to enjoy the show.
"Finally!" Luffy grinned shaking off the water ready to face his opponent.
He had barely finished drying as he felt a tingle in his Haki and a jolt to the chest. As he flew he caught sight of the grinning Monster, casually poised where Luffy once stood. Recovering quickly Luffy extended his arms to the sail, using the momentum to push himself forward he swung himself towards the monkey. Misjudging his distance, he sailed straight over the small figures head until Monster reached out and pulled him crashing to the floor. Grinning at his prey Monster jumped on the rubber boy hammering him with a barrage of punches. It did not hurt Luffy's rubber body, but the speed was frustratingly hard to keep up with. After several moments of taking punch after punch Luffy's patience was wearing thin.
"Enough already!" Luffy shouted frustrated, sending out a wave of conquers Haki which left him feeling weak but had the effect of stopping monster in his tracks. Knowing his weaker younger body was about to fail him Luffy knew he had to end the fight quickly, drawing on what was left of his strength Luffy reached behind him.
"Gum gum, Bazooka." Luffy's shot hit true launching Monster off the Red Force and into the sea.
Luffy turned to hear clapping behind him turning to see Shanks stood grinning at him.
The rest of the crew who had gathered around to watch looked on in shock and awe seeing the weak boy they had once known as the stronger teen he had become.
"Good" Shanks noted, stilling his hands, Luffy grinned happily at his mentor. "But not good enough."
Luffy jaw dropped as he screamed "what" along with the rest of Shanks crew minus Ben who nodded in agreement with Shanks.
"You only managed to win because you surprised Monster with conqueror's Haki, had it been many other members of the crew or many other new world pirates they would be able to shrug it off. You cannot rely on that."
Luffy deflated, thinking over all the times Conquerors Haki had failed him Luffy nodded solemnly. Shanks was right, Luffy would probably lose to the weakest of new world pirates in this state, his limbs alien and sluggish, his gear forms unattainable to him, haki leaving him severely tired. Luffy wasn't even sure if gear 5 would ever become available to him again, having not felt even a small vestige of the power since the war ended.
Seeing the boy slumped in defeat Shanks walked close, putting a gentle hand on Luffy's head Shanks lowered his tone for his ears only. "You need to get used to your body, your brain isn't yet used to being smaller and it shows. Chores help the muscles grow, help you to adjust to your reduced size. If you put the effort in with chores then I will ensure one of the crew spars with you daily, but they will not go easy on you, and you will lose often."
Luffy nodded, reluctantly understanding Shanks methods for the first time.
"Good, now set the sails, we need to go pick up a lost crew mate.
Shanks was hopeful he had finally gotten through to Luffy, but when he looked down he couldn't help spluttering seeing that his boy had fallen asleep. His heart skipped a beat at the sight, removing his coat and placing it on the boys form. He wouldn't risk moving him when this was the first time he had seen the boy rest since they had got on board. The future must have been awful for it to break the unstoppable force that was Luffy. No matter how much the kid tried to hide it Shanks could see the familiar darkness clinging to his chosen charge. He had turned to drink to sooth the demons but it seemed Luffy was trying to battle them head on, braver than he would ever be.
Shanks sighed resigned as he ordered the crew to prepare to sail, he caught Ben's sharp eyes as he turned towards the captains' quarters.
'Great' he thought to himself 'time for this chat.'
Benn followed his captain; it was time for an overdue talk.
"I need a drink for this." Shanks groaned reaching for the bottle of rum he kept on his desk. He took a big swig before placing the bottle down and looking at Benn. "Okay, let's do this."
Benn looked contemplatively at his Captain before addressing him in a curious tone. "We're training the kid?" he queried. Shanks nodded his ascent. "The kid who ate the devil fruit the government asked us to find?" Shanks again nodded his eyes dark with uncertainty. "The one who you lied to them about, risking all our lives to protect?" Shanks eyes dropped guiltily, gulping against the iron that had lodged itself down his throat, but he nodded all the same. Benn voice changed growing warmer with pity for his captain. "The kid you have already given an arm to protect? Are you sure about this captain?"
Shanks took a moment considering the question. The first time he had met Luffy he had spelled trouble, the grandson of a famous vice admiral, carrying the will of D and the spirit of another captain Shanks had once known. It had been easy to fall for the kid his beloved had all but adopted, his charming nature and overwhelming joy at everything. A determination that had brought the ire of mountain bandits, a problem that had cause Shanks an arm, a price Shanks paid without thought, no cost was too high for his kid.
Shanks looked up a fire in his eyes that Benn only rarely saw but always spelled trouble. "I'm sure!"
The two commanding pirates looked at each other. Shanks willing Benn to understand, while Benn testing his captains resolve. Finding that Shanks was confident if not nervous in his decision Benn nodded. "Well, I for one am glad you've finally found the will to turn down the blasted Government, but I am not looking forward to when Garp tracks us down and be sure he will."
"I know, apparently the kids got it." Shanks laughed the alcohol and Benn's acceptance made him feel light.
"He's different Shanks, something's changed." Benn noted. "He acts happy and carefree but there are times when I catch the storm in his eyes, and this is the first time I've seen him sleep since he stepped on board."
Shanks swirled his drink contemplatively, his short lived joy fleeing at the thought. "I know Benn, I would do anything to ease his pain but all we can do is prepare him for the future."
It was a week before they made land at Shanks private retreat island, tucked away in the depths of the New World, it had proven to be an interesting voyage.
Luffy seemed to take Shanks words to heart throwing himself in to his chores with gusto, practised in the inner runnings of a ship, something that added questions to Benn's ever-growing list. Shanks had tasked Yassop with a task of trying to shoot Luffy with projectiles as he worked, helping the boy strengthen his observational Haki while working on getting his body back to the strength his mind was used to. He had also taken part in many spars where Luffy quickly reacquainted himself with the taste of loss. Shanks' crews' talents far exceeded Luffy's own, and he quickly reaffirmed that it had only been Monsters own surprise at Luffy's skill that had won him the battle.
Worryingly Luffy seemed to be avoiding sleep, instead, waiting for the exhaustion to drag him under into unconsciousness after days of sleepless nights, something that went unnoticed by everyone except Shanks and Benn who were helpless to assist with the boys issue. The one time they had forced Luffy to rest had ended in a violent wakeup call in the form of a burst of conquerors Haki that almost put Shank's own to shame, and a trail of red scratches down Luffy's face as he had tried to claw his way from his nightmare. They had soon eased up reluctantly allowing Luffy to keep his unhealthy habits.
Word quickly reached the crew that Vice Admiral Garp was quickly heading towards the New World, Luffy had grinned a dark menacing smile upon hearing the news 'good' he muttered, 'this time I'll make him listen'.
Luffy had a difficult relationship to Garp, he knew the man loved his grandchildren, but he had still chosen the marines at every turn. Even after Dawn Island was burned Garp wore his uniform in apparent pride. Long ago Luffy had lost respect for the man who clung to his ideals even as the world realised those in charge were more dangerous then the pirates that had lost their lives trying to protect them. Shanks had told Luffy once that the more you gave up for your beliefs the harder it was to admit you were wrong. Luffy hoped that this time around he could pull his Grandfather out of the world governments grip.
It was a further week before Garp reached the island throwing a cannon ball in greeting to the pirate's cove. Luffy who had be sparing with Roo reacted first, inhaling and blowing his body up to return the flying ball where it came from.
"Nice try Gramps!" Luffy screamed to the ship, his frustration and anger seeping through. "but you'll have to do better than that this time!"
Garp punched the projectile shredding it to pieces.
"You good for nothing brat, get on this ship while I show that Grandson stealing pirate why he shouldn't break promises!"
Luffy's eyes darkened, throwing his words like daggers to his Grandfather. "You'd know all about breaking promises old man."
Garp paused in his ire taking in the image of his grandson on the beach, the shadows covering his face made him look older, darker, the unmistakable fog of conquerors Haki flowing from him.
Something was wrong.
Luffy stepped forward into the light, his face thunderous, his eyes darkened with circles sunk into them. Rage thundering through his small frame. "You made promises, didn't you Gramps. Two promises of the same thing, to protect their son... and you failed."
"Failed?" Garp spluttered, shocked. He had no idea what had happened but that was not his good natured grandson standing on that island. His anger almost reminded him of younger, angrier Ace before Luffy had soothed the sharp edges. "it's not my fault you good for nothing kids are set on being pirates."
"No." Luffy accepted, before his tone darkened. "but, it is your fault that Ace died. You stood there as they held him on that platform, you were close enough to stop it, but you didn't, instead you left it to me to free him and you stood by as I failed." Luffy's voice was choked with emotion, he could not see the confused crowd gathering around as tears flooded his face. "I was too weak, I've always been too weak, but you were strong, you could have stopped it!"
Garp gaped at the boy breaking down in front of him.
"Ace always needed to protect me; the one time I thought I could save him he died for me." Luffy wiped the tears from his eyes, strengthening his stance and reaching inside. The determination thumping through him to make it hurt gave him the strength to access gear two. "Then you stood by as the world burned, you told me marines saved people, but all I saw was them tear the world apart." Luffy scoffed a bitter laugh. "In the end they didn't even protect you."
"What!?" Garp spluttered, he had always known when his grandson was lying, but all he could feel was the brutal honesty in every word.
"Don't talk about broken promises Grandpa, cause you are the worst. Now fight me!" Luffy screamed.
"Luffy...I..." Garp began confused.
"I said Fight Me!" Luffy used his legs to spring himself towards his grandfather his fist raised.
Instinct took over as Garp raised his arm grabbing Luffy by the head stopping his attack.
"It won't be that easy!" Luffy extended his arms back covering them in Haki, he forced them forward launching his grandfather into the mast of the ship which cracked on impact.
Luffy landed on the marine's ship looking around he could see the marines frozen in shock looking at the scene before them.
Garp got to his feet brushing the debris from his coat. "That was a good shot kid, I hope you know what you're asking for." Garp raised his fist before launching it at his grandson sending him flying back to the island. Without pausing he jumped after him using his arm to trap the wriggling boy to the sand.
Luffy struggled aimlessly his eyes wild and fists gripping at the loose sand below him. As he struggled he could feel his strength waining, gear two and haki having drained all the energy he had. His muscle felt heavy and strained, unmovable. Luffy felt the desperation, he couldn't lift a finger, he had failed, again. Why did he always fail? Was this his destiny?
"I'm not strong enough." He sobbed. "I need to be stronger; I need to save them all. I can see them all every time I close my eyes; Ace, Sabo, Traffy, Zoro, Sanji, Nami, Brook, Vivi, Jimbe, Usopp, Robin. I'm sorry, I am so sorry" Luffy's voice was broken with pain the names tumbling out like a mantra.
"Enough!" Shanks' voice cut through, carrying the power of conquerors Haki, forcing itself upon Garp.
The shock of everything going on caused Garp to loosen his grip.
"What the fuck is going on?" Garp demanded looking from his grandson to the older pirate.
"Let's find somewhere more private and I'll explain." Shanks was serious, something Garp had never seen from the boy, his strides long and certain, as he made his way to the sobbing mess on the sand. When he reached him, he bent down, "Anchor, I'm going to pick you up is that okay?"
"Shanks?" Luffy's voice was small, desperate. "Help me Shanks, I failed."
"It's okay I've got you kid." Shanks placed his arm under the boy holding him securely as he lifted him up. "You want answers, follow me." He addressed Garp leading the way to his private abode.
When he got there, he lowered the boy onto a seat before preparing three glasses and filling then with Amber liquid. Handing one to Garp who stood in just inside the door he took the other to the young boy hoping the shock of alcohol would rouse the boy from his trauma.
"Anchor, here drink this." Luffy looked on unresponsive. Shanks sighed raising the glass to the boys lips helping him drink the rum down.
Once satisfied Luffy was back with them Shanks took a seat, gesturing Garp to another.
"I don't need a bloody seat; I need to know what the fuck is going on." Garp growled.
"Time travel" Shanks bluntly stated looking Garp in the eye.
Garp looked shocked momentarily before he groaned "Fuck" he muttered before nodding, downing his drink and taking a seat.
"The one piece." Garp stated, oddly, knowingly. Shanks allowed shock to colour his face. "Did you think I didn't talk to Roger before he died?" Garp raised an eyebrow.
"Sure, between questioning him where the rest of his crew was and gloating about how he was going to die, I really thought you'd discuss the one piece." Shanks sarcastically bit, hypocritically annoyed at the part Garp had played in Rodger's capture.
Garp laughed sharply. "Rodger was an interesting person, if he'd have chosen differently I'm sure we would have been friends. We were more alike than most would think; a pirate and a marine, two sides of the same coin, both trying for a better future." Garp met Shanks gaze sharply. "Roger told me lots of secrets, including an interesting one about a celestial dragon who grew up a pirate. I could tell, deep down he never was sure which side that one would fall on."
"Stop Gramps." Luffy's voice was tight, thick with emotions. "Shanks is good, if it had been up to me I'd be dead, he kept me alive, gave me hope."
A heavy silence flooded the room at the admittance, something Shanks had feared to be true.
"Luffy..." Shanks begun desperate to break the tension.
"No Shanks" Luffy barked, his eyes burning with a endless passion. "You were there, you may not remember but I do. The dragons survived the fight, most didn't even come, you could have gone to them, chose them. I offered myself to you, I wanted it to end, you could of returned a hero. Instead you stayed with me, you took me to your ship, nursed me to health, reminded me how to feel, gave me reason to live. You did that, you saved me and I won't let the man who put them first question you." Luffy's voice grew stronger as he spoke, Shanks met Luffy's eyes his own filling with tears as he realised the depths of emotion the boy held for him. He reiterated his promise to himself, Luffy was his son and no one would stand in the way of his boy reaching his dream, but this time he would have his entire family by his side.
Garp however was stuck in his own personal hell, his grandson telling him he felt betrayed, that he trusted a Celestial dragon in pirates clothing over his own grandfather. "I wouldn't.." he began desperate to prove himself.
"But you would, when Ace was arrested you stood at the platform awaiting his execution, when he burned you were there, but you didn't fight, you wore the uniform of his murderer." Luffy spat his words like venom,
"If you two had just become Marines..."
"They would have killed us the minute they found out about our dad's." Luffy screamed. "Do you really think the government would let the blood of Roger and Dragon run free?"
"I could have protected you." Garp growled defensively.
Luffy deflated, his anger leaving him as he realised the truth Garp cared, but he didn't realise his care was hurting them.
"No, you really couldn't. The world is broken but it doesn't have to be, we can change it." Luffy looked his grandfather in the eyes. "Help me change it. I can't do this alone. Please Gramps!"
Garp looked at his grandson, seeing another Monkey D years ago begging him to help change the world, he had always thought he was doing the right thing, ensuring justice prevailed but maybe he had been wrong. Looking into the tired but fiery eyes of his grandson Garp nodded.
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