Ace perched on the roof, studying the man napping in the courtyard, the man who in a different life, may have been his father. He'd been carefully making notes since they'd arrived on this island, watching how Rayleigh interacted with Luffy and with Shanks. Imagining he was on the receiving end of his glare when he was telling off Shanks, that he was the one being cuddled and taught as Luffy ignored all personal space.
He loved being part of the Whitebeard Pirates, loved having Pops be his father but there was a weird longing in his chest as he watched Rayleigh's interactions. He couldn't imagine what it would have been like to grow up with the man. Having someone to raise him and protect him. To have been part of a family from the very beginning.
He was jealous of Shanks casual interactions and relaxed state now that he didn't have strangers around, now that he had his Pa around to watch his back. He was jealous of the way Luffy was able to befriend everyone with no effort. He could barely bring himself to be in the general vicinity, let alone actually speak to the man. Meanwhile Rayleigh was walking through the castle with a babbling Luffy dangling from his arms.
"You know, your mom used to stalk people from above as well. Always perching in trees, masts or roofs. Woman was like a cat." Came Rayleigh's voice from behind him and Ace squawked in surprise, tripping over his feet as he turned and landing on his ass. Rayleigh smiled. "That though, that was all Roger."
Ace hissed and tried to gracefully stand back up. "I'm not like him." He spat, glaring at the older man.
"Alright then." Rayleigh said easily, tossing something at him. Ace looked down at the framed photo of That man and a smiling woman, gasping when he recognized several of his features. He'd never seen a photo of his mom before, and he blinked quickly as his eyes watered. Embarrassed, he glanced back up to see an empty roof.
The Moby Dick was weirdly quiet for a ship so full of people. Marco sat in the crows nest and tried to relax, but the tension on board was palpable. God he missed Thatch. As annoying as the man's pranks had been, they had always lightened the mood and been good for morale. He eyed Pop's chair and winced at the angry waves of haki that were emanating continuously. The man was furious and even the fight with Kaido had not been enough to cheer him up. The next time they saw the Red Hair Pirates would be interesting indeed.
The hard thing was that Marco was thankful of their actions. While he had been fully prepared to go and fight for his brother, to risk his life to free him, he had known there was going to be a heavy toll. They were the Whitebeard Pirates. They were strong and loyal but Pops wasn't a healthy young captain anymore and the Marines were full of new, strong and violent men. He shuddered to think of how many of his brothers would have been hurt or killed and there was a part of him that suspected his father planned on sacrificing himself and going out in a blaze of glory rather than waste away. So yeah, he was glad that Shanks had stepped in and spirited his brother away. He understood that part of Pops would always see Shanks as the mischievous young boy that used to follow around a young Marco but he wished his father would look up and realize that boy was now a strong man who deserved some respect. He understood the Red Haired Pirates rage but still he was dying to know what was happening, to know his brother was healing and safe.
Marco stilled as his haki picked up an approaching figure and he transformed, flying over the sea until he picked out the familiar form of Jinbe, breaching as he felt Marco. "Permission to come aboard?" Jinbe asked.
"Of course Jinbe. But we aren't the best company at the moment." Marco warned.
Jinbe laughed. "Well I have some information that might lift your spirits, information about a little spitfire."
"You know something about Ace?" Marco brightened up. "Thank the seas." He took off to warn Pops about the approaching man, praying that the news would help. "Pops! Jinbe is here with news!"
"Jinbe! My old friend. I was worried about you. We heard the marines have revoked your Warlord status."
Jinbe waved off the hovering crew members and settled down in front of Pops. "Yes they were not very happy with me escaping Impel Down."
Pops frowned. "They had you in Impel Down?"
"Yes since I refused to join them in their war against you. I was lucky enough to share a cell with Ace and help make his time there less trying."
Marco moved closer. "Was he ok? They didn't hurt him too badly while he was there?" He asked concerned.
"Not while I was there. Mainly they taunted him but he was already beaten up and injured. He insisted he was fine but I could tell he was starving and hurting from being chained against the wall."
Marco fretted, wishing he could check the young man over but relieved to know that Hongo was one of the best doctors around.
"And then that red haired brat get involved." Pops said grumpily.
Marco winced and Jinbe looked at the captain disapprovingly. "I'm assuming you mean Emperor Shanks in which case I will remind you that your disrespect to him has already caused you trouble." Pops grumbled to himself but nodded. "And no Emperor Shanks did not get involved then. Actually we were informed that a rookie, Straw Hat Luffy had broken into the prison."
"A rookie? A rookie broke into Impel Down?" Marco gaped in horror.
"Not only broke in, but ran wild through the whole prison. Turns out he's Ace's younger brother and he came to save Ace. Unfortunately by the time he reached our cell, Ace had been escorted out. 5 minutes earlier in fact. The kid didn't even hesitate. Despite being trapped and gassed, he found allies and broke us out of our level."
"Gurarararara" Whitebeard started laughing. "What a cheeky brat. Maybe we should meet this rookie… after all if he's Ace's brother then he should be one of my sons."
Whiteboard was confused to see the flare of anger in Jinbe's usually serene face. "He's not in need of a new father figure or captain."
"That's what they all say."
"Pops." Marco hissed, elbowing Whitebeard harshly. "So the rookie broke you out and then what happened?"
Jinbe shot another glare at Whitebeard but continued his story. "We fought our way out."
"Impressive that the kid was able to reach strong allies to help get out again." Whitebeard nodded.
"The kid actually fought the vice warden, and held off Magellan so that everyone else could escape. Then the Red Haired Pirates showed up. They had rescued Ace and learned of the prison riot."
"I still don't understand why Shanks cared?" Marco said confused.
"He has his ties to Ace though I hate to admit it. Probably saved the kid for him." Whitebeard said grudgingly. Jinbe thought of how the emperor had been around Luffy but held his tongue. No need to correct all his assumptions. "Where are they now? There's no sign that they managed to get under the Red Line before the marines blocked the route."
"Where they are is not your concern. Ace is safe and healing. You were told that he would return when he was ready to and until then stay in your own territory." Jinbe cautioned.
"I am an Emperor of the sea, who are you to tell me what to do?"
"I thought I was your friend. And I am warning you. If you keep pushing Emperor Shanks, you will not like what happens. Trust in your relationship with Ace and respect your allies. Don't make enemies you don't need. Now Whitebeard, I have to go warn my crew that we are no longer safe from marines. I trust that you will think of my words." Jinbe nodded to Marco as he rose and moved to the rail.
"I still want that straw hat brat. It will make Ace happy." Whitebeard said to Marco who swore, smacked his captain and retreated back to the crows nest, leaving his Pops pouting on an empty deck.
Sabo was losing his mind… no scratch that, Sabo had just regained his mind. It had been 4 days since he had read the news about a prison break involving Straw Hat Luffy and Fire Fist Ace and the sudden influx of memories had knocked him on his ass. Seriously even after his 3 day coma, he still had an agonizing migraine but he refused to take any meds. He deserved the pain. He needed to find his brothers, needed to beg for their forgiveness and reassure himself that despite his failings, both brothers were ok.
He had been ready to race out there and track them down but Dragon had insisted he stop and think first. Insisted/ restrained him when he had made to board a ship. Dragon had reminded him that he had no idea where his brothers were and forced him to get checked over by their doctor. But now it had been a whole day and there was still no news on where to find them.
Koala had told him that Iva had broken free at the same time and was on his way to headquarters, that he might have an update for him if he could only be patient. But how could he be patient now that he knew what he was missing. The one bright side he had was that a member of his baby brother's crew was with a group of revolutionaries and he had been able to talk to her on the Den Den. Nico Robin had refused to give him details without confirmation of their bond but she had told him about how he had saved her several times, about his love for adventure, his strength and conviction to help others follow their dreams. He wanted to cry at the thought of his crybaby little brother fighting to make sure everyone was free.
So now he was digging through their archives for any and all information about either of his brothers. He remembered the first time he read the reports on straw hat. Remembers being impressed and annoyed by the rookie who was running through the East and Paradise, causing chaos and making enemies with no strategy. Now rereading how Luffy had fought Arlong (thank you Koala for detailing that particular asshole's strength), battled Baroque Works and Crocodile, fought CP9 and declared war on the World Government - well his rooms needed some reconstruction.
He wasn't surprised that his dumb ass twin brother had picked a fight with an Emperor, remembering how much Ace wanted to make his own name and show that he was strong. But reading about how he had joined the Whitebeard Pirates was a shock. The terror of knowing that he had been captured and had faced execution almost sent Sabo in a tail spin. It was Dragon himself that had reminded him that both of them had escaped and were in hiding. If the government had found them it would be immediate news, with them desperately in need to save face in the whole debacle.
"Iva is here!" Came the shout through headquarters and Sabo flung himself out the door and raced to the main hall. He didn't bother with apologies as he shoved his way to the front of the group, ignoring a bemused Dragon and dragging Iva into the nearest secure room.
"Sabo Boy! I was told you were in a com-"
"That's not important Iva! I need you to tell me everything about Luffy right now. Was he ok? Did he get hurt? Did he get enough food and rest? Was he healthy? Did he talk about himself? Where was he going? Was he with Ace?" Sabo shot out rapidly.
"Sabo. You have to give him the chance to answer." Dragon said wryly from the doorway and Sabo flushed.
"Right… sorry Iva. Tell me everything." Sabo implored and Iva happily began telling the story from when the Den Den had picked up an intruder in the prison.
The story took hours and Sabo was proud of himself for only breaking down 4 times. Seriously if Magellan was still alive, Sabo would have had to hunt him down and slaughter him.
"Anyways, Straw boy was still unconscious when we departed with Fire Fist hardly leaving his side but the doctor was sure he would come to shortly. I was supposed to call with updates on his cre-"
"You have their Den Den number! Why didn't you say that earlier!" Sabo said snatching the paper from Iva's hand and bolting to the communications office. A second later he burst back in again, bowing deeply. "Thank you for saving my baby brother's life. That debt will never be forgotten." The door slammed again.
"Vhat just happened?" Iva said confused and Dragon sighed as he filled in his old friend.