Chapter Text
Izou smiled as he walked with Kiku through the Flower Capital. It had been a long time since he had been back in his home country, but he doesn't regret it one bit. The life of a pirate is one that has been fulfilling. Izou was sure that if Oden was still here, he'd agree with him. Being a pirate was what Izou was supposed to do, nothing less, nothing more.
"Izou! Have you seen Luffy in Wano attire yet?" Sabo asked jokingly.
Kiku looked over curiously as well as confused while Ace laughed in amusement. "Luffy was always Izou's favorite despite what he did. He practically adores the kid, much like the rest of us do. Izou used to tell Luffy stories all about Wano-Kuni, stories about you as well." Ace explained.
"You did Nii-chan?" Kiku asked looking up at him.
Izou smiled with a nod. "Of course I did. I may have left home but I never forgot you or this place. Luffy always enjoyed listening to stories, so I'd tell him all kinds of tales. He's probably heard more stories about you from me than most of the commanders." Izou chuckled. "Speaking of Luffy, where is he?" the 16th Division Commander asked.
Ace chuckled and pointed up where Luffy was holding two cups of holding a toast.
Izou smiled. "The kimono suits him." he comments to Ace. "I'm sure I have a few on the Moby Dick that would fit for him." he goes on. Ace chuckled in amusement as Sabo rolled his eyes.
However, the small celebrations between the crews came to a small halt as Eustass Kidd came charging into the party towards Luffy. "Mugiwara!" he shouted furious.
"Oh boy, what's going on?" Ace asked running over with Sabo. Izou rushed over with Kiku following behind him to see what the commotion was about.
Luffy stretched his arm grabbing the other pirate captain. "Jaggy! It's a celebration! What are you doing?!" Luffy asked with a grin.
Kidd shoved a paper in his face. "I'm here to take you head!" he declared. Luffy took the paper from him and gasped in shock dropping the cup from his head.
Luffy let Kidd go jumping down to stand with his crew. "What is it Luffy?" Ace asked him, looking over his brother's shoulder as well. "Damnit!" Ace suddenly yelled as Sabo's jaw dropped to the floor.
Both Sanji and Zoro stood over his shoulders looking down at the paper. "Haha! This makes it one step closer to becoming King of the Pirates!" the swordsman declared.
"For once you and I can agree on something Marimo." Sanji stated.
Luffy had the biggest grin on his face turning the paper to Whitebeard and Shanks. "They've announced the new yonkos!" he stated.
Shanks took the paper from his and smiled lifting it up to his crew. "Anchor did it!" he cheered. The senior officers cheered in delight as Whitebeard laughed.
"It looks like you stand on the same level as us now, you cheeky brat." Whitebeard grinned.
"Shishi! You're proud Ossan!" Luffy told him.
"You're damn right we're proud Anchor! You're one step closer to being King of the Pirates!" Shanks declared.
Beckman chuckled ruffling Luffy's hair, remembering the oath that him and Shanks made to Luffy back in Sabaody.
Marco looked at the paper that they had received announcing the new bounties of not only the Straw Hats but those a part of the Raid on Onigashima. As he read through the paper he gasped and rushed out to the deck. He looked around before spotting the three brothers talking on shore. "Oi! Ace!" Marco yelled joining the group.
"Marco-san? What is it?" Robin asked curiously.
Marco held up the paper. "They've announced your new bounties." he stated.
"What!? They have lemme see!" Sanji demanded going to snatch the paper from him.
As Marco pulled the paper away the bounty posters went flying everywhere. Everyone gathered picking up their respective posters to look at them for themselves. The Straw Hats grinned excitedly especially Zoro and Sanj. Apparently the two had a competition to see who got the highest bounty and who was 'number 2'.
"What are the bounties?" Lucky asked Marco curiously from the Red Force as the loaded supplies.
Marco looked at the list as the Straw Hats either screamed in dismay or delight. "Cotton-Candy Lover Chopper has a bounty of 1000 beli. Cat Burglar Nami with a bounty of 366 million beli, Soul King Brook with a bounty of 383 million beli. Cyborg Franky now has a bounty of 394 million beli, God Usopp with a bounty of 500 million." Marco started listing.
"Now for the top five!" Jozu chuckled, watching Brook strum the guitar with excited pride.
"Devil Child Nico Robin with a bounty of 930 million beli." Marco said.
"Damn! Ace she is almost caught up with you!" Thatch shouted.
Ace looked at the woman stunned before he grinned with pride. "That's my little brother's crew for ya." he said.
"Fufufu! That means a lot Ace-san." Robin smiled.
Marco smiled before he went back to listing the final four. "Black-Leg Sanji with a bounty of 1.032 billion beli. First Son of the Sea Jinbei now with bounty of 1.1 billion beli." Marco was once again interrupted but it was by Sanji scowling frustrated.
"What's wrong Sanji-kun?" Jinbei asked.
Zoro chuckled holding up his bounty poster. "Don't worry about him. He's fourth place." Zoro grinned holding up his own bounty poster.
"Shut up you stupid marimo!" Sanji yelled as he ran at Zoro who grabbed his precious white blade to defend himself from the kick.
Marco chuckled at their competitive nature. "Then, Pirate Hunter or new dubbed as the King of Hell Roronoa Zoro with a bounty of 1.111 billion beli.
"Both Law and Kidd's bounty increased to 3 billion beli, while Luffy's also increased so did Ace's bounty. However, Sabo is being blamed for King Cobra's death." he explained out.
"Huh? How'd our bounties increase?" Sabo asked him.
"Ace, your bounty went to 1.2 billion beli. Sabo, they haven't released your new bounty yet but suspecting how Luffy and Ace's went up and how you invaded the Levely. Your bounty is at least in the billons. As for Luffy your bounty is now 3.1 billion beli." Marco explained.
Ace, Sabo, and Luffy looked at each other confused for a second. "Wait what do you mean how mine and Luffy's bounty went up? Ace asked curiously.
Marco looked over at the two. "Well, apparently luck wasn't on our side. The government found out and now they have combined the 100 million on your original posters to your new ones." Marco explained.
"Wait a minute!" Luffy suddenly yelled. "I forgot!"
"What!? What is it!?" the crew yelled
Luffy turned to Ace with the biggest shit eating grin. "My bounty is bigger than yours." he grinned.
Ace choked and snatched Luffy's poster out of his hand comparing it to his own. "No way! The little brat does have a bigger bounty!" Ace yelled.
Sabo snorted as Ace quickly turned to Luffy. "That's not fair! You got to challenge a yonko!" he shouted then quickly turned to Sabo. "And you! You got to invade the Levely! There is no doubt your bounty will be bigger to!" Ace claimed pointing at the blonde.
"You're just jealous that Luffy and I will have a much bigger bounty than you." Sabo grinned.
Sabo was clearly instigating a brawl between them. Luffy wasn't help either as he just laughed. The other commanders weren't helping as Kingdew was practically daring them to have a brawl, with Zoro and Sanji's continuing brawl, it was inevitable for the three brothers to tackle each other into a three-way brawl.
"I still think it's pretty amazing that Luffy lived on the Moby Dick." Chopper comments.
Thatch grinned turning the reindeer. "Yeah! He was definitely a little troublemaker as well as his two older brothers once they came out of their shell." Thatch explained laughing as Thatch was knocked in the head.
"You put him up to half of the nonsense they pulled!" Haruta yelled.
"Yeah! Should we talk about the time that you and ALL THREE of the brothers booby-trapped the entire ship! It took weeks to find them all because none of you could remember where they were!" Kingdew backing Haruta up.
Thatch laughed nervously before turning back to Chopper "Don't listen to them. They have no idea what they are talking about." Thatch said before it was Marco that smacked him in return.
"Don't put any of your idiotic ideas in his head." Marco stated.
Thatch pouted before turning to Sanji. "Luffy told us at Marineford about his chef. Even our local pyro said you're to be rivaled." he commented.
Sanji smiled. "I learned my skills from one of the best if I don't say so myself." he responded.
"Oh?" Thatch asked "And who might that be."
Sanji smiled thinking back to the East Blue. "The former pirate Red-Leg Zeff."
"Really!? You learned from him! That's insane! Doesn't he run a restaurant in the East Blue!?" Thatch asked him.
"It's the Baratie." Sanji confirmed.
Thatch quickly turned to Whitebeard. "Pops! Next time we're in the East Blue we have to go!" Thatch declared. Whitebeard only laughed in response as Thatch turned back to the younger chef. "Anyway, how about we make one final meal with Lucky together as a sendoff to our crews." Thatch suggested.
Sanji smiled. "I hope you know we are feeding three bottomless pits." he chuckled.
Thatch laughed. "I call it a challenge now." he said as Lucky joined them in the kitchen to make their sendoff meal.
"Now that you're back with your crew Anchor, how'd you get separated from your crew two years ago? I remember reading about it in the paper."
Zoro chuckled from his place next to Luffy focusing in on his bottle of booze. "Sencho." he grinned.
Ace then turned to glance at Luffy as did the other Red-Haired Pirates and Whitebeard Pirates.
Luffy turned to Beckman before grinning. "I punched a Celestial Dragon." he said as blunt as ever.
Zoro hasn't outright laughed since it was just him, Luffy, Nami, and Usopp back in the East Blue, but he couldn't help but laugh as he heard people choking on their booze or food. Ace on the other hand was also laughing alongside him with Sabo.
Shanks quickly turned to Luffy only to be cut off by his son. "Don't scold me! They got what was coming to them. Besides it's not like I haven't stood up to them before dad!" Luffy explained.
"You were kids! Not a pirate!" Shanks argued. "Not that it helped any." Shanks then pointed out.
"Exactly, maybe is they didn't pretend to be gods, hurt my friends, or my brothers, then maybe they wouldn't be on my shitlist." Luffy grumbled. "Besides, it helped me realize I needed to grow stronger. We were too weak. Now we are much stronger!" Luffy declared. "Plus! I wouldn't have been able to challenge Big Mom after I saved Fishman Island if I hadn't grown stronger. Not that it would have stopped me. Anyway! Now Fishman Island is one of my territories." Luffy added.
Sanji sighed. "I hate to admit it, but you got a point about that one." he responded.
Shanks tilted his head a little bit. "Wait I thought Fishman Island was one of your territories old man." Shanks pointed out, looking towards Whitebeard.
"Shortly after the war, our forces were either to thin or injured so Big Mom or Teach took advantage of weakness claiming our territories." Whitebeard explained to him.
Luffy was sitting there fighting with Ace over a piece of meat before his suddenly remember something letting go of it while Ace went flying back. "Speaking of Blackbeard! We ran into him on Jaya." Luffy pointed out.
"Oh! That's right! He mentioned that to me before he captured me for that Warlord position! He was going after you but then his boat got destroyed while going up the Knock-Up Stream." Ace stated as he returned to his spot next to Luffy.
Nami looked at Zoro before turning to Luffy. "Blackbeard? Who's that? I remember him being mentioned but Luffy hadn't mentioned anything about him even on Jaya." she explained.
Marco sighed slightly. "He's traitor. He was a part of the Whitebeard Pirates; he was even in the second division. He had attempted to kill Thatch seven years ago. Ace, Sabo, and Luffy were the ones that had witnessed the act. They are the reason Thatch had even survived the attack." he explained.
"So, to say there is a grudge against him would be an understatement." Ace grumbled as Sabo patted the top of his head.
"We ran into at Impel Down as well. Luffy-kun wanted to take him down for good but Ace-kun was our first priority." Jinbei explained.
"Yeah! Jinbei helped me stay focus!" Luffy agreed.
Shanks looked at his son, he then turned to Beckman who nods. "I don't doubt your strength Anchor but avoid him for now if it's possible. Only engage with him if you absolutely have to." he warned.
"I will Dad." Luffy agreed.
Marco stood on the deck of the Thousand Sunny as he ruffled the hair of the young captain as they said their goodbyes. "I'm so proud of you kid." Marco stated with a smile of his face.
Luffy gave him a bright smile in return. "If it wasn't for you Marco we wouldn't be here today. So, thank you for saving us." Luffy responded.
Marco smiled as he grabbed the boy's straw hat placing it back down on its proper spot. "I approve of your vice-captain. He is loyal and determined just like his captain." Marco explained. "Your entire crew is filled with dreamers. Your wings have the same outlandish dream as their captain but if you asked me that's why you work well together. I can't wait to see what the future holds."
"Shishi!" Luffy laughed. "Just you wait Marco. I'm so close! My crew and I will achieve our dreams! I'll finally become King of the Pirates!" Luffy declared.
Marco laughs nodding his head. " I bet!" Marco paused for a moment as he looked at the small crew preparing to depart. "Take care of yourself, alright? With the government knowing it will only be a matter of time." he stated.
Luffy smiled. "Thatch was right. You're a mother hen." Luffy stated before hugging Marco. "Don't worry, I have my crew with me. As much as I like to go on adventures, they keep me out of trouble. I'll make sure to keep in touch more often now." he said.
Marco sighed hugging the younger just as tight. "Good, it'll keep us from having to keep Ace from running after you every time your vivre card burns." he stated.
"Marco! You liar! You want to follow Ace with Izou!" Thatch yelled.
"Hey!" Ace and Marco yelled turning to the chef.
"Shishishi!" Luffy laughed "Bye Ace! Bye Sabo!" Luffy called out.
"Bye Lu!" Thatch yelled interrupting Ace earning him a knock in the head as Sabo laughed waving goodbye to his young brother.
"Bye Luffy!" Izou called out.
"Bye Anchor!" Shanks yelled.
"Bye Dad! Bye Da!" Luffy smiled as he waved to all of them. He then turned back to Marco as he changed to his phoenix joining his crew on the Moby Dick.
Whitebeard and Shanks were sailing towards the official port of Wano with Luffy and Law moving slightly behind them since he had some business with Momonosuke he had to finish first. However, Eustass Kidd had appeared shouting something that caused Luffy and Law to take control of their helms to take a sharp turn to the right heading straight towards the waterfall. All three captains were screaming.
"What the hell is he doing!?" Ace yelled looking over the railing.
"That idiot!" Sabo added as the three ships went flying over the edge. Leaving the two brother to scream panicking over the stunt their little brother just pulled as everyone else stared in shocked silence.
It took the two yonkos 10 minutes to get to the bottom of Wano as they tried to spot the Thousand Sunny. That's when they heard Franky shout and a small explosion.
"Coup de Burst!"
Suddenly the Thousand Sunny had taken off into the air soaring above them. Ace then fell face forward on the ground. "I shouldn't be surprised at this point but god that kid is going to be the death of me."
"You're so dramatic." Sabo sighed.
"Dramatic?!" Ace yelled standing up and turning to his blonde brother.
Marco chuckled as he looked at the stunned expressions across the commander's and the members of the Red-Haired Pirates. It was the entrance of a new era that's for sure.
Back with the Straw Hats Luffy sat bruised and beaten up but he still laughed happily.
"Every bit of that was deserved." Zoro pointed out standing on Luffy's right.
"I can't help but agree." Sanji sighed standing on the left. "So, was that a way for you to show off or get a head start?" he asked his captain.
Luffy laughed. "I have no idea what you're talking about." he chuckled, as he felt the wind hitting his face.
Zoro chuckled watching his captain. "So, where to now sencho?" he asked.
"To our next adventure!" Luffy cheered.
"Aye!" the entire crew shouted.
Luffy smiled, 12 years ago he thought he lost his freedom, but after five long years, he was given hope again. He was given his freedom; he'll never allow someone to take his or his crew's freedom ever again. The mark on his back, the Hoof of the Soaring Dragon meant absolutely nothing to him. He didn't belong to anyone. Neither does Ace or Sabo. They are free to make their own choices, to live the life they want to live.
No brand was going to tell him what their lives meant. Luffy had his crew, he would protect them, while he'd learn to rely on them as would Zoro protect his back. Causing mayhem was what he did best, and he would be at the center of it wherever he would go. Luffy wasn't a hero, he was a pirate but if someone ever dared to take his friend's freedom away or have controlled their country. He would liberate them. He would show them the meaning of freedom once again.
A false god wasn't going to stand in his way.
THE END