Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

The crying broke the night from the pirate empress's chambers.

The crew members outside already knew what was happening. They saw it coming when the empress gave the order to return to Amazon Lily without the baby yet having the goddess's blessing.

It had been a difficult year since the princess's birth. She had been so ill that she hadn't been able to leave her mother's chambers, not even to receive her blessing.

It wasn't common, but some babies could be born sick, and the poor creature survived for a year struggling.

Julie left the Empress's room with her head down and shook her head when she looked at the girls outside.

"The funeral rites will be performed when we reach Amazon Lily," she said. "She wants to be alone; please leave her alone."

The others nodded and walked away.

Inside, Tritoma was truly crying, clutching Luffy's small blanket. About an hour ago, she had secretly gone down to Rusukaina to leave him with Dragon.

The day had arrived.

Luffy would have to leave.

And her heart was breaking more and more.

.

Luffy laughed when Dragon put his bare feet in the sea. The baby walked through the water with his father's help, making small noises.

"Looks like you like the sea, huh?" Dragon said, lifting him up and holding him in his arms. Luffy made a little pout and buried his face in his father's hair. "A true pirate's son."

Despite not having spent much time with Luffy, Dragon loved him so much. His heart was filled with so much love that it hurt to have to leave him.

But it was for the best for him. In their hands, it would be so dangerous.

His parents were dangerous to the government; Luffy needed a peaceful childhood.

Dragon sensed when Luffy started making signs that he wanted to cry; he must be hungry.

"Shhh," he tried to soothe him, but he couldn't. Suddenly, Luffy started to cry. He patted him on the back, trying to comfort and calm him, but his son had strong lungs.

She looked up, sensing a nearby haki. Tritoma was approaching the island's shore in a boat. She got out, gathered the hem of her dress, and walked quickly toward them.

"Oh, my love," she said, taking the baby in her arms.

"Ma... ma..." cried the creature.

"I'm a disaster," said Dragon.

"No. No," Tritoma said, agreeing with Luffy. "He's just hungry."

"Alright, let's go so you can feed him peacefully in the room," Dragon said, taking her in his arms. He lifted her into the air and landed on his ship. They went on deck, and Tritoma immediately lowered her dress to breastfeed him.

Luffy calmed down when he started eating.

"It will take us at least two weeks to reach Foosha Village in the East Blue," Dragon said, looking at them gently. Luffy's little hand rested on Tritoma's chest, and she stroked her baby's hair as he nursed at her breast.

"Okay," Dragon noticed that Tritoma's eyes were swollen.

"Were you crying, Trip?" he asked. She looked at him and blushed, then looked down again at Luffy, whose eyes were closed; he was falling asleep while nursing.

"I love him so much," the woman said. "Pretending he was dead devastated me. I wouldn't know what to do if it actually happened."

"Don't think about that," Dragon said, kissing Luffy's head and stroking his cheek. "He'll be fine; he'll be protected."

“Oh, my little one. You are so loved.”

"Sleep. We'll leave in the morning." Tritoma nodded. She lifted Luffy and burped him. Then she wrapped him in his blanket in the middle of the bed.

"Will you wake me up to stand guard?" she asked. Dragon approached and gave her a long kiss on the lips.

“Of course.”

.

Contacting his father was easy. Dragon had given him a Den Den Mushi that connected him directly to him.

"Dragon?" replied his father from the other end.

“How long would it take you to get back to Foosha Village?”

“About twenty days.”

“I need a favor.”

“You only call for that! You don't even say hello anymore.”

“Dad… it’s really an emergency.”

“Alright.”

He hung up.

Dragon sighed. His father had a very strict manner, but he still trusted him. Dragon knew he would take good care of Luffy.

He sighed, looking inward, imagining Tritoma and Luffy asleep. He scolded himself for having to leave his son, but it was too dangerous for him if Dragon had him.

It was the best.

He repeated it to himself and mentally prepared himself while still hearing Luffy's laugh in his head.

.

Dragon fell asleep immediately upon landing on the bed. Tritoma smiled and stroked his hair. Beside him, Luffy squirmed in his sleep, and she patted his tummy.

She went out into the dark early morning with the stars shining above her and stood guard. She could sense several creatures moving beneath her ship with her Haki, but the combined strength of Dragon's Haki and her own prevented them from attacking.

Time passed slowly, and the sun was beginning to rise over the horizon when she heard movement inside.

“Trip, Luffy is hungry,” said Dragon as he came out carrying a whimpering Luffy in his arms.

“Oh, my love,” said Tritoma, taking her baby in her arms. “I'll breastfeed you to calm your stomach, but I'll prepare some food for you now.”

“Agu” Luffy put his finger in his mouth.

"Are you staying inside?" Dragon asked, raising the anchor and unfurling the sails.

“No. Luffy likes the sun.” Tritoma lowered her dress and positioned Luffy to breastfeed him.

"He's like the sun," said Dragon, raising his hand and channeling wind to steer the ship. Tritoma smiled and stroked her baby's cheek.

“My little prince of the sun.”

.

Traveling by day, sleeping at night. That was the most time-consuming part. They were traveling with a baby and had to adjust their schedules and timetables accordingly.

Dragon had mentioned it as the last family time they would ever have, and she had laughed. He spent time with Luffy when Tritoma was on guard duty or sailing the ship.

The more time he spent with him, the more enchanted he became, to the point of even considering abandoning his revolution to stay and raise him.

But he scolded himself and reminded himself that he was fighting for a better world for his son.

Luffy was calm, but Dragon hadn't counted on him eating too much.

"We need to resupply," Dragon said after they had been sailing for eight days. "We can reach Alabasta; it's affiliated with the world government, but it's so big we can go unnoticed."

"I'm not sure," Tritoma said, toying with Luffy's hands. "It's Sir Crocodile's protected territory. A warlord. Believe me, we pirates try not to trespass in other pirates' territories."

Dragon approached and kissed her temple.

"It's necessary," Dragon said. "You're strong. I'm sure you're stronger than that man."

“He works with the government. We have Luffy, which limits us too much.”

"We'll protect him," said Dragon. Tritoma grimaced. Luffy laughed loudly. Tritoma smiled.

“Alright.”

.

They arrived in Alabasta, and Dragon gave them clothes to disguise themselves. Inside his cloak, Dragon carried Luffy, and because the man was enormous, it wasn't noticeable that there was a baby there.

They got out and went to the market. Tritoma was busy restocking everything while Dragon followed closely behind, his hands tucked under his cloak to shield a sleeping Luffy from the scorching desert sun.

"It's difficult to contact you, Dragon the revolutionary," he heard behind him, leaving him paralyzed. He reached out and placed a hand on Tritoma's shoulder. He turned away, but she didn't. He looked up at the other tall man.

"Sir Crocodile," Dragon greeted, giving a respectful nod. His hand silently adjusted Luffy's.

"Dragon," said Crocodile. "You're doing well to keep a low profile; don't worry. It's just that nothing ever happens far from me."

“I'm just passing through, resting up to continue my journey.”

“I invite you to my house, Dragon. I need to talk business with you.”

"I'm in a hurry, Crocodile. I have to refuse."

"Oh, come on. I'm sure you and your lovely companion will want a place to spend the night." Dragon sighed and heard Tritoma's sigh as she lowered her cloak. Crocodile chuckled. "Tritoma! That's a surprise, especially considering your recent loss."

“How did you know…?”

“I find out everything, my dear. And I must assume that your baby didn't really die and is under that layer… although when I found out about your pregnancy, I didn't expect it to be the child of the famous revolutionary Dragon.”

"Listen, Crocodile," Tritoma said, fury flashing in her eyes. "If you think you can blackmail us, you're wrong..." Dragon stopped her.

"What do you want, Crocodile?" he asked. The man smiled.

"Just talk," he said, opening his arms wide. "I swear to you, on my honor as a pirate, that neither you nor your wife nor your daughter will come to any harm. Come with me to Rainbase, to my casino. I will offer you food, lodging, and whatever you need to continue your journey. Only if you listen to me." Dragon glanced at Tritoma, who was giving Crocodile suspicious looks.

"Okay," said Dragon. Tritoma looked at him.

"Are you sure?" she asked.

"We'll be fine," Crocodile smiled at them.

"Follow me to the carriage." He turned and walked away. Tritoma still distrusted the man, but she trusted Dragon and was sure he wouldn't put Luffy in danger.

They followed Crocodile to a carriage pulled by two camels. Inside his cloak, Luffy had woken up and was starting to complain of hunger. Dragon already knew his complaints.

"Give him to me," Tritoma said, extending her hands.

"Ma-ma," the little one whimpered as he was taken from Dragon's cloak and placed in his mother's arms. Tritoma tucked him under her cloak and lowered her dress to breastfeed the baby.

"A boy, then," said Crocodile. "Is that why you thought he was dead? I was under the impression that you only give birth to girls."

"That's none of your business," Tritoma grumbled.

"What do you want to talk about, Crocodile?" Dragon asked.

“We can do that at the casino. Now, enjoy the view; the desert is beautiful.”

The journey was quick. Luffy finished eating, and Triroma pulled him out of the cloak again, letting him see out the carriage window.

The little boy shouted with joy.

"I assume you're going to hide him," Crocodile said to Dragon, who was looking longingly at Tritoma with the baby. "He's the son of a revolutionary; your head is worth millions to the government, and they could easily use your son as a hostage."

“What are you trying to tell me?”

“You need protection.”

“I have it now, thank you.”

“You will listen to me, and you will know how to make a decision.”

.

The trip to Rainbase was quick, and in just a few hours they were in the beautiful city.

"This is huge," Tritoma murmured as Luffy played with the laces of her cape.

"It's a very advanced city," Crocodile gloated.

They stopped in front of the casino, and Crocodile led them to a private entrance. He guided them through several hallways until they reached a huge dining room.

"Bring a baby chair and food," he ordered his servants. He looked at Dragon and Tritoma. "Let's eat while we talk; you must be hungry."

They began bringing them food, and, still somewhat wary, they sat down and started eating. They brought Luffy soup and porridge, which Tritoma gave him.

"I want an alliance, Dragon," said Crocodile.

“I don't make alliances with pirates.”

“Your son is a failure of that saying.”

"There was never an alliance between the revolutionaries and the Kujas," Tritoma said. "I don't need an alliance to escape the world government."

“It's for a good reason. I seek to overthrow the current reign of Alabasta.”

“King Cobra has not presented a danger to the kingdom that warrants his overthrow, Crocodile.”

"You have no idea what he's planning," Crocodile said. "It's something I've been investigating in my own way."

"Without clear evidence, I can't just attack a people or a king, Crocodile. There are ways of doing things."

“Blah blah, diplomacy,” Crocodile grumbled.

"Well, that diplomacy is what can distinguish a society from chaos and tranquility. You can't simply attack a kingdom if its people don't rise up. If the people of Alabasta follow their king, it's because he's doing a good job. So no, I won't help you overthrow him."

Crocodile just smiled.

“Okay. You win. One more thing: I know you're looking for Nico Robin.”

"The girl from Ohara?" Tritoma asked.

"Nico Robin holds a special position in the Revolutionary Army, and we're seeking her protection," Dragon said. "Ohara is a very special place to me; it welcomed me after I retired from the Marines."

"Don't misunderstand me, I'm not looking to hand her over to the government. It may seem like I work for them, but I only want their protection. I don't really care about the government. I want to offer Nico Robin a place because I need her ability to read Poneglyphs."

"Are you going in search of the One Piece?" Tritoma asked. Crocodile smiled at her.

"What pirate doesn't want that?" He looked at Dragon. "When you have Nico Robin in your custody, I only ask one favor: let her read a few things for me."

“That won't depend on me, but on her decision. She's a grown woman who will make her own choices.”

"I'll have to send her gifts to gain her trust, then," Tritoma clicked her teeth.

“You men think you can win women's favors with gifts and that's it. You see us as objects, something to be won over, not as people.”

"People always want something, my dear Tritoma. I'll give you a direct contact before you leave tomorrow, Dragon, so you can think about everything I've said."

“Of course.”

.

Tritoma stepped into the warm water and relaxed her muscles. Then she stepped into the warm water with Luffy, who let out a giggle.

"You could have just told him no," Tritoma said to Dragon, who was taking a shower.

“I can't close the alliances and I'm intrigued by what he says about Alabasta.”

"He just wants to take control of the country," Tritoma said, washing Luffy's hair.

"A kingdom isn't going to make a pirate king. Maybe he did care about the country," Tritoma grimaced.

"You have blind faith, Dragon," Tritoma said. "But you don't know how ambitious we pirates are. How far we'll go for treasure, kingdoms, and fortune. We pirates aren't revolutionaries. We don't seek a better world. We seek freedom, and we'd do anything to get it."

.

Crocodile gave them breakfast and a carriage ride to the dock. He also gave them provisions for several days. Wary, Tritoma didn't take Crocodile's hand when he offered it to her in farewell; she only squeezed Luffy's hand tighter. The man just smiled and shook Dragon's hand.

"If your son ever wishes to go to sea," said Crocodile, "he can seek me out; he will have my protection."

"I doubt it," Tritoma whispered.

Luffy looked curiously at Crocodile with his finger in his mouth and let out a cheerful laugh when the man made a small whirlpool of sand in his hand.

"I'll be looking into what you're saying about King Cobra, Crocodile," Dragon said. "I'll take your word for it for now and keep watch."

“Thank you. I am grateful to the revolutionaries for what they do in the world.”

He led them to the carriage, and Dragon helped Tritoma in. He got in behind her, and the carriage departed.

Tritoma hugged Luffy and kissed his head as the baby waved his little hand goodbye to the pirate.

.

"You were like a mother hawk," Dragon said once they had set off and were on their way to the two lighthouses. Luffy was sitting in a small chair, and Dragon was feeding him baby food. Tritoma was piloting the ship.

“I don't like Crocodile. He's too ambitious.”

“Don't you say that's common among you pirates?”

"Do I seem ambitious to you?" Dragon didn't answer. Tritoma gave her a look. "Monkey D. Dragon!" Dragon chuckled. He stood up and took her by the waist, pressing his body against hers. He kissed her temple.

"You're a pirate, Trip. That's what I like about you." He walked away and went back to where he had left Luffy, who had gotten off the chair and was crawling around the deck of the ship.

"Would you mind if Luffy ends up being a pirate?" Tritoma asked, watching him crawl around the deck.

"Isn't that one of the reasons we left him with my father? So he could decide? Revolutionary, marine, pirate. I don't care what he decides, as long as it's his own decision. Let him follow his own path of justice."

Tritoma smiled. Luffy stood up and took two steps before falling on his butt and laughing. She smiled.

She loved him so much.

.

Dragon caused a light rain to begin falling in Foosha Village before he arrived.

It was the perfect signal he needed to make every time he arrived.

"Is it necessary for you to do this?" Tritoma asked, covering Luffy with her cloak.

"It's a sign," Dragon replied. A light flickered on and off several times. "It's safe," he said, steering the boat toward a small, hidden dock.

He got out and helped Tritoma down. They had already gathered several of their supplies and everything Luffy would need to spend the rest of his life in the village.

Tritoma followed Dragon, who wandered along a path through the forest until he reached a house on the outskirts of the village.

There was a man at the door who put on his glasses and gave Dragon a smile.

"Dragon, it's good to see you!" said the man.

"Mayor," Dragon said, giving him a smile. "Thank you for accepting."

"Don't worry, boy!" The man jingled some keys and handed them to him. "Your father isn't home. Nor is he up in the mountains; that's where he goes when he returns to the village."

"I know. He'll be here soon." The mayor glanced at her and smiled. Tritoma hugged Luffy tightly inside the cloak. The baby was uncomfortable.

"May I ask the reason for your visit?" he asked. Dragon smiled at him and looked at Tritoma.

"Is he presentable?" he asked. Tritoma looked at him. Did he want the man to meet Luffy?

"Just a dirty diaper," she said, opening the cape and taking the baby out of its hiding place. The mayor's eyes widened, and he chuckled.

“Another Monkey D. wandering around town! Oh dear, Dragon. And the lady?”

“She is Tritoma.”

"Empress Kuja!" said the mayor. "What would your dear father say if he knew you were married to a pirate?" Dragon laughed. "It's a pleasure to see you, Dragon."

"Thank you, Mayor." The man nodded and left. Dragon put the key in the door and unlocked the house. He let Tritoma in, who entered and looked with a smile at what must have been the place where Dragon grew up.

She approached the photos stuck to the wall, photos of Vice Admiral Garp, of a beautiful brunette woman with wings behind her, and of Dragon as a child.

She smiled.

"Sorry about the mayor," Dragon said, putting his things down on the floor. Tritoma looked at him, confused.

“What thing?”

“Regarding the mention of my father's aversion to pirates,” Tritoma just laughed.

"I know Vice Admiral Garp's aversion to pirates. My ship has dents as proof of that," Dragon laughed. "What's your father doing in the mountains?" Tritoma asked as Dragon took a lighter and lit some incense in front of a photograph on a small table.

“Visit the mountain bandits. They're taking care of Gold Roger's son.”

"What?!" Tritoma exclaimed. "The Pirate King had a son? Was it true?" Dragon nodded. "Why is Garp taking care of him? He hated Roger. He captured Roger!"

"Roger turned himself in and told my father there was a woman expecting his child. That's why I trust my father to take care of Luffy." He smiled. He took Luffy in his arms. "Welcome home, Luffy." The baby just laughed.

Tritoma looked at him fondly.

"Why didn't you correct it?" Tritoma asked. Dragon looked at her.

“What thing?”

"The thing about us being married: we're not married." Dragon could tell she was blushing.

"Does it bother you that people think we're married?" She smiled at him.

“No. I love it.”

For a moment, Dragon wanted to propose to her. To ask her to marry him. But Tritoma was a Kuja. She was an Amazon. She didn't marry.

Furthermore, Dragon couldn't afford to experience love as freely as others might. He had to think beyond his own personal desires.

He approached her and gave her a sweet kiss on the lips, which was interrupted by a giggle from Luffy. They laughed. They separated, placed Luffy between them, and kissed his cheeks, making him laugh.

Dragon was enjoying all of this.

Because it would be the last time he could laugh.

.

Two days passed before a powerful haki awakened Dragon.

In his childhood bed, three people slept: Dragon, Tritoma, and Luffy between them.

Dragon could sleep peacefully, letting his guard down. He knew he was safe.

At first, that enormous Haki caught him off guard, then he realized who it was and calmed down. He stood up. A minute later, Tritoma opened her eyes and became alert. She moved too much, jolting Luffy, who started to cry.

"Relax, Trip," Dragon said. "He's just my father." He stood up. "Stay upstairs and wake Luffy up. It's time."

He didn't want to say it, but his father's presence meant only one thing.

His family time would end, and Luffy would have to stay with his father.

Dragon got dressed and went downstairs, leaving Tritoma to get dressed as well and help Luffy up.

As he went downstairs, the front door opened and his father entered.

"Son," the man said. Dragon smiled at him.

"Old man," the man approaches and envelops him in a hug.

"It's a pleasure to see you, you idiot son," Garp said, taking him by the shoulders. "Oh, it's good to be home." He let go and walked over to the table where a picture of a brunette woman lay. "Good morning, love. I'm home." Dragon smiled as his father took a lighter and lit the incense.

He was going to wait until his father had performed all the rituals at home before speaking to him.

His father was praying in front of his mother's picture. Dragon never saw him pray in his life until his mother died and he began to do it for her.

When Garp stood up, he glanced at him.

"Speak up. What happened?" he asked. Dragon sighed.

"You're going to calm down after what I'm about to say. I don't want you to get upset," Dragon said. His father raised an eyebrow.

“Don't think I don't feel the two presences upstairs.”

"I have a son," he said. His father froze and then covered his face.

“Are you crazy? How are you going to have a child in your situation? Your head is worth millions! Didn't you learn what happened with Roger?”

“I know. That's why I need you to protect him. Like you do with Roger's son.”

“That's the last straw!”

“He's your grandson!”

“And the mother? Do I have to protect her too?”

“No. She will return with her crew.”

“Crew? A pirate? A pirate, you idiot son!”

"That's enough, Dad," Garp said, covering his face with his hand.

“Let's see. Show me the child.”

"Follow me," Dragon said and went upstairs. His father followed him to his room. It was locked, so Dragon assumed Tritoma was feeding the child. He knocked.

“Come in” said Tritoma. Dragon opened the door just as she was adjusting her dress, and Luffy still had sleep in his eyes.

"Come in," Dragon said, stepping aside for his father. Garp entered and let out a growl. He glared at Dragon.

"Empress Kuja?" his father asked. "The worst of the pirate scum."

“Old!”

“Leave it” said Tritoma “The feeling is mutual.”

The man looked at them again, and Luffy returned his gaze, letting out a chuckle.

"Give him to me," Garp said, opening his hands. Tritoma looked at Dragon, who was holding Luffy tighter. Dragon nodded. She sighed and handed the baby to Garp.

Garp lifted the baby above his head, and the baby giggled. The vice admiral's grim face broke into a smile.

“What is his name?”

“It's Luffy” Tritoma replied.

"Oh, my grandson," Garp said. "You're going to be a great marine."

.

When they had to leave, Tritoma felt it.

Luffy felt it.

Because he clung to her and didn't want to let go.

"Darling," Tritoma whispered. "Mom won't go far," she lied. "She'll just step out for a moment and come right back."

"Ma... ma..." Luffy cried, clutching her cape even tighter than a one-year-old. His eyes were filled with tears, and his mouth was twisted into a small pout.

"Come on, soldier," Garp said, taking him. "A man must leave his mother's skirts."

“¡Buaaaa!”

It's not a man. It's a baby. Meant Tritoma. Her chest ached every time she tried to push Luffy away.

“Come on, my love. Let me go.”

“¡Ma! ¡Ma!”

“Please. It's for your own good.” She managed to get him to let go, but the screams he let out were so loud that they would undoubtedly wake up the whole town.

Tritoma moved away from him, lifting her cloak. And went out the door.

That's when she felt it.

Luffy's scream and the baby's strong, though barely resurfacing, haki.

She smiled. Dragon looked at her and smiled too.

Her son was so strong.

“Oh, my love” Tritoma said to the air “You're going to be the strongest pirate in the world.”

.

When Luffy calmed down, Garp let out a sigh.

He looked at the baby in his arms. What would he do now? He could take him to Dadan so she could take care of him like she did with Ace.

He frowned.

No. Luffy growing up with Ace would be crazy. Better not.

He was going to have to hire a 24-hour nanny.

Meanwhile, he had to take a long leave of absence to accustom his grandson to a life away from the sea.

He took the den den mushi that was connected to his house and dialed Sengoku's number.

“Yes? Garp?”

"Sengoku," Garp said. "I need a three-month leave of absence."

“Three months? What happened?”

"A family matter," Garp said. No one in the Navy knew that Dragon was his son. But even so, he didn't want to risk announcing that he had a grandson.

“Okay. But if I need you…”

"Yes. Yes. I'll be there," he said, and hung up. He lifted the baby above his head again. The little one was the spitting image of his mother. "Do you want some meat, soldier?" he asked and left his house carrying the baby in his arms. He headed to the village, going to the local bar to get some food.

"Mr. Garp!" exclaimed a small girl with green hair who was behind the counter.

"Little Makino!" Garp exclaimed with a grin. Great, he'd found his babysitter. The people eating at the bar waved and smiled at him.

"What do you want, Mr. Garp?" the girl asked.

“Are you already tending the bar?”

"Only during the day," Makino told him with a smile.

“Who's in the kitchen?”

“Mother.”

"Tell her I'm here; she knows I like it." Makino nodded and went to the kitchen. Garp placed Luffy on the bar counter and looked at him. "What am I going to do with you?" he asked the baby, who gave him a look and then a giggle.

"Who is that baby, Mr. Garp?" the little girl asked.

"My grandson," Garp said. Makino's little eyes sparkled.

"Can I hold him?" Garp took it and gave it to the girl. Luffy laughed as he was in the girl's arms.

“How old are you, Makino?”

“Thirteen years.”

“Do you want a job? I need someone to take care of my grandson when I'm not around.”

"If you want my daughter to be your grandson's nanny, there will be rules," said Maka, Makino's mother, placing a large plate of food in front of Garp. "One, your grandson will live in my house because I won't leave my daughter living alone in that house. Two, besides the payment, which I expect to be good, you will provide for all your grandson's needs, especially if he has the same appetite as you."

"Oh, Maka, always so charming," Garp said, taking a bite from his plate of food. Maka hit him on the head with a wooden spoon.

“I'm serious. I don't object to my daughter being a nanny, but I need you to understand that she's barely a teenager.”

"Of course!" Garp laughed. He looked at Makino, who was still playing with Luffy. "I have a three-month license to keep him. Will you do it then, Makino?"

The girl looked at the baby, who giggled when their eyes met. She smiled at him.

“Alright.”

.

Dragon was worried.

They had barely finished boarding the ship when Tritoma was struck by a severe fever that confined her to bed.

He almost went back, but she told him it was normal. That it was her lovesickness, not yet cured, and that she'd be fine later.

That's how two days went.

Dragon hadn't been able to sleep while taking care of her. Urging her to eat, to shower, to go out on deck and get some sun.

"You should sleep," Tritoma told him one night. Her cheeks were still red, but she looked healthier. "I'll take the watch tonight."

Dragon was too tired to argue.

He slept with restless dreams, waking every now and then to check on Tritoma. She was lying on deck, gazing at the stars.

Tears glistened on her cheeks. In her hands, she held a small piece of paper.

"Trip?" Dragon asked. She composed herself and looked at him. She tucked the paper into her dress.

"Why aren't you asleep?" she asked. "You need to rest."

"Have you been crying, darling?" he asked, approaching her and drying the tears on her cheeks.

“I miss him” Dragon kissed her forehead.

“Me too. Do you want me to come with you?”

“You need to sleep.”

"I can sleep here," Tritoma smiled. She sat on the deck floor and patted her thighs. Dragon lay down and rested his head on her lap. She stroked his hair, and Dragon fell asleep in her caress.

He had no more unpleasant dreams and slept through the night.

.

When they arrived in Rusukaina, an awkward silence fell between them.

It was a cold and quiet night, and they were both on deck looking at the island.

Tritoma turned around and kissed Dragon's lips hard, tangling her fingers in his hair. He held her waist tightly, unwilling to let go.

"Please," she moaned. She didn't know what she was asking for. She didn't know why she was begging him.

But Dragon understood. He took her by the thighs and pulled her onto the deck.

He made love to her like never before.

.

"Why does this feel like a goodbye?" Dragon asked. Tritoma put on her cloak, turning her back on the man lying on the bed. She sighed.

"Because it is," she replied. "This, me, is a distraction for you. You have to lead a revolution, I have to lead a crew."

She turned around and gave him a long kiss on the lips. They both sighed longingly into the kiss.

"I love you," Dragon whispered. Tritoma smiled at him.

“Me too.”

.

"Tritoma-sama!" Julie exclaimed as she saw her enter the castle, pale and clutching her chest. She helped her to her room and administered the injection to alleviate the symptoms of lovesickness. "This could destroy your body over time."

Tritoma wept. It didn't matter anymore. What did her destroyed body matter if she had no reason to live anymore? Without Luffy, without Dragon. She could only prolong her life a little longer for her people until she awaited sweet death.

"Okay," she said. She took the paper from her dress. It was a photo she'd taken of Luffy sleeping in her bed, and she placed it on her nightstand. "We'll do this until he can't take it anymore."

The doctor frowned.

“Yes, ma'am.”

.

Five years later.

"Luffy! Your grandfather is at the docks!" Makino exclaimed, bursting into her house. Luffy was nowhere to be seen, and the girl already knew where he must be.

She went outside and headed to the nearby woods, where the boy, his skin tanned by the sun, was crouching down, putting his hands in the dirt.

"What are you doing, Luffy?" she asked. Luffy looked at her and smiled.

"I'm bringing fresh soil to the flowers," Luffy said innocently. He scooped up some soil with his hands and walked a few steps to a beautiful patch of red and yellow flowers.

On one of his many explorations, Luffy had found a crop of toritomas and had been captivated by them. At first, he cut some to take to Makino, but the girl urged him to care for them without cutting them.

“Luffy, your grandfather has arrived.”

"Grandpa can wait," the boy said, making the girl laugh. Luffy picked up a watering can from the floor and watered the flowers. "I think I'll show them to Grandpa."

“He'll probably love them.”

A few drops of rain began to fall on their heads, and Makino looked up at the sky. Storms were forecast for the coming days. She was grateful that the vice admiral had returned home early with his grandson.

"Wash your hands and let's go," Makino ordered gently. Luffy rinsed his hands with water from his shower and then took Makino's hand. "Do you want to see your grandfather?"

“Of course I want to see my grandfather!”

.

Her chest hurt, and there was no way to prolong her life any longer.

Tritoma knew that she would soon die.

Therefore, they decided to return to Amazon Lily so she could take refuge in her room and await the sweet moment of death.

Tritoma looked at herself in the mirror before getting into bed; she was skin and bones and terribly pale. Her hair was brittle.

She had let her lovesickness lie dormant for so many years that medicine could no longer help her.

But she had accomplished everything she had set out to do. The island held promise, and Hancock was ready to rule.

She got into bed. The door opened, and Gloriosa and Julie came in to take her vital signs.

There was a silence in the room, which lasted while Julie listened to the sounds of her muffled heartbeat and Gloriosa changed the towel on her forehead to ease her fever.

"Tritoma-sama," said Julie.

"Don't tell me," Tritoma pleaded. "I know I don't have much time left to live. But don't tell me."

"Alright," Julie agreed. She bowed and left with Gloriosa. Tritoma looked at the photo on her nightstand. It was of Luffy, the only one she'd managed to keep.

She smiled and closed her eyes to sleep.

.

"This week won't pass if we don't do something," Julie told Gloriosa as they left the Empress's chamber. Gloriosa frowned and leaned against her snake.

"Do you have any idea who is responsible for the princess's illness?" Gloriosa asked. Julie grimaced. "Yes, you do know..."

“There was a man whom Tritoma-sama used to visit. In fact, he was the father of her daughter.”

“Do you know how to contact him?”

“What do you plan to do?”

“Breaking the laws of Amazon Lily,” Gloriosa said. “Allowing a man entry to save her life.” Julie grimaced. She wanted the empress to be saved. Of course she did. But allowing a man entry?

"There's a snail she used," she sighed and looked around the room. "I'll get it."

Gloriosa nodded. Julie opened the bedroom door and went in. Tritoma was fast asleep, and Julie was grateful to hear her breathing.

On the bedside table, next to the photograph of the Empress's son, was a snail. Julie picked it up and went back outside.

Outside, Gloriosa awaited her. Julie felt a little uneasy about what she was about to do; it meant betraying her queen's trust and breaking the laws of her country.

But it was for his own good.

Called.

"Trip?" a man answered on the other end. There was surprise and hope in that voice.

“Is this Tritoma-sama’s man?” Julie asked. There was silence on the other end. “Please don’t hang up. It’s an emergency. Tritoma-sama is dying; she has no more than a week to live. Love sickness is killing her. So I beg you, sir. For the love of the goddess, the laws of Amazon Lily will be broken so that you may enter and save her life. Your mere presence, when she sees you, will be enough, and she will be healed again.”

Silence.

“I'll be there in two days.” the man said “Please. Don't let her die.”

Julie had never heard such a plea in a voice.

“Of course. Be with me at ten o'clock on the west side of Amazon Lily. I'll conceal you until the castle.”

“Alright.” The man hung up. Julie and Gloriosa looked at each other. There was no going back.

.

Luffy had a very high fever.

The town doctor took his vital signs while Garp could only sit uselessly in a chair near his grandson's bed.

"He'll get better with medicine," the doctor said. "Keep him hydrated, and change his towels every hour to lower his temperature. I've left you the medicine bottles and the prescription. Remember to follow it exactly; Luffy can't take high doses."

“I understand. I understand. I know the brat's limits.”

The doctor nodded, and Garp accompanied him to the front door. The storm was still raging, and the vice admiral was grateful that the doctor had taken the risk of coming to treat the little boy.

Luffy was very popular in the village despite being a mischievous child. He was also very lively and cheerful.

Garp watched the doctor leave and went inside. He sighed and went to the kitchen to prepare some broth for Luffy.

When it was ready, he served it on a plate and went upstairs to the room. Luffy was still asleep. Garp placed the plate on the nightstand and picked Luffy up in his arms. He sat him on his lap and urged him to get up.

"Hey, soldier," Garp called. "Luffy, brat." The little boy opened his eyes.

“Grandpa…”

“I made you soup.”

"I'm not hungry..." The fact that Luffy wasn't hungry was worrying.

"Come on, just a little." He made him lie down on his chest and took the bowl. The soup was lukewarm, so he tried his best to get Luffy to eat it.

After that, he undressed him and took him to the bathroom to give him a shower with lukewarm water. Garp dried him off and put his plush pajamas back on him before tucking him back into bed.

Luffy smiled at him.

“I love you, Grandpa.”

“Me too, brat.”

.

Just as the Kuja had said, there was a woman waiting for him on the west side of Amazon Lily.

"My name is Julie," the woman said, greeting him.

"Dragon," he introduced himself.

"I know. I recognized your face." She gestured to him and led him through a network of tunnels to the main castle. "You were the one who saved Tritoma-sama when she was kidnapped, weren't you?" Dragon sighed. It was such a distant memory now.

"Yes," he replied. Julie nodded and opened a door that led him inside the castle. It was empty. "How is she?"

"Very bad. She's been on medication all these years, but her body can't take it anymore." They approached a large door where an elderly woman with white hair stood outside. As soon as she saw him, her eyes widened.

"Dragon the revolutionary!" exclaimed the woman. Then she shook her head. "Oh, Tritoma. What an ambitious woman. My name is Gloriosa."

"Nice to meet you," Dragon said. He was looking at the door. Behind it stood the woman he might have called the love of his life on his deathbed.

"Come in," said Gloriosa. Dragon opened the door and entered the room. At the far end, a figure could be seen on the four-poster bed.

“Julie?” Tritoma asked in a subdued voice, “I'm a little thirsty.”

Dragon looked at a tray with a pitcher of water on the dressing table and poured her a glass. He approached and pulled back the canopy.

When Tritoma fixed her gaze on him, her pupils dilated and her cheeks turned red.

“Am I dreaming? Or am I already dead?”

"No," Dragon said, getting into bed and stroking her cheek. It was still as soft as ever. "I'm here for you."

Tritoma smiled shyly. She sat on the bed and took the glass of water.

"It's a shame you have to see me like this. I don't look pretty at all." Dragon stroked her cheek and leaned closer. He pressed his lips to hers in a soft, delicate kiss. A kiss she had longed for, one she had waited so many years for.

“You're still as beautiful as ever.”

Tritoma's eyes shone, and tears began to fall. Dragon wiped them away and kissed every part of her face.

“I'm here, Trip. I came for you, my love.”

Tritoma sighed and took Dragon's arms.

“Thank you for loving me.”

.

They slept all night.

Dragon didn't know what Tritoma should look like, but she seemed more lively in his company.

Julie went in and took hier vital signs. She nodded and went back out.

"What do you intend to do now?" she asked, stroking the bridge of his nose. Dragon stroked her cheek.

“Come with me,” he said to her.

“Hmm?”

"You've already trained your successor. Retire, come with me to Baltigo, and join my revolution." Tritoma chuckled and bit her lip. Before she could reply, Dragon blurted out what she'd been wanting to say the most. "And marry me." The Kuja's eyes gleamed.

“What?”

“Marry me, Trip” Tritoma chuckled, caressing Dragon's face.

"Yes," she said, her eyes filled with tears. "To hell with the laws and being a traitor. Yes, I will marry you."

Dragon laughed and took her by the waist. He showered her with kisses, and she returned them. They laughed and laughed until Tritoma winced in pain.

"Ugh," she groaned, clutching her chest. Then her eyes rolled back and her head fell back.

"Trip?" Dragon asked, gently shaking her.

He froze.

Tritoma was not breathing.

"Help!" he shouted, laying Tritoma's body on the bed and beginning to perform chest compressions. "Trip, come on. Don't die."

The door opened and Julie came in.

"Her heart stopped!" Dragon cried. The doctor took a needle and made him move his hand. She stuck the needle into Tritoma's heart, and after a few compressions, the empress came back to life. "Trip... Trip..." Dragon didn't realize he was crying as he kissed the woman's head.

"What happened?" Julie asked.

"I asked her to marry me," Dragon replied. Gloriosa frowned.

"That should have worked!" Tritoma looked at her with tired eyes.

"Perhaps it's too late to cure me," she said, gazing longingly at Dragon and gently kissing his chin. "Let me die. But stay with me in my final moments, my love."

Dragon felt something settle in his chest. He lifted Tritoma's face and kissed her lips.

"I'm sorry for taking so long, darling," he whispered. "I should have fought for you."

“It was my fault. I was the one who pushed you away, the one who chose death over following her heart. And now it's too late…”

"It isn't," Dragon whispered. "Not yet."

Tritoma just smiled at him.

.

Julie felt that something wasn't right. She had done a lot of research on lovesickness. No matter what stage it was in, if you could be with the love of your life, you would recover.

“You have something in mind” said Gloriosa.

"Does the disease of love have to be specifically romantic?" Julie asked.

"Do you have a theory?" It was just an idea. What if the sickness of love was more than just a romantic bond? What if it had to do with the other bond that's broken?"

"Tritoma-sama's baby," Julie replied. Gloriosa frowned.

“We do not suffer from the disease of love for our dead daughters, Julie.”

"Tritoma-sama's baby is not dead," Julie revealed. Gloriosa's eyes widened as she looked at her.

“And why did she assume she was dead?”

“Because it wasn't a girl. Tritoma-sama gave birth to a son and presumed him dead so his father could hide him because of his lineage. Perhaps the separation from her son gave her lovesickness, and not being with him…”

“I've never heard of this happening.”

"The bond between mother and son is impressive. And Tritoma-sama loves her son very much." Gloriosa frowned and opened the bedroom door, calling for Dragon.

When the tall man left, Julie felt nervous about telling him the truth.

“Did something happen?”

"We believe that the sickness of love is not because of you, Mr. Dragon," Julie said. "But because of your son."

“Our daughter died.”

"Julie already told me you took him," Gloriosa growled. "The only alternative we have is for you to bring the creature back and have her with him." Dragon looked around the room.

“The child is hiding; it's dangerous.”

“It's for their own good.”

"Do you think I don't want to save her?" Dragon growled. Then he ran his hands over his face and turned away. "I'll talk to her."

And he entered the room.

.

Tritoma was breathing with some difficulty; Dragon could sense that she didn't have much time left. And if he wanted to bring Luffy back, it would take more than three weeks.

It wasn't going to be enough.

"What did they tell you?" Tritoma asked as Dragon lay down beside her, wrapping her in a hug.

“Your lovesickness isn't because of me. It's because of Luffy.”

“What…?”

"To tell you the truth, you got worse when we left him in Foosha." Tritoma's eyes glistened with tears. "Trip, if I can bring him..."

“No, Dragon. We would put him in danger.”

“But Trip…”

"You've just been declared an enemy of the government. You're the most wanted criminal in the world, even more wanted than Whitebeard. You can't expose Luffy like that." Dragon knew this. That's why he had hesitated so much when the Kuja had proposed bringing him over.

"I can ask my father to bring him to the calm belt," he said, and Tritoma shook her head.

"I'm a stranger to him. It would break my heart to see the lack of recognition on my baby's face" tears began to stream down her cheeks  "I long to see him, but we can't, Dragon. We can't do this to him."

Dragon pressed her against him and kissed her head. Then, an idea occurred to him.

He took a den den mushi out of his shirt and placed it next to Tritoma.

“What…?”

"I can do something for you, my love. One last thing," he said and called. The conch shell rang several times before a sleepy voice answered from the other end.

“It's four in the morning, you idiot son.”

"Old man, are you in Foosha?" Dragon asked, and Tritoma immediately knew what he was going to do. She closed her eyes, and more tears appeared on her cheeks.

“Yeah.”

“Tell Luffy.”

“What? We agreed that…”

“Please. That's all I ask.”

There was silence on the other end. Dragon thought his father would hang up until he heard a whisper.

“Hey, soldier. Luffy, wake up.”

“Grandpa?

“Here. The snail.”

“Huh? Oh, hello?”

Tritoma sobbed, and Dragon's heart fluttered. There was his son.

"Luffy?" Tritoma asked.

“Who am I speaking to?”

“Luffy… Hello, Luffy, how old are you?”

“Hmm… If my grandfather passed me on to you, you can't be a bad person, ma'am.”

Tritoma let out a giggle.

“I am six years old.”

“You're very big.”

“I am! They even let me stay up late at the bar when Shanks comes over.”

“¿Shanks?”

“He's a pirate! A great pirate, I like him. I want to be a pirate too.”

Tritoma laughed, Dragon could see tears rolling down her cheeks.

“I bet you'll be a magnificent pirate. Are you training?”

"Grandpa wants me to be a marine, but I don't like that idea. I'm going to be the king of the pirates!"

Tritoma's smile trembled.

“You're going to be the best pirate king.”

And then, she began to cry.

“Are you crying, ma'am? Why are you crying?”

Tritoma wouldn't stop crying, even though Luffy kept asking her what was wrong.

“Don't cry, ma'am. It's always good to be happy!”

Tritoma couldn't stop crying.

“Give it here, brat.” Garp said “That's all” and hung up.

Tritoma continued crying and Dragon simply proceeded to dry her tears.

“Thank you” Tritoma cried “Thank you for letting me hear her voice.”

Dragon kissed her on the lips, calming her down.

Out of exhaustion, Tritoma fell asleep.

Dragon kissed her head and slept beside her.

In the morning.

Only he woke up.

.

Luffy jumped for joy when the storm stopped.

"What's wrong?" his grandfather said when the boy pulled his hand to the door.

"Come on. Come on. I'm going to show you something," said the boy. Garp grunted and followed the little boy into the woods.

“I've never seen you so excited to go into the forest. You're afraid of it during training.”

“It's different, grandpa!”

"Okay. Okay," he followed. Luffy was jumping and running, singing loudly until he suddenly stopped dead in his tracks.

"No! No!" exclaimed the boy.

"What happened?" Garp asked, arriving where his grandson was. In front of him was a flower field completely destroyed by the storm. He heard Luffy sobbing and looked at him. "Is this what you wanted me to see?"

"I took care of those flowers!" exclaimed the boy. Garp sighed.

“They're just flowers, Luffy. Flowers die.”

“But…”

"Stop crying over flowers!" Garp exclaimed. Luffy pouted but continued sobbing. Garp sighed. He was just a little kid. He had to toughen up. "What kind of flowers were they?"

"Toritomas," the boy said. Garp raised an eyebrow at the name.

“Come on, you can grow them again later.”

The boy took his grandfather's hand and left with him.

The flowers never grew back.

.

Days later, Garp understood everything.

He received information that the Kuja pirates had changed empresses and that the first bounty would soon be placed on the head of the new snake princess.

When Garp asked what had happened to the previous one, the soldier indicated that she had been presumed dead, so they had to cancel her bounty.

Garp looked at Luffy, who was eating in the mess hall. He remembered Dragon's call and understood everything.

The call had been for a mother to say goodbye to her son.

Garp felt sadness.

.

Dragon was unable to attend Tritoma's funeral rites, as they were to be held at Amazon Lily, and he could not stay any longer.

He left that morning after the love of his life had died, heartbroken and crying as he sailed.

A severe storm hit Amazon Lily that day.

.

Years later.

The parchment in his hands seemed to vibrate.

The smile, so similar to her mother's, as bright as the sun.

30,000,000 as an initial reward, and Dragon knew that Tritoma would be more than proud to see such a reward.

The last time I'd seen him, he'd been training hard, exclaiming to the air that he would become the Pirate King. Just as he'd proclaimed to Tritoma on that phone call.

Now he saw him running to his own ship, with his own crew.

The rain lashed the place, and Dragon's heart swelled with pride.

"Go, Luffy!" he exclaimed. "Travel the world and turn your dreams upside down."

That's what your mother would have wanted.

.

Gloriosa was paralyzed when she heard what Sengoku had exclaimed in that program.

The boy who had come from heaven to Amazon Lily. Who had won Hancock's favor and heart thanks to his nobility.

He was the son of Dragon the revolutionary.

He was the son of Tritoma, the former empress, and her old friend.

She smiled at the irony. Two empresses had succumbed to the sickness of love for him. Two completely different bonds, but both valid, as only love could be.

A mother willing to sacrifice her life for her son.

"Oh, Tritoma," said Gloriosa. "I'm sure you would have loved to see what your son has become."

.

In the safety of his office at the new base in Kamaland, Dragon let out a proud laugh upon seeing Luffy's new bounty.

White hair, shrill laughter.

"A Yonko?" Dragon questioned. "I should have known you wouldn't just stay a common pirate. After all, your mother was an empress." He opened the drawer; inside was an old piece of paper that had withstood the test of time. Due to her death, her bounty had been canceled, and Dragon possessed what was Tritoma's last wanted poster.

She was smiling at him, a beautiful picture of her fighting with daggers and with blood on her cheek.

He placed Luffy's wanted poster next to that of the woman he loved.

“Oh, Trip. I'm sure you would have loved to see how amazing our son has become.”

.

Years later

The sun shone brightly above their heads.

Luffy straightened his cloak as he walked through the city of Amazon Lily, which welcomed him warmly. He had received Hancock's gracious permission to visit someone he was now eager to meet.

Beside him, Dragon was walking with a bouquet of flowers.

Luffy had achieved what he wanted; he had become the king of the pirates and had met his father in the final battle.

And now, in his company, he walked to the Kujas cemetery, where a beautiful tomb full of flowers stood.

Dragon sighed, and Luffy could see a longing look in his father's eyes.

"I'm here at last, my love," the man said, bending down and placing the flowers on the grave. Luffy looked at him.

He never met his mother, but many people told him how wonderful she was, what an amazing pirate she was.

He would have liked to meet her. Luffy had vague memories of a phone call from a sobbing woman who said she was happy to hear from him.

He knelt beside her father and also left her flowers. Beautiful toritomas that had grown back in Foosha.

He smiled.

"Hi, Mom," she said with a smile. "It's nice to meet you."