Chapter Text
Rumors Can Hurt
They were on sabaody when Ace got his first chance to make the calls he wanted to make. Duce and the crew had taken Luffy to the amusement park. Ace pulled out a small book of numbers and looked at the back where three numbers were written unlabeled except for the words emergency only. He pulled out a den den and dialed one of the numbers. It didn’t even ring. The snail just gave him an annoyed look and shook its head no.
He tried a second number.
“Hello Ace.”
“How did you know it was me?”
“Only family has this number brat. So it’s either you Luffy or Dragon. Dragon called a week ago, and Luffy would have said something about being pirate king before I answered.”
“Come on old man. I’m not always with him.”
“And where is he now?” The accusation on the snails face was really disturbing to The teen.
“He’s riding a Ferris wheel last I saw him.”
“Your ships being coated huh?” Ace through a blanket over the snail just so he could stop seeing the imitations of his grandfather’s facial expressions.
“Ace, I won’t say where you are. I may visit in private. I’m not far away from where I think you are. Just tell me what you called me for. We both know it’s not because you missed your dear old gramps.”
“Luffy. I plan on doing something and I can’t take him with me. I would if he’d let me, but he’s made it clear that he doesn’t want to yet.”
“You need somewhere safe to keep him huh?”
“You wouldn’t happen to know any islands they wouldn’t look at that he’d be ok?”
“I know a few. Paradise or new world?”
“Paradise. I want to at least be able to get to him if needed.”
“Spinx is safe from the government but you’d have to deal with Whitebeard if anything happened. Baltigo is safe but you would have to call Dragon to get there. He knows of a few more islands that would be safe for the kid then I would.”
“I’m not calling Dragon.”
“I kinda figured since you are calling me.”
“Anywhere I could also get information on the location of Red Hair?”
Even under the blanket Ace could see the snail smiling.
“You’re after Shanks. Luffy is really not going to be happy with you huh?”
“It’s not what you think shitty geezer. I’m not attacking him. I wouldn’t do that to Lu.”
“I wouldn’t be opposed if you did try something like that. The man deserves it in my opinion. Putting those dreams in Luffy’s head.”
“The man saved Luffy’s life.”
“He told him stories about your father. Made that lifestyle look fun instead of the dangerous thing it is. He gave him his devil fruit, and Luffy life wouldn’t have been in danger in the first place if he never showed up.”
“He’s also the reason why you brought lu to live with me. That saved all three of us. Otherwise nether of us would be here today. So I owe him my life if only for saving Luffy.”
“Fine. There’s a friend of Shanks on the island you and Luffy are on. He will probably know an island or two that are part of the red hair Territory. He might even know where they are. Trust me here. Give him your real names. He’ll probably be glad to meet you both.”
That’s how Ace and Luffy ended up on Grove 13 at a shady looking bar.p
“Why did I have to come here with you?” Luffy asked looking at the bar.
“I was just told to bring you and use our real names. I’m not really sure if this is a good idea.”
“Why?”
“He’s an old friend of Shanks. According to Gramps they were on the same crew when Shanks was our age. He might help us but only if we are honest with him.”
“Why Gol and not Portgas though? Shanks knows you as Portgas.”
“I don’t know Lu. I don’t like it either. Gramps just said that it would probably influence him and his wife more to help us if I used it. Something about wanting to meet us both.”
“Gramps trust him?”
“I asked the same thing. He said it wasn’t exactly trust but mutual respect. In this particular case though we could trust him.”
The two brothers walked up to the bar and opened the door. A woman stood behind the bar cleaning a glass.
“Aren’t you two a bit young to be in here?” She asked.
“we’re looking for someone.” Ace replied. “I was told that this place was owned by someone who might know something about the person we’re looking for.”
“Kid. I don’t know who sent you. So unless you want to spill on what exactly the spade pirates are planning or…”
“You know who I am? I haven’t even given you my name yet.”
The woman turns to reveal a wall of wanted posters.
“This years Paradise rookies that have made it this far. I keep up with all of them especially the ones I like. I have to say you’re a bit of a surprise portgas. Especially bringing your little brother along.”
“Actually it’s Gol. D Ace.”
The woman’s eyes lit up. “That explains a lot actually. I’m guessing Garp sent you both.”
“How do you know Gramps?” Luffy asked.
“Aww Monkey D Luffy. You Rayleigh has been waiting to meet. Shanks wouldn’t stop talking about you the last time he came by.” She said looking at the younger boy.
Ace tensed up.
“There isn’t a pirate alive active or not that doesn’t know your grandfather. Back in my day he was the vain of every pirates’ existence. Well except for Roger. I doubt anyone could really give Garp a real fight other than Roger or Eddy.”
“Well there was your captain, Tsuma. Rocks gave us all a pretty good fight.” an older man walked into the room. He looked over at the boys.
“You were both pirates?” Ace asked looking at the older couple. “On different crews? Gramps only said that Rayleigh was.”
“Gramps?”
“These are Garp’s grandsons. Gol D Ace and Monkey D Luffy.” The woman said. “Ace is better known by Portgas D Ace of the spade pirates.”
Rayleigh’s eyes glanced over at the boys as he smiled. “The name and the hat?”
“My hat? What about it?” Ace asked.
Rayleigh and the woman laughed.
“It’s not your hat darling. It’s your brothers.” The woman replied.
“Shaky’s right. You might have your father’s name but your brother has his hat.”
Ace turned and looked at the straw hat. For as long as he knew Luffy he had seldom seen the kid without it. He knew it was something special to him. Anytime he saw a similar hat he thought of his brother. Sure he knew why the hat was so special to his brother, but he never thought that it was special to Shanks before then. He never thought about the hats owners before it was Luffy’s. Now it wasn’t just his brother’s hat. It was his dad’s as well. His dad’s hat that was passed down to someone he believed in who passed it to Luffy for the same reason. Why had Garp never said anything about it.
“This was Roger’s hat? Shanks said it was his favorite.” Luffy just mumbled putting his hand on the hat. “He never said why though.”
“Shanks was the closest thing our captain had to a son when he was alive. I knew he took off with Rouge for a year before he turned himself in.”
“Garp never said anything about the hat or turning himself in. Why would he turn himself in?” Ace practically yelled.
“Ace, you don’t understand.”
“If he turned himself in then he could have been there for mom and me. Mom wouldn’t have died if they weren’t hunting me. All those women and kids that died during the hunt for me.”
“Ace, he was already dying long before he actually died. Long before you were even conceived. Even if he hadn’t he wouldn’t have made it much longer. He knew he couldn’t be there to see you grow up. He did what he did to protect everyone he cared about.” Rayleigh sat down a glass in front of the teen. “You, me, Shanks, Buggy, Rouge, the rest of his crew, white beard, Garp. Even Dragon to a point. He didn’t want them to watch him suffer and then the ones he cared for the most pay for his crimes. He didn’t want the men he respected and who respected him to watch him suffer. He may have been executed but he was free. He did what he could to make sure the rest of us could live just as free as he was.”
“He didn’t go far enough.” It was Luffy’s voice that caught Ace’s attention. he looked at his brother and meet his gaze. “Ace wasn’t free.” The words weren’t said out loud but Ace still heard his brother’s unspoken words in his head. “When I’m pirates king I’m going to make sure everyone is free.”
Well he was Dragon’s son. Of course making sure the people you care about are free isn’t enough.
Rayleigh laughed. “I can’t say he didn’t try. He just got there too early. He made plans for someone to finish the job. Which brings us to why you two are here. You’re looking for Shanks? It’s not to attack him right?”
“No, I have to thank him.” Ace replied.
“I can’t see him until I become a great pirate though. I promised I’d return the hat then.” Luffy sounded a little sad.
“I know about your promise kid. Shanks told me about you. I wasn’t expecting you for a couple more years. Then I heard about Goa. I wondered how long it would take before you ended up here.”
“So you’re looking for a safe place for your brother to stay while you look for his hero?” Shaky asked. “I don’t normally babysit. Then again he is old enough to take care of himself.”
Luffy looked slightly offended.
“I don’t think that’s what the boys have in mind.” The older man replied. “They are looking for an island that he can hide on. I’d bet probably Shanks or Eddy’s Territory if I know Garp. Although if it’s Revolutionary territory…”
“No, I’m not leaving him to people who worship that man.” Ace spit out. Luffy looked confused. “He may be his dad but he gave up that title a long time ago.”