Chapter Text
Under the morning light, Shanks saw as the tripulation of the warship succumbed to his Will. A straw hat shadowed his scarred face, hiding the savage glint in his eyes. His heartbeat was too tranquil, and his breath not too fast.
He raised his head, hearing the distant screams of his crew for orders to follow, and smiled unkindly as the Marine’s ship sinked under the ocean’s waves. Red Hair was glad it was over, that he had broken his chain to his captain, the sweet taste of true freedom soaked his dry mouth. Roger’s last wish had been granted by the Wandering Emperor of the Five Seas.
Shanks voiced an order but something weak had stolen his voice, tears ran down his face, and he fell to his knees. The grief was too painful to bear.
It was over. Finally, it was over.
His grip tightened on the wooden box under his arm. It was a pretty unassuming thing, except for the treasure that was stored inside.
Gomu Gomu no Mi.
Peculiar name, as strange as the devil fruit it belonged to.
Swallowing, Shanks gave his bemused crew an order, powered by his Will, “To the East Blue, men. We don’t want the entire force of the Marines after us.”
With shouts of “Yes, sir” his men, his newfound family, set course to the weakest sea.
Unknown to the Emperor, the Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Nika laughed to itself.
This was going to be so much fun!
☠
“Oi, Luffy!” Shouted a flustered Shanks, holding the stubborn brat by his arm before he did something idiotic, like following after the bandits.
But something unexpected happened.
Luffy’s arm stretched beyond what was humanly possible.
“Damn it!”
☠
Contrary to what one would expect, the fruit had not originally chosen Luffy as its possessor.
It was destined to one Portgas D. Ace, whom Roger had deposited all his hopes on, even if it was unjust to place such weight on his child’s shoulders. Still, desperation is a powerful motivator.
The fruit had not been against the King’s decision, for who is more free than someone who denies Davy Jones’ Will?
Nevertheless, life is a funny thing.
Monkey D. Luffy had a name as mysterious as the depths of the sea itself. He also appeared to be a bit of an airhead and a very happy child. Oh, how appearances deceive.
He was observant, and could decipher people's intentions with only a glance. His gaze was too knowing, too emphatic, it was like being under the gaze of an all knowing god and being left bare, being uncovered by his scrutiny until he found the person behind and became bored of them. Once they were found lacking, said gaze became empty, detached, as if they were judged unworthy. Yet still, it didn’t know whether it was from a place of pity or simple curiosity, he watched the ignorant inhabitants of the village, to the point that he often knew their habits and most coveted secrets.
The villagers shuddered and whispered warnings between them, of the uncanny the grandchild of their hero was, of the malice hidden in the marrow of young bones.
Raw instinct made the other children fear him, and often belittled the poor boy to conceal their dread.
Luffy smiled to hide his pain.
For all of his dreams of conquering the Grand Line and becoming a King, his desires were simple. So alone and miserable, he only wanted friends, people to call his nakama, his family. People that were his.
Powerful curiosity ate away at its insides. It wanted to know more.
“Huh?” The child blinked at the chest that contained it. “Who are you?”
A curious child indeed.
It laughed to itself, then it answered with a smile in its Voice, “Hêllð, llê ðñê.”
Luffy grinned, baring his teeth like the predator he was, even if he didn’t mean anything by it. “Shishishi, you are funny.”
Charmed, it said, “Ì åm †hê ßêårêr 𣠆hê §µñ, 𣠆hê Låµghïñg GðÐ, åñÐ ¥ðµ, m¥ Ðêår ¢hïlÐ, ¢åñ ßê¢ðmê †hå† åñÐ mðrê. ¥ðµ årê wðr†h¥ ð£ mê.”
There was a saying concerning Mythical Zoans: we don’t know what came first, the human or the creature.
The chicken or the egg dilemma.
As it was consumed, the Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Nika smiled to itself.
And Nika woke up.
☠
As the story goes, we can say that Ace was the chosen one, the one who saw Davy Jones in the face and his Will said no.
Yet Luffy.
Well, Luffy had the luck of the Devil.
And all of his charm.
Or so a sailor once told.