Chapter Text
The dimly lit Captain’s Quarters on the Red Force ship reveal a room filled with nautical maps, a large wooden desk cluttered with papers, and various mementos from the sea. The sounds of the ocean and the creaking of the ship permeate the air. Shanks sits in front of the window, his hand caressing what’s left of his right arm, gazing out into the vast expanse of the sea.
Beckmann entered the room, a sense of urgency in his stride. Lucky Roo followed closely behind, while Yasopp lingered in the doorway, his eyes filled with worry.
“There’s something you need to know... It’s about Ace.” Beckmann said, his voice laden with concern.
The Yonko turned his attention towards Beckmann, his eyes narrowing as a sense of foreboding filled the room, “What is it? Has something bad happened to him?” he asked, his voice heavy with worry.
Beckmann hesitated for a moment, but gathered himself and extended a trembling hand, handing the rolled newspaper to Shanks.
Shanks took the newspaper, his heart pounding in his chest. He slowly unrolled it, his eyes scanning the page until they landed on the headline that shattered his world. The words “Public Execution of Whitebeard's 2nd Commander, Fire-Fist Ace!” screamed at him, hitting him like a powerful gust of wind.
Time seemed to stand still as he crumpled the newspaper in his hand, his grip tightening with a mix of anguish and rage. His mind raced with a thousand thoughts and emotions, a maelstrom of disbelief and sorrow consuming him.
A knot formed in Shanks’ throat, threatening to choke him as he struggled to comprehend the unthinkable fate that awaited his baby.. his beloved Ace. The weight of the news crushed his spirit, leaving him gasping for breath, his heart heavy with a sorrow he had never known.
“Captain?” Beckmann gently settled himself in front of the red-haired leader, holding his face with a firm grip as he looked into his eyes, “Focus, Cap. Should we attack Impel Down at this very moment or make our way directly to Marineford?”
The red-haired captain shook his head, “N-No... that wouldn’t be wise.” He sniffed.
Lucky Roo interrupted, “Boss, it’s your son’s life on the line here! Besides, we possess the strength to defeat them effortlessly, and you know it.”
“Ace.. has Whitebeard and Marco looking out for him already. I-I trust them. I have a different plan in my mind,” Shanks rose from his seat, locking eyes with his attentive crew mates, who keenly observed his every move, “I-I think it’s time for Ace to meet his father.” He announced.
Beckman’s exasperation seeped into his words, “You’ve got to be kidding. This isn’t wise at all, Shanks.”
“Why? Will he come to his rescue if he learns the truth?” Yassop asked.
“Yes,” Shanks responded with unwavering confidence. “He will.”
Lucky Roo, momentarily distracted by a mouthful of chicken, managed to pose a question between bites, “How can you be so sure, boss?”
“Luffy will,” Shanks repeated. “I just know it.”
Beckman sighed, his hand reaching for his cigarettes as he began to move towards the Den Den Mushi placed on the red-haired’s desk, “Shall I then arrange an appointment with him?” He asked with a resigned tone.
“Please.” Shanks replied, his voice carrying a mix of hope and anticipation.
I’m sorry for not telling you, Lu.
-
Navy Headquarters, Marineford
“To have Fire Fist executed publicly? Who even is he? Isn’t he just a rookie pirate from the New World?” Zoro wiped the blade of his Wado Ichimonji, his voice tinged with skepticism.
“Not a rookie, Zoro-kun,” Robin corrected, gracefully sipping her tea, “He is, in fact, Whitebeard’s second-in-command and a formidable pirate in his own right.”
Zoro huffed, unconvinced. “Still, that doesn’t justify why the Navy has to put so much effort into executing a five hundred million-berry bounty pirate when Douglas Bullet, a hundred times more notorious than Fire-Fist, exists and is rotting away in Impel Down.”
Luffy, reclining in his chair with both legs propped up on his desk and arms behind his head, let out a chuckle, “Because Bullet isn’t worth the spectacle of a public execution,” He joked, “But unlike Bullet, Ace is actually interesting.”
This statement piqued Robin’s curiosity, causing her to set down her teacup and lean forward, “Interesting? In what way, Luffy?” She inquired.
Luffy clicked his tongue, his mind wandering back to memories of his youth, “Weirdly enough,” He began, his voice tinged with nostalgia, “Ace kinda reminds me of myself when I was young.”
Zoro, momentarily distracted from his sword cleaning, raised an eyebrow in surprise, “Well, both of you are undeniably good-looking, that’s for sure.” He interjected, completely missing the point.
Robin chuckled at Zoro’s comment, shaking her head. “That's beside the point, Zoro-kun,” she remarked, her laughter subsiding, “I believe what Luffy means is that Ace’s personality resonates with a younger version of himself.”
Luffy nodded, his gaze fixed on the distance as he reminisced, “Yep,” he affirmed softly, “He’s a stubborn young man, full of pride, and always ready to do whatever he wants without hesitation.”
The swordsman shrugged, finally understanding, “Now I see it.”
“Too bad he’s gonna die at such a young age,” Luffy said matter-of-factly, showing little remorse, “But he knew what he signed up for..”
“Die? Oh, don’t be so certain, Captain,” Robin chuckled, “Never underestimate Whitebeard and his alliance.”
Luffy huffed, “I’m not underestimating anyone, Robin,” he declared, sitting up straight and properly, “But I’m not underestimating myself either.” A mischievous smirk played on his lips, revealing his unshakable self-assurance.
Robin gasped, taken aback by Luffy’s announcement, “You're planning to join them?” She questioned, surprise laced in her words, “But didn’t Garp-san forbid you from getting involved—”
“He’s not the boss of me,” Luffy rolled his eyes, his rebellious spirit shining through, “I still don’t understand why that old man doesn’t want me to join when Sakazuki and Borsalino can.”
Zoro, having finished cleaning his swords, spoke up honestly, “Because when you fight, you fight mercilessly and end them brutally.”
Luffy flashed a smirk, “I know. That’s why I’m the best.”
Robin couldn’t help but shake her head in amusement, “Now he’s taking it as a compliment, Zoro-kun.”
Luffy batted his eyes innocently at Robin, “Isn’t it a compliment?”
Zoro stood up, smoothly sliding his three swords into their respective sheaths on his belt, “Why would you even bother participating? Usually, you only get engaged when Kaido, the Five Elders, or...” Zoro paused, choosing his words carefully, “—Shanks... are involved.”
Luffy bit his lip, his expression growing serious, “Reason number three.” He answered quietly.
“Shanks?” Robin questioned, her curiosity piqued, “What does Fire-Fist Ace have to do with Shanks?”
“Ace... also reminds me of Shanks, and I don’t even know what part of Ace reminds me of him,” Luffy admitted, his troubled thoughts surfacing, “And it’s been bothering me.”
“Why are you so troubled about Ace?” Zoro asked, genuinely intrigued.
“Part of me wants to save him.” Luffy dropped the bombshell.
“Luffy??” Robin exclaimed, surprised by his revelation. “What’s making you feel this way?”
“That’s why I’m going. To find out,” Luffy said with a sigh, “I’ve been feeling it for a while now. I thought I could ignore it, but there’s something about Ace that’s pulling me in, and I’m desperate to know.”
“Now that you mention it,” Zoro added, deep in thought, “Fire Fist does bear some resemblance to Sha—”
The familiar sound of a ringing Den Den Mushi interrupted Zoro, capturing everyone’s attention.
Luffy eyed the universal Den Den Mushi resting on his table, “Who could that be?”
“Hancock. Definitely that woman,” Zoro groaned, “It has to be.”
A playful glint appeared in Robin’s eyes, “Probably gonna ask if you’ll be joining the War of the Best,” She teased, her voice tinged with amusement.
Luffy glanced at his wristwatch, trying to make sense of the unexpected call, “Nah, not Hancock. She usually calls between twelve and six. Not at eight in the morning. She must be occupied with something else right now.”
Zoro raised an eyebrow, “And how would you know?” He probed.
“Because they’re dating.” Robin joked, adding fuel to the fire.
“Not dating,” Luffy clarified, the ringing Den Den Mushi still audible in the background, “Please don’t be Papa.” With a hint of hesitation, he finally answered the call.
“Yo.” Luffy started.
A moment of silence hung in the air, puzzling Luffy. He furrowed his brows in confusion, “Hello?” he said, raising his voice slightly.
“Prank call?” Zoro suggested, moving closer to Luffy’s table.
“Hello? Who is this?” Luffy tried again, his curiosity growing.
“I told you it has to be Hancock. She’s probably so overwhelmed with romantic excitement that she can’t even speak.” Zoro scoffed, rolling his eyes.
“It’s not Hancock,” Luffy replied, “Oi, if this is a prank call, I’ll hunt you down, got it? Now speak.” He attempted to lighten the mood with a playful threat.
“Lu?”
Luffy felt his world come to a halt. That voice... It couldn’t be...
“Shanks??” Luffy immediately stood up, clutching the Den Den Mushi tightly in his arms, “A sec.”
“Well, well, that’s unexpected.” Robin remarked, observing the sudden change in Luffy’s demeanor.
“Calm down, Luffy.” Zoro advised, watching his friend’s panicked movements toward the balcony.
“I am calm!” Luffy shouted, his words betraying his inner turmoil. He struggled to close the sliding door leading to the balcony, “H-How do you even...?”
“J-Just—!” Zoro tried to offer assistance but gave up, realizing it was futile, “Leave it be. I’m gonna close it for ya.”
“Thanks, Z!” Then he disappeared.
“Years have already passed, and he still holds him in his heart.” Robin commented, her voice filled with curiosity.
As Zoro finally managed to close the sliding door properly, “There’s a saying that the D’s only love once,” Zoro paused, his voice tinged with a hint of melancholy, “and when they do, they love hard."
“That’s quite poetic coming from you, Zoro-kun,” Robin chuckled, appreciating the unexpected sentiment, “I never thought I’d hear something like that from you.”
Zoro blushed, embarrassed by the compliment, “Shut up, Robin!” he retorted, trying to brush off the comment.
“Shanks...” Luffy gasped for breath as he reached the balcony, his heart pounding with anticipation.
“Luffy, can... can I meet you?” Shanks’ voice trembled with a hint of urgency.
“Where are you?” Luffy asked sternly.
“Somewhere in the New World,” the red-haired man responded softly, “I-I’ve got something important to tell you.”
Without hesitation, “I’ll be there right away.” Luffy made up his mind. With that, he hung up the Den Den Mushi, his mind already racing with thoughts about what could be so crucial that Shanks had to sought him out personally.
Opening the sliding door, Luffy caught the attention of his friends, “Oi, do you guys want to come with me... Ne, Zoro, are you blushing?”
“I’m not! It’s just... hot,” Zoro muttered, attempting to hide any signs of embarrassment.
Robin giggled at Zoro’s feeble excuse, "Go where, Luffy?"
“Shanks requested to meet me,” Luffy explained, scratching the back of his neck, “He said it’s important.”
Curiosity sparked in Robin’s eyes as she posed another question, “Are the two of you back together again?”
“No,” Luffy’s response was immediate and resolute, “But you know that I would if he just asked.” His loyalty to his former lover remained unwavering, even after all the time that had passed.
“I think it’s best if you go alone, Luffy,” Zoro suggested, “You know how tense things are between Beckmann and me. Wouldn’t want to ruin anything for you and Shanks, ya know?”
Robin nodded in agreement, her gaze piercing with protectiveness, “I can’t go too. One wrong move from one of Shanks’ crew mates, and they’re dead. You know how fast I can be. Right, Luffy?”
“Fine, I’ll go alone.” Luffy let out a resigned groan.
“Wait,” Zoro raised his hand to stop his idiot friend, “Do you even know where he is? Did he tell you?”
“Nah, forgot to ask,” Luffy shrugged as if it was nothing, “I'll find him anyhow.”
The swordsman groaned, his frustration evident. “Of course, of course,” he shook his head, “Typical of you, always charging ahead without a plan.”
“Are you gonna teleport or use one of our ships?” Robin asked, her voice calm and composed.
“Teleport. It would take days before I could reach Shanks in the New World. I would still have to coat our ship at Sabaody with Rayleigh.” Luffy answered hastily, his urgency palpable as he grabbed his suit jacket and quickly put it on.
Robin nodded understandingly, “Take care, Luffy. But you’ll have to hurry; there are still six hours left before Fire Fist’s head rolls.”
“Can’t wait to clash swords with one of Whitebeard’s sons, Vista,” Zoro smirked, a hint of anticipation in his voice, “I’m getting tired of battling Mihawk every day. It’ll be a refreshing change.”
Luffy laughed heartily, “Yeah, yeah,” he said while fixing his unruly hair in front of the mirror, attempting to tame it into a more presentable style.
“You already look good, Admiral. What’s there to fix?” Robin remarked, her voice laced with amusement.
“Ugh, Robin, I told you never to call me that. It’s unfitting,” Luffy said, turning around from the mirror, his expression slightly annoyed. He took a moment to adjust his appearance, making sure everything was in order. “How do I look?”
“Unfitting? You are an admiral, idiot,” Zoro chimed in, his teasing tone mixed with a touch of admiration.
Robin couldn’t resist a playful remark, “Very handsome that I could actually fall for you.”
Luffy chuckled, recalling a previous playful encounter, “We already tried, didn’t we?” he quipped, a mischievous glint in his eyes, “Too bad it’s still him.” He pouted jokingly.
Zoro stared at them in disbelief, “You two? Really? Disgusting.”
“Oh, please. We were teenagers back then,” Robin chuckled, “It’s nothing.”
The swordsman sighed and closed his one eye, “Now I can’t blame Shanks for being jealous all the time before, because his man is a player.”
Luffy ignored him, “Silence.” He said as closed his eyes. He focused on the image of Red Force, Shanks’ ship, with its tattered sails billowing in the wind, and the salty sea spray kissing his face. With a surge of energy, he summoned his teleportation powers.
“And he’s gone.” Zoro remarked.
—
Somewhere in New World, Red Force
“Why is he taking so long to answer?” Shanks whispered hurriedly to his Vice Captain.
“I don’t know, Shanks. Don’t take your frustration out on me.” Beckmann scolded the red-haired pirate.
“Sorry, it’s just,” Shanks took a deep breath, struggling to steady his emotions, ”It’s been what? Twelve years since the last time I saw him in person...”
Beckmann placed a reassuring hand on Shanks’ shoulder, “It’ll be fine, don’t overthink it too much. Luffy’s always been the same, hasn’t he? He’ll be thrilled to hear from you.”
Shanks nodded, trying to regain his composure, “He... He doesn’t even know I lost an arm,” he whispered, his voice tinged with a hint of sadness, “W-Why do I even care about what he thinks? Losing my arm was worth it. I saved my baby from the Lord of the Coast.”
Beckmann’s gaze softened as he looked at his captain, understanding the weight of Shanks’ sacrifice, “Shanks, you’re a hero. Luffy will see that, and he’ll be proud of you. Losing your arm only proves how far you were willing to go to protect your son."
Tears welled up in Shanks' eyes, and he wiped them away with the back of his hand.
“Yo.”
Silence engulfed the room as the familiar voice broke through the Den Den Mushi. Shanks and Beckmann exchanged glances, their hearts racing.
Beckmann quickly muted the device, his gaze fixed on Shanks, ”What should I say?” he asked, seeking guidance.
Shanks stared at the muted Den Den Mushi, his eyes welling up with tears once again, “Luffy...” he choked out, his voice trembling with emotion. The years of separation suddenly felt overwhelming.
“Shanks,” Beckmann repeated, his voice gentle yet urgent, “What should I say?”
Before Shanks could respond, a deep, gruff voice cut through the air, “Prank call?” came the remark, unmistakably from the Pirate Hunter.
“Tch,” Beckmann rolled his eyes, irritated by the interruption, “Roronoa.”
Shanks, lost in his thoughts, barely registered the exchange, “Hello? Who is this?” Luffy’s voice sounded through the call, curious and alert.
“I told you it has to be Hancock. She’s probably so overwhelmed with romantic excitement that she can’t even speak,” Roronoa suggested sarcastically, hoping to lighten the tension.
Shanks scoffed in disbelief, his mind racing with thoughts, “Hancock?” he muttered, contemplating the idea.
“The Warlord?” Turning to Beckmann, he sought confirmation, “Oh. Aren’t they married or something—”
“No!” Shanks protested, his voice rising slightly, “Unless...” He gasped, struck by a sudden realization, “What if they really are together?”
A flood of memories washed over Shanks as he recalled the Pirate Empress, Boa Hancock, who had been infatuated with Luffy since she was just a nine-year-old girl. Shanks couldn’t deny that the Omega had grown into a remarkable woman, holding the title of being the World’s Most Beautiful.
His mind wandered, imagining the possibility that she could easily steal Luffy’s heart. Young, beautiful, strong..
Awash with conflicting emotions, Shanks felt tears streaming down his face uncontrollably.
“It’s not Hancock,” Luffy’s voice echoed from the Den Den Mushi, interrupting Shanks’ thoughts, “Oi, if this is a prank call, I’ll hunt you down, got it? Now speak.”
“G-Give me that,” Shanks demanded, his voice trembling with determination as he forcefully snatched the Den Den Mushi from Beckmann’s grasp, “Lu?”
—
The Red Force sails gracefully through the open sea, its red sails billowing in the wind.
With a blinding flash of light, Luffy’s sterile office in Marineford faded away, replaced by the sounds of creaking wood, the squawk of seagulls, and the roar of the ocean. Luffy opened his eyes to find himself standing on the deck of Red Force.
His presence immediately draws the attention of everyone on board, their eyes widening in disbelief at the newcomer.
A grizzled pirate with a braided beard approached him, a mix of curiosity and suspicion in his gaze, “Who are ya, lad?” the pirate growled, feeling threatened.
“Here to see your captain, Mister.” Luffy replied respectfully. His posture screamed power as he stood with his legs slightly apart, the strong sea breeze tousling his hair. His red navy suit complemented his appearance perfectly.
The pirate crew exchanged puzzled glances, but their skepticism quickly transformed into curiosity and amusement, “Ya one of those people who’d like to kill our cap?” They laughed, “Listen, even though he’s an Omega, our Captain is not weak.”
“Keep on dreaming. He’s one of the Yonko for a reason,” One of the pirates boasted, trying to downplay Luffy’s presence, “Get lost, pretty boy!”
Luffy raised a brow, “I’m not here to cause trouble. I have business with your captain, and I’m sure he’ll want to see me.”
It was clear to him that these lads were new and had no idea who he really was. However, because they were Shanks’ crew mates, he decided to let their initial disrespect slide for now.
“Oi, he kinda looks familiar,” one of the pirates suddenly noticed, squinting his eyes in recognition.
The rest of the pirates followed suit, their gazes fixated on the newcomer standing before them.
The Navy Admiral smirked, his hand casually tucked into his pocket, “Am I now?”
“Aren’t you...?” one of the pirates hesitantly started.
“The Sun God?!” another exclaimed, astonished by the revelation.
“Admiral Monkey D. Luffy!” the chorus of pirates shouted in unison, their voices filled with a mix of reverence and fear.
“The leader of the Seven Warlords of the Sea and the Chief of CP0!” someone added, emphasizing Luffy’s esteemed position.
Realization washed over the pirates, leaving them in a state of panic and awe, fully aware that they stood before one of the most formidable figures in the world.
“We’re doomed! The strongest and most powerful of the three admirals is here!” a pirate shouted, trembling with trepidation.
“I heard he’s ten times stronger than his Dad now!”
“Didn't he also rival The Pirate King when he was just 19?!” a pirate exclaimed, the awe evident in his voice.
The pirates now exchanged nervous glances. They could only imagine the consequences of their disrespect, knowing that they were now in the presence of a man who could effortlessly annihilate them without a second thought.
Luffy raised his hands, palms facing outward, in a gesture of placation, “Yeah, yeah,” he responded nonchalantly, as if used to such exaggerated praises, “Stop that. Y’all flatter me too much.”
The tension in the air eased slightly, but the pirates remained on edge, still unsure of what Luffy’s true intentions were.
“What do you want from us?” one of the pirates managed to muster the courage to ask, their voice tinged with nervousness and anticipation.
The cold metallic sound of a gun being cocked echoed through the deck, catching the attention of the Navy Admiral. Without turning to his left, he already knew who was responsible for the noise. A sigh escaped his lips as he prepared himself for the familiar presence.
“Roo, must you always make such grand entrances?” Luffy pointed out, “Weird way of saying you missed me, by the way.” He turned to his left and eyed the glock.
Lucky Roo seeming completely unbothered, “I do miss you, Luff,” he managed to respond between bites of his chicken leg, bits of meat escaping his lips, “But my captain would smack me if I admitted that.”
“Which you already did,” he remarked, clicking his tongue in amusement, “Now put the gun down, big guy.”
Lucky Roo paused, contemplating Luffy’s words as he chewed on another mouthful of his chicken, “Aw, but the newbies in our crew will think that we're friends.” he reasoned.
“Are we not?” Luffy sweat-dropped.
“But you’re a Navy officer, and I’m a pirate. It would create a bad impression, ya know?” Lucky Roo shrugged.
The Navy Admiral let out a long breath, “Well, who needs impressions anyway?”
“W-Woah big boss,” One of the pirate gulped, “You’re friends with the Sun God himself?”
“A-Amazing, but still scary since he’s from the opposite side.” Another pirate chimed in,
Luffy, growing tired of the attention and the unnecessary fuss, rolled his eyes. He had no time for such distraction, “Roo, where is he?” Luffy asked impatiently.
Before Lucky Roo could respond, the piercing sound of a bullet slicing through the air shattered the brief silence.
In one seamless motion, Luffy’s instincts honed and tilted his head to the side, completely avoiding the bullet with effortless ease. It whizzed past him harmlessly, grazing nothing but air.
“What’s up with you guys? Want me gone so bad?” The Admiral reached up to adjust the crumpled part of his suit, he remained unmoved by the failed assassination attempt.
Yasopp shrugged nonchalantly, “You know that shit won’t kill you, don’t be such a baby.” With a flick of his wrist, he blew away the lingering smoke from his pistol.
“Roo, Yassop. That’s enough,” A sudden hush fell over everyone.
“Captain!” The pirates shouted in unison, their voices filled with relief
Luffy’s gaze fell upon a figure that stopped him dead in his tracks, causing his heart to skip a beat. The same man who had captured his heart all those years ago stood before him.
He found himself entranced by those eyes that defied conventional beauty, yet held an enchantment all their own. His scar... a mark of battles fought and won, adorned his face with a rugged charm. Strands of his gorgeous red hair swept across his forehead and cascaded around his shoulders, adding to his striking presence.
Luffy felt a surge of emotions welling up within him—longing, nostalgia, and a hint of regret. He had carried the memory of Shanks in his heart, yearning for this moment to see him again. And now, standing before him, he was captivated by his presence, the years apart melting away in an instant.
However, the Admiral couldn’t help but notice the absence of one of Shanks’ arms. He’s confused, what exactly happened when he was gone?
As Shanks noticed Luffy observing his missing arm, he grew conscious of it and instinctively tried to hide it beneath his cloak. Their eyes met in a fleeting moment of vulnerability.
“You have to fill me in.” Luffy finally managed to say.
“That’s the plan.” Shanks answered.