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They had a moment of peace, an island they hadn't stopped at before that had called to Luffy in a way he hadn't had since Laugh Tale. Which, looking back at it, had been everything he needed it to be.
Not only had he found the One Piece, as he wanted to. But Ace had been waiting there for him too, not that his older brother had known what had happened as he remembered dying in Marineford. But something Roger had done when he reached the One Piece meant that his older brother was still here. Ace was still here, and he was keeping his promise to stay alive for Luffy. Although the schematics on how were lost on all of them.
Let it be known Luffy didn't let him go for several moments, even when calls were made to Sabo, Marco and Shanks about what was happening. All three of them just as stunned, and just as elated.
The decision had been made to gather close by, to have a moment with just them now that no one could just go after Luffy and his crew. They weren't the rookies they once were, instead they were seasoned Pirates. The Pirate King and his crew.
A chance to meet again now that the world was very different than it has been. Also giving Ace a chance to catch up to things, not only the disbanding of his crew and the death of his Pops, but also Sabo's survival. It was clear the oldest of Luffy's brothers was trying to deal with it all and he needed time.
Leaving Laugh Tale to sail aimlessly for a little and stumbling into this island and the call it out out towards Luffy that made him gear to explore it. Another call has been made to give coordinates, to make sure their allies and family found the island they were currently residing on. The added joy of the whole of said family appearing only added to that.
Marco, once he arrived with what had to most of Ace's Spades, mentioned that now they were in a new Era and he called ahead to tell them Ace was back, more than one former crew member wanted to try again. They wanted to sail the seas under Ace. Who, once he realized that, was speechless.
Which is why all of them were together on this island not that far from Laugh Tale. Shanks had some vague memories of it when he was a child, but he admitted that it could just as well be a dream.
With the Revolution having happened, and the world being free, they had a lot more leeway in what they wanted to do. Add Luffy being Pirate King, and being known as the liberator (despite not wanting such a name) of the world after defeating Imu no one in their right mind would want to go against them now. Even less so given the people assembled right now.
The Strawhats were a given, as none of them would even think of leaving their Captain. Following Luffy to the end of the world once, and willing to do it again in a heartbeat.
Although some of them, like Nami or Usopp, did mention that having a moment of peace did them good. They had fallen into one adventure to the other, to the point that not having to deal with that or watch over their shoulder all the time did wonders.
Next were their Captain's brothers, Ace and Sabo, as well as their allied crew or organization.
Marco, with the New Whitebeard Pirates, wouldn't leave Ace's side even if you begged him. He was always close by, to the point that one just had to look at Ace to see Marco as well. No one commented on it, couldn't quite do that, as they had all missed Ace something fierce as well. To think the Phoenix had lost his best friends and father so close to losing Ace, it had marked him. Seeing him lighter, happier, was something everyone liked for the man.
Sabo, meanwhile, brought the Revolutonary Army. Most of those were his own team, being Koala and Hack. Yet, Dragon had finally gotten around to introducing himself to his son. Trying to explain why he did what he did and finding out that Luffy didn't care. Or more importantly, he couldn't care about what he didn't know. They were growing closer and Luffy did call him dad, but there was a long way to go there.
Talking about parental figures, Shanks and his crew also arrived not long after Dragon had. Looking on in awe, and coming closer to hug first Luffy and after, Ace. Especially Shanks looked taken aback, laughing loudly when Luffy tried to give him back his head, "It was never meant to be mine, Anchor, it's yours more than it ever was mine."
With a pout, Luffy puts the straw hat back on his own head, grinning widely before pulling Shanks to Law (who had been there since he never truly left again after Luffy and his crew helped him rescue his own from Teach). Babbling a mile a minute before mentioning that Law could re-attach an arm, if he wanted to.
Lastly, Crossguild had arrived too. Having been notified of a new Pirate King. For all that there had been troubles in the past, the three of them did prove themselves to be valuable allies. It also helped that Crocodile eventually came clean about being Luffy's bearer who had given him up as he didn't think he'd be able to take care of him. Dragon pitched in that he had been a surprise and one none of them had been ready for, leading to what had happened in leaving him with Garp.
Yet, with Buggy as Shanks' brother and as such a someone unconventional uncle to Luffy. As well as the blue haired man's own connection to Ace's parents, he was welcomed with open arms. Same with Mihawk, as he became a parental figure to Zoro and the two could be seen sparing on the beach.
The fact the three Cross Guild pirates were in a relationship only added to that, making them a part of this clusterfuck of a family. And yet, for most of them it was the best family they ever had.
The last person to arrive at the island was Garp, with Boggard, Koby and Helmeppo. Wanting to celebrate this milestone with his grandson given that Luffy had been the one to bust Garp out of Teach's hold when he came to liberate the Hearts.
Feelings were tense, even now, with so many of the family here and even more so with none of them being Marines as he had hoped they would be. Dragon had been steadfast in not letting Garp come onto the island if he couldn't keep his opinions to himself. Leading to Luffy also getting involved that if he was here for 'fists of love' he could leave just as well.
The old man relented, and made it all that much more enjoyable for everyone. Although Garp's slack jaw at the sight of Ace had them all laughing. The man should know by now that Luffy did the impossible on the daily.
In fact, all of the Strawhats and Hearts were looking forward to what this island would bring as something had been calling Luffy here and they knew better than to mistrust that feeling.
Sabo and Ace were quick to agree, mentioning that Luffy was the reason they stayed out of trouble so much. Although, in the end, it might be an unawakened voice of all things, as Luffy's perception of others was out of this world.
Something had to be happening there and all of this couldn't wait to see what it was.
—
They're relaxing before long, Sanji, Lucky Roux and Crossguild's cook have set up camp around a barbecue. With this many D's to feed, it was best to be prepared to make a lot of meat in short notice. A BBQ seemed the best possible solution, as the open fire did make sure Luffy didn't try and steal meat before it was ready. Both Sabo and Ace had a few stories to share there, with Garp pitching in, about what had happened the last time Luffy stuck his hand in an open flame.
Luffy, for once not begging for meat, had settled down with his brothers and Shanks to share stories they hadn't had a chance to share before. Leaning against the redheaded man one could call his Godfather, laughing about one thing or another when he noticed a change in the air.
"Huh," He muttered, "Someone is coming."
No sooner a loud voice seemed to echo through the clearing, "See, I told you we wouldn't be alone…"
Of all the things they had expected to happen, Gol D. Roger stepping out of the forest was not one of them. Him being following by his crew, including a pint sized Shanks and Buggy, wasn't included in that either. Him being followed by Edward Newgate and his crew (including a teenaged Marco) even less so.
Their own Marco let out a soft sob, which had Ace standing to check on the blond. Him moving got him the attention of the two crews arriving. Trying to place him, and looking from Roger to Ace and back. Everyone on Luffy's side of this stayed calm and relaxed, they knew that even with these giants on the other side of the clearing they were in no way able to keep up.
However, it was clear to them too, that Roger and Newgate's eyes were roaming the people already there. Taking in those welcoming them, even if it wasn't in so many words. Obviously contemplating at the sight of Shanks, Buggy, Crocodile, Marco and Ace.
Wani wasn't there with Newgate, given that they had already had their falling out at this point in time. Dragon, the younger version, wasn't here either. So they could assume that they were there. Still years away from Luffy being born. Hell, going by what they could see this was before Roger made it to Laugh Tale. No doubt during his first run of the line. Everyone they could recognize looked young, fresh, not at all scared by the life they would lead.
"You look familiar," Roger eventually chose to say, looking at Ace with something knowing in his eyes.
More than one person snorted at that, but didn't say anything. Ace huffed, "Gol D. Ace, your son, some years in the future."
The smile taking over Roger's face was enormous, before he turned to Rayleigh to gush that he would have a son. Rayleigh, sharp as he was, let his eyes run over the others again. Stopping at Shanks and Buggy, and seemingly realizing that this had been quite a number of years.
His eyes found Buggy's, "Blue… How long?"
Buggy shrugged, "30 years, give or take, Ray-san. Shanks and I are 42, if that gives any indication. Ace and Sabo are 25, so at this time they aren't even born yet."
In a way this was their way of trying to give those that wanted to use this information on the wrong trail. Given how much they looked alike, despite the different hair and eye color, Sabo and Ace could be twins. They used it more often than not too. Sabo more than happy to cut all ties with the Outlook Family, only regarding Ace and Luffy as his immediate family, which brought along Dragon and Garp as well.
That got the attention of more than once person, given that Sabo was blond. Not just that, but their Rayleigh had mentioned that he'd been in a polycule with Roger, Rouge and Shakky, them having twins wasn't that out there. Even if they were fraternal. This Rayleigh's eyes running over Sabo and back over Ace had him grinning, before offhanded mentioning that apparently they both had a son.
Roger's eyes twinkled at that, nodding with pride, "Good…"
Huffing, Ace stepped away from his brothers to approach Marco, feeling the eyes on the back of his head. Hearing the sharp intake of breath when Newgate seemed to notice who was sitting in front of him, "Marco…"
Marco flinched, which is when Newgate's haki came out. Not that it did much, between Luffy, Shanks and Ace, his wasn't even that heavy. Marco also needed it, as he was trying to pull in breaths he couldn't hold, his face pale as he hid in Ace's shoulder so he couldn't look at his Pops. Not wanting to see the disappointment that would surely be there as the man was told what had happened to his family.
Crocodile takes that moment to move, to pull attention to himself. To meet his Pops' eyes for the first time in decades, knowing the man recognized him without even thinking. Eyes wide and jaw slack, "Wani… You… You are alright."
Nodding, he mentions at Dragon, "Currently hiding with Dragon, so if you did want to find me you could. But… I don't want you to. Not right now, not with all of it so fresh." He sighs, "You hurt me Pops, when you told me I couldn't be myself on your ship. To know that the family you build for yourself, where everyone was welcomed as children of the sea, didn't count for your own child." There is pain there, years and decades of pain at Wani having to hide who they were. At not being able to be themselves and when they did gather the courage to do so, they were stopped at every turn.
It's more than clear Whitebeard hadn't even expected that answer. Then again, everyone on Luffy's side of this event had known that Crocodile had been very early in indicating they weren't a women. Wani had mentioned this several times to more than just his own crew. But it appeared only their own father hadn't been willing to listen. Several of the Roger Pirates looked cross at that too, especially Rayleigh and Roger. No doubt both of them had heard from Blue what Wani really left the Moby Dick for, leading to some tension.
Ace showcasing the Whitebeard Pirates flag on his back didn't help there either.
"Wani…" Newgate started, looking on as his only biological child flinched.
Luffy wouldn't stand for that. Pushing Sabo to the side and slowly standing, his eyes narrowed and glowing with a mix of haki and Nika. Dropping quite a lot of conqueror's haki from the start to make sure his grandfather listened, "You don't get to be disappointed in my Baba because of a mistake you made, Cresentstache."
His words are filled with power, although those arriving from the past don't overlook both the Strawhat on his hair, his obvious closeness to Shanks and Ace, as well as his address of Crocodiles. The fact that there is so much power coming off of him just adds to the wonder.
Crocodile reached out, "Hatchling…"
Shaking his head, Luffy steps forward, "No, he can't come here and talk to you like that. One would think that losing Bay as a permanent crew member had given him some insights. But he hurt you… He's the one that tossed you aside and that is indirectly responsible for neither you or dad raising me." Glaring red eyes stare at the man soon known as the strongest man on the seas, "You might be strong, Edward Newgate, but we all know you aren't strong enough to actually allow your children to be who they are. As long as they fit your narrative, all is well. But once they step out of it …"
Pointing at his Baba, he adds, "You'll loose time with your only biological child because they wanted freedom. You'll miss most of their lives and the birth of your grandchild because you couldn't see."
Glancing at Ace and Marco, he adds, "You have your first division Commander and the son of your very first Crewmate, who is scared of you because of what he sees and knows. Is that the kind of Captain, the kind of Father, you want to be?"
The fact that both of them whimper at that means this is something that already plays a part. Whitebeards shock at hearing and seeing kt just speaks badly of him as a Captain.
Roger is the one who steps up, "What the fuck, Eddy, how could you not know."
His eyes run over Ace again, "I take it he isn't around anymore, if you took over, son?"
More than one person looks away at that before Shanks is the one to share that Ace died too. For a while at least, until it appears that the One Piece had a hand in bringing him back. Giving a short rundown on what had happened and who the new Pirate King is. Glancing at Luffy as he adds that the world changed, for the better, in a way that the world they know isn't ready for that.
Roger's eyes glance over Luffy again, before moving to Dragon and Garp, a smile growing on his face as he seems to realize just why Luffy brought about change. Even in his lifetime, D's were prone to bringing change but it seemed this D was even more so. It also explained why the kid was so protective of those he saw as theirs. Roger knew how possessive he was on a good day.
Chucking, his eyes met Garp's, "So, old friend, how does it feel to be sharing a Grandson with Eddy?"
Newgate just about choked as he looks from Luffy, to Wani, to Dragon and back. Paling as it realizing what is going on.
Luffy doesn't let that bother him, grinning widely as he looks at the grandfather he's most cross with right now. Garp, for all that he favors a fist of love, has been warned before stepping onto the island. Newgate had not, but that didn't matter in the end.
"What," Was sputtered, as Whitebeard looked at Luffy, before moving to Wani, Dragon and Garp, "Of all the people."
Rolling his eyes, Luffy stepped forward again, "It's not up to you to decide that. For all that you preach about love and Nakama, your flag isn't a sign of family. It's a brand and I for one won't stand for it." His eyes run over his Baba, and the fact that he had cut off his own hand to be free of said brand. His big brother still wore it, but it had been altered to show a spade in the background. A relic of a gone-by time while also honoring the new one.
Marco had gotten his removed, between Law and his own devil fruit it had been a piece of cake. Once Newgate died his crew were left to deal with the pieces and Marco did not deal well. They would protect him, like a real family would.
As Newgate tried to object, Luffy was in his face, his eyes red and his hair turning white, "This is not up to you, Old Man. Be careful what you say or do now, because I will make sure the past changed if you aren't careful. You're here to see what will happen and hopefully learn from it. If not… Well, I'm sure I can give you a lessen."
The sight of gear five was a lot for most people. No one had ever seen it, while for those of the future it was something they saw so many times it wasn't even a surprise anymore. Luffy had pulled off miracles with it, but once he awakened, he was on a whole other level. It seemed given everything they were given the chance to change certain things.
Newgate also settled down, almost pouting when none of his 'children' stayed close. All of them went to explore their Nakama in a later time. Easily mingling with those of the future and the Roger Pirates. Making him sidelined, at least until Garp and Roger took a seat and easily told him they had warned him this would happen. Roger especially, "See this as a chance to make things right, Eddy, or you're going to loose a whole lot more than you already did."
With that the two other men stood and mingled as well. Roger making a beeline for his own son and hugging the younger close, talking a mile a minute as he did so. It felt… real, but in away that made them all realize this would change a lot of things in the future.
Luffy's eyes stayed on him at times, never letting him out of his sight. Something had happened there as well, making him wonder how much he had fucked up in the end.
—
Eventually, as the evening fell and they all went to sleep, the morning gave them their own timeline once more. But with knowledge they could use to prepare what was coming.
If, in the future, certain things did chance so more of their Nakama stayed at their side. Well, no one was complaining about that.