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For veteran sea-farers, accomplished pirates and those who have established a name for themselves on the seas, especially in the New World, there are whispers and secrets dealt under hand amongst themselves. They would have experienced enough of the world and learnt enough of history to be made privy to this particular brand of classified information. Two of which were involving certain prolific or prominent individuals.

One: Take heed the madness of a D. For they are avatars of chaos, and herald either destruction or order in their wake. You can never be sure which is which, so best be wary all the same. The second, more important one is: Beware, oh beware, the hunger of a D. Lest they devour you whole.

Many thought the latter meant to be wary of their appetites, as D.s were known to be voracious

eaters so be prepared to be sucked dry of your money trying to feed one, and others thought that if you weren’t careful, you could be sucked into their chaotic ways and drown from the sheer catastrophic nature of it all.

But a select few, like Crocus, knew that it was, for all that it sounded like a metaphor, in fact, entirely literal. He, who had had the privilege to enjoy the company and friendship of a D. -may the captain rest in peace and bless Portgas D. Rouge- knows that Ds are unlike any other human or creature in the world. For their insatiable appetites and famed gluttony stems from the need to curb the constant ravenous desire for human flesh . Yes, Ds were cannibals, and needed to consume human flesh to remain healthy and alive. If they were deprived of it, no matter how much food you give them, they will starve to death. Crocus once did an examination of his captain, wanting to find out the science behind this peculiarity and the best conclusion he had was that Ds were wired differently. Their brains were hard wired to crave human meat, and their digestive systems able to digest even human bone, while their bodies extracted nutrients most efficiently from human-derived sustenance. In fact, consuming human flesh not only allowed Ds to remain healthy, but it also contributed to their renowned monstrous strength and will. Deprive them of the meat beyond their recommended time frame -crocus clocked it at around three days maximum-, and their strength sags, their will fades, and for all intents and purposes, the D. will be starving, dying until they get their much-needed bite of flesh.

Over the years in his career as a doctor on the ship of the notorious Pirate King, Crocus has seen and witnessed many gruesome, unimaginable things. But the one memory that will stay with him forever, will be the one of his Captain ripping the liver out of a marine rear admiral that had threatened Shanks and Buggy, unhinged his jaw, and crunching down on it in front of the Marine’s terrified, dying eyes.

This was why Crocus had stationed himself at the entrance to the Grandline at Reverse Mountain.

Whilst he used the excuse of looking after the island whale Laboon to many other pirates who

questioned him, his real reason was to evaluate the pirates entering the Grandline. Why he would tell them personal information about himself without prompting. Because, more often than not, those pirates entering would then feel obligated to introduce themselves in turn, and from there, he would learn their names . Why he would then invite them to a meal, be it on board their ship or in Laboon’s stomach. He would feed the entrants (pirates, marines, what have you) morsels of flesh and see their reactions. Heavens knew Ds liked their meat as raw to the point of kicking with a side of salmonella but for his purposes he had cooked them to a nice medium. Why would he do that when he could learn from their names whether or not they were Ds, you ask? Well, their names were all well and good, until it came to the issue of hidden Ds. Yes, Ds who were Ds and yet hid the initial from their names in introductions. They were around.

Throughout the years, there were a couple hopefuls, like Jewellry Bonney, whose appetite could give a D a run for their money, but she had not reacted to the flesh he had squirreled in there. However, true Ds, were far and few between. No, he did not consider those old ones like Monkey D. Garp into the equation, they were from a bygone age. He could count them on one hand in fact. 

There was that tall, edgy man who had a submarine, who had since made himself known as the Surgeon of Death, Trafalgar Law, and a Supernova, one of the Worst Generation. When Crocus had fed him, he had brought a spoonful up to his mouth, and Crocus noticed the slight widening of his eyes, before Law had glanced at him, and then with a nod of thanks, ate the spoonful and demolished the plate, and then every single dish that he had packed the flesh in, leaving the ones that did not to his crew. It was afterwards that he revealed his full name to Crocus, Trafalgar D. Water Law, a hidden D.

See? Told you they existed.

Then there was that freckled teen, with an orange hat and a wide grin, Portgas D. Ace, who has since made a name of himself first as a captain, and then as the Second Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates. The man had taken a bite of the meal that Crocus had prepared, did a double take, before whipping his head over to Crocus, eyes wide. Crocus had given a nod of approval, and the young man had grinned, and called out a “thanks, man!” as he tipped the whole plate into his waiting mouth, the plates of food rapidly stacking up next to him.

The last and most recent one had been a couple of months after that, where a young blond chap who goes by the name Sabo, had entered the Grandline, sporting a wide brim top hat, and a familiar, cheeky grin. When Crocus had fed him, the man’s eyes had sparkled at the spread, but when he looked down at the plate Crocus had served him, heaped with portions of all the dishes he had hidden the flesh in, Sabo had sobered. He then shot Crocus a look, assessing, before slowly, deliberately, using his fork and knife to pick out the chunks of meat he had hidden in there, and slowly, but surely, ate them all, without breaking eye contact. After shivering the chills out of his spine, when Crocus sat down at the table in tacit approval, the boy proceeded to then consume all the plates in sight, picked clean of all the flesh he had mixed in. He was alone, unlike the other Ds who had had a crew, a rare sight in the Grandline. He said he wanted to go to the Grandline to look for someone. He couldn’t give his full name as he was supposed to be going into secrecy.  It was a promise, and Crocus knew, that Ds, even hidden Ds like Sabo, kept their promises like it was the word of law. Sabo had then disappeared after that and if there was a bounty for a mysterious revolutionary that sported a familiar tophat, well, only Crocus would know his name.

Since those three however, for the past three years, there has not been a sighting of a D. So when Crocus spotted a ship entering the Grandline through reverse mountain, sporting a sheep

figurehead, he went to his special kitchen to prepare the spread, hoping that this one, will be the

one; will be another D. Then there would be four young Ds. -that he knew of- in the Grandline and the future that their crew learnt of would be on the horizon.

—

Shanks watched as the young boy pouted into his plate of food, having just unknowingly consumed the Gomu Gomu no mi from the treasure chest and became a rubber human. Shanks can admit it was an oversight on his part. He should not have put something so obviously mysterious and just begging to be touched in the sight and within reach of a curious child.

“Eat your food, Luffy, it will be cold. You don’t like rubbery meat, now do you?” Makino admonished.

Luffy shook his head before moodily spooning the food into his mouth.

“Whatcha’ eatin’ there, buddy?” Lucky Roo asked in an attempt to lighten the mood.

“Bandit.” Luffy replied shortly, and the rest of the crew laughed at the joke, but Shanks did not.

It was the way Luffy said it, the way he replied so quickly and matter-of-factly, as if he did not stop to think of a witty reply, and from what Shanks had seen, Luffy was a terrible liar. So then…

“Hey, Luffy?” Shanks called. Luffy turned to him, blinking owlishly, chewing on a huge bite of meat.

“What did you say your full name was again?”

Luffy swallowed, before grinning that huge, wide, signature grin. OH.

“Monkey D. Luffy!”

A D . Shanks was screaming in his mind. He pointed robotically at the rapidly dwindling plate of food.

“You know what you are eating there, right?” He chanced a glance at Makino, who now has her eyes trained on him.

Luffy huffed, “Of course, I just said it! Why, do you want some?” He used his now rubbery arms to wind around the plate and block it, “Well Shanks can’t have any! It’s mine!”

Shanks shook his head, of course anchor wouldn’t share - Ds and their greed-, and replied, “I’m good. Enjoy your meal, Luffy.”

He then turned to Makino and whispered, “Do you know what you are feeding him? What you have to feed him?”

Makino nodded and whispered back, “Garp told me when he brought him over for me to look after when he was a baby.”

Shanks nodded before leaning back, contemplative. A D., who just so happened to be the grandson of Monkey D. Garp and well aware of his heritage. Well, guess he could stay a little while longer.

--------------------------------------

It was a couple days later when Luffy was sobbing as Shanks used his remaining arm to place the too big straw hat on Luffy’s too small head, that Shanks began to place hope into the future, into this young D. whose dream is to become the Pirate King.

“I- I promise Shanks! I-I w-will also sh-share my meat with you next time!” Luffy’s chest heaved with sobs.

Shanks knew how prominent of a declaration that was, for Ds were notoriously selfish and only

shared with those they saw as family. Shanks was both honoured and nostalgic. He remembered when his own captain had offered a piece of meat for him to try. Shanks then had his first taste of human flesh. It was semi-cooked, however, bordering on rare like a cut of beef, and he could neither stomach the smell, texture, nor the taste. He had regurgitated it after a half hour. Buggy had done so within the first few minutes of finding out it was human. He still remembered his captain’s laughter as he patted him on the back, as Shanks puked his guts out.

Shanks now laughed merrily when presented with the opportunity, “Dahahahahha! Thanks, Lu, but you had better keep it for yourself, and eat more so you can become stronger!”

“Un.” Luffy nodded.

As Shanks waved to Luffy as his ship left the harbour, Benn came up to him. “You sure about this, Captain?”

Shanks turned to look on the horizon, “As sure as I have ever been in my life, Benn. I have bet my arm on the future.”

—

When Dragon had brought a little blond noble boy onto his ship to get treated for his wounds after the boy had declared his disgust and shame at the blood in his veins, on what was supposed to be a simple reconnaissance mission in the Goa Kingdom, he would have never expected to be where he was now, a month later. Holding back a feral child from going apeshit and destroying the galley, all for a plate of meat meant for Dragon that he knew was not as innocent as it looked.

Dragon could see his subordinates looking over at the commotion as the boy struggled in his grip, aggravating his wounds, snarling and snapping like an animal, his vision pinholed on the plate of meat. Dragon knew if he let go, the boy would go into a frenzy, seen only in those who have not eaten in a while. Dragon had had an inkling when he had first met him, the voice in his mind purring in the presence of Kin, but he was at the time, occupied. It would seem he had been correct, however, and the boy is a D. A D. who is starving, to the point where the mere sight and smell of human flesh was enough to throw him into a frenzy once his body had healed enough to pay attention to his gnawing stomach. Dragon sighed as the boy bit down on his arm that was holding him back, hard enough to draw blood, but not enough to rip, to tear . “Bring me another helping of that, as much as you can.”

“Y-yes sir!” His wide-eyed cooks said before scrambling to fulfill the order, lest the boy looked to

them as a viable next meal.

One arm holding the child and the other securing the huge plate of food in hand, Dragon retreated to his study with a wildly yowling and snarling child, to the bewilderment of his subordinates and the wide-eyed relief of the cooks.

-----------------

Once in the study, Dragon set down the plates and counted to three before releasing the boy, who immediately pounced on the meal and in the next few moments, the only sound was of chewing, and the clinking of bone on metal as the boy devoured the enormous plate of meat enough to feed two full grown, normal men. Yup, he was a D. alright.

“So, you said your name was Sabo, correct?” The boy looked up at him, not stopping his meal as his teeth tore a chunk out of what looked to be a thigh, but he paused enough to nod.

“You never mentioned your full name,” He could be a hidden D. Sabo shrugged and said, “My father only ever went by Outlook III, but I think it's Queverick. Not that I acknowledge it. Why?”

“You know what it is you are eating, yes?” The boy shot him a look, “Yeah, and?”

“Only Ds. eat this. You aren’t a D.”

Sabo frowned, “I…I’m not too sure what you mean? I have always been this way. And so have my brothers.”

“Your brothers?” 

The boy nodded, “Ace and Luffy. All three of us eat like this. I have been eating like this even before I met them…I thought…I thought it was just something wrong with me. That it was another thing that made me different from the rest of my wretched family, other than being too macabre for them. My father called me a freak, which is at least the one good thing he ever said about me. What do you mean only D’s eat like this?”

Dragon raised his eyebrow, a boy who isn't aware of his blood? Curioser and curioser. Dragon then proceeded to explain. “In this world, there are those who are of a particular bloodline, all descended from one man centuries ago. They are known as the D clan. And they can be recognised most overtly by the D. in their names.”

The boy started, “ L-like my brothers? They have Ds in their names.”

Dragon nodded, “Yes, I gathered that much. Those who are born of this blood are…tragically afflicted. Beautifully cursed, with a primal need to eat human flesh. Of all humans out there, only us D.s are this way. Hence, that is how we recognise Kin. To have D blood is to be…garishly different, not entirely human. All Ds are born in pairs, and their other half will be their equal in everyway.” 

The boy frowned, a look of confusion on his face. “But…that doesn’t make sense, the…the family I was born into…neither of my biological parents are Ds, and there is no trace of any Ds in either of their bloodlines. They are too “pure-blooded” to ever mingle with monsters.”

“And yet, you, their son, display traits that are hallmarks of a D. You managed to survive the explosion that normal humans would not, you recovered in a month where it would take regular humans more than three, and you have eaten deliciously poisoned meat.”

Sabo binked, “Poisoned?”

Dragon nodded and pointed at his plate of food that was also hijacked and eaten by the blonde. “I like to put cyanide into my food, gives it some kick.”

“Oh,” Sabo raised a brow, “So that’s what that sweet smelling scent was coming from, and that tingling feeling in my tongue and throat! It’s nice! But my brothers and I prefer Nightshade.” 

Dragon nodded again, “The very fact that you can ingest such chemicals and even enjoy it proves your blood as D. So either your parents aren’t truly your parents, or…”

A look of comprehension dawned on the blonde’s young face, “Or one of them had an affair.”

Then he muttered, head down, deep in thought, “If I remember correctly, when I was three, Didit mentioned-!”

This boy has a  very good memory, is what Dragon took away from the rambles, a valuable asset to have was what his mind whispered. Wise beyond his years. Dragon was excited to see the man he would become. But first…

“What did you say your brothers’ names were again?”

Sabo blinked, before grinning, “They are Portgas D. Ace and Monkey D. Luffy!”

Oh. Oh .

His son was apparently Sabo’s brother. He came to Dawn Island to liberate the people of Gray

Terminal while keeping an eye on the arriving celestial dragon, thinking of taking a peek at his son, but instead, he has rescued a noble boy who just so happened to be a hidden D., and is brothers with his own son and another D. He has apparently become a father of three while he was not looking. This trip was turning out to be quite the memorable one indeed.

Dragon was initially looking to recruit the young Sabo into his army, for he could see a cunning and bright mind behind those blue eyes -and it was thanks to Sabo that he was able to find out what the nobles were planning and rescue the Gray Terminal residents in time-, but now that he knows that he is his son’s brother, and that Luffy must miss him terribly, he made a decision. He had missed out on his son’s formative years, but if there was even the slightest chance of ensuring his son’s continued happiness and freedom…

Dragon crouched down to where Sabo was patting his distended belly, having wiped the plate clean, Dragon made his offer, “Sabo, I am Monkey D. Dragon, the leader of the revolutionary army and I would like offer you a chance to join my army and liberate the world from the oppression of the world nobles, the world government and the marines who do their bidding. Would you be interested?”

He waited patiently as the boy ruminated over his words. Finally, Sabo looked up, eyes bright with fervor, “I am interested, and I want to, but I promised my brothers that we would all set sail at seventeen. I’m not seventeen yet.”

Dragon nodded, “That is fine. Train, hone your strength and take the time to decide whether you

wish to join me. In seven years, when you set sail, you can tell me your decision at Kyuka Island. This is an Eternal Pose, you will need it after entering the Grandline. It will take you directly to Kyuka Island. It is there that I will be waiting. I won’t wait too long. Only a month from May in seven years.”

Sabo cradled the eternal pose in his hands gingerly and nodded eagerly.

“Thank you so much, Dragon-san! I promise to meet you there!”

Dragon stood back up, satisfied “Now let’s get you back to your brothers.”

—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Luffy and Ace had initially thought he was a hallucination, a figment of their imagination, but he soon set that to rights by hitting them on the head hard enough to almost break their necks. After the pain faded, and they twisted their head back around -Ace, not Luffy- and returned the favour by swinging their pipes into his spine and cracking it, Ace and Luffy hugged him tight while he returned the hug enthusiastically even as his spine realigned and fused back together, the twinge of pain fading but his grin remained. The brothers were happy to be back together again and free, for Sabo’s family would have thought that Sabo had died in the blast, just like his brothers did. It was that bad. His brothers were upset because they were under the impression that he had sunk into the sweet delightful embrace of Death not in glorious bloody battle, but by some prissy noble who thought they were all that, a truly embarrassing way to greet Death. The explosion was amazing though, and he obtained some truly gruesome, ghastly scars, the mark of Destruction forever engraved into his body, so that was fun. His brothers were so jealous. 

It was while he was in Makino’s Bar with his brothers a couple days later that he revealed to them the conversation with Dragon. 

“So, you are apparently a D, but don’t know your other, real parent(s)?”

Sabo nodded, “Yeah, that is why I am the way I am. Like you.”

Ace scoffed, “So? Who cares? One point to us and one more thing that separates you from those shitty nobles. Like we said Sabo, we are your family, brothers. You are a D. Be proud of it. Own it.”

Sabo smiled wryly, “Of course, it would help if I knew my D. parent’s name. Guess I’m just Sabo.”

Luffy pouted, “Awww…That’s ok Sabo! You can have my name! Monkey D. Sabo! How’s that?”

A profound silence descended upon them, filled with anticipation. 

Sabo at last scrunched his nose, “No offense, Luffy, but that doesn’t sound as nice. Besides, I wouldn’t want to share a name with that old geezer, there’s mad, and then there’s insane, which he embodies, that devil.” He ignored Luffy’s whines. 

“Yeah,” Ace stuck his tongue out. “That would suck. It would be torture, and not the fun kind.”

“Why don’t you share Ace’s last name?” Makino suggested gently, from where she stood behind the bar cleaning glasses, unfazed by their conversation. She had long grown used to the boys’ morbidity. It seemed Luffy was the one who was happy go lucky, the odd one, but he had some moments, where he said the craziest things. 

The boys blinked at her, momentarily stunned. 

“You boys are always arguing about who is the oldest. Why not share a last name? And be twins? That way, you can both be the oldest brother. You two already look quite alike, now that your hair is longer, Sabo. If I didn’t know you two, I would have thought you two to be fraternal twins.”

Sabo and Ace turned to look at each other, thinking it over. “Yeah…” Ace hummed, “That’s not a bad idea!”

Sabo’s eyes widened in hope and awe, “Oh..really? You would let me take your name?”

Ace huffed, “You are my brother and my other half, we share everything. If taking my name helps, then yeah, you can share my name. Like Makino said, we can be twins!” 

A brilliant smile bloomed on Sabo’s face as he whispered, almost reverently, “…Portgas D. Sabo…” He muttered the name, and a heavy, not oppressive but significant, atmosphere settled over the room, as if demanding a moment of silence for this momentous occasion. The acknowledgement of blood, the claiming of a birthright. The naming of a D., mighty and weighty, akin to a coronation. Then the peaceful, regal bubble was broken, “I like it, it feels right!” That grin was infectious. And his brothers mirrored his joy. Ace rubbed his nose proudly, “My name is awesome!” 

Sabo’s beaming grin turned sly, “So, Ace, since we are going to be twins and all, this means we need to have the same birthday. Since you are so generous to share your name with me, you can share your birthday with me too, right?”

Ace blinked, stupefied. 

“So, tell me, Ace,” Sabo propped his elbows up on the table and laced his hands together. His eyes glinted and Ace felt a shiver go down his spine, and it wasn’t cold. “When’s your birthday?”

‘“H-HHAHAAAHHHHH????!!!!”

—

Being a Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates came with many privileges, one of which was the knowledge of one of the best kept open secrets on the Grandline. So when Pops, aka Whitebeard responded to a distress call from his son, Jinbe, who had apparently been fighting a super rookie, Marco was surprised to find it was none other than Fire-fist Ace, full name Portgas D. Ace.

Marco was even more surprised when Pops wanted to adopt the hotheaded boy. His fellow

commanders were understandably wary as who knows when he might get hungry and take a chunk out of one of their family members. Not to mention that Ds were notorious for being a few screws loose. More than a few actually. They had the annoying penchant to dance on the tightrope between life and death, taunting with fate and playing with mortality. 

It was a decision that turned out for the best though, as Ace soon accepted their large family, joined after a month of failed assassination attempts -ah, the madness of Ds demonstrated live- , and quickly rose to take on the position of Second Division Commander. One would think it would be hard to feed someone who needed to eat humans every 7 days to survive, but in truth, all he would need is a couple mouthfuls in order to curb the hunger pangs. However, the Division Commanders, Thatch, Pops and himself were weak to their youngest brother -that joyful, sharp, sharp, grin- and indulged him with a whole arm or a leg. It didn't hurt that there was no shortage of arrogant pirates or marines coming to challenge Pops even though they were soundly beaten. If someone just so happened to lose a limb or a body went missing in the ensuing scuffle, well, hazards of the job, really. 

Once, someone tried to steal from Ace’s special plate and needless to say, that person not only suffered horrible indigestion and food poisoning, he also had to be admitted to the infirmary as a result of the very public, very nasty beat down from an enraged Fire Fist. Afterall, Ds were very selfish when it comes to their food , and only share with their closest loved ones, looks like Purzone has yet to earn that position. It also came to light when the Nurses were tending to Purzone that he had also been poisoned, having ingested a nearly lethal dose of Mercury. Further investigation revealed that Ace had sprinkled it into his food, and that the dose was only barely lethal because he had run out of the poison and the amount Purzone had eaten was the remnants of his stock, and wasn’t even the usual amount he would put in. If not for that, then Purzone would have been dead .

Since then, no one dared to steal from Ace again. 

Though, Marco did wonder, why was it that their other D brother seemed to abstain from the trademark of his kind? Wasn’t it detrimental to their diet to not eat flesh?

There was a shout as someone reported that Ace had jumped into the ocean, wanting to swim with the giant sharks, and had conveniently forgotten he could not swim now.

Marco sighed and put the issue out of his mind, watching as Namur jumped in after their most troublesome brother to the rumbling laughter of their father. 

Sometimes, Marco prayed for patience with Ace. Their newest brother said the darndest things sometimes, and took pleasure in the macabre. It would be dark and depressing if not for his wide, unhinged grin that made things creepy on occasions. 

Once, Thatch brought a cute puppy on board, having found it abandoned and had fitted it with a bow to hopefully be a playmate to Stefan. Ace had taken one look at the dog and all but screamed bloody murder, running away and screaming to ‘not let that abominable creature’ near him.

Another time, there was a birthday celebration, and when the crew had burst into the ‘Happy Birthday’ song, Ace had cringed and gagged, quickly retreating to his quarters to ‘get away from that infernal racket’.

There was even a time when the commanders were talking about Impel Down and the various “punishments” of the different levels and Ace’s eyes had turned fever bright and he commented with a demented smile, “How positively torturous, what lovely anguish, such sweet agony. Maybe I should visit one day, as a vacation. Yes, that sounds delightful.” The Commanders had avoided him like the plague for a whole day after that. 

Marco sometimes questioned Pops over the sanity of his youngest brother and Pops would chuckle and say with fondness, “Oh, those Ds, they are truly Mad.”

Over time, the crew had learnt to live with Ace’s quirks and eccentricities. They learned to not flinch whenever they found him sleeping in enclosed spaces with arms and and legs posed like a mummy or the dead, not to gag whenever he drank a mug of what was surely nightshade juice, or scream too much when he suddenly appeared from dark corners, eyes glowing red like some apparition or ghost. 

It still unnerved them, to be sure, many swore up and down that Ace was some sort of monster or cryptid, but only the Commanders and Whitebeard knew, that he was something much worse, for only a D. can invoke both rapport and terror in equal measure. It was quite interesting though, to think they had something like their own eldritch being on board. 

—

Teach looked on in mounting horror as Ace tucked in the hearty meal given to him by Thatch as the whole Whitebeard crew partied away after a successful raid on a marine naval ship. The meal that Thatch had cooked on the spot for Ace in front of the bonfire, that Teach was pretty sure used to be the thigh of a marine. He saw it himself! Thatch had, in the fervor of the sucesss, hacked off a dead marine’s legs and threw it into the flames! Which he then gave to Ace! He thought he was being sneaky but Teach saw it! He knows what he saw! And what he is seeing is Portgas D. Ace being a cannibal! Like a…a Demon who feasted on human flesh! Teach knew he felt no love for this crew, merely a means to an end, but when he joined, he didnt think he would well and truly begin to fear for his life, knowing there was a monster amongst them, not knowing when he might be attacked and eaten. 

Demon…Portgas D. Ace was a demon! And Teach was just now realizing the shithole he had dug himself into, when Ace turned to him and waved the leg bone, inviting him over to feast with him. Ds were not just some random initial, they stood for something nightmarish, and Teach was only beginning to recognise the true meaning of the name D. The D. he had added to his name to be unique, to gain recognition as all Ds do, now felt like a noose around his neck. For the yami yami no mi…he can do this, he can control this creeping fear festering in his gut and lodging in his throat. He croaked out a denial and rushed to bed, citing a headache. For the yami yami no mi…For the yami yami no mi…For the yami yami no mi…For the yami yami no mi…For the yami yami no mi…

.

.

.

.

Koala stared at the teen who had just entered the mess hall of the revolutionaries’ base. The teen that Dragon himself had gone to pick up. What made him so special? Koala wondered. What made him different to all the other revolutionaries who also wanted to change the world? Granted, in his short time here, he had been quickly rising the ranks, from an officer to a supervisor in a couple of months. Still, there was something about him that was different, something darker that she could sense sometimes, he had a very similar aura to Dragon. 

Koala has been watching him closely and compiling clues here and there. Like the one now. This was the first time she had been to the mess hall before him as he was usually one of the first to know when the food was ready. By Davy, his appetite! 

It was because she was here before him that she watched as he made his way to the food lineup, piling his plate high with every dish, before making his way to Brunnild, Dragon’s personal chef, who added another plate to his already heaping pile, this one filled only with a single hunk of meat. And the blond, Sabo, looked at her like she had hung the stars. 

—

It was not until a few months later that she began to get a better understanding of that weird feeling she was getting from Sabo. A weird amalgamation of awe, respect and terror. By then, she had gotten to befriend him enough to feel safe around him and reveal her backstory and he his, he had been promoted to an upper management role, and she was herself promoted enough to get clearance to be one of the selected few to be made aware of Dragon’s secret, of what he is , what he eats.  

At first, she had been horrified, but as she began to ask questions, she began to understand that he was born like this. That every person who was born with a D. in their name was like this. He could not help what he is, and even if he did not like to do it, he still had to consume it to live. Condemning him for it is like condemning a carnivore for eating meat, or a herbivore for eating plants. 

She also now knew where all the bodies went. The bodies of tyrants and corrupted officials that they liberated cities from. 

She had found the answer to one mystery, but there was still another. 

She finally managed to solve it when she witnessed an interrogation one day. It was regarding a major slave auction that was to happen in a few days time and they had managed to capture one of the slavers. Those despicable scum are not even fit to be called humans.

It was the first interrogation she got to attend with Sabo as the interrogator as he was just that good at getting information, his cracking record being four hours, one of the fastest interrogations ever. He just has a way of deducing a person’s lifestyle, quirks, habits and activities just by looking at them, then using it as blackmail. The menacing and feral aura that promised certain death probably contributed to that. It was like he became a different person once it had anything to do with the celestial dragons, world government, spies, slave traders and marines. Basically everything that was wrong with the world.

It was a few hours into the interrogation and they were not getting any headway, so much so that Dragon had stepped in to add his own presence to intimidate the slaver. Still, the slaver held strong and Koala was getting frustrated just by watching. They needed that location. 

The slaver seemed confident and arrogant, even going so far as to taunt them, “You can't kill me, you need me and my information.” Everyone could tell he was stalling.

Finally, Dragon spoke, “We have other means of making you talk. We may not be able to kill you, yet. But that doesnt mean we have to keep you in one piece.” 

The slaver’s smirk dropped and Koala’s mind just whirled, what?

Then Dragon turned his head to Sabo while keeping his eyes trained on the slaver, “Sabo, how hungry are you?”

Here, Sabo started to grin like a cheshire, his eyes gaining an eerie glow in the dim light, “Positively starving.” He purred as he raked his eyes down the slaver’s nervously shifting body like eyeing a slab of meat. 

Koala felt her brain short-circuit, WHAT?!

Dragon then gestured nonchalantly, “Pick any appendage you want.”

At this invitation, Sabo prowled forward, circling the slaver like a vulture. A heavy darkness permeated the atmosphere. And Koala found herself unconsciously holding her breath. 

Sabo circled the uncomfortable man a few times before the man grew irritated and opened his mouth to retort when Sabo moved and with a loud bang and a splatter of blood on the viewing window, Sabo stepped away with a dismembered hand in his clutches while the slaver screamed bloody murder. 

The slaver tried to stem the flow of blood from his amputated wrist, strips of flesh dangling from the wound where it had been torn off and snarled at the two, “YOU ARE CRAZY!” 

“Not crazy, just mad.” Was Dragon’s collected answer -wasn’t that the same thing?- before Sabo, in full view of the slaver, brought the severed hand to his mouth, pulled back his lips, revealing sharp incisors -was it always this long and sharp?- and bit into the hand, tearing off a chunk of flesh and skin and swallowing it to the horror of the slaver. 

“You know what my favourite part of the human body is, Mr Loch?” Sabo giggled, blood smeared at the corners of his lips. He didnt wait for an answer, “The hands .” Sabo chuckled like a loon, his hat shadowing his eyes as he caressed the bloody hand. “You can learn so much from someone’s hands.”

Here, he pinned the frozen man with a look, “Like how I now know that you work with your hands, used to manual labour judging from the the callouses, you can’t be a cook given the state of your nails; so probably a smith or shipwright, while moonlighting as a slaver. I’m going with smith seeing as you have amongst your belongings a clearly hand-carved blade with your monogram on it. So, it was customised and well-maintained. You must have made it yourself. Also, the soot on your nails, fingers and clothes clearly tell of proximity to a forge. You can certainly still do things with one hand, but looks like you will need a helping hand from now on, pity. You wouldn't want to be completely out of a job, now would you?” His gaze fell on the slaver’s other hand that he was using to cover the bloody stump, even as he deftly twisted the fingers off the hand with a sickening crack of bones. Holding the slaver’s petrified attention, Sabo proceeded to gulp down the fingers, sucking loudly as the blood dribbled down his chin. “Yum.” he hummed, grin still plastered on his face.

Drip. Drip. Crimson droplets slowly splattered on the concrete floor, painting the drab grey floor a brilliant red.

Heart rabbiting in her chest, ringing in her ears, lead in her stomach, and cold sweat down her spine, Koala had to swallow to wet her suddenly parched throat. As an ex-slave, she had been exposed to some gruesome things, but this…this is another level of macabre.  

Dragon however, was unfazed, “So what will it be, Asch Loch? Your hands, essentially your livelihood, or the answers?”

“M-m-m-m-m-monsters! You are monsters!” 

“Why thank you, you are too kind,” Sabo intoned, ripping out another chunk from the hand. 

Drip. Drip. Drip.

…

They got their answers. 

And it was while Koala was standing there in a stupor watching Sabo feast on a bloody, raw, severed hand, that it all came crashing down on her like a tidal wave. It all made sense now.

Why Sabo had felt like Dragon, why Sabo had Brunhild catering to his food needs, why he and Dragon were quite close. Why she always feel a sense of darkness around him. 

Sabo, like Dragon, was a D. And he too, ate human flesh. It explained so much. So, so much. Like his room, for one. No one dared to step in again after the last time Terry barged in, hoping to play a prank on Sabo, only to get the fright of his life when Sabo’s dark room revealed an assortment of clubs, maces, bear traps and torture devices strewn and hung about the room, and what looked like a guillotine for a bed, with Sabo sleeping under the blade with his arms over his chest like an undead creature. Since then, Terry avoided Sabo like the plague, fully convinced they had a vampire in their midst. And the other time where they were in a meeting, and everyone wondered where Sabo went, when it turns out, he was lurking in the vents in the ceiling, prowling like some creature of the night. He gave Bunny Joe a scare when he jumped down from above and landed like a cat. The high pitched scream the man let out nearly pierced their ear drums. 

No wonder Sabo had been able to rise the ranks so quickly. He was scarily efficient, scarily smart and scarily terrifying . And Koala…Koala felt relief that he was on their side. 

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Despite the grief, the pain, the sorrow that Law was feeling in that moment, as he dug Corazon’s body out of the snow after the Marines succeeded in chasing Doflamingo away, tradition demanded that Law quell his mourning. He would break down later. Right now, he needed to perform the ritual, say the prayers. He would honor his saviour, his adopted father , the D way. He needed to do this. The sole reason he had hidden away on Minion island and come back now. He would be granted the title of Honorary D posthumously but he needed to work fast. He remembered his father’s teachings, the funeral he had to give to his parents and his sister. 

Reaching up to Corazon’s chest, Law allowed his claws to extend and he carefully sliced into the chest cavity, prying apart the flesh and ribcage.  The heart was miraculously intact and Law was grateful. He carefully sliced at the ligaments, arteries and vena cava connecting the heart and delicately pulled it out of Corazon’s chest. He cradled the huge heart in his small hands and bent his head down, pressing his lips to it. It was still a little warm.  

He then murmured the Rite of Divintion, the final sendoff, “Fare thee well, O’ Mighty warrior, thine deeds Just and thine heart True. Go, O’ Noble one, homeward bound in Davy’s embrace. Welcome, O’ Honoured kindred, into the Valleys of Duradon* where glory unto thy triumphs sung. Enter, O’ Beloved father, into the Halls of Deshroud and cast away all mortal binds. Rest, O’ Gracious saviour, in peace for time immemorial. Onward, O’ Devilish fiend, to adventure and yonder.”

Law then proceeded to widen his jaw, the bone clicking as he extended it beyond human capacity ,and swallow the heart whole, letting the blood flow down his throat, and the heart travelled down to settle heavily, comfortably within his belly. This heart was not food, no. Hearts were never food, they were sacred. 

Ritual done, and send off completed, Law petted his belly where the heart sat when he heard the crunch of boots in snow behind him. His tears now flowed freely.

He turns, the blood still coating his lips and his hands red, iron mixing with salt, as Law comes face to face with the Vice Admiral who had chased Doflamingo away. Who had a sad face when she looked at Corazon’s body. Whose eyes widened when she saw Law. For all intents and purposes, it had looked like Law had killed Corazon and feasted on his heart.

The pink haired vice admiral looked between Law and Corazon a few times before frowning, “You…Are you a D?”

Law’s eyes widened. She was familiar with his name? He didn't nod, but his silence was answer enough. 

“You ate his heart.” It wasn’t a question. Law shook his head, as his chest clenched and tears threatened to spill over. Why would Law do something so disrespectful and desecrate his adopted father in such a manner? Law had sent him off to Duradon. 

The Vice-Admiral looked confused, before continuing.

“I’ve only heard of it but never seen it…Garp…that man…” The woman huffed. Law blinked, confused. 

Piercing eyes bored into Law like it was looking into his mind, assessing him, judging him and he glared back. Two can play at this game.

The woman looked away first, only because her attention was taken by one of her subordinates giving her a report. 

Hah. 

He would let them take the body, for a proper burial and funeral. He already had his. Besides, he didn't need Cora-san’s body. He had his heart. 

Using the Vice-admiral’s distraction, Law slipped away, quickly scurrying behind a rock and then running to the other end of the island to look for a boat. His pirate journey starts now, and Doflamingo will regret ever becoming a pirate. 

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Tsuru stood still as she felt the boy moving further and further away. She would let him go, it would be dangerous for herself, the crew and the boy to have a D. on the ship. When she had met his eyes, it felt like it pierced through her mind, molten gold irises cutting through her resolve, razor sharp, and she could feel her entire being dug up and laid bare, judged. She felt seen, all her desires, dreams, sins and deeds made known. It was like millions of pinpricks on her skin, tiny but painful, slicing and stinging, and a buzzing in her mind, clouding her perception and she wavered. In that moment, Tsuru feared. She knew it would be intense -breath stealing and soul crushing-, the gaze of Monkey D. Garp like a canon punch, and the glare of Gol D. Roger flaying as a sword, but to think that they already could do so at such a young age…Still, to think that Garp had been serious when he said hearts were sacred to Ds…It reminded her of the pirate king’s execution, when they had plunged the spears into his heart…Tsuru shook her head and focused on the task at hand, which is to transport Rosinante’s body to the ship, for postmortem examination, cleanup and then to Marineford for a proper Marine funeral befit a Commander. 

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The captain was an odd one, that was sure. The strawhats were no strangers to oddity, considering their track record and crew members. 

This particular quirk however, was bordering on morbid. It was hard to believe but the captain feasted on human flesh. 

There were times when, after a fight, some bodies would be mysteriously missing limbs or appendages. Appendages that they were sure their enemies had when fighting. 

Each of the Strawhats had their own anecdote of Luffy and his penchant for human parts. 

Zoro once saw Luffy sneak an eyeball out of his pocket and suck on it like it was a sweet late one night; he had promptly gone back to sleep .

Nami had seen Luffy bite the ear off a Marine and swallow it. She had blinked, rubbed her eyes, then blinked a couple more times, before brushing it off as the captain’s quirk, resolving to ask him about it later.

Ussop had spotted Luffy suck up the brains of a Marine who had had his head smashed open like jelly, and had stammered for days afterwards, unwilling to meet Luffy’s eyes until it had been explained to him.

Robin had stumbled, whilst using her devilfruit, upon the captain up on the ship’s figurehead snapping what looked like a human femur bone in two, before scooping out the marrow and slurping on it as a midnight snack. She had chuckled to herself, momentarily recalling the tales she used to hear in Ohara, before giving the captain some privacy.

Franky once spied the Captain sequestered in a dark corner during a fight, tearing at the intestines of a downed pirate like it was jerky. He did a double take and that little hesitation almost caused him to get hit and he had to refocus on his fight, Captain momentarily ignored.

Brook had walked in on Luffy gnawing on a thighbone and shivered, his bones clacking together as he laughed his signature laugh, joking about the captain eating him and Luffy had just about died laughing, using the bone that had been his meal to pound on the floor as he descended into hysterics. Brook had secretly heaved a sigh of relief. 

Chopper had noticed Luffy tearing the flesh from the side of a fresh cadaver he had acquired from their fights and promptly freaked out, first because it was unsanitary, -you don't know where it's been!- and secondly because he had robbed Chopper of a perfectly good, intact specimen.

Sanji had caught Luffy attempting to sloppily store chunks of meat in the freezer late at night, as opposed to trying to steal from the fridge as he had assumed. The cook had sighed, then directed Luffy to tell him whenever he wanted to preserve his precious cuts of human flesh. 

Yes, the Captain was odd, was freaky, was dangerous , but…weren’t they all? He just happened to be the most dangerous of them all, as expected of the Captain. Luffy feasts on human flesh, and views most humans as little more than food, but…he was their captain. He had saved them, he treated them as friends and family, gave them a place to belong. He was righteous, kind, and had no prejudices. They were grateful to him, and odd though it may be, this was their Captain and they would live, laugh, learn, adapt and follow him to journey’s end and beyond. 

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There was an intruder on the Moby Dick. Who didn’t even bother to hide his presence, but had managed to sneak up onto the deck with a hundred people mingling, on the ship of the strongest man in the world, and one of the Four Emperors, Whitebeard. 

An intruder -a young noble, from the looks of it- wearing a shit-eating grin, completely relaxed as he was besieged by crew and commanders, all training weapons or devil fruit powers on him. 

He was dangerous, of this Marco had no doubt. They didn’t even notice the stranger on board until he was amongst them! It was Izo’s trained eye who had spotted him, a crew member he had never seen before -impossible for Izo who remembered all their siblings-. It was when Izo asked, “Who are you?” that everyone took notice. 

This man, who could conceal his presence to such an extent, a skill only known to a select few, the trademark of a particular organization, and yet had been discovered by Izo…He wanted to be found. This could not be anything good. 

Marco analyzed the man, who looked to be around 20 years of age, who carried himself with aplomb and was dressed smartly but comfortably in a navy blue dress shirt, a cravat, light blue baggy pants tucked into black combat boots, brown leather gloves, rounded up with a black coat jacket, and completed with a well-worn black top hat resting on blonde curls, shadowing his eyes. He had what looked like a pipe strapped behind his back. His most striking feature, however, was the large burn scar that ran across the left side of his face. He looked familiar somehow…

Haruta answered his unasked question, “You are the recently promoted Chief-of-Staff of the Revolutionary Army, Dragon’s right hand man and the number 2 of the Army, Dragon Claw Sabo. Known to be a ruthless, merciless man to those who would draw his ire.”

What was such a man doing here?! Marco thought.

The man doffed his hat, “Good to know my reputation precedes me. And to be known by big names such as yourselves, no less. I am honoured, truly. As expected of Haruta, Commander of the Intelligence Division, to know my name.”

Marco needed to ensure this man wasn’t the threat he was appearing to be. “What business do you have here?”

The man smirked and remained at ease but silent.

It is then that Marco heard the sound of boots against wood and Ace, who is the newly-appointed Second Division Commander after a year with them, his growth had been tremendous- came skidding around the corner. 

The man’s smirk intensified. Marco tensed in preparation for any attacks and it came, from Ace to Sabo. 

Sabo dodged and Ace went sailing overhead, but caught himself in time and, displaying incredible acrobatics the likes they have not seen since his “Oyajji-killing days”, twisted to shoot back at the revolutionary who caught his flaming fist in one hand. The Revolutionary commented, “This is how you greet me when we finally see each other after 1 year? You’re losing your touch, dear brother.” Ace growled like a wolf and what proceeded next was nothing short of a brawl -Marco was impressed the blonde could go toe to toe with their resident firecracker- with comments such as “--don’t call–”, “--picking a fight--”, and “--freaking assassin-spy--” that were cause for concern, and most worrying of all “--if you don’t use your brain, I will eat it, I swear--” and by the time the blonde managed to crack the adam wood deck where his pipe landed, Marco has had enough and he broke up the tussle with a swirl of his blue and gold flames. 

“Alright, that’s enough! You are destroying this ship-yoi! If you destroy anymore, you’re paying for repairs, Ace-yoi!”

Ace pouted, “Awww, you’re no fun, Marco. We were just playing.” 

“Just playing doesn’t excuse the cracked deck and the scorch marks. You’re scrubbing that away, by the way-yoi.”

Ace pouted and whined, “But the marks are artistic!” as Sabo pointed and laughed. 

“How have you been, asshole.” Ace huffed, and he had a rare smile on his face.

“Terribly miserable, thank you. And you?”

“Perfectly horrible. Your presence is wretched.”

Sabo placed a hand to his chest, in exaggerated offense, “Oh! Your words are like a knife to my chest! You wound me, Ace!”

“Like a heart attack, I hope.” Ace replied with a smirk and an eyeroll.

The blonde brought a hand to his forehead, “Agonizingly so! How treacherous, I’m wallowing in abject sorrow, haunted by despair, it’s—” 

And Sabo’s laments morphed into a truly wide, crazed grin. “Wonderfully tragic.” 

Sabo and Ace shared a smile and a hug.

Marco could not make sense of the conversation.

“Wow, you sound just like Ace. He’s always going, ‘morbid’ this, ‘torture’ that.”

Sabo scoffed, “Of course, I would expect nothing less. Who do you think taught him those? Certainly not gramps.”

“Anyway,” Thatch hedged, “You two seem familiar with each other. How did you get to know the Chief of Staff of the Revolutionary Army, Ace?”

Ace scrunched his face up, “What kind of title is Chief of Staff?”

Sabo whacked at Ace’s shoulder, probably using Haki as it contacted and Ace winced, “It means I am number two of the Army, you puppy. Second only to Dragon, the leader himself. Whereas you are the Second Division Commander, and so that makes you only third .”

Ace shivered and snarled, “Don’t call me such a disgusting name, puppies are putrid, bleargh! And it doesn’t work like that, bastard! I’ll show you third!”

“You still haven’t told us how you know him-yoi.”

“Oh, I haven’t?” Ace paused and rubbed his neck sheepishly and Sabo visibly rolled his eyes. 

Ace proceeded to hook his arm around Sabo’s neck and announced, “This, is Sabo, my twin.” 

The blonde waved, smirk on his face.

“TWINS?!!” The crew exclaimed. Pops laughed his deep rumbling laugh, it was interesting to him, it seems.

Marco could see it. Even though they have different colourings, they shared a similar physique, the same wavy hair and similar features.

Thatch groaned, hands pantomiming strangling Ace, “You need to tell us these things, Ace! The stores can’t stretch for two of you!”

Marco watched as Sabo bent to pick up his hat and place it back on his head, and he caught the devilish smirk the blonde was sporting. Oh no.

The blonde whirled to face Pops, and coincidentally the Commanders who had gathered around his chair, a shit-eating grin plastered on his face. 

“How rude of me, let me re-introduce myself.” He swept into a bow, “Greetings, Whitebeard, Commanders, it is a pleasure to meet you. I am the Chief-of-Staff of the Revolutionary Army and Ace’s brother, Portgas D. Sabo. But you can just call me Sabo.”

Oh hell. He was a D. Somehow, that important factor completely slipped Marco’s mind. He was more hung up on the fact that their resident firecracker had brothers, much less a twin. Why did his mind not connect the word twin with sharing of a name?! It seemed he wasn’t the only one. Sabo looked up after his introduction, meeting Oyaji’s eyes for the first time since his appearance and the surrounding commanders were struck by his stare, and Marco found himself gasping, like a drowning man, for in that instance, Sabo’s stare was akin to a cold vice clamping around his chest, and squeezing. Where Ace’s gaze burned like a thousand suns, and blood boiled beneath skin, prickling and itching, Sabo’s was glacial and freezing, chills petrifying their bodies and numbing their senses. True Ds.

Thatch paled, and then groaned. “There’s two of them! This is it! Our food stores are demolished!”

Ace rolled his eyes, “Oh please, Thatch, don’t be so dramatic. Speaking of, I’m hungry. You, Sabo?”

“Absolutely famished, I could use a hand right about now.”

And Marco understood. To the average crew member, it sounded like he needed help with acquiring a meal, but Marco, Pops and the rest of the Commanders in the know knew , he had meant it in the literal sense. 

“Let me see what I can dig up,” Thatch answered, before heading into the kitchen, no doubt to raid the special stores for a hand. Marco remembered they had whole arms in there, so a hand shouldn’t be hard to find. 

“I never got your obsession with hands, they’re so bony.” Ace commented offhandedly, and by now, most of the crew had dispersed to do their duties once the threat, and the fight was over. 

“It’s like string cheese. And I never got your obsession with the glutes.”

“Just call it the butt, Sabo, don’t be a prude. And it has just the right amount of meat and fat! How can you not like it?!”

“Oh, I don’t know, Ace, perhaps it’s the close proximity to the as-”

“Ookay, I think this conversation is better had elsewhere-yoi. Like the Commanders meeting room. We can eat there-yoi.”

Sabo nodded, “Thanks, Commander Marco.”

“Just Marco is fine-yoi. Any brother of Ace is always welcome.”

After dinner was made and served, and the Commanders and Pops had all adjourned to the meeting room together with Ace and Sabo for the meal, the Commanders watched incredulous as Sabo was able to match Ace in food quantity and speed. 

“There’s two of them!” Thatch had bemoaned into his plate, with Izo offering him a comforting pat.

“So,” Namur started, eyeing the large plate of human hands that sat beside Sabo, a stark contrast to Ace’s plate of human meat and trying not to feel queasy -it still took some getting used to sometimes, seeing your friend consume parts similar to yours-. “You like hands, Sabo?”

Sabo nodded in between gorging himself, swallowing his mouthful before replying, “Yup.”

Ace rolled his eyes, “The butt is the best part! You’re missing out, ‘Bo.”

The Commanders shared glances while Pops drank his sake, keeping an eye on his children but otherwise, silent. 

“We’ve wondered before…call it morbid curiosity…”Haruta started, “But what’s the best part of the human body? Nutritionally?”

Ace hummed and thought as he chewed, but Sabo swallowed and answered, “Supposedly, it is the liver and bone marrow. The brain also has good fats and stuff, but it’s mostly tasteless. We each have our own favourites taste wise though. Mine are hands, sorta like chicken wings, Ace’s is the butt, that heathen, and Lu’s the ribs.”

“What about the heart?” Jozu asked. 

The two brothers’ faces twisted in disgust, “Oh, seas no. We don’t eat the heart. Never the heart.”

“Yeah, uh uh.” Ace added. “The heart is like, sacred, man.” Here, he turned to Sabo, suddenly serious, “I would totally devour your heart, bro.”

Okay, that was weird, and morbid, and can he even do that? Eat the heart of a fellow D? 

Sabo, the Revolutionary famed for his crazy strength and acts of Insanity clutched a hand to his chest and fucking cooed. “Awwww, I would totally devour your heart too, bro!”

Crazy, the lot of them.  

“I’m confused,” Jozu shook his head. “You just said you don’t eat hearts, but now you are saying you would eat each other’s hearts? Which is it?”

“Both” the brothers answered.

Marco quirked an eyebrow at the contradiction. Sabo, thankfully, being the more sensible and reasonable one, it seems, deigned to provide an answer. 

“For Ds, the greatest reassurance is to know that when we die, we would be in the presence of another D. Only another D. can perform the Rite of Divintion.” 

“The what?” Izo was taken aback.

“The Rite of Divintion,” Ace supplied in between chews, now gnawing on his human meat. “It’s the funerary ritual D.s can perform for fellow Ds or honorary Ds. It is very important.”

Sabo nodded, “If either of us were to ever die, hopefully in the far future of course, I can pass peacefully knowing that my heart would be consumed by Ace or our little brother, Luffy. I can be assured of my place in the Valleys of Duradon.”

“The Valleys of Duradon?” Curiel echoed. 

“Yeah, it is the final resting place of the Honoured Deceased Ds. The Rite of Divintion ensures that the fallen D can enter the Valley and into the Halls of Deshroud, also known as the Deific Halls. To enter is to have been blessed and highly favoured, greatly loved.”

Here, Sabo snagged a hand off the plate and cradled it in his palms, “Pretend this is the heart.” He pressed his lips gently to the back of the hand, almost reverently. “To send a D kin or kindred to Duradon in a Rite of Divintion is to be willing to sacrifice, in part, a fraction of our soul, our “light” to guide the Dead to Davy, and then to Duradon. Reciting the Rite ensures their entry into Duradon, but it is the symbolic consumption of the heart that ensures that when the soul is judged before the Doors of Deshroud, they will be endowed with our blessing, and thus deemed worthy to enter the Halls of Valor. This is what makes the Rite of Divintion the most Honoured and Sacred of our rituals. Only a D. can send another D. to Duradon.”

Ace nodded, “Gramps did it for my mom, or so I heard.”

There was a solemness to the room that wasn’t there before, a sense of severeness about this that spoke volumes of the import and respect afforded to the departed Dead. 

*CRUNCH* 

Sabo has bitten into the hand he had previously cradled, shattering the grave atmosphere with the sound of breaking bones.

“Dude!” Thatch wailed, “Way to spoil the mood!”

“Wat?” Sabo spoke through his mouthful, “Ah wash hungwey.”

Ace stuck out his tongue, “So bony.”

Sabo rolled his eyes, “Bone marrow~” he sing-songed, “This is why I’m smarter than you, Ace.”

Ace made a noise of affront, before blinking as if remembering something, “What are you here for, by the way, Sabo? Not that your presence isn't a great blight on my day, but, well-”

“What, I can’t come to visit my favourite big brother?” Sabo teased.

Ace rolled his eyes, “I’m your only older brother, dumbass. And we both know Lu is the favourite.”

Sabo’s lips quirked into a smirk, “Yet I’m taller.”

“Only by two centimetres!” Ace squawked, then turned to Pops, whining. “Pops, Sabo is bullying me, and not the fun type of bullying! He’s using words .”

Everyone simply chuckled. 

After a while, Sabo’s smile dropped and the mood turned sombre. “Ace, I was, well, looking into something related to my job and…”

Ace tilted his head, scoffing, “You? Actually working? Will wonders never cease.”

“Would you let me finish?” Sabo huffed, lightly punching Ace’s shoulder.

Ace put his hands up in surrender, motioning for him to go on. 

“Someone, in particular, has been gaining notoriety in the underworld. He calls himself Blackbeard, and may be supplying confidential information to the Government to garner favour.”

Sabo’s eyes sharpened, looking at Whitebeard, “Whitebeard information.”

Marco’s eyes widened as the room trembled, the implications. The marines had been sabotaging some of their supply runs lately.

Sabo continued, fearless, “And since it happened to involve the ship and crew that my brother is a part of, I thought to warn you in advance.” He turned to Ace, who now had a hard frown on his face, “Be careful, Ace. He is not who he seems.”

“How certain are you?” Pops growled, the sound reverberating through the cabin, his glare pinned onto the Revolutionary.

“When it concerns my brother’s wellbeing? 100%.”

Sabo crossed his arms, “He appears to be looking for something, dabbling quite heavily in the black markets.”

“You understand, what you are implying?”

Sabo nodded, as the room went from trembling to shaking as Pop’s control over his devil fruit waned.

Ace jumped in front of his brother, “Pops! I don’t like this anymore than you do, but Sabo would never lie to me! I trust him!”

The tremors eased. “I hope you have some solid evidence, brat.”

Sabo reached into his coat pocket and took out a folder, he then showed the pictures that was stored on it. A lot of it was cast in shadow, and showed some shady deals, but all featured a large figure at the epicentre, and in some photos, the light cast just right or the clothes shifted just enough to show glimpses of what is undeniably a Whitebeard tattoo that was imprinted onto the forearm, to those who recognised the variants. 

Silence reigned in the commander meeting room as everyone struggled to make sense of the images they were seeing.

“Either someone went out of their way to sully the Whitebeard Pirates reputation or…”

“Or we have a traitor in our midst.” The Captain seethed. Marco knew this was a sensitive topic for Pops. Slavery was seen as vile, tearing apart lives and families, which was Whitebeard’s treasure and crowning glory. He detested any slavery and those who were complicit to it. Some of his children were ex-slaves. On top of that, he was also leaking confidential information about the Whitebeard Pirates to the Marines. This crime cannot go unpunished. 

Still, they don't know who this person is, the picture was too dark and grainy to tell, and they had a lot of large, portly brothers, Atmos and Jozu were such examples, and the arm was too common a place to get a tattoo to make it a defining feature. 

“We will have to tread carefully from now on-yoi.” Marco declared. 

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The cloying scent of blood woke Ace from his doze. He woke up with a start where he had fallen asleep at his desk doing paperwork. The sweet ambrosia beckoned him and Ace followed its allure, the metallic, familiar, delicious scent drawing him in like a siren song. 

He followed its trail sleepily, half-awake mind briefly wondering how this scent came to be. Ace wandered past his room, out of the Commander’s hallway and turned the corner to the stairs up the deck. What surprise awaited him up the deck? His stomach was growling just thinking about it. 

The moment he pushed open the door to the deck, however, all thoughts of food and sleep vanished and he snapped upright.

“THATCH!”

He scrambled to the redhead’s side and tried to assess the damage, hands flailing. His mind scrambled a mile a minute, trying to decide what to do. He was trying to staunch the bloodflow from the ghastly wound on Thatch’s back, while thinking of how to call for help. He needed to call Marco, Pops, someone, but he can’t leave Thatch’s side, and carrying him to the infirmary as he is may aggravate his wounds. Eyes burning with tears of desperation, Ace’s mind blanked and he allowed his instincts that he had always depended on, relied on to save his life, to take over. 

That little niggling voice that was always at the back of Ace’s mind, the one that always whispered about meat, that looked at humans as food, that urged him to rend, to tear, that raged at the hurt and attack done to one he saw as family, as kindred , took to the forefront. Ace’s heart thudded loudly in his chest, as his vision pinholed and something heavy and burning pressed against his temples, threatening to burst forth. Scream , the voice whispered; yes , Ace answered, knowing the voice would help him, would protect his friend, his brother, his kindred, and as the roiling, churning energy finally exploded from him, he tilted his head back, opened his mouth, bared his fangs and howled .

“UUUUUUUUUUUUUOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

Low, guttural, animalistic, haunting. 

The sound reverberated throughout the ship, heard above the crashing of the waves. It was the mourn of sorrow, a cry for help, a promise of vengeance. The Demon snarled.

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Marco let out a soft sigh of relief, finally reaching the last paper in his mountainous paperwork. It was worth it burning the midnight oil for this. He could finally clear this pile. Marco’s heart palpitated in anticipation as he reached the last line on the paper, finally, it was so close, he was going to be free! Just…a…little…more

“ UUUOOOOOOOHHHHH!!!”

Marco jolted as the scream pierced the peaceful quiet like a gunshot, his arm jerked and the pen ran across the paper, smearing ink over the page in a wild streak. The scream was accompanied by a veritable wave of Conqueror’s haki that swept through the hallways. 

Marco had half a mind to dismay at his ruined paperwork, but the sound took precedence.

He scrambled to his feet and out the door, looking for the source of the sound. Were they being attacked? Why had Teach not sounded the bell? He was supposed to be on lookout.

Marco raced down the hall, his fellow commanders in his wake, looking for the sound of the scream that still echoed in his ears, like it came from the depths of hell. 

They tracked the scream up to the deck and the scene they came across would forever be seared into Marco’s memory.

Ace. In front of Thatch, who was lying on the ground. Still, too still. Bleeding. Ace’s hands covered in blood. Thatch’s blood. Ace . Screaming.

Marco’s heart sank as he tried to make sense of the scene. Is this…a betrayal? Had Ace…attacked Thatch? Had he truly turned feral? Biting the hand that fed him? Given in to his animalistic instinct?

Marco barely registered Pops coming up on the deck, using his own Conqueror’s to counter Ace’s. He barely registered the Commanders and those who were strong enough to withstand the haki swarming around and then past him, going to Thatch, the nurses racing to his brother’s body.

All he could see was Ace. Bloody, wild, with fangs, snapping, growling, tear tracks marring his face- wait.

Marco blinked, focusing on Ace and noticed the way he was hunched, not predatorily, but protectively , over Thatch and now that he was noticing it, the Conqueror’s Haki was leaking out of Ace, preventing the weaker willed from getting closer. 

“Children, tend to Thatch as soon as possible. Marco, bring Ace to my cabin.” His father’s rumbling, stern voice broke Marco out of his stupor. 

“Pops-” Marco hedged. “ Now ,” Whitebeard insisted, trudging back to his quarters.

Marco turned to face Ace, who was still scratching and biting at anyone who got near him, slit eyes darting wildly. 

Marco was the only one who could brave being attacked, or heaven forbid, bitten and torn a chunk out of by a feral D. So, with that in mind, and with the desire to get to the bottom of the issue, Marco approached Ace carefully. 

“Ace? Ace, can you hear me-yoi?”

Ace snarled and snapped at his outstretched hand, but not biting. “Thatch is safe now, in good hands, he will be fine, I’m sure-yoi. You want to tell me and Pops what happened?”

Ace continued to growl, gaze fixated on his hand. “Nod if you understand me, Ace-yoi.”

A pause, then a motion of the head. 

Marco could sigh with relief, Ace still retained some form of mental acuity. 

Slowly, patiently, but surely, Marco managed to coax Ace into Pop’s cabin, wrapped in Pop’s warm, heavy haki, where immediately, Ace blinked, his pupils dilating and he sucked in a deep breath, releasing it shakily. The tears now flowed more readily, and he stared blankly at his shaking blood-coated hands. 

“Do you want to enlighten us on what happened out there Ace-yoi?”

Ace licked his lips, taking a stuttering breath. 

“Ace?” Pops rumbled. He was giving Ace the benefit of the doubt, willing to listen despite how it looked. 

“I-I followed it…”Ace started. “Followed it-yoi?”

“T-the blood…I woke up and it was there…in the air…the aroma…so I followed it, and it led me to- He was already bleeding out-! I couldn’t-! Can’t leave-! So, I- I was- desperate-! All I knew is that I had to-to call for help…” Here, his voice had dissolved into a whisper. 

From the sounds of it, Ace had found Thatch like that, which spelt trouble in a whole different sense. “Pops?” Marco looked to Whitebeard for instructions. 

“I believe Ace,” Pops rumbled, “Ds are incredibly loyal to those they see as kin and kindred, to them, thoughts of betrayal would never cross their minds.”

Ace’s eyes widened upon hearing that, and shook his head vigorously, “N-NO! I would never! Thatch is a friend! A brother! Kindred! I would never-!”

“I believe you, son.” Whitebeard soothed the raven, and turned to Marco, “Marco, start a headcount, make a note of who is missing on the ship and anything of Thatch’s that could be taken. The perpetrator might have attacked Thatch for something he had.”

“Understood, Pops-yoi.”

Ace wrapped his arms around himself, “I hope Thatch makes it, I don’t wish to perform the Rite of Divintion so soon…”

Marco watched as Pops laid a massive hand softly atop Ace’s head, patting soothingly, “Then pray, son. Pray for Thatch’s smooth recovery. We got to him in time, and we have you to thank for it, Ace.”

Ace nodded, a frown on his face as he absently brought his bloodied hand up to his mouth and began licking his hand clean of the blood like a cat. 

Marco was about to comment about bringing him to wash the blood off when Ace made a face and hummed, “This is new.”

Marco blinked, “What-yoi?” 

“Thatch’s blood tastes different, like there’s something in it! Like when I drink my juice.” Ace commented. “It’s nice.” He licked his arm again.

Something nice to a D…the realization came crashing down on Marco like a tidal wave and he could feel the blood drain from his face as he cursed, scrambling out of the room and towards the infirmary, inwardly cursing himself for not having considered the possibility…

Marco booked it to the infirmary, and not caring about propriety, crashed into the room where they were working on trying to save Thatch’s life. But if they do not resolve the underlying issue, Thatch would die no matter what they tried!

“Commander Marco! What-”

Marco cut June, the lead doctor off and yelled, “Thatch has been poisoned-yoi!”

The room descended into a cacophony of chaos. 

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It was Teach, because of course it was. And all for a gods-damned Devil fruit. He who called himself a D, yet did not act like one, and was not honorable as one too. His constant refusal to eat the human flesh offered to him should have tipped them off, honestly. Now, they had a name to the face. He not only leaked Whitebeard intel to the marines, but also now has committed the ultimate crime aboard Pop’s ship, killing a brother -attempted, thankfully-. 

Ace was indignant, storming about the ship in righteous fury, roaring aloud for all and sundry to hear about how he will “tear his head out with his spine”, or “rip his eyeballs out and crush it one by one and shove them where the sun doesn’t shine”, or “strip the skin from his flesh, melt the flesh from his bones and grind his bones into dust” and other such horrific, macabre, gory anecdotes of what he would like to do to that Fake D. Ace’s words, verbatim. Marco dared not repeat the more creative ones, he would leave that up to the imagination.

Now, Ace was in the communications room giving a call to his brother -the one in the Revolutionary Army- to both tell him the news of a Fake D., and to hopefully get intel on his whereabouts. 

Currently, Ace has been sidetracked by screaming with his brother about this new rookie by the name of Strawhat, and Marco sincerely hoped that Ace wouldn’t do anything stupid while they were waiting for news and for Thatch to recover…

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Who was he kidding? This was Ace, the very definition of stupid decisions. The idiot who refused to exercise patience and wait for news, and instead took off on his own quest of vengeance against he who had wronged him and his kin. 

Marco understood the thirst for blood, understood then desire to rend and tear that filthy, lying betrayer limb from limb and mount his head on a pike. But Marco also understood the value of patience, of not rushing into things, they didn’t even know where this guy is. Marco understood that Ace felt responsible since Teach used to be in his division, but he had fooled them all…the fault of folly was not Ace’s alone to bear. 

Still, Ace took off on a self-imposed mission to hunt that traitor down, with nary a word about it to Marco or Pops. Marco wanted to go after him, but he took Striker, he was in the wind, and could be anywhere by now. Marco could only hope Ace will return safe and sound, what was this sinking feeling in his gut?

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It was terrifying to learn that the Captain had not one, but two brothers. Both who were like him, who feasted on human flesh, and who were also big names on the high seas. 

The Strawhats watched as Luffy celebrated with his brother over the campfire, feasting on chunks of meat, having met in Alabasta. 

It was scary, the very notion of this…One was the Second Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates, crew of the strongest man in the world, the other was the mysterious Chief of Staff of the Revolutionary Army, whose face and name was unknown to the public, and the third was a a super rookie, one of the Worst Generation, known for his crazy stunts. To think that such powerful people were connected and bonded by blood and brotherhood!

The Strawhats could hardly fathom what would happen should all three get together! Chaos, undoubtedly!

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“Monkey D. Dragon. He’s a Revolutionary.”

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“EHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH??!!”  The crew and people who were in hearing range screamed in shock.

“DID HE SAY THAT LUFFY’S FATHER WAS NAMED DRAGON?!”

“AND HE’S A REVOLUTIONARY?!”

“LUFFY! YOUR FATHER IS AN OUTRAGEOUS MAN!”

“What is wrong with this family?!” Nami bemoaned, holding her head in her hands. 

Now the Strawhats had the full family tree. A Grandfather who was the exalted Hero of the Marines, Vice Admiral Monkey D. Garp, a man who is responsible for toppling entire government systems and staging revolutions, the most wanted man in the world, the leader of the Revolutionary Army, Monkey D. Dragon, the pirate who was once a Supernova turned Second Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates, one of the Four Emperors and the Strongest Man in the World, Portgas D. Ace, the Chief of Staff of the aforementioned Revolutionary Army, the No. 2 of the Army, Second-in-Command only to Dragon himself, a dangerous man shrouded in msytery known to have no mercy for corruption, Portgas D. Sabo (they had met the man in person in Jaya, who warned Luffy about Marshall Teach aka Blackbeard, a Fake D. apparently), and finally, the wild icing on the deadly lineage cake, the Captain of the Strawhat Pirates, a Super Rookie who has liberated Alabasta and went toe to toe with CP9 in Enies Lobby, the Pirate crazy enough to go against the World Government, Monkey D. Luffy. 

An entire family of cannibals. 

Sogeking was hyperventilating into a paperbag, Chopper scurrying around him, while the rest were busy picking their jaws off the floor. 

“How is this possible?!” Coby gasped, and Robin chuckled, “Fufufufufu, I hope Captain-san and his grandfather don’t get hungry, Captain must be famished after the fight.”

Some of the Marines that Garp had brought with him started to tremble.

“This is the first time I’ve heard of an entire family of cannibals. From what we know, it is not a diet fad choice. We’ve never asked before, but why do you need to consume humans? Does it have anything to do with your blood? Your genes? You all have the D. initial in your names.”

Garp stopped hammering away at the door, smile upon his face. “It is more than just genes, it is an inheritance. To be D. is to bear this dreadful curse.”

“It is no small thing to be acknowledged as D.” Robin explained. “This is an old legend, but apparently, centuries ago, there was a man who sought to change the world. He wanted to make things better for his pregnant wife, for his family. His name was lost to time, all we knew was that it started with a D. He wanted the strength to protect, and to bring peace. But he knew he couldn’t do it alone. So he sought help, otherworldly forces. He made a deal. In exchange for great strength, power and will, he would allow the entity -a formidable Demon King- to take his body and soul. In doing so, he acquired great power, and used it to call forth the three great ancient weapons that aided his quest for peace, and freedom. Legends say that his was the beginning of the legendary power known as the Will of the Conqueror. 

However, power does not come without price, and in letting that entity use his body, the man became the entity, and took on its qualities. Mainly, the hunger for human flesh. The man ended up having seven children (lucky number 7), who all inherited their father’s strength and will, and went on to do great things, world-changing things. History will remember them as Sons of D., and they carried his name with them as a middle name, giving it to their children and descendants. Eventually, that name shortened to the D. initial. Thus the name D. became synonymous with the tide of change, and they were known for their strength and will, Avatars of chaos. To be a D. is to have the strength of will to challenge fate, be the enemies of Gods, and so to be D. is to be destined for greatness. So says the Will of D.” 

There was solemn silence after Robin’s spiel, as everyone tried to comprehend what they were hearing.

Garp picked up his hammer, chuckling, “As expected of Nico Robin and the knowledge of Ohara. It was more than just a legend. Yes, essentially, to be a D. is to be gifted with great strength and Will, but it also means to be cursed with great hunger. That legend is incomplete, there is another part, told only amongst the D Clan, which I tell you now, Luffy. There was another part of the deal our ancestor made. He had made the deal in blood, and so, sold his entire bloodline and lineage to the demon king. That is why we Ds are the way we are. It is said that the Demon’s soul is carried on in D’s Descendants, fragmented but present. That one day, given the right conditions and the right push, the fragments will unite, and the Demon King will emerge once more. And when he does, calamity and catastrophe follows.”

“S-so, if you are a D., you are essentially like, a-a demon or something?! Robin mentioned something about a conqueror!” Nami asked, feeling the need to sit down as her legs felt like jelly.

“Ah, yes, the will of the Conqueror.” Garp hummed, “It is called Conqueror’s Haki nowadays. It is the Strength and the Will to rule, the might of Kings. Those with this power are agents of change, born Kings. All Ds are Conquerors, but not all Conquerors are Ds.”

“This is getting so confusing…” Helmoppo muttered. 

“What a SUPPERR story!” Franky declared. “But, are you sure you should be telling this story out in the open here?” He eyes the Marines present warily.

Garp paused in his hammering, as if a thought occurred to him and he turned sheepishly to the frightened crowd, “Ah, I guess I wasn’t supposed to say all that. Pretend you didn’t hear that! Bwahahhaahahah!!!!”

The spectating crowd all fell down comically upon that callous declaration. 

“N–No worries!” Coby addressed Franky. “All the Marines Garp-san has brought today are loyal to him! They won’t go spilling!” 

“Perhaps knowing that the consequences would be Garp hunting them and whoever they tell down and gnaw on their bones.” Helmeppo muttered to the hissed shushing of Coby.

“Well,” Garp finished fixing the hole he created in the wall and stood up with a stretch, “I trust that everyone here knows it would be in their best interest to remain silent about what you’ve heard. Luffy, you will understand more as you go along, you shitty brat. Now, it looks like you are well-rested enough, so I will start the countdown. 100, 99…”

The room descended into chaos.

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Ace finally did it, he managed to track the slimy, backstabbing, traitorous bastard down to Banaro Island and corner him. Ace swore that he will pay. 

“TEACH!” Ace roared, body aflame. “COME OUT AND FACE ME, YOU FUCKER, SON OF A BITCH!”

“Zehahahahahhaha!! Commander Ace! To what do I owe the pleasure?”

“Don’t you dare call me that! Pay for your crimes, you Fake D!” 

“Zehahahaha! Commander! It’s been a while since we have seen each other! Let’s catch up!”

“In your dreams! You killed Thatch, and that is unforgivable!”

“Zehahahaha! It’s all for a greater cause! Say, Commander Ace, why don’t you join my crew? We would be invincible together! The time of an old goat like Whitebeard is soon to end, and a new age will start! I will be at the forefront! To do that, I’ll have to get rid of that upstart, Strawhat Luffy. Say, Ace, why don’t you come with me and together, we will kill that rookie pirate!”

“How dare you! Luffy is my brother! I will never join your crew! I will tear you limb from limb, you’ll be pushing up daisies, I’ll send you to Damnor myself!”

And the battle raged from there.

“ FIRE FIST!”

“ BLACK HOLE!”

And the world was swallowed by shadow-blackened flames.

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Luffy perked up as he entered the auction house, his nose immediately catching the scent of Kin. 

His gaze alighted onto a tall man sat in the back rows, wearing a fluffy, spotted hat, blue spotted pants and carrying a huge sword. 

The man similarly tilted his eyes upwards, letting light fall onto his face from where it was previously shadowed by the hat’s brim and gold eyes locked with brown. 

A monster met a beast. 

The man smirked and nodded at Luffy as he ran past. Kin recognised Kin. This man was…

Luffy blinked and continued on past, putting the interaction to the back of his mind. He had to focus, saving Camie took priority.

“CAMIE!”

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Law watched as his fellow D. created a huge ruckus by punching a Celestial Dragon. He was quite the riot and Law could only look on in anticipation for the chaos that would abound, typical of his kind.

Law expected to meet other captains on Sabaody, proven by the presence of Eustass Kidd, but he certainly didn’t expect to meet a fellow D, much less his pair... They were rare enough as it is.

Law stood up from his seat in the back pews, nodachi in hand, ambling over to the front where his fellow was standing in front of the unconscious sleaze of a noble, glaring hard.

Law knew this captain, afterall, his signature was sat upon his head. 

“Strawhat-ya, quite the scene you’ve made.”

Strawhat Luffy looked up at the address and locked eyes with him. The air became supercharged. 

“You want it? You were here first.” Strawhat pointed brazenly at the morsel .

Ah, already staking claim and establishing territory. Law could eat, he had gone two days without, but he still had time. 

“No, Mugiwara-ya. You punched it, you get first spoils.” To the victor goes the spoils. He knew the rules.

Law pointedly ignored the confused glances of Eustass Kidd and his first mate Killer. Bepo and his crew were huddled where he was at the back, calling “Captain!” to no avail.

Strawhat nodded, a smirk forming on his lips in anticipation, and reached down, about to tuck into his new meal when there was a loud bang from outside the auction house. 

Ah, the Cavalry has arrived. Looks like Law’s patience bore fruit. 

He made his way outside with the other Captains and observed the gathering of Marines with a bored, detached gaze. Look at that spread. A smorgasbord.  

As the Marine Commander made the call to attack, Law’s smirk burst forth as he could smell the blood to be spilt, taste the flesh of his next meal. He released a little of his haki as he looked up from under the brim of his hat, gold eyes glowing in the shadows. A few of the Marines took a step back as they caught his crazed gaze, beholding his mad grin. But it was too late for them. His nodachi screamed for blood, and the unhinged cackle from Law echoed through the battlefield. Today, he would feast . 

He stretched out a hand. He felt like having limbs today.

“ Room! Shambles!”

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Garp descended into Impel Down, a grim countenance on his face. To think that he would ever have to see one of his precious grandsons here. The Marine part of his mind said that it was only the consequences of their own actions, for being criminals. The D. part of his mind, the one that valued family, that protected Kin, raged at the injustice. Because Ace wasn’t being prosecuted for being Whitebeard's Commander or a Pirate. No , he was being executed for being the Pirate King’s son, for the blood in his veins, for a legacy he doesn’t even acknowledge or want, for being a devil spawn when it should be demon child.. And his instincts, the D. in him, whispered sibilantly, aren’t we all? Gol D. Roger was also a D. He too shared blood, all D. were Kin. All D.s are Demons. Connected by name, bonded by blood, joined by a common ancestor. To persecute Ace for the blood in his veins is to condemn all D.s. Himself, Dragon, Sabo , Luffy.

At least, that was what the D. part of his nature was screaming about. That they dared to persecute his grandson, one not necessarily of his flesh but certainly of his blood. The grandson he acknowledged and claimed as his . In fact, all his grandsons were at risk. Because Luffy was also the son of him. Monkey D. Dragon, leader of the revolution and the most wanted man in the world. Whose legacy the World Government will certainly seek to smother. If Luffy was ever captured, they will certainly not hesitate to persecute him for his blood either. And Sabo, although not born of either Dragon or Roger, was still a D. Kin. He was acknowledged by Dragon as a pseudo-son, and Sabo, Ace and Luffy are brothers. This sworn brotherhood is as real as if they had been born to the same mothers, for D.s took their bonds and ties very seriously. Besides, Sabo shared similar features to Ace and Luffy, having the same curled wavy hair as Ace, and the same wide round black eyes as Luffy, enough so that when the trio claimed they were brothers, witnesses would find it hard to deny the claim. Heck, Ace and Sabo fancied themselves twins. The World Government would not take the risk. These three boys, brats though they may be, were still his grandsons. 

Garp had raised them from when they were kids, he had taught them their history, their legacies, their heritage, their traditions. He had taught them to wield their strength, he had taught them how to direct their Will. He had taught them how to be D.s. And now, when they are grown up, and out in the world, proving their worth, fulfilling their destinies, one of them would be brought down simply for existing. Garp knew under any other circumstances, if Ace had chosen to be in Impel Down, he would be enjoying his stay. Hell, Garp once went through all the levels of Impel Down for Fun when he was younger, and it was incredibly memorable, one of the best excruciating experiences of his life. The torment was delectably suffering. But, this was not the case. 

And would Garp -who is a proud grandfather, who is so, so proud of how far his grandsons have gone in life, what they have achieved- be able to stand aside and watch as his first grandson is executed? The boy he watched grow into a man? Could he bear to step back and do nothing as his promises to Roger and Rouge are broken right in front of his eyes? Would he risk being a traitor to the Marines? For his Pirate of a grandson? The Marine Code vs the D. Promises.

His Marine training, that suspiciously sounded like Sengoku said, Remember your duty Garp!

But his D. side hissed, and, sounding eerily like Roger’s voice, insisted D.s never break their promises! Protect kin! Protect your grandson! What is the point of saving him as a babe, of ensuring he grew into adulthood, when you are going to bend over and let them kill the grandson you painstakingly raised! You already betrayed the Marines years ago by hiding the son of the Pirate King! Because a child shouldn’t be blamed for the father’s sins! Do not let your sense of duty control and blind you! Trust your moral code! The one Roger believed high enough to trust you with the life of his unborn child! Ds bow to no one!  

Garp stopped in front of a cell in level 6. His mind had been made up. His inner right breast pocket burned.

“Brat.” Garp called out and watched as Ace slowly but surely lifted his head at the familiar voice.

It looked like it required all his strength, he must be exhausted, cut off from everything familiar. 

Garp’s heart twinged. 

“They have decided on a date for your execution.” He continued.

“Gramps…” was whispered. Oh by Davy, not even a shitty gramps, and he sounded so tired and defeated. Not enjoying the tortures at all.

Garp sighed and sat down heavily, arms crossed, “How are you feeling?”

Ace licked his dry lips, cracking a grin, “Impel Down is hellishly wonderful…It exceeded expectations…The vat of boiling water was refreshing, and the screams of the prisoners were music to my ears. Would be enjoying it more if I had come here on my own though. And if they were executing me for anything else. Guess I won’t be going to Duradon afterall.”

Garp breathed out heavily. “What were you thinking? Going alone? Blackbeard is dangerous. He’s a Shichibukai now. Haven’t you read about his fruit? He could nullify other devil fruits. It was a losing battle. You should have never gone after him, you should have ran.”

Ace lowered his head, his hair falling into his face to cover his eyes, “He threatened Luffy.”

What? Garp must have heard wrong, there was a buzzing in his ears, all background noise faded. “What?”

Ace looked up, glare on his face and there was that fiery spirit, “He threatened Luffy! Said he wanted to get rid of him! Wanted to hunt him down and kill him! That traitorous fake D! I couldn’t let him do that! I had to stop him! He wasn’t worthy of taking Luffy’s life!”

And Garp’s blood boiled . How DARE that scum, threaten his grandson. It wasn’t enough that he got one shitty grandson captured and slated for execution, but he had set his eyes on his shitty little brat of a grandson as well. Unforgivable.

Garp’s resolve strengthened, and his decision solidified. 

He stood up, his rage barely reigned into a trembling of his body - it would not do to flood this level with Haki right now- , “They will announce your execution in 3 days, and in 6 days, they will commence the execution. Hang tight, Ace, you shitty brat.” Garp then reached into his inner right breast pocket and revealed a small pouch. He passed his hand through the bars and dropped it into Ace’s lap, the chunks of flesh spilling out from the opening. “Eat up.”

Garp turned, walking back the way he came, unwilling to decipher the myriad of emotions he could feel coming from Ace. Vindictiveness, anger, confusion, acceptance. He refused , he needed a clear head for what was about to come. He had a call to make and a ship to find.

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Purupurupuru Purupurupurupuru Purupur-

Gacha.

“Monkey D. Dragon speaking.”

The clamor of the meeting room droned in the background as Dragon focused on the snail phone.

<Dragon.>

Dragon was very tempted to hang up the call just like how a certain blonde was wont to do. But he knew that Garp wouldn’t be calling this number if it was anything short of an emergency. Besides, he sounded unusually grave. 

“Father.” He replied coolly. Let it not be said that Dragon didn’t respect his elders. Garp was still his father.

<Brat, where is the other shitty brat of a grandson, I have news.>

Dragon absently noted that the shuffling of papers and the murmur of voices in the meeting room had lowered, all the staff and revolutionaries present absently eavesdropping on his conversation. Gossips, the lot of them. Then again, what can you expect from an organization specializing in intelligence and espionage to achieve their goals? 

“What news?” 

Dragon looked up as the door opened, and his Chief of Staff entered together with Koala, getting some greetings as he did so. 

“Sabo’s here.” Sabo’s attention immediately zeroed in on Dragon at the sound of his name.

<The brass just decided today, but I felt it imperative to let you know.>

Now Dragon’s attention was on the Den Den Mushi. Decision from the Navy and World Government? Important indeed. 

Dragon remained silent, the permission to continue.

<They have captured Ace and he is to be executed in six days.>

A WAVE of Conqueror’s Haki flooded the room, shaking the ground, shattering the windows and knocking out a majority of the people in the room. Only the Commanders, Hack, Koala and Dragon himself remained awake, although Hack and Koala stumbled when they were hit. 

KNEELKNEELKNEEL HOWDARETHEY KNEELKNEELKNEEL

The culprit stood rooted to the spot, top hat shadowing his face and hands clenched into fists, visibly trembling, Haoshoku Haki continuing to ripple unchecked.

“Sabo, calm yourself.” Dragon instructed, it would not do for his Second in Command to lose control at this juncture. The pulse of Haki wavered for a moment, looking like it will not abate, before slowly dissipating. Koala, Hack and the Commanders blinked, regaining composure. 

<I, while at Marineford, cannot do anything outwardly, I am bound by my Promise! If there was ever any purpose and use for your organization…Dragon! Sabo! I cannot do anything…but maybe, you can. They know, Dragon, they know that Luffy is your son. They know that Ace and Luffy see each other as brothers. If you need a reason to intervene, I’m giving you one now! Do something!>

“Rest assured, Father. We will act to save our Kin.”

Dragon watched as Sabo marched up to his desk, and snatched the receiver from him, snarling into it, “Damn right, shitty gramps! Why didn’t you tell me that Ace had been captured?! We need to save him now! I won’t let my brother be executed!”

<Brat! Make sure you do!>

“Gramps…” Sabo whispered, voice strangled, “Thank you for informing us, you shitty geezer.”

<I’m counting on you.> 

Gacha .

Dragon sat back in his chair with a sigh, feeling a weight off his shoulder despite the urgency of the situation. His father finally decided to put his family before his job. To be a D., a grandfather, before a Marine. 

He sat back up just as Sabo returned the receiver to the Den Den Mushi’s port with a clack. Those in the room started to wake up, groaning. 

“Let’s start planning.”

Sabo, who had tears pooling at his eyes, quickly rubbed them away, his anguish replaced with determination. 

“Yes! Dragon-san!”

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“Oyaji! Ship sighted!”

Still no news about Ace. 

“Identify them.” Whitebeard replied. 

“Unclear! They are flying a white flag!” Whitebeard sighed wearily. Of all the times…Whitebeard will simply ensure they meet a swift end. But before he could debate it, the ship that was still a distance away, so much so that it was hardly the size of his pinky when he held it up to compare, shuddered and there was an accompanying boom before, a minute later, there was a splash and Vice Admiral Monkey D. Garp thumped onto the deck of the Moby, dripping water.

This insane man had swam in Paradise waters to get to his ship. Crazy. Although he would insist he was mad. Honestly, what’s the difference?

Newgate half expected to hear the man’s booming laugh, a jug of sake toting along beside him but there was none today. 

Instead, the man was without his Marine coat, dressed in only a nondescript black suit. His hands were clenched into the fists he was so famed for, and Whitebeard could even sense some Conqueror’s Haki leaking from him - kneelkneelkneelbowyourheadkneel- , as if the man was trying to contain it, but it couldn’t help but seep out. Some of his weaker sons lost consciousness, their bodies thudding onto the deck. 

Whitebeard hadn’t seen Garp like this, not since his first fight with Gol D. Roger and the subsequent battle against Rocks D. Xebec. Garp was angry, no, furious. Something was wrong. 

“Newgate.” Garp rumbled, his Haki spiking. Garp raised his head, a harsh frown between his brows. 

“Ace was supposed to be safe here.”

Whitebeard frowned, wondering what the Vice Admiral had to do with his son, “He is safe with us.”

“Lies!” Garp barked, fangs flashing and thunder rumbled in tandem with his voice, even though the sky was clear. “You let him run off after a traitor! You accepted a fucking backstabber into your crew and now, that Fake D. has turned Ace over into the Marines to become a Shichibukai and Ace is to be executed!”

“WHAT?!” Whitebeard tightened his grip on his bisento, the pressure of his haki building, but the Vice Admiral was not to be discouraged.

“Did I stutter?! Ace is to be executed in six days! The Marines, the very organisation I had devoted my life to, the one I believed in to uphold justice, wants to kill my GRANDSON!”

Garp heaved, tears spilling unabashedly from his eyes, as he clenched his fist to his chest. “My grandson is going to die, sent to Davy Jones, denied Duradon, and I am powerless to stop it!” The anguish and frustration in his voice was palpable.

Whitebeard, for a moment, felt a pang in his heart, feeling sorry for Garp. D.s put so much heart into their families, so to have one of their most valuable treasures of bond be threatened, Whitebeard can’t even begin to imagine how Garp must be feeling, helpless to do anything to protect his Kin. He himself already felt like it was crushing him, for a D like Garp…

Whitebeard pounded his Bisento on the deck and called Garp’s attention, “Not so. You are here, aren’t you? Informing us, Ace’s family, about his execution. If not, we probably won’t know until the news is released. This gives us precious time. You risked it all for your grandson. You have done something. Thank you, Garp.”

Garp’s fists tightened, “Not enough.”

Whitebeard rumbles, “Every little bit counts.”

Garp sighed, clearly conflicted, “I have to go now, I snuck here under an excuse that won’t hold for much longer. I am being closely monitored. You probably won’t hear from me again after this, at least, until Marineford. I would suggest calling my son. He too has a stake in this. So work together to save Ace, not against.”

Whitebeard stared as Garp trudged to the edge of the ship railing, and rumbled, “Of course. Is the Chief of Staff joining too?”

Garp hopped onto the rail, pausing, “Knowing him, he wouldn’t miss it for the world.” Was said before Garp dived, disappearing in the waves with a splash. 

Whitebeard watched a dark streak below the waves steadily disappearing in the distance, then he turned to Haruta.

“Contact Dragon the Revolutionary. We have plans to make.”

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His brother is to be executed. His brother, Ace , executed. THIS CANNOT HAPPEN. Luffy fought the urge to clench his fist, the precious, burning Vivre card smoldering away in his palm. Luffy refused to let Ace die by the hands of Marines, his glorious Death snatched from him in such a manner. It was not yet Ace’s Time . Davy is not expecting Ace, not yet. He still had several more years before he shall know the sweet embrace and soothing sleep of Death. Will have several more years if Luffy had anything to say about it, and he does .

Luffy will save his brother, and make the Marines wish they had never threatened what was his. Luffy felt a growl build up from the back of his throat, reverberating louder and louder each passing second, he gritted his teeth, feeling sharp fangs threaten to pierce through his bottom lip. 

Luffy jumped to his feet, determination in every pore of his being. He had to get help, to get to his brother, to Ace.

“HAMMOCK!!”

The monster had awakened, and it reared.

—

Sabo stalked through the halls of Marineford, walking with purpose. Half to look like he belonged and half to get to the destination in mind post-haste. 

His stolen marine coat flared behind his back and his scar itched under his disguise, but he would not allow it to distract him. 

Sabo finally found the room he was looking for, looked around for any witnesses or stragglers, before quickly picking the lock and ducking into the room. 

He closed the door silently and then fumbled at the walls before finding what he wanted and flicking it on, light immediately flooding the room. It was the file room, with papers and folders haphazardly thrown about. Sabo rubbed his hands together with glee, salivating at all this delicious information just ripe for the taking, right under the Marines’ noses. 

There were usually some goodies in here, time to do one of his favourite things of all time, being a nosy bastard.

Sabo licked his lips, time to dig in. 

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Law tapped the newspaper against his knee as he lounged against Bepo on the deck of his Submarine, torso sinking into the soft fur. He made a contemplative hum.

“Something wrong, Captain?” Bepo asked. 

“The Marines have declared war, Bepo.” was his reply.

“War?!”

“They challenge Whitebeard, the World’s Strongest Man by seeking to execute his Second Division Commander, Fire Fist Ace. But something doesn’t feel right. They captured him just a few days ago and his execution is already scheduled? There’s more to it than they are letting on.”

The battered and exhausted face of the Logia stared back at him from the black and white page, and Law frowned. He had this inexplicable feeling…He was not the Surgeon of Death for nothing, after all, Davy whispered in his ear.

“This War…may be the turning tide of an era, Bepo-ya. I can feel it. This battle for Fire Fist Ace…will shake the world.” 

The question is…how will it affect him? Law wondered…

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Too late…HE WAS TOO LATE! After all his battles, trials and tribulations, he arrived too late to save Ace in Impel Down! And now the effects of the poison were getting to him, it burned his skin deliciously and tasted superb, one of the best poisons he has had, he wouldn’t even have been bothered by it, were he not drenched in the stuff. His body was digesting the poison fast, but not fast enough.

But Iva-chan…Iva-chan said he had a solution! Whatever it was, if it could help him fight and save Ace, Luffy will take it! 

“Do it, Iva-chan!”

-

When the strawhat boy pleaded with him to inject him with hormones to allow him to continue to fight, to purge the poison within his body, Ivankov was reluctant. After all, the chances were 3% at most, the boy would have to have insane luck. Besides, this was Dragon’s boy! He couldn’t possibly be the one to be responsible for killing his son! But…if the hormones didn’t kill him, then the poison from Magellan certainly will. 

And…the fire…the passion…the resolve…the determination in that boy’s eyes…the will he had…to save his brother…Ivankov was moved, and he agreed. That boy was indeed a D and certainly like Dragon in a sense. Their gazes were equally as electrifying. Where Dragon’s stung like a static shock, or an electric eel’s, rousing in others the feelings of tumultuous revolt and passionate rebellion where they swore to the cause, Luffy’s sparked like lightning that heralded the storm and like the rainbow after it, inciting a solemn warmth that drew others like a moth to a flame, caught in his gravity and earning their fealty. Formidable, indeed.

So now here he was, waiting…hoping against all hope, that it would work in Luffy’s favour, that he would have the devil’s luck and survive this agonizing treatment. 

His heart was pounding in his chest, and when blood seeped from under the doorway, Ivankov’s heart dropped to his stomach and he gasped, all hope lost in his mind as he believed that the boy had succumbed to his injuries, but then…

“FOOOOOOODDDDD!!!!!!!!!!”

Oh! Iva could jump for joy! He was alright! Strawhat boy was alright! 

He turned to the gathered Okamas, “Quick! Gather as much food as you can! All the food we have! It doesn’t matter if it’s raw! Just keep it coming! Don’t stop! We gotta feed him to get his strength back!”

Then a thought occurred to Iva. This boy was the son of Dragon. Who was a D. This boy is Monkey D. Luffy. He is a D. What he would need most is…

He snagged the arm of a passing Okama and urged, “Go to the morgue in Impel Down and get a fresh body, quick!”

“Wh-what?!” The Okama stumbled.

“Now! Hurry!” 

His desperate and urgent tone must have gotten through as the Okama nodded and quickly ran off to get the job done.

Ivankov looked worriedly at the steadily dwindling pile of food, that seemed to be decreasing faster than the people could replenish it. If the body wasn’t here by the time the food was gone…Strawhat boy is gonna get snappy, and take a chunk out of anyone who has the misfortune to get too close, and Ivankov won’t be responsible for what would come after.

“Here! Ivankov-sama!” The Okama came lugging a black body bag, winded.

“Thank the heavens! Bring it here!” 

All would be well.

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“Fire Fist Portgas D. Ace was born Gol D. Ace, the son of Gold Roger, the previous Pirate King! This blight has been allowed to stain the world for 20 years! His mother, Portgas D. Rouge held him in her belly for 20 months, evading Marine forces to ensure the cursed blood of Roger survived! She died for her efforts. Whitebeard knew this! He protected Gol D. Ace, with designs to make him the next Pirate King after his father!”

The announcement by Sengoku to the Marines, to the recording Den Den mushi broadcasting to the rest of the world sealed Ace’s fate. 

He could sense the looks of shock and hatred directed at him from the gathering marines. Lies, lies! Ace wanted to spit. Sengoku spouted lies! Pops would never want to make him the Pirate King, he himself didn’t want to be the Pirate King and Pops has only ever respected his wishes. This was to provoke Whitebeard, no doubt. No doubt there would be some older allies in the Whitebeard crew who harboured a grudge against his biological father.

Ace kneeled on the platform, exhausted, lethargic, sore and defeated. He was surrounded on all sides by marines and he was chained to the execution platform, waiting for the time of his demise.

His head hung low, chin against his chest, having neither the strength nor the motivation to lift his head. Soon, his execution will commence and he prayed to the gods that his crew, his family won’t come to see him die. Especially those stupid, impulsive stubborn brothers of his. The youngest one most of all. What a pathetic way to greet Davy. 

A heavy thud resounded beside him, the sound of a body landing heavily on the wooden surface. 

“They will come, brat.” Came the low, gruff voice of his grandfather, arms crossed, fists clenched.

His chains rattled. “Gramps…”

A large warm hand covered his mouth and nose, calloused and rough, familiar.
“It would be best for you to remain quiet, Fire Fist.” 

Ace almost wanted to snarl at him until something firm but soft pressed against his mouth, and his delayed senses picked up on the tantalizing smell of meat. Human meat.  

His eyes widened and Ace almost wanted to look up at his grandfather in shock, but he knew his gramps could only continue the act for so long without it looking suspicious. His stomach gnawed and Ace snatched the morsel and gulped it down, barely chewing. His stomach protested after being practically starved but as soon as the piece settled into his stomach, Ace instantly felt better, the constant buzzing at the back of his head, howling and screaming for flesh was sated.  

The warm, solid appendage vanished and Ace chanced a glance at his grandfather without turning his head to look at him. “They shouldn’t.” Ace whispered, even though he knew, deep in his gut, what they would do. If it had been either of them in his place, he would have done the same. 

“They will.” Was Garp’s reply. 

“How do you know?” Ace wanted to scoff.

His grandfather was silent, his legs crossed and arm folded, staring resolutely ahead at the ocean waves, the calm before the storm. 

They were being watched, two pairs of eyes trained on them, one being the fleet admiral, and the other the beady little shit that perched on his cap. 

Ace sighed, shifting his gaze back down to stare at the wood between his knees. At least Gramps was here, hopefully, he will be able to salvage his heart and send him to Duradon, if he be worthy.

There was the sound of a horn, and Ace’s head snapped up. Marineford, previously so quiet you could hear a pin drop, was now abuzz with activity. 

Ace watched as the Marines straightened, Fleet Admiral Sengoku’s eyes shifted to the waters and Garp squared his shoulders. 

The waters churned and Ace watched with a sinking heart as the familiar crow’s nest of the Moby started to emerge from the water, followed swiftly with several other ships in formation. 

The Whitebeards and their allies were here. The shaking of the ground told Ace his father was using his fruit to cause a massive earthquake, and the result was two massive tidal waves crashing into Marineford. Let the war commence. 

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It was chaos out there. The Whitebeards were battling with the Marines for Ace. Sabo needed to get out there, onto the battlefield, helping to save his brother, he needed to be there yesterday. But, he was also a revolutionary, and he could hardly pass up the chance when he stumbled across blueprints for project Pacifista and the scale map of the wall the marines intended to deploy in the middle of battle. His blood boiled at the former, for his friend who had been reduced to an experiment by the hands of Vegapunk and the World Government. He had chanced upon a ploy that if impeded, could very well aid in efforts to save his reckless brother. No wonder the marines had this under lock and key, and heavily guarded. 

Sabo glanced at the groaning pile of bodies scattered about the room and his eyes fell on an unmoving form, the only unfortunate person to have lost their life in the scuffle. Rather unfortunate really, he had stepped on a piece of scattered paper and slipped, the back of his head hitting the edge of the desk and he was dead. The smell of blood was mouthwatering. Sabo shrugged, it would be a pity to let all this fresh meat go to waste. Besides, it would serve to put the fear of god, or rather, Death, into these pesky marines. People did tend to freak the fuck out when ever he ate a fresh one. Also he was hungry, and would need the energy for the ensuing fight.

Sabo grabbed the body, dragged it closer to him and tore off the forearm from the elbow, uncaring of the blood that splattered onto his borrowed marine uniform. He sprawled onto a chair and reached into his coat pocket, producing a white mini denden. He dialed in Dragon’s number, and as the DenDen connected, he absently bit into the arm. 

Purupurupurupurupuru- Gacha

<Monkey D. Dragon speaking.>

“It’s me, Dragon-san. Reporting in.”

<What news, Sabo?>

“Project Pacifista, using the body of Kuma-san to manufacture robots, with Kuma being the first prototype. They intend to use that as their ace in this battle. The laboratory is at these coordinates.”

Sabo rattled off the numbers as his grip on the arm tightened, threatening to squish it into mush. How dare the marines, and Vegapunk do this to a Shichibukai, their comrade, Sabo’s friend and mentor- 

<Understood, I will have the generals on it. Anything else?>

“There are blueprints for a wall that the marines plan to use to obstruct the Whitebeards and their allies. I have pinpointed the weak point and will stop the wall before it is deployed.”

A hum. <Do so, destroy anything that hinders the battle from being in the Whitebeards’ favour.>

“Understood, Dragon san.”

<And Sabo.>

“Yes, Dragon-san?”

<Kin over duty.>

Sabo felt his face stretch into a smile. “Of course, Dragon-san. Kin is duty. Ace will be my top priority.”

Dragon gave a hum of approval and ended the call with, <D’eparte, Sabo.>*

Sabo nodded, “Un, D’eparte, Dragon-san.”

Gacha

Sabo took another bite out of the arm, which was almost just bone by now and poured over the blueprints once more, making sure he memorized every detail. He chuckled, the marines won’t know what hit them.

-

He groggily woke up, head throbbing. What’s going on, he had been standing guard over the intel room and the next thing he knew…A sound drew his attention, it sounded like laughing…he looked up and immediately felt cold sweat and heat sweep through his body, his heart dropped and his body froze with fear as his eyes beheld a demon with blood coating his teeth, lips pulled into an unnatural too-wide grin, his eyes were but two glowing orbs shadowed in darkness, a spine-chilling giggle seeming to echo around the room, the monster in human skin holding a severed arm, blood around and on him, dripping from his mouth with too-sharp teeth, coating his hands - claws - and dripping from the appendage. 

Never in his life - He didn’t sign up to be a Marine for this-! A shrill scream escaped him as he was swallowed by the sweet relief of darkness.

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Ace could feel his heart shattering as he bore witness to his crew, his family, risking life and limb for him, worthless scum like him, who didn’t deserve Davy’s mercy.

“POPS!” He screamed, “YOU DIDN’T HAVE TO COME!” 

“NONSENSE!” Whitebeard boomed. “YOU ARE MY SON! WE DO NOT ABANDON FAMILY!”

And yet Ace’s traitorous heart soared at the words, said so sincerely and truthfully, as if it was just fact.

But the next moment smothered that joy as he witnessed his little brother, stupid, idiotic, loving, sunny Luffy come crashing into his execution on a stolen Marine ship with a whole bunch of criminals from Impel Down. 

He felt tears prick at his eyes, his stomach doing flops as his heart thudded in his chest to see Luffy here , injured , because of him.

Ace wanted to bang his head on the wooden platform he kneeled on as his stupid brother challenged Whitebeard to the One Piece. Ace was currently feeling too many things, all at once, to properly put his emotions into words, but if it could be described, well, it would be madness, in the best and worst ways possible. 

“LUFFY!” Ace yelled, “YOU SHOULDN’T HAVE COME! I DON’T NEED SOMEONE AS WEAK AS YOU TO SAVE ME!”

Please , Ace begged internally, l eave, you aren’t ready Luffy!

Ace could see his brother puff up his chest, placing his hands on his hips, god no. 

“STUPID ACE! OF COURSE I WOULD COME TO SAVE YOU! YOU ARE MY BIG BROTHER!”

There were gasps and exclamations at the news. Ace watched in despair as his brother started to make his way across Marineford to get to him. 

He could hear the chatter, “Strawhat Luffy is Fire Fist’s brother? How is that possible? Roger and Rouge were already dead when he was born!” 

“YOU MAKE ME SICK, LU!” Ace yelled back, even as a grin threatened to overwhelm him, and while many others were taken aback by this turn of phrase, Luffy merely grinned, and screamed back, “OF COURSE! I’M COMING!!” 

Ace clenched his jaw as he saw Luffy charging through the marine ranks, a wild, unpredictable force turning the tides of the war. Ace's heart felt like it would burst, from fear and pride: his weak little brother had become so strong…

The screech of the microphone alerted him to Sengoku making another announcement. 

“Strawhat Luffy is another wild card to be wary of! Not only did he grow up with Gol D. Ace, the son of Roger, as his adopted brother, but he is also the biological son of Dragon the Revolutionary! He is as dangerous as Gol D. Ace! Stop Monkey D. Luffy at all costs!  This pair of brothers are the spawns of evil! Their blood should be extinguished today!”

The gasps of shock, horror and hatred that flowed through the army of Marines as they all converged on Luffy’s location made Ace grit his teeth. And he heard a creak as his grandfather’s  fists tightened. As it should. Sengoku’s announcement, in trying to boost morale and motivation in the Marines, has, in that one sentence, condemned Garp’s entire family and bloodline, spit on their ancestors and prosecuted a lineage. Degrading the proud, honorable name of D.

Ace chanced a glance at his grandfather and briefly wondered if this will be the day his gramps put family over duty, to listen to his blood, his heart, instead of his faith. This tidbit of information about them being brothers…only his crew, Luffy’s crew, Makino, the bandits and Garp knew about. Garp, who was so happy and proud of his grandsons, no doubt boasted about them to Sengoku years ago, shared between friends. This information is now being used against them, against Garp, by his best friend, whom he trusted, who knew Garp’s take on family, and yet used it as ammunition, announcing for all and sundry to hear of their relation. Spitting on Garp’s trust. 

Ace redirected his gaze out onto the battle, hammering heart clinging to the traitorous feeling called hope. He hoped his other idiot brother would not show up. He could not lose them both today.

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Law’s eyes widened as he bore witness to the ongoing battle at Marineford being broadcasted to the world at hearing the second announcement Fleet Admiral Sengoku made.

Two brothers…Both Ds, his Kin. They were both fighting for their lives while here Law was, standing around doing nothing. Can Law lay claim to the D. name, if he decides to forsake his kin right at this moment? Law felt that he should be there. That little voice screamed, screeched and shrieked. 

Law tightened his grip on Kikoku, quickly turning back to his submarine, commanding Penguin to close the hatch and Sachi to mann the helm.

“Captain?” Bepo called quizzically. 

“Be prepared, everyone,” Law stated to his crew, “We are heading to Marineford. Double time.”

Law drowned out the sound of his crew’s cries of shock and dismay, choosing to focus instead on prepping a room, brows furrowed in concentration. He would not be a Kin Deserter. Law did not care that he was going against Sengoku, his supposed adoptive grandfather. The Fleet Admiral knew what it meant when he decided to announce the brothers’ heritage to the world. He knew, but he did not understand . No matter, he was not Kin. 

Ace and Luffy are. He prayed to Davy he would get there in time.

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An hour and a half into the battle, Sentomaru bellowed, “Bring out the Pacifistas!”

This caused a few pirates to falter in confusion and they were struck down for their lapse.

There was a clamour as the pirates tried to see what the Marines would bring out to try and turn the tide of war, but as seconds, minutes passed and there was no major change in the ebb and flow of battle, Sentomaru’s cocky expression morphed into confusion. 

“Where are the Pacifistas?” Sentomaru grunted. 

There was a screech of feedback as a voice came onto the speakers, booming over the whole of Marineford, sauve and smooth. 

“My sincerest apologies, Sentomaru, but your precious robots can’t come right now. Our Generals made sure of it.”

 The screen played by the den den mushi that was supposed to televise the execution for all to see glitched from Ace’s face and in its place, was video of a room shrouded in darkness, mass of groaning bodies littering the floor and at the very center, sat a man silhouetted against the dim lights, features obscured, all that was known was that he was wearing a top hat, and some sort  of jacket or coat, that trailed off the chair he sat on. The man sat with one leg crossed over the other, relaxed, the picture of a gentleman, if one could ignore the splatters and pools of what looked to be blood stark against the background. 

Several Whitebeards -mainly the Commanders-  paused, visibly perking up, Whitebeard smirked and Strawhat Luffy’s angry countenance brightened into a blossoming grin.

“WHO ARE YOU?! HOW DARE YOU HACK OUR COMMUNICATIONS!” Sengoku roared.

“Hello, Fleet Admiral Sengoku, you old goat.” One can practically hear the smirk in his voice. A cheshire like smile bloomed on the shadowed face, white teeth contrasting against the black, like a sinister, grinning shadow.

Ace hung his head, the very image of despair and exasperation, whereas Garp was busy hiding his grin behind his hand as he dug his nose. 

“You will know me soon enough. Just know that you’ve messed with the wrong family. I have taken the liberty of stopping the emergence of the Pacifistas that you kept as your trump card. Oh yes, I know all about that project. This is your final warning, Fleet Admiral Sengoku, cease this senseless war and release Portgas D. Ace. Or not even the gods can save you.”

“We will not stop! Gol D. Ace shall be executed on this day!”

The man uncrossed his legs and leaned forwards on the chair, menacing, steepling his fingers together, teeth -no, fangs- glinting.

“So, you have chosen. Very well, we shall meet on the battlefield in due time. <Desca Domni Dei>* Kin above all. You taught us that, remember? And with that; farewell, Sengoku.”

As suddenly as it appeared, the feed cut off with a screech and silence descended on Marineford. 

All was still until the Pirates and Marines remembered that they were in the middle of a war and the fight resumed, this time, with the pirates gaining more momentum as they grew confident with another player in their deadly game of chess that is the Paramount War.

Sengoku whirled on Garp, who was chuckling as he dug his ear. “Garp!” Sengoku glared. “This is all your fault! Was that your third grandson?!”

Garp shrugged, “Senny, you know I have no clue where the other brat is, nor have I seen him since he left!”

Sengoku snarled, “Who else could it be?! That phrase, it’s a D. phrase isn’t it?! That quip about teaching it, that was referring to you, wasn’t it?!” 

“Bwahahahhahaha, Senny, you know I taught my cute grandsons how to become Marines!”

“Exactly! Who knows what else you’ve taught them! Fire Fist here already knows Marine codes given that time he infiltrated a Marine base when he was a rookie!”

“Bwahahhahaha! So he does! My cute grandson is so clever! I knew some of my teachings stuck! Besides-” Garp’s grin dimmed and he shot a glare right back at Sengoku, “You know what this means to me, and yet, you still went through with it.”

Sengoku’s shoulders sagged as he muttered, “Garp, we’ve talked about this. Letting you sit beside Fire Fist is my leniency. My hands are tied, with the WG and all, I’m doing my duty. Remember yours.”

Garp breathed harshly through his nose. “I’m here, aren’t I? If you insist on duty, then you can’t blame me for this turn of tides, you know it was to be war once you announced his execution publicly.” Garp gestured to the sea of bodies moving in chaotic harmony below, “Reap what you have sowed.”

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As Luffy punched and kicked his way through the swarm of marines, fighting spirit invigorated through the appearance of his other brother, his attention was stolen by the roar of rage from a flying, flaming chicken that quickly turned into a man, talon outstretched to stamp down on the back of a pirate holding a giant sword, one which had been stabbed into the chest of moustache-ossan!

Luffy gasped, “OSSAN!”

Luffy could vaguely hear Ace let out a strangled scream of “POPS!”

“Why Squard, why?!” the pineapple man raged.

“You know I hate Roger! He killed my crew! And yet, you knowingly harboured the son of that despicable man! You made a deal with the marines to save Ace and the Whitebeards by sacrificing us in your fleet! We are nothing more than cannon fodder to you! He told me so!”

Moustache-ossan was grim, “Who told you so?”

“AKAINU!!”

“Then that man has lied. Squard, I do not intend to sacrifice you nor your crews. I would not ask you to do anything I wouldn’t do myself! I see that you were led astray, my son. You were deceived and committed this act. So, I do not hold it against you, my son. You are forgiven.”

By now, the man, Squard had stopped struggling and in fact, tears were leaking from his eyes as he realised that he had been so easily deceived and as such, dealt a critical blow to Whitebeard that could affect the outcome of this war.

“P-pops…I…I’m so sorry, Pops! Pops!” Squard wailed.

Moustache-ossan turned and unleashed a powerful shockwave that destroyed the frozen tsunamis created by Admiral Aokiji, clearing a path to the open sea.

“My family! My fellow friends and allies! If you doubt me, if you believe the words of the Marines, then you are free to leave right now! I have cleared a path for you! I will not let you risk your lives in a war you want no part in! If you choose to leave, I will not fault you, if you choose to stay, then I will fight beside you!” Ossan bellowed.

The surrounding pirates responded with deafening roars, hiking up their weapons and declaring their allegiance.

“We’ll fight with you, Pops!”

“We’re with you, Pops!”

Giant ossan grinned and clenched his fists, punching the air and creating cracks -so cool!- the ground shaking and rumbling, before the entire island tilted, the quake streaking towards the execution platform Ace was on before the three Admirals had to work together to stop it.

Luffy grinned, so the Ossan was strong! But Luffy will be the one to reach Ace! Luffy clenched his fist and sent it rocketing towards a Marine in his way. He had an older brother to save.

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Sabo ditched the comms room as soon as he cut the video and mic, leaving it rolling to broadcast the war, knowing it will take a while before the Marines have enough manpower to spare to send after him. 

He sprinted through the underground corridors towards the location of the wall. While yes, he could target the mechanism directly, they could have backups, the best would be to just destroy the wall directly. And Sabo could do that. All he has to do is target the weak point that would send the entire wall crumbling. 

After studying the wall blueprint religiously, he had pinpointed the exact spot. Sabo used his pipe to bash in Marines on the way. He needed to save his strength for later. 

Sabo raced to the spot just as he heard the muffled declaration from Sengoku from above to activate the “Encircling wall”. Now was his chance, he had no time to waste!

Jumping up the scaffolds that supported the wall, he used his haki-infused claw hands to climb the structure to the spot just as it started to rise, digging into the concrete to make his way up. He then braced himself against the rising wall, hanging from one hand, leaving the other hand, his dominant one, free.

Sabo knocked on the area just to ascertain it was the correct spot before he reared his arm back, spreading his fingers into the three-toed dragon claw position, grinned wide and manic, and punched it straight into the concrete wall at its stress point. 

“ DRAGON CLAW FIST!”

Cracks spiderwebbed from the entry point. Sabo clenched his fist, sending waves of pressure emanating from that area.

“ DRAGON’S BREATH!”

With a mighty bang, a groan and crash, the wall exploded into chunks, the cracks racing throughout the entire structure and the wall exploding along the crack’s trail, until all that was left was a giant pile of rubble and dust. 

Sabo patted his black jacket down, clearing it of any lingering concrete dust and dusted off his top hat, grinning as he heard the dismal cries of the marines as the wall failed to be deployed, crumbling before it even managed to reach two meters. The loudest cry being the Fleet Admiral demanding to know what happened.

Sabo placed his top hat back on his head and grabbed his pipe, grin and eyes widening as sunlight streamed down from the ledge of the platform above.  He had created an opening, now he was due for his entrance. Sabo bent his knees, using the remains of the wall as a boost, and jumped. It was showtime.

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“ACTIVATE THE ENCIRCLING WALL!” Sengoku yelled into the speaker Den Den, and Ace watched horrified as a huge wall started to rise from the edges of the Marineford Platform, essentially sealing off the island and trapping the pirates in Marineford.

Then, just when it started to rise high enough to tower over the regularly sized people, there was a rumble and the wall shook, shaking the surrounding ground, and for a moment, everyone thought Whitebeard had done something but no, Pops was looking just as confused as everyone else.

Suddenly, with a mighty groan, the sound of cracking reached his ears and  - BOOM - the huge, thick encircling wall exploded into rubble and collapsed, the chunks of concrete falling to the ground or disappearing beneath the area left by the wall, empty space where a wall once stood.

Several marines and even pirates gaped in shock. Did the wall just…destroy itself? Was it a failed construction?

“WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS?!” Sengoku raged. Clearly not, the wall was expected to work. And yet…

The answer came when out of the settling dust, a single, lone figure hopped up, standing atop the pile of wall debris. A very familiar, black-coat-wearing, top-hat-toting, lead-pipe-wielding figure.

No. Nonononononono Ace thought even as he shuffled that few inches forward. 

Ace watched as the camera den den mushi tuned in on the newcomer, could see on screen, the devilish smirk he was sporting for all to see. His mouth formed into a familiar word, oops.

Then, the figure sucked in a deep breath and this time, his voice echoed throughout the silent battlefield. 

“ AAACCCEEEE! I’M HEEEEERRRRRREEEEEE! I’VE COME TO SAVE YOU! JUST YOU WAIT!”

Ace felt like his heart was about to beat out of his chest, his lungs constricting and he felt choked as his eyes stung. He was here, he was really here, he who was supposed to work in the shadows, identity hidden. Sabo was here.

Before Ace can yell back, Sengoku snatched up the speaker Den Den once again. 

“ Attention all Marines, this newcomer is a high priority figure. Not only is he the Chief of Staff of the Revolutionary Army, second in command after the Revolutionary Dragon, he is also the twin brother of Gol D. Ace.”

Ace could see some marines doing double takes, looks of aghast and alarm morphing on their faces as they whipped their head back to stare at Sabo. Heh, sucks to be them. Looks like the effort their family, Ace and Sabo took to call themselves twins really paid off. The Marines really believed it. But, this means…

“Although they don’t look alike, sources say that they are fraternal twins, with Gol D. Ace taking after Roger, and Gol D. Sabo taking after their mother, Portgas D. Rouge. Roger’s and Dragon’s blood must be quelled! This trio of brothers, spawns of demons, must be captured and executed! Do not let Gol D. Sabo and Monkey D. Luffy meet! Do not let them rescue Gol D. Ace! Capture them!”

Ace was really getting sick of Sengoku and that infernal Den Den mushi in his goddamn hands. 

As if sensing Ace’s glare, the den den refused to meet his eyes. Good .

Ace turned his attention back to the front, and to Sabo. Ace was worried. Sabo already had a target on his back for being the Chief of Staff of the Revolutionary Army, and now, with the belief that his parentage was that of the Pirate King’s? And revealed in such a manner, during a very public execution? Sabo could not remain anonymous anymore. Ace was worried this would happen. While he was glad that his brother took his name, this made a connection between him, and Roger. A connection that wouldn’t have existed in the first place if Sabo had just not taken his name, and now Sabo was being persecuted for something that wasn’t even the truth. Ace’s lack of foresight as a ten-year-old was now coming back to bite him in the ass. 

Sabo, that little shit, merely rolled his eyes at Sengoku’s declaration and held his hand to the side of his mouth, calling, “IT’S PORTGAS! LUFFY! LET’S SAVE ACE TOGETHER!”

Then he jumped into the fray.

The surrounding marines all abandoned their battles and converged on Sabo’s location and Ace strained against his chains, heart rabbiting as Sabo disappeared in a sea of white uniforms.

There was a massive crack as Pops directed a quake to break up the sea of Marines trying to drown Sabo.

“WHITEBEARD PIRATES AND ALLIES! ASSIST REVOLUTIONARY SABO AND STRAWHAT LUFFY!” Pops ordered.

“YES POPS!!” With a cry, the Whitebeard Pirates and allies engaged with the Marines, distracting them, while Sabo bulldozed his way through the Marine mob like a charging bull.

“Akainu! Launch Ryusei Kazan!” Sengoku ordered and Akainu obeyed, that dog. 

His attack devastated the ice that Admiral Aokiji had made to give the pirates a foothold and even destroyed the Moby Dick. Ace could hardly believe his eyes as the beloved ship, the ship he had lived on, had all those amazing memories, gone in an instant. Ace could feel tears stream silently down his face. Moby! His voice cried as he heard the cries of Moby as she sunk. I’m sorry Ace…I wished I could have helped you… Ace felt tears pricking his ears and he tried to reign them in as Garp side-eyed him, a frown on his face, having heard what he did too. “MOBY!!” Ace screamed.

Ace watched through blurry eyes as the marines failed to stop Sabo from reaching Luffy. Where Luffy spent one and a half hours getting through the horde, Sabo did in less than 15 minutes, as expected of his brother, he was the fastest of them, and his training in the Revolutionaries seemed to have paid off. Ace felt equally proud and afraid. 

Ace watched as Sabo reached into his pocket and produced a chunk of fresh meat, still dripping with blood. Ace watched as Luffy’s eyes sparkled with glee and Ace almost pouted, for he wanted to eat too. 

The Marine surrounding them, held off by the Whitebeard Pirates, watched in shock and horror as Luffy crammed the chunk of raw meat into his mouth, barely chewing before he swallowed it. Luffy must have still been riding the meat-high as he turned to one reckless Marine who made one last ditch attempt to stop the brother duo and promptly jumped onto the Marine, bit into his flesh at his shoulders and tore a chunk off. 

At that, the rampaging Marines all trying to have a go at them fell into fearful silence and Luffy gulped the flesh amidst Sabo’s chuckles. 

Luffy threw his arms up in the air and cried, “Better! Shihihihihihihihi!”

Gramps’ voice carried over the island, amplified by the den den mushi held by the Fleet Admiral beside him and drowned out the screams of the Marine that was unfortunate enough to get his shoulder bitten off. “Finish your food, Luffy!”

Luffy turned and stuck his tongue out, and Garp laughed under Sengoku’s stink eye.

Sabo must have said something because the next thing Ace knew, Luffy and Sabo were getting into a very familiar position. Ace watched as they stretched and stretched and stretched, before slingshotting themselves up into the air, their trajectory the inner plaza. 

Then Ace’s heart skipped with fright as his brothers landed in the inner plaza…right in front of the Admirals.

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Sabo gritted his teeth as he got up from his landing, placing Luffy at his back as the three admirals converged on them. Sabo might be strong, might be the Chief of Staff, but even he is not yet strong enough to engage all three admirals at once. Luffy however, had no such qualms and promptly attacked them. 

Sabo cried out in alarm and was there to catch him when he was repelled. 

“Luffy!” Sabo reprimanded, “You can’t take them on alone!” 

“We need to get to Ace!” Luffy griped. 

“I know! Just let me-”

“Begin the execution!”

Sabo whipped his head up to stare in horror at the execution platform as the blades the executioners carried were hiked up. 

No! They won’t make it in time! It was as if it was happening in slow motions as Sabo watched the blades descend, his heart in his throat. Then-a bout of sand blasted past the executioners and they fell. Sabo blinked. Sand? 

Then he looked to the only Sand Logia, ex-shichibukai Crocodile, who had abandoned his target of whitebeard to save Ace because he was disgusted by the Marines and the cheap tactics they employed. 

Sabo scoffed, that guy has to be watched. But the execution was stalled for now, and he and Luffy could continue their way to Ace. 

Sabo watched as the Whitebeards succeeded in making their way to the inner plaza, and he made his way forward with Luffy. 

Sabo noticed Luffy starting to lag however, and then paid more attention to the state of his little brother, and Sabo wondered how Luffy can still fight with his body in this state.

Sabo had to practically drag Luffy’s exhausted body forward, and Sabo was contemplating carrying Luffy on his back when the Admirals set their sights on them again. 

Sabo didn’t want to have to put down Luffy, but knew he would have to if he wanted to protect his little brother. 

Sabo was able to fend off a couple attacks before the Whitebeards, mainly Marco the Phoenix, Diamond Jozu and Whitebeard himself took on the Admirals in their stead. 

“Go! Sabo, Luffy! Get to Ace!” Marco the Phoenix cried. 

He nodded before grabbing onto Luffy and starting forward again. But they had barely gone two steps before Luffy could barely go on. 

“Luffy? Luffy!” Sabo was Concerned . And worried. 

Sabo hugged Luffy to his chest and looked around frantically for help, then Ivankov rushed to their side. 

“Sabo-boy! Strawhat-boy!”

“Iva-San!”

The desperation in his voice was palpable.

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Luffy was tired…so exhausted he just felt like he could curl up to sleep. But no, he couldn’t rest. He needed to get to Ace…Needed to save Ace!

He felt Sabo’s strong, firm, and warm arms wrap around him, and heard the deep thrum of Iva’s voice.

Luffy blearily opened his eyes, licked his dry lips and opened his parched throat.

“Iva-chan!” Luffy croaked. “I need more boost!”

Luffy could feel it when Sabo’s head whipped from Luffy to Iva-chan.

“You gave Luffy your hormone boost?!” His voice sounded anguished.

“Not just any hormones, Sabo-boy. My Miracle hormone. I didn’t even use this one on you.”

The horror Luffy could see in Sabo’s eyes was evident and Luffy didn’t like it.

“And now, Strawhat-boy is asking for more.”

Luffy felt Sabo’s arms tighten. 

“No. I won’t allow it! Luffy! You can’t take any more hormones! It’s not good for you!”

Luffy felt indignation and used his strength that he could muster to push himself from Sabo’s arms.

“If that’s what I need to save Ace, then I’ll take it! Please Iva-Chan! I can take it! Sabo! We need to save Ace!”

“Luffy…” Sabo’s voice cracked with emotion and he looked at Luffy with saddened eyes.

“Very well, Strawhat-boy.” Ivankov agreed. And this time, Sabo was silent as Luffy was injected with the hormone again. 

Then there was a commotion as the three Whitebeards who helped them with the big bad marines faltered and were injured for their troubles. 

“Let’s go, Luffy! The Admirals will be gunning for us now!”

“Un!” Luffy nodded. 

Then before they could stand again, the announcement was made, “Now! Execute Gol D. Ace immediately!”

Luffy and Sabo watched in fear as the blades once again rose, this time with new executioners holding them. 

Luffy felt too hot and too cold, a hot flash running through his body and building in his head. No, nonononononononono! Not again!

Luffy screamed his thoughts, “ STOOOOOOOOOOOOOPPPPPPPPPPPP!!!!!!!!!!!”

He felt something, like a wave ripple from his body, the hot flash running from his head all the way down to his toes and fingers. 

KNEELKNEELKNEELSTOPSTOPSTOPCEASEATONCEKNEELKNEELKNEEL!

Luffy blinked, and the next thing he knew, there was a sea of unconscious marine bodies. What just happened?

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CONQUEROR’S HAKI?!!

Sengoku could feel his jaw drop, that brat has conqueror’s haki?! Although untamed and wild, it was still strong enough to incapacitate the executioners. The force of his will crushing. 

Beside him, Garp guffawed, “That’s my boy!” 

Sengoku could feel a tick forming on his forehead, and he turned on Garp with a frustrated yell, “Gaaaaaaaarrrrrrrpppppppp!!!!!!! This isn’t funny, damn you! They are making headway! Our plans have been thwarted repeatedly! You and your damn family!”

His best friend sighed. “Senny, why are you so surprised? I told you so, I warned you this would happen. But no, you sought this war.”

Sengoku gritted his teeth, and turned back to the inner plaza where a half-orange, half-white man with scissors for hands was cutting a flight of stairs up to the execution platform, Strawhat Luffy and Revolutionary Sabo following close behind. 

Garp heaved a tired sigh, and got to his feet, growling out, “I will fulfill my duty here and now.”

Before he leapt off the platform with a mighty jump, crashing down in front of his grandchildren to block their path, destroying the stairs being created. 

Luffy and Sabo paused, taking defensive stances, determination in their eyes even as they faced their grandfather. 

And Garp’s heart was breaking as he stood against his grandchildren, his precious boys. This was what he had been dreading all those years ago, why he insisted on his grandsons becoming marines, so he would never be forced to choose between his duty and family. This was his worst nightmare come true. Here he stood, an enemy of his grandsons, standing in their way of reaching their brother, his eldest grandson, who was stuck kneeling on an execution platform. 

And that was the crux of the matter wasn’t it? He did not want his grandsons to be pirates because he might one day be forced to fight them, to injure them, to oppose them. His eldest grandson got into just such a situation, and yet, it wasn’t due to his deeds as a pirate, but because he carried the blood of one of the worst enemies of the Marines and the World Government, being condemned for being the son of a man he didn’t even acknowledge as his father.  

The organization that Garp had trusted with his heart and soul, had condemned his grandsons, just because they were born to his son and son-in-law [to think Dragon had married the sister of Portgas D. Rouge…], and in doing so, had condemned Garp’s entire lineage and bloodline, persecuted the noble blood of D. He might as well have been the one kneeling on that execution platform instead of Ace. And it was in that moment, faced with the prospect of having to fight his grandsons,that the fight fizzled out of him. No matter what the marines said, Garp still grew up on the fundamental motto of the D. Family, the one he taught his children and grandchildren, the very motto that made Dragon defect from the Marines: Desca Domni Dei . Family above all. And for all of Garp’s bluster and threats to his grandsons, he could not bear to truly hurt them, with the intent to kill, as the Marines would expect of him. He just could not do it. His fists shook. 

For once, Garp wanted to follow his heart, his true heart , wanted to listen to the D. instinct, and if there was no real force behind the punch he threw, barely grazing Luffy’s cheek, for all that it looked deadly, if he just so happened to not see the punch Luffy returned, distracted by the pipe Sabo swung, if he happened to slip as he dodged, falling down from the makeshift stairs from the one blow and opening up the path again, well, that was for him to know. As Garp lay on the ground at the bottom of the stairs, “winded”, he managed a small uptick of his lips, and he was so, so proud of how far and strong his grandsons had come. 

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Finally! They had made it to the platform! Ace could only stare as Luffy stood before him, grinning, Sabo at his back. 

“Ace! I made it!” Luffy cheered, and in his hand, a key glinted. 

Ace couldn’t help the smile that broke on his face, “You did, Luffy.” His heart was threatening to burst from the mass of anxiety, fear and pride that warred within him as he witnessed his brothers stand before him.

Just as Luffy was about to reach for Ace’s cuff to unlock it, between one second and the next, there was a burst of light, a splatter of blood, a strangled scream, and the shattering of a key. 

Ace could only watch in horror as he and Luffy realised that Admiral Kizaru had just shot through Sabo’s shoulder to destroy the key. 

“Sabo!” Ace and Luffy gasped as their blonde brother clutched at his bleeding shoulder, wincing, using his right hand to press on the hole in his left shoulder. 

“I’m alright! It’s nothing! Continue Luffy! Do you have a spare?!”

The horror in Luffy’s eyes said that no, he did not. 

Just then, one of the executioners woke up and revealed himself to be a pirate with weird hair in the shape of the number three. 

“Ah! Mr Three?! What are you doing here?!” Luffy exclaimed.

“You know him, Lu?” Ace asked.

“Yeah, he was one of the Barouque Works back in Alabasta and could make wax…” Luffy looked like a veritable lightbulb illuminated above his head. 

“Mr Three! Can you use your wax-wax fruit powers to make a key?!” 

Oh. That was actually clever. His little brother did have rare bouts of genius sometimes. 

The man did it and handed the key to Luffy. But before he could unlock the cuffs, there was a light shining behind them, and Ace turned to see Sengoku, the Fleet Admiral’s skin and clothes turning gold as he started to grow in size. 

Ace’s eyes widened as he realised that the Fleet Admiral was going to become his moniker, Sengoku the Golden Buddha. 

“Strawhat Luffy, Fire Fist Ace and Revolutionary Sabo! I won’t let you escape!”

Sengoku became a giant and towered over them in all his golden glory, and the platform creaked dangerously. 

Sengoku reared his fist back to deliver a punch and Sabo immediately went into a defensive stance, his right arm outstretched, the fingers of his hand spreading into a claw shape, parted at the middle and ring finger in a V. “ Dragon Claw!” With a flex, his lower arm became coated in the trademark black of armament Haki, and Dragon Claw Sabo stood between them and Sengoku. Ace’s shout was lodged in his throat as his heart pounded.

As the Golden Buddha unleashed his punch, Sabo raised his arm and with a thunderous clang that reverberated into Ace’s teeth, Sabo managed to deflect Sengoku’s attack, and it got diverted into the platform. A wall of wax formed in front of his kneeling form, shielding him from the blast. The platform, predictably, caved in with a crash and in the next moment, they were free-falling through the air. 

Ace couldn’t catch himself as his hands remained cuffed behind his back, and he only had a second of mild panic before he felt familiar, warm hands wrap around his fists and with a clatter, he was freed. Freed by his stupid, reckless, incredible little brother. 

The pure relief and warmth that Ace felt as his mera mera powers flowed through his body was freeing. 

Ace reached out his hands, one catching the shirt of his stupid little brother, and the other snagging the coat of his reckless blonde brother.

“You two!” He chided, even though his heart was full to bursting with elation and pride, “Are truly troublesome brothers!”

The answering grins of Luffy and Sabo, even as they all plummeted to the ground was reassuring.

“Ace!” Luffy cheered. 

As they neared the ground, they had bazooka’s aimed at them and Ace immediately shielded his brothers and the wax guy from the oncoming bazooka fire by creating a tunnel of flames that billowed outward, and Ace grinned at the freeing feeling of his flames. Luffy ballooned himself into a ball and used his body to cushion his brothers as the remains of the platform rained down around them.

The second Ace was back on his feet, he unleashed a fiery “Hiken!” that served to both clear a path ahead of them and as a signal, for constructed from his flames, fire given form, blazed the mark of the Whitebeard Pirates in all its giant, flaming glory.

Ace could hear his fellow Commanders cheer, “ACE IS FREE!” and the roar of joy that surged from the Whitebeard Pirates and allies. Ace’s grin widened in response. 

“Come on!” He urged his brothers, as the three of them fell into a familiar formation, covering each other’s backs while they made their way to the other end of the plaza, as the Marines all converged on them, determined to kill them. 

He threw his flames forward, while Luffy punched on his right and Sabo blocked and swiped with his claws and pipe on his left. 

Ace even chomped on a Marine who got too close, and he grinned around his mouthful as the Marine fell back with a choked cry. Serves them right. 

His father’s deep voice, usually so warm, now tinged with finality rumbled, “GET OUT OF HERE, MY CHILDREN! GET ACE AND SET OUT TO SEA! I’LL COVER OUR RETREAT!”

Ace whipped around to face his father, eyes wide, face pale, no… “POPS!” Ace screamed. 

Nonononononono, Pops cannot die here.

“I am old, my children. My era is at an end, now, at least, I can ensure the new generation can get out safely!”

“Pops!” Ace cried, feeling his eyes sting with the burn of tears. “You have to come with us!”

“Gurarararararara! No, my time has come. It was my honour to have sailed with you all! Now, the young ones must take the reigns.”

Whitebeard, with a hole in his chest turned to Ace, “Tell me, Ace, my son…Did you like having me as your father?”

Ace couldn’t help it. He fell to his knees and kowtowed to Whitebeard, to Pops, as wet hot tears flowed from his eyes. “OF COURSE!”

He pressed his forehead to the floor, “THANK YOU, POPS!”

“NOW GO!” Whitebeard instructed as he unleashed another quake at the marines. 

Heeding the final order of their captain, the Whitebeard Pirates retreated, and Ace followed, Luffy and Sabo at his side. 

Or he would have, if Akainu didn’t speak those damned words. “Running with your tail between your legs? Guess Whitebeard really was a coward and a loser after all.”

Ace skidded to a stop, as cold fury washed over him. “What. Did. You. Say?” Ace hissed as he spun around to face the man, fists clenched.

“Are you deaf? I said Whitebeard was a coward and a loser, retreating when it gets too much. How he ever became an Emperor, I will forever question. He is from a bygone era.”

Ace roared, “Don’t you dare say such things about my Pops! The name of this era is Whitebeard!” And unleashed a Fire Fist at the Admiral, consumed by righteous fury and indignation.

Sabo and Luffy, who had run ahead, turned back. “Ace!” Luffy called, moving back towards Ace’s position, “Ignore him, let’s go!”

To the brothers’ horror, the plume of fire, Ace’s strongest attack, was easily absorbed by Akainu’s Magma. Ace clutched at his burned hand in shock.

Magma slowly spread around Akainu’s body, superheating the air around him. 

“Magma burns hotter than fire. I will not let you trio of brothers, devil spawns leave Marineford alive! Due to your bloodlines, your very existence is a crime! See what I’ll do.” 

It was at this moment that several things happened at once.

Luffy flagged, losing strength, the hormone running its course and he fell to the ground, Ace’s vivre card fluttering to the floor in front of him. Luffy strained and weakly reached for the piece of paper, Ace’s life card.

Akainu, seeing this, used it to his advantage, lunged for Luffy, Magma fist raised.

Ace was too slow, too slow to pull Luffy away, even as he screamed, he knew he would not make it to pull his brothers out of harm's way, but he could intercept. Magma bore down on his back, heat unbearable, and he could feel the skin on his back melting. Ace pushed his instincts and reflexes down, and forced his body to remain solid.

Sabo, who had turned to call for Ivankov, panicking at seeing his brother go down, turned back to witness a fiery molten magma filled punch headed right for his little brother in front of him. He saw his brother running to them, between them . And he knew. Sabo’s eyes widened as time seemingly slowed down. Ds can survive a great many fatal things and mortal wounds so long as their heart remains intact, but he didn’t know if Ace would be able to survive this destruction . He tried to make an aborted move but his shoulders chose that moment to flare with white hot pain, and Sabo faltered, suddenly flooded with heated desperation. Davy Jones frowned down upon them, teeth wickedly jagged, and no- not yet- Sabo could not. Let. That. Happen .

“NOOO!!!!!!”

The shockwave of pure, unfiltered, rage and fear fuelled Conqueror’s Haki blasted out from Sabo, aimed entirely at the magma man intent on harming his brothers. 

KNEELKNEELKNEELKNEELKNEELNONONONOSTOPSTOPSTOPMISSMISSMISSSTAYBACKSTAYBACKSTAYBACKKNEELKNEELKNEELBOWDOWN-GETBACK!!!

The force knocked into the admiral and bore down on him like a meteor, causing him to stumble onto one knee, it was not enough, it was barely enough, but it was enough, and the magma fist that would have been punched through Ace got diverted and landed in a devastating impact with the ground next to them, barely missing the Whitebeard Pirate, searing hot and grazing Luffy on the chest and he let out a cry of pain. 

Ace, who had his back turned to Akainu, who was fully prepared to block the attack with his body, to save his little brother, startled at the shock of haki that passed through him, and instead, collided with the Admiral and when the magma fist cracked the ground beside him, magma splashing and grazing his side, splattering on Luffy’s chest. Ace ignored his flaring back, took the opportunity to lunge for Luffy and scoop him up, carrying him by the torso as he snagged Sabo’s jacket to haul him off the ground where he had been kneeling. At first, Sabo stumbled, before snapping back to attention and scrambling to his feet, running alongside Ace to get his little brother, who was on the verge of passing out, to safety.

Ace had to now prioritise his brothers, because Luffy was out of commission, and Sabo, Sabo was bordering on feral , and he had to get them out before he lost his mind. Already, Sabo’s lips were drawn back in a snarl and soft growls were slipping from between his teeth. 

Well, at least Sabo had half a mind to help cover Ace’s back as the trio retreated to the ring of pirate ships at the bay. 

Behind them, Akainu raged in hot pursuit, sending magma fists flying, determined to carry out absolute Justice.

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Sengoku gritted his teeth as he pushed Garp’s face further into the ground, straining against the D. strength that was threatening to explode. 

“Garp!” Sengoku hissed, “Do not be impulsive! For once in your life, stay down!”

“Hold me down, Sengoku! Or else…”  Garp gritted his teeth, pushing against the hand wrapped around the back of his head. “I will KILL that DOG!!!” Garp roared.

“Garp! Remember your duty! You cannot attack Admiral Akainu!” Sengoku tried to plead with his friend but he knew that what just happened could well push Garp over the edge. Sengoku’s arm shook with the effort of holding down an enraged D. Sengoku knew, if he even let an inch, Garp will take a mile and Sakazuki will know only Death. Sengoku is the only thing standing between Akainu and Davy Jones now. Then they would have more to worry about than losing a war. 

“That DOG will regret it! I will rip out his spine one vertebrae at a time !”

Conqueror’s crackled around them, the air becoming heavy, and heated, and the surrounding marines dropped like flies. 

“I WILL FEAST UPON HIM!!” Garp howled, eyes red.

“Remember your promise, Garp, remember your oath to the Marines!” Sengoku gritted.

“The promise to kin holds precedence, Sengoku! It is bound in blood! I promised, I promised them ! The oath I took was for Justice, for the People! To protect! THIS ISN’T JUSTICE!” Garp snapped. And Sengoku had a moment, where he feared Garp, feared his defection.  

Suddenly, the ground shook with the tell-tale sign of Whitebeard’s devil fruit and Sengoku watched as the Strongest Man in the World launched an attack at the Red Dog and he was thrown by the blow. Another move and the Marines and Pirates were separated and Akainu fell into a crater, where he laid unmoving. Whitebeard had defeated Akainu,  no doubt for even thinking and trying to attack Ace and his brothers, and to stop his pursuit of them. 

Sengoku was debating on letting Garp go when a crude laugh that echoed through the plaza, and the Shichibukai Blackbeard emerged from the chaos, to the shock and dismayed cries of the Whitebeard Crew. Heads turned to see the commotion, and Sengoku noticed how Garp’s eyes locked onto a new target.

“Zehahahahaha! What a splendid show this was!” His haki was oily, and slimy, and Sengoku felt truly disturbed. Behind Blackbeard lurked his crew and- has it gotten bigger?! Was that Shiryu?! Wasn’t he in Impel Down?! What’s going on?! Did Blackbeard free them from Impel Down?! Was that his plan all along?! Sengoku felt like he was always one step behind. 

“Teach. You dare show your rotten face here.” Whitebeard rumbled, anger and rage seeping into his voice and Sengoku remembered, Blackbeard was the one to turn Ace in to the Marines, the very reason this war started at all. 

Sengoku was distracted by the faceoff between the Whitebeard Pirates and the Blackbeard Pirates that he had a lapse in strength. Akainu was down for the count and Sengoku was assured of Blackbeard’s position as a Shichibukai that made it impossible for him to be touched by Marines. And it seemed that Teach was assured of that position too. Too assured. Blackbeard reared his fist back, shrouded in darkness, prepared to deliver the finishing blow to Whitebeard. 

It only took a second. 

Sengoku’s hold on Garp loosened and Garp vanished from beneath Sengoku’s hand, his marine coat all that remained. 

The Fleet Admiral jerked and quickly turned in Akainu’s direction, only to be rocked to the ground with a thunderous boom as the very ground of Marineford split at the shockwave. Sengoku managed to catch himself on his hands and watched in shock as at the very epicentre of the attack -caused not by Whitebeard as many thought but by Vice-Admiral Garp- stood the man himself, towering over the Shichibukai who was beaten to the ground, famed fist coated with Armament and Conqueror’s crackled through the air around them, sending most to their knees, and some to oblivion. 

“GAARRRPP!!!!” Sengoku screamed, mouth agape in shock, frozen, because he knew that this was Garp’s true fury, and that it was contained . Garp could have destroyed half the entirety of Marineford with one punch if he so wished. Garp had vowed to protect the weak in the Marines, so he could not outright defect, so this was the next best thing. Sengoku and Garp were trying , but it was an arduous journey. Garp knew as well as Sengoku did that so long as he, a D. stayed in the Marines, he could one day be in prime position to alter it from within. A new generation, trained by Garp heralds it, for Change was on the horizon. So Garp, in staying true to his Vow and his Blood Oath, did the next best thing, target the one responsible for this all, the one who sent Portgas D. Ace into the Marines’ hand and brought him to the attention of the Gorosei, Blackbeard. 

Blackbeard crawled to his feet, a little worse for wear, but moving where others would be unconscious, his motley crew scattered at his feet, taken out either by the force and shockwave of the punch or by the subsequent onslaught of conquerors’. 

“G-Garp the Fist…What’s the meaning of this?! I-I’m a Shichibukai!” He gritted his teeth, glaring at the Marine hero, his checkerboard teeth crooked and  missing teeth, bleeding from his gums, and his temple, cradling his head in one hand, an arm wrapped around his torso with the other. 

Garp faced Blackbeard with a grim countenance, fury and vengeance broiling in his eyes and he had his back to the Whitebeard Pirates, who were all gaping at him in shock and surprise.

“Whatever do you mean, Blackbeard. I simply attacked Whitebeard at the same time you did, and our attacks collided, my bad.” The words were nonchalant, nothing incriminating, but his demeanor, to those who could sense it, was anything but. His eyes darkened and the watching Whitebeards shivered at the low growls he emitted, barely restrained. “It would seem you got yourself quite the crew, scavenged from Impel Down, I see. Looks like they aren’t as hardy as you hoped. Once again, my bad.” Was that- fangs?

Who knew Garp could be so sly, was this the same man who solved everything with his fists?! Here he was saying one thing, but his actions spoke of another intent altogether.

“Why are you getting in my way,” Teach grumbled. “I am assisting you with the Whitebeard Pirates, as is my duty as a Shichibukai. Isn't immunity my entitlement, what’s the meaning of this?!” 

Garp merely tilted his head, as he faced Blackbeard, who had clenched a fist, once again shrouded in darkness. “I wish to clarify, that it wasn’t my intention to impede you. By all means, go ahead, kill Whitebeard.” Garp stepped to the side, arms crossed, clearing the path so that Blackbeard once again faced Whitebeard without anything in the crossfire.

Blackbeard grinned, raising his fist, while Whitebeard simply steeled himself, preparing for the fight ahead. 

“Answer me one thing though.” Came Garp’s voice, interrupting the oncoming fight and cutting through the tension like a hot knife through butter. 

“Eh?” Teach spared the Vice-Admiral a glance. 

“I heard from a little spark that you claim yourself a D. Is this true?” Garp’s eyes were shadowed. 

Teach blinked, taken aback, before laughing, trying to conceal his nervousness. “Zehahhahaha! You, Garp the Fist, don’t know my name? Well, remember it then, for I, Marshall D. Teach, will go down in history! Zehhahahaha!” 

“I see.” Garp was calm. Too calm. Something was wrong . It all seemed - sounded - wrong .

The atmosphere became heavy, spine-chilling and choking, pressing down on all who bore its weight, like a noose,  a warning to the one who erred, and Blackbeard took an involuntary step back, before steeling himself, prepared to fight. What, he knew not.

Then Garp looked up, pinning Teach with his glare and Teach felt his whole body lock up, his body refused to move, like it had been turned to stone, and his hairs stood on end, goosebumps racing up his arms and it felt like hands, claws, seized his heart, his lungs, his head and was crushing it-them, it felt like he was himself caught in his blackhole, rammed from all sides. Those eyes burrowed into his soul, he had been judged, and he was found wanting. It was enough to make a lesser man collapse, and Teach’s legs shook, but he refused to be cowed, refused to believe he was lesser. He was not, for he would be the Pirate King. 

“You know not what you have invoked. You are no King, Teach.” Garp’s voice pierced through the haze that Blackbeard was drowning in. What? Did he hear his thoughts? Did he speak out loud? 

“Pops…” Marco gritted out, watching it all unfold, forced to a knee. 

Whitebeard’s laboured breathing struggled under the Haki but he held his ground, face like stone. “As expected, he was holding back all those times. Conqueror’s may be King’s Haki, but nothing beats the Conqueror’s of a D.” He rumbled.

“Pay your penance, Fake D.” Garp declared, hands fisted at his side. “You will never again lay your hands on my Kin, you abhorrent gnat. You are not worthy. ”

That word angered Blackbeard, red filled his vision and he reared back in preparation for the killing blow, new target in mind, but was once again interrupted. 

A bright light drew their attention, and they looked to the source, coming from the bay.

“WHAT IS THAT?!” Izo screamed, eyes wide with shock and fear. 

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A couple minutes before:

At the bay, a submarine had emerged from the depths and the hatch opened to reveal a dark haired spotted-hatted man, bearing dark bags under his eyes and looking menacing, who immediately called to the brothers, “Bring Strawhat-ya to me! I’m a doctor, I can treat him!”

Ace had to make a decision, his brother’s life hung in the balance, but he was reluctant, for Ace knew his pirates, he knew that this man was one of the Supernovas, the Surgeon of Death, Trafalgar Law.

Ace was hesitant to entrust his brother into the hands of someone whose epithet is the Surgeon of Death. But Luffy needed help, needed medical assistance and time was of the essence. 

Behind them, Akainu had recovered and was pursuing them, lobbing magma punches at them that were stopped by Jinbe, who was covering their retreat, and Whitebeard.  Whitebeard managed to launch an attack that brought down the relentless Red Dog, and he lay unmoving in a crater. 

“Luffy! Hang in there!” 

Luffy was getting paler and weaker by the second, but he still croaked out, “Ace…Sabo…”

“We are here, Lu!” 

“Just a little more, we are almost there!”

The man called out again, “I said bring him here! I’m a doctor!”

Ace didn’t have a choice, his brother needed medical attention yesterday.

They legged it towards the submarine, and the moment they crossed some sort of barrier, or perhaps, got within a certain range, a blue translucent sphere spread out from the man, enveloping the brothers and suddenly, they found themselves teleported to be right in front of the submarine. Ace blinked and brushed it off, a devil fruit no doubt.

Ace passed his brother over to the surgeon, barking, “You better save him!”

Even as Luffy stubbornly clung to his shorts with trembling fingers. “A-Ace…”

The man easily supported Luffy’s weight and looked Ace in the eyes, and Ace felt a tingle down his spine. This…

“I, Trafalgar D. Water Law, do promise to do everything within my power.” The Supernova said solemnly.

Ace and Sabo blinked. A secret D.? Which meant that this Pirate, this Surgeon, was Kin. And if there was anyone to trust, it was Kin. D Kin help each other. Ace knew it when he saw it, felt it in his bones.  A fellow D.  

Ace and Sabo felt a crushing weight being lifted off their chests, their prayers answered.

At that moment, the four Ds made a wish, a plea, desperation coating their voices .

‘Please, let Luffy be okay!’ Ace.

‘Let us get out of this alive!’ Sabo.

‘I pray it’s not too late for Mugiwara-ya!’ Law.

‘Ace…Gotta…save…Ace..!’ Luffy.

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A bright light erupted on the battlefield, almost blinding the ones who were nearby. They all tried to block the light but also tried to peek and what they saw shocked them. The light was coming from the group of Ds, so bright it engulfed them and they could barely see their silhouettes. What was going on? Was the thought that went through their heads. 

They got their answer a second later, as rising from the wharfs, from the sea foam, towering over the ships and looming over Marineford itself, was an honest to gods, colossal demon. It was huge, taller than the Moby, taller than Oars, taller than Sengoku’s Golden Buddha form, and practically dwarfed Marineford, it’s size making the Marine headquarters look like a rock. Its entire body was shadowed in black mist, it had six glowing red, penetrating eyes that paralyzed the strongest marines and pirates, and incapacitated the weaker ones. Long ox-like horns protruded from its head, gleaming like metal, and it had a gaping maw with long fangs of different length, oozing with something toxic green. It had 4 arms, the upper pair being longer and thinner while the lower pair was bulkier. It also looked like it had at least 6 fingers on each hand. 

Then the monster Demon  slowly turned to look downward, pinning its gaze on the shock form of the four who were responsible. 

The being opened its mouth, and the world shook .

W̺̫̥͆͞H̭̟̮̺̭͕͈̹̆͛̔ͭ͟Ǫ͈͕̬̯͖̑͂̎ ̠̲̈ͥ͟D̷͍̙̳̋͒̽Ā̪̼̈́̄ͮ͢R̡͎̳̙̯̟͐ͩE̸͈̦͎̙̤̙̗͍ͣS̝̗̫͍̞̅̄͝ ̷̭̙̝̥͒Ṡ̢̻͖͉̗̞̞̜̲͆̌U̷̱͍͙̖͓̠̽̽M̯̝̲̲̂͜M̺͚̰̟̝͔͙ͬ̌̈̐͠ͅO̥̖̟͌͝Ǹ̳̼̥͔͇͈̥ͣ̑̚͘ ̢̠̟̪͈̰̳̄̇̓M̧̞̣̜̺̲͙̲̽̐E͎͍͒ͬ̔̎͞

Its voice was deep, reverbrating, bordering on a roar and jarring to the bones. Its mere voice caused dozens to fall to ground, knees weak.

All six eyes fixed on the four Ds who stared in shock. It bent over, seemingly to get a closer look, and hummed. 

“D͒͏͚͎i̦̺̘̪͒ͭ̐̑̀ͅr̡̹̩͇̋g͇̼̜̳ͧ̑͒ͬ͡ē̹͕̆̑͡ ͙͇̙̮͎̹ͪͯ͒̀͜ͅo̡͚͎̽̊f̉҉̬͔͉ͅ ͙̣͙̹͉̼̏̌̊͠H̿͋̉͑҉̞͍̞̖̺̲͇̻ě̴̝̝̳ͤa̖̰̮̜ͥ͜r̶͉̖̯̦͕̫̭ͪ̎͒ͭẗ͉̺́̈͞” Eyes landed on Law.

“D̪͇̺͕̲̲̟ͮͫͫ͗͠ḯ̜̹ŕ̩̖͖ͭ́g̜͖̪̖̗̰̾ͬ̓͞e̶̦̲̲̞͉ͫͅͅ ̸̪̜̳ͯ͛͑ͧő̭̘̯̦̗̠̥͠f̰͈̄͗̂͜ ͤ̎̏̚͏̹̟̪͉̘͚̤M͚̺͙͓̜̣̀̏̎͞ỉ͎̗̰ͬ͘n͙̱̙̳̱̮͋ͫ̾͡d̶̝͉̤̼̼̆̅̆ͭ.” Six eyes trained on Sabo.

“Dͧͥ҉̪͉̠̩i̺͈͒͝r̢̭̻̱̔ͯͮ̃ͅg̹̭̳̥̖̥̹̗̀́e̡̦̖̹̝̪̪̊̑̈́̃ ̙͔̤̘̞̎͟o̴̗̠̗̘̞̪̲͒̒̚f̲̲̥̪̟̋͋̐̔͞ ̮̼̺͉̓̄̍͘B̭͓̘ͨ̇̕ỏ̸̲̯̟͈̳̳̇ͫd͎̺̻̠̟̽ͯ̃ͩ́y̧͖̤̪̰̖̣̪̫͂͌̀” Three pairs of eyes focused on to Ace.

“A̷̩̞̣͍̪̝͛̐͗́n͚̼̿͡d̡͉̩͇͓̻͓ͫ͛̎ͅ ͎̞̤͓͓͓̯͚̍ͧͪ̇͠D̯̹̹̘͖͐̑͜iͨ҉̲̯͖̼̼̦r̶̦̟ͬ̔g͎̤͓̗͙̺͍͕̈͞e͍̻͈͉̟̽ͤ͠ ̶̘̳͕̖ͣ̋̈́o̗͙̳̤̖͇͚ͨ͑͡f̛̩̥̦͍̚ͅ ̸̤̯̂͛̿Ś͇̩̣͉̩̂͡o̡̟͉̰͓̻̱̟͌͋́̌u̡͖͚͈͍̗͙̅̐̑ḽ̸͎̻̫͆.” The eyes switch to gaze imperiously unto Luffy.

“Ǎ̡̤̟̙͇͇̭̑́́l̠̭ͦ͑͜l̡̟̰̤̅͋ͥ ͍̥̱̟̞̺͇͉ͫ͢f̝̫̫̼ͮ͂͗̀o̿̉̌̈́҉͕͕̫u̪̪̲̙̰̒͌̑͝r͊͗͏̫͈̗͔͙̥ ̈͂̒̏҉̘̰͎̰̜h͚̲̙͕͑͢ḁ̬͆ͮͨ͢v̊͏̣͓͓͔͍̫e̢͕̺̩̖̋ͤ ̵̻͉ͥͣ̓͊c̤̭̖̖͕̯̥ͫͥ̕ͅo̓̾̋҉̬̻n̶̜͙̦͔̈́v̭̳ͫͣͥ̆͞e̡̪͉̟͕͉͆r̟̽ͬ͑̀ͅg͎̞̬͔ͦ̾͒̿̀e̘̝̭̫̱͖̼̋ͭ͡ď͓̯̤̀.̝̣͇̱ͫͤ̋̚͡ ͈̦̩̟̜͓̘͑͝F̰̟͑͂ͤ͜i̡̱̗͚͚͒n͋́͏̤̖͎̮͚a̶̫̖͙͇̼̰͉̟ͭl̇̃͏̩͍ͅl̴͕̪̻̘̥̐͊̓yͩ҉͚̘͔.͈͓̗͍̣͎̲͓̋ͯ͝ ̷̯͈̩̊ͧ́Į̩̝̲̭̦̦̅̈͗̽ ̸͎͓̯̓h̟͉̼̳̼̣͊͋̈͘ȁ̫̼͈̟͚͌͞v͇̩̌́e̷̥͕̰̖ͬ̽̆̚ ̛͚̞ͣ́w̸̬̭̥͓͕ͭ͌͊ͅa̭̰̺̾̇͢i̴̗̙̹̳̖͕͖̋ͬͦṯ̷͕͍̬͙̐̃ͯͪe̷̝̲͇̱͉͓̙ͦ̓ͅd̋̓ͤ͏̳͚̳̺̠̫ ̭͚̗ͩ͜c̸̳̹̞̻͈̮̯̒ͪ̑̎e̛̫͇͈͑͛̎n̚͏̞͔̪̰̹̳ṱ̷̻͙̲͓̲̝ͪ̐͆̾u̧̥̼̪̹̭ͦ̏ͅr̠̖̳̼̓̈́̆͛͜i̯̰̱̲̜̱̿̉͠ȩ̫̦̩ͨ̍͐ş̼̺͙͇͌ͪ̐͋ .”

Marineford was deafeningly silent, as all looked on with bated breath, for what this entity might bring.

Then, one voice permeated through the quiet. “Wh-who are you?” It was a pink haired marine whose whole body trembled, knelt on the ground, as if his legs were jelly instead of bone, but he still was brave enough to ask the pertinent question. 

The demon’s jaws and fangs moved into a facsimile of a smile, grin unholy. 

“Ÿ̖͓͉̣̠͕ͪ̎͘ơ̹͔͕̞͕̝͇̮̌͛u̝̱̱̙͇̣̓̉̊̽͠ ̨̲̦̜̬͔̔̏m͈̩̗̹̬̦̝͖ͣ͋͗͞a̛̻͕̙̰̩̠̮̋ẏ̯͕̻͎̹̪̹̂̈́́ͅ ̵͍͚̥̠̻͔͓̓ͥc̘̮͉͙̝͇͐͠ā̓ͪͦ҉͎̯̺͈̤̻̞l̴͎̼͚̙͙̹̥̜͛l͗ͮ͏̣͓̭̻ ̴̪̳̬͕̘̟͑ͅm̳̲͕̾ͧ͛̚͢e̢̯̳͙͈̤̥͈ͬ ̢̭̟̟̼͐ͤD̖̗͊̌̄ͯ́a̴̙̺̮͍ͪ͗͊ṁͩͥ̚҉̗̮͈̗̮ǒ̧̦̦͍͙̙̜͕ṋ̠̭͙͕̗̂̏͑́.̲͍͕̣͗ͥ̄̍̀ ̷͔̺̝̹̪͖̐A̘̪͙̓̔̽̇͞ṋ͙̳̳̰͈̣ͬ͌͟ͅd̶̲̳͚͙̙̈̾̈́,̤̭̺ͯ͢ ̸̫͉̪͇̭̰̱̽̿͊͗b̰͖̙̪̣̥̠̖̄̾͜y̵̱̰͎̠ͦ ͖̣̼̙̪̈ͣ͠t͍̘̭̤̼̩̃ͬ́͟ͅͅh̴̫͔̘͇̜͙̯̊̀̈́̉ę̹̼̮̲̿ ͍͔̱̲͓ͯͯ͡c̡̬̙͑ͅo̡̜̥͗ͯ͑n̫̰̍̈̈̏͘ͅt̢̞͍͍̳̅r̢͈̟̦̠̜̯̍ͯa̹͔͈̰̜͇̎̃̚͠ͅc̻͎̦͙ͣ́̕ͅt̡̝̟̜͓̩̳ͣͧ̄ͅ ̯̦͒͘f͚̺̘̎̿͞ö͕̠͕̖̘͙̝́̿̓̚͘r̴̩͙̺̞̻̗̰͎̓ͩ̒g̶̳̮ͮͮͥ̑e͕̰͖ͨ̃̈́̀d̨̙̹̣͔̪̠̓ͫ ̻͙̠͇͙̉̽̋ͨ́b̷͓̞͔͇ͦͭ͛ẏ̟̏̕ͅ ̯͕̭̹̟͕ͤ͝y̖̤̗̯̔̐͞o̳̭̙̮̝͉͍̔ͨ̌͠ủ̶̻̳͔̟r̛̝̲͓̝̝̉͋̄ ͚͉̥̣̹͍̃ͧ͘g̻̥͎̟͎͋͘r̂̅҉̫̬̤̺e̮̪ͣ̋͆̔͢ͅå͖͍̹̩͘t͈̙̮̹͎̫ͧ̓̿͂́ ̵̞̲̃̄a̱̥̳̠ͯ̓ͣ̎́n̛͈̺̺̗̩̩̅ͪc̶̞͚͔̄ę̹̬̾͗s̰̤̥̮̺̫̿͞ͅt̞̞̖̖͕̋̄̐͒͢ö̰̝̝̰̯̤̲́͊ͬ̀r̰͖ͧ̿̕”

Here he turned to the four Ds. “ I̴̤̤ͨ ̹̰̩̳̆͊ͯ̀a̧̯̝̗̼̲̳̋m̵͕̗͊͋ ͍̙̥̤̩̂ͨ̃͜a̖̩̻͈ͧ̓̐͛̀tͤ҉͎̖̥̱̺̼ ̷͎͔̖̞ͥ͋y̶̲͎̥͛͂͌̀o̴̝͓̫͔̓ͩu̷͖̟͈͕̫͒r̠̙̪̣̠̗ͥͬ͗͢ ̡̹͍͙̲̈́̈́s̼͙͇͚̠̜̘ͫ̕ȩ̥̩ͯͬr͉̮̳̙̤̟̺̔͝v̛͔̣̙̤̹̰̂̍ḭ͚̓͞ç̬̹̮͚̒ͦ̑ͅė̩̩̠̃͜.”

The first to snap out of the stupor was Sabo who immediately cried, “I want you to stop anyone who means us harm! The ones who want to kill us! And allow us to escape from Marineford safely!”

The demon’s grin stretched into a wide -too wide- smile, Â̡̤͇̰̣͑nͬ͌ͯ҉̞̳̳̠̜̙̲̖y̡̫̱͉̯̼ͫ̑̍̈ͅ ̇͏̜̳̝rͭ̽҉̝̘̪̗̻ẽ̫̮̳̆ͯ͞s̡̗̠̗̱̬̥͓̈́̚t̛͓̰̮̬̂͛́r̟͍͉̎ͯ͟ỉ̢̗̩̫̘̪̞̥͗̓c̻̲͙̗̫̐̀͆̏͝t̠̞͚̬͙̘̂͛̃͜ỉ̶͍̭̯̒o̼͈̣͚ͭ̄̐̅͝ṅ̻͕͙̣̭͕̟̦͝s̯͖͉ͤ̿͑͊́?̶̱̫͓̜̻̬̞̏̈́

Ace blinked this time, and shook his head frantically. “None! Drag them to hell for all I care!”

A chilling rumble emanated from the monster and the people were dreaded to realise that it was a twisted version of a laugh. 

B̶͚͖̼̤̣ͤÿ̹̗́̅͊͜ ̡̮̪͇̗͇̜ͤ̔ͅb̸̟̩̌ͦ͐l̢̠̳͈̺̞͎ͬͣo͕̫ͩ̽̾̀ȯ̵̺̦̣̪̱̹̹̬̂̓ͦd͕̬͈̪̮̹̦ͮ̾̇͡ ̱̝̓͆͞s͓̟͉̼̖͙̄͠w̵̹̜̠̽̚o̴̗̣̝̭̱̪ͤr̤̰ͥͥ̅͛͝n̴͔̠̗̽ ̹̪̭̥͖͊̔̂̀͡ă͍̮̪͠n̨̜̬̗̺̬͉̻ͩ̐ͥ̀ͅd̴̺̦̱͚͓͌ͅ ̠̤̼̫̑̀̚͝s̶̺̦̈ͦh̡̟̣̗̐̄ͬå͓̯̰̪̿͠ȑ̠͓̣͕̱̜̯̔̿̚͟ȩ͚̩̹̺ͫ͂ͨd̸͕͕͎͉͎̒̓́͒ͅ,̵̟̠͔̦͈͕͓̪ͫ ̜̣͖͎̟̯̬̒̍́t̶͈̹̣̜̠̱ͨͧ̀h̴͉͇̬͉͌̾ë̺́̔̊͠ͅ ̶̲̭̣̝͓̹̼̗ͤ̑ḋ͏̻̭͉̣̰e̴͖̩̖͔̳̖̮ͫ̋̇ͅa̶̺͚̩͓͋l̶̝̗̪̥̹̄̔ ̺̮̤̭͈̗̲̠͋͘ḯ͖̦̩̬̏̉̇͝s̛̼̱̦̝̰̣̄ ͗͒͏͓̳͎̪͕̖̮s̴͖͉͈͇͖͚ͭ̃̾̚e̶͚̞͎̯̱̽a̯̼ͪ̏̾ͮ͞l̴̹̲̱̘̫̊e̳̲̟̗͔͖͋ͣ̉͜d̵̗͇̻̤͖̄ͦ̽̂.̛̤͎̝̦͚̼̑

Then the demon lunged for Akainu who was picking himself up from the crater, hell bent on chasing the brothers again. It scooped the Admiral up before he could react, and dropped the man into its gaping maw, no matter that Akainu had instinctively turned to magma, the jaws of death closed around him with a sickening crunch, and dreadful finality.

The marines and pirates alike watched in fear and trepidation, waiting for the mad red dog to come bursting forth in a deluge of magma. 

But the demon only licked its chops with a hum. “M̥̰̹͇̺̥̮̤ͣͬ̈͋͞m͙̳̟͎̈̀m̼̟̜̲͙̫ͩ̅͋̿͟ͅ.̨͇̬̑͒̇.͔̫̥͔͕̮̬̱̌͟.̸̥̲͔̃̆ͅŜ̤̠́̚͝p̾͆̒̈҉̘̥̭͖̳͔̣ï̴͕͉c̢̮̻̲͇̯̜̝̮ͫͭ̇ͧý̠̬̦̗̘̰̺͟.͋ͧ͋ͦ҉̥͎̝̺͍.̶̥͕̗̈̍.̷̱̖̻̯͎̌ͅ”

It all happened in less than a second. Akainu could barely react, and just like that, Akainu the Mad Dog was dead and the Marines had lost one of their Admirals. 

Stunned, fearful silence permeated Marineford, too afraid to move, much less make any sounds, lest the demon turned its ire on them. 

The Demon eyes passed sightlessly over the masses, like viewing ants beneath their boots, before setting its sights on another individual.

“Y̬̖̱̍̿̏̄͢o̗̻͉̲ͩ̉̔͘u̶͙̞̩̹̠ͩ,̸̗͉̤̭̯̙͈̝͑̓ ̣̮̣̤̠̘̃̀ͅy̱̪̳ͧͣ̋͞o̡͖̙̼͔͕̤̪̓̐͌̉u̧̯̼̳̘̞͌͛ͅ ̤͇̗͖̐͐͐ͭ͘ẖ̴͔̻͉̥̳͕̊o̵̭̦̟ͯͯl̵̬͎̼̭̻͙̲͒d̯̬ͧ̎́͠ ̙͓̹̰̦̝ͦͨͫ́͡g̝̘͉̊ͯ͝ͅr̴̭̪̙̗͓͐ͥ̎̚e͓͉ͩ̽ͦ͘ã̰͙̱̟͙̯̹̉͢t̼̯̯̟̯̅̎̂͠ ̱͍̏͒͜ͅa̲̮̔̇ͫ͡n̋̍̒͊҉̻̭̹̩̟͇̬̯i̵̩̦͎͉̘̽m̸͕̪͒ͥ̈̅o͔̞͎̗̰ͫ̀͢s̺̰̜̗͗ͮ̀ͣ͡ͅͅỉ̲̯̞͈̮̱̣͡t̼̗̤̱̳̲̐͂͟y̨̠̳̹̝̬ͤ ̋̈̑҉̠͖͔f̛̘̭̔́̏̂o̔͒͏̫̞̞̜͉ͅr̥̯͈̤̼͎̤̰̃ͮ̾́ ̠̳̝̃͑̾͋̀t̵̙̪̘̼ͪ̿̄h̵͎̜͉̖̣͕̘̲̿̾͆͆e̛͓̠̤̼ͫ ̻͈̓̔ͦ͠Ḓ̼̞̺̠͉̳̃̃ͬ̚͡.͛͐҉͕͖͉̪̻̺͎̪ ̞̱̲͙̆ͣ̒͑͠ͅc̟̥̙̯̳͔̯̃̊͂́l̢̠̞̐ͧä͉̙͍́ͥ͌͝n̶̘͖̗̻̭̘̈́.͚̞̭͈̩͚̪́ͥ͞”

Monkey D. Garp stepped up, held his ground against the terrible, terrible being and stated, “He claims himself a D. He is not.” 

The Demon’s mein twisted into a monstrous version of a frown, “A̤̹ͣ̀ ̡̣͉̳͛̊͌ͧģ̜̮̩̝̘̰̣͍́̂r̴̗̠̘̝͙͎͒ͦ̂a͔̜̭̩͉͐͊͞v̰͔͙ͬͭ̇͞e̛̙̦̺̼͐̿ͅ ͇͍̩̗ͫ͢o͓͍͒̆͟ͅf̼̹͙̳̑́f͍͎͍̥͉̎̒̂͢ͅe̫̼͓̰͑ͫ́n̪̬̝̼̱ͪͭ͗͊͜ͅs̟̪͓̜̹̩̯̽͞ȇ̖̼̲̲̰ͩ͡ ̬̜̯ͣ̿̄̓̀i̮̳͎̩̬̯͛ͪ̓̕ͅn̴̪͓̫͕͚͇̆͌̍̈́d͉̜͕͙͚͑̀͛̀e̹̜̪̦͔̤͈̭ͫͥ͢e̶̫̖̘̫͈̥̚ͅḓ̟͖ͮͥͬ͠,̡̩̭͓̹ͩ 

̼͕͕̩̦̘̽͊̐ͦ͡ḇ͕̋͟lͫ̂͗̔͏̙̮͉̥̘̮͍̜o̬̠̜̠̰̓̽̽͟ó͐͏̟͚̫̼̫̲̼d̨͍̹͈̦͖̳͛̃̋ͧ-͙͇̍̀ķ̯͎̪̺̭̃̇í͎͍̣̊ͯ͜n̯̤̳͚̤̠̥̋̽̆̍͜.̸̭̹͔̺̫̳̜͙̤̻̃͂ͦ̃̿͢”

Teach trembled and took a step back.

“This whole thing wouldn’t be happening, if it weren’t for him.” Garp muttered, crossing his arms and giving Blackbeard the stink eye. 

The Demon heard. 

“H̶͍̟͕̗̠̏̂̿e̙͕̙̱͇̦̜̭ͯ̇̕ ̷̪̙́͆͒wͥ͏̜̠̳̭̩a̩̠̼ͬͬ̍ͯ͜ș͍̭͈ͣ͝ ̭̗̙̥͚̥͍͖̈̅͞r̛̙̺̠̱̮̱̾e̼̱̙̘͖̓̈̈́̚͘ṩͯ̕ͅp̰̖̟̯̥̺̫̹̉̒ͪͨ͘ö̸̜͎̗̯͉n̢̲̬͇̦̘̱̹̞ͣͧͮ̿s̢̼͚͚̑̄i̴͕͋ͯ̋ͅb̫̻̹͇̥̌͒͂̆͡l͑̃̈́҉̙̤̜͎e̡̻̖̎͊ͭ͒ ͇̜̲̤͔ͤ͠f̢̘̱̦̥̖̝̖̫ͥ͌ͪơ̭̻̟̲̖̤ͪ̋̊̋r̴͖͎̭̠͕̟̰̻͋̇ ̧̜̟͉̫̅m̘̖̀̿ͪ̀y̶͇͉͇͇͈ͤ ͎͕̰̭̬͔ͫ͊͌ͮ͡a̘̮̩̳ͣ̒͢w̩̣͓͍͚̩͐̏̒͜ͅa̛̹̠ͫ͌k̷̮̯̝̳̜̻̝͙͑͑̇ͥe̶̜̤͔̬̾̇͌n̞̼̠̥͙̯̳̳ͬ̿͌̀̀i̙̮̭̭͉͍͈͛ͬ̓͟n̸͖̩̳̟̐g̟̭͚̥̫̦̎͐̍̆́ͅ?̴̱̳̉̅ͫ ̸͇͓͕̥ͯ̚W͕̯̞̘̰̹ͤ͝e͓͓̟͈̞̼̖̻̓́̚͡l͈̣͙̗̗ͬ̿̓̓͘l̸̟̖̺̀͐̚ ̹̟̰̠̔͆͘ẗ̖͓̞̦̬̘͖̭̎͂͟h͕͔̻̙͂͐̿̾̕e̷͕͍̓͐͆ņ̤͎͍͉̳̱̝͔̓͗͛ͭ,̘͚̻͔̘͌͢ ̴̩̝̱̦͊ͭ͆l͍̫̝͎̱̖̫̿́e̹͓̠̥̓ͧͮ̕ͅtͣͤ҉̥̗̖̘ ̻̤̲̼̥̩̅͞m̵͇͇͇̓̑ͩͭě̛͈͖̱̪̘̺̰̙͋ ̰̪̻̞̓͡ṯ̤̜̒̔̈̏͜h̜͍̺̼ͩ͟ä̷͙̞̻̬̦̱́̑̍̍n̴̘͉̦̤͈̆̿̃k̸͔̲̺̺̥̱͌̋ͬͨ ̳̝͔̖͔ͥ̐͛͜h̬͙͉̫͔ͪ̎̎̐͡ͅi̩̭̙͈ͨͩ̊́m̙̗͇͐̀̍͋̕.̡̼̗̦͓͍̌”

With that, the demon sunk into the ground in fire and brimstone, and a black, abyssal vortex appeared beneath the feet of Blackbeard, similar to his devil fruit, appearing to be affecting him and only him. The whirlpool spit out hellflame and the screams of the damned echoed from its depths. It was terrifying and Blackbeard tried to move but he was stuck. 

When he looked down, a thick, scaled hand with black tipped talons had emerged from the blackhole and clamped onto his leg, clawing and puncturing streaks of red into his skin as it held fast. 

Teach gritted his teeth but to no avail, his prized devil fruit failed him, and everyone else could only watch as the Fake D, traitor of the Whitebeards and newly crowned Shichibukai Blackbeard was dragged kicking and screaming into Hell. With a thunderous crack of lightning, the portal closed and Blackbeard was no more. 

Dead silence blanketed the scene, many watching on in disbelief. Garp, who had been witnessing the scene with a stoic demeanor, let out a sigh that pierced the silent din. 

“He has gone to Damnor. A wretched sentence.”

The man turned, trudging back to the Fleet Admiral. “Deserving.”

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Sengoku felt like crying. How had things gone so south! This…this was beyond his wildest dreams! A demon, of all things, an actual Demon! Had killed Admiral Akainu, and one of the Shichibukais, and in the ensuing chaos of its appearance, allowed the three devil brothers to escape on the submarine of Trafalgar Law. 

Sengoku was torn. On one hand, his grandson was here. On the other hand, his grandson, The Worst Generation Pirate also known as the Surgeon of Death , was here. And he had aided in the escape of the three high-priority figures. Not only that, but Marineford was in shambles and crumbling down around his ears. Sengoku could just taste the paperwork. It was truly not a good day to be Fleet Admiral. He was so going to retire after this. 

And just when he thought things couldn’t get any worse, when all that was left was a face-off between the remaining Whitebeard Pirates, Whitebeard himself barely standing, and the still standing Marines, of which only Kizaru was in any fighting condition, there was a shout, “Akagami no Shanks spotted!” 

Yes, that was the Yonko Shanks’ ship spotted on the harbour, oh, he has jumped and landed between them. Wonderful.  

Sengoku watched, stoic as Shanks blinked, looked around, saw the rubble, the tired Marines barely holding on to their tattered morale, the fatigued pirates and the distinct lack of an undergoing execution and stated, “Well, seems like the war is over.. It is clear which side won. Sengoku, I believe I won’t have to tell you that you will call an end to this farce of a war and allow the pirates to leave unhindered. If not, you will have me to contend with!”

The Pirate placed his hand on the hilt of his sword Gryphon and let out a small ripple of conquerors that served to knock out the exhausted marines. 

Garp scoffed, and folded his arms, “Got no choice, Senny, they’ve got the upper hand here.”

Sengoku let out a long, world-weary sigh, took out the den-den and announced, “The war is over, all Marines, cease and desist. I repeat, this war is over. All marines are to cease fire, and any attempt to engage will be dealt with harshly.”

There were some disgruntled grumblings, but the Marines let the pirates retreat with little fanfare, Akagami’s eyes pinned on them the whole way. When the pirates were but specks on the horizon, Sengoku let out a sigh, dragged a hand over his face, and turned to head back into the building, “I retire, effective immediately. Let the new Fleet Admiral deal with the Gorosei. I’m getting far away from here. Preferably to the east, where it’s quiet and peaceful.”

With a booming laugh, Garp followed him. And the Paramount war ended.

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The atmosphere was tense when Shanks finally was able to see to the D. brothers on board the Red Force.

 The Whitebeards were too focused on trying to save Whitebeard’s life and any doctors or nurses they could spare was tending to the wounded, with Trafalgar Law, the Surgeon of Death focused on saving the life of Luffy. Luffy, who had risked his life for his brother, little, crybaby Luffy who wasn’t so little anymore. It turns out that in breaking into Impel Down, Luffy encountered Magellan, and was doused in poison, so much so that it impeded his heightened healing factor, and he had needed a near lethal boost of hormones from Emporio Ivankov just to be up and running. Not to mention the dose he took in Marineford. So now, Trafalgar was working to purge the artificial hormones from his body, get rid of any remaining poison and sustaining his body enough while pushing his healing to kick in again. 

It had been a mere day, and already the newspapers were screaming the headline of the decade for all to see. Marines suffer crushing defeat, Sons of Gold Roger and Dragon the Revolutionary escaped!

Turns out that the Marines had been broadcasting, intending to show the world their victory, and when things went awry, called for the cessation of all video den den, only for it to backfire and show the world their incompetence instead as the Camekos kept rolling. Oh, Shanks could just smell the chaos that would unfold.

Now, Shanks stood aboard his ship, anchored together with the submarine of Trafalgar Law, and managed to finally learn what went on during the war. 

To think, that Marshall Teach, the man who had given him that scar, was dead at the hands of a Demon who had dragged him to hell…Shanks’ only regret was to not have sent him there himself. 

Shanks was put on D. watching duty, and now he had two agitated, healing D. young adults pacing the deck, wearing a hole into the adam wood with their tight pacing and growling like animals, so much so that no one else had dared to venture near. 

Understandable, of course, that they would be worried for their brother, who up till now had been stuck in surgery, with no news as to his condition. The blond D. Brother had almost torn the Okama’s head off when he learnt exactly how much hormones he had given Luffy. Ten years…By Jones, Shanks had had to sit when he heard that. But needs must and he had focused on holding back the two near feral Ds as they were prohibited from seeing their brother while the doctors attended to him. See, Benn, he knew priorities.

So here he was, watching the two circle around each other in their pacing, occasionally letting out grunts, growls and snarls as they awaited news. The only reason they were not also getting checked on by the available doctors and nurses was that they had forgone medical aid, and instead insisted their services used for those who couldn’t heal like them. 

When confronted with Ace’s melted skin and the hole in Sabo’s shoulder, Ace had shrugged and got Sabo to skin his back where the melted flesh was so that new ones would grow in place when the healing took over. Apparently, if he had let it heal just like that, there would be a scar that would marr the jolly roger, so he would rather have his whole flesh removed and new ones grow to tattoo over. 

And Sabo’s hole in his shoulder had cauterized due to the intense heat of the light from Kizaru and was unable to heal closed, so Sabo had dug his fingers into the wound, and opened it wider than it had been so as to get rid of the cauterized part, before letting his healing do the work of sealing the wound closed. He then proceeded to lick the blood that had flowed onto his hand clean, and rolled his eyes at those who shuddered when they saw him do so. 

Also, the brothers look different now. Well, more devilish. Their fangs were more prominent, their ears a tad more pointed, and occasionally, when the light hit just right, Shanks swore he could see horns like that of sheep or ram protruding from their head. 

It had been close to a day and still there was no news. Well, no news is good news, isn’t it?

Just when Shanks thought the two older brothers would blow a gasket and he had to step in to calm them down, a translucent blue sphere morphed over the ship, and the Surgeon of Death stood where once was a barrel.

He had heavy bags under his eyes and he looked exhausted and done with everything, having this ‘kill me to end my suffering’ vibe. His aura was also dark and depressing and he really embodied the Surgeon of Death moniker, what with his yellow eyes and- were those claws? It reminded Shanks of those stories of mad doctors, like Vegapunk. 

The moment he appeared, the two brothers immediately went on the defensive, with Sabo jumping in front of Ace, crouching to the ground in one fluid motion, one hand braced on the floor, the other stretched out to his side in a v-claw shape, and with one leg bent under him, and the other stretched out, ready to spring. The blonde D. growled and bared his teeth, no, fangs at the doctor, and Ace bent his knees, muscles coiled to attack, as he too, growled and snapped, flexing and tensing his body.

This sudden change in demeanor was jarring and Shanks was ready to step in, along with Benn and Lucky Roo, to stop the volatile powerhouses from escalating this into a hostile situation and potentially sinking their ship. Shanks did not doubt they could if they really tried.

Hiiiisssssss

But no, Trafalgar Law instead drew his lips back, and snarled back, a flash of fangs, his glare settling heavy on the brothers, and to Shanks, who stood behind the brothers, it felt like he was being cut open upon a scalpel and his deepest fears, hopes, dreams and secrets bared for the world to see, like the eerie presence of a haunted cemetery, like a dark morgue devoid of- oh. OH.

Shanks shivered, forcibly shaking himself out of the stupor. This Rookie was like Luffy, like Ace, Sabo and Garp, like the Captain; he was a-

“Portgas D. Ace and Portgas D. Sabo, comport yourselves or I will deny you entry.” The rough, hoarse, sleep-deprived voice of the Surgeon cut through the now-silent deck like a hot knife through metal, sharp and commanding. If Shanks didn’t know any better, he would say that there were even some conquerors’ leaked into his voice.

The brothers frowned, fists clenching, “You would get in our way? Trafalgar D. Water Law?” Sabo hissed, only loud enough for Ace, Law and Shanks who was near to hear. 

The doctor rolled his eyes and replied coolly, “My patient doesn’t need two stressed and anxious Deslaakz with brother complexes the size of the grand line complicating his healing process. He needs his Dhohari , and only when you can carry yourself as such, can you deign to see him.”

That seemed to get through to them and they blinked, visibly calming down. Sabo stood up and Ace straightened from his crouch. Sabo carded a hand through his hair, tussling it and letting out a weary sigh. “Apologies for that unsightly image just now, Dav . It has been a trying day. May we see him now? How is he?”

“Recuperating. He should not be moved during this period, but he can be touched and he might even be able to hear you. He’s currently sedated as we had to kick his healing into high gear, but he should wake in an hour or so.” 

Law then held up three fingers, turned his hands so that his palms faced upwards. 

“ Room”

And the brothers disappeared with that, likely into the sub. 

Then, Law let out a bone-deep, weary sigh and collapsed onto the deck, practically melting into the floorboards and leaned heavily onto the crates behind him. 

Shanks scooped up the abandoned plate of human meat that the brothers had not been able to finish in their worry and offered it to the young adult, crouching down to meet his eyes. “Hungry?” Shanks asked, lazy smirk plastered on his face. He was met with a tired glare, “Starving, thanks, Akagami-ya.” He said, even as he reached for the plate.

Shanks let out a light smile, “What do you want? I will get the cooks to make them for you.”

Law cast him a look in askance and then smirked, “Your eyeballs are looking mighty delicious, Yonko-ya.” The Supernova murmured as he raised his other hand towards Shanks face, a mischievous gleam in his eyes.

Shanks huffed, unperturbed as he gently knocked the approaching hand away, “I will get Lucky to get that for you. Thanks for the hard work. What was that you called them? Dez…something?”

Law grunted and nodded, stuffing the handful into his mouth, “Thanks, its Deslaakz, it basically means like, idiots or morons who don’t think, more animal than man. Wake me up when it’s here, oh, and I want onigiri too.” With that, he folded his arms, tucked his chin in and was out like a light. 

Shanks blinked, then let out a quiet chuckle and straightened up out of his crouch, making his way to Lucky Roo who was a little ways off, to do as he had promised.

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Marco let out a weary sigh, sagging against a chair near the bonfire as people danced and laughed and drank all around him. It had been a trying couple of days. The Moby Dick was gone, the Whitebeards had lost several of their allies and siblings, and Pops barely managed to recover from his wounds by the skin of his teeth. It was truly touch and go for a moment, and everyone had feared the worst. But he had gotten through the worst of it and was making a steady recovery on board the Red Force. Marco had a sneaking suspicion it was thanks in part to the blood that Ace had so generously donated. They were low on Pops’ blood type, and Ace was thankfully a universal donor, although he had refused to donate more than one pint, citing undesirable side effects.

The most important thing though, was that Ace had been saved. Marco felt drained, even as all the weight he had been feeling for the past week slid off his shoulders like water.

“Why the long face, pineapple-hair?” Thatch had wandered over, healed well from his brush with death at the hands of Teach. 

Marco rolled his eyes, “Take a guess-yoi.” He scrubbed a hand over his face and pinched the bridge of his nose. “We need to start making plans for a new ship, we can't stay on the Red Force forever, despite Shank’s hospitality-yoi. And Pops said he wants to retire from the captain position-yoi. I just can’t imagine…”

Thatch tsked, “It’s always work work work with you, isn’t it? Lighten up a little, Marco! Ace is saved, Luffy woke up healed, and now the three are haunting the party! You’re missing out!” 

Thatch offered Marco a beer, and Marco eyed him for a few seconds before sighing out his worried and taking the mug with a grin. 

“Too bad Pops can’t join the festivities,” Izo lamented as he wandered over, looking impeccable as always. 

“He should be resting-yoi.” Marco’s sleepy eyes narrowed as he pinned his brother with a glare. 

Izo raised his hands in surrender, “Hey, I wasn’t the one trying to sneak him alcohol, that was Haruta.”

Haruta was going to get it, Marco decided. 

Izo chuckled, “Relax Marco, this is a joyous occasion, let them have this, just this once.” 

Marco let out a weary sigh and shrugged, “Fine, but nothing after-yoi.”

Thatch cheered, “Yeah! We have enough food to feed an army and a fleet!” 

Marco rolled his eyes, “That’s cause we have D ’s in our midst. Our regular stock could barely feed one D, let alone three-yoi.”

Thatch groaned, “Tell me about it. Ace, Sabo and Luffy went traipsing into the forest, saying they wanted to go hunting and “food-gathering” and came back with piles of crocodiles, four giant tigers, three enormous birds, five huge boars and a whole basket filled with nightshade berries, poison ivy, hemlock, poison oak, elderberry and death cap mushrooms! They wanted me to toss them into a salad, Marco! Even Law is being pulled into their antics! He caught a pufferfish and wanted to cook it over a campfire, just like that!” 

Marco gave a wry grin, “You know they like their food as raw and deadly as they come. Part of the charm-yoi.”

 He moved to the centre of the crowd where the D brothers were in front of a massive bonfire, about to join in the merry-making, when a booming laugh echoed from the shoreline. 

“So this is where you’ve been hiding eh? Bwahahahaha!”

The boisterous party halted and the D. brothers paled. Law, who had been reclining in the corner, keeping an eye on Luffy, straightened. Oh, Marco had an inkling as to who it was.

“You are not welcome here, Garp.” Shanks had a hand on Gryphon, and his crew similarly all tensed, hands on their weapons. Marco kept alert, preparing to transform any second.

“Brat! Don’t make me come over there, you brats! Come and meet your grandpa!” The man stood silhouetted against the setting sun, figure hulking even as he stood beside the docked Red Force.

Monkey. D. Fucking. Garp. 

Who somehow managed to find them, and will no doubt cause chaos if he was denied what he wanted. Not that he didn’t do it normally.

Clearly, Shanks thought the same and waved away the D. brothers’ look of betrayal as he sighed out, “Fine, but only for a while and we will be watching.”

“Bwahahahaha!” Garp guffawed as he trudged over to the bonfire, boots squelching with every step. Looks like he swam here, that crazy old bat. 

He stomped up to the cowering trio of brothers and landed three consecutive hits on their heads. “Fist of Love!”

“OW!”
“Shitty geezer!”

“You suck Gramps!”

Garp ignored their whines and protests, “And you!” He rounded on Law, who was reclined near the shadowed part of the camp, and wiped the smirk off his face with a solid punch to the head. 

Law crashed to the ground with groan and growled, “What the Fuck?!” He shot up and snarled, “ Dudros!”

Garp crossed his arms and scoffed, “Don't you take that tone with me, brat. What’s your Driche ?”

Law scowled, nursing the lump on his head, “Trafalgar D. Water Law.” He muttered as he glared at the old Marine and - yeah, Marco is making sure that information doesn’t leave that circle, he hid it for a reason, that was for sure. He quickly chased the gathered crowd away so that only the commanders, Shanks and his closest crew were around to hear and witness what will transpire. 

Garp hummed, “Distant second cousins then. That, brat, was a Fist of Pride. For saving my grandsons. Hurt my cute grandson and I hurt you. ”

Law huffed, “I didn't do it for debt or whatever, it was for Kin.”

Garp chortled, “Still, if there is anything the Monkey and Portgas family can do in return, let us know.”

And the glint in Law’s eyes didn’t bode anything good. 

He jumped in, “How did you find us-yoi?”

Garp turned to him with a smug grin, “We Ds have our ways.” was all he said, which didn’t explain much at all.

He then turned to the brothers three. “Sit down and listen for once in your lives, you brats. You too, Spots brat, get over here.”

When the four were reluctantly sat in front of him, Garp heaved a world-weary sigh and dropped down onto the sand with a thump.

“Listen up, brats. Things are gonna change from now on. The world knows your lineage. They know you are the sons of the most notorious criminals of the past and present era, so they are gonna be after you, more than before. And you, spots brat, I know that the Trafalgars were from Flevance. The fact that you are alive…in spite of the cleansing they did on that country, makes you a target too.”

Ace spoke up, eyes shrouded with pain, fists clenched “After all they’ve done, Gramps…Sabo’s injury by the tenryuubito, the manhunt for me, my execution, prosecution just for our blood, even the “cleansing” of Flevance…Why do you still remain with them?”

Garp sighed again, bone-tired and saddened and his eyes glazed with faraway look, remembering the past, “I wanted to leave…I wanted to leave years ago, when you were born, Ace, when the genocide of Baterilla happened, when they destroyed Ohara, when they annihilated Flevance, when Dragon lost Luffy’s mother, when he had to give Luffy to me because of the threat posed to his life, and when they allowed the auction house in Saboady to remain standing. But I knew, I knew change was coming. I’m sure I taught you well, brats, and you Law, must have been taught by your parents, so you know about the Voice of all things…” 

The four young Ds nod, serious for once, hanging on to every word.

“Just as all Ds have conqueror’s haki, inherited from our ancestor D., so too, do we have the Voice of all things, to varying degrees, inherited from our ancestor’s wife.”

“Question.” Law intoned, and he continued at Garp’s nod. “There are others out there with no D. name nor blood, and yet possess conqueror’s, like Shanks, and Whitebeard. How can that be when the first conqueror’s haki came from our ancestor?”

Garp smirked, “Like I said, while all Ds have Conqueror’s, not all that have Conquerors’ are Ds. They are either blood relations of Kindred, or have been acknowledged as Kindred. When we acknowledge Kindred, we bestow upon them our blessing, to have Davy guide and protect them, and in doing so, sometimes, those Kindred are imparted a portion of the gift of Conqueror’s. Only the Kindred that we acknowledge as blood family, the ones closest to us, will have the chance to attain this gift however, and only a lucky few descendants and siblings inherit it to varying degrees. That is why Conquerors is so rare. It takes no small amount of effort to acknowledge Kindred, and why only 1 in several million people have Conquerors. Even I don’t know the specifics of who is likely to have this gift. The conquerors of kindred are but a fraction of those of Ds though.”

Marco felt like his mind was reeling from the flood of information that essentially revealed the history behind one of what they believed was the universal truths of their world: that only those with King’s disposition can have conquerors, and who better to crown a king, than Ds, the very avatars of Change, heralders of new eras and bringers of a new age, the ones to stir the world and influence its current as only a King, no, a Conqueror can? If conqueror’s like Shanks and Pops are weaker versions of those of Ds…Marco remembered the conquerors he felt from Garp in the war and yup, seems about right. And who knows if Garp was even using the full power of his haki at that time?

As Law and the others contemplated this, most of it appearing to go completely over Luffy’s head, Sabo said, “So you were saying, Gramps? About the Voice of all things?”

“Ah right,” Garp continued, a pinkie up his nose, “We Ds inherited the ability to hear the Voice of all things from our maternal ancestor, but of various degrees. Some of us hear whispers, others, like Luffy, hear them loud and clear. I hear them like a conversation happening a few feet away. And everytime I think of leaving the Marines, the voices stop me. The Seas, Skies, Lands, and Winds all tell me to wait, to shoulder on, to wait, for change is coming and He will soon awaken. And I believe them, so I stayed, so that when that change does come, and hits the Marines and the World Government like a thunderstorm, I will be in optimal position to overhaul from within. Not being Admiral or Fleet Admiral means I won’t be implicated or affected, but being Vice Admiral makes me a prime candidate to lead should shit go down. Bwaahhhahhahah!” 

That…that was…something…Who knew Garp could be so smart in this manner and think of the long-term implications? Certainly not Marco, in all the years he had known the crazy marine, he was always a punch first and worry later kind of man. Huh, so pigs can fly.

Garps finger moved to his ear, “You all hear it too, don’t cha? The change in the air, in the wind, the murmurs in the seas, the whispers in the lands, and the howls in the skies.” The other four nodded. Luffy huffed, pouting, “They keep calling me some name, I forgot but it wasn’t Luffy!”

Sabo shook his head, “The winds have been laughing in my ear, it gets annoying.”

Ace tsked, “The ocean has been crying in joy, so confusing…”

Law shrugged, “The seakings are getting restless, they almost blocked my way to Marineford with their excitement. They did help me eventually get there faster though.”

Garp nodded, “Something will happen soon, something that can change the world. But before that, the Marines and World Government will still be after you. Ace and Sabo, for being the sons of the late Pirate King, Luffy, for being born to my brat of a son, and Law, you might be caught up in this mess, for being a Trafalgar, and the last survivor of Flevance, like Nico Robin. Oh yes, Sengoku and I knew the moment you debuted as a pirate. Senny was the only reason your bounty didn’t put you down as being wanted ‘Dead’. And he calls me sentimental, bah!” 

Law’s face drew into a fearsome scowl, “Let them come, I will just remove their nerves from their body, maybe even their bones, oh, then they shall know true torment when I have their beating hearts in the palm of my hand, teehee…”

Was that a goosebumps that Marco felt? Surely not. 

Garp leaned forward, face somber “Your freedom earned at Marineford does not come without price, boys. Ace and Luffy’s parentage is now known, and Sabo’s identity revealed. Law has also been drawn in, Senny has quit, and will no longer be able to stop any changes in bounties. The Marines will hound you even worse than before. It may even be a Kill On Sight order, for that is how dangerous they deem you.”

The four looked like they were about to protest, but Garp bulldozed over them. 

“But! This just means you gotta keep a better eye out for each other! Be more careful and don’t get caught! If the Marines come after you with a KOS, then you just gotta be stronger than them! I’ve been suspended from active duty for the next few years, so I can’t do what I did for Ace this time. Not anymore, or at least, not to that extent. All calls are being tracked in view of the breach in Marine Security. I’m taking a step back anyways, focusing on training new recruits. Coming out here so soon, I am pushing it as it is. ”

The four blinked, Ace and Luffy were especially stupefied.

Garp sighed again, “You kids are gonna give me white hairs, you know that? But my point is,” Here, Garp’s eyes opened and a feral sheen came over his eyes and he grinned, wide and fanged, “Let them come, for they cannot cage you. They may think they can control us, but they can’t, because Ds bow to no one . And remember the most important thing of all...”

At this, the four young Ds mirrored his smile, and Marco swore he saw eyes that shone red in the bonfire and horns on their heads, as the atmosphere settled like lead on their shoulders, dense and dark. “Desca Domni Dei.” 

“ That’s right.” Garp rumbled, pleased as a cat with cream. Marco was hard pressed to suppress the shiver that threatened to snake down his spine. He had this strong feeling that he was supposed to be on guard, ready to fight, against what, he did not know. But his inner phoenix screeched, knowing predators when it sees them. 

Then Garp jumped up and let out a bellowing laugh, “BWAHAHAHHAHAH! Be seein’ ya around, ya bright-eyed brats! Take ass and kick names and all that, may the boogeyman visit you in your nightmares and do let the bedbugs bite! Bwahahhahah!” 

To close his sentence, he delivered four swift strikes to the heads of the four young Ds , “Fist of Love!” 

Before he took a running start to the dock, leapt off the edge and dived into the waters, disappearing as quickly as he had come, leaving four young adults nursing their head bumps.

“The senile old man…” Sabo grouched.

“Why me? I’m not even a grandson of his…” Law groaned.

“Well,” Ace huffed, “We Ds are far and few enough as it is. Besides, you are Luffy’s other half. That first ‘Fist of Pride’ was his way of inducting you into the fold. Welcome to the family.” Ace patted Law’s shoulder in a conciliatory manner and was only answered with another groan.

“That hurts…” Luffy whined, clutching his head. 

“What was that at the end?” Yassop questioned, and Sabo rolled his eyes, “That old bat is basically telling us to rest and recover. I hope he sleeps like a baby, that old geezer.” Sabo muttered with the others nodding along, and Marco watched silently as Yassop threw his hand up in frustration. Marco had learned a long time ago, perks from having a D on board, that they seldom speak and think like regular people, and everything they say has just a touch of macabre to it. What is normal to other people, they often think in opposing and dark ways. Ds are a little kooky, and a little spooky afterall. But they wouldn’t be Ds if they were any different, and Marco honestly wouldn’t want them to be any different, those rascals.

“Speaking of, what was that demon thing that appeared at Marineford anyway?” Izo piped up. 

Ace shot him a look, “You’re asking us? We are just as clueless as you are!”

Luffy was thinking hard though, “Demon…Demon…where have I heard of this before?”

He was thinking so hard, it seemed like steam was coming out of his ears as the act of thinking cooked his brain.

“Aha!” He hit his fist into his palm. “Gramps mentioned it before! Something about our ancestor…and king…I forget, shishishishi!”

“That doesn’t help at all…” Thatch sweatdropped.

Law let out a sigh and decided to help them, “The D stories talk of our first ancestor, the man named D, who lived during the void century. His full name was lost to time. He made a contract with a Demon King for power, to protect and liberate. For the price of power, he became the vessel of that demon, and hungered for human flesh. Eventually, those traits went down the bloodline, until the Ds you know today. The demon seemingly vanished with his vessel dead. But we Ds believe it has survived in our blood, and just needed something to be summoned again. That must be the Demon King. I guess, four Ds together might have been enough to summon him.”

Shanks piped up, “If all that was needed was Ds to cluster together, then why didn’t it appear in God’s Valley, during that fight, there was Roger, Rouge, Garp and Xebec! No, I think something else was needed.”

Law shrugged, “I’m just telling the story as I heard it from my parents, until we can summon him again, I don’t think we will be getting our answers.”

“Could it be because we are two pairs?” Sabo asked.

“Pairs?” Haruta blinked.

Ace nodded, “Yeah, Ds always come in pairs, soulmates, opposites attract, two sides of the same coin, etcetera. Sabo and I are a pair, brains and brawn, fire and water; and Luffy and Law are a pair, dark and light, sun and moon. Gramps’ pair was his wife. Oh and Law, hurt Luffy in any way and I will make sure you won’t get to Duradon.”

Luffy grinned, “Shishishishi, knew it from the moment I saw him!”

Sabo smirked, “Yeah, Law, if my baby brother cries because of you, prepare yourself for Damnor on earth, I will stalk your every waking step and your dreams.’ He then turned to the others to continue the explanation. “While we Ds can recognise kin, we recognise soulmates even easier. When I first met Ace, it felt like I was simultaneously on cloud nine, while my heart threatened to burst from how full it felt. I almost hurled, it was so… nice. ” He said with a shudder like the very feelings nauseated him. 

Ace coloured, “Shut it, you douv !” 

Sabo scoffed, “Who was the one who tattooed my jolly roger on his arm to carry with him just because I wasn’t coming along on your pirate adventure and went to join the Revs?”

Wow, Marco didn’t know Ace’s blush went all the way down to his chest. 

Sabo laughed as Ace elbowed him into the sand, which dissolved into a fist fight.

Law rolled his eyes as the two tumbled past him, “I guess we will never know. And duly noted, Ace-ya, Sabo-ya.”

It was at that moment that Rayleigh emerged from the sea. Seriously, Marco thought, what’s with people and swimming across an entire stretch of ocean?!

Rayleigh then offered to train Luffy for the next two years to prepare him for the New World. But first, he needed to get word out about the change in plans to his crew, wherever they were. So Rayleigh suggested an honestly crazy plan, but hey, crazy was practically a D’s lifeblood. 

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A couple of days later, when they managed to get out the 3D2Y message, they were once again gathered on the beach. Each preparing to head their own way, with the D brothers trying to suffocate one another in a crushing hug.

Marco looked towards the other Ds. “Well, Luffy’s going to train for the next couple of years, what will you all be doing?” 

Sabo let out a wry smile, “Well, I’ll have to get back to base. We have a big plan ahead of us, it's going to be four-years in the making and we are already halfway.”

Ace crossed his arms, “i think I’m going to train my armament and conqueror’s.” He stared at his arms that had since healed from Akainu’s magma. “I’ve been held captive for a month. I need to recuperate and get back my strength. Not to mention, we need to think about getting a new ship and the captain's position with Pops' retirement. I can tell that it's already going to be a sweet dream and a half. ” He groaned as he carded a hand through his hair.

Law lolled against a tree. “I’m going to stay a couple days to make sure everything is ok, see to Whitebeard-ya’s health, cure him to the best of my abilities and then stay low for a while.”

"You have our eternal gratitude, Law-yoi. You have an ally in the Whitebeards. Should you ever need help, just call-yoi."

The surgeon waved it off, "I like the challenge, but I will keep that in mind, Marco-ya."

Luffy turned to him, ginormous grin on his face, “See you in the New World then, Torao!” He stretched out his hand, palms outward and fingers splayed.

Law nodded, “See you in the New World, Luffy-ya. I will be calling in that favour soon.” He reciprocated Luffy’s gesture, the pads of his fingers pressing against Luffy’s and dwarfing the straw-hatted boy’s hand.

“Welp, guess this is it then. Be seeing you around, ‘Bo.” 

“Try to stay out of trouble, Acey, wouldn’t want a repeat of this now would we?” 

Sabo and Ace both mimicked the same gesture, but this time, their palms met as well before they laced their fingers together.

Marco wondered if it was somehow a greeting or the way they said goodbye.

“Take care now, Lu. You too Law.” Sabo said as he smiled. “We may be far away, out in the open sea, but our bonds is what binds us and will never be broken. No matter where we are, or what we do, we will always be brothers.”

Ace and Luffy’s face were close to splitting in half from their smiles. “And family!” Luffy cheered, arms akimbo.

“And Kin.” Law added with quiet seriousness, a smirk on his lips.

Ace nodded, “We will have no regrets, and live by our motto!”

Here, all four Ds grinned eerily, their fangs glinting as their eyes gleamed red. 

““DESCA DOMNI DEI.””

Terms:

Rite of Divintion- The ritual of the dead for Ds

Davy- traditionally known as Davy Jones and a myth to regular people like the boogeyman but to Ds he is like the Reaper or the one who meets and guides them in the afterlife and comes for their souls.

Duradon: The Valley of Duradon, resting place of the honoured Dead Ds, where their souls can rest in peace for eternity. The Rite of Divintion guides the souls of Dead Ds and Honorary Ds there. To reach Duradon means the person was greatly loved. D version of Heaven, to others it is Hell, dark, eerie and haunted. Souls who are there: Corazon (he’s learning to enjoy it- contagious D-ness as Honorary D), Rouge, etc

Halls of Deshroud: The Hall of Heroes and legendary Ds in the Valley. A place of celebration and respect. Whoever can enter, has done great deeds in life and earned a place of honour in their eternal halls.

Damnor: D version of Hell, to others, it is heaven, filled with everything fluffy, cute and pretty.

Words in the D language (yes they have a language and all the words start with the letter D.):

D’parte - Goodbye

Deslaakz - Idiots ruled by their animalistic/ baser instincts 

Dhohari - Blood-sworn brothers (A term that has a very heavy/ serious meaning, cannot be used lightly)

Dudros - a swear word

Driche - name (true D. name that he was given and acknowledged as his)

Dav - Kin

Douv - used to refer to a sap, someone who said something so sweet it feels like their teeth is decaying

Desca Domni Dei - The D Clan Motto (Kin/ Family above all)

If you are wondering about the D pairs, here they are:

Rouge & Roger

Ace & Sabo

Law & Luffy

Garp & his wife

Dragon & his wife

Law’s Dad & Law’s Mom

(X) Rocks D. Xebec & Jaguar D. Saul

(X) Trafalgar D. Lami & Nefertari D. Vivi

(X) Nefertari D. Kobra & Sabo’s D. father

*The (X) means one or both are dead and have never met, meaning the pairing is incomplete

**The D trait is passed from the father to the child. Don’t ask me about future children, I haven’t thought that far lore wise for same-sex pairings.

Inspired by Feeble disguise of humanity by Solezan.

Inspired by Beware Beware the hunger of a D. by Castled_Rook