Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The first one, Marco recounts, falls from the sky onto Moby's deck. A hush echoes across the ship, Marco's brothers get into fighting positions. The man pulls himself to his feet and Marco notes his outfit. Overalls and satchel, paired with a large green slingshot across his back. Is that thing moving?

The man has curls down to his shoulders and an abnormally long nose. Marco hears him mutter, "Goddammit, I never get used to gum gum slingshot. The nerve of that rubber asshole."

He pauses mid rant and takes a look around the quiet deck. His eyes light up when he sees Marco, and Marco narrows his own in suspicion. The man then sweeps his gaze to the giant chair on the Moby. And Marco can see when the recognition takes over, because the man now looks like he's about to pee his pants. And then something else catches the stranger’s eye, because he shifts his attention to Marco's brother standing closest to Pops.

The new arrival's eyes widen, in a strange sort of fear, before he says breathily, "Ace?"

And then the man passes out.

This, Marco will realize much, much later, marks the beginning of the end.

Usopp is the man's name, and he acts as if every step he makes on the Moby Dick will be his last. Marco does him a quick checkover, but other than a little headache from hitting the deck during his fall, the man is in peak health.

Even though he fell from the sky.

"Ah," he says bashfully, "I've fallen from the sky a bunch of times." Usopp rolls his shoulders, and says more to himself than Marco, "It hurts more if you put up resistance against him."

Right. Who exactly 'he' is, Marco has no idea.

"Speaking of which, Marco, what are you doing here? I must say this is a really large replica of your ship." The man rummages through his satchel, absentmindedly. Counting his supplies, Marco realizes. Marco also notes how casual the man speaks with him. It appears his reputation is not as terrifying as he thought it was if this random man talks to him like they’re old friends.

"This is my ship."

"Righttt.." He drawls, "and that was actually Whitebeard out there."

Marco doesn't like whatever this stranger is insinuating, especially when he is more foe than friend. To insult someone as great as Pops, to be so flippant about the mercy Usopp is being shown is a sign of stupidity. Marco’s thoughts must show on his face, because the man puts up both hands in surrender.

"Wait. Wait wait wait." He stares at the items scattered around the medbay, he stares long and hard at Marco. He then turns his head up to the ceiling and Marco can see the slow dawning on him. Maybe Usopp has finally realized he’s in the presence of an Emperor. "Can you give me a newspaper? I just need to see the date."

Marco raises an eyebrow but goes to shift through his supplies. The nurses keep all sorts of books and papers in the medbay, because Marco's brothers are immature and always need a distraction. Marco tosses over a newspaper from this morning to Usopp. When the man reads the front cover, his hands begin to shake.

"Hey, Marco," He chucks the newspaper to the side, he looks frantic now, "Do you happen to have a 'Portgas D Ace' on board?"

Marco's eyes narrow. Ace is their newest son, so a threat against him is against all. But this man already knew Ace was here, it was the first word to tumble out of his mouth before losing consciousness. "And if we do?"

"Ah, I see." Usopp says nonchalantly. And then slaps himself as hard as he can. Marco blinks in surprise.

When all that does is bruise Usopp's cheek, he repeats. "Ah, I see." And then bursts open like a dam. "NO WAIT I DON'T, WHAT THE HELL?"

Usopp begins pulling at his hair, " I MUST BE DREAMING! THERE'S NO WAY I'M IN THE PAST! THAT'S IMPOSSIBLE!"

Mid rant he pauses and says in a quieter voice, "Impossible?" Usopp's eyes then get an annoyed look, "Of course. It's impossible, which means Luffy has totally gone and done it." Luffy? Why does that name sound familiar? Usopp grabs the newspaper again, flips through a couple of pages, then throws it back on the bed.

Marco gets whiplash just from watching the boy. The symptom of shock is not that surprising, so Marco waits for his patient to get it all out of his system before gently asking, "Do you mind explaining what that was about?" Marco has experience with unruly patients, so he figures it could be worse. At least this patient hasn’t bit him.

Usopp scowls at him. No doubt realizing that he's being treated like an insane man. But Usopp soothes his expression into something more thoughtful.

"Yeah," Usopp says sheepishly, "but for the time being do you think I could stay here?" He claps his hands together to beg, "My stupid captain got us lost."

Marco blinks at the sudden request, "You'd have to take that up with Pops." Marco sees Usopp get nervous at the mention of Whitebeard, which is to be expected. Most people never see an emperor in their entire life. "But I'm sure he'll be considerate." Marco tacks on like an afterthought.

Speaking of captains, "You don't look like a pirate. Who's your captain? We might be able to get in contact with them."

Usopp stares long and hard at Marco, mentally weighing the pros and cons. Marco doesn't know why, he's practically offering to help out for free.

"You said Ace is on board?" Marco nods, slowly. Marco considers that this might be a rogue Spade pirate, but quickly dismisses the thought. All the Spades are deathly loyal and this man seems a little too off his rocker. "Do you, hm, I guess I don't really know the timeline for this," Usopp murmurs, "Do you know how old Ace is?"

Usopp is fishing for information, but Marco fails to see how it will benefit him. His eyes have such desperation that it puts Marco on edge. "He's most likely younger than you, he’s seventeen." He slowly reveals. "Ace is the newest addition to the crew."

This isn't new information, it was all over the news after Ace torched an island trying to show off his new Whitebeard tattoo. What concerns Marco is that Usopp doesn't know this. Either Usopp is behind the times or there's something else at play.

Marco doesn't think it's healthy for Usopp to get any paler, "Ah, I see." That's the third time he's said that, Marco is beginning to think that he might have brain damage from his fall. "You probably don't know my captain, yet." Marco raises his eyebrow at the word 'yet.'

Suddenly, Usopp grasps desperately onto his shoulders, "Please, let me stay here for a while." He looks to the side, "Maybe for years? No, I can't do that. That's too long. What other options do I have? That stupid, dumbass, what has he done? What should I do? Oh my god-"

"Lets," Marco takes Usopp's shaking hands off his shoulders, "go talk to pops."

"GURAHAHA, And who might you be?"

Usopp shivers under the gaze of the strongest man in the world. But Marco notes that Usopp looked at Ace as if he was the biggest threat onboard. The man steals his shoulders and takes a deep breath, “I’m Usopp. The Greatest Warrior of the Sea.” Some of Marco’s brothers laugh at that. But Usopp doesn’t look discouraged. Interesting. A stark contrast to how he was in the medbay. Unlike some of Marco’s brothers, this man certainly has the backbone of a pirate. “I hope to stay onboard your ship, just for...a bit."

"And why should I let you?"

"I can pull my weight," Some of the commanders look to Marco to confirm this. He makes a so-so gesture with his hand.

"Guruhaha! I have hundreds of sons! What makes you so special?"

"Ah, yeah that's a good point." Usopp fumbles to come up with an excuse, "I can err, I guess I can fish? I'm a good shot, too." Marco guesses that's what the slingshot is for, but he doesn't know how effective that is in a real battle.

"That man is insane." Thatch whispers from where he's watching with Marco.

Haruta puts a hand to her chin, "I think he's a dead man."

"Aww, now don't say that. I think Pops will be nice." Thatch argues, "He has potential."

"How do you know? He literally fell out of the sky." Marco replies.

"Yeah, potential." Haruta snickers. She draws out the word sarcastically.

"You're a weird one, kid" Pops cackles. "You've made quite the entrance, too."

Usopp huffs and murmurs, "if you think I've made quite the entrance, you should see the others." Marco files that tidbit away for later, along with the name Luffy. "I'll make it up to you, I promise!"

"Is this what the recruitment usually looks like? Or is this guy just pathetic?" Ace slides over to join the viewing group, he gnaws on a chicken bone.

"Wait, where did you get that?" Thatch asks, "The kitchen is closed." Ace gives him the smile of an innocent angel in response.

"So far you have given me no reason to say yes, kid." Pops booms from his throne. Marco notes that Usopp doesn't cower from the change of volume.

"Yeah," he sighs, like he knew this might happen, "You really don't have a good reason to house me. This was just the more convenient option, y'know?" Marco actually does not know. No one knows.

"If I'm here, then one of the others is probably also here. I just really hope I don't have to backtrack. I may not be Zoro but I'm sure as hell not Nami." Usopp rambles. Marco's not sure that he's mentally all there.

Usopp looks back at Pops, with a certain resigned glint in his eyes, "As a send off gift, can I borrow a boat?" He then adds on quieter, "I'm probably not going to give it back though. I really don't want to steal it from you either, that's definitely going to cause more problems."

The whole ship looks at the stranger in poorly disguised shock. Marco never took the man for audacious. "And what do you plan on doing with just a boat?"

"Ah, I guess I'll start looking for my crew. Or at least an explanation for this hell. Might as well start now."

The man fell from the sky. Where would he even start to look?

"Since I can't sense any sea kings for at least 1,000 miles, and the weather has been sunny since I've woken up, we're probably in Paradise, right?" The air on deck shifts ever so slightly. The commanders start to pay a little more attention to this stranger. His observation haki is a blaring sign of his strength. This man keeps getting more and more interesting.

"See," Thatch croons to their little group, the bastard looks overjoyed to be right, "potential."

Pops breaks out in a wide smile, "I like your spunk kid!” Suddenly, Pops opens his mouth and thunders, “Izou!”

On command, Izou appears right next to Pops. Pops grins back down on Usopp, “You said you were a good shot, right? Let’s see how well you hold up.” Izou takes out his prized guns and twirls them in his hands.

“A shooting contest with your weapon of choice. Whitebeard will be the judge.” The 16th Commander announces to all those gathered on the Moby.

Too quietly for anyone to hear, Usopp murmurs, “I can’t believe this is really happening right now.” The long nosed man meets Izou’s eyes dead on, “If I win, you will let me stay on your ship for as long as I want. I will be free to leave whenever I choose and you have to provide me with the means of travel.” Usopp puts his hand under his chin, in deep thought. “How else can I milk this for all it’s worth…”

Whitebeard looks amused at Usopp’s demands, “And if you lose,” He booms to the small man. The full presence of one of the strongest men to roam the sea crashes onto deck. Bits of Conqueror's Haki leaks into Whitebeard’s words, some of his sons sink to their knees, “You will become one of my sons.”

While Usopp tenses at the Haki, he does not stumble. Nor does he bow, “I accept.”

Marco sighs, Ace was already such a hassle. The first mate has a feeling this man will be just as bad. Marco glances at the fire man to gauge his reaction to receiving a new brother so soon, but the man in question is asleep where he stands. Marco smacks Ace in the back of the head.

"Huh, what just happened?" The flame man drowsily asks, Marco sighs again.

"We're getting another brother!" Thatch and Haruta cheer. Everyone on board is such a hassle when Marco truly thinks about it.

"I like this one, I wonder what shampoo he uses."

"I know right, his curls are so luscious."

Marco puts his face in his hands. The fact that this crew recruitment hasn’t resulted in screaming and bloodshed, means that it’s one of the better ways Pops has acquired a son. And that just makes Marco sad.

-

Somehow, the challenge revolves around hitting a moving object. And somehow, somehow, the moving target turns out to be the first mate of the Whitebeard pirates.

“It’s better this way.” Haruta explains, if Marco closes his eyes then he can’t see the large smirk on her face, “Now, we don’t have to stop at an island and actually set up a target.”

“Yeah, Marco. Just do it.” Ace slings an arm over him. Any other day he would be happy Ace trusts him enough for physical contact. Today is not that day. “It's not like it’ll actually hurt you.” Maybe Ace is trying to cheer him up. Marco appreciates it. A flame flickers from Ace’s pointer finger. “And if it does then guess my new first mate isn’t as dangerous as the marines make him out to be.”

Nevermind, Ace can go fuck himself.

Thatch laughs from where he’s perched on the ship’s railing. The chef already has the best seat in the house for their stupid little competition. Izou polishes his guns right next to him. Marco shakes Ace’s arm off his shoulder and mentally prepares himself for humiliation.

“Maybe if we're lucky, Izou or the kid will actually kill you!” Thatch snickers.

While the commanders talk, Usopp fiddles with his slingshot for a moment and eyes them out of the corner of his eye. No one notices how his hands turn white with how hard he clutches his satchel.

Haruta stands on Pops’ shoulders and addresses the crowd, “The rules are simple! Whoever hits the target wins!” Whitebeard’s sons break out into cheers. Haruta bellows out, “In this case, the target is a sea king!”

Izou eyes the boy next to him. It's an open secret that this challenge is just for show. It's a good thing that Pops likes this kid, because if it was anybody else, they would be dead where they stand. Izou sighs and thinks that Pops is always drawn to the ones who put up a fight. But there's something off about this kid. This nagging feeling that puts the samurai on edge.

“If there are no sea kings around, we will have a stand in. Marco,” The phoenix makes a distressed noise, Haruta ignores him, “Will act as the equivalent of a seaking!”

Usopp tilts his head curiously. But other than that, he says nothing. Izou continues to polish his guns.

“You both will get only one bullet,” Marco taps Haruta’s shoulder and motions to the slingshot in Usopp’s hand, “I mean, only one shot! So make it count. Any questions, you two?”

“Yeah,” The kid pipes up, “What if we both hit a seaking? Who's the winner, then?”

Marco can’t help but think that the boy is so bold. Izou can only hit the phoenix when Marco is drunk off his ass, but this little brat assumes he has a chance. Oh well, frog in a well and all that.

Whitebeard’s voice cuts in happily, “Whoever has the largest seaking wins.” It appears everyone but Marco is having a good time. Well, everyone but Marco and Usopp. The boy just has a pensive look on his face.

“Anything else?” Haruta asks them again. Izou opens his mouth in an attempt to speak, “Nothing? Good. Happy hunting, guys!” Izou sighs.

-

They give Marco a five minute head start to get some distance. Izou loads and unloads his gun. The boy next to him tosses his ammo up and down, it's an eerie sort of green. Izou doesn’t really know what it is, but it looks like a gumball. The samurai mentally welcomes another brother onboard the Moby.

After five minutes, Izou takes a deep breath. The boy, who Izou should really get used to using his name, does the same. Izou draws his gun up to eye level and takes deadly aim. Usopp puts on goggles and does the same. Miles away, Marco does a lazy loop-de-loop in the air. Bastard.

Izou waits for a moment. He ignores the tension in the air, the audience behind him eagerly watching his every move. He waits and watches Marco. And for a brief second, something catches Marco’s attention. For a brief second, Marco stops completely and looks down to the sea. There. Izou takes another breath, then pulls the trigger.

At the same time, Usopp draws back his slingshot and fires.

The force of Izou’s bullet causes a small gust of wind. The bullet sails with purpose and breakneck speed.

It just barely grazes Marco’s leg.

Usopp’s ammo causes just as much of a scene. Not because of the force it creates, no. Rather, the little ball is fired directly into the sea.

It doesn’t make a sound but it also doesn’t soar through the air. It plops smoothly into the water and if there wasn’t an audience, no one would have noticed it. Everyone on the Moby is dead silent as they watch Usopp put his slingshot back in his bag. Marco starts to make his way back to the ship.

Usopp spins on his heel and stares Pops’ directly in the eyes, “I win.”

It's deadly silent until one of Izou’s brothers laughs. And then a group of them start laughing. None of the commanders laugh, however. Izou doesn’t turn around, he stares down at the water. He blinks his eyes in surprise, or maybe shock? Definitely in amusement, though. Man, Izou is going to remember this kid. Izou’s stupid brothers are getting on his nerves though.

Izou slams his hand down on the railing, the action silences those idiots. “Did you hear him or are you deaf as well as blind?” He snarls. Distantly he registers Marco touching down on deck.

However, the first mate’s arrival gets overshadowed by the gigantic figure rapidly rising to the surface. Suddenly, a humongous blue serpent breaks through the water. It's covered in vines and foliage, wrapping around the seaking’s body like an inescapable prison. It’s mouth is full of the same eerie green that Usopp was carelessly tossing in the air a few minutes earlier.

The serpent seaking is unmistakably the bigger target hit.

Usopp tilts his head up at Whitebeard and repeats, “I win. So now you have to let me on your ship.”

Pops lets out a deafening guffaw. “You certainly are full of surprises! You can stay for now.”

Usopp ponders something for a moment, before narrowing his eyes, “I have a dad.” he confesses suddenly, “He’s a little bit of an ass but he’s still alive. So I’m not one of your sons. You can’t adopt me.”

Whitebeard continues to laugh at Usopp’s expense. “Who are you to tell me what I can and cannot do, boy?” Usopp shivers.

Izou takes one more look at the serpent before joining the rest of his brothers. He almost feels bad for the little sniper, because Pops is nothing but committed. And Izou can tell when Pops wants a new son. “At least no one attempted murder this time.” He mumbles.

Marco puts a hand on the samurai’s shoulder, “Please don’t jinx it, Izou.”

Izou looks back to where Usopp is warily talking to Haruta, Thatch, and Ace. The kid steals glances at Whitebeard every so often. Yeah, it might not be out of the cards yet. Izou lets Marco steer him back towards the commotion.

“Why not, Usopp?” Haruta’s voice carries their conversation around the deck. “If you become one of Whitebeard’s sons, you’d get a bunch of perks!”

“Leave the little sniper alone, Haruta.” Izou smoothly interjects, “He didn’t win this competition for you to go nag him.”

“Aw, Little Sniper is such a cute name. I’m sooo gonna call you that now.” Thatch clasps a hand on Usopp’s shoulder.

“You should have just ran, kid.” Ace says despite being the youngest in the group, the flame man puts his hands on his hips, mournfully. Usopp stares at the man as if he’s seeing a ghost. Marco files that away for later.

“Aw, don’t be like that Fire Fist. You know you love us.” Haruta jumps on Ace’s back. Ace finds this a good time to set himself on fire. “Ow! Asshole.”

“Oops.” Ace snarks.

“See, if you become Whitebeard’s son, then you get to be a part of this loving, adoring family.” Haruta continues like strains of her hair aren’t on fire.

“If you’re going to lie then at least try to be convincing.”

“You’re so full of shit, Haruta.”

“I should have shot myself instead of Marco.”

“Please shut up, I’m so tired of all of you.”

”Family, huh.” Usopp whispers quietly. He smiles, if Marco was naive, then he might have mistaken it for a genuine one. “Ah, no thanks." Usopp rubs his neck, "The title of 'son' is too...restrictive for me. I like to be a little free." Marco sees Ace tense out of the corner of his eye.

"Oh? And would you not be free under my flag?" Pops’ sudden interjection startles some of them. The captain eyes the man critically.

"I'd be protected, yeah. But free?" Usopp looks out at the waves for a brief moment, longingly. "Not one bit." Marco can literally see the moment Pops decides he will definitely make this kid his son.

"Besides," Usopp turns back to Pops, "I'm already spoken for."

Marco comes to the late realization that not once since he has arrived on the Moby has Usopp bowed his head to the strongest man. One of the four emperors.

"I'm grateful, but I refuse. My captain would throw a fit if anyone stole from him." He says it like it's a minor inconvenience but Usopp meets Whitebeard gaze head on. His eyes are steady like he's staring down the scope of a rifle, ready to shoot.

Marco thinks he wouldn't miss.

Pops allows the stranger from the sky to stay.

“So what’s the reason for the Commander Meeting?”

“Yeah, do you know how much paperwork I have to get done? You guys complain when I turn it in late, but you keep calling for a club meeting.”

“Shut up, all of you. We need to discuss a serious, important matter.”

“Yes, as you know a few days ago, a man named Usopp had arrived onboard. He fell from the sky-”

“I call bullshit-”

“Is that seriously the story you’re going with, Haruta-”

“What a waste of time-”

“-All of you shut the hell up and let me finish!”

“...”

“Anyway, as I was saying, he fell from the sky and brutally beat Izou in a form of combat he excels in-”

“Now, let's not exaggerate-”

“-Like it was bad. True public humiliation-”

“-That is not what happened-”

“-If I were Izou I would never show my face again.”

“-If I were Haruta I would sleep with one eye open tonight-”

“Izou! Haruta! Either get to the point or shut the fuck up!”

“Sorry Marco.”

“Sorry, Marco.”

“As I was saying, Usopp won the challenge and now resides onboard. However he refuses to become Pops’ son. He is still loyal to his captain-”

“-Even though his captain has obviously abandoned him.”

“Thank you, Thatch. At least someone has been paying attention. For some reason Usopp won’t name the man he used to serve under so that's a dead end.”

“And what does that have to do with us, oh dear 12th Commander?”

“We are going to make him want to become one of Whitebeard’s sons! After all, that's how we got Ace!”

“This is such a dumb idea.”

“I think he’ll come around eventually. Even Fire Fist got tired of trying to kill Pops.”

“Yeah, what made you give up trying to kill Pops, Ace?”

“...”

“He’s asleep.”

Usopp is either going to commit mutiny or commit suicide. No. Correction, Usopp is going to kill his captain and then kill himself. Because this? This is so out of his league.

Over the course of this hellish week, Usopp has met way too many people. And all of them keep subtly trying to get him to become Whitebeard's son. Which is as subtle as Luffy trying to do a midnight snack run.

Usopp sits in Moby's crow nest and ignores, oh how he ignores, the fact that he's sitting on something that will soon become a passing memory.

"Rough day?" A man joins him from where Usopp is definitely not brooding, and even if he was he has incredibly good reasons. Earlier, he got his hands on a newspaper and nearly shat his pants when he confirmed the date.

When he confirmed that this is not all a dream and he's not in Wano partying after fighting Kaido's forces. When he confirmed he was five years in the past.

"Yeah," Usopp says after a moment, he hasn’t formally met this Whitebeard pirate yet. He’s talked to the man, sure, but during that conversation Usopp was painfully reminded that he isn’t supposed to be here. So yeah, he hasn't met this Whitebeard pirate yet. But Usopp hasn't met most of the Whitebeards. He never got the chance.

However, every Strawhat has memorized all the commanders' names. Because their captain knows every single commander's name. Just like how they know everyone on the Red Force. Subconsciously, Usopp starts to go through the list. 16 names, 16 divisions, 16 commanders, too many graves.

Marco the Phoenix. Whitebeard’s first mate. Or former first mate. 1st Division Commander

"Feeling homesick?" Usopp recognizes this man as one of the chefs onboard. He wears a chef's outfit with a yellow scarf wrapped around his shoulders. Usopp's mind hasn't matched a name to a face, yet. Or maybe he's trying not to acknowledge who this is.

Jozu, 3rd Division Commander

Usopp huffs in response, "You have no idea. I've been separated from my crew before but this," Usopp motions to the sea, the Moby, everything really, "This is...worse than usual."

Vista, 5th Division Commander

Usopp misses Sanji's food that was always offered at just the right time, he misses Robin's morbid comments that remind him it could always get worse. He misses Nami's quick thinking and the only one who had an inkling of self preservation, Zoro's constant support even when he was encouraging the stupidest decisions. He misses Brook's soothing melodies and skull jokes.

Blamenco, 6th Division Commander

He misses Chopper's joyful innocence and no nonsense medical expertise. He misses Franky's inventions that made his life easier. He misses Jinbei's wisdom, something that a lot of the crew seriously lacks. Usopp doesn't even want to meet this timeline's Jinbei.

Rakuyo, 7th Division Commander

Usopp misses his captain. If Usopp landed in the sea instead of on the Moby, he thinks that he would feel just as helpless. Usopp wants his captain and he wants his crew but he's stuck here. Usopp is a coward, a coward who really wants to go home.

Namur, 8th Division Commander

"You should talk to Ace." Usopp whips his head towards the pirate next to him. The older man just looks amused, "He was the newest brother before you-"

"I'm not your brother." The rebuttal is quick. He's been saying it all week long. Besides, Ace is one of the last people he wants to talk to right now. It makes his situation all the more anxiety inducing.

Blenheim, 9th Division Commander; Curiel 10th Division Commander

"-although Ace put up more of a fight," the chef chuckles, "So I'm sure he might be able to help you out. The rest of us consider this home, so we might not understand your feelings anymore. But we'll try anyway. After all, we Whitebeards know the importance of family."

Usopp's breath hitches. I know. He can't help but think. I probably know better than you do. Because the family you treasure is the reason why there is a whole island filled with rows upon rows of graves. Usopp chooses to reply instead, "Thanks, I'll keep that in mind." The Whitebeard just hums at the statement.

Kingdew, 11th division Commander; Haruta, 12th Division Commander

"Hey," The man starts to make his exit as Usopp calls out to him, "I'm not good with names," It's one of the many lies he'll tell over the course of his time on board.

Atmos, 13th Division Commander

Before the war, Usopp's captain knew the names of everyone who sailed under Red Haired Shanks. They are important, so Luffy knows all their names. They are important so every strawhat knows all their names.

Speed Jiru, 14th Division Commander

After the war, after his death, Luffy learned all the names of those who sailed under Whitebeard's flag. And so, every strawhat knows the names of all the commanders who sailed under the former emperor.

Fossa, 15th Division Commander

The man before him speaks his name, joyfully, happily. Maybe even carelessly. This man will not realize how big of an honor for Usopp it is to meet him. He will not know the legacy he will leave behind. Or maybe downfall is the more fitting word. This Whitebeard pirate tells Usopp his name. It is the first time they've formally met. However, Usopp knew this name for years. In the back of his mind, a passing blimp. A passing tragedy, common among pirates. Not important.

Izou, 16th Division Commander

Just like how he knows Blackbeard's name. Just like how he knows Fire Fist's name. Not important, until it was.

Portgas D Ace, 2nd Division Commander

And because Usopp loves home more than anything. He loves his crew more than anything. Because Usopp loves his captain more than anything, he decides to make himself comfortable on Whitebeard's ship. He decides to put a pin on his adventure, his desire for freedom.

For the time being, the man before him is still alive, Ace is still alive, Whitebeard is still alive. Because of that, for the time being, Usopp puts his goal of finding a way to his family on the back burner.

Or rather, it's because of his family, his captain, that he makes this decision. Usopp has failed his captain many, many times. In Luffy's most dire time of need, the strawhats couldn't do anything. Not a damn thing. But right now, Usopp is given an opportunity and he plans to make use of it.

Usopp takes a deep breath, puts on his bravest face and says, truthfully, "It's nice to meet you, Thatch."

Thatch, 4th Division Commander.

Chapter Text

The Whitebeard's newest guest falls ill two weeks after he arrives. Usopp's temperature is high and he's barely conscious most of the time. For some reason, both Marco and the rest of the medical staff is at a loss on what to diagnose him. Disregarding the conflicting feelings towards the new arrival, suspicion or curiousity, his condition creates a tense veil on the Moby. Thatch thinks its just stress.

Thatch and Haruta visit the sniper often after he was forced to reside in the medbay, Ace tags along to be annoying sometimes. Most of the other commanders give the boy some space to recover.

Haruta only comes because she wants information. A sniper this skilled has got to have a story, she tells Thatch one day. And I'm going to figure it out.

Ace is just happy that he's no longer the greatest mystery Haurta wants to solve.

As Thatch makes his daily visit to the medbay, he waves to some of his siblings. The ship is always filled with family. Its nice that Thatch is never lonely. Maybe that's why he makes an effort to visit Usopp so much. He feels a bit sad for the boy who may not have enemies on board, but he certainly doesn't have friends right now.

As he approaches the room that Usopp resides in, he spots a figure in the darkness. Thatch's hair immediately stands on edge, but he doesn't know why. It's just another one of his brothers.

The man stalks out of the darkness and into the light. His back is turned to the commander, attention elsewhere. Thatch isn't that familiar with the man, cons of having such a large family, but he thinks that its someone from Ace's division.

Treat, Teet, something with a T.

"Teach."

The man whips his head to where he hears the voice. For a second, Thatch thinks he sees a deep scowl on his face, and then its gone. The man raises his eyebrows in surprise and gives a lazy smile. Thatch's hackles are still raised for some reason. "Commander! What are you doing here?"

Thatch gives a grin of his own, "I'm just checking on the little sniper. I don't want our newest guest to be lonely."

Teach's smile gets tense around the edges, "I didn't know you were so kind. The marines really slander your name."

"Ha! Well, they slander everyone. Nothing you can do about that." Thatch shrugs, because its true, "What brings you to the medbay? The doctors are gonna be pissed if you got injured while at sea. Ace could tell you all about it."

At the mention of the division commander, Teachs fake smile drops completely. "I bet he could." Teach gives a a small laugh, it grates against Thatch's ears. Thatch has to fight the urge to grab his sword. "I just wanted to see Whitebeard's new guest in person. But he's asleep right now, and won't wake up."

"Ah, I see." Won't wake up? He should get Marco to do a check up. That sounds serious. "I'll ust pop in the room to see for myself."

Teach nods, "I'll leave you to it commander." A pensive look passes over his face, "Truthfully, I don't trust the guy that much. He could be a spy from the navy. I'm afraid he could hurt the family." Teach then turns to leave, "but I trust the commanders' judgement."

Thatch just hums in response. The chef didn't get to this position in life by being a naive fool, and he trusts his own judgment. So Teach's words roll off him like water on a hill, although Usopp's dramatic appearance does raise questions. But Thatch is sure Haruta will get to the bottom of it soon.

Thatch waits till Teach rounds the corner and disappears from sight before opening the door to Usopp's room. The boy truly looks terrible. But one think he is not is unconscious.

In fact, Usopp is wide awake.

He stares at Thatch, a bit deliriously he notes, and rasps, "Is Blackbeard gone?"

Thatch has never heard of a 'Blackbeard' on board. That seems like a jab at Pops, "You mean Teach?" Because that's the only man who was here earlier, "Yeah he left. Probably to make sure his stupid commander doesn't get into trouble." The 2nd divison works hard to ensure Ace doesn't start an international incident.

Usopp's fist clenches his sheets. Thatch watches as his fists turn white. "Please," Usopp pauses as if he's trying to find the right words, "be careful. Especially around that man."

Thatch considers what Teach has told him about the little sniper. And what the little sniper advises him to do. Interesting. There's a story there that Thatch is eager to know. But for now, he'll play the part of the fool.

"Teach is harmless, Little Sniper! I know we're all scary, being an emperor’s crew and all, but we're lovers at heart."

The long nosed man mouths the word 'harmless' in his feverish haze. "That's what you thought the first time." He says, completely out of it.

"What do you mean by that?" Maybe the boy is a spy. But that's okay, it just makes Thatch more eager to get him to join the Whitebeards. Usopp doesn't present himself as malicious, and something in his gut is telling him to trust the sniper. For now.

That same gut is saying the opposite for Teach. So maybe Thatch's judgement really has dulled over time. God what a terrifying thought, being old.

Usopp looks at him with cloudy eyes. Thatch knows he only has a few more minutes in this visit before the boy passes out again. Thatch begins to clamor to his feet to leave.

Suddenly, the boy clasps onto Thatch's sleeve, "Stay." His voice is grave. "You have to stay. Stay away from him." Who? Or maybe why is the better question, "Stay alive. I have to-"

"Okay," Thatch interrupts the other mid spiral, maybe the other commanders have a point when they say he has a soft spot for kids, "I'll stay." But Thatch likes to think they would make the same decision.

Usopp's voice teeters off as he slowly winds back down in the bed. Thatch grabs the boy's hand and gently puts it back in his lap.

Thatch stays in the infirmary for a while. He loses track of time and hopes the other chefs have lunch preparations ready. Usopp fitfully sleeps, every so often hed call out a name. However, more often hed just be gasping for air.

The sight makes something break in Thatch. If he was one of Whitebeards sons, they would be able to help him more. But the commander will try his best with what he's got.

-

Ace pops his head into the room late in the afternoon, in the process he slams the door to the infirmary. Thatch shushs him because the man doesn't know how to be quiet. Ace flips him off but still lowers his voice, "You're still in here? Thatch, it's been hours. You missed a whole Commander Meeting."

Ah shit. Marco's not going to be happy. Maybe he can get Haruta to back up whatever excuse he comes up with.

"Haruta’s also pissed. So I wouldn't go to her for an excuse." Goddammit.

Thatch sighs, What is she mad about now?"

Ace moves to perch on Thatch's chair. He messes with his pompadour like a cat who saw a toy. "Big Mom’s going on a rampage again. Its all over the newspaper."

"What? Why?"

"Dunno. I fell asleep and I guess it wasn't that important since nobody woke me up."

Chances are it was very important, but the other commanders figured that they needed someone who's solution wasn't going to be 'punch that thing till its no longer a problem,' so all the responsibility fell onto Haruta.

The boy in the bed starts to stir and both commanders freeze like they've been caught doing something bad. "Lu-," Usopp coughs and then corrects himself, "Captain?"

"Nah its just us, kid." Thatch gently informs. Ace does a little wave.

Usopp huffs, "You guys look so much alike, I forgot where I was for a second."

Ace and Thatch share a glance at each other. This kid is worse off than Thatch thought.

Usopp seems to recognize what they're thinking because he gives a deadpanned stare before saying, "I meant Ace and my captain."

Thatch practically jumps at the conversation starter. He already doesn't like Usopp's captain, so any information he can get about the elusive man is basically gold. A man who gives up such a capable crewmate deserves no respect in Thatch's book.

Ace beats him to the punch, though. "Your captain looks like me? Why do you say that?"

"Yeah," the boy says hesitantly, like a deer caught in a light. "its uhm. Its because you both have hats. Yeah, that's why." Usopp fumbles through his explanation. Thatch doesn't believe him for a second.

Ace, however, lights up like a firework. He takes off his orange cowboy hat and runs a hand along the brim. He breaks out into a goofy grin, "My brother gave it to me before I set sail." Oh God, Thatch doesn't know if he can handle if Fire Fist goes on another tangent about his kid brother. "Its one of my treasures."

At the word 'treasures' Usopp huffs. "Of course," the sniper gives a small subdued smile. But its the most genuine one Thatch has ever seen on his face. "What was- is he like? Your brother?"

Ace raises an eyebrow at the stutter, but chooses to ignore it. Because Ace will never pass up a time to talk about his kid brother. "He's so fucking stupid. Which makes it even worse the rare times he's right about something." Ace tilts his head in thought, "Surprisingly, he's always right about the important things. But don't tell him I said that, I'd never live it down." Usopp actually snorts at that.

Ace eyes him for a second before saying, "He sets sail in a few years, but I'd think he'd like you."

Usopp turns his gaze to the ground, "I hope so." He says quietly, but not quietly enough. There's an underlying meaning there that Thatch doesn't know. But he's going to figure it out. "My captain is the same way."

"Stupid?" Thatch can't help but be concerned. Usopp's captain sounds worse and worse, in his opinion. But he still notes this conversation, because any info on this man is valuable.

"Hah, yeah." Usopp has a wistful look in his eyes. But also a glint of something humorous, "But he also doesn't like it when someone touches his treasure."

Usopp talks to them for a few more minutes before a nurse tells them to leave. Apparently conversation is not that good for recovery. But Thatch isn't going to argue with the professional, Marco might beat his ass. And he's already in deep water for missing the meeting, so Thatch doesn't want to make his odds worse.

-

Thatch tries to find Haruta and tell her what he's learned about the little sniper's captain, but the 12th Division Commander does not give him the time of day.

When he walks into her office, she practically throws papers at him, "How don't they fucking know?" She grabs him by the lapels and pulls him close, "How the fuck does Big News Morgan know but not the goddamn Revolutionaries?!"

And then Haruta rushes out the door in the direction of Fossa. Thatch blinks, temporarily stunned, before making the decision to tell her about his chat with Usopp tomorrow.

Whatever happened in that commander meeting must have been bad.

-

Thatch chooses to make his way to the kitchen instead. He knows that's a safe place, free from whatever the hell Haruta's going through.

The kitchen, however, is not a safe place from their gluttonous 2nd Division Commander. Thatch spots Ace shoving three turkeys down his throat and just sighs at the fact this is his life. Marco watches in amusement from the seat to the right of Ace.

Thatch takes the chair on the left of Ace and makes himself comfortable. Marco glares at him before asking, "Where were you?"

Right. Commander meeting. Oops. "I was keeping our guest company."

Marco clicks his tongue, "Don't get to close to that kid, Thatch. I know how you are."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means you have a soft spot for kids, especially when they're obviously playing you."

"Name one example."

Marco motions to Ace sitting inbetween them. In the time they've had this conversation, Thatch has cooked four more turkeys and a seaking so the flame man can keep eating. Ace watches their discussion like a ping pong match.

"That doesn't count. I'm simply caring for one of my brothers."

Marco rolls his eyes, "if it was Jozu asking for more food, you would have called him a fatass and thrown him out the kitchen.

"Its important to be honest among family."

"Thatch."

"...okay, fine." The chef sighs, "I just think he needs some support. He keeps talking about his captain but he's all alone. I can't imagine being betrayed by someone you pledge your life by."

Marco studies him after his mini rant. The tension leaks out of his shoulders before the first mate says, "I trust you. And I trust your judgment. But you need to also look at the facts-"

"Well we don't have any facts yet. Usopp's a total unknown. So for now I say we trust him till he gives us a reason not to." Thatch crosses his arms and stands his ground.

Marco meets his gaze just as stubbornly. After a tense moment, "Alright, whatever. I didn't come here to argue with you." Marco placates.

Ace watches the both of them in silence like he's watching two divorced parents go at it. He hums before tacting on, "What harm can he do, anyway? He's completely surrounded by Whitebeard pirates."

"Yeah! And if he somehow manages to injure all of us, then Pops will strike him down." Ace grimaces at the statement, "So why worry?"

Marco considers his words carefully before admitting, "He doesn't bow."

"What?"

"Wait, is that seriously why you're mad?"

He motions for them to shut up, "A person who doesn't bow to an emperor is not someone to be taken lightly." He takes a deep breath, "Especially when conquers haki is involved."

Thatch understands where Marco is coming from. To withstand the pressure is no easy feat, but, "Aren't you just being paranoid?"

Before Ace puts another piece of seaking in his mouth, he snorts, "He totally is!"

"I am not. You two can believe whatever you want. But I am not that easily fooled."

"Yeah, yeah." Thatch drawls. He puts a plate of food in front of Marco. And puts a fifth plate infront of Ace, "We get it. It's your job as first mate to have a stick up your ass. Try to relax a bit, Marco."

Thatch can practically see Marco's ruffled feathers. So he tries his best not to annoy their valued first mate too much. They eat in content silence for a little bit. Or more like Thatch and Marco eat, and Ace faceplants into his food for a quick nap.

The 4th Division Commander mulls over Marco's words. He acknowledges how many unknown factors are at play around the sniper, but something in his gut is telling him to trust the man.

The more he thinks about his gut feelings, the more his mind travels back to that encounter with the man from Ace's divison.

As if on cue, Ace pops his head back up and continues to stuff his face. Thatch thinks there's no one else in the world who can eat as much as the flame man.

"Hey, Ace." He starts. Thatch doesn't look at his company, opting to stare straight ahead. As if figuring out a puzzle in mid air, "What do you know of Teach? From your division."

"Teach?" Ace puts a hand under his chin to think, "I don't know much about him, but he seems okay. Weird guy." He picks up another piece of seaking, "Very quiet. Why do you ask?"

Thatch considers telling Ace and Marco about his conversation in the medbay. He could say that the man sets his nerves on edge. That there's tension in the air, but Thatch doesn't know why. Between Teach's stilted advice about Usopp and Usopp's fearful expression about this 'Blackbeard.'

Between one of Whitebeards loyal sons and a stranger that has somehow endeared himself to Thatch. The commander is put in a situation where he doesn't quite know what to do.

But its just as Marco said, he doesn't have all the facts. So instead recounting the events of the day, Thatch says, "No reason. I was just wondering because I saw him earlier."

Marco eyes him cautiously, but Ace just rolls with it no questions asked, "Hm, that's weird. My division is not supposed to be on the Moby this week. Maybe he forgot something on board."

"Maybe." Was Teach looking for something? Thatch pushes his worries to the back of his mind, "If the rest of your divison is as forgetful as you, then we may have a problem."

"Hey!"

Before they can truly get into an argument, the door to the kitchen pushes open. In comes more commanders and brothers. Thatch spots Haruta looking like she needs straight vodka and starts to get to work with feeding his crew.

Thatch wilfully distracts himself from the anxiety stewing in his gut.

The next day, Thatch makes his way to Usopp's infirmary room once again. He doesn't see Teach in the hallway. Thatch thinks its a good think because he's on a mission this morning.

Haruta is out of commission because she has to deal with the fallout of Big Mom’s tantrum. Thatch still hasn't seen the recent newspaper. But apparently, something happened in Big Mom’s territory right under her nose and the emperor is going ballistic.

The reason Haruta wants to drink herself into oblivion is because it happened under everyone's noses. Including the revolutionaries, surprisingly. Which is apparently a nightmare for the underground information networks. Or so Thatch has heard.

All the chef has gained from Haruta’s dilemma is that he is going to be solo investigating Usopp. Which is fine by him. Oh and to restock the vodka, because Haruta’s burning through their stash.

-

Thatch cracks open Usopp's room and is greeted by the boy being wide awake again. His eyes still have that hazy glint to them.

The first thing out of his mouth is, "I want soup."

Now Thatch's desire to 'interrogate' the boy is now at odds with his principles as a chef. This feared commander will not be swayed by the demands of this random stowaway. In the middle of his musing, Usopp lets out a rib rattling cough.

Twenty minutes later, Thatch stands in front of Usopp's door with a bowl of soup.

-

He enters the room again and tries to convince himself this is all part of the plan. Its important to make people comfortable before they get questioned. Thatch sets the soup down in front of Usopp and the boy shakily brings a spoon up to his mouth.

Now, Thatch doesn't want to toot his own horn, but he will say that he makes a mean soup. No other chef on board has come close to-

"This is wrong."

What? Thatch whips his head to Usopp, where the boy is half conscious and completely unimpressed with his dish.

"Its wrong." He repeats like the problem was that Thatch didn't hear him the first time. "Its not the best. I won't waste it though."

Thatch shoves down his pride as a chef and takes a deep breath. Criticism is welcome as someone who has to feed people different tastes. It doesn't sting. Not at all. "What's wrong with it?"

"I don't know." Usopp slurs his words. The boy is about to settle back down for another nap.

Thatch knows that the nurses are getting pissed at him for disturbing patients, but he can't leave until he knows what's wrong with this soup. Usopp continues, "its just not how you usually make it. It's all...nervous."

"Nervous?"

"Yeah," Usopp yawns, Thatch doesn't know if its because he's bored or just genuinely tired, "No matter what you eat, it will always taste the way the chef feels."

Usopp waves his hand lazily, "You told me this, yourself. You can't forget it." He eyes the bowl once again, "Soup's nervous, Sanji. I don't like it."

Usopp then pulls the covers over his shoulders and goes to sleep. He leaves Thatch with broken pride and the determination to perfect his soup craft.

Usopp also leaves Thatch with a name. But the chef is too distraught to notice.

Three weeks after the sniper had arrived on board, two weeks after the same man feel sick, and one week since Haruta tried to murder Fossa when he drank all the vodka; finds Thatch in the kitchen. Making soup.

On Monday, his crew thanks him for dinner as usual, and Thatch tries to calm the inkling of nerves he has in the stomach. He makes sure to ask every single sibling what they think of the soup. They all sing his praises and one of the other chefs asks for his recipe, which he happily gives.

He gives a bowl to Usopp, who is starting to gain some color back in his face, and the boy eats the entire serving.

When Thatch asks how it tastes, he says quietly, "It was good. Thank you."

Its a dammed lie.

-

On Tuesday, Thatch serves the entire crew soup. A few people are a bit surprised at the repeat, but when paired with alcohol, nobody says a word. Thatch makes sure to ask all his brothers and sisters what they think of the soup, and they shower him with compliments.

He gives a bowl to Usopp, who is able to stay awake longer in the day, and the boy eats the entire serving.

When Thatch asks how it tastes, the boy shyly responses, "It was good. Thanks."

-

On Wednesday, Thatch serves the entire crew soup. Vista jokes that they've resorted to eating their rations. They haven't, but Thatch gives everyone a bowl of soup anyway. He makes sure to ask everyone what they think of it, and the crew responds with less and less enthusiasm.

He gives a bowl to Usopp, who can now walk around on deck because his fever is gone, and the boy eats the entire serving.

This time Thatch begs him to be honest. And the boy meets his gaze for a moment before sighing, "It was good. its just not my favorite, but I can't waste food. The soup just tasted empty."

-

On Thursday, Thatch serves the entire crew food. Each of them dutifully take their bowl with a certain resignation. Their attitudes are reminiscent of marines during wartime. When Thatch makes his rounds asking for their opinion, Ace finally breaks. The flame man holds on to Thatch's shoulders like a life jacket and begs for meat. It takes four commanders to pry him off.

He gives a bowl to Usopp, who eyes him worriedly, and the boy finishes the entire serving.

As Thatch opens his mouth to speak, Usopp beats him to it.

"Are you okay, Thatch?" Thatch waves him off and begs for his opinion on the soup, Usopp eyes him carefully before saying, "It was fine, but still you don't look so good."

-

On Friday, Pops himself bans Thatch from the kitchen. He also bans soup for a month.

They stop at a little seaside village to replenish and stretch their legs, and essentially the entire crew kicks the chef off the ship and tells him to relax.

"Go find inspiration or some shit." Izou tells, well more like commands, him.

Ace doesn't even look him in the eyes as he leaves. The flame man is too devastated at the lack of meat in his diet.

Usopp stays on the ship, doctor's orders. Thatch doesn't know if its because Marco cares for his wellbeing or Marco just wants the sniper somewhere he can see him.

So Thatch takes off his chef hat and dons clothes that will not make him recognizable and wanders into town. He stumbles across a restaurant with a long winding wait line. Curiousity gets the better of him, so he decides to join.

Four excruciatingly long hours later, Thatch makes it to the front of the line. It better be worth it, because if it's not, Thatch is going to burn the place down. As soon as he enters, a man shows him to an open seat.

The man gives him a menu but pauses for a brief moment, "Do I know you?" He asks.

Thatch turns his gaze to the server. He takes in the man's pristine suit, his steel toe shoes. The man has blond hair and a swirly eyebrow, which cannot be natural, Thatch thinks. He blows out a puff of smoke from his cigarette.

Thatch has never met this man before.

He says as much, but he doesn't introduce himself. The last thing Thatch wants is someone recognizing a Whitebeard Commander and then kicking him out of the restaurant.

The man holds his gaze for longer than necessary, and Thatch hopes his wanted poster hasn't been circulated recently. Luck must be on Thatch's side because all the server does is take a drawl of his cigarette and ask, "What would you like to order?"

"Surprise me." Its been a long time since Thatch has appreciated a fellow chef. But the commander is not easily impressed, especially when it comes to his craft.

However, he will not deny that he has been in sort of a rut lately.

The waiter, who is also the restaurant's cook, just stares at him with one eye, the other is covered with blond hair. He replies after a stilted moment, "You got it, boss."

After about twenty minutes, the man sets down a bowl infront of Thatch. Its soup. Because of course it is. Thatch shoves down a sigh, and picks up a spoon.

-

Its delicious in a way Thatch can't even begin to describe. Thatch had assumed that he would be tired of soup by now, but the dish before him proves otherwise. When he tells the chef as such, the blond man preens under the praise.

"I'd be happy to compare notes, but you'd have to wait till closing." The man motions to the bustling line eager to get a seat, "I don't let anyone go hungry, so excuse me." The man flits to the next customer.

Thatch doesn't mind, he'll wait here all day if he has to.

-

As Thatch asks for another serving of soup, another pirate crew makes themselves comfortable in the building.

They hackle the other servers and slam their drinks down. People start to leave as the pirates grow more rowdy.

To make matter worse, a group of marines have stumbled into the restaurant for their lunch break. As soon as the groups make eye contact, all hell breaks lose.

Thatch holds on to his drink and ducks his head as a chair flies over him. He debates if he should intervene but so far the marines and pirates haven't drawn weapons. So its just a bar brawl, and Thatch is a bit desensitized to those.

However, Thatch speaks too soon, because in that moment the pirate captain draws his sword and the marine Sergent cocks his gun. Their little tussle reaches its peak.

At the height of tension, the restaurant chef slash waiter burst through the door leaving the kitchen. If Thatch was less experienced, then he wouldn't have seen what had happened in that split second.

But Thatch is an experienced pirate. So he watches as the man throws the plate full of food and drink into the air. The waiter rushes over to the commotion and slams his foot down on both the pirate and marines head.

He catches the food platter on his knee. Not a drink out of place.

He takes a slow drawl of his cigarette, before threatening, "When you come to a restaurant, you behave. If I catch you doing anything else, I'll kick your ass to Wano." He sets the plates of food down infront of the rambunctious patrons. The cook glares them into submission and orders, "Eat."

All the patrons quickly turn to their food without complaint. Not a sound is uttered from their area of the restaurant for the rest of night.

It takes everything in Thatch to stifle his laughter.

The sun starts to dip below the horizion. When dinner service is all done, the blond chef plops into a seat at Thatch's table. He lights a cigarette and looks at Thatch with an expression he can't quite parse.

Thatch is immediately intrigued, "You know, most restaurants don't serve pirates." He rests his head in his hands, "You might get yourself killed if you continue."

The chef gives him a carefully blank, closed off look, "I'm a cook. I feed people who are hungry. Besides," He takes a drawl of his cigarette and grins, "I'm a pirate too."

Thatch lets out a chuckle, he likes this man more and more. Pops might like him too. "I've never seen a pirate owned restaurant."

"You'd be surprised at how many there are. My old man runs one." The man, who thatch should really ask for his name, continues, "but I don't actually work here."

Wait what?

The man shrugs, "The owner's a piece of shit towards his staff so I kicked his ass and took over for the day. I think the sous chef is gonna take charge from now on."

The blond runs a hand through his hair, "I have bigger things to worry about anyway. But you don't want to know all that. You just want my recipe." He gives Thatch a quick grin.

Thatch returns the smile, "The name's Thatch."

"Of the Whitebeards'?" The man asks nervously, and Thatch is grateful for his disguise. Because the man before him seems to be losing color to his face, "Oh, shit."

"Yeah. You still gonna serve me now that you know who I am?"

The man shakes off his shock and takes a puff of his cigarette, "I will serve you as long as you're hungry. That's the rule I live by."

Thatch hums. Hes intrigued by this mysterious pirate cook. Thatch considers trying to get him to join the whitebeards. "You're a pirate right? Where's your crew?"

At that, the man's face turns sour. Like he's greatly annoyed by something. The look passes by and is replaced by a certain sort of resignation, "Who knows? I'll find them eventually." He then eyes Thatch up and down, "but I'm sure a Whitebeard Commander such as yourself has no need to be concerned."

"True, true." Another abandoned pirate. It seems there's a trend going on.

"Anyway, do you want the recipe or not?" He taps his feet on the ground impatiently, "You being here just reminded me of all the shit I now have to do." He clicks his tongue and whispers to the side, "Damn that rubber bastard."

"Oh right." What an interesting guy. "How'd you make your soup not nervous?"

"I'm sorry?"

"I've learned recently that no matter what you eat, it will always taste the way the chef feels."

The man sitting across from him freezes. "Ha, my old man says the same thing. What a coincidence."

"It seems I missed this part of culinary school." He cheekily says. The blond snorts at the statement.

He sighs before saying, "Everything I make is nervous." Thatch actually makes a noise of surprise at that, "We're chefs. Our job is to take care of the health and happiness of who we feed, so how can I not be nervous?"

He closes his eyes for a moment, lost in thought, "If your food is not nervous, then I don't think you're doing it right." He shrugs, "But that's just how I see it."

The blond man with the swirl eyebrow gives him a pensive look, "The people I love trust me with their lives, so I learned to trust my gut to the same degree."

Thatch mulls over this man's words for a brief moment before asking, "What did you say your name was again?"

In the early hours on Saturday, Thatch wakes up Marco, Ace, and Usopp and begs them to come to the kitchen. He debated asking Haruta to come, but when he stepped into her office, she threatened to cut his head off with a fishing line, so he chose not to.

Apparently whatever newspaper about Big Mom the news coo brought was so bad, Haruta has to reconfigure her entire information network. She and the Revs are also ghosting each other now. Scary stuff.

But he wakes the other three up and tells them to take a seat in the kitchen. Thatch flits from station to station to prepare a dish. At the sound of food, Ace shakes off his drowsiness and has a burst of energy. Usopp sleepily watches him shuffle place to place with pots and pans. Marco just looks pissed at being woken up for a non-emergency.

But this is an emergency. Because Thatch needs to replicate that man's soup right now.

After a few minutes, he sets three bowls down infront of the pirates. He then crosses his arms and eagerly awaits their reaction.

Ace immediately chows down. He gives Thatch a quick 'Thanks!' Then buries his head in the food. Usopp hesitantly picks up his spoon. Marco just sighs in resignation at having to eat soup for the fifth time this week, but he also doesn't refuse the dish.

All three of them stop eating at the same time, Ace with his bowl three quarters empty, Usopp with a spoon still in his hand, and Marco mid swallow.

They all open their mouths to speak, but Usopp practically yells at him, "Where did you learn this recipe!?"

"I found my inspiration in town earlier today." Thatch huffs proudly. He's happy he finally got a good reaction from the little sniper.

"From who? Who taught you?" Usopp frantically presses.

"I think his name was," Thatch thinks back to that mysterious cook, who's actually a pirate. The man gave off the impression that he was too big for the seaside town, out of place. The blond chain smoker who was hiding brutal fighting precision, "Sanji."

At the name, Usopp completely freezes. And then suddenly bursts into a flurry of motion. He runs out of the kitchen onto the deck, forcing the three Whitebeard pirates to follow.

They catch a glimpse of the man causing panic for the brothers who happen to be lounging on deck. Thatch makes it to the door of the kitchen just in time to watch Usopp swan dive off the Moby and start swimming toward shore.

Ace noisily slurps the rest of his bowl and watches the commotion from right next to the chef and first mate. He wipes his mouth with the back of his hand, "Thatch, what the fuck did you put in this soup?"

Three weeks ago, the cook of the Strawhat pirates plummets to the ground from the sky. The seaside village he is found in nurses him back to health. When Sanji comes to after his big fall, he doesn't know what to be more upset at.

The fact that hes been separated from his crew and sent to gods know where, or the fact that this isn't the first time this exact thing has happened.

But what does take the cake on the shitshow Sanji is experiencing back to back, is that the place he's been transported to is five years in the past.

Which means even if he wanted to find the past version of his crew, he doesn't know how productive that would be. Because as of this moment, the strawhat pirates don't exists yet.

So Sanji is torn between sailing further into the grandline; stopping on Drum Island for Chopper; maybe to Water 7 to see if Franky's there; possibly going to Alabasta to check up on Robin. Or sailing to the East Blue, because that's where most of his crew grew up.

Because that's where his captain is. But that past captain doesn't know who Sanji is, so Sanji is still stuck.

As he debates what his next course of action is, he ends up taking odd jobs as a cook for little restaurants. He flits from place to place, as the owners beg him to be a permanent worker.

Although Sanji cooks for everyone, he will only bow to one person.

So in exchange for a roof over his head, Sanji is a freelance chef. The people croon that he could be successful if he settled down and make a restaurant of his own. And he knows for a fact that he will be, but Sanji also knows that that is an unsatisfying life. He will always be the cook of the future pirate king. There's no other option.

He watches the newspapers and any rumors that make it to the town. And on the day news finally reaches the town about what Big Mom is doing in the New World, the Whitebeard pirates dock at the seaside village.

And a dejected man with an orange pompadour walks into the restaurant that Sanji just so happens to be at.

Sanji doesn't recognize him at first, its not like he ever met the guy before. But that doesn't change the fact that 4th Division Commander Thatch asks for his soup recipe. And well, its been a while since he's had a good conversation with a fellow pirate chef.

But it also puts things in perspective. Mostly how Sanji has to get the hell out of here. So far, nothing groundbreaking has happened in the news. Sanji can assume that either his crew is out of commission or they're not in the past with him. Or, they're just lying low, which is the most nuclear choice, because that usual makes things worse.

Especially when it comes to his captain.

-

When the restaurant closes for the day, Sanji packs his things and plans on which island to travel to next. He figures that he should just continue to Drum and hope that there's no storms on the way. Especially since he's going to be skywalking the entire time.

Damn that rubber bastard. And that shitty mosshead, just because. Man, he really hopes Nami and Robin are alright.

As he walks the path towards the dock, bustles of marines push past him. These ones don't look like theyre the local force. Some of them he recognizes from earlier in the day. And Sanji's hunch is proven correct when he spots a Vice Admiral's ship in the coast line.

Things start to get worse when he also spots Whitebeards ship. The pirates appear to be leaving after docking here for the day, but the marines have no intention of letting them have a safe passage.

Sanji rolls his eyes at the sight, and decides to wait out their stupid little battle. He wants to get going as soon as possible, but there's no need to get involved.

Or, that's what he thought, but the whitebeard pirates seem to be calling for something in the sea. Sanji thinks he spots a man in the ocean frantically swimming to the island as cannons fire overhead.

The logical thing would be to turn away and try to leave the island tomorrow, but a feeling in him roots his feet to the spot.

As the man gets closer, the marines start to turn their attention to this random Whitebeard pirate in the ocean.

No, Sanji corrects belatedly as he too squints to see who's in the water, they start to turn their attention to this strawhat pirate in the ocean.

And before Sanji can think, he's already running through the air and twisting his entire body to gain momentum. Flames lick his feet as he slams his heel straight down into the Marine galleon.

*CRACK*

The force is so strong that the ship heaves a final sigh, before snapping in half and beginning to sink.

Sanji then turns his attention to the swimming crewmate, his crewmate, and picks him out of the water like picking a dog up by the scruff of his neck.

The relief that floods him at the sight of Usopp is unmeasurable. He wants to ask if the sniper is injured. What was he thinking, does he know how they got here? He wants to know if the other man had been eating regularly, is he fed till he's full?

He wants to say thank you for finding me.

But he doesn't. The words bubble up until they choke him, his mind is running hundreds of miles a minute. And the first words Sanji actually says to Usopp are, "You know I only carry women, right?"

And Usopp laughs so hard tears form in his eyes. And somewhere in between his laughter, it actually turns into sobs. Sanji suit is disheveled but he can't quite find himself to care. Usopp is akin to a drenched cat but shoulder shaking laughter still rolls through him.

Usopp looks at him with such unrestrained happiness. And as the sniper cries, he takes a deep breath and says, "Fuck you, Sanji."

And Sanji's world makes a little more sense.

When Sanji touches down on the Moby Dick, he expects hostility from the crew.

What he does not expect is the chef from earlier in the day to rush Usopp and hold him in a blubbering embrace, "Was the soup really that bad?!"

Usopp's laughter is bordering on hysterical so Sanji tugs him behind himself. This action does not go unnoticed by the commanders onboard.

It also does not go unnoticed by the ship's captain.

The strongest man in the world booms from his throne upon the sea, "What are you doing with my son?"

He lets the words hang in the air as he futile tries to process them. "Son?" Sanji slowly cranes his head to where Usopp stands. The man avoids his gaze.

"I'm not your son, Whitebeard!" Usopp snaps.

"Not yet anyway," Thatch murmurs.

What the fuck?

Sanji stares at Usopp in complete disbelief. What the hell had the liar been up to?

"This is Sanji," Usopp clasps a hand on the cooks shoulder, "one of my crewmates." He introduces Sanji to Whitebeard and the little crowd they'd gather breaks out in murmurs.

Someone whistles from the peanut gallery, "I say we keep both of them! Look at what the blond guy did to the marine ship."

"I call dibs!"

"No he's coming to my division!"

"Pops, the blond guy is a really good chef, he should come with me!"

"Oh great, another one."

An argument breaks out among some of the commanders and Sanji is starting to feel faint. Whitebeard laughs at his children's bickering.

"You may have proven your strength, but there is no reason for me to take you in." He talks down to them, Conqueror's Haki embedded in his words.

Sanji bristles at the audacity. He doesn't give a damn about his title as Emperor or Strongest Man, the only thing stopping him from antagonizing the entire crew is Usopp. And maybe a certain division commander.

Sanji doesn't know where this man got the impression he was up for crew adoption, its probably Usopp's fault, but Sanji is not interested. "I don't want you to take me in. I already have a captain." He sneers.

Silence floods across the ship. Thatch makes a distressed noise, and the commanders eyes the two with something akin to pity. Sanji doesn't know what that's about, but its probably also Usopp's fault.

"I like the fire in your eyes, kid." Whitebeard thunders, amused, "And since your captain has abandoned you-"

"Oh my God, Pops has no tact."

"I thought we weren't supposed to say the obvious?"

"Might as well rip the bandaid off now, I guess."

"-I will happily let you join the family."

Usopp's mouth falls open dumbfounded.

Sanji blinks once, twice, three times. He very slowly reaches into his pocket, a few commanders tense at the action, and pulls out his lighter and a cigarette. He gets the thing going and then taps his foot gently on the deck wood.

He takes a deep breath and acknowledges that, yeah this is actually happening right now.

A few things happen all at once. One, flames bloom from Sanji's feet in a threatening spiral. Two, Sanji bites down on his cigarette and shouts, "WHAT THE FUCK DID YOU JUS-"

Simultaneously, Usopp slams his shoe down on Sanji's foot, fire and all. Then he shoves his hand over the blond's mouth with frightening strength.

Usopp yells over the equivalent of Sanji's declaration of war, "WE'RE NOT JOINING YOUR CREW!" He continues at normal volume, "Sanji stays on the same terms as I do."

And for the second time that night, the deck is silent. And again, Sanji doesn't know what hell he's fallen into but he's so done with it.

Why the fuck does Whitebeard look sad at that statement, Sanji doesn't know.

After a tense moment, Whitebeard speaks again, "GURAHAHA! It would be a shame to get rid such strong loyalty." He smiles down at them, "Alright, Sniper. Have it your way. Sanji stays on your terms. For now."

Usopp gives a sigh of relief, removing his hand from Sanji's mouth, and it takes every bone in Sanji's body not to kick his ass right here and now. Seeing the dismissal for what it is, the tension on the Moby seeps away.

"Yes!" Thatch scoops both of them into a hug, "This is going to be great."

A few people make their way over to the two strawhats, and Sanji just has so many questions.

"Next time you want to find a crewmate, don't jump into the sea during cannon fire." Marco smacks Usopp in the back of the head. Sanji thinks he deserves it. Marco mutters, "It looks like all your old crew has a habit of defying Conqueror's Haki."

Marco eyes Sanji up and down and Sanji has to remind himself that this isn't his Marco. To be completely honest, these Whitebeards are too trusting. In the future, the remains of this crew are not nearly as kind.

"Wow," But the most stark reminder of how much Sanji is not supposed to be here comes from one person, "your captain must have been a pretty respectable guy for you two to hold him in such high regard." The man grins, "I'm starting to think he doesn't deserve it though, since you two have ended up here."

Portgas D Ace makes his way to their little crowd and Sanji's breath hitches in his throat. Sanji logically knows that the 2nd division commander would be around and doing things. But its entirely different seeing it in person. "Ace?"

"Oh, do you know me?"

Sanji can't even form a word. What is he supposed to say anyway? Yeah, you're my future but present captain's brother? And you're going to save my captain, you're going to-

Usopp looks between the two before injecting, "Sanji, here, is a fan."

"He is?"

"I am?"

"Yes," Usopp grits out. His eyes say to just go with it, "You see, Sanji is a big fan so he's a little nervous talking to you. He even fights with fire, like his hero."

Usopp motions to his feet and to keep up the bit, Sanji stomps his foot on fire. The Whitebeards around them make noises of amazement at the sight.

"That's no fair! How come the firecracker gets fans before I do!"

"I don't know how I feel about having fans."

Sanji mumbles, "I don't know how I feel about being a fan."

"Well Sanji here is really tired, you know fighting marines and all that-"

"Yeah, did you walk on air by the way?"

"-so I'm going to go show him to his quarters, right now."

The three Whitebeards watch as the two make their exit. Thatch is relieved that the little sniper has found one of his family at sea, and that person being such a knowledgeable chef. Its only a matter of time before they get used to being onboard the Moby, and only a matter of time before they officially become part of the family.

Marco turns his gaze to the galleon that this newcomer has destroyed. Its no surprise that Paradise creates explosive rookies, one glance at Ace proves it. But the blond didn't move with just power: experience and precision bled through his every action. So Marco can't help but wonder, why take shelter in this quaint little town, if you're obviously on par with a New World Veteran?

Ace just wants more soup.

(A fourth Whitebeard pirate watches from the shadows of the Moby. He watches the way the blond man dispatches the marines with ease. He remembers the accuracy of the sniper from when he first arrived onboard. He knows these types of pirates very well, they are people with big dreams.

And he knows that they will do anything to achieve their dreams. Just like he will. After all, what good is loyalty in the face of power? In the face of freedom?

But for now, he'll play this stupid little game of family.

The man turns to make his way back to where the rest of the 2nd division pirates reside.)

Usopp barely makes it through the door of his cabin aboard the Moby before a foot slams him into the wall.

"Yeah, I deserved that."

"No shit. Now explain."

One very, very detailed explanation later, as Sanji refuses to move his foot from Usopp's face, the cook is now completely up to date with the situation. Its still a shitty situation, seeing as Usopp also doesn't know how they traveled to the past, but beggars can't be choosers.

"So let's just take one of the Whitebeard's ships and leave tomorrow."

"I can't." Usopp turns his gaze away. He takes a seat on the only bed in the room.

"What do you mean, you can't?"

"I have to stay here."

"Why?" Sanji waves his hands, trying to get the gravity of the situation through Usopp's head, "You can't stay here! We have to find the rest of the crew! Don't tell me you're actually thinking of joining Whitebeard."

"What?" Usopp looks offended that Sanji would think that, "Of course not! God what would Luffy say if I did that."

"Forget about Luffy. Imagine how that dumbass algae we call a swordsman would react."

Usopp's hands raise to cover his throat and a small shiver racks through his body. He shakes his head, "But that's not why I'm staying. I'm going to save Ace."

...save Ace?

"Think about it, Sanji. Do you honestly think you can leave the Moby knowing what you know?"

And Sanji has been trying not to think about it. Because coming face to face with a dead man is something that he doesn't want to acknowledge. Coming face to face with another way he has failed his captain is a different type of torture.

His captain, who is somewhere along the seas, doing who knows what. Sanji's captain who has placed his unwavering faith in him since meeting at the Baratie.

Luffy who, while holding Sanji's dream so gently in his hands, coupled with his fears and anguish and past, still looks at him with such pride.

You want to find the All Blue? That's a good dream.

Luffy, who has been unwavering in his love in the face of Sanji's demise and scorn. What has Sanji done to repay the favor?

I can't become the Pirate King without my crew! Without my cook!

Somewhere across the sea, is the rest of the strawhats. Just as lost and alone as he was a few hours earlier. It would be smart to immediately set out and search for them, especially with Whitebeards' resources. They would be able to get home faster. It would be logical thing to do. He and Usopp shouldn't get involved, there would be no benefit.

Can he leave the Moby knowing what he knows? Sanji has a feeling it will only make things more complicated further down the road if he doesn't. Are the Whitebeards truly a lost cause?

What would Luffy do?

Sanji collapses on the floor next to the bed. He closes his eyes and debates. But, its not actually a debate, and Sanji thinks Usopp knows that as well. There are no pros and cons to weigh. There are no choices to make.

Because after all, the Strawhats aren't exactly known for making "smart" decisions. Especially when it comes to the people they love.

Sanji takes a slow drawl of his cigarette and when he opens his eyes to look back at Usopp, he sees the same steel resolve reflected back at him.

"Alright," he says resigned, Usopp gives him a shit eating grin, "What's your plan?"

"Ah," the other strawhat takes a deep breath, forcing the words into existence and all the consequences that will follow it, "I'm going to steal the Dark Dark Fruit."

A woman reclines in her lawn chair and studies the book in front of her. Her sunglasses hide how her eyes eagerly search for information.

She sighs and snaps the book closed and picks up the next from a gigantic pile. The other people on the beach give her a wide berth, but the woman pays them no mind.

She runs a hand through her silk black hair in frustration. Even though she's under an umbrella, the sun still seems to sap her energy. As she reads, the beach clears out completely. Its as if there's a shark in the water.

The crunch of boots on sand fills her ears as a group of marine soldiers approach her. Her eyes do not wander from the page she's studying.

A news coo flies overhead and drops its papers onto the shore. A burst of flower petals take the form of a hand. The hand grabs the paper and brings it to where the woman sits.

The man incharge of the group stands before her, but the woman only glances at the newspaper before turning back to her book.

Suddenly, the woman does a double take at the newspapers headline. She says breathily, "Oh, that's not good."

The peoples footsteps stop right infront of her chair. A man clears his throat, "You are here by under arrest for the destruction of government property, piracy, and being a danger to the public. Devil Child Nico-"

"Clutch!"

The sound of several bodies hitting the soft sand fills the air. The woman doesn't pay them a single glance. She only has eyes for the newspaper, her book abandoned.

She reads the whole thing one, twice, three times, before slaming the paper shut. Robin takes a deep breath and grits out, "That's not good, at all."

On the newspaper it reads:

Chapter Text

A Mcguffin is a tool used to save the day, Nico Olivia tells her daughter as she pushes the hair out of the younger's face, it’s the trigger for the plot: the backbone of everything. Flimsy and fragile yet essential all the same.

Nico Olivia smiles down at the raven haired girl before her, it doesn’t matter what the item is, only that everyone wants it. Olivia places a palm on her daughter’s cheek, some of the most notable stories use the trope, but that doesn’t make them good.

Nico Robin wakes up with a crick in her neck and ground debris scattered all around her. Nico Robin wakes up with her hair much longer than it was when she went to sleep. But, that's not quite right. She had grown it out after-

She dusts herself off from her makeshift bed sight and tries to stumble back to the room she was supposed to be in. But to her surprise, and steadily growing fear, her surroundings are just sand as far as the eye can see. There are a few people staring at her with terror in their eyes, no one makes an effort to help her.

They would do that anyway, even if she didn't suddenly appear five years older.

She holds herself with a high amount of calm that she does not feel. Robin stumbles across the local newspaper, detailing about the Warlord Crocodile setting up shop on the outskirts of this island. She quickly realizes she's in a predator's den, but that's nothing new. What's new and breathtaking is that in her story, this predator has already been put down.

Nico Robin went to sleep with a dagger by her pillow and no will to use it if an occasion does arise. She wakes up with a clear mind and a family held deep in her chest.

Irony, Nico Olivia tells her young daughter, their family is small but complete. Full of love and happiness and Robin is content with it staying just the way it is. There is no need for anything to change, this comfort is all she wants.

Is when a character or the audience expects one thing, but something else happens instead, usually the exact opposite of the expectation, Nico Olivia continues, she flicks Robin’s nose. It is an important tool used in media, because it can be used in both happy and sad ways.

Robin thinks that there's nothing funny about losing her family for the second time. It's very hard to laugh after waking up to one of the worst periods in her life. There's nothing to be happy about as she walks the sands of Alabasta three years before her family meets her, five years earlier than the day she was living before.

Tragedy, Robin's mother explains to her, it's an odd memory because Robin had thought all of her mother's words were lost to time, replaced by the flames of Ohara and the cannon fire of marine galleons. Is when the ending has already been decided before the beginning. No matter what anyone does, the conclusion is set in stone. Nico Olivia's voice pauses for a moment, before she corrects,

It's actually because of the characters themselves, that they are doomed to such an end.

But walking the same paths as Robin's past self has made her nostalgic apparently, because Saul’s laughter rings in her memories. To carry on till the time is right. Or in this case, right again.

Coupled with Saul's laughter is another man, one with just as remarkable cheer. Maybe being in Alabasta has made her nostalgic for the future as well. Because the hopelessness that Robin has carried on her shoulders through the desert country has already been vanquished in the future.

She fell asleep in one of the many safe houses Crocodile has across the land, she sported a bob and a deep purple cowboy hat. She wakes up in a crater in the desert country of Alabasta. Nico Robin fell asleep as an assassin to a warlord she holds no loyalty to. A double agent to no one, with only her own desire keeping her afloat. She wakes up as an archeologist to the Strawhat Pirates. She wakes up as a vassal to a king not yet crowned, who she places her life and loyalty endlessly in his hands.

Devil Child Nico Robin wakes up in a crater, five years in the past.

Miss All Sunday shows up late to the Baroque Works meeting. She saunters down the stairs of their work-in-progress headquarters, not bothering with acknowledging anyone. Her outfit is something not local, but also not her typical style. And her hair cascades down her back, a very stark contrast to what is known of her. At the head of the table sits a Warlord and his right hand man. The other members gawk at her carefree attitude.

“You’re late.” Growls out the head of the organization.

Miss All Sunday hums. She walks right past the meeting to her quarters. Sand starts to shift as the woman disappears for a few minutes into another room. When she reappears, she has a sack on her back.

“What do you think you're doing?” Mr. One growls out.

Miss All Sunday pauses and finally takes in the occupants of the room. Her gaze lingers on some of the weaker members. Instead of answering, she turns on her heels and disappears into another one of the quarters.

When she shows her face for the third time, still not bothering to take her seat at the meeting table, Crocodile slams down his hook hand, demanding attention. The members flinch. Miss All Sunday raises an eyebrow at the sight. “Miss All Sunday. Sit. Down. There is much to discuss.”

Miss All Sunday smiles, “Well don’t let me keep you. I know you’re a busy man, Sir Crocodile.” She pats him condescendingly on the shoulder, before making her way to the exit. In her hands are several of her belongings, and a sack filled with paperwork. Confidential paperwork. Filled with confidential plans. Project Utopia.

Devil Child Nico Robin takes one last glance back at the Warlord and his organization, mirth in her eyes, and pronounces, “I quit.”

And at the same moment, Mr. One rises to his feet in an attempt to stop her from leaving. But before he can activate his devil fruit, the woman disappears in a flurry of pink flower petals.

Marco props himself up on Pops’ knee. Overseeing the few brothers laying about on the Moby. Haruta sits on Pops’ shoulder, a pensive look on her face. She flips through a few papers, sighs dramatically, then continues to flip through more papers.

The first mate lazily counts those on deck. All his brothers are gathered in a loose circle. The beginnings of a betting ring start to rear its head. Voices start to rise as alcohol starts to flow. When the event starts, Marco knows that he too will be watching with a critical eye.

"So?" Marco glances at the 16th Commander.

Haruta slaps the papers in her hand, "I got nothing. None of it makes sense."

Pops’ joyful laugh draws a bit of tension from Haruta’s shoulders. But not all of it. "Someone’s got the best of Linlin. That's a reason to celebrate, my children!"

Haruta cracks a grin at that. It's the first one Marco has seen in a week, "But no one knows who stole Zeus. I even managed to get a hold of one of Joker's men. And they don't know what happened either."

"Well they probably lied. None of that man's underlings are reliable." Doflamingo is an issue better left on his half of the sea. As long as the warlord doesn't interact with Pops, Marco is content to let sleeping beasts lie.

However, a new person isn't. Only a fool would go around messing with the order of the world. Especially without a powerful backing. "Who else can you ask?"

Haruta blows a raspberry, "There’s this guy a few islands over. Real sketchy, but his info is never wrong."

Marco hums. It’s worth a try.

Below them, the crew is all spread out eagerly awaiting a common form of entertainment. A spar between a whitebeard commander, and a fan-of sorts.

Ace dodges a well aimed kick to his abdomen. He shifts his stance and readies a fist, flames wrapped around his palm. He tries to puncture his sparring partner's rhythm, but his attack is met with the other's ankle. Ace's fist stings at the impact, but his opponent doesn't even grimace.

Whoops and hollers surround them as they fight. The commanders spill their alcohol as berri is slammed onto the Moby deck.

"Don't lose this fight, Ace! I put my month's allowance on you!"

"Kick his ass, Commander!"

The cheers surround the two as they fight. Ace catches Marco's eye as he observes the two. There's an analytical glint in the First Mate. He's always so paranoid, Ace thinks.

While he's distracted, Sanji runs at him and readies a punch. Ace brings both his hands to block, but that turns out to be a mistake. Sanji's leading fist shoots down as he swings his upper body to the wood deck. His 'punch' turns into a one hand handstand. He then twists his legs like a helicopter and pops Ace in the side of the head.

Ace dry heaves and his head whirls. He stumbles for a bit, stars swirling his vision. He spits blood onto Moby's deck and a few of his brothers grimace. Others put down more betting money.

Sanji's eyebrows knit in concern. He glances over at Usopp and a conversation passes in their eyes. Ace grits his teeth, their worry is insulting.

Ace wipes the blood from his mouth. The people on deck ramp up their intensity. But there's a few people who shift their bets from Whitebeard's commander to the blond haired mystery. Ace's mood worsens.

"Hey," Ace calls. Sanji lightly taps his foot on the deck. There's not a scratch on him. "Stop looking over there and fight me properly, dammit!"

Flames lick Ace's hands as the audience gets more rowdy. The fire dances around his shoulders, snug like a coat in the wintertime.

So far Sanji hasn't used his flames at all. If he didn't know any better, he would have thought he'd imagined the blond using fire in the first place.

Sanji observes him quietly, "I am fighting you properly." Ace doesn't believe him for a second.

"Liar!" And for a split second, the Whitebeards around him fade away. And all Ace can see is the enemy in front of him. The only option is to fight and win, or to die. That's how life works, and Ace has no plans on dying, "You curly-browed bastard!"

Sanji stops tapping his foot. He clicks his teeth and the air shifts around him. His entire demeanor shuts off, and his eyebrow twitches. "Fucking mosshead haunting me from the grave-" Sanji uncharacteristically spits venom back, "Fine, you asked for it!"

Ace grins in satisfaction. From his perch on Moby’s railing, Usopp lets out a resigned sigh, "Of course that's what pisses him off."

Marco narrows his eyes as the atmosphere of the spar shifts. The other commanders scattered all around the deck don’t bother having the same reaction. In fact, at Sanji’s sudden change in attitude, their gambling increases.

“Hey,” The Sniper leans down to address whichever commander’s in charge of the pot, “Kingdew, put me down for Sanji.”

The Commander grins, “Your loss, kid.” Kingdew adds Usopp’s berri to Sanji’s name. “There’s a reason Ace is a Commander at such a young age. I wouldn’t bet against him in a fight.”

“Yeah but,” Usopp breezily replies, he has no doubt that Ace is powerful. But maybe not powerful yet. “If Sanji loses this, he'll never live it down.”

Kingdew furrows his brow at the statement. But before he can push, the spar captures his attention once again.

Ace watches Sanji zip towards him, annoyance oozing off the other man. He obviously wasn't taking this seriously before, but now Sanji's attacks have power behind them instead of just precision.

Ace blocks two kicks, one aimed towards his knee and the other to his lungs. But that's all he can do, because he's not given a chance to go on the offense. The flurry of kicks keep him occupied to the point where Ace can't even summon his devil fruit.

Ace grits his teeth. This isn't a problem. Because Ace is a flame man. And all he has to do is become more flame than man.

Sanji pauses for a second, and maybe his temper is undeserved for such a minor comment. But then he shakes his head and prepares a final blow. He raises his knee to his chest, and embers flicker on the heel of his shoe. Ace wickedly grins, finally.

But just as soon as they came, they die out on the leather boots. However, that doesn't stop Sanji's attack itself.

He takes aim and as fast as lightning, Sanji is all of a sudden in Ace's face. Good, just like he planned.

Before the kick can connect, Ace turns his entire abdomen into flames.

To Ace's knowledge, no physical attack can harm him now. Thatch calls it a cheat, Marco calls it being cocky. A smile climbs onto Ace's face, this fight will now be a breeze. Because Sanji only fights with his feet, and he can't hit something that isn't solid.

But the annoyance that clouds Sanji's judgement gets the better of him. And on instinct, a black liquorice design shapes onto Sanji's feet. Almost like a cast, the coating roams his appendage. The air shifts ever so slightly as Sanji's kick gets closer to what should just be gas and spark.

And Sanji's kick connects.

The effect is disastrous. For the first time ever, Ace feels like his control of his devil fruit slips through his fingers. He's never experienced anything like it before, he's never fought anyone who has managed to land a hit on a Logia. It should be impossible.

Right?

As he spits blood onto the deck once more, he spots Marco in the corner of his eye. If it's so impossible, then why doesn't the phoenix look surprised? Actually, why doesn't any commander look surprised that Sanji can do that?

Anger begins to churn in Ace's stomach. It appears that he's behind in something. He doesn't know what, but if it's enough to make him kneel over during a sparring match, then it's enough to want to burn the entire ship down.

Sanji seems to come back from his senses after the kick. And the audience's joyful mood turns sour as they look at this outsider who may have taken it a step too far. Sanji jumps away, he looks a bit nervous at Ace. Like he’s checking for injury. Usopp winces.

He goes back to tapping his foot gently on the deck. Its like hes saying that Ace hasn't even landed a fucking hit, while the flame man is over here spitting up blood. It pisses Ace off.

Ace takes a deep breath. He wipes the blood from his mouth and feels the area he got hit. He’s certain that if Sanji wanted to, he could have kicked straight through his body. If it was flame man against flame foot, Ace isn’t certain he would burn hotter.

"Hey," he snarls, Sanji looks taken aback by his tone. "Do that again."

"I think I'm done sparring for the day-" He puts his hands up in a placating manner.

"Do it again. You hit me even though I was using my devil fruit. That's impossible." Ace stares him down, he wants to know how. He needs to know how. And he’s going to figure it out right now. "Do it again."

It is not a request.

Sanji's eyes narrow. "No." Cool. Calm. Collected. Not a fucking scratch on him. The entire thing worsens Ace’s mood. "I said I'm done for the day."

He clicks his teeth. Ace has never turned his back on a fight, but a fight has never been this out of reach. His opponent has never bowed away first–especially an opponent who was winning. Again, he thinks. Again, again, again, again.

“Do it again.” He states. No, he commands.

And the world reacts accordingly. A shift in tension, Pandora's box opening and will spilling out. One wave out of thousands crashing against the ship, harsher than the others. A darker cloud in a clear blue sky–suddenly there, then dissipating again. So miniscule but flushing over the deck, aimed at one person and one person only. Whitebeard’s eyes shift to his spitfire son. The beginnings of something new, he thinks. But futile, weak. Like a paper fan trying to move an oak tree.

But there nonetheless.

Whitebeard doesn’t know who to be more interested in. His beloved commander, whose title as a mere commander may not be enough to satiate his hunger. Ace who bows his head now, but has the potential to rule them all.

Or the new arrival, Sanji, who spits in the face at someone laying claim over him. Even if they’re a supposed “fan” of Fire Fist.

Whitebeard watches on.

Ace balls his fists and glares at Sanji. And Sanji furrows his brows, surprise tipping into annoyance into anger. It's the most emotion he has shown this entire fight. It almost makes Ace smile.

Sanji raises his foot just as Usopp whispers a hushed, frantic, “Sanji!”

The blond grinds his teeth, knee now raised to his chest. Good, now they’re both angry. Ace waits for the attack, either he figures out how to dodge such a move or he learns how to block it. But what he knows for certain, is that Sanji will attack him. Because Ace told him to.

And then, Sanji places his foot back down. No, not back down.

Sanji takes a step back. And it's the clearest dismissal Ace has ever seen. To others, it would be a surrender, to Ace it's the greatest insult.

As Ace opens his mouth again he is interrupted by Pops banging a hand down onto his throne. The impact is deafening. But not as deafening as Sanji’s boots still lightly tapping the wooden deck, like nothing fucking happened.

"We are all done for the day." Another command, this time from the ship’s captain. Sanji looks even less pleased with that one.

The silence rings, heavy and stifling. Ace lowers his fists.

After a moment, Jozu pipes up, "Wait, then who won the betting pool?"

And the world begins to spin again and the Whitebeards have moved on. Ace, however, has not.

Flames lick his hands and embers dance on his feet, threatening to set the entire ship ablaze. He stalks off towards his cabin, fury and shame combining into fuel.

Sanji watches him go, wrongfooted. He takes a cigarette out of suit pocket and lights it. "Well, shit.”

Usopp knocks his shoulder, annoyed, “‘Well shit’ is right! I just lost a week’s worth of berri because of you!”

In response, Sanji blows smoke in his face.

Marco watches the entire spectacle from upon Whitebeard's shoulders. Akin to a hawk, he observes the two boarders. He gives Usopp a once over, "Vast and accurate observation Haki." Marco then shifts his gaze to Sanji, "And reflexive armament Haki. What are the odds you find that in Paradise? Let alone among rookies." Because it's obvious Ace didn't know what the hell was going on.

The commander on Whitebeard's other shoulder hums. Haruta gives a smile, a little weary from having to deal with Big Mom's mess of everything, but no less immensely curious. Not like a dog with peanut butter, but rather a scientist with a body to experiment on, "I'd say close to impossible."

"And yet here we are!" Pops laughs. Amused because those two aren't even close to a threat. Maybe to Ace's pride, but to an emperor? Ha! Pops loves that his future sons have so much spirit in them.

"And yet here we are." Marco echoes dutifully. He turns to Haruta, "I want the names of every pirate captain that currently sails Paradise."

A memory pricks in the back of Marco's head, from when Usopp first fell from the sky. More specially, a name bubbles up to the surface, "And tell me everything you know about a man named 'Luffy.'"

A fourth person joins the fray, "Isn't that Ace's kid brother's name?" Thatch plops himself down at Pops feet, "Why would you wanna know about him? God knows Ace already talks about him enough."

Marcos brow furrows, something isn't adding up. "No reason." He'll figure it out in time, "Just curious about something."

Ace resists the urge to slather his room in flames. It takes every bone in his body to be 'constructive' with his anger. Makino always told him to take calming breaths but all that does is make him dizzy.

As morning turns into noon into evening, Ace holes himself in his cabin. Thatch comes by every few hours with a plate of food, which Ace greatly appreciates. But he still doesn't feel like talking to anyone right now, so he just eats the meal and leaves the empty dishes outside his door.

Izou comes by and asks if he wants the commander to "remove his enemies from the premises." It takes Ace a good thirty seconds to figure out what the hell that's supposed to mean, before refusing the offer.

Haruta knocks on his door and offers to spread rumors about Sanji so far across the sea, that the other man will have to live in shame his entire life. Ace also turns that down. Tempting but no.

Jozu just offers to kill Sanji, straight up. Ace probably considered that offer longer than he should have, but also told him no.

The morning spar has left everyone onboard awkwardly avoiding and comforting Ace. It's the definition of salt in the wound. When night falls and Kingdew clamors up to the crows nest for night watch, Ace turns his door handle with a quiet click, and makes his way down the hall.

He stops right before the two guests' cabin, hand on the doorknob. And if the doorknob starts to warm up to an unnatural temperature then that's no one's business but his own.

He debates barging in there and demanding a rematch, he considers it for longer than a sane person should. A few months ago, he would have taken an axe and tried to cut Sanji's head off. However, the Ace of today lets go of the doorknob. His stomach growls and he turns towards the kitchen instead.

Ace swings open the door to the kitchen and is surprised to see who is behind the counter. He clicks his teeth in annoyance–just great.

"Y'know," And Ace can't even keep the annoyance out of his voice, "Thatch gets pissed when people mess with his kitchen, especially after hours."

"Ah," Sanji says with his back to Ace, hovering over something on the stove, "I do believe that. Don't worry, commander, I'll put everything back the way it was found."

"And how do I know you're not poisoning our food?"

At that question, Sanji's face scrunches up. "I’d sooner slice off my hands than do that."

He was hoping to see anyone else, but Ace was never the luckiest person. Ace observes him, Sanji's eyes look weary. And it appears that the day has taken its toll on the other. "Why are you here, anyway?"

"I um-" the cook fiddles with the spoon he's holding, "Habit I guess?"

Ace raises an eyebrow.

"Lu- er, my captain, he's like always hungry. And at night he would try to raid our fridge. I guess I just," Sanji shrugs, like its no big deal. But a blind man can see the way Sanji is fraying at the seams, listless, "wanted to make food."

Sanji places a dish in front of Ace, a peace offering of sorts. Ace observes the delicacy before him, oddly familiar, "You're from the east?"

"Yeah," Sanji pauses before revealing, "few of my crew are too."

Ace mulls that over. Interesting. He picks up a fork and stabs the seaking meal in front of him. It's delicious, unfortunately, which makes it hard for Ace to stay mad.

It's a bit insulting being beaten by his so-called fan, but in front of a crowd makes it even worse. Ace always knew the other commanders were strong, and he's never beaten Pops before too--but the gap in power between him and everyone else is slowly growing wider.

Sanji observes the quiet deck, "I thought more people would be keeping watch, seeing as how big your crew is."

Ace hums, "Since it's Kingdew’s turn, it should be him and two people from his division. But no one really follows that rule. Not many people would attack an emperor in the middle of the night."

Well, Ace used to. But it didn't amount to much.

An unreadable expression passes over Sanji's face, and then it's gone, "Right. I'd forgotten how...safe Whitebeard's ship is."

Ace really doesn't feel like making small talk, Thatch is better at that shit then he is. Sanji digs through his pockets for a cigarette while he asks, "How'd you do it?"

Sanji places the cigarette between his lips and shoots him a questioning gaze, "Do what?"

"How'd you hit me? While we were sparring."

The other man makes a small o shape with his mouth, "I coated my foot with Haki. Sorry 'bout that by the way. I know we were sparring without it," Sanji pats himself down for his lighter, "But your comment earlier really pissed me off, and I lost my reason for a second."

Ace blinks. Haki. Haki? Sparring without Haki? "We were sparring without Haki?"

"We weren't sparring without Haki?" Sanji asks in return. Now he's confused too. He also still can't find his lighter.

"We were not not!"

"What...?"

"We were not not sparring without Haki!"

"So we were sparring with Haki?"

"Yes!"

Sanji looks at him like he has two heads, "Then why were you upset!"

"Because I don't know what Haki is!"

Sanji opens his mouth but no sound comes out. He looks completely done with this entire situation. He turns to stare at the wall, then he puts his hands on his head like he's going through a great ordeal.

When he meets Ace's gaze again, there's a wild, anxious look in his eyes, "You don't know Haki!?"

"No!"

"But you're a commander!"

"So?!"

He puts a hand over his face, seemingly in some sort of anguish. He pauses, "Wait this makes sense because you're considered a rookie. And we're in paradise, so you don't really need it."

It sounds more desperate than an explanation, but Sanji latches onto it anyway. But if Sanji knows Haki and he says that, then, "Does that mean you're not a rookie?"

"Well, I mean, technically I am-" he sputters, "I'm part of a rookie crew. But they wouldn't be considered rookies anymore, but I mean, we still kinda are? Just not at this point in time? And not in the future point in time?" Sanji chews on his cigarette before saying, "Don't worry about it. That doesn't matter."

"Uh, huh." Ace's eyes narrow. When he was being considered to be a warlord, he would've heard of a powerhouse rookie crew with Sanji and Usopp on it. But he didn't. And he still hasn't.

"So if you know Haki, and you're not a rookie, then why are you a fan of me?" Gotcha, Ace thinks to himself, caught right in the lie. Because objectively, who would be a fan of someone who is weaker and more inexperienced. Haruta and Thatch should be happy that Ace is asking important questions.

He expects Sanji to just admit his lie. But instead, the cook takes on an introspective demeanor.

“Ah, Usopp’s always saying stupid shit." He fiddles with the unlit nicotine, "Fan isn't the word I'd use, but he's not too far off."

A stilted breath, "A few years ago," Sanji begins carefully, "You saved my captain."

"I think you've mistaken me for another person." A few years ago, Ace was not at sea. "I’m not that kind to go around saving other people like that."

"No it was definitely you." Sanji assures.

Ace tilts his head, "Who's your captain?"

And something humorous crawls into Sanji's gaze, "Forgot him already? I'm insulted." Amusement glitters in his eyes, "But I'm sure you'll know him when you see him."

"I doubt it."

A chuckle escapes Sanji. "We'll see."

That just annoys Ace. And maybe he's still a little peeved from earlier, "No we won't. Because your captain’s not coming back. Face the truth already." Sanji raises an eyebrow, "If you're captain truly cared about you, you'd be on his fucking ship. And I didn't save anyone, what am I, a hero?"

A sharp laugh comes from the other, "If it was any other person telling me that," He taps his foot gently, "I'd kill them."

The ship rocks and Sanji's words hang in the air. Ace narrows his eyes at the threat.

And then the tension is gone, as Sanji continues, "But since it's coming from you, it's just really funny."

"Why? Because you think I'm weak?"

"Nah, it has nothing to do with your strength. It's just," Sanji mulls over his words, "a little ironic. Here, let's start over and clear the air," Sanji turns and faces Ace, "The name's Blackleg Sanji. And a few years ago, you saved my captain. So, truthfully, I am a fan." He holds a hand out.

Ace takes the extended hand, "Fire Fist Ace. Of the Whitebeards." On his left hand he lights his index finger ablaze. He then yanks Sanji close. The unlit cigarette in his mouth catches flame from Ace's finger. Surprise washes over Sanji's features, "And you're gonna teach me Haki."

Sanji snorts as Ace releases his grip, "Why don't you ask one of the other commanders? They're more experienced."

"Because," Ace recalls this morning where they were peering at their fight. When Sanji used this Haki, no one was surprised at the application. How no one thought that he should know it too. The entire thing pisses him off. If Ace knew Haki at the time, would he have been able to take Whitebeard's head? Would it have made a difference? Concern inches into Sanji's gaze, so Ace says, "I don't feel like it."

Ace clears his throat, "Anyway, if you do that, I'll help you find your captain."

"Ah, actually don't worry about that." Sanji grimaces.

"No I'll help. Besides, I have to know who I saved years ago."

"No, you really don't. It's fine, Usopp and I have it under control."

Ace raises an eyebrow, "It's like you don't even wanna find your captain." But earlier Sanji’s voice had so much warmth when addressing the topic.

Sanji takes a drag of the nicotine, "My captain's a stubborn bastard. He throws a fit whenever something doesn't go his way." He huffs, "And because we're his crew, some of that stubbornness has rubbed off on us."

"We have some," he pauses, "let's call it unfinished business to take care of it before we can return to our captain. We’re willing to get a little lost, if it means we can do this for him."

Ace turns the words over in his head. He was a pirate captain once, and his crew was just as loyal. Ace is not a fool, he knows that the odds of these two joining the Whitebeards is incredibly low.

The Spades followed him into deadly waters simply because it was him leading the charge. The Spades raised their weapons simply because Ace asked them to. The Spades placed their hopes and dreams, their lives into Ace's hands.

And Ace placed them into Whitebeards.

He is not a fool. He knows that the only reason the Spade Pirates became Whitebeard pirates is simply because Ace did.

Ace sighs and wishes Thatch and Haruta luck, because these two guests are not going to be joining the family anytime soon. Unless they convince this mysterious captain that they should.

“Hey,” Ace is actually quite content with where he is now. But, sometimes he does get curious about the ‘what if’s.’ The possibilities if he succeeded in his original goal. “Why’d someone as powerful as you join your captain?”

Sanji looks taken aback by the question. And then he huffs laughter, “Well, my captain is a hell of a lot stronger than me, first off.”

“Is that why? You’re loyal to him because he’s strong?” If that's the case, then he and Usopp should’ve just joined Whitebeard already.

“That wasn’t the reason at all.” He takes a drawl of his cigarette, “The first time I met my captain, ah,” He looks like he’s remembering something very taxing, “he blew a hole into my father’s restaurant. His first-mate decided to cosplay a shishkabob, and then the idiot almost drowned.”

“...and that won you over?”

“Nah, but it certainly grabbed my attention.” He puts his chin in his hand, grin on his face, “The reason I stayed was because I told him my dream and he responded with a more outrageous one.” He sighs, Ace has never felt homesick, but he figures this is what it would look like, “There was some sort of charisma–or maybe it was the adrenaline, but he knew as soon as he first laid eyes on me that I was one of his, and maybe I knew too.”

Sanji smiles at Ace, and whatever distant memory he was getting trapped in dissipates, “He…sounds like a really great guy.” Too bad he’s not here.

“Why’d you join Whitebeard? I heard you could’ve been a Warlord, instead.”

“Oh, that,” Ace can’t even keep the flat tone out of his voice, “I’d rather not work for the marines, that’s like the complete opposite of being a pirate. And I’d promised a few people back home that I’d be a pirate.”

Sanji’s eyes soften at the statement, “As for why I joined the crew,” Ace sheepishly rubs the back of his neck, “I was trying to assassinate Pops.”

“Wait, you what–” Sanji sputters. “Why?” And Ace chuckles at the reaction.

Ace leans far back in his stool, tipping it on two legs. Sanji watches him curiously. Although the commander is indoors, he can practically outline the night sky. A permanent fixture in his brain after all these years of sleeping under the stars. He holds his hand up to the ceiling and pretends like he’s outside the kitchen. Like he’s holding his hand out to the darkness above. He likes to believe if he tries hard enough, he can catch a star–but that doesn’t matter, because he stopped trying anyway.

“I wanted my name to be known across the seas.” He swipes his hand aimlessly at nothing but the wooden roof, as if he can position the sky if he so wanted to.

“Like the Pirate King?”

“No,” Ace spits venom, “Never like him.” Sanji doesn’t startle, but he does look like there’s emotion brewing behind his eyes. Like my mother, he doesn’t say. “Just for myself, my own name.”

Ace doesn't know why he's spilling his guts like this, maybe its because of the events of earlier in the day have left a sour taste in his mouth, or maybe its because there's this feeling in Ace's gut telling him--this guy's important.

He takes a deep breath, “I fought Jimbei for days on end, I heaved an axe at Whitebeard’s head constantly. And then one day,” Ace clenches his fist towards the fictional sky. If he never opens it then who would know if there wasn’t a star in it, “I just stopped.”

“It must have been a pretty good reason to get you to stop.”

A pause, then, “I like to think so."

Someone knocks on the door of Usopp's and Sanji's cabin. Their knock is not like someone banging down the doors, nor is it someone just barging into the room without warning. Both of those, Usopp is used to on the Sunny. Which makes this person all the more ominous.

He drags himself to his feet and stumbles to the door, "Please just be Sanji, please just be Sanji.” He repeats to himself.

When he swings the cabin door open, he is not met with Sanji. Ah, no. Instead Marco the Phoenix, First Mate to the Strongest Man in the World, and probably some third title that makes Usopp shit bricks, stands in the hall. A stern expression decorates his face.

Fuck.

Marco leads the guest into the commanders hall, where all their meetings take place. It's a sprawling part of the ship that showcases Moby’s humongous use of Adam’s Wood. There are sixteen chairs centered around a table. At the head of the table sits a throne.

It's an obvious show of Whitebeard’s might, even the ship has to have a demanding presence. Although most of the time, the meetings that happen here involve gambling, fighting, and gossip. But Usopp doesn’t know that, and Marco’s sure as hell not going to tell him.

Marco takes a seat in his usual chair. Usopp nervously takes the chair next to him, confusion rolling off him in waves. Marco pulls out a pile of papers. Newspaper clippings, Marine reports.

Names.

Usopp eyes him warily as he takes a page into his hands. He reads the list of pirates on the page: Arlong of the East, Iron Mace Alvida, Buggy the Clown. Captain Foxy. Capone “Gang” Bege, Captains upon captains from all the blues and Paradise. Marco probably should have asked Haruta for some of the New World captains too.

He studies Usopp, watches as he pauses over the names ‘Surgeon of Death’ and ‘Captain Kidd.’ “What is this?” he asks finally.

Marco takes the page, “I’m trying to help you find your captain. I asked Haruta to look up some names.”

“You don’t have to do that.”

“But I want to. When you first arrived, you wanted to leave. And even now you have no intention of becoming Whitebeard’s son.” Marco crosses his arms, “So far you haven’t tried to attack anyone onboard. But you also have made no plans to leave. Weird right?”

Usopp just watches him.

“I thought it was weird, so I figured I’d help you out.” Marco shuffles through the papers, “But I don’t think your captain is in these papers, are they?”

Usopp gazes back at the pages. “No, he’s not.”

Marco hums, “I thought so. You both strike me as from the New World.”

“Do we? That’s really funny.” The other laughs, “I guess you could think that.”

“Are you not?”

“We are in a way.” That’s as good as a ‘no.’ Interesting. “We’re not here to cause trouble, Marco. Please trust me on that. When the time is right, we’ll be leaving.”

Marco raises an eyebrow, “And when is that?”

“Ahh,” Usopp clicks his teeth, “Just eventually.”

“You don’t know?” Marco has learned nothing and everything.

Usopp shrugs, “It's the first time something like this has happened, surprisingly.”

Marco feels like this conversation has aged him. He puts the papers back into a folder, he needs a little bit more to make sense of the situation.

Marco sighs. He doesn’t like having to trust this pirate’s word. Too many unknown variables. But so far they haven’t antagonized the crew, and Pops–unfortunately–has taken a liking to them both. If they were weaker, Paradise pirates, Marco’s hackles wouldn’t be as raised.

If they bowed to Whitebeard’s Will, Marco’s eyes would have glossed right over the both of them, unconventional meeting aside. But they don’t. And while they are not conquerors themselves, whichever conqueror that has claimed them–whichever greedy king that has staked their possession–has not given them up.

“Hey Marco,” Usopp draws him from his thoughts. He takes a wanted poster into his hands, it's the Surgeon of Death’s. There’s no fondness in his gaze, just quiet introspection. “If–and this is just a hypothetical question–If you knew that one of your crewmembers was a bad person–”

“We’re pirates…?” They’re all bad people.

“Okay, well,” Usopp snorts, “The guy’s a real piece of shit. Bottom of the barrel. But you don’t know that. Because to you, he’s your crewmate and you love ‘em. But, if you knew that one day, he’d go off and kill one of your other crewmates—he’d go off and try to kill Whitebeard.” Usopp crumples the wanted poster, Marco doesn’t know if his emotion is aimed at Trafalgar Law or not, “He’d gain indescribable power, at the price of ruining everything and everyone you love–”

Usopp raises his head and meets Marco’s gaze. Marco has been sailing the seas for decades, it takes a whole lot to unnerve him–but the brimming emotion in Usopp’s eyes will be in his head for the next week, “Would you kill that man before he got the chance to do all of that?”

Marco opens his mouth, closes it. A breath passes between them, Marco considers his words. Perhaps for a moment too long. “That wouldn’t happen.”

A trick question, Marco thinks. There’s too many hypotheticals in this fake situation. What he would and wouldn’t do doesn't matter, because Usopp’s words mean nothing. He considers if Usopp is trying to tear the crew apart from the inside, that seems more likely all things considered.

“Everyone on board is one of Whitebeard’s valued children. And everyone is one of my siblings.” The thought that Usopp plans to do that in the future grows root in Marco’s mind. But, the Phoenix doubts it, because Usopp still refuses to become one of Whitebeard’s sons in the first place. “Most pirate crews are united for a common goal,” Usually power, “But some are united out of loyalty to their captain.” Usopp nods, seasoned enough to know this fact of the sea.

“The Whitebeards sail for neither reason. We sail together because we’re a family. We live together, we die together. I don’t have an answer for your question, because what you said wouldn’t happen.” Ever.

Usopp puts the wanted poster down, “Right,” He raises his hands like he’s surrendering, “Sorry, sorry–I was just curious about your answer.” And Usopp is back to being a jittery mess. “I, uhm–I saw a crew where something similar happened. So I wanted to know if an Emperor’s crew would react differently.”

Marco raises an eyebrow. He’s not stupid, and that is not a casual question. Theories start churning in Marco’s head. And the more he thinks about it, the more the lack of information starts to add up. The refusal to join Whitebeard’s crew, the access to boats whenever he wants, finding random crew members in hole in the wall places like they’re scattered across the sea.

“But Marco,” Usopp sobers up suddenly, and Marco breaks out of his theorizing trance, “We’re pirates.” He parrots back Marco’s earlier words.

They’re technically all terrible people–all against the law, all selfish. Loyalty is something only the strong can possess, the weak can only grasp on to their lives desperately. Usopp draws himself to his feet, and before he exits out the door, he meets the Phoenix's eyes for the last time that evening, “Please remember that in the future.”

If Marco is going to get to the bottom of this nagging feeling of wrong, if he's going to look at this objectively and consider all the angles, then he needs to be completely transparent. Marco will do anything to keep his family safe, he will do anything to keep his father safe.

So for the first time ever, Marco admits that the possibility of betrayal--of a traitor--is highly unlikely onboard, but.

The chances are extremely low, because Marco knows everything on the Moby, he knows everyone on the Moby, but.

But, the Moby is a big ship. And pirates will be pirates.

Ace yawns, now that he’s no longer angry and he’s got a good meal, exhaustion washes over him, "I think you captain would want you to return to him then."

"Oh?"

The commander blinks sleep out of his eyes, "If I was your captain, and you follow me because of your dream, I wouldn't want you to stay here because of some," Ace searches his mind for a good word, "debt that you feel you have to pay off."

All of the Spades became Whitebeards. Ace is confident that not all of them wanted to. And it's one of the many things that sharpened the guillotine's blade.

Ace doesn't want these people to make the same mistake. Or rather lacking the ability to make a decision at all, blinded by loyalty. "You should be free to chase your dream, with or without your captain. And if he is such a great man like you say, then he would probably agree."

Ace had to make the executive decision that this was better than whatever lofty expectations that the Spade pirates had of their captain. If Ace was Sanji’s captain, he'd be fucking pissed that the man is acting out of a sense of duty, instead of being free on the seas.

Ace knows how the other captain will feel upon hearing the news, because pirates with this level of loyalty usually have damn good captains to invoke it. Unlike most of the other commanders and brothers on the Moby, Ace is familiar with the weight of that responsibility. So, no. Sanji's captain wouldn't want this. They wouldn't want this at all.

The words linger in the night air. And when Sanji doesn't immediately reply, Ace almost wishes he could take them back.

Sanji watches him with cloudy eyes, like he's peering into Ace's soul but also not actually seeing him at all, "Usopp wasn't kidding. The resemblance is uncanny between you brothers." He mumbles.

Maybe Thatch had told him the same thing.

Sanji folds his arms over and takes a very deep breath. He sighs into the quiet night air and his breath is a poor imitation of what a cigarette could create.

"I am," he closes his eyes, and for a stilted moment, he looks almost remorseful, "I am very aware of what my captain would say on this matter. He would definitely not want us to do whatever the hell we've decided to do. He doesn't focus on the things that have happened in the past, he's all about moving forward."

Ace watches him closely, something in his gut is telling him there's more than meets the eye, "But, it's because that man is our captain, we have to do it in the first place. Just as how he owes it to us, his crew, to not lead us astray. We owe it to him, our captain, to fight for the things he will never ask for."

Sanji turns to him, and there is resolve in his eyes for something that Ace cannot comprehend, "Don't you agree, Commander?"

Ace can't help the laugh that escapes him, because that's just so ridiculous. It's the kind of reckless loyalty that reminds him of someone else. "Thats a pretty destructive way to go about it."

"I'm aware. A few of my crewmates have already yelled at me for that habit."

Ace yawns again, because something in his throat has loosened and there's a feeling of ease in the air.

But still, "You know, you remind me of my brother." Something about blonds and being self sacrificial pieces of shit.

"Luffy?" Sanji squawks, "I think I should be offended."

Ace rests his head in the crook of his shoulder as he leans on the railing. If he was paying more attention, he would have realized that he never mentioned the name Luffy around this man. But he's not paying attention to the person in front of him. He's paying more attention to a ghost of his past. He's paying more attention to the exhaustion overcoming his body.

So Ace responds, "Nah," because no one reminds him of Luffy. His youngest brother is a being unable of replication, "Not Luffy. My other one."

Ace doesn't wait for Sanji's reply. And he drops his head to the kitchen counter, already snoring.

Sanji can't help the shallow laugh that escapes him. "Okay. I'll teach you Haki. But not because you asked me to, or because I want you to help me find that rubber dumbass." He slings one of Ace's arms over his shoulder and steadies the other man so he can walk the commander back to his quarters.

A drag of a cigarette, "I'm only helping you because you gave me a light."

("Did you know that Ace doesn't know Haki?" A puff of cigarette smoke.

"No." A pause, "Wait but he's been to Wano? How could he not know it?"

"That's what I thought too! Apparently he was just a really strong rookie!"

"Like Luffy," there are papers scattered all across the wooden floor. Scribbles and notes scrawled all over them, blackened out names of fruits, circled islands and marine bases.

"Like Luffy," Giraffe-giraffe fruit. Lion-lion fruit. Calm-calm fruit. Accounted for, not accounted for. Not important anyway.

"Hm," a soft tink echoes in the room, a piece of stone being crafted, "Do you think it would have changed anything, if he knew?"

"...I hope so," another puff of nicotine. The sound of another written note being made, this one is about Logia’s in Paradise, "It's better than this plan, at least."

“Hey! I think this is a great plan!”

“It's so convoluted,” Rustling, searching, frustration, “We don’t even know if the fruit is in Paradise yet. Maybe it's in one of the blues and over the course of three years, it ends up on the Moby. Hell, maybe its in the damn New World.”

A sigh, “I thought about that too. But if we do it this way, then we don’t have to fight anyone.”

“Did you at least consider my idea?”

The long nosed man crosses his arms in annoyance, “Of course I considered your idea. I just hate making shit like this.” He holds out his fist and drops something into the cook's palm, “Its fucking disgusting crafting it, and its even worse that I have to be the one to fire it.”

“This is just an emergency plan. Just in case we don’t find the fruit first.”

After a quiet moment, Usopp responds, “I hope it doesn’t come to that.”

Sanji holds the item up to the light. Positioned in between his index and his thumb lies a seastone bullet.)

In the morning, the entire ship holds its breath. Waiting for Ace and Sanji to interact again, waiting for a disaster that could set the whole ship ablaze.

When Ace meets Sanji's eyes from where the other is serving food, the commanders prepare themselves; few people grab water buckets. But all Ace does is grab a tray and give a quick thanks to the blond hair man.

A few peoples mouths drop open and in the distance Curiel shouts, "What the fuck!?"

Ace drops his mountain of food on the table next to Thatch, who has also stopped eating to stare at him like he has two heads.

"What?" Ace says, with a lamb bone sticking out of his mouth.

"You’re not gon’ fight him?"

"Nah, we made up."

"You made up?"

"YOU MADE UP?!" Curiel yells from across the deck, "WHAT ABOUT MY BETTING MONEY, FIRE FIST! GO FIGHT THAT GUY-"

Suddenly Izou smacks Curiel in the head with one of his revolvers, hard, "It's way too early for your bullshit." He sneers. Ace blinks dumbly as Izou waves at him to carry on while dragging Curiel by the shirt.

"It took you months to stop attacking Pops, and you made up with this guy overnight?" Thatch stares.

"Well, Sanji isn't an emperor, for one." Ace plops some of Thatch's food in his mouth, "And he's a pretty cool guy, he agreed to teach me Haki."

"Wait he what-"

And in that moment, Haruta decides to make an appearance, "Hey can you two check up on something for me?" And Thatch knows he isn't getting any other information out of Ace.

He sighs and nods in agreement but Ace holds out his hand expectantly. Haruta drops an entire steak into his open palm. Ace then agrees to hear her out.

"I need you to meet with this informant.” She drops a few papers in front of them. On top is a map to an island about two days away from Moby.

Thatch takes the paper under the map. He tilts his head at her, “Don’t you usually ask the Revs for this sort of stuff? Why don’t you just call one of their representatives to Moby?” Save them the journey.

Haruta sighs, “Usually I would, but I suspect that the Revs are involved with what happened with Big Mom. They didn’t answer any of my questions so I figure that either a government worker went AWOL or,” She takes a swig of her drink, its straight vodka, “Dragon is making big waves.”

“Dragon, huh?” Ace rips part of the steak off, "Why is it any of our concern though?"

"Because it opens up the possibility that Dragon will attack any of the emperors, not just Big Mom. Usually the Revs just go after the World Government, but if the four emperors have even the slightest possibility of being a target, I wanna know."

Ace ponders as he chews his steak. Haruta’s logic makes sense. If Big Mom’s homie was stolen by the government, then Big News Morgan wouldn't have bothered to write about it in that manner. Either the thief would be labeled a marine hero, or whichever Cipher Pol member that was the culprit would have made sure the knowledge of the robbery never saw the light of day. There’s something weird with the entire thing.

"The Revs told me they have no knowledge of what happened to Big Mom," Haruta slams a knife into the table, "Which I think is bullshit. You're telling me that no one in the underworld has even a hint of what's going on?" Haruta grinds her teeth.

Thatch slides her a drink. She gives him a brief nod before throwing it back. "So that's why I want you two to go meet with a Whitebeard informant. Because everyone has their own agenda and I’m sure as hell not gonna fall behind.”

"Why can't you just go?" Ace complains. Haruta would make quick work of this task. Besides, this sounds like Ace has to be subtle and inconspicuous and that’s really not his style.

"Because I’m not one of their favorites,” she grins and motions to the two newcomers, “Other than your little spar, all we’ve done for weeks is give those two chores and we’re no closer to getting any information out of them. And yet, they make no plans to leave. Isn’t that strange?" She eyes them critically, like the most interesting anomaly. "I want to give them some action, gage their skills. We’ve seen their determination to stay aboard and yet we’ve seen their disgust at becoming one of Pops.’

"I want to know what they're like without a commander over their shoulder. This is the perfect opportunity for them to betray us and sell our secrets. Or maybe find another ship and run far, far away. It's like testing if a dog will return to its owner. Actually, it’s like testing who the dogs’ owner even is."

She smiles at Thatch and Ace and the two commanders can't help the shiver that runs down their spine. "Which is why you two will be going to meet this informant. Because for some reason they’re not attached to Pops. Oh no,” She grins, wicked and devious, and Ace imagines the complicated game of chess she plays in her mind. She inclines her head at the two guests, "Those two have latched on to you both."

Thatch opens his mouth, but Haruta holds up a hand and cuts him off, "Pops already agreed to it."

"Dammit."

Ace plucks a piece of lamb off Thatch’s plate, "What island is it, anyway?"

Ace's feet touch down on the dock of the island country, he stretches his arms after the trip and rolls his shoulders.

Next to him, Thatch throws up a good day's worth of a meal. "That is the last time I ever let you navigate."

"Oh you're so dramatic, Thatch. It was not that bad."

"You managed to steer us straight into a whirlpool. Four times!"

Ace hums, "That was just a case of bad luck."

"No. What's bad luck is you somehow falling overboard the only time we weren't in the damn whirlpool."

Ace blows a raspberry at the chef.

He turns his head to look at the other two occupants of the ship, but the both of them seem to be staring at the island in muted horror. Well Usopp seems to be staring in horror. Sanji just keeps failing to get his lighter to start.

Usopp steps onto the dock in a haze, while Sanji keeps scanning the environment religiously. Thatch watches the two, concern in his gaze.

Ace has never been to this island before, but it appears these two have. He wonders what here could possibly warrant such a reaction.

Thatch tosses Ace a shirt and the flame man huffs in annoyance. Haruta said they had to be discreet and apparently having a Whitebeard tattoo on his back does not make the cut. Sounds fake but okay.

Usopp clears his throat as they start to gather their things off the ship, "What are we here for again?"

"Ah, we’re meeting with a Whitebeard operative. Gathering information about the marines and revs and shit."

“Why bring us though?” Sanji eyes them with a certain level of distrust. Ace can relate, that's how he felt the first few days on the Moby.

“Ah, because–uh, we wanted to get to know you better?” Thatch fumbles.

Eh, Ace thinks, not a total lie.

Sanji frowns, not a fan of this entire thing. But he doesn’t voice his opinion. Usopp ponders for a moment, before repeating, “Information?” He glances at Sanji, “We need information too.”

“About your captain, yeah?” Ace chimes in.

The two share a look. “Yeah. That too.”

These weirdos are so interesting.

"We’re gonna split up.” Thatch announces. “Haruta didn’t tell me specifically where the informant is, only that they’re in this country. She said that they usually frequent the parts that have the most action. But Marco is firmly against us stirring up shit so we can’t lure them out."

Or at least that's half the story. The other half is seeing what these two get up to while he and Thatch actually gather information. But before that, Ace is going to get some lunch.

They part ways and Ace asks the closest person for a place to eat. The man smiles and points him towards a diner. The man does a double take at the cowboy hat, but other than that he doesn't seem to recognize him as a pirate. "I've never seen you around these parts, sir. Are you a tourist?"

"Somethin’ like that. It's my first time in the country."

The man nods, "Oh, well then! I hope you enjoy your time here. Welcome to-"

“Alabasta, huh?” Sanji murmurs while they part ways with the Whitebeards, “Great. Just great.”

Usopp sinks to a crouch and puts a hand on his thigh, “How much you wanna bet coming here is a coincidence?”

Sanji makes a so-so gesture, “It's possible. We don’t know what the Whitebeards were up to five years in the past. It's not like we were paying attention.” Sanji observes the quaint town they’ve docked at, “But on the bright side, we might find a lead on where the Dark-dark fruit is." He shrugs, “Hopefully, this trip will be normal.”

Usopp lets out a guttural yell, "Why'd you have to jinx it?!"

The sun feels good on his skin, as Ace skips to the diner. He plops himself on a stool at the bar and orders one of everything. The bartender gives him a concerned look and the cook looks like he’s about to shove a spatula up Ace’s ass; but they make the food anyway. Ace grins, because he sure as hell does not have enough money for this, and it's been a while since he’s done a dine-and-dash.

After his fifth plate, and the eighth glare from the cook; Ace opens his mouth to speak and in one moment and the next, the world’s lights click off–

–and then click back on.

Ace raises his head from where his face is planted into his food. The entire bar eyes him with such heavy concern. He shakes the mashed potatoes out of his hair as the cook exclaims, “I told you I didn’t poison him!”

The bartender pokes him, “You okay, son?”

“Ah yeah,” Ace grabs the closest cloth to him, which just so happens to be this one lady’s skirt who screams in his ear–wow, she's got some pipes on her–and wipes his face off.

Ace then picks up a chicken wing and continues to eat.

A soft giggle punctuates the stunned silence of the diner. A woman in the booth farthest from everyone covers her mouth as she tries to mute herself. She watches from behind her sunglasses, absolutely overjoyed at the situation.

The diner turns to the woman in sync. But the rate at which recognition floods their gaze differs from person to person. However, they all come to the realization eventually.

The woman doesn’t look surprised at being recognized, but she no longer looks pleased. She hums and fishes for a few berri to place on the table in front of her. Ace takes another chicken bone in his hands just as the bartender takes a gun up from under the bar table. He spots the cook reach for one of the kitchen knives. Even some of the customers start to reach for weapons. Huh, Ace thought they were more docile than that, what an interesting country.

What a shame, he sighs, he was actually going to pay for two of the six plates of food he’d eaten. But after seeing the sudden rising tension, Ace thinks he’ll take his patronage elsewhere.

As the bartender raises the gun above the counter, and the woman finishes fishing for the last berri in her pocket, Ace shoots up and one: grabs another chicken wing for the road. Two, throw a fork at the cook–partly because he kept getting mean looks, partly to disarm the other man– and three, grasp onto one of the woman’s arms and yanks her out the door.

The woman is suddenly lugged to her feet, but doesn’t seem to be upset nor surprised at the situation. Actually somehow, it turned into her leading Ace around the town, trying to escape the commotion. Ace notes how she knows these back roads like another limb.

She leads them into an alleyway to catch their breaths. The people from the restaurant give up their chase and begin to file back down the road. As they leave, a man runs up to them frantically waving his hands. He practically throws papers at them, and for some reason the commotion starts back up again.

Ace doesn’t bother watching what happens next, instead he’s focused on his new company. The woman sighs and knocks her head against the stone wall at her back.

Ace eyes her for a second, the woman meets his gaze. “Y’know,” Ace suddenly feels like an insect under a microscope. Her eyes are piercing, it unnerves him. “You look different from the wanted posters.”

The woman gives him a muted smile, “Well, I can’t be eight years old forever.”

Ah. yeah. Her wanted posters are technically mostly her as a child.

"Yeah," Ace squints at the lady, "but you kinda look older than you should."

"That's quite rude to say to a woman." She holds a hand in front of her mouth to laugh. There's an air of elegance to it. There’s also a subdued feel to it. "Hasn't anyone taught you some manners?"

Yeah, Makino would probably be upset with him. But there's something in Ace, some instinct telling him that this is...wrong. It's strange, this whole thing is strange. He should not feel this comfortable around this woman. Especially if the rumors are to be believed.

But how reliable are rumors, anyway?

The woman pushes her sunglasses further onto her head and out of her face. She adorns a blue skirt that goes to her calves, from what Ace has seen, it's not a common outfit in Alabasta. Her eyes are a bright blue, full of mirth and knowledge. The woman's shiny black hair goes all the way to her lower back.

She looks striking, sure. And Ace is sure some of her brothers would be watering at the mouth to even talk to her, but,

But her hair is just a touch too long. She strikes Ace as a bit too tall for her most recent wanted poster. And her eyes are a bit too knowing.

Recently, Ace has met a lot of people who are a bit too knowing.

Ace fixes his shirt, it's a good thing that he didn’t burn it. The last thing he wants is to end up in the newspaper, "Is it? M' bad. I didn't mean to offend." The lady stares at him with a mixture of amusement and sadness.

She hums, "I've been called worse by worse people, so there's no harm done. But, I'm more curious about what a Whitebeard Commander is doing in Desert country. Care to enlighten me?”

“Ah.” Ace doesn’t really know if he should reveal the true reason, “I’m on vacation?”

“Vacation?”

“Vacation. Away from my captain for a little bit.”

The woman lets the words hang in the air, before grinning, “I suppose we have that much in common, Fire Fist. I’m also on something of a vacation.” The woman turns her head to look at the people passing them by, her smile is all teeth and ulterior motive, “Perhaps we can spend this trip together.”

When Nico Robin tells him that, he knows it's not a question. Well, it's not like he was doing anything else today. Might as well make it interesting.

On this day, Whitebeard’s Commander visits a desert country in Paradise–three years too early. On this day, one of the Navy’s biggest threats decides to remind the organization why she’s such a formidable foe. On this day, Portgas D Ace takes the Devil Child’s hand for an adventure in Alabasta. Something that has never, ever happened in the past. And something that can never possibly happen in the future.

But only ten pirates know that fact.