Chapter Text
Marco leaned against the railing outside his cabin, savouring the late-night quiet. The Commanders' meeting had been tense, though mostly because Haruta kept suggesting they send Buggy a congratulatory fruit basket. The real worry isn't Buggy's market share, it's the domestic cost. He looked up as Thatch approached, looking surprisingly rested.
"Hey, Thatch. Luffy finally passed out, I take it, yoi?"
Thatch nodded, practically glowing. "Peaceful as a clam, Marco! He’s the cutest little guy! Honestly, all that trouble was worth it. We need to adopt him permanently!"
Marco shook his head, a wry smile touching his lips. "You've been thoroughly charmed, haven't you, yoi? That kid is a menace disguised in a straw hat. I don't mean to burst your bubble, but the chaos doesn't end just because he's sleeping. Buggy sent a list of requirements that makes the World Government's logistics look simple."
He pulled out the demands, and the paper cascaded down to the floor, forming a scroll that threatened to spill into the hallway. He cleared his throat. "I took notes, yoi. 'Item 14: Luffy must only drink purified spring water collected from a designated South Blue waterfall.' And this one's for you, 'Item 15: All main meat dishes must be decorated with cheerful faces using only Buggy's Premium Pirate Ketchup. 'Item 19: Daily intake must include one carton of Buggy's Brand "Big Adventure" Apple Juice and one of Buggy's Brand "Future Pirate" Whole Milk.'"
Thatch barely listened to the list. He chuckled, crossing his arms and shaking his head. "Is Luffy his cabin boy or his actual, spoiled child? But you have to admit, he's raised a really sweet, adorable kid. I mean, sauce faces? I'm already planning a grumpy face for Tuesday."
Marco sighed, rolling up a portion of the endless list. "Thatch, you are beyond saving, yoi. But I guess it's not as difficult as it sounds. Buggy sent an unmanned supply barge loaded with everything on this list—including cases of the exact milk and the specific waterfall water. He just docked it a few hours ago, like a glorified pirate delivery service."
"Oh, that's just typical Buggy," Thatch said, beaming. He clapped his hands together, his eyes shining with pride. "Well, that's nothing compared to the favour I received tonight. You think those are big items? Look at this!" He reached into his belt pouch and dramatically pulled out the swirling, black, ominous Dark-Dark Fruit. "Luffy gave it to me! He said Buggy gave it to him and he wanted to give it to the bestest person on the Moby Dick! The kid chose me, Marco!"
Marco stared at the fruit, then at Thatch’s proud face. "Yoi... I... a Devil Fruit? The Dark-Dark Fruit, you say? Thatch, you idiot! You believe a random kid just hands you a billion-berry fruit!?" He ran a hand over his face. "Yes, fine, you're the 'bestest,' yoi. But this is way above your pay grade, yoi."
Marco took a deep breath, visibly trying to remain calm. "Go to bed, Thatch. You've had a long night. I'll take this and talk to Pops, yoi."
Thatch nodded, starting to feel the late hour. "Right, good night, Marco. See you in the morning!" He started to turn towards his room when Marco's voice stopped him.
"Wait, Thatch, yoi! I nearly forgot the most important thing! Buggy's message wasn't just about the supplies." Marco looked genuinely worried, his usual calm demeanour gone. "He sent another communiqué. Luffy's two older brothers, Ace and Sabo, are being dropped off tomorrow. They're about eleven. Buggy says you need to prepare the galley for two more high-maintenance, deeply chaotic children. Be ready, Thatch."
Thatch froze for a moment, his eyes wide. But the surprise quickly melted into his usual, beaming enthusiasm. "Two more? A whole set of brothers! That's wonderful!" He grinned. "If Luffy is this charming and sweet, imagine how polite and helpful his older brothers must be! I bet they're just as adorable! Thanks for the heads-up, Marco!"
Marco sighed, watching Thatch stride off, already humming a tune about beef inventory.
Poor Thatch. He has no idea the terror he's walking into.
Marco clutched the Dark-Dark Fruit tighter. An uneasy feeling, cold and sharp, persisted in his gut, completely separate from the Buggy mess. I can’t shake this dread.
He looked toward the corridor where Thatch had disappeared. Buggy, the chaotic demands, the two new kids... is it the triple threat? He couldn't put his finger on the exact source of his anxiety, but he strongly suspected it was the sheer scope of the clown's interference.
Well, nothing a good night's sleep won't fix. It has to be.
── ⟡ ˙🌱 ̟
Thatch hummed a cheerful, off-key sea shanty as he finally reached his own quarters. The room, tucked neatly near the main galley, was small and practical, mostly serving as a glorified walk-in closet for his vast collection of chef's knives and exotic spices. There was barely room for the built-in single berth and a small dresser.
He pushed the door open quietly, careful not to wake his new houseguest. Luffy was already asleep in the berth, curled up tightly. He was wearing the brand-new, surprisingly soft fluffy blue pyjamas that must have come with Buggy's emergency supply drop. The child was hugging his massive straw hat like a teddy bear, his breathing deep and even.
Thatch’s heart swelled. He's truly a sweet kid.
He quietly pulled down the canvas hammock that he usually slung across the room for extra naps and began setting it up near the window. It wouldn't be as comfortable as his bed, but watching the little guy sleep was worth it.
Thatch's world dissolved into a peaceful, if sugary, dream.
He was in a massive, immaculate kitchen, surrounded by brightly colored, oversized fruit. Luffy, dressed entirely in white, skipped happily. "Thatchy, look!" The boy held up a piece of parchment tied with a ribbon.
["They have sent you a letter. To come back home to play."]
Luffy smiled, but the expression felt fixed and too wide. "We're going to meet Ace and Sabo now! They're super cool!" He led Thatch to an open doorway. Beyond the door were two tall, black, indistinct shadows waiting patiently. Thatch squinted, trying to make out their faces, but the shapes were completely flat.
As he stepped toward the shadows, the atmosphere curdled. The air grew heavy and a low, resonant voice—not Luffy’s—seemed to whisper the next lines right into his ear. ["But to your dismay, this isn't your day. For the happy fun time has begun to fade."]
A chill gripped Thatch. The colours in the dream—the bright fruits, the white outfit—suddenly looked dull and slightly stained, like old paper. He felt a desperate urge to turn around, away from the waiting silhouettes.
Thatch tried to turn, to escape the creeping dread, but his feet were stuck to the dull, stained floor. The two black silhouettes in the doorway began to grow, looming over him, their forms coalescing into something vast and menacing.
"Your fun time is over, Thatchy."
One of the towering figures raised an arm, and in its hand, a glint of dark cold steel appeared. Before Thatch could even flinch, a sharp, agonising pain erupted in his back, right where the Dark-Dark Fruit was nestled in his belt pouch.
It was real, a searing, icy fire that spread through his entire body. He felt a sudden, sickening warmth bloom on his chef whites, soaking through the fabric—wet, sticky and unmistakably blood. He choked, unable to scream, as the white, pristine dream kitchen dissolved into a swirling vortex of blackness and pain.
"THATCHY! THATCHY! WAKE UP!"
Thatch's eyes snapped open. He was no longer in a pristine kitchen, but in the dimly lit reality of his cabin. Luffy was perched on his chest, shaking him furiously, his small face scrunched up, red and wet with tears.
"THATCHY! YOU WERE MAKING BAD NOISES! YOU WEREN'T WAKING UP! I THOUGHT YOU WERE GOING TO SLEEP FOREVER!" Luffy cried.
Thatch, heart pounding, pulled the trembling child into a tight hug. He held the little body close, trying to anchor himself back to the present. "I'm okay, Luffy. I'm okay. Just a really, really bad dream, yoi. Thank you for waking me up." He rubbed the boy's back soothingly. "I promise, I'm fine now. See?"
A soft knock preceded the door flying open, revealing Whitey Bay, her face etched with sharp concern in the dim light. "Thatch? I heard shouting. What in the blazes is going on in here?" She paused, taking in the sight.
Thatch managed a weary grin, still holding Luffy tight. "Whitey Bay! Sorry about that. It was just a super bad nightmare I had and I spooked the little guy. Everything is fine now, just calming down the newest recruit."
Whitey Bay raised a sceptical eyebrow. She looked Thatch over, noting the pallor under his tan and the sheer amount of sweat soaking his shirt. "You look like you wrestled a sea king in a steam bath, Thatch. You're white as a ghost." She stepped back. "I don't care about the nightmare, but you're coming down to the infirmary later for a physical check-up. Promise me you will."
"I promise," Thatch sighed, giving Luffy a final squeeze. "Just let me get this little pirate back to sleep first."
Luffy, still clinging to Thatch's neck, lifted his head. "No! No sleeping! I can't sleep now! The bad thing is outside! I have to go with Thatchy! I have to protect him!" He then turned his furious gaze to the Commander. "That sneaky-sneak bad guy is waiting! I have to guard Thatchy!"
Thatch patted Luffy's back, trying to keep his composure for Whitey Bay's sake. "Woah, easy there, champion. Teach is a good guy, remember? Just a bad dream mixed up with our big imaginations." He tried to gently pull the boy back toward the bed. "There’s nothing to protect me from. Go back to sleep."
Luffy stubbornly refused, tightening his grip. "NO! Bad thing is real! I'm not letting you go alone!"
Thatch realised arguing would only make the child more hysterical. "Alright, alright," he conceded with a weary sigh. "Deal. We won't sleep. We'll get ready, have the meat breakfast and then you can personally escort and protect me to the infirmary, okay? You'll be my personal bodyguard."
Luffy immediately calmed, eyes wide with importance.
Whitey Bay, who had been watching the exchange with narrowed, assessing eyes, gave a firm nod. "Good. Protect your commander, kid. Don't let him put that off." She closed the door without waiting for a reply.
Thatch slid out of the hammock and gently placed the solemn Luffy on the edge of the bed. The boy sat straight up, his legs swinging rhythmically in his soft blue pyjamas.
Thatch went to the small dresser and pulled out Luffy's canvas bag, fishing out a clean, simple white shirt and a pair of blue shorts. He also grabbed a fresh change of his own clothes, tossing the sweat-drenched ones aside.
"Right, Bodyguard Luffy," Thatch announced, holding out his hand. "Phase one: Hygiene."
They walked hand-in-hand down the hallway, Thatch leading them to the largest shared bathroom usually reserved for the Command staff. Thatch set Luffy on the counter, helping him splash cold water on his face, brush his teeth with a massive, soft brush and patiently comb the chaotic mess that was the boy's hair.
Soon, both were changed, ready to face the day.
It was still early, the galley just opening for the first rush of breakfast. Thatch, despite being the Head Chef, wasn't cooking right now because several members of the Fourth Division were already expertly handling the griddle, setting out a massive, buffet-style breakfast for the early risers.
Thatch marched in, holding Luffy’s hand. "Good morning, everyone!"
Luffy’s voice, now fully energised, shouted "HELLO!"
The galley crew, many of whom looked tired from their night shifts, instantly brightened.
Thatch picked up Luffy and held him high above the chaos so the boy could survey the spread. "Time to fuel up, Bodyguard." A cook named Blenheim, flipping pancakes the size of dinner plates, called out, "Morning, Chef! Morning, little guy! Did Thatch try to eat that weird swirly fruit you found?"
Luffy pointed directly at Thatch, wide-eyed. "No! But he said he's going to trade it for meat! He was crying in his sleep about it!"
Thatch felt a hot flush crawl up his neck. "Luffy! Nobody was crying! And it’s not for trade yet!"
A couple of crewmates burst out laughing. Another cook, Kingdew, leaned over the counter, teasing, "Rough night, Commander?"
"He saw a sneaky man in his dream! And then he got a boo-boo on his back and cried about blood! But I saved him!" Luffy shouted.
The crew erupted in a wave of cheers and applause.
"Atta boy, Luffy!" shouted a gruff pirate near the coffee urn.
"Way to save the Commander!"
Another called out, "You kept the Head Chef in one piece! That deserves a reward!"
Luffy beamed, puffing out his chest with immense pride, entirely convinced he was the ship's undisputed hero. He immediately returned to the topic of utmost importance: "MEAT! MEAT! MEAT! I need energy to protect Thatchy!"
Thatch sighed, the embarrassment fading beneath a wave of affection for the little champion. "Yes, yes, Commander Bodyguard. You certainly earned it." He gently set Luffy down on the counter.
Thatch grabbed a massive metal platter and began piling it high, ignoring the usual rules of portion control. A stack of ribs, half a dozen sausages and a generous slice of ham went onto the plate. "Here you go. Fuel up. We have an infirmary mission to complete."
Luffy grabbed the massive plate with both hands, his eyes shining. "Thank you, Thatchy! Best meat ever!" He immediately launched into the ham, chewing furiously.
Thatch watched for a moment, making sure the child didn't choke, before shaking his head fondly. "Alright, hold on," he chuckled, "I need coffee and enough food to survive the morning's protective detail."
Just as Thatch stepped away, Marco strolled into the galley, coffee cup already in hand. He looked much calmer than he had minutes ago. He slid onto the counter stool next to where Luffy was rapidly dismantling the platter. "Morning, Thatch. Morning, kid."
Luffy looked up, his cheeks stuffed. "Hi, Big Bird Man!"
Marco paused mid-sip. "It's Marco, yoi."
"Okay, Pineapple Head!" Luffy replied instantly, returning to his food.
Marco decided to let it go. "Never mind. Just wanted to tell you the delivery schedule changed. Your brothers, Ace and Sabo, will be here by lunchtime, yoi."
"ACE AND SABO! YAY!" Luffy erupted in a joyful roar, nearly knocking the plate over. Thatch quickly grabbed a napkin and wiped a smudge of ketchup from Luffy's chin. "Careful, Bodyguard! Chew, then swallow! And use this!" Thatch insisted, handing Luffy the napkin.
Luffy, still chewing furiously, snatched the napkin. "I know how to chew, Thatchy! I'm not stupid! Buggy taught me lots of skills!" He wiped the napkin across his whole face, accomplishing little more than smearing the ketchup evenly.
Thatch sat down next to him with his own coffee and plate. He watched the organized chaos of the boy eating—precise movements, yet spectacular mess.
"I can only imagine what raising you must be like," Thatch murmured, sipping his coffee. "Buggy must have the patience of a saint. How exactly did you become his cabin boy, anyway? Did he recruit you after he already had Ace and Sabo?"
Luffy tilted his head. "No idea! I was just small, maybe two or three? Dad had me, Gramps gave me to Makino. Makino's the barmaid at Partys Bar! She's nice. She took me to Buggy's house! Then I was Buggy's cabin boy! Buggy said he adopted Ace and Sabo first, and then he adopted me, so we are all brothers!" He paused his chewing to cheer. "Buggy is the best at adopting!"
Marco looked from the child to Thatch, bewildered. "Hold up, yoi. So your grandfather dumped you with a local barmaid, and she passed you off to Buggy the Clown?"
"Because my dad is boring! I don't know him at all. Buggy says he’s just a biological necessity, like being a 'sperm donor' and that's the only good thing about him! So I don’t care!" Luffy took a huge bite of ribs, smiling. "And Gramps is the worst! He loves me, but he yells so loud and he keeps training me by throwing me into deep holes! Buggy says he's a terrible, irresponsible grandpa!"
Thatch choked on his coffee. "He throws you into holes? That sounds wildly irresponsible. Even for a pirate."
Luffy stopped chewing and looked at Thatch with genuine pity, as if the chef were the slow one. "Why do you keep saying 'pirate'?" He tilted his head, completely confused. "Gramps isn't a pirate, Thatchy. He works for the government!"
Marco nearly dropped his coffee. "He works for the government? Then who in the flaming hell is your father and grandfather, yoi?"
Luffy shrugged, picking up a sausage. "Why don't you guys know? Everyone at home knows!" He looked back at his food, speaking matter-of-factly between bites. "My dad is Monkey D. Dragon and my gramps is Monkey D. Garp."
The galley, already bustling, suddenly seemed to fall silent around them.
Thatch shot straight up on the stool, knocking his coffee cup over with a crash. "DRAGON?! THE REVOLUTIONARY?!"
Marco stumbled backward, his eyes wide in disbelief. "AND GARP?! THE MARINE HERO?! Yoi, you're telling me we're babysitting the grandson of a Hero and the son of the World's Worst Criminal?!"
Luffy, oblivious to the chaos, just continued chewing his ribs. "Why are you guys yelling? It's just my family names! Buggy says names don't matter unless they sound cool and 'Dragon' is super boring!" He then scoffed. "And Gramps? Buggy says if he was a real hero, he wouldn't punch children into canyons. Buggy is way better at taking care of us."
Luffy then listed off his true kin with pride: "My family is Buggy, Ace, Sabo, Makino, Torao and everyone at the Grand Flash Island Hotel! They're way more fun than guys who throw you down holes!"
Thatch wiped the spilled coffee off the counter, still shaking his head. "This is unbelievable. We thought Buggy was just a clown with a scheme, but he's secretly running a high-stakes, politically explosive daycare service."
Marco nodded slowly, the colour returning to his face only slightly. "Suddenly, the demands for the South Blue spring water seem logical. But think about Ace and Sabo. What kind of family background could they have to warrant this level of chaos? There is no way Buggy could have stumbled upon two more kids with parentage that could topple the son of Dragon, yoi."
"Yeah! No way one of them is the son of the Pirate King or anything!" Thatch said, trying to reassure himself with a laugh.
Luffy, who had just picked up his cup of apple juice, paused mid-sip, his eyes wide. "Wait, you guys know Ace is that guy's son?" He lowered the cup. "Ace is the Pirate King's son! Shishishi! Buggy says Roger was super lame though!"
Thatch and Marco froze, their jaws slack. Luffy continued his Buggy-taught wisdom: "Buggy says Roger was a terrible pirate with a dumb title and that Buggy raised Ace since he was a baby and taught him everything, so Ace is more Buggy's son! Buggy says being the Pirate King is old news, but being Buggy the Clown is forever!"
The air left Thatch’s lungs.
Gol D. Roger’s heir, raised by Buggy the Clown.
The concept was so universe-shattering it should have caused a tidal wave. But watching Luffy’s unshakable, joyful faith, a profound realisation hit Thatch: if Buggy could inspire this in Dragon’s son, then Ace and Sabo were undoubtedly wrapped in the same audacious, protective love. His shock transformed into pure, unadulterated respect for the genius clown.
Marco, pale and trembling, opened his mouth to ask the obvious, terrifying question. "Yoi, Luffy, what did—"
"Wait!" Thatch interrupted, a mischievous glint in his eye. "I need to hear the official Buggy-approved review. Luffy, what's the best part? What did he call Roger?"
Luffy didn't miss a beat. "He said he was a 'no-good, treasure-hoarding bastard with a navigational sense worse than a dead fish and a laugh that made sea kings vomit!' Shishishi!" Thatch roared with laughter, clutching his sides, while Marco made a small, pathetic sound, the spiritual energy of the Moby Dick instantly vaporising.
Thatch's body was still shaking from laughter when the galley doors opened. "Morning, Commanders! Morning, crew!" Teach called out, his presence dense and heavy, yet cheerful. "I heard the Head Chef was having quite the morning."
"Morning, Teach," Marco replied automatically, though his eyes were glued to Luffy. Thatch, meanwhile, was instantly focused on the child. Luffy had become rigid in his arms, his mouth a hard line, eyes squinting and glaring at Teach with an almost primal distaste.
"Is the kid okay, Thatch? He looks like he’s practicing for a villain audition, yoi," Marco observed, concerned by Luffy's sudden silence.
"He's fine, Marco," Thatch dismissed quickly, pulling Luffy closer. He quickly rubbed the remaining ketchup from the boy's cheek. "Just needs a nap, not Teach's manners lesson. Come on, Bodyguard." He hurried toward the exit.
Just as Thatch passed the doorway, he heard a crewmate excitedly filling Teach in on the earlier discussion. Teach responded with an abrupt, sharp exclamation. "Wait! So the boy's brother is the son of... Gol D. Roger?!" Teach's voice was now a sudden, chilling hiss. "A living descendant of the Pirate King on this ship?! Zehahaha! That is a fate too sweet to ignore!"
── ⟡ ˙🌱 ̟
The air was crisp, the New World wind whipping past the mast of the Tiny Thunder, Buggy’s personal speed vessel. Sabo gripped the wheel, his gloved hands steady. He glanced at the gauges; the engine—a custom-built marvel whose baffling complexity only Buggy truly understood—was purring. It was rumoured to be powered by a scaled-down version of the Ancient Weapon Pluton’s schematic, built during one of their "secret architectural projects."
Sabo smirked, remembering the initial plan.
Buggy had wanted to drop all three of them on the Whitebeard ship at once, but Sabo had argued that such a triple dose of chaos would be cruel even to the mighty Whitebeard Pirates, especially with the silent mission of monitoring their "unsavoury Teach problem." So, Ace and Sabo had spent an extra month causing havoc in the New World under Buggy's direct command, giving Luffy time to settle for a day.
Ace was perched on the rail, his dark hair flying, belting out the chorus. He then launched into a series of quick, energetic back handsprings down the narrow deck toward Sabo.Sabo joined in, their voices blending perfectly above the roar of the sea: [“I wanna hold 'em like they do in Texas, please Fold 'em, let 'em hit me, raise it, baby, stay with me...”]
Ace landed flawlessly next to the wheel, immediately launching into a spinning jump while hitting the next line. [“P-p-p-poker face, p-p-p-poker face—”]
["Can't read my, can't read my, no he can't read my—Poker Face!"] Sabo finished, grinning at Ace. "Perfect timing. We hit the rendezvous point in twenty minutes."
Ace landed in a perfect stance, wiping his nose with the back of his hand. "Eh, twenty minutes? Plenty of time for a nap," he yawned, stretching his arms above his head as if docking next to the world's most powerful pirate wasn't a big deal.
Before Sabo could reply, the ship's Den Den Mushi—a flashy, miniature clown face—started ringing. "That's not Buggy's ringtone," he noted, frowning.
Ace grabbed it instantly. "Hello, this is the best cabin boy on the seas! Make it fast!"
The voice on the other end was smooth, calm and highly intelligent: ["Ace-kun. It's Robin. I have an update on the Alabasta commercial partnership. The King has fully agreed to the exclusive Buggy's Brand distribution deal for all royal garments."]
"Nice! Did they take the limited-edition sapphire collars?" Ace asked, sounding deeply invested. "We need to move the entire inventory out of Grand Flash by the end of the quarter."
["They did. And Sir Crocodile has signed the final paperwork, fully committing all his New World contacts to the logistics chain."] Robin added coolly. ["This means your inventory projections were correct. Tell Law his supply route needs to expand by twenty percent."]
"Got it! I'll let him know his submarine needs to step it up! See you when this Whitebeard chaos is over, Robin!" Ace chirped, hanging up.
Sabo watched Ace casually set the Den Den Mushi back in its cradle, then shook his head in quiet awe. "Robin is incredible. Seriously, Ace. I know we're busy, but I'm still impressed Buggy convinced her to trust us." His face hardened slightly. "After what the World Government put her through, hunting her for decades just for existing... she deserves this. She deserves to run a massive operation that spits in the Government's face."
Ace nodded. "Yeah. Robin's the best. That's why Buggy makes sure she gets the best revenge. Remember the last Buster Call in the North Blue?"
"How could I forget?" Sabo scoffed. "Thirty massive battleships paralysed for weeks."
"Buggy's team didn't just hack their navigation," Ace smirked. "They replaced the high-frequency radar components with glitter cannons and remote-controlled rubber chickens. The whole fleet was showering Marines with pink glitter when they tried to attack! Poor Gramps is never going to live that down. More fun to come too."
Sabo let out a wistful breath. "I can only imagine the show that's happening right now. Uncle Cora is probably trying to get Law to laugh while Robin is dealing with the paperwork and Buggy is leading a synchronised dance routine in the headquarters. It’s a shame we can’t witness the coordinated brilliance." Sabo gripped the wheel tighter. "But this is crucial. We have to give the Whitebeard Pirates a major distraction."
Ace stretched. "Yeah, Buggy needs his justice. Because Whitebeard’s boring old-man reputation is totally overshadowing Buggy’s new, glamorous 'Star' image. Buggy says their 'family' concept is low-effort and makes his own operation look less shiny, so they deserve to be annoyed."
"I know. Our job is to be the ultimate pain in the neck," Sabo confirmed, checking the compass. "We're here to tie up their commanders, spread the lineage gossip and generally make their day miserable so Buggy can expand his empire unhindered."
"Hell yeah!" Ace shouted, throwing his arms up in a cheer. He grinned fiercely, stretching his neck.
Sabo looked up, spotting the massive white form on the horizon. "Alright, Ace! Moby Dick in sight! I'm boosting the engine! Hold tight, we’ll be alongside in ten seconds!"
The small vessel shot forward, the high-tech engine roaring beneath the deck. Ace clutched the rail, laughing hysterically. The Tiny Thunder pulled alongside the enormous hull of the Moby Dick. Sabo expertly killed the throttle.
"Ahoy, Moby Dick! We are Ace and Sabo, Luffy's brothers! We are expected for lunch! Requesting permission to board!" Sabo yelled, cupping his hands.
A crewmember peered down from the railing, looking bewildered. Then, a heavy rope ladder was quickly deployed. Ace was up it in a flash, followed by Sabo, leaving their custom speedster bobbing in the water.
Sabo was only halfway over the railing when Luffy was upon them, launching himself into the air with a happy shriek, landing squarely in the middle of both his brothers. "SABO! ACE!" he cried, immediately engulfing them in a triple hug.
Sabo laughed, holding the warm, wriggling child tightly. "It's good to see you, Lu. Did you manage to stay out of trouble for a whole day?"
Ace ruffled Luffy's hair affectionately. "We were almost worried you'd forget all about us! Who's the best brother in the whole world, huh?"
Luffy pulled back just enough to stick out his lower lip. "You're both loud and smelly! Thatchy is way better than you! He has soft pillows and doesn't make me sleep outside!" He dramatically took off like a shot toward the ship's interior, clearly sensing the return of his new guardian. "THATCHY! ACE AND SABO ARE SMELLY!"
Sabo and Ace exchanged a look of amusement. They turned as one to face the watching pirates.
"Greetings, Whitebeard Pirates! We are Portgas D. Ace and Sabo. Thank you for accommodating our youngest brother! We are honoured to be guests on your fine ship!" Ace announced, executing a perfect, polite bow.
The knot of Whitebeard pirates watching the spectacle—a mix of Division Commanders and regular crew—were frozen. They had braced themselves for two more tiny terrors, perhaps carrying explosives or demanding payment for their presence, but not a perfectly executed, respectful bow accompanied by a courteous verbal affirmation.
A beat of silence hung over the deck, broken only by the gentle lapping of the waves.
Finally, Jozu let out a slow, confused chuckle. "Well, now... that was unexpected."
A rough, bearded pirate next to him muttered under his breath, audible enough for Ace and Sabo to hear: "They're... polite? They really sure they're related to the little monster? I thought they'd try to set the mast on fire!"
"We aim to please," Sabo replied, giving a charming, practiced smile. Ace simply winked, already scanning the deck for the best place to find food.
Just as Sabo and Ace were basking in the glow of their politeness, a massive figure appeared from the rear deck—the man himself, Whitebeard, with Luffy perched happily on his massive shoulder, looking like a triumphant squirrel.
"ACE! SABO! Look! It's the Big White Banana-Man! Thatchy's dad! He’s huge and strong, and he gives me juice! But Thatchy says he snores really loud and he poops bigger than a Sea King's head!" Luffy shouted, pointing at the Emperor with a joyful grin.
The entire Whitebeard crew collectively stifled their laughter and horror. Ace and Sabo's perfectly courteous masks shattered instantly. "LUFFY! Be quiet, you unhinged little pest! That is TMI!" Ace hissed, his face flushing crimson.
Sabo rushed forward, bowing so low his forehead nearly touched the deck. "Captain Whitebeard, s-sir! We are terribly sorry! He’s been taught that blunt honesty is a virtue! Please forgive our youngest brother’s inappropriate observation of your internal functions!"
Whitebeard threw his head back and let out a roar of delighted, earth-shaking laughter. "GURARARARA! Don't you worry about it! That little brat has a mouth on him, but he’s already my favourite!" He lowered Luffy gently onto the deck. "He's been nothing, but sunshine. Why, my son Thatch here wants to keep him forever! Tell you what, why don't you two join our crew too? You can all be my sons!"
Luffy immediately stomped his foot, shaking his head furiously. "NO! I can't join! I'm going to be the King of the Pirates! And I already have a dad, Buggy!"
Ace and Sabo exchanged a knowing look. They straightened up, giving a respectful, synchronised salute to the Emperor. "Captain Whitebeard, we are incredibly honoured by your offer," Sabo stated smoothly. "But our loyalty is already pledged. Buggy is our father."
Ace stepped forward, "He teaches us the best, most important skills! He can juggle fifty cannonballs while riding a unicycle!"
Luffy chimed in, "And he gets all the meat! He knows where the best juice is and he has a pirate hat that holds nine litres of soda!"
Sabo added, "And he’s the only one who truly understands the value of high-end, explosive-resistant fashion! No one else is as great!"
"And Buggy is smarter than all the other pirates!" Luffy declared, bouncing on the balls of his feet.
Ace elaborated, "He especially thinks my biological dad, Roger, was a fraud!" He chuckled. "Buggy says Roger was a 'glorified sea hobo with a cheap suit, a chronic chest cold and a laugh that sounded like a startled donkey' who only became the Pirate King because he was 'too stubborn to die.'"
Sabo continued, "And Shanks? Buggy says he's a 'penniless, drunken disgrace who uses too much hair gel' and has 'terrible colour coordination.'"
Luffy pointed directly at Whitebeard's face. "And Buggy says you’re just a big, boring, old man! He says your big shaking power is lame! He says he could shake the world better than you with just his fabulous charisma!"
The air instantly went cold.
Whitebeard set his drink down with a loud thump. "My power is lame, is it?"
Ace clamped his hand tightly over Luffy's mouth, nearly hoisting the boy off the deck. "Sorry, Captain! We need to go practice our knots! He has brain damage!"
Sabo frantically bowed, "We apologise profusely for the disrespect, sir! He's just quoting propaganda!"
Whitebeard’s gaze remained fixed on the apologetic brothers, his massive form radiating silent power. Before he could pass judgment, Thatch burst through the assembled crew. "Gentlemen! Perfect! I'm here to retrieve them!" he said brightly, putting a reassuring hand on Sabo’s shoulder. "I’ve assigned them a private cabin—my room, actually—so Luffy’s brothers can settle in properly! We can have your things brought up from your vessel once you've had a look."
The word 'private' sounded like salvation.
"Fantastic! Thank you for the incredible hospitality, Commander Thatch!" Ace exclaimed, grabbing his brother's arm. "We should see the room immediately! Lead us, kind Commander!"
Ace and Sabo practically shoved Luffy between them and sprinted to follow Thatch, leaving the Emperor standing alone. Whitebeard shook his head, a wry smile crossing his face.
"Gurarara! Smart boys, knowing when to retreat!"
The surrounding crew broke into a mixture of chuckles and murmurs of amazement.
"These kids," Jozu muttered, "are going to be the death of us. But they're hilarious."
Sabo and Ace didn't stop running until they were safely inside Thatch's cabin, now their temporary home. The rest of the day passed in a blur of acclimatisation. They retrieved their backpacks from the Tiny Thunder and, rather than rest, Sabo and Ace immediately started helping with the deck work—sweeping, coiling rope and polishing brass, just as Buggy insisted. The Whitebeard crew was surprisingly warm, finding their polite efficiency utterly baffling.
Lunch was a massive affair in the galley, where they introduced themselves respectfully to every Commander they encountered. It was a good ship, stable and full of loud, caring pirates.
Thatch was the best. He kept bringing them snacks and drinks—always the good stuff: Buggy's Brand Supreme Strawberry Milk and the high-grade Grand Flash Sparkling Juice, procured especially for Luffy. By the time the massive Moby Dick galley closed for the evening, the brothers were exhausted, but satisfied.
Now, the small cabin was quiet.
Luffy was already sprawled on his assigned bunk, half-asleep. Ace and Sabo finished in the small, surprisingly nice bathroom, spitting out foam. Sabo watched Ace pull his bright orange pyjama shirt over his head, a peaceful exhaustion settling on him.
Mission parameters were achieved.
Chaos caused, Teach monitored, comfort secured. Time for sleep.
The lights were out.
The three brothers were curled up on a larger bunk. Luffy was nestled securely in the middle, monopolising the blankets, warm between Ace and Sabo. Ace’s bright orange pyjamas and Sabo’s blue set contrasted with the white sheets. Luffy’s cherished straw hat sat neatly on the bedside trunk, saved from the inevitable crushing hug.
A soft rap came at the cabin door. Sabo quickly pulled on a sleep mask to cover his eyes. "Come in!"
Thatch peered in, a soft smile on his face. "Just checking on my three little cabin boys. Goodnight, boys."
"Goodnight, Thatch," Ace and Sabo replied in unison.
"Thank you again for the room and for taking such good care of Luffy today," Sabo added sincerely.
"Anytime! I love having you guys here," Thatch whispered back. Just as he was closing the door, Luffy mumbled sleepily: "Hey... where's that weird dark fruit I gave you?"
Thatch paused, his smile widening. "Ah, the Dark-Dark Fruit? Don't worry about that, Lu. It's locked up tight. It’s in the blast-proof safe under the Head Chef's counter in the main galley. It won't go anywhere. Sleep tight!"
He shut the door softly, leaving Ace and Sabo wide awake in the dark.
Ace shifted, his voice a low, rough whisper in the darkness. "The Dark-Dark Fruit. Of all the Devil Fruits in the world, Buggy found the one Teach has been obsessed with for decades. He knew exactly what he was doing."
Sabo quietly pulled off his sleep mask, his eyes adjusting to the dim cabin light. "He's terrifyingly good at this. The plan is working perfectly. Luffy handed the bait directly to the future victim's brother, who conveniently told us exactly where he hid the prize."
"Yeah, but the galley safe?" Ace muttered, sounding worried. "It's blast-proof, but Teach is strong. We just have to hope the Whitebeard family connection is strong enough to keep Thatch from getting hurt. Buggy thinks if Teach goes for the fruit, the family will see his true colours and deal with him before he can run. We're here to make sure they're paying attention."
Sabo shifted carefully, ensuring Luffy didn't wake. "It's all too perfect, Ace. That's the problem. We're deliberately dangling Thatch's life—an innocent man who's been nothing, but kind to us—in front of a snake. If something goes wrong, if Teach slips away or Thatch is seriously hurt, who is truly accountable? Buggy? Us? Morally, we're better than using good people as bait."
Ace squeezed his eyes shut. "I know, Sabo, it feels gross. But look at the alternatives. Teach is a nasty bastard who would eventually find that fruit anyway, and he wouldn't care who he had to kill to get it. If he gets the Fruit unseen, he becomes too powerful, too quickly. At least this way, the Whitebeard family will be ready. It's a calculated risk against an inevitable disaster. We're just minimising the damage, not creating it."
Sabo processed the argument. "I hate that you're right, Ace," he whispered, leaning his head back against the pillow. "That level of foresight, that willingness to prioritise the greater good over immediate, ethical action... it's exactly the kind of cold calculation that Buggy demonstrates. I guess the 'Clown's Son' actually does think before he charges sometimes."
Ace, though pleased with the validation of his logic, bristled at the nickname. "Hey! Don't call me that! I'm smart! I just choose not to use my brain when I'm around you!"
Sabo ignored Ace, already turning slightly toward the wall. He adjusted Luffy's blanket and pulled his brother close. "Hush. Time to sleep. We have to be bright and helpful cabin boys in the morning." He hugged Luffy tighter, the comfort of the real family outweighing the moral complexities of their mission.
Sleep claimed Sabo quickly, the comfort of the full day and Luffy's warmth a heavy weight. The cabin was utterly silent, the sounds of the sea muffled. Ace had settled in moments after him, his breathing deep and even.
Peace.
Then, Sabo was suddenly awake. It wasn't a noise or a jolt, but a thick, unnatural absence of sensation, a strange, heavy pressure in the air, like the moment before a quake hits. His eyes snapped open. The darkness of the room felt oppressive, wrong.
Before he could move, Ace's hand, surprisingly quick and light, was on his arm. Ace was already sitting up, peering over Luffy’s sleeping form. "Sabo? What is it?"
Sabo whispered urgently, his focus on the door. "I don't know. Something shifted. It feels... cold. Like something is sucking the life out of the air."
Ace’s eyes widened in the dark. He felt it too. He looked down at the blissfully unaware Luffy, then locked eyes with Sabo over their brother’s head. "The safe. He's going for the fruit now. Let's go." They slipped out of the shared bunk simultaneously, moving with the practiced stealth of thieves, heading for the galley.
Sabo and Ace pressed themselves into the narrow, cold shadow beside the massive ovens in the main galley. The room was huge and complex, dominated by the long stainless-steel counter where Thatch's safe was hidden.
The darkness was absolute, heavy and dead, swallowing every sound. Even the natural creaks of the ship seemed to have stilled. They waited, their hearts thudding a loud, frantic rhythm in the oppressive silence. Every second stretched into an eternity.
Sabo's hands, usually steady, were slick.
The cold, heavy feeling he’d first sensed was stronger here, an unnatural, patient malevolence.
After what felt like an hour, the galley door at the far end creaked open with agonising slowness. A figure slipped inside. He moved like smoke, utterly silent against the wooden floor. Sabo's breath hitched. He recognised the massive bulk and the familiar, almost humorous grin faintly visible in the gloom. Teach.
But as Teach stepped closer to the counter, angling toward the safe, Sabo realised with chilling horror why the figure felt wrong. Clutched tightly in the crook of Teach's enormous left arm, completely limp and sound asleep, was Luffy.
Sabo’s entire body went rigid. He felt Ace tense like a coiled viper beside him, a low, guttural growl vibrating deep in his chest. Sabo’s instinct took over: he dug his fingers savagely into Ace’s arm, a desperate, silencing pinch. Ace stiffened, his breathing turning shallow and ragged, the sound of his pounding heart filling Sabo's ears. He could see the raw, lethal rage in Ace's eyes.
Teach paused, not moving toward the safe, but turning slightly into the centre of the room. A wide, yellow-toothed smile stretched across his face in the gloom.
"Heh heh heh. Took you two long enough to show up, brats," Teach chuckled, his voice a deep, oily rumble that echoed unnervingly in the quiet. The sudden click of a switch followed, and the galley flooded with blinding, harsh light.
Teach shielded his eyes dramatically. "Come on out. Your little brother is right here. He won't wake up," he said, nudging Luffy’s limp form. "I gave him a little something in the cocoa before you two tucked him in. Just a precaution."
Sabo cursed silently, Ace’s jaw visibly clenching as he struggled not to scream. "Don't even think about running, either of you. You make one sound, one move that wakes the ship and the little one takes a nap forever. Understood? Zehahahaha!"
Sabo held his position, forcing Ace into a tense stillness beside him. "You're making a mistake, Teach," he warned, his eyes flicking from Luffy to the safe. "The Whitebeard Pirates won't let you get away with this. Put Luffy down."
"Mistake? Zehahahaha! No, this is destiny, little scavenger!" Teach roared, then quieted, his voice dripping with malice. "That brat," he nodded to Ace, "was always going to be captured once his heritage was known. I'm just expediting the process! And since you two are glued to him, I get both the famous Pirate King's son and the son of the world's worst criminal!"
Teach stepped over the counter. "Open it, or I snap the sleeping beauty's neck and then crush his pretty little skull!"
Sabo, his eyes burning with helpless hatred, reached for the safe dial. The latch sprung open. Teach thrust his hand inside, grabbed the black fruit and brought it immediately to his mouth. A grotesque crunch echoed in the galley as he devoured the Dark-Dark Fruit.
Teach spat the remaining core of the fruit onto the floor. His body was wracked by a brief, violent tremor as the Dark-Dark Fruit took hold. He laughed—a deep, booming, terrifying sound that promised destruction. "The power is mine! The reward is yours! I don't need the useless scrap. One D-blood package is sufficient!" He threw the remaining fruit rind at the brothers and spun, tucking Luffy securely against his shoulder.
Teach bolted for the door. "Farewell, fools! Zehahahaha!"
Ace finally broke.
"LUFFY!" His roar was pure agony and he launched forward, Sabo seconds behind him. They sprinted out of the galley, screaming the name of their brother down the dark hallways. Sabo’s curses were low, furious oaths. Ace's were raw, desperate shouts.
They burst onto the deck in time to see Teach jump cleanly over the railing, landing heavily on the Tiny Thunder, which roared to life, pulling away quickly into the night.
"THIEVES! TRAITOR!" Sabo screamed just as footsteps pounded toward them.
Commanders Marco, Jozu and a dozen others materialised, weapons drawn, confusion etched on their faces. They saw the two small boys—one red-eyed and shaking with silent rage, the other pale and desperate—pointing frantically at the receding shape of their own ship.
"Teach! Teach took Luffy! He ate the Dark-Dark Fruit and took Luffy!" Sabo yelled, gripping the rail to steady himself, while Ace just stood there. The crew looked from the panicking boys to the empty space where Teach and Luffy had been, disbelief turning to horrifying realisation.
Amidst the chaos and the shouts of the bewildered commanders, Ace subtly nudged Sabo's side. Sabo glanced at his brother. In the emergency lights, Ace's red-rimmed eyes held a flash of ruthless triumph. They shared a swift, silent smile.
It worked.
"What happened here?!" Thatch, appearing shaken and pale in his nightclothes, shoved through the crowd. "Teach? The fruit? Where is Luffy?!"
Sabo immediately dropped the smile, his face returning to a mask of distraught anguish. "Thatch! It was Teach! He took the fruit from your safe and kidnapped Luffy!"
Thatch stared at the empty sea, his hands flying to his head. "No, no, no! Luffy! Yesterday, when I first introduced them, Luffy said Teach would 'betray the family'! He said he had bad vibes! I should have listened to him! It's my fault!"
Ace, recovering his act, grabbed Thatch's arm. "No, Thatch, it's not your fault! You were being a good big brother! You couldn't have known. Teach is the traitor!"
Sabo nodded in agreement. He then looked at the assembled, shocked Commanders. "We need a secure communication line immediately. We need to call Buggy."