Chapter Text
…
Year 1502
12 Years Ago:
They came to talk to me again.
I hate it when they come to visit, I hate it when they remind me what I am, why can't they just leave me be?
The Fleet Admiral’s perfect kid, the A+ student who ignores training and gets every paper perfect, Mr. “Better-Than-You.”
They don't understand; nobody understands. I would trade it all for one day without them watching me. They are always there. I just want to disappear into my own little world and pretend… if only I could be lost in the silence.
I have no idea what the man in the mask is saying to me, at one point I tried to keep track of these creeps, I really did. It's just… hard. Most CP-0 agents aren't people. Everything that reflects personality has been wiped away; only the real monsters who love violence and those who actually believe in the cause.
In truth, I hate the ones who worship the celestial dragons the most. Many see me with scorn or pity, a couple look at me with reverence. Those are the ones that make my skin crawl more than anything else .
The blood thirsty ones are the easiest to deal with. I know how they think, they hate babysitting but that’s it. Wanton destruction, easy enough.
If only that white mask didn't cover all the agents' mouths. Then I could read the lips of whoever is talking and know what he’s talking about without taking the world off mute.
Is it smart to ignore CP-0?
No.
If only these creeps would stop looking over my shoulder every moment of every day, I don't need another creep asking why I spent too long in the bathroom. It is my business if I jumped out the window, leaving the room and myself on mute so they can't track my haki signature!
It's not like I went partying, only fishing. I didn't catch anything, but I made some decent drawings and read some reports. I wasn't doing anything against the rules. All I wanted was a few minutes of peace and quiet without the feeling of a monster looking over my shoulder.
Maybe this speech isn't about that. Could it be because I skipped training? I had a good reason for that! Not only do I despise your reactions when I do well, but Dramatic D Dragon dragged me into his father Monster D Garp's hell training! Why on earth does Aokiji ask for that nightmare training!?! It is hell on earth. Every single muscle in my body still hurts!
Oh… he’s handing me a paper.
' A blessed competition to return to Mariejois. '
Oh, hell no, I would rather take Garp's training every day of my life than return to that place!
"Release.”
I took a deep breath and pointed to the paper "What the hell is this?"
"If you were listening, it is a ticket out of hell. We are offering you and your brother a way back home." The man in the white mask was peeved.
"You want to know what I think?" I looked at him with a smile before tossing the paper into the fire.
I could feel the man's aggravation in the air. His mask didn't show a thing, but his haki, oh I made him mad. "Your brother was quite pleased with the competition. It will go on, with or without your compliance."
He left slowly, hauntingly.
Dofi.
I wanted to forget about him.
My brother… what would he do to go back to that hell?
"Oh shit!"
I got up and ran towards the flames. Without hesitating I pulled out what remained of the charred paper.
"What does this say? Sacrifices, something about the throne of Dressrosa, an Yonko, and… Only one of us can still be alive. Dofi…"
No.
He may have killed our father, but… My brother still cares for me, right? If only I could see him outside of a criminal and a Marine. I'm sure… I'm sure we could connect. He is my brother after all. He loves me.
I…
I want Dofi to know that I don't hate him for what happened that day.
Tears started to fill my eyes against my will. This competition can't destroy us. However much needs to be completed, I can steal Dofi's list… see him.
Undercover.
Dad would never let me go, but what if?
Mariejois wants us to meet again. Maybe, maybe if we can just see each other again, Dofi will realize what really matters. This game is a trap, but most traps can be turned against their creator.
"Dofi, please let me save you."
My plea was spoken out loud, but it may as well have rang into my silent void.
He will never let me close if I let him know my intention. It… it will take time, but I'll make it. I will save my family… it's all I have left.
“Sengoku-san… dad, please forgive me. You are going to hate this.”
I need a plan, but first I need to blow off some steam. Bell-san was going on a dangerous mission. Might as well stowaway on the ship. Not like she is going to report me.
…
Today:
Rosinante woke up to the sound of screaming cries. Herzen is hungry. "Herzi, can you please wait five minutes?"
It took the man all but five seconds to get out of bed. That caused Law and Bepo to go tumbling down from where they were sleeping on him. The duo toppled on top of Shachi and Penguin.
"I changed my mind." Shachi groaned. "I want my own room."
Penguin laughed. “You will be back here the first time you hear the engine creak, coward.”
“I'll get her bottle!” Bepo ran out of the room.
“Room, and shambles.” Law suddenly had two cups of coffee from the fridge. “Here.” The boy handed over the larger cup with a heart on it.
“Law, you are too young to get addicted to coffee.” The man remarked as he shifted the baby to one arm.
The boy yawned. “One is never too old or young for the elixir of life.”
Rosinante rolled his eyes. “You know, they say coffee stunts your growth.”
Law glared up over his black mug with a skull and death written on it. “Give me the medical report.”
…
Smoker was going to be sick.
Mariejois.
The place would be better known as Hell.
Viola was clutching onto his arm as they approached. As the guard for the Royal family of Dressrosa, he couldn't block out all his senses, which meant the man could feel the suffering in the air. How could Rosinante-san have been born here?
Suddenly, Doflamingo made sense… too much sense.
Viola flinched and squeezed his hand.
“Are you okay?” He had a feeling her fruit made things worse.
Viola nodded. “I… last time I hadn't eaten my fruit yet.”
Whatever she sees is probably worse than observation haki on steroids.
“Exactly.”
And she is doing it again.
“I'm sorry, it is something to focus on that's not…”
“I understand. Do whatever you need. I'll get you home safe and hopefully sane.”
She laughed out loud. “My knight in shining armor!”
“It's called Marine-Whites.”
“I think you would look better in black pants and a purple v-neck that matches my dress. A gold crown would also match your hair.” She smirked mischievously.
The young man grumbled as he was getting better at keeping his face from growing warm at her remarks. “I thought we were keeping the contract a secret unless it was completely necessary.”
She winked at him. “Just keeping my thoughts positive for the next Revery.”
…
Uta sat in silence as chaos erupted in the kitchen.
Even if she couldn't hear her own voice, Uta kept singing. Cora-san told her that she would need to keep practicing to gain control. Over the last week, she had been asked every day if she wanted to be taken off mute.
The girl didn't know the full extent of her powers. Now, she understands how dangerous they are.
Shanks… he left her to Gordan.
Gordan kept her in seclusion.
Rosinante… Cora-san made it clear that she was dangerous. He acknowledged her powers, but treated her like a child. At eleven years old, she is a child. He wanted her to respect both her powers and those around her by slowly learning how to control it.
It was strange, but nice.
Uta usually woke up with the sun; as such, she woke up before most of the crew. Hakugan helped her with breakfast, then sat down with a stack of papers that he wouldn’t let her read.
The two enjoyed the silence.
Then Bepo ran in to grab Herzen’s bottle and mix her formula. Law would be faster, but for some reason it was usually Bepo who ran in first. She thought the bear would like sleeping more but… Law was cranky in the morning; a true night-owl that one.
The next one to make it to the kitchen was Shachi, he started boiling water for tea as Haku ran over to help him with cooking.
Bepo ran out as Penguin made his way into the kitchen.
“We’re running out of orange juice." The half-fishman announced as he pulled the jug from the fridge and poured himself a glass as he shook his head. “Never mind, we are out of orange juice.”
“Add it to the grocery list or tell Dad.” Shachi said with a yawn.
“Can you believe that in another life things like orange juice were…” Penguin glanced over his shoulder at Uta. “I mean, before Law saved us I never thought I’d have a full breakfast every morning.”
“Tell me about it.” Shachi shrugged and poured the hot water in his tea cup. “I never thought I’d have enough food to get fat or gain muscle. You've bulked up as much as Law deems healthy for a growing teen. I… can survive against most normal people.”
Uta knew her presence was known, it wasn't a priority. Morning was its own case of chaos so the girl chose to watch and study the dynamic of her new crew.
Was this a crew or a family?
Law randomly appeared sitting on the kitchen counter. That’s a thing too, Cora-san lets powers become a part of daily life… unless you’re grounded.
“What were you talking about?” Law reached over and turned on the coffee maker.
“How I can match the average man in battle.” Shachi replied.
Law was the Captain, but Cora-san was the boss. There was a baby on the ship, and everyone had a homeschool study program; it was strange, she wasn't part of the family. Even when it came to the crew, her presence was seen as temporary.
Uta knew what a pirate crew was supposed to look like, but she didn't know what a family looked like. Is this it? Is this average?
Cora-san is the dad. Law is his first son, but Shachi is the oldest. All the boys were his kids (brothers) and the baby sister wasn’t even a year old yet.
“Shanks is considered average, he never ate a devil fruit.” Penguin remarked. “You’re just weak.”
Why did he bring up Shanks this morning?
Shachi threw his arm out dramatically. “That’s not a comparison, we all know Shanks isn’t human, he’s a demon like dad.”
Demon?
So what is she? Adopted? Uta always hoped Shanks was secretly her real dad and that treasure chest story was just so he could keep where babies come from a secret.
“Shachi, that’s a rude thing to call the man who adopted you.” Bepo said as he walked in the room again.
Cora-san appeared behind him with a yawn. “No, I think demon is a far better description for a celestial dragon than ‘saint’. Not calling those monsters gods… hurts their ego and makes me smile. Be careful who hears you say that though.” He held the baby in one hand and his coffee cup in his other hand.
“Yes, Dad.” Coursed through the kitchen.
Celestial dragon?
Shanks?
Cora-san (or Rosinante) had the same red eyes as Shanks. Could it be…
Shachi got a wicked smirk. “Hey Dad, do you think Shanks ever shanked anyone?”
Hakugan jumped on the kitchen counter from who knows where and pantomimed stabbing Shachi for show. He really had to shank him? This is ridiculous.
The man blinked at his son with a dead expression, then he looked at Law. “I need a second cup of coffee before considering questions like that.”
“Shambles.” And just like that, he had a new coffee cup in his hand.
Shanks would never!!!
But… he abandoned her.
He was also a pirate.
And a celestial dragon?
Uta shook her head and silently excused herself from the situation.
What did this mean?
Uta didn't even know her place.
She isn't a sister, Cora-san intends to send her home. If home, will she choose Luffy or Shanks? How will this crew, that just joined Whitebeard’s fleet for protection, react to learning her ‘Dad’ is Shanks.
Shanks just called a meeting with Whitebeard and they decided to part ways with the Emperor for a week despite the medical reports! Apparently Cora-san had something he needed to do anyway, but it’s obvious they fear Shanks for some reason. There is also something Whitebeard thinks was hilarious about Yassop.
She walked into the hall and passed the submarine’s pipes running down the wall when something loud popped and her leg began to burn.
Before she even hit the ground as she screamed into the silence, both Law and his dad were there in the flash of an eye.
“What happened?” Cora-san asked.
“It’s only a minor wound, observation or armament haki would have prevented this.” Law shook his head. “I'll have it healed in no time.”
“Law, this is a problem.”
“What, are you going to make her wear a boiler suit till she masters haki?” The annoying boy should just heal her!
Finally, he… cut off her leg. There has to be an easier way to do this.
“Dad?” Law sounded concerned.
“Captain Law , we will talk about this later. Heal her now.”
…
…