The day Portgas. D Ace became a Marine officer in training, was also the day that Monkey. D Luffy received the second scar on his heart. Not that the fourteen-year-old knew that.

That oddly rainy day near Mt. Colubo, was one of the worst days in Luffy's life thus far, preceded solely by an unfortunate turn of events that happened many years prior; which involved a tall blue hat, a toothy grin and an explosion. Alas, the concept of dread were lost to Luffy and if asked, the only thing he could say about that horrid day, is that it was wrong.

Since they were young, Ace, Luffy and a certain blonde haired relative of theirs had all wished to become pirates. They all wished for the freedom of adventure, their bodies itched for the sea. But after the aforementioned turn of events and a mystery conversation with Jii-chan, as Luffy dubbed it, Ace had strived to become a Marine officer. The same people who captured and arrested the type of people Luffy wished to surpass.

With sudden and uncharacteristic wisdom, Luffy knew that sooner or later he and his big brother would undoubtedly become enemies. Of course Luffy could become a Marine officer as well. Follow his brother and grandfathers footsteps. But he didn't want to, because he, Monkey. D Luffy, would become Pirate King. No amount of bond, no matter how strong, could change that, not even the fourteen-years his Jii-chan spent drilling the Marine prospect into his head.

Because Luffy knew, without a doubt that even though being a Marine was pretty cool, they weren't as cool as Pirates. Marines had long, boring mystery rules that he'd need to follow, but pirates? Pirates are free, no matter what, and the thing Luffy always dreamt of, was freedom.

So despite the cool sides of being a Marine, being Pirate King is better. Which means, Luffy will become Pirate King, even if he had to fight tooth and nail for it against his family, he'd succeed.

Smiling at the thought, Luffy walks to Makino loudly demanding food. Makino replies happily, eager for the change in mood.

Luffy peers over at the meat Makino was frying, drool dripping from his mouth and promise ringing in his head.

'The next time we meet Ace, I'll be strong enough to beat you, I promise you that!'

"Meshi, meshi, meshi!" Luffy cheers for food, sticky fingers stretching towards the hot food.

Unfortunately, this was one of the many times Luffy had made his stomach decide his actions. Not a good idea.

"I-I-I-itai !" Luffy howls, holding his burnt fingers away from the lit oven.

Laughing at Luffy-kun's endearing, if not exasperating antics, Makino tends to the burn and scolds her student softly.

Somewhere out on the warm East Blue seas, Garp lays a calloused hand upon his grandchild's head.

"Thank you for listening, Ace," he murmurs as the officers behind him laugh while keeping watch.

"I didn't do it for you, Kuso-jiji," he curses looking down moodily.

Laughing loudly at the exclamation, Garp proceeds to ruffle Ace's hair with his fingers of love. Suffice to say a teary-eyed Ace proceeds to glare up at his grandfather, screaming profanities soon after. Before the scene could escalate however, the two promptly fell asleep causing many officers to question their Vice-Admirals less than normal family.

Sweat dropping they wisely decide to ignore the development in favour of checking the winds and planning when and where to stop.

A small Ace Marine Au, because I can. So I did. There's a little more to come, i.e the mystery conversation, but this isn't gonna become a story, so after chapter two, that's it. Thank you for reading.