Disclaimer: I do not own One Piece. My brain is too much the size of a peanut to create such vast worlds and complicated concepts.

Chapter One: East Water Blues

Once upon a time, there was a great pirate. His name was Gold D. Roger.

He had conquered every single treasure that existed. His last words before his execution have inspired pirates around the world.

"Want my ultimate treasures? It's possible.. hmph. I will give them to those who can find them. I have gathered everything in this world and already hidden in that place."

With the pirate king's final words, the world has entered the pirate era.

Everyone knows of the weird child that lives by himself at the edge of the village; elders and adults would sometimes huddle in groups and gossip about the young boy who never fails to visit the beach and talk to the water as if it was alive. The fishermen would often see him laughing to himself, and from time to time lean down as he covered one side of his face before proceeding to whisper something to the sea, acting as if he was telling it a precious secret that could somehow destroy the whole island if someone were to hear it. Kids of his age would avoid him as the last time they hang out with him, they ended up arguing about the sea being sentient and able to talk - some of them received a couple of black eyes, broken bones, and bruises. Adults would entertain him, smiling and nodding as they play along with whatever made-up tale he tells them.

Strange as it is, they pass off his behavior as being a child with too much imagination and a lot of time. Why wouldn't he? His Grandfather was away most of the time, being a Marine and all. And there was so much you could so in a small house without no one to play with. So for the first six years of his life, the villagers let him be. They take turns watching over him, giving him food, telling him tales, and walking him home.

.

Monkey D. Luffy couldn't remember the first time he heard their voice. He wasn't sure if he started hearing them when he was younger, where he was still unable to walk and had to rely on his grandpa to move from one place to another. Or was it that time when he managed to escape one of his training and having to hide in one of the fishermen's boat.

He does remember this one time where he got depressed because his grandpa had to cancel his visit because of work problems. Don't get him wrong, he hates training, but he hates being alone more than anything. At least with grandpa, at the end of the day, he still gets to hug him and climb on his back when he gets too tired. During one of the rare moments, they would eat together and share a few laughs and stories that don't involve marines or pirates.

After hearing the news via letter, he excused himself from the Partys Bar and chose to walk along the shore to clear his mind. It was one of those quiet days where most of the fishermen didn't go to work and instead stayed with their families. So imagine his surprise when a voice called out to him. At first, he thought it was big sister Jenna calling out to him - probably gonna scold him about the butterscotch pie she baked earlier - but there was no one approaching him. He dismissed it as his imagination, but then the voice called out to him, louder this time.

Damn, why do you look so down little dude?

Now that he thought about it, it's not really a voice, it was more like a strong wind passing by, which was really weird because winds shouldn't be talking back to you. Fortunately, Luffy was anything but normal, as pointed out by the villagers.

It took him a while, but he soon discovered that the voice was coming from the ocean. At first, he was confused. His Grandpa never told him about the ocean talking, usually, he just throws him and a bunch of alligators he dragged from the jungle, in it to teach him how to swim. And by teaching, he means yelling at him to paddle faster while the alligators chased him.

He replied back, that's what Makino taught him. "No one wants to play with me. The adults are too busy, the elders are too tired, and the other kids don't want me to join their game."

...Wait, did you just hear me?

He titled his head in confusion. "Uh-huh, that's what you're supposed to do when someone's talking to you right?

For a minute, nothing happened. Luffy wondered if he was imagining it before a burst of water shot up from the ocean. He refused to acknowledge the fact that he squeaked as water grabbed him by his shoulders. I am not dreaming, right? You really heard me? Like voice and all?

"Yes- AHHHHHHHHHH!" Oh god, he was being lifted up higher. He would totally die if the ocean suddenly let go of him.

I can't believe this! Years! Years of having no one to talk to but my annoying siblings, someone finally heard me! KYAAAAAAAAAAAAAA.

"THAT'S GREAT AND ALL BUT CAN YOU LET ME DOWN?!"

Ah oops, sorry about that little guy. As if it realized it was holding something fragile, he was slowly placed down on the sand before the water retreated back. So, you're all alone then?

"Yeah." He put up a smile though; he wouldn't want his new friend to worry about him, lest they think he's too plain and boring. "But that's okay, I'm used to it!"

How about your Grandpa? Shouldn't he be back by now? He usually comes back every month.

"EHHHHHHHH! How did you know that?" He jumped in awe as stars formed in his eyes. "Are you a mind-reader? Or a fortune-teller? Neh, neh, do you think I'm gonna be an awesome pirate someday?"

He heard them giggle. Not a mind-reader nor a fortune-teller, little dude.

"Aww..." he pouted in disappointment. "What are you then?"

Slowly, the water receded before rising, standing a foot taller than Luffy. I'm part of the ocean. Specifically, the East Blue part - you can call me East by the way - I'm the youngest between my sisters and I.

"The entire ocean? How does that work?"

It's like the ocean is divided into different consciousness, I guess? The simple way I could explain this is that the ocean is kinda like our mother, and we're her children. We do sometimes report back to her everything that happens on our turf.

"Even things that happened a long, long, long time ago?"

Yup, every major event that occurred in the ocean, dating back to billion years ago.

"Woah, that's amazing. I wish I could be like you; the only thing I could remember was what I ate three weeks ago." He patted his stomach to calm his slightly rumbling tummy. "A billion years ago... you're really old then, like Grandpa old."

The water shook as if it was laughing. You could say that. After all, I am older than your grandpa even if I am the youngest ocean.

"Older than Grandpa?" Luffy furrowed his eyebrows. That doesn't sound right, someone older than Grandpa. That's just like saying there's food more delicious than meat. "I don't believe you."

Oh? But I am. In fact, I am older than anyone you know. When do you think you're Grandpa was born?

"I don't know... when the dinosaurs were born? I'm sure he rode one and ate another for dinner."

That sounds cool. Luffy nodded in agreement. Do you want to see something cooler? Another nod, this time with fervor.

The ocean let out a soft chuckle and Luffy's eyes widen in awe as they parted right in front of him, showing him a path leading deeper into the sea. He didn't hesitate in entering and looked around in amazement, giving special attention to the wall of water that prevents him from getting wet and separating him from the sea creatures that were swimming around, minding their own business.

One fish took notice of him and decided to give him a show by doing a backflip. Luffy clapped in delight and continued on with his journey.

So? A penny for your thoughts?

"It's like I'm in an aquarium!" Luffy exclaimed. "But…"

Hmmm?

"Why did you talk to me now? I mean, I've been swimming a lot in the ocean. Why didn't you call me out back then?"

I didn't even know you could talk to me, so I just decided to watch you from afar. I did help you out from time to time – remember the huge waves a couple of days ago?

"That was you?! You saved my butt back then. If it weren't for you, I would have been eaten for sure."

Besides, I can't exactly grow legs and go around talking to young children. That's for another race.

"Oooo, which kind?"

They talked for hours, switching for one topic to another, seeming to never run out of subjects to talk about. Before he knew it, the sun was beginning to set. As sad as he was about parting with East, they were reminded that they could talk the next day.

Catching a ride on their waves, he was safely delivered back to land. After waving goodbye and making promises, Makino came running, worried sick as she was looking for him all day.

After that stunt, Garp wasn't very happy with Luffy's behavior. As punishment, he had to swim in the ocean with dumbbells tied to his waist. Sure, he had East to help him out now, but he still had to carry most of the weight to avoid suspicion.

To say, Luffy was a little mad, but it only took one fish show from East to get him talking again.

.

At a small port, one year ago, a pirate ship landed there, brought by the east wind to a small peaceful village.

"I'm not joking this time! I've had enough! I'll prove for you all to see!"

And on the top of the bowsprit was a six year old boy holding a knife. How he got there? No one knows. The pirates of the ship snickered at the sight of the young boy, and eagerly awaited his next action.

Luffy, you know I'll support you all the way. East stated. And you know how much I love you.

"Yeah."

Just so you know that because I love you, I'm telling you right now that what you're doing is one of the most idiotic thing I am going to witness and that is saying something.

"Come on! How am I supposed to convince them to take me if I don't do this?"

Oh I don' know, pester them until they give in? It's better than what you're planning to do!

"Oi! What are you doing Luffy?" a red-haired pirate called out. He snickered under his breathe, already thinking of the possibilities that it'll will go wrong. "Well whatever, go for it! Let's see what you're gonna do!"

Another member of the pirate crew laughed. "Luffy is going to do something funny again."

Without a second to lose, Luffy grabbed the handle of the knife with both of his hands and then stabbed himself under his left eye.

The pirate crew stared in shock as blood spilled from his new wound. "Wha-"

"OUUUUCH!"

"I…idiot! What the hell are you doing?!" Shanks shouted as he scrambled to get Luffy before he fell into the ocean because he was an idiot.

"Owww," was the reply Luffy could provide him as he tried to stop the blood from spilling even more.

Benn Beckman, first mate of the crew, shook his head as his captain passed by him with Luffy under his arms. He was definitely bringing him to the clinic to get his eye checked.

He wasn't sure whether or not he was starting to go crazy because of Luffy's antics, but it felt like the ocean had slightly become stronger. It wasn't noticeable to a normal pirate, but an experienced one could notice the difference.

Blaming it at his old age and crazy youngsters, Benn followed his captain to stop him from covering Luffy in even more bandages.

Later at the Partys Bar, all pirates alike were drinking, eating, dancing, and some singing horribly, enough to earn them a punch at the back of their heads, courtesy of their own fellow crewmember. They encountered a couple of problems though, as bandits decided to grace them with their presence.

Sake dumping and laughing later, the bandits left them alone and Luffy could only pout in disappointment at Shanks.

Shanks chuckled as he lightly punched Luffy's shoulder. "Come on now, don't be like that. It was just a bottle of sake."

"Don't talk to me," Luffy grumbled. "I don't want to see you again, coward!"

"Luffy~ You're breaking my heart here!"

"You should've thought of that before you humiliated yourself! What kind of pirate or man laughs after getting picked on?! It doesn't matter if they have more people!"

"Look I know how you feel-" Shanks scratched the back of his head, "-but they weren't worth it. Trust me, giving the time of the day would be a waste."

Luffy stayed silent, still fuming in anger.

Shanks rubbed his chin as he started brainstorming. What do kids these days like anyway? Ninjas? Robots? Pirate is already a given. Hm…

Then it struck him. "If you stop ignoring me, I'll let you see the awesome weapons we got in the armory."

Luffy was quick to forget the anger he was harboring for shanks and whirled around to face him. His eyes were shining in the end, his jaw wide open. "Really? A forgotten city like that exist?" he asked as he tugged on Shanks sleeve repeatedly.

"Aight! I'm not ignoring you! Let me see those cool swords you kept boasting about! You better not be lying to me!"

"Anchor, do I look like I would lie to you?"

"You lied to me about Rockstar stealing my meat; Makino told me he cried and got himself drunk because I didn't talk to him for a day!"

"Yeah, and I got reprimanded by Benn too… he he." A flash of purple made him pause. "Luffy, what's that in your hands?"

Luffy looked down on the weird fruit that somehow got into his hands. It was round with a strange swirl design and it oddly looks tantalizing.

"I found it at the chest over there," he pointed with his free hand, landing on an unguarded open chest.

A tick appeared on Shanks' forehead as he grabbed the fruit from Luffy, prompting a 'hey' from him in response. "Oi Lucky Roo, what did I tell you about the devil fruits?!"

Lucky Roo lifted his head with a mouthful of bread. He forced himself to swallow it all before answering, "Uuuuhhhh… always keep it in a locked containment?"

"Right, so what do call this?" He gestured to the fruit.

"What the-" Lucky Roo whirled to the chest, "How did it get out?!"

"Roo, you're on cleaning duty for two weeks."

"That's not fair Captain! You're playing dirty!"

. . .

Dirty? Don't make us laugh. Do you think we're saints or something? The people standing in front of you are pirates.

The bandit growled at the memory. To think he was outmatched by a filthy pirate, killing all of his men in just a blink of an eye like a freak. He glared at the struggling boy he managed to take with him when he escaped.

The smoke bomb was useless they said. Pah! Who got the last laugh now?

"Shit! Sop moving." A hard punch to the head made him pause, but to no effect, the boy started to struggle again. "This is your fucking fault! If it weren't for you, I wouldn't be in this position!"

He couldn't wait to get a boat and drown this kid, he was starting to annoy him. Not like he wasn't annoying him before. That fucker… just wait, he'll recruit more men and then he'll realize he messed with the wrong person.

The boy has seemed to calm down. Heh, little shit finally realized he can't get out of this one. Must have accepted his fate already.

"East! East! Help me!" he shouted.

What kind of fuck is this kid on? Why is he shouting a random direction? No matter, he won't be screaming long, not if he-

Unbeknownst to him, East took this distraction to grab hold onto his ankles, and pulled him up. In shock, the bandit's hold on Luffy loosen, and Luffy managed to wiggle himself to freedom. The bandit could only scream as he was tossed around like a ragdoll before being thrown a hundred feet away from land.

The bandit would have landed safely, but he was unfortunate enough to be eaten by the sea king that settled near the village.

Luffy cheered. "Whoa East, that was amazing!"

East didn't respond, the water instantly dropped as if East wasn't there anymore. He was about to try and call them again, but an arm suddenly wrapped around his waist and he was swept off his feet. He was turned around by Shanks as he scanned him from head to toe.

"Anchor!" Ah, it was Shanks. He was sweating – did he run all the way to rescue him? "You're okay!"

"Of course I am!" Luffy puffed his chest. "I told you I was strong, strong enough to be a pirate."

Shanks stilled at his words as the rim of his hat covered his eyes. Luffy stared at him curiously as Shanks kneeled in front of him so the two of them were leveled. For the first time since he met the man, this is the first time Luffy ever saw him this quiet and serious.

"Luffy… listen to me. Don't say a word until I say so okay?" Luffy nodded. "The reason why I won't take you with me is that, the sea is an unpredictable mistress; she's not something we humans can control. What do you think would have happened if the bandit were to bring you to sea? You were beat up, and taken against your will. You saw the Sea King, you saw how he ate him."

"But-"

"But what? This is just the East Blue, the weakest sea there is. How do you think you would fair in the other blues? Or even in the Grand Line. You can't go out to sea… not until you're older and stronger."

It was good to give Luffy a reality check in order to remind him of the dangers he could encounter at sea – the countless faded scars on his body were evidences of that, especially the scars on his eyes that were a permanent reminder of his carelessness.

He wanted to refuse, to convince Shanks to take him already. But he knew deep in his heart that the older man was right. Luffy hang his head as he played with his fingers; he was weak but he just didn't want to acknowledge it.

He wanted to explore the world beyond Foosha Village, beyond East Blue. He was tired of the simple life he was living in Foosha – he wanted adventure, fun, and friends. He couldn't get them here, and it didn't hurt that Shanks keeps egging him on, teasing and outright bullying him.

Shanks sigh and stood up, his gaze momentarily shifting to gaze at the ever calm ocean. A normal person would have thought it to be just water, non-living, with its only purpose is to house the thousands of races and species of marine life.

Besides, how could he explain the body of water that helped Luffy from the bandit?

Shanks eyed Luffy, who was by then kicking the sand, a small frown adored his lips. Shaking his head, he offered his hand to the kid with Luffy accepting it with little hesitation.

He won't tell Luffy, he knows he won't like it if he were to just outright tell him. The energetic child was always all about the journey and never the end goal. So he withhold the information and lead Luffy away from the ocean and back to Partys Bar where everyone was waiting for them.

.

Shanks solemnly looked outside his window, his bottle of sake forgotten in his hands. It was nighttime, and most of his crew were already asleep and snoring like there was no tomorrow. They already left Foosha a while back, the island becoming smaller and smaller until it was no longer in sight.

He will admit that he got a little depress, since he couldn't make fun and hang out with Luffy anymore. He may be loud, but the boy was energetic and so darn cheerful that it was enough to light up the room. His crew were already attached to the little kid, no doubt that if Luffy were a little older, he would whole-heartedly accept him.

Earlier… it was so strange. He had heard stories from his former captain, when he was still kicking and terrorizing marines and pirates alike. He heard it all; tales, legends, epics, and ballads. Sometimes, the same story would come out of a bard and he would roll his eyes for the long night to come.

To think, the most ridiculous legend actually exist? Ha! His old captain would be rolling in his grave right now, threatening whatever holy deity up there to bring him back to life, just so he could meet Luffy.

He took a swig from his bottle and rubbed the excess liquid on his lips.

It seems like it's going to be interesting in future, if the missing hat on his head were an indication. He had already placed his bet on the new generation that will follow them.

Covered by the veil of darkness, the Red Haired Pirate continued sailing into the open sea, looking for new adventures and stuff to celebrate, just so they could drink again.

Huh, Luffy could totally be a Disney Princess. Hear me out: Can talk to animals; has magic hands (technically); one parent is dead or gone; poisoned at one point; people think problems are solved because of a big strong man.