Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Many, many years ago, a terrifying monster emerged from the shadows, destroying everything in its path. It was nothing but chaos and disaster. But amidst the darkness, a blinding light appeared majestically in the sky, illuminating almost everything around it.

The monster, enraged, launched a furious attack, but the mysterious light was undeterred. Instead, it began to transform, taking on a human form. A sword appeared in its hands, and as it uttered a few words, an immense power surrounded it. Without hesitation, it rushed toward the monster and severed its head.

With what seemed like a simple act of magic, the beast was defeated. However, this did not guarantee that it could never return. With that thought in mind, the mysterious hero divided both the monster’s power and body, sealing them within four boxes. To prevent them from falling into the wrong hands, the hero also divided his own power, granting it to four chosen individuals. From that moment on, these individuals would be considered gods and given the crucial role of establishing a kingdom and selecting a king to bless. Their descendants would inherit this divine blessing.

The kings bore the responsibility of protecting the boxes alongside the local god. And so, each god chose a land to establish their kingdom and select their king. Thus, every hundred years, the death of the monster and the birth of a new era were celebrated…

“And that is why we celebrate our victory every hundred years, marking the beginning of a new era for all.”

A man with black hair and a robust appearance lay on the bed, a book in his hand, surrounded by four children.

“And each of us has a role to fulfill, right, Father?”

“That’s right, Sabo. And you, Ace, will be the one to succeed me when you grow up.” The man chuckled softly, ruffling the boy’s hair.

“I’ll be the greatest warrior this nation has ever seen!” Ace declared enthusiastically.

“It’s hard to believe that Ace will lead the royal guard one day.” Another voice chimed in with a mischievous laugh.

“I could say the same about you, Luffy.” Ace retorted.

“Luffy as the leader is even worse than Ace.”

“Even you are bullying me, Zoro?” Ace said in a mock-crying tone.

“Alright, kids. It’s time for bed. It’s already too late for you to be up.”

“Okay.” They all replied in unison.

The boys left the room, heading to their respective quarters. Luffy and Zoro entered one room, while Ace and Sabo entered another.

“I wish I knew more about what happened after the kings were chosen and the kingdoms were formed.” Sabo mused.

“Well, maybe we’ll learn more when we’re older. You know how adults are with us.” Ace replied.

“You’re right. Let’s sleep. Tomorrow, we start training and studying.”

“Tsk. Why’d you have to remind me of that, Sabo?” Ace groaned.

“Imagine if I hadn’t said anything.” Sabo smirked, settling into bed. Ace did the same. “Goodnight, Ace.”

“Goodnight, Sabo.”

In the other room, Luffy and Zoro were also getting ready for bed.

“Your training starts tomorrow, doesn’t it, Zoro?”

“Yeah, but don’t worry. Once I’m done, I’ll play with you, okay?”

Luffy murmured a sleepy “yes,” and Zoro gave a small smile.

“I know what you want, but just for tonight, alright? Don’t get used to it.”

Luffy beamed and immediately jumped onto Zoro’s bed, snuggling close. Zoro soon joined him.

Luffy always loved sleeping while hugging someone, especially those he was fond of. Tonight, Zoro was his chosen victim. But he didn’t mind too much—he just wasn’t used to this kind of contact. Still, if it was for Luffy, he would do anything.

⸻

And so, another peaceful night passed in this kingdom, lovingly called East Blue. A land filled with all kinds of beings one could imagine. In this world, different races possess the ability to use spiritual manifestations. Every human, upon reaching a certain age, receives a Familiar, or as they are more commonly known, an Éidolon.

This world thrives with magical creatures and carries a medieval fantasy atmosphere. Angels and demons also exist, though they are not tied to any particular religion or belief. However, most people associate angels with the gods and the mysterious hero, while demons are linked to the monster that once wreaked havoc. Both races are incredibly rare, so no one can confirm the truth of these beliefs.

For now, all live in harmony within this kingdom. A true paradise. But where there is light, there is always darkness.

So, let’s venture beyond the boundaries of East Blue and into its shadowy counterpart.

This darkened region is home to those who oppose the king’s rule, always filled with suspicion and doubt. The people who dwell here are often small-minded individuals, already consumed by the darkness.

However, the true origin of this place lies with a gang whose sole purpose is to obtain the sealed boxes. And why? It is said that when all the boxes are gathered and a specific ritual is performed, the sealed powers can be turned into wishes.

In other words, if the ritual succeeds, the one who completes it will gain unlimited wishes.

Naturally, those obsessed with power flocked to this place. What was meant to remain a hidden organization gradually drew in people who either believed in its purpose or simply wished to abandon the kingdom. Over time, this settlement grew into a village—one that, for now, we shall call Umbra.

But this is only a small glimpse of what is to come in the unfolding story.

Chapter Text

That morning, Luffy woke up to find Zoro missing. He panicked for a brief moment but then remembered that today was Zoro’s training day. Before Luffy could do anything, Sabo entered the room, telling him to get ready because they would be studying soon.

The mention of studying dampened Luffy’s mood. He wasn’t the type to study willingly—Sabo was the one who always made him do it. On top of that, he was starving, but he couldn’t eat yet. In the kingdom, it was customary to wait an hour after waking up before having a meal. Why? Luffy had no idea. All that mattered to him was getting through that hour as quickly as possible so he could finally eat.

Trying to lift Luffy’s spirits, Sabo said, “Since Ace and Zoro are training their bodies, we’ll be training our minds!”

Luffy didn’t have much of a choice, so he reluctantly accepted. At least this way, time would pass faster, and soon it would be time to eat—and for Zoro to play with him.

After finishing his morning routine, Luffy followed Sabo to the study room, also known as the library.

The moment they arrived, Sabo eagerly started devouring books, most of them about the kingdom’s ancient history. Ever since his father had told him that tale, he had become obsessed with learning more about what happened after the story of the cursed boxes. He had so many questions—he was beyond excited.

Meanwhile, Luffy wished time would move faster so he could go play. Leaning against the table, he watched his brother with mild horror, as if Sabo was about to overdose on excitement. Bored, Luffy decided to explore the library.

But it didn’t help much—books, books, and more books. He got bored quickly. Then, he spotted an opportunity to sneak out without Sabo noticing.

Slipping out of the library, Luffy wandered through the mansion. Even though he already knew his way around, he still liked watching the staff go about their duties. He decided to take the chance to visit Zoro and Ace—surely they were doing something way more interesting than studying. With that in mind, he set off to find them.

Meanwhile, Zoro and Ace were training with wooden swords in the open field behind the mansion, where the guards and house officers practiced.

“Let’s take a break!” said the guard overseeing their training. “And Ace, you need to return to your studies with Sabo.”

“It was too good to be true,” Ace grumbled.

“Relax, Ace. The faster you get it done, the sooner you’re free,” Zoro said, patting him on the back.

“Thanks, I guess? Well, I’m off. The sooner I go, the sooner I finish. See you later, Zoro. And take care of Luffy!” Ace called out as he ran off.

Oh, right. Zoro had forgotten that he had promised Luffy he’d play with him after training. He let out a small, tired sigh. Don’t get him wrong—he loved Luffy and enjoyed playing with him. But Zoro had his limits. And Luffy? Luffy didn’t know what limits were. Still, Zoro was the type to keep his promises, even if it meant playing with Luffy until nightfall.

“Zoro!” Speak of the devil. Luffy came sprinting toward him, frantically waving his arms—his hands smeared with… chocolate?

“Help me!”

A moment later, a small figure appeared in the distance, chasing after him—one of the kitchen maids. Zoro immediately realized who it was and widened his eyes in alarm.

“Luffy, I’m going to kill you!” the furious maid shouted as she ran after him.

“Sorry, Nami, but the cake was just so good!” Luffy kept running, getting closer to Zoro, who was now silently begging him not to come any closer.

“You idiot! Of all the people to mess with, you had to pick her? She’s worse than a demon!” Zoro hissed, already stepping back as Nami’s enraged glare locked onto him.

“Who are you calling a demon?!” she yelled, picking up speed.

Both boys screamed and took off running, trying to escape. But Luffy, in his usual clumsiness, tripped, bringing Zoro down with him.

As they lay sprawled on the ground, Nami loomed over them, a wicked smile on her face.

Now, both Luffy and Zoro sat in the kitchen, covered in bruises—courtesy of Nami.

And where was she? She had threatened them. If they dared tell anyone she was the one who beat them up, she would reveal every bit of trouble they had ever caused in the mansion. So, they made up an excuse, claiming they had simply fallen. Of course, the other maids didn’t believe them, but they let it slide.

“You guys really need to stop picking fights with Nami,” said a petite maid as she treated their injuries.

“You should be saying that to Luffy, not me,” Zoro grumbled.

“But the cake was so delicious! It was calling for me to eat it,” Luffy said, drooling at the memory.

The girl chuckled. “Then try not to do it in front of her… or anyone in the kitchen, for that matter.”

“It’s pointless, Nojiko. He never listens to anyone,” a familiar voice chimed in.

“Ace!” Luffy immediately ran over to him.

“What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be studying with Sabo?” Zoro asked.

“W-Well, we got a break, and… I came here for a snack,” Ace admitted, looking nervous and sweating slightly.

“Hmm. Sure,” Zoro said, clearly unconvinced.

“Well, it’s breakfast time anyway,” Nojiko commented. “You guys can go now—we’ll bring your food soon.” She quickly ushered them out.

“As delicate as ever, huh, Nojiko?” Ace teased.

“If you wanted someone more ‘delicate’ to kick you out, Nami would have been the perfect choice,” she shot back.

The boys hurried toward the dining hall.

But on the way, they ran into Sabo.

His expression was anything but friendly.

That was all the reason they needed to run for their lives.

Once they reached the grand hall where the mansion’s family dined, the boys rushed to their respective seats. A few minutes later, the head of the house arrived and sat near them.

It didn’t take long for the maids to bring out the food, filling the table with delicious dishes.

The boys, along with the older man, gave thanks and began to eat. While Sabo and Zoro ate with perfect manners, Ace and Luffy devoured their food as if it were their last meal.

The older man at the head of the table chuckled, amused by their behavior.

“Boys, don’t you think you should eat in a slightly less aggressive manner?”

“Look who’s talking, Dad! You’re even worse than them,” Sabo said, which made the older man burst into laughter.

“Oh, you think so?… Luffy, Ace, let’s bet on who finishes first!”

“Let’s do it!” they said in unison, and Sabo looked at them with disdain. Zoro was amused by the whole situation.

“Zoro! Don’t laugh, help me with them!”

“Let them be, Sabo. You, of all people, should know that there’s no point in arguing with them.”

Sabo didn’t say anything else. He didn’t want to admit it, but Zoro was right—once they got an idea in their heads, no one could change their minds.

⸻

The rest of the day went on as usual. Sabo continued studying in the library, while Zoro and Luffy were playing—or rather, causing trouble—around the mansion. Ace, on the other hand, spent time with his father.

Everything was peaceful until nightfall. When it was time to get ready for bed, the head of the house called them to his quarters, and the four of them went without hesitation.

When they arrived, they saw their father sitting in bed, waiting for them to lie down with him. Once they were all settled, the man began to speak.

“My dear children, you know that everything I do is for the good of our family.” They all nodded. “I am preparing you for the future because, even though our family is known for living longer than others, we still have our limits.”

“So… you’re going to die?!” Luffy asked in a panic.

“Yes, but not now, of course.” He chuckled, running his fingers through the boy’s hair to comfort him. “I still want to see you all grow up strong and without worries. That’s why I ask you to always take care of our legacy and look after each other, no matter what happens. Do you promise me that?”

“We promise!” they said in unison.

“Very good, my little ones! Now, let’s get some sleep. We have a big day tomorrow.”

“What’s happening tomorrow? Everyone seemed a bit restless today,” Sabo asked.

“Have you forgotten, Sabo? Tomorrow, you will go to the temple to summon your soul and spirit, which means…” He paused, letting the others continue.

“We’ll finally get our Éidolons!” Ace and Sabo exclaimed together.

“A what?” Zoro was completely lost.

“An Éidolon,” Sabo explained. “Every child who turns ten goes to the temple to summon their soul, which appears in the form of an animal. At least, that’s what I know.”

“So, the three of us are going?”

“Yes, since we’re all ten now,” Ace pointed out as they left the bed, with Zoro carrying a completely unconscious Luffy with him.

“Good night, Dad!” they all said together and headed to their rooms.

“Good night, my children.” He placed a kiss on each of their foreheads.

Now alone in the room, his expression darkened. He suddenly started coughing violently, covering his mouth with his hand to muffle the sound. When he pulled it away, his palm was stained with blood.

“It looks like my time is running out faster than I thought,” he muttered with a melancholic smile. “I just need to hold on a little longer… at least until they’re grown and strong.” He adjusted himself in bed.

“Or until this lie lasts a little longer.”

Meanwhile, the boys were in their rooms. Ace and Sabo were filled with excitement for the next day, while Zoro struggled to put Luffy in bed—only for the boy to end up sprawled out, one leg pointing south and the other north. He wondered when Luffy had become such a deep sleeper.

Zoro didn’t even bother fixing his position. He simply left him there and went straight to his own bed.

Tomorrow was going to be an interesting day.

When the sun was rising, the entire household was already awake. The older boys were eager to see what their Éidolons would be like—especially Sabo, who was so anxious that he couldn’t contain himself and had already dived into books about the subject. He had been reading since breakfast and continued until the moment they were set to leave.

The plan was for just the three of them to go with their father, but Luffy didn’t want to be left behind. After much insistence, he was sitting alongside his brothers in the carriage that was taking them to the temple in the kingdom’s capital.

During the journey, their father explained what to expect when they arrived and mentioned an old friend who would take care of them.

The trip took two hours to reach their destination. Luffy was growing restless in his comfortable seat, struggling to stay still for so long. The other boys felt the same, though for different reasons.

When they finally stepped out of the carriage, they took a moment to properly admire the place, enchanted by the temple’s grandeur. White statues of animals adorned the stair railings, and the entire temple was painted a pristine white.

Their father snapped them out of their awe and guided them inside. As they got closer, they felt lighter, as if their spirits were being washed in a relaxing bath. Upon entering, they saw a man who appeared to be in charge of the temple, standing next to a young girl who seemed a little older than the three boys. She had dark hair, blue eyes, and held a book in her hands, smiling politely at them.

“Welcome to the sacred temple, Tessáron Phylákon. My name is Clover, and I am responsible for overseeing the temple and conducting the rituals to summon your Éidolons,” the man introduced himself. “So, which of you young men will be undergoing the ritual today?” he asked kindly.

“It’s these three!” their father said, gently nudging them forward. “Introduce yourselves, boys.”

“My name is Sabo, sir.”

“I’m Ace,” he said without hesitation.

“And I’m Zoro,” Zoro said directly.

The man chuckled. “I trust you’ll take good care of them, Master Clover,” their father said, ruffling their hair affectionately.

“They are in good hands. Shall we, boys?” Clover called, and they promptly followed him, leaving their father and Luffy behind.

“Luffy, I have to attend an important meeting now. You’ll have to stay here,” the older man informed him.

Luffy glanced at him quickly. “But there’s nothing for me to do here! Let me go with you, please! I promise I’ll behave,” he pleaded.

“I know you better than I know myself, Luffy. You’ll stay here under Clover’s care,” he said firmly. Luffy pouted, crossing his arms.

“You can stay with me,” the girl beside Clover spoke up. “I can show you interesting things in the temple.”

That caught Luffy’s attention instantly.

“Thank you, little one. He’s a bit mischievous, but he’s a good boy. Take good care of him,” the man said with a smile before turning to leave.

“Yes, sir,” she replied politely, watching as he exited the temple. Then, she turned to Luffy. “Your name is Luffy, right?”

“Yeah! And you?” he asked, eyes full of curiosity and excitement, eager to start whatever fun things she had in mind.

“My name is Robin,” she said gently, taking his hand. “Come on, I’ll show you all the cool things in the temple.”

Luffy eagerly nodded and followed her, thrilled to explore.

It was going to be a fun afternoon.

/…/__

After leaving the temple, the man entered his carriage and instructed the coachman to take him to his next destination.

The man sighed tiredly, already imagining how exhausting it would be to go to that meeting, but he was forced to attend because it contained important information of his interest, and also the cook who made the best sweets in the entire kingdom would be there, something he wouldn’t miss.

Arriving at his destination, the man got out of his carriage and made his way to the large mansion in front of him. He sighed before approaching the door and knocking on it, which was soon opened by a butler who had been expecting his visit. The butler guided the man to a room that was likely where the meeting would take place. The butler opened the door, revealing a comfortable and welcoming room, along with a man with slightly grayish blond hair whom the other knew very well.

“Rayleigh!” he greeted as he walked toward the man sitting.

“Garp! Glad you came.” the other greeted with a handshake, followed by a hug.

“ I wasn’t going to miss the sweets your cook makes. “they both laughed as they made their way to the sofa in the middle of the room. They sat down, and Garp got straight to the point.

–“My time is coming, Rayleigh.”

The atmosphere in the room completely shifted. A maid appeared with a tray carrying two cups and a plate full of cookies. Garp quickly grabbed a cookie and savored the wonderful taste he was feeling.

“So you’re just dumping more work on me, huh? “The man said sarcastically, smiling as he took the cup and drank from it. “How much time is left?”

“Five years “ he replied briefly.

“Have you told the boys? “ Rayleigh noticed Garp’s expression falter. That already answered him.

“Look, Garp, I know you care a lot about the boys, but someday you’ll have to tell them the truth, because depending on what happens in the future, it might be the last chance.” Rayleigh said with a serious expression.

Garp sighed; he knew very well, but fear kept him from doing it.

“When Luffy gets his Éidolon, I’ll tell them.” Garp grabbed more cookies.

“I tell you not to delay, and now you tell me you’re going to tell them after two years” Rayleigh said in disbelief. And Garp burst out laughing.

“My instincts tell me I won’t die now, not until I see that my boys are okay.”

“You can’t just rely on your instincts, but rather on the care you’ll take until that day comes.”

Garp only laughed and went back to eating his cookies. Rayleigh sighed deeply; even though that man had the luck of a God, it didn’t mean he couldn’t die at any moment, especially because of the reason that was slowly killing him.

You see, Garp at his peak was the strongest warrior of all, especially in times of war, and since Garp took leadership in the cavalry, the occurrence of wars became almost nonexistent. Since then, the people started calling him Garp the Hero, he received the full support of the king, and became a respected man throughout the kingdom.

Rayleigh met Garp during those times of war and battles where they had to work together for the victory of their kingdom. At first, they didn’t get along, it was a struggle to agree on the same things and ideas, especially combat strategies, but in the end, it always worked out (somehow), and this made them the best leaders in those times of war.

But everything changed after that tragic day.

It wasn’t the time to dwell on the past; there were more important things to worry about now.

After the conversation about Garp’s situation, they moved on to other topics, mainly matters of administration and potential wars that might happen, although the expectations were almost zero.

But it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

_/…./

Robin was giving Luffy a tour of almost the entire temple, and the little one was loving it, but he knew it wouldn’t last much longer. Besides almost finishing the ritual with the brothers, Robin didn’t have any more places to show Luffy, and he was starting to get bored.

But Robin had an idea. She asked the little one to follow, and she led them to a door that, when opened, made Luffy’s eyes widen. The place was filled with children and their Éidolons.

“This is the Harmony room, or as the elders call it, Chambre de I’Harmonie.” The boy was amazed by so many Éidolons together. Noticing this, Robin asked, “Luffy, have you ever seen an Éidolon up close?” The little one gave a thoughtful look.

“Only from afar, but they never let me get close, and most of the servants there hide their Éidolons. I’ve never seen my father’s either.” the little one says, pouting. Robin chuckles.

“I can show you mine.” she smiles gently, and the boy’s eyes light up.

Robin whistles, and a bird appears flying above them before landing on Robin’s outstretched arm.

“Wow! What kind of bird is it?” he says enthusiastically, petting the bird’s feathers.

“It’s an owl, and it represents intelligence and wisdom. That’s why it’s classified as a Wisdom and Knowledge Éidolon.”

“What do you mean by classification? Isn’t it just a cool animal that you like?” he asks.

“No” Robin laughs. “Éidolons are classified into 8 functions: we have Battle Éidolons, Medicine, Knowledge, Espionage, Communication, Exploration, and the rarest ones, Elementals. There are also Mythical ones, but they’ve never been seen, so we only have classifications up to Elementals. But it all depends on the characteristics of its bearer.”She explains, though the other isn’t very excited by this new information.

“Does it fly fast?” he asks, his eyes sparkling. The girl laughs, understanding the boy’s preferences.

“Yes, it does! There are also different species of owls, mine is a Snowy Owl, and it’s quite fast, especially when hunting.” Robin signals for the bird to fly quickly around them.

Luffy is amazed at how fast and graceful the bird flies above them.

Once the owl lands back on Robin’s arm, Clover arrives with the three brothers.

“This is an area where you can meet your Éidolon, learn about its abilities, and most importantly, form bonds. But since you won’t be staying here long, I recommend you do this when you get home.” Clover explains, smiling gently at the three, though only one of them is paying close attention.

“Ace! Sabo! Zoro! Are you done?” the energetic child runs towards the three, jumping on them and hugging them tightly.

“Luffy, we can’t breathe” Ace says, panting as he tries futilely to catch his breath.

Luffy giggles and lets go of the three, who sigh in relief, desperately trying to breathe as much oxygen as they can.

“You took too long! I was getting bored, but then Robin showed me her Éidolon, and it was so cool! It’s an owl, and it flies super fast.” the little one says frantically, moving his hands as if mimicking the bird flying. Soon, the girl from the topic appears next to the little one.

“I believe we didn’t have the chance to introduce ourselves, I’m Robin, nice to meet you.” She greets the three politely, smiling gently.

“A-Ah, right, I’m Sabo” he smiles shyly “And these are Ace and Zoro.” he introduces the other two. “And the pleasure is all ours.”

A second later, a Clover assistant appears announcing Garp’s arrival. The four boys cheer up and follow the assistant along with Clover and Robin to the place where they last left Garp.

“Dad!” the boys run toward the man, who smiles broadly and opens his arms to hug them.

“I’m back, my children!” the man lifts them up while still hugging and squeezing them.

“Dad’s hugs are even worse than Luffy’s.” Zoro comments between gasps, and soon after, they hear Garp laughing loudly.

“Looks like I’ll have to increase my hugs then.“ he says in a playful tone, and the other kids look at him horrified.

“It was good while it lasted, my brothers, now we’re off to a better place.” Ace says, smiling with his eyes closed, as if accepting his fate. Then the man loosens his hug and lets go of the boys, who gasp for air, almost desperately.

“Thank you for taking care of them, Clover.” Garp smiles, and Clover returns the smile as they all head out of the temple.

“Remember, boys, you need to create a bond with your Éidolon. When you release it, you need to be alone and in a place where you feel comfortable. And you, Garp, will help them.”she says in an authoritative tone.

“Yes, yes, don’t worry, I’ll help them. Thanks, Clover!” Garp exits the temple with the four kids, heading for the waiting carriage.

But before that, Luffy shouts to where Robin is, which isn’t too far.

“Bye, Robin! Bye, Aureus! I had so much fun playing with you guys.” Robin was momentarily startled, but then gave a big smile.

“Come visit us more often, Luffy, and when you get your Éidolon, we can play a lot.” She waved goodbye to the energetic boy, who smiled and waved back before getting into the carriage.

Clover and Robin stayed outside until the carriage disappeared from sight. Clover looked at Robin and asked her something that had been bothering him.

“What happened earlier when you got scared? It’s not like you to get startled so easily.” Robin was surprised that he had noticed.

“It’s nothing too serious, but when Luffy was saying goodbye, he said Aureus’ name.” The girl paused, as if thinking about what to say.

“And what’s the problem?” Clover, seeing the girl’s hesitation, encouraged her to continue.

“It’s just that… I don’t remember saying his name, and it wasn’t the second name, it was the first one.” Clover made a confused expression. It was a bit hard to understand the situation he had just heard, but he trusted Robin and knew she wouldn’t lie or joke about such matters. Especially when it concerns the first name of her Éidolon, which is considered sacred.

“I’ll talk to Garp about this. And maybe…“ Clover let his thoughts wander through a multitude of theories and studies related to what his apprentice had just told him. Maybe Luffy and his brothers had something that in all his years of study had never been discovered.

Since he began the ritual, Clover had felt that there was something different about the brothers. But he hadn’t imagined they would be connected to something like this. Now, Clover was excited to start his research.

“Mister Clover!” Robin said loudly, snapping the man out of his thoughts.

“Sorry, Robin. Looks like I’ll have to do some research on these brothers.”

“It’s okay, I’m a little interested too.” They both smiled and entered the temple.

Perched on the sculptures of the temple was a raven with white feathers and a black beak. After Robin and Clover entered, the bird flew off, following a path only it knew.

Not far away, the bird landed on the shoulder of a man sitting at a table in a café in the capital, sipping a drink from his cup. With a top hat on the table and a cane by his side, the man with pale features and lips red as blood smiled almost psychotically.

“Teach might like what we found here, Specter.” The bird cawed in agreement.

Perhaps the hidden shadows will appear faster than we imagined.

Chapter Text

When Sabo, Ace, and Zoro arrived at the mansion, they wasted no time heading to their respective rooms to awaken their Éidolons.

Sabo went to the library, Ace to the training grounds, and Zoro to his own room—after, of course, kicking Luffy out.

When Clover performed the ritual, he had given each of them a gemstone, explaining that their familiars were sealed inside. He told them they could release their Éidolon whenever they felt ready. The gemstone could also serve as a vessel if they wished.

Now, the moment had come. Sabo was the first to act, unable to contain his excitement at discovering what kind of creature his familiar would be.

He recalled Clover’s instructions: To release your familiar, add a drop of your own blood to the gemstone and speak its true name.

Sabo retrieved a vial of his own blood and let a single drop fall onto the gemstone. The moment the blood made contact, the entire room shifted—time itself seemed to halt. The only things that remained “alive” were Sabo and the gemstone in his hands.

The blonde took a shaky breath but steadied himself. Then, with unwavering resolve, he declared:

“I summon you, Pyrodrax! I am Sabo, and I am your bearer!”

The air around him shuddered. The gemstone pulsed, and in an instant, the world snapped back to normal. But Sabo was no longer alone.

There, amidst the towering bookshelves, stood a magnificent creature.

A dragon.

Its scales shimmered with an ethereal blue glow, its body massive despite its clear youth.

Sabo’s eyes widened in awe. “A dragon…! Could it be an Elemental-class Éidolon?” He had only ever heard of dragons in myths and legends—never in reality. But this… this was real.

His mind raced until a memory surfaced—his father had once spoken of a Mythic classification. That seemed like the most likely answer.

“Ah! I need to give you a second name.” Sabo pondered for a moment before deciding. “How about… Draco?”

The dragon let out a low, approving growl.

“Perfect,” Sabo grinned. “They say the first name strengthens the bond between Éidolon and bearer. But if someone other than the bearer speaks it… the bond can weaken. Even break.”

Sabo took cautious steps forward. Mythic-class familiars were rare, and he had no idea what to expect.

But the distance was closed in an instant—the dragon lunged at him, knocking him onto the floor and nuzzling his face, licking his cheeks with an unexpected warmth.

“Hey! That tickles!” Sabo laughed, struggling under the affectionate assault.

A voice interrupted from the doorway.

“So, everything worked out.”

Sabo turned to see Garp, arms crossed. The man had been watching the whole time.

“Wait… you were standing there the entire time?” Sabo raised an eyebrow.

“N-No. Of course not. What makes you think that?” Garp was a terrible liar.

Sabo let it slide. “What about Ace and Zoro? Did they succeed?”

Garp sighed. “I checked on them before coming here. They’re struggling.”

Sabo wasn’t surprised. He had been the only one who actually listened to Clover’s instructions.

“They’ll figure it out,” he said dismissively.

They made their way to Zoro’s room, stopping just outside the door.

Inside, Zoro hadn’t even started.

“Damn it… I should have paid attention to what that old man said,” he muttered, rubbing the back of his head.

From outside, Sabo’s voice called out. “Try adding a drop of your blood to the gemstone!”

“WHAT THE HELL?! What are you doing outside my room?!” Zoro shouted back.

“I already finished mine,” Sabo said smugly.

“You son of a—”

“Enough of that!” Garp’s voice cut through the bickering. “Just do what Sabo said! It’ll work!” Then, turning to Sabo, he added, “Come on, let’s give him some space.”

Alone now, Zoro exhaled in frustration. He hated being ordered around.

But if his father said to follow Sabo’s lead… maybe it was the right move.

Lacking a vial of blood like Sabo, Zoro bit into his thumb until he drew blood, then let it drip onto the gemstone.

The instant his blood made contact, a violent gust of wind exploded through the room.

Zoro shielded his eyes as the wind howled like a wild beast, clawing at everything in its path.

But he stood his ground. He would not falter.

He straightened his posture, his resolve sharper than any blade. And then, just as his father had instructed, he spoke.

“If you think this little breeze scares me, you’re dead wrong! I am Zoro! And you will be my Éidolon—Raiviger!”

The wind howled one last time—then softened into a gentle breeze. The gemstone’s light flared, forcing Zoro to shut his eyes.

When he opened them again, something new stood before him.

A tiger.

A small one.

Zoro frowned. “A tiger… but it’s too small.”

The tiger growled in defiance.

“That’s because it’s a cub,” a voice chuckled from behind.

Zoro jumped. “Damn it, stop doing that!” He scowled at Garp. “And I am NOT a cub! He is!”

The tiger suddenly pounced on Zoro, licking his face furiously.

“Hey—quit it!”

Garp laughed. “Have you picked a second name?”

“…A second name?” Zoro looked confused.

Garp sighed. “Yes, Zoro. Every Éidolon needs a second name for public use. If anyone other than you speaks its true name, your bond could break.”

“Tch. Fine.” Zoro scratched his head. “I already had a hard enough time picking the first name… now I have to come up with another?” He studied the tiger. “Hmmm… how about… Tora?”

The tiger gave a curt nod of approval.

Suddenly, Zoro noticed something.

“Wait. Where’s Sabo?”

“He’s with Ace,” Garp said with an uneasy smile.

“…He’s struggling worse than me, isn’t he?”

Garp hesitated. “Let’s just say… he’s having some difficulties.”

They headed to the training grounds—only to find Sabo and Luffy hiding behind a stone pillar.

“…What the hell?” Zoro muttered.

Then, they saw it.

A raging inferno surrounded the training grounds, flames twisting into a firestorm.

“What the hell happened?!” Garp demanded.

Luffy clung to his father, trembling.

Sabo raised his hands defensively. “I—I don’t know! Ace was struggling, so I just helped him the same way I helped Zoro!”

“…And that resulted in a fire tornado?!” Zoro asked, incredulous.

“I don’t know!” Sabo yelled back.

Garp’s face darkened. “If this takes any longer, I’ll go in there myself.”

“The hell you will!” Sabo shot back. “That fire would burn you alive!”

“I don’t want Papa to die,” Luffy whimpered, his grip tightening.

“I won’t die. Not now.” Garp reassured him, but his words were a warning to the others as well. “But I won’t stand by if my son is in danger.”

“…Promise us you’ll be okay?” Zoro asked.

“I promise.”

In the midst of the fiery whirlwind, Ace seemed to be conversing with something—or someone.

“Is everything you told me true?” Ace asked, his face filled with astonishment, uncertain of what he had just witnessed.

“Don’t worry, everything I told you is true,” the mysterious figure grinned maliciously. “I wouldn’t have any reason to lie to you about this. I just wanted to do some good by telling someone who’s involved in this… lie.” The figure whispered the last part into Ace’s ear, sending a shiver of discomfort through him. Just as Ace was about to speak further, the mysterious figure vanished, leaving him with doubts and turmoil.

Not wanting to linger any longer, Ace began the summoning.

“I am Ace! And you will be the familiar! Come, and be my Éidolon Ingnisrex!” All the fire from the whirlwind was sucked into the jewel, which cracked and split in two.

“What?” Ace whispered, disbelieving. What could have happened? Was it the presentation? Was the blood not enough? Or—

“Ace! Are you alright?” Sabo asked, running over, followed by Luffy and Zoro.

“Yeah… I think so,” Ace replied, confused.

“What happened? Where’s your Éidolon?” Zoro asked, his voice also filled with concern.

“I don’t know. The jewel absorbed all the fire, and then it broke,” Ace said, still bewildered.

“How could it break? A jewel like that should never break,” Sabo remarked, equally confused.

“It broke by breaking! I don’t know what the hell happened, so don’t ask me any tough questions about it!” Ace snapped, his anger rising. But why? He wondered. Maybe it was because of that man who had interrupted him with nonsense about… a lie.

“Ace, why are you acting like this?” Luffy asked. But Ace ignored him, too busy listening to the voices in his head.

“What’s going on here?” Garp approached, seeing the strange situation between his sons from a distance.

“Can you just leave me alone?” Ace exploded, raising his voice to speak to his father.

“Is that how you speak to your father?” Garp said authoritatively, but without raising his voice the way Ace had.

“You’re not my father! In fact, you’re not our father. We’re not even blood brothers,” the world seemed to stop. For the three brothers, it was as if a “what do you mean?” or “this can’t be true, why would Ace say this?” passed through their minds. And in Garp’s mind, there was a whirlwind of thoughts: “How does he know?” “How did he find out?” “Who told him?”

“Why are you saying these things, Ace?” Luffy asked tearfully. He didn’t like fighting. He didn’t like the tension that was building. It felt suffocating, and now it was even worse after Ace had said their father wasn’t really their father.

“Because it’s the truth!” Ace shouted. “He’s lied to us all these years, saying he was our father!”

“Father, tell me Ace is lying,” Zoro said, his voice breaking, his throat aching from holding back tears.

“Father! Say something!” Sabo also held back tears, but a few stubborn ones rolled down his cheeks. Luffy wasn’t holding back anymore.

“Let’s go inside. I’ll talk to you all,” Garp said in a voice devoid of emotion. The boys were shocked, even Ace. They were used to Garp’s loud, cheerful voice, not one like this.

“ If we’re going to solve something, let’s solve it here!” Ace confronted. But Garp still kept his serious face and lifeless voice.

“But it’s going to rain soon, and you might get sick. I don’t want to see you all getting sick. “ He pointed at the sky, showing the dark clouds starting to gather, ready to release the rain.

Ace silently agreed and followed Garp, who was leading them back into the mansion. Sabo was holding Luffy’s hand, as the boy couldn’t see due to the tears that kept appearing in his eyes.

It didn’t take long for them to enter a meeting room that Garp used to receive important guests. The boys sat on a sofa, and Garp sat on another, facing them.

“Now you can talk. “ Ace said, in a bad mood. The other three looked at Garp, hoping everything Ace said was a lie.

Garp sighed tiredly.

“ I never thought this conversation would come up so soon. “

“So it’s really true? You’re not really our father?” Sabo said, his voice choking.

“Yes, I’m not your biological father.” He declared, his voice sad, but his posture didn’t waver.

The boys remained silent, shocked. How could it be that the man they loved so much wasn’t their real father? Who were their real parents? Where were they? These and many other questions swirled in their minds.

“So if you’re not our father, what are you to us?” Sabo, still in shock from the previous revelations, still wanted to know why Garp had kept this information hidden from them.

“Just an old man who found three orphaned children in a war that was being fought with another nation. Out of pity, he decided to take care of them, but they were so traumatized that they wouldn’t even eat. So the old man decided it would be better to erase that bad memory, but to do that, he had to sacrifice something important to gain something else, and without thinking twice, he accepted. And now the boys are fine, and the old man is suffering the consequences of his actions.” Garp said, closing his eyes in shame, sparing the details of what had happened. He didn’t want the boys to suffer even more because of his past.

The boys listened to every piece of information carefully, but it still hadn’t sunk in that the man who took care of them was a stranger.

Sabo, concerned about how Luffy was handling all this information, looked toward the place where the boy was sitting.

But he wasn’t there.

“Where’s Luffy!?” Sabo exclaimed in concern. Everyone in the room began looking around for the boy, who was nowhere to be seen.

“I’ll go look for him!” Ace said determinedly, running out of the room. Zoro and Sabo were about to follow, but Garp stopped them.

You’ll stay here in case Luffy returns. I’ll go after Ace.” He spoke in an authoritative tone.

The boys didn’t argue. Their concern for Luffy was greater than questioning Garp’s orders. But it would be a lie to say they agreed with just staying in the room while they could be helping with the search.

By this time, Garp had already gone after Ace. Sabo and Zoro looked at each other, understanding the train of thought, and left the room.

\……/

Luffy ran aimlessly toward the forest near the mansion. He couldn’t take it anymore, hearing the lies and hidden truths of someone he loved so much. He felt betrayed, so he decided to leave the suffocating room and ran until he was far enough away.

He only stopped running when his body began to show signs of exhaustion. The boy stopped near a tree, panting and covered in cold sweat.

Everything had been going so well.

“Why did that have to happen? “ he muttered to himself, sitting down and curling into a fetal position.

The wind gave signs that a strong storm was coming, but Luffy didn’t care about that.

“Well, what’s a little boy doing here alone in this forest? “ A pale man with a top hat and a red cane appeared, startling the boy.

“Who are you?” Luffy asked, sniffing.

“Me? My name is Laffitte. At your service. – He bowed. “And you, young one? “

“Luffy. “

“Luffy, hmm. You seem to have been through some trouble. “ Laffitte began approaching slowly. Luffy wasn’t paying much attention.

“ I found out my father isn’t really my father. “ The boy, who had a sad expression, was now angry, though he still had some tears streaming down his face.

“That’s really complicated, huh. “The man was now very close to Luffy. A few drops of water had started to fall on them. “ A storm’s about to fall. Why don’t you come with me to take shelter? I believe you don’t want to go back home, right? “ He offered with a malicious smile. Luffy found it a bit strange but ignored it and accepted the offer, getting up.

“Alright, but if you do anything weird, I’ll kick your butt. “ He threatened.

The man smiled.

“Don’t worry, I won’t do anything to bother you.”

As they were about to leave, they heard shouts calling for the boy.

“ Luffy! “ Ace was running almost out of breath. Knowing Luffy, he figured he would run to the forest. When he saw the boy going with the strange man, panic took over his body.

“ Ace!? “ The boy tried to go to the older one, but the man grabbed his arm, preventing Luffy from going to Ace.

“ Hey! What are you doing? You said you wouldn’t do anything strange! “ Luffy tried to break free from Laffitte’s cold grip, but the man didn’t flinch at all.

“I’m not doing anything strange, I’m just taking us to a safe place away from the rain.”Laffitte smiled eerily in Luffy’s eyes, and once again, the boy struggled to get free.

“Hey! Let go of my brother! “ Ace, with a clear vision of what was happening, ran toward the man. It didn’t matter that the man was twice his size; no one was going to mess with his precious brother. Even if he wasn’t his blood brother.

“Unfortunately, I’m already on my way, young man, so we don’t have time to talk. “A black mist appeared around the man and Luffy. Laffitte grabbed the boy and carried him with some difficulty, as Luffy was squirming a lot. Ace ran desperately, and it seemed that the closer he got, the longer the path became.

The expression of anguish and guilt dominated his face. Maybe if he hadn’t listened to that person, or whoever or whatever it was, but he knew that the information about his “family” had messed with his mind. If he hadn’t panicked, this wouldn’t have happened. It was all his fault.

And now, he saw his brother being carried away right in front of him by a man whose intentions were unclear. Ace, knowing how things worked in the world, deep down hoped that what this man wanted was nothing more than the boy could imagine.

“LUFFY!!” Ace shouted, stretching his hand in the hope that it would help him reach Luffy, but a White Raven interrupted his efforts to save his brother. The bird flew in front of Ace, forcing him to pull back. In seconds, Luffy and the man disappeared.

No, no, no.

Why? Why Luffy? Why did all of this have to happen today? Just when everything was going well.

These and other questions passed through Ace’s mind. He blamed himself for Luffy’s capture, even though it wasn’t his fault.

The rain continued to pour heavily, with gusts of wind almost tearing the trees from their roots. And in the middle of this chaos was Ace, disoriented, walking toward the place where he last saw Luffy.

He fell to his knees, disbelief and feeling useless, weak. What kind of older brother lets this happen? They were right in front of him, and he couldn’t save him.

The boy looked up, seeing the raindrops fall on his face, some even getting in his eyes. He didn’t care. The drops in his eyes hid the tears of frustration. He then looked down, the weight of guilt on his shoulders.

On the muddy ground, he saw something shiny. His eyes might have been playing tricks on him, but he was sure he knew what it was.

In the middle of this chaos, Ace had an idea. There were small chances it would work, but hope is the last thing to die.

“I’ll save you, Luffy,” he said with determination. Luffy could be anywhere, who knows where. If he didn’t hurry, he might lose him.

/…./

During the chase after Ace, Garp lost sight of him. Now, he would have to find two missing children.

What else could go wrong?

The storm was strong, and Garp had no idea where Luffy and Ace were at this hour. Maybe he should have listened to what Rayleigh said, he should have told them the truth. But thinking about it wouldn’t change anything, he had to find his boys as quickly as possible.

“Dad!” Sabo shouted, running towards Garp. The man quickly looked toward the voice and saw Sabo approaching. The boy, even after hearing the story Garp told him, didn’t know how to address him. He ended up calling him dad.

“I told you to stay there.”

“I know, but I think I can help,” he said, panting from running. “I believe Luffy ran into the forest because that’s his favorite place. And Ace probably knew that and went there.”

“Thank you. That helps a lot. Now go back and stay with Zoro, in case Ace or Luffy return.”

“About that…” Sabo chuckled awkwardly, and when he was about to continue, he was interrupted by Zoro.

“I’ll go with you! I’ve been training hard lately, I trust my abilities. If you try to stop me, I’ll go anyway.” Zoro said determinedly, standing with his two swords. He would do whatever it took to bring his brothers back.

Garp smiled in satisfaction.

“I trust your abilities. You can come with me. But you’ll have to keep up with my pace. Just warning you that I’m pretty fast.” Garp chuckled and began walking quickly toward the forest. Zoro followed right behind.

Sabo turned back. He wouldn’t be of much help physically or in combat, like Zoro and Ace. So he’d stay at the mansion waiting for them. He was hoping nothing had happened.

He felt guilty for everything that was happening as well. But unlike the others, the guilt he felt was for having cowered, for not stopping this situation from getting worse. He was the head of the brothers; he should have thought of a better solution, not just accepted a conversation he knew wasn’t supposed to happen now, but he ignored it. Maybe if he had opposed his father, everything would have been different? But what happened, happened. There was no turning back.

Then he had an idea. He ran to the reception room, quickly grabbed a box, and opened it.

“I hope I can work with this thing.”

_/…../

Luffy continued to struggle in Laffitte’s arms, hoping he would release him or at least loosen his grip. But nothing worked, and the man squeezed him even tighter.

When Luffy realized it, he was no longer in the forest but in a dark, very cold place. The sensation Luffy felt wasn’t the best; he felt chills, and the air seemed heavy.

Laffitte kept walking with Luffy in his arms. The boy, getting used to the low lighting, could see things like doors in rows on either side of the corridor the man was walking down.

The man suddenly stopped near one of the doors, but it looked different from the others. Laffitte entered, and Luffy swore that the aura he felt from the place was the worst experience of all. It felt like all the air in his lungs had been sucked out, and at the same time, he was being suffocated as if someone were pressing on his chest.

Luffy wanted to go home.

As Laffitte continued deeper into the room, Luffy began squirming, trying to escape, but again, it had no effect.

“What did you bring this time, Laffitte?” A deep voice spoke. Luffy immediately stopped moving. That voice made him shiver to his bones. It was hard to see the owner of that voice, as everything around was almost dark, with only a small source of light showing where Luffy and Laffitte were.

“Something you’ll like.” Laffitte smiled maliciously. Luffy didn’t like the way that sounded. Something was very wrong. Laffitte threw Luffy to the ground, and the boy groaned in pain, but seconds later, he straightened up. He didn’t want to seem weak, especially in front of them. As a bonus, he made a face at the man with the grotesque voice.

“Who are you?” Luffy pointed at the man. “Your voice is horrible.” The boy made a disgusted face.

“Hey! You wanna die, brat?!” Laffitte shouted at the boy, but at the same time, he was worried that the insult would anger the man to the point where he would kill the boy, and all the work he did to bring him there would be in vain.

A laugh echoed, and that was enough to make both men tremble to their bones and stay quiet.

“You’re an interesting boy.” The man stepped closer to where they were. Now Luffy could see him. Just like his voice, he was hideous, with a smile showing missing teeth, a belly sticking out of his clothes, and worst of all, the eyes—eyes of someone who had done things no one ever imagined could be done. “What do you have to say about this, Laffitte?”

“Hey! You still haven’t answered my question!” Even in front of the man, Luffy showed no sign of intimidation. But the man smiled even more and turned his gaze to Laffitte, waiting for an explanation as to why he brought a boy to his territory.

“I was in the noble parts of the kingdom, and Specter overheard an interesting conversation at the temple. A child said this boy spoke the first name of his Éidolon.” Teach became interested in the conversation and encouraged him to continue. “Even though she never mentioned the name of her familiar to him, and the best part is that his Éidolon is still fine.”

“Take him to the cell. I’ll need to analyze this matter more closely.” He ordered. “Finally. Now I’ll be able to get what I want.” He spoke more to himself than to the other man, but he didn’t care.

“Yes, sir.” Laffitte tried to grab Luffy, but the boy was quick to dodge his hands and began running, trying to escape the place. He almost reached the door, but Laffitte’s raven stopped him from getting closer. Taking advantage of the boy’s distraction, the pale man restrained him, chaining his wrists.

“Hey! Let me go!” The boy protested again, being carried out of the room. “I thought you were nice! Why are you doing this?”

“But I am nice. If I wasn’t, I would kill you right now.” The man smiled grimly.

Luffy shuddered. He should’ve thought better before running away from home, but Luffy never thought about the consequences. He almost never thought; he just followed his instincts.

But now those instincts forgot to warn him about this man, who seemed nice. His brothers were right—never trust strangers.

His brothers. Where were they? Were they looking for him?

And his father?

Was he looking for him?

Before more questions could arise, Luffy heard something creaking and felt his body being thrown to the ground.

“You’ll stay here while the boss resolves your situation.” Laffitte smiled sinisterly and then closed the rusty iron bars, locking them.

Leaving Luffy alone in a place lit only by a candle.

But that didn’t discourage his determination.

Luffy wasn’t good at thinking, let alone following plans. But he was determined to escape that place.

But before he started doing anything, he felt a presence in the cell with him.

“Who are you?”

Chapter Text

Garp and Zoro had gone to the forest where Sabo said Luffy and Ace would be. But when they arrived, it was already too late, and what they saw was Ace with fire in his eyes.

“Ace!” Zoro shouted as he started running toward where Ace was. “What happened? Where’s Luffy?!”

“I lost him. Some strange guy took him and vanished. I didn’t quite understand what happened. When I tried to reach Luffy, a white crow got in my way,” Ace explained angrily.

“A white crow?” Garp asked.

“Yeah. It must be that guy’s Éidolon.”

“Hmm. If it’s who I think it is, we better head back,” Garp said seriously.

“What do you mean? We’re just going to leave Luffy?!” Zoro shouted.

“Calm down, Zoro. He must have something in mind, right?” Ace said calmly.

“Yes, but this isn’t the best place to carry out our plan.”

“I agree. I have a plan too, and I don’t want to talk about it here. Let’s move quickly,” Ace muttered the second sentence, a bit frustrated, but he stayed calm—unusual for him. That was one of Zoro’s thoughts.

/……./

When they returned to the mansion, Garp came across a familiar face in the meeting room.

“Rayleigh?!” he asked, surprised by the visit from his friend, who rarely left his home. “What are you doing here?”

“Sabo told me that Luffy had gone missing.”

“I thought if Uncle Rayleigh helped us, it would be easier,” Sabo said shyly.

“When he told me about it, I felt a strange sensation I hadn’t felt in a long time.”

“You’ve always had good instincts when it comes to trouble,” Garp said casually, sitting on the couch across from Rayleigh.

“So you figured out what happened?” Rayleigh asked, as if he already knew the answer but wanted confirmation.

“Yes, but I’m not completely sure, since Ace was the one who saw everything.”

“So you found Luffy?! Where is he?!” Sabo asked excitedly, looking around to see if Luffy was with them, but by their faces, that wasn’t the case.

“No. I lost him. I was almost close to reaching him, but a strange man took him and disappeared.”

“A strange man?” Rayleigh asked.

“Yes. He was pale, had a weird way of speaking and acting. Oh, and he also had a cane and a top hat. When I tried to reach Luffy, a white crow blocked me—I think it was his Éidolon,” Ace shared everything he knew about the man.

“What do you think, Rayleigh? Could it be that person?” Garp asked.

“Yes. Ace’s description fits, and recently I’ve heard reports of a strange man wandering near the kingdom. Most likely, it’s him.”

“Him who?!” Zoro finally spoke up, not understanding a third of what was being discussed, and it was starting to make him a little angry.

“His name is Laffitte. He’s a subordinate of the Umbra gang known as Blackbeard,” Rayleigh explained.

“In Umbra?! That’s the most dangerous place in the whole kingdom! No one goes there and comes back alive!” Sabo said, worried. If Luffy was in such a terrible place, the chances of a successful rescue were low.

They say all kinds of crimes happen in Umbra, from thieves stealing from the people of the kingdom to slave traders who kidnap people to keep them in captivity and use them as objects. Every horrible thing you could imagine happens there almost daily. It was basically hell.

“That’s why only Rayleigh and I are going,” Garp said, starting to stand.

“What do you mean, just the two of you?! Didn’t you hear how dangerous Umbra is? I know you were heroes in the past, but you’re not in your prime anymore,” Sabo said. It might have sounded a little insensitive, but he couldn’t accept that he and his brothers wouldn’t be part of the rescue, even though he was the one who said Umbra was dangerous.

“I know you want to come with us, but I can’t risk my sons’ lives because of my mistake. I want you to stay here, where it’s safe. It’s been a while since I fought a battle, but I’m still in shape. And I promise I’ll bring Luffy back,” Garp said gently. “I’ll leave this with you.” Garp gave them a bracelet. “This bracelet has been passed down through generations in our family. I want you to keep it. In an emergency, you can use it. I’ll feel more at ease knowing you have it.” Garp placed the bracelet on Ace’s arm.

“But we’re not even your blood children,” Ace said, a bit shaken by the information.

“Blood doesn’t matter to me. The bond we’ve created over the years is what counts.” Garp smiled sadly, but his eyes were full of determination and love.

When the boys said nothing else, Garp took it as silent agreement. He then moved closer to Rayleigh, who used an item in his hand to open a dimensional portal.

The boys were amazed, saying “wow” when the portal appeared. Garp took one last look at them and whispered, “I love you.” Then he stepped through.

The portal closed, leaving the boys alone.

“Ace. You said you had a plan, but you never explained it,” Zoro pointed out. Ace had said he would talk about his plan, but it was Garp who ended up talking about a different one.

“That’s because we’re the ones who’ll take part in it.” Ace smiled with determination, which gave Sabo a chill down his spine, already imagining he wouldn’t like the idea.

“So what’s the plan?” Sabo dared to ask.

“When Luffy disappeared, I found this on the ground.” Ace showed the cord where his Éidolon summoning gem would be.

“Isn’t that your cord?”

“Yes. If this cord was with Luffy, then the gem is probably with him too,” Ace explained, even if it was just a theory that Luffy had both the gem and the cord.

“That’s possible, but even knowing that, what do you plan to do?” Zoro asked.

“Yeah, your Éidolon wasn’t even summoned—how do you know the gem will help or not?”

“Because I found out my Éidolon was summoned.”

Sabo and Zoro were stunned—and confused.

“What do you mean?! We saw your gem shatter and no Éidolon appeared,” Zoro said in disbelief.

“Unless…” Sabo said, thinking.

“What?!”

“There are stories about Éidolons not appearing during the summoning, but they were still summoned,” Sabo explained. He had read it in a book when his curiosity about Éidolons peaked.

“So that was Ace’s case?”

“Probably. But what are you getting at? How do you know your Éidolon was really summoned?” Sabo asked, genuinely curious.

“Because I feel my soul connected. It’s a different sensation. And I can also see a little of what’s happening through the gem,” Ace said, a bit uncertain—but he wasn’t one to lie.

“Wow. Can you see everything clearly or not?” Sabo continued.

“No, it’s more like flashbacks. I can’t see specific things.”

“I think I can do something about that,” Sabo said confidently. “If I can manage it, I’ll send the coordinates to Uncle Rayleigh.” Sabo already had a plan in mind that had a good chance of working.

“What do you mean, send the coordinates?” Zoro asked.

“He gave me this communication item. I can talk to him no matter how far apart we are,” he showed the device—it looked like a crystal ball, but smaller. “Now I’ll grab something real quick.” Sabo ran to the library, searching until he found the book he wanted. Then he returned to the room.

“Now I’ll begin.” Sabo opened the book, read it, and after feeling confident with the words in his mind…

Sabo closed his eyes and began reciting the spell.

“Viens et éveille l’œil qui voit tout.” Sabo approached Ace and gently touched his closed eyes.

After saying the spell, Ace felt a slight tingling sensation for a moment, and then it stopped.

“Did it work?” Zoro stared at the dark-haired boy, who blinked several times.

“Try it, Ace,” Sabo encouraged.

Ace closed his eyes and focused as much as he could—then he was able to see clearly what was happening.

“You did it, Sabo!” Ace celebrated, and Sabo gave a faint smile—then collapsed to the floor. “Sabo?!”

“I’m fine, just a bit tired. That spell uses up a lot of mana.”
Zoro helped him up from the ground and carried him over to the couch.
“You’ll have to narrate it for us, Ace. With the spell I cast, we should have been able to see it too… but I couldn’t manage it,” Sabo explained. “It’s a very complex spell, I think that’s why it drained my mana so quickly. I don’t know if I’ll be able to contact Uncle Rayleigh. For Ace’s plan to work, I need to tell him where Luffy’s going to be—”

“Leave that to me. I’ll talk to white-hair.” Zoro said calmly.

Sabo looked horrified.
“No way! You’d lose him with your awful sense of direction!” he scolded.
Zoro pouted, clearly annoyed.
“Actually, I’m already feeling better. So just leave it to me,” Sabo added with a sly smirk.

Ace and Sabo got organized. While Ace kept watch through the jewel, Sabo got ready to call Rayleigh if anything happened. He also warned that, in the worst-case scenario, they’d have to send Zoro.

“Wait, what?!” Zoro cried indignantly.

“You’re the best fighter among us after Ace, and since he’ll be on lookout duty, he can’t leave. That makes you the only choice.” Sabo smiled. Their plan seemed foolproof.

“That’s bullshit! Sabo!” Ace suddenly shouted, his expression panicked.

“What is it?!” Sabo asked, alarmed.

“Luffy’s in trouble!”

/……/

“Who are you?” Luffy asked.

“Are you talking to me?” the person responded timidly.

“Yeah, of course I am. There’s no one else here.”

“W-Well, my name’s Coby.” The boy stepped out from the corner of the cell, revealing himself. He was skinny and pale, with soft pink hair, and much smaller than Luffy expected.

“You’re really small, huh?” Luffy said, amused. Coby looked a little offended but said nothing.

“And who are you?” Coby asked softly, thinking the other boy hadn’t heard—but then he replied.

“I’m Luffy!” Luffy grinned, his trademark smile.

Coby was captivated by that smile. Somehow, it made him feel warm… light… something he hadn’t felt in ages. But the moment didn’t last—his head spun, nausea creeping in. He knew what that meant.

It wasn’t good.

“Where even is this place?” Luffy asked suddenly. Coby took a deep breath to calm the sickness—it didn’t help.

“We’re in Lord Teach’s territory… one of Umbra’s lords. You’re locked up because you probably have something he wants. And unless a miracle happens, you’re not getting out,” Coby explained as clearly as he could. He figured Luffy didn’t seem the type to pay attention too well. But even that didn’t seem to register much.

“But I need to go home,” Luffy pouted, sticking out his bottom lip. Coby sighed, the nausea worsening. That meant he was coming.

Coby retreated to his corner again, trying to avoid whatever was about to happen.

“Why are you hiding?” Luffy asked, seeing him back where he was before they started talking.

“I’m just trying to avoid trouble as much as possible. You should do the same—for your own good.”

Just as Coby finished his sentence, they heard a door creak open and a massive silhouette stepped in. Coby trembled—he knew who it was. Luffy hadn’t realized yet.

“Well, well. I see you made a new friend, didn’t you, Coby?” Now clearly visible, it was Teach, with his Éidolon by his side—a multi-headed Hydra.

“N-No sir, I was just a-answering his questions,” Coby stammered, shaking with fear. Teach’s mood shifted often, and it was impossible to predict what might set him off.

“Huh? Are you saying I’m wrong?” Teach asked coldly, glaring. Coby shrank back, immediately trying to correct himself.

“N-Never! You’re never wrong, sir! It was my mistake, I’m sorry!” Coby bowed his head in apology.

Teach stepped closer, grabbed Coby by the hair, and yanked him up to eye level.

“Do you know why I haven’t killed you yet?” he asked, though he didn’t wait for an answer. Coby whimpered quietly from the pain.
“It’s because you’re a key piece I need to get what I want. So don’t piss me off before you’ve served your purpose. Angels are rare in this world—especially ones with beauty like yours,” he added, holding Coby’s chin and brushing a rough finger across his lips. Coby flinched from the touch.

Yes—Coby was an angel. He had lived in a hidden place in the sky. Angels were always taught never to go near those who lived on Earth. Coby never understood why.

But curiosity got the better of him, and he disobeyed. He remembered the first time he touched grass, saw rivers and oceans, animals and people… and then, a human. Angels were taught to flee if a human ever saw them—but Coby didn’t. He kept getting closer.

Eventually, he and the human formed a bond. A friendship. Every day, Coby would sneak down to Earth to meet him.

It lasted… until that day.

He remembered it vividly. The human took him to a local festival, helping Coby disguise himself. They both wore plain clothes to blend in. It was the most fun Coby had ever had—and his friend said the same. But then came the explosion. Screams. Chaos. It was a massacre—caused by Lord Teach himself.

They tried to flee, but the panicking crowd separated them. In the struggle, Coby’s disguise came undone. His beautiful white wings were exposed.

He didn’t even notice—he was too focused on finding his friend. Then, someone grabbed his arm. It was him. Coby felt relief… until the next words shattered everything.

“I’ve got the angel. Where’s my money?”

His world stopped. Betrayed. Sold out—to one of the cruelest beings alive.

Since then, his life had been hell. His wings were shattered to prevent escape. A servant collar was forced around his neck, stripping him of his magic.

The collar was a cursed artifact. Once placed on someone, it made them obey no matter what. Resistance caused unbearable pain.

It had been a long time since then. And though Coby learned how to survive under Teach, the man’s mood could shift in seconds—like now.

“Hey! Let him go!” Luffy’s voice yanked Coby from his thoughts. He looked up and saw the boy glaring at Teach, fire in his eyes.

Shockingly… Teach released him. Not gently—but he let go.

Teach’s creepy smile widened, as if Luffy reminded him of something more important than tormenting the angel.

“Oh right, I forgot you were here.” Teach stepped over Coby, now collapsed on the floor.
“A little birdie told me you’ve got a special ability.”

“Special ability?” Luffy repeated, confused. He had no idea what Teach was talking about.

Coby watched, dazed. A “special ability” referred to someone with extraordinary powers—found in only one of every fifty people. In short, humans with such abilities were extremely rare.

Does Luffy have something Teach wants for his plan? Coby wondered. He himself was just a tool in that obsession. He didn’t know what the plan was—and he didn’t want to. Whatever it was, it couldn’t be good.

“What are you talking about? What even is a special ability? Can you eat it? Speaking of which, I’m hungry.” Luffy grumbled, his stomach clearly the priority.

“Oh? So you don’t know?” Teach feigned surprise.
“That just proves it… you are special.”

“A special person?” Luffy asked, intrigued.

“Exactly. You’re a rare one, kid. And fate brought us together. Because I can grant you a wish.”

“Really?!” Luffy’s eyes lit up.

“But… there’s a condition.” Teach paused.
“You’ll come with me. If you behave, I’ll make your wish come true.”

“Luf–” Coby tried to warn him, but Teach snapped his fingers—and Coby lost consciousness. Luffy’s face darkened instantly.

“Alright. I’ll go with you,” he said, his voice steady and serious.

“Good. Then let’s—”

“My wish is for you to let me and Coby go free.” Luffy pointed to the unconscious angel.
Luffy could be a bit spacey—but he wasn’t stupid. Something was clearly wrong between this man and Coby.

“Very well, then. That’ll be our deal,” Teach agreed.
“To prove you really are special, try to guess my Éidolon’s first name.”
The Hydra slithered out from behind him, approaching Luffy.

Luffy frowned slightly. He didn’t know what Teach meant. Guess a name? How was he supposed to do that? He stared at the Hydra’s many heads. He didn’t like it. It wasn’t like Robin’s owl, which had a gentle aura. This thing clearly wanted nothing to do with him.

Luffy closed his eyes. And then… he heard a whisper, just like the one he heard when Robin’s owl appeared.

What was that?

“Nyxhedra?” Luffy murmured. Just loud enough for Teach to hear.

The man’s eyes widened—then a wide grin stretched across his face.

“Incredible,” he whispered, delighted.
With that, everything he wanted was finally within reach.

“My lord, sorry to interrupt—but that person confirmed they’ll be coming,” a servant said, bowing after delivering the message.

“Very well. Come with me, boy,” Teach nodded to the man, who stepped forward to escort Luffy.

Luffy gave one last look at Coby lying in the cell—then felt a blow to the back of his head, and darkness took him.