#we all know luffy is bartos true number one

[dedlit]

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 (finale)👆

[robinchan-hananomi]

One Piece 1099

I think the montage of Kuma traveling around the world was really impactful. Because we know those aren’t the only places he had been. He had gone to any and all places he could in order to find any possible way to heal Bonney.

However it’s interesting that those places made an impact on him. That they impacted him enough that a few years later when he made the decision to help the Strawhats, he thought of those locations.

The fact that Kuma was able to send the Straw hats to places that would most help them shoes just how well Kuma knew the crew and the places he had been. He had known Mihawk would be able to train Zoro, that Nami the navigator would be safest in Weatheria. He knew Chopper, the doctor, would be best at that island with all the medicine, and Franky the shipwrights had the best chance with Vegapunks’s home island. I think he wasn’t overly sure what to do with Sanji, because to be honest he had no way of knowing that Iva would be freed and would be able to train Sanji in the battle cooking. I think he just took the chance of sending Sanji to something associated with the Revolutionary Army and hope for the best. In a similar fashion I think he took a chance with Robin too, sending her to Tequila Wolf knowing that eventually the Revolutionary Army was going to show up. I think he did a similar thing with Usopp, recalling Hercules and figuring he was a good person to help Usopp out.

Brook and Luffy were the only wold cards. We learn Shakky had an influence in sending Luffy to Amazon Lily, which means he likely saw Brook, a walking skeleton that he knew nothing about, recalled that during his travels there was a group who had a satanic religious practice, and figured that Brook would figure out how to make the best of it.

Kuma is a very intelligent and well traveled man. Through his travels in trying to best help his daughter he learned of many places. Then through his time as a Shichibachi he probably sent many people to places that he thought would best deal with what they needed. I just like how it relates to his later actions and ties it all together to show just how big of a heart Kuma has.

In addition, it also drives home just how fucked the media is in One Piece. Media is a very powerful tool, which is why Morgan’s is an Emperor of the Underworld. We see how Morgan’s can spin events however he wants and has the majority of the world believing his version of events. After all, it would be almost impossible to argue against what they are hearing.

The World of One Piece is pretty isolated. They have limited contact between islands, usually made by Transponder Snails. Depending on the type of snail would determine how far they can contact. Most only have short range, meaning they can only talk between the immediate islands. There are some transponder snails that can cross significant distance, and depending on where you are they may be easier to attain, like Barto’s crew having one that connects to a transponder snail all the way in the East Blue. The other key is that you sometimes need to know the transponder snail number to get the correct snail. Some just broadcast to anyone nearby, as seen in Punk Hazard.

So while Transponder Snails can help, primary way of getting out news in One Piece is the News Coo’s, which are all controlled by Morgan’s. It’s kinda concerning how so much information is controlled by one man. And while officially Morgan’s works for the World Government, the reality is that he does what he wants. Morgan’s doesn’t care if the information is true, he cares about entertainment which is why the Revolutionary Army disregards what he writes and try’s to use their own information network to get information.

[petite-neko]

Chapter Characters: Law, Luffy Pairing: LawLu Rating: T Warnings: Swearing, Universe Alteration, angst, canon-typical violence A/N: Alrighty~ First things first, this segment of this series is done, but I will definitely be continuing it~ So don't be all sad. I'm just plotting out the next story in the series :3. I'll try to post next week - if not gimmie another week and I should have it all sorted out by then. A big ol' thank you to @kirishimaroccboi for the suggestion of continuing the series in another segment :3. I was just so content with the ending of this chapter ;w;. You'll see what I mean when you reach it :3.

.xxx. > Time/scene skip

.+++. > PoV change

(Wanna buy me a ko-fi? Link in blog description!)

Chapter 17 || Chapter 18: Maybes || TBA

What had come over him for him to say that?

Fuck.

He hadn’t meant to... Damn. Damn it all. He didn’t want to hurt Luffy’s feelings. Fuck. That was the last thing that he had wanted to do. He was trying. Trying so fucking hard not to, and just what did he do? He was such a fucking idiot.

He needed to apologise. Needed to do something to amend his error. Luffy didn’t deserve that. Sure, maybe Luffy’s actions had put him in this state; it still wasn’t fair to him.

...But just what was he supposed to say?

.xxx.

He found the other captain sulking on the figurehead made in his likeness, and Law approached the bow and leaned against it underneath him.

“I didn’t mean to do that... I’m sorry Luffy-ya.”

“It’s okay Torao, I get it.”

...Get it?

“Ace said it too before - I’m too pushy and... I get it. I understand. It’s ‘cause of what happened after we defeated Mingo, right? I shoulda asked you first - sorry.”

...Idiot. A mother fucking idiot. That’s what Luffy was.

“Luffy-ya, stop that and let me talk.”

Law paused for a few moments, stared at Luffy before he sighed in relief. Good – the idiot actually listened for once… Listened and was quiet so he could explain himself..

“Listen, I just…” And he sighed. Sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose. “I don’t know Luffy-ya.” He didn’t and that was why… why he had… “So much has happened in this last week: I faced my nightmares and won. I accomplished my dream. Avenged Cora-san. Reproached my errors and confronted Sengoku… And – I just… I don’t know Luffy-ya.”

And it wasn’t fair, he knew that. Wasn’t fair to Luffy.

“And – I’m sorry. I am.”

Law dropped his hand from his face, and he tilted his head back, closing his eyes.

“My head – it’s a mess. And that – that’s why I lashed out at you. Why I said those things and reacted that way. It wasn’t… wasn’t because of earlier. It wasn’t because of you, but because of me. I’m a mess Luffy-ya. And because I’m such a mess I just – I can’t… I don’t know. I don’t know how to react to that. To the realisation that somebody… that you…”

Law found himself swallowing the word. Found himself unable to actually say it.

“I’ve had days, Luffy-ya, days to mull it over, and I’m just… I am no closer to an answer than I was back then.”

And Law exhaled, letting his breath slowly escape his lips, and he waited.

It was silent. Silent as Luffy remained where he was. Silent as Law let his statement drift off. And it stretched. Stretched on and on and on and...

Law thought that maybe, just maybe, he should go. Should give Luffy the space because of his indecision and...

So he straightened himself up, pushed himself away from the bow, grabbed his sword and -

“That’s okay Torao.”

And he found himself freezing. Freezing and looking up to a smile. A smile and laughter.

“Take your time. I’ll wait.”

Law returned the smile with one of his own, and he tugged on the brim of his hat. With an incline of his head, he walked away in a silent understanding.

.xxx.

It was, quite frankly, odd. Odd, the way Luffy would smile and wave at him but still give him space. He was so used to the other screaming out his name and running up to him and invading his space and babbling away and going off on tangents. He wasn’t used to not being the center of Luffy’s attention. Not used to the way Luffy’s attention would turn elsewhere when he was in the same vicinity. Not used to the fact that he wasn’t Luffy’s number one priority.

”Why do I gotta babysit those brats again Sengoku?”

The Buddha laughed. “Law, you’re not the only problem child in the Marines. Garp’s brats are difficult enough to manage but Luffy seems to genuinely like you.”

“Pah - you old geezers are just lazy.”

And that earned him a whollop on the head.

Of course, not being used to it did not necessarily mean that he didn’t like it. That he didn’t like the peace. That it wasn’t welcome or desired. It was... it was nice. Necessary even. Chaos had been his life ever since the Strawhats had arrived on Punk Hazard. Running from one place to another. Fighting enemy after enemy. Recovering.... It was a calm. A calm between the storm that was them.

And, of course, Law had been getting looks from Luffy’s crewmates, but that was to be expected. Because of the change in their captain’s behaviour. And, that meant the Barto Club was utilising the change in said behaviour. Basking in the sharing of their idol’s attention.

Good. Law thought. Let him finally have a taste of his own medicine for once.

.xxx.

Odd wasn’t the only word to describe Luffy’s change in behaviour. To describe the lack of attention. The lack of the other’s presence…

...Law actually missed it. Missed the way Luffy would abandon and drop things for him. And sure - sure - it drove him crazy at times. Sure, he needed his space from time to time, but...

Something just... felt incomplete. Perhaps it was the lack of positivity. Perhaps it was the fact that he had gotten used to it and it had become a norm for him and...

Oh, who was he kidding? He enjoyed the bastard’s presence. Enjoyed his attention.

With a shrug, Law plopped down next to Luffy. And, at the curious, hopeful glance, Law shrugged again.

“What?” He closed his eyes and leaned back. “We’re nakama right?”

He spared a glance towards the other and felt a smile creep onto his lips at the sight he was greeted with.

He missed that smile.

.xxx.

It took some trial and error, but the two of them played a game of just learning one another’s limits. Luffy was... well eager. Eager and impatient, but he held himself back. Law did not blame him or fault him, and... well... it was endearing in a way. In a way that made him smile. In a way that relaxed him and made him comfortable. That Luffy - Mugiwara no Luffy - was trying. For him. That Luffy was...

Leave me.

Law remembered. Remembered back to when Luffy fought. Fought for him. Fought to defeat the man he had failed to. Fought to finish the job that he had started. And he remembered. Remembered Robin’s words that this was Luffy’s choice. That, despite how responsible he felt, Luffy had chosen to help him. And it had touched him. And sure, sure he didn’t know the true extent of Luffy’s feelings towards him then, but... Somebody had been willing to do so much for him. And yes - yes - now that he knew...

He was a bit terrified.

Because of how synonymous it was.

Because of:

I love you man.

But this... this was different. It was not the same. He was not some weak, sickly, useless child that needed saving.

Torao can’t die! I won’t allow it!

And, nor was Luffy.

They were no longer those scared, trapped children who were living with the Marines.

They were pirates now. Pirates who had come to the other’s rescue. Pirates who had one another’s back. Pirates who were... allies.

Maybe, just maybe, this could work.

He enjoyed Luffy’s smiles and his laughter and his presence. He didn’t want to see him in pain or frown or cry. In fact, just remembering those cries. Those tears. The way Luffy had screamed Ace in his face - it hurt. Remembering the tears in their not-so-distant and distant pasts hurt.

...He never wanted to see them again.

And, so, he found the other. Found him alone and staring out to the sea and quiet for one rare moment.

He... enjoyed the sight before him.

Law paused for a moment to take it in before he approached Luffy. Approached him and stood next to him, their hands brushing as he held the railing as well.

And Luffy shot him a glance. The same glance as before. Hopeful and curious and...

“So... I never did tell you about my spots, did I?”

And excited.

Law felt himself laughing.

Aaaaaaaannnnd Boyhood Blues is a wrap!

I really enjoyed this ending because: Well the titling of the story. Boyhood Blues is titled because of their shared childhood together in the Marines, but it suits as a double meaning because they were sad (Aka "blue") about their stay in the Marines. And much of this story emphasises on their pasts together. Hence why I feel it's apt to end this here. Where they stopconcentrating on their pasts together, but instead concentrate on their future together. Which leads us to our next segment:

Grown Gulls.

(And yes. This is yet another double meaning title :D)

Look for it in the next two weeks. Wednesday posting date! It'll be next in the series: Jolly Justice. (Jolly Roger/Pirates. Justice/Marines. Get it? :D)