Wealth, fame, power. Gold Roger, the king of the pirates, attained this and everything else the world had to offer. And his dying words drove countless souls to the sea. "You want my treasure you can have it. I left everything I gathered together in one place. Now you just have to find it." 

These words drove countless to the grand line chasing dreams far greater than they ever did image as the world entered the great pirate era.

"Stupid gramps. Stupid Monkeys." 6 year old Monkey D. Luffy grumbled as he wandered around outside Windmill Village on late summer afternoon while ignoring the stinging from his bruises. Things had been rather hard for the young boy recently. Shanks and his crew had left on another voyage about a week ago and would be gone for a couple months so they could take Uta to some musical thing on another island.

That sounded awesome but he wasn't allowed to go. Something Uta teased him about relentlessly causing him to pout. Still he missed them. Shanks, Been, Lucky Roo. All of them. But he especially missed Uta. Sure she could be mean at times and cheated at their games, but she was still his best friend and they always had the best time together, Playing, exploring, pranks. It so much fun.

Now if only the others would stop laughing and asking when the wedding was.

But still it sounded like Uta was going to have an amazing time and she did promise to tell him all about it when she got back so it wasn't that bad.

What was bad however was that his stupid grandpa, Monkey D Garp was upping his brutal training even more recently. Having heard his declaration as wanting to be a pirate and meet with harsher methods of training. The most recent being thrown against a pack of eternally grinning, fight happy monkeys who cant seem to tell when the fight was over.

"As if being thrown into a ravine or tied to balloons wasn't bad enough." Luffy muttered with crossed arms and a scowl before absently scratching the scar on his face, one that he caused himself when trying to prove himself to the Red Haired pirates.

Not the best idea he would admit, but he was 6 that was the best he could come up with!

His stomach growling brought him out of his thoughts causing him to groan and as he held his stomach. Training with Garp always left him feeling tired and hungry but he didn't want to make Makino worry after seeing his injuries. "I can just find some fruits or something to eat. and go get dinner later." Luffy muttered having forged in the forest for food before.

It was then however Luffy having not really been paying attention to where he had been walking finally realized he was on the edge of entering the forest. However this particular entrance to the forest had been mostly unused for nearly 40 years now. And Luffy could understand why. Everyone who came close reported an oppressive and ominous weight bearing down on them and Luffy could definitely feel it, so much so that it made the young boy gulp in nervousness.

However an idea entered his head that caused him to grin. 'If I can go in and find whatever's doing this or anything else cool, Shanks will have to see me as a man and take me with him on his next trip!' The child thought with a megawatt grin on his face, his excitement fully overriding his fear as he shot into the woods. Laughing happily as he began his search.

"Not there. Or there." Luffy thought running through the forest looking for any sigh of the source or something cool. He wasn't just content to running in a straight line either. Turing left or right at random moments, bouncing around trees and feel closing his eyes at times, spinning around and letting his dizziness lead him. Luffy was just waiting for his chance to find something.

However after about half an hour. He was out of breathe, covered in dirt and even more hungry than he was before. "This sucks. I can't find anything in this stupid forest and know I'm lost." He muttered not really bothered by the second fact despite only being 6. On top of that weight from the edge was getting worse. His excitement from earlier letting Luffy ignore it but know he was feeling it more than before.

'Wait a minute.' Luffy said as sat up slowly. "Maybe it's like fire? There's more heat the closer you get to a fire. So maybe I just have to see where the feeling is the warmest and I find the source.' Luffy thought with a grin as he stood up and once again begin to run. This time however he was following his instincts, going to wherever he felt the feeling growing larger and larger.

It wasn't easy however as the feeling would spike and drop at the turn of a hat causing him to have to change directions. 'It's like a maze.' He thought with a scowl. He was never good at those puzzles and would always grumble when Uta picked that as the contest for the day knowing full well he couldn't beat her.

Finally at last he reached a point where the feeling was almost overwhelming and Luffy was shaking in anticipation. 'Finally.' He thought as he began to run again. "I finally made it!" He said with a laugh as he quickly approached. "Wonder what it is. Maybe a giant animal, or a cursed gem or sword!" His mind raced with possibilities. "Well whatever it is, I'm gonna find it! And when I do Shanks will have to let me join his crew, and I'll finally be a pirate!" He shouted with laugh as he jumped through a clearing in the woods.

And directly over an large chasm, the bottom hidden in darkness.

Luffy seemed to freeze in midair, his smile frozen on his face thought now mixed with fear and panic as sweat raced down his face. "Or maybe." He muttered as he felt gravity start to pull him down. "Maybe I'll just die." He muttered before he fully started to plummet down into the chasm.

The young boy screamed loud as he helplessly plummeted down into the abyss. "Save me! Somebody save me!" He pleaded he pleaded. However Luffy was so preoccupied he didn't notice the massive roots that were slowly appearing on the sides of the chasm each one bigger than most trees. One of the roots slowly peeled itself off the the wall and wrapped itself around Luffy bringing his decent to a snail's pace until he was simply a couple feet above the bottom.

Luffy didn't notice this and merely kept screaming and thrashing until the root seemed to have had enough and dropped him face first onto the ground before slithering away away. The boy laid there face down for a few seconds before lifting his head up. "I'm alive?" He muttered before looking around before a wide smile came to his face. "I'm alive!" He shouted before dancing around happily.

"But wait." He said looking around. "Where am I?" he asked. "For such a large chasm the room was rather small. It could still fit around 2 dozen people not to small but still not one would think would be waiting at the bottom of a chasm that big. The room was also circular shaped with torches lining the wall and a single path leading out of the room. However what really caught his attention was that the weight was more powerful than ever and it lead down the path in front of him.

Grinning at the prospect of both finding the source and a way out Luffy strolled down the path running his hand down the roots that covered the wall. Eventually he could see a dot of light start to peak out from the darkness. Taking this as a good sign Luffy picked up the pace knowing his first treasure hunt was about to come to an end.

The closer he got the more light shined through and the more he could feel the weight bearing down on him and now Luffy couldn't help but feel like someone was watching him. It scared him but he continued on, part because he wanted to find the source and another because there were no other options.

Finally after several more minutes Luffy made it to the other end of the passage way and simply stood there for several minutes. The doorway was bathed in light but the weight was so strong that it felt like a struggle just to move for Luffy. Still Luffy managed to power through and enter the next room.

It was a wide chamber filled with colossal pillars and roots that made navigating it seem almost impossible however the floor and the ceiling despite being almost completely out of sight seemed smooth and when Luffy bent down and moved some of the roots out of the way he could tell it was as smooth as any manmade floor despite being made of stone.

"What is this place?" Luffy muttered looking around at the strangest place he had ever been through. Still he could see the light over some of the pillars and roots. "Right over there." He muttered before looking for a way to get there. At first there was nothing, not even a space big enough for a bug to get through but after a little searching Luffy found an opening.

"Alright I'm out of here!" He cheered ready to be done with this creepy place. However he only managed to take a single step when his whole body froze the weight which had receded slightly since entering the chamber came back crashing down onto him, so much so that Luffy thought he was about to collapse.

"Ah so it's a child then."

The voice was thoughtful and amused but held such power that it made Luffy freeze in his tracks. It reminded him of gramps or what he imaged Gold Roger would sound like. Sweat rolled down his face and his body began to shake as he could hear the man's slow approaching until he was just a few feet behind him. "Well boy aren't you going to turn around and speak?" He asked causing Luffy despite everyone of his instincts to screaming at him to run and not look did as the voice and asked and turned around and finally come face to face with the source of the weight and the reason he came here.

'He even looks like he could beat up gramps!' He thought his legs shaking worse than ever as the man seemed to grow more amused watching him. "Your name boy?" He asked as Luffy flinched a bit before managing to get out. "M-M-Monkey D. Luffy." He said. The man's eyebrow raised as if thinking about something. 'Could it be?' He thought before shaking his head. "Well little monkey" The man said his grin widening a bit at the slight bit of anger entering the boy's eye from the nickname. "I am Rocks D. Xebec. Have you by chance heard of me?" He questioned.

Now Luffy's first instinct was to say hell no, he had in fact no heard of this random old man. But something deep inside was screaming at him that perhaps that wasn't the greatest idea. So putting on his best lying face, Which amounted to me looking away and sticking out his lips while muttering out a "Yeah sure have." That didn't sound the least bit convincing.

Xebec just sighed as he scratched the side of his head. "Your lying skills need work brat." He told the kid bluntly before sighing. "But it's to be expected. It's been a longtime since I've been active in the world and the higher ups in the government would definitely prefer to erase me from the history of the world." He spoke with a hint arrogance, as if he's sees such a thing as a great honor.

Luffy tilted his head in interest. "Active?" He muttered before looking him over and his eyes widened. "Were you a pirate old man?!" He asked excitement dripping off his tone. Causing Xebec to laugh. "Xexexexexexe! Indeed I was, but there will be time for that later." He said before gesturing to the path in front of them. "We can walk and talk." He promised before marching ahead and it was then that Rocks passed Luffy and the young child could see roots sticking out of Xebec's back. "What the?!" He yelled only for Xebec to turn. "As I said boy, all well be explained, now come." He ordered and without any other choice Luffy obeyed.

It started with a few awkward seconds of silence before Xebec broke it. "So boy I take it you're interested in pirates given your reaction earlier?" The question was able to bring Luffy out of his funk as he smiled. "Oh yeah! I love pirates and I'm going to be the king of the pirates, just like Gold Roger!" Another flash passed before Xebec's eyes. "I see." Was all he muttered.

"Yup and he sounded amazing. And Shanks is the coolest guy I know!" Luffy laughed before clutching his fist. "Man pirates are awesome!" Luffy exclaimed before his eyes widened as a thought occurred. "Well Peace-Mains are. Morganeers suck." Luffy said sticking out his tongue for emphasis.

"Oh you know the different kinds of pirates?" Xebec asked wondering how deep the boy's knowledge went. "Yeah Shanks told me. Mergansers are jerks who attack and steal from anyone and are only interested in themselves." Luffy said angrily before smiling. "Peace-mains however just want adventures. They also attack and steal from Morganeers which serve those jerks right." Luffy huffed as he crossed his arms.

"Xexexe those are some pretty big words your words you're spouting there. Pretty brave too considering you're speaking to a morganeer." Xebec reveled causing Luffy to scream. "You're a merganser?!" He demanded jumping back slightly. "I just said that you idiot." Xebec told him quietly before Luffy glared at him. "Why would you want to be a morganeer? I can tell your strong why would you need to be like those cowards who attack innocent people?!" Luffy demanded with all the rage and menace a six year old could muster.

"To rule the world."

Xebec's answer startled Luffy, so much so that he froze. "To rule the world, that was my dream." Xebec continued as he strolled forward down the path and Luffy kept pace the best he could, his anger diminishing in favor of curiosity. "Your dream was to rule the world? Why would you want to do that?" Luffy asked noting seeing any point. Xebec hummed. "You know something kid. I can't even remember anymore. It's been such a long time since I even thought of it the reason must have faded." Xebec muttered his voice fading a bit.

"But I was determined. I did whatever it took to win and gathered the strongest crew the world had ever seen." Xebec continued and Luffy gained stars in his eyes. "Really the strongest?! That's so awesome, you must have all been great friends!" Luffy marveled only for Xebec to laugh uncontrollably. "Friends?! We were the furthest thing from it!' Xebec admitted with out shame after a few moments of catching his breathe.

"Fights on the deck everyday, killing each other without so much as a single thought over the piniest of reasons. Honestly it's only because each member was strong as they were that stopped us from failing before we did." Xebec recounted before noting Luffy start to shake with tears in eyes.

"Anyway!" He was quick to move on having no knowledge or desire to cheer up a child. "The crew for all the problems worked and we were all set up for the one big score that would put my dream with in arm's reach." Xebec and Luffy calmed down enough to listen.

"Then what happened?" He asked wiping his eyes and wanting to hear the story causing Xebec to grin. "Well it all started 25 years ago on in island in the West Blue called God Valley."

Flashback

'Gotta admit just when I thought these worthless pieces of shit get any more pathetic.' Xebec as he sliced through 7 celestial dragons sending their upper half s soaring into the air and raining their oh so scared blood on to the ground before shooting 5 marines clear through the head causing them to drop dead.

'Still I'm grateful for this little tournament or at least the prize they always offer.' Xebec thought as he continued to blast through and slice through whoever got in his way, his Haki only making the carnage that much worse. The island had been shaking quite a bit since they arrived and even a little before that so Newgate and his newly acquired. Tremor-Tremor Fruit can't be to blame, so he was a tad curious as to what the cause was.

'Doesn't really matter though.' He thought as over the transponder snail Linlin reported she had found a couple of devil fruits. 'As long as I get the Jewel of Eve than this entire thing will have been worth it!' He laughed as he continued his slaughter not caring if he was chopping apart marines, celestial dragons or slaves.

His transponder snail once more came to life reporting that both Garp and Roger had arrived on the island, something that wasn't needed considering his Haki had already alerted him. What did get a raised eyebrow was the reports of a massive bear even larger than Newgate firing off shockwaves and repealing everything that's bring shot at it.

'Well at least we know the source of the shaking!" He thought before his eyes widened and his smirk become one of victory as a massive carriage made of the finest material and covered in jewels. Close to 50 guards were defending it but they might as well have been statues at how easily Xebec cut them down.

'Finally!' He thought as he sliced down the door and saw what was occupying the carriage a single masterfully crafted ornate box. Without a care Xebec tore the top and tossed it aside before reaching in and peered in box and at his prize . 'At last!' He thought his mouth salivating in victory and the idea his dream of conquering the world being so close. 'The Jewel of Eve!"  He thought.

It was a beautiful thing to behold shaped like a perfect sphere and shining more brilliantly than any star with each and every color imaginable the Jewel of Eve seemed to pulse with power and purpose. The Jewel of Eve, one of the sacred treasures of the holly lands and the grand prize of every native hunting game where the winner gets the grand prize as parading it as there own until the next one.

"And now it's all mine!' He thought raising his hand and taking hold of it.

And that's when everything went to shit.

A burning pain seared form Xebec's palm as the Jewel of Eve dug itself into his palm embedding itself into the bone as blood spurted out like a fountain as the veins all over his body begin to bulge as the pain increased by the second. What was worse was that he could feel his strength leaving him fast. "It's draining me like a leach!"

Screaming in pain and glaring furiously Xebec couldn't help but sink to his knees as tried to pry the jewel from his palm. "Piece of shit!" He hissed through gritted teeth as the jewel stayed put and once he added Haki the jewel seemed to pulse launching him through the air until he was sent through several trees. Rubbing his head he continued to look furiously at what he came to collect.

'What the hell do you want?' He asked getting more and more exhausted wandering just what the hell he was dealing with. Xebec wasn't expecting what happened next though.

"Stop it.

"Kill it."

"Unnatural."

"Must be removed."

These 8 words were all that were muttered but it sounded like millions of people were speaking in perfect unison. The echoing of the words also caused a massive pain to flare up causing him to grip his head. And that's when the images started.

20 individuals gathered and facing an unseen enemy before 19 of them planted their swords in the ground as 1, a woman, turned her back on them and walked away. The remaining 19 were raised high into the sky as many giant humanoid with black feathered winds laid down around them as an army marched and sailed below them, all flying the flag of the world government.

The scene changed to show five men older looking men, watching the world being built around them at a rapid pace while the men seemed to remain the same. The 5 men killed anyone friend or foe young or old without a single thought before their forms seemed to shift and in their place were monsters straight out of humanity's worst nightmares.

Finally it showed a throne high above everything else, 19 swords implanted in front of it before many more joined it on lower levels. However the focus was on the lone individual on the throne, their form covered in shadows and their features indistinguishable save for their piercing red eyes. Their form unmoving as shadow tentacles raised up for nowhere and shut forward before a vision of the world was shown being covered in the tentacles before being enveloped by the shadowy figures hand.

"What the fuck was that?!" Xebec said his body shaking and calmly for the experience as sweat poured off him. "What the hell did I just see?!" He demanded trying and failing to stop himself from shaking only making him more frustrated.

"Something that shouldn't be and never will be known to the world." A grave old voice muttered coldly as Xebec turned to see a thickset, elderly man with a full white mustache and beard. He possesses white dreadlocks which he wears a flat black hat over. He has a scar on the left side of his face, stretching diagonally over his eye.  His outfit consists of a black suit over a dark purple tie and a white collared shirt, as well as black pants. He carries a walking cane.

The jewel seared more than ever. Danger. Danger. Not Unnatural. It seemed to say as Xebec's eyes widened upon seeming him and recognizing him. "You! You're one of the ones from the visions." He muttered knowing that even that sounded more than a little crazy. The other man however just tilted his head in consideration. "It showed us too? That thing is proving far more trouble than it's worth,: The older man grumbled as Xebec stood up and dew his sword.

"What the hell is happening old man?! What do you know?" He demanded shakily but the old man seemed occupied with other thoughts causing Xebec to growl and using the last bit of his energy to jump into the air with his sword riased. "I asked you a question!" He roared only for something to slam into him and push him into the ground, Xebec had just enough strength to raise his head and glare at the older man who stared coldly back.

"I heard your question. I simply don't make a habit of answering insects." He said causing Xebec's glare to worsen as the old man raised his cane directly over Xebec's head. "You've proven to be bothersome enough, you and your entire family." He spoke with a tone filled with annoyance. "Now repent and pray for your next life to be more-" And like that the old man was gone and in his place stood someone knew.

He was a giant of a young man standing about Newgate in hight. He wore clothes that a pastor would and his hair was long and curly with two panda like ears perturbing from the top of his head. While his palms had pads similar to that of a cat on his hands.

"Are you alright sir?" The stranger asked kneeling over him getting a nod from Xebec. "Just give me a minute and I'll be fine." The older man said though with the jewel still draining his strength he knew he was only seconds away from passing out. 'So this is how it ends huh? Thinking I was about to conquer the world but in the end learn I know nothing about it." Xebec snorted as he closed his eyes. "What a pathetic end." He muttered.

He could hear the young man's panicked movements before he came back. "If you could go anywhere in the world where would you like to go?" He asked and Xebec managed to open his eyes despite nearly all the strength nearly leaving him. Seeing the questionable look on his face the longer man repeated the question.

"Somewhere I can make sense of it all. Somewhere I can plan and prepare for whatever it is that comes next." Something was coming or something might have already been here. Whichever one it was Rocks didn't know, but what he didn't know was the world wasn't ready yet to face it.

The bear-eared man nodded. "I understand." He muttered before raising his head. "Farewell." He said and as Xebec finally lost consciousness the last thing he saw was God Valley quickly fade into the Horizon.

Flash Back End

"When I awoke I was here, and have been ever since. Collecting information when I could to keep up with the events in the world." Xebec finished his tale and Luffy's mind was filled with so many questions. "The guy that you couldn't see fully." He said finally as Xebec scowled. "Imu. A name I finally managed to get out of that damn Jewel after a few years. The shadowy but true ruler of the world and managed to do what I attempted to do." There was a note jealousy in Xebec's voice but also a slight bit of respect.

"So the gxvemrnet is run by some super secret guy? How come no one's found out?" Luffy asked getting a laugh from Xebec. "Oh I'm sure people have but they've been silenced by that thing before anyone could say something." Xebec reasoned getting a gulp from Luffy. "Sound like someone needs to kick his ass." Luffy muttered getting a hidden grin from Xebec. "What if I said you could help with that kid?"

The question got Luffy's full attention. "Tell me if I could give you the chance to fight Imu and whatever else that thing has to throw at its problems would you accept?" Xebec asked getting a gasp from Luffy. "You want me to fight so super secret scary ruler of the world?!" The 6 year demanded knowing while his punch was on its way to being as strong as a pistol he wasn't ready for a fight like that.

"Not right now brat." Xebec rolled his eyes at the stupidity of such an idea. "I mean once you were grown. Would you fight him if I gave you the resources to succeed?" Xebec answered with Luffy giving it a few moments thoughts before shrugging. "Sure why not?" He answered nonchalantly getting a smirk from Xebec. 'Definitely Garp's grandson.' He thought at the idea of getting the help of the grandson of the very marine credited with his defeat and his amusement grew even more so when he remembered the boy wanted to be a pirate.

'The look on his face when the brat must have told him.' Xebec had to stop himself from laughing out loud as Luffy asked a rather fair question. "But why can't you do it? If you have all these things should you be able to handle this rather than ask someone else?" Luffy asked and Xebec gained a somewhat sad smile. "Believe me kid. I would if I could." He said before gesturing to the roots attached to him. "But I'm on borrowed time and I can feel it running out and soon."

Luffy nodded at the explanation. "But why me? Why not a pirate or marine?" Luffy asked getting a laugh from Xebec. "Because you're the first one to ever have the stones to come here." Xebec answered getting a questionable look from Luffy before his eyes widened. "That weird weight." He muttered getting a nod from Xebec.

"A little test by me. Can't have the one I'm entrusting this to be some weak willed nothing." Xebec answered getting another nod from Luffy. "Checks out." Luffy said simply further amusing Xebec from Luffy's simple minded statement.

"Well onto the heart of the matter. It's time for me to show you your main weapons against Imu and its followers." He muttered as they neared the end of the passage they had been walking through. "Tell me something? What do you think the Jewel of Eve actually was?" Xebec questioned with Luffy thinking. "Well a jewel is a kind of stone right? So maybe a rock?" He asked getting another snicker from Xebec.

"Not exactly. The Jewel of Eve was actually a seed." Xebec reveled getting a couple of blinks from Luffy. "A seed?" Luffy asked getting nod from Xebec as they finally reached the end and came to a new clearing where the source of the light was now visible. "A seed that would allow you to grow the greatest tree in history." Xebec said as he extended his arm as Luffy started in awe.

"The devil fruit tree, Eve!"

Luffy had never seen something so amazing and even dropped to his knees which Xebec noticed. Xexexexexe! Pretty cool eh?! I grew her myself!" Xebec he exclaimed in pride before letting out a sigh. "Too bad it's not even half grown." He muttered getting a look from Luffy. "Surprising eh?" Xebic muttered catching the look. "Sad to say but it's true. The Eve tree needs 100 years to fully grown and unfortunately I just don't have the time.."

Luffy blinked at the statement. "Tell me boy do you know what most plants need to grow?" Xebec asked with Luffy titling his head. Sun, dirt and and water?" He asked getting a nod from Xebec. "The Eve tree however is different. All this tree needs is human life force. 100 years worth." Xebec muttered gesturing to the roots connected to his back which luffy followed back to the tree itself causing Luffy to gulp. "Pricey." He muttered getting a snort from Xebec.

"Only if you're paying it by yourself. I had about 200 people on my crew and at my hideout, If each of us had contributed it would have taken less than half a year to fully grow." Xebec grinned wickedly. "Had that happened nothing would be able to stand in our way." He muttered as he gained a thousand yard stare. "And just how do you know about this?" Luffy asked still skeptical despite having the proof right in front of him.

Xebec smirked as he crossed his arms. "I read about it on a rock." He proclaimed getting a blink. "On a rock?" Luffy repeated getting a nod. "Well it's more accurate to say that the stone told me what it is said." Luffy was just getting more and more confused. Which Xebec just decided to move on.

"Now than kid. What I need you to do is eat each of these fruits and I mean each bite of each one before finally eating the trunk." Xebec instructed getting an incredulous look from the kid. "WHAT?!" He demanded trying to wrap his mind around eating everything he was looking at.

Xebec just waved off his concern. "Calm down. The trunk will shrink the more fruit you eat and and it'll end with it being the size of a carrot." Xebec clarified. "But why should I eat it all. You normally cant eat a tree trunk. And Uta told me that devil fruits taste terrible and that she got her powers after one bite."

Xebec nodded. "A lot of good questions. Luckily I've got the answers." Xebec promised. "See as the tree matures more and more abilities open up to the one that would eat it. True you won't get everything but you'll still get quite a few bonuses." He said raising a finger.

"First by eating the entirety of each fruit. You'll not only get more than basic knowledge of each fruit but you'll avoid certain side effects and mutations caused by some of the fruits." Xebec explained causing Luffy to get excited. "Awesome!" He explained before blinking. "Wait what side effects and mutations?" He asked getting a chuckle from Xebec. "Kid some of the fruits would act as drastic counters to others like one lets you become ice and another magma. I'd bet even you realize what would happen if ice meet manga." Xebec smirked causing Luffy to gulp.

"As for the mutations a lot of the paramecia changes your body slightly. Like how the one who saved me had paw pads on his hands or how that government scientist head grows with the more knowledge he gains to the point he can't walk straight. None of that will happen. Your situations like the head thing your body will remain the same while for situations like the pads you'll be able to summon them or dismiss them at will with enough training." Here Luffy breathed out a sigh of relief.

"And that's not covering what you'll be able to do to help your crew." Xebec went on. "You'll be able to give your crew members devil fruits. By making contact with the intended target the devil fruits will examine them and grant them the power best suited for them." Xebec explained before grinning.

"The best part is that thanks to how mature the tree is, you won't lose the fruit they're granted and they'll still be able to go into the water since they themselves didn't eat the fruits. Though sea prism stone still affects them the same so they'll need to be cautious of that." The old man added as an after thought.

Luffy cheered at hearing this. "Awesome! We get cool powers and can still swim? This is gonna be great!" Luffy cheered already imaging all the cool things he and his crew will be able to do while still being able to swim. Xebec however had some bad news for the boy. "Hold on for a second kid. Your crew will still be able to swim. You'll still sink like a stone, despite having different turtle and fish transformation powers." Xebec muttered under his breathe trying to make sense of how that works.

"What?!" Luffy shouted in outrage. "How does that work?!" He demanded getting a careless shrug from the older man. "You're the one who ate the fruits." He said simply. "But that's not fair!" The child cried only getting a raised eyebrow in return. "You're about to get more power than anyone could possibly image and you're complaining about having to deal with same side effect everyone else does?" He asked his voice filled with a mocking tone that made Luffy go red.

"And the stupid trunk?" Luffy asked causing Xebec to shoot him a victorious smirk which didn't help the boy calm down in the slightest. "It'll increase your physical abilities firstly, but I should point out it's more beneficial for those that are physically weaker." Xebec explained before grinning. "But the real prize is that should you face a devil fruit you'll know instantly what fruit they are using." Xebec explained getting Luffy to gain stars in his eyes.

However a doubtful look entered it soon. "And how do you know all this?" He explained as Xebec gesturing to the tree. "Being connected to the tree lets me know what stages it's in and what stage it's in." Xebec explained before repaying into his pocket. "Now a couple of things before I go" He muttered getting a tilt of his head from Luffy. "Go." He asked getting a snort from Xebec.

"Kid the only reason I'm alive is thanks to this tree, when I disconnect myself from it or when it's gone I won't last long." Xebec spoke bluntly with the young child's going wide with fear but before he could say anything Xebec raised his hand. "Kid I want this. I've done what I needed to do but my time is done. Don't make it even harder than it needs to be." Xebec ordered firmly getting a sad nod.

"Now then moving on let's start with these." He said once more reaching into his pocket and brining out 3 books. "These 3 books will be extremely helpful on your journey." Xebec explained before looking up. "You do know how to read correct?" He asked getting a tick mark from Luffy. "Of course I do jerk!"

"Well I hope you do, Some of those fruits as well as both becoming king of the pirates and taking down Imu will require some serious studying." Xebec before nothing the annoyed look on Luffy's face which he countered with a flat look. "Don't give me that look kid you know I'm write. Besides that fruit that scientist I mentioned earlier ate was the Brain-Brain Fruit. It gives the user a perfect memory so it should make the studying much earlier." He explained getting another grumble from Luffy who reluctantly agreed.

'It would make Makino happy at least.'

"Now as for these." Xebec muttered before gesturing to the 3 books. The first was a simple notebook that look old but well kept. "This contains on a fighting style called Fishman Karate. I got a cremate of mine to write it down. Needless to say it's probably a little outdated but it should still hold up." He said as he pointed to the only official looking book. "This is a book on a martial arts called the Six Powers. It's only supposed to be used by high ranking marines and gxvemrnet agents. I got it off a marine ship I raided." He chuckled at the memory.

"And now for the final one." He muttered as he moved his hand over to the most well worn and journal looking book. "This is my log book. A recount of all the adventures I had from the time I had set out to the end of God Valley." He said a nostalgic look on his face. "Honestly reading this over and over again is the only thing that kept me relatively sane, but it also made me understand all the mistakes I made during my time as a pirate." He muttered before looking at the young boy.

"Kid if I give you one piece of advice let it be this. Don't take your crew for granted. At the end of the day they're the ones who are going to be with you when you need them most." Xebec with the upmost seriousness causing Luffy to nod.

"Now onto the final matter." Xebec spoke with some relief on his tone when he said this. "I'm going to awaken your Haki. Don't ask about it now I made sure to go into detail about all aspects of it in my journal." He promised getting a nod before Xebec resisted his hand on the top of Luffy's head.

"Fair warning this is going to be painful. You ready?" Xebec asked getting a determined nod from Luffy. "Very well, let's get started."

Xebec hadn't been kidding, it was painful, more painful than anything Luffy had ever felt in his life as it felt like his body and soul were tearing themselves apart. He couldn't even muster the strength to scream as darkness crept on to his vision. Luffy welcomed it, anything was better than this. If his body wan't to black out to dull the pain then the six year welcome it. If it meant this pain ended he would anything at this point.

And in the next moment it was over. Luffy was one his ands and knees, dry heaving as every inch of his body twitted and spasmed at random while Xebec pulled his hand away. "Not nice, not pleasant but necessary for the new world and fighting against Imu. So it's better to awaken it now rather than later. Though I wouldn't recommend you do that with anyone else unless you have no other choice." Xebec instructed and Luffy couldn't agree more.

"Well I suppose there's nothing left to do. I'm going to disconnect myself." He told Luffy who nodded sadly but he understood. "How long will take before you.." He trialed off with Xebec smiling not one of arrogance or cruelty but one of actual kindness.

"About a minute at most. Quick and hopefully painless." He tried to joke but he could tell it fell flat. An idea forming he quickly commanded the roots to bring down two devil fruits. "You know you've got a lot of eating a head of you but these two should be able to help." He explained as Luffy examined the two fruit.

"These are the Human-Human Fruit, model: Nika and the Munch-Munch Fruit. Right now the Nika fruit allows your body to stretch and bounce as if it's made of rubber and when it's awakened  oh boy." Xebec laugh. "That's when the fun begins!" He promised as Luffy raised his hand. "Awakenings are explained in my log book." The hand was lowered.

"As for the Munch-Munch Fruit it allows you to eat literally anything. Not that important here but what is important is that usually it leaves the user in a permeant state of hunger but thanks to the non mutation situation it'll simply change to always being able to eat more, and believe me there's a difference." Luffy nodded in gratitude having wondered how even with his massive appetite he would eat the entire tree and all the fruits.

Taking the fruit he warned which he should eat first. "It doesn't matter which one but I'd eat each of them in one go. I heard the taste is absolutely revolting." Xebec informed helpfully getting a nod from Luffy having been told the same by Uta. Taking a deep breathe he quickly stuffed the whole Nika fruit into his mouth, chewed and quickly swallowed.

It was the worst thing Luffy had ever tasted, so much so he didn't even have the words to describe it. The Munch-Munch Fruit wasn't any better going down a second later.

But it worked just like Xebec said it would. The basic knowledge of both fruits were implanted into his head and the boy could feel his body start to shift in accordance to his new abilities.

Xebec only watched in amusement on final little form of entrainment before the end. Once Luffy had eaten both of them and had stuck out his tongue in disgust.

"Well I guess that's that." The old man muttered as he reached up behind him and tearing off the root that connected him to the tree. The change was immediate. Xebec dropped to his knees and instantly started to shrivel up. Luffy raised up to help him but Xebec waved him off.

"No! It's okay." He said coughing violently. "I was expecting this and I'm okay with it." He swore feeling his strength start to leave it at an alarming rate. His body already near nothing more than skin and bones. "Old man." Luffy cried with tears in his eye. "Eh quiet with the water works kid, You a'int gonna become king of the pirates or kick that Imu's ass if you stay a cry baby, Xexexexexexe! He laughed even as his body began to turn to dust  as Luffy managed to glare. "Shut up old man! I will become king of the pirates and I'm make sure to kick Imu's ass! Just you wait!" Luffy promised.

"Xexexexexexexe! Well then," Xebec said  his body now almost fully gone. "Make sure you put on one hell of a show!"

And with that request and a final laugh Rocks D. Xebec died with a smile befitting his family. With only one to bear witness to the event.

Luffy stood in silence tears dropping for eyes before he looked up at the giant shining tree with a new found determination. And so utilizing his new powers Luffy extended his arms and and stretched to the top of the tree and began to eat fruits on masse ignoring the taste as the knowledge quickly entered his mind.

It took hours to devour each of the fruits not wanting to miss a single one but finally panting Luffy sat on the ground as he held up the now carrot sized tree. "Bottoms up." He panted and scarfing down the tree as he felt his body already start to change just as Xebec said it would.

With that done Luffy got to his feet and stared up to the ceiling. A large hole over where the tree used to stand no doubt what for Luffy to use to get out.

Glancing up at the sky he smirked as he held up his tiny fist. "Just you watch old man. I'll kick Imu's ass!" He yelled before holding up his other fist and his smirk became a wide happy grin.

"AND BECOME KING OF THE PIRATES!

To be continued.

And it's done, the first chapter of my new one piece story and I'm so excited for it. Don't worry I'll update Avatar and Imp before I focus on this.

But boy I'm excited for this story. Haven't been this excited since I was working on Ragnarok and I cant wait to get into it.

I've actually been messaging with the author of the story that inspired this story Milo F.Waters and the story being Monkey D Luffy- Avatar of Nika. I highly recommend this and their other stories.

This luffy will be different, not only smarter but he's also willing to kill. Not all the time but when he needs to.

As for the crew and harem, yes all the girls who aren't devil fruit users will get devil fruits while those that already do will get their bodies strengthen. Since I'm making the protagonist stronger I see no reason not to make the antagonist stronger, As for the devil fruits the girls will get I'm going to try to go for as many fan made devil fruits as I can. Though a lot of them will be powers from other series. And guys please help me with the fruit that combines Askin and Pernida's powers, the best I've come up with is the Body-Body Fruit.

Also please don't ask which girls are in and why. I'm already at 29 and I'm still in the pre-time skip.

I'm hoping to finish the childhood arc done in 2 more chapters but realistically it's gonna be 3 there's a lot to cover.

And I'm sure you noticed that a certain bear pastor was way older than he should have been. But yeah his story pretty much goes on the same as well as Giny's pretty much is the same. Both escaped during a killing came thanks to stealing the Paw-Paw Fruit and escaping with Iva. There was really no reason to do this "cough" MAKING BONNEY 22, MAKING BONNEY 22 cough sorry about that.

In other new's Bonney's actually 22 in this.

But yeah guys seriously I don't want this to be an issue I just want to get it out this of the way. I'll mention it again when she's introduced but can we all agree I'm not the type of guy who would put a 12 year into something like that?

Anyway I'm planning to cover some of the movies and Ova's though some will obviously be skipped.

Anyway next up is Avatar and then Imp. and then I'll focus on this until January when Harbin Hotel comes out and I'll be going back and forth between this and a new hazbinverse story.

Well that's it for now.

Till next time,

Bye.