"Talking"

"Thoughts"

"Attack/Technique"

Hey everyone here's a new story I came up with after looking at some challenges by merlla. Not only will Luffy be eating a different Fruit but his training will be different as well and this Luffy will be smarter and stronger, not a huge difference but enough some of the fights in the beginning will be easier. Also because of his new intelligence he will be bringing on more crewmates, again not everyone he fights but a few will turn over a new leaf. If you have an idea of who should feel free to pm me or put it in a review but please give me a better reason then because you like them.

That being said please review and let me know your thoughts on the story!

Disclaimer: I do not own One Piece

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Fushia Village, East Blue xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Fushia village had the honor of being one of the quietest and most peaceful villages in all of the East Blue. While they had a port, the small village was made up mostly of farmers so very few ever came to visit. Though recently, their newest visitors had caught the attention of one boy.

"Luffy, what are you doing up there?" A tall straw-hat wearing man asked from the deck of a large galleon. His red hair came to his neck and he wore a white button up shirt with loose tan pants that were cut off just below his knees. A black jacket hung off his shoulders and hide his sword, which was attached to his red sash. Besides the man's red hair his most distinctive feature was three scars, similar to an animal scratch, running diagonally across his left eye.

"I'm tired of you guys not taking me seriously Shanks!" A small black haired boy yelled from the dragon figure head of the ship. He was wearing tan shorts with a white tee shirt that had a blue anchor on it, and in his hand was a knife. "I'm going to show you guys I'm tough!" The gathered men all laughed, right until Luffy cut himself below his left eye.

"AHHHHHHH!" The pirates yelled as Shanks ran forward to grab the boy.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"It didn't hurt," Luffy said from his bar stool. After Shanks had his doctor patch him up they had all went to the local bar.

"Liar!" Shanks yelled as he smacked the boy over the head. "Stop doing stupid things!"

Luffy rubbed his head. "But I'm not afraid of pain!" He grinned. "And I want to be a pirate just like you! So if I can prove I'm good enough you have to take me with you." He pointed his fork at the man.

"Come on Captain, we can take him out once!" A man yelled over the noise.

"Ya just a quick trip in East Blue!" Another yelled as others started to agree.

Shanks took a gulp of beer. "Sure, but if he goes one of you has to stay."

"Tough luck Luffy." They all said and went back to partying.

"Traitors!" Luffy yelled before going back to his meal, though he was stabbing it a bit harder.

"The Captain's just looking out for you Luffy," Shank's first mate Benn said from his chair as he lite his pipe. He was a tall man like Shanks and had his black hair pulled back into a ponytail. He wore a tight black muscle shirt with loose green pants and a yellow sash around his waist. "He knows what the life of a pirate is like and the dangers that come with it."

"Really?" Luffy asked skeptically.

"Hey, how are you going to be a pirate if you can't swim little Anchor?" Shanks said before laughing at his own joke. Luffy pointed at the man and looked back at Benn.

"Hmmm...Well…." The man said before taking a drink and turning away.

"You seem happy today Captain." The bar owner Makino said as she carried in a small barrel.

"Making fun of him is my joy," Shanks said as he patted Luffy's head and finished his drink, the boy glaring at him the whole time.

"Do you want anything else Luffy?" Makino asked with a smile as she got behind the bar.

"More meat please!" Luffy grinned out. "And put it on my treasure tab."

"Treasure tab?" Shanks asked with a smirk. "What treasure have you got?"

"It's for after I become a famous pirate!" Luffy proclaimed as he drooled a bit at the meal put in front of him.

"There's money you'll never see Makino." Shanks said with a chuckle, his men laughed as well and Luffy ignored him for the meal in front of him.

Suddenly, the door was thrown open and a large group of men slowly walked inside. "Excuse me." The lead man said as he walked in and looked around. "So this is what pirates look like," He said before turning to his men. "Look pretty dumb to me." He was a tall, dark-skinned man with black hair, a black goatee, and an X-shaped scar above his right eye. He was wearing a long purple coat over a white shirt, black trousers, and a golden necklace.

He moved to the bar and stood right next to Shanks before slapping his hand down on it. "I want ten barrels of sake for me and my men." Luffy had finished his meal but was still hungry. Not caring about the subject, he headed towards the pirate Lucky Roo, as Luffy knew he always had good treats.

"I'm sorry." Makino replied meekly. "But were all out for today."

The man sneered and looked around before turning back to her. "Then what are they all drinking, water?"

"Hehe, looks like me and my boys finished it all," Shanks said as he held out a bottle to the man. "Here, you can have this."

Faster than Luffy could follow the man backhanded the bottle, the contents spilling all over Shanks. Luffy, who had found a weird looking fruit that was blue and white with small horn like bumps on it and had taken a bite, dropped his new food in shock. "Do I look like I need your pity?" The man asked as he looked down at Shanks. "Do you know who I am?" He reached into his jacket and pulled out a bounty poster and holding it up. "See this? I have a bounty of eight million and have personally killed fifty six men. We're the most feared bandits in East Blue!"

Shanks, whose clothes were now dripping, looked at the floor. "Aww man, now the floor's wet." He said ignoring the man and getting off his stool. "Sorry about that Makino, do you have a mop or something?"

The bandit grit his teeth at being ignored. He quickly drew his sword and slashed the bar top. This resulted in all the glasses breaking and what content they had left in them spilling over Shanks, the floor and bar top. "Since you enjoy cleaning so much you can clean all of that as well!" He and his men laughed as they all turned and left the bar.

Silence filled the bar for a few minutes before some of the pirates began to laugh. "He really got you cap'!" Soon everyone, including Shanks, was laughing.

"Why are you laughing!?" Luffy yelled as he abandoned his fruit, it tasted horrible to him anyway. "You're supposed to be pirates, why didn't you fight back?!" He ran up and glared at Shanks.

"Ah come on Luffy, it was just a bottle of sake," Shanks said with a grin.

"Whatever coward," Luffy huffed out and turned to leave.

"Hold up Luffy," Shanks said and reached out to grab the boy's arm, only to grab hold of something furry. "Hmm?" Looking down Shanks saw a blue and white appendage, which he followed with his eyes to see it was a tail coming out of Luffy. Said boy had felt himself being grabbed and turned back to see the same thing.

"AAAHHHHHH!" Both of them yelled as Shanks jumped to his feet.

"Luffy, when did you get a tail?!" Shanks yelled.

"Why do I have a tail?!" Luffy yelled back.

"Captain!" Everyone turned to see Lucky Roo holding up a small empty chest. "The Devil Fruit is gone!"

Shanks heart raced and his eyes widened as he spun and grab Luffy. "Luffy, did you eat a fruit out of that chest?"

"Yeah but it tasted awful!" Luffy shivered as he thought about the fruit. Suddenly, he felt a small jolt go throughout his body.

"Fuck!" Shanks yelped as he dropped the boy as a small bolt of electricity had hit him. While it didn't hurt he looked at Luffy with shock. "Oh, this is not good."

"Shanks what's going on?" Luffy asked. He was really starting to freak out.

"Luffy you ate a Devil Fruit, one of the rarest treasures of the sea." Shanks said as he squatted down to look Luffy in the eye. "They give the eaters a great power but at the cost of never being able to swim in the sea again." Luffy looked panicked. "The one you ate was the Inu Inu Fruit, Model: Raijū. It is classified as a Mystical Zoan type and amongst the rarest of all fruits."

Luffy stared at the man for a few seconds before he cocked his head to the side. "What?" He replied in confusion. Shanks let out a long sigh and stood up.

He pulled off his hat and ran a hand threw his hair; he was in a bind and a big one. Had it been any other fruit he figured Luffy could be fine but Zoan types were extremely difficult to master. "And of course he had to have eaten a fucking Mythical one." Shanks sighed again and looked around the bar, seeing that everyone was watching him. "Roo, help Makino clean up and restock the bar." The portly man nodded and quickly got to work. He knew he was in trouble for losing their biggest treasure to date. "Benn, Luffy, come with me."

The trio left the bar with Luffy's tail wagging behind him with small sparks coming off of it occasionally. As they walked towards the ship some of the villagers all starred and looked at them. After all, they knew Luffy and couldn't remember him having a tail. "Benn, take Luffy into my quarters and try to explain to him what's happening to him." A gasp made them both look down and see Luffy's hair had grown out like a mane and started to turn blue.

"Right Captain." Benn said and guided the boy towards Shanks' cabin. The red haired pirate watched them go before walking down into the bowels of the ship to a room with a shelf built into the room all the way around. Spread out on it were different Den Den Mushi, Shanks connected one to a speaker and dialed a frequency he never liked to dial.

"Who's this?" A voice said after a few seconds of ringing.

"This is Red-Haired Shanks." Shanks replied, his voice was all business now and held no mirth. "Tell your Captain I want to talk."

"….one minute." The voice replied and he heard the sound of someone running and a door being thrown open. Shanks let out another sigh and adjusted his hat as he waited, five minutes later the voice was back. "He said if you want to talk do it in person."

"Where are you then?" Shanks asked, he already knew he would have to show up anyway.

"He said to meet us at Mock Town." Shanks nodded to himself. "And to bring some good rum." Shanks grinned at the last part.

"See you there." He said before cutting the connection, letting out a sigh he turned and headed back to his room.

"So you get it?" Shanks heard Benn ask as he opened the door; the man was massaging his head and looked like he did whenever he had a bad hangover.

"So I get to become a wolf!" Luffy yelled with a giant grin. His tail was gone but his hands now resembled claws.

"A badass lightning wolf," Shanks said with a grin as he walked in.

"Captain," Benn said with a nod but Shanks could hear the unasked question.

Shanks walked over and looked down at Luffy. "Luffy, how serious are you about becoming a pirate?" The boy was taken aback by the seriousness of Shanks but recovered quick.

"I'm going to be a pirate," Luffy stated firmly as he starred the man in the eyes. "Not only that, I'm going to become King of the Pirates!" Shanks starred at him, searching the boy's eyes for any sign of doubt.

"Alright then, Benn explained you new power to you right?" Luffy nodded. "Then you know it's going to be difficult to master right?"

"I can do it!" Luffy yelled with a grin. "And when I do I'll be more powerful than even you!" He pointed a clawed finger at the man.

"I'll hold you to that." Shanks replied with a grin. "But your powers are too wild to let you stay here without help, you might accidently shock someone or go cut them." Luffy frowned and suddenly his body began to crackle. "Whoa whoa! Happy thoughts happy thoughts!" Shanks yelled as he waved his hand at the boy. "See, we're going to take you to someone I believe can help."

Luffy looked excited but Benn narrowed his eyes. "Who can that be? We know a few Zoan type users but the only Mythical is…" His eyes went wide.

"Yea Benn." Shanks said before the man could speak. "Were going to go ask the old man for a favor."

"You think he'll do it?" Benn asked. Luffy pouted as they talked because he didn't understand what was going on.

"Who's he?" Luffy asked but was ignored.

"I think I can make a convincing argument." Shanks said, he already had a few points he thought the man would like. "Go tell the others to help Roo finish cleaning and stocking, then grab what gear or supplies we need. I want to set sail in four hours."

Benn nodded his head. "What about Luffy?" Both men looked down at the boy, who again had his tail.

"I'll help him get his gear and say his goodbyes." Shanks replied.

"I get to go with you guys?!" Luffy yelled as everything started to click together.

"Yeah Luffy, now come on." Shanks rubbed the boys head and guided him to the door. "We got a lot to do and not much time." Luffy nodded and quickly ran off to get his things and say goodbye to everyone. He was so excited to start his pirate adventure!

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Mock Town, East Blue (Two Weeks Later) xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

The trip had not been as exciting as Luffy had hoped. There was a bit of excitement but Shanks made him stay in his cabin mostly. Luffy understood though as every time he started getting excited he would generate electricity and start shocking things and people around him. Shanks and the others had done the best they could to help him channel his power, but none of them were fruit users so they couldn't be one hundred percent sure what he needed to do.

Leaving Fushia Village had been easier than Luffy thought too. While everyone knew and liked him, Shanks explained why he had to go. They understood and everyone wished him the best while Luffy promised that when he was ready he would come back and start his real pirate adventure from there. After it sank in he realized this wasn't so much an adventure as it was training for his future pirate career.

"Luffy we're here!" The boy heard Shanks yell and he bolted out the door. He covered his eyes as he walked into the sunshine then dashed over to the railing to look at the town they pulled up to. Tall trees covered most of the area but Luffy could see several buildings popping out over the tops. Along the dock many people were pointing at them then running off into the town. "Come on Luffy, and stay close." Shanks said as they headed towards the gangplank.

Luffy nodded and fell in step at Shank's side with Benn behind him and the sharp shooter Yasopp to Shanks left side. Luffy continued to look around as they walked; he was impressed with the town as it was larger and more animated then Fushia Village. Most of the buildings looked either new or had new parts to them, like they were just repaired or improved.

"So where is he at?" Yasopp said as he looked around the town.

"He's up ahead." Shanks said as spied a large group of men gathered around an open café.

Luffy was curious as they walked towards the group and noticed everyone starting to stand, moving chairs and tables out of their way. It was then Luffy noticed the largest man he had ever seen before. The man was bare chested but wore a black bandanna around his head and adorned himself with a white captain's coat which hung loosely from his broad shoulders. His face was covered by a large white crescent moon moustache and he had a small grin on his face as the group approached. "So you finally show up Red Hair." The man said as he leaned an elbow on his knee and propped his head on his fist. "I must say I'm curious as to why you wanted to meet."

"First things first," Shanks said with a grin and snapped his fingers. Two men came forward with a large barrel. "The rum as promised." Shanks grabbed hold of the barrel and with one hand tossed it at the man.

He didn't blink at the projectile and with good reason. Before it was even ten feet from him two men jumped up and caught it. "Thanks boys."

"No problem Pops." One of the men said.

Luffy took this time to tug on Shanks pant leg to get his attention. "Hey Shanks, who's the old guy?" He asked as he pointed at the large man.

Everyone heard the question and stopped, a few held their breaths. "Luffy may I introduce Edward Newgate, A.K.A Whitebeard or The Strongest Man in the World." Shanks said as he eyed the large man.

Luffy looked at Shanks, then Whitebeard and stared for a second before looking back at Shanks. "That's dumb, he doesn't even have a beard." Shanks had to use all his will power not to laugh at the innocent statement.

The Whitebeard Pirates all went wide eyed and some were about to yell when suddenly booming laughter filled the area. Turning, they all saw Whitebeard with his head thrown back and slapping his knee. "Ha! That kids great, no one's called me on that in years." All the surrounding pirates let out a sigh of relief the man wasn't angry. "What's your name kid?" Whitebeard asked as he bent down to get a better look at Luffy, his eyes narrowed when he saw the tail and small horns.

"I'm Monkey D. Luffy and I'm going to be King of the Pirates!" Luffy yelled proudly and puffed out his chest.

"Is that so?" Whitebeard said as he sat back in his chair. "So Red Hair I take it he's why you wanted to meet."

Shanks nodded. "Kid ate the Mystical Zoan Fruit, Inu Inu Fruit, Model: Raijū." Some of the Whitebeard Pirates began to whisper to each other. "I couldn't in good conscious leave him in a village with no one to guide him."

"And only one other person has that particular experience." Whitebeard finished as he caught on to the plan. "The question is why should I? That's a lot of responsibility for my son and he has a lot on his plate already."

"First reason is the amusement factor," Shanks said, earning a confused look from everyone. "Luffy tell Whitebeard your grandpa's name."

Luffy cocked his head to the side. "Grandpa Garp? Why?"

"Garp?" Whitebeard replied. "As in Vice-Admiral Garp?"

Luffy spun to look at the man. "Yeah that's my grandpa, he's always trying to get me to be a Marine but I told him I'm going to be a Pirate."

Whitebeard saw the advantage now; he would love to be able to rub it in the man's face that he had a part in making his grandson a pirate. "Why else?"

Shanks smiled when he realized he had Whitebeard on the hook. "Second, while he won't become one of your son's I know you'll take pride in seeing how far he goes and trust me, it'll be to the top."

"And why do you believe that?" Whitebeard asked.

"Because I saw the conviction in his eyes." Shanks replied seriously. "The same conviction I saw in his." Shanks stressed the last word so the older pirate knew who he meant.

Whitebeard stared at Shanks for a few seconds then Luffy. "Marco."

"Yeah Pop?" One of the pirates said as he walked to the front of Whitebeard so everyone in Shank's group could see him. He was a lean, muscular, blonde-haired man with a rather sleepy look and some stubble around his chin. He was wearing a purple jacket and a light blue sash adorned with an elaborate golden-yellow belt around his waist. He had dark gray knee-long pants and black sandals, and on his left leg he wears what appears to be some sort of straw decoration. On his chest he has a cross and crescent moon mustache symbol that resembles a dark blue silhouette of Whitebeard's Jolly Roger tattooed on it.

"You hear everything?" The man nodded. "Well if we take the kid he'll be your responsibility, so what do you think?"

Marco spun and lazily walked over to Luffy, the boy giving him a curious look as he did. When he got close Marco leaned forward and looked Luffy in the eye.

"So you want to be King of the Pirates, huh?" Marco asked and Luffy nodded. "What if I told you pop's here," He nodded back to Whitebeard, "is going to be Pirate King."

"Then I'll just beat him up and take it myself," Luffy said with a grin. Marco smirked as he looked at the boy.

"If you come with us you know it'll be tough and I won't cut you any slack," Marco said. "You can't handle it, you die."

"Well if I'm going to be the Pirate King I can take any training you throw at me." Luffy replied and puffed out his chest. Marco nodded and stood back up.

"Sure, why not." He called out so Whitebeard could hear him. "Might be fun."

"Then it's settled!" Whitebeard said as he stomped his foot, causing the ground to shake. "Boys, say hello to our new cabin boy!"

Shanks grinned as everyone cheered, even Luffy looked excited. 'Learning under the strongest pirate of his time, heh kids following in my footsteps and doesn't even know it.' "Hey Luffy." Shanks said getting the boys attention.

"Yeah Shanks?" Luffy asked as the man crouched down.

"I know you wanted to travel with us but I think this is for the best." He nodded to Marco. "Marco there can help you with your power better then I can." He then pulled off his hat and placed it on Luffy's head. "This hat is my gift to you; it's my favorite one after all." He smiled down at the boy. "When you become a great pirate you can return it to me." With that Shanks turned and started heading back to his ship, his men right behind him.

Luffy's chin quivered as Shanks gave him the gift. "Shanks!" The man looked over his shoulder. "I'll become King of the Pirates in no time and you'll have to take it back then!" The man grinned and nodded his head. Luffy didn't notice but the Whitebeard Pirates held small grins of their own at the declaration. Whipping the few tears from his face Luffy spun around and looked up to Marco. "Alright I'm ready to start!"

Marco chuckled and nodded his head. "First things first, let's introduce you to everyone." Luffy nodded and followed after the pirate as they joined the group.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Fushia Village (10 years later) xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Anyone who had ever sailed the sea in any fashion has seen something strange in their life. Whether it be a Sea King, Devil Fruit users or battles between pirates and Marines but the sight some found heading towards Fushia Village was new. Skimming across the water was a small one person boat with a single sail, which was rolled up currently. What made this boat different was the fact it had a large flame shooting out the back of it as a source thrust and quickly brought the vessel to the island dock.

"Here we are." The man standing on the boats small deck said. "Home sweet home." The man wore black boots, black knee-length shorts with an eyelet-studded orange belt, and a blue pouch belted around his left leg. He also wore a short second belt with a large red "A" on the silver buckle over his right hip, but left it unfastened and threaded the free end along the back of his shorts. A dagger in a green sheath hung at his left hip. On his left arm he wore a Log Pose and a red and white striped bracelet around his wrist, an orange elbow guard, and had a tattoo that read "ASCE". He wore a red beaded necklace and an orange hat with two blue smileys, one frowning and one smiling, and a string of red beads sitting above the rim. Two long orange side straps hung down sides of his hat and met at a large medallion of a bull's skull with orange tassels. His torso was bare to show off his muscular body and a tattoo of the Whitebeard Pirates Jolly Roger on his back. He smiled and looked up to the teen sitting on the top of his boats mast.

Luffy looked down at his adopted brother Ace. Ten years had been good to the boy now turned man. He was taller, standing five foot eight inches, and had gained a fair amount of muscle, though was still lean compared to Ace. He now wore a dark blue vest with white fur trim, a light blue sash tied around his stomach and loose white pants with sandals. He still sported the Straw Hat Shanks had given him and grinned under it. "Yup." Luffy said before he stood and pushed off the mast to land on the deck.

"So you sure you want to start here?" Ace asked as he looked around the village. He loved the village but with Luffy's experience he could easily start somewhere in the Grand Line.

Luffy just nodded, having discussed this several times with many of the Whitebeard Crew. Firstly, while he traveled with them he was rarely allowed off the ship, even though they knew he could handle himself, because he wasn't an official member of the crew and they didn't want the Marines to see him. He also figured out that was really something Whitebeard said to do to try and convince Luffy to join, something the Captain made a habit of doing his entire time with them.

A few years back Ace had been brought on by Whitebeard, though the man wasn't happy about it and was constantly trying to kill the pirate legend. Ace was curious about Luffy and after talking to him they both found that not only were they from Fushia but Ace apparently was familiar with his Grandfather, after that they started growing close. "Well pops told me to try one more time before I left." Ace replied with a grin and adjusted his hat. "So I guess I'll be seeing yah."

Luffy nodded then gained a serious look. "Ace, when you find Teach make sure to give him one for me." Ace lost his grin and nodded.

"No problem," Ace said before his legs ignited, flames leaping out from the back of the boat and pushing him away.

Luffy gave a small smile as he watched Ace leave before turning and walking towards the bar. He couldn't wait to see Makino again, plus he needed a place to stay for the night. Walking through the village he noticed people stop and stare at him only to break into whispers which made him chuckle. He grinned when he saw the bar and pushed the door open to find it empty.

"Welcome, how can I help you?" Makino asked with a smile as she stopped her sweeping. "Hmm?" She said as she stared at Luffy for a second then grinned. "Luffy!" She dropped her broom and ran to the teen, who pulled her into a big hug.

"Hey Makino-chan." Luffy said with a large grin.

She stepped back and looked him over. "Look how you've grown." Luffy chuckled at her. "Come sit down and tell me everything." She grabbed his arm and pulled him over to the bar stools.

The two talked, and in Luffy's case eat, for hours about what they had been doing in the last decade. Eventually though the door was thrown open and Luffy was surprised to see who walked in; the same bandits from the day he eat his Devil Fruit. "Sake, woman." The leader demanded as he and his men spread out, ignoring Luffy.

Makino frowned at the comment but held her tongue as she knew it would only cause trouble. "Makino." The woman and bandit turned to Luffy as he turned to the bandit. "She has a name and it's not woman."

The bandit looked Luffy up and down. "Do you know who you're talking to boy?" His men all chuckled as he placed a hand on his blade.

"A pitiful excuse for a bandit that lives on an island with farming villages that would never warrant a Marine visit." Luffy replied casually but the comment made the men go wide eyed. "I bet you've never even set foot in Goa because you're scared to get caught, or worse beaten."

The man was shaking with anger and he gripped his sword tighter. "You brat!" He yelled before drawing the weapon and moved to attack Luffy. Makino gasped and closed her eyes. Luffy however grinned and moved so fast the men barely saw him move, arriving inside the man's range. "What?"

"Too slow." Luffy said before delivering a powerful punch to the man's stomach, forcing all of the air out of his lungs and making him drop his weapon as he fell to his knees.

"Higuma-sama!" His men yelled as they jumped to their feet.

"You bastard!" One yelled as he ran at Luffy with a sword raised.

Luffy swayed out of the way as the blade came down then threw a quick punch, knocking the man back and out. The rest of the men gathered their courage and charged at Luffy, weapons and fists raised to attack. The teen grinned then dashed forward, moving through the group while delivering crippling blows to each man he passed. One minute later and every bandit was on the ground. "Not even a warm up." He said before walking towards the bar while Makino looked on surprised. "We should get some rope and tie them up before sending someone to get a guard from Goa," Luffy said as he nudged the man. "If he still has a bounty you can collect it."

"What?" Makino said after a second of processing, Luffy shot her a large grin and chuckled.

"It's good to be home." He said before grabbing his bag and heading to the empty room in the back.