Noticed the change in Luffy's fashion. Maybe this is why. It is set supposedly as Luffy gets ready to depart the island he's stayed for two years. The scene with Ace refers to the Alabasta Arc. THe one with Zoro can be from any Arc. Um a bit of mature Luffy?

In two years, he is finally going back. The day he and his crew promised is coming. It will be a day of reunion but at the same time it means parting with other things he has befriended these past two years and he takes his time to say goodbye. His things are scattered along the shore and buried in the sand but he doesn't mind; he has been standing with his back to the waves, staring at the island one last time.

When a seagull cries in tune with the waves, he knows it is his time to go. He finds his red shirt a clump of wrinkles and sand. He snuggles into it with his fingers automatically reaching to clasp the buttons.

The angry scar vivid on his chest fills his view and he pauses.

Nami has taught him the importance of being discreet, the need to sometimes hide in order to protect and though he doesn't fully understand Luffy trusts Nami enough to comply. Ace has no such cover as the tattoo in his back is embedded into his skin and to hide it-it may be the one thing Luffy's older brother isn't capable of.

Maybe it is something about his thoughtful silence that is a second too long because Ace glances back at him. When he follows his little brother's gaze the grin on the freckled face grows knowing. Luffy wants to ask but he doesn't know how. In the end it doesn't matter, Luffy decides. He is content with the amused, fierce sparkle in his brother's eyes and he understands that words sometimes aren't enough to explain, that words can sometimes take the magic away.

So Luffy only tilts his head as he grins at the dark purple skull bone looking back at him. Ace laughs out loud and motions that it's time to move. Their enemies are yelling from behind and Ace taunts them all the way showing them his pride and joy, leaving his back bare...

...Luffy watches Zoro slide into a new shirt, the previous one having been battered in another battle. His eyes follows the gash that starts from one shoulder and snakes down to the other side of the hip.

"I don't mind it." Zoro shrugs as he fixes his collar.

It's the proof of his defeat and they both know it.

"Really," Zoro's gaze softens when he sees the memory in Luffy's eyes. "It's something to be proud of, or maybe it isn't. Either way I'm okay."

Luffy thinks this may be the one thing that he'll never understand about Zoro because to him that scar is pain and fear and not-okay.

Zoro dusts his own shoulder before returning his katanas to the familiar place by his waist. The two silently leave together in search for food and good beer and neither ever brings the subject up again.

After almost every battle, Zoro changes a shirt and Luffy always wonders. The swordsman never buttons, leaving his chest bare.

He tilts his head, remembers and dares to understand.

His hands fall to his side and Monkey D. Luffy turns to the sea and faces the world with his shirt hanging loose and his scar bare.

Let them see. Luffy decides. Let them all see.

The tips of Luffy's mouth slowly turn upwards to a blinding grin.

He never buttons his shirts again.